cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethylene maleated amorphous propylene compatibilized polyethylene nanocomposites: Stress and temperature effects on nonlinear creep

The effects of stress and temperature on the nonlinear creep behavior of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) nanocomposites reinforced with montmorillonite-layered silicate (MLS) nanoclay and compatibilized with an amorphous maleated ethylene copolymer (amEP) is investigated. To study the effect of stress on the creep resistance of these materials, creep tests were conducted at different stress levels (10, 25, and 50% yield stress). The effect of temperature was examined by analyzing the creep and recovery of the films at temperatures in the range of −100 to 25°C. The individual creep compliance curves for each stress level and temperature were fitted to both the Burgers model and the Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts (KWW) function. The results indicate that modification of the polyethylene results in a suppression of relaxation times but the temperature trends are reversed below the β transition temperature. Filled systems exhibited a distribution in relaxation times whose trend matched the relaxation time trends in both Burger and KWW models. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1633–1645, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Temperature and volume dependence of some magnetic properties of Pr-pnictides

Abstract Several experiments relating to the volume dependence of crystal field interactions in rare earth pnictides have been carried out. These experiments include measurements of 1) the temperature dependence of the susceptibility of PrN, 2) the room temperature compressibilities of PrN and PrAs, 3) the NMR frequency shifts for 141Pr in PrN and PrSb, and 4) the low-temperature pressure dependence of the 141Pr frequency shift in PrN and PrSb. Although electrostatic screening effects on crystal field interactions in PrN are smaller than in the heavier Pr- pnictides, the anomalous volume dependence of the 141Pr NMR shift is essentially the same in all these compounds.
The Impact of Recent Heat Waves on Human Health in California

AbstractThis study examines the health impacts of recent heat waves statewide and for six subregions of California: the north and south coasts, the Central Valley, the Mojave Desert, southern deserts, and northern forests. By using canonical correlation analysis applied to daily maximum temperatures and morbidity data in the form of unscheduled hospitalizations from 1999 to 2009, 19 heat waves spanning 3–15 days in duration that had a significant impact on health were identified. On average, hospital admissions were found to increase by 7% on the peak heat-wave day, with a significant impact seen for several disease categories, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, dehydration, acute renal failure, heat illness, and mental health. Statewide, there were 11 000 excess hospitalizations that were due to extreme heat over the period, yet the majority of impactful events were not accompanied by a heat advisory or warning from the National Weather Service. On a regional basis, the strongest heal...
Complementation of a pleiotropic Nif-Gln regulatory mutant of Rhodospirillum rubrum by a previously unrecognized Azotobacter vinelandii regulatory locus.

A spontaneous pleiotropic Nif- mutation in Rhodospirillum rubrum has been partially characterized biochemically and by complementation analysis with recombinant plasmids carrying Azotobacter vinelandii DNA in the vicinity of ORF12 [Jacobson et al. (1989) J. Bacteriol 171:1017–1027]. In addition to being unable to grow on N2 as a nitrogen source the phenotypic characterization of this and other metronidazole enriched spontaneous mutants showed (a) no nitrogenase activity, (b) the absence of NifHDK polypeptides, (c) a slower growth rate on NH inf4 sup+ , (d) approximately 50% higher glutamine synthetase (GS) activity than the wild-type, which was repressible, (e) an inability to switch-off GS activity in response to an NH inf4 sup+ up-shift, and (f) an inability to modify (32P-label) the GS polypeptide. The apparent relationship between the absence of nifHDK expression and the absence of GS adenylylation cannot be explained in terms of the current model for nif gene regulation. However, R. rubrum transconjugants receiving A. vinelandii DNA which originated immediately upstream from nifH, restored all aspects of the wild-type phenotype. These data suggest a here-to-fore unrecognized relationship between nif expression and GS switch-off (adenylylation) activity, and the existence of a previously unidentified regulatory locus in Azotobacter that complements this mutation.
Predicting Student Success in College: What Does the Research Say?.

We cannot, and should not, arrive at a standard group of variables that would purport to determine the fu ture response pattern in all situa tions for all indi viduals, says this writer, who reviews some of the vari ables that can be studied.
Theory of bloch electrons in a magnetic field

Abstract An effective Hamiltonian is obtained for a Bloch electron in a magnetic field. Using a basis set of modified Bloch functions, a momentum space Schrodinger equation is first obtained, which is formally exact but which has interband terms and also has a normalization matrix differing from the unit matrix. A non-unitary transformation is then used to obtain a one-band Hamiltonian to any order in the magnetic field, and this is carried out to second order for at most two-fold degenerate bands including spin-orbit interaction. The result is applied to obtaining the normal magnetic susceptibility of Bloch electrons.
Reliable change in depression during behavioral weight loss treatment among women with major depression.

