cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ordinary Differential Equations

An ordinary differential equation (ODE) involves the derivatives of an unknown function that is dependent on a single independent variable. Its solution is usually constructed subject to a set of constraints referred to as initial or boundary conditions. Therefore, the ODEs are classified as initial value problems (IVP) and boundary value problems (BVP). In the case of a nonlinear ODE, the solution to its corresponding discrete form as nonlinear system of algebraic equations is achieved by using the Newton-Raphson method. The initial guess for the solution may be set to zero. The solution procedure is repeated until the relative error becomes less than the desired tolerance which is specified as e = 10−5 throughout this chapter.
Moments-Based Versions of the Spherical Geometry Method of Tubes in Thick, Diffusive Regions

- Characteristic methods are widely known to be very accurate approaches to the solution of numerical transport problems. These methods are most often used for neutron transport applications (i.e., lattice physics calculations) where spatial cells are of intermediate optical thickness [0(1) to 0(100) mean free paths, depending on the energy group] and materials are not exceptionally highly scattering (scattering ratios < 0.999). There has been interest in using characteristic methods for radiative transfer applications, which often involve very optically thick and diffusive regions. Previous work has involved analyses of families of Cartesian geometry characteristic methods in optically thick and diffusive regions. There is a significant body of work in the Russian literature on curvilinear geometry characteristic methods, but very few analyses of their behavior in thick diffusive regions have been published. In this paper we develop two new members of a family of one-dimensional spherical geometry characteristic methods-the method of tubes. These new methods are similar to traditional slab geometry characteristics methods in that they utilize spatial moments of the transport equation in each cell to generate the data used in the representation of the total source (scattering source plus external source). We present the results of an asymptotic analysis of these methods to predict their behavior in the thick diffusion limit, and we compare these predictions with numerical results from several test problems. This analysis shows that the constant source (step) method behaves very poorly in the diffusion limit, but that the linear source method is accurate in this physical regime.
Trimmed Statistical Estimation via Variance Reduction

In this paper, we show how to transform any optimization problem that arises from fitting a machine learning model into one that (1) detects and removes contaminated data from the training set whil...
Clinical Applications and Utility of a Precision Medicine Approach for Patients With Unexplained Cytopenias.

Abstract Objective To demonstrate experience and feasibility of a precision medicine approach for patients with unexplained cytopenias, defined as low blood counts in one or more cell lineages, persistent for 6 months or longer, in the absence of known nutritional, autoimmune, infectious, toxic, and neoplastic (secondary) causes. Patients and Methods Patients were evaluated in our clinic between November 8, 2016, and January 12, 2018. After a thorough evaluation of known causes, family history, and appropriate clinical assays, genomic evaluation was performed in a stepwise manner, through Sanger, targeted, and/or whole-exome sequencing. Variants were analyzed and discussed in a genomics tumor board attended by clinicians, bioinformaticians, and molecular biologists. Results Sixty-eight patients were evaluated in our clinic. After genomic interrogation, they were classified into inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS) (n=24, 35%), cytopenias without a known clinical syndrome which included idiopathic and clonal cytopenias of undetermined significance (CCUS) (n=30, 44%), and patients who did not fit into the above two categories (“others,” n=14, 21%). A significant family history was found in only 17 (25%) patients (9 IBMFS, 2 CCUS, and 6 others), whereas gene variants were found in 43 (63%) patients (34 [79%] pathogenic including 12 IBMFS, 17 CCUS, and 5 others]. Genomic assessment resulted in a change in clinical management in 17 (25%) patients, as evidenced by changes in decisions with regards to therapeutic interventions (n=8, 47%), donor choice (n=6, 35%), and/or choice of conditioning regimen for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (n=8, 47%). Conclusion We show clinical utility of a real-world algorithmic precision medicine approach for unexplained cytopenias.
Regulated protein stabilization underpins the functional interplay among basal body components in Trypanosoma brucei.

The basal body in the human parasite Trypanosoma brucei is structurally equivalent to the centriole in animals and functions in the nucleation of axonemal microtubules in the flagellum. T. brucei lacks many evolutionarily conserved centriolar protein homologs and constructs the basal body through unknown mechanisms. Two evolutionarily conserved centriole/basal body cartwheel proteins, TbSAS-6 and TbBLD10, and a trypanosome-specific protein, BBP65, play essential roles in basal body biogenesis in T. brucei, but how they cooperate in the regulation of basal body assembly remains elusive. Here using RNAi, endogenous epitope tagging, immunofluorescence microscopy, and 3D-structured illumination super-resolution microscopy, we identified a new trypanosome-specific protein named BBP164 and found that it has an essential role in basal body biogenesis in T. brucei. Further investigation of the functional interplay among BBP164 and the other three regulators of basal body assembly revealed that BBP164 and BBP65 are interdependent for maintaining their stability and depend on TbSAS-6 and TbBLD10 for their stabilization in the basal body. Additionally, TbSAS-6 and TbBLD10 are independent from each other and from BBP164 and BBP65 for maintaining their stability in the basal body. These findings demonstrate that basal body cartwheel proteins are required for stabilizing other basal body components and uncover that regulation of protein stability is an unusual control mechanism for assembly of the basal body in T. brucei.
Impact of User Scaling in Resource Allocation with Carrier Aggregation for Cellular Networks

