cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of Capacity and Inventory Buffers as Mitigation for Catastrophic Supply Chain Disruptions

By some accounts supply chains are increasingly being affected by catastrophic events that disrupt goods flow for prolonged periods. This may be because the occurrence of catastrophic events has, indeed, increased or because we are simply more attuned to such events because global supply chains are exposed to a greater number of catastrophic risks. Regardless of which is true, arguments have been made in the popular press that the impacts of catastrophic events are more severe than in past years because supply chains have less inventory which reduces the amount of time before deliveries to customers are affected. These same accounts argue for managers to return to past practices where more inventory was held, which motivated the analysis in this article of whether such inventory buffers are financially feasible. To broaden the discussion, we also analyzed whether the alternative type of buffer, manufacturing capacity, is feasible. We characterize the feasibility of these two buffer tactics by measuring their effect on manufacturing companies’ net incomes and credit worthiness. We also discuss nonfinancial factors that determine whether capacity and inventory buffers are effective as well as provide some ideas for restructuring supply chains so that less capacity is needed to mitigate the effect of catastrophic disruptions.
Forward and Adjoint Methods and Applications for Deterministic Electron-Photon Transport

The ability to efficiently model coupled electron-photon transport is essential for determining the response of electronics components to nuclear radiation environments. Furthermore, to fully chara...
Diversity of the Lyme Disease Spirochetes and its Influence on Immune Responses to Infection and Vaccination.

The Lyme disease spirochetes are a highly diverse group of bacteria with unique biological properties. Their ability to cycle between ticks and mammals requires that they adapt to variable and constantly changing environmental conditions. Outer surface protein C is an essential virulence determinant that has received considerable attention in vaccine and diagnostic assay development. Knowledge of OspC diversity, its antigenic determinants, and its production patterns throughout the enzootic cycle, as well as in the laboratory setting, is essential for understanding immune responses induced by infection or vaccination.
Effect of receptor attachment on sensitivity of label free microcantilever based biosensor using malachite green aptamer

Abstract Biosensors are often limited by lesser signal/noise ratio in the detection of low concentration target analyte which may be improved by modifying receptor configuration on the transducer. In this study, we report the improvement in sensitivity, through an increment in surface stress signal, due to the attachment/functionalization of malachite green aptamers with double thiolated ends on microcantilever based sensors, compared to the conventional single thiolated aptamers. Malachite green is deemed to be carcinogenic to humans and its detection using biosensors has been studied by many researchers. Our approach resulted in one order of magnitude improvement in the detection limit for malachite green, on the same sensor. The improvement is attributed to configurational changes of the aptamer on the cantilever surface, induced by the double thiolated attachment, which results in better propagation of mechanical response upon binding with the target malachite green, resulting in higher signal.
A Parallel Implementation of the Finite State Projection Algorithm for the Solution of the Chemical Master Equation

Stochastic reaction networks are a popular modeling framework for biochemical processes that treat the molecular copy numbers within a single cell as a continuous time Markov chain, whose forward Chapman-Kolmogorov equation is known in biochemistry literature as the chemical master equation (CME). The solution of the CME contains extremely useful information that can be compared to experimental data in order to improve the quantitative understanding of biochemical reaction networks within the cell. However, this solution is costly to compute as it requires integrating an enormous system of differential equations that grows exponentially with the number of chemical species. To address this issue, we introduce a novel multiple-sinks Finite State Projection algorithm that approximates the CME with an adaptive sequence of reduced-order models with an effecient parallelization based on MPI. The implementation is tested on models of sizable state spaces using a high-performance computing node on Amazon Web Services, showing favorable scalability.
A thermodynamic condition for ignition and burn-propagation in cryogenic layer inertially confined fusion implosions

A Lawson-like criterion for ignition (where self-heating dominates over all energy losses) in a dynamic implosion is developed, which accounts for asymmetry and for differences in an implosion x-ray confinement quality. It is shown that the thermodynamic ignition condition is equivalent to yield amplification levels of 16–32. Since negative pdV work of expansion after stagnation increases energy losses above that of x-ray and electron-conduction losses, the Lawson-like ignition criterion is necessary but not sufficient for igniting the hot spot to propagate into the DT fuel with sufficient vigor to generate high gain. A higher dimensional generalization of the Lawson-like criterion, which includes the cooling of the implosion upon disassembly, does provide the needed criteria, and it shows that significantly higher temperature is needed for very high levels of yield amplification compared to what traditional ignition metrics imply.
The Theory of Equality: Patriarchy Disguised As Feminism

