cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A problem identification taxonomy for classification and automated formulation of multiple objective linear programming models

This paper presents a knowledge-based Decision Support System (DSS) for classification, formulation and solution of multiple objective linear programming problems. The authors propose a generic taxonomy which is used to classify commonly encountered types of linear programming problems. Classification of the problem, vis-a-vis the proposed taxonomy, is based on the interaction with the user to determine the attributes which best describe the context or setting of the problem. A total of twenty-four problem types are included in the taxonomy. Following classification, a problem type-specific rule base is invoked to assist the user in constraint formulation. A product blending linear programming problem is used to demonstrate this component of the system since these types of problems typically include more varied constraints, including ratio as well as additive types. A second rule base is invoked for formulation of the multiple criteria objective function, model solution and sensitivity analysis. An initial goal prioritization scheme is obtained by use of the Analytical Hierarchy Process [17]; the optimal goal ordering is obtained by interaction with the user in the form of pairwise attribute value tradeoffs. The system developed is intended for use by the OR-naive user who is more familiar with the content of a problem than he/she is with the mathematical tools needed to formulate and solve such models. The system is a model management tool designed to interpret user inputs and translate those inputs into a solvable multiple objective LP. This interface alleviates the technical burdens of content specification and solution. The approach expands previous formulation tools, such as those based on natural language processing [8], to a broader range of problem types in a multiple criteria environment. The system was implemented on a personal computer using VP-Expert, BASIC and LINDO, and is demonstrated on a multiple objective blending problem. The ability of the approach to accurately classify LP problems was tested on thirty-six subjects. Results suggest that correct classification of problems was more likely to occur when the system was used.
Acetylcholine Receptor Gating in a Zebrafish Model for Slow-Channel Syndrome

Slow-channel syndrome (SCS) is an autosomal-dominant disease resulting from mutations in muscle acetylcholine (ACh) receptor subunits. The associated fatigue and muscle degeneration are proposed to result from prolonged synaptic responses that overload intracellular calcium. Single-channel studies on reconstituted receptors bearing human mutations indicate that the prolonged responses result from an increase in receptor open duration and, in some cases, increased sensitivity to ACh. We show that both of these aberrant receptor properties are recapitulated in heterozygotic zebrafish bearing an L258P mutation in the α subunit, thus affording the unique opportunity to compare the single-channel properties of mutant receptors to the synaptic currents in vivo. Whole-cell recordings revealed synaptic currents that decayed along a multiexponential time course, reflecting receptors containing mixtures of wild-type and mutant α subunits. Treatment with quinidine, an open-channel blocker used to treat the human disorder, restored fast synaptic current kinetics and the ability to swim. Quinidine block also revealed that mutant receptors generate a large steady-state current in the absence of ACh. The spontaneous openings reflected a destabilization of the closed state, leading to an apparent increase in the sensitivity of these receptors to ACh. The effective block by quinidine on synaptic currents as well as nonliganded openings points to dual sources for the calcium-dependent myopathy in certain forms of SCS.
Conjunctive hypothesis sampling: A reconsideration

Ss were presented with conjunctive concept learning problems in which blank-trial stimuli were used to assess hypothesis sampling patterns. Data were analyzed to show that Ss did not sample single values randomly and independently and respond on the basis of these single values. Evidence was also presented to show that Ss do not sample hypotheses with replacement after an error.
The Safety and Reliability of Complex Energy Processing Systems

Abstract A common characteristic of large-scale, complex energy conversion, generation, and processing systems, such as fossil fuel/thermoelectric power plants, gas processing facilities, off-shore rigs, and high-capacity compressor and pumping stations, is that large amounts of potentially flammable, combustible, or pressurized materials are concentrated and processed in single sites under the centralized control of a few operators (working in a control-room environment). The effects of human error in these facilities are often neither observable nor reversible; therefore, error recovery is either too late or impossible. Catastrophic breakdowns of these systems, created by man-made and natural causes, pose serious threats and long-lasting health and environmental consequences for workers in the facility, for the local public, and possibly for the neighboring region and the whole country. For the foreseeable future, despite increasing levels of computerization and automation, human operators will remain i...
Self-Efficacy as a Determinant of Career Maturity in Urban and Rural High School Seniors

The relationship between career decision-making self-efficacy and career maturity among 94 urban and rural high school seniors (51 urban, 43 rural) was investigated. Career maturity differences between urban and rural seniors were also explored. The findings suggested that the career development attitude variable was the most significant predictor of career decision-making self-efficacy for both rural and urban groups. Findings also indicated that rural seniors scored significantly higher on career development knowledge as compared to their urban peers.
The bond strengths of resin systems to etched enamel.

