cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A computer programming course for accountants (business practitioners and college students)

There are various approaches by which colleges address themselves to the fact of life that today’s accountants should have a hands-on experience in computer programming. Some colleges choose to ignore this by omitting it from the program entirely. Others scratch the surface by offering a survey course called Data Processing (or something similarkno computer work involved-Just a monologue describing hardware. software, history of computers. etc. Still others channel their students into a programming course-but with practice at science/math applications. Neither alternative is ideal for accountants. Recently. Hudson Valley Community College has introduced a hands-on computer programming course using business problems for programmed projects,. and the description and theory are not neglected! The students are most enthusiastic because they appreciate the relevance of the course.
A left atrial mass in a middle-aged woman: just another myxoma?

16 Journal of Cardiothorac A51-YEAR-OLD WOMAN presented with a 6-month history of dizziness and palpitations both at rest and with ctivity. These symptoms worsened in the supine position, hich necessitated sleeping on an incline. She also complained f progressively worsening dyspnea on exertion. She reported diminished appetite over the last few months but no signifiant weight loss. She also experienced intermittent episodes of ausea and vomiting. Transesophageal echocardiography was erformed as part of the diagnostic evaluation (Figs 1-3 and ideos 1-3 [supplementary videos are available online]). What s the diagnosis?
Medial prefrontal cortex as an action-outcome predictor

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and especially anterior cingulate cortex is central to higher cognitive function and many clinical disorders, yet its basic function remains in dispute. Various competing theories of mPFC have treated effects of errors, conflict, error likelihood, volatility and reward, using findings from neuroimaging and neurophysiology in humans and monkeys. No single theory has been able to reconcile and account for the variety of findings. Here we show that a simple model based on standard learning rules can simulate and unify an unprecedented range of known effects in mPFC. The model reinterprets many known effects and suggests a new view of mPFC, as a region concerned with learning and predicting the likely outcomes of actions, whether good or bad. Cognitive control at the neural level is then seen as a result of evaluating the probable and actual outcomes of one's actions.
The use of inductive plethysmography in the study of the ventilatory effects of respirator wear.

The authors recently developed an ambulatory system, in which a self-contained respiratory inductive plethysmograph (RIP) was used, to measure noninvasively the volume and time components of breathing. Since it does not use nasal or oral devices, such a system is particularly suitable for use in studying the effects of respiratory protective masks on respiratory parameters. In order to validate this portable system, 22 healthy subjects were exercised on a treadmill; RIP and pneumotachographic minute ventilation measurements were compared. A short, graded submaximal exercise protocol was run 3 times by each subject under each of the following conditions: no oral mouthpiece; oral mouthpiece with pneumotachograph; and wearing an industrial protective mask (half facepiece, twin cartridge). Chest and abdominal RIP signals, a time signal and either a pneumotachograph or heart-rate signal were recorded on a small cassette recorder worn at the belt. The data tapes were later edited and analyzed by computer. Data ...
Cytogenetics of childhood preleukemia

Chromosome studies were done on ten children with childhood preleukemia characterized by anemia, thrombocytopenia, blasts in the circulation, and hypercellular marrow with excess blasts. The syndrome was clinically similar to adult preleukemia (myelodysplastic disorder). A chromosomally abnormal clone was found in the marrow in five patients: three with monosomy 7; one with a chromosome No. 21 replaced by two isochromosomes for 21q; and one with multiple alterations including an extra, abnormal chromosome No. 7. It was not apparent that a karyotypic change indicated a worse prognosis. The observed chromosome abnormalities appeared to overlap less with those in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia occurring de novo than is the case in adults, perhaps reflecting differing contributions of genetic and environmental factors to the pathogenesis of the disease at different ages.
The Level and Composition of Public Sector Debt in Emerging Market Crises

The paper examines the evolution of public sector debt levels and structures in 12 emerging market countries around the time of financial crises. In particular, it focuses on whether the debt situation of sovereign borrowers became more vulnerable in the aftermath of crises. The principal findings are that (i) debt levels tend to increase significantly post-crisis, and (ii) countries often experience more rigid debt structures following such events, with an increase in the share of external public debt to multilateral creditors and a greater exposure of the domestic banking system to sovereign debt.
A search for oxygen-centered free radicals in the lipoxygenase/linoleic acid system

