cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nationalism and immigrant labor in a tropical enclave: the West Indians of Colón City, 1850–1936

Focusing on Colon City, Panama, this article illustrates how early twentieth-century narratives about Central American enclaves as backward and isolated places contributed to the exclusion of West Indian immigrants from imaginings of the national citizenry. In showing how enclave narratives distanced tropical workers and places from the global economies and modern technologies they helped create, the article contributes to our understanding of the history of modern disconnections between the global realities of immigrant labor and the nationalist ideologies that exclude them.
Nonsurgical and surgical treatment of obesity.

height in meters). A BMI range of 25–29.9 kg/m 2 is classified as overweight; a range of 30–34.9 kg/m 2 is class I obesity; greater than 35 kg/m 2 is class II obesity; and morbidly obese and extreme obesity are associated with a BMI greater than 40 kg/m 2 (class III obesity). To prevent confusion in this discussion, morbid obesity will refer to all patients with a BMI greater than 35 kg/m 2 (classes II and III). The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in the United States over the past 20 years. Between the periods 1988 to 1994 [1] and 1999 to 2000 [2], the prevalence of adult BMI greater than 25 increased from 55.9% to 64.5%; BMI greater than 30 increased from 22.9% to 30.5%; and BMI greater than 40 increased from 2.9% to 4.7% [2]. This latter category consists of 3.1% of men and 6.3% of women [2]. African-American females, individuals who did not complete high school, and those with short stature are particularly at risk for obesity [3]. Morbid obesity is associated with a twofold increase in the relative risk of death (from all causes) compared with the relative risk of death for BMI of 30–32 [4]. Recent estimates are that $70–100 billion or approximately 10% of all health care costs are attributable to treating obesity and obesity-related complications [5]. Simultaneously, the number of bariatric surgical procedures has increased [6,7]. An estimated 103,000 surgeries were performed in 2003, specifically for morbid obesity [6], in addition to operations performed for conditions such as
Changing the company culture—the role of human resource development

Abstract Human Resource Development (HRD) has a crucial, challenging role to play in successfully ‘orchestrating’ strategic culture change. Organization culture change has been attempted increasingly, unfortunately, quite often with poor results. Misapplication or poor understanding of culture structures and processes and its built-in ‘mechanism’ resisting change have contributed to these abuses. Widespread use of short range thinking and quick-fix solutions, lack of data on organizational processes, or failure to deal initially with more basic business problems have added further to these difficulties. This paper based on our research and consultive experiences, presents a framework for approaching and dealing with culture change models from our studies as well as selected literature based studies.
Duplex versus Unguided Pulsed Doppler Measurements of Right Ventricular Output in Newborn Infants

Noninvasive measurement of pulmonary artery blood flow has widespread implications for management of newborn infants requiring intensive care. Using a precordial, unguided, single Doppler technique, we evaluated right ventricular output in 26 preterm and 16 term infants without cardiopulmonary problems and compared it with right ventricular output obtained by duplex Doppler scanning and left ventricular output measured by a suprasternal single Doppler approach. Weights ranged from 1,120 to 3,960 g and postconceptional ages from 29 to 42 weeks. Unguided measurements of left and right ventricular output and guided and unguided measurements of right ventricular output were highly correlated (r = +0.92 and +0.95 respectively, p less than 0.001). The precordial single Doppler technique offers a reliable noninvasive estimate of right ventricular output in preterm and term newborn infants.
Behavioral and biological determinants of surgical stage of breast cancer

Abstract We interviewed 274 women aged 40–65, with breast cancer diagnosed in 1976–1977 in Los Angeles County, to learn more about factors which might affect surgical stage at diagnosis. Of the interviewed cases, 166 had localized disease at diagnosis and 108 had regional disease. Women who discovered their lesions during the course of breast self-exam (BSE) showed no advantage over women who discovered their lesions accidentally; and, those who practiced BSE routinely showed no advantage over those who did not practice BSE. Delay in seeking medical care was strongly associated with risk of regional disease and must be considered when evaluating self-screening. The factor most strongly associated with delay was the type of initial symptom: women with a lump being less likely to delay than women with another symptom (median delay of 7 vs 31 days).
Pulse-induced mutual coherence of the self-assembled quantum dots photoluminescence

Experiments show that a quantum dots ensemble?s emission is partially mutually coherent under a laser excitation pulses with duration shorter than 600 fs. A possible pulse induced coherent superradiance predicted by Dicke is discussed.
Interesting structures: education and outreach at the RCSB Protein Data Bank.

Knowing the shape of a protein can tell you its story—what it does and what molecules it binds with. Accordingly, understanding the structure of a biomacromolecule can help to create drugs designed to interact with a protein, either to block its access to other molecules or to prevent it from functioning. The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB) is part of an international consortium that works to make the data describing the 3-D shape of biological macromolecules available worldwide. Additionally, the RCSB PDB creates resources and participates in outreach efforts to ensure that these data are used by scientists, students, and teachers, both inside and outside the structural biology community.
Cosmetics: a historical review.

