cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 9 – Parity Violation

A description of the theory of parity nonconserving transitions in heavy atoms is presented. Issues of the accurate solution of the many-body problem and the correct incorporation of relativistic and radiative effects are addressed, and the related field of electric dipole moments of atoms is briefly described.
EXCITED ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR STATES IN LIQUID HELIUM

The microscopic structure of dense gases and liquids and the nature of excited atomic and molecular states in dense media has been a subject of long standing scientific interest. For example the fluorescence of certain compounds when exposed to sun light has been known for hundreds of years, and very similar substances are important today as the active chemicals in modern dye lasers. The investigation into the chemistry of dense systems is an active area of research where many methods of initial excitation are used such as u.v. light, γ rays, α and β particle bombardment, mechanical shock, heat, etc. The first several spin singlet and spin triplet electronic energy levels of a complex molecule in a room temperature liquid can be thought of in terms of the diagram shown in Fig. 1.
Ethical Photojournalism: Its Authenticity and Impact

I had been an avid photographer since ninth grade and enthusiastically decided to enroll in the photojournalism program at Ohio University. With portfolio in hand, 5 years shooting experience, and more confidence than a 19-year-old deserved, I showed my work to renowned professor Chuck Scott.
The Ideal Function

Let k be a number field, and let I denote the multiplicative group of non-zero fractional ideals. Let P be the subset of principal ideals. If a, b are fractional ideals (which we say from now on, instead of non-zero ideals, unless otherwise specified), then we write a ~ b (a is equivalent to b) if there exists α ∈ k * such that a = (α)b, i.e. ab−1 is a principal fractional ideal. Then the equivalence classes of fractional ideals form a finite group (as we saw in Chapter V, §1), which we call the ideal class group. Its order is usually denoted by h, and is called the class number of k.
Conscious sedation with intermittent midazolam and fentanyl in electrophysiology procedures.

Objectives: To determine the safety and efficacy of intermittent midazolam and fentanyl conscious sedation for electrophysiology procedures (EP). Background: Intermittent midazolam and fentanyl conscious sedation was administered in 700 consecutive cases (175 radiofrequency ablations, 163 EP studies, 261 pacemakers, and 101 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators) for 471 patients (239 males, 51%) mean age 65 ± 15 years. The mean dose of midazolam was 0.063 mg/kg/hr and fentanyl was 0.591μg/kg/hr. Methods: Cardiac rate and rhythm were monitored continuously, while blood pressure and arterial oxygen saturation were noninvasively assessed evevy 5 minutes. Drugs were administered in aliquots of 0.5 to 2.0 mg of midazolam and 6.25 to 25 μg of fentanyl as determined by clinical condition every 15 to 30 minutes. Results: There were no deaths. In no case was endotracheal intubation required. Mild hypoxemia (SaO2 > 80%, but 60 mmHg) occurred in 14 patients (2.0%) and was corrected with intravenous crystalloid bolus or flumazenil (10 cases, 1.4%) or inotrope infusion (4 cases, 0.6%). No patient stay was prolonged due to sedation. Only five patients (0.7%) had any recollection of the procedure, while two (0.3%) were aware of pain. All hypoxemic episodes occurred during the first hour, whereas 43% (6/14) of hypotensive episodes occurred after the first hour. Conclusion: Conscious sedation with intermittent midazolam and fentanyl is safe and eficacious for a broad range of EP procedures. (J Interven Cardiol 2001; 14:143–146)
Prophylactic tamsulosin (Flomax) in patients undergoing prostate 125I brachytherapy for prostate carcinoma: final report of a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic tamsulosin (Flomax) in reducing the urinary symptoms in patients undergoing 125 I prostate implantation (PI) for prostate adenocarcinoma. Methods and materials: This is a single-institution, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial for patients undergoing PI for prostate adenocarcinoma comparing prophylactic tamsulosin versus placebo. Eligibility criteria included patients not taking tamsulosin or other α-blockers treated with PI. The patients were randomly assigned to either tamsulosin (0.8 mg, orally once a day) or matched placebo. All patients started the medication 4 days before PI and continued for 60 days. The American Urologic Association (AUA) symptom index questionnaire was used to assess urinary symptoms. The AUA questionnaire was administered before PI for a baseline score and weekly for 8 weeks after PI. Patients were taken off the study if they developed urinary retention, had intolerable urinary symptoms, or wished to discontinue with the trial. Results: One hundred twenty-six patients were enrolled in this study from November 2001 to January 2003 (118 were evaluable: 58 in the tamsulosin arm and 60 in the placebo group). Pretreatment and treatment characteristics were comparably matched between the two groups. The urinary retention rate was 17 % (10 patients) in the placebo group compared with 10 % (6 patients) in the tamsulosin group ( p = 0.3161). Eighty-eight percent (14 patients) of those who developed urinary retention experienced it within 2 weeks after the PI. Intolerable urinary symptoms were reported equally (10 patients in each group) with 70 % occurring in the first 2 weeks after PI. There was a significant difference in mean AUA score in favor of tamsulosin at Week 5 after PI ( p = 0.03). Conclusions: Prophylactic tamsulosin (0.8 mg/day) before prostate brachytherapy did not significantly affect urinary retention rates, but had a positive effect on urinary morbidity at Week 5 after PI.
A CdSe quantum dot photodetector for hyperspectral imaging in the visible region

