cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Nature of Struck-by Accidents

Construction accidents are broadly categorized into five basic groups, namely falls (from elevation), shock (electrical), caught in/between, struck-by, and other. Struck-by accidents accounted for 22% of all construction-related fatalities recorded by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration between 1985 and 1989. Recent (1997 to 2000) data show that the percentage of struck-by accidents constituted 24.6% of the fatalities and serious construction worker injuries. Struck-by accidents primarily involve workers struck by equipment, private vehicles, falling materials, vertically hoisted materials, horizontally transported materials, and trench cave ins. Determining possible causation factors of these accident types is often difficult, due to the broad categories utilized in the accident coding system. This study resulted in gaining insights about the root causes of the struck-by injuries. By finding the root causes, effective methods for accident prevention can be developed.
Structure of Escherichia coli AdhP (ethanol-inducible dehydrogenase) with bound NAD.

The crystal structure of AdhP, a recombinantly expressed alcohol dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli K-12 (substrain MG1655), was determined to 2.01 A resolution. The structure, which was solved using molecular replacement, also included the structural and catalytic zinc ions and the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). The crystals belonged to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 68.18, b = 118.92, c = 97.87 A, β = 106.41°. The final R factor and Rfree were 0.138 and 0.184, respectively. The structure of the active site of AdhP suggested a number of residues that may participate in a proton relay, and the overall structure of AdhP, including the coordination to structural and active-site zinc ions, is similar to those of other tetrameric alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes.
Quantized Transport in Graphene p-n Junctions in a Magnetic Field

Recent experimental work on locally gated graphene layers resulting in p-n junctions has revealed the quantum Hall effect in their transport behavior. We explain the observed conductance quantization, which is fractional in the bipolar regime and an integer in the unipolar regime, in terms of quantum Hall edge modes propagating along and across the p-n interface. In the bipolar regime, the electron and hole modes can mix at the p-n boundary, leading to current partition and quantized shot-noise plateaus similar to those of conductance, whereas in the unipolar regime transport is noiseless. These quantum Hall phenomena reflect the massless Dirac character of charge carriers in graphene, with particle/hole interplay manifest in mode mixing and noise in the bipolar regime.
The structure of some refractory transition metal-metalloid glasses☆

Abstract The radial distribution functions of four refractory alloys of composition (W0.5Ru0.5)0.8M0.2 where M = some metalloid from the group B, P, Al0.5B0.5, Si0.5B0.5 are presented along with densities, atomic volumes of metalloids and coordination numbers. The atomic distributions functions of these materials have been found to exhibit characteristics typical of many other amorphous metal-metalloid alloys. A comparison was made between the experimentally determined distribution functions for the WRu alloys and the Bernal Finney model calculations of dense random packings of hard spheres using the average WRu Gold-schmidt radii as the hard sphere radius. The agreement was found to be quite good in nearly all places, the most notable exception being in the vicinity of the second maxima, where the relative heights of the double peaks is found to be different from the DRPHS for the cases of M = B, P and B0.5Si0.5. In all cases for the WRu alloys the reduced radial distribution functions suggest a local short range order favoring common-base tetrahedra configurations as opposed to coplanar tetrahedra bases predominant in the DRPHS.
An APL approach to the representation and manipulation of data structures

One of the important characteristics of a programming language is the manner in which commonly used data structures can be represented and manipulated. Methods for the representation of complex data structures in APL, a programming language based on rectangular arrays and a multiplicity of functions, are presented in this paper. Data structures considered are: strings and sets, stacks and queues, tables, linked lists, and sort trees. The material provides insight into the nature of data structures and should aid in establishing future requirements for primal and base languages.
Aspects of the carbohydrate metabolism of a mutant of Neurospora crassa requiring acetate for growth.

1. 1. Two mutant genes controlling the activities of different enzyme systems in Neurospora are described. One controls the activity of the enzyme pyruvic carboxylase, the other an enzyme system involved in the oxidation of pyruvic acid. 2. 2. The data indicate at least two mechanisms for the oxidation of pyruvic acid in Neurospora. 3. 3. Some effects of the mutant genes on the pattern of carbohydrate metabolism have been demonstrated. 4. 4. Some properties of the mutant strain unable to oxidize pyruvic acid and inhibited by glucose have been studied.
Pair Distribution Function and Two-Body Propagator

Starting from the ordinary definition of the pair distribution function, the following theorem is proved without the help of the cluster integral expansion and "toron" diagrams: the pair distribution function in the grand canonical ensemble can be expressed in terms of the two-body propagator corresponding to the scattering in position-reciprocal temperature space. A simple expression for the internal energy of a nonideal gas with pair interactions is obtained in terms of the pair distribution function.
Functional identification of three components which mediate tissue-type specific embryonic cell adhesion

