cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Copper–Zinc–Tin–Sulfide Thin Films via Annealing of Ultrasonic Spray Deposited Nanocrystal Coatings

Thin polycrystalline films of the solar absorber copper-zinc-tin-sulfide (CZTS) were formed by annealing coatings deposited on molybdenum-coated soda lime glass via ultrasonic spraying of aerosol droplets from colloidal CZTS nanocrystal dispersions. Production of uniform continuous nanocrystal coatings with ultrasonic spraying requires that the evaporation time is longer than the aerosol flight time from the spray nozzle to the substrate such that the aerosol droplets still have low enough viscosity to smooth the impact craters that form on the coating surface. In this work, evaporation was slowed by adding a high boiling point cosolvent, cyclohexanone, to toluene as the dispersing liquid. We analyzed, quantitatively, the effects of the solvent composition on the aerosol and coating drying dynamics using an aerosol evaporation model. Annealing coatings in sulfur vapor converts them into polycrystalline films with micrometer size grains, but the grains form continuous films only when Na is present during annealing to enhance grain growth. Continuous films are easier to form when the average nanocrystal size is 15 nm: using larger nanocrystals (e.g., 20 nm) sacrifices film continuity.
RNA-Seq study reveals genetic responses of diverse wild soybean accessions to increased ozone levels

Ozone is an air pollutant widely known to cause a decrease in productivity in many plant species, including soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr). While the response of cultivated soybean to ozone has been studied, very little information is available regarding the ozone response of its wild relatives. Ozone-resistant wild soybean accessions were identified by measuring the response of a genetically diverse group of 66 wild soybean (Glycine soja Zucc. and Sieb.) accessions to elevated ozone levels. RNA-Seq analyses were performed on leaves of different ages from selected ozone-sensitive and ozone-resistant accessions that were subjected to treatment with an environmentally relevant level of ozone. Many more genes responded to elevated ozone in the two ozone-sensitive accessions than in the ozone-resistant accessions. Analyses of the ozone response genes indicated that leaves of different ages responded differently to ozone. Older leaves displayed a consistent reduction in expression of genes involved in photosynthesis in response to ozone, while changes in expression of defense genes dominated younger leaf tissue in response to ozone. As expected, there is a substantial difference between the response of ozone-sensitive and ozone-resistant accessions. Genes associated with photosystem 2 were substantially reduced in expression in response to ozone in the ozone-resistant accessions. A decrease in peptidase inhibitors was one of several responses specific to one of the ozone resistant accessions. The decrease in expression in genes associated with photosynthesis confirms that the photosynthetic apparatus may be an early casualty in response to moderate levels of ozone. A compromise of photosynthesis would substantially impact plant growth and seed production. However, the resistant accessions may preserve their photosynthetic apparatus in response to the ozone levels used in this study. Older leaf tissue of the ozone-resistant accessions showed a unique down-regulation of genes associated with endopeptidase inhibitor activity. This study demonstrates the existence of significant diversity in wild soybean for ozone response. Wild soybean accessions characterized in this study can be used by soybean breeders to enhance ozone tolerance of this important food crop.
[Surveillance of imported schistosomiasis in non-endemic areas in Changshu City from 2006 to 2015].

Objective To understand the situation of imported schistosomiasis in non-endemic areas along the Yangtze River in Changshu City, so as to provide the evidence for formulating and adjusting control measures. Methods The data of Oncomelania hupensis snails and schistosomiasis patients in Changshu City from 2006 to 2015 were collected and analyzed. Results Totally 1 650 residents of Changshu City were tested by serum tests from 2006 to 2015, and 35 cases were positive, with a positive rate of 2.12%. No positive cases were found in etiological tests. No O. hupensis snails were found. Conclusions No imported schistosomiasis cases are found in the areas along the Yangtze River in Changshu City, but the infection source is still possible to be imported, and the surveillance work should be strengthened.
Falls: Prevention and Management in the Institutional Setting

Falls are more common among nursing home than community dwelling elderly and more often result in serious injury among the nursing home population. This article reviews the epidemiology of falls in the long-term care setting, identifies risk factors associated with falling in the nursing home, and discusses possible interventions for those at high risk of falling.
Simulation Metamodeling of a Maintenance Float System

In this chapter, we discuss the use of metamodels in analyzing maintenance float systems. Metamodels are, increasingly, being used in solving complex problems primarily because of there ease of use and tremendous appeal for practical purposes. Further, metamodels utilize the increasing power of PC-based simulations and statistical applications. Our focus here is on their application to maintenance float network problems. Maintenance float problems can be considered as part of closed queuing network problems. Such problems are very difficult to model analytically. With the use of simulation, we can better understand maintenance float problems and with metamodels, we may be able to provide some generalizations to the results obtained through simulation.
Adaptive Control of Precision Guided Airdrop Systems with Highly Uncertain Dynamics

