cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Should We Prescribe Antibiotics for Acute Bronchitis

While there is evidence that antibiotics offer a slight benefit to patients with acute bronchitis, there is not a compelling reason to treat this patient with antibiotics.
Methodological Obstacles to Empirical Research in Information Privacy

This paper discusses the methodological difficulties of conducting research in information privacy, an area of information studies that has long been neglected by empiricists in spite of its growing importance. Privacy-related research, by its very nature, introduces special problems for empirical researchers, particularly when they require quantitative data.
Adaptable Nonlinearity for Complex Maximization of Nongaussianity and a Fixed-Point Algorithm

Complex maximization of nongaussianity (CMN) has been shown to provide reliable separation of both circular and non-circular sources using a class of complex functions in the non-linearity. In this paper, we derive a fixed-point algorithm for blind separation of noncircular sources using CMN. We also introduce the adaptive CMN (A-CMN) algorithm that provides significant performance improvement by adapting the nonlinearity to the source distribution. The ability of A-CMN to adapt to a wide range of source statistics is demonstrated by simulation results.
Answers for Self and Proxy – Using Eye Tracking to Uncover Respondent Burden and Usability Issues in Online Questionnaires

In a study of the American Community Survey online instrument, we assessed how people answered questions about themselves and other individuals living in their household using eye-tracking data and other qualitative measures. This paper focuses on the number of fixations (whether participants looked at specific areas of the screen), fixation duration (how long participants looked at the questions and answers), and number of unique visits (whether participants rechecked the question and answer options). Results showed that for age, date of birth and employment duty questions participants had more fixations and unique visit counts, and spent more time on the screen when answering about unrelated members of their household than when answering about themselves. Differing eye movements for proxy reporting suggest that answering some survey questions for other unrelated people poses more burden on respondents than answering about oneself. However, not all questions showed this tendency, so eye tracking alone is not enough to detect burden.
The Behavioral Analysis of Mens Rea (Doctrine of Culpable Mental States)

During the last twenty years, a model penal code has been repeatedly drafted and offered to the various state legislatures for adoption. Widespread acceptance would insure uniformity among state penal codes, which in the past have been diverse and idiosyncratic. Many states have adopted parts of the model code or edited versions of it. This paper reviews a section of that code dealing with the general requirements of culpability, in particular culpable mental states, generally discussed under the legal rubric of "Mens Rea." Certain social implications are explored.
Resistance Training and Physical Exercise in Human Health

Traditionally, the role of resistance training in human health has been limited to the building and maintenance of muscular strength and endurance through an increase in muscle mass. The role of resistance training as a mode of physical activity for improving health has only recently been included in physical activity recommendations. Recent research indicates that resistance training is effective in managing body weight and improving cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, blood lipid, glucose management, and visceral adiposity. To this end, the most recent physical activity recommendations support the role of resistance training in improving and maintaining human health.
Double slot fiber-to-chip coupler using direct strip-slot mode coupling

We present a fiber-to-chip coupler using asymmetric double slot waveguide and direct strip-slot mode coupling to shorten a transition while maintaining high coupling efficiency. Experimental result shows 1.8 dB insertion loss with a broad bandwidth.
The Character of Codes: Preserving Spaces for Personal Integrity in Lawyer Regulation

This Article argues professional conduct codes should preserve spaces for individual lawyers to practice law with personal integrity. For background, it briefly describes the history and general traits of national codes on the regulation of lawyers, culminating with today’s ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. It then considers how and why code language exhibiting the virtue of generality and allowing for the exercise of discretion most effectively preserves spaces for personal integrity in lawyer regulation. It concludes by considering the benefits of voluntary, practice-specific ethical standards, using as an illustration those adopted for matrimonial lawyers.
Systems Biology Approaches to Redox Metabolism in Stress and Disease States.

Abstract Significance: All cellular metabolic processes are tied to the cellular redox environment. Therefore, maintaining redox homeostasis is critically important for normal cell function. Indeed, redox stress contributes to the pathobiology of many human diseases. The cellular redox response system is composed of numerous interconnected components, including free radicals, redox couples, protein thiols, enzymes, metabolites, and transcription factors. Moreover, interactions between and among these factors are regulated in time and space. Owing to their complexity, systems biology approaches to the characterization of the cellular redox response system may provide insights into novel homeostatic mechanisms and methods of therapeutic reprogramming. Recent Advances: The emergence and development of systems biology has brought forth a set of innovative technologies that provide new avenues for studying redox metabolism. This article will review these systems biology approaches and their potential applicati...
Gender, age, crime victimization, and fear of crime: findings from a sample of Kenyan College students

