cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of the Share 35 Policy on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Liver Transplantation for Patients with End Stage Liver Disease in the United States: An Analysis from UNOS Database

The Share 35 policy was instituted in June 2013 by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) in order to reduce death on liver transplant waiting list. The effect of this policy on racial and ethnic disparities in access to liver transplantation has not been examined. A total of 14,585 adult patients registered for liver transplantation between 2012 and 2015 were identified from UNOS database. Logistic and proportional hazards models were used to model the effects of race and ethnicity on access to liver transplantation. Stratification on pre- and post-Share 35 periods was performed to compare the first 18 months of Share 35 policy to an equivalent time period before. Comparison of the pre- and post-Share 35 periods showed significantly decreased time on waiting list and increased numbers of minorities having access to liver transplantation. Hispanic recipients still experienced significantly longer waiting time (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.53–0.88) before they received liver transplantation after Share 35 policy took effect. The Share 35 policy did not lead to improved access to liver transplantation among minorities but eliminated the previously observed racial and ethnic disparities in transplant rates as well as shortened the waiting time.
High-Throughput Analysis of Intact Human Proteins Using UVPD and HCD on an Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer

The analysis of intact proteins (top-down strategy) by mass spectrometry has great potential to elucidate proteoform variation, including patterns of post-translational modifications (PTMs), which may not be discernible by analysis of peptides alone (bottom-up approach). To maximize sequence coverage and localization of PTMs, various fragmentation modes have been developed to produce fragment ions from deep within intact proteins. Ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) has recently been shown to produce high sequence coverage and PTM retention on a variety of proteins, with increasing evidence of efficacy on a chromatographic time scale. However, utilization of UVPD for high-throughput top-down analysis to date has been limited by bioinformatics. Here we detected 153 proteins and 489 proteoforms using UVPD and 271 proteins and 982 proteoforms using higher energy collisional dissociation (HCD) in a comparative analysis of HeLa whole-cell lysate by qualitative top-down proteomics. Of the total detected proteo...
Domestic Router Functions Configuration

This chapter explains the steps to configure the router’s domestic duties such as DHCP server and client settings and DHCP relay. This chapter also details static and dynamic NAT configuration. This chapter concludes with the configuration of inter-VLAN routing. This chapter includes 11 training scenarios.
Rhetorical Aftershocks of Trump’s Ascendency: Salvation by Demolition and Deal Making

This essay offers an early assessment, after the first 100 days, of Donald Trump’s bewildering ascendency to the US presidency. It examines his apocalyptic rhetoric as a spectacle of salvation by demolition and deal making, a polarizing and demonizing politics that trades in deception and distraction. The spectacle, whether it is a means to an end or an end in itself, functions to distort democratic politics and to displace public dissent over the negative impact of economic globalization. The question raised is whether and how dissent might be channeled more constructively through a narrative of fairness that balances interests equitably and deliberates policy options credibly.
Identification of trans Protein QTL for Secreted Airway Mucins in Mice and a Causal Role for Bpifb1 .

Mucus hyper-secretion is a hallmark feature of asthma and other muco-obstructive airway diseases. The mucin proteins MUC5AC and MUC5B are the major glycoprotein components of mucus and have critical roles in airway defense. Despite the biomedical importance of these two proteins, the loci that regulate them in the context of natural genetic variation have not been studied. To identify genes that underlie variation in airway mucin levels, we performed genetic analyses in founder strains and incipient lines of the Collaborative Cross (CC) in a house dust mite mouse model of asthma. CC founder strains exhibited significant differences in MUC5AC and MUC5B, providing evidence of heritability. Analysis of gene and protein expression of Muc5ac and Muc5b in incipient CC lines (n = 154) suggested that post-transcriptional events were important regulators of mucin protein content in the airways. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping identified distinct, trans protein QTL for MUC5AC (chromosome 13) and MUC5B (chromosome 2). These two QTL explained 18 and 20% of phenotypic variance, respectively. Examination of the MUC5B QTL allele effects and subsequent phylogenetic analysis allowed us to narrow the MUC5B QTL and identify Bpifb1 as a candidate gene. Bpifb1 mRNA and protein expression were upregulated in parallel to MUC5B after allergen challenge, and Bpifb1 knockout mice exhibited higher MUC5B expression. Thus, BPIFB1 is a novel regulator of MUC5B.
2015 NHSN CAUTI Definition Change and Its Impact on CLABSI Rates at an Academic Medical Center

Background The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) revised their catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) definition in January 2015 to exclude funguria. This definition change led to an increase in diagnosis of catheter-related fungemia in other health systems, due to the exclusion of CAUTI as an attributable source. We evaluated the effect of the NHSN CAUTI definition change on central line-associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) rates at our hospital.
The subject of objects: Marx, new materialism, & queer forms of life

