cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting the bifurcation structure of localized snaking patterns

Abstract We expand upon a general framework for studying the bifurcation diagrams of localized spatially oscillatory structures. Building on work by Beck et al., the present work provides rigorous analytical results on the effects of perturbations to systems exhibiting snaking behavior. Starting with a reversible variational system possessing an additional Z 2 symmetry, we elucidate the distinct effects of breaking symmetry and breaking variational structure, and characterize the resulting changes in both the bifurcation diagram and the solutions themselves. We show how to predict the branch reorganization and drift speeds induced by any particular given perturbative term, and illustrate our results via numerical continuation. We further demonstrate the utility of our methods in understanding the effects of particular perturbations breaking reversibility. Our approach yields an analytical explanation for previous numerical results on the effects of perturbations in the one-dimensional cubic–quintic Swift–Hohenberg model and allows us to make predictions on the effects of perturbations in more general settings, including planar systems. While our numerical results involve the Swift–Hohenberg model system, we emphasize the general applicability of the analytical results.
Making economically sound confinement decisions: A response to the zedlewski thesis

This paper examines the economic costs and benefits of incarceration of criminals, elaborating upon and correcting flaws in Zedlewski’s 1987 claims that incarceration is a cost-minimizing crime prevention strategy. We use Bureau of Justice Statistics data to demonstrate gross errors in Zedlewski’s crude estimates. We find that the costs of incarceration are more than double the benefits in costs of crime avoided. We conclude that the cost-saving incapacitation effects of incarceration do not warrant either the current levels of imprisonment or any future increases.
Exit and voice in Jamaica's export agriculture: The organizational dimension of agricultural decline

Abstract Jamaica's export agriculture, once one of the country's leading industries, has collapsed during the past two decades. Many explanations have been put forward to explain this economic debacle, but most observers have overlooked the role played by commodity associations—producer groups sponsored by the government to support and promote export agriculture. This paper shows how the failure of these organizations to provide valuable services contributed to the farmers' decision to withdraw from the export market. It also seeks to answer the question of why farmers chose withdrawal over working within these organizations for change.
Re-examination of uniform commodity taxes under a non-linear income tax system and its implication for production efficiency

Abstract This paper shows that the result of “uniform commodity tax under nonlinear income taxation” by Atkinson and Stiglitz (1976) no longer holds if the production side of an economy is taken into the consideration. In particular, imposing a non-uniform commodity tax can Pareto-improve welfare even under nonlinear income taxation. In addition, the paper shows that if the government uses a nonlinear income tax system for income redistribution, then the introduction of distortions in the public sector can Pareto-improve welfare, contrary to the results in Diamond and Mirrlees (1971).
The role of olfactory cues in the sequential radiation of a gall-boring beetle, Mordellistena convicta

1. Herbivorous insects often have close associations with specific host plants, and their preferences for mating and ovipositing on a specific host-plant species can reproductively isolate populations, facilitating ecological speciation. Volatile emissions from host plants can play a major role in assisting herbivores to locate their natal host plants and thus facilitate assortative mating and host-specific oviposition. 2. The present study investigated the role of host-plant volatiles in host fidelity and oviposition preference of the gall-boring, inquiline beetle, Mordellistena convicta LeConte (Coleoptera: Mordellidae), using Y-tube olfactometers. Previous studies suggest that the gall-boring beetle is undergoing sequential host-associated divergence by utilising the resources that are created by the diverging populations of the gall fly, Eurosta solidaginis Fitch (Diptera: Tephritidae), which induces galls on the stems of goldenrods including Solidago altissima L. (Asteraceae) and Solidago gigantea Ait. 3. Our results show that M. convicta adults are attracted to galls on their natal host plant, avoid the alternate host galls, and do not respond to volatile emissions from their host-plant stems. 4. These findings suggest that the gall-boring beetles can orient to the volatile chemicals from host galls, and that beetles can use them to identify suitable sites for mating and/or oviposition. Host-associated mating and oviposition likely play a role in the sequential radiation of the gall-boring beetle.
On revenue equalization of deduction versus flat income tax systems

Abstract The paper conducts a statistical comparison among three methods of income taxation. The first one is a progressive, deduction-allowing tax system as currently prevalent in the United States. The second one is flat income taxation allowing no deductions. The third one is a modification of the second allowing for some progressiveness in the tax rate but, nonetheless, no deductions. The paper determines the tax rates that equalize the properties of the government's revenues for the three taxation methods.
The Latin Visions of Calabre and Ida and the Origins of the Initial Branches of the Old French Crusade Cycle