Men act as if though all women are equal. They may disguise patriarchy as feminism. They pretend that by employing a woman, they are effectuating feminism. An exceptional woman is not hired, and then is portrayed as rotting. The employed woman perpetrates patriarchy by going along with the plan. The theory of equality is a cover-up notion exemplified by universities employing women, who are less qualified than the exceptional professionals denied deserved accolades, benefits, fraternal and sororal embrace, and employment. This exposition will describe in Section II the misallocation of the theory of equality. The theory is premised in legal arenas on case law developed according to the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence. Section III chastises women for absorbing the benefits of gender oppression. Universities are reproved in Section IV, particularly because of their ongoing resistance to ending phony quotas and insulting illusions of fairness. A conclusion is reached in Section V. The Conclusion suggests to universities that they should fairly hire women.
Supramolecular structures based on metal-organic cages

Abstract Molecular metal-organic cages (MOCs) are constructed via coordination among diverse ligands and metal acceptors with great control over the size, shape, cavity, and composition. Their unique and complex molecular structures make different types of intermolecular interactions, including electrostatic, hydrophobic, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals, π-π and host-guest interactions etc., possible to co-exist in MOC solution. The cooperative or competitive interplay of multiple attractive forces is the driving force leading to exciting and rich solution self-assembly behavior of the MOCs into various supramolecular structures, such as micelles, fibers, nanosheets, nanocubes, nanorods, and blackberry structures. Extensive efforts have been made for gaining better understanding on the formation of these higher ordered structures and designing supramolecular structures with desired properties and functions. In this review, we try to sort out the self-assembly behaviors in MOC solutions from literature based on the type of physical forces involved.
Pre-mRNA Splicing Factor U2AF2 Recognizes Distinct Conformations of Nucleotide Variants at the Center of the pre-mRNA Splice Site Signal

The essential pre-mRNA splicing factor U2AF2 (also called U2AF65) identifies polypyrimidine (Py) tract signals of nascent transcripts, despite length and sequence variations. Previous studies have shown that the U2AF2 RNA recognition motifs (RRM1 and RRM2) preferentially bind uridine-rich RNAs. Nonetheless, the specificity of the RRM1/RRM2 interface for the central Py tract nucleotide has yet to be investigated. We addressed this question by determining crystal structures of U2AF2 bound to a cytidine, guanosine, or adenosine at the central position of the Py tract, and compared U2AF2-bound uridine structures. Local movements of the RNA site accommodated the different nucleotides, whereas the polypeptide backbone remained similar among the structures. Accordingly, molecular dynamics simulations revealed flexible conformations of the central, U2AF2-bound nucleotide. The RNA binding affinities and splicing efficiencies of structure-guided mutants demonstrated that U2AF2 tolerates nucleotide substitutions at the central position of the Py tract. Moreover, enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation of endogenous U2AF2 in human erythroleukemia cells showed uridine-sensitive binding sites with lower sequence conservation at the central nucleotide positions of otherwise uridine-rich, U2AF2-bound splice sites. Altogether, these results highlight the importance of RNA flexibility for protein recognition and take a step towards relating splice site motifs to pre-mRNA splicing efficiencies.
Renal tubular vasopressin receptors downregulated by dehydration

Receptors for arginine vasopressin (AVP) were characterized in tubular epithelial basolateral membranes (BL membranes) prepared from the kidneys of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Association of [3H]AVP was rapid, reversible, and specific. Saturation studies revealed a single class of saturable binding sites with a maximal binding (Bmax) of 184 +/- 15 fmol/mg protein and a KD of 0.61 +/- 0.04 nM. IC50S for AVP, lysine vasopressin, and oxytocin were 0.74 nM, 9.7 nM, and greater than 1 microM, respectively. The V2 receptor antagonist was more than 3,700 times as effective in displacing [3H]AVP than was the V1 antagonist. To investigate the physiological regulation of vasopressin receptors, the effects of elevated levels of circulating AVP on receptor characteristics were studied. Seventy-two-hour water deprivation significantly elevated plasma osmolality and caused an 11.5-fold increase in plasma [AVP]. Scatchard analysis revealed a 38% decrease in the number of AVP receptors on the BL membranes from dehydrated animals. The high-affinity binding sites on the BL membranes fit the pharmacological profile for adenylate cyclase-linked vasopressin receptors (V2), which mediate the antidiuretic action of the hormone. We conclude that physiologically elevated levels of AVP can downregulate vasopressin receptors in the kidney.
Factors Facilitating Teachers' Use of Computer Technology

(1996). Factors Facilitating Teachers' Use of Computer Technology. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 70, No. 2, pp. 106-107.
Qualcomm's standards strategy

This teaching case examines the controversial standards strategy of Qualcomm in the larger context of the mobile telephone industry and national policies for telecommunications standardization. It is designed to provide graduate students with an example of standards competition, control of intellectual property and the tension between vertical integration and horizontal specialization.
Biochemistry of the Blood

