cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Financial Adaptation to Climate Change via Public Interest Weather Derivatives and Catastrophe Bonds in the Wake of the Financial Meltdown

Anthropogenic climate change is rapidly becoming one of the most pressing and troublesome sources for systemic risk in the global economy. The potential impacts on developed and especially developing economies necessitates the employment of cutting edge and specifically tailored financial solutions to transfer various climatic risks to those in the capital markets who could bear them most economically. In the wake of the recent financial meltdown, however, risk transferring financial technology faces increased skepticism and suspicion with respect to its capability to reduce systemic risks. Rather, financial engineering is blamed for increasing systemic risks, as evidenced by the contribution of collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) and credit default swaps (CDS) to the evolution of the subprime crisis and the collapse of major financial institutions. Given the structuring similarities between catastrophe bonds and CDOs on the one hand, and between Over-The-Counter (OTC) weather derivatives and CDS on the other, two main questions must urgently be addressed: (1) whether the root causes for the recent financial crisis also apply to and call into question climatic risk shifting technology, and (2) what inherent drawbacks, if any, in Cat bonds and OTC weather derivatives should be addressed in order to lower the likelihood of a “climate bubble.” Shedding light on these key questions will contribute to the debate surrounding the future regulatory landscape of risk shifting financial technology in general, and that of climatic risk transfer in particular.
Joint Localization of Events and Sources in Social Networks

Recent sensor network literature investigated the use of social networks as sensor networks, and formulated a physical event localization problem from social network data. This paper improves on the above results by formulating a joint localization problem of events and sources, leveraging the fact that sources on social networks often have a location affinity: They tend to comment more on events in their locations of interest. While social networks, such as Twitter, do not offer source location information for the majority of sources, we show that our algorithms for jointly inferring source and event location significantly improve localization quality by mutually enhancing location estimation of both events and sources. We evaluate the performance of our algorithm both in simulation and using Twitter data about current events. The results show that joint inference of source and event location allows us to localize many more of the events identified in real-world datasets.
Measles Virus Infection Synergizes with IL-4 in IgE Class Switching

Increasing evidence suggests that viral infections are associated with the induction and exacerbation of asthma. One characteristic of human asthma is an increase in the levels of circulating IgE. Previous studies have shown that circulating IgE levels are elevated during the early phase of infection with measles virus (MV). We have shown previously that one mechanism by which viral infections can increase IgE levels is via an induction of IgE class switching through the activation of the antiviral protein kinase (dsRNA-activated protein kinase), leading to the activation of multiple NF-κB complexes. Therefore, to determine whether infection with MV can also induce IgE class switching, we infected the human Ramos B cell line with the Edmonston strain of MV. Infecting Ramos cells with MV did not result directly in either the activation of dsRNA-activated protein kinase or IgE class switching. However, a synergistic effect on IgE class switching was observed when Ramos cells were infected with MV before IL-4 treatment. Ab cross-linking of the MV receptor, CD46, mimicked the effects of MV infection in synergizing with IL-4 to induce IgE class switching, suggesting that viral hemagglutinin is involved in this synergistic effect. These data provide the first indication of a potential mechanism for MV-induced IgE up-regulation and suggest a model for a viral-induced exacerbation of IgE-mediated disorders such as asthma.
Broader autism phenotype: Evidence from a family history study of multiple-incidence autism families

Objective: Studies of families ascertained through a single autistic proband suggest that the genetic liability for autism may be expressed in nonautistic relatives in a phenotype that is milder but qualitatively similar to the defining features of autism. The objective of this study was to examine behaviors that may define this broader phenotype in relatives ascertained through two autistic siblings. Method: The authors used a semistructured family history interview to compare the rates of social and communication deficits and stereotyped behaviors in relatives ascertained through two autistic siblings (families with multiple-incidence autism; 25 families) with the rates in relatives of Down syndrome probands (30 families). Results: Higher rates of social and communication deficits and stereotyped behaviors were found in the relatives in the families with multiple-incidence autism. Conclusions: These data suggest that further studies should be undertaken to delineate the boundaries of the broader autism phenotype and that this broader phenotype should be included in some future genetic analyses of this disorder. (Am J Psychiatry 1997; 154:185‐190)
A Review of: ““Doing School”: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students”

Liberal Jewish high schools provide an alternative to public and secular private schooling, one that envisions a unique educational setting rooted in Jewish values and a love of learning. The basic...
Myocardial work load is a major determinant of norepinephrine-induced left ventricular dysfunction.

