cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Deterministic and Stochastic Regime in a Model for Cdc42 Oscillations in Fission Yeast

Oscillations occur in a wide variety of essential cellular processes, such as cell cycle progression, circadian clocks and calcium signaling in response to stimuli. It remains unclear how intrinsic stochasticity can influence these oscillatory systems. Here, we focus on oscillations of Cdc42 GTPase in fission yeast. We extend our previous deterministic model by Xu and Jilkine to construct a stochastic model, focusing on the fast diffusion case. We use SSA (Gillespie's algorithm) to numerically explore the low copy number regime in this model, and use analytical techniques to study the long-time behavior of the stochastic model and compare it to the equilibria of its deterministic counterpart. Numerical solutions suggest noisy limit cycles exist in the parameter regime in which the deterministic system converges to a stable limit cycle, and quasi-cycles exist in the parameter regime where the deterministic model has a damped oscillation. Near an infinite period bifurcation point, the deterministic model has a sustained oscillation, while stochastic trajectories start with an oscillatory mode and tend to approach deterministic steady states. In the low copy number regime, metastable transitions from oscillatory to steady behavior occur in the stochastic model. Our work contributes to the understanding of how stochastic chemical kinetics can affect a finite-dimensional dynamical system, and destabilize a deterministic steady state leading to oscillations.
DIFFERENTIAL IMPACT OF APNEA HYPOPNEA INDEX AND NOCTURNAL OXYGEN DESATURATION ON CARDIAC DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH SLEEP DISORDERED BREATHING

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with the development of heart failure. Apnea Hypopnea index (AHI) and nocturnal oxygen desaturation (NOD) are commonly used to assess the severity of SDB. We aimed to study the differential effect of AHI and NOD on cardiac dysfunction as evaluated by
The synthesis of aryl 4‐nitro‐5‐imidazolyl sulfone radiation sensitizers sterically protected against glutathione reaction

2,6-Disubstituted aryl 1-methyl-4-nitro-5-imidazolyl sulfones 4 and aryl 1-neopentyl-2-tert-butyl-4-nitro-5-imidazolyl sulfones 10 have been synthesized and tested as radiation sensitizers of hypoxic carcinoma cells. These sterically crowded imidazoles show decreased displacement reactivity with glutathione at C-5, a major metabolic reaction known to deplete effective plasma drug levels in traditional aryl imidazolyl sulfone radiation sensitizers.
Crossing number bounds in knot mosaics

Knot mosaics are used to model physical quantum states. The mosaic number of a knot is the smallest integer m such that the knot can be represented as a knot m-mosaic. In this paper, we establish a...
Antigenicity of native and modified Kunitz soybean trypsin inhibitors.

Food provides a continuous antigenic stimulus to the immune system and the antigenicity of processed food proteins should be considered in toxicological evaluations. The antigenicity of the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor was studied using antibodies prepared by inoculating rabbits with native, heat-denatured, and N-acetylcysteine-treated Kunitz soybean trypsin inhibitors. Immunochemical studies using a competitive solid-phase enzyme immunoassay and two groups of sera revealed two patterns of antigenicity. Antibodies elicited with the denatured inhibitor were specific for the denatured conformation of the protein. In contrast, native inhibitor elicited antibodies that selectively recognized determinants in both native and heat-treated protein, but that did not bind trypsin inhibitors treated with N-acetylcysteine. These results imply that: (1) the disulfide bonds must be intact to maintain the native antigenic conformation and (2) the cysteine treatment may suppress allergic manifestations of soybean trypsin inhibitors and possibly other food proteins. These studies were extended by analyzing a panel of monoclonal antibodies prepared against native Kunitz trypsin inhibitor. The inhibitor has at least two distinct antigenic sites (epitopes), one of which is retained under denaturing conditions. The measurement of native Kunitz trypsin inhibitor in food samples by immunoassay appears practical. The relevance of these findings to food processing, food safety, and health is also discussed.
Application of Behavioral Economics Principles Improves Participation in Mailed Outreach for Colorectal Cancer Screening.