The initial branches of the Old French Crusade Cycle were written in the second half of the twelfth century. They were composed with the theme of God's agency in the affairs of the First Crusade as a primary organizing factor through the dreams and prophecy of the principal women: Elioxe (Naissance), Beatrice (Chevalier au Cygne), Ida and Calabre (Enfances Godefroi). Calabre, mother of Kerbogha, the Amir of Mosul, is in the Gesta Francorum et aliorum Hierosolimitanorum, the earliest eye-witness account of the siege of Antioch. In the Beatae Idae Vita a vision of Ida, Godfrey of Bouillon's mother, is recorded concerning the importance of her sons in conquering Jerusalem. The writer perceived the principal theme of the narrative and knew the Latin text of Calabre's dream and the Latin life of Ida and her dream. He saw exactly how these two dreams fit the historical reality of this crusade. Transposing Calabre's vision from a specific situation at Aleppo involving her son to a more general prophecy long before the First Crusade itself, the writer set up how God became the efficient cause of the movement designed to recover the Holy Sepulchre and the land that gave birth to Christianity. Then in Ida's dream, also years before the event, he saw God's preparation of the lineage of knights that would carry out God's will.
Effect of cocaine and cocaine metabolites on cerebral arteries in vitro.

Cocaine has pronounced peripheral vasoconstrictor effects. Despite the short half life of cocaine in the body these effects are relatively long-lived. The role of cocaine metabolites in vasoconstriction attributed to cocaine has not been reported. We evaluated the contractile ability of cocaine and its major metabolites in isolated cat cerebral arteries. The primary cocaine metabolite, benzollecgonine was a potent contractile agent, causing a 50% decrease in cross sectional area at 10−5 M. This was less than caused by serotonin, but greater than caused by norepinehrine. Ecgonine and cocaine were less active contractile agents than was benzoylecgonine, and ecgonine methyl ester was a mild relaxant.
Effect of previous experience of a hurricane on preparedness for future hurricanes.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that having experienced a major hurricane will promote better preparedness for future ones. A survey was conducted in November 1999 at Miami children's Hospital. No statistical differences were found between the population that was present in Dade County during hurricane Andrew and the one that was not; in regard of the possession of a generator at home, the obtaining of material to secure their home, the presence of hurricane shutters, the willingness to evacuate their home in case of advise. Only 37% of the families that experienced hurricane Andrew would go to a shelter versus 49% for the families that did not ( P
Commerce, Culture and Capitalism

The problem of commerce in pre-capitalist societies has been an issue debated among historians, both Marxian and non-Marxian, for over a century. Martha Howell’s book provides new historical data on the economic impact and cultural meaning of commerce in feudal Europe, without, however, addressing key theoretical and interpretive issues.
Adaptive packet marking for maintaining end-to-end throughput in a differentiated-services internet

This paper examines the use of adaptive priority marking for providing soft bandwidth guarantees in a differentiated-services Internet. In contrast to other proposals for achieving the same objective, the proposed scheme does not require resource reservation for individual connections and can be supported with minimal changes to the network infrastructure. It uses modest support from the network in the form of priority handling for appropriately marked packets, and relies on intelligent transmission control mechanisms at the edges of the network to achieve the desired throughput levels. This paper describes the control mechanisms and evaluates their behavior in various network environments. These mechanisms are show in to have several salient features which make them suitable for deployment in an evolving Internet.
Large-aperture approximation for not-so-large apertures

In-flight wavefront measurements around a flat-window turret at subsonic Mach numbers are analyzed in instantaneous and time-averaged sense. In addition to the root-mean-squared levels of aero-optical distortions, higher-order spatial statistics are calculated, and their dependence as a function of the viewing angle is discussed. Given the optical data obtained, the applicability of the commonly used large aperture approximation (LAA) is revisited. We show that, for all angles, the LAA consistently underestimates the time-averaged Strehl ratio, so the LAA should be used very cautiously. Some reasons for these discrepancies are traced to non-Gaussian spatial distribution of the optical wavefronts. A different approximation for computing time-averaged Strehl ratios is proposed, and the results are discussed.
Ligand binding to metalloporphyrins. 1. Thermodynamic constants for the association of imidazole with tetraphenylporphyrin iron (III) chloride in acetone

Abstract The interaction between imidazole and tetraphenylporphyriniron(III) in acetone has been studied by following the formation of the bis -imidazole tetraphenylporphyriniron(III) complex at 549 nm. The number of spectroactive species at this wavelength is shown to be two: uncomplexed tetraphenylporphyriniron(III) and the bis -imidazole complex. Thermodynamic parameters have been determined; for the equilibrium, FeTPPCl + 2 Im ⇌ FeTPP·Im 2 + + Cl−, Δ H ° = −19.79 ± 0.01 kcal/mol, Δ S ° 303.2 = −44 ± 4 eu, and Δ G ° 303.2 = −6.6 ± 0.1 kcal/mol. Preliminary results comparing the solvent effect on this equilibrium are reported.
community form and ceremonial life in three regions of Scotland

Recurrent ceremonial assemblies, each of which predominate in a different region of Scotland, are described. These innovative forms are discussed in relation to Scottish history and tradition; and their symbolic efficacy as rural pilgrimage centers is considered. These recurrent ceremonial assemblies are shown to play a significant organizational role as links between urban centers and hinterland regions.
Generating consistent subjective estimates of the magnitudes of causal relationships in fuzzy cognitive maps

Fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) are useful tools for exploring the impacts of different input states on fuzzy dynamical systems. The development of a FCM requires the specification of the signs and magnitudes of the relevant causal relationships by one or more experts based on subjective estimates of the causal relationships. However, while it is often relatively easy to determine the sign of the causal relationship, determination of of the magnitude is often problematic, and so in many cases only the signs are specified. However, if only the signs are specified, then only limited use can be made of the FCM. There is thus the need to provide an effective means for the generation of consistent estimates of the magnitude of each causal relationship. In this paper we present an integrated process for generating consistent subjective estimates of the magnitudes.
Disturbing behavior: A study of incident reports

Over 5,000 incident reports from a large state hospital were factor-analyzed, and actuarial risk-rates were calculated for the resulting nine factors. Incident risk-rates are presented for sex, race, marital status, and diagnosis. Findings include: (1) young, single males with deferred diagnosis are high incident risk; and (2) schizophrenic incident rates, when corrected for length of stay, are relatively low.
Amphiphilic Adsorption of Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Aggregates to Lipid/Aqueous Interfaces

Many amyloid proteins misfold into β-sheet aggregates upon interacting with biomembranes at the onset of diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and type II diabetes. The molecular mechanisms triggering aggregation depend on the orientation of β-sheets at the cell membranes. However, understanding how β-sheets adsorb onto lipid/aqueous interfaces is challenging. Here, we combine chiral sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy and ab initio quantum chemistry calculations based on a divide-and-conquer strategy to characterize the orientation of human islet amyloid polypeptides (hIAPPs) at lipid/aqueous interfaces. We show that the aggregates bind with β-strands oriented at 48° relative to the interface. This orientation reflects the amphiphilic properties of hIAPP β-sheet aggregates and suggests the potential disruptive effect on membrane integrity.
Serological and microbiological findings on 3 farms with equine leptospiral abortions

Summary Blood and urine samples from horses on 3 central Kentucky horse farms with prior histories of leptospiral abortions were analysed. Blood samples were obtained from all available horses on each farm and tested for antibodies to 6 leptospira serovars. Urine samples were collected from non-gravid mares with serum antibody titres ≥1:800 and examined for leptospires by dark-field microscopy, fluorescent antibody testing and culture. Adult horses had the greatest serological evidence of exposure to leptospira, followed by yearlings, then foals. Of horses with anti-leptospiral antibodies, 76.3% reacted against serovar bratislava, 49.1% against icterohaemorrhagiae, 20.1% against grippotyphosa, 16.3% against pomona genotype kennewicki, 15.9% against hardjo and 1.0% against canicola. These findings confirmed that horses in central Kentucky are exposed to multiple leptospira serovars. The seroprevalence of antibodies to the 6 selected serovars was consistent among the 3 selected farms. There was no direct correlation between the serovar that was the cause of abortion in the previous season and prevalence of positive titres to that serovar in horses tested on the farms in the following year. Furthermore, there was no evidence of long-term urinary shedding of leptospira by horses with high leptospira antibody titres.
Sequencing strategies in children 18–24 months: Limitations imposed by task complexity

Abstract Researchers have generally reported that very young children lack the orderly, sequential approach to tasks that characterizes skilled action. This study questions that assumption by investigating to what extent deficits in sequencing are a function of task complexity (type and number of elements), and to what extent sequencing ability is tied to competent task performance. Three tasks—the Lock Box, Pegboards, and Object Grouping—were each presented in two forms, varying only in number of elements. Participants were 38 children between 18 and 24 months of age. The Denver Developmental Screening Test was also administered to all children. When number of task elements increased, there was a dramatic decrease in orderliness of approach. Type of task served to exaggerate or minimize these effects. However, irrespective of task complexity, children used a consistent pattern of organization, generally two or three sequential movements. This strategy, though serving well for tasks of limited dimensions, was inadequate for tasks with more than four or five elements. Sequencing skills, as well as other aspects of performance, were significantly correlated with Denver scores. Results suggest that exceeding the limits of young children's organizing abilities may obscure actual capacities. The role of task complexity in the performance of young children is discussed as it relates to developmental processes, clinical assessment, and teaching.
More on complementary trees

It is shown that a graph with no multiple edges on n vertices, n >= 5, with 2(n-2) arcs labelled 1,...,n-1 and 1',...,n-1' having at least one spanning tree whose arcs include no pair (j,[email protected]?), has at least six of them. This is a result of Rothblum. It is also shown that if the graph has only one multiple edge and that is a double edge, and n >= 4, then it has at least four such spanning trees.
Electrochemical reduction of propazine: NMR evidence for dechlorination and reduction of the triazine ring

