cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detecting changes in habitat-scale bee foraging in a tropical fragmented landscape using stable isotopes

As the body of research on the ecosystem service of pollination grows, our ability to tackle a range of agricultural, conservation, and land management issues is limited by our understanding of pollinator foraging patterns and requirements. In particular, better knowledge of which habitats bees utilize for foraging over their lifetime would inform a range of applied and theoretical questions. Traditional methods of studying foraging are either impractical for insects (e.g. radio tracking) or else are limited spatially or temporally (e.g. observations by researchers). Here we describe a method for using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen from bee tissues to gain an integrated signal of which habitats a bee has foraged in over its lifetime, using three species of social stingless bee (Apidae: Meliponini) in a fragmented tropical forest landscape in southern Costa Rica as a test case. There were strongly significant differences in the carbon and nitrogen isotope signals of bees collected in the landscape extremes: the largest forests and largest open pastures in the region. We could not estimate proportions of dietary carbon and nitrogen derived from different habitats, however, due to the high sample variance. Still, isotope ratios reflect a signature of the habitat that a bee has foraged in, and we found significant relationships between foraging patterns and season, landscape context (proportion of forest surrounding sample sites) and local biotic context (bee and plant diversity and abundance). Landscape context was the most consistent factor among the analyses, in line with the idea that meliponines do not preferentially forage in deforested habitats. Bee and plant diversity and abundance showed various significant relationships with the isotopic values of the different species, but the patterns were inconsistent. These results are potentially consistent with habitat switching from pasture to forest in areas of greater competition, but the extreme spatiotemporal variability in resource density likely blurs these patterns.
Non-empirical closure of the plume equations

Abstract A plume model capable of predicting trajectories, dilution, width, and other important plume properties may be developed with very little empirical input, namely, common plume assumptions and the Taylor entrainment hypothesis. The Taylor hypotheses is necessary in cases of little or no current, but, as current increases, it decreases in importance until the point is reached where it may be omitted. In such instances the model may be practically non-empirical. An objective model of this nature is necessary because there is always some doubt that empirical models may be generalized—especially when known data, to which they are fitted, are subject to relatively large uncertainty as plume data are. The resulting model predicts a wide range of plume behavior and, far from being complex, is even easily adapted for use with personal computers.
Issues on the constitutive formulation at large elastoplastic deformations, part 2: Kinetics

The coupling between kinematics and kinetics and the invariance requirements under superposed rigid body rotations, determine unambiguously the proper general form of the elastoplastic rate constitutive equations, in terms of the values of the state variables and their rates in reference to the current and any choice of the unstressed configuration. Topics such as the effect of changing the stress rate, small elastic deformations with or without large volumetric elastic strains, rate effects and viscoplasticity, an example on single slip, the effect of the plastic spin constitutive relations and the concept of an effectively unstressed configuration, are addressed in detail. Issues and different approaches debated in the past are discussed, compared and clarified.
Water under high pressure

The behaviour of water under high pressure was studied using Monte Carlo NPT simulation methods. The results of the simulations were compared to previous experimental and theoretical works. The TIP4P water model reproduced calculated densities for pressures ranging from 0·1 MPa to 1·0 GPa to within 2 per cent of the experimental densities. The trend of a slight decrease in energy as the pressure increases at constant temperature appears to reproduce experimental findings but is found to be model and method dependent. Hydrogen bond and angular distribution functions analyses were performed in an effort to uncover the structural relaxation mechanism of water at high pressures.
INVESTIGATION OF THE REGIOSELECTIVITY OF ALKENE HYDROSILYLATION CATALYZED BY ORGANOLANTHANIDE AND GROUP 3 METALLOCENE COMPLEXES

The regioselectivity of monosubstituted alkene hydrosilylation catalyzed by organolanthanide and group 3 organometallic complexes has been studied as a function of catalyst structure. A wide variety of catalyst variations were shown to be compatible with the hydrosilylation process. Several novel complexes were synthesized to widen the scope of this investigation. The results show complexes containing larger lanthanide metal ions and reduced substitution on the cyclopentadienyl ligands produce increased yields of the secondary silane product. Several complexes were identified that are highly selective for primary silane generation.
An approximate gaussian model of Differential Evolution with spherical fitness functions

An analytical method is proposed to study the evolutionary stochastic properties of the population in differential evolution (DE) for a spherical function model. Properties of mutation and selection are developed, based on which a Gaussian approximate model of DE is introduced to facilitate mathematical derivations. The evolutionary dynamics and the convergence behavior of DE are investigated based on the derived analytical formulae and their appropriateness is verified by experimental results. It is shown that the lower limit of mutation factor should be as high as 0.68 to avoid premature convergence if the initial population is isotropically normally distributed and infinitely far from the optimum (i.e., the function landscape becomes a hyper-plane). The lower limit, however, may be decreased if the population becomes closer to the optimum and an accordingly smaller mutation factor is beneficial to speed up the convergence. This motivates future research to improve DE by dynamically adapting control parameters as evolution search proceeds.
Health and behavior: The coming together of science and practice in psychology and medicine after a century of benign neglect.

