cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Black Teenage Mothers and Their Mothers: The Impact of Adolescent Childbearing on Daughters' Relations With Mothers

The popular view assumes that Black families condone teenage motherhood. This study argues that this assumption is incorrect, finding instead that teenage motherhood can produce long-term conflict both in family relations and structure. The 22 teenage mothers interviewed for this qualitative study believed that their mothers did not support them emotionally. Interviews with nine adult mothers1 of the teenagers substantiated this belief: Their daughters' early motherhood threatened their deeply held moral values as well as their reputations in the community. This study concludes that sociologists need to address these relational problems through linking these mothers' socioeconomic conditions with gender, class, and race inequalities.
The Status and Impact of Prereferral Intervention: "We Need a Better Way to Determine Success.".

This study assessed the current status of preferral practices in the state of Michigan. Directors of special education for intermediate school districts (N=49) responded to a survey addressing issues such as whether prereferral intervention was required, the suspected handicaps for which it is used, the nature of the interventions, and who designs, implements, and evaluates interventions. Respondents also commented on the success of prereferral practices. Results indicated that (a) most districts either require or recommend prereferral practices, (b) interventions are used predominantly with students suspected of mild handicaps, and (c) academic and behavior management strategies are equally prevalent intervention strategies. The respondents' judgment of intermittent success for prereferral interventions and the prominence of school psychologists as evaluators of interventions prompt discussion of how psychologists can assist in improving prereferral practices.
JCPNet tool and automated analysis of distributed systems

Model based approach is crucial to the analysis of system design. Colored Petri Nets (CPNet) have been used as software model with good success. It can be used to complement UML diagrams by providing formal modeling and analysis of dynamic behaviors of distributed systems. In order to enable CPNet model to be utilized more flexibly and widely, a new software tool JCPNet has been developed. This paper discusses the background, motivation and development of JCPNet, and its applications to specification and analysis of distributed systems.
Estimation of MIMIC Model Parameters with Multilevel Data

The purpose of this simulation study was to assess the performance of latent variable models that take into account the complex sampling mechanism that often underlies data used in educational, psychological, and other social science research. Analyses were conducted using the multiple indicator multiple cause (MIMIC) model, which is a flexible and effective tool for relating observed and latent variables. The data were simulated in a hierarchical framework (e.g., individuals nested in schools) so that a multilevel modeling approach would be appropriate. Analyses were conducted accounting for and not accounting for the nested data to determine the impact of ignoring such multilevel data structures in full structural equation models. Results highlight the differences in modeling results when the analytic strategy is congruent with the data structure and what occurs when this congruency is absent. Type I error rates and power for the standard and multilevel methods were similar for within-cluster variables ...
News from the NIH: leveraging big data in the behavioral sciences.

Discussions about “big data” have come to dominate visions of the future of behavioral and social sciences research. So what is big data, and how can it be of benefit to researchers in the behavioral and social sciences? In this article, we describe some of the challenges and opportunities big data may present to behavioral investigators. We also point readers to a variety of NIH resources on topics relevant to big data including training, funding opportunity announcements, Listserv, and websites.
Design of an 9m dual-offset reflector antenna for S-Band weather RADAR applications

This paper addresses the design and analysis of a 8.5m dual-offset reflector antenna for S-Band weather RADAR applications, we well as feed and antenna test results showing compliance to very stringent beam symmetry, cross-polarization, and power handling requirements. Specifically, a very low cross-polarization within the antenna's main beam of 37 dB was required and verified. Theoretical feed and antenna performance is compared to measured data and discussed.
Decision support for manufacturing using artificial neural-networks

Abstract This paper describes the application of machine learning techniques to a decision-making process in manufacturing automation, the objective being to show that machine-learning techniques can be applied to represent the machine-specific performance behavior of machine tools for a “knowledge base” in intelligent machining. Accessing this knowledge base will allow the selection of process parameters for a given machining operation on a specific machine tool based on the desired evaluation criteria. Determining the process parameters in this manner can then replace less accurate methods such as reading process parameters from machining tables. The learning algorithm considered in this study uses an artificial neural-network structure to accomplish the mapping of the process parameters to the evaluation criteria. Learning is achieved by the exposure of the algorith to training data. Training and testing data were obtained from simulations of an orthogonal cutting operation on a lathe. Neural networks prove to be an excellent tool and very suitable for this application.
Up-regulation of the progesterone receptor (PR)-C isoform in laboring myometrium by activation of nuclear factor-κB may contribute to the onset of labor through inhibition of PR function

Progesterone acting via the progesterone receptor (PR) plays a critical role in maintaining uterine quiescence during pregnancy. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the transactivating capability of the PR is down-regulated in the myometrium at term by a change in uterine PR isoform ratio resulting from local activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. Overexpression of the truncated PR-C isoform in human myometrial cells inhibited PR-B transactivation. Expression of PR isoforms, PR-A, PR-B, and PR-C, was characterized by immunoblotting and quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) in fundal and lower uterine segment myometrium from pregnant women in labor and not in labor and in the pregnant mouse uterus during late gestation. We observed a marked increase in levels of PR-C and transcriptionally active PR-B specifically in fundal myometrium of women in labor. In pregnant mouse uterus, levels of PR-B and PR-C also increased between 15 days post coitum and term, whereas expression of PR-A was dramatic...
Physiological Correction of Pompe Disease by Systemic Delivery of Adeno-associated Virus Serotype 1 Vectors

