cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Veterans, Like Other Working- and Middle-Class Americans, Increasingly Rely on Public Health Programs

An introduction is presented discussing the increased percentage of U.S. veterans with medical coverage and how former service members are increasingly relying on public programs geared toward military personnel and veterans for coverage and services.
Bone, Cartilage, Fat

There are two kinds of ossification, endochondral and membranous, implying the presence or absence of a prior cartilaginous model. In both processes bone is formed by osteoblasts, which originate from mesenchyme. Osteoblasts are spindleshaped to columnar cells with an eccentric nucleus and basophilic cytoplasm. They congregate on surfaces and lay down the organic matrix (osteoid), which then becomes mineralized. When the osteoblasts become trapped in small spaces (lacunae) within this osteoid, they are called osteocytes.
Retroviral Oncogenes and TOR

Retroviruses have recruited the catalytic subunit of PI 3-kinase and its downstream target, Akt, as oncogenes. These viruses cause tumors in animals and induce oncogenic transformation in cell culture. The oncogenicity of these viruses is specifically inhibited by rapamycin; retroviruses carrying other oncogenes are insensitive to this macrolide antibiotic. Rapamycin is an inhibitor of the TOR (target of rapamycin) kinase whose downstream targets include p70 S6 kinase and the negative regulator of translation initiation 4E-BP. Emerging evidence suggests that the TOR signals transmitted to the translational machinery are essential for oncogenic transformation by the PI 3-kinase pathway.
The Role of Histone Methylation and Methyltransferases in Gene Regulation

Abstract Histone methylation is important in modulating the accessibility of transcription factors to target genes and the subsequent changes in transcription. The site-specific methylation and demethylation of histone residues are catalyzed by methyltransferases and demethylases, respectively. In general, transcriptional activation marks increase the permissibility of gene transcription, whereas transcriptional silencing marks promote heterochromatin formation. These processes are tightly regulated by methyltransferases and demethylases. Human diseases and toxicological responses from exposure to environmental chemicals are associated with aberrant histone methylation patterns and increased risks of adverse effects. In this chapter, we will introduce various histone methylation marks and their functions on gene transcription, writers and erasers that regulate specific sites of histone methylation patterns, cofactors and other regulators, and human diseases and environmental chemicals associated with dysregulation of histone methylation.
Optimal Designs for Genomic Selection in Hybrid Crops.

Abstract Improved capacity of genomics and biotechnology has greatly enhanced genetic studies in different areas. Genomic selection exploits the genotype-to-phenotype relationship at the whole-genome level and is being implemented in many crops. Here we show that design-thinking and data-mining techniques can be leveraged to optimize genomic prediction of hybrid performance. We phenotyped a set of 276 maize hybrids generated by crossing founder inbreds of nested association mapping populations for flowering time, ear height, and grain yield. With 10 296 310 SNPs available from the parental inbreds, we explored the patterns of genomic relationships and phenotypic variation to establish training samples based on clustering, graphic network analysis, and genetic mating scheme. Our analysis showed that training set designs outperformed random sampling and earlier methods that either minimize the mean of prediction error variance or maximize the mean of generalized coefficient of determination. Additional analyses of 2556 wheat hybrids from an early-stage hybrid breeding system and 1439 rice hybrids from an established hybrid breeding system validated the approaches. Together, we demonstrated that effective genomic prediction models can be established with a training set 2%–13% of the size of the whole set, enabling an efficient exploration of enormous inference space of genetic combinations.
Case 2: Diagnostic Dilemma - Crusty Lips

This 22-year-old woman is referred to you by her physician for evaluation and management of the findings noted on her lips. The patient reports that around 4 months ago, she developed a “cold sore” on the lower lip likely due to prolonged sun exposure during a sailing trip. Her initial attempts to address this with over-the-counter docosanol cream were unsuccessful. She consulted with her physician who prescribed penciclovir cream. The lesions were unresponsive after two courses of penciclovir and continued to progress in severity and extent (they involved the whole lower lip and upper lip vermilion). She was prescribed valacyclovir PO and has been on this medication for the past 3 months.
Lattice models for protein organization throughout thylakoid membrane stacks

Proteins in photosynthetic membranes can organize into patterned arrays that span the membrane's lateral size. Attractions between proteins in different layers of a membrane stack can play a key role in this ordering, as was suggested by microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy and demonstrated by computer simulations of a coarse-grained model. The architecture of thylakoid membranes, however, also provides opportunities for interlayer interactions that instead disfavor the high protein densities of ordered arrangements. Here, we explore the interplay between these opposing driving forces and, in particular, the phase transitions that emerge in the periodic geometry of stacked thylakoid membrane disks. We propose a lattice model that roughly accounts for proteins' attraction within a layer and across the stromal gap, steric repulsion across the lumenal gap, and regulation of protein density by exchange with the stroma lamellae. Mean-field analysis and computer simulation reveal rich phase behavior for this simple model, featuring a broken-symmetry striped phase that is disrupted at both high and low extremes of chemical potential. The resulting sensitivity of microscopic protein arrangement to the thylakoid's mesoscale vertical structure raises intriguing possibilities for regulation of photosynthetic function.
Self-Assembly and Diffusion in Chain Molecules, Including First Super-Strong Polymers

