cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Right to Write - Free Expression Rights of Pennsylvania's Creative Students after Columbine

This comment analyzes the current state of students' free speech rights in the context of creative writing assignments and examines potential First Amendment applications to the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), a statewide, mandatory, standards-based exam administered to Pennsylvania public school students. The PSSA, which currently contains a writing assessment for students in sixth, ninth, and eleventh grades requiring students to write essays in response to prompts, is scored anonymously by private entities under contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Those private subcontractors have "red-flagging" procedures in place to identify essays containing imagery or themes that indicate imminent threats of harm to the writer or to others. Red-flagged essays are matched with the name of the writer and are sent to local school officials. This comment examines the red-flagging procedure and offers suggestions for ensuring that students, teachers, administrators, and parents are made aware of how the education system in general and PSSA officials in particular are attempting to protect not only the safety of the community but also students' rights of creativity and free expression.
Autonomous identification and classification of ionospheric sporadic E in digital ionograms

This paper introduces a methodology to autonomously identify and classify ionospheric sporadic E layers (Es) from digital ionograms acquired using a NOAA dynasonde operated at the Bear Lake Observatory (BLO) in northern Utah. This approach uses a windowed-fuzzy clustering technique to group ionospheric echoes present in digital ionograms, employing the transitive property of equivalence. The algorithm introduces a variance constraint to automatically determine the number and size of the clusters present in the data set. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the cluster shapes is employed for curvature estimation and to enable classification of the data into the four principal types of temperate latitude sporadic E. A visual evaluation of the autonomously classified ionograms suggests that the algorithm accurately identifies ∼95% of the sporadic E echoes present in the BLO data set. The paper also includes a “proof-of-concept” analysis of the methodology, deriving Es parameters for summer and winter intervals, that explicitly characterizes the diurnal and seasonal variations present in the E region at 42∘N. This analysis was derived from approximately 34,000 digital ionograms acquired over 4 months. While the experimental data show lower peak E region heights than predicted by modeling studies, they are generally consistent with GPS satellite occultation measurements. Our analysis of the temporal variation of foE during summer and winter intervals is inconsistent with previous results that suggest a seasonal E region density anomaly. The results confirm, however, the ionospheric effect of increased NO densities in both the summer and winter E region, as predicted by modeling studies. The identification of sporadic E using the approach outlined in this work markedly facilitates the analysis of Es parameters, as well as eliminating any human biases from the ionogram analysis process.
Identification of Yield-Limiting Defects in a 0.5 Micron, Shallow Trench Isolation Technology

During the development and qualification of a radiation-hardened, 0.5 {micro}m shallow trench isolation technology, several yield-limiting defects were observed. The 256K (32K x 8) static-random access memories (SRAMs) used as a technology characterization vehicle had elevated power supply current during wafer probe testing. Many of the die sites were functional, but exhibited quiescent power supply current (I{sub DDQ}) in excess of 100 {micro}A, the present limit for this particular SRAM. Initial electrical analysis indicated that many of the die sites exhibited unstable I{sub DDQ} that fluctuated rapidly. We refer to this condition as ''jitter.'' The I{sub DDQ} jitter appeared to be independent of temperature and predominantly associated with the larger 256K SRAMs and not as prevalent in the 16K SRAMs (on the same reticle set). The root cause of failure was found to be two major processing problems: salicide bridging and stress-induced dislocations in the silicon islands.
Potentials of Sub-Saharan Africa in the Global Market for International Tourism

Abstract This paper examines the future prospects of Sub-Saharan African region in the international market for tourism. This was achieved by analyzing past trends of international tourism arrivals and receipts in the region, and projecting these trends to the year 2010 using an amalgamation of four different time-series projection models after being evaluated by the MAPE. Results are given as confidence limits in three different scenarios. They show that arrivals of international tourists to Sub-Saharan Africa would increase from 17.9 millions in 2000 (end of observed period) to 28.9 million and 44.9 million tourists by the year 2010. The figures for receipts would go from $7.0b in 2000 to $11.0b and $15.3b by the year 2010. Receipts per capita (i.e., per tourist) would however decline at an annual rate of between −0.48% and −0.91% during the projection period. Socioeconomic impacts of these findings are given, and their implications for international marketing strategies and government public policies i...
ANTIPA: an agent architecture for intelligent information assistance

Human users trying to plan and accomplish information-dependent goals in highly dynamic environments with prevalent uncertainty must consult various types of information sources in their decision-making processes while the information requirements change as they plan and re-plan. When the users must make time-critical decisions in information-intensive tasks they become cognitively overloaded not only by the planning activities but also by the information-gathering activities at various points in the planning process. We have developed the ANTicipatory Information and Planning Agent (ANTIPA) to manage information adaptively in order to mitigate user cognitive overload. To this end, the agent brings information to the user as a result of user requests but most crucially, it proactively predicts the user's prospective information needs by recognizing the user's plan; pre-fetches information that is likely to be used in the future; and offers the information when it is relevant to the current or future planning decisions. This paper introduces a fully implemented agent of the ANTIPA architecture using a decision-theoretic user model.
Characterization of the Subunit Structure of the Ribonucleic Acid Genome of Influenza Virus

Ribonucleic acid extracted from influenza virus was labeled at the 3' termini with (3)H and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Influenza virus was found to contain a minimum of seven and possibly as many as 10 polynucleotide chains, most of which appear to terminate at the 3' end in uridine.
Blockade of non-opioid excitatory effects of spinal dynorphin A at bradykinin receptors.