Pompe disease is caused by a lack of functional lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) and can ultimately lead to fatal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and respiratory insufficiency. Previously, we demonstrated the ability of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (rAAV2/1) vector to restore the therapeutic levels of cardiac and diaphragmatic GAA enzymatic activity in vivo in a mouse model of Pompe disease. We have further characterized cardiac and respiratory function in rAAV2/1-treated animals 1 year post-treatment. Similar to the patient population, electrocardiogram measurements (P-R interval) are significantly shortened in the Pompe mouse model. In rAAV2/1-treated mice, we show a significant improvement in cardiac conductance with prolonged P-R intervals of 39.34+/-1.6 ms, as compared to untreated controls (35.58+/-0.57 ms) (P</=0.05). In addition, we note a significant decrease in cardiac left ventricular mass from 181.99+/-10.70 mg in untreated controls to 141.97+/-19.15 mg in the rAAV2/1-treated mice. Furthermore, the mice displayed an increased diaphragmatic contractile force of approximately 90% of wild-type peak forces with corresponding improved ventilation (particularly in frequency, minute ventilation, and peak inspiratory flow). These results demonstrate that in addition to biochemical and histological correction, rAAV2/1 vectors can mediate sustained physiological correction of both cardiac and respiratory function in a model of fatal cardiomyopathy and muscular dystrophy.
Lethal and Sublethal Toxicity of the Antifoulant Compound Irgarol 1051 to the Mud Snail Ilyanassa obsoleta

Irgarol 1051 is an algistatic compound used in copper-based antifoulant paints. It is a widespread and persistent pollutant of the estuarine environment. Ilyanassa obsoleta, the Eastern mud snail, is a common intertidal gastropod that inhabits mud flats and salt marshes along the east coast of North America. It is an important inhabitant of the estuarine environment; contributing to nutrient regeneration and regulating microbial processes in the sediments. The toxicity of irgarol to estuarine gastropods has not been previously examined, although they have the potential to be exposed to antifoulants through both aqueous and sediment routes. The objectives of this study were to evaluate irgarol's effects on I. obsoleta survival, reproductive status (imposex occurrence and testosterone levels), chemoreceptive function, and cellular respiration (cytochrome-c oxidase activity). Irgarol was moderately toxic to I. obsoleta; adult aqueous 96-h LC(50) = 3.73 mg/L, larval aqueous 96-h LC(50) = 3.16 mg/L, and adult sediment 10-day LC(50) = 12.21 mg/kg. Larval snails were not significantly more sensitive to irgarol than adult snails. A chronic 45-day aqueous irgarol exposure (0.005-2.5 mg/L) did not induce imposex or affect free-testosterone levels. The 45-day chronic LC(50 )of 1.88 mg/L was significantly lower than the 96-h acute value. A 96-h acute aqueous irgarol exposure (0.375-1.5 mg/L) caused a decrease in normal response to chemosensory cues such as the presence of food or predators. There was a significant increase in cytochrome-c oxidase activity at 2.5 mg/L, which might indicate irgarol's disruption of the mitochondrial membrane and subsequently ATP synthesis. Although the toxicity values determined for I. obsoleta exceeded irgarol concentrations measured in surface waters, results from this toxicity assessment will provide valuable information to environmental resource managers faced with decisions regarding the use and regulation of antifoulant paints in the coastal zone.
Residues of Benzocaine in Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Fish Meal

Abstract Residues of the anesthetic benzocaine in muscle tissue of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were determined after exposure of the fish to 50 mg benzocaine/L for 15 min and withdrawal times of 0–24 h. The mean concentration of benzocaine residues in fish sampled immediately after exposure was 14.0 μg/g in rainbow trout and 10.6 μg/g in largemouth bass. Residues were below the control value after 8 h of withdrawal in largemouth bass and near the control value after 4 h of withdrawal in rainbow trout. Although residues of benzocaine were high in fish immediately after exposure, the concentration declined rapidly when the fish were held in flowing fresh water. Fish meal prepared from Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus sp.) that had been anesthetized with benzocaine or trieaine (MS-222) contained residues of 45.1 μg benzocaine/g or 47.7 μg trieaine/g.
Early development of parasympathetic nerves in the mouse submandibular gland.