This study was conducted to determine whether increased myocardial energy demand plays a role in norepinephrine (NE)-induced left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. A range of arterial pressure-heart rate (P-R) products (myocardial energy demand) was produced in both conscious and pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized rabbits with the same dose of NE (10 micrograms priming bolus plus 2.5 micrograms.kg-1 x min-1 for 2.5 h). After NE treatment, LV function was evaluated in vitro and found to be markedly diminished in the rabbits that had an elevated P-R product. In contrast, LV function was not significantly affected when the P-R product was maintained near control levels during NE treatment. In separate experiments, rabbit hearts were isolated and exposed to NE (10,000 or 50,000 pg/ml) for 2.5 h under low P-R product conditions. These hearts exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in LV function that was modest compared with that observed in rabbits that had elevated P-R products during in vivo NE treatment. Our results suggest that high concentrations of NE may cause modest degrees of LV dysfunction independently of increases in myocardial energy demand, but the LV dysfunction is exacerbated when myocardial energy demand is elevated.
Neuropathological changes in scrapie and Alzheimer's disease are associated with increased expression of apolipoprotein E and cathepsin D in astrocytes.

Abstract With the rationale that the neuropathological similarities between scrapie and Alzheimer's disease reflect convergent pathological mechanisms involving altered gene expression, we set out to identify molecular events involved in both processes, using scrapie as a model to study the time course of these changes. We differentially screened a cDNA library constructed from scrapie-infected mice to identify mRNAs that increase or decrease during disease and discovered in this way two mRNAs that are increased in scrapie and Alzheimer's disease. These mRNAs were subsequently shown by sequence analysis to encode apolipoprotein E and cathepsin D (EC 3.4.23.5). Using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry to define the cellular and anatomic pathology of altered gene expression, we found that in both diseases the increase in apolipoprotein E and cathepsin D mRNAs and proteins occurred in activated astrocytes. In scrapie, the increase in gene expression occurred soon after the amyloid-forming abnormal isoform of the prion protein has been shown to accumulate in astrocytes. In Alzheimer's disease, the increased expression of cathepsin D also occurred in association with beta-amyloid. These studies reveal some of the molecular antecedents of neuropathological changes in scrapie and Alzheimer's disease and accord new prominence to the role of astrocytes in neurodegenerative conditions.
EFFECTS OF AN INTRODUCED PATHOGEN AND FIRE EXCLUSION ON THE DEMOGRAPHY OF SUGAR PINE

An introduced pathogen, white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola), has caused declines in five-needled pines throughout North America. Simultaneously, fire ex- clusion has resulted in dense stands in many forest types, which may create additional stress for these generally shade-intolerant pines. Fire exclusion also allows fuels to accu- mulate, and it is unclear how affected populations will respond to the reintroduction of fire. Although white pine blister rust and fire exclusion are widely recognized threats, long- term demographic data that document the effects of these stressors are rare. We present population trends from 2168 individuals over 5-15 years for an affected species, sugar pine ( Pinus lambertiana), at several burned and unburned sites in the Sierra Nevada of California. Size-based matrix models indicate that most unburned populations have negative growth rates (l range: 0.82-1.04). The growth rate of most populations was, however, indistinguishable from replacement levels ( l5 1.0), implying that, if populations are indeed declining, the progression of any such decline is slow, and longer observations are needed to clearly determine population trends. We found significant differences among population growth rates, primarily due to variation in recruitment rates. Deaths associated with blister rust and stress (i.e., resource competition) were common, suggesting significant roles for both blister rust and fire exclusion in determining population trajectories. Data from 15 prescribed fires showed that the immediate effect of burning was the death of many small trees, with the frequency of mortality returning to pre-fire levels within five years. In spite of a poor prognosis for sugar pine, our results suggest that we have time to apply and refine management strategies to protect this species.
Provenance as a Service: A Data-centric Approach for Real-Time Monitoring

Provenance of electronic data is an important piece of the metadata of a data object. Making systems provenance-aware can greatly benefit all parties involved. This paper discusses the importance of data provenance and presents an open cloud architecture named CloudProv, a framework to integrate, model, and monitor the provenance data. Our elastic cloud architecture will provide an open APIs which allows independent organizations to develop applications that can share and integrate provenance data across internal and external organizational boundaries. We propose a method to model the collected provenance information in such a way that can be used for continuous compliance monitoring and for root cause analysis. We have implemented a prototype of our framework, and used it to verify how we can generate a service model for provenance data using a small, but interesting set of data. We present a design of our proposed framework and its components along with a prototype implementation.
Fatigue Resistance of Pole-to-Base plate Connections in High Level Lighting Structures

