cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Natural Selection, Gaia, and Inadvertent By-Products: A Reply to Lenton and Wilkinson's Response

Lenton and Wilkinson (2003), in response to me (Volk, 2002), have offered a number of important ideas for a Gaia theory of `regulatory feedbacks'between life and the global environment. After what are generally positive comments on a selection of their concepts, I focus my reply on one specific point of disagreement. Contrary to the claim of Lenton and Wilkinson, nitrogen fixation is merely another example of how a by-product affects the shared environment among organisms. For Gaia theory to properly incorporate evolution by natural selection, we must distinguish between life's products and by-products. Because organisms evolve in environments altered by these by-products, I continue to support the idea that feedback loops in the biosphere contain segments based solely upon by-products of organisms' metabolisms.
Studies on the neuraminidase of influenza virus. I. Separation and some properties of the enzyme from Asian and PR8 strains.

Abstract A method for the separation of neuraminidase from the Asian and PR8 strains of influenza virus has been described. The procedure involves treatment of preparations of virus or vaccine with trypsin, followed by dialysis and centrifugation to remove the remainder of the virus particle. The neuraminidase preparations do not agglutinate red blood cells nor do they prevent their agglutination by Lee “indicator” virus. N -Acetylneuraminic acid is liberated from neuramin lactose and orosomucoid by the neuraminidase preparations. Some preliminary studies on the kinetic properties of the enzyme have been presented.
Negotiating the Unknown: The Role of Uncertainty in Social Exchange

This article documents the role of uncertainty in social exchange. Specifically, it reviews how social exchange theorists incorporate uncertainty when explaining psychological processes and social behaviors. After identifying and examining the structural roots of uncertainty, the article addresses how uncertainty affects actor behavior and attitude formation, from curbing power use to promoting the development of more committed, trusting and cohesive exchange partnerships. By assessing the consequences of uncertainty and risk for social exchange, this article contributes to sociological knowledge about the nature and form of relationships in an uncertain world.
Asynchronous Teams: Cooperation Schemes for Autonomous Agents

Experiments over a variety of optimization problems indicate that scale-effective convergence is an emergent behavior of certain computer-based agents, provided these agents are organized into an asynchronous team (A-Team). An A-Team is a problem-solving architecture in which the agents are autonomous and cooperate by modifying one another‘s trial solutions. These solutions circulate continually. Convergence is said to occur if and when a persistent solution appears. Convergence is said to be scale-effective if the quality of the persistent solution increases with the number of agents, and the speed of its appearance increases with the number of computers. This paper uses a traveling salesman problem to illustrate scale-effective behavior and develops Markov models that explain its occurrence in A-Teams, particularly, how autonomous agents, without strategic planning or centralized coordination, can converge to solutions of arbitrarily high quality. The models also perdict two properties that remain to be experimentally confirmed: • construction and destruction are dual processes. In other words, adept destruction can compensate for inept construction in an A-Team, and vice-versa. (Construction refers to the process of creating or changing solutions, destruction, to the process of erasing solutions.) • solution quality is independent of agent-phylum. In other words, A-Teams provide an organizational framework in which humans and autonomous mechanical agents can cooperate effectively.
The effect of visuals on recall, attitude and behavioral intention toward irradiated foods

This study aims to compare two modes of presenting information about food irradiation on audience’s recall, attitude and behavioral intentions toward this food safety innovation. The manipulation of a one-page brochure served as the study’s experimental treatment. Half of the study’s respondents were presented with a brochure that used only text to describe the processes, risks and benefits associated with food irradiation. The other half of the respondents received a brochure that used visuals, combined with text, to describe the same information. The findings suggest that when readers are presented with risk information using a combination of text and visuals, recall of objective facts is increased. Respondents demonstrated fairly neutral attitudinal dispositions and behavioral intentions toward items related to food irradiation. However, the findings indicate that with a more accessible way of presenting complicated scientific information and technological risks, an audience is better equipped to structure appropriate attitudes and make informed behavioral decisions about a relatively unknown food safety practice. The results also indicate that using visuals to explain medical, technological, and natural hazards has great influence on knowledge gain. With greater recall, audiences are better positioned to make informed decisions about how to mitigate risks related to safety of the foods they eat. Therefore, developing risk communication messages in ways that cater to the needs of different learners (i.e., those who respond more to text and those who respond more to visuals) is a worthy objective for public investments.
Tendencias en homogamia educacional en México: 1970-2000

On the basis of microdata from Mexican censuses taken in 1970, 1990 and 2000, this article examines the homogeny of marriages and consensual marriages by level of spousal educational attainment over the past three decades, characterized by the enormous expansion of schooling, the increase in educational performance and the progressive reduction in gender differences in educational matters. Three conclusions emerge from the examina­tion of the data: the significant increase in homogamy among those with the highest levels of educational attainment, the consolidation of two extended zones of homogamy and the reduction of differences between the way men and women incorporate education in the selection of marriage partners.
X-band wireless power transfer with two-stage high-efficiency GaN PA/ rectifier

