cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regional fishery management councils and the display of scientific authority

Abstract Natural resource management entities such as the Regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 depend heavily on science to inform policymakers and to legitimate the policy process. This paper discusses the importance of fishery science to the council system, contrasts the functions of Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSCs) serving the Pacific Fishery Management Council and the New England Fishery Management Council, and remarks on the implications of differences in the display of scientific authority by these SSCs.
Simulation of the structure of amorphous silicon dioxide.

Computer models of amorphous silicon dioxide have been generated by systematic procedures. The models are all stoichiometric, perfectly coordinated and periodic, and composed of SiO/sub 4/ tetrahedra sharing corners to form a random network. Starting from various random arrangements, each example is subjected to a series of modifications of its connectivity which reduce its potential energy under a valence-force type of potential function. Several examples have been constructed for each of four choices of starting point and method of connectivity modification. The number of silicon atoms in the repeating unit has been varied from 30 to 108, with twice as many oxygen atoms. The force constants have been chosen by comparison with experiment of the computed density and elastic moduli. The calculated neutron scattering of many of the examples is in excellent agreement with recent experiments of high precision. However, examples containing rings of three or four tetrahedra show scattering at small momentum transfer which deviates increasingly from experiment as the numbers of these rings increase.
Intersection theory in analytic geometry

This paper consists of two parts. In Part I we construct intersection theory for analytic subsets of complex analytic manifolds. In Part II we apply intersection theory: to convert the tangent cone of an analytic set A at a point P into a cycle; to compute the multiplicity of holomorphic maps in certain cases; and to prove that the Lelong number of A at P, the multiplicity of the local ring of A at P, and the degree of A at P are all equal.
On the deformation of poly(methyl methacrylate) poly(ethylene oxide) blends: A molecular characterization by small-angle neutron scattering

The deformation behavior of miscible amorphous/amorphous PMMA/PEO poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(ethylene oxide) blends was compared with that of pure PMMA. Small-angle neutron scattering experiments were performed on labeled systems made of PEO + D-PMMA + HPMMA. Characteristic molecular parameters such as radius of gyration, Rg, molecular weight, Mw, and interaction parameter, X, were extracted from the coherent scattering cross sections, Molecular anisotropy was measured on the solid state coextruded samples, and the observed drawing efficiency is compared with, the results of shrinkage tests. In the case of PMMA/PEO blends, anomalous scattering behavior precludes any quantitative Interpretation of the scattering patterns, but revealed important structural changes upon drawing, namely a deformation-induced phase separation.
The numerical solution of some kinetics models with VODE and CHEMKIN II

Abstract We describe some numerical experiments we have performed in solving chemical kinetics models with CHEMKIN II and two high quality ordinary differential equations (ODE) packages—VODE and LSODE. For this mode of kinetics modeling, we give performance figures for these codes and for three chemical systems of varying size and behavior. In all cases, the Jacobian matrix is internally computed by the ODE solver, owing to the complexity of the models. Although these results are somewhat more conservative than others we have obtained, they do show that significant performance improvement can be obtained by using VODE instead of LSODE for these problems. We believe that the problems are typical of those that one of us (AMD) has been working with for several years. The main objective of this report is to make kineticists and other practitioners aware of VODE and its potential advantages in such applications. Performance results are given. For example, a small mechanism (17 species and 31 reactions) required 0.48 s CPU time with VODE vs 0.83 s with LSODE. A larger mechanism (135 species and 497 reactions) showed a more dramatic difference: 60 s CPU time for VODE vs 213 s with LSODE.
The cytologic diagnosis of gastric cancer and evaluation of the abrasive brush technic in 125 cases.

The design and testing, during this study, of several instruments for collecting cells, led to the development of a device that is easy to use, causes little discomfort to the patient, and obtains excellent cellular material.
Beyond general relativity

In his later years, Albert Einstein routinely claimed that the way he had found the field equations of general relativity had fundamentally changed his approach to physics. Einstein9s Unification , by Jeroen van Dongen, examines the interplay between Einstein9s quest to develop a unified field theory and the evolution of his views on scientific methodology.
Agnes G. Doody: An inspiring communicator at the university of Rhode island