The continuing evolution in smart devices and their increasing demand for data bring the need for a better exploiting of current communication infrastructure. Several resource allo-cation with carrier aggregation solutions for cellular networks have been proposed to better utilize the available spectrum and improve end users’ quality of experience. Existing algorithms that are based on utility proportional fairness are considered promising solutions. However, such algorithms allocate resources based upon sub-optimal strategies, or being conceived as an optimal allocation problem, might be non-scalable due to the centralized computation architecture. In this paper, a distributed computational optimization algorithm to determine the optimal rate allocation in a LTE network is presented. The distributed optimization approach accounts for the scalability of the algorithm based upon the idea of each device is efficiently contributing to the solution of the problem. Similarly, the scalability of this approach is tested with a set of large-scale scenarios where it is demonstrated that a large number of devices can be simultaneously linked to the same Macro-cell as long as enough bandwidth is available to be assigned to each equipment.
Transmission Electron Microscopy Study of UV-ozone Cleaned Silicon Surfaces for Application in High Efficiency Photovoltaics

The focus of this work is on the characterization of passivated crystalline Si (c-Si) surfaces subjected to various cleaning sequences involving UV ozone (UVo) treatment and HF-dip. A combination of photoconductance decay (PCD) measurements and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) studies were used to obtain a deeper insight into passivation mechanisms of UVo and its origin at the nano-scale.
Ecologies of Friends: Boy Masters of Craft, Live-Streaming Jocks, and Pockets of Others

This article argues that online video knowledge sharing economies centered on challenging personal computer games like Minecraft are not gender neutral because the performative, social aspect of game building, as well as the time-consuming knowledge acquisition of game skills, are understood as a boys’ and men’s play prerogative. Over the days, months, and years spent playing, boys turn into men, into cadres of boy geeks and live streaming jocks, and these gendered identities have implications beyond games. Paradoxically, while modding and sandbox gaming are more democratic and participatory than unmodifiable commercial games because their content creations are largely player-driven, rather than industry controlled, these are the very games that usually require the largest investment of technical skills, leading to the absence of those who are undemocratically excluded from such geeky pleasures. Gamers rely on disposable leisure time and the help of friends who share game knowledge and immaterial play labor within digital ecologies like YouTube and Twitch. In both ecologies, in ecologies of heuristics, the how-to videos that are shared over YouTube, and in the more fraternal communities of Twitch performers and their subscribers, male friendship and collaboration is key. Although some crafters have fabricated amazing digital gizmos and play worlds, they have done so with knowledge gleaned through Minecraft’s ecology of tutorials, forums, add-ons and mods. I do however also discuss a few exceptions to this pattern such as young girl players’ YouTube videos, and women live-streamers on Twitch.
Civil Law: U.S. Personal Injury Torts

In this chapter we discuss various types of civil law cases with a focus on personal injury torts. As the legal terminology in the civil law is very different from the terminology in criminal law, we spend time going over definitions to better understand the cases we present as examples of what roles psychologists play. For example, the person who brings the lawsuit is called the plaintiff (not the state as in criminal cases) and the person accused of causing harm is called the defendant (the same as in criminal cases). The case usually has two parts: (1) the liability or proof that the defendant had a duty to the plaintiff and caused (2) harm or damages by what they did or did not do. It is not enough just to assess the plaintiff’s damages but must also include the nexus or proximate cause of those damages. The burden of proof is different from criminal cases in that it only takes a preponderance of the evidence or 51% in most cases. In some civil cases, the burden of proof is clear and convincing evidence which is somewhere between preponderance and the criminal standard of beyond a reasonable doubt but not usually in personal injury cases. We discuss class action cases where a group of plaintiffs’ cases who all claim the same injury are grouped together like when the tobacco industry was found liable for intentional and reckless behavior in not warning smokers of the danger if they used their product as they knew or should have known that danger but kept it secret. We also discussed the issue of psychological and physical damages and the movement toward compensating them equally in the law.
Spontaneous intestinal perforation associated with premature twin infants.