A spectrally resolving quantum dot photodetector has been designed and fabricated which is able to discriminate wavelengths in the visible region. The device consists of a monolayer of 5.4 nm diameter CdSe nanoparticles that have been sandwiched between two organic layers of Hexanedithiol, all on a highly doped p-type InP substrate. A thin, semitransparent layer of gold deposited on the top of the device made the second contact. The two layers of Hexanedithiol act as tunnel barriers for electrons inside the nanoparticles. Changing the bias voltage across the device, causes specific energy states inside the quantum dot to align with the conduction band edge of the InP. Any excited carriers in these energy levels will tunnel trough the organic barrier and be collected as photocurrent. The responsivity and noise equivalent power has been measured for two wavelengths.
Light‐stimulated Absorption of Nitrate by Wolffia arrhiza

The mechanism of the light-stimulated absorption of nitrate by Wolffia arrhiza was studied. The nitrate-absorption mechanism in ammonium-grown plants is stimulated by the presence of nitrate. In a manner similar to the absorption of many other ions, the absorption of nitrate follows a typical biphasic pattern in relation to external nitrate concentration. Mechanism 1 is effective at nitrate concentrations up to 0.5 to 0.75 mM and mechanism 2 becomes operative at higher nitrate levels. Light stimulates the absorption of nitrate independently of the effect of light on the reduction of nitrate. The effects of uncouplers, inhibitors, and light of wavelengths of 700 nm or longer indicate that nitrate absorption by Wolffia cells is reduced when non-cyclic electron transport is blocked. It is postulated that under this condition, ATP in the chloroplast (produced by cyclic photophosphorylation) may be less readily transported across the chloroplast envelope than when non-cyclic electron transport is proceeding.
Hemi-Field Asymmetries in Memory for Incongruous Scenes

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to investigate hemispheric asymmetries of long-term semantic memory in normal subjects. A hemi-field reaction time (RT) and accuracy paradigm was used and the test stimuli consisted of pictures with different semantic organization. Two separate experiments were conducted. In the first, memory for pictures depicting common scenes or incongruous scenes was measured. In the second, we compared memory for incoherent scenes and the same incongruous scenes. The results showed no difference between the visual half-fields in accuracy scores. However, in both experiments the RT results showed that incongruous scenes were recognized consistently faster in the right visual half-field than in the left half-field. In addition, in the first experiment there was no visual field difference for common scenes. In the second experiment, there was a left visual field advantage for unorganized scenes. The results were interpreted to reflect hemispheric asymmetry in long-term semantic memory, in general, and showing a left hemisphere specialization for uncommon, unusual aspects of otherwise regular percepts, in particular. Applying schema theory to the results, we discussed the possibility that the left hemisphere uses/stores schemata conducive to “flexible” thinking strategies while the right hemisphere uses/stores schemata that involve “rigid” thinking strategies.
Identification of protein targets underlying dietary nitrate-induced protection against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity

We recently demonstrated protective effect of chronic oral nitrate supplementation against cardiomyopathy caused by doxorubicin (DOX), a highly effective anticancer drug. The present study was designed to identify novel protein targets related to nitrate-induced cardioprotection. Adult male CF-1 mice received cardioprotective regimen of nitrate (1 g NaNO(3) per litre of drinking water) for 7 days before DOX injection (15 mg/kg, i.p.) and continued for 5 days after DOX treatment. Subsequently the heart samples were collected for proteomic analysis with two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis with 3 CyDye labelling. Using 1.5 cut-off ratio, we identified 36 proteins that were up-regulated by DOX in which 32 were completely reversed by nitrate supplementation (89%). Among 19 proteins down-regulated by DOX, 9 were fully normalized by nitrate (47%). The protein spots were further identified with Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF)/TOF tandem mass spectrometry. Three mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes were altered by DOX, i.e. up-regulation of manganese superoxide dismutase and peroxiredoxin 3 (Prx3), and down-regulation of Prx5, which were reversed by nitrate. These results were further confirmed by Western blots. Nitrate supplementation also significantly improved animal survival rate from 80% in DOX alone group to 93% in Nitrate + DOX group 5 days after the DOX treatment. In conclusion, the proteomic analysis has identified novel protein targets underlying nitrate-induced cardioprotection. Up-regulation of Prx5 by nitrate may explain the observed enhancement of cardiac antioxidant defence by nitrate supplementation.
Überwacht und ausgebürgert: Klaus Mann und Erika Mann in den Akten des Dritten Reiches