This essay reviews the 28 year academic career of Agnes G. Doody, an outstanding professor of speech communication at the University of Rhode Island. Anecdotal reports, objective student evaluation of teaching data, and interviews with students and colleagues reveal a legacy of excellence in the classroom, and on campus. Her achievements are attributed to a variety of factors including her effective communication skills, enthusiasm for the speech communication field, creative teaching methods, high academic standards, enduring courage, and warm sense of humor.
Percutaneous sperm aspiration of a spermatocele for intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Recent advances in assisted reproduction have led to successful pregnancies and deliveries despite obstructed azoospermia using sperm from the testis andor epididymis. Microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) is a technique that has been widely used to retrieve sperm from the epididymis, but it requires open surgery on the epididymis.' Percutaneous aspiration of sperm from the testis or epididymis is another technique that is used in combination with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to obtain the few gametes necessary for fertilization.2.3 A naturally occurring spermatocele would be another potential source of sperm that could be used for single or repeated aspirations in assisted reproduction procedures. We describe a case of an azoospermic man with a spermatocele who underwent such an aspiration in combination with ICSI. CASE REPORT J. J., a 50-year-old man, presented 3 years ago with the complaint of infertility. At that time, he was found to be severely oligospermic. Bilateral testicular biopsies demonstrated spermatogenesis present in the left testis but atrophy (without spermatogenesis) of the right testis. Medical history was unremarkable, and physical examination was normal except for the atrophic right testis and an approximate 5 cc spermatocele in the left hemiscrotum. The left testis was of normal size and consistency. The spermatocele was aspirated percutaneously and found to contain many weakly motile sperm. A semen analysis was fructose-positive and revealed a volume of 2.1 ml. with a sperm density of 1.3 X 106/ml., 34% normal forms and 1% motility. A transrectal ultrasound examination showed no ejaculatory duct obstruction. At exploration, a left vasogram revealed a patent vas deferens. No sperm were found in the left vasal fluid. A large left spermatocele was noted and was left untouched. An epididymal tubule on the caput but inferior to the spermatocele was incised, and the fluid revealed whole, nonmotile sperm. A microsurgical end-to-side vasoepididymostomy was performed. During the first year postoperatively, the semen parameters revealed azoospermia. The option of epididymal sperm aspiration and ICSI was pursued by the couple, and sperm from the spermatocele was used for the ICSI procedure. On the day of oocyte retrieval, about 5 ml. of fluid were aspirated percutaneously from the spermatocele in the left hemiscrotum. Eight million sperm with 12% motility were obtained and prepared by Percoll density centrifugation. The 36-year-old wife, gravida 0, was stimulated with 3 ampules per day of urofollitropin following a mid-luteal suppression with leuprolide acetate. All 21 oocytes were metaphase 11. Following ICSI, 13 oocytes were fertilized, l of
Characterization of human FAST-1, a TGFβ and activin signal transducer

We have identified a human homolog of the Xenopus forkhead activin signal transducer-1 (xFAST-1). Although significantly different in sequence from its Xenopus counterpart, hFAST-1 shared with xFAST-1 the ability to bind to human Smad2 and activate an activin response element (ARE). The hFAST-1-dependent activation of ARE was completely dependent on endogenous Smad4 and stimulation by a TGF beta-like ligand. The hFAST-1 protein was shown to bind to a novel DNA motif, TGT (G/T) (T/G)ATT, an exact copy of which was present within the ARE. A single copy of this motif could activate a reporter in a TGF beta-dependent fashion but only when an adjacent Smad-binding element was present in the construct. These data suggest that responses to TGF beta family members may be mediated by a DNA-binding complex formed by hFAST-1, hSmad2, and hSmad4.
Antimony-Coated SiC Nanoparticles as Stable and High-Capacity Anode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries

A simple synthetic route was developed to transform micrometer-sized Sb powders into new Sb-sandwiched nanocomposite particles (SiC−Sb−C) with Sb nanoparticles pinned on rigid SiC nanocores and surface-coated with carbon by use of a high-energy mechanical milling technique at ambient temperature. The as-prepared SiC−Sb−C nanoparticles exhibited excellent cycling ability and rate capability, delivering a specific capacity of >440 mA·h g−1 after 120 cycles and a quite high capacity of ≥220 mA·h g−1 at a very high-rate of 4 C (2000 mA g−1). This greatly improved electrochemical performance could be attributed to the structural stability of this material, which can not only effectively confine the volume expansion of the sandwiched Sb layer but also prevent the aggregation of Sb nanocrystallites and keep the mechanical integrity of the electrodes. In addition, this new synthetic method is completely green with a full utilization of raw materials and without any emission of wastes, easily adopted for large-sca...
Zinc iodide-osmium staining of membrane-coating granules in keratinized and non-keratinized mammalian oral epithelium.

Abstract Specimens of keratinized and non-keratinized oral epithelium were examined in the electron microscope after being stained with zinc iodide-osmium. In both types of tissue, reaction was seen in unmyelinated nerves, in the specific granules of epithelial Langerhans cells and within lysosome-like organelles and small vesicles associated with Golgi systems. In keratinized epithelia, the reaction was also present in the membrane-coating granules and between the deepest cells of the keratinized layer. In contrast, the membrane-coating granules of nonkeratinized epithelia lacked Zn iodide-osmium staining despite the presence of reaction in adjacent Golgi systems. It is suggested that Zn iodide-osmium stains glycolipid or glycoprotein material in the cell. This material is elaborated in the Golgi systems from which lysosomes and the membrane-coating granules of keratinized tissues are probably derived.
A probabilistic model of quality control in microelectronics

