cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tuning indirect predictions based on SNP effects from single-step GBLUP

The objectives of this study were to investigate whether SNP effects can be accurately estimated when the algorithm for proven and young (APY) is used in single-step GBLUP (ssGBLUP), and how close indirect predictions, based on SNP effects, are to GEBV from regular ssGBLUP. Tests involved an American Angus dataset with 8 million animals in the pedigree. Among those, 80 993 were genotyped. Validation animals (15 040) were born from 2013 to 2014. The reduced dataset had genotypes and phenotypes up to 2012; the complete dataset had genotypes up to 2014 and was used to obtain the benchmark GEBV. Based on the reduced dataset, GEBV were calculated using regular ssGBLUP with direct inversion of G ( G -1 ), and APY ssGBLUP ( G APY -1 ) with 11 000 core animals. The SNP effects were calculated based on a) G -1 , b) G APY -1 , or c) the inverse of the core portion of G ( G c c -1 ). Direct genomic values (DGV) for validation animals were obtained as the sum of SNP effects weighted by the genotype content, and the difference between pedigree and genomic base was added to obtain indirect predictions. Correlations between SNP effects obtained with G -1 and G APY -1 were > 0.99; the lower correlation (0.93) was observed when using G core -1 . Correlations between the benchmark GEBV and DGV from G -1 , G APY -1 , and G core -1 were all 0.99. The average difference between benchmark GEBV and DGV was 113.95, indicating a large bias. Indirect predictions that include DGV and the difference between pedigree and genomic base were less biased, and therefore, comparable to GEBV. Accurate indirect predictions can be obtained when APY ssGBLUP is used. Backsolving genomic predictions to SNP effects may require only a group of genotyped animals representing the dimensionality of the genomic information.
Quantitative trait loci: a new approach to old evolutionary problems

Because of innovations in quantitative and molecular genetics, it is becoming possible to study the individual loci (QTL) affecting quantitative traits. We review the results of our empirical and theoretical research on QTL effects and interactions. We believe this area of investigation, already in widespread use in the agricultural and medical sciences, will become increasingly important in evolutionary biology as a way of addressing some very old but stubborn questions.
Identification of attractive odorants released by preferred bacterial food found in the natural habitats of C. elegans

Food choice is critical for survival because organisms must choose food that is edible and nutritious and avoid pathogenic food. Many organisms, including the nematode C. elegans, use olfaction to detect and distinguish among food sources. C. elegans exhibits innate preferences for the odors of different bacterial species. However, little is known about the preferences of C. elegans for bacterial strains isolated from their natural environment as well as the attractive volatile compounds released by preferred natural bacteria isolates. We tested food odor preferences of C. elegans for non-pathogenic bacteria found in their natural habitats. We found that C. elegans showed a preference for the odor of six of the eight tested bacterial isolates over its standard food source, E. coli HB101. Using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, we found that four of six attractive bacterial isolates (Alcaligenes sp. JUb4, Providenica sp. JUb5, Providencia sp. JUb39, and Flavobacteria sp. JUb43) released isoamyl alcohol, a well-studied C. elegans attractant, while both non-attractive isolates (Raoultella sp. JUb38 and Acinetobacter sp. JUb68) released very low or non-detectable amounts of isoamyl alcohol. In conclusion, we find that isoamyl alcohol is likely an ethologically relevant odor that is released by some attractive bacterial isolates in the natural environment of C. elegans.
From Graphene-like Sheet Stabilized Emulsions to Composite Polymeric Foams: Molecular Dynamics Simulations

We use coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to study the formation of composite polymeric foams made by templated polymerization of emulsions stabilized by graphene sheets (G-sheets) acting as 2D surfactants. To demonstrate the affinity of the 2-D sheets to the interface between two immiscible A and B type solvents, we use the potential of the mean force (PMF) calculations. This study shows that the PMF curves converge to the universal form with increasing sheet size. Furthermore, the sheets’ affinity toward the interface diminishes with an increasing degree of substitution of the sites with A-solvent philic groups. The simulations of the emulsion stability show that the final emulsion structure depends on the emulsion composition and degree of modification of the sheets such that for 50% of the sheet site substitution one has inverted emulsion morphology. Composite polymeric foams are obtained by polymerization of the emulsion continuous phase and by removing the solvent minority phase. The mech...
Aerosol Direct Radiative and Cloud Adjustment Effects on Surface Climate over Eastern China: Analyses of WRF Model Simulations

AbstractThe WRF-simulated changes in clouds and climate due to the increased anthropogenic aerosols for the summers of 2002–08 (vs the 1970s) over eastern China were used to offline calculate the r...
Residual Clustering Based Lossless Compression for Remotely Sensed Images