The bulk of research in the field of precision guided airdrop systems has focused on improving landing accuracy in the presence of atmospheric winds that can exceed vehicle airspeed. One important ...
PLG microsphere size controls drug release rate through several competing factors

Purpose. Although the rate of drug release from poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microspheres is often modulated by changing fabrication conditions or materials, the specific factors directly controlling the release profiles are often unclear. We have fabricated uniform rhodamine- and piroxicam-containing microspheres, 10 to 100 μm in diameter, to better understand how microsphere size controls drug release.
Men's Risk-Taking Predicts their Partner-Directed Cost-Inflicting Behaviors

Abstract Within the context of a long-term intimate relationship, men engage in a wide variety of behaviors that function to maintain a partner's investment in and reduce the risks associated with a partner's defection from that relationship. Some of these behaviors entice a partner's continued investment through the provision of benefits, while others inflict costs for defection. These cost-inflicting behaviors, while potentially valuable, are also risky, as they may ultimately increase the odds of a romantic partner's defection or retaliation. Given the riskiness of cost-inflicting behaviors, we hypothesize that men's use of these behaviors can be predicted by men's tendency toward risk-taking behavior more generally, but only when that risk-taking is indicative of lower mate value or relationship investment. To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether and how performance of behaviors within five risk-taking domains (ethical, financial, recreational, health/safety, and social) predict men's use of cost-inflicting behaviors. Using path analysis and data from partner-reports from 122 female undergraduate students in a committed, heterosexual, sexual relationship, we confirmed that men's performance of cost-inflicting behavior is predicted by men's unethical risky behavior and, to a lesser extent, financial and recreational risky behavior.
CD4+ T cells specific for factor VIII as a target for specific suppression of inhibitor production.

Some hemophilia A patients, when treated with factor VIII (fVIII) products to control bleeding episodes, develop antibodies (Ab) to surface domains of fVIII that are essential for its procoagulant function 1,3 Development of fVIII inhibitors is a serious therapeutic complication that affects 20 – 25% of patients with hemophilia A 1,3 Individuals without congenital fVIII deficiency may also develop pathogenic autoimmune inhibitory Ab to fVIII that cause acquired hemophilia, a rare yet severe bleeding disorder (4,5 ). FVIII inhibitors are high affinity IgG, and their synthesis requires the intervention of fVIII specific CD4+ T helper cells.
Prehistoric Settlement Patterns and Optimal Maize Field Location in the Mt. Trumbull Region NW Arizona USA

Optimal maize field locations possibly used by prehistoric agriculturalists ~A.D. 1100 in Mt. Trumbull area of northwest Arizona were modeled using remotely sensed data and ground based observations. Models were created by developing GIS “layers” using radiant surface temperature from satellite (ASTER, the Advanced Spacebourne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer), digital orthophoto quad data, 10 m DEM data, and NRCS soil maps. Near surface air temperature and soil moisture were collected on the ground. Two distinct crop/habitation models are constructed: a “restrictive” model and a “fuzzy logic” model. The proximity of the optimal field locations is compared with the distribution of archaeological sites, specifically investigating whether one or two room structures with sparse artifact scatters (so called “field houses”) are indeed preferentially associated with optimal field locations as some have suggested. Results indicate that “field houses” are not preferentially associated with the most optimal field locations. Rather the larger habitations sites consisting of multi-room or larger C shaped habitations are significantly more likely to be found within 200 m of an optimal field location. Common “field houses” may in fact have served other purposes, or could reflect more intensive use of sub-optimal locations later in the prehistoric sequence nearer the eventual abandonment of the area in late Pueblo II or early Pueblo III times. Better chronological control of occupations of all these sites will be useful in explaining this pattern.
Asset Management in einem Industriekonzern

Ende der 90er Jahre standen die Alterssicherungsinstrumente in Deutschland vor neuen gro-sen Herausforderungen. Nachfolgende Einflussfaktoren waren hierfur besonders verantwortlich: ▪ Veranderungen in der demografischen Entwicklung - Anstieg der statistischen Lebenserwartung und demzufolge - Anstieg der Anzahl der Leistungsempfanger ▪ Veranderungen in der gesetzlichen Rentenversicherung - Rentenreform des Jahres 2000 mit Fokus auf die Schaffung einer selbstfinanzierten Privatversorgung ▪ Veranderungen im Wettbewerbsumfeld - Schliesung alter Versorgungsmodelle - Schrittweise Entwicklung von innovativen Finanzierungskonzepten durch Pensionsfonds ▪ Unzureichender Insolvenzschutz
Heat transfer during condensing droplet coalescence

