cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Different Reinforcers: A Comparison across Age Levels

The relative effectiveness of two reinforcing contingencies referred to as verbal and physical reinforcements were compared as a function of age and sex. 20 males and 20 females at each of four age levels represented prekindergarten and Grades 3, 6, and 9. A highly significant difference was found between the reinforcing conditions, physical reinforcement being more effective than verbal at all age levels. These results had been predicted in the two oldest age groups, however, hypotheses made for the two youngest groups were not supported. Verbal reinforcement in combination with the physical reinforcement resulted in no greater response than did the physical reinforcement alone. Verbal reinforcement was significantly more effective among prekindergarten females than among third grade females, while males at both age levels were similarly affected by verbal reinforcement.
Lonna Rae Atkeson and Cherie D. Maestas. Catastrophic Politics: How Extraordinary Events Redefine Perceptions of Government. New York: Cambridge University Press. 2012. 273 pp. $99.00 (cloth).

The article reviews the book "Catastrophic Politics: How Extraordinary Events Redefine Perceptions of Government," by Lonna Rae Atkeson and Cherie D. Maestas.
Attention training for reducing spider fear in spider-fearful individuals

Cognitive theorists propose that attentional biases for threatening information play an important role in the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders. If attentional biases for threat figure in the maintenance of anxiety, then the experimental reduction of the bias for threat (attention training) should reduce anxiety. We randomly assigned 41 spider-fearful individuals to receive either attention training (n = 20) or control procedures (n = 21). We used a modified dot-probe discrimination paradigm with photographs of spiders and cows to train attention. Training reduced attentional bias for spiders, but only temporarily. Although both groups declined in spider fear and avoidance, reduction in attentional bias did not produce significantly greater symptom reduction in the training group than in the control group. However, reduction in attentional bias predicted reduction in self-reported fear for the training group. The reduction in attentional bias for threat may have been insufficiently robust to produce symptom reduction greater than that produced by exposure to a live spider and spider photographs alone. Alternatively, attention training may be an unsuitable intervention for spider fear.
Hybrid processes for the removal of acid gases from natural gas

A process design study and an economic assessment were made of a hybrid process for the removal of up to 40 mole% CO2 and up to 1 mole% H2S from crude natural gas. The hybrid process combines membrane separation and gas absorption in diethanolamine. Membrane separation is to be used first for the bulk removal of acid gases, in particular of CO2, from the crude natural gas feed, while final purification to U.S. pipeline specifications (≤2 mole% CO2, ≤4 ppm H2S) is to be performed by gas absorption. The effects of the following factors on the cost of acid gas removal were examined: feed flow rate, feed pressure, acid gas concentration (CO2 and H2S) in feed, cost of lost methane, membrane properties (CO2 permeability, CO2CH4 selectivity, effective thickness), and membrane replacement cost. For feed streams containing only CO2, the cost of an independent membrane separation process is lower than that of either a hybrid process or of an independent gas absorption process under the conditions assumed in this study, except at pressures below about 500 psia (3,447 kPa). For feed streams containing also up to 1 mole% H2S, the cost of the hybrid process is lower than that of an independent membrane separation process in certain ranges of feed flow rates, pressures, and acid gas concentrations. An independent gas absorption process is not competitive with either the hybrid process or an independent membrane process under most of the conditions of this study.
Feasibility of toxaphene transport through sandy soil.

Toxaphene, produced by the chlorination of camphene, is a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide that was widely used to control a variety of insects on crops and to control livestock skin parasites. It is known to be a toxic and a highly persistent chemical in soil where its half-life can be in excess of ten years, depending on the environmental conditions. This study was conducted in an attempt to explain a finding in this lab of high concentrations of toxaphene (2600 ppm) in soil sampled at a depth of 1 m. The source of the sample was from a pesticide waste facility in northern California. The paradox of this discovery was that toxaphene, being hydrophobic, has been shown to be restricted in its movement from agricultural applications to a reported maximum of 30 cm, with the bulk of material concentrated in the upper 10 cm. Toxaphene is known to undergo anaerobic degradation that changes its gas chromatography profile. The toxaphene analyzed in this sample had an unweathered profile similar to technical toxaphene, implying that no degradation had occurred. Since a waste disposal facility is faced with abnormally high concentrations of pesticides and formulation components, it was of interest to ascertain if movementmore » in a soil profile was possible when such concentrations prevail in a waste facility.« less
Some lengthening factors in English speech combine additively at most rates

The known lengthening effects of phrase-final position and of contrastive emphasis have been predicted by Klatt to combine superadditively. In a new experiment, texts elicited at a wide range of speaking rates were measured and the separate and combined effects of these lengthening factors were found to combine approximately additively at all rates studied. The proportion of lengthening attributable to each factor was found to be relatively invariant except at the fastest speaking rates, where lengthening was eventually eliminated. The results support the interpretation of absolute speaking rate as an inessential variable for characterizing speech at a range of moderate rates.
Evaluation of target cells for HIV-1-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays

