cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ASYMMETRIC SIGNAL INTENSITY IN NORMAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENTS OF THE DISTAL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINT IN HORSES WITH A LOW-FIELD MRI SYSTEM DUE TO THE MAGIC ANGLE EFFECT

Increased signal intensity in one of the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of sound horses in images acquired using a low-field magnet with vertical orientation of the magnetic field was investigated as a possible manifestation of the magic angle effect. Three isolated equine digits were imaged using the following pulse sequences: (1) spin echo TI, (2) turbo spin echo proton density and T2, and (3) 3D gradient echo T1, in different positions by mildly changing the orientation of the long axis of the digit, in the dorsal plane, relative to the magnetic field. The signal intensity in a ligament was significantly increased when the ligament orientation relative to the magnetic field was 55 +/- 10 degrees. The signal intensity was markedly increased in pulse sequences with short echo time (TE) 5.0, 4.9, and 3.9 times increased, respectively, for 3D gradient echo T1, spin echo T1, and turbo spin echo proton density) and to a lesser extent with pulse sequences with a longer TE (1.8 times increased for turbo spin echo T2). These changes are characteristic of the magic angle effect. Because of the anatomic orientation of the collateral ligaments of the DIP joint, a slight deviation of the long axis of the digit in the dorsal plane, from the ideal horizontal position, will induce an increased signal intensity that can be confused with desmitis. Careful positioning of the foot in magnetic resonance imaging systems where B0 is perpendicular to the long axis of the digit is critical to prevent the occurrence of the magic angle effect.
Abnormal erythrocyte choline and influx in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Choline transport and levels were studied in erythrocytes from patients with Alzheimer's disease and age-matched controls using stable isotopic tracer techniques. The mean erythrocyte, choline in the Alzheimer group was 50.1 nmol ml−1 compared to 15.5 nmol ml−1 in the controls. This was significant using a Student's t test at a P of
Distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in suspended sediments, dissolved phase and bottom sediment in the Houston Ship Channel

Abstract Spatial distributions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in the water column and bottom sediments of the Houston Ship Channel in Texas were measured three times over a 1-year period. Total TEQ concentrations in water ranged from 0.01 to 0.25 pg/l for the dissolved phase and from 0.09 to 2.91 pg/l for the suspended phase, while TEQ concentrations in bottom sediments varied from 0.9 to 139.8 ng/kg dry wt. The dissolved concentrations were lower than their respective suspended concentrations, with average dissolved/suspended ratios between 0.11 and 0.59 for individual congeners. More than 89% of the total concentration of 2378-substituted PCDD/PCDFs was attributable to OCDD but 2378-TCDD was the major contributor to total TEQ for the three sampled media. Average logs of organic carbon-normalized suspended sediment–dissolved partitioning coefficients ( log K oc obs ) varied between 4.92 and 8.59 l/kg-oc; while in the bottom sediment–dissolved interface, log K oc obs values ranged from 5.48 to 8.48 l/kg-oc. Observed log Kocvalues varied within a factor of 0.64–1.26 from equilibrium log Koc values, suggesting fluxes of PCDD/PCDFs across the interfaces. It was found that in the HSC, on average, the tendency of a compound to move from the particulate phase to the dissolved phase decreases with increasing Kow.
Plasma Heating by High-Current Relativistic Electron Beams

A mechanism is proposed for the heating of a plasma with a high-current relativistic electron beam which makes essential use of the plasma return current induced by the beam. From overall energy conservation it is concluded that a large fraction of the beam energy is converted into plasma thermal energy. For reasonable parameters the heating occurs through ion sound turbulence generated by the plasma return current.
Outcome after carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

Abstract Objective: To compare the long-term outcome in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) among those treated with carotid endarterectomy (CE) or medical therapy. Background: Until randomized trials are completed, treatment of ACS will depend on identification of subgroups likely to benefit from CE. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was done on 215 patients with ACS: 107 underwent CE, and 108 were treated medically (MED). A neurologist reviewed medical records and performed a telephone interview to detect outcome (stroke and death). Mean follow-up was 3.8 years; only 4% were lost to follow-up. Results: Among CE patients, there was a 4.7% risk of postoperative ipsilateral stroke within 30 days. Four of five postoperative strokes occurred among patients with prior contralateral symptoms. There was no significant difference between CE and MED in the cumulative lifetable 5-year risk of ipsilateral stroke, any stroke, or survival free of any stroke. Among diabetics, however, there were no ipsilateral strokes at 5 years after CE compared to 20% in MED (p = 0.03). Excluding postoperative complications, the 5-year risk of ipsilateral stroke was reduced among CE patients who “ever smoked” (CE 1%, MED 8%, p = 0.03) and the 5-year risk of any stroke was reduced among CE patients who had no prior myocardial infarction (CE 6%, MED 16%, p=0.02). Among those with prior contralateral carotid territory symptoms, the 5-year risk of any stroke was worse in the MED patients (CE 5% MED 32%, p=0.004). Among CE patients, a Cox proportional hazards model determined that the independent predictors of worse long-term outcome were: a history of myocardial infarction; admission systolic blood pressure greater than 160 mm Hg; and age greater than 65. Conclusion: The approach to patients with ACS will await completion of large, randomized clinical trials, now in progress. Even if these studies are negative, there may remain specific subgroups of patients who show clear benefit from carotid endarterectomy.
Hydrolysis of β-Lactam Antibiotics Catalyzed by Dinuclear Zinc(II) Complexes: Functional Mimics of Metallo-β-lactamases

