cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A strategy for making decisions and evaluating alternative juvenile offender treatment programs: Compensating for missing information

Many different types of juvenile offender treatment programs have emerged during the past decade. One of the primary concerns among policy-makers and high-level administrators in juvenile justice is the cost-effectiveness and cost-benefits of juvenile treatment programs. This paper examines national survey data on eleven different program types. It provides a useful and meaningful way of dealing with missing information when evaluating alternative juvenile justice policies and programs. This paper describes the use of Best-Worst-Midpoint Analysis, Threshold Analysis and Convergence Analysis. It is the first application of these evaluation methods to a national study of juvenile offender treatment programs.
Signal Processing and Optimal Resource Allocation for the Interference Channel

Abstract In this article, several design and complexity issues of the optimal physical layer resource allocation problem for generic interference channels are surveyed. The computational complexity, the convexity as well as the duality of the optimal resource allocation problem is discussed. Various existing algorithms for resource allocation are presented and compared. Open research problems are discussed throughout the article.
Targeting Co-Belligerents

One of the central controversies of the targeted killing debate is the question of who can be targeted for a summary killing. The following chapter employs a novel normative framework: how to link an individual terrorist with a non-state group that threatens a nation-state. Six linking principles are catalogued and analyzed, including direct participation, co-belligerency, membership, control, complicity and conspiracy. The analysis produces counter-intuitive results, especially for civil libertarians who usually eschew status principles in favor of conduct principles. The concept of membership, a status concept central to international humanitarian law, is ideally suited to situations, like targeted killings, that involve summary killing on the battlefield. This chapter defends one version of the concept, called ‘functional membership’, which takes into account the uniqueness of irregular terrorist organizations. The defense relies on the fact that the alleged dichotomy between status and conduct is partially illusory. Second, functional membership is a hybrid between status and conduct and preserves the best elements of the law of war paradigm with the criminal law enforcement paradigm. Third, functional membership is necessary for applying the pre-existing international humanitarian law standards of ‘directly participating in hostilities’ and engaging in a ‘continuous combat function.’
Measuring “What if?” Standard Versus Priming Methods for Polling Counterfactuals

How might people have behaved in the 2006 midterm elections were it not for the ongoing conflict in Iraq? A casual observer of US politics might respond glibly, “Republicans would still control Congress!” Indeed they might. There is, however, a way to quantify this counterfactual, as we did in the 2006 New Jersey Senate race between Democrat Bob Menendez and Republican Tom Kean. While Democrats in New Jersey had easily won every statewide race in the previous five years, there was reason to believe that the 2006 Senate race would be different. First, the Republican challenger was the son of a popular former governor, and thus had a level of name recognition far exceeding most statewide politicians. Second, he had no significant challenge in the primary election. Finally, the Democratic contender had serious problems to overcome. While technically the incumbent, Menendez had been appointed to the seat only a few months earlier and was little known outside of his home district in Hudson County. Hudson County, in turn, was mostly known for a truly remarkable level of corruption. The only problem fly in the ointment was the Iraq war. While in the House of Representatives, Menendez had voted against the resolution to go to war, and often referred to it as one of the most important votes of his career. Kean, on the other hand, had been reluctant before the campaign to criticize either the President or the war in a state which had become very critical of both. Menendez would make this difference paramount in his campaign.
Inhibition of cyclooxygenase attenuates the blood pressure response to plantar flexion exercise in peripheral arterial disease.

We demonstrate that intravenous ketorolac (a nonselective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase that lowers prostanoids) significantly attenuated the blood pressure response to dynamic leg exercise in periph...
A comparison of Magic and FORTE ionosphere measurements

[1] To date, no formal validation of the new ionosphere nowcast system, United States–Total Electron Content (US-TEC), at the Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colorado, has been published. This paper therefore lays part of the validation groundwork by comparing solutions from Magic, the analysis version of US-TEC, with total electron content (TEC) data from the Fast Onboard Recording of Transient Events (FORTE) satellite. The Magic system uses ground-based GPS observations to reproduce a four-dimensional model of the electron density in the ionosphere. From this model, the TEC between any two points at any time can be obtained. The FORTE satellite, on the other hand, detects the arrival time versus frequency of a broadband signal from a transmitter at Los Alamos. The FORTE-observed group delay provides the TEC along the line of sight between the transmitter and the satellite. These FORTE line-of-sight observations can be compared with TEC values over the same lines of sight in the Magic model. A root-mean-square error (RMSE) calculation statistically compares 178 lines of sight. The RMSE indicates a statistical error of 2.87 total electron content units (1 TECU = 1016 el/m2) between FORTE and Magic, using the current operational GPS station list in US-TEC. How much FORTE and Magic individually contribute to this error remains indeterminable, although the errors are expected to be unique to either system and uncorrelated. Individual contributions of each method to the RMSE are estimated by eliminating observations most affected by raypath bending in FORTE and by varying the number of stations in Magic.
The APS booster synchrotron: commissioning and operational experience

The Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) was constructed to provide a large user community with intense and high brightness synchrotron radiation at X-ray wavelengths. A 7-GeV positron beam is used to generate this light. Acceleration of the beam from 450 MeV to 7 GeV is accomplished at a 2-Hz repetition rate by the booster synchrotron. Commissioning of the booster began in the second quarter of 1994 and continued on into early 1995. The booster is now routinely used to provide beam for the commissioning of the APS storage ring. Reported are our commissioning and operational experiences with the booster synchrotron.
Strata‐Movement Concepts and the Hydrogeological Impact of Underground Coal Mining

A review of mining-engineering concepts and studies in mine hydrology suggests a conceptual model linking the strata deformation, hydraulic property changes, and ground-water impacts due to underground coal mining. The pressure-arch deformation pattern about a small opening creates a local zone of increased permeabilities and dewatering in the seam and immediate roof, but should not hydraulically affect shallower aquifiers. Networks of supported headings, rooms, and pillars intensely drain lower aquifiers but only slightly affect higher strata except in areas of naturally high permeability. Longwall mining causes extensive, high-reaching, well-defined zones of stress, fracturing, and hydraulic impact, the maximum permeability increases being in the tensile zones immediately above the panel and at the sides of the subsidence trough. In shallow aquifiers, permeabilities and ground-water velocities increase, and hydraulic gradients decline independently of mine drainage. A study of a deep coal mine in the Appalachian Plateau, Pennsylvania indicated: probable hydraulic connections between the mine and shallow aquifiers in a principle valley area; no obvious response of water levels in shallow aquifiers to undermining by supported headings; and rapid, considerable declines in such water levels in response to nearby longwall mining. These results are consistent with the conceptual model.
Excited state N2+(B̃) fragments from the photodissociation of N4+ at 270–290 nm

Abstract The photodissociation spectrum of N 4 + from 270 to 310 nm is broad and structureless at 300 K, with the cross section diminishing by a factor of 10 towards shorter wavelengths. We have detected fluorescence from N 2 + (B) excited state fragments having quantum yield
Hemispheric resource limitations in comprehending ambiguous pictures.

Abstract Ambiguous pictures (Rorschach inkblots) were lateralized for 100 msec vs. 200 msec to the right and left hemispheres (RH and LH) of 32 normal right-handed males who determined which of two previously presented words (an accurate or inaccurate one) better described the inkblot. Over the first 32 trials, subjects receiving each stimulus exposure duration were less accurate when the hemisphere receiving the stimulus also controlled the hand used to register a keypress response (RH-left hand and LH-right hand trials) than when hemispheric resources were shared, i.e., when one hemisphere controlled stimulus processing and the other controlled response programming. These differences were eliminated when the 32 trials were repeated.
Automatic and accurate method for analysis of proteins that undergo hinge-mediated domain and loop movements

Abstract Background: The structures of proteins that undergo significant main-chain conformational change are reported with increasing frequency. Three-dimensional atomic models are often available for two alternative conformational states of the same molecule. Inspection has shown these states to be varied in nature, arising by mechanisms that include hinge-facilitated closure between domains and smaller-scale loop motions within domains; these movements are often induced by metal ion binding or ligand binding. Polypeptides that display flexible segments are also observed in different crystal conformations or as alternatively packed subunits. Although subjective visual inspection has been previously used to compare structures and analyze conformational changes, there is a need for an objective method. Results: We have developed a straightforward, robust, and objective algorithm that can locate the residues that mediate and participate in the changes between the two conformational states. Our method does not require initial superpositioning. We illustrate the method by considering several test cases. The first example is maltose binding protein, a polypeptide that exhibits rigid-body domain closure involving multiple hinges. The second is lactate dehydrogenase, which undergoes both loop and subdomain movement; we accurately describe the location and relative magnitude of these deformations. Finally, in the example of aspartate transcarbamoylase, both hinge-mediated domain movement and functionally relevant loop rearrangements are described. In the instances in which domain closure occurs, the residues that serve as hinges between the domains involved are accurately predicted. In addition, our technique successfully identifies the exact residues that undergo intra-domain loop movements, even for movements that are accompanied by larger scale inter-domain rearrangements. Conclusions: Our algorithm is successful in its comprehensive analysis and description of complex hinge-mediated domain motion for all structures displaying rigid-body movement and is accurate in identifying the location of any independent intra-domain rearrangements.
Sex differentials in frailty in medieval England

In most modern populations, there are sex differentials in morbidity and mortality that favor women. This study addresses whether such female advantages existed to any appreciable degree in medieval Europe. The analyses presented here examine whether men and women with osteological stress markers faced the same risks of death in medieval London. The sample used for this study comes from the East Smithfield Black Death cemetery in London. The benefit of using this cemetery is that most, if not all, individuals interred in East Smithfield died from the same cause within a very short period of time. This allows for the analysis of the differences between men and women in the risks of mortality associated with osteological stress markers without the potential confounding effects of different causes of death. A sample of 299 adults (173 males, 126 females) from the East Smithfield cemetery was analyzed. The results indicate that the excess mortality associated with several osteological stress markers was higher for men than for women. This suggests that in this medieval population, previous physiological stress increased the risk of death for men during the Black Death to a greater extent than was true for women. Alternatively, the results might indicate that the Black Death discriminated less strongly between women with and without pre-existing health conditions than was true for men. These results are examined in light of previous analyses of East Smithfield and what is known about diet and sexually-mediated access to resources in medieval England.
Multipotent precursors can give rise to all major cell types of the frog retina.

