cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for positive Darwinian selection on the hepcidin gene of Perciform and Pleuronectiform fishes

Hepcidin is a small cysteine-rich peptide that plays an important role in antimicrobial activity and in maintaining iron homeostasis in vertebrates. Here we report on the underlying mechanism that maintains high sequence diversities among the hepcidin-like variants of perciform and pleuronectiform fishes. In contrast to mammals, maximum likelihood-based codon substitution analyses revealed that positive Darwinian selection (nonsynonymous to synonymous substitution, ω > 1) is the likely cause of accelerated rate of amino acid substitutions in the hepcidin mature peptide region of these fishes. Comparison of models incorporating positive selection (ω > 1) at certain sites with models not incorporating positive selection (ω < 1) failed to reject (p = 0) the evidence of positive selection among the codon sites of percifom and pleuronectiform hepcidin. The adaptive evolution of this peptide in perciform and pleuronectiform fishes might be directed by pathogens when the host is exposed to new habitats/environments.
Health profiles of younger and older breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND. Over the past several decades, the incidence of prolonged survival after a diagnosis of cancer has increased; however, little is known regarding the long-term health profiles of cancer survivors in general and of breast cancer survivors in particular. To obtain more information concerning the consequences of surviving breast cancer, the authors conducted a large-scale health survey of patients who had been treated for the disease at their institution. METHODS. A descriptive analysis of information was provided by cancer survivors. Of the breast cancer survivors who were studied, 695 women were age 55 years at the time of diagnosis. Their medical and psychosocial responses were analyzed and compared with those of age-matched responders in a national survey. RESULTS. Younger breast cancer survivors received chemotherapy more often than older survivors and were more likely to report memory loss and that cancer had affected their overall health adversely. Several other differences in physiologic and psychosocial characteristics, such as interpersonal relationships, also emerged. CONCLUSIONS. Physiologic and psychosocial differences distinguished younger breast cancer survivors from older breast cancer survivors. The findings of this study suggested that a systematic analysis of cancer survivors is needed to understand their unique health profiles and needs. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Movement of Wh-phrases in Japanese

In this paper, I argue that a certain case of scrambling of Wh-phrases counts as syntactic Wh-movement in Japanese: Specifically, I argue that long-distance scrambling of a Wh-phrase to a clause headed by a [+ WH] COMP behaves exactly like Wh-movement. I defend this hypothesis by showing (i) that such movement lacks LF ‘undoing’ effects, a quite surprising fact considering that scrambling can be freely undone in LF, and (ii) that it exhibits the Superiority effects. This observation provides support for Mahajan's (1990) proposal that long-distance scrambling, unlike local scrambling, is uniformly A′-movement. Further, I show, on the basis of LF undoing effects, that multiple Wh-movement is possible in Japanese, and argue that this fact supports Kuroda's (1988) ‘multiple SPEC’ analysis for the phrase structure of Japanese.
Thermohydraulics in a high temperature gas-cooled reactor prestressed concrete reactor vessel during unrestricted core heatup accidents

Abstract The long term core and primary loop heatup of an HTGR subsequent to loss of all forced circulation has been analyzed using a modified version of the CORCON code. The results indicate that if the liner cooling system is operating, or can be restarted within about 60 h, safe cooldown can be achieved, but significant core damage will occur. Without functioning liner cooling system the core heatup will lead to PCRV concrete degradation and the resulting concrete gas releases will ultimately cause containment building failure after 6 to 10 days.
Stable Isotopes and their Relationship to Temperature as Recorded in Low-Latitude Ice Cores

The potential of stable isotope ratios (18O/16O and 2H/1H) of water from mid- to low-latitude glaciers as a modern tool of paleoclimate reconstruction is reviewed. To interpret quantitatively the ice core isotopic records, the response of the isotopic composition of precipitation to long-term fluctuations of key climatic parameters (temperature, precipitation amount, relative humidity) over the given area should be known. Furthermore, it is important to establish the transfer functions relating the climate-induced changes of the isotopic composition of precipitation to the isotope record preserved in the glacier. This paper presented long-term perspectives of isotopic composition variations in ice cores spanning the last 30,000 years from mid- to low-latitude ice cores. Also presented were on-going calibration studies in Tibet, China and Sajama, Bolivia where the oxygen isotopic ratios (δ18) of precipitation samples collected over several years at meteorological stations have been analyzed to investigate the relationship between δ18O and contemporaneous air temperature. The isotopic composition of precipitation should be viewed not only as a powerful proxy climatic indicator but also as an additional parameter for understanding climate-induced changes in the water cycle, both on a regional and global scale.
Basin hydrologic response relations to distributed physiographic descriptors and climate