Three stable dinuclear zinc(II) complexes, [Zn2L1(μ-NO3)(NO3)2] and [Zn2L1(μ-OMe)(NO3)2], where L1 is 2,6-bis{[N-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-N-methyl]aminomethyl}-4-methylphenolate, and [Zn2L2(NO3)3], where L2 is 2-{[N-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-N-methyl]aminomethyl}-4-bromo-6-{[N‘-2-(2‘-pyridyl)ethyl]aminomethyl}phenolate, were synthesized and characterized in the solid state and in aqueous solution. These complexes catalyze the hydrolysis of penicillin G and nitrocefin, serving as functional synthetic analogues of the metallo-β-lactamases, bacterial enzymes responsible for antibiotic resistance. The mechanism of the hydrolysis was studied in detail for the catalyst precursor [Zn2L1(μ-NO3)(NO3)2], which converts into [Zn2L1(μ-OH)(NO3)n(sol)2-n](2-n)+ in the presence of water. The complex [Zn2L1(μ-OH)(NO3)2] (n = 2) was characterized in the solid state. Initial coordination of the substrate carboxylate group is followed by the rate-limiting nucleophilic attack of the bridging hydroxide at the β-lactam carbonyl gro...
Role of selective cholesterol absorption inhibition in the management of dyslipidemia

Ezetimibe, a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and improved high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels when used as monotherapy or when coadministered with a statin in clinical trials, and its safety profile is similar to placebo or statin plus placebo. Addition of ezetimibe to ongoing statin therapy increased the proportion of patients reaching recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol treatment goals. Ezetimibe is an effective treatment option that may enable more patients with hypercholesterolemia to achieve optimal cholesterol levels and reduce their risk for coronary heart disease.
National health policies : sub-Saharan African case studies (1980-1990)

Abstract Four countries, Botswana, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Zimbabwe, were chosen as cases to study the impact of national health policies on national health status in sub-Saharan Africa. Through a conceptual framework that covers health problem identification, policy formulation and implementation procedures, the study examined national translations of Primary Health Care (PHC) and Health for All by the Year 2000 (HFA/2000) strategies. A series of government measures, taken between 1980–1986 for health policy development and implementation in these countries, were treated as policy determinants of national health outcomes for the period ending 1990. The impact of these determinants on national health status was then analyzed through a comparative description and documentation of observable patterns and trends in infant mortality rates (IMR), under-5 mortality rates (U5MR) and life expectancy. Policy guidelines from PHC and HFA/2000 were used in conjunction with the respective per capita Gross National Products to categorize the four cases. Based on these guidelines, Botswana was ranked high, both in terms of policy development and the level of economic development, while Zimbabwe ranked high in terms of policy development but relatively low in economic terms. Cote d'Ivoire ranked high on economic development but low with regard to its policy framework. Ghana was at the other end of the spectrum, ranking low both in terms of its policy development and its economic performance. The comparative analysis revealed that Botswana and Zimbabwe performed better than Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana on the three outcome indicators. Despite Cote d'Ivoire's superior level of economic development, its health status fell behind that of Zimbabwe and even Ghana. The study concluded that policies formulated and implemented in accordance with key PHC principles could account for improvements in national health status. Since the end of the study period (1990), there have been significant political changes in the sub-Saharan African region as a whole and in some of the case countries in particular. Political leadership has changed in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire with some course corrections in Ghana's health plans. Health sector financing in the region has become more dependent on external donors. The World Bank leads the external donor community in promoting policy-based lending. The complexity of a number of health problems has changed while the problems themselves remain the same as before. Essentially, building viable public health infrastructures to address basic public health needs must still be high on the agenda of action for most governments in the region. Thus, notwithstanding some course corrections and reasonable shifts in priorities, all the PHC principles are still applicable, indeed, much needed in the sub-Saharan African region. This study's findings, underscoring the fact that significant improvements in health are possible even where financial resources are limited, still hold true.
Cosmological expansion in the Randall-Sundrum brane world scenario

