cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Achronal averaged null energy condition

The averaged null energy condition (ANEC) requires that the integral over a complete null geodesic of the stress-energy tensor projected onto the geodesic tangent vector is never negative. This condition is sufficient to prove many important theorems in general relativity, but it is violated by quantum fields in curved spacetime. However there is a weaker condition, which is free of known violations, requiring only that there is no self-consistent spacetime in semiclassical gravity in which ANEC is violated on a complete, achronal null geodesic. We indicate why such a condition might be expected to hold and show that it is sufficient to rule out closed timelike curves and wormholes connecting different asymptotically flat regions.
Population Genetic Structure and Phylogeography of Mesokalliapseudes macsweenyi (Crustacea: Tanaidacea) in the Northwestern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Various studies of Gulf of Mexico/Atlantic populations have detected a phylogeographic break created by the Florida peninsula despite the fact that many of these species possess planktonic larvae and/or highly vagile adults. In light of these results, one would predict that the genetic structure in a species with limited dispersal ability would be heavily influenced by the geologic history of this region. Mesokalliapseudes macsweenyi is a direct developing benthic crustacean that occurs in coastal regions of the southeastern United States, ranging from South Carolina to Mississippi. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were obtained from 159 specimens representing eight collection sites from across a large portion of its known range to assess the population genetic and phylogeographic structure. Significant genetic structure existed among populations and between the Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico regions, consistent with expectations based on its life history of direct larval development and a sedentary adult stage. Demographic analyses inferred a population expansion in the Gulf of Mexico, which might reflect a Pleistocene post-glacial range expansion. The significant population structure exhibited by the northern Gulf of Mexico populations is likely the product of isolation among populations post expansion, but the diversity of haplotypes might also reflect undersampled variation or the persistence of individuals in northern refugia during the Pleistocene.
Gas phase radiation chemistry of hexafluoroethane

Abstract The Co-60 gamma radiolysis of gaseous C2F6 was investigated at 50 Torr pressure, both pure and with 10% oxygen added. For the pure system, the radiolytic products and their respective C values were CF4, 2.27; C3F8, 0.23; C4F10, 0.09; C5F12, 0.015; and C6F14, 0.009. All radiolysis products except for CF4 (C = 0.61) were eliminated when 10% O2 was added as scavenger. The results are discussed mainly in terms of the decomposition of excited C2F6 into free radicals, which can then combine. The unscavenged CF4 is accounted for by the ion-molecule reaction CF3+ + C2F6 → CF4 + C2F5+.
Treatment of supratentorial high grade gliomas with split course high fractional dose postoperative radiotherapy

Abstract Ninety-two patients with malignant supratentorial gliomas diagnosed from 1977 to 1983 received split course external beam radiotherapy. The initial course of radiation consisted of 3000 cGy whole brain in ten fractions 5 days a week. After a 2-week rest, treatment was continued to a portal restricted to the computerized tomography scan demonstrated abnormality plus a margin for an additional 2100 cGy (total 5100 cGy/17 fx/36 days). The optic chiasm and hypothalamus were excluded from the high dose region. Following review of all pathologic specimens, three patients with grade II glioma, three lacking histologic confirmation, two unbiopsied and eleven not receiving the prescribed treatment were excluded from the survival analysis. No patients were lost to follow-up. Surviving patients were followed 85 months (median); range 68–125 months. All remaining patients were followed until death. The median actuarial survival for 73 grade III and IV patients was 12.5 months. The 5-year actuarial survival was 10%. The median survival for 54 grade IV patients was 10 months. The 5-year survival was 4%. For 19 grade III patients the median survival was 22.5 months. The 5-year survival was 26%. There was one long-term grade IV survivor (68 mos.) and four long-term grade III survivors (76, 85, 108, 125 mos). No patient developed optic nerve or chiasm injury. One patient, an 85 months survivor, had biopsy documented radionecrosis and hemiparesis. The incidence of necrosis among 62 patients alive 6 months or more (and therefore at risk of brain necrosis) is 1 62 (2%). The incidence among survivors is 1 5 . The nominal standard dose for this regimen is 1749 ret. The predictive value of the “nominal standard dose” and “equivalent dose” formulae for brain necrosis is explored. We conclude (a) that this regimen provides a survival probability equivalent to conventional treatment for grade III and IV supratentorial gliomas, (b) that neither the equivalent nor nominal standard doses predicted the incidence of brain necrosis, (c) that the time dose schedule is well tolerated and has an acceptable risk-benefit ratio, (d) that its advantage to the patient is decreased time requirement and cost.
Modeling and Demonstration of a Saturated Ni-Like Mo X-Ray Laser

