cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emulsion characterization by the combined sedimentation field—flow fractionation—photon correlation spectroscopy methods

Abstract The combination of sedimentation field-flow fractionation (sedFFF) and photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) is shown to characterize the size distribution for polydisperse samples, where neither technique by itself is capable of producing this information. PCS, on the one hand, gives accurate diameter assignments for monodisperse suspensions but fails to describe the size composition of mixed samples. sedFFF, on the other hand, is a high-resolution separation technique that is capable of yielding detailed size information, provided the particle density is accurately known. Where this is not the case, the technique fails to evaluate the fractogram in terms of a size distribution. By combining the two characterization methods, the well size-sorted particles that elute from the separator can be evaluated in terms of both size and density. To yield accurate readings in PCS, the particle concentration must exceed a certain critical value; in FFF, however, accuracy is promoted by reduced sample loads. The implication of these constraints for combining the two techniques is discussed, and conditions that will reduce errors in the analysis of particle sizes present in a given sample are suggested. The protocol is applied to the analysis of two emulsions (Liposyn and Hercon 85) for which density differences between particle and suspension medium are not known from outside sources. Although these differences are found to be quite small, they can be determined with sufficient accuracy to permit the evaluation of particle sizes present in the tWO emulsions.
Post-traumatic amnesia predicts long-term cerebral atrophy in traumatic brain injury.

Primary objective: To examine post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) and its relation to long-term cerebral atrophy in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) using objective indicators of PTA duration and...
Barite chimneys on the Gulf of Mexico slope: Initial report on their petrography and geochemistry

Barite chimneys associated with hydrocarbonrich fluid venting were recently documented and sampled on the Gulf of Mexico slope offshore Louisiana at 510–520 m water depth. The chimneys are dominated by barite associated with minor amounts of pyrite, iron oxide, Mg calcite, and detrital silicates. The barite displays distinct string-like and dendritic-like morphologies assembled from rosette-shaped crystals that are typically 20–40 µm in diameter. The chimneys exhibit macroscopic growth layers 1–5 mm thick, which alternate between dark gray and light yellow colors. The dark layers are dominated by string barites associated with disseminated pyrite, while the light layers are dominated by dendritic barites with little or no pyrite. The barites are anomalously enriched in Sr (average 15.5 mol% and maximum 30 mol%) and Ca (average 2.8 mol% and maximum 4.6 mol%), and exhibit rhythmic, paired, microscopic light and dark bands. The exact origin of the barites and their mode of deposition has not yet been elucidated, but they are likely to be related to the hydrocarbon-rich fluids venting on the seabed.
Polymerase chain reactions with alphoid-repeat primers in combination with Alu or LINEs primers, generate chromosome-specific DNA fragments.

SUMMARY Y alphoid primers in combination with Alu and LINEs primers generated new DNA fragments in polymerase chain reactions (PCR) on DNA from a Y-only somatic cell hybrid but not from X-only, 3-only, or 21-only hybrids. X alphoid primers used in a similar manner generated new DNA fragments from the X-only hybrid, and 1 of the primers (X2) also generated new DNA fragments on 3-only and 21-only hybrids when used in conjunction with Alu or LINEs primers. In all but one case, consensus alphoid primers generated new chromosome-specific fragments in PCR reactions with the Alu or LINEs primers. A search for cryptic Alu- or alphoid-alone PCR products as the source for one Alu-alphoid band (chosen at random) was negative. Partial sequencing of products demonstrated that alphoid and Alu sequences were indeed contiguous in some newly synthesized DNA fragments. While Alu or LINEs primers generate smears of DNA fragments on total human DNA, the alphoid-nonalphoid repeat combinations generated electrophoretically distinguishable bands of DNA when the template was total DNA. While these were distinguishable with different chromosome-specific alphoid primers, the DNA fragments were not of the same sizes as those generated with the chromosome-only hybrids.
Planning in Jordan: Coping with uncertainty

Jordan is an Islamic state with planning based on Islamic principles. The execution of plans, though, has been constrained by geopolitical realities. In the last decade Jordan has moved from strictly sectoral planning to a strongly focused system of regional planning in order to achieve more growth in less developed regions. The prospects for these regions and the country as a whole will turn on the success of the peace process in the region.
Neonatal nicotine exposure alters hippocampal EEG and event-related potentials (ERPs) in rats.

