cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brain Mechanisms of Sound Localization in Barn Owls

Finding the source of a sound by ear is called sound localization. Most animals, including nocturnal owls, which use sound signals for communication, prey capture, and predator evasion can localize sound. Sound localization and its brain mechanisms are better known in the barn owl than in any other animal. The barn owl can localize sound equally well in two dimensions, azimuth, or the horizontal plane, and elevation, the vertical plane. Barn owls use the differences in the intensity and arrival time of sound between the ears to localize prey. The owl’s brain processes these two cues in parallel pathways, which eventually converge to produce neurons that are tuned to specific combinations of time and intensity differences. These space-specific neurons form a map of auditory space in the midbrain. This chapter describes how the owl’s brain processes and encodes information necessary for pinpointing sound sources in space.
Critical Media Review: Precious Knowledge: Arizona’s Battle Over Ethnic Studies

Precious Knowledge is a documentary about the struggle to establish and save the Mexican–American Studies (MAS)/Ethnic Studies program in Arizona’s Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). The documentary focuses on three main themes: the reasons for the establishment of MAS along with an explanation of the program’s pedagogical approach and its impact on student achievement; the attempts by former Superintendent of Instruction Tom Horne and former State Senator John Huppenthal to outlaw MAS; and the student and community mobilizations to save and reestablish the program. The documentary prominently features the impact of MAS’s pedagogical approach on high school students by featuring the experiences of Crystal, Pricila, and Gilbert. In the MAS program the students learned the history of Chicanos/as in the Southwest, were exposed to literature based on Chicano/a experiences in the United States, and participated in art programs that encouraged the development of youth art forms, such as hip hop and graffiti, along with mariachi and ballet folklorico classes. More importantly, the program encouraged the students to, in the words of teacher Jose Gonzalez, paraphrasing Paulo Freire (2000), ‘‘Read the word to read the world.’’ The MAS pedagogical approach portrayed in the documentary transformed the students’ educational and life experiences. One of the reasons for the establishment of MAS was the need to address the high dropout rates and alienation amongst Latinos in the TUSD schools. Augustine Romero stated that throughout the country, approximately 50 % of Latino students drop out and that these numbers keep getting worse every year. Romero explained that the perpetuation of an inadequate educational experience is behind the high drop out rates. He further explained that policy makers use second grade data from children of color to determine how many prisons will be built in the future. The data gathered by TUSD Director of Accountability and Research, David Scott (2011),
Assessing the robustness of meta-analytic results in information systems: publication bias and outliers

Meta-analytic studies serve to generate cumulative knowledge and guide evidence-based practice. However, publication bias and outliers threaten the accuracy and robustness of meta-analytic results....
A System-Level Approach to Improve the Uptake of Antiestrogen Preventive Therapy among Women with Atypical Hyperplasia and Lobular Cancer In Situ.

Background: The low uptake of antiestrogen preventive therapy among women at high risk of developing breast cancer remains a challenge. We implemented a performance improvement program to increase the uptake of preventive therapy among women with atypical hyperplasia (AH) and lobular cancer in situ (LCIS). Methods: A performance improvement program was implemented at the MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX), November 2015 to February 2017, for patients with a new ( Results: Baseline uptake of preventive therapy was 44%. The program registered 408 patients with a new ( n = 87) or existing diagnosis ( n = 321) of AH/LCIS; mean age was 57 and 71% were non-Hispanic white. Ninety-eight percent of patients received a recommendation for preventive therapy. The overall prescribing of preventive therapy to patients with a new or existing diagnosis was 82% (monthly range, 40%–100%; P trend = 0.76) and 48% (monthly range, 27%–57%; P trend P Conclusion: A system-level approach improved the uptake of preventive therapy. Identifying women at the time of diagnosis of AH/LCIS and offering a strong recommendation are key components for improving acceptance and adherence with preventive therapy. Cancer Prev Res; 11(5); 295–302. ©2018 AACR .
Information behavior of rural dementia caregivers over the course of counseling interventions

This poster reports findings from an analysis of 81 qualitative interviews with rural dementia caregivers who participated in two research projects that evaluated cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) problemsolving interventions designed to help them manage their caregiving and reduce depression. The research questions posed in this analysis are: (RQ1) How do rural dementia caregivers who have participated in a CBT program interact with the information around them and available to them? (RQ2) How do these caregivers manage, explicitly or tacitly, their information needs and uses? The analysis demonstrates similarities and differences in information behaviors and information environments across the caregivers; for example that physical information artifacts are important to different caregivers for varied reasons, and that religious communities fulfill multiple information-related roles. The findings demonstrate the importance of accounting for the unique constraints on older caregivers in designing interventions to improve and support their caregiving experiences. Creating links among people, such as connecting caregivers to similar others facing similar challenges, and providing them with a structure to allow them to focus on their goals, appear critical to the success of such interventions.
Feldspars in Weathering