Nahezu allen Schriftstellern, Kunstlern und Intellektuellen, die nach 1933 ins Exil gehen musten, wurde uber kurz oder lang von den Nationalsozialisten die deutsche Staatsburgerschaft aberkannt — darunter auch Klaus und Erika Mann. Was bislang wenig bekannt war, ist, das Behorden des Dritten Reiches wie die Gestapo, die Ausen-, Innen- und Propagandaministerien, Diplomaten wie Ernst Freiherr von Weizsacker und selbst reisende Geschaftsleute die ‘undeutschen’ Aktivitaten der Exilanten im Ausland uber Jahre hinweg beobachteten und uberwachten. So gingen in die Akten der Geschwister Mann aus Holland, Frankreich und der Schweiz, aus Moskau, Stockholm und San Francisco Berichte ein uber Auffuhrungen von Erika Manns Kabarett ‘Die Pfeffermuhle’, die publizistische Tatigkeit von ‘Klaus Thomasson Mann’ und Differenzen zwischen Thomas Mann und seinen Kindern. Benutzt wurden diese Dossiers, die, mit wenigen Ausnahmen, von einer fruhen und intensiven Ubernahme des Nazijargons und der Naziideologie durch Beamte des deutschen Reiches zeugen, zu mehreren Zwecken: um die von der Gestapo eingeleiteten Ausburgerungsverfahren zu legalisieren; um das Dritte Reich gegen die ‘zersetzende’ Exilliteratur abzuschotten; und um die Tatigkeit der Exilanten durch Denunziationen bei der internationalen Presse und Interventionen bei auslandischen Regierungsstellen zu behindern.
Diverse Secondary Metabolites from a Puerto Rican Collection of Lyngbya majuscula

Extensive fractionation of the crude organic extract from a Puerto Rican collection of Lyngbya majuscula led to the discovery of three new secondary metabolites: a quinoline alkaloid (1), malyngamide T (2), and a tryptophan derivative (3). In addition, several previously reported compounds, including the potent neurotoxins antillatoxin, antillatoxin B, and kalkitoxin, were identified. The structures of 1, 2, and 3 were deduced by NMR and mass spectral data interpretation and suggest the existence of a convergent biosynthetic pathway for these new and unusual metabolites.
Passage of bacteriophages from mother to foetus in the rat.

SummaryT1 and T3 coliphages and D29 and D32 mycobacteriophages were injected into pregnant rats. Examination of foetuses and foetal fluids showed presence of phage, which demonstrates that intact particles of relatively large size can cross the placental barrier in the rat. Phage injected into maternal blood rarely reached the embryo. However, when phage was inoculated into the uterine lumen, passage to the foetus was demonstrated in three-fourths of test samples using coliphage, and in one-third of samples using mycobacteriophage. It appears that large concentrations of phage in the vicinity of yolksac splanchnopleure are required before passage becomes apparent; this suggests that passage of similar particles from mother to foetus does not frequently occur in nature.
Resolvin E1 Receptor Activation Signals Phosphorylation and Phagocytosis

Resolvins are endogenous lipid mediators that actively regulate the resolution of acute inflammation. Resolvin E1 (RvE1; (5S,12R,18R)-trihydroxy-6Z,8E,10E,14Z,16E-eicosapentaenoic acid) is an endogenous anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving mediator derived from eicosapentaenoic acid that regulates leukocyte migration and enhances macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils to resolve inflammation. In the inflammatory milieu, RvE1 mediates counter-regulatory actions initiated via specific G protein-coupled receptors. Here, we have identified RvE1-specific signaling pathways initiated by the RvE1 receptor ChemR23. RvE1 stimulated phosphorylation of Akt that was both ligand- and receptor-dependent. RvE1 regulated Akt phosphorylation in a time (0–15 min)- and dose-dependent (0.01–100 nm) manner in human ChemR23-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. RvE1 stimulated phosphorylation of both Akt and a 30-kDa protein, a downstream target of Akt, identified using a phospho-Akt substrate antibody. The 30-kDa protein was identified as ribosomal protein S6, a translational regulator, and its phosphorylation was inhibited by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor (wortmannin) and an ERK inhibitor (PD98059) but not by a p38-MAPK inhibitor (SB203580). Ribosomal protein S6 is a downstream target of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway as well as the Raf/ERK pathway. In ChemR23-expressing differentiated HL60 cells, RvE1 also stimulated the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6. In addition, RvE1 enhanced phagocytosis of zymosan A by human macrophages, which are inhibited by PD98059 and rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor). These results indicate that RvE1 initiates direct activation of ChemR23 and signals receptor-dependent phosphorylation. These phosphorylation-signaling pathways identified for RvE1 receptor-ligand interactions underscore the importance of endogenous pro-resolving agonists in resolving acute inflammation.
Single transverse spin asymmetry of prompt photon production

Abstract We study the single transverse spin asymmetry of prompt photon production in high energy proton–proton scattering. We include the contributions from both the direct and fragmentation photons. While the asymmetry for direct photon production receives only the Sivers type of contribution, the asymmetry for fragmentation photons receives both the Sivers and Collins types of contributions. We make a model calculation for quark-to-photon Collins function, which is then used to estimate the Collins asymmetry for fragmentation photons. We find that the Collins asymmetry for fragmentation photons is very small, thus the single transverse spin asymmetry of prompt photon production is mainly coming from the Sivers asymmetry in direct and fragmentation photons. We make predictions for the prompt photon spin asymmetry at RHIC energy, and emphasize the importance of such a measurement. The asymmetry of prompt photon production can provide a good measurement for the important twist-three quark–gluon correlation function, which is urgently needed in order to resolve the “sign mismatch” puzzle.
Climatic control of denudation in the deglaciated landscape of the Washington Cascades

