cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abdominal obesity, body mass index, and hypertension in US adults: NHANES 2007-2010.

BACKGROUND Both abdominal obesity, defined as waist circumference (WC) ≥ 102 cm for men and WC ≥ 88 cm for women and increased body mass index (BMI; kg/m²) are known to be associated with hypertension. The aim of this study was to examine the independent and the combined relationship between abdominal obesity and increased BMI and hypertension by age, race, and gender in a national sample. METHODS This report is based on national level cross-sectional data for adults aged 18 years and older (11,145 participants) from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2010. RESULTS Abdominal obesity, after adjusting for BMI categories and other covariables, was independently associated with hypertension. That is, survey participants classified as abdominally obese had almost 50% increased odds of being hypertensive (odds ratio (OR) 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-1.81) after controlling for BMI. After adjusting for covariables, the groups of individuals classified as abdominally obese and normal BMI; as abdominally obese and overweight; and abdominally obese and obese each had a progressive increase in the odds of hypertension when compared with individuals who had a normal BMI and no abdominal obesity (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.28-2.57, OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.55-2.25, and OR 3.23, 95% CI 2.63-3.96, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Abdominal obesity is independently associated with hypertension after adjusting for BMI. After adjusting for covariables and parameterizing BMI categories and abdominal obesity the new variable showed a progressive increase in the odds of hypertension. Both BMI and WC should be included in models assessing hypertension risks.
Declining Voter Turnout in Advanced Industrial Democracies, 1950 to 1997 The Effects of Declining Group Mobilization

Past comparative voting-behavior research has revealed that electoral institutions can explain much of the variation in voter turnout between nations. This study takes an alternative and dynamic ap...
SIMULATED RECRUITMENT OF RIPARIAN TREES AND SHRUBS UNDER NATURAL AND REGULATED FLOW REGIMES ON THE WISCONSIN RIVER, USA

Models that link ecological responses to hydrologic changes are important for assessing the effects of flow regulation on aquatic and riparian ecosystems. Based on the Recruitment Box Model, a graphical model used to prescribe environmental flows for cottonwood (Populus spp.) recruitment, we designed a simulation model to represent the influence of river flow dynamics on seedling recruitment of riparian pioneer woody plants. The model simulates the influence of temporal patterns of river stage on dispersal, germination, initial recruitment and over-winter survival of first-year seedlings of riparian pioneer shrubs and trees. We used the model to simulate seedling recruitment patterns for five species (Acer saccharinum, Betula nigra, Populus deltoides, Salix nigra and Salix exigua) on the Wisconsin River (Wisconsin, USA) under three flow scenarios: historic (1935–2002), simulated natural (1915–1975) and simulated regulated flows (1915–1975). Simulation results agreed well with field-observed relative differences among years (1997–2000) in seedling densities for the five focal species. Simulated successful recruitment years were highly synchronous among species, but species differed in their sensitivity to flows at different times during the growing season, consistent with among-species differences in seed dispersal timing. Comparison of simulated natural and regulated flows for 1915–1975 showed that flow regulation decreased monthly flow variability, increased late summer to winter baseflow and reduced the magnitude of spring peaks. Simulated recruitment and over-winter survival of tree seedlings of all species was enhanced under the regulated flow scenario, likely due to increased summer baseflow and reductions in peak flood magnitude. Our analyses show the utility of extending the Recruitment Box Model to include multiple species of riparian shrubs and trees, and the effects of post-colonization flows on their recruitment success. However, some key functional relationships between flow patterns and woody seedling demography (e.g. shear stress thresholds for seedling mortality) have not been adequately quantified and merit further study. Copyright # 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Single Lipid Diffusion in Langmuir Monolayers

Individual lipid movement in a monolayer is studied over long time intervals (500 s) by darkfield microscopy of single lipids labeled with gold colloids (30 or 100 nm in diameter). Dimyristoyl phos...
Applying Anthropology Among Migrant Indians in San Quintin, Mexico

When I returned to San Quintin, Mexico during the spring-breaks of 1996-1997, ten years after my initial work in the region, I visited the Indigenous barrio of the Nueva Region Triqui (New Triqui Region). This is a village with 2000 Oaxacan Triqui Indians distributed into 300 households. During the two weeks I stayed in this village, I observed that it does not remarkably differ from most Oaxacan Indian towns. Every house possesses a garden in which corn, beans, pumpkins, and healing herbs are grown. In some cases these houses have both the temascal (traditional steambath) and the reed constructed kitchens outside, while inside they have an adobe fireplace and a waist-loom for weaving traditional cloth. Furthermore, life in the Nueva Region Triqui seems to go by like in any other Indian village of Oaxaca. On my first walk through this community, I witnessed three events celebrated in the most typical ways of the Oaxacan Indians from the Mixtec region: a quinceanera, a collective baptism, and a funeral. Th...
Finite-temperature symmetry breaking as Bose-Einstein condensation

