cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient computation of vertical current reactions in layered-media for the mixed-potential integral equation

For method of moments simulations of printed structures in layered media that involve both vertical and horizontal metallization, a two-dimensional interpolation scheme is generally required to evaluate efficiently the Sommerfeld integrals arising from the Green functions. A more effective way is to integrate the vertical bounds of the reaction integrals analytically in the spectral-domain. This is further accelerated by employing the discrete complex image method (DCIM) to approximate the radial variation, thus avoiding an expensive Sommerfeld integral.
Lyapunov analysis of neural network stability in an adaptive flight control system

The paper presents the role of self-stabilization analysis in the design, verification and validation of the dynamics of an Adaptive Flight Control System (AFCS). Since the traditional self-stabilization approaches lack the flexibility to deal with the continuous adaptation of the neural network within the AFCS, the paper emphasizes an alternate self-stability analysis approach, namely Lyapunov's Second Method. A Lyapunov function for the neural network is constructed and used in presenting a formal mathematical proof that verifies the following claim: While learning from a fixed input manifold, the neural network is self-stabilizing in a Globally Asymptotically Stable manner. When dealing with variable data manifolds, we propose the need for a real-time stability monitor that can detect unstable state deviations. The test results based on the data collected from an F-15 flight simulator provide substantial heuristic evidence to support the idea of using a Lyapunov function to prove the self-stabilization properties of the neural network adaptation.
Genetic Analysis of Hematological Traits in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Hematological traits are commonly assessed markers of health status that have been used in a large number of anthropological studies, especially those focusing on high-altitude adaptation. Despite the wealth of literature on environment-associated variation in these traits, relatively few studies have dealt with the underlying genetic components of hematological measures. The purpose of this study is to estimate heritabilities for eight hematological traits using data obtained from a large pedigreed chimpanzee colony. Seven of the eight hematological traits exhibited significant heritabilities, ranging from h2 = 0.308 for mean cell volume to h2 = 0.834 for red blood cell count. The use of multiple measures per individual proved to be essential for the accurate estimation of heritabilities. We conclude that the underlying genetic variation in hematological traits should be considered when these measures are used in study protocols.
Oceanic low frequency ambient noise

Ambient noise has been attributed to bubbles spray and splash produced by wind action and breaking waves at the higher frequencies. However, the large bubbles required to produce low frequency noise are not found at sufficient depths and consequently whether low-to-mid-frequency noise (LMF, 10-500 Hz) was produced and by what mechanism has been a subject of recent research. LMF ambient noise measurements were often dominated by emissions from ships and industrial activity making observations of local noise mechanism difficult. Wave-wave interaction, wave-turbulence interaction and the pressure fluctuations due to the turbulent boundary (TBL) layer above the sea surface were all examined as a LMF mechanism but were found radiate insufficient sound. Breaking waves were found to produce microbubble plumes and clouds while at the same time radiating low frequency sound. Consequently collective oscillations of these compact microbubble clouds, were proposed as a mechanism and experimentally verified as a source of LMF noise. This paper discusses LMF noise characteristics, mechanisms and calculations of basin noise based on the breaking wave as a random source of sound.
Methods for the separation and identification of ribonucleotides on DEAE-cellulose.

Abstract Methods have been developed for the separation and identification of ribonucleotides. These methods include single gradient column chromatography with DEAE-cellulose type DE52 to separate purine and pyrimidine ribonucleotides, and PEI-cellulose to separate purine ribonucleotides. Sequential thin layer chromatography with PEI-cellulose may be adapted for the identification and confirmation of the separated components. Application of the methods is demonstrated with a rat liver extract.
Comment on “Degradability of an Acrylate-Linked, Fluorotelomer Polymer in Soil”

The extraction efficacy and resulting polymer half-lives in a cited paper are reaffirmed and the proposed degradation of PFCAs in soil is questioned.
Scale Indicators of Social Exchange Relationships: A Comparison of Relative Content Validity

Although social exchange theory has become one of the most oft-evoked theories in industrial and organizational psychology, there remains no consensus about how to measure its key mechanism: social exchange relationships (Blau, 1964). Drawing on Cropanzano and Byme's (2000) review of contemporary social exchange theorizing, we examined the content validity of perceived support, exchange quality, affective commitment, trust, and psychological contract fulfillment as indicators of social exchange relationships. We used Hinkin and Tracey's (1999) quantitative approach to content validation, which asks participants to rate the correspondence between scale items and definitions of intended (and unintended) constructs. Our results revealed that some of the most frequently utilized indicators of social exchange relationships--perceived support and exchange quality--were significantly less content valid than rarely used options like affect-based trust. Our results also revealed that 2 direct measures--Bernerth, Armenakis, Feild, Giles, and Walker's (2007) scale and a scale created for this study--were content valid. We discuss the implications of these results for future applications of social exchange theory.
Packaging of MEMS devices