For thousands of years, physicians had available only a few drugs with which to minister to patients and the practice of psychology was an integral and therapeutically powerful component in the practice of medicine. Thus, good “bedside medicine” consisting of empathy, compassion, and a nurturant attitude toward the ill individual was a major component of the physician's armamentarium until relatively recently. However, the explosion in scientific knowledge in biology, physiology, chemistry, and microbiology which began a century ago and has continued through the twentieth century helped produce several generations of physician specialists and subspecialists with little knowledge of the powerful role psychological factors play in health and illness. As a result, practitioners of medicine and practitioners of psychology have had little or no contact during most of this century. However, as advances in microbiology, public health, and nutrition have eradicated many of the infectious diseases, infirmities associated with one's lifestyle have replaced the latter as the major causes of death today. One offshoot of this shift is that after a century of benign neglect, physicians and psychologists have rediscovered a common ground in the arena labeled health and behavior. Some factors responsible for these recent developments are highlighted.
An Online Display for the Study of Approximating Functions

The method of least squares is often used to determine the arbitrary constants in an empirical formula or approximating function. If such a function is not linear in its unknowns, approximate values must first be obtained. Typically they are obtained graphically or as the result of physical supposition or similar experiment. This paper describes a program written to find first approximations for certain oscilloscope traces by: (1) displaying the trace on a cathode-ray tube (CRT) and, (2) imposing upon it a computer generated curve which (3) employs parameters arbitrarily supplied by an operator in a quest for visual coincidence.While the technique proved successful in this application, a greater value may lie in its having indicated a mechanism for further automation. In its present form the method might best be utilized as a tool for studying the behavior of selected approximating functions.
Reliability and validity of temperament scales of the NLSY child assessments

Abstract The child assessments of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) provide a unique source of information for studying cognitive and socioemotional development longitudinally in a large national sample of children. This article presents an investigation of the psychometric properties of the temperament scales that measure the personality and social adjustment of children zero to 6 years old. These scales consist of a set of maternally and interviewer reported items available from the 1986, 1988, and 1990 NLSY administrations. Four temperament scales are presented: two scales for infants 6 to 23 months old and two scales for children 2 to 6 years old. We investigate the extent to which the temperament scales meet the following criteria: (a) internal reliability, (b) continuity of factor structures across time, (c) continuity of factor structures across age groups, (d) continuity of factor structures longitudinally, (e) longitudinal stability of scale scores, (f) stability of factor structures across different sociodemographic subpopulations, and (g) convergent and divergent construct validity. The findings indicate that the internal reliability, the cross-sectional and longitudinal continuity of factor structures, are satisfactory. The stability of the factor structures across sociodemographic subgroups, however, could not be supported. Some uses of the temperament scales are suggested that are expected to be robust to systematic measurement errors. A set of item coefficients is presented that may be used to construct temperament scale scores.
Nanoindentation measurements of viscoelastic material properties are sensitive to preparation techniques

This study tests the hypothesis that bone's tissue level elastic and viscoelastic mechanical properties are altered by dehydration and that rehydration can be used to recover changes to bone's mechanical properties. When samples were exposed to short periods of dehydration(24 hours) during sample preparation trabecular bone elastic modulus increased 36%(p<0.05) and tan δ decreased 33%(p<0.05). However, following rehydration both elastic modulus and tan δ were restored such that there were no differences between rehydrated samples and fresh controls. Similar results were found in cortical bone. When samples were exposed to long periods of dehydration(30 days) in sample preparation cortical bone elastic modulus increased 28%(p<0.05) and tan δ decreased 30%(p<0.05). Following rehydration, elastic modulus increased such that there was no difference between rehydrated and fresh controls. However, while tan δ increased following rehydration(12%, p<0.05), it was significantly lower than fresh controls (21%, p<0.05). Interestingly, cortical bone exposed to long term dehydration recovered tan δ such that there were no differences between rehydrated samples and fresh controls. Viscoelastic material properties most strongly reflect the mechanical contributions of collagen; therefore, one possible explanation could be that long term dehydration alters collagen organization, potentially through cross-linking.
Structure of restriction endonuclease bamhi phased at 1.95 A resolution by MAD analysis.