Recent findings in molecular biology show that protein structure results from the indirect translation of the genetic message encoded in part of a DNA strand. The polypeptide chain produced in this manner can be considered the primary phenotype of an individual gene. Various interactions and combinations of these polypeptide chains, at particular time intervals, produce the secondary and tertiary phenotypes of the organism and result in its morphological and physiological attributes. The more sinrilar the genetic constitution of two organisms, the more closely they are related. From this basic observation, it follows that the degree of similarity between the proteins of organisms is directly proportional to their degree of relationship (Sibley, 1964).
Spectral Selectivity In Radiography Using A Grating Encoding System

Existing radiographs, or x-ray projec-tions, record the transmission of various materials to a broad spectrum of x-ray energies. It would be highly desirable if specific spectral regions could be isolated. For example the absorption region for contrast material, iodine and barium, occurs in specific regions of the energy spectrum. If the information relating to contrast material absorption could be separately delineated, many diagnostic procedures could be greatly facilitated. Similarly lower energy regions which are more responsive to bones and calcifications could be delineated from higher energy regions where the absorption is due mainly to Compton scattering and thus dependent mostly on tissue density rather than atomic number. The separation of these two spectral regions in a processed radiograph would allow the radiologist to look through the bony pattern and thus see soft tissue, lesions, and airways which underlie the bone. For example, lung tumors under the ribs could be clearly delineated rather than being obscured.© (1974) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Load balancing across a highly heterogeneous processor cluster using file status probes

Ray tracing for Kirchhoff migration is an "embarrassingly parallel" operation, and so can be distributed across a cluster of workstations or personal computers. However, since the computation time associated with individual rays varies with the length of a ray and with the complexity of the velocity model and processors can have widely different computation speeds, load balancing (and hence computational efficiency) across a heterogeneous cluster of processors is a significant problem. Load balancing operations are traditionally implemented by the operating system outside of the program to be executed, and generally require a priori knowledge of the number and the types of processors to be used. We develop an alternative load balancing scheme that is implemented by UNIX Network File System functions for interrogating the existence of files in a working directory from within a running program and so requires no specialized algorithms for monitoring job flow, nor a priori knowledge of the number or types of processors that are participating in the job execution. Processors can be added or removed at any time during the job execution, and the system is crash-proof in the sense that a job will successfully complete as long as at least one processor remains running; there is no master node, so no individual node is indispensable. These ideas are successfully applied to ray tracing for 3-D prestack Kirchhoff depth migration of a field ground-penetrating radar data set from the Ferron Sandstone in east-central Utah.
A Macro-Level Analysis of the Scope, Causes, and Consequences of Homophobia in Africa

Although Africa has gained a reputation as one of the world's most homopho- bic areas, there are cross-national differences in the extent and intensity of antigay laws. This article assesses the factors that have been advanced in the literature —albeit unsystematically and often mostly implicitly—to explain the observed patterns of homophobia: conservative religious beliefs, delayed political and economic devel- opment and resistance to globalization, political leadership strategies, and the legacy of colonialism. It argues that a more robust analysis suggests that a British colonial past, a large Muslim population, and the absence of economic freedom and openness explain at least one-third of the variance in sodomy laws. This finding has implications for efforts to fight African homophobia. Resume: Bien que l'Afrique ait acquis la reputation d'etre l'une des regions les plus homophobes de la planete, il y a des differences entre les pays dans l'etendue et l'intensite des lois anti-gay. Cet article evalue les facteurs qui ont ete presentes dans les etudes—bien que de maniere parsemee et souvent implicite—pour expliquer les schemas du phenomene homophobe: les croyances religieuses conservatives, le retard dans le developpement economique et politique, la resistance contre la mondialisation, les strategies politiques gouvernementales, et l'heritage du colonialisme. Cet article soutient qu'une analyse plus approfondie indique qu'un passe colonial britannique, une large population musulmane, et l'absence de liberte et d'ouverture economique expliquent au moins un tiers des
Hepatoblastoma: The Indiana Experience with Preoperative Chemotherapy for Inoperable Tumors; Clinicopathological Considerations

Analysis of the prognostic importance of various clinicopathological parameters in 17 hepatoblastomas (HBs) confirmed the utility of preoperative chemotherapy to convert inoperable to resectable tumors. There was no significant survival advantage for patients who underwent initial tumor resection compared with those resected following chemotherapy, although complete resection, with or without prior chemotherapy, was critical for cure. Young age was associated with better survival but did not correlate with histologic subtype or clinical stage. A relationship between low initial alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level and tumor resectability was noted, perhaps related to tumor size, but tumor location was of greater importance than size in determining resectability. Neither the mean proportions of fetal and embryonal epithelium, nor their mitotic activity, nor the presence of vascular invasion in the prechemotherapy biopsy specimens was predictive of outcome, but the low mitotic activity of the fetal component corre...
Introduction and expiration effects of derivative equity warrants in Hong Kong