This paper examines issues in the packaging of silicon-micromachined devices. Standard microelectonics packaging seeks to physically isolate the integrated circuits from harmful elements in the environment, to provide mechanical strength for the die, to facilitate thermal dissipation, and to sustain electrical communication with outside circuits. However, due to the many novel applications of MEMS devices, new sets of packaging requirements need to be met and further research on packaging technology to meet non-traditional requirements are needed.
Neutron-nucleus total cross sections at 5.7 GeV/ c

Abstract The neutron total cross sections for He, Be, C, Al, Fe, Cu, Cd, W, Pb and U have been measured to an accuracy of 2% at 5.7 ± 0.6 GeV/c. The total cross section versus atomic weight data was fit to an absorbing uniform grey sphere optical model. The best fit parameters are R = a o A 1 3 where ao = 1.27 ± 0.01 fm, and a nucleon mean free path in nuclear matter of 3.0 ± 0.2 fm. The energy dependence of the nucleon-nucleus total cross sections is discussed in terms of the nucleon-nucleon total cross sections and a screening terms.
Glucocorticoid receptor number and cortisol excretion in mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders☆

In the present study, we measured cytosolic lymphocyte glucocorticoid receptor and 24-hour urinary cortisol excretion in patients with major depressive disorder, bipolar mania, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and schizophrenia. Patients with major depression had the smallest, and posttraumatic stress disordered patients the largest, mean number of glucocorticoid receptors per cell compared to patients in the other groups. Bipolar manic and panic patients did not differ from each other in regard to the number of lymphocyte glucocorticoid receptors. Bipolar manic and panic patients did have significantly more glucocorticoid receptors/cell than schizophrenic patients. The mean 24-hour urinary cortisol excretion was significantly higher in patients with major depression and bipolar mania than in those in the other diagnostic groups. Lymphocyte glucocorticoid receptor number and cortisol excretion tended to be inversely related, when the entire sample was considered as a whole, but this effect did not reach statistical significance. It is concluded that lymphocyte glucocorticoid receptors may be modulated by multiple influences, not just ambient cortisol levels. These preliminary data suggest that the assessment of lymphocyte glucocorticoid receptor number in tandem with cortisol levels may provide a more meaningful estimate of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity than is achieved using cortisol alone.
Transmission functions in the numerical solution of radiative heat transfer problems

Abstract The purpose of the present work is to study the use of high-temperature, nongray kernel functions in radiative heat-transfer problems which are solved numerically by the method of undetermined parameters. The first seven moments of the kernels (transmission functions) are presented for a hydrogen plasma at 10,000 K and 20,000 K and electron densities of 1016 cm-3 and 1017cm-3. These moments are used in solving the problem of a hydrogen plasma bounded by two parallel black boundaries. Within the plasma is a uniform heat source (per unit volume). It is shown that, by using the moments, the computer time required for the solution is greatly reduced compared to previously reported direct calculations. By using these moments, solutions of radiative heat transfer problems including nongray affects may be obtained economically and compared with results from approximate methods, such as those involving use of the differential approximation.
Examination of accuracy in the assessment of gastric residual volume: a simulated, controlled study.

Background. Increased gastric content from enteral nutrition intolerance is thought to place patients at risk for pulmonary aspiration. Although considered a questionable practice, blind gastric tube aspiration is the most common approach to measure gastric content. This simulated study evaluated the accuracy of residual volume (RV) assessment via tube aspirations made from known volumes by controlling the syringe pull technique, feeding tube properties, fluid viscosity, and placement of tubes in the fluid. Materials and Methods. This study was conducted in a metrology laboratory. Aspirates were obtained using a force measurement test system to control force of the syringe pull technique using 3 different procedures (slow 10 inches per minute [ipm], intermittent 10 ipm, and fast 40 ipm). Four different feeding tubes, 10 Fr and 18 Fr, each made of polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride, were placed in varying depths of 100 mL of either water or formula. The effect of fluid viscosity was also examined. Results...
Grounding intervention research in the larger context of schooling: A response to Pressley and Harris

In addition to the factors identified by Pressley and Harris for researchers to attend to in designing and conducting intervention research, it is important that this research be grounded in a practical-oriented framework that considers the dynamics of the school setting. This article argues that intervention researchers should solicit the input of practitioners in designing and operationalizing interventions through a co-constructive process, clearly spell out intervention protocols in language that can be understood and followed by practitioners, view interventions within the complex realities of schools, and insure that outcomes of interventions are both statistically and socially significant.
Examining the absence of a gender effect on abortion attitudes : Is there really no difference?