The T cell line, CEM-E5, acutely and chronically infected with HIV-1, was used as a target cell in a standard 51Cr release HIV-1-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. CEM-E5, acutely infected with HIV-1, showed peak sensitivity to lysis in an HIV-1 specific ADCC assay on day 9 after infection. CEM-E5 clones, chronically infected with HIV-1, that productively express the virus were better ADCC targets than infected clones that do not express HIV-1. One clone, C5D7, was identified which was particularly sensitive to lysis in the ADCC assay. This cell line grows continually and is stable in culture and appears to be the best target for HIV-1-specific ADCC in our system.
Comparison of Green–Kubo and NEMD heat flux formulations for thermal conductivity prediction using the Tersoff potential

Abstract The phonon-based thermal conductivity of graphene sheets is estimated using equilibrium and non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. Different possible heat flux formulations, as a result of using the three-body Tersoff potential, have been examined to calculate the thermal conductivity by using equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD) with Green–Kubo relations. Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations are also performed to compare the heat flux formulations. We have found that the selected heat flux formulation has a prominent impact on the calculated thermal conductivity. A heat flux formulation choice is recommended that best maintains consistency between applied and calculated heat flux values in NEMD simulations.
On the Existence of the Exact Moments of Three LIML Structural Variance Estimators for the Case of Two Included Endogenous Variables

Abstract This article derives the exact finite sample density functions of three alternative LIML estimators of the variance of the error term in a structural equation containing two endogenous (GΔ = 2) variables contained in a system of G(G ≥ 2) nondynamic structural equations. For the case considered, none of the density functions of the three LIML structural variance estimators define finite moments of positive integer order. It is also demonstrated that, corresponding to a fixed sample size, the distribution function of the variance estimator considered by Srivastava [31] approaches a chi-square distribution function as the value of the concentration parameter grows indefinitely large.
Morphological evidence that feline SMR and human Mu are analogous rhythms

In cats implanted with epidural serew electrodes over sensorimotor cortex, various recording montages were used to observe the waveform of the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR). It was found that in bipolar recordings spanning the crus, SMR exhibited a wicket-shaped waveform comparable in shape and polarity to the human mu rhythm. Based on previously reported topographic and functional similarities of feline SMR and human mu, and on the present data demonstrating morphological similarities, it appears that feline SMR is the first proven feline model of a spontaneous human EEG rhythm.
Comparison of Cloud Liquid Content Measured by Two Independent Ground-Based Systems.

Abstract We report on observations of liquid water in clouds made by two independent ground-based microwave instruments. One system is a dual-frequency (20.6, 31.65 GHz) microwave radiometer designed to measure emission from the precipitable water vapor and from liquid in the zenith direction; we refer to this as System 1. The other system is a combination receiver-radiometer that utilizes absorption of a 28 GHz signal from the COMSTAR satellite to measure the liquid content of clouds; we refer to this as System 2. Comparative measurements on liquid-bearing clouds in Colorado are given.
Activity of the M-ONE formulation of a new strain of Bacillus thuringiensis against the Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): relationship between susceptibility and insect life stage.

In laboratory experiments, 0.03-0.13 times the recommended field rate of a commercial formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis var. san diego (M-ONE) resulted in 40-98% mortality of second-instar Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), 96 h after they began feeding on treated potato foliage. An average of 52% mortality of third instars was recorded at 96 h. Separate feeding consumption studies demonstrated that surviving second instars were inhibited from feeding for at least 48 h after an initial 24-h exposure to potato foliage treated with B. thuringiensis var. san diego . Ingestion of B. Thuringiensis var. san diego inhibited feeding of third instars and adults, but they were able to resume feeding to a greater extent than second instars after the initial 24-h exposure period. Field applications applied to potatoes at 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 times the recommended field rate resulted in significantly lower numbers of small and large larvae in treatment plots compared with controls. Potato tuber yields were significantly higher in plots treated with B. thuringiensis var. san diego than yields produced in control plots.
Error Analysis of Phase-Shifting for Phase and Amplitude Tomographic Reconstruction

We show the propagation of phase-shifting error on amplitude and phase retrieval of a 2D phantom object that is recovered tomographically from its 1D interferometric projections.
Delivering on obsolescence protection