Abstract This study empirically examines the impacts of introduction and expiration of derivative equity warrants on both price and trading volume of the underlying securities in Hong Kong. It is shown that the introduction of warrants leads to a significantly positive and permanent price effect. The expiration of warrants, however, causes a positive price effect on the expiration day and a negative price effect after expiration for in-the-money derivative equity warrants, and a negative price effect prior to expiration for out-of-the-money derivative equity warrants, respectively. There also appears to be a strong relationship between price impacts and trading volumes for both introduction and expiration of derivative equity warrants.
Symmetric-to-asymmetric mass ratios for proton-induced fission of /sup 232/Th and /sup 238/U

Fragment-energy and specific-luminescence spectra from the fission of /sup 232/Th and /sup 238/U were measured by a two-dimensional display of coincident signals from a solid state detector and a thin-film organic scintillator detector. Symmetric-to-asymmetric fission ratios and peak-to-valley ratios were determined as a function of bombarding energy. Discontinuities in the ratio curves, observed in some previous experiments but not in others, were mapped out in detail. The major discontinuities were found to occur near fission thresholds.
Pathogenesis of Immune-Mediated Neuropathies

A variety of peripheral neuropathies are believed to be immune-mediated. Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy or Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is the prototype of these neuropathies. GBS is characterized by acute progressive motor weakness of the extremities and of bulbar and facial musculature. Deep tendon reflexes are reduced or absent, and sensory symptoms are mild. Respiratory failure and autonomic dysfunction may be seen. The cerebrospinal fluid shows increased protein and no or very few cells. The nerve conduction velocity is slowed, and the pathology shows segmental demyelination with mononuclear cell infiltration. Studies from man and experimental animals suggest an immunologic basis for demyelination of the peripheral nerves in GBS, but the mechanism is not well understood. Experimental allergic neuritis, an animal model of GBS, is induced in laboratory animals by immunization with myelin P2 protein, some peptides of P2 protein, and galactocerebroside. The animals develop weakness and show electrophysiologic and pathologic features similar to GBS. P2-reactive T cells and antigalactocerebroside antisera can adoptively transfer experimental allergic neuritis. Various antibodies to peripheral nerve myelin and circulating immune complexes have been found in patients with GBS. The target antigen(s) for these antibodies are not well understood, but neutral glycolipids cross-reactive with Forssman antigen and gangliosides are possible candidates. The mainstay of therapy is the management of the paralyzed patient. Steroids are ineffective. Plasmapheresis, especially early in the course of the disease, can shorten the duration of paralysis and intubation. Results from a multicenter study in the Netherlands demonstrate the efficacy of high-dose immune globulin therapy in GBS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Genetic contributions to glucose intolerance in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are predisposed to develop impaired glucose tolerance and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Genetic factors appear to contribute to the insulin resistance that is characteristic of PCOS as well as to the failure of the pancreatic β-cell to compensate adequately for this insulin resistance. The cumulative results of studies examining the genetic contribution to both the reproductive and metabolic phenotypes of PCOS are consistent with PCOS as a complex, polygenic disorder. This article reviews the background and recent studies examining the genetic contributions to glucose intolerance in PCOS.
Pectin anaphylaxis and possible association with cashew allergy

Background Inhalation of pectin has been identified as a cause of occupational asthma. However, allergic reactions to orally ingested pectin have not been reported. Objectives To describe a child with pectin-induced food anaphylaxis and to discuss its possible relationship to cashew allergy. Methods A 3½-year-old boy developed anaphylaxis once after eating cashews and later after eating a pectin-containing fruit “smoothie.” He also has a history of generalized pruritus after eating grapefruit. Skin tests or radioallergosorbent tests (RASTs) were performed to pectin and other suspected food allergens. Results The child had a positive skin prick test reaction to pectin and a high RAST reaction to cashew and pistachio. He had a low-level positive RAST reaction to grapefruit. Results of allergy tests for the other potential food allergens were negative. The pectin in the smoothie was confirmed to be of citrus origin. Review of previous case reports of pectin-induced occupational asthma revealed several patients with allergies to and crossreactivity with cashew. Conclusions Ingestion, not only inhalation, of pectin can cause hypersensitivity reactions. Cashew, and possibly pistachio, allergy may be associated with pectin allergy, and the possibility of pectin allergy should be considered in cashew- or pistachio-allergic patients who have unexplained allergic reactions.
Electrical properties of blood and its constituents: alternating current spectroscopy

The electrical properties of blood and its constituents are reviewed over the frequency range from less than 100 Hz to nearly 100 GHz. The conductivity and dielectric constant display strongly dispersive behavior with three distinct relaxation regions. Mechanism responsible for this behavior are stated and possible applications indicated.
Empyema With Hydropneumothorax and Bacteremia Caused by Clostridium sporogenes

ABSTRACT: Clostridia species are rare causes of pleuropulmonary infections. This report describes an immunocompromised patient who had a renal transplant, had multiple risk factors for anaerobic pleuropulmonary infection, and developed an acute empyema with hydropneumothorax that was associated with Clostridium sporogenes bacteremia. Therapy included antibiotics and surgical drainage of the empyema. Species identification of Clostridia can usually be limited to whether the species is perfringens or nonperfringens because the majority of clinically significant clostridial infections are caused by Clostridium perfringens. Increased cost and consumption of time limits the usefulness of species identification of nonperfringens species. However, the identification of Clostridia species that are known to be associated with specific underlying diseases or known to have variable and unpredictable antibiotic susceptibilities may affect patient management. The role of the laboratory in identifying such anaerobic isolates is discussed.
Identification of chloroplast membrane peptides with subunits of coupling factor and ribulose-1,5 diphosphate carboxylase.