Author(s): Bakr, Omar; Afsar-Manesh, Nasim; Raja, Naveen; Dermenchyan, Anna; Goldstein, Noah J; Shu, Suzanne B; May, Folasade P | Abstract: IntroductionColorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in the United States. Although various interventions have improved screening rates, they often require abundant resources and can be difficult to implement. Social psychology and behavioral economics principles offer an opportunity for low-cost and easy-to-implement strategies but are less common in clinical settings.MethodsWe randomized 2,000 patients aged 50-75 years eligible for CRC screening to one of the 2 mailed interventions: a previously used text-based letter describing and offering fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) and colonoscopy (usual care arm); or a letter leveraging social psychology and behavioral economics principles (e.g., implied scarcity and choice architecture), minimal text, and multiple images to offer FIT and colonoscopy (intervention arm). We compared total screening uptake, FIT uptake, and colonoscopy uptake at 1-month intervals in each group.ResultsThere were 1,882 patients included in the final analysis. The mean age was 69.3 years, and baseline characteristics in the 2 groups were similar. Screening completion at 26 weeks was 19.5% in the usual care arm (16.3% FIT vs 3.2% colonoscopy, P l 0.01) and 24.1% in the intervention arm (22.1% FIT vs 2.0% colonoscopy, P l 0.01) (P = 0.02).DiscussionAmong primary care patients aged 50-75 years in an academic setting, mailed CRC outreach employing social psychology and behavioral economics principles led to a higher participation in CRC screening than usual care mailed outreach.Translational impactMailed interventions to increase CRC screening should incorporate social psychology and behavioral economics principles to improve participation.
AlGaN/GaN Schottky-Gate HEMTs With UV/O₃-Treated Gate Interface

The surface condition under gate of AlGaN/GaN heterostructure plays a critical role in high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT). In this study, the effects of ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) treatment applied to Al0.3 Ga0.7 N/GaN heterostructure on the electrical performance of AlGaN/GaN Schottky-gate HEMT were investigated. The reverse-bias leakage current of Schottky diode was reduced by three orders after the treatment. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the formation of the Ga2O x layer which serves as an interface passivation layer and thus suppresses trap-assisted electron tunneling. Capacitance–voltage measurements of AlGaN/GaN HEMT show shifts of threshold and on-set voltages, indicating decreased surface states as a result of the treatment. The electrical characteristics of AlGaN/GaN HEMT exhibit improved transconductance and subthreshold swing values after the treatment.
Conceptual Definitions and Meaningful Generalizability in Cognitive Enhancement.

I have argued elsewhere in this journal that the purview of an appropriate neuroethics ought to include analyses of the practices employed by neuroscience (and not merely its theoretic conclusions ...
La literatura okupa. Escribir desde el cuarto mundo

My article analyzes the literary geopolitics of El cuarto mundo (1988), the third novel by Chilean writer Diamela Eltit. I approach the various operations that Eltit carries out –from the radicalization of disease to the transformation of the sick and monstrous body– as counter-offensives that reconcile the poles of the aesthetic-political vector. I read El cuarto mundo as a turn in Eltit’s poetics, one situated in a regional discussion that questions the role of literature and its politicity by going beyond allegory and the figuration of Chile as an aesthetic-political sign. I examine Eltit’s careful reading of the new global order and her understanding of literary authorship as an infirmity in the face of the ruling class’s abandonment of literary pursuits in recent decades.
Globalization, economic development, and corruption: A cross-lagged contingency perspective

The 2020 health and economic crisis has exacerbated tensions and debates over whether globalization benefits economic development, as countries face both pressures to enhance economic opportunities through globalization and populist movements seeking protection from global forces. We first review perspectives that offer competing evidence about the role of globalization in regard to economic development and corruption. Drawing on resource dependence and institutional theory, we test the two contingencies of the country’s stage of economic development (low, lower-middle, upper-middle, high) and the globalization dimension (economic, social, political) at play to reconcile competing findings. Using a cross-lagged panel design, we show that these contingencies significantly explain when and what type of globalization can benefit a country’s economy and affect corruption. In doing so, the study provides a platform for future research, and identifies important patterns that can better guide policymaking. Among other results, we find low-income countries’ GDP and corruption benefit the most from the formal dimensions of globalization. With increased wealth, countries are more responsive to the legitimacy accrued with the informal dimensions of globalization, which we find comes at the expense of economic efficiency for high-income countries.
Chapter 17 Paired comparisons

Publisher Summary This chapter describes various approaches for the paired comparison. There are two different approaches to determine rankings for paired comparison: (1) deterministic combinatorial approaches; and (2) approaches that pose some type of probability model of the competition and then determine rankings based on the schedule, results, and model so posed. The chapter describes the deterministic combinatorial methods and the methods based on probability models. The Kendall–Wei method for determining rankings based on paired comparisons is also discussed. The probabilities are determined by making a set of assumptions (different assumptions are made for different methods) and then calculating values for these probabilities that are consistent with these assumptions and with the game results in question. Some characteristics concerning general applicability with emphasis on combat analyses are also discussed.
Honeydew and insecticide bait as competing food resources for a fruit fly and common natural enemies in the olive agroecosystem

