cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Techniques to Measure Quantum Criticality in Cold Atoms

Attempts to understand zero temperature phase transitions have forced physicists to consider a regime where the standard paradigms of condensed matter physics break down. These quantum critical systems lack a simple description in terms of weakly interacting quasiparticles, but over the past 20 years physicists have gained deep insights into their properties. Most dramatically, theory predicts that universal scaling relationships describe their finite temperature thermodynamics up to remarkably high temperatures. Unfortunately, these universal functions are hard to calculate: for example there are no reliable general techniques to calculate the scaling functions for dynamics.
Analysis of RNA secondary structure in replication of human parainfluenza virus type 3.

Abstract The terminal RNA regions of the genomic and antigenomic RNAs of the paramyxoviruses and rhabdoviruses are known to contain sequences essential for RNA replication and transcription. The 3′- and 5′-termini of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) genomic RNA, termed leader and trailer sequences, respectively, are capable of forming stable stem-loop structures. Additionally, the 17 terminal bases of the leader and trailer are complementary and therefore also capable of forming a helical structure. We investigated the roles of the stem-loop structure and terminal complementarity in HPIV3 RNA replication and transcription in vivo using a minigenome containing all RNA elements necessary for these processes. By mutational analysis, we show that the RNA secondary structure features present at the termini of HPIV3 have no discernible role in replication or transcription. Rather, the primary sequence of these regions is what is critical in promoting replication. Interestingly, a mutation at leader base 24 was found to revert a mutation at leader position 5 but probably not via RNA secondary structure restoration.
Calculation of multiphoton-ionization Green's functions using the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximation. II.

Recently, a technique [M. Edwards, Phys. Rev. A 45, 409 (1992)] was presented for calculating multiphoton-ionization Green's functions based on the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) approximation. In that paper it was shown that the ability of this method to produce accurate cross sections and angular distributions depended critically on the single-particle potential for the valence electron that was used in the calculation. In this work we present a supporting technique for determining the optimal potential for use with this method in low-Z alkali-metal atoms. The technique produces the parameter values for a parametric model potential whose WKB Green's function has poles that coincide with the measured energy levels of the atom. We have determined the parameter values for a specific model potential in Li and Na. For these cases, only two parameters are needed to produce a potential whose WKB energy levels match all of the measured ones to within 165 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. We have calculated cross sections for two-photon ionization of Li and Na for a range of laser-photon energies using this model potential and present comparisons with previous work.
Effect of Inorganic Sulfate and Sulfur Amino Acids on Bone Mineralization in Broilers

Abstract Two experiments with a factorial arrangement of treatments were conducted to determine the effect of inorganic sulfate and sulfur amino acids (SAA) levels on bone mineralization and Ca excretion in broilers from 1 to 21 days of age. Experiment 1 included two levels of Ca (.6 and 1.0%), two sulfate sources [copper sulfate (CuSO4·5H2 O), and potassium sulfate (K2 S4 O)], and three sulfate levels (.024, .034, and .044%). Experiment 2 included two Ca levels (.6 and 1.0%), two CP levels (18 and 22%), and three SAA levels (.93, 1.23, and 1.53%). Body weight gain, feed:gain, feed consumption, and tibia variables were measured in both experiments. In Experiment 2, Ca retention was also assessed. In Experiment 1, birds fed potassium sulfate and .6% Ca gained significantly more weight than birds fed copper sulfate and 1.0% Ca, respectively. As sulfate level increased, tibia ash percentage increased and decreased linearly in birds fed copper sulfate and potassium sulfate, respectively (P
A complex intronic enhancer regulates expression of the CFTR gene by direct interaction with the promoter.

Genes can maintain spatiotemporal expression patterns by long-range interactions between cis-acting elements. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR) is expressed primarily in epithelial cells. An element located within a DNase I-hyper-sensitive site (DHS) 10 kb into the first intron was previously shown to augment CFTR promoter activity in a tissue-specific manner. Here, we reveal the mechanism by which this element influences CFTR transcription. We employed a high-resolution method of mapping DHS using tiled microarrays to accurately locate the intron 1 DHS. Transfection of promoter-reporter constructs demonstrated that the element displays classical tissue-specific enhancer properties and can independently recruit factors necessary for transcription initiation. In vitro DNase I footprinting analysis identified a protected region that corresponds to a conserved, predicted binding site for hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (HNF1). We demonstrate by electromobility shift assays (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) that HNF1 binds to this element both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, using chromosome conformation capture (3C) analysis, we show that this element interacts with the CFTR promoter in CFTR-expressing cells. These data provide the first insight into the three- dimensional (3D) structure of the CFTR locus and confirm the contribution of intronic cis-acting elements to the regulation of CFTR gene expression.
GaSb-based mid-infrared quantum well diode lasers

