cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defining, conceptualizing, and measuring perceived maternal care quality in low- to high-income countries: a scoping review protocol.

Health practitioners and researchers must be able to measure and assess maternal care quality in facilities to monitor, intervene, and reduce global maternal mortality rates. On the global scale, there is a general lack of consensus on how maternal care quality is defined, conceptualized, and measured. Much of the literature addressing this problem has focused primarily on defining, conceptualizing, and measuring clinical indicators of maternal care quality. Less attention has been given in this regard to perceived maternal care quality among women which is known to influence care utilization and adherence. Therefore, there is a need to map the literature focused on defining, conceptualizing, and measuring perceived maternal care quality across low-, middle-, and high-income country contexts. This scoping review protocol will follow the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework. A comprehensive search strategy will be used to search for articles published from inception to 2020 in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, and WHO Global Index Medicus. Gray literature will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen articles by title and abstract, then by full-text based on pre-determined inclusion/exclusion criteria. A third reviewer will arbitrate any discrepancies. This protocol outlines a four-step analytic approach that includes numerical, graphical, tabular, and narrative summaries to provide a comprehensive description of the body of literature. The findings from this scoping review will provide a comprehensive overview of the existing evidence on perceived maternal care quality. The findings are expected to inform future work on building consensus around the definition and conceptualization of perceived maternal care quality, and lay the groundwork for future research aimed at developing measures of perceived maternal care quality that can be applied across country contexts. Consequently, this review may aid in facilitating coordinated efforts to measure and improve maternal care quality across diverse country contexts (i.e., low-, middle-, and high-income country contexts). This scoping review has been registered in the Open Science Framework (osf.io/k8nqh).
THE PRIVATE COMPANY DISCOUNT

When appraisers or investment bankers value privately held companies by making comparisons to otherwise similar public companies, they typically apply a discount. Most practitioners attribute this discount mainly to the relative illiquidity of private companies; and, for this reason, they value private companies based on empirical studies designed to measure illiquidity discounts. But this assumption and the valuations based upon it are likely to be unreliable because private companies are valued differently than public companies owing to a variety of other, more “fundamental” factors that have caused the firm to stay private rather than choosing to list on an exchange. This article presents an alternative framework to estimate the discount for private companies that computes four separate valuation multiples for a set of private transactions and a comparable set of public transactions. After comparing these four sets of multiples for both domestic and foreign firms, the authors reach the following conclusions: ▪ Domestic private companies are acquired at an average 20–30% discount relative to similar public companies when using earnings (more precisely, EBIT and EBITDA) multiples as the basis for valuing the transactions. The average discount measured using price- to-book value multiples are somewhat lower, and there are no significant differences between the revenue multiples of acquired private and public companies. ▪ The private company discounts are larger for foreign companies. Non-U.S. private companies are acquired at an average discount of 40–50% relative to similar public companies when using earnings multiples to value the transactions. (However, the measured discount is not as statistically significant as for domestic companies be cause of the higher variation in the multiples of foreign companies, probably due to differences in accounting standards between countries.) Also, there are no statistically significant differences between the revenue multiples and the book value multiples of acquired foreign private and public companies.
Comparison of 12 surrogates to characterize CT radiation risk across a clinical population.

Quantifying radiation burden is essential for justification, optimization, and personalization of CT procedures and can be characterized by a variety of risk surrogates inducing different radiological risk reflections. This study compared how twelve such metrics can characterize risk across patient populations. This study included 1394 CT examinations (abdominopelvic and chest). Organ doses were calculated using Monte Carlo methods. The following risk surrogates were considered: volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol), dose-length product (DLP), size-specific dose estimate (SSDE), DLP-based effective dose (EDk ), dose to a defining organ (ODD), effective dose and risk index based on organ doses (EDOD, RI), and risk index for a 20-year-old patient (RIrp). The last three metrics were also calculated for a reference ICRP-110 model (ODD,0, ED0, and RI0). Lastly, motivated by the ICRP, an adjusted-effective dose was calculated as $$ E{D}_r=\frac{RI}{R{I}_{rp}}\times E{D}_{OD} $$ . A linear regression was applied to assess each metric’s dependency on RI. The results were characterized in terms of risk sensitivity index (RSI) and risk differentiability index (RDI). The analysis reported significant differences between the metrics with EDr showing the best concordance with RI in terms of RSI and RDI. Across all metrics and protocols, RSI ranged between 0.37 (SSDE) and 1.29 (RI0); RDI ranged between 0.39 (EDk) and 0.01 (EDr) cancers × 103patients × 100 mGy. Different risk surrogates lead to different population risk characterizations. EDr exhibited a close characterization of population risk, also showing the best differentiability. Care should be exercised in drawing risk predictions from unrepresentative risk metrics applied to a population. • Radiation risk characterization in CT populations is strongly affected by the surrogate used to describe it. • Different risk surrogates can lead to different characterization of population risk. • Healthcare professionals should exercise care in ascribing an implicit risk to factors that do not closely reflect risk.
Impact of Nest Predators on Migratory Woodpigeons Columba palumbus in Central Europe — Breeding Densities and Nesting Success in Urban Versus Natural Habitats

