cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wet and dry weight relationships of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) tissues.

Much data in the literature on environmental contaminants in animals are presented on the basis of wet weight of tissues. Equally, considerable data are presented on a dry weight basis. Comparison of residues in tissues between wet weight and dry weight based reports cause considerable difficulties in interpretation due to the lack of dry weight percentages. Considerable problems in recovering accurate samples from dead and dying individuals under field conditions prompt questions as to the value of wet weight determinations of contaminants in such animals. The work of ADRIAN & STEVENS (1979) with duck livers indicates that difficulties in ensuring valid wet weights are very real. The present work was undertaken to provide data on wet weight vs dry weight of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) tissues in order that comparisons of data already reported on wet and dry weight basis may be facilitated.
Dissolution Kinetics and FAG Interaction of Phenolic Resins in Chemically Amplified Resists

This paper describes the dissolution behavior of phenolic resins and resists in aqueous base solutions as measured with a quartz crystal microbalance. The dissolution kinetics of poly(4-hydroxystyrene) is linear with time, irrespective of molecular weights and polydispersities (including tandem blends). The effects of the composition of poly(4- hydroxystyrene-co-t-butyl acrylate) (ESCAP resin) and the loading of triphenylsulfonium triflate on the dissolution kinetics have been studied, revealing that the dissolution rate exponentially decreases with increasing the acrylate and triflate contents. A longer induction period is observed at a higher acrylate and triflate concentration. The dissolution inhibition effect of acid generators has been correlated with an interaction between the phenolic OH group and an acid generator molecule as studied by 13C NMR. The strong interaction of onium salts with phenol is clearly observed also in IR spectra of the above copolymer films. The quartz c ystal microbalance has provided valuable information on the dissolution kinetics of exposed Shipley UVIIHS resist films, which exhibit a very fast dissolution of 30, 000A/sec. The dissolution rates of the exposed resist films have been correlated with the degrees of deprotection as determined by thickness measurements, IR, and 13C NMR, and also with the rate values of authentic terpolymers of 4-hydroxystyrene, t-butyl acrylate, and acrylic acid, which had been prepared from an ESCAP copolymer.
Empirical modelling of electromagnetic acoustic transducer data

We characterize the observed phase and amplitude of acoustic birefringence data collected with an electromagnetic acoustic transducer. Our characterization models are extended versions of an idealized model for acoustic birefringence. In the extended models, angle-dependent terms account for observed variability in phase and amplitude which is not predicted by the idealized theory. Possible sources of this extra variability include material inhomogeneity and angle-dependent sensor gain. The adjustable parameters in the model are determined by minimizing the sum of the squared phase residuals plus the sum of the squared amplitude residuals. To facilitate convergence, we determine the model parameters by fitting the extended models sequentially according to model complexity. Ten experimental data sets were collected from the same sample. We estimate the mean value of each model parameter and its associated standard error. For each extended model, we estimate the mean phase delay between the fast and slow modes. We also estimate the mean rotation angle of the pure-mode polarization directions (relative to a reference coordinate system in the specimen). From run to run, we observed phase data drift. However, the difference between the phases of the slow and fast modes did not follow this drift.
Binary search trees in secondary memory

Binary search trees are shown to be reasonable alternatives to multiway trees for files stored in magnetic bubble memory. An algorithm for maintaining AVL trees is shown to be by far the most efficient of eight algorithms considered, when applied to secondary memory. A simplified model for analyzing the AVL algorithm is developed. A practical AVL algorithm for secondary memory is presented. Simulation results showing the performance of the AVL algorithm and a basic nonbalancing algorithm are given.
Determination of d(+)glucose, d(+)mannose, d(+)galactose or d(−)fructose in a mixture of hexoses and pentoses by use of dental plaque coupled with a glass electrode

Abstract A potentiometric sensor has been developed by coupling dental plaque with a flat-surface glass electrode. Selectivity of this electrode for hexoses and pentoses has been tested. The electrode responds linearly to β- d (+)glucose, d (+)mannose, d (+)galactose and β- d (−)fructose over a narrow concentration range between 10−4 and 10−3M, but has negligible response to the other hexoses and pentoses. This “plaque” electrode, using live bacterial cells, may serve as a model for the development of other selective electrodes for carbohydrates.
Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium(II) complexes bearing the bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand

Abstract The reaction of [Ru(CO)2Cl2]n with bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (bpma) in refluxing ethanol followed by anion exchange yields two products: cis,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)2Cl]PF6 (1a, 71%) and trans,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)2Cl]PF6 (1b, 29%). Reaction of 1a with AgBF4 in acetone, followed by acetonitrile and then anion exchange gave cis,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)2(CH3CN)](PF6)2 (2a). In the same way, 1b afforded trans,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)2(CH3CN)](PF6)2 (2b). Reaction of depolymerized [Ru(CO)2Cl2]n with bpma in ethanol at room temperature afforded cis,cis-[Ru(η2-bpma)(CO)2Cl2] (3). In refluxing ethanol, 3 was converted to cis,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)2Cl]Cl (1a-Cl). Heating 3 in chlorobenzene afforded 1b-Cl, exclusively; heating 3 in ethylene glycol gave mainly 1a-Cl. Heating 1a-Cl in ethanol resulted in no isomerization, but heating in chlorobenzene gave a mixture of 3 and 1b-Cl. Anion exchange for PF6 with 1a-Cl and 1b-Cl afforded 1a and 1b, respectively, whereas anion exchange for BPh4 afforded 1a-BPh4. Compounds 1a, 1b, 2a and 3 have been structurally characterized.
Asthma and cigarette smoking in a representative sample of adults