Abstract The paper presents a solution to the problem of choosing the optimal tolerance intervals for products which are tested during the quality control operations after some production processes. To solve the problem a probabilistic production model has been constructed. This model is adequate to the microelectronics elements.
The determination of moments of the doubly truncated multivariate normal tobit model

Abstract This article has considered the derivation of the moments of a general multivariate regression model with both singly and doubly truncated dependent variables. Some recursive formulae for the moments are found. The derivations are readily extended to many truncated non-normal multivariate distributions.
Degradation of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) by anodic Fenton treatment

Degradation of MTBE, a common fuel oxygenate, was investigated using anodic Fenton treatment (AFT) and by comparison with classic Fenton treatment (CFT). The AFT system provided an ideal pH environment (2.5-3.5) for the Fenton reaction and utilized gradual delivery of ferrous iron and hydrogen peroxide, which was more efficient than batch CFT to degrade MTBE and its breakdown products. The optimized ratio of ferrous iron to hydrogen peroxide for AFT was determined to be 1:5 (in mmol). Depending on the initial concentration, MTBE was completely degraded by the optimized AFT in 4-8 min. The breakdown products found during the treatment of MTBE were acetone, t-butyl formate, t-butanol, methyl acetate, acetic acid, and formic acid, which were all completely degraded by the optimized AFT in 32 min. Based on the experimental results and other work reported in the literature, degradation mechanisms of MTBE and its breakdown products in AFT and CFT were proposed. Generally, reactions are initiated by H-abstraction by *OH, generating carbon-centered radicals which undergo various reactions including alpha/beta-scission within the radical, combination with oxygen, oxidation by ferric ion, and reduction by ferrous ion before generating the final oxidation products. Radical combination with oxygen (and the reactions thereafter) and radical oxidation by ferric ion are believed to be the most important pathways in the overall fate of the generated radicals, while radical reduction by ferrous ion is the least important. By elucidating the reaction kinetics and mechanisms of MTBE degradation in the anodic Fenton system, this study offers a potential remediation technique for treating MTBE-contaminated wastewater.
Boundary-value problems and the validity of the Post constraint in modern electromagnetism

When a (frequency-domain) boundary-value problem involving a homogeneous linear material is solved to assess the validity of the Post constraint, a conflict arises between the fundamental differential equations of electromagnetism in the chosen material and a naive application of the usual boundary conditions. It is shown here that the conflict vanishes when the boundary conditions are properly derived from the fundamental equations, and the validity of the Post constraint in modern macroscopic electromagnetism is thereby reaffirmed.
Effect of laidlomycin propionate on beef bull growth performance and reproductive development.

Abstract Downs, K.M., Kunkle, W.E., Marshall, T.T., Reiling, B.A. and Yelich, J.V. 2000. Effect of laidlomycin propionate on beef bull growth performance and reproductive development. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 18: 137–147. The effects of laidlomycin propionate (LP) on beef bull growth performance and sexual development were determined in an 84 day study. Forty embryo transfer Angus bulls were fed three complete diets containing LP levels of either 0, 10 or 20g/t. Bulls were fed daily using electronic feeders to obtain individual feed intake. Full weight and scrotal circumference (SC) were evaluated at 28 day intervals. Breeding soundness examinations were conducted to characterize semen. Muscle mass and body fat were estimated using real-time ultrasonography. Laidlomycin propionate did not influence daily gain, dry matter intake, feed efficiency, subcutaneous or intramuscular fat deposition, but Longissimmus muscle deposition was enhanced. Among treatments, bulls had similar (P>0.05) SC measurements and no det...
Idiopathic Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia: Lung Manifestation of Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease?

Rationale: The American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society International Consensus Classification panel identified the clinical entity idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) as a provisional diagnosis and recommended further study. Objectives: We hypothesized that idiopathic NSIP is an autoimmune disease and the lung manifestation of undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), a recently described, distinct entity. Methods: We studied 28 consecutive patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) enrolled in the University of California, San Francisco Interstitial Lung Disease Center who met prespecified criteria for UCTD, as follows: at least one clinical manifestation of connective tissue disease, serologic evidence of systemic inflammation in the absence of clinical infection, and absence of sufficient American College of Rheumatology criteria for another connective tissue disease. Medical record reviews, evaluation of radiographs, and scoring of lung biopsies were performed. The control group consisted of all other patients (n = 47) with IIP who did not meet the UCTD criteria. Measurements and Main Results: The patients with UCTD were more likely to be women, younger, and nonsmokers than the IIP control subjects. Compared with the control group, patients with UCTD-ILD were significantly more likely to have ground-glass opacity on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and NSIP pattern on biopsy, and less likely to have honeycombing on HRCT or usual interstitial pneumonia on biopsy. At our center, the majority of patients classified as idiopathic NSIP (88%) met the criteria for UCTD. Conclusions: Most patients diagnosed with idiopathic NSIP meet the case definition of UCTD. Furthermore, these results show that the clinical entity idiopathic NSIP is different from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and appears to be an autoimmune disease.
The Rationalization of Political Corruption

