cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What's so transparent about transparency?

Representationalists often use intuitions about the transparency ofexperience to defend their view that qualitative content isrepresentational content. According to these intuitions, wecannot attend to our experience except by attending to theobject of that experience. Although the transparency intuitionappears to be widely shared, even among non-representationalists,in this paper I suggest that there are two ambiguities inherent indiscussions of transparency. One concerns the strength of thetransparency intuition, while the other concerns its scope. Oncewe bring these two ambiguities to the surface, we can see that therepresentationalists’ claim that experience is transparent turnsout to be considerably more controversial than ordinarily supposed.While the phenomenological data may support some kind of experientialtransparency, I argue that it does not support the kind of transparencyneeded for representationalism.
The use of caronamide in pediatrics.

Twenty-one infants and children received combined intramuscular penicillin and oral caronamide therapy for periods ranging up to 8 weeks. Marked increases in the maximal and minimal serum penicillin levels were regularly obtained when caronamide was given in a daily dosage of from 0.4 to 0.8 gm./kg. body weight. No relation was observed between the height of serum caronamide levels and serum penicillin levels. Caronamide was found to inhibit reversibly the tubular excretion of phenol red. No serious toxic effects of the drug were observed. Several successfully treated patients are described briefly, and a suggestion is made as to the type of pediatric case in which the use of caronamide is indicated.
A modified lead-user approach for new product development: an illustration from the US of a marketing research tool for the forest industry

AbstractInnovation is critical for firm success, including forest sector firms. However, historically forest sector firms have focused on process over product innovations. Additionally, research shows that forest sector firms often fail to have a structured new product development (NPD) process. The purpose of this work is to illustrate use of the lead-user method to identify user-lead ideas for innovation within the wood-window value chain, thereby demonstrating the potential of a modified lead-user approach as a NPD tool for the forest industry. Personal interviews with 22 individuals were conducted with sales agents, installation experts, homebuilders, and architects. Findings outline opportunities for the introduction of new products/services, thereby demonstrating the value of relying on lead-users for identifying potential products. This study also highlights the challenges associated with the lead-user methodology, including the varying definitions of a lead-user and the subjective nature of catego...
Introduction to the toxins special issue on plant toxins.

Plants express a variety of toxic proteins which are thought to have a role in defense against pathogens and insects. [...]
The Mediator Role in Social Work Practice

The frameworks and skills of a mediator are indigenous to social workers. Mediation's purpose and place in human problem solving are inherent in the definition of social work practice. Decisions about assuming the mediator role with clients require that social workers weigh desired outcomes and constraints of the role. Helping client systems assume power and efficacy to negotiate problem resolution is a needed empowerment-oriented strategy in social work practice. Teaching client systems to negotiate and mediate for themselves may result in mutually agreeable solutions and growth and attitude change on the part of the client.
Synthesis of 2-alk-1′-enyloxy-ethanols

Abstract Naturally occurring alk-1-enyl ethers of ethanediol, i.e., 2-octadec-1′-enyloxy-ethanol, 2-hexadec-1′-enyloxy-ethanol, and 2-tetradec-1′-enyloxy-ethanol, were prepared via alk-1-en-1-yl acetates, 2-bromo-1,1-dimethoxy-alkanes and 2-(1′-bromoalkyl)-1,3-dioxolanes. The cis and trans alk-1-enyl ethers formed in the debromination of the 2-(1′-bromoalkyl)-1,3-dioxolanes were each isolated by argentation chromatography.
Gradient-based estimators for one- and two-dimensional speckle motion

Demonstrated herein is the performance of gradient-based estimators for assessing small motions in speckle patterns. Such estimators are important in a variety of speckle techniques used in non-destructive evaluation. These speckle patterns can be two-dimensional (one spatial dimension and one temporal dimension) as obtained in objective speckle techniques or three-dimensional (two spatial dimensions and one temporal dimension) as typically seen in subjective (imaged) speckle methods. Both theoretical and experimental performance estimates are presented. Through a series of numerical simulations, performance (velocity bias and RMS variation) is characterized in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio. This SNR parameter is a convenient surrogate for the decorrelation of sequential speckle patterns such as those observed in biological tissues. Experimental evaluations are performed on an optically rough metal coupon. We demonstrate that under easily met experimental conditions, estimates of speckle motions on the order of one tenth of a pixel can be obtained reliably.
Apoptosis may determine the release of skeletal alkaline phosphatase activity from human osteoblast-line cells.

