cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Task design for graphs: rethink multiple representations with variation theory

It is well known that students benefit from opportunities to interpret and create different representations (e.g., diagrams, graphs, tables, symbols) of mathematical ideas. Employing Marton’s Varia...
Abstract WP29: National Patterns of Stroke Mechanical Thrombectomy Before and After the 2015 American Stroke Association Focused Update Endovascular Treatment Guidelines

Introduction: Positive pivotal trials followed by guideline endorsement can be a major driver of change in US national medical practice patterns. We therefore analyzed national trends in the use an...
Injury Prevention Programs for Throwing Injuries in Softball Players: A Systematic Review:

Context:Throwing-related injuries occur commonly in softball players. Preventative programs can be implemented to assist in identifying and correcting risk factors that could potentially lead to in...
Risk, Uncertainty, and Leverage

Using mostly theoretical models and traditional risk/uncertainty measures (VIX index, panic, precaution, scary bad news, etc.), the current literature tries to clarify the risk/uncertainty-deleveraging pattern. The findings are not sufficient to explain the dynamic empirical relationship between modern risk/uncertainty indicators and leverage. We fill this gap in the literature by using US quarterly data, from 1985:1 to 2018:4, Granger causality tests, and a structural vector autoregression model. We find that commercial bank leverage rises when geopolitical risk and macroeconomic, policy, and equity uncertainty increase. Client-based business relationships of banks and high government borrowing from banks during crises periods are responsible for this relationship. We find that the leverage of broker-dealers and shadow banks declines when Chicago risk and macroeconomic, policy, financial, and equity uncertainty increase. We argue that the vulnerability of broker-dealers and shadow banks to the risk/uncertainty of the entire market system is responsible for this relationship.
The Philosophy of Envy

Envy is almost universally condemned and feared. But is its bad reputation always warranted? In this book, Sara Protasi argues that envy is more multifaceted than it seems, and that some varieties of it can be productive and even virtuous. Protasi brings together empirical evidence and philosophical research to generate a novel view according to which there are four kinds of envy: emulative, inert, aggressive, and spiteful. For each kind, she individuates different situational antecedents, phenomenological expressions, motivational tendencies, and behavioral outputs. She then develops the normative implications of this taxonomy from a moral and prudential perspective, in the domain of personal loving relationships, and in the political sphere. A historical appendix completes the book. Through a careful and comprehensive investigation of envy's complexity, and its multifarious implications for human relations and human value, The Philosophy of Envy surprisingly reveals that envy plays a crucial role in safeguarding our happiness.
Risk of Untreated Symptoms of PMADs in Pregnancy and Lactation

When left untreated, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are associated with increased risk for numerous adverse effects for the mother, the infant, and the mother-infant dyad. The significant risks of untreated symptoms must be weighed against the risks of treatment options in pregnancy and lactation. It is paramount that providers and patients understand the risk of not treating during pregnancy, as the symptoms themselves can lead to great harm. This chapter will review the correlated risks of untreated symptoms in detail, as well as the impact on lactation and breastfeeding. Lastly, the economic impact of untreated PMADs will be addressed.
Groundwater Storage Changes: Present Status from GRACE Observations

Satellite gravity measurements from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) provide quantitative measurement of terrestrial water storage (TWS) changes with unprecedented accuracy. Combining GRACE-observed TWS changes and independent estimates of water change in soil and snow and surface reservoirs offers a means for estimating groundwater storage change. Since its launch in March 2002, GRACE time-variable gravity data have been successfully used to quantify long-term groundwater storage changes in different regions over the world, including northwest India, the High Plains Aquifer and the Central Valley in the USA, the North China Plain, Middle East, and southern Murray–Darling Basin in Australia, where groundwater storage has been significantly depleted in recent years (or decades). It is difficult to rely on in situ groundwater measurements for accurate quantification of large, regional-scale groundwater storage changes, especially at long timescales due to inadequate spatial and temporal coverage of in situ data and uncertainties in storage coefficients. The now nearly 13 years of GRACE gravity data provide a successful and unique complementary tool for monitoring and measuring groundwater changes on a global and regional basis. Despite the successful applications of GRACE in studying global groundwater storage change, there are still some major challenges limiting the application and interpretation of GRACE data. In this paper, we present an overview of GRACE applications in groundwater studies and discuss if and how the main challenges to using GRACE data can be addressed.
Environmental trace analysis of organics in water by glass capillary column chromatography and ancillary techniques. Products of ozonolysis.