Coupling factor 1 and ribulose-diphosphate carboxylase are the main peripheral proteins associated with chloroplast internal membranes. The two proteins were sequentially solubilized and purified by gel filtration and their subunit structure was characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The differences between the polypeptide profiles of the insoluble membrane fraction, before and after extraction of these oligomeric proteins, allowed identification of original membrane peptides with specific protein subunits. The 52,000 and 14,000 molecular weight peaks are identical to the large and small subunits, respectively, of ribulose-diphosphate carboxylase; the 56,000 and 53,000 peaks are identified with the α and β subunits, respectively, of the coupling factor protein. These identifications, together with earlier studies on the 25,000 Mr band, assign a physiological role to the most prominent peptides of chloroplast internal membranes. Now it becomes apparent that the major membrane polypeptides do not directly relate to photosynthetic electron transport components, but rather to enzymatic capacities associated with this process and to the light-gathering antenna of the photosynthetic unit. The observation that chloroplast coupling factor 1 dissociates during gel filtration, with preferential loss of the smaller subunits (Mr < 50,000) is discussed in relation to the possible function of these subunits in situ in the thylakoid membrane.
Liberating engineering education: Engineering education and pragmatism

The experts in pedagogical and curriculum development such as John Heywood and others have advocated that the liberating element of liberal studies are vocational elements of liberal education [1-2]. Since the 1960s, this statement constituted some of the leading work in curriculum development, managing mastery, and retraining programs of continued education in Europe and the US. It should be noted that some experts are viewing engineering education with a liberal art perspective [3-6] as well. This paper would like to argue a new twist in this argument. This paper will examine the following: The liberating essence of engineering education is the practical/pragmatic elements of engineering. The liberation is achieved by injecting pragmatism into engineering education. Changing our pedagogical approaches can do this liberation. We should help our students to use their knowledge gained from mathematics, sciences, and other fields to focus on making, building, examining, designing, and inventing things. Liberations for engineering come out of making change by designing, building, and inventing. This is the main missing piece of most engineering curricula. This paper reviews research and activities in pedagogical development of engineering curriculum throughout the last century and especially after World War II. The paper reviews distinct directions and curriculum trends that dominate engineering education and will raise the main question: “What makes engineering special and different from sciences and mathematics?” The paper provides the support for this argument by examining the main trends of engineer development to prove that the practical/pragmatic aspects of the engineering fields are the true essence that uniquely distinguishes the engineering education. Consequently, the pragmatic essence of engineering (which needs to be reflected in the engineering education) has been (and must be) the unique identifier and the liberating element of the engineering curricula. The idea of liberation is meant as a guiding concept to help educators reflect on pragmatic essence of engineering when balancing between mathematical rigor, scientific basics, engineering systems level thinking, and identifying a common knowledge base and methodologies.
Exploitation of non-linear resonance in gravity-stabilized satellites

Abstract A perturbation study is presented which investigates the influence of internal non-linear resonance on the angular motion of a gravity-stabilized satellite containing a spinning rotor and a damper. First-order conditions that induce resonance are developed via the KBM method of asymptotic expansions. For a given resonance condition, energy dissipation properties of the system are assessed by a perturbation analysis based on canonical transformation theory. The analyses indicate that during internal resonance a relatively large transfer of energy can occur between satellite in-orbit plane (pitch) librations and out-of-plane (roll-yaw) librations. Moreover, for a limited range of pitch amplitudes, it is possible to induce resonance and dramatically attenuate pitch motion with a damper that is sensitive to yaw axis motion. The results were confirmed for a rotorless satellite by numerically integrating the exact equations of motion.
Decreased Physical Activity Among Head Start Children With a History of Wheezing: Use of an Accelerometer to Measure Activity