Although quantitative measurement of skeletal alkaline phosphatase (sALP) activity in serum can provide an index of the rate of bone formation, the metabolic process that determines the release of sALP - from the surface of osteoblasts, into circulation—is unknown. The current studies were intended to examine the hypothesis that the release of sALP from human osteoblasts is a consequence of apoptotic cell death. We measured the release of sALP activity from human osteosarcoma (SaOS-2) cells and normal human bone cells, under basal conditions and in response to agents that increased apoptosis (TNF-α, okadiac acid) and agents that inhibit apoptosis (IGF-I, calpain, and caspase inhibitors). Apoptosis was determined by the presence of nucleosomes (histone-associated DNA) in the cytoplasm of the cells by using a commercial kit. The results of these studies showed that TNF-α and okadiac acid caused dose-and time-dependent increases in apoptosis in the SaOS-2 cells (r=0.78 for doses of TNF-α and r=0.93 for doses of okadiac acid,P<0.005 for each), with associated decreases in cell layer protein (P<0.05 for each) and concomitant increases in the release of sALP activity (e.g., r=0.89 for TNF-α and r=0.75 for okadiac acid,P<0.001 for each). In contrast, caspase and calpain inhibitors reduced apoptosis, increased cell layer protein, and decreased the release of sALP activity (P<0.05 for each). Exposure to IGF-I also decreased apoptosis, in a time- and dose-dependent manner (e.g., r=0.93,P<0.001 for IGF-I doses), with associated proportional effects to increase cell layer protein (P<0.001) and decrease the relase of sALP activity (P<0.001). IGF-I also inhibited the actions of TNF-α and okadiac acid to increase apoptosis and sALP release. The associations between apoptosis and sALP release were not unique to osteosarcoma (i.e., SaOS-2) cells, but also seen with osteoblast-line cells derived from normal human bone. Together, these data demonstrate that the release of sALP activity from human osteoblast-line cellsin vitro is associated with, and may be a consequence of, apoptotic cell death. These findings are consistent with the general hypothesis that the appearance of sALP activity in serum may reflect the turnover of osteoblast-line cells.
Increasing penetration of Distributed Generation with meshed operation of distribution systems

Electric distribution systems are traditionally operated in a radial manner. In order to accommodate the increasing penetration levels of Distributed Generation (DG), meshed operation of distribution systems is investigated in this paper. Different limiting factors for increasing penetration levels of DGs are discussed; then, a methodology that determines maximum DG penetration level based on bus voltage and line current constraints is described. Alternative meshed operation of distribution systems, viewed as a more long-term systematic solution to increase maximum allowable DG penetration, can then be evaluated using the described metrics. Results for a 69 bus test case are presented for the radial system as well as for select meshed configurations. The obtained results verify the ability of meshed networks to accommodate proliferation of DGs.
Image sequence segmentation using curve evolution and improved background subtraction

In this paper, we describe a novel approach to image sequence segmentation. In this approach, the presence of moving objects is first detected through background subtraction, i.e., the difference between the current frame and a dynamically updated background. Then, moving objects are extracted from the background subtraction image. Experimental results on surveillance image sequences demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed approach and its improvements over previous background subtraction techniques.
The effect of intermediate thermomechanical treatments on the fatigue properties of a 7050 aluminum alloy

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of microstructures produced by different ingot processing techniques on the fatigue properties of a 7050 aluminum alloy. The different microstructures investigated were produced by hot-rolling to simulate commercial processing (CP) methods or intermediate thermomechanical treatments (ITMT). Characterization of the microstructures revealed that the CP 7050 material was partially recrystallized (<50 pct) due to the use of hot-rolling as the final deformation step. The ITMT materials were examined in the as-recrystallized (AR) condition or in AR + hot rolled condition (AR + HR). Results of the investigation showed thattotal fatigue life, both low and high cycle, were not greatly affected by the grain structures of the experimental materials. However, metallographic studies indicated that crack initiation is probably more difficult in the fine-grained AR material. The results of fatigue crack growth tests showed that higher crack growth rates observed at low ΔK values for ITMT {dy7050} were most likely due to the detrimental effects of undissolved Al2CuMg particles. These particles, which also contribute to low fracture toughness and higher crack growth rates at high ΔK levels, are formed during a furnace-cooling step in the ITMT processing schedule.
Darstellung und Eigenschaften von 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-dihydropyridin

Abstract The reductive silylation of pyridine with alkali metals and trimethylchlorosilane to 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine (I) is described. It is assumed that the reaction mechanism involves anion radical intermediates. Starting from (I) 4-(trimethylsilyl)pyridine, 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)piperidine and 4-(trimethylsilyl)piperidine can be easily prepared.
Patient-oriented gene set analysis for cancer mutation data

Recent research has revealed complex heterogeneous genomic landscapes in human cancers. However, mutations tend to occur within a core group of pathways and biological processes that can be grouped into gene sets. To better understand the significance of these pathways, we have developed an approach that initially scores each gene set at the patient rather than the gene level. In mutation analysis, these patient-oriented methods are more transparent, interpretable, and statistically powerful than traditional gene-oriented methods.
Quantitative direct-current arc analysis of random compositions of microgram residues in silver chloride common matrix