Abstract A method employing a polymeric sorbent has been used for analysis of volatile organic components in water. Trace level organics are sparged from water with nitrogen gas and are concentrated on Tenax GC prior to analysis with either flame ionization gas chromatography or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Glass capillary columns were used to obtain maximum resolution of chromatographic peaks. Specifically, the method has been applied to a qualitative and quantitative study of the products which result from ozonization of secondary treated domestic wastewater. The principal volatile products of ozonolysis are n-hexanal, n-heptanal, n-octanal and n-nonanal. Representative samples contained 0.7 ppb 1 of n-heptanal and less than 1 ppb of any of the volatile compounds.
The design and implementation of a DCD device driver for Unix

Recent research results [1, 2] using simulation have demonstrated that Disk Caching Disk (DCD), a new disk I/O architecture, has the potential for drastically improving disk write performance besides its higher reliability than traditional disk systems. To validate whether DCD can live up to its promise in the real world environment, we have designed and implemented a DCD device driver for the Sun's Solaris operating system. Measured performance results are very promising. For metadata intensive benchmarks, our DCD driver outperforms the traditional system by a factor of 2-6 in terms of program execution speeds. The driver also guarantees file system integrity in the events of system crashes or failures. Moreover, unlike other approaches such as Log-structured File Systems or Soft Updates, the DCD driver is completely transparent to the OS. It does not require any changes to the OS or the on-disk data layout. As a result, it can be used as a "drop-in" replacement for the traditional disk device driver in an existing system to obtain immediate performance improvement. Our multi-layered device-driver approach significantly reduces the implementation overhead and improves portability.
Developmental Gender Differentiation

SUMMARY The authors review their Developmental Pathway Models that characterize normative gender differentiation during childhood. Particular attention is paid to the attitudinal pathway model that describes the routes by which children's gender attitudes guide the selection and impact of gender-related experiences for the self. The personal pathway model describes the ways in which children's own interests and skills may affect their gender-related attitudes about others. The authors identify opportunities for the emergence of various kinds of gender nonconformity in relation to the constructs and mechanisms in these models.
A distributed algorithm for managing multi-target identities in wireless ad-hoc sensor networks

This paper presents a scalable distributed algorithm for computing and maintaining multi-target identity information. The algorithm builds on a novel representational framework, Identity-Mass Flow, to overcome the problem of exponential computational complexity in managing multi-target identity explicitly. The algorithm uses local information to efficiently update the global multi-target identity information represented as a doubly stochastic matrix, and can be efficiently mapped to nodes in a wireless ad hoc sensor network. The paper describes a distributed implementation of the algorithm in sensor networks. Simulation results have validated the Identity-Mass Flow framework and demonstrated the feasibility of the algorithm.
A comparison of two methods for estimating prevalence ratios

It is usually preferable to model and estimate prevalence ratios instead of odds ratios in cross-sectional studies when diseases or injuries are not rare. Problems with existing methods of modeling prevalence ratios include lack of convergence, overestimated standard errors, and extrapolation of simple univariate formulas to multivariable models. We compare two of the newer methods using simulated data and real data from SAS online examples. The Robust Poisson method, which uses the Poisson distribution and a sandwich variance estimator, is compared to the log-binomial method, which uses the binomial distribution to obtain maximum likelihood estimates, using computer simulations and real data. For very high prevalences and moderate sample size, the Robust Poisson method yields less biased estimates of the prevalence ratios than the log-binomial method. However, for moderate prevalences and moderate sample size, the log-binomial method yields slightly less biased estimates than the Robust Poisson method. In nearly all cases, the log-binomial method yielded slightly higher power and smaller standard errors than the Robust Poisson method. Although the Robust Poisson often gives reasonable estimates of the prevalence ratio and is very easy to use, the log-binomial method results in less bias in most common situations, and because it fits the correct model and obtains maximum likelihood estimates, it generally results in slightly higher power, smaller standard errors, and, unlike the Robust Poisson, it always yields estimated prevalences between zero and one.
Analysis of autoshaping in goldfish

Stimulus-reinforcer and response-reinforcer control of target-striking in goldfish were studied in a series of discrete-trials experiments. Evidence of control by adventitious response-reinforcer contiguity was provided by the first experiment, which showed less response in animals given omission training than in yoked animals with the same stimulus-reinforcer experience. In the next three experiments, evidence of control by stimulus-reinforcer contiguity apart from response-reinforcer contiguity was sought in within-subjects comparisons of omission and extinction. Only the last of these experiments, in which the CS duration was short and the ITI long, showed greater response in omission. A subsidiary finding is that autoshaped goldfish respond very little, either to the CS target or to the feeder, when target and feeder are spatially discontiguous.
Family-based designs in the age of large-scale gene-association studies.