Crime victimization and fear of crime have been studied extensively in the extant literature, but very few studies have been carried out in sub-Saharan Africa. Using a sample of 523 students from a leading university in Nairobi, Kenya, we found that females, older students, and prior crime victims are more fearful of crime at school, of crime in the community, and of overall crime. In addition, we found that incivility, measured as the perceived prevalence of drug use among Kenyans, was also statistically significantly related to fear of crime at school, fear of crime in the community, and the overall measure of fear of crime. These findings are consistent with findings from the extant literature, mainly from the United States. Thus, we argue that the correlates of fear of crime appear to be similar in different geopolitical contexts. The implications of the findings for campus safety and security are discussed.
The Separation of Powers and the Least Dangerous Branch

A snapshot of controversies currently surrounding the President highlights a sobering, even if acceptable, reality: we live in an age of extremely amplified president power. From the executive use of military force with little or no congressional approval, to the use of executive orders to effectively make federal policy without congressional involvement, virtually all of these controversies have a common source: the Court’s relegation of enforcement of the separation-of-powers to the political process. This Article provides an account of this relegation. It argues that all of the Court’s separation-of-powers decisions — even those seeming to strictly enforce the boundaries of branch power — make the most collective sense when framed as a narrative of ineffective, and thus merely symbolic judicial stand-taking. Much like “major” federalism decisions, “traditional separation-of-powers decisions” have proven doctrinally inconsequential, but have had the systemic effect of allowing the Court to bow out of the most consequential structural disputes in order to accommodate pragmatic governmental creativity. Thus, the trajectory of federalism jurisprudence over the past century helps inform the inevitable fate of its less developed structural cousin, the separation-of-powers.
Altered Tryptophan Metabolism in Mice with Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis: Increases in Spinal Cord Quinolinic Acid

Mice infected with the herpes simplex virus, type-1, developed a paralysis which was associated with increased levels of the neurotoxin quinolinic acid (QUIN). The largest increases in QUIN were observed in the spinal cord with much smaller changes in the rostral forebrain or serum. The time course for the paralysis coincided with the increase in spinal cord QUIN, a maximal 40-fold elevation, at 7–10 days post infection. The time course suggested that the increases in QUIN were due to its local synthesis. Consistent with this possibility, herpes virus-infected mice had increased activities of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and kynurenine hydroxylase (two key enzymes in QUIN formation), when compared to non-infected controls. Since QUIN is formed by activated macro-phages, these new data are consistent with QUIN formation as part of the host response to a pathogen whose importance is discussed.
Near-Infrared-Fluorescent Erythrocyte-Mimicking Particles: Physical and Optical Characteristics

Exogenous fluorescent materials activated by near-infrared (NIR) light can offer deep optical imaging with subcellular resolution, and enhanced image contrast. We have engineered NIR particles by doping hemoglobin-depleted erythrocyte ghosts (EGs) with indocyanine green (ICG). We refer to these optical particles as NIR erythrocyte-mimicking transducers (NETs). A particular feature of NETs is that their diameters can be tuned from micrometer to nanometer scale, thereby, providing a capability for broad NIR biomedical imaging applications. Herein, we investigate the effects of ICG concentration on key material properties of micrometer-sized NETs, and nanometer-sized NETs fabricated by either sonication or mechanical extrusion of EGs. The zeta potentials of NETs do not vary significantly with ICG concentration, suggesting that ICG is encapsulated within NETs regardless of particle size or ICG concentration. Loading efficiency of ICG into the NETs monotonically decreases with increasing values of ICG concentration. Based on quantitative analyses of the fluorescence emission spectra of the NETs, we determine that 20 μ M ICG utilized during fabrication of NETs presents an optimal concentration that maximizes the integrated fluorescence emission for micrometer- and nanometer-sized NETs. Encapsulation of the ICG in these constructs also enhances the fluorescence stability and quantum yield of ICG. These results guide the engineering of NETs with maximal NIR emission for imaging applications such as fluorescence-guided tumor resection and real-time angiography.
Studies of the Creosote Fungus, Hormodendrum Resinae

1. Hormodendrwm resinae Lindau is a fungus that may commonly be isolated from wood products treated with coal tar or coal tar creosote. Five strains of the fungus are described and certain physiolo...
Many Cacti Have Clusters of Terminal Tracheids on Their Cortical Bundles

Most cacti in subfamily Cactoideae have a thick cortex vascularized by a network of cortical bundles. It was noticed that some cortical bundles had a leaf-like feature: clusters of terminal tracheids. The objective of this research was to examine a range of species and characterize the clusters. Of the 226 species examined in 85 genera, 105 (46.7%) had clusters of terminal tracheids. Species with clusters were widely distributed throughout the subfamily. A few genera were uniform, with all sampled species having clusters (Ariocarpus, Corryocactus) or with all sampled species lacking them (Armatocereus, Mammillaria, Melocactus). Most genera were variable (e. g., Cereus, Cleistocactus) having some species with terminal tracheid clusters and other species lacking them. Where present, the clusters consisted of short, broad tracheids (not vessel elements), one or several phloem poles, but never fibers or sclereids (except Strombocactus disciformis). Clusters were most likely to occur at the apex of a rib or tubercle, especially near an areole; they often also occurred along the face of a rib; they were least common at the sinuses between ribs. Without exception, they occurred within the palisade cortex or along its base but never deep within the cortex. No ecological or functional role was obvious.
Independent Component Analysis-Based Source Separation with Noise Cancelling for Cyclostationary Detection in Cognitive Radios

