cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progressive disclosure: empirically motivated approaches to designing effective transparency

As we increasingly delegate important decisions to intelligent systems, it is essential that users understand how algorithmic decisions are made. Prior work has often taken a technocentric approach to transparency. In contrast, we explore empirical user-centric methods to better understand user reactions to transparent systems. We assess user reactions to transparency in two studies. In Study 1, users anticipated that a more transparent system would perform better, but retracted this evaluation after experience with the system. Qualitative data suggest this arose because transparency is distracting and undermines simple heuristics users form about system operation. Study 2 explored these effects in depth, suggesting that users may benefit from initially simplified feedback that hides potential system errors and assists users in building working heuristics about system operation. We use these findings to motivate new progressive disclosure principles for transparency in intelligent systems.
Informing the American Academy of family Physician's Health Equity strategy - an environmental scan using the Delphi technique.

Many organizations have prioritized health equity and the social determinants of health (SDoH). These organizations need information to inform their planning, but, relatively few quantifiable measures exist. This study was conducted as an environmental scan to inform the American Academy of Family Physician’s (AAFP’s) health equity strategy. The objectives of the study were to identify and prioritize a comprehensive list of strategies in four focus areas: health equity leadership, policy, research, and diversity. A Delphi study was used to identify and prioritize the most important strategies for reducing health inequities among the four aforementioned focus areas. Health equity experts were purposefully sampled. Data were collected in three rounds for each focus area separately. A comprehensive list of strategy statements was identified for each focus area in round one. The strategy statements were prioritized in round two and reprioritized in a final third round. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated for the final analysis. Fifty strategies were identified across the four focus areas. Commitment to health equity, knowledge of health inequities, and knowledge of effective strategies to address the drivers of health inequities were ranked the highest for leadership. Universal access to health care and health in all policies were ranked highest for policy. Multi-level interventions, the effect of policy, governance, and politics, and translating and disseminating health equity interventions into practice were ranked the highest for research. Providing financial support to students from minority or low-socioeconomic backgrounds, commitment from undergraduate and medical school leadership for educational equity, providing opportunities for students from minority or low-socioeconomic backgrounds to prepare for standardized tests, and equitable primary and secondary school funding were ranked highest for diversity. The AAFP and other medical specialty societies have an important opportunity to advance health equity. They should develop a health equity policy agenda, equip physicians and other stakeholders, use their connections with practice-based research networks to identify and translate practical solutions to address the SDoH, and advocate for a more diverse medical workforce. Not applicable.
Concepts in preterm birth research: Interview with a stakeholder.

Abstract Preterm birth continues to be a clinical problem of vast significance all over the world [ 1 , 2 ]. The complexities of the biology of preterm birth suggest a syndrome with multiple factors that synchronize rupture of membranes, uterine contraction, cervical dilation, and labor. Multiple genetic, environmental, and basic biological factors are associated with preterm birth. Despite many years of effort, we still do not completely understand preterm birth, the basic mechanisms underlying parturition, or the relationship(s) between the two. My position has always been that breakthroughs in this area will come from an inclusive, integrative, and interdisciplinary approach that hears the voices of multiple stakeholders, encompasses “outside the box” thinking and utilizes novel methodologies. To document the voices of stakeholders, alternative thinking and the seeds of development of novel methodologies, I have begun to interview stakeholders in preterm birth. This is an interview with Ramkumar Menon, MS, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Perinatal Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Dr. Menon is past president and current Executive Director of PREBIC Global. He has surmounted considerable challenges to not only produce outstanding science from his own laboratory, but also to bring together collaborators and support from all over the world to bear upon the problem of preterm birth. What follows is an interview I did with him in 2014.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser ablation treatment of a peri-urethral genital wart: A case report.