We examine whether and how public sector officials who commit acts of corruption rationalize their behavior as a psychological defense mechanism. We created a database of corrupt officials who had been accused of corrupt acts, supplemented with several in-depth interviews, and found that corrupt officials do rationalize corruption in ways broadly similar to patterns found among corrupt private-sector actors. The evidence we have gathered so far is insufficient to show how this rationalization occurs, but we conclude noting some potential lines of future research.
Sodium in gramicidin: an example of a permion

The reaction path and free energy profile of Na+ were computed in the interior of the channel protein gramicidin, with the program MOIL. Gramicidin was represented in atomic detail, but surrounding water and lipid molecules were not included. Thus, only short range interactions were investigated. The permeation path of the ion was an irregular spiral, far from a straight line. Permeation cannot be described by motions of a single Na+ ion. The minimal energy path includes significant motion of water and channel atoms as well as motion of the permeating ion. We think of permeation as motion of a permion, a quasi-particle that includes the many body character of the permeation process, comparable with quasi-particles like holes, phonons, and electrons of solid-state physics. Na+ is accompanied by a plug of water molecules, and motions of water, Na+, and the atoms of gramicidin are highly correlated. The permion moves like a linear polymer made of waters and ion linked and moving coherently along a zigzag line, following the reptation mechanism of polymer transport. The effective mass, free energy, and memory kernel (of the integral describing time-dependent friction) of short range interactions were calculated. The effective mass of the permion (properly normalized) is much less than Na+. Friction varies substantially along the path. The free energy profile has two deep minima and several maxima. In certain regions, the dominant motions along the reaction path are those of the channel protein, not the permeating ion: there, ion waits while the other atoms move. At these waiting sites, the permion's motion along the reaction path is a displacement of the atoms of gramicidin that prepare the way for the Na+ ion.
Clara cell adhesion and migration to extracellular matrix

Background Clara cells are the epithelial progenitor cell of the small airways, a location known to be important in many lung disorders. Although migration of alveolar type II and bronchiolar ciliated epithelial cells has been examined, the migratory response of Clara cells has received little attention.
13C6-[Benzene Ring]-Indole-3-Acetic Acid: A New Internal Standard for Quantitative Mass Spectral Analysis of Indole-3-Acetic Acid in Plants

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) labeled with (13)C in the six carbons of the benzene ring is described for use as an internal standard for quantitative mass spectral analysis of IAA by gas chromatography/selected ion monitoring. [(13)C(6)]IAA was compared to the available deuterium labeled compounds and shown to offer the advantages of nonexchangeability of the isotope label, high isotopic enrichment, and chromatographic properties identical to that of the unlabeled compound. The utility of [(13)C(6)]IAA for measurement of endogenous IAA levels was demonstrated by analysis of IAA in Lemna gibba G-3.
Aeromagnetic survey of the San Gabriel Anorthosite Complex, San Gabriel Mountains, southern California

The Precambrian San Gabriel Anorthosite Complex, San Gabriel Mountains, southern California, is composed of genetically related anorthosite, gabbro, and norite. Aeromagnetic studies and field observations indicate that the gabbro and norite underlie the anorthosite. Field relations of the three units and textures of primary igneous features indicate that final stages of crystallization occurred, in part, by crystal settling. These observations and a geophysical interpretation of one magnetic anomaly as a feeder dike for the complex suggest that the anorthosite complex may have formed in two stages: (1) intrusion of crystal mush through the feeder dike, possibly by a mechanism of flow differentiation, and (2) final crystallization, after intrusion, by crystal settling. Subsequently, the complex was tectonically raised to its present position.
Music as a Therapeutic Intervention on an Inpatient Neuroscience Unit

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a music intervention (MI) on physiological parameters, pain and mood states in the neuroscience patient. This study enrolled and randomized subjects to 1of 2 groups, usual care (UC) group ( n =29) or UC plus MI ( n =24). Data collected were physiologic parameters, pain and mood states pre and post a 30 min MI with UC compared to UC. The sample was 16 males/37 females, mean age of 55.8years, with similar baseline characteristics. There were significant reductions in heart rate ( t =−2.1, p t =−3.4, p t =−4.1, p t =−4.3, p t =−4.1, p
The Media Audit: A Tool for Managing Media Relationships

SUMMARY There is general agreement with the notion of public relations as the management of relationships between interacting organizations and key publics. The news media are a key public for organizations seeking to deliver information to viewers and readers of the media. The relationship between press relations practitioners and news media members, thus, is an important element in the practice of press relations. However, a review of relevant literature finds little to assist those charged with responsibility for managing that relationship. In this study, the authors advance the notion of a media audit as a means of identifying opportunities and issues and to serve as a tool for providing insight into ways to enhance the practitioner—media member relationship. The theoretical framework for the study is that of relationship management, and the research contributes to a growing body of research in that area.
A fuzzy knowledge base of an expert system for analysis of manual lifting tasks

