cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling and analysis of stochastic invasion processes.

In this paper we derive spatially explicit equations to describe a stochastic invasion process. Parents are assumed to produce a random number of offspring which then disperse according to a spatial redistribution kernel. Equations for population moments, such as expected density and covariance averaged over an ensemble of identical stochastic processes, take the form of deterministic integro-difference equations. These equations describe the spatial spread of population moments as the invasion progresses. We use the second order moments to analyse two basic properties of the invasion. The first property is permanence of form in the correlation structure of the wave. Analysis of the asymptotic form of the invasion wave shows that either (i) the covariance in the leading edge of the wave of invasion asymptotically achieves a permanence of form with a characteristic structure described by an unchanging spatial correlation function, or (ii) the leading edge of the wave has no asymptotic permanence of form with the length scales of spatial correlations continually increasing over time. Which of these two outcomes pertains is governed by a single statistic, φ which depends upon the shape of the dispersal kernel and the net reproductive number. The second property of the invasion is its patchy structure. Patchiness, defined in terms of spatial correlations on separate short (within patch) and long (between patch) spatial scales, is linked to the dispersal kernel. Analysis shows how a leptokurtic dispersal kernel gives rise to patchiness in spread of a population.
A hybrid molecular and continuum method for low-Reynolds-number flows

Abstract A novel hybrid method is proposed and developed combining the continuum boundary singularity method (BSM) and the molecular direct simulation Monte Carlo method (DSMC) for low-Reynolds-number flows in the transition regime. The flow about a single cylinder is used to test the proposed hybrid method. The DSMC is applied to an annular region enclosing the cylinder and the BSM is employed to solve the entire flow domain. The parameters used in the DSMC and in the coupling procedure, such as the number of simulated particles, the cell size and the size of the coupling zone, are determined by inspecting the convergence rate and accuracy of obtained solution. It is observed that in the partial-slip flow regime the results from the hybrid method match the ones from the BSM combined with the heuristic partial-slip boundary conditions. For higher Knudsen numbers, the differences in velocity and pressure drop between the hybrid and continuum BSM are significant that justify the use of hybrid method.
The Life and Death of a Mycenaean Port Town: Kalamianos on the Saronic Gulf

In the late fourteenth century bc of the Aegean Late Bronze Age (LBA), a large walled settlement was established at Korphos: Kalamianos, on the Saronic Gulf coast of the Corinthia, Greece. Archaeological and geological work by the Saronic harbors Archaeological Research Project has succeeded in reconstructing the LBA coastline and likely harbor basins, as well as documenting the well-preserved plan of an entire Late Helladic town. Kalamianos was a short-lived maritime outpost, purposely founded as a component of state expansion in a climate of intense peer-polity competition in LBA (fifteenth–thirteenth centuries bc) Greece.
Compact Model Based Microfluidic Controller for Energy Efficient Thermal Management of Single Tier and 3D Chips

Over-cooling of electronic devices and systems results in excess energy consumption, which can be reduced by closely linking cooling requirements with actual power dissipation. A thermal model-based real-time flow rate controller for pin-fin micro channel liquid cooling for planar and 3D stacked chips was studied in this paper to optimize cooling power. A thermal compact model of single layer and two layers fin enhanced micro-channel was developed, which ran 105 times faster than using CFD method, with reasonable accuracy. This was used in conjunction with a flow rate control strategy to provide the needed amount of liquid to cool the heat source to the desired temperature range.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Complex wave-number dispersion analysis of Galerkin and Galerkin least-squares methods for fluid-loaded plates

Abstract The technique of complex wave-number dispersion analysis is used to examine the accuracy of discretized systems in the representation of wave propagation phenomena. This technique was applied to study finite element approximations to in vacuo and fluid-loaded plates considering discretizations of Kirchhoff and Reissner-Mindlin plate theories coupled to an acoustic medium. The allowed evanescent waves in the finite element approximation of the in vacuo plate are obtained and compared with theory. The finite element dispersion relation for the coupled plate-fluid system is derived. Results for the Galerkin structural approximation coupled to Galerkin and Galerkin least-squares (GLS) fluid formulations are presented. Quantitative errors are reported and the significance of these errors in view of an analytical solution to the problem is given.
Stability and elastic properties of L12-(Al,Cu)3(Ti,Zr) phases: Ab initio calculations and experiments

Abstract The total energies and equilibrium cohesive properties of L12, DO22 and DO23 structures along Al3Ti–Al3Zr and Al3X–Cu3X (X = Ti, Zr) sections are calculated from first principles employing electronic density-functional theory (DFT), ultrasoft pseudopotentials and the generalized gradient approximation. Calculated heats of formation are consistent with a narrow field of stability of the L12 structure at 12.5 at.% Cu for ternary (Al,Cu)0.75Zr0.25 and (Al,Cu)0.75Ti0.25 intermetallics at low temperatures. Experimentally, samples homogenized at 1000 °C establish a more extensive stability field for the L12 phase in quaternary alloys with Cu concentrations ranging from 6.7 to 12.6 at.% Cu. Two L12 phases were observed in as-cast alloys with near equal amounts of Ti and Zr, as well as alloys homogenized at 1000 °C. Good agreement is obtained between calculated and measured values of lattice parameters and elastic moduli. These results demonstrate high accuracy of ab initio calculations for phase stability, lattice parameters and elastic constants in multicomponent trialumide intermetallics.
SU-E-T-62: A Quality Control Computer Program for MLC Leafs Position Verification in IMRT