Honeydew from phloem-feeding insects and fruit fly insecticidal baits may serve as adult food resources for some insect species. In California (USA) olive orchards, the black scale [Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Hemiptera: Coccidae)] is a common honeydew producer, and spinosad-based fruit fly bait (GF-120) is used to control the olive fruit fly [Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae)]. We investigated the effects of black scale honeydew and GF-120, as food resources, on adult foraging behaviour and survival of the olive fruit fly and two parasitoids in the olive agroecosystem: Scutellista caerulea (Fonscolombe) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a natural enemy of black scale, and Psyttalia humilis (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of the fruit fly. In food choice tests, female flies did not show a preference between GF-120 bait and honeydew, whereas male flies and the parasitoids we tested preferred honeydew. Adults of the three insect species readily fed on honeydew, but the natural enemies never (P. humilis) or rarely (S. caerulea) fed on GF-120 bait. Olfactometer tests further confirmed that the tested natural enemies were not attracted to GF-120 bait. The presence of honeydew significantly reduced fruit fly mortality when both honeydew and GF-120 were provided, compared with GF-120 given alone. A single meal of honeydew increased longevity in all insect species tested. The mean longevities of honeydew-fed insects were not significantly different from those feeding on clover honey. Our results suggest that the presence of honeydew would benefit the three insect species and may reduce the efficacy of GF-120 for fruit fly control because of preference of honeydew rather than fruit fly bait as a food resource.
Using audio on the Internet for training purposes

Nova Southeastern University has been delivering interactive distance learning courses since the mid-80s. With the World Wide Web as one of the fastest growing media for the transportation of multimedia information, the University is looking into Internet related technologies to improve the interactive distance learning environment. The purpose of this paper is to present the experience gained in designing, developing, and implementing a distance course using audio on the World Wide Web. One important point is that the instructor/developer of the course needs to have a working knowledge of distance learning and World Wide Web concepts.
Identifying Swelling-Activated Channels from Ion Selectivity Patterns

The molecular identity of the channels producing swelling-activated Cl conductance (gswell) is of great interest since this physiologic response to swelling is common to many cells. As presented in the May Perspectives (Clapham, 1998; Strange, 1998), the question of whether the observed gswell represents a family of channel proteins is presently unanswered, but to be included in this family a channel must be activated by cell swelling and conduct Cl. Determining if a candidate Cl channel should be included based on swelling sensitivity may be problematic since the volume-sensing element could reside in an auxiliary protein that associates with the channel protein and, through allosteric modulation, creates a swelling-activated complex. If the associated sensor is removed inadvertently by experimental manipulation or incomplete reconstitution, then a legitimate family member would be excluded. Permeation selectivity is intrinsic to the pore of the channel protein and thus provides a less easily lost characteristic to aid in identification.
Naive physics, event perception, lexical semantics, and language acquisition

How do children learn the language-specific components of their native language? How is language grounded in perception? Knowledge of the meanings of utterances containing unknown words presumably aids children in the process of determining their meanings. A complete account of such a process must ultimately explain how children extract utterance meanings from their non-linguistic context. Algorithms are presented which utilize a cross-situational learning strategy whereby the learner finds a language model which is consistent across several utterances paired with their non-linguistic context. This allows the learner to acquire partial knowledge from ambiguous situations and combine it across situations to infer a unique language model. M scAIMRA learns word-to-meaning and word-to-category mappings from a corpus pairing utterances with sets of expressions representing the potential meanings of those utterances hypothesized by the learner from the non-linguistic context. M scAIMRA's syntactic theory is embodied in a fixed context-free grammar. D scAVRA extends M scAIMRA by replacing the context-free grammar with a parameterized variant of X theory. K scENUNIA incorporates a more comprehensive model of universal grammar supporting movement, adjunction, and empty categories, as well as more extensive parameterization of its X theory component. I advance three claims about event perception and the process of grounding language in visual perception. Notions of support, contact, and attachment play a central role in defining the meanings of simple spatial motion verbs in a way that delineates prototypical occurrences of events described by those verbs from non-occurrences. Support, contact, and attachment relations between objects are recovered from images by a process of counterfactual simulation. This imagination capacity, while superficially similar in intent to traditional kinematic simulation, is actually based on a drastically different foundation which takes naive physical constraints such as substantiality, continuity, and attachment relations between objects to be primary. This theory of event perception has been implemented in a program called A scBIGAIL which watches a computer-generated animated movie and produces a description of the objects and events which occur in that movie. A scBIGAIL's event perception processes rely on counter-factual simulation to recover changing support, contact, and attachment relations between objects. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.) (Abstract shortened with permission of school.)
Motion blur removal from photographs