Abstract Development of the fuzzy knowledge base of an expert system for analysis of manual lifting tasks ( liftan ) is described. The system, written in Mac lisp and implemented on a DEC-10 mainframe computer, allows a non-expert in the field to utilize the relevant knowledge and apply it to analyze specific work situations. The knowledge base of liftan consists of 85 rules related to risk analysis and 64 rules used to create explanations and messages to the user. The values of the variables used in the fuzzy knowledge base are represented using the linguistic approach. In order to illustrate the practical implementation of the developed knowledge base, an example is shown.
Monte Carlo simulation of vapor deposition polymerization

In this letter, we have constructed a simple 1 + 1 dimension model by considering shadowing effect, bonding limitation, and monomer bulk diffusion, to simulate linear polymer thin film growth under vapor deposition polymerization. The simulation shows that the polymer chain length, the width of growth front, the film thickness, as well as the interfacial depth between the film and substrate increase as a function of the ratio of diffusion coefficient to deposition rate G, while the density of the polymer film decreases with G. These results are qualitatively consistent with some existing experimental results.
Case report 794

A rare case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the proximal end of the shaft of the right femur in a 52-year-old man has been reported. Proof was obtained by an open biopsy. The origin, pathological features, and clinical presentation have been discussed. The radiographic appearance, the differential diagnosis, and the poor prognosis of this tumor have also been indicated.
Intermittent pneumatic compression and deep vein thrombosis prevention in postoperative patients

High incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) makes prophylaxis, screening and treatment extremely important. Both pharmacological and mechanical techniques can be used to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Mechanical methods have been studied much less intensively than pharmacological options. The principal mechanical methods of prophylaxis are graduated compression stockings and intemittent pneumatic compression devices. We conducted a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials to determine the effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices in the preventon of DVT in post-surgical patients. The results of this analysis indicate that IPC devices reduced the risk of DVT by 60% when compared with patients with no mechanical or pharmacological prophylaxis. Contemporary randomized trials should be undertaken to test the utility of IPC in medcal patients as well as combined pharmacological plus IPC prophylaxis in both medical patients.
Evaluating the accuracy of perfusion/metabolism (SPET/PET) ratio in seizure localization

Mini-Abstract The uncoupling between brain perfusion and metabolism was evaluated as a potential tool for seizure localization by creating an interictal SPET divided by interictal PET functional ratio-image and by evaluating its sensitivity and specificity to areas subsequently surgically resected. The uncoupling between brain perfusion and metabolism was evaluated through the creation of a functional SPET/PET ratio-image relying on interictal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPET) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans in epilepsy patients. The uncoupling of these two physiological brain functions has been demonstrated to be a characteristic of epileptogenic tissue in temporal lobe epilepsy and could potentially serve as a diagnostic measure for localization of seizure onset areas in the brain. The accuracy of hemispheric localization, sensitivity, and specificity of perfusion to metabolism ratio-images were evaluated as compared to standard methods of PET reading.
Regulation of Cell Adhesion by Polysialic Acid: EFFECTS ON CADHERIN, IMMUNOGLOBULIN CELL ADHESION MOLECULE, AND INTEGRIN FUNCTION AND INDEPENDENCE FROM NEURAL CELL ADHESION MOLECULE BINDING OR SIGNALING ACTIVITY

The polysialylation of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) evolved in vertebrates to carry out biological functions related to changes in cell position and morphology. Many of these effects involve the attenuation of cell interactions that are not mediated through NCAM's own adhesion properties. A proposed mechanism for this global effect on cell interaction is the steric inhibition of membrane-membrane apposition based solely on polysialic acid (PSA) biophysical properties. However, it remains possible that the intrinsic binding or signaling properties of the NCAM polypeptide are also involved. To help resolve this issue, this study uses a quantitative cell detachment assay together with cells engineered to display different adhesion receptors together with a variety of polysialylated NCAM polypeptide isoforms and functional domain deletion mutations. The results obtained indicate that regulation by PSA occurs with adhesion receptors as diverse as an IgCAM, a cadherin and an integrin, and does not require NCAM functional domains other than those minimally required for polysialylation. These findings are most consistent with the cell apposition mechanism for PSA action, as this model predicts that the inhibitory effects of PSA-NCAM on cell adhesion should be independent of the nature of the adhesion system and of any intrinsic binding or signaling properties of the NCAM polypeptide itself.
Monetary-Fiscal Policy Interactions and Commitment Versus Discretion in a Monetary Union