Objective Identify perinatal risk factors associated with SIPSTUDY DESIGN:This was a retrospective case-control study of SIP in infants born at ≤28 weeks of gestation and admitted between 1995 and 2016 at a tertiary care NICU. Infants with NEC or other GI abnormalities were excluded. Cases of SIP were matched with gestational age-matched controls with the closest birth date. Maternal, infant and birth related factors were evaluated using univariate analyses and significant factors were evaluated using multiple logistic regression. Result 25 cases of SIP were matched with 25 controls. No maternal factors reached statistical significance. Being one of twins increased the odds of SIP 29-fold. Birth-order or weight-discrepancy in twin had no association of SIP within twin pairs. Conclusion Twins are at significantly higher risk for SIP. The association of SIP and twin gestation was independent of previously reported risk factors of perinatal indomethacin or magnesium sulfate and merits further study.
Where are the values voters? Ideological constraint and stability among rural, suburban, and urban populations in the United States

Abstract There has been recent attention to the political divide between urban and rural voters in the United States. It is possible that as rural and urban voting behavior has diverged, this has been driven by increasing social conservatism among rural voters. However, given that the average American is not ideologically constrained nor stable, this may not be the case. Using data from the 2010–2014 Cooperative Congressional Election Study Panel Study, this analysis compares the ideological constraint and stability of rural, suburban, and urban Americans. The results show that there has not been a divergence in rural, suburban, and urban ideologies or issue opinions in recent years. Rural and suburban respondents are more conservative than urban respondents on average, but they are not consistent conservatives, and their presidential votes are not primarily driven by a consistent set of conservative issue opinions.
Medication Self-Administration after Stroke (P5.181)

Objective: To determine 1) whether medication management education improved stroke survivors’ performance on a simulated medication self-administration task (Hopkins Medication Schedule; HMS),2) whether poor HMS performance predicted increased post-discharge needs. Background: Stroke patients may have unique barriers to medication adherence because of brain-based cognitive deficits. Design/Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 57 stroke patient charts from the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (KIR), > 18 years, with stroke < 6 months prior to admission. We excluded charts for subjects with aphasia, psychiatric disorders other than depression, visual disturbance, and other neurological conditions. We compared pre- and post-education HMS scores. Mini-mental status examination (MMSE), admission Functional Independence Measure (FIM), pre-and post-education HMS scores were analyzed with logistic regression to explore predictors of discharge disposition. Intervention: As part of standard care, KIR conducted three interdisciplinary group educational sessions, co-led by occupational therapy, nursing and pharmacy; to improve patient health literacy and introduce medication self-administration strategies. Results: Stroke survivors’ HMS improved post- education (pre- mean 4.8; post 6.0; p<0.01). Lower pre-education HMS was associated with home discharge with home care services as opposed to discharge without skilled help (OR = 0.83, p = 0.049). In contrast, neither MMSE (p = 0.1722) nor admission FIM (p = 0.8965) predicted skilled help need. HMS improvement with education was not associated with discharge disposition. Conclusion: Stroke patients performed poorly on the HMS, and though performance improved after medication education, this may be related to spontaneous stroke recovery. MSA problems, assessed by HMS performance, may strongly predict post-acute care needs. Funded by: NJ Brain Injury Commission and Kessler Foundation Disclosure: Dr. Oyawusi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Levy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gentile has nothing to disclose. Dr. March has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hreha has received personal compensation for activities with Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. Dr. Pagaoa-Cruz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Masmela has nothing to disclose. Dr. Galletta has nothing to disclose. Dr. Holman has nothing to disclose. Dr. McKenna has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zhang has received personal compensation for activities with Takeda Global Development Center Americas, Inc. as an employee. Dr. Barrett has received personal compensation for activities with Medscape/emedicine. Dr. Barrett9s institution has received research support from NIH, NIDRR, the Healthcare Foundation of NJ, the Mabel H. Flory Trust, the Wallerstein Foundation for Geria
Hemolytic streptococcal infection in childhood.

This report describes a study of hemolytic streptococcal infection during the first eight years of life. Serial study of a group of babies from birth through the fourth year demonstrated that infection by the hemolytic streptococcus was a frequent event but that the disease was usually mild or inapparent. Hemolytic streptococcal infection during the first four years of life in its more severe form was characterized by the lack of an acute onset, by low grade or absent fever, by rhinorrhea, by a protracted un-self limited course, and by the occurrence of frequent suppurative complications. Accurate etiologic diagnosis in these cases required bacteriologic study of the nasopharyngeal flora and of the purulent discharges. The administration of penicillin abruptly terminated the disease process in these cases with prompt and dramatic clinical improvement. After the fourth year the disease pattern changed so that progressively more of the infections were associated with an acute febrile onset, sore throat, exudative tonsillitis and pharyngitis, and occasionally with a skin rash. Rheumatic fever and lesser manifestations of the rheumatic state occurred following streptococcal infection in children more than 4 years of age but were never observed in younger ones. Evidence is presented which supports but does not establish the validity of the hypothesis that the changing patterns of clinical response to hemolytic streptococci are the result of repeated infection by these organisms with an alteration in tissue reactivity presumably on an immunologic basis.
Lipid metabolism in helminth parasites. IX. Fatty acid composition of shark tapeworms and of their hosts.

