cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Models for metasearch

Given the ranked lists of documents returned by multiple search engines in response to a given query, the problem ofmetasearchis to combine these lists in a way which optimizes the performance of the combination. This paper makes three contributions to the problem of metasearch: (1) We describe and investigate a metasearch model based on an optimal democratic voting procedure, the Borda Count; (2) we describe and investigate a metasearch model based on Bayesian inference; and (3) we describe and investigate a model for obtaining upper bounds on the performance of metasearch algorithms. Our experimental results show that metasearch algorithms based on the Borda and Bayesian models usually outperform the best input system and are competitive with, and often outperform, existing metasearch strategies. Finally, our initial upper bounds demonstrate that there is much to learn about the limits of the performance of metasearch.
Classical Logic and Inexact Predicates

The first premise of this argument, moreover, can be definitely true even if some men at the meeting were borderline cases of 'short' and some were borderline cases of 'middle-aged'. Suppose that all the men at the meeting who were borderline cases of 'short', as well as all those who were definitely short, were definitely middle-aged. Then all the men at the meeting who were borderline cases of 'middle-aged', as well as all those who were definitely not middle-aged, were definitely not short. I agree with Professor K6rner that a logic adequate to deal with borderline cases would be worth having. If there had been a definitely short man at the meeting who was a borderline case of 'middle-aged', then classical logic would have left the status of the first premise problematic (although, of course, the validity of the argument would be unaffected). But just because there are some relations between inexact predicates which cannot be expressed in classical logic, it does not follow that the application of classical logic must be restricted to exact predicates. When 'A' is an exact predicate and 'B' is inexact, then it is difficult to see how a biconditional of the form '(x)(Ax Bx)' can be necessarily true. I suspect that Professor William Alston has biconditionals in mind in the following passage, since he talks about terms being 'lined up':
Computer Aided Synchrotron White Beam X-Ray Topographic Analysis of Multipolytype SiC Device Configurations

SiC device configurations comprising various polytypes have been analyzed using synchrotron white beam x-ray topography with the aid of computer simulation. Diffracted intensity maps for the various polytypes and their combinations in various diffraction geometries, including transmission, reflection, grazing-reflection and back-reflection are generated. This method is used to determine the structures of SiC devices fabricated via CVD epilayer growth of nominally 3C-SiC or 6H-SiC, or 6H-SiC substrates grown by the Lely technique. The work indicates that those devices which were initially considered to be of 3C structure also contain some 6H structure. Defect structures associated with the polytype configurations are also presented.
ANTIGENIC ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN GROUP B ARTHROPOD-BORNE VIRUSES BY ANTIBODY ABSORPTION

A method for carrying out antibody absorption studies for antigenic analysis of group B arthropod-borne (arbor) viruses is described and examples of homologous and heterologous absorption curves are presented. Evidence that antigenic structure can be a stable property was obtained with three strains of West Nile virus isolated from different hosts in different countries over a period of years. Comparative studies with viruses of the Japanese B-St. Louis-West Nile subgroup indicate that each virus contains a completely specific antigen as well as one or more cross-reactive components. Strains of yellow fever virus isolated in America were shown to lack an antigen present in strains of African origin although no differences were found between isolates from the same geographical area. The attenuated 17 D vaccine strain of yellow fever was found to have acquired an additional antigen not present in the unadapted parent or in other strains tested. However, alteration in pathogenicity for man was not found to be necessarily attended by any antigenic modification, as shown by the antigenic identity of the French neurotropic vaccine strain with its pantropic parent.
Anthrax Biosensor, Protective Antigen Ion Channel Asymmetric Blockade

The significant threat posed by biological agents (e.g. anthrax, tetanus, botulinum, and diphtheria toxins) (Inglesby, T. V., O'Toole, T., Henderson, D. A., Bartlett, J. G., Ascher, M. S., Eitzen, E., Friedlander, A. M., Gerberding, J., Hauer, J., Hughes, J., McDade, J., Osterholm, M. T., Parker, G., Perl, T. M., Russell, P. K., and Tonat, K. (2002) J. Am. Med. Assoc. 287, 2236-2252) requires innovative technologies and approaches to understand the mechanisms of toxin action and to develop better therapies. Anthrax toxins are formed from three proteins secreted by fully virulent Bacillus anthracis, protective antigen (PA, 83 kDa), lethal factor (LF, 90 kDa), and edema factor (EF, 89 kDa). Here we present electrophysiological measurements demonstrating that full-length LF and EF convert the current-voltage relationship of the heptameric PA63 ion channel from slightly nonlinear to highly rectifying and diode-like at pH 6.6. This effect provides a novel method for characterizing functional toxin interactions. The method confirms that a previously well characterized PA63 monoclonal antibody, which neutralizes anthrax lethal toxin in animals in vivo and in vitro, prevents the binding of LF to the PA63 pore. The technique can also detect the presence of anthrax lethal toxin complex from plasma of infected animals. The latter two results suggest the potential application of PA63 nanopore-based biosensors in anthrax therapeutics and diagnostics.
Quantitative gas-liquid chromatography of lodine-containing amino acids