A prospective lineage analysis was performed to determine the variety of cell types that could be formed by individual precursor cells of the developing frog retina. Fluorescent dextran was iontophoretically injected into single cells of the embryonic optic vesicle. After further development of the embryo, labeled descendants were observed in all three layers of the larval retina. Furthermore, different clones were composed of various combinations of all major cell types, including the glial Muller cells. Hence, single optic vesicle cells have the potential to form any type of retinal cell, suggesting that the interactions that specify the differentiation pathway of retinal cells must occur late in development.
Endogenous DNA damage and mutation

In humans, approximately 10(7) cells divide per second. Estimates suggest that spontaneous mutations arise in about a third of those cells. These mutations arise as mistakes in DNA replication and when DNA polymerases copy damaged templates. The latter result from chemical hydrolysis of nucleoside bases or by reaction of DNA with electrophiles or reactive free radicals generated during metabolism (endogenous DNA damaging agents). This article highlights recent discoveries and emerging opportunities in the study of endogenous DNA damage and mutation.
Speech and human language technology at the Naval Research Laboratory

Following a brief introduction to the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), specific on-going research in speech and human language technology will be presented. Areas of research fall across two laboratories in the Information Technology Division, the Human Computer Interaction Laboratory (HCI) and the Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence (NCARAI). Speech research focuses on narrowband algorithm development and uses human based intelligibility to evaluate success. Demonstrations of results will be played. Navy has been a prominent participant in evaluation of narrowband speech. Current efforts on human-human communication evaluation will provide a basis for new approaches to multi-mode interactions which include speech interfaces. Finally, a video of on-going efforts at NCARAI on the EUCALYPTUS system which include graphics and spoken language interaction will be shown.
Multi-century simulations with the coupled GISS–HYCOM climate model: control experiments

Multi-century climate simulations obtained with the GISS atmospheric general circulation model coupled to the hybrid-isopycnic ocean model HYCOM are described. Greenhouse gas concentrations are held fixed in these experiments to investigate the coupled model’s ability to reproduce the major features of today’s climate with minimal drift. Emphasis is placed on the realism of the oceanic general circulation and its effect on air–sea exchange processes. Several model runs using different closures for turbulent vertical exchange as well as improvements to reduce vertical numerical diffusion are compared with climate observations. As in previous studies, the Southern Ocean emerges as the Achilles Heel of the ocean model; deficiencies in its physical representation had far-reaching consequences in early experiments with the coupled model and have provided the strongest impetus for model improvement. The overarching goal of this work is to add diversity to the pool of ocean models available for climate prediction and thereby reduce biases that may stand in the way of assessing climate prediction uncertainty.
Endogenous gonadal hormones modulate behavioral and neurochemical responses to acute and chronic cocaine administration.

Recent evidence demonstrates that there are sex differences in behavioral responses to cocaine. Further, reproductive gonadal hormones (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone) have been further implicated in mediating some of the cocaine-induced alterations. To better understand sex differences and the role of gonadal hormones in cocaine-induced locomotor and stereotypic behavior, intact and gonadectomized male and female Fischer rats were randomly assigned to either chronic cocaine (15 mg/kg) or saline treatments for 14 days followed by a challenge administration (7 days after the last cocaine/saline administration). Locomotor (ambulatory and rearing) and stereotypic activities were measured on days 1, 7 and 14 as well as after withdrawal/challenge with cocaine. Overall, intact female rats consistently showed a rapid (acquired by day 7) and longer lasting (persistent through the challenge dose) sensitization for all locomotor behaviors than any of the other groups. In contrast, intact males developed sensitization of these locomotor activities only in response to chronic cocaine administration, and after withdrawal and drug challenge the sensitization to cocaine-induced locomotor activity was no longer present. In female rats, gonadectomy affected ambulatory activity but not total and rearing responses after acute, sub-acute, chronic and challenge response to cocaine. On the other hand, castrated male rats were affected in cocaine-induced ambulatory activity but not rearing activity. In intact male rats, cocaine-induced stereotypic activity was rapidly and persistently sensitized after 7 days of cocaine administration, where gonadectomized male rats developed sensitization to cocaine-induced stereotypic activity only after a challenge cocaine administration. Although cocaine induced stereotypic activity, no statistically significant differences were observed between intact and ovariectomized female rats or throughout the different lengths of cocaine administration. After a challenge of cocaine, corticosterone levels were induced in all experimental groups. Moreover, no differences in levels of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, were observed. Similar to our previous observations after acute cocaine administration, after challenge of cocaine, an increase in progesterone and a decrease in testosterone levels were observed in intact females and males, respectively. In summary, endogenous hormones seem to be involved in the behavioral activation and development of sensitization to cocaine.
A gain-of-function mutation in IAA16 confers reduced responses to auxin and abscisic acid and impedes plant growth and fertility

