cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generalized conference matrices and projective planes

In 1982, Dieter Jungnickel showed that the existence of an (a,A)-transitive finite projective plane with a nonincident point-line pair (a,A) is equivalent to the existence of a generalized conference matrix of index 1 over the group of all (a,A)-homologies. I will further investigate this equivalence with respect to projective planes of Lenz-Barlotti classes I.2, I.3, I.4, and II.2. As an application, I will obtain a short proof of the following result: if a finite projective plane of even order is (a,A)- and (b,B)-transitive with B=ab and b=AB and if the group of all (a,A)-homologies is abelian, then the group of all (b,B)-elations is elementary abelian and therefore the order of the plane is a power of 2.
Deriving the hard thermal loops of QCD from classical transport theory.

Classical transport theory is employed to analyze the hot quark-gluon plasma at the leading order in the coupling constant. A condition on the (covariantly conserved) color current is obtained. From this condition, the generating functional of hard thermal loops with an arbitrary number of soft external bosonic legs can be derived. Our approach, besides being more direct than alternative ones, shows that hard thermal loops are essentially classical.
The evolution of excellence: Policies, paradigms, and practices shaping US research and development

Abstract An ongoing interest in the history of US technological advancement exists due to its influence on US economic growth, productivity, and international competitiveness. Federal government policy and investments have fostered a collaborative culture between the main supporters and performers of US research and development: the government, academia, and industry. At present, a full two-thirds of our nation's research and development spending comes from the private sector, and research and development is closely linked to the marketplace. The US government tracks key international science and technology metrics in order to inform its priority-setting process. The latest trends indicate that a broad expansion of science and technology capabilities is underway in many countries, both policy- and market-driven. In today's economic landscape, the US is confronting a host of new challenges on the global scientific and economic competitive fronts.
High-performance liquid chromatography with concanavalin A immobilized by metal interactions on the stationary phase.

Abstract Concanavalin A (Con A) was immobilized via metal interactions on macroporous, microparticulate silica support having covalently bound iminodiacetic acid functions (IDA-silica) chelated with Cu(II) at the surface. The amount of copper and of Con A in the column could readily be controlled by the conditions used for chelating the metal by IDA-silica and for immobilization of the lectin. The retention behavior of columns packed with the stationary phase did not change under a wide range of elution conditions, indicating no loss of immobilized lectin. However, the Con A proper could readily be removed from the column at pH 3.0 or together with Cu(II) by perfusion with EDTA at neutral pH. Columns containing Con A immobilized by this technique exhibited dual retention behavior for proteins, glycoproteins, and carbohydrates according to the pertinent glycan-lectin or protein-metal interactions. The glycoproteins, peroxidase and α 1 -acid glycoprotein, were retained by the Con A moiety and eluted with eluents containing competing sugars, whereas the proteins, β-lactoglobulin, α-chymotrypsinogen A, and ribonuclease A and B were retained by the chelated copper and were eluted and separated with eluents containing sodium chloride or borate. Binding constants of glycosides on the immobilized Con A were evaluated chromatographically and found to be one-third to two-thirds those reported in the literature on the basis of experiments in free solution.
The incremental validity of information used in personality assessment.

Abstract The incremental validity of personality assessment data is described. Validity generally increases when biographical, MMPI, or neuropsychological test data is added to demographic or psychometric information. However, the findings for other types of assessment data are not as positive, e.g., the addition of videotapes of interviews to transcripts of interviews does not lead to an increase in validity. Conclusions must be tempered by the presence of individual differences. Recommendations are made for studying how individual clinicians process information. Finally, implications for clinical versus statistical prediction are discussed.
Inhibitory Neuron and Hippocampal Circuit Dysfunction in an Aged Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), a decline in explicit memory is one of the earliest signs of disease and is associated with hippocampal dysfunction. Amyloid protein exerts a disruptive impact on neuronal function, but the specific effects on hippocampal network activity are not well known. In this study, fast voltage-sensitive dye imaging and extracellular and whole-cell electrophysiology were used on entorhinal cortical-hippocampal slice preparations to characterize hippocampal network activity in 12–16 month old female APPswe/PSEN1DeltaE9 (APdE9 mice) mice. Aged APdE9 mice exhibited profound disruptions in dentate gyrus circuit activation. High frequency stimulation of the perforant pathway in the dentate gyrus (DG) area of APdE9 mouse tissue evoked abnormally large field potential responses corresponding to the wider neural activation maps. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings of the identified inhibitory interneurons in the molecular layer of DG revealed that they fail to reliably fire action potentials. Taken together, abnormal DG excitability and an inhibitory neuron failure to generate action potentials are suggested to be important contributors to the underlying cellular mechanisms of early-stage Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology.
Protective and vulnerability factors for physically abused children: effects of ethnicity and parenting context