In the K-means algorithm, every pixel in a super-space is required to calculate Euclidean distance for clustering, so it is time-consuming computing when there are a great many class centers. Improved K-means clustering algorithm presented here could save initial clustering time by making initial division based on previous clustering results, and maintain the relationship among stable classes. Only calculating and comparing distances with neighbor centers, near to the pixel except those far away from it, accelerates clustering process with more and more classes becoming stable. Clustering lossless compression algorithm can efficiently eliminate the inter-spectral and intra-spectral redundancy at high convergent speed through enhancing intra-class redundancy. The multi-level clustering process can not only remove the spatial redundancy but also delete the residue redundancy, whose importance in lossless compression was overlooked previously, realizing a breakthrough lossless compression ratio at 2.882 for multi-spectral images. The comparison of the parameter analysis of the TM (Landsat Thematic Mapper) images with other lossless compression algorithms shows that this multilevel clustering lossless compression algorithm is more efficient.
Ratios Tell a Story—2015

This case challenges students to review a series of corporate financial metrics and to match them to one of the 13 labeled and listed industries. It is suitable for MBA and undergraduate students ready to expand their basic understanding of financial metrics. Excerpt UVA-C-2381 Jul. 26, 2016 Ratios Tell a Story—2015 Corporate financial performances and conditions vary among companies for a number of reasons. One reason for the variation can be traced to the characteristics of the industries in which companies operate. For example, some industries require large investments in property, plant, and equipment (PP&E), while others require very little. In some industries, the competitive product-pricing structure permits companies to earn significant profits per sales dollar, while in other industries the product-pricing structure necessitates a much lower profit margin. In most low-margin industries, however, companies often experience a relatively high rate of product throughput (i.e., turnover). A second reason for some of the variation in financial performances and conditions among companies is the result of management philosophy and policy. Some companies reduce their manufacturing capacity to match more closely their immediate sales prospects, while others carry excess capacity to be prepared for future sales growth. Also, some companies choose to finance their assets with borrowed funds, while others are more conservative, preferring to avoid the buildup of debt. Some corporate management teams opt to not pay dividends to their owners, preferring to reinvest those funds in the company. And, some companies aim to grow organically (i.e., increasing sales of internally developed products and/or services), while others focus on mergers and acquisitions as their dominant means for growth. Of course, another reason for some of the variation in reported financial results among companies is the differing competencies of management. Given the same industry characteristics and the same management policies, different companies may report different financial results simply because their managements perform differently. . . .
Multiscale spatiotemporal patterns of crime: a Bayesian cross-classified multilevel modelling approach

Characteristics of the urban environment influence where and when crime events occur; however, past studies often analyse cross-sectional data for one spatial scale and do not account for the processes and place-based policies that influence crime across multiple scales. This research applies a Bayesian cross-classified multilevel modelling approach to examine the spatiotemporal patterning of violent crime at the small-area, neighbourhood, electoral ward, and police patrol zone scales. Violent crime is measured at the small-area scale (lower-level units) and small areas are nested in neighbourhoods, electoral wards, and patrol zones (higher-level units). The cross-classified multilevel model accommodates multiple higher-level units that are non-hierarchical and have overlapping geographical boundaries. Results show that violent crime is positively associated with population size, residential instability, the central business district, and commercial, government-institutional, and recreational land uses within small areas and negatively associated with civic engagement within electoral wards. Combined, the three higher-level units explain approximately fifteen per cent of the total spatiotemporal variation of violent crime. Neighbourhoods are the most important source of variation among the higher-level units. This study advances understanding of the multiscale processes influencing spatiotemporal crime patterns and provides area-specific information within the geographical frameworks used by policymakers in urban planning, local government, and law enforcement.
Efficient Symbolic Reactive Synthesis for Finite-Horizon Tasks

When humans and robots perform complex tasks together, the robot must have a strategy to choose its actions based on observed human behavior. One well-studied approach for finding such strategies is reactive synthesis. Existing approaches for finite-horizon tasks have used an explicit state approach, which incurs high runtime. In this work, we present a compositional approach to perform synthesis for finite-horizon tasks based on binary decision diagrams. We show that for pick-and-place tasks, the compositional approach achieves orders-of-magnitude speed-ups compared to previous approaches. We demonstrate the synthesized strategy on a UR5 robot.
Chapter 95 – Hereditary Inclusion-Body Myopathies