Abstract Dropwise condensation can yield heat fluxes up to an order of magnitude higher than filmwise condensation. Coalescence is the primary mode of growth for condensing droplets above a small threshold size (e.g., radius r > 2 μm for water at 1 atm), but no prior studies have quantitatively assessed heat transfer during coalescence. Previous models of dropwise condensation have generally described coalescence as an instantaneous event, with a step reduction in heat transfer rate. However, coalescence and recovery of a quasi-steady droplet temperature profile requires a finite time, during which the direct droplet condensation heat transfer rate gradually decays. Additionally, during this period, the droplet may oscillate, repeatedly clearing the surrounding surface and resulting in high overall heat fluxes. This study employs Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) simulations to quantitatively assess these two transient heat transfer processes during droplet coalescence. It is shown that the direct mechanism of gradual heat transfer decay can be represented by a decaying exponential function with a time constant τ . Simulations are performed to determine τ ( r 1 , Rt ) for ( 1 μ m ⩽ r 1 ⩽ 25 μ m; 1 ⩽ Rt ⩽ 4 ) where r 1 is the radius of the smaller droplet and Rt is the radius ratio between the two merging droplets. For water at atmospheric pressure this spans the range of droplet sizes through which most of the heat transfer occurs on a surface ( ∼ 80 % ). A simple correlation is proposed for τ ( r 1 , Rt ) for the studied droplet size range, fluid properties, and surface conditions. These simulations are also employed to determine the order of magnitude of heat transfer enhancement due to repeated clearing of the surrounding surface as droplets coalesce. Findings can inform improved models of dropwise condensation that more accurately predict transient heat transfer during coalescence events.
Heat generation and deformation in ultrasonic welding of magnesium alloy AZ31

Abstract A dual-sonotrode edge welding setup and a finite element analysis (FEA) model were developed for ultrasonic welding (USW) of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets. Sonotrode vibration was measured quantitatively by a high-speed camera and introduced into the model as the driving force. The transient temperature field on the edge of the sheets was captured by an infrared camera. The heat generation mechanism in USW was investigated by a parametric study on the friction coefficient. Friction at faying interface should be smaller than those at other interfaces to enhance heat generation. The model was then validated by the experimental thermal history at the faying interface and the full temperature field as well as sonotrode indentation. Using the established model, USW under different welding powers (or vibration amplitudes) but at the same energy input was analyzed to characterize USW bond condition. Much higher temperature in the weld was observed with increasing vibration amplitudes, while reasonable indentation was maintained. Vibration amplitude other than energy input was a critical factor in bond formation between AZ31 sheets.
Pharmacy cost in cancer.

e18358Background: Health care spending in US is highest in the developed world and contributes to up to 1/5 of the GDP. The price escalation is steep and contribution from cancer care is soaring. T...
Where Should Athletic Training Programs Be Housed

Context: Where a professional athletic training education program (ATEP) should be housed within a college/university has been a topic of discussion for many years. While individual institutions have unique preferences and priorities that suit its specific situation, it is essential that the field as a whole develops a consistent and cohesive model to guide ATEPs in their initial or continued development as programs. The current literature investigating the appropriate location of both undergraduate and graduate professional ATEPs is limited. Objective: To begin a discussion on what ultimately will be the best situation to ensure the sustained growth of ATEPs and, therefore, the profession. Conclusion: The current literature is inconclusive as to the optimal location for professional ATEPs within a college/university community. It is the author's opinion that undergraduate ATEPs should maintain their traditional place in physical education/kinesiology departments, as that is the most appropriate location ...
Chapter 56 – Colonies

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses insect colonies. Insect colonies can serve as useful models of biological processes that occur in other complex living systems. One powerful analogy has been to compare the initiation, growth, and reproduction of an insect colony to the process of development of multicellular organisms. Insect colonies are initiated by propagules that are produced by parents; they then grow, reproduce, and often decline in old age. However, a wide array of developmental patterns has evolved in insect societies. Some of these variations can be explained by abiotic factors, such as the climate that prevails in the geographic range of a given species. Seasonality of temperature, daylength, and rainfall appear to have far-reaching effects on colony development. Climatic variables are not the whole story, however, since a diversity of colony cycles can be found among closely related species that live in the same area. Pressure from natural enemies, such as predators and parasites, as well as pressure from social competitors, has shaped the evolution of colony development.
I.3 – Position Analysis

Publisher Summary The position analysis of a kinematic chain requires the determination of the joint positions and/or the position of the center of gravity of the link. This chapter presents a planar link with the end nodes A and B. The (xA, yB) are the coordinates of joint A with respect to the reference frame xOy, and (xB, yB) and are the coordinates of joint B with the same reference frame. The independent closed loops are identified first in vector loop method, and a vector equation corresponding to each independent loop is established. The vector equation gives rise to two scalar equations, one for the horizontal axis x and the other for the vertical axis y. A vector loop equation can be considered for an open kinematic chain with general joints. This chapter concludes with the discussion of the planar R-RTR-RRT mechanism.
The Cultural Value of Leisure: Contra and Pro

