cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
pH and Concentration of Bilirubin in Feeding Tube Aspirates As Predictors of Tube Placement NA Metheny, BJ Stewart, L Smith, et al. Nursing Research 48(4):189–196, 1999

In this study, the investigators determined whether the concentration of bilirubin obtained from aspirates of newly inserted feeding tubes improved the ability of pH alone to predict feeding tube location. An algorithm to predict feeding tube location was developed. Aspirates of gastrointestinal fluid from adult, acutely ill patients who had nasogastric (n = 209) or nasointestinal (n = 228) small-bore feeding tubes (8-F or 10-F) inserted were obtained within 5 minutes of radiographs confirming feeding tube placement. Patients were excluded if antacids or tube feedings had been administered within 4 hours preceding sample collection, any medications were administered orally or via feeding tube within 1 hour preceding sample collection, samples were grossly bloody, or if patients had a history of gastric surgery or trauma. Tracheobronchial secretions (n = 125) were obtained by suctioning patients who had an artificial airway; 24 pleural samples were obtained at the time of thoracenteses, and 1 sample was ob...
Incentives, gamification, and game theory: an economic approach to badge design

Gamification is growing increasingly prevalent as a means to incentivize user engagement of social media sites that rely on user contributions. Badges, or equivalent rewards, such as top-contributor lists that are used to recognize a user's contributions on a site, clearly appear to be valued by users who actively pursue and compete for them. However, different sites use different badge designs, varying how, and for what, badges are awarded. Some sites, such as StackOverflow, award badges for meeting fixed levels of contribution. Other sites, such as Amazon and Y! Answers, reward users for being among some top set of contributors on the site, corresponding to a competitive standard of performance. Given that users value badges, and that contributing to a site requires effort, how badges are designed will affect the incentives—therefore the participation and effort—elicited from strategic users on a site.We take a game-theoretic approach to badge design, analyzing the incentives created by widely used badge designs in a model in which winning a badge is valued, effort is costly, and potential contributors to the site endogenously decide whether or not to participate, and how much total effort to put into their contributions to the site. We analyze equilibrium existence, as well as equilibrium participation and effort, in an absolute standards mechanism Mα in which badges are awarded for meeting some absolute level of (observed) effort, and a relative standards mechanism Mρ corresponding to competitive standards, as in a top-ρ contributor badge. We find that equilibria always exist in both mechanisms, even when the value from winning a badge depends endogenously on the number of other winners. However, Mα has zero-participation equilibria for standards that are too high, whereas all equilibria in Mρ elicit nonzero participation for all possible ρ, provided that ρ is specified as a fixed number rather than as a fraction of actual contributors (note that the two are not equivalent in a setting with endogenous participation). Finally, we ask whether or not a site should explicitly announce the number of users winning a badge. The answer to this question is determined by the curvature of the value of winning the badge as a function of the number of other winners.
Evaluation of peroxyacetic acid as a potential pre-grinding treatment for control of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium on beef trimmings

Abstract Peroxyacetic acid was evaluated in four separate trials for ability to reduce populations of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella serotype Typhimurium on fresh beef trim. Trial 1 examined the effectiveness of peroxyacetic acid on individual pieces of fresh beef trim. Trial 2 evaluated the efficacy of peroxyacetic acid at low levels of contamination on batches of fresh beef trim. Trial 3 studied a washing effect of water. Lastly, Trial 4 compared the effectiveness of peroxyacetic acid to lactic acid. At various inoculation levels, peroxyacetic acid reduced populations of both pathogens by approximately 1.0 log 10 CFU/cm 2 on fresh beef trim. Trial 3 showed that approximately half of the reductions found in Trials 1 and 2 were due to a washing effect of the water dip. In addition, as shown in Trial 1, increases in concentrations (>200 ppm) did not significantly increase log 10 reductions of both pathogens. Following a water dip in Trial 4, peroxyacetic acid caused a reduction of 0.7 log 10 CFU/cm 2 in E. coli O157:H7 and 1.0 log 10 CFU/cm 2 in Salmonella Typhimurium, whereas lactic acid caused a reduction of 1.3 log 10 CFU/cm 2 in E. coli O157:H7 and 2.1 log 10 CFU/cm 2 in S. Typhimurium following the water dip. These results show that peroxyacetic acid was not more effective than 2% l -lactic acid in reducing pathogens on fresh beef trim.
The laryngeal mask airway for pediatric adenotonsillectomy: predictors of failure and complications.