The long-term (climatic) hydrologic response of a basin may be quantified using the evaporation efficiency (E/Ep or actual evaporation ratio with potential evaporation) and runoff ratio (R/P or ratio of runoff loss to precipitation). A key question is the degree to which the basin's physiographic features and regional climate can explain or predict these hydrologic response measures. In this paper we present the results from 10 basins in diverse climates and terrains. The long-term hydrologic response is estimated using an equilibrium surface water–groundwater interaction model. We investigate variability between basins with an examination of the relationships between various physical characteristics and the hydrologic properties of basins. Neither climate nor physiography alone can explain observed interbasin variability. Six variables are selected to represent the basins' climate, geomorphology, and lithology, each of which has a conceptual relationship to basin-scale equilibrium hydrology. The parameters include median slope, relief ratio, drainage density, wetness ratio, infiltration capacity, and a saturated zone efficiency index. Two hydrologic variables (runoff ratio and evaporation efficiency) are selected from the output of a distributed hydrologic equilibrium model. We perform a stepwise regression to identify which combinations of variables are valuable in predicting the basin-average hydrologic fluxes. A combination of two variables estimate the runoff ratio with an R2 or explained-variance fraction of 0.76; use of all six variables increases the prediction to an R2 of 0.90. The stepwise regression technique fails to achieve a statistically significant model for evaporation efficiency, but a regression model using all six variables nonetheless achieves an R2 of 0.79. This paper demonstrates that physiographic and climate descriptors can explain a large fraction of basin-to-basin differences in modeled hydrologic response. The case has been built on modeled surface water–groundwater interaction and should next be extended to hydrologic response descriptors derived from observations alone.
Perspectors: composable, reusable reasoning modules to construct an engineering view from other engineering views

Abstract As engineers design, plan, and execute architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects, they construct task-specific views. These views contain information that is structured for their specific tasks. Engineers generally construct these views based on information contained in other engineers' views. Traditionally, engineers have manually constructed these views using pencils and more recently with computational tools like computer-aided drafting (CAD). Manually constructing and integrating views is often difficult, time-consuming, and error-prone. Newer project model approaches attempt to predetermine and automatically construct many useful task-specific views but these approaches are proving difficult to implement due to the multidisciplinary, constructive, iterative, and unique character of AEC projects. Current project modeling approaches lack adequately simple, formal, generic, expressive methods that engineers can use to automatically construct a new dependent view from information in one or many source views. In this paper, we formalize reusable reasoning modules, called Perspectors, which engineers can use to automatically construct a task-specific engineering view, called a Perspective, from other Perspectives. We motivate and retrospectively validate this approach using engineering test cases from the design and construction of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Through implementation of a prototype, we give empirical evidence that engineers can select from a potentially small number of pre-defined, reusable, geometric Perspectors, or program new Perspectors, and easily compose them into directed graph structures, called Narratives, to construct and control the integration of useful dependent geometric Perspectives more quickly and accurately than current practice and theory allows. Perspectors are intended to enable engineers from multiple disciplines to engage in novel, automated, and integrated design and analysis by easily yet formally constructing and integrating Perspectives from other Perspectives.
Motivation for grant writing among academic librarians

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine motivation for grant writing among academic librarians.Design/methodology/approach – Librarians identified as successful grant authors were sent invitations to an online survey.Findings – The data collected were analyzed in the context of existing studies of librarian motivation, especially those relating to academic publishing and entrepreneurship, as well as the theoretical frameworks of motivation, including those of Maslow and Herzberg.Originality/value – Results of the study should be useful to those in the library field interested in grant writing. No previous studies on this topic were located.
Characteristics of Mesoscale Organization in WRF Simulations of Convection during TWP-ICE

Compared to satellite-derived heating profiles, the Goddard Institute for Space Studies general circulation model (GCM) convective heating is too deep and its stratiform upper-level heating is too weak. This deficiency highlights the need for GCMs to parameterize the mesoscale organization of convection. Cloud-resolving model simulations of convection near Darwin, Australia, in weak wind shear environments of different humidities are used to characterize mesoscale organization processes and to provide parameterization guidance. Downdraft cold pools appear to stimulate further deep convection both through their effect on eddy size and vertical velocity. Anomalously humid air surrounds updrafts, reducing the efficacy of entrainment. Recovery of cold pool properties to ambient conditions over 5-6 h proceeds differently over land and ocean. Over ocean increased surface fluxes restore the cold pool to prestorm conditions. Over land surface fluxes are suppressed in the cold pool region; temperature decreases and humidity increases, and both then remain nearly constant, while the undisturbed environment cools diurnally. The upper-troposphere stratiform rain region area lags convection by 5-6 h under humid active monsoon conditions but by only 1-2 h during drier break periods, suggesting that mesoscale organization is more readily sustained in a humid environment. Stratiform region hydrometeor mixing ratio lags convection by 0-2 h, suggesting that it is strongly influenced by detrainment from convective updrafts. Small stratiform region temperature anomalies suggest that a mesoscale updraft parameterization initialized with properties of buoyant detrained air and evolving to a balance between diabatic heating and adiabatic cooling might be a plausible approach for GCMs.
Unilateral epicanthal fold: Diagnostic significance