Cyclostationary detection was shown to be a promising technique for signal detection and identification in cognitive radios (CRs). In the presence of multiple transmitted signals, however, the corresponding cyclic frequencies become superposed in the cyclic profile, making it impractical to identify the cyclic features of each signal. To address this issue, we propose a spectrum sensing technique based on blind source separation (BSS) which separates the active sources using independent component analysis (ICA) before estimating the cyclic frequencies. The source separation performance is enhanced by applying an adaptive noise cancelling (ANC) filter to the received signals. Cyclic profiles with improved estimation accuracy are then obtained by computing cyclic profiles of each source signal separately. We evaluate the source separation performance of the combined ANC-ICA technique and show its superior performance, compared to other alternative source separation techniques.
CLONING, EXPRESSION AND N-TERMINAL MYRISTOYLATION OF CPCPK1, A CALCIUM-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE FROM ZUCCHINI (CUCURBITA PEPO L.)

We have isolated a full-length cDNA clone (CpCDPK1) encoding a calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) gene from zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.). The predicted amino acid sequence of the cDNA shows a remarkably high degree of similarity to members of the CDPK gene family from Arabidopsis thaliana, especially AtCPK1 and AtCPK2.
Electrophilic Nature of Metabolic Reactive Intermediates

Reactive intermediates produced by functionalization reactions are generally electrophilic in nature. An electrophile is an electron acceptor, a cation, or a neutral compound, but not an anion. Reactive intermediates can interact with oxygen molecules to produce reactive oxygen species, including highly reactive cationic electrophiles and free radicals. Electrophilic reactive intermediates preferentially form covalent bonds with nucleophiles of cellular components, including cysteine, sulfhydryl, lysine, thiolate and histidine amino residues in proteins, guanine and adenine in DNA, and hydroxyl, carboxyl, and phosphate in lipids. The protection against the harmful effects of electrophilic reactive intermediates or metabolites is to minimize their presence in intracellular levels. The body develops defense systems that include detoxification enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, glutathione, and vitamins E and C and carotene.
Post-Transplant Survival of Morbidly Obese LVAD Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Purpose Patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) who are morbidly obese cannot be easily bridged to heart transplantation (HT). Reported UNOS data show that the survival rate of such patients was low after HT. Some patients are obese at the time of LVAD implantation, whereas others become morbidly obese following LVAD implantation. We applied laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as a treatment strategy and our study looked to determine its efficacy and safety. Methods We reviewed our experience of 29 patients who underwent LVAD implantation and had LSG from 2/2013 - 11/2017. Preoperative characteristics, postoperative mortality and morbidity following LVAD implantation were compared between 20 pts who had LSG performed concomitantly versus 9 who had LSG after LVAD implant. Results There were no significant differences in INTERMACS class, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, and demographic features, between the groups. Incidence of infectious complications was similar between groups: 7/20 (35%) vs 5/9 (56%) had driveline infection (p=0. 422); 2/20 vs 0/9 developed pocket infection (p=0.09), and 5/20 vs 1/9, (p=0.633) had sternal wound infections when LSG was performed concomitantly vs later after LVAD implant, respectively. All 29 patients were alive within 1 year of LVAD implantation; 13/29 underwent HT and 2 had LVAD successfully explanted. Currently, 27/29 patients are alive; 1 patient in the concomitant group died following an intracranial hemorrhage while listed for HT (3 years after LVAD implantation). Out of 13 pts who underwent HT 1 patient died 6 months after HT. Survival of HT patients is as follows: 4 pts>1yr; 3>2 yr, 3>3 yr; 1>5 years; 1 patient is alive over 3 months after HT. Conclusion LSG can be applied as a weight loss strategy in morbidly obese LVAD recipients, either concomitantly or after LVAD implantation. Although, device-related complications occur with greater frequency in LVAD recipients who are considered morbidly obese, sufficient weight loss can be achieved and a sizable number of patients can be listed and successfully undergo HT with good posttransplant survival.
Comparative study of helium bubbles in a Ti-Ta alloy and a Ti/Ta nanocomposite

The size, density, and distribution of helium (He) bubbles in a Ti-Ta single-phase alloy and a Ti/Ta dual-phase nanocomposite have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy. The Ti/T...
Rapid Determination of Saffron Grade and Adulteration by Thin-Layer Chromatography Coupled with Raman Spectroscopy