Fatigue performance of high-mast lighting poles was evaluated by experimental and analytical studies. The existing AASHTO specification for these structures, which is based on nominal stress and derived from the guidelines that are valid for predominantly in-plane stresses or membrane stresses, is often inadequate in designing these structures against service limit state of fatigue. Fatigue performance of the connections in the thin walled tubular structures are controlled by localized secondary bending stress, the magnitude of which depends on the relative stiffness of the connecting elements. Thirty three full size specimens with stiffened and unstiffened socket and un-stiffened groove welded pole-to-base plate connections were fatigue tested to determine the fatigue performance of the connections in finite and infinite life regime. The research results demonstrated that with suitable combination of the geometric parameters, the constant amplitude fatigue threshold of these connections can exceed that of AASHTO fatigue category D for sections widely used in highway high level lighting structures.
Development of a two‐stage, dual‐Arrhenius rheology model for a high‐performance phenylethynyl‐terminated poly(etherimide)

A two-stage, dual-Arrhenius rheology model was successfully utilized to model the isothermal complex viscosity of a phenylethynyl-terminated poly(etherimide) as a function of time and temperature over the experimental temperature range of 325°C to 350°C. Union of the dual-Arrhenius model with a previously developed combination reaction kinetics model provided a chemoviscosity model giving viscosity as a function of degree of cure. A two-stage, versus a single, dual-Arrhenius model was used to accommodate a transition in the reaction process from chain growth to branching and network forming that was found to onset around a degree of cure of 0.37. The reduction in chain mobility brought on by branching and networking was quantified by the almost order of magnitude increase in the apparent activation energy for initial viscosity from the chain growth stage to the networking stage. The calculated apparent activation energies for gelation for the first and second stages, 2.14 × 10 5 J/mol and 2.05 × 10 5 J/mol, respectively, agree well with results presented elsewhere from differential scanning calorimetry measurements. The experimental procedures followed to obtain the rheological data and the construction of the model from these data are described; the predictions of the model are compared with experimental results.
Does reservoir host mortality enhance transmission of West Nile virus

Since its 1999 emergence in New York City, West Nile virus (WNV) has become the most important and widespread cause of mosquito-transmitted disease in North America. Its sweeping spread from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast was accompanied by widespread mortality among wild birds, especially corvids. Only sporadic avian mortality had previously been associated with this infection in the Old World. Here, we examine the possibility that reservoir host mortality may intensify transmission, both by concentrating vector mosquitoes on remaining hosts and by preventing the accumulation of "herd immunity". Inspection of the Ross-Macdonald expression of the basic reproductive number (R0) suggests that this quantity may increase with reservoir host mortality. Computer simulation confirms this finding and indicates that the level of virulence is positively associated with the numbers of infectious mosquitoes by the end of the epizootic. The presence of reservoir incompetent hosts in even moderate numbers largely eliminated the transmission-enhancing effect of host mortality. Local host die-off may prevent mosquitoes to "waste" infectious blood meals on immune host and may thus facilitate perpetuation and spread of transmission. Under certain conditions, host mortality may enhance transmission of WNV and similarly maintained arboviruses and thus facilitate their emergence and spread. The validity of the assumptions upon which this argument is built need to be empirically examined.
The Strength and Radial Profile of the Coronal Magnetic Field from the Standoff Distance of a Coronal Mass Ejection-Driven Shock

We determine the coronal magnetic field strength in the heliocentric distance range 6-23 solar radii (Rs) by measuring the shock standoff distance and the radius of curvature of the flux rope during the 2008 March 25 coronal mass ejection imaged by white-light coronagraphs. Assuming the adiabatic index, we determine the Alfven Mach number, and hence the Alfven speed in the ambient medium using the measured shock speed. By measuring the upstream plasma density using polarization brightness images, we finally get the magnetic field strength upstream of the shock. The estimated magnetic field decreases from approximately 48 mG around 6 Rs to 8 mG at 23 Rs. The radial profile of the magnetic field can be described by a power law in agreement with other estimates at similar heliocentric distances.
Reflections on a Teacher-In-Role Approach in the Classroom

This project investigates children’s responses to visual communication in an English primary classroom in an EFL context. A teacher-in-role approach was adopted to introduce drama into the classroom. Children of primary school age, from a range of backgrounds, studied English vocabulary and sentences with eight student teachers utilising drama techniques to facilitate the teaching of English. Student teachers designed a play based on a famous tale to attract young learners’ attention and with an interactive approach to learning. The results show that young learners were better able to understand better items of English. Moreover the experiment was of considerable benefit to the eight student teachers in their understanding of pedagogical issues as they grappled with the challenges and implications of using drama and sketch books in the classroom.
A TITRATION SCHEDULE ON A TREADMILL

A technique is presented utilizing a titration schedule to measure performance decrement as a function of continuing heavy muscular exertion. A treadmill is equipped with a reversible motor controlling the velocity control of the treadmill itself. This provides a constant acceleration of the treadmill unless a subject-controlled, spring loaded switch is depressed. If this switch is depressed, the treadmill decelerates at a constant rate. A subject is instructed to walk at maximum rate at all times, controlling the velocity of the treadmill with the switch. A performance record is obtained from a tachometer-generator on the treadmill delivering current to a recorder.
Automatic exposure control and estimation of effective system noise in diffuse fluorescence tomography