With the growing need to reduce operational costs, many aerospace and defense companies are focusing on lowering the overall lifecycle costs of test platforms. The difficulty of this challenge is often compounded by the need to sustain test systems over the multi-decade life of the supported platform - a requirement that typically increases the long-term maintenance costs of an aging automated test system (ATS). In many cases, the shortcomings of existing test system architectures contribute to the problem. An alternative approach, already in use, addresses those shortcomings through an efficient, interactive platform for creating flexible system frameworks. This platform simplifies the process of replacing discontinued instruments with either similar devices or alternatives such as modular instruments or abstract instruments. Most test-system architectures typically require standardized hardware, software, instrument interfaces or communication protocols. In contrast, the "managed integration" alternative uses a services-based approach to enable inclusion of wide-ranging languages, drivers, interfaces, protocols, test executives and instrument types into hybrid systems that easily combine new and existing elements. To mitigate instrument or software obsolescence, this services-based platform completely decouples the hardware and software. This allows component connections to be configured (e.g., created and deleted) at runtime via subscription without compilation, linking, or pausing of the system. Thus, when an instrument must be replaced, it can be hot-swapped by changing the connections even if its predecessor used a different communication protocol.
Corrosion testing of stents: A novel fixture to hold entire device in deployed form and finish

Stainless steel and nickel-titanium alloy stents for cardiac, biliary, and prostatic clinical applications may be susceptible to loss of mechanical integrity/failure due to their small size and unique geometry. Because their corrosion behavior is a critical aspect of their biocompatibility, it is necessary to test such devices for corrosion behavior using a final deployed form and finish condition. Welding wire leads or holding with metallic clips can result in surface variability or damage to the stents. A novel fixture to hold stents for corrosion testing was designed and evaluated in this study. This fixture design minimally influenced the properties of stents, and also facilitated easy removal post-testing for other types of characterization.
A trilogy on surfaces. I. The temperature‐surface tension coexistence curve

Experimental data and theoretical considerations on the shape of the temperature-surface tension coexistence curve are presented for binary mixtures. It is found that the interfacial tension is proportional to the difference between the surface tensions raised to the nth power where n is of the order of 4.0.
A functional magnetic resonance imaging study of cortical regions associated with motor task execution and motor ideation in humans

Although motor performance may be enhanced through mental practice, the neurophysiological substrate of mental stimulation (ideation) of a motor task is not well established. We used blood oxygen level-dependent contrast echo planar imaging at 1.5 T to identify regions of increased neural activity during the performance and ideation of a motor task. Five subjects performed a sequential finger-to-thumb opposition task and also imagined themselves performing the task in the absence of actual muscle movement. In all subjects, the left primary sensorimotor cortex showed more activation with actual movement than with motor ideation, but two subjects had significant activation with motor ideation. The left premotor area showed comparable activation with both actual and imagined performance in three subjects. These findings support the involvement of the primary motor area as well as the premotor area in motor ideation. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Adaptor Protein Shc Couples a Class of Integrins to the Control of Cell Cycle Progression

We provide evidence that a class of integrins combines with the adaptor Shc and thereby with Grb2. Coimmunoprecipitation and mutagenesis experiments indicate that the recruitment of Shc is specified by the extracellular or transmembrane domain of integrin alpha subunit and suggest that this process is mediated by caveolin. Mutagenesis and dominant-negative inhibition studies reveal that Shc is necessary and sufficient for activation of the MAP kinase pathway in response to integrin ligation. Mitogens and Shc-activating integrins cooperate to promote transcription from the Fos serum response element and transit through G1. In contrast, adhesion mediated by integrins not linked to Shc results in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis even in presence of mitogens. These findings indicate that the association of specific integrins with Shc regulates cell survival and cell cycle progression.
Fractional programming : a recent survey

Abstract Recent developments in fractional programming are reviewed. We consider singleratio as well as multi-ratio fractional programs. In the latter case we focus on the maximization of the smallest of several ratios, the maximization of a sum of ratios and multiobjective fractional programs. To introduce newer results, we provide the necessary context by including major existing results. In this rather concise review we consider applications, theory and algorithms.
Two-stage analysis strategy for identifying the IgM quantitative trait locus

Genetic association studies offer an opportunity to find genetic variants underlying complex human diseases. Various tests have been developed to improve their power. However, none of these tests is uniformly best and it is usually unclear at the outset what test is best for a specific dataset. For example, Hotelling's T2 test is best for normally distributed data, but it can lose considerable power when normality is not met. To achieve satisfactory power in most cases, without compromising the overall significance level, we propose to adopt a two-stage adaptive analysis strategy – several statistics are compared on a portion of the samples at the first stage and the most powerful statistic is then used for the remaining samples. We evaluated this procedure by mapping the quantitative trait locus of IgM with the simulated data in Genetic Analysis Workshop 15 Problem 3. The results show that the gain in power of the two-stage adaptive analysis procedure could be considerable when the initial choice of test statistic is wrong, whereas the loss is relatively small in the case that the optimal test chosen initially is correct.
Aspects of concrete porosity revisited