Abstract The fatty acid composition of the cestodes Poecilancistrium caryophyllum and Dasyrynchus giganteus from the bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), Thysanocephalum thysanocephalum from the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvieri), and Grittotia (Paragrillotia) simmonsi from the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) was determined and compared with that of the host liver, bile, and intestinal contents. There was complete qualitative correspondence between host and parasite acids, including the distinctive C20 and C22 polyunsaturated acids, but to some extent, and particularly with respect to C16 and C18 acids, significant quantitative differences were observed. It is concluded that the shark parasites, like some previously studied parasites of terrestrial animals which are unable to synthesize fatty acids de novo, obtain most of their component fatty acids by absorption.
Assessment and policy for commercial driver license referrals.

This report describes experiences, subsequent action, and policy recommendations regarding sleep disorders assessment of veterans in relation to a commercial driver medical examiner referral. A series of 6 veterans were seen in our sleep clinic, presenting with an order from a commercial driver medical examiner (CDME) for polysomnography and/or Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (PSG/MSLT). We searched the literature for an evidence-based justification for handling this referral, and we concluded that there is neither federal policy nor current evidence to suggest that any current diagnostic test, including PSG/MSLT and/or MWT, is capable of predicting which individual drivers are at risk for fall-asleep crashes. The best indicator of risk is self-reported sleepiness, regardless of cause. Thus, we concluded that an administrative request for a “PSG/MSLT” is not a rational use of VA resources. Procedures and a policy for the Cleveland VA system were developed to respond to the request for evaluation, recognizing that sleep problems and disorders other than sleep apnea may be present in this population. An educational component was an important feature of this response. We suspect that this approach may be appropriate for managed care systems in general. Citation: Miller CM; Khanna A; Strohl KP. Assessment and policy for commercial driver license referrals. J Clin Sleep Med 2007;3(4):417-423.
Rotational orientation of upstream curved DNA affects promoter function in Bacillus subtilis

Abstract The Alu156 promoter isolated from the Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SP82 is dependent on curved DNA upstream of the -35 region for efficient function. Short DNA insertions of 6-29 base pairs were used to simultaneously change the linear placement and rotational orientation of this curved DNA relative to the -35 region. When these mutant promoters were analyzed in vivo using transcriptional fusions with a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene, changes in the rotational orientation of the curved DNA correlated with changes in promoter function. The most efficient mutant promoters contained insertions of 11 and 21 base pairs, and insertions of 15 and 25 base pairs resulted in the least efficient mutant promoters. The importance of the proper rotational alignment of the curved DNA to promoter activity was also observed in vitro at the level of transcription of RNA polymerase binding. Based on the electrophoretic mobilities of DNA fragments containing the various insertion mutant promoters, there was a second region of curved DNA downstream of the insertion point. The findings are consistent with the idea that the curved DNA deflects the helix back toward the promoter-bound RNA polymerase molecule to allow the enzyme to interact directly with upstream DNA. These interactions are proposed to structure the DNA for the formation of the open promoter complex.
Reactions of Renal Dipeptidase and Cupric Ions with Unsaturated Dipeptides

Abstract The association and ionization constants for the formation of 1:1 complexes between cupric ions and several unsaturated dipeptides have been evaluated. Rates of copper-activated hydrolyses of the dehydropeptides were measured spectrophotometrically. From the data obtained it was concluded that copper-activated hydrolysis of unsaturated dipeptides occurs after the dissociation of a proton from the hydration sphere of the 1:1 copper-dehydropeptide complex. Furthermore, the hydrolytic cleavage of the labile complex required a phenyl group to provide a conjugated system for transport of electrons away from the carbonyl group of the peptide bond. If the phenyl group was present, the rate of copper-activated hydrolysis increased as the strength of the copper-peptide association increased. Purified renal dipeptidase was also employed to catalyze the hydrolysis of the unsaturated dipeptides. The enzymic reaction differed from copper-activated hydrolysis in that the phenyl group was not required for hydrolysis to occur; in fact, the enzyme cleaved glycyldehydroalanine 3 times faster than glycyldehydrophenylalanine. Also, alcohols at concentrations 100 times that of the substrate did not inhibit the peptidase, while considerable inhibition at these alcohol-substrate ratios occured in the copper-activated system. Finally, l-leucine acted as a stereospecific, competitive inhibitor of renal dipeptidase, and it stopped copper-activated hydrolysis completely by removing cupric ions from the copper-dehydropeptide complex.
Uterine contractility at delivery and in the puerperium.