AbstractThis article examines two interrelated themes in the scholarship categorized as ‘new materialism’: first, the aim to undermine the subject/object distinction; second, the proposition that a...
The Personal Journey of a Resource Economist

This perspective article begins with speculation about my early interest in conservation at age six and traces my personal development until I became an assistant professor. My contribution to the ...
Studies on the Crystalline Lens. XXVIII. The Interrelationship of Hydration, Osmolarity and Electrolyte Content in Lenses of Varying Weights from Young Rabbits

The percentage of water in lenses decreases linearly with increasing lens weight as does the osmolarity of the intralenticular fluid. The latter change parallels a decrease in potassium concentration associated with a substantial increase in total water content in lenses of increasing weight. Values for osmolarity of lenses weighing between 250 and 500 mg are consistently lower than that of aqueous humor, 270 vs. 310 milliosmoles/ kg water, respectively. The value for the osmolarity of the intact lens, as measured by gain or loss of water of lenses bathed in media of various osmotic strengths, is approximately the same as that determined directly on the intralenticular fluid.
Fish Cell Culture: An Update

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the techniques for the preparation and maintenance of fish cell cultures and also presents a more comprehensive view of the broad range of current and potential uses of such cell cultures. The methodologies and growth media for the preparation and maintenance of fish cell cultures generally do not differ from those used for the culture of cells from homeotherm vertebrates. The selection of fish species and appropriate tissues for the initiation of primary cell cultures is usually dictated by the cell type or function to be studied and/or the ultimate use of the cell culture. In many ways, the initiation of cell cultures from fish is actually easier than from homeotherm vertebrates. Most new fish cell cultures can be subcultured for varying periods of time before reaching senescence. The primary impetus for the initiation of fish cell cultures, and until recently the most widespread use of these cultures, has been for the isolation and characterization of fish viruses that are the causative agents of epizootics of commercially important aquaculture or fish farm species. The potential usefulness of fish cell and tissue cultures as teaching tools should not be overlooked. Most fish cell cultures are relatively easy to initiate and/or maintain. They grow over a wide temperature range and most can be propagated at ambient room temperature.
Party organization and gender in European elections

Political parties often monopolize the flow of politicians into elected office making it important to understand when, and under what conditions, parties are more or less likely to promote gender e...
Insurance Approval for Proton Beam Therapy and its Impact on Delays in Treatment.

Purpose Prior authorization (PA) has been widely implemented for proton beam therapy (PBT). We sought to determine the association between PA determination and patient characteristics, practice guidelines, and potential treatment delays. Methods and Materials A single-institution retrospective analysis was performed of all patients considered for PBT between 2015 and 2018 at a National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Differences in treatment start times and denial rates over time were compared, and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of initial denial. Results A total of 444 patients were considered for PBT, including 396 adult and 48 pediatric patients. The American Society for Radiation Oncology model policy supported PBT coverage for 77% of the cohort. Of adult patients requiring PA, 64% were initially denied and 32% remained denied after appeal. In patients considered for reirradiation or randomized phase 3 trial enrollment, initial denial rates were 57% and 64%, respectively. Insurance coverage was not related to diagnosis, reirradiation, trial enrollment, or the American Society for Radiation Oncology model policy guidelines, but it was related to insurance category on multivariable analysis (P Conclusions PA requirements in adults represent a significant burden in initiating PBT and cause significant delays in patient care. Insurance approval is arbitrary and has become more restrictive over time, discordant with national clinical practice guidelines. Payors and providers should seek to streamline coverage policies in alignment with established guidelines to ensure appropriate and timely patient care.
Is the Pace of Biomedical Innovation Slowing

The pace of biomedical innovation is important because it determines the rate of progress in medicine and allied disciplines. A review of the history of medical advances reveals that the three decades from 1950 to 1980 were a particularly innovative time. Subsequent decades have seen fewer seminal advances, despite continued improvements in many biomedical technologies. Although the biomedical sciences continue to be innovative, the question posed in this essay is whether the rate of innovation has slowed relative to the available knowledge base. The pace of innovation varies tremendously depending on the specific field considered. Overall, the pace of innovation may be slower than in the past, especially when measured against the biomedical knowledge base available today versus that available then. Ten factors are discussed that could be slowing biomedical innovation. If biomedical innovation is slowing, then restoring a faster pace would require the cooperation of government, industry and academia, for the problems are multifaceted and intertwined.
Speculations on Dislocations in a Discrete Model of Space-Time

The absurdity of the notion that a single real number can capture an infinite amount of information strongly motivates the search for models of physics where the information content of small regions of space–time is finite. The rejection of the continuum is one such approach, in which space is viewed as a cellular automation with fixed rules capturing the observed temporal evolution of particles. In this note, I speculate on a somewhat different view, which revises our viewpoint of the fundamental relationship in general relativity
Terminology for Describing the Elastic Behavior of Arteries

