cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autoencoder Predicting Estrogenic Chemical Substances (APECS): An improved approach for screening potentially estrogenic chemicals using in vitro assays and deep learning

Abstract In 2015 the US Environmental Protection Agency published a computational toxicology approach to screen chemicals for potential estrogenic activity. This complicated approach requires several steps, including concentration-response modeling (which includes fitting several different models and identifying the best model), application of a multi-factor mathematical model that attempts to model the concentration-response data, calculation of the area under the concentration-modeled response curve, and finally standardizing the area under the concentration-modeled response curve to that of 17-beta estradiol. Toxicologists will find it difficult to implement this approach on their own, creating a need for a more straightforward tool. Recently, it has been shown that deep learning approaches lead to less complicated approaches, that can run faster than more complicated approaches, while maintaining or improving overall algorithmic performance. In this paper we examine the Autoencoder Predicting Estrogenic Chemical Substances (APECS). APECS is two deep autoencoder models that achieve at least the same performance while being less complicated for an average toxicologist to use than the US EPA’s approach. Our deep autoencoders achieved accuracies of 91% vs 86% and 93% vs 93% on the in vivo and in vitro datasets used by the US EPA in validating their approach. Users can use our deep autoencoder models to make predictions of assay data by using our open source Java desktop applications. APECS has a simple push-button interface and was written in Java.
Variability-Aware Optimization of RF Integrated Inductors in Nanometer-Scale Technologies

Progressive scaling of CMOS technology towards nanoscale regime enables the design of highly integrated systems for the wireless communications market. As technology continues to scale, the variability in process parameters may cause significant deviations in device behaviour. The complexity of designing spiral inductors has lead to the development of multi-objective optimization based design methodologies yielding the generation of Pareto-optimal surfaces. However, the variability of the process parameters is usually ignored, yielding the selection of ideally optimal solutions in detriment of quasi-optimal solutions that may prove to be better, should the robustness against process parameter variation be accounted for. We propose the generation of an extended Pareto front containing both optima and quasi-optima solutions. Finally information on the robustness to process parameter variations, is used for electing the best design solutions.The evaluation of the extended set of sub-optima solutions requires methods capable to find the set of local optima, since solutions that are close to each other in the performance index space may be very distant in the design parameter space.
Social Ontology and Varieties of Interpretation: A Hermeneutic Critique of Searle

The essay probes the limits of social ontology as a grounding project for interpretation and explanation in the social sciences. The argument proceeds by challenging the exemplary and influential o...
Do You Know? Edutainment, HIV/AIDS, and African Americans

ABSTRACTA 33-minute dramatic production, Do You Know?, was written and produced using episodic framing to create a storyline around several college students and the potential spread of HIV/AIDS. This edutainment project was also constructed using exemplars to present key health messages that show the importance of getting tested, knowing your status and protecting yourself in personal relationships. Study participants over 18 years old watched Do You Know? on the Internet (Facebook or YouTube) and completed a survey. Study participants under 18 years old watched the video as part of a focus group, completed the survey, and then participated in a 30-min discussion. The findings of this study suggest that edutainment and the Internet can be effective in reaching African Americans with important health information.
Taxonomic History of Illicium floridanum and I. Parviflorum (Schisandraceae)

abstract Illicium contains about 40–45 species with only one species, I. verum, currently of significant commercial importance. The two species of Illicium native to Florida were discovered by Europeans one year apart, in 1765 and 1766, but were thought to represent the same species at the time. Illicium floridanum was later described by Ellis in 1770 and I. parviflorum was described by Ventenat in 1799. A lectotype is designated for I. floridanum.
Partial Tmem106b reduction does not correct abnormalities due to progranulin haploinsufficiency.

Loss of function mutations in progranulin (GRN) are a major cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Progranulin is a secreted glycoprotein that localizes to lysosomes and is critical for proper lysosomal function. Heterozygous GRN mutation carriers develop FTD with TDP-43 pathology and exhibit signs of lysosomal dysfunction in the brain, with increased levels of lysosomal proteins and lipofuscin accumulation. Homozygous GRN mutation carriers develop neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), an earlier-onset lysosomal storage disorder caused by severe lysosomal dysfunction. Multiple genome-wide association studies have shown that risk of FTD in GRN mutation carriers is modified by polymorphisms in TMEM106B, which encodes a lysosomal membrane protein. Risk alleles of TMEM106B may increase TMEM106B levels through a variety of mechanisms. Brains from FTD patients with GRN mutations exhibit increased TMEM106B expression, and protective TMEM106B polymorphisms are associated with decreased TMEM106B expression. Together, these data raise the possibility that reduction of TMEM106B levels may protect against the pathogenic effects of progranulin haploinsufficiency. We crossed Tmem106b +/− mice with Grn +/− mice, which model the progranulin haploinsufficiency of GRN mutation carriers and develop age-dependent social deficits and lysosomal abnormalities in the brain. We tested whether partial Tmem106b reduction could normalize the social deficits and lysosomal abnormalities of Grn +/− mice. Partial reduction of Tmem106b levels did not correct the social deficits of Grn +/− mice. Tmem106b reduction also failed to normalize most lysosomal abnormalities of Grn +/− mice, except for β-glucuronidase activity, which was suppressed by Tmem106b reduction and increased by progranulin insufficiency. These data do not support the hypothesis that Tmem106b reduction protects against the pathogenic effects of progranulin haploinsufficiency, but do show that Tmem106b reduction normalizes some lysosomal phenotypes in Grn +/− mice.
Reactive Oxygen Species and Renal Injury