Abstract Two procedures were developed and compared to prepare the volatile TMS derivatives of iodinated amino acids. The volatile derivatives of monoiodotyrosine (MIT), diiodotyrosine (DIT), diiodothyronine (T 2 ), triiodothyronine (T 3 ), and thyroxine (T 4 ) were synthesized using HMDS-TMCS and bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (BSA). The reaction conditions to obtain maximum yield with BSA were 150°C for 30 min in a closed tube. Reference derivatives were prepared on a macro seale and empirical formulas were established by elemental analyses and infrared spectra. Yields greater than 97% were obtained with BSA as the silylation reagent compared to values as low as 66% with HMDS-TMCS. The TMS derivatives were chromatographed on a 1.0 m × 3.5 mm i.d. borosilicate-glass column packed with Chromosorb G 60 80 mesh, acid-washed, DMCS-treated, and coated with 0.5% SE-30. Complete chromatographic separation of the 5 iodoamino acids was achieved in 37 min. The minimum detectable response was found to be ca. 20 nanograms using the flame ionization detector (signal/noise = 2).
Similarity between the Si(111)-(7×7) and impurity-stabilized Si(111)-(1×1) surfaces☆

Abstract Photoemission studies of intrinsic surface states are reported which show a strong similarity between the Si(111)-(7×7) and impurity-stabilized Si(111)-(1×1) surfaces. These results suggest that impurity-stabilized Si(111)-(1×1) surfaces are significantly reconstructed with a short range atomic configuration similar to that of the Si(111)-(7×7) surface, and are not unreconstructed with an essentially bulklike, contracted (1×1) surface as suggested via recent dynamical LEED calculations.
Intermode calibration of diode-laser spectra using tandem étalons

The paper deals with an approach which can improve the accuracy of etalon calibration of tunable diode-laser (TDL) spectra in the IR and extend absolute calibration among several isolated modes. Two etalons placed in the laser beam produce a combined fringe pattern that, with the aid of a monochromator mode selector, can be used to establish the number of fringes between any two spectral points separated by a large frequency interval. This technique has been applied to several similar cases for calibration of isolated modes or verification of the identity of lines of known frequency.
Sth132I, a novel class-IIS restriction endonuclease of Streptococcus thermophilus ST132.

Abstract The Sth 132I restriction endonuclease (R. Sth 132I) was detected in Streptococcus thermophilus ST132 and purified to near homogeneity by heparin Sepharose CL-6B affinity chromatography. Fragments from Sth 132I digestion of plasmid DNA were subcloned into pUC19 in Escherichia coli DH5 α and sequenced. Sequence analysis of inserts and their ligation junction sites revealed that Sth 132I is a novel class-IIS restriction endonuclease, which recognizes the non-palindromic sequence 5′-CCCG(N) 4 -3′ 3′-GGGC(N) 8 -5′.
Work in progress — project-based learning in manufacturing process

A project-based learning (PBL) is implemented in the teaching of a manufacturing process course at the undergraduate level to focus on reducing the gap between what's been taught in the classroom and what's been practiced on the manufacturing floor. Instead of the traditional lecture/homework/exam approach, each student is asked to complete a semester long project in the areas of manufacturing processes and manufacturing materials. Surveys are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach. It is expected that the implementation of PBL approach will more fully utilize the instructor's years of manufacturing experience and bring real manufacturing practices to the classroom. It is also expected that the students, upon completion of the course, will be more ready to take on a career in manufacturing and start to perform on day one. The overall effectiveness of this approach will also be evaluated by company supervisors on student interns who have taken the course versus those who have not.
Rocket observations of energetic particles at the geomagnetic equator

Energetic particle detectors were included in the payloads of two rockets launched in Peru during the Condor campaign of 1983. These night-time flights reached altitudes of 587 and 535 km, respectively. The pitch-angle distribution is anisotropic with the maximum at 90 deg. Each payload included two solid-state detectors differing in the thickness of the aluminum coating. Comparison of the fluxes measured by the two detectors leads to the conclusion that, on both occasions, the energetic particles are predominantly helium ions. The flux is small below 200 km, increases linearly to 350 km, and then more slowly to apogee. The east-west asymmetry of flux, noted at 200 km in a previous equatorial launch, is not seen at greater altitudes, consistent with the flux profile and the large gyroradius of the ions.
Enzymatic activities of proteases dissolved in organic solvents