Aspects of the pore structure of conventional concrete are reviewed. The appearance and distribution of pores are illustrated in the context of the microstructure of normal concretes as viewed in backscatter mode scanning electron microscopy. A significant portion of at least the larger pores found in concrete is considered to be derived from the hollow shell (Hadley grain) hydration mechanism. These pores therefore do not represent remnants of the original space between cement grains, the accepted concept of the origin of capillary pores. A brief review of the characteristics of surface fractals is provided and experiments are described, indicating that the surfaces constituting the boundaries of at least the larger pores in concrete are fractal in nature, at least over a limited range of self-similarity. It appears that the characteristic fractal dimension describing the pore surfaces is almost constant, regardless of age, water:cement ratio, or most other variables.
Measurement and analysis of large-scale network file system workloads

In this paper we present the analysis of two large-scale network file system workloads. We measured CIFS traffic for two enterprise-class file servers deployed in the NetApp data center for a three month period. One file server was used by marketing, sales, and finance departments and the other by the engineering department. Together these systems represent over 22TB of storage used by over 1500 employees, making this the first ever large-scale study of the CIFS protocol. We analyzed how our network file system workloads compared to those of previous file system trace studies and took an in-depth look at access, usage, and sharing patterns. We found that our workloads were quite different from those previously studied; for example, our analysis found increased read-write file access patterns, decreased read-write ratios, more randomfile access, and longer file lifetimes. In addition, we found a number of interesting properties regarding file sharing, file re-use, and the access patterns of file types and users, showing that modern file system workload has changed in the past 5-10 years. This change in workload characteristics has implications on the future design of network file systems, which we describe in the paper.
Romantic Federalism: Atlantic Republican Literature between Cosmopolitanism and Confederation

The age of democratic revolution in the Atlantic world (1776–1815) was marked by writing whose politics have been described as both patriotic and universalist. Far from reflecting a simple contradiction in revolutionary republicanism, these two strains reflect the simultaneous development of federalist and cosmopolitan discourses in the late Enlightenment and early Romanticism. This essay argues that we need a paradoxical conception of ‘Romantic federalism’ to account for transatlantic republican discourse in this period. Romantic federalism, in this essay’s account, facilitated both an ethnological interest in human diversity and a universalist understanding of popular sovereignty. The essay first takes as its case studies an anonymous visionary pamphlet, entitled The Golden Age; Constantin-Francois Volney’s best-known work, The Ruins; and the literary legacy of Anacharsis Cloots, the ‘Orator of the Human Race’. The essay concludes with a review of recent literary studies of both federalism and nationalism, and suggests ways that overemphasis on the nation form has led to neglect not only of republicanism but also of imperialism.
The Effect of Diluent pH on Bloodstream Infection Rates in Patients Receiving IV Treprostinil for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Background Recent studies have reported an increase in catheter-related bloodstream infections (BSIs) and gram-negative BSIs among patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension treated with IV treprostinil. One possible explanation is the neutral pH of the treprostinil diluent compared with the basic pH of epoprostenol. We hypothesized that administering IV treprostinil with epoprostenol diluent will lower the rate of gram-negative BSI. Methods We prospectively enrolled patients treated with IV treprostinil and changed the diluent from native diluent to epoprostenol diluent. We compared the incidence of BSI and gram-negative BSI between those receiving IV treprostinil with epoprostenol diluent (n = 25) and those actively receiving IV epoprostenol (n = 61), as well as with a cohort of patients who received IV treprostinil in native diluent (n = 34). Incidence rates of BSI were expressed as a fraction of 1,000 medicine treatment days. Results There were similar rates of BSI in those treated with treprostinil with epoprostenol diluent and those treated with epoprostenol (0.32 of 1,000 vs 0.40 of 1,000; P = .79). Also, there were similar rates of gram-negative BSI in these two cohorts (0.08 of 1,000 vs 0.20 of 1,000; P = .46). BSI rates were not statistically different between those treated with treprostinil with epoprostenol diluent and those treated with treprostinil (0.32 of 1,000 vs 0.90 of 1,000; P = .06). However, gram-negative BSIs were significantly lower in patients treated with treprostinil with epoprostenol diluent than in those treated with treprostinil (0.08 of 1,000 vs 0.71 of 1,000, respectively; P = .01). Conclusions Patients treated with treprostinil with epoprostenol diluent have a lower incidence of gram-negative BSI than do those treated with treprostinil and a similar rate to those treated with epoprostenol. Changing the diluent of treprostinil to epoprostenol diluent, in combination with the use of water-tight seals throughout the delivery system, appears to be an effective safety measure.
External-cavity frequency-stabilization of visible and infrared semiconductor lasers for high resolution spectroscopy

Abstract We have shown that the external cavity stabilization can be a straightforward and powerful technique for converting diode lasers of poor spectral quality into useful tools for high precision laser spectroscopy. The method requires an anti-reflection coating on one facet of the diode laser but, contrary to popular belief, this is not difficult and does not require any specialized equipment. We describe a coating procedure which can be used with standard commercial diode lasers. We have demonstrated the external cavity method using diodes at a variety of visible and infrared wavelengths. Details are given for a visible laser centered at 670 nm.
Path Integral Quantization of the Dynamics of a Classical Point Particle with Intrinsic Spin (

A quantum theory is derivedvia path integration that possesses a fundamental joint-probability amplitude for position and four-velocity,i.e. the probabilty amplitude that a particle simultaneously has a particular four-velocity at a particular position in space-time. The uncertainity principle is not violated.
Phase changes in T(3)R(3)(f) human insulin: temperature or pressure induced?