Abstract 1. 1. Uterine activity has been recorded continuously throughout labor, delivery, and into the puerperium by recording pressure alterations transmitted through open-end fluid-filled catheters placed either within the uterine cavity or deep within the myometrium. 2. 2. The initially high uterine activity present immediately after delivery of the baby diminishes smoothly and progressively during the first 1½ to 2 hours post partum, after which it eventually becomes quite stable. A fairly steady diminution in the frequency of contractions is observed regularly. The diminution in the intensity of contractions is less predictable. 3. 3. The high intensity of the contractions post partum (often more than 300 mm. Hg and occasionally up to 400 mm. Hg) is presumed to be due to the greatly diminished volume about which the still active uterus contracts. 4. 4. Distinctive and nearly identical patterns of incoordination may be observed in the same patient in late prelabor and at some time in the puerperium. 5. 5. The incoordinate contractions which begin to appear several hours post partum, and which tend to become increasingly incoordinate with the passage of more time can be partially or wholly restored to coordination either by the administration of oxytocin in proper dosage or by the application of an oxytocin-releasing stimulus (suckling). 6. 6. The relationship between the appearance of incoordinate uterine activity (both ante partum and post partum) and the demonstrated effect of oxytocin in producing coordination (both ante partum and post partum) appears to offer further support to the concept that oxytocin plays an active part in normal human parturition. 7. 7. With further knowledge of the physiology of puerperal uterine activity as compared with that before delivery, the method employed in this study should be helpful in the preliminary assaying of various pharmacologic agents which appear to hold some promise of usefulness in the antepartal state.
Estado actual de la pesquisa neurometabólica neonatal

The purpose of neurometabolic screening is the earliest possible detection of treatable disorders. The disorders currently offered to general population screening are phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism, galactosemia, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, cystic fibrosis, biotinidase deficiency, maple syrup urine disease, sickle cell disease, homocystinuria. The methods used for these evaluations are mass spectroscopy and genetic testing.
Precipitate and Microstructural Stability in Alloys Subjected to Sustained Irradiation

The sustained irradiation of a material by energetic particles leads to the continuous production of damage in the form of point defects, point-defect clusters, and forced atomic relocations, as reviewed in Chap. 1. These elementary processes lead to an acceleration of thermally activated diffusion owing to point-defect supersaturation, as well as a forced mixing of chemical species due to atomic replacements. In materials with precipitates or ordered phases, this forced mixing alone would lead to dissolution and chemical disordering, respectively. At high enough temperatures, however, these dynamical processes compete with thermally activated diffusion, which tends to restore an equilibrium state. The outcome of this competition depends of course on the relative intensity, or rates, of these processes, but also on their characteristic length scales. We review in some detail the evolution of pre-existing precipitates under irradiation to illustrate the complex material’s response to these dynamical processes, including the potential self-organization of the microstructure. Similar effects are anticipated in materials undergoing order–disorder transformations. In addition, the kinetic coupling between point defects and chemical fluxes can lead to radiation-induced segregation and precipitation. Finally, we discuss the contribution of point-defect evolution to microstructural changes, which can produce dimensional changes and alter mechanical properties.
Plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the pregnant diabetic patient.

Abstract 1. 1. Plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroids are elevated during pregnancy in both the diabetic and the nondiabetic woman. 2. 2. The plasma steroid elevation is unrelated to duration of pregnancy, presence of diabetes, or fasting blood sugar level. 3. 3. There is no apparent relationship between steroid plasma levels and presence of either fetal or obstetric abnormalities in the diabetic patient. 4. 4. No fetal or obstetric abnormalities occurred in the 3 patients (nondiabetic) who served as controls, although their plasma steroid levels at times exceed the levels in the diabetic patients. 5. 5. There was marked variability in plasma steroid levels in the same patient from week to week. 6. 6. This study does not support the contention that there is a causal relationship between plasma ketosteroid levels and fetal or obstetric abnormalities in pregnancy complicated with diabetes.
Use of tidal freshwater marshes by fishes and macrofaunal crustaceans along a marsh stream-order gradient

Fishes and invertebrate macrofauna (nekton) were sampled biweekly (July through October 1985) from the surface of tidal freshwater marshes. Samples were collected with flume nets at three different stream orders (orders 2, 3 and 4+) along a marsh stream order gradient. Twenty-five species of fishes (5,610 individuals, 17.072 kg preserved wet weight) representing 13 families, and three species of invertebrates (19,570 individuals, 13.026 kg preserved wet weight) were collected. The most abundant species were grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio), mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus), banded killifish (F. diaphanus), inland silversides (Menidia beryllina), and blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). Invertebrate catches (mostly grass shrimp and blue crabs) were not significantly different among stations. Total numbers of fishes were significantly greater at both headwater (order 2) and main creek (order 3) stations than river (order 4+) stations, but catches of headwater and main creek stations were not significantly different. The relationship between marsh stream order and fish abundance may partly be related to the distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) within marsh tidal creeks. Submerged aquatic vegetation decreases in abundance with increasing stream order. Some species may use SAV as a refuge from predators or as a foraging area during low tide when the marsh surface is inaccessible. The presence of SAV in tidal creeks may enhance the habitat value of adjacent marshes.
Biochemical characterization of human DNA polymerase i provides clues to its biological function

