cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Describing Clinically Significant Arrhythmias in Postoperative Vascular Surgery Patients.

Background The American Heart Association guidelines instruct use of postoperative telemetry (POT) should be reserved for patients undergoing cardiac procedures and/or those with ischemic cardiac symptoms, but acknowledge that major vascular procedures deserve unique consideration. Telemetry remains a limited resource in many hospitals; however, it has been poorly defined which vascular patients have greatest need for POT. The purpose of this study is to define the rates of postoperative arrhythmias (POAs) after major vascular operations using the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) registry, identify independent predictors of POA, and determine the effect of POA on mortality to guide the use of POT in vascular patients. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed using the following VQI modules: open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (oAAA), complex endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) (thoracic endovascular aortic repair [TEVAR]/c-EVAR), EVAR, suprainguinal bypass (SIB), and infrainguinal bypass (IIB). POA was defined in the VQI as a new rhythm disturbance requiring treatment with medication or cardioversion. The incidence of POA, preoperative risk factors, and demographics were determined for each procedure. Results A total of 121,652 procedures were identified with an overall POA event rate of 5.1% (n = 6,265). Procedure-specific event rates for POA among VQI registries are as follows: oAAA 14.4%, TEVAR/c-EVAR 8.5%, EVAR 2.7%, SIB 6.2%, and IIB 3.8%. Across all procedure types, POA was associated with emergent operations and increased procedure time. Procedure-specific multivariable regression revealed additional independent preoperative intraoperative factors associated with POA that were unique with each procedure. Across all procedural groups, the presence of POA was associated with increased rates of clinical myocardial infarction and decreased survival on Kaplan-Meier analysis. Conclusions Rates of POA in patients undergoing vascular procedures appear higher than previously reported, and POA is associated with decreased survival. Our study elucidated patient- and procedure-specific predictor factors associated with POA that can be used to inform the use of POT.
Development and characterization of a novel activated biochar-based polymer composite for biosensors

The aim of this study is to develop and characterize an activated biochar-based polymer composite for biosensors in smart food packaging. Biochar was made from corn stover and activated using the s...
Radar data representation for classification of activities of daily living

In this chapter, we address the problem of data representation and its impact on human motion classification using radar. In examining the motion classifier performance, it has become apparent that some human motion articulations are more distinguish-able in some data domain representations than others. The potential effect of data representation on motion classification performance calls for devising proper strategies and new approaches of how to best manipulate or preprocess the data for the sake of achieving most desirable results. We discuss domain integration and suit-ability using a single range-Doppler radar sensor. No assumptions are made regarding the received radar backscattering data adhering to any specific models or signal structure.
Tribute to Kamau Brathwaite (May 11, 1930 to February 4, 2020)

A tribute to the life and works of Kamau Brathwaite , a prominant Caribbean poet and scholar born and raised in Barbados, by close friend Dr.Timothy Reiss.
Naturalness is Not an Aim of Belief

Recently some philosophers have defended the thesis that naturalness, or joint-carvingness, is an aim of belief. This paper argues that there is an important class of counterexamples to this thesis. In particular, it is argued that naturalness is not an aim of our beliefs concerning what is joint carving and what is not.
The effectiveness of alcohol monitoring as a treatment for driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) offenders: A literature review and synthesis.

OBJECTIVE The advent of continuous, passive, transdermal alcohol-monitoring devices and portable breath-testing devices with cameras provides a more efficient and reliable method for controlling the impaired driving of driving-under-the-influence (DUI) offenders. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive literature review and synthesis of the strategies, the obstacles and the effectiveness of implementing alcohol monitoring as a component of treatment for DUI offenders. METHOD A formalized review of the existing literature was conducted including both peer-reviewed and gray literature resources. Professional association websites were also searched in an effort to seek information on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of alcohol monitoring as a strategy to treat DUI offenders. The review was guided by pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria that identified the scope and key terms to use when searching. RESULTS The literature shows that there is promising to strong evidence that alcohol monitoring is an effective component in treating DUI offenders and reducing recidivism rates. Alcohol ignition interlocks had the most studies (71 of the 131 articles identified in this review) and research shows that recidivism rates can be reduced by 50 to 90 percent for offenders while the interlock is installed. However, most ignition interlock studies are subject to sampling issues where participants are not randomly assigned to experimental and comparison groups. There is also evidence that alcohol monitoring is a key measure in 24/7 Sobriety Programs, in enforcing abstinence, and in overall alcohol treatment programs. CONCLUSIONS Transdermal monitoring is generally effective in deterring offenders from drinking alcohol. Offenders who drink or are otherwise noncompliant are likely to be identified. Transdermal monitoring helps enforce abstinence, which in turn helps offenders quit drinking and go into a recovery stage, potentially creating long-term safety benefits for the community. Continuous transdermal monitoring is a more effective means of monitoring drinking than other techniques and technologies (e.g., self-report, periodic or random breath tests, patches, or urinalysis).
Segmental assembly of fibronectin matrix requires rap1b and integrin α5.