The technique of using a nsec pulse to preform and ionize the plasma followed by a psec pulse to heat the plasma has enabled us to achieve saturated laser output for low-Z neon-like and nickel-like ions driven by small lasers with less than ten joules of energy. In this work we present and model recent experiments done using the COMET laser at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to illuminate slab targets of Mo up to 1 cm long with a one joule, 600 ps prepulse followed 700 psec later by a five joule, one psec drive pulse. The experiments demonstrate saturated output on the Ni-like Mo 3d{sup 9} 4d {sup 1}S{sub 0} {yields} 3d{sup 9} 4p {sup 1}P{sub 1} laser line at 18.9 nm. The small signal gain and gain length product are estimated by measuring the laser output versus target length. Experiments are done using multilayer mirrors to obtain two-dimensional images of the output aperture of the laser and to measure the total laser energy as a function of various parameters such as the delay between the short and long pulses and the energy of the two pulses. To model the experiments the LASNEX code is used to calculate themore » hydrodynamic evolution of the plasma and provide the temperatures and densities to the XRASER code, which then does the kinetics calculations to determine the gain, The temporal and spatial evolution of the plasma is studied both with and without radiation transport included for the 4f and 4p {yields} 3d Ni-like Mo resonance lines. High gains are predicted for both the 3d{sup 9} 4d {sup 1}S{sub 0} {yields} 3d{sup 9} 4p {sup 1}P{sub 1} laser line at 18.9 nm and the 3d{sup 9} 4f {sup 1}P{sub 1} {yields} 3d{sup 9} 4d {sup 1}P{sub 1} photopumped line which is observed to lase at 22.6 nm.« less
Lead Isotope Variation with Growth Zoning in a Galena Crystal

A large crystal of lead sulfide from Picher, Oklahoma, has significant differences in isotopic composition of lead in successive growth zones. Lead isotope ratios in the parent ore-fluid evidently changed with time during crystal growth. The growth history of this crystal, interpreted quantitatively, points to a tentative hypothesis of genesis of Mississippi Valley deposits of lead and zinc.
An Administrator’s Perspective of Trends in Community Mental Health: An Interview With Norman J. Groetzinger

In this interview, Norman J. Groetzinger discusses major trends and challenges in community mental health since 1975 when he became executive director of the Counseling Center of Lake View, in a Chicago neighborhood. He places these trends in broader state and federal contexts and illustrates how mental health agencies and the Counseling Center of Lake View, in particular, have responded to these challenges. Many times persons with mental illness were better served as a result, but at times the changes ended up complicating how professionals go about doing their work.
New extracellular resistance mechanism for cisplatin

Abstract The HSQC NMR spectrum of 15 N-cisplatin in cell growth media shows resonances corresponding to the monocarbonato complex, cis -[Pt(NH 3 ) 2 (CO 3 )Cl] − , 4 , and the dicarbonato complex, cis -[Pt(NH 3 ) 2 (CO 3 ) 2 ] −2 , 5 , in addition to cisplatin itself, cis -[Pt(NH 3 ) 2 Cl 2 ], 1 . The presence of Jurkat cells reduces the amount of detectable carbonato species by (2.8 ± 0.7) fmol per cell and has little effect on species 1 . Jurkat cells made resistant to cisplatin reduce the amount of detectable carbonato species by (7.9 ± 5.6) fmol per cell and also reduce the amount of 1 by (3.4 ± 0.9) fmol per cell. The amount of detectable carbonato species is also reduced by addition of the drug to medium that has previously been in contact with normal Jurkat cells (cells removed); the reduction is greater when drug is added to medium previously in contact with resistant Jurkat cells (cells removed). This shows that the platinum species are modified by a cell-produced substance that is released to the medium. Since the modified species have been shown not to enter or bind to cells, and since resistant cells modify more than non-resistant cells, the modification constitutes a new extracellular mechanism for cisplatin resistance which merits further attention.
Investigation of the interrelationship between coagulation and thrombin-induced EDRF-dependent relaxation in dog coronary artery.

Abstract Little is known about the possible interrelationships between thrombin-induced EDRF-dependent vascular relaxation and coagulant activity. We have now studied the effects of the anticoagulant zymogen protein C, on EDRF-dependent relaxation in isolated canine coronary arteries. Low concentrations of activated protein C (0.1–30 ng/ml) had no significant effect, but higher concentrations caused relaxation (Emax−39.2 ± 7.2%; 100 – 1000 ng/ml). To determine whether relaxation was dependent on coagulation complexes associated with endothelial cell membranes, the coumarin, brodifacoum was given three days before in vitro experiments were carried out in order to inhibit production of active vitamin K1-dependent clotting factors. Brodifacoum (10 mg/kg i.p.) increased prothrombin time from 8.5 ± 0.24 sec (control), to 46.2 ± 2.4 sec (p 90%; ED50 0.026 ± 0.004 units/ml control; 0.025 ± 0.004 unit/ml brodifacoum). In the final group of studies, we investigated the effects of the concomitant administration of protein C (1000 ng/ml) and thrombin in vitro. Protein C (1000 ng/ml) increased relaxant sensitivity to thrombin after partial desensitization of the relaxant response by previous thrombin administration, (−60.2 ± 7.1% thrombin alone; −77.9 ± 7.2% thrombin + protein C), but had no effect after complete desensitization of the relaxant response. In conclusion, the data appear best explained by protein C and thrombin-induced EDRF dependent relaxation being due to proteolytic actions.
Differential difficulty of categorical syllogisms