Erosion in the Washington Cascades Mountains was dominated by glacier activity until the end of the Last Glacial Maximum, when fluvial incision and mass wasting became the dominant drivers. An analysis of millennial-scale rates of denudation in the range suggest erosion is sensitive both to spatial variations in precipitation and inherited topography.
Adherence of inlet conditions for selected aerosol sampling instruments to suggested criteria.

The criteria suggested by Davies for efficient collection of representative aerosol samples are applied to nine commonly used aerosol samplers. The results strongly suggest that the physical dimensions or sampling rates of most of these instruments should be altered to ensure efficient collection of samples on which valid conclusions may be based.
Staging the Severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Older Persons Based on Spirometric Z-Scores

Objectives: Among older persons, the use of spirometric Z-scores as calculated by the Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) method has a strong scientific rationale for establishing a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but its clinical validity in staging COPD severity is not yet known. The current study has therefore evaluated the association between LMS-staged COPD and health outcomes, in two separate cohorts of older persons. Design: Longitudinal cohort study. Setting: The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS, N = 3,248) and the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III, N = 1,354). Participants: Community-living white participants aged 65 to 80. Measurements: Using spirometric data, COPD was staged as mild, moderate, or severe based on LMS-derived Z-scores. Clinical validity was then evaluated according to all-cause mortality, respiratory symptoms (chronic bronchitis, dyspnea, or wheezing), and moderate to severe dyspnea (available in CHS only). Results: In CHS, the LMS staging of COPD as mild, moderate, and severe was associated with mortality (adjusted HR (aHR) = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15�1.94; aHR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.03�1.67; and aHR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.70�2.36, respectively) and with respiratory symptoms (adjusted OR (aOR) = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.12�2.56; aOR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.28�2.73; and aOR = 3.99, 95% CI = 2.91�5.48, respectively). Also in CHS, moderate and severe, but not mild, LMS-staged COPD was associated with moderate to severe dyspnea (aOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.24�3.75; aOR = 3.98, 95% CI = 2.77�5.74; and aOR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.35�2.01, respectively). Similar associations were found for mortality and respiratory symptoms in NHANES-III, except mild severity was not associated with mortality (aHR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.62�1.40). Conclusion: In white older persons, the spirometric staging of COPD severity based on LMS-derived Z-scores was associated with several clinically relevant health outcomes. These results support the use of the LMS method for staging the severity of COPD in older populations.
Underclass Men in Batterer Intervention Programs: Disorders and Disparities:

The criminal justice system has come to rely on a batterer intervention program (BIP) in sentences for domestic violence offenders, but BIPs suffer from a reputation problem, with both completion a...
Silicon deprivation and arginine and cystine supplementation affect bone collagen and bone and plasma trace mineral concentrations in rats

Because arginine has been established as an essential amino acid for collagen formation, and several bone-remodeling proteins are rich in cysteine, we performed a study to ascertain whether supplemental arginine (Arg) and cystine (Cys) would affect bone collagen and mineral composition changes in animals deprived of silicon (Si). Male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to treatment groups of 12 in a 2 × 2 factorially arranged experiment. The rats were fed for 9 weeks a basal casein–ground corn–corn oil diet containing per g 2 μg Si, 1.7 mg Cys, 4.7 mg methionine, and 7.8 mg Arg. The independent treatment variables, per g fresh diet, were supplemental Si (as sodium metasilicate) at 0 and 35 μg and Cys or Arg at 0 and 12 mg. Silicon deprivation decreased the concentration of hydroxyproline in femur and potassium in vertebra. An interaction between Si and amino acid supplementation affected hematocrit, liver iron concentration, and bone copper and manganese concentrations. In animals deprived of Si, Cys supplementation compared to Arg supplementation depressed hematocrit, liver iron concentration, and tibia and vertebral copper concentrations and increased tibia and vertebral manganese concentrations. On the other hand, in animals fed adequate Si, supplemental Cys compared to supplemental Arg increased hematocrit, liver iron concentration, and tibia and vertebral copper concentrations and decreased tibia and vertebral manganese concentrations. Dietary Si also influenced the effect of Cys on mineral composition of the vertebra. The calcium and phosphorus concentrations in the vertebra were markedly increased by supplemental Cys compared to supplemental Arg when dietary Si was inadequate but had no effect on these concentrations when dietary Si was adequate. These findings indicate that silicon is needed for collagen formation, that high dietary Cys enhances changes induced by Si deprivation in trabecular-rich bone, and that Si nutriture has more impact on trabecular-rich bone than in cortical-rich bone. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 15:113–122, 2002. Published 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The use of new communication technologies in third world countries: A comparison of perspectives