Background: During segmentation of the zebrafish embryo, inside-out signaling activates Integrin α5, which is necessary for somite border morphogenesis. The direct activator of Integrin α5 during this process is unknown. One candidate is Rap1b, a small monomeric GTPase implicated in Integrin activation in the immune system. Results: Knockdown of rap1b, or overexpression of a dominant negative rap1b, causes a mild axis elongation defect in zebrafish. However, disruption of rap1b function in integrin α5−/− mutants results in a strong reduction in Fibronectin (FN) matrix assembly in the paraxial mesoderm and a failure in somite border morphogenesis along the entire anterior-posterior axis. Somite patterning appears unaffected, as her1 oscillations are maintained in single and double morphants/mutants, but somite polarity is gradually lost in itgα5−/−; rap1b MO embryos. Conclusions: In itgα5−/− mutants, rap1b is required for proper somite border morphogenesis in zebrafish. The loss of somite borders is not a result of aberrant segmental patterning. Rather, somite boundary formation initiates but is not completed, due to the failure to assemble FN matrix along the nascent boundary. We propose a model in which Rap1b activates Integrin/Fibronectin receptors as part of an “inside-out” signaling pathway that promotes Integrin binding to FN, FN matrix assembly, and subsequent stabilization of morphological somite boundaries. Developmental Dynamics 242:122–131, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ribonucleic Acid Transcriptase Activity in Purified Wound Tumor Virus

Abstract Purified wound tumor virus was found to possess an associated ribonucleic acid (RNA) transcriptase. The product of transcriptase synthesis was shown to be single-stranded RNA which annealed specifically to wound tumor viral RNA.
We're All Number One: Academic Productivity among Schools of Social Work

Abstract This paper updates, extends and refines a study published in this Journal a decade ago on the academic affiliation of social work authors. The study reported in this article looked at different types of journals and examined how a school's productivity rank varied by type of journal, faculty size and over time.
The Impact of Socially Engaged Theatre across Communities: A Tale of Two Slave Cabins.

What happens when one controversial text meets another in performance? How do diverse audiences from rural and metropolitan areas respond to powerful yet provocative material? The Kennesaw State University Department of Theatre and Performance Studies sought to answer these questions with Splittin’ the Raft, a dramatic adaptation of Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as interpreted by ex-slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the ensemble toured seven North Georgia communities, ranging from inner-city schools to rural mountain towns. The struggles faced and the conversations encountered prove the lasting legacy of American slavery. Socially engaged theatre can create a unique forum for constructive dialogue within communities. This article highlights the healing conversations inspired by this student production and explores some widely contrasting responses to renovated slave dwellings in two Georgia communities, Oxford and Sautee Nacoochee.
CMS Reimbursement Reform.

Author’s response— Dear Editor: In our difference-in-difference–based analysis of hospital administrative data, we found a reduced incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with Centers for Medicare andMedicaid Services’ (CMS) payment reform for hospital-acquired conditions. In their comment, Taylor, Ecker and Taylor suggest this may be due to hospitals reducing their screening practices for this postsurgical complication. This is a possible explanation, but one which we consider unlikely. Our findings of reduced incidence of PE or DVT post-CMS reimbursement reform were due to both a decrease in complication incidence in the Medicare population, as well as an increase in incidence of complication in the non-Medicare population. If screening was the main factor, as Taylor et al. suggest, hospitals would have to influence physicians to reduce screening in Medicare patients while also influencing physicians to increase screening in non-Medicare patients. Given the challenges often faced in changing provider practice patterns, we consider it improbable that hospitals were able to successfully persuade physicians to change their screening practices—in opposite directions based on patient insurance status—in the few months after CMS payment reform. Nevertheless, Taylor, Ecker and Taylor identify an important mechanism that could benefit from further study.
First annual Lamport award manuscript. Platelet--endothelial interaction and the maintenance of the microvasculature.

Abstract Endothelial cells line the heart and blood vessels, and they are the principal cellular components of the capillary. The state of the microvasculature is, therefore, a reflection of the function of the endothelium. Because the capillary is the site of the blood-tissue interface, changes in endothelial cell metabolism should affect not only the vessel but also the homeostatic mechanisms of the blood and tissue fluids. The presence of circulating platelets is believed to be necessary to maintain the integrity of the capillary endothelium (and intima). The thrombocytopenic condition has been shown in vivo to cause ultrastructural and permeability changes in the microvasculature. Growing endothelial cells in culture provides an opportunity to simulate the in vivo situation and to study the responses of endothelium to various agonists, which these cells normally bind because of their direct contact with the blood. With the addition of platelets at a concentration of 10 4 –10 5 /mm 3 , substances (serotonin, thrombin, adenosine diphosphate, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and histamine) released by platelets or circulating in the blood following injury stimulate cultured endothelial proliferation to 150–1000% of controls. That substances so diverse in form may have similar effects suggests a common mode of action, such as the mobilization of a second messenger. Influx of calcium-45 in response to these agents was found to be 5–24 times that of controls, appears to be dose dependent, and is inhibited by preincubation with lanthanum chloride and specific blocking agents, such as Lilly 110146. Calcium as a second messenger is implicated in a variety of cellular functions including division, secretion, motility, and control of cyclic nucleotide levels. Thus, the supportive role of platelets and their secretions on endothelium may be mitogenic and regulatory, and the mobilization of intracellular calcium may be the common pathway for both events.
A robustness approach to adaptive filtering