Feldspar weathering occurs via dissolution of all components into solution, with the subsequent precipitation of secondary minerals from solution, and it is the feldspars dissolution rate which controls the overall rate of feldspar weathering. The rate of feldspar dissolution is controlled by the kinetics of surface reactions at the mineral-water interface, not by mass transfer processes, either in solution or through a protective surface layer. At neutral to basic pH conditions, the entire range of feldspars compositions appears to dissolve nearly stoichiometrically, although a thin Al enriched surface layer (<20A) may form, and cations, particularly Na+, may be exchanged with H+ to depths of several 100 A. The exchange of cations with H+ appears to be reversible, with cation occupancy favored in the basic pH region. It is not clear whether the observed Al enrichment on the surface is a consequence of slightly non-stoichiometric dissolution, or readsorption of Al from solution at charged surface sites. At acidic solution pH’s, a silica-enriched surface layer 100’s to 1000’s of A thick may form. This layer is highly hydrated and disordered, and analogous to an amorphous SiO2 gel. The silica-enriched surface layer does not provide a diffusional barrier to the transport of Al and cations to solution, and does not appear to effect the destruction rate of the feldspar tetrahedral lattice.
Approach to Patient with Arteriovenous Access Presenting with Hand Pain

A dialysis patient presenting with hand pain ipsilateral to the arteriovenous access warrants careful evaluation. In particular, ischemic monomelic neuropathy and distal hypoperfusion syndrome are two important entities that an interventional nephrologist should be familiar with. The pathophysiology, diagnosis, investigations, and management of these conditions are discussed in this chapter.
Hyellazone and chlorohyellazole, two novel carbazoles from the blue-green alga hyella caespitosa born. et flah.

Abstract The structures of two carbazoles, hyellazole and 6-chlorohyellazole, from the blue-green alga Hyella caespitosa are reported. The structure of 6-chlorohyellazole was solved by X-ray crystallographic methods.
Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity

In Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity (2018), political scientist Lilliana Mason characterizes the current U.S. political landscape as two enclaves each fixed upon a preoccupation ...
Molecular-Level Kinetic Modeling of a Real Vacuum Gas Oil Hydroprocessing Refinery System

A molecular-level kinetic model was constructed for a vacuum gas oil hydroprocessing unit. The feedstock molecule selection was based on typical arrangements of structural attributes in crude oil. ...
“You can’t value what you can’t measure”: a critical look at forest carbon accounting

This article takes on the political and contested nature of forest carbon accounting via three “points of engagement” that articulate forest carbon initiatives as representations of tradable carbon. The three points of engagement—(1) baseline determinations, (2) the calculation of additionality, and (3) the role of uncertainty—are used to show how processes framed as technical are often spaces where uneven social and political interests are manipulated or obscured and contribute to varying environmental and conservation outcomes. The article begins by reviewing how carbon counting emerges in critical social science literature on forest carbon projects. Next, it explains carbon accounting broadly, the specifics of forest carbon accounting and why forests are popular spaces for financialized carbon sequestration. It concludes by arguing that carbon accounting is an uneven technical and political process that makes multiples forms of carbon legible on financial markets but does little to physically address atmospheric carbon concentrations.
The vocal organ of hummingbirds shows convergence with songbirds

How sound is generated in the hummingbird syrinx is largely unknown despite their complex vocal behavior. To fill this gap, syrinx anatomy of four North American hummingbird species were investigated by histological dissection and contrast-enhanced microCT imaging, as well as measurement of vocalizations in a heliox atmosphere. The placement of the hummingbird syrinx is uniquely located in the neck rather than inside the thorax as in other birds, while the internal structure is bipartite with songbird-like anatomical features, including multiple pairs of intrinsic muscles, a robust tympanum and several accessory cartilages. Lateral labia and medial tympaniform membranes consist of an extracellular matrix containing hyaluronic acid, collagen fibers, but few elastic fibers. Their upper vocal tract, including the trachea, is shorter than predicted for their body size. There are between-species differences in syrinx measurements, despite similar overall morphology. In heliox, fundamental frequency is unchanged while upper-harmonic spectral content decrease in amplitude, indicating that syringeal sounds are produced by airflow-induced labia and membrane vibration. Our findings predict that hummingbirds have fine control of labia and membrane position in the syrinx; adaptations that set them apart from closely related swifts, yet shows convergence in their vocal organs with those of oscines.
Activity of forelimb motor units and corticomotoneuronal cells during ramp-and-hold torque responses: comparisons with oculomotor cells.