The current study examined the association between asthma and both smoking and nicotine dependence in the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R) as well as the temporal patterning between smoking and asthma onset (N = 5692; 53% female; Mage = 45.01, SD = 17.9). Results indicated lifetime history of daily smoking and nicotine dependence were both significantly associated with asthma diagnosis and half of individuals with asthma reported that their asthma diagnosis preceded smoking onset. These data suggest that nicotine dependence may maintain a stronger relation with asthma than smoking and that there may be distinct developmental trajectories for asthma—smoking relations.
Exploration of Cross-Cultural Couples’ Marital Adjustment: Iranian American Women Married to European American Men

This article presents a qualitative, phenomenological study which explored cross-cultural marital adjustment among intermarried Iranian American women and their European American husbands. Twelve couples participated in individual and joint interviews. Analysis of the interviews suggests that although cross-cultural differences exist between the couples, these differences were not preventing successful marital adjustment. The interviews revealed that successful marital adjustment relied heavily on certain positive features or “strengths,” which worked as buffers to cross-cultural differences. The findings of this study add to the limited literature on Iranian Americans, intermarriage, and cross-cultural marital adjustment, and have implications for counselors and marriage and family therapists working with cross-cultural couples.
A Clearing Protocol for Whole Tissues: An Example Using Haustoria of Orobanchaceae

Premise of the study: Due to lack of success in clearing whole tissues using only classical clearing techniques (e.g., Heir's 4 ½ solution, KOH, NaOH, lactic acid saturated with chloral hydrate), and because tissue degradation is often a result of harsh clearing agents (e.g., KOH, NaOH), a novel combined treatment was sought to improve the removal of obscuring tannins from intact haustoria. Methods and Results: Stockwell's bleach proved to be useful in removing tannins from haustoria, usually within 3 d (up to 10 d), rendering them opaque to (rarely) translucent. After bleaching, haustoria were successfully cleared in 1–3 d in a solution of lactic acid saturated with chloral hydrate at 42°C Conclusions: The two-step clearing protocol reported here will now facilitate structural studies on haustoria, such as those examining the presence and distribution of callose, and three-dimensional reconstmction using confocal microscopy. Tissues in this study did not suffer from the degradation in quality observed us...
Sex Differences in Depressive Response During Monoamine Depletions in Remitted Depressive Subjects

OBJECTIVE: Although sex differences in the prevalence of depression are well known, the effects of sex on the underlying mechanisms of illness and on antidepressant action remain less clear. Tryptophan depletion and catecholamine depletion (via alpha-methylparatyrosine [AMPT] administration) are broadly utilized methods for studying the effects of the safe and transient reduction of serotonin and catecholamine neuro-transmission, respectively. The present study assessed the effects of sex on the mood response during acute monoamine depletion. METHOD: Data on Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores during depletion tests were analyzed retrospectively in 59 subjects (41 women, 18 men) who underwent tryptophan depletion and 39 subjects (25 women, 14 men) who underwent catecholamine depletion. All subjects were in remission from a DSM-IV-defined major depressive episode. Data reviewed included subjects enrolled between November 1993 and November 1997. RESULTS: Significant increases in HAM-D scores were observed in response to both depletion procedures, with a similar magnitude of change. Analysis of variance with repeated measures of HAM-D scores revealed a significant main effect of time for tryptophan depletion (F = 7.31, df = 3, p < .01) and for catecholamine depletion (F = 9.61, df = 4, p < .01). Time-by-sex interaction was significant for tryptophan depletion (F = 4.04, df = 3, p = .01), but not for catecholamine depletion (F = 0.75, df = 4, p = .57). Depressive symptoms were significantly greater in women during tryptophan depletion (t test p < .01), while no significant sex differences were found during catecholamine depletion. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the effect of sex in depressive vulnerability may be related to differential sex effects in monoaminergic function.
Highly degenerate quadratic forms over finite fields of characteristic 2

Let K/F be an extension of finite fields of characteristic two. We consider quadratic forms written as the trace of xR(x), where R(x) is a linearized polynomial. We show all quadratic forms can be so written, in an essentially unique way. We classify those R, with coefficients 0 or 1, where the form has a codimension 2 radical. This is applied to maximal Artin-Schreier curves and factorizations of linearized polynomials.
Procedures for the mass isolation of pure lipofuscins from normal human heart and liver

Abstract Pure lipofuscin has been isolated from normal human heart and liver by a technique based on the enzymatic digestion of contaminating structures after disruption of cellular structures by a high pressure cell disruption bomb, followed by purification by floatation and density gradient centrifugation procedures. The lipofuscin species in heart and liver show at best one type for heart and two types for liver. This is in marked contrast to the wide variety of lipofuscin species found in brain. The two techniques presented in this study for isolating lipofuscin in normal human heart and liver are amenable to the quantitative isolation of lipofuscin from these organs because of the selective destruction of interfering structures by a proteolytic enzyme.
Computer-aided bootstrap generation of characteristic curves for radiographic imaging systems.