A 2-stage X-band GaN MMIC operating as a power amplifier and rectifier is measured in a wireless power transfer link. The PA operates at 9.9 GHz in class-AB and achieves 10W of output power and >20 dB of gain. As a rectifier, the MMIC achieves over 52% RF-DC conversion efficiency at a power level of >8W. In a wireless powering link at a distance of 5 cm, the system achieves 10% DC-DC efficiency. The applications are bi-directional high power directional wireless power transfer (WPT).
Friction, wear and mechanical behavior of nano-objects on the nanoscale

Abstract Nano-objects are used in various applications where they come into sliding contact with each other and the surfaces where they are used. This can lead to nano-object deformation. Some examples of these applications include drug delivery for cancer treatment, oil detection, contaminant removal, catalysis, and tribology on the macro- to nanoscale. Fundamental understandings of friction and wear of nano-objects, mechanical properties, and deformation mechanisms have been gained through studies. These examined friction mechanisms in nano-object(s) contact sliding on dry and submerged-in-liquid surfaces, sliding on a single nano-object, and mechanical behavior. Nano-object friction studies used an atomic force microscope. Single nano-object contact studies (lateral-push) provide understanding of friction mechanisms, showing friction is influenced by real area of contact, roughness, and work of adhesion. Friction is lower in liquid environments versus dry environments. Contact studies of multiple nano-objects investigate whether several nano-objects reduce friction and wear between sliding surfaces as a result of lower contact area. Further studies on single nano-object friction reveal dependence on topography, scale, and material. Mechanical behavior studies investigate deformation during indentation and compression. Indentation studies investigate scale effects on hardness and Young's modulus. Compression studies investigate reverse plasticity and deformation resistance. This comprehensive study review assists understanding of fundamental interfacial interactions and deformation mechanisms. Studies reported use gold nano-objects, molybdenum disulfide and tungsten disulfide multi-walled nanotubes, and carbon nanohorns, which are of general interest.
Sacred and Secular: Religion and Politics Worldwide

Part I. Understanding Secularization: 1. The secularization debate 2. Measuring secularization 3. Comparing secularization worldwide Part II. Case Studies of Religion and Politics: 4. The puzzle of secularization in the United States and Western Europe 5. A religious revival in post-communist Europe? 6. Religion and politics in the Muslim world Part III. The Consequences of Secularization: 7. Religion, the Protestant ethic, and moral values 8. Religious organizations and social capital 9. Religious parties and electoral behavior Part IV. Conclusions: 10. Secularization and its consequences 11. Re-examining the theory of existential security 12. Re-examining evidence for the security thesis.
Acoustic Ejector with Novel Lens Employing Air-Reflectors

This paper describes a novel droplet ejector with an acoustic lens employing air-reflectors. The lens focuses the acoustic beams at the liquid surface, and facilitates uniform and consistent droplet ejections. This acoustic ejector requires no nozzle, nor heat for actuation, but uses a novel lens. When excited with RF pulses (7μs pulsewidth) of 18 MHz (corresponding to the fundamental thickness-mode resonant frequency), the ejector ejects uniform droplets of 70 μm in diameter at a rate up to 10 kHz. The ejector is integrated with reservoirs and channels on a single chip, and is shown to produce continuous and stable ejections without any liquid refilling or frequency tuning.
Mitotic recombination among subtelomeric Y' repeats in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Y's are a dispersed family of repeats that vary in copy number, location and restriction fragment lengths between strains but exhibit within-strain homogeneity. We have studied mitotic recombination between members of the subtelomeric Y' repeated sequence family of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Individual copies of Y's were marked with SUP11 and URA3 which allowed for the selection of duplications and losses of the marked Y's. Duplications occurred by ectopic recombinational interactions between Y's at different chromosome ends as well as by unequal sister chromatid exchange. Several of the ectopic duplications resulted in an originally Y'-less chromosome end acquiring a marked Y'. Among losses, most resulted from ectopic exchange or conversion in which only the marker sequence was lost. In some losses, the chromosome end became Y'-less. Although the two subsets of Y's, Y'-longs (6.7 kb) and Y'-shorts (5.2 kb), share extensive sequence homology, a marked Y' recombines highly preferentially within its own subset. These mitotic interactions can in part explain the maintenance of Y's and their subsets, the homogeneity among Y's within a strain, as well as diversity between strains.
Thrombolytic therapy for acute arterial occlusion