Abstract Objectives We hypothesize that the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is a safe technique for airway management in pediatric adenotonsillectomy (T&A). Methods After institutional review board (I.R.B.) approval, we conducted a retrospective review of 1199 medical records of children who underwent T&A from 2002 to 2006 at Doernbecher Children's Hospital, a teaching institution in Portland, OR. There were no significant demographic differences between the LMA ( n = 451), endotracheal tube (ETT) ( n = 715), and failed LMA groups ( n = 33). Outcome variables were LMA failure (LMA replaced with endotracheal tube), and any complication. We collected demographic and medical data to determine the incidence and predictors of LMA failure, and to characterize the failed LMA group. Results The incidence of LMA failure was 6.8%. Patients who underwent adenoidectomy had significantly lower odds of LMA failure compared to patients who had a tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15–0.52, P P P P ≤ 0.0001) were associated with increased odds of LMA failure. The complication rate was 14.2% in the LMA group and 7.7% in the ETT group. Increased odds of developing any complication were seen in male patients (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.01–1.7, P = 0.04), and in patients with co-morbidities other than obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or upper respiratory tract infection (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.03–17.2, P = 0.04). The odds of developing a complication were lower in the ETT group compared to the LMA group (0.63, 0.46, 0.8, P = 0.005). Conclusions LMA use for pediatric T&A is associated with a higher incidence of complications, mainly as a result of airway obstruction following insertion of the LMA or McIvor gag placement. Complications were more likely if tonsillectomy was performed when compared to adenoidectomy alone. Appropriate patient selection, careful insertion, and avoidance of controlled ventilation may decrease the incidence of LMA failure, especially if tonsillectomy is performed. The ability of surgeons to work around the LMA can modify the failure rate significantly.
The Molecular Geometry of Pyrazine in the Lowest Triplet State from PMDR Spectroscopy

Abstract The triplet spin sublevel origins of the bands in the phosphorescence of pyrazine in a para-dioxane host are assigned using phosphorescence-microwave double resonance techniques. The assignments cannot be interpreted in terms of a D 2h structure for the molecule in the triplet state, and indicate a triplet state molecular symmetry of C 2h or lower.
Blinded by the Light: Aspiration and Inspiration in Political Psychology

The social sciences, as does science more broadly, offer a method for con structing and testing materialist accounts of our world. The accounts we construct stand in sharp contrast to the "natural" accounts, primarily narratives, which enfold us and offer both explanation and justification.' Political psychology of course shares the same epistemological foundations. And, we take great comfort in our reliance on the rigors of scientific methods, analyses, the social organization of the discipline that enshrines doubt and collective criticism.2 As my title announces, I offer an argument about the state of our discipline-what it has attempted, where it is now, and how it ought to go forward. It is my purpose to suggest that a considered inquiry ought to lead us to redirect, and thus enrich, the discipline of political psychology. My argument is that political psychology has been limited by a series of unexamined, indeed often unseen, presumptions and that in our work as scholars we would greatly benefit from a more open vision. Because in advancing this argument, I have-in case you may have missed the implication of the title and the opening paragraph-insulted you, my audience, I ask both your forgiveness and your forbearance. I do not wish to invite the reactions that Plato warns occur when a philosopher descends from the heights into the cave to tell those chained by their customs and habits of minds that a truth exists that would free them (Plato, 1974). In order to forestall the righteous anger
An Assessment of Estimates of Term Structure Models for the United States

The paper assesses estimates of term structure models for the United States. To this end, this paper first describes the mathematics underlying two types of term structure models, namely the Nelson-Siegel and Cox, Ingersoll and Ross family of models, and the estimation techniques. It then presents estimations of some of specific models within these families of models - three-factor Nelson-Siegel Model, four-factor Svensson model, and preference-free, two-factor Cox, Ingersoll and Roll model - for the United States from 1972 to mid 2011. It subsequently provides an assessment of the estimations. It concludes that these estimations of the term structure models successfully capture the dynamics of the term structure in the United States.
Replication of a 1970s Study on Domestic Sheep Losses to Predators on Utah's Summer Rangelands