Previous research with categorical syllogisms indicates that subject performance is better on valid syllogisms than on syllogisms which are indeterminate. The present study tested the hypothesis that the poorer performance on invalid syllogisms is a function of the disproportionate number of invalid syllogisms in the traditional syllogism task. Subjects may not expect so many invalid syllogisms and may be reluctant to draw so many nonpropositional conclusions. One group of subjects received the standard set of 19 valid and 45 invalid syllogisms, while a second group received a set of 35 valid and 29 invalid syllogisms. There were no significant differences between the groups on valid or invalid syllogisms, disconfirming the hypothesis. Several previous findings with categorical syllogisms were replicated.
Behavioral changes induced by basolateral amygdala self-stimulation.

Abstract Rats given continuous access to rewarding stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus are able to maintain normal food and water intake despite high rates of self-stimulation. However, access to rewarding stimulation of the basolateral amygdala produced suppression of feeding and drinking followed by dramatic increases in emotionality and subsequent decreases in self-stimulation. These findings are considered with regard to the existing literature on basolateral amygdaloid lesions and stimulation.
In search of peer reviewers.

As a past editor of Marine Mammal Science and a present associate editor of the Journal of Mammalogy , I have had great difficulty in lining up reviewers. Sometimes it takes 8 or 10 tries to find someone who will agree to review a paper. The typical excuse is “I'm too busy.” ![Figure][1]</img
Penetration and Concentration of Cefadroxil in Sputum, Lung and Pleural Fluid

The penetrability of cefadroxil in sputum, pleural fluid and lung tissue was examined in patients with acute respiratory infections, or who were undergoing thoracic surgery. The concentration of antibiotic in these tissues after single doses of 500mg or 1g was approximately half of that seen in serum, but persisted longer. In all biological matter studied, the concentration of cefadroxil was sufficient to inhibit pathogens such as S. aureus, S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes, shown to be common causes of respiratory illnesses. Thus, cefadroxil should be a useful agent in the treatment of such infections.
Molecular-dynamics simulations of amorphous Si

A new procedure for generating networks of Si atoms with the properties of amorphous Si is presented. We have used {ital ab} {ital initio} molecular-dynamics simulations and a simple simulation procedure to produce cells with radial distribution functions, coordination defect concentrations, and vibrational densities of states in excellent agreement with experiment. A comparison of our method is made with other techniques and the conditions under which specific kinds of defects occur in simulations (e.g., floating or dangling bonds) is discussed. Implications to calculations using semiempirical angle-dependent potentials is briefly discussed. We have found that Brillouin-zone sampling significantly affects interatomic forces, and that the final amorphous structures obtained are dependent upon the sampling scheme used.
Dephosphorylation of Threonine 38 Is Required for Nuclear Translocation and Activation of Human Xenobiotic Receptor CAR (NR1I3)

Upon activation by therapeutics, the nuclear xenobiotic/ constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR) regulates various liver functions ranging from drug metabolism and excretion to energy metabolism. CAR can also be a risk factor for developing liver diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Here we have characterized the conserved threonine 38 of human CAR as the primary residue that regulates nuclear translocation and activation of CAR. Protein kinase C phosphorylates threonine 38 located on the α-helix spanning from residues 29–42 that constitutes a part of the first zinc finger and continues into the region between the zinc fingers. Molecular dynamics study has revealed that this phosphorylation may destabilize this helix, thereby inactivating CAR binding to DNA as well as sequestering it in the cytoplasm. We have found, in fact, that helix-stabilizing mutations reversed the effects of phosphorylation. Immunohistochemical study using an anti-phospho-threonine 38 peptide antibody has, in fact, demonstrated that the classic CAR activator phenobarbital dephosphorylates the corresponding threonine 48 of mouse CAR in the cytoplasm of mouse liver and translocates CAR into the nucleus. These results define CAR as a cell signal-regulated constitutive active nuclear receptor. These results also provide phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the threonine as the primary drug target for CAR activation.
3D integrated circuits for lab-on-chip applications

We present the designs of two new lab-on-chip devices that use 3D integrated circuit technology to support the separation, purification, and assay of biological particles. Our technique is based on a nanoscale implementation of dielectrophoresis. The key feature of our designs is the use of fabrication features found in 3D technology to create on-chip, nanoscale electrode arrays. The capabilities of our designs are demonstrated with multi-physics simulations of the chips sorting heterogeneous mixtures of HSV-1 capsids.
“City Council Meetings Are Cool”: Increasing Student Civic Engagement Through Service Learning

