cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anatomy of a Special Tax Break and the Case for Broad Corporate Tax Reform

This essay provides a case study of the difficulties entailed in reforming the corporate tax code by examining the costs and distortions associated with one large special tax preference, Section 199 of the corporate code. Enacted in 2005, this provision provides a special deduction for some of the profits arising from certain designated “domestic production activities.” Our analysis shows that while the provision was originally intended to help manufacturing, it now provides tax benefits for a number of other, selected industries, including the information industry (including film production), mining, and construction. In many cases, eligibility is arbitrary: For example, food processing qualifies but not retail food businesses – unless the food establishment roasts beans used to brew coffee. At the same time, vital areas such as health care, finance, insurance, and educational services receive no benefit, and neither do many labor-intensive industries such as transportation and warehousing, administration and support, retail trade, and accommodations and food services. From 2005 to 2009, for example, Section 199 provided the information and movie industry, on average, 60 times the benefits received by these other vital and job-intensive industries. And within the manufacturing sector, Section 199 provided by far the greatest benefits, relative to the size of manufacturing sub-industries, to beverage and tobacco producers, followed by chemicals, and then by computer and electronic products. Traditional manufacturing industries such as textiles, apparel, wood products, leather products, printing, and furniture cannot claim significant benefits from Section 199. We also show that that while these allocations distort investment, there is no evidence that the provision promotes job creation in those industries that use it most. Furthermore, the highly complex terms of Section 199 induce companies to channel their investment and other business decisions in the particular ways required to claim the deduction. As a result, Section 199 further distorts the allocation of capital and other critical resources, including entrepreneurial activity, both within and across industries, and for the economy as a whole. Finally, Section 199 also costs the Treasury an average of more than $16 billion a year, putting upward pressure of the corporate rate. In the end, Section 199, like other special preferences, tends to reduce the efficiency and output of both those firms which claim the preference and those effectively unable to do so. By phasing out such preferences, policymakers could eliminate their distorting effects, and generate some $164 billion over the next 10 years. So doing would produce sufficient revenues to reduce the tax rate for all corporations by 1.2 to 1.3 percentage-points.
Web-Based Visualization of Large Hierarchical Graphs Using Invisible Links in a Hyperbolic Space

Many real-world data warehouse applications involve navigation of large highly connected hierarchies e.g. web pages, product catalogs, and document hot topics hierarchies. Quite often users are confused and overwhelmed with many complex displays. This paper discusses a new invisible link technique for linking a large highly connected graph in a hyperbolic space without cluttering the display. Only the primary links are shown to the user. All other cross-links are hidden in the property of each node and invisible to the user. These invisible links only appear when the user focuses on the node. “Invisible link” allows a user to freely focus on the hierarchy of interest.
Swallowing Disorders in Sjogren's Syndrome: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Effects on Quality of Life

This epidemiological investigation examined the prevalence, risk factors, and quality-of-life effects of swallowing disorders in Sjogren's syndrome (SS). One hundred and one individuals with primary or secondary SS (94 females, 7 males; mean age 59.4, SD = 14.1) were interviewed regarding the presence, nature, and impact of swallowing disorders and symptoms. Associations among swallowing disorders and symptoms, select medical and social history factors, SS disease severity, and the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) were examined. The prevalence of a current self-reported swallowing disorder was 64.4 %. SS disease severity was the strongest predictor of swallowing disorders, including significant associations with the following swallow symptoms: taking smaller bites, thick mucus in the throat, difficulty placing food in the mouth, and wheezing while eating (p < .05). Additional swallowing disorder risk factors included the presence of a self-reported voice disorder, esophageal reflux, current exposure to secondary tobacco smoke, frequent neck or throat tension, frequent throat clearing, chronic post-nasal drip, and stomach or duodenal ulcers. Swallowing disorders did not differ on the basis of primary or secondary SS. Swallowing disorders and specific swallowing symptoms were uniquely associated with reduced quality of life. Among those with swallowing disorders, 42 % sought treatment, with approximately half reporting improvement. Patient-perceived swallowing disorders are relatively common in SS and increase with disease severity. Specific swallowing symptoms uniquely and significantly reduce swallow and health-related quality of life, indicating the need for increased identification and management of dysphagia in this population.
Surveying the South Pole-Aitken basin magnetic anomaly for remnant impactor metallic iron

Abstract The Moon has areas of magnetized crust (“magnetic anomalies”), the origins of which are poorly constrained. A magnetic anomaly near the northern rim of South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin was recently postulated to originate from remnant metallic iron emplaced by the SPA basin-forming impactor. Here, we remotely examine the regolith of this SPA magnetic anomaly with a combination of Clementine and Lunar Prospector derived iron maps for any evidence of enhanced metallic iron content. We find that these data sets do not definitively detect the hypothesized remnant metallic iron within the upper tens of centimeters of the lunar regolith.
Heat generated by the dark-adapted squid retina in response to light pulses

A rapid increase in the temperature of the dark-adapted squid retina evoked by a brief light pulse was detected with a pyroelectric detector. The amount of heat generated by the retina in response to a pulse of blue light of moderate intensity was far greater than that produced by direct conversion of the stimulating light by the retinal pigments into thermal energy. D-Glucose in the medium was required to maintain the ability of the retina to produce light-evoked thermal responses.
Drug and alcohol treatment among privately insured patients: rate of specialty substance abuse treatment and association with cost-sharing.