Lamb losses to predation have historically ranged from 4% to 8% in the western United States but most data are over 30 yr old. We repeated a sheep depredation study conducted from 1972 through 1975 on Cedar Mountain, Utah, to determine how predation rates have changed in the last three decades. Pastures and herd sizes were similar (1 730 lambs) between our study (2006 and 2007) and the prior one. Additionally, 40% of the ranchers in our study also participated in the prior study. During 2006 and 2007, 5.8% of all lambs on Cedar Mountain were lost to all causes compared to 9.5% during the 1970s. Predators were responsible for 87% of all verified lamb losses during our study versus 83% during the 1970s. We estimated that 4.9% of all lambs on Cedar Mountain were killed by predators during our study compared to 7.9% during the 1970s. During our study, coyotes (Canis latrans Say) were responsible for 67% of the depredated lambs, cougars (Felis concolor Linnaeus) for 31%, and black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas) for 2%. During the 1970s, coyotes killed 98% of all depredated lambs, cougars killed 2%, and bears killed 0%. In addition to the increase in cougar kills, the other change on Cedar Mountain since the 1970s is that California condors (Gymnogyps californianus Shaw) have begun scavenging lamb carcasses. Our results indicate that increasing populations of cougars, black bears, and condors have complicated the task of protecting lambs from predators.
Abnormal Functional Connectivity in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is typically characterized by symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, but there is increased recognition of a motivation deficit too. This neuropathology may reflect dysfunction of both attention and reward-motivation networks. Methods To test this hypothesis, we compared the functional connectivity density between 247 ADHD and 304 typically developing control children from a public magnetic resonance imaging database. We quantified short- and long-range functional connectivity density in the brain using an ultrafast data-driven approach. Results Children with ADHD had lower connectivity (short- and long-range) in regions of the dorsal attention (superior parietal cortex) and default-mode (precuneus) networks and in cerebellum and higher connectivity (short-range) in reward-motivation regions (ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex) than control subjects. In ADHD children, the orbitofrontal cortex (region involved in salience attribution) had higher connectivity with reward-motivation regions (striatum and anterior cingulate) and lower connectivity with superior parietal cortex (region involved in attention processing). Conclusions The enhanced connectivity within reward-motivation regions and their decreased connectivity with regions from the default-mode and dorsal attention networks suggest impaired interactions between control and reward pathways in ADHD that might underlie attention and motivation deficits in ADHD.
The relationship between uncontrolled glycemia and the cost of hospitalization.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hospitalization cost and discharge blood glucose levels among adult diabetes mellitus type 2 patients hospitalized with uncontrolled glycemia without complications. DESIGN Retrospective cohort analysis examined healthcare billing and laboratory data. SETTING The study was performed in Chicago, Illinois, in a 269-bed medical center between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2011. SAMPLE Patients were placed into 1 of 2 groups at discharge: blood glucose level less than 250 mg/dL or blood glucose level 250 mg/dL or greater. RESULTS Of the 579 patients with uncontrolled glycemia, 366 met inclusion criteria: diabetes mellitus without complications (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision; 250.0) with abnormal fasting blood glucose (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision; 790.21). Discharge blood glucose levels were 250 mg/dL or greater in 74 patients and less than 250 mg/dL in 292 patients. Mean age of the 2 cohorts was 71.4 (SD, 13.41) years. The majority was male (52.1% and 59.7%, respectively). The median healthcare cost for the entire sample was $3964.34. The mean cost of healthcare for the group with blood glucose of 250 mg/dL or greater at discharge was $4182.65, with a mean length of stay of 8.22 (SD, 3.468) days, while the mean cost of healthcare for the group with blood glucose of less than 250 mg/dL at discharge was $3826.25 and mean length of stay 7.826 (SD, 6.073) days. Analysis of cost was conducted using Pearson χ and was significant for α = .05 (P = .037). The odds ratio of having increased healthcare cost with blood glucose of 250 mg/dL or greater was 1.732 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.998 to 3.012. CONCLUSION The group discharged with blood glucose levels of 250 mg/dL or greater accrued greater cost during hospitalization than did patients who were discharged with blood glucose levels of less than 250 mg/dL. IMPLICATIONS Today's healthcare system is struggling with cost containment, quality control, and standardization of care. Clinical nurse specialists can evaluate current patient care practices and ensure that the practice setting is fiscally beneficial to future patients and healthcare organizations.
A search for anisotropy in the cosmic microwave radiation at medium angular scales

The results are reported from a search for anisotropy in the cosmic microwave radiation (CMR) at angular scales of 0.5 to 5 deg. No temperature fluctuations are detected, and limits are placed on intrinsic CMR anisotropy. These limits are expressed in terms of two models which describe the temperature fluctuations. For models specified by a Gaussian-shaped correlation function, the fluctuation amplitude is found to be 1.1 x 10 to the -4th or less at 1.1 deg; for models with monochromatic fluctuations it is 7.5 x 10 to the -5th or less at 1.7 deg. These limits satisfy the likelihood ratio test at the 95 percent confidence level. The implications of the results for large-scale structure information scenarios are discussed.
The effect of verbalization on discrimination learning and transfer in nursery school children

Abstract Nursery school children were compared on two-choice discrimination and transfer lists under instructions to verbalize (or not to verbalize) the stimuli before making a choice. The transfer paradigm involved retaining the “old” wrong (List 1) stimulus items and pairing them with “new” right items on List 2, relative to mixed-list control pairs consisting of pairs of new wrong and new right items on List 2. Strong positive transfer was obtained on List 2 under both verbalization and non-verbalization treatments. In addition, there was a strong trend toward facilitative effects of verbalization on both List-1 learning and List-1 relearning after interpolated List-2 practice.
Speciation of adsorbed yttrium and rare earth elements on oxide surfaces