Abstract In 6 of 14 neat organic solvents enzymatic activity of dissolved subtilisin was detected. Subtilisin showed approximately 500× higher activity in glycerol than in ethylene glycol, N -methylacetamide, N -methylformamide, 1,2- and 1,3-propanediol. Comparison of soluble proteases in glycerol shows that subtilisin has between 16 to 44× higher V m , and the same K m range compared with chymotrypsin, thermolysin, and trypsin using phenyl acetate as a substrate at 30°C. However, the K m of subtilisin in glycerol was 10× higher than in water. Autolysis rate of subtilisin in glycerol at 30°C is about 3.5× lower than in water, and the rate of autolysis increases from 2.6 to 9× in glycerol and from 44× in water at 37 and 45°C, respectively. Changes in the specificity of bovine serum albumin cleavage by subtilisin were observed by switching from homogeneous glycerol solution to aqueous medium: BSA fragments with different molecular masses in the range of 20 and 40 kDa, and different intensity peaks were detected by using chromatography (fast protein liquid chromatography) and mass spectrometry (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight) techniques.
Conformationally restricted sumatriptan analogues, CP-122,288 and CP-122,638 exhibit enhanced potency against neurogenic inflammation in dura mater

CP-122,288 and CP-122,638 blocked plasma protein extravasation response within dura mater following trigeminal ganglion stimulation. The threshold (1 and 0.1 pmol/kg, respectively) was remarkably lower than for sumatriptan (7 nmol/kg), as was the dose at maximum response. As with sumatriptan, substance P-induced plasma leakage was unaffected by either compound, and metergoline only partially (27%) reversed the effects of CP-122,288. The data suggest the importance of modifications at the aminoethyl side chain to the actions of sumatriptan and possibly to the treatment of migraine headache.
A pilot study of the safety and efficacy of supplemental arginine to enhance immune function in persons with HIV/AIDS.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: We collected preliminary data on the safety and efficacy of supplemental arginine to improve natural killer cell cytotoxicity in a sample of persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study in an academic medical center—based infectious disease clinic, 11 clinically stable, HIV-infected adults had been treated with highly active, antiretroviral therapy and had HIV plasma RNA levels of less than 10 000 copies/mL. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 19.6 g of arginine/d ( n = 6) or placebo ( n = 5) for 14 d. Plasma HIV RNA levels, neuropsychologic functioning, and self-reported adverse events were analyzed for safety of treatment. Efficacy was measured by natural killer cell cytotoxicity. RESULTS: None of the participants experienced any adverse clinical, virologic, or neuropsychologic events that necessitated withdrawal from the study. The arginine-supplemented group showed a mean natural killer cell cytotoxicity increase of 18.9 lytic units, whereas the placebo group showed an increase of 0.3 lytic units. This difference was not statistically significant ( P = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term arginine supplementation is safe for persons with HIV/AIDS. Additional studies with larger samples and longer periods are warranted to determine the effects of arginine supplementation on other indices of immune function and on clinical outcomes such as intercurrent illnesses.
Cardiovascular risk factors in patients with chronic kidney disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease have a higher burden of cardiovascular disease, which increases in a dose-dependent fashion with worsening kidney function. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including advanced age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia, have an important role in the progression of cardiovascular disease in patients who have a reduced glomerular filtration rate, especially in those with mild-to-moderate kidney disease. In patients with severe kidney disease, nontraditional or 'novel' risk factors, including inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular calcification, a prothrombotic milieu, and anemia, seem to confer additional risk. In this Review, we highlight factors that increase cardiovascular risk in patients with a reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate. In addition, we discuss therapeutic strategies for reducing cardiovascular risk in patients with kidney disease, whose unique atherosclerotic phenotype might require an approach that differs from traditional models developed in populations with normal kidney function. Therapeutic paradigms for patients with chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular risk factors must be evaluated in randomized trials, from which such patients have often been excluded.
Testosterone and ruthless homicide

Prior studies have found higher levels of testosterone among persons who commit violent crimes than among those who commit nonviolent crimes. The present study examined data from 230 male prison inmates to determine how testosterone levels might relate specifically to the way in which inmates committed their crimes. Characteristics of inmate behavior associated with murder, manslaughter, robbery, assault, rape, and child molestation were scored from parole board investigative reports, and inmate testosterone levels were assayed from saliva samples. Among inmates who committed homicide, those high in testosterone more often knew their victims and planned their crimes ahead of time. Testosterone was not related to these characteristics for other violent crimes.
The near band-edge emission and photoconductivity response of phosphorus-doped ZnO thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition

The photo-response of phosphorus-doped ZnO thin films is reported. In particular, room temperature photoluminescence and ultraviolet photoconductivity are measured for epitaxial films grown by pulsed laser deposition. For the as-deposited films, the near band-edge emission in P-doped films is reduced in intensity and shifts to higher energy relative to the undoped materials. Annealing in 100 Torr of oxygen decreases the near band-edge photoluminescence intensity for both the undoped and P-doped material. However, an enhancement in the visible orange-red emission due to defect states in the gap is observed with oxygen annealing, which correlates with a decrease in conductivity. The visible luminescence is consistent with radiative recombination involving deep states. Ultraviolet photoconductivity is observed for the annealed films, and is most notable for the phosphorus-doped materials. These results are consistent with the phosphorus introducing a deep level in the gap that is heavily compensated by a defect-related shallow donor in the as-deposited films. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Excellent outcomes of laparoscopic esophagomyotomy for achalasia in patients older than 60 years of age