This paper presents summaries of unique highly nonlinear static and dynamic theories for chain molecules (actually for almost any kind of organic molecule), including the first super-strong (self-reinforcing) polymers. These theories have been used to predict and explain (1) the physical self-assembly (self-ordering) of specific kinds of molecules into liquid crystalline (LC) phases (i.e., partially ordered phases) and (2) the diffusion of these molecules in various LC phases and the isotropic (I) liquid phase.
Thermo-economic analyses of concepts for increasing carbon capture in high-methane syngas integrated gasification combined cycle power plants

Abstract An integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant with transport gasifier and advanced pressure swing adsorption based warm gas CO2 removal technology for carbon capture is analyzed with respect to its maximum carbon capture yield. The carbon capture was limited to 88.6% due to high CH4 content in the syngas. The plant efficiency in this scenario is 33.76% resulting in a 1st year cost of electricity (COE) of 136.0 $/MWh with CO2 transport, storage and monitoring (TS&M). The high CH4 content in the syngas is a result of employing a highly efficient, low temperature gasifier designed for low rank feedstocks such as subbituminous coal, lignite and biomass. In order to increase the carbon capture in high methane syngas IGCCs to reach the U.S. Department of Energy target of 90% carbon capture, three pathways also based on warm gas CO2 removal were studied: (1) combustion of syngas in the CO2 purification section while raising steam, (2) syngas reforming in an external adiabatic reformer and (3) syngas recycling to the gasifier. Although the recycling option (3) has the highest efficiency, the combustor option (1) was the most economical with a COE of 138.1 $/MWh with TS&M. For scenario (1), the 1st year carbon capture cost with TS&M is 53.3 $/tonne compared to a corresponding IGCC without carbon capture and 75.0 $/tonne compared to a supercritical boiler plant (SCBP) without carbon capture. For the 1st year of operation, the avoided cost with TS&M compared to the corresponding IGCC without carbon capture is 65.4 $/tonne. Compared to the SCBP without carbon capture the 1st year avoided cost is 87.2 $/tonne.
Modulation of the Adaptive Immune System

The adaptive immune system is tasked with defending the body against specific foreign invaders and does so via T and B cell receptors present on the surfaces of T and B lymphocytes. These receptors develop as a result of recombination of gene segments, allowing for a variety of possible receptors that can recognize a wide range of possible antigens. Due to the complexity of the mechanisms involved in the development of the adaptive immune response, there are several possible pharmacological targets that are useful for suppression of the immune system in the treatment of autoimmune diseases or immune cell cancers. Some of these targets include inhibition of activation or inhibition of pro-inflammatory signaling pathways. Conversely, the adaptive immune system can also be stimulated in an effort to better produce an immune attack towards infectious diseases and certain types of cancers.
Ovarian Transcriptomic Analyses in the Urban Human Health Pest, the Western Black Widow Spider

Due to their abundance and ability to invade diverse environments, many arthropods have become pests of economic and health concern, especially in urban areas. Transcriptomic analyses of arthropod ovaries have provided insight into life history variation and fecundity, yet there are few studies in spiders despite their diversity within arthropods. Here, we generated a de novo ovarian transcriptome from 10 individuals of the western black widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus), a human health pest of high abundance in urban areas, to conduct comparative ovarian transcriptomic analyses. Biological processes enriched for metabolism-specifically purine, and thiamine metabolic pathways linked to oocyte development-were significantly abundant in L. hesperus. Functional and pathway annotations revealed overlap among diverse arachnid ovarian transcriptomes for highly-conserved genes and those linked to fecundity, such as oocyte maturation in vitellogenin and vitelline membrane outer layer proteins, hormones, and hormone receptors required for ovary development, and regulation of fertility-related genes. Comparative studies across arachnids are greatly needed to understand the evolutionary similarities of the spider ovary, and here, the identification of ovarian proteins in L. hesperus provides potential for understanding how increased fecundity is linked to the success of this urban pest.
Outcomes of Impella‐supported high‐risk nonemergent percutaneous coronary intervention in a large single‐center registry

OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate the early and one-year outcomes of Impella-supported high-risk nonemergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND The evidence for the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices in high-risk nonemergent PCI is limited and nonconclusive. METHODS We performed a single-center retrospective study including all patients who underwent high-risk nonemergent PCI supported by Impella 2.5/CP at our institution between January 2009 and June 2018. This patient population was propensity score matched with subjects undergoing PCI with no MCS. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE: all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], and target lesion revascularization) at one-year follow-up. RESULTS Two-hundred fifty patients undergoing Impella-supported nonemergent PCI were matched to 250 controls. The two groups were well balanced in terms of clinical and angiographic characteristics. Left main PCI was performed more frequently among Impella-supported patients (26% vs. 11%, p < .001), who also had numerically higher prevalence of rotational atherectomy use (44% vs. 37%, p = .10) and a higher number of vessels treated (1.8 ± 0.8 vs. 1.3 ± 0.6, p < .001), compared with controls. Impella-supported patients suffered a higher incidence of periprocedural MI (14.0% vs. 6.4%, p = .005), major bleeding (6.8% vs. 2.8%, p = .04), and need for blood transfusions (11.2% vs. 4.8%, p = .008). However, at one-year follow-up there were no differences in the rates of MACE (31.2% vs. 27.4%, p = .78) or any of its individual components between Impella-supported patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS Although Impella-supported patients suffer a higher incidence of periprocedural adverse events (partially linked to more aggressive PCI), the incidence of one-year MACE was similar between the Impella and control group.
Predicting Dexter Energy Transfer Interactions from Molecular Orbital Overlaps

Dexter energy transfer (DET), also known as spin forbidden energy transfer (e.g., 3D1A  1D3A), is undergoing a resurgence of interest because of its utility in energy science, photocatalysis, and ...
Datasets for residential GSHP analysis by climate in the United States.

Abstract This data captures climate information and HVAC energy use for a baseline prototype home and for a replacement alternative energy home. The baseline home is a traditional DX cooling/gas furnace system, and the alternate system is a geothermal heat pump. Cooling degree days (CDD), heating degree days (HDD) and relative humidity were gathered from historical weather data for 12 cities across the contiguous United States [1] , [2] . Geothermal heat pump coefficients were generated as inputs to EnergyPlus™ simulation software. These heat pump coefficients are generated by compiling heat pump performance data from 5 market leading, high efficiency residential geothermal heat pump manufacturers. These coefficients can be used to represent a general, market available heat pump in 2-ton, 3-ton, and 4-ton capacities. Baseline prototype home energy use by city was generated by EnergyPlus™ using the prototype home download file from www.energy.gov and the respective weather file for that city. This data can be interpreted as energy use per month by certain HVAC components. The ground source heat pump (GSHP) home energy use by city was generated from EnergyPlus™ and the respective city weather file. The GSHP model was created by the authors to model the alternate closed loop, GSHP system. Reuse potential for heat pump coefficients and home energy use analysis is strong.
Prediction and Explanation in a Postmodern World.

The experimental research paradigm lies at the core of empirical psychology. New data analytical and computational tools continually enrich its methodological arsenal, while the paradigm's mission remains the testing of theoretical predictions and causal explanations. Predictions regarding experimental results necessarily point to the future. Once the data are collected, the causal inferences refer to a hypothesis now lying in the past. The experimental paradigm is not designed to permit strong inferences about particular incidents that occurred before predictions were made. In contrast, historical research and scholarship in other humanities focus on this backward direction of inference. The disconnect between forward-looking experimental psychology and backward-looking historical (i.e., narrative) psychology is a challenge in the postmodern era, which can be addressed. To illustrate this possibility, I discuss three historical case studies in light of theory and research in contemporary psychology.
Positively charged nanofiltration membrane synthesis, transport models, and lanthanides separation

Abstract The design and understanding of rejection mechanisms for both positively and negatively charged nanofiltration (NF) membranes are needed for the development of highly selective separation of multivalent ions. In this study, positively charged nanofiltration membranes were created via an addition of commercially available polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) by conventional interfacial polymerization technique. Demonstration of real increase in surface zeta potential, along with other characterization methods, confirmed the addition of weak basic functional groups from PAH. Both positively and negatively charged NF membranes were tested for evaluating their potential as a technology for the recovery or separation of lanthanide cations (neodymium and lanthanum chloride as model salts) from aqueous sources. The NF membranes with added PAH performed high and stable lanthanides retentions, with values around 99.3% in mixtures with high ionic strength (100 mM, equivalent to ~6000 ppm), 99.3% rejection at 85% water recovery (and high Na+/La3+ selectivity, with 0% Na+ rejection starting at 65% recovery), and both constant lanthanum rejection and permeate flux at even pH 2.7. Donnan steric pore model with dielectric exclusion elucidated the transport mechanism of lanthanides and sodium, proving the potential of high selective separation at low permeate fluxes using positively charged NF membranes.
Direct ink writing techniques for in situ gelation and solidification

Direct ink writing (DIW) is an extrusion-based 3D printing method which prints near ambient temperatures and has one of the broadest printable material selections among additive manufacturing techniques. However, DIW uses viscoelastic materials susceptible to collapse during printing. One promising route to improve the structural integrity of viscoelastic inks is using in situ curing methods to increase the yield strength of the printed structures after deposition. This review summarizes progress in three representative methods of in situ curing for DIW, including ultra-violet-induced crosslinking, rapid cure of reactive ingredients, and flash vaporization of a solution’s solvent to coagulate dissolved polymers.
Evaluation of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist for Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies.