Abstract Background Type II restriction endonucleases recognize DNA sequences that vary between four to eight base pairs, and require only Mg 2+ as a cofactor to catalyze the hydrolysis of DNA. Their protein sequences display a surprising lack of similarity, and no recurring structural motif analogous to the helix-turn-helix or the zinc finger of transcription factors, has yet been discovered. Results We have determined the crystal structure of restriction endonuclease Bam HI at 1.95 a resolution. The structure was solved by combining phase information derived from multi-wavelength X-ray data by algebraic and maximum likelihood methods. The Bam HI subunit consists of a central β -sheet with α -helices on both sides. The dimer configuration reveals a large cleft which could accommodate B-form DNA. Mutants of the enzyme that are deficient in cleavage are located at or near the putative DNA-binding cleft. Bam HI and endonuclease Eco RI share a common core motif (CCM) consisting of five β -strands and two helices. It remains to be determined if other restriction enzymes also contain the CCM. Conclusions The structure of Bam HI provides the first clear evidence that there may be substantial structural homology amongst restriction enzymes, even though it is undetectable at the sequence level.
Energetics and structures of fluoro- and chlorofluorocarbons in zeolites: Force field development and Monte Carlo simulations

Canonical Monte Carlo simulations on the adsorption of a series of fluoro-, chlorofluoro-, and hydrofluorocarbons (CF4, CF3Cl, CF2Cl2, CFCl3, CHF3) in siliceous Y and NaY zeolites have been performed and are compared with available calorimetric data on the same host−guest systems. A new force field for fluorocarbon-type molecules in zeolites has been developed, and our (N,V,T) simulations predict adsorption heats with good accuracy. Further insights into the key features of host−guest interactions are gleaned from the relative contributions of the short-range and electrostatic interactions to the total adsorption heats and the analysis of host−guest pair functions. In siliceous Y, host−guest interactions are driven primarily by F···Ozeolite and Cl···Ozeolite van der Waals interactions, and H···Ozeolite hydrogen bonding in the case of hydrogen-containing fluorocarbons. When the fluorocarbon is adsorbed in a cation-containing zeolite, such as NaY, additional F···Nazeolite electrostatic interactions with Na ...
Fully Engaging Students in the Remote Sensing Process Through Field Experience

Field data collection is often crucial to the success of investigations based upon remotely sensed data. Students of environmental remote sensing typically learn about the discipline through classroom lectures, a textbook, and computer laboratory sessions focused on the interpretation and processing of aircraft and satellite data. The importance of field validation of the data and products derived from them is rarely demonstrated through a field experience. Exercises designed for two separate courses are described: one at the undergraduate level and one at the graduate level. Through the comparison of pre- and post-test results, it was concluded that efforts to engage students in remote sensing data collection significantly benefits their understanding of the physical basis of environmental remote sensing (radiation/Earth surface interaction).
ACP Journal Club. Annual mammography screening did not reduce long-term breast cancer mortality in women 40 to 59 years of age.

Source Citation Miller AB, Wall C, Baines CJ, et al. Twenty five year follow-up for breast cancer incidence and mortality of the Canadian National Breast Screening Study: randomised screening trial...
The aqueous geochemistry of the rare earth elements and yttrium. Part 7. REE, Th and U contents in thermal springs associated with the Idaho batholith

Abstract Concentrations of the rare earth elements (REE), Th and U have been determined in thermal waters emerging from a number of locations in and around the Idaho Batholith. Previous investigators have suggested that the source of heat for the geothermal systems studied is the radioactive decay of K, Th and U which are enriched in the rocks through which the fluids flow. Thus, knowledge of the behavior of REE, Th and U in these systems may contribute to a better understanding of the potential consequences of the interaction of hydrothermal fluids with deeply buried nuclear waste. Such studies may also lead to the possible use of REE as an exploration tool for geothermal resources. The thermal waters investigated may be characterized as near-neutral to slightly alkaline, dilute, NaHCO3-dominated waters with relatively low temperatures of last equilibration with their reservoir rocks ( 3.0 μg/l). Using experimentally measured and theoretically estimated thermodynamic data, the distribution of species for La, Ce and Nd have been calculated and also the solubility of pure, endmember (La, Ce, Nd) phosphate phases of the monazite structure in selected hot spring fluids. These calculations indicate that, at the emergence temperatures, CO2−3 and OH− complexes of the REE are the predominant species in the thermal waters, whereas at the deep-aquifer temperatures, OH complexes predominate. In these thermal waters, monazite solubility is strongly prograde with respect to temperature, with solubility often decreasing several orders of magnitude upon cooling from the deep-aquifer to the emergence temperature. At the surface temperature, calculated monazite solubilities are, within the uncertainty of the thermodynamic data, comparable to the REE concentrations measured in the filtered samples, whereas at the deep-aquifer temperature, monazite solubilities are generally several orders of magnitude higher than the REE concentrations measured in the filtered or unfiltered samples. Therefore, a tentative model is suggested in which the thermal fluids become saturated with respect to a monazite-like phase (or perhaps an amorphous or hydrated phosphate) upon ascent and cooling, followed by subsequent precipitation of that phase. The temporal variations in REE content can then be explained as a result of sampling variable mixtures of particulate matter and fluid and/or variable degrees of attainment of equilibrium between fluid and solid phosphate.
On the support varieties of tilting modules