Earlier research on attitudes toward abortion has found little or no difference between men and women. To the limited extent that there is any gender effect, men are slightly more inclined than women to be prochoice (e.g., Cook, Jelen, and Wilcox 1992). Women, however, have been found to regard the issue as more important (Scott and Schuman 1988). The present study uses General Social Survey data from 1972 through 1994 to further explore gender and attitudes toward abortion. We find that within three marital statuses–single, married, widowed–men are somewhat more supportive of abortion rights but that women consider the issue to be more important and have clearer but not necessarily stronger attitudes than men. When differences in workforce participation are controlled, the sex effect is reversed, with women being more prochoice than men. Although significantly related to abortion attitudes, race, marital status, and religious identity are not relevant to this reversal in the sex effect.
Dynamics and Control of Adaptive Nonlinear Piezothermoelastic Structures With Coupled Electric, Thermal and Mechanical Fields: A Finite Element Approach

Piezoelectric sensors and actuators are widely used in smart structures, mechatronic and structronic systems, etc. This paper is to investigate the dynamics and control of nonlinear laminated piezothermoelastic shell structures subjected to the combined mechanical, electrical, and thermal excitations by the finite element method. Governing relations of nonlinear strain-displacement, electric field-electric potential, and temperature gradient-temperature field for a piezothermoelastic shell are presented in a curvilinear coordinate system. Based on the layerwise constant shear angle theory, a generic curved triangular laminated piezothermoelastic shell element is developed. Generic nonlinear finite element formulations for vibration sensing and control analysis of laminated piezoelectric shell structures are derived based on the virtual work principle. Dynamic system equations, equations of electric potential output, and feedback control force are derived and discussed. The modified Newton-Raphson method is used for efficient nonlinear dynamic analysis of complex nonlinear piezoelectric/elastic/control structural systems. For vibration sensing and control, various control algorithms are implemented. The developed nonlinear piezothermoelastic shell element and finite element code are validated and applied to analysis of nonlinear flexible structronic systems. Vibration sensing and control of constant/non-constant curvature piezoelectric shell structures are studied. Thermal effect to static deflection, dynamic response, and control is investigated.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Free Morpheme Constraint Revisited.

ABSTRACT: As one of the best-known linguistic constraints on code-switching, Poplack (1980) has proposed the ‘free morpheme constraint’ which predicts no switching between a free morpheme and a bound morpheme. Although the free morpheme constraint is attractive due to its simplicity, cross-linguistic data do not support the constraint. The present study argues that semantic content of an item should be considered rather than its morphological form. As an alternative to the free morpheme constraint, a constraint based on the notion of semantic content is proposed.
Regression of a radioactive mercurial diuretic from the plasma of man.

DURING the study of the mechanism of chroni congestive heart failure and other œdematous states it became more evident that there is need for a better understanding of the pharmacodynamics o mercurial diuretics. Investigations have been carried out with the use of radioactive mercury incorporated in a mercurial diuretic, 'Mercuhydrin' (sodium sal of methoxyoximercuripropylsuccinylurea with theo phylline, prepared in this laboratory by Messrs. H Krahnke, E. Sprengler and D. Kaestner through the courtesy of Dr. H. L. Daiell of Lakeside Laboratories Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with the use of mercury 203–205 from the A.E.C. Oak Ridge Operations), in order to observe for a period of 100–180 min. the concentration-time course of the isotope in the plasma of man after intravenous injection.
Depression and coping in subthreshold eating disorders.

Abstract Objective The eating disorder literature has sought to understand the role of comorbid psychiatric diagnoses and coping in relation to eating disorders. The present research extends these findings by studying the relationships among depression, coping, and the entire continuum of disordered eating behaviors, with an emphasis on subthreshold eating disorders. Method 109 undergraduate females completed questionnaires to assess disordered eating symptoms, depressive symptoms, and the use of active and avoidant coping mechanisms. Hypotheses were tested using bivariate linear regression and multivariate linear regression. Results Results indicated that depression was a significant predictor of disordered eating symptoms after controlling for relationships between depression and coping. Although avoidant coping was positively associated with disordered eating, it was not a significant predictor after controlling for depression and coping. Discussion Previous research has found associations between depression and diagnosable eating disorders, and this research extends those findings to the entire continuum of disordered eating. Future research should continue to investigate the predictors and correlates of the disordered eating continuum using more diverse samples. Testing for mediation and moderation among these variables may also be a fruitful area of investigation.
Bremsstrahlung cross section for a point, spinless target

Abstract A program is described which calculates the double differential cross section for bremsstrahlung production by electrons interacting with a spinless point target. The cross section, which includes recoil of the target particle, is valid at relativistic energies and wide angles.
Differential Responses to Same and Opposite Sex Odors by Adult House Mice Are Associated with Anogenital Distance

