cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Melioration: A Theory of Distributed Choice

In this paper, we develop a theory of individual choice called melioration, which implies that choices distributed over a period of time may be reliably and predictably suboptimal, in terms of the person's own preferences. Consider some typical examples of distributed choices: the expenditure rate on various non-durables; frequency of athletic exercise; rate of work in free-lance type occupations; allocation of leisure time; rate of savings (or dissavings); expenditures on lottery tickets, and other forms of gambling. When people express dissatisfaction about their choices, their discontent seems clustered around these sorts of distributed choices. For example, complaints that one is working too hard (or not hard enough), exercising too little (or too much), wasting time, overeating, overspending, and so on are commonplace. The next two sections of the paper spell out the basic theory we are proposing. The following section then applies the theory to "pathological" consumption patterns, and shows that one should find a general underinvestment in those activities that exhibit increasing average returns to rate of consumption, and an overinvestment in activities that have an addiction-like interaction between value and rate. The final section compares the theory with other approaches to suboptimal choice.
A family history study of schizophrenia spectrum disorders suggests new candidate genes in schizophrenia and autism

To limit genetic heterogeneity, this study focused on the widely extended pedigrees of Ashkenazi Jewish schizophrenic and autistic probands, to determine if similar causal mechanisms might obtain for both conditions. At least two previous epidemiological studies have demonstrated increased risk for schizophrenia in Ashkenazi Jews. The hypothesis posed is that increased prevalence of various rare autosomal recessive diseases among the Ashkenazim might contribute to the increased vulnerability to schizophrenia and to autism in this large genetic isolate. Rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and bleeding disorders were significantly increased among relatives of schizophrenic and autistic probands, compared to relatives of normal probands. These results suggest new candidate loci in schizophrenia and autism, particularly the chromosome 15q23-24 locus of the hexosaminidase A gene, causing various GM2 gangliosidoses, and the 21q22.1–q22.2 loci of the antioxidant, superoxide dismutase gene, and a cytokine receptor gene.
Effect of Temperature on Photosynthesis and Growth in Marine Synechococcus spp.

In this study, we develop a mechanistic understanding of how temperature affects growth and photosynthesis in 10 geographically and physiologically diverse strains of Synechococcus spp. We found that Synechococcus spp. are able to regulate photochemistry over a range of temperatures by using state transitions and altering the abundance of photosynthetic proteins. These strategies minimize photosystem II (PSII) photodamage by keeping the photosynthetic electron transport chain (ETC), and hence PSII reaction centers, more oxidized. At temperatures that approach the optimal growth temperature of each strain when cellular demand for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is greatest, the phycobilisome (PBS) antenna associates with PSII, increasing the flux of electrons into the ETC. By contrast, under low temperature, when slow growth lowers the demand for NADPH and linear ETC declines, the PBS associates with photosystem I. This favors oxidation of PSII and potential increase in cyclic electron flow. For Synechococcus sp. WH8102, growth at higher temperatures led to an increase in the abundance of PBS pigment proteins, as well as higher abundance of subunits of the PSII, photosystem I, and cytochrome b6f complexes. This would allow cells to increase photosynthetic electron flux to meet the metabolic requirement for NADPH during rapid growth. These PBS-based temperature acclimation strategies may underlie the larger geographic range of this group relative to Prochlorococcus spp., which lack a PBS.
Retained surgical stents as a cause of biliary obstruction in pediatric liver transplants

Background Small-caliber plastic stents are sometimes placed across the hepaticojejunostomy in liver transplant recipients at the time of biliary reconstruction. These stents usually pass spontaneously, but they can be retained and, rarely, this may cause biliary obstruction.
Antidiabetic Drug Metformin Prevents Progression of Pancreatic Cancer by Targeting in Part Cancer Stem Cells and mTOR Signaling.

Epidemiologic studies have shown that diabetes mellitus is associated positively with increased risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and recent meta-analysis studies showed that metformin, reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer (PC). We tested the effects of metformin on pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and their progression to PDAC in p48Cre/+.LSL-KrasG12D/+ transgenic mice. Mice fed control diet showed 80% and 62% incidence of PDAC in males and females, respectively. Male mice showed 20% and 26%, and female mice showed 7% and 0% PDAC incidence with 1000- and 2000-ppm metformin treatments, respectively. Both doses of metformin decreased pancreatic tumor weights by 34% to 49% (P < 0.03–0.001). The drug treatment caused suppression of PanIN 3 (carcinoma in situ) lesions by 28% to 39% (P < .002) and significant inhibition of carcinoma spread in the pancreas. The pancreatic tissue and/or serum of mice fed metformin showed a significant inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (pErk), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) with an increase in phosphorylated 5′ adenosine monophosphate kinase (pAMPK), tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (TSC1, TSC2), C-protein and an autophagy related protein 2 (ATG2). The cancer stem cell (CSC) markers were significantly decreased (P < 0.04–0.0002) in the pancreatic tissue. These results suggest that biologic effects of metformin are mediated through decreased CSC markers cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44 and CD133), aldehyde dehydrogenase isoform 1 (ALDH1), and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM) and modulation of the mTOR signaling pathway. Our preclinical data indicate that metformin has significant potential for use in clinical trials for PC chemoprevention.
Recovery of Calcium Phosphate from Ultrafiltration Permeates