Let G be a reductive algebraic group scheme defined over the finite field Fp, with Frobenius kernel G1. The tilting modules of G are defined as rational G-modules for which both the module itself and its dual have good filtrations. In 1997, J.E. Humphreys conjectured that the support varieties of certain tilting modules for regular weights should be given by the Lusztig bijection between cells of the affine Weyl group and nilpotent orbits of G, when p>h, where h is the Coxeter number. We present a conjecture for the support varieties of tilting modules when G=GLn. Our conjecture is equivalent to Humphreys’ conjecture for p≥h and regular weights, but our formulation allows us to consider small p or singular weights as well. We obtain results for several infinite classes of tilting modules, including the case p=2, and tilting modules whose support variety corresponds to a hook partition. In the case p=2, we prove the conjecture by S. Donkin for the support varieties of tilting modules.
Nitrogen Fixation in Wheat Provided by Klebsiella pneumoniae 342

In this report, all of the criteria necessary for the demonstration of nitrogen fixation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), the world's most important crop, are shown upon inoculation with a nitrogen-fixing bacterium, Klebsiella pneumoniae 342 (Kp342). Kp342 relieved nitrogen (N) deficiency symptoms and increased total N and N concentration in the plant. Nitrogen fixation was confirmed by 15N isotope dilution in the plant tissue and in a plant product, chlorophyll. All of these observations were in contrast to uninoculated plants, plants inoculated with a nitrogen-fixing mutant of Kp342, and plants inoculated with dead Kp342 cells. Nitrogenase reductase was produced by Kp342 in the intercellular space of the root cortex. Wild-type Kp342 and the nifH mutant colonized the interior of wheat roots in equal numbers on a fresh weight basis. The nitrogen fixation phenotype described here was specific to cv. Trenton. Inoculation of cvs. Russ or Stoa with Kp342 resulted in no relief of nitrogen deficiency symptoms.
Quasinormal modes of a black hole localized on a codimension-two brane of finite tension

We calculate the quasinormal modes of black holes localized on a 3-brane of finite tension embedded in six-dimensional flat spacetime. Using the WKB approximation, we obtain the frequencies of scalar and gravitational perturbations both analytically and numerically for arbitrary brane tension. We thus extend earlier analytical results which were derived for a brane of small tension.
SUCCESSFUL THERAPY OF ADVANCED ARTERIOSCLEROSIS OBLITERANS WITH PROSTACYCLIN

Abstract Five patients with advanced arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower extremities, as evidenced by resting pain, ischaemic ulcers, and focal necrosis, received intra-arterial infusions of prostacyclin at doses of 5-10 ng/kg/min for 72 h. Within 2 days of termination of the infusion, pain at rest had disappeared in all patients. In three of the five, the necrosis had completely regressed and the ischaemic ulcers healed within 2 months. The other two patients showed considerable improvement. Prostacyclin therapy was not associated with changes in the radiographic appearance of the major blood-vessels. However, muscle blood-flow, as measured by xenon-133 clearance, was significantly in- creased both during prostacyclin infusion and for the 6 weeks of measurement after its termination.
A calcium requirement for release of 3H-guanethidine by sympathetic nerve stimulation.

Cat colons were labelled with 3H-guanethidine by close intra-arterial injection. Two hr later the colons were removed and the vascular bed was perfused with Krebs solution containing 0, 2·5 or 5 mM calcium. The spontaneous efflux of 3H-guanethidine was not changed by alterations in the calcium concentration, but stimulation of the post-ganglionic sympathetic nerves failed to enhance the output of 3H-guanethidine unless calcium was present in the perfusion fluid. It is concluded that extracellular calcium is essential for release of 3H-guanethidine by sympathetic nerve stimulation and that the neural release of the inactive transmitter substitute is related to the pharmacological action of the drug.
Unlicensed broadcasting in the US: The official policy of the FCC

This article examines governmental response toward two US unlicensed radio stations: the Rev. Carl McIntire's Radio Free America, and Radio New York International. These are the only unlicensed stations to broadcast to the United States from ships located outside US territorial waters. Responses of the courts to these unlicensed stations indicates that the First Amendment guarantees the right of free speech but not the right to operate a broadcast station.
A traveling-wave resonant tunnel diode pulse generator

Traveling-wave resonant funnel diode (TWRTD) pulse generators comprising transmission lines periodically loaded by GaAs/AlAs resonant tunnel diodes (RTD's) are fabricated. The TWRTD pulse generators have convolved transition times of 3.5 ps when measured with an active probe. Using identical RTD's, TWRTD pulse generators can attain smaller transition times than those obtained with switching circuits employing a single RTD. >
Liquid-liquid equilibria for toluene + heptane + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium triiodide and toluene + heptane + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium triiodide