One of the long-standing challenges in photography is motion blur. Blur artifacts are generated from relative motion between a camera and a scene during exposure. While blur can be reduced by using a shorter exposure, this comes at an unavoidable trade-off with increased noise. Therefore, it is desirable to remove blur computationally. To remove blur, we need to (i) estimate how the image is blurred (i.e. the blur kernel or the point-spread function) and (ii) restore a natural looking image through deconvolution. Blur kernel estimation is challenging because the algorithm needs to distinguish the correct image-blur pair from incorrect ones that can also adequately explain the blurred image. Deconvolution is also difficult because the algorithm needs to restore high frequency image contents attenuated by blur. In this dissertation, we address a few aspects of these challenges. We introduce an insight that a blur kernel can be estimated by analyzing edges in a blurred photograph. Edge profiles in a blurred image encode projections of the blur kernel, from which we can recover the blur using the inverse Radon transform. This method is computationally attractive and is well suited to images with many edges. Blurred edge profiles can also serve as additional cues for existing kernel estimation algorithms. We introduce a method to integrate this information into a maximum-a-posteriori kernel estimation framework, and show its benefits. Deconvolution algorithms restore information attenuated by blur using an image prior that exploits a heavy-tailed gradient profile of natural images. We show, however, that such a sparse prior does not accurately model textures, thereby degrading texture renditions in restored images. To address this issue, we introduce a content-aware image prior that adapts its characteristics to local textures. The adapted image prior improves the quality of textures in restored images. Sometimes even the content-aware image prior may be insufficient for restoring rich textures. This issue can be addressed by matching the restored image's gradient distribution to its original image's gradient distribution, which is estimated directly from the blurred image. This new image deconvolution technique called iterative distribution reweighting (IDR) improves the visual realism of reconstructed images. Subject motion can also cause blur. Removing subject motion blur is especially challenging because the blur is often spatially variant. In this dissertation, we address a restricted class of subject motion blur: the subject moves at a constant velocity locally. We design a new computational camera that improves the local motion estimation and, at the same time, reduces the image information loss due to blur. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Deception Divergence and Sexual Selection

and Summary In diverse taxa members of one sex mimic members of the other. Some authors also hypothesize that younger or less fit individuals mimic older or fitter individuals of the same sex. The implications of sexual and age class mimicry for sexual selection theory have been underappreciated. Where deception involving the sex or age class of conspecific signallers arises, selection will act against (1) signal receivers who fail to distinguish between “honest” and “deceptive” signallers and (2) “honest” signallers who fail to become noticeably different from “deceptive” signallers. We refer to the tendency of “honest” signallers to become noticeably different from “deceptive” signallers as deception divergence. Deception divergence may be the mechanism whereby conspicuous epigamic features evolve to extravagance in the runaway process hypothesized by Fisher (1958). Zusammenfassung Fur zahlreiche Tierarten wird vermutet, das Individuen eines Geschlechtes solche des anderen nachahmen, sowie das schwachere Individuen altere oder starkere Artgenossen desselben Geschlechtes imitieren. Die Folgen derartiger heterosexueller oder altersbezogener Mimikry fur die Theorie sexueller Selektion sind bislang unterschatzt worden. Wann immer Geschlecht oder Altersklasse eine wesentliche Rolle bei der Signalfalschung spielen, wird sowohl der Signalempfanger benachteiligt, der nicht imstande ist, zwischen „ehrlichen” und ”betrugerischen„ Sendern zu unterscheiden, wie auch der „ehrliche” Sender, der sich nicht deutlich genug von „betrugerischen” abheben kann. Die Tendenz „betrugerischer” Sender, sich „ehrlichen” Sendern anzugleichen, wie auch die Tendenz „ehrlicher” Sender, sich von „betrugerischen” Sendern deutlich wahrnehmbar zu unterscheiden, wird im folgenden als „Tauschungsdivergenz” bezeichnet. Eine Tauschungsdivergenz-Hypothese, angewandt auf Konflikte zwischen gleichgeschlechtigen Artgenossen, konnte einen Mechanismus liefern, demzufolge gut sichtbare epigame Merkmale in einem unaufhaltsam fortlaufenden Prozes bis zur Extravaganz entwickelt werden, wie Fisher (1958) ihn beschrieben hat.
Bone marrow T cells. II. Thymic dependency.

Abstract Mouse bone marrow contains cells capable of responding in vitro to the T cell mitogens PHA and Con A. These cellular responses are not demonstrable in the marrow of athymic nude mice (when compared with heterozygous littermates) and are depressed 47% in the marrow of neonatally thymectomized LAF 1 mice (when compared with sham-operated littermates). Therefore, the population of “bone marrow T cells” is thymus dependent.
Threonine Synthetase-Catalyzed Conversion of Phosphohomoserine to α-Ketobutyrate in Bacillus subtilis