Abstract A spectrochemical procedure is described for quantitatively determining random combinations of 20 programmed elements. The programmed elements are Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Hf, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pd, Re, Si, Ta, Ti, Th, U, V, W, Y and Zr. The response of a direct-reading spectrometer is calibrated for absolute amounts of each of these elements alone over the range from 0.01 to 10 μg. Absolute amounts of elements in the sample are determined from these calibration curves, with correction made for background and spectral line interferences. Percentage compositions are calculated from the absolute amounts of analyte elements determined. The analytical samples are dissolved and microliter amounts of the solutions are deposited onto carbon electrodes. The carbon electrodes are specially prepared to contain 4 mg of AgCl in the carbon matrix. The silver chloride serves as a buffer material and also as a common matrix. The electrodes are arced in argon, which results in the vaporization and excitation of the metal constituents in the residue. With a minimum AgCl-to-sample weight ratio of 400, no matrix effects attributable to excitation suppressions or enhancements were found. Analysis of some alloy standards with and without use of a comparison standard are reported as examples of results attainable by the procedure. With automation of sample arcings and data reduction, the analysis time is about four minutes per sample, including preparation of electrodes through data recording, but not including sample dissolution.
Piece-wise linear dynamic systems with one-way clutches

One-way clutches and clutch bearings are being used in a wide variety of dynamic systems. Motivated by their recent use as ratchets in piezoelectric actuators and decoupling devices in serpentine belt drives, a method of analysis of systems containing one-way clutches is presented. Two simple systems are analyzed. The goal of the first is the power transmission which would be of concern in an actuator. The goal of the second is decoupling large inertia elements to reduce loads in an oscillating system, the objective of the clutch in a serpentine belt drive. Results show how system parameters can be tuned to meet the desired performance of these piece-wise linear systems.
Matrix metalloproteinases in a gerbil cholesteatoma model.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine whether expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) occurs in a gerbil cholesteatoma model, which may be involved early in the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma.STUDY DESIGN: Atelectasis was induced by transpalatal, bilateral Eustachian tube obstruction on gerbil ears (n = 60). Tympanic membranes were removed at days 0, 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 84, and quantitative analysis of TNF-α and MMPs was performed.RESULTS: Atelectasis and middle ear inflammation increased with time. TNF-α and MMP levels increased (P < 0.0083) with time, inflammation, and atelectatic stage with some variability seen between different MMPs.CONCLUSION: Elevation of TNF-α and MMPs associated with progressive tympanic membrane atelectasis suggests a possible role for these inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003;129:402–7.)
Studies of thermosonic bonding for flip-chip assembly

Thermosonic flip-chip bonding is a new solderless technology for area-array connections. Its simple, clean and dry process may significantly reduce the assembly cost for chip-on-glass connections for displays, quick prototyping of MCMs, bonding for optoelectronic modules, and low-cost flip-chip packages. The feasibility of the technology has been demonstrated by our study of 64-I/O GaAs-on-silicon test vehicles. However, further studies are needed to develop a high-yield assembly process. To assist the development, we have reviewed different theories for the critical acoustic softening effect, and developed models for ultrasonic wave propagation and thermocompression bonding. The results of the review and the model developments are reported.
A stochastic recovery model of influenza pandemic effects on interdependent workforce systems

Outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as pandemics, can result in adverse consequences and major economic losses across various economic sectors. Based on findings from the 2009 A H1N1 pandemic in the National Capital Region (NCR), this paper presents a recovery analysis for workforce disruptions using economic input–output modeling. The model formulation takes into consideration the dynamic interdependencies across sectors in an economic system in addition to the inherent characteristics of the economic sectors. From a macroeconomic perspective, the risk of the influenza disaster can be modeled using two risk metrics. First, there is the level of inoperability, which represents the percentage difference between the ideal production level and the degraded production level. Second, the economic loss metric represents the financial value associated with the reduced output. The contribution of this work revolves around the modeling of uncertainties triggered by new perturbations to interdependent economic sectors within an influenza pandemic timeline. We model the level of inoperability of economic sectors throughout their recovery horizon from the initial outbreak of the disaster using a dynamic model. Moreover, we use the level of inoperability values to quantify the cumulative economic losses incurred by the sectors within the recovery horizon. Finally, we revisit the 2009 NCR pandemic scenario to demonstrate the use of uncertainty analysis in modeling the inoperability and economic loss behaviors due to time-varying perturbations and their associated ripple effects to interdependent economic sectors.
Childhood and modern Arabic literature: the initiation story

(2001). Childhood and modern Arabic literature: the initiation story. Arabic & Middle Eastern Literature: Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 167-178.
Chemical and morphological differences in the kidney zones of the elasmobranch, Raja erinacea mitch.

