cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Compromised Worker and the Limits of Employment Discrimination Law

Why do employment discrimination plaintiffs fare so poorly? Many explanations have been offered, but this essay suggests a new one: a substantial fraction of all plaintiffs are “compromised” workers, meaning that they have done something on the job that might plausibly justify the adverse treatment — typically, firing — about which they are complaining. As a matter of both doctrine and logic, compromised plaintiffs assuredly can be legitimate victims of discrimination. But they face substantial practical difficulties in proving that their employer relied on a prohibited characteristic in its treatment of them because, by definition, their behavior offers a plausibly legitimate alternative explanation for their treatment. After demonstrating the significance of “compromised” plaintiffs, this essay examines the reasons for their prevalence and suggests (modest) doctrinal solutions for coping with the particularly intractable problems they present.
Abstract 279: Troponin Testing in the Emergency Setting: Analysis of Appropriateness

Background: Troponin levels are routinely tested and trended in emergency departments even in the absence of clinical suspicion for Acute Coronary Syndrome. This can result in increased utilization of resources. We examined the rates at which troponin assays were drawn on admission to the medical service of our hospital and the appropriate use fo this assay. Methods: Consecutive patients admitted to the medical wards of our hospital over a one month period for which a Troponin level was obtained within 8 hours of arrival were prospectively identified. Baseline demographic and clinic characteristics and information regarding the admitting diagnosis were obtained through a detailed chart review. Cardiology testing or consults that were obtained soley for evaluation of an abnormal troponin were recorded. We defined an inappropriate troponin test (IT) as one that was drawn in the absence of a clear reason including, ischemic like symptoms (chest pain, epigastric pain, upper back pain, jaw pain or left shoulder/arm pain), unexplained shortness of breath, new ECG changes, syncope, arrhythmia or CHF. Results: Among 142 patients identified, 47 (33%) had IT. These patients were 61.9 ± 19.3 years of age (range 19-102 years), and 18 (38.3%) were female. Admitting diagnoses for those patients who had IT included the following: Altered mental status 8 (17%); Sepsis/Infection 8 (17%); Weakness 6 (12.8%); Other GI symptoms 5 (10.6%); GI Bleeding 2 (4.3%); Other miscellanous diagnosis 18 (38.3%). Table 1 depicts the characteristics of these patients. Conclusion: Significant number of patients admitted with non-cardiac diagnoses have Troponin assays drawn for unapparent reasons; This IT assay rarely results in the identification of a new cardiac diagnosis. In the long term, these IT can result in a significant and unnecessary increased utilization of hospital resources. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Inhibitory effect of coffee on lower esophageal sphincter pressure

We examined the effect of 150 ml of caffeinated instant coffee at two pHs, 4.5 and 7.0, on lower esophageal sphincter pressure in 20 normal volunteers and 16 patients with reflux esophagitis. When ingested alone coffee at pH 4.5 and 7.0 caused a decrease in basal sphincter pressure in normal volunteers from 19.4 +/- 1.5 to 13.7 +/- 1.0 mmHg (P ? 0.01) and from 18.7 +/- 1.5 to 16.0 +/- 0.8 mmHg (P < 0.05) respectively. When coffee at pH 4.5 was drunk with a mixed nutrient test meal, the resting sphincter pressure in normal subjects fell after 30-60 min with the nadir, 11.2 +/- 1.0 mmHg, being recorded at 60 min (P < 0.01). Coffee at pH 7.0 with the test meal resulted in a fall in pressure to 14.3 +/- 1.5 mmHg (P < 0.02) at 60 min. In patients with reflux esophagitis, coffee at pH 4.5 lowered lower esophageal sphincter pressure from 9.1 +/- 1.0 to 5.5 +/- 0.6 mmHg (P < 0.005); coffee at pH 7.0 decreased lower esophageal sphincter pressure from 8.5 +/- 1.1 to 6.9 +/- 0.7 mmHg (P < 0.05). In these patients, mean basal pressure, 9.2 +/- 0.8 mmHg, decreased to 5.2 +/- 0.7 mmHg (P < 0.001) 45 min after drinking coffee at pH 4.5 with the test meal. Coffee at the neutral pH caused a fall in pressure from 8.8 +/- 1.1 to 6.5 +/- 0.7 mmHg at 60 min after the test meal. Thus, coffee at either pH 4.5 or 7.0 caused a decrease in fasting and postcibal lower esophageal sphincter pressure in normal volunteers and patients with reflux esophagitis. The magnitude and the duration of the effect were greater after coffee at the lower pH. These data support the clinical belief that coffee may cause or aggravate heartburn by decreasing lower esophageal sphincter pressure.
Effects of Holocene climate change on the historical demography of migrating sharp-shinned hawks (Accipiter striatus velox) in North America.