The structure of T3R_3^{\rm f} hexameric human insulin has been determined at 100 K from two different crystals at 1.2 and 1.3 A resolution and refined to residuals of 0.169 and 0.176, respectively. Owing to a phase change, the c axis is double its room-temperature value and the asymmetric unit contains two independent TRf insulin dimers. Compared with the orientation in the room-temperature structure, one dimer undergoes a rotation about the c axis of −5°, while the second is rotated +4°. A superposition of the backbone atoms of the two independent dimers shows that the Cα atoms of five residues within the Rf-state monomers are displaced by more than 1.0 A; smaller displacements are observed for the T-state monomers. Four zinc ions lie on the crystallographic threefold axis and each forms bonds to three symmetry-related HisB10 N∊2 atoms from the T- and Rf-state trimers. While three of the zinc ions are tetrahedrally coordinated with a chloride ion completing the coordination sphere, mixed tetrahedral/octahedral coordination is observed for one of the T-state zinc ions. The three symmetry-related `phenolic binding sites' in one hexamer contain water molecules and a glycerol molecule, but the same sites in the second hexamer are occupied by a zinc ion coordinated to an alternate conformation of HisB10, a symmetry-related HisB5 and two chloride ions. Two additional and partially occupied zinc ion sites are observed at the interface between the two independent dimers. One zinc ion is coordinated by a T-state HisB5 of one dimer, an R-state HisB5 of the second dimer and two water molecules; the second zinc ion is coordinated by an alternate side-chain conformation of the T-state HisB5 and three water molecules. The carboxyl group of one GluB13 side chain, which exists in two discrete conformations, appears to be protonated, because short contacts exist to a second carboxyl group or to a carbonyl O atom.
Lineament-preserving filtering

Recently developed seismic attributes such as volumetric curvature and amplitude gradients enhance our ability to detect lineaments. However, because these attributes are based on derivatives of either dip and azimuth or the seismic data themselves, they can also enhance high-frequency noise. Recently published structure-oriented filtering algorithms show that noise in seismic data can be removed along reflectors while preserving major structural and stratigraphic discontinuities. In one implementation, the smoothing process tries to select the most homogenous window from a suite of candidate windows containing the analysis point. A second implementation damps the smoothing operation if a discontinuity is detected. Unfortunately, neither of these algorithms preserves thin or small lineaments that are only one voxel in width. To overcome this defect, we evaluate a suite of nonlinear feature-preserving filters developed in the image-processing and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) world and apply them to both synthetic and real 3D dip-and-azimuth volumes of fractured geology from the Forth Worth Basin, USA. We find that the multistage, median-based, modified trimmed-mean algorithm preserves narrow geologically significant features of interest, while suppressing random noise and acquisition footprint.
A seasonal shift in egg-laying behaviour in response to cues of future competition in a treehole mosquito

Summary 1. We tested a set of hypotheses to predict egg-laying behaviour in Aedes tr.isevintus in the field in Massachusetts. These hypotheses reflect three main themes: females avoid competitive or predatory threats to their larvae; feinales judge larvae or eggs as cues to future perinaileilce or productivity within a treehole; and females are either opportunistic ovipositors, or hedge their bets by scattering their eggs in multiple habitats. We predicted that ~nosquitoes might vary in their response depeilding on whether their offspring will hatch immediately or enter diapause and hatch the next year. 2. We stocked artificial treeholes with larvae at four densities ranging froin 0 to 90 larvae per habitat for four trials in 1992 and eight trials in 1994. In 1992, we added predatory Anopheles barbevi larvae to half the replicates of each density level. 111 1994, we tested for an interactio~l between egg and larval density by stocking additional traps with eggs in batches of 0, 20 and 200, and larvae in densities as in the previous trials. 3. The population revealed a significant interaction between time of year and larval density. More eggs accumulated in traps stocked with fewer larvae (0 or 15) early in the season, but fenlales showed a slight positive response to higher densities (45 or 90) later on, after their offspring were all likely to enter diapause. These results suggest that potential ambiguities of larval cues, with indications of habitat permanence as well as adversity of future competition, are resolved by females. Fenlales did not respoild differentially to the predatory Anopheles barberi larvae. 4. The estimated batch size obtained in oviposition traps did not differ from the fecundity of field-caught fe~nales allowed to oviposit under confinenlent in laboratory vials, suggesting that bet-hedging by scattering of eggs anlong multiple habitats did not occur. 5. An unexpected result, a positive response to higher egg densities, is discussed in light of studies on other insects. This result conflicts with our predictions based 011 fe~nales choosing less competitive environn~ents for their larvae and also co~lflicts with previously published accounts of avoidance of eggs in this species. Preference for habitats with conspecific eggs inight be explained if eggs reflect habitat stability or if larvae gain an advantage fro~n being in an aggregation. Neither hypothesis is resolved by the present study. Key-iuovds: Aedes, competitioi~, density-dependent, habitat selection, oviposition
Ocular Models of Chlamydial Infection