Publisher Summary To compare the functional organization of the somatomotor and oculomotor systems, it may be helpful to begin by comparing the response properties of their motoneurons and monosynaptically connected premotor neurons under behavioral conditions, which are as comparable as possible. In the somatomotor system, the activity of single forelimb motor units and input cells from precentral motor cortex, during ramp-and-hold torque responses has been sufficiently characterized to provide some basis for comparison. Such ramp-and-hold responses, alternating between flexion and extension target zones, were chosen to reveal the neural activity related to changes in force and to maintain static force; for purposes of discussion, these ramp-and-hold wrist responses may be considered analogous to saccadic eye movements followed by fixation. This chapter discusses the response properties and organization of somatic motor units and corticomotoneuronal (CM) cells, with brief comments on some interesting analogies with comparable oculomotor neurons. More information on the correlational linkages of the observed cells with their inputs and their targets would be helpful for understanding the source and consequences of their response properties.
11 – Recycling of Plastics

Publisher Summary Plastic recycling is described as the process of recovering scrap or waste plastics and reprocessing the material into useful products, sometimes completely different in form from their original state. Classifying by the final product of any given recovery process recycling can be differentiated into three methodologies: pimary recycling, secondary recycling, and tertiary recycling. This chapter focuses on primary and secondary recycling where the plastic is reused rather than converted into chemicals or fuel to meet energy needs. There are several technologies to recycle plastics such as: single resins, mixed plastics, and compatibilization of plastic resins. There are numerous applications for recycled plastics. From reuse in the same application as initially used, whether at 100% or more commonly compounded at some lower quantity, to being used in less demanding applications, recycled plastics utilization has made dramatic in-roads in many industries. The manufacture of plastic lumber, however, exists almost solely because of recycling. The use of recycled alternatives to virgin plastic ensures that the product is more commercially competitive. Plastic lumber is typically made from recycled PE that may contain other plastics and/or fillers. Commingled plastics used with PE may include PVC, PS, PP, PET, and other materials. Fillers used in these systems may include glass fibers, PS fibers, or cellulosic fillers such as wood fibers. The principal use of plastic lumber is to replace wood in areas where weathering is an issue such as in decking, road barriers, or railroad ties.
Scalable, Multi-Constraint, Complex-Objective Graph Partitioning

We introduce XtraPuLP , a distributed-memory graph partitioner designed to process irregular trillion-edge graphs. XtraPuLP is based on the scalable label propagation community detection technique, which has been demonstrated in various prior works as a viable means to produce high quality partitions of skewed and small-world graphs with minimal computation time. Our XtraPuLP implementation can also be generalized to compute partitions with an arbitrary number of constraints, and it can compute partitions with balanced communication load across all parts. On a collection of large sparse graphs, we show that XtraPuLP partitioning is considerably faster than state-of-the-art partitioning methods, while also demonstrating that XtraPuLP can produce partitions of real-world graphs with billion+ vertices and over a hundred billion edges in minutes. Additionally, we demonstrate XtraPuLP on a variety of applications, including large-scale graph analytics and sparse matrix-vector multiplication.
Doing well by doing good: Direct selling as a viable and sustainable source of income for base of the pyramid populations

Previous research shows the direct selling system helping BOP populations in South Africa. We seek to extend this by examining if countries typified by large “base-of-the-pyramid” (BOP) are fertile...
Interventional radiology during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A tertiary care community hospital’s initial experience

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, and has significantly impacted nearly every facet of medicine. Interventional radiology (IR), of course, has been no exception. This article highlights the experiences of a community-based IR department as they create a safe environment for patients and staff during the pandemic while continuing to provide high-quality care.
Press freedom in 10 African nations: Citizen attitudes and global rankings:

Press freedom is said to be a necessary pillar of democracy. As many sub-Saharan African nations move towards creating or strengthening democracies, examining their levels of press freedom may be a...
Understanding quality and equity: patient experiences with care in older adults diagnosed with hematologic malignancies.

Oncology settings increasingly use patient experience data to evaluate clinical performance. Given that older patients with hematologic malignancies are a high-risk population, this study examined factors associated with patient-reported health care experiences during the first year of their cancer diagnosis. Cross-sectional study using the 2000–2015 SEER-CAHPS® data to examine patient experiences of Medicare enrollees with a primary diagnosis of leukemia or lymphoma. The primary outcomes were three CAHPS assessments: overall care, personal doctor, and health plan overall. We estimated case-mix adjusted and fully adjusted associations between factors (i.e., clinical and sociodemographic) and the CAHPS outcomes using bivariate statistical tests and multiple linear regression. The final sample included 1,151 patients, with 431 diagnosed with leukemia and 720 diagnosed with lymphoma (median time from diagnosis to survey 6 months). Patients who completed the survey further apart from the diagnosis date reported significantly higher adjusted ratings of care overall (β .39, p = .008) than those closer to diagnosis. American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, and Pacific Islander patients had lower adjusted ratings of care overall (β − .73, p = .003) than Non-Hispanic white patients. Multimorbidity was significantly associated with higher adjusted personal doctor ratings (β .26, p = .003). Unfavorable patient experiences among older adults diagnosed with hematologic malignancies warrant targeted efforts to measure and improve care quality. Future measurement of experiences of cancer care soon after diagnosis, coupled with careful sampling of high-priority populations, will inform oncology leaders and clinicians on strategies to improve care for high-risk, high-cost populations.
Deep Learning Pitfall: Impact of Novel Ultrasound Equipment Introduction on Algorithm Performance and the Realities of Domain Adaptation.

