cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strings in Cosmology

In this chapter we present a series of results concerning the existence of cosmic strings. Such solutions arise from the Einstein equations coupled with a suitable matter and gauge field system and lead to local concentration of energy and gravitational curvature, a structure relevant in the theory of galaxy formation in the early-time cosmology [321, 322]. In §10.1 we discuss some basic notions in the study of cosmic strings. In particular, we present the elegant solution of Comtet and Gibbons [86] of the harmonic map string equations. In §10.2–§10.6 we present a study of the existence of multiple strings arising from the self-dual Abelian Higgs theory. In §10.7 we consider non-Abelian strings arising from the Weinberg—Salam electroweak theory.
Estimation of Yttrium-90 Distribution in Liver Radioembolization using Computational Fluid Dynamics and Deep Neural Networks

Yttrium-90 (90Y) radioembolization is a liver cancer therapy based on 90Y microspheres injected into the hepatic artery. Current dosimetry methods used to estimate the absorbed dose in order to prescribe the 90Y activity to inject are not accurate, which can affect the treatment effectiveness. A new dosimetry based on the hemodynamics simulation of the hepatic arterial tree, CFDose, aimed at overcoming some of the limitations of the current methods. However, due to the expensive computational cost of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, this method needs to be accelerated before it can be used in real-time during treatment planning. In this paper, we introduce a convolutional neural network model trained with the CFD results of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma to predict the 90Y distribution under different downstream vasculature resistance conditions. The model performance was evaluated using two metrics, the mean squared error and prediction accuracy. The prediction accuracy showed that the average difference between the actual and predicted data was less than 1%. The proposed model could estimate the 90Y distribution significantly faster than a CFD simulation.
Foreword: The Security and Freedom: Are the Government's Efforts to Deal with Terrorism Volatile of our Freedoms? Role of Justice in Building Peace

Introduction to the Proceedings of the Canada-United States Law Institute Conference on Canada-U.S. Security and the Economy in the North American Context, Cleveland, Ohio, 2003.
Where you stand depends on where you live: county voting on the Texas secession referendum

During the first half of the 19th century, Western Texas was a “trap baited with grass” that attracted migrants hoping to farm. When settlers on the wrong side of an unknown, invisible line could not build successful farms, residents in those counties voted to remain in the Union at far higher rates than residents in neighboring counties who could farm. The connection between the vote and economic interest was obvious, as those without suitable land could not make use of enslaved labor, which was too expensive given the implicit marginal product of labor. Because the location of settlement was plausibly random, these results highlight the importance of economic interest as a determinant of even fundamental moral beliefs that affect vote choice.
Impact of Clinician Recognition of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome on Evidenced-Based Interventions in the Medical ICU.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is underrecognized in the ICU, but it remains uncertain if acute respiratory distress syndrome recognition affects evidence-based acute respiratory distress syndrome care in the modern era. We sought to determine the rate of clinician-recognized acute respiratory distress syndrome in an academic medical ICU and understand how clinician-recognized-acute respiratory distress syndrome affects clinical care and patient-centered outcomes. Design Observational cohort study. Setting Single medical ICU at an academic tertiary-care hospital. Patients Nine hundred seventy-seven critically ill adults (381 with expert-adjudicated acute respiratory distress syndrome) enrolled from 2006 to 2015. Interventions Clinician-recognized-acute respiratory distress syndrome was identified using an electronic keyword search of clinical notes in the electronic health record. We assessed the classification performance of clinician-recognized acute respiratory distress syndrome for identifying expert-adjudicated acute respiratory distress syndrome. We also compared differences in ventilator settings, diuretic prescriptions, and cumulative fluid balance between clinician-recognized acute respiratory distress syndrome and unrecognized acute respiratory distress syndrome. Measurements and main results Overall, clinician-recognized-acute respiratory distress syndrome had a sensitivity of 47.5%, specificity 91.1%, positive predictive value 77.4%, and negative predictive value 73.1% for expert-adjudicated acute respiratory distress syndrome. Among the 381 expert-adjudicated acute respiratory distress syndrome cases, we did not observe any differences in ventilator tidal volumes between clinician-recognized-acute respiratory distress syndrome and unrecognized acute respiratory distress syndrome, but clinician-recognized-acute respiratory distress syndrome patients had a more negative cumulative fluid balance (mean difference, -781 mL; 95% CI, [-1,846 to +283]) and were more likely to receive diuretics (49.3% vs 35.7%, p = 0.02). There were no differences in mortality, ICU length of stay, or ventilator-free days. Conclusions Acute respiratory distress syndrome recognition was low in this single-center study. Although acute respiratory distress syndrome recognition was not associated with lower ventilator volumes, it was associated with differences in behaviors related to fluid management. These findings have implications for the design of future studies promoting evidence-based acute respiratory distress syndrome interventions in the ICU.
Eswatini is burning; Britain lit the fuse