The hereditary inclusion-body myopathies (HIBM) include muscle disorders with autosomal recessive or dominant inheritance and muscle pathology characterized by the presence of muscle fibers with rimmed vacuoles and the collection of cytoplasmic or nuclear 15–21-nm diameter tubulofilaments. The most common form of HIBM is due to mutations of the GNE gene that possibly generate an imbalance of sialic acid metabolism leading to muscle fiber degeneration. Mutations of the valosin-containing protein are instead responsible for hereditary inclusion-body myopathy with Paget disease of the bone and frontotemporal dementia (IBMPFD), with the three phenotypic features having a variable penetrance. IBMPFD represents a disorder of abnormal cellular trafficking of proteins and maturation of the autophagosome. HIBM with congenital joint contractures and external ophthalmoplegia is due to mutations of the myosin heavy chain IIa gene that exerts a pathogenic effect through interference with filaments assembly or functional defects in ATPase activity.
The systematic status of Adenomera griseigularis henle, with comments on systematic problems in the genus Adenomera (Amphibia: Leptodactylidae)

Adenomera griseigularis Henle is a junior synonym of Leptodactylus wagneri (Peters). Systematic problems and opportunities are discussed for certain members of the genus Adenomera. Researchers are cautioned that resolution of certain taxa will require non-morphological data.
The Warped Circumstellar Disk of HD100546

We propose that the two armed spiral features seen in visible Hubble Space Telescope images of scattered light in HD100546's circumstellar disk are caused by the illumination of a warped outer disk. A tilt of 6-15 degrees from the symmetry plane can cause the observed surface brightness variations providing the disk is very twisted (highly warped) at radii greater than 200 AU where the spiral features are seen. Dust lanes are due in part to shadowing in the equatorial plane from the inner disk within a radius of 100 AU. HD100546's outer disk, if viewed edge-on, would appear similar to that of Beta Pictorus. A disk initially misaligned with a planetary system, becomes warped due to precession induced by planetesimal bodies and planets. However, the twistedness of HD100546's disk cannot be explained by precession during the lifetime of the system induced by a single Jovian mass planet within the clearing at ~13 AU. One possible explanation for the corrugated disk is that precession was induced by massive of bodies embedded in the disk at larger radius. This would require approximately a Jupiter mass of bodies well outside the central clearing at 13 AU and within the location of the spiral features or at radii approximately between 50-200 AU.
Increasing Access to Buprenorphine in Safety-Net Primary Care Clinics: The New York City Buprenorphine Nurse Care Manager Initiative.

The Buprenorphine Nurse Care Manager Initiative (BNCMI) sought to increase access to opioid use disorder treatment in underserved New York City populations by expanding buprenorphine treatment capa...
Deconstructing the Wormhole: Factorization, Entanglement and Decoherence

We study the role of ensemble averaging in holography by exploring the relation between the universal late time behavior of the spectral form factor and the second Renyi entropy of a thermal mixed state of the doubled system. Both quantities receive contributions from wormhole saddle-points: in the former case they lead to non-factorization while in the latter context they quantify decoherence due to the interaction with an environment. Our reasoning indicates that the space-time continuity responsible for non-factorization and space-time continuity through entanglement are in direct competition with each other. In an accompanying paper, we examine this dual relationship in a general class of 1D quantum systems with the help of a simple geometric path integral prescription.
Effect of Personalized Messages Sent by a Health System's Patient Portal on Influenza Vaccination Rates: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Adult influenza vaccination rates are low. Tailored patient reminders might raise rates. Evaluate impact of a health system’s patient portal reminders: (1) tailored to patient characteristics and (2) incorporating behavioral science strategies, on influenza vaccination rates among adults. Pragmatic 6-arm randomized trial across a health system during the 2019–2020 influenza vaccination season. The setting was one large health system—53 adult primary care practices. All adult patients who used the patient portal within 12 months, stratified by the following: young adults (18–64 years, without diabetes), older adults (≥65 years, without diabetes), and those with diabetes (≥18 years). Patients were randomized within strata to either (1) pre-commitment reminder alone (1 message, mid-October), (2) pre-commitment + loss frame messages, (3) pre-commitment + gain frame messages, (4) loss frame messages alone, (5) gain frame messages alone, or (6) standard of care control. Patients in the pre-commitment group were sent a message in mid-October, asking if they planned on getting an influenza vaccination. Patients in loss or gain frame groups were sent up to 3 portal reminders (late October, November, and December, if no documented influenza vaccination in the EHR) about importance and safety of influenza vaccine. Receipt of 1 influenza vaccine from 10/01/2019 to 03/31/2020. 196,486 patients (145,166 young adults, 29,795 older adults, 21,525 adults with diabetes) were randomized. Influenza vaccination rates were as follows: for young adults 36.8%, for older adults 55.6%, and for diabetics 60.6%. On unadjusted and adjusted (for age, gender, insurance, race, ethnicity, and prior influenza vaccine history) analyses, influenza vaccination rates were not statistically different for any study group versus control. Patient reminders sent by a health system’s patient portal that were tailored to patient demographics (young adults, older adults, diabetes) and that incorporated two behavioral economic messaging strategies (pre-commitment and loss/gain framing) were not effective in raising influenza vaccination rates. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04110314).
Faecal microbiota transplants: towards a healthy disgust scepticism