DNA sequences of the mitochondrial control region were analysed from 298 individual sharpshinned hawks ( Accipiter striatus velox ) sampled at 12 different migration study sites across North America. The control region proved to be an appropriate genetic marker for identification of continental-scale population genetic structure and for determining the historical demography of population units. These data suggest that sharp-shinned hawks sampled at migration sites in North America are divided into distinct eastern and western groups. The eastern group appears to have recently expanded in response to the retreat of glacial ice at the end of the last glacial maximum. The western group appears to have been strongly effected by the Holocene Hypsithermal dry period, with molecular evidence indicating the most recent expansion following this mid-Holocene climatic event 7000–5000 years before present.
College cheating: Immaturity, lack of commitment, and the neutralizing attitude.

Through the use of a 49-item questionnaire administered to 380 university students, we investigated student cheating on exams, quizzes, and homework assignments. More than half the students reported cheating during the academic year on at least one of the above. The purpose of this paper was to uncover fundamental factors underlying cheating behavior. Through the use of correlational and factor analysis, three primary factors were identified: student immaturity, lack of commitment to academics, and neutralization. We offer interpretations of these factors and suggestions for testing these and other factors in future research.
Development of Expertise in Surgical Training

Surgical training is currently undergoing many changes. Moves toward an outcomes-based education based on achievement of core competencies will have a significant impact on how trainees are taught and evaluated. New strategies must therefore be sought to enhance surgical training to achieve outstanding resident education and safe patient care. An extensive body of literature is available concerning the attributes of experts and the development of expertise. It is increasingly apparent that the extent and nature of practice, as well as the practice structure, are critical to the development of complex motor skills. This article reviews the attributes of expert surgeons, as well as the role of deliberate practice, contextual interference, and distributed practice in the development of expertise. The role of simulation in surgical training is also discussed. The findings have direct relevance to surgical training and continuing medical educational courses, and these results may help in the design of future surgical training programs.
Association analysis of complex diseases using triads, parent-child dyads and singleton monads

Triad families are routinely used to test association between genetic variants and complex diseases. Triad studies are important and popular since they are robust in terms of being less prone to false positives due to population structure. In practice, one may collect not only complete triads, but also incomplete families such as dyads (affected child with one parent) and singleton monads (affected child without parents). Since there is a lack of convenient algorithms and software to analyze the incomplete data, dyads and monads are usually discarded. This may lead to loss of power and insufficient utilization of genetic information in a study. We develop likelihood-based statistical models and likelihood ratio tests to test for association between complex diseases and genetic markers by using combinations of full triads, parent-child dyads, and affected singleton monads for a unified analysis. A likelihood is calculated directly to facilitate the data analysis without imputation and to avoid computational complexity. This makes it easy to implement the models and to explain the results. By simulation studies, we show that the proposed models and tests are very robust in terms of accurately controlling type I error evaluations, and are powerful by empirical power evaluations. The methods are applied to test for association between transforming growth factor alpha (TGFA) gene and cleft palate in an Irish study.
Inverse problem and the pseudoempirical orthogonal function method of solution. 2: Use.

The information content about tropospheric rural aerosol size distributions (i.e., functional form, accuracy of solution, and moments of the solution) that may be obtained from measurements of the backscattered radiation with no additional information is discussed. The need for additional information in the form of constraints is demonstrated. The resulting solution depends on these constraints and is thus not entirely objective. The accuracy of the solution will depend, to some degree, on the validity of the constraints. The influence of constraints is examined for the inverse problem of determining aerosol size distributions from multiwavelength measurements of backscattered radiation. Using the method of pseudoempirical orthogonal functions, two types of constraint are employed: positivity and positivity combined with smoothing. A discussion of the effects on the solutions of the two constraints is presented.
PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH, TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY, AND RETURNS TO SCALE IN THE WASHINGTON STATE SAWMILL INDUSTRY

We employed data envelopment analysis (DEA) to examine the technical and scale efficiency of the sawmill industry of Washington State. We found that there is regional variation in the rate of technical efficiency and that for most years the industry in aggregate operated at a point of modest scale inefficiency. In addition, we examined the industry's rate of productivity growth and technical change between the early 1970s and late 1990s using the Malmquist input-oriented productivity index. We found that the industry experienced a modest average annual decline in productivity and technical change during the 1970s, but experienced strong productivity growth and technical change during the 1980s and 1990s.
Mobile media learning: multiplicities of place

Purpose – This paper seeks to build a theory of mobile media learning by studying indigenous use of these media and theorizing what impact they might have on learning and education.Design/methodology/approach – Using a critical approach, the paper reviews contemporary developments in mobile media learning particularly those happening outside of schools. It includes reviews of games and/or media, literature (particularly firsthand accounts published by designers and/or users), and analyses of online communities.Findings – Although mobile media learning has mostly been framed as “anytime, anywhere” their more profound impact may be in the experience of place. Mobile media enables a multiplicity and hybridity of place that causes opportunities and challenges to learning and education.Research limitations/implications – To date, there has been relatively little close study of how youth use such media in educational and learning contexts, and more case studies are needed to understand the impact of mobile medi...
Visualizing a real forest