To the Editor: Gosling and Budge1 are to be commended on their call for simplification of the indices presently used to quantify arterial stiffness. This important subject is made almost incomprehensible to clinicians through the myriad of indices used by different authors.2 Conceptual difficulties are compounded by the seemingly conflicting results published for different diseases, physiological maneuvers, and drug therapies. Some of these are related to the nonlinearities and inhomogeneities illustrated by Gosling and Budge, but some result from lack of attention to fundamental instrumental measurements2 together with basic arithmetical errors.3,4 Clinicians dealing with hypertension, aging, and cardiovascular complications need know how arterial stiffening affects the blood pressure they are measuring, the diseases they are treating or seeking to prevent, and their patients’ prognosis. They also seek to know how they can most logically utilize therapy to offset ill effects of stiffening in …
Interpreting the Divine Mandates in a Bonhoeffer Moment

The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States has led many political commentators to declare a “Bonhoeffer moment.” But the meaning of this “Bonhoeffer moment” is unclear. Our unde...
Dynamic Aeroelasticity of Wings with Tip Propeller by Using Navier–Stokes Equations

Aeroelastic computations are made for a flexible wing with a tip-propeller system designed for electric aircraft. Flow is modeled using the Navier–Stokes equations, and wing structures are modeled ...
Characteristics of Patients that Substitute Medical Cannabis for Alcohol

Abstract Aims A substitution effect occurs when patients substitute Medical Cannabis (MC) for another drug. Over three-quarters (76.7%) of New England dispensary members reported reducing their use of opioids and two-fifths (42.0%) decreased their use of alcohol after starting MC (Piper et al. 2017). The objective of this exploratory study was to identify any factors which differentiate alcohol substituters from those that do not modify their alcohol use after starting MC (non-substituters). Methods Among dispensary patients (N=1,477), over two-thirds with chronic pain, that completed an online survey, 7.4% indicated that they regularly consumed alcohol. Comparisons were made to identify any demographic or health history characteristics which differentiated alcohol substituters (N=47) from non-substituters (N=65). Respondents selected from among a list of 37 diseases and health conditions (e.g. diabetes, sleep disorders) and the total number was calculated. Results Substituters and non-substituters were indistinguishable in terms of sex, age, or prior drug history. Substituters were significantly more likely to be employed (68.1%) than non-substituters (51.1%). Substituters also reported having significantly more health conditions and diseases (3.3±2.0) than non-substituters (2.4±1.4). Conclusions This small study offers some insights into the profile of patients whose self-reported alcohol intake decreased following initiation of MC. Alcohol substituters had more other health conditions but also were more likely to be employed which may indicate that they fit a social drinker profile. Additional prospective or controlled research into the alcohol substitution effect following MC with a sample with more advanced alcohol misuse may be warranted. Short summary A substitution effect with medical cannabis replacing prescription opioids has been reported but less is known for alcohol. This study evaluated characteristics which might differentiate alcohol substituters (N=47) from non-substituters (N=65) among dispensary members. Substituters were significantly more likely to be employed and have more health conditions than non-substituters.
Board independence and short selling

Abstract This study investigates the relation between board independence and short selling. The findings suggest that board independence reduces short selling. This is consistent with the evidence in the current literature that board independence reduces information asymmetry and should limit informed trading based on private information. Further analyses suggest that the beneficial effect of board independence on limiting short selling is affected by the regularity of independent directors’ board meeting attendance, stock ownership by independent directors, and stock ownership by Chief Executive Officers. The robustness tests with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and propensity score-matched sample further corroborate the above findings.
Lateral Metroplasty and Hysteroscopic Uterine Septum Surgery

Adverse fertility and pregnancy outcomes are known complications of uterine anomalies. The diagnosis and treatment options specifically for T-shaped uteri and septate uteri are reviewed. Hysteroscopic uterine surgery has long been a minimally invasive therapy for improving reproductive outcomes in the setting of a septate uterus; however, the success of this intervention in T-shaped uterine malformations has not been completely characterized. A critical aspect of postoperative care for hysteroscopic metroplasty is intrauterine adhesion prevention.
Microstructural refinement of cement paste internally cured by polyacrylamide composite hydrogel particles containing silica fume and nanosilica

Abstract Supplementary cementitious materials were incorporated into hydrogel-based internal curing agents to improve the hydration, microstructure, and ultimately strength of internally cured high-performance cement paste. Polyacrylamide composite hydrogel particles containing amorphous silica – either silica fume or nanosilica – and two different polymer network crosslink densities were synthesized and incorporated into cement paste. The presence of silica and low crosslink density increased the absorption capacity of the particles in pore solution. Micrographs of internally cured paste indicated a significant improvement in hydrogel-related void-filling ability and an increase in void size for low crosslink density particles containing silica. Compressive strength and electrical resistivity increased at later ages for paste samples containing particles with higher silica dosage. The relationship between extent of hydration, void size, and void-filling activity was found to strongly influence the paste's long-term strength and is thus an important structure-property relationship to consider when selecting hydrogels for internal curing purposes.
Resistance training protects against the development of muscle pain through activation of androgen receptors