Determination of the characteristic curve is essential for quantitative evaluation of digital as well as screen-film radiographicimaging systems. When it is not practical to generate the entire curve through variation of a single exposure parameter, bootstrap methods can be used. For the bootstrap method used here, curve segments are generated by varying one exposure parameter and multiple segments are produced at different exposure levels by varying a second parameter. The segments then are joined to form a single composite characteristic curve. If the second parameter is one for which the sensitivity of the receptor is not constant (such as x-ray tube potential or beam filtration), the shift of each segment along the log relative-exposure axis needed to join the overlapping curve sections is not known and some form of segment matching must be employed. A spline interpolation method and a polynomial fit integral method were developed for automatic segment matching and compared. For both methods, the shifts between successive segment pairs which result in optimal overlap are determined and the cumulative shifts to obtain the complete composite curve are calculated for all segments. The two methods are evaluated for several image receptors and with a known curve generated from an analytic function. Both methods closely agreed in the shifts determined for the image receptors and provided a good visual matching of the curve segments. The spline interpolation method more accurately determined the appropriate shifts for the mathematically generated curve segments. The bootstrap methods can provide complete, accurate characteristic curves, and the segment joining program makes the process fast and precise.
Inhibition of lymphocyte-dependent antibody effector cell function by human anti-B-lymphocyte alloantiserum.

Complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and lymphocyte-dependent antibody cytotoxicity (LDA) were used to evaluate serum BL1 produced by multiple pregnancies. By dye exclusion CDC the serum appeared to be an anti-B-cell alloantisera reacting with 39/105 B lymphocytes, 7/34 B-cell lines, and 21/60 leukemia cells but not normal T lymphocytes. By the LDA test BL1 did have significant activity against T lymphocytes. Following platelet absorption no T-cell activity could be detected, however, the serum still had anti-B-cell activity in both LDA and CDC tests. The absorbed BL1 was shown to block selectively the LDA effector function of lymphocytes from certain donors but not others. F (ab') 2 fragments of the serum did not appear to block effector function. From these results, although it appears that anti-B-cell alloantisera can block LDA effector function, it seems that the B-cell allocantigens are not closely associated to Fc receptors on the cell surface.
Facile synthesis of tin oxide nanoparticles stabilized by dendritic polymers.

Tin(IV) oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via the reaction of carbon dioxide with stannate ions immobilized by dendritic polymers. For PAMAM and PPI dendrimer hosts, resultant nanoparticle diameters were 2.5−3 nm; 3−3.5 nm nanoparticles resulted from use of a poly(ethyleneimine) hyperbranched polymer. Our conditions represent the only precedent for SnO2 nanoparticulate growth using dendritic architectures, as well as a novel application for CO2 as a reactive gas for the controlled growth of metal oxide nanoparticles.
Multi-institutional Assessment of Sphincter Preservation for Rectal Cancer

Sphincter-preserving surgery (SPS) has been proposed as a quality measure for rectal cancer surgery. However, previous studies on SPS rates lack critical clinical characteristics, rendering it unclear if variation in SPS rates is due to unmeasured case-mix differences or surgeons’ selection criteria. In this context, we investigate the variation in SPS rates at various practice settings. Ten hospitals in the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative collected rectal cancer-specific data, including tumor location and reasons for non-SPS, of patients who underwent rectal cancer surgery from 2007 to 2012. Hospitals were divided into terciles of SPS rates (frequent, average, and infrequent). Patients were categorized as ‘definitely SPS eligible’ a priori if they did not have any of the following: sphincter involvement, tumor <6 cm from the anal verge, fecal incontinence, stoma preference, or metastatic disease. Fixed-effects logistic regression was used to evaluate for factors associated with SPS. In total, 329 patients underwent rectal cancer surgery at 10 hospitals (5/10 higher volume, and 6/10 major teaching). Overall, 72 % had SPS (range by hospital 47–91 %). Patient and tumor characteristics were similar between hospital terciles. On multivariable analysis, only hospital ID, younger age, and tumor location were associated with SPS, but not sex, race, body mass index, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, preoperative radiation, or American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class. Analysis of the 181 (55 %) ‘definitely-eligible’ patients revealed an SPS rate of 90 % (65–100 %). SPS rates vary by hospital, even after accounting for clinical characteristics using detailed chart review. These data suggest missed opportunities for SPS, and refute the general hypothesis that hospital variation in previous studies is due to unmeasured case-mix differences.
ST Segment Monitoring for Myocardial Ischemia

