cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The developing program on social indicators at the U.S. Bureau of the Census

The Bureau of the Census Fiscal Year 1978 Budget provides funds for the first time for beginning a modest but coordinated effort in the field of social indicators and associated activities. The Bureau, buttressed by the advice and participation of other Government agencies, organizations and individuals outside of the Federal establishment long interested in social indicators, intends to: (1) consolidate and extend the development of the concepts and principles advanced previously relating to social indicators; (2) continue and expand the efforts and communication network established at the Office of Management and Budget, in connection with the preparation of the Social Indicators 1973 and 1976 reports; (3) systematically identify and assemble information sets and bits that are contained in censuses and surveys, household and establishment universes, administrative records, studies and projects capable of contributing to social indicator and social accounting development; (4) establish the basic analytic framework and an orderly set of detailed interrelated social accounts capable of being aggregated or disaggregated to appropriate levels of abstraction; and (5) prepare research and analytic studies and make available information generated from the social indicator and social accounting efforts at the Bureau, subject to limitations associated with confidentiality and copyright provisions pertaining to private sources of information.
Exact surface impedance for a spherical conductor

A spherically concentric model of the earth is employed to obtain expressions for the surface impedance matrix at the surface. It is shown the surface impedance is a function of both the earth's electrical parameter and the source field configuration. In some cases the latter dependence is of minor consequence.
Plant hormones. Transporters on the move.

The hormone auxin is moved across plant cells by transporters called efflux carriers. It now looks as if these carriers behave much more dynamically than had been thought.
17β-Hydroxysteroid oxidoreductases of human fetal and adult tissues: Immunological cross-reactivity with an anti-human placental cytosolic 17β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase antibody

Summary To determine whether the immunological determinants of human placental 17 β -hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase (17 β -HSOR) were present in 17 β -HSORs of tissues of the human fetus and adult and of various non-human cells maintained in culture, western immunoblot analysis was conducted by use of a polyclonal antibody directed against determinants of the placental cytosolic enzyme. Tissues and cells were evaluated for the presence of immunocross-reactive proteins with a relative molecular mass ( M r ) similar to that of placental 17 β -HSOR (∼ 34 000). By use of homogenates of human fetal tissues, immunostaining of 17 β -HSORs of M r ∼34 kDa was detected in trophoblast, fetal adrenal neocortex, fetal zone of the adrenal gland, liver, intestine, kidney, brain, lung, skin, heart, spleen, pancreas, chorion laeve, and, occasionally, amnion. Immunostaining at M r ∼34 kDa also was demonstrated by use of cytosolic preparations of fetal tissues and, in some cases, by use of unwashed microsomal fractions; this protein was either absent or present in almost undetectable amounts in washed microsomes, except for placenta and fetal brain. Immunostaining at ∼34 kDa was demonstrated occasionally in decidua of pregnant women by use of homogenates, but was not detected in endometrium or myometrium of non-pregnant women, testis of an adult man, mouse and rat Leydig tumour cells, mouse and rat adrenal tumour cells, and normal bovine adrenocortical cells.
Provincializing Curriculum? On the Preparation of Subjectivity for Globality

An essay review of“On the Origins of the Educational Terms Class and Curriculum”(Hamilton, D. In B. Baker, Ed., New Curriculum History,pp. 3–20. Rotterdam, the Netherlands: Sense, 1989/2009)andSiam Mapped: A History of the Geo-Body of a Nation(Winichakul, T. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1994)
Legal Pressure and Treatment Retention in a National Sample of Long-Term Residential Programs

This study examined the association between legal pressure and treatment retention in a national sample of 2,605 clients admitted to 18 long-term residential facilities that participated in the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study (DATOS). Hierarchical linear models were used to assess the relationship of background factors and legal pressure with treatment participation for 90 days or longer. Two thirds of the sample entered residential treatment with moderate to high pressure from legal authorities, and they were significantly more likely than the low-pressure clients to stay 90 days or more. Moreover, the difference in retention between moderate-to-high-and low-pressure clients was even greater in programs with proportionally larger caseloads under legal surveillance. The criminal justice system (CJS) can influence treatment participation and retention, and it appears essential for the CJS and treatment programs to maintain an open and constructive relationship to maximize their potential combined impact.
Application of Molecular Genetics in Clinical Practice

Extracted from text ... Editorial Editorial Completion of the sequence determination of the human genome in April 2003 has significantly advanced our understanding of health and disease. An immediate application of this knowledge base involves the development of costeffective molecular genetic tests for more accurate diagnosis, risk assessment and prediction of response to medication. This editorial aims to introduce the family doctor to current applications of molecular genetic testing and the support systems that have been put in place in South Africa to ensure that genetic testing is applied appropriately for improved healthcare delivery and disease prevention. Practical applications of genetic research findings ..
Photothermal optical modulation of ultra-compact hybrid Si-VO_2 ring resonators