Exercise is an effective and recommended treatment for chronic pain conditions. In the rehabilitation setting, both aerobic and resistance training (RT) exercise programs are recommended for various chronic pain conditions. However, animal research has focused on the utilization of aerobic based exercise programs. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to determine if RT can protect against the development of activity-induced muscle pain and to elucidate the analgesic mechanism. We hypothesized that RT would produce analgesia in an activity-induced pain model through activation of androgen receptors. Either sedentary or 8 week RT male and female mice were subjected to 2 pH 5.0 injections into the gastrocnemius muscle combined with fatiguing muscle contractions. In this model, muscle withdrawal thresholds (MWT), assessed by withdrawal to pressure applied to the gastrocnemius, are significantly decreased in sedentary mice; this decrease in MWT did not occur in mice that performed RT (p=0.001; repeated measures ANOVA). Strength, measured by maximal lifting load and grip force, significantly increased after RT. Since RT increases testosterone and lactate in humans, we examined if lactate and testosterone were elevated following RT by measuring serum concentrations using either an ELISA kit or a lactate meter, respectively. Five minutes after RT, both lactate and testosterone values were significantly higher compared with sedentary animals in both male and female mice (p=0.03-0.05; one-way ANOVA)). To test if androgen receptors mediate the analgesia produced by exercise, slow release flutamide (200mg) or control pellets were implanted subcutaneously prior to initiation of training. Animals that received flutamide pellets did not see the analgesic effects of exercise when compared to animals who received control pellets (p
Sox2 and Canonical Wnt Signaling Interact to Activate a Developmental Checkpoint Coordinating Morphogenesis with Mesodermal Fate Acquisition

Animal embryogenesis requires a precise coordination between morphogenesis and cell fate specification. It is unclear if there are mechanisms that prevent uncoupling of these processes to ensure robust development. During mesoderm induction, mesodermal fate acquisition is tightly coordinated with the morphogenetic process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). In zebrafish, cells exist transiently in a partial EMT state during mesoderm induction. Here we show that cells expressing the neural inducing transcription factor Sox2 are held in the partial EMT state, stopping them from completing the EMT and joining the mesodermal territory. This is critical for preventing ectopic neural tissue from forming. The mechanism involves specific interactions between Sox2 and the mesoderm inducing canonical Wnt signaling pathway. When Wnt signaling is inhibited in Sox2 expressing cells trapped in the partial EMT, cells are now able to exit into the mesodermal territory, but form an ectopic spinal cord instead of mesoderm. Our work identifies a critical developmental checkpoint that ensures that morphogenetic movements establishing the mesodermal germ layer are accompanied by robust mesodermal cell fate acquisition.
Utilization Patterns and Perceptions of Mobile Health Clinics in Batey Libertad, Dominican Republic

Mobile health clinics have become a popular means of providing care to low-resource areas in high-, middle- and low-income countries. In low- and middle-income countries, there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of mobile clinics as an alternative healthcare model for marginalized populations. A cross-sectional study was conducted on mobile health services in a Dominican agricultural community, Batey Libertad. This study describes the characteristics of the population that had previously utilized mobile health clinics as well as the perceptions of these mobile health clinics. Household surveys were conducted at each of the 173 households in Batey Libertad. The main variables of interest were previous mobile clinic use and patient perceptions, operationalized using ordered opinion-based comparisons. Bivariate analyses were conducted to find significant associations between these outcomes and socioeconomic and demographic variables. Socioeconomic and demographic variables with significant associations were then included in unconditional logistic regression models. Findings suggest that mobile clinics are utilized less by young adults and males. Overall perceptions of mobile health clinics were very positive. Based on these results, mobile health clinics in Batey Libertad should work to expand their outreach to males and young adults. In general, mobile health clinics should evaluate the coverage of their services in the communities they wish to serve. Future studies should seek to both verify these findings and also further evaluate mobile health care as a potential tool in reducing healthcare access inequities.
Desmoid tumors

Because of the wide variety of anatomic locations and patient factors, there is no one treatment that is appropriate for all desmoid tumors. The type of treatment depends on tumor characteristics and location, as well as patient characteristics and preferences. Desmoid tumors can be persistent and frustrating to manage because no one treatment modality offers a high likelihood of remission. Multiple modalities may be necessary in some patients. Although mortality is rare and is usually due to local complications, significant disability or morbidity can result from desmoid tumors, their treatment, and complications arising from treatment. The entire clinical picture and the patient’s preferences must be taken into account when deciding on an appropriate treatment plan. Patients with desmoid tumors are optimally managed in a multidisciplinary setting with close collaboration between surgeon, pathologist, diagnostic radiologist, radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist. When possible, surgical resection with negative margins is the preferred modality. When surgical resection with negative margins may prove disabling, surgery can be followed by postoperative radiation, although the role and efficacy of this are controversial. In locations where surgical extirpation is difficult or unfeasible, primary radiation, hormonal therapy, or chemotherapy should be considered. Familiar adenosis polyposis (FAP)-associated mesenteric lesions, sporadic tumors present without change for months or years, or tumors present in areas where progression will not present significant additional morbidity are candidates for observation only.
Phase transitions of the ferroelectric ( ND 4 ) 2 FeCl 5 · D 2 O under magnetic field