Summary. Asthma is a severe problem among inner city children, and recent evidence suggests that both allergen exposure and lifestyle can impact the disease early in childhood. This study was designed to investigate the association between physical activity and wheezing among a population of inner city children enrolling in Head Start. The parents of children aged 3–5 years responded to a questionnaire (N ¼ 144) to determine the presence and severity of wheezing and asthma. Information was also gathered regarding home environment, food frequency, and presence of other allergic diseases. Serum was obtained to measure total IgE and specific IgE levels to common allergens. Height and weight for body mass index were recorded. Lastly, motion sensor wristwatches (Actiwatch 1 ) were worn continuously by a subset of these children (n ¼ 54) for 6 or 7 days. Physical activity measured with the motion sensor was decreased among children with a history of wheezing. The significant differences involved those measures of activity relating to prolonged or sustained physical activity. The correlates of asthma associated with decreased levels of physical activity included: 1) a history of wheezing in the last 12 months, 2) the diagnosis of asthma, and 3) presentation to the emergency room in the last 12 months for wheezing or asthma. In a preschool-age population, decreased physical activity was observed among children with a history of asthma or wheezing. Decreased physical activity could contribute to persistence of asthma or put children at higher risk for obesity and other chronic diseases. Pediatr Pulmonol.
Psychological treatments for persistent pain: an introduction.

Psychological treatments for persistent pain have been demonstrated to be effective alternatives or adjuncts to more traditional methods for promoting optimal pain management. The primary goal of this issue is to provide the clinician with updated information on the state of the art of a variety of psychological treatments for persistent pain. Specifically emphasized are important issues that add to the complexity of effective pain management and practical recommendations for clinicians to use in enhancing the outcomes of these various treatment approaches. This introductory article provides a brief review of the empirical literature supporting the utility of psychological treatments for persistent pain, describes the content of this issue, and highlights several of the common themes highlighted by our panel of expert contributors. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 62: 1327–1331, 2006.
Endovenous laser ablation: venous outcomes and thrombotic complications are independent of the presence of deep venous insufficiency.

Objective We hypothesize that endovenous laser ablation (EVA) therapy is equally successful in improving venous insufficiency symptoms in patients with or without deep venous insufficiency (DVI). Methods From January 2005 through August 2007, EVA of the great saphenous vein (GSV) was attempted in 364 patients (460 limbs) with symptomatic GSV reflux. The GSV was successfully cannulated and obliterated in all but 17 limbs. EVA was performed alone in 308 limbs (69.5%) and with phlebectomy or perforator ligation (EVAP) in 135 limbs (30.5%). Venous clinical severity scores (VCSS) were recorded preoperatively and at 30, 90, 180, and 360 days postoperatively. Patients were classified as those with or without DVI based on duplex imaging valve closure times at the common femoral vein (CFV) and popliteal vein (PV). In a subset of 181 patients undergoing EVA therapy in the operating room, perioperative thrombosis prophylaxis was administered based on a risk-stratification protocol. Patients were assessed with direct end points (VCSS) and indirect end points (vein occlusion rates). Results Successful performance of EVA led to complete saphenous vein ablation in 99.8% at 1 month and 95.9% at 1 year. Median VCSS preoperatively was 6 (interquartile range, 5-8), generally decreasing over all time points to 4 (interquartile range, 2-5) beyond 360 days (P Conclusion EVA produces successful ablation and is associated with sustained improvement in VCSS. These outcomes are independent of the presence of DVI. Finally, the use of a risk-adjusted thrombosis prevention protocol had no effect on the rate of superficial thrombus extension from EVA or EVAP in patients undergoing general anesthesia.
Screening for Rumination and Brooding May Be a Feasible Method of Identifying Adolescents at High Risk for Depression

The purpose of this study was to explore the usefulness of a standardized measure of rumination and brooding (Ruminative Response Scale [RRS]), to accurately identify adolescents at risk for depression. Participants (N=111; mean age=13.06 years) completed standardized measures in a cross-sectional study. ROC analyses yielded high area under the curve estimates for the RRS (.94, p<.001) and the brooding subscale (.91, p<.001), indicating both are excellent at discriminating between adolescents at high and low risk for depressive symptoms. Findings suggest depression prevention may benefit from screening for and targeting rumination or brooding with adolescence.
Workshop held on natural disasters

Natural hazards such as earthquakes and floods are a menace to the population worldwide. The United Nations focused attention on this global problem by declaring the 1990s the Decade of Natural Hazard Reduction. In addition to threatening human life, natural hazards can cause severe economic hardship locally and, in an ever more complex and interactive world economy, dislocations that are felt in areas far beyond the site of a disaster. Recent catastrophic earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and fires have called into question the ability of private insurers to cover economic losses. Unlimited liability is a necessity for confidence in insurance coverage, but these events have stretched the resources of even the largest insurers.
Report decision-making patterns among mandated child abuse reporters