Abstract This study was undertaken to compare the resin-enamel bond strengths of seven anterior restorative resins using the acid-etch technique. Six of the materials (Restodent, Enamelite, Smile, Nuva-System, Concise, and Adaptic) were composite resins. Only one, Sevriton, was an unfilled resin. Of the seven, only Sevriton and Smile were not designed for the acid-etch technique. Of the materials tested, Sevriton and Enamelite had the weakest bonds. There was no significant difference in the bond strength among Nuva-System, Smile, and Restodent; the bonds of all these were stronger than those of Sevriton and Enamelite. Concise showed a significantly greater bond strength than all the other materials in the study except Adaptic and the Nuva-System. The resin-enamel bond strength of Adaptic was of a greater magnitude than that of all other test materials.
Ulceration and carotid artery disease.

L'importance de l'ulceration des plaques carotidiennes comme cause de symptomes ischemiques cerebraux reste controversee. Une ulceration est souvent observee dans les plaques homolaterales aux symptomes ischemiques mais habituellement en association a une stenose importante. Lorsque la stenose est minime, l'ulceration est observee avec une frequence presque egale dans les plaques symptomatiques et asymptomatiques. De plus des plaques non ulcerees et ulcerees existent avec une egale frequence du cote des symptomes ischemiques. Le risque ulterieur d'accident vasculaire cerebral pour les petites ulcerations des plaques avec une stenose minime est faible et probablement ne justifie pas une intervention chirurgicale
Design and characterization of a horizontal thermal gradient cloud condensation nucleus spectrometer

We report the design and characterization of a continuous-flow horizontal thermal gradient cloud condensation nucleus spectrometer (CCNS). The calibration of supersaturation inside the CCNS chamber using monodisperse NaCl aerosols shows that it is important to experimentally determine the supersaturation profile of the instrument, rather than relying on theoretical calculations based on measurements of the temperature gradient. The latter method significantly overestimates the actual supersaturation, mainly because of the discrepancy between measured and actual temperature gradients and the non-ideality in droplet samplings. Laboratory experiments were also performed to validate the instrumental performance and to compare the cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activation results with theoretical predictions based on Kohler theory. In the current configuration, the operational range of the CCNS has been verified to be between 0.08% and 0.9% supersaturation, with potential for further range enhancement. Using a computer-controlled motorized sampling system, we have demonstrated that CCN activation experiments can be routinely performed with much higher time resolution, suggesting excellent potential of this CCNS instrument for airborne measurements.
HDAC4: mechanism of regulation and biological functions

The acetylation and deacetylation of histones plays an important role in the regulation of gene transcriptions. Histone acetylation is mediated by histone acetyltransferase; the resulting modification in the structure of chromatin leads to nucleosomal relaxation and altered transcriptional activation. The reverse reaction is mediated by histone deacetylase (HDAC), which induces deacetylation, chromatin condensation and transcriptional repression. HDACs are divided into three distinct classes: I, II, and III, on the basis of size and sequence homology, as well as formation of distinct complexes. Among class II HDACs, HDAC4 is implicated in controlling gene expression important for diverse cellular functions. Basic and clinical experimental evidence has established that HDAC4 performs a wide variety of functions. Understanding the biological significance of HDAC4 will not only provide new insight into the mechanisms of HDAC4 involved in mediating biological response, but also form a platform to develop a therapeutic strategy to achieve clinical implications.
Comparative Spatial Ecologies of Female Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) and Red-Eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta) at Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee

Abstract Spatial distributions and movements of aquatic animals are typically defined by the dimensions of the aquatic system in which they live. Aquatic turtles often confound such definitions with terrestrial movements, and movements within the aquatic system remain largely undescribed. We studied the movements of adult female painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) and red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) in Reelfoot Lake, a large aquatic system. We determined the distance moved, home-range size, and habitat use to investigate interspecific variation, as well as the influence of habitat dimensions on turtle spatial ecology. Daily movements peaked for both species between May and August. Trachemys scripta exhibited longer movements, maintained larger home ranges, and selected deeper areas of the lake than did C. picta. Compositional analysis indicated that the shoreline habitat was used most frequently by both species, relative to its availability. However, although C. picta selected the shoreline above all ...
Puberty and girls' sexuality: why hormones are not the complete answer.