Objectives To test deep learning (DL) algorithm performance repercussions by introducing novel ultrasound equipment into a clinical setting. Methods Researchers introduced prospectively obtained inferior vena cava (IVC) videos from a similar patient population using novel ultrasound equipment to challenge a previously validated DL algorithm (trained on a common point of care ultrasound [POCUS] machine) to assess IVC collapse. Twenty-one new videos were obtained for each novel ultrasound machine. The videos were analyzed for complete collapse by the algorithm and by 2 blinded POCUS experts. Cohen's kappa was calculated for agreement between the 2 POCUS experts and DL algorithm. Previous testing showed substantial agreement between algorithm and experts with Cohen's kappa of 0.78 (95% CI 0.49-1.0) and 0.66 (95% CI 0.31-1.0) on new patient data using, the same ultrasound equipment. Results Challenged with higher image quality (IQ) POCUS cart ultrasound videos, algorithm performance declined with kappa values of 0.31 (95% CI 0.19-0.81) and 0.39 (95% CI 0.11-0.89), showing fair agreement. Algorithm performance plummeted on a lower IQ, smartphone device with a kappa value of -0.09 (95% CI -0.95 to 0.76) and 0.09 (95% CI -0.65 to 0.82), respectively, showing less agreement than would be expected by chance. Two POCUS experts had near perfect agreement with a kappa value of 0.88 (95% CI 0.64-1.0) regarding IVC collapse. Conclusions Performance of this previously validated DL algorithm worsened when faced with ultrasound studies from 2 novel ultrasound machines. Performance was much worse on images from a lower IQ hand-held device than from a superior cart-based device.
The Right Frame of Mind? An Analysis of Global Anti-US-Military Protests

Following the end of World War II, the United States embarked on the construction of a network of permanent military bases world-wide to protect US interests abroad. The US military presence can benefit the host nations and host communities by providing protection and by channeling finances into the local economy. At the same time, the presence may be associated with risks to the host community such as: crime, accidents, environmental degradation, and noise pollution. The result is that anti-US-military protest movements have emerged in several host communities. This study provides a global picture of anti-US-military protest mobilization over time by employing negative binomial regressions of an original protest event dataset from 1990 to 2016. I argue that a key explanatory factor is the frames employed by activists. Across several specifications, I find that frames emphasizing sovereignty are more likely to be associated with higher numbers of protesters per event, while women’s welfare frames are more likely to be associated with lower levels of mobilization. Thus, this project not only contributes to the literature on US military politics but also to understanding of the relationships between framing and protest mobilization.
Characteristics differ based on usual cigar-type use among U.S. adults: Analysis from the tobacco use supplement to the current population survey

Abstract The tobacco products landscape is continually shifting, and there are concerns about the increased popularity of non-cigarette tobacco products, including cigars. This study examines characteristics associated with usual cigar-type use. Data are from the 2018–19 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics and cigar-type use (i.e., large cigars, cigarillos, and little filtered cigars). Analyses also examined factors relative to large cigar use and further stratified by sex. Of 137,221 adults included in the study, 1467 used large cigars most often, 513 used cigarillos most often, 446 used little filtered cigars most often, and the remaining 134,795 did not use cigars. In adjusted models, males had greater odds for using all types of cigars relative to non-use. In contrast, males were less likely to use cigarillos (AOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.20–0.41) and filtered cigars (AOR 0.20, 95% CI 0.14–0.28) relative to large cigars. Black adults had greater odds of using all types of cigars relative to non-use, and cigarillos (AOR 3.55, 95% CI 2.47–5.08) and filtered cigars (AOR 2.50, 95% CI 1.70–3.68) relative to large cigars. Education, income, and other tobacco use also varied according to cigar type. Characteristics of those who usually use large cigars differed significantly from those who usually use cigarillos, little filtered cigars, or reported no cigar use.
Non-Judicial Means of Collective Redress in Europe (Chapter)

For decades, European nations resisted the notion of collective redress due to widespread hostility to U.S.-style class actions. However, many European jurisdictions have come to the conclusion that large-scale legal relief is now permissible, so long as the procedure does not resemble U.S. class actions. As a result, collective redress mechanisms have proliferated in both number and diversity throughout the region.A similar situation may be developing in the area of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Initially, European parties and policymakers resisted the development of large-scale arbitration based on similarities between the best-known form of group arbitration, U.S.-style class arbitration, and U.S.-style class actions. However, recent years have seen a great deal of European innovation concerning large-scale dispute resolution.This chapter discusses the present and the future of non-judicial means of collective redress in Europe, considering both consensual means of large-scale dispute resolution as well as adjudicative measures. Thus, the analysis covers collective settlement procedures in The Netherlands, collective consumer arbitration in Spain, group arbitration of corporate disputes in Germany, and investment arbitration procedures involving large numbers of Italian bondholders. The analysis also discusses the extent to which procedures promulgated by various European arbitral institutions specializing in international commercial arbitration can be used in collective disputes.
The Frequency of Summands of a Particular Size in Palindromic Compositions.