To evaluate the role of selective intra-arterial low-dose thrombolytic therapy (SILDT) as an alternative to the surgical management of acute arterial occlusion, the hospital records of 40 patients who underwent 43 SILDT treatments with either streptokinase (36) or urokinase (7) between December 1979 and March 1984 were reviewed. Twenty-eight patients underwent 30 treatments (group 1) for native arterial occlusion and 12 patients underwent 13 treatments (group 2) for prosthetic or autogenous graft occlusions. Therapy was deemed successful if subsequent surgical therapy was obviated. In group 1, SILDT was successful in 13 of 28 (45%) patients with 12 of 25 lower extremity occlusions and one of three upper extremity occlusions. Successful lysis in the native artery occlusion group fell into three categories: five patients were successfully treated for arterial thrombosis complicating percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA); four patients required PTA after complete lysis revealed an underlying arterial stenosis; and only three required no further therapy after SILDT. SILDT failed in all three patients with the aortoiliac occlusions. Eleven patients with femoral artery occlusions and unsuccessful SILDT required six bypass procedures, three amputations, one embolectomy, and one PTA. In group 2 only 3 of 14 treatments (21%) were successful. Bypass revision was not possible in 11 patients and all required amputation. Systemic fibrinolysis was seen in 20 (59%) of 34 patients with available data. Neither fibrinogen levels nor fibrin degradation products predicted the occurrence of complications. Minor complications occurred in 18 of 43 (43%) treatments; small hematomas at the catheter entry site were most common. Minor complications occurred in 20 of 43 treatments (44%) and included severe local hemorrhage (four), distant bleeding (three), pulmonary embolism (four), myocardial infarction (three), unmasking of an aortoduodenal fistula (one), and clot migration requiring emergency thrombectomy (four). SILDT is most effective in acute arterial thrombosis complicating arteriography or percutaneous angioplasty. It may play a role in the patient in whom thrombolysis can reveal an underlying stenosis amenable to percutaneous angioplasty. This experience shows SILDT to be of limited value in the management of prosthetic autogenous graft occlusions. Finally, thrombolytic therapy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates and requires cautious monitoring to detect arterial thrombus migration, worsening tissue ischemia, venous thromboembolism, intracerebral hemorrhage, and local or systemic bleeding.
Nutrient cycling relative to δ15N and δ13C natural abundance in a coastal wetland with long-term nutrient additions

Because nitrogen and phosphorus are primary resources for plant, algal, and microbial production, increases in nutrient inputs can markedly alter aquatic ecosystems. Coastal wetland plots at Belle W. Baruch Marine Field Laboratory (South Carolina, USA) have been amended with nitrogen and phosphorus for ~20 years to determine the effects of nutrient loading on coastal wetlands. We conducted a survey of δ15N and δ13C natural abundance in coastal wetland organic pools (sediment, vegetation) with long-term nutrient amendments (control, no addition; nitrogen; phosphorus; and nitrogen + phosphorus additions). Additionally, we conducted laboratory assays to quantify pore water nutrient availability and nitrification rates. Marsh vegetation (Spartina alterniflora) had enriched δ13C values (mean −14‰) relative to bulk sediment samples (mean −18‰). Nitrogen-amended plots (alone and in combination with phosphorus) had enriched δ13C values in the surface sediment (0–5 cm; mean −16.1‰) relative to control (mean −16.5‰) and phosphorus-amended plots (mean −16.8‰). Nitrogen-amended plots also had depleted δ15N in S. alterniflora leaf tissues (−3.3‰) and surface sediment samples (mean 2.1‰) relative to leaf tissues (mean 2.1‰) or sediment samples (mean 5.8‰) from control or phosphorus-only amended plots. Nitrate availability (as increased pore water concentration) was higher in N-amended plots although ammonium availability did not differ. Phosphorus availability was higher only in phosphorus-only amended plots. Overall, we found that long-term nutrient amendments to coastal wetlands significantly altered nutrient availability and uptake rates as well as natural abundance of δ13C and δ15N in multiple organic matter sources.
The Effect of Age and Comorbidity in the Treatment of Elderly Women With Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer

Background: Increasing age has most often been associated with less aggressive approaches to treatment of nonmetastatic breast cancer in elderly women even after controlling for stage of disease at diagnosis. Objective: To examine the influence of patient age on the initial treatment for breast cancer received by elderly women while controlling for the effect of patient comorbidity. Methods: Cancer registry records for a cohort of 2252 women aged 66 years or older who were diagnosed as having nonmetastatic, invasive breast cancer between 1984 and 1989 and identified through the Virginia Cancer Registry were linked to Medicare Provider and Reimbursement data files. Multivariate models were used to assess the effects of age and comorbidity (as measured by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition , codes recorded on Medicare claims) on initial treatment approach while adjusting for stage of disease, race, residential location, marital status, and year of diagnosis. Results: In baseline multivariable models, age was negatively associated with any surgical treatment, non—breast-conserving procedures, and radiotherapy following breast-conserving surgery. The odds of women aged 85 years and older receiving surgery were less than one third those of women aged 66 to 74 years (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.16 to 0.60), while odds ratios across the same two age groups for nonbreast-conserving surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy were 0.55 (95% confidence interval, 33 to 92) and 0.03 (confidence interval, 0.01 to 0.13), respectively. With additional adjustment for aggregate comorbidity, odds ratio estimates in these same age-group comparisons were virtually unchanged at 0.31, 0.56, and 0.04. Conclusion: Aggregate comorbidity measured by inpatient International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, codes on Medicare inpatient hospital claims does not explain age-related patterns in the initial treatment of elderly patients with breast cancer. (Arch Intern Med. 1996;156:85-90)
FSC 10214+4724: A Gravitationally Lensed, Hidden QSO*