Purpose: We developed a computer program for independent review of the treatment delivery process, with focus on the verification of the MLC leaf positions during treatment. The program compares the treatment delivery files that the Linac creates after each treatment with the file that contains the parameters of the plan. Methods: During each dynamic treatment, the MLC controller records information related to MLC motion—dose fraction, tolerance, gantry angle, beam-hold flag, gantry position, and the positions of each leaf, sampled at a rate of 100 times per second. Recording continues until the dynamic treatment is completed or terminated. These binary and text log-files of treatment machine (TrueBeam, Varian, Palo Alto, CA) are compared against the plan file as it is exported by our treatment planning system EclipseTM TPS (Varian, Palo Alto, CA). The program finds the control points of the Eclipse file that any of the treatment parameter was off by a difference above predefined tolerance values. The tolerance values are user selectable: in our implementation they were 1 deg for gantry and colim. angle, 1 mm for jaws and 0.2 mm for leafs. A verification report for each patient is created including the parameters that exceeded tolerance. Verification reports are created either for all daily treatments, or for all completed treatments of the same patient, thus checking the constancy of treatment parameters over time. The program is developed using the FreeMat computation tool. Results: The program was applied on 40 IMRT plans (300 beams in total). The computation time is about 30 sec per plan (9 beams per plan assumed), mostly spent on searching in Eclipse-exported files and parameters. Conclusions: This program is a step towards the automation in paperless radiation therapy quality management. Study partially supported by Varian.
Mucopolysaccharidase activity in traumatized human deciduous teeth undergoing accelerated resorption: isolation and characterization.

Mucopolysaccharidase activity was observed in traumatized human deciduous teeth. Histochemical analysis of the periodontal ligaments from these teeth revealed a loss of film substrate metachromasia during incubation, indicating enzyme activity. Routine histology of these ligaments showed the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate throughout this tissue. Biochemical analysis of the ligaments revealed a 10 fold increase of enzyme activity when incubation time was increased from 1 to 8 h. When compared to the enzyme activity measured during physiologic resorption, activity was increased. This suggests that the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate not observed in the tissues undergoing physiologic resorption may be responsible for the rapid resorption seen in traumatized deciduous teeth.
Removal of trace sulfur dioxide from gas stream by regenerative sorption processes

Abstract This work compares the characteristics and SO2 removal capacity of four physical adsorbents (sillicalite, DAY zeolite, polymer and carbon) and a chemical adsorbent ( CuO γ- Al 2 O 3 ) prepared in our laboratory by a sol-gel process. SO2 sorption capacity and kinetics of CuO γ- Al 2 O 3 , silicalite and DAY zeolite were measured gravimetrically and compared with those of the polymer and carbon adsorbents reported in the literature. The sol-gel derived granular CuO γ- Al 2 O 3 adsorbent has the characteristics of large surface area, high crush strength and attrition resistance, and good sulfation properties. Simulated SO2 breakthrough curves from a fixed-bed adsorber packed respectively with each of the five adsorbents are presented to examine the performance of these adsorbents for SO2 removal in the fixed-bed process. Among the four physical adsorbents silicalite exhibits the best properties in terms of adsorption capacity and breakthrough time. Simulated and experimental results show that a fixed-bed packed with a chemical adsorbent ( CuO γ- Al 2 O 3 ) is far more effective (with much longer breakthrough time) than that with a physical adsorbent (silicalite) for removal of trace SO2 from gas stream.
Differences in the Influence of Family Background and Social Activities on Smoking of Minority and White High School Seniors, 1976-2004

This population-based study of high school seniors examines differences in the influence of several important determinants of smoking among white, African-American, Hispanic, and other teens. With national survey data for each year from 1976 to 2004, logistic regression is used to test for differences across race and ethnic groups (averaged over all years) in the effects on daily smoking of background factors such as living arrangements and parents’ education and social activities such as academic performance and religiosity. The results show similarity in effects across racial categories, but some determinants have weaker or reversed effects for African-American and Hispanic youth than for white youth. For example, high parents’ education increases smoking among Hispanic youth, has little influence among African Americans, and decreases smoking among whites. These results suggest that smoking patterns of minority teens differ in some ways from those of white teens.
Subjected to the Current: Batteries, Bodies, and the Early History of Electrification in the United States