A consensus is forming that nicotine can damage the developing rat central nervous system. However, few studies have assessed the electrophysiological effects of neonatal nicotine exposure in rodents in brain regions known to be sensitive to the teratogenic properties of nicotine. In a previous study it was reported that 1.0 and 4.0 mg/kg/day nicotine exposure from postnatal days 4–9, a developmental period corresponding to human third-trimester exposure, significantly altered hippocampal event-related potentials (ERPs) but did not effect cortical ERPs, cortical EEG, or hippocampal EEG. Because alterations in behavior and cortical/hippocampal neurochemistry and morphology have been reported following nicotine exposure, the present study used a higher dose of nicotine during the postnatal period (6.0 mg/kg/day) determine if functional changes in the EEG of these regions might contribute to behavioral changes that have been observed. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to 6.0 mg/kg/day nicotine via gastric infusion using an artificial rearing, “pup-in-the-cup,” technique for 6 consecutive days (postnatal days 4–9). At adulthood, EEG and auditory ERPs were recorded from the cortex and hippocampus. There were no significant differences in EEG or ERPs recorded from the cortex between nicotine-treated and control subjects. Examination of the hippocampal EEG revealed significantly decreased power in the 1–2-Hz frequency band of nicotine-treated rats. In addition, there was a significantly attenuated P300 ERP response to a noise tone in the nicotine-treated rats compared to controls. These data indicate that neonatal nicotine exposure alters functional activity in the hippocampus of adult rats. These effects are likely to be the result of synaptic disorganization in the hippocampus, and indicate that neonatal nicotine exposure exerts teratogenic effects on the developing central nervous system, particularly the hippocampus, which persist into adulthood.
EVALUATING INTERVENTIONS THAT PROMOTE THE USE OF REAR SEATS FOR CHILDREN

Abstract Objective: To evaluate interventions that promote the use of the rear seat among children riding in motor vehicles. Search Strategies: Using the Cochrane Collaboration search strategy, we searched in electronic databases and reference lists of past reviews and review articles. We also searched among studies from government and research agencies in the United States and abroad, and contacted experts in the field. Selection Criteria: Studies for selection had to be evaluations of interventions in defined populations, with a clear description of the program and the outcomes evaluated. Outcomes had to be measured in an objective manner, and there needed to be a comparison group. Data Collection and Analysis: Six studies met the selection criteria. Changes in the proportion of observed children traveling in the rear seats before and after the implementation of the intervention were the main outcome of interest. Main Results: Two studies evaluating the effectiveness of educational campaigns promoting the use of the rear seat found increases in the proportion of children riding in the rear seats, but only in one study were the increases statistically significant (from 86% to 91%). The four remaining studies reported changes in seating location as a side effect of legislation requiring child restraint use among children traveling in the front seats. In two of these four studies, the percentage of children riding in the rear seats significantly increased from 49% to 62% and from 88% to 98%. In the remaining two studies there were small, but not statistically significant, changes in the proportion of children riding in the rear seats, with percentages remaining around 60% and 85%. Conclusions: Interventions aimed at promoting the use of rear seats by children traveling in motor vehicles have been rare. Only one educational program whose only objective was to promote rear seating location was found and this 1973 Danish study had a positive impact. The other educational campaign, a pilot program that also focused on improving child restraint use, had no significant impact in promoting seating of children in the rear. We did not find any evaluation of legislation prohibiting children to sit in the front seats. Legislation requiring proper child restraint use in the front seats (and thus, compelling unrestrained children to seat in the rear) has produced, for the most part, a nonsignificant increase in the proportions of children sitting in the rear.
Light modulates the spatial patterns of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Summary Although the coordinated biosynthesis of isoprenoid compounds is thought to be essential to the normal processes of plant growth and development, the mechanisms that regulate the mevalonate pathway in plants are not well understood. As the first committed step in the pathway, the conversion of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) to mevalonic acid by HMG CoA reductase and the regulation of the genes encoding this enzyme have been implicated in the network that controls isoprenoid biosynthesis in higher plants. Using histochemical staining for β-glucuronidase, as well as conventional RNA hybridization analysis, the temporal and spatial regulation of HMG1, one of the genes encoding HMG CoA reductase in the crucifer Arabidopsis thaliana, has been characterized. Furthermore, the HMG1 promoter is shown to be differentially responsive to illumination in different organs, and promoter activation by light deprivation is confined primarily to immature leaves. In contrast, expression of the HMG1 gene in roots is confined to the elongation zone and is not responsive to illumination. Light-mediated regulation of HMG1 expression is shown to be an organ-autonomous response that depends on direct illumination, and environmental cues regarding light do not appear to be exchanged between different organs in Arabidopsis. These studies reveal several new features of HMG1 regulation, and indicate that the high levels of HMG CoA reductase expression detected in immature leaves may be primarily attributed to the dark-induced expression of HMG1, and that HMG1 is expressed at low levels throughout the plant in response to light. Thus, environmental cues interact with the developmental program to define the pattern of HMG1 gene expression in Arabidopsis.
Orthopedic surgery considerations in Paget's disease of bone

Internal fixation in Paget's disease is often necessary for the management of Pagetic complications. When possible, medical therapy should be attempted prior to surgical consideration, If surgery is required, preoperative treatment with bisphosphonates or calcitonin should be initiated to help reduce intraoperative bleeding. Surgeons should be aware of the increased morbidity and mortality of these patients.
Attitude towards the Police: The Significance of Race and Other Factors Among College Students