Abstract Objective: To examine the rate of formal substance abuse (SA) treatment in a privately insured population, and the association between cost-sharing, residential treatment, and outpatient SA treatment, we analyzed claims data for 332 442 adults in 41 health plans with comprehensive SA treatment benefits. Design: SA treatment utilization during 1999 and the relationship between patient cost-sharing, gender, and SA diagnosis on SA treatment utilization were examined using a cross-sectional retrospective analysis. Results: Only 0.37% ( n =1230) of adults had a SA related claim during 1999. Individuals in plans with higher levels of cost-sharing had lower rates of residential SA treatment and specialty SA outpatient treatment compared to individuals in plans with lower cost-sharing, adjusting for age, sex, and SA diagnosis. Conclusions: Few individuals had SA related claims, raising questions about rates of undocumented treatment, out-of-network treatment, and unmet need for treatment in the privately insured, and its implications for assessing the quality of SA treatment available in private health plans. At a time when levels of cost-sharing are increasing among privately insured individuals, consideration should be given the potential impact of such changes on the treatment of individuals requiring specialty SA treatment.
Steady-state methadone in rats does not change mRNA levels of corticotropin-releasing factor, its pituitary receptor or proopiomelanocortin.

Abstract Male Fischer rats received either methadone (a long-acting opioid agonist, 10 mg/kg/day) or saline (24 μl/day) subcutaneously by osmotic minipumps for 7 days. Chronic steady-state methadone administration did not alter (a) corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) mRNA in the hypothalamus, (b) proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and CRF type 1 receptor (CRF-R1) mRNAs in the anterior lobe and neurointermediate/posterior lobe of the pituitary, or (c) circulating levels of corticosterone. No change was found in levels of either POMC mRNA in the hypothalamus and amygdala, or CRF mRNA in the frontal cortex, olfactory bulb and amygdala. These results demonstrate that neither the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, nor the β-endorphin and CRF systems in the brain, are altered by steady-state occupancy of opioid receptors with the long-acting opioid agonist methadone.
Effects of pH Buffering on Horizontal and Ganglion Cell Light Responses in Primate Retina: Evidence for the Proton Hypothesis of Surround Formation

Negative feedback from horizontal cells to cone photoreceptors is regarded as the critical pathway for the formation of the antagonistic surround of retinal neurons, yet the mechanism by which horizontal cells accomplish negative feedback has been difficult to determine. Recent evidence suggests that feedback uses a novel, non-GABAergic pathway that directly modulates the calcium current in cones. In non-mammalian vertebrates, enrichment of retinal pH buffering capacity attenuates horizontal cell feedback, supporting one model in which feedback occurs by horizontal cell modulation of the extracellular pH in the cone synaptic cleft. Here we test the effect of exogenous pH buffering on the response dynamics of H1 horizontal cells and the center-surround receptive field structure of parasol ganglion cells in the macaque monkey retina. Enrichment of the extracellular buffering capacity with HEPES selectively attenuates surround antagonism in parasol ganglion cells. The H1 horizontal cell light response includes a slow, depolarizing component that is attributed to negative feedback to cones. This part of the response is attenuated by HEPES and other pH buffers in a dose-dependent manner that is correlated with predicted buffering capacity. The selective effects of pH buffering on the parasol cell surround and H1 cell light response suggests that, in primate retina, horizontal cell feedback to cones is mediated via a pH-dependent mechanism and is a major determinant of the ganglion cell receptive field surround.
Transient heat transfer from a wire in a violently fluctuating environment

Abstract A closed form perturbation solution is obtained for the problem of transient heat transfer from a constant temperature circular cylinder in a violently fluctuating flow of incompressible Newtonian fluids. The small parameter used in the solution is the ratio of the maximum fluctuation amplitude to the cylinder diameter. The solution is asymptotically valid for any values of the Prandtl and Reynolds numbers. The natural convection is considered as the second-order effect. The solution is also applied to predict the initial transient heat transfer from a wire which starts from rest an arbitrary translational motion. Numerical results in terms of time-dependent local and average Nusselt numbers are used to demonstrate the significant time lag of heat transfer response to the fluctuating velocity. It is shown that an optimum frequency of sinusoidal oscillation exists for the maximum net heat transfer at given flow parameters.
Stem Cells Are Units of Natural Selection in a Colonial Ascidian