The robustness of adaptive filtering algorithms is considered. the main effort has been devoted to obtaining reasonably good upper bounds for the iterates when the law of large numbers is only approximately valid. Asymptotic order estimates for the absolute deviation of the iterates are obtained, and an almost sure convergence result is proved. Comments are made regarding the corresponding algorithm with randomly varying truncations. >
Human immunodeficiency virus env expression becomes Rev-independent if the env region is not defined as an intron

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Rev protein functions to facilitate export of intron-containing HIV mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. We have previously shown that splice site recognition plays an important role in Rev regulation of HIV env expression. Here we have further analyzed the effects of splice sites on HIV env expression and Rev regulation, using a simian virus 40 late replacement vector system. env expression from the vector became completely Rev-independent when an excisable intron was positioned upstream of the env region, provided that env was not recognized as an intron. Complete Rev regulation was restored either by the insertion of a 5' splice site between the intron and the env open reading frame or by deletion of the 3' splice site of the upstream intron. These results show that 5' splice sites can function as cis-acting repressor sequence (CRS) elements to retain RNA in the nucleus in the absence of Rev. They also indicate that Rev regulation of HIV env expression is critically dependent on whether the env region is defined as an intron. This strengthens the hypothesis that Rev interacts with components of the splicing machinery to release splicing factors and enable export of the mRNA before splicing occurs.
Opportunistic Scheduling Of Secure Tasks In A Multiprocessor Environment

Covert channel is a growing concern for multilevel secure systems. This paper addresses the covert channel issue in the scheduling steps of precedence related set of tasks for multiprocessor environments. Existing solution approaches for covert channel elimination, with a totally ordered set of classes, would adopt a "lower security class first" (LSF) scheduling approach. Despite providing covert channel free scheduling, the LSF scheduler has well known performance disadvantages, e.g., increased response time for higher security class tasks. We propose an opportunistic scheduling (OPS) approach, which works in conjunction with LSF, but which can minimize the performance overheads of the LSF approach. The OPS policy identifies opportunities where a higher security class task can be executed prior to the completion of other lower class tasks, without creating any covert channels. This is a temporal relaxation of the overall LSF scheduling premise. However, we demonstrate that following the guidelines of the OPS scheduler such violations of the LSF policy cannot create any covert channels. Selection of the 'opportunities' for the makespan reduction is done in a way that Multilevel security (MLS) requirements are satisfied. OPS, therefore, is an absolute improvement over the LSF approach without any significant performance overhead (or, security compromise). Performance benefits of the OPS, over the LSF scheduler, is shown by simulation.
The New Antiepileptic Drugs and Women: Efficacy, Reproductive Health, Pregnancy, and Fetal Outcome

As new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) become available, physicians will define their appropriate use in particular patient populations. For women, the issues include gender-specific efficacy and tolerability, including the impact of the AED on reproductive health. Women with epilepsy who are treated with established AEDs appear to be at risk for compromised bone health, for disturbances in fertility, menstrual cyclicity, ovulatory function, and sexuality and, with some AEDs, for failure of hormonal contraception. Finally, pregnancy outcome may be adversely affected by the established AEDs, all of which are human teratogens. Felbamate (FBM), gabapentin (GBP), lamotrigine (LTG), oxcarbazepine (OCBZ), tiagabine (TGB), topiramate (TPM), and vigabatrin (VGB) were reviewed. The preclinical development process had not addressed all the issues of concern to women. Although gender-specific efficacy is routinely evaluated, impact on reproductive health is not. FBM, GBP, LTG, TGB, TPM, and VGB have similar efficacy in women and men. It is not known whether the new AEDs will affect bone health, fertility, the menstrual cycle, and sexuality. FBM, GBP, LTG, TGB, and probably VGB do not interfere with hormonal contraception. Whether these new AEDs are good choices for the pregnant woman with epilepsy awaits further experience in human pregnancy. However, animal reproductive toxicology studies appear promising. The limited number of human pregnancy exposures do not, thus far, signal a significant number or particular type of adverse outcomes. However, only with improved postmarketing surveillance can essential information about teratogenic effects by acquired in an acceptably short time.
Understanding the amplitudes of noise correlation measurements