Abstract Objectives To determine the suitability of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC)—a common measure used in clinical trials for treatment of challenging behaviors of autism—as an outcome measure for pharmacological and behavioral interventions for young people with Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEEs). Methods We assessed score profiles on the ABC in a sample of 122 young people with DEEs, including Dravet and Lennox–Gastaut syndromes, and KCNQ2- SCN2A-, and KCNB1-associated disorders. Then we examined its internal structure using item cluster analysis. We used both unrestricted item cluster analysis to determine the number of item clusters that maximize reliability and restricted analyses in which we pre-specified models with 5-, 6-, and 7-clusters, to examine consistency with previous factor analytic studies. We also conducted validity analysis on the various scoring methods with age, sex, and autism spectrum screening measure scores. Results Unrestricted item cluster analysis suggested that three clusters maximized reliability of ABC scores. These broadly represented other-directed behaviors (i.e., “externalizing”), self-directed behaviors (i.e., “internalizing”), and inappropriate speech. Restricted models separated item clusters for stereotypy from other self-directed problem behaviors, and self-injurious behaviors from the other externalizing behaviors. Validity analysis also supported these structures. Overall, all scores were low, and less than 20% of DEE participants had symptoms severe enough to qualify for most randomized trials of behavioral therapies. Significance These results are broadly consistent with the extant ABC scoring algorithms. They suggest a high internal consistency reliability, which may support the use of the ABC in future clinical trials in patients with DEEs who exhibit the behaviors assessed by the ABC. Alternatively, concerns about overall low scores raise cautions about using the ABC as a measure of behavior in unselected populations with DEE.
Measuring Intellectual Capital Efficiency: A Case of Football Clubs in the UEFA Champion League

The purpose of this study is to examine the intellectual capital efficiency of football clubs in the UEFA Champion League between 2010 and 2019. We measure the intellectual capital efficiency of each football club through Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) method developed by Pulic (1998, 2004), Ghosh and Mondal (2009), Yalama (2013), Ozkan, Cakan, and Kayacan (2017). Using a sample of 10 football clubs from 7 countries, we find that almost all clubs use their intellectual capital efficiently with great coefficients. We also document that human capital, as the core of intellectual capital, has a positive impact on structural capital. Our finding is significant for sports managers to make strategic management of intellectual sources to create value in the football industry. It suggests that football clubs should pay more attention to intellectual capital like fan loyalty and talented players. Meanwhile, it helps the sports industry to play a great role of human capital in intellectual capital and to increase the competitive advantage of the enterprise.
Is hyperglycemia associated with frailty status in older women

As the population ages, type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasingly becoming a disease of older adults. Incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing in people aged 65 to 79;1,2 recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show that incident type 2 diabetes mellitus is five times as great in adults aged 65 to 79 as in those younger than 45. Diabetes mellitus is an important contributor to the comorbidity burden,3 geriatric conditions,4 and complex health status5 seen in some older adults. Frailty is hypothesized to be a geriatric condition of physiological vulnerability and multisystem dysfunction associated with aging that increases the risks of adverse health outcomes such as falls, disability, and death.6 Frailty has been shown to be associated with several major chronic diseases; with disruptions in several physiological systems, including endocrine and inflammatory systems; and with undernutrition and obesity. It has previously been shown, using an empirical model of frailty developed in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) and validated in the Women’s Heath and Aging Studies (WHAS), that frailty is associated with prevalent diabetes mellitus, atherosclerotic vascular disease, and obesity.7 It has also been demonstrated that glucose intolerance in older adults without diagnosed diabetes mellitus is related to prevalent frailty; markers of increased inflammation (C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6) and endocrine dysregulation (insulin-like growth factor-1) are also associated with prevalent frailty.8 Recently, longitudinal analysis from the CHS has demonstrated that insulin resistance as measured according to the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance is associated with incident frailty.9 Although glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and reported diabetes mellitus appear to be associated with frailty, it is not known whether hyperglycemia itself is related to frailty. Research so far is also consistent with the hypothesis that the pathophysiology of frailty involves the obesity7 and inflammatory disruptions associated with insulin resistance9 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as with vascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, this research was undertaken to test the complementary hypothesis: that hyperglycemia itself would be associated with prevalent frailty independently of complications of diabetes mellitus, obesity, and high IL-6 levels that have also been shown to be associated with frailty.
Polygenic inheritance of certain common malformations. Evidence and empiric recurrence risk data.