The human RAD30B gene has recently been shown to encode a novel DNA polymerase, DNA polymerase i (pol i ). The role of pol i within the cell is presently unknown, and the only clues to its cellular function come from its biochemical characterization in vitro. The aim of this short review is, therefore, to summarize the known enzymic activities of poli and to speculate as to how these biochemical properties might relate to its in vivo function.
Are Dispositions Causally Relevant

To determine whether dispositions are causally relevant, we have to get clear about what causal relevance is. Several characteristics of causal relevance have been suggested, including Explanatory Power, Counterfactual Dependence, Lawfullness, Exclusion, Independence, and Minimal Sufficiency. Different accounts will yield different answers about the causal relevance of dispositions. However, accounts of causal relevance that are the most plausible, for independent reasons, render the verdict that dispositions are causally relevant.
Screen design and visual evoked potentials.

In this paper we present a method to complement the sophisticated mathematical analyses on screen designs. The use of an objective measure of screen “goodness” is employed, namely, the Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) of the humans performing the test. After the screen is designed, the text on the screen is transformed into an intensity pattern using a recursive algorithm. This intensity pattern is used as a stimulus to obtain wave forms from the scalp of the subject, and the wave forms are analyzed as to their frequency content. A 2-D Fourier transform of the screen design is performed and the frequency components of the power spectrum are compared to the frequency components of the wave form. Our results indicate that when a “balanced” and well-designed screen is used as a stimulus, the second harmonic of the VEP wave form is always smaller than the first harmonic. The implications of such an analysis are discussed.
Ab initio study of structurally bound water at cation vacancy sites in Fe- and Al-oxyhydroxide materials

Abstract The structure and energetics of proton-compensated cation vacancies in crystalline Fe- and Al-oxide and oxyhydroxide materials are investigated using ab initio methods. In this defect model, a vacant Me3+ cation site is charge compensated by the presence of three protons, forming hydroxyls with the O atoms surrounding the vacant cation site. Proton-compensated cation vacancies are chemically equivalent to excess hydroxyl content, and are also known as hydrogarnet defects, or Ruetschi defects. These defects can be considered a particular form of structurally bound water, as the formation of the defect can be written as the product of the ideal crystalline material and water. Proton-compensated cation vacancy defects are shown to cause lattice expansion in all calculated Fe and Al materials, and are shown to destabilize all materials relative to the ideal crystalline phases. The magnitude of the destabilization due to the vacancy defects is structure dependent, thus defect content can induce shifts in the relative stability between crystalline phases. In all of the Fe-oxyhydroxide materials, proton-compensated cation vacancy defects are shown to be slightly co-stabilized in the presence of nearby Al dopant atoms, likely due to the stronger nature of Al–OH bonding (relative to Fe–OH), or from the cancellation of the opposing lattice strains introduced by the two defect types when considered in isolation. FTIR data in the literature confirms that these two defect types (proton-compensated cation vacancies and Al substitutions) have been observed to occur in tandem. Infrared vibrational frequencies are calculated for the non-stoichiometric hydroxyl groups found at the vacancy defect sites and compared with those of stoichiometric OH groups found in ideal crystalline (oxy)hydroxides. The calculated O–H stretching modes of the defect hydroxyls have higher frequencies than the modes of stoichiometric hydroxyl groups found in Fe-oxyhydroxide materials, consistent with experimental FTIR observations.
On the Origin of Inertial Accelerations (

Are inertial forces of gravitational origin? The standard geometric interpretation of the general theory of relativity may be employed to show that inertial effects cannot be caused by the gravitational influence of distant masses. The same would hold in any metric theory of gravity that combines local Lorentz invariance with Newtonian gravitation as in general relativity. In fact, the status of the origin of translational inertial accelerations in the relativistic theory of gravitation is similar to that in Newtonian mechanics.
MONTE CARLO RENORMALIZED HAMILTONIAN

Abstract We demonstrate a new Monte Carlo method to calculate the renormalized hamiltonian in a many-coupling space. An approximate fixed point for the two-dimensional Ising model is found. An advantage of this method is that the long-range correlations are removed from the system, consequently each Monte Carlo sweep is almost statistically independent even on the critical surface.
Development and testing of the spiritual needs inventory for patients near the end of life.