Abstract Propazine (2-chloro-4,6-diisopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) is a triazine herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds and annual grasses during the production of milo grain sorghum. This compound provides post-emergent protection by interfering with photosynthetic electron transport of target weeds. Tolerant crops are able to degrade the applied herbicide to nontoxic metabolites. Propazine is electrochemically active under acidic conditions. Electrochemical reduction pathways for this herbicide have been proposed based on differential pulse polarography (DPP) studies. Theoretical deconvolutions of the experimental polarograms were consistent with a 2-electron cleavage of the C–Cl bond via a mechanism involving a protonation step in between the two electron transfers. The resulting intermediate was then reduced by an irreversible 2-electron reduction of the ring to produce the final product. We report supporting nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) evidence for the electrochemical dechlorination of propazine and reduction of the triazine ring using controlled potential electrolysis (CPE) and a mercury pool electrode under acidic conditions.
Thermal decomposition of t-butyl alcohol in shock waves

Abstract The pyrolysis of t-butyl alcohol was studied in shock waves in the temperature range 1220-1620 K. The rate constants for the molecular and free radical formation channels were obtained with the help of kinetic modeling of H2O and CO concentration profiles. The rate constants for the runs above 1500 K were corrected for the pressure fall-off effect using the RRKM theory. The Arrhenius expressions for the molecular and radical decomposition channels covering the broad temperature range 920-1630 K.
Brief paper: Convergence speed in distributed consensus over dynamically switching random networks

Characterizing convergence speed is one of the most important research challenges in the design of distributed consensus algorithms for networked multi-agent systems. In this paper, we consider a group of agents that communicate via a dynamically switching random information network. Each link in the network, which represents the directed/undirected information flow between any ordered/unordered pair of agents, could be subject to failure with a certain probability. Hence we model the information flow using dynamically switching random graphs. We characterize the convergence speed for the distributed discrete-time consensus algorithm over a variety of random networks with arbitrary weights. In particular, we propose the asymptotic and per-step (mean square) convergence factors as measures of the convergence speed and derive the exact value for the per-step (mean square) convergence factor. Numerical examples are also given to illustrate our theoretical results.
Optimizing high dimensional gene expression studies for immune response following smallpox vaccination using Taqman® low density immune arrays.

Introduction We sought to determine the time and vaccinia virus dose combination that would maximize the number of acute immune response changes in response to vaccinia stimulation in preparation for a large gene expression microarray experiment.
Gradient feature matching for expression invariant face recognition using single reference image

Automatic recognition of human faces irrespective of the expression variations is a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose a novel method for face recognition based on ‘edge-strings’. Experimental studies on face perception have shown the significance of edge features in visual perception and learning. In the proposed technique, the edges of a face are identified, and a feature string is created from edge pixels. This forms a symbolic descriptor corresponding to the edge image referred to as ‘edge-string’. The ‘edge-strings’ are then compared using the Smith-Waterman algorithm to match them. The class corresponding to each image is identified based on the number of string primitives that match. Local string alignment algorithm is more robust to noise than global alignment algorithm; it gives better performance even if the input image is noisy. In addition, this method needs only a single training image per class. The proposed technique is a good solution for expression invariant face recognition. The effectiveness of the proposed method is compared with state-of-the-art algorithms on the Yale Face database, the Japanese Female Face Expression database (JAFFE) and CMU AMP Face EXpression database.
An electronic ballast with multi-step constant-power starting control for small-wattage metal halide lamps

This paper develops an electronic ballast with multi-step constant-power control for small-wattage metal halide (MH) lamps supplied from a dc power source. The ballast circuit consists of a buck-boost/fly-back conversion circuit and a half-bridge inverter with commonly used two capacitors. The starting scenario with multi-step constant-power, can limit the starting current at relatively low levels, and can run up the transient period faster as compared to that started by a constant current. A laboratory circuit is designed for 35 W MH lamps. Experimental results have demonstrated satisfactory performances. A circuit efficiency higher than 91% is achievable.
Clinical and analytical considerations in the study of health status in device trials for heart failure.

Abstract Background Measures of health status (including symptoms, functional status, or quality of life) assess patients' experiences of their disease, and may therefore be used to quantify the benefits and risks of treatment. The aim of this article is to provide recommendations to regulatory agencies and research sponsors regarding the use of health status measures in medical device trials. Methods and Results A workshop jointly planned by the Heart Failure Society of America and the US Food and Drug Administration was convened in October 2003 in Washington, DC. A Working Group to address health status measures initiated its collaboration at the workshop and continued its efforts throughout the next year. The Working Group recommended assessment of health status in all studies of heart failure therapy. Standardized instruments known to be valid, reliable, responsive to changes, and available in the languages of target populations should be used. Minimizing bias may be accomplished by using blinded, independent evaluators; collecting multiple health status measures; using valid statistical methods; and creating a health status resource bank. Conclusion Assessment of health status should be part of any device trial and should occur regardless of whether the device is intended as destination or bridging therapy. Health status endpoints should be chosen, collected, and analyzed with the same level of scientific rigor as traditional clinical endpoints. Regulatory agencies should require use of analytic methods that handle the complexity of health status data in addition to usual protocol protections.
Efficiency of Questionnaires Used to Screen for Interstitial Cystitis