Abstract Background Visible genital warts are caused by the nearly 100 recognized strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infections caused by high-risk strains are associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Genital warts are diagnosed by visual inspection and treated by three major methods: topical agents, systemic agents, and surgical therapies. CO2 laser ablation is the best treatment option for warts that present as refractory, thick, extensive lesions. CO2 ablation offers benefits such as a painless procedure, increased clearance rate, lesser side-effects and decreased pain. Case Presentation An 18-year old patient was referred to the obstetric/gynecology clinic and presented with severe urinary complications. She complained of dysuria, frequency, vaginal irritation, and spraying while voiding. Physical exam was within normal limits; however, genital examination revealed a 3 cm fungating mass corresponding to a large genital wart at the urethral meatus and peri-urethral area. Due to her progressing symptomatology, CO2 laser ablation therapy was advised. Discussion HPV directly impacts the public health system, affecting 1% of the US population with an estimated 10–20% prevalence rate. Treatment options such as CO2 laser ablation offers complete removal for most patients with limited side-effects. Accurate follow-up is necessary to monitor proper recovery. Conclusion CO2 laser ablation is considered an effective form of therapy in cases where immediate removal is desired and surgical excision is not recommended. CO2 laser ablation provides high clearance rates and minimal instances of recurrence, as well as superior aesthetic outcome.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Decision Aids for Upper-Extremity Conditions.

Purpose Decision aids (DAs) are tools designed to correct misconceptions, help people weigh the pros and cons of each option, and choose an option consistent with their values. This randomized controlled trial tested the difference in decision regret between patients who reviewed a DA at the end of the visit and those who did not. Secondary study questions addressed differences in pain self-efficacy, pain intensity, satisfaction, physical function, and treatment choice. Methods We enrolled 147 patients who visited an orthopedic upper-extremity surgeon for a condition that could be treated surgically or nonsurgically. We randomized 76 of these patients to review a DA as part of the visit (52%). At baseline, we measured results using the Pain Self-Efficacy short form, PROMIS Physical Function computer adaptive test, pain intensity on an 11-point ordinal scale, and satisfaction with the visit on an 11-point ordinal scale, as well as whether patients understood all received information and felt adequately educated to decide (no/yes), and choice of surgery, injection, or another treatment. Four to six weeks later, the survey by phone consisted of the PROMIS Physical Function computer adaptive test, pain intensity, satisfaction with the visit, the sense of a well-informed decision, and the Decision Regret Scale. We assessed factors independently associated with each measure. Results People who reviewed a DA had significantly less decision regret 4 to 6 weeks after the visit compared with those who did not. High pain self-efficacy was associated with lower likelihood to choose surgery during the initial visit, better physical function rates, and lower reported pain. Conclusions Decision aids reduce decision regret, which suggests that they help people organize their thoughts and make decisions more consistent with their values. Clinical relevance Hand surgeons can consider the use of DAs as a method for improving the quality of shared decisions.
Mortality patterns following a hickory decline event – Is density reduction key to maintaining bitternut hickory?

Abstract Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis (Wangenh.) K. Koch) is an important component of many hardwood forest systems in the northern hardwood forests of the Lake States. Extensive mortality of the species was observed in a long-term field experimental site in a second growth northern hardwood forest of Wisconsin between 2010 and 2016. We quantified and documented the characteristics of the mortality, investigated the relationship between bitternut hickory density and mortality patterns, and assessed the persistence of hickory regeneration. The presence of a pathogenic fungus (Ceratocystis smalleyi Johnson and Harrington) and hickory bark beetle (Scolytus quadrispinosus Say) were identified as the main cause of mortality in other instances of hickory decline during a similar time period in the Midwest and Northeast. We investigated the role of these agents through post hoc analysis. Tree surveys of mapped stems ≥10 cm dbh conducted periodically from 2005 to 2016 indicated mortality of hickory rose sharply to 35% year−1 from 2010 to 2016. This is a substantial increase in mortality relative to the dominant species at the site (Acer saccharum Marshall, Tilia americana L., and Fraxinus spp.) which was 1.11% year−1 in the same time period. Mortality rates were higher in larger stems (≥20 cm dbh) than smaller stems (10
Geographic impressions in Facebook political ads