That reactive oxygen species provoke renal damage is established by studies utilizing an intact kidney preparation (1), the isolated perfused kidney (2), isolated tubules (3), cultured epithelial cells (4, 5) and subcellular organelles (6–8). The involvement of reactive oxygen species in mediating injury in a variety of disease models is also supported by a sizable literature (9, 10) and will be examined in this chapter.
Algorithmic Issues for Electromagnetic Scattering in Layered Media: Green's Functions, Current Basis, and Fast Solver

In this paper, we will address three computational issues for electromagnetic scattering in layered media: fast algorithm of calculating dyadic Green's functions, high order RWG current basis and fast solver for layered media. Numerical results will be included.
Acellular Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carrier Mediated Blood Pressure Elevation and Vasoconstriction: A Review of Proposed Mechanisms and Contributing Factors

A key impediment to regulatory approval of HBOCs appears to be an undesirable BP elevation (hypertension) often observed following IV administration in preclinical and clinical studies. The HBOC-mediated hypertension, as it occurs without increased cardiac output, appears to be primarily mediated by systemic vasoconstriction. In fact, a recent statement by FDA indicates that all HBOC products reviewed are vasoactive at the doses proposed for clinical use. Acute BP elevation could cause serious adverse effects (AEs) in vulnerable patients. Because vasoconstriction can cause suboptimal blood flow to affected organs, a crucial question is whether HBOC-mediated vasoconstriction is directly or indirectly responsible for some of the adverse events observed in recent clinical trials. There are many theories and hypotheses but little evidence that definitively links HBOC to observed adverse events. The pathophysiology involved in trauma, hemorrhage, ischemia and reperfusion is extremely complex and etiology of HBOC treatment associated AEs has not been elucidated. In this chapter, key currently proposed mechanisms for the HBOC-mediated BP elevation/vasoconstriction are reviewed. A most widely accepted mechanism for most HBOC-mediated vasoconstriction cases is Hb inactivation of endothelial NO, a potent vasodilator constitutively produced in the vascular endothelium. However, other mechanisms that may also play a more prominent role or multiple mechanisms may participate in concert under certain clinical conditions. In addition, a variety of factors that contribute to the manifestation of HBOC-mediated vasoactivity are also discussed.
Quasi-Diagonalizing Unitaries and the Generalized Weyl-Von Neumann Theorem

We factor a quasi-diagonal unitary in the multiplier algebra M(A ⊗ K) as a product of a diagonal unitary and a perturbation of the identity by an element of A ⊗ K. This, combined with a break-through result of H. Lin [21], yields that the generalized Weyl-von Neumann theorem holds in M(A ⊗ K) if and only if K 1(A) = 0 and every unitary in M(A ⊗ K) is quasi-diagonal. In turn, PR(M(A ⊗ K)) = 0 iff K 1(A) = 0 and for each unitary u of M(A ⊗ K) there exists an approximate identity {e n} of A ⊗ K consisting of projections such that \(\parallel {{e}_{n}} - u{{e}_{n}}{{u}^{*}}\parallel \to 0\).
The Effect of Selection for Residual Feed Intake on Scale Activity in Yorkshire Gilts

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of selection for reduced feed intake (RFI) on scale activity for Yorkshire gilts. A total of 192 Yorkshire gilts were used, 96 were from a line that had been selected for low residual feed intake over 5 generations (LRFI) and 96 from a randomly bred control line (CRFI). Gilts were housed in 12 pens (16 gilts/pen; 0.82 m2/gilt) containing 8 gilts from each line in a conventional grow-finish unit. Gilts were weighed every 2-wks for a maximum of eight scores per gilt. Gilts were scored while on the weigh scale for activity using a whole number scale of one to five (1 = calm, minimal movement; 5 = continuous rapid movement and an escape attempt). Analyses were done using Proc Mixed of SAS. The LRFI line began with a lower scale activity score, but did not experience as great of a drop in their score as the CRFI gilts. The CRFI gilts scored lower by the end of the rounds compared to the LRFI gilts. In conclusion, selection for lower residual feed intake in purebred Yorkshires has a related effect on scale activity score but this relationship is complicated and thus warrants further research. Therefore, scale activity may not be an easy measure to be added to the list of already described traits in pigs as a factor which relates to selection for lower RFI.
Paravertebral blocks and enhanced recovery after surgery protocols in breast reconstructive surgery: patient selection and perspectives