I consider, analyze, and try to address the existing cultural concerns, critiques, and worries about leisure. Taking these concerns seriously, my conclusion is that these concerns can be challenged with counterevidence and counterarguments, but resolving this debate, if it will ever be fully resolved, may require testing in a society characterized by a proliferation of genuine leisure.
Reoxygenation after Evofosfamide Treatment in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Xenografts is due to Decreased Oxygen Consumption and not Increased Oxygen Supply

Abstract Evofosfamide is designed to release a cytotoxic bromo-isophosphoramide (Br-IPM) moiety in a hypoxic microenvironment. This drug therefore preferentially attacks hypoxic regions in tumors where other standard anti-cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often ineffective. Various combination therapies with evofosfamide have been proposed and tested in preclinical and clinical settings. However, the treatment effect of evofosfamide monotherapy on tumor hypoxia has not been fully understood, partly due to the lack of quantitative methods to assess tumor pO2 in vivo. Here, we use quantitative pO2 imaging by EPR to evaluate the change in tumor hypoxia in response to evofosfamide treatment using two pancreatic ductal adenocarcinom a xenograft models; MIA Paca-2 tumors responding to evofosfamide and Su.86.86 tumors which do not respond. EPR imaging showed oxygenation improved globally after evofosfamide treatment in hypoxic MIA Paca-2 tumors, in agreement with the ex vivo results obtained from hypoxia staining by pimonidazole and in apparent contrast to the decrease in Ktrans observed in DCE MRI. This suggests reoxygenation after treatment is due to decreased oxygen demand rather than improved prefusion. Following the change in pO2 after treatment may therefore yield a way of monitoring treatment response. The observation that evofosfamide not only kills the hypoxic region of the tumor but also improves oxygenation in the residual tumor regions provides a rationale for combination therapies using radiation and anti-proliferatives post evofosfamide for improved outcomes.
Modeling the Impact of Traffic Signals on V2V Information Flow

Information propagation in V2V-enabled transportation networks is highly influenced by both vehicle mobility and wireless communication. The mobility patterns and communication conditions are not only heterogeneous, but also vary both temporally and spatially. In particular, realistic traffic flow changes with time, exhibiting sharp time-triggered transitions, due to external factors such as traffic lights, unpredictable disruptions (e.g., accidents), and planned disruptions (e.g., road-block). More specifically, traffic signals cause traffic synchronization, due to vehicles stopping during the red phase, and starting almost simultaneously during the green phase, which fundamentally alters the dynamics of V2V message propagation in a complex manner. In this paper, we propose a mathematical framework, starting from a continuous-time Markov chain, that characterizes the fraction of vehicles that have received a message over time and space in an arbitrary road network even when the traffic flow exhibits sharp time-triggered transitions. Our framework can accommodate arbitrary traffic synchronization patterns corresponding for example to the presence of an arbitrary number of traffic signals. The stochastic model for V2V message flow converges to a set of differential equations as the number of vehicles increases. The analytical characterization lends itself to a fast computation regardless of the number of vehicles and traffic synchronization patterns, while vehicular network simulators can only realistically simulate small-scale transportation networks. We find that V2V simulations of a statistical model with traffic synchronization and simulation of communications applied on a synthetic traffic trace well match our model solution.
Effective Staffing, Recruitment, and HR Management

Staffing is the primary means by which a simulation center influences its services and educational offerings. Hiring the right people and training them aptly are imperative to ensure program success. A robust staff training program should include initial training for new staff and ongoing training and professional development for all staff throughout their employment. Although a strong training program involves a significant amount of work and money, the benefits gained far outweigh the effort and expense. Because of the uniqueness of some simulation center positions, hiring managers should choose data that best represents the labor market where they compete for talent and incorporate salary structures that offer multiple grades for logical career path progressions. Performance planning and review sessions should be held regularly to discuss each employee’s goals and leadership’s expectations. Administrators should avoid messages with a mixture of compliments, criticisms, and more praise; this method often discourages good workers and may misleadingly encourage weaker ones. Consistent and straightforward messaging and feedback are critically important for staff development.
The Neurological Examination

In this chapter, we review the topic of the neurological examination and how it pertains to the psychiatric management of older adults.
Silicon compatible optical interconnect and monolithic 3-D integration

While dimension scaling, introduction of new materials and novel device structures has enhanced the transistor performance, the opposite is true for the interconnects. Looking into the future the relentless scaling paradigm is threatened by the limits of copper/low-k interconnects. Thus, it is imperative to examine alternate interconnect schemes and explore possible advantages of novel potential candidates. Optical interconnects and three-dimensional (3-D) heterogeneous integration have emerged as potential candidates to mitigate the interconnect tyranny by providing lower power dissipation, improved communication bandwidth, and signal latency. This talk will focus on the most important devices and technologies for integration of these on the silicon platform.
Coping with drought: Narratives from smallholder farmers in semi-arid Kenya