“Subjected to the Current” charts the advent of electrolysis in nineteenth century America. Situating this technique of human hair removal within larger histories of electrification, the essay traces operators’ debates over the design of specific artifacts (needles, batteries, and so on) and the establishment of technical standards (for speed, current, etc.). Such technical developments, however, were but one feature of the technique: as early commentators were well aware, successful electrolysis depended equally on the rearrangement of human conduct and feeling. Operators and clients alike were hardened to their painstaking task, accommodating themselves to the financial, physiological, and emotional demands of hair removal by electric needle. Reflection on the intertwining of norms, affects, standards, and things in this instance serves to illuminate the history of power in both the literal and figural senses of that word: in the early history of electrolysis, we see the formation of power not as a discrete capacity which one might have or lack, but as a dynamic force flowing between elements of a complex system.
The isolation, enrichment, and comparative electron microscopic characterization of cellular components of the aged rat ventral prostate

Prostate cells were isolated from 3- and 23-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats. After sequential digestion with 0.1% collagenase at 37 degrees C, a mixed population of cells was obtained. The cells were layered on a five-step discontinuous Percoll gradient (g/ml: 1.024, 1.043, 1.048, 1.060, 1.089), centrifuged at 3,000 rpm X 30 minutes, which produced six distinct cellular subpopulations and a fibromuscular stroma (FMS). Electron microscopic characterization of the 3- and 23-month-old cellular subpopulations identified the following components, g/ml: debris and nonviable cells (1.020-1.025) nonsecretory epithelial cells (1.038-1.039), secretory epithelial cells (1.047-1.048), basal epithelial cells (1.057-1.059), differentiating epithelial cells (1.070-1.075), erythrocytes (1.085-1.089). This study demonstrates that one of the effects of age on the rat ventral prostate is an intracellular disorganization of isolated and enriched cellular components.
Three-Dimensional Structure of Poliovirus at 2.9 Å Resolution

The three-dimensional structure of poliovirus has been determined at 2.9 A resolution by x-ray crystallographic methods. Each of the three major capsid proteins (VP1, VP2, and VP3) contains a "core" consisting of an eight-stranded antiparallel beta barrel with two flanking helices. The arrangement of beta strands and helices is structurally similar and topologically identical to the folding pattern of the capsid proteins of several icosahedral plant viruses. In each of the major capsid proteins, the "connecting loops" and NH2- and COOH-terminal extensions are structurally dissimilar. The packing of the subunit "cores" to form the virion shell is reminiscent of the packing in the T = 3 plant viruses, but is significantly different in detail. Differences in the orientations of the subunits cause dissimilar contacts at protein-protein interfaces, and are also responsible for two major surface features of the poliovirion: prominent peaks at the fivefold and threefold axes of the particle. The positions and interactions of the NH2- and COOH-terminal strands of the capsid proteins have important implications for virion assembly. Several of the "connecting loops" and COOH-terminal strands form prominent radial projections which are the antigenic sites of the virion.
Principles of diagnosis and management of traumatic pneumothorax

Presence of air and fluid with in the chest might have been documented as early as Fifth Century B.C. by a physician in ancient Greece, who practiced the so-called Hippocratic succession of the chest. This is due to a development of communication between intrapulmonary air space and pleural space, or through the chest wall between the atmosphere and pleural space. Air enters the pleural space until the pressure gradient is eliminated or the communication is closed. Increasing incidence of road traffic accidents, increasing awareness of healthcare leading to more advanced diagnostic procedures, and increasing number of admissions in intensive care units are responsible for traumatic (noniatrogenic and iatrogenic) pneumothorax. Clinical spectrum of pneumothorax varies from asymptomatic patient to life-threatening situations. Diagnosis is usually made by clinical examination. Simple erect chest radiograph is sufficient though; many investigations are useful in accessing the future line of action. However, in certain life-threatening conditions obtaining imaging studies can causes an unnecessary and potential lethal delay in treatment.
PCBs and PAHs as Tracers of Particulate Dynamics in Large Lakes

Internal cycling of particles within the water columns of the Great Lakes results in spatial and temporal variability in concentrations of hydrophobic organic contaminants. Concentrations of organic carbon, fourteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and thirty-five polychlorobiphenyl (PCBs) congeners were measured in particles collected in detailed vertical profiles of the atmosphere, water column, and sediments of Lake Superior to assess the dynamics of organic matter and particle transport in large lakes. A benthic nepheloid layer (BNL), a particle-rich zone extending up from the lake floor, was observed from a manned submersible during a NOAA National Undersea Research Program cruise on Lake Superior in 1986. This region contains large numbers of both living organisms and detritus, indicating that the BNL is supplied with significant quantities of reduced carbon from above. Patterns of organic contaminants associated with particles were examined by principal components analysis to determine the sources of particles to the BNL. Settling of surface water particles is the dominant source of solids containing PAHs and PCBs to the BNL during stratification, while resuspension of surf icial sediments also contributes to BNL formation. Large vertical fluxes of organic-rich particles serve to rapidly transport hydrophobic organic contaminants to the benthic region. Once in the BNL, however, particulate organic matter is rapidly degraded and is largely not incorporated into underlying sediments. Rates of particulate organic matter utilization in the BNL are estimated to be orders of magnitude faster than corresponding rates in Lake Superior surf icial sediments. Internal cycling of particles and organic matter significantly impacts the behavior and residence times of nutrients and contaminants in the water column of large lakes.
Comparison of peptide mass mapping and electron capture dissociation as assays for histone posttranslational modifications