Abstract We consider monetary–fiscal policy interactions in a monetary union. If monetary and fiscal authorities have different ideal output and inflation targets, the Nash equilibrium output or inflation or both are beyond the ideal points of all authorities. Leadership of either authority is better. Fiscal discretion entirely negates the advantage of monetary commitment: The optimal monetary rule is equivalent to discretionary leadership of monetary over fiscal policy. Agreement about ideal output and inflation creates a monetary–fiscal symbiosis, yielding the ideal point despite disagreement about the relative weights of the two objectives, for any order of moves, without fiscal co-ordination, and without monetary commitment.
Parent Drug Use, Parent Personality, and Parenting

This study examined the relationship of parent drug use and specific parent personality traits with four indicators of the parent-child bond: affection, child-centeredness, involvement, and nonconflictual relations. The participants (N = 71) were young mothers or fathers who have participated in a longitudinal study of 1,000 children and their parents from 1975 to the present. They answered a self-administered questionnaire about themselves and their oldest child. Regression analyses indicated that the domains of parent drug use and parent personality had independent effects on most of the parent-child variables. Specific parent personality traits buffered the effect of drug use on aspects of the bond. The implications of these findings are that reducing parental drug use can have direct and positive effects on the bond and can enhance some parent personality traits, thus strengthening the bond. Protective personality characteristics can mitigate the impact of drug use on the bond.
Some aspects of spin-lattice relaxation amongst triplet states of molecules and molecular excitons

Abstract A numerical estimate of the spin-lattice relaxation in molecular crystals and mixed molecular crystals is presented on the assumption that a direct mixing of the spin-levels arises because of the modulation of the spin-orbit interaction by the orbit-lattice interaction. The cases of neat and mixed crystals are compared. In the latter case the thermal strain provides the coupling between excitations and the lattice.
An analytical approach to characterize morbidity profile dissimilarity between distinct cohorts using electronic medical records

We describe a two-stage analytical approach for characterizing morbidity profile dissimilarity among patient cohorts using electronic medical records. We capture morbidities using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-9) codes. In the first stage of the approach separate logistic regression analyses for ICD-9 sections (e.g., ''hypertensive disease'' or ''appendicitis'') are conducted, and the odds ratios that describe adjusted differences in prevalence between two cohorts are displayed graphically. In the second stage, the results from ICD-9 section analyses are combined into a general morbidity dissimilarity index (MDI). For illustration, we examine nine cohorts of patients representing six phenotypes (or controls) derived from five institutions, each a participant in the electronic MEdical REcords and GEnomics (eMERGE) network. The phenotypes studied include type II diabetes and type II diabetes controls, peripheral arterial disease and peripheral arterial disease controls, normal cardiac conduction as measured by electrocardiography, and senile cataracts.
Diagnostic evaluation of squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to cervical lymph nodes from an unknown head and neck primary site.

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the modern diagnostic evaluation for squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to cervical lymph nodes from an unknown head and neck primary site. Methods One hundred thirty patients were evaluated between June 1983 and June 1997. All underwent head and neck examinations, head and neck computed tomography (CT), and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, panendoscopies, and biopsies of head and neck mucosal sites. Twenty-four patients underwent 2-[fluorine-18]-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT); 34 patients underwent tonsillectomy. Results The primary site was identified in 56 patients (43%); the likelihood was increased in patients with suggestive findings on physical examination and/or radiographic evaluation. Eighty-three percent of the lesions were located in the tonsillar fossa and base of tongue. Results of FDG-SPECT scans were positive in 20 patients (83%); the primary tumor was detected in 7 patients (35%). Twelve (35%) of 34 patients who underwent tonsillectomy had a primary tumor discovered in the tonsillar fossa. Multivariate analysis of successful primary site detection revealed that suggestive findings on physical examination (p = .0225) and suggestive findings on CT and/or MRI (p = .0013) were significantly related to this end point. Conclusion The primary lesion will be detected in over 40% of patients with physical examination of the head and neck and CT and/or MRI followed by panendoscopy and biopsies. Limited data pertaining to FDG-SPECT suggest that this provides additional useful information in a small subset of patients. Tonsillectomy is useful for those with suggestive findings on physical examination and/or radiographic evaluation. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 20: 739–744, 1998.
Differentiating BOLD and Non-BOLD Signals in fMRI Time Series Using Multi-Echo EPI