The early development of the parasympathetic nerves of the mouse submandibular gland is described, both in vivo and in culture. Axon outgrowth has been visualized by electron microscopy, supravital staining with methylene blue, and histochemical localization of acetylcholinesterase activity. Axon outgrowth from the submandibular ganglion parallels in time and in space the morphogenesis of the epithelium of the salivary gland. The average rate of axon elongation during the first 2 days of culture is about 500 μm/day. The precision of pattern formation during that period and the high rate of growth indicate that axon outgrowth is not initially random but that its orientation is determined immediately during the process of outgrowth.
Low self-control, gender, race, and offending in late life

Self-control theory has been one of the most scrutinized general frameworks of crime for over 20 years. A majority of evidence pertaining to the theory, however, is derived from samples of teenagers and young adults. Relatively little information exists regarding whether self-control explains offending among people in late adulthood. As such, the generality of the framework has yet to be fully examined. This study uses a representative sample of people aged 60 years and older from interviews conducted in Arizona and Florida. The current study tests two key propositions regarding the generality of the theory: (1) the extent to which self-control accounts for the relationship between demographic variables and criminal offending, and (2) the invariance thesis which stipulates that self-control will have a uniform effect on offending across social groups. The analyses reveal two findings regarding theoretical generality: (1) low self-control explains late-life criminal behavior but does not account for the re...
The effect of 5-fluorouracil on DNA chain elongation in intact bone marrow cells.

Abstract The effect of 5-fluorouracil (FUra) on DNA elongation was assessed in intact bone marrow cells that had been pulsed for 1 hr with [ 3 H]-dThd in the absence or presence of FUra, chased in fresh media from 0 to 3 hr, and then analyzed on alkaline sucrose gradients. While DNA from control cells elongated at an average rate of 86 nucleotides per sec over a 3 hr interval, DNA from FUra-treated cells did not elongate and in contrast decreased in size over the same interval. In a parallel study to examine what happens to the FUra that was incorporated into DNA, bone marrow cells were pulsed for 1 hr with 50 μM [ 3 H]-FUra, and then chased in fresh media from 0 to 2 hr. An aliquot of cells from each time point was lysed on an alkaline sucrose gradient to assess the size of [ 3 H]-FUra-containing DNA, while another aliquot of cells from each time point was analyzed for radioactivity remaining in total DNA. The percentage of replicon-size DNA (≥ 100S) containing radiolabel decreased over the 2 hr chase while the percentage of small molecular weight DNA (≤ 7.2S) increased over the same interval. These changes in DNA size were accompanied by a decrease in radioactivity in total DNA. These studies suggest that excision of FUra from nascent DNA chains may prevent further elongation of DNA.
Particle deposition in a tube with an abrupt contraction

Abstract Particle deposition in a tube with an abrupt contraction has been studied numerically and the results compared with available experimental data. A two-dimensional fully developed flow field in cylindrical coordinates was obtained by solving the Navier-Stokes equations numerically using SIMPLE, a computer program developed by Patankar (1980) . Particles are deposited on the contraction due to inertial impaction and interception. The deposition efficiency was calculated by tracing particle trajectories in the flow field. Through parametric studies, a general correlation curve, giving the deposition efficiency as a function of modified Stokes number [η′ = 1 −exp(1.721 − 8.557x + 2.227x2)] was obtained to characterize particle deposition in the abrupt contraction. The theoretical models were found to agree well with available experimental data and were applied successfully in predicting particle deposition in various practical sampling systems.
Radioautographic Evidence of 3H-Tryptophan Incorporation in Secretory Cells of Rat Submandibular Glands

Tritiated tryptophan was injected intravenously into male rats, and the submandibular glands were removed at time intervals up to three hours after injection. Grain counts were made on light and electron microscope radioautographs to determine the effects on the amino acid.
Measurement of surface-plasmon dispersion in oxidized aluminum films

A 75-keV electron beam with a low angular divergence (8 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ rad) combined with a Wien filter spectrometer is used to measure the dispersion of the ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{+}$ and ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ modes for suface plasmons in thin oxidized aluminum films. The results for normal incidence and for tilted films are self-consistent and are also in reasonable agreement with theoretical curves calculated for a 35- to 40-\AA{} oxide layer, provided resonable assumptions are made about the composition and dielectric constants of the aluminum oxide.
Leishmania mexicana: serial cultivation of intracellular stages in a cell-free medium.

Abstract A cell-free liquid medium has been devised for serial cultivation of Leishmania mexicana pifanoi amastigotes at 33 and 35 C. It consists of tissue culture Medium 199 fortified primarily with a high concentration of water-soluble vitamins, nucleotides, and inactivated fetal bovine serum. The initial pH of the medium is 7.2. Starting with a population of promastigotes as inoculum and serially cultured at 33 or 35 C at 4- to 10-day intervals, the proportion of amastigotes steadily increased and that of promastigotes gradually decreased during the first subculture. By the end of the incubation period in the second subculture, practically all (99%) of the organisms are amastigotes. The amastigotes thus obtained can be cultured indefinitely by serial transfers. In this medium, amastigotes may reach a density of 8 × 107/ml after 10 days of incubation at 33 C, and 5 × 107/ml at 35 C. The medium was modified to have an initial pH of 8.0 by Hepes [4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid] buffer and higher concentrations of sodium bicarbonate. When amastigotes cultured in the original medium at 33 or 35 C are transferred into the modified medium and incubated at 26 C, the amastigotes entirely transformed into promastigotes after three serial passages. These promastigotes could be serially subcultured indefinitely in the modified medium at 4- to 12-day intervals. The promastigotes cultured at 26 C may reach a population density of 7 × 107/ml after 12 days of incubation.
Equation of state of matter at supernuclear densities.