A diffuse fluorescence tomography system, based upon time-correlated single photon counting, is presented with an automated algorithm to allow dynamic range variation through exposure control. This automated exposure control allows the upper and lower detection levels of fluorophore to be extended by an order of magnitude beyond the previously published performance and benefits in a slight decrease in system effective noise. The effective noise level is used as a metric to characterize the system performance, integrating both model-mismatch and calibration bias errors into a single parameter. This effective error is near 7% of the reconstructed fluorescent yield value, when imaging in just few minutes. Quantifying protoporphyrin IX concentrations down to 50 ng/ml is possible, for tumor-sized regions. This fluorophore has very low fluorescence yield, but high biological relevance for tumor imaging, given that it is produced in the mitochondria, and upregulated in many tumor types.
Crystal structures of S-HPCDH reveal determinants of stereospecificity for R- and S-hydroxypropyl-coenzyme M dehydrogenases.

Abstract (R)- and (S)-hydroxypropyl-coenzyme M dehydrogenases (R- and S-HPCDH) are stereospecific enzymes that are central to the metabolism of propylene and epoxide in Xanthobacter autotrophicus. The bacterium produces R- and S-HPCDH simultaneously to facilitate transformation of R- and S-enantiomers of epoxypropane to a common achiral product 2-ketopropyl-CoM (2-KPC). Both R- and S-HPCDH are highly specific for their respective substrates as each enzyme displays less than 0.5% activity with the opposite substrate isomer. In order to elucidate the structural basis for stereospecificity displayed by R- and S-HPCDH we have determined substrate bound crystal structures of S-HPCDH to 1.6 A resolution. Comparisons to the previously reported product-bound structure of R-HPCDH reveal that although the placement of catalytic residues within the active site of each enzyme is nearly identical, structural differences in the surrounding area provide each enzyme with a distinct substrate binding pocket. These structures demonstrate how chiral discrimination by R- and S-HPCDH results from alternative binding of the distal end of substrates within each substrate binding pocket.
Voting scheme nonlinearity-based binary composite filter

A voting scheme for the design of composite filter is proposed here. Different types of synthetic discriminant function (SDF) filters, like minimum average correlation energy (MACE), minimum variance SDF (MVSDF), and optimal tradeoff SDF (OTSDF) have been proposed recently for the distortion-invariant recognition. Discretization of these filters is necessary to realize them using the available spatial light modulator (SLM), which limits the efficiency of the continuous domain filters. In this report, we address this SLM-constraint of the composite filter design. Our design starts with a binary SLM. In particular, binary modulation capability of the SLM is incorporated in the composite filter design as a constraint in the form of voting scheme nonlinearity.
Helios mission support

Deep Space Network support of Helios mission operations is discussed. Included is information on the Helios 1, 7th aphelion, Helios 2, 5th aphelion, science experiments, 22-bit error polynomial code (EPC) testing, and other mission-related activities. Mission operations and status are summarized and specific correction commands are described. Special activities and experiments include Faraday rotation data collection and a solar wind tracks experiment.
Evaluation of voltage stacking for near-threshold multicore computing

This paper evaluates voltage stacking in the context of near-threshold multicore computing. Key attributes of voltage stacking are investigated using results from a test-chip prototype built in 150nm FDSOI CMOS. By "stacking" logic blocks on top of each other, voltage stacking reduces the chip current draw and simplifies off-chip power delivery but within-die voltage noise due to inter-layer current mismatch is an issue. Results show that unlike conventional power delivery schemes, supply rail impedance in voltage stacked systems depend on aggregate power consumption, leading to better noise immunity for high power (low impedance) operation for many-core processors.
Development of Decision Model for Selection of Appropriate Timely Delivery Techniques for Highway Projects

On-time project performance is an important goal at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT); pressure from two key constituents—the state legislature and trucking interests—creates an even stronger focus on this goal. Currently, statistics indicate that less than 50% of ODOT projects are completed within their originally contracted time of performance. Further, project delay causes uncertainty about exactly when traffic delays may occur on a given stretch of highway and makes it difficult to alert the public of these delays far in advance. The primary umbrella method used to ensure on-time performance in standard ODOT contracting is liquidated damages. Often this amount is difficult to determine, so the assessment value is usually a matter of some judgment. In practice, liquidated damages is not seen as an effective incentive and is thus rarely assessed. Other contracting and management methods that focus on encouraging on-time performance have been identified but are used sporadically. Implementat...
Adult Adoptees and Their Friends: Current Functioning and Psychosocial Well‐Being*