Political protest in the Southern African kingdom of Eswatini is revealing Britain’s toxic colonial legacy in Africa.I grew up in Eswatini and lived there for about 20 years, part of the country’s ...
An Event Tree Analysis of Folsom Point Failure

This paper investigates the failure rates experienced by flint knappers. To do this, event tree models are use in conjunction with the archaeologically reconstntcted lithic reduction sequence to or...
Myocardial aging: functional alterations and related cellular mechanisms

Studies that have examined the effect of age on the myocardium do not support the notion that a generalized decline in myocardial function occurs with adult aging but, rather, that certain specific changes in cardiac biochemistry and function occur. Although in many instances the molecular bases for these changes have not been precisely defined, sufficient clues regarding their nature are at hand to provide at least the first step toward an understanding of the dramatic effects of aging or time on the myocardium. A fundamental understanding of the effects of aging will provide an additional dimension to studies of myocardial biochemistry and function and may be useful in elucidating mechanisms of excitation-contraction coupling in the heart.
Effectiveness of FDA's new over-the-counter acetaminophen warning label in improving consumer risk perception of liver damage.

Summary What is known and Objectives: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new organ-specific warning label requirements for over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic products in order to make consumers aware of the risk of liver damage when using acetaminophen. However, awareness of a health risk alone cannot ensure consumers’ engagement in safe and preventive behaviour. In this study, we attempted to: (i) measure consumer risk perception of liver damage due to the OTC acetaminophen products and (ii) analyse the effectiveness of the new organ-specific warning label in improving consumer risk perception of liver damage and intention to perform protective behaviours while using OTC acetaminophen products. Methods: This within-subject experimental study used a convenience sample of English-speaking adults visiting OTC segments of selected pharmacy stores in Houston. Participants were randomly exposed to the old and new warning labels and their respective risk perception (measured on a visual analogue scale, 0%, no risk, to 100%, extreme risk) and behavioural intention (measured on a 7-point Likert scale) were recorded using a validated, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed using sas statistical software (v9.2) at a priori significance level of 0·05. Results and Discussion: Majority of participants (74·4%) were not aware of the new warnings; however, majority (67·8%) had prior knowledge of the risk. The mean risk perception score for the new warning label was found to be significantly higher (72·2% vs. 65·9%, P < 0·0001) than the old warning label. Similarly, the average intention score for the new warning label was significantly higher (5·06 vs. 4·86, P < 0·0001) than the old warning label. What is new and Conclusion: The new warning label mandated by FDA is effective in improving consumer risk perception of potential liver damage and may encourage protective behaviour. However, future studies are essential to assess the impact of the new label on actual changes in consumer behaviour and subsequent reduction in acetaminophen-related morbidity and mortality.
Never Kill a Man Who Says Nothing: Things Fall Apart and the Spoken Worlds of African Fiction

Can the novel rendering as it does imaginative worlds in written prose ever adequately capture the expressive oral dimensions of Africa’s lived cultures? What violence is incurred in the transcription of oral socialities into written imaginaries? This article reads Chinua Achebe’s iconic novel Things Fall Apart to argue that the most powerful aspect of Achebe’s prose takes the form of orature that unravels ideas about a monolithic African orality opposing itself to a unitary colonial script. Advancing a theory about orature’s exceptional framing for the African novel, the essay argues that Achebe’s prose resonates with the presence of alternative oralities, including gendered oralities, that resist appropriation by a masculinist voice for representing subaltern Africa, or by the racially inscribed imperatives of colonial literacy.
Simulation of the California electric power market

California's recent electricity crisis has shown that an attempt to restructure the electric power market allowed firms to exploit market power by charging unprecedented wholesale prices. In the summer of 2000, wholesale electricity costs for the state of California rose from $2.04 billion in 1999 to $8.98 billion. Recent empirical studies have shown that market inefficiencies arose from inadequate protection against companies obtaining market power and in turn charging outrageous prices. This project models the varying degrees of market power, available capacity, and bottleneck transmission with a discrete event simulation program. After validating the flaws of the market through comparison with historical data, we shall use the simulation to analyze new, diverse stresses on the electric power market. Simulating California's electric power market will not only help prevent another crisis from occurring within California but will also assist other electric power markets, as market restructuring, electricity supply, and competitive pricing continue to be important issues throughout the country.
Collaborative Business Intelligence: Enabling Collaborative Decision Making in Enterprises