Various factors have been identified by previous studies as predictive of citizens’ attitudes toward the police, but there has not been as much effort to establish whether higher educational attainment has any effect on the gap between the various population groups that typically differ in their perception of the police. This study tests for the effect of race and other factors on the attitude of college students toward the police. Students in a mid-sized 4-year public university were presented with an instrument of 14 statements and asked to indicate the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with each of them on a 5-point Likert scale. A comparison of the mean responses was made and independent t-tests were established by race, gender, prior police encounter, and academic major. The attitudinal differences were most significant by race followed by gender, whereas the differences by prior police encounter and academic major failed to rise to statistical significance. The implications are discussed.
An Examination of District-Sponsored Beginning Music Teacher Mentor Practices

The purpose of this inquiry was to examine the beginning music teacher mentor practices in 13 school districts in mid-Michigan. Data included beginning teacher interviews, teacher journals, focus-g...
Fibrous Coagulum: A New Cause of Retained Fragments Following Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

AbstractPurpose: A previously unrecognized cause of retained fragments following extracorporeal shock wave therapy is identified.Materials and Methods: Nine patients referred for percutaneous stone extraction following failure of multiple shock wave lithotripsy treatments had retained fragments embedded in soft tissue. The stones were evaluated by chemical analysis and the tissue was evaluated histologically.Results: All stones contained calcium and histopathology confirmed the presence of fibrous tissue. Radiographs were unable to predict the presence of the substance preoperatively.Conclusions: We identified fibrous coagulum as a cause of retained fragments following shock wave lithotripsy. The material is soft tissue and cannot be ablated by further shock wave lithotripsy. These findings confirm that repeated shock wave lithotripsy is contraindicated, since stone fragmentation and passage may be inhibited by fibrous coagulum.
INPUTS, OUTPUTS AND PRODUCTIVITY CHANGE IN THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEP INDUSTRY

Tornqvist quantity indexes of output and input are computed for the period 1952/53 to 1976/77 from Australian Sheep Industry Survey data. The computation includes estimating the annual service flow from durable inputs. Total productivity in the sheep industry is estimated to have increased by 2.9 per cent per annum during this 25-year period. While the ratio of capital employed per unit of labour has increased, materials, services and livestock have been the inputs for which the quantity used has increased most rapidly. On the output side, there has been a move towards greater diversification with both crop and cattle enterprises on 'sheep properties' increasing in relative importance.
Bivariate rainfall frequency distributions using Archimedean copulas

Joint distributions of rainfall intensity and depth, rainfall intensity and duration, or rainfall depth and duration are important in hydrologic design and floodplain management. Multivariate rainfall frequency distributions have usually been derived using one of three fundamental assumptions: (1) Either rainfall variables (e.g., intensity, depth, and duration) have each the same type of the marginal probability distribution, (2) the variables have been assumed to have joint normal distribution or have been transformed and assumed to have joint normal distribution, or (3) they have been assumed independent-a trivial case. In reality, however, rainfall variables are dependent, do not follow, in general, the normal distribution, and do not have the same type of marginal distributions. This study aims at deriving bivariate rainfall frequency distributions using the copula method in which four Archimedean copulas were examined and compared. The advantage of the copula method is that no assumption is needed for the rainfall variables to be independent or normal or have the same type of marginal distributions. The bivariate distributions are then employed to determine joint and conditional return periods, and are tested using rainfall data from the Amite River basin in Louisiana, United States.
Utilization of B-trees with inserts, deletes and modifies

The utilization of B-tree nodes determines the number of levels in the B-tree and hence its performance. Until now, the only analytical aid to the determination of a B-tree's utilization has been the analysis by Yao and related work. Yao showed that the utilization of B-tree nodes under pure inserts was 69%. We derive analytically and verify by simulation the utilization of B-tree nodes constructed from N inserts followed by M modifies (where M > N), where each modify is a delete followed by an insert. Assuming that nodes only merge when they are empty (the technique used in most database management systems), we show that the utilization is 39% as M becomes large. We extend this model to a parameterized mixture of inserts and modifies. Surprisingly, if the modifies are mixed with just 10% inserts, then the utilization is over 62%. We also calculated the probability of splitting and merging. We derive a simple rule-of-thumb that accurately calculates the probability of splitting. We present two models for computing this utilization, the more accurate of which remembers items inserted and then deleted in a node - we call such items ghosts.
A New Measure of Financial Openness