Online political advertising is becoming increasingly popular as political campaigns recognize the utility of social network platforms, like Facebook, for reaching and engaging with voters. Yet, contrary to the wealth of information about campaign advertising on TV, little is known about advertising online, as comprehensive data only recently became available to scholars. Moreover, the newly available data is often aggregated, incomplete, and imprecise. Here, we present an analysis of Facebook political ad data, supplemented with funding-related meta-data obtained through human coding and a partnership with the Center for Responsive Politics. Through computational tools—namely, network analysis—we aim to use this data to describe and categorize political ad funding behavior on Facebook. Specifically, we focus on the geographic concentration of ads, and discover that most ads reach an audience in a single geographic region (i.e., U.S. state) or in a wide range of regions, and very few reach an audience spanning a small number of regions. We use this observation to partition funding entities into three groups based on their relationships to regionally-concentrated ads. We then examine the differences between these groups via bipartite networks connecting funding entities to their geographic audiences, as well as content they support. Our findings reveal that geographic impressions play an important role in online political advertising, and can be used to classify funding entities. As a result, this study represents a step toward ensuring political funding transparency and demystifying online political advertising more broadly.
Abstract P145: Who Are We Missing? False Call Rates Decline for Stroke Code Activations During Early Phase of Covid-19 Pandemic

Introduction: To slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Department of Homeland Security restricted access across the US-Mexico border in March 2020. During the same time period hospitals throughout the US began reporting declines in emergency department (ED) visits, especially related to stroke. As a stroke receiving center and largest hospital within a Southern California border county serving a binational population, we sought to understand the impact COVID-19 and closure of an international border might have on stroke code activations (SCA) and discharges at our facility. Methods: A retrospective analysis involving 417 cases presenting to a tertiary hospital consisting of two campuses near the US-Mexico border in Southern California was performed. Inclusion criteria: all cases with SCA in the ED arriving from March 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 and March 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019. Exclusion criteria: cases arriving to the ED that did not have SCA and cases for which stroke codes were initiated after hospitalization. Results: Pedestrian and private auto passenger border crossings decreased by over 5 million people between April and May 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. From March to June 2020, there were 162 ED SCA compared to 255 during the same period in 2019;a 36.5% decrease in SCA in 2020. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the percentage of ED SCA resulting in actual stroke discharge diagnoses during this period. In early 2020, 68.5% of ED SCA were discharged with a stroke diagnosis compared to 60.4% in 2019, X (1, N = 162) = 4.467, p < .05. However, despite the increased true positive rate, there was an overall decrease in the total number of patients with SCA who were diagnosed with stroke (111 in 2020 vs 154 in 2019). Conclusion: As the overall number of SCA decreased during the early months of the COVID-19pandemic, so did the total number of patients discharged with a stroke diagnosis. This suggests thatfewer patients with acute stroke presented as a SCA during the early COVID-19 pandemic incomparison to the same time period in 2019. It is critically important as a stroke center serving alarge, binational population to ensure the population we serve is seeking appropriate and timely carefor serious and complex diseases.
Antología de los primeros estudios clínicos con hormonas hipotalámicas: Relato de una exitosa colaboración internacional