The effects of a net background charge on ideal and interacting relativistic Bose gases are investigated. For a non-Abelian symmetry only chemical potentials that correspond to mutually commuting charges may be introduced. The symmetry-breaking pattern is obtained by computing a $\ensuremath{\mu}$-dependent functional integral. We find that $\ensuremath{\mu}$ always raises the critical temperature and that below that temperature the existence of a ground-state expectation value for some scalar field produces Bose-Einstein condensation of a finite fraction of the net charge so as to keep the total charge fixed. (In the special, but familiar, case of total charge neutrality, the condensate contains equal numbers of particles and antiparticles.) There are four classes of results depending on whether volume or entropy is kept fixed and on whether the quadratic mass term ${m}^{2}$ is positive or negative.
Efficient mid-IR spectral generation via spontaneous fifth-order cascaded-Raman amplification in silica fibers

Spontaneous cascaded Raman amplification is demonstrated as a practical and efficient means of power transfer from telecommunications wavelengths to mid-IR wavelength bands through use of conventional silica fibers and amplifiers. We show that silica fibers possessing normal dispersion over all near-IR and mid-IR wavelengths can facilitate 37% and 16% efficient Raman power conversion from 1.53 μm to 2.15 and 2.41 μm wavelength bands, respectively, using nanosecond pulses from an all-fiber laser source. In contrast to supercontinuum-based techniques for long-wavelength generation, the high levels of Raman gain generated at these wavelength bands could produce useful optical amplification necessary for the development of numerous mid-IR laser sources.
Effect of ciprofibrate, bezafibrate, and LY171883 on peroxisomal β-oxidation in cultured rat, dog, and rhesus monkey hepatocytes

Cultured rat hepatocytes have been used extensively to study the mechanisms of chemically induced peroxisome proliferation. Hepatocytes from nonrodent species have been used on a limited scale to study interspecies differences in the response. Because of their importance in pharmaceutical safety assessment, we have developed a model to study the response of beagle dog and rhesus monkey hepatocytes to peroxisome proliferators. Treatment of the hepatocytes with peroxisome proliferators was begun after 20 hr in culture and continued for 72 hr. Untreated rat, dog, and monkey hepatocytes retained 62, 42, and 43% of their initial (20 hr) peroxisomal beta-oxidation activity throughout 92 hr of culture. Ciprofibrate, bezafibrate, and LY171883 caused a dose-related increase in beta-oxidation in rat hepatocytes to a maximum of 10-, 8-, and 5-fold, respectively. In dog and monkey hepatocytes the increases in beta-oxidation were less than 2-fold. Peroxisome morphology in dog and monkey hepatocytes appeared to be unchanged by the drugs. Morphometric analysis in monkey hepatocytes showed no increase in peroxisome volume fraction in response to the chemicals. Treatment of dog and monkey hepatocytes with dexamethasone and glucagon during the final 24 hr in culture caused a 4- to 6-fold increase in tyrosine aminotransferase activity. This induction is characteristic of the in vivo response. The small increase in beta-oxidation reflects the relative insensitivity of the dog and monkey liver to peroxisome proliferators in vivo rather than a loss of sensitivity during culture. Cultured hepatocytes from beagle dog and rhesus monkey may provide a model for studying the mechanisms underlying the interspecies differences. Such information would help clarify the relevance of rodent data in human risk assessment.
A cross-collegiate analysis of software development course content

Many undergraduate IT programs recognize that their graduates will find jobs as software developers. As such, software development (analysis and design) courses are often a core requirement of IT undergraduate degree programs. This paper presents an analysis and comparison of the content of software development courses at several colleges and universities. In particular, the software development methodologies presented in the courses are examined. The comparison is based on two main criteria; the development methodologies presented through the textbook assigned to the class, and the development methodologies presented through the class lectures.A software development methodology is "a recommended collection of phases, procedures, rules, techniques, tools, documentation, management, and training used to develop a system" (Avison 2003). There are hundreds of software development methodologies. An ongoing debate has existed for several years as to what methodology is best. Prior research has shown that no methodology is best all the time and that practitioners are modifying methodologies to suit their needs. This research shows that IT software development courses have not been modified to reflect current trends in the practical application of development methodologies and students may not be learning the tools and techniques that they need to become successful practitioners. Key inadequacies and the associated pedagogical significance are discussed.
Moderation of severity of audiogenic seizures in DBA/2 mice following intraperitoneal insertion

Twenty-one-day-old DBA/2J mice, given a blank IP insertion immediately prior to receiving audiogenic seizure stimuli, had a significantly longer latency to Stage 4 seizures (death) than did control mice. A smaller proportion (44%) IP-insertion animals reached Stage 4 than did controls (80%).
Saha-Boltzmann Statistics for Determination of Electron Temperature and Density in Spark Discharges Using an Echelle/CCD System

A custom echelle/CCD spectrometer system has been employed for equilibrium and nonequilibrium excitation measurements in the high-voltage spark discharge. By exploitation of the large spectral information bandwidth of the echelle/CCD system, multiple ionization stages of argon were observed in the spark emission spectrum. Ion-to-atom emission intensity ratios were used in a linearized form of the coupled Saha-Boltzmann equation for the determination of both electron temperature and density. Nonequilibrium conditions were considered. The dependence of argon excitation on sample matrix was also explored.
Characteristics of flight nursing practice.

