cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some exact and numerical results for plane steady sheared flow of an incompressible inviscid fluid

Analytical and numerical solutions are presented for the steady flow of an inviscid fluid about symmetric lifting profiles at an angle of attack in a plane sheared onset flow for which conformal mapping plays a critical role. For uniform shear (i.e. the onset flow speed varies linearly with position) in two dimensions, the disturbance field is potential and hence a solution based on the conformal transformation technique may be constructed. The Moriya transformation, which employs a leading-term transformation coefficient that stretches and rotates the field at great distances from the foil (as distinct from other classical transformations which leave the far field unchanged) is used and, with a limited number of terms selected for the transformation, a simple elegant solution is obtained that may be easily evaluated at arbitrary points on the foil contour. An additional investigation is reported for the field solution — involving a locally similar but globally non-uniform sheared onset flow — about one of the foils for which a simple O-type grid is analytically generated from the mapping function. These data indicate that the uniform-shear solution overpredicts the lift and surface speed on the suction side of the foil relative to the more realistic onset flow: the numerical solution predicts surface speeds that generally lie between those for the uniform flow and the uniformly sheared flow solutions.
Preparing foster youth for adulthood: A knowledge-building perspective

The task of preparing foster youths for the transition to adulthood is receiving increased attention. The independent-living movement within the child welfare system is relatively new. State and local programs are in the developmental stage, and research in all areas is sorely needed. The aim of this special issue is to cut across a segment of current research activity in the area of foster youth independence and to lend perspective to a future research agenda. The child welfare practice community has, for many years, been aware that significant numbers of young people in outof-home placement are teenagers. Nearly a decade ago, Homby and Collins (1981) estimated that fewer than 5% of the adolescents in placement were likely to be placed for adoption, that the odds of reunification with own parents were less than 1 in 5, and that each year thousands of adolescent wards simply age-out of the placement system on or about age 18. Many are discharged without a plan, without resources, and lack preparation for making it on their own. At the present time, most independent living programs, services, and interventions remain untested and the child welfare system is uncertain about how to best prepare foster wards for self-support and responsible adulthood. Fortunately, the child welfare community now has an ally in the form of federal legislation which established a national level independent living program to help foster youths to emancipate from the placement system. In 1986, Title IVE Section 477 of the Social Security Act was enacted under the leadership of Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (DN.Y.) and Representative Robert Matsui (D-CA.) and colleagues in the House of Representatives. Congress authorized $45 million to provide independent living services to foster adolescents ages 16 to 18. In 1993 the federal independent living program attained permanent status as an entitlement. The current funding level for this program is $70 million. An identifiable nucleus of national and state level leadership is emerging in
The Cl + H2 → HCl + H Reaction Induced by IR + UV Irradiation of Cl2 in Solid para-H2: Experiment†

We report IR + UV coirradiation photolysis experiments conducted on Cl(2)-doped para-hydrogen (p-H(2)) crystals at 1.8 K, using pulsed 355 nm UV radiation and cw broad-band near-IR light from a FTIR tungsten source. The amount of HCl photoproduct is monitored using FTIR spectroscopy as a function of the IR + UV exposure time. Detailed analysis of the HCl growth kinetics reveals that the reaction Cl + H(2)(v=1,J=0) --> HCl + H is playing a significant (15%) role in the in situ photochemistry. In contrast, UV-only photolysis experiments conducted under similar conditions produce almost exclusively (99%) isolated Cl atom photofragments, indicating the reaction Cl + H(2)(v=0,J=0) --> HCl + H is not readily occurring. This combination of photolysis experiments confirms that under these conditions, the Cl + H(2) reaction probability increases by a factor greater than 25 for Cl atom reactions with H(2)(v=1) versus H(2)(v=0). These results are therefore consistent with the expectation that vibrational excitation of the H(2) reagent lowers the reaction threshold and increases the reaction cross section for the Cl + H(2) reaction. These experimental studies were motivated by and are compared to the quantum model simulations reported by Korolkov, Manz, and Schild in the accompanying paper.
Transforming the House of Quality to a multiobjective optimization formulation

There is a tremendous gap between the sophisticated optimization methods employed by engineers and the ad hoc decision-making methods employed by engineering managers. The goal of this paper is to bridge that gap by presenting a method for transforming qualitative information obtained using the “House of Quality” (a popular engineering management tool) into a constrained multiobjective optimization problem. Subjective multiatribute utility optimization is employed to combine this qualitative design information with quantitative constraints used in typical design problems. A structural dynamics example with conflicting objectives of structural cost, maintenance cost, service life, construction duration and occupant discomfort resulting from vibration illustrates the approach.
A Comparative Review of the Lipoglycopeptides: Oritavancin, Dalbavancin, and Telavancin