Both population-based and family-based designs are commonly used in genetic association studies to locate genes that underlie complex diseases. The simplest version of the family-based design — the transmission disequilibrium test — is well known, but the numerous extensions that broaden its scope and power are less widely appreciated. Family-based designs have unique advantages over population-based designs, as they are robust against population admixture and stratification, allow both linkage and association to be tested for and offer a solution to the problem of model building. Furthermore, the fact that family-based designs contain both within- and between-family information has substantial benefits in terms of multiple-hypothesis testing, especially in the context of whole-genome association studies.
Acute Pulmonary Edema Pathology, Physiology and Clinical Management

Acute pulmonary edema may be associated with the most varied clinical conditions including cardiovascular, renal, cerebral, and pulmonary diseases, trauma to the skull or chest, infections, and shock. Many drugs and physical means have been employed in the treatment of this syndrome. Two main clinical types of pulmonary edema may be differentiated because of the different effect of therapy in each of them. Antifoaming therapy, a purely symptomatic method of treatment, tends to break a vicious circle and may be lifesaving. It should be employed initially while the patient is being examined and drugs or other remedies are being selected for possible additional treatment.
Model for gas hydrate equilibria using a variable reference chemical potential: Part 1

A new model developed for predicting the dissociation pressure of gas hydrates proposes that the host–host interaction can be affected by the guest molecules, thus requiring different values of the reference properties, Δμ and Δh, for each gas hydrate. We presume that the primary impact of the guest is to distort the lattice, although other factors, such as guest polarity, can have an impact. Experimentally based Δμ and Δh values for each gas hydrate show that these values vary from guest to guest, generally increasing with guest size. Using these experimentally determined reference values, the error between calculated and experimental dissociation pressures is reduced. A correlation between Δμ and the molecular size of the guest molecule (or the Kihara hard-core diameter ‘a’) is also developed for estimating values of Δμ, where experimental data are absent (that is, methane in structure II hydrate with no other guests).
Accurate condensed history Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport. II. Application to ion chamber response simulations.

In this report the condensed history Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport and its application to the calculation of ion chamber response is discussed. It is shown that the strong step-size dependencies and lack of convergence to the correct answer previously observed are the combined effect of the following artifacts caused by the EGS4/PRESTA implementation of the condensed history technique: dose underprediction due to PRESTA’s pathlength correction and lateral correlation algorithm; dose overprediction due to the boundary crossing algorithm; dose overprediction due to the breakdown of the fictitious cross section method for sampling distances between discrete interaction and the inaccurate evaluation of energy-dependent quantities. These artifacts are now understood quantitatively and analytical expressions for their effect are given.
DNA repair in an active gene: Removal of pyrimidine dimers from the DHFR gene of CHO cells is much more efficient than in the genome overall

DNA repair was measured in the dihydrofolate reductase gene in Chinese hamster ovary cells, amplified for the gene, by quantitating pyrimidine dimers with a specific UV-endonuclease. More than two thirds of the dimers had been removed from a 14.1 kb restriction fragment of the gene by 26 hr after irradiation (20 J/m2), while little removal was detected in fragments upstream of the gene and only 15% were removed from the genome overall. This suggests that damage processing can vary according to function or activity of affected sequences, which has general implications for correlations of DNA repair with survival and mutagenesis. Perhaps preferential repair of vital sequences facilitates UV-resistance of these cells despite low overall repair levels.
The preparation and some reactions of a benzotriazole substituted vinamidinium salt

Abstract A three step synthesis of a novel 2-(1-benzotriazolyl)-vinamidinium salt is described along with its direct conversion to a series of unusual 5-(1-benzotriazolyl) pyrimidines, 4-(1-benzotriazolyl)-pyrazoles, and 4-(1-benzotriazolyl) pyrroles.
Toxicity of tricyclic antidepressants to isolated rat hepatocytes.

Abstract A series of tricyclic antidepressant drugs was tested for cytotoxicity as measured by enzyme leakage from isolated rat hepatocytes. The relative potency appeared to be: chlorimipramine / amitriptyline /- nortriptyline / desipramine / protriptyline /` imipramine. The presence of a chloro-substituent in position R 3 increased apparent cytotoxicity, and the dibenzylcycloheptene nucleus seems to be more toxic than the corresponding phenothiazine or imminodibenzyl moieties.
Chromatography of complex protein mixtures