This article examines the growing body of literature on service learning as a pedagogical tool within political science. It also reports the results of a service learning experiment used in a course on State and Local Politics. Students completed service learning projects that combined community service, attendance at local political meetings (i.e., city council or school board meetings), and interviews with elected officials. The students reflected on their experiences through written papers, oral presentations, and an evaluation of the service learning experience. The vignettes presented in this article highlight the potential benefits of incorporating service learning into political science courses, including enhanced civic engagement and understanding of the policymaking process. Assessment of these learning outcomes was based on the content and quality of the written and oral presentations, student self-evaluations, and a pretest/posttest. The model used in this course is easy to adapt to any politic...
Efficacy of a ceramic siphon household water filter for removal of pathogenic microorganisms: lifespan volume test

Treatment of drinking water at the point of use (POU) has demonstrated health benefits for people who have access only to microbially contaminated drinking water. In this work, the ceramic siphon POU water filter was evaluated for its ability to reduce indicator microorganisms in test waters. During batch challenge tests, the filter reduced Escherichia coli in filtered water by 7 log10 (99.999987%) and bacteriophage MS2 by 0.12 log10 (24.0%). Next, a novel continuous flow dosing system allowing sewage-amended feed water to constantly pass through the filters allowed for determination of changes in microbial reductions over time and total volume of water filtered. E. coli B , MS2 and fluorescent microspheres (as a surrogate for Cryptosporidium oocysts) were seeded into test water and dosed to filters at 10, 25 and 50% of the filter's volume lifespan. Microbial removal efficacy decreased as the volume of water filtered increased and test filters did not achieve their volume lifespan before physically failing. The ceramic siphon household water filter is effective in reducing E. coli and surrogates for Cryptosporidium in water, but filter modifications may be needed to achieve acceptable levels of virus removal and to reach the target 7,000 L volume lifespan of the filter.
TWO-STREAM PLASMA INSTABILITY AS A SOURCE OF IRREGULARITIES IN THE IONOSPHERE

An extension of the theory of the two-stream plasma ion wave instability and an application of the theory to the physics of the ionosphere are discussed. The effect of a magnetic field and also the effect of collisions with neutral particles are included in the theory. Qualitative and quantitative predictions of the theory are in agreement with the observed characteristics of an irregularity found in the equatorial ionosphere. Similar irregularities often appear in the polar ionosphere during auroral displays and are perhaps caused by two-stream instability. (C.E.S.)
Ferroelectric properties of tetragonal tungsten bronze single crystals

Ferroelectric tetragonal tungsten bronze (T.B.) family single crystals, e.g., SBN, BSKNN, KLN, SKN and PBN, have been grown and their ferroelectric properties have been investigated. The results show that the dielectric, piezoelectric, and electromechanical coupling coefficients are significantly large for these crystals; however, they are markedly different when going from smaller to bigger unit cell T.B. crystals. For example, e33 and d33 are substantially larger for the smaller unit cell T.B. crystals, e.g., SBN and SKN, while e11 and d15 are dominant for bigger unit cell bronzes. However, these differences do not have such a significant effect on the respective electro-optic and pyroelectric properties.
Derivation Of Spreading Parameters Of Oil At Sea For Oil Spill Modeling

ABSTRACT Oil spill models are commonly used to simulate the large-scale (tens to hundreds of kilometers) transport of oil spills in the oceans. The values of the spreading parameters of these models are obtained empirically by fitting to observed slicks, thus they do not account explicitly for the effects of waves. In addition, there is little success in using these values to predict the spread at smaller scales (tens of meters to a few kilometers). This works attempts to better understand the physics of oil movement in the ocean by focusing on the small-scale mechanisms. The investigation also leads to evaluation of small-scale spreading parameters. The Random Walk Method is used in a Monte Carlo simulation framework to track the transport of oil due to the effects of waves, buoyancy, and turbulent diffusion. The small-scale spreading parameters are then calculated using the Method of Moments. Our results indicated that the approach for using a spreading coefficient becomes after a time equal to about 30...
On Optimal Expediting Policy for Supply Systems with Uncertain Lead-Times

We examine the role of expediting in dealing with lead-time uncertainties associated with global supply chains of “functional products” (high volume, low demand uncertainty goods). In our developed stylized model, a retailer sources from a supplier with uncertain lead-time to meet his stable and known demand, and the supply lead-time is composed of two random duration stages. At the completion time of the first stage, the retailer has the option to expedite a portion of the replenishment order via an alternative faster supply mode. We characterize the optimal expediting policy in terms of if and how much of the order to expedite and explore comparative statics on the optimal policy to better understand the effects of changes in the cost parameters and lead-time properties. We also study how the expediting option affects the retailer's decisions on the replenishment order (time and size of order placement). We observe that with the expediting option the retailer places larger orders closer to the start of the selling season, thus having this option serve as a substitute for the safety lead-time and allowing him to take increased advantages of economies of scale. Finally we extend the basic model by looking at correlated lead-time stages and more than two random lead-time stages.
Mitogen and co-mitogen stimulation of lymphocytes inhibited by three Ca++ antagonists.