We demonstrate photothermally induced optical switching of ultra-compact hybrid Si-VO2 ring resonators. The devices consist of a sub-micron length ~70nm thick patch of phase-changing VO2 integrated onto silicon ring resonators as small as 1.5μm in radius. The semiconductor-to-metal transition (SMT) of VO2 is triggered using a 532nm pump laser, while optical transmission is probed using a tunable cw laser near 1550nm. We observe optical modulation greater than 10dB from modest quality-factor (~103) resonances, as well as a large –1.26nm change in resonant wavelength Δλ, resulting from the large change in the dielectric function of VO2 in the insulator-to-metal transition achieved by optical pumping.
Effect of testosterone propionate on the body weight and skeletal system of hypophysectomized rats. Synergism with pituitary growth hormone

BODY WEIGHT increase and skeletal growth have been reported in normal rats injected with testosterone. Some workers have only been able to demonstrate growth under limited conditions, and others have failed to demonstrate it. Age of animals, sex, dosage and length of treatment seem to have been some of the factors leading to the variable results. Rubinstein and Solomon (1940) found that small doses of testosterone propionate (50 µg. daily) stimulated the growth of normal and castrated male rats, whereas Rubinstein, Abarbanel and Kurland (1939) had earlier found that larger doses (1.0 mg. daily) depressed the growth rate. Shay, Gershon-Cohen, Paschkis and Fels (1941) found that testosterone in general had effects opposite to those of estrogen, that is, stimulated growth and depressed pituitary weight in normal female rats. No effect on growth was observed by them when male rats were injected from birth with 1 mg.
Medical Student-Run Health Clinics: Important Contributors to Patient Care and Medical Education

Despite the popularity of medical student-run health clinics among U.S. medical schools, there is no information about how many clinics exist, how many students volunteer there, or how many patients they see and what services they offer. We describe, for the first time, the prevalence and operation of medical student-run health clinics nationwide. A web-based survey was sent to all 124 Association of American Medical Colleges allopathic schools in the 50 states. Ninety-four schools responded (76%); 49 schools had at least 1 student-run clinic (52%). Fifty-nine student-run clinics provided detailed data on their operation. The average clinic had 16 student volunteers a week, and most incorporated preclinical students (56/59, 93%). Nationally, clinics reported more than 36,000 annual patient–physician visits, in addition to more nonvisit encounters. Patients were predominantly minority: 31% Hispanic; 31% Black/African American; 25% White; 11% Asian; and 3% Native American or other. Most student-run health clinics had resources both to treat acute illness and also to manage chronic conditions. Clinics were most often funded by private grants (42/59, 71%); among 27 clinics disclosing finances, a median annual operating budget of $12,000 was reported. Medical student-run health clinics offer myriad services to disadvantaged patients and are also a notable phenomenon in medical education. Wider considerations of community health and medical education should not neglect the local role of a student-run health clinic.
Effect of thymosin on cellular immunity in old age

Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in a population of 28 well-nourished, disease-free old-age individuals (65--103 years) was compared to that of healthy young adult controls (22--41 years) and the effects in vitro of thymosin fraction 5 (TF5) evaluated. The number of T cells (T cell rosettes, TCR) in the peripheral blood was the same as controls. However, there was a significant depression in lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (p Less Than 0.005). Limiting dilution of the PHA response revealed an inherent defect in the function of those cells that are capable of responding to PHA. The formation of TCR from old-age subjects was similar to controls when incubated with TF5, i.e. there was no enhancement. When TF5 was incubated with old-age and normal control lymphocytes in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), there were significant increases in the responses in both (71 +/- 39% and 64 +/- 52%, respectively; p Greater Than 0.2). There was also a mitogenic effect of TF5 on resting lymphocytes which was significantly greater in the control than in the old-age population (p Less Than 0.002). Our results suggest that in old age: (1) there is no loss in absolute numbers of T lymphocytes; (2) there is a defect in the ability of individual lymphocytes to function; and (3) the response of lymphocytes in vitro to TF5 in forming TCR and in the MLR is statistically similar to young adult controls, and suggests that the decline in CMI with age is not due to a loss of thymosin-responsive cells.
Patient-controlled analgesia:patient and nurse satisfaction with intravenous delivery systems and expected satisfaction with transdermal delivery systems

ABSTRACTObjective: To compare patient and nurse satisfaction with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) to their prospective satisfaction with patient-controlled transdermal delivery system (PCTS) technology.Methods: Nationwide samples of 301 nurses (200 medical-surgical, 101 post-anesthesia care units) and 500 surgery patients (192 abdominal, 119 gynecological, 189 orthopedic) completed self-administered, Internet-based questionnaires. Respondents indicated satisfaction with attributes of IV‐PCA and, after reading a description of PCTS, indicated prospective satisfaction with comparable attributes. Within patient and nurse samples, half rated IV-PCA first (and later re-rated overall satisfaction) and half rated PCTS first. Paired comparison t-tests were used to determine significant differences in satisfaction for IV‐PCA and PCTS attributes.Results: Nurses reported significantly higher satisfaction with PCTS for patient and nurse ease of use, safety, and tolerability ( p < 0.001 for all); and...
An evolutionarily conserved dileucine motif in Shal K + channels mediates dendritic targeting