Although behavioral weight loss interventions generally have been shown to improve depressive symptoms, little is known as to whether some people with major depressive disorder experience worsening of depression during a weight loss intervention. We examined rates and predictors of change in depression symptoms among 148 obese women with major depressive disorder who participated in a trial comparing depression treatment plus behavioral weight loss treatment (Behavioral Activation; BA) to behavioral weight loss treatment alone (Lifestyle Intervention; LI). A statistically reliable change in depression was calculated as ≥ 9 points on the Beck Depression Inventory in this sample. At 6 months, 73% of participants in BA and 54% of participants in LI showed reliable improvement in depression symptoms and 1.5% of participants in BA and 1.3% of participants in LI showed reliable worsening in depression symptoms. Rates of reliable change were similar at 12 months. Participants who experienced reliable improvement in depression lost significantly more weight than those who did not in both conditions. In the LI condition, baseline psychiatric variables and change in physical activity during treatment were also related to reliable improvement in depression. We found no evidence for an iatrogenic effect of behavioral weight loss treatment on depressive symptoms among obese women with major depressive disorder; rather, behavioral weight loss treatment appears to be associated with significant concurrent improvement in depression. Even greater rates of reliable improvement were observed when depression treatment was added to weight loss treatment.
Age and gender trends in implantable cardioverter defibrillator utilization: a population based study.

Introduction Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators improve mortality in selected high risk patients, yet population based data regarding utilization of these devices, particularly in the elderly, are limited.
Salt reponses of lettuce to salinity. II. Effect of calcium on growth and mineral status

Abstract The effect of Ca2+ on the salt tolerance of two lettuce cultivars (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Calmar and cv. Climax), differing in their salt tolerance, was investigated. The plants were grown in a 0.5 modified Hoagland solution. Treatments of NaCl or NaCl plus CaSO4 (final Na+:Ca2+ ratio approximately 7:1 on a mol m–3 basis) were added to the nutrient solution when the second leaf above the cotyledons appeared. The plants were harvested 20 days after the treatments began. Plant growth was reduced by salinity (0 to 120 mol m–3 NaCl), but addition of supplemental Ca2+ did not affect salt tolerance. The mineral status of the plant, however, was affected by the Ca2+ treatments. The Ca concentrations in both root and shoot, and the Mg concentrations in the shoot were higher than those in the low Ca2+ treatment. High external Ca2+ decreased the absorption of Na. The high Ca2+ treatments did not affect Cl–1 tissue concentrations, nor shoot or root growth. The effect of high Ca2+ concentration on K tissue co...
Granular Cell Tumor of the Cervical Esophagus: Case Report and Literature Review of an Unusual Cause of Dysphagia

Granular cell tumors (GCT) of the head and neck are not uncommon; however, involvement of the cervical esophagus is rare. Characterized by an infiltrative growth pattern, these benign tumors are historically difficult to surgically excise and are radioresistant. We present here a case of dysphagia caused by a GCT of the cervical esophagus. Work up with ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration was suggestive of a GCT due to the presence of cohesive cells with granular cytoplasm that were S-100 and CD68 positive with immunostaining, and PAS positive with histochemistry. Resection required removal of a portion of the muscular wall of the esophagus sparing the overlying mucosa. The patient is currently asymptomatic and without recurrence after 10 month follow-up. Review of the literature revealed 19 reports of cervical esophageal GCTs. There is a female preponderance (75 %), with an average age of 41 years. Dysphagia and weight loss are the most common presenting symptoms. The average tumor size on presentation was 2.7 cm, with symptomatic tumors being significantly larger than asymptomatic lesions; the latter was present in 25 % of patients. Concurrent GCTs in the upper aerodigestive tract were identified in 35 % of cases. Approximately 30 % of tumors required segmental cervical esophageal resection. The purpose of this report is to describe the epidemiology and treatment of GCTs of the cervical esophagus. Lesions should be addressed early with complete surgical excision to prevent growth necessitating more morbid surgery. Due to the high rate of concurrent GCTs, upper endoscopy is advised in the workup of these patients.
Lindane toxicity in a 24-year-old woman

A case of lindane toxicity in a 24-year-old woman who used lindane shampoo for treatment of an alleged case of lice infestation is described. The patient experienced uncontrolled motor activity that began approximately 2 hours after treatment and resolved approximately 48 hours later. A review of the literature revealed that most cases of acute lindane toxicity resulting from topical application have occurred in the pediatric and geriatric populations and are manifested by grand mal seizures. No case of acute lindane toxicity resulting from topical use was found in the emergency medicine literature. This case illustrates the toxic, neurologic effects of lindane in a young adult.
Differential degradation of D-and L-glycerol-1-C14 by Aerobacter aerogenes.