Dynorphin A (Dyn A) is an endogenous opioid ligand that possesses neuroinhibitory (antinociceptive) effects via μ, δ, and κ opioid receptors. However, under chronic pain conditions, up-regulated spinal Dyn A can also interact with bradykinin receptors (BRs) to promote hyperalgesia through a neuroexcitatory(pronociceptive) effect. These excitatory effects cannot be blocked by an opioid antagonist, and thus are non-opioid in nature. On the basis of the structural dissimilarity between Dyn A and endogenous BR ligands, bradykinin(BK) and kallidin (KD), Dyn A's interaction with BRs could not be predicted, and provided an opportunity to identify a novel potential neuroexcitatory target. Systematic structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies discovered a minimum pharmacophore of Dyn A, [des-Arg7]-Dyn A-(4-11) LYS1044 for antagonist activity at the BRs, along with insights into the key structural features for BRs recognition, i.e., amphipathicity. The des-Tyr fragment of dynorphin does not bind to opioid receptors. Intrathecal administration of des-Tyr dynorphin produces hyperalgesia reminiscent of behaviors seen in peripheral n europathic pain models and at higher doses, neurotoxicity. Our lead ligand LYS1044 negatively modulated Dyn A-(2-13)-induced neuroexcitatory effects in naive animals and blocked mechanical hypersensitivity and thermal hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner in animals with experimental neuropathic pain. Based on these results, ligand LYS1044 might prevent abnormal pain states by blocking the neuroexcitatory effects of increased levels of Dyn A that are seen in experimental models of neuropathic pain and that likely promote excitation mediated by BRs in the spinal cord.
The Puzzling Persistence of Unenforceable Contract Terms

Contracts frequently contain clauses that are not enforceable – at least, not enforceable as written. While mistake may explain some such clauses, invalid terms are frequently used by sophisticated actors who are well aware that they are unenforceable as written. Presumably, this is because such clauses have utility for those who impose them, and the most obvious reason is that the other party to the contract (or, conceivably, some third party) does not realize the clause is unenforceable as written or is not willing to risk the resources needed to establish its invalidity. The phenomenon seems especially acute in the employment context where, among other instances, it surfaces in connection with overbroad noncompetition clauses and arbitration agreements containing invalid waivers of substantive or procedural rights. It seems likely that large numbers of employees work under agreements that, if challenged, would be found unenforceable as written. The Article demonstrates that, contrary to some claims, the phenomenon is not constrained by market forces on employers, including the costs of lost opportunities, reputational harms, foregone transactions, or increasing the price of labor. This market failure is in large part due to the judicial approach to such clauses. Once having declared them unenforceable as written, the courts generally proceed to tailor the terms so that they pass judicial muster. The result is to remove the major incentive the law could offer to draft permissible clauses - the risk that the entire clause will fail. This Article surveys some of the possible solutions to the problem, concluding that none is satisfactory. It urges, however, that a strong step in the right direction would be for courts, once they found a clause to have unenforceable provisions, to widen the angle of their review to consider not only doing justice between the parties before them but, more broadly, considering the interests of uninformed nonparties who are saddled with such provisions.
Sucrose, sodium dodecyl sulfate, urea, and 2-mercaptoethanol affect the thermal inactivation of R-phycoerythrin.

Thermal inactivation kinetics (D- and z-values) of the algal protein, R-phycoerythrin (R-PE), were studied under different buffer conditions (pH 4.0, 7.0, and 10.0) and concentrations of sucrose, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), urea, and 2-mercaptoethanol (ME). R-PE solutions were heated in capillary tubes at temperatures between 40 and 90°C depending on buffer conditions. Thermal inactivation parameters for R-PE, calculated on the basis of fluorescence loss, were modified by addition of chemicals. Overall, sucrose and ME had a thermostabilizing effect, while SDS and urea decreased thermal stability of R-PE. The z-values ranged from 5.9°C in 50 mM NaCl, 20 mM glycine buffer, pH 10.0, to 37.8°C in 60% sucrose, 50 mM NaCl, 20 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. The z-values obtained for R-PE closely matched the z-values of some target microorganisms in food processes, suggesting R-PE might be used as a time-temperature integrator to verify thermal processing adequacy.
SS433 and hydrogen spectrum beyond the Paschen-Back region

We examine the hydrogen spectrum in intense magnetic fields beyond the Paschen-Back region. Unlike in the Zeeman and Paschen-Back regions, the perturbations from the normal hydrogen spectrum increase as the magnetic fielddecreases!
Distal 19q duplication.