Enterprises have successfully deployed business intelligence (data warehousing, reporting, data mining, analytics, and information visualization) technologies to enable strategic decision making. Increasingly, there is a realization that the same sort of high quality information and analytics tools are needed by the many knowledge workers who have to make many operational decisions as they engage in the business operations of the enterprise. Most of these business processes are performed by multiple knowledge workers, and require collaborative decision making, sometimes involving business partners such as outsourced vendors, suppliers, and service providers outside the enterprise. In this paper, we introduce the concept of collaborative business intelligence , which is a combination of business intelligence and collaboration technologies targeted at collaborative decision making. We describe the requirements for collaborative BI, and illustrate them via a real-world use case of managing the operations of a large data center. We describe a prototype collaborative BI platform we are developing at HP. We leverage research that we had done earlier on the Business Cockpit, an intelligent business operations management platform, which combined data integration, process modeling, a process data warehouse, and analytics technologies to enable the monitoring and analysis of business processes. For collaborative BI, we add capabilities for collaboration via 3-dimensonal virtual rooms, visual analytics, and multi-modal interaction technologies. We also need richer metadata models: in addition to modeling data, events, and processes, we also have to model the knowledge of human experts. We describe the experience we have gained from this effort, and our ongoing research.
The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in critically ill horses.

Objective To review the physiology of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes with reference to the beneficial effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) related to their analgesic and antiendotoxic properties as well as the mechanisms responsible for adverse gastrointestinal, renal, and coagulation effects. Data Sources Human and veterinary peer reviewed literature Veterinary Data Synthesis NSAIDs are frequently administered to critically ill horses for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, NSAIDs have significant side effects principally on the gastrointestinal mucosa and kidneys. These side effects may be exacerbated in critically ill horses if they have gastrointestinal damage or are volume depleted Conclusions This review provides important information for equine veterinarians and criticalists on the advantages and disadvantages of using traditional NSAIDs and newer equine COX-2 selective NSAIDs for the management of different conditions in critically ill horses.
Identification of a long-lasting form of odor adaptation that depends on the carbon Monoxide/cGMP second-messenger system.

The diffusible messenger carbon monoxide (CO) has been proposed to mediate endogenous cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) formation and sensory adaptation in vertebrate olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). We have identified and characterized a long-lasting form of odor response adaptation (LLA) that operates at the level of isolated salamander ORNs and does not require any interactions from other cells. Manifestations of LLA are seen in reduced amplitude and prolonged kinetics of the cAMP-mediated excitatory odor response and the generation of a persistent current component that lasts for several minutes and is attributable to cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel activation by cGMP. Because these effects can be mimicked by micromolar amounts of exogenous cGMP or CO, we applied various inhibitors of cGMP formation. LLA is abolished selectively by heme oxygenase inhibitors known to prevent CO release and cGMP formation in ORNs, whereas odor excitation remains unaffected. In contrast, blockers of nitric oxide synthase are unable to eliminate LLA. Several controls rule out a contribution of nonspecific actions to the effects of CO inhibitors. The results indicate that endogenous CO/cGMP signals contribute to olfactory adaptation and underlie the control of gain and sensitivity of odor transduction. The findings offer a mechanism by which a single, brief odor stimulus can be translated into long-lasting intracellular changes that could play an important role in the perceptual adaptation to odors, and explain the longstanding puzzle that the olfactory CNG channels can be gated by both cAMP and cGMP.
Composite right/left-handed (CRLH) phased-array feed network for frequency scanning antenna

Frequency scanning antenna array based on composite right/left handed (CRLH) phased-array feed network is presented. The proposed array design method enables continuous beam scanning obtained through the feeding network design, which is different from the widely researched CRLH based leaky-wave antennas. It allows an added degree of freedom in designing frequency scanning antennas by taking the advantages of controlling the aperture field distribution and decoupling the element patterns from the array factor (AF) patters.
Defining interdisciplinary research: conclusions from a critical review of the literature.

Objective To summarize findings from a systematic exploration of existing literature and views regarding interdisciplinarity, to discuss themes and components of such work, and to propose a theoretically based definition of interdisciplinary research.
Tarkovsky, edited by Nathan Dunne. London: Black Dog Publishing, 2008

Nathan Dunne's collection of essays, Tarkovsky, is a big beautiful coffee-table book, with a dazzling array of scholarly and artistic responses to the films of Andrei Tarkovsky. The appearance of t...
What Distinguishes Women with Unusually High Numbers of Sex Partners

Abstract We recruited two groups of women who differed in their number of lifetime sex partners in order to investigate several hypotheses related to female sociosexuality. Specifically, we explored whether women who engage in casual sex have low mate value, are especially likely to have come from stressful family environments, or are masculine in other respects besides their interest in casual sex. Women with many partners were not lower than other women on direct or indirect indicators of mate value. Nor were they more likely to recall adverse family environments during childhood. On several measures related to masculinity, women with many sex partners were elevated compared with other women.
Achieving Asymptotic Efficient Performance for Squared Range and Squared Range Difference Localizations