The qualitative features of the equation of state of matter at supernuclear densities are deduced through a careful examination of the nature of particle interactions at short distances and by the introduction of an 'effective baryon mass spectrum.' It is found that the equation of state begins to take on a particularly simple form (the 'asymptotic form') at a relatively low matter density of 100,000 teragrams per cu cm.
Enhanced metal-ceramic adhesion by sequential sputter deposition and pulsed laser melting of copper films on sapphire substrates

A study is presented of the effect of pulsed XeCl (308 nm) laser treatment on the adhesion between sputter-deposited copper films and sapphire substrates. Laser treatment (LT) of individual 80 nm thick copper films results in adhesion enhancement, relative to the assputtered film for XeCl energy densities >0.35 J cm−2. Thicker (∼ 1μm), strongly adherent copper films can be built up by alternating discrete and sequential sputter deposition with pulsed laser irradiations carried out in air. This sequential process yields smooth films whose adherence, as measured by the scratch test, is a factor of more than two to three greater than for as-sputtered films. The only way to remove the copper layer after irradiation was by cutting through the sapphire. Although formation of a metal oxide is a common consequence of LT in air, adhesion tests reveal no significant effect of carrying out LT in oxidizing or reducing atmospheres. During the earliest stages of the sequential process, the laser-melted film tends to break into small clusters. It is concluded that this process is driven by a surface energy gradient generated by lateral thermal gradients in the melt. These gradients, in turn, are due to the early establishment of isolated regions of good bonding and thermal contact with the substrate. One of the characteristic features of the sequential process is that this good bonding, once established in a given region, is maintained throughout successive meltings of the region. Adhesion mechanisms under LT are discussed.
Minimum number of runs for two-level factorial search designs☆

Abstract A lower bound is given for the number of experimental runs required in search designs for two-level factorial models.
Maximizing Rigidity: The Incremental Recovery of 3-D Structure from Rigid and Nonrigid Motion

The human visual system can extract 3-D shape information of unfamiliar moving objects from their projected transformations. Computational studies of this capacity have established that 3-D shape can be extracted correctly from a brief presentation, provided the moving objects are rigid. The human visual system requires a longer temporal extension, but it can cope with considerable deviations from rigidity. It is shown how the 3-D structure of rigid as well as nonrigid objects can be recovered by maintaining an internal model of the viewed object and modifying it at each instant by the minimal nonrigid change that is sufficient to account for the observed transformation. The results of applying this incremental rigidity scheme to rigid and nonrigid objects in motion are described and compared with human perception.
Construction of stationary self-similar generalized fields by random wavelet expansion

Random wavelet expansion is introduced in the study of stationary self-similar generalized random fields. It is motivated by a model of natural images, in which 2D views of objects are randomly scaled and translated because the objects are randomly distributed in the 3D space. It is demonstrated that any stationary self-similar random field defined on the dual space of a Schwartz space of smooth rapidly decreasing functions has a random wavelet expansion representation. To explicitly construct stationary self-similar random fields, random wavelet expansion representations incorporating random functionals of the following three types are considered: (1) a multiple stochastic integral over the product domain of scale and translate, (2) an iterated one, first integrating over the scale domain, and (3) an iterated one, first integrating over the translate domain. We show that random wavelet expansion gives rise to a variety of stationary self-similar random fields, including such well-known processes as the linear fractional stable motions.
The influence of polymer structure on the conversion of synthetic resins to carbon-coke

An investigation of the relation of polymer structure to carbon-coke of various synthetic resins and polymer intermediates has been conducted. The quantity of carboncoke formed with a synthetic resin is converted to carbon at 840°C is believed influenced by the ease and degree of aromatization and cyclization of the resin during the early stages of carbonization rather than if the resin is a thermoset or thermoplastic. Polymers, typically poly-p-xylene or polystyrene, do not cyclize during carbonization and consequently are almost entirely volatilized, probably as the result of chain scission and fragmentation of the polymer fragments at high temperatures. Phenol aldehyde, epoxylated novolacs, or diphenyl oxide aldehyde crosslinked polymers do not undergo chain scission during carbonization, but are cyclized, condensed, and readily converted to carbon-coke in 50–65 per cent weight yields.
Do health insurers possess monopsony power in the hospital services industry

This paper uses metropolitan data to test empirically if health insurers possess monopsony or monopoly-busting power on the buyer-side of the hospital services market. According to theory, monopsony power is indicated by a fall in output, whereas, monopoly-busting power is shown by an increase in output when buyer concentration rises. The empirical results provide evidence that greater health insurer buyer concentration is not associated with monopsony power. Instead, some evidence is found to suggest that higher health insurer concentration translates into increased monopoly-busting power. That is, metropolitan hospitals offer increased services when the buyer-side of the hospitals services market is more highly concentrated.
Laser energy and dye fluorescence transmission through blood in vitro.