Abstract The use of cosmetics predates written history. But the reasons for their use—the attraction of lovers, intimidation of the enemy, masking the effects of advancing age, and compensation for exterior defects, real and imagined—are so intimately associated with activities embedded in the double helix of mankind that we can safely assume the existence of a paleocosmetology in all our ancestral prototypes. 1 Approval and use were nearly universal in all the older civilizations for which records exist. The association of cosmetics with immortality, pretense, and deceit that characterized the anti-Dionysian mindset of the power structure of the Western World in the later years of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th was never shared by the rest of the planet. 2
Residues in the Membrane-spanning and Extracellular Loop Regions of the Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)-2 Receptor Determine Signaling Selectivity for PTH and PTH-related Peptide

The parathyroid hormone (PTH)-2 receptor displays strong ligand selectivity in that it responds fully to PTH but not at all to PTH-related peptide (PTHrP). In contrast, the PTH-1 receptor (PTH/PTHrP receptor) responds fully to both ligands. Previously it was shown that two divergent residues in PTH and PTHrP account for PTH-2 receptor selectivity; position 23 (Trp in PTH and Phe in PTHrP) determines binding selectivity and position 5 (Ile in PTH and His in PTHrP) determines signaling selectivity. To identify sites in the PTH-2 receptor involved in discriminating between His5 and Ile5, we constructed PTH-2 receptor/PTH-1 receptor chimeras, expressed them in COS-7 cells, and tested for cAMP responsiveness to [Trp23] PTHrP-(1–36), and to the nondiscriminating peptide [Ile5,Trp23]PTHrP-(1–36) (the Phe23 → Trp modification enabled high affinity binding of each ligand to the PTH-2 receptor). The chimeras revealed that the membrane-spanning/loop region of the receptor determined His5/Ile5 signaling selectivity. Subsequent analysis of smaller cassette substitutions and then individual point mutations led to the identification of two single residues that function as major determinants of residue 5 signaling selectivity. These residues, Ile244 at the extracellular end of transmembrane helix 3, and Tyr318 at the COOH-terminal portion of extracellular loop 2, are replaced by Leu and Ile in the PTH-1 receptor, respectively. The results thus indicate a functional interaction between two residues in the core region of the PTH-2 receptor and residue 5 of the ligand.
Feasibility of Focused Stepping Practice During Inpatient Rehabilitation Poststroke and Potential Contributions to Mobility Outcomes.

Background. Optimal physical therapy strategies to maximize locomotor function in patients early poststroke are not well established. Emerging data indicate that substantial amounts of task-specifi...
A survey of eastern equine encephalomyelitis in Florida horses: Prevalence, economic impact, and management practices, 1982–1983

Abstract In spite of the availability of vaccines, eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus continues to cause significant death losses in Florida horses. Veterinarians engaged in equine practice in Florida were surveyed regarding their experiences with EEE, and their responses were compared with serologic data available from the State of Florida Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for 1982 and 1983. On the assumption that most cases of encephalitis in Florida are caused by EEE virus, considerable under-reporting was apparent. Clinical cases of EEE were comfirmed in every month of the year with the highest incidence observed in June and July. Northern and central Florida had the highest number of cases reported. Most deaths (78%) occurred in unvaccinated animals, indicating that greater horse owner awareness is needed. Deaths in vaccinated animals raised questions of the efficacy of current vaccines or their schedule of administration particularly in young horses. Vaccination schedule recommendations were variable between veterinarians with regard to annual versus semiannual EEE vaccination and age of first vaccination for foals. A conservative estimate of the cost to EEE to the state equine industry was greater than $1 000 000 per year.
Scale-translation filtering for wideband correlated noise attenuation

A novel idea of scale-translation filtering based on the orthonormal wavelet transform is developed and demonstrated.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Adaptations of the Respiratory Tract to Air Pollutants

(1967). Adaptations of the Respiratory Tract to Air Pollutants. Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 127-136.
Heterotic discrete flavor model

We present an extended 331 model with ${T}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ discrete flavor symmetry that simultaneously explains the need to have exactly three generations and provides acceptable quark and lepton masses and mixings. New fermionic states and gauge bosons are predicted within the reach of the LHC. We discuss the relevance to the 126 GeV scalar discovered at the LHC.
Modeling of smart composite box beams with nonlinear induced strain

A new smart composite box beam model is developed to investigate the behavior of helicopter rotor blades built around the active box beam. Piezoelectric actuators and sensors are surface bonded on the walls of the composite box beam. The new theory, based on a refined higher order displacement field of a plate with eccentricity, is a three-dimensional model which approximates the elasticity solution so that the box beam cross-sectional properties are not reduced to one-dimensional beam parameters. Both in-plane and out-of-plane warpings are included automatically in the formulation. The formulations also include nonlinear induced strain effects of piezoelectric actuators. The procedure is implemented using finite element method. The developed theory is used to model the load carrying member of helicopter rotor blades with moderately thick-walled sections. Static analysis of the smart box beam under varying degrees of actuation has been performed. Very good overall agreement is observed with available experimental data for thin-walled sections without embedded actuators. The results show that piezoelectric actuation significantly reduces the deflection along the box beam span and therefore can be used to control the magnitude of rotor blade vibrations. The nonlinear actuation effect is found to be closely related to the material stiffness of the primary structure.
Rational design to block amino acid editing of a tRNA synthetase.