The Ca++ requirement for in vitro lymphocyte stimulation by lectins is well known and can be demonstrated by the use of Ca++ chelators. In this study, three Ca++ antagonists were examined for their effects on lymphocyte proliferation. [3H]-thymidine incorporation was employed to measure DNA synthesis in several systems. Stimulation and proliferation were achieved by the addition of one of the following: the mitogenic lectin concanavalin A (ConA); the combination of two co-mitogens, the calcium ionophore A23187 and the phorbol ester, 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), neither of which is mitogenic alone; or the non-mitogenic lectin, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) with TPA. These mitogenic systems were tested for their sensitivity to the Ca++ channel blockers verapamil and nicardipine and the intracellular Ca++ antagonist TMB-8. We found that the ConA and WGA plus TPA treated cells were inhibited approximately 50% by 10 μM verapamil, nicardipine or TMB-8. The stimulation caused by A23187 and TPA was only inhibited by TMB-8 and nicardipine. The inhibitory effects caused by the Ca++ antagonists could not be reversed by the addition of exogenous Ca++ (0.1–1.5 mM), but were reversed by repeated washings in antagonist free media. Using TMB-8 we saw an apparent intracellular Ca++ dependence throughout the G1 phase. Previous studies using Ca++ chelators or Ca++ antagonists suggested an endpoint at about halfway through this period.
MHC-class I-restricted CD4 T cells: a nanomolar affinity TCR has improved anti-tumor efficacy in vivo compared to the micromolar wild-type TCR.

Clinical studies with immunotherapies for cancer, including adoptive cell transfers of T cells, have shown promising results. It is now widely believed that recruitment of CD4+ helper T cells to the tumor would be favorable, as CD4+ cells play a pivotal role in cytokine secretion as well as promoting the survival, proliferation, and effector functions of tumor-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Genetically engineered high-affinity T-cell receptors (TCRs) can be introduced into CD4+ helper T cells to redirect them to recognize MHC-class I-restricted antigens, but it is not clear what affinity of the TCR will be optimal in this approach. Here, we show that CD4+ T cells expressing a high-affinity TCR (nanomolar K d value) against a class I tumor antigen mediated more effective tumor treatment than the wild-type affinity TCR (micromolar K d value). High-affinity TCRs in CD4+ cells resulted in enhanced survival and long-term persistence of effector memory T cells in a melanoma tumor model. The results suggest that TCRs with nanomolar affinity could be advantageous for tumor targeting when expressed in CD4+ T cells.
Toward a multi-method approach to formalizing human-automation interaction and human-human communications

Breakdowns in complex systems often occur as a result of system elements interacting in ways unanticipated by analysts or designers. The use of task behavior as part of a larger, formal system model is potentially useful for analyzing such problems because it allows the ramifications of different human behaviors to be verified in relation to other aspects of the system. A component of task behavior largely overlooked to date is the role of human-human interaction, particularly human-human communication in complex human-computer systems. We are developing a multi-method approach based on extending the Enhanced Operator Function Model language to address human agent communications (EOFMC). This approach includes analyses via theorem proving and future support for model checking linked through the EOFMC top level XML description. Herein, we consider an aviation scenario in which an air traffic controller needs a flight crew to change the heading for spacing. Although this example, at first glance, seems to be one simple task, on closer inspection we find that it involves local human-human communication, remote human-human communication, multi-party communications, communication protocols, and human-automation interaction. We show how all these varied communications can be handled within the context of EOFMC.
Cloning and expression of a developmentally regulated protein that induces mitogenic and neurite outgrowth activity

A heparin binding mitogenic protein isolated from bovine uterus shares NH2-terminal amino acid sequence with a protein isolated from newborn rat brain. The cDNA's of the bovine, human, and rat genes have been isolated and encode extraordinarily conserved proteins unrelated to known growth or neurotrophic factors, although identity of nearly 50 percent has been found with the predicted sequence of a retinoic acid induced transcript in differentiating mouse embryonal carcinoma cells. Lysates of COS-7 cells transiently expressing this protein were mitogenic for NRK cells and initiated neurite outgrowth from mixed cultures of embryonic rat brain cells. RNA transcripts encoding this protein were widely distributed in tissues and were developmentally regulated. This protein, previously designated as heparin binding growth factor (HBGF)-8, is now renamed pleiotrophin (PTN) to reflect its diverse activities. PTN may be the first member of a family of developmentally regulated cytokines.
Goede communicatie is van essentieel belang bij een reanimatie

Janneke Tukker is reanimatiecoordinator in het UMC Utrecht. Samen met twee collega’s bekleedt ze deze functie sinds 2011, naast haar dagelijkse werkzaamheden als verpleegkundige op de SEH. Een drukke, maar erg interessante baan, vindt ze. “Juist de afwisseling in de functies maakt mijn werk zo leuk!”
Parental Compensatory Behaviors and Early Child Health Outcomes in Cebu, Philippines

A dynamic optimization model of parents choosing investments in their children's health motivates an empirical model of parents' choices of health inputs for their children and the impacts of these decisions on their children's subsequent health. Estimates of the child health input demand functions and the child health production functions from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey accord with the prediction that optimizing behavior results in higher levels of aggregate child health. Observable parental behaviors respond to the physical developmental status of their children. These parental responses appear to yield large and statistically significant improvements in children's early physiological outcomes. However, because some health inputs choices are not observable, it is impossible to ascertain whether these measured effects are due solely to variations in the observed input choices.
An obesity-related locus in chromosome region 12q23-24.