The management of postoperative pain is of critical importance for women undergoing breast reconstruction after surgical treatment for breast cancer. Mitigating postoperative pain can improve health-related quality of life, reduce health care resource utilization and costs, and minimize perioperative opiate use. Multimodal analgesia pain management strategies with nonopioid analgesics have improved the value of surgical care in patients undergoing various operations but have only recently been reported in reconstructive breast surgery. Regional anesthesia techniques, with paravertebral blocks (PVBs) and transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks, and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been increasingly utilized in opioid-sparing multimodal analgesia protocols for women undergoing breast reconstruction. The objectives of this review are to 1) comprehensively review regional anesthesia techniques in breast reconstruction, 2) outline important components of ERAS protocols in breast reconstruction, and 3) provide evidence-based recommendations regarding each intervention included in these protocols. The authors searched across six databases to identify relevant articles. For each perioperative intervention included in the ERAS protocols, the literature was exhaustively reviewed and evidence-based recommendations were generated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system methodology. This study provides a comprehensive evidence-based review of interventions to optimize perioperative care and postoperative pain control in breast reconstruction. Incorporating evidence-based interventions into future ERAS protocols is essential to ensure high value care in breast reconstruction.
Saponification Precipitation Method for CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals with Blue-Green Tunable Emission

We report on a new synthesis process for halide perovskite nanoplatelets and nanoplates that switches the production process of the cesium precursor from a fatty acid/cesium salt reaction to a cesium base/fatty acid ester reaction, thus enabling the reaction to occur in ambient conditions in minutes instead of hours. The saponification precipitation process reported here, as a result, does not require a vacuum oven or inert reaction environment in obtaining the cesium precursor, or any part of the reaction. Furthermore, the process creates a hygroscopic byproduct that results in a self-drying synthesis. The obtained perovskite nanocrystals exhibit a blue-green tunable emission that occurs via a quantum confinement effect, phase, and morphology change. The consequence of these physical processes is that the band gap is highly tunable with temperature and the resulting nanocrystals show remarkable optical properties, while greatly simplifying the production of halide perovskite nanoplatelets and nanoplates.
Covering and Re-Covering the Heart: Development and Regeneration of the Epicardium

The epicardium, a mesothelial layer that envelops vertebrate hearts, has become a therapeutic target in cardiac repair strategies because of its vital role in heart development and cardiac injury response. Epicardial cells serve as a progenitor cell source and signaling center during both heart development and regeneration. The importance of the epicardium in cardiac repair strategies has been reemphasized by recent progress regarding its requirement for heart regeneration in zebrafish, and by the ability of patches with epicardial factors to restore cardiac function following myocardial infarction in mammals. The live surveillance of epicardial development and regeneration using zebrafish has provided new insights into this topic. In this review, we provide updated knowledge about epicardial development and regeneration.
Classifying drugs by their arrhythmogenic risk using machine learning

All medications have adverse effects. Among the most serious of these are cardiac arrhythmias. Current paradigms for drug safety evaluation are costly, lengthy, conservative, and impede efficient drug development. Here we combine multiscale experiment and simulation, high-performance computing, and machine learning to create a risk estimator to stratify new and existing drugs according to their pro-arrhythmic potential. We capitalize on recent developments in machine learning and integrate information across ten orders of magnitude in space and time to provide a holistic picture of the effects of drugs, either individually or in combination with other drugs. We show, both experimentally and computationally, that drug-induced arrhythmias are dominated by the interplay between two currents with opposing effects: the rapid delayed rectifier potassium current and the L-type calcium current. Using Gaussian process classification, we create a classifier that stratifies drugs into safe and arrhythmic domains for any combinations of these two currents. We demonstrate that our classifier correctly identifies the risk categories of 23 common drugs, exclusively on the basis of their concentrations at 50% current block. Our new risk assessment tool explains under which conditions blocking the L-type calcium current can delay or even entirely suppress arrhythmogenic events. Using machine learning in drug safety evaluation can provide a more accurate and comprehensive mechanistic assessment of the pro-arrhythmic potential of new drugs. Our study paves the way towards establishing science-based criteria to accelerate drug development, design safer drugs, and reduce heart rhythm disorders.
Why Commodity Futures Display Negative Correlation with Traditional Assets