Background The effectiveness of an esophagomyotomy for dysphagia in elderly patients with achalasia has been questioned. This study was designed to provide an answer.
Stem cells as probabilistic self-producing entities

Stem cells have the capacity both to self-renew and to give rise to differentiated progeny, and are vital to the organization of multicellular organisms. Stem cells raise a number of fundamental questions regarding lineage restriction and cellular differentiation, and they hold enormous promise for cell-based therapies. Here I propose a theoretical framework for stem cell biology based on the concepts of autopoiesis (self-production) and complementarity. I argue that stem cells are pivotal in the self-production of the organism and that we need complementary approaches to understand their probabilistic behavior. I discuss how this framework generates testable hypotheses regarding stem-cell functions.
Constitutive equations for multiphase mixtures of fluids

Constitutive equations for a multiphase mixture of fluids are presented. The mixture is assumed to consist of a single non-uniform temperature and no phase change is allowed. The theory is based on the conservation and balance equations of multiphase mixtures proposed by Dobran, and the constitutive assumption allows for the effects of temperature gradient, density gradients, velocity gradients, velocities and accelerations. A linearized form of the constitutive equations is presented for an arbitrary number of phases, and restrictions on the constitutive assumption are investigated by the second law of thermodynamics. The theory yielded a significant number of results and they are compared with previous investigations.
Cosmogenic 3He and 21Ne production rates calibrated against 10Be in minerals from the Coso volcanic field

This study calibrates the production rate of cosmogenic ^(3)He in pyroxene, olivine, garnet, zircon and apatite as well as ^(21)Ne in quartz and pyroxene against the known production rate of ^(10)Be in quartz. The Devil's Kitchen rhyolite from the Coso volcanic field in southeastern California (elev. ~ 1300 m) was chosen for this study due to its young age (~ 610 ka) and diverse mineral assemblage. Based on ^(10)Be, our two rhyolite samples have apparent exposure ages of ~ 49 and 93 ka, indicating substantial erosion after eruption. Combining data from the two samples, we estimate sea level high latitude ^(3)He spallation production rates of 145 ± 11, 141 ± 16, and 144 ± 30 at g^−1 a−^1 (2σ) for pyroxene, olivine and spessartine garnet respectively. For zircon and apatite, we estimate apparent 3He spallation production rates of 114 ± 8 and 149 ± 28 at g^−1 a^−1 (2σ) respectively. The rates for zircon and apatite are reported as apparent production rates because we do not explicitly address the redistribution of spallation produced ^(3)He from adjacent minerals. These estimates quantitatively account for production of ^(3)He from both cosmogenic and radiogenic neutron reactions on ^(6)Li within the analyzed phases and also implanted from nuclear reactions in neighboring minerals; the high U, Th and Li content of this rhyolite provides a particularly rigorous test of this correction. We estimate ^(21)Ne production rates of 17.7 ± 1.6 and 34.1 ± 3.2 at g^−1 a^−1 (2σ) in quartz and pyroxene (Fe/Mg = 0.7 by mass) respectively. Although high U and Th contents create the potential for significant production of nucleogenic ^(21)Ne, this component is small due to the young eruption age of the rhyolite.
A direct-tension split Hopkinson bar for high strain-rate testing

A direct-tension split-Hopkinson-bar apparatus is introduced. In this apparatus the specimen is loaded by a tensile wave that is generated by the release of a stored load in a section of the input bar. The system can be used for experiments with test durations of up to 500 μs. The effect of specimen geometry (length to diameter ratio) is investigated. Consistent results are obtained when the ratio is larger than about 1.60. Results from tests with 6061-T651 aluminum are in agreement with published data.
Seeking a Simple Complex System

Solids are usually shown in textbooks as perfect periodic structures, but real solids often have substantial disorder. This disorder leads to completely new and often complex behavior. In their Perspective, Aeppli and Chandra describe the search for systems that are simple enough to understand theoretically, but that still exhibit interesting complexity. Magnetic systems may fulfill this need and might lead to new systems for information storage and computation.
Analysis of regional species distribution models based on radio‐telemetry datasets from multiple small‐scale studies