Two brothers with a distal 19q duplication due to a maternal balanced reciprocal translocation were observed. Clinical features included intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, microcephaly, and mental retardation with seizures. Dysmorphic facies consisted of coarse hair with a high frontal hairline, short philtrum and nose, flat nasal root, and a broad mouth with downturned commissures. Both routine G-banded and high-resolution prometaphase chromosome studies were employed in evaluation of the family. The dysmorphic features and karyotypes of the affected brothers are compared with those of the two previously reported families with 19q duplication, and a common distal-19q phenotypes is suggested.
A Six-Degree-of-Freedom Test System for the Study of Joint Mechanics and Ligament Forces

A joint testing system was designed to transmit a specified motion or force to a joint in all six degrees of freedom (d.o.f.) using a spatial linkage system for position feedback. The precise reproducibility of position provided by this method of position feedback allows determination of in situ ligament forces for external joint loadings. Load on the structure of interest is calculated from six d.o.f. load cell output after the loaded position is reproduced with all other structures removed. In a test of this system, measured loads showed good agreement with applied loads.
Imagining a bouncing ball

We conducted two experiments in which subjects imagined a computer-generated ball bouncing within the confines of a square. Results indicated that over extended distances of 42° of visual angle, the speeds at which the ball was viewed subsequently influenced the imagined speed, but the imagined speed ultimately tended to stabilize at a default speed of around 6° of visual angle per second. Analyses of the imagined angles of impact and ricochet suggest that there is also a default rebound angle of 90°, a process following no known laws of classical physics. We propose that the rules of naive physics (McClosky, 1983) are intimately tied to the innate imaginal processes, processes that could, in turn, significantly alter eyewitness testimony.
Discrimination between the complementary log-log and logistic model for ordinal data

An assessment is made of the number of observations on ordinal data necessary for reasonable power in a significance test of the null hypothesis of a logit model versus an alternative of a complementary log-log and vice versa. The conclusion is that quite modest numbers of observations, e.g. 50-100, are adequate provided that the boundaries of the ordinal scale are suitably defined.
Simulation-Based Educational Curriculum for Fluoroscopically Guided Lumbar Puncture Improves Operator Confidence and Reduces Patient Dose

Rationale and Objectives Fluoroscopically guided lumbar puncture (FGLP) is a commonly performed procedure with increased success rates relative to bedside technique. However, FGLP also exposes both patient and staff to ionizing radiation. The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of a simulation-based FGLP training program using an original, inexpensive lumbar spine phantom could improve operator confidence and efficiency, while also reducing patient dose. Materials and Methods A didactic and simulation-based FGLP curriculum was designed, including a 1-hour lecture and hands-on training with a lumbar spine phantom prototype developed at our institution. Six incoming post-graduate year 2 (PGY-2) radiology residents completed a short survey before taking the course, and each resident practiced 20 simulated FGLPs using the phantom before their first clinical procedure. Data from the 114 lumbar punctures (LPs) performed by the six trained residents (prospective cohort) were compared to data from 514 LPs performed by 17 residents who did not receive simulation-based training (retrospective cohort). Fluoroscopy time (FT), FGLP success rate, and indication were compared. Results There was a statistically significant reduction in average FT for the 114 procedures performed by the prospective study cohort compared to the 514 procedures performed by the retrospective cohort. This held true for all procedures in aggregate, LPs for myelography, and all procedures performed for a diagnostic indication. Aggregate FT for the prospective group (0.87 ± 0.68 minutes) was significantly lower compared to the retrospective group (1.09 ± 0.65 minutes) and resulted in a 25% reduction in average FT (P = .002). There was no statistically significant difference in the number of failed FGLPs between the two groups. Conclusions Our simulation-based FGLP curriculum resulted in improved operator confidence and reduced FT. These changes suggest that resident procedure efficiency was improved, whereas patient dose was reduced. The FGLP training program was implemented by radiology residents and required a minimal investment of time and resources. The LP spine phantom used during training was inexpensive, durable, and effective. In addition, the phantom is compatible with multiple modalities including fluoroscopy, computed tomography, and ultrasound and could be easily adapted to other applications such as facet injections or joint arthrograms.
Strategies for Long-term Success in the Treatment of HIV Infection