The psychosocial impact of puberty on changes in girls' feelings about their bodies and their sexuality is discussed. We present a model of girls' sexuality development that incorporates puberty, self, and peer systems.
Framing Bias: Media in the Distribution of Power

This article proposes integrating the insights generated by framing, priming, and agenda-setting research through a systematic effort to conceptualize and understand their larger implications for political power and democracy. The organizing concept is bias, that curiously undertheorized staple of public discourse about the media. After showing how agenda setting, framing and priming fit together as tools of power, the article connects them to explicit definitions of news slant and the related but distinct phenomenon of bias. The article suggests improved measures of slant and bias. Properly defined and measured, slant and bias provide insight into how the media influence the distribution of power: who gets what, when, and how. Content analysis should be informed by explicit theory linking patterns of framing in the media text to predictable priming and agenda-setting effects on audiences. When unmoored by such underlying theory, measures and conclusions of media bias are suspect. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.2006.00336.x This article proposes integrating the insights generated by framing, priming, and agenda-setting research through a new, systematic effort to conceptualize and understand their implications for political power. The organizing concept is bias, that curiously undertheorized staple of public discourse about the media. With all the heat and attention it incites among activists and ordinary citizens, bias is yet to be defined clearly, let alone received much serious empirical attention (Niven, 2002). The term seems to take on three major meanings. Sometimes, it is applied to news that purportedly distorts or falsifies reality (distortion bias), sometimes to news that favors one side rather than providing equivalent treatment to both sides in a political conflict (content bias), and sometimes to the motivations and mindsets of journalists who allegedly produce the biased content (decision-making bias). This essay argues that we can make bias a robust, rigorous, theory-driven, and productive research concept by abandoning the first use while deploying new, more precisely delineated variants of the second and third. Depending on specific research objectives, the distinctions among these three concepts can be crucial (Scheufele, 2000). The present article suggests that parsimonious
A local second- and third-order maximum principle

We present an abstract necessary condition for set separation, a necessary condition for a minimum in an abstract setting. The optimal control results are presented. We also present an example showing that our results apply in cases where previous results do not. For lack of space, we omit the proofs, we limit our discussion to problems with fixed endpoints, and we only consider the second and third-order cases.
Masonry Cracks: A Review of the Literature

Masonry surface cracks are objectionable because they are the primary source of water permeance and may be aesthetically displeasing or indicative of structural distress. Cracks are the most frequent cause for masonry's failure to perform as intended. The types, locations, patterns, sizes, and causes of cracks are discussed. Methods are described for their prevention and repair.
Dental x-ray image segmentation

Law enforcement agencies have been exploiting biometric identifiers for decades as key tools in forensic identification. With the evolution in information technology and the huge volume of cases that need to be investigated by forensic specialists, it has become important to automate forensic identification systems. While, ante mortem (AM) identification, that is identification prior to death, is usually possible through comparison of many biometric identifiers, postmortem (PM) identification, that is identification after death, is impossible using behavioral biometrics (e.g. speech, gait). Moreover, under severe circumstances, such as those encountered in mass disasters (e.g. airplane crashers) or if identification is being attempted more than a couple of weeks postmortem, under such circumstances, most physiological biometrics may not be employed for identification, because of the decay of soft tissues of the body to unidentifiable states. Therefore, a postmortem biometric identifier has to resist the early decay that affects body tissues. Because of their survivability and diversity, the best candidates for postmortem biometric identification are the dental features. In this paper we present an over view about an automated dental identification system for Missing and Unidentified Persons. This dental identification system can be used by both law enforcement and security agencies in both forensic and biometric identification. We will also present techniques for dental segmentation of X-ray images. These techniques address the problem of identifying each individual tooth and how the contours of each tooth are extracted.
Naphthodithiophene-diketopyrrolopyrrole small molecule donors for efficient solution-processed solar cells

We report the synthesis, characterization, and implementation of various naphtho[2,3b:6,7-b’]dithiophene (NDT)-based donor molecules for organic photovoltaics (OPVs). When NDT(TDPP)2 (TDPP = thiophene-capped diketopyrrolopyrrole) contains all branched 2ethylhexyl chains and is combined with the electron acceptor PC61BM, a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.06±0.6% is achieved. This respectable PCE is attributed to the broad, high oscillator strength visible absorption, the ordered molecular packing, and a high hole mobility of 0.04 cm 2 ⋅V -1 ⋅s -1 . We find utilizing linear C-12 side chains on either the TDPP or NDT framework dramatically increases the d-spacing, which directly correlates with inferior OPV device performance. This leads to the conclusion that the selection of an appropriate side chain plays a key role in determining OPV device performance of a small molecule donor.
HETEROSTOPHIC SHELLS AND PELAGIC DEVOLOPMENT IN TROCHOIDEANS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CLASSIFICATION, PHYLOGENY AND PALAEOECOLOGY