Abstract Globally, drought impacts more people than any other natural hazard. However, drought is also the most complex natural hazard, and its impacts are not evenly distributed across the landscape or among human populations. Just as the impacts of drought vary, so do the coping strategies used by people during drought. The research to-date on drought coping strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa are highly quantitative, focused on top-down interventions, and do not emphasize individual perceptions, experience, and autonomous decision-making when coping with drought. This paper aims to fill these gaps by examining the human experience of coping with drought through narratives from farmers in Burat and Kinna, Isiolo County, Kenya. This paper highlights (1) their perceived impacts of drought, and (2) the various coping strategies used. A total of 83 interviews were conducted in 20 households. Results found that the perceived impacts of drought were decreased agricultural productivity, livestock hunger, death, and relocation, a lack of water in rivers, human hunger and disease, and violent conflict. The strategies for coping with drought included changing agricultural practices, adopting irrigation, relying on aid, charcoal burning, casual labor, livelihood diversification, and others. Importantly, these coping strategies can be classified into four categories: livelihood diversification, longer-term livelihood strategies, short-term coping activities, and erosive coping strategies. This research contributes to the effort to better document and understand farmers’ perceptions and strategies to cope with drought through qualitative research methods and from the perspective of the individual smallholder farmer, which is important for making context-specific policy and project recommendations aimed at smallholder farmers.
Public demand urgency for equitable infrastructure restoration planning

Abstract Following disasters, public demand urgency is an essential element for equitable infrastructure restoration planning.However, public demand urgency has yet been well explored due to the lack of a conceptual definition and a reliable modeling approach. To fill the research gaps, this study defines public demand urgency as the negative sentiment expressed by communities on infrastructure services and proposes a systematic approach to model public demand urgency, thereby achieving enhanced infrastructure restoration planning. The proposed approach is capable of (1) accurately predicting the sentiment polarity for each infrastructure-related social media post through including the sentiment laden in infrastructure conditions; (2) reliably modeling public demand urgency with associated social media information uncertainty via a Bayesian-based method; and (3) equitably allocating restoration resources through incorporating the modeled public demand urgency. To illustrate the feasibility and applicability, we studied the electricity infrastructure restoration following Hurricane Laura in the Louisiana State, US. Results demonstrate that the proposed approach is capable of reliably indicating public demand urgency. The research outcomes benefit utility companies and emergency managers for enhanced relief resource allocation, thereby promoting social equity in infrastructure restoration.
ONCOGENOUS RICKETS: POSSIBLE ELABORATION BY A TUMOR OF A HUMORAL SUBSTANCE INHIBITING TUBULAR REABSORPTION OF PHOSPHATE

Pollack et al.1 have introduced the intriguing speculation that some rare tumors of mesenchymal origin release a humoral substance which inhibits tubular reabsorption of phosphate and through the resultant profound hypophosphatemia causes vitamin D unresponsive rickets and osteomalacia. There have been sufficient reports of hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets and osteomalacia cured by removal of tumors of bone or soft tissue to support the inference that there is a causal relationship between such tumors and the hypophosphatemic rickets. The demonstration of marked reduction of tubular reabsorption of phosphate in such a patient and the dramatic rapid return of tubular reabsorption of phosphate to normal following tumor excision is certainly circumstantial evidence of the secretion by the tumor of an inhibitor of phosphate retrieval by the renal tubule.
Tobacco, Cocoa, Coffee, and Ragweed: Cross-Reacting Allergens That Activate Factor-XII-Dependent Pathways

A glycoprotein antigen has been isolated from cured tobacco leaves (TGP-L) Nicotiana tabacum) and from cigarette smoke condensate (TGP-CSC) to which approximately one-third of human volunteers, smokers and non-smokers, exhibit immediate cutaneous hypersensitivity. TGP-L and TGP-CSC contain polyphenol haptens that activate the factor XII (Hageman factor) dependent pathways of coagulation, fibrinolysis, and kinin generation in normal human plasma. The purpose of this communication is to describe the isolation antigens from cocoa powder (Theobroma cacao), ground coffee (Coffea arabica), and ragweed (Ambrosia eliator) pollen that are immunologically cross-reactive with TGP-L and TGP-CSC, contain similar polyphenol haptens, and are capable of activating factor-XII-dependent pathways in normal human plasma.
The baboon (Papio sp.) as a model for female reproduction studies.