The dysmorphologic evaluations of 56 children with torticollis and plaglocephaly were reviewed. Half of the children were referred because of the cranial asymmetry, and the remainder because of other structural defects or developmental delay. A unilateral epicanthal fold was present in 22 of 54 fully documented cases (41%). In 78% of these, the fold was ipsilateral to the area of occipital fiatness. Because most infants are examined in an en face position, the presence of a unllateral epicanthal fold should prompt further investigation for a readily treatable torticollis.
EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL IMPURITIES ON GAS SORPTION IN POLYMERIC MEMBRANES. I. POLYCARBONATE AND POLYSULFONE

In recent years, polymeric membranes have been increasingly used in key unit operations such as gas separations. In theory, the performance of a polymeric membrane module depends solely on the chemical structure of the polymer and the feed gas composition. It has, however, been observed that impurities in the feed stream (such as vapors from compressor oils) affect the productivity of the membrane module even at parts per million (ppm) levels. In order to understand the fundamental effects of such trace chemicals, commercial polymers were studied for their solubility and permeability characteristics in the presence and absence of such impurities. Solubilities of N2, O2, CH4 and CO2 were measured in dense homogeneous films at 35°C. Two types of compressor oils were used in doping the polymers at three concentration levels. Results from the solubility data were well described by the dual-mode model for glassy polymers that consists of a Henry's solubility term k D, Langmuir sorption capacity C′H, and an aff...
Weight Optimized Structural and Acoustic Actuators for the Control of Sound Transmission Into Rocket Payload Compartments

The reduction of sound transmission into rocket payload compartments is a challenging application for active control due to the broadband nature of the disturbance, the large structural and acoustic space and the very high acoustic levels required. The exterior acoustic field that drives the payload fairing at liftoff is typically in the order of 145dB and the active control system must be able to counteract this high drive level using lightweight actuators. This paper is concerned with the development of structural and acoustic actuators for this application with the emphasis on maximum output level in the 60–200Hz bandwidth for a given actuator weight. The electromagnetic structural actuators are based on powerful rare earth magnets in a two degree of freedom arrangement. It is shown that a two degree of freedom arrangement allows the output in the bandwidth of interest to be increased over a simple one degree of freedom arrangement. The design is termed a distributed active vibration absorber or DAVA as the second degree of freedom is provided by a light and distributed foam element that allows easy attachment and low stress concentration on the structure. The two degree of freedom arrangement also acts as a natural low pass filter to naturally remove unwanted spillover at higher frequencies. The acoustic component is also based on powerful rare earth magnets, however the two degree of freedom arrangement used for the structural actuator is no longer of interest. The main concern is in the reduction of the speaker and cabinet weight. It is shown that careful design of the speaker and cabinet can lead to large reductions in weight without loss of performance. Data taken from an active control experiment on a large composite cylinder, coupled with data from the characterization of the actuators will be used to determine the total actuator weight needed for control in a typical launch environment.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Vitamin A Toxicosis in the Chick and Turkey Poults

Abstract Susceptibility to vitamin A (vit A) toxicosis was compared in Single Comb White Leghorn chicks, broilers, and turkey poults by giving an aqueous vit A solution of varying concentrations by crop intubation. Results of these studies indicate a differential response to vit A toxicosis within breeds and across species. Pair-fed treatments clearly demonstrated that the effects of excess vit A on bone calicification were independent of anorexia. A comparison between turkey poults receiving either a constant dietary level of vit A or vit A by gavage showed that the latter markedly increased the severity of vit A. toxicosis.
Average effective interdiffusion coefficients and their applications for isothermal multicomponent diffusion couples

Abstract Concentration profiles on either side of the Matano plane in a solid-solid, single phase, ternary diffusion couple can be characterized by average effective interdiffusion coefficients and characteristic depth parameters. The composition at the Matano plane is related to these coefficients and parameters. The present analysis allows the generation of concentration profiles on the basis of error function solutions that exactly reproduce the experimental interdiffusion fluxes at the Matano plane. Furthermore, from a knowledge of the average effective interdiffusion coefficients and the α parameters for one alloy side of the couple, the concentration profiles on the other alloy side may be generated. Therefore, the characterization of concentration profiles by average effective interdiffusion coefficients provides a simple and useful method for representing and generating concentration profiles in single phase multicomponent diffusion couples.
The LLNL multi-user tandem laboratory☆