Due to the strong coupling between magnetism and ferroelectricity, ${({\mathrm{ND}}_{4})}_{2}{\mathrm{FeCl}}_{5}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\mathrm{D}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ exhibits several intriguing magnetic and electric phases. In this Letter, we include higher-order onsite anisotropic spin interactions to explain the ferroelectric phase transitions of ${({\mathrm{ND}}_{4})}_{2}{\mathrm{FeCl}}_{5}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\mathrm{D}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ in a magnetic field and to produce the large weights of high-order harmonic components in the cycloid structure that are observed from neutron diffraction experiments. Moreover, we predict a new ferroelectric phase sandwiched between the FE II and FE III phases in a magnetic field. By emphasizing the importance of the higher-order spin anisotropic interactions, our work provides a framework to understand multiferroic materials with rich phase diagrams.
A Gas Chromatographic Method for the Determination of Ethotoin (3-Ethyl-5-Phenylhydantoin) in Human Plasma

Ethotoin, 3-ethyl-5-phenylhydantoin, is an anti-epileptic whose clinical efficacy has been investigated in a limited number of studies (Carter and Maley, 1957; Gruber et al., 1962; Livingston, 1956; Schwade et al., 1956; Zimmerman and Burgemeister, 1958) and has been shown to be of some value in anti-epileptic therapy. The use of other hydantoins, such as phenytoin and mephenytoin, as primary anti-epileptic agents has led to very little being known about the metabolism, absorption, and excretion of ethotoin in seizure patients receiving chronic doses of this drug. Knowledge of the blood levels of ethotoin in seizure patients is sparse and there has been no effort to correlate their relationship to seizure control.
Visualizing user communities and usage trends of digital libraries based on user tracking information

We describe VUDM, our Visual User-model Data Mining tool, and its application to data logged regarding interactions of 1,200 users of the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD). The goals of VUDM are to visualize social networks, patrons' distributions, and usage trends of NDLTD. The distinctive approach of this research is that we focus on analysis and visualization of users' implicit rating data, which was generated based on user tracking information, such as sending queries and browsing result sets – rather than focusing on explicit data obtained from a user survey, such as major, specialties, years of experience, and demographics. The VUDM interface uses spirals to portray virtual interest groups, positioned based on inter-group relationships. VUDM facilitates identifying trends related to changes in interest, as well as concept drift. A formative evaluation found that VUDM is perceived to be effective for five types of tasks. Future work will aim to improve the understandability and utility of VUDM.
A framework for estimating the applicability of GAs for real-world optimization problems

Genetic Algorithms (GAs) have been gradually identified as an optimization-problem solver for certain classes of real-world applications. As GAs are increasingly utilized, a foundational study on how well GAs can perform with respect to varying problem domains becomes crucial. Yet, none of the prevalent theoretical studies are built upon the linkage between the theory and application of GAs. This dissertation introduces a methodology for estimating the applicability of a GA configuration for an arbitrary optimization problem based on run-time data. More specifically, this work analyzes the convergence behavior within a finite number of generations for each GA run through the estimation of the trace of the transition matrix of the corresponding Markov chain from run-time data. The analytical and empirical results show that the methodology is helpful for evaluating the applicability of GAs to optimization problems. Through the methodology, the number of generations needed for empirical convergence with respect to a fitness function (or a problem) can be estimated. The proposed methodology entails an evaluation metric and connects theory to application of GAs, for estimating the applicability of a GA to a problem. The methodology is demonstrated through a case study on evolutionary testing.
Modeling effect of leaders in ethno-religious conflicts

Many incidents of ethno-religious violence in recent history have been associated with the fall of an authoratarian regime or have been perpetrated by dictators. These incidents underline the importance of the roles of political and/or religious leaders in the context of ethno-religious conflicts. In this paper, we extend the computational model of ethno-religious conflicts (based on repeated prisoner's dilemma (PD) game in graphs) proposed in , to include the effect of the leaders of the different groups. We present simulation results showing some interesting emergent effects: (a) even when a high fraction of the population of the two groups are willing to compromise with each other, if the leaders are not willing to compromise, there is high potential of conflict between the two groups, and (b) when a majority of the two population groups are unwilling to compromise, even if the leaders are willing to compromise, there is still a high potential of conflict between the two groups. Our simulation results also show that the two groups can coexist in peace, i.e., there is low potential of conflict, when both the leaders and a large fraction of the population are willing to compromise.
Neutron capture cross sections in the kev region: Part II. Spin-orbit coupling and the optical model