Investigations in chemical biology have focused on the synthesis of custom-designed proteins with site-specific incorporation of novel amino acids. Their success requires stable production of misacylated tRNAs. Utilization of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases has been hindered because of enzyme molecular recognition mechanisms that ensure high fidelity of protein synthesis. Leucyl-tRNA synthetase naturally misaminoacylates chemically diverse standard and nonstandard amino acids, but contains a separate amino acid editing active site to hydrolyze incorrectly mischarged tRNAs. In this work, a rational mutagenesis design to block enzyme editing is described and involves substitution of bulky amino acids into the amino acid binding pocket of the hydrolytic active site. These engineered enzymes stably misacylated isoleucine to tRNALeu. The use of these mutant leucyl-tRNA synthetases has the potential to produce pools of mischarged tRNAs that are linked to nonstandard amino acids for in vitro translation. In addition,...
Contractile protein concentrations in human single muscle fibers.

The intent of this investigation was twofold:(1) to develop a convenient method for analyzing skeletal muscle protein concentrations in a large number of individual human single fibers and (2) to compare the myosin heavy chain (MHC) and actin concentrations in fibers expressing pure MHC I or MHC IIa. Individual vastus lateralis fibers were dissected from five individuals (3 M, 2 F; 24 ± 1 year) and used to determine single fiber total protein (TP) concentration and MHC distribution. Fibers expressing pure MHC I and MHC IIa were further analyzed for MHC (252 fibers; mean of 50/subject) and actin (160 fibers; mean of 32/subject) concentration relative to TP. Single fiber MHC concentration was 26 ± 4% greater (P 0.05) were noted in single fiber actin concentration (MHC I: 171 ± 17 μg actin/mg TP; MHC IIa: 165 ± 17 μg actin/mg TP). These data indicate that within the TP fraction, skeletal muscle fibers contain differing amounts of MHC, and this appears to be fiber type specific. These data and methods have implications for the study of human muscle fiber type specific alterations in various protein concentrations in response to exercise, models of unloading, and aging.
CORR Insights®: The Gown-glove Interface Is a Source of Contamination: A Comparative Study

T otal joint arthroplasty (TJA) infection causes severe morbidity that may result in mortality, and generates substantial costs both to the patient and the healthcare system. Early studies found that the use of negative-pressure body exhaust suits decreased the risk of deep infection following TJA [1, 4]. However, more-recent work has found an equal or higher infection rate with use of modern positive-pressure surgical helmet systems compared to conventional surgical gowns [2, 5]. It is not known why surgical helmet systems have not yielded similar decreases in infection rates as those reported with body exhaust suits. There are numerous challenges in answering this question among cases employing surgical helmet systems. These challenges include: (1) Conducting adequately powered studies of TJA infection, a rare event; and (2) using culture-positive TJA infection as a study endpoint as opposed to less-meaningful surrogates for infection.
Harvard binocular head

This paper presents the design and control aspects of the Harvard Stereo Robotic Head, a camera-head system. Active vision research suggests the use of sensor movement. The emphasis of this paper is on the physical aspects of controlling camera movements and lens parameters, not on the selection of visual targets. The system provides a testbed for active stereo-vision and motion-vision experiments.
Nondeterminism in logics of programs

We investigate the principles underlying reasoning about nondeterministic programs, and present a logic to support this kind of reasoning. Our logic, an extension of dynamic logic ([22] and [12]), subsumes most existing first-order logics of nondeterministic programs, including that developed by Dijkstra based on the concept of weakest precondition. A significant feature is the strict separation between the two kinds of nonterminating computations: infinite computations and failures. The logic has a Tarskian truth-value semantics, an essential prerequisite to establishing completeness of axiomatizations of the logic. We give an axiomatization for flowchart (regular) programs that is complete relative to arithmetic in the sense of Cook. Having a satisfactory tool at hand, we turn to the clarification of the concept of the total correctness of nondeterministic programs, providing in passing, a critical evaluation of the widely used "predicate transformer" approach to the definition of programming constructs, initiated by Dijkstra [5]. Our axiom system supplies a complete axiomatization of wp.
Changes in fatty acid composition of lipids from birds, rodents, and preschool children exposed to lead.