We present polarimetric evidence that the extraordinarily luminous galaxy FSC 10214+4724 harbors a hidden QSO. In polarized flux we see broad emission lines of C III] λ1909, C IV λ1550, and Lyα/N V λ1240. The narrow emission lines that dominate the total flux spectrum are unpolarized. Recent images have indicated that FSC 10214+4724 is actually gravitationally lensed, and we find strong evidence for Mg II λ2800 absorption at z = 1.316 in the spectrum of the QSO and weaker evidence for a possible continuum and absorption system at z = 0.893. Both of these systems could represent galaxies that contribute to the lensing.
The application of living systems theory to 41 u.s. army battalions

This issue contains an executive summary of approximately three years of research conducted on 41 U.S. Army battalions. Included in the text is a discussion of general systems science and living systems theory. The scope/goals, methodology, findings, and summary of the two distinct phases of the research (Phase I and Phase II) constitute most of this volume. The Norms Study, conducted to obtain information from the Phase II research data to create normative tables for potential pathology determination, is also included. A brief description of the conclusions, implications, and future applications of the research studies is the closing section in this issue.
On the Dependence of Initial Dynamics of Nystatin Channel Formation in Phospholipid/Ergosterol Bilayers on Ergosterol Microstructure

Nystatin (NYS) is an antifungal agent that preferentially forms ion channels in membranes containing ergosterol (ERG) or cholesterol (CHOL). In phospholipid bilayers ERG or CHOL segregate into ordered (Lo) and disordered (Ld) domains. We prepared POPC bilayers containing ERG mol fraction 0.18 ≤ χERG ≤ 0.28 separating two chambers containing 150mM KCl solutions. We imposed a potential of 50mV across the bilayer and introduced NYS molecules into the reference chamber, which was stirred at 4Hz. The NYS molecules adhered to the bilayer and formed channels on the boundaries of the Lo domains, as we have shown previously. The resulting bilayer current increased in a series of log-linear sections. A plot of the rate constant for initial NYS channel formation against χERG revealed prominent spikes at χERG = 0.19 and 0.25. These correspond well to the dips in dehydroergosterol fluorescence observed by P. L-G. Chong, which he understood in terms of a superlattice. We conclude that the initial channel formation rate depends strongly on Lo domain structure and propose a semi-empirical theory for the first two log-linear sections of the bilayer current.
Strategic trade policy when firms can invest abroad: When are tariffs and quotas equivalent?

Abstract This paper investigates the equivalence of tariffs and quotas when the market in question is imperfectly competitive and open to direct foreign investment. The absence of a foreign supply response under a quota, so critical to the analysis of the differential impact of tariffs and quotas under imperfect competition, is called into question by the potential occurence of direct foreign investment. The paper proves the equivalence of optimal tariffs and quotas when the markets are oligopolistic and open to direct foreign investment.
Clustering static analysis defect reports to reduce maintenance costs

Static analysis tools facilitate software maintenance by automatically identifying bugs in source code. However, for large systems, these tools often produce an overwhelming number of defect reports. Many of these defect reports are conceptually similar, but addressing each report separately costs developer effort and increases the maintenance burden. We propose to automatically cluster machine-generated defect reports so that similar bugs can be triaged and potentially fixed in aggregate. Our approach leverages both syntactic and structural information available in static bug reports to accurately cluster related reports, thus expediting the maintenance process. We evaluate our technique using 8,948 defect reports produced by the Coverity Static Analysis and FindBugs tools in both C and Java programs totaling over 14 million lines of code. We find that humans overwhelmingly agree that clusters of defect reports produced by our tool could be handled aggregately, thus reducing developer maintenance effort. Additionally, we show that our tool is not only capable of perfectly accurate clusters, but can also significantly reduce the number of defect reports that have to be manually examined by developers. For instance, at a level of 90% accuracy, our technique can reduce the number of individually inspected defect reports by 21.33% while other multi-language tools fail to obtain more than a 2% reduction.
Different pathways regulate expression of the skeletal myosin heavy chain genes.