Abstract An intensive study of average neutron capture cross sections of nuclei with 75 ≦ A ≦ 130 has been carried out in the neutron energy region 3 to 200 kev, using the activation method. Assuming s-wave parameters within the limits of error specified by low-energy total cross sections determinations, the data has been analyzed for corresponding p-wave parameters: the neutron strength function Γ n (1) D and the γ-ray strength function Γ γ D 0 . It is found that the s- and p-wave γ-ray strength functions are the same within the rather large limits of experimental error for the odd A targets: Rh103, Ag107, Ag109, In115, I127, and As75. The even-even isotopes of Pd, and Mo are more complicated in this respect. The p-wave neutron strength functions Γ n (1) D derived from the analysis of these capture cross sections are found to be in agreement with Γ n (1) D as obtained from the analysis of neutron total cross sections. These strength functions exhibit a broad, double-peaked, distribution around A = 100 instead of the single peak predicted by the simple optical model. It is shown that the experimental results may be explained by the addition of a small spin-orbit part to the optical potential. The parameters of the square well optical potential V ± = V 0 [1 + iξ + δ 2 {−1 ± (2l + 1)}] which are found to fit the p-wave strength functions best are V0 = 41 Mev, ξ = 0.02, δ = 0.085, and R = 1.45 A 1 3 fermis.
Detection of change in processes using wavelets

The paper presents some applications for which the wavelet transformation can be used to detect defects in manufacturing processes. This is accomplished by characterizing process parameters using various forms of wavelet coefficients. The identification of process defects is demonstrated using detection indices that are derived from these coefficients. It has been found that these indices are able to detect obscure defects/changes in the process parameters, thus providing an early indication of possible failure. To illustrate the effectiveness of those indices, different signals from various processes, namely, vibration signals from bearings, force signals from end milling, and acoustic emission signals from grinding, are used. >
Attribution of snowmelt onset in Northern Canada

In the region of Earth most sensitive to climate change, spring snowmelt serves as a measurable indicator of climate change and plays a strong role in the feedbacks that amplify Arctic warming. We characterize the melt season and attribute melt onset in a region of northern Canada during the spring snowmelt season from 2003 to 2011. Melt onset dates are obtained from Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System retrievals. Energy balance and meteorological fields are obtained from NASA's Modern Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications product. Analysis of three distinct subregions demonstrates that typical values of energy balance terms vary across the region and have different roles in melt attribution. Melt is controlled more by advective energy farther southwest where melt onset begins sooner, compared to higher levels of radiative energy over the tundra. This study demonstrates that a relatively small region can exhibit large differences in controls on spring snowmelt both within the region and interannually, and these differences can be understood in the context of factors ranging from the large-scale synoptic pattern to land cover and the local energy balance. Being able to attribute melt onset to those drivers that are changing as the high latitudes warm as opposed to those that do not (i.e., insolation) allows better long-term prediction of melt season dynamics and the climatological processes influenced by snow cover and its feedbacks.
On the connection between mare basalts and picritic volcanic glasses

The liquid lines of descent were calculated for low-pressure equilibrium and fractional crystallization of mare basaltic liquids in order to examine the postulated link between picritic volcanic glasses and mare basalts. The models of Longhi (1977, 1982) were modified by including expressions for the armalcolite/ilmenite surface boundary and the Cr-spinel liquidus surface, average molar partition coefficients for armalcolite/liquid pairs, and new experimental data of Longhi and Pan (1987). The results indicate that, with two exceptions, mare basalts and picritic volcanic glasses are not related by simple, linear-surface crystallization processes. However, the compositions of Luna 24 ferrobasalt and Apollo 11 high-K basalts could be closely matched with the lines of liquid descent of certain green and orange picritic glasses, respectively. The calculations also show that the picritic magmas would have fractionated to produce basalts with bulk and mineral compositions similar to those of mare basalts, supporting the hypothesis that mare basalts have fractionated compositions and that the small number of observed linkages between basalts and picritic parents is a consequence of limited sampling.
Transsphenoidal surgery for cushing disease after nondiagnostic inferior petrosal sinus sampling.

