cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Product Quality, Service and Pricing

Problem Definition: In this paper we develop a unified framework to investigate firms' joint decisions on product quality, price and ancillary service, when they offer a line of products to consumers in a variety of monopolistic and competitive environments. Academic/Practical Relevance: Product quality, price and its ancillary service, such as product warranty and shipping service, are arguably the most important factors consumers consider when purchasing a product. Meanwhile, they are also among the most commonly-used instruments for firms to differentiate consumers and achieve better market segmentation. However, the literature is void of study on the joint decisions on product quality, price and ancillary service under consumer choice behavior. Methodology: We adopt the widely used multinomial logit choice model to formulate consumer choice behavior among substitutable products in the presence of ancillary service. Optimization and game-theoretical analysis are employed. Furthermore, we show that the multi-product problem can be reduced into one-dimensional analyses for each product as if they were isolated, leading to tractable analytical solutions. Results: Quality of each product should be set at a level such that the marginal utility for consumers is equal to the marginal cost to the firm, independent of the decisions on other products, whereas the pricing decision should take into account all other products. Consumer surplus surprisingly increases when the firm decides on both, product prices and quality levels, compared to when it decides only on prices or quality levels. When an ancillary service is available, we show that the firm should only attach it free of charge to high-margin products, only when the utility of the service to the consumers exceeds the cost to the firm. Nevertheless, the "free" service is not free because the firm actually passes its entire cost onto consumers by charging a higher price. Interestingly, consumers are still better off in this case. Managerial Implications: Regardless of product substitution, price competition or the availability of an ancillary service, the quality of each product can be optimally determined in isolation. Ancillary service is an effective strategy for firms to segment markets and improve profit, however, it has pricing implications.
Reply to Horsburgh et al. 2016: ‘Revisiting the Kalahari debate in the highlands.’

ABSTRACTThe controversy between the DNA and morphological and osteometric identifications of animal remains from Sehonghong in Lesotho is discussed in this paper as a response to Horsburgh et al. (2016a)'s article ‘Bringing the Kalahari debate to the mountains’. Faunal identification procedures are described and base measurements provided. Morphological and osteometric data show that the aDNA result of eland on a morphologically identified sheep must be at fault. Furthermore, the cattle bones identified by aDNA as eland do not fit the morphology and are also too small for eland. New research on dairy lipids present in the potsherds of traditional hunter-gatherer ware strengthens the case for herding practices amongst past hunter-gatherer communities in the Lesotho highlands.
A U-bearing composite waste form for electrochemical processing wastes

Abstract Metallic/ceramic composite waste forms are being developed to immobilize combined metallic and oxide waste streams generated during electrochemical recycling of used nuclear fuel. Composites were made for corrosion testing by reacting HT9 steel to represent fuel cladding, Zr and Mo to simulate metallic fuel waste, and a mixture of ZrO2, Nd2O3, and UO2 to represent oxide wastes. More than half of the added UO2 was reduced to metal and formed Fe-Zr-U intermetallics and most of the remaining UO2 and all of the Nd2O3 reacted to form zirconates. Fe-Cr-Mo intermetallics were also formed. Microstructure characterization of the intermetallic and ceramic phases that were generated and tests conducted to evaluate their corrosion behaviors indicate composite waste forms can accommodate both metallic and oxidized waste streams in durable host phases.
Suicide Risk Assessment Tools and Management in Emergency Department

Suicide is the leading cause of death worldwide. The cause of suicidal behavior is multifactorial, and there is a deficiency in adequately recognizing the signs of suicide risk in patients, making it hard to predict. A history of prior suicide attempts is the strongest single prognostic factor of future suicide attempts. Other important risk factors include a history of mental disorders, age, sex, gender, race, sense of isolation, occupation, health, and family history as well as genetics. Currently, there is no universally accepted suicide risk assessment tool recognized as superior for use in acute crises. There are several tools that could be helpful in quick assessment of acute crises in emergency room, and it is important for psychiatrists to be aware of them. However, there is no one-size-fits-all intervention from a psychiatric perspective, as suicide is heterogeneous. Stabilizing the underlying psychiatric issue and addressing psychosocial stressors, when possible, are the first steps in the emergency department.
Photochemistry and Photophysics of Coordination Compounds: Chromium

The study of the photochemistry and photophysics of octahedral and pseudo-octahedral Cr(III) complexes has a rich history. An initial discussion is devoted to a general appraisal of the state of these two subjects up to December 1998, after providing a framework of state energy levels and radiative and non-radiative relaxation processes relevant to Cr(III) systems. The remaining sections cover some of the more active areas in the Cr(III) field, such as ultrafast dynamics, photosubstitution, thermally activated excited state relaxation, energy transfer, and photoactivated redox processes (both intermolecular and intramolecular). Each of these sections begins with an overview of the subject area, and then one or more representative papers from the recent literature are selected for more detailed discussion.
Nonlinear tuning curve vibration using a column of non-wetted or wetted glass beads vibrating over a clamped elastic plate: Case for air-borne sound excitation

