cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low-Energy Pion-Pion Scattering

A general method for solving the problem of low-energy pion-pion scattering is presented. Within each partial wave, the nearby unphysical singularities are calculated by the usual Chew-Mandelstam approach, while the more distant ones are treated by a generalization of the Ball-Wong technique. These two techniques are then combined with the requirement of self-consistency. A rough calculation is given in which only a narrow $P$-wave resonance is retained, and the only free parameter is the pion mass. The resulting resonance has a mass of 585 MeV and a half-width of 125 MeV. A method is also given for calculating Regge poles at low energies.
METABOLISM OF L-ARGININE AND THE NO PATHWAY IN SEPTIC CHILDREN • 168

To determine the in vivo status and regulatory mechanisms of arginine and related metabolic pathways in septic children, we conducted an 8h primed constant intravenous infusion of L-[^(13) C] leu and L-[guanidino ^(15)N_(2), 5,5,^(2)H_(2)]arg in 10 septic children (6 to 16y; 20-60kg). Four patients also received a second infusion of L-[^(13)C] arg and L-[^(13)C ureido 5,5,^(2)H_(2)] cit the next day. Isotopic enrichments were measured by GC-MS and IR-MS. Six healthy young adults (18-21y; 60-80kg); receiving adequate protein and energy intake for a week served as controls. De novo arg synthesis in septic children was 9.6± 3 vs 9.2± 1.4 (mean ±SD)μmol.kg.h in healthy adults. Arg oxidation (ox) was 16.9± 3 vs 7.6± 0.4 μmol.kg.h in septic vs healthy, respectively. NO synthesis was increased in the septic group (1.6± 0.9 vs 0.96± 0.1). Homeostasis of arg metabolism in septic patients is impaired. Arg ox is greater than synthesis, resulting in a negative arg balance. NO synthesis was increased and appeared to reflect severity of disease. Plasma arg for NO synthesis is utilized to a greater extent in septic patients. (NIH DK 15856 and RR88, SBI grants-in-aid and Lynn Reid Fellowship, Harvard Medical School)
Color image segmentation and color constancy

We present an approach to the construction of computational model for color image segmentation based on the physical properties of sensors, illumination lights and surface reflectances. We use the dichromatic model for dielectric materials and develop a metric space of intensity, hue and saturation in order to better interpret light- surface interactions. While the spectral distribution of surface reflectance is not changed by shading and shadows, it is affected by highlights, as well as inter-reflections. Using the established model, we perform color image segmentation based on the material change with detection of small inter-reflections between different objects and highlights. Since usual illuminations are spectrally colored, discounting illuminations from a perceived color image (color constancy) is necessary for obtaining correct surface reflectances. However applications of many color constancy algorithms are limited by severe spectral and spatial assumptions. Our approach is to use a reference plate or specularity to achieve color constancy for global illumination. The detected inter-reflections represent the local variation of illumination due to reflected light from other objects.
A life events approach to developing an index of societal well-being☆

A life events approach to developing an index of societal well-being is described. The incidence of negative life events is measured and the seriousness of these problems is rated. By summing the seriousness of problems, one produces an overall measure of the amount of troubles affecting people. On both the individual and the societal level this scale of troubles can be used as a general measure of well-being.
Racial and ethnic disparities in extremes of fetal growth after gestational diabetes mellitus

The aim of this study was to assess and compare risks of having large- or small-for gestational age (LGA and SGA, respectively) infants born to women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) from ten racial/ethnic groups. LGA and SGA were defined as birthweight >90th and <10th percentile, respectively, specific to each racial/ethnic population and infant sex. Risks of LGA and SGA were compared among a retrospective cohort of 29,544 GDM deliveries from Hispanic, non-Hispanic white (NHW), non-Hispanic black (NHB), Filipino, Chinese, Asian Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese and Pacific Islander (PI) groups of women. Unadjusted LGA and SGA risks varied among the ten groups. For LGA, the highest risk was in infants born to NHB women (17.2%), followed by those born to PI (16.2%), Hispanic (14.5%), NHW (13.1%), Asian Indian (12.8%), Filipino (11.6%) and other Asian (9.6–11.1%) women (p < 0.0001). Compared with NHW, the LGA risk was significantly greater for NHB women with GDM (RR 1.25 [95% CI 1.11–1.40]; p = 0.0001 after adjustment for maternal characteristics). Further adjustment for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain in the sub-cohort with available data (n = 8,553) greatly attenuated the elevated LGA risk for NHB women. For SGA, the risks ranged from 5.6% to 11.3% (p = 0.003) where most groups (8/10) had risks that were lower than the population-expected 10% and risks were not significantly different from those in NHW women. These data suggest that variation in extremes of fetal growth associated with GDM deliveries across race/ethnicity can be explained by maternal characteristics, maternal obesity and gestational weight gain. Women should be advised to target a normal weight and appropriate weight gain for pregnancies; this is particularly important for NHB women.
Anisomycin, acetoxycycloheximide, cycloheximide, and puromycin as inhibitors of rat brain acetylcholinesterase in vitro.