The current status of GaInAsSb/AlGaAsSb quantum-well (QW) lasers emitting at approximately 2 micrometers and InAsSb/InAlAsSb QW lasers emitting at approximately 4 micrometers is described. At room temperature, GaInAsSb/AlGaAsSb lasers have exhibited pulsed threshold current density as low as 143 A/cm 2 and cw power of 1.3 W from a 300- micrometers aperture. Ridge-waveguide lasers have operated cw up to 130 degree(s)C, with a maximum power of 100 mW in a single lobe at 20 degree(s)C. From a tapered laser, diffraction-limited cw power of 200 mW has been obtained. The InAsSb/InAlAsSb QW broad- stripe lasers have operated pulsed up to 165 K, with a characteristic temperature of 30 K up to 120 K. At 80 K, cw power up to 30 mW/facet has been obtained. Ridge-waveguide lasers have exhibited cw threshold current of 35 mA at 80 K, and operated cw up to 128 K.
Charge distribution and recoil properties in the fission of 238U by 11·5 GeV protons☆

Abstract Cross-sections and thick-target recoil properties have been determined for a number of products in the mass region 100–113 from the interaction of 208Pb with 11·5 GeV protons. The recoil ranges of the neutron deficient products are approximately a factor of two smaller than those of the neutron excessive products are approximately a factor of two smaller than those of result a charge dispersion curve consisting of two gaussians, peaking at N Z = 1·24 and 1·34 , was constructed to fit the measured cross-sections of the A = 111 isobars. The resulting curve is single-peaked but has a pronounced shoulder on the neutron excessive side. The curve for the neutron excessive products is very similar to that obtained in the fission of 208Pb by 450 MeV protons except for a reduction in the value of the integrated cross-section. The values of the average deposition energy, average total kinetic energy of the primary fragments, and average separation distance at scission obtained for these products from their recoil properties are nearly equal to the corresponding values at 450 MeV. Integration of the charge dispersion curve for the neutron deficient products indicates a 82 per cent contribution to the total isobaric cross section at A = 111. Comparison of the properties of the neutron deficient products with similar results previously obtained for a 238U target as well as with evaporation calculations indicates that only a fragmentation mechanism can explain all the experimental results.
Phenylephrine increases T wave shock energy required to induce ventricular fibrillation

Phenylephrine Increases VFT. Introduction: Previous reports in experimental models have suggested that ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) can be changed by manipulating cardiac neural tone using agents such as phenylephrine. The purpose of this study was to determine whether phenylephrine increased the energy required to induce VF in humans undergoing such induction using DC energy applied to the T wave. Methods and Results: In this prospective investigation, 18 consecutive patients with previously implanted cardioverter defibrillators had induction of VF by placing DC monophasic shocks into the T wave coupled 310 msec after the eighth paced ventricular complex at 400 msec. The T wave shock energy was titrated from 0.2 to 12 J until sustained VF or ventricular tachycardia was induced. Phenylephrine was infused either before the first or second VF induction in a randomized fashion to increase systolic blood pressure by more than 20 mmHg. The mean energy required to induce VF was 1.1 J at baseline and increased to 1.7 J during phenylephrine infusion (P = 0.036). The mean arterial pressure increased from 88 to 114 mmHg (P < 0.001), and the mean sinus cycle length increased from 850 to 1070 msec (P < 0.001). Ten of 13 (77%) patients with sinus cycle length prolongation bad increased energy requirements to induce VF compared with only 1 of 5 patients (20%) without sinus cycle length prolongation (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Phenylephrine increases VFT in humans presumably by reflex activation of the baroreceptors decreasing sympathetic and/or increasing parasympathetic cardiac efferent effects.
Evidence of intracolony transmission of Thelohania solenopsae (Microsporidia: Thelohaniidae) in red imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and the first report of spores from pupae.

Red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, colonies were infected horizontally by introducing live brood (mainly larvae and pupae) infected with Thelohania solenopsae. Live, infected brood introduced into uninfected colonies were adopted and raised to adulthood instead of being executed by the recipient colony. Introductions of infected larvae with uninfected pupae, which eclose into adult worker caste fire ants, resulted in an 80% infection rate of the inoculated colonies. Infections from introductions of infected pupae with uninfected larvae resulted in a 37.5% infection of inoculated colonies. Infections were also detected in 11.6 and 3.7% of the adult worker caste ants that eclosed from uninfected large larvae and pupae, respectively, that were held with infected adult workers. Microscopic examination of infected brood revealed sporoblasts and large numbers of spores of T. solenopsae in S. invicta pupae.
One fixed point actions on spheres, II

The object of this paper is to treat the following old question of Montgomery and Samelson [M-S] and some of its consequences: Which groups act smoothly on a closed homotopy sphere with exactly one fixed point and what are the isotropy representations of G which occur on the tangent space at the fixed point? The first and only previously existing example of such an action was given by E. Stein for the group SL(2, Z,) [St]. A related question was solved by Oliver [O,]: Which groups act smoothly on a disk without fixed points? A group which acts on a sphere with one fixed point acts on a disk without fixed points. In [P,] the author announced:
A new method for MODIS cloud classification