The Woodpigeon Columba palumbus is a species generally increasing in numbers in most of its populations, including the urban population, which, two centuries after its emergence, is still expanding across the European Lowland. New for the species is a tendency to form dense breeding aggregations in suitable urban parks, with a corresponding slower increase in some other towns. This trend was driven by the presence of important nest predators, mostly Hooded Crows Corvus corone. Another factor involved was access to open farmland within the economic range of feeding flights. Nesting success (1st brood) in urban habitats free of important predators was up to 50–77% but it fell to only 3–7% when predators appeared. Consequently, some urban populations of the Woodpigeon went into a phase of decline. In the farmland and secondary woods, the nesting success was also variable, ranging between 12 and 42% for unknown reasons. Safe urban populations produced 4–5 times more offspring per pair per season, yet their expansion was rather slow. Therefore, the urban overproduction may contribute to an increase in the total species abundance, owing to (deduced) overspill of recruits to the poorly reproducing subpopulation in the countryside. Alongside other factors such as amelioration of winter conditions and changes in agriculture, this would contribute to the documented growth of the whole population of the species. The shortage of firm data on the pristine breeding success (from extensive natural forests) remains the main obstacle to better understand the population dynamics of this migratory species.
Essential newborn care practices in Benin: Are there differences by birth location?

Background Annually, about 60 infant deaths occur per 1000 live births in Benin; nearly one-half of these deaths occur during the neonatal period. Home- and health facility-based newborn care practices are essential for reducing neonatal death. The aim of this study was to explore relationships between location of childbirth and essential newborn care practices in the Republic of Benin, West Africa. Methods We used cross-sectional data from the 2017 Benin Demographic and Health Survey. The study included 6831 women who had a recent live birth. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine associations between location of birth and early initiation of breastfeeding, breastfeeding support, and cord examination while adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results There was no significant difference in early initiation of breastfeeding by birth location. Compared to women with home births, those who gave birth in public hospitals, public health centers/clinics, and private health facilities had significantly higher odds of receiving breastfeeding support (public hospitals: OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.23-2.59; public health centers/clinics: OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.46-2.91; private clinics: OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.35-2.88). Compared with women who gave birth at home, those who gave birth in public health centers/clinics and private health facilities were twice as likely to report newborn cord examination (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.41-2.79; OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.36-2.83, respectively). Discussion Despite the high prevalence of health facility births in Benin, the coverage of early newborn care is suboptimal, especially in public hospitals. Policies and public health interventions will be required, more so in public hospitals, to ensure that all mothers and newborns receive these potentially life-saving services.
Body Image and Sexual Function Improve after Both Myomectomy and Hysterectomy for Symptomatic Fibroids.

OBJECTIVES To determine the factors that influence the choice of myomectomy, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), or hysterectomy in women with symptomatic uterine fibroids and to assess women's perception of body image and sexual functioning before and after treatment. METHODS In this prospective observational cohort pilot study, women scheduled to undergo hysterectomy, myomectomy, or UFE were surveyed before surgery and again at 3 to 6 months after their procedure to assess body image and sexual function using the validated 10-item Body Image Scale and 19-item Female Sexual Function Index. Logistic regression was used to determine predictive factors for surgery choice and paired t tests were used to determine changes in perceived sexual function and body image. RESULTS Of the 71 women surveyed, 69 underwent their scheduled procedure and 68 participants completed the preoperative questionnaire completely (98%). A total of 33 participants completed the postoperative questionnaire (49%). The predictive factor for hysterectomy versus myomectomy/UFE was older age (odds ratio 1.13, P = 0.017, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.24). Regardless of surgery type, there were significant improvements in perceived body image and sexual function, including an increase in the overall sexual satisfaction of the participant (mean difference 0.50, P = 0.021, 95% CI 0.92-0.08) and less likely to feel less sexually attractive because of their menstrual bleeding problem (P < 0.0001, 95% CI 0.637-1.675). CONCLUSIONS Women of older age are more likely to choose hysterectomy over myomectomy or UFE for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. In addition, women who underwent any treatment for fibroids have increases in perception of body image and sexual functioning after their procedure.
Imaging Cellular Architecture with 3D SEM