Obesity is a growing health problem in the U.S. As a complex trait, obesity involves multiple genes and gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that contribute to its pathogenesis. Here we report significant linkage from a scan of a large sample segregating extreme obesity and normal weight. We have used 382 microsatellite markers in 1,297 individuals from 260 European-American families. We conducted nonparametric linkage (NPL) analyses for dichotomous BMI (using BMI ≥27, ≥30, ≥35, and ≥40 kg/m 2 ) using Genehunter. We also analyzed quantitative traits (BMI, percentage of fat, and waist circumference) by the family regression method using Merlin_regress. We found evidence for linkage on chromosome 12 (125 cM, D12S2070, logarithm of odds [LOD] 3.79, P = 0.00001 for percentage of fat; LOD 2.98, P = 0.0001 for BMI; and LOD 2.86, P = 0.00014 for waist circumference) by family regression analyses. Adding three additional markers to the intervals flanking the chromosome 12 peak yielded an LOD score of 4.08 ( P = 0.00001) for percentage of fat at 116 cM and LOD scores of 3.57 ( P = 0.00003) and 3.05 ( P = 0.00009) for BMI and waist circumference, respectively, at 125 cM. We also obtained other suggestive linkages on chromosomes 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 21. Our results suggest multiple loci that could influence obesity, particularly a locus in chromosome region 12q23-24.
Causation: Determination and Difference-Making

In his classic discussion of causation, David Hume introduced two ideas that have shaped much of the philosophical debate on the topic since then. The first may be called.
Architecture, Urban Planning, and Political Authority in Ludwig I's Munich:

During the early nineteenth century, Bavarian King Ludwig I embarked on an ambitious building program aimed at transforming his capital city Munich into a material expression of his authority. Ludwig commissioned a series of museums, palaces, and monuments in an attempt to associate his reign with the greatness of ancient Greece and Renaissance Italy. Although Ludwig championed these projects as providing cultural enrichment for his subjects, political calculations played a paramount role. Ludwig's new Munich was framed around monumental buildings, squares, and boulevards meant to position the monarchy as an unassailable cultural and political authority.
The Socialist Response to Antisemitism in Imperial Germany – By Lars Fischer

In Imperial Germany, anti‐Semitism crossed social and political boundaries and became a pervasive cultural code. Self‐avowed political anti‐Semites and their opponents often subscribed to the same ...
Making new friends: Explaining Greek radical Left’s political support for Middle Eastern Islamists

Greece’s radical Left is known for its endurance mainly due to historical reasons. It is a social movement consisting of political parties, extra-parliamentary groups and terrorist organizations. In recent years, the country's radical Left has come closer to Middle Eastern Islamists. This article claims that anti-American sentiments have provided a common framework justifying joint action. The theory of United Front and the master frame of anti-Americanism are the tools of justification for this unnatural alliance in the making.
Radio Frequency Identification systems--present status, design challenges and future outlook

RFID systems are composed of three major components, namely, readers, transponders and antennas. A majority of the transponders are passive or batteryless, and are powered by the energy transmitted by the reader antenna, although active transponders are finding limited applications in some high-end applications, where security, reliability, and automatic operation capability are of the utmost importance, and can thus justify the use of more costly tags than the passive ones. The design of RFID systems is very challenging indeed because of demanding specifications coupled with restrictions on the available size cost, and platform tolerance of tags that may be mounted on a diverse array of products. To meet these challenges, it is necessary to combine the expertise on signal processing, antenna technology and system design. This review talk will identify the challenges and describe some of the proposed solutions for addressing them.
The Approximation Rule, Child Development Research, and Children’s Best Interests After Divorce

ABSTRACT—To remedy perceived problems with the best-interests-of-the-child standard, the American Law Institute proposes that in contested custody cases, courts allocate custodial time to each parent that approximates the proportion of time each spent performing caretaking functions in the past. This article evaluates the goals, assumptions, and potential benefits of the proposed approximation rule in the light of child development research. It concludes that the rule is unlikely to better define and secure children’s best interests and recommends more widespread adoption both of uniform criteria defining the best-interests standard and of reforms that encourage nonadversarial, individualized resolutions of custody disputes.
Psychotherapy with Older Adults in Primary Care Medical Settings