A composition of a positive integer n consists of an ordered sequence of positive integers whose sum is n. A palindromic composition is one for which the sequence is the same from left to right as from right to left. This paper shows various ways of generating all palindromic compositions, counts the number of times each integer appears as a summand among all the palindromic compositions of n, and describes several patterns among the numbers generated in the process of enumeration.
Statistics for Environmental Mutagenesis

In experiments studying the effects of environmental stimuli on biological organisms, major endpoints of interest include damage to genetic components such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA damage as represented by mutagenic insult(s) is perhaps the most varied of any toxicological endpoint, since the potential mechanisms of genetic damage are so numerous. Statistical issues associated with mutagenicity experiments include construction of models to characterize dose–response and other features of genetic damage, sample size determinations/study design, and the selection of statistical approaches associated with these models and methods; these are briefly discussed Keywords: downturn in dose–response; environmental toxicity; genotoxicology; genetic risk assessment; Salmonella assay; trend testing
Effect of pH and Oxygen Tension on Staphylococcal Growth and Enterotoxin Formation in Fermented Sausage

Commercial fermented 0sausages that contained significant numbers of viable coagulase-positive staphylococci were found to have the growth localized in the outermost areas of the sausage where oxygen tension was highest. Staphylococci were found to be more acid-tolerant aerobically than anaerobically. With chemical acidulation of sausage, growth could be controlled both aerobically and anaerobically with approximately 1.5% glucono delta lactone. Biological acidulation with a high inoculum of Pediococcus cerevisiae inhibited anaerobic staphylococcal growth but failed to suppress aerobic growth completely. A staphylococcal count of approximately 4 × 107 cells/g of sausage appeared to be necessary to produce detectable enterotoxin A within 24 hr in sausage. A minor difference existed in the relative rates of production of the different types of enterotoxin. Detectable enterotoxin A was produced in 24 hr in sausage held in atmospheres containing 10, 15, and 20% oxygen. In an atmosphere containing 5% oxygen, toxin was detected after 48 hr of incubation. No toxin was detected after 120 hr under anaerobic conditions. Most staphylococcal strains tested initiated growth and produced detectable enterotoxin aerobically at a pH of 5.1 in broth media. Anaerobically, however, most strains failed to produce detectable enterotoxin below pH 5.7.
Here or There

Information retrieval systems have traditionally been evaluated over absolute judgments of relevance: each document is judged for relevance on its own, independent of other documents that may be on topic. We hypothesize that preference judgments of the form “document A is more relevant than document B” are easier for assessors to make than absolute judgments, and provide evidence for our hypothesis through a study with assessors. We then investigate methods to evaluate search engines using preference judgments. Furthermore, we show that by using inferences and clever selection of pairs to judge, we need not compare all pairs of documents in order to apply evaluation methods.
1 cm thick HgI/sub 2/ gamma-ray spectrometers

Thick mercuric iodide (HgI/sub 2/) detectors are investigated as potential room temperature gamma-ray spectrometers. By using pixelated anodes the induced charge on the electrode is dependent mainly on electron movement and is almost independent of the depth of interaction. Moreover, by reading out the planar cathode signal simultaneously, the depth of interaction can be determined and any effects of electron charge loss can be corrected. We present recent results from a new 1 cm thick pixelated HgI/sub 2/ gamma-ray spectrometer where the pixels have been moved next to each other. Depth corrected resolutions under 2% from a Cs-137 (662 keV) source have been observed while operating these detectors at a relatively low electric field (2500 V/cm) and modest shaping times (4-16 /spl mu/s). The large surrounding anode was also connected, allowing for the observation of the pulse waveforms on the large non-collecting anode. This allowed for the observation of electron charge sharing between the anode pixel and surround large anode.
Towards Continuous Workflow Enactment Systems

Traditional workflow enactment systems and workflow design processes view the workflow as a one-time interaction with the various data sources, executing a series of steps once, whenever the workflow results are requested. The fundamental underlying assumption has been that data sources are passive and all interactions are structured along the request/reply (query) model. Hence, traditional Workflow Management Systems cannot effectively support business or scientific monitoring applications that require the processing of data streams. In this paper, we propose a paradigm shift from the traditional step-wise workflow execution model to a continuous execution model, in order to handle data streams published and delivered asynchronously from multiple sources.
Enhancement of National Collaboration Between Defence Establishment and Industry by Systems Approach