Abstract 1. 1. The histological investigation of the kidney of the skate Raja erinacea revealed a thin cap of dorsal bundles, which contain segments of single nephrons that are arranged separately in a countercurrent manner, and a large ventral zone, where the second proximal segments (PII) and parts of the lower nephron are located. 2. 2. This zonation is apparent in fresh, unfixed material and makes it possible to separate small tissue samples under a dissecting microscope. 3. 3. The osmolality in both zones does not differ. 4. 4. The dorsal bundle zone had a lower urea concentration and a higher sodium concentration than the ventral zone. The differences in the mean concentrations of the tissue samples indicate a gradient for the two substances along the bundles. 5. 5. Determinations of amounts of water and solutes per mg solute-free, dry tissue of the two zones, showed that the amounts of water, total osmolytes, Na and K were greater in the bundle zone than in the ventral zone, while the amount of urea was identical in the two zones. 6. 6. This indicates that the lower urea concentration in the bundle zone is established through an accumulation of Na and water in the interstitium. 7. 7. The countercurrent arrangement of very early and late segments of single renal tubules supports the concept of passive reabsorption of urea in the kidney of the marine elasmobranch.
Omentum patch substitute for facilitating endoscopic repair of GI perforations: an early laparoscopic pilot study with a foam matrix plug (with video).

Background Endoscopic perforations are surgically repaired by using an omentum patch. Omentum substitutes may have broader applications particularly in certain sites (eg, esophagus). Objective Evaluate a self-expandable foam matrix plug as a synthetic omentum substitute for repairing iatrogenic gastric perforations in a 4-week survival pig model. Design Experimental pilot study. Setting Laboratory. Intervention A laparoscopic plug repair of a 1-cm, full-thickness, gastric perforation was carried out by using either a polyurethane foam matrix plug (FMP, 8 animals) or an omentum plug (OP, 6 animals, control group). Main Outcome Measurements Follow-up endoscopy was carried out at 1 and 4 weeks. At necropsy, the perforation site was evaluated for adhesions and histology by using hematoxylin and eosin analysis. A portion of the implant was sent for bacterial and fungal culture. Results All procedures were technically simple and successful. Thirteen animals thrived well for 4 weeks. One animal from the FMP group died 3 days postoperatively from diffuse peritonitis because of a misplaced plug. All remaining FMPs were intact at 4 weeks and colonized with mixed bacteria, except one animal presenting with FMP migration after 1 week. Histologically, the FMP group had more prominent inflammation and suppuration as compared with the OP group, all limited to its adjacent tissue. Limitations Animal study. Conclusion The FMP offered a technically simple and feasible option for repairing iatrogenic gastric perforations. With effective sealing, the clinical outcome is similar to that of an omentum patch repair. Migration and inadequate sealing is a concern, which can lead to peritonitis and sepsis. Further development is needed to improve FMP performance.
Phytoplankton nutrient limitation in Colorado mountain lakes

SUMMARY. 1. Limiting nutrients for phytoplankton were studied experimentally in eight mountain lakes of central Colorado between May and November of 1984. 2. Five categories of phytoplankton limitation were identified: no limitation, N limitation, P limitation, concurrent limitation (stimulation only by simultaneous additions of N and P), and reciprocal limitation (stimulation by addition of either N or P). The phytoplankton communities of three lakes were primarily N-limited, one was primarily phosphorus-limited, and four showed primarily combined limitation (concurrent or reciprocal). Switching between categories of limitation was also observed within lakes. Nitrogen was the most frequently limiting nutrient; N, either alone or in combination with P, accounted for 79% of all observed instances of limitation. 3. Nine indices were tested for effectiveness in predicting phytoplankton limitation by N and P. The best indices for discriminating all limitations were ratios of dissolved inorganic N: total P (84% accuracy) and dissolved inorganic N:total dissolved P (80% accuracy). The effectiveness of these indices may be explained by the degree to which they represent N and P fractions actually available to the phytoplankton.
Discovery of Diphenylmethanepropionic and Dihydrostilbeneacetic Acids as Antagonists of the Integrin αvβ3

A peptidomimetic inhibitor of the integrin αvβ3 has been substantially modified to produce several new nonpeptidic antagonists. These inhibitors are simpler to synthesize and belong to new classes of scaffolds. Some of the compounds served as the initial lead for further optimization, which led to the discovery of potent and selective inhibitors of the integrin αvβ3.
The determination of pesticidal and non-pesticidal organotin compounds in water matrices by in situ ethylation and gas chromatography with pulsed flame photometric detection

Abstract The concurrent determination of pesticidal and non-pesticidal organotin compounds in several water matrices, using a simultaneous in situ ethylation and liquid–liquid extraction followed by splitless injection mode capillary gas chromatography with pulsed flame photometric detection, is described. The speciation analysis of nine organotin compounds includes low molecular weight–low boiling (non-pesticidal) and high molecular weight–high boiling analytes (pesticidal) of significant environmental interest. The minimum time for sodium tetraethylborate alkylation, using mechanical agitation, is determined to be 15 min in order to ensure the complete derivatization of the entire list of analytes. The utilization of a “hot needle” and a rapid injection rate is shown to be an efficacious means to eliminate “mass” or “needle” discrimination when determining the mixture of organotin compounds. Method detection limits are calculated to be in the low ng L− 1 range. The final method is applied to various water samples; storm water from the Cincinnati area demonstrated low native levels of three of the organotin compounds.
Student perceptions of effective instruction and the development of critical thinking: a replication and extension