Abstract A degradation procedure has been developed, which allows determination of the isotope concentration in each of the carbon atoms of the glycerol molecule separately. The method involves bacterial fermentation of glycerol with Aerobacter aerogenes.
Two Ion/Ion Charge Inversion Steps To Form a Doubly Protonated Peptide from a Singly Protonated Peptide in the Gas Phase

An approach is described to increase the degree of protonation of a polypeptide ion in the gas phase. Sequential charge inversion reactions involving the reactions of oppositely charged ions are used to yield a net increase in ion charge. The approach is illustrated here with the conversion of singly protonated bradykinin to doubly protonated bradykinin. The first step involves conversion of the singly protonated peptide to the singly deprotonated peptide via reactions with multiply charged anions derived from carboxylate-terminated dendrimers. Some of the singly deprotonated peptide was then converted to doubly protonated peptide via reactions with multiply charged cations derived from amino-terminated dendrimers. The overall approach is illustrative of a general strategy for increasing the absolute charge states of large ions in the gas phase.
Nonconservative Evaluation of Uniform Stability Margins of Multivariable Feedback Systems

This paper discusses concepts of stability margins of multivariable feedback systems. Independent and uniform stability margins are defined. A previous conjecture that the uniform margins may be computed by using the eigenvalue magnitudes instead of the singular values in the robust stability criteria is theorized. The nonconservatism provided by this theory in the evaluation of uniform margins is discussed, along with limitations of the uniform margins. Also presented is a method of using the uniform margins to extend the region of stability beyond what can be specified by singular values. Results are demonstrated numerically in an example of a lateral attitude control system for a drone aircraft. attempt to relax the conservatism in the evaluation of stability margins of a two-input two-output lateral attitude control system of a drone aircraft, Mukhopadhyay and Newsom5 experimented with using the magnitudes of the eigenvalues instead of the singular values in the robustness criterion. By examining the Nyquist plot of the eigenvalues of the return difference matrix of the control system in their study, they conjectured that the "eigenvalue-based" gain (or phase) margins are limits within which the gains (or phases) of all feedback loops vary uniformly without destabilizing the feedback system while the phase angles (or gains) remain at their nominal values. In fact, since the spectral radius (maximum of the modulii of the eigenvalues) of a matrix is the greatest lower bound of all norms of that matrix, the con- jecture of Ref. 5 is the least conservative for the evaluation of the uniform stability margins by means of norm-bounded robust stability criteria. The uniform variations of multiloop gains and phases are also interesting in that the uniformity constraints give the multiloop variations a single-variabl e nature. Hence, the regions of stability in the gain and phase spaces degenerate into line segments. At each stable nominal operating point in the gain and phase spaces one such line segment may be constructed. In this fashion, the uniform gain and phase margins facilitate a nonconservativ e but discrete represen- tation of the regions of stability in multidimensional gain and phase spaces. ! In this paper, the conjecture given in Ref. 5 is proved. Uniformity in the gain and phase variations in feedback loops may be viewed as a special structure in the perturbation of an open-loop transfer matrix. Therefore, weighted £; and 4, norms3 are used in the norm-bounded stability robustness criteria to derive the formulas from which the uniform stability margins are computed. The concept and the one- dimensional characteristics of the uniform stability margins and their use in discretizing the regions of stability in multidimensional gain and phase spaces are demonstrated.
Influence of antifungal compounds from a soil-borne actinomycete onFusarium spp. in asparagus.

Asparagus decline syndrome is caused by fungal infection of asparagus roots and crowns byFusarium oxysporum f.sp.asparagi (FOA) andF. moniliforme (FM). Several soil-borne microorganisms have been found inhibitory toFusarium pathogens in other crops. A novelStreptomyces spp. (ME2-27-19A) was isolated from asparagus field soil and found to be inhibitory to FOA and FM in vitro. Solvent extraction of ME2-27-19A and Chromatographic purification of the extract yielded compound(s) that were inhibitory to FOA and FM at 40Μg/ml. ME2-27-19A extract produced variable control of FOA and FM in vitro, and was phytotoxic at 1000 (Μg/ml. In soil, ME2-27-19A extract reduced theFusarium population at 100Μg/ml, but also reduced the asparagus shoot length.
Competitiveness of the U.S. fuel ethanol industry

Abstract We present and analyze new data on fuel ethanol production costs in the United States. Industry expansion over the next 5–10 yr and future industry competitiveness are evaluated. The economic potential of near-term and longer-term advances in production technology are assessed. Current ethanol production costs are shown to range from approximately 85 cents/gal to $1.20/gal. For ethanol to be competitive in the 1990s without the Federal subsidy, crude oil prices would have to rise to nearly $40/barrel or more.
Triiodothyronine (T3) inhibition of growth hormone secretion by chicken pituitary cells in vitro.