Adoptees (n = 100) and a matched group of their friends completed measures of psychosocial well-being thought particularly salient for adult adoptees. Results indicated more similarities (life satisfaction, life regrets, purpose in life, intimacy, substance abuse) than differences (connectedness, depression, self-esteem) between the two groups. Adoptees expressed stronger regrets about 75 general than adopted-related issues. Follow-up analyses suggested greater variability within the adoptee than the friend group on several variables; search status helped explain this greater variability.
Severity of Intrathoracic Injuries Associated with First Rib Fractures

Abstract The benign condition of isolated first rib fracture is compared with the severity of intrathoracic injuries resulting from first rib fracture associated with multiple rib injuries. Seventy-five patients with 90 first rib fractures were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 13) included those with isolated first rib fractures and Group 2 (n = 62), those with first rib fractures associated with multiple rib injuries. In Group 1 patients, intrathoracic injuries were mild with no major vascular injuries. Conversely, Group 2 patients sustained severe intrathoracic injury, 58% of them with aortic injury. Stress is placed on early diagnosis, assigning of priority to associated injuries, and early operative intervention.
Uptake of acetazolamide by human erythrocytes in vitro

Abstract The binding of acetazolamide to human erythrocytes was studied in vitro . Blood and plasma samples were analyzed by electron- capture GLC. At 37°, drug equilibrated between plasma and erythrocytes in approximately 40 min. The effect of plasma concentration on the steady-state level of drug within the erythrocytes was examined. Erythrocyte accumulation of acetazolamide appeared to be a composite of two processes: a nonlinear, saturable process and a linear, diffusioncontrolled process. By appropriate linear transformation of the data, estimates of the erythrocyte binding capacity and the dissociation constant for the drug were obtained.
The older orthopaedic patient: General considerations

People older than 65 years are more likely to need elective and emergent orthopaedic surgery compared with younger persons. They also experience significant benefits. Although age-related changes increase the risk of perioperative complications, understanding those changes allows prevention or at least early recognition and treatment when problems arise. Because of comorbidities, older persons take more medications that need to be managed in the perioperative period. Care could be simplified if patients were to bring their medications to the preoperative evaluation. Central nervous system sensitivity to certain pain medications (meperidine and propoxyphene) means that these drugs are best avoided as good alternatives exist (morphine and oxycodone). Adverse reactions to drugs are an important cause of acute confusion (delirium) that often complicates orthopaedic care. Early mobilization after surgery, avoiding certain drugs, avoiding restraints (including Foley catheters), attending to hydration, promoting normal sleep, compensating for sensory disorders, and stimulating daytime activities can prevent delirium. Patients with dementia are more likely to have delirium develop and, like many older people, will present special challenges in communication and decision making. Including family members in discussions may be helpful in ensuring truly informed consent.
Multirate sampling adaptive control and its application to thermal mixing systems

A stable multivariable adaptive control scheme, which uses different sampling rates in different output measurements, is proposed. This control scheme is suitable for the class of multi-input, multi-output systems, G(z) = A −1 (z)B(z), in which A(z) is nearly diagonal, and outputs have separate dominant time constants. Advantages of using multirate sampling are the reduction in computational load and the improvement of system robustness with respect to sampling. Local stability of the closed-loop system is guaranteed by introducing a time-varying deadzone in the estimation algorithm. The results are verified by both simulation and experiment.
Osseous metastasis in medulloblastoma: MRI findings in an unusual case

An 11-year-old boy with a history of medulloblastoma developed blastic osseous metastases. The metastases were detected by noting diffuse areas of low signal intensity within the calvarium on T1-weighted and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) scans of the brain. The MR appearance of osseous metastases in medulloblastoma has not been reported previously. Extraneural metastases in medulloblastoma are relatively rare. The literature is briefly reviewed.
Lattice polynomials of random variables

Abstract In many statistics and reliability theory models the object of interest is a random variable obtained from others by minimum and maximum operations. As a generalization, a random variable Y defined as a lattice polynomial of random arguments was introduced in Marichal [2006. Cumulative distribution function and moments of lattice polynomials. Statist. Probab. Lett. 76(12), 1273–1279] and studied in case of independent identically distributed arguments. Here, the cumulative distribution function of Y (in particular, order statistic) is studied for generally dependent arguments and special cases. A relation (presented in [Marichal, 2006. Cumulative distribution function and moments of lattice polynomials. Statist. Probab. Lett. 76(12), 1273–1279]) between Y and order statistics is proved to hold if and only if the arguments possess “cardinality symmetry”.
Discussion: Inpatient group psychotherapy: Which type of group is best?