VARIOUS hypotheses have been suggested to explain in vitro reconstruction of tissues from populations of dispersed embryonic cells1–5, all asserting that it is based on selective adhesion. Although selective adhesion has been amply demonstrated6–8, its molecular basis as well as the identity and number of components involved remains to be defined. Supernatant solutions from cell and tissue cultures have been reported to yield a component(s) apparently involved in the enhancement of cell aggregation9–11. In addition a component(s) in the supernatant binds at the cell surface and is specific to the cell type from which the supernatant is prepared11. These results suggested the existence of specific receptors at the cell surface that are complementary to the aggregation promoting molecules (APM). We have now found that the binding factor participates directly in adhesion and that another component must be present for adhesion to be complete.
A new colorimetric reagent for zinc

Abstract o-[α-(2-hydroxy-5-sulfophenylazo)-benzilidenehydrazino] benzoic acid gives a dark blue complex with zinc ions, the sensitivity of the reaction being about 1 part of zinc in 50,000,000 parts of solution, using a 1-cm cell in a Beckman DU Spectro-photometer. The wavelength of maximum absorption is 625 mμ and the optimum pH is between 8.5 and 9.5. Copper, iron, cobalt and nickel also give color reactions with the compound. A study of the new reagent for the colorimetric determination of zinc in a variety of materials is under way.
Personality, Outdoor Recreation, and Expected Consequences

Results of exploratory research on relationships between personality characteristics (measured by Jackson's Personality Research Form), choice of recreation activities engaged in actively, frequency of participation in those activities, and the desired consequences (i.e., satisfying experiences) expected from that participation are reported. Ss were test groups of 50 recreationists per activity engaging in one of nine different activities when interviewed on-site. Ss were classified by sex into active and nonactive participants in each of the activities. Participation was measured using respondents' recall of total days of having engaged at least once in specified activities during the preceding 12 months. The results are tentative because of small sample sizes. The indicate that (1) personality probably influences the choice of a recreation activity in which a person engages the most frequently (direct associations were weak, and further research is needed), (2) personality characteristics are significan...
The evolution of rapid oscillations in an outburst of a dwarf nova

High-speed photometric observations of the dwarf nova AH Her on nine consecutive days during an outburst have been made, and rapid coherent oscillations on every day except two near maximum light have been detected. The period, amplitude, and luminosity for each day is presented and the progression of the periods is discussed.
Oral nifedipine for the treatment of patients with severe hypertension

Ten mg of nifedipine was administered to 19 patients with severe hypertension (mean blood pressure 187 +/- 17/122 +/- 12 mm Hg) without intensive care monitoring. Patients were instructed to bite and swallow the contents of the capsule. Blood pressure declined significantly to a mean of 149 +/- 17/92 +/- 10 mm Hg. No adverse side effects or hypotension occurred. Ten patients required an additional dose 30 to 60 minutes after the initial dose. Mean heart rate increased from 79 to 95 beats per minute without symptomatic consequences. Laboratory parameters measured before and after the four-hour study did not change significantly, although peripheral renin activity rose transiently. Urinary sodium excretion increased 43 percent over four hours after therapy in three patients in whom it was measured. Cardiac output, which was measured noninvasively in seven patients, rose nonsignificantly whereas systemic vascular resistance declined from 2,070 dynes/second/cm-5 to 1,271 dynes/second/cm-5 (statistically significant difference) in 20 minutes. These results indicate that oral nifedipine, when bitten and swallowed, effectively lowers blood pressure in patients with severe hypertension without the occurrence of adverse side effects or hypotension. Oral nifedipine may be used safely in an outpatient setting when urgent intervention is required.
On the construction of well-conditioned systems for Fredholm I problems by mesh adapting☆

The paper addresses the numerical solution of linear Fredholm I integral equations of the type arising from various one-dimensional inverse scattering problems. Typically when these equations are discretized they lead to very ill-conditioned algebraic systems. It is shown that for these types of kernels a relatively simple mesh adapting scheme leads to very well-conditioned systems. Moreover, when the kernel is not known explicitly but must be generated by numerically solving a boundary-value problem, it is shown that an asymptotic analysis can extract the information necessary to successfully adapt this mesh.
Studies in amphipathic adsorption. I. The adsorption of polyvinyl alcohol on silver bromide

Abstract The adsorption of polyvinyl alcohol to silver bromide has been measured and found to be irreversible (ψ-adsorption). No secondary reversible adsorption appeared to occur but there was precipitation of silver bromide sol followed by peptization with excess polyvinyl alcohol. The peptization point was found to occur at an adsorption value 6.5 to 7.0 mg./g., just half that at which saturation occurred. Adsorbed basic (cyanine) dye is not displaced from silver bromide by PVA but the latter is very largely displaced by basic dye.
Hanson receives Macelwane Medal

At the 1996 Spring Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, David R. Hanson received the 1996 James B. Macelwane Medal, which recognizes significant contributions to the geophysical sciences by a young scientist of outstanding ability. The medal citation and Hanson's response are given here.
Use of Rapid-Scan EPR to Improve Detection Sensitivity for Spin-Trapped Radicals