Many patients in the critical care unit (CCU) are at risk for myocardial ischemia and acute coronary artery reocclusion. The use of continuous ST segment monitoring detects transient and sustained ischemia, despite the absence of symptoms, more completely than rate and rhythm monitoring alone. The accuracy and sensitivity of the ST segment for detection of ischemia is dependent on the number and location of the electrocardiographic leads used in conjunction with the site of obstruction. Thus, when using ST segment monitoring for detection of ischemia, one of the most important decisions for the nurse to make is lead selection. In addition, both ischemic and nonischemic ST segment changes must be considered.
How bulky is a bulky ligand: energetic consequences of steric constraint in ligand-directed cluster assembly and disassembly.

Steric tuning of N-aryl groups of homologous amidinate ligands affords discrete dimeric and tetrameric copper(I) clusters in solid state, but they undergo dynamic dimer−dimer and tetramer−dimer interconversion in solution. A delicate interplay between steric constraint and mechanical stability shapes the reaction coordinate of this process. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters dictating such cluster assembly and disassembly immediately suggest a means to experimentally quantify energies that are associated with ligand steric bulk.
The role of obstetric interventions in the prevention of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract By the end of the decade 10 million children will be infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Several potential means of preventing vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus are under study. Although the perinatal use of antiretroviral agents can prevent some of these infections, those agents are neither uniformly effective nor universally available. A significant portion of vertical transmission may be an intrapartum phenomenon, potentially amenable to obstetric interventions, such as cesarean section or vaginal virucides. The utility of these obstetric interventions will be determined in large part by the timing of vertical transmission. This work reviews the evidence that human immunodeficiency virus can be transmitted during the intrapartum period and critically reviews the data supporting a role for obstetric interventions. Finally, we outline the necessary elements for the conduct of a conclusive efficacy trial and delineate a mechanism to arrive at a definitive standard of care in the absence or anticipation of a trial.
Ebb and flow rickets in a premature infant: the Afghan turban sign.

The pattern of alternating dense and lucent bands, with straight outer edges, at the youngest metaphysis of long bones, the ”Afghan turban” sign, occurs when incompletely treated rickets has recurred and been retreated. Recognition of this, and other, rickets patterns allows the radiologist to influence treatment, as described in a very low birth weight infant.
The Risk-Return Relation in International Stock Markets

We investigate the risk-return relation in international stock markets using realized variance constructed from MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International) daily stock price indices. In contrast with the capital asset pricing model, realized variance by itself provides negligible information about future excess stock market returns; however, we uncover a positive and significant risk-return tradeoff in many countries after controlling for the (U.S.) consumption-wealth ratio. U.S. realized variance is also significantly related to future international stock market returns; more importantly, it always subsumes the information content of its local counterparts. Our results indicate that stock market variance is an important determinant of the equity premium.
More isn’t necessarily better: Examining the intensity–affect–enjoyment relationship in the context of resistance exercise.

With so little known about resistance exercise intensity, affect, and enjoyment, this study sought to examine these relationships. Participants (N 22) completed 2 resistance training protocols on different days. After determination of individual 10 repetition maximum (10-RM) for 7 exercises, resistance training protocols at 70% and 100% 10-RM (randomly assigned) were completed on separate days. Affect (Energy, Tiredness, Tension, Calmness) and state anxiety were assessed before, immediately (Post0), and 20 min (Post20) after each condition; enjoyment (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale) was measured immediately after each condition. Affective valence (via the Feeling Scale) and perceived arousal were assessed before, during, and post exercise. Affect changed from pre to postexercise with Condition Time interactions for Tension and Anxiety (greater increases in 100% 10-RM relative to 70% 10-RM condition). Feeling Scale values were significantly higher overall in the 70% relative to the 100% condition. Enjoyment was significantly greater following 70% vs. 100% 10-RM conditions (effect size d 0.53). Finally, in-task affect was significantly correlated with enjoyment, but only for the 100% condition. The findings are consistent with aerobic exercise research and extend that research to resistance exercise. Further, these results provide evidence that in-task affect is important to consider in the intensity–affect– enjoyment relationship for resistance exercise.
A recursive QR approach to semi-blind equalization of time-varying MIMO channels

This paper presents a novel adaptive equalization algorithm for time-varying, frequency-selective MIMO systems that harnesses the finite alphabet property inherent in digital communication. The algorithm leads to a direct, cost-efficient QR-based recursive updating procedure for the equalizer coefficients that forces adaptation to changing channel characteristics. The proposed method does not require precise channel estimation and uses significantly less pilot symbols than other traditional equalizers, implying a drastic reduction in bandwidth overhead. Simulation results confirm that this approach outperforms the traditional recursive least squares (RLS) adaptive equalizer for this application and rivals the MMSE equalizers with perfect channel knowledge.
Syntactic categorization in early language acquisition: formalizing the role of distributional analysis