This essay examines the debate between the mainstream and critical scholars on new communication technologies and Third World development. It concludes that these perspectives, with contrasting epistemological, theoretical, and methodological positions, are incompatible. The writer suggests the construction of a theoretical model of new communica tion technologies and development based on the critical perspective.
A Family of Multivariate Measures of Association for Nominal Independent Variables

A new measure of association is introduced which measures the degree of association between a nominal independent variable and nominal, ordinal, or interval dependent variables. An extension to multivariate problems provides analyses of multiple dependent variables, including mixtures of interval, ordinal, and/or nominal dependent variables. A commensuration technique is given for standardizing dependent variables. A permutation test of significance is provided for the new measures.
Design techniques for high performance, energy efficient control logic

This paper investigates delay, power and area of critical components in designing energy-efficient control logic. To improve performance and energy efficiency, a split-slave dual-path (SSDP) register is proposed which improves the energy efficiency of the prior art by 30%. For multiplexers (MUX) three MUXes are proposed and compared to existing solutions. The proposed MUXes improve performance by 50% or power by 22%. The impact of scaling supply voltage alone and scaling threshold voltage with supply voltage on delay and power is also examined.
Fabrication and Testing of a Leading-Edge-Shaped Heat Pipe

The development of a refractory-composite/heat-pipe-cooled leading edge has evolved from the design stage to the fabrication and testing of a full size, leading-edge-shaped heat pipe. The heat pipe had a D-shaped cross section and was fabricated from arc cast Mo-41Re. An artery was included in the wick. Several issues were resolved with the fabrication of the sharp leading edge radius heat pipe. The heat pipe was tested in a vacuum chamber at Los Alamos National Laboratory using induction heating and was started up from the frozen state several times. However, design temperatures and heat fluxes were not obtained due to premature failure of the heat pipe resulting from electrical discharge between the induction heating apparatus and the heat pipe. Though a testing anomaly caused premature failure of the heat pipe, successful startup and operation of the heat pipe was demonstrated.
Pressure induced topochemical polymerization of diiodobutadiyne: a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation

Diiodobutadiyne forms cocrystals with bis(pyridyl)oxalamides, based on halogen bonds between the pyridine groups of the host and the iodoalkynes of the guest. These interactions align the diyne for topochemical polymerization to form poly(diiododiacetylene) or PIDA. To induce polymerization, the crystals are subjected to pressures of 3.5 GPa or above. Previously, we reported spectroscopic evidence of this pressure-induced polymerization, but attempts to recover single crystals after pressure treatment were unsuccessful. Here we present direct structural evidence of clean single-crystal to single-crystal polymerization in these cocrystals. The structure of the polymer cocrystal was solved from single-crystal diffraction data and is supported by high pressure in situ Raman spectroscopy. Careful analysis of the structural changes suggests that increasing pressure changes the packing of host molecules, and that the flexibility of the pyridine ring orientation enables the polymerization. The new sigma bonds of the polymer form at the expense of the halogen bonds in the starting cocrystal; after polymerization, the iodine atoms are no longer ideally located for strong halogen bonding with the host.
The UO2-Zircaloy chemical interaction

Abstract Existing experimental data on the interaction of uranium dioxide and Zircaloy are analyzed with a model that accounts for the formation and growth of three corrosion layers between the oxide and the metal. The kinetics of the process are governed by diffusion of oxygen and uranium in the five-zone system with chemical equilibrium at four interfaces. Three of the zones consist of two elements and are treated by conventional scaling theory. Transport of all three elements (Zr, U, and O) occurs in the remaining two zones, one of which consists of two coexisting phases. Modeling of the system results in product layer growth rates which are in good agreement with the experimental results at 1500°C, which is the only temperature that both kinetic and thermodynamic information is available for application of the theoretical model.
Predictive factors in pediatric stapedectomy.

Objective/Hypothesis The objective of the study was to investigate predictive factors in the postoperative hearing outcomes in pediatric stapedectomy. Study Design Retrospective case series. The study was performed in a tertiary academic otological practice. Methods The outcome of 66 stapedectomies in children 17 years of age and younger were analyzed according to the 1995 American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium guidelines. Factors evaluated included patient age, underlying diagnosis (tympanosclerosis, otosclerosis, congenital fixation), type of footplate graft and type of prosthesis used, associated ossicular abnormalities, and revision surgery. Results The mean postoperative air–bone gap following stapedectomy in children with tympanosclerotic footplate fixation (24.9 dB [±11 dB]) was significantly worse than in patients with an underlying diagnosis of congenital stapes fixation (15.7 dB [±9 dB]) or otosclerosis (13.1 dB [±3 dB]) (P = .024). Revision stapedectomy was also associated with a poorer outcome, but patient age and prosthesis and graft type did not contribute to the outcome in a statistically significant manner. Conclusions Pediatric patients with stapes fixation resulting from tympanosclerosis showed poorer outcomes from stapedectomy than patients with congenital or otosclerotic fixation. Outcomes for congenital or otosclerosis fixation more nearly matched the outcomes in the literature for adult series.
Cryptographic Secrecy of Steganographic Matrix Embedding