Studies of the oxygenation of linoleic acid by soybean lipoxygenase utilizing electron spin resonance spectroscopy and oxygen uptake have been undertaken. The spin trap, α -(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)- N - t -butylnitrone (4-POBN) was included in the lipoxygenase system to capture short-lived free radicals. Correlation of radical adduct formation rates with oxygen uptake studies indicated that the major portion of radical adduct formation occurred when the system was nearly anaerobic. Incubations containing [17O]oxygen with nuclear spin of 5/2 did not have additional ESR lines as would be expected if an oxygen-centered 4-POBN-lipid peroxyl radical adduct were formed indicating that the trapped radical must be reassigned as a carbon-centered species. To establish the presence of [17O2]oxygen in our incubations, a portion of the gas from the lipoxygenase/linoleate experiments was used to prepare the 4-POBN-superoxide radical adduct utilizing a superoxide producing microsomal/paraquat/NADPH system.
Chemical composition of architectural plaster at the Classic Maya kingdom of Piedras Negras, Guatemala

Abstract Architectural plaster from elite masonry structures at the Classic Maya kingdom of Piedras Negras, Guatemala, is examined. Chemical composition is determined through X-ray fluorescence and compared statistically. Based on this sample, it was observed that any single masonry building was coated with plaster made from a single source of limestone and limestone-based aggregate, but that architectural plaster from different buildings across the site varied in chemical composition. It is concluded that this pattern is best accounted for by a model of rotational labor obligations to the state, with spatially distinct groups being responsible for manufacturing plaster for specific buildings.
Discrete surface mount products for power applications

Abstract Surface mount technology (SMT) has come a long way since its beginning over 20 years ago. Surface mount designs originally started out as low power applications using small signal semiconductors such as SOT-23 transistors and leadless (MELF) diodes. Additionally, the semiconductor manufacturers who produced these devices put most of their time and effort into silicon technology, and as these performance improvements were made, little or no effort was expanded on the pakaging of the silicon. As the performance capabilities of the silicon improved, it became necessary to make improvements in packaging to take advantage of these new capabilities. Improvements in silicon such as faster switching speeds and higher frequencies of operation of power devices, to name a few, forced the semiconductor manufacturers to concentrate their efforts not only on the silicon, but on the packaging of the silicon as well.
Dissociation of object and spatial visual processing pathways in human extrastriate cortex

The existence and neuroanatomical locations of separate extrastriate visual pathways for object recognition and spatial localization were investigated in healthy young men. Regional cerebral blood flow was measured by positron emission tomography and bolus injections of H2(15)O, while subjects performed face matching, dot-location matching, or sensorimotor control tasks. Both visual matching tasks activated lateral occipital cortex. Face discrimination alone activated a region of occipitotemporal cortex that was anterior and inferior to the occipital area activated by both tasks. The spatial location task alone activated a region of lateral superior parietal cortex. Perisylvian and anterior temporal cortices were not activated by either task. These results demonstrate the existence of three functionally dissociable regions of human visual extrastriate cortex. The ventral and dorsal locations of the regions specialized for object recognition and spatial localization, respectively, suggest some homology between human and nonhuman primate extrastriate cortex, with displacement in human brain, possibly related to the evolution of phylogenetically newer cortical areas.
Mass divergences in annihilation processes. I. Origin and nature of divergences in cut vacuum polarization diagrams

The origin of mass divergences in internal loop momentum integrals of cut vacuum polarization diagrams is investigated. It is found that loop momentum configurations which can give rise to mass divergences are of a severely limited form and have a direct interpretation in terms of physically realizable processes. A power-counting procedure suitable for estimating the nature of mass divergences is developed, and it is found that in a large class of field theories, cross sections smeared over a small region of phase space are at worst logarithmically divergent.
Kipsigis Women's Preferences for Wealthy Men: Evidence for Female Choice in Mammals?

In contrast to studies of birds, in mammals there is no clear evidence that polygyny evolved through female choice for males with high quality resources. Among the Kipsigis people of Kenya, polygyny may be a consequence of women's preferences for wealthy men, because strong correlations exist between land ownership and the number of a man's wives (Borgerhoff Mulder 1987 a), and the resources men hold are primary determinants of women's reproductive success (Borgerhoff Mulder 1987b). This paper has two aims: first, to test whether Kipsigis women prefer wealthy men by examining the sequence of marriages among a group of pioneers (Table 1) who established a settlement in the territory of their enemies (1930–1949); second, to determine whether women suffer reproductively as a result of polygynous marriage. Data show that Kipsigis women, or their parents on their behalf, preferentially chose men offering high quality breeding opportunities, with respect to the number of acres available on which to settle (Fig. 2) ; controlling for quality of breeding opportunity there is a preference for bachelors over monogamists over polygynists. Analyses of the full demographic sample show that there are reproductive costs associated with having a large number of cowives (Table 2), costs which women attempt to minimize through judicous marital choices. These results are discussed in relation to resource defence polgyny, female choice and, specifically, the polygyny threshold model.
Genomic DNA sequence and organization of a TL-like gene in the grc-G/C region of the rat.