Resistance to antibiotics among gram-positive bacteria, especially enterococci and staphylococci, has led to the need to develop new antibiotics. Vancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic, has been used for over 3 decades to treat serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. The increased frequency of multidrug-resistant bacteria, especially vancomycin-resistant strains, has focused interest on three new lipoglycopeptides for the treatment of infections caused by gram-positive bacteria: oritavancin, dalbavancin, and telavancin. Although oritavancin and dalbavancin are still in development, telavancin received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration in September 2009 for treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections. Structurally different from vancomycin and teicoplanin, all three lipoglycopeptides have greater potency and less potential for development of resistant organisms. Of particular importance is the activity of oritavancin, dalbavancin, and telavancin against vancomycin-resistant organisms. In addition, the pharmacokinetic properties of these new antimicrobials substantially differ from those of vancomycin. Both oritavancin and dalbavancin have long terminal half-lives, which may allow for infrequent dosing. In addition, oritavancin is primarily cleared through hepatic pathways, which makes it potentially useful in patients with renal compromise. In animal models, these new lipoglycopeptides were effective in treating serious gram-positive infections, including complicated skin and skin structure infections, endocarditis, bacteremia, and pneumonia; in clinical studies, however, efficacy was shown only in complicated skin and skin structure infections for all three agents. According to preliminary data, the adverse-effect profile of these lipoglycopeptides is generally similar to that of drugs currently used to treat severe gram-positive infections. However, further evaluation and monitoring is necessary as more patients are exposed to these agents. As antimicrobial resistance continues to increase worldwide, the lipoglycopeptides may provide clinicians with a useful antimicrobial in the continued fight against multidrug-resistant gram-positive bacteria.
The Complex and Dynamic Nature of Quality in Early Care and Educational Programs: A Case for Chaos

Abstract This article describes how complex dynamical systems theory (chaos theory) can be used to understand the nature of quality in early care and education settings. The authors review past research on quality and quality initiatives, suggesting that the complex dynamical nature of early care and educational settings present challenges to quality enhancement initiatives. An application of the tenets of chaos theory to early care and educational settings is provided. Recommendations for research and policy are included.
Specific RNA binding proteins constructed from zinc fingers

A zinc finger library with degenerate alpha-helices was displayed on the surface of bacteriophage and proteins that bind human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) Rev response element stem loop IIB (RRE-IIB) RNA or 5S rRNA were isolated. DNA encoding affinity selected zinc fingers was shuffled by recombination in vitro to isolate proteins with higher RNA binding affinity. Proteins constructed in this way bind RNA specifically both in vitro and in vivo. These results demonstrate that RNA substrate specificity of zinc fingers can be changed through mutation of alpha-helices to construct novel RNA binding proteins.
Women's Participation in Endurance Events: An Example of How Far We Have Come

In 1967, Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. Now, 45 years later, women are taking part in races in record numbers. This article discusses the significant increase in women's participation in endurance races, triathlons, obstacle challenges, color runs, and other events. This article explores why these events are appealing to women at such a great level, and the implications of such events on other sectors of the industry.
Structural and electronic properties of (2,2- trans )-dirhodium(II) tetrakis( N -phenylacetamidate)

Abstract We have synthesized and characterized the first known 2,2-trans isomer of the N-substituted dirhodium(II) tetrakisacetamidate, Rh2(RNAc)4, class of compounds. The bis benzonitrile adduct exhibits a unique orthogonal arrangement of the axial aromatic rings in the solid state. Structural and electronic features suggest the presence of π-backbonding.
Photonic amplification by a singlet-state quantum chain reaction in the photodecarbonylation of crystalline diarylcyclopropenones.

The photochemical decarbonylation of diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) to diphenylacetylene (DPA) proceeds with remarkable efficiency both in solution and in the crystalline solid state. It had been previously shown that excitation to the second electronic excited state (S2) of DPCP in solution proceeds within ca. 200 fs by an adiabatic ring-opening pathway to yield the S2 state of DPA, which has a lifetime of ca. 8 ps before undergoing internal conversion to S1 (Takeuchi, S.; Tahara, T. J. Chem. Phys. 2004, 120, 4768). More recently, we showed that reactions by excitation to S2 in crystalline solids proceed by a quantum chain process where the excited photoproducts transfer energy to neighboring molecules of unreacted starting material, which are able to propagate the chain. Quantum yields in crystalline suspensions revealed values of ΦDPCP = 3.3 ± 0.3. To explore the generality of this reaction, and recognizing its potential as a photonic amplification system, we have synthesized nine crystalline diarylcycl...
Dynamic CT of hepatic masses using intraarterial enhancement: Advantages and pitfalls