The authors collaborated with computer scientists, psychologists, artists, and others to create a highly realistic, computer-generated walkthrough of an existing forest. Funded by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, this work supported current experiments at the University of Arizona's Department of Psychology. Researchers hope to determine the level of realism needed in computer-generated visualizations or animations of natural scenes for humans to reach conclusions about the virtual environment similar to those they would have reached by experiencing the actual site. The plan is to compare subjects' responses to actual, video taped, and photographed walkthroughs, and computer simulated walkthroughs.
Biomechanical Effects of Arthroscopic Capsulorrhaphy in Line With the Fibers of the Anterior Band of the Inferior Glenohumeral Ligament

Background: There is no consensus as to the amount and direction of capsular plication necessary to correct anterior shoulder instability without overconstraining the joint.Hypothesis: An arthroscopic capsulorrhaphy in line with the fibers of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (IGHL) in an anterior laxity model will restore glenohumeral kinematics to normal.Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: Six cadaveric specimens were tested in both the scapular and coronal plane in 3 conditions: intact, anterior instability, and plicated. The anterior instability model was created by stretching the shoulder 20% beyond the physiological external rotational range of motion, and plication was achieved by performing a 10-mm arthroscopic plication in line with the fibers of the anterior band of the IGHL.Results: Stretching significantly increased the rotational range of motion, while plication restored it back to that of the intact condition (P < .05). There were few significant changes in humeral head apex ...
Acute burn down regulates rabbit splanchnic and renal prostanoid release

This study examines the hypothesis that acute thermal injury decreases renal and splanchnic vasodilator eicosanoids. Anesthetized rabbits were subjected to sham or a 25% total body surface area burn and fluid resuscitated. At 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h postburn the superior mesenteric and renal arteries were cannulated and perfused in vitro with their end organs with Krebs buffer (pH 7.4, 37°C). Renal and splanchnic prostaglandins (PGs) 6-keto-PGF1α (PGI2), and PGE2, and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) release were measured by EIA at 15 min of perfusion. The major eicosanoids released were PGI2 from the splanchnic bed and PGI2 and PGE2 from the kidney. Renal PGE2 and PGI2 and splanchnic PGI2 release were decreased by 50% or more 12 h postburn (p < 0.01) but were restored to sham burn levels 24 h postburn. Loss of these endogenous renal and splanchnic vasodilators 12 h postburn may contribute to ischemia of both vascular beds at this critical time period following acute burn injury.
A device to aid in quantifying performance on small-animal treadmills.

An apparatus was constructed to motivate rats by electric shock to run on a treadmill and to record the duration of avoidable shock received by individual Ss. Electronic sensing techniques are used to determine when shock is being delivered to S. The present method eliminates “safe” combinations of grid bars and delivers continuous shock potential to any pair of occupied bars throughout the period of occupancy. In addition to supplying a motivational stimulus for treadmill use, this circuitry is easily modifiable to provide a refined grid scanning system for programmed stimulus delivery which is considerably more reliable than conventional scrambler circuits.
Low back pain and spina bifida occulta

Abstract A study is made of seven cases of low back pain with radiation. Most of these, at the time of treatment, were bedridden and all were handicapped in their activities. Low back pain with radiation is, in some instances, manifested by clinical findings which are confined to the muscles. These consist of tenderness on pressure, pain on stretching and muscle spasm with the resulting limitation of motion in the joints. This symptom complex, characteristic of muscular rheumatism (Port) was noted in all of the patients in this series. Associated with the muscular symptomatology are congenital defects of the sacrum which are identified as spina bifida occulta. Bony anomalies of this type are invariably accompanied by pathologic alterations within the spinal canal. These consist of masses of fat and fibrous tissue, in close contact with the nerve roots in the canal, and so arranged that a mechanical irritation of the nerves is produced. Treatment consists of surgical removal of the offending tissues from the canal. By this procedure a prompt cure or improvement may be obtained in a high percentage of cases.
Fine needle aspiration techniques for the characterization of breast cancers

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a well established method for diagnosing breast lesions, including cancers. FNAB does not require surgery and uses only a small amount of material. FNAB can also be used to acquire material for special studies. This is especially useful with small tumors (≤1 cm) when most of the material is needed to make a histologic diagnosis. Immunostaining techniques can be used on FNABs to investigate proliferation by bromodeoxyuridine uptake or Ki-67 labeling. Immunostaining techniques can also be used to identify oncoprotein expression, such as of p53
E-region dynamics

Abstract This review will outline the basic types of dynamic processes observed in the equatorial E -region. Time scales of these dynamic motions range from a few seconds to a few hours. Observed spatial scales include turbulent-like three-meter irregularity motions as well as macroscopic dynamic motions having dimensions of a few hundred kilometers. Evidence showing large day-to-day variations in E -region currents, electric fields, and neutral winds will be presented and possible causal processes will be discussed.
On the uniqueness of wreath products