An enzyme activity of Bacillus subtilis has been found that catalyzes the dephosphorylation and deamination of phosphohomoserine to α-ketobutyrate, resulting in a bypass of threonine in isoleucine biosynthesis. In crude extracts of a strain deficient in the biosynthetic isoleucine-inhibitable threonine dehydratase, phosphohomoserine was converted to α-ketobutyrate. Phosphohomoserine conversion to α-ketobutyrate was shown not to involve a threonine intermediate. Single mutational events affecting threonine synthetase also affected the phosphohomoserine-deaminating activity, suggesting that the deamination of phosphohomoserine was catalyzed by the threonine synthetase enzyme. It was demonstrated in vivo, in a strain deficient in the biosynthetic threonine dehydratase, that isoleucine was synthesized from homoserine without intermediate formation of threonine.
The antifungal drug ciclopirox inhibits deoxyhypusine and proline hydroxylation, endothelial cell growth and angiogenesis in vitro

The hypusine biosynthetic steps represent novel targets for intervention in cell proliferation. Hypusine is a rare amino acid, formed posttranslationally in one cellular protein, eIF5A, and is essential for cell proliferation. Deoxyhypusine hydroxylase, the metalloenzyme catalyzing the final step in hypusine biosynthesis, and prolyl 4-hydroxylase, a non-heme iron enzyme critical for collagen processing, can be inhibited by small chelating molecules that target their essential metal atom. We examined the effects of 5 compounds (ciclopirox, deferiprone, deferoxamine, mimosine and 2,2′-dipyridyl) on these protein hydroxylases in HUVECs, on cell proliferation and on angiogenesis using 2 model assays: tube-like vessel formation on Matrigel and the chick aortic arch sprouting assay. These compounds inhibited cellular deoxyhypusine hydroxylase in a concentration-dependent manner, but their efficacy varied widely in the following order: ciclopirox deferoxamine2,2′-dipyridyldeferipronemimosine (IC50 5–200 μM). Inhibition of DNA synthesis, following the same order (IC50 10–450 μM), correlated with G1 arrest of the cell cycle. These compounds also inhibited proline hydroxylation and maturation of collagen in HUVECs and caused inhibition of angiogenesis in vitro. Of the compounds tested, ciclopirox was by far the most effective inhibitor of HUVEC proliferation and angiogenesis. The strong antiangiogenic activity of this readily available antifungal drug along with its antiproliferative effects suggests a new potential application for ciclopirox in the treatment of solid tumors. Published 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A method for determining “good” action-angle variables and semiclassical eigenvalues in nonseparable systems

Abstract A method for determining semiclassical eigenvalues and the canonical transformation relating “good” and harmonic action-angle variables for nonseparable molecular vibrations is developed. The method makes use of Fourier expansions of the harmonic action and good angle variables in terms of the harmonic angle variables (for fixed good actions). The coefficients in these expansions are determined by requiring that each expansion, when truncated at N terms, be exactly satisfied at N appropriately chosen times during the integration of a trajectory for the system of interest. Applications of this method are made to the determination of semi-classical eigenvalues for several model two mode systems which have been extensively studied using other semiclassical methods. Essentially exact agreement with these earlier calculations is obtained. We then study the dependence of cartesian coordinates and harmonic actions on good angle variables for two of the models. Weak correlation between motions in different modes is found, and this leads to a simple but reasonably accurate method for decoupling the two modes based on motional time scale separations.
CAPILLARY FILTER PAPER METHOD IS VALID IN COMMUNITY LEAD SCREENING PROGRAM• 613

Objective.-The CDC recently discouraged use of capillary filter paper (CFP) methods for screening of lead poisoning. This study reassessed the use of CFP and venous sampling in a community lead screening program.
Vps9 domain-containing proteins: activators of Rab5 GTPases from yeast to neurons

Endocytosis of cell surface receptors plays an important role in regulating cell signaling cascades. In some cases, internalization of an activated receptor attenuates the signaling process, while in other cases the clustering of activated receptors on early endosomal structures has been proposed to be essential for fully activating signaling cascades. Regulating the movement of receptors and other signaling proteins through the endocytic pathway, therefore, has a direct impact on cellular homeostasis. The small GTPase Rab5 is a crucial regulatory component of the endocytic pathway. Activation of Rab5 is mediated by GDP–GTP exchange factors (GEFs) that generate the Rab5–GTP complex. A large number of proteins have been identified that contain a specific, highly conserved domain (Vps9) that catalyzes nucleotide exchange on Rab5, linking the regulation of cell signaling cascades with intracellular receptor trafficking through the endocytic pathway.
Theory of electron spin g-values for carbonyl radicals

Abstract A complete SCF calculation is performed to obtain g-values for both cis and trans isomers of the semidione radical (CHO) 2 − . Results are then generalized to all carbonyl π radicals through the equation 〈g〉=2.0026 + Γ∑ ρ0 ΔE where Δ E is an n → π ∗ excitation energy, ϱ 0 is the Λ spin density on oxygen, and Γ is a function of both total molecular symmetry and local symmetry at the carbonyl group. Theoretical and empirical expressions for Λ are obtained. The general equation can be used to determine spin densities from measured g -values and visible /uv absorption spectra.
SU-E-T-385: Use of a Plastic Scintillation Detector for Calibration of a P32 Dura Plaque