This study utilized data from the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education to test the robustness of research conducted by Pascarella et al. (J Coll Stud Dev 37:7–19, 1996) that explored the relationship between student perceptions of exposure to organized and clear instruction and growth in critical thinking skills among college freshmen. To accomplish this, we created fully-specified models that included statistical controls for an array of potential confounding influences such as, student race, sex, pre-college critical thinking ability, pre-college tested academic ability, parental educational degree attainment, pre-college academic motivation, and a measure of interaction with high school teachers. Net of these influences, our findings generally replicate those uncovered by Pascarella et al. (J Coll Stud Dev 37:7–19, 1996) which suggest that student perceptions of organized instruction are positively associated with gains in critical thinking. Perceptions of instructional clarity, however, failed to exert a statistically significant influence on the dependent variable. Lastly, the results of our analyses suggest the effect of student perceptions of organized instruction on critical thinking affects students similarly, regardless of tested academic preparation (ACT or equivalent score), sex, or pre-college critical thinking levels.
The dermatologist in the newborn nursery: Approach to the neonate with blisters, pustules, erosions, and ulcerations

Abstract More than 30 conditions may result in blistering, pustules, erosions, or ulcerations in the newborn. Some of these, such as erythema toxicum neonatorum, pustular melanosis, and miliaria, are very common, innocuous, and self-limited. Others, such as herpes simplex infection, are life-threatening and require immediate intervention. Still others, such as epidermolysis bullosa or epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, herald a life-long chronic illness. The wide array of potential causes of these findings makes a systematic approach to differential diagnosis imperative. A careful prenatal and perinatal history, as well as a history and complete physical examination of the infant, is the basis for further evaluation. The differential diagnosis can be divided into infectious causes, transient skin lesions, most of which are common, and uncommon and rare causes. The possibility of an infectious cause should always be considered first, because most neonatal infections are treatable, and many, if left untreated, can be fatal. The differential diagnosis may also be narrowed by the specific clinical morphology. In some conditions, vesiculopustular lesions predominate; in others, blistering predominates. In yet other conditions, erosions and/or ulcerations predominate. Laboratory tests, including Tzanck and potassium hydroxide (KOH preparations, and Gram stain and Wright's stain of lesional skin, are often helpful. Bacterial, viral, or bacterial cultures from multiple sites including the skin should be performed when infection is a possible cause. Skin biopsy may be necessary, particularly if the diagnosis is not apparent from direct smears or from the clinical morphology. The many causes of blisters, pustules, erosions, and ulcerations are discussed. Emphasis is placed on their incidence in the newborn period, key points of the history and physical examination, confirmatory laboratory tests, and approaches to management.
High density lipoproteins stimulate placental lactogen release and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production in human trophoblast cells: evidence for cAMP as a second messenger in human placental lactogen release.

Recent studies from our laboratory indicate that high density lipoproteins (HDL) and apolipoproteins-AI, -All, and -CI stimulate the release of human placental lactogen (hPL) from human placental explants and trophoblast cells. However, the intracellular mechanisms by which HDL stimulate hPL release are unknown. Since earlier investigations from our laboratory indicated that pharmacological agents that increase intracellular cAMP levels [such as (Bu)2cAMP, isobutylmethylxanthine, and cholera toxin] also stimulate hPL release, we have performed studies to determine whether the stimulation of hPL release by HDL may be mediated by cAMP. Exposure of an enriched fraction of enzymatically dispersed hPL-producing cells to HDL (10–1500 μg/ml) for 0.5 h resulted in a significant dose-dependent stimulation of both cAMP production and hPL release. The half-maximal effective HDL dose for cAMP production and hPL release was 60–100 μg/ml. When perifused trophoblast cells were exposed to HDL (150 μg/ml) for 25 min, the ...
Re‐examining the future of resource sharing

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide an update on matters pertinent to ILDS readers.Design/methodology/approach – This article provides a discursive discussion on the future of resource sharing.Findings – The future of resource sharing is a topic of at least three separate discussions in Australia and the USA. The business, technological, and organizational environments are changing. National libraries, bibliographic utilities, and informal groups of individuals are exploring the implications of these trends on resource sharing. This column identifies common trends and speculates on the future of resource sharing.Originality/value – This article provides insights into matters of importance to ILDS readers from an experienced figure in the US interlending and document supply scene.
Construction and characterization of rhesus monkey rotavirus (MMU18006)- or bovine rotavirus (UK)-based serotype G5, G8, G9 or G10 single VP7 gene substitution reassortant candidate vaccines