This paper engages with the obstacle of disgust surrounding the use of faecal microbiota transplants (FMT). In discourse about the human microbiome and microbiota-based therapies (like FMT), disgust has become an unavoidable emotion for physicians, patients and caregivers interested in these therapies. Additionally, microbiota therapies and microbiomes are challenging our conception of an individual biological self. As these two discourses converge with FMT, it becomes necessary to understand how they are working together. To do this, this paper explores the way disgust functions in the formation of subjects. Scholarship about disgust can be categorised into two approaches: disgust as a deep wisdom or disgust scepticism. The former approach focuses on the physiological, embodied aspects of our disgust reactions as evidence of ‘truth’ in disgusting encounters, and the latter recognises the way disgust is culturally contingent and adapted for use in moral and social determinations of good and bad. However, both positions accept the use of disgust as a defence against ‘toxins and diseases’. Yet, as this paper argues, we should take the sceptical approach further. The disgust sceptical approach, particularly as developed by Sarah Ahmed, does more than just challenge disgust’s role in moral deliberations. It also demands sceptical reflection on disgust as a universal defence against ‘toxins and diseases’. Much as disgust can be co-opted to support oppression, it too can be co-opted to reconstitute a false vision of human subjectivity—the coherent, contained and exceptional human subject situated above the natural world. The human microbiome, faecal therapeutics and being disgusted give us an opportunity to recognise ourselves as more-than-human subjects.
Dominican political incorporation in the United States

Dominicans represent one of the largest and fastest growing Latino groups in the United States. Since 1990, the Dominican population in the United States has more than tripled, from 517,000 to nearly two million in 2019, becoming the country’s fifth-largest Latino group. As the Dominican population grows, the number of Dominican elected officials has also grown. However, although Dominicans have been elected to political office in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, Dominicans have amassed very little political representation in South Florida, home to the third-largest Dominican population in the United States. In this article we examine the Dominican communities in Washington Heights/Inwood, New York City; Providence, Rhode Island; and Miami/Miami-Dade, Florida, to examine the factors that influence Dominican political incorporation in the United States. Our findings show that the interaction of population size, institutional context, and civic organizations plays a significant role in shaping Dominican political incorporation.
Flying Qubits in Cavity QED

Information in a prospective quantum computer [1, 2] is carried by two-state quantum objects termed qubits. Quantum calculations would be performed by propagating a. wavefunction specifying the state of the qubits through a series of quantum logic gates. An elementary type of gate modifies the state of one qubit depending on the state of another (two-bit controlled rotation). When supplemented by single qubit rotations, such a. gate can serve as a. universal device for quantum computation [3].
A Hip Wear Simulator for the Evaluation of Biomaterials in Hip Arthroplasty Components

A multistation (8-station) hip simulator has been designed and tested that provides a practical imitation of the motions and loads seen by the hip joint during a typical walking cycle. A biaxial rocking motion of +/- 23 degrees is synchronized with the respective resultant forces of the extension-flexion (heel-strike to toe-off) movements of the leg. This particular simulator provides a practical engineering in vitro implementation of the walking cycle. It also provides a realistic and practical compromise between general wear screening devices (such as pin-on-disk systems) and the intensive research accomplished through full scale simulation (full 6 degree-of-freedom systems) and modeling. Evaluation of system performance shows that control of rpm (revolutions-per-minute) for the desired axial rotation of 1 Hz was kept to 60 cpm +/- 1 cpm for axial loads (per actuator) as high as 4500 Newtons. Although loading error was 2% in the peak load areas of interest (3000 Newton), station-to-station load control variability was less than .6%. Baseline wear studies with this simulator using ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and Cobalt-Chromium (UHMWPE/CoCr) hip systems indicate an average specimen-to-specimen wear variability of less than 7% range after 5 million test cycles. Testing was performed in a calf serum environment at an equilibrium temperature of 33 degrees C.
Nonisotopic reagents for a cost-effective increase in sample throughput of targeted quantitative proteomics.