Saffron, one of the most expensive spices around the world, is highly vulnerable to economic adulteration in its powder form. Plant materials and artificial colorants are commonly used as adulterants to reduce saffron concentration as well as maintaining color strength in powdered saffron products. However, current analytical methods lack the ability to test samples accurately onsite. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop a fast screening and quantification method combining thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and Raman spectroscopy for saffron powder analysis, including quantifying the main colorant crocin content and identifying possible adulterants out of a lab setting. A droplet of aqueous extract of saffron powder was deposited on a TLC plate, exhibiting a uniform yellow round pattern on the TLC plate. The content of crocin was analyzed using the ISO 3632 method and Raman spectroscopy separately. A quantitative model based on Raman spectra was established and validated using partial least square (PLS) with R of 0.9955 and 0.9929 for calibration and validation of the PLS plot, respectively. Possible adulterants such as powders of safflower, turmeric powder, red 40 (allura red), and yellow 5 (tartrazine) were mixed with saffron powder at various degrees. Their water extracts exhibited unique patterns under bright ambient light and UV light that can be discriminated from that of pure saffron samples through visual observation and principal component analysis (PCA) based on the L*a*b* values. We also estimated the lowest adulteration degrees that can be detected were 2.59% for Allura red, 4.15% for tartrazine, 31.01% for safflower, and 41.98% turmeric, respectively, using the PLS analysis. Further identification was evaluated using Raman spectroscopy, which provided fingerprint spectra for all adulterants except safflower. Combining TCL pattern and Raman spectroscopy, samples with identical optical properties to pure saffron but adulterated with multiple adulterants were analyzed and successfully detected. This study demonstrates the potential practical application of this method in rapid analysis of saffron quality and adulteration.
THE VLT-FLAMES TARANTULA SURVEY: AN OVERVIEW OF THE VFTS RESULTS SO FAR

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS) has acquired multi-epoch spectroscopy of over 800 O, B and Wolf-Rayet stars in the 30 Doradus region with the aim to investigate a number of important questions related to the evolution of massive stars and of cluster dynamics. In this paper, I first provide an overview of the scientific results obtained by the VFTS consortium so far. I then review the constraints obtained on the multiplicity properties of massive stars in 30 Dor and compare them to our recent results from a Milky Way sample.
Doctoral Education in the Field of Entrepreneurship

Current perceptions and practices in doctoral education in the field of entrepreneurship are explored. The paper developed from efforts of a Task Force formed by the Entrepreneurship Division of the Academy of Management in response to several important observations: growing demand for faculty in entrepreneurship, growing membership in the division, more participants in doctoral and junior faculty consortia, increasing attention to entrepreneurship education at all academic levels, and the implementation of more doctoral seminars and programs in the field. Using a process outlined in Summer et al. [J. Manage. 16 (1990) 361], the Task Force addressed the following questions: (1) What is the current state of doctoral education in entrepreneurship? (2) How should doctoral education in Entrepreneurship be designed? Recommendations are presented.
Explorer.py: Mapping the energy landscapes of complex materials

Abstract The energy landscape of a material holds information that describes the thermodynamics and the kinetics of any process, making it valuable to understand a range of important phenomena. Mapping energy landscapes is a difficult task, with multiple approaches offering different ways to explore the landscape. In this work, we present our new software that has three techniques to explore energy landscapes in parallel, including a novel algorithm. Our software is based on a familiar framework, LAMMPS, allowing for any user of LAMMPS to quickly gain the ability to explore energy landscapes.
Retail Technologies Leading Resurgence for Small Independent Fashion Retailers: A Thematic Analysis Related to the TOE Framework

New technologies fascinate our imaginations and seem very promising for both fashion retailers and their customers. However, these types of new technologies are available for fashion retailers in the main markets, but not distributed well to the marginal markets. The purpose of this study is to understand small independent fashion retailers’ thoughts on currently available technologies, as well as opportunities and challenges of these retailers to adopt new technologies. This study used a qualitative research method of one-on-one, in-depth interviews with 11 fashion industry professionals. By using the thematic analysis, five major themes emerged including 1) Transparency and Consistency, 2) Integration of Technology, 3) Maximizing Personalization Experiences, 4)Connectedness to Social Platforms, and 5) Obscure Cost Fright. As described on the TOE framework, small independent fashion retailers are more likely to determine their adoption to the new technology based on external task environments and the technology’s compatibility.
Optimization of three-dimensional metamaterials for terahertz energy harvesting