The short lifetime of superoxide and the low rates of formation expected in vivo make detection by standard continuous wave (CW) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) challenging. The new rapid-scan EPR method offers improved sensitivity for these types of samples. In rapid-scan EPR, the magnetic field is scanned through resonance in a time that is short relative to electron spin relaxation times, and data are processed to obtain the absorption spectrum. To validate the application of rapid-scan EPR to spin trapping, superoxide was generated by the reaction of xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine with rates of 0.1-6.0 μM/min and trapped with 5-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (BMPO). Spin trapping with BMPO to form the BMPO-OOH adduct converts the very short-lived superoxide radical into a more stable spin adduct. There is good agreement between the hyperfine splitting parameters obtained for BMPO-OOH by CW and rapid-scan EPR. For the same signal acquisition time, the signal/noise ratio is >40 times higher for rapid-scan than for CW EPR. Rapid-scan EPR can detect superoxide produced by Enterococcus faecalis at rates that are too low for detection by CW EPR.
Biosynthesis of ascaridole: Iodide peroxidase-catalyzed synthesis of a monoterpene endoperoxide in soluble extracts of Chenopodium ambrosioides fruit

Abstract Ascaridole, an asymmetric monoterpene endoperoxide with anthelmintic properties, occurs as a major constituent (60–80%) in the volatile oil of American wormseed fruit ( Chenopodium ambrosioides: Chenopodiaceae), and as a lesser component in the leaf pocket oil of the boldo tree ( Peumus boldus: Monimiaceae). Determination of optical activity and chromatographic resolution of naturally occurring ascaridole, and several synthetic derivatives, showed that both wormseed and boldo produce ascaridole in racemic form. The biosynthesis of ascaridole from the conjugated, symmetrical diene α-terpinene (a major component of the oil from wormseed) was shown to be catalyzed by a soluble iodide peroxidase isolated from homogenates of C. ambrosioides fruit and leaves. The enzymatic synthesis of ascaridole was confirmed by capillary gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry of the product, which was also shown to be racemic. Optimal enzymatic activity occurred at pH 4.0 in the presence of 2.5 m m H 2 O 2 and 1 m m NaI. Soluble enzyme extracts were fractionated by gel filtration on both Sephacryl S-300 and Sephadex G-100, and were shown to consist of a high-molecular-weight peroxidase component ( M r > 1,000,000, 30% of total activity) and two other peroxidase species having apparent molecular weights of 62,000 and 45,000 (major component). Peroxidase activity was susceptible to proteolytic destruction only after periodate treatment, suggesting an association of the enzyme(s) with polysaccharide material. Ascaridole biosynthesis from α-terpinene was inhibited by cyanide, catalase, and reducing agents, but not by compounds that trap superoxide or quench singlet oxygen. A peroxide transfer reaction initiated by peroxidase-generated I + is proposed for the conversion of α-terpinene to ascaridole.
Pathways between physical activity and quality of life in adults with multiple sclerosis.

Objective This prospective study examined symptoms of depression, fatigue, pain, self-efficacy, and social support as possible intermediaries in the pathway between changes in physical activity and quality of life (QOL) across a 6-month period in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Design and main outcome measures Adults with a definite diagnosis of MS wore an accelerometer for 7 days and then completed a battery of questionnaires at baseline (n = 292) and 6-months follow-up (n = 276). The data were analyzed using panel analysis and covariance modeling in Mplus 3.0. Results The initial analysis indicated that change in physical activity was associated with a statistically significant and small residual change in QOL (beta = .07). The subsequent analysis indicated that change in physical activity was associated with residual changes in fatigue (gamma = -.17), pain (gamma = -.13), social support (gamma = .07), and self-efficacy (gamma = .11), and, in turn, changes in fatigue (beta = -.13), pain (beta = -.09), social support (beta = .18), and self-efficacy (beta = .10) were associated with a residual change in QOL. Conclusion The observed pattern of relationships supports the possibility that physical activity is indirectly associated with improved QOL through pathways that include fatigue, pain, social support, and self-efficacy in individuals with MS.
Lacunae in erythrocyte monolayers induced by adherent leukocytes.

POLYMORPHONUCLEAR leukocytes are capable of migration, aggregation, adherence, and phagocytosis as well as the intracellular destruction of bacteria1. The observations reported here suggest yet another facility, namely that of repulsion. These experiments indicate that surface adherent leukocytes, whether polymorphonuclear or other types, repel erythrocytes from the immediate zone about them, thus creating lacunae.
Characterization of [125I]ZM 241385 binding to adenosine A2A receptors in the pineal of sheep brain