An FN tandem laboratory, cofunded by several Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Divisions, Sandia Livermore, and the University of California Regents, is now operational at Livermore. The accelerator, formerly the University of Washington injector, has been upgraded with SF6, Dowlish tubes, and a NEC pelletron charging system. A conventional duoplasmatron, a tritium source, and two Cs sputtering sources will be fielded on the accelerator. Pulsed beams will be available from two source positions. The laboratory has been designed to accommodate up to 19 experimental positions with excellent optics and working vacuum. The facility is unshielded with both accelerator and radiological systems under the control of a distributed microprocessor system. Research activities at the tandem include nuclear physics and astrophysics, materials science and characterization programs, and accelerator mass spectrometry for archaeology, biomedical, environmental and geoscience investigators.
The Fourier Transform of the quartic Gaussian exp(-Ax4): Hypergeometric functions, power series, steepest descent asymptotics and hyperasymptotics and extensions to exp(-Ax2n )

The Fourier Transform of a quartic Gaussian, @F(k)=@!"-"~^~exp(ikx)exp(-x^4)dx, is important in the theory of radial basis functions with @f(r)=exp(-r^4). We show that the transform is the exact sum of two generalized hypergeometric functions "0F"2. This implies that @F(k) is an entire function and also gives an analytical form for the power series coefficients of arbitrary degree. Using the method of steepest descent for integrals, we derive the first five terms in an asymptotic series in powers of k^-^4^/^3. Through a simple hyperasymptotic analysis, we show that the magnitude of the error of the optimally-truncated series [''superasymptotic'' error] is Oexp-0.818k^4^/^3. The lowest order approximation, @F(k)~2^7^/^6@p/3k^-^1^/^3exp(-(2^1^/^33/16)k^4^/^3)cos((3^3^/^22^1^/^3/16)k^4^/^3-@p/6) shows that the transform @F(k) is an exponentially-decaying oscillation. We show that the steepest descent method [2,27] (Bender and Orszag, 1978; Miller, 2006) [26,33] (Lauwerier, 1966; Ursell, 1965) can be applied to the transform of exp(-Ax^2^n) for general integer n and give the first two terms. Another theme is that modern computer technology has simplified the steepest descent method. The steepest descent paths can be plotted by merely displaying the contours of the imaginary part of the phase function @J(t) where z@J(t) is the logarithm of the integrand, and z is the large parameter (here proportional to k^4^/^3). The task of inverting w(t) to obtain a series in powers of w for the metric factor dt/dw after the usual change of integration variable can now be done to high order by a few lines of an algebraic manipulation language as illustrated by a short table with the complete Maple code.
Physics of Fracture

The underlying physical bases of present-day fracture theory are examined. It is proposed that the atomically sharp crack should be taken as the cornerstone for modeling propagation processes at the fundamental level. lkansmission electron microscopy evidence is presented in support of this contention. Linear continuum fracture mechanics is shown to have intrinsic limitations in its capacity to describe crack-tip phenomena; a more realistic description is provided by lattice statics, incorporating the picture of a crack as a narrow slit terminated by nonlinear linkage bonds. This description establishes a powerful starting point for understanding and predicting the effects of important crack-tip interaction processes.‘pwo such processes, chemically enhanced slow crack growth and process-zone toughening, are discussed in this light. Finally, the nature of strength-controlling flaws in brittle ceramics is considered, with particular reference to the validity of the widely adopted hypothesis that such flaws may be regarded as true micro-cracks.
Transplantation of adult recipients by single cadaveric kidneys from pediatric donors weighing ≤25 kg can be a reliable option

Summary The evidence in favor of transplanting single allografts from cadaveric pediatric donors into adult recipients is equivocal. This study was performed to assess the outcome of transplantation of single kidneys from pediatric donors weighing <25 kg. Thirty-five adults transplanted by renal allografts from pediatric donors weighing <25 kg were compared with 30 matched recipients of kidneys from adult donors. Donors in study group were aged 4.2 ± 2.1 years weighing 16.0 ± 5.3 kg. In the study group, surgical complications occurred in five of 35 patients, in the control group four of 30. Serum creatinine reached nadir in 47.5 days in study group versus 30 days in controls (P < 0.01). Serum creatinine at 1 and 3 years were comparable in both groups. A 38.9% had proteinuria at 1 year in the study group compared with 22.7% in controls (P = 0.36). One-year graft survival was 91.7% in the study group versus 92.8% for controls. The surgical complications and graft survival in the study group was comparable with that of controls. The incidence of proteinuria may be more frequent, but does not appear to impact graft function. The use of single, as compared with paired, pediatric donor kidneys would allow more patients to be transplanted with equivalent results.
Pion small-angle multiple scattering at energies spanning the (3,3) resonance