Auxin regulates many aspects of plant development, in part, through degradation of the Aux/IAA family of transcriptional repressors. Consequently, stabilizing mutations in several Aux/IAA proteins confer reduced auxin responsiveness. However, of the 29 apparent Aux/IAA proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana, fewer than half have roles established through mutant analysis. We identified iaa16-1, a dominant gain-of-function mutation in IAA16 (At3g04730), in a novel screen for reduced root responsiveness to abscisic acid. The iaa16-1 mutation also confers dramatically reduced auxin responses in a variety of assays, markedly restricts growth of adult plants, and abolishes fertility when homozygous. We compared iaa16-1 phenotypes with those of dominant mutants defective in the closely related IAA7/AXR2, IAA14/SLR, and IAA17/AXR3, along with the more distantly related IAA28, and found overlapping but distinct patterns of developmental defects. The identification and characterization of iaa16-1 provides a fuller understanding of the IAA7/IAA14/IAA16/IAA17 clade of Aux/IAA proteins and the diverse roles of these repressors in hormone response and plant development.
You Never Call! You Never Write!: A History of the Jewish Mother – By Joyce Antler

“You never call! You never write!” With this amusing and ironic title, this book is both a history of “the Jewish mother”—as durable cultural type—and a history of the Jewish mother as a real woman...
Interleukin-1 alpha administered after autologous transplantation: a phase I/II clinical trial

Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) can act as both a hematopoietic growth factor and a stimulant of cellular and humoral immune responses. To promote acceleration of hematologic recovery and induce immune antitumor activity, we initiated a phase I/II dose escalation trial of 6-hour daily infusions of recombinant human IL-1 alpha after autologous transplantation. Forty patients with Hodgkin's disease (n = 9) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 31) transplanted with unmobilized autologous peripheral blood stem cells or bone marrow stem cells received daily 6-hour infusions of IL-1 alpha (day 0 to day +13) at daily doses between 0.1 to 10 micrograms/m2/d; 7 patients received only 7 planned days of IL-1 alpha (day 0 through 6). Most patients received all 14 days of therapy, although 5 patients discontinued treatment early (after 1 to 6 doses) because of fever and severe chills. Toxicity included IL-1 alpha-related fever (occurring on a median of 9 of 14 treatment days), fatigue, and severe chills. Hypotension was dose-limiting and led to discontinuation of IL-1 alpha in both patients receiving 10 micrograms/m2/d. IL-1 alpha-treated patients receiving 3.0 micrograms/m2/d (the maximum tolerated dose) achieved neutrophil recovery (absolute neutrophil count greater than 500/microL) significantly earlier (median, 12 days; range, 11 to 27) than untreated control patients or those receiving IL-1 alpha at 0.1 to 1.0 micrograms/m2/d (median, 27; range, 9 to 63; P < .0001). In addition, the IL-1 alpha patients' bone marrows at day +14 were significantly enriched with committed myeloid progenitor cells. Strong trends to earlier freedom from red blood cell (P = .06) and platelet (P = .09) transfusions were also noted after IL-1 alpha treatment. This earlier hematopoietic engraftment after 3.0 micrograms/m2/d IL-1 alpha allowed earlier hospital discharge (median, 25 v 37 days for control or low-dose IL-1 alpha patients [P < .0001]) and a concomitant reduction (by $38,000) in median hospital charges (P = .01). The clinical toxicities of IL-1 alpha infusion are substantial, though not life-threatening. The accelerated hematopoiesis and immune response activation observed in this trial suggest the value of its further investigation in controlled trials and perhaps in combination with other hemopoietins after transplantation.
Transference and Attachment: How Do Attachment Patterns Get Carried Forward From One Relationship to the Next?

This research investigated how working models of attachment are carried forward from one relationship to the next. A two-part study was conducted in which participants learned about two potential dating partners: one that was constructed to resemble a romantic partner from their past and one that resembled a partner from another participant's past. Results showed that people applied their attachment representations of past partners to both targets but did so to a greater degree when the target resembled a past partner. People also tended to feel more anxious and less avoidant toward the target that resembled their past partner. Overall, the findings were consistent with the hypothesis that working models of attachment are transferred in both general and selective ways in new relationships.
Adelaide hasse and the early history of the U.S. Superintendent of Documents classification scheme

Abstract The Superintendent of Documents classification scheme is widely used by federal depository and other libraries in the United States, yet it is not widely known that the scheme originated in Los Angeles and was further developed in Washington DC, during the 1890s. Based on recently discovered primary source material, this paper demonstrates that Adelaide Rosalie Hasse, then a young woman, deserves credit for much of the early work on the scheme between 1891 and 1897. Her zeal and devotion to public documents led to her being the best-known woman in library service at the start of the 20th century.
Cavity QED with quantized center of mass motion.