BACKGROUND Inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) is a useful technique for confirming a pituitary source of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) overproduction in Cushing disease. Uncertainty remains regarding the appropriate course of therapy when an ectopic tumor is predicted by IPSS but none can be found and in circumstances when the procedure cannot be successfully completed owing to technical or anatomic limitations. OBJECTIVE To determine an appropriate course of action after nondiagnostic IPSS. METHODS We reviewed 288 IPSS procedures in 283 patients between 1986 and 2010 at our center. An IPS:peripheral ACTH ratio ≥ 2 at baseline or ≥ 3 after corticotrophin-releasing hormone was considered predictive of a pituitary source of ACTH. A procedure was considered nondiagnostic if the procedure was successfully performed and the results predicted an ectopic source but none could be found despite extensive imaging or if the IPS could not be bilaterally cannulated because of technical difficulties or anatomic variants. RESULTS The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of IPSS for detecting a pituitary source in Cushing disease were 94%, 50%, 98%, and 29%, respectively. We identified 3 categories of nondiagnostic IPSS comprising 44 of the total procedures. These patients underwent exploratory transsphenoidal surgery, and in 42 of these patients (95%), a pituitary source was surgically proven, with a remission rate of 83%. CONCLUSION Transsphenoidal surgery should be considered in cases of ACTH-dependent Cushing disease and noncentralized or technically unsuccessful IPSS without evidence of ectopic tumor.
Isolation and characterization of multiple forms of maize leaf sucrose‐phosphate synthase

Sucrose-phosphate synthase SPS; (EC 2.4.1.14) from maize (Zea mays L. cv. Pioneer 3184) leaves was partially purified and kinetically characterized. Maize SPS was activated by glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P) due to an increase in Vmax and a decrease in the Km for UDP-glucose. The UDP-glucose saturation profile was biphasic; thus two Km values for UDP-glucose were calculated. Inhibition by inorganic phosphate was observed only in the presence of G-6-P. Chromatography of partially purified maize leaf extracts on hydroxyapatite resolved two forms of SPS activity, which differed in their affinity for UDP-glucose and in the degree of activation by G-6-P. SPS was partially purified from maize leaves that were harvested in the light and in the dark. The light enzyme had a higher specific activity than the enzyme isolated from dark harvested leaves, and this difference persisted during enzyme purification. The apparent molecular weight (Stokes radius) of the light enzyme was 547 kDa, which was greater than that of the dark enzyme (457 kDa). Light and dark SPS differed in their affinities for UDP-glucose in the absence G-6-P. Both the light and the dark SPS were activated by G-6-P; the Km for UDP-glucose of the light enzyme was lowered by G-6-P, while the Km for UDP-glucose for the dark enzyme remained unchanged. These results suggest that light activation involves a conformational change that results in differences in maximum velocity, substrate affinities and regulation by metabolites. Chromatography of either the light or dark SPS on hydroxyapatite yielded two peaks of enzyme activity, suggesting that the occurrence of the two activity peaks was not due to an interconversion of the light and dark forms.
On the Limits of Communication over Optical On-Off Keying Channels with Crosstalk

In this paper, we investigate the limits of com- munication over optical on-off-keying channels with 1-D or 2- D crosstalk, where photons are transferable between adjacent time slots or spatial pixels, and the receiver is equipped with single-photon detectors. We observe that high transmission power (measured by the expected number of photons emitted in each signal slot or pixel) may not lead to high information rate; the maximum capacity is typically achieved in a low-photon regime - with about expected 3 to 8 photons received in each signal slot or pixel. Furthermore, we study the selection of slot length for maximizing the channel bandwidth, as the slot length affects the crosstalk probability and hence the channel capacity. It reveals that optimum optical-communication systems do not minimize the level of crosstalk between slots or pixels.
In Memoriam: Paul S. Minear

Paul S. Minear was one of the pre-eminent American biblical scholars of the 20th century. He died just after his 101st birthday in February 2007. Minear retired as a professor in 1971 from Yale University Divinity School. He was a prolific author and a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches; President of Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (1964-65); President of The American Theological Society (1965-66); and member of the committee that produced the New Revised Standard Version (1967-88). The summary of his life and commitments introduces his last article, written at the age of 100. It is followed by a comprehensive bibliography of his books and published articles compiled by Laura Sweat.
Adjacency in binary matroids

We say that two elements e , f of a binary matroid M are ‘adjacent’ if there is no minor of M isomorphic to ℳ( K 4 ) which uses both e and f and in which they correspond to opposite edges. We give a good characterization of when two elements are adjacent. In particular, we show that if M is 4-connected, elements e , f are adjacent if and only if M is either graphic or cographic and the elements correspond to adjacent edges of the graph. We deduce a theorem about disjoint paths in graphs.
Indian merchants and Eurasian trade, 1600-1750

l. An Indian world economy 2. India, Iran and Turan in 1600 3. The Indian diaspora in Iran and Turan 4. Indo-Russian commerce in the early modern era 5. The Indian diaspora in the Volga basin 6. Imperial collapse, mercantilism and the Mughul diaspora.
Sodium and Potassium Absorption by Bean Stem Tissue