Some information-hiding schemes are scrutinized in terms of their cryptographic secrecy. The schemes under study appeal to the so-called matrix embedding strategy, designed to optimize embedding capacity under distortion constraints, as opposed to any cryptographic measure. Nonetheless, we establish conditions under which a key equivocation function is optimal, and show that under reasonable key generation models, a perfect secrecy property is nearly satisfied, limited by a mutual information measure that decreases exponentially with the block length.
Conformity Voting on the United States Supreme Court

This paper examines conformity voting on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1946 to 1975. We compare pairs of votes in which a justice switches from the minority at the original vote on the merits to the majority at the final vote (conformity voting) with pairs of votes in which a justice votes with the minority at both votes. Using PROBIT, we identify eight variables associated with switching. Particularly important are case salience and the size of the majority at the original vote.
The Texture of Commercial Full-Fat and Reduced-Fat Cheese

The effect of fat reduction on sensory texture and physical properties of commercially available natural and processed cheeses was investigated. The texture of 5 cheeses in full- and reduced-far versions was characterized by modified descriptive analysis and torsional fracture methods. Reduced-fat cheeses were perceived to be more waxy, fractorable, chewy, hard, and springy and less sticky, cohesive, meltable, and smooth than full-fat cheese. Full-fat cheese had fower fracture stress values than the equivalent reduced-fat products. Fracture strain values did not distinguish cheeses based on fat content. These results demonstrate general textural differences between the full-fat and reduced fat versions of select cheeses. Cette etude evalue l'effet d'une reduction des teneurs en matiere grasse sur la texture et les proprietes physiques de fromages commerciaux entiers et alleges pour relier la texture aux donnees mecaniques et de composition en matiere grasse. La texture de 5 fromages en versions allegees et non allegee est caracterisee par des methodes d'analyse descriptive modifiee et de resistance a la torsion.
Giving B cell tolerance the 'TSLiP'.

Self-reactive B cells are subject to several mechanisms to ensure self-tolerance. The epithelium-derived cytokine TSLP acts to regulate B cell tolerance by targeting B cell precursors rather than mature B cells.
Child health and the social environment of white and black children.

Abstract Both poverty and other factors associated with race are related to child health. However, the mechanisms of these relationships have not been adequately specified. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of the social environment to child health status in black and white children and further, to explore whether the patterns of the effects of social class were different by race. This study provides further evidence that the social environment is strongly associated with child health status. Several risk factors are similar for both white and black children: mothers who view their own health as fair or poor are much more likely to rate their children in poor health. The presence of childhood chronic medical conditions is independently associated with poor health status regardless of race. However, the relative importance of several social risks for poor health status differs between white and black children. Specifically, while low family income is a consistent risk factor for poor health among white children, low income alone is not a risk factor for black children. Among black children,other social risks that are associated with poverty, such as low maternal education and a mother's perception of her own health as poor, increased the risk for poorer health in the child.
Body mass index and CD4+ T-lymphocyte recovery in HIV-infected men with viral suppression on antiretroviral therapy.

AbstractPurpose: To better characterize the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and CD4+ T-lymphocyte recovery in HIV disease.Methods: We analyzed the association between baseline BMI and CD4+ T-lymphocyte increases, as well as the association between BMI and immune activation (CD38 and HLA-DR co-expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes), in male HIV-infected patients who achieved viral suppression on antiretroviral therapy (ART).Results: Baseline BMI predicted change in CD4+ T-lymphocyte count at weeks 96 ( P = .03, n = 461) and 144 ( P = .005, n = 357) but not at week 48 ( P = .38, n = 558). Relative to men with a normal BMI, overweight and obese men had increases at week 144 that were 35 and 113 cells/ mm3 higher, respectively, while underweight men had CD4+ T-lymphocyte increases that were 94 cells/mm3 lower. No significant correlations between baseline BMI and cellular immune activation were seen.Conclusions: BMI predicts CD4+ T-lymphocyte gains in men started on ART.
On the properties of X⋅⋅⋅N noncovalent interactions for first-, second-, and third-row X atoms

In addition to a structure with a PH⋅⋅⋅N H-bond, a second complex of greater stability is formed when the PH3 is rotated such that its P-H bond is pointing away from the approaching N lone pair of NH3. Quantum calculations are applied to examine whether such a complex is characteristic only of P, or may occur as well for other atoms of the first, second, or third rows of the periodic table. The molecules PH3, H2S, HCl, AsH3, and NH3 are all paired with NH3 as electron donor. While NH3 will not engage in an N⋅⋅⋅N attraction, all the others do form a X⋅⋅⋅N complex. The energetics, geometries, and other properties of these complexes are relatively insensitive to the nature of the X atom. This uniformity contrasts sharply with the H-bonded XH⋅⋅⋅N complexes where a strong sensitivity to X is observed. The three-dimensional nature of the electrostatic potential, in conjunction with the striving for a linear H-X⋅⋅⋅N orientation that maximizes charge transfer, serves as an excellent tool in understanding both the shape of the potential energy surface and the proclivity to engage in a X⋅⋅⋅N interaction.
Characteristics of depressed and nondepressed adult offspring of depressed and matched nondepressed parents