Abstract Posttranslational modifications of core histones play a critical role in the structure of chromatin and the regulation of gene activities. Improved techniques for determining these modification sites may lead to a better understanding of histone regulation at the molecular level. LC–MS peptide mass mapping was performed on pepsin, trypsin and Glu-C digests of bovine thymus H4 using a QqTOF instrument. The well established modification sites of H4 (acetylation of K8, 12, 16 and methylation of K20) were observed in addition to several recently discovered modifications including: methylation of K31, 44, 59 and acetylation of K20, 77, 79. For comparison, electron capture dissociation (ECD) was performed on intact H4 along with several peptides from enzymatic digestion. The results from the ECD experiments of histone H4 indicated the acetylation of K5, 12, 16, 31, 91 and the methylation of K20 and 59 in good agreement with the result from peptide mapping. The work is dedicated to Alan G. Marshall on his 60th birthday. His endeavors in the advancement of FT-ICR facilitated experiments reported herein.
Some iterative procedures for generating nonsingular optimal designs

The problem of optimal design algorithms is treated from the general viewpoint of optimization theory and algorithms. For designs of finite support, several iterative schemes are suggested, including vertex direction, gradient projection, normalized gradient projection and conjugate gradient projection. For an arbitrary design region, a general optimal design algorithm is proposed which incorporates the above algorithms for the finite support case ar.d methods of changing design support. The numerical behavior of these algorithms is investigated in detail on six examples and some experiences with the algorithms are summarized in the last section.
The elements and organization of an industrial particle accelerator safety program

Abstract The organization and implementation of the elements of a comprehensive radiation safety program for industrial electron accelerators are described. These include education, periodic review, comprehensive procedures, periodic equipment inspections, interlock systems and program philosophies.
Cardiorespiratory fitness and clustered cardiovascular disease risk in U.S. adolescents.

Abstract Purpose To study the association between the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) distribution and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk measured as continuous scores for individual and clustered CVD risk factors and to explore the potential effect modification of this association exerted by weight status among adolescents. Methods Cross-sectional study based on 1,247 youths aged 12–19 years in the 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. CRF was estimated by a treadmill test and categorized into age- and sex-specific quintiles. Five established CVD risk factors – an adiposity index (sum of triceps and subscapular skinfolds), the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol – were standardized for age and gender and a clustered score calculated as their average. Regression analyses adjusted for race/ethnicity and family socioeconomic status assessed differences in CVD risk across CRF quintiles for the overall sample and after stratification by weight status. Results The mean clustered risk score decreased with increasing CRF in both males and females ( p for trend p Conclusions Most of the excess clustered CVD risk is found among adolescents within the lowest quintile of the CRF distribution. Among adolescents, very low fitness states should be avoided or intervened upon for purposes of primordial CVD prevention.
Perinatal outcome of twin pregnancies with one structurally affected fetus: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether one structurally affected fetus of a twin pregnancy further increases the risk of preterm delivery and to compare perinatal morbidity and mortality in these pregnancies with twin gestations with structurally normal fetuses. STUDY DESIGN: The cases (n = 25) included all twin gestations diagnosed from 1991 to 1994 with a sonographically detected fetal anomaly and a structurally normal co-twin delivered after 24 completed weeks’ gestation. The control group consisted of 547 twin gestations delivered during the study period with no sonographically detected structural anomalies in either twin. RESULTS: Compared with controls, pregnancies with a single anomalous fetus (cases) delivered at a significantly lower gestational age (mean ± SD: 34.0 ± 3.2 weeks versus 35.6 ± 3.2 weeks; p = 0.019) and had a significantly increased preterm delivery rate (76.0% vs 55.4%; p = 0.042). There was no significant difference in the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage or respiratory distress syndrome, yet the perinatal mortality (80.0/1000 vs 6.4/1000; p = 0.000) and the average nursery stay (45.5 ± 43.3 days versus 17.0 ± 24.0 days; p = 0.003) were significantly increased for cases compared with controls. In addition, a significantly greater birth weight discordancy (≥30%) was seen in cases compared with controls (32.0% versus 9.1%; p = 0.002). The normal co-twin did not show any significant difference in the perinatal outcome variables studied when compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Compared with structurally normal twin pairs, twin gestations with a single anomalous fetus are at a significantly increased risk for preterm delivery. In addition, the anomalous fetus, but not the structurally normal co-twin, has a significantly increased mortality rate and a longer nursery stay. Finally, despite the increased risk for preterm delivery in twin pregnancies with one anomalous fetus, it is the nature of the anomaly itself that dictates the perinatal outcome.
STUDIES ON THE CONTACT SENSITIZATION OF MAN WITH SIMPLE CHEMICALS. IV. Timing of Skin Reactivity, Lymphokine Production, and Blastogenesis Following Rechallenge with Dinotrochlorobenzene using an Automated Microassay