Highly active antiretroviral therapy has revolutionized the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which can now be viewed as a chronic and manageable disease. However, HIV infection differs from other chronic diseases in that early treatment decisions can irrevocably alter the patient's response to future therapy. Despite the large number of approved antiretroviral agents, the number of sequential treatment regimens that will be effective for an individual patient is sharply limited by cross-resistance within the 3 drug classes. Because of the complexity of antiretroviral therapy, clinicians prescribing it require considerable expertise. Treatment should be deferred until the patient has been educated about the importance of strict adherence and has demonstrated willingness and motivation to begin therapy. Drug regimens should be chosen that the patient can tolerate and adhere to, and the consequences of resistance should be considered before therapy is begun. When treatment fails, the timing and choice of subsequent therapy can be critical in determining the magnitude and durability of response. Resistance testing can help guide the clinician in the choice of therapy. In patients who have been treated with numerous antiretroviral agents, it may be impossible to achieve significant viral suppression. Therapy may still be beneficial for such patients, but it should be tolerable and should not increase resistance to drugs that may become available in the near future. Drug resistance and treatment failure are not random events, but are the result of factors over which clinicians and their patients have some control. The treatment of drug-resistant patients is challenging; the best way to deal with resistance is to prevent it.
Ocular torsion and the function of the vertical extraocular muscles

The vertical corneal meridia are not kept perpendicular to the horizon in human and nonhuman primates when the head or body is tilted, i.e., compensatory counter-rolling of the eyes does not occur. The slight torsional displacement of the vertical corneal meridia noted by many observers may be the result of rotation around an axis or to translation of the globe. The neurologic and structural systems that control the actions of the vertical muscles in human and nonhuman primates do not appear to provide a mechanism for wheel-rotation of the eyes around the pupillary axis. Ocular torsion is not a normal function of the vertical extraocular muscles. Their function is probably the reverse, i.e., the inhibition or prevention of ocular torsion and the stabilization of the eyes when the head or body inclines. Torsional displacement of a vertical corneal meridian occurs only when there is an abnormal muscle imbalance. Wheel-like movements (cycloduction) around the pupillary axis or visual line do not occur. Torsional displacement of a vertical corneal meridian occurs only with a simultaneous vertical movement. The vertical rectus and the oblique muscles in man work together to produce vertical ocular movements regardless of head position of body posture while maintaining the vertical corneal meridia parallel to the sagittal plane of the head. The vestibular apparatus may be responsible for distributing innervation among these muscles, enabling them to function in this manner.
Lymphoproliferative disorder that resembles heptosplenic lymphoma during maintenance treatment for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Lymphoproliferative disorders in pediatric patients usuallyarise following solid organ transplantation. Lymphoproliferativedisorders that occur in other clinical settings are uncommon inchildren. The Revised European American Lymphoma classiﬁca-tion divides lymphoproliferative disorders into B and T-cellimmunophenotypes as well as thymic or post-thymic origin.This classiﬁcation accounts for the category of extranodal lym-phomas. Extranodal lymphomas generally have either T- or NK-cell immunophenotypes. There are indolent and aggressive types.Hepatosplenic lymphoma (HSL) is one of the rare, aggressivetypes that primarily affects men younger than 35 years old. About10–20% of HSL cases arise in the immunocompromised settingincluding post-transplantation, post-chemotherapy for malignancyor during treatment for inﬂammatory bowel disease (IBD) [1,2].Here, we present a case of a young male with T-ALL who devel-oped a T-lymphoproliferative disorder that resembled HSL. Whilethe clinical presentations are consistent with HSL, the ﬁndings ofmonosomy 8 in 6–15% of the tumor cells and the polymorphiccell populations in the different lesions are unique.
Annealing of 517: 645 Borosilicate Optical Glass: II, Density

The density of a 517:645 optical borosilicate glass increased by more than 1% when samples quenched from the highest temperature at which no further decreases in density were observed were annealed at the lowest temperature at which increases were observed within reasonable time. Conversely, stabilization times increased with decrease of stabilization temperature. This behavior was in agreement with that exhibited by this and other glasses in respect to other properties. The increase in density caused a much smaller increase in refractive index than expected from conventional refraction-density relations. This was interpreted to mean that in glasses packed to a high density, the specific refraction decreased in relation to the tightening of the electronic structure. It may then be said that the refractive index of a fine annealed glass was the result of two opposing trends-the increasing density tended to increase it, the decreasing specific refraction indicative of a tight and less responsive electronic system tended to decrease it. The net result is the moderate increase observed in previous studies.
Nuclear techniques for finding chemical explosives in airport luggage

Abstract Chemical explosives are composed of concentrated densities of nitrogen and oxygen. High values of the nitrogen alert the presence of a bomb; high values of both nitrogen and oxygen densities certify the bomb's presence uniquely. More than a dozen nuclear-based techniques have been proposed for rapidly scanning airport luggage to find hidden explosives by measuring these elemental distributions. In almost every scheme, the technological challenge is the accelerator, which must be small, well-shielded, cost-effective, and be operable in busy airports by nominally-trained personnel, with minimum unscheduled downtime for repairs or service. This paper will summarize, within the limits imposed by security, four of the imaging schemes.
Filling a critical practice gap: experience with a dermatology day treatment center at Mayo Clinic