Knowledge regarding the precise etiology of single common malformations is inexact. However, presently available indirect evidence suggests that the combination of a number of genic factors, or polygenic inheritance, is the most likely explanation for the majority of them.
DNA of Epstein-Barr virus. III. Identification of restriction enzyme fragments that contain DNA sequences which differ among strains of Epstein-Barr virus.

Abstract Previous kinetic and absorption hybridization experiments had demonstrated that the DNA of the B95-8 strain of Epstein-Barr virus was missing approximately 10% of the DNA sequences present in the DNA of the HR-1 strain (R.F. Pritchett, S.D. Hayward, and E. Kieff, J. Virol. 15:556-569, 1975; B. Sugder, W.C. Summers, and G. Klein, J. Virol. 18:765-775, 1976). The HR-1 strain differs from other laboratory strains, including the B95-8 and W91 strains, and from virus present in throat washings from patients with infectious mononucleosis in its inability to transform lymphocytes into lymphoblasts capable of long-term growth in culture (P. Gerber, Lancet i:1001, 1973; J. Menezes, W. Leibold, and G. Klein, Exp. Cell. Res. 92:478-484, 1975; G. Miller, D. Coope, J. Niederman, and J. Pagano, J. Virol. 18:1071-1080, 1976; G. Miller, J. Robinson, L. Heston, and M. Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 71:4006-4010, 1974). In the experiments reported here, the restriction enzyme fragments of Epstein-Barr virus DNA which contain sequences which differ among the HR-1, B95-8, and W91 strains have been identified. The DNA of the HR-1, B95-8, and W91 strains each differed in complexity. The sequences previously shown to be missing in the B95-8 strain were contained in the EcoRI-C and -D and Hsu I-E and -N fragments of the HR-1 strain and in the EcoRI-C and Hsu I-D and -E fragments of the W91 strain. The HR-1 strain was missing DNA contained in EcoRI fragments A and J through K and Hsu I fragment B of the B95-8 strain and in the EcoRI-A and Hsu I-B fragments of the W91 strain. The relationship of these data to the linkage map of restriction enzyme fragments of the DNA of the B95-8 and W91 strains (E. Kieff, N. Raab-Traub, D. Given, W. King, A.T. Powell, R. Pritchett, and T. Dambaugh, In F. Rapp and G. de-The, ed., Oncogenesis and Herpesviruses III, in press; D. Given and E. Kieff, submitted for publication) and the possible significance of the data are discussed.
Bathing disability in community-living older persons: common, consequential, and complex.

Objectives: To identify the specific bathing subtasks that are affected in community-living-older persons with bathing disability and to determine the self-reported reasons for bathing disability. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: General community of greater New Haven, Connecticut. Participants: A total of 626 community-living persons, aged 73 and older, who completed a comprehensive assessment, including a detailed evaluation of bathing disability. Measurements: Trained research nurses assessed bathing disability (defined as requiring personal assistance or having difficulty washing and drying the whole body), the specific bathing subtasks that were affected, and the main reasons (up to three) for bathing disability. Results: Disability in bathing was present in 195 (31%) participants; of these, 97 required personal assistance (i.e., dependence), and 98 had difficulty bathing. Participants with bathing disability reported a mean±standard deviation of 4.0±2.4 affected subtasks. The prevalence rate of disability for the eight prespecified bathing subtasks ranged from 25% for taking off clothes to 75% for leaving the bathing position. The majority of participants (59%) provided more than one reason for bathing disability. The most common reasons cited by participants for their bathing disability were balance problems (28%), arthritic complaints (26%), and fall or fear of falling (23%). Conclusion: For community-living older persons, disability in bathing is common, involves multiple subtasks, and is attributable to an array of physical and psychological problems. Preventive and restorative interventions for bathing disability will need to account for the inherent complexity of this essential activity of daily living.
XTutor: An Intelligent Tutor System for Science and Math Based on Excel

VanLehn argued that an essential feature of many intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) is that they provide feedback and hints on every step of a multi-step solution.But if step-based feedback and hints alonesuffice for strong learning gains, as Anderson et al. conjecture ([1]), then perhaps a lightweight tutoring system that employ onlyfeedback and bottom-out hints would have advantages. This motivates the current project.Using Excel there are some immediately advantages that can be obtained: most people is familiar with its user interface and its notation for mathematical expressions, Excel already contains facilities for solving some systems of equations and it can be easy combined with many other pieces of software, making it easier for instructors to include the tutor in their course activities. Finally, web-based delivery is simple because most students already have and use Excel.
Global Legal Pluralism : A Jurisprudence of Law Beyond Borders