Mammalian skeletal muscles are a mosaic of different fiber types largely defined by differential myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms regulating expression of the MyHC gene family members in different fiber types. In this work, we identified several cis- and trans-elements that regulate expression of the three adult fast MyHC genes. Despite multiple DNA-binding motifs for well characterized muscle transcription factors upstream of all three fast MyHC genes, expression of MyoD/Myf-5, calcineurin, or NFAT3 had different effects on the three promoters. MyoD or Myf-5 overexpression preferentially activated the IIb promoter, whereas NFAT or activated calcineurin overexpression preferentially activated the IIa promoter. Calcineurin had a 50–100-fold stimulatory effect on the IIa promoter, and the known downstream effectors of calcineurin (myocyte enhancer factor-2 and NFAT) cannot completely account for this activation. Finally, we identified two elements critical for regulating MyHC-IId/x expression: a 130-base pair enhancer element and a CArG-like element that inhibited IId/x promoter activity in vitro. Thus, we have found specific regulatory pathways that are distinct for the three adult fast MyHC genes. These elements are logical candidates for fiber-specific control of skeletal muscle gene expression in vivo.
Transplanted dopaminergic neurons develop PD pathologic changes: A second case report

This report describes pathological changes within the grafted neurons of another patient with Parkinson's disease (PD) who died 14 years posttransplantation. Although numerous healthy appearing grafted neurons were present at this long-term time point, some displayed Lewy bodies as evidenced by alpha-synuclein, ubiquitin, and thioflavin-S staining. Additionally, there was a general loss of dopamine transporter-immunoreactivity in grafted neurons. Some grafted cell displayed a loss of tyrosine hydroxylase. These data support the emerging concept that PD-like pathology is seen in young grafted neurons when they survive long term.
Leukocyte telomere shortening in elderly Type2DM patients with previous myocardial infarction

Abstract Objective We performed a cross-sectional study to examine the differences in leukocyte telomere length among three groups of subjects: patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without history of previous myocardial infarction (Type2DM), patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with evidence of previous myocardial infarction (Type2DM + MI), and healthy control subjects (CTR). The main objective of the present study is to investigate differences in telomere length between the studied groups of subjects, with the aim to clarify if telomere length could be a reliable marker associated with MI in Type2DM patients. Secondary end point is the identification of associations between leukocyte telomere length and selected variables related to glycemic control, pro-inflammatory status and lipidic profile. Research design and methods A total of 272 elderly subjects, 103 Type2DM (mean age 70 ± 4 years, 59% males), 65 Type2DM + MI (mean age 68 ± 7 years, 68% males), and 104 CTR (mean age 69 ± 7 years, 50% males) were studied. Telomere length, defined as T/S (Telomere-Single copy gene ratio), was determined in leukocytes by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR)-based assay. Moreover, we assessed: (1) high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen and plasminogen-activator inibitor-1 (PAI-1) as inflammatory markers; (2) fasting glucose, insulin, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) and waist-to-hip ratio as markers of glycemic control; (3) total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides as markers of lipidic profile, in all sample population. The use of statins and sulfonylurea, as well as the presence of some relevant diabetes complications (nephropathy and retinopathy) were also assessed. Conclusion Type2DM + MI elderly patients have leukocyte telomere lengths shorter than those of Type2DM (without MI) and healthy CTR. Moreover, glucose, HbA1C and waist-to-hip ratio, variables related to glycemic control, showed a significant inverse correlation with leukocyte telomeres length.
Assessment of the Predictive Performance of Existing Analytical Models for Debonding of Near-Surface Mounted FRP Strips

The near-surface mounted (NSM) strengthening technique, in which pultruded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) plates or bars are adhesively bonded into grooves cut in the concrete cover, has proven to overcome several of the drawbacks of externally bonded FRP plates on reinforced concrete flexural members. However, as research on the NSM technique is relatively recent, the theoretical foundation for its application is not yet as complete, and some of the debonding mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This paper presents the main findings of a literature review aimed at identifying the existing analytical models to predict the debonding strength of reinforced concrete flexural elements retrofitted with NSM FRP strips, and of a thorough assessment of the adequacy of such models by comparison with all relevant published experimental data. It is concluded that for debonding of NSM FRP strips induced by flexural (or flexural-shear) cracking or the critical diagonal shear crack of the reinforced concrete member...
Changes in the cell wall and cellulose content of developing cotton fibers investigated by FTIR spectroscopy

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of cotton fibers harvested at different stages of development were acquired using Universal Attenuated Total Reflectance FTIR (UATR-FTIR). The main goal of the study was to monitor cell wall changes occurring during different phases of cotton fiber development. Two cultivars of Gossypium hirsutum L. were planted in a greenhouse (Texas Marker-1 and TX55). On the day of flowering, individual flowers were tagged and bolls were harvested. From fibers harvested on numerous days between 10 and 56 dpa, the FTIR spectra were acquired using UATR (ZnSe-Diamond crystal) with no special sample preparation. The changes in the FTIR spectra were used to document the timing of the transition between primary and secondary cell wall synthesis. Changes in cellulose during cotton fiber growth and development were identified through changes in numerous vibrations within the spectra. The intensity of the vibration bands at 667 and 897 cm(-1) correlated with percentage of cellulose analyzed chemically.
SELECT1 and SELECT2: BASIC computer programs for selection data analysis in industrial/organizational psychology classes