The identification of core habitat areas and resulting prediction maps are vital tools for land managers. Often, agencies have large datasets from multiple studies over time that could be combined for a more informed and complete picture of a species. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has a large database for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) including 11 radio-telemetry studies completed over 12 years (1997-2008) across northwestern Colorado. We divided the 49,470-km 2 study area into 1-km 2 grids with the number of sage-grouse locations in each grid cell that contained at least 1 location counted as the response variable. We used a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) using land cover variables as fixed effects and individual birds and populations as random effects to predict greater sage-grouse location counts during breeding, summer, and winter seasons. The mixed effects model enabled us to model correlations that may exist in grouped data (e.g., correlations among individuals and populations). We found only individual groupings accounted for variation in the summer and breeding seasons, but not the winter season. The breeding and summer seasonal models predicted sage-grouse presence in the currently delineated populations for Colorado, but we found little evidence supporting a winter season model. According to our models, about 50% of the study area in Colorado is considered highly or moderately suitable habitat in both the breeding and summer seasons. As oil and gas development and other landscape changes occur in this portion of Colorado, knowledge of where management actions can be accomplished or possible restoration can occur becomes more critical. These seasonal models provide data-driven, distribution maps that managers and biologists can use for identification and exploration when investigating greater sage-grouse issues across the Colorado range. Using historic data for future decisions on species management while accounting for issues found from combining datasets allows land managers the flexibility to use all information available. 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Images of synchronized chaos: Experiments with circuits

Synchronization of oscillations underlies organized dynamical behavior of many physical, biological and other systems. Recent studies of the dynamics of coupled systems with complex behavior indicate that synchronization can occur not only in case of periodic oscillations, but also in regimes of chaotic oscillations. Using experimental observations of chaotic oscillations in coupled nonlinear circuits we discuss a few forms of cooperative behavior that are related to the regimes of synchronized chaos. This paper is prepared under the request of the editors of the special focus issue of Chaos and contains the materials for the lecture at the International School in Nonlinear Science, ‘‘Nonlinear Waves: Synchronization and Patterns,’’ Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia, 1995. The main goal of the paper is to outline the collection of examples that illustrate the state of the art of chaos synchronization.
X-linked pattern of inheritance for serial measures of weight/stature2.

The pattern of family resemblance for long-term serial measures of weight/stature2 (W/S2 ) in approximately 500 individuals from the Fels Longitudinal Growth Study suggests that X-linked genes may be contributing to the variability in this trait among children, particularly during the prepubertal age range of 2-9 years. In this data set, W/S2 was measured serially at the same ages in all family members. Thus, a parent-child correlation at a specific age can be determined even though the measurements were made on the child a generation later than on the parent. The pattern of family resemblance at each annual age up to 10 years and at ages 14-18 years is consistent with the presence of an X-linked genetic effect. Opposite-sex parent-child pairs are more similar than same-sex pairs, and sister-sister pairs are more similar than brother-brother or brother-sister pairs at these ages. Furthermore, when the distribution of W/S2 is examined separately in boys and girls, there is evidence of commingling in the distribution of boys from 5 to 8 years of age but not in girls. This is consistent with the existence of a major X-linked gene with a frequency of about 3%. This pattern of family resemblance and commingling suggestive of partial X-linkage for W/S2 has not been detected previously because cross-sectional family studies generally compare individuals at different stages of growth.
Towards automated development of specialized algorithms for design synthesis: Knowledge compilation as an approach to computer-aided design

We describe the emerging area of artificial intelligence research on “knowledge compilation,” the transformation of explicitly represented knowledge about a domain into an efficient algorithm for performing some task in that domain. In particular, we are interested in the case where the task is design synthesis. We survey several research projects based on this approach, and we use an example of geartrain design from the DIOGENES project to illustrate it in detail. We assess the potential of this approach for improving computer-aided design and identify some of the obstacles that knowledge compilation will have to overcome first.
1003-6 Doppler Assessment of Pulmonary Artery Diastolic Pressure in Patients with Tricuspid Regurgitation

A reliable Doppler echo method to assess pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (PAD) would be clinically useful. By applying the Bernoulli equation, ΔP = 4(V)2, an indirect estimate of RV pressure can be obtained from tricuspid regurgitant velocity (TV), if right atrial pressure is not significantly elevated. Since PAD and RV pressures equilibrate at the time of pulmonic valve opening (PVO), 4(TV)2 measured at pva should approximate PAD. To test this hypothesis, we studied pts undergoing Swan Ganz monitoring who had tricuspid regurgitation detected by color flow Doppler. To avoid pts with marked elevation of right atrial pressure, we excluded pts with severe tricuspid regurgitation or evidence of right heart failure. The study group consisted of 20 pts. In each pt, TV was obtained by continuous wave Doppler. The time of PVO was determined by pulsed wave Doppler as the onset of systolic flow in the pulmonary artery, and the interval between the onset of the ORS and pva was measured. This interval was then used to determine the point on the TV envelope that corresponded to the time of PVO. TV was measured at this point and 4(TV)2 was calculated using the Bernoulli equation. We compared 4(TV)2 at PVO obtained by Doppler with PAD measured invasively. PAD by cath ranged from 9 to 36 mmHg (mean 20). Measurement of 4(TV)2 at PVO ranged from 9 to 27 mmHg (mean 17) and showed an excellent correlation with cath PAD (r = 0.91, Y = 4.4 + 0.68x, SEE = 1.8). Download : Download high-res image (92KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusion Doppler estimation of tricuspid regurgitant gradient at PVO is a reliable new method for estimation of PAD.
Review of the OSHA framework for oversight of occupational environments