This review has shown that a variety of chromatographic techniques are available for fractionating proteins. Fortunately, high-quality columns of every type described in this review are commercially available. Most water-soluble proteins may be eluted from size-exclusion, hydrophobic-interaction, ion-exchange, metal chelate, and bioaffinity columns with ease. When this is the case, high recovery and retention of biological activity are the norm. The exception is reversed-phase chromatography where the organic solvents and acids used in polypeptide elution denature many proteins. When problems do occur, they are generally the result of unique structural features of the protein. Very hydrophobic proteins have presented the biggest problem in that they are difficult to solubilize, particularly with retention of biological activity. It has been found that zwitterionic and non-ionic detergents are the most suitable solubilizing agents, but urea has also been used in cases where hydrophobic interacts are not as strong. Unfortunately, there is still an element of trial-and-error in selecting the most suitable solubilizing agent. Heterogeneous glycosylation of proteins also presents a problem. Both neutral and charged monosaccharides can be incorporated into proteins through multiple steps at several sites. Thus, there is the potential in a sample for a large number of glycoprotein species which have the same polypeptide backbone and differing amounts of oligosaccharide. A problem arises when size-exclusion, ion-exchange, hydrophobic-interaction, reversed-phase and bioaffinity systems begin to discriminate between these very similar glycoprotein species. Chromatographic peaks can become very broad, due to incomplete fractionation, and the polypeptide chain of interest can be associated with multiple peaks. The separation of glycoproteins requires much more study before logical procedures can be suggested for column selection and operation. Aggregated species are another class of proteins which present occasional problems. Multimeric proteins are adsorbed to sorbents by a series of forces, among which are hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic forces. These forces are also responsible for the maintenance of quaternary structure in proteins. When the same forces dominate both retention of protein structure and adsorption at the sorbent surface, the quaternary structure of the protein can be disrupted during elution. Very basic proteins also present a problem in some cases. Columns with residual negative charges, such as a silica-based reversed-phase column, adsorb anionic species so strongly that they are difficult to elute.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Tropical maize response to nitrogen and starter fertilizer under strip and conventional tillage systems in southern Alabama

Abstract Tropical maize ( Zea mays L.) is a promising new crop for the southeastern US, but optimum management practices have not been established for this alternative crop. Field studies were initiated in 1990 to evaluate its response to N and starter fertilizer under conventional and reduced tillage systems double cropped following wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was conducted on a Dothan sandy loam (fine–loamy, silicious, thermic Plinthic Paleudults) in Southern Alabama. Treatments included conventional (chisel plowing (25 cm depth), disking, and in-row subsoiling) and strip (in-row subsoiling) tillage systems; four N rates (0, 56, 112 and 168 kg ha −1 ); and five starter fertilizer combinations: (1) no starter; (2) 22.4 kg N ha −1 ; (3) 22.4 kg P ha −1 ; (4) 22.4 kg N and 22.4 kg P ha −1 ; (5) 22.4 kg N, 22.4 kg P and 11.2 kg S ha −1 . The depth of subsoiling was 40 cm for both tillage systems. Tropical maize hybrids' Pioneer® Brand X304C (1990) and Pioneer® Brand 3072 (1991 and 1992) were utilized in the study. Maize silage yields (averaged over 1990 and 1991) under conventional tillage were 14% lower than with strip tillage, while grain yields in 1991 were 30% lower. Differences among tillage systems were not significant in 1992 except for the 0 and 168 kg N ha −1 rates where conventional tillage produced slightly higher yields as compared to strip tillage. Silage and grain yields increased with N rate with the largest response to N occurring in 1991 under strip tillage. For silage yields averaged over both tillage systems in 1990 and silage and grain yields in 1991 and 1992 under strip tillage there was a quadratic response to N rate. Silage and grain yields peaked at approximately 112 kg N ha −1 . Under conventional tillage in 1991 and 1992, the response of silage and grain to N rate was linear. The best starter for silage was the N and P (NP) treatment. For grain, N alone gave the same yield as the NP starter in 1991, with the greatest response occurring under conventional tillage. In 1992, the NP treatment was the best starter for grain. This study demonstrated that double cropped tropical maize is a promising alternative crop for warm temperate/subtropical regions. High silage yields and reasonable grain yields can be obtained using conservation tillage systems and the addition of N in combination with a starter fertilizer containing N and P.
Particle modelling of fluid phenomena in 3-D

A new, numerical approach is developed to simulate fluid phenomena by means of molecular type behavior. First, consider the large number of molecules to be approximated by a smaller number of aggregates called particles. Then, let the particles interact with each other according to a classical molecular type force F whose magnitude F is given by: F = -Grp + Hrq′ in which G, H, p and q are positive constants and r is the distance between two particles. The acceleration of each particle is related to the force by Newtonian dynamical equations. The CRAY X-MP/24 is used to solve numerically the resulting large system of nonlinear, ordinary differential equations. We then study fluid phenomena in the following order: (a) generation of particle fluids in a cylindrical region; (b) verification of basic fluid properties; (c) simulation of surface motion; and (d) simulation of surface tension.
Anti-mullerian hormone drawn for infertility assessment alerts to ovarian tumor

pregnant mare serum gonadotropine (PMSG; 10IU) and Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG, 5IU) to induce superovulation; In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) was subsequently conducted using ICR strain male mice. RESULTS: The number of retrieved oocytes decreased with a dose of 200 mg/kg (6.8 9.4 versus 18.6 17.1 in the controls;P1⁄4not significant) and significantly decreased with a dose of 400 mg/kg (4.0 10.1; P<0.01) and with a dose of 800 mg/kg (0.3 0.7; P<0.01). Despite the different dosages, no change in the fertilization rate was observed; however, the rates of morula and blastocyst development were significantly decreased with a dose of 800 mg/kg (morula stage: 50% versus 96.8% for the controls; blastocyst stage: 50% versus 94.2% for the controls; P<0.01). Potential fecundity, the ability for fertilization and development to blastocyst, was confirmed 2 or more weeks later. The results after 2 weeks were comparable to those obtained after 1 month. CONCLUSION:We established a protocol to evaluate the fecundity of oocytes following CPA peritoneal injection in a mouse model. This animal study indicates that CPA injection before ovarian stimulation affects the number of retrievable oocytes; however, embryo development after IVF is dependent upon the treatment dose.
Attempts to Confirm the Existence of the 10-Minute Isotope of 102