This work focuses on finite element modeling (FEM) of a three-dimensional metamaterial used as an absorber for terahertz energy harvesting. The metamaterial consists of patterned pillars of an SU-8 dielectric photoresist coupled to a copper metal overlayer. Our study shows that the electromagnetic performance of the metamaterial is dependent on the following characteristic design parameters of the SU-8 dielectric: pillar height, bottom side length, and spacing between adjacent pillars. Using FEM, the metamaterial geometry is successfully optimized and the surface plasmon can be tuned to a peak frequency of 1.2 THz and a maximum terahertz absorption amplitude of 30%.
Dissociation Dynamics of Polyatomic Molecules

Publisher Summary Molecular dissociation is a quantum mechanical process whose calculation should rely on detailed state-to-state transition or coupling matrix elements and their influence on the propagation of the wave function. The calculational procedure for wave packets remains to be implemented for larger molecules. In contrast, quasiclassical trajectory methods have been applied from the beginning to large molecules, and generally give results in harmony with experiment if the parameters that are involved are known accurately. The major problem of applying trajectory calculations to unimolecular reactions is obtaining accurate potential energy surfaces, especially for large-amplitude motions which are precursors to dissociation. The selection of initial conditions requires some thought and ingenuity if there is to be a close connection between the experimental results and the calculation. Many times, a micro canonical ensemble of trajectories is chosen, all at the same total energy, with this energy distributed among the various motions as outlined by the initial conditions of the experiment.
Effect of Beta-Adrenergic Stimulation on Renin Release

There are now several lines of evidence which suggest that the sympathetic nervous system plays a role in the regulation of renin secretion, and that two pathways, namely the renal sympathetic nerves and circulating catecholamines, are involved: (Assaykeen and Ganong, 1971). Recently, considerable attention has been focused on the mechanism by which the renal nerves and circulating catecholamines may increase the secretion of renin. Although it appears likely that the sympathetic nervous system indirectly affects the secretion of renin through changes in renal hemodynamics and sodium excretion: (Vander, 1965), there is also some evidence that renin secretion may increase in the absence of changes in renal function: (Bunag et al., 1966; Ueda et al., 1968; Johnson et al., 1971; Martin and White, 1971).
Spans in the module (Zm ) s

Given an integer m, let R = Rs and M = Rs . Let A be a collection of elements of M A = {A 1, … ,Ar }, let A be the matrix with ith row Ai , and let S(A) be the set of all linear combinations of the Ar . (1) Then there is a unique matrix A′ in totally reduced echelon form with rows thai span (i.e. generate) S(A). (2) For 0  w  s, let dw(A) be the gcd of the determinants of all w × w minors of A with those determinants evaluated in Z not in Zm Define D w (A) recursively. D0(A) = 1; Dw(A) = gcd(dw(A), mDw (A)). Then Dw(A) unchanged by the row reduction procedure and the number of elements in S(Z) is m/Ds(A).
A case-control study of osteopathic palpatory findings in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Although type 2 diabetes mellitus is often managed by osteopathic physicians, osteopathic palpatory findings in this disease have not been adequately studied. A case-control study was used to measure the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and a series of 30 osteopathic palpatory findings. The latter included skin changes, trophic changes, tissue changes, tenderness, and immobility at spinal segmental levels T5–T7, T8–T10, and T11-L2 bilaterally. Logistic regression models that adjusted for age, sex, and comorbid conditions were used to compute odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between type 2 diabetes mellitus and each of these findings. A total of 92 subjects were included in the study. After controlling for age, sex, hypertension, and clinical depression, the only significant finding was an association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and tissue changes at T11-L2 on the right side (OR, 5.54; 95% CI, 1.76–17.47; P = .003). Subgroup analyses of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension demonstrated significant associations with tissue changes at T11-L2 bilaterally (OR, 27.38; 95% CI, 1.75–428; P = .02 for the left side and OR, 24.00; 95% CI, 1.51–382; P = .02 for the right side). Among subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, there was also a strong diabetes mellitus duration effect for tissue changes at T11-L2 bilaterally (OR, 12.00; 95% CI, 1.02–141; P = .05 for short duration vs. OR, 32.00; 95% CI, 2.29–448; P = .01 for long duration on the left side; and OR, 17.33; 95% CI, 1.39–217; P = .03 for short duration vs. OR, 32.00; 95% CI, 2.29–448; P = .01 for long duration on the right side). The only consistent finding in this study was an association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and tissue changes at T11-L2 on the right side. Potential explanations for this finding include reflex viscerosomatic changes directly related to the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a spurious association attributable to confounding visceral diseases, or a chance observation unrelated to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Larger prospective studies are needed to better study osteopathic palpatory findings in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Reconstruction of brain tissue from cell suspensions: II. Specific enhancement of aggregation of embryonic cerebral cells by supernatant from homologous cell cultures