Suppose R is a group and P is a permutation group acting on the set I. Let M be the restricted direct product of 111 copies of R. Then the restricted wreath product G = R wr( P, I) is the semidirect product of M and P where P acts on M by permuting the factors. We are interested in whether or not M, referred to as the base subgroup of G, is a characteristic subgroup of G. In the special case when P acts regularly on Z, i.e., we may take Z= P with P acting by right multiplication, then P. M. Neumann [9] showed that A4 is not a characteristic subgroup of G if, and only if, 1 PI = 2 and R is a special dihedral group (this will be defined in the next section). In [2], Yu. V. Bodnarchuk claimed that if P is transitive and consists entirely of linitary permutations (i.e., every element of P moves only finitely many points of I), and if M is not a characteristic subgroup of G, then P has a nonidentity normal elementary abelian 2-subgroup and R is of dihedral type (to be defined in the next section). This claim is incorrect and counterexamples (pointed out to me by L. G. Kovacs) using a construction of P. Hall [4] are given in Section 6. Bodnarchuk apparently overlooked the possibility that an automorphism of an infinite group can map a subgroup into a proper subgroup of itself.’ In the counterexamples to Bodnarchuk’s result, the distinct images of the base subgroup under all the automorphisms of G constitute an infinite totally ordered set under inclusion. Bodnarchuk’s argument is valid, however, for finite groups. More generally, we show that Bodnarchuk’s result becomes a correct theorem if
Role of vibrissae for depth perception in the rat (Rattus norvegicus).

Summary The role of the vibrissae in the visual cliff performance of rats was investigated. With a moderately low centre-board height, rats with their vibrissae removed show a marked preference for the optically shallow side of the apparatus. In contrast, intact rats do not exhibit a preference for either side. The results indicate that tactual cues are prepotent over visual ones for the rat when conflicting information from both sensory modalities is present.
Specificity of inhibition of calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase by alloxan.

Abstract Studies were undertaken to determine whether the effect of alloxan to inactivate a membrane-bound calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase was specific for the pancreatic islets and whether inactivation of the kinase occurred also after injection of a diabetogenic dose of alloxan into rats. The effect of alloxan was also examined on similar particulate calcium- and calmodulin-dependent kinases present in two other secretory tissues, mammary acini and forebrain. Exposure of alloxan to cell-free preparations of all secretory tissues examined inhibited the calcium- and calmodulin-dependent kinase activities, suggesting that the specificity of alloxan action was not due to the presence in islets of a kinase uniquely sensitive to alloxan. To determine whether the selective effect of alloxan action was mediated at the cellular level, experiments were performed with alloxan presented to intact cells. Whereas alloxan exposure to viable cell preparations of islets and brain decreased the subsequently measured calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity, the activity measured in mammary acini exposed to these alloxan concentrations was unaffected. Injection (i.v.) of a diabetogenic dose of alloxan (50 mg/kg) produced an immediate (10 min) and selective inactivation of the calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in pancreatic islests but had no effect on the similar kinases measured in brain and mammary acini. These results indicate that the unique sensitivity of islets to alloxan may result from the ability of alloxan to rapidly gain intracellular access and then inactivate this kinase activity. The selective effect of alloxan injection on this islet protein kinase is consistent with the hypothesis that inactivation of the kinase by alloxan is related to its diabetogenic effect in vivo.
Recurrent Trade Agreements and the Value of External Enforcement

This paper presents a theory of dynamic trade agreements in which external institutions, such as the WTO, play a central role in supporting credible enforcement. In our model, countries engage in ongoing negotiations, and as a consequence cooperative agreements become unsustainable in the absence of external enforcement institutions. By using mechanisms such as delays in dispute resolution and direct penalties, enforcement institutions can restore incentives for cooperation, despite the lack of any coercive power. The occurrence of costly trade disputes, and the feasibility of mechanisms such as escape clauses, depend on the adaptability of enforcement institutions in their use of information.
Thermal convection in high prandtl number liquids at high rayleigh numbers

Abstract An experimental investigation was made of the temperature distribution in a heated horizontal layer of high Prandtl number (6 and 18) silicone fluids confined between rigid, parallel, conducting plates. The experiments covered a range of Rayleigh numbers from 7.39 × 105 to 3.21 × 108. The time mean temperature close to the upper and lower boundaries could not be represented by a power law dependence on distance from the boundary. The temperature fluctuations were found to have a characteristic period, as predicted by Chang and Howard. Heat-transfer measurements were in agreement with previous measurements. The distribution of the root mean square temperature fluctuations did not verify any of the proposed theories. The nature of the heat transport processes in the liquid was also studied and the results were compared with other experimental measurements made by Townsend. Croft and Deardorff, and Willis.
Generalized Lax and Bäcklund equations for Liouville and super-Liouville theory

Abstract We generalize the Lax pair and Backlund transformations for the Liouville and N =1 super-Liouville equations to the case of arbitrary world sheet background geometry. We use the fact that the Liouville equation expresses a constant curvature condition, which in turn is equivalent to flatness of an SL(2, R ) or OSp(1, 1) connection.
Deep levels in n-InP

Abstract Seven electron traps and two hole traps have been detected on various n-InP samples of high-quality Au/InP Schottky barrier and p + n junction structures by using DLTS technique. We propose that electron trap ME 1 (E C -0.69eV) observed for the first time is related to impurity iron, and the commonly detectable electron trap ME 2 (E C -0.62eV) is probably caused by native defect or residual impurity other than iron.
Effects of caffeine, theophylline and theobromine on scheduled controlled responding in rats.