Abstract Phosphate was precipitated preferentially from ultrafiltration permeate of whole milk without affecting the lactose concentration in the permeate. Precipitates formed by addition of up to .090 molal calcium in the form of calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide, and calcium oxide resulted in removal of approximately 80% of the phosphate in the permeate. Removal of phosphate with all calcium salts increased as pH was raised to 8 with little increase above pH 8. There was no significant difference among weights of precipitates produced by calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide, or calcium oxide at equivalent pH's.
THE NIOBIUM-HYDROGEN SYSTEM

Abstract Niobium-hydrogen equilibrium was studied in the temperature range 300°–1500°C between 0 and 760 mm Hg equilibrium H2 pressure by the Sieverts technique. Continuous solid solution is formed in this range, which exhibits b.b.c. structure with lattice parameter increasing with increasing hydrogen content. The formation of the solid solution is exothermic; heat of solution increases with increasing hydrogen content. Below 300°C, X-ray diffraction analysis and metallographic examination revealed the existence of a non-classical phase transformation, which is possibly martensitic or order-disorder type.
Community pharmacy and pharmacist staff call center: Assessment of medication safety and effectiveness

Objective To determine proof of concept for use of a network of pharmacists to evaluate the safety of medications. Design Pilot, comparative, prospective evaluation. Setting Community pharmacies and a pharmacist-staffed call center in Arizona during January through August 2006. Patients Patients filling prescriptions for ipratropium or tiotropium bromide at 1 of 55 Arizona pharmacies were encouraged to call a pharmacist-staffed call center. A total of 67 patients contacted the center and 41 participated. Intervention A network of community pharmacies and a call center were used to collect data on patients receiving one of two medications for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pharmacists in the community pharmacies recruited patients who presented with a prescription or requested a refill for one of the medications. The call center was used to collect patient data. Patients provided data on medication use, completed the chronic respiratory questionnaire (CRQ), and were encouraged to call the center to report health problems. After 30 days, patients were called to determine whether they experienced any adverse events while taking their medication and the CRQ was readministered. Main outcome measure Knowledge gained on the feasibility of the model using pharmacists to assess drug safety. Results A total of 67 (6.7%) of a possible 995 patients contacted the call center about participating in the study. Approximately one-half (n=28) of the 55 pharmacies had one or more patients contact the center about the study. A total of 41 patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria and were enrolled. Six (15%) patients reported an adverse effect, including one serious adverse event (acute glaucoma). Conclusion This study provides limited evidence that community pharmacies and a pharmacist-staffed call center can be used to assess medication safety; however, a number of issues need to be examined to determine whether the approaches can be sufficiently effective.
Temperament factor structure in fragile X syndrome: the children's behavior questionnaire.

Abstract Early patterns of temperament lay the foundation for a variety of developmental constructs such as self-regulation, psychopathology, and resilience. Children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) display unique patterns of temperament compared to age-matched clinical and non-clinical samples, and early patterns of temperament have been associated with later anxiety in this population. Despite these unique patterns in FXS and recent reports of atypical factor structure of temperament questionnaires in Williams Syndrome ( Leyfer, John, Woodruff-Borden, & Mervis, 2012 ), no studies have examined the latent factor structure of temperament scales in FXS to ensure measurement validity in this sample. The present study used confirmatory factor analysis to examine the factor structure of a well-validated parent-reported temperament questionnaire, the Children's Behavior Questionnaire ( Rothbart, Ahadi, Hershey, & Fisher, 2001 ), in a sample of 90 males with FXS ages 3–9 years. Our data produced a similar, but not identical, three-factor model that retained the original CBQ factors of negative affectivity, effortful control, and extraversion/surgency. In particular, our FXS sample demonstrated stronger factor loadings for fear and shyness than previously reported loadings in non-clinical samples, consistent with reports of poor social approach and elevated anxiety in this population. Although the original factor structure of the Children's Behavior Questionnaire is largely retained in children with FXS, differences in factor loading magnitudes may reflect phenotypic characteristics of the syndrome. These findings may inform future developmental and translational research efforts.
Psychiatric Consequences of Methamphetamine Use

SUMMARY Methamphetamine dependent individuals frequently suffer from co-occurring psychiatric disorders. These disorders may precede a methamphetamine use disorder or may result from methamphetamine use. Addressing co-occurring psychiatric disorders will improve methamphetamine treatment outcomes. Although effective pharmacological treatments for methamphetamine dependence are not yet available, psychiatric medications for anxiety and mood disorders are often needed. Methamphetamine dependence is treated with cognitive behavioral therapeutic approaches.
Socio-economic tradeoffs in Saudi Arabia's third five year plan (1980–1985)

Abstract Using an optimal control macroeconomic model of the Saudi Arabian economy, the Saudi Arabian Third Five Year Plan (1980–1985) is examined for goal feasibility and possible tradeoffs among the plan's major goals. The main conclusions reached by the analysis are that: (1) some inflationnary pressures can be reduced with a greater than planned infusion and or retainment of foreign workers; (2) with the labor force increasing in the 4–5% range, a rate of around 6% real growth might be achieved with inflation held around 8%, together with a gradual increase in the relative share of private sector participation.
Postnatal gene expression in the normal mouse cornea by SAGE.