Genes in the grc-G/C region, which is linked to the rat major histocompatibility complex, influence the control of growth, development, and susceptibility to chemical carcinogens. As an initial approach to analyzing the structure and organization of these genes, a class I hybridizing fragment designated RT(5.8) was isolated from an R21 genomic DNA library and sequenced from overlapping restriction enzyme fragments. The RT(5.8) clone has 5788 base pairs and contains the eight exons characteristic of a class I gene. There are CAAT and TATA boxes upstream of the signal peptide, and the recognition sequence that precedes the site of polyadenylation is located downstream from the third cytoplasmic domain. Comparison of the RT(5.8) gene with respect class I genes from the rat and other species shows that the nucleotide sequences of RT(5.8) have a high level of similarity to those of TL region genes of several strains of mice. The peptide sequence deduced from the RT(5.8) clone is distinct from all previously published class I gene sequences, and at many positions there are amino acid residues that are unique to the RT(5.8) sequence. Probes have been isolated from the third exon and from the 5′ and 3′ flanking regions of the RT(5.8) clone, and Southern blot analysis with genomic DNA of various rat strains shows that these probes are specific for the RT(5.8) fragment. Northern blot analysis shows that the gene is transcribed in the thymus but not in the liver or spleen. The RT(5.8) sequence is more similar to some mouse TL genes (especially in the α2 and cytoplasmic domains and in the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions) than it is to other rat class I genes. Hence, TL-like genes are not restricted to the mouse.
Postoperative radiation therapy for parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Salivary gland cancers are rare and represent approximately 5% of all head and neck cancers and only 0.3% of all malignancies. The majority (75%) of salivary gland tumors occur in the parotid gland, and while benign lesions are more common, mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) makes up 40–50% of malignant parotid gland tumors. No randomized controlled trials exist regarding the role of adjuvant radiation for patients who undergo surgical resection of low-grade MECs. Herein, we report two cases of successful postoperative radiation therapy in low-grade, pT2N0 MEC of the parotid gland. The role of adjuvant radiation therapy for patients with MEC of the parotid gland is based on data from institution reviews and lacks data from randomized controlled trials. Per our review of the literature, the pathological findings of positive surgical margins and/or perineural invasion in two patients with low-grade MEC of the parotid gland warranted adjuvant radiation for improved local control after partial parotidectomy. Both patients tolerated postoperative radiation therapy with only mild side effects and, at last follow-up, five years after completion of therapy, had no clinical or radiographic evidence of either local recurrence or distant metastasis.
Base rates of social skills acquisition/performance deficits, strengths, and problem behaviors: An analysis of the Social Skills Improvement System—Rating Scales.

Base rate information is important in clinical assessment because one cannot know how unusual or typical a phenomenon is without first knowing its base rate in the population. This study empirically determined the base rates of social skills acquisition and performance deficits, social skills strengths, and problem behaviors using a nationally representative sample of children and adolescent ages 3-18 years. Using the national standardization sample of the Social Skills Improvement System--Rating Scales (N = 4,550) across 3 informants (teacher, parent, and student) and across 3 broad age groupings (3-5 years, 5-12 years, and 13-18 years), these base rates were computed. Results showed that the base rates for social skills acquisition deficits and problem behaviors are extremely low in the general population. Base rates for social skills performance deficits and social skills strengths were considerably higher, with students in the 5- to 12-year-old age group reporting fewer performance deficits and more social skills strengths than older children (13-18 years). Teachers and parents reported more performance deficits and fewer social skills strengths across all age groups than students in the 5- to 12-year-old age group. These results are discussed in terms of the utility of base rate information in clinical decision making.
Disulfide connectivity of human immunoglobulin G2 structural isoforms.

In this communication we present the detailed disulfide structure of IgG2 molecules. The consensus structural model of human IgGs represents the hinge region positioned as a flexible linker connecting structurally isolated Fc and Fab domains. IgG2 molecules are organized differently from that model and exhibit multiple structural isoforms composed of (heavy chain−light chain−hinge) covalent complexes. We describe the precise connection of all the disulfide bridges and show that the IgG2 CH1 and C-terminal CL cysteine residues are either linked to each other or to the two upper hinge cysteine residues specific to the IgG2 subclass. A defined arrangement of these disulfide bridges is unique to each isoform. Mutation of a single cysteine residue in the hinge region eliminates these natural complexes. These results show that IgG2 structure is significantly different from the conventionally accepted immunoglobulin structural model and may help to explain some of the unique biological activity attributed only t...
Effect of primary radical termination on chain length and initiator efficiency