OBJECTIVE: Although social maladjustment appears to be common among abused children, negative outcomes are not inevitable. This investigation was designed to determine whether ethnicity and features of the parenting context predicted children's social adjustment, and whether the strength and direction of these relations differed for abused and nonabused children. METHOD: Participants included 78 physically abused and 75 demographically matched nonabused children and one of their parents. Observations of parenting were used to measure parental sensitivity, and parent self-reports of depression were obtained using the SCL-90-R. Children's peer social adjustment was measured by teacher report. RESULTS: Using regression analysis, we tested whether each potential protective or vulnerability factor interacted with abuse status in prediction of social adjustment. Results indicated main effects of ethnicity and sensitivity for prosocial behavior, and a main effect of sensitivity for aggression. In addition, there was a significant interaction of ethnicity and abuse status for aggression such that there was a significant difference between abused and nonabused European American children but not between abused and nonabused African American children. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that risk for aggressive behavior among abused children might be culturally specific rather than universal. In addition, results point to beneficial effects of parental sensitivity for maltreated children. Language: en
ASSESSMENT OF BURLEY TOBACCO NITROGEN NEEDS FOLLOWING COVER CROPPING AND MANURE APPLICATION

Abstract Nitrogen (N) fertilizer recommendations for burley tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) seldom are adjusted to compensate for available N supplied when cover crops and/or animal manures are part of the cropping system. A field study was initiated to assess i) N availability from cover crops and manures to burley tobacco, ii) response of burley tobacco to N fertilizer provided by cover crops or manures, and iii) the usefulness and adaptability of soil testing and/or plant analysis for evaluating the supplemental fertilizer N needs of burley tobacco. The experimental design was a split-plot with fallow, crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), rye (Secale cereale), and rye + hairy vetch cover crops and fall-applied and spring-applied manure as main plot treatments and five fertilizer N rates ranging from 0 to 200 kg N ha−1 in 50 kg N ha−1 increments as split-plot treatments. Soil and tobacco petioles were sampled in the 0 kg N ha−1 check plots during the growing season to determin...
A radioimmunoassay for norethindrone (NET): Measurement of serum net concentrations following ingestion of net-containing oral contraceptive steroids

Abstract A sensitive and reliable radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the measurement of norethindrone (NET) in serum has been established employing anti-11α,-hydroxynorethindrone 11-hemisuccinyl-bovine serum albumin serum in conjunction with norethindrone-3-(O-carboxymethyl)oximino-[ 125 I]-iodohistamine. of a number of ring A reduced NET metabolites, only 17β-hydroxy-17α-ethinyl-5β-estran-3-one (43%) and 17α-ethinyl-5α-estrane-3β,17β-diol (15.7%) cross-reacted appreciably in this RIA. Ethinyl estradiol (EE 2 ) and mestranol (MEE 2 ) exhibited cross-reactions of only 1.1 and 0.4%, respectively. Serum NET levels were measured in four groups of 3 women, each ingesting either 1 mg NET plus 0.05 mg MEE 2 (Norinyl 1 + 50 ® or Ortho Novum 150 ® ), 0.5 mg NET plus 0.035 mg EE 2 (Brevicon ® ) or only 0.35 mg NET (Micronor ® ) daily for 5 consecutive days. Peak serum NET levels were observed within 12 to 4 hours after oral intake and fell precipitously thereafter. After reaching a maximum, serum NET concentrations declined in a manner consistent with at least two disposition phases. The average half-life for the first disposition phase was 2.3. 3.4, 3.9 and 4.4 hours in subjects ingesting Norinyl 1 + 50 ®, Ortho Novum 150 ®, Brevicon ® and Micronor ®, respectively. Peak and 3-hour post-ingestion serum NET concentrations were dose-related but showed considerable subject-to-subject variations. Following discontinuation of tablet intake, serum NET levels remained detectable (> 0.05 ng/ml) for at least 5 days in all 3 women who had taken Ortho Novum 150 ®, but in none of the other 9 volunteers. These results suggest that different preparations of identical doses and combinations of oral contraceptive steroids may yield different serum NET profiles. However, due to considerable subject-to-subject variations, larger numbers of subjects are required for a conclusive investigation.
The stochastic multicommodity flow problem

This paper formulates and classifies some multicommodity flow problems (MFP) on “stochastic networks.” Here, the arc attributes are not necessarily deterministic, but, rather, are allowed to be probabilistic. Some special cases of the stochastic multicommodity flow problems (SMFP) are considered where the resultant formulations are solvable by existing algorithms for MFP. Specifically, we consider the following problems: (1) SMFP-FLOW INDEPENDENT, where the arc travel attributes are random but not dependent on the flows in the network, and (2) SMFP-FLOW DEPENDENT, where the stochasticity of arc travel attributes is either due to random demands or due to arc free-flow travel attributes being probabilistic. The scenario where the cost function c(w), of travel attribute w, is linear is fully explored-for both the above problems. Also, some special cases of the problems are studied when c(w) is exponential or quadratic in w. As an illustrative application, some traffic assignment problems on stochastic networks are formulated and solved as SMFPs.
A role of inductive factors in interstitial cell differentiation in Hydra.