PURPOSE To provide a detailed gene expression profile of the normal postnatal mouse cornea. METHODS Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was performed on postnatal day (PN)9 and adult mouse (6 week) total corneas. The expression of selected genes was analyzed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS A total of 64,272 PN9 and 62,206 adult tags were sequenced. Mouse corneal transcriptomes are composed of at least 19,544 and 18,509 unique mRNAs, respectively. One third of the unique tags were expressed at both stages, whereas a third was identified exclusively in PN9 or adult corneas. Three hundred thirty-four PN9 and 339 adult tags were enriched more than fivefold over other published nonocular libraries. Abundant transcripts were associated with metabolic functions, redox activities, and barrier integrity. Three members of the Ly-6/uPAR family whose functions are unknown in the cornea constitute more than 1% of the total mRNA. Aquaporin 5, epithelial membrane protein and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) omega-1, and GST alpha-4 mRNAs were preferentially expressed in distinct corneal epithelial layers, providing new markers for stratification. More than 200 tags were differentially expressed, of which 25 mediate transcription. CONCLUSIONS In addition to providing a detailed profile of expressed genes in the PN9 and mature mouse cornea, the present SAGE data demonstrate dynamic changes in gene expression after eye opening and provide new probes for exploring corneal epithelial cell stratification, development, and function and for exploring the intricate relationship between programmed and environmentally induced gene expression in the cornea.
Inactivation of NF-κB Inhibitor IκBα: Ubiquitin-Dependent Proteolysis and Its Degradation Product

Abstract In most cells, the inactive dimeric NF-κB complexes are retained in the cytoplasm by binding to a group of inhibitory proteins, IκB. In response to extracellular stimuli, IκB is rapidly phosphorylated and degraded, thus, liberating the active NF-κB. To investigate the mechanisms involved, we have developed a cell-free system to study the degradation of the prototype IκB protein, IκBα. In this in vitro assay, ubiquitin, proteasome-containing S100 fraction and ATP are required for the proteolysis of IκBα. Both bound and free forms of IκBα isolated from intact cells can be degraded through this pathway. We also identified polyubiquitinated IκBα molecules and N-terminal truncated IκBα degradation product(s) both in vivo and in vitro . We conclude that the inactivation of IκBα occurs through a series of processes including phosphorylation, ATP-dependent ubiquitin conjugation and proteasome-mediated proteolysis.
Characterization of Complex Porous Structures for Reusable Thermal Protection Systems: Effective-Permeability Measurements

Reusable thermal protection systems are one of the key technologies that have to be improved to enable long-duration hypersonic flights. Transpiration cooling has been demonstrated to be one of the most promising active cooling techniques in terms of coolant mass requirements and disturbance of the external flow. Previous numerical studies, conducted by the authors on the conjugate boundary-layer/material-response analysis, along with the current manufacturing capability of manipulating the natural properties of porous materials (e.g., porosity, permeability, and thermal conductivity) have demonstrated the cooling potential when variable transpiration is considered. In this work, a methodology for the nonintrusive characterization of the local effective permeability of a complex carbon–carbon porous structure is proposed. The concept of effective permeability, conceived as the local blowing capability of a porous structure with respect to a selected coolant fluid, is also discussed. Specifically, the cool...
The Political Economy of Silvio Gesell: A Century of Activism

Silvio Gesell (1862-1930) pioneered a version of the market economy that was about competitive entrepreneurship but not about capitalism. The financial interests of the hoarders of scarce bank financing and those leveraged with speculative land dealings were to be sacrificed for the greater good of a nation of free and enterprising men and women. Gesell was a radical reformer and quite a famous one, having received more than a respectful mention in John Maynard Keynes' The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money. Keynes dubbed Gesell a non-Marxian socialist. Gesell founded the Free Economy school, which is undergoing a renaissance today in Eastern Europe as a possible model for a redesigned transition economy.
Dyck tilings, increasing trees, descents, and inversions