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe the roles, levels of responsibility and backgrounds of flight nurses employed in flight programs across the country and to determine if the role of the flight nurse varied as a function of crew configuration or size of program. Methods: In 1991, a retrospective statistical questionnaire was sent to 105 programs with 50 or more flights per month. Results: This survey provides national data regarding description of programs, evidence of the critical-care environment, professional profiles of flight nurses and practice differences between nurse and paramedic personnel. A difference in the practice for nurses existed in the larger programs (≥ 1,100 flights) with nurse/paramedic flight configurations. Nurses more frequently performed interventions regarding initiating and discontinuing medications (p = 0.00023)—especially paralyzing agents (p = 0.012) and blood (p = 0.0016)—and recognizing by physical exam the need for interventions to decrease intracranial pressure (p = 0.0194). In the larger programs, nurses also were more responsible for decision making regarding titration of medications (p = 0.027). Conclusions: Flight nurses practice in advanced autonomous roles, performing duties and skills consistent with critical care and emergency medicine in air medical transport.
The tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma: current status and therapeutic targets.

A growing body of literature highlights the cross-talk between tumor cells and the surrounding peri-tumoral stroma as a key modulator of the processes of hepatocarcinogenesis, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumor invasion and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment can be broadly classified into cellular and non-cellular components. The major cellular components include hepatic stellate cells, fibroblasts, immune, and endothelial cells. These cell types produce the non-cellular components of the tumor stroma, including extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, proteolytic enzymes, growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. The non-cellular component of the tumor stroma modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biology by effects on cancer signaling pathways in tumor cells and on tumor invasion and metastasis. Global gene expression profiling of HCC has revealed that the tumor microenvironment is an important component in the biologic and prognostic classification of HCC. There are substantial efforts underway to develop novel drugs targeting tumor–stromal interactions. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about the role of the tumor microenvironment in pathogenesis of HCC, the role of the tumor microenvironment in the classification of HCC and efforts to develop treatments targeting the tumor microenvironment.
Recurrent and de novo renal diseases after renal transplantation: A report from the renal allograft disease registry

Recurrent or de novo glomerular disease is an important cause of graft dysfunction and eventual loss. Cyclosporine A (CyA) has improved short-term renal allograft outcome but has not altered long-term graft survival. The purpose of the current study is to determine the prevalence of such disease and its impact on graft function in the CyA era. From 1984 to 1994, 1,557 renal allografts were performed at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Cincinnati. Patients were followed up for an average of 7.2 years (minimum, 1 year). Recurrent disease was diagnosed by renal biopsy in 98 (6.3%) patients after an average of 36 months. Demographic characteristics of patients with and without recurrent disease were similar. Glomerulonephritis was the most common finding, occurring in 73 patients, and included focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), 25; IgA nephropathy (IgAN), 11; membranous (MN), 11; proliferative, 11; membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), 10; glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM), 3; and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), two. Diabetic nephropathy was present in 22, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in two, and oxalosis in one. Graft loss occurred in 60 of 98 (61%) recipients. Half-life of the allograft was diminished in patients with recurrent disease, 2,038 +/- 225 versus 3,135 +/- 385 days, P = 0.002. The actuarial allograft survival at 1, 3, 5, and 8 years posttransplantation with recurrence was 88%, 74%, 57%, and 34%, respectively; and the corresponding graft survival for patients without recurrent disease was 80%, 70%, 64%, and 53%, respectively (P = 0.003). The risk of recurrent disease increased with length of graft survival from 2.8% at 2 years to 9.8% and 18.5% at 5 and 8 years, respectively. We conclude that recurrent disease is a significant problem after renal transplantation and is associated with decreased graft survival.
Immunolabeling for Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy on Ultrathin Cryosections