A soil plate oscillator (SPO) apparatus consists of two circular flanges sandwiching and clamping a thin circular elastic plate. The apparatus can model certain aspects of the nonlinear acoustic landmine detection problem which involves the interaction of granular material with an elastic plate in flexural vibration. Uniform spherical glass beads—representing a nonlinear mesoscopic elastic material—are supported at the bottom by the acrylic plate (4.5 inch diam, 1/8 inch thick) and stiff cylindrical sidewalls of the upper flange. Two 3 in. diam loud speakers placed above the bead column are driven with a swept sinusoidal signal applied to a constant current amplifier to generate air-borne sound excitation from 50 to 1250 Hz. A small accelerometer fastened to the underside of the plate at the center measures the response. Separate tuning curve experiments are performed using a fixed column of 350 grams using 2,3,…,10 mm diameter soda-lime glass beads—wetted or non-wetted (mineral-oil). With dry beads, backbone curves (peak acceleration vs. corresponding resonant frequency) exhibit a linear region with comparable slopes, while detailed back-bone curvature vs. bead diameter reveals more structure. Wet beads exhibit less non-linear tuning curve behavior.
The effect of cancer diagnosis on switching health insurance in medicare

Because health insurance is intended to protect patients in the event of a health shock, it is important to evaluate health insurance policy in the context of patients who experience health shocks. I measure the effect of cancer diagnosis on health insurance switching in order to compare cancer patient's preferences among private and publicly administered Medicare. I estimate that a cancer diagnosis increases the probability a patient will leave a private Medicare plan, for the public plan, by 0.8% points (41%). Similarly, a cancer diagnosis decreases the probability a patient will leave the public Medicare plan, for a private plan, by 0.5% points (16%). The implication is that private Medicare plans are relatively less attractive to cancer patients than they are to noncancer patients.
Gum Printing : A Step-by-Step Manual, Highlighting Artists and Their Creative Practice

Gum Printing: A Step-by-Step Manual Highlighting Artists and Their Creative Practice is a two-part book on gum bichromate written by the medium’s leading expert, Christina Z. Anderson. Section One provides a step-by-step description of the gum printing process. From setting up the "dimroom" (no darkroom required!) to evaluating finished prints, it walks the reader through everything that is needed to establish a firm gum practice with the simplest of setups at home. Section Two showcases contemporary artists’ works, illustrating the myriad ways gum is conceptualized and practiced today. The works in these pages range from monochrome to colorful and from subtle to bold, representing a variety of genres, including still lifes, portraits, nudes, landscapes, urbanscapes and more. Featuring over 80 artists and 400 full-color images, Gum Printing is the most complete overview of this dynamic and expressive medium that has yet appeared in print. Key topics covered include: The history of gum Simple digital negatives for gum, platinum, and cyanotype Preparing supplies Making monochrome, duotone, tricolor, and quadcolor gum prints Printing gum over cyanotype Printing gum over platinum Troubleshooting gum Advice on developing a creative practice
Cancer of the Bone and Connective Tissue

Musculoskeletal tumors may have the greatest potential to affect function. Frequently, a multidisciplinary approach with intense rehabilitation is required in this population. Histologic diagnosis generally determines treatment options for bone and soft tissue tumors. The primary goal of musculoskeletal tumor surgery is to obtain an adequate resection with negative margins to reduce the risk of local recurrence and/or distant spread. Contraindications to limb salvage include inability to preserve critical neurovascular structures due to tumor involvement that would otherwise leave a poorly or nonfunctional limb. Primary malignant bone and soft tissue tumors are far less common than metastatic disease to bone. The most common primary solid organ tumors resulting in bone metastasis are breast, lung, thyroid, kidney, prostate, and melanoma. Mechanical load of the involved area must be considered when determining precautions. Metastatic disease to bone is often treated with radiation for palliation of bone pain regardless of cancer type. Symptomatic multiple myeloma is treated by hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and/or chemotherapy depending on eligibility and risk stratification.
Joint Channel and Antenna Modeling for Magnetic Induction Communication in Inhomogeneous Media

Magnetic induction communication (MIC) demonstrates high penetration efficiency and low propagation loss in extreme environments. It is used in underground and underwater environments to enable critical applications that cannot be achieved by using terrestrial wireless techniques. This article studies the channel and antenna modeling for MIC in inhomogeneous environments, where a transmitter and a receiver are in two different media. This problem finds a large number of practical applications such as communicating with wireless sensors in the soil, water, walls, and the human body using a wireless device in the air. This article develops a joint channel and antenna model considering the inhomogeneity of the surrounding environments. An exact full-wave model and a near field approximation model are developed and evaluated to show the characteristics of this novel wireless technique as well as the limitations of existing solutions. Using the communication with underground sensors as an example, the results show that the path loss of MIC strongly depends on the propagation media which is drastically different from electromagnetic wave-based wireless communications in terrestrial environments. Also, we find that the MIC channel in inhomogeneous media exhibits non-reciprocity due to different transmission coefficients through the boundary. Moreover, the boundary can be neglected when the carrier frequency is sufficiently low. The developed model provides a tool to design wireless sensor networks in inhomogeneous extreme environments.
Madness: Recursive Ethnography and the Critical Uses of Psychopathology