Abstract We create a new index that measures the extent of openness in capital account transactions. Despite the abundance of literature and policy analyses regarding the effect of financial liberalization, the debate is far from settled. One of the reasons for that outcome is the lack of proper ways of measuring the extent of the openness in cross-border financial transactions. We seek to remedy this deficiency by creating an index aimed at measuring the extensity of capital controls based on the information from the IMF's Annual Report on Exchange Arrangements and Exchange Restrictions (AREAER). This paper details how we construct the data and where our index stands in relation to the extant literature. Given the intricacy of capital controls policies and regulations, the exercise of quantifying the extent of financial openness remains a challenging task. Nonetheless, our index makes a substantial contribution in terms of its coverage of countries and time period; the data are available for 181 countrie...
The space telescope program

Abstract The 2.4-m Space Telescope is well into its development phase and is planned for launch in early 1985. The major components of the optical telescope portion are completed and the supporting systems are being designed and acquired. The five scientific instruments, including the ESA provided Faint Object Camera, are on schedule for delivery by the summer of 1983. After successful completion of the optical components, the greatest design challenge has been the pointing and control system. The original design goals of near diffraction limited performance in the visible and near ultraviolet remain as do the other goals of versatility and long life.
Abnormal cell patterning at the cortical gray-white matter boundary in autism spectrum disorders

Previous research on neuronal spacing and columnar organization indicates the presence of cell patterning alterations within the cerebral cortex of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). These patterning abnormalities include irregularities at the gray-white matter boundary and may implicate early neurodevelopmental events such as migration in altering cortical organization in ASD. The present study utilized a novel method to quantify the gray-white matter boundary in eight ASD and eight typically developing control subjects. Digital photomicrographs of the gray-white matter boundary were acquired from multiple positions within the superior temporal gyrus (BA21), dorsolateral frontal lobe (BA9), and dorsal parietal lobe (BA7) of each case. A sigmoid curve was fitted to the transition zone between layer VI and underlying white matter (subplate), and the slope of the resulting curve was used as a measure of the spatial extent of the transition zone. For all three cortical regions examined, ASD subjects showed "shallower" sigmoid curves compared to neurotypicals, indicating the presence of an indistinct boundary between cortical layer VI and the underlying white matter. These results may reflect the presence of supernumerary neurons beneath the cortical plate that could be the result of migration deficits or failed apoptosis in the subplate region. Furthermore, these findings raise questions regarding the validity of cortical measures that rely on gray-white matter parcellation, since an indistinct transition zone could lead to a misplaced cortical boundary and errors in both thickness and volume measures.
Culture and conquest in Mongol Eurasia

Part I. Background: 1. Introduction 2. Before the Mongols Part II. Political-Economic Relations: 3. Formation of the Il-qans, 1251-65 4. Grand Qans and Il-qans, 1265-95 5. Continuity and change under Ghazan, 1295-1304 6. Sultans and Grand Qans, 1304-35 7. Economic ties 8. Overview of the relationship Part III. Intermediaries: 9. Marco Polo and Po-lo 10. Qubilai and Bolad Aqa 11. Rashid al-Din and Pulad chinksank Part IV. Cultural Exchange: 12. Historiography 13. Geography and cartography 14. Agriculture 15. Cuisine 16. Medicine 17. Astronomy 18. Printing Part V. Analysis and Conclusions: 19. Models and methods 20. Agency 21. Filtering 22. Summation.
Veratrole Biosynthesis in White Campion

White campion (Silene latifolia) is a dioecious plant that emits 1,2-dimethoxybenzene (veratrole), a potent pollinator attractant to the nocturnal moth Hadena bicruris. Little is known about veratrole biosynthesis, although methylation of 2-methoxyphenol (guaiacol), another volatile emitted from white campion flowers, has been proposed. Here, we explore the biosynthetic route to veratrole. Feeding white campion flowers with [(13)C9]l-phenylalanine increased guaiacol and veratrole emission, and a significant portion of these volatile molecules contained the stable isotope. When white campion flowers were treated with the phenylalanine ammonia lyase inhibitor 2-aminoindan-2-phosphonic acid, guaiacol and veratrole levels were reduced by 50% and 63%, respectively. Feeding with benzoic acid (BA) or salicylic acid (SA) increased veratrole emission 2-fold, while [(2)H5]BA and [(2)H6]SA feeding indicated that the benzene ring of both guaiacol and veratrole is derived from BA via SA. We further report guaiacol O-methyltransferase (GOMT) activity in the flowers of white campion. The enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity, and the peptide sequence matched that encoded by a recently identified complementary DNA (SlGOMT1) from a white campion flower expressed sequence tag database. Screening of a small population of North American white campion plants for floral volatile emission revealed that not all plants emitted veratrole or possessed GOMT activity, and SlGOMT1 expression was only observed in veratrole emitters. Collectively these data suggest that veratrole is derived by the methylation of guaiacol, which itself originates from phenylalanine via BA and SA, and therefore implies a novel branch point of the general phenylpropanoid pathway.
New liquid crystal materials enabling revolutionary display devices