In polymerization with primary radical termination, when reaction between primary radicals, which escape from solvent cage, is not negligible, a relation between chain length and polymerization rate is found regardless of tractable approximate procedures. Such a relation is applied to the kinetic data obtained in the polymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and vinyl acetate (VA) initiated by 2,2′-azobis(2,4-valeronitrile) at 50.0°C. Further, when the primary radical termination is high, an initiator efficiency can not be approximated to a ratio of the primary radicals escaping from the cage to the total primary radicals formed in the cage. In the polymerization of MMA, after the primary radicals escapes from the cage, they immediately react with the monomer. Thus, the reaction between the primary radicals is not significant. However, in the polymerization of VA, the rate of reaction between the primary radical and the monomer might be comparable to the rate of reaction between the primary radicals when the initiator concentration is quite high.
Serum albumin is associated with skeletal muscle in elderly men and women.

Serum albumin concentrations decrease with age and values < 38 g/L are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and disability in the elderly. It is not clear to what extent the decreases are associated independently with changes in metab- olism, dietary intake, physical activity, morbidity, or body com- position. We examined associations of serum albumin with age. protein and energy intakes, physical activity, morbidity, and mus- cle mass in 275 men and women aged 60-95 y. Serum albumin was measured with the bromcresol green procedure. Usual dietary intake and physical activity were quantified through question- naires. Morbidity was ascertained from medical history, question- naire, and examination. Muscle mass was estimated from dual- energy X-ray absorptiometry. In multivariate analyses, serum albumin was associated significantly with muscle mass after age, protein intake, physical activity, and comorbidity were controlled for in men and women. This study suggests that decreases with age in serum albumin concentrations are associated with muscle loss (sarcopenia) in the elderly. This association is independent of other factors that may affect muscle mass and albumin concentration. We suggest that the increased risk of disability with low serum albumin concentrations observed in the elderly may actually re- fleet an association with sarcopenia. Am J Cliii Nuir I 996:64:552-8.
Conceptual robustness in simultaneous engineering: A formulation in continuous spaces

This paper develops a robust and distributed decision-making procedure for mathematically modeling and computationally supporting simultaneous decision-making by members of an engineering team. The procedure (1) treats variations in the design posed by other members of the design team asconceptual noise; (2) incorporates such noise factors into conceptually robust decision-making; (3) provides preference information to other team members on the variables they control; and (4) determines whether to execute the conceptually robust decision or to wait for further design certainty. While Changet al. (1994) extended Taguchi's approach to such simultaneous decision-making, this paper uses a continuous formulation and discusses the foundations of the procedure in greater detail. The method is demonstrated by a simple distributed design process for a DC motor, and the results are compared with those obtained for the same problem using sequential decision strategies in Krishnanet al. (1991).
Optical spectroscopic diagnosis of cancer and normal breast tissues

Steady-state fluorescence spectra and excitation spectra from native human normal and malignant tumor breast tissues have been measured and analyzed. Two types of spectra from normal tissues have been found and discussed. The statistics of the fluorescence results are given, and the reasons for false negative, false positive, and equivocal results are presented.
Ethical Challenges in Early-Phase Pediatric Research for Life-Limiting Illness.

Research with children is necessary to assure more effective treatments and potential cures of childhood illnesses. Ethical conduct of research requires minimizing the inherent risks of research, especially when it involves vulnerable populations such as children. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive and fatal disease with no Food and Drug Administration–approved treatment. Clinical trials investigating so-called gene therapies are viewed by many in the DMD community with great promise. The goal of research is to secure generalizable knowledge and not directly benefit patients, yet many parents of boys with DMD hope, and even expect, that their sons will derive medical benefit by participating in early-phase “gene therapy” trials, raising concern for the therapeutic misconception. Physician-investigators must assist patient-subjects to distinguish realistic from unrealistic hope while maintaining reasonable expectations. In this article, I examine the therapeutic misconception and related concepts as framed within the context of “gene therapy” for DMD.
Ciliary Vesicle Formation: A Prelude to Ciliogenesis

Reporting recently in Nature Cell Biology, Lu et al. (2015) identify two Eps15-homology-domain-containing proteins as critical effectors of ciliary vesicle formation, an early event in ciliogenesis. Functional dissection reveals that one of them works to convert small vesicles associated with mother centriole distal appendages into a larger ciliary vesicle.
Directional hypercomplex wavelets for multidimensional signal analysis and processing

We extend the wavelet transform to handle multidimensional signals that are smooth save for singularities along lower-dimensional manifolds. We first generalize the complex wavelet transform to higher dimensions using a multidimensional Hilbert transform. Then, using the resulting hypercomplex wavelet transform (HWT) as a building block, we construct new classes of nearly shift-invariant wavelet frames that are oriented along lower-dimensional subspaces. The HWT can be computed efficiently using a 1D dual-tree complex wavelet transform along each signal axis. We demonstrate how the HWT can be used for fast line detection in 3D.
The North American SynchroPhasor Initiative (NASPI)