Abstract Background Our aim was to compare adults who were depressed or nondepressed offspring of depressed or matched nondepressed parents on functioning. Methods Participants were adult children of depressed ( n = 143) or nondepressed ( n = 197) parents who participated in a larger study. They completed self-report measures of depression symptoms, medical conditions and pain, family and social functioning, life stressors and coping, and help used for mental health problems. Results In the depressed-parent group, depressed offspring had poorer personal functioning than did nondepressed offspring. Factors associated with offspring depressed status were being unmarried and having a diagnosed medical condition, more severe pain, a more severe recent stressor, and more reliance on emotional discharge coping. In the nondepressed-parent offspring, factors associated with depressed status were more disability, family disagreements and disorganization, negative events, and reliance on emotional discharge coping. Depressed offspring of depressed parents had more severe depression than depressed offspring of nondepressed parents; they also had more medical conditions, pain, disability, and severe stressors and, accordingly, relied more on approach coping. In contrast, nondepressed offspring of depressed or nondepressed parents were quite similar on functioning. Limitations Measures were self-report and participants were not followed continuously. Conclusions Because parental depression increased the risk of impairment among depressed offspring, family history should be considered in the treatment of depression. Offspring of depressed parents who are not experiencing depression are often able to maintain normal functioning in adulthood.
Alkali cold gelation of whey proteins. Part I: sol-gel-sol(-gel) transitions.

The cold gelation of preheated whey protein isolate (WPI) solutions at alkaline conditions (pH >10) has been studied to better understand the effect of NaOH in the formation and destruction of whey protein aggregates and gels. Oscillatory rheology has been used to follow the gelation process, resulting in novel and different gelation profiles with the gelation pH. At low alkaline pH, typical sol−gel transitions are observed, as in many other biopolymers. At pH >11.5, the system gels quickly, after ∼300 s, followed by a slow degelation step that transforms the gel to a viscous solution. Finally, there is a second gelation step. This results in a surprising sol−gel−sol−gel transition in time at constant gelation conditions. At very high pH (>12.5), the degelation step is very severe, and the second gelation step is not observed, resulting in a sol−gel−sol transition. The first quick gelation step is related to the quick swelling of the WPI aggregates in alkali, as observed from light scattering, which enabl...
Using Web-Based Databases in Large-Lecture Chemistry Courses

We describe several ways in which a Web-based database program can be used to help organize information in large lecture courses. The flow of information invariably presents a major challenge in such large courses and databases provide a powerful means to facilitate that flow. We have used Filemaker Pro software as a Web database platform. This software allows us to (1) create our own Web-based homework questions that can be immediately graded, (2) have teaching assistants report laboratory scores, and (3) provide a rapid means for keeping track of a competency-based testing scheme called Gateway Exams.
A comparative study of the effect of search feature design on user experience in digital libraries (DLs)

This study investigates the impact of different search feature designs in DLs on user search experience. The results indicate that the impact is significant in terms of the number of queries issued, search steps, zero-hits pages returned, and search errors.
Industrial screening programs for workers

Industrial screening efforts to identify classes of workers who are more susceptible to workplace hazards, by virtue of their fertility, genetic, or lifestyle characteristics, represent a relatively new approach to reducing workplace risks. Screening is attractive on cost and effectiveness grounds. It offers the firm an inexpensive alternative to reducing further workplace emissions. It may provide the only acceptable solution where no level of exposure is deemed acceptable for some workers. Screening has, however, already raised some important economic, legal, social, medical, and moral questions. Employers, employees, administrative agencies, and the courts are offering different, often conflicting answers. Ultimately, the acceptability of various screening schemes rests upon judgments about how a society justifies the distribution of risk. The questions that industrial screening programs raise are only partially answered by empirical evidence; the rest is a matter of values. 38 references, 1 figure, 3 tables.
Grain Marketing Methods in the U. S. A.—The Theory, Assumptions, and Approach