We investigate the quantum fluctuations of a single atom in a weakly driven cavity, where the center of mass motion of the atom is quantized in one dimension. We present analytic results for the second order intensity correlation function ${g}^{(2)}(\ensuremath{\tau})$ and the intensity-field correlation function ${h}_{\ensuremath{\theta}}(\ensuremath{\tau})$, for transmitted light in the weak driving field limit. We find that the coupling of the center of mass motion to the intracavity field mode can be deleterious to nonclassical effects in photon statistics and field-intensity correlations, and compare the use of trapped atoms in a cavity to atomic beams.
Hormones and honest signals: males with larger ornaments elevate testosterone more when challenged

When male investment in mating varies with quality, reliable sexual signals may evolve. In many songbirds, testosterone mediates mating investment, suggesting that signals should be linked to testosterone production. However, because testosterone may change rapidly during behaviour such as territorial aggression and courtship, efforts to establish such a relationship have proved challenging. In a population of dark-eyed juncos, we measured individual variation in the production of short-term testosterone increases by injecting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). We found a positive correlation between the magnitude of these increases and the size of a plumage ornament (‘tail white’) previously shown to be important for female choice and male–male competition. We then measured naturally elevated testosterone levels produced during male–male competition and found that they covaried with those induced by GnRH. We suggest that the association between tail white and testosterone increases may allow conspecifics to assess potential mates and competitors reliably using tail white.
INTENSITY OF TURBULENCE WITHIN CANOPIES WITH SIMPLE AND COMPLEX ROUGHNESS ELEMENTS

From a large group of both simple and complex canopies, the following properties have been identified. (1) For simple canopies (rice paddy, wheat field, larch tree plantation, and wind-tunnel wooden pegs), the intensity of turbulence was constant with height and decreased slowly above the vegetation. (2) For forests, wind-tunnel model trees and immature corn plants, the intensity of turbulence had a maximum in the main crown layer, a minimum in the trunk space and decreased gradually above the vegetation. (3) Seasonal variations of the turbulence intensities occurred in deciduous vegetation where the turbulence levels increased from the bare branch case to the leafy crown case. (4) In regard to thermal stability, the intensity of turbulence increased as the stability ratio decreased in a forest canopy. (5) Passage of larger-scale eddies and disturbances over or through the roughness elements produced high intensity levels both immediately above and below the canopy-air interface. (6) The intensity of turbulence increased as the density and structural complexity of the vegetation increased.
The topoisomerase I inhibitor topotecan increases the sensitivity of prostate tumor cells to TRAIL/Apo-2L-induced apoptosis

Purpose TRAIL/Apo-2L is cytotoxic against numerous prostate tumor cell lines; however, some lines are more resistant than others. Identification of an agent that increases prostate tumor cell sensitivity to TRAIL/Apo-2L would prove valuable for TRAIL/Apo-2L-mediated tumor therapy. Thus, we examined the effect of combining five clinically approved chemotherapeutic agents with TRAIL/Apo-2L for treating prostate tumor cells.
DESIGN OF THE MAGNETIC STRUCTURE OF THE UNDULATOR FOR THE FREE ELECTRON LASER EXPERIMENT

The basic features of the magnetic field in the permanent magnet undulator for the free electron laser at Brookhaven are described. The procedure used to measure the magnetic properties of each magnet block and to arrange them properly in order to minimize the field integrals is also discussed.
Mass Transfer in Functionally Graded Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes

A 1-D computational model is presented in which performance of a solid oxide fuel cell with functionally graded electrodes can be predicted. The model calculates operational cell voltages with varying geometric and operational parameters. The model accounts for losses from mass transport through the porous electrodes, ohmic losses from current flow through the electrodes and electrolyte, and activation polarization. It also includes a model for the full or partial internal reforming of methane. The model was applied to investigate the effect of electrode porosity distribution on performance. Specifically the physical phenomena that occur when the electrode is designed with a change in microstructure along its thickness is studied. The general trends that occur are investigated to find the arrangement for which the minimal polarization occurs. Both diluted hydrogen fuel and partially reformed methane streams are investigated. It is concluded that performance benefits are seen when the electrodes are given an increase in porosity near the electrolyte interface.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Security, verifiability, and universality in distributed computing