A new technique called the local region of influence (LROI) scheme for supervised cloud classification of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is proposed. The classification of each observation is performed within the LROI, where the center of each class is calculated as a weighted average of its training class members with respect to each new observation. The probability of each class is assigned to each observation. The proposed LROI scheme is applied to the MODIS radiances observed from the scenes of clear skies, ice clouds, or water clouds. The classification results are compared with those from the maximum likelihood (ML) classification method, the multicategory support vector machine (MSVM) and the operational MODIS cloud mask algorithm. The lowest misclassification error rates show the advantage of the LROI scheme.
Enhanced prostaglandin production in the ischemic-reperfused myocardium by captopril linked with its free radical scavenging action

Captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, has been shown to increase prostaglandin production by an as yet unknown mechanism, which this study was designed to explore. Isolated rat heart was perfused by the Langendorff technique for 15 minutes in the presence or absence of captopril. Ischemia was then induced for 60 minutes by terminating the coronary flow, followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. Our results indicate that captopril stimulated prostaglandin and thromboxane production, but it inhibited malonaldehyde formation. Coronary flow and high energy phosphate compounds were increased, but lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase release decreased, demonstrating cardioprotective effects. Captopril also inhibited the production of hydroxyl radical in the heart during reperfusion, suggesting that stimulated prostaglandin production may be linked with the generation of free radicals via the eicosanoid system.
The new imperial conjuncture and alternative futures for twenty-first century global political economy

This paper investigates the new imperial conjuncture, by engaging with four recent interventions on the US war on terror and its impact on the global political economy. I review the works of the hi...
The effects of hypothyroidism and thyroid replacement on the development of carpal tunnel syndrome

Hypothyroidism is commonly included as an important risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), yet no study clearly defines the nature of this association. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hypothyroidism and CTS in a controlled study. Twenty-six hypothyroid patients (45 hands) meeting our inclusion criteria with a diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism were questioned regarding date of diagnosis of hypothyroidism, duration and dose of thyroid replacement, and the presence, character, and duration of CTS symptoms. Twenty-four healthy volunteers (47 hands) were used as controls. Clinical examination included sensibility testing with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, Weber 2-point discrimination testing, examining for thenar muscle atrophy and weakness, Phalen's test, Tinel's sign at the wrist, and the manual compression test. Electrodiagnostic testing including distal motor latency and distal sensory latency was performed on the median nerve at the wrist on all subjects. Nineteen patients (73%; 31 hands [68%]) displayed symptoms of CTS; of these, 16 patients (25 hands) had clinical examinations consistent with CTS. Only 6 of the 16 patients with clinical CTS (7 of 25 hands) had electrical studies that supported a diagnosis of CTS. All these symptomatic patients were biochemically euthyroid. All control subjects had normal electrical study results and normal sensibility testing. Two subjects had positive clinical examinations, giving a false-positive rate of 4%. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are common in hypothyroid patients even when they are euthyroid. In this group of patients, normal median nerve latencies at the wrist in the presence of CTS symptoms and a positive physical examination are more prevalent than expected by the reported sensitivities of electrodiagnostic testing. Standards for assessing normal median nerve latencies may be significantly different in hypothyroid patients.
A comparative innovation study of China, Japan and Taiwan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the two (arguably) most successful innovation‐based Asian economies with Mainland China (later referred to simply as China) in order to examine where China stands in terms of country‐level indicators of proactive innovation.Design/methodology/approach – The paper utilizes a historical case‐based analysis of the education systems of each of the economies of interest to explore the different paths towards higher education for each economy. Data were gathered from existing databases to obtain measures on a number of country‐level indicators of proactive innovation. These indicators measure the innovation, education and economic situations of the three economies.Findings – It was found that the Taiwanese experience towards proactive innovation lies in between China and Japan in terms of progress on the innovation indicators. While the numbers for China's growth in education and areas of science and technology are staggering there is some evidence that the qual...
Eavesdropping optimization for quantum cryptography using a positive operator-valued measure

It is demonstrated that the eavesdropping optimization obtained recently by Slutsky et al. [Phys. Rev. A 57, 2383 (1998)] for Bennett's two-state protocol of key distribution in quantum cryptography holds, not only for the case in which an ordinary von Neumann projective measure is implemented by the legitimate receiver, but also for the case in which a positive operator-valued measure is implemented, as in Brandt et al. [Phys. Rev. A 56, 4456 (1997)]. In both cases, identical expressions hold for both the Renyi information gained by the eavesdropper and for the error rate induced by the eavesdropper in terms of the parameters characterizing the key distribution system and the eavesdropper's probe.
Snus use and rejection in the USA