The estimation of a source location using directly the range or range difference measurements is difficult and requires numerical solution, which is caused by the highly non-linear relationship between the measurements and the unknown. We can obtain a computationally efficient and non-iterative algebraic solution by squaring the measurements first before solving for the unknown. However, a recent study has shown that such a solution is suboptimum in reaching the CRLB performance and the localization accuracy could be significantly worse in some localization geometries. This paper demonstrates that when range weighting factors are introduced to the squared measurements, the resulting solution will be able to reach the CRLB accuracy. Both the squared range and squared range difference cases are considered, and the mean-square error (MSE) and the bias of the resulting solutions are derived. The asymptotic efficiency of the proposed cost functions are proven theoretically and validated by simulations. The effects of range weighting factors on the localization performance under different sensor number, noise correlation, and localization geometry are examined. Introducing range weightings to the squared range measurements increases the bias but it is negligible in the MSE. Having range weightings in the squared range difference measurements improves both the MSE and bias.
Purification of a Streptococcal Bacteriocin (Viridin B) and Its Separation from Alpha-Hemolysin

Viridin B, a bacteriocin produced by Streptococcus mitis , copurified with the alpha-hemolysin after ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. The bacteriocin and hemolysin were separated in some instances by ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex A-50, but the two substances were shown to be distinct after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Attempts at recovery of nonhemolytic or nonbacteriocinogenic mutants were unsuccessful after exposure to mutagenic agents. The molecular weight of viridin B was determined to be approximately 87,000. Images
The Theory of Absolute Surface Shear Viscosity. III. The Rotating Ring Problem

The problem of steady, laminar flow in the vicinity of a rotating ring inserted into a semi-infinite fluid interface is solved when the liquid surface is covered with an insoluble film possessing an intrinsic surface viscosity. The results are presented as interpolation polynomials which permit calculation of the absolute surface viscosity of the film from measured values of the torque exerted on the ring.
Boundedness of solutions of predator-prey systems

Abstract Under minimal assumptions, we establish boundedness of every solution of a predator-prey system with constant rate harvesting or stocking of either or both species. This leads to an extension of the classical Kolmogorov theorem on asymptotic behavior of solutions of predator-prey systems.
Potential effectiveness and safety of olanzapine in refractory panic disorder

Panic disorder is a common and disabling psychiatric disorder. Despite treatment advances, refractory panic disorder requires novel interventions. One such pharmacologic intervention with theoretical and case study support includes olanzapine, a thienobenzodiazepine medication currently approved for schizophrenia in the United States. Ten people with refractory DSM-IV diagnosed panic disorder completed an 8-week, open-label, flexible-dose clinical trial. Baseline, in-treatment, and end-of-treatment data for panic attacks, anticipatory anxiety, phobic avoidance, and impairment were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Refractory panic disorder patients required a wide dose range averaging 12.3 mg/day of olanzapine to significantly improve or ablate panic attacks. On the average, number of attacks decreased from 6.1/week at baseline to 1.1/week at the end of treatment, and anticipatory anxiety from 32% of the day to 8% of the day. At treatment end, 5 of 10 participants (50%) were panic free, 4 (40%) had one attack in the previous week, 1 (10%) had seven attacks in the previous week, and 6 of 10 participants (60%) were anticipatory anxiety free. There were also statistically and clinically significant improvements in impairment over the course of the trial. There were no significant changes in vital signs, emergent side effects, or average weight, although 6 of 10 people did gain weight. Olanzapine is potentially effective and safe in panic disorder. Due to study limitations, further clinical trials are needed to demonstrate effectiveness.
Wide area dynamic monitoring and stability controls

This paper presents a new approach for wide area dynamic monitoring of the system with many possible applications. One such application is discussed to provide real time stability controls. The new approach utilizes a substation based dynamic state estimation. The substation based dynamic state estimation uses data from relays, PMUs, meters, FDRs etc in the substation only thus avoiding all issues associated with transmission of data and associated time latencies. The substation based dynamic state estimator provides accurate representation of the dynamic state of the system. The dynamic state estimator runs at rates comparable to the suggested rates in the synchrophasors standard C37.118. Presently it has been implemented to execute 10 times per second thus providing the dynamic state of the substation 10 times per second. The results of the substation based dynamic state estimator are transmitted to a central location for monitoring the dynamic state of the system. A major advantage is the fact that only the dynamic state of the substation is transmitted instead of the raw PMU data that typical wide area monitoring implementations use. Note that the data describing the dynamic state is much less that the raw data of the PMUs. This fact facilitates the speedier transmission of the data in addition to the advantage of a more accurate dynamic state as opposed to the raw data. This infrastructure can be used for a number of applications. The paper focuses on transient stability monitoring, identification of out of step conditions and control. We propose an approach that is based on accurate evaluation of the system energy function (Lyapunov indirect method) and extraction of stability properties from the energy function. Specifically, we provide a methodology for determining the required data accuracy for the reliable real time estimation of the energy function. When the data meet these requirements, the estimated energy function can be visualized and animated providing a powerful visual tool for observing the transient stability or instability of the system. The infrastructure of the substation based dynamic state estimator provides the required accuracy and the ability to predict instabilities before they occur.
Cisplatin Stabilizes a Multimeric Complex of the Human Ctr1 Copper Transporter REQUIREMENT FOR THE EXTRACELLULAR METHIONINE-RICH CLUSTERS