From the late 1990s, a wave of writing in anthropology took up the idiom of madness to orient a critical approach. However, anthropology's use of madness as critique reflects a longer conversation ...
Socioeconomic status relates to exercise habits and cardiorespiratory fitness among workers in the Tokyo area.

Objectives This survey aims to investigate consciousness regarding habitual exercise among workers in urban areas and to analyze the associations of workers' socioeconomic status with their habitual exercise and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Methods Ten thousand participants, who worked in the Tokyo area of Japan, were recruited for the questionnaire-based survey. The questionnaire elicited participant's characteristics, socioeconomic status (eg, employment status and annual income), habitual exercise status, and consciousness regarding exercising. After the data-cleaning procedure, 9406 participants were selected for analyses. CRF was estimated by a validated equation model. Results Some (32.9%) participants had an exercise habit, and 93% recognized that exercise is good for health. Of the nonexercise habit group (n = 6308), 73% wanted to develop an exercise habit, and "spare time (40%)" and "financial capability (16%)" were the two most necessary conditions for habituating exercise. As socioeconomic statuses increased, the odds ratios (ORs) for engaging in habitual exercise increased among full-time (1.22) versus part-time (reference) employees and those having high (1.76) versus low (reference) incomes, whereas the ORs for low CRF risk decreased among full-time (0.78) versus part-time (reference) employees and those having high (0.53) versus low (reference) incomes. Conclusions Although most workers recognized the benefits of exercise, many were unable to develop exercise habits and believed that they could develop exercise habits if they had the time and financial capabilities. The survey suggests that workers with a higher socioeconomic status more likely to obtain favorable physical fitness, indicating a health disparity among workers in urban areas.
Trimethyl Borate-Catalyzed, Solvent-Free Reductive Amination

Solvent-free reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones with aliphatic and aromatic amines in high-to-excellent yields has been achieved with sub-stoichiometric trimethyl borate as promoter and ammonia borane as reductant.
Combinatorial Virtual Library Screening Study of Transforming Growth Factor-β2–Chondroitin Sulfate System

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), a member of the TGF-β cytokine superfamily, is known to bind to sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), but the nature of this interaction remains unclear. In a recent study, we found that preterm human milk TGF-β2 is sequestered by chondroitin sulfate (CS) in its proteoglycan form. To understand the molecular basis of the TGF-β2–CS interaction, we utilized the computational combinatorial virtual library screening (CVLS) approach in tandem with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. All possible CS oligosaccharides were generated in a combinatorial manner to give 24 di- (CS02), 192 tetra- (CS04), and 1536 hexa- (CS06) saccharides. This library of 1752 CS oligosaccharides was first screened against TGF-β2 using the dual filter CVLS algorithm in which the GOLDScore and root-mean-square-difference (RMSD) between the best bound poses were used as surrogate markers for in silico affinity and in silico specificity. CVLS predicted that both the chain length and level of sulfation are critical for the high affinity and high specificity recognition of TGF-β2. Interestingly, CVLS led to identification of two distinct sites of GAG binding on TGF-β2. CVLS also deduced the preferred composition of the high specificity hexasaccharides, which were further assessed in all-atom explicit solvent MD simulations. The MD results confirmed that both sites of binding form stable GAG–protein complexes. More specifically, the highly selective CS chains were found to engage the TGF-β2 monomer with high affinity. Overall, this work present key principles of recognition with regard to the TGF-β2–CS system. In the process, it led to the generation of the in silico library of all possible CS oligosaccharides, which can be used for advanced studies on other protein–CS systems. Finally, the study led to the identification of unique CS sequences that are predicted to selectively recognize TGF-β2 and may out-compete common natural CS biopolymers.
Sulforaphane and mitochondria

Abstract This chapter reviews sulforaphane (SFN) as a modulator of mitochondrial function and dynamics. We discuss the derivation of this phytochemical from its precursor compound and the effects on various aspects of mitochondrial biology. The growing list of SFN activities includes decreasing reactive oxygen species, inducing phase II antioxidant genes via Nrf2 activation, as well as altering mitochondrial dynamics, membrane potential, and bioenergetics. We discuss the molecular mechanisms of SFN on mitochondria as they relate to disease-related declines in mitochondrial function and conclude with challenges and approaches to advance the therapeutic utility of SFN.
A novel approach to obviousness: An algorithm for identifying prior art concerning 3-D printing materials

Abstract With the development and commercialization of the recyclebot (plastic extruders that fabricate 3-D printing filament from recycled or virgin materials) and various syringe pump designs for self-replicating rapid prototypers (RepRaps), the material selection available for consumers who produce products using 3-D printers is expanding rapidly. This paper provides an open-source algorithm for identifying prior art for 3-D printing materials. Specifically this paper provides a new approach for determining obviousness in this technology area. The potential ramifications on both innovation and patent law in the 3-D printing technological space are discussed.
Influence of different types of mouthguards on strength and performance of collegiate athletes: a controlled-randomized trial.