Abstract The distribution of yttrium and the rare earth elements (YREE) between natural waters and oxide mineral surfaces depends on adsorption reactions, which in turn depend on the specific way in which YREE are coordinated to mineral surfaces. Recent X-ray studies have established that Y3+ is adsorbed to the rutile (1 1 0) surface as a distinctive tetranuclear species. However, the hydrolysis state of the adsorbed cation is not known from experiment. Previous surface complexation models of YREE adsorption have suggested two to four cation hydrolysis states coexisting on oxide surfaces. In the present study, we investigate the applicability of the X-ray results to rare earth elements and to several oxides in addition to rutile using the extended triple-layer surface complexation model. The reaction producing a hydrolyzed tetranuclear surface species 4 >SOH + M 3 + + 2 H 2 O = ( >SOH ) 2 >SO - 2 _ M (OH) 2 + + 4 H + was found to account for a significant fraction of the adsorbed Y3+, La3+, Nd3+, Gd3+, and Yb3+ on rutile, hematite, alumina and silica over wide ranges of pH and ionic strength. Where adsorption data were available as a function of surface coverage for hematite and silica, an additional reaction involving a mononuclear species could be used to account for the higher surface coverages. However, it is also possible that some of the higher surface coverage data refer to surface precipitation rather than adsorption. The results of the present study provide an internally consistent basis for describing YREE adsorption which could be used to investigate more complex systems in which YREE compete both in aqueous solution and on mineral surfaces with alkaline earths and ligands such as carbonate, sulfate, chloride and organic species, in order to build a predictive adsorption model applicable to natural waters.
The Search for a Development Ideal: Alternative Models and Their Implications

(1967). The Search for a Development Ideal: Alternative Models and Their Implications. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 427-438.
A synthesis of 2-alkyl-3-furoic acids

Abstract An efficient synthesis of 2-alkyl-3-furoic acids has been developed. Addition of the lithium dianion of 4-oxo-2-phenylthiobutanoic acid ethylene acetal to aldehydes followed by acid-catalyzed cyclization produces furan products in high yield.
Photometric determination of traces of antimony with rhodamine b after sulfide precipitation

Abstract A method is described for the colorimetric determination of as little as a few tenths of a part per million of antimony in samples composed primarily of elements of atomic numbers 1–28 ( e.g. , geo materials). Antimony is isolated by sulfide precipitation in mineral acid medium after reduction of ferric iron with hydroxylamine hydrochloride, with final determination by rhodamine B-benzene extraction. The procedure provides for the presence of gallium, thallium, tungsten and gold.
In vitro anaerobic incubation of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium and laying hen cecal bacteria in poultry feed substrates and a fructooligosaccharide prebiotic.

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of combining a prebiotic with poultry feeds on the growth of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (ST) in an in vitro cecal fermentation system. Cecal contents from three laying hens were pooled and diluted to a 1:3000 concentration in an anaerobic dilution solution. The cecal dilution was added to sterile test tubes filled with alfalfa and layer ration with and without fructooligosaccharide (FOS). Two controls containing cecal dilutions and anaerobic dilution solution were used. The samples were processed in the anaerobic hood and incubated at 37 °C. Samples were inoculated with Salmonella at 0 and 24 h after in vitro cecal fermentation and plated at 0 and 24 h after inoculation with ST. Plates were incubated for 24 h and colony forming units (CFU) enumerated. The samples immediately inoculated with ST without prior cecal fermentation did not significantly lower ST counts 24 h later. However, samples pre-incubated for 24 h with cecal microflora prior to ST inoculation exhibited reduced ST CFU by approximately 2 logarithms, with the most dramatic decreases seen in alfalfa and layer ration combined with FOS. The addition of FOS to feed substrate diets in combination with cecal contents acted in a synergistic manner to decrease ST growth only after ST was introduced to 24 h cecal incubations.
Sustained electrical stimulation of the perforant path duplicates kainate-induced electrophysiological effects and hippocampal damage in rats

Abstract Electrical stimulation of the perforant path of urethane-anesthetized rats for 24 h evoked hippocampal granule cell population spikes, epileptiform discharges, and abolished the recurrent inhibition of granule cells (as determined with the twin pulse technique). After 24 h of stimulation, hilar interneurons of area dentata and the regions of the CA3 pyramidal cells which receive granule cell input were damaged; ‘CA2’ pyramidal cells and dentate granule cells were relatively unaffected. Pericellular spaces possibly indicative of acute gliotoxicity were observed in the CA1 pyramidal cell body region. These results establish a causative relationship between excessive presynaptic neuronal activity and postsynaptic neuronal damage.
The Influence of Electric Field and Confinement on Cell Motility

The ability of cells to sense and respond to endogenous electric fields is important in processes such as wound healing, development, and nerve regeneration. In cell culture, many epithelial and endothelial cell types respond to an electric field of magnitude similar to endogenous electric fields by moving preferentially either parallel or antiparallel to the field vector, a process known as galvanotaxis. Here we report on the influence of dc electric field and confinement on the motility of fibroblast cells using a chip-based platform. From analysis of cell paths we show that the influence of electric field on motility is much more complex than simply imposing a directional bias towards the cathode or anode. The cell velocity, directedness, as well as the parallel and perpendicular components of the segments along the cell path are dependent on the magnitude of the electric field. Forces in the directions perpendicular and parallel to the electric field are in competition with one another in a voltage-dependent manner, which ultimately govern the trajectories of the cells in the presence of an electric field. To further investigate the effects of cell reorientation in the presence of a field, cells are confined within microchannels to physically prohibit the alignment seen in 2D environment. Interestingly, we found that confinement results in an increase in cell velocity both in the absence and presence of an electric field compared to migration in 2D.
Measuring local anaphylaxis in mice