This study focuses on the use of an ionic liquid for extracting an aromatic hydrocarbon from a mixture of an aromatic and an aliphatic hydrocarbon. Liquid−liquid equilibrium data were collected for the toluene + heptane + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium triiodide system at 45 °C and for the toluene + heptane + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium triiodide system at 35 °C. The nonrandom two-liquid (NRTL) physical thermodynamic model was used to correlate the experimental data. The NRTL model was found to represent the data very well. The selectivity and capacity of the ionic liquids for extracting toluene from toluene + heptane solutions were evaluated. The separation factors were found to be above 50 for low toluene compositions and nearly unity for high toluene compositions.
Effects of Abdominal Trussing on Breathing and Speech in Men With Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Abdominal trussing constitutes an inward fixation of the abdominal wall. In the context of speech habilitation/rehabilitation, it is sometimes used to supplant, in part, the function of a paralyzed...
Probing the Biophysical Properties of Primary Breast Tumor-Derived Fibroblasts

As cancer progresses, cells must adapt to a new and stiffer environment, which can ultimately alter how normal cells within the tumor behave. In turn, these cells are known to further aid tumor progression. Therefore, there is potentially a unique avenue to better understand metastatic potential through single-cell biophysical assays performed on patient-derived cells. Here, we perform biophysical characterization of primary human fibroblastic cells obtained from mammary carcinoma and normal contralateral tissue. Through a series of tissue dissociation, differential centrifugation and trypsinization steps, we isolate an adherent fibroblastic population viable for biomechanical testing. 2D TFM and 3D migration measurements in a collagen matrix show that fibroblasts obtained from patient tumors generate more traction forces and display improved migration potential than their counterparts from normal tissue. Moreover, through the use of an embedded spheroid model, we confirmed the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling behavior of primary cells isolated from carcinoma. Overall, correlating biophysical characterization of normal- and carcinoma-derived samples from individual patient along with patient outcome may become a powerful approach to further our comprehension of metastasis and ultimately design drug targets on a patient-specific basis.
Gradualism and uncertainty in international union formation: The European Community’s first enlargement

This paper introduces a new theoretical framework of international unions qua coalitions of countries adopting a common policy and common supranational institutions. I make use of a three-country spatial bargaining game of coalition formation, in order to examine the endogenous strategic considerations in the creation and enlargement of international unions. Why would we observe a gradualist approach in the formation of the grand coalition even if the latter is assumed to be weakly efficient? I propose asymmetric information about the benefits of integration as a mechanism that can generate gradual union formation in equilibrium. As it turns out, it may well be in the ‘core’ countries’ interest to delay the accession of a third, ‘peripheral’ country in order to (1) stack the institutional make-up of the initial union in their favor and (2) signal their high resolve to wait out the expansion of their bilateral subunion. A related case from the European experience provides an interesting illustration.
Preparation and Standardization of U.S. Standard Pertussis Vaccine, Lot No. 11

The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has prepared a new U.S. Standard Pertussis Vaccine. Whole cell pertussis vaccine concentrate was diluted in 5% (w/v) lactose and lyophilized. The preparation was tested for toxicity, sterility, heterogeneity and residual moisture. Based on data from an international collaborative study involving 11 laboratories, the potency was estimated in relation to the U.S. Master Standard Pertussis Vaccine, Lot 4 and the International Standard for Pertussis Vaccine, Lot 2. The potency of the preparation was defined to be 90 units per ampoule. When reconstituted and stored according to instructions, no significant change in potency was observed in the 14 days following reconstitution. This material was shown to be suitable for a pertussis vaccine standard and accordingly it was designated as U.S. Standard Pertussis Vaccine, Lot 11 on March 22, 1994.
The implementation of clinician designed, human-centered electronic medical record viewer in the intensive care unit: a pilot step-wedge cluster randomized trial.

Abstract Objectives AWARE (Ambient Warning and Response Evaluation) is a novel electronic medical record (EMR) dashboard designed by clinicians to support bedside clinical information management in the ICU. AWARE sits on top of pre-existing, comprehensive EMR systems. The purpose of the study was to test the acceptance and impact of AWARE on data management in live clinical ICU settings. The primary outcome measure was observed efficiency of data utilization as determined by time spent in data gathering before morning rounds. Design Step wedge cluster randomization trial. Setting Four ICUs (surgical, medical, and mixed) at an academic referral center. Subjects All members of the critical care team participating in morning ICU rounds. Intervention Pilot implementation of a novel EMR interface with direct observation and survey. Measurements and main results The study took place between April and July 2012. A total of 80 and 63 direct observations were made in the pre- and post-implementation study periods respectively. The time spent on pre-round data gathering per patient decreased from 12 (10–15) to 9 (7.3–11) min for pre- and post-implementation phases respectively (p = 0.03). Compared to the existing EMR, information management (data presentation format, efficiency of data access) was reported to be better after AWARE implementation. AWARE made the task of gathering data for rounds significantly less difficult and mentally demanding. Conclusions The introduction of a novel, patient-centered EMR viewer for the ICU was associated with improved efficiency and ease of clinical data management compared to the standard EMR.
Antibiotic Use and Upper Respiratory Infections: A Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experience in Wisconsin and Minnesota☆