In many score of experiments conducted in various ways over a period of many months they find that they are unable to confirm the element 102 discovery work of Fields et al. reported in 1957. These experimenters ascribed to an isotope of element 102 an alpha particle activity having an energy of 8.5 {+-} 0.1 Mev and a half-life of approximately 10 minutes. It was reported to be produced by bombardments of a 1 mg/cm{sup 2} curium target with 0.03-0.10 mter-microamperes of C{sup 13} ions of about 90 Mev energy in the internal beam of the Nobel Institute 225 cm cyclotron. Our attempts to reproduce this activity were made with the monoenergetic ion beam available from the Berkeley heavy ion linear accelerator (HILAC). Curium with a similar isotopic composition was used, except that instead of one target they used six separate electroplated targets, four with 0.4 mg/cm{sup 2} curium and two with 0.1 mg/cm{sup 2} curium. These were mounted in vacuum so that the heavy ion beam could pass through and knock the transmutation recoils into 0.9 mg/cm{sup 2} palladium foils. After a suitable bombardment the six catcher foils were dissolved in a few drops of concentrated aqua regia and an actinide element fraction quickly separated from palladium by elution with 2M HCl from a column packed with Dowex-1 anion exchange resin. It was possible to examine a trans-plutonium fraction within 8 minutes from the end of bombardment. A wide range of energies (60-100 Mev) of both C{sup 12} and C{sup 13} projectiles and (+6) ion currents up to 0.2 microamperes were used. In order to compare these bombardments with those which were reported to have produced the 8.5 Mev alpha activity one can compare the amounts of the other alpha particle activities that are produced in such bombardments. The nuclides Fm{sup 250}, Cf{sup 245}, Cr{sup 244}, and Cf{sup 246} were found in far greater amount in the experiments than in the aforementioned cyclotron runs. In the case of Cf{sup 246}, for example, which is produced with a relatively flat excitation function they found in a typical experiment about 40 alpha counts per minute. This should be compared with 0.1 alpha counts per minute of Cf{sup 246} found in the cyclotron experiment which was reported to have yielded four 8.5 Mev events.
Americans and Climate Change: Transnationalism and Reflection in Environmental Writing

This article reads three American works of climate change life writing in order to examine how print culture in America is responding to growing awareness of the threat of global climate change. Engaging with Ursula Heise’s work on American environmental writing, I argue against a binary conception of cosmopolitan and provincial responses to this threat, seeking to show how ambitious individual reactions to climate change are complicated and enhanced by ways of relating and collaborating with other humans and other species.
The Role of Combination Therapy for Hypertension After ACCOMPLISH

Hypertension treatment and control has been a critical clinical health intervention strategy for over four decades but has had less than optimal success. Through seven reports of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, hypertension treatment recommendations have been modified for maximum blood pressure reduction according to current evidence. Although new classes of antihypertensive medications have been developed, combination therapy has been shown to have additional value for blood pressure reduction. Thiazide diuretics were most often considered the second agent in the combination. The Avoiding Cardiovascular Events through Combination Therapy in Patients Living with Systolic Hypertension (ACCOMPLISH) trial compared combination therapy with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor plus amlodipine to the combination of an ACE and thiazide diuretic. It determined the combination of benazepril plus amlodipine is superior to the combination of benazepril plus hydrochlorothiazide in the reduction of cardiovascular events among hypertensive patients. These results increase the numbers of options for combination therapy in treating high blood pressure.
Determination of completion times for serial multiproduct processes—2. A multiunit finite intermediate storage system

Abstract The approximate two step strategy of Part I is extended to multiunit systems operating under the makespan criterion. The completion time calculation requires multiple readjustments of unit assignments for each product; involves a more complex storage feasiblity test than that in the two unit case; and is a suboptimal polynomial order procedure. Numerical test results show that the performance of the completion time algorithm is inversely dependent on the number of assigned storage vessels: problems with fewer vessels are progressively more difficult than those with more vessels. The sequence selection subproblem is solved using existing approximate algorithms for the UIS problem. The approximate strategy is compared on the basis of average case performance to schedules generated using a branch and bound method. The approximate algorithm yields a makespan within less than 6% on average of the branch and bound makespan when applied to a test set of 280 randomly generated problems.
Surgical management of scapular fractures