A number of methods for ultrastructural imaging by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in three dimensions (3D) have been developed over the last decade. These techniques, which we collectively term 3D SEM, offer 2D imaging of quality approaching that attainable by traditional transmission electron microscopy, but with fine resolution in the third dimension as well. In this article, we cover a number of 3D SEM methodologies, including serial block face SEM (SBF-SEM) and focused ion beam SEM (FIB-SEM), as well as other complementary techniques. In addition, we describe the process from preparing a sample to generating a volume, using data from a murine duodenal epithelial cell junction to exemplify the cellular structural detail that may be studied with 3D SEM.
Synthesis and expression of C1 inhibitor by human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Abstract The biologic activity of C1 esterase, activated forms of factor XII and kallikrein at sites of vascular inflammation may be regulated by C1 inhibitor (C1 INH) elaborated by endothelial cells. Therefore, we investigated whether human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in culture produce C1 INH. Passaged HUVEC contain 1.6 +/- 0.8 micrograms of C1 INH/10(8) cells (mean +/- S.D.; n = 7) which was immunochemically similar to plasma C1 INH measured by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Methylamine-treated lysates of HUVEC contained a functional inhibitor of purified kallikrein (2.7 +/- 0.8 micrograms activity/10(8) cells, mean +/- S.D.; n = 4). The HUVEC-derived kallikrein inhibitory activity was mostly C1 INH because it was reversed by chemically treating the lysate with chloroform and was neutralized by anti-C1 INH antibody. A lysate of HUVEC derived from an umbilical cord from a patient with Type I hereditary angioedema contained less than 30% of the normal levels of C1 INH antigen and activity. Immunohistochemical staining of HUVEC demonstrated a diffuse pattern of staining for C1 INH. HUVEC C1 INH was also expressed on the endothelial cell surface as detected by binding of anti-C1 INH antibody to intact monolayers and was elaborated progressively into the overlying media over the first 24 h in culture. HUVEC incubated with [35S] methionine secreted a metabolically labeled protein having a molecular mass of 92 kDa immunoisolated using polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies to human C1 INH. A mRNA transcript encoding for C1 INH was detected by slot blot hybridization. Incubation of HUVEC with gamma-interferon stimulated the expression of the 2.1 kilobase mRNA for C1 INH and increased the level of C1 INH produced by these cells. Production and expression of C1 INH by endothelial cells may help modulate the complement system and the contact system of plasma proteolysis on the vascular surface in vivo.
Universal Script Wrapper — An innovative solution to manage endpoints in large and heterogeneous environment

Endpoint management is a key function for data center management and cloud management. Today's practice to manage endpoints for the enterprise is labor intensive, tedious and error prone. In this paper, we present Universal Script Wrapper, an innovative solution which provides a unique solution to allow users to manage a group of endpoints as if logged in to one endpoint. It harvests proven scripts and makes them available to automate management tasks on endpoints without modification. To reduce risk, it provides a mechanism to guard against intrusive commands and scripts that could cause massive damage to the infrastructure.
Beyond secret handshakes: affiliation-hiding authenticated key exchange

Public key based authentication and key exchange protocols are not usually designed with privacy in mind and thus involve cleartext exchanges of identities and certificates before actual authentication. In contrast, an Affiliation-Hiding Authentication Protocol, also called a Secret Handshake, allows two parties with certificates issued by the same organization to authenticate each other in a private way. Namely, one party can prove to the other that it has a valid organizational certificate, yet this proof hides the identity of the issuing organization unless the other party also has a valid certificate from the same organization. We consider a very strong notion of Secret Handshakes, namely Affiliation-Hiding Authenticated Key Exchange protocols (AH-AKE), which guarantee security under arbitrary composition of protocol sessions, including man-in-the-middle attacks. The contribution of our paper is three-fold: First, we extend existing notions of AH-AKE security to Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), which guarantees session security even if its participants are later corrupted or any other sessions are compromised. Second, in parallel to PFS security, we specify the exact level of privacy protection, which we call Linkable Affiliation-Hiding (LAH), that an AH-AKE protocol can provide in the face of player corruptions and session compromises. Third, we show an AH-AKE protocol that achieves both PFS and LAH properties, under the RSA assumption in ROM, at minimal costs of 3 communication rounds and two (multi)exponentiations per player.
Delayed Renewal Processes

One of the underlying assumptions for a renewal process is that the first renewal takes place at time zero. There may be several applications where this assumption is not satisfied by a stochastic process that would otherwise be a renewal process. In this article, the properties of such stochastic processes, also called delayed renewal processes are discussed and it is observed that these processes possess almost all the properties of standard renewal processes. Keywords: delayed renewal processes; stochastic process; equilibrium renewal process; limiting behavior; transient behavior
Bevacizumab in combination with oxaliplatin and doxorubicin or liposomal doxorubicin for hepatocellular cancer: a case series.