Chronic treatment with inorganic lead (Pb) has been shown to increase the proportion of arachidonic acid (ArA), as well as the arachidonate/linoleate (ArA/LA) ratio, in the fatty acids of lipids from a variety of avian tissues. Changes in two fatty acid-mediated phenomena, peroxidation of membrane lipids and synthesis of eicosanoid cytokines, are associated with this enhanced ArA content. The authors are not aware of any reports in the literature in which these effects of Pb have been described for any animals other than birds. In the current study, the authors investigated the effect of Pb on lipid metabolism in three species: avian, rodent, and human. The group of children identified as suffering environmental Pb exposure were from a Pb-surveillance program and had blood Pb concentrations (PbB) averaging 23 μg/dL. Turkey poults fed 100 ppm dietary Pb as Pb acetate-trihydrate for 19 d had a PbB of 46 μg/dL. Gastric intubation of rats with 80 mg Pb/kg/d for 10 d resulted in a PbB of 74 μg/dL. We analyzed fatty acid composition of whole blood from children, poults, and virgin rats. Low-dose (nongrowth inhibitory) Pb exposure resulted in significantly increased ArA concentration and ArA/LA ratio in blood from all species. Also analyzed were plasma and liver of poults, virgin rats, and pregnant rats and their fetuses. In plasma and liver from Pb-treated poults and virgin rats, ArA and the ArA/LA ratio were again enhanced. Pb intoxication also affected ω3 composition, increasing the concentrations of all long-chain ω3 fatty acids of fetuses from Pb-treated pregnant dams. The authors propose that altered fatty acid metabolism may be responsible for some indications of Pb poisoning. Possible consequences mediated through lipid peroxidation and production of ArA-derivative eicosanoids are considered.
Computation of Stark-Tamagawa units

Let K be a totally real number field and let l denote an odd prime number. We design an algorithm which computes strong numerical evidence for the validity of the "Equivariant Tamagawa Number Conjecture" for the Q[G]-equivariant motive h0(Spec(L)), where L/K is a cyclic extension of degree l and group G. This conjecture is a very deep refinement of the classical analytic class number formula. In the course of the algorithm, we compute a set of special units which must be considered as a generalization of the (conjecturally existing) Stark units associated to first order vanishing Dirichlet L-functions.
Meta-modeling framework: A new approach to manage meta-modelbase and modeling knowledge

In this era of digital revolution models are considered an important organizational resource. This demands a new approach in managing the repository of models for decision makers. This study presents a framework for meta-modeling of knowledge. The study proposes a generalized method for meta-modelbase management to use, store, and manage modeling knowledge. Further, to illustrate the application of the meta-modeling framework, we present the design and development of MetaSimModel - a knowledge-based decision support environment to organize, manage, use, and reuse modeling knowledge of simulation models in a flexible manufacturing environment. This study illustrates the use of meta-models (models that store knowledge about other models) to represent models. The ability to construct larger, composite models from reusable, pre-fabricated components plays an important role in improving productivity in a modeling environment.
Obeticholic acid for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis

Introduction: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a rare autoimmune liver disease, in which the epithelial cells of small bile ducts are targeted for immune attack leading to cholestasis and cirrhos...
Evidence that tobacco mosaic virus particles disassemble contranslationally in vivo.

Abstract The possibility that a cotranslational disassembly mechanism, similar to that observed when pH 8-treated tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) particles are incubated in an in vitro translation system [T. M. A. Wilson. (1984), Virology 137, 255–265], may be involved in the early stages of virus infection was investigated. Extracts of tobacco leaf epidermal cells, collected between 10 and 70 min after inoculation with 32P- and [3H]leucine-labeled TMV, contained material which had higher buoyant densities in Cs2SO4 gradients and higher 32P:3H ratios than did virus particles. The material sedimented to positions similar to those of in vitro-prepared complexes of partially stripped virus particles and ribosomes and to those of the in vivo-produced complexes of TMV rodlets and in vivo-labeled, nascent polypeptides that formed after inoculation with unlabeled, untreated TMV. In the electron microscope, some of this material resembled the complexes observed in the in vitro translation system. Experiments in which TMV or partially stripped TMV was mixed with epidermal cells from mock-inoculated leaves indicated that the material did not arise by dissociation of virus particles. nor by binding of subcellular components to partially uncoated TMV, during extraction and analysis. These observations provide evidence of the occurrence of a cotranslational disassembly mechanism during the early stages of infection with TMV.
An epidemic of acute digestive upsets of unknown etiology