Cross correlation of ambient seismic noise is known to result in time series from which station-station travel-time measurements can be made. Part of the reason that these cross-correlation travel-time measurements are reliable is that there exists a theoretical framework that quantifies how these travel times depend on the features of the ambient noise. However, corresponding theoretical results do not currently exist to describe how the amplitudes of the cross correlation depend on such features. For example, currently it is not possible to take a given distribution of noise sources and calculate the cross correlation amplitudes one would expect from such a distribution. Here, we provide a ray-theoretical framework for calculating cross correlations. This framework differs from previous work in that it explicitly accounts for attenuation as well as the spatial distribution of sources and therefore can address the issue of quantifying amplitudes in noise correlation measurements. After introducing the general framework, we apply it to two specific problems. First, we show that we can quantify the amplitudes of coherency measurements, and find that the decay of coherency with station-station spacing depends crucially on the distribution of noise sources. We suggest that researchers interested in performing attenuation measurements from noise coherency should first determine how the dominant sources of noise are distributed. Second, we show that we can quantify the signal-to-noise ratio of noise correlations more precisely than previous work, and that these signal-to-noise ratios can be estimated for given situations prior to the deployment of seismometers. It is expected that there are applications of the theoretical framework beyond the two specific cases considered, but these applications await future work.
Separation and Quantification of Bovine Milk Proteins by Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Current analytical methods for milk proteins lack the capacity to simultaneously separate and quantify the six major bovine milk proteins and their genetic variants. A method is described that simultaneously separates and quantifies the six major bovine milk proteins. The separation is based on reversed-phase partitioning of the six major milk proteins and several genetic variants of kappa-casein, beta-casein, and beta-lactoglobulin. The described method has for each of the six milk proteins a linear quantitative response, precision (coefficient of variation below 5.1% within days of analysis, and below 7.1% between days of analysis), resolution (over 2.5 between proteins), peak efficiency (theoretical plate numbers between 8 000 and 50 000), and a sample treatment without filtration steps that together with the analysis takes 2 h. The composition of protein from milk of each of 234 cows was determined using the current method, and the results were similar to reference values for milk proteins.
Electronic structure of Pb and non-Pb based phosphate scintillators

The electronic structures of Pb and non-Pb containing phosphates, specifically ${\mathrm{Pb}}_{3}{(\mathrm{P}{\mathrm{O}}_{4})}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{Pb}}_{2}{\mathrm{P}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$, $\mathrm{Sc}\mathrm{P}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$, $\mathrm{Y}\mathrm{P}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$, and $\mathrm{Lu}\mathrm{P}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$, are compared using a combination of density functional calculations and optical measurements. We find that the characteristic difference between these two classes is that the band gaps in the Pb containing materials are significantly lower because of the presence of Pb $6p$ derived bands in the gap between the valence bands and the P-O antibonding states. This may be favorable from the point of view of energy transfer in scintillator applications of Pb-based phosphates. However, it also suggests that different activators than those used in other phosphate scintillators may be useful to increase the efficiency.
ON THE INDEPENDENCE NUMBERS OF COMPLEMENTARY GRAPHS

A set of vertices (edges) is called independent if no two vertices (edges) in the set are adjacent. The independence number β(G) (edge independence number β1(G)) is the maximum number of elements in an independent set of vertices (edges) of G. It is shown for any graph G of order p ≥ 3, having complement Ḡ, that [p/2] ≤ β1(G) + β1(Ḡ) ≤ 2[p/2]. From this, upper and lower bounds for β1(G) · β1(Ḡ) are determined. All four bounds are shown to be best possible. It is verified that for every graph G of order p, the bounds β(G) + β(Ḡ) ≤ p + 1 and β(G) · β(Ḡ) ≤ [(p + 1)/2] · {(p + 1)/2} hold and are best possible. Lower bounds for β(G) + β(Ḡ) and β(G) · β(Ḡ) are considered and are shown to be related to Ramsey numbers.
Probing the origins of the C IV and Fe Kα baldwin effects