Investment world has well understood the diversification benefit of commodity futures index. But many portfolio managers still confuse about why and how commodity futures negatively correlate with traditional assets. The negative correlation stems from the unique risk/return character and different exposure to economic fundament. Understanding the fundamental difference between commodity futures and traditional assets will help a portfolio manager efficiently use commodity futures to diversify her investment. This article identifies three important sources to explain the negative correlation: different reaction to inflation risk, counter-cycle movement, and opposed exposure to event shock. As commodities price are important part of inflation, the future price of commodity futures tend to increase with inflation rate, causing a windfall return to long futures position holders. Commodity futures exhibit good capability to hedge against inflation risk. When business cycle moves to the stage of output growth over sustainable growth level, stocks and bonds markets are more likely to be suffered from the price rising of raw materials and the increase of interest rate. However, commodity markets show strong performance as supply is constrained by capacity limit and demand. Commodity futures returns tend to have positive exposure to event risk since the event shocks unexpectedly cut the supply of commodity and move the commodities prices up, causing a significant gain to long futures investors. These event shocks are expected to be negatively related to the financial markets as the expected returns will be reduced by the higher cost of raw material inputs.
Thermodynamics of pure liquid water: Sound speed measurements to 700 MPa down to the freezing point, and an equation of state to 2300 MPa from 240 to 500 K

Accurate thermodynamic properties for aqueous solutions under an increasing range of pressures, temperatures, and compositions are needed to address a variety of technical and scientific challenges...
Requirement of lmo1930 , a Gene in the Menaquinone Biosynthesis Operon, for Esculin Hydrolysis and Lithium Chloride Tolerance in Listeria monocytogenes .

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that is widely distributed in nature, having been isolated from a variety of sources such as soil, water, plant matter, and animals. In addition, L. monocytogenes is often detected in the regular sampling of food and food processing environments. The most common method for detecting L. monocytogenes is the use of selective enrichments. Both lithium chloride and esculin, in combination with ferric ammonium citrate, are utilized in several of the most commonly-employed selective enrichment schemes for L. monocytogenes. Here we report that transposon-based inactivation of lmo1930, one of the genes in the menaquinone biosynthesis operon, via transposon mutagenesis severely impaired the ability of L. monocytogenes to grow in the presence of lithium chloride or hydrolyze esculin, and conferred reduced growth and colony size. All phenotypes were restored upon genetic complementation. Thus, strains of L. monocytogenes with mutations leading to inactivation of lmo1930 may evade many commonly-used selective enrichment protocols employed in the detection of L. monocytogenes.
Christian and Political Conservatism Predict Opposition to Sexual and Gender Minority Rights through Support for Christian Hegemony.

Although significant strides have been made for sexual and gender minority (SGM) rights in the United States, there continues to be opposition to SGM rights from many conservative Christians and political conservatives. In this study, we investigate this opposition by examining support for Christian hegemony (i.e., the idea that Christianity should be the norm and Christians should be in power in the United States) and unawareness of Christian privilege (i.e., unearned advantages for Christians) as religiopolitical variables that help to explain the association between Christian and political conservatism and opposition to a host of SGM rights (same-sex marriage, same-sex adoption, nondiscrimination policies in jobs and housing for SGMs, and bills regarding transgender public bathroom use). Based on structural equation modeling analysis with heterosexual cisgender Christian (n = 688) and Areligious (n = 327) students, we demonstrate that support for Christian hegemony and unawareness of Christian privilege help to explain the association between Christian and political conservatism and opposition to SGM rights. These findings advance our understanding of a new type of religious-based variable focused on religious power and privilege to help understand conservative religious and political opposition to SGM rights. Limitations, implications, and directions for future research also are discussed.
Translation Lengths in Out(F n)

We prove that all elements of infinite order in Out(Fn) have positive translation lengths; moreover, they are bounded away from zero. As a consequence we get a new proof that solvable subgroups of Out(Fn) are finitely generated and virtually Abelian.
On the Performance of Intracavity Gas Sensors Based on Whispering-Gallery Microlasers

We analytically investigate the performance of whispering gallery mode (WGM) spherical microlasers for gas sensing based on intra-cavity absorption. Using a simple model we estimate the response of a compact optical gas sensor based on these microlasers. We use detection of carbon dioxide by an Er:ZBLAN mid-IR microlaser with a relative intensity noise (RIN) of - 110 dB/Hz as an example, and show that using a commercial mid-IR photodetector, the limit of detection (LOD) for the resulting sensing system is about 5 ppm. We also investigate the impact of using a fiber optical amplifier on the LOD for different values of RIN. The numerical calculations and the presented approach can be applied to analyze the performance of any intracavity sensor based on WGM microlaser.
Kinetic study of surfactant-free graphene exfoliation at a solvent interface