Purpose: Radiochromic film has been used to calibrate 32P plaques, which are used to irradiate the dura for patients with sarcomas of the spine. Although this method has been successful, it is time consuming due to the characteristics of the film. A more efficient calibration method utilizing a miniature plastic scintillation detector has been investigated for this work. This new method provides an immediate readout which can be corrected with a factor to determine dose rate. Methods and Materials: The surface dose rate for a 1 cm2 flat 2.47 mCi 32P source was measured with radiochromic film. A calibration curve for the radiochromic film was determined using a 90Sr eye plaque of known output. A plastic 2 × 2 × 4 cm mini phantom with a channel through the long dimension to accommodate the plastic scintillation detector, which has a diameter of 5.0 mm and length of 23 mm, was used to measure the count rate at the surface of the 32P source. A multiplicative correction factor for the scintillation detector readout was determined by dividing the dose rate measured by radiochromic film by the count rate measured using the scintillation detector. Results: The radiochromic film measurements yielded a surface dose rate of 2.52 Gy/min. The scintillation detector yielded an average count rate of 2.3 × 106 counts/min. The correction factor from these measurements was determined to be 1.12 × 10‐6 Gy/min. Conclusion: The use of a plastic scintillation detector versus radiochromic film for the calibration of 32P plaques will greatly decrease the calibration time by providing an immediate readout of dose rate.
Engraftment syndrome: double-edged sword of hematopoietic cell transplants

Engraftment syndrome (ES) after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is increasingly diagnosed. Common features include fever, pulmonary vascular leak, rash and organ dysfunction. Different diagnostic criteria likely account for the wide (7-90%) range of reported incidences. ES typically occurs within 4 days of granulocyte recovery although a recently described seemingly similar syndrome occurs >1 week before granulocyte recovery after umbilical cord blood cell transplants. Although the clinical manifestations of ES may be identical to those of acute GVHD, ES also has been well described in patients without acute GVHD. The data are conflicting as to whether ES is associated with a higher nonrelapse mortality and worse survival after HCT. The pathophysiology of ES is unclear, but endothelial injury and activated granulocytes in the setting of proinflammatory cytokines may be important. ES typically is self-limited, but, like acute GVHD, responds to corticosteroids. Because ES and acute GVHD may have overlapping features and response to therapy, these disease processes may often not be distinct events. Moreover, features of ES may overlap with those of drug- and radiation-induced toxicities and infection. Further research to better characterize the clinical spectrum and etiology of ES and to determine its relationship to GVHD is needed.
Pop Internationalism: Has Half a Century of World Music Trade Displaced Local Culture?

Advances in communication technologies have increased the availability of cultural goods across borders, raising concerns that cultural products from large economies will displace those in smaller economies. This article provides stylised facts about global music consumption and trade since 1960 using a unique data on popular music charts corresponding to over 98% of the global music market. Contrary to growing fears about large-country dominance, our gravity estimates show a substantial bias towards domestic music that has, perhaps surprisingly, increased in the past decade. Moreover, we find no evidence that new communications channels reduce the consumption of domestic music.
Editorial: Neuro-Urological Testing

Voiding dysfunction is one of the most frequently encountered medical problems reported by male and female patients. Under normal circumstances the course of micturition depends on intact neural control, adequate contractility of the detrusor and an anatomically intact urethral pathway. Neuro-urological evaluation, including urodynamics, provides the scientific basis for the appropriate diagnosis and management of patients with dysfunction. The preceding 3 complex articles in this issue of the Journal define such neuro-urological problems in 3 different groups of patients. Clinically, the etiology of voiding dysfunction varies, including obstruction due to an enlarged prostate, central nervous system damage, metabolic problems such as diabetes with autonomic neuropathy, and incontinence in women due to urethral trauma. Apart from these cases of chronic lower urinary tract dysfunction, such as that due to motor urge incontinence, the pelvic pain syndrome and bladder emptying problems provide an additional therapeutic challenge for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of these patients. The task of adequately caring for these patients is more difficult because of a significant overlap and combinations of symptoms in the same subject. Even in a patient with an enlarged prostate and significant outlet obstruction, the postoperative outcome may not be predicted satisfactorily due to prolonged obstruction and decompensatory changes of the detrusor. Sullivan and Yalla (page 1995) addressed this problem by expanding on the use of determining the detrusor reserve, defined as "the amount of pressure the bladder is capable of generating in excess of voiding contraction pressure." This parameter is used to evaluate the extent of bladder decompensation and, therefore, it may predict a possible poor surgical outcome with higher post-void residual urine. The complex dynamic studies performed by the authors also showed no consistent decrease in bladder compliance in otherwise normal patients with outlet obstruction. It is possible that factors, such as alteration in the relative density of the a and P-adrenergic receptors,' may also contribute to a decrease in compliance. Supporting evidence of these results may be found from other studies, indicating that increased stiffness of the bladder with decreased compliance is closely associated with chronic sympathetic damage.2 Sullivan and Yalla also studied increased bladder contractility (isometric bladder contraction) by blocking the outflow of urine with a Foley catheter pulled at the bladder neck. The techniques to determine isometric contractions of the detrusor may lead to variable and abnormally high bladder pressure depending on how much traction is applied when the Foley catheter is pulled at the bladder neck. The catheter balloon, apart from obstructing the bladder neck, can evoke reflex bladder contractions by stimulating the posterior bladder neck region.3.4
Temperature dependence of positive secondary ion yields from Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Cu0.5Ni0.5