We use UV/optical and X-ray observations of 272 radio-quiet Type 1 active galactic nuclei and quasars to investigate the C IV Baldwin Effect (BEff). The UV/optical spectra are drawn from the Hubble Space Telescope, International Ultraviolet Explorer and Sloan Digital Sky Survey archives. The X-ray spectra are from the Chandra and XMM-Newton archives. We apply correlation and partial-correlation analyses to the equivalent widths (EWs), continuum monochromatic luminosities, and {alpha}{sub ox}, which characterizes the relative X-ray to UV brightness. The EW of the C IV {lambda}1549 emission line is correlated with both {alpha}{sub ox} and luminosity. We find that by regressing l{sub {nu}}(2500 A) with EW(C IV) and {alpha}{sub ox}, we can obtain tighter correlations than by regressing l{sub {nu}}(2500 A) with only EW(C IV). Both correlation and regression analyses imply that l{sub {nu}}(2500 A) is not the only factor controlling the changes of EW(C IV); {alpha}{sub ox} (or, equivalently, the soft X-ray emission) plays a fundamental role in the formation and variation of C IV. Variability contributes at least 60% of the scatter of the EW(C IV)-l{sub {nu}}(2500 A) relation and at least 75% of the scatter of the of the EW(C IV)-{alpha}{sub ox} relation. In our sample, narrow Femore » K{alpha} 6.4 keV emission lines are detected in 50 objects. Although narrow Fe K{alpha} exhibits a BEff similar to that of C IV, its EW has almost no dependence on either {alpha}{sub ox} or EW(C IV). This suggests that the majority of narrow Fe K{alpha} emission is unlikely to be produced in the broad emission-line region. We do find suggestive correlations between the emission-line luminosities of C IV and Fe K{alpha}, which could be potentially used to estimate the detectability of the Fe K{alpha} line of quasars from rest-frame UV spectroscopic observations.« less
GraphBIG: understanding graph computing in the context of industrial solutions

With the emergence of data science, graph computing is becoming a crucial tool for processing big connected data. Although efficient implementations of specific graph applications exist, the behavior of full-spectrum graph computing remains unknown. To understand graph computing, we must consider multiple graph computation types, graph frameworks, data representations, and various data sources in a holistic way. In this paper, we present GraphBIG, a benchmark suite inspired by IBM System G project. To cover major graph computation types and data sources, GraphBIG selects representative datastructures, workloads and data sets from 21 real-world use cases of multiple application domains. We characterized GraphBIG on real machines and observed extremely irregular memory patterns and significant diverse behavior across different computations. GraphBIG helps users understand the impact of modern graph computing on the hardware architecture and enables future architecture and system research.
Comparison of the CPU and memory performance of StatPatternRecognitions (SPR) and Toolkit for MultiVariate Analysis (TMVA)

High Energy Physics data sets are often characterized by a huge number of events. Therefore, it is extremely important to use statistical packages able to efficiently analyze these unprecedented amounts of data. We compare the performance of the statistical packages StatPatternRecognition (SPR) and Toolkit for MultiVariate Analysis (TMVA). We focus on how CPU time and memory usage of the learning process scale versus data set size. As classifiers, we consider Random Forests, Boosted Decision Trees and Neural Networks only, each with specific settings. For our tests, we employ a data set widely used in the machine learning community, “Threenorm” data set, as well as data tailored for testing various edge cases. For each data set, we constantly increase its size and check CPU time and memory needed to build the classifiers implemented in SPR and TMVA. We show that SPR is often significantly faster and consumes significantly less memory. For example, the SPR implementation of Random Forest is by an order of magnitude faster and consumes an order of magnitude less memory than TMVA on Threenorm data.
Effect of extraction method on perceived composition of the soil nematode community

Abstract Methods for extraction of nematodes from soil vary in their efficiency and therefore may affect perception of nematode community structure. An active extraction method (Baermann incubation) was compared with a passive method (centrifugation) for all taxa of the nematode communities in sandy soils in five experiments. Baermann incubation recovered only 30% of the numbers of herbivores recovered by centrifugation, and was particularly inefficient for recovery of Acrobeles , Alaimus , Hemicriconemoides , Hoplolaimus , and Mesocriconema . In contrast, centrifugation recovered only 22% of the number of omnivores and 12% of predators that were extracted by Baermann incubation, and was inferior in recovery of Aphelenchoides , Eudorylaimus , Nygolaimus , Tylencholaimellus , Tylencholaimus , and Xiphinema . Percent composition of the nematode community was consistently affected by extraction method, with a higher percentage of omnivores and predators recovered by Baermann and a higher percentage of herbivores recovered by centrifugation. A combination of extraction methods is proposed to optimize recovery efficiency for every taxon in the community. Baermann incubation for 96 h, rather than 48 h, increased the detection of uncommon taxa in samples.
French Universities and the Challenge of Modernization.

In May 1968 an explosion shook the French university system to its foundations, triggering a general strike and the gravest constitutional crisis of the Fifth Republic. The student unrest that preceded the May revolt, as well as the government reform of the universities that followed, are dramatic expressions of the theme of this conference. Democratization of student and faculty recruitment generated irresistible pressure upon the traditional structures of the French university, which had been designed to handle the training of a fairly small elite. Something had to give - either the elite structures had to be democratized or the democratic pressures had to be contained. After the explosion, the Gaullist government, under the guidance of Education Minister Edgar Faure, opted for a sweeping democratization from above - with results that are far from those originally intended. The reform engineered by Faure ushered in many changes in the French universities; but to an amazing extent the old structures and ...
Chaos in a Jahn-Teller molecule.