The Display and Beam Steering Thrust of the AFOSR Liquid Crystal MURI addressed key materials and device technology issues affecting performance of liquid crystal (LC) electro-optic (EO) devices, particularly device structures useful in information Displays and for Laser Beam Steering and Switching. Two basic themes were development of bulk LCs having high performance characteristics (nematic LCs, and chiral smectic LC devices having analog response), and development of novel LC electro-optic structures. Research on novel device structures led to advances in LC alignment and on photonic band-gap materials.
Mid-infrared complex refractive indices for oleic acid and optical properties of model oleic acid/water aerosols

Frequency-dependent, complex refractive indices for oleic acid in the mid-infrared have been retrieved from aerosol extinction spectroscopy from 750 to 5000 cm(-1). The major absorption bands can be attributed to the relevant vibrational modes of the acid, including those that originate with the hydrogen bond induced dimerization through the carboxylic group. The newly reported indices for oleic acid are used to investigate the optical properties of model core-shell aerosols formed by coating a water droplet with a layer of oleic acid. The ability of a non-linear least-squares program to retrieve the structural parameters for core-shell particles is also explored. The initial results indicate that these parameters can be determined for such aerosols as long as the particles give rise to a sufficient amount of scattering in their extinction spectra. Low-scattering spectra, however, can yield suspicious results. Some limits on the application of the retrieval procedure to particles observed in the field are also discussed.
Boundary layer separation singularities for an upstream moving wall

The possible singular structure of a steady boundary layer at separation for a regularly prescribed outer flow and an upstream moving wall is examined. By means of a family of similar solutions it is shown that a consistent description can indeed accomodate the flattening of the velocity profile at flow reversal postulated in the so called MRS-model of separation. The conditions in the separated region downstream, being unknown, are reflected in the non-uniqueness of the expansion.
Interaction Style, Problem‐solving Behavior, and Family Problem‐solving Effectiveness

We proposed that an individual's characteristic style of interaction will predict his or her problem-solving behavior and family problem-solving effectiveness. We test this hypothesis for mothers, fathers, and adolescent boys and girls (M age = 12.7 years) in 431 rural families using both warm and hostile interaction styles. One set of videotape coders observed a general family discussion and measured interaction style. A year later, another, independent set of coders observed a family problem-solving task. Family members reported family problem-solving effectiveness immediately following the problem-solving task. The results indicated that a hostile interaction style directly predicted destructive problem-solving behavior and indirectly predicted family problem-solving effectiveness. A warm interaction style related directly to constructive problem-solving behavior and indirectly to family problem-solving effectiveness.
Signal processing using the generalized Taylor series expansion

A new orthonormal basis function, called the generalized Taylor series expansion is presented. The authors show that the expansion is obtainable for a large class of functions. The expansion is performed about another function rather than a point, which is the case of ordinary Taylor series. The root function can be tailored to be similar to the desired function. The dilated and translated version of a signal can also be expanded. Finally, this expansion is used in an adaptive signal or function identification scheme. >
Faster sequencers, larger datasets, new challenges

A report on the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) meeting, Marco Island, Florida, USA, 15-18 February 2012.
The Revolt Against Cultural Authority: Power/Knowledge as an Assumption in Organization Theory

Foucault-inspired organization theory has interpreted the Enlightenment effort to make reason the foundation for human freedom as a failure. Reason is seen as developing into "disciplinary knowledge," which dominates modern organizations and the individuals who live and work in them. In fact, the individual's very identity is the means by which the individual is enslaved. Knowledge is thus seen as nowhere separate from power. In this essay, I will use a concept of traditional authority to examine Foucault-inspired organization theory and its power/knowledge conceptual framework in terms of their ethical and cultural implications. This will include Foucault's influence on both the literature in critical organization theory and postmodern organization theory. My approach will highlight the Foucault-inspired misinterpretation of the effect of the Enlightenment on modem organizations, its rejection of the authority of the past as a basis for moral order, and its impossible attempt to find "freedom" through th...
Direct Transition Memory and its Application in Computer Design

This paper investigates a potential application of microprogrammable memories to the problem of sequential network synthesis and computer design. It is shown that by allowing a controllable amount of memory redundance, a microprogrammed emulation of a state table can be organized such that decision branches in the microprogram are achieved in an immediate multiport manner, without the need of additional branch steps in the microprogram, thus increasing operational speed. A design technique is developed which, for a given state table, allows a minimum number of memory address variables to be used while minimizing the dependence of the variables on both the input and current state information. This technique has immediate practical application in the design of sequential networks, and is shown to be feasible in the controller design of a general purpost computer.
The 1995 HEV challenge: Results and technology summary