Forty-two patients were evaluated by dynamic incremental computed tomography (CT) following transcatheter infusion of contrast material into the celiac and hepatic arteries. Most of these patients had liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma, but the series also included two cases of hepatic hemangiomas, one case of granulomas due to atypical mycobacterium, and two cases of retroperitoneal tumors involving the liver. Several distinct patterns of liver opacification were recognized, reflecting differential perfusion of hepatic lobes during selective intraarterial contrast enhancement. The spectrum of observed findings, as well as the advantage or limitations of this technique, are described.
Correlation of brain natriuretic peptide levels in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing operative valve replacement or percutaneous transcatheter intervention with clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic factors and prognosis.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a marker of systolic and diastolic dysfunction and a strong predictor of mortality in heart failure patients. The present study aimed to assess the relationship of BNP with aortic stenosis (AS) severity and prognosis. The cohort comprised 289 high-risk patients with severe AS who were referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Patients were divided into tertiles based on BNP level: I (n = 96); II (n = 95), and III (n = 98). Group III patients were more symptomatic, had higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons and EuroSCORE scores, and had a greater prevalence of renal failure, atrial fibrillation, and previous myocardial infarction; lower ejection fraction and cardiac output; and higher pulmonary pressure and left ventricular end diastolic pressure. The degree of AS did not differ among the 3 groups. Stepwise forward multiple regression analysis identifies ejection fraction and pulmonary artery systolic pressure as independent correlates with plasma BNP. Mortality rates during a median follow-up of 319 days (range 110 to 655) were significantly lower in Group I compared with Groups II and III, p
Violations of energy conservation and action uniqueness as sources for mass-energy waves

Homogeneous wave equations satisfied by the 4-vector momentum density p(including the mass-energy density as its timelike component) are derived as a consequence of energy conservation and uniqueness of the action integral. These two conditions can be written respectively as the vanishing of the four-dimensional versions of the divergence and curl of p. The generation of such waves described by inhomogeneous wave equations is shown to be possible by violation of energy conservation, action uniqueness or both. In the case where energy is conserved but action uniqueness is violated by the presence of an electromagnetic field it is found that an Ansatz proportional to q(H + iE) for the curl of p leads to the correct Lorentz force term in Newton II modified by the presence of the electromagnetic field. This then implies that the D'Alembertian of the mass density is proportional to the square of the charge density. It is speculated that this may be applicable to the internal distributions of mass and charge of electrons, protons and neutrons as evidenced by electromagnetic stering experiments.
Magnetic CD spectra of chlorophylls, chlorophyllides, and zinc(II) and copper(II) pheophytins and pheophorbides

Abstract Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of the ten metal-containing title molecules were measured at room temperature, and spectra of copper-pheophorbide-a were measured at 23 °K, 47 °K, and 63 °K Electronic excited states are assigned, systematic structural features are discussed, and it is found that MCD distinguishes with ease between forms a and b of these molecules. A preliminary MCD study in which the temperature of Cu(ll)-pheophorbide-a is varied between 23 °K and 63 °K indicates that the Cu(II) “d-orbital” which presumably contains the one lone electron is not significantly interactant with the π orbitals involved in the electronic excitations.
Roles of Classical Dynamics and Quantum Dynamics on Activated Processes Occurring in Liquids

This paper reviews the reactive flux correlation function approach to studying the classical dynamics of activated processes in liquids. The possibilities and consequences of nonadiabatic electronic transitions in affecting this dynamics is also considered. We emphasize the feasibility of quantitative trajectory studies and the fact that these studies have yet to be fully exploited in the development of approximate theories of activated processes.
A Plastic Clock: How Circadian Rhythms Respond to Environmental Cues in Drosophila

Circadian clocks synchronize the physiology and behavior of most animals with the day to night cycle. A fundamental property of the molecular pacemakers generating circadian rhythms is their self-sustained nature: they keep oscillating even under constant conditions, with a period close to, but not exactly, 24 h. However, circadian pacemakers have to be sensitive to environmental cues to be beneficial. They need to be reset every day to keep a proper phase relationship with the day to night cycle, and they have to be able to adjust to seasonal changes in day length and temperature. Here, we review our current knowledge of the molecular and neural mechanisms contributing to the plasticity of Drosophila circadian rhythms, which are proving to be remarkably sophisticated and complex.
Diversity of sex‐determining alleles in Bracon hebetor