Group A rotaviruses are the single most important etiologic agents of severe diarrhea of infants and young children worldwide and have been estimated to be responsible for approximately 650,000-800,000 deaths annually in children <5-year-old in the developing countries. Thus, the development of a safe and effective rotavirus vaccine has been a global public health goal. Epidemiologic surveillance of rotavirus VP7 (G) serotypes-genotypes conducted in various populations throughout the world has repeatedly shown that approximately 90% of the typeable rotavirus isolates belong to G1-G4. For these reasons, we have developed a rhesus rotavirus (RRV)-based or bovine rotavirus (UK)-based quadrivalent vaccine which is designed to provide antigenic coverage for G1-G4. More recently, G serotypes-genotypes other than G1-G4, including G5, G8-G10, have been detected in various parts of the world. Although the occurrence of such uncommon G types, except for G9, has been focal, still, in order to "be ready and prepared", we have constructed and characterized eight additional reassortant rotavirus vaccines, each of which bears a single human or bovine VP7 gene encoding G serotype 5, 8, 9 or 10 specificity and the remaining 10 genes of RRV strain MMU18006 or bovine rotavirus strain UK. These candidate vaccines could be evaluated singly in special populations or in combination with a RRV- or an UK-based quadrivalent vaccine to broaden its G serotype specificity.
Effect of material and design parameters on the life and operating voltage of a ZnO varistor

A varistor’s life has been defined as the time required to reach a limiting power density at which the power generated exceeds the power dissipated. Based on this concept, a working model for predicting the life of a ZnO varistor has been developed in terms of several critical material and design parameters. The model provides a direction as to whether these parameters should be maximized or minimized in order to enhance a varistor’s life. Alternately, given a predetermined amount of the varistor’s life, the model predicts a safe operating voltage under a given set of conditions.
Astrophysics: Magnetic bubble wrap

The orientation of the magnetic field wrapped around a galaxy cluster has been measured for the first time, through a previously unexplored combination of traditional astronomy and computer simulations.
Radicals in Berkeley

In a previous autobiographical sketch for DNA Repair (Linn, S. (2012) Life in the serendipitous lane: excitement and gratification in studying DNA repair. DNA Repair 11, 595–605), I wrote about my involvement in research on mechanisms of DNA repair. In this Reflections, I look back at how I became interested in free radical chemistry and biology and outline some of our bizarre (at the time) observations. Of course, these studies could never have succeeded without the exceptional aid of my mentors: my teachers; the undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and senior lab visitors in my laboratory; and my faculty and staff colleagues here at Berkeley. I am so indebted to each and every one of these individuals for their efforts to overcome my ignorance and set me on the straight and narrow path to success in research. I regret that I cannot mention and thank each of these mentors individually.
An anatomical study of tibial metaphyseal/diaphyseal mismatch during revision total knee arthroplasty.

This cadaveric study determines the relationship of the tibial metaphysis and intramedullary canal of the tibia (diaphysis), particularly relating to revision knee arthroplasty. A total knee arthroplasty was performed in 20 cadaveric tibiae using revision instrumentation with a canal-filling uncemented stem. The offset, which is the distance between the center of the tibial canal and the center of the tibial metaphysis, was measured using the revision system offset bushing. The average distance between the center of the tibial metaphysis and the center of the tibial diaphysis was 4.1 mm (±2.9 mm) with an average angle of 105° (0°-70°). The mean offset was 4.1 mm (±2.9) and the mean offset angle was 105° (0°-350°). The study confirms the center of the tibial diaphysis is not congruous with the center of the metaphysis with wide variations in offsets among individuals. A wide range of offsets are necessary for optimum placement of implants.
Creating Jobs, Fighting Inequality: Who's Best

achieving relatively high levels of material equality? Do the liberal market economies excel in economic efficiency while producing substantial income inequalities? Or, alternatively, is the classic equity-efficiency tradeoff muted by institutions and policies of one or both "varieties of capitalism," and, if so, does this suggest important crossnational lessons for the policymakers and citizens of democratic market economies? These are the general questions that motivate Jonas Pontusson's Inequality and Prosperity-an impressive and useful new survey of comparative political economy. Indeed, it is important to mention at the outset that even though Inequality and Prosperity contains some original analyses of recently available data, the book is selfconsciously a survey and synthesis of what we know about the answers to these questions. New empirical analysis is limited to tabular presentations of data, bivariate scatterplots, and simple linear regression models. More precisely, Inequality and Prosperity primarily provides an insightful integration of theories of "varieties of capitalism" (Hall and Soskice 2001), democratic corporatism (Katzenstein 1985), and welfare state regimes (Esping-Andersen 1990) as well as surveys of some of the best recent research on the focal questions and hypotheses from these theoretical streams. Pontusson's central analytic framework is built around the notion that, for the most part, contemporary capitalist democracies bifurcate into social market and liberal market economies. Social market economies are characterized by high levels of cooperation among private firms in order to achieve collective goods (for example, skills formation, stable labor-management and finance-producer relations, research and development, and technology transfer). They are also characterized by high levels of centralization or coordination of collective wage bargaining among densely organized and centralized labor and employers' associations. In addition, social market economies have welfare states that combine generous social provisions with extensive employment protections. As a group, Pontusson further divides social market economies into Nordic and continental variants (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, on the one hand, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, on the other). The principal distinction here is that Nordic social market economies have relatively strong trade union movements and universalistic welfare states that combine generous transfers with publically provided social services for families, the elderly, and the unemployed. Although large in terms of shares of gross domestic product, continental social market economy welfare states are "corporatist conservative," or dominated by generous occupationally based income transfer programs. Liberal market economies are, by contrast, characterized by low levels of
The preparation of comb-shaped polysaccharides by polymerization of a maltose derivative