A kinetic analysis of the interaction of anisomycin, acetoxycycloheximide, cycloheximide, and puromycin with acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine acetyl-hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.7) in rat brain homogenate shows that all of these protein synthesis inhibitors are also inhibitors or this enzyme. Puromycitl aminonucleoside, a puromycin analog without antibiotic activity, was also found to be an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase activity much like puromycin. Anisomycin appeared to be a competitive inhibitor whereas all of the other compounds showed mixed inhibition. The apparent 10.5 values for inhibition of rat brain acetylcholinesterase at 50 μM substrate were: anisomycin, 3 mM; acetoxycycloheximide, 1 mM; cycloheximide, 2.2 mM; puromycin, 0.5 mM and puromycin aminonucleoside, 0.6 mM.
Outcomes of clinical examination and genetic testing of 500 individuals with hearing loss evaluated through a genetics of hearing loss clinic

Hearing loss (HL) occurs in approximately 2 out of every 1,000 births and is genetic in origin in approximately 50% of cases. This high incidence coupled with the increasing number of genes implicated in HL and the trend toward universal newborn screening led to the establishment of the Genetics of Hearing Loss Clinic at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to manage the diagnosis, genetic screening, and counseling of families with an affected child. To date 500 individuals have been evaluated from 1999 to 2004. To determine the cause of their HL and screen for syndromic forms of HL, individuals were offered a panel of tests. Depending on the type and severity of the HL, recommendations included GJB2 mutation analysis, renal and thyroid function studies, a CT scan of the temporal bones, an ophthalmology evaluation, an EKG, and, at times, additional genetic tests. Of the 500 patients evaluated 70 (14%) had a syndromic etiology for their HL. Twenty-eight different syndromic etiologies were identified. Enlarged vestibular aqueducts (EVAs) and/or Mondini malformations were seen in 18% of individuals with HL who had a CT or MRI of the temporal bones. Genetic testing of the GJB2 gene was completed for 310 of the 377 patients with bilateral sensorineural HL (82.2%). Nineteen different variants were identified in the GJB2 gene. Through GJB2 mutational analysis, clinical examination, and laboratory testing, a definitive etiologic diagnosis was established in 110/500 (22%) of patients.
Behavior of Si Interstitials and Boron-Interstitial Pairs at the Si/SiO 2 Interface

Using density functional theory calculations within the generalized gradient approximation, we have investigated the structure, energetics, bonding, and diffusion behavior of Si interstitials and boron-interstitial pairs at the Si/SiO2 interface. We find that interstitials are significantly stabilized at the Si/SiO2 interface and prefer to reside on the SiO2 side rather than the Si side. Due to the interstitial stabilization, boron-interstitial pairs are likely to be easily dissociated in the vicinity of the Si/SiO2 interface. This study provides valuable insight into interstitial annihilation and boron precipitation at the interface.
A Feynman Path Integral Approach for Calculating Quantum Rate Constants in Complex Systems

A theoretical framework is discussed in which imaginary time Feynman path integration is adapted to define a quantum mechanical free energy for activated rate processes. Recently developed variational theories for the estimation of this factor, as well as the quantum dynamical corrections to the rate constant, are also discussed.
Alcohol and tobacco use in the Minnesota heart health program

Correlations between alcohol intake and cigarette smoking have been extensively documented. Prospective data on the relationship between smoking and alcohol remain quite limited. The Minnesota Heart Health Program (MHHP) collected such data as part of a 10-year research and demonstration project intended to reduce the prevalence of heart disease. The study involved six communities, three that received intervention and three, comparison. The current analyses focused upon baseline relationships and longitudinal changes in alcohol and tobacco use. Contrary to prediction, those who quit smoking were no more likely than continuing smokers to reduce alcohol intake. Furthermore, alcohol intake at baseline did not predict smoking status at follow-up. Gender differences were found in a number of comparisons. Further study is needed of changes in smoking and drinking patterns over time in the general population.
Computed Tomographic Staging and the Fate of the Dependent Sinuses in Revision Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Objectives: To determine the patterns of disease recurrence in chronic sinusitis and to examine the influence of surgical intervention on the presence or absence of disease among sinuses at the time of revision. Design: Retrospective review of case series in a 56month period. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans at the initial surgery and at revision were staged using the Lund and Mackay system. Patterns of disease and CT stage were analyzed with respect to operative intervention, and statistical analysis was conducted to determine the influence of the initial surgical intervention on the patterns of disease at revision. Setting: An academic general otolaryngology practice. Results: A total of 42 paired cases of primary and revision endoscopic sinus surgery were identified with complete data. The average interval between procedures was 11.8 months, with a mean follow-up of 31.7 months. The average total Lund scores for the CT scan before the primary procedure and at revision were not significantly different at 10.5 and 9.7, respectively (P = .38). Analysis of 84 sides revealed that performance of a sinusotomy on an initially undiseased sinus resulted in a higher percentage of disease in that sinus at revision, although this was not significant (P = .15). A sinusotomy performed on an initially diseased sinus was associated with a higher likelihood of disease in that sinus at revision (P = .02). Similar data were found for the subset analysis of the sphenoid and frontal sinuses. Conclusions: The Lund and Mackay system can be applied in the setting of revision endoscopic sinus surgery. Sinusotomies should be performed only in sinuses with radiographic disease, and not prophylactically to prevent disease. The standard functional approach may allow disease initially present in the sphenoid or frontal sinuses to normalize without formal sphenoidotomy or frontal sinusotomy. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1999;125:994-999
Calculating the effect of natural attenuation during bank filtration