Abstract These studies examined the cellular basis for the inhibitory effects of triiodothyronine (T 3 ) on growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF)-evoked growth hormone (GH) release from chicken anterior pituitary cells in vitro . A primary monolayer culture of anterior pituitaries from 4- to 8-week-old White Leghorn cockerels was performed as previously described by this laboratory. Following a 72-hr preincubation period, cells were washed and incubated (2 hr) with either secretagogues or media alone (control). T 3 (20 ng/ml) or vehicle was added to cells during both the preincubation (48–72 hr) and incubation (2 hr) period. Triiodothyronine reduced ( P P 3 -treated versus non-T 3 -treated cells. These data indicate that T 3 inhibits GRF-evoked GH release by reducing the availability of intracellular stores of GH and by also inhibiting second messenger-stimulated GH release pathways.
Specificity of αA-crystallin binding to destabilized mutants of βB1-crystallin

To elucidate the structural and energetic basis of attractive protein interactions in the aging lens, we investigated the binding of destabilized mutants of βB1-crystallin to the lens chaperones, α-crystallins. We show that the mutations enhance the binding affinity to αA- but not αB-crystallin at physiological temperatures. Complex formation disrupts the dimer interface of βB1-crystallin consistent with the binding of a monomer. Binding isotherms obtained at increasing concentrations of βB1-crystallin deviate from a classic binding equilibrium and display cooperative-like behavior. In the context of βB1-crystallin unfolding equilibrium, these characteristics are reflective of the concentration-dependent change in the population of a dimeric intermediate that has low affinity to αA-crystallin. In the lens, where α-crystallin binding sites are not regenerated, this may represent an added mechanism to maintain lens transparency.
On minimizing register usage of linearly scheduled algorithms with uniform dependencies

Efficient register usage is crucial to avoid the bottlenecks associated with accessing memory. This problem becomes magnified in loop nests since the number of variable accesses accumulated increases in each iteration. Although cache memory helps alleviate the speed penalties associated with memory access, having a register file with sufficient capacity to avoid spilling registers is needed to extract the maximum performance of a system. In this paper, we discuss an approach to minimize register pressure of loop nests with regular dependencies through the use of linear schedules in conjunction with loop unrolling. Linear scheduling is a method of partitioning the indexes of loop nests into a series of hyperplanes defined by a vector parameter @P. Once a suitable linear schedule has been discovered, the loop nest will be unrolled in a way that satisfies @P. For each linear schedule, we determine the minimum number of registers needed by the loop nest to avoid spilling (i.e. each variable is loaded into a register exactly once during a loop nest). In the case where the loop nests contains variables with at most one dependence we present a method to estimate the number of registers used. Otherwise we employ a more general method to determine the exact register requirements. Our experimental results indicate that an optimal linear schedule uses 36% fewer register than a schedule that uses the most registers on average.
Distant microcirculatory changes after a major burn: effects of methyl prednisolone, dextran 40, heparin and normal saline

Abstract The effects of a 32 per cent BSA full-thickness dorsal scald burn on the mesenteric microcirculation was studied by in vivo microscopy in Sprague-Dawley rats. Arteriolar constriction by 25 per cent, venular dilation by 50 per cent, WBC sticking, red cell aggregation and platelet thromboembolism were seen. Blood samples revealed thrombocytopenia post burn. Post-burn intravenous treatment with methyl prednisolone, Dextran 40, heparin or normal saline did not change the vascular diameters. Methyl prednisolone reduced WBC sticking, and increased WBC and platelet counts in sampled blood. Dextran 40, heparin and normal saline had no effect on these parameters.
Predicting water diffusivity in elastomers

By the use of water absorption data (rate and equilibrium), the diffusivity of distilled and salt water through Neoprene, styrene-butadiene, and ethylene-propylene-diene elastomers was predicted. Activation parameters were calculated from the Arrhenius plots and were used to calculate heats of solution (all negative). Solubility coefficients (S) were calculated from permeability (P) and diffusion (D) coefficients. For all materials salt water showed a lower D than distilled water but a higher S and P.
Metabolic intermediates as potential regulators of glucose-6-phosphatase.

Abstract Twenty-five metabolites of glucose, gluconeogenic substrates, and related compounds were examined as potential inhibitors of glucose-6-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.9) catalytic unit and substrate transport function, using disrupted and intact rat liver microsomes. Inhibitions (competitive) were noted with six. Calculated per cent inhibitions with presumed near-physiologic concetrations of inhibitor and substrate were small. However, when hepatic fructose-1-P concentration is elevated in response to a fructose load, inhibition of glucose-6-phosphatase by fructose-1-P may play a regulatory role, along with fructose-1-P-associated deinhibition of glucokinase, by directing glucose-6-P away from glucose formation and towards glycogen synthesis and glycolysis.
A computer program for life table regression analysis with time-dependent covariates

This paper presents a computer program for analyzing time-dependent covariables in survival studies by the life table regression model described by Holford [3]. Basically, life table regression incorporates the elements of regression and the life table into a single model. Regression parameters are estimated by the method of maximum likelihood using the Newton-Raphson iterative procedure. The program provides two methods for testing hypotheses concerning regression coefficients, namely the standard normal deviate test and a Wald statistic based on the first and second derivatives of the log likelihood. Residual plots are provided to assess the fit of the model to the data.
Emphysematous Cystitis and Pyelonephritis in a Nondiabetic Dog and a Diabetic Cat