An automated microassay was adapted to the study of specific in vitro lymphocyte transformation to dinitrochlorohenzene (DNCB) erythrocyte complexes (DNCB-antigen). Studies of culture conditions indicated that in flat-bottomed microtiter culture plates, 0.2-ml cultures containing 4 × 10 5 leukocytes and a total culture time of 4 or 5 days yield satisfactory results for the relatively low responses seen with specific antigens such as DNCB-antigen. Cultures were incubated for 3 hr with tritiated thymidine and harvested with the Multiple Automated Sample Harvester (MASH II). The effect of DNCB rechallenge on in vitro lymphocyte transformation was studied using this automated microassay. DNCB rechallenge boosted the in vitro response to DNCB-antigen, and in leukocyte cultures from some subjects the blastogenic response tended to remain elevated longer than has been reported following primary sensitization with DNCB. During a primary sensitization with DNCB, in vitro lymphocyte transformation to DNCB-antigen converted at about the same time skin reactivity was first observed, usually after about 2 weeks. However, following patch test rechallenge, skin reactivity was maximal at 2 to 3 days, whereas in vitro lymphocyte transformation to DNCB-antigen was nearly undetectable at 2 to 3 days and increased rapidly during the second week. The induction of lymphokine production following patch test rechallenge manifested a time course similar to that observed for specific lymphocyte transformation to DNCB-antigen. While the reasons for the observed temporal relationships between skin reactivity, blastogenesis, and lymphokine production are still unknown, knowledge of these relationships may provide insight on mechanisms of cellular immunity in man. In addition, awareness of these temporal relationships may allow a more rational approach to the in vitro study of naturally occurring contact sensitizers.
Resolution and reconstitution of a bound Fe-S protein from the photosynthetic reaction center of Heliobacterium modesticaldum.

The photosynthetic reaction center of Heliobacterium modesticaldum (HbRC) was isolated from membranes using n-dodecyl β-d-maltopyranoside followed by sucrose density ultracentrifugation. The low-temperature EPR spectra of whole cells, isolated membranes, and HbRC complexes are similar, showing a single Fe−S cluster with g values of 2.067, 1.933, and 1.890 after illumination at 20 K, and a complex spectrum attributed to exchange interaction from two Fe−S clusters after illumination during freezing. The protein containing the Fe−S clusters was removed from the HbRC by washing it with 1.0 M NaCl and purified by ultrafiltration over a 30 kDa cutoff membrane. Analysis of the filtrate by SDS−PAGE showed a major band at ∼8 kDa that was weakly stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue and strongly stained with silver. The optical spectrum of the oxidized Fe−S protein shows a maximum at 410 nm, and the EPR spectrum of the reduced Fe−S protein shows a complex set of resonances similar to those found in 2[4Fe-4S] ferred...
SETTLING VELOCITIES OF TWO EQUAL-SIZED SPHERES FOLLOWING EACH OTHER IN VISCOUS FLUIDS CONTAINED IN CYLINDERS

Experimental data are presented for two equal-sized spheres falling along the axis of a cylinder. The two spheres settle with the same velocity as that of a single falling sphere as long as their separation distance is larger than a critical value. When the distance is smaller than the critical value, the two spheres fall faster than a single sphere. The drag on the two spheres is less affected when two spheres fall in a cylinder in comparison to the situation when two spheres fall in an unbounded medium. The data are correlated and shown to agree with numerical calculations.
Notes: Survival and Continued Normal Development of Fish Embryos after Incubation at Reduced Temperatures

Abstract The tolerance of fathead minnow Pimephales promelas embryos to cooling depended upon developmental stage; late blastulae and gastrulae were more tolerant of cooling to 0–5°C from 23°C than were early blastulae. Survival of embryos or their ability to continue development was reduced as temperature declined to 0°C and length of exposure to cold temperatures increased. Embryos survived better after cooling if they were maintained in full-strength fish Ringer's solution than if they were kept in 10% fish Ringer's solution or in 10% fish Ringer's solution with 0.2 M glucose. Embryo survival was greatest when gastrulae were held in 100% fish Ringer's at 10°C, a temperature at which development was slowed but not stopped.
Ab initio determination of a structural phase transition temperature

The temperature of the structural phase transition in GeTe is calculated complete ab initio from a model lattice-dynamical Hamiltonian that is constructed from microscopic quantum-mechanical total-energy calculations. The phase transition in the model system is studied through a renormalization-group-theory approach, leading to the prediction of a fluctuation-driven first-order transition at 657\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}100 K.
Media Coverage of Agency-Related Child Maltreatment Fatalities: Does It Result in State Legislative Change Intended to Prevent Future Fatalities?