Purpose/objectives To develop and test an instrument to measure the spiritual needs of patients near the end of life. Design Instrumentation methodology. Setting One inpatient and five outpatient hospices. Sample 62 female and 38 male hospice patients with a mean age of 67 years; most were Caucasian, Protestant, and dying of cancer. Methods Items for the Spiritual Needs Inventory (SNI) were developed from a qualitative study of spiritual needs of dying patients. Data were analyzed for internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha and item-to-total correlations and for content and construct validity using factor analysis. Main research variables Spiritual needs and life satisfaction. Findings The total scale alpha of the 27-item SNI was 0.81. Item-to-total correlations ranged from 0.07-0.65, resulting in seven items being eliminated. A principal component factor analysis with a promax oblique rotation was used to estimate content and construct validity. A total of 17 items comprised the five-factor solution. Cronbach's alpha for the revised SNI was 0.85. Conclusions The SNI is a valid and reliable measurement of spiritual needs of patients near the end of life. Further psychometric testing of this newly developed instrument is warranted. Implications for nursing Nurses must recognize the spiritual needs of all patients, particularly those near the end of life. The SNI may be useful in the clinical setting as well as in future studies of spiritual needs of patients.
Storage protein mobilization during germination and early seedling growth of Zea mays

Changes in general protease activity and the levels of the zein storage proteins were monitored during germination and early seedling growth of maize (Zea mays L. inbred A636). General endosperm endoprotease activity, measured in vitro using azocasein as a substrate, increased continuously to day 5 and remained high thereafter. The increase was in parallel with the loss of zein protein as determined by immunoblot analysis, with a total loss of detectable zein by 10 days after inhibition of the seeds. A method was developed for the specific in vitro assay of zein degrading activity by monitoring the release of soluble radioactivity from the immobilized storage protein. The in vitro pH optimum for both general protease and zein degrading activities in homogenates prepared from isolated endosperm was 4.0. However, the curve for general protease activity was asymmetrical suggesting the presence of more than 1 protease. This was verified by activity staining of gelatin-containing polyacrylamide gels, which suggested the presence of 3 major and 3 minor protease activities. Both general protease and zein-specific activities were enhanced more than 2-fold when 2-mercaptoethanol (ME) was included in the assays, and both were inhibited by fhiol-protease directed compounds. Most of the general protease activity but none of the zein-specific protease activity bound to con A-Sepharose. Both the con A-binding and nonbinding fractions were analyzed using gelatin activity gels. The 3 minor activity bands were present in the fraction which was specifically eluted from the con A column by a-methyl-mannoside, while the 3 major activity bands, corresponding to the zein-specific protease activity, did not bind to the immobilized lectin.
Mammalian MicroRNAs: Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation in RNA Virus Infection and Therapeutic Applications

RNA silencing mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs) is a recently discovered gene regulatory mechanism involved in various aspects of biology, such as development, cell differentiation and proliferation, and innate immunity against viral infections. miRNAs, which are a class of small (21–25 nucleotides) RNAs, target messenger RNA (mRNA) through incomplete base-pairing with their target sequences resulting in mRNA degradation or translational repression. Although studies of miRNAs have led to numerous sensational discoveries in biology, many fundamental questions about their expression and function still remain. In this review, we discuss the dynamics of the mammalian miRNA machinery and the biological function of miRNAs, focusing on RNA viruses and the various therapeutic applications of miRNAs against viral infections.
The gold–vanadium–tellurium association at the Tuvatu gold–silver prospect, Fiji: conditions of ore deposition

The Tuvatu gold–telluride prospect is one of several epithermal gold systems along the >250 km northeast trending Viti Levu lineament, Fiji, which are genetically associated with alkalic magmatism. Vein structures contain a variety of sulfides, native elements, sulfosalts, and tellurides. Calaverite is intimately associated with various vanadium-bearing minerals: roscoelite, karelianite, vanadian muscovite, Ti-free nolanite, vanadian rutile, schreyerite, and an unnamed vanadium silicate. Thermodynamic calculations for the systems V–Al–K–Si–O–H (Cameron, 1998) and Au–Te–Cl–S–O–H at estimated conditions of formation of the telluride-native gold stage at Tuvatu (∼250 °C, ΣAu = 1 ppb, ΣTe = 1 ppb, ΣS = 0.001 m, ΣV = 0.0001 m, and aK = 0.01), show that the stability fields of calaverite, roscoelite, and karelianite converge in pH-fO2 space near the hematite–magnetite buffer and at neutral to slightly acid conditions. Thermodynamic and textural data suggest that these minerals were deposited together at Tuvatu and likely explain the common coexistence of roscoelite and calaverite in epithermal gold systems elsewhere. The presence of magnetite with up to 0.7 wt.% V2O3 in the Navilawa Monzonite is consistent with the derivation of V from the alkalic intrusive rocks, which are also considered to be the source of Au and Te in the Tuvatu deposit.
Recent Experimental Results in Neutrino Resonant Pion Production