A modelling concept is presented that enables a quantitative evaluation of transport and natural attenuation processes during bank filtration. The aim is to identify ranges of degradation rates for which bank filtration is effective or ineffective. Such modelling should accompany experimental work, as otherwise the meaning of determined degradation rates for a field situation remains uncertain. The presented concept is a combination of analytical and numerical methods, solving differential equations directly for the steady state. It is implemented using FEMLAB^(R) code and demonstrates a typical idealized situation with a single well near a straight bank boundary. The method can be applied to confined, to unconfined and to partially confined/unconfined aquifers and may be extended for applications in more complex situations, including a clogging layer, galleries of pumping and recharge wells, etc.
Electron-gun IR scenario simulator

A medium power, narrow beam, electron gun is shown to produce a viable heat source for IR scenario simulation. The electron beam strikes a cryogenically cooled screen, producing a small infrared source against the cold background. Electronic deflection modulates and directs the beam, creating a real-time scenario simulation. Beam size and thermal spot spreading determine spatial resolution of the scene. Thermal relaxation time of the screen determines temporal resolution. Computer modelling is used to predict gun and screen performance. A series of experiments, used to confirm the predictions of simulation, and their results are described.
Dynamics and Indecomposable Inverse Limit Spaces of Maps on Finite Graphs

Abstract If ƒ is a map of a finite tree T having a dense orbit, then ƒ is chaotic. Also, if ƒ has a dense orbit, or a homoclinic orbit, or a periodic point of certain prescribed period, depending on the geometry of T, then the inverse limit space, (T,ƒ), having ƒ as its sole bonding map, contains indecomposable subcontinua. Finally, if X is a finite graph and ƒ has a set of periodic points of certain prescribed periods, depending on the geometry of X, then (X,ƒ) contains indecomposable subcontinua.
Variant human diploid fibroblast clones able to grow in homocysteine in place of cyst(e)ine.

Summary Human diploid fibroblast variants have been isolated that can grow when homocysteine replaces cysteine in the medium. The variants do not have elevated activities of cystathionase. They do not utilize homocysteine directly but use the cysteine which is normally bound to the serum proteins by disulfide bondsand which is displaced from the serum proteins by homocysteine. The variants grow more slowly than their parental strains and can grow with lower concentrations of cysteine in the mediu. The results suggest that the more fundamental alteration in the variants is their slow growth rate and that their ability to grow in the homocysteine medium is a consequence of this.
Aminoalkoholester von Hydroxyboranen, VI. diptych-Boroxazolidine†

Es werden die Reaktionsgeschwindigkeiten der Hydrolyse von NB-Bindungen von 12 diptych-Boroxazolidinen in 90-proz. Aceton bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, das die Hydrolysegeschwindigkeit hauptsachlich eine Funktion der Substituentengrose am Stickstoff ist, wahrend die Substituenten am Esterkohlenstoff nur einen sekundaren Einflus ausuben.
Frequency-response identification of XV-15 tilt-rotor aircraft dynamics

The timely design and development of the next generation of tilt-rotor aircraft (JVX) depend heavily on the in-depth understanding of existing XV-15 dynamics and the availability of fully validated simulation models. Previous studies have considered aircraft and simulation trim characteristics, but analyses of basic flight vehicle dynamics were limited to qualitative pilot evaluation. The present study has the following objectives: documentation and evaluation of XV-15 bare-airframe dynamics; comparison of aircraft and simulation responses; and development of a validated transfer-function description of the XV-15 needed for future studies. A nonparametric frequency-response approach is used which does not depend on assumed model order or structure. Transfer-function representations are subsequently derived which fit the frequency responses in the bandwidth of greatest concern for piloted handling-qualities and control-system applications.
Transition radiation from electrons at 50 GeV

Abstract An investigation to separate electrons from pions at 50 GeV using a transition radiation detector (TRD) consisting of multiwire proportional chambers and stacks of mylar foil radiators is presented. The pulse height distribution from such a detector shows two peaks which correspond to pions and electrons respectively. Ethafoam and styrofoam were also used as radiators. The observed energy spectra and application of the detector are discussed.
Demographic and Psychographic Antecedents of Community Participation: Applying a Social Marketing Model

Community participation has received a great deal of attention in recent work on political and health communication. Reflective of the extent of collective action in a community, community particip...
Inhibition of the mixed lymphocyte proliferative response by phorbol esters