This study investigates whether child maltreatment fatalities among children receiving services from state child welfare agencies spur substantive, as opposed to symbolic, legislative change to direct child welfare policy and practice. Using existing state-level data from three years, this study examined the influence of news stories, state characteristics, and child welfare policy practice factors on the passage of new child welfare legislations. The results suggest that high levels of media attention are indeed associated with new child welfare policy that is preventative in nature. Furthermore, state child welfare policy practice characteristics are also significantly related to the passage of new child maltreatment fatality-related legislation. The author makes recommendations for future research concerning the effectiveness of policy and practice change that results from child maltreatment fatalities.
Production of vinylic unsaturation by partial dehydrobromination of vicinal dibromo fatty derivatives

The reaction of methyl dibromostearate with metal cyanates in dimethyl formamide or dimethyl sulfoxide results in the disappearance of the peak at 548 cm−1 in the IR spectrum due to the -C-Br group. Chemical analysis of the products reveals the presence of residual bromine. Gas liquid chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance examination of the products shows the presence of olefinic unsaturation and this indicates that partial dehydrobromination has occurred. The result is a double bond with one carbon atom attached to a bromine atom. This structure has some vinylic characteristics. The application of this process to partially brominated linseed oil yields a dehydrobrominated linseed oil, with residual bromine. This oil has drying properties very similar to raw linseed and safflower oils.
Aspirin use after a prostate cancer diagnosis and cancer survival in a prospective cohort

Experimental and clinical data suggest that aspirin and other nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs may delay the progression of prostate cancer through inhibition of the COX pathway and its effects on cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Epidemiologic data support a reduced risk of prostate cancer incidence with aspirin use, yet no evidence exists about whether aspirin after diagnosis influences progression or survival. We conducted a prospective study of 3,986 participants of the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, with a prostate cancer diagnosis between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2005. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to evaluate the association between aspirin use after diagnosis and the development of metastases or fatal prostate cancer through January 31, 2008, adjusting for risk factors associated with incidence and mortality in this cohort, prediagnostic aspirin use, Gleason score, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and primary treatment. In total, 265 men developed bony or other organ metastases or fatal prostate cancer during the 18 years of follow-up. We observed no association between updated aspirin use after diagnosis and lethal prostate cancer [tablets/week: <2: HR, 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-1.72; 2-5: HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.62-1.80; ≥ 6: HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.76-1.54; P(trend) = 0.99]. The results remained unchanged when we examined aspirin use at baseline only (P(trend) = 0.70) or frequency of use (d/wk; P(trend) = 0.35) or limited the outcome to fatal prostate cancer (P(trend) = 0.63). There was no association between aspirin use after a prostate cancer diagnosis and lethal disease in this cohort of prostate cancer survivors.
Evaluation of the general sensitivity of the Wisconsin card sorting test among younger and older children

Although the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) has been widely used to evaluate the cognitive effects of cerebral dysfunction, particularly of the frontal lobes, among adult populations, it has received little attention among children. To evaluate the general sensitivity of the WCST in this group, the present study compared the WCST performances of a heterogeneous sample (n = 77) of younger children (94 to 119 months of age) and older children (120 to 189 months of age) who were referred for neuropsychological evaluation on clinical grounds with the WCST performances of age‐appropriate controls (n = 80). Five measures derived from the standard WCST were examined, and the results revealed significant (p < .005) main effects of group and age for each of the WCST variables; no interactions were observed. These findings suggest that although WCST performance is age‐dependent, its sensitivity is not restricted by age; that is, it is still possible to identify differences in level of skill at older and younger...
The Diagnosis of Vertical Motion within Dry Intrusions

Dry intrusions play an important role in modulating precipitation patterns both in the midlatitudes and in the Tropics. The lifting of unsaturated air aloft often leads to destabilization and the enhancement of precipitation rates, and may occasionally contribute to the occurrence of severe weather. A method for qualitatively diagnosing vertical motion in a region of elevated dry advection is presented. The procedure measures the rate of propagation of relative humidity isopleths relative to the flow and deduces the sign of the vertical velocity. Changes in static stability are inferred, leading to the possibility of improved short-term forecasting of precipitation associated with dry intrusions. The procedure is illustrated with a case study involving heavy snowfall associated with a dry intrusion in the mid-Atlantic region. A diagnosis of ascent within the dry intrusion is obtained from satellite imagery and confirmed using numerical model output.
Analysis of Relaxin Release from Cultured Porcine Luteal Cells by Reverse Hemolytic Plaque Assay: Influence of Gestational Age and Prostaglandin F2α*