The goal of this investigation was to examine whether reporting decisions could be described by a coherent process that was consistent across incidents of suspected abuse. Using case vignettes imbedded in a national mail survey of mandated reporters, we examined the relationship between a series of judgments about the cases described in the vignettes and reporting intentions. These judgments included seriousness of the incident; whether the incident should be labeled "abuse" or "neglect"; whether the law would require a report; and whether the child and, separately, the rest of the family would benefit from a report. These five abuse-relevant judgments were strongly related to each other and together accounted for a substantial amount of the variance in reporting intentions. The law's demands most closely related to reporting intentions; benefits of reports were least closely related. Varimax rotation of a factor analysis revealed two factors: The first included seriousness, the abuse label, and the law's requirements, along with reporting intentions. The two benefit judgments loaded on the second factor. There were small differences in reporting judgments and patterns as a function of type of abuse. The implications of these findings for mandated reporter behavior are discussed.
Rural small towns: an environmental context for aging

Abstract Following a brief review of sociological and psychological definitions of rurality, this paper illustrates the uses of an empirically-derived taxonomy of environmental perceptions for understanding the rural experiences of older residents of small towns in the midwestern United States. Specifically, variations in perceptions of twelve dimensions of rural environments were examined (1) among older residents of small towns of different sizes (populations 100–500, 501–1500 or 1501–2500), and (2) among four groups of older residents (n = 898) displaying differing profiles of subjective social and psychological well-being. Reliable town- size differences in environmental perceptions were found for eight of the 12 environmental attributes. Illustratively, residents of smaller towns reported lower levels of community satisfaction and community involvement, higher levels of intimacy and consensus on town issues, and fewer barriers to services and activities than residents of larger towns. Reliable differences in environmental perceptions were found for ten of the attributes for older residents differing in well-being. For example, more frail residents were less satisfied with their communities, and felt more constricted and isolated by physical barriers and social norms; they were less involved in their communities and less aware of available community services. The advantages of the application of person-environment taxonomies to research and intervention in rural environments are discussed. Chief among these is the refinement gained in the understanding of individual differences in ecological adaptation.
Protonation sites in methyl nitrate and the formation of transient CH4NO3 radicals. A neutralization-reionization mass spectrometric and computational study

Protonation sites in methyl nitrate (1) were evaluated computationally at the Gaussian 2(MP2) level of ab initio theory. The methoxy oxygen was the most basic site that had a calculated proton affinity of PA = 728–738 kJ mol−1 depending on the optimization method used to calculate the equilibrium geometry of the CH3O(H)-NO 2 + ion (2+). Protonation at the terminal oxygen atoms in methyl nitrate was less exothermic; the calculated proton affinities were 725, 722, and 712 kJ mol−1 for the formation of the syn-syn, anti-syn, and syn-anti ion rotamers 3a+, 3b+, and 3c+, respectively. Ion 2+ was prepared by an ion-molecule reaction of NO 2 + with methanol and used to generate the transient CH3O(H)-NO 2 . radical (2) by femtosecond collisional electron transfer. Exothermic protonation of 1 produced a mixture of 3a+–3c+ with 2+ that was used to generate transient radicals 3a–3c. Radical 2 was found to be unbound and dissociated without barrier to methanol and NO2. Radicals 3a–3c were calculated to be weakly bound. When formed by vertical neutralization, 3a–3c dissociated completely on the 4.2 μs time scale of the experiment. The main dissociations of 3a–3c were formations of CH3O. + HONO and CH3ONO + OH.. The gas-phase chemistry of radicals 3a–3c and their dissociation products, as studied by neutralization—reionization mass spectrometry, was dominated by Franck—Condon effects on collisional neutralization and reionization. The adiabatic ionization energies of 3a–3c were calculated as 7.54, 7.57, and 7.66 eV, respectively.
Reactions of VX, GD, and HD with Nanosize MgO

The room-temperature reactions of the chemical warfare agents VX (O-ethyl S-2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methylphosphonothioate), GD (3,3-dimethyl-2-butyl methylphosphonofluoridate, or Soman), and HD (2,2‘-dichloroethyl sulfide, or mustard) with nanosize MgO have been studied using solid-state MAS NMR. All three agents hydrolyze on the surface of the very reactive MgO nanoparticles. VX yields ethyl methylphosphonic acid (EMPA) and methylphosphonic acid (MPA), but no toxic S-(2-diisopropylamino)ethyl methylphosphonothioate (EA-2192). GD forms both GD-acid and MPA. For HD, in addition to hydrolysis to thiodiglycol, about 50% elimination to divinyl sulfide occurs. The reaction kinetics for all three agents are characterized by a fast initial reaction followed by gradual slowing to a steady-state reaction with first-order behavior. The fast reaction is consistent with liquid spreading through the porous nanoparticle aggregates. The steady-state reaction is identified as a gas-phase reaction, mediated by evaporat...
Quantitative microvessel density. A staging and prognostic marker for human prostatic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND. Accurate methods of predicting pathologic stage and malignant potential of carcinoma of the prostate are lacking. Such advances would represent major additions to our ability to recommend therapy and offer prognostic information. Quantitation of microvessel density (MVD) has been shown in a number of organ systems to predict tumor aggressiveness. METHODS. We and others have investigated this modality in preoperative assessment of pathologic stage and freedom from progression in patients with prostatic carcinoma. RESULTS. Unique and useful staging information has been provided and indeed quantitation of MVD has been shown to be a better predictor of the findings of radical prostatectomy than clinical stage, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), and/or the Gleason score. Applying a variety of therapeutic modalities, quantitative MVD can be shown to provide additional information to predict who will or will not progress. Recent observations have demonstrated that quantitative MVD may be performed on a limited tissue sample provided by prostate core needle biopsy. CONCLUSIONS. Quantitative MVD may provide important staging and prognostic information for males with carcinoma of the prostate. The results may influence the recommendation for additional staging studies, provide stratification of patients for neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy, assist in technical aspects of definitive therapy, and aid in defining optimum monitoring regimens.
P-type quantum well infrared photodetectors and pixelless long-wavelength infrared imaging devices