The molecular mechanisms underlying polarized sorting of proteins in neurons are poorly understood. Here we report the identification of a 16 amino-acid, dileucine-containing motif that mediates dendritic targeting in a variety of neuronal cell types in slices of rat brain. This motif is present in the carboxy (C) termini of Shal-family K+ channels and is highly conserved from C. elegans to humans. It is necessary for dendritic targeting of potassium channel Kv4.2 and is sufficient to target the axonally localized channels Kv1.3 and Kv1.4 to the dendrites. It can also mediate dendritic targeting of a non-channel protein, CD8.
An integrated methodology for manufacturing systems design using manual and computer simulation

Traditional approaches to manufacturing systems design utilize a sequential procedure that focuses on production capacity requirements, with human operator task design developed late in the systems design phase. Implementing manufacturing systems in this way is difficult when operations management must design flexible and efficient processes, with an often incomplete understanding of how people can best perform within the system. This study developed an integrated methodology that uses both manual and computer simulations to evaluate system performance and ergonomic issues early in the system design process. Information about operator performance and ergonomics is obtained in the manual simulations, while estimates of operator utilization and system throughput is obtained through computer simulations. An iterative design process is used, with the results of manual and computer simulations informing each other during subsequent simulations. An industrial case study is presented here to demonstrate the effectiveness of this methodology. The results show that the methodology can be used to design manufacturing systems with significant savings in labor cost and improved manufacturing system flexibility. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 13: 19–40, 2003.
An androgen receptor mRNA isoform associated with hormone-induced cell proliferation

Abstract The larynx of male Xenopus laevis undergoes an androgen-driven developmental transformation that enables the adult to produce his complex mate attraction song. During the early postmetamorphic period, androgen directs proliferation and differentiation of laryngeal muscle and cartilage. To explore the cellular and molecular basis of androgen control, we have cloned an androgen receptor cDNA from juvenile larynx. Here we identify two androgen receptor mRNA isoforms, alpha and beta, differing within the A/B, or hypervariable, domain. Northern blot analyses reveal that the beta isoform is transiently expressed during early juvenile stages, whereas the alpha transcript is expressed throughout postmetamorphic life. Using in situ hybridization and [3H]thymidine autoradiography, we examined the expression of androgen receptor mRNA isoforms during androgen-evoked cell proliferation and differentiation. The alpha and beta transcripts are coexpressed in proliferating tissues of the juvenile larynx; in postmitotic differentiated tissues, only the alpha transcript is expressed. Because androgen receptor beta mRNA is specifically expressed during hormone-evoked cell proliferation, we propose that this developmentally regulated mRNA isoform is required for the masculine program of cell addition within the developing vocal organ.
Gas-phase equilibria of isotopic lithium systems I. Pure lithium

Abstract The thermodynamic properties of the diatomic lithium molecules 6Li 2 , 6 Li 7 Li, and 7 Li 2 are calculated from the latest spectroscopic quantities. In addition, equilibrium constants for formation of these lithium molecules from their atoms are computed for temperatures to 2000 K.
An Introduction to Clinical Decision Support Systems

Library support of clinical decision making ranges from passive (traditional library collections of books and journals) to highly active (professional services, such as clinical medical librarians, LATCH, and informationists). Support of mobile computing resources and subscriptions to point-of-care services, such as UpToDate® and DynaMed®, moves libraries toward interactive resources to aid health care providers in their decisions about specific patient questions but stops short of the tools described herein that specifically support clinical decision making. Librarians seeking to add robust clinical decision support systems should partner with clinicians and medical educators to weigh usability, ability to integrate with electronic health records and other systems, accuracy, reliability, depth of knowledge base, and improvements to process and patient outcomes, along with costs, which can be substantial.
Improvement of the Eakins and Brown Method for Measuring59Fe and55Fe in Blood and Other Iron-Containing Materials by Liquid Scintillation Counting and Sample Preparation Using Microwave Digestion and Ion-Exchange Column Purification of Iron☆

Abstract The simultaneous measurement of 59 Fe and 55 Fe in whole blood by liquid scintillation counting by the Eakins and Brown (EB) method is extensively used in iron absorption studies. The EB method requires many steps which increase the chances of error and decrease its sensitivity. We describe two modifications to the above method consisting of microwave digestion and column purification of iron. This “New Method” (NM) is simpler and more precise, and sensitive than the EB method. Counting efficiencies with the NM are similar for 59 Fe (75%) as with the EB method but are better for 55 Fe (29% for NM vs 22%), and cross counting from 59 Fe into the 55 Fe window is lower with the NM (3.7–4.5%) than with the EB method (10–12%). For the NM, recoveries of radioactive blood samples, in relation to processed standards ranged from 100 to 103% for 59 Fe and 101 to 113% for 55 Fe. For the EB method, recoveries ranged from 94 to 99% for 59 Fe and from 88 to 93% for 55 Fe. Even with very low counts, average intrarun CV with the NM was lower than 5.4% for either isotope, while it was as high as 10.0% for 55 Fe with the EB method.
Transforming International Education through Institutional Capacity Building.