Purpose Because of the potential usefulness of evaluating and treating choroidal neovascularization obscured by blood, we designed this study to quantify the transmission of dye fluorescence and laser energy through blood. Methods Blood preparations anticoagulated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid with hematocrits of 0% (plasma), 46%, and 99% were placed in open cuvettes with path lengths of 100, 200, or 500 μm and were exposed for one minute to either 100% oxygen or 100% carbon dioxide. Each cuvette was then sealed. Photographs of the cuvettes of blood in front of a flask of fluorescein or indocyanine green solution were decoded and used to calculate the percent transmission of fluorescence through blood. Cuvettes of blood were also placed in the path of argon, krypton, and diode lasers for energy transmission measurements. Results Plasma transmission of fluorescein and indocyanine green fluorescence and argon, krypton, and diode laser energy was 89% to 100% for all samples tested. Transmission of fluorescein fluorescence and argon laser energy through 99% hematocrit samples were both less than 5%. Transmission of indocyanine green fluorescence through 100-, 200-, and 500-μm-thick cuvettes filled with 99% hematocrit blood was 57%, 34%, and 4%. Transmission of krypton laser energy was 50%, 25%, and 6%; and transmission of diode laser energy was 60%, 35%, and 12% through 99% hematocrit blood. Intermediate transmission values were obtained for 46% hematocrit samples. Conclusions Krypton and, to a slightly greater degree, diode laser energy penetrate a thin film of blood. Indocyanine green fluorescence also penetrates a thin film of blood. If a layer of blood appears thinner than 500 μm, then indocyanine green angiography may be useful in imaging underlying pathologic features. If a lesion can be imaged with indocyanine green, then it can probably be treated with a krypton or diode laser.
Supersymmetry anomally in two dimensions

Abstract In two dimensions we obtain a supersymmetric extension of a gauge anomaly, and find that this is the origin of a supersymmetry anomaly in the Wess-Zumino gauge. We also obtain an effective action whose variations give rise to the gauge and supersymmetry anomalies.
Genetic Studies of mrp, a Locus Essential for Cellular Aggregation and Sporulation of Myxococcus xanthus

Under starvation conditions, Myxococcus xanthus undergoes a complex developmental process which includes cellular aggregation and sporulation. A transposon insertion mutant (the Tn5-Ω280 mutant) with defects in both aggregation and sporulation was analyzed in this study. The Tn5-Ω280 mutant was found to have a disrupted NtrC-like response regulator designated Myxococcus regulatory protein B (mrpB). Further sequencing analyses revealed a histidine kinase homolog (mrpA) immediately upstream of mrpB and a cyclic AMP receptor protein-like transcriptional regulator (mrpC) downstream of mrpB. In-frame deletion analyses revealed that both the mrpB and mrpC genes were required for cellular aggregation and sporulation but that only mrpA was required for sporulation only. Site-specific mutagenesis of the putative phosphorylation site of MrpB, D58, showed that a D58A mutation caused defects in both aggregation and sporulation but that a D58E mutation resulted in only a sporulation defect. Further genetic and molecular analyses with reporter genes and reverse transcription-PCR indicated that mrpA and mrpB are cotranscribed but that mrpC is transcribed independently and that all of these genes are developmentally regulated. In addition, MrpB is essential for transcription of mrpC and MrpC regulates its own transcription. These data indicate that Mrp proteins are important components required for M. xanthus development. The complicated interaction between Mrp proteins may play an important role in regulating developmental gene expression in M. xanthus.
Noncovalent Functionalization of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Alternate Layer-By-Layer Polyelectrolyte Adsorption for Nanocomposite Fuel Cell Electrodes

Electrodes which are resistant to chemical poisoning by CO, S, and other fuel impurities are needed to replace Pt in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. We have designed composite electrodes comprised of single walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) within a conducting polymer matrix. A method for solubilizing single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in aqueous media using polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer (LbL) nanoassembly of polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) and polyallylamine (PAH) at the CNT surface is elucidated. Once soluble, the CNTs were assembled onto planar substrates using alternate LbL nanoassembly to form nanocomposite films. These films will later be tested for their potential as alternative anodes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
Effect of sulfonylurea withdrawal on proinsulin levels, B cell function, and glucose disposal in subjects with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

To examine the effect of sulfonylurea withdrawal on the proinsulin (PI) to immunoreactive insulin (IRI) ratio in subjects with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), we measured fasting and arginine-stimulated PI and IRI levels in 15 subjects with NIDDM (mean age, 64.4 yr; body mass index, 27.3 kg/m2) during chronic treatment with glyburide (n = 12) or other sulfonylureas (n = 3) and after withdrawal from the medication for 2-4 weeks. Additionally, we performed iv glucose tolerance tests to measure the insulin sensitivity index, glucose effectiveness at zero insulin, iv glucose tolerance, and the acute insulin response to glucose. Discontinuation of sulfonylurea therapy resulted in an increase in fasting plasma glucose from 10.5 +/- 0.8 to 13.1 +/- 0.9 mmol/L (P < 0.001). This was associated with a decrease in the fasting IRI concentration (120 +/- 21 to 92 +/- 21 pmol/L; P < 0.005) and the fasting PI concentration (58 +/- 10 to 41 +/- 7 pmol/L; P < 0.01); however, the PI/IRI ratio did not differ...
Magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves to assess diaphragm strength on the Intensive Care Unit