In many hymenopterans, sex is determined at a single polymorphic ‘sex locus’. Individuals that are heterozygous at this locus develop as females whereas homozygotes and hemizygotes develop as diploid and haploid males, respectively. Diploid males are developmentally inviable or sterile, and the likelihood of diploid male production depends in large part on allelic diversity at the sex locus. We assessed sex allele diversity within and among five U.S. populations of the parasitoid wasp Bracon hebetor using a series of crosses between isofemale lines. The study included two laboratory populations originating in Wisconsin, two field populations originating in Kansas and California, and a population purchased from a commercial insectary. Given the number of isofemale lines that we established, the maximum number of alleles that we could detect per population was 10. The number of sex alleles identified within populations ranged between three or four (for the two Wisconsin populations) and nine (for the California population). Subsampling three or four alleles from each population for between-population crosses led to identification of 12 alleles. Of these, four were unique to the California population, three were unique to one other population each, and one was found in only two populations. Extrapolation of the relationships between the subsampled lines led to a total estimate of 20 alleles within our lines. The relatively high allele diversity in the field and commercial insectary populations suggests that the sex determination load is relatively low in B. hebetor, and the differences in allele profiles between populations suggest that interpopulation dispersal can increase sex allele diversity within populations.
Rapid transacylations of activated ester substrates bound to the primary side β-cyclodextrin-cyclen conjugate and its M2+ complexes

The ability of cyclodextrins to effect rapid transacylations of bound substrates has been well studied. One important difference between cyclodextrin and enzyme-mediated transacylation is the pH required. Because the pK a of a cyclodextrin secondary-side hydroxyl group is about 12, transacylations are accelerated in the presence of cyclodextrin under basic conditions (pH > 10.5). In 1988, our group reported the synthesis of cyclodextrin with attached cyclen-Co(III) complexes; significant acceleration in the reaction withp-nitrophenyl acetate was observed only with the primary side derivative. Of course, metalloenzymes utilize M2+ and not M3+ catalytic centers; in addition, large rate accelerations in the transacylations of both activated and unactivated substrates have been observed previously in systems utilizing M2+ ions (e.g., Zn, Cu, Ni) as well as M3+ ions (e.g. Co, Ir, Cr). In this paper, we describe the ability of βCD-cyclen-M2+ conjugates to transacylate activated esters, amides, and phosphates. In addition, the ability of the apoenzyme mimic to effect transacylations was examined.
Prevalence and trends of selected congenital malformations in New York state, 1983 to 2007

BACKGROUND Major birth defects result in high infant mortality and morbidity. It is important to evaluate the burden of birth defects and trends for future intervention and public health improvement. Using the New York State (NYS) Congenital Malformations Registry data, we examined the prevalence and trends of birth defects among children in NYS during 25 years of surveillance. METHODS Children who had any of the 21 selected birth defects and were born to NYS residents between 1983 and 2007 were selected. The prevalence of each defect was characterized by demographic and birth factors, and the prevalence ratio was calculated. Live births of NYS residents for the same birth year period were used as the denominators for calculating the prevalence. The prevalence trends of birth defects were analyzed by maternal age and race/ethnicity. RESULTS Compared with non-Hispanic whites, we detected 33%, 21%, and 37% higher prevalence of encephalocele, lower limb deficiencies and omphalocele among non-Hispanic blacks, respectively, and 22% higher prevalence of gastroschisis among Hispanics. Increasing trends of gastroschisis and Down syndrome among non-Hispanic blacks and decreasing trends of spina bifida and limb deficiencies were observed in NYS. CONCLUSION The findings from this study suggest the existence of racial disparities among children with selected birth defects in NYS. The increasing trends of gastroschisis and Down syndrome observed in NYS are consistent with nationwide trends. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 97:619–627, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Concurrent Validity of an Online Version of the Timeline Followback Assessment

The Timeline Followback (TLFB) interview has been used extensively in the assessment of alcohol and other substance use. While this methodology has been validated in multiple formats for multiple behaviors, to date no systematic comparisons have been conducted between the traditional interview format and online versions. The present research employed a randomized within-subjects design to compare interview versus online-based TLFB assessments of alcohol and marijuana use among 102 college students. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the online version first or the in-person interview format first. Participants subsequently completed the second format within 3 days. While we expected few overall differences between formats, we hypothesized that differences might emerge to the extent that participants are more comfortable and willing to answer honestly in an online format, which provides a degree of anonymity. Results were consistent with expectations in suggesting relatively few differences between the online version and the in-person version. Participants did report feeling more comfortable in completing the online version. Moreover, greater discomfort during the in-person assessment was associated with reporting more past-month marijuana use on the online assessment, but reported discomfort did not moderate differences between formats in reported alcohol consumption.
A fast multipole boundary element method for 2D multi-domain elastostatic problems based on a dual BIE formulation