A central challenge in the fMRI based study of functional connectivity is distinguishing neuronally related signal fluctuations from the effects of motion, physiology, and other nuisance sources. Conventional techniques for removing nuisance effects include modeling of noise time courses based on external measurements followed by temporal filtering. These techniques have limited effectiveness. Previous studies have shown using multi-echo fMRI that neuronally related fluctuations are Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) signals that can be characterized in terms of changes in R(2)* and initial signal intensity (S(0)) based on the analysis of echo-time (TE) dependence. We hypothesized that if TE-dependence could be used to differentiate BOLD and non-BOLD signals, non-BOLD signal could be removed to denoise data without conventional noise modeling. To test this hypothesis, whole brain multi-echo data were acquired at 3 TEs and decomposed with Independent Components Analysis (ICA) after spatially concatenating data across space and TE. Components were analyzed for the degree to which their signal changes fit models for R(2)* and S(0) change, and summary scores were developed to characterize each component as BOLD-like or not BOLD-like. These scores clearly differentiated BOLD-like "functional network" components from non BOLD-like components related to motion, pulsatility, and other nuisance effects. Using non BOLD-like component time courses as noise regressors dramatically improved seed-based correlation mapping by reducing the effects of high and low frequency non-BOLD fluctuations. A comparison with seed-based correlation mapping using conventional noise regressors demonstrated the superiority of the proposed technique for both individual and group level seed-based connectivity analysis, especially in mapping subcortical-cortical connectivity. The differentiation of BOLD and non-BOLD components based on TE-dependence was highly robust, which allowed for the identification of BOLD-like components and the removal of non BOLD-like components to be implemented as a fully automated procedure.
Misconceptions in the debate on the iron hypothesis.

“The epidemiological findings and the accumulating data on the protective effects of deferoxamine in myocardial injury are consistent with the iron depletion hypothesis. The hypothesis implies that ferritin is a risk factor for IHD but does not precisely define the epidemiological behavior of ferritin as a risk factor. The hypothesis focuses on protective effects of iron depletion, a state in which there is essentially no ferritin present. The hypothesis does not, and with available data, cannot adequately address the quantitative aspects of the relationship between ferritin and incidence of IHD. The strength of serum ferritin as a risk factor for IHD may
EVOLUTION OF INCOMPATIBILITY-INDUCING MICROBES IN SUBDIVIDED HOST POPULATIONS

Many insects, other arthropods, and nematodes harbor maternally inherited bacteria inducing "cytoplasmic incompatibility" (CI), reduced egg hatch when infected males mate with uninfected females. Although CI drives the spread of these microbes, selection on alternative, mutually compatible strains in panmictic host populations does not act directly on CI intensity but favors higher "effective fecundity," the number of infected progeny an infected female produces. We analyze the consequences of host population subdivision using deterministic and stochastic models. In subdivided populations, effective fecundity remains the primary target of selection. For strains of equal effective fecundity, if population density is regulated locally (i.e., "soft selection"), variation among patches in infection frequencies may induce change in the relative frequencies of the strains. However, whether this change favors stronger incompatibility depends on initial frequencies. Demographic fluctuations maintain frequency variation that tends to favor stronger incompatibility. However, this effect is weak; even with small patches, minute increases in effective fecundity can offset substantial decreases in CI intensity. These results are insensitive to many details of host life cycle and migration and to systematic outbreeding or inbreeding within patches. Selection acting through transfer between host species may be required to explain the prevalence of CI.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the optic chiasm: case report

Background and importance Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is an uncommon disease, usually affecting the cranium and peripheral bones. We present a rare case of isolated optic chiasm involvement by LCH to highlight the importance of considering LCH in the differential diagnosis of optic chiasm lesions. Clinical presentation A 71-year-old woman presented with a 6-week history of worsening peripheral vision, headaches, weakness, cold sensitivity, and fatigue. She was found to have dense bitemporal hemianopsia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 2-cm lesion, contrast enhancing on T1 and bright on T2 signal, involving the optic chiasm but not the pituitary gland. Preoperative considerations included optic nerve glioma, choristoma of the stalk, sarcoid, hypothalamic glioma, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The patient underwent a right subfrontal craniotomy for biopsy of the lesion. The optic chiasm was grossly enlarged with no tissue external to the chiasm. A midline incision was made in the lamina terminalis, and multiple biopsies were taken of firm fibrous material. Histologically, the tumor was characteristic for LCH and included a mixture of histiocytes with features of Langerhans cells, eosinophils, small lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and plasma cells. Conclusion LCH is a rare disease, generally affecting bone, skin, lymph nodes, and in more severe cases, visceral organs. LCH involving the optic pathways is a rare condition that should be included in the differential for adults with mass lesions involving the orbit, eye, optic nerve, or chiasm. Future clinical and basic science research is needed to better understand LCH, its molecular origin, and its growth pattern.
Finite Ground Coplanar lines on CMOS grade silicon with a thick embedded silicon oxide layer using micromachining techniques

Finite Ground Coplanar (FGC) waveguide transmission lines on CMOS grade silicon wafer (/spl rho/<0.01 ohm-cm) with a thick embedded silicon oxide layer have been developed using micromachining techniques. Lines with different lengths were designed, fabricated and measured. Measured attenuation and s-parameters are presented in the paper. Results show that the attenuation loss of the fabricated FGC lines is as low as 3.2 dB/cm at 40 GHz.
Characterization of transient interference in a single mode waveguide