Courses, and textbooks (e.g., Blum & Naylor, 1968; Landy & Trumbo, 1980; Maier & Verser, 1982; Wexley & Yuki, 1977) devoted to industrial/organizational psychology invariably address the topic of "selecting the best person for the job. " Classroom demonstrations of selection procedures are consistent with the recognized need to provide students with exposure to realistic, concrete application of basic principles (cf. Howell, 1978; Jay, 1980; Mullen, 1983). SELECTl (described in Mullen, 1984) and SELECT2 were written to accommodate the class demonstration of a number of fundamental bivariate selection principles. These interactive BASIC computer programs enhance the ecological validity and the interest value of the demonstration of selection principles. The programs are designed to be as "user friendly" as possible; a student who is familiar with the selection principles but naive regarding computers should be able to utilize the programs successfully. Input. The user is initially prompted to enter the number of persons (applicants) in the data set. The user is then prompted to enter a predictor score (e.g., an interest inventory) and a criterion score (e.g., GPA) for each applicant. Output. After the input of the predictor scores and the criterion~cores, a number of preliminary statistics are disp.layed: X, Y, ~Dx, SDy , r, r , the least-squares regression formula (Y = a + bX), and the F test for the significance of regression. At this point, the user can choose from a number of options presented in a "menu." Entering a "1" will result in a redisplay of the foregoing preliminary statistical information. Entering a "2" will allow the user to determine the criterion score that would coincide with an entered predictor score (using the least-squares regression formula). For SELECTl, entering a "3" will produce a scatterplot of predictor and criterion scores; SELECT2 does not have this scatterplot option. Finally, entering a "4" for SELECTl (a "3" for SELECT2) will lead to the calculation of the utility of the selection procedure. In order to determine the utility, the user is prompted to enter a predictor cutoff and a criterion cutoff. The program then displays the selection ratio, the base-rate success, the effective validity, the utility of the selection
A highly ordered structure in the frog epidermis.

Crystal-containing granules were observed in the cytoplasm of the mid-region epidermal cells of the frog. These granules were usually ovoid with an average diameter of 0.3–0.4 μ m and were limited by an 85 A thick triple-layered membrane. Two types of crystals were observed within the granule. One consisted of rods, 102 A in diameter, arranged in a hexagonal lattice; and the other was a series of 47 A thick leaflets separated by a 23 A space. Highly ordered structures of this nature have not been reported previously in frog epidermis. Correlation of these granules with ordered structures found in keratizing epithelia of other vertebrate classes is discussed.
X-ray imaging and reconstruction of a detonation front

Abstract We performed an axi-symmetric, two-dimensional experiment on the high-explosive LX-14. We used low-energy X-rays to image the detonation front at multiple times. The experiment provides a stringent test of radiographic unfolding techniques and has the potential to provide high-pressure data on the equation of state of the explosive.
Effects of Semantic and Associative Relatedness on Automatic Priming

Abstract Models of automatic priming of word identification can be divided into those based on associative relations (e.g., spreading activation) and others based on semantic similarity (e.g., distributed models). In three experiments, associative relatedness was manipulated by presenting asymmetrically associated word pairs in both their forward and backward directions. Priming was comparable in both directions for semantically related pairs. Furthermore, priming was not obtained in either direction when pairs were associated but not semantically similar. The absence of inhibition, practice, and nonword ratio effects suggested that priming was not the result of nonsemantic, controlled processes. These results indicate that semantic similarity, and not associative relatedness, is both necessary and sufficient to produce automatic priming.
Comparing Memory for Handwriting versus Typing

This is an investigation into the possible links between psychomotor action, in the activities of handwriting, and memory. A comparison of recall and recognition for common words demonstrates that ...
Interactions of Paraquat and Triadimefon: Behavioral and Neurochemical Effects

Abstract Triadimefon (TDF), a triazole fungicide, and paraquat (PQ), a non-selective herbicide/dessicant, are both known to adversely impact brain dopaminergic function and are used in overlapping geographical areas of the US. Since “real world” situations indicate humans are exposed to a diverse mixture of chemicals, this study hypothesized that combined exposures to PQ+TDF could produce interactive effects by simultaneously attacking multiple target sites of dopamine systems. Thus, 10 mg/kg PQ (PQ10) and 25 or 50 mg/kg TDF (TDF25 and 50, respectively) were administered i.p. to male C57BL/6 mice, 2× per week for 12 weeks, either alone or in combination. Acutely, TDF50 increased horizontal and vertical activity with increased vertical activity still occurring 24 h later, indicative of sustained behavioral sensitization. Acutely, PQ decreased horizontal but not vertical activity with a lack of residual effects at 24 h. PQ prevented the increased levels of activity associated with TDF50. These interactions differed for horizontal and vertical activity, indicating their differential neurochemical mediation, and suggesting that they did not arise from simple additivity of PQ and TDF effects. Nor could the interactive effects be readily ascribed to corresponding neurochemical interactions, since all treatments generally increased levels of DA and metabolites acutely in striatum and were associated with general reductions in levels of DA and metabolites and turnover in striatum and frontal cortex 7 days after the final treatment. Thus, TDF and PQ both separately and through interactions may serve as environmental risk factors through different mechanisms for dopaminergically-mediated behavioral dysfunctions.
Computational Modeling of Silicon Nanoparticle Synthesis: II. A Two-Dimensional Bivariate Model for Silicon Nanoparticle Synthesis in a Laser-Driven Reactor Including Finite-Rate Coalescence