This chapter is a story about one community college and how it transformed itself through comprehensive internationalization within the context of globalization.
Precise interprocedural dataflow analysis via graph reachability

The paper shows how a large class of interprocedural dataflow-analysis problems can be solved precisely in polynomial time by transforming them into a special kind of graph-reachability problem. The only restrictions are that the set of dataflow facts must be a finite set, and that the dataflow functions must distribute over the confluence operator (either union or intersection). This class of probable problems includes—but is not limited to—the classical separable problems (also known as “gen/kill” or “bit-vector” problems)—e.g., reaching definitions, available expressions, and live variables. In addition, the class of problems that our techniques handle includes many non-separable problems, including truly-live variables, copy constant propagation, and possibly-uninitialized variables.Results are reported from a preliminary experimental study of C programs (for the problem of finding possibly-uninitialized variables).
Surgical treatment of acl-pcl-medial side-lateral-side injuries of the knee

Abstract The multiple-ligament-injured knee is a complex problem in orthopaedic surgery. Most dislocated knees involve tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and at least one collateral ligament complex. Careful assessment of the extremity vascular status is essential because of the possibility of arterial and/or venous compromise. These complex injuries require a systematic approach to evaluation and treatment. Physical examination and imaging studies enable the surgeon to make a correct diagnosis and to formulate a treatment plan. Arthroscopically assisted combined ACL/PCL reconstruction is a reproducible procedure. Knee stability is improved postoperatively when evaluated by using knee-ligament rating scales, arthrometer testing, and stress radiographic analysis. Acute medial collateral ligament tears when combined with ACL/PCL tears may, in certain cases, be treated with bracing. Posterolateral corner injuries combined with ACL/PCL tears are best treated with primary repair, as indicated, combined with reconstruction by using a post of strong autograft (split biceps tendon, biceps tendon, semitendinosus) or allograft (Achilles tendon, bone—patellar tendon—bone) tissue. Surgical timing depends on the ligaments injured, the vascular status of the extremity, reduction stability, and the overall health of the patient. We prefer the use of allograft tissue for reconstruction in these cases because of the strength of these large grafts and the absence of donor-site morbidity.
Response of an optical system to polarization-modulated incident light☆

Abstract The law of propagation of small changes in the state of polarization of light through an optical system can be put in the form Δξ(t) = ƒ′ ( χ o ) Δ χ (t). Δ χ (t) and Δξ(t) represent the time variat ion of the change of the state of polarization of the incident and emergent beams around the quiescent values χ o and ξo, respectively, and ƒ′( χ o ) is the first derivative of the polarization transfer function, evaluated at χ o. From the above law it is seen that small changes preserve form upon passing through the system, when these changes are viewed in the complex plane.
Giant Nuclei in the Earthworm Lumbricus

GIANT nuclei have been found by me in the epithelial cells of the pharynx in the earthworm Lumbricus sp. The pharyngeal epithelium of the earthworm was extensively investigated by Keilin1, but no mention of giant nuclei was made in his paper.
Clinical utility of CKMB isoform determinations in patients who present to the Emergency Department with continuous or resolved chest pain

The object of this investigation was to demonstrate that the enhanced sensitivity of the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using a more-inclusive criterion of CKMB Isoforms may detect earlier stages of AMI (designated Isoform Type 2) than the currently accepted marker for AMI by CKMB Isoform (designated Isoform Type 1) in a busy, urban Emergency Department (ED). Two features characterized the study of CKMB Isoforms in a prospective cohort of 223 ED patients: first, nontraumatic chest pain within 12 h before presentation, thought to be of ischemic etiology; and second, normal or nondiagnostic electrocardiogram (EKG). Patients were further divided into two groups characterized as either recent but resolved chest pain at ED visit, or ongoing or staccato chest pain. Sensitivity (S), specificity (SP), positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for AMI diagnosis were determined. Two criteria for AMI diagnosis by CKMB Isoforms were tested. The first and currently recommended criterion was identified as Isoform Type 1. An AMI diagnosis by Type 1 criterion requires both CKMB2> or =2.6 IU/L and CKMB2/CKMB1> or =1.7. The second criterion for AMI diagnosis was identified as Isoform Type 2, which is defined as either CKMB2> or =2.6 IU/L or CKMB2/CKMB1> or =1.7. Both Isoform types are predictive of AMI by the gold standard, and addition of EKG changes results in a small improvement. Type 1 demonstrates SP 0.94 (CI 0.90, 0.97) and NPV 0.90 (CI 0.86, 0.94), and Type 2 demonstrates S 0.90 (CI 0.80, 0.97) and NPV 0.97 (CI 0.93, 0.99) for AMI diagnosis. Type 2 criteria can confidently exclude the immediate risk of AMI in patients with resolved chest pain whereas in patients with continuous chest pain, Type 1 criteria may identify those at high risk for AMI.
Gene expression of opioid and dopamine systems in mouse striatum: effects of CB1 receptors, age and sex.