Cisplatin is a highly effective cancer chemotherapy agent. However, acquired resistance currently limits the clinical utility of this drug. The human high affinity copper importer, hCtr1, and its yeast and murine orthologues have been shown to mediate the uptake of cisplatin. This transporter is located at the plasma membrane under low copper conditions, and excess copper concentrations stimulate its endocytosis and degradation. In this study we further examined the link between cisplatin and hCtr1 by examining whether cisplatin can also stimulate the endocytosis and degradation of hCtr1. The steady-state location of hCtr1 and its endocytosis from the plasma membrane were not altered by cisplatin treatment. Unexpectedly, cisplatin treatment of a cell line expressing hCtr1 revealed the time- and concentration-dependent appearance of a stable hCtr1 multimeric complex, consistent with a homotrimer, which was not observed following copper treatment of these same cells. Mutagenesis studies identified two methionine-rich clusters in the extracellular amino-terminal region of hCtr1 that were required for stabilization of the hCtr1 multimer by cisplatin, suggesting that these sequences bind cisplatin and form crosslinks between hCtr1 polypeptides. Treatment with the metal chelator dimethyldithiocarbamate disassembled the hCtr1 multimer following cisplatin exposure, suggesting that platinum was an integral component of this complex. These studies provide the first evidence for a direct interaction between cisplatin and the hCtr1 protein and establish that cisplatin and copper have distinct biochemical consequences on this transporter.
Long-distance interactions between Ehrlich ascites tumour cells.

Abstract In previous work, electron micrographs were made of adjacent surfaces of aldehyde-fixed, Ehrlich ascites tumour cells cultured on coverslips, after reacting some of their negatively charged surface sites with colloidal iron hydroxide (CIH) particles. It was observed that microvilli from one cell were aligned with intermicrovillus regions on another, where the density of the adsorbed CIH particles was significantly lower than in adjacent regions. Alignment, which was considered to represent interactions between the two peripheral cellular regions, took place when these regions were apparently separated by more than 200 nm, in an environment of physiologic ionic strength ( 0·145 m NaCl). In this communication we attempt to find feasible mechanisms for the alignment phenomenon in physical terms, in cases where the observed separation of 200 nm is correct, and in cases where the distances are overestimated due to preparative artifacts. It is concluded, that at distances of separation in excess of 200 nm, one feasible mechanism for alignment is that net negatively charged macromolecules diffusing out of cells in the region of their microvilli, electrostatically repel CIH-binding anionic sites in the lipid-rich “fluid” matrix of the periphery of the opposed cell, causing gaps in their distribution. The role of electrostatic and electrodynamic (van der Waals') forces in causing alignment is also discussed in terms of distance of separation. This communication is concerned with the interpretation in terms of various interactions, of electron micrographs showing evidence of alignment between microvilli from one cell with specific areas of another.
Hollow Core Fiber Optic Ring Resonator for Rotation Sensing

An exciting new fiber optic resonator architecture that addresses performance barriers of the past is presented for applications in rotation sensing. It uses bandgap fiber. Experimental results of first resonators showing encouraging performance are presented.
Images of the future, futuristics and American politics

Abstract Futuristics and politics are functionally connected, but in largely unexplored ways. The intent of this paper is to expose and explore their relationship by employing the concept “image of the future” as a bridge between futures studies and practical political behavior. After examining how the futures research establishment and the political system maintain image dominance and mute conflict over shaping the future, I present some arguments for reforms that would support both public empowerment and a more democratic futures studies.
In vivo quantification of T2⁎ anisotropy in white matter fibers in marmoset monkeys