1 Rats were trained to respond under a variable interval 30 s (VI 30) schedule of food reinforcement. Caffeine (0.32-32 mg/kg), theophylline (1.0-56 mg/kg) and theobromine (10-320 mg/kg) in general produced dose-related decreases in operant responding. At relatively low doses, caffeine (1.0 mg/kg) and theophylline (3.2 mg/kg) produced slight but nonsignificant increases in VI 30 responding. 3 The rank order of potency for producing decreases in responding was caffeine greater than theophylline greater than theobromine. 4 Daily caffeine injections (32 mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in the development of caffeine tolerance. This tolerance was characterized by a 6 fold shift to the right in the caffeine dose-effect curve. Saline substitution for the 32.0 mg/kg caffeine maintenance dose resulted in a substantial decrease in responding.
Why Drink Less? Diffidence, Self-Presentation Styles, and Alcohol Use among University Students.

Through the theoretical lens of the self-presentation model, this paper addresses conflicting results from past research on the links between the components of diffidence (i.e., high levels of introversion and loneliness, and low levels of self-esteem) and alcohol use among undergraduate college students (N = 548). Correlational and multiple regression analyses were used to examine whether protective and acquisitive self-presentation expectancies about the effects of alcohol act as suppressing variables in the relationship between diffidence and alcohol use. Results supported the suppression hypothesis. A negative relationship between diffidence and alcohol use was revealed when self-presentation expectancies about the effects of alcohol were controlled statistically. The self-presentation model may provide new theoretical insights into the links between alcohol expectancies and alcohol use. Implications for campus-based intervention programs are discussed.
Genetic Causes of Female Infertility: Targeted Mutagenesis in Mice

Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse, affects 1 in 10 couples in the United States (Chandra and Stephen 1998). The etiologies of infertility are diverse. Although many causes, including inflammatory tubal disease, ovulatory dysfunction, azoospermia, and immotile cilia syndrome, are well established, the role of other factors, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and varioceles, is surrounded by intense controversy. During initial clinical appraisals, each partner must be thoroughly evaluated, both because male and female factors contribute roughly equally to the etiology and because more than one cause of infertility may be present.
Future indications for botulinum toxin (BoNT)

For over a quarter century, local injections of BoNT have provided clinical benefit for conditions with unmet need, characterized by inappropriately contracting muscles with or without pain or sensory disturbance. Marketing authorization for some BoNT's, depending on country, include core indications dystonia (blepharospasm and cervical dystonia), large muscle spastic disorders (adult post-stroke spasticity and equinus foot deformity), hyperhidrosis and aesthetics. Subsequent development has extended to primary pain (migraine headache), and neuro-urologic (neurogenic/idiopathic overactive bladder; prostate hypertrophy) with multiple additional opportunities available. Portfolio management requires a careful individual opportunity assessment of scientific and technical aspects (basic science foundation, potential to treat unmet medical need, product-specific risk in specific populations, therapeutic margin/safety profile, probability of successful registration pathway), and potential return on investment (successful subsequent commercialization, competitive environment, synergy with corporate product offerings). A development decision process with specific examples from currently approved and ongoing development targets for BoNT will be discussed.
Effect of calcium channel blockers on norepinephrine release and modulation by prejunctional D2 dopamine receptors

Influx of calcium through voltage-dependent N-type calcium channels promotes the release of norepinephrine from nerve terminals. Contributions by L- and N-type calcium channels at different levels of nerve stimulation were examined in perfused rat tail arteries loaded with [3H]norepinephrine. Nifedipine had no effect while omega-conotoxin reduced tritium efflux by 69 to 82% depending on the stimulation intensity. Thus, N-type calcium channels predominated in the control of norepinephrine release, and the relative contribution of L- and N-type channels did not change when stimulation intensity was altered. We also explored the effect of calcium channel blockers on modulation of norepinephrine release by D2 dopamine receptors. Inhibition of stimulation-evoked tritium efflux by the D2 agonist N-0923 was similar in the absence and presence of nifedipine and/or omega-conotoxin. We conclude that D2 dopamine receptors are not coupled to L-type calcium channels; however, the role of N-type calcium channels requires further investigation.
Engineering zein films with controlled surface morphology and hydrophilicity.