Endocannabinoid, opioid, and dopamine systems interact to exhibit cannabinoid receptor neuromodulation of opioid peptides and D4 dopamine receptor gene expression in CB1-cannabinoid-deficient mouse striatum. Using CB1-transgenic mice, we examine primary age–sex influences and interactions on opioid and dopamine system members’ gene expression in striatum. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze gene expression of opioid peptides [preproenkephalin (PPENK); preprodynorphin (PPDYN)], opioid receptors [delta-opioid receptor (δ-OR); mu-opioid receptor (μ-OR)] and dopamine receptor subtypes (D1 through D5) in male/female CB1(+/+)/CB1(−/−) mice striata at two adult ages [young (60–90 days); old (140–300 days)]. (1) Increased PPENK and PPDYN, owing to genotype [CB1(+/+) vs. CB1(−/−)], depended on sex. When genotype-independent, they depended on sex (PPENK) or age (PPDYN). (2) δ-OR was age-dependent (higher in old). (3) μ-OR, owing to genotype, was age-dependent [higher in old CB1(−/−) males]. When genotype-independent, it depended on sex (higher in females). (4) Female D1 was genotype-independent and age-dependent, while male D1 was higher in old over young CB1(+/+) mice. (5) D5, owing to genotype, was sex-dependent [higher in young female CB1(−/−) mice]. (6) D2, genotype-independent, was higher in old over young male mice. (7) Young female D3 was higher in CB1(−/−) over CB1(+/+) mice. Male D3 was age-dependent (higher in old mice). (8) D4, owing to genotype, was sex-dependent [higher in CB1(−/−) over CB1(+/+) females]. Genotype-independent D4 was sex-dependent in young mice (higher in females) and age-dependent in males (higher in old). Greater striatal expression is genotype-dependent in females (opioid-peptides, D3, D4, D5) and genotype-independent in both females (PPENK, μ-OR, D4) and old males (PPDYN, δ-OR, D2, D3, D4).
Topography of the N400: brain electrical activity reflecting semantic expectancy ☆

When subjects read an semantically unexpected word, the brain electrical activity shows a negative deflection at about 400 msec in comparison with the response to an expected word. In order to study the brain systems related to this effect we mapped it with a dense (64-channel) electrode array and two reference-independent measures, one estimating the average potential gradients and the other radial current density. With these measures, the event-related brain potential (ERP) begins at about 70 msec with the P1, reflecting bilateral current sources over occipitoparietal areas. A strongly left-lateralized N1 then follows, peaking at about 180 msec, accompanied by an anterior positivity, the P2. A separate posterior positive pattern then emerges that seems to repeat the topography of the P1. Next, at about 350 msec, the ERP for the congruous word develops a P300 or LPC, characterized by a diffuse positivity over the superior surface of the head and several negativities over inferior regions. This superior source/inferior sink pattern of the LPC is greater over the left hemisphere. In contrast, the ERP for the incongruous word in this interval displays the N400 as a period in which topographic features are absent. At about 400 msec the ERP for the incongruous word begins to develop an LPC, which then remains relatively symmetric over the two hemispheres.
Autonomic insufficiency in pupillary and cardiovascular systems in Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Background In Parkinson’s disease (PD), neurodegenerative changes have been observed in autonomic pathways involving multiple organ systems. We explore pupillary and cardiac autonomic measures as physiological manifestations of PD neurodegeneration. Methods Pupil measures (pupillary unrest (spontaneous changes of pupil diameter in darkness), constriction velocity and redilation velocity) were assessed in 35 participants (17 PD, 18 controls). Simultaneous cardiac measures (respiratory sinus arrythmia during deep breathing, Valsalva ratio, resting heart rate variability (HRV), orthostatic change in blood pressure and orthostatic change in heart rate) were obtained. Nonparametric statistics were used to compare PD with control participants and to calculate correlation coefficients between pupillary and cardiac measures. Results Pupillary unrest and orthostatic decreases in systolic blood pressure were greater in PD than controls. Respiratory sinus arrythmia during deep breathing and resting HRV were lower in PD. Among all participants, there was a negative correlation between HRV and redilation velocity and a positive correlation between orthostatic change in heart rate and pupillary unrest. A modifying effect of PD was found on the association between high frequency HRV and pupillary unrest. Conclusions Results demonstrate simultaneous autonomic dysfunction in both pupillary and cardiac systems in PD. The correlations between pupillary and cardiac measures suggest shared central centers of autonomic integration, while the modifying effect of PD may reflect autonomic effects of PD-related pathology not present in controls.
Allergic contact sensitizing chemicals as environmental carcinogens.