Part I. Mapping a Hybrid World: 1. Introduction 2. A world of legal conflicts Part II. Retreating from Hybridity: 3. The limits of sovereigntist territoriality 4. From universalism to cosmopolitanism Part III. Embracing Hybridity: 5. Towards a cosmopolitan pluralist jurisprudence 6. Procedural mechanisms, institutional designs, and discursive practices for managing pluralism Part IV. Conflict of Laws in a Hybrid World: 7. The changing terrain of jurisdiction 8. A cosmopolitan pluralist approach to choice of law 9. Recognition of judgments and the legal negotiation of difference 10. Conclusion.
From the Rights-Based Perspective: Claiming a Grassroots Voice in UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies

Due to limited NGO resources, it is important to multiply the ranks of defenders who would assume a variety of roles in order to ensure that alternative or shadow reports would be submitted to the various human rights treaty bodies depicting gruesome realities that states may be wont to avoid mentioning altogether or craftily trivialize as simply isolated cases of individual indiscretion or abuse. The interim period between the submission by states parties of their periodic reports would be a sufficient time for NGOs from all over a particular country to consolidate their efforts and divide tasks among themselves towards a shared and consolidated shadow report. Inter-country sharing of experiences, insights, expertise, and skills in UN lobbying would go a long way in further enhancing and building upon NGO strengths and capabilities honed over years and decades of struggle. Vigilance would be maintained by launching the long-term and continuing political project of submitting shadow reports and training NGO lobbyists and media advocates on how to effectively present to the committee experts the issues refused to be reported or are often understated by state actors. The task is daunting, given the nature of information and data gathering which requires a high degree of expertise and care. To ensure continuity and strengthening of positive NGO traditions, experienced NGO lobbyists should be able to reecho and impart their experiences, observations, and insights to other human rights advocates in a systematic and organized manner during lectures, seminars, workshops, and other forms of training, preferably using Internet tools, showing specifically various UN websites, and how they could seize the initiative in adopting strategies for media and cyberactivism. This would multiply the ranks of human rights advocates in various sectors of society, especially the emerging generations belonging to the ranks of the youth and students.
Soliciting Accurate Evaluations of Public Goods

Among the many problems faced by policy makers in attempts to use public funds efficiently, none is more troublesome than that of inducing users of public goods to reveal their demand prices. The difficulty in attempts to solicit demand prices falls under the general rubric of the free-rider problem, and is manifest in the propensity of users to behave strategically when asked to reveal evaluations. Several preference revelation devices have been proposed to surmount this problem, but all of these schemes are seriously flawed. This article presents a device which overcomes some of the flaws contained in previous work. The preference revealing mechanism proposed here is a bidding mechanism which takes advantage of the commonly found trait of risk-aversion to discourage strategic revelations.
The Influence of Classroom Aggression and Classroom Climate on Aggressive-Disruptive Behavior

Research suggests that early classroom experiences influence the socialization of aggression. Tracking changes in the aggressive behavior of 4,179 children from kindergarten to second-grade (ages 5–8), this study examined the impact of 2 important features of the classroom context—aggregate peer aggression and climates characterized by supportive teacher–student interactions. The aggregate aggression scores of children assigned to first-grade classrooms predicted the level of classroom aggression (assessed by teacher ratings) and quality of classroom climate (assessed by observers) that emerged by the end of Grade 1. Hierarchical linear model analyses revealed that first-grade classroom aggression and quality of classroom climate made independent contributions to changes in student aggression, as students moved from kindergarten to second grade. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.
A runtime representation for Ada variables and types

The type and subtype facilities of the Ada programming language permit some subtype information to be determined dynamically. This subtype information requires a runtime representation, and its dynamic nature influences the representation of variables. In this paper, we first review Ada's types and subtypes to identify some of those aspects which affect runtime representation. We then present the particular representation scheme which is used in the CHARRETTE Ada implementation. The scheme is straightforward and consistent in that a variable is represented the same way independently of where it appears, whether it is on the stack, on the heap, or a component of another variable. The design treats Ada's discriminants and discriminant constraints as a form of parameterized types, where the parameterization permits different instances of a type to have different variants and different sizes for array fields. Composition of such parameterized types is supported. We explain how several Ada operations are handled by our particular representation. We briefly discuss some alternative approaches to Ada representation, comparing them to our design.
Mothers' Voices: Enhancing Mother-Child Communication for HIV Prevention.

Parents are an important component of HIV prevention efforts for adolescents. The purpose of this study was to work with a community-based organization, Mothers' Voices South Florida, to evaluate the effectiveness of their educational program that teaches mothers how to talk to their children about HIV and safer sexual practices. Questionnaires were sent to 349 mothers who attended the program from 2000-2001. The final sample (n = 121) was 43% White, 31% Black, and 26% Hispanic. Mothers were asked to rate their pre- and post-program communication levels with their children about HIV and safer sex. Paired T-test showed a significant difference between pre-and post-program communication levels (t = -11.404, df = 120, p =.000). Over two-fifths of the mothers (43%) reported that communication with their children had become an ongoing process. Mothers also shared information learned at the program with other adults. The study found that the Mothers' Voices program was effective in increasing communication about HIV and sexual health between mothers and their children, and mothers and other adults in the community.
Palmar-digital arterial networks in fifty pairs of human fetal hands: arteriographic models for clinical consideration.