The cosmology of the Randall-Sundrum scenario for a positive tension brane in a 5D universe with localized gravity has been studied previously. In the radiation-dominated universe, it was suggested that there are two solutions for the cosmic scale factor $a(t):$ the standard solution $a\ensuremath{\sim}{t}^{1/2},$ and a solution $a\ensuremath{\sim}{t}^{1/4},$ which is incompatible with standard big bang nucleosynthesis. In this paper, we reconsider expansion of the Universe in this scenario. We derive and solve a first order, linear differential equation for ${H}^{2},$ the square of the expansion rate of the Universe, as a function of a. The differences between our equation for ${H}^{2}$ and the relationship found in standard cosmology are (i) there is a term proportional to density squared (a fact already known), which is small when the density is small compared to the brane tension, and (ii) there is a contribution which acts like a relativistic fluid. We show that this second contribution is due to gravitational degrees of freedom in the bulk. Thus, we find that there need not be any conflict between cosmology of the Randall-Sundrum scenario and the standard model of cosmology. We discuss how reheating at the end of inflation leads to the correct relationship between matter density and expansion rate, ${H}^{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}8\ensuremath{\pi}G{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{m}/3,$ and the conditions that must be met for the expansion rate of the universe to be close to its standard model value around the epoch of cosmological nucleosynthesis.
Absence of Lateral Navigational Bias in Young Children

Previous research has shown American adults exhibit a systematic navigational bias to favor moving to the right when locomoting around obstacles and other people. To further investigate how and when the right-side navigational bias develops, the authors tested pre-school and early elementary school aged American children. Children ran down a straight pathway with an object at the center of the end-line. Unlike replicated findings with adults, both pre-school and early elementary school aged children showed no tendency to favor either side of the object. These findings support that the rightward navigation bias found in adults is not present in children up to elementary school, and suggest that the onset of bias occurs during the age range of late elementary or secondary school.
Exercise and Gall Bladder Function

Epidemiological research has demonstrated protective effects of varying strength from physical activity against the risk for several chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis. Epidemiological studies have been supported by experimental research showing that exercise training improves coronary heart disease risk factors and other health-related factors. In contrast, the association between physical activity, exercise and gall stone disease has not yet been firmly established. This paper presents the theoretical role of aerobic exercise: (i) in the primary prevention of gall stone disease; and (ii) as a potential prokinetic agent in high risk gall stone disease groups. Primary risk factors in the pathogenesis of gall stone formation include cholesterol supersaturation in the solutes that precipitate from bile, hypernucleation (measured as "crystal appearance time') and finally hypomotility of the gall bladder which allows bile stasis and crystal formation. While the results of epidemiological studies suggest that physical activity may be inversely associated with gall stone disease, the mechanisms by which exercise may influence gall stone disease pathogeneses are poorly understood. In this paper the association between physical activity and exercise to gall bladder function and gall stone disease will be examined. Recommendations for future research and the implications for the primary prevention of gall stone disease will also be discussed.
Neurophysiology of spectrotemporal cue organization of spoken language in auditory memory.

Abstract Listeners assign different weights to spectral dynamics, such as formant rise time (FRT), and temporal dynamics, such as amplitude rise time (ART), during phonetic judgments. We examined the neurophysiological basis of FRT and ART weighting in the /ba/–/wa/ contrast. Electroencephalography was recorded for thirteen adult English speakers during a mismatch negativity (MMN) design using synthetic stimuli: a /ba/ with /ba/-like FRT and ART; a /wa/ with /wa/-like FRT and ART; and a /ba/ wa with /ba/-like FRT and /wa/-like ART. We hypothesized that because of stronger reliance on FRT, subjects would encode a stronger memory trace and exhibit larger MMN during the FRT than the ART contrast. Results supported this hypothesis. The effect was most robust in the later portion of MMN. Findings suggest that MMN is generated by multiple sources, differentially reflecting acoustic change detection (earlier MMN, bottom-up process) and perceptual weighting of ART and FRT (later MMN, top-down process).
A Theoretical Comparison of Relational Maintenance and Closeness as Mediators of Family Communication Patterns in Parent-Child Relationships

This investigation sought to elaborate Koerner and Fitzpatrick’s theory of family communication by testing two theoretical models of family communication patterns (FCP), child-to-parent inclusion of the other in the self (IOS), and relational maintenance. Participants included 374 young adults recruited from two universities in different regions of the United States. Results best supported a model positioning maintenance as a mediator of the association between FCP and IOS, as compared to an alternative model with IOS as a mediator of the association between FCP and maintenance. These findings extend Koerner and Fitzpatrick’s theory by highlighting communication as the means by which overarching family schemas influence relationship-specific schemas; additionally, they commend the self-expansion model as a useful theoretical approach to relational maintenance behavior in family contexts.
A solution to the multiple set-up problem

This note finds the optimal order quantity for the multiple set-up problem. The solution is obtained by a direct method.
Women's Labor Supply, Marriage, and Welfare Dependency