An epidemic of acute gastro-intestinal upsets is described which involved 48 persons residing in four dormitories. This outbreak does not appear to have been spread through the medium of food or water. Laboratory studies did not reveal the causative agent responsible for the illnesses. The epidemiological features suggest contact or droplet infection, although attempts to reproduce the disease in monkeys (Macaca mullata) with nasopharyngeal washings and blood from patients were unsuccessful.
Ultraviolet radiation modulates nuclear factor kappa B activation in human lens epithelial cells.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a known risk factor for cataract, but the molecular mechanisms involved have not been elucidated. We hypothesized that exposure to UVR would modulate the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) within the human lens epithelium, since NF-κB is a key regulator of cellular responses to UVR stress in other cell types. Human lens epithelial (HLE) cells were exposed to acute physiological doses of ultraviolet A (UVAR), B (UVBR), C (UVCR) radiation, or interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and NF-κB activation was measured by electrophoretic shift assay (EMSA). Phosphorylation of IκB in response to UVAR was measured by Western blotting. Irradiation of HLE cells with UVAR (0–1100 J/m2) did not reduce cell survival, while UVBR (400–1600 J/m2) and UVCR (300–900 J/m2) significantly reduced HLE cell survival. EMSA analysis of HLE nuclear proteins indicated activation of NF-κB, but not activator protein-1 (AP-1), by UVAR. The effects of UVBR and UVCR were less pronounced. Exposure of HLE cells to UVAR (0–900 J/m2) followed by a 30-min incubation resulted in a dose-dependent activation of NF-κB. UVAR-induced NF-κB activation in HLE cells was evident 10 min postirradiation, maximal at 60 min and returned to control levels by 120 min. Western blot analysis of phosphorylation of the NF-κB inhibitory protein, IκB, revealed that UVAR activates NF-κB via a mechanism involving the phosphorylation of IκB-α; this effect was dose-dependent. Supershift analysis demonstrated that UVAR and IL-1β activate the transcriptionally active p65/p50 NF-κB dimer. These studies demonstrate that UVAR activates NF-κB in HLE cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner via signaling through IκB-α. The activation of NF-κB in HLE cells by UVAR may have implications for the development and progression of cataract and other related ocular disorders.© 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 17:108–113, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.10067
Technological learning, knowledge management, firm growth and performance: an introductory essay

Abstract The uncertainty, dynamism and volatility of the new competitive landscape are altering the fundamental nature of competition as the 21st century begins. In this exciting competitive era, technological learning plays a vital role in the firm’s competitive success. This role is significant because increasingly, technological learning is linked to the firm’s ability to develop, maintain and exploit dynamic core competencies. Dynamic core competencies are the foundation for competitive advantages. Although difficult to accomplish, firms try to establish competitive advantages that can be sustained for some period of time. Being able to develop, maintain and exploit competitive advantages is critical to the creation of firm value. This introductory article for the Special Issue explores the importance of technological learning and the management of knowledge for firm growth and performance. Additionally, we present a context that frames the issues examined and the contributions made by the papers included in the special issue.
Extracellular signal regulation of cell differentiation in biofilms

Bacteria often live in the form of surface-associated communities of cells termed biofilms. Within biofilms, there is a division of labor in which genetically identical cells differentiate to serve distinct functions. This cellular differentiation results from a response to extracellular signals that occur due to changes in the local environment of a cell or in response to signaling molecules that the cells themselves produce. In this review, we discuss differentiation in biofilms, focusing on the molecular mechanisms that regulate differentiation in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. In this organism, there is a subpopulation of cells within a biofilm that produces a signal, while a different subpopulation of cells responds to it. Studying what signals cells use to communicate with each other within a biofilm will allow for better design of strategies to prevent and disrupt biofilms.
The YAGS branch prediction scheme

The importance of an accurate branch prediction mechanism has been well documented. Since the introduction of gshare and the observation that aliasing in the PHT is a major factor in reducing prediction accuracy, several schemes have been proposed to reduce aliasing in the PHT. All these schemes are aimed at maximizing the prediction accuracy with the fewest resources. In this paper we introduce Yet Another Global Scheme (YAGS)-a new scheme to reduce the aliasing in the PHT-that combines the strong points of several previous schemes. YAGS introduces tags into the PHT that allows it to be reduced without sacrificing key branch outcome information. The size reduction more than offsets the cost of the tags. Our experimental results show that YAGS gives better prediction accuracy for the SPEC95 benchmark suite than several leading prediction schemes, for the same cost. It also performs better than the other schemes in the presence of a context switch. Finally, YAGS displays good results for the go benchmark, which is of special interest since it has a large number of static branches and reflects situations where aliasing in the PHT can be a problem.
The Production of Authoritative Knowledge in American Prenatal Care

Using Jordan's concept of authoritative knowledge, this article describes some of the ways that the prenatal care practices of a group of U.S. women help to consolidate biomedical hegemony. We analyze the considerations that the women took into account when deciding whether or not to accept specific prenatal care recommendations as authoritative, focusing on when and how they used their own "embodied" knowledge and experience as a standard against which to assess the validity of clinical recommendations. The data provide insight into medicalization processes and the role patients themselves play in furthering biomedical hegemony.
Theoretical Foundations for Family-Owned Business: A Conceptual and Research- Based Paradigm