Purpose: Questionnaires for the evaluation of interstitial cystitis are widely used, but their value in discriminating interstitial cystitis from other diagnoses among patients with urological symptoms has not been determined. We assessed the validity of 2 frequently used interstitial cystitis questionnaires—the O’Leary-Sant Symptom Index and Problem Index and the Pain, Urgency, Frequency Symptom Scale—for screening for interstitial cystitis.Materials and Methods: The Pain, Urgency, Frequency Symptom Scale and the O’Leary-Sant Symptom Index and Problem Index were administered to the same 220 patients at a urology clinic before diagnosis. Questionnaire scores between patients with and without interstitial cystitis, as well as among diagnostic groups, were compared by parametric and nonparametric analyses. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine the efficiency of each questionnaire in discriminating between patients with and without interstitial cystitis.Results: Interstitial ...
Book Review: A NEW KIND OF SCIENCE BY STEPHEN WOLFRAM

This is a very unusual book. In 846 pages of text and 349 pages of notes, author Stephen Wolfram claims no less than that we have all been doing science with an outmoded set of analytical tools and that he has invented a new approach that can lead to rapid progress in fields ranging from mathematics to biology. This new way of doing science is, in short, to run computer simulations of complex systems. Wolfram’s claim is based on two major subclaims: First, that essentially all phenomena of interest to scientists can be described and studied as computations; and second, in what Wolfram calls the Principle of Computational Equivalence, that above a certain level of simplicity, essentially all computational systems embody a similar level of complexity. In an idea that seems close in spirit to Turing’s treatment of the halting problem, he further suggests that the only way to predict the behavior of such systems is to run them on a computer and see what happens. Embedded in this innocent-sounding proposal is a very deep criticism of the way theoretical science, particularly physics and mathematics, has developed up to the present day, namely, that scientists have always selected which theories to pursue based on a kind of aesthetic principle which favors those theories that most easily yield predictions via standard mathematical analysis. The reason for this idea of beauty in theories is that before the advent of modern computers it was not practical to develop predictions from theories by working out the consequences of simple rules at very large numbers of points in space and time; rather, short cuts, for example, the analytical solution of equations that might be more complex, had to be used to reduce the amount of work involved in projecting the outcome of a theory to distant times and places. Wolfram’s main thesis, and, indeed, I think the main contribution of this book, is to point out that we now have the computational means to look at theories based on simpler rules that may not admit of shortcut routes to their predictions.
Timing of Control Measures for Pseudatomoscelis seriatus to Reduce Overwintering Egg Numbers

The lowering of the adult cotton fleahopper population in the fall by insecticides significantly reduced the number of nymphs that emerged the following spring. Two applications of dicrotophos, critically timed to coincide with seasonal oviposition of overwintering eggs, reduced spring emergence by 85%.
MECHANISM OF ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY REACTIONS.

ANTIGEN–ANTIBODY complexes can dissociate under suitable conditions (increased ionic strength, extreme pH values), which indicates that the reaction depends on the medium and is reversible. It can, therefore, be assumed that the reaction between antigen and antibody is not a genuine chemical reaction. Disregarding the specificity of the combination of antigen with antibody, the similarity between it and the formation of complexes by adsorption is very great.
Hadronic production of the new resonances: are gluons important

In analogy with the Drell-Yan model for quark-antiquark annihilation into massive virtual photons, we study the possibility that the (presently) hypothetical pseudoscalar partner (${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{c}$) of the new vector resonance (${\ensuremath{\phi}}_{c}$) observed at 3095 MeV is produced via gluon-gluon annihilation. This framework allows us to estimate cross sections for ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{c}$ production in hadronic reactions and also suggests the interesting possibility of employing ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{c}$ production as a probe of the distributions of gluons in hadrons. In addition estimates are made for the production of pairs of charmed hadrons.
Anisotropy in auto-oscillation properties in spin-wave instabilities in yttrium iron garnet films

A crystallographic anisotropy in the frequency and threshold microwave field for low frequency oscillations is reported for parallel pump instability in (110) yttrium iron garnet films. Intense auto-oscillations are observed over a wide static field H range for microwave fields h along [110] axis, and over a narrow H range for h along [111]. However, such oscillations are absent for h applied parallel to [100]. The frequency and threshold for auto-oscillations are the smallest for h along [110].
Algal-urchin biomass responses following mass mortality of Diadema antillarum Philippi at Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Abstract A mass mortality occurred in 1983, killing 95–99% of the Diadema antillarum Philippi in the Caribbean. This study, conducted in Lameshur Bay, Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands, reports the impact of the mass mortality on Diadema population density, algal biomass, and Diadema body size. Census dates were 6 months before and 6, 12, 18, 26, 30, and 42 months after the mass mortality. There was an initial 100-fold decrease in population density after the mortality. During the first 12 months after the mortality, there was a slight increase in density. During the next 30 months, however, population density remained constant. There was a 30-fold increase in algal biomass 6 months after the mortality. During the next 36 months, however, algal biomass decreased to only 5-fold premortality levels. After the mass mortality, mean and maximum urchin test diameter increased 2- and 1.5-fold, respectively. Median Diadema weight increased 10-fold from 1984 to 1987. During the same time period, Diadema biomass per unit area increased 42-fold. Although postmortality densities may not return to premortality levels for several decades, the increase in body size of Diadema may return urchin and algal biomass to premortality levels much sooner.
Cell counts in cerebral cortex of an autistic patient