Cover-inclusive Dyck tilings are tilings of skew Young diagrams with ribbon tiles shaped like Dyck paths, in which tiles are no larger than the tiles they cover. These tilings arise in the study of certain statistical physics models and also Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials. We give two bijections between cover-inclusive Dyck tilings and linear extensions of tree posets. The first bijection maps the statistic (area+tiles)/2 to inversions of the linear extension, and the second bijection maps the ''discrepancy'' between the upper and lower boundary of the tiling to descents of the linear extension.
Is secondhand smoke exposure associated with increased exacerbation severity among children hospitalized for asthma

Objective: To determine the association between secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and length of stay (LOS) and other exacerbation severity indicators in children hospitalized for asthma. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review at 2 children’s hospitals. Patients aged 2 to 18 hospitalized for asthma in 2012 were included. Outcome variables included LOS, PICU, magnesium, and intravenous (IV) steroids. Bivariate analysis determined differences between SHS-exposed and non–SHS-exposed groups. Geometric means were used for LOS to account for skewed distribution. Logistic and zero-truncated negative binomial regression models were used to determine the independent association between SHS exposure and hospitalization severity indicators. Results: A total of 623 patients were included; 41% reported SHS exposure. Mean LOS was 47.5 hours. In the SHS-exposed group, LOS was 50.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 46.7–54.0) and in the nonexposed group it was 45.8 (95% CI 43.4–48.4) (P = .02). In regression analysis, institution modified the effect of SHS exposure on LOS. At Children’s Hospital Colorado, SHS exposure was associated with a 20% increase in LOS (incidence rate ratio 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.3). At the Medical University of South Carolina, there was no significant association. SHS-exposed patients were more likely to receive IV steroids (odds ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.3) Conclusions: Among children hospitalized for asthma, we identified a significant association at 1 institution between SHS exposure and LOS and found that IV steroid use was significantly associated with LOS at both institutions. Eliminating SHS exposure among children with asthma is important.
Quasi-geostrophic modeling of mixed instabilities in the Gulf Stream near 73°W

Abstract The characteristics of the unstable normal modes of fluctuation of an eastward-flowing jet over a weak bottom slope are examined with a linear, quasi-geostrophic, continuously stratified, mixed-instability model utilizing basic-state fields determined from observations of the velocity and temperature structure of the Gulf Stream near 73d°W. Comparison of the model results with Gulf Stream path observations based on inverted echo sounder measurements in the area between 74°W and 70°W shows that the model can predict several of the observed features of Gulf Stream meanders: (a) two dispersion regimes, one with fast and one with slow changes in phase speed with meander wavelength; (b) the wavelengths λ associated with two growth maxima, a primary maximum at λ ∼ 270 km and a secondary maximum at λ ∼ 180 km. The energy conversion rates, when integrated over the model cross-sectional domain, change from predominantly baroclinic for fluctuations with λ 370 km. The eddy pressure field is surface intensified in the upper 1000 m; a secondary intensification due to bottom topography occurs for the shorter wavelength ( λ ∼ 180 km) fluctuations near the bottom at the area where the basic state jet extends to the bottom. In the absence of bottom slope, the phase speeds decrease and the growth rates increase relative to the sloped bottom case for all fluctuations with λ > 200 km; consistent with observations showing Gulf Stream meanders to slow down as they propagate through areas of relaxing bottom slope. Fluctuations with λ > 1000 km propagate upstream with phase speed of the order of ∼ −5 km day −1 . The energy conversion rates, integrated over the model cross-sectional area, are predominantly baroclinic for all wavelengths.
Utilization of ammonia for tryptophan synthesis

Abstract A strain of Escherichia coli in which the glutamine amidotransferase function (anthranilate synthetase component II) of anthranilate synthetase has been deleted synthesizes tryptophan using NH3-dependent anthranilate synthetase component I (AS-I). In NH3-limited media this strain is a tryptophan auxotroph. Mutants that acquired the capacity to grow in NH3-limited media were isolated. Growth of mutant strains in NH3-limited media correlates with increased AS-I activity. Glutamine-dependent AS activity was not found in any of the mutant strains indicating that another glutamine amidotransferase had not been recruited to function with AS-I.
Bis(permethylcyclopentadienyl)aluminum Compounds: Precursors to [Cp*2Al]+ but Not to Cp*3Al

Replacement of only two chloride ligands occurs when AlCl3 is reacted with 3 equiv of either Cp*Na or Cp*K, forming Cp*2AlCl (1) [Cp* = C5Me5]. This compound dissociates a chloride ion in polar sol...
SU‐EE‐A1‐06: Quality Control of External Beam Treatment Delivery: Mechanical Parameters