Group psychotherapy is frequently a part of inpatient treatment programs. For a number of reasons, the techniques developed for outpatient group psychotherapy with well-functioning individuals may not be applicable in this setting (Kibel, 1978; Klein, 1977; Maxmen, 1973; Yalom, 1983). Problems include: 1) short length of stay and rapid patient turnover; 2) focus on crisis and acute exacerbation of chronic illness; and 3) combination of many modalities with overlapping roles of therapists. A number of authors have suggested strategies to limit disruption by these many boundary crossings and to establish group "integrity" (Kibel, 1978; Klein, 1977; Yalom, 1983). Others have focused on development of techniques for this special patient population (Betcher et al., 1982; Erickson, 1981; Kanas & Barr, 1983; Leszcz et al., 1985; Maxmen, 1978). There is considerably less agreement as to what should be done once the door to the group room is closed for the meeting to begin. In the discussion which follows, I will address the question: What should go on in inpatient groups? I will begin by presenting a framework for addressing the question. Second, I will review the suggestions of the symposium presenters, highlighting areas of consensus and disagreement. Finally, I will suggest avenues for future research.
Internal dynamics of a supramolecular nanofibre

A large variety of functional self-assembled supramolecular nanostructures have been reported over recent decades. The experimental approach to these systems initially focused on the design of molecules with specific interactions that lead to discrete geometric structures, and more recently on the kinetics and mechanistic pathways of self-assembly. However, there remains a major gap in our understanding of the internal conformational dynamics of these systems and of the links between their dynamics and function. Molecular dynamics simulations have yielded information on the molecular fluctuations of supramolecular assemblies, yet experimentally it has been difficult to obtain analogous data with subnanometre spatial resolution. Using site-directed spin labelling and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we measured the conformational dynamics of a self-assembled nanofibre in water through its 6.7 nm cross-section. Our measurements provide unique insight for the design of supramolecular functional materials.
Transforming brain drain into capital gain: Morocco's changing relationship with migration and remittances

Morocco has depended on migration and remittances for much of its economic survival, but recent migration restrictions and decreasing remittance transfers have questioned such a strategy. This article divides Morocco's relationship with remittances into three stages: high hopes for developing Morocco through their investment; a lack of positive results; and a new solution in the free trade agreement with the EU. By examining past Moroccan migration and development policies, this paper addresses agricultural development, changing family structure, return migration and the brain drain, concluding with policy implications for Morocco.
One-dimensional rings of finite Cohen-Macaulay type

Let R be a commutative one-dimensional reduced local Noetherian ring whose integral closure R (in its total quotient ring) is a finitely generated R-module. We settle the last remaining unkown case of the following theorem by proving it for the case that some residue field of R is purely inseparable of degree 2 over the residue field of R. Theorem. Let R be a ring as above. R has, up to isomorphism, only finitely many indecomposable finitely generated maximal Cohen-Macaulay modules if and only if 1. (1) R is generated by 3 elements as an R-module; and 2. (2) the intersection of the maximal R-submodules of RR is a cyclic R-module. Moreover, over such a ring, the rank of every indecomposable maximal Cohen-Macaulay module of constant rank is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 12.
An analog of cell-culture growth

Abstract A formal analogy is drawn between the growth of a cell culture and the amplification process in a regenerative feedback amplifier. Quantitative comparisons between these two systems are given. A relatively simple analog computer is described with which it is possible to study relationships among the growth-rate, initial-state, and doubling-time-distribution functions of the cell culture. The doubling-time distribution function is represented by the impulse response of a filter. The statistical moments of the impulse response can be used in the synthesis of the filter.
Structural alterations of acidic proteins by acid treatment of chromatin

Recent studies into the properties and biological function of the acidic (non-histone) chromatin proteins have utilized inorganic or organic acids to first remove the histones prior to analysis of the acidic proteins. Examination of the effects of the acid treatment on the DNA and acidic proteins by immunochemistry, circular dichroism, and the ability of the DNA to serve as a template in thein vitro DNA-dependent RNA synthesis, has demonstrated a marked structural change (denaturation) in the proteins and DNA after the acid treatment. Other methods of removing histones, e.g., by high salt or salt and urea, are recommended for studies, especially for those of the biological functions, of the DNA and acidic proteins.
Mechanisms of Mycobacterium Avium Pathogenesis

Infections caused by Mycobacterium avium are common in AIDS patients and patients with chronic lung diseases. The bacterium can be acquired both through the intestinal route and respiratory route. M. avium is capable of invading mucosal epithelial cells and translocating across the mucosa. The bacterium can infect macrophages, interfering with several functions of the host cell. The host defense against M. avium is primarily dependent on CD4+ T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Activated macrophages can inhibit or kill intracellular bacteria by mechanisms that are currently unknown, but M. avium can invade resting macrophages and suppress key aspects of their function by triggering the release of transforming growth factor β and interleukin 10. Co-infection with HIV-1 appears to be mutually beneficial, with both organisms growing faster.
Improved flight following through continuous quality improvement.