Numbers of neurons and glia were counted in the cerebral cortex of one well-documented case of autism and two age and sexmatched controls. Areas in which cell counts were made were primary auditory cortex, Broca's speech area, and auditory association cortex. No consistent differences in cell density were found between the brains of the autistic patient and the control patients.
Muscle-Directed Gene Transfer and Transient Immune Suppression Result in Sustained Partial Correction of Canine Hemophilia B Caused by a Null Mutation

The X-linked bleeding disorder hemophilia B is caused by absence of functional blood coagulation factor IX (F9) and can be treated by adeno-associated viral (AAV) mediated gene transfer to skeletal muscle. The safety of this approach is currently being evaluated in a phase I clinical trial. Efficacy of this and several other gene therapy strategies has been addressed in hemophilia B dogs, an important preclinical model of the disease. While previously published data demonstrated sustained expression of canine F9 in dogs with a missense mutation in the gene F9, we show here that AAV-mediated canine F9 gene transfer to skeletal muscle of hemophilia B dogs carrying a null mutation of F9 (causing an early stop codon and an unstable mRNA) results in induction of inhibitory anti-canine F9 at comparable vector doses (1 x 10(12) vector genomes/kg). Thus, the risk of inhibitor formation following AAV-mediated F9 gene therapy may be influenced by the nature of the underlying mutation in F9. Transient immune suppression with cyclophosphamide at the time of vector administration blocked formation of anti-canine F9 antibodies in the one animal treated with this approach. Treatment with this combination of gene transfer and transient immune modulation has resulted in sustained expression (>8 months) of canine F9 at levels sufficient for partial correction of coagulation parameters.
The interrelationship between antral follicle count, anti-Müllerian hormone concentration, and age in mares

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is a glycoprotein expressed by granulosa cells of small follicles in the equine ovary, and serum AMH concentrations are related to follicular reserve in a number of species. The objectives of this study were to determine: (i) the relationship between serum AMH concentration, antral follicle count (AFC), and age in mares (ii) the association between serum AMH concentration and the number of follicles classified by size (iii) the repeatability of serum AMH concentrations and AFC across estrous cycles as well as (iv) the relationship between AFC and progesterone concentrations. Mares, classified as young (3-8 y, n1⁄410), middle aged (9-18 y, n1⁄416), or old (>18 y, n1⁄419), were examined with transrectal ultrasonography during 3 interovulatory intervals. On day 12 (day 01⁄4 ovulation) of the first, day 6 and 12 of the second, and day 6 of the third estrous cycle, all antral follicles were measured and the number of follicles were classified by size ( 35 mm). Serum AMH and progesterone concentrations were determined by ELISA. A mixed model with mare as a random effect was used in the statistical analysis, and correlations between variables were determined with Spearman’s rank correlation. Antral follicle count was positively associated (P1⁄40.0003) with serum AMH concentration, and the correlation between AFC and AMH concentrations differed by age group with a higher positive correlation in older
26S Proteasome Activity Is Down-Regulated in Lung Cancer Stem-Like Cells Propagated In Vitro

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cancer cells capable of self-renewal and tumor maintenance. Eradicating cancer stem cells, the root of tumor origin and recurrence, has emerged as one promising approach to improve lung cancer survival. Cancer stem cells are reported to reside in the side population (SP) of cultured lung cancer cells. We report here the coexistence of a distinct population of non-SP (NSP) cells that have equivalent self-renewal capacity compared to SP cells in a lung tumor sphere assay. Compared with the corresponding cells in monolayer cultures, lung tumor spheres, formed from human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell lines A549 or H1299, showed marked morphologic differences and increased expression of the stem cell markers CD133 and OCT3/4. Lung tumor spheres also exhibited increased tumorigenic potential as only 10,000 lung tumor sphere cells were required to produce xenografts tumors in nude mice, whereas the same number of monolayer cells failed to induce tumors. We also demonstrate that lung tumor spheres showed decreased 26S proteasome activity compared to monolayer. By using the ZsGreen–cODC (C-terminal sequence that directs degradation of Ornithine Decarboxylase) reporter assay in NSCLC cell lines, only less than 1% monolayer cultures were ZsGreen positive indicating low 26S proteasome, whereas lung tumor sphere showed increased numbers of ZsGreen-positive cells, suggesting the enrichment of CSCs in sphere cultures.
Polarography of copper (II) thiocyanate solutions