Purpose: The focus of this study is to develop a methodology using statistical process control (SPC) that provides effective quality control of mechanical parameters in external beam treatment delivery. Materials and Methods: A four‐field box clinical treatment technique was used as the evaluation tool. Parameters tested were gantry angle, table height, table lateral, and collimatorfield size. The dosimeter, GafChromic EBT film, was placed vertically in a pelvic phantom in the transverse plane at isocenter. All films were digitized and evaluated using a Vidar film scanner and RIT, Inc. software. Dose distributions of accurate treatment delivery were measured and compared to treatment delivery with a single mechanical parameter deviated at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 times the TG‐40 parameter specification. Each distribution was sampled in the penumbra region using three sampling sets (SS). Each SS consisted of different (size and/or position) regions of interest (ROI). Set‐A and B were 1.5cm × 1.5cm while Set‐C was 0.8cm × 1.0cm. Set‐A and C were centered in the same locations along each beam entry 7cm from isocenter. Set‐B was positioned at the corners of the dose box in the distribution. Results: Two process behavior charts (PBC) were prepared for each SS, evaluating the mean dose and mean dose range. PBC for Set‐A were unable to distinguish between accurate and inaccurate distributions. Set‐B detected all mechanical parameters deviated at 1.0 and 1.5 times the TG‐40 specification but also indicated four false‐positives. These PBC were also effectively unable to distinguish between the accurate and inaccurate distributions. Set‐C PBC detected all mechanical parameters deviated at the 1.0 and 1.5 level and reliably indicated the inaccurate distributions. Conclusions: Small and therefore more homogeneous, strategically located ROI can be effective in SPC to detect inaccurately delivered treatments. Quality control of linac mechanical parameters can be performed using SPC‐based methodology.
Younger gestational age is associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes after cardiac surgery in infancy

Objective Evaluate the impact of near-term delivery on neurodevelopmental (ND) outcomes in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods Secondary analysis of data from a study of genetic polymorphisms and ND outcomes after cardiac surgery in infants. The effect of gestational age (GA) as a continuous variable on ND outcomes was evaluated using general linear regression models. GA was also evaluated as a categorical variable to seek a threshold for better outcomes. ND domains tested at 4 years of age included cognition, language skills, attention, impulsivity, memory, executive function, social competence, visual-motor, and fine-motor skills. Results ND outcomes and GA were available for 378 infants. Median GA was 39 weeks (range, 28-42 weeks) with 351 born at 36 weeks or more (near-term/term). In univariate analysis of the near-term/term subgroup, older GA predicted better performance for cognition, visual-motor, and fine-motor skills. After covariate adjustment, older GA predicted better performance for fine-motor skills ( P = .018). Performance for cognition, language, executive function, social skills, visual-motor, and fine-motor skills was better for those born at 39 to 40 weeks of GA or more versus those born at less than 39 weeks (all P Conclusions These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that delivery before 39 to 40 weeks of GA is associated with worse outcomes in patients with CHD. Early delivery of a child with CHD is often indicated because of maternal or fetal health issues. In the absence of these concerns, these data suggest that elective (or spontaneous) delivery at 39 to 40 weeks of GA is associated with better ND outcomes.
Analysis of chromosome 22 markers in nine schizophrenia pedigrees

Previous results of a genome-wide survey for schizophrenia susceptibility genes in nine multiplex families indicated a possible region of linkage on chromosome 22. We therefore tested for linkage using ten highly polymorphic chromosome 22 DNA markers. Lod score analyses were suggestive of linkage for several markers on the distal end of the chromosome; however, no lod score exceeded 3 assuming either autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive transmission. The highest lod score was 2.09 (theta = 0.10) for marker D22S276 under autosomal recessive inheritance. Based on simulation analyses, this result is unlikely to represent a false positive. Analyses using information from affected individuals only resulted in reduced lod scores, with a maximum of 1.40 (theta = 0.05) for D22S276 assuming autosomal recessive inheritance. Two nonparametric methods, sib pair analysis and the Affected-Pedigree-Member method, also yielded suggestive but inconclusive findings; results were positive, but strict thresholds of significance were not met. Additionally, we tested one candidate gene, the Arylsulfatase A gene, located in the region of 22q13.31-qter. Results were again inconclusive, though the DNA marker available for this gene was a 2-allele RFLP with heterozygosity of 0.5, and therefore not maximally informative. Further investigation of this chromosomal region and this and other candidate genes may be warranted.
R&D Profile Section: The Robotics and Intelligent Systems Program (RISP) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory*

This paper describes the Robotics and Intelligent Systems Program (RISP) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). RISP is a focal point at ORNL for studies in robotics, teleoperations, and related aspects of intelligent machines, such as artificial intelligence, neural networks, and parallel computing. RISP research is intended to minimize human error through automation of repetitive, dull, and routine tasks; to minimize human risk by allowing effective remote operation in hazardous environments; to optimize cooperation of humans and machines; and to cope effectively with emergency situations where fast response is essential.
MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION OF FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITE LAMINATES FOR STRENGTH, STIFFNESS AND MINIMAL MASS