The OSHA system for oversight of chemicals in the workplace was evaluated to derive lessons for oversight of nanotechnology. Criteria relating to the development, attributes, evolution, and outcomes of the system were used for evaluation that was based upon quantitative expert elicitation and historical literature analysis. The oversight system had inadequate resources in terms of finances, expertise, and personnel, and insufficient incentive for compliance. The system showed a lack of flexibility in novel situations. There were minimal requirements on companies for data on health and safety of their products. These factors have a strong influence on public confidence and health and safety. The oversight system also scored low on attributes such as public input, transparency, empirical basis, conflict of interest, and informed consent. The experts in our sample tend to believe that the current oversight system for chemicals in the workplace is neither adequate nor effective. It is very likely that the performance of the OSHA oversight system for nanomaterials will be equally inadequate.
Clarifying Decisions: Assessing the Impact of Decision Structures on Foreign Policy Choices During the 1970 Jordanian Civil War

This study examines situation versus personality effects on foreign policy decision making. It proposes that while both factors are important in explaining decision outcomes, the relative importance of each in a given circumstance is a function of the structural constraints imposed by the policy decision environment. Following Maoz (1990) and Maoz and Astorino (1992b), a decision-game theoretic framework is used to “reconstruct” policy decision problems in order to study individual and environment effects concurrently. The substantive focus is the ten decisions that comprised the major events of the 1970 Civil War in Jordan. The decision reconstructions are used to rate these decision tasks according to the presence and degree of structural constraint. Although it represents a preliminary test, the decision analysis indicates that in structurally constrained decision settings, policymakers tended to respond in accordance with environmental clues, while response variability and evidence of simplifying decision heuristics was greater in more fluid decision settings.
Quark-model predictions for reactions with hyperon beams

Quark-model predictions are discussed for Primakoff excitation of hyperon resonances, total hyperon-nucleon cross sections, and diffractive excitation. The $U$-spin selection rule forbidding electromagnetic excitation of negatively charged decuplet resonances is shown to hold even in the presence of large SU(3)-symmetry breaking. A new model for diffractive excitation is presented which suggests the existence of new hyperon resonances, not yet discovered, which would be observed in diffractive excitation but only weakly coupled to two-body formation and decay channels. The SU(3) partners of the Roper resonance $N(1470)$ might be such states and be found with hyperon beams.
INTEGRAL EQUATION COUPLED MODE APPROACH APPLIED TO INTERNAL WAVE PROBLEMS

A two-way coupled mode approach based on an integral equation formalism is applied to sound propagation through internal wave fields defined at the 1999 Shallow Water Acoustics Modeling Workshop. Solutions of the coupled equations are obtained using a powerful approach originally introduced in nuclear theory and also used to solve simple nonseparable problems in underwater acoustics. The basic integral equations are slightly modified to permit a Lanczos expansion to form a solution. The solution of the original set of integral equations is then easily recovered from the solution of the modified equations. Two important aspects of the integral equation method are revealed. First, the Lanczos expansion converges faster than a Born expansion of the original integral equations. Second, even when the Born expansion diverges due to strong mode coupling, the Lanczos expansion converges. It is shown that the internal wave problems examined are essentially one-way propagation problems because one observes good agreement between the coupled mode solutions and those provided by an energy-conserving parabolic equation algorithm. In the Workshop examples, at both 25 and 250 Hz, significantly greater coupling between modes occurs in the linear internal wave field case than the nonlinear soliton case.
Is there a robust relationship between neighbourhood food environment and childhood obesity in the USA

Summary Objectives To examine the robustness of the relationship between neighbourhood food environment and youth body mass index (BMI) percentile using alternative measures of food environment and model specifications. Study design Observational study using individual-level longitudinal survey data of children in fifth and eighth grades merged with food outlet data based on student residential census tracts. Methods The relationship between food environment and BMI was examined with two individual outcomes (BMI percentile in eighth grade and change in BMI percentile from fifth to eighth grade) and three alternative measures of food environment (per-capita counts of a particular outlet type, food environment indices, and indicators for specific combinations of outlet types). Results No consistent evidence was found across measures (counts of a particular type of food outlet per population, food environment indices, and indicators for the presence of specific combinations of types of food stores) and outcomes to support the hypothesis that improved access to large supermarkets results in lower youth BMI; or that greater exposure to fast food restaurants, convenience stores and small food stores increases BMI. Conclusions To the extent that there is an association between food environment and youth BMI, the existence of more types of food outlets in an area, including supermarkets, is associated with higher BMI.
Adaptation of γ-glutamyltransferase to acidosis

Abstract This study established the following points: (1) the rat kidney contains a mitochondrial (PDG) andm extramitochondrial glutamine utilizing enzymes; (2) this extramitochondrial activity exhibits a molecular weight of 70,000 identical with γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GTP) and is capable of hydrolyzing both isomers of glutamine; (3) this pathway adapts to metabolic acidosis consistent with a significant contribution to in vivo renal ammoniagenesis.
Effects of infant versus adult pyramidal tract lesions on locomotor behavior in hamsters.