Objective To determine whether snus might become a strategy for reducing the harm associated with cigarette smoking in the USA as appears to be the case in Sweden, we examined receptivity to snus use in two cities with the greatest exposure to the major brands. Methods A dual frame, telephone survey and a brief mail survey were conducted in 2011 and 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana and Dallas/Fort Worth Texas. Over 5000 adults completed surveys. Trial, ever use, current use and reasons for using or quitting snus after trial were measured. Results Among male smokers, 29.9% had ever tried snus (CI 22.7 to 38.1) and 4.2% were current users (CI 1.6 to 10.7). Among female smokers, 8.5% ever tried snus (CI 4.4 to 15.7) and current use was unknown. Current use was virtually absent among former smokers and never smokers. A major predictor of any level of snus use was current use of conventional smokeless tobacco. Those who tried and gave up snus cited curiosity (41.3%) and the fact that it was available at low or no cost (30%) as reasons for trial; reasons for not continuing included preferring another form of tobacco (75.1%) and disliking the mouth feel (34.6%). Almost all current snus users indicated that they were trying to cut down on cigarettes, but few (3.9%) were using it to quit smoking entirely. Conclusions The low rate of adoption of snus suggests that neither the hopes nor the fears surrounding this new product are likely to be realised in the USA with the current marketing patterns.
Genetic dissection of mouse exploratory behaviour

A large variety of apparatus and procedures are being employed to measure mouse exploratory behaviour. Definitions of what constitutes exploration also vary widely. The present article reviews two studies whose results permit a genetic dissection of behaviour displayed in an open-field situation. The results agree that factors representing exploration and stress/fear underlie this type of behaviour. Both factors appear to be linked to neuroanatomical variation in the sizes of the hippocampal intra- and infrapyramidal mossy fibre terminal fields. Multivariate analysis of genetic correlations may render important insights into the structure of behaviour and its relations with neuroanatomical and neurophysiological systems.
Collateral transformation of the hepatic artery after liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE. A high rate of false-negative sonographic examinations for evaluation for hepatic artery thrombosis in the setting of collateral artery vessel formation has been documented. Subacute hepatic artery compromise with collateral vessel formation can be subclinical, and we believe that this phenomenon may occur more commonly than currently appreciated.CONCLUSION. We discuss two cases of subacute hepatic artery compromise with collateral artery vessel formation that were prospectively diagnosed in July 2007 by sonography and confirmed by angiography. We refer to this phenomenon as “collateral transformation of the hepatic artery.”
Stable circulation in superfluid 3 He-A

We present evidence of stable nonzero circulation in superfluid3He-A around a 16 µm diameter wire. The measurements are made on a rotating cryostat at T≈0.15Tc. Circulation offects the splitting of the wire's normal modes, which changes the beat frequency in the emf across the wire as it vibrates in a magnetic field. The different beat frequencies at 14 and at 21 bar suggest that circulation is present at 21 bar. Furthermore, at 21 bar the beat frequency is a linear function of rotation velocity, as is expected if circulation is trapped around the wire. At 14 bar no effect of rotation is observed. We propose that at 21 bar the ground state texture has nonzero circulation of order h/2m3.
Abstract B15: Effect of patient navigation on mammography screening among African American female Medicare beneficiaries at risk for low health literacy

Context: African American older adult women are diagnosed with more advanced breast cancer and have lower survival rates than White women. While differences in health literacy may contribute to this disparity, there is limited information on intervention strategies to promote cancer screening among low-literate African American older adults. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a patient navigator on adherence to mammography screening among African American female Medicare beneficiaries with low literacy scores. Design, Setting, and Participants: We analyzed data from the Cancer Prevention and Treatment Demonstration (CPTD) at Johns Hopkins, an ongoing community-based trial designed to determine whether patient navigation is an effective strategy for improving adherence to cancer screening among African American older adults. Participants are randomized to either a high intensity group (patient navigation = educational materials) or a low intensity group (educational materials only). This analysis included 272 women ages of 65 and older with low literacy scores, who were enrolled into the study between November 2006 and March 2010, and had at least one year of follow up data. Baseline and one year follow up interviews were conducted face to face by trained interviewers through standardized questionnaires. The REALM-R instrument was used to identify participants at risk for low health literacy, based on their score. Main Outcome Measure: The outcome measure for this analysis was the between-group difference in the proportion of women receiving mammography screening during the follow up period. Multiple logistic regression was performed to control for potential confounders such as age, education, Medicaid coverage, and perceived health status. Results: Compared to the educational materials only group (n=77), the patient navigation group (n=107) had a similar proportion of women who reported a mammogram at one year follow up (64% vs. 71 %, p-value = 0.32). However, after adjusting for baseline health and demographic characteristics, women in the patient navigation group were more likely to report a mammogram at one year follow up, compared to those in the educational materials group (OR 1.90 95% CI 1.01-3.54). Women who rated themselves as having excellent to good health at baseline were less likely to report a mammogram, than those who reported fair to poor health (OR 0.43 95% CI 0.21-0.87). Conclusions: Use of a patient navigation-based intervention was positively associated with mammography screening adherence among African American older adult women with low literacy scores. In this study population, perception of health status may influence mammography screening adherence. Our findings underscore the need for tailored intervention strategies to reduce cancer screening disparities among low-literate African American older adults. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B15.
Impact of a Transitions of Care Training Module on Community Pharmacists' Knowledge and Attitudes.