Emphysematous cystitis (EC) and emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) are the result of infection of the urinary bladder and kidneys by gas-producing microorganisms. Those infections are most often reported in diabetic patients and rarely occur concurrently. This article describes two cases of concurrent EC and EPN, one in a nondiabetic dog and the other in a diabetic cat. The use of diagnostic imaging is necessary in the diagnosis of emphysematous infections. Both radiography and ultrasonography were used in the diagnosis of EC and EPN in the patients described in this report.
The diffusion of hydrogen bonding solutes in carbon tetrachloride

Abstract The diffusion of typical amphiprotic and aprotic solutes in carbon tetrachloride at 25°C. has been studied over the concentration interval from about 0.01 to 0.5 m. From the magnitude of the diffusion coefficient and its concentration dependence the carboxylic acids are present almost entirely as dimers in this interval and give no indication of further association. The hydroxyl compounds, on the other hand, are present as almost pure monomer in the dilute solution and associate, unless sterically hindered, beyond the dimer with increasing concentration. The association of N-methylacetamide to a nonionic micelle of more than a hundred monomer units is complete at about 0.2 molal. In the case of the alcohols the concentration dependence in dilute solution can be interpreted with the aid of literature values of the dimerization constants but the diffusion data indicate that association beyond the trimer, say, is more cooperative than the spectroscopic methods suggest.
Variability in Management Recommendations for Incidental Thyroid Nodules Detected on CT of the Cervical Spine in the Emergency Department

Purpose Incidental thyroid nodules are common on CT. Variability in management recommendations for these nodules due to a lack of accepted CT base guidelines has not been demonstrated. Methods Consecutive CT cervical spine radiology reports describing thyroid nodules performed in an emergency department from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2011, were retrospectively reviewed. Number of nodules, nodule size, and type of recommended management were recorded. Results Three hundred fifteen examinations met the inclusion criteria. The mean study age was 64 ± 20 years. Fifty-eight percent were women. Thirty percent (n = 95) of thyroid nodules measured Conclusions Management recommendations for incidental thyroid nodules detected on cervical spine CT are made inconsistently, and the type of management recommended is variable.
Brady-tachy syndrome in the postoperative patient: Evaluation and case management

Abstract As initially described, bradycardia-tachycardia (brady-tachy) syndrome was used to describe the occurrence of atrial tachycardia in patients with resting sinus bradycardia. More recently, pediatric cardiologists have used this term to describe electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients who have had extensive atrial surgery to repair structural congenital cardiac defects. Although not all of these patients are symptomatic, many have bradycardia; in some, tachycardia also occurs. It is thought that these electrophysiologic abnormalities are related to extensive scarring of the atrium, which results in areas of abnormal conduction. These areas of conduction delay permit reentry to occur, thereby establishing sustained tachycardia. Treatment of these rhythm abnormalities is difficult. Acute management of an episode of atrial tachycardia is best accomplished with transvenous or transesophageal atrial pacing or cardioversion. Prophylaxis against tachycardia recurrence with antiarrhythmic drug exacerbates abnormalities of sinus rate. Therefore, management of atrial tachycardia with antitachycardia pacemaker therapy is an attractive option, because it also provides backup bradycardia pacing should antiarrhythmic drug therapy be necessary. Many patients may be managed with antitachycardia pacing alone, but others may have multiple types of atrial tachycardias or potentially life-threatening atrioventricular conduction during an atrial tachycardia, and so be considered for pharmacologic or ablative therapy. The role of brady-tachy syndrome in sudden death in these surgical patients has not yet been determined.
AKA: Sarah Baartman, The Hottentot Venus, and Black Women’s Identity

… Given the centrality of this figure, and the woman behind the icon, we may recognize this particular narrative and iconographic history as one of utmost urgency in any discussions of race, gender...
Ignition of a granular propellant bed

An experimental and theoretical study is reported on the ignition process of a low vulnerability ammunition (LOVA) propellant bed in a 127-mm (5-in) bore gun charge. The theoretical investigation was with a two-phase flow interior ballistics code and the model predictions showed the marked influence the igniter system can have on pressure wave development, flame spreading, and the overall interior ballistics performance. A number of different igniter systems were investigated in an empty and propellant-filled gun simulator. Pressure, flame spreading, and high-speed film records were used to analyze the ignition/combustion event. The model predictions for flame spreading were confirmed qualitatively by the experimental data. Full-scale instrumented gun firings were conducted with the optimized igniter design. Pressure waves were not detected in the charge during the firings. Model predictions on overall interior ballistics performance agreed well with the firing data.
Predictors of Injury Mortality in Early Childhood