Traditional methods of assessing respiratory muscle strength in the critically ill rely on some degree of co-operation from the patient, and are of limited use. We performed bilateral magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves, using two 43 mm magnetic coils placed anteriorly on the neck [1]. The transdiaphragmatic pressure change (TwPdi) was recorded using oesophageal and gastric balloon catheters in the conventional manner. Twitch endotracheal tube pressure (TwPett) was also recorded, which reflects twitch oesophageal pressure (TwPoes). The pressure readings, Poes, Pgas and Pett were displayed and recorded on a computer together with the calculated value for Pdi (Pgas-Poes). Twenty critically ill patients were studied (12 male, eight female), with a mean age of 59 years. Average length of ICU stay prior to the study was 27 days. The mean TwPdi was 9.5 cmH2O (range 1.0-29.3), mean TwPoes was 6.6 cmH2O (range 0.5-22.9), and mean TwPett was 70 cmH2O (range 0.0-26.3). The mean difference between TwPett and TwPoes was 0.4 cmH2O, and the correlation of the means of TwPett to TwPoes was 0.93. Diaphragm contractility can be assessed in the sedated ICU patient, by magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves. This technique is non-volitional and is reasonably well tolerated. Our data shows that diaphragm conctractility in the critically ill patient is considerably less than in the laboratory based control subject [1]. Also, we report a good correlation between TwPoes and TwPett, leading to the possibility of further simplification of the technique.
I-cache multi-banking and vertical interleaving

This research investigates the impact of a microarchitectural technique called vertical interleaving in multi-banked caches. Unlike previous multi-banking and interleaving techniques to increase cache bandwidth, the proposed vertical interleaving further divides memory banks in a cache into vertically arranged sub-banks, which are selectively accessed based on the memory address. Under this setting, we are particularly interested in how accesses to instruction cache are dispersed toward different cache banks. We quantitatively analyze the memory access pattern seen by each cache bank and establish the relationship between important cache parameters and the access patterns. Our study shows that the vertical interleaving technique distributes accesses among different banks with tightly bounded run lengths. We then discuss possible applications that utilize the presented concept, including power density reduction. Very simple interleaving configurations can lead to as much as 67% reduction of maximum power density under a realistic machine configuration. Our study suggests that the idea of vertically interleaving cache lines has potential for optimizing memory accesses in a number of interesting ways.
Baltimore County Public Library and the Delinquent Borrower

This article explains how the Baltimore County (Maryland) Public Library has employed small claims court measures in its overdues procedures. The library attempts to contact patrons with $40 or more in overdue materials. If the patron cannot be contacted and if the patron does not respond to letters, court action is initiated. The results of this approach are documented, and forms are appended.
Reinforcement-based outpatient treatment for opiate and cocaine abusers

Abstract A reinforcement-based intensive outpatient treatment was delivered to 37 recently detoxified, inner city, heroin and/or cocaine abusers who did not want methadone treatment. Attendance was scheduled and urine collected daily for the first 2 weeks, four times weekly for the next 2 weeks, and then thrice weekly for the final 8 weeks. As attendance incentives, patients received transportation assistance (bus tokens), and $28–$30 per week in vouchers to be spent on activities/items chosen and agreed upon with their counselor. As abstinence incentives, patients received weekend supported recreational activities, lunches, $42–$45 per week in vouchers, and rent or utilities payment ($150 over 4 weeks). Total potential earnings was $1,435 per patient; actual mean earnings was $583. Forty-three percent ( n =16) completed 10 or more weeks of treatment. These 16 long-stay patients submitted 92% ( SD =19) opiate- and cocaine-negative urines during their enrollment compared with 56% ( SD =42) drug-negative urines submitted by 21 drop-outs, F(1,35)=9.99, p=0.003. Overall, 32% of clients became employed during their treatment episode; 94% of long-stay patients were employed at the end of their treatment episode. Patients who were drug-positive at intake were highly likely to drop out. Treatment outcomes compare favorably with those reported in the literature for outpatient nonmethadone treatment of opiate and cocaine abusers. Continued evaluation of this new treatment appears warranted.
Dispersed stable states spectrum of the wave equation with space-time periodic potential