Abstract The phorbol diester, 12-O- tetradecanoyl-phorbol -13- acetate , a potent cocarcinogen in mice, blocks the induction of DNA synthesis in lymphocytes undergoing the mixed lymphocyte response. At 10−7 M diester, the induced DNA synthesis is inhibited almost completely (99%). This action of the diester affects some early step in the response which is necessary for the triggering of cell replication; on-going DNA replication is not significantly affected. Phorbol 12,13-diacetate, a less potent analogue in tumor promotion in vivo, is also a less potent inhibitor of the mixed lymphocyte response (75% inhibition at 10−6 M). Phorbol, the parent alcohol, is not effective in either system. The use of phorbol diesters in the molecular dissection of mixed lymphocyte responses is discussed.
Cytosolic modulators of activities of microsomal enzymes of cholesterol biosynthesis. Effects of Acyl-CoA inhibition and cytosolic Z-protein.

Abstract Physiological concentrations of long-chain fatty acyl-CoAs have now been shown to inhibit microsomal methyl sterol oxidase. Acyl-CoA inhibition of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase as well as methyl sterol oxidase can be either prevented or reversed by the addition of purified Z-protein (fatty acid-binding protein). Concomitantly, Z-protein addition decreases the extent of binding of radioactively labeled oleoyl-CoA to microsomal membranes. Free heme also inhibits hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, and Z-protein reverses the extent of observed inhibition by binding heme analogous to the effect observed with acyl-CoAs. Similarly, Z-protein reverses substrate inhibition of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase at high concentrations of acyl-CoA substrate. All these observations are consistent with the suggestion that, by binding acyl-CoAs and other enzyme effectors such as free heme, Z-protein modulates the effects of fluctuations of concentrations of major cellular metabolites. Furthermore, because the concentration of Z-protein is very low in rapidly growing hepatomas, such tumors may be very poorly buffered against the effects of acyl-CoAs, free fatty acids, heme and other effectors that may vary markedly by either altered metabolism or release of metabolites from necrotic tumor tissue.
Chlorophyll c1 and c2 and extraplastidic carotenoids in the dinoflagellate, Peridinium foliaceum stein

Abstract Chlorophyll c 1 and c 2 as well as fucoxanthin have been found in the binucleate dinoflagellate, Peridinium foliaceum Stein. These pigments are not characteristic of the Pyrrophyta, as typical dinoflagellates contain peridinin, not fucoxanthin, and only chlorophyll c 2 . Thus the chloroplast pigment composition of P. foliaceum lends support to the hypothesis that this species is a heterotrophic dinoflagellate hosting an algal symbiont of non-dinoflagellate origin, and is consistent with the assignment of the endosymbiont to the Chrysophyta. An investigation of the carotenes of P. foliaceum has revealed the presence of both β-carotene and γ-carotene, as well as the colorless carotenoid precursors, phytoene and phytofluene. Typically only β-carotene occurs in photosynthetic pyrrophytes and chrysophytes. Phytoene and phytofluene have not been previously detected in any naturally occurring photosynthetic alga. Preliminary evidence indicates that these unusual hydrocarbons specifically accumulate in extraplastidic oil globules in P. foliaceum , and the speculation is made that these carotenes pertain to the apochlorotic host dinoflagellate and do not originate from the chloroplasts of the endosymbiont.
Developments in linear optical amplifier technology

The Linear Optical Amplifier (LOA) is a chip-based amplifier that addresses many of the requirements of emerging optical networks: operation under diverse bit rates, channel counts, and switching protocols, as well as reduced cost and size. In this work, we review the operating principles of the LOA, and describe two versions of the LOA technology. The first is a polarization-independent amplifier that operates over the entire C-band. We present several examples of this technology's system performance, and also highlight its value in coarse wavelength-division multiplexing (CWDM) applications. We also demonstrate a new, single polarization LOA technology, which is designed to deliver high linear gain over an extended range of output powers. We measure typical chip gains in excess of 20dB, and demonstrate linear gain performance for an (average) chip power approaching 15dBm. These results indicate that this technology is well-suited for long-reach, 10Gbps transmitter boost applications.
Limitations of the lipid state hypothesis for atherosclerosis are revealed by X-ray diffraction measurements.

Abstract The lipid state hypothesis proposes that liquid crystalline states of cholesteryl esters play a role in the development and persistence of the fatty streak lesions characteristic of atherosclerosis. We have tested several corollaries suggested by this hypothesis and find that the ensemble of droplets in atherosclerotic tissue are predominantly in the isotropic (fluid) state at 37.0 ° C. Furthermore, the liquid-crystalline state transition behavior of these droplets is not influenced significantly by the distribution of component cholesteryl ester species. There are no significant correlations between the transition behavior of the droplets and the age, sex, or race of the subjects from which tissue samples were taken. These results show that the lipid state hypothesis is weak, and that the origin and persistence of fatty streak lesions in humans is probably dominated by other factors.
The contribution of human capital variables to changes in the wage distribution function