Abstract The kinetics of graphite exfoliation at a liquid-liquid interface is investigated by monitoring the increase in graphene surface area as a function of time. With only two basic assumptions, we establish a kinetic model inspired by bacteria reproduction that describes the exfoliation process of graphite to graphene. The exfoliation process is spontaneous and is driven by the spreading of graphene at a liquid-liquid interface lowering the free energy of the system. While the thermodynamics of this process are understood, the kinetics have remained elusive. Understanding the exfoliation process of pristine, unfunctionalized graphene is important for potential applications of graphene that require a scalable approach to its production. Previous kinetic studies of graphite exfoliation are rare and are either computational results or are based on systems requiring the application of mechanical energy to drive exfoliation. We find our experimental data closely fits our kinetic model and allows for the determination of rate constants and activation energies for several grades of pristine natural flake graphite exfoliation.
A new state observer-based vibration control for a suspension system with magnetorheological damper

A new state observer-based vibration control strategy for the suspension system equipped with magnetorheological (MR) damper is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the Bouc-Wen model is implemented to...
Solitary osseous plasmacytomas in dogs: 13 cases (2004-2019).

Objectives To further characterise solitary osseous plasmacytoma in dogs, an extremely rare disease. To describe diagnosis, disease progression and treatment outcomes in dogs with solitary osseous plasmacytoma. Materials and methods Retrospective review of dogs with solitary osseous plasmacytomas that were diagnosed and treated at a single institution from 2005 to 2019. Kaplan-Meier single group survival analysis was used to estimate median survival time and progression-free interval. Results Thirteen dogs met the inclusion criteria for the study, and of those, 11 were treated. The median age at diagnosis was 8 years (range 4 to 11). Most solitary osseous plasmacytomas occurred in the vertebrae (n=8). Other sites included the maxilla (n=2), the mandible (n=1), the tibia (n=1) and the carpus (n=1). The median survival time for all dogs with solitary osseous plasmacytoma was 912 days (range 5 to 2179), and the progression-free interval for treated dogs was 310 days (range 22 to 2179). Most dogs were treated with radiation therapy (n=10) with nine of 10 receiving a definitive, daily fractionated protocol and with five of ten having had neoadjuvant surgery. Seven dogs received chemotherapy, which was initiated after progressive disease in five dogs. The median survival time for dogs that completed radiation therapy (n=9) was 1166 days (range 545 to 2179). While five dogs developed lesions at other sites, no dogs progressed to multiple myeloma. Clinical significance Canine solitary osseous plasmacytomas can be managed long term with appropriate local therapy. This observation reflects the biologic behaviour observed in humans.
Surprising stability of polar (001) surfaces of the Mott insulator GdTiO3

Using first-principles techniques based on hybrid density functional calculations, we study the stability, energetics, and electronic structure of the (001) surface of the Mott insulator GdTiO 3 (GTO), which has an orthorhombic perovskite structure. Interestingly, we find the bare unreconstructed (but relaxed) polar surface terminated by a TiO 2 plane to be very stable with a low surface energy (71 meV/A 2). As a test for stability of the TiO 2 termination against reconstructions, we studied the influence of an H adatom. Hydrogen is known to form strong bonds with surface O atoms and passivate surface states, but contrary to expectations, hydrogen does not lead to a lowering of the GTO surface energy. We explain the energetics based on the surface electronic structure. We also address the interaction between the TiO 2-terminated GTO surface and the high-density two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) that can be formed at an SrTiO 3 (STO)/GTO heterointerface. Unlike the situation in STO/LaAlO 3 (LAO) heterostructures, where the LAO surface acts as a sink for electrons, the GTO surface does not drain electrons away from the 2DEG.
Corrective Feedback and Learner Uptake in Adult ESL Classrooms

This article presents a study investigating the relationship between corrective feedback and learner uptake in adult ESL classrooms. Inspired by Lyster and Ranta (1997), the present study describes and analyzes the patterns of corrective feedback and learner uptake, observed in a different context from that of Lyster and Ranta’s study. The database consists of 21 hours of interaction between three ESL teachers and thirty-one adult ESL students. The interaction was audiotaped and transcribed, and then coded according to Lyster and Ranta’s corrective discourse model. The results show both similarities and differences to those in Lyster and Ranta’s study. While the distribution of types of corrective feedback following learner errors showed no major difference from that reported by Lyster and Ranta, the ratio of uptake following certain corrective feedback types greatly differed from their results. Possible accounts for the differences in the results are discussed from the aspects of the classroom setting, students’ ages and their motivation of participating in the language learning programs, teachers’ experience, and the target language.
Self-Disclosure Patterns among Chinese Users in SNS and Face-to-Face Communication

This exploratory study focused on Chinese social network sites SNS users to determine whether their online self-disclosure differed from offline and whether culture had an impact on the patterns of their self-disclosure. Sixteen active users of Chinese online social networks were interviewed about their self-disclosing experiences. Results of a qualitative analysis suggest that culture was likely to impact the behavior of study participants by modifying the patterns of self-disclosure. Participants tended to disclose themselves indirectly on SNS, strived to make positive impressions, and revealed few intimate issues. In face-to-face communication, the relationships between disclosers and target persons as well as the target persons' status and background influenced the contents of self-disclosure.
Adenovirus early region 4 is essential for normal stability of late nuclear RNAs.