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between maternal/infant characteristics and mortality from injury for children 0 through 4 years of age. DESIGN: Historical cohort. SETTING: State of Tennessee. PARTICIPANTS: Children 0 through 4 years of age at any time between January 1, 1985 and December 31, 1994. We linked birth certificates and US census data to obtain information on maternal age, race, education, neighborhood income, parity, use of prenatal care, residence location, infant's gender, and gestational age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome was death from injury, as determined from linked death certificates. The incidence density rates for each stratum (defined by maternal/child characteristics) were calculated by dividing the number of injury deaths by child years in the stratum. We used multivariate analysis to assess the independent contribution of each characteristic to risk of injury death. RESULTS: There were 1 035 504 children 0 through 4 years of age who contributed 3 414 436 child years. There were 803 deaths from injury, ie, 23.5 deaths per 100 000 child years. In the multivariate analysis, children had at least a 50% increased risk of injury mortality if they were born to a mother who had less than a high school education (relative risk [RR] = 2.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.92-4.34) compared with a college education, was 30 years, or had >2 other children (RR = 2.97; 95% CI: 2.29-3.85) compared with no other children. Neither race nor income was significantly associated with childhood injury mortality in the multivariate analysis. Classification of children by maternal education, age, and parity defined a pronounced risk gradient in which high-risk children had an injury mortality rate >15 times that of low-risk children. The steep risk gradient was present for both infants (24-fold increase for high-risk children) and children 1 through 4 years of age (13-fold increase for high-risk children). If the injury mortality rate for all children were equal to that of the low-risk group, 614/803 (76.3%) of injury deaths would not have occurred. CONCLUSIONS: For young children, maternal education, age, and parity are strongly and independently associated with injury mortality. These factors define a steep gradient of risk, suggesting that many injury deaths could be prevented. Language: en
Jamaat-i-Islami in Bangladesh: Women, Democracy and the Transformation of Islamist Politics

This article argues that leaders of the Jamaat-i-Islami in Bangladesh regularly invoke women's privileged status as mothers to counter the claims of the largely secularist non-governmental organizations operating in the country today that Islam has been harmful to women and that the only route to progress is to discard the shackles of religion and tradition. The current Jamaat rhetoric marks a significant change from the original Jamaat position—elaborated by the party's founder Abul Ala Maududi—that women's divinely ordained place is in the home. Now, several decades later, Jamaat leaders in Bangladesh still enjoin women to fulfil domestic obligations; however, they also go to great lengths to highlight Islam's recognition of women as ‘individuals’ with ‘individual’ responsibilities to God and Islam as well as Islam's support for women's right to study, work and vote. I contend that the Jamaat in Bangladesh has been prompted to undertake these recent modifications by specific developments in local social and political contexts, specifically the twin pressures on the Jamaat of operating in a functioning, if often imperfect, democratic polity; and of competing with more secular organizations for the hearts, minds and votes of impoverished women.
Growth form evolution and shifting habitat specialization in annual plants

Optimal plant growth form should vary across environments. We examined the potential for mutations causing large changes in growth form to produce new optimal phenotypes across light environments. We predicted that the upright growth form would be favoured in a light limiting environment as leaves were in a position to maximize light interception, while a rosette (leaves in a basal position) growth form would be favoured in a high light environment. Growth form genotypes of Brassica rapa (upright wild-type and rosette mutants) and Arabidopsis thaliana (large rosette wild-type and increasingly upright growth form mutants) were grown in a greenhouse in control (ambient) and filtered (low) light treatments. Compared to upright genotypes, rosette genotypes had relatively high fitness in control light but had a relatively large fitness reduction in filtered light. Our results demonstrate the potential importance of rapid growth form evolution in plant adaptation to new or changing environments.
A Flexible and Efficient Approach to Reconcile Different Web Services-based Event Notification Specifications

Event notification plays an important role in the orchestration of distributed systems. Web services-based event notification is an important step to achieve an interoperable messaging system on the Internet scale. However, different incompatible specifications have been proposed to specify the Web services interfaces for Web services-based event notification systems. The WS-Eventing specification and the WS-Notification specifications are two major initiatives. WS-Messenger is our implementation of both specifications. A mediation approach is used to reconcile the differences between these two specifications. In this paper, we propose a "normalization-processing-customization" (NPC) model for mediation among competing Web services and show how this model is used in WS-Messenger to reconcile the incompatibility between these two specifications. The NPC model is flexible and scalable. The mediation implementation in WS-Messenger is efficient with a very small overhead
Transport measurements on nearly percolative CoSiO2 films

Abstract Measurements of electrical resistivity and magnetoresistance are reported on pure Cobalt and nearly percolative CoSiO2 films in a temperature range between 0.35 K and 300 K and in transverse fields up to 6.5 Tesla. A logarithmic rise in resistance observed at low temperatures is ascribed to electron-electron interactions. It is concluded that the presence of SiO2 merely has a geometrical effect on the resistance of CoSiO2 films.
Prediction of Engine Cooling Fan Noise Radiation