. This paper provides a rational choice model that simultaneously analyses women's decisions about welfare dependency, labor supply, and marriage. The model is based on the Demand and Supply (D&S) models of marriage inspired by Becker's theory of marriage. In addition to reproducing old insights about income effects and marriage market effects on welfare dependency, the model offers new insights regarding the effects on welfare dependency of sex ratios, divorce laws, cohort size, and traditional expectations about marriage and family. The model helps understand why welfare is more common among black women in the USA and offers a new interpretation for past trends in American women's welfare dependency: the big increase in welfare dependency in the late 1960s is interpreted as a baby-boom phenomenon and recent reductions in welfare dependency are partially seen as the expression of young women's better marriage market opportunities.
A Numerical Study of the Mesoscale Environment Of a Southerly Buster Event

Abstract A numerical case study of a Southerly Buster event that occurred on 1 December 1982 during the Southerly Buster Observational Program (SUBOP) is presented. Southerly busier refers to the leading edge of a coastally trapped gravity currentlike phenomenon that occurs over southeastern Australia during the passage of summertime cold fronts. The Pennsylvania State University/National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU/NCAR) mesoscale model has been used in a series of 36-hour experiments to determine the impact of orography, surface heating, boundary-layer physics and moist processes on the generation and maintenance of the broad features of the event. In addition, the effects of horizontal and vertical resolutions are examined. With 40 km grid separation, 15 vertical levels and a high-resolution boundary-layer formulation, the model captures the observed mesoscale flow pattern associated with the southerly busier event despite using coarse, although enhanced, U.S. National Meteorological Center gl...
Testing for departures from additivity in mixtures of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs)

This study is a follow-up to a paper by Carr et al. that determined a design structure to optimally test for departures from additivity in a fixed ratio mixture of four perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) using an in vitro transiently-transfected COS-1 PPARα reporter model with a mixing ratio that is based on average serum levels in NHANES subjects. Availability of information regarding potential for additivity of PFAAs in mixtures is critically important for risk assessors who are concerned with the ability of the compounds to affect human health and impact ecological systems. It is clear that exposures are not to single compounds, but to mixtures of the PFAAs. This paper presents the results from the data collected using the design from Carr et al. along with subsequent analyses that were performed to classify the relationships among mixtures of PFAAs. A non-linear logistic additivity model was employed to predict relative luciferase units (RLU), an indicator of PPARα activation. The results indicated a less than additive relationship among the four PFAAs. To determine if the possible “antagonism” is from the competition among or between carboxylates and sulfonates, four different binary mixtures were also studied. There was a less than additive relationship in all four binary mixtures. These findings are generally similar to two other reports of interfering interactions between PFAAs in mixtures. The most conservative interpretation for our data would be an assumption of additivity (and lack of a greater than additive interaction), with a potential for antagonistic interactions.
Power centroid radar and its rise from the universal cybernetics duality

Power centroid radar (PC-Radar) is a fast and powerful adaptive radar scheme that naturally surfaced from the recent discovery of the time-dual for information theory which has been named “latency theory.” Latency theory itself was born from the universal cybernetics duality (UC-Duality), first identified in the late 1970s, that has also delivered a time dual for thermodynamics that has been named “lingerdynamics” and anchors an emerging lifespan theory for biological systems. In this paper the rise of PC-Radar from the UC-Duality is described. The development of PC-Radar, US patented, started with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) funded research on knowledge-aided (KA) adaptive radar of the last decade. The outstanding signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) performance of PC-Radar under severely taxing environmental disturbances will be established. More specifically, it will be seen that the SINR performance of PC-Radar, either KA or knowledgeunaided (KU), approximates that of an optimum KA radar scheme. The explanation for this remarkable result is that PC-Radar inherently arises from the UC-Duality, which advances a “first principles” duality guidance theory for the derivation of synergistic storage-space/computational-time compression solutions. Real-world synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images will be used as prior-knowledge to illustrate these results.
Individual differences in nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and sex predict transient fMRI-BOLD responses to smoking cues.

Exposure to smoking cues increases craving for cigarettes and can precipitate relapse. Whereas brain imaging studies have identified a distinct network of brain regions subserving the processing of smoking cues, little is known about the influence of individual difference factors and withdrawal symptoms on brain cue reactivity. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate relations between individual difference factors and withdrawal symptoms and event-related blood oxygen level-dependent responses to visual smoking cues in a sample of 30 smokers. Predictors were self-report nicotine dependence (Fagerstrom test of nicotine dependence, FTND), prescan withdrawal symptoms (craving and negative affect), and sex. The unique variance of each predictor was examined after controlling for each of the others. Positive associations were observed between FTND and reactivity to cues in right anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) whereas negative associations were observed between prescan craving and reactivity in ventral striatum. Higher negative affect or being male was associated with greater reactivity in left hippocampus and left OFC. Women exhibited greater cue reactivity than men in regions including the cuneus and left superior temporal gyrus. Individual difference factors and withdrawal symptoms were uniquely associated with brain reactivity to smoking cues in regions subserving reward, affect, attention, motivation, and memory. These findings provide further evidence that reactivity to conditioned drug cues is multiply determined and suggest that smoking cessation treatments designed to reduce cue reactivity focus on each of these variables.
Lateral and High-Angle Oblique Radiographs of the Pelvis Aid in Diagnosing Pelvic Discontinuity After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Diagnosis of a pelvic discontinuity before revision total hip arthroplasty is critical for adequate preoperative planning. The lateral view of the pelvis or high-angle oblique views can aid in visualizing the posterior column when hip hardware obscures the view on standard anteroposterior and Judet views of the pelvis. These views are easy to obtain and can provide valuable information when planning revision total hip arthroplasty.
Wetting of nanofiber yarns