The distribution of interstitial cells and I-cell derivatives in hydra is asymmetrical. This asymmetry is expressed apico-basally along the stalk and radially with respect to cell layer. An inductive factor concentrated from the tissues of hydra alters this expression of polarity (Lesh and Burnett, '66). To test the hypothesis that quantitative differences in the concentration of this inducer effect qualitative differences in I-cell differentiation, regenerating annuli were exposed to tissue extracts containing varying levels of inductive activity. Two types of extracts were employed: (1) serial dilutions of an active extract; and (2) extracts from different species of hydra exhibiting decreasing levels of inductive capacity. Hydra pirardi annuli were incubated four hours in extract. After 24 hours annuli were fixed, sectioned, stained, and counts made of all cell types. Statistical analyses of these counts show that responding cell types demonstrate one or both of two responses: proliferation and/or differentiation. The initial response in normal annuli is a 1.9 ± fold increase in the proportion of I-cells present. Annuli which undergo an increase in I-cell complement before incubation develop alterations in the distribution of I-cell derivatives. At concentrated inducer levels isorhiza cnidocytes (epidermis) and mucus cells (gastrodermis) differentiate. At lower concentrations stenotele cnidocytes and gland cells appear. The distribution of epithelio-muscular cells and digestive cells (not I-cell derivatives) is independent of inducer concentration. Also, the distribution of I-cells and derivatives found after the experimental treatments coincides directly with the distribution of these cell types relative to the inductive regions of intact hydra.
LAPAROSCOPIC RADICAL NEPHRECTOMY: CANCER CONTROL FOR RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

Purpose: We evaluated the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic versus open radical nephrectomy in patients with clinically localized renal cell carcinoma.Materials and Methods: Between 1991 and 1999, 67 laparoscopic radical nephrectomies were performed for clinically localized, stages cT1/2 NXMX, pathologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma. During this period 54 patients who underwent open radical nephrectomy with pathologically confirmed stages pT1/2 NXMX disease were also identified. Medical and operative records were retrospectively reviewed and telephone followup was done to assess patient status.Results: In the laparoscopic and open groups average tumor size was 5.1 (range 1 to 13) and 5.4 cm. (range 0.2 to 18), respectively, which was not statistically significant. No patient had laparoscopic port site, wound or renal fossa tumor recurrence in either group. All patients were followed at least 12 months. In the laparoscopic group 2 cancer specific deaths occurred at a mean followup of 35.6 months. In ...
Determinants of early decline in ejection fraction after surgical correction of mitral regurgitation

Objective We sought to echocardiographically examine the early changes in left ventricular size and function after mitral valve repair or replacement for mitral regurgitation caused by leaflet prolapse. Methods Preoperative and early postoperative echocardiograms of 861 patients with mitral regurgitation caused by leaflet prolapse who underwent mitral valve repair or replacement (with or without coronary revascularization) were studied. Among the patients, 625 (73%) were men and 779 (90%) had mitral valve repair. Results The rate of valve repair increased from 78% in the first decade of the study to 92% in the second decade. At early echocardiography (mean, 5 days postoperatively), we observed significant decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (mean, −8.8) and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (mean, −7.5). The magnitude of the early decline in ejection fraction was similar in patients who had mitral valve repair and replacement. The decrease in postoperative ejection fraction was independently associated with a lower preoperative ejection fraction, the presence of atrial fibrillation, advanced New York Heart Association functional class, greater left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions, and larger left atrial size. Conclusion Surgical correction of mitral regurgitation results in an early decrease in ejection fraction, particularly in symptomatic patients with increased left heart dimensions.
Stuttering theory, research, and therapy: The present and future

Abstract The purpose of this article is to describe present dominant themes in stuttering theory, research, and therapy, and then suggest some directions that work in these areas might now take. The recommendations offered are not all-inclusive, nor do they represent imperatives for future work. Rather, the suggestions put forth seem to follow logically from the present state of theorizing, data gathering, and clinical management.
Caffeine stimulates β-endorphin release in blood but not in cerebrospinal fluid

Plasma beta-endorphin and prolactin profiles were obtained from groups of unstressed, adult male rats. The infusion of caffeine (20 mg/kg) via a chronic, indwelling intra-atrial cannula results in a prompt and sustained (2-2.5 h) rise In plasma beta-endorphin levels. The infusion of the opiate antagonist naloxone causes a modest (40%) decrease in plasma beta-endorphin and blunts the elevation in plasma beta-endorphin following caffeine administration. In contrast, plasma prolactin levels were unchanged following caffeine administration and were decreased by treatment with naloxone. Caffeine treatment did not effect CSF beta-endorphin levels or the release of beta-endorphin from hemipituitaries incubated in vitro.
Inhibition of lymphocyte mitogenesis by factor(s) released from macrophages isolated from ascitic fluid of advanced ovarian cancer patients