Correlative labeling permits colocalization of molecular species for observation of the same sample in light (LM) and electron microscopy (EM). Myosin bands in ultrathin cryosections were labeled using both fluorophore conjugated to secondary antibody (IgG) and colloidal gold (cAu) particles conjugated to primary IgG as reporters for LM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. This technique allows rapid evaluation of labeling via LM, prior to more time-consuming observations with TEM and also yields two complementary data sets in one labeling procedure. Quenching of the fluorescent signal was inversely related to the distance between fluorophore and cAu particles. The signal from fluorophore conjugated to secondary antibody was inversely proportional to the size of cAu conjugated to primary antibody. Where fluorophore and cAu were bound to the same antibody, the fluorescence signal was nearly completely quenched regardless of fluorophore excitation or emission wavelength and regardless of particle size, 3 nm and larger. Colloidal metal particles conjugated to primary antibody provide high spatial resolution for EM applications. Fluorophore conjugated to secondary antibody provides spatial resolution well within that of conventional fluorescence microscopy. Use of fluorescent secondary antibody moved the fluorophore a sufficient distance from the cAu particles on the primary antibody to limit quenching of fluorescence.
Characterization of selective solar absorber microstructures: Electron microscope studies

Abstract Thin films (0.01 μm thick) of vapor-deposited nickel on cleaved NaCl crystal substrates were coated with a stop-off lacquer, leaving a nickel window (0.3 cm2 in area) which was exposed to a Chromonyx bath for short periods of time in order to electrodeposit black chrome nuclei. The nickel films with the attached nuclei were then observed by transmission electron microscopy where the nuclei were identified as chromium and Cr2O3 crystals and polycrystalline aggregates not greater than 0.1 μm in diameter. Black chrome coatings electrodeposited onto nickel, copper and zinc substrates were also observed (by selective electrochemical removal of the metal substrates followed by ion milling) by transmission electron microscopy and were compared with observations of the coating surfaces by scanning electron microscopy. Utilizing selected area electron diffraction patterns and dark field electron microscopy, the coating structures and compositions were examined and determined to be composites of chromium and Cr2O3. The chromium and Cr2O3 size distributions remained somewhat constant throughout the coating thickness and the mean chromium and Cr2O3 particle sizes were measured to be 0.024 μm and 0.13 μm respectively. The optically desirable coatings were characterized by a chromium concentration gradient which decreased with distance from the substrate-coating interface. The Cr2O3 particles contained chromium particles and aggregates, and these Cr2O3 particles were aggregates of large crystals and small grains which in some cases were less than 0.01 μm in diameter.
Potential cost savings from school district consolidation: A case study of New York

Abstract This article presents the results of a detailed study of potential cost savings from consolidation of New York school districts. It extends past research on consolidation by developing a theoretical framework which distinguishes several dimensions of economics of scale and defines an empirical cost function for schooling. The results indicate potentially sizeable costs savings from consolidation of districts with fewer than 500 pupils. Using such districts as candidates for consolidation, the study examines in detail the implications of merging these districts with one of their neighbors and finds relatively few districts strong candidates for full consolidation in New York, although some may benefit from sharing of administrative and support functions. The estimated cost model also sheds light on potential diseconomies associated with large city school districts. While findings apply directly to New York, the method developed here has general relevance to state education policy by helping to target candidate school districts for consolidation, and, where consolidation is not feasible, adjusting state aid formulae to reflect more accurately the cost impacts of scale.
Fairy Godmothers and Guardian Angels: A Qualitative Study of the Gay Mentorship Relationship

We conducted a qualitative study to explore the benefits of one gay male community resource, gay mentorship, particularly regarding sexual identity development. Findings indicate that gay mentorship is most involved in gay identity integration, and aided in supporting gay identity development, connecting men to gay-related resources, helping men to feel part of a gay community, improving management of gay-related stressors and role-modeling a positive gay identity. We found that gay mentorship was not associated with gay identity formation. Our research does suggest that gay mentorship fosters psychosocial benefits in gay men, and should therefore be fully explored in future studies.
Circumferential reentrant pulmonary vein tachycardia - an unusual cause of left atrial “flutter”

A 61-year-old man with old myocardial infarction and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator presented during an electrical storm. He experienced 35 episodes of ventricular fibrillation (VF), 6 episodes of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT), and 153 episodes of nonsustained polymorphic VT (NSPVT) during 29 days before admission. ECG showed frequent, unifocal premature ventricular complexes (PVC) with right bundle branch block (RBBB) pattern and superior axis (PVC#1, Figure A), some of which initiated VF, SMVT, or NSPVT. Purkinje potentials preceded the onset of the QRS by 37 ms on the left ventricular mid-septum. Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) at this site abolished PVC#1. After this session, VF disappeared, however, 16 episodes of SMVT and 5 episodes of NSPVT were observed during the next 6 days. SMVT exhibited RBBB pattern and superior axis (Figure B). SMVT and NSPVT were always triggered by PVC with RBBB pattern and inferior axis (PVC#2, Figure C). Catheter mapping revealed that the SMVT was interfascicular reentry which circuit used left posterior fascicle as the antegrade limb. Diastolic potential was recorded from the posterior fascicular area and VT was successfully eliminated by RFCA to this site. After the elimination of SMVT, frequent NSPVT was still observed. Purkinje potentials preceded the onset of the QRS by 74 ms on the upper septum. RFCA eliminated PVC#2. Rate-dependent change of the paced QRS configuration (PVC#1 and PVC#2) was observed at this site. Conclusions: Exit of trigger premature ventricular complex determines subsequent ventricular arrhythmia: VF, sustained monomorphic VT or nonsustained polymorphic VT.
A nonlinear model of the phasic dynamics of muscle activation