We study the stable states of the wave equation with d-spatial and 1-time dimensions and with space-time periodic potential. The dispersed stable states spectrum of such -periodic wave equation is due to the incommensurability of the speed of light and the ratio of space and time periods. A Bloch-Floquet analysis leads to a -cube as a reduced Brillouin zone, but because of the speed incommensurability the stable states in this cube may form a spectrum of sets with a reduced dimensionality. For electromagnetic waves in photonic crystals the medium may amplify some waves with lengths fitting the crystal lattice. The energy from the external field can be pumped to the waves via the dipole moment oscillations.
ELECTROPHORESIS OF STEROLS : III. FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS OF CHOLESTEROL SURFACES

1. No significant differences were noted between the electrophoretic mobilities of unground cholesterol crystallized from alcohol, acetone, or the melted state. 2. On grinding with ice at –10°C. the mobility drops to less than half (at pH 5.8) that observed in the unground state. This equilibrium condition is reached after 50 minutes grinding. Cholesterol crystals from alcohol or acetone behave identically throughout the course of this change. 3. When cholesterol crystals which have been ground with ice are dried in vacuo at room temperature they revert to the mobility of unground cholesterol. The cause of this phenomenon is discussed. 4. Both ground and unground cholesterol have an isoelectric point near pH 3.0, even after crystallization from the melted state.
The complexity of comparing reaction systems.

Motivation: As more genomic data becomes available there is increased attention on understanding the mechanisms encoded in the genome. New XML dialects like CellML and Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) are being developed to describe biological networks of all types. In the absence of detailed kinetic information for these networks, stoichiometric data is an especially valuable source of information. Network databases are the next logical step beyond storing purely genomic information. Just as comparison of entries in genomic databases has been a vital algorithmic problem through the course of the sequencing project, comparison of networks in network databases will be a crucial problem as we seek to integrate higher-order network knowledge. Results: We show that comparing the stoichiometric structure of two reactions systems is equivalent to the graph isomorphism problem. This is encouraging because graph isomorphism is, in practice, a tractable problem using heuristics. The analogous problem of searching for a subsystem of a reaction system is NP-complete. We also discuss heuristic issues in implementations for practical comparison of stoichiometric matrices.
Quality measures: do we need them?

With increasing public focus on the cost of health care and demands for greater accountability, there is an everincreasing emphasis on measurement of quality, patient satisfaction, and outcomes. We are being challenged to create a broad array of evidence-based guidelines and quality measures for our specialty.1 The standards for level of evidence are continually being raised. An interesting paradox, of course, is that there is relatively little published evidence regarding the science of quality measurement itself or its effects on patient outcomes. This has led some to question the resources spent on quality measurement and the suggestion that the money could be better spent on actual delivery of health care. All sides of the argument contain some elements of truth. The push for objective measures of quality will continue to grow. The challenge is how we will respond. Payers and purchasers often want to focus on cost-containment. Physicians and consumer groups continue to push for true measures of quality rather than merely cost. This contribution will discuss pitfalls in quality measurement as well as opportunities for real improvement in patient care.
Aeroelastic Analysis of a Composite Wingbox with Varying Root Flexibility

Presented at the 41st AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference and Exhibit, Atlanta, GA, April 3-6, 2000.
Hexose transport and blood flow rate in the uterus: effects of estradiol, puromycin and actinomycin D.

Estradiol increased net intracellular uptake of the nonmetabolizable sugar, 3-0-methyl (14C)-glucose, from a control distribution of 59% to a distribution of 75% of the uterine volume and over the sucrose space (59%) in estrogen-treated rats. Puromycin given alone or with estradiol depressed methyl glucose distribution below control levels (to 53%); puromycin also prevented estrogen-induced water uptake and increase in blood flow rate. All animals receiving puromycin exhibited toxic signs, including large amounts of abdominal fluid, a contracted extracellular compartment (40% sucrose space in uterus) and an increase of 17% in hematocrit. Prior adrenalectomy did not alter these results, except that hematocrit increased 47% above normal. Estradiol and puromycin did not affect methyl glucose distribution in skeletal muscle, but puromycin tended to depress sucrose space. Actinomycin D prevented the increase in uterine methyl glucose distribution (but not water uptake) due to estradiol but did not affect this ...
2B4 (CD244)-Mediated Activation of Cytotoxicity and IFN-γ Release in Human NK Cells Involves Distinct Pathways

2B4 (CD244), a member of the CD2 subset of the Ig superfamily receptors, is expressed on all human NK cells, a subpopulation of T cells, basophils and monocytes. 2B4 activates NK cell mediated cytotoxicity, induces secretion of IFN-gamma and matrix metalloproteinases, and NK cell invasiveness. Although there have been several molecules shown to interact with 2B4, the signaling mechanism of 2B4-mediated activation of NK cells is still unknown. In this study, we found cross-linking of 2B4 on YT cells, a human NK cell line, results in the increased DNA binding activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1), an important regulator of nuclear gene expression in leukocytes. We investigated the possible role of various signaling molecules that may be involved in the activation of lytic function of YT cells via 2B4. Treatment of YT cells with various specific inhibitors indicate that 2B4-stimulation of YT cells in spontaneous and Ab-dependent cytotoxicity is Ras/Raf dependent and involves multiple MAPK signaling pathways (ERK1/2 and p38). However, only inhibitors of transcription and p38 inhibited 2B4-mediated IFN-gamma release indicating distinct pathways are involved in cytotoxicity and cytokine release. In this study we also show that 2B4 constitutively associates with the linker for activation of T cells (LAT) and that 2B4 may mediate NK cell activation via a LAT-dependent signaling pathway. These results indicate that 2B4-mediated activation of NK cells involves complex interactions involving LAT, Ras, Raf, ERK and p38 and that cytolytic function and cytokine production may be regulated by distinct pathways.
Sex Ratio of Common Musk Turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) in aNorth-Central Indiana Lake: a Long-Term Study