Background. Public attitudes and expectations contribute to inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and antibiotic resistance. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and experiences regarding antibiotic use for respiratory infection or illness. Methods. Random-digit-dialing telephone surveys of adults and parents of children <5 years old were conducted in Wisconsin and Minnesota during 1999. Results. The survey was completed by 405 adults and 275 parents of children <5 years old. The median age was 32 years for parents and 50 years for adults. Seven percent of parents and 17% of adults believed that antibiotics are never or almost never necessary for bronchitis. More than 70% in each group believed that antibiotics are needed for green or yellow nasal drainage, and nearly half of respondents believed that they knew whether an antibiotic was needed before seeing a physician. Exposure to multiple information sources on antibiotic resistance in the past 6 months was independently associated with a knowledge score greater than or equal to the median for nine questions. Conclusions. The general public has misconceptions regarding indications for antibiotic use, and this may contribute to inappropriate prescribing. Providing multiple and varied antibiotic-related informational messages may increase knowledge of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and decrease patient demand for antibiotics.
Increased tilt-cage activity after serotonin depletion by 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine.

Abstract Administration of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, 8 μg) into the medial forebrain bundle produced a 78% decrease in forebrain serotonin (5-HT) and a 2-fold increase in 24 hr tilt-cage activity. Intraventricular administration of 5.7-DHT (200 μg) resulted in a 4-fold increase in 24 hr activity and 5-HT depletions of 83%, 58% and 71% in forebrain, brainstem and spinal cord, respectively. The diurnal index of activity was identical for 5,7-DHT and control groups, suggesting preservation of the normal light-dark activity rhythm which contrasts with the disruption of this rhythm reported in p -chlorophenylalanine ( p -CPA)-induced hyperactivity. Furthermore, unlike rats with median raphe lesions, 5,7-DHT-treated-rats were hypoactive when tested in the open-field. Administration of p -CPA produced a dose-dependent increase in tilt-cage activity in normal rats, but had relatively little effect on activity in 5,7-DHT-treated-rats. It is concluded that different methods of 5-HT depletion can result in different effects on various behavioral measures, but that this does not appear to be the case for tilt-cage hyperactivity. That is, this effect occurs following electrolytic raphe lesions, p -CPA or 5,7-DHT. It is, therefore, suggested that this effect is not the result of non-specific damage but rather is due to subnormal 5-HT synaptic activity in the central nervous system.
A Comparison of Two Sampling Methods for Estimating Population Trends of Thrips and Mites on Potatoes

A new method for evaluating control of onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, and two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus telarius (L.) (= T. urticae (Koch) ), on potatoes was developed in 1962–63 at Yakima, Washington. The organisms were jarred from the foliage and collected on a counting board covered with a piece of coarse cotton filter cloth. For thrips, the efficiency of this method was compared with the brushing-machine method by counts taken from 60 field plots at 4, 7, and 14 days after treatment with pesticides and for mites at 7 and 14 days after treatment. For thrips, the counting-board method collected significantly more thrips than the brushing-machine method in 80% of the plots; for mites, the 2 methods were comparable. The counting-board method took 68% less time than the brushing-machine method.
Projections of GaAs solar-cell performance limits based on two-dimensional numerical simulation

The development of a comprehensive, two-dimensional numerical model for AlGaAs/GaAs solar cells is described. The model was used to identify loss mechanisms in present-day high-efficiency GaAs cells and to make realistic projections of attainable cell efficiencies. Numerical simulations show that achievable efficiencies of conventional heteroface cells made on high-quality GaAs films exceed 30% under 500 suns (AM1.5 direct spectrum). Both p-n and n-p cells are adversely affected by bandgap narrowing in p/sup +/ GaAs. For n-p cells, the use of heterojunction back-surface fields is advantageous and results in an increase of about 1.5% in efficiency. When the Shockley-Read-Hall lifetime parameters are set to infinity, the efficiency increases by only another 0.7%, which demonstrates that bulk material quality is not the major limiting factor in present-day cells. These efficiency projections, which are based on detailed device simulation and realistic material parameters, are only a few percentage points below the thermodynamic limit for GaAs cells. >
Leveraging HCI in teaching mobile, "anytime and everywhere" IT