Abstract This paper proposes a semi-parametric procedure to determine the contribution of human capital variables in explaining the changes of U.S. wage distribution function over the period of 1990–2000. The effects of these factors are estimated by using the Chamberlain's two stage Box–Cox quantile regression approach. One of the main contributions of this paper is that it relaxes the linearity assumption of the conditional quantile function to estimate the counterfactual wage distribution function consistently. This paper also shows that the proposed method provides better estimates of capturing the effects of human capital variables in the two tails of the wage distribution while the results of other parts of the distribution are comparable with the estimates of the previous study which used the linear quantile regression approach. To summarize, these results suggest that this proposed approach is more applicable in cases where the behavior of the tails of the distribution bear much importance.
Hedgerows and hedgerow networks in landscape ecology

Hedgerows originated and coexist with agriculture. Their internal structure and species diversity vary widely with origin (planted, spontaneous, or remnant), farming practices in adjacent fields, and the refined art of hedgerow management. Most hedgerow species are forest-edge species, and apparently none is limited to hedgerows. Wide hedgerows composed of trees and shrubs appear to function as corridors for movement of many plants and animals across a landscape. The reduction of crop loss, by dampening pest population fluctuations with hedgerow predators, remains a hypothesis for study.
Polarisation States of High Harmonic Generation from Aligned Molecules

We present detailed theoretical calculations based on the recently developed quantitative rescattering theory (QRS) for polarisation and ellipticity of high-order harmonics from aligned N2 and O2 generated with mid-infrared linearly polarised laser pulses. Within the QRS, the two polarisation states of high-order harmonics are due to the high-energy photons emitted with polarisation parallel or perpendicular to the direction of the same returning electron wave packet in the photo-recombination process. The complex transition dipoles responsible for these two components have, in general, difference phases, which results in the ellipticity of emitted harmonics. Our results show clear target-species dependent polarisation states. In particular, we found strong harmonic ellipticity in aligned N2, but weak ellipticity in aligned O2 for harmonics below 100 eV. We further show the factorisation of the macroscopic high harmonic generation under typical experimental conditions. This implies that results of polaris...
How does POSSLQ measure up? Historical estimates of cohabitation.

We use March Current Population Survey (CPS) data from 1977 to 1997 to produce a new historical series of indirect cohabitation prevalence estimates. We compare our new estimates with those produced by the traditional method and evaluate the new estimates. We then compare the indirect estimates with the new direct estimates to investigate whether biases exist in the indirect estimates. Our findings indicate that the traditional indirect method of estimating cohabitation prevalence underestimates cohabitors in different subpopulations, especially among those with children. We also find that the new indirect measure produces relatively unbiased estimates of cohabitors’ characteristics.
Separation and spectrodensitometric quantitation of porphyrin esters on thin-layer chromatograms

Abstract Porphyrin esters separated on silica gel thin-layer chromatography have been quatitated spectrodensitometrically directly on thin-layer plates. The method can be applied to quantitation of porphyrins in natural samples.
Modeling statistical distribution of random telegraph noise magnitude

Random telegraph noise (RTN) magnitude of MOSFETs is analyzed using three-dimensional device simulation taking random discrete dopant into account. The maximum RTN magnitude is inversely proportional to the RTN region area in which the surface potential is in the vicinity of its saddle point. The inverse of the maximum RTN magnitude exhibits a normal distribution.
Regulation of macrophage gene expression by T-cell-derived lymphokines

Abstract Cytokines secreted from antigen-specific T lymphocytes provide important positive and negative control of inflammation through their effects on non-antigen-specific inflammatory leukocytes. These effects often involve modulation of gene expression. Lymphokine-inducible macrophage gene expression is largely controlled at the level of transcription. Multiple cis -acting sequence motifs cooperate with one another to produce patterns of expression that are relatively unique to individual genes. Members of trans -acting transcription factor families, which recorgnize related regulatory sequence elements, participate frequently in complex protein-protein interactions that generate remarkable complexity in terms of the number of potential combinations and the consequential functional differences exhibited by each combination. Thus, the remarkable plasticity of immune-mediated inflammation derives from combinations of finite numbers of options at several points in the cellular and molecular sequence.
On a Variation of Schur Numbers

For every m≥3, let n=R (L 3 (m)) be the least integer such that for every 2-coloring of the set S={1, 2, …, n}, there exists in S a monochromatic solution to the following system.¶ ¶ The main result of this paper is that¶ ¶ Moreover, it is shown that, up to a switching of the colors, there exists a unique 2-coloring of the set {1, 2, …, R(L 3 (m)) −1} that avoids a monochromatic solution to the above system.
Wideband SIS receiver development for the Submillimeter Array

We report on the development of wideband receivers for the Submillimeter Array (SMA). The current generation of SMA receiver offers an intermediate frequency (IF) of 4–14 GHz. We have further pushed the frontier of wideband SIS mixing, by developing a low noise receiver with an IF of 4–18 GHz.
Future trends in patient education

The many changes expected in the future will create challenges and opportunities in the field of patient education. The aging population, increased numbers of cancer survivors, minorities and disadvantaged patients, more illiteracy, and the changing health care system are a few of these trends. They will require broad changes in patient education and the way information is provided.
Immunotoxicity of technical pentachlorophenol (PCP-T): depressed humoral immune responses to T-dependent and T-independent antigen stimulation in PCP-T exposed mice.