Abstract The objective of this paper is to discuss current challenges of specific collaboration mechanisms between the defence establishment and national defence industry and to present a holistic, conceptual co-operation model of systems approach, based on discussion to enhance that cooperation. This survey focuses mainly on problems that are related to defence technology and industrial strategies. A special emphasis is placed on collaboration activities and mechanisms between the above mentioned partners; technology programmes, industrial participation, defence centres of excellence and immaterial property rights to reveal collaboration dilemmas from various aspects. The conceptual model of systems approach pursues to manage cooperation activities and mechanisms comprehensively and so fulfil expectations placed for the collaboration both by the defence establishment and the industry. Applicability and value of the model is verified by risk analysis. The paper has a Finnish focus and it delineates the challenges identified with Finnish examples. However, the model that it represents is of universal application, especially for countries that do not have a comprehensive defence industry but import the major part of their materiel from abroad.
Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of 1,1-difluoroalkyl-substituted biphenylthienyl and terphenyl liquid crystals. A comparative study of mesomorphic behavior relative to alkyl, alkoxy and alkanoyl analogs

A variety of biphenylthienyl and terphenyl-based liquid crystalline materials were prepared that incorporate a 1,1-difluoropentyl terminal group. The mesogenic properties of these compounds were compared and contrasted with analogs where the CF2 moiety was replaced by a -CH2-, -O- or -CO- group. The 1,1-difluoroalkyl group is unique in its behavior and tends to promote orthogonal smectic phase behavior.
The Automated Determination of Acetoacetate in Serum and Urine

A procedure based on the Rothera reaction is presented for the automated determination of acetoacetate in serum and urine. The mean serum acetoacetate concentration determined by this procedure for normal human subjects is 0.20 mM; S.D. is 0.059 mM. Recovery experiments demonstrate excellent reliability. The interferences are identified and their effects evaluated.
Nipple Units for Newborn Infants: A Functional Comparison

Milk flow characteristics of nipple units commonly used in the neonatal period were compared in the laboratory using a mechanical system. The number of simulated sucks required to empty 120 mL of formula was determined for each nipple unit. In general, the number of simulated sucks required to empty the bottle decreased when the applied negative pressure was increased from -60 to -120 cm of H2O except for SMA nipple units for premature infants. The Nuk type required less sucks (ie, higher flow) than standard nipple units. Among the Nuk-type nipple units, the SMA nipple had the highest mean flow and Enfamil Natural the lowest mean flow; among the standard nipple units, SMA single-hole had the highest flow and Ross Twist-on had the lowest flow. However, wide variability in performance was observed not only between different types of nipple units but also within the same type. Flow characteristics of nipple units for preterm infants overlapped markedly, with that for term neonates with Enfamil nipples exhibiting the highest flow. Clinical relevance of these differences in flow characteristics among the nipple units is discussed.
Ceramide Synthase 6 Knockdown Suppresses Apoptosis after Photodynamic Therapy in Human Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma Cells

BACKGROUND The effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer treatment correlates with apoptosis. We observed that suppression of de novo-generated sphingolipids, e.g. ceramide, renders cells resistant to apoptosis post-PDT. Ceramide synthase 6 (CerS6) has been implicated in apoptosis after various stimuli. AIM To investigate the involvement of down-regulation of CerS6 in apoptosis and its impact on the sphingolipid profile post-PDT with the silicone phthalocyanine Pc 4 in a human head and neck squamous carcinoma cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS Besides siRNA transfections and PDT treatment, immunoblotting for protein expression, mass spectrometry for sphingolipid analysis, spectroflurometry and flow cytometry for apoptotic marker detection, and trypan blue assay for cytotoxicity assessment, were used. RESULTS CerS6 knockdown led to reduction in PDT-induced DEVDase activation, mitochondrial depolarization, apoptosis and cell death. CerS6 knockdown was associated with selective decreases in ceramides and dihydroceramides, markedly of C18-dihydroceramide, post-PDT. CONCLUSION CerS6 might be a novel therapeutic target for regulating apoptotic resistance to PDT.
Synthesis of nanocrystalline Al5Fe2 by mechanical alloying

Mechanical alloying (MA), a solid state powder processing technique, has been employed to synthesize a variety of alloy phases starting from either blended elemental or prealloyed powders. Recently there have been many investigations on the synthesis of intermetallic compounds by MA. However, in a majority of these cases the synthesis of the intermetallics is achieved only on heat treatment of the MA powders. Only in a few cases is the formation of the intermetallics achieved directly by MA; some of these phases are in the ordered state, although the ordering is far from complete. The purpose of the present paper is to report on the successful direct synthesis of the ordered Al[sub 5]Fe[sub 2] intermetallic by MA starting from blended elemental powders.
Stress at the intestinal surface: catecholamines and mucosa–bacteria interactions