Background Intensive treatment options are lacking for patients with severe skin disease recalcitrant to outpatient therapy. The availability of inpatient dermatology care has almost disappeared in many parts of the United States. One possible solution for this is a day treatment center for patients with severe dermatologic disease recalcitrant to outpatient therapy. Methods Descriptive study based on retrospective medical record review of all patients attending the day hospital for treatment in 2010. We collected data on patient demographics, distribution of admission diagnosis, treatments used, and length of stay. Results A total of 211 patients had 235 admissions. Mean age was 57.7 years (range 3.8–92.1 years). The most common indications for admission were dermatitis (139 admissions [59.2%]), psoriasis (58 [24.7%]), and mycosis fungoides (eight [3.4%]). The main treatment interventions were wet dressings (195 admissions [83.0%]) and Goeckerman treatment (38 [16.2%]). The median number of days of treatment was three (interquartile range, 2–5 days) for wet dressings and 22 days (interquartile range, 21–24 days) for Goeckerman therapy. Conclusions The dermatology day treatment center provided intensive skin-directed therapy and filled a critical practice gap in the management of our patients with severe widespread skin diseases recalcitrant to outpatient therapy. We propose that the dermatology day treatment center is a valuable model that could be considered by both private practitioners and academic centers in the United States as an important adjunct to fill the gap in availability of intensive topical treatments for patients with severe skin disease.
Power grid sizing via convex programming

With the technology scaling and supply voltage reduction, designing a robust on-chip power network has become a challenging problem. In this paper, we devise a power grid sizing method to optimize the worst IR drop without explicitly deriving the current distribution. The method reduces the sizing problem into an effective resistance optimization problem which can be solved by convex programming efficiently. Experimental results show that our method can achieve up to 40% improvement for 2D grids and 7.32% improvement for a four-layer power grid.
Intermittent explosive disorder: associations with PTSD and other Axis I disorders in a US military veteran sample.

Abstract This study examined the prevalence of intermittent explosive disorder (IED) and its associations with trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychiatric diagnoses in a sample of trauma-exposed veterans ( n = 232) with a high prevalence of PTSD. Structural associations between IED and latent dimensions of internalizing and externalizing psychopathology were also modeled to examine the location of IED within this influential structure. Twenty-four percent of the sample met criteria for a lifetime IED diagnosis and those with the diagnosis were more likely to meet criteria for lifetime PTSD than those without (30.3% vs. 14.3% respectively). Furthermore, regression analyses revealed lifetime PTSD severity to be a significant predictor of IED severity after controlling for combat, trauma exposure, and age. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis revealed significant cross-loadings of IED on both the externalizing and distress dimensions of psychopathology, suggesting that the association between IED and other psychiatric disorders may reflect underlying tendencies toward impulsivity and aggression and generalized distress and negative emotionality, respectively.
Effects of selected analogs of adenosine on schedule-controlled behavior in rats.

Abstract Acute administration of N6( l -phenylisopropyl)adenosine ( l -PIA; 0.01–0.178 mg kg , s.c.), N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA; 0.01–0.178 mg kg s.c.), 2-chloroadenosine (2-CA; 0.32–0.56 mg kg , s.c.), N6-cycloheptyladenosine (CHPA; 0.032–1.0 mg kg , s.c.), N6-phenyladenosine (PA; 0.1–1.0 mg kg , s.c.), N6( d -phenylisopropyl)adenosine ( d -PIA; 0.32–1.0 mg kg , s.c.) and N6-benzyladenosine (BA; 1.0–17.8 mg kg , s.c.) produced dose-related decreases in responding under a fixed-ratio (FR) schedule of food reinforcement. Dose-effect curves were determined by administering cumulative doses (s.c.) during periods that preceded the sequential components of the schedule. Neither 2-chloroadenine arabinoside (2-CAB) nor 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (2',5'-DDA) altered fixed-ratio responding at the doses studied (0.1–3.2 and 1.0 and 3.2, respectively). Caffeine (0.32 and 3.2 mg kg ) antagonized the behavioral effects of l -PIA in a dose-related, surmountable manner. Daily administration of l -PIA (0.1 mg kg ) resulted in the development of tolerance to the effects of l -PIA decreasing rate and cross-tolerance to other analogs of adenosine (CHA, BA, d -PIA). No cross-tolerance was produced to caffeine, levorphanol or chlordiazepoxide. The activity and order of potency of the analogs of adenosine tested were consistent with the effects of agonists at A1 adenosine receptors. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the behavioral effects of N6- and 2-chlorine-substituted analogs of adenosine probably act through similar CNS mechanism(s).
GFL2! The Updated Geography for Life: National Geography Standards, Second Edition

Geography for Life: National Geography Standards, Second Edition (GFL2; Figure 1 ) is the recently released update of the original edition published in 1994. The original edition of Geography for L...
Flash behavior of female Photuris versicolor fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) in simulated courtship and predatory dialogues