Background: Community pharmacists’ accessibility to patient histories and personal patient relationships situates them to have a potentially significant impact on transitions of care. Recent litera...
Role of extra- and intracellular calcium and calmodulin in renin release from rat kidney.

Renin release from the juxtaglomerular cell appears to be inversely related to calcium concentration. We studied the role of Ca+2 to confirm recent findings and to further explore the role of intracellular calcium as well as the calciumcalmodulin system in renin release. A rat renal cortical slice preparation was used. Isoproterenol (10−6 m) caused significant stimulation of renin release, whereas angiotensin (All; 5 × 10−5 m) suppressed basal as well as isoproterenol-stimulated renin release. Removal of calcium from the buffer reversed All suppression of renin release. Nifedipine (10−5 m), a specific calcium channel blocker, induced a marked increase in basal renin release. TMB-8, an inhibitor of intracellular calcium release, also caused a dose-related increase in basal renin release. The calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine and calmidazolium both caused significant dose-related increases; however, calmidazolium was a more potent stimulator. Low extracellular calcium or nifedipine concentrations did n...
CLOCK DRAWING IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

The Clock Drawing Test, a task sensitive to cognitive decline in neurological groups, was administered to 27 patients with schizophrenia. Clock drawings were scored for over-all global performance and the frequency of specific qualitative errors. Mean global performance scores indicated a small proportion of the sample was below the threshold typically used to identify dementia, and the patients displayed qualitative Clock Drawing deficits not fully represented in the global performance measure. Qualitative analyses indicated that size errors, graphic difficulty, and spatial planning problems were most common. Lastly, duration of illness was not related to global performance, suggesting that the latter might not reflect deterioration but the stable trajectory of impairment that may be constant through the schizophrenia illness.
Catholic Social Teaching and Healthcare: Some Reservations

The author considers the capacity of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) to contribute to the public debate about health care and then remarks on the capacity of CST to assist in the formation of “intentionally Christian institutions.” The author argues for two main points. First, there are some serious obscurities in CST’s account of the derivation and interrelation of various rights. Hence, it is not altogether clear what ideal CST is seeking to promote in the public order. Second, the author argues that there is a serious political conflict in CST’s commitment to both subsidiarity and the preferential option for the poor. He also claims that it does not follow from these criticisms that CST is useless as a guide for the formation of “intentionally Christian institutions.” Reflection on financing in the light of subsidiarity and the preferential option suggests that there is a need for Christian wealth-producing institutions and schemes of investment that will provide subsidium for healthcare enterprises. In...
Provider and hospital factors associated with vaginal birth after cesarean: A survey of obstetric providers at two inner city teaching hospitals

CESAREAN: A SURVEY OF OBSTETRIC PROVIDERS AT TWO INNER CITY TEACHING HOSPITALS ETOI GARRISON (F), LENORA SMITH, LAURI GIVENS, HOWARD STRASSNER, LAURA STUDEE, HIBBARD JUDITH, SARAH KILPATRICK, University of Illinois at Chicago, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago, Illinois, Rush University Medical Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago, Illinois OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is an association between provider opinions regarding Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section (VBAC) and the VBAC rate at two teaching hospitals. STUDY DESIGN: 123/128 providers were surveyed at both hospitals regarding VBAC experience, management, counseling, and malpractice. VBAC statistics for 2004 were obtained from a medical record database. Categorical data were assessed by Relative Risk (RR), Pearson’s Chi square, or Fisher’s exact test, p!0.05 was considered significant. Linear regression analysis was used to determine variable association. IRB approval was obtained. RESULTS: In 2004, the VBAC rate was 39% at Hospital A and 1.4% Hospital B. At Hospital A, certified nurse midwives (CNM) and family practice (FP) attendings co-manage VBAC patients with OB attendings. There were no significant differences between OB attendings (n = 20), CNMs (n = 25), and residents (n = 32) within Hospital A or between attendings (n = 14) and residents (n = 24) within Hospital B. Attendings were 6 times more likely at Hospital A to ‘‘encourage’’ VBAC to women with a prior low transverse cesarean delivery (LTCD) [RR 6.30, 95% CI 1.7-22.9]. With an unknown scar, 50% of OB attendings at hospital B would ‘‘discourage’’ VBAC while 60% of OB attendings at Hospital A would ‘‘encourage’’ this option (p!0.05). Attendings were more likely to feel ‘‘comfortable’’ with VBAC induction at Hospital A than at Hospital B [RR 1.90, 95%CI 1.11-3.24]. More attendings at Hospital B believed that ‘‘lack of support from other physicians’’ and ‘‘fetalmaternal concerns’’ limited VBAC success [RR 3.3, 95%CI 1.1-10.7]. More patients with private insurance were delivered at Hospital B (B34.2% vs A1.6%), p!0.05. All of the attendings at Hospital B have private malpractice insurance compared to none of the attendings at Hospital A. There was a significant association between hospital VBAC rate and the encouragement of VBAC (R 0.57, p!0.005). CONCLUSION: Providers at teaching hospitals with a high VBAC rate are more likely to have favorable opinions regarding VBAC counseling and management. S124 SMFM Abstracts
Role of P-glycoprotein in the hepatic metabolism of tacrolimus