Abstract Biology and Reproduction Due to their size and anatomical similarity to humans, baboons make an excellent model for reproductive studies. Baboons have a simple short cervix, muscular uterus, ovaries just lateral to the uterus and similar vasculature to that of humans. Because of the size of the animals, instruments designed for use in women can be readily used on baboons. Noninvasive determination of phase of estrous cycle is readily made by observation of changes in perineal sexual skin turgor and color. Advantages Some advantages of use of baboons compared to other nonhuman primates is that they are nonseasonal breeders allowing for studies to be conducted year round, have minimal infectious disease risks to humans as they do not carry Herpes B and have a social structure allowing for easy group formation. Baboons serve as good models for many conditions in humans and should be considered for studies investigating reproductive issues.
OWNERSHIP, COMPETITION, AND CORRUPTION: BRIBE TAKERS VERSUS BRIBE PAYERS

Over the past few years, many studies have looked at the macroeconomic, cultural, and institutional determinants of corruption. This study complements these cross-country studies by focusing on microeconomic factors that affect bribes paid in a single sector of the economy. Using enterprise-level data on bribes paid to utilities in 21 transition economies in Easter Europe and Central Asia, the authors look at how characteristics of the firms paying bribes (such as ownership, profitability, and size) and characteristics of the utilities taking bribes (such as competition and utility capacity) affect the equilibrium level of corruption in the sector. On the side of bribe payers, enterprises that are more profitable, enterprises that have greater overdue payment to utilities, and de novo private firms pay higher bribes. On the side of bribe takers, bribes paid to utilities are higher in countries with greater constraints on utility capacity, lower levels of competition in the utility sector, and where utilities are state-owned. Bribes in the utility sector are also correlated with many of the macroeconomic and political factors that previous studies have found to affect the overall level of corruption.
Soy isoflavones improve plasma lipids in normocholesterolemic and mildly hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND Soy-protein consumption is known to reduce plasma total and LDL cholesterol concentrations. However, the responsible soy component or components and the magnitude of effects in normocholesterolemic and mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects are unclear. OBJECTIVE The present study examined the effects of soy isoflavone consumption on plasma concentrations of triacylglycerol, apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, apo B, lipoprotein(a), and total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol and on LDL peak particle diameter in normocholesterolemic and mildly hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. DESIGN In a randomized crossover trial, fasting plasma samples were obtained from 18 postmenopausal women throughout three 93-d periods of daily isolated soy protein (ISP) consumption providing an average of 7.1 +/- 1.1 (control), 65 +/- 11 (low isoflavone), or 132 +/- 22 (high isoflavone) mg isoflavones/d. RESULTS Compared with values measured during the control diet, the plasma LDL cholesterol concentration was 6.5% lower (P < 0.02) during the high-isoflavone diet and the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol was 8.5% and 7.7% lower during the low- and high-isoflavone diets, respectively (P < 0.02). Isoflavone consumption did not significantly affect plasma concentrations of total or HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, apo A-I, apo B, or lipoprotein(a) or the LDL peak particle diameter. CONCLUSIONS Consumption of isoflavones as a constituent of ISP resulted in small but significant improvements in the lipid profile in normocholesterolemic and mildly hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Although the effects were small, it is possible that isoflavones may contribute to a lower risk of coronary heart disease if consumed over many years in conjunction with other lipid-lowering strategies.
An examination of the influence of personal, professional, and school district characteristics on public school teacher retention

Abstract This study quantifies the relationships among the personal and professional attributes of elementary and secondary teachers, the financial, institutional, and demographic characteristics of school districts, and the retention behavior of teachers employed by these districts. A decision to continue teaching in the same district the following year is negatively related to property wealth and the percentage of Indians and Asians in the student population, is positively correlated to teaching experience, salary, an elementary teaching assignment, and district enrollment, and is a quadratic function of age and pupil-certificated staff ratios.
The magnitude and correlates of alcohol and drug use before traumatic brain injury.

Abstract Bombardier CH, Rimmele CT, Zintel H. The magnitude and correlates of alcohol and drug use before traumatic brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2002;83:1765-73. Objective: To describe preinjury alcohol and drug use and opportunities for secondary prevention among persons with recent traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: Survey. Setting: Acute inpatient rehabilitation program. Participants: A total of 142 (91%) of 156 consecutive admissions who met inclusion criteria and were screened. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Alcohol and drug use questionnaires, alcohol problem questions, toxicology results, readiness to change, and treatment preference questions. Results: Subjects were on average 37 years old, 80% were men, and 80% were white. Fifty-nine percent of the sample was considered "at-risk" drinkers and, as a group, subjects reported a high degree of preinjury alcohol-related problems. Thirty-four percent reported recent illicit drug use, and 42 (37%) of 114 cases with toxicology results were positive for illicit drugs. Motivation to change alcohol use correlated positively with greater self-reported alcohol consumption and problem severity. Most at-risk drinkers wanted to change on their own, whereas a minority were interested in treatment or Alcoholics Anonymous. Conclusion: Both alcohol abuse and drug use are common before TBI. Inpatient brain injury rehabilitation represents an important opportunity to identify and intervene in substance abuse problems. © 2002 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Knowledge-based interpretation of gas chromatographic data