The new technology of ultrathroughput MS (uMS) transforms the intrinsic capability of analyte multiplexing in mass spectrometry (MS) to sample multiplexing. Core technological advantages of uMS rely on the decoupled use of isotopic quantitation reference and nonisotopic mass coding of samples. These advantages include: (1) high sample-throughput potential, (2) utilization of minimal amounts of expensive stable isotopes for the quantitation reference, and (3) unleashing of the open-source exploration of the chemical structure diversity of nonisotopic reagents to significantly enhance the MS detectability of analytes. A particular uMS method, ultrathroughput multiple reaction monitoring (uMRM), is reported for one-experiment quantitation of a surrogate peptide (SVILLGR) of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in multiple serum samples. Following derivatization of the pair of spiked, isotopic reference (SVILLGR*) and endogenous, native peptide in each sample, all samples were pooled for a step of simultaneous enr...
Robustness analysis of mobile ad hoc networks using human mobility traces

With the rapid advancement of wireless technology and the exponential increase of wireless devices in the past decades, there are more consumer applications for MANETs (mobile ad hoc networks) in addition to the traditional military uses. A resilient and robust MANET is essential to high service quality for applications. The dynamically changing topologies of MANETs pose a huge challenge to normal network operations. Furthermore, malicious attacks against critical nodes in the network could result in the deterioration of the network. In this paper, we employ several real-world human mobility traces to analyze network robustness in the time domain. We apply attacks against important nodes of the human topology and compare the impact of attacks based on different centrality measures. Our results confirm that nodes with high betweenness in a well-connected large dynamic network play the most pivotal roles in the communication between all node pairs.
Query enhancement by user profiles

We describe a theoretical model and an on-going series of experiments aimed at a priori query enhancement. The model presents a synthesis of concepts from retrospective and current awareness retrieval systems, employing the user profile as a factor in interpreting a query. It is expected that this will provide a more personalized response to queries.
Some Observations of the Trapped Electrons Produced by the Russian High-Altitude Nuclear Detonation of October 28, 1962

The trapped electrons produced by the Russian high altitude nuclear detonation of October 28, 1962, were observed by a five-channel magnetic spectrometer covering the range of 325 to 3250 keV. The results are presented in terms of energy spectra and pitch angle distributions. Mirror-point density distributions are derived which give an insight into the details of the injection of the trapped electrons into the earth’s geomagnetosphere.
The future of neuroepigenetics in the human brain.

Abstract Complex mechanisms shape the genome of brain cells into transcriptional units, clusters of condensed chromatin, and many other features that distinguish between various cell types and developmental stages sharing the same genetic material. Only a few years ago, the field's focus was almost entirely on a single mark, CpG methylation; the emerging complexity of neuronal and glial epigenomes now includes multiple types of DNA cytosine methylation, more than 100 residue-specific posttranslational histone modifications and histone variants, all of which superimposed by a dynamic and highly regulated three-dimensional organization of the chromosomal material inside the cell nucleus. Here, we provide an update on the most innovative approaches in neuroepigenetics and their potential contributions to approach cognitive functions and disorders unique to human. We propose that comprehensive, cell type-specific mappings of DNA and histone modifications, chromatin-associated RNAs, and chromosomal “loopings” and other determinants of three-dimensional genome organization will critically advance insight into the pathophysiology of the disease. For example, superimposing the epigenetic landscapes of neuronal and glial genomes onto genetic maps for complex disorders, ranging from Alzheimer's disease to schizophrenia, could provide important clues about neurological function for some of the risk-associated noncoding sequences in the human genome.
Detecting heterogeneity with the affected-pedigree-member (APM) method.

We have developed a novel test of heterogeneity based on the APM method. We present tests of this method on both empiric and simulated data
Enhancement or suppression of irregularities in the high-latitude trough ionosphere using high-power radio waves

[1] The parametric coupling processes of a large-amplitude electromagnetic pump wave with the temperature gradient drift instability in the high-latitude trough ionosphere have been studied. The modified growth rate of the temperature gradient drift instability in the presence of a high-frequency pump wave is computed for a range of pump amplitudes. We find that ground-launched radio waves with O-mode polarization can enhance or suppress temperature gradient drift instability-driven irregularities in the high-latitude trough ionosphere.
Politics, Religion and the English Reformation, 1533–1547: Some Problems and Issues

This article touches upon several issues and episodes in the history of court politics, 1533–1547, which bear on the problem of explaining how the religious radicals at Henry's court overcame the opposition of their political opponents, the conservatives, and so were able to launch the Protestant revolution of Edward VI's reign.
Selective suppression of rat hepatic microsomal activity during chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity.