As a field of study, family-owned business has lacked a coherent comprehensive framework. Currently the field is based largely on the succession literature, where the number of conceptual and empirical studies has doubled in the past five years. By using a conceptual and research-based typology for the field, the conceptual and empirical studies can be evaluated. Based upon the typology, potential studies and questions have been suggested for future research.
Designing Grid-based problem solving environments and portals

Building problem solving environments in the emerging national-scale Computational Grid infrastructure is a challenging task. Accessing advanced Grid services, such as authentication, remote access to computers, resource management, and directory services, is usually not a simple matter for problem solving environment developers. The Commodity Grid project is working to overcome this difficulty by creating what we call Commodity Grid Toolkits (CoG Kits) that define mappings and interfaces between the Grid and particular commodity frameworks familiar to problem solving environment developers. We explain why CoG Kits are important for problem solving environment developers, describe the design and implementation of a Java CoG Kit, and use examples to illustrate how CoG Kits can enable new approaches to application development based on the integrated use of commodity and Grid technologies.
Metaphorical immunity: a case of biomedical fiction.

Derived from Roman law, for more than two thousand years, immunity served almost exclusively as a juridico-political concept that modulated the criteria of inclusion and exclusion determining how citizens became subjects of European nation-states. However, once introduced into bio-science in the wake of—and as an explanation for—Pasteur's vaccination experiments, biological "immunity" began to be used to describe a "natural" and necessary function of complex organisms. Today when we use the metaphor immunity to refer to organismic "self-defense," we usually ignore the political and legal history that the concept necessarily incorporates. By first considering the creative role that metaphor plays in bio-science generally and then specifically considering the historical residue that the concept of immunity has accreted throughout its long history, this essay suggests that the biological phenomena currently encompassed by the term "immunity" may exceed, or even contradict, the metaphor that we use to make sense of them.
New Aesthetic Type T-1F Bridge Rail from the Texas Department of Transportation: Design and Test Level 3 Crash Testing

Aesthetic bridge railings that are Test Level 3 (TL-3) crashworthy have great appeal. As part of the project described here, the author worked closely with other designers from the Texas Department of Transportation to design, develop, and crash test an aesthetic and crashworthy bridge rail that meets NCHRP Report 350 TL-3 requirements. The aesthetic features of this bridge rail are easy to construct and repair. The bridge rail elements are mechanically attached to the posts and are not welded, to make the railing easier to construct and repair. The posts are fabricated from steel plate and are attractive and easy to construct. The rail elements, fabricated from high-strength aluminum, are attached to the steel posts after those are installed. The rail elements can be adjusted once in place and are also standardized highway barrier hardware. As a result of some simple and cost-effective curb reinforcement details developed as part of this project, damage to the concrete curb and deck was minimal from the ...
The design and implementation of ORBIS: The Stanford geospatial network model of the Roman world

ORBIS is a geospatial model of the Roman world representing the network of cities and travel routes that enabled movement across the Roman Empire. It is an example of neogeography, use of geographic information systems and mapmaking techniques by nonexperts. ORBIS was created using data from both primary sources and computational geography simulations about travel, wind and sea patterns, seasonal access, costs and other considerations to plot realistic transport networks. Through the development process, server infrastructure and user interface upgrades supported the volume of data, user needs and extended functionalities, such as revealing the most efficient routes between points. The result provides scholarly information on life and travel in the Roman era. ORBIS illustrates how network and hierarchical data can be used to visualize complex, multilayered geospatial information.
No cumulative effect of 10 years of elevated [CO2] on perennial plant biomass components in the Mojave Desert

Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) generally increase primary production of terrestrial ecosystems. Production responses to elevated [CO2] may be particularly large in deserts, but information on their long-term response is unknown. We evaluated the cumulative effects of elevated [CO2] on primary production at the Nevada Desert FACE (free-air carbon dioxide enrichment) Facility. Aboveground and belowground perennial plant biomass was harvested in an intact Mojave Desert ecosystem at the end of a 10-year elevated [CO2] experiment. We measured community standing biomass, biomass allocation, canopy cover, leaf area index (LAI), carbon and nitrogen content, and isotopic composition of plant tissues for five to eight dominant species. We provide the first long-term results of elevated [CO2] on biomass components of a desert ecosystem and offer information on understudied Mojave Desert species. In contrast to initial expectations, 10 years of elevated [CO2] had no significant effect on standing biomass, biomass allocation, canopy cover, and C : N ratios of above- and belowground components. However, elevated [CO2] increased short-term responses, including leaf water-use efficiency (WUE) as measured by carbon isotope discrimination and increased plot-level LAI. Standing biomass, biomass allocation, canopy cover, and C : N ratios of above- and belowground pools significantly differed among dominant species, but responses to elevated [CO2] did not vary among species, photosynthetic pathway (C3 vs. C4), or growth form (drought-deciduous shrub vs. evergreen shrub vs. grass). Thus, even though previous and current results occasionally show increased leaf-level photosynthetic rates, WUE, LAI, and plant growth under elevated [CO2] during the 10-year experiment, most responses were in wet years and did not lead to sustained increases in community biomass. We presume that the lack of sustained biomass responses to elevated [CO2] is explained by inter-annual differences in water availability. Therefore, the high frequency of low precipitation years may constrain cumulative biomass responses to elevated [CO2] in desert environments.
Infrared Thermometry to Estimate Crop Water Stress Index and Water Use of Irrigated Maize in Northeastern Colorado