Abstract This paper presents two related results in secure and verifiable distributed computation. The first result is a robust election scheme which is optimally secure and verifiable and does not rely on any additional trusted agent. The second result is a proof that a simple and natural problem, the distributed sum problem, is universal for the whole class of multi-party problems. The proof yields an efficient systematic method for constructing secure and verifiable protocols which uses the distributed sum protocols as basic building blocks.
Effect of smoking on circulating angiogenic factors in high risk pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: Changes in maternal concentrations of the anti-angiogenic factors, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) and soluble endoglin (sEng), and the pro-angiogenic placental growth factor (PlGF) precede the development of preeclampsia in healthy women. The risk of preeclampsia is reduced in women who smoke during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to investigate whether smoking affects concentrations of angiogenic factors (sFlt1, PlGF, and sEng) in women at high risk for developing preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a secondary analysis of serum samples from 993 high-risk women (chronic hypertension, diabetes, multifetal gestation, and previous preeclampsia) in a preeclampsia prevention trial. sFlt1, sEng and PlGF were measured in serum samples obtained at study entry, which was prior to initiation of aspirin (median 19.0 weeks' [interquartile range of 16.0-22.6 weeks']). Smoking status was determined by self-report. RESULTS: sFlt1 was not significantly different in smokers from any high-risk groups compared to their nonsmoking counterparts. PlGF was higher among smokers compared to nonsmokers among diabetic women (142.7 [77.4-337.3] vs 95.9 [48.5-180.7] pg/ml, p = 0.005) and women with a history of preeclampsia (252.2 [137.1-486.0] vs 152.2 [73.6-253.7] pg/ml, p = 0.001). sEng was lower in smokers with multifetal gestations (5.8 [4.6-6.5] vs 6.8 [5.5-8.7] ng/ml, p = 0.002) and trended lower among smokers with diabetes (4.9 [3.8-5.6] vs 5.3 [4.3-6.3] ng/ml, p = 0.05). Smoking was not associated with a lower incidence of preeclampsia in any of these groups. CONCLUSIONS: In certain high-risk groups, smoking is associated with changes in the concentrations of these factors towards a pro-angiogenic direction during early pregnancy; however, there was no apparent association between smoking and the development of preeclampsia in our cohort.
Medicaid For Children: Federal Mandates, Welfare Reform, And Policy Backsliding

The 1996 federal welfare reform law delinked Medicaid enrollment from welfare participation. This paper estimates the impact of welfare reform on children’s Medicaid enrollment using a methodology ...
Order in amorphous polystyrenes as revealed by electron diffraction and diffraction microscopy

Abstract Ordered regions ranging in size between 15 and 45 A have been established in several atactic polystyrenes of various molecular weights (4800; 51,000; and 1,800,000) as well as in an amorphous isotactic polystyrene by means of electron diffraction and high-resolution diffraction microscopy. The order is due to long-chain polymer molecules which tend to align more-or-less parallel to one another with a constant average spacing. The orderly chain packing can be disturbed upon cross-linking by electron irradiation, the disturbance being manifested in the irreversible changes in the d spacing and broadening of one of the diffuse rings which is inter-molecular in origin. From the results obtained, the high-resolution diffraction microscopy technique appears to have the potential for resolving the question regarding the presence of order in unoriented amorphous polymers. The technique can also differentiate between a broadened diffuse ring due to small crystallites and another due to paracrystals contai...
Impact-modified nylon 6/polypropylene blends: 1. Morphology-property relationships

Abstract Two types of elastomers grafted with maleic anhydride (MA), an ethylene—propylene random copolymer (EPR) and a styrene—ethylene/butylene—styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) were found to function both as impact modifiers and compatibilizers for nylon 6/polypropylene blends. The maleic anhydride grafted to the rubber reacts with the amine end-groups of the polyamide, forming a rubber-nylon 6 graft copolymer that locates at the interface between nylon 6 and polypropylene (PP) and thus acts as a compatibilizer. The SEBS-g-MA material appears to be the most effective compatibilizer. The two rubbers were equally effective for increasing room temperature toughness by dispersing in the nylon 6 phase of the blends. Lower ductile-brittle transition temperatures are obtained when EPR-g-MA rubber is used, owing to its lower Tg and lower modulus at low temperatures compared to SEBS-g-MA rubber. Blend parameters such as rubber content, nylon 6/PP ratio and molecular weight of the components strongly influence the morphology and toughness of the blends. Low ductile—brittle transition temperatures were obtained for blends in which any combination of the above parameters yielded a morphology where nylon 6 was the matrix phase with polypropylene and rubber finely dispersed in it, provided the component molecular weights were high enough to provide adequate intrinsic ductility.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Molecular Biology and Therapy

Advanced and metastatic hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) are challenging to treat, and no cytotoxic agents have impacted survival. The underlying liver cirrhosis that commonly accompanies HCC provides an additional challenge; indeed, functional scoring of cirrhosis and HCC is a critical component of patient evaluation. Currently, the molecular biology and pathogenesis of HCC are being increasingly investigated, which may lead to better understanding of the evolution of the disease, especially differing etiologies and identification of survival genes that may affect outcome. Early studies of targeted therapies in HCC have shown disease stabilization, and an increased understanding of the mechanism(s) of these novel agents combined with correlative studies may lead to the identification of an active agent or combination of agents that impacts the natural history of HCC.
Defects in the Leptin Axis Reduce Abundance of the ABCG5-ABCG8 Sterol Transporter in Liver