Conflicting interpretations are found in the literature of polarograms of copper (II) in thiocyanate solutions. In the present study it is shown that the polarograms change with concentration of thiocyanate and time of aging of the solutions when the thiocyanate concentration is greater than about 0.1 M. A wave appearing at the most negative potential (half-wave potential −1.5 V vs. SCE), which is attributed in the literature to the reduction of copper (I) to copper metal or to a catalytic reaction, is actually due to the reduction of hydrogen ions produced as a result of reduction of copper (II) by thiocyanate ions.
Anesthesia and neuromonitoring

Intraoperative neuromonitoring has proved to be a valuable and safe technique for assessing patients’ neurologic status during spine surgery. The effects of anesthesia and the feasibility of obtaining intraoperative neuromonitoring signals during spine surgery have been well investigated. Total intravenous anesthesia appears to be the most reliable and consistent at allowing attainment of neuromonitoring signals. Motor evoked potentials are most vulnerable to anesthetic agents. Changes in neuromonitoring signals observed during spine surgery may be caused by multiple factors. Establishing a standard protocol to investigate changes in intraoperative neuromonitoring signals is important and may prove valuable in preventing neurologic complications.
Interpersonal Correlates of Individuals' Discrepant Ratings by Self and Peers

Abstract After 23 and after 48 hours in 16 small personal development groups, 78 participants rated their own and each other's within-group conduct on two interpersonal inventories. On 14 related substantive scales, individuals' ratings by self and by pooled group peers correlated appreciably (M r = .59), despite mean ratings by peers and self that differed significantly on 10 such scales. Following social desirability adjustments of all measures, individuals' mean composite discrepancies (self-rating minus mean rating from peers) over all scales of each inventory showed reasonable conceptual equivalence (r = .61). These composite discrepancies correlated more firmly with peers' substantive ratings than with self-ratings. For expressive prosocial scales (participates in group, self-discloses, etc.), favorable peers' ratings were associated with relatively modest self-ratings, whereas less positive peer ratings generally accompanied self-ratings that exceeded one's ratings by peers.
Lipid content of Mysis diluviana in the offshore region of southeastern Lake Michigan in 2009–2010

Abstract The lipid content of Mysis diluviana in the offshore region of southeastern Lake Michigan was determined in 2009 and 2010. Total lipids (mg) increased with Mysis length, but percent lipids (% dry weight) did not. Increases in lipids for juveniles ( Mysis > 13 mm had lipid content Mysis . Food availability (chl a levels or zooplankton biomass) was not correlated with Mysis lipid content for any size group of Mysis . Seasonal gradients in food availability might not be large enough to elicit strong responses in lipid content of Mysis .
Data-driven synthesis for object-oriented frameworks

Software construction today often involves the use of large frameworks. The challenge in this type of programming is that object-oriented frameworks tend to grow exceedingly intricate; they spread functionality among numerous classes, and any use of the framework requires knowledge of many interacting components. We present a system named MATCHMAKER that from a simple query synthesizes code that interacts with the framework. The query consists of names of two framework classes, and our system produces code enabling interaction between them. MATCHMAKER relies on a database of dynamic program traces called DELIGHT that uses novel abstraction-based indexing techniques to answer queries about the evolution of heap connectivity in a matter of seconds.The paper evaluates the performance and effectiveness of MATCHMAKER on a number of benchmarks from the Eclipse framework. The paper also presents the results of a user study that showed a 49% average productivity improvement from the use of our tool.
Efficacy of combination chemicals as sanitizers of Salmonella-inoculated broiler hatching eggshells

SUMMARY Sanitization of broiler hatching eggs provides an opportunity to reduce the eggshell bacterial load entering hatchery incubators, which can be subsequently carried with the chicks to the grow-out farm and ultimately into the processing plant. Two experiments evaluated combination chemicals containing ammonium chlorides (NH4Cl), biguanide (C2H7N5R; BG), bronopol (C3H6BrNO4; BP), quaternary ammonium (NR4), or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for efficacy in eliminating inoculated Salmonella from the shell of broiler hatching eggs. These chemicals were compared with no treatment, water sprayed (to account for spray rinsing of eggshells independent of sanitization), and to 1.4% H2O2, a demonstrated effective hatching egg sanitizer for Salmonella. All 4 combination chemicals tested (2NH4Cl+H2O2, 2NR4+BP+BG, 4NR4, and 4NR4+BG) significantly reduced the recovery of Salmonella (80% to 100%) in comparison to the water-sprayed controls (a 9% to 20% reduction following water spray). In the second experiment, the chemical 4NR4+BG (containing 4 quaternary ammoniums and a biguanide) at 200 mg/L was as effective as H2O2 at 1.4% in sanitizing hatching eggs for both Salmonella strains when the inoculum levels were 1 × 10 4 (0% positive) or 1 × 10 6 cfu/eggshell (3% positive). Following hatchability and chick quality trials for 4NR4+BG, this chemical should be considered for evaluation in commercial hatchery operations for the reduction of Salmonella on the shells of hatching eggs.
Primary prevention for worker health and safety: cleaner production and toxics use reduction in Massachusetts