We propose an explicit, incremental strategy by which children could group words with similar syntactic privileges into discrete, unlabeled categories. This strategy, which can discover lexical ambiguity, is based in part on a generalization of the idea of sentential minimal pairs. As a result, it makes minimal assumptions about the availability of syntactic knowledge at the onset of categorization. Although the proposed strategy is distributional, it can make use of categorization cues from other domains, including semantics and phonology. Computer simulations show that this strategy is effective at categorizing words in both artificial-language samples and transcripts of naturally-occurring, child-directed speech. Further, the simulations show that the proposed strategy performs even better when supplied with semantic information about concrete nouns. Implications for theories of categorization are discussed.
Introduction of Poka Yoke techniques in a bipolar fab

The concepts of Poka Yoke (mistake-proofing) and source inspection have been applied to two digital bipolar integrated-circuit processing steps: sputter etch (prior to metal deposition) and wet etch of oxide. In both applications, the opportunities for error were identified, and error-prevention techniques were defined to eliminate the potential for error at the source. The sputter etch application involves embedding a microprocessor into an MRC-903 sputtering system. The operator interacts with the microprocessor, which provides set-up assistance and monitors the quality of the sputter etch process. Deposition of metal is not allowed if the sputter etch does not meet minimum processing specifications. The probability of defects (high-resistance via contacts) is greatly reduced: these defects could otherwise remain undetected until later electrical testing. The wet oxide etch application uses a stand-alone microcomputer to provide expert assistance to the production operator. The assistance provides help with etchant qualification, special instructions associated with difficult process requirements, location of areas to be measured, specified process control limits, and calculation of etch times. This microcomputer implementation allows the retention of a relatively complicated process sequence while minimizing the occurrence of wafer loss due to human error. >
Maternal control of the Drosophila dorsal–ventral body axis

The pathway that generates the dorsal–ventral (DV) axis of the Drosophila embryo has been the subject of intense investigation over the previous three decades. The initial asymmetric signal originates during oogenesis by the movement of the oocyte nucleus to an anterior corner of the oocyte, which establishes DV polarity within the follicle through signaling between Gurken, the Drosophila Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-�� homologue secreted from the oocyte, and the Drosophila Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) that is expressed by the follicular epithelium cells that envelop the oocyte. Follicle cells that are not exposed to Gurken follow a ventral fate and express Pipe, a sulfotransferase that enzymatically modifies components of the inner vitelline membrane layer of the eggshell, thereby transferring DV spatial information from the follicle to the egg. These ventrally sulfated eggshell proteins comprise a localized cue that directs the ventrally restricted formation of the active Spatzle ligand within the perivitelline space between the eggshell and the embryonic membrane. Spatzle activates Toll, a transmembrane receptor in the embryonic membrane. Transmission of the Toll signal into the embryo leads to the formation of a ventral-to-dorsal gradient of the transcription factor Dorsal within the nuclei of the syncytial blastoderm stage embryo. Dorsal controls the spatially specific expression of a large constellation of zygotic target genes, the Dorsal gene regulatory network, along the embryonic DV circumference. This article reviews classic studies and integrates them with the details of more recent work that has advanced our understanding of the complex pathway that establishes Drosophila embryo DV polarity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Shape Memory at Nanometer Scales

Nickel-titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloys undergo relatively large recoverable inelastic deformations via a stress-induced martensitic phase transformation. The nanoindentation experimental results presented in this study are the first to show evidence of discrete forward and reverse stress-induced thermoelastic martensitic transformations in nanometer scaled volumes of material. Shape recovery due to indentation, followed by subsequent heating, is demonstrated for indents depths in the sub 10 nm range via atomic force microscopy. It is also shown that the local material structure can be utilized to modify transformation behavior at nanometer scales, yielding insight into the nature of stress-induced martensitic phase transformations at small scales and providing opportunity for the design of nanometer sized NiTi actuators.
Study of harmonic site position variations determined by very long baseline interferometry

[1] Position variations of 40 very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) stations at 32 tidal frequencies were obtained from analysis of 3 million measurements of group delays from 1980 to 2002. Residual displacements after the removal of the effect of solid Earth tides were studied. The purpose of this study is to investigate a harmonic signal at any frequency where it is expected and to assess quantitatively whether the models of vertical and horizontal site position variations agree with the observations. It was found that the estimates of station displacements are generally in good agreement with the ocean loading computed on the basis of ocean tide models for the main diurnal and semidiurnal tides. Moreover, VLBI results allow us to discriminate between different ocean tide models. However, discrepancies between VLBI results and all models of ocean loading for K1, K2, and S2 tides exceed both the errors of the VLBI estimates and the errors of ocean loading displacements based on the reported formal uncertainties of ocean tide models. It was found that there is a significant nontidal signal at diurnal and annual frequencies. Applying a model of hydrological loading reduces the variance of the residual vertical displacements at the annual frequency by 30%. Using an empirical model of harmonic site position variations in VLBI processing provides a better fit and improves the baseline length repeatability.
Surveillance mammography use after treatment of primary breast cancer and racial disparities in survival