ABGG5 (G5) and ABCG8 (G8) are ABC half-transporters that dimerize within the endoplasmic reticulum, traffic to the cell surface, and mediate cholesterol excretion into bile. Mice harboring defects in the leptin axis (db/db and ob/ob) have reduced biliary cholesterol concentrations. Rapid weight loss brought about by administration of leptin or dietary restriction increases biliary cholesterol excretion. We hypothesized that the reduction in biliary cholesterol in mice harboring defects in the leptin axis is associated with a reduction in G5G8 transporters and that levels of the transporter would increase with leptin administration and dietary restriction. We examined mRNA and protein levels for G5 and G8 in db/db and ob/ob mice. In both models G5 and G8 protein levels were reduced. In ob/ob mice, both leptin administration and dietary restriction increased G5 and G8 protein and biliary cholesterol concentrations. Finally, we examined the effects of tauroursodeoxycholate, which has been shown to increase biliary cholesterol excretion and function as a molecular chaperone. Tauroursodeoxycholate increased G5 and G8 protein and biliary cholesterol concentrations in both wild-type and db/db mice. Our results indicate that the mechanism for reduced biliary cholesterol excretion in db/db and ob/ob mice involves reductions in G5 and G8 protein levels and that this may occur at the level of G5G8 heterodimer assembly within the endoplasmic reticulum.
Developing Critical Thinking Skills in Food Systems Management Education

Abstract A project was funded to investigate ways to enhance critical thinking skills in dietetics education. As part of the project, dietetics and hospitality management students, who were enrolled in an advanced food systems management course, participated in a study to compare the effect of using a traditional classroom method and an electronic interactive instructional software method on students' critical thinking skills. In three consecutive semesters, a total of 104 students were randomly assigned to either the "traditional" (lecture-discussion) treatment or the "on line" (electronic instructional software) treatment. Demographic data for major, gender, age, and cumulative grade point average were collected. The text, content of lectures, and student activities for each group were identical. To provide students with opportunities to develop and utilize critical thinking skills, class activities and assignments were developed according to critical thinking theory and literature. Critical thinking skills were measured using the California Critical Thinking Skills Test and the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory. These instruments allow for twelve dimensions of critical thinking to be investigated. Pre- and post- tests were also administered to measure food service management knowledge and attitude toward technology. The pre- and post- test results of critical thinking measurement are currently being statistically analyzed using the Student t-test and multivariate analysis to measure statistical differences in instructional delivery. The results of this project will be used to develop methods of incorporating critical thinking activities in food systems management curricula.
Device-specific resistance to in vivo displacement of stent-grafts implanted with maximum iliac fixation.

Purpose:To compare the in vivo device-specific downward displacement force of various externally supported endografts implanted with maximum iliac fixation.Methods:Twenty female sheep had aneurysms created with a graft patch in the infrarenal aorta. In 12 animals, a fully supported modular bifurcated stent-graft [AneuRx (n=4), Talent (n=4), or Zenith (n=4)] was deployed; in the other 8, a bifurcated aortic graft was surgically anastomosed to the infrarenal aorta. All grafts were displaced in vivo by applying downward traction to a guidewire brought out both femoral arteries. The peak force to cause initial stent-graft migration or disruption of the sutured anastomosis was recorded and compared.Results:There was no difference in animal size, aortic neck diameter or length, aneurysm size, or iliac artery diameter for animals receiving the AneuRx, Talent, or Zenith stent-grafts and those undergoing surgical repair. The mean length of iliac fixation was 31.0±0.3 mm, 30.8±0.5 mm, and 31.3±0.6 mm for the AneuRx...
The changing state‐local financial picture in France

National government contributed nearly a quarter of local expenditures during 1934 in centrally collected taxes, grants-in-aid, loans, etc.
COMPARATIVE BIODISTRIBUTION OF PAMAM DENDRIMERS AND HPMA COPOLYMERS IN OVARIAN TUMOR-BEARING MICE

The biodistribution profile of a series of linear N-(2-hydroxylpropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers were compared with that of branched poly (amido amine) dendrimers containing surface hydroxyl groups (PAMAM-OH) in orthotopic ovarian tumor-bearing mice. Below an average molecular weight (MW) of 29 kDa, the HPMA copolymers were smaller than the PAMAM-OH dendrimers of comparable molecular weight. In addition to molecular weight, hydrodynamic size and polymer architecture affected the biodistribution of these constructs. Biodistribution studies were performed by dosing mice with 125Iodine-labeled polymers and collecting all major organ systems, carcass and excreta at defined time points. Radiolabeled polymers were detected in organ systems by measuring gamma emission of the 125Iodine radiolabel. The hyperbranched PAMAM dendrimer, hydroxyl terminated, generation 5 (G5.0-OH) was retained in the kidney over one week while the linear HPMA copolymer of comparable molecular weight was excreted into the urine and did not show persistent renal accumulation. PAMAM dendrimer, hydroxyl terminated, generation 6.0 (G6.0-OH) was taken up by the liver to a higher extent while the HPMA copolymer of comparable molecular weight was observed to have a plasma exposure three times that of this dendrimer. Tumor accumulation and plasma exposure were correlated with the hydrodynamic sizes of the polymers. PAMAM dendrimer, hydroxyl terminated, generation 7.0 (G7.0-OH) showed extended plasma circulation, enhanced tumor accumulation and prolonged retention with the highest tumor/blood ratio for the polymers under study. Head-to-head comparative study of HPMA copolymers and PAMAM dendrimers can guide the rational design and development of carriers based on these systems for delivery of bioactive and imaging agents.
Interaction of cortical and peripheral inputs to polysensory areas of the cat neocortex.