Stem cells are highly conserved biological units of development and regeneration. Here we formally demonstrate that stem cell lineages are also legitimate units of natural selection. In a colonial ascidian, Botryllus schlosseri, vascular fusion between genetically distinct individuals results in cellular parasitism of somatic tissues, gametes, or both. We show that genetic hierarchies of somatic and gametic parasitism following fusion can be replicated by transplanting cells between colonies. We prospectively isolate a population of multipotent, self-renewing stem cells that retain their competitive phenotype upon transplantation. Their single-cell contribution to either somatic or germline fates, but not to both, is consistent with separate lineages of somatic and germline stem cells or pluripotent stem cells that differentiate according to the niche in which they land. Since fusion is restricted to individuals that share a fusion/histocompatibility allele, these data suggest that histocompatibility genes in Botryllus evolved to protect the body from parasitic stem cells usurping asexual or sexual inheritance.
Minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy.

Abstract Background: Minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy (MIRP) combines technetium sestamibi scan, intraoperative gamma probe, methylene blue dye, and measurement of circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Study Design: All patients presented with biochemically proved primary hyperparathyroidism. A technetium sestamibi scan was performed preoperatively. Technetium sestamibi and methylene blue dye (7.5 mg/kg) were administered IV on the day of operation. Operative dissection was directed by the gamma probe. Blood samples for PTH assay were obtained before and after excision of an abnormal gland. When an appropriate decrease in the PTH assay was obtained, the exploration was concluded. Persistent PTH elevation instigated further neck exploration. Results: Thirty-six consecutive patients were explored for untreated primary hyperparathyroidism and three for recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Hypercalcemia was corrected in all 39 patients. A single adenoma was found in 32 of 36 patients with untreated primary hyperparathyroidism, and a single abnormal gland was identified in all of those with recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Persistently elevated PTH prompted further exploration in two patients, identifying a second abnormal gland in one and hyperplasia in the other. Minor local complications occurred in 8% (3 of 39) of the patients. Forty-four percent (16 of 36) of the patients were discharged on the day of operation and 83% (30 of 36) within 23 hours after the initial neck exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism. Comparison of charges for MIRP with charges for "standard" neck exploration revealed lower costs with MIRP because of decreased duration of the operation, anesthesia, and hospital stay, and elimination of intraoperative histologic analysis. Conclusions: MIRP is a safe and effective procedure, resulting in the correction of hypercalcemia in all patients. The combination of intraoperative gamma probe and methylene blue dye allows rapid identification of the abnormal gland with minimal dissection through a small incision. PTH assay after excision provides biochemical confirmation that the abnormal gland has been removed. Most patients undergoing MIRP can be treated on an outpatient basis. Low postoperative complications, a small incision, and rapid return to normal activities resulted in very high patient acceptance of the procedure. (J Am Coll Surg 2000;191:24-31. © 2000 by the American College of Surgeons)
Memory trace strength and response biasing in short-term motor memory.

Two experiments, which attempted to create differential memory trace strengths in a response biasing paradigm, were performed. After the presentation of the criterion location, an interpolated target was presented which was either ±40 deg from the criterion. The S’s task was to attend to both targets and recall each when instructed. The first experiment involved strengthening the criterion trace via repetition (0, 5, or 14 rep.) while the second involved providing additional feedback via visual, auditory, and heightened kinesthetic cues. In the initial experiment, a Repetition by Response Biasing interaction revealed that repetition systematically reduced error shifts at recall. The second experiment found that, in the combined feedback and visual conditions, response biasing was reduced. It seems feasible to suggest that both studies successfully manipulated memory trace strength which appears to be one determiner of error shifts at recall.
Understanding the actions of carcinostatic drugs to improve chemotherapy: 5-fluorouracil.

Abstract The accumulation of additional basic knowledge about 5-fluorouracil is still required in order to improve the optimal utilization of this drug in the cancer patient. The drug's inhibitory effects on ribosome formation, already recognized as an important drug response in microorganisms and rodent tissues, has now been demonstrated for human colon tumors. However, ribosome synthesis does not occur sufficiently rapidly under the conditions of these experiments so that this assay appears to have limited promise as a predictor for human tumor responsiveness to FU. In the L1210 system, a rodent tumor model sensitive to FU, FdUMP was formed rapidly, and this metabolite persisted for several days in the tumor after a single dose of FU. DNA synthesis was inhibited simultaneously in concurrence with peak FdUMP levels, and recovery of this inhibition took place as the tissue concentration of FdUMP declined. DNA synthesis in bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract, which was also inhibited by drug treatment, recovered more rapidly than that of tumor, in line with the antitumor selectivity of FU in this tumor model. For the relatively unresponsive Walker 256 rat tumor, even higher levels of FdUMP were formed initially, but this metabolite was retained only briefly in the tumor after a single dose of FU. Inhibition of DNA formation in tumor was more transient than that in normal tissues, probably accounting for the nonselective antitumor response in that model. It is likely that tissue retention of FdUMP may serve as a major determinant for activity of FU in tumor and normal tissues, but other factors including inhibition of ribosomal maturation also play a role in the drug's cytotoxic action.
Design Features of a Positron Tomograph with 2.4 MM Resolution