Abstract In order to probe and interpret the wetting properties of nanofiber yarns, a modification of the original Cassie–Baxter model of apparent contact angle was developed. The model includes the effect of fiber tilt: on the surface of tilted fiber the contact line describes an elliptical arc rather than a circular. With this new interpretation of the capillary rise experiments we studied the wetting properties of nanofiber yarns made of cellulose acetate (CA), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and their blends. Wetting properties of nanofiber yarns were compared with those of the films. The Zisman plot was created to show that the critical interfacial tensions of CA and PMMA films are very close to each other. However, the contact angles of water droplets placed on the films casted from the CA/PMMA blends appeared significantly smaller than those obtained on the pure CA and PMMA films. Inspection of the film morphology revealed a bumpy structure of the CA/PMMA films leading to their enhanced hydrophilicity. In contrast, the nanofibers that were electrospun form the CA/PMMA blends had smooth surface. We were able to confirm that the contact angles of water with the CA/PMMA nanofibers are similar to those of water with the pure CA and PMMA films.
Nelarabine neurotoxicity with concurrent intrathecal chemotherapy: Case report and review of literature.

Severe nelarabine neurotoxicity in a patient who received concurrent intrathecal (IT) chemotherapy is reported. A 37-year-old Caucasian woman with a history of T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma was admitted for relapsed disease. She was originally treated with induction chemotherapy followed by an autologous transplant. She developed relapsed disease 10 months later with leukemic involvement. She was re-induced with nelarabine 1500 mg/m(2) on days 1, 3, and 5 with 1 dose of IT cytarabine 100 mg on day 2 as central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis. At the time of treatment, she was on continuous renal replacement therapy due to sequelae of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). She tolerated therapy well, entered a complete remission, and recovered her renal function. She received a second cycle of nelarabine without additional IT prophylaxis one month later. A week after this second cycle, she noted numbness in her lower extremities. Predominantly sensory, though also motor and autonomic, peripheral neuropathy started in her feet, ascended proximally to the mid-thoracic region, and eventually included her distal upper extremities. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her spine demonstrated changes from C2 to C6 consistent with subacute combined degeneration. Nelarabine was felt to be the cause of her symptoms. Her neuropathy stabilized and showed slight improvement and ultimately received an unrelated, reduced-intensity allogeneic transplant while in complete remission, but relapsed disease 10 weeks later. She is currently being treated with best supportive care. To our knowledge, this is the first published case report of severe neurotoxicity caused by nelarabine in a patient who received concurrent IT chemotherapy.
On generating an integrated DSS from a mathematical model specification

Executable mathematical modeling languages (EMLs), designed to facilitate model representation and execution, are traditionally weak in data modeling and management, which often constitutes a majority of the effort in a modeling project. We describe a systematic approach for developing an integrated decision support system given an EML model. This approach is first demonstrated using a model for flight scheduling, integrating a formal data model, represented in a database management system, and a mathematical model, represented in an EML (GAMS). Next, we present a generalized procedure that, for any mathematical model represented in GAMS, produces a data model and a primitive user interface for the mathematical model. Benefits of this approach include explicit data modeling, improved representation and manipulation of model inputs and outputs, greater integrity of input data, and easier interpretation and multiple views of model outputs.
Maximum likelihood estimation of bivariate logistic models for incomplete responses with indicators of ignorable and non-ignorable missingness

Summary. Missing observations are a common problem that complicate the analysis of clustered data. In the Connecticut child surveys of childhood psychopathology, it was possible to identify reasons why outcomes were not observed. Of note, some of these causes of missingness may be assumed to be ignorable, whereas others may be non-ignorable. We consider logistic regression models for incomplete bivariate binary outcomes and propose mixture models that permit estimation assuming that there are two distinct types of missingness mechanisms: one that is ignorable; the other non-ignorable. A feature of the mixture modelling approach is that additional analyses to assess the sensitivity to assumptions about the missingness are relatively straightforward to incorporate. The methods were developed for analysing data from the Connecticut child surveys, where there are missing informant reports of child psychopathology and different reasons for missingness can be distinguished.
Observing System Simulation of Snow Microwave Emissions Over Data Sparse Regions— Part I: Single Layer Physics