Abstract A cell-free supernatant from short-term monolayer cultures of 14-day embryonic mouse cerebrum cells markedly and specifically enhanced the histotypic aggregation of suspensions of dissociated cerebrum cells from mouse and from chick embryos. It did not have this effect on cells from other brain regions, or from nonnervous tissues from either species; its effect was somewhat greater on the aggregation of mouse cerebrum cells than of chick cerebrum cells. Its action was concentration-dependent and critically dependent on the embryonic age of the donor cells and the aggregating cells. The results are discussed in terms of cell surface interactions and their implications for neural histogenesis and differentiation.
Why most patients with hepatitis delta virus infection are seronegative for hepatitis B e antigen: A prospective controlled study

Abstract A prospective age/sex matched control and follow-up study was conducted to explore the reason(s) for the association of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier state. Over a 3-year period, a total of 110 patients (104 males and six females) with acute HDV superinfection were documented in our unit. Twenty-four (21.8%) of them were HBeAg positive at the onset of acute HDV infection. In the control study, 110 age- and sex-matched asymptomatic HBsAg carriers with normal serum transaminase, as well as 110 age- and sex-matched patients with chronic type B hepatitis were randomly selected from the computer files of the same 3-year period of entry. The prevalence of serum HBeAg in patients with HDV infection was similar to that of asymptomatic HBsAg carriers (20.9%), but significantly lower than that of the patients with chronic type B hepatitis (72.7%). In a follow-up study of 16 HBeAg-positive patients with HDV infection, eight (50%) cleared HBeAg and three (18.8%) seroconverted to anti-HBe within 3 months. The HBeAg clearance rate was significantly higher than for chronic type B hepatitis and asymptomatic carriers ( p
How the Design and Evolution of the United States Cyber Command Affect Its Operations

The establishment of the United States Cyber Command presents interesting research opportunities in the areas of national security agency design and national security decision making in the executive branch. This paper will examine Defense Department efforts to address emerging cyber threats by applying Zegart’s framework for agency design and agency evolution to the establishment of the command. Specifically, it explores how the policy making processes used to address cyber security and manage the Unified Command Plan affected operations. The policy implications in the conclusion may allow the Defense Department to improve military operations in cyberspace and bolster U.S. national security.
Iterative strengthening: an algorithm for generating anytime optimal plans

In order to perform adequately in real-world situations, a planning system must be able to find the "best" solution while still supporting anytime behavior. We have developed a method for incrementally optimizing plans called iterative strengthening that can be used in many situations where other optimization methods are not appropriate. In particular, iterative strengthening supports optimized planning within an "anytime" environment using multiple simultaneous optimizing parameters, and it can be adapted to support inadmissible heuristics and undecidable domains. >
Consensus building during nest-site selection in honey bee swarms: the expiration of dissent

This study addresses a question that lies at the heart of understanding how the scouts in a honey bee swarm achieve unanimity in their dances, and so reach agreement in their choice of a future nest site: what causes the scouts that perform dances for the non-chosen sites to stop dancing for these sites? One possibility is that a scout stops dancing for a non-chosen site only after she follows a lively dance for another site, such as the site that is ultimately chosen. This hypothesis is contradicted by the finding that 23 out of 27 scouts (in 6 swarms) that danced initially for a non-chosen site stopped their dancing before they followed a dance for another site. Evidently, a scout that supports initially one of the non-chosen sites is likely to withdraw her support for this site even before she learns about another site. What causes her to do so? Close examination of the behavior of scouts revealed that they reduce the strength of their dancing (waggle runs/return to the swarm) for a given site over consecutive returns to the swarm. On average, the pattern of this reduction in dancing is strikingly linear, which suggests that it arises from an internal, neurophysiological process that automatically drives down a scout's motivation to dance for a site. Other results suggest that scouts from inferior sites start their dancing less strongly, and so cease their dancing more rapidly, than do scouts from superior sites. If so, then during the consensus-building process of the scouts, it is the support (the dancing) for inferior sites that is most likely to die out while it is the support for a superior site that is most likely to prevail.
NMR relaxation times of skeletal muscle: Dependence on fiber type and diet

Abstract Skeletal muscles are composed of a mixture of different types of muscle fibers. Previous NMR studies of muscle have typically used muscles of mixed fiber composition and have not taken into account factors such as the dietary history of the experimental animal. In this paper we present evidence that the T1 and T2 relaxation times of two of the major types of skeletal muscle fiber are not significantly different under normal conditions. Following dietary manipulation of the rabbits (limiting potassium intake or increasing cholesterol consumption), the T1 and T2 relaxation times of psoas and soleus muscles were significantly different. The change in relaxation times of psoas muscles following dietary manipulation can be only partially explained by shifts in muscle water content. The results suggest that changes in diet are capable of inducing changes in water bonding and structuring in muscle tissues. Our results indicate that diet must be added to the growing list of environmental factors that can cause NMR contrast changes. Also, NMR measurements of muscles rich in one fiber type or another could be of value for detecting changes in body composition.
Efficient algorithms to globally balance a binary search tree