Abstract The effects of chronic dietary exposure to technical pentachlorophenol (PCP-T) on humoral immune responses in mice were examined. Primary and secondary splenic antibody responses to the T-dependent antigen, sheep red blood cells (SRBC), were examined in Swiss-Webster mice using our recently developed screening technique, the Hemolytic Antibody Isotope Release (HAIR) assay. To assess direct effects of PCP-T on B cells, the splenic plaque-forming cell response and serum antibody titers to the T-independent antigen, dinitrophenyl (DNP)-Ficoll, were examined. PCP-T exposure altered both the kinetics and the magnitude of the humoral antibody responses to SRBC and DNP-Ficoll. Peak splenic antibody production and serum antibody titers were delayed and the magnitude of the antibody responses were dose-dependently suppressed by PCP-T exposure. IgM responses appeared to be more sensitive to PCP-T-induced suppression than the IgG response. Significant depression of the IgM anti-SRBC splenic HAIR response was apparent as early as 2 weeks after initiation of PCP-T exposure and persisted for at least 8 weeks after termination of PCP-T feeding. Liver weight and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LD-L) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly elevated during PCP-T exposure and returned to control levels after a 4–6 week recovery period. The immunotoxic effect of PCP on humoral immunity was observed only in animals exposed to technical grade PCP known to be contaminated with significant levels of other chlorinated phenols as well as non-phenolic impurities including chlorinated dioxins, furans, and diphenyl ethers. Animals exposed to analytical grade PCP did not exhibit depressed humoral immunity.
Product units: a computationally powerful and biologically plausible extension to backpropagation networks

We introduce a new form of computational unit for feedforward learning networks of the backpropagation type. Instead of calculating a weighted sum this unit calculates a weighted product, where each input is raised to a power determined by a variable weight. Such a unit can learn an arbitrary polynomial term, which would then feed into higher level standard summing units. We show how learning operates with product units, provide examples to show their efficiency for various types of problems, and argue that they naturally extend the family of theoretical feedforward net structures. There is a plausible neurobiological interpretation for one interesting configuration of product and summing units.
Gender comparison of peak oxygen uptake: repetitive box lifting versus treadmill running.

The gender differences in peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) for various modes of exercise have been examined previously; however, no direct gender comparisons have been made during repetitive lifting (RL). In the present study the V˙O2peak between RL and treadmill running (TR) was compared between 20 men [mean (SD) age, height, body mass and body fat: 21 (3) years, 1.79 (0.06) m, 81 (9) kg, 19 (6)%, respectively] and 20 women [mean (SD) age, height, body mass and body fat: 21 (3) years, 1.63 (0.05) m, 60 (7) kg, 27 (6)%, respectively]. V˙O2peak (l · min−1), defined as the highest value obtained during exercise to volitional fatigue, was determined using discontinuous protocols with treadmill grade or box mass incremented to increase exercise intensity. For RL V˙O2peak, a pneumatically driven shelf was used to lower a loaded box to the floor, and subjects then lifted the box, at a rate of 15 lifts · min−1. V˙O2peak (l · min−1 and ml · kg−1 · min−1) and minute ventilation (V˙ E, l · min−1) were determined using an on-line gas analysis system. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant gender effects, with men having higher values for V˙O2peak (l · min−1 and ml · kg−1 · min−1) and V˙ E, but women having higher values of the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (V˙ E/V˙O2). There were also mode of exercise effects, with TR values being higher for V˙O2peak (l · min−1 and ml · kg−1 · min−1) and V˙ E and an interaction effect for V˙O2peak {1 · min−1 and ml · kg−1 · min−1) and V˙ E/V˙O2. The women obtained a greater percentage (≈84%) of their TR V˙O2peak during RL than did the men (≈79%). There was a marginal tendency for women to decrease and men to increase their V˙ E/V˙O2 when comparing TR with RL. The magnitude of the gender differences between the two exercise modalities appeared to be similar for heart rate, V˙ E and R, but differed for V˙O2peak (1 · min−1 and ml · kg−1 · min−1). Lifting to an absolute height (1.32 m for the RL protocol) may present a different physical challenge to men and women with respect to the degree of involvement of the muscle groups used during lifting and ventilation.
Population structure of the black tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon, among western Indian Ocean and western Pacific populations