Racial and ethnic minority patients continue to die disproportionately from breast cancer compared with their white counterparts, even after adjusting for insurance status and income. No studies have examined whether surveillance mammography reduces racial disparities in survival among elderly breast cancer survivors following active treatment for breast cancer. This study included 28,117 cases diagnosed with primary breast cancer at age 66 years and over, identified from SEER data during 1992-2005. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression models were used for survival analysis. A higher proportion of whites received surveillance mammograms during the surveillance period compared with nonwhites: 71.7% of African-Americans, 72.5% of Hispanics, and 69.3% of Asians had mammograms compared with 74.9% of whites. In propensity-score-adjusted analysis, women who had a mammogram within 2 years were less likely (hazard ratio 0.84; 95% CI 0.78-0.82) to die from any cause compared with women who did not have any mammograms during this time period. The hazard ratio of cancer-specific mortality elevated for Hispanics compared with whites (hazard ratio 1.5; 95% CI 0.6-3.2) and was reduced after adjusting for surveillance mammography (hazard ratio 1.4; 95% CI 0.5-2.9). Similar pattern in the reduction in disease-specific hazard ratio was observed for blacks: After controlling for patient and tumor characteristics, hazard ratio was elevated but not significantly different from that in whites (hazard ratio 2.0; 95% CI 0.9-3.7), and hazard ratio adjusting for surveillance mammography further reduced the point estimate (hazard ratio 1.5; 95% CI 0.7-2.8). Asian and Pacific Islanders and Hispanics appeared to have lower risks of all-cause mortality compared with whites after controlling for patient and tumor characteristics and surveillance mammogram received. Our findings indicates that while surveillance mammograms and physician visits may play a contributory role in achieving equal outcomes for breast cancer-specific mortality for women with breast cancer, searching for other factors that might help achieve national goals to eliminate racial disparities in healthcare, and outcomes is warranted.
Glutamate-activated currents in outside-out patches from spiny versus aspiny hilar neurons of rat hippocampal slices

The desensitization rate of non-NMDA glutamate receptors was investigated in outside-out membrane patches obtained from morphologically identified spiny "mossy cells" (SMCs) and aspiny hilar interneurons (AHIs) in young rat hippocampal slices. The fast application of a 1 mM step of L-glutamate for 50-100 msec in the presence of TTX and dizolcipine (MK-801) onto patches excised from these neurons produced large glutamate-activated currents (GACs) that decayed with a single or double exponential time course despite the continued presence of agonist. These desensitization rates of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)/kainate-sensitive receptors differed markedly between patches obtained from the two cell types. The fast time constant of desensitization in AHIs (n = 34) averaged 3.3 +/- 0.93 msec (mean +/- SD), while that of SMCs (n = 57) averaged 6.8 +/- 2.0 msec. Current-voltage relationships of the GACs did not differ between SMCs and AHIs, with comparable reversal potentials and no evidence of inward rectification. We also failed to observe significant Ca2+ permeability in either cell type. However, brief (< 1 msec) pulses of 1 mM glutamate produced rapidly decaying GACs with distinct kinetics in the two neuronal classes. Furthermore, analysis of the single glutamate-activated channel currents in outside-out patches from hilar neurons revealed a larger predominant single-channel current in AHIs versus SMCs. Lastly, we observed a greater sensitivity to cyclothiazide in SMCs versus AHIs, with half-maximal removal of desensitization being 90 mM and 200 mM, respectively. Taken together, these differences in GACs between SMCs and AHIs might indicate a functional correlate to the substantial heterogeneity in the molecular structure of glutamate receptor subunits or might be related to posttranslational modifications of these subunits, perhaps provided by the unique microenvironment in the spines covering SMCs.
Magnetic enhancement of thermal conductivity in copper-carbon nanotube composites produced by electroless plating, freeze drying, and spark plasma sintering

Abstract A carbon nanotube and copper composite was synthesized using electroless plating and freeze-drying for green processing, and spark plasma sintering for densification. A magnetic field of 1 T was applied during the freeze-drying process to align the carbon nanotubes along the main axis. Results show that the magnetization process enhanced the alignment and thermal conductivity properties of the final Cu–CNT product (up to 386% in one example), but the properties were lowered overall due to interfacial bonding and particle mixing difficulties, with the results being 5–15% of the thermal conductivity of pure copper.
The effects of density dependence and immigration on local adaptation and niche evolution in a black-hole sink environment.