Near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) is used to directly measure transient interference between a guided and step induced leaky mode in a single mode waveguide.Simulations are in good agreement with the observed results.
THE DEPENDENCE OF INTERFACIAL SHEAR STRENGTH ON MATRIX AND INTERPHASE PROPERTIES

Experiments were conducted to determine the dependence of the interfacial shear strength on the bulk material matrix properties using model compounds based on epoxy/amine chemistry. AS4, carbon fibers were used as the subject for these measurements with both a difunctional epoxy (DGEBA) system as well as a tetrafunctional epoxy (MY720) system. Amine curing agents were carefully chosen to produce matrices which produced a range of matrix properties from brittle, elastic to ductile, plastic. The fiber-matrix interfacial chemistry was constant throughout this study by always using a stoichiometric amount of curing agent. The results indicate that, for both the difunctional as well as the tetrafunctional epoxy system, the interfacial shear strength (as determined by the fragmentation test) decreases nonlinearly with decreasing modulus of the matrix. Linear elastic analysis yields a nearly linear relationship, for both systems, between the interfacial shear strength and the product of strain to final break and the square root of the matrix shear modulus. A linear relationship is also found between the difference in test temperature and glass transition temperature of the cured matrix and the interfacial shear strength. Additionally, the failure mode is seen to remain interfacial as the ductility of the matrix changes.
Hydrolysis of organophosphorus compounds by microbial enzymes

There are classes of microbial enzymes that have the ability to degrade harmful organophosphorus (OP) compounds that are present in some pesticides and nerve agents. To date, the most studied and potentially important OP-degrading enzymes are organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) and organophosphorus acid anhydrolase (OPAA), which have both been characterized from a number of organisms. Here we provide an update of what is experimentally known about OPH and OPAA to include their structures, substrate specificity, and catalytic properties. Current and future potential applications of these enzymes in the hydrolysis of OP compounds are also addressed.
α2-macroglobulin ‘fast’ forms inhibit superoxide production by activated macrophages

Abstract Mouse peritoneal macrophages activated by bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) were incubated with human α2-macroglobulin converted to its ‘fast’ form with either trypsin or methylamine before being stimulated with phorbol myrystate acetate. Both α2-macroglobulin-trypsin and α2-macroglobulin-methylamine inhibited macrophage production of superoxide anion (O2−) while native α2-macroglobulin had little effect except at high concentration. The α2-macroglobulin ‘fast’ forms, which bind with a Kd of about 8 nM, inhibited 50% generation of O2−(ID50) at a concentration of 7 nM while α2-macroglobulin inhibited O2− production with an ID50 of 141 nM. The ‘fast’ forms of α2-macroglobulin may play a role in the feedback regulation of inflammatory reactions.
Learning Proteomic Network Structure by a New Hill Climbing Algorithm

As a progressive, degenerative disease, ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is caused by a gene mutation (ATM) and is a predisposition to cancer. Understanding the impaired signaling networks caused by ATM will help minimizing the damage and finding effective therapies. The goal of this work is to investigate the dynamic change of ATM-dependent signaling pathways under the treatment of different radiation dosages. A reverse-phase protein microarray (RPPM) in conjunction with quantum dots nano-crystal technology is used for the quantitative measurement. To discover the proteomic pathways affected in ATM cells, a new hill climbing algorithm is developed based on mutual information, the classical hill-climbing method, and the optimization of the local structure. More trusted biology networks are thus defined by the new approach. The study was carried out at different time points under different dosages for cell lines with and without ATM mutation. To validate the performance of the proposed algorithm, comparison experiments were also implemented using public networks.
Team-Based Learning Exercise Efficiently Teaches Brief Intervention Skills to Medicine Residents

ABSTRACT Background: Evaluations of substance use screening and brief intervention (SBI) curricula typically focus on learner attitudes and knowledge, although effects on clinical skills are of greater interest and utility. Moreover, these curricula often require large amounts of training time and teaching resources. This study examined whether a 3-hour SBI curriculum for internal medicine residents utilizing a team-based learning (TBL) format is effective for SBI skills as measured by a standardized patient (SP) assessment. Methods: A waitlist-controlled design was employed. Results: Twenty-four postgraduate year 2 (PGY-2) and PGY-3 residents participated in a SP assessment prior to the TBL session (waitlist control group) and 32 participated in a SP assessment after the TBL session (intervention group). The intervention residents demonstrated better brief intervention skills than waitlist control residents, but there were no differences between the groups in screening and assessment skills. Residents re...
Incorporating Expected Life-Time into Live Load Factor for RC Structures Using Reliability Analysis

A method of reliability analysis is utilized to calibrate the live load factor based on the expected life-time of a cast-in-place reinforced concrete (RC) structure. The probabilistic parameters of live load are computed for different life-times and live load factors are then suggested so that the same level of safety is maintained for any given life-span. An example is presented that demonstrates how modified live load factors can be conducive to making decision on the necessity and the level of the required strengthening in a concrete structure in need of repair.