Summary Our early pioneering clinical trials in Mexico with natural and synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) also known as gonadotropin releasing hormone (Gn-RH), were reviewed. Highly purified TRH of porcine origin was shown to stimulate Thyrotropin (TSH) release in hypothyroid cretins. Subsequent tests with synthetic TRH also demonstrated significant increases in plasma TSH in normal men and women as well as in patients with primary hypothyroidism and other endocrine disorders. Even more extensive clinical studies were carried out with highly purified natural porcine LH-RH. Subjects with normal basal serum levels of gonadotropins, low levels (men and women pretreated with steroids) and high levels (e.g. post menopausal women) all reponded to LH-RH with a release of LH and FSH. The results of these early studies with the natural LH-RH were confirmed by the use of synthetic LH-RH. These investigations made in Mexico with TRH and LH-RH preceded all other clinical studies by a wide margin. Subsequently various clinical investigations with LHRH agonists and antagonists were also carried out. All these studies played a major role in introducing hypothalamic-releasing hormones into clinical medicine.
Use of isolated, perfused liver in studies of receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the use of isolated, perfused liver in the studies of receptor-mediated endocytosis. The chapter focuses on the asialoglycoprotein (ASGP) recognition system in rat liver, which mediates the clearance of glycoproteins having galactose- or N -acetylgalac- tosamine-terminating carbohydrate side chains. The dynamics of the ligand pathway in vivo , in isolated hepatocytes, and in the isolated perfused liver is studied. The isolated perfused liver has been used in a variety of forms by many investigators for the study of a number of liver functions. The liver perfusion system comprises three primary components: (1) a temperature-regulation system; (2) a pump; and (3) gas-permeable fibers mounted in a beaker assembly. The chapter also illustrates a step-by-step procedure for isolating a rat liver, procedures for performing temperature-shift experiments, and presents an outline of the method used to label selectively the contents of endocytic compartments, using the asialoglycoprotein system as a model. The selected functions of the perfused liver that relate to endocytosis are examined.
Visualizing concurrent computations

The paper describes the conceptual model and specification method for a visualization environment concerned with exploring, monitoring, and presenting concurrent computations. The model is declarative in that visualization is treated as a mapping from program states to a three-dimensional geometric world. The state-to-geometry mapping is defined as a composition of several simpler mappings. This paper shows how this decomposition was molded by two methodological objectives: (1) the desire to visually capture abstract formal properties of programs and (2) the need to support complex animations of atomic computational events. A termination detection algorithm is used to illustrate the specification method and to demonstrate its conceptual elegance and flexibility. >
Collective Action through Voluntary Environmental Programs: A Club Theory Perspective

Voluntary environmental programs are institutions that seek to induce firms to produce positive environmental externalities beyond what government regulations require. Drawing on club theory, this paper outlines a theoretical perspective to study the relationship between program design and program effectiveness. Effective programs have rule structures that mitigate two central collective action problems inherent in producing positive environmental externalities: attracting firms to participate in the program and ensuring that participating firms adhere to program obligations. Because program efficacy can be undermined by collective action problems associated with free riding and shirking, effective voluntary clubs should be designed to mitigate these challenges.
Lawyers and the War

This article reviews legal advice provided by Attorney General John Ashcroft and Office of Legal Counsel officials John Yoo and Jack Goldsmith during the war on terrorism. It differs from the other works on this subject in two key respects. First, it includes detailed analyses of their conduct under the Model Rules of Professional Conduct and other pertinent legal ethics codes, such as the D.C. Bar Rules, the Code of Professional Responsibility, and the A.L.I.’s Restatement of the Law of Lawyering, as well as under the Department of Justice’s tradition of providing independent advice to the White House and other executive agencies. Second, it examines their own narratives of the crisis, as reflected in their published memoirs. Providing advice concerning the inter-relationships among international law, the law of war, constitutional law, and federal criminal statutory law requires cautious analysis of constitutional, treaty and statutory language, as well as judicial and executive precedent. The article concludes that Ashcroft and Yoo were ill-suited for their roles, each for different reasons. Ashcroft acted as a policy advocate and politician, while Yoo was an unyielding exponent of an extreme constitutional theory concerning executive power and was unwilling or unable to provide pragmatic "lawyering" advice. Goldsmith, however, recognized that Ashcroft’s lax oversight and Yoo’s aggressive theories opened the door to the repudiation of applicable domestic and international law and mistreatment of detainees. The article concludes that Goldsmith was both a better lawyer and a better soldier in the war on terrorism, as the failings of Ashcroft and Yoo weakened support for Bush administration policies, led to losses in the courts, and may have weakened our ability to respond to terrorism in the future.
Role of the G Protein γ Subunit in βγ Complex Modulation of Phospholipase Cβ Function

The G protein betagamma complex regulates a wide range of effectors, including the phospholipase C isozymes (PLCbetas). Different domains on the beta subunit are known to contact phospholipase Cbeta and affect its regulation. In contrast, the role of the gamma subunit in Gbetagamma modulation of PLCbeta function is not known. Results here show that the gamma subunit C-terminal domain is involved in mediating Gbetagamma interactions with phospholipase Cbeta. Mutations were introduced to alter the position of the post-translational prenyl modification at the C terminus of the gamma subunit with reference to the beta subunit. These mutants were appropriately post-translationally modified with the geranylgeranyl moiety. A deletion that shortened the C-terminal domain, insertions that extended this domain, and a point mutation, F59A, that disrupted the interaction of this domain with the beta subunit were all affected in their ability to activate PLCbeta to varying degrees. All mutants, however, interacted equally effectively with the G(o)alpha subunit. The results indicate that the G protein gamma subunit plays a direct role in the modulation of effector function by the betagamma complex.
Annual Review of Jazz Studies 14 by Edward Berger, Henry Martin, and Dan Morgenstern

This edition of the Annual Review of Jazz Studies provides four articles, a selection of book reviews, and a list of books received. Striking a nice balance between original scholarship and scholar...
Observation of Superhyperfine Modulation and Quantum Beats in Photon-Echo Spectroscopy in Ruby

Experiments are summarized of photon-echo spectroscopy in ruby at low temperature in whiCh the simple two-level picture is no longer appropriate. The superhyperfine interactions of \( {\rm{Cr - A}}\ell \) in ruby serve to form a series of nearly degenerate multilevel systems from which the coherently excited macroscopic dipole moments radiate at slightly different frequencies. The interference or quantum beats between these radiation modes yield modulated photon echoes from the solid, which are observed as a function of the time between pulses. Since echo signals are proportional to N2, the sensitivity is enhanced over fluorescence studies of the same material.
Prevalence of hydrogen peroxide-producing Lactobacillus species in normal women and women with bacterial vaginosis.

A predominance of Lactobacillus species in the vaginal flora is considered normal. In women with bacterial vaginosis, the prevalence and concentrations of intravaginal Gardnerella vaginalis and anaerobes are increased, whereas the prevalence of intravaginal Lactobacillus species is decreased. Because some lactobacilli are known to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which can be toxic to organisms that produce little or no H2O2-scavenging enzymes (e.g., catalase), we postulated that an absence of H2O2-producing Lactobacillus species could allow an overgrowth of catalase-negative organisms, such as those found among women with bacterial vaginosis. In this study, H2O2-producing facultative Lactobacillus species were found in the vaginas of 27 (96%) of 28 normal women and 4 (6%) of 67 women with bacterial vaginosis (P less than 0.001). Anaerobic Lactobacillus species (which do not produce hydrogen peroxide) were isolated from 24 (36%) of 67 women with bacterial vaginosis and 1 (4%) of 28 normal women (P less than 0.001). The production of H2O2 by Lactobacillus species may represent a nonspecific antimicrobial defense mechanism of the normal vaginal ecosystem.
Aggregation of Sodium Channels Induced by a Postnatally Upregulated Isoform of Agrin

Agrin is involved in signaling the formation of high concentrations of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). There are multiple isoforms of agrin attributable to alternative splicing, and these isoforms are differentially expressed during development and between tissues. The ability to cluster AChRs varies among the agrin isoforms. Sodium channels (NaChs) are also concentrated at the NMJ. We have tested various agrin isoforms for their ability to induce formation of clusters of NaChs. We grew cocultures of dissociated adult rat muscle fibers with chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that had been transfected with different isoforms of agrin. Using immunocytochemical techniques, we determined that after 1 d in culture, CHO cells synthesizing the neuronally expressed isoform with an eight amino acid insert (Agrin8) were able to form NaCh clusters at sites of contact between the CHO cell and muscle cell. Clusters of NaChs could be formed anywhere along a muscle fiber, but more clusters were detected close to the endplate where the endogenous level of NaChs was higher. None of the other neuronal-specific agrin isoforms was able to cluster NaChs. Because Agrin8 is the only agrin isoform that is upregulated at birth when NaChs begin to cluster at the NMJ, we conclude that Agrin8 expression by motor neurons is a signal for NaCh clustering at the NMJ during normal development.
Left thorascopic sympathectomy for refractory long QT syndrome in children

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a rare genetic ion transmembrane disorder that has been associated with multiple various genetic mutations including life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Left thorascopic sympathectomy is an effective treatment for patients who are refractory to medical therapy or who need frequent epicardial internal cardiodefibrillator intervention. Although there is substantial literature about this therapy in adults, few reports detail the outcomes in children who undergo left thorascopic sympathectomies to treat LQTS. The authors report the successful use of a left thoracic sympathectomy for the treatment of an 11-year-old girl who had persistently symptomatic LQTS, even after implantation of an automatic cardioverter-defibrillator. The patient remained clinically stable without arrhythmias through 6 months' of follow-up. The authors also reviewed the relevant literature and found that it suggests that 77% of patients will have immediate resolution of their symp...
Frequency response of helicopter pilot head azimuth, pitch and tilt : Approaching engineering specifications

ABSTRACT Background: Since helmet mounted displays (HMDs) are slaved to a pilots head, head motion is important for the design of HMDs and their symbology. This is particularly true since the lateral tilt of a pilots head changes when the pilot shifts his/her gaze from the horizon vi sible outside the cockpit to the instruments inside the co ckpit. This change in head tilt, which may contribute to episodes of spatial disorientation and possibly dangerous control input reversal errors, is commonly attributed to a neuro-muscular reflex driven by the apparent tilt of the visible horizon, the so-called opto-kinetic cervical reflex (OKCR). The present paper: (1) describes head motion in the frequency domain, and (2) elaborates a biomechanical explanation for the observed head tilt that is simpler than the neurological OKCR model. Methods: Fourier spectral decompositions were calculated from archived head pitch, tilt, and azimuth data recorded at 10 Hz from four pilots as they executed a slalom maneuver in an AH Mk 7 Linx helicopter. Pilots A through D performed the slalom 11, 12, 8, and 11 times, respectively, for a total of 42 flights. Results: The Fourier decomposition showed that the typical azimuth spectrum differs from that of pitch, and tilt. Discussion: These results provide: (1) spectral descriptions of head azimuth, pitch, and tilt to aid the design of HMD systems, and (2) further support for the biomechanical model of head tilt.
Spinal cord abnormalities in caudal regression syndrome

Caudal regression syndrome includes malformations ranging from mild forms of sacral agenesis to severe limb anomalies referred to as sirenomelia. The latter, in addition to sacral anomalies, shows malformed single lower limb and agenesis of rectum and genitourinary tracts. We report the neuropathologic examination in four infants, three with sirenomelia and one with lumbosacral agenesis. Brain and spinal cord were normal except for the structures in the caudal region of the spinal cord that were abnormal in all four cases. The first sirenomelic case with a mild sacral hypoplasia had only minor fusion of a few sacral roots and a slightly low-positioned conus medullaris. The second sirenomelic case with an intermediate degree of sacral hypoplasia had fusion of some of the sacral roots and ganglia, spinal ganglion cell heterotopias, filar lipoma and absence of the last sacral roots and ganglia. The third sirenomelic case with a severe degree of sacral hypoplasia showed additional tethering of the spinal cord. Case four with the agenesis of the lumbosacral spine had a total lack of the lumbosacral spinal cord, and dysplasia of the T11 and T12 cord segments. These findings suggest that the extent of anomalies of the caudal spinal cord structures in the caudal regression syndrome are roughly proportional to the anomalies of the vertebral column, and that they may constitute some of the main components of this syndrome.
The parDE Operon of the Broad-host-range Plasmid RK2 Specifies Growth Inhibition Associated with Plasmid Loss

Abstract Recently, a 0·8 kb region of the broad-host-range plasmid RK2 has been shown to be sufficient to stabilize plasmids in a vector-independent, broad-host-range manner under some but not all growth conditions (Roberts, R. C. & Helinski, D. R.(1992). J. Bacteriol. 174 , 8119-8132). This region encompasses the parDE operon, which encodes the small proteins ParD and ParE, both of which are required for the plasmid stabilization. This paper demonstrates that the 0·8 kb region encodes the capacity to inhibit cell growth of Escherichia coli , presumably of those bacteria that have lost plasmids carrying this stabilization region, and this inhibition appears to be associated with cell killing and bacterial cell filamentation. A good correlation was observed between the capacity of wild-type and mutated 0·8 kb regions to promote stable maintenance of a temperature-sensitive RK2 replicon plasmid and to inhibit bacterial cell division under specified medium conditions. The properties of the wild-type and mutant 0·8 kb region further indicate that the ParE protein is responsible for the growth inhibition and the ParD protein neutralizes the toxic activity of the ParE protein. This is consistent with the finding that the presence of the parD gene in trans destabilizes a temperature-sensitive RK2 replicon carrying a copy of the functional 0·8 kb region. This destabilization appears to be the result of ParD protein-mediated suppression of growth inhibition, thus allowing survival of cells that have lost the temperature-sensitive plasmid. These observations indicate that the 0·8 kb sequence of RK2 encodes a growth inhibition function that is likely to play a role in the plasmid stabilization.
Comparison, utility, and partition of dependence under absolutely continuous and singular distributions

Abstract This paper first illustrates that a mutual information index detects and ranks dependence of a wide variety of absolutely continuous families, but the popular association and variance reduction indices fail to serve as such “common metrics”. We then elaborate on some theoretical merits of the mutual information and give several results. The mutual information provides a notion of the utility of dependence for predicting random variables and quantifies how much the joint distribution is more informative about the variables than the independent model. We present insightful partitions of dependence among the components of a random vector, for a class of models recently proposed for dependence of uncorrelated variables, and for the elliptical families. We also recall that the mutual information is not applicable to singular distributions and give some results for a generalized information index for these models. The generalized index is derived for the Marshall–Olkin copula and for a new singular copula that represents the dependence of the consecutive terms of the exponential autoregressive and related processes.
An infrared laser-based reflectometer for low reflectance measurements of samples and cavity structures

An instrument, the Complete Hemispherical Infrared Laser-based Reflectometer (CHILR), has been designed and built for the accurate characterization of the total reflectance of highly absorbing samples and cavity structures down to the level of 10 -5 . The design of CHILR employs a number of the same features of Total Integrated Scatter (TIS) measurement devices, but is used for total reflectance (both specular and diffuse components), rather than only the diffuse component. A number of features of CHILR include spatial uniformity and angular dependence of reflectance measurement capability, multiple wavelength laser sources, and the ability to measure a wide range of sample sizes and cavities with aperture sizes, ranging from 3 mm to 51 mm. We address several basic issues of alignment, background and externally scattered light, reference measurement, and laser drift, for the CHILR. We also present results of several examples, including cavities for blackbody sources, and radiometer cavities.
Effect of Light and Gibberellin on Ribonucleic Acid Species of Pea Stem Tissues as Studied by Deoxyribonucleic Acid-Ribonucleic Acid Hybridization

The ability of gibberellin and light to alter gene transcription in dwarf pea (Pisum sativum L., var. Progress No. 9) stem issues has been investigated by means of DNA/RNA hybridization-competition techniques. Distinct changes in hybridizable RNA are caused by a 24-hour pretreatment of the seedlings with light, but no changes in RNA were detected up to 50 hours after treatment of the seedlings with gibberellin. Gibberellin is similar to auxin in its ability to induce stem growth without causing detectable changes in hybridizable RNA.
Scaling Axes and the Spin-Flop Bicritical Phase Boundaries

The orientation of the scaling axes at nonsymmetric critical and multicritical points is discussed. Although nonuniversal, the orientations at a spin-flop bicritical point may be found to leading order in the magnetic anisotropy and in $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=4\ensuremath{-}d$ (where $d$ is the dimensionality). The resulting geometry of the antiferromagnetic phase boundaries accords well with new experimental data.
Fullereneynes: a new family of porous fullerenes

Abstract We propose a new family of C n cage molecules which have the same highest possible symmetry of I h and the same number of sp 2 carbon atoms as either C 60 or related larger fullerenes, but in addition contain sixty or more sp-bonded carbon atoms. The cages of these fullereneynes are porous, which should facilitate the reversible formation of endohedral compounds, as well as complexes in which dopants reside in the cluster shell. We determine the optimized geometries and formation energies of two prototypical examples, namely the C 120 and C 180 molecules, using a tight-binding Hamiltonian which has been applied successfully to large carbon clusters. The C 120 and C 180 fullereneynes are expected to be stable despite a binding energy which is about 1 eV per atom lower than for graphite. Moreover, the per atom binding energy dramatically increases with increasing size of fullereneynes containing equal number of sp 2 and sp carbon atoms and approaches a value which is only 0.2 eV/atom lower than for the C 60 fullerene.
Effects of Posttraining Intrahippocampal Injections of Platelet-Activating Factor and PAF Antagonists on Memory☆☆☆

The present experiments examined the effects of posttraining intrahippocampal injections of the degradative enzyme-resistant methylcarbamyl analog of the bioactive phospholipid platelet-activating factor (mc-PAF) and the platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonists BN52021 and BN 50730 on memory in male Long-Evans rats trained in a hidden platform version of the Morris water maze. Following an eight-trial training session, rats received a unilateral intrahippocampal injection of mc-PAF (0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 μg/0.5 μl), lyso-PAF (1.0 μg/0.5 μl), the cell surface PAF receptor antagonist BN 52021 (0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 μg/0.5 μl), the intracellular PAF receptor antagonist BN 50730 (2.0, 5.0, or 10.0 μg/0.5 μl), or vehicle (50% DMSO in 0.9% saline; 0.5 μl). On a retention test conducted 24 h after training, the escape latencies of rats administered mc-PAF (1.0 or 2.0 μg) were significantly lower than those of the vehicle-injected controls, demonstrating a memory-enhancing effect of mc-PAF. Injections of lyso-PAF, a structurally similar metabolite of PAF, had no influence on memory, indicating that the memory-enhancing effect of mc-PAF is not caused by membrane perturbation by the phospholipid. The retention test escape latencies of rats administered BN 52021 (0.5 μg) and BN 50730 (5.0 or 10 μg) were significantly higher than those of the controls, indicating a memory impairing effect of both PAF antagonists. When mc-PAF, BN 52021, or BN 50730 was administered 2 h posttraining, no effect on retention was observed, indicating a time-dependent effect of the neuroactive substances on memory storage. The findings suggest a role for endogenous PAF in hippocampal-dependent memory processes.
Application of neutron activation analysis to the microanalysis of gold‐containing pharmaceuticals in biological materials

A neutron activation analysis procedure was designed for the microanalysis of gold-containing compounds, which eliminates all prior chemical separation and permits direct qualitative and quantitative analysis for gold in a γ-ray scintillation spectrometer. The method was further applied to the determination of gold in biological tissues at the 5 to 60 mcg. level following administration of gold thioglucose.
Tax Reform: The Cure to the United States’ Economic Slowdown

Benjamin Franklin once said, “The only two certainties in life are death and taxes.” This infamous saying is as true today as it was more than 200 years ago when it was coined; the only difference between taxes today and taxes in the days of