Ascitic fluid from women with advanced ovarian carcinomas was shown to contain factor(s) which inhibit(s) T lymphocyte mitogenesis. The factor(s) was (were) demonstrated to be associated with the infiltrating macrophages. The inhibition was reversible and inhibited mitogenesis at some late event in the cell cycle. The inhibitory substance(s) was (were) noncytotoxic, dialyzable, heat-stable at 70° C for 10 min (but unstable at 100° C for 15 min), and partially resistant to protease treatment (55%–70%). Further experiments demonstrated that macrophages isolated from the ascitic fluid of patients with cirrhosis of the liver also released factor(s) which inhibit(s) T lymphocyte mitogenesis. On the basis of our data and data from other investigators, we propose that in advanced human ovarian cancer of epithelial origin, macrophages which infiltrate the ascitic fluid elaborate nonspecific inhibitors of T lymphocyte blastogenesis within the proximal environment, resulting in localized immunosuppression and the subsequent enhancement of metastasis within the peritoneal cavity, the tumor cells themselves being resistant to the cytocidal action of the macrophages due to genetic selection and/or their inherent biochemical ability to circumvent normal immunosurveillance mechanisms. This may account, at least in part, for the rapid metastasis and poor prognosis of human ovarian adenocarcinomas.
Occupational Knowledge Its Impact On Career Plans and Early Status Attainment

Recent findings from the Department of Labor's National Longitudinal Surveys (NLS) show that level of occupational knowledge is stronglv influenced bv both social origin and certain family- and school-related factors. Additionally, the pre liminary NLS findmgs suggest that occupational knowledge makes a significant and independent contribution to earlv occupational status attainment and mcome for a national sample of vouth The present analysts develops a causal model with a level of occupational knowledge in the sophomore year of high school as an mtervening variable between background and senior career attitudes and subsequent early status attainment. Using path analysis, the results indicate that occupational knowledge does not contribute to status attainment directly, but has significant "socialization" effects on career attitudes whrch in turn impact positively on attainment Significant nonlinear bivariate relationships between occupatronal knowledge and status attainment indicate that the modicum of ...
Temperature-dependent polarization characteristics of composite-resonator vertical-cavity lasers

We investigate the output characteristics from 10/spl deg/C to 160/spl deg/C of a monolithic dual-resonator vertical-cavity laser composed of three distributed Bragg reflector mirrors that separate two nominally identical optical cavities. The light output from the top ion-implanted cavity under forward bias is partitioned into two orthogonal polarizations of the fundamental transverse mode. A reverse bias of sufficient magnitude applied to the bottom oxide cavity causes the abrupt suppression of the dominant polarization and simultaneous emergence of the orthogonal polarization, consistent with wavelength dependent electroabsorptive loss in the reverse biased quantum wells of the oxide-confined cavity. We calculate the internal loss as a function of reverse bias and temperature, and characterize the polarization properties of the device based on the temperature dependence of the laser output. The polarization switching is consistent with increasing absorption with increasing temperature and decreasing absorption at longer wavelengths.
Lyotropic and Thermotropic Phase Behavior of Hydrated Monoacylglycerols: Structure Characterization of Monovaccenin†

This work is part of a long-term research effort to establish the relationship between lipid molecular structure and lyotropic and thermotropic mesophase propensity by comparing the equilibrium temperature−composition phase diagrams of a homologous series of monoacylglycerols. Here we report the temperature−composition phase diagram of monovaccenin (a C18:1c11 monoacylglycerol) in water, constructed using small-angle X-ray scattering in the temperature range of ca. 0−110 °C and the composition range of ca. 0−60% (w/w) water in the heating direction. The interpreted equilibrium phase diagram is based on several hundred discrete X-ray diffraction measurements in temperature−composition space recorded as a function of temperature in 5 °C increments and of composition in 4% (w/w) water increments on average. The phases identified and characterized structurally in this system include the lamellar crystal phase, the lamellar liquid crystal phase, two inverted cubic phases (Q230, Ia3d; Q224, Pn3m), the inverted ...
Blackbody-radiation shift in a Ca + 43 ion optical frequency standard

Motivated by the prospect of an optical frequency standard based on $^{43}\mathrm{Ca}^{+}$, we calculate the blackbody-radiation (BBR) shift of the $4{s}_{1∕2}\ensuremath{-}3{d}_{5∕2}$ clock transition, which is a major component of the uncertainty budget. The calculations are based on the relativistic all-order single-double method where all single and double excitations of the Dirac-Fock wave function are included to all orders of perturbation theory. Additional calculations are conducted for the dominant contributions in order to evaluate some omitted high-order corrections and estimate the uncertainties of the final results. The BBR shift obtained for this transition is $0.38(1)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$. The tensor polarizability of the $3{d}_{5∕2}$ level is also calculated and its uncertainty is evaluated as well. Our results are compared with other calculations.
A method for detecting and characterizing outbreaks of infectious disease from clinical reports