Aims: Despite the emergence of sorafenib as the standard treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular cancer (HCC), therapy remains sub-optimal and toxic. Methods: We report on five patients with advanced HCC treated with bevacizumab, oxaliplatin and doxorubicin or liposomal doxorubicin. Results: Of the five patients, four had cirrhosis; two patients had Child-Pugh A cirrhosis, while one each had Child-Pugh B and C cirrhosis. Grade 3/4 toxicity was uncommon. Four patients had a decrease of ≥50% in alpha-fetoprotein levels following therapy and one patient each had a radiographic complete response and stable disease. Conclusion: These data add to the growing phase II data that bevacizumab-containing regimens are active in advanced HCC patients. Further evaluation of regimens containing bevacizumab with oxaliplatin and/or doxorubicin may be warranted.
Cellulolytic Activity of Thermomonospora curvata: Nutritional Requirements for Cellulase Production

The use of a minimal medium for cellulase (C1 and Cx) production by Thermomonospora curvata increased extracellular C1 activity (measured by rate of cotton fiber hydrolysis) 11-fold compared with the previously used yeast extract medium. Ground cotton fibers supported the highest cellulase production when compared to other soluble and insoluble carbohydrate sources. Maximal cellulase production occurred at 45 C, slightly less at 55 C, and was insignificant at 65 C (the highest temperature at which cellulase activity appeared stable). At a temperature of 55 C, an optimal pH of 8.0, and a cotton fiber concentration of 8 mg/ml, shake cultures of T. curvata degraded about 75% of the cellulose during the 10-day period.
The relationship of low voltage on the electrocardiogram and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A retrospective analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between low voltage on the electrocardiogram and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Subjects were 250 patients who had both pulmonary function tests and an electrocardiogram at UMDNJ-John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital from the years 1975-1980. Low voltage was detected in only 13 of 250 patients. An attempt to define the relationship between the incidence of low voltage on the electrocardiogram and the severity of airway obstruction, as judged by the reduction in the FEV1, was unsuccessful. Concomitantly, a relationship could not be established between the incidence of low voltage and the degree of hyperinflation, as judged by the residual volume. In conclusion, the electrocardiographic evidence of low voltage does not represent either a sensitive or a specific finding for patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. It cannot be construed as either a useful or predictive parameter in the diagnostic evaluation of these patients.
Towards a genetic algorithms approach to designing 3D polygonal tree models

The OpenGL graphics libraries (http://www.opengl.org) provide a powerful environment for programming three-dimensional virtual worlds, and are used in a wide variety of applications. However, the creation of individual 3D models to include within a virtual world is an arduous and time-consuming process. We have designed GenTree, an interactive system that uses genetic algorithms to evolve 3D tree models to be used in virtual environments. The system evolves a set of parameters used to render the trees, with a fitness function provided by user input. The initial system works with a modest set of parameters and uses relatively crude rectangles for rendering, but is able to evolve a variety of plant shapes, including deciduous trees, evergreens, and shrubbery.
Determination of the Membrane Topology of Arv1 and the Requirement of the ER Luminal Region for Arv1 Function in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ARV1 encodes a 321 amino acid transmembrane protein localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi. It has been shown previously that arv1 cells harbor defects in sphingolipid and glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosyntheses, and may harbor sterol trafficking defects. Using C-terminal fusion to Suc2-His4, we determined the orientation of full-length Arv1 in the ER membrane. Once membrane topology was determined, we used this information and truncation analysis to establish the minimum protein length required for Arv1 function and phenotypic suppression. By understanding the topology of Arv1 we can now further analyze its putative lipid and glycosylphosphatidylinositol intermediate transport activities.
The Influence of Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccines on Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Outcomes Among Elderly Patients

Elderly are at high risk for hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), especially due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, and seasonal influenza viruses. Data suggest PPV23's influence on various CAP-related outcomes among the elderly may depend upon how many years have elapsed since they received this vaccine. PPV23's protection against invasive pneumococcal disease and CAP hospitalizations are often limited to moderately ill elderly, who are less than 75 years old, or female. PCV13 demonstrates broad protection against a variety of CAPs, but ultimately, its influence on their outcomes among the elderly may be limited by herd immunity from PCV7 use. Influenza vaccine's indirect protective effect against all-cause and non-invasive pneumococcal CAP in the elderly is difficult to ascertain. The use of both PPV23 and influenza vaccine shortens length of stay in hospitalized elderly with CAP, but whether that benefit would be realized in the presence of herd immunity is unknown.
Finite-Element Numerical Modeling of Atmospheric Turbulent Boundary Layer