Abstract Adenosine is a ubiquitous neuromodulator and homeostatic regulator that exerts its physiologic actions through activation of A1, A2A, A2B and A3 adenosine receptor subtypes. In the central nervous system, adenosine's action in neurons is manifested in its modulation of tonic inhibitory control. Adenosine released in the brain during hypoxia has critical depressant effects on breathing in fetal and newborn mammals, an action suggested to be mediated by A2A receptors in the posteromedial thalamus. In an effort to more accurately define the spatial distribution of adenosine A2A receptors in fetal sheep diencephalon, we have used a receptor autoradiographic technique utilizing an iodinated radioligand [125I]ZM 241385, which has greater sensitivity and resolution than the tritiated compound. The distribution of ligand binding sites in the fetal sheep diencephalon indicated that the highest levels of binding were in select thalamic nuclei, including those implicated in hypoxic depression of fetal breathing, and the pineal. Given the high density of labeled A2A receptors in the pineal, these sites were characterized more fully in homogenate radioligand binding assays. These data indicate that [125I]ZM 241385 binding sites display a pharmacological signature consistent with that of adenosine A2A receptors and are expressed at similar levels in fetal, lamb and adult ovine brain. The adenosine A2A receptor pharmacologic signature of the [125I]ZM 241385 binding site in pineal cell membranes generalized to the site characterized in membranes derived from other portions of the lamb thalamus, including the sector involved in hypoxic inhibition of fetal breathing. These results have important implications for the functional roles of adenosine A2A receptors in the thalamus and pineal of sheep brain.
Migration and the Demand for Developmental Disabilities Services

Synthetic estimation techniques are used to project the number of developmentally disabled persons in Florida in the year 2000. This yields an idea of the future number of these persons if migration continues at its current pace. Next, the population is projected on the assumption that no net migration occurs in the future and the same prevalence rates are applied to that projection. The difference in the number of persons with developmental disabilities yielded by the two sets of synthetic projections illustrates the effects of migration upon demand. Demand for developmental disabilities services is projected to increase by 36% over 1985 levels by the year 2000. Only 11% of the projected increase is due to reproductive change among persons already resident in Florida in 1985. The remainder is due to net migration into Florida. Because the movement of persons who are developmentally disabled seems to be part of a general stream of migration to Florida rather than a separate one, the demands placed upon th...
Antibody Is Critical for the Clearance of Murine Norovirus Infection

Human noroviruses cause more than 90% of epidemic nonbacterial gastroenteritis. However, the role of B cells and antibody in the immune response to noroviruses is unclear. Previous studies have demonstrated that human norovirus specific antibody levels increase upon infection, but they may not be protective against infection. In this report, we used murine norovirus (MNV), an enteric norovirus, as a model to determine the importance of norovirus specific B cells and immune antibody in clearance of norovirus infection. We show here that mice genetically deficient in B cells failed to clear primary MNV infection as effectively as wild-type mice. In addition, adoptively transferred immune splenocytes derived from B-cell-deficient mice or antibody production-deficient mice were unable to efficiently clear persistent MNV infection in RAG1(-/-) mice. Further, adoptive transfer of either polyclonal anti-MNV serum or neutralizing anti-MNV monoclonal antibodies was sufficient to reduce the level of MNV infection both systemically and in the intestine. Together, these data demonstrate that antibody plays an important role in the clearance of MNV and that immunoglobulin G anti-norovirus antibody can play an important role in clearing mucosal infection.
Characterization of 3D printing output using an optical sensing system

This paper presents the experimental design and initial testing of a system to characterize the progress and performance of a 3D printer. The system is based on five Raspberry Pi single-board computers. It collects images of the 3D printed object, which are compared to an ideal model. The system, while suitable for printers of all sizes, can potentially be produced at a sufficiently low cost to allow its incorporation into consumer-grade printers. The efficacy and accuracy of this system is presented and discussed. The paper concludes with a discussion of the benefits of being able to characterize 3D printer performance.
Vascular Malformations of the Brain

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are found throughout the central nervous system and commonly affect the sensory visual and ocular motor systems. Patients can present with symptoms such as headache, migrainelike visual disturbances, visual loss, or diplopia that have brought them to an ophthalmological examination. Once an AVM of the brain (BAVM) is diagnosed, the visual and eye movement disorders must be accurately documented and monitored in order to properly assess the progression of the disease and the effects of therapy. BAVMs are potentially life-threatening lesions that can cause severe neurologic deficits and seizures. Early diagnosis can facilitate the implementation of therapies that can be curative. The literature concerning BAVMs is confused because of the inclusion of many vascular malformations that are not AVMs, inaccurate diagnoses prior to the development of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and incomplete angiography in many reports. Numerous categorizations of intracranial vascular malformations and angiomas exist; Yasargil’s classification (Tables 7.1, 7.2) seems to be the most helpful for distinguishing AVMs from other vascular lesions [1].
Effects of cyst components and low temperature exposure of Heterodera glycines eggs on juvenile hatching in vitro