Display Omitted We describe a Bayesian method for detecting and characterizing infectious disease outbreaks.The method takes as input clinical reports from an electronic medical record system.The method outputs the probability of an outbreak and estimates of the outbreak's characteristics.We applied the method to the detection of influenza outbreaks from emergency department reports.Results from simulated and real influenza outbreaks support that the method is promising. Outbreaks of infectious disease can pose a significant threat to human health. Thus, detecting and characterizing outbreaks quickly and accurately remains an important problem. This paper describes a Bayesian framework that links clinical diagnosis of individuals in a population to epidemiological modeling of disease outbreaks in the population. Computer-based diagnosis of individuals who seek healthcare is used to guide the search for epidemiological models of population disease that explain the pattern of diagnoses well. We applied this framework to develop a system that detects influenza outbreaks from emergency department (ED) reports. The system diagnoses influenza in individuals probabilistically from evidence in ED reports that are extracted using natural language processing. These diagnoses guide the search for epidemiological models of influenza that explain the pattern of diagnoses well. Those epidemiological models with a high posterior probability determine the most likely outbreaks of specific diseases; the models are also used to characterize properties of an outbreak, such as its expected peak day and estimated size. We evaluated the method using both simulated data and data from a real influenza outbreak. The results provide support that the approach can detect and characterize outbreaks early and well enough to be valuable. We describe several extensions to the approach that appear promising.
Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in surgical patients presenting to a tertiary care teaching hospital in India: A preliminary study.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often not diagnosed in patients presenting for surgical procedures thereby increasing the incidence of adverse perioperative course. Early diagnosis of this disease is important in modifying anesthetic management as well as utilizing specific means which may decrease the complications and improve the patient outcome. Methods: Patients greater than eighteen years of age, ASA I-III scheduled for elective surgical procedures under anesthesia were randomly selected. Their demographic data, diagnosis and nature of surgery were noted in a semi-structured performa. They were then screened for the presence of OSA with the help of a STOP BANG questionnaire. Results : This study included two hundred four patients randomly selected. Slight female predominance was seen in this sample (55.4%). Mean age of the subjects was 42.7 years (SD=15.08). 24.5% subjects were at high risk for OSA (STOP-BANG>3) with a male predominance (72% versus 37% in low risk group; X 2 =18.62; P<0.001). High risk OSA subjects had higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (57% vs. 11.7% in low risk group; X 2 =33.35; P<0.001). Similarly, this group had a higher prevalence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (14% versus 3.8% in low risk group; X 2 =6.54; P=0.03). Prevalence of diabetes mellitus (22%) and hypothyroidism (6%) was also higher in this group (5.2% and 1.9% in low risk group respectively; X 2 =15.42; P<0.001). Conclusion : High degree of suspicion and knowledge of association of OSA and medical diseases may help in detection of such cases and decrease the rate of perioperative complications thus improving patients safety.
Differential splicing generates a nervous system—Specific form of drosophila neuroglian

We recently described the characterization and cloning of Drosophila neuroglian, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Neuroglian contains six immunoglobulin-like domains and five fibronectin type III domains and shows strong sequence homology to the mouse neural cell adhesion molecule L1. Here we show that the neuroglian gene generates at least two different protein products by tissue-specific alternative splicing. The two protein forms differ in their cytoplasmic domains. The long form is restricted to the surface of neurons in the CNS and neurons and some support cells in the PNS; in contrast, the short form is expressed on a wide range of other cells and tissues. Thus, whereas the mouse L1 gene appears to encode only one protein that functions largely as a neural cell adhesion molecule, its Drosophila homolog, the neuroglian gene, encodes at least two protein forms that may play two different roles, one as a neural cell adhesion molecule and the other as a more general cell adhesion molecule involved in other tissues and imaginal disc morphogenesis.
From Babbage to Babel and beyond: a brief history of programming languages

Abstract The history of computer programming languages is reviewed, with emphasis on the influences of early languages on later efforts. Four generations of software are presented, beginning with machine code, and continuing through fourth generation languages, paradigms, and environments.
Reversed-phase liquid chromatography of proteins with strong acids