Abstract H2dl808 is a deletion mutant of adenovirus type 2 lacking most of transcriptional early region E4. In most normal adenovirus host cells this virus displayed a complex mutant phenotype that included a dramatic reduction in the level of cytoplasmic late RNA, a corresponding defect in late protein synthesis, and a 5- to 10-fold defect in viral DNA accumulation. H5dl1004 is a deletion mutant of adenovirus type 5 that also lacks a portion of E4. It exhibited a reduction in levels of cytoplasmic late RNAs that was somewhat less severe than that of H2dl808 and a corresponding late protein synthetic defect but no defect in the production of viral DNA. In addition to the defect in the accumulation of late cytoplasmic mRNAs, HeLa cells infected by either H2dl808 or H5dl1004 showed substantially reduced levels of viral RNAs in their nuclei at late times after infection. Both mature mRNAs and apparent mRNA precursors were affected. The late transcription rates of the deletion mutant viruses were similar to that of wild-type virus. These results suggest that the underaccumulation of RNA in H2dl808- and H5dl1004-infected cells is caused by a reduction in the stability of viral RNA in the nucleus, and they implicate E4 products in a novel aspect of the regulation of viral gene expression.
Building the Disaster State: The Development of US Disaster Policy, 1789-1900

The US government has provided ad hoc disaster aid since the early days of the republic, and early texts of American political thought show that disaster response was considered a fundamental responsibility of a strong national government. Disaster response in the early days of the republic was intended to relieve suffering, save lives, and restore critical functions. Today, citizens and some politicians expect the government to engage in recovery by returning a community to its pre-disaster condition. In the 20th century it has become routine for Congress, the president, and agencies to justify disaster relief on humanitarian grounds, but it was not always so. In the early republic, disaster relief was intended to protect the flow of commerce or, in contemporary terms, critical infrastructure.
Further results on discrete-time nonlinear H/sub /spl infin// control

This paper concentrates on the problem of H/sub /spl infin// control via measurement feedback with internal stability for discrete-time nonlinear systems. Using the theory of discrete-time dissipative systems and differential games, we first present a characterization of all static state feedback H/sub /spl infin// nonlinear controllers. Then, sufficient conditions are derived for the existence of a dynamic output compensator which solves the problem of disturbance attenuation with internal stability. >
Fighting for the High Ground: Race, Class, Markets and Development Done Right in Post Katrina Recovery

An Essay about the structural impediments of race, class, markets and planning to post Katrina recovery and the obstacles to democratic participation.
Comparative economics of passive and active systems

ABSTRACT As the interest in solar energy applications for residential space heating grows, it becomes imperative to evaluate the economic performance of alternative designs. We concentrate on one passive design–the thermal mass storage wall. The economic performance of this design is examined and subsequently contrasted with one active design–the air collector/rock storage system. Architectural design criteria, solar performance characteristics, and the incremental solar cost of each design is briefly reviewed. Projections of conventional energy prices are discussed, along with the optimal sizing/feasibility criterion employed in the economic performance analysis. In addition, the effects of two incentive proposals–income tax credits and low interest loans–upon each design are examined. Results are reported on a state-by-state basis for the U.S., with major conclusions summarized for each design. It is generally the case that incentives greatly enhance the economics of both system designs, although the contrast is greater for the passive design. Also, against the less expensive conventional fuels (natural gas and heating oil) the passive design was shown to offer a more cost effective alternative than the active system for most states.
Numerical simulation of static and dynamic shadow patterns using an atomistic description of crack initiation and propagation

ABSTRACT In this paper we model crack propagation from an atomic point of view. We seek to understand the phenomenology of crack propagation in a decreasing stress field. Our objective is to shed light on the interpretations and implications of optical measurements (Kalthoff, Beinert, and Winkler, 1977a) of stress intensities. Our computational method is to use the simplest interatomic potential which captures the important features of real interactions to charaterize the structure of cracks from a discrete point of view. In our atomistic approach the fracture criterion is not independently specified but rather follows, along with all other macroscopic constitutive quantities, from the interparticle forces. We developed a recipe to estimate the average strength of the stress singularity from a direct simulation of the shadow pattern using the strain distribution around the crack tip. We applied this recipe to the steady state propagation of a crack in a finite strip and obtained good agreement with Nilsson's (1972, 1973) corresponding continuum solution.
From Parity Violation to Hadron Structure and more

New developments in physics associated with parity-violating interactions are discussed in this PAVI 2002 workshop summary.
The impact of alternative sample allocation schemes on the precision of survey estimates derived from the National Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