A dynamic turbulent boundary-layer model in the neutral atmosphere is constructed, using a dynamic turbulent equation of the eddy viscosity coefficient for momentum derived from the relationship among the turbulent dissipation rate, the turbulent kinetic energy and the eddy viscosity coefficient, with aid of the turbulent second-order closure scheme. A finite-element technique was used for the numerical integration. In preliminary results, the behavior of the neutral planetary boundary layer agrees well with the available data and with the existing elaborate turbulent models, using a finite-difference scheme. The proposed dynamic formulation of the eddy viscosity coefficient for momentum is particularly attractive and can provide a viable alternative approach to study atmospheric turbulence, diffusion and air pollution.
Comet Nucleus Gamma-Ray Spectrometer Penetrator -An in Situ Nucleus Composition Experiment

An engineering design study of a comet nucleus penetrator system for in situ determinations of comet composition is presented. The system is designed for participation in the Comet Rendezvous/Asteroid Flyby mission to comet Kopff in 1996. The instrumentation payload of the penetrator system will include a passive gamma-ray spectrometer; a high frequency response accelerometer for measurements of the impact deceleration profile of the system as it penetrates to the nucleus of the comet; and several thermocouples mounted along the length of the penetrator to measure temperature and temperature gradients. The mechanical, electrical and thermal interfaces between the penetrator and the Mariner Mark II spacecraft are described. A series of line drawings is provided which illustrates the proposed configuration of the system.
Lactate dehydrogenase gene function in the blind cave fish, Anoptichthys jordani, and other characins

The functions of the genes encoded for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in six genera of characins (teleost) were examined by electrophoretic and immunochemical analyses of the LDH isozymes. The characins possess the LDH A and B loci present in all vertebrates. The eyeless Mexican cave fish (Anoptichthys jordani) and other characins possessing normal eyes, e.g., Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus, which is able to hybridize with the cave fish), blue tetra (Mimagoniates microlepis), sailfin tetra (Crenuchus spilurus), head and tail light tetra (Hemigrammus ocellifer), and the piranha (Serrasalmus spilopleura), all lack the function of a third LDH locus (the E locus) present in many teleosts which codes for a distinctive isozyme synthesized in the nervous system, particularly in the neural retina.
L-Alanyl-beta-naphthylamidase in rat spinal cord myelin.

— The properties of l-alanyl-β-naphthylamidase were studied in purified myelin of the spinal cord. The enzyme could be partially extracted with Triton-X-100, but some activity was lost by this operation. l-Alanyl-β-naphthylamidase migrated anodally in acrylamide gel, and the bulk of the activity did not appear to be associated with the basic protein or with the proteolipid protein of myelin. This enzyme is somewhat elevated with acute EAE, but subcellular fractionation of the spinal cord showed that the increased activity was not in the myelin but in the heavier particulate fractions. The relatively small increase in enzyme activity with EAE indicates that this enzyme is probably not a major causative agent in demyelination.
The effect of amnioinfusion on uterine pressure and activity: A preliminary report

Transcervical intrapartum amnioinfusion of normal saline solution is being used in a number of centers. Over the past few years indications for the procedure have included prophylaxis and treatment of intrapartum decelerations in both term and preterm gestations, dilution and lavage of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and for direct administration of antibiotics within the amniotic cavity in cases of chorioamnionitis. Little is reported about the real or potential risks of this procedure to both the mother and fetus. Over the past 2 years we observed several isolated cases of increased uterine activity by palpation coupled with fetal distress during amnioinfusion. These instances prompted us to study in a systematic fashion the relationships between uterine tone and activity during intrapartum amnioinfusion. We measured uterine tone and quantitated uterine activity in 10 patients undergoing intrapartum amnioinfusion and compared values 20 minutes before, during, and 20 minutes after amnioinfusion. A significant increase in uterine tone (p less than 0.05) was noted during and after the infusion. No difference in uterine activity was observed in any of the study periods. A case of uterine hypertonus and fetal bradycardia and a suggested procedure scheme for intrapartum amnioinfusion are presented.
An Euler-type volume identity

In this paper we present an elementary proof of a congruence by subtraction relation. In order to prove congruence by subtraction, we produce a dissection relating equal sub-polytopes. An immediate consequence of this relation is an Euler-type volume identity in ℝ 3 which appeared in the Unsolved Problems section of the December 1996 MAA Monthly. This Euler-type volume identity relates the volumes of subsets of a polytope called wedges that correspond to its faces, edges, and vertices. A wedge consists of the inward normal chords of the polytope emanating from a face, vertex, or edge. This identity is stated in the theorem below. Euler Volume Theorem . For any three dimensional convex polytope P This identity follows immediately from
Impurity levels in heterostructures for optical absorption and emission

We present calculations showing the effect of placing impurities in quantum wells and heterostructure barriers. With a suitable configuration of the band edge, both the spacing of energy levels and their ordering can be controlled. The results should be of use in designing more flexible impurity infrared detectors and enhancing the radiative efficiency of transitions between impurity levels.
Reactive sulfur species: hydrolysis of hypothiocyanite to give thiocarbamate-S-oxide.