FemalePhoturis versicolor fireflies attempt to capture males by responding to heterospecific flash patterns. A mating-dependent switch occurs which affects response timing and frequency of female flashes. We examined the switch using females of known age, mating status, and flash experience to assess how accurate mimicry is, what factors influence it, and what mechanism produces it. Presentations of simulated male flash patterns before and after mating revealed elements of an entrainment mechanism controlling female responsiveness. Unmated females preferentially answered conspecific patterns with variable latencies, averaging 1 s. Mating induced changes in both response frequency and response latency: Females answered heterospecific patterns more frequently, and latencies elicited by conspecific patterns shifted away from the unmated range. Heterogeneity in mean and variance of response latency among individuals indicates that females do not share a discrete reply to a given pattern. Little correspondence exists between latencies of sympatric species andP. versicolor females, suggesting that the flash response mechanism produces entriainment to any rhythmic pattern, not a one-to-one matching between prey and predator latencies. Different selective scenarios underlie strict mimicry versus entrainment mimicry.
Differences between adrenal adenoma causing primary aldosteronism and other adrenal tissues in the incorporation of labeled steroid precursors into their products

Abstract The incorporation and conversion of several labeled steroid precursors into their products were examined in slices of adrenal tissue from two patients with primary aldosteronism and compared with that in “normal” adrenal tissue and adrenal tissues from a patient with Gushing's syndrome. The products of the incorporation were separated by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The major products of conversion in the adenomatous tissue of primary aldosteronism were 18-hydroxycorticosterone and lesser amounts of aldosterone. Smaller amounts of 18-hydroxycorticosterone were isolated from all other adrenal tissues studied. No aldosterone could be recovered after incubating any of the adrenal tissue studied with labeled 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone or 18-hydroxycorticosterone as precursor steroid. These in vitro results seem to suggest that there is increased 18-hydroxylation in the adenoma of primary aldosteronism compared with other tissues and that relatively more 18-hydroxycorticosterone is produced in such tissue than aldosterone.
Structure-activity relationships of double-strand RGD peptides as GPIIb/IIIa receptor antogonists

Abstract A series of new double-strand RGD peptides are synthesized and their inhibitory activities evaluated for platelet aggregation. Substantial improvement in activity is observed with these novel RGD peptides in comparison with single-strand RGD peptides. The structure-activity relationships of these double-strand RGD peptides are discussed.
Hemolytic and thrombocytopathic characteristics of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation systems at simulated flow rate for neonates

Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the treatment of acute respiratory and cardiac failure has become an accepted modality in many institutions for patients failing conventional therapy. It has been shown to significantly reduce mortality and morbidity in critically ill infants and adults (1-6). The success of ECMO in providing gas exchange and circulatory support has led to an increase in its use in increasingly complex medical and surgical patients (4, 7). Recently, new technologies for ECMO in terms of centrifugal pumps and hollow-fiber oxygenators have become available in the marketplace. Although practitioners have been slow to adopt these newer ECMO components as a result of past concerns of severe hemolysis, many centers are now adopting these newer ECMO components. According to a 2008 survey of North American active ECMO centers, >80% routinely used roller pumps for neonatal ECMO (8). This study also showed that these centers primarily used the classic silicone membrane oxygenators (67%) in comparison to the centers using microporous hollow-fiber oxygenators (19%) and polymethylpentene hollow-fiber oxygenators (14%). A follow-up survey in 2010 found that the majority of centers had switched to hollow-fiber oxygenators, although centrifugal pump use remains less than roller pumps. The impact of these new systems on hemolysis and safety has not been thoroughly addressed. Studies have shown that the release of cell-free plasma hemoglobin, a marker of hemolysis; generated during ECMO is associated with renal dysfunction, increased blood transfusions, clot formation in the circuit, and death in children on ECMO after cardiac surgery (9, 10). A 2004 Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry analysis revealed that hemolysis occurred in 13.6% of all ECMO procedures with a higher incidence of dangerous hemolysis in centrifugal pumps (11). Prediction of severe hemorrhage during pediatric ECMO is challenging, because there is no currently acceptable specific clinical or laboratory marker (12, 13). A recent study showed that ECMO components can induce platelet microaggregates associated with impaired neurophysiological function (14) and can trigger microhemorrhage and inflammatory reactions. Previous published data comparing ECMO components at low flow rates simulating neonatal ECMO conditions is limited. In 1996, a study by Moon et al (15) showed in a low-flow environment that there was no significant difference in hemolysis between previously used pumps. Our hypothesis is that at low flow rates, differences in hemolysis and platelet aggregation are negligible when comparing a centrifugal pump/hollow-fiber oxygenator system with a traditional roller-pump/silicone membrane system.
Slow channel calcium inhibition blocks proinflammatory gene signaling and reduces macrophage responsiveness.