Abstract We examine the effects of density dependence and immigration on local adaptation in a “black-hole sink” habitat, i.e., a habitat in which isolated populations of a species would tend to extinction but where a population is demographically maintained by recurrent one-way migration from a separate source habitat in which the species persists. Using a diploid, one-locus model of a discrete-generation sink population maintained by immigration from a fixed source population, we show that a locally favored allele will spread when rare in the sink if the absolute fitness (or, in some cases, the geometric-mean absolute fitness) of heterozygotes with the favored allele is above one in the sink habitat. With density dependence, the criterion for spread can depend on the rate of immigration, because immigration affects local densities and, hence, absolute fitness. Given the successful establishment of a locally favored allele, it will be maintained by a migration-selection balance and the resulting polymorphic population will be sustained deterministically with either stable or unstable dynamics. The densities of stable polymorphic populations tend to exceed densities that would be maintained in the absence of the favored allele. With strong density regulation, spread of the favored allele may destabilize population dynamics. Our analyses show that polymorphic populations which form subsequent to the establishment of favorable alleles have the capacity to persist deterministically without immigration. Finally, we examined the probabilistic rate at which new favored alleles arise and become established in a sink population. Our results suggest that favored alleles are established most readily at intermediate levels of immigration.
MODERN EUROPE State Formation in Early Modern England, c. 1550–1700 . By Michael J. Braddick. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Pp. ix, 448. $74.95, cloth; $27.95, paper.

Social history isn't what it used to be. Over the last several decades, the old concern with the macro and the social, inspired by Marxism and the Annales school, has gradually given way to a focus on the micro and the cultural. When contemporary historians study the social, they usually do so at the micro level, focusing on particular cities or villages. And when they turn their attention to the macro level, they generally view it through a cultural lens, which throws language and symbols into relief. In principle there is nothing wrong with this, of course. Political fashions and intellectual preoccupations are bound to change, and historical research is bound to follow. In this particular case, though, the shift in perspective has sometimes resulted in a narrowing of perspective as well, as the old concerns of social history have fallen by the wayside. Class, state, revolution: these are important subjects which are not much studied today, at least not by historians. Gone, indeed, are the days of Christopher Hill and Perry Anderson!
Comparison of the serial position effect in very mild Alzheimer's disease, mild Alzheimer's disease, and amnesia associated with electroconvulsive therapy.

Individuals given a series of words to memorize normally show better immediate recall for items from the beginning and end of the list than for mid-list items. This phenomenon, known as the serial position effect, is thought to reflect the concurrent contributions of secondary and primary memory, respectively, to recall performance. The present study compared the serial position effects produced on Trial 1 of the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) in mildly demented (N = 25; M MMSE = 20.0) and very mildly demented (N = 25; M MMSE = 25.5) patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and age- and education-matched normal control (NC) participants (N = 50). In addition, the serial position effects of the very mildly demented AD patients were compared to those of patients with a transient, circumscribed amnesia arising from a prescribed series of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) treatments for the relief of depressive illness (N = 11). While the NC group exhibited the typical serial position effect, AD patients recalled significantly fewer words than NC participants overall, and exhibited a significantly reduced primacy effect (i.e., recall of the first 2 list items) with a normal recency effect (i.e., recall of the last 2 list items). Patients with circumscribed amnesia due to ECT were as impaired as the very mildly demented AD patients on most standard CVLT measures of learning and memory, but exhibited primacy and recency effects, which were within normal limits. These results suggest that a reduction in the primacy effect, but not the recency effect, is an early and ubiquitous feature of the memory impairment of AD. It is not, however, a necessary feature of all causes of memory impairment.
Dysregulation of upstream and downstream transforming growth factor-β transcripts in livers of children with biliary atresia and fibrogenic gene signatures

Abstract Introduction Our previous work demonstrated that the transforming-growth factor (TGF) β pathway plays a central role in the liver fibrosis associated with experimental biliary atresia (BA). To confirm these findings in humans, we performed an in silico analysis of publicly available microarray data from liver specimens from children with BA, with the hypothesis that the TGF-β pathway would be dysregulated. Methods We analyzed publicly available liver gene expression microarray data from 47 infants with BA. We re-analyzed the microarray image files and clinical data to compare gene expression differences between the fibrogenic and inflammatory cohorts identified in the initial study. Targets from the microarray analysis were confirmed using the animal model of BA. Results Analysis of variance (ANOVA) detected 6903 transcripts (2822 distinct genes) differentially regulated between groups ( p 1.2). We used a targeted approach to identified a subgroup of 24 TGF-β-related transcripts. Expressions for procollagen transcripts were increased in the fibrogenic group (1.2-fold to 1.4-fold); expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 was similarly increased 2-fold, while MMP-9 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were decreased 2-fold and 3-fold respectively. Integrins β5 (1.18-fold) and β8 (1.84-fold) also demonstrated increased expression in the fibrogenic group. Increased expression of β5 (3-fold) and β8 (5-fold) as well as Smad-3 (4-fold) and Smad interacting protein (SIP)-1 (3.5-fold) mRNA was confirmed in experimental BA. Phosphorylated Smad-3 protein in the experimental group was also nearly twice that of the control group, further implicating the TGF-β pathway. Conclusion Gene transcripts for known upstream and downstream TGF-β mediators are differentially expressed in liver specimens from children with BA and a fibrogenic gene signature. The same integrins that were dysregulated in the human specimens were also found to be up-regulated in our animal BA model, as were other intermediaries in the TGF-β pathway. Further investigation into whether these mediators may be attractive targets for future therapy in children with BA is warranted.
Ultrasound diagnosis and neurodevelopmental outcome of localised and extensive cystic periventricular leucomalacia.