A semi-analytic and semi-empirical formula is developed for predicting noise radiation from engine cooling fan assemblies. In this formula, the tonal sounds centered at the BPF (blade passage frequency) and its harmonics of the fan are determined by solving fluctuating forces exerted on the surrounding fluid medium by rotating blades, and the narrow and broad band sounds are described by normal distribution-like functions. The effects of shroud, upstream radiator/condenser set, and downstream engine block are approximated by shape functions. The computer model thus obtained is used to calculate the noise spectra from different fan assemblies under various working conditions and validated against the measured data. This model is used to predict the overall sound pressure levels from dimensionally similar fans running under different working conditions, and the results are compared with those estimated by the fan laws currently in use by engineers in the automotive industry.
DIRECT ELECTRODISINTEGRATION AND PHOTOEFFECT OF NUCLEI

A method is presented for extracting from the differential cross section for the ($e, {\mathrm{Ne}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) reaction the differential cross section for the corresponding ($\ensuremath{\gamma}, N$) reaction. Here $N$ refers to a nuclear particle of spin 0 or \textonehalf{}. This method is developed for arbitrary multipoles, thus extending the result given by Bosco and Fubini for $E1$ transitions. A model is used in which the ejected nuclear particle moves initially in a potential well provided by a nuclear core, and has a definite total angular momentum. The electrodisintegration process is considered to take place in such a fashion that the nuclear core is in the same state initially and finally. The electron is treated in Born approximation. In addition to the results for arbitrary multipoles, the interference of the $E1$ term with $E0$, $M1$, and $E2$ terms is studied in detail. Both the differential cross section in outgoing electron and nuclear particle directions, as well as that pertaining to the angular distribution of the latter particle alone, are given. Lastly, the case of a pure $M1$ transition is considered.
The construction and use of continuous autoregressive models for traffic indices

Abstract This article discusses the use of continuous autoregressive models to describe the behavior of traffic indices. From discretely sampled data, second-order differential equation models are constructed to represent dynamic traffic fluctuations as the response of a linear system to a stochastic forcing function. The results are compared to the more common M/G/∞ queueing model approach, and the analysis is demonstrated on time series of aircraft concentration in thirty-one enroute air traffic control sectors.
Macro motion vector quantization

A new algorithm is developed for reducing the bit rate required for motion vectors. This algorithm is a generalization of block matching motion estimation in which the search region is represented as a codebook of motion vectors. The new algorithm, called macro motion vector quantization (MMVQ), generalized our earlier MVQ by coding a group of motion vectors. The codebook is a set of macro motion vectors which represent the block locations of the small neighboring blocks in the previous frame. We develop an interative design algorithm for the codebook. Our experiments show that the variances of displaced frame differences (DFDs) are reduced significantly compared to block matching algorithm (BMA) with the macroblock size.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Electrode errors in bioimpedance measurement systems for long-term applications

Electrical impedance measurements are being commonly used to determine slow change parameters such as body composition changes. The need to relocate one or all the electrodes needed to carry out the bioelectrical impedance measurement originates errors in the measured value. To cancel the errors due to geometrical origin, the use of multiple frequency measurements is proposed.
Learning and memory performance in a cohort of clinically referred breast cancer survivors: the role of attention versus forgetting in patient-reported memory complaints.

Objective While forgetfulness is widely reported by breast cancer survivors, studies documenting objective memory performance yield mixed, largely inconsistent, results. Failure to find consistent, objective memory issues may be due to the possibility that cancer survivors misattribute their experience of forgetfulness to primary memory issues rather than to difficulties in attention at the time of learning. Methods To clarify potential attention issues, factor scores for Attention Span, Learning Efficiency, Delayed Memory, and Inaccurate Memory were analyzed for the California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition (CVLT-II) in 64 clinically referred breast cancer survivors with self-reported cognitive complaints; item analysis was conducted to clarify specific contributors to observed effects, and contrasts between learning and recall trials were compared with normative data. Performance on broader cognitive domains is also reported. Results The Attention Span factor, but not Learning Efficiency, Delayed Memory, or Inaccurate Memory factors, was significantly affected in this clinical sample. Contrasts between trials were consistent with normative data and did not indicate greater loss of information over time than in the normative sample. Conclusions Results of this analysis suggest that attentional dysfunction may contribute to subjective and objective memory complaints in breast cancer survivors. These results are discussed in the context of broader cognitive effects following treatment for clinicians who may see cancer survivors for assessment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D volume extraction of densely packed cells in EM data stack by forward and backward graph cuts

3D reconstruction on dense nanoscale medical images is a very challenging research topic. The challenge comes from the fact that boundaries of objects on such images are not always very clear due to imperfect staining. This makes the segmentation of dense nanoscale medical images very difficult and thus increases the difficulty in 3D reconstruction. In this paper, we proposed a method based on watershed and an interactive segmentation technique, graph cuts, to extract 3D volumes from dense nanoscale medical images. In our method, images are first segmented by a marker-controlled watershed algorithm. Markers for watershed segmentation algorithm are seed points generated by using distance transform, followed by a new grouping method that clusters seed points that are too close. Regions obtained by watershed transform segmentation algorithms are considered as nodes in a graph. Edges are to connect between the nodes in adjacent image slices. The weight on each edge is defined based on the overlapped area between nodes. User-selected nodes (regions) in an initial image slice serve as hard constraints in the minimization process. A globally optimal 3D volume is obtained by minimizing MAP-MRF energy function via graph cuts. In our application, in order to obtain a complete 3D volume structures including branching, the final 3D volume is the union of two 3D volumes obtained by performing the minimization of MAP-MRF energy function using graph cuts forwards and backwards through the image stack. Experiments are conducted both on synthetic data and on nanoscale image sequences from the Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscope (SBF-SEM). The results show that our method can successfully extract 3D volumes.
Design Considerations for Plasmonic Photovoltaics