Il n'existe pas de relation entre le mode de developpement (benthique ou pelagique) et la phylogenese. Les caracteres de la coquille ne peuvent etre utilises pour connaitre les capacites de dispersion et la repartition geographique des especes. Reexamen du degre d'evolution de ce groupe parmi les gasteropodes
Radar target discrimination using the extinction-pulse technique

An aspect independent radar target discrimination scheme based on the natural frequencies of the target is considered. An extinction-pulse waveform upon excitation of a particular conducting target results in the elimination of specified natural modal content of the scattered field. Excitation of a dissimilar target produces a noticeably different late-time response. Construction of appropriate extinction-pulse waveforms is discussed, as well as the effects of random noise on their application to thin cylinder targets. Also presented is experimental verification of this discrimination concept using simplified aircraft models.
Differential Role of Sp100 Isoforms in Interferon-Mediated Repression of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Immediate-Early Protein Expression

Nuclear domains called ND10 or PML nuclear bodies contain interferon (IFN)-upregulated proteins like PML and Sp100. Paradoxically, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) begins its transcriptional cascade at aggregates of ND10-associated proteins, which in turn are destroyed by the HSV-1 immediate-early protein ICP0. While PML is essential in the formation of ND10, the function of Sp100 in the cells' defense against viral infection is unknown. In this study we investigated the potential antiviral effect of IFN-β-induced Sp100. We found that IFN-β treatment leads to a differential accumulation of four Sp100 isoforms in different cell lines. Using an HEK293 cell line derivative, 293-S, producing no detectable amounts of Sp100 even after IFN exposure, we analyzed individual Sp100 isoforms for their effect on HSV-1 infection. Sp100 isoforms B, C, and HMG, but not Sp100A, suppressed ICP0 and ICP4 early after infection. Isoforms B, C, and HMG suppressed expression from the ICP0 promoter in transient transfection, whereas Sp100A enhanced expression. Moreover, Sp100A localized in ND10, whereas the repressive isoforms were either dispersed within the nucleus or, at unphysiologically higher expression levels, formed new aggregates. The repressive activity was dependent on an intact SAND domain, since Sp100B bearing a W655Q mutation in the SAND domain lost this repressive activity and accumulated in ND10. Using RNA interference to knock down the repressive Sp100 isoforms B, C, and HMG, we find that they are an essential part of the IFN-β-mediated suppression of ICP0 expression. These data suggest that repression by the Sp100 isoforms B, C, and HMG takes place outside of ND10 and raise the possibility that viral genomes at Sp100A accumulations are more likely to start their transcription program because of a more permissive local environment.
Endocytosis of neurotransmitter receptors : Location matters

Endocytosis of excitatory glutamate receptors from the postsynaptic plasma membrane plays a fundamental role in synaptic function and plasticity. In a recent study published in Neuron, Lu et al. (2007) describe protein interactions that link zones of receptor endocytosis directly to the postsynaptic scaffold and propose that local trafficking of receptors facilitated by these endocytic zones is required to maintain synaptic responsiveness.
Efficient optimization for autonomous robotic manipulation of natural objects

Manipulating natural objects of irregular shapes, such as rocks, is an essential capability of robots operating in outdoor environments. Physics-based simulators are commonly used to plan stable grasps for man-made objects. However, planning is an expensive process that is based on simulating hand and object trajectories in different configurations, and evaluating the outcome of each trajectory. This problem is particularly concerning when the objects are irregular or cluttered, because the space of feasible grasps is significantly smaller, and more configurations need to be evaluated before finding a good one. In this paper, we first present a learning technique for fast detection of an initial set of potentially stable grasps in a cluttered scene. The best detected grasps are further optimized by fine-tuning the configuration of the hand in simulation. To reduce the computational burden of this last operation, we model the outcomes of the grasps as a Gaussian Process, and use an entropy-search method in order to focus the optimization on regions where the best grasp is most likely to be. This approach is tested on the task of clearing piles of real, unknown, rock debris with an autonomous robot. Empirical results show a clear advantage of the proposed approach when the time window for decision is short.
Abacus: A computational tool for extracting and pre-processing spectral count data for label-free quantitative proteomic analysis