A design is presented for a positron tomograph having 2.4 mm spatial resolution. This resolution is achieved by using small plastic scintillators in ten detector rings, the light from the scintillators being transmitted to photomultipliers through optical fibers. By proper arrangement of the fibers the light signals are coded so that only 200 photomultipliers are required for the system. By using 10 rings the sensitivity of the tomograph is increased so that it is better than that of present tomographs having design resolutions of 6 mm.
Listeria monocytogenes infection in patients with cancer

Listeriosis (LT) is an important infection in immunocompromised patients, but no large series of LT in cancer patients have been recently described. We reviewed the records of 34 cancer patients with LT at our institution (1990-2001). Twenty patients (59%) had an underlying hematologic malignancy. In 11 patients, LT complicated bone marrow transplantation. Lymphocytopenia was observed in 62% of the patients. Twenty-six patients (76%) received prior corticosteroids. Bacteremia was the most common presentation of LT (74%) followed by meningoencephalitis (21%). The most common treatment of LT was ampicillin with or without gentamicin (68%). The median duration of treatment was 26 days (range, 8-74 days). The rate of response to antimicrobial therapy was 79%. No relapses were identified. LT contributed to death in 9 (75%) of the 12 patients who died. Meningoencephalitis had the worst prognosis (3 of 6 cases were fatal). Treatment of central nervous system LT continues to have a high failure rate.
Utilization of nanoscale zero‐valent iron for source remediation—A case study

A pilot-scale study was performed using a palladium-catalyzed and polymer-coated nanoscale zero-valent iron (ZVI) particle suspension at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. A total of 300 pounds of nanoscale ZVI particle suspension was injected via a gravity feed and recirculated through a source area containing chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The recirculation created favorable mixing and distribution of the iron suspension and enhanced the mass transfer of sorbed and nonaqueous constituents into the aqueous phase, where the contaminants could be reduced. Between 65 and 99 percent aqueous-phase VOC concentration reduction occurred, due to abiotic degradation, within five weeks of the injection. The rapid abiotic degradation processes then yielded to slower biological degradation as subsequent decreases in -elimination parameters were observed—yet favorable redox conditions were maintained as a result of the ZVI treatment. Post-treatment analyses revealed cumulative reduction of soil contaminant concentrations between 8 and 92 percent. Aqueous-phase VOC concentrations in wells side gradient and downgradient of the source were reduced up to 99 percent and were near or below applicable regulatory criteria. These reductions, coupled with the generation of innocuous by-products, indicate that nanoscale ZVI effectively degraded contamination and reduced the mass flux from the source, a critical metric identified for source treatment. A summary of this project was recently presented at the US EPA Workshop on Nanotechnology for Site Remediation in Washington, D.C., on October 21–22, 2005. This case study supplied evidence that nanoscale zero valent iron, an emerging remediation technology, has been implemented successfully in the field. More information about this workshop and this presentation can be found at www.frtr.gov/nano/index.htm. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bleeding risk for surgical dialysis procedures in children with hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Children with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) frequently develop acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is commonly used. Despite high rates of thrombocytopenia, there is concern that platelet transfusions may worsen HUS by exacerbating microthrombi formation. We evaluated bleeding risk for PD catheter placement with or without central venous catheter (CVC) placement in children with HUS. Records from 1998 to 2007 were searched. Data regarding patient demographics, PD catheter placement, CVC placement, occurrence of procedure-associated bleeding, and time from insertion to removal of PD catheter were collected. Patients were stratified according to those who received and those who did not receive platelet transfusions. Seventy-three patients were identified. Twenty-two (30%) patients received platelet transfusion while 51 (70%) did not. Mean preoperative platelet counts were 37,600±21,900/mm3 in patients receiving transfusions and 64,800 ± 38,800/mm3 in patients not receiving transfusions. Sixty-seven children (92%) also underwent CVC placement. There were no bleeding complications related to these procedures in either group. No differences in time to removal of the PD catheter were detected. Although caution and sound clinical judgment must be exercised, our findings suggest that PD catheter and CVC placement can be accomplished safely in most children with HUS, without need for platelet transfusion in spite of the associated thrombocytopenia.
Amalgam repair with a 4-META resin.