The North American SynchroPhasor Initiative (NASPI) is a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). The goal is to improve power system reliability through wide-area measurement, monitoring and control. This will be achieved by facilitating a robust, widely available and secure synchronized data measurement infrastructure for the interconnected North American electric power system. It also includes associated analysis and monitoring tools for better planning and operation, and improved reliability. This presentation will provide an overview of NASPI, including recent accomplishments, current status, and planned activities.
Statistical Bootstrap Model of Hadrons

The hadron is considered to be a compound with two or more constituents circulating freely in a box of radius ≈10^-13 cm. The density of hadron levels, ρ (m), is estimated from the number of states in the box (statistical condition) and is also required to be consistent with the spectrum of constituents, which are assumed to be the hadrons themselves (bootstrap condition). This type of model was first considered by Hagedorn, who obtained a solution of form ρ m∼cm^ae^(bm) with a=-5/2 which satisfied the bootstrap condition asymptotically to within a power of m. We obtain a solution with a<-5/2 which satisfies the bootstrap condition exactly in the high-mass limit. The constituents in the box are distributed with probability P(n)=(ln2)^(n-1)/(n-1)!; i.e., an average high-mass resonance decays (in the first generation of its decay chain) to two hadrons (69% probability) or three (24% probability). We also review briefly the thermodynamic applications of this model to high-energy scattering and astrophysics.
Salivary gland changes in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-controlled preliminary histologic study.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this preliminary study is to compare labial salivary gland changes of 11 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome with control subjects. Study Design: Changes in labial salivary glands were graded from 0 to 3+ for acinar dilatation, ductal dilatation, periductal fibrosis, plasmacytic infiltrate, lymphocytic infiltrate, mast cell infiltrate, and lymphocytic aggregates or foci. Results: Four of the 11 subjects had 2+ to 3+ changes in at least 4 of the 7 parameters examined. Only the presence of mast cells was statistically significant between the 2 groups. Two of these 4 patients had 1 lymphocytic focus per 4 mm2 of tissue. Conclusions: The salivary gland changes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome show varying degrees of ductal and acinar dilatation, periductal fibrosis, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates, and occasional lymphocytic foci, all suggestive of primary gland damage. The one parameter that showed statistical significance was the presence of mast cells (Fisher exact test, 0.0125). (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2000;90:82-7)
Netshuffle: Improving Traffic Trace Anonymization through Graph Distortion

Traffic traces provide valuable data to researchers and organizations alike. However, organizations that provide this information do not wish to expose the internal workings of their networks to potential attack. Traffic trace anonymization attempts to mitigate this concern by hiding sensitive information while preserving most of the empirical value of the trace. Unfortunately, many attacks such as statistical fingerprinting, known-plaintext, and port evaluation can serve to identify communications within a trace which can lead an attacker to the real-world identities of anonymized devices. The inherent graph structure embedded in network traffic stands as a primary lever in achieving such de-anonymization. We propose Netshuffle, a method that distorts the graph structure in the anonymized trace such that an attacker cannot rely on the edges (communications) to identify a particular end-node (device). In essence, we shuffle the edges of the graph like a deck of cards so that even if an attacker can identify an edge, that edge does not necessarily connect to the intended target. Thus, inferences based on features of communications will either lead an attacker astray, or force the attacker to guess as to the identity of the targeted node from several indistinguishable candidates. Netshuffle provides a complimentary vector of protection to current anonymization techniques at limited cost in data utility.
A lithium depth-marker technique for rapid erosion and deposition measurements

Abstract A novel, high-resolution technique has been developed for the measurement of erosion and deposition in solid material surfaces. The technique uses a combination of nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) to determine the change in depth of a previously implanted marker layer consisting of 7 Li. A scoping study shows that 7 Li is an ideal marker candidate due to a high Q (∼18 MeV) nuclear reaction, 7 Li( p , α ) 4 He. Net erosion or deposition is measured by NRA of modified alpha energy passing through the bulk material. The reaction’s high cross-section provides for the fast time resolution needed to measure erosion from high flux plasmas, and a highly penetrating proton beam provides for a large range of erosion/deposition measurements. Additionally, the implantation of low-Z Li leads to relatively low vacancy concentrations in the solid material due to implantation. This technique thus provides greater assurance that the measured erosion rate is indicative of the solid material: due to both the low vacancy production and the fact that no films or deposits are involved. Validation was performed by comparing the measured and predicted amount of erosion based on previously measured sputtering yields; the two were found to agree, within the uncertainty of the experiment. The depth resolution of the techniques is ∼60 nm at a net erosion depth of about 1 μm. The benefits of this technique are summarized as: short time scales (minutes) to obtain results, the marker layer can be used in any solid material, greater assurance that the measured erosion is indicative of the unperturbed solid material, and the continuous monitoring of the surface composition for contaminants and/or identification of deposited species using RBS simultaneous with the NRA.
Anisotropic classes of inhomogeneous pseudodifferential symbols