Abstract We present a methodology for the multi-objective optimization of laminated composite materials that is based on an integer-coded genetic algorithm. The fiber orientations and fiber volume fractions of the laminae are chosen as the primary optimization variables. Simplified micromechanics equations are used to estimate the stiffnesses and strength of each lamina using the fiber volume fraction and material properties of the matrix and fibers. The lamina stresses for thin composite coupons subjected to force and/or moment resultants are determined using the classical lamination theory and the first-ply failure strength is computed using the Tsai–Wu failure criterion. A multi-objective genetic algorithm is used to obtain Pareto-optimal designs for two model problems having multiple, conflicting, objectives. The objectives of the first model problem are to maximize the load carrying capacity and minimize the mass of a graphite/epoxy laminate that is subjected to biaxial moments. In the second model problem, the objectives are to maximize the axial and hoop rigidities and minimize the mass of a graphite/epoxy cylindrical pressure vessel subject to the constraint that the failure pressure be greater than a prescribed value.
New insights into the catalytic mechanism of histidine phosphatases revealed by a functionally essential arginine residue within the active site of the Sts phosphatases

Sts (suppressor of T-cell receptor signalling)-1 and Sts-2 are HPs (histidine phosphatases) that negatively regulate TCR (T-cell receptor) signalling pathways, including those involved in cytokine production. HPs play key roles in such varied biological processes as metabolism, development and intracellular signalling. They differ considerably in their primary sequence and substrate specificity, but possess a catalytic core formed by an invariant quartet of active-site residues. Two histidine and two arginine residues cluster together within the HP active site and are thought to participate in a two-step dephosphorylation reaction. To date there has been little insight into any additional residues that might play an important functional role. In the present study, we identify and characterize an additional residue within the Sts phosphatases (Sts-1 Arg383 or Sts-2 Arg369) that is critical for catalytic activity and intracellular function. Mutation of Sts-1 Arg383 to an alanine residue compromises the enzyme's activity and renders Sts-1 unable to suppress TCR-induced cytokine induction. Of the multiple amino acids substituted for Arg383, only lysine partially rescues the catalytic activity of Sts-1. Although Sts-1 Arg383 is conserved in all Sts homologues, it is only conserved in one of the two sub-branches of HPs. The results of the present study highlight an essential role for Sts-1 phosphatase activity in regulating T-cell activation and add a new dimension of complexity to our understanding of HP catalytic activity.
Genetic Information and Knowing When You Will Die

Most of us, whether we like it or not, already have some rough idea of the likely size and shape of our lives—how long we will live, in what state of health, and what we will eventually die of. We live in an age in which life expectancy patterns for populations and subgroups of populations are known and predictable. We known the frequencies of the principal causes of death and the ages at which they are most likely to prove fata. We known accident rates, risk ratios, and predictive factors for high-risk behaviors. Most important, we know that the age and cause of death of our own parents is the best predictor of our own mortality. Of course, we cannot for the most part tell if we as individuals will actually contract a specific disease, or become the victim of an accident, or succumb to some other cause of death. Furthermore, we often deceive ourselves about the ways in which our own health maintenance habits (or lack thereof) influence our expectable lifespan. Nevertheless, in general, in an extremely rough, often inchoate, not fully recognized way, we have a sense of what to expect about our own deaths and the periods of moribidy that may precede them: what is likely to happen to us, more or less, and about when, at what age, and for what reasons it will occur. If our ancestors all lived into their 90’s and died of “old age,” that is, of conditions that occur primarily at very advanced ages, we have a pretty good chance of doing so too; if they died of heart attacks in their 50’s or cancer in their 60’s our anxieties mount when we reach these ages.
An arc cover–path-cover formulation and strategic analysis of alternative-fuel station locations

Abstract In this study, we present a new formulation of the generalized flow-refueling location model that takes vehicle range and trips between origin–destination pairs into account. The new formulation, based on covering the arcs that comprise each path, is more computationally efficient than previous formulations or heuristics. Next, we use the new formulation to provide managerial insights for some key concerns of the industry, such as: whether infrastructure deployment should focus on locating clusters of facilities serving independent regions or connecting these regions by network of facilities; what is the impact of uncertainty in the origin–destination demand forecast; whether station locations will remain optimal as higher-range vehicles are introduced; and whether infrastructure developers should be willing to pay more for stations at higher-cost intersections. Experiments with real and random data sets are encouraging for the industry, as optimal locations tend to be robust under various conditions.
Differential Inactivation of Maturation-Promoting Factor and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Following Parthenogenetic Activation of Bovine Oocytes