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant that undergoes extensive hepatic biotransformation to hydroxylated and demethylated metabolites. At present, the CYP3A gene family is thought to be the primary enzyme system responsible for cyclosporine metabolism. The effect of chronic cyclosporine therapy on the suppression of drug metabolism was studied in male and female rats maintained on a low-salt diet. After 28 days of subcutaneous cyclosporine dosing 15 mg/kg, cyclosporine-treated rats had significant renal dysfunction as compared with gender-matched control rats. Creatinine clearance in male cyclosporine-treated rats was reduced by 47% (P < .01) as compared with male controls. Female rats demonstrated a 38% (P < .01) decrease in creatinine clearance as a result of chronic cyclosporine therapy. Despite similar nephrotoxicity, female rats had whole blood cyclosporine levels 48% (P < .01) less than male rats. Immunoblot analysis of hepatic microsomal proteins indicated that chronic cyclosporine treatment decreased the protein levels of P450 3A2 in male rats. This loss was paralleled by reduced production of 6 beta-hydroxytestosterone, the primary product of P450 3A activity, by hepatic microsomes from cyclosporine-treated male rats by 76% (P < .001). In addition, cyclosporine treatment of male rats also reduced the formation of 2 alpha-hydroxytestosterone and 16 alpha-hydroxytestosterone by 81% (P < .01) and 84% (P < .001), respectively. At the end of the study period, steroid 5 alpha-reductase activity in control male rats was only 4% (P < .001) of female counter-parts; however, cyclosporine treatment increased steroid 5 alpha-reductase activity in male rats to 79% (P < .001) of female values. These alterations in testosterone metabolism are consistent with the suppression of the predominately male-associated P450 3A2, P450 2C11 and P450 2C13 isoforms. Levels of 6 alpha-hydroxytestosterone and 7 alpha-hydroxytestosterone were not statistically different between rat groups. Taken together, the steady-state blood levels and metabolism studies suggest that, after chronic cyclosporine treatment, isoforms other than those from the CYP3A family or unidentified members of the CYP3A family are likely responsible for cyclosporine metabolism.
Welfare Use when Approaching the Time Limit

Time limits reduce caseloads directly by cutting off benefits after a time-limited usage, but may also provide families with an incentive to reduce welfare use in order to conserve their benefits. Both effects depend on the stock of remaining months of eligibility. This is the first empirical study to incorporate information on this crucial determinant of takeup and eligibility under time limits. Accounting for the potential endogeneity of an individual’s past use, time limits are estimated to have decreased welfare use by 25 percent between 1996 and 2003. Roughly one-fifth of this reduction is due to behavioral responses.
POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSE MICE LIVING IN ENGLISH CORN RICKS: DENSITY RELATIONSHIPS

SUMMARY This paper has presented certain demographic data of forty populations of house mice from English grain ricks. The populations are grouped into four density classes on the basis of the number of weaned mice per cubic metre. The resulting demographic averages of various density classes are then compared. Relatively little reproductive alteration occurred in rick populations in relation to density. The major “density effects ” so often observed in laboratory studies did not appear or were only moderately expressed in these data. Mortality rates of the populations revealed no dramatic or conspicuous change throughout the density classes studied (as evidenced by weight ratios and sex ratios). Fecundity of both sexes remained high throughout all density classes. Fertility revealed a significant decline in the highest density class, but it still remained at high levels. Pregnancy rates declined from 58 per cent in the low density class to 43 per cent in the very high density class. Average litter size fell from 6·23 to 5·11. Embryonic and fetal resorption increased significantly in the highest density class (14 per cent and 27 per cent). The general rate of reproductive increase declined with increasing density. The incidence of wounded males increased significantly in the highest density class (0·8 per cent to 21·1 per cent). Adrenal weights did not reveal adrenal hypertrophy in crowded populations. The relative stability of rick populations with increasing density is probably a reflection of the high quality of the habitat. Density effects are undoubtedly minimized by the favourable abundance and distribution of food and cover. It is of equal interest that individual populations in this relatively uniform habitat did show wide variations in their population size and structure. The fact that this variation is not obviously related to density, food, or cover, focuses attention on factors outside the normal realm of physical habitat as major population influences.
The Organizational Factors Influencing Socially Responsible Apparel Buying/Sourcing:

The purpose of this study was to investigate organizational factors that influence buying/sourcing professionals' socially responsible buying/sourcing (SRB) effort. Survey responses from buying/sou...
Muscle and Bone Ultrasonography

Sonographic evaluation of muscle and bone can provide the veterinarian with diagnostic information that can complement the findings obtained through other diagnostic techniques or can provide diagnostic information about muscular or bony pathology that is otherwise not obtainable in the field. Post anesthetic myopathy, muscle tears, abscesses, and neoplasms are all recognizable ultrasonographically. Diagnostic ultrasonography can be used to detect osteitis or osteomyelitis before it is detectable radiographically and to locate fractures that were not detectable radiographically. In addition, ultrasonography is invaluable in the diagnosis of foreign bodies, locating them for surgical removal, and determining other causes for draining tracts.
The impact of consumer avatars in Internet retailing on self-congruity with brands

Whether a brand's personality is perceived to fit a consumer's self-image is often an important determinant of the product's appeal. This investigation explores the potential to enhance or undermine consumers' perceptions of how well a brand's personality matches their view of themselves in an online environment through the presence of similar or dissimilar avatars. Two studies are reported supporting this potential, thereby underscoring both the opportunities and dangers offered by consumer avatars to Internet retailers and marketers.
Factors influencing the mesoscale variations in marine stratocumulus albedo