Allergic responses are the result of the activation of mast cells and basophils, and the subsequent release of vasoactive and proinflammatory mediators. Exposure to an allergen in a sensitized individual can result in clinical symptoms that vary from minor erythema to life threatening anaphylaxis. In the laboratory, various animal models have been developed to understand the mechanisms driving allergic responses. Herein, we describe a detailed method for measuring changes in vascular permeability to quantify localized allergic responses. The local anaphylaxis assay was first reported in the 1920s, and has been adapted from the technique published by Kojima et al. in 20071. In this assay, mice sensitized to OVA are challenged in the left ear with vehicle and in the right ear with OVA. This is followed by an intravenous injection of Evans Blue dye. Ten min after injecting Evans Blue, the animal is euthanized and the dye that has extravasated into the ears is extracted overnight in formamide. The absorbance of the extracted dye is then quantified with a spectrophotometer. This method reliably results in a visual and quantifiable manifestation of a local allergic response.
In the Aftermath of a School Hostage Event: A Case Study of One School Counselor's Response

The authors interviewed a school counselor to determine her response to an armed hostage event in a classroom. They found that her primary interventions took place after the perpetrator had been taken into custody, through counseling students who had been in the room, contacting professionals from the school district and the local mental health facility for help, and coordinating these other professionals. Results are presented in light of the crisis intervention literature. Finally, implications for professional school counselors are discussed.
Relations between Big Five Traits and Fundamental Motives

Summary Relations were examined between configurations of Big Five Traits (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Openness to Experience) and 16 fundamental motives (Social Contact, Curiosity, Honor, Power, Order, Idealism, Independence, Status, Vengeance, Romance, Family, Activity, Saving, Acceptance, Eating, Tranquility) in 138 university students (93 women, 45 men; M age = 20.3 yr., SD = 4.5). Big Five traits were measured with the NEO-PI-R and motives were measured with the Reiss Profile of Fundamental Goals and Motivation Sensitivities. The traits were significantly related with all the motives (adjusted R2 = .06 to .43) except Physical Activity. Four motives were related with only one trait and nine configurations of two or more traits were correlated with the remaining 11 motives. Total motive scores across all participants, an index of the strength of overall motivation, were positively correlated with Extraversion and Neuroticism and negatively with Agreeableness.
Leucine‐responsive regulatory protein and deoxyadenosine methylase control the phase variation and expression of the sfa and daa pili operons in Escherichia coli

The Escherichia coli operons daa and sfa encode F1845 and S pili, respectively. In this paper we show that the expression of these operons is under phase variation control at a transcriptional level. The transcription of both operons is dependent on the global regulator leucine-responsive regulatory protein (Lrp) and deoxyadenosine methylase (Dam). Lrp is required for methylation protection of two GATC sites located within conserved DNA sequences in the regulatory regions of these operons. These GATC sites are differentially methylated, establishing a methylation pattern which is characteristic of either the phase ON or phase OFF state. We also show that Lrp binds to the daa and sfa regulatory regions and that this binding is modulated by the methylation of the GATC sites. These results indicate that the phase variation of the daa and sfa operons is regulated by a mechanism involving differential binding of Lrp owing to methylation of GATC sites in the regulatory region, which is similar to the mechanism that controls phase variation of the pap operon.
Effects of unsteady scalar dissipation rate on ignition of non-premixed hydrogen/air mixtures in counterflow

As a step toward understanding the effects of a turbulent environment on ignition delay, the effect of impulsive strain forcing on the autoignition of non-premixed hydrogen/air mixtures is studied numerically using a one-dimensional unsteady opposed-flow code with detailed chemistry. The sensitivity of ignition kernel growth to changes in the scalar dissipation rate during the ignition process is studied at conditions in the second and third ignition limits. The sensitivity of the kernel growth is quantified by examining the time evolution of key radical species as well as their reaction and flow flux balances over a range of impulse amplitudes and times. Results show that transient ignition in both the second and the third limits is sensitive to changes in scalar dissipation rate. Increases in ignition delay of as much as five times are observed, depending upon the impulsive forcing amplitude and timing. For a given impulse amplitude, kernels that have accumulated more radicals at a given time during induction are found to ignite much sooner, indicating that the time history of the kernel radical pool relative to the impulse time is important. Furthermore, kernels are found to be able to survive excursions in the scalar dissipation rate to values that far exceed the steady ignition state. The increase in ignition delay in both limits is attributed to a shorter residence time of radicals in the kernel as measured by an instantaneous Damkohler number. A new ignition criterion based on the instantaneous Damkohler is found to be an accurate measure of predicting the ignitability under highly transient conditions.
The Schur multiplier, fields, roots of unity, and a natural splitting