A new method to engineer zein films with controlled surface morphology and hydrophilicity has been developed. The resulting surface morphology and surface hydrophilicity have been studied by tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TP-AFM) and a combination of water contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. Our AFM results revealed that zein films cast from acetic acid showed much smoother surfaces as compared to those cast from ethanol aqueous solutions. Furthermore, zein films of controlled hydrophilicity have been engineered through the use of UV/ozone treatment, which can efficiently decrease the water contact angles of zein films from ∼80° to less than 10° within 130 s. XPS results suggest that the difference in surface hydrophilicity of zein films is due to the difference in surface elemental composition, and UV/ozone treatment converted some of the surface methyl groups mainly to carbonyl groups, therefore decreasing the water contact angles and increasing the surface hydrophilicity of zein films. This research opens up new opportunities of using zein as barrier materials and delivery vehicles for functional food ingredients, drugs, and dietary supplements.
Microbial control over carbon cycling in soil.

A major thrust of terrestrial microbial ecology is focused on understanding when and how the composition of the microbial community affects the functioning of biogeochemical processes at the ecosystem scale (meters-to-kilometers and days-to-years). While research has demonstrated these linkages for physiologically and phylogenetically “narrow” processes such as trace gas emissions and nitrification, there is less conclusive evidence that microbial community composition influences the “broad” processes of decomposition and organic matter turnover in soil. In this paper, we consider how soil microbial community structure influences C-cycling. We consider the phylogenetic level at which microbes form meaningful guilds, based on overall life history strategies, and suggest that these are associated with deep evolutionary divergences, while much of the species-level diversity probably reflects functional redundancy. We then consider under what conditions it is possible for differences among microbes to affect process dynamics, and argue that while microbial community structure may be important in the rate of OM breakdown in the rhizosphere and in detritus, it is likely not important in the mineral soil. In mineral soil, physical access to occluded or sorbed substrates is the rate-limiting process. Microbial community influences on OM turnover in mineral soils are based on how organisms allocate the C they take up—not only do the fates of the molecules differ, but they can affect the soil system differently as well. For example, extracellular enzymes and extracellular polysaccharides can be key controls on soil structure and function. How microbes allocate C may also be particularly important for understanding the long-term fate of C in soil—is it sequestered or not?
Recent progress in stochastic processes--A survey

This paper surveys some of the literature on applications of stochastic processes published during the period 1968-1972. This survey highlights recent developments in the application of martingale theory. Because this subject is relatively new to the engineering community, a tutorial exposition of some aspects of the martingale calculus is also included.
The Synthesis of Substituted α, β-Butenolides from γ-Hydroxy-α, β-Acetylenic Esters

Abstract The α, β-butenolide ring system is found in a number of physiologically important natural products2 and there has been recent interest in the development of methods of synthesis of compounds of this type.3 It is well known that α, β-unsubstituted butenolides may be prepared by catalytic hydrogenation of γ-hydroxy acetylenic acids.4,5b Recently, an excellent route of γ-hydroxy acetylenic esters which involves the addition of the lithium acetylide salts of propiolic esters to aldehydes5 and ketones6 has become available. We have carried out the addition of ethyl lithiopropiolate (1) to cyclohexanone (2) and 4-t-butylcyclohexanone (3) and wish to report the conversion of these adducts into corresponding β-methyl or β-methyl-α-allyl-α, β-butenolides.
HIV risk among female sex workers in Miami: The impact of violent victimization and untreated mental illness

Abstract Street-based female sex workers constitute a vulnerable population for HIV, as they are often enmeshed in chronic patterns of substance use, sexual risk, homelessness, and violent victimization. This study examined the specific contributions of victimization history and abuse-related traumagenic factors to mental health functioning and sexual risk behaviors, while considering the impact of environmental risk factors as well. Using targeted sampling strategies, we enrolled 562 Miami-based female sex workers into an intervention trial testing the relative effectiveness of two alternative case management conditions in establishing linkages with health services and reducing risk for HIV. Lifetime prevalence of abuse was extremely elevated at 88%. Nearly half reported abuse before the age of 18, while 34% reported violent encounters with “dates” or clients in the past 90 days. Serious mental illness (SMI) was quite common, with 74% reporting severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or traumatic stress....
Transfer of polarized radiation in self-absorbed synchrotron sources. I. Results for a homogeneous source

The solution to the equation of transfer of polarized radiation in a steady-state homogeneous rarefied medium is applied to self-absorbed synchrotron sources. Relativistic electrons (independent of the presence of any cold plasma) can quite easily produce in such sources significant Faraday rotation and/or conversion of linear to circular polarization. Structural inhomogeneities do not obviate the importance of these phenomena in compact nonthermal sources. Contrary to the calculation of Pacholczyk and Swihart (1975), the circular polarization for a homogeneous source changes sign just below the self-absorption turnover as the source becomes opaque, even when polarization conversion dominates; however, for a physically realistic source, structural inhomogeneity may alter this behavior. The observational evidence bearing upon these effects is reviewed.
The gauge structure of strong coupling gravity

In the limit of infinite Newton constant the dimensional Einstein–Hilbert action reduces to that of a nonlinear sigma-model where spatial points are coupled merely by shift terms giving rise to a diffeomorphism constraint. The full group of diffeomorphisms is shown to act non-tensorially as a gauge group on the action and the field equations. This is used to establish the admissibility as a gauge condition of the combined constant mean curvature (CMC) and zero shift conditions for spatially closed hypersurfaces. This 'CMC gauge' eventually allows for a concise isolation of the gauge invariant and physical degrees of freedoms. Here we utilize the CMC gauge to obtain a complete set of dynamical fields which are invariant under all gauge transformations but time independent spatial diffeomorphisms.
Multiple-soliton solutions for coupled KdV and coupled KP systems