Abstract Positive secondary ion sputtering yields S + over the range 25–1200°C for atomic M + , diatomic M + 2 , and some impurity ions from Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Cu 0.5 Ni 0.5 have been investigated by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). A hysteresis effect in S + upon cooling the hot foils and structure in the S + versus temperature curves have been observed. These effects are discussed in terms of migration of impurities and critical transformations in the metals.
Our Policies, Their Text: German Language Students' Strategies with and Beliefs about Web‐Based Machine Translation

Most educators are aware that some students utilize web-based machine translators for foreign language assignments, however, little research has been done to determine how and why students utilize these programs, or what the implications are for language learning and teaching. In this mixed-methods study we utilized surveys, a translation task, and interviews to discover some of the students' beliefs and strategies in using such tools. Our results suggest that students hold a range of beliefs about the usefulness of machine translators for writing assignments, and that many of them can articulate and reflect upon the strategies that they use. We discuss implications for the use of machine translation in the foreign language curriculum based on the example of university German.
Individual differences in risk perception versus risk taking: Handedness and interhemispheric interaction

Research indicates that right-hemisphere mechanisms are specifically sensitive to and averse to risk. Research also indicates that mixed degree of handedness is associated with increased access to right hemisphere processing. Accordingly, it was predicted that mixed-handers would exhibit greater risk aversion. Participants were presented with various risky activities and were asked to rate (i) the perceived risk, (ii) the perceived benefit, and (iii) their likelihood to engage in each activity. No handedness differences were found for any of these ratings. Regression analyses, however, indicated that the likelihood to engage in risky activities was predicted primarily by the perceived risks in mixed-handers and by the perceived benefits in strong-handers.
The language dependence of accuracy

David Miller has demonstrated to the satisfaction of a variety of philosophers that the accuracy of false quantitative theories is language dependent (cf. Miller 1975). This demonstration renders the accuracy-based mode of comparison for such theories obsolete. The purpose of this essay is to supply an alternate basis for theory comparison which in this paper is deemed the ‘knowledge-based’ mode of quantitative theory comparison. It is argued that the status of a quantitative theory as knowledge depends primarily on the ‘soundness’ of the measurement procedure which produced the theory; such soundness is invariant, on my view, under Milleresque translations. This point is the basis for the linguistic invariance of ‘knowledgelikeness’. When the aim of science is not construed simply in terms of the ‘truthlikeness’ or accuracy of theories, but in terms of the knowledge such theories embody, Miller's language dependence problem is overcome. One result of this analysis is that the possibility of objective scientific progress is restored, a possibility that Miller's analysis has prima facie defeated.
Utilizing CPTOnline to upgrade the computer and information technology curriculum