This paper reviews the recent research progress in the incorporation of plasmonic nanostructures with photovoltaic devices and the potential for surface plasmon enhanced absorption. We first outline a variety of cell architectures incorporating metal nanostructures. We then review the experimental fabrication methods and measurements to date, as well as systematic theoretical studies of the optimal nanostructure shapes. Finally we discuss photovoltaic absorber materials that could benefit from surface plasmon enhanced absorption.
Identification of Transferrin-Binding Domains in TbpB Expressed by Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The transferrin iron acquisition system of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is necessary for iron uptake from transferrin in the human host and requires the participation of two distinct proteins: TbpA and TbpB. TbpA is a TonB-dependent outer membrane transporter responsible for the transport of iron into the cell. TbpB is a lipid-modified protein, for which a precise role in receptor function has not yet been elucidated. These receptor complex proteins show promise as vaccine candidates; therefore, it is important to identify surface-exposed regions of the proteins required for wild-type functions. In this study we examined TbpB, which has been reported to be surface exposed in its entirety; however, this hypothesis has never been tested experimentally. We placed the hemagglutinin (HA) epitope into TbpB with the dual purpose of examining the surface exposure of particular epitopes as well as their impact on receptor function. Nine insertion mutants were created, placing the epitope downstream of the signal peptidase II cleavage site. We report that the HA epitope is surface accessible in all mutants, indicating that the full-length TbpB is completely surface exposed. By expressing the TbpB-HA fusion proteins in N. gonorrhoeae, we were able to examine the impact of each insertion on the function of TbpB and the transferrin acquisition process. We propose that TbpB is comprised of two transferrin-binding-competent lobes, both of which are critical for efficient iron uptake from human transferrin.
Modelling and measuring the spectral bidirectional reflectance factor of snow-covered sea ice: an intercomparison study

Broadband albedo is a very important geophysical parameter in the Earth surface–atmosphere interaction in either global climate change or hydrological cycle and snowmelt runoff studies. To derive the broadband albedo accurately from satellite optical sensor observation at limited bands and at a single observation angle, the bidirectional reflectance factor (BRF) has to be specified quantitatively. In the present albedo derivation algorithms from the satellite radiance data, the BRF is either modelled or observed. Questions may arise as to how well a BRF model can be in the broadband albedo derivation. To help answer such questions, we studied the performance of a snow-surface BRF model for two specific cases under large solar zenith angles (65° and 85°). We measured snow-surface spectral directional reflectance under clear skies. The snow physical properties, such as snow grain size and snow density, at the same sites were also measured. In situ snow physical data are used to simulate the snow-surface BRF and hemispherical directional reflectance factor (HDRF) through a multilayered azimuth- and zenith-dependent plane-parallel radiative transfer model. The field measurements and BRF and HDRF simulations all reveal the forward-scattering nature of snow surface under large solar incidence angles, but the BRF model results depict the strongest forward-scattering patterns under such solar zenith angles. Because the HDRF is simulated through coupling of the surface BRF with radiative transfer in the atmosphere, the resulting HDRF patterns agree with the field measurements better than the simulated BRF does. The deviation of the simulated HDRF from field-based clear-sky directional reflectance (FCDR) is within s10% for the central (viewing zenith angle <45°) and lateral sides of the viewing hemisphere. This level of agreement between the simulated HDRF and FCDR also implies that the simulated BRF model can provide remote-sensing estimates of spectral albedo with an uncertainty of s10% for the same part of the viewing hemisphere. Further improvement in BRF model performance requires better handling of single scattering properties of snow grains, surface roughness, and atmospheric correction. Also, better procedures and techniques in field measurement are necessary for more accurate assessment of the performance of BRF models. Copyright  2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Militarism and Politics in Latin America: Peru from Sanchez Cerro to Sendero Luminoso

Preface Introduction Professional Genesis Populism and Militarism: The 1930s Battlefield Victories and Barracks Tensions: 1939-1945 A Prelude to Rebellion: 1945-1948 Rebellion and Reaction: 1948 The Odria Era: 1948-1956 Prado and the Military Modernizers: 1956-1962 The Generals as Presidents: 1962-1963 Reform to Revolution: 1963-1968 The Unfulfilled Mission: The Velasco Revolution and Its Legacy Bibliography Index