Abstract Scapula fractures are rare and historically have been treated effectively with nonsurgical methods. There is a paucity of literature and limited practical experience regarding surgical indications and intervention for this entity. The indications for surgical intervention are still unclear but are becoming better defined. The operative approaches are refined and include either a standard anterior deltopectoral approach or a posterior approach. The latter involves detachment of the deltoid from the spine of the scapula and development of the interval between the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles. Accurate reduction of the articular surface is crucial, and internal fixation should be varied in relation to the size and location of the fracture fragments. The stability of the fixation should allow for early or slightly delayed motion in order to allow soft tissue, musculotendinous, and capsule healing.
Comparison of glass and ceramic leaching behavior by natural analogs

Dissolution studies of rock-forming minerals and leach studies of glass and crystalline waste forms yield similar solution composition data, but may involve different leaching mechanisms. The compositions NaAlSiO4 (nepheline) and NaAlSi3O8 (albite) in both glass and crystalline form have been subjected to leaching and etch tests, then the resulting surfaces were examined by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) sputter profiling and by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of surface examination suggest that crystal surfaces are attacked selectively to produce a pattern of etch pits dictated by the crystal structure and without a change in surface composition. Glass surface compositions following leaching were distinctly different than the bulk.
A composite spectrum of a Perseid meteor of 1948

A spectrum of a Perseid meteor, observed on 1948 August 11, from a place near Blairsden, Plumas County, California, is discussed. This spectrum exhibits, along successive segments of the visible path of the meteor, the characteristics of all 3 spectral types, Z, X, Y, in that order. These variations in the spectrum of a single meteor substantiate the hypothesis that differences in meteor spectra result from changes in the excitation of the meteoritic vapor, rather than from differences in the composition of the meteorites themselves.
Spurious correlations between recent warming and indices of local economic activity

A series of climate model simulations of the 20th Century are analysed to investigate a number of published correlations between indices of local economic activity and recent global warming. These correlations have been used to support a hypothesis that the observed surface warming record has been contaminated in some way and thus overestimates true global warming. However, the basis of the results are correlations over a very restricted set of locations (predominantly western Europe, Japan and the USA) which project strongly onto naturally occurring patterns of climate variability, or are with fields with significant amounts of spatial auto-correlation. Across model simulations, the correlations vary widely due to the chaotic weather component in any short-term record. The reported correlations do not fall outside the simulated distribution, and are probably spurious (i.e. are likely to have arisen from chance alone). Thus, though this study cannot prove that the global temperature record is unbiased, there is no compelling evidence from these correlations of any large-scale contamination. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
UCLA double-beam infrared camera system

This paper describes a new infrared imaging system being developed at UCLA for use on both the Lick Observatory 3-m telescope and the W.M. Keck 10-m telescope. The instrument has a relatively wide field of view on each telescope and is intended for infrared surveys and deep imaging. To enhance efficiency, the new instrument incorporates a dichroic beam splitter to provide two simultaneous imaging systems, one short-wave (SW) from 1 - 2.5 micrometers and one long-wave (LW) from 2 - 5 micrometers . Each wavelength channel is independently optimized. The SW channel contains a Rockwell NICMOS3 256 X 256 HgCdTe array and the LW channel has an SBRC 256 X 256 InSb array. The thermal design employs a closed cycle cooler. A control and data acquisition system based on transputers and high speed analog electronics is being developed to handle the high data rates.
New autocorrelation technique for the IR FEL optical pulsewidth measurements

Abstract In this paper we will present a new autocorrelation method for the IR FEL optical pulsewidth measurements at Vanderbilt University. This method is based on absorption of radiation due to two-photon absorption (TPA) of Ge, InAs, and Te semiconductors. The theory of this method, along with the experimental setup and autocorrelation measurements utilized are presented. Also results of this method are compared with the standard method of second harmonic generation (SHG).
Techniques of central venous access

Abstract Indications for central venous access are shown in Figure 1. Contraindications: absolute contraindications to central venous cannulation include infection at the insertion site, significant tricuspid valve vegetations and renal cell tumour extending into the right atrium. Relative contraindications include coagulopathy, newly inserted pacemaker leads or ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy.
Opposite Effect of Prolactin and Prostaglandin F2α on the Expression of Luteal Genes as Revealed by Rat cDNA Expression Array