Since the introduction of a 4-META bonding agent (Amalgambond; Parkell, Farmingdale, NY) in 1990, it is possible to bond amalgam to amalgam, dentin, and composite. The bond strength and microleakage of this bonding agent have been studied. In 1992 the latest version of the 4-META bonding agent (AmalgambondPlus; Parkell) was introduced. The manufacturer has included a high-performance additive (HPA), which is the adhesive resin to the product, and purports this addition improves bond strength. According to the manufacturer, when using Amalgambond-Plus in amalgam foundations or repairs, the amalgam should be condensed while the HPA mix is still wet, to better bond with amalgam. The manufacturer does not recommend using the HPA with composite. In 1992, Chang et al illustrated that the mean shear bond strength of existing amalgambonded to new amalgam with Amalgambond (Parkell) after 1000 thermal cycles was 105.68 kg/cm (10.37 MPa). Bonding of different materials can resist fracture only if the bond strength is high. The combination of bonding agent and mechanical retention such as dovetail, groove, box, well, or pin can better resist fracture. The use of some bonding agents can be technique-sensitive and cannot be depended on solely. Therefore, the combination of bonding agent and mechanical retention is recommended. This technique for repairing amalgam is simple and quick. Amalgam repair, though not regarded as definitive, can be useful as an interim restoration or for an emergency treatment. Thus, while this procedure can be of benefit to the patient, it should not be considered definitive. This article describes an amalgam restoration repaired with a 4-META adhesive resin.
Comparison of emissions of nitrogen and sulfur oxides to deposition of nitrate and sulfate in the USA by state in 1990

Abstract Many naturally occurring and human-induced activities result in the emission of nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds into the atmosphere. Precipitation is an important process by which compounds are scavenged from the atmosphere and deposited onto the earth's surface. The purpose of this paper is to compare the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) in each of the 48 continguous states in the USA with measured wet deposition of nitrate (NO 3 − ) and sulfate (SO 4 2− ) in each state for the year 1990. With one exception (Vermont), wet deposition of N as nitrate was less than emissions of N as nitrogen oxides on a statewide basis in 1990. The median wet N deposition/emission value was 0.21. Wet plus dry N deposition of nitrate was estimated to represent 43% of NO x emissions in North Carolina. Wet deposition of S was less than emissions in 1990 in all but five states (Vermont, Maine, Arkansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota). The median value of wet deposition of sulfate/SO 2 emissions was 0.34. In North Carolina, dry deposition of sulfate was estimated to represent an additional 21% of emissions, so that total deposition accounted for 60% of S emissions. Net transport of N and S is likely an important part of the discrepancy between emissions and deposition.
Computer-aided detection and diagnosis of colon polyps with morphological and texture features

In this paper, we propose a new technique to utilize both the morphological and the texture information of the colon wall for detection of colonic polyps. Firstly this method can quickly identify suspicious patches of the colon wall by employing special local and global geometrical information, different from other methods of utilizing local geometry only. By our edge-detection technology, the growing region of suspected polyps is identified and its internal textures are quantitatively analyzed based on an assumed ellipsoid polyp model. Both the extracted texture and morphological information are then applied to eliminate the false positives from the identified suspicious patches. With all the extracted geometrical, morphological and texture features, this presented computer-aided detection method have demonstrated significant improvement in detection of the colonic polyps for virtual colonoscopy.
Study of the relationship between the neurotransmitter store and adrenergic nerve block induced by reserpine and guanethidine.

The heart rate response to cardioaccelerator nerve stimulation and the corresponding levels of myocardial norepinephrine content were determined and correlated in dogs at various time intervals following the intravenous injection of either 3 mg/kg reserpine, or 10 mg/kg guanethidine. Guanethidine produced complete blockade of the cardiac accelerator response before producing measurable myocardial depletion of norepinephrine. In contrast, reserpine reduced the positive chronotropic response to cardioaccelerator nerve stimulation only after myocardial norepinephrine levels have been reduced to approximately 0.3 µg/g. An infusion of norepinephrine did not restore the heart rate response to cardioaccelerator nerve stimulation in either the reserpine or guanethidine treated dogs. These data suggest that the interference with adrenergic transmission produced by guanethidine is independent of changes in the level of stored adrenergic transmitter. The reserpine-induced blockade of adrenergic transmission may ultimately be dependent upon the mission may ultimately be dependent upon the depletion of adrenergic transmitter, but almost complete depletion of stored adrenergic transmitter must occur before reserpine-induced adrenergic blockade occurs.
PERSPECTIVES ON PAROLE DECISION-MAKING WITH JUVENILES

Parole as applied to juveniles is something about which we have generated little systematic knowledge and few theories. The purpose of the present study is to present and assess various perspectives that are potentially fruitful in exploring parole decision-making with juveniles. Material drawn from parole decision research with adults is juxtaposed to that derived from more theoretical sociological perspectives, and both are evaluated in view of the philosophy of the juvenile justice system. Results are presented which suggest that the social service orientation of the juvenile justice system is not very helpful in understanding parole decision-making. Rather, it would appear that an analysis of “normal cases” forms the basis of decisions and that race constitutes a basic sorting variable. Furthermore, it is suggested that different sets of factors are used in decision-making for offenders of different races.
Ultrasensitive near-infrared integrated cavity output spectroscopy technique for detection of CO at 1.57 μm: new sensitivity limits for absorption measurements in passive optical cavities