Arterial networks in 50 pairs of human fetal hands, made visible by perfusion with radiopaque media, were compared between right and left hands. The imaged primary arterial networks in the fetal hands were also compared with those in adult human and rhesus monkey hands. It was found that superficial arch configurations and their primary ramifications are bilaterally similar in human fetal hands. The configurations of the primary arterial networks are established very early in prenatal growth and may be maintained into adulthood. The similarities in the arterial network arrangements between fetal human and rhesus monkey hands suggest that the rhesus monkey hand could provide and appropriate model for studies of surgical neurovascular anastomosis.
Characteristics of bacterial communities in the Gulf of Alaska

Taxonomic diversity, physiological tolerance ranges, and nutrient utilization capabilities were determined for bacterial communities in Gulf of Alaska surface waters and sediments. Taxonomic diversity was assessed using Shannon Weaver (H') and equitability (J') indices. Physiological tolerance and nutritional versatility indices were developed to further assess the state of "informational heterogeneity" within the bacterial communities. The Gulf of Alaska bacterial communities were characteristically diverse; the bacterial populations in these marine ecosystems generally were eurytolerant and nutritionally versatile. The maintenance of a high degree of informational heterogeneity was found to be characteristic of these bacterial communities. It appears to be of adaptive advantage to maintain diverse populations with physiological tolerances whose ranges exceed those experienced within the natural habitat, and for the bacterial communities to possess a high degree of nutritional versatility within these marine ecosystems.
A novel level of interactions in plant–insect systems

The importance of variation in the ability of individuals to survive or perform on different types of resource (implicit in evolutionary studies) has been discussed in both host–parasite1 and plant-insect systems2–4. But variation in host-choice behaviour and its interaction with offspring performance on variable resources5 has been studied only in insect populations that each use several plant species6,7. Here I show that in a natural population of the butterfly Euphydryas editha (Nymphalidae), some females are specialized in both oviposition behaviour and offspring performance. These specialists prefer to lay eggs on certain individuals of the host plant Pedicularis semibarbata (Scrophulariaceae) that also improve the survival of their offspring. Other E. editha females in the same population are not so specialized. They show no oviposition preference among individual P. semibarbata, and survival of their offspring is not correlated with the plant suitability categories defined by the specialists. Thus information vital to understanding the true nature of the interactions in a plant–insect system is lost when the process is described using either the average ability of an insect population to exploit a plant population or the average ability of a plant to resist attack by an insect species.
A computational model of cerebrospinal fluid production and reabsorption driven by Starling forces.

Experimental evidence has cast doubt on the classical model of river-like cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow from the choroid plexus to the arachnoid granulations. We propose a novel model of water transport through the parenchyma from the microcirculation as driven by Starling forces. This model investigates the effect of osmotic pressure on water transport between the cerebral vasculature, the extracellular space (ECS), the perivascular space (PVS), and the CSF. A rigorous literature search was conducted focusing on experiments which alter the osmolarity of blood or ventricles and measure the rate of CSF production. Investigations into the effect of osmotic pressure on the volume of ventricles and the flux of ions in the blood, choroid plexus epithelium, and CSF are reviewed. Increasing the osmolarity of the serum via a bolus injection completely inhibits nascent fluid flow production in the ventricles. A continuous injection of a hyperosmolar solution into the ventricles can increase the volume of the ventricle by up to 125%. CSF production is altered by 0.231 µL per mOsm in the ventricle and by 0.835 µL per mOsm in the serum. Water flux from the ECS to the CSF is identified as a key feature of intracranial dynamics. A complete mathematical model with all equations and scenarios is fully described, as well as a guide to constructing a computational model of intracranial water balance dynamics. The model proposed in this article predicts the effects the osmolarity of ECS, blood, and CSF on water flux in the brain, establishing a link between osmotic imbalances and pathological conditions such as hydrocephalus and edema.
Densities of aqueous solutions of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate at temperatures from (298 to 623) K and pressures to 28 MPa

Abstract Densities of aqueous solutions of Na 2 CO 3 and NaHCO 3 with molalities from 0.1 mol·kg −1 to 1.0 mol·kg −1 have been measured from the temperatures 298 K to 623 K and pressures up to 28 MPa using a vibrating-tube flow densimeter. The volumetric results for Na 2 CO 3 (aq) and NaHCO 3 (aq) are in good agreement with the literature data at low temperatures. At high temperatures, the treatment of results must include the hydrolysis of Na 2 CO 3 (aq), disproportionation of NaHCO 3 (aq), and association of carbonate and bicarbonate ions with sodium ion.
The challenge of the Japanese telecommunications market