It is well established that prolactin (PRL) sustains, while prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) curtails, progesterone production by the rat corpus luteum (CL). We have previously shown that the actions of both molecules converge on the 20α-HSD gene and control its expression in a dramatically opposed manner. In this investigation, we have found twelve more genes that are inversely regulated by PRL and PGF2α. In addition to 20α-HSD, PGF2α stimulated and PRL inhibited PGF2α-receptor, phospholipase Cδ1 and TGFβ1 expression. In contrast PRL stimulated and PGF2α inhibited the LH receptor, 11β-HSD2, sterol carrier protein 2, mitochondrial glutathione S-transferase (GST), GSTμ2, inhibitory DNA-binding proteins 1, 2, and 3, and calcium binding protein 2. We have also identified new target genes for PRL and PGF2α. PGF2α stimulated the expression of genes involved in cell signaling such as cell adhesion kinase-β, ERK3, FRA2, IL-2 receptor, and 14-3-3 proteins. PGF2α also up-regulated the expression of the sodium channel β1,...
The effects of refreezing on the viscoelastic and tensile properties of ligaments

Biomechanical testing protocols for ligaments can be extensive and span two or more days. During this time, a specimen may have to undergo more than one cycle of freezing and thawing. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of refreezing on the viscoelastic and tensile properties of ligaments. The femur-medial collateral ligament-tibia complexes (FMTC) from six pairs of rabbit knees were used for this study. Following sacrifice, one leg in each pair was assigned to the fresh group and the FMTC was immediately dissected and prepared for testing. The contralateral knees were fresh-frozen at -20 degrees C for 3 weeks, thawed, dissected and then refrozen for one additional week before being tested as the refrozen group. The cross-sectional area and shape of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) was measured using a laser micrometer system. Stress relaxation and cyclic stress-relaxation tests in uniaxial tension were performed followed by a load to failure test. When the viscoelastic behavior of the MCL was described by the quasi-linear viscoelastic (QLV) theory, no statistically significant differences could be detected for the five constants (A, B, C, tau1, and tau2) between the fresh and refrozen groups (p > or = 0.07) based on our sample size. In addition, the structural properties of the FMTCs and the mechanical properties of the MCLs were also found to be similar between the two groups (p > or = 0.68). These results suggest that careful refreezing of the specimens had little or no effect on the biomechanical properties measured.
AGENCY THEORY AND ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS

Jean McGuire is Associate Professor of Management in the Faculty of Commerce at Concordia University, Montreal. She received her Pd.D. degree from Cornell University. Her research interests include organizational power, politics and conflict, executive compensation, and the measurement of firm performance.
Food‐group consumption and colon cancer in the adelaide case‐control study. I. Vegetables and fruit

Previous epidemiologic studies have shown an inverse association between vegetable and fruit consumption and risk of colon cancer. Vegetables and fruit contain a large number of potentially anti-carcinogenic substances, thus lending biological plausibility to this association. We conducted a case-control study in Australia, comparing 220 persons with histologically confirmed incident adenocarcinoma of the colon with 438 age- and gender-matched controls. Cases were identified via the South Australian Cancer Registry (1979-80); controls were randomly selected from the electoral roll. All participants completed a 141-item food-frequency questionnaire and were interviewed regarding demographic and other information. Consumption of 15 vegetable and fruit groups was investigated. Odds ratios (OR) for quartiles of consumption were derived using conditional logistic regression. All analyses were conducted separately for females and males. For females, greater intakes of onions and legumes were associated with decreased risk, with protein-adjusted OR of 0.48 and 0.53 respectively. Greater intakes of raw fruit and cabbage were associated with protein-adjusted OR of 0.76 and 0.71 respectively. For males, greater intakes of onions, green leafy vegetables, legumes, carrots and cabbage were associated with protein-adjusted OR in the range of 0.72 to 0.77. Consumption of potatoes was positively associated with risk in both genders. All 95% confidence intervals included 1.0. Analyses stratified by colon-cancer sub-site showed no strong and consistent differences between sub-sites for the vegetable and fruit associations. Results for meat, poultry, seafood, dairy foods and eggs are presented in a companion report.
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior and Extinction to Reduce Loitering and Stealing for an Adult With an Intellectual Disability and Dementia

The authors present the case study of a 52-year-old female with Down’s syndrome and Alzheimer’s-type dementia. After a functional assessment suggested that this individual’s theft was maintained by access to preferred activity material, the authors used a differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) procedure with extinction to reduce loitering in an area where other consumers’ belongings were kept, thereby reducing stealing of items (i.e., nonapproved items) from other consumers. The results show that DRO plus extinction reduced number of intervals the participant was in the entryway and number of nonapproved items in the participant’s possession to zero. Two follow-up probes, which were conducted 2 months and 3 months after the formal intervention was discontinued, indicated that reductions in both target behaviors were maintained over time.
Usual sources, patterns of utilization, and foregone health care among Hispanic adolescents.