A robust absorption spectrometer using the off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) technique in a passive cavity is presented. The observed sensitivity, conceptually the detection threshold for the absorption cross section (cm2) multiplied by the concentration (cm−3) and normalized by the averaging time, is measured to be 1.9×10−12 (1/cm√Hz). This high sensitivity arises from using the optical cavity to amplify the observed path length in the spectrometer while avoiding cavity resonances by careful design of the spot pattern within the cavity. The instrument is ideally suited for routine monitoring of trace gases in the near-infrared region. A spectrum showing ambient carbon monoxide at 1.57 μm is presented.
Coping with an Ecological Disaster: The Role of Perceived Meaning in Life and Self-Efficacy Following the Gulf Oil Spill

Abstract On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded, releasing five billion barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico over five months (referred to as the Gulf Oil Spill). This oil spill affected Gulf Coast communities, harming both sea and land wildlife, damaging the fishing industry, and destroying natural resources. In the wake of such a disaster, many people experience decreases in their quality of life. However, coping mechanisms such as developing meaning or purpose in life and creating a sense of self-efficacy can allow people to recover. The present study evaluates the effect of the Gulf Oil Spill on 361 individuals seeking clinical services on the Mississippi Gulf Coast following the spill. Regression analyses revealed that the perceived effects of the spill were only weakly related to life satisfaction. Perceived meaning in life and self-efficacy were much more predictive of satisfaction with life, with perceived meaning in life serving as the most important predictor. These dat...
Density-based unsupervised classification for spherical objects

Human interpreters are very sensitive to spatial information in supervised classification. A well-known isodata algorithm in unsupervised classification requires many parameters to be set by human being. Some other unsupervised algorithm focuses on spectral information, but spatial information is lost in the process. Biased sampling is one good approach to get some information about the global structure. For local structures, many techniques have been used. For example similarity and local density are discussed in many papers. In biased sampling, images are divided into many l x l patches and a sample pixel is selected from each patch. Similarity at a point p, denoted by sim(p) , measures the change of gray level between point p and its neighborhood N(p) . In this article we introduce a method to use biased sampling to combine spectral and spatial information. We use similarity and local popularity in selecting sample points to get better results. To use similarity ( sim(p) ≤δ), one must determine δ. One way is to make it adapted such that a sample point can be selected from each patch. Here after normalization, we choose a sample point with a minimum value of [equation] for some positive numbers α and β. There is no precondition for δ needed and the selected pixel is a better representative, especially near the border of an object. Kernel estimators are employed to obtain smooth density approximation before final classification. Some experiments have been conducted using the proposed methods and the results are satisfactory.
From the "Ivory Tower" to the "University of the Poor": A Professor's Educational Journey.

Adopting a Freirean perspective, the purpose of this autoethnography is to reframe the typical relationship between university educators and communities in poverty by highlighting the educative imp...
Temporal variability of water quality in the St. Lucie estuary, South Florida

: Four years of monthly freshwater discharge and constituent concentration data from three tributaries were related to a concurrent series of data for three segments of the St. Lucie Estuary in South Florida using multiple regression and time-series analysis techniques. Water quality parameters examined were dissolved inorganic and total nitrogen and phosphorus, chlorophyll a, total suspended solids, turbidity, and color. On monthly time scales, a multiple regression, which included freshwater discharge, freshwater constituent concentration, and dilution with ocean water (salinity) as independent variables, explained 50 percent or less of the variability in estuarine constituents. No single independent variable explained more variation than another. By contrast, on seasonal (wet, dry) time scales, freshwater discharge explained the bulk of variation in estuarine water quality (up to 93 percent). On monthly time scales, variability in concentrations of nutrients and other constituents may be largely controlled by processes internal to the system. At seasonal time scales, freshwater discharge appears to drive variability in most estuarine water quality parameters examined. Results indicate that management of tributary input on a seasonal basis, with the expectation of achieving seasonal concentration goals in the estuary, would have a higher probability of success than managing on a monthly basis.
892 INTRAVENOUS GAMMAGLOBULIN VERSUS SPLENECTOMY IN CHRONIC ITP: AN ANALYSIS OF BENEFITS AND COSTS