The main objective was to determine the potential effect of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) modulation on hepatic metabolism of tacrolimus, a P-gp and cytochrome P450(CYP)3A4 substrate, and to investigate various potential factors that may contribute to the interaction between P-gp and CYP. An isolated perfused rat liver system was used to study the hepatic disposition of tacrolimus in the presence of a P-gp inhibitor, GF120918, and a comprehensive pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted. GF120918 significantly decreased mean intrinsic metabolic clearance (by 86 and 41% based on the well-stirred and tube models, respectively) as well as hepatic clearance (from 47.3 to 44.2 ml min(-1)). Potential factors that might contribute to these observations, such as the effects of GF120918 on hepatic metabolism or on distribution of tacrolimus, were investigated and found to be negligible. In conclusion, it was shown that P-gp inhibition by GF120918 reduces hepatic clearances of its substrate drugs although the mechanism is yet to be determined.
Studies of four thelytokous puerto rican isolates ofMuscidifurax uniraptor [Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae]

Field collections in Puerto Rico revealed 4 behaviorally distinct isolates ofMuscidifurax uniraptor Kogan & Legner that differed initially in diapause and nondiapause emergence, and the age when ♀ progeny were produced. Subsequent F1 and F2 progeny differed in sex ratio and total progeny production. Mating F2 ♀ ♀ from nondiapause isolates to naturally emerging ♂ ♂ from thelytokous populations significantly reduced total progeny and the proportion of ♀ ♀ toca. 20 %. These mated ♀ ♀ at first resembled in behavior those which originated from diapausing parents. Random mating within all isolates beginning in the F3, resulted in a general lower survival and progeny production but was accompanied by a rise in sex ratio toca. 50% ♀ ♀ by the F6 generation. The interinvolvement of extranuclear and genic factors is considered.
Basis of cereal starch expansion

Abstract Expansion of cereals and starches has been known to us for several centuries. Various high-temperature short-time methods have been applied to bring about the desired expansion of cereals. A few decades ago, extrusion technology replaced most of the conventional technologies to produce expanded cereals and other similar products. Since extrusion processing is a versatile process, it has found a permanent place in Food Industries. However, all cereals and starches do not expand equally, due to raw material quality differences. The branched structures of starches and their contents seem to control extrusion-expansion of cereals. Various methods, processing variables, chemical additives, γ-irradiation and their combinations, have been used to alter the branched structures of starch and their relationships to starch expansion properties have been studied. Overall, it appears that changes in their branched fraction of starches affect expansion volume greatly.
Simplified engineering analysis via medial mesh reduction

Numerous simplification methods have been proposed for speeding up engineering analysis/ simulation. A recently proposed medial axis reduction is one such method, that is particularly well suited for analyzing thin solids, wherein a governing equation is reduced to the medial axis, leading to significantly smaller stiffness matrices. However, this method involves the non-trivial computation of a piece-wise C1 continuous medial axis that must closely approximate the exact medial axis.In this paper, we propose a new medial mesh reduction that is computationally more efficient than medial axis reduction in that it only requires a C0 continuous tessellation of the medial axis. However, the proposed method retains all the advantages of the explicit medial axis reduction including automation and guaranteed numerical convergence. Furthermore, as the medial mesh converges to the exact medial axis, the computed solution also converges to the exact dimensionally reduced solution. These claims are substantiated through numerical experiments in 2-D and 3-D.
Implementing Mass Storage Facilities in Operating Systems

The appearance in the commercial marketplace of online auxiliary memory devices with very large capacities has resulted in several new and interesting problems. These problems include new applications of the devices (generally called mass storage facilities or MSF's) for storage of on-line data, the need for new data structures organized about the physical characteristics of the MSF, problems in performance, enhancement of automatic device and data control, enhancement of automatic memory management systems, increased concern for data integrity, and the continuing need for more memory protection capability.
Does modern ischemic stroke therapy in a large community-based dedicated stroke center improve clinical outcomes? A two-year retrospective study.