Intrauterine position (IUP) of female and male fetuses in litter-bearing mammals can affect their physiology, morphology and behavior. The relationship between anogenital distance (AGD) and IUP was used as a bioassay for the degree of exposure of female and male fetuses to hormones in utero. Based on laboratory work in several rodent species, the following predictions were made for house mice (Mus musculus domesticus): (1) female mice should prefer odors from males with larger AGDs because such males are more aggressive, could protect more resources, and are better parents than males with smaller AGDs; (2) male mice should prefer odors from females with smaller AGDs because these females produce more offspring and are better parents than females with larger AGDs. We also tested the prediction that within sexes, mice should avoid odors from mice with larger AGDs because such mice are more aggressive. Responses to odors in traps were used to test these predictions for house mice living in outdoor enclosures using odor-baited traps. Both predictions were confirmed. Furthermore, mice of both sexes tended to avoid odor cues from individuals of the same sex that had larger AGDs, probably to decrease chances of an aggressive encounter that could result in injury.
Measurements of the thermal radiative properties of liquid uranium

Measurements of the thermal radiative properties of liquid uranium have been made using an instrument with two optical systems, one for measuring the complex index of refraction by ellipsometry, the other for measuring the normal spectral emissivity by direct comparison to an integral blackbody cavity. The measurements cover the wavelength range 0.4-10 [mu]m with sample temperatures between 1410 and 1630 K. Two 5-KeV ion sputter guns and an Auger spectrometer produce and verify, in situ, atomically pure sample surfaces. Good agreement between the two methods is observed for the normal spectral emissivity, which varies with wavelength in a manner typical of transition metals. The two components of the complex index of refraction - the index of refraction and the extinction coefficient - increase with wavelength from approximately 3 at 0.4 [mu]m to approximately 20 at 9.5 [mu]m. Both components of polarized reflectivity are shown for visible to infrared wavelengths. 24 refs., 7 figs., 3 tabs.
P‐63: Pumping Characteristics of AC‐PDP Structures

7.5″ AC-PDPs with closed rib structures were prepared and their pumping characteristics were measured with a spinning rotor gauge. It is found that the pumping characteristics are composed of three different regimes, ‘volume flow’, ‘transient flow’ and ‘molecular flow’. The most time-consuming regime was ‘molecular flow’. We applied the annealing process and the structural pumping paths that reduced the ‘molecular flow’. It is also found that the pumping characteristics of panels are quite dependent on the existence of the pumping paths when the annealing process is applied.
Analysis of inventory systems with deteriorating items

Two economic order quantity models (1 and II) for inventory items with deterioration rates are developed. In Model I, the demand is deterministic in nature, production rate is finite, and shortages are allowed. In Model II, the demand is given by a random variable having the p.d.f. of a normal distribution, the deterioration rate is given by a two-parameter Weibull distribution, and shortages are allowed. Numerical solutions are utilized to obtain optimal values for the order quantity (Q) and cycle time (T). The models are then applied to a real-life situation of the Stewart Clay Company. New Jersey
Adolescents’ Stage-Environment Fit in Middle and High School: The Relationship Between Students’ Perceptions of Their Schools and Themselves

This mixed-methods longitudinal project investigates the association between student perceptions of their schools and themselves. Findings from the first two waves of data analysis with 894 middle and high school students in a midsized Great Lakes city reveal similarities and differences between the grade levels (7th-10th) and their perceptions of their schools. Although 7th-grade students enter middle school with the most positive feelings about their schools, they lose this feeling of euphoria by the end of their academic year. In contrast, the 10th-grade females are the most positive of all students, recognizing school characteristics which assist with their self-efficacy. Results from quantitative analyses indicate that student attitudes toward school and a sense of school connectedness are linked to both self-esteem and academic self-efficacy.
The Rise of Note-Taking in Early Modern Europe

The history of note‐taking has only begun to be written. On the one hand, the basic functions of selecting, summarizing, storing and sorting information garnered from reading, listening, observing and thinking can be identified in most literate contexts in some form or other. On the other hand, Renaissance humanists emphasized with unprecedented success the virtues of stockpiling notes on large scales and for the long term, thanks to the availability of paper and a new abundance of books, but also to their ability to transmit their own keen motivation to avoid any future loss of learning. We continue to share many early modern ideals for insuring the collection and retrievability of information and have built on early modern practices that facilitate the accumulation and the organization of information, including collaborative work and the use of rearrangeable slips.
Origin–destination missing data estimation for freight transportation planning: a gravity model-based regression approach

This paper develops a log-linear regression approach to estimate missing data in a sparse origin–destination (O–D) matrix assuming the sampled or observed O–D trips follow a good gravity pattern. The approach is tested with randomly selected samples from the known portions of 1997, 2002, and 2007 US Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) O–D value and tonnage matrices and validated with 2007 US O–D tonnage matrix at the state level. The missing data are also estimated for the 2007 CFS tonnage matrix with the best intercept and coefficients obtained using all known entries of the matrix. The concept of the approach can be extended beyond the gravity model to any strong mathematical pattern embedded in the known set of a sparse O–D matrix to estimate its missing cells.
Ab initio longitudinal polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities of polydiacetylene and polybutatriene oligomers