We describe Abacus, a computational tool for extracting spectral counts from MS/MS data sets. The program aggregates data from multiple experiments, adjusts spectral counts to accurately account for peptides shared across multiple proteins, and performs common normalization steps. It can also output the spectral count data at the gene level, thus simplifying the integration and comparison between gene and protein expression data. Abacus is compatible with the widely used Trans-Proteomic Pipeline suite of tools and comes with a graphical user interface making it easy to interact with the program. The main aim of Abacus is to streamline the analysis of spectral count data by providing an automated, easy to use solution for extracting this information from proteomic data sets for subsequent, more sophisticated statistical analysis.
Dissecting the Anticipation of Aversion Reveals Dissociable Neural Networks

The anticipation of future adversity confers adaptive benefits by engaging a suite of preparatory mechanisms, but this process can also be deleterious when carried out in excess. Neuroscientific investigations have largely treated anticipation as a unitary process, but we show here using functional magnetic resonance imaging that distinct stages of aversive anticipation are supported by dissociable neural mechanisms. Immediate anticipatory responses were observed in regions associated with threat detection and early processing of predictive cues, including the orbitofrontal cortex and pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, as well as the amygdala for individuals with elevated anxiety symptoms. Sustained anticipatory activity was observed in the forebrain/bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, anterior insula, anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC), and midbrain/periaqueductal gray, regions associated with anxiety, interoception, and defensive behavior. The aMCC showed increased functional coupling with the midbrain during sustained anticipation of aversion, highlighting a circuit critical for the expression of preparatory fear responses. These data implicate distinct sets of regions that are active during different temporal stages of anticipation, and provide insight into how the human brain faces the future both adaptively and maladaptively.
Is rheumatic aetiology a predictor of poor outcome in the current era of mitral valve repair? Contemporary long-term results of mitral valve repair in rheumatic heart disease

OBJECTIVES: Contemporary experience with mitral valve (MV) repair in the rheumatic population is limited. We aimed to examine the long-term outcomes of rheumatic MV repair, to identify the predictors of durability and to compare the repair for rheumatic and degenerative MVs. METHODS: MV repairs for both rheumatic and degenerative lesions were analysed prospectively from our valve-repair registry. The primary outcomes investigated were mortality, survival, freedom from reoperation and freedom from valve failure. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed to define the predictors of reoperation and valve failure. RESULTS: Between 1997 and 2010, 627 consecutive rheumatic MV repairs were performed (46.7% of all mitral repair procedures). The mean age of our study group was 32 ± 19 (range 3–75 years). In-hospital mortality was 2.4% and late mortality was 0.3%. Freedoms from reoperation for rheumatics at 5 and 10 years were 91.8 ± 4.8 and 87.3 ± 3.9%, respectively, comparable with that for degenerative valves at 92.0 ± 1.7 and 91.8 ± 4.8%, respectively (P = 0.79). Freedoms from valve failure for rheumatics at 5 and 10 years were 85.6 ± 2.3 and 72.8 ± 4.6%, respectively, whereas those for degenerative repairs were 88.7 ± 5.1 and 82.4 ± 7.7%, respectively (P = 0.45). Independent predictors for reoperation and valve failure in rheumatic patients were residual mitral regurgitation >2+ and performance of commissurotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The durability of MV repair for rheumatic disease in the current era has improved and is comparable with the outstanding durability of repairs for degenerative disease. Modifications of standard repair techniques, adherence to the importance of good leaflet coaptation and strict quality control with stringent use of intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography have all contributed to the improved long-term results.
Impacts of Construction Activity on Bioretention Performance

Bioretention cells are incorporated as part of low impact development LID because of their ability to release influent runoff as exfiltration to the soil or evapotranspiration to the atmosphere. However, little care is taken as to the techniques used to excavate bioretention cells, and there is little concern as to the soil-moisture condition during excavation. Certain excavation techniques and soil-moisture conditions create higher levels of compaction which consequently reduce infiltration capacity. Two excavation techniques, the conventional "scoop" method which purposefully smears the underlying soil surface and the "rake" method which uses the teeth of an excavator's bucket to scarify the underlying soil surface, were tested. Field tests were conducted on three soil types sand, loamy sand, and clay under a variety of antecedent soil-moisture conditions. Multiple hydraulic conductivity, surface infiltration, and soil compaction measurements were taken for each excavated condition. In all cases, the rake method of excavation tended to yield more permeable, less compacted soils than the scoop method. The difference of infiltration and hydraulic conductivity between the two excavation techniques was statistically significant p0.05 when tests were conducted in wet soil conditions. Also, the infiltration rate at the clay site was significantly lower p0.05, and the hydraulic conductivity at the sandy site was significantly lower p0.05 when the scoop methodology was used. Based on results of the experiment and because essentially no extra cost is associated with the rake method of excavation, it is recommended over the conventional scoop method. Another recommendation is to excavate under relatively dry soil conditions. The use of the rake method under dry soil conditions is expected to increase long-term exfiltration from bioretention cells.
Bioassay assessment of impacts of tar sands extraction operations