Hypothiocyanite (OSCN-) hydrolyzes under alkaline conditions to give thiocarbamate-S-oxide (H2NC(O)SO-, the conjugate base of carbamothioperoxoic acid) via a mechanism that involves rate-limiting nucleophilic attack of OH- on OSCN-, followed by fast protonation (with no net consumption of H+/OH- at pH 11.7). Thiocarbamate-S-oxide has been characterized by 13C NMR, 15N NMR, UV spectroscopy, and ion chromatography. It has also been independently synthesized by the reaction of thiocarbamate (H2NC(O)S-) and hypochlorite (OCl-). The properties of thiocarbamate-S-oxide that is produced by hydrolysis of OSCN- and by oxidation of H2NC(O)S- are the same. The possible relevance of thiocarbamate-S-oxide in human peroxidase defense mechanisms remains to be explored.
Semantic thumbnails: a novel method for summarizing document collections

The concept of thumbnails is common in image representation. A thumbnail is a highly compressed version of an image that provides a small, yet complete visual representation to the human eye. We propose the adaptation of the concept of thumbnails to the domain of documents, whereby a thumbnail of any document can be generated from its semantic content, providing an adequate amount of information about the documents. However, unlike image thumbnails, document thumbnails are mainly for the consumption of software such as search engines, and other content processing systems. With the advent of the semantic web, the requirement for machine processing of documents has become extremely important. We give particular attention to electronic documents in XML and in RDF/XML, with a view towards the processing of documents in the semantic web.
Scattering and absorption of CVD diamond windows

Diamond grown with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes is currently being considered for use as a long wave infrared (LWIR) dome material for advanced missiles. In order to assess diamond's suitability for this application, a complete understanding of the optical properties of CVD diamond is needed. This includes a determination of the relative amount of bulk and surface scattering, and a measurement of the absorption in thick CVD diamond films. In this paper, we present scattering data for visible (0.633 micrometers ) and infrared (10.6 micrometers ) wavelengths from optically smooth thick diamond films. Scattering data from the aluminized front and back surfaces of the films is also reported. These measurements, together with first order scattering theory, provide a means for determining the component of scattered radiation which is due to bulk scattering. The bulk absorption is also estimated from a detailed energy balance using reflectance, transmittance and scattering measurements.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Modulation and coding tradeoffs for non-line-of-sight ultraviolet communications

Rich atmospheric scattering in the ultraviolet (UV) enables non-line-of sight (NLOS) communications, opening a new optical paradigm. In this paper, we incorporate an experimentally validated NLOS channel path loss model and quantitatively predict the performance of a combination of modulation and coding techniques. Our study includes OOK, PPM, MPPM, repetition coding and trellis coding. We consider both Poisson and Gaussian noise assumptions, appropriate for different operating regimes, with a focus on achievable range as a critical parameter in NLOS operation.
Solid Vapor Pressure and Enthalpy of Sublimation for Ammonium Perfluorooctanoate

A modified gas saturation method was used to directly determine the solid vapor pressure of ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO). Measurements were made over the temperature range from (45 to 60) °C. Pressures ranged from (0.04 ± 0.007) Pa to (0.17 ± 0.028) Pa. A relationship was developed for determining vapor pressure as a function of temperature for conditions near the test range, and an environmentally relevant vapor pressure of (0.003 ± 0.0005) Pa was calculated at 25 °C. This ambient vapor pressure for the ammonium salt of perfluorooctanoate (PFO) is 3 orders of magnitude lower than the ambient vapor pressure of the acid form, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is approximately 4.1 Pa at 25 °C. This finding underscores the importance of knowing what compound is present in the environment and using the appropriate properties to be able to predict environmental fate and transport behavior. The enthalpy of sublimation was calculated as 90.9 kJ·mol−1. It is hypothesized that APFO may undergo a multistag...
Amino acid incorporation by cleaving nucleate and non‐nucleate egg‐fragments of Arbacia punctulata

Tritium labeled alanine and leucine are incorporated into activated non-nucleate and nucleate egg-fragments of Arbacia. Labeling is similar in both non-nucleate and nucleate fragments, and the pattern is network-like. There may be slight amino acid incorporation by asters, prespindles, or mitotic apparatus in early cleavages of the activated fragment, but it is not above incorporation by the cytoplasm. In some samples it is not significantly above “background.” It is concluded that these organelles do not necessarily depend on new synthesis of proteins during early cleavage stages. The role of those proteins synthesized during the first precleavage stage is unknown.
1-BCP, a memory-enhancing agent, selectively potentiates AMPA-induced [3H]norepinephrine release in rat hippocampal slices