Abstract Ab initio SCF calculations of the static longitudinal polarizability and hyperpolarizability for polydiacetylene (PDA) and polybutatriene (PBT) oligomers through C 26 are carried out using STO-3G and 4–31G bases. The results, i.e. property versus chain length, are fairly similar to previous semi-empirical INDO results. For PBT there is no evidence of saturation as the chain length increases. Extrapolation to the infinite polymer limit for PDA involves large uncertainties, though less so than for polyacetylene. A scaled semi-empirical method is suggested to overcome the extrapolation problem and is applied to PDA.
Parent routines, child routines, and family demographics associated with obesity in parents and preschool-aged children

Many daily routines and behaviors are related to the prevalence of obesity. This study investigated the association between routines and behaviors that act as protective factors related to lower prevalence of obesity in parents (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and overweight in preschool children (BMI ≥ 85th percentile). Socio-demographic characteristics were assessed in relation to protective routines (PRs), and prevalence of obesity/overweight data from 337 preschool children and their parents. The two PRs assessed with parents included adequate sleep (≥ 7 hours/night) and family mealtime routine (scoring higher than the median score). The four PRs assessed in children included adequate sleep (≥ 10 hours/night), family mealtime routine, limiting screen-viewing time (≤ 2 hours/day of TV, video, DVD), and not having a bedroom TV. Overall, 27.9% of parents were obese and 22.8% of children were overweight, and 39.8% of the parents had both parent PRs, and only 11.6% of children had all four child PRs. Results demonstrated that several demographic factors were significantly related to the use of PRs for parents and children. The lack of PRs was related to increased risk for overweight in children, but not for obesity in parents. However, in the adjusted models the overall cumulative benefits of using PRs was not significant in children either. In the multivariate adjusted logistic regression models, the only significant individual PR for children was adequate sleep. In a path analysis model, parent sleep was related to child sleep, which was in turn related to decreased obesity. Overall, findings suggest that parent and child PRs, especially sleep routines, within a family can be associated and may play an important role in the health outcomes of both parents and children. Understanding the mechanisms that influence how and when parents and children use these PRs may be promising for developing targeted family-based obesity-prevention efforts.
The interaction of cocaethylene and cocaine and of cocaethylene and alcohol on schedule-controlled responding in rats.

Rationale: Cocaethylene is a unique metabolite of cocaine, produced only in the presence of alcohol. This metabolite is pharmacologically, physiologically and behaviorally active. Further, it has been reported to interact pharmacokinetically with both cocaine and alcohol, an interaction that may mediate, in part, the interaction of cocaine and alcohol. Although cocaethylene has been shown to interact with both cocaine and alcohol, behavioral assessments of these interactions are limited. Objectives: To examine directly the behavioral interactions between cocaethylene and cocaine and between cocaethylene and alcohol, the present study assessed the effects produced by these combinations on schedule-controlled responding. Methods: Rats were first administered cumulative doses of cocaethylene, cocaine and alcohol to assess their effects alone on responding. Following this, doses of cocaethylene were combined with cumulative doses of cocaine or alcohol. Additionally, doses of cocaine or alcohol were given in combination with cumulative doses of cocaethylene. Results: When administered alone, cocaethylene, cocaine and alcohol produced dose-related decreases in responding. Further, cocaethylene shifted the dose–response functions for both cocaine and alcohol to the left and down, while cocaine and alcohol shifted the dose–response function for cocaethylene to the left and down. An isobolographic analysis revealed that these interactions were additive in nature. Conclusions: The present study suggests behavioral interactions between cocaethylene and cocaine and between cocaethylene and alcohol. The contribution of cocaethylene to the enhanced effects produced by the co-administration of cocaine and alcohol was discussed.
Imagining Fear: Attachment, Threat, and Psychic Experience