Abstract Introduction: Flight following is a key component of an air medical transport service's safety program. National standards require conscientious adherence to flight following. EastCare monitored its compliance with internal flight-following requirements for three years. Setting: EastCare is a single-helicopter, hospital-based air medical transport service located in a rural region of the southeastern United States. It has a fulltime staff of flight nurses, pilots and communications specialists. Methods: A continuous quality improvement (CQI) process was initiated to delineate specific areas requiring improvement. These areas were discussed at the air medical service's monthly CQI meetings. Results: In 1989, the communications specialists achieved flight following intervals of ≤15 minutes in 98% of attempts. In 1990 and 1991, the frequency of flight-following intervals of ≤15 minutes were 98.8% and 99.6%, respectively. The CQI process pointed out educational requirements, technological problems and other areas for improvement. Conclusion: The use of a structured CQI process for this service directly contributed to consistently strong compliance in the frequency of flight following.
Banking in the Balkans: the structure of banking sectors in Southeast Europe

Abstract Developments over the last half of the 1990s in the banking sectors of four southeastern European transition countries, namely Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, and Slovenia, are presented with a focus on effective financial intermediation. Legacies of the past and privatization experiences are discussed and their effects on intermediation are considered. Regarding the legacies, the two former centrally planned economies and the two former Yugoslav republics have different histories. Regarding bank privatization policies, Bulgaria and Croatia followed a similar strategy of selling banks to foreigners in the last half of the 1990s. By examining the market structure of banking in all four countries in 2000, we identify persistent legacies with an eye toward analyzing both the lasting effects of legacies and bank ownership. We conclude that foreign ownership is neither a necessary or sufficient condition for effective financial intermediation. We also find that developing the interbank market is paramount to improving intermediation in Bulgaria and Croatia. Finally, we argue that both Croatia and Slovenia are overbanked so that consolidation is a pressing issue, which will be resolved differently in the two countries due to considerable differences in bank ownership.
A Simple Suturing Technique for Laparoscopic Ligation of Vascular Pedicles

We report on the performance of 348 adnexectomies and 35 uterine artery ligations for both benign and malignant disease using a simple laparoscopic suturing technique. Only 5-mm ports are required, and there was no morbidity directly associated with this approach. The procedure can be performed quickly, is relatively inexpensive, and allows hysterectomy and oophorectomy to be performed without bipolar electrocautery.
PCs for AP (EM computation)

An analysis is presented of how the geometrical complexity and electrical size of modeling electromagnetic problems might be expected to increase as computation speed and storage continue to grow. It is assumed that as moderately to massively parallel computers become available, computation bandwidths of 10/sup 16//hour by 1995 and 10/sup 18//hour by the year 2000 can be anticipated. Two key questions are examined, namely how many arithmetic operations are needed to obtain the information sought and how fast these computations can be done on the computers available. >
Comparison of two sampling methods for the Jeffrey pine needle miner, Coleotechnites sp. (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in southern California.

Within and between tree distributions of the Jeffrey pine needle miner, Coleotechnites sp. and its food resource (needles), were investigated on Jeffrey pine trees at three locations in the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California. These data were used to compare sample allocation by the component of variance technique and a method based on the mean crowding relationship. The numbers of samples necessary to estimate the mean at a given precision differed between the techniques in some cases. The mean crowding technique offered several advantages which are fully discussed. A sampling design for the Jeffrey pine needle miner is proposed.
“Road Warriors” on “Hair-Tragger Highways”: Cultural Resources and the Media's Construction of the 1987 Freeway Shootings Problem*

Media constructions of social problems usually rework the claims of activists and other primary claimsmakers. However, the news media acted as primary claims-makers in discovering and reporting the 1987 Los Angeles freeway violence problem. The press drew upon cultural resources in constructing this problem, applying a conventional template for social problems stories and using familiar imagery to depict freeway shootings. The social organization of claimsmaking, as well as contingencies in the histories of individual campaigns, affect the choice of cultural resources used to construct social problems.
Distribution of nickel between copper-nickel and alumina saturated iron silicate slags