The Jahn-Teller system $E\ensuremath{\bigotimes}{b}_{1}\ensuremath{\bigoplus}{b}_{2}$ has a particular degeneracy, where the vibronic potential has an elliptical minimum. In the general case where the ellipse does not reduce to a circle, the classical motion in the potential is chaotic, tending to trapping near one of the extrema of the ellipse. In the quantum problem, the motion consists of correlated tunneling from one extremum to the opposite, leading to an average angular momentum reminiscent of that of the better known $E\ensuremath{\bigotimes}e$ dynamic Jahn-Teller system.
The Permeability Barrier in Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency: Evidence for a Direct Role for Linoleic Acid in Barrier Function

Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficient rodents demonstrate abnormal epidermal permeability barrier function and differentiation, defects which can be corrected by either topical or systemic administration of linoleic acid. Since linoleic acid is a precursor of prostaglandins, correction of the defect in barrier function may either reflect a prostaglandin-mediated return toward normal epidermal differentiation, or, instead, a direct effect of linoleic acid. To test these possibilities severely EFA-deficient mice were pretreated daily with indomethacin and/or 5,8,11,14-eicosatetrayeonic acid, and then placed on normal (linoleic acid-supplemented) diets. Endogenous formation of prostaglandin E2 was determined by thin-layer chromatography after transformation into prostaglandin B2 with ethanolic-hydrochloric acid. Animals treated with both indomethacin and TYA demonstrated substantial reductions in prostaglandin E2 levels in liver and skin. Animals replenished with linoleic acid invariably demonstrated a rapid return of barrier function toward normal whether or not they were blockaded, while non-replenished animals, with or without inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis, demonstrated continued deterioration in barrier function. In other experiments, topically applied linoleic acid rapidly reversed the defect in barrier function at the sites of application prior to systemic correction of the EFA deficient state. These results suggest that: (1) defective cutaneous barrier function in EFA deficiency can be corrected locally without prior systemic reversal of the deficiency state; and (2) that linoleic acid may play a direct role in the epidermal permeability barrier independent of its role in prostaglandin metabolism.
Self quenching of extrinsic photoconductivity in GaAs:Cr

Results of a combination of phototransport measurements (including extrinsic photoconductivity (PC), optical absorption, and photo Hall experiments) are presented to characterize the deep levels introduced by Cr in semi-insulating GaAs. The extrinsic PC shows a spectrum which sharpens rapidly as the temperature is lowered, and is quenched by an additive infrared source. This is explained with the aid of the photo-Hall measurements. The results are interpreted in terms of a simple model of an electron-hole recombination mechanism which is present at low temperature. This recombination causes self-quenching of the PC signal via a drastic reduction of the photogenerated free carriers.
A Test for Homogeneity of Odds Ratios in Ordered 2 × 2 Tables

Consider K ordered 2 × 2 contingency tables. A new test of the null hypothesis that the odds ratios of these tables are equal vs the alternative hypothesis that the odds ratios are nondecreasing, is recommended. The test is exact (non-asymptotic), is easily carried out (software is available), and has other favorable properties. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Wealth Accumulation and Distribution in the Midwest in the Late Nineteenth Century

Abstract It is well known that early settlers on the frontier reaped the benefits of development as population grew, especially through capital gains on real estate. But population turnover—so pervasive in the rural north in the nineteenth century as well as in contemporary settlement economies—also afforded early settlers an advantage: they knew local soil and market conditions better than those who settled later. Such location-specific human capital augmented the incomes, and therefore the wealth, of early settlers. Early settlers in Missouri had higher rates of wealth accumulation than later arrivals, and the contribution of location-specific human capital was at least equal to the contribution of capital gains.
Surface-plasmon dispersion in simple metals.

Angle-resolved reflection inelastic electron scattering has been used to measure the dispersion of the surface plasmon for thick films of Na and K. The measured dispersion is negative at small momentum parallel to the surface as predicted by quantum-mechanical calculations of the dynamic response of the electrons at the surface of an interacting electron gas. A simple physical picture is presented to explain the origin of the negative surface-plasmon dispersion in simple metals.
Reproductive Performance in Male Chickens Fed Protein Deficient Diets During the Growing Period

Abstract LOW LEVELS of dietary protein have been found to delay sexual maturity in pullets (Waldroup and Harms, 1962). Arscott and Parker (1963) stated that adult males fed 6.9% protein had higher fertility than the males fed 10.7% or 16.0% protein; there was no effect on hatchability. Wilson et al. (1965) found that body growth was inversely related to the level of dietary protein when levels of 16.0, 9.0, 6.75 and 4.5% were fed during the growing period. Sexual maturity was delayed in the low protein groups, but after being fed a 17.0% protein diet for 7 weeks sperm concentrations were about equal in all groups. Fertility was higher in the males which had been fed 9.0 and 6.75% protein during the growing period. Hatchability of fertile eggs was not affected by the level of protein fed. The following experiments were designed to study the effects of low dietary protein during . . .
Electron propagator test of atomic natural orbital basis sets