Abstract The small-angle multiple scattering of positive and negative pions has been measured for C, Al, Cu and Pb targets throughout an energy range spanning the (3, 3) resonance. The measurements were made using two-dimensional multiwire proportional counters placed in the pion beam. All previous multiple scattering data for electrons and protons as well as these new data for pions are used to recalculate the empirical terms in the Moliere theory of multiple scattering. A second-order Born approximation multiple scattering theory has been devised for spin zero particles. Modified Moliere theory gives a better fit to the experimental data than the second-order Born calculation. Because the updated Moliere theory contains much simpler equations and gives closer agreement with experiment, it is recommended in place of the more sophisticated theory for the interpretation of new experimental data.
“Everybody goes down”: Metaphors, Stories, and Simulations in Conversations

Recent work has shown that many problematic aspects of metaphor use and comprehension can be resolved through an account that includes both relevance and perceptual simulation. It has also been shown that metaphors often imply stories, and that stories are often metaphorical. Previous research on narratives has focused primarily on stories that appear either in formal literature or in structured interviews; this essay focuses on stories that occur as an integral part of conversation. It extends recent work on metaphor comprehension to show how use and comprehension of stories in natural, informal conversations can be usefully analyzed in terms of perceptual simulations. Conversely, it extends previous work on storytelling to reveal the metaphorical element in many stories, and to emphasize the social (bonding through shared enjoyment) as well as informative and persuasive functions of storytelling.
Learning Beyond the Classroom

Education has become a concern bordering on an obsession in most of the industralized world. Its centrality to competitiveness, social inclusion and wellbeing are now widely recognized. But most efforts at reform still divide between efforts to boost the output of an increasingly worn institutional infrastructure, and hype-ridden strategies based on untested use of new technology. This article sets out the major challenges facing education systems, questions their fundamental purpose and then explores avenues to the reinvention of whole systems of learning and teaching.
DYSFUNCTIONAL ATTITUDES AND ATTACHMENT STYLE AMONG CLINICALLY DEPRESSED ADULTS

Previous research has found an association between adult attachment style and symptoms of depression among university students and indicated that this relationship may be mediated by dysfunctional attitudes. The present study represents an initial step toward extending these findings to a clinical sample with more severe forms of depression. A sample of psychiatric outpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (n = 54) completed measures of adult attachment style, dysfunctional attitudes, and depression. An association was found between insecure attachment style and depression severity. This association was partially mediated by dysfunctional attitudes. These findings are consistent with cognitive-interpersonal models of depression that propose that adverse early experiences may contribute to vulnerability for depression through the establishment of dysfunctional attitudes.
Screening for IgG Antinuclear Autoantibodies by HEp-2 Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Assays and the Need for Standardization

We evaluated 5 commercially available HEp-2 antinuclear antibody (ANA) indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assays using patient serum samples from 45 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 50 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 35 with scleroderma, 20 with Sjogren syndrome, 10 with polymyositis, and 100 healthy control subjects. In addition, 12 defined serum samples from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 100 patient serum samples sent to ARUP Laboratories (Salt Lake City, UT) for ANA IFA testing were also examined (n = 372). Standardization among the HEp-2 IFA assays occurred when they exhibited the same titer ± 1 doubling dilution. Agreement of the 5 assays was 78%. Within the specific groups of serum samples, agreement ranged from 44% in scleroderma serum samples to 93% in healthy control subjects, with 72% agreement in the SLE group. Variations in slide and substrate quality were also noted (ie, clarity, consistency of fluorescence, cell size, number and quality of mitotic cells). Along with subjectivity of interpretation, HEp-2 IFA assays are also vulnerable to standardization issues similar to other methods for ANA screening. Patients with autoimmune disease often produce antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) that can be detected by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) techniques using a HEp-2 cell substrate. The ANA test should be ordered only when the patient’s history, symptoms, and physical examination findings are suggestive of a connective tissue disease (CTD). A negative ANA test is thought to rule out systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, a positive result is not specific for CTD. 1-6 The difficulty in diagnosing CTD dramatically increases the number of ANA tests ordered. At ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT, more than 14,000 ANA tests are performed
On the existence of schedules that are near-optimal for both makespan and total weighted completion time

We give a simple proof that, for any instance of a very general class of scheduling problems, there exists a schedule of makespan at most twice that of the optimal possible and of total weighted completion time at most twice that of the optimal possible. We then refine the analysis, yielding variants of this theorem with improved constants, and give some algorithmic consequences of the technique.
"Primum Non Nocere": are we getting carried away?