A phasic excitation-activation (PEXA) model is presented of the process of motoneuron excitation and the resultant activation and force development of a motor unit. The model input is an amount of depolarizing current (as when injected with an intracellular electrode), and the model output is muscle force. The model includes dynamics and nonlinearities similar to phenomena discovered experimentally by others: the firing rate response of motoneurons to steps of depolarizing current and the catch-like enhancement of force produced by overlapping motor neuron action potentials. The parameter values used in this model are derived from experimentally measured data and are expressed in physical units. Model predictions extend to published data beyond those used in generating the model parameter values. >
Effect of Aging on Power Output Properties in Rat Skinned Cardiac Myocytes

Aging is generally associated with a decline in several indices of cardiac function. The cellular mechanisms for this decline are not completely understood. The ability of the myocardium to perform external work (power output) is a critical aspect of ventricular function. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aging on loaded shortening and power output properties. We measured force–velocity properties in permeabilized (skinned) myocytes from the hearts of 9-, 24-, and 33-month-old male Fisher 344 × Brown Norway F1 hybrid rats (F344BN) during loaded contractions using a force-clamp technique. Power output was calculated by multiplying force and shortening velocity values. We found that peak power output normalized to maximal force was significantly decreased by 18% and 31% in myocytes from 24- and 33-month-old group, respectively, compared with 9-month group (p < .05). These results suggest that aging is associated with a significant decrease in the ability of the myocardium to do work.
Relationship between C-SRC Tyrosine Kinase Activity and the Control of Glucose Transporter Gene Expression

It has been shown previously that the rate of glucose transport in fibroblasts is accelerated by oncoproteins such as v-src, ras, and the transforming protein of feline sarcoma virus. This induction of glucose transport is associated with, and presumably caused by, induction of Hep-G2/rat brain glucose transporter gene expression. To determine the mechanism underlying the induction of glucose transporter gene expression by the v-src oncogene we studied cell lines that overexpress the normal counterpart of the v-src protein (c-src), or various mutants of the c-src protein. In these mutants, the tyrosines at positions 416, 527, or 519, or various combinations of these, have been replaced by phenylalanine by site directed mutagenesis, resulting in mutated c-src proteins that possess varying tyrosine kinase activity and transforming potential. Cells that overexpress the c-src protein show no changes in glucose transporter gene expression. However, when Tyr 527 in the COOH terminus of the c-src protein is repl...
How big are educational and racial fertility differentials in the U.S.

Using pooled data from the 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1995 CPS and 1988 and 1995 NSFG surveys, we show that shifts in fertility timing have occurred disproportionately for the more educated and for whites (compared to the less educated and to African Americans). Such timing shifts imply that the underlying period quantum of fertility is considerably higher for college-educated women and for whites than suggested by the standard total fertility rate. Applying the Bongaarts-Feeney model (1998), we decompose observed racial and educational differences in age-order-specific fertility rates and TFR into tempo and quantum components. We find that a modest part of educational differences and a substantial part of racial difference in period fertility can be attributed to differential changes in tempo. Analysis by race and education shows a clear interaction: higher fertility among African Americans is confined to the less educated.
Growth Rates for Small Noise

The long-run growth rate a is central to questions of evolution (Chapter 6), prediction (Chapter 14) and extinction. However, it is only useful if we can describe how vital rates and uncertainty determine a. This is difficult because there is no general formula to compute a for arbitrary vital rates and variability. In addition, the exactly known cases of a (Chapter 8) do not generalize; worse, they reveal singular behavior near parameter limits where demographic ergodicity is lost. One useful and general approach is to develop a systematic approximation to a when the magnitude of random variation is small. This was done by Tuljapurkar (1982b) and the results have since been applied to a number of ecological and demographic problems. The method and some extensions are presented below.
A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HEDONIC SCALES AND END-ANCHOR COMPRESSION EFFECTS