Abstract Purpose: To describe and differentiate the usual sources of health care, patterns of utilization of services, and reasons for foregone health care among Hispanic adolescents by place of birth (U.S. mainland versus Puerto Rico or other country) and gender. Methods: All subjects who identified themselves as Hispanic ( n = 717) in a larger survey of 10,059 students in 7th ( n = 3596), 9th ( n = 3691), and 11th ( n = 2772) grades in the state of Connecticut in 1996 were included in this secondary analysis. Data were analyzed using Pearson product-moment coefficients, Chi-squares, and logistic regression. Results: The majority of usual sources of medical care services were community clinics or private doctors' offices. Subjects born in Puerto Rico or countries other than the United States were more likely to use a doctor's office. About 5% reported no usual source of care. Over 25% reported not going to a doctor or other health care provider when they thought they should (foregone care). There were significant gender differences in reasons given for foregone care. Feeling connected to others was a significant predictor of having had a physical examination and negatively associated with foregone care for girls. For boys, connectedness and use of alcohol were negative predictors of foregone care. Conclusions: The majority of Hispanic youth in this sample report having a usual source of medical care and the source differs by place of birth. Adolescents who do not report high levels of connectedness are more likely to have foregone care. The most frequent explanation given for not having sought care was that subjects thought the problem would go away. Socialization about how to access and use health care services, as well as what to expect, is needed by Hispanic adolescents who may be at risk.
Interleukin-18 induces EMMPRIN expression in primary cardiomyocytes via JNK/Sp1 signaling and MMP-9 in part via EMMPRIN and through AP-1 and NF-κB activation

IL-18 and the extracellular matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inducer (EMMPRIN) stimulate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and MMPs and are elevated in myocardial hypertrophy, remodeling, and failure. Here, we report several novel findings in primary cardiomyocytes treated with IL-18. First, IL-18 activated multiple transcription factors, including NF-κB (p50 and p65), activator protein (AP)-1 (cFos, cJun, and JunD), GATA, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein, myocyte-specific enhancer-binding factor, interferon regulatory factor-1, p53, and specific protein (Sp)-1. Second, IL-18 induced EMMPRIN expression via myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88/IL-1 receptor-associated kinase/TNF receptor-associated factor-6/JNK-dependent Sp1 activation. Third, IL-18 induced a number of MMP genes, particularly MMP-9, at a rapid rate as well as tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-3 at a slower rate. Finally, the IL-18 induction of MMP-9 was mediated in part via EMMPRIN and through JNK- and ERK-dependent AP-1 activation and p38 MAPK-dependent NF-κB activation. These results suggest that the elevated expression of IL-18 during myocardial injury and inflammation may favor EMMPRIN and MMP induction and extracellular matrix degradation. Therefore, targeting IL-18 or its signaling pathways may be of potential therapeutic benefit in adverse remodeling.
Experimental study of natural convection in a model alloy with a miscibility gap

To solidify a dispersion alloy with a miscibility gap in the liquid state, the two-phase immiscible region may have to be traversed. The composition and consequently the properties of the solid depend on the distribution of the minority dispersion phase. The distribution is mostly controlled by density segregation and convective flow in the melt. Natural convection in a transparent model alloy of 65 w% paraffin oil and 35 w% benzylbenzoate was investigated with LDV and holographic interferometry. The benzylbenzoate-rich dispersed phase is the heavier component. The lighter paraffin oil phase was the majority component. A horizontal temperature difference was applied to the liquid layer with the cold side temperature below the phase separation temperature and the hot temperature above it. The liquid system undergoes phase separation when approaching the cold wall and dissolution when approaching the hot wall. Flow velocities at different locations in the test cell are measured and compared to density field visualizations. At small temperature differences the natural convection flow is time-dependent, due to the phase separation process.
Birth outcomes in women who have taken leflunomide during pregnancy

Objective. In preclinical reproductive studies, leflunomide was found to be embryotoxic and teratogenic. Women treated with leflunomide are advised to avoid pregnancy; those who become pregnant are advised to reduce fetal exposure through a cholestyramine drug elimination procedure. The present study was undertaken to investigate pregnancy outcomes in women who received leflunomide and were treated with cholestyramine during pregnancy. Methods. Sixty-four pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated with leflunomide during pregnancy (95.3% of whom received cholestyramine), 108 pregnant women with RA not treated with leflunomide, and 78 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in a prospective cohort study between 1999 and 2009. Information was collected via interview of the mothers, review of medical records, and specialized physical examination of infants. Results. There were no significant differences in the overall rate of major structural defects in the exposed group (3 of 56 live births [5.4%]) relative to either comparison group (each 4.2%)(P 0.13). The rate was similar to the 3–4% expected in the general population. There was no specific pattern of major or minor anomalies. Infants in both the leflunomideexposed and non–leflunomide-exposed RA groups were born smaller and earlier relative to infants of healthy mothers; however, after adjustment for confounding factors, there were no significant differences between the leflunomide-exposed and non–leflunomide-exposed RA groups. Conclusion. Although the sample size is small, these data do not support the notion that there is a substantial increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes due to leflunomide exposure among women who undergo cholestyramine elimination procedure early in pregnancy. These findings can provide some reassurance to women who inadvertently become pregnant while taking leflunomide and undergo the washout procedure.