The practice of “defensive medicine” – the condition of proiding medical services geared toward minimizing the risk of a awsuit rather than benefitting patient careis an ominous concept hat without question affects healthcare across all nations [1,2]. n the present issue of Digestive and Liver Disease, Dr. Elli and coleagues [3] cleverly attempted to evaluate the impact of defensive edicine amongst practicing gastroenterologists in the Lombardy egion of northern Italy. Sixty-four participants filled out questionaires that were distributed at a local gastroenterology conference n 2011 that assessed practice settings, procedural related inforation and the number and types of procedures ordered due to efensive medicine practices. The survey, which included 37.6% f Lombardy’s gastroenterologists, demonstrated that 94% of gasroenterologists reported practicing defensive medicine. This was rrespective of the level of training and experience of the gastroenerologist. When broken down into the types of procedures, 18% f all digestive endoscopies, almost 9% of abdominal ultrasonograhy scans, 12.2% of all consultation and about 5% of all computer omography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies ere requested based on defensive medicine attitudes. Using the 012 regional reimbursement fees, the authors concluded that D ,637,835 were spent on gastroenterological procedures based on efensive medicine practices, or 11% of the cost of all ordered proedures, if all 170 gastroenterologists were to be included. First and foremost, the Authors of the study are to be comended for carrying out such a hefty task of calculating the ealthcare expenditure due to defensive medicine. To date, this ay be the most current published study that evaluates the cost f defensive medicine in a Westernized country in the field of gasroenterology. Second, the authors raise an excellent concern that efensive medicine carries not only financial but likely also psychoogical burdens. Physicians with a VAS score of ≥6 for anxiety due to ossible litigation were more likely to request more defensive proedures. The authors do identify limitations to their study, the main ne being that the study was conducted amongst a very select group f physicians, in a selected field of medicine, in a particular region of orthern Italy that provides its country with the largest GDP. Howver, in the United States, studies by Studdert and colleagues [4] nd the Massachusetts Medical Society [5] have demonstrated that 3% of “high-risk” specialists in the state of Pennsylvania and 83% of assachusetts physicians reported practicing defensive medicine.
Cationic Porphyrins Promote the Formation of i-Motif DNA and Bind Peripherally by a Nonintercalative Mechanism†

Telomeric C-rich strands can form a noncanonical intercalated DNA structure known as an i-motif. We have studied the interactions of the cationic porphyrin 5,10,15,20-tetra-(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphine (TMPyP4) with the i-motif forms of several oligonucleotides containing telomeric sequences. TMPyP4 was found to promote the formation of the i-motif DNA structure. On the basis of (1)H NMR studies, we have created a model of the i-motif-TMPyP4 complex that is consistent with all the available experimental data. Two-dimensional NOESY data prompted us to conclude that TMPyP4 binds specifically to the edge of the intercalated DNA core by a nonintercalative mechanism. Since we have shown that TMPyP4 binds to and stabilizes the G-quadruplex form of the complementary G-rich telomeric strand, this study raises the intriguing possibility that TMPyP4 can trigger the formation of unusual DNA structures in both strands of the telomeres, which may in turn explain the recently documented biological effects of TMPyP4 in cancer cells.
A reliability improvement roadmap based on a predictive model and extrapolation technique

this paper explains the development of a ten-year reliability improvement roadmap for a major distribution utility of the USA. First, a benchmark approach based on a survey of the reliability indices of 21 utilities of the USA and Canada was used to set the roadmap targets. Moreover, a historical outage analysis was performed to identify the main outage causes and potential reliability improvement options. Then, a detailed predictive reliability model was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of a broad set of reliability improvement projects for a pilot study area. Finally, the results of the study area were extrapolated to the utility distribution system by using a novel technique. Here, in order to consider the differences between the study area and the utility distribution system (representativeness error), the main characteristics of each feeder (length, number of customers per circuit mile, percentage of overhead and underground exposure, voltage level, etc) were taken into account. The reliability roadmap results for the utility system are presented and discussed.
Determination of Strain in 10μm Spots using a Microdiffractometer

High strain fields in composite structures can cause failure due to cracking of ceramic or Si or peeling of thin films. With the trend toward smaller devices/packages, geometry effects play a role through stress concentration, and it is therefore, necessary to measure strain in small areas. Examples of strain measurement on test samples from lO?m spots, using an X-ray microdiffractometer, are given and the technique is described.
The Perils of Paradigm Mentalities: Revisiting Kuhn, Lakatos, and Popper

A common theme in the Centennial Issue of the American Political Science Review was how subfields have grown more specialized and insulated from one another. In this essay I argue that this trend has been hastened by the inappropriate incorporation of paradigm mentalities, first presented by Thomas Kuhn and later developed by Imre Lakatos. I show how paradigm mentalities help justify rigid opposition to theoretical alternatives and limit critical insight. While paradigm mentalities may be fitting for disciplines that demonstrate Kuhn's concrete scientific achievements, they constrain the study of political science and international relations in particular. I begin with a primer that compares Kuhn and Lakatos to Karl Popper. Next, I point to harmful consequences resulting from applying paradigm mentalities to the study of international relations. Among these is the tendency to act as if realism has earned the status of a paradigm and then invoke criteria of incommensurability and “subsumption” to deflect criticism. I conclude by discussing how Popper's model of science provides a better platform for the study of politics by encouraging theoretical and methodological pluralism.
Language generation: Applications, issues, and approaches