We present results on p-type quantum well IR photodetectors (QWIPs) based on GaAs substrates, and discuss issues related to the optimization of their performance. Due to the fact that a p-QWIP allows normal incidence absorption, the simplicity in device fabrication makes it interesting for implementing a pixel-less imaging device based on the integration of QWIP and light emitting diode.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Temporal changes in cytokine expression of foals during the first month of life.

Foals are uniquely susceptible to a wide variety of opportunistic infections normally associated with immunodeficiencies. Little is understood about the immune system of foals during the neonatal period. An apparent age-related susceptibility predisposes neonatal foals to infectious diseases and hinders therapeutic and preventative interventions for these diseases. Cytokine expression is correlated with the type of immune response as well as the severity of a disease. In this study, we measured foal peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-specific mRNA cytokine expression from 72 foals from three different farms during the first 4 weeks of life. Interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p35, IL-12p40, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were cloned and transcribed in vitro to generate antisense probes for ribonuclease protection assays. Using linear mixed-effect models, we determined that IFN-γ, TGF-β1, and IL-1α increased significantly (P<0.05) with age.
Nutrient transfer in a marine mutualism: patterns of ammonia excretion by anemonefish and uptake by giant sea anemones

Many symbioses involve multiple partners in complex, multi-level associations, yet little is known concerning patterns of nutrient transfer in multi-level marine mutualisms. We used the anemonefish symbiosis as a model system to create a balance sheet for nitrogen production and transfer within a three-way symbiotic system. We quantified diel patterns in excretion of ammonia by anemonefish and subsequent absorption by host sea anemones and zooxanthellae under laboratory conditions. Rates of ammonia excretion by the anemonefish Amphiprion bicinctus varied from a high of 1.84 μmole g−1 h−1 at 2 h after feeding, to a basal rate of 0.50 μmole g−1 h−1 at 24–36 h since the last meal. Conversely, host sea anemones Entacmaea quadricolor absorbed ammonia at a rate of 0.10 μmole g−1 h−1 during the daytime in ammonia-enriched seawater, but during the night reduced their absorption rate to near zero, indicating that ammonia uptake was driven by zooxanthella photosynthesis. When incubated together, net ammonia excretion was virturally zero, indicating that host anemones absorbed most of the ammonia produced by resident fish. Adult anemonefish weighed about 11 g under laboratory conditions, but on the coral reef may reach up to 64 g, resulting in a maximal potential ammonia load of >200 μmole h−1 produced by two adult fish during daylight hours. In contrast, host sea anemones weighed about 47 g in the laboratory, but under field conditions, large individuals may reach 680 g, so their maximal ammonia clearance rates may reach about 70 μmole h−1 during the daytime. As such, the ammonia load produced by adult anemonefish far exceeds the clearance rate of host anemones and zooxanthellae. Ammonia transfer likely occurs mainly during the daytime, when anemonefish consume zooplankton and excrete rapidly, and in turn the zooxanthellae are photosynthetically active and drive rapid ammonia uptake. We conclude that zooplanktivorous fishes that form mutualisms with coral reef cnidarians may serve as an important link between open water and benthic ecosystems, through the transfer of large quantities of nutrients to zooxanthellate hosts, thus enhancing coral reef productivity.
PYOCYANINE, AN ACCESSORY RESPIRATORY ENZYME

Pyocyanine, the blue pigment of B. pyocyaneus, can increase the respiration of living cells to a great degree (maximum observed increase 24-fold). The reversibility of its oxidation and reduction is responsible for this. The effect is non-species-specific and has been observed in varying degrees with B. pyocyaneus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumococcus Type III, and the red blood corpuscles of rabbits. The effect of pyocyanine is dependent on the presence of another respiratory ferment sensitive to potassium cyanide and carbon monoxide. The increase of respiration induced by pyocyanine is paralleled by an increase in the respiratory quotient. The pyocyanine catalysis is not indiscriminately effective in all oxidations, but only in the oxidation of certain substances closely associated with the bacterial body.