In this work, a two-dimensional model was developed for silicon nanoparticle synthesis by silane thermal decomposition in a six-way cross laser-driven aerosol reactor. This two-dimensional model incorporates fluid dynamics, laser heating, gas phase and surface phase chemical reactions, and aerosol dynamics, with particle transport and evolution by convection, diffusion, thermophoresis, nucleation, surface growth, coagulation, and coalescence processes. Because of the complexity of the problem at hand, the simulation was carried out via several sub-models. First, the chemically reacting flow inside the reactor was simulated in three dimensions in full geometric detail, but with no aerosol dynamics and with highly simplified chemistry. Second, the reaction zone was simulated using an axisymmetric two-dimensional CFD model, whose boundary conditions were obtained from the first step. Last, a two-dimensional aerosol dynamics model was used to study the silicon nanoparticle formation using more complete silane...
Tractor-trailer driver fatality: The role of nonconsecutive rest in a sleeper berth☆

Federal regulation allows truck drivers to use sleeper berths to accumulate eight hours of off-duty rest in two separate periods. Because sleep disruption may cause fatigue and deterioration of performance, a study was conducted to evaluate the association between sleeper-berth use in two periods and tractor-trailer driver fatality. Using Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety Reports, crashes that resulted in tractor-trailer driver fatality were compared with property damage crashes. After adjusting for confounding variables by logistic regression, tractor-trailer driver fatality was found to be significantly associated with sleeper-berth use in two shifts (odds ratio = 3.05). Statistically significant but weaker associations were found between driver fatality and rural district, night driving, gross vehicle weight of 72,000 pounds or more, single-vehicle collision, intercity trip, and employment on an occasional basis.
FREE SPEECH IN THE AMERICAN FOUNDING AND IN MODERN LIBERALISM

It is widely believed that there is more freedom of speech in America today than there was at the time of the founding. Indeed, this view is shared by liberal commentators, as one would expect, as well as by leading conservatives, which is more surprising. “The body of law presently defining First Amendment liberties,” writes liberal law professor Archibald Cox, grew out of a “continual expansion of individual freedom of expression.” Conservative constitutional scholar Walter Berns agrees: “Legally we enjoy a greater liberty [of speech] than ever before in our history.” This shared assessment is correct—from the point of view of the political theory of today's liberalism—but it is incorrect from the point of view of the political theory of the American founding.
Desiring silence: gender, race and pedagogy in education

In my work with white teachers, predominantly female, I assert that ‘desire’ is functioning to produce silent discourses that serve to perpetuate a continuation of white privilege. Based on a qualitative research study exploring the nature of silences in teacher education classrooms, this paper seeks to explore how desire is functioning to produce such silences and how they can be productively understood. Using the concept of desire as presented by Deleuze, this paper engages a notion of desire that is not spawned from lack but a desire that is generative and seeking, resulting in the production of privilege, power and voice.
Conditional Gene Targeting: Dissecting the Cellular Mechanisms of Retinal Degenerations

Retinal neuron degeneration and survival are often regulated by the same trophic factors that are required for embryonic development and are usually expressed in multiple cell-types. Therefore, the conditional gene targeting approach is necessary to investigate the cell-specific function of widely expressed and developmentally regulated genes in retinal degeneration. The discussion in this review will be focused on the use of Cre/lox-based conditional gene targeting approach in mechanistic studies for retinal degeneration. In addition to the basic experimental designs, this article addresses various factors influencing the outcomes of conditional gene targeting studies, limitations of current technologies, availability of Cre-drive lines for various retinal cells, and issues related to the generation of Cre-expressing mice. Finally, this review will update the current status on the use of Cre/lox-based gene targeting approach in mechanistic studies for retinal degeneration, which includes rod photoreceptor survival under photo-oxidative stress and protein trafficking in photoreceptors.
Acute l-thyroxine overdose; therapy with sodium ipodate: Evaluation of clinical and physiologic parameters