Abstract Small organic acids are generally used as pairing agents at less than 1% concentration in reversed-phase chromatography (RPC) of proteins. When the protein is very hydrophobic and insoluble, as in the case of membrane proteins, up to 60% aq. formic acid has been used. This paper reports a study of the influence of acid concentration on both chromatographic retention and protein structure in RPC. Chromatographic retention increases in proportion to the concentration of organic acid in the mobile phase up to some intermediate concentration. Use of still higher concentrations of acid results in a sharp drop in chromatographic retention with a change in selectivity. The data indicate that the structure of proteins in strong acids are different from that in weak acids. This work examines the reason for this decrease in chromatographic retention at formic and trifluoroacetic acid concentrations above 30% (v/v). Spectroscopic studies show that protein conformation continuously changes with the addition of acid.
On efficient estimation of linear functionals of a bivariate distribution with known marginals

In this paper we construct efficient estimators for linear functionals of a bivariate distribution with known marginals. Previously, Bickel et al. (Ann. Statist. 19 (1991) 1316) constructed such estimators using the modified minimum chi-square principle. Our estimators utilize the least-squares principle and orthonormal bases for the Hilbert spaces of square integrable functions under the known marginal distributions and are easy to compute. Simulations indicate that in the moderate sample sizes considered our estimator compares favorably with the one proposed by Bickel et al.
The ultraviolet spectrum of AsO

Abstract The emission spectrum of As16O and As18O was excited in low pressure vapors and photographed with dispersions between 2.5 and 0.1 A/mm. Vibrational isotope analysis confirmed the earlier assignment of bands in the systems A and B, but lead to a new assignment of bands belonging to the C-X and D-X system. A rotational analysis of the B-X system indicated that the transition is 2Σ+-2Π (a) with B′ = 0.525 cm−1 and B″ = 0.492 cm−1. A strong predissociation in state B at v = 0 and N = 20 (As18O:N = 23) indicates that the dissociation energy of AsO is ≧ 40 100 cm−1 (4.98 eV). From partial analysis of fine structure it was concluded that the character of states A and D is A2Σ and D2Δ with a BA ∼ 0.46 and BD ∼ 0.43 cm−1.
Toward a theoretical model of evaluation utilization

Abstract Implicit evaluation utilization process-models were constructed from evaluation theorists, ideas, and explicit evaluation utilization process-models (i.e. already developed models) were located in the literature. The meta-model (i.e. a model developed from other models) was developed from the implicit and explicit process-models and from important ideas reported in recent research on evaluation use (e.g. participation, organizational development and complexity). The model depicts evaluation use as occurring in an internal environment situated in an external environment. The three sets of variables in the theoretical model are the background variables, the interactional or social psychological variables and the evaluation use variables. It is contended that evaluation-for-use will result in longer term effects when ideas from complexity theory, organizational learning and organizational design are employed. The meta-model reported here should be viewed as a theoretical model, offered in an attempt to promote theory development in the evaluation utilization literature.
How to Minimize Lymphoceles and Treat Clinically Symptomatic Lymphoceles After Radical Prostatectomy

The development of a lymphocele after pelvic surgery is a well-documented complication, especially where pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is part of the operation. However, not all lymphoceles are symptomatic and require treatment. Most lymphoceles spontaneously resolve, and even lymphoceles that become symptomatic may resolve without any intervention. Robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a common operation in urology where PLND is likely to be performed in intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer patients. The rationale for performing a PLND in prostate cancer is for accurate staging and potential therapeutic benefits. However, due to potential intraoperative and postoperative complications there is still a debate regarding the value of PLND in prostate cancer. In this review, we will discuss the potential risk factors to be aware of in pelvic surgery in order to minimize the formation of a lymphocele, along with the management for clinically significant lymphoceles.
Limitations in solid-state technology

In a field in which success is a matter of record some constructive criticism is in order to spur even greater and more meaningful progress. In this vein the present article highlights shortcomings and limitations in the burgeoning area of solid-state technology. One of the main problems is that practice so often outdistances fundamental theory and understanding. Thus it is important that we be able to predict the growth and changes in the technology, but unfortunately our techniques of analysis, simulation, and measurement are inadequate and the number of theoretical limits pitifully small. Undoubtedly, more effort is essential.
Infrared Analysis of the Chemical Composition of Particulates in Subway Air

Abstract The chemical composition of particulates in subway air collected during nonheating and heating seasons were determined by infrared analysis. The inorganic constituents were found to include sulfate, nitrate, bromate and silica. The principle sulfate compounds were ferrous sulfate and zinc sulfate. The infrared spectra also indicate the presence of an α, β unsaturated aldehyde such as acrolein. Some variation of composition with particle size was found. The possible presence of (NH4)2SeO4 was also observed, but only during the heating season. The principle sources of the pollutants appear to be emissions from automobiles, power plants, incineration, and braking operations and track-wheel abrasion of the subway cars.
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography Mission (SWOT): the Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) for water level measurements at all scales