Abstract T2⁎-weighted MRI at high field is a promising approach for studying noninvasively the tissue structure and composition of the brain. However, the biophysical origin of T2⁎ contrast, especially in white matter, remains poorly understood. Recent work has shown that R2⁎ (= 1/T2⁎) may depend on the tissue's orientation relative to the static magnetic field (B0) and suggested that this dependence could be attributed to local anisotropy in the magnetic properties of brain tissue. In the present work, we analyzed high-resolution, multi-gradient-echo images of in vivo marmoset brains at 7 T, and compared them with ex vivo diffusion tensor images, to show that R2⁎ relaxation in white matter is highly sensitive to the fiber orientation relative to the main field. We directly demonstrate this orientation dependence by performing in vivo multi-gradient-echo experiments in two orthogonal brain positions, uncovering a nearly 50% change in the R2⁎ relaxation rate constant of the optic radiations. We attribute this substantial R2⁎ anisotropy to local subvoxel susceptibility effects arising from the highly ordered and anisotropic structure of the myelin sheath.
Lee-Weinberg bound reexamined

We report on a detailed numerical calculation of the minimum mass of stable, massive neutrinos in order that the contribution of the primordial neutrinos not exceed allowable limits on the present mass density of the Universe. We find limits M\ensuremath{\ge}1.3--4.2 GeV for Dirac neutrinos, and M\ensuremath{\ge}4.9--13 GeV for Majorana neutrinos, in qualitative agreement with previous estimates.
When metal organic frameworks turn into linear magnets

We investigate the existence of linear magnetism in the metal organic framework materials MOF-74-Fe, MOF-74-Co, and MOF-74-Ni, using first-principles density functional theory. MOF-74 displays regular quasilinear chains of open-shell transition-metal atoms, which are well separated. Our results show that within these chains, for all three materials, ferromagnetic coupling of significant strength occurs. In addition, the coupling in between chains is at least one order of magnitude smaller, making these materials almost perfect one-dimensional (1D) magnets at low temperature. The interchain coupling is found to be antiferromagnetic, in agreement with experiments. While some quasi-1D materials exist that exhibit linear magnetism, mostly complex oxides, polymers, and a few other rare materials, they are typically very difficult to synthesize. The significance of our finding is that MOF-74 is very easy to synthesize and it is likely the simplest realization of the 1D Ising model in nature. MOF-74 could thus be used in future experiments to study 1D magnetism at low temperature.
Validity Arguments for High‐stakes Testing: In Search of the Evidence

What do we need to do to establish the validity of high-stakes testing programs? How can we move away from a “confirmationist” bias? What questions haven't we been asking that we need to ask?
Molecular genetics of a biological clock in Drosophila.

Abstract Ninety kilobase pairs (kb) of DNA have been isolated from the 3B region of the X chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. Previous cytogenetic analyses have placed a gene required for rhythmic behavior (per) in this chromosomal interval. Physical characterization of a series of chromosomal rearrangements altering per locus activity indicates that DNA affecting behavioral rhythms is found in a 7.1-kb HindIII fragment. A single 4.5-kb poly(A)+ RNA is transcribed from this DNA in wild-type pupae and adult flies. The transcript is eliminated by a per mutant that retains some rhythmic activity, but this mutant substitutes two novel transcripts, 11.5 kb and 0.9 kb. It is suggested that the new poly(A)+ transcripts provide residual per locus activity.
Some studies on lipid peroxidation in monomolecular and bimolecular lipid films.

Hydrogen peroxide generated from dissolved oxygen through the alloxandialuric acid cycle affected both the permeability and the stability of lipid bilayer membranes. The permeability of the artificial membranes varied directly with the hydrogen peroxide concentration. Membrane stability varied inversely with the hydrogen peroxide concentration. Bilayers formed from solutions containing both phospholipid and the antioxidant vitamin E were less permeable and more stable in the presence of hydrogen peroxide than bilayers generated from solutions containing phospholipid alone. Peroxidation of phospholipid monolayers caused first an expansion of the films presumably through the introduction of peroxide groups. Further oxidation of phospholipid monolayers led to contraction of the films presumably through the formation of water-soluble products. The results of the monolayer studies and a consideration of the possible kinetics for the peroxidation reaction sequence have been used to explain the changes in the permeability and the stability of lipid bilayer membranes. Our data suggest that oxidation of lipid in biological membranes may first increase membrane permeability and then decrease membrane stability.
Protein phosphorylation regulates transcription of the β-glucoside utilization operon in E. coli

We have investigated the interaction between BglF and BglG, two proteins that regulate expression of the E. coli bgl operon. BglF is both a negative regulator of operon expression and a phosphotransferase involved in uptake of beta-glucosides. BglG is a positive regulator that functions as a transcriptional antiterminator. We show here that BglF is phosphorylated by the soluble components of the phosphotransferase system: Enzyme I, HPr, and the phosphate donor phosphoenolpyruvate. Phosphorylated BglF can then transfer phosphate either to beta-glucosides or to wild-type BglG. Mutant BglG derivatives, which give constitutive expression of the bgl operon, show little or no phosphorylation by BglF. Hence BglF exerts its negative effect on operon expression by phosphorylating BglG, blocking its action as an antiterminator. BglG is dephosphorylated only in the presence of both BglF and beta-glucosides. Based on these results, we propose the following mechanism: In the absence of beta-glucosides, BglG is phosphorylated by BglF and is inactive in antitermination. Addition of inducer stimulates BglF to dephosphorylate BglG, allowing BglG to function as a positive regulator of operon expression. Beta-Glucosides are then phosphorylated and transported into the cell by BglF.
Putting Users in Control of their Recommendations