Measurements of both horizontal gradients and vertical profiles of aerosols, cloud droplets and thermodynamic parameters in the cloud topped marine boundary layer off of central California are presented. They suggest that, while aerosols can indeed modulate cloud albedo, other parameters such as sea surface temperature may similarly affect cloud albedo. Additionally, the impact of aerosols, through sedimentation and precipitation, on cloud optical depths and thus albedo is not always in accord with conventional expectations and can either enhance or decrease the albedo, depending on ambient conditions. Taken together, these results suggest that current estimates of indirect forcing by aerosols could be significantly in error.
Energy Partition Oscillator and Necessary and Sufficient Conditions of Energy Localization

A strongly nonlinear conservative oscillator describing the dynamics of energy parti- tion between two identical linearly coupled Duffing oscillators is introduced and analyzed. Temporal shapes of such oscillator are close to harmonic when the initial energy disbalance between the in- teracting Duffing oscillators is relatively small. However the oscillator becomes strongly nonlinear as the amplitude of energy exchange increases. It is shown nevertheless that the oscillator is exactly solvable and, as a result, the entire first order averaging system, describing the dynamics of coupled Duffing oscillators, admits exact analytical solution. Based on the first integral of the energy parti- tion oscillator, necessary and sufficient conditions of energy localization are obtained in terms of the initial states of original system.
Two-dimensional inverse born approximation in ultrasonic flaw characterization

A method is developed to characterize flaws of arbitrary shape by using ultrasound pulse echoes at multiple coplanar incident directions. The three-dimensional image reconstruction problem is reduced to a series of two-dimensional image reconstructions, thereby avoiding the difficulties associated with three-dimensional image reconstructions, such as taking and processing a large amount of data, and the complications associated with three-dimensional image reconstructions, such as three-dimensional interpolation, long computing time, etc. The reconstructed two-dimensional images represent the two-dimensional projections or shadows of the three-dimensional flaw characteristic function. Each projection image is reconstructed independently using well-developed computerized tomography reconstruction techniques. If the shape of the flaw is not too irregular, or if the fine details of the shape are not of interest, only a few of these projection images suffice to characterize the flaw. The magnitude scaling problem and the alignment problem of the echoes at different incident directions can be handled easily in the algorithm. Simulation studies yielded encouraging results.
Mean emission length approach to multidimensional radiative transfer including scattering and real gas absorption

Abstract A computational approach to radiative emission analysis is presented for applications where multidimensional, absorbing, emitting, and scattering media are important and real gas contributions must be incorporated. The mean emission length method of solving for the energy transfer is developed as an approximate yet accurate approach to such problems. Although developed using the photon path length method, the resulting analysis does not require knowledge of the photon path length distribution functions. Examples of the application of this approach for emission are included with particular emphasis upon its utility in problems involving real gases and scattering particles. Numerical results for planar and cylindrical media for ranges of optical depth and scattering albedo are presented, and the superior accuracy and computational efficiency of this method as compared to other common approaches are demonstrated.
Flexible marker set for human gait analysis

A redundant flexible set of 44 skin markers has been developed to study human gait. In practice, only subsets of the marker system are used for individual gait studies. Software structure allows extreme flexibility in specific marker selection sites. Analysis of identical kinematic studies with different marker sets demonstrates the inherent inaccuracies of rotational wands and skin marker sets that have been commonly used for motion analysis.
New methods for rapid detection of aflatoxin

ABSTRACT The rapid detection of mycotoxin contamination in agricultural commodities is an area of research that requires more attention. The many companies buying hundreds of bushels of cereal grains daily, need to inspect their purchases immediately and to make a decision in minutes. Arising from this need to detect aflatoxin, we have developed two methods for rapid identification of aflatoxin in corn. The first is based upon a glowing greenish-gold fluorescence produced under ultraviolet light (365 nm) by corn kernels that contain aflatoxin. The fluorescent material is not aflatoxin but a compound associated with it. Fluorescence depends upon the interaction between enzymes in corn and a compound produced by members of the Aspergillus flavus series. Heat- sterilized corn inoculated with A. parasiticus does not fluoresce, although aflatoxin is formed. Fluorescence is seen in broken kernels but it is not visible in intact corn kernels until they are broken. Laboratory studies show that this method of detection is applicable for other cereals, including wheat, rice, oats and barley, but is apparently not effective for soybeans and peanuts. The second is a modification of the chromatographic mini-column method devised for corn.
Determination of demand for posterior resin restorations.