The objective of this paper is to analyze and summarize the performance results and the technology used in the 1995 Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Challenge. Government and industry are exploring hybrid electric vehicle technology to significantly improve fuel economy and reduce emissions of the vehicles without sacrificing performance. This last in a three-year series of HEV competitions provided the testing grounds to evaluate the different approaches of 29 universities and colleges constructing HEVS. These HEVs competed in an affay of events, including: acceleration, emissions testing, consumer acceptance, range, vehicle handling, HVAC testing, fuel economy, and engineering design. The teams also documented the attributes of their vehicles in the technical reports. The strategies and approaches to HEV design are analyzed on the basis of the data from each of the events. The overall performance for promising HEV approaches is also examined. Additional significant design approaches employed by the teams are presented, and the results from the events are discussed.
Blind ethics: Closing one’s eyes polarizes moral judgments and discourages dishonest behavior

Four experiments demonstrate that closing one's eyes affects ethical judgment and behavior because it induces people to mentally simulate events more extensively. People who considered situations with their eyes closed rather than open judged immoral behaviors as more unethical and moral behaviors as more ethical. In addition, considering potential decisions with closed eyes decreased stated intentions to behave ethically and actual self-interested behavior. This relationship was mediated by the more extensive mental simulation that occurred with eyes closed rather than open, which, in turn, intensified emotional reactions to the ethical situation. We discuss the implications of these findings for moral psychology and ethical decision making.
Liquid mixing in a tapered fluidized bed

L'etude experimentale permet de determiner la dispersion axiale, les temps de sejour et la fraction de vide dans un lit de forme conique (2,54 cm→7,62 cm de diametre) contenant des particules de charbon (0,025 cm) et de verre (0,053 cm)
Serum folate and chronic disease risk: findings from a cohort of United States adults

We examined the effect of serum folate concentration on mortality and chronic disease incidence in a nationally representative sample of 3059 adults of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study who were first examined from 1971 through 1975 and who were followed for about 19 years through 1992. Proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios for the lowest quintile of serum folate compared with the highest quintile for selected causes of death and disease incidence. Results The hazards ratio for all-cause mortality was 1.18 (95% CI : 0.91-1.52); for mortality for diseases of the circulatory system, 1.31 (95% CI : 0.82-2.12); and for cancer mortality, 0.99 (95% CI : 0.46-2.11). The hazard ratio for incidence of diseases of the circulatory system was 1.04 (95% CI : 0.86-1.26); and for cancer incidence, 1.00 (95% CI : 0.61-1.66). The hazards ratio for all-cause mortality was 1.26 (95% CI : 1.01-1.57) for participants with a serum folate of <9.3 nmol/1 compared with other participants. Conclusions Low levels of serum folate may be associated with mortality from all-causes and cardiovascular disease. However, the study lacked power to adequately examine the association between folate and disease-specific endpoints. Additional studies, using serum and other measures of folate nutritional status, are needed to examine the relationship between folate nutrition and other more specifically defined health outcomes.
Waterfowl Ecology and Avian Influenza in California: Do Host Traits Inform Us About Viral Occurrence?

SUMMARY. We examined whether host traits influenced the occurrence of avian influenza virus (AIV) in Anatidae (ducks, geese, swans) at wintering sites in California’s Central Valley. In total, 3487 individuals were sampled at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and Conaway Ranch Duck Club during the hunting season of 2007–08. Of the 19 Anatidae species sampled, prevalence was highest in the northern shoveler (5.09%), followed by the ring-necked duck (2.63%), American wigeon (2.57%), bufflehead (2.50%), greater white-fronted goose (2.44%), and cinnamon teal (1.72%). Among host traits, density of lamellae (filtering plates) of dabbling ducks was significantly associated with AIV prevalence and the number of subtypes shed by the host, suggesting that feeding methods may influence exposure to viral particles.
The semantics of proactive communication acts among team-based agents

Psychological studies about human teamwork have shown that members of an effective team can often anticipate needs of other teammates, and choose to assist teammates through appropriate ways. However the fulfillment of help behaviors among teammates is subject to team members' understanding of the underpinning communicative acts performed by individual agents. By extending the mental state analysis of performatives initiated by Cohen and Levesque (1990), we focus this paper on analyzing a missing class of performatives -proactive performatives, which are prevalently used by individual agents to exchange information among teammates.
Critical currents and pinning mechanisms in Chevrel-phase superconductors: materials science issues

Critical current densities and pinning mechanisms in lead (PMS) and tin (SMS) molybdenum sulfides are reviewed with the emphasis on materials science problems. In both compounds, pinning at grain boundaries is dominant only in fine-grained materials and in the low-field regime. In coarser grained materials, additional pinning behaviors (the maximum pinning force density F/sub p/ at the reduced field b/sub m/=0.4-0.55 and 0.7) are reproducibly observed and can be related to pinning at intragrain defects (planar defects, oxide precipitates, and point-like defects). The difference in the critical currents in PMS and SMS is discussed and related to the difference in the extent of stress-induced structural transformation at grain boundaries.
Essential Roles of Snf5p in Snf-Swi Chromatin Remodeling In Vivo