With an increasing demand of fresh water resources in arid/semi-arid parts of the world, researchers and practitioners are relying more than ever on remote sensing techniques for monitoring and evaluating crop water status and for estimating crop water use or crop actual evapotranspiration (ETa). In this present study, infrared thermometry was used in conjunction with a few weather parameters to develop non-water-stressed and non-transpiring baselines for irrigated maize in a semi-arid region of Colorado in the western USA. A remote sensing-based Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) was then estimated for four hourly periods each day during 5 August to 2 September 2011 (29 days). The estimated CWSI was smallest during the 10:00-11:00 a.m. and largest during the 12:00-13:00 p.m. hours. Plotting volumetric water content of the topsoil vs. CWSI revealed that there is a high correlation between the two parameters during the analyzed period. CWSI values were also used to estimate maize actual transpiration (Ta). Ta estimates were more influenced by crop biomass rather than irrigation depths alone, mainly due to the fact that the effects of deficit irrigation were largely masked by the significant precipitation during the growing season. During the study period, applying an independent remotely sensed energy balance model showed that maize ETa was 159 mm, 30% larger than CWSI-Ta (122 mm) and 9% smaller than standard-condition maize ET (174 mm).
Intraspecific variation in retinal cone distribution in the bluefin killifish, Lucania goodei

Studies of visual ecology have typically focused on differences among species while paying less attention to variation among populations and/or individuals. Here, we show that the relative abundance of UV, violet, yellow, and red cones varies between two populations of bluefin killifish, Lucania goodei. Animals from a spring population (high-transmission UV/blue light) have a higher frequency of UV and violet cones and a lower frequency of yellow and red cones than animals from a swamp population (low-transmission UV/blue light). Visual sensitivity does not vary significantly between the populations, but spring animals tend to be more sensitive in the UV/blue wavelengths (360–440 nm) and less sensitive in longer wavelengths (560–600 nm) than swamp animals. The results have two important implications. First, the tight conservation of functional regions of opsin genes across taxa does not imply that visual systems are constrained in their evolution; differential sensitivity can arise through differential expression of cone classes within the retina. Second, intraspecific visual signals in this species may evolve to maximize contrast between the signaler and the background (as opposed to brightness); males with blue anal fins are most abundant in swamp habitats where animals express fewer UV and violet cones.
Initial Observations on the Effect of Corticosterone and Inbred Antibody Competency in Chickens on Population Development of the Northern Fowl Mite

Abstract Roosters from a line artificially selected for high initial antibody response to sheep red blood cells were more resistant to development of populations of Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini and Fanzago) than were birds selected for low antibody response. Oral administration of corticosterone to test chickens at doses ranging from 10 to 40 ppm did not affect mite development. The steroid regimen was shown to reduce lymphocyte and testes mass as well as total weight gain. Postmortem measurements were not different for the 2 inbred lines. Analysis of data indicated that antibody competency alone probably was not responsible for the observed differences in mite populations.
Analytical study of spin-dependent transition rates within pairs of dipolar and strongly exchange coupled spins with s = (1)/(2) during magnetic resonant excitation

We study theoretically the spectrum $\mathbf{F}$(s) of spin-dependent transition rates within dipolar $D$ and exchange $J$ coupled pairs of two spins with $S=\frac{1}{2}$ undergoing Rabi oscillations due to a coherent magnetic-resonant excitation. We show that the Rabi oscillation controlled rates exhibit a spectrum with three frequency components. When exchange $J$ is stronger than the driving field ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{R}$ (in the frequency units), the frequency components of the Rabi oscillation do not depend on $J$, rather they are determined by the relation between the ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{R}$ and $D$. We derive analytical expressions for the frequencies and the intensities of all three Rabi oscillation components as functions of ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{R}/D$ and $\ensuremath{\delta}/D$, where $\ensuremath{\delta}$ is detuning of the driving ac field from the Larmor frequency. When ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{R}\ensuremath{\gg}D$, the two lower frequencies approach $s={\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{R}$, while the upper line approaches $s=2{\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{R}$. Disorder of the local Larmor frequencies leads to a Gaussian broadening of the spectral lines. We calculate corresponding widths for different ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{R}/D$ and $\ensuremath{\delta}/D$. Unexpectedly, we find that one of the frequency components exhibits an unusual evolution with ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{R}$: its frequency decreases with ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{R}$ at ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{R}lD$. Upon further increase of ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{R}$, this frequency then passes through a minimum and, eventually, approaches $s={\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{R}$. Nonmonotonic behavior of the frequencies is accompanied by nonmonotonic behavior of the respective oscillation intensity.
Urban and semi‐urban planning in developing countries from a water and waste water treatment point of view