Three experiments were conducted to compare the relative performance of hedonic scaling methods, including the labeled affective magnitude (LAM) scale. In the first study, three versions of the LAM were used to evaluate 20 phrases that described diverse sensory experiences. One scale was anchored to “greatest imaginable like/dislike for any experience” and another used the “greatest imaginable like” phrase of the LAM but with the interior phrases repositioned relative to “any experience.” The scale anchored to “any experience” showed a smaller range of scale usage and lower statistical differentiation, relative to the LAM scale, with the repositioned scale intermediate. Two further experiments compared the LAM to the nine-point hedonic scale, an 11-point category scale using the LAM phrases, and to a three-label line scale, a simplified version of the LAM with only the end phrases and the neutral center-point phrase. All scales showed similar differentiation of juices in the second study and sensory experience phrases in the third. A modest advantage for the LAM scale in the second experiment did not extend to the third study. Researchers should be careful in the choice of high end anchors for hedonic scales, as a compressed range of scale usage may result in lower product differentiation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Hedonic scales for food acceptability are widely used in new product development for consumer testing and in food preference surveys. A desired goal of efficient sensory evaluation testing is the ability of tests to differentiate samples on the basis of scale data, in this case scales commonly used for food acceptability and preference testing. Scales which are able to differentiate products more effectively are less likely to lead to Type II error in experimentation, in which true differences between products are not detected. Such errors can lead to lost opportunities for product improvements or to enhanced chances for taking undetected risks in the case of false parity conclusions.
Prevalence and correlates of perceived workplace discrimination among older workers in the United States of America

The workplace is one of the areas in which discrimination most frequently occurs. Despite increasing workforce participation among older adults and the adverse effects of workplace discrimination on the physical and psychological wellbeing of older adults, limited attention has been given to workplace discrimination against older workers. Based on a national survey of 420 older workers age 50 and above, this study first examined the prevalence of perceived workplace discrimination. Results indicated more than 81 per cent of the older workers encountered at least one workplace discriminatory treatment within a year. Prevalence of perceived workplace discrimination differed with age, gender, education, occupation and wage. The study further tested two competing hypotheses on the level of perceived workplace discrimination and found mixed support for both. As hypothesised (based on the social barriers theory), lower education and racial/ ethnic minority status were positively associated with perceived workplace discrimination. As counter-hypothesised (based on the attribution-sensitivity theory), younger ages and being male were positively associated with perceived workplace discrimination. In examining the roles of supervisor and co-worker support, the study discovered that supervisor support was negatively associated with workplace discrimination. Finally, this study revealed a non-linear relationship between wages and perceived workplace discrimination, with the mid-range wage group experiencing the highest level of workplace discrimination.
Inherently linear capacitor error-averaging techniques for pipelined A/D conversion

New passive capacitor mismatch error-averaging techniques for pipelined analog-to-digital conversion is presented. The excellent linearity inherent to the architecture effectively eliminates the capacitor matching requirement that prevents a conventional monolithic pipelined analog-to-digital converter from reaching a 10-bit and above integral nonlinearity (INL) without trimming and/or calibration. Simulation results confirm the observation and a case of 14 bit INL realized by 7 bit capacitor matching is shown. The relaxed matching requirement enables the scale-down of the capacitor sizes to that of the KT/C limit. As a result, great reductions in both power consumption and chip area can be achieved.
FNET - real-time FishNet evaluation tool

The ecosystems surveys branch of the northeast fisheries science center of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is engaged in an ongoing effort to more fully characterize, quantify, and understand the behavior of bottom trawl nets while they are being fished. Standardized survey results are critical inputs to population dynamics models of the northeast fishery of the United States. The models contribute to the setting of fishery policy and strongly influence the local economy. In 2003 we began development of a data visualization utility that could assemble, correlate, record, and present the measurements of a subset of the many disparate sensors logged by the scientific computing system installed on NOAA fisheries research vessels. The FishNet evaluation tool (FNET) presents this information in graphical and textual formats for interpretation and use by fisheries scientists and vessel crew in near real-time. FNET can also playback recorded measurements from earlier tows to support post-cruise analysis. Development is continuing and FNET is now undergoing trials on the NOAA Ships Albatross IV and Delaware II. Shipboard use will eventually become standard procedure. System architecture, operation, and early results are reported in this paper. The development of expert system features is planned.
Images of Organizations and Consequences of Regulation

Government can control conflicts of interest in business firms by either issuing obligatory commands to behave in a specified way or by creating incentives to alter private behavior. In order to choose between these two approaches, we also need to know something about the nature of the subject firms and the way that they are likely to respond to particular stimuli. Legislators and legal scholars often rely on intuition to predict the behavior of firms, but this will not suffice for such a complex situation. Fortunately, there is a well-developed body of scholarship that addresses organizational behavior; unfortunately, like many bodies of scholarship, it contains rival and conflicting approaches. This article discusses four of these approaches to organizational behavior: the nexus of contracts theory, an application of rational choice theory to corporations; decision theory; general systems theory and its recent autopoetic variants; and new institutionalism. It then uses each of these approaches to predict the way that firms will respond to obligatory commands and behavior incentives. The specific cases it discusses are the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s Organizational Sentencing Guidelines, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and contemporary compliance theory’s idea of reasonable, responsive, or cooperative enforcement.
In Vitro, Ex Vivo and In Vivo Isotherms for Renal Cryotherapy