In the study of trachoma, animal models have been used extensively to show the spectrum of disease that chlamydiae can cause. Animal studies have shown that repeated episodes of reinfection are necessary for the development of a trachoma model. The recognition of the importance of reinfection has wide-ranging implications for clinical and epidemiologic studies. Models can also be used to study the pathophysiology of disease. Although some studies on the immune response to chlamydial infection have been performed, much further work could be done to clarify the apparently paradoxical nature of the response. The immune response seems to be partially responsible for both protection and the destructive consequences of chlamydial infection. Animal models will need to be exploited during the development of vaccines.
Stress fields and Eshelby forces on half-plane inhomogeneities with eigenstrains and strip inclusions meeting a free surface

The stress field due to a half-plane inhomogeneity with plane eigenstrain is obtained by a limiting procedure from the one of a circular Eshelby inhomogeneity/inclusion. This field, which requires tractions to be applied at infinity to be sustained, has minimum strain energy versus any other superposed homogeneous one, and is the Eshelby solution inside plus the Hill jump conditions. By superposition, the stresses due to an infinite strip (Eshelby property domain) inhomogeneity with eigenstrain are obtained, and, by superposition periodic strips or laminates can be obtained. By cancelling the stresses on a free-surface, strips of inclusions meeting a free surface are solved. They exhibit tensile stresses under the free surface, and logarithmic singularities in the tensile stress at the vertex, which may initiate cracking. The Eshelby self-forces on the boundary of circular and half-plane inhomogeneities are computed.
An Examination of the Impact of Supervisor on the Relationship Between Job Strains and Turnover Intention for Computer Workers

Numerous studies have found that individuals' levels of job strain are consistently and strongly related to turnover intention. The present study examined whether the supervisor—which is one of the most important interorganizational relationships that employees have—might buffer the strain/turnover-intention relationship. We employed the conservation of resources theory and proposed a number of hypotheses related to aspects of the supervisor–subordinate relationship moderating the strain–intention to turnover relationship. We tested these relationships using a sample of 231 employees, who were computer workers from a number of different organizations. Our results showed support for several hypothesized supervisor-related moderators.
Extraction and use of neural network models in automated synthesis of operational amplifiers

Fast and accurate performance estimation methods are essential to automated synthesis of analog circuits. Development of analog performance models is difficult due to the highly nonlinear nature of various analog performance parameters. This paper presents a neural network-based methodology for creating fast and efficient models for estimating the performance parameters of CMOS operational amplifier topologies. Effective methods for generation and use of the training data are proposed to enhance the accuracy of the neural models. The efficiency and accuracy of the resulting performance models are demonstrated via their use in a genetic algorithm-based circuit synthesis system. The genetic synthesis tool optimizes a fitness function based on user-specified performance constraints. The performance parameters of the synthesized circuits are validated by SPICE simulations and compared with those predicted by the neural network models. Experimental studies demonstrate that neural network modeling is an effective, fast, and accurate methodology for performance estimation.
Gene Conversion Among Paralogs Results in Moderate False Detection of Positive Selection Using Likelihood Methods

Previous studies have shown that recombination between allelic sequences can cause likelihood-based methods for detecting positive selection to produce many false-positive results. In this article, we use simulations to study the impact of nonallelic gene conversion on the specificity of PAML to detect positive selection among gene duplicates. Our results show that, as expected, gene conversion leads to higher rates of false-positive results, although only moderately. These rates increase with the genetic distance between sequences, the length of converted tracts, and when no outgroup sequences are included in the analysis. We also find that branch-site models will incorrectly identify unconverted sequences as the targets of positive selection when their close paralogs are converted. Bayesian prediction of sites undergoing adaptive evolution implemented in PAML is affected by conversion, albeit in a less straightforward way. Our work suggests that particular attention should be devoted to the evolutionary analysis of recent duplicates that may have experienced gene conversion because they may provide false signals of positive selection. Fortunately, these results also imply that those cases most susceptible to false-positive results—i.e., high divergence between paralogs, long conversion tracts—are also the cases where detecting gene conversion is the easiest.
Anti-inflammatory effects of PGE2 in the lung: role of the EP4 receptor subtype