Abstract The Lewis acid-catalyzed polymerization of 1,6-anhydro-2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α- D -glucopyranosyl)-β- D -glucopyranose (1,6-anhydromaltosehexabenzyl ether) leads to products of number-average molecular weights up to about 14,000 and specific rotations as high as +96–97°. Variations in reaction conditions affect the molecular weight and optical rotation of the products significantly. Debenzylation of the products having the highest molecular weight and optical rotation yields hydrated polysaccharides, presumably comb-shaped, of [α]25 D + 174° (or corrected to a water free condition [α]25 D + 189°). This value corresponds to a high degree of stereoregularity in the main chain with predominantly α- D linkages on both the main chain and branches.
Sustaining student engagement with a constructionist design tool for craft and math

This paper provides a description of a research project with goals related to understanding more about how to get and keep children engaged with constructionist design tools.
Bond market access and investment.

Abstract Prior research has shown that differential access to debt markets significantly affects capital structure. In this paper, we examine the effect of access to debt markets on investment decisions by using debt ratings to indicate bond market access. We find that rated firms are more likely to undertake acquisitions than nonrated firms. This finding remains even after accounting for firm characteristics, for the probability of being rated, and in matched sample analysis as well as in subsamples based on leverage, firm size, age and information opacity. Rated firms also pay higher premiums for their targets and receive less favorable market reaction to their acquisition announcements relative to non-rated firms. However, the average announcement returns to rated acquirers are non-negative. Collectively, these findings suggest that the lack of debt market access has a real effect on the ability to make investments as well as on the quality of these investments by creating underinvestment, instead of simply constraining overinvestment.
Characterization and Description of Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans gen. nov., sp. nov., an Aryl-Halorespiring Facultative Anaerobic Myxobacterium

Myxobacteria have been considered obligately aerobic bacteria (26, 27). The phylogenic placement of this group within the delta-proteobacteria, however, would suggest the possibility of an ancestral anaerobic lifestyle for the myxobacteria (32). The delta-proteobacteria exhibit considerable anaerobic physiological diversity, including sulfate reduction, iron reduction, fermentation, and dehalogenation. Several dechlorinating bacteria in the delta-proteobacteria are able to utilize halogenated compounds as physiological electron acceptors for growth (1, 5, 9, 11, 14-16, 22, 29, 31, 38). Since there are many naturally occurring halogenated compounds in the environment (13) and chlororespiration releases considerable energy for growth (10), greater utilization of this lifestyle might be expected within the delta-proteobacteria. We used 2-chlorophenol (2-CPh) to search for chlororespiring anaerobes and found a novel group of myxobacteria, the first myxobacteria able to grow anaerobically. The new isolates grow using several ortho-substituted mono- and dichlorinated phenols, nitrate, and fumarate, as well as low concentrations of oxygen, as physiological electron acceptors. Four strains isolated from different environments in this study plus one previous isolate (5) allow a comprehensive characterization of the group. These strains exhibit both phylogenetic and physiological similarities to other myxobacteria but with sufficient differences to represent a new genus and species of myxobacteria.
A contribution to the Frobenius theory of positive operators. Comparison theorems