Background This study investigates the possible intracellular mechanisms responsible for calcium antagonist protection in tissue-fixed macrophages, a central modulator of the proinflammatory phenotype.Methods Rabbit alveolar macrophages were exposed to lipopolysaccharide in the presence of different
Cereal transformation methods

Abstract The merits of the most recently published methods for the introduction of genes into cereal cells are critically reviewed. These methods have been evaluated on the basis of their reproducibility, ease of use and application in addressing specific problems in the use of transformation systems.
Effect of systemic tetracycline and amoxicillin on inflammatory root resorption of replanted dogs' teeth

The use of systemic penicillin after an avulsion injury has been recommended as a way to decrease the occurrence of resorption complications. Our previous study has shown systemic tetracycline to possess anti-resorptive properties independent of potential anti-bacterial actions. The purpose of this study was to compare histologically the effectiveness of tetracycline and amoxicillin in limiting inflammatory root resorption (IR) secondary to pulpal infection, in replanted dogs' teeth. Thirty root canals in five dogs were infected with plaque. The roots were extracted, the lingual mid-roots were shaved with a fissure bur ensuring cemental damage and immediately replanted. Dogs were given either tetracycline hydrochloride or amoxicillin, administered orally, on the day of extraction and replantation and for the following 6 days. The control group was teeth in these animals treated in the same manner but where no antibiotics were given. After approximately 6 months, the dogs were sacrificed and the teeth prepared for histologic evaluation. The shaved root surface was identified in cross-sections and eight equidistant points along the cut root surface were evaluated for healing (H) or IR in eight sections per tooth. For the tetracycline group, H averaged 67.22% and IR 32.78%, which was not statistically different from the amoxicillin group with H averaging 56.88% and IR 43.12%. The tetracycline group was superior to the control group with H = 27.86% and IR = 72.14%. Since tetracycline has been shown to have anti-resorptive properties in addition to the antibacterial properties demonstrated here, it could be considered as an alternative to amoxicillin after avulsion injuries.
The impact of double taxation on small firms' cash holdings

Prior literature conjectures that double taxation has a negative impact on corporate liquidity. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence for the proposition. By examining small publicly-traded C corporations, we find a negative relation between long-run cash effective tax rates and cash holdings. Such a tax impact occurred before the reduction in double taxation in 2003 but not afterwards. Another unexplored issue is whether it is effective to enact double taxation reducing policies when economic conditions deteriorate. Our results reveal that such policies should be made permanent instead of being employed only when economic conditions deteriorate.
An efficient rearrangement of secondary alkyl S-methyl xanthates by trimethylaluminum (TMA)

Abstract The rearrangement of secondary S -methyl xanthales to S -methyl dithiocarbonates at room temperature using trimethylaluminum has been studied. This reaction affords an efficient and simple method for converting secondary alcohols to thiols.
Effect of Peripheral Foot Cooling on Metabolic Rate and Thermoreregulation of Fed and Fasted Chicken Hens in a Hot Environment

Abstract An experiment with a factorial arrangement of treatments was conducted to determine the effect of ambient and water-cooled roost temperatures on metabolic rates of fasted and fed Columbian Plymouth Rock hens. Indirect open circuit calorimetry was used to determine oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production rates by the hens. Experiments during the thermoneutral period were conducted at 25 ± 1 C for both ambient and roost temperature treatments. Experiments during the heat-stress period were conducted at an ambient temperature of 35 ± 1 C. Roost temperatures of 20 ± 1 (water-cooled roost) and 34 ± 1 C were provided. Fasting was for at least 40 h; fed hens were fasted, then gavaged with 20 g of sucrose dissolved in 20 mL of distilled water. The metabolic rates were consistently higher in fed than fasted hens for all temperature treatments. The respiratory quotient responses were significantly influenced by feeding status of hens but not by ambient or roost temperature treatments. Cooled roosts in the 35 ± 1 C environment provided metabolic rates 19% lower. The rectal temperatures of heat-stressed fasted and fed hens with a 34 ± 1 C roost were elevated 1.20 and 1.32 C, respectively, whereas those of hens with the 20 ± 1 C water-cooled roosts increased only .22 and .28 C during the heat-stress period, respectively. Hens on the 20 ± 1 C roost did not initiate thermal panting, whereas those on the 34 ± 1 C roost panted vigorously. It is concluded that the water-cooled roost partially alleviated heat stress by lowering metabolic rate. Also, cooled-roost hens did not recruit energy-expensive thermoregulation mechanisms because the body heat load was conductively lost to the roost.
Moral distress and ethical confrontation: problem or progress?

Is the NICU a morally stressful place to work? If so, is that necessarily a bad thing? According to a study by Janvier et al., the answer to these questions depends less upon the medical conditions of the babies in the NICU and more on the sociocultural milieu of the unit. In units where everybody agrees about the proper approach, there is less moral stress. When people disagree, the workplace is more stressful. Unfortunately, agreement does not necessarily reflect correctness of knowledge or attitudes.
Killing Naked Soldiers: Distinguishing between Combatants and Noncombatants