The 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey - Household Component (MEPS-HC) was designed as a continuous on-going survey to permit annual estimates of health care utilization, expenditures, insurance coverage and sources of payment for the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. Selected as a nationally representative subsample from the National Health Interview Survey, it is characterized by a multi-stage area probability design with an oversample of households with Hispanics and blacks. The 1996 MEPS sample consists of 195 primary sampling units (PSUs) which contained 10,597 responding NHIS households. In this paper, the precision of survey estimates derived from a 195 PSU design is compared with precision results for alternative sample allocation schemes that preserve the number of sample respondents and the over-sampling of minorities, while varying the number of PSUs and segments. The results provide insights on the impact of alternative sample allocation schemes on the precision of national health care estimates. This study presents an analysis evaluating the impact of alternative sample allocation schemes on the precision of survey estimates derived from the Household Component of the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS-HC). The MEPS household component was designed to produce national and regional estimates of the health care utilization, expenditures, sources of payment and insurance coverage of the US civilian non-institutionalized population for calendar year 1996. The MEPS includes surveys with medical providers, employers and other health insurance providers to supplement the data provided by household respondents. The design of the MEPS survey permits both person based and family level estimates. The scope and depth of this data collection effort reflects the needs of government agencies, legislative bodies, and health professionals for the comprehensive national estimates needed in the formulation and analysis of national health policies. It is the third in a series of national probability surveys conducted by the Agency for Healthcare
Fear advertisements: influencing consumers to make better health decisions

From a goal-theoretic framework, this paper proposes that fear-based framing of health messages can lead to positive decision intentions, thus helping consumers make better future health-related choices. Across two experiments, findings demonstrate that the type of advertisement (fear versus hope) and food prime (indulgent versus non-indulgent) interact to determine goal-related choice focus – such as subsequent indulgence intention or intention to implement an exercise health goal. Research implications include the suggestion that if marketers properly execute fear-primed promotional messages with non-indulgent food offerings, they can satisfy the notion that ‘One good health decision can lead to another.’
Parents of Students with Disabilities and Open Enrollment: Characteristics and Reasons for Transfer

This study examines the characteristics of students with disabilities who participate in Open Enrollment (one of seven enrollment options available in Minnesota), the reasons they participate, and the sources of information and decision-making process involved with choosing another district. Surveys of 347 parents revealed three primary reasons for transferring their children: The child's special education needs being better met at the new district, more personal attention from the teacher, and dissatisfaction with the resident school. Other factors, such as disability category, parents' income, and location, were also analyzed.
Compensation and accountability: the way to improve peer review.

This article discusses reasons for the failure of peer review in health care today, possible review options, and the effects of one option—compensation—on those common review problems.
Development of Inductive Generalization

Inductive generalization (i.e., making generalizations from instances) is ubiquitous in human cognition. In the developmental literature, researchers have proposed two theoretical accounts of this important process: a naive theory account and a similarity-based account. However, neither of these theoretical accounts explains marked developmental changes in inductive generalization with familiar categories that have been documented in prior research. In this article, I describe briefly a revised version of the similarity-based account of inductive generalization that can explain individual variability as well as developmental change in inductive generalization with familiar categories. I also highlight several unresolved issues in the study of development of inductive generalization.
Solving (cyclic) tridiagonal systems

An APL2 function is presented for solving cyclic tridiagonal and tridiagonal systems of linear equations. Those systems frequently occur in various areas, e. g. interpolation by spline functions, numerical solution of elliptic differential equations, etc.. The function is based on a modification of the cyclic reduction method [1], [2]. Time measurements show impressive speed-ups over the domino ( ) function and the APL2 versions of the Gaussian elimination method, specialized for cyclic tridiagonal and tridiagonal systems.
Catheter-associated bacteriuria in long-term care facilities

Catheter-associated bacteriuria is the most common infection acquired in long-term care facilities. Complications include fever, acute pyelonephritis, bacteremia, catheter obstruction, urinary stones, chronic interstitial nephritis, renal failure, and death. The closed-catheter system has been the only innovation in this traditional method of care that has led to prevention of bacteriuria. Antimicrobial agents rarely are indicated to prevent or treat bacteriuria in long-term catheterized patients, except for those with symptomatic infection. Alternative devices are available and often may be preferable to the indwelling urethral catheter. These patients and their reservoirs of bacteriuric organisms are sources of nosocomial outbreaks. Such outbreaks can be prevented and controlled with attention to catheter hygiene, prevention of patient-to-patient transmission on the hands of caregivers, and possibly use of antimicrobials to diminish bacterial concentrations in the urine.
Modeling propagation of pressure surges with the formation of an air pocket in pipelines