Purpose: Preoperative planning for renal cryotherapy is based on isotherms established in gel. We replicated gel isotherms and correlated them with ex vivo and in vivo isotherms in a porcine model.Materials and Methods: PERC-17 CryoProbes™ (1.7 mm) and IceRods™ (1.47 mm) underwent trials in gel, ex vivo and in vivo porcine kidneys. Temperatures were recorded at 13 predetermined locations with multipoint thermal sensors.Results: At the cryoprobe temperatures were not significantly different along the probe in any medium for either system (p = 0.0947 to 0.9609). However, away from the probe ex vivo and in vivo trials showed warmer temperatures toward the cryoprobe tip for each system (p = 0.0003 to 0.2141). Mean ± SE temperature 5 mm distal to the cryoprobe tip in vivo was 19.2C ± 16.1C for CryoProbes and 27.3C ± 11.2C for IceRods. Temperatures were consistently colder with CryoProbes than with IceRods in gel (p <0.00005), ex vivo (p <0.00005) and in vivo (p = 0.0014). At almost all sites temperatures were ...
Filling the Information Gap: Radio Free Europe–Radio Liberty and the Politics of Accreditation at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games

Due to the decision of the Soviet Union and nearly all of its East European satellites to withdraw from the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games, the communist media provided audiences in the Soviet bloc with few reports on the sporting events in the Olympic city. When Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, broadcasters funded by the US government, attempted to fill this ‘information gap’ by beaming coverage of the Los Angeles Games behind the Iron Curtain, the Soviet Union protested to the International Olympic Committee. They claimed, with a mixture of fact and fiction, that the Radios were tools of the American intelligence establishment and accused them of broadcasting ‘subversive’ propaganda to Eastern Europe and the USSR. Stirred into action by this Soviet manoeuvre, leading spokesmen for the Radios were joined by government officials, private citizens, US Olympic Committee members and the American media in a concerted attempt not only to defend the work of the broadcasters, but also to secure their press ac...
Transport and deposition of plutonium-contaminated sediments by fluvial processes, Los Alamos Canyon, New Mexico

Between 1945 and 1952 the development of nuclear weapons at Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, resulted in the disposal of plutonium into the alluvium of nearby Acid and (to a lesser degree) DP Canyons. Previous research has identified some of this material in the Rio Grande and defined its distribution in the regional river system. The purpose of this paper is to explore the connection between the disposal sites and the main river, a 20 km link formed by the fluvial system of Acid, Pueblo, DP, and Los Alamos Canyons. Empirical data from 15 yr of annual sediment sampling throughout the canyon system has produced 458 observations of plutonium concentration in fluvial sediments. These data show that, overall, mean plutonium concentrations in fluvial sediment decline from 10 000 fCi/g near the disposal area to 100 fCi/g at the confluence of the canyon system and the Rio Grande. In finer detail, the concentrations fluctuate with downstream distance depending on the trap efficiency of various reaches, as controlled by hydraulic conditions. Temporal data from sites repeatedly sampled show the passage of waves of contaminated sediment through the canyon system. Field mapping identified 108 deposits of sediment, including active bed load, flood plains, bars, channel fills, and slack-water deposits. Volumes of sediment in these deposits (calculated from field measurements of the dimensions of the features), combined with the mean concentration values, produced a first approximation of the amount of plutonium in each deposit. The geographic distribution of deposits and plutonium is clustered: of the 1000 mCi of plutonium in the canyon system, 78% is in lower Pueblo Canyon, 18% is in lower Los Alamos Canyon, and the remainder is in the upper reaches of the system. Simulations using a computer model for water, sediment, and plutonium routing in the canyon system show that discharges as large as the 25 yr event would fail to develop enough transport capacity to completely remove the contaminated sediments from Pueblo Canyon. Lesser flows would move some materials to the Rio Grande by remobilization of stored sediments. The simulations also show that the deposits and their contaminants have a predictable geography because they occur where stream power is low, hydraulic resistance is high, and the geologic and/or geomorphic conditions provide enough space for storage.
Optimal, Robust Predictive Control of Nonlinear Systems under Probabilistic Uncertainty using Particles

In this paper we present a novel method for robust, optimal control of nonlinear systems under probabilistic uncertainty. The method extends a previous approach for linear systems that approximates the distribution of the predicted system state using a finite number of particles. We couple this particle-based approach with a nonlinear solver that does not take into account uncertainty to give a new method for nonlinear, robust control. Any solution returned by the algorithm is guaranteed to be e-close to a local optimum of the nonlinear stochastic control problem.
Conservation Assessment of the Yazoo Darter (Etheostoma raneyi)

Abstract We summarized all known historical and contemporary data on the geographic distribution of Etheostoma raneyi (Yazoo Darter), a range-restricted endemic in the Little Tallahatchie and Yocona rivers (upper Yazoo River basin), MS. We identified federal and state land ownership in relation to the darter's distribution and provided quantitative estimates of abundance of the species. We also quantified sex ratio and mean size of males and females, summarized abiotic and physical characteristics of streams supporting the species, and characterized the fish assemblage most often associated with the Yazoo Darter. Yazoo Darters are generally limited to headwater streams, have a female-skewed sex ratio, and have larger males than females. Individuals in the Yocona River drainage are larger than in the Little Tallahatchie River drainage. Abundance was highly variable among streams within the two major drainages, but was similar within and between drainages. Yazoo Darter habitat in the Little Tallahatchie Riv...
Na+/Mg2+ exchange is functionally coupled to the insulin receptor