Aims—To compare the ultrasound (US) evolution and neurodevelopmental outcome of infants with localised (grade II) and extensive (grade III) cystic periventricular leucomalacia (c-PVL). Methods—Over a nine year period, c-PVL was diagnosed in 96/3451 (2.8%) infants in two hospital cohorts. Eighteen were excluded from the study. Thirty nine infants with grade II PVL were compared with 39 infants with grade III PVL. Results—The two populations were comparable for gestational age and birth weight. In infants with grade II PVL, cysts were noted to develop more often after the first month of life (53%) in contrast with grade III PVL (22%) (odds ratio (OR) 3.81 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19 to 12.63)). Cysts were also more often unilateral in grade II (54%) than in grade III PVL (0%) (OR indefinite; RR 3.17 (95% CI 2.16 to 4.64)). At 40 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), cysts were no longer seen on US in 13/38 infants with grade II PVL,with ventriculomegaly being the only visible sequel in nine cases. In grade III PVL, cysts were still present in 25 of the 27 surviving infants. Nine infants with grade II PVL were free of motor sequelae at follow up compared with one infant with grade III PVL (OR 8.07 (95% CI 0.92 to 181.66)). Twenty two out of 29 children with grade II PVL who developed cerebral palsy achieved independent walking compared with 3/26 with grade III PVL (OR 75 (95% CI 11.4 to 662)). Conclusions—In the cohort studied,50% of the infants with c-PVL had a more localised form (grade II). In grade II PVL, the cysts developed beyond the first month of life in more than half of the cases and were often no longer visible, on US, at 40 weeks PMA. In order not to miss this diagnosis, sequential US should also be performed beyond the first month of life. Mild ventriculomegaly noted at term can sometimes be due to grade II c-PVL. Cerebral palsy was slightly less common and tended to be less severe in infants with grade II PVL than in those with grade III PVL.
Oxides of nitrogen in combustion: Investigations in a premixed flame

Abstract An experimental investigation of the effects of unstable combustion of mixtures of air and natural gas upon the residual quantities of the oxides of nitrogen has been carried out. Measurements were made at approach velocities between 4 and 9 ft/sec. The results indicate that the frequency of the regular perturbations or oscillations in pressure is of greater importance than the magnitude of such fluctuations at frequencies above several hundred cycles per second. At much lower frequencies the magnitude of the pressure perturbations is of much greater importance. The presence of oscillatory or screaming combustion increases the residual quantities of the oxides of nitrogen by several fold. Significant variations in the quantities of the oxides of nitrogen were encountered under a single set of operating conditions.
The CO adduct of yeast cytochrome c oxidase Mössbauer and photolysis studies

Mossbauer spectra of 57Fe-enriched NADH-reduced yeast cytochrome c oxidase reveal two quadrupole doublets of unequal intensity; one (approximately 33%) is typical of high-spin ferrous heme with histidine coordination and is assigned to heme a3, while the other (approximately 67%) is typical of low-spin heme with two nitrogeneous axial ligands as expected from heme a. The excess intensity (approximately 17%) of the low-spin doublet must therefore be assigned to heme a3 in a modified environment. The Mossbauer spectra of the same sample exposed to CO show that 50% of the heme iron forms a CO adduct, consistent with heme a3 being inhibited by CO. While low-spin hem a has the same Mossbauer parameters as in the reduced sample, its intensity has dropped to 35%. A distinctly new high-spin species (approximately 15%) is observed and assigned to heme a in a modified environment. The comparable size of the unexpected high-spin heme a fraction in the CO adduct and the low-spin heme a3 fraction in the reduced enzyme suggest that they arise from the same material. This material is likely to be the inactive fraction that has been found in all preparations of resting yeast cytochrome c oxidase (Siedow, J.N., Miller, S., and Palmer, G. (1981) J. Bioenerg. Biomembr. 14, 171-179). The kinetics of CO recombination following photolysis of the CO complex further confirms the coexistence of two distinct fractions associated with active and inactive protein. The majority (approximately 74%), presumably active protein, recombines exponentially from 160 to 270 K following an Arrhenius law. The large activation enthalpy, delta H approximately 35 kJ/mol, is comparable to that found in the beef heart enzyme, suggesting that the flashed-off CO is bound by the nearby CuB as in the mammalian system (Fiamingo, F.G., Altschuld, R.A., Moh, P.P., and Alben, J.O. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 1639-1650). In the minority, presumably inactive, fraction the CO recombination has fast nonexponential kinetics with a distribution of activation enthalpies peaking near delta Hp = 13 kJ/mol reminiscent of CO binding to myoglobin. In this inactive fraction CuB is apparently not accessible to the flashed-off CO.