Electron propagator calculations of Sc and Ti ionization energies employing contractions based on atomic natural orbitals reveal the soundness of this approach for choosing basis sets. Errors in total energies greatly exceed those for ionization energies, where contraction errors are reduced to less than 1 mhartree. Systematic improvements involve retention of natural orbitals with lower occupation numbers and augmentation with diffuse and polarization functions.
Fate of incorporated metals during mackinawite oxidation in sea water

Abstract Oxidation of mackinawite can occur at the water-sediment interface when anoxic sediment is disrupted into the oxic water column. During this process, pollutant metals and As that have become incorporated into the pyrite precursor could change oxidation states and become mobile in the water column. Mackinawite oxidation in aerated sea water was measured in laboratory experiments. Synthesized mackinawite oxidized readily with most sulfide reacting within 5 h when exposed to light and 8 h when kept in the dark. A batch of the synthetic mackinawite doped with several metals and As was then placed in filtered sea water and aerated. The filtrates and particulates were collected at various times to analyze both for trace metals and As. Most metals and As were found to remain in the particulate phase. But Cd was found to be unique as a measurable portion did partition into the filtrate.
Exogenous Progesterone Attenuates the Subjective Effects of Smoked Cocaine in Women, but not in Men

In a previous study, we showed that the positive subjective effects of cocaine were higher during the follicular phase compared to the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The purpose of the present study was to determine if exogenously administered progesterone during the follicular phase in females would attenuate the response to cocaine compared to the normal follicular phase, thus making the response to cocaine similar to the luteal phase. To address the role of sex differences, males were also administered exogenous progesterone during one inpatient stay. In all, 11 female and 10 male non-treatment-seeking cocaine smokers participated. Females had three inpatient stays: one during a normal follicular phase, one during a normal luteal phase, and one during a follicular phase when exogenous progesterone was administered. Males had two inpatient stays: one when exogenous progesterone was administered and the other when placebo was administered. During each inpatient admission, there were four smoked cocaine administration sessions: participants were administered six doses of cocaine (0, 6, 12, or 25 mg cocaine base) at 14 min intervals. Smoked cocaine increased heart rate, blood pressure and several subjective effects such as 'good drug effect' and 'drug quality' cluster scores. Administration of progesterone during the follicular phase in women attenuated the positive subjective effects of cocaine, whereas only minimal changes were observed in men. These results indicate that progesterone modulates the response to cocaine in women and suggests that fluctuations in endogenous progesterone levels account for some of the sex differences observed in humans.
Selecting the best baseball cards for investment

Baseball cards can be analyzed for investment purposes like any other investments. There are four criteria that the investor must consider about each of the cards. This paper describes an investment model that utilizes a data base to store specific information about the selected cards. Then, by using regression analysis and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), it is possible to select the card that has the best potential of increasing.
Chromosomal RNA: Its properties

We describe the properties of a special class of RNA associated with chromatin. We discuss why this RNA should be considered a distinct class of RNA and not an artifactual degradation product of either transfer or ribosomal RNA.
Quantitative nonaqueous density gradient ultracentrifugation techniques and applications

Abstract Isopycnic ultracentrifugation in nonaqueous solvents can be useful in identifying and studying properties of micro quantities of soluble and insoluble substances. Miscible pairs of high- and low-density solvents form the gradient in the centrifugal field. Choice of the liquid pair depends upon the refractivities as well as the densities of its components. Because of the high and unknown compressibility behavior of most useful nonaqueous solvent pairs of varying proportions, simple procedures and techniques have been devised to simultaneously calibrate the gradient and extract data pertaining to the species under study without prior thermodynamic study of the gradient pair. Schlieren optics were used in experiments with the Model E Spinco ultracentrifuge. Photographs derived from the experiments show sigmoid schlieren patterns representing soluble matter, and optically transmitting and nontransmitting bands representing insoluble matter. Cases have been observed wherein insoluble matter has shown nontransmitting bands and sigmoid patterns simultaneously. Qualitative interpretation of the photographs is discussed and quantitative treatment of the photographic data is described. A soluble polymer, insoluble soaps, and the insoluble gelled soaps of greases have been observed by the technique, and aspects of their behaviors are deduced from the data.
The application of boundary potentials to several electrocardiographic problems.