Two children with acute L-thyroxine overdose were treated with sodium ipodate, an oral cholecystographic agent. Initial thyroxine (T4) levels were elevated to 98.5 mcg/dL and 134.1 mcg/dL, with associated triiodothyroxine (T3) levels of 354 ng/dL and 402 ng/dL. T3 levels increased to a maximum of 662 ng/dL and 468 ng/dL. With administration of sodium ipodate, the T3 decreased with a simultaneous increase of rT3 level. Sodium ipodate effect lasted 72 hours. No toxic effect was noted. Interestingly, thyroid hormone levels correlated with systolic blood pressure but with no other physiologic parameter. Sodium ipodate appears to be a viable treatment modality for acute thyroid overdose in children.
Prey size-distributions and size-specific foraging success of Ambystoma larvae

We examined how prey size-distributions influence size-specific foraing rate and food gain, i.e., food intake scaled to metabolic demands, in Jefferson's and small-mouth salamander larvae. Ambystoma jeffersonianum larvae sampled on 17 dates from a farm pond whose fauna was dominated by macrozooplankton and chironomid larvae were rarely gape-limited, and total volume of food in the stomach (VS) showed only a slight tendency to increase with larval size. Although 15 of 17 correlation coefficients of VS with larval size were positive, only 1 of 17 correlations were statistically significant, and body size explained only 8% of the overall variation in VS. Correlation coefficients of food gain and body size were positive in 9 cases and negative in 8, but only 3 were statistically significant.In contrast, Ambystoma texanum larvae in 42 samples taken from five sites dominated by macrozooplankton as well as relatively large isopods and amphipods were almost always gape-limited, and VS tended to increase markedly with larval size. 40 of 42 correlation coefficients of VS and larval size were positive, and 19 correlations were statistically significant. Body size in turn explained about 35% of the overall variation in VS. Correlation coefficients of food gain and larval size were positive in 32 of 42 samples, and 9 of 10 significant correlations were positive.When food is limiting and prey selection is not limited by gape, smaller larvae may grow as fast or in some cases faster than larger larvae because they are nearly as effective foragers, but have lower metabolic demands. Larger larvae may in turn grow faster than smaller larvae in environments which support a broad size spectrum of prey, particularly when gape limitations are highly disproportionate among size classes. The growth rate of larvae in one size class relative to another depends primarily on the extent to which increased foraging rate compensates for higher energy demands as body size increases. Size-specific foraging rate may in turn be strongly influenced by the prey size-distribution within a habitat. These relationships suggest that relative size is not always a good a priori predictor of exploitative competitive ability.
The behavior examination of infants as an aid to early diagnosis of central nervous system disease

Summary Two cases of cerebral abnormality have been described. The existence of this condition, although not apparent in ordinary pediatric or neurologic study, was clearly indicated by routine psychologic examination at the age of 6 months. The advantages of early diagnosis of cerebral abnormality have been discussed. Psychiatric therapy should not be undertaken in a preschool child until his behavior has been adequately tested psychologically. The fundamental weakness of any test based upon postural or motor performance alone as a measure of mental development is again pointed out. Psychologic examination is advocated as an essential procedure in the evaluation of unusual feeding difficulty or other behavior disorders of infancy.
An Omitting Types Theorem for positive bounded formulas in normed spaces

Abstract Inspired by a construction of the Tsirelson space (Lindenstrauss and Tzafriri, Classical Banach Spaces, Springer, Berlin, 1977), we prove a general theorem for omitting countably many positive formulas in normed spaces. This theorem can be used in functional analysis as a tool to guarantee the existence of complicated normed spaces without having to construct them. The proof of this result is based on the notion of approximate truth and on a study of the relationship between approximate truth and convergence in normed spaces. We illustrate the power of this result with an application to functional analysis.
Small arms mini-fire control system: fiber-optic barrel deflection sensor

Traditionally the methods to increase firearms accuracy, particularly at distance, have concentrated on barrel isolation (free floating) and substantial barrel wall thickening to gain rigidity. This barrel stiffening technique did not completely eliminate barrel movement but the problem was significantly reduced to allow a noticeable accuracy enhancement. This process, although highly successful, came at a very high weight penalty. Obviously the goal would be to lighten the barrel (firearm), yet achieve even greater accuracy. Thus, if lightweight barrels could ultimately be compensated for both their static and dynamic mechanical perturbations, the result would be very accurate, yet significantly lighter weight, weapons. We discuss our development of a barrel reference sensor system that is designed to accomplish this ambitious goal. Our optical fiber-based sensor monitors the barrel muzzle position and autonomously compensates for any induced perturbations. The reticle is electronically adjusted in position to compensate for the induced barrel deviation in real time.
Static wetting of a liquid drop on a solid

A variational treatment of sessile drop shape is provided. The surface energy and the driving force for drop spreading are also analysed. This analysis demonstrates that the Young equation does indeed give the equilibrium contact angle in a gravity-free environment.
Nachweis von Wolfram, Molybdän, Vanadin, Niob und Titan in Mineralen bei Exkursionen

Oxidic minerals of W, Mo, V, Nb, and Ti can be decomposed by simple heating with metallic sodium in a small test tube. Solving in hydrocliloric acid develops the characteristic colors of the lower oxidation stages of these metals.