The essence of a recommender system is that it can recommend items personalized to the preferences of an individual user. But typically users are given no explicit control over this personalization, and are instead left guessing about how their actions affect the resulting recommendations. We hypothesize that any recommender algorithm will better fit some users' expectations than others, leaving opportunities for improvement. To address this challenge, we study a recommender that puts some control in the hands of users. Specifically, we build and evaluate a system that incorporates user-tuned popularity and recency modifiers, allowing users to express concepts like "show more popular items". We find that users who are given these controls evaluate the resulting recommendations much more positively. Further, we find that users diverge in their preferred settings, confirming the importance of giving control to users.
Is there racial disparity in outcomes after solid organ transplantation

Background: We sought to determine if disparities in survival and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) occurred after solid organ transplantation at our institution. Methods: Data were extracted from a database including information regarding transplants that took place from 1990 to 2002. The HRQOL was assessed in patients by using the Karnofsky functional performance (FP) index and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Results: Data were collected on recipients of liver (n = 413), heart (n = 299), kidney (n = 892), and lung (n = 156). Blacks represented a minority of recipients: liver 7%, heart 8%, kidney 23%, and lung 6%. There were no statistically significant differences in patient survival between blacks and whites. Graft survival differed in kidney only with a 5-year survival: 72% for blacks versus 79% for whites (P <0.001). The FP and HRQOL improved (P <0.05) after transplantation in both groups. There were no differences on measures of the FP or HRQOL. Conclusions: Blacks had comparable survival and improvement in FP and HRQOL in comparison with whites.
In VivoElectrochemical Studies of the Dynamic Effects of Locally Applied Excitatory Amino Acids in the Striatum of the Anesthetized Rat

Abstract The actions of locally applied excitatory amino acids (EAAs) on dopamine nerve terminals in the striatum of the urethane-anesthetized rat were investigated. Rapid (5 Hz) in vivo electrochemical recording was used to measure the amplitude and duration of dopamine (DA) overflow elicited by the local application of glutamate, N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA), kainate, quisqualate, quinolinate and dl -α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazolepropionic acid. EAAs were pressure ejected into the striatum via a pipette positioned 300 ± 30 μm away from the electrochemical working electrode. Brief (5 s) applications of the EAA agonists directly elicited DA-like electrochemical signals with amplitudes averaging about 2 μ M. In some instances, putative increases in ascorbic acid-like signals were detected. Repeated applications of glutamate agonists in the same brain site resulted in diminished electrochemical responses, compared to the complete reproducibility seen after repeated applications of 120 m M potassium. Low doses of NMDA (10 μ M barrel conc), which did not cause a detectable increase in the electrochemical baseline signal, significantly potentiated (50%) potassium-evoked DA overflow. These results indicate that low levels of endogenously released glutamate may modulate overflow when DA nerve terminals are depolarized, while higher concentrations of glutamate may directly elicit increases in extracellular levels of DA and/or ascorbic acid.
Food Composition Knowledge of Advanced Nutrition Students

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: Participants will recognize the need to improve both comprehension and application types food composition knowledge of advanced nutrition students. Knowledge of food composition is a unique contribution that the registered dietitian makes to the health care team. Increasingly, nutrition curricula are crowded by the explosion in scientific and biomedical knowledge; as a consequence, formal instruction on nutrient composition of food has been reduced. A 40 item multiple choice test covering vitamin A, folic acid, calcium and iron was developed and administered to 129 students enrolled in upper division courses in clinical nutrition at four universities across the country in early 1997. Items were classified as comprehension which required the student to identify, recall or deduce; or application which required comparison, analysis and evaluation. Comprehension questions required students to know the amount of a nutrient in a given food, e.g., approximately how many R.E.'s of vitamin A are present in a medium carrot. Application items required students to determine whether a given diet was adequate or inadequate in a nutrient such as calcium or to state that inadequate information was available to make the judgment. The raw score for the participants on the 40 item test was 19 ± 4, (mean ± S.D.), or 47 ± 9 percent correct. Minimum and maximum scores on the est ranged from 8 to 26 or 20 to 65 percent correct. Mean percent correct for the 25 comprehension items was 43 ±4. For the 15 application items, average percent correct was 52 ± 4. A greater percentage of the application than the comprehension items were answered correctly (p
SOME SELECTED PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VETERAN PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENTS WITHOUT STABLE HOUSING