A multilayer formulation of snow hydrological processes implemented in an existing snow hydrology-emission model (MLSHM-ML) was applied in observing system simulation mode (OSS) to two very different climatic and physiographic regions (Valdai, Russia and Colorado, USA) for both wet and dry snow regimes, and over multiple years. The results were evaluated against ground-based observations of snowpack physical properties and microwave radiometric observations from the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR), Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I), and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS (AMSR-E) observations at 18-19-, 22-23-, and 36-37-GHz vertical and horizontal polarizations (V-pol and H-pol, respectively). Whereas snow water equivalent (SWE) results are similar to the results obtained with single-layer physics when the snow is dry, the multilayer physics have a better skill at capturing the overall temporal evolution of bulk density, snow temperature, and snow depth during the accumulation season, and at the onset and throughout the melting season. However, snow density profiles overestimate density at the bottom of the snowpack, consistent with the lack of an explicit representation of depth hoar in the rearrangement of mass and grain size distribution in the snowpack. Regarding the radiometric behavior, the multilayer SMMR OSS for Valdai shows improved results for nighttime simulations (descending SMMR paths, 11 P.M. LST) and H-pol (~ 3-5 K decrease in error statistics), particularly at 37 GHz. For daytime simulations (ascending SMMR paths, 11 A.M. LST), there are modest improvements at 18 (~ 1 K) and 37 GHz (~ 2-3 K) for H-pol, and generally loss of skill for V-pol at all frequencies. Systematic improvements at nighttime but not during daytime suggest that surface heterogeneities, including subgrid scale variability of transient melting, play an important role on surface emissivity. This is the case for cold land process experiment in Colorado, where spatial variability in fractional forest cover, geology, and complex topography explains the modest differences between the single and multilayer SSM/I OSS for H-pol, whereas significant gains (~ 4-8 K decrease in error statistics) were attained for V-pol at 37 GHz only. For AMSR-E, the multilayer OSS looses skill for H-pol, and only bias and mean absolute error improve for V-pol at all frequencies. These somewhat mixed results suggest that representation of snow stratigraphy alone is not sufficient to improve the OSS ability to describe the nonlinear interactions among hydrologic and electromagnetic processes. Chief among these are the temporal evolution of snow correlation length with depth and the representation of subgrid scale variability constrained by the spatial resolution and inherent uncertainty of the meteorological forcing. Nevertheless, the multilayer OSS improved performance at 37 GHz is an important finding toward reducing ambiguity in the sensitivity of 37-GHz H-pol brightness temperature to SWE in retrieval models.
Highly conducting polyacetylene: Three-dimensional delocalization.

We report the experimental results for magnetic susceptibility, thermopower, and magnetoresistance of highly conducting ${\mathrm{I}}_{2}$-doped new polyacetylene, N-(CH${)}_{\mathit{x}}$. These measurements deal with the density of states at the Fermi energy, its local structure, and conduction-electron relaxation time. We conclude that microscopic electronic phenomena in the highly doped N-(CH${)}_{\mathit{x}}$ as compared with the earlier studied Shirakawa polyacetylene has not been changed; rather there is an increase in the relaxation time along the chain or interchain transfer that helps to avoid entrapment of the charge within a single chain. This leads to the three-dimensional delocalization of electrons responsible for the high conductivity.
Effect of glucagon on serum insulin, plasma glucose and free fatty acids in man

Abstract The response of serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI), plasma glucose and free fatty acids to intravenous glucagon was studied in 9 normal subjects and 2 patients with von Gierke's disease. When comparable levels of arterial hyperglycemia were achieved by paired infusions of glucagon and glucose in normal subjects, glucagon administration was associated with significantly higher concentrations of arterial IRI and, in 4 of the 5 subjects, greater A-V glucose differences. The continuous infusion of glucagon for 3.5 hours in 4 normal subjects was associated with an initial rise and a subsequent decline of IRI and glucose values. FFA levels fell progressively throughout the infusions. The acute administration of glucagon near the termination of these infusions produced significant elevations of IRI with little change in blood glucose or FFA concentrations. Similarly, glucagon administration in 2 patients with von Gierke's disease elevated IRI values without raising the blood glucose. These studies suggest that glucagon can directly stimulate insulin release.
Quantum dot-linked immunoassay on a PMMA-based microfluidic device for biomarker detection