This report describes the application of ten bioassays (battery of tests approach) to waters and sediments collected from the tar sands area of northern Alberta, Canada. In this study there were three main goals: (1) to establish the presence and sources of toxicants in these northern waters and sediments, (2) to determine if their presence is related to sediment composition, and (3) to establish which of the various sediment extracting procedures used was most efficient in producing responses in the bioassays used. Results of these investigations indicated that there were two obvious sources of toxicants/genotoxicants, the tar sands extracting area and streams passing through tar sands or oil shales and at least two unknown sources. Based on the techniques used in this study, there does not appear to be a strong sediment structure–toxicant response relationship. Extraction procedure results were variable and are discussed in detail in the report. © by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effects of serotonin on skeletal muscle growth

Background Myostatin (MSTN), a member of the transforming growth factor beta family, negatively regulates skeletal muscle mass. Deletion of the Mstn gene results in increased muscle mass. Also, Mstn-/mice and mice expressing a dominant negative MSTN receptor (activin receptor type IIB, ACVR2B) show decreased adipose tissue. Mstn-/mice fed a high fat diet gain less weight, have improved glucose tolerance and are more sensitive to insulin when compared to wild type controls. We are interested in characterizing molecules that may be downstream of MSTN signaling. We identified serotonin as a potential molecule that may interact with MSTN in skeletal muscle. Serotonin is thought to regulate both metabolism and cardiac hypertrophy, but it is not clear if serotonin is synthesized and functions in the skeletal muscle. We hypothesize that serotonin regulates skeletal muscle mass and metabolism, and the serotonin and myostatin pathways interact with each other.
Political Consumerism: How Communication and Consumption Orientations Drive “Lifestyle Politics”

Historians and cultural theorists have long asserted that a desire to express political concerns often guides consumer behavior, yet such political consumerism has received limited attention from social scientists. Here, the authors explore the relationship of political consumerism with dispositional factors, communication variables, and consumption orientations using data collected from a panel survey conducted in the United States between February 2002 and July 2005. The authors test a theorized model using both cross-sectional and auto-regressive panel analyses. The static and change models reveal that conventional and online news use encourage political consumerism indirectly through their influence on political talk and environmental concerns. However, media use may also have some suppressive effects by reducing the desire to protect others from harmful messages. Results demonstrate how communication practices and consumption orientations work together to influence political consumerism beyond previo...
Cyclodiene insecticide, DDE, DDT, arsenic, and mercury contamination of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) foraging at a Colorado Superfund site.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA) National Wildlife Area, near Denver, Colorado, is a Superfund site contaminated by past military and industrial uses, including pesticide manufacturing. From an ecosystem standpoint, the most critical contaminants at RMA are certain cyclodiene insecticides and metabolites, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDT, arsenic, and mercury. Bats are important ecosystem components that can be impacted by persistent contaminants because of their position in the food chain and their potential longevity and thus duration of exposure. Big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) were captured (n = 51) while foraging at RMA in the summers of 1997 and 1998 for determination of concentrations of contaminants of concern in carcasses, brains, and stomach contents. Adult females (n = 15) were also tracked by radiotelemetry to determine locations of nearest maternity roosts for sampling of guano for contaminant analysis and inspection for potential contaminant-induced mortality. Bats captured while foraging at RMA had measurable quantities of dieldrin and DDE in masticated insect samples from stomach contents and significantly higher concentrations of dieldrin, DDE, DDT, and mercury (juveniles) in carcasses than big brown bats (n = 26) sampled at a reference area 80 km to the north. Concentrations of dieldrin and DDE in brains of bats captured while foraging at RMA were also greater than in bats from the reference area, but not high enough to suggest mortality. Maximum concentrations of DDE, DDT, and cyclodienes in brains of big brown bats were found in adult males from RMA. Guano from the two closest known roosts had significantly higher concentrations of dieldrin, DDE, and mercury than guano from two roosts at the reference area. Dieldrin concentrations in carcasses of bats from RMA were highest in juveniles, followed by adult males and adult females. DDE concentrations in carcasses were lowest in adult females at both sites and highest in adult males at RMA. No contaminant-related mortality was obvious at the small maternity colonies near RMA. Big brown bats show higher contamination than most other mammals previously sampled at this site. Concentrations and proportions of samples with detectable residues of dieldrin in carcasses of big brown bats from RMA were similar to or exceeded reports for this species from elsewhere in the United States some 25 years ago, prior to or just following restrictions on use of this compound.
Effect of aggregation and shear rate on the dispersion of red blood cells flowing in venules