A new fast multipole formulation for the hypersingular BIE (HBIE) for 2D elasticity is presented in this paper based on a complex-variable representation of the kernels, similar to the formulation developed earlier for the conventional BIE (CBIE). A dual BIE formulation using a linear combination of the developed CBIE and HBIE is applied to analyze multi-domain problems with thin inclusions or open cracks. Two pre-conditioners for the fast multipole boundary element method (BEM) are devised and their effectiveness and efficiencies in solving large-scale problems are discussed. Several numerical examples are presented to study the accuracy and efficiency of the developed fast multipole BEM using the dual BIE formulation. The numerical results clearly demonstrate the potentials of the fast multipole BEM for solving large-scale 2D multi-domain elasticity problems. The method can be applied to study composite materials, functionally-graded materials, and micro-electro-mechanical-systems with coupled fields, all of which often involve thin shapes or thin inclusions.
Effects of intra- and interpatch host density on egg parasitism by three species of Trichogramma

Host-foraging responses to different intra- and interpatch densities were used to assess three Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Trichogramma deion Pinto and Oatman, T. ostriniae Pang and Chen, and T. pretiosum Riley — as potential biological control agents for the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella Hubner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Single naive females were allowed 6 h to forage in Plexiglas arenas with four different spatial arrangements of host eggs, nine single-egg patches), nine four-egg patches, 36 single-egg patches, and 36 four-egg patches. No significant differences were found among species in the number of patches parasitized. As expected, all three species parasitized the most eggs in the 36 four-egg patch treatment and the least in the nine single-egg patch treatment. T. deion parasitized significantly more eggs than T. pretiosum on the nine four-egg patches. T. ostriniae parasitized significantly more patches when intrapatch density was greater, regardless of interpatch density. In contrast, T. deion only parasitized more patches at the greater intrapatch density when the interpatch density was low. Patch density had no effect on T. pretiosum. The spatial pattern of parasitism was more aggregated for T. deion and T. ostriniae in the 36 four-egg patches treatment compared to the 36 single-egg patches treatment. Therefore, intrapatch density was more important than interpatch density for T. ostriniae, and potentially for T. deion, but not for T. pretiosum. T. deion may be the best candidate for augmentative biological control because it parasitized either slightly or significantly more eggs than the other two species in all four treatments. Furthermore, the pattern of parasitism by T. deion in the 36 four-egg patches treatment was the most aggregated among the three species, suggesting a more thorough searching pattern. In contrast, T. pretiosum had the least aggregated pattern of parasitism and therefore may have used a more random foraging pattern.
Civic Mobilization for School Reform in Rivergrove, Florida: Contesting the “Social Construction of Place” in an Inner Ring Suburban City

This paper examines civic mobilization for school improvement in Rivergrove, a small suburban city within the inner rings of a large Florida metro (All names of individuals, schools, organizations and communities are pseudonyms per IRB agreement with district. Subsequently, references to local media reports and city documents are disguised to meet IRB requirements.). Here, civic mobilization is understood as a movement against technocratic control over decision-making in a struggle over the social construction of place (Lake 1994). Faced with limited growth and demographic change, Rivergrove’s civic leaders embrace strategies utilized in major cities to address blight and increasing school segregation. Rivergrove’s elected and appointed leaders sought independence from the larger metropolitan school district in order to confine school boundaries to Rivergrove’s city limits, at the exclusion of low income, predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. Although local control proved infeasible, civic mobilization increased inter-governmental cooperation between city leaders and metropolitan school district officials. Efforts to improve public schooling focus on building a community identity within the schools, establishing themed academic programs in schools undergoing social economic and racial turnover, providing grants for instructional innovation, and forming regular communication between elected officials and district and school level leaders. The case of Rivergrove offers insight into the racial and class boundary making that occurs when building civic capacity.
Widespread functional specialization of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 family members to bind CD36 analysed across a parasite genome

Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes sequester from blood circulation by binding host endothelium. A large family of variant proteins mediates cytoadherence and their binding specificity determines parasite sequestration patterns and potential for disease. The aim of the present study was to understand how binding properties are encoded into family members and to develop sequence algorithms for predicting binding. To accomplish these goals computational approaches and a binding assay were used to characterize adhesion across Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane 1 (PfEMP1) proteins in the 3D7 parasite genome. We report that most family members encode the capacity to bind CD36 in the protein's semi-conserved head structure and describe the sequence characteristics of a group of PfEMP1 proteins that do not. Structural and functional grouping of PfEMP1 proteins based upon head structure and additional domain architectural properties provide new insights into the protein family. These can be used to investigate the role of proteins in malaria pathogenesis and potentially tailor vaccines to recognize particular binding variants.
The SUMMIT speech recognition system: phonological modelling and lexical access

The phonological modeling and lexical access components of the SUMMIT speech recognition system are described in detail. SUMMIT makes explicit use of acoustic-phonetic knowledge, embedded in a segmental framework that can be trained automatically. Performance results for the complete system on the DARPA 1000-word Naval Resource Management task are presented. >
The rapid spread of invasive Eurasian Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto in the continental USA follows human-altered habitats.