The effect of various periods of pretreatment in CaSO(4) solutions (aging) on the absorption of Na and K by bean stem slices was investigated. Freshly sliced tissue absorbed Na over the entire range of concentrations studied (0.02-50 mm). Potassium absorption by fresh tissue was nil at concentrations below 0.5 mm but at higher concentrations was similar to that of Na. When tissue was aged by aerating slices for 20 hr in 0.5 mm CaSO(4), K absorption was substantial over the entire range (0.01-50 mm), with evidence of a dual mechanism of absorption, whereas Na absorption was nil at concentrations below 0.2 mm. The formation of K-absorbing capacity with aging, and the loss of Na-absorbing capacity at low concentrations, were temperature-dependent and did not result from significant changes in rates of efflux of either ion. The absorption of Na by fresh tissue and K by aged tissue was sensitive to antimetabolites, with K uptake the more sensitive. Benzyladenine, an analog of kinetin, suppressed the formation of K-absorbing capability in aged tissue but did not prevent the loss of Naabsorbing capacity. Possible mechanisms for this alteration in ion-specificity of transport mechanisms are discussed.
Making room for rubbers: Gender, technology, and birth control before the pill

Before the Food and Drug Administration approved in 1960 the distribution of oral contraceptives, the most popular form of birth control in the United States was the condom. Scholars have often downplayed men's involvement in the history of birth control, relegating knowledge and use of contraceptive technology to a separate "female domain." This article explores the role of condoms in the evolution of the American birth control business, attitudes toward public health, and everyday sexual behavior, and suggests why the full complexities of the history of birth control are best captured by an approach that is attentive to broad gender dynamics as well as to the diversity of technological change.
Identification of a Novel Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-inducible Gene, SCC-S2, Containing the Consensus Sequence of a Death Effector Domain of Fas-associated Death Domain-like Interleukin- 1β-converting Enzyme-inhibitory Protein

We report here the isolation and characterization of a novel tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-inducible gene, SCC-S2. Based on the nucleotide sequence, the SCC-S2 open reading frame contains a sequence in the amino terminus that shows a significant homology to death effector domain II of cell death regulatory protein, Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme-inhibitory protein (FLIP). Unlike FLIP, the SCC-S2 open reading frame contains only one death effector domain and lacks the carboxyl-terminal caspase-like homology domain, raising the possibility that SCC-S2 may be a novel member of the FLIP family. SCC-S2 mRNA expression is found in most normal tissues and malignant cells. The steady state level of SCC-S2 mRNA is significantly induced by TNF-alpha in different tumor cells (TNF-alpha at 20 ng/ml for 3 h: A549, approximately 2-9-fold; SKOV-3, approximately 3-fold; PCI-04A, approximately 3-6-fold). TNF-alpha treatment (100 ng/ml, 4 h) of HeLa cells transiently transfected with FLAG epitope-tagged SCC-S2 cDNA or expression vector alone led to an increase in the number of apoptotic cells as compared with the untreated counterpart. Interestingly, however, SCC-S2 transfectants revealed a significant decrease in the number of apoptotic cells as compared with the vector transfectants (p < 0.001). These data implicate a role of SCC-S2 as a negative mediator of apoptosis in certain cell types.
Level of Functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Phenotypic Congruence Among Affected Siblings

Little evidence supports that siblings with autism exhibit the same behaviors; however, some findings suggest that level of functioning shows familial aggregation. We tested this notion among multiplex families participating with the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) Consortium, using scores on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test—Third Edition (N = 204 families), the Ravens Colored Progressive Matrices (N = 226 families), and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (N = 348 families). Intraclass Correlation Coefficients revealed that siblings with autism/autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were more similar on measures of verbal and nonverbal IQ and adaptive functioning than were unrelated children with autism/ASD. Preliminary twin correlations indicated strong genetic effects for some skill domains and the influence of shared environmental factors for others.
Two Reduced-Bias Autocorrelation Estimators: rF1 and rF2

Among the problems associated with the application of time-series analysis to typical psychological data are difficulties in parameter estimation. For example, estimates of autocorrelation coefficients are known to be biased in the small-sample case. Previous work by the present authors has shown that, in the case of conventional autocorrelation estimators of ρ1 the degree of bias is more severe than is predicted by formulas that are based on large-sample theory. Two new autocorrelation estimators, rF1 and rF2, were proposed; a Monte Carlo experiment was carried out to evaluate the properties of these statistics. The results demonstrate that both estimators provide major reduction of bias. The average absolute bias of rF2 is somewhat smaller than that of rF1 at all sample sizes, but both are far less biased than is the conventional estimator found in most time-series software. The reduction in bias comes at the price of an increase in error variance. A comparison of the properties of these estimators with...
Functional MRI in children: clinical and research applications

Functional MRI has become a critical research tool for evaluating brain function and developmental trajectories in children. Its clinical use in children is becoming more common. This presentation will review the basic underlying physiologic and technical aspects of fMRI, review research applications that have direct clinical relevance, and outline the current clinical uses of this technology.