Let G be a finite group and let Sz be a subgroup of the multiplicative group C x of complex numbers; assume that 52 contains a root clG, of unity of order ICI. I shall consider relationships between H2(G, Q) and the Schur multiplier H2(G, C x ). If also a = K x for a field K, there is a connection with the problem of writing projective representations of G in K. By the universal coefficient theorem of group cohomology, it is easy to write a split exact sequence
Direct Determination of Hydration in the Interdigitated and Ripple Phases of Dihexadecylphosphatidylcholine: Hydration of a Hydrophobic Cavity at the Membrane/Water Interface

Hydrophobic cavities at the membrane/water interface are stably expressed in interdigitated membranes. The nonsolvent water associated with 1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (Hxdc(2)GroPCho) in the interdigitated (L(beta)I) and ripple (P(beta')) states and with its ester analogue 1, 2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (Pam(2)PtdCho) in the gel (L(beta')) and P(beta') states are determined directly. In the L(beta)I state at lower temperatures (4-20 degrees C), 16-18 water molecules per phospholipid are bound, consistent with water-filled cavities and hydrated headgroups. At 28 degrees C, the nonsolvent water decreases to 12, consistent with a reduction of the cavity depth by 0.34 nm due to increased chain interpenetration. This geometric lability may be a common feature of hydrophobic cavities. Only 5.4 waters are bound in the noninterdigitated P(beta') (40 degrees C), whereas the ester bound 8.1 waters in its P(beta') (37 degrees C), a difference of about one water per ester carbonyl. The relative dehydration of the ether linkage is consistent with it promoting more densely packed structures, which in turn, accounts for its ability to interdigitate.
A Controller And A Stopper Game With Degenerate Variance Control

We consider a zero sum stochastic differential game which involves two players, emph{the controller} and emph{the stopper}. The stopper selects the stopping rule which halts the game. The controller chooses the diffusion coefficient of the corresponding state process which is allowed to degenerate. At the end of the game, the controller pays the stopper, the amount $ E\int_{0}^{\tau} e^{-\alpha t} C(Z_x(t))dt $, where $Z_x(\cdot)$ represents the state process with initial position $x$ and $\alpha $ is a positive constant. Here $C(\cdot)$ is a reward function where the set $ \{x: C(x) > 0\}$ is an open interval which contains the origin. Under some assumptions on the reward function $C(\cdot)$ and the drift coefficient of the state process, we show that this game has a value. Furthermore, this value function is Lipschitz continuous, but it fails to be a $C^1$ function.
Why promote campaigns for clean products and clean production

Environmental advocacy in the United States has focused on controlling pollution and waste through a system based on government permits for managing the release of environmental pollutants. The con...
An application of protocol analysis to the “Little GAAP” controversy

Abstract This paper discusses a research project designed to collect evidence related to the “Little GAAP” controversy which the FASB and AICPA are currently examining. A protocol analysis methodology was used to collect and analyze data about the usefulness to bank loan officers of four types of financial statement information for smaller, closely held companies: earnings per share, deferred income taxes, capitalized leases, and inflation adjusted information. The usefulness of the information was measured in descriptive terms as the use of that information to make a specific loan decision. An effort was made to use analytical procedures similar to those in previous studies in the area so as to maximize comparability. However, the results of the analyses were reported in a modified format. The new format provides additional information and increases the objectivity of the results.
Programmable in situ amplification for multiplexed imaging of mRNA expression

In situ hybridization methods enable the mapping of mRNA expression within intact biological samples. With current approaches, it is challenging to simultaneously map multiple target mRNAs within whole-mount vertebrate embryos, representing a significant limitation in attempting to study interacting regulatory elements in systems most relevant to human development and disease. Here, we report a multiplexed fluorescent in situ hybridization method based on orthogonal amplification with hybridization chain reactions (HCR). With this approach, RNA probes complementary to mRNA targets trigger chain reactions in which fluorophore-labeled RNA hairpins self-assemble into tethered fluorescent amplification polymers. The programmability and sequence specificity of these amplification cascades enable multiple HCR amplifiers to operate orthogonally at the same time in the same sample. Robust performance is achieved when imaging five target mRNAs simultaneously in fixed whole-mount and sectioned zebrafish embryos. HCR amplifiers exhibit deep sample penetration, high signal-to-background ratios and sharp signal localization.
Plasma insulin and K values during intravenous glucose tolerance test in newborn infants with erythroblastosis foetalis.