The famous work of O. Perron [19] and G. Frobenius [5-7] on matrices with positive and nonnegative elements is still of high interest in modem mathematics. The mentioned papers have given rise to many generalizations of linear transformations in abstract linear spaces, e.g., the results of Birkhoff [1], Bonsall [2-4], Karlin [10], Krasnoselskii [11], Krein-Rutman [12], Niiro-Sawashima [18], Sawashima [20], Schaefer [23, 25, 27] and other authors. Most of the papers devoted to the Perron-Frobenius theory of positive linear transformations are concerned mainly with the existence problems. Recently H. Schaefer [21, 24, 26, 28] and P. Lotz [13] considered another part of the Frobenius theory which was the description of the peripheral spectrum of a positive linear irreducible transformation in a Banach lattice. In the present paper an attempt is made to complete the generalized Frobenius theory by those statements in which the spectral radii of two or more positive linear transformations in a Banach space are compared. The results are based on a general minimax principle which might be of autonomous interest. As an application of the comparison theory, some results are given concerning the rate of convergence of certain classes of iteration processes. Another type of application is the problem of criticality of one-parameter systems of positive linear transformations (see [15]). It should be remarked that for our comparison theory the existence of certain proper elements is needed. The existence of such proper elements is guaranteed, as a rule, by certain compactness properties of either the intersection of the unit ball B and the positive cone K, or its image T(B n K) by the considered map T. We shall not repeat the compactness assumptions guaranteeing the existence of the required proper elements. We shall assume only that appropriate eigenelements exist. This means that our comparison theory is based on the existence of the mentioned proper elements and formally not on the compactness of B or TB. Up to now, however, most of the existence proofs have depended on these compactness assumptions. Similarly, like the existence results, our comparison theory carries over to bounded linear positive endomorphisms of partially ordered quasi-complete locally convex spaces.
Nuclear data for space radiation

Abstract Human space flight requires protecting astronauts from the harmful effects of space radiation. The availability of measured nuclear cross-section data needed for these studies is reviewed in the present paper. The energy range of interest for radiation protection is approximately 100 MeV/n–10 GeV/n. The majority of data are for projectile fragmentation partial and total cross-sections, including both charge changing and isotopic cross-sections. The cross-section data are organized into categories which include charge changing, elemental, isotopic for total, single and double differential with respect to momentum, energy and angle. Gaps in the data relevant to space radiation protection are discussed and recommendations for future experiments are made.
Hypomagnesemia and refractory cardiac arrhythmia in a nondigitalized patient.

Abstract A case of hypomagnesemia and refractory cardiac arrhythmia is presented. The patient had no evidence of clinical heart disease and was not receiving digitalis therapy. The cardiac arrhythmia was refractory to all usual forms of therapy but was instantly abolished with intravenous magnesium therapy. The unusual nature of this relation and a possible hypothesis to explain its occurrence are discussed.
The electro-mechanical response of highly compliant substrates and thin stiff films with periodic cracks

Abstract We present results that describe the mechanical response of highly compliant substrates coated with ultra-thin stiff films, with thickness and elastic moduli differences spanning four orders of magnitude. Dimensional analysis based on shear-lag models of cracked films is used to identify key parameters that control the effective elastic properties of the cracked multi-layer, crack opening displacements, and the steady-state energy release rate for channeling crack formation. Analytical forms that describe multi-layer response in terms of film properties and crack spacing are presented and corroborated with numerical models for linear elastic materials. A key result is that the energy release rate scales with 1/(1 − α), where α is one of the Dundurs’ parameters describing elastic mismatch. The results can also be used to evaluate the performance of electrostrictive actuators comprised of cracked blanket electrodes and elastomer dielectrics. In this scenario, an interesting result is that ultra-thin cracked films can continue to distribute charge, since crack openings may be small enough to allow breakdown in air at typical operating voltages.
Atypical ichthyosiform erythroderma and congenital neurosensory deafness—a distinct syndrome

A patient has been studied in whom an atypical ichthyosiform erythroderma was associated with congenital neurosensory deafness, vascularization of the corneas progressing to blindness, alopecia totalis, abnormalities of the teeth and nails, and postnatal growth deficiency. Twelve other patients with a similar pattern of malformation have been reported previously. This syndrome appears to represent a distinct disorder with a pattern of inheritance which is most likely autosomal recessive.
Extraction of Cadmium from Urine: A Brief Review

Abstract The determination of cadmium in urine is of interest due to the potential connections between toxic metal exposure and disease. Urine‐cadmium level is a well‐known biomarker for human exposure. Unfortunately, the detection of cadmium in urine presents a twofold challenge: 1 normal urine‐cadmium levels are below 1 µg/L and 2 the complex urine matrix often results in severe interferences. This manuscript reviews the published approaches to this problem, citing 16 techniques that preconcentrate the Cd to achieve detectable levels while removing the toxic metal from the urine matrix. Sample pretreatment methods are discussed briefly when they are employed.
A COUNTER-INTUITIVE ASPECT OF COMPONENT IMPORTANCE IN LINEAR CONSECUTIVE-k-OUT-OF-n SYSTEMS

Abstract In this paper we study a certain counter-intuitive aspect of component importance in linear consecutive-k-out-of-n systems, when the components are independent with equal reliability p. It is shown that, in the case of the Birnbaum measure, the importance of the k-th component is greater than that of the (k+ l)-st when 2k+1 ≤ n ≤ 3k+1 for any p on [0,1] or when n > 3k+1 for p and k such that (1 — p k)k ≥ 1 —p. The same pertains in the case of the Barlow-Proschan measure when 2k+1 ≤ n ≤ 3k+l or when n is sufficiently large.