IVGG has been used as an alternative to splenectomy (SPL) in children 6 months (J Peds 10/83). Decision analysis was used to compare the benefits and costs of IVGG vs. SPL in the initial management of chronic ITP. Published reports and a survey of 11 pediatric hematology centers provided data for the analysis. For IVGG, the experience of the first 25 patients treated at Cornell was used: (1) THERAPY/COSTS: induction IVGG dose of 73 grams/pt (2 gms/kg) at $40/gm=$3,000, avg maintenance IVGG dose in a subsequent 6 month period of 117 gms/pt $5,000, office visits & CBC's=$780. (2) OUTCOME/MANAGEMENT: 5 remissions, 6 stable without IVGG, 4 infrequent (<q2months) maintenance IVGG, 5 frequent maintenance IVGG, 5 refractory (with subsequent response to SPL not impaired). 60% pts remission, partial response: $1,000 for IVGG past 12 months, 40% pts failing IVGG get SPL. For SPLENECTOMY: (1) COSTS: Surgery=$7000, admissions (two) for high fever=$3,000, office visit and CBC's $220 (2) OUTCOME/MANAGEMENT: 80% remission/partial response, pts failing SPL get IVGG for 6 months ($8,780). The base case comparison yields costs of $12,868 for IVGG and $11,976 for SPL, nearly equal costs for the two strategies. The major determinant variables were the initial cost of surgery and the maintenance costs of continuing IVGG. As the cost of IVGG is a function of weight, the benefit cost ratio shifts in favor of IVGG for younger children for whom SPL is less desirable in any event.
Diffusion of Sikhism and recent migration patterns of Sikhs in India

This paper studies the diffusion of Sikhism from its beginnings at the end of the fifteenth century to the present. By focusing on the historical importance of the Punjab plains area, a spatial crossroad, the problems of survival of the Sikh religion are analyzed. Though the Sikhs remain primarily confined to the Punjab plains, limited expansion took place in the first half of the 19th century with Ranjit Singh's conquest of lands beyond Punjab. Starting from the 2nd half of the 19th century when British occupied Punjab, the Sikhs could practice their religion without any persecution. The British preferred the Sikhs in administrative service particularly in the army, which led to migration of Sikhs to different parts of the country. The partition of India in 1947 further accentrated this migration process because a large number of Sikh refugees from Pakistan settled outside Punjab. Moreover, as a result of “push” factor, some agriculturally based Sikhs of Punjab went to cities all over India in search of employment in which they specialized; these were often single male migrants which caused comparatively greater female ratio in some districts of Punjab, whereas, in the urban areas outside of Punjab, there is larger male ratio. At the same time, in Punjab the greater bulk of the Sikh population is rural, which is also true of Indian population as a whole; outside of Punjab, the Sikh population is overwhelmingly urban. Though Sikh diffusion has remained restricted to the Punjab plains, their migration has witnessed a spread in the last 125 years covering different parts of India.
Development of a signature supercode

This paper reviews current and future signature modeling activities at KRC and TACOM. PRISM (Physically Reasonable Infrared Signature Model) and its associated modeling tools are discussed along with the implementation of the physical principles that will evolve into the SuperCode. By continuing the current efforts with PRISM and then forming a SuperCode Research Consortium to implement additional advanced features, a universal code will be available to the modeling community.
How I came to America

A Caribbean immigrant in America is reminded of a fundamental truth: power and privilege cede nothing without a struggle. She credits the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s for breaking down barriers that limited the immigration of people of colour to the United States.
Thermotolerance induced by heat, sodium arsenite, or puromycin: its inhibition and differences between 43 degrees C and 45 degrees C.

When CHO cells were treated either for 10 min at 45–45.5°C or for 1 hr with 100 μM sodium arsenite (ARS) or for 2 hr with 20 μg/ml puromycin (PUR-20), they became thermotolerant to a heat treatment at 45–45.5°C administered 4–14 hr later, with thermotolerance ratios at 10−3 isosurvival of 4–6, 2–3.2, and 1.7, respectively. These treatments caused an increase in synthesis of HSP families (70, 87, and 110 kDa) relative to total protein synthesis. However, for a given amount of thermotolerance, the ARS and PUR-20 treatments induced 4 times more synthesis than the heat treatment. This decreased effectiveness of the ARS treatment may occur because ARS has been reported to stimulate minimal redistribution of HSP-70 to the nucleus and nucleolus. Inhibiting protein synthesis with cycloheximide (CHM, 10 μg/ml) or PUR (100 μg/ml) after the initial treatments greatly inhibited thermotolerance to 45–45.5°C in all cases. However, for a challenge at 43°C, thermotolerance was inhibited only for the ARS and PUR-20 treatments. CHM did not suppress heat-induced thermotolerance to 43°C, which was the same as heat protection observed when CHM was added before and during heating at 43°C without the initial heat treatment. These differences between the initial treatments and between 43 and 45°C may possibly be explained by reports that show that heat causes more redistribution of HSP-70 to the nucleus and nucleolus than ARS and that redistribution of HSP-70 can occur during heating at 42°C with or without the presence of CHM. Heating cells at 43°C for 5 hr after thermotolerance had developed induced additional thermotolerance, as measured with a challenge at 45°C immediately after heating at 43°C. Compared to the nonthermotolerant cells, thermotolerance ratios were 10 for the ARS treatment and 8.5 for the initial heat treatment. Adding CHM (10 μg/ml) or PUR (100 μg/ml) to inhibit protein synthesis during heating at 43°C did not greatly reduce this additional thermotolerance. If, however, protein synthesis was inhibited between the initial heat treatment and heating at 43°C, protein synthesis was required during 43°C for the development of additional thermotolerance to 45°C. These data suggest that if a considerable amount of synthesis of HSP families occurred after the initial treatment before heating at 43°C, redistribution during 43°C of the previously synthesized HSP families could lead to the additional thermotolerance to 45°C.
Holomicrography: Transformation of Image during Reconstruction a posteriori