Background Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are chronic inflammatory diseases of the airway. Current treatment options (long acting β-adrenoceptor agonists and glucocorticosteroids) are not optimal as they are only effective in certain patient groups and safety concerns exist regarding both compound classes. Therefore, novel bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory strategies are being pursued. Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) is an arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoid produced by the lung which acts on four different G-protein coupled receptors (EP 1–4 ) to cause an array of beneficial and deleterious effects. The aim of this study was to identify the EP receptor mediating the anti-inflammatory actions of PGE 2 in the lung using a range of cell-based assays and in vivo models. Methods and results It was demonstrated in three distinct model systems (innate stimulus, lipopolysaccharide (LPS); allergic response, ovalbumin (OVA); inhaled pollutant, cigarette smoke) that mice missing functional EP 4 ( Ptger4 −/− ) receptors had higher levels of airway inflammation, suggesting that endogenous PGE 2 was suppressing inflammation via EP 4 receptor activation. Cell-based assay systems (murine and human monocytes/alveolar macrophages) demonstrated that PGE 2 inhibited cytokine release from LPS-stimulated cells and that this was mimicked by an EP 4 (but not EP 1–3 ) receptor agonist and inhibited by an EP 4 receptor antagonist. The anti-inflammatory effect occurred at the transcriptional level and was via the adenylyl cyclase/cAMP/ cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) axis. Conclusion This study demonstrates that EP 4 receptor activation is responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of PGE 2 in a range of disease relevant models and, as such, could represent a novel therapeutic target for chronic airway inflammatory conditions.
Associations of erythrocyte fatty acid patterns with insulin resistance

BACKGROUND Synergistic or additive effects or both on cardiometabolic risk may be missed by examining individual fatty acids (FAs). A pattern analysis may be a more useful approach. In addition, it remains unclear whether erythrocyte FA composition relates to insulin resistance among Hispanics/Latinos. OBJECTIVE We derived erythrocyte FA patterns for a Puerto Rican cohort and examined their association with diet and insulin resistance in cross-sectional and prospective analyses. DESIGN At baseline, principal components analysis was used to derive factor patterns with the use of 24 erythrocyte FAs from 1157 participants of the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (aged 45-75 y). Dietary intake was assessed with a validated semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated at baseline and at the 2-y follow-up. Relations between FA patterns and HOMA-IR were analyzed in a sample of 922 participants with available data. RESULTS Five FA patterns were derived, differentiated by 1) relatively high de novo lipogenesis (DNL) FAs and low n-6 (ω-6) FAs, 2) high very-long-chain saturated FAs, 3) high n-3 (ω-3) FAs, 4) high linoleic acid and low arachidonic acid, and 5) high trans FAs. The DNL pattern was positively correlated with sugar and inversely with n-6 and monounsaturated FA intakes. Only the DNL pattern was positively related to baseline HOMA-IR [adjusted geometric means (95% CIs) for quartiles 1 and 4: 1.72 (1.58, 1.87) and 2.20 (2.02, 2.39); P-trend < 0.0001]. Similar associations were observed at 2 y, after adjustment for baseline status [quartiles 1 and 4 means (95% CIs): 1.61 (1.48, 1.76) and 1.84 (1.69, 2.00); P-trend = 0.02]. These results remained consistent after the exclusion of participants with diabetes (n = 485). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that upregulated DNL associated with a diet high in sugar and relatively low in unsaturated FAs may adversely affect insulin sensitivity in a Hispanic/Latino cohort.
A Peculiar Connection Between the Axiom of Choice and Predicting the Future

1. INTRODUCTION. We often model systems that change over time as functions from the real numbers R (or a subinterval of R) into some set S of states, and it is often our goal to predict the behavior of these systems. Generally, this requires rules governing their behavior, such as a set of differential equations or the assumption that the system (as a function) is analytic. With no such assumptions, the system could be an arbitrary function, and the values of arbitrary functions are notoriously hard to predict. After all, if someone proposed a strategy for predicting the values of an arbitrary function based on its past values, a reasonable response might be, "That is impossible. Given any strategy for predicting the values of an arbitrary function, one could just define a function that diagonalizes against it: whatever the strategy predicts, define the function to be something else." This argument, however, makes an appeal to induction: to diagonalize against the proposed strategy at a point t, we must have already defined our function for all s 0 such that the prediction is valid on [t, t + s). Noting that any countable set of reals has measure 0, we can restate this informally: at almost every instant t, the strategy predicts some "?-glimpse" of the future. We should emphasize that these results do not give a practical means of predicting
Distribution of Foraging Bees of Three Honey Bee Stocks Located Near Onion and Safflower Fields

The foraging distance, distribution patterns, and pollen collection were compared for Hy-Queen, diminutive-wing mutant, and common Italian stocks placed near fields of onion ( Allium cepa L.) and safflower ( Carthamus tinctorius L.). A greater percentage of Hy-Queen bees foraged at nearby onion plots compared to more distant safflower plots. There was no significant difference in the frequency of onion pollen collection of Hy-Queen and common stock. Hy-Queen and diminutive-wing bees foraged closer to their colonies than did common stock, indicating that genetic regulation of foraging distance may be a feasible method to concentrate bees in areas where intensive pollination is required. A method is given that permits the comparison of foraging distances of individual colonies, or sub-populations therein.
The role of quantitative Epstein-Barr virus polymerase chain reaction and preemptive immunosuppression reduction in pediatric liver transplantation: a preliminary experience.