A common problem for the keepers of computer and information technology curriculums is the blending of e-commerce courses into the core curriculum. Certainly some of the core principles of technology-based programs hold up reasonably well regardless of the environment but the emergence of the Web as a development environment has created both new opportunities and new challenges for educators at all levels. Compounding this challenge is attempting to upgrade curriculum in a cost-effective manner.The Computer and Information Technology Department (CIT) found an answer to both of these dilemmas through the creation of CPTOnline, the on-line branch of CIT. CPTOnline has packaged the department's Web-based offerings into two online Certificate programs. For the 2002 calendar year, CPTOnline generated over 3200 credit hours. This represents almost 20% of all credit hours offered by CIT. CPTOnline has become an attractive option as both a standalone program and as a mechanism to upgrade the CIT curriculum.One of the reasons that these programs have been so popular is that they have found a way to meet the needs of a variety of audiences. These Web-based programs are very attractive to corporate clients, individual application developers and CIT majors. A second and compelling aspect to these programs is that they are delivered over the Web in an asynchronous format. This provides the educational flexibility that is so desperately needed by many students. Finally, CPTOnline has been a pioneer in the area of on-line innovations through the utilization of Web-based tools such as remote labs and instant messaging.This paper will highlight the best practices utilized by CPTOnline and how CPTOnline enabled the process of "webifying" the CIT curriculum.
Abdominal Abscesses Complicating Peritonitis in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Ten patients with end-stage renal disease maintained on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis therapy developed abdominal abscesses between 1982 and 1992. During this period, 537 patients cared for in our continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis unit developed 1,345 episodes of peritonitis. All abdominal abscesses were attributed to concomitant or antecedent peritonitis, suggesting that abscesses developed in 0.7% of peritonitis episodes. Abdominal pain, tenderness, fever, and nausea and vomiting were the most common presenting symptoms and signs. Radiographic findings that were helpful in establishing the diagnosis included abnormalities on computed tomography (CT) scanning, ultrasound, and Indium scanning. Seven patients developed intraperitoneal abscesses, two developed abdominal wall abscesses, and one developed both abdominal wall and intraperitoneal abscesses. Drainage of the abscesses was performed in all cases either surgically or percutaneously. Two patients died. The remaining eight patients have been maintained on hemodialysis therapy. The present data suggest that abdominal abscesses are uncommon complications of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis. Prompt diagnosis by clinical criteria and radiographic techniques is important to permit appropriate drainage of the abscess cavity.
Digital image manipulation, analysis and processing systems (DIMAPS) - A research-oriented, experimental image-processing system

The acronym DIMAPS stands for the group of experimental Digital Image Manipulation, Analysis and Processing Systems developed at the IBM Scientific Center in Palo Alto, California. These are FORTRAN-based, dialog-driven, fully interactive programs for the IBM 4341 (or equivalent) computer running under VM/CMS or MVS/TSO. The work station consists of three screens (alphanumeric, high-resolution vector graphics, and high-resolution color display), plus a digitizing graphics tablet, cursor controllers, keyboards, and hard copy devices. The DIMAPS software is 98% FORTRAN, thus facilitating maintenance, system growth, and transportability. The original DIMAPS and its modified versions contain functions for the generation, display and comparison of multiband images, and for the quantitative as well as graphic display of data in a selected section of the image under study. Several functions for performing data modification and/or analysis tasks are also included. Some high-level image processing and analysis functions such as the generation of shaded-relief images, unsupervised multispectral classification, scene-to-scene or map-to-scene registration of multiband digital data, extraction of texture information using a two-dimensional Fourier transform of the band data, and reduction of random noise from multiband data using phase agreement among their Fourier coefficients, were developed as adjuncts to DIMAPS.© (1985) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of morphology on the dynamic mechanical properties of a semicrystalline polysiloxane

The dynamic mechanical properties of semicrystalline poly(tetramethyl-p-silphenylene siloxane) in three morphological preparations were measured over the wide frequency range of about 0.002 Hz to 500 Hz and the temperature range of about − 190°C to 100°C. The three samples were all isothermally crystallized at 125°C. Two samples had a spherulite size of 25 μ diameter but differed in the time allowed for secondary crystallization. The other sample had a smaller spherulite size. By assuming compliance additivity, the viscoelastic behavior could be separated into five relaxation processes with an indication that a sixth existed at low temperature. Two processes called γ1 and γ2 could be resolved at low temperatures. The γ1 process was associated with the amorphous region since the peak strength was affected by the rate of cooling through the glass transition region; the γ2 peak, unaffected by cooling rate, is attributed to the crystalline part. In the high-temperature region, the β peak is associated with the glass transition and has a shape and location that is essentially independent of the morphology. The highest temperature α2 process, whose maximum was not observed in the experimental range covered, is attributed to the crystalline region and is sensitive to changes in crystallization history. The strength of the α1 process unlike that of the other processes was found to be a function of temperature; it was associated with the noncrystalline region.
Factors Associated with Declining Hunting License Sales in Alabama

This article documents the magnitude of and factors associated with declining hunting license sales in Alabama. Respondents were classified as active hunters, former hunters, or nonhunters. Active hunters were relatively satisfied with their recent hunting experiences and the wildlife management programs conducted by the state. In addition, they were supportive of a modest increase of hunting fees. Reasons given by former hunters for quitting the activity were lack of time, lack of public hunting areas, aging, and loss of interest. Nonhunters either did not have an interest in hunting or considered the killing of animals as cruel. Reasons for lack of participation by nonhunters do not indicate a high probability of recruiting hunters from the ranks of nonhunters. These results suggest that agencies and organizations that depend on hunters should put resources into keeping active hunters from becoming former hunters. Based on the results and comments from active and former hunters, it would seem that the b...