Abstract The role of the pyramidal tract in locomotion was studied in hamsters by analyzing their locomotor behavior after lesions of the medullary pyramidal tract. Animals with lesions either as adults or as infants were compared to determine whether early pyramidotomy results in greater functional recovery. Normal and pyramidotomized animals were filmed during locomotion on a runway consisting of either smooth or rough terrain to assess whether the uneven surface would accentuate locomotor deficits. Frame-by-frame analysis of the filmed behavior during all phases of the step cycle was carried out to determine positions of the joints of the forelimb and hindlimb during locomotion. Accuracy of limb placement on the rough terrain was determined by observations of consecutive step cycles. The results show that lesions of the pyramidal tract in both infant and adult hamsters affect locomotion first by causing a reduction in the yielding phase of the step cycle and second by producing inaccuracies of forelimb placement. Rough terrain accentuates deficits in forelimb placement during locomotion. Animals with lesions as infants and those with lesions as adults show surprisingly similar deficits in locomotion, with the exception that animals with lesions as infants show some behavioral compensation in hindlimb movement by developing a normal degree of yielding at the knee. In contrast, hamsters with lesions as either adults or infants never recover normal forelimb behavior in either yielding at the elbow or accuracy of forelimb placement. These results emphasize the sensorimotor role of the pyramidal tract, even in a relatively stereotyped behavior such as locomotion. Further, they suggest that anatomical plasticity of the pyramidal tract previously reported in infant hamsters is not sufficient to preserve all normal motor behaviors, particularly accurate movements of the forelimb.
An exploratory study of decision making by informal caregivers of individuals with multiple sclerosis.

ABSTRACTThe types of assistance informal caregivers provide has been well documented. However, the day-to-day decisions and the resources caregivers use to make decisions have not been investigated. This study explored the decisions made by informal caregivers of multiple sclerosis care recipients a
Management implications of the biodiversity and socio-economic impacts of shrimp trawler by-catch in Bahía de Kino, Sonora, México.

The shrimp fishery is the most economically important fishery in Mexico. The trawler-based portion of this fishery results in high rates of by-catch. This study quantifies and describes the biodiversity of by-catch associated with trawling in the Bahia de Kino region of Sonora, Mexico. Data were collected from 55 trawls, on six boats, over 14 nights, during November of 2003, 2004, 2006–2009. By-catch rates within trawl samples averaged 85.9% measured by weight. A total of 183 by-catch species were identified during the course of this study, including 97 species of bony fish from 43 families, 19 species of elasmobranchs from 12 families, 66 species of invertebrates from eight phyla, and one species of marine turtle; seven of the documented by-catch species are listed on the IUCN Red List, CITES, or the Mexican NOM-059-ECOL-2010; 35 species documented in the by-catch are also targeted by local artisanal fishers. Some of the species frequently captured as juveniles in the by-catch are economically important to small-scale fishers in the region, and are particularly sensitive to overexploitation due to their life histories. This study highlights the need for further research quantifying the impacts of high levels of by-catch upon small-scale fishing economies in the region and presents strong ecological and economic rationale for by-catch management within the shrimp fishery of the Gulf of California. Site-specific by-catch management plans should be piloted in the Bahia de Kino region to address the growing momentum in national and international fisheries policy regimes toward the reduction of by-catch in shrimp fisheries.
A Conformational Analysis of the (+) Anti BPDE Adduct to the Guanine Amino Group of dCpdG

Abstract The (+) anti isomer of benz[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE), 7β, 8a-dihydroxy-9α,10α-epoxy- 7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenz[a]pyrene has been identified as the probable tumorigenic lesion in mammalian systems. It forms a predominant adduct with DNA at N2 of guanine. In order to elucidate its conformation in atomic resolution detail, minimized conformational potential energy calculations were performed for the adduct with dCpdG. A global conformation search involving about 1000 trials was made. The lowest energy conformation had stacking between the hydrocarbon and the adjacent cytidine, in agreement with CD studies on modified GpU and UpG. This conformer differed from the B form most notably in the guanine glycosidic torsion, which is high anti. The next lowest energy form had torsion angles like the B form, with guanine-cytidine stacking. These two conformers differ in energy by only 2.1 kcal./mole, suggesting that their relative stability could easily be reversed in larger polymers, or under specific envi...
The supply of labor in agriculture and food prices: The cases of Japan and Egypt