Background: Prevention of traumatic dental injuries relies on the identification of etiologic factors and the use of protective devices during contact sports. Mouthguards are considered to be an effective and cost-efficient device aimed at buffering the impacts or blows that might otherwise cause moderate to severe dental and maxillofacial injuries. Interestingly, besides their role in preventing injury, some authors claim that mouthguards can enhance athletic performance. Thus, the purpose of this controlled randomized trial was to evaluate and compare the effect of two different types of mouthguards on the athletic performance and strength of collegiate athletes. Materials and methods: Eighteen college athletes ranging from 19 to 23 years participated in this study. Devices tested in this study included an over-the-counter boil-and-bite mouthguard (O-Flow™ Max Under Armour(®) ) (UA) and a custom-made mouthguard (CM). Physical tests were carefully selected by the head athletic trainer and aimed at evaluating the strength and performance. The following sequence was carried out on each test day: (i) 3-stroke maximum power ergometer test, (ii) 1-min ergometer test, and (iii) a 1600-m run. A random assignment was developed to test all three experimental groups on each test day. Following the tests, each athlete completed a brief anonymous survey aimed at evaluating the athletes' overall satisfaction with each type of mouthguard. Results: Custom-made mouthguards had no detrimental effect on athletic strength and performance and were reported by the athletes as being comfortable and not causing difficulty in breathing. In contrast, boil-and-bite mouthguards did not perform as well and were reported as being uncomfortable and causing breathing difficulties. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, the use of custom-made mouthguards should be encouraged in contact sports as a protective measure, without concern for any negative effect on the athletic performance of the athletes. Language: en
Gas exchange in wetlands with emergent vegetation: The effects of wind and thermal convection at the air‐water interface

[1] Methane, carbon dioxide, and oxygen are exchanged between wetlands and the atmosphere through multiple pathways. One of these pathways, the hydrodynamic transport of dissolved gas through the surface water, is often underestimated in importance. We constructed a model wetland in the laboratory with artificial emergent plants to investigate the mechanisms and magnitude of this transport. We measured gas transfer velocities, which characterize the near-surface stirring driving air-water gas transfer, while varying two stirring processes important to gas exchange in other aquatic environments: wind and thermal convection. To isolate the effects of thermal convection, we identified a semiempirical model for the gas transfer velocity as a function of surface heat loss. The laboratory results indicate that thermal convection will be the dominant mechanism of air-water gas exchange in marshes with emergent vegetation. Thermal convection yielded peak gas transfer velocities of 1 cm h−1. Because of the sheltering of the water surface by emergent vegetation, gas transfer velocities for wind-driven stirring alone are likely to exceed this value only in extreme cases.
Murnaghan's rule and the irreducible characters of the symmetric group

La regle de Murnaghan pour le calcul des caracteres irreductibles du groupe symetrique est implantee dans un programme compact
Differential Response of Cortical Plate and Ventricular Zone Cells to GABA as a Migration Stimulus

A microdissection technique was used to separate differentiated cortical plate (cp) cells from immature ventricular zone cells (vz) in the rat embryonic cortex. The cp population contained >85% neurons (TUJ1 + ), whereas the vz population contained ∼60% precursors (nestin + only). The chemotropic response of each population was analyzed in vitro , using an established microchemotaxis assay. Micromolar GABA (1–5 μm) stimulated the motility of cp neurons expressing glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the rate-limiting enzyme in GABA synthesis. In contrast, femtomolar GABA (500 fm) directed a subset of GAD − vz neurons to migrate. Thus, the two GABA concentrations evoked the motility of phenotypically distinct populations derived from different anatomical regions. Pertussis toxin (PTX) blocked GABA-induced migration, indicating that chemotropic signals involve G-protein activation. Depolarization by micromolar muscimol, elevated [K + ] o , or micromolar glutamate arrested migration to GABA or GABA mimetics, indicating that migration is inhibited in the presence of excitatory stimuli. These results suggest that GABA, a single ligand, can promote motility via G-protein activation and arrest attractant-induced migration via GABA A receptor-mediated depolarization.
Clonidine overdose: a review.

The pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of clonidine and the symptoms and treatment of acute clinidine overdosage are reviewed. Clonidine, a relatively safe and effective antihypertensive agent when used at therapeutic dosages, reduces blood pressure through a centrally mediated reduction in vasomotor tone. The primary symptoms of clonidine overdosage are central nervous system depression, bradycardia, hypotension, miosis, hypotonia, respiratory depression and possibly seizures. Gastric lavage followed by administration of activated charcoal is used to decrease absorption following acute oral ingestion. Intravenous fluid therapy and dopamine infusion are recommended for severe hypotension, and atropine sulfate is used to manage persistent bradycardia. Treatment of hypotension with alpha-adrenergic blocking agents (e.g., tolazoline) is not recommended unless patients fail to respond to dopamine infusion and administration of i.v. fluids.
Feasibility of spirometry testing in preschool children.

Summary Rationale The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of obtaining acceptable and reproducible spirometry data in preschool aged children (3–5 years) by technicians without prior experience with spirometry. Methods Two technicians were trained to perform spirometry testing (ndd Easy on-PC) and to administer standardized questionnaires. Preschool aged children were enrolled from two Head Start centers and a local primary care clinic. Subjects were trained in proper spirometry technique and tested until at least two acceptable efforts were obtained or the subject no longer produced acceptable efforts. Results 200 subjects were enrolled: mean age 4.0 years (± 0.7 SD); age distribution: 51 (25.5%) 3 years old, 103 (51.5%) 4 years old, and 46 (23%) 5 years old. Fifty-six percent male and 75% Hispanic. One hundred thirty (65%) subjects produced at least one acceptable effort on their first visit: 23 (45%) for 3 years old, 67 (65%) for 4 years old, and 40 (87%) for 5 years old. The number of acceptable efforts correlated with age (r = 0.29, P < 0.001) but not gender. The mean number of acceptable efforts on the first visit was 2.66 (± 2.54 SD; range 0–10). One hundred twenty subjects (60%) had two acceptable efforts; 102 had FEV0.5 within 10% or 0.1 L and 104 had FVC within 10% or 0.1 L of best effort. The Asthma Health Screening Survey (AHSS) was 78% sensitive when compared to a specialist exam and 86% compared to a self-reported prior diagnosis of asthma. Conclusions Technicians without prior experience were able to obtain acceptable and reproducible spirometry results from the preschool aged children; the number of acceptable efforts correlated significantly with age. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Too dry for lizards: short-term rainfall influence on lizard microhabitat use in an experimental rainfall manipulation within a piñon-juniper.

Summary 1.Ectotherms such as lizards are expected to alter their behavior and microhabitat use and experience population declines in response to rising temperatures. But the role of changing rainfall patterns on lizard behavior and microhabitat use is not understood. 2.We used a 5-year rainfall manipulation experiment in a pinon pine-juniper woodland in central New Mexico to study how a lizard species’ microhabitat use varies in four different rainfall treatments. 3.We examined ground temperatures in the sun and shade, and daily rainfall, within each treatment, during lizard activity periods, to address how lizards used sun or shade microhabitats on a daily basis. Our small-scale rainfall and temperature measurements indicate that rainfall, not temperatures, predict lizard microhabitat use. 4.Lizards showed a strong preference for shaded microhabitats during dry periods and used sunny microhabitats following rainfall events, regardless of treatment type. Lizards remained active during dry periods, foraging in the shade of trees. 5.Our study shows that rainfall can influence lizard microhabitat use more than temperature in a pinon pine-juniper woodland and the trees provide important refugia. The loss of pinon pine and juniper trees from prolonged drought threatens to limit the amount of shade available to lizards in the future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Engineered Trehalose Permeable to Mammalian Cells

Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide which is associated with extraordinary stress-tolerance capacity in certain species of unicellular and multicellular organisms. In mammalian cells, presence of intra- and extracellular trehalose has been shown to confer improved tolerance against freezing and desiccation. Since mammalian cells do not synthesize nor import trehalose, the development of novel methods for efficient intracellular delivery of trehalose has been an ongoing investigation. Herein, we studied the membrane permeability of engineered lipophilic derivatives of trehalose. Trehalose conjugated with 6 acetyl groups (trehalose hexaacetate or 6-O-Ac-Tre) demonstrated superior permeability in rat hepatocytes compared with regular trehalose, trehalose diacetate (2-O-Ac-Tre) and trehalose tetraacetate (4-O-Ac-Tre). Once in the cell, intracellular esterases hydrolyzed the 6-O-Ac-Tre molecules, releasing free trehalose into the cytoplasm. The total concentration of intracellular trehalose (plus acetylated variants) reached as high as 10 fold the extracellular concentration of 6-O-Ac-Tre, attaining concentrations suitable for applications in biopreservation. To describe this accumulation phenomenon, a diffusion-reaction model was proposed and the permeability and reaction kinetics of 6-O-Ac-Tre were determined by fitting to experimental data. Further studies suggested that the impact of the loading and the presence of intracellular trehalose on cellular viability and function were negligible. Engineering of trehalose chemical structure rather than manipulating the cell, is an innocuous, cell-friendly method for trehalose delivery, with demonstrated potential for trehalose loading in different types of cells and cell lines, and can facilitate the wide-spread application of trehalose as an intracellular protective agent in biopreservation studies.
Development of an efficient RNA interference method by feeding for the microcrustacean Daphnia