Chemicals that were bioassayed by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and that also produce allergic dermatitis (ACD) in humans were evaluated for their tumorigenic characteristics. The impetus f...
Production and role of hyaline hairs in Ceramium rubrum

Light intensity within the range of 40 to 210 μE · m-2 · s-1 had relatively little effect on the abundance, length or distribution of Ceramium rubrum unicellular, hyaline hairs. External NH 4 + concentrations less than 0.5 μM stimulated hair initiation and growth in apical regions of the thalli. Ammonium concentrations in excess of 20 μM inhibited hair formation on all regions of the thalli. Ammonium uptake velocities of plants with hairs were approximately twice those of plants without hairs. These hairs may be adaptive to take advantage of intermittent bursts of nutrients by increasing the plant's surface area and, hence, the number of nutrient uptake sites.
A Reward-Recovery Study to Estimate Tagged-Fish Reporting Rates by Idaho Anglers

Abstract From 2006 to 2009, we tagged and released 22,202 fish with T-bar anchor tags valued at US$0 to $200 if returned. Our intent was to assess angler tag reporting rates in Idaho and to determine whether reporting rates declined over time or differed between species. A total of 4,643 tags were reported by anglers. Assuming a reporting rate of 100% for $200 tags, weighted mean reporting rates were 54.2% for $0 tags, 69.7% for $10 tags, 91.7% for $50 tags, and 98.9% for $100 tags. By combining $100 and $200 as high-reward tags to increase sample size, nonreward tag-reporting rate was 54.5%. Tag reporting rates varied between groups of species, being highest for harvest-oriented species, both coolwater and warmwater, such as walleye Sander vitreus ($0 = 68.3%), yellow perch Perca flavescens (58.5%), and crappie Pomoxis spp. (59.7%), and lowest for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (39.2%). There was little variation in tag-reporting rates over time, weighted means being 53, 56, 50, and 56% from 2006 ...
GA-facilitated KNN classifier optimization with varying similarity measures

Genetic algorithms are powerful tools for k-nearest neighbors classifier optimization. While traditional knn classification techniques typically employ Euclidian distance to assess pattern similarity, other measures may also be utilized. Previous research demonstrates that GAs can improve predictive accuracy by searching for optimal feature weights and offsets for a cosine similarity-based knn classifier. GA-selected weights determine the classification relevance of each feature, while offsets provide alternative points of reference when assessing angular similarity. Such optimized classifiers perform competitively with other contemporary classification techniques. This paper explores the effectiveness of GA weight and offset optimization for knowledge discovery using knn classifiers with varying similarity measures. Using Euclidian distance, cosine similarity, and Pearson correlation, untrained classifiers are compared with weight-optimized classifiers for several datasets. Simultaneous weight and offset optimization experiments are also performed for cosine similarity and Pearson correlation. This type of optimization represents a novel technique for maximizing Pearson correlation-based knn performance. While unoptimized cosine and Pearson classifiers often perform worse than their Euclidian counterparts, optimized cosine and Pearson classifiers typically show equivalent or improved performance over optimized Euclidian classifiers. In some cases, offset optimization provides further improvement for knn classifiers employing cosine similarity or Pearson correlation.
Food Safety and Fear: Factors Affecting Consumer Response to Food Safety Risk 1

The objective of this research was to explore the factors that affect consumers’ responses to low probability food safety risks. A survey of two thousand consumers was conducted in mid-2003, yielding a response rate of 32.0%. The analysis indicated a family-oriented response to food safety risks. Primary meal planners, women, and members of households with young children were the most likely to have an extreme risk avoidance response.
Oxygen removal from intact biomass to produce liquid fuel range hydrocarbons via fast-hydropyrolysis and vapor-phase catalytic hydrodeoxygenation

Proof-of-concept of a novel consecutive two-step biofuel process (H2Bioil), based on fast-hydropyrolysis and downstream vapor-phase catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), to produce liquid fuel range (C4+) hydrocarbons with undetectable oxygen content, from cellulose and an intact biomass (poplar) is presented. The carbon recovery as C1–C8+ hydrocarbons is ∼73% (C4+ ∼55%) from cellulose and ∼54% (C4+ ∼32%) from poplar. Advantages of independent control of fast-hydropyrolysis and HDO temperatures, along with synergistic process integration aspects are discussed.
Brain Metabolic Function in Older Men With Chronic Essential Hypertension

BACKGROUND AND METHODS. To determine the effects of hypertension on brain function, positron emission tomography (PET) studies using (18F)-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) were performed on a group of 17 otherwise healthy older hypertensive men (mean age +/- SD = 69 +/- 8 yr) and 25 age- and gender-matched controls. Subjects had medically treated essential hypertension for a minimum of 10 years (range = 10 to 24 yr) with no evidence of end-organ impairment from hypertension by routine clinical screening and by history. All hypertensive and control subjects were determined to be cognitively normal by extensive neuropsychological testing. The hypertensive subjects previously had been reported to have lateral ventricle enlargement and left hemisphere brain atrophy by quantitative MRI. PET data were analyzed using t-tests to look at group differences.
Multiple roles for activated LEF/TCF transcription complexes during hair follicle development and differentiation