Understanding factors related to the range expansion trajectory of a successful invasive species may provide insights into environmental variables that favour additional expansion or guide monitoring and survey efforts for this and other invasive species. We examined the relationship of presence and abundance of Eurasian Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto to environmental factors using recent data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey to understand factors influencing its expansion into the continental USA. A zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) model was used to account for excess zero observations because this species was not observed on the majority of survey routes, despite its large geographical range. Model fit was improved when we included environmental covariates as compared with the null model, which only included distance from the route where this species was first observed. Probability of zero count was positively related to the distance from the first route and road density and was inversely related to minimum temperature and distance to coast. Abundance of the species was positively related to road density and was inversely related to annual precipitation and distance to coast. Random intercept by land-cover type also improved model fit. Model fit was improved with the ZIP model over the standard Poisson model, suggesting that presence and abundance of this species are characterized by different environmental factors. However, overall low accuracy of model-predicted presence ⁄absence and abundance with the independent validation dataset may indicate either that there are other explanatory factors or that there is great uncertainty in the species’ colonization process. Our large-scale study provides additional evidence that the range expansion of this species tends to follow humanaltered landscapes such as road and agricultural areas as well as responding to general geographical features such as coastlines or thermal clines. Such patterns may hold true for other invasive species and may provide guidelines for monitoring and assessment activities in other invasive taxa.
Correlates of crack abuse among drug-using incarcerated women: psychological trauma, social support, and coping behavior.

This investigation examines the relationship between psychological trauma and crack abuse among 158 women with a recent history of drug use who were incarcerated in a New York City jail facility. Interviewers obtained data on demographics, drug use, psychological trauma history, criminal history, social support, and coping behavior variables. Three-fourths of the total sample had used crack three or more times a week for a month in the past; a quarter had used other drugs, predominantly heroin, three or more times a week for a month in the past. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between adult psychological trauma variables (loss of custody of youngest child and lived in streets prior to arrest) and regular crack use in three sequential models. After adjusting for social support, coping behavior, demographics, and criminal history variables, women who had lost custody of their youngest child were 3.3 times more likely to be regular crack uses. Women who demonstrated more negative coping behavior and perceived themselves as having less emotional support were also more likely to be regular crack users. The association between childhood traumas (i.e., childhood sexual abuse, childhood physical abuse, parental alcohol abuse) and regular crack use was also assessed using multiple logistic regression; however, no significant associations were found between these childhood psychological traumas and regular crack use in both the unadjusted and adjusted models. Study findings underscore the importance of assessing environmental, interpersonal, and intrapersonal factors in tailoring treatment strategies for users of crack and other drugs.
Successful use of intrathecal carboxypeptidase G2 for intrathecal methotrexate overdose: a case study and review of the literature.

Clinical Practice Points Intrathecal (IT) methotrexate (MTX) overdose is a medical emergency. Available interventions include cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage and ventriculolumbar perfusion, which are limited by timing and/or availability. Carboxypeptidase G2 hydrolyzes MTX into inactive metabolites and represents a promising agent for the treatment of IT MTX overdose. We set out to compile and review available animal data and human case reports using carboxypeptidase G2 by the IT route in the setting of IT MTX overdose. A review of the literature reveals promising results with IT carboxypeptidase G2, including a nearly 2-log reduction in CSF MTX levels and excellent neurologic outcomes in patients receiving 155 to 600 mg of IT MTX. Additionally, we have included a new report of a 66-year-old woman with primary CNS lymphoma who inadvertently received a 150-mg dose of IT MTX. Immediate treatment consisted of CSF drainage and intravenous dexamethasone and leucovorin. She subsequently received 2000 U of IT carboxypeptidase G2 11 hours after the overdose along with continued supportive care. CSF MTX levels promptly decreased and the patient was discharged with no residual neurologic deficits. IT carboxypeptidase G2 leads to rapid reduction of CSF MTX levels in patients with IT MTX overdose and is associated with excellent neurologic outcomes. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of this intervention in the context of existing drainage techniques.
Sensitive Quantitative Analysis of C-Peptide in Human Plasma by 2-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Isotope-Dilution Assay