Just war theorists contended that weapons are illegitimate unless they can be used in such a way so as to distinguish combatants from noncombatants. Contemporary international legal theory also draws heavily on the principle of discrimination. The Geneva Convention (IV), as interpreted in the Second Protocol of 1977, says: “The civilian population as such, as well as individual civilians, shall not be the object of attack…Indiscriminate attacks are prohibited.” In both the Just War tradition and contemporary international law, the main justification for such a principle has to do with noncombatant immunity, the idea that only those who are combatants can legitimately be attacked in war. The principle of discrimination also relies on the idea that it is possible to distinguish, in a morally significant way, those classes or groups of people who participate in wars from those who do not. The categories of “civilian” or “soldier,”“combatant” or “noncombatant,” are thought to be stable. Yet, the case of the naked soldier taking a bath challenges such stability in a way that illustrates the serious conceptual and normative problems with identifying such social groups. In this paper I argue that, because of these problems, the traditional principle of discrimination offers no clear, morally relevant, line between those who fight and those who do not. Nonetheless, I argue that a distinction of this sort should be maintained, although one that will restrict tactics in war far more than is normally recognized.
Comparative assessment of human–Mars-mission technologies and architectures

Abstract We compare a variety of mission scenarios to assess the strengths and weaknesses of options for Mars exploration. The mission design space is modeled along two dimensions: trajectory architectures and propulsion system technologies. We examine direct, semi-direct, stop-over, semi-cycler, and cycler architectures, and we include electric propulsion, nuclear thermal rockets, methane and oxygen production on Mars, Mars water excavation, aerocapture, and reusable propulsion systems in our technology assessment. The mission sensitivity to crew size, vehicle masses, and crew travel time is also examined. Many different combinations of technologies and architectures are applied to the same Mars mission to determine which combinations provide the greatest potential reduction in the injected mass to LEO. We approximate the technology readiness level of a mission to rank development risk, but omit development cost and time calculations in our assessment. It is found that Earth–Mars semi-cyclers and cyclers require the least injected mass to LEO of any architecture and that the discovery of accessible water on Mars has the most dramatic effect on the evolution of Mars exploration.
Regret in the Newsvendor Model with Partial Information

Traditional stochastic inventory models assume full knowledge of the demand probability distribution. However, in practice, it is often difficult to completely characterize the demand distribution, especially in fast-changing markets. In this paper, we study the newsvendor problem with partial information about the demand distribution (e.g., mean, variance, symmetry, unimodality). In particular, we derive the order quantities that minimize the newsvendor's maximum regret of not acting optimally. Most of our solutions are tractable, which makes them attractive for practical application. Our analysis also generates insights into the choice of the demand distribution as an input to the newsvendor model. In particular, the distributions that maximize the entropy perform well under the regret criterion. Our approach can be extended to a variety of problems that require a robust but not conservative solution.
Photochemical properties of a photosystem I subchloroplast fragment

Abstract Treatment of spinach chloroplast fragments with the detergent lauryl dimethylamine oxide, followed by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, leads to the isolation of a Subchloroplast fragment that is enriched in Photosystem I. The spectrum of the lauryl dimethylamine oxide fragments, characterized by maxima at 418, 435, and 671 nm, shows the absence of chlorophyll b . The fragments contain 1 molecule of P700 per 40 chlorophyll molecules but have no cytochromes. The P700 in the fragments is photochemically active at both room temperature and liquid helium temperature. The fragments contain the primary electron acceptor of Photosystem I, as evidenced by the low-temperature photoreduction of a bound iron-sulfur protein. The fragments are able to catalyze noncyclic electron transfer from ascorbate to oxygen but not to the electron acceptor NADP.
Interactive volume isosurface rendering using BT volumes

This paper presents a volume representation format called BT Volumes, along with a technique to interactively render them and two methods to create useful data in BT Volume format, including high quality reconstruction filtering. Medical applications rely heavily on isosurface data to visualize anatomy, but current real-time iso-surface rendering techniques such as Marching Cubes are limited in flexibility and provide only low-order linear reconstruction filtering. As an alternative to creating triangular geometry to represent the surface, we ray trace an exact isosurface directly inside a pixel shader. We construct a set of Bezier Tetrahedra to approximate any reconstruction filter with arbitrary footprint. We then precompute the volume convolved with this filter as a tetrahedral grid with Bezier weights that can be ray traced in graphics hardware. Our technique is fast, renders any isosurface level without additional work, and performs high quality reconstruction filtering with arbitrary footprints and reconstruction kernels.
Additional carotenes and a colorless polyene of lycopersicon species and strains

Abstract Three additional all- trans -carotenes, pigments A, and C and “tetrahydrolycopene”, one cis -isomer, pigment B, and a colorless polyene A have been isolated from fruit of tomatoes bred and selected for a high content of carotenes and colorless polyenes other than β-carotene and lycopene. Light-absorption curves, isomerization data, and relative adsorptive properties have been presented for each of these compounds. Some structural characteristics of the compounds have been deduced from the data obtained. The compound “unidentified I” has been identified as “protetrahydrolycopene” through iodine isomerization, mixed chromatograms, and light-absorption curves. This name should replace “poly- cis -ψ-carotene” and “unidentified carotene I”.