Regulation of cellular Mg(2+) levels by insulin has been shown in various tissues. However, the mechanisms for hormonal regulation of cellular Mg(2+) have not been well described. We studied the effect of insulin on Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchange in normal human cells, measuring Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchange activity as net total Mg(2+) efflux driven by an inward Na(+) gradient in Mg(2+)-loaded red blood cells (RBCs). Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchange was increased significantly by the addition of 2.4 nmol/L of insulin to the flux medium (from 0.60 +/- 0.06 mmol/L cell x h to 0.75 +/- 0.08 mmol/L cell x h [P = 0.0098, n = 44]). A dose-response curve for the effects of insulin on the exchanger activity gave an estimated EC(50) for insulin of 0.95 +/- 0.31 nmol/L and a V(max) of 0.86 +/- 0.12 mmol/L cell x h (n = 7). Kinetics of the Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchange were characterized by measuring its activity as a function of Mg(2+) and Na(+) concentrations. The K(0.5) for cellular Mg(2+) was not affected by incubation with insulin. However, the K(0.5) for extracellular Na(+) decreased from 69.9 +/- 6.3 to 40.3 +/- 8.4 mol/L (n = 5, P = 0.03) in the presence of insulin. We also studied the effect of wortmannin (WT), a PI 3-kinase inhibitor, on activity of the exchanger. WT significantly blocked the insulin-stimulated Na(+)/Mg(2+) activity (n = 6, P = 0.048), with an IC(50) of 0.5 nmol/L. LY294002, another PI 3-kinase inhibitor, likewise blocked the insulin-stimulated activity of the exchanger. Therefore, insulin regulates cellular Mg(2+) metabolism in part via an increase in the affinity for Na(+) of the Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchange and PI 3-kinase activation, suggesting another role for the PI 3-kinase pathway in insulin-mediated cellular events.
The mythical 'Boy Crisis'?

Abstract The popular press has put forth the idea that the US educational system is experiencing a “boy crisis,” where boys are losing ground to girls across multiple dimensions. Here, we analyze these claims in the context of math and reading achievement during early primary school. We reach two conclusions. First, white boys outperform white girls in math across virtually the entire distribution by the end of third grade; there is less evidence for other races. Second, boys lag behind girls in reading at the start of kindergarten and at the end of third grade across all races, but only the lowest-achieving boys lose ground over the first 4 years; boys gain ground between first and third grades.
Arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions in conscious laterally recumbent ponies.

Summary Six adult ponies were trained calmly to assume and maintain left lateral recumbency without the use of sedative or immobilising agents. During a 30 min recumbent period, pHa, arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions (Pao2 and PacO2) and heart and respiratory rates were monitored at regular intervals to evaluate ventilatory response. Overall, there were no statistically significant differences found between mean control and recumbent or final standing values. When light-weight ponies were compared to heavyweight ponies, only mean Pao2 at 10 mins recumbency was different. This information supports the hypothesis that ventilation impairment during the first 30 mins of equine general anaesthesia is primarily drug-mediated, rather than initiated by recumbency per se.
Ultrasonic tracking of acoustic radiation force-induced displacements in homogeneous media

The use of ultrasonic methods to track the tissue deformation generated by acoustic radiation force is subject to jitter and displacement underestimation errors, with displacement underestimation being primarily caused by lateral and elevation shearing within the point spread function (PSF) of the ultrasonic beam. Models have been developed using finite element methods and Field II, a linear acoustic field simulation package, to study the impact of focal configuration, tracking frequency, and material properties on the accuracy of ultrasonically tracking the tissue deformation generated by acoustic radiation force excitations. These models demonstrate that lateral and elevation shearing underneath the PSF of the tracking beam leads to displacement underestimation in the focal zone. Displacement underestimation can be reduced by using tracking beams that are narrower than the spatial extent of the displacement fields. Displacement underestimation and jitter decrease with time after excitation as shear wave propagation away from the region of excitation reduces shearing in the lateral and elevation dimensions. The use of higher tracking frequencies in broadband transducers, along with 2D focusing in the elevation dimension, will reduce jitter and improve displacement tracking accuracy. Relative displacement underestimation remains constant as a function of applied force, whereas jitter increases with applied force. Underdeveloped speckle (SNR < 1.91) leads to greater levels of jitter and peak displacement underestimation. Axial shearing is minimal over the tracking kernel lengths used in acoustic radiation force impulse imaging and thus does not impact displacement tracking.