A binary search tree can be globally balanced by readjustment of pointers or with a sorting process in O(n) time, n being the total number of nodes. This paper presents three global balancing algorithms, one of which uses folding with the other two adopting parallel procedures. These algorithms show improvement in time efficiency over some sequential algorithms [1, 2, 7] when applied to large binary search trees. A comparison of various algorithms is presented.
Reversed flow above a plate with suction

A minor extension is developed for Kovasznay's (1948) solution, and an exact solution is presented for Navier-Stokes equations that may represent the reversed flow about a flat plate with suction. This exact solution is the result of a search for a solution that may serve as an exact basic flow for a model stability analysis of nonparallel flows involving flow reversal.
Strong stabilizability and the steady state Riccati equation

We explore strong stabilizability (as opposed to exponential stabilizability) with the aid of the steady state Riccati equation. We show that the latter can have at most one strongly stable solution and obtain some sufficient conditions for existence. We also indicate an application to steady state Kalman filtering where the observation operator is compact so that we may not have exponential stability.
Global null controllability of perturbed linear systems with constrained controls

In this paper we study the global null controllability with bounded controls of perturbed linear systems in Rn. More explicitly, a globally null controllable autonomous system is perturbed by “suitably small” terms V(t) and B(t) to obtain a system of the form x = (A + V(t))x + (B + B(t))u and sufficient conditions are given to ensure the global null controllability of the resulting perturbed system.
Beyond the basic background check: hiring the “right” employees

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the various methods available when conducting a pre‐employment screening investigation in attempt to hire honest employees, those less likely to commit fraud against their organization. While many companies perform the most basic type of background check, this paper suggests that companies need to go beyond the basics when hiring its employees.Design/methodology/approach – By reviewing the existing literature and conducting interviews with experts in the area of background investigation services, the paper makes suggestions for companies to follow.Findings – Merely relying on the most basic background check may lead to the hiring of the wrong employee, one likely to commit fraud. Companies should consider performing other screening techniques before hiring an employee.Practical implications – Background checks have become a widely‐recognized method of pre‐employment screening. However, these checks are just one part of the employee selection process and co...
Optimized effective potential made simple: Orbital functionals, orbital shifts, and the exact Kohn-Sham exchange potential

The optimized effective potential (OEP) is the exact Kohn-Sham potential for explicitly orbital-dependent energy functionals, e.g., the exact exchange energy. We give a proof for the OEP equation which does not depend on the chain rule for functional derivatives and directly yields the equation in its simplest form: a certain first-order density shift must vanish. This condition explains why the highest-occupied orbital energies of Hartree-Fock and exact exchange OEP are so close. More importantly, we show that the exact OEP can be constructed iteratively from the first-order shifts of the Kohn-Sham orbitals and that these can be calculated easily. The exact exchange potential ${v}_{\mathrm{x}}(\mathbf{r})$ for spherical atoms and three-dimensional sodium clusters is calculated. Its long-range asymptotic behavior is investigated, including the approach of ${v}_{\mathrm{x}}(\mathbf{r})$ to a nonvanishing constant in particular spatial directions. We calculate total and orbital energies and static electric dipole polarizabilities for the sodium clusters employing the exact exchange functional. Exact OEP results are compared to the Krieger-Li-Iafrate and local density approximations.
THE MIXED MATING SYSTEM OF IMPATIENS CAPENSIS AND INFECTION BY A FOLIAR RUST PATHOGEN: PATTERNS OF RESISTANCE AND FITNESS CONSEQUENCES

Outcrossing by hosts may offer protection from natural enemies adapted to parental genotypes by creating diverse progeny that differ from their parents through genetic recombination. However, past experimental work addressing the relationship between mating system and disease in offspring has given conflicting results, suggesting that outcrossing might also cause the dissolution of resistant genotypes. To determine if selfed progeny are more susceptible to disease caused by the heteroecious rust, Puccinia recondita, or if selfing preserves existing resistant genotypes, we used a factorial design to compare levels of infection of selfed and outcrossed progeny of Impatiens capensis, a woodland annual with a mixed mating system. We compared the level of host infection when exposed to three pathogen sources in the field: the sympatric rust population, and two allopatric rust populations. Outcrossed progeny exposed to sympatric rust had higher infection scores than selfed progeny exposed to the same rust, suggesting that outcrossing breaks up resistant genotypes. In addition, there was a trend for the rust to be more infective on sympatric rather than allopatric hosts. We also examined whether rust infection differentially alters the fitness of selfed and outcrossed progeny. Outcrossed plants that escaped infection had higher fitness, as measured by fruit production, than selfed plants, but there was no difference in fitness between infected selfed and infected outcrossed plants. Thus, outcrossing was advantageous in the absence of disease, but there was no fitness difference between selfed and outcrossed progeny in the presence of disease. In sum, our results indicate that interactions with pathogens can eliminate or reverse the advantage of outcrossing.
Graduate Research Training Supported by the National Institute of Dental Research