Within our IT program, we have been working on constructive ways to teach HCI for the past five years; so, when the mobile revolution caught fire, we already had been working on better ways to incorporate HCI-related learning outcomes in our curricula. In the course of this activity, we have identified leverage points to meaningfully teach the important HCI concepts and skills listed below. These points provide a means for those interested in effective IT administration, accreditation and teaching to manage the increasing importance, complexity, and methodological diffusion of HCI in the mobile environment. This paper compiles and assesses the top seven of these leverage points. HCI topics required in the curriculum include: Human Factors HCI Aspects of Application Domains Human-Centered Evaluation Developing Effective Interfaces Accessibility Emerging Technologies Human-Centered Computing
Carbon dioxide and climate: Comparison of one- and three-dimensional models

Abstract Calculations indicate that there may be a potential climatic problem due to the release of CO 2 from burning fossil fuels. However there is insufficient scientific evidence to predict the impact because the available models are not well enough understood and do not take into account many feedback mechanisms. Therefore, we have calculated atmospheric temperature changes versus latitude with the simpler Manabe-Wetherald radiative-convective model and compared it to the results of their general circulation model. In addition, we have determined the changes in several physical quantities, such as cloud abundance and surface albedo, required to compensate the temperature rise related to increased CO 2 concentrations.
THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND THE PROFESSIONS: A QUARTER CENTURY OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND SOME NEW CHALLENGES

Over the past 25 years, the Federal Trade Commission has consistently challenged price and nonprice horizontal restraints in the professions. Beginning with its case against the American Medical Association and extending through the Cal Dental proceeding, the FTC has significantly extended the reach of competition policy, transformed the way that professional services are supplied, and conferred sweeping benefits to consumers. After reviewing the major actions of the FTC, this paper (presented at the FTC's 25th Anniversary Symposium) focuses on the economics of the professions-the case for intervention, the case made by the professions in response to FTC challenges, and the new considerations raised by the Supreme Court in its Cal Dental ruling. We conclude that the major economic issues are now settled: There are no good reasons, either from a theoretical or an empirical vantage point, for concern about the effects of competition in the professions. To the contrary, the evidence supports the conclusion that competition yields major benefits to consumers in the form of lower prices, without adverse effects on quality. The concerns articulated by the Supreme Court are not supported by current economic understanding.
A Multi-task Feature Selection Filter for Microarray Classification

A major challenge in microarray classification and biomarker discovery is dealing with small-sample high-dimensional data where the number of genes used as features is typically orders of magnitude larger than the number of labeled microarrays. One way to address this challenge is by leveraging information from the publicly accessible repositories of microarray data. Following this idea, a multi-task feature selection filter is proposed that borrows strength from the auxiliary microarray classification data sets. The filter uses Kruskal-Wallis test on auxiliary data sets and ranks genes based on their aggregated p-values. Expressions of the top-ranked genes are used as features to build a classifier on the target data set. The proposed approach was evaluated on 9 microarray data sets related to 9 different types of cancers. Comparison of the classification accuracies reveals that the multi-task feature selection is superior to single-task feature selection. Furthermore, the results strongly suggest that multi-task algorithms could improve microarray classification by exploiting auxiliary data during feature selection and learning.
A generalized physiologically-based toxicokinetic modeling system for chemical mixtures containing metals

Humans are routinely and concurrently exposed to multiple toxic chemicals, including various metals and organics, often at levels that can cause adverse and potentially synergistic effects. However, toxicokinetic modeling studies of exposures to these chemicals are typically performed on a single chemical basis. Furthermore, the attributes of available models for individual chemicals are commonly estimated specifically for the compound studied. As a result, the available models usually have parameters and even structures that are not consistent or compatible across the range of chemicals of concern. This fact precludes the systematic consideration of synergistic effects, and may also lead to inconsistencies in calculations of co-occurring exposures and corresponding risks. There is a need, therefore, for a consistent modeling framework that would allow the systematic study of cumulative risks from complex mixtures of contaminants. A Generalized Toxicokinetic Modeling system for Mixtures (GTMM) was developed and evaluated with case studies. The GTMM is physiologically-based and uses a consistent, chemical-independent physiological description for integrating widely varying toxicokinetic models. It is modular and can be directly "mapped" to individual toxicokinetic models, while maintaining physiological consistency across different chemicals. Interaction effects of complex mixtures can be directly incorporated into the GTMM. The application of GTMM to different individual metals and metal compounds showed that it explains available observational data as well as replicates the results from models that have been optimized for individual chemicals. The GTMM also made it feasible to model toxicokinetics of complex, interacting mixtures of multiple metals and nonmetals in humans, based on available literature information. The GTMM provides a central component in the development of a "source-to-dose-to-effect" framework for modeling population health risks from environmental contaminants. As new data become available on interactions of multiple chemicals, the GTMM can be iteratively parameterized to improve mechanistic understanding of human health risks from exposures to complex mixtures of chemicals.
Enhanced reliability-aware power management through shared recovery technique