Snf-Swi, the prototypical ATP-dependent nucleosome-remodeling complex, regulates transcription of a subset of yeast genes. With the exception of Snf2p, the ATPase subunit, the functions of the other components are unknown. We have investigated the role of the conserved Snf-Swi core subunit Snf5p through characterization of two conditional snf5 mutants. The mutants contain single amino acid alterations of invariant or conserved residues that abolish Snf-Swi-dependent transcription by distinct mechanisms. One mutation impairs Snf-Swi assembly and, consequently, its stable association with a target promoter. The other blocks a postrecruitment catalytic remodeling step. These findings suggest that Snf5p coordinates the assembly and nucleosome-remodeling activities of Snf-Swi.
Two-point description of two-fluid turbulent mixing—II. Numerical solutions and comparisons with experiments

Abstract The spectral turbulence transport model from part I of these two articles is compared with experiments of the late stages of turbulent mixing due to Rayleigh–Taylor instability, when the dynamics become approximately self-similar in response to a constant body force. We also examine the spectral dynamics of the flow immediately following a rapid transient in the body force. Generic forms for anisotropic spectral structure are described and then used as a basis for deriving spectrally integrated moment equations that can be more easily incorporated into computer codes for scientific and engineering analyses. We describe comparisons with experiments of this spectral formulation and indicate directions for refinement, analogous to those that are required for constant density turbulence transport.
Pituitary Follicle Stimulating Hormone in Vivo and Ovarian Development in the Infant Rat

The beginning appearance of FSH in the pituitary glands of infant female rats was (observed by means of the fluorescent antibody technique. The presence of endogenous FSH was detected by analysis of the ovarian development Which followed injections of HCG. Rats younger than 18 days old did not show marked development of ovarian follicles although the ovarian Weights were increased; this depended on the deyelopment of the ovarian interstitial tissue by Administration of HCG. However, not only the interstitial tissue but the ovarian follicles were remarkably stimulated by injection of HCG After the rats were 19 days old, and especially at 21 days of age. Antiserum to FSH inhibited the ovarian follicle development but not the development of the interstitial tissue in response to the administration of HCG. Consequently, the authors assumed that an alteration of ovarian behavior in response to HCG would be due to the augmentation of endogenous FSH with HCG, and an active secretion of pituitary FSH starting at ...
Systematic and statistical error in histogram-based free energy calculations.

A common technique for the numerical calculation of free energies involves estimation of the probability density along a given coordinate from a set of configurations generated via simulation. The process requires discretization of one or more reaction coordinates to generate a histogram from which the continuous probability density is inferred. We show that the finite size of the intervals used to construct the histogram leads to quantifiable systematic error. The width of these intervals also determines the statistical error in the free energy, and the choice of the appropriate interval is therefore driven by the need to balance the two sources of error. We present a method for the construction of the optimal histogram for a given system, and show that the use of this technique requires little additional computational expense. We demonstrate the efficacy of the technique for a model system, and discuss how the principles governing the choice of discretization interval could be used to improve extended sampling techniques.
Transvascular intracardiac applications of a miniaturized phased-array ultrasonic endoscope. Initial experience with intracardiac imaging in piglets.

BACKGROUND Recent advances in miniaturization of phased-array and mechanical ultrasound devices have resulted in exploration of alternative approaches to cardiac and vascular imaging in the form of transesophageal or intravascular imaging. Preliminary efforts in adapting phased-array endoscopes designed for transesophageal use to a transvascular approach have used full-sized phased-array devices introduced directly into the right atrium in open-chested animals. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using a custom-made, very small phased-array endoscope for intracardiac imaging introduced intravascularly through a jugular venous approach in young piglets. METHODS AND RESULTS Experimental atrial septal defects created in four piglets (3-4 weeks old) had been closed with a buttoned atrial septal defect closure device consisting of an occluder in the left atrium and a counteroccluder in the right atrium. Five to 15 days after atrial septal defect closure, the piglets were returned to the experimental laboratory, where a 6.3-mm, 17-element, 5-MHz phased-array probe mounted on a 4-mm endoscope was introduced through a cutdown incision of the external jugular vein and advanced to the right atrium. From the right atrium all four cardiac chambers, their inflows and outflows, and all four valves were well imaged with minimal superior and inferior rotation. High-resolution imaging of the atrial septum defined with anatomical accuracy, later verified by autopsy, the exact placement of both the occluder and counteroccluder in the left and right sides of the atrial septal defects and the absence of any shunting across the atrial septum in any of the four animals. CONCLUSIONS Our efforts indicate that transvascular passage of small phased-array probes can be easily accomplished and is a promising technique for detailed visualization of cardiac structures. This approach may provide an alternative to transesophageal echocardiography, particularly for guiding interventional procedures such as placement of transcatheter closure devices in pediatric patients.
Covariance matrix self-adaptation evolution strategies and other metaheuristic techniques for neural adaptive learning