Abstract Japan is the world's second largest market for telecommunications products and services after the U.S. Japan's NTT is today the largest communications operating company in the world, and its foreign procurement and collaboration programs are expanding steadily. Growing liberalization of telecommunications in Japan, heralded by NTT's “privatization” in April 1985, offers unprecedented opportunities to foreign suppliers of telecommunications equipment and services. So far, American companies have barely scratched the surface of Japan's vast market. This paper focuses on effective strategies for entering and succeeding in the highly challenging and rewarding market of Japan.
Testing the constitutionality of u.s. licensing of news gatherers and researchers traveling to cuba

Abstract The Fifth Amendment right to travel freely abroad notwithstanding, the Supreme Court has upheld on national security grounds a de facto travel ban by which the U.S. government prohibits its citizens to spend money necessary for visiting the island of Cuba unless they receive prior approval from the Treasury Department. However, this article argues that the licensing regime used by Treasury to authorize some academic researchers and news gatherers to report from Cuba probably is unconstitutional. The First Amendment right to publish carries with it the antecedent freedom to gather news and information. The government may limit that freedom only for compelling reasons and only if the restrictions are not based on some constitutionally impermissible criterion or condition. The reason for this is to prevent the government from restricting the flow of information necessary for the American people to make enlightened choices in the democratic process and hold their government in account. Therefore, requiring news gatherers and academic researchers to obtain licenses undermines democratic self-government by placing the government in the position of determining the terms and conditions under which the electorate is informed about a matter of public importance. This article further argues that the criteria used in granting licenses are arbitrarily applied, not reasonably related to the stated goals of the economic embargo of Cuba, and discriminate against some information gatherers according to their employment status and content of their work. Based on this conclusion, the author decided to participate in a legal challenge, in which he and two other academic researchers traveled to Cuba without Treasury licenses in order to test the constitutionality of the regulations. The author’s personal experience is recounted, and the inconclusive outcome of his civil disobedience is reported.
Prediction of the stress-strain curve of a short-fibre reinforced thermoplastic

Analytical work has been performed to predict the stress—strain curve of a carbon fibre reinforced polyamide 66. A typical stress—strain curve of this composite consists of three stages. Beyond the first linear stage the change of slope of the curve is attributed to the initiation and extension of cracks at fibre ends. Several theoretical models have been developed to take into account the development of cracks at various loading levels. Fibre volume-fraction, aspect ratio and orientation as well as fibre and matrix elastic properties and interface energies are the major parameters considered. The theoretical predictions are in close agreement with the experimental data.
Information flow and influence in collective choice

If decision-relevant information is distributed among team members, the group is inclined to focus on common information and to neglect unique information. This classical finding is robust in experimental settings, in which the distribution of information is created by experimental design. The current paper examines information sharing when access to information is not restricted. We analyzed archival search and discussion data obtained from business executives completing a personnel selection exercise. Information popularity in the population from which groups were composed predicted both the number of group members accessing items during information searches and whether the group discussed the items. The number of group members who accessed an item predicted whether information was repeated during discussion, and repetition predicted which items were included on an executive summary. Moreover, cognitively central group members were more influential than cognitively peripheral members. One implication is...
Endogenous ADP-ribosylation of elongation factor-2 by interleukin-1β

Eukaryotic elongation factor-2 (eEF-2) catalyses the motion of the growing peptide chain relative to the mRNA at the ribosomes during protein synthesis. This highly conserved G-protein is the specific target of two lethal bacterial toxins, Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A and diphtheria toxin. These toxins exert their detrimental action by ADP-ribosylating a biologically unique posttranslationally modified histidine residue (diphthamide715) within eEF-2, thus inactivating the enzyme. Diphthamide715 is also the target of endogenous (mono) ADP-ribosyl transferase activity. In this article, we report the first known activator of endogenous ADP-ribosylation of eEF-2, interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Thereby, systemic inflammatory processes may link to protein synthesis regulation.
Ion beam induced damage in CaF2

The change in lattice parameter and the induced damage are studied in single crystal CaF_2 bombarded by a 15 MeV Cl ion beam. The lattice parameter change (strain) and the damage for increasing ion beam dose (5 × 10^(12)/cm^2 to 7 × 10^(15)/cm^2) is observed via X-ray rocking curve analysis using a double-crystal diffractometer and X-ray reflection topography. The ion beam energy (range = ∼ 4.5 μm in CaF_2) is such that both the electronic region and the nuclear cascade region of energy loss show up in the diffraction signal. By kinematical X-ray diffraction theory analysis, the progress of strain/damage depth profile with increasing beam dose is shown explicitly. The increase in strain is nonlinear with beam dose for the dose range studied. For increasing beam dose, the strain level in the electronic energy loss region is fixed, while that in the nuclear collision loss region increases effectively until that region becomes completely amorphous.