˜Whereas many older adults are hesitant to seek psychotherapy in traditional mental health settings, primary care medical settings offer many advantages in reaching underserved elderly clients with a variety of mental disorders. The present article reviews the growing importance of primary care in our health care system and as a setting to reach clients in need of psychotherapy; important issues for psychotherapists interested in practicing in primary care medical settings; and special issues in treating older adults in primary care. Case studies illustrate varied approaches to psychotherapy with older adults and their families in primary care, with such problems as depression, alcohol abuse, and dementia. Adaptations to conventional psychotherapy necessitated by the primary care setting are highlighted. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 55: 991‐1004, 1999. A growing literature has documented the effectiveness of psychotherapy with older adults. In general, older clients respond as well to psychotherapy as younger individuals. However, a recurring concern in the literature has been that older adults rarely present to traditional mental health settings. Rather, older adults present their psychological problems predominantly in medical settings (Haley, 1996). This is of great concern because most physicians have not been adequately trained to assess or treat mental disorders, and with the increasing time pressures to treat clients quickly, psychological problems are rarely treated effectively in medical settings (Callahan, Hendrie, Dittus, Brater, Hui, & Tierney, 1994; Higgins,1994; Kroenke & Mangelsdorff, 1989). The present article will review reasons that the primary care medical setting is an underutilized setting but one with many advantages in accessing and treating older adults with mental disorders. In addition, unique characteristics of primary care, and special
Sustained high-altitude hypoxia increases cerebral oxygen metabolism

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a common condition occurring within hours of rapid exposure to high altitude. Despite its frequent occurrence, the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie the c...
Issues in Clinical Trials of Prophylaxis of Fungal Infections

The validity of the results of a clinical trial is highly dependent upon the design of the trial. The definition of disease, the selection criteria for enrollment in the trial, the selection of the study and control drugs, and the end points all affect whether the information obtained from the trial ultimately is useful in making decisions in clinical practice. These factors all apply to the design of clinical trials of the prophylaxis of infectious diseases. In addition, prophylaxis trials have several important differences from the design of trials of the treatment of those same diseases. The risk-benefit analysis for trials of prophylaxis is different, in that asymptomatic patients are exposed to the drug and more patients will be exposed than will develop the disease under study. Standardization of the design of such clinical trials will allow more efficient development of new drugs and will allow clinicians to compare more accurately the safety and efficacy of prophylactic agents.
Adaptive kernel least square support vector machines applied to recover DS-CDMA signals

This paper discusses an adaptive nonlinear learning algorithm for direct-sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) system. The algorithm is based on the least square support vector machine (LS-SVM), a nonlinear kernel based machine. The LS-SVM detectors have advantages in that they have moderate complexity, can realize nonlinear decision regions, can be implemented adaptively, and require only training sequence data from the desired user. Through simulations, the performance of bit error rate (BER) of the designed LS-SVM receiver is compared to other conventional CDMA receivers and observes that the LS-SVM detector's performance approaches that of the Bayesian receiver. The simulation results also show that the proposed adaptive LS-SVM receiver can track data in time varying environment.
Telemetry system for assessing jaw-muscle function in free-ranging primates

In vivo laboratory-based studies describing jaw-muscle activity and mandibular bone strain during mastication provide the empirical basis for most evolutionary hypotheses linking primate masticatory apparatus form to diet. However, the laboratory data pose a potential problem for testing predictions of these hypotheses because estimates of masticatory function and performance recorded in the laboratory may lack the appropriate ecological context for understanding adaptation and evolution. For example, in laboratory studies researchers elicit rhythmic chewing using foods that may differ significantly from the diets of wild primates. Because the textural and mechanical properties of foods influence jaw-muscle activity and the resulting strains, chewing behaviors studied in the laboratory may not adequately reflect chewing behaviors of primates feeding in their natural habitats. To circumvent this limitation of laboratory-based studies of primate mastication, we developed a system for recording jaw-muscle electromyograms (EMGs) from free-ranging primates so that researchers can conduct studies of primate jaw-muscle function in vivo in the field. We used the system to record jaw-muscle EMGs from mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata) at Hacienda La Pacifica, Costa Rica. These are the first EMGs recorded from a noncaptive primate feeding in its natural habitat. Further refinements of the system will allow long-term EMG data collection so that researchers can correlate jaw-muscle function with food mechanical properties and behavioral observations. In addition to furthering understanding of primate feeding biology, our work will foster improved adaptive hypotheses explaining the evolution of primate jaw form.
THE EFFECT OF REINFORCER PREFERENCE ON FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OUTCOMES

We combined functional analyses and concurrent-schedule assessments to identify reinforcer preference during situations in which problem behavior may have been multiply controlled. Participants were 3 children with developmental delays who engaged in problem behavior during toy play with another child and one adult present, suggesting that problem behavior may have been maintained by adult attention or access to tangible reinforcement. Thus, conditions were designed to test attention and access-to-toys hypotheses. Initial functional analyses suggested multiple control. Subsequent concurrent-schedule assessments identified preference between the reinforcers, and treatments were based on these findings. Findings are discussed regarding the assessment of potentially multiply controlled problem behavior.
Cell/B.E. based on-line multi-view broadcasting system