The effects of low temperature treatment of Heterodera glycines eggs and the interaction of this treatment with egg condition and cyst influences were examined in vitro. Exposure of eggs to 5°C for 1 week followed by a return to normal culture temperature resulted in a 25-33% reduction in hatch after 2 weeks at 28°C but there was no effect on the timing of hatch. Hatch from encysted eggs was 40% lower than from free eggs at 2 weeks, and hatch from low temperature-encysted eggs was more than 60% lower during the same period. Encystment also altered the timing of hatch relative to free eggs from the same cohort. Hatch from free eggs in the presence of cyst contents was accelerated relative to free eggs without cyst contents, but the total cumulative percent hatch was not increased. Reduction in hatch as a result of low temperature treatment was significant only if the treatment was applied prior to the first juvenile stage (J1). J1 were not affected relative to the hatch of second-stage juveniles (J2). However, the effect of low temperature on earlier stages was not detected until development ceased at early J1 and later J1. Also, low temperature treatment affected the apparent locomotion of some newly hatched J2; 16-fold more J2 from treated eggs were retained on 30 μm pore sieves than those from control eggs. The depression of hatch by low temperature egg treatment was apparently the result of the residual effects on early embryo stages, leading to arrest of development prior to J2.
Working in Six Research Areas: A Multi-Field Sociological Career

I have written a strictly autobiographical essay about the half dozen areas or fields in which I have done sociological research during my career. One reason for writing the essay is to encourage students to become what I call a “multi,” there being too few in sociology, as in other disciplines in which most researchers do their work in one field. I hope the essay demonstrates that working in many fields can make for a satisfying and productive career. Research across areas also encourages comparative work, and if enough young people become multi-field researchers, sociologists might then develop more interdisciplinary skills, which is even now desirable and may one day be necessary for all the social sciences. My essay also describes how and why I became interested in my six fields and how I moved between them during my career. The rest of the paper describes my major studies and other activities in my fields as well as the institutional and other contexts that I believe have affected my work.
AIDS Testing and Informed Consent

This article examines whether hospitals should obtain specific informed consent for HIV testing in addition to the general consent for routine procedures that is obtained upon admission. The article argues that specific consent should be obtained in all instances in which the HIV test is ordered. When the test is ordered to protect health care workers rather than to benefit the patient, the patient must be informed of the true purpose of the test: special care must be taken to avoid claims of fraud or duress that might invalidate the patient's consent. Furthermore, testing patients for the sole purpose of protecting health care workers should be discouraged, since the protection of health care workers can already be accomplished through universal blood and bodily fluid precautions. In balancing the inconvenience caused by universal blood and bodily fluid precautions against the privacy rights of patients, the patients' rights should prevail.
Reducing computed tomography scans for appendicitis by introduction of a standardized and validated ultrasonography report template.

Abstract Purpose Computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of appendicitis is associated with radiation exposure and increased cost. In an effort to reduce the diagnostic use of CT scans, we implemented a standardized ultrasound report template based on validated secondary signs of appendicitis. Methods In September 2012, as part of a quality improvement project, we developed and introduced a four category standardized ultrasound report template for limited right lower quadrant abdominal ultrasounds. Outcomes for patients undergoing ultrasound or CT scan for appendicitis between 9/10/2012 and 12/31/2013 (Period 2, n=2033) were compared to the three months prior to implementation (Period 1, n=304). Results In Period 1, 78 of 304 (25.7%) patients had appendicitis versus 385 of 2033 (18.9%) in Period 2 (p=0.006). Non-diagnostic exams decreased from 48% to 0.1% (p Conclusions Implementation of a standardized ultrasound report template based on validated secondary signs of appendicitis nearly eliminated non-diagnostic exams, improved diagnostic accuracy, and resulted in a striking decrease in CT utilization.
AVIRULENCE OF A PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA ALGC MUTANT IN A BURNED-MOUSE MODEL OF INFECTION

The virulence of wild-type Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and that of a genetically defined algC mutant, PAO1 algC::tet, were compared in a burned-mouse model of infection. Unlike PAO1, PAO1 algC::tet was avirulent, grew less well in the eschar, and did not disseminate to the liver of challenged animals. We have previously shown that the P. aeruginosa algC gene is required for biosynthesis of alginate and lipopolysaccharide (M.J. Coyne, Jr., K.S. Russell, C.L. Coyle, and J.B. Goldberg, J. Bacteriol. 176:3500-3507, 1994). In order to determine whether the alginate or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) defect was responsible for the avirulence of this strain, we constructed a strain with a mutation in an alginate-specific gene, algD. PAO1-algD was virulent in the burned-mouse model, thus implicating the LPS defect in PAO1 algC::tet as the relevant alteration responsible for the avirulence of this strain.
The Psychological Significance of “Home” to Older Widows