The number of graduating dentists cannot keep pace with the ever-grow­ ing demand for care, even though the enrollment of first-year dental students has increased nearly 22% in the past seven years— an increase al­ most four times greater than the in­ crease recorded in the preceding seven years. Demand is growing for several reasons. Population growth is the most obvious, yet the major one. Another is the recognition that dental diseases are health problems. Because they are health problems, they are being included in the new concept of health as a right rather than a privilege. Consequently, the demand for dental treatment is ex­ pected to increase 50% to 75% by 1975. Today there are only an estimated 47 non-Federal, active dentists for each 100,000 civilian Americans. The expansion from 3,770 freshmen entering dental schools in 1963 to nearly 4,500 for the fall of 1970 can meet only a fifth to a third of the increased demand for care. Dental research training can help meet this crisis. First of all, it can prepare sci­ entists who may lead the way to new preventives that diminish the need for care. Secondly, the body of trained investigators— especially clinical investigators— can partici­ pate in educating tomorrow’s den­ tist. Scientists can make significant contributions to dental education not only because they can alleviate the shortage of dental school faculty members, but also because their spe­ cial knowledge and insights can help assure that the practitioners of the future receive an adequate orienta­ tion to scientific concepts. To train scientists for careers in academic dentistry, the National In­ stitute of Dental Research offers two types of grants that support graduate research training in many healthoriented sciences: the fellowship, made to individual students to sup­ port their postdoctoral studies, and the research training grant, which is awarded to dental schools and uni­ versities in support of their research training efforts. To qualify for an NIDR fellow­ ship, you must have either a DDS, MD, PhD, or other doctoral degree. Prospective fellows apply for gradu­ ate training and select a sponsor be­ fore competing for a fellowship. For additional information and fellow­ ship application kits, please write to: Training Grants Officer, Extramu­ ral Programs, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Westwood Bldg, Bethes­ da, Md 20014. Because the qualifications vary for people training in the programs funded by NIDR research training grants, the general prerequisites are given in the following listing. For ad­ ditional details regarding admission stipends and training under this sec­ ond mechanism, please write to the directors of the programs of particu­ lar interest to you because each di­ rector is responsible for selecting his own students. Programs are listed alphabetically, according to the name of the training institution.
Aflatoxin metabolism and absence of cytochrome P-450 in rat colon tissue during vitamin A malnutrition

Homogenized mucosal linings prepared from vitamin A adequate and deficient male rats were used in metabolic studies of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Cytochrome P-420 was identified in both groups which metabolized AFB1 to 4 metabolic products in vitro. The implications of this observation are discussed in relation to colon carcinoma.
Anti-Ganglioside Antibodies Induce Nodal and Axonal Injury via Fcγ Receptor-Mediated Inflammation

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a postinfectious autoimmune neuropathy and anti-ganglioside antibodies (Abs) are strongly associated with this disorder. Several studies have implied that specific anti-ganglioside Abs induce neuropathy in patients with axonal forms of GBS. To study the mechanisms of anti-ganglioside Abs-induced neuropathy, we established a new passive transfer mouse model by L5 spinal nerve transection (L5SNT; modified Chung's model) and systemic administration of anti-ganglioside Abs. L5SNT causes degeneration of a small proportion of fibers that constitute sciatic nerve and its branches, but importantly breaks the blood–nerve barrier, which allows access to circulating Abs and inflammatory cells. Our studies indicate that, in this mouse model, anti-ganglioside Abs induce sequential nodal and axonal injury of intact myelinated nerve fibers, recapitulating pathologic features of human disease. Notably, our results showed that immune complex formation and the activating Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) were involved in the anti-ganglioside Abs-mediated nodal and axonal injury in this model. These studies provide new evidence that the activating FcγRs-mediated inflammation plays a critical role in anti-ganglioside Abs-induced neuropathy (injury to intact nerve fibers) in GBS.
Fuzzy linear regression and its applications to forecasting in uncertain environment

Abstract Linear regression has been used for many years in developing mathematical models for application in marketing, management, and sales forecasting. In this paper, two different sales forecasting techniques are discussed. The first technique involves non-fuzzy abstract methods of linear regression and econometrics. A study of the international market sales of cameras, done in 1968 by John Scott Armstrong, utilized these non-fuzzy forecasting techniques. The second sales forecasting technique uses fuzzy linear regression introduced by H. Tanaka, S. Uejima, and K. Asai, in 1980. In this paper, a study of the computer and peripheral equipment sales in the United States is discussed using fuzzy linear regression. Moreover, fuzzy linear regression is applied to forecasting in an uncertain environment. Finally, some possible improvements and suggestions for further study are mentioned.