It is now clear that the AMPA subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) undergoes a rapid desensitization in response to activation by AMPA receptor agonists. This desensitization is inhibited by compounds such as aniracetam and cyclothiazide, which act at a distinct site on the AMPA receptor complex. In particular, cyclothiazide greatly potentiates AMPA receptor-mediated depolarizing responses in the hippocampus. We have recently shown cyclothiazide also increases AMPA-induced release of [3H]norepinephrine ([3H]NE). More, recently, a benzamide compound, 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylcarbonyl)-piperidine (1-BCP), has been reported to enhance AMPA-induced currents and to facilitate memory retention in rats in a number of memory tasks. In this study, the effects of 1-BCP on excitatory amino acid agonist-induced [3H]NE release in rat hippocampal slices were determined. We report that 1-BCP, like cyclothiazide, selectively potentiates AMPA-induced [3H]NE release. However, cyclothiazide was more potent and efficacious than 1-BCP. Nevertheless, these data suggest a role for AMPA receptor-mediated enhancement of norepinephrine release as a mechanism of action for nootropic compounds such as 1-BCP.
Spectral Filtering Formalism and Its Application for Multi‐Phase Deep‐Water Wavetrains

A new formalism of spectral filtering for the description of the modulation processes is proposed. The method allows one to study the classical problem of multi-phase modulations in dispersive systems. In the present paper, deep-water waves are considered. Spectral filtering results in a system of coupled equations that describe the modulations of the carrier wave and its harmonics. The formalism may find applications in a broad range of physical situations with multi-phase dynamics.
Fast, microbore, and fast microbore high-performance liquid chromatography of nucleic acid constituents.

Abstract Fast high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (5–10 cm × 4.6 mm I.D. columns), microbore HPLC (25 cm × 2.1 mm and 1 mm I.D. columns), and fast microbore HPLC (5–10 cm × 2.1 mm and 1 mm I.D. columns) were successfully applied to the separation of nucleic acid constituents in standard mixtures and physiological fluids. Separations were obtained in isocratic and gradient elution modes. The separations obtained were compared with those achieved on a conventional 25 cm × 4.6 mm I.D. column. Factors evaluated included separation time, retention time reproducibility, peak height reproducibility, resolution, efficiency, sensitivity and linear response range. Practical factors, such as the amount of sample required and cost per analysis, were also examined.
Scheduling arrivals to a production system in a fuzzy environment

Abstract A frequently encountered scheduling problem is to determine a material and job ready time while simultaneously finding a production sequence given customer-specified due dates. Often the production times and due dates are vague. This paper presents an investigation of scheduling ready times for a set of jobs with fuzzy service times and due dates. The ready time is constrained in that the possibility that a job is late must not exceed a predefined value. The objective in such an instance is to maximize the ready time without violating these constraints. The steps necessary to determine the maximum ready time and cases in which this effort may be significantly reduced are presented for single machine and flow shop production systems. Finally, a branch and bound technique is developed for cases in which the optimal job sequence cannot be determined a priori.
Effect of Grouping of Evidence Types on Learning About Interactions Between Observed and Unobserved Causes

When a cause interacts with unobserved factors to produce an effect, the contingency between the observed cause and effect cannot be taken at face value to infer causality. Yet it would be computationally intractable to consider all possible unobserved, interacting factors. Nonetheless, 6 experiments found that people can learn about an unobserved cause participating in an interaction with an observed cause when the unobserved cause is stable over time. Participants observed periods in which a cause and effect were associated followed by periods of the opposite association (“grouped condition”). Rather than concluding a complete lack of causality, participants inferred that the observed cause does influence the effect (Experiment 1), and they gave higher causal strength estimates when there were longer periods during which the observed cause appeared to influence the effect (Experiment 2). Consistent with these results, when the trials were grouped, participants inferred that the observed cause interacted with an unobserved cause (Experiments 3 and 4). Indeed, participants could even make precise predictions about the pattern of interaction (Experiments 5 and 6). Implications for theories of causal reasoning are discussed.
Lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity to measles virus in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with multiple sclerosis were studied for their ability to lyse target cells infected with measles virus using a 51 Cr release assay. Immune-specific cytolysis caused by lymphocytes from patients in remission was equivalent to cytolysis observed with lymphocytes from normal immune subjects in both the absence and the presence of added anti-measles virus antibodies. The ability of any individual patient's lymphocytes to kill measles virus-infected targets did not significantly change as the patients' clinical course fluctuated from remission to exacerbation. In addition, sera from multiple sclerosis patients and normal subjects invariably enhanced cytolysis, and no blocking of lymphocyte-mediated killing was observed.
Implications of forbidden structures for extremal algorithmic problems

Abstract We develop and analyze P-optimal approximation algorithms for various generalized satisfiability problems and determine the corresponding P-optimal thresholds. The most novel aspect of the paper is that we develop new P-optimal algorithms for restricted generalized satisfiability problems which are defined by forbidden subformulas. All our algorithms run in linear time on a RAM.
West African Slavery and Atlantic Commerce: The Senegal River Valley, 1700-1860