Attachment theory is today considered an integral part of contemporary psychoanalytic theory and practice, and yet the theoretical and clinical implications of Bowlby’s emphasis on fear and the search for safety have been largely overlooked. From Bowlby’s perspective, the dynamic relationship between the experience of threat and attachment shapes the development and maintenance of essential relationships, the organization of psychic structure, and the nature of defenses and adaptation. This element of attachment theory—which alerts us to the ways in which the infant or child is compelled to seek safety when in a state of fearful arousal—is particularly relevant to the clinical situation. It helps us imagine moments of fearful arousal in our patients’ pasts, attend to their manifestations in the present, and understand current suffering in light of the long-term sequelae of adaptations that were crucial to survival. Finally, it helps us find language that brings alive or mentalizes these aspects of the pat...
α1-Antitrypsin Deficiency and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Objective To evaluate a possible etiologic role of a α -antitrypsin deficiency (α 1 AD), most frequently caused by a Z allele mutation, in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD). Patients and Methods This retrospective study included 10 patients diagnosed with and/or treated for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) between 1976 and 1997 and identified from the Mayo Clinic Medical Index System. All 10 patients had either α 1 AD and CD or α 1 AD and UC. The α 1 -antitrypsin (α 1 AT)types and levels were determined with isoelectric focusing testing. The allele types, representing genotypes, were designated PiZZ (or ZZ ) for homozygotes and PiMZ (or MZ ) for heterozygotes. Results Seven patients had UC: 4 were genotype ZZ and 3 MZ . Four of these 7 patients had emphysema, 2 had asthma, and 1 had chronic bronchitis. Five were cigarette smokers, but only 1 had smoked coincident with activity of her UC. Two of the UC patients never smoked, and 1 of these 2 had asthma. Three of the 10 patients had CD, 2 genotype ZZ and 1 MZ . Two of the 3 patients were longterm cigarette smokers, and both had emphysema. Nine of the 10 patients with UC and α 1 AD required surgery. Conclusions The need for surgery in patients with UC and α 1 -AD may point to a unique phenotypic subgroup of patients with α 1 AD and severe UC. Further studies are required to substantiate the etiologic role of α 1 AD in IBD. Our observations, if confirmed by future studies, suggest that in patients with both IBD and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, α 1 AD testing should be considered.
Reducing the risk of mother-to-child human immunodeficiency virus transmission: past successes, current progress and challenges, and future directions

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States and Europe has been a tremendous success, such that transmission rates of less than 2% have been achieved. Some key successes have also been demonstrated in resource-poor countries; however, the translation of successful interventions into public health policy has been slow because of a variety of factors such as inadequate funding and cultural, social, and institutional barriers. The issue of HIV and infant feeding in settings that lack culturally acceptable, feasible, affordable, safe, and sustainable nutritional substitutes for breast milk is a continuing dilemma. An effective preventive infant HIV vaccine would be an optimal approach to reduce HIV acquisition in the first year of life among breast-feeding infants. The challenges to eliminate new perinatal HIV infections worldwide will depend on both sustaining and expanding PMTCT interventions and effective primary HIV prevention for women, adolescents, and young adults.
Biliverdin inhibits activation of NF‐κB: Reversal of inhibition by human biliverdin reductase

hBVR functions in the cell as a reductase and as a kinase. In the first capacity, it reduces biliverdin, the product of HO activity, to the effective intracellular antioxidant, bilirubin; as a dual-specificity kinase (S/T/Y) it activates the MAPK and IGF/IRK receptor signal transduction pathways. NF-kappaB and the MAPK pathway are activated by ROS, which results in the activation of stress-inducible genes, including ho-1. Presently, we report on the negative effect of biliverdin on NF-kappaB activation and the converse effect of hBVR. Biliverdin, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, inhibited transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB in HEK293A cells. Nuclear extracts from biliverdin-treated cells show reduced DNA binding of NF-kappaB in an electromobility shift assay, whereas extracts from cells treated with TNF-alpha showed enhanced binding. Coimmunoprecipitation data show hBVR binds to the 65 kDa subunit of NF-kappaB, and that this is dependent on activation by TNF-alpha. Overexpression of hBVR enhanced both the basal and TNF-alpha-mediated activation of NF-kappaB and also that of the NF-kappaB-activated iNOS gene. Also, overexpression of hBVR arrested the cell cycle in the G(1)/G(0) phase and reduced the number of cells in S phase. Similar results were observed with MCF-7 cells. Because of the Janus nature of NF-kappaB activity in the cell and the inhibitory action of biliverdin, the present findings provide a foundation for therapeutic intervention in inflammatory diseases and cancer that may be attained by preventing reduction of biliverdin. On the other hand, by increasing BVR levels beneficial functions of NF-kappaB might be augmented.
Molecular motions of a glycopeptide from human serum transferrin studied by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance

The molecular motions of a 21-amino-acid glycopeptide (Gp21) containing multiple glycoforms of an N-linked diantennary oligosaccharide were studied by two-dimensional 1H-detected 13C relaxation measurements at natural abundance. Gp21 was derived from human serum transferrin, its amino acid sequence is QQQHLFGSNVTDCSGNFCLFR, and its N-glycan structure is [Formula: see text] The measured longitudinal and transverse relaxation rate constants and the nuclear Overhauser enhancements for the methine carbons of Gp21 were analyzed by using the model-free approach to obtain information about the internal motions in the molecule. The calculated order parameters S2 of the alpha carbons in both NH2- and COOH-terminal segments of the peptide are smaller than those in the interior segment of the Gp21 peptide moiety, implying that the internal motions in the terminal segments are less restricted than in the interior segment. The average S2 value is 0.72–0.91 for the glycosyl residues in the pentasaccharide core of Gp21, 0.58–0.59 for the interior GlcNAc-5,5' residues in the two branches, and 0.35–0.51 for the terminal GlcNAc-5, Gal-6,6', and NeuAcN,N' residues in the two branches, indicating that the internal motions in the glycan core are more restricted than in the two branches.
Light chain crystal deposition as a manifestation of plasma cell dyscrasias: the role of immunoelectron microscopy.