MY THESIS is that during periods of worldwide grain shortages a free market in grains cannot properly serve a domestic economy and also protect U. S. national interests, because most of the worldwide grain buying is by state monopolies. Incorrect assumptions about the competitive structure of international trade in grain apparently have led to the use of the wrong model as a basis for U. S. trade policy. As a consequence, serious errors committed last year suggest that the economic theory guiding U. S. grain marketing is not the correct one to use. U. S. policy and actions have assumed a high degree of competition throughout the world grain marketing system, an extension of a nearly perfect competitive market structure observed among domestic producers and marketers. While this condition may extend several stages beyond the farmer's gate, current events suggest that a continuum through increasing degrees of market concentration prevails at various stages of the marketing channel. Cartels, which exercise monopoly within the nations sponsoring them, possess an advantage when buying grain from the U. S. The limited number of cartels, or national monopolies, making up the world market have strong oligopolistic tendencies. As a consequence, when a government agency (or a private firm acting for the government) goes shopping for grain, it acts on behalf of all the demanders, i.e., buyers, in that country. The demanders have no opportunity to react as individuals to a change in prices by reducing purchases as prices advance. Such a buyer may arrange contracts with U. S. suppliers to purchase more grain than is available as no seller knows the total quantity others have sold. For example, when one national purchasing agency has the gold and the desire to buy, say, an additional 400 million bushels of wheat, such a transaction does not allow gradual rationing among potential demanders to take place in response to price. Price is fixed by government for the purchasing country; in the U. S. the grain is committed, then prices rise too rapidly for orderly adjustment. Each seller, not knowing what others have sold and perhaps without wheat in inventory, likely will cover his sale by purchasing a futures contract from a speculator who has neither the wheat nor an intention to make an actual de-
Calculation of the scattering of elastic waves from a penny-shaped crack by the method of optimal truncation

Abstract The method of optimal truncation (MOOT) [1, 2], a least-squares boundary-residual method [3] for solving scattering problems, is applied to the plane circular crack. An equatorially cloven spherical inclusion is used to model the crack. Numerical advantages of this model are discussed and demonstrated. Results are given for cross sections for longitudinal waves incident on the crack at arbitrary angles. Both clear cracks and fluid-filled cracks are considered. A refinement of the method which would allow accurate calculation of dynamic stress-intensity factors is developed.
Inhibition of stimulated cerebral cortex respiration and glycolysis by cholinolytic drugs

Abstract The role of central cholinergic synapses in excitable tissue is suggested from the results described. Six cholinolytic drugs, including Ditran (JB-329), are shown to block stimulated respiration of rat and guinea pig cerebral cortex (at concentrations 5 × 10 −4 to 10 −5 M) without demonstrable effect on unstimulated tissue. One of these drugs (JB-840) was studied for effects on electrically stimulated (10 to 12V, 120 pulses/sec) and potassium ion (105 mM) stimulated glycolysis and respiration which are selectively depressed at similar concentrations. In addition a simple device for sectioning brain tissue is described.
Effects of light and temperature on leaf anatomy and photosynthesis in Fragaria vesca.

Fragaria vesca, the woodland strawberry, was grown under a series of controlled environments including variations in light intensity, average temperatures, and temperature amplitude around a constant mean. Observations on CO2 exchange capacities, leaf anatomy, and cell ultrastructure were made for each treatment to determine relationships between these variables. With increasing light intensity, leaf thickness, leaf density, and mesophyll cell surface area and volume per leaf surface area increased. Net photosynthesis (NPS) per leaf weight decreased with increasing light pretreatment while NPS per area increased from low to medium intensity, then decreased at the highest intensity. Depression of photosynthesis at the highest light pretreatment may have been due to massive starch accumulation in the chloroplasts associated with the sodium vapor lamps used. Correlation of all anatomical variables was highly significant with dark respiration and NPS per dry weight but insignificant for NPS per leaf area. In the variable temperature treatments, photosynthetic acclimation occurred with a shift in optimum temperature for NPS in the direction of prevailing growth temperature. Absolute rates were highest at moderate pretreatment temperatures and were reduced by extreme growth temperatures. Thick leaves with low density mesophyll became thinner and more dense with increasing growth temperature corresponding to an increase in maximum net photosynthetic rates. Leaves became thicker and more dense at the highest temperatures, but with an increase in cell damage and indications of changes in metabolic pathways. Highest correlations for gas exchange rates were with specific leaf weight (weight per area). Correlation with other anatomical variables were scattered or insignificant. It was concluded that adaptation to a range of environmental conditions cannot be consistently attributed to changes in mesophyll cell volume or surface area.
Reaction time as a function of stimulus uncertainty on a single trial

In a discrete choice-reaction-time experiment, reaction times were measured between the onset of a light and the start of S’s pencil toward that light. The reaction time of unpracticed Ss, not aware that their first “practice” trial was being measured, increased as a linear function of stimulus uncertainty. Since this occurred without any prior experience, the effect must have been due to S’s set or expectancy regarding the nature of the future task, formed while the instructions for the task were being given.
Forecasting residential investment in the United States

Abstract This paper studies models for forecasting residential investment. It includes standard univariate and multivariate models, and proposes an error correction model (ECM) based on the stock-flow relationship of housing starts, completions and units under construction. All models are estimated on real-time data, and the root mean squared prediction errors (RMSPEs) of the models are compared, along with the RMSPEs of the Survey of Professional Forecasters (SPF) and the Federal Reserve’s Greenbook. For the 1981:Q3 to 2013:Q2 sample, the ECM improves upon the competing models, with the largest improvements on the univariate models coming from the current quarter forecasts and those on the multivariate models coming from the multi-step forecasts. Further, the ECM makes modest improvements to the SPF, and performs comparably to the Greenbook from 1981:Q3 to 2007:Q4. Relative to the current state of professional forecasting, the ECM performs best at multi-step forecast horizons and in volatile economic periods.