Elderly widows are increasingly choosing to remain alone in their homes following the deaths of their husbands. For a number of reasons they are a more vulnerable group than married older women, and thus were expected to have less positive attitudes toward being homeowners. In the present study widows (N = 70) who live alone were compared to married women (N = 74) who who lived with only their husbands. Both groups lived in single-family dwellings. Subjects responded to an empirically derived Likert-type scale which measures four factors relating to “attachment to hom“. Results indicated that widows had significantly higher scores on the Traditional Family Orientation factor and on the Competence in a Familiar Environment factor. One explanation of these findings is that the home may take on new meanings for widows as they reflect on earlier family experiences or as they discover that they can competently manage an independent lifestyle for themselves.
Looking at the United States Through Distorted Lenses: Entertainment Television Versus Public Diplomacy Themes

The image of the United States in the Middle East has plummeted dramatically since 9/11. To stem growing anti-Americanism and improve America's image, the U.S. State Department has substantially increased public diplomacy staffs and program funding in selected Middle East countries. Although officials stationed in the Middle East give their public diplomacy operations favorable ratings, the image of the United States remains bad and continues to decline despite occasional upward spikes. In this article the author argues that television entertainment programs, particularly American situation comedies broadcast throughout the Middle East, can be another reason for the continued low regard for Americans and for the United States. An analysis of three American television programs (The West Wing, That 70's Show, and Friends) shows that the images presented by the programs are distorted and portray an unrealistic picture of life in America. The fact that the attitudes of Middle Easterners are more in tune with television drama images than with their more realistic public diplomacy counterparts leads to the conclusion that the shows trump the State Department's public diplomacy efforts.
Second-Generation Adenoviral Vectors Do Not Prevent Rapid Loss of Transgene Expression and Vector DNA From the Arterial Wall

The utility of adenoviral vectors for arterial gene transfer is limited by the brevity of their expression and by inflammatory host responses. As a step toward circumventing these difficulties, we used a rabbit model of in vivo arterial gene transfer to test 3 second-generation vectors: a vector containing a temperature-sensitive mutation in the E2A region, a vector deleted of E2A, and a vector that expresses the immunomodulatory 19-kDa glycoprotein (gp19k) from adenovirus 2. Compared with similar first-generation vectors, the second-generation vectors did not significantly prolong beta-galactosidase transgene expression or decrease inflammation in the artery wall. Although cyclophosphamide ablated the immune and inflammatory responses to adenovirus infusion, it only marginally prolonged transgene expression (94% drop in expression between 3 and 14 days). In experiments performed with "null" adenoviral vectors (no transgene), loss of vector DNA from the arterial wall was also rapid (>99% decrease between 1 hour and 14 days), unrelated to dose, and only marginally blunted by cyclophosphamide. Thus, the early loss of transgene expression after adenoviral arterial gene transfer is due primarily to loss of vector DNA, is not correlated with the presence of local vascular inflammation, and cannot be prevented by use of E2A-defective viruses, expression of gp19k, or cyclophosphamide-mediated immunosuppression. Adenovirus-induced vascular inflammation can be prevented by cyclophosphamide treatment or by lowering the dose of infused virus. However, stabilization of adenovirus-mediated transgene expression in the arterial wall is a more elusive goal and will require novel approaches that prevent the early loss of vector DNA.
DNA NANOTECHNOLOGY: Novel DNA Constructions

DNA nanotechnology entails the construction of specific geometrical and topological targets from DNA. The goals include the use of DNA molecules to scaffold the assembly of other molecules, particularly in periodic arrays, with the objects of both crystal facilitation and memory-device construction. Many of these products are based on branched DNA motifs. DNA molecules with the connectivities of a cube and a truncated octahedron have been prepared. A solid-support methodology has been developed to construct DNA targets. DNA trefoil and figure-8 knots have been made, predicated on the relationship between a topological crossing and a half-turn of B-DNA or Z-DNA. The same basis has been used to construct Borromean rings from DNA. An RNA knot has been used to demonstrate an RNA topoisomerase activity. The desire to construct periodic matter held together by DNA sticky ends has resulted in a search for stiff components; DNA double crossover molecules appear to be the best candidates. It appears that novel DNA motifs may be of use in the new field of DNA-based computing.
An experiment with inline substitution

This paper describes an experiment undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of inline substitution as a method of improving the running time of compiled code. Our particular interests are in the interaction between inline substitution and aggressive code optimization. To understand this relationship, we used commercially available FORTRAN optimizing compilers as the basis for our study. This paper reports on the effectiveness of the various compilers at optimizing the inlined code. We examine both the runtime performance of the resulting code and the compile-time performance of the compilers. This work can be viewed as a study of the effectiveness of inlining in modern optimizers; alternatively, it can be viewed as one data point on the overall effectiveness of modern optimizing compilers. We discovered that, with optimizing FORTRAN compilers, (1) object-code growth from inlining is substantially smaller than source-code growth, (2) compile-time growth from inlining is smaller than source-code growth, and (3) the compilers we tested were not able to capitalize consistently on the opportunities presented by inlining.
Interval-based multi-criteria decision making: Strategies to order intervals