Background To compare modern endovascular therapies in the acute ischemic stroke patients leading to more comprehensive acute stroke algorithm. Methods A 2-year retrospective nonrandomized study on 76 patients who were placed into 5 different treatment groups for acute ischemic stroke. These groups included: group 1 (no treatment) (n = 24), group 2 (intravenous tissue plasminogen activator [tPA] only) (n = 18), group 3 (intra-arterial [IA] tPA) (n = 9), group 4 (Mechanical Embolus Removal in Cerebral Ischemia [MERCI]; retrieval only) (n = 17), and group 5 (combined IA/MERCI) (n = 8). Age range for all groups was 29-92 years. There were 39 women (51.3%) and 37 men (48.7%). The mean age for all patients was 70.1 years. The pre- and post–National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) values were obtained for each group on arrival and discharge from the hospital. The results of the 4 treatment cohorts were compared with the no treatment group, providing the relative efficacy of these procedures compared with conservative medical therapy alone. Results Group 1 presented with an admission NIHSS value of 11.1 and 8.9 on discharge from the hospital. There was a NIHSS reduction of 2.2 without treatment. Group 2 had an admission NIHSS value of 11.8 and a discharge value of 4.7, resulting in an NIHSS reduction of 7.1. Group 3 had an admission NIHSS value of 16.1 and 7.4 at discharge, resulting in an NIHSS reduction of 8.7. Group 4 had an admission NIHSS value of 15.9 and discharge NIHSS value of 3.1, with an NIHSS reduction of 12.8. Group 5 had an admission NIHSS score of 15.7 and 10.6 at discharge, with an NIHSS reduction of 5.1. Four patients expired during their admission, 2 from group 1 (control group) and 2 from group 5 (combined IA/MERCI group). There was a statistically significant difference for the 5 groups at the P P = .000. Conclusions Modern endovascular therapies for acute ischemic stroke do improve clinical outcomes when implemented in the setting of a dedicated comprehensive stroke team.
Language, power, and ideology in Brunei Darussalam

Contrary to modern theories of developing nations, Brunei Darussalam, which has a very high rate of literacy, is also one of the few countries where the traditional elite retains absolute political power. Professor Gunn's comprehensive study, which assesses the state's efforts to implement national language policies, explores the aspects of the complex relationship between language and power including the oral tradition, the rise of Islamic literacy, print culture and mass literacy, and the electronic media and its effects.
Consonant intelligibility: reliability and validity of a speech assessment procedure.

Eighteen subjects, diagnosed as having velopharyngeal incompetency or velopharyngeal insufficiency, recorded 50-item word lists and samples of contextual speech under two experimental conditions, w...
Mechanisms of killing spores of Bacillus subtilis by acid, alkali and ethanol

Aims: To determine the mechanisms of killing of Bacillus subtilis spores by ethanol or strong acid or alkali. Methods and Results: Killing of B. subtilis spores by ethanol or strong acid or alkali was not through DNA damage and the spore coats did not protect spores against these agents. Spores treated with ethanol or acid released their dipicolinic acid (DPA) in parallel with spore killing and the core wet density of ethanol- or acid-killed spores fell to a value close to that for untreated spores lacking DPA. The core regions of spores killed by these two agents were stained by nucleic acid stains that do not penetrate into the core of untreated spores and acid-killed spores appeared to have ruptured. Spores killed by these two agents also did not germinate in nutrient and non-nutrient germinants and were not recovered by lysozyme treatment. Spores killed by alkali did not lose their DPA, did not exhibit a decrease in their core wet density and their cores were not stained by nucleic acid stains. Alkali-killed spores released their DPA upon initiation of spore germination, but did not initiate metabolism and degraded their cortex very poorly. However, spores apparently killed by alkali were recovered by lysozyme treatment. Conclusions: The data suggest that spore killing by ethanol and strong acid involves the disruption of a spore permeability barrier, while spore killing by strong alkali is due to the inactivation of spore cortex lytic enzymes. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results provide further information on the mechanisms of spore killing by various chemicals.
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Upper Limit to Radio Emission from Nova Delphini 1967

A NOVA (Alcock's Nova) appeared in 1967 in the constellation Delphinus1 and had a maximum brightness of 4.6 magnitudes in mid-September2. An attempt to detect radio emission from the nova at a wavelength of 4.6 cm was made on September 4, 1967, when its visual magnitude was ∼ 5.0. The observations were made with the 46 m radio telescope of the Algonquin Radio Observatory, and consisted of 100 scans across the position of the source (1950.0; α = 20h 40m 04s.2, δ = 18° 58′ 51″), resulting in a total integration time on the source of approximately 25 min. The measured flux density was 0.006 ± 0.012 flux units (1 flux unit = 10−26 W m−2 Hz−1), so the upper limit may be taken as 0.02 flux units. The confusion level, less than 0.011 flux units for this measurement (see preceding communication), was not large enough to affect seriously this upper limit.
Experimental and Computational Studies Investigating Trehalose Protection of HepG2 Cells from Palmitate-Induced Toxicity