As computer systems become more sophisticated they must be able to communicate their results successfully to their users. Natural language generation is the area of research concerned with developing methods that will allow a computer system to respond to its user in human language. In this paper, the need for natural language generation is first motivated by showing how it is used in several applications. Given that language generation is necessary for such systems, the paper also focuses on the issues that must be taken into account in developing a system that can generate language. Finally, techniques that have been used in two question-answering systems, the TEXT system [21] and TAILOR [22], are discussed.
Biodegradable arginine-based poly(ether ester amide)s as a non-viral DNA delivery vector and their structure–function study

The goal of this study is to develop a new family of L-arginine based poly(ether ester amide)s (Arg-PEEAs) as non-viral gene delivery vectors and study their structure–biological function relationships. A series of Arg-PEEAs were synthesized by the solution polycondensation reaction of the p-toluenesulfonic acid salt of L-arginine diester from oligoethylene glycol and di-p-nitrophenyl esters of dicarboxylic acids. The structure–function relationship was systematically studied through both the measurements of the fundamental property of the Arg-PEEA–DNA polyplex, like zeta potential and particle size, and various biological assays, such as gel retardation assay, GFP assay and luciferase assay. The introduction of the flexible oligoethylene glycol moiety into the Arg-PEEA backbone significantly increased the polymer chain flexibility, which helped to improve the transfection efficiency of Arg-PEEAs over rigid Arg-PEAs. The transfection results obtained from luciferase and GFP assays from a wide range of cell lines, primary cells and stem cells showed that some Arg-PEEAs had comparable or better transfection efficiency than the commercial transfection reagent Lipofectamine2000®, but at a much lower cytotoxicity.
Endoscopic ultrasonography in the management of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer diagnosis and management has been enhanced with the application of endoscopic ultrasound. The close proximity of the pancreas to the stomach and duodenum permits detailed imaging with intraluminal ultrasonography and staging of pancreatic tumors. EUS directed fine needle aspiration and injection may be successfully employed with patients with pancreatic cancer. Expandable metal stents can palliate patients with obstruction of the pancreaticobiliary tract as well as the gastroduodenum. The efficacy of EUS in the management of pancreatic cancer is critically reviewed.
Characterizations of Minerogenic Particles in Support of Modeling Light Scattering in Lake Superior Through a Two-Component Approach

The role of suspended minerogenic particles in light scattering in eastern Lake Superior and Keweenaw Bay (11 sites) during July of 2006 was evaluated with an individual particle analysis technique (scanning electron microscopy interfaced with automated image and X-ray analyses, SAX), along with bulk measurements of particulate scattering and backscattering coefficients (bp and bbp) and chlorophyll a concentration ([Chl]). SAX measurements provided information on light-scattering attributes of minerogenic particles, including chemical composition and particle size distribution (PSD). The data were used in Mie theory calculations for estimations of minerogenic scattering and backscattering coefficients (bm and bb,m). The bay had higher concentrations of minerogenic particles and higher values of bm, bb,m, bbp, and the backscattering ratio (bbp : bp) than the pelagic sites. Minerogenic scattering was primarily attributable to clay mineral particles in the size range of 1–10 mm. The PSDs deviated from the (Junge) pattern of monotonic increase of particle numbers with decreasing particle size. The estimates of bm and bb,m combined with those of organic particulate components, as represented by empirical Case 1 bio-optical models, showed reasonably good closure with bp and bbp, supporting the credibility of the SAX–Mie approach. Variations in the bbp : bp ratio are strongly related to spatial differences in the relative contributions of phytoplankton vs. minerogenic particles to scattering, with higher values observed where the minerogenic component is more important. SAX can advance the understanding of optical variability by establishing the contributions of well-defined minerogenic constituents that strongly influence optical properties. Light scattering by particles is a fundamental feature of radiative transfer in water and the attendant signal available for remote sensing. Two important metrics of light scattering are the total particulate scattering and backscattering coefficients (bp and bbp ;m 21) that represent integrations over the angular range of 02p ? and p ? /22p ? , respectively, of the volume-scattering function (VSF, b).
An approximation algorithm for a 2-Depot, heterogeneous vehicle routing problem