While Dynamic Voltage Scaling (DVS) remains as a popular energy management technique for real-time embedded applications, recent research has identified significant and negative impact of voltage scaling on system reliability. For this reason, a number of reliability-aware power management (RA-PM) schemes were recently proposed to preserve the system reliability when DVS is used. In this paper, we propose a new approach, called the shared recovery (SHR) technique, to minimize the system-level energy consumption while still preserving the system's original reliability. The main idea of the SHR technique is to avoid the offline allocation of separate recovery tasks to the scaled tasks by assigning a global/shared recovery block that can be used by any task at run-time. Our simulation results show that, compared to the existing RA-PM schemes, our scheme can achieve up to 35% energy savings. Further, this performance is shown to be comparable to the maximum energy savings that can be achieved by any algorithm. Interestingly, our extensive evaluation indicates that SHR offers also non-trivial gains over the previous algorithms on the reliability side. Further, a dynamic extension is proposed to improve energy and reliability management at run-time by reducing the size of the recovery block and re-using the slack that arises from early completions.
Decisional balance for immoderate drinking in college students.

Immoderate drinking in college is common and is associated with significant negative sequelae. In this study, measures of Decisional Balance for Immoderate Drinking were developed. This construct is proposed to represent the basic decision-making process that is used by students when deciding whether to drink at immoderate levels or not. Furthermore this construct is embedded in a larger model of behavior change, the Transtheoretical Model of Change, which has been shown to be effective in understanding many health-related behaviors across a wide variety of populations. A total of 629 college students were administered a 25-item decisional balance questionnaire in 1993–1994. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses suggested two different solutions, a two-factor solution and a three-factor solution, but did not provide clear evidence for the psychometric superiority of one over the other. The three-factor solution was chosen as it was seen as an elaboration of the two-factor solution, and validity evidence f...
Irregular LDPC codes as concatenation regular LDPC codes

In this letter, the construction of irregular LDPC codes obtained by concatenating regular ones is considered. These codes are analyzed for the binary symmetric channel (BSC). It is shown via proper distribution evolution that such concatenated codes have in general a threshold value weaker (but not necessarily much different) than their unconstrained counterparts for the BSC. On the other hand, they can offer advantages in term of convergence and error performance for lengths of practical interest and long enough to validate the degree distribution selection.
How effective are screening tests for microalbuminuria in random urine specimens

The effectiveness of four urine screening tests-microalbumin (MAlb), total protein (TProt), total protein/creatinine ratio (TProt/Cr R), and dipstick (DPalb) test for albumin-were evaluated for the detection of MAlb in random urine specimens. The following criteria were used to assess the effectiveness of each urine screening test: 100% specificity (no false positive results); cost effectiveness; rapidity and ease of performing the screening test; and increased laboratory efficiency. A "gold standard" for presence of MAlb in random urine samples was defined as a microalbumin/creatinine ratio (MAlb/Cr R) of > or = 30 mg/g. The least costly urine screening test was the DPalb, which, if assigned a value of 1.0, allowed a cost ranking order for the screening tests-DPalb (1.0) or = 15% for overt nephropathy. The TProt/Cr R ratio would only be effective in populations with prevalence rates of > or = 30%. Of the four urine screening tests, only DPalb would significantly streamline the process of measuring urine MAlb. The dipstick test is inexpensive, easy and rapid to perform, does not delay measuring the ratio, since there is no wait for the screening test result, and can be used by referring laboratories to screen urine specimens before they are submitted to a central laboratory, thereby reducing laboratory workload.
Description of the Preimaginal stages of Derallus angustus sharp, 1882 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae, Berosinae)

The third instar larva, pupa, egg case and eggs of Derallus angustus are described and illustrated with line drawings. Biological and behavioral observations, based on material reared in laboratory, are included. The larvae of D. angustus and D. rudis are compared. The immatures of Derallus and Berosus are also compared from a morphological and biological point of view.
Brief antecedent ischemia attenuates platelet-mediated thrombosis in damaged and stenotic canine coronary arteries: role of adenosine

Background—Recent studies suggest that patients with angina before myocardial infarction exhibit improved recovery of coronary perfusion after thrombolysis by an as-yet-unknown mechanism. We therefore proposed that brief antecedent ischemia/reperfusion may, via release of adenosine, improve vessel patency in damaged and stenotic coronary arteries. Methods and Results—Anesthetized dogs underwent coronary injury+stenosis, resulting in repeated cyclic variations in coronary blood flow (CFVs) caused by the formation/dislodgment of platelet-rich thrombi. Vessel patency was assessed for 3 hours after stenosis by quantification of the nadir of the CFVs, duration of total thrombotic occlusion (flow=0), and area of the flow-time profile (expressed as percent of baseline flow×180 minutes). In protocol 1, dogs received 10 minutes of coronary occlusion+10 minutes of reflow or a comparable 20-minute control period before injury+stenosis. The median nadir of the CFVs was higher (4.0 versus 0.3 mL/min), median zero flow...