Several appropriate technology alternatives are suggested for water and wastewatei treatment in less developed countries. Large‐scale water supply systems employing conventional water treatment methods should be replaced by several small‐scale water treatment units utilizing appropriate water treatment methods. Conventional sewerage systems should be replaced by low cost on‐site sanitation systems and several other low‐cost wastewater treatment methods such as oxidation ponds, aerated lagoons and anaerobic lagoons. Wastewater renovation and re‐use should be actively encouraged in view of dwindling water resources in these countries.
Altered surface and cyst epithelium of ovaries removed prophylactically from women with a family history of ovarian cancer.

Despite intensive investigation, the nature of epithelial ovarian cancer precursors remains controversial. Because women with a strong family history of ovarian cancer have a high probability of developing ovarian cancer themselves, ovaries removed prophylactically from such patients provide an opportunity to identify early neoplastic changes. Ovaries removed from 64 consecutive patients undergoing prophylactic oophorectomy and from 30 women with normal ovaries and no known family history of ovarian cancer were examined by light microscopy for a number of histopathologic features and by image cytometry for abnormalities of the cyst and surface epithelium. All analyses were performed without knowledge of the family history. Seven benign, but no tumors of low malignant potential or malignant epithelial tumors were found in the prophylactic oophorectomy group. There were more cortical inclusion cysts in the prophylactically removed than controls ovaries (P = .016), but no other architectural features differed between the two groups. No abnormalities were found in the surface or cyst epithelium in either group by light microscopy. In contrast, image analysis identified differences in the nuclei between the two groups, indicating that those from the surface epithelium of prophylactically removed ovaries were larger and contained more heterogeneously dense chromatin than those of controls, and that nuclei of the cyst epithelium had more irregular outlines. Ovarian epithelium from prophylactically removed ovaries exhibit abnormalities that are only identified by image analysis, and which might represent early preneoplastic changes. Such ovaries may be useful for identifying early molecular changes in ovarian cancer.
The United States, Japan, and the power to block: the APEC and AMF cases

This paper argues that the evolution of APEC and the rejection of Japan's 1997 AMF proposal reeect a failure of Japanese and US leader- ship. Not only have the two countries failed to exercise either individual or shared regional leadership. Instead, both have used their considerable struc- tural power negatively to block the other's proposals for regional collective action, rather than positively to exercise leadership. After developing the concepts of leadership and blocking power, the paper provides case studies of the APEC and AMF. It concludes that if a post-hegemonic US no longer has the willingness and/or the ability to undertake collective action single- handedly, and if in a post-Cold War world neither the US nor Japan has sufecient incentives to bridge their differences and sacriece some interests to achieve a unieed stance, then continued stalemate and under-supply of regional collective goods can be expected.
Impact of a Delirium Screening Tool and Multifaceted Education on Nurses’ Knowledge of Delirium and Ability to Evaluate It Correctly

Background The impact of using a validated delirium screening tool and different levels of education on surgical-trauma intensive care unit (STICU) nurses' knowledge about delirium is unclear. Objectives To measure the impact of using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC), with or without a multi-faceted education program, on STICU nurses' knowledge and perceptions of delirium and their ability to evaluate it correctly. Methods The knowledge and perceptions of subject nurses about delirium, and agreement between the independent assessments of delirium by the subject nurse and by a validated judge (who always used the ICDSC), were compared across 3 phases. Phase 1: No delirium screening tool and no education. Phase 2: ICDSC and minimal education (ie, ICDSC validation study only). Phase 3: ICDSC and multifaceted education (ie, pharmacist-led didactic lecture, Web-based module, and nurse-led bedside training). Results Nurses' knowledge (mean [SD] score out of 10 points) was similar (P = .08) in phase 1 (6.1 [1.4]) and phase 2 (6.5 [1.4]) but was greater (P = .001) in phase 3 (8.2 [1.4]). Agreement between nurses and the validated judge in the assessment of delirium increased from phase 1 (κ = 0.40) to phase 2 (κ = 0.62) to phase 3 (κ = 0.74). Nurses perceived use of the ICDSC as improving their ability to recognize delirium. Conclusions Use of a multifaceted education program improves both nurses' knowledge about delirium and their perceptions about its recognition. Implementation of the ICDSC improves the ability of STICU nurses to evaluate delirium correctly.