We studied the sex ratio of a population of common musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) from Dewart Lake in north-central Indiana. From 1979 to 2000 we trapped S. odoratus nearly annually using wire traps or fyke nets. Sex ratios were consistently male biased (average = 64.9% males) and did not vary between trap types or time of day. Available evidence points to differential mortality of the sexes as a possible cause for the biased sex ratios. However, additional work is needed.
The First Ten Years of Plant Genome Sequencing and Prospects for the Next Decade

The genome of Arabidopsis thaliana, the first completed plant genome sequence, was published in December of 2000 (The Arabidopsis Genome Initiative 2000). This event marked the beginning of the plant genomics era. Over the next 10 years, there has been swift and striking progress in the field of plant genomics. An outpouring of effort coupled with technological advances has made it possible to sequence, assemble, and analyze the genomes of many additional plant species, including several genomes far larger and more complex than Arabidopsis. These changes have ushered in comparative plant genomics, the study of relationships between genomes of different species. Comparative genomic analysis has proven particularly enlightening in revealing recent and ancient events that have impacted the structure and contents of plant genomes; and this field is poised to grow rapidly with the advent of high throughput “Next-Generation” sequencing technologies.
The Integrated Developmental Model of Supervision

Abstract This article briefly describes the Integrated Developmental Model of Supervision (Stoltenberg & Delworth, 1987; Stoltenberg, McNeill, & Delworth, in press) and addresses how this model can guide the practice of clinical supervision. It is argued that complex models of supervision are more appropriate than “cookbook” attempts to prescribe interventions. The advantages of a comprehensive model and the classes of interventions that flow from it are discussed.
Studies of the effect of antibiotics on infections with the mouse pinworm, Aspiculuris tetraptera. III. The actions of aureomycin, bacitracin and polymyxin B.

In previous reports (Wells, 1951a and b) the actions of terramycin hydrochloride, neomycin, chloramphenicol and dihydrostreptomycin on experimental infections with the mouse pinworm, Aspiculuris tetraptera, have been presented. It was found that terramycin reduced the worm burden and stunted remaining worms. Neomycin chloramphenicol and dihydrostreptomycin when given orally, on the other hand, resulted in an increased worm yield of normal sized worms. In the present report the findings with aureomycin, bacitracin and polymyxin B are presented.
Relationship between soluble collagen and urinary hydroxyproline in the lathyritic rat.

SummaryUrinary excretion of hydroxyproline of weanling rats, rendered lathyritic by daily injection of beta-aminopropionitrile, was 3 times greater than that of controls. A parallel increase in the neutral salt extractable collagen of the skin was observed. No significant change was found in the total collagen of the skin. It is concluded that the increase in urinary hydroxyproline observed is related to the increased size of the metabolically active, soluble collagen pool.
Inelastic Neutron Scattering Studies of Nonlinear Optical Materials: p-Nitroaniline Adsorbed in Alpo-5

Inelastic neutron scattering has been used to characterize the vibrational spectroscopy below 220 meV of para-nitroaniline adsorbed in the molecular sieve ALPO-5. Samples at loadings of both 3 and 13 weight %, which represent the onset of and the maximum in the nonlinear optical properties respectively, were studied. The torsional vibration of the amino (NH2) group has been identified at ca. 50 meV. The splitting and structure of this mode is sensitive to the loading level. This can be related to differences in the nature of the hydrogen bonding in these materials.
Characterizing the Response of Piñon-Juniper Woodlands to Mechanical Restoration Using High-Resolution Satellite Imagery☆

ABSTRACT In northern New Mexico, complex interactions among climate, land use, and the associated reduction of surface fire in forest and savanna communities facilitated the expansion of pinon-juniper woodlands. Because increasing tree cover can outcompete herbaceous vegetation (e.g., forbs and grasses), woodland expansion resulted in reduced herbaceous cover and increased soil exposure, leading to increased runoff and erosion. To improve hydrologic function in these degraded woodlands, an overstory thinning and slash-mulch treatment was applied to more than 1 000 hectares within Bandelier National Monument (New Mexico, United States) between 2007 and 2010. Our objective was to develop a remote sensing strategy to quantify land-cover changes following mechanical treatment of pinon-juniper woodlands. In this study, we 1) established a simple and repeatable method for assessing treatment effectiveness using high-resolution satellite imagery, 2) quantified vegetation response at six times since treatment (fr...