We examined the population structure of the black tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798, in the Indo-West Pacific by analyzing the geographic distribution of elongation factor 1-alpha intron sequences from specimens collected during the winter and spring of 1997. Both the molecular phylogeny of alleles and F-statistics indicated very strong differentiation between populations from the western Indian Ocean and western Pacific. This pattern is concordant with other recent studies of marine species in this region, implying that the Indo-Australian Archipelago represents a biogeographic break between populations in the Indo-West Pacific. F ST-values among populations in the western Indian Ocean also indicate structure within this region, whereas no structure was found among western Pacific populations. Nucleotide diversity was significantly lower in the western Indian Ocean populations than in the western Pacific, implying that the populations have regional differences in demographic history.
Robust tracking for a class of nonlinear systems using multiple models and switching

This paper presents a multiple model/controller scheme for robust tracking of a class of nonlinear systems in the presence of large plant uncertainties and disturbance. Each model is associated with a sliding mode controller, and a switching logic is designed to pick the model that best approximates the plant at each instant. Theoretically, it is shown that the proposed control scheme achieves perfect tracking despite the existence of disturbance, whereas simulation results verify the improvement in the transient performance in terms of reduced control input, chattering and oscillations.
Towards reproducible research: From data analysis (in R) to a typeset laboratory notebook (as .pdf) using the text editor Emacs with the 'mp' package

Software Much scientific research makes use of commonly available 'office' software. While numerous more fully-featured open-source alternatives exist, the integration of diverse tools and platforms which their use often entails can be challenging. The mp package for Emacs aims to bring together a number of these elements with the goal of simplifying the process of converting an .R file, as used for data analysis, to a nicely formatted .pdf which includes the complete description of the methods and interpretation. We discuss the rationale for development of the package and illustrate its applications and options with a series of experiments from our laboratory. Experimental work We demonstrate the inhibitory effects of the ketone body \emph{beta}-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) on the growth and motility of a cancer cell line. BHB is produced endogenously; levels may be increased in certain medial conditions e.g. diabetic ketoacidosis. They may also be raised voluntarily e.g. by adopting the ketogenic diet. BHB is known to inhibit the growth of other neoplastic cell lines. However the finding that it can do so in a cell line selected for their propensity to metastasize to the brain is novel. Given the challenges in treating patients with melanoma metastatic to brain, this work strengthens the rationale for investigating the ketogenic diet as a potential adjunct to treatment in such cases.
DNA-based digital tension probes reveal integrin forces during early cell adhesion

Mechanical stimuli profoundly alter cell fate, yet the mechanisms underlying mechanotransduction remain obscure because of a lack of methods for molecular force imaging. Here to address this need, we develop a new class of molecular tension probes that function as a switch to generate a 20- to 30-fold increase in fluorescence upon experiencing a threshold piconewton force. The probes employ immobilized DNA hairpins with tunable force response thresholds, ligands and fluorescence reporters. Quantitative imaging reveals that integrin tension is highly dynamic and increases with an increasing integrin density during adhesion formation. Mixtures of fluorophore-encoded probes show integrin mechanical preference for cyclized RGD over linear RGD peptides. Multiplexed probes with variable guanine-cytosine content within their hairpins reveal integrin preference for the more stable probes at the leading tip of growing adhesions near the cell edge. DNA-based tension probes are among the most sensitive optical force reporters to date, overcoming the force and spatial resolution limitations of traction force microscopy.
Universals and Cultural Differences in Recognizing Emotions

Moving beyond the earlier nature-versus-nurture debate, modern work on the communication of emotion has incorporated both universals and cultural differences. Classic research demonstrated that the intended emotions in posed expressions were recognized by members of many different cultural groups at rates better than predicted by random guessing. However, recent research has also documented evidence for an in-group advantage, meaning that people are generally more accurate at judging emotions when the emotions are expressed by members of their own cultural group rather than by members of a different cultural group. These new findings provide initial support for a dialect theory of emotion that has the potential to integrate both classic and recent findings. Further research in this area has the potential to improve cross-cultural communication.
Políticas y prácticas de deportación en la administración de Obama: "Entre más cambian las cosas más se quedan igual"

El Proyecto de Post-Deportacion de Derechos Humanos (PDHRP) en el Centro para los Derechos Humanos y Justicia Internacional de Boston College colabora con organizaciones de inmigrantes en Nueva Inglaterra y en la region Quiche al sur de Guatemala en proyectos de investigacion y accion participativa y en la defensa y representacion legal de los deportados para abogar en colaboracion con las familias y comunidades afectadas- por los cambios fundamentales que introduciran proporcionalidad, compasion y respeto a la unidad familiar en las leyes de inmigracion de los Estados Unidos y asegurar la compatibilidad de estas con las normas internacionales de derechos humanos. Dos miembros de este equipo interdisciplinario describen la evolucion reciente de las politicas y practicas de deportacion del gobierno de Obama y sus efectos sobre los inmigrantes indocumentados y legales que viven en los Estados Unidos - y los desafios de estas practicas para todos aquellos que buscan una politica de inmigracion mas justa y humana. Palabras clave: politicas migratorias / deportacion / unidad familiar / Estados Unidos DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/encuentro.v44i90.597 Encuentro No. 90, 1-18, 2011
Soil seed banks in Pinus ponderosa forests in Arizona: Clues to site history and restoration potential