We introduce a class of pseudodifferential operators in the anisotropic setting induced by an expansive dilation A which generalizes the classical isotropic class $${S^{m}_{\gamma, \delta}}$$ of inhomogeneous symbols. We extend a well-known L 2-boundedness result to the anisotropic class $${S_{\delta, \delta}^0(A)}$$ , 0 ≤ δ < 1. As a consequence, we deduce that operators with symbols in the anisotropic class $${S^0_{1,0}(A)}$$ are bounded on L p spaces, 1 < p < ∞.
Dietary protein and hypertension: where do we stand?

Despite the prevalence of high blood pressure worldwide, this disease generally commands less social awareness than do coronary artery disease and stroke. In addition, because hypertensive patients exhibit few symptoms, they are less likely to seek and obtain treatment. Moreover, compliance with traditional pharmacologic therapy is reduced by unacceptable side effects. Accordingly, there has been a renewed interest in non-pharmacologic antihypertensive therapy. Dietary manipulations are attractive as non-pharmacologic therapy because they can be instituted before diagnosis and may prevent blood pressure elevation. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial demonstrated conclusively that moderate dietary manipulation could be successful as nonpharmacologic hypertension treatment. For many years, the focus of dietary intervention has been on intake of electrolytes. Indeed, the Joint National Commission reports on treatment of hypertension only briefly mention dietary protein as a potential approach to modify high blood pressure1,2 citing insufficient research in this area. Since that time, accumulating evidence (albeit sometimes contradictory) has indicated that dietary protein can influence blood pressure. A traditional view, still espoused by some today, had been that consumption of animal protein increases, whereas vegetable protein decreases, blood pressure. 3 Nevertheless, there is
The VMT Vision

The aim of the Virtual Math Teams (VMT) Project is to catalyze and nurture networks of people discussing mathematics online. It does this by providing chat rooms for small groups of K-12 students and others to meet on the Web to communicate about math. The vision is that people from all over the world will be able to converse with others at their convenience about mathematical topics of common interest and that they will gradually form a virtual community of math discourse. For individuals who would enjoy doing math with other people but who do not have physical access to others who share this interest, the VMT service provides online, distant partners. For societies concerned about the low level of math understanding in the general population, the VMT service offers a way to increase engagement in math discourse. The VMT Project was funded in Fall 2003 by the US National Science Foundation. A collaboration of researchers at Drexel University and The Math Forum, the project is designing, deploying and studying a new online service at the Math Forum.
Wrapping in Images: Tattooing in Polynesia

Wrapping in Images: Tattooing in Polynesia. Alfred Gell. Oxford Studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1993. xi. 347pp. 35 b/w illustrations, bibliography, index. $49.95 (cloth).
Network Planning for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks in Environmental Survivability

To deal with the problem of hostile environments, we proposed to construct heterogeneous sensor networks composed of both regular nodes and robust nodes, where robust nodes are better equipped for hostile environments and hence are more expensive than regular nodes. We study the problem of network design in heterogeneous wireless sensor networks that involves optimization of network costs associated with different classes of nodes versus maximizing coverage and network lifetime. We consider the design of heterogeneous networks with the objectives of minimizing costs and maximizing network lifetime. The association we present in heterogeneous sensor network design between optimizing the number of nodes in each class with cost constraints and network lifetime for corresponding network composition maybe of independent interest in the design of networks in general.
Separation of DNA by capillary electrophoresis in uncoated silica columns using hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose as the sieving matrix

The use of uncoated fused silica capillary columns and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) in capillary electrophoresis (CE) to separate DNA ladders and plasmids is described. In these studies HPM...
Effects of irradiation on intergranular stress corrosion cracking