Abstract These proceedings present an overview of the neutrino resonant pion production measurements published in the last ten years. Results from K2K, MiniBooNE and SciBooNE are discussed and compared.
Mainline electrification as part of the railway system

This paper identifies the major railway subsystems and how they are affected by an electrification programme. Management activities to ensure the objectives are met will be described for the whole life cycle from the initial intention to electrify through design, installation, commissioning and operating to renewal/decommissioning. The consequences of treating electrification as just an “add on”, rather than an integral part of the railway, will be explored. (5 pages)
Finite Element Modeling of a Baseball

Abstract A baseball consists of a spherical cork core that is wrapped with two layers of rubber, three layers of wool, one layer of cotton, cement glue and one layer of cowhide. The respective nonlinear and time-dependent material properties of these layers make it challenging to capture the behavior of a baseball accurately over a range of impact speeds. As a result of this challenge, finite element models (FEMs) of the baseball typically treat the baseball as a single viscoelastic material where the respective material properties have been homogenized. These single-material models do not necessarily possess the same hyperelastic and viscoeleastic qualities as a real baseball, and these missing behaviors limit the applicability of these baseball models to simulate a bat-ball collision over a very narrow range of impact speeds. In the current work, a layer-by-layer approach is used to create a robust baseball FEM. The pill, which is a cork core wrapped in two layers of rubber, were subjected to bounce and compression testing at a wide range of impact speeds and compression rates. These data are used to tune the pill properties and ensure close agreement between experimental and FEM results. The remaining layers are added individually until the complete baseball is modeled and agrees closely with experimental results over a wide range of impact speeds. Possible applications for a new and improved baseball FEM include accurate simulations of baseball testing and bat-ball collisions. The improved ball model can also be used to predict performance of future bat designs not yet manufactured.
Neuro-pharmacological studies on firefly light organs during metamorphosis

Abstract Luminescences in response to electrical stimulation and pharmacological treatment were characterized during progressive degeneration of the larval light organ and differentiation of the adult light organ during metamorphosis. It was found that: (1) neural control of the larval light organ persists during pupation, (2) the differentiating adult light organ, while frequently luminescing, is not directly or neurally excitable until eclosion (3), a gradual loss of postsynaptic receptor chemical responsiveness occurs in parallel with declining neural excitability of the larval light organ, (4) postsynaptic chemical sensitivity of the adult light organ appears prior to establishment of neural control, (5) both larval and adult light organs spontaneously luminesce in the absence of neural control, and (6) synapses between nerve terminals and photocytes of the larval light organ are present throughout pupation.
Cell Shape and Phenotypic Expression in Chondrocytes

AbstractThe relationship between cell shape, proliferation, and phenotypic expression was studied in human chondrocytes. Shape was controlled independent of serum concentration, anchorage, and cell...
A Survey and Critique of the Literature on Crosslinking Agents and Mechanisms as Related to Wool Keratin

This paper presents a survey and critique of the literature on the crosslinking of wool keratin with brief summaries of testing procedures used to detect crosslinking. Major observations are presented in tabular form. Tables and references are arranged in classes by reactive position in the reagent, by reaction mechanism, or by primary elements.
Writing and Teaching the Disciplines in France: Current Conversations and Connections

Writing in the disciplines (WiD) and writing across the curriculum (WAC) are important university-wide intellectual projects often grounded in liberal arts and general education philosophies. In France, WiD/WAC discussions are growing out of the curricular realities of writing as central to success in all disciplines and of a new student population obtaining access to higher education. These curricular issues are framed by a complex history of who takes responsibility for teaching writing and for researching the teaching of writing.This article presents the threads of these discussions at two recent French conferences, where debate about writing to learn, writing as meaning-making, writing in the disciplines, argument strategies across disciplines, forms of voice, intertextuality, and writing as membership in a domain were central. WiD programs of the kind supported by Cornell’s Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines might be quite effective in this very different cultural setting.
Morphological evidence of gap junctions between bone cells

Cell membrane specializations occur at contact sites between adjacent osteoblasts and osteoblasts and osteocytes. These junctions have been described by other investigators as being important in preventing the extracellular movement of material around bone cells. Previously we described how certain small proteins circumvented the osteoblast population and rapidly penetrated the canalicular-osteocyte system. In the present study we used lanthanum colloid as an extracellular marker; the lanthanum readily penetrated the bone cell junctions and the extracellular space of bone. Morphologically, these junctions were not “tight” or “occluding” structures, but resembled “gap” junctions. These gap junctions contained elements which formed intercellular bridges between adjacent cells but also maintained a 2 nm space between cells that contained extracellular fluid. These gap junctions may have an important function in the control or coordination of bone cell activity throughout a given volume of bone.