Abstract Scheuer, K., 1993. Knowledge-based interpretation of gas chromatographic data. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 19: 201–216. The interpretation of analytical measurement data, including data from gas chromatography, is based on matching usually newly acquired data with reference data that were recorded earlier with known substances. This procedure can be automated by computer systems using purely numerical algorithms. In general, this procedure is not sufficient to obtain reliable results. The analyst must use chemical and other knowledge to verify substance identifications gained from reference matches. Often several different measurements of one sample have to be carried out and interpreted to meet the requirements of reliability. In order to support verification, the introduced knowledge-based system WANDA can process numerical data as well as symbolically represented information. Since uncertain knowledge plays an important role in the ‘manual’ interpretation process, the system has been designed to handle also uncertain facts and rules. The WANDA expert system prototype provides assistance in analyzing traces of organic substances, preferably in water samples. Users obtain validated substance identifications by combining knowledge from different sources and an integrated interpretation of related chromatograms. The system has already been used in practice for testing purposes.
The male reproductive system and mechanism of sperm transfer in Argulus japonicus (Crustacea: Branchiura).

The histomorphology of the male reproductive system and surface morphology of the “peg-and-socket” in Argulus japonicus are described from serial sagittal and transverse sections and scanning electron micrographs. The prostate complex consists of a glandular part, a reservoir for storing the secretion, and an efferent duct opening into the ejaculatory duct. The openings of both the vas deferens and the prostate duct into the ejaculatory duct are guarded by sphincters. The ejaculatory ducts, which are lined by tall columnar epithelial cells, do not open into the cuticle-lined genital atrium but are blind-ending tubes. This observation and results obtained from observing live specimens, as well as the fact that no spermatophores are formed, suggest that semen could leave the ejaculatory duct only after puncturing of its walls. It is suggested that sperm transfer is accomplished in the following manner: during copulation contraction of the muscular walls of the vas deferens and prostate duct causes semen to be pumped into the ejaculatory duct, which is then closed off by sphincters and a high internal pressure is developed. When a spermathecal spine penetrates the walls of the ejaculatory duct, semen flows from the ejaculatory duct into the spermathecal vesicle due to the higher pressure in the ejaculatory duct. This mechanism is analogous to the sucking up of fluid with a hypodermic syringe. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Association of myopathy with large-scale mitochondrial DNA duplications and deletions : Which is pathogenic?

We identified large-scale heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) rearrangements in a 50-year-old woman with an adult-onset progressive myopathy. The predominant mtDNA abnormality was a 21.2-kb duplicated molecule. In addition, a small population of the corresponding partially deleted 4.6-kb molecule was detected. Skeletal muscle histology revealed fibers that were negative for cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity and had reduced mtDNA-encoded COX subunits. By single-fiber polymerase chain reaction analysis, COX-negative fibers contained a low number of wild-type or duplicated mtDNA molecules (ie, nondeleted). In situ hybridization demonstrated that the abnormal fibers contained increased amounts of mtDNA compared with normal fibers and that most of the genomes were deleted. We concluded that deleted mtDNA molecules were primarily responsible for the phenotype in this patient.
Collapse of towers as applied to September 11 events

The subject of the paper is the collapse of towers and highscrapers, particularly, the collapse of the World Trade Center towers in New York on September 11, 2001. The deduced equations of progressive collapse are used to refute the generally accepted opinion of experts about progressive collapse of the WTC towers in the free-fall regime, which is the official version of the US government. It is proved that progressive collapse is much slower than free fall. The critical floors where collapses started from are estimated using the well-established fact of the free-fall time of all WTC collapses. To this end, the most comprehensive “hybrid” analysis is advanced taking into account that collapses could start on several floors simultaneously, not on one floor as suggested before. According to this “hybrid” model, at the first stage, several floors collapsed simultaneously as a result of fracture waves causing a dust cloud and, at the second stage, the lower part of tower being intact in the first stage collapsed in the regime of progressive failure. Five different collapse types are studied, including the fastest and slowest collapses, and then the hybrid mode is examined with initial collapse of several floors followed by the “domino-effect” of the remaining floors. It is established that the floors where the WTC collapses started from were located significantly lower than the floors hit by the terrorists and subjected to fire. This conclusion confirms the same former result obtained by using the simple official theory of pure progressive collapse.
Umbilical cord blood-derived cells for tissue repair

Hematopoietic tissue-derived cells, including stem cells, have been shown to generate solid organ tissue-specific cells. Besides bone marrow and peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood (UCB) has the advantage of being an easily accessible stem cell source provided as a banked cell product. Using the xenogeneic human into NOD/SCID mouse stem cell transplant model preliminary data suggest UCB-derived tissue-specific cells generated in liver, pancreas, CNS and endothelium. In a clinical sex-mismatched UCB transplant setting Y-positive, UCB-derived gastrointestinal epithelial cells and CNS-specific cells have been identified in female patients. The potential therapeutic use of UCB cells for tissue repair is, however, limited by a low total stem cell number available and by HLA-disparity.
Derek Jarman's garden at Prospect Cottage, Dungeness, and his Avebury paintings