A covariance matrix self-adaptation evolution strategy (CMSA-ES) was compared with several metaheuristic techniques for multilayer perceptron (MLP)-based function approximation and classification. Function approximation was based on simulations of several 2D functions and classification analysis was based on nine cancer DNA microarray data sets. Connection weight learning by MLPs was carried out using genetic algorithms (GA–MLP), covariance matrix self-adaptation-evolution strategies (CMSA-ES–MLP), back-propagation gradient-based learning (MLP), particle swarm optimization (PSO–MLP), and ant colony optimization (ACO–MLP). During function approximation runs, input-side activation functions evaluated included linear, logistic, tanh, Hermite, Laguerre, exponential, and radial basis functions, while the output-side function was always linear. For classification, the input-side activation function was always logistic, while the output-side function was always regularized softmax. Self-organizing maps and unsupervised neural gas were used to reduce dimensions of original gene expression input features used in classification. Results indicate that for function approximation, use of Hermite polynomials for activation functions at hidden nodes with CMSA-ES–MLP connection weight learning resulted in the greatest fitness levels. On average, the most elite chromosomes were observed for MLP ($${\rm MSE}=0.4977$$ ), CMSA-ES–MLP (0.6484), PSO–MLP (0.7472), ACO–MLP (1.3471), and GA–MLP (1.4845). For classification analysis, overall average performance of classifiers used was 92.64% (CMSA-ES–MLP), 92.22% (PSO–MLP), 91.30% (ACO–MLP), 89.36% (MLP), and 60.72% (GA–MLP). We have shown that a reliable approach to function approximation can be achieved through application of MLP connection weight learning when the assumed function is unknown. In this scenario, the MLP architecture itself defines the equation used for solving the unknown parameters relating input and output target values. A major drawback of implementing CMSA-ES into an MLP is that when the number of MLP weights is large, the $${{\mathcal{O}}}(N^3)$$ Cholesky factorization becomes a bottleneck for performance. As an alternative, feature reduction using SOM and NG can greatly enhance performance of CMSA-ES–MLP by reducing $$N.$$ Future research into the speeding up of Cholesky factorization for CMSA-ES will be helpful in overcoming time complexity problems related to a large number of connection weights.
Volumetric vascular brain imaging in small animals with near-infrared optical tomography

We performed three-dimensional optical tomographic brain imaging studies on small animals. Using near-infrared continuous light to probe rat brains, we were able to test our diffuse optical tomographic reconstruction algorithm. The preliminary experimental results focused on visualizing the hemodynamics in the rat head in response to perturbations in the inspired CO/sub 2/ concentration. Good agreement with observed and known physiological phenomena was obtained.
Travel Times of PKP in the Range 115°≤Δ≤ 140°

Summary Approximately 500 observations of PKP in the range 115°≤Δ≤ 140° have been statistically examined to yield a set of empirical travel times. Observations for the DE branch (PKIKP) fit the form t= 9092.5 s + 1.876Δ later by 1.8 to 1.0 s than the corresponding times given by Jeffreys & Bullen. The mean residual of all observations of PKIKP from nuclear explosions, including recent data from Longshot, against the empirical times does not significantly differ from zero emphasizing that average PKIKP times for a reference Earth are now satisfactorily known. In the interval 125° < Δ < 140° observations preceding the DE branch satisfy the relation t= 1145.0 + 2.2(Δ-132.5°) with a large standard error; these observations probably correspond to one or more precursor branches to the DE branch.
Implementing a User-Driven Online Quality Improvement Toolkit for Cancer Care

A combination of user-driven tool creation and centralized toolkit development seems to be effective for leveraging health information technology to spread disease-specific quality improvement tools within an integrated health care system.
Supersymmetric regularization, two-loop QCD amplitudes, and coupling shifts

We present a definition of the four-dimensional helicity (FDH) regularization scheme valid for two or more loops. This scheme was previously defined and utilized at one loop. It amounts to a variation on the standard 't Hooft-Veltman scheme and is designed to be compatible with the use of helicity states for ''observed'' particles. It is similar to dimensional reduction in that it maintains an equal number of bosonic and fermionic states, as required for preserving supersymmetry. Supersymmetry Ward identities relate different helicity amplitudes in supersymmetric theories. As a check that the FDH scheme preserves supersymmetry, at least through two loops, we explicitly verify a number of these identities for gluon-gluon scattering (gg {yields} gg) in supersymmetric QCD. These results also cross-check recent non-trivial two-loop calculations in ordinary QCD. Finally, we compute the two-loop shift between the FDH coupling and the standard {bar M}{bar S} coupling, {alpha}{sub s}. The FDH shift is identical to the one for dimensional reduction. The two-loop coupling shifts are then used to obtain the three-loop QCD {beta} function in the FDH and dimensional reduction schemes.