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission will study ocean mesoscale and submesoscale phenomena and provide an inventory of storage change and discharge for fresh water bodies and rivers. In this paper, we examine the combination of measurements that will be used by SWOT to achieve a globally consistent data set. We introduce a new channel in the SWOT measurement that combines data transmitted by the interferometer antennas and received by the radiometer antenna allows the closing of the SWOT nadir coverage gap. This new mode also allows for improved calibration between the nadir altimeter and the interferometer, resulting in consistent range measurements. Consistency in the phase measurements is achieved using a mixture of cross-over calibration combined with optimal estimation of system error drift.
D18G Transthyretin Is Monomeric, Aggregation Prone, and Not Detectable in Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid: A Prescription for Central Nervous System Amyloidosis?†

Over 70 transthyretin (TTR) mutations facilitate amyloidosis in tissues other than the central nervous system (CNS). In contrast, the D18G TTR mutation in individuals of Hungarian descent leads to CNS amyloidosis. D18G forms inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli, unlike the other disease-associated TTR variants overexpressed to date. Denaturation and reconstitution of D18G from inclusion bodies afford a folded monomer that is destabilized by 3.1 kcal/mol relative to an engineered monomeric version of WT TTR. Since TTR tetramer dissociation is typically rate limiting for amyloid formation, the monomeric nature of D18G renders its amyloid formation rate 1000-fold faster than WT. It is perplexing that D18G does not lead to severe early onset systemic amyloidosis, given that it is the most destabilized TTR variant characterized to date, more so than variants exhibiting onset in the second decade. Instead, CNS impairment is observed in the fifth decade as the sole pathological manifestation; however, benign sys...
New method for obtaining Raman spectra of extremely small quantities of light‐absorbing substances adsorbed on silver from very dilute solutions

Micro-Raman spectra of picogram to sub-femtogram quantities of several chromophoric substances adsorbed from dilute solution on silver were measured and compared with similar measurements on some non-chromophoric substances. The silver surface enhanced resonance Raman measurements require no redox roughening of the surface, sometimes no applied potential and only 1-2 mW of defocused laser power. The new method by which silver surface enchancement is achieved requires contact of the surface with halide ion solution for several hours. The most astounding results thus far were achieved with 1, 1′-diethyl-2,2′-cyanine iodide (2,2′-cyanine). Raman spectra of the adsorbate from 20 ml of 1 × 10−17 M solution of the dye were measured using the method. Further characteristics of the phenomenon were obtained based on extensive Raman measurements on 2,2′-cyanine. Some further details resulting from these measurements are described.
Real-time PCR method for Salmonella spp. targeting the stn gene.

Aim: To develop a real-time PCR assay for Salmonella spp. targeting the stn gene. Methods and Results: The presence of stn in the Salmonella bongori genome was found by a BLAST with Salmonella enterica stn sequence. Manual alignment of stn sequences showed that Salm. bongori had 88% sequence identity with Salm. enterica. Two primers (stnL-433 and stnR-561) and a probe (stnP-452) were designed to target conserved regions in stn and meet the requirements of a 5′-nuclease assay. The primers and probe were evaluated against 353 isolates, including 255 Salm. enterica representing 158 serotypes, 14 Salm. bongori representing 12 serotypes and 84 non-Salmonella representing 56 species from 31 genera. All isolates were correctly identified, with the exception of three isolates of Citrobacter amalonaticus, which gave false positives. The limit of detection with cultured Salmonella was 3 CFU per reaction. Conclusions: The stn real-time PCR method had 100% inclusivity, 96·4% exclusivity and a level of detection of 3 CFU per reaction for cultured Salmonella spp. Significance and Impact of the Study: The study showed that stn is present in Salm. bongori and is a valid target for both species of Salmonella. The Salmonella s tn real-time PCR is a useful method for identifying Salmonella spp.
Meningococcal sepsis and purpura fulminans: the surgical perspective

Meningococcal sepsis and purpura fulminans is a rare but highly lethal disease process that requires a multidisciplinary team of experts to optimise morbidity and mortality outcomes due to the breadth of complications of the disease. The surgical perspective involves the critical care management which utilises all currently available measured outcomes of critical care management as well as experimental therapies. Limb loss is common, and is reflective of the high incidence of compartment syndrome compounded by the significant soft tissue loss secondary to purpura and limb ischaemia, presumptively due to digital microemboli. A multidisciplinary approach involving current standards in critical care and early surgical evaluation are important in improving patient outcomes and limb salvage.
EXTRACTS CONTAINING CORTIN1

Since our first description of a method for the preparation of an extract containing cortin (1), we have been attempting constantly to improve the purity and yield of the hormone. Numerous methods for the preparation of cortin extracts have been described in recent years (2). Some of these have been repeated by us for comparison. Frequently the claims for potency are unwarranted because the assay employed has not been adequate. We shall describe at this time two methods which are the developments ot our experiments ; one is employed for the preparation of an aqueous extract to be used for injection and for chemical study ; the other glycerol extract is simpler but can only be used orally for clinical study.
The mediation of disability by self efficacy in different samples of chronic pain patients