Question: How does the relationship between the viable soil seed bank species composition and the above-ground vegetation in northern Arizona Pinus ponderosa forests differ under varying historical land use disturbances (low, intermediate, high)? Is above-ground vegetation correlated to the viable soil seed bank immediately following soil disturbance from restoration thinning treatments? Location: Northern Arizona, USA. Methods: Soil seed bank samples were taken along replicated transects and collected with a 5-cm diameter bulk density hammer. Samples included a 5 -cm diameter O-horizon sample (at varying depths) plus the underlying mineral soil to a depth of 5 c m . The seedling emergent method was used to quantify seed bank species composition and density. The herbaceous and shrub plant community was quantified along the same transects using the point intercept method. Results: Early-successional or ruderal species were common in the soil seed bank at all three disturbance sites. Non-native species, notably Verbascum thapsus, were more numerous (up to 940 seeds/m2) under high disturbance with overgrazing and logging, and less common or absent under low disturbance. Most viable seeds were found in the O-horizon and the upper 5 cm of mineral soil; there was little correlation between species in the soil seed bank and the above-ground vegetation. Conclusions: We recommend that restoration plans be geared toward minimizing activities, such as severe soil disturbance, that may promote the spread of non-native invasive species, and that manual seeding be explored as an option to restore plant species diversity and abundance.
Risk factors for acute stroke among South Asians compared to other racial/ethnic groups.

Background Studies of racial/ethnic variations in stroke rarely consider the South Asian population, one of the fastest growing sub-groups in the United States. This study compared risk factors for stroke among South Asians with those for whites, African-Americans, and Hispanics. Methods Data on 3290 stroke patients were analyzed to examine risk differences among the four racial/ethnic groups. Data on 3290 patients admitted to a regional stroke center were analyzed to examine risk differences for ischemic stroke (including subtypes of small and large vessel disease) among South Asians, whites, African Americans and Hispanics. Results South Asians were younger and had higher rates of diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels than other race/ethnicities. Prevalence of diabetic and antiplatelet medication use, as well as the incidence of small-artery occlusion ischemic stroke was also higher among South Asians. South Asians were almost a decade younger and had comparable socioeconomic levels as whites; however, their stroke risk factors were comparable to that of African Americans and Hispanics. Discussion Observed differences in stroke may be explained by dietary and life style choices of South Asian-Americans, risk factors that are potentially modifiable. Future population and epidemiologic studies should consider growing ethnic minority groups in the examination of the nature, outcome, and medical care profiles of stroke.
Twelve tips for utilizing principles of learning to support medical education

Background: Research in the cognitive sciences on learning and memory conducted across a range of domains, settings, and age groups has resulted in the identification and formulation of a set of generic learning principles. These learning principles have proven relevant and applicable to a wide range of learning situations in a variety of settings, and can be useful in supporting medical education. They can provide guidance to medical students for efficient and effective study, and can be helpful to faculty to support instructional planning and decisions relating to curriculum.Aim: This article discusses evidence-based principles of learning and their relationship to effective learning, teaching, pedagogy and curriculum development.Method: We reviewed important principles of learning to determine those most relevant to improving medical student learning, guiding faculty toward more effective teaching, and in designing a curriculum.Results: Our analysis has resulted in the articulation of key learning prin...
The effect of C‐substitution of caprolactam on the ring‐opening polymerization reaction

Caprolactam was modified with alkyl groups of various sizes and in different positions on the ring. The resulting substituted caprolactams were polymerized and the comparative degree of polymerization was used as a measure of the inhibiting effect of the substituting group. There was less inhibition on substitutions in 5- and 7-positions than in the 4- and 6-positions. The order of increasing inhibition of alkyl groups was methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, cyclohexyl, tert-butyl and gem-dimethyl.
The Chicagoland Observatory Underground for Particle Physics cosmic ray veto system

A photomultiplier (PMT) readout system has been designed for use by the cosmic ray veto systems of two warm liquid bubble chambers built at Fermilab by the Chicagoland Observatory Underground for Particle Physics (COUPP) collaboration. The systems are designed to minimize the infrastructure necessary for installation. Up to five PMTs can be daisy-chained on a single data link using standard Category 5 network cable. The cables is also serve distribute to low voltage power. High voltage is generated locally on each PMT base. Analog and digital signal processing is also performed locally. The PMT base and system controller design and performance measurements are presented.
Changing Agricultural Comparative Advantage

Abstract Special circumstances in the agricultural sector have limited the use of comparative advantage in addressing the planner's dilemma of allocating investment between industry and agriculture and in examining the doctrine of food self-suffuciency. A three-factor model of agricultural trade, extending earlier models, is used to address some of these special circumstances and to formulate a theory of agricultural comparative advantage under changing economic conditions. Emphasis is placed on the short-run fixity of sector-specific capital stocks, the role of qualitative differences in land (natural resource) endowments, and on non-homothetic preferences. In addition to insights on agricultural comparative advantage, implications for project evaluation are considered.