Immunoassay and biosensor development are burgeoning research fields with high translational impact potential due to the high demand for reliable biomarker detection. While needs are diverse and based on application, it is generally desirable to have an immunoassay that is rapid, robust, and easy to use. In order to meet those needs, our group has developed a quantum dot-linked immunoassay with a PMMA-based microfluidic substrate that is capable of detecting a variety of biomarkers. We developed a PMMA microfluidic using photlithography, electroplating, and hot embossing techniques. This novel technology uses an ELISA-like sandwich to capture biomarkers in an antibody — antigen — anti-antigen antibody complex. Specifically, we use a diamino poly(ethylene glycol), glutaraldehyde crosslinking combination to covalently immobilize primary antibody in combination with a quantum dot-streptavidin-biotin conjugated secondary antibody, which is quantified through an ultraviolet light emitting diode and charged-couple device camera setup. Our ultimate goal is to detect physiologically relevant biomarkers to better help physicians diagnose and treat their patients.
Oscillatory lattice relaxation at metal surfaces

It was shown decades ago within the jellium model that the redistribution of the itinerant electrons at a simple metal surface results in damped electron density oscillations propagating into the bulk (Friedel oscillations). Using self-consistent density-functional theory calculations, we show that pronounced Friedel oscillations still exist at such surfaces even when the effects of the ionic cores are included explicitly. Our findings not only confirm a long-standing and widespread speculation, but further provide a simple physical picture for yet another common phenomenon in lattice relaxation: The Fridel oscillations in electron density contribute to drive the ions to relax in an oscillatory fashion, as evidenced by a corroborative comparison between theory and experiment for Mg(10{bar 1}0). {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Maintenance, management, life-cycle design and performance of structures and infrastructures: a brief review

The optimal decisions to maintain or improve the reliability and functionality of structures and infrastructure systems can only be achieved through proper integrated management planning in a life-cycle comprehensive framework. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering (SIE) is an international journal dedicated to recent advances inmaintenance, management, and life-cycle performance of a wide range of infrastructures. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief review of the recent research accomplishments in the field of design, maintenance, life-cycle management, and optimisation of structures and infrastructures reported in papers published in SIE during the period 2005–2011. The papers are categorised under main topics and very briefly discussed.
Trauma informed guilt reduction therapy with combat veterans.

Guilt related to combat trauma is highly prevalent among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Trauma-related guilt has been associated with increased risk for posttraumatic psychopathology and poorer response to treatment. Trauma Informed Guilt Reduction (TrIGR) therapy is a 4-module cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy designed to reduce guilt related to combat trauma. The goals of this study were to describe the key elements of TrIGR and report results of a pilot study with 10 recently deployed combat veterans. Ten combat veterans referred from a VA Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or mental health clinic completed TrIGR over 4 to 7 sessions. Nine veterans completed the posttreatment assessment. This initial pilot suggests that TrIGR may help to reduce trauma-related guilt severity and associated distress. Changes in trauma-related guilt were highly correlated with reductions in PTSD and depression symptoms over the course of treatment, suggesting a possible mechanistic link with severity of posttraumatic psychopathology. TrIGR warrants further evaluation as an intervention for reducing guilt related to traumatic experiences in combat.
Cross-strand histidine–aromatic interactions enhance acyl-transfer rates in beta-hairpin peptide catalysts

A reactive tagging methodology was used to select the species most reactive to an acylation reagent from a solid phase library of beta hairpin peptides. Hits bearing an electron-rich aromatic residue across strand from a reactive histidine were found to competitively become N-acylated. In addition to displaying rapid N-acylation rates the hit peptide was additionally deacylated in the presence of a nucleophile, thus closing a putative catalytic cycle. Variants of the hit peptide were studied to elucidate both the magnitude (up to 18 000-fold over background, kcat/kuncat = 94 000 000, or 45-fold over Boc-histidine methyl ester) and mechanism of acyl transfer catalysis. A combination of CH–π, cation–π and HisH+–O interactions in the cationic imidazole transition state is implicated in the rate acceleration, in addition to the fidelity of the beta hairpin fold. Moreover, NMR structural data on key intermediates or models thereof suggest that a key feature of this catalyst is the ability to access several different stabilizing conformations along the catalysis reaction coordinate.
Psittacosis among the Personnel of the Hygienic Laboratory.

Three members of the staff were engaged directly in work with infected birds, and two of these contracted the infection. Two other members of the staff were engaged in the purely bacteriologic part of the work but did not deal directly with infected birds ; one of these became infected, though, as I shall show, it is doubtful that this person's infection may properly be attributed to special hazards of the work on psittacosis. The other eight persons who contracted the disease had no connection with the investigations of psittacosis but were infected in some undetermined manner while employed in the building. The Hygienic Laboratory (now the National Institute of Health) has three buildings: the North Building, the South Building, and the Animal House. The total full-time staff of the laboratory at that time consisted of one hundred and twenty-one persons. The eleven cases of psittacosis occurred among the fifty-four persons working regularly in the North Building, where all the work on psittacosis was carried on ; no cases occurred among the fifty-seven working in the South Building or among the ten working in the Animal House. The South Building and the North Building are separated by an open court 77 feet (23.5 meters) wide and are connected by an open causeway and a tunnel. The Animal House is 444 feet (135.3 meters) from the North Building, and the two are connected only by an open roadway. Research on psittacosis involving the use of animals began on January 16, and for about two months infected birds were present in the North Building at all times. They were kept under conditions that were thought sufficient to safeguard persons engaged in the research on psittacosis and others working in the building.
Radiating Knowledge: The Public Anthropology of Nuclear Energy