Psychological stress has profound effects on gastrointestinal function, and investigations over the past few decades have examined the mechanisms by which neural and hormonal stress mediators act to modulate gut motility, epithelial barrier function and inflammatory states. With its cellular diversity and large commensal bacterial population, the intestinal mucosa and its overlying mucous environment constitute a highly interactive environment for eukaryotic host cells and prokaryotic bacteria. The elaboration of stress mediators, particularly norepinephrine, at this interface influences host cells engaged in mucosal protection and the bacteria which populate the mucosal surface and gut lumen. This review will address growing evidence that norepinephrine and, in some cases, other mediators of the adaptation to stress modulate mucosal interactions with enteric bacteria. Stress-mediated changes in this delicate interplay may shift the microbial colonization patterns on the mucosal surface and alter the susceptibility of the host to infection. Moreover, changes in host-microbe interactions in the digestive tract may also influence ongoing neural activity in stress-responsive brain areas.
Psychotherapy use in a privately insured population of patients diagnosed with a mental disorder

Although there is growing evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of psychotherapy in the treatment of mental disorders, the use of psychotherapy in privately insured populations has not been examined. This study examines utilization rates and correlates of the receipt of psychotherapy. A large claims database of US private sector claims was used to examine utilization rates and correlates of receipt of psychotherapy. Altogether, 860,090 adults who received mental health services in 2005 were identified from the database. Multivariate binary regression and general linear models were used to assess the association of patient characteristics with use of psychotherapy, use of group or family therapy and the number of psychotherapy visits based on current procedural terminology (CPT) codes. Only 32.4% of patients diagnosed with a mental illness received CPT codes indicating receipt of psychotherapy, and of these 96.5% received individual psychotherapy. Almost 75% of individuals diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, 62% with major depressive disorder, and 54% with bipolar disorder received psychotherapy. Larger numbers of psychotherapy visits were associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol use and mild depression. Larger numbers of psychotherapy visits were associated with PTSD, alcohol use and mild depression. Drug use, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder (MDD) were associated with fewer psychotherapy visits. Substantial differences in use of psychotherapy were observed across diagnoses, perhaps reflecting the availability of alternative drug therapies. Greater use of psychotherapy in patients with PTSD may reflect weaker evidence of the effectiveness of pharmacological treatment, while less use in MDD may reflect greater evidence of drug benefits.
Competitive reversals and environment-dependent resource partitioning in Erodium.

Effects of drought and varying plant density on the competitive coexistence of two winter annual Erodium species were studied using multiple regression analysis. Significant indications of resource partitioning were detected for interspecific mixtures under spring drought. Competitive superiority also was environment-dependent with E. botrys dominating with drought in autumn, while E. brachycarpum dominated with drought in spring. The results suggest that competitive coexistence in Erodium is promoted by processes both equilibrial (e.g., resource partitioning) and nonequilibrial (e.g. competitive reversals).
The macroscopic yielding behaviour of polymers in multiaxial stress fields

Experimental data on yielding of polyoxymethylene (POM) and polypropylene (PP) have been obtained in a wide range of complex triaxial stress conditions. These complex triaxial stress states have been produced by superimposition of simple stresses such as uniaxial compression, uniaxial tension and pure shear on hydrostatic pressure of various intensities. The actual yield surfaces of both polymers were constructed using the data. The yield surface of POM is a cone-shaped with a pointed apex and straight edges, while the yield surface of PP is cone-lime and non-linear, also with a pointed apex. A yield criterion is shown to very closely predict the observed behaviour of both polymers.
Studies on the respiratory system of aerobically (dark) and anaerobically (light) grown Rhodospirillum rubrum.

1. A major part of the respiratory activity of light grown cells of Rhodospirillum rubrum is associated with a system identical with that found in dark grown cells. 2. The specific activity of NADH and succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c reductase on a protein basis is the same in the particulate fraction from photosynthetic and aerobic cells. In contrast, the NADH and succinate oxidase is more than four times higher in the aerobic cells. Since the amount of particulate protein per cell is almost four-fold less in the aerobic cells, the total particle bound capacity for NADH and succinate oxidation per cell is approximately the same regardless of whether the cells were grown photosynthetically or aerobically. 3. The effect of various inhibitors of NADH oxidation was compared in the particulate fraction from aerobically and anaerobically grown cells. 4,5,6,7-Tetrachloro-2-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole (TTFB) was found to be a potent inhibitor of NADH and succinate oxidation; one-half maximal inhibition was observed at 0.5 μM. Rotenone and amytal inhibited about 80%. 4. In particles from photosynthetically grown cells respiration was inhibited to a maximum of 45–70% by KCN and TTFB; whereas in aerobically grown cells these inhibitors consistently inhibited maximally by more than 70%. 5. NADH oxidation was inhibited 35–50% by light in chromatophore preparations. Antimycin a relieved the light inhibition. In the presence of antimycin a and m-chlorocarbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone, light stimulated NADH oxidation and the oxidation was not sensitive to KCN. 6. 2-Hydroxy-3-(ω-cyclohexyloctyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone which had little effect on dark NADH oxidation inhibited the light stimulated oxidation. 7. These results indicate that at least three pathways exist for NADH oxidation in chromatophores: a) KCN sensitive which is characteristic of aerobically grown cells; b) KCN insensitive which appears to be part of the cyclic photochemical pathway; and c) the rotenone insensitive pathway.
Permanent and transitory components of earnings, dividends, and stock prices