Derek Jarman (1942–1994), when he is remembered, is remembered as a film-maker, and secondarily, a gay activist. His films, including Jubilee (1978), Caravaggio (1986), Edward II (1991) and Blue (1...
Education: A crisis in electrical engineering manpower: A review of the problems facing U.S. industry as a result, and a strategy for corrective action

It is no longer an open question whether the shortage of electrical engineers in the United States is or is not a crisis. It is. Sooner or later every U.S. industry dependent upon electrical engineering will be affected ? and there are more such industries now than ever. Toy and automobile manufacturers, even textile and clothing companies, have discovered the value of electronics and computer-based systems in their products or manufacturing processes. Indeed, these new industries, previously unaffected by electrical engineering in any significant way, are the hidden factor that invalidates traditional market surveys of future needs for EEs. It is hard to predict the growing need for electronics specialists in sectors of the economy that never before employed many.
Solvent composition effects with a cyano and a silica gel stationary phase in normal-phase liquid chromatography of alkylphenols and naphthols

Abstract Several liquid chromatographic models were investigated with μBondapak CN and μPorasil stationary phases. n-Heptane—2 propanol and n-heptane—ethyl acetate mobile phases of different composition were used, and alkylphenols and naphthols were employed as model compounds. The linear relationships obtained from graphs of k′ vs. log mole fraction of the strong solvent were found useful in understanding the retention behavior of the solutes.
The continuous membrane column

The continuous membrane column provides a revolutionary separation technique. Both the most and the least permeable components can be separated continuously to any degree without cascading. Experimental data for several binary systems show good agreement with theory.
The isotopic composition of iron-group galactic cosmic rays

Results from studies of the isotopic composition of iron group elements in the galactic cosmic radiation are reviewed, emphasizing recently reported measurements from the ISEE-3 spacecraft. The observed isotope distributions for the elements Ti through Mn are in good agreement with those expected for a propagated solar-like source composition, with the possible exception of an enhanced abundance of Ti-50. It is found that a significant fraction of the radioactive secondary nuclide Mn-54 has decayed, indicating a confinement time of iron group cosmic rays in the galaxy of at least 2 Myr. The source ratio Fe-54/Fe-56 is found to be consistent with the solar value, but the ratio Ni-60/Ni-58 is greater than solar by a factor of 2.8+/-1.0. The measured abundance of Co-59 is significantly greater than the calculated secondary contribution, suggesting that this nuclide has been produced in the source regions by the electron capture decay of Ni-59 and implying a time delay between nucleosynthesis and acceleration approximately greater than 10(exp 5) yr.
Stem Cells and Targeted Approaches to Melanoma Cure

Melanoma stem cells, also known as malignant melanoma-initiating cells, are identifiable through expression of specific biomarkers such as ABCB5 (ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B (MDR/TAP), member 5), NGFR (nerve growth factor receptor, CD271) and ALDH (aldehyde dehydrogenase), and drive melanoma initiation and progression based on prolonged self-renewal capacity, vasculogenic differentiation and immune evasion. As we will review here, specific roles of these aggressive subpopulations have been documented in tumorigenic growth, metastatic dissemination, therapeutic resistance, and malignant recurrence. Moreover, recent findings have provided pre-clinical proof-of-concept for the potential therapeutic utility of the melanoma stem cell concept. Therefore, melanoma stem cell-directed therapeutic approaches represent promising novel strategies to improve therapy of this arguably most virulent human cancer.
Genetic variation for resistance to herbivores and plant pathogens: hypotheses, mechanisms and evolutionary implications

The interactions between plants and enemies employ a variety of mechanisms, which in turn affect the long-term evolutionary histories of the interacting species. Different patterns of interactions determine not only the selective forces acting on individual genes, but also the flexibility and rapidity of evolution in response to new threats. New genomic techniques allowing large-scale comparisons within and between species demonstrate that defence genes are highly variable and experience very different selective patterns even in recently diverged species. Similar and even shared pathways for defence against diverse taxa of enemies reveal the variability and flexibility of plant defence.
The heavy ion fusion program in the USA

Abstract The U.S. Department of Energy has established a new, larger inertial fusion energy (IFE) program. To manage program growth, we have developed a new IFE research plan and we have established a Virtual National Laboratory for Heavy Ion Fusion. There has been significant technical progress. Improvements in target design have reduced the predicted energy requirements by approximately a factor of two. There have also been important experiments on chamber dynamics and other inertial fusion technologies. The accelerator program has completed a number of small-scale experiments. Experiments with driver-scale beams are being designed—including experiments with driver-scale ion sources and injectors. Finally we are developing the technologies needed to build a major research facility known as the Integrated Research Experiment (IRE).