In this work we study two systems of coupled KdV and coupled KP equations. The Hirota bilinear method is applied to show that these two systems are completely integrable. Multiple-soliton solutions and multiple singular-soliton solutions are derived for each system. The resonance phenomenon is examined as well.
Identification of Listeria innocua by PCR targeting a putative transcriptional regulator gene

Listeria innocua is a common, non-pathogenic bacterial species that shares morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics with the pathogenic species L. monocytogenes. The presence of L. innocua may cause difficulty or confusion in the laboratory identification of L. monocytogenes or other Listeria spp. In this report, through examining the recently published genome sequence of L. innocua strain CLIP 11262 (serovar 6a), we identified a L. innocua-specific gene (lin0464) encoding a putative transcriptional regulator and evaluated its efficacy for species-specific detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The specificity of the oligonucleotide primers (lin0464F and lin0464R) derived from this gene was confirmed with the formation of a 749-bp fragment in PCR from genomic DNA of L. innocua strains only. We expect that this assay will be useful in confirming identification of L. innocua or in studies where rapid detection of L. innocua is necessary.
Rejoinder: The madness to our method: Some thoughts on divergent thinking

In this reply, the authors examine the madness to their method in light of the comments. Overall, the authors agree broadly with the comments; many of the issues will be settled only by future research. The authors disagree, though, that past research has proven past scoring methods—including the Torrance methods—to be satisfactory or satisfying. The authors conclude by offering their own criticisms of their method, of divergent thinking, and of the concept of domain-general creative abilities.
Design, synthesis, and properties of new derivatives of pentacene

Stable, soluble ethynylated derivatives of pentacene (9a-c) were synthesized, and the ethynyl moieties on the terminal rings were used to tune the electronic properties of these compounds. Their oxidation potentials are higher and their reduction potentials are lower than those of pentacene. The HOMO-LUMO gaps are among the lowest reported for pentacene derivatives.
The role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in LP-BPM5 murine retroviral disease progression

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an immunomodulatory intracellular enzyme involved in tryptophan degradation. IDO is induced during cancer and microbial infections by cytokines, ligation of co-stimulatory molecules and/or activation of pattern recognition receptors, ultimately leading to modulation of the immune response. LP-BM5 murine retroviral infection induces murine AIDS (MAIDS), which is characterized by profound and broad immunosuppression of T- and B-cell responses. Our lab has previously described multiple mechanisms regulating the development of immunodeficiency of LP-BM5-induced disease, including Programmed Death 1 (PD-1), IL-10, and T-regulatory (Treg) cells. Immunosuppressive roles of IDO have been demonstrated in other retroviral models, suggesting a possible role for IDO during LP-BM5-induced retroviral disease progression and/or development of viral load. Mice deficient in IDO (B6.IDO−/−) and wildtype C57BL/6 (B6) mice were infected with LP-BM5 murine retrovirus. MAIDS and LP-BM5 viral load were assessed at termination. As expected, IDO was un-inducible in B6.IDO−/− during LP-BM5 infection. B6.IDO−/− mice infected with LP-BM5 retrovirus succumbed to MAIDS as indicated by splenomegaly, serum hyper IgG2a and IgM, decreased responsiveness to B- and T-cell mitogens, conversion of a proportion of CD4+ T cells from Thy1.2+ to Thy1.2-, and increased percentages of CD11b+Gr-1+ cells. LP-BM5 infected B6.IDO−/− mice also demonstrated the development of roughly equivalent disease kinetics as compared to infected B6 mice. Splenic viral loads of B6 and B6.IDO−/− mice were also equivalent after infection as measured by LP-BM5-specific Def Gag and Eco Gag viral mRNA, determined by qRT-PCR. Collectively, these results demonstrate IDO neither plays an essential role, nor is required, in LP-BM5-induced disease progression or LP-BM5 viral load.
RISC processors in a massively parallel database machine

Abstract The paper presents an application of RISC processors in a massively parallel database machine (LSDM). Depending on the configuration, the database machine can contain a few thousand processors, each of which is equipped with a disc drive. The database model used is the semantic binary model. The combination of the database model and the architecture of LSDM provides an environment where both massively parallel computation and massively parallel I/O are possible. This paper analyses the characteristics of LSDM and argues that RISC processors are the best choice for the database machine. This machine is presented as further evidence of the potential of RISC architecture. Performance evaluation and simulation results based on the characteristics of Inmos transputers are also presented.
The Regulation of the Ammonia Assimilatory Enzymes in Rel + and Rel- Strains of Salmonella typhimurium