Abstract Intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) is a pervasive and generic problem in current light water reactor and advanced reactor designs that can lead to widespread component failure. IASCC is believed to be due to either to changes in the grain boundary composition, the microstructure or the water chemistry and corrosion potential. Of greatest interest are the changes in composition and microstructure since IASCC exhibits a well-defined, although not invariant, dose threshold. Changes in grain boundary composition are a result of radiation-induced segregation (RIS) and result in enrichment of nickel, depletion of chromium as well as changes in the impurity element compositions at the grain boundary. Although the basic theory of RIS is believed to be understood, quantitative descriptions of observed changes are not yet possible and hinder the correlation between RIS and IASCC. Changes in the microstructure are intimately linked to the strength and ductility of the irradiated alloy and strong correlations between IASCC and irradiated yield strength have been found. However, a fundamental understanding of the deformation mechanisms and the way in which deformation is coupled to IG cracking in alloys irradiated under LWR conditions (250–360°C, 1–5 dpa) is lacking. Finally, although radiation is known to affect IGSCC through changes in water chemistry and corrosion potential, it is not a necessary condition. Overshadowing and slowing progress on this important problem is a lack of well-defined-data from properly irradiated and properly characterized materials, due principally to inherent experimental and financial difficulties. As such, the specific mechanism(s) of IASCC remain unknown.
Hey Girlfriend: An Evaluation of AIDS Prevention among Women in the Sex Industry

Increasingly, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention programs have been developed to reach and influence street-based populations. Standard methods of evaluation do not fit the conditions of such programs. This article describes a process and outcome evaluation of an AIDS prevention program for sex workers in which qual itative and quantitative methods were combined in order to mediate research problems endemic to street-based populations. Methods included epidemiological questionnaires, open-ended interviews with participants, and ethnographic field notes. Process evaluation findings show that field staff who were indigenous to the neighborhood and population readily gained access to the community of sex workers and simultaneously became role models for positive behavior change. Outcome findings show that sex workers do feel at risk for AIDS, but usually from clients rather than from husbands or boyfriends. Ac cordingly, they use condoms more frequently with clients than with steady partner...
Two-photon Imaging of the Immune System

Two-photon microscopy is a powerful method for visualizing biological processes as they occur in their native environment in real time. The immune system uniquely benefits from this technology as most of its constituent cells are highly motile and interact extensively with each other and with the environment. Two-photon microscopy has provided many novel insights into the dynamics of the development and function of the immune system that could not have been deduced by other methods and has become an indispensible tool in the arsenal of immunologists. In this unit, we provide several protocols for preparation of various organs for imaging by two-photon microscopy that are intended to introduce the new user to some basic aspects of this method.
Fame, Facebook, and Twitter: How Attitudes About Fame Predict Frequency and Nature of Social Media Use

Social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) offers the opportunity to both enact and respond to public performances of self, as well as to follow and interact with actual public figures. However, to date, we know little about how users’ attitudes about fame intersect with their social media behaviors. The present survey study (Mturk; n 371) investigated links between fame appeal and participants’ Facebook and Twitter use. Fame attitudes were measured via a scale tapping the appeal of Visibility (e.g., being on the cover of a magazine), Status (e.g., traveling first class), and Prosocial (e.g., being able to financially support friends and family) aspects of fame, as well as time spent fantasizing about fame and the perceived realism of becoming famous one day. Visibility was the most robustly and consistently predictive of active and celebrityoriented social media behaviors (posting and responding vs. reading; increased number of media figures followed, more frequent responses to media figure posts). Fame Fantasy and Fame Realism showed similar, although less robust, patterns. Individuals with active Facebook and Twitter accounts showed increased fame affinity relative to those with only one or none. Findings showcase the fame-relevant function of social media and the common motivational threads that may tie fame interest to social media use.
Relationships Between Psychological Androgyny, Social Conformity, and Perceived Locus of Control.

The decisions and attitudes of sex-stereotyped and androgynous individuals (as defined by the Bem Sex Role Inventory) were compared in a social conformity paradigm and on two measures of locus of control. Stereotypic females conformed significantly more often than androgynous females and stereotypic males (N = 30 per group). In response to a post-experimental questionnaire, stereotypic females indicated that they had been the most influenced, whereas androgynous females reported the least amount of influence from others. Data from the Personal Opinion Survey developed by Coan, Hanson, and Dobyns (1972) showed that androgynous females were reliably more internal in locus of control than stereotypic females on six of the seven factors. Implications of these data are discussed with regard to traditional effects of sex in the social conformity and locus of control literature.
A channel reservation procedure for fading channels in wireless local area networks