Ordering alternatives in interval-based multi- criteria decision making problems is not a trivial task when the intervals of preference are overlapping. In this paper, we aim at giving a rational and natural way of ranking alternatives by computing the degrees of preference, taking into consideration the upper and lower bounds of the interval of preference as well as its width. We slightly modify the general description of degree of preference to accommodate the strategy of choice for risk-prone and risk-averse individuals as well as situations where more information is available (e.g., a probability distribution over the intervals).
Venting Gastrostomy at Home for Symptomatic Management of Bowel Obstruction in Advanced/Recurrent Ovarian Malignancy: A Case Series

Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) frequently defines the trajectory of end-stage ovarian cancer and results in severe physical and psychological distress in patients and their caregivers. Venting gastrostomy (VG) is an alternative to both prolonged medical therapy with nasogastric intubation and intestinal bypass/diversion for refractory MBO. Limited published data from large academic research centers support use of VG in patients with advanced ovarian cancer and MBO. In this case series, we describe supportive care outcomes in ovarian cancer patients with MBO receiving the effects of VG in a community setting. Six cases of advanced ovarian cancer involving MBO were evaluated for VG from July 2009 through February 2012. Five of six patients were managed with VG. Our experience suggests that VG may be beneficial in controlling nausea and vomiting in ovarian cancer patients with MBO and that VG placement with concurrent evacuation of large-volume ascites was associated with minimal complications. Future prospective studies to evaluate the benefits of VG are warranted.
Double insemination and gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment of repeat-breeding dairy cattle.

Abstract Our objective was to determine if double insemmations during the same estrous period of dairy cattle eligible for their third or fourth service (repeat breeders) would improve pregnancy rates equivalent to injections of GnRH given at the time of AI. Repeat-breeding, lactating cows from six herds (five herds in the San Joaquin Valley of central California and one herd in northeast Kansas) were assigned randomly to four treatment groups when detected in estrus: 1) single AI plus no injection, 2) single AI plus 100 μg GnRH at AI, 3) double AI plus no injection, or 4) double AI plus 100 μg of GnRH at AI. Inseminations were performed according to the a.m.-p.m. rule. The second AI for the double AI treatment was given 12 to 16 h after the first AI Injections of GnRH were given intramuscularly immediately following the single AI or the first AI of the double AI. Pregnancy rates of cows given a single AI and hormone injection were numerically higher in all six herds than those of their herdmates given only a single AI. In five of six herds, the pregnancy rates of cows given a double AI and hormone injection were numerically higher than pregnancy rates of their herdmates given only a double AI. Overall pregnancy rates for the four treatments were 1) 112/353 (32.1%), 2) 165/406 (41.6%), 3) 119/364 (33.5%), and 4) 135/359 (37.5%). Gonadotropin-releasing hormone increased pregnancy rates of repeat breeders compared with controls given only a single AI. No further benefit beyond the single AI was accrued from the double AI treatment, with or without concurrent hormone administration.
Best Practices for Event-Related Potential Research in Clinical Populations

The event-related potential (ERP) technique has been used for decades to answer important questions about sensory, cognitive, motor, and emotion-related processes in clinical disorders. However, ERP research with clinical populations often involves unique challenges above and beyond the general issues involved in conducting ERP studies in typical research participants. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of the common challenges that arise in ERP research with clinical populations, including issues in experimental design and recording, analysis, and interpretation of ERPs. In addition, we provide strategies that have proven effective in each of these areas for maximizing the potential of the ERP technique to provide important insights about clinical disorders.
The evolution of sperm competition genes: The effect of mating system on levels of genetic variation within and between species

It is widely established that proteins involved in reproduction diverge between species more quickly than other proteins. For male sperm proteins, rapid divergence is believed to be caused by postcopulatory sexual selection and/or sexual conflict. Here, we derive the expected levels of gene diversity within populations and divergence between them for male sperm protein genes evolving by postcopulatory, prezygotic fertility competition, i.e. the function imputed for some sperm and seminal fluid genes. We find that, at the mutation-selection equilibrium, both gene diversity within species and divergence between them are elevated relative to genes with similar selection coefficients expressed by both sexes. We show that their expected level of diversity is a function of the harmonic mean number of mates per female, which affects the strength of fertility selection stemming from male-male sperm competition. Our predictions provide a null hypothesis for distinguishing between other selective hypotheses accounting for the rapid evolution of male reproductive genes.
Are Debtors Rational Actors? An Experiment