Abstract Cortico-cortical as well as peripheral inputs have been previously demonstrated in polysensory areas of the cat. This study was undertaken to investigate the possibility of convergence of these inputs. Interactions of evoked responses to peripheral stimuli with stimulation of primary cortical sensory areas were studied in polysensory areas of cats under chloralose anesthesia. Interaction was found to occur in all cases studied. Blocking was the predominant mode of interaction although facilitation did occur. In general blocking of cortical stimuli by peripheral inputs had a short time course in anterior suprasylvian and orbital gyri and a long time course in anterior marginal and sigmoid gyri. Blocking of peripheral inputs by cortical stimuli was usually stronger than the reverse situation in anterior suprasylvian and orbital gyri. Blocking was the same, with one exception, regardless of stimulus sequence in anterior marginal gyrus. Somatosensory input was more effective in blocking central input than the reverse in anterior sigmoid gyrus. Visual cortex stimulation blocked flash and click responses in this area more effectively than the reverse, whereas stimulus sequence made little difference with auditory cortex stimulation. Convergence of cortical and peripheral inputs, regional interaction differences, dominance of cortical or peripheral inputs, as well as the problem of the pathway of cortical inputs are discussed.
HYBRID SIMULATIONS FOR IN-LINE VISUALISATION OF WELDING STATE IN RESISTANCE SPOT WELDING

Hybrid simulation method is an advanced visualisation technique of directly invisible nugget formation process in welding and joining. The system consists of two parts: a sensing part of monitoring data during welding, and a numerical simulation part with the monitoring data as the input. Both part collaboratively work to predict the welding state history so that the simulated result outputs as visualised data of the invisible nugget formation process. It works as an in-line quality management system. This report introduces a result applied for this method to resistance spot welding. There are two types of hybrid simulation systems described. One is an ordinary type with grid mesh system that can output the temperature distribution in workpieces and electrode tips as well as current distribution etc. The other is a reduced high-speed system based on a reduced model developed with an integral form that can run as in-line real-time observer, but predicts only mean weld temperature and weld diameter. The sensing parts are the same for both systems. Both systems work well to visualise the invisible welding state.
Reaction Kinetics of Perovskite Phase Formation in Lead Zinc Magnesium Niobate Ceramics

The reaction kinetics of perovskite Pb[(Zn,Mg)1/3Nb2/3]O3─SrTiO3 (PZMN–ST) phase formation vary with the phase condition of the starting materials. Basically, the reaction is controlled by a diffusion process with either a fixed number of nuclei or a constant nucleation rate. When the Pb3Nb2O8 (P3N2) phase is used as the starting material, the reaction belongs to the former. The P3N2 phase acts as a nucleation center and fixes the number of nuclei for perovskite phase formation. If PbO and Nb2O5 instead of P3N2 are used as starting materials, the nucleation center will be the pyrochlore phase Pb2Nb2O7 or P3N2 and is continuously created by the reaction of residual PbO with the formed pyrochlore Pb3Nb4O13 phase. In the final stage of PZMN formation, the reaction is mainly through diffusion of ZnO into PMN or Zn-containing PMN. The importance of the pyrochlore phase to perovskite PZMN phase formation is consequently asserted.
An analytical approach to the pseudo-gap in Boson–Fermion model and its possible relevance to cuprate superconductors

Abstract The normal phase electron spectral function is calculated with the Boson–Fermion model to one loop order for both D =2 and D =3 cases. The presence of the pseudo-gap in D =2 and its absence in D =3 suggests the importance of the quasi-2D nature of the cuprate crystal to the observed pseudo-gap above T c . The same reasoning underlying this dimension dependence leads to a diagrammatic resummation of the electron propagator in D =2, which established the pseudo-gap behavior beyond mean field approximation. Possible experimental tests of the dimension dependence are considered.
BDNF Signaling Potentiates Transmission of Information from the Basolateral Amygdala to Infralimbic Prefrontal Cortex during Conditioned Taste Aversion Extinction

Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is a form of associative learning in which a palatable taste [e.g., saccharin; conditioned stimulus (CS)] is paired with a toxic unconditioned stimulus (e.g., injection of lithium chloride), resulting in a reduced preference for the CS. Extinction is a form learning