Abstract Worker health and safety and environmental protection are not always considered simultaneously when attempting to reduce or eliminate hazardous materials from our environment. Cleaner Production-Pollution Prevention (CPPP), as primary prevention, has the ability to shift worker health and safety strategies from control to prevention, where exposure prevention precedes exposure control. This paper evaluates the effect of Cleaner Production-Pollution Prevention in the form of toxics use reduction (TUR) on worker health and safety at three printed wire board facilities covered under the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act. In-depth case study analysis, including an assessment of each facility’s health and safety status, explores the root causes of the worker health and safety changes attributable to the TUR interventions. By exploring the relationship between worker health and safety and environmental protection within the corporate structure; we can identify the factors driving companies to reduce toxics both inside and outside of their plants, as a single concern. While traditionally there have been divergent paths of practice for worker health and safety and environmental protection, the two are closely connected. It is important, however, to consider the implications of risk transfer/shifting between the general and work environment. In order to avoid this risk shifting, worker health and safety perspectives and goals must be more clearly incorporated into the Cleaner Production-Pollution Prevention/TUR management system. This study opens a dialog around the effects of environmental intervention programs on worker health and safety. We realize now that while CPPP/TUR reduces exposure to toxic substances in the general environment, it also offers unique opportunities to reaffirm primary prevention principles in the work environment.
The Comparative Toxicity of Nitric Oxide and Peroxynitrite to Escherichia coli

The reactivity and toxicity of nitric oxide is modest in comparison to oxidants derived from nitric oxide. Exposure of Escherichia coli to 1 mM nitric oxide under aerobic or anaerobic conditions did not decrease viability of the bacteria. Peroxynitrite (1 mM), the reaction product of superoxide and nitric oxide, was completely bactericidal after 5 s. The nitrovasodilator, 3-morpholinosydnonimine-N-ethylcarbamide (SIN-1), slowly decomposes to release both nitric oxide and superoxide and thereby produces peroxynitrite. SIN-1 killed E. coli in direct proportion to its concentration with an LD50 of 0.5 mM. Copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (50-400 units/ml) provided substantial but not complete protection against SIN-1 killing. Catalase (500-10,000 units/ml) partially protected in direct proportion to its concentration, while inactivated catalase was not protective. Superoxide dismutase and catalase together completely protected E. coli against SIN-1 toxicity. Oxy-hemoglobin eliminated both SIN-1 and peroxynitrite toxicity. The bactericidal activity of SIN-1 was further enhanced by pterin plus xanthine oxidase. Pterin plus xanthine oxidase alone or together with Fe3+ ethylenediamine tetraacetate produced no significant decrease in E. coli viability. Hydrogen peroxide was not directly toxic to the bacteria, but E. coli pretreated with hydrogen peroxide were more susceptible to peroxynitrite, SIN-1, and the aerobic oxidation products of nitric oxide. Hydrogen peroxide pretreatment did not increase significantly the toxicity of nitric oxide under anaerobic conditions. Our results suggest that peroxynitrite is far more toxic to E. coli than nitric oxide or its by products from aerobic oxidation.
Results of a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a culturally-targeted and a generic video on mammography screening among Chinese-American immigrants

Background: Research comparing the effects of culturally-targeted and generic but linguistically appropriate intervention programs is limited. We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of a culturally-targeted video, a generic video, and a fact sheet (control) in promoting mammography screening among Chinese-American immigrants. Methods: We randomized 664 Chinese-American women from the Washington, DC and New York City areas who were >40 years and non-adherent to annual mammography screening guidelines to three study arms (each with ~221 women). The outcome was self-reported mammography screening six months post intervention. Measures of knowledge, Eastern cultural views, and health beliefs were administered before and after the intervention. Results: The culturally-targeted video, the generic video, and the fact sheet increased mammography utilization by 40.3%, 38.5%, and 31.1% from baseline, respectively. A significant intervention effect was observed only in one subgroup: The culturally-targeted video significantly increased mammography screening among low-acculturated women over the fact sheet (OR=1.70, 95% CI=1.04, 2.78). Overall, women who obtained a mammogram during the follow-up period reported significantly fewer barriers to screening after intervention than those who had not obtained screening. Both of the video groups reported fewer barriers after intervention than the control group. Conclusions: Both theoretically-guided videos increased the likelihood of mammography use to a similar extent. Cultural targeting was only effective for low-acculturated women. Both videos reduced perceived barriers to screening and consequently increased screening behavior. Impact: The results of this study provide empirical evidence on the efficacy of cultural targeting for minority immigrants.