Relaxin release from dispersed luteal cells was detected by a reverse hemolytic plaque assay to determine the influence of gestational age on basal relaxin secretion. Monodispersed luteal cells were derived by collagenase treatment of corpora lutea obtained from pigs in early (days 19–26), mid-(days 47–62), and late (days 80–99) gestation. The rate of plaque development under nonstimulated conditions progressively accelerated as gestation advanced, as did the rate of increase in plaque size. These results unequivocally demonstrate that basal relaxin release increases with advancing gestation. However, only about 50% of large luteal cells released relaxin at all stages of pregnancy examined up to day 100. These data indicated not only that basal relaxin release increases during pregnancy, but also that considerable heterogeneity exists with respect to relaxin output by individual cells. In contrast, both the basal rate of relaxin release and the percentage of cells committed to relaxin release declined sig...
Distance-based phenotypic association analysis of DNA sequence data

As the cost of sequencing decreases, the demand for association tests that use exhaustive DNA sequence information increases. One such association test is multivariate distance matrix regression (MDMR). We explore some of the features of MDMR using Genetic Analysis Workshop 17 simulated data in search of potential improvements in distance measures. We used genotype data from 697 unrelated individuals, in 200 replications, to test the power of MDMR to detect 13 trait Q2 causative genes based on the Euclidean distance metric. We also estimated the false-positive rate of MDMR using 508 control genes. In addition, we compared MDMR with Mantel’s test and collapsing analysis for rare variants. MDMR performed comparably well even with the Euclidean distance measure.
Tedna: a transposable element de novo assembler

MOTIVATION Recent technological advances are allowing many laboratories to sequence their research organisms. Available de novo assemblers leave repetitive portions of the genome poorly assembled. Some genomes contain high proportions of transposable elements, and transposable elements appear to be a major force behind diversity and adaptation. Few de novo assemblers for transposable elements exist, and most have either been designed for small genomes or 454 reads. RESULTS In this article, we present a new transposable element de novo assembler, Tedna, which assembles a set of transposable elements directly from the reads. Tedna uses Illumina paired-end reads, the most widely used sequencing technology for de novo assembly, and forms full-length transposable elements. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION Tedna is available at http://urgi.versailles.inra.fr/Tools/Tedna, under the GPLv3 license. It is written in C++11 and only requires the Sparsehash Package, freely available under the New BSD License. Tedna can be used on standard computers with limited RAM resources, although it may also use large memory for better results. Most of the code is parallelized and thus ready for large infrastructures.
Endoscopic examination with the duodenoscope at ERCP: frequency of lesions and accuracy of detection.

Abstract Background: Little is known about the yield and accuracy of endoscopic examination with the duodenoscope after ERCP, and there appears to be no uniform standard of practice for endoscopic examination in this setting. Methods: Over a 1-year period, all patients undergoing ERCP also underwent endoscopic examination of the duodenum, stomach, and esophagus with the duodenoscope upon completion of ERCP. Patients were then placed in the left lateral decubitus position and upper endoscopy was performed with a standard forward-viewing endoscope. The same investigator performed both endoscopic examinations. Patients were queried about prior ulcer disease, upper GI symptoms, and use of antisecretory medication as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Results: During the 12-month study, 368 patients (mean age 53 years) underwent 474 procedures. The most frequent indication for ERCP was suspected choledocholithiasis (24%). Endoscopic examination was normal in 42% of patients, and the most frequent endoscopic finding was hiatal hernia (132 patients, 36%). The lesions most frequently missed with the duodenoscope were trauma at the upper esophageal sphincter (12 patients) and small benign gastric polyps (3 patients). Examination with the duodenoscope was superior to the forward-viewing endoscope for identification of Schatzki's ring. No carcinoma, gastric varices, or severe esophagitis were missed with the duodenoscope. Conclusions: Given the frequency of endoscopic lesions, a yield of positive findings similar to that obtained with the forward-viewing endoscope, and the ease of performing endoscopy with the duodenoscope, endoscopic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum with the duodenoscope should become standard practice after ERCP. (Gastrointest Endosc 2002;55:538-42.)
Biochemical Properties and Biological Functions of FET Proteins

Members of the FET protein family, consisting of FUS, EWSR1, and TAF15, bind to RNA and contribute to the control of transcription, RNA processing, and the cytoplasmic fates of messenger RNAs in metazoa. FET proteins can also bind DNA, which may be important in transcription and DNA damage responses. FET proteins are of medical interest because chromosomal rearrangements of their genes promote various sarcomas and because point mutations in FUS or TAF15 can cause neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar dementia. Recent results suggest that both the normal and pathological effects of FET proteins are modulated by low-complexity or prion-like domains, which can form higher-order assemblies with novel interaction properties. Herein, we review FET proteins with an emphasis on how the biochemical properties of FET proteins may relate to their biological functions and to pathogenesis.
Comparative synthesis of herpes simplex virus by neonatal and mature human fibroblasts.