Summary Plasma insulin was determined during i.v. glucose tolerance test (GTT) performed 3 hours after birth in the fasting state in 18 infants with erythroblastosis foetalis (e.f.) and in 11 control infants. Mean fasting plasma insulin concentration as well as the insulin concentration at each time during the i.v. GTT and the disap pearance rate of glucose (K value) were significantly higher in the e.f. infants than in the control group. E.f. infants—as a group—exhibit hyperinsulinism at birth. Between birth weight and fasting insulin concentration and between birth weight and K value significant positive correlations were found. The plasma insulin concentration after the i.v. glucose load showed an even increase, reaching a maximum in 40–60 min in the e.f. group, fundamentally the same pattern that was observed in the normal group, but different from that in infants of diabetic mothers. It is stressed that the hyperinsulinism in e.f. infants is probably of a genesis different from that in infants of diabetic mothers.
Reduction of location estimation error using neural networks

The objective of this work is to estimate the locations of Bluetooth enabled devices. Collecting received signal strength from a device may help with estimating its location. However, for indoor environments, the signal attenuation model becomes complex and difficult to represent concisely due to multi-path and small-scale fading effects. The flexible modeling and learning capabilities of neural networks provide lower errors in determining the position even in the presence of these destructive effects. A standard backpropagation learning algorithm was employed to minimize the error between target and estimated locations in order to find the weights of the links of the neural network. Simulation results show that a neural network with three input units and 8 hidden layer units and two output units can provide 75cm root mean square (RMS) error.
Evidence for abstract, schematic knowledge of three spatial diagram representations

Spatial diagram representations such as hierarchies, matrices, and networks are important tools for thinking. Our data suggest that college students possess abstract schemas for these representations that include at least rudimentary information about their applicability conditions. In Experiment 1, subjects were better able to select the appropriate spatial diagram representation for a problem when cued to use general category information in memory about those representations than when cued to use specific example problems given during the experiment. The results of Experiment 2 showed that the superior performance in the general category condition was not based on a comparison of the test problems with examples in memory. The results of Experiment 3 showed that the superior performance was not due to learning that occurred during the experiment or to transfer appropriate processing. The General Discussion section considers the nature of students’ representation schemas and the question of why college students have only rudimentary schemas for common and widely applicable diagrammatic representations.
Model of a fast vision detector for determination of the velocity of a moving object

A model of a vision detector is described for the measurement of velocity of a moving object with reduced computing time. The detector is designed utilizing four linear arrays of imaging charge-coupled devices (CCD's) where the activation of each CCD is controlled by means of a threshold detector (TD) via a computer and external circuits. In comparison to the conventional two-dimensional (area) detector, this model would simplify the complexity of motion detection, and would lead to a significant reduction in required memory length and computation time of a computer. Theoretical analysis demonstrates the model's capability to uniquely determine the magnitude and direction of the velocity of a moving object for an arbitrary direction of motion.
Lymphoma, leukemia, and pleiocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid: is accurate cytopathologic diagnosis possible based on morphology alone?

The differentiation of benign versus malignant hematologic processes on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is difficult given the significant morphologic overlap and frequently scant specimen. Our study compared the diagnostic power of cytomorphologic analyses and FC analyses in the context of CSF hematologic malignancies. We identified 32 cases of CSF submitted for cytopathologic analysis with corresponding FC data, histologic, or clinical follow-up. The slides were blinded and the study participants (one hematopathologist, two cytopathologists, and one cytotechnologist) reviewed the key slides of each case without additional information. These diagnoses were compared with the original diagnoses made in the context of clinical information and ancillary studies. The spectrum of disease ranged from acute myeloid leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, large cell lymphoma, T cell lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Parallel diagnoses were made in 62.5% of the cases. Interestingly, the correct diagnoses were rendered in 73% of benign cases, compared with 52% of malignant cases. Of the malignant cases, there was a higher proportion of correct diagnosis based on morphology in the acute malignancies (67%) versus the chronic malignancies (47%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 73, 52, 60, and 66% respectively. Features most useful for diagnosis of malignancy included cellular monotony and nuclear contour irregularity. The diagnosis of malignancy based on morphology alone is difficult in CSF. Ancillary studies such as FC analyses greatly enhance the ability to accurately distinguish between benign and malignant hematologic processes. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An Operational Material Certification Program

The principles of material certification and other quality assurance procedures have been developed by the photofinishing and reconnaissance communities. The Radiology Department of Duke University Medical Center has adapted these to radiographic materials. The program which was instituted over three years ago has been operational in its refined state for nine months and has uncovered unacceptable film before the film was used with patients. The material certification has benefitted both Duke University Medical Center and the well being of its patients.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Land Ownership, Farm Size, and Tenancy after the Civil War