RNA interference (RNAi) is an important molecular tool for analysis of gene function in vivo. Daphnia, a freshwater microcrustacean, is an emerging model organism for studying cellular and molecular processes involved in aging, development, and ecotoxicology especially in the context of environmental variation. However, in spite of the availability of a fully sequenced genome of Daphnia pulex, meaningful mechanistic studies have been hampered by a lack of molecular techniques to alter gene expression. A microinjection method for gene knockdown by RNAi has been described but the need for highly specialized equipment as well as technical expertise limits the wider application of this technique. In addition to being expensive and technically challenging, microinjections can only target genes expressed during embryonic stages, thus making it difficult to achieve effective RNAi in adult organisms. In our present study we present a bacterial feeding method for RNAi in Daphnia. We used a melanic Daphnia species (Daphnia melanica) that exhibits dark pigmentation to target phenoloxidase, a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of melanin. We demonstrate that our RNAi method results in a striking phenotype and that the phenoloxidase mRNA expression and melanin content, as well as survival following UV insults, are diminished as a result of RNAi. Overall, our results establish a new method for RNAi in Daphnia that significantly advances further use of Daphnia as a model organism for functional genomics studies. The method we describe is relatively simple and widely applicable for knockdown of a variety of genes in adult organisms.
The Counselor Is a Psychologist

School counselors are anxious about their status and identity as professional workers. They are criticized by other helping professions for their superficiality, and they are being dispossessed of their basic helping functions by school psychologists and social workers. Solutions proposed are abandonment of the guidance model for counselors, and adoption of the counseling psychologist model geared to a two-year master's degree level. Counselors are being called upon increasingly to function as psychological specialists in behavior change and their training has become firmly based in the psychological aspects of behavioral science. Statements by the American School Counselors Association and a growing number of counselor educators emphasize the psychological base of counseling practice.
Uniqueness and drag for fluids of second grade in steady motion

Abstract For incompressible fluids of second grade that are compatible with the Clausius-Duhem inequality, non-uniqueness of steady flows with small Reynolds number (i.e. creeping flows) is possible provided the ‘absorption number’ is also small. We discuss this uniqueness question, generalize a well-known theorem of Tanner concerning how solutions of the Stokes equations may be used to generate solutions of the creeping flow equations for fluids of second grade, and give a new uniqueness theorem appropriate to a class of problems for the steady creeping flow of fluids of second grade. Under the conditions for uniqueness, we obtain a simple formula for the drag force on a fixed body which is immersed in a fluid of second grade which is undergoing uniform creeping flow. For bodies with certain geometric symmetries, the non-Newtonian nature of the fluid has no effect upon the drag.
Regional Blood Flow Distribution in Endotoxin-Treated Dogs: Modification by Ibuprofen

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether the improved hemodynamic profiles reported with cyclooxygenase inhibition during sepsis include improvements in tissue perfusion is unknown. Our hypothesis was that cyclooxygenase inhibition with ibuprofen will prevent the endotoxin-induced alterations in regional blood flow distribution from developing and/or restore the endotoxin-induced loss of responsiveness to intravascular volume expansion. Methods: We measured cardiac output, regional blood flow, and total systemic shunt flow in dogs using radiolabeled 15-μm microspheres. These parameters were assessed in control (N = 10) and endotoxin-treated animals (N = 7). Additional endotoxin-treated animals (N = 7) were also pretreated with ibuprofen. Results: Compared with controls, endotoxin-treated animals exhibited marked reductions in blood flow to most systemic organs that were not reversed with large, intravenous saline infusions lie, isotonic saline; 40 mL/kg; N = 4). By contrast, although ibuprofen pretreatment (12.5 mg/kg; N = 7) completely prevented the reductions in mean arterial pressure caused by endotoxin from occurring, it did little to prevent the development of endotoxin-induced alterations in regional blood flow distribution. Nonetheless, in contrast to the endotoxin-treated animals, there were significant increases in cardiac output and blood flow to several organs after saline infusion in the ibuprofen-pretreated animals. Conclusions: Cyclooxygenase inhibition with ibuprofen has few direct effects on regional blood flow distribution after endotoxin. However, cyclooxygenase inhibition with ibuprofen does attenuate the endotoxin-induced decrease in vascular responsiveness to intravenous saline infusion.
Concepts in classification and their relevance to epilepsy