Previous in vitro studies of blood flow in small glass tubes have shown that red blood cells exhibit significant erratic deviations in the radial position in the laminar flow regime. The purpose of...
Time and Size Correlations of Photon and Radiowave Bursts from Peeling Pressure Sensitive Adhesives in Air

Abstract During separation in air of an adhesive from a polymer substrate we have observed intense bursts of photons (phE for photon emission) and long wavelength electromagnetic radiation (RE-for radiowave emission), similar to those reported earlier by Deryagin et al. In this paper we present detailed measurements of phE time distributions as well as time and size correlations between bursts of phE and RE. These results support the view that patches of electrical charge produced by charge separation between dissimilar materials lead to gaseous breakdown in and near the crack tip. We discuss the role of these discharges in producing sustained phE after the discharge has been extinguished.
Prevalence and characteristics of the aortic ejection sound in adults

A survey of 1,950 phonocardiograms recorded over a 6-year period revealed 170 (9%) with a distinct aortic ejection sound. All patients were men with a mean age of 61 years (range 29 to 88). Associated clinical features were: aortic stenosis in 28%, history of systemic hypertension in 10%, history of rheumatic fever in 4% and none of these features in 58% of patients. In 141 (83%) of 170 patients the aortic ejection sound occurred simultaneously with or 0.01 second before or after the onset of the rise of the externally recorded carotid pulse. In 37 (66%) of 56 patients who had simultaneous echocardiograms and phonocardiograms recorded, the aortic ejection sound occurred at 0.01 second before or after the maximal opening point of the aortic valve leaflets. Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed in all patients and a bicuspid aortic valve was identified in 38 patients (22%). In 83 patients (49%) 3 cusps were clearly seen. In 49 patients (29%) an accurate determination was not possible. Anatomic examination of 120 consecutive aortic valves at autopsy was performed to identify possible causes of the aortic ejection sound. In 18 (15%) of autopsies fusion of 2 aortic cusps extending greater than or equal to 5 mm from the attachment to the aorta was observed. This abnormality, aortic commissural fusion, may be congenital or acquired. It is concluded that aortic ejection sounds may occur in patients without bicuspid aortic valves and in a variety of clinical conditions. A moderate degree of cuspal fusion may be the cause of the sound.
Molecular genetic detection of female carriers of protan defects

Females heterozygous for congenital colour vision defects are of interest because they are believed to have cone photoreceptor ratios and cone photopigments that differ from normal. We describe a molecular genetic method to identify protan carriers that involves characterizing the genes that occur in the most upstream position in each of the X-chromosome photopigment gene arrays.
Causes and patterns of mortality in lesser prairie-chickens Tympanuchus pallidicinctus and implications for management

Abstract Life-history studies of prairie grouse have focused on reproductive ecology, habitat use, movement patterns and survivorship, with only cursory or anecdotal references to mortality causes, or they have been of insufficient duration or scale to infer mortality patterns. Because mortality causes and patterns affect other life-history traits, their determination adds to our overall understanding of grouse demographics. As part of a long-term study on lesser prairie-chicken Tympanuchus pallidicinctus natural history in Oklahoma and New Mexico, we recovered 322 carcasses of radio-tagged birds captured on leks. We were able to determine the cause of death for 260 of these birds. Predation by raptors accounted for the largest number of mortalities (91), followed by collisions with fences (86), predation by mammals (76), collisions with power lines (4), and collisions with automobiles (3). Mortality causes differed considerably between study sites and between sexes, with all collisions more frequent in O...
High Performance Activated Carbon/Carbon Cloth Cathodes for Microbial Fuel Cells

Replacing precious metal catalysts by inexpensive activated carbon (AC) is a breakthrough in microbial fuel cell (MFC) cathode fabrication. In this study, AC powders made from bamboo, peat, coal, coconut, and hardwood sources are evaluated in terms of their electrochemical performance with carbon cloth as the base material. These ACs are characterized in terms of their conductivity, surface chemistry, surface area, and pore size distribution. The bamboo-based AC demonstrates the highest potential for use as a catalyst for carbon cloth based cathode, reaching 10.6 A m−2 at 0V vs. Ag/AgCl and a loading of 25 mg cm−2. The maximum power density reached 3.3 W m−2 in CEA–MFCs. The high performance of the bamboo-based AC cathode was possible due to the good conductivity and suitable surface chemistry of the bamboo AC and the high surface area of the base material. The hydrostatic pressure tolerance of the AC carbon cloth cathode is greater than 1.8 m, allowing for a more versatile cathode, suitable for use in many different reactor configurations.
Monitor Technology - Shannon Allen, Supplement