Background: Isotope-dilution assays (IDAs) are well established for quantification of metabolites or small drug molecules in biological fluids. Because of their increased specificity, IDAs are an alternative to immunoassays for measuring C-peptide. Methods: We evaluated a 2-dimensional liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (2D LC/MS) IDA method. Sample preparation was by off-line solid-phase extraction, and C-peptide separation was performed on an Agilent 1100 2D LC system with a purification method based on high-pressure switching between 2 high-resolution reversed-phase columns. Because of the low fragmentation efficiency of C-peptide, multiple-reaction monitoring analysis was omitted and selective-ion monitoring mode was chosen for quantification. Native and isotope-labeled ([M+18] and [M+30]) C-peptides were monitored in the +3 state at m/z 1007.7, 1013.7, and 1017.7. Results: The assay was linear ( r 2 = 0.9995), with a detection limit of 300 amole (1 pg) on column. Inter- and intraday CVs for C-peptide were ≤2%. Comparison with an established polyclonal-based RIA showed high correlation ( r = 0.964). Plasma concentrations of total C-peptide measured by RIA were consistently higher than by IDA LC/MS, consistent with the higher specificity of IDAs compared with immunoassays. Conclusions: The 2D LC/MS IDA approach eliminates matrix effects, enhancing assay performance and reliability, and has a detection limit 100-fold lower than any previously reported LC/MS method. Isotope-labeled C-peptide(s) can be clearly differentiated from endogenous C-peptide by the difference in m/z ratio, so that both peptides can be quantified simultaneously. The method is highly precise, robust, and applicable to pharmacokinetic detection of plasma peptides.
The Impact of Alienation, Meaninglessness, and Meritocracy on Supervisor and Subordinate Satisfaction

Dividing alienation into dimensions of reification and powerlessness, this paper attempts to examine the relationship between these dimensions and the satisfaction of department heads and subordinates in 44 administrative bureaucracies. Four dimensions of satisfaction were examined: satisfaction with work, with superiors, with co-workers and with salary. Beyond alienation, the relationships between meaninglessness and worker satisfaction and between meritocracy and worker satisfaction were also examined. The quality of social life has emerged as one of the major integrative themes of twentieth century social thought. In the work sector we are haunted by images of the assembly line worker aimlessly caught up in the daily humdrum of his work or the bureaucrat in his grey flannel suit routinely pushing pencils and papers. It was Dostoyevski who best expressed the plight of the public bureaucrat when he cast him as "a sick man, a bitter man, an unattractive man." From sneers at the welfare department to the impersonality of departments of public health the government bureaucrat has come to replace the automobile worker as the stereotype of the embittered man in our advanced, white collar, service economy. Bureaucrats are often cast as dissatisfied with their work because their work process is alienative and because their specific work activity lacks meaning. On the other hand public sector bureaucrats are generally expected to be satisfied with their work situation because it is governed by a meritocratic system of *The authors wish to acknowledge the contribution of Hugo van Hassel and Roger Depre, Vervolmakingscentrum Voor Bedrijfsleiding en Administratie, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, in the design and execution of this study. Computer funds were provided by the Western Societies Program of the Center for International Studies, Cornell University. We want to express our appreciation to John Anderson, Lee Dyer, Lawrence French, Edward J. Lawler, Samuel Norich, Jonathan Reader, Howard Schwartz, and Yoav Vardi for comments on earlier versions. Finally, we want to thank Pam Kline for typing this manuscript.
Does the immune reaction cause malignant transformation by disrupting cell-to-cell or cell-to-matrix communications?

Tumor progression In many (perhaps in all) tumor systems, a malignant cancer is preceded by a benign lesion. Most benign lesions do not transform to malignancy and many regress. The final transformative step to malignancy differs from the preceding steps in, among other things, that it often occurs in the absence of the original carcinogenic stimulus.
Getting more colors I

We formulate and prove (in ZFC) a strong coloring theorem which holds at successors of singular cardinals, and use it to answer several questions concerning Shelah's principle Pr 1 ( μ + , μ + , μ + , cf ( μ )) for singular μ .
A study of HL-A antigen phenotype in rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease patients.

The distribution of the HL–A antigens was studied in 76 patients who have had rheumatic fever or have rheumatic heart disease and in 177 disease-free Caucasian individuals. There was a decreased incidence of A–3 in the disease group as compared to the control. No significant increase in the frequency of any HL–A antigen was detectable in the disease group as compared to normal controls. The results were not affected by the exclusion of non Caucasians from the disease group. The parents of patients with rheumatic fever and heart disease showed a significant increase in shared antigens as compared with the parents of disease-free individuals. The total number of HL–A antigens detected on lymphocytes from rheumatic patients was significantly less than on those from normal individuals.
Somatic Mutations Predict Poor Outcome in Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome After Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation

Purpose Recurrently mutated genes in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are pathogenic drivers and powerfully associated with clinical phenotype and prognosis. Whether these types of mutations predict outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with MDS is not known. Patients and Methods We used massively parallel sequencing to examine tumor samples collected from 87 patients with MDS before HSCT for coding mutations in 40 recurrently mutated MDS genes. Results Mutations were identified in 92% of patients, most frequently in the ASXL1 (29%), TP53 (21%), DNMT3A (18%), and RUNX1 (16%) genes. In univariable analyses, only TP53 mutations were associated with shorter overall (OS; hazard ratio [HR], 3.74; P .001) and progression-free survival (HR, 3.97; P .001). After adjustment for clinical variables associated with these end points, mutations in TP53 (HR, 2.30; P .027), TET2 (HR, 2.40; P .033), and DNMT3A (HR, 2.08; P .049) were associated with decreased OS. In multivariable analysis including clinical variables, complex karyotype status, and candidate genes, mutations in TP53 (HR, 4.22; P .001) and TET2 (HR, 1.68; P .037) were each independently associated with shorter OS. Nearly one half of patients (46%) carried a mutation in TP53, DNMT3A ,o rTET2 and accounted for 64% of deaths. Three-year OS in patients without these mutations was 59% (95% CI, 43% to 72%), versus 19% (95% CI, 9% to 33%) in patients with these mutations. Conclusion Mutations in TP53, TET2 ,o rDNMT3A identify patients with MDS with shorter OS after HSCT. J Clin Oncol 32:2691-2698. © 2014 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
Radiation Induced Sodium Metal Colloid Formation in Natural Rock Salt From Different Geological Localities

Radiation damage has been studied in natural rock salt from various localities, including potential repository sites. In the 100 to 300 C range the damage consists of point defects, primarily F-centers, and colloidal metal sodium particles. With increasing dose the F-centers grow to a saturation level, reached at 10/sup 7/ to 10/sup 8/ rad, that decreases with increasing temperature to a negligible level at 300 C. Colloid concentration vs. irradiation-time curves follow nucleation and growth curves accurately described by C t/sup n/, or C(dose)/sup n/, relations at large irradiation times. For fourteen samples, n = 1.85 +- 0.18 but the values of C vary by a factor of more than 10/sup 3/. The constant C is related to the sample strain, the impurity and void content, dose rate, and possibly other factors. The currently available data indicate that rock salt adjacent to radioactive waste canisters, at a temperature of 150 C, will contain between 0.01 and 10 mole percent of sodium metal when the total dose reaches 10/sup 10/ rad.
Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd in the Western North Atlantic

The concentrations of Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd have been determined on surface and deep water samples from the western North Atlantic. The results from a single vertical profile are compared to published results from the North Pacific and interpreted with respect to the hydrographie characteristics of both oceans. Cd, Zn and Ni have nutrient-type distributions in both oceans. They are depleted in surface waters, increase rapidly across the thermocline, then increase or decrease only slightly with depth. The North Atlantic deep waters at depths of 1 to 3 km have average concentrations of Cd, Zn and Ni equal to 0.29, 1.5 and 5.7 nmol kg−1, respectively; values substantially lower than their corresponding values in the North Pacific at similar depths of 0.94, 8.2 and 10.4 nmol kg−1. Cu concentrations increase gradually with depth in both oceans, with a North Atlantic deep water (1 to 3 km) average value of 1.7 nmol kg−1 relative to 2.7 nmol kg−1 at similar depths in the North Pacific. Mn concentrations decrease with depth through the thermocline with deep North Atlantic values on the order of 0.6 nmol kg−1.
Absorption of epidermal growth factor occurs through the gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity in adult rats.

Introduction of radiolabeled epidermal growth factor (125I-EGF) by gavage or sublingual confinement resulted in a time-dependent uptake and systemic organ dissemination in the adult rat. Intact EGF was recovered primarily from the tongue, parotid, and sublingual/submandibular glands after administration by sublingual lozenge, whereas gastrointestinal administration resulted in 125I-EGF recovery primarily from plasma, stomach, and lung. Recovered radiolabeled EGF retained the ability to bind to the EGF receptor. Sialoadenectomy caused an increase in 125I-EGF in most tissues by both routes of administration. Thus, in the adult rat, at least two pathways exist for the uptake and distribution for salivary gland-derived EGF present in saliva. With further analyses, sublingual absorbance of EGF may therefore provide a potential delivery route for therapeutic use of growth factor, which avoids the hepatic destruction of EGF after oral administration.
Computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA): image digitization and processing.

The active undulations of a sperm flagellum are a basic expression of cell vitality. They reflect a number of intracellular processes, and also reveal the interaction between the sperm and its environment. The pattern of sperm-head motion during locomotion is a hydrodynamic consequence of the behavior of the flagellum. Hence, studies of sperm-head motion should provide insights into cellular function and membrane integrity. Because of its importance in fertility, considerable attention is devoted to the analysis of sperm-head motion at both a clinical and basic biological level. Historically, such work has been done by hand. Recently, new, computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) systems have become available to automate this process. These new systems promise to advance the study of cell behavior because they facilitate the objective collection of large amounts of data at relatively low cost. At present, however, few workers understand the relative strengths and limitations of such systems. There is a tenden...