The classification of the epilepsies was advanced in order to formalize efforts to identify coherent clinical entities and to develop a standardized set of diagnostic terminology for facilitating communication among workers in the field world-wide. The classification initially was, and still is today, based primarily on description and expert opinion. In the era of genomics, neuroimaging and tremendous technological and scientific advances in the neurosciences, it is time to introduce scientific principles and standards into the classification of the epilepsies. Phylogenetic systematics provides an initial model worth studying in this context. While the classification of species cannot be directly applied to the classification of epilepsy syndromes, three general points can be appreciated. (1) In evolutionary biology, there is an operationalized definition of the end point (a species). There is no such definition of a syndrome. (2) There are rules and criteria for the type of evidence and how it is evaluated to determine whether an entity does or does not represent a separate species. There are currently no such rules or criteria for epilepsy syndromes. (3) There is an underlying model (evolution) that generates the diversity among species. With the possible and only partial exception of the idiopathic generalized epilepsies, there are no models to explain the diversity among the epilepsies. Previously held beliefs and convictions must, in time, give way to dispassionate examination of testable scientific hypotheses examined with rigorously collected scientific evidence. Although current classification is in need of revision, it has also come into common use and has great practical utility. Any changes to its form and to the terminology of the classification must be made only after careful deliberation and broad consensus is reached. The change(s) should be based on agreed upon scientific criteria and processes. Any changes should represent major improvements and not merely incremental steps.
Initial-population bias in the univariate estimation of distribution algorithm

This paper analyzes the effects of an initial-population bias on the performance of the univariate marginal distribution algorithm (UMDA). The analysis considers two test problems: (1) onemax and (2) noisy onemax. Theoretical models are provided and verified with experiments. Intuitively, biasing the initial population toward the global optimum should improve performance of UMDA, whereas biasing the initial population away from the global optimum should have the opposite effect. Both theoretical and experimental results confirm this intuition. Effects of mutation on performance of UMDA with initial-population bias are also investigated.
On the propagation of a disturbance through a viscous liquid flowing in a distensible tube of appreciable mass

The velocity of propagation of a disturbance wave in a liquid flowing in a distensible tube is computed. The mathematical model is more general than those used in previous analyses: the tube wall properties are realistic; the convective part of the axial inertia forces is taken into account; radial inertia forces of both the fluid and tube wall are present; viscous stresses are present. Four parameters influencing the velocity of propagation are obtained and discussed. Curves are plotted illustrating the effects of the parameters. Contrary to the results of previous analyses, viscous effects are shown to be appreciable in blood flow. It is also shown that radial inertia effects can be important in laboratory set-ups.
User privacy-preserving identity data dependencies

Identity Federation technologies have enabled users to leverage their relationships with an Identity Provider (IdP) into a Service Provider's (SP) domain. They allow user-initiated and IdP-controlled sharing of authentication information, attributes and authorization policies, allowing users to get benefits like Single Sign On (SSO) and attribute linking across the different domains. Federation-based Identity Services have enabled a standardized mechanism of sharing a particular type of user identity information with interested SPs. Yet, with increasing focus on composite as well as personalized user experiences, different types of User Identity Data need to be used together. In this paper, we argue that there is a lack of standardized mechanisms for resolution and ownership, when it comes to data associations across different Identity Providers. Additionally, users have different privacy requirements for these different kinds of interacting identity information and need mechanisms to enforce them. We propose a solution which allows users to define privacy-preserving data dependencies between their different Identity information. Thus, a query for a particular user information, would honor and traverse its associated data dependencies, possibly triggering user-defined policies, to come up with a resultant set of identity information.
Improved power by use of a weighted score test for linkage disequilibrium mapping.

Association studies offer an exciting approach to finding underlying genetic variants of complex human diseases. However, identification of genetic variants still includes difficult challenges, and it is important to develop powerful new statistical methods. Currently, association methods may depend on single-locus analysis—that is, analysis of the association of one locus, which is typically a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), at a time—or on multilocus analysis, in which multiple SNPs are used to allow extraction of maximum information about linkage disequilibrium (LD). It has been shown that single-locus analysis may have low power because a single SNP often has limited LD information. Multilocus analysis, which is more informative, can be performed on the basis of either haplotypes or genotypes. It may lose power because of the often large number of degrees of freedom involved. The ideal method must make full use of important information from multiple loci but avoid increasing the degrees of freedom. Therefore, we propose a method to capture information from multiple SNPs but with the use of fewer degrees of freedom. When a set of SNPs in a block are correlated because of LD, we might expect that the genotype variation among the different phenotypic groups would extend across all the SNPs, and this information could be compressed into the low-frequency components of a Fourier transform. Therefore, we develop a test based on weighted Fourier transformation coefficients, with more weight given to the low-frequency components. Our simulation results demonstrate the validity and substantially higher power of the proposed method compared with other common methods. This method provides an additional tool to existing methods for identification of causative genetic variants underlying complex diseases.
Knowledge-based assistance for finite-element modeling