ABSTRACT In marking the first anniversary of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant disaster, this essay reviews some of the ways in which anthropologists have intervened in public discourse and policy around nuclear energy over the past 30 years. Many scholars suggest that effective change requires a degree of ongoing public participation in the debate around nuclear power. In arguing for the significance of anthropology in helping to sustain public discussion between crises, I take note of an eerie absence of anthropological voices represented in mainstream media. I suggest that it is often only immediately following a tragedy that anthropological insights percolate into public consciousness. Ultimately, I argue that it is the responsibility of those in our discipline to continue to push for a more inclusive and thoughtful dialogue about nuclear energy. [public anthropology, public debate, Fukushima, nuclear energy, media representation]
Public knowledge, awareness, and perceptions of the association between skin aging and smoking

Abstract Background: Although the tobacco industry promotes images of glamour, 2 decades of epidemiologic research have concluded the opposite: smokers have enhanced facial aging and skin wrinkling compared with nonsmokers. Objective: The purpose of this study was to obtain information on the public's awareness of the association between cigarette smoking and skin aging. Methods: In the spring of 1994, the Maine-wide Cooperative Telephone Survey conducted telephone interviews in 678 randomly selected, nonseasonal dwelling units in Maine. From each dwelling unit, one randomly selected adult resident was interviewed to assess awareness of the association of skin aging with smoking. Results: Fifty-eight percent of those persons interviewed had smoked at least 100 cigarettes, and among them, 24% were current smokers (28% men, 21% women). After adjusting for sex, age, and education, current smokers remained less likely to be aware of this association compared with former (prevalence ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.64-0.95) and never smokers (prevalence ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.70-1.07). However, nearly one fourth of smokers in this study believed that most or some smokers would consider this information in their decision to quit, with slightly higher findings in young smokers. Conclusion: These findings are of public health importance. While strategies for framing messages about the association between smoking and facial aging await further study, this association deserves to be considered in all tobacco control and counter-advertising campaigns. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;41:27-30.)
MHC Class II Expression Identifies Functionally Distinct Human Regulatory T Cells

It has been known for decades that circulating human CD4 cells can express functional MHC class II molecules that induce T cell nonresponsiveness with Ag presentation. Because there is significant expression of MHC class II (MHC-II) determinants (DR) on a subpopulation CD4+ CD25(high) regulatory T cells (Treg), we examined the function of CD4 cells expressing MHC-DR. We demonstrate that MHC-II expression on human CD4+ CD25(high) T cells identifies a functionally distinct population of Treg that induces early contact-dependent suppression that is associated with high Foxp3 expression. In striking contrast, MHC-II- CD4+ CD25(high) Treg induce early IL-4 and IL-10 secretion and a late Foxp3-associated contact-dependent suppression. The DR expressing CD25(high) Treg express higher levels of Foxp3 message and protein, compared with the DR- CD25(high) Treg population. Direct single-cell cloning of CD4+ CD25(high) Treg revealed that, regardless of initial DR expression, ex vivo expression of CD25(high), and not DR, predicted which clones would exhibit contact-dependent suppression, high levels of Foxp3 message, and an increased propensity to become constitutive for DR expression. Thus, the direct ex vivo expression of MHC-II in the context of CD25(high) identifies a mature, functionally distinct regulatory T cell population involved in contact-dependent in vitro suppression.
Photon Initiated Thyristor Switches

Summary form only given. Compact, reliable solid state pulsed power switches can be an enabling technology for many applications. Compact, highspeed switches are needed to reduce the size and weight and improve the reliability of pulse power modulators and pulse forming networks. Methods for achieving the maximum possible performance are dependent on the fundamental limitations of the material of choice. Many technical challenges exist regarding materials development as well as device design for compact size, weight, long lifetime, fast turn on or turn off time, high efficiency, triggering, and packaging.
A monolithically-integrated optical transmitter and receiver in a zero-change 45nm SOI process

An optical transmitter and receiver with monolithically-integrated photonic devices and circuits are demonstrated together for the first time in a commercial 45nm SOI process, without any process changes. The transmitter features an interleaved-junction carrier-depletion ring modulator and operates at 3.5Gb/s with an 8dB extinction ratio and combined circuit and device energy cost of 70fJ/bit. The optical receiver connects to an integrated SiGe detector designed for 1180nm wavelength and performs at 2.5Gb/s with 15μA sensitivity and energy cost of 220fJ/bit.