Abstract 1. 1. The Gabor-Nelson equations require a minimal of 18 or more boundary potentials or potential differences for computation of dipole midpoint location in the insulated two-dimensional conductor. The 18 or 24 potentials are best taken from 9 or 12 electrodes, respectively, using two dipole axis directions. 2. 2. The Wagner-Ground reference potential of Frank and Kay is shown to be a function of certain boundary potentials . This function changes when the boundary contour is changed . Its explicit formula is presented for the circular lamina and for the sphere. 3. 3. The equation for central terminal of zero potential using equal resistances is presented for an ellipse of any shape. Its validity is supported by computer experiments and by laboratory investigation. 4. 4. Experimental and computer data indicate that highly accurate dipole location may be obtained in the circular or in the arbitrary elliptical lamina using 18 potentials from as few as 9 boundary electrodes.
ZnO thermal neutron scintillators designed for high sensitivity and gamma-ray discrimination

Recently the authors proposed new scintillator designs for the detection of thermal neutrons based on initiating the (n, ±) reaction in 6Li-doped ZnO and ZnO/6LiF/ZnO structures as a potential replacement for 3He tubes [1]. In this paper the critical material properties and structure parameters required to optimize detector performance both for high sensitivity and high neutron-to-gamma ray discrimination are identified and examined. Scintillator neutron detector design guidelines are established through modeling and simulation of detector construction based on experimental results.
William L. Ogren was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Rebeiz Foundation for Basic Research

This News Report is a brief description of the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award received by William (Bill) L. Ogren from the Rebeiz Foundation for Basic Research, at Champaign, Illinois, on Sep 10, 2011. It focuses mainly on the presentations by two of us (ARP and Gov), Christoph Benning (on behalf of Chris Somerville), David Krogmann and Jack Widholm, at this ceremony. It is enriched by the testimonial received from George Bowes at the time of the preparation of this report.
EXTINCTION OF SPECIES BY PERIODIC COMET SHOWERS

A 26-Myr periodicity has recently been seen in the fossil record of extinction in the geological past. At least two of these extinctions are known to be associated with the impact on the Earth of a comet or asteroid with a diameter of a few kilometres. We propose that the periodic events are triggered by an unseen companion to the Sun, travelling in a moderately eccentric orbit, which at its closest approach (perihelion) passes through the 'Oort cloud' of comets which surrounds the Sun. During each passage this unseen solar companion perturbs the orbits of these comets, sending a large number of them (over 1 x 10{sup 9}) into paths which reach the inner Solar System. Several of these hit the Earth, on average, in the following million years. At present the unseen companion should be approximately at its maximum distance from the Sun, {approx}2.4 light yr, and it will present no danger to the Earth until approximately AD 15,000,000.
Immigrants and the Spatial Mismatch Hypothesis: Employment Outcomes among Immigrant Youth in Los Angeles:

This paper examines the effect of space and race/ethnicity on labour force participation outcomes among minority and immigrant youth in the Los Angeles metropolitan areas. This research contributes to the spatial mismatch literature by analysing the differences between firstand second-generation immigrants in addition to exploring the role of race and job accessibility on the likelihood of working. It does so by comparing the employment status of comparable youth (16—21 years of age) who reside in central cities, inner-ring suburbs and outer-ring suburbs using 2000 Census PUMS data. Finally, the decision to attend school and to work is modelled in a bivariate probit framework to discover how the correlation across decisions may change the estimated impact of race and space on employment. The results of this study suggest that both space and race play a role in the probability that a youth will work, but that the decision to attend school does not influence the estimated impact of space and race on employment.
Studies on the cytochemistry of alkaline phosphatase in various bacteria.

Abstract The Gomori staining reaction for alkaline phosphatase was carried out in several bacteria. Fixation with acetone did not interfere with the staining reaction, whereas pretreatment with acid citrate buffer proved inhibitory to the enzyme. The optimum pH zone of the enzyme in B. subtilis (pH 8.8–9.2) was found to be close to that at which the staining reaction was carried out (pH 9.4). The intensity of staining was proportional to the concentration of calcium in the incubating mixture. No concomitant change in localization was found. The addition of manganese to the culture medium significantly increased the staining intensity in ten species. The localization of the stain in seven species was in cytoplasmic granules which appeared to correspond to those described as mitochondria by previous authors. Staining of cell walls and of the entire cytoplasm was also found.
Helicase-appended topoisomerases: new insight into the mechanism of directional strand transfer.

DNA strand passage through an enzyme-mediated gate is a key step in the catalytic cycle of topoisomerases to produce topological transformations in DNA. In most of the reactions catalyzed by topoisomerases, strand passage is not directional; thus, the enzyme simply provides a transient DNA gate through which DNA transport is allowed and thereby resolves the topological entanglement. When studied in isolation, the type IA topoisomerase family appears to conform to this rule. Interestingly, type IA enzymes can carry out directional strand transport as well. We examined here the biochemical mechanism for directional strand passage of two type IA topoisomerases: reverse gyrase and a protein complex of topoisomerase IIIα and Bloom helicase. These enzymes are able to generate vectorial strand transport independent of the supercoiling energy stored in the DNA molecule. Reverse gyrase is able to anneal single strands, thereby increasing linkage number of a DNA molecule. However, topoisomerase IIIα and Bloom helicase can dissolve DNA conjoined with a double Holliday junction, thus reducing DNA linkage. We propose here that the helicase or helicase-like component plays a determinant role in the directionality of strand transport. There is thus a common biochemical ground for the directional strand passage for the type IA topoisomerases.