The authors propose a knowledge-based framework for assisting users in setting up, interpreting, and hierarchically refining finite-element models in a structural engineering domain. The central mechanism for providing modeling assistance is the explicit representation and incremental activation and refraction of modeling assumptions that operate on functional descriptions.
Optical and electronic properties of functionalized pentacene and anthradithiophene derivatives

The optical, fluorescent, and photoconductive properties of solution-processable functionalized pentacene and anthradithiophene (ADT) derivatives are presented. Considerable fluorescence quantum yields of ~ 70-75% and ~ 40 — 50% were observed in several ADT derivatives in toluene solutions and in thin films, respectively. Using conventional wide-field fluorescence microscopy, ADT derivatives were successfully imaged in the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) matrix on a single molecule level, at 532 nm at room temperature. All films exhibited fast charge carrier photogeneration upon 100 fs 400 nm excitation and power-law decay dynamics of the transient photocurrent over many orders of magnitude in time. In solution-deposited ADT thin films, effective charge carrier mobilities calculated from the space-charge-limited currents reached ~ 0.1 cm 2 /Vs. In the same films, bulk photoconductive gains of up to 130 were observed at 532 nm continuous wave (cw) excitation with light intensity of 0.58 mW/cm 2 at the applied electric field of 4 x 10 4 V/cm. Effects of metal-organic interfaces on the dark current and transient and cw photocurrent are also discussed.
Adiabatic connection in the low-density limit

In density-functional theory, the exchange-correlation functional can be exactly expressed by the adiabatic connection integral. It had been noticed that as $\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$, the ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ term in the expansion of $W(\ensuremath{\lambda})$ vanishes. We provide a simple derivation of this exact condition in this work. We propose a simple parametric form for the integrand, satisfying this condition, and show that it is highly accurate for weakly correlated two-electron systems.
Tyrosine-specific protein kinases of normal tissues.

Abstract Tyrosine-specific protein kinases from normal tissue have been studied using synthetic peptides as substrate. Spleen had much higher activity of the enzyme in the particulate fraction than any other normal tissue (exept purified T lymphocytes). The tyrosine protein kinase from the particulate fraction of rat spleen was partially purified and characterized. The kinase could phosphorylate src-related as well as unrelated peptides and casein at tyrosine residues. The enzyme in the membrane seemed to have somewhat different substrate specificity than the solubilized, partially purified enzyme. Serum containing antibody to pp60 v-src did not precipitate the kinase; however, the protein kinase could phosphorylate the heavy chain of IgG from TBR serum (but not from normal serum). The possible relationship of the tyrosine-specific protein kinase of spleen with pp60 c-src and other tyrosine-specific protein kinases is discussed.
Direct numerical simulation of autoignition in non- homogeneous hydrogen-air mixtures

The autoignition of spatially non-homogeneous hydrogen-air mixtures in 2-D random turbulence and mixture fraction fields is studied using the Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) approach coupled with detailed kinetics. The coupling between chemistry and the unsteady scalar dissipation rate field is investigated over a wide range of different autoignition scenarios. The simulations show that autoignition is initiated at discrete spatially localized sites, referred to as kernels, by radical build-up in high-temperature, fuel-lean mixtures, and at relatively low dissipation rates. Detailed analysis of the dominant chemistry and the relative roles of reaction and diffusion is implemented by tracking the evolution of four representative kernels that characterize the range of ignition behaviors observed in the simulation. This evolution yields different autoignition delay scenarios as well as extinction at the different sites based on the local dissipation rates and their temporal histories. Where significant autoignition delay and extinction are observed, a shift in the relative roles of dominant reactions that contribute to radical production and consumption during this induction phase is observed. This shift is particularly characterized by an increased role of termination reactions during the intermediate stages of the induction period, which results in extinction in approximately two thirds of the ignition kernels in the computational domain. The fate of the different kernels is associated with: (1) the dissipation of heat that contributes to a slowdown in chemical reactions and a shift in the balance between chain-branching and chain-termination reactions; (2) the dissipation of mass that keeps the radical pool growth in check, and that is promoted by slower reaction rates; and (3) counter to the effects of dissipation of heat and intermediate species, the preferential diffusion of H2 relative to both heat and its diluent, N2, that promotes ignition. Ultimately, the balance between radical production and dissipation determines the success or failure of a given kernel to ignite. A new criterion for unsteady ignition is presented based on the instantaneous balance between radical production and dissipation. A Damkohler number, so defined, must remain above a critical value of unity at all times during the induction period if the kernel is to eventually ignite. Inherent in a multi-step kinetic description of ignition phenomena is the disparate time scales associated with different elementary reactions that, coupled with the characteristic scales of heat and mass dissipation, may yield different dominant chemistries at different stages of the induction process for a given kernel. To capture the strong history effects associated with radical build-up, new ignition progress variables based on key radical species are investigated.