Bovine oocytes matured for 24 h (young) or 40 h (aged) were treated with calcium ionophore (A23187) alone or followed with 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP), a protein phosphorylation inhibitor, and were then assayed for histone H1 kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activities. Additionally, the changes in chromatin, meiotic spindle, and microfilament were assessed by immunofluoresence microscopy. In both young and aged oocytes, treatment with 6-DMAP following A23187 treatment abolished the activities of both H1 and MAPKs; the decline of H1 kinase preceded the decline in MAPK activity. However, A23187 treatment alone caused a slower decrease in H1 kinase activity and no evident MAPK alteration in young oocytes. In contrast, activities of both kinases decreased in aged oocytes after A23187 treatment, similar to the response in the combined treatments. The inactivation of MAPK was caused by dephosphorylation of MAP42/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) as detected by gel mobility shift in the Western blot assay. A23187 treatment of young oocytes led to chromosome separation and second polar body extrusion, but not pronuclear development, with the majority of the oocytes arrested at a transitional stage of metaphase to anaphase known as metaphase III (MIII). However, most of the A23187-treated aged oocytes developed to the pronuclear stage. When oocytes, regardless of age, were treated by A23187 plus 6-DMAP, bivalent chromosomes were clumped into a single mass, the spindle was disassembled, microtubule networks were distributed in the cytoplasm, and a pronucleus appeared. It is suggested that the decrease in H1 kinase activity is involved in the initiation of oocyte activation, i.e., the exit from metaphase II, whereas the decrease in MAPK activity correlates with onset of pronuclear formation. In conclusion, inactivation of maturation-promoting factor and MAPKs probably occurs via two independent processes, and the inactivation of both kinases is required for the metaphase II oocytes to progress through interphase. High MAPK activity might contribute to spindle stabilization, and inactivation of MAPK is associated with microtubular network formation in the cytoplasm.
Ant System Based Flexible and Cost Effective Routing for Wireless Face Recognition

Biometrics can be applied in existing systems for authentication with security, speed and ease of use. A wireless network is very suitable to incorporate biometrics into existing systems, and the integration requires reliable and efficient data routing within the system. Ant system is proposed to establish an adaptive route for data transmission among distributed nodes whilst maintaining the required bit error rate under varying channel conditions and consuming minimal energy. Face recognition is implemented in simulation to test the robustness and energy consumption of the biometric system within a wireless framework, and the results show that ant system based routing is efficient and as robust as a wired system, and there is no extra hardware needed to implement the routing.
A Class of Population Genetic Questions Formulated as the Generalized Occupancy Problem

In categorical genetic data analysis when the sampling units are classified into an arbitrary number of distinct classes, sometimes the sample size may not be large enough to apply large sample approximations for hypothesis testing purposes. Exact sampling distributions of several statistics are derived here, using combinatorial approaches parallel to the classical occupancy problem to help overcome this difficulty. Since the multinomial probabilities can be unequal, this situation is described as a generalized occupancy problem. The sampling properties derived are used to examine nonrandomness of occurrence of mutagen-induced mutations across loci, to devise tests of Hardy-Weinberg proportions of genotype frequencies in the presence of a large number of alleles, and to provide a global test of gametic phase disequilibrium of several restriction site polymorphisms.
Strategic Decisions in Complex Stakeholder Environments: A Theory of Generalized Exchange

The authors develop a methodology to compare the firm's knowledge of its networked environment with the priority of its needs. This enables managers to make explicit decisions about the firm's needs, and the feasibility of satisfying them with the firm's production function. A scalable mathematical model of indirect transactions has been built on a foundation of a theory of generalized exchange. Using a multinational resource extraction project as an example, we show how this methodology can be used to prioritize the outputs of the firm, relative to its needs and its strategic environment. This work enables managers to perform an analysis of the firm's stakeholders to determine the relative priority of stakeholder needs, according to the stakeholder's importance to the firm, prior to the translation of needs into requirements.
A variable neighborhood search method for a two-mode blockmodeling problem in social network analysis

This paper presents a variable neighborhood search (VNS) algorithm that is specially designed for the blockmodeling of two-mode binary network matrices in accordance with structural equivalence. Computational results for 768 synthetic test networks revealed that the VNS heuristic outperformed a relocation heuristic (RH) and a tabu search (TS) method for the same problem. Next, the three heuristics were applied to two-mode network data pertaining to the votes of member countries on resolutions in the United Nations General Assembly. A comparative analysis revealed that the VNS heuristic often provided slightly better criterion function values than RH and TS, and that these small differences in criterion function values could sometimes be associated with substantial differences in the actual partitions obtained. Overall, the results suggest that the VNS heuristic is a promising approach for blockmodeling of two-mode binary networks. Recommendations for extensions to stochastic blockmodeling applications are provided.
Uterine mesenchymal tumors: a review of selected topics

Abstract Uterine mesenchymal tumors are unusual neoplasms that frequently give rise to diagnostic difficulties. I have chosen to review the clinical and histopathologic features of three interesting lesions – low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma and carcinosarcoma (malignant mixed Mullerian tumor) – and have also provided information about ancillary diagnostic techniques and strategies for sorting between entities featured in the differential diagnosis.
Testing Interactional Social Work Theory

Abstract This investigation used multiple regression in a cross-lagged panel analysis to test Interactional Social Work (ISW) theory in a challenging replication. ISW is a causal model of change which asserts that workers' practice skills help create positive working relationships, which are the medium through which workers influence practice outcomes. The empirical support for ISW theory comes from research using cross-sectional designs. This replication used a longitudinal design to expose Interactional Social Work theory to causal tests of association, temporal order, and independence. The replication varied the focus of social work supervision governing supervised practice with 161 clients in a community mental health setting, and examined the causal order among skills and relationships of supervised practice and client outcomes over time. The findings support, alter, and introduce links in the chain of Interactional Social Work theory.
Groupwise registration from exemplar to group mean: Extending HAMMER to groupwise registration