Understanding the mechanism of saturated fatty acid-induced hepatocyte toxicity may provide insight into cures for diseases such as obesity-associated cirrhosis. Trehalose, a nonreducing disaccharide shown to protect proteins and cellular membranes from inactivation or denaturation caused by different stress conditions, also protects hepatocytes from palmitate-induced toxicity. Our results suggest that trehalose serves as a free radical scavenger and alleviates damage from hydrogen peroxide secreted by the compromised cells. We also observe that trehalose protects HepG2 cells by interacting with the plasma membrane to counteract the changes in membrane fluidity induced by palmitate. The experimental results are supported by molecular dynamics simulations of model cell membranes that closely reflect the experimental conditions. Simulations were performed to understand the specific interactions between lipid bilayers, palmitate, and trehalose. The simulations results reveal the early stages of how palmitate induces biophysical changes to the cellular membrane and the role of trehalose in protecting the membrane structure.
Stability of Longitudinal Oscillations with Pressure and Velocity Coupling in a Solid Propellant Rocket

Of the various unstable motions observed in solid propellant rocket chambers, the most troublesome currently are those involving oscillatory motions parallel to the axis. Such instabilities are found to arise particularly in larger rockets using propellants which contain aluminum. The problem is formulated here in one-dimensional form and solved for the case of small amplitude standing waves. Both pressure and velocity coupling may be accommodated, although the proper description of the response function for velocity coupling is not yet known. In addition to several special cases, the stability boundary is discussed for a straight chamber having variable cross section. The influences of the mean flow field, the nozzle, particulate matter, and motions of the solid propellant grain are taken into account.
In vivo and In vitro Conversion of Folic Acid to Citrovorum Factor by Rat.

SummaryDietary homocysteine and cysteine enhance the urinary excretion of CF by rats receiving PGA. The stimulatory effect of homocysteine on CF excretion is significantly higher than that of cysteine. In vitro conversion of PGA to CF by rat liver homogenate is enhanced by homocysteine, serine and formate. The stimulatory effect of homocysteine on CF synthesis is enhanced by added serine but is inhibited by added formate.
Malignancies following in situ cervical cancer in Hispanic Americans and non-Hispanic Whites.

Abstract Objectives. Some risk factors for cervical cancer in situ convey risk for malignancies of the cervix and other sites. We estimate risk of several malignancies following in situ cancer of the cervix for Hispanic Americans and non-Hispanic Whites. Methods. Using California Cancer Registry data (1988–1999) we identify 56,020 women with cervical cancer in situ and observe subsequent malignancies in that cohort, with over three million woman-months of follow-up. We focus on cancers of the reproductive system and cancers related to smoking. Risk estimates are standardized incidence ratios, accounting for age, time at risk, cancer type, and race/ethnicity. Results. There is elevated risk for invasive cervical cancer (SIR=4.1, 95% CI: 3.5–4.7), which is significantly higher for Hispanics than for non-Hispanic Whites (SIRs=5.2 and 3.2, respectively, χ 2 (1)=7.66, P =0.006). Excluding cervix, non-Hispanic Whites show elevated risk for a pool of reproductive cancers (SIR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.4–2.4). While both groups show elevated risk for a pool of smoking-related cancers, only non-Hispanic Whites show significant risk specifically for lung cancer (SIR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.4–2.1). Non-Hispanic Whites show elevated risk for ovarian cancer (SIR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.3–2.4). Ovarian cancer following in situ cervical cancer is disproportionately of borderline histology ( G 2 (1)=7.43, P =0.006). Conclusions. These results have implications for public health planning for women, as well as better understanding of disparities in care or biologic paths to malignancies in women with in situ cancer of the cervix.
Control theoretic model using PID controller for just-in-time production scheduling

Today, manufacturing companies are under the pressure to reduce the variations in product delivery to customers with minimized manufacturing costs. In this circumstance, the job completions are required to be as close to due dates, which can be the objective of just-in-time (JIT) production. Thus, this paper proposes an innovative approach using a feedback controller for JIT production scheduling. Specifically, a feedback control system using proportional, integral, and derivative (PID) controller is designed to control the trajectory of arrival times in a single machine configuration, based on which various schedules are generated. Importantly, control system gains (proportional, integral, and derivative) are synthesized to generate an optimal or close to the optimal schedule in terms of due-date deviations and system stability. More specifically, control system gains are trained using the problem sets with known optimal schedules, and these trained gains are tested. It is expected that the proposed PID controller can be effectively applied for scheduling and rescheduling under various disturbances that cause destabilization of the system.
A digital random pulser for testing nuclear instrumentation

Abstract A digital random pulser circuit based on a linear feedback shift register is described. The circuit provides a wide range of discrete output rates and exhibits very little deadtime. The testing of this circuit and its use with a neutron coincidence counter electronics circuit is discussed.
Entanglement sudden death in qubit-qutrit systems

We demonstrate the existence of entanglement sudden death (ESD), the complete loss of entanglement in finite time, in qubit-qutrit systems. In particular, ESD is shown to occur in such systems initially prepared in a one-parameter class of entangled mixed states and then subjected to local dephasing noise. Together with previous results, this proves the existence of ESD for some states in all quantum systems for which rigorously defined mixed-state entanglement measures have been identified. We conjecture that ESD exists in all quantum systems prepared in appropriate bipartite states.