Routing problems involving heterogeneous vehicles naturally arise in several civil and military applications due to fuel and motion constraints of the vehicles. These vehicles can differ either in their motion constraints or sensing capabilities. Approximation algorithms are useful for solving these routing problems because they produce solutions that can be efficiently computed and are relatively less sensitive to the noise in the data. In this paper, we present the first approximation algorithm for a 2-Depot, Heterogeneous Vehicle Routing Problem when the cost of direct travel between any pair of locations is no costlier than the cost of travel between the same locations and going through any intermediate location.
An integrated incremental self-organizing map and hierarchical neural network approach for cognitive radio learning

In this paper, an incremental self-organizing map integrated with hierarchical neural network (ISOM-HNN) is proposed as an efficient approach for signal classification in cognitive radio networks. This approach can effectively detect unknown radio signals in the uncertain communication environment. The adaptability of ISOM can improve the real-time learning performance, which provides the advantage of using this approach for on-line learning and control of cognitive radios in many real-world application scenarios. Furthermore, we propose to integrate the ISOM with the hierarchical neural network (HNN) to improve the learning and prediction accuracy. Detailed learning algorithm and simulation results are presented in this work to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
Erratum to: Cerebral Microcirculation and Oxygen Tension in the Human Secondary Cortex

Address correspondence to A. A. Linninger, Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 S. Morgan St, 218 SEO, M/C 063, Chicago, IL 60607-7000, USA. Electronic mail: linninge@uic.edu The online version of the original article can be found under doi: 10.1007/s10439-013-0828-0. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, Vol. 42, No. 8, August 2014 ( 2014) p. 1790 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-014-1050-4
Cadmium, methylmercury, mercury, and lead inhibition of calf liver glutathione S-transferase exhibiting selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase activity.

Abstract Non-selenium glutathione peroxidase was isolated from calf liver to approximately 70% of purity (by analytical and sodiumdodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis) by a simple purification procedure. The preparation had a specific activity of 74 units/mg with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate and 14 units/mg with cumene hydroperoxide (COP). Both the peroxidase and transferase activities of the enzyme were markedly inhibited by cadmium, methylmercury, mercury, and lead. Of the various metal ions tested, cadmium was the most potent inhibitor. The nature of the inhibition of the transferase activity by metal ions was noncompetitive with respect to glutathione and CDNB. The peroxidase activity also was inhibited noncompetitively with respect to glutathione and COP. The inhibition constants (Ki) for cadmium, methylmercury, mercury, and lead were calculated to be 2, 4, 6.5, and 9 × 10−5 m , respectively, for the transferase activity and 1.5, 7, 9, and 3 × 10−6 m , respectively, for the peroxidase activity. These findings suggest that metal ion-induced lipid peroxidation may be mediated in part via inhibition of non-selenium glutathione peroxidase activity. In addition, metal ion toxicity may be expressed in part through inhibition of glutathione transferase activity which plays an important role in the detoxification of a broad spectrum of compounds.
Local and average transfer coefficients on a vertical surface due to convection from a piezoelectric fan

Experiments have been performed to determine the local and average transfer coefficients on a vertical surface cooled by a piezoelectric fan. Piezoelectric fan consisted of two plastic blades vibrating back and forth and moving 180 degrees out of phase with each other causing air to be forced radially outwards and toward a nearby vertical surface. The experiments encompassed data runs where local mass transfer measurements were made on the vertical surface for three fan-to-surface separations. The experiments were performed using the naphthalene sublimation technique. Of particular note is the high mass transfer on the surface in the immediate vicinity of the vibrating blades. >
University Registration Systems: A Study of Social Process.

Proposals to computerize registration procedures at a major urban university led to research focused on anticipating potential problems in implementing the new system. Registration was viewed as an act with both technical and social aspects. The data revealed that present technical procedures were not as inefficient as common belief held them to be. An analysis of registration as a social process revealed that present procedures have functional attributes in providing a vehicle for periodic maintenance of institutional cohesion and a rather explicit socialization procedure into the norms and values of the university. Questions are raised as to the repercussions of placing primary value in an efficient operation.
Building better help before we build it: user characteristics' effect on library help design

The goal of this study is to examine the effect of user help seeking characteristics on their perceptions of library help design principles, formats and tools. Structural equation modeling (SEM) of a questionnaire survey results showed a number of significant regression relationships. Analysis of open-end survey questions revealed existing user behaviors such as preferred help formats and likelihood of using a help system.
TVOC: a translation validator for optimizing compilers

We describe a tool called TVOC, that uses the translation validation approach to check the validity of compiler optimizations: for a given source program, TVOC proves the equivalence of the source code and the target code produced by running the compiler. There are two phases to the verification process: the first phase verifies loop transformations using the proof rule permute; the second phase verifies structure-preserving optimizations using the proof rule Validate. Verification conditions are validated using the automatic theorem prover CVC Lite.