LEF/TCF DNA-binding proteins act in concert with activated beta -catenin, the product of Wnt signaling, to transactivate downstream target genes. To probe the role of activated LEF/TCF transcription factor complexes in hair follicle morphogenesis and differentiation, we engineered mice harboring TOPGAL, a beta -galactosidase gene under the control of a LEF/TCF and beta -catenin inducible promoter. In mice, TOPGAL expression was directly stimulated by a stabilized form of beta -catenin, but was also dependent upon LEF1/TCF3 in skin. During embryogenesis, TOPGAL activation occurred transiently in a subset of LEF1-positive cells of pluripotent ectoderm and underlying mesenchyme. Downgrowth of initiated follicles proceeded in the absence of detectable TOPGAL expression, even though LEF1 was still expressed. While proliferative matrix cells expressed the highest levels of Lef1 mRNAs, LEF1 concentrated in the precursor cells to the hair shaft, where TOPGAL expression was co-induced with hair-specific keratin genes containing LEF/TCF-binding motifs. LEF1 and TOPGAL expression ceased during catagen and telogen, but reappeared at the start of the postnatal hair cycle, concomitant with precortex formation. In contrast to hair shaft precursor cells, postnatal outer root sheath expressed TCF3, but not TOPGAL. TCF3 was also expressed in the putative follicle stem cells, and while TOPGAL was generally silent in this compartment, it was stimulated at the start of the hair cycle in a fashion that appeared to be dependent upon stabilization of beta -catenin. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that LEF1/TCF3 is necessary but not sufficient for TOPGAL activation, revealing the existence of positive and negative regulators of these factors in the skin. Furthermore, our findings unveil the importance of activated LEF/TCF complexes at distinct times in hair development and cycling when changes in cell fate and differentiation commitments take place.
An Assisted Living Oriented Information System Based on a Residential Wireless Sensor Network

This paper deals with a new medical information system called Alarm Net designed for smart healthcare. Based on an advanced Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), it specifically targets assisted-living residents and others who may benefit from continuous and remote health monitoring. We present the advantages, objectives, and status of the system built at the Department of Computer Science at UVA. Early results of the prototype suggest a strong potential for WSNs to open new research perspectives for ad hoc deployment of multi-modal sensors and improved quality of medical care
Transmit Power Allocation for the V-Blast Algorithm

Optimum power allocation for the V-BLAST algorithm, which is based on various criteria (average and instantaneous block and total error rates (BLER and TBER)), is considered. Closed-form solutions are derived for high-SNR case in a Rayleigh fading channel. They are shown to be robust to small variations in allocated power and average SNR. It is demonstrated that the optimization "on average" is only slightly worse than the instantaneous one, albeit the latter requires an instantaneous feedback and hence is of higher complexity. The generic upper-bound for the SNR gain of any power allocation technique is derived. The BLER and TBER optimization criteria result in the same performance. Power optimization (of unordered BLAST) and optimal ordering result in almost the same performance improvement at high SNR
Planner based error recovery testing

Error recovery testing is an important part of software testing, especially for safety-critical systems. We show how an AI planning system and the concepts of mutation testing can be combined to generate error recovery tests for software. We identify a set of mutation operations on the representation that the planner uses when generating test cases. These mutations cause error recovery test cases to be generated. The paper applies these concepts to the testing of a large tape storage system.
Stress CMR myocardial perfusion imaging (CMR-MPI) is cost-effective compared to nuclear SPECT: a retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis

Background Stress CMR myocardial perfusion is a strong risk-stratifying tool increasingly used for patient management. However, the cost-effectiveness of this technique in patients with suspected ischemia, has never been studied against nuclear SPECT. Methods From 2003-2011, 707 patients underwent CMR-MPI for ischemia assessment in our center. Estimated pre-test cardiac risk derived from a combined Framingham Heart Study and Diamond Forrester risk percentage was used to match CMR patients against 39,876 patients who underwent pharmacologic stress SPECT in another tertiary-care center during the same time period. Framingham scoring system for the prediction of cardiovascular risk was also stratified by presence or absence of prior evidence of CAD. A validated computer algorithm was used to perform 1:1 patient risk-matching. For all patients, cardiac events (acute MI/death), angiographically-significant CAD, percutaneous coronary intervention and bypass grafting, repeat stress testing/imaging within 2 years, and cost estimates for these events from national average were collected for cost-effectiveness analysis. One-to-one risk-profile matching between CMR-MPI and SPECT was successful in 704 patients (99.6%). Ischemia by SPECT was positive, negative, and equivocal in 8%, 74%, and 18%, which compared with 22%, 75%, and 3%, respectively by CMR-MPI. A negative SPECT was associated with a 2-year cardiac event rate of 4.6% compared to 1.3% by CMR-MPI (p=0.002). Other items relevant to cost-effectiveness analysis using imaging for “gate-keeping” stratification are shown in Table 1. Conclusions In patients with an intermediate risk of ischemic heart disease, stress CMR myocardial perfusion is cost-effective when compared to pharmacologic stress SPECT. A negative stress CMR perfusion study is associated with a lower 2 year event rate and lower downstream costs.
BANKING AND PUBLIC POLICY: TOO BIG TO FAIL

“Too big to fail” (TBTF) is a major policy issue in banking. Large bank failures may impose losses on depositors and creditors that may impose large collateral damage on other financial institutions and beyond. Regulators are frequently incentivized either to delay recognizing a bank's insolvency or fail the bank but protect its creditors against loss. This paper argues that, while there is wide agreement that the cost of protecting creditors in the resolution of large financial institutions is excessively high, it is difficult to prevent this practice for a number of reasons. Until these disagreements are settled, TBTF will survive. (JEL G01, G18, G28)
Relative contributions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ExoU, ExoS, and ExoT to virulence in the lung

Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses a type III secretion system to promote development of severe disease, particularly in patients with impaired immune defenses. While the biochemical and enzymatic functions of ExoU, ExoS, and ExoT, three effector proteins secreted by this system, are well defined, the relative roles of each protein in the pathogenesis of acute infections is not clearly understood. Since ExoU and ExoS are usually not secreted by the same strain, it has been difficult to directly compare the effects of these proteins during infection. In the work described here, several isogenic mutants of a bacterial strain that naturally secretes ExoU, ExoS, and ExoT were generated to carefully evaluate the relative contribution of each effector protein to pathogenesis in a mouse model of acute pneumonia. Measurements of mortality, bacterial persistence in the lung, and dissemination indicated that secretion of ExoU had the greatest impact on virulence while secretion of ExoS had an intermediate effect and ExoT had a minor effect. It is of note that these results conclusively show for the first time that ExoS is a virulence factor. Infection with isogenic mutants secreting wild-type ExoS, ExoS defective in GTPase-activating protein (GAP) activity, or ExoS defective in ADP-ribosyltransferase activity demonstrated that the virulence of ExoS was largely dependent on its ADP-ribosyltransferase activity. The GAP activity of this protein had only a minor effect in vivo. The relative virulence associated with each of these type III effector proteins may have important prognostic implications for patients infected with P. aeruginosa.
Relative User Ratings of MMPI-2 Computer-Based Test Interpretations

There are eight commercially available computer-based test interpretations (CBTIs) for the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), of which few have been empirically evaluated. Prospective users of these programs have little scientific data to guide choice of a program. This study compared ratings of these eight CBTIs. Test users were randomly assigned to rate either a single authentic CBTI report on one of their clients or a single CBTI report generated from a modal MMPI-2 profile for their clinical setting. In all, 257 authentic and modal CBTI reports were rated by 41 clinicians on 10 dimensions. Each of the authentic reports received substantially higher ratings than the modal reports, with ratings of perceived accuracy and opinion confirmation best differentiating between authentic and modal reports. Automated Assessment Associates’ report received the highest overall ratings; reports published by Western Psychological Services, Pearson Assessments, and the Caldwell Report were also di...
Cain's monstrous progeny in Beowulf: part II, post-diluvian survival

In part I of this study I concluded that some of the most unusual characteristics of Grendel and his mother (and their ambience) bear a striking likeness to, and may derive from, concepts of a race of cannibalistic giants descended from Cain in an ancient Jewish pseudepigraphical Noah book or (if, as some think, there was no Noah book) pseudepigraphical traditions designated as Noachic. I now take up the second question posed at the beginning of my part I, namely, what knowledge that such a race (or races) survived the Flood is the poet likely to have had? It is a real question, for, after all, if all mankind and all living creatures – except the prescribed Noah contingent – were destroyed by the Flood (Genesis vi and vii), without some authority the Beowulf poet would not have come to the belief that some of Cain's evil progeny had survived. We should not doubt the reality of that belief. For one thing, we can be confident that he believed in the physical actuality of monsters. They formed part of the repertoire of medieval belief, especially evident (though not exclusively so) when mystical–popular–folkloristic impulses asserted themselves. In the Middle Ages monsters were not regarded as imagined fictions, nor understood as spiritual–metaphorical symbols. Secondly, to suggest that in deriving his monsters from Cain the Beowulf poet was ‘merely employing a metaphor for the society of reprobates’ and that ‘it is unlikely that Grendel was identified with the race of Cain with any save figurative intent’ is surely inadequate. The narrator's two statements about the line of descent from Cain to Grendel and his mother are neither vague nor obliquely hinted; on the contrary, they are markedly definite.
Fiscal Decentralization and Federalism in Latin America

In contrast to years of centralization when the national government dominated the states and municipalities, fiscal decentralization is now taking place throughout Latin America. This study considers the reasons for this change. Fiscal decentralization merits separate attention because the financial independence of subnational governments ultimately determines their success and power. Competing political and economic explanations are tested on a sample of 17 countries between 1985 and 1995. Whilefederalism is a significant predictor of greater fiscal decentralization, otherfactors such as presidential power, structural adjustment, level of development, and country size also determine the level of fiscal decentralization.
Sustainable Change in the Public Sector: The Longitudinal Benefits of Organization Development:

This article examines the impact over a 30-year period of a 4-year organization development project in the Metro County Sheriff’s Department. Interventions included confrontation team-building sessions, management training, process consultation, survey feedback, third-party consultation, technological interventions, implementation of methods for increasing accountability, and changes in the organization structure, the physical setting, and the policy formulation procedures. Results include improved organization climate and leader effectiveness; decreased employee turnover, jail breaks, and citizen complaints; increased resources allocated to the organization; and improved organizational effectiveness, as measured by criminal justice leaders in the community. This research becomes the longest longitudinal study of the effects of organization development interventions in the behavioral science literature.