West African societies were transformed by the slave trade, even in regions where few slaves were exported. While many books have been written on the import and export trade and on warrior predation, Dr Searing's concern is with the effects of the Atlantic slave trade on the societies of the Senegal river valley in the eighteenth century. He shows that the growth of the Atlantic trade stimulated the development of slavery within West Africa. Slaves worked as seamen in the river and coasting trades, produced surplus grain to feed slaves in transit, and sometimes came to hold pivotal positions in the political structure of the coastal kingdoms of Senegambia. This local slave system had far-reaching consequences, leading to religious protest and slave rebellions. The changes in agricultural production fostered an ecological crisis.
Preservation of FoxP3+ Regulatory T Cells in the Peripheral Blood of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Elite Suppressors Correlates with Low CD4+ T-Cell Activation

Elite suppressors (ES) are untreated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals who maintain normal CD4+ T-cell counts and control viremia to levels that are below the limit of detection of current assays. The mechanisms involved in long-term control of viremia have not been fully elucidated. CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) downmodulate chronic inflammation by suppressing the activation and proliferation of effector lymphocytes. We found that while Tregs were functional in ES and patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), ES maintained high levels of Tregs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells whereas patients on HAART had evidence of Treg depletion. We also demonstrated that Tregs can serve as reservoirs for HIV-1 in vivo. These data suggest that both direct infection by HIV-1 and tissue redistribution are possible explanations for declining FoxP3+ Tregs in progressive HIV-1 infection. Furthermore, the maintenance of Tregs may be one mechanism associated with the nonprogressive nature of HIV-1 infection in ES.
A three-step purification procedure for protein kinase C: Characterization of the purified enzyme

An efficient high yield three-step purification procedure for protein kinase C consisting of ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and substrate affinity chromatographies is described. Protein which appears homogeneous on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis contains amino acid sequences, predicted from cDNA cloning, for both the alpha and beta isoenzyme forms of the bovine brain enzyme. Both forms appear active as indicated by [3H]phorbol dibutyrate binding stoichiometry of approximately 1. Purified enzyme is active as a monomeric species, exhibits high cooperativity between Ca+2 and phosphatidylserine binding for activity, and undergoes intramolecular self-phosphorylation at both serine and threonine residues. Incubation of the enzyme with ATP, which leads to extensive self-phosphorylation, markedly stabilizes phosphotransferase activity without increasing the Vmax of the reaction.
Association of alcohol use and other high-risk behaviors among trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Risk behaviors and psychological problems may limit recovery after trauma, may be related to injury recidivism, and may limit the effectiveness of alcohol interventions in trauma patients. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence of behaviors associated with injury and their relationship with alcohol use in adult trauma patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 301 adult patients admitted to a single Level I trauma center were interviewed regarding risk behaviors and alcohol use. RESULTS: There was evidence of acute and/or chronic alcohol use in 48.2% of cases. Over three fourths of patients (77%) engaged in one or more high-risk driving practices, 40% engaged in one or more violence-related behaviors, and 19% reported suicidal ideation in the last year. These risk behaviors were more common in patients who evidenced acute and/or chronic alcohol use. CONCLUSION: Behaviors that place an individual at greater risk for traumatic injury are common among seriously injured adult patients admitted to an urban Level I trauma center and frequently coexist with alcohol use. Their importance to injury, injury recidivism, and recovery after trauma requires further investigation.
Raman spectroscopic study of the size-dependent order parameter of barium titanate

Spherical barium titanate nanoparticles, having a diameter of 50–500 nm, were characterized using micro-Raman spectroscopy at 83 K. Proposed is a calibrated intensity method allowing a spectroscopic estimate of the relative fraction of two solid-state structural phases, where the phases have uniquely identifiable Raman bands. The Raman spectroscopy local probe is broadened to quantify macroscopic characteristics, such as the order parameter. Based on the intensity of the 311 cm−1 mode, it is revealed that the order parameter, η, of BaTiO3 decreases exponentially with particle size reduction. Similarly, an exponential decrease of the long-range (dipole-dipole) interaction is suggested, based on the Raman shift of the 716 cm−1 mode. An approximate long-range interaction decrease of 3% is estimated when the particle size is reduced from 500 nm to 50 nm. This study provides evidence that BaTiO3 nanoparticles can be modeled as being composed of coexisting cubic and non-cubic phases with relative fraction controlled by the degree of long-range Coulombic interactions.
The effects of stress on physical activity and exercise.

Background Psychological stress and physical activity (PA) are believed to be reciprocally related; however, most research examining the relationship between these constructs is devoted to the study of exercise and/or PA as an instrument to mitigate distress.