We extend the pairwise HAMMER registration algorithm to work in a groupwise manner for improving structural alignment of different individual brain images of a group. To achieve this, a tentative group mean is first generated from the previous aligned brain images (initially with affine registration), and all brain images are then registered onto the tentative group mean by HAMMER to obtain a refined group mean. Eventually, by repeating these two steps, a refined group mean image can be constructed. To obtain a better estimate of the group mean, we propose to average the aligned image according to anatomical shape, instead of intensity. Also, to alleviate possible large anatomical misalignment in the initial stages of the registration, a minimum risk estimator is employed for refining the correspondences before averaging, to prevent averaging across irrelevant anatomical structures, which, if not avoided, will render the group mean fuzzy. The performance of our groupwise registration method is evaluated by using real data (NIREP) in a ROI overlap analysis, and simulated data in an atrophy detection experiment. The results show that our groupwise registration algorithm yields better performance in both registration consistency and accuracy than the original pairwise HAMMER algorithm.
Lip modeling for visual speech recognition

In this paper, we describe an algorithm for modeling the shape of the mouth, and extracting meaningful dimensions for use by automatic lipreading systems. One advantage of this technique lies in the ability to normalize the model to compensate for scale and rotation. An error function is defined which relates the model to the image, and minimization of the error yields the best fit model. This is similar to deformable templates, but we attempt to perform the minimization in closed form. Visual only recognition was performed with features extracted from the model, and the recognition system achieved 85% accuracy on a two word discrimination task. >
180-Gb/s clock recovery using a multi-section gaincoupled distributed feedback laser

180-Gb/s all-optical clock recovery has been demonstrated by using a self-pulsing multi-section gain-coupled distributed feedback laser. This clock recovery scheme has a jitter less than 0.4 ps over a dynamic range of 7dB
Moral Distress in Nurses Providing Direct Care on Inpatient Oncology Units

Moral distress is defined as knowing the right thing to do when policy constraints do not allow for appropriate choices. The purpose of the current study was to explore the existence of moral distress in oncology nurses with a cross-sectional survey completed by nurses working on inpatient units at a midwestern cancer hospital. Investigators distributed the Moral Distress Scale-Revised to all direct care staff nurses. The main research variables were moral distress, level of education, age, and type of unit. Most of the 73 nurses had low to moderate scores, and two had high scores. No significant correlations were observed among age or years of experience. Type of unit and level of moral distress were correlated, and an inverse relationship between level of education and moral distress was found. Moral distress exists in nurses who work on oncology units irrespective of experience in oncology or the specific unit. Nurses must be aware of the existence of moral distress and finds ways to reduce potential emotional problems.
Unusual Late Presentation of Hemophilia A in an Active Duty U.S. Marine Following Open Shoulder Surgery.

ABSTRACT Hemophilia A is clotting disorder affecting 8:100,000 males in the United States.1 It is an X-linked recessive genetic disorder, although about one-third of cases occur spontaneously without known family history. Because of the risk of uncontrolled hemorrhage on the battlefield, hemophilia and other bleeding disorders exclude individuals from service in the U.S. military. We report a case of an active duty U.S. Marine whose underlying diagnosis of Hemophilia A was discovered and treated by a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic surgeons and hematologists following recurrent hematomas after open rotator cuff surgery. The patient gave informed consent for publication.
Some Statistical Problems in the Computation of Nuclidic Mass Formulae

The volume of the literature on nuclidic mass formulae bears witness to much vexation. There is no agreement on the terms to be used. Simple drop-model terms account for the major portion of each mass (v. Weizsacker 1935) and thus are a natural zeroth approximation. But how may we improve them into a first or second approximation while we are not quite certain about the structure of the nuclear surface? There are also strong shell model terms (discovered experimentally by Duckworth and collaborators, 1950/51), but again we do not yet know a universally acceptable procedure to refine these in higher orders. Anyway, how do we reconcile the collective and the individual particle effects while basic nuclear theory is still unsettled?
Reflection on Levinas's Totality and Infinity

Postmodern philosophers have found Levinas's work on Totality and Infinity an intriguing work of ethics since these scholars see Levinas's work through their own lens of understanding the definitions of the philosophical construct or concepts of Totality and Infinity in postmodern ethics. This reflection highlights the various interpretations and definitions of these two words by contemporary philosophers of the present time. In dong so, this reflection defines and explains Totality and Infinity based on the understanding and perceptions of philosophers, students and/or enthusiasts of philosophy of postmodern ethics in the likeness of Alex Scott (2016) in this challenging times in our postmodern society.