Abstract It is hypothesized in this paper that as the relative cost of food increases, labor supply in agriculture declines and, ceteris paribus , the real wage in agriculture will increase. This hypothesis was tested by using data drawn from Japan for the period 1885 to 1920 and Egypt for the period 1950 to 1974. The results of the empirical analysis confirmed the hypothesis. Thus, recent activities by farmers in labor-abundant less developed nations to mechanize their operations may be partly due to increased labor costs, rising real wage, brought about by the relative scarcity of food.
Structure and Rheology Studies of Poly(oxyethylene−oxypropylene−oxyethylene) Aqueous Solution

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and rheometry were used to investigate the supramolecular structure formed by a poly(oxyethylene−oxypropylene−oxyethylene) (PEO100PPO65PEO100, Pluronic F127) copolymer in aqueous solution over a temperature range of 10−75 °C and a concentration range of 10−20 wt %. At copolymer concentrations of less than 12.5% the solutions are Newtonian fluids. Gels with an ordered structure (cubic packing of spherical micelles) are observed over a well-defined temperature window when the copolymer concentrations are greater than 17 wt %. The SANS results show that the aggregation number of the micelles is independent of temperature and concentration. Low-yield stresses, very high zero shear viscosities (∼106 P), and shear thinning are the major rheological characteristics of the gels. Near, but outside, the gel phase boundary the solutions are non-Newtonian (shear thinning). However, SANS shows these solutions contain domains having the same structure as that in the gel phase. The ...
Diffusion of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations into practice.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s “Guide to Clinical Preventive Services” summarizes the results of a critical review of the literature pertaining to the effectiveness of 169 interventions in modifying 60 risk factors or conditions. The ultimate impact of the guide depends on the diffusion into clinical practice of its recommendations. This report reviews the factors influencing the diffusion process. Three categories of behavioral influence—predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors—apply to this diffusion process. Predisposing factors include knowledge and attitudes, personal health behaviors, confidence, and beliefs about patients’ interests in health-promotion advice. Enabling factors include competence to perform preventive services, reimbursement for preventive services, organization of the practice setting, time to provide preventive services, a reminder system, and a coherent set of guidelines that are perceived as scientific and unambiguous. Reinforcing factors include peer support, feedback, evidence of results, and an enhanced sense of self-efficacy in fulfilling one’s role as a healer. Recommendations are given for using these factors to increase the diffusion of preventive services into clinical practice.
Models for preserving species diversity with backup coverage

The problem of selecting land for preservation of species has been a rich and active area of research over the past two decades. Typically, reserve selection models have tried to maximize species diversity by preserving areas that contain the greatest number of species. However, several studies have shown that seldom do these species-rich areas contain the rarest species most in need of protection. Most reserve selection models seek to maximize diversity by choosing parcels so that all species are covered by or represented in at least one parcel. This approach would usually be expected to result in coverage by a single parcel for the rarest species, especially for those that do not coincide with more abundant species. It is precisely these rare species, however, that would be lost or whose survivability would be most challenged, if the single parcels in which they are represented became unavailable due to some unforeseen event. In this paper, we introduce to reserve selection models the concept of secondary, or backup, coverage of species. Briefly stated, a species is said to have backup representation in the system of reserves if it is covered by, or represented in, two or more parcels. Having backup coverage guarantees that every species is still covered in the event that a natural or man-made catastrophe makes a given parcel uninhabitable. The results show that backup coverage can be obtained at little additional cost (as expressed by the number of parcels selected). Bi-objective formulations that trade-off primary with backup coverage show that backup coverage can be guaranteed for larger numbers of species with little reduction in primary coverage.
Prostate cancer originating in basal cells progresses to adenocarcinoma propagated by luminal-like cells

The relationship between the cells that initiate cancer and the cancer stem-like cells that propagate tumors has been poorly defined. In a human prostate tissue transformation model, basal cells expressing the oncogenes Myc and myristoylated AKT can initiate heterogeneous tumors. Tumors contain features of acinar-type adenocarcinoma with elevated eIF4E-driven protein translation and squamous cell carcinoma marked by activated beta-catenin. Lentiviral integration site analysis revealed that alternative histological phenotypes can be clonally derived from a common cell of origin. In advanced disease, adenocarcinoma can be propagated by self-renewing tumor cells with an androgen receptor-low immature luminal phenotype in the absence of basal-like cells. These data indicate that advanced prostate adenocarcinoma initiated in basal cells can be maintained by luminal-like tumor-propagating cells. Determining the cells that maintain human prostate adenocarcinoma and the signaling pathways characterizing these tumor-propagating cells is critical for developing effective therapeutic strategies against this population.