Cell/B.E. multi-view system consists of multi-view capturing, view synthesis and 3D finger tracking. It's an on-line image-based multi-view broadcasting system. Input images are obtained by the multi-view capturing and the viewpoint is determined by the finger tracking. View synthesis is to render the desired viewpoint image. In order to build a system with high performance and scalability, IBM Cell/B.E. multiprocessor plays an important role in the system. The algorithms of view synthesis and finger tracking are optimized for the Cell/B.E. blade server. Fifteen blades are pipelined in the prototype system where parallel architecture and data parallelism are designed in the proposed system. Synchronized high-resolution multi-view capturing, frame-based pipelined view synthesis and 3D finger tracking are implemented. Finger tracking can achieve 600fps and view synthesis can be completed in 67fps, but overall performance is around 800×600@15fps due to the limitation of data transmission and PC performance.
Who Delivers? Partisan Clients in the Argentine Electoral Market

Why do some parties fail to benefit from patronage in pork-ridden political systems? This article analyzes the interaction between patronage and partisanship to explain why some incumbents are more likely to benefit from pork politics than others. We explain such differences by focusing on political parties’ access to resources (supply side) and voters’ dependence on fiscal largesse (demand side). We show how these differences affect the patron’s choice of public sector wages and employment. We use subnational level data to show different electoral returns from patronage for the two major political coalitions in Argentina—Peronism and the UCR-Alianza—and their effect on preferences over public sector wages and employment. W hy do some political parties fail to benefit from patronage in pork-ridden political systems? This article analyzes the interaction between patronage and partisanship to explain why some incumbents are more likely to benefit from pork politics than others. We explain returns to patronage by highlighting differences in the political parties’ access to resources (supply side) and the voter’s dependence on public sector jobs (demand side). We propose that, just as political parties cater their policies to particular groups of voters, they pursue different strategies when allocating pork in exchange for support. On the supply side, we highlight the importance of partisan biases in the fiscal and electoral institutions that regulate the access and distribution of public resources. On the demand side, we show that patronage is a distributive mechanism that provides different returns to voters with different skills and labor market expectations.
Characterization of electron beams for modulated electron beam radiotherapy

A set of clinical electron beams have been characterized in anticipation of their use in modulated electron radiotherapy (MERT). Using the EGS4/BEAM and DOSXYZ simulation codes, a Monte Carlo model of a Varian Clinac 2100C was generated for electron beams of nominal energies of 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV. Dose calculations using the Monte Carlo generated phase space data demonstrate profile and depth-dose agreement with measured data to within 2% of the maximum dose values. Simulations were then performed using a proposed electron multileaf collimator to examine beam characteristics relevant to MERT. In particular, abutting fields have been constructed and the presence of hot and cold spots due to penumbral mismatches is shown to be significant. The effect of field setup errors is also considered and it is shown that small setup uncertainties of 3 mm may lead to significant hot and cold spots of up to 25%. Furthermore, electron beamlets were shown to differ in penumbras and symmetry based on where they were located in the field. Intensity modulated electron fields were then constructed, demonstrating the ability to create fields with tilted dose profiles using a sequential abutting field method and a dynamic delivery method.
Socially desirable responding by bariatric surgery candidates during psychological assessment

Abstract Background Most bariatric surgery programs in the United States require preoperative psychological evaluations for candidates for surgery. Among those who perform these evaluations is concern that many patients engage in "impression management" or minimizing the symptoms of distress to receive a recommendation to proceed with surgery from the mental health professional. We sought to assess the prevalence of socially desirable responding and its associations with measures of psychological functioning among bariatric surgery candidates at 2 academic medical centers in the United States. Methods The participants were male (n = 66) and female (n = 293) bariatric surgery candidates who presented for psychological evaluation. The participants completed 2 measures of socially desirable response styles (Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale and Personality Assessment Inventory Positive Impression Management scale) and standardized measures of anxiety, depression, and alcohol-related problems. Results The participants exhibited elevated scores on the social desirability indicators, with 33.3–39.8% scoring above the recommended cut-score on the Personality Assessment Inventory Positive Impression Management scale and 62.3–67% scoring 1 standard deviation above the standardization mean on the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Scores on the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale and Personality Assessment Inventory Positive Impression Management scale correlated inversely with the clinical measures of anxiety and depression, and the high/low scorers on the social desirability indices exhibited significant differences in anxiety and depression. Thus, elevated scores on the social desirability indices were associated with underreporting of certain clinical symptoms. Conclusion A substantial proportion of bariatric surgery candidates appear to present themselves in an overly favorable light during the psychological evaluation. This response style is associated with less reporting of psychological problems and might interfere with the accurate assessment of patient functioning.