Purpose : A path analytic model conceptualizing self efficacy as a mediator of disability was tested. This model could help explain the circumstances under which disability develops more in some chronic pain patients than in others. Method : Questionnaires from 479 chronic pain patients were collected prior to an initial consultative visit with a pain specialist at three pain clinics. These patients represented three separate samples. One sample from a tertiary care hospital ( n = 226), one from a community-based clinic ( n = 137) and a third sample from combined settings, but excluding patients with a history of depression prior to the onset of their pain ( n = 116). Hypothesized and alternative models were tested to identify the model best fitting these data. Results : Regression analysis supported self efficacy as a mediator of the relationship between pain intensity and disability ( p < 0.001) in all three groups. This model was best supported in the group with no prior depression (accounting for 47% ...
Crystal engineering, solid state spectroscopy and time-resolved diffraction

The use of calixarene-based supramolecular solids in spectroscopy and time-resolved crystallography is discussed. A series of solids with, as guests, benzophenone, benzil, decamethylruthenocene and a binuclear Rh cationic complex have been synthesized and analyzed. The excited state lifetimes that have been measured show a pronounced dependence on the molecular environment.
The Missing Middle: Why Median‐Voter Theory Can’t Save Democrats from Singing the Boll‐Weevil Blues

Racial redistricting decimated the southern congressional districts once represented by centrist Democrats. Electoral maps drawn in the 1990s instead helped polarize the South's congressional delegation into a mixture of minority Democrats and right-wing Republicans, creating a more favorable environment for conservative legislation. The median-voter approach offered by Ken Shotts misses this phenomenon, primarily because neither his statistical model nor his formal model incorporates the sharp rightward shift in the House median that followed the 1994 Republican takeover of Congress. As a result, his models completely discount gains made by hard-right Republicans at the expense of moderate Democrats.
A Comparative Evaluation of World Wide Web-Based and Classroom Teaching

This paper investigates the hypothesis that the World Wide Web (WWW) presents a new opportunity to interactively present and disseminate curricula. The WWW appears to have the flexibility needed to let students order the material and choose the presentation format that best suit their preference. The objective of this paper is twofold: to develop a general web-lecture structure that provides such flexibility, and to compare its efficacy with a classroom style lecture. The average grade performance of the students receiving web instruction was higher than for those receiving traditional classroom instruction. An achieved significance level of 0.063 provides reasonably strong evidence to reject the hypothesis that the two groups performed equally. Analysis of web-lecture use patterns revealed that the web-group students spent roughly the same amount of time on-line as the classroom group spent in lecture. However, the web group typically covered the materials in three short 30 minute sessions as opposed to one 90 minute lecture. Different students in the web group showed different preferences for either video or text-with-image presentation of materials. In a focus group, web students indicated that they valued the ability to pace their learning and review materials as needed. The positive results of this preliminary study raise the question of how teaching could change to exploit information technology and provide more effective and economical engineering education. Primary learning might take place individually through a medium such as the WWW, thus liberating classroom time for experiential activities.
Coming Attractions in Program Understanding II: Highlights of 1997 and Opportunities in 1998

Abstract : This report highlights important developments in program understanding work in 1997 and outlines some of the opportunities for the field in 1998. A framework of three focus areas is used to categorize research and development activities in program understanding: investigating cognitive aspects, developing support mechanisms, and maturing the practice. Although significant progress was made in these areas, the rapid changes in the software engineering landscape are giving rise to several new challenges. Three of the most important in the coming year are leveraging the Web, black box understanding, and the Year 2000 problem.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Comorbidities in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia

Vitamin D deficiency is known to be common among patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Vitamin D levels were measured in 139 children (aged 7.9 to 15.1 years) to study its association with SCA morbidities; severe deficiency 30 ng/mL). Vitamin D levels were associated with pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]), but not associated with either rates of acute pain or acute chest syndrome episodes. Further studies are needed to be able to compare outcomes in those with deficiency to those with sufficiency, as well as to treating patients with SCA with vitamin D to better establish a possible link, if any, between vitamin D and SCA morbidity.
Chemical, Physical, and Sensory Characterization of Ground Beef Containing 5 to 30 Percent Fat

Ground beef patties containing 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% fat were evaluated raw and after cooking to either 71 or 77°C. Cooking losses were lowest for 5–20% fat patties (24.7-26.0%), intermediate for 25% fat patties (28.9%), and highest for 30% fat patties (32.1%). Low-fat patties (5 and 10%) were firmer in texture, more crumbly at end-of-chewing, less juicy and flavorful, and caused less oily coating of the mouth than 20–30% fat patties. Warner-Bratzler and Lee-Kramer shear forces decreased as fat increased. Instron texture profile analysis also indicated greater peak forces, springiness, and cohesiveness for low-fat patties. Cooking to 77 vs 71°C accentuated differences in palatability between low- and high-fat patties.