In 2005, Congress – motivated by the assumption that debtor’s were acting rationally and strategically – changed bankruptcy law to reduce individual discretion. The new law, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (“BAPCPA”), forced debtors through a cookie-cutter series of steps designed to reduce bankruptcy filings and to develop more national uniformity. Judicial discretion was sharply curtailed, and practicing lawyers were burdened with extensive, detailed obligations that drove up costs and pushed many out of bankruptcy practice altogether. In other words, the burdens and costs associated with bankruptcy were substantially increased in order to deter filings. Bankruptcy provides a natural experiment to empirically test the strength of the Rational Actor model upon BAPCPA was based. Over the past twenty-seven years, millions of American families have filed for personal bankruptcy, each going through a uniform federal process in their own local communities. A decade ago, empiricists discovered wide variations were reported among filing rates and chapter choices, and those variations remained stable over time. Interestingly, these variations could not be explained by any salient external factor, such as variations in income, unemployment, or exemption laws. Bankruptcy filing choices, in other words, were largely due to “unseen or overlooked influences,” suggesting that a simple Rational Actor model could not fully explain debtor behavior. In spite of these findings, Congress rooted its bankruptcy reform efforts in the assumption that debtors were acting strategically and rationally. The passage of BAPCPA was expected to radically alter bankruptcy filing patterns, and the question remained whether these filing patterns would be consistent with Congress’s assumption that debtors were acting rationally and strategically. My data indicate that, while BAPCPA did reduce bankruptcy filings across the board, unexplained local variations in filing patterns remain, casting doubt upon the simplistic Rational Actor assumptions behind BAPCA.
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: Human Rights Violators in Comparative Perspective

ABSTRACTA large and growing wave of scholarship has focused attention on a variety of contemporary forms of slavery. Early attention went to victims of sexual exploitation, though this is starting to slowly change with a growing body of work on labor exploitation. Previous studies focused exclusively on international trafficking and on the Global South whereas newer studies emphasize domestic trafficking and exploitation in the Global North. This article, and the special issue it introduces, suggests that it is high time scholars and advocates broaden their scope to more clearly focus on perpetrators and on the emancipation process. Perpetrators are too often thought of as “criminals of the worst sort,” a cultural shorthand that reduces understanding and thereby hampers both theory and practice of emancipation. For its part, emancipation is too often thought of as either “freedom” or the binary opposite of slavery. Here too, reality is more complex and fraught. In this article, I argue that a human rights...
Chromogenesis in Cultures of Sporotricha

The pigmentation of fungi has long attracted attention for various reasons. Many are highly colored and therefore readily attract the eye and excite the interest of the observer. To the systematist, color has furnished an easy means of classification, and biologic nomenclature is laden with color words. It is generally admitted however that a color basis is very unsatisfactory for purposes of classifying or naming organisms. As Buller' states, it would be interesting if some law of progressive coloration could be discovered; but no attempt to work out the phylogenesis of the color of spores has yet been made. Buller thinks that colorlessness is the primitive condition of spores and that pigments are only gradually developed, probably by a series of mutations.
Time-Dependent Deformation in Room-Temperature Indentation Experiments using a Nanoindenter

Time-dependent deformation in room-temperature indentation is a well known phenomenon which is frequently overlooked in depth-sensing indentation experiments. In this study, the time-dependent displacements which occur during depth-sensing indentation experiments using a Nanoindenter were investigated. Time-dependent displacements were found to result both from plastic deformation of the sample and experimental drift. A simple correction for experimental drift was applied in experiments on sputtered copper thin films and reasonable strain rate sensitivities were obtained. The sources of experimental drift were identified and measured. It appears to be possible to measure the rate-dependence of plastic deformation in a variety of materials using this instrument.
Synthesis and Enhanced Colloidal Stability of Cationic Gold Nanoparticles using Polyethyleneimine and Carbon Dioxide

Employing green methods in the design and synthesis of functionalized metallic nanoparticles poses significant challenges in terms of maintaining product integrity (size, shape, dispersity, and colloidal stability). In this study, the direct synthesis of cationic gold nanoparticles (GNPs) capped by low molecular weight (Mw ∼ 600) polyethylenimine was investigated. Specifically, three separate HAuCl4 reduction pathways were used to produce robust GNPs with sizes ranging from 4 to 20 nm in diameter with excellent size control. The inclusion of carbon dioxide as a nontoxic, nonflammable, and inexpensive component led to decreases in particle size and an increase in the colloidal stability of the GNPs. Furthermore, the thermally reversible reaction of CO2 with amines provides means to control the solvent pH through carbamate structures and, hence, the controllable formation of particle aggregates. The effects of pH, PEI concentration, and reduction method on the particle core size and stability were determine...
Cyclic Relative Difference sets

(1986). Cyclic Relative Difference sets. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 93, No. 2, pp. 106-111.
Making senses of the past: towards a sensory archaeology; Archaeology of the war of 1812

Making Senses of the Past is an engaging set of essays by archaeologists who seek to enrich the narratives they write about past societies by engaging in a variety of sensory and sensuous approache...
Synthesis and Film-forming Property of 2-(p-Dodecyloxy Phenylethynyl )Pyrazine-5-Carboxylic Acid

2-(p-Dodecyloxy phenylethynyl)pyrazine-5-carboxylic acid was synthesized from p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 5-methylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid. The structure of this compound was identified by IR, 1H NMR, MS and elemental analysis. The film-forming property of the compound was preliminary studied.