Pat Tallon is the corporate attorney for Monitor Technology's parent company and has been asked to mediate a job-performance conflict between Chris Kerns, the manager of MT Engineering, and Shannon Allen, an engineering-support technician who works for Kerns.
In Line for Takeoff…and Waiting: Challenges with Getting a Wellness Intervention Started in the Military

Due to increased military efforts over the last decade, a multitude of wellness challenges have hit the home front within the military (Allen, Armed Forces J, May 2011; Griffith, Suicide Life Threat Behav 42:453–469, 2012). Both military personnel and civilian employees have experienced an increase in workload, overtime worked and stricter policies within the workplace, all culminating in a tremendous amount of operational demands and employee strain during this time. In addition, a recent APA assessment of military health barriers indicate that there is growing concern of the availability, acceptability and accessibility of mental health resources (Johnson et al., The psychological needs of US military service members and their families: a preliminary report. American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Military Deployment Services for Youth, Families and Service Members, 2007). Indicators of these issues were being reported on several Air Force (AF) bases and a team of researchers was called upon to determine specific stressors and possible solutions to alleviate the issues. Many interviews, observations, and focus groups were conducted and resulted in the identification of a wellness intervention strategy to improve morale and workplace conditions; however, the intervention was not implemented. This chapter discusses present strategies for overcoming leadership challenges in a military environment. Most importantly, how to work with leadership to help them understand their role and impact in the intervention, as well as, the importance of having an appropriate infrastructure in place to facilitate implementation of the intervention and greatly impact employee morale and well-being.
How Will We Know? The Case for Opportunity Indicators

While the U.S. is a world leader in opportunity rhetoric, it is something of a laggard for opportunity metrics. Indicators are necessary to guide policy, drive data collection strategies, and measure progress. We need clear concepts and credible indicators of opportunity to have an idea of whether we have “restored” it or if we are even headed in the right direction. Right now, indicators are the poor relation of the policy-making process, lacking either the immediacy of strong rhetoric or the tangibility of policies and programs. Indicators are the missing link in our attempts to promote equal opportunity, which is unavoidably an American vision of fairness. This chapter argues for a definition of opportunity based on intergenerational relative mobility and describes current levels of mobility, as well as the relationships between mobility patterns and family structure, education, and race. It also provides a brief history of the social indicators movement in the U.S. and outlines some of the theoretical terrain of indicator development. The chapter goes on to describe two current examples of indicator frameworks—from the United Kingdom and Colorado. Finally, it proposes four specific reforms to elevate the role of indicators in the promotion of opportunity: setting a long-term Goal for Intergenerational Mobility; a “dashboard” of Annual Opportunity Indicators; an American Opportunity Survey; and a Federal Office of Opportunity.
Reflections on the Physiology of B Lymphocytes

Bone-marrow derived lymphocytes have been said to be the best known cells of the vertebrate body. The purpose of this article is not to review, even in a cursory way, the vast body of knowledge that has accumulated on the function of these cells, but rather to discuss some critical points of their physiology in a way that might help the students of this course in framing their own views of how B lymphocytes react to antigens and ultimately mature into antibody-secreting cells. In particular I shall discuss the relationship of the physiology of B lymphocytes with that of the other main components of the immune system, T lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells, with an effort to identify the main analogies and differences as well as the biological significance of the functional interactions between these components.
The heat resistance of spores with special reference to the spores of B. botulinus

This study is an investigation of the heat resistance of the spores of B. botulinus and the effects of several variable conditions which are ultimately responsible for their death. The conditions reported are: the effect of hydrogen and hydroxyl ion concentrations on thermal resistance and the effects of numbers of spores, desiccation, spore age and the presence of sodium chloride. A number of other factors and the intimate nature of the process of killing by heat under different conditions, and the laws governing it, are being studied. In addition to the purely academic aspects of the problem which this work covers, it is designed to furnish adequate criteria for the practical problems of sterilization and to insure the safety of processed foods with respect to botulism.
Thermodynamic and Energy Efficiency Analysis of Power Generation from Natural Salinity Gradients by Pressure Retarded Osmosis

The Gibbs free energy of mixing dissipated when fresh river water flows into the sea can be harnessed for sustainable power generation. Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) is one of the methods propose...