The influence of the relA1 mutation on the regulation of the ammonia assimilatory enzymes, glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.4), glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2), and glutamate synthase (EC 1.4.1.3), was examined. When cells grown in rich media (either Luria broth or glucose-ammonia plus casamino acids) were transferred to a glucose-ammonia medium, the relA mutant failed to resume growth and did not have the same increase in any of the assimilatory enzyme activities as the rel + strain. This effect was particularly dramatic for glutamate dehydrogenase, which increased 6-fold in the rel + strain. Measurements of the guanosine nucleotide concentrations showed that the rel + strain had a ppGpp concentration about 9 times that of the relA mutant 5 min after the shift to minimal medium. These results are consistent with those for other biosynthetic enzymes and show that the ammonia assimilatory enzymes require a relA product for their synthesis during shifts from rich to minimal media. In addition, we examined the response of these strains to a change in nitrogen source. The relA mutant again failed to resume growth after a shift from glucose-ammonia to glucose-arginine medium. Even though the ppGpp concentration did not increase, the rel + strain grew and increased glutamine synthetase activities about 2-fold. These changes in the absence of increased ppGpp levels suggest that some other relA-mediated function is important during this change in nitrogen source.
Dissociation of diatomic molecules into atoms with non-vanishing electronic angular momentum. physical motivation for theory

Abstract Non-vanishing fragment electronic angular momentum implies the existence of non-adiabatic interactions between adiabatic moleular electronic states that become degenerate at large internuclear separations Our generalized theory of photodissociation is used to illustrate how cross sections and angular distributions for individual fine structure levels can be used to probe the presence ot non-adiabatic contributions to photodissociation
Why you should be using more SPR biosensor technology.

There are three ways of looking at surface plasmon resonance biosensor technology: bewilderment (I can not believe this sort of technology actually exists), love (without this technology I would cry), or hate (this technology does not work). Whether you love them or hate them, or just have never heard of them, it is time to take a fresh look at how SPR biosensors can help you get from point A to point B in your drug discovery efforts.
Influence of age upon response to meningococcal endotoxin in rabbits.

SummaryA comparison was made of the response to meningococcal endotoxin in young (4-7 weeks) and more mature (10-12 weeks) rabbits, with the following results: 1. Young rabbits were relatively unaffected by a single intravenous injection of endotoxin, in doses more than 50 times the amount which caused prostration and death in older animals. 2. The febrile reaction to small doses of endotoxin was not significantly different in the 2 groups of rabbits, 3. An intravenous injection of colloidal iron saccharate enhanced the lethal effect of endotoxin in all rabbits, and eliminated the difference in susceptibility between young and older animals, 4. The generalized Shwartzman reaction, with bilateral cortical necrosis of the kidneys, occurred in a high proportion of young rabbits after 2 intravenous injections of endotoxin. This reaction could not be elicited in more than 10% of the older rabbits.
Establishment and characterization of plasmid-driven minigenome rescue systems for Nipah virus: RNA Polymerase I- and T7-catalyzed generation of functional paramyxoviral RNA

In this study we report the development and optimization of two minigenome rescue systems for Nipah virus, a member of the Paramyxoviridae family. One is mediated by the T7 RNA polymerase supplied either by a constitutively expressing cell line or by transfection of expression plasmids and is thus independent from infection with a helper virus. The other approach is based on RNA polymerase I-driven transcription, a unique approach for paramyxovirus reverse genetics technology. Minigenome rescue was evaluated by reporter gene activities of (i) the two different minigenome transcription systems, (ii) genomic versus antigenomic-oriented minigenomes, (iii) different ratios of the viral protein expression plasmids, and (iv) time course experiments. The high efficiency and reliability of the established systems allowed for downscaling to 96-well plates. This served as a basis for the development of a high-throughput screening system for potential antivirals that target replication and transcription of Nipah virus without the need of high bio-containment. Using this system we were able to identify two compounds that reduced minigenome activity.
High resolution proton magnetic resonance studies of fully deuterated and isotope hybrid proteins.

Incorporation of 1H-amino-acids into a fully deuterated protein simplifies the application of nuclear magnetic resonance to the elucidation of secondary and tertiary structure.
Magnetic interactions of ruthenium, rhodium, and iridium in the hexagonal barium titanate structure

Abstract The magnetic susceptibilities of some quarternary oxides with the hexagonal barium titanate structure have been measured from 77–900°K. These phases correspond to the formulas Ba3MTi2O9, Ba3M2MgO9, and Ba3M2NiO9, where M = Ru or Ir, and to the formula Ba3Rh0.6Ti2.4O9. Except for Ba3Ir2MgO9, which had temperature independent susceptibility, the compounds showed Curie-Weiss behavior with large, negative Weiss constants, indicating considerable magnetic interaction between the magnetic ions. The calculated magnetic moments were in reasonable agreement with theory when these magnetic interactions and the large spin-orbit coupling constants of the 4d and 5d transition metals were considered. Thus, for Ru(IV) in Ba3RuTi2O9 (θ = −256°) μeff = 2.86 μB, and for Ir(IV) in Ba3IrTi2O9 (θ = −408°) μeff = 1.76 μB.