IEEE 802.11-based wireless local area networks (WLANs) are one of the most popular mediums for interconnecting portable devices. All the devices (stations) communicating over WLANs share a common wireless channel. In order to avoid potential collisions an RTS-CTS handshake procedure is used to acquire the channel. However, most of the existing channel reservation protocols in WLANs view the wireless channel capacity as time invariant for each station and thus assign radio resources accordingly. This results in poor channel utilization particularly when channel gets assigned to stations that are in deep fading. In this paper, we devise a novel handshake-based channel-aware (HCA) media access control (MAC) protocol that assigns channel according to its fading status observed by each station and thus improves channel utilization. We give theoretical analysis of the overhead due to handshake procedure and prove that the expected value of handshake overhead is bounded as the number of stations in the system increases. Our analysis and simulation results show that the proposed protocol can ameliorate the contention among multiple users as well as reduce the packet loss due to channel fading. For example, in a system consisting of 16 stations when the average probability of channel being "healthy" is 0.5, the proposed handshake procedure reduces the packet-error rate (PER) to 8%, which satisfies the minimum requirement of IEEE 802.11-based protocols. However, this is without utilizing additional power. Under the same channel conditions any standard implementation of DCF would result in a packet error of 50% and would have to significantly increase the power level to achieve PER above 8%. The improvement in channel utilization due to the proposed protocol ranges from 11% to 460% depending upon channel conditions and traffic load.
Protective effect of the lazaroid U74006F in cold ischemia‐reperfusion injury of the liver

Lipid peroxidation may play a major role in the loss of liver graft viability after prolonged cold ischemia and reperfusion injury. The lazaroid compound U74006F is a potent inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, and this study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of this compound in preventing cold ischemia-reperfusion damage in three different models: pig endothelial cells in culture, ex vivo isolated pig liver perfusion and orthotopic transplantation of syngeneic rat livers. The addition of U74006F to University of Wisconsin preservation solution significantly prolonged endothelial cell viability after 48 and 72 hr of cold ischemia and reoxygenation (p < 0.01). Donor pigs were injected with vehicle or U74006F (4.5 mg/kg) before liver harvest. After 24 hr of cold storage in University of Wisconsin solution, the livers were perfused with pig blood for 180 min in an isolation chamber. Measurements of liver function parameters, including AST, ALT, bile production, superoxide anion and phospholipase A2 release, were assessed every 60 min. Although bile production was similar in the U74006F-treated and control groups, significant decreases of AST and ALT levels (p < 0.01) in the perfusate of the livers from treated donors were observed. In addition, the U74006F group displayed significantly reduced release of superoxide anion and phospholipase A2 compared with these parameters in the untreated group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). In the last model, donor rats were treated with U74006F before harvest; the rat liver grafts were preserved in cold University of Wisconsin solution for 24 hr and then transplanted into recipient rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Should We Be Using Repeated-Choice Surveys to Value Public Goods?

We question whether RMC surveys satisfy these requirements in three key ways: 1) Is casting multiple votes on a single issue credible? 2) Is there a credible RMC decision rule? And 3) Is the assumption of independence across choice sets credible? We address each of these questions then offer some guidance regarding a reasonable way forward.
The Molecular Mentality

Entries for the third competition were due at the beginning of October, 1815. During the session of the First Class on 1 August, 1814, however, Poisson began reading a memoir in the following way: The efforts of mathematicians of the last century have brought the science of mechanics to a level of perfection that has given rise to the opinion that this science is completed and that there remain only some difficulties of the integral calculus to overcome in each particular problem. This is not the case, however; mechanics still presents several important problems that have not yet yielded to calculation; the theory of elastic surfaces, which I propose to consider in this memoir, offers a remarkable example. The differential equations of these surfaces in static equilibrium, and more importantly, those of their movement, are not yet known.1
Effect of Fiber Crimp on the Elasticity of Random Fiber Networks With and Without Embedding Matrices

Fiber networks are assemblies of one-dimensional elements representative of materials with fibrous microstructures such as collagen networks and synthetic nonwovens. The mechanics of random fiber networks has been the focus of numerous studies. However, fiber crimp has been explicitly represented only in few cases. In the present work, the mechanics of cross-linked networks with crimped athermal fibers, with and without an embedding elastic matrix, is studied. The dependence of the effective network stiffness on the fraction of nonstraight fibers and the relative crimp amplitude (or tortuosity) is studied using finite element simulations of networks with sinusoidally curved fibers. A semi-analytic model is developed to predict the dependence of network modulus on the crimp amplitude and the bounds of the stiffness reduction associated with the presence of crimp. The transition from the linear to the nonlinear elastic response of the network is rendered more gradual by the presence of crimp, and the effect of crimp on the network tangent stiffness decreases as strain increases. If the network is embedded in an elastic matrix, the effect of crimp becomes negligible even for very small, biologically relevant matrix stiffness values. However, the distribution of the maximum principal stress in the matrix becomes broader in the presence of crimp relative to the similar system with straight fibers, which indicates an increased probability of matrix failure.
Ethics of Blawging

Addresses the legal ethical issues that face lawyers who blog (or blawg), including the potential for disclosure of client confidences, inadvertent formation of attorney-client relationships, and the unauthorized practice of law.