Light chain crystal deposition disease is a rare and poorly characterized entity that can be confused with a number of different conditions, depending on where the disease process is manifested. The present study explored the role of ultrastructural immunogold labeling in the diagnosis of this condition. Seven cases of light chain crystal deposition (kappa light chain-related) are reported. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence techniques play a rather limited role in the evaluation of these cases, as a result of the inability to detect monoclonal kappa light chains in association with the crystalline structures or high background staining. Ultrastructural labeling is the method of choice to fully characterize these cases. However, surgical pathologists must learn to recognize the findings associated with this condition to avoid misdiagnosis. If the diagnosis is at least suspected, then a complete hematologic workup may identify the underlying plasma cell dyscrasia. It must be emphasized that in some patients the plasma cell dyscrasia does not become clinically manifested until years after the diagnosis of light chain crystal deposition.
Complement-fixing hidden rheumatoid factor in children with benign rheumatoid nodules.

Rheumatoid nodules have been described in many children without evidence of clinical disease. These have been referred to as benign rheumatoid nodules (BRN). Except for one report, no serological abnormalities have been demonstrated. Four children with BRN have been studied. By means of a hemolytic assay, high titers of hidden rheumatoid factor (RF) have been found in the blood, i.e., 19S IgM RF detected after acid separation of IgM-containing fraction from the serum. The median hidden RF titer of the children with BRN was 1:362 and in healthy and disease controls was 1:7. The difference was significant at P less than 0.001. The results indicate that patients with BRN have active complement-fixing 19S IgM RF in their serum. Thus the association of hidden RF with BRN raises the possibility that the deposition of immune complexes (19S IgM-7S IgG) leads to small vessel vasculitis and nodular formation.
Beam lead quartz chips for superconducting millimeter-wave circuits

The assembly of superconducting millimeter and submillimeter-wave circuits often requires RF ground connections. These are usually made by soldering, wire bonding, conductive adhesive or conductive wire gaskets. The difficulty of assembly increases with frequency as chip dimensions and tolerances shrink. The assembly issues, and also the throughput requirements of large radio astronomy projects such as ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter Array), suggest the need of a beam lead technology for these circuits. Beam lead processes are already established for silicon and gallium arsenide wafers. However, niobium circuits on quartz substrates present unique difficulties. SIS junctions introduce additional thermal and chemical constraints to process development. For quartz, wet etches are isotropic and dry etches with high etch rates require large ion energies. Therefore, it is difficult to develop a conventional process in which gold pads on the substrate surface are formed into beam leads by a backside etch. Instead we have developed a topside process in which, after the mixer circuits are completed, dicing cuts are made at the finished chip dimensions but only partly through the wafer. The dicing cuts are then filled with a sacrificial material in a non-CMP process, and planarized. Gold plated pads are then defined, overhanging the planarized cuts. The sacrificial material is then removed from these cuts, leaving the gold beam leads. The wafer is then backside lapped into the cuts to the desired thickness, separating the individual chips. We discuss the new planarization scheme developed for this beam lead process and compare a variety of sacrificial materials.
Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry in a 20 T Resistive Magnet

We present Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectra at a magnetic field of 20 T; more than twice the highest field previously used for FTICR. Our instrument is based on a resistive magnet installed at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The magnet has a 50 mm diameter bore and spatial inhomogeneity of approximately 1000 ppm over a 1 cm diameter spherical volume. However, FTICR mass resolving power far in excess of magnet homogeneity is achieved routinely for ions produced by either electron ionization (EI) or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). As examples, we show a MALDI mass spectrum of [M + H] quasimolecular ions of the peptide, human luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (monoisotopic molecular weight, 1181.6 Da) at mass resolving power, m/delta m > 10,000; and an EI mass spectrum of molecular ions of the platinum cluster compound, Pt4(PF3)8 (average molecular weight, 1484 Da at mass resolving power, m/delta m approximately 20,000. Much better FTICR MS performance is predicted for future NHMFL resistive magnets of higher spatial and temporal homogeneity.
Threshold management in a coupled economic–ecological system