Background: Risk factors for the development of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), a major cause of morbidity and mortality after pediatric liver transplantation, are primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and intensity of immunosuppression. The authors assessed monitoring of EBV replication and preemptive immunosuppression reduction in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Methods: The authors prospectively followed monthly EBV-quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction to measure EBV replication in 23 patients who underwent liver transplant between July 1997 and November 1998. Preemptive immunosuppression reduction was instituted for significant EBV replication. Patients were followed up for at least 1 year and divided in two groups for analysis (group 1, pretransplant sero-negative for EBV [13 patients]; group 2, seropositive for EBV [10 patients]). Results: In group 1, 9 of 13 patients had positive polymerase chain reaction results at a mean time of 22.4 weeks after transplantation. All but one of these patients were asymptomatic. In seven of nine patients, preemptive immunosuppression reduction was undertaken without development of PTLD or rejection. In two of nine patients, immunosuppression could not be continuously reduced, and both patients experienced low-grade and medically responsive PTLD. In no patient in group 2 did an EBV-positive viral load or PTLD develop. Conclusions: Prospective longitudinal measurement of EBV by quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction permits early detection of asymptomatic viral replication. Subsequent preemptive reduction of immunosuppression may prevent the progression to PTLD.
Abstract LB-402: Chromosomal aberrations in 5-year olds and urinary PAH metabolites

Chromosomal aberrations (CAs) measured in cord blood are associated with maternal exposure to air Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in newborns from the Columbia Center for Children9s Environmental Health (CCCEH). We hypothesize that naphthalene, a PAH not measureable in air levels and an IARC classified potential carcinogen, might be associated with chromosomal aberrations. Now in 90 five yr olds from this cohort we examined the association between stable CAs (including translocations) scored using whole chromosome painting Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization in chromosomes 1-6, 11,12,14,19 in peripheral blood, and specific gravity adjusted 1OH and 2OH naphthalene (1OHnaph and 2OHnaph) metabolites measured in simultaneously collected urine, using an automated liquid-liquid extraction and quantified by gas chromatography/isotope dilution high-resolution mass spectrometry. Dominican American (DA) 5 yr olds (n=50) had higher specific 2OHnaph levels (mean: 12535.9 ng/m 3 ; SD: 22227.6) than African American (AA) 5 yr olds (n=40)(mean: 4239.2 SD: 3397.0),(Wilcoxon test, p=0.02) consistent with differences previously seen in the entire CCCEH cohort. Bivariate correlations between frequencies of CAs and 1OHnaph and 2OHnaph stratified by sex or ethnic group suggested an ethnic disparity in the association between CAs and naphthalenes. Negative binomial models were used to examine whether this association was dependent on ethnicity, controlling for sex. 1 OHnaph increased total stable CAs frequency in chromosomes 1-6 (r=0.24, p= 0.03), though this increase was only in DA (r=0.47, p=0.0006), not AA (r=0.09). Controlling for sex, the ethnic disparity in the association differs significantly (p=0.006). Frequency of translocations (a subgroup of stable CAs) also increased with increasing levels of 1OHNaph (r=0.20;p=0.07), particularly in DA(r=0.36; p=0.01), not in AA (r=0.07; p=0.0.6);controlling for sex, the ethnic disparity in association was significant (p 1 OHnaph and 2OHnaph did not effect CAs in chromosomes 11,12,14,19. Metabolites of naphthalene are associated with stable CAs including translocations in chromosomes 1-6. Sources of naphthalene may vary with cultural practices and off-label uses can contribute to elevated indoor air levels, surpassing those from outdoor pollutants. Our data suggest there are ethnic differences in both exposure to naphthalenes and response to this exposure, and have potential implications for prevention. The cohort is being followed to determine persistence of CAs. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-402.
Quinones and quinone methides—IV: Dimerization reactions of 2-phenylmethyl-5-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinones

Abstract Base catalyzed dimerization of 2-(4-methoxyphenylmethyl)-5-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone 6 yields as the chief product an unusual tetrahydroxanthen derivative 7a. The structure of 7a suggests that it is formed by combination of two molecules of the ortho-quinone methide tautomer of 6. Rearrangement of 7a yields the dihydro-oxepin derivative 15 and the indanspirocyclohexene derivatives 17 and 18a, all of which are formed as minor products in the dimerization of 6. In contrast to 6 related 2-(1-phenylethyl)-1,4-benzoquinones do not dimerize in basic media.