Summary.-In this study were compared scores on selected MMPI subscales and demographic variables from 58 veterans uith stable housing and 54 veterans without stable housing. Both groups were selected from the same inpatient psychiatric treatment progrAm at the Houston VA Medical Center. The MMPI was administered and a number of demographic variables were collected from patients' archival computerized records. Comparison of MMPI scores indicated that patients without housing had marginally sigrdicantly higher scores on the clinical research subscale PD4A (Social Ahenation). They were also significantly less likely to be married or employed. Logistic regression analysis indicated that, when multiple predictors were considered, marital status was the only significant risk factor for absence of stable housing. Results underscore the relevance of social services to treatment, discharge, and rehabllitation planning when worlung with veterans without stable housing Relatively little research on the "homeless" population has examined data from objective psychological tests (Kuhn, Hannah, Hinlun, Montgomery, & Pitz, 1987) or included control groups in the design. In this study were compared demographic variables and scores on selected MMPI subscales for psychiatric inpatient veterans without stable housing and a slmilar group with homes. Clinical subscales of the MMPI, selected MMPI special scales, and demographic variables relevant to the individual's adjustment to the social environment were included in this study. Veterans without homes who have known psychiatric disturbances represent a vulnerable group who require special treatment considerations. The purpose of this study was to identlfy some of the psychological and social support needs of this population. Subjects One hundred twelve veterans who were psychiatric inpatients were selected from a treatment program at the Houston VA Medical Center. The study included veterans who were honorably discharged from the U.S. mditary and served either during wartime or peacetime. All patients in this pro
Modelling the Groove: Conceptual Structure and Popular Music

A musical groove is most typically created by a small group of musicians working together, each contributing parts to the whole. Characterizing the knowledge behind such interactive ventures has proved to be challenging. This article attempts to characterize the knowledge basic to grooves first by concentrating on ‘the groove’ as it is practised in soul, rhythm and blues, jazz fusion and various other popular genres, and second by focusing on cognitive knowledge structures called conceptual models. It is argued that musicians rely on such structures to produce grooves, and that listeners make use of similar structures to understand them. Grooves from the music of Eric Clapton, Miles Davis and James Brown are discussed, and conceptual models for each are developed.
Modeling sulfur isotope fractionation and differential diffusion during sulfate reduction in sediments of the Cariaco Basin

Abstract Sulfur isotope composition (δ34S) profiles in sediment pore waters often show an offset between sulfate and sulfide ( Δ δ 34 S SO 4 – H 2 S ) much greater in magnitude than S isotope fractionations observed in pure cultures. A number of workers have invoked an additional reaction, microbial disproportionation of sulfur intermediates, to explain the offset between experimental and natural systems. Here, we present an alternative explanation based on modeling of pore water sulfate and sulfide concentrations and stable isotope data from the Cariaco Basin (ODP Leg 165, Site 1002B). The use of unique diffusion coefficients for 32 SO 4 2 - and 34 SO 4 2 - , based on their unequal molecular masses, resulted in an increase in the computed fractionation by almost 10‰, when compared to the common assumption of equal diffusion coefficients for the two species. These small differences in diffusion coefficients yield calculated isotopic offsets between coeval sediment pore water sulfate and sulfide without disproportionation (up to 53.4‰) that exceed the largest fractionations observed in experimental cultures. Furthermore, the diffusion of sulfide within sediment pore waters leads to Δ δ 34 S SO 4 – H 2 S values that are even greater than those predicted by our model for sulfate reduction with unique diffusion coefficients. These diffusive effects on the sulfur isotope composition of pore water sulfate and sulfide can impact our interpretations of geologic records of sulfate and sulfide minerals, and should be considered in future studies.
Large scale, analytical method for isolating basal lateral plasma membranes from rat duodenum.

Abstract A procedure is described for obtaining large amounts of basal lateral plasma membranes from the rat duodenal epithelium. The yield is approximately 50%, and the purification factor is 18; preparations from 25 rats routinely contain 100 mg of protein. The procedure depends on mild homogenization with a nitrogen cavitation bomb, followed by removal of brush borders by sedimentation in a weak centrifugal field. Basal lateral membranes in the resulting supernatant are partially purified by differential centrifugation in a medium which approximates their equilibrium density, and then further purified by equilibrium density gradient centrifugation in a high capacity zonal rotor. Brush border membranes may be isolated from the 450 x g pellet. Since both brush border and basal lateral membranes may be isolated from the same homogenate, this preparative procedure is suitable for such analytical purposes as determinations of distributions of enzyme activities between the two surfaces of the epithelium. The...