able to improve their relative status.' The competing story tells of a smoothly functioning agricultural ladder. Also constructed from the building blocks of census data, it is likewise consistent with rising tenancy rates and falling farm sizes. Microlevel studies beginning with the work of Merle Curti and Margaret and Allan Bogue and continued by Donald Winters, and Jeremy Atack and Fred Bateman, among others, offer close-up views of midwestern land tenure. All indicate that the rising tenancy rate reflected a longer time spent on the lower rungs of the agricultural ladder with younger fanners building the wealth necessary to purchase their own land.2 If this more optimistic interpretation of the census data is correct, then data should show that some tenants eventually improved their relative status. New data show just such an improvement in the relative status of tenants. A case study of a Missouri township reinforces conclusions from these latter papers and other recent and detailed studies of local land markets.3 Even falrmers with little personal wealth and no real property were "neither exploited nor left behind" during the decades of economic growth in the North following the Civil War.4 The new data link the manuscripts of the decennial censuses of 1860, 1870, and 1880, for Salt River Township in Ralls County, Missouri, with
An open-label trial of riluzole in patients with treatment-resistant major depression.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of riluzole, a glutamate-modulating agent, in patients with recurrent major depression. METHOD: After a 1-week drug-free period, subjects 18 years or older with a diagnosis of recurrent major depression and a Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score ≥20 received riluzole monotherapy (100–200 mg/day) openly for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Nineteen treatment-resistant depressed patients, 53% of whom were classified as having stage 2 treatment resistance or greater, received riluzole at a mean dose of 169 mg/day. Significant improvement occurred during weeks 3 through 6 for all patients and weeks 2 through 6 for completers. CONCLUSIONS: Although preliminary, these results indicate that riluzole may have antidepressant properties in some patients.
KINETICS OF IRREVERSIBLE MONOLAYER AND MULTILAYER ADSORPTION

We review recent theoretical developments of microscopic lattice and continuum models of the kinetics of irreversible monolayer and multilayer surface adsorption. Such models have been used to describe adhesion and reaction processes of colloidal particles and proteins at solid surfaces. Theoretical results surveyed here include the void-filling rate equation approach, exact results for low dimensionalities, the mean-field theory, and large-time kinetics arguments. Numerical simulations serving to test and supplement the analytical theories, are reviewed as well. We also elucidate the crossover from the discrete to continuum behavior, analyzed via scaling arguments in the large-time limit of the deposition kinetics.
Increased plasma DNA integrity in cancer patients

Tumor-released DNA in blood represents a promising biomarker for cancer detection. It has been postulated that tumor necrosis causes release of DNA of varying sizes, which contrasts apoptosis in normal tissue that releases smaller and more uniform DNA fragments. To test the hypothesis that increased DNA integrity, i.e., a longer DNA strand, is a tumor-associated marker in plasma, we determined the genomic DNA integrity index in plasma DNA using real-time PCR assays. A DNA integrity index and DNA concentration in plasma were determined in 61 patients with gynecological and breast cancers and 65 female patients without neoplastic diseases. We found that the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for DNA integrity index was 0.911 for cancer versus nonneoplastic patients. Given 100% specificity, the highest sensitivity achieved in detecting the cancer group was 62% (95% confidence interval = 0.50-0.74) at the index cutoff of 0.59. Fifty percent of stage I cancers had a DNA integrity index above this cutoff. All 11 patients with benign adnexal masses that clinically can be confused with malignant gynecological neoplasms demonstrated DNA integrity index < 0.59. Our findings suggest that increased DNA integrity in plasma DNA is associated with cancer, and measurement of DNA integrity may provide a simple and inexpensive measure for cancer detection.
The so-called first Feminists: orthodoxy and innovation in England's Seventeenth-Century discussion of women's education

This essay examines the writings of women’s education advocate Bathsua Makin (1608-1675) in an effort to determine to what extent they were the product of traditional print debates about women and to what extent they were the innovative foundation for the ideas of Mary Astell (1668-1731), whose efforts on behalf of women have been deemed feminist by twentieth-century scholars. Through a close reading of Makin’s treatise, An Essay to Revive the Antient Education of Gentlewomen (1673), a contextualisation of her ideas with the querelle des femmes genre and an examination of both overlapping and distinguishing elements of her work and that of Astell, this essay argues for a reassessment of the importance of Makin’s contribution to the seventeenth-century debate of women’s education.
Reduction of Metmyoglobin by Extracts of Bovine Liver and Cardiac Muscle

Enzymatic reduction of metmyoglobin (in vivo) was investigated using a partially purified metmyoglobin reductase from bovine cardiac muscle. Greater substrate reduction (P<0.05) occurred at pH 6.3 versus 7.0 or 7.3 and at 375°C compared to 22°C using either partially purified cytochrome as or potassium ferrocyanide as reaction mediators. Differences in effectiveness between potassium ferrocyanide and the cytochrome b, preparation were dependent on specific pH/temperature conditions. The cytochrome preparation alone (i.e. without metmyoglobin reductase) reduced metmyoglobin at a rate comparable to that of the reductase. At 22°C the cytochrome b=, preparation assay displayed much slower re-oxidation than the cardiac reductase/ferro-cyanide assay (48 vs 2 hr, respectively).