Abstract This study examines the dynamic responses of stock prices to shocks from fundamentals, measured by earnings and dividends. We decompose annual data of aggregate earnings, dividends, and stock prices into permanent and transitory components by taking account of cointegration between the three data series. While raw earnings and dividends together account for only 5% of the stock return variation, about 95% of the variation in stock returns can be explained by permanent earnings and permanent dividends.
Simulating Twisting Behavior of Thin-Walled Beams Using Simplified Finite Element Models

This paper develops simplified finite element (FE) models for simulating twisting behavior of thin-walled beams with box and hexagonal cross-sections. The twisting behavior of the thin-walled beam models under large plastic rotation is investigated and existing plastic deformation theories are applied in developing the simplified FE models. The developed simplified models are composed of beam elements and a nonlinear rotational spring element, which simulates the twisting behavior and stores the energy during the large plastic rotation. Accuracy and efficiency of the simplified models are validated through numerical analyses and the results correlate to those obtained from detailed models. The analyses and comparisons verify that the simplified models correctly reflect the thin-walled beam's twisting buckling as the detailed models did.
Postmarketing study of ORTHO EVRA and levonorgestrel oral contraceptives containing hormonal contraceptives with 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol in relation to nonfatal venous thromboembolism

Abstract Background Concern has been raised that the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in users of the ORTHO EVRA �� patch is higher compared to users of oral contraceptives (OCs). Study Design We identified idiopathic cases of VTE and controls, matched on age and index date, from among women in the United States PharMetrics/IMS and MarketScan databases who were current users of the patch or levonorgestrel-containing OCs with 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The ORs (95% CI) for VTE in users of the patch compared to levonorgestrel-containing OCs were 2.0 (0.9���4.1) and 1.3 (0.8���2.1) in the PharMetrics and MarketScan databases, respectively. ORs (95% CI) restricted to women aged 39 years or younger were 1.4 (0.6���3.0) and 1.2 (0.7���2.0), respectively. Conclusion These results provide evidence that the risk of idiopathic VTE in users of the patch is not materially different than that of users of levonorgestrel-containing OCs in women aged 39 years or younger. We cannot rule out some increase in the risk in women aged 40 years or older.
Distinguishing total and partial identity: Evidence from Chol

This paper argues that long-distance assimilations between consonants come in two varieties: Total identity, which arises via a non-local relation between the interacting segments; and partial identity, which results from local articulatory spreading through intervening segments (Flemming 1995; Gafos 1999). Our proposal differs from previous analyses (Hansson 2001; Rose and Walker 2004) in that only total identity is a non-local phenomenon. While non-adjacent consonants may interact via a relation we call linking, the only requirement which may be placed on linked consonants is total identity. All single feature identities are the result of local spreading. The interaction of a total identity requirement on ejectives and stridents with anteriority harmony in Chol (Mayan) highlights the distinction between these two types of long-distance phenomena. We show that theories that allow non-local, single-feature agreement make undesirable predictions, and that the more restrictive typology predicted by our framework is supported by the vast majority of long-distance assimilation cases.
Ferrous Iron Reduction of Superoxide, A Proton-Coupled Electron-Transfer Four-Point Test

Nelsen’s four-point method of separating oxidants and reductants has been tested to evaluate its applicability to proton-coupled electron-transfer reactions. An efficient computational method was developed to determine rate-limiting steps in complex, multistep redox reactions. Geochemical redox reactions are rarely single-step, and by identifying the rate-limiting steps, computational time can be greatly reduced. The reaction of superoxide and ferrous oxide was selected as a test case for its simplicity and its importance in environmental radical generation chemistry (Fenton’s reaction). Two approaches, one quantum mechanical and the other semiempirical, were compared. In both approaches, hybrid density functional theory (DFT) was used with the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) basis set and a polarized continuum model of the solvent to minimize the structures and determine the energies. In the quantum mechanical case, DFT was used to determine both the Gibbs free energies and the values for the intrinsic component of th...