Abstract Fibroblasts cultivated in vitro from the foreskins of neonates, older infants, children, and adults were inoculated with equivalent input multiplicities of herpes simplex virus. There was no significant difference in the synthesis of virus by these age-contrasted cell populations.
A comparison of moment methods for non-isobaric gas chromatography columns

Abstract The existing formulae for the moments of a pulse response in a non-isobaric gas chromatograph differ because (i) approximate closed-form expressions are used in place of a double integral axial dispersion term, (ii) different models of the gas phase in the particles give different contributions to the moments, and (iii) a dead volume may be included in the model. New closed-form expressions are given that are more accurate for high pressure drop and low Peclet number.
Increase in computing capability and its influence on service provision

Applications of information technology (IT) have in no doubt had significant impact in every stage of service provision, production, delivery, receipt and quality. Today, the greatly increased use of IT by service providers has in many ways changed the nature of service delivery. The dynamism and rapid changes in IT which progress from traditional business computing to mobile and pervasive computing and which is now tending towards ubiquitous computing have posed serious challenges to service globally. Service in the industrial era was well understood. It was considered distinct to product and limited by geographical locations and technological constraints. However, as we are entering the knowledge era, where knowledge has become the main competitive advantage, the distinction between services and products are blurring with increase application of information technology, and there seems to be no limit to what could be achieved with technology. Dynamism in the production of information technology also requires corresponding dynamism in its applications to the service provision. However, there is lack of adequate attention to these issues in information systems research and practice. There is little understanding of how the rapid changes and developments in IT could affect service provision. Using the four characteristics of service - intangibility, inseparability (of production and consumption), perishability and heterogeneity, this paper examines service provision, the current trends in ubiquitous computing and the possible changes it could have on service provision.
In situ TEM Investigations of the High‐Temperature Relaxor Ferroelectric BiScO3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 Ternary Solid Solution

Compositions near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) of the BiScO3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 ternary system showed high-temperature relaxor properties (1 kHz) of Tmax∼250°C and a permittivity maximum of ∼16 000. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to investigate the nature of the microstructure under ambient conditions and with in situ heating studies for samples with different composition and electric field-temperature histories. A mottled domain structure was observed with diffraction contrast TEM techniques and associated with frozen in polar micro-domains. These observations are consistent with the low field permittivity temperature measurements made under various frequencies (100 Hz–100 kHz) with a freezing temperature, Tf∼160°C. Field-cooled (FC) samples exhibited a macro-domain structure similar to normal ferroelectric behavior. On heating the FC samples to approximately the Tmax and above, the domain contrast was no longer apparent. When subsequently cooled to room temperature conditions, a micro-domain structure was observed, similar to the zero FC samples. The results are discussed with respect to permittivity measurements and phenomenological mechanisms contributing to the dispersion in the permittivity below the Curie maximum.
Enhancing plant productivity while suppressing biofilm growth in a windowfarm system using beneficial bacteria and ultraviolet irradiation.

Common problems in a windowfarm system (a vertical and indoor hydroponic system) are phytopathogen infections in plants and excessive buildup of biofilms. The objectives of this study were (i) to p...
A monolithic CMOS low-IF Bluetooth receiver

A fully integrated low-IF CMOS Bluetooth receiver is presented. The IC is fabricated in TSMC 0.35 /spl mu/m standard CMOS process. The receiver consists of a radio frequency (RF) front end, a phase lock loop (PLL), an active complex filter, a GFSK demodulator and a frequency offset cancellation circuit. The experimental results show a -82 dBm sensitivity at le-3 BER, -10 dBm IIP3 and 15 dB noise figure.
Mitochondrial DNA of Hydra attenuata (Cnidaria): a sequence that includes an end of one linear molecule and the genes for l-rRNA, tRNA(f-Met), tRNA(Trp), COII, and ATPase8.

The 3231-nucleotide-pair (ntp) sequence of one end of one of the two linear mitochondrial (mt) DNA molecules of Hydra attenuata (phylum Cnidaria, class Hydrozoa, order Anthomedusae) has been determined. This segment contains complete genes for tRNAf-Met, l-rRNA, tRNATrp, subunit 2 of cytochrome c oxidase (COII), subunit 8 of ATP synthetase (ATPase8), and the 5′ 136 ntp of ATPase6. These genes are arranged in the order given and are transcribed from the same strand of the molecule. As in two other cnidarians, the hexacorallian anthozoan Metridium senile and the octocorallian anthozoan Sarcophyton glaucum, the mt-genetic code of H. attenuata is near standard. The only modification appears to be that TGA specifies tryptophan rather than termination. Also as in M. senile and S. glaucum, the encoded H. attenuata mt-tRNAf-Met has primary and secondary structural features resembling those of Escherichia coli initiator tRNAt-Met. As the encoded mt-tRNATrp cannot be folded into a totally orthodox secondary structure, two alternative forms are suggested. The encoded H. attenuata mt-l-rRNA is 1738 nt, which is 451 nt shorter than the M. senile mt-l-rRNA. Comparisons of secondary structure models of these two mt-l-rRNAs indicate that most of the size difference results from loss of nucleotides in the H. attenuata molecule at a minimum of 46 locations, which includes elimination of six distinct helical elements.