Abstract Economic analysis of optimal ecosystem management in the presence of a threshold has typically ignored the potential for induced behavioral responses. This paper contributes to the literature on non-convex ecosystem management by considering the implications of a particular behavioral response in a regional economy – that of amenity-led growth – to changes in ecosystem services generated by a lake ecosystem subject to a eutrophication threshold. The essential policy challenge is to achieve optimal levels of lake nutrients and urbanization given that improvements to water quality will induce additional migration and urbanization in the region with attendant ecological impacts. We show that policies that ignore the recursive relationship between urbanization and water quality unintentionally exacerbate boom-bust cycles of regional growth and decline and risk pushing the system towards long-run economic decline. In contrast, the optimal policy accounts for the behavioral feedbacks to improved ecosystem services, and balances regional growth and ecological degradation.
Simulation evidence on the ridge and the shrinkage of the maximum entropy variance

Abstract Haque's and Meisner's (1980) analysis of the expectations of the ridge and shrinkage of the maximum entropy variance is extended to include their standard deviations and correlation coefficients.
Comparison of techniques for transscleral diode photocoagulation in the rabbit.

PURPOSE To assess the optimum probe design and treatment parameters for transscleral diode laser retinopexy. METHODS Transscleral diode photocoagulation was performed on the eyes of Dutch-belted rabbits using three different transscleral probes: a straight, 400-microns diameter probe; a prism-tipped 400-microns diameter probe; and a prism-tipped 900-microns diameter probe. RESULTS Transscleral diode photocoagulation with all three probe types was an effective method of ablating the retina and creating chorioretinal adhesions. Both the burn diameter and the mean radiant output energy requirement increased as the burn duration and probe aperture diameter was increased. Explosive retinal holes were encountered in 12% of the burns created with the straight probe. The use of the prism-tipped probes significantly reduced the incidence of retinal holes to < 4% (P < 0.005). Histopathologically, all burns were grade III in intensity with severe choroidal injury. In many of the burns, there was histopathologic evidence of thermal injury to the inner sclera. The frequency of these inner scleral changes was reduced with a long burn duration (5 seconds). CONCLUSION This study confirms that diode transscleral photocoagulation is a feasible method of thermal retinopexy. The use of the prism-tipped probes and long duration burns resulted in the fewest adverse reactions.
Child Care Experiences in Low-Income Communities: Developmental Quality and Maternal Views.

Abstract Increasing numbers of low-income children are receiving regular nonparental care, yet knowledge is limited regarding whether child care settings meet the needs of low-income children and their parents. Using a sample of low-income, predominantly African-American and Hispanic children and families from low-income neighborhoods in Boston, Chicago, and San Antonio (n = 238), the present study provides a descriptive view of the child care experiences of children (ages 2–5) and families. Results indicate that most children attend Head Start centers, other centers, or relative care, provided either within or outside of the child's home. Head Start programs were rated higher in overall developmental quality than all other types of care. Though unregulated home care settings scored lower on ratings of developmental quality, such settings appeared to be the types in which mothers felt most comfortable, and that best met family needs.
Transmission electron microscopy study of defect-selective etched (010) ScN crystals

Abstract The origin of etch pits, formed in (010) scandium nitride single crystals etched in molten potassium hydroxide KOH, is reported. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with weak beam condition and large area convergent beam electron diffraction technique were used to identify the nature of dislocations associated with etch pits. The top edge of the etch pits was a square inverted pyramid with the bottom point deviating from the center. TEM investigation demonstrated that a mixed dislocation terminated at the bottom of each etch pit. The Burgers vector of the mixed dislocation is ½ [01¯1¯] and the vector of the dislocation line is [1¯91].
Examining Multiracial Youth in Context: Ethnic Identity Development and Mental Health Outcomes

Although multiracial individuals are the fastest growing population in the United States, research on the identity development of multiracial adolescents remains scant. This study explores the relationship between ethnic identity, its components (affirmation, exploration), and mental health outcomes (anxiety, depressive symptoms) within the contexts of schools for multiracial adolescents. The participants were multiracial and monoracial minority and majority high school students (n = 4,766; 54.6% female). Among the participants, 88.1% were Caucasian, 7.4% were African American, and 4.5% were multiracial. The research questions examined the relationship between ethnic identity exploration and affirmation on mental health outcomes and explored the role school context plays in this relationship. The findings suggested that multiracial youth experience more exploration and less affirmation than African Americans, but more than Caucasians. In addition, multiracial youth were found to have higher levels of mental health issues than their monoracial minority and majority peers. Specifically, multiracial youth had higher levels of depressive symptoms than their African American and Caucasian counterparts. Multiracial and Caucasian youth had similar levels of anxiety but these levels were significantly higher than African Americans. School diversity did not influence mental health outcomes for multiracial youth. These findings provide insight into the experiences of multiracial youth and underscore the importance of further investigating factors that contribute to their mental health outcomes.
Linearity in the Traveling Salesman Problem

Abstract In the multiple-asymmetric TSP, a tour's letter rearrangement neighborhood weight is linear in the tourlengths of the tour and its inverse. This reveals that in the multiple-symmetric TSP, no arbitrarily poor local optima exist in such neighborhoods of derangement tours.