Abstract In this study, a computational model that combines the method of characteristics and the shock wave theory is developed to simulate the propagation of pressure surges in pipelines. The surge velocity and pressure change under the conditions of pressurization and depressurization are calculated. The model results show good agreement with measured data. The transient flow model is also extended to study the movement of an entrapped air pocket between interfaces. It is found the air pressure changes greatly during the early stage of formation of an air pocket. For the case of an air pocket trapped between two positive interfaces, an open surge front may be emerged from the upstream interface and eventually reverses the upstream surge to propagate upstream as a negative wave.
Use of tilted-superlattices for quantum-well-wire lasers

Summary form only given. Lasers with quantum-well-wire (QWW) active regions have been demonstrated using tilted-superlattice (TSL) structures with lateral dimensions in the low nanometer range. They are formed directly by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) without sophisticated lithography technologies. Separate-confinement-heterostructure lasers having TSL-QWWs as active regions were fabricated. The TSL-QWWs consist of a 5-nm GaAs layer and a 5-nm (AlGaAs(x=0.25)-GaAs) TSL layer which are sandwiched by AlGaAs(x=0.25) waveguide and AlGaAs (x=0.5) cladding layers. Threshold current densities as low as 460 A/cm/sup 2/ and differential quantum efficiencies of 29% per facet were obtained in a laser thus fabricated with a long cavity (1120 mu m) at room temperature. The lasing wavelength was 827 nm, which corresponds to the QWW state energy. >
Lessons in Developing Democratic Police from Post‐Second World War Successes

Fundamental to Bayley's three‐step process of democratizing police is the development of interim civilian police to enforce law, prevent crime and maintain order. The United States, NATO, and other political organizations have uniformly focused recent studies of police democratization on post Cold‐War bilateral and multilateral efforts. Focusing on the police as the essential protector of the populace's democratic rights, this study applies Weber's comparative method to analyze two proven successes in democratization, West Germany and Japan, developing lessons that may inform future peacekeeping and stability operation efforts to democratize police. In the development of sustainable democratic ‐criminal justice agencies, this study identified six fundamental processes: decentralize control, civil‐ ianize central administration, demilitarize and disarm existing forces, but rearm reconstituted forces, standardize recruitment and training, and most importantly, maintain flexibility in dealing with existing p...
Perception of odor and irritation

Abstract Compared with visual and auditory perceptions, smells, which in the colloquial sense include both odor and irritation, are often difficult to identify by name and are therefore not well processed cognitively— and yet they persist as disquieting feelings of arousal. These two factors, the persistence and poor semantic identification, form the basis for the strong impact of environmental smells associated with environmental stimulation. The literature of experimental psychology, anatomy, physiology and epidemiology relevant to perception of odor, mediated by the olfactory nerve, and irritation, mediated by the trigeminal nerve is reviewed. It is proposed that the two perceptions are higly interelated and that while anatomically different structures are involved in such environmental stimulation, perceptions are not so readily categorized. In the most simple case, whether or not odor or irritation is experienced depends on the strength of the stimulus. But it is usually more complex than that because perception is affected by the environmental context, facilitation and inhibition by other stimulation, and the state of adaptation of the perceiver. In addition, there are three important differences between odor perception and irritation. One is that the reaction time to odor is shorter than that of irritation, but this observation is perhaps of limited application to practical field research. The second is that while odors persist, they do show adaptation after prolonged exposure and, in particular, habituation. By contrast, the distinguishing characteristic of irritation is that it shows neither habituation nor adaptation. The third, partly as a consequence of these two, is that while odor perception is more sensitive and functions to arouse explorative behavior, learning, and odor memory, irritation has a general and direct effect on behavior, involving respiration, cutaneous effects, and potential pathological consequences. Odor per se does not make one sick. Evidence of effects on behaviour beyond mere perception, reinforces the need for a broader approach to problems such as mental fatigue and other performances which appear to be affected by smell.
Market basket analysis with networks

The field of market basket analysis, the search for meaningful associations in customer purchase data, is one of the oldest areas of data mining. The typical solution involves the mining and analysis of association rules, which take the form of statements such as “people who buy diapers are likely to buy beer”. It is well-known, however, that typical transaction datasets can support hundreds or thousands of obvious association rules for each interesting rule, and filtering through the rules is a non-trivial task (Klemettinen et al. In: Proceedings of CIKM, pp 401–407, 1994). One may use an interestingness measure to quantify the usefulness of various rules, but there is no single agreed-upon measure and different measures can result in very different rankings of association rules. In this work, we take a different approach to mining transaction data. By modeling the data as a product network, we discover expressive communities (clusters) in the data, which can then be targeted for further analysis. We demonstrate that our network based approach can concisely isolate influence among products, mitigating the need to search through massive lists of association rules. We develop an interestingness measure for communities of products and show that it isolates useful, actionable communities. Finally, we build upon our experience with product networks to propose a comprehensive analysis strategy by combining both traditional and network-based techniques. This framework is capable of generating insights that are difficult to achieve with traditional analysis methods.