More specific guidelines in infection control, the CDC pamphlet entitled Preventing the Transmission of Hepatitis B, AIDS, and Herpes in Dent&y can be obtained free of charge by writing to Centers for Disease Control, Center for Preventive Services, Dental Disease Prevention Activity, Atlanta, GA 30333. A beneficial guide that outlines many of the basics of AIDS is entitled AIDS: Reference Guide for Medical Professionals, and can be obtained by sending $3.50 to CIRID/Outreach and Education, c/o Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Checks should be made payable to: Regents of the University of California.
Oxidation of phenolic compounds by ozone and ozone + u.v. radiation: A comparative study

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the reaction mechanisms of oxidation of various phenolic compounds by ozone and ozone + u.v. radiation at pH 2.5, 7.0 and 9.0. Experimental results indicated that the molecular ozone is the predominant oxidant only at acidic pH; at neutral and basic pH, in the absence or presence of u.v. radiation, free radical reaction is the major pathway in the oxidation of phenolic compounds. The overall removal of phenols and the removal of TOC increase with increasing pH during ozonation with or without u.v. light. For a specific pH, the removal rates of phenol and TOC are highest for ozone + u.v. light followed by ozone and then u.v. light alone.
Principals and Tools for Evaluating Community-Based Prevention and Health Promotion Programs

This article is an overview and practical guide for the evaluation of community-based disease prevention and health promotion programs. The article first offers a rationale for evaluating community-based programs, then enumerates five selected principles that are contemporary to community evaluation. The principles are as follows: (1) evaluation of community programs should include an assessment of program theory; (2) evaluation instruments that are used to measure community programs must be contoured to each individual community; (3) evaluation approaches used should be guided by the questions asked and often require both a quantitative and qualitative orientation; (4) evaluation should be informed by social ecology and social system concepts; and (5) community evaluation should involve local stakeholders in meaningful ways. At the end of each principle, an annotated reference list is provided that contains tools for applying the principle to community evaluation.
Synthesis and characterization of a recoverable rhodium catalyst with a stimulus sensitive polymer ligand

Abstract We report the synthesis and characterization of a rhodium catalyst attached to a polymer which is designed to control catalyst reactivity in response to an applied stimulus. The catalyst precursor, Rh(Cl)(CO) 2 (NH 2 -polymer), was prepared from poly N -isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAAm) and [Rh(Cl)(CO) 2 ] 2 . The structure of the metal complex was interrogated using IR, Raman, UV/Vis, NMR and XAFS, and catalytic activity was tested using an aqueous hydrogenation reaction.
Ultra low voltage CMOS

Power dissipation is one of the major design concerns for nano-scale CMOS systems. In this talk I will first present ultra low voltage design challenges for both logic and memory considering different levels of design abstraction — device, circuit, and architecture. In the second part of the talk, I will present ultra-dynamic voltage scaling to have the maximum dynamic range of Vdd. Such adaptive supply scaling can provide the required performance at minimum power dissipation under varied load condition.
MPP+-induced neurotoxicity in mouse is age-dependent: evidenced by the selective inhibition of complexes of electron transport

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), has been demonstrated to cause selective neurotoxicity by inhibiting complex I in mitochondria, through its toxic metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+) which is formed during the bioactivation of MPTP by monoamine oxidase B. In this report, we have evaluated the effect of MPP+ on the 4 mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes by incubating brain mitochondria of mice at 3 different age groups with MPP+ (200 microM) and monitoring enzyme activities of complexes I, II, III, and IV at 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min. Complexes I, III, and IV showed significant inhibition within 15 min in all the age groups studied, followed by some recovery in enzyme activities upon further incubation for complexes I and IV. However, complex II was not affected by MPP+ at any age. Our data suggest that inhibition of complexes I, III, and IV by MPP+ efficiently restrict the transport of electrons down the respiratory chain which ultimately leads to decreased ATP production. This could further aggravate oxidative stress as ATP is required for the synthesis of glutathione (GSH), one of the important scavengers of free radicals. In this study, inhibition was more severe in mitochondrial preparations from older rather than younger mice. Additionally, young animals showed faster recovery following inhibition than old animals for complex I. Impaired respiratory chain function in older animals compared to younger ones supports the hypothesis of accumulation of age-related mitochondrial DNA mutations which partly encode for subunits of complexes I, III, and IV. From this study, it seems that inhibition of complexes I, III, and IV may be the underlying cause of neurotoxicity due to MPP+ which could be intensified by age-associated dysfunction of electron transport.
High-resolution computed tomography: Part 5. Evaluation of the temporomandibular joint.

High-resolution computed tomography (CT) is evolving as the most valuable radiographic study when detailed information about the status of the temporomandibular joint is needed.1–5 High-resolution CT is faster, less invasive, and in most cases much more accurate than other imaging modalities used in the past. Erosive, hypertrophic, and ankylosing arthropathies are illustrated, as are condylar dislocations secondary to acute trauma, chronic trauma, and neoplasm. A detailed discussion of the common problem of the anterior displaced meniscus is undertaken.