Holomicrographs recorded through a microscope contain a hologram of the interior of the microscope, including the objective. During reconstruction of the microscopic image, modification of the aperture of the reconstructed objective produces the same alteration in the reconstructed image that would have occurred in the original image, if the actual objective had received the same modification. By this means, a single event holographed by bright-field microscopy may later be examined in reconstruction by dark-field, phase-contrast,or interference microscopy.
A Revenge-Immune Solution to the Semantic Paradoxes

The paper offers a solution to the semantic paradoxes, one in which (1) we keep the unrestricted truth schema “True(A)↔A”, and (2) the object language can include its own metalanguage. Because of the first feature, classical logic must be restricted, but full classical reasoning applies in “ordinary” contexts, including standard set theory. The more general logic that replaces classical logic includes a principle of substitutivity of equivalents, which with the truth schema leads to the general intersubstitutivity of True(A) with A within the language.
Open Completeness: Messiaen’s “Quartet for the End of Time”

AbstractSeveral of Messiaen’s compositional techniques are designed, he says, to “eliminate temporality.” They succeed. Still, in a variety of highly original and interesting ways, the piece also sustains temporality. Joining the elimination of temporality with its opposite in each movement puts listeners onto the infinitesimal interface of the temporal and the eternal. The undoing and the redoing of temporality happen so differently in the various movements, however, that no procession from one movement to the next takes place. This absence of temporal coherence in the Quartet as a whole is an additional mode of eliminating temporality, but one that is, in Messiaen’s hands, joined to a strange and new kind of completeness. The salient characteristic of the latter is that while the completeness is authentic, and brings the satisfaction that is a quality of completions, it is radically open to further, though not necessarily surpassing, completions.
Systematic errors from an optically pumped polarized ion source

Abstract The systematic errors that arise in polarization measurements have been examined using the LAMPF optically pumped polarized ion source (OPPIS). Knowledge of these is important in planning precise experiments such as charge symmetry breaking or parity violation measurements.
The Economy of the Gift: Paul Ricoeur's Significance for Theological Ethics

Paul Ricoeur's understanding of the relations of faith, love, and hope suggests a unique approach to theological ethics, one that holds fresh promise for bringing together considerations of the good (teleology) and the right (deontology) around the notion of an “economy of the gift.” The economy of the gift articulates Ricoeur's distinctively dialectical understanding of the relation of the human and the divine, and the resulting dialectical moral relation of the self and the other. Despite our fallen condition, Ricoeur suggests, we are called by the divine to embrace the radical possibility of the reconciliation of human goods under the requirement of accountability to human diversity and otherness.
A close neighbour algorithm for designing cellular manufacturing systems

The first step in creating a cellular manufacturing system is to identify machine groups and form part families. Clustering and data organization (CDR) algorithms (such as the bond energy algorithm) and array sorting (ARS) methods (such as the rank order clustering algorithm) have been proposed to solve the machine and part grouping problem. However, these methods do not always produce a solution matrix that has a block diagonal structure, making visual identification of machine groups and part families extremely difficult. This paper presents a ‘close neighbour algorithm’ to solve this problem. The algorithm overcomes many deficiencies of the CDR and ASM methods. The algorithm is tested against ten existing algorithms in solving test problems from the literature. Test results show that the algorithm is very reliable and efficient.
A novel Fourier transform limited, high energy, tunable Ti:Sapphire source

We report a new laser source consisting of a Ti:Sa cavity post amplifier. It is broadly tunable and the output spectral linewidth is Fourier transform limited. The cavity frequency matching is controlled by a DSP.
Capacitation of frog sperm.

THE capacitation of spermatozoa is established as a prerequisite to fertilization in mammals1,2. Presumably the sperm undergoes some morphological or physiological change (or both) while in contact with female reproductive tissues, and it is only after this “capacitation” that the mammalian sperm can make contact with and penetrate the egg surface3–5. Results of studies carried out in our laboratory suggest that an interaction between the egg-jelly material and the sperm of the frog, Rana pipiens, might be analogous to capacitation in mammals.