The solubility of nickel in slag was determined by equilibrating copper-nickel alloys with alumina-saturated iron silicate slags in an alumina crucible at 1573 K. The experiments were carried out under controlled oxygen partial pressures in the range of 10-10 to 10-8 atm by use of suitable CO-CO2 gas mixtures, and at Fe/SiO2 ratio 1.34. The results showed that nickel dissolves in slag both as Ni2+ (nickel oxide) and Ni‡ (nickel metal), and the relation obtained was: (Wt pct Ni in slag) = (ie33-01) The activity coefficient of nickel oxide (γdgNio) and distribution coefficient of nickel (ANi) is calculated to be 0.375 and 233.3, respectively. γdgNio and ANi are found to be independent of oxygen partial pressures. The presence of alumina increases the solubility of nickel in slags.
Rethinking the Romance: Teaching the Content and Function of Gender Stereotypes in the Psychology of Women Course

To understand the content and function of gender stereotypes, students in a psychology of women course read a typical Harlequin-style romance novel of their choice. They write a paper analyzing its...
Exact optimal solution for facility layout: deciding which pairs of locations should be adjacent

Abstract This paper describes the development of a mathematical model for determining optimum block layout systems utilizing 0–1 integer programming as the optimization component. The objective function is to maximize a weighted sum of adjacent departments. The selected weight is a measure of the flow of material between departments. Developing a set of constraints, and changing the objective function to minimization of adjacency of departments with no interaction, it is shown that the procedure is capable of determining the optimal location in small size problems. To apply it to larger size problems, additional constraints are developed that help reduce the number of iterations for the integer program to converge to an optimal solution.
Curriculum Challenge from the Religious Right: The Impressions Reading Series

The Impressions reading series, which was marketed as a "whole language" program in California, was challenged by parents who charged that it promoted disrespect for parents, satanism, and witchcraft. Case study analysis of the challenges in 22 school districts revealed that the challenges clustered around specific geographic locations and time periods illustrating the political mobilization of religious right groups. Organized teacher support was found to be important in maintaining use of the series, and some teachers perceived the challenges as a test of their professional judgment. Most of the districts where the series was challenged continue to use at least parts of the series. However, the challenges to Impressions were more likely to result in removal of the books than were other challenges in California. The Impressions challenges were found to represent a watershed in the history of textbook adoption.
Death of a President and his Assassin—Errors in their Diagnosis and Autopsies

On July 2, 1881, Charles Julius Guiteau shot President James Abram Garfield in the right flank. The President died because of infection produced by the unsterile fingers and probes repeatedly inserted into the wound. The major complaint of the wounded President was intractable pain in his legs and feet. This symptom failed to alert the doctors to the possibility of vertebral and spinal cord injury. Garfield died with sepsis after 80 days of intense national concern, and for the patient there was psychological, physical, and nutritional deprivation. His autopsy revealed the bullet was not in the pelvis as his doctors had expected, but adjacent to the first lumbar vertebra it had shattered. The trial and execution of Guiteau split the medical community into those that considered him insane and those who felt execution was justified. Guiteau was delusional and his brain revealed chronic inflammation and histological features suggestive of syphilis. At the time, and since, the propriety of the execution has b...
Doubly lexical ordering of dense 0–1 matrices

Abstract We present an algorithm for the doubly lexical ordering problem on a 0–1 i by j matrix which runs in O( ij ) time. This improves the time bounds for determining whether a dense 0–1 matrix is totally balanced, and determining whether a dense graph is strongly chordal or chordal bipartite.
Insulin II gene expression in rat central nervous system

Controversy persists concerning the origin of insulin in the central nervous system. While there has been convincing evidence in vitro to demonstrate the presence of neuronal insulin mRNA, conventional assays have failed to detect the same in whole brain preparations. Here we employed RNAse-protection and sensitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays in attempts to detect insulin I and II mRNAs in rat brains obtained from different developmental stages. The RNAse-protection assay did not detect insulin I or insulin II transcripts in fetal (13 to 21 day gestation) or adult brains. RT-PCR, while detecting low amounts of insulin I transcripts in other extrapancreatic tissues such as the rat yolk sac and fetal liver previously shown to express insulin II, failed to detect insulin I in brain at any age examined. Insulin II mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in fetal, neonatal and adult rat brains, just as in yolk sac, fetal and adult livers. We conclude that while the duplicated insulin I gene is not expressed, the ancestral insulin II gene is expressed in fetal, neonatal and adult rat brains. Our observations support the concept of de novo brain insulin II synthesis beyond the pre-pancreatic stage of embryonic development.
Complexity of expressions allowing concurrency

We study some consequences of the formal language approach to modelling software system behavior for the case of asynchronous, concurrent subsystems. We use the formal language shuffle operation to give an "algebraic" definition of semantics for a simple (structured) concurrent programming language and prove that the use of this operation is necessary. Having established this necessity, we investigate other types of behavioral expressions which use the operation and show that the analysis problem for these expressions is either undecidable or intractable. The results provide some limitations, for example, on the path expression method of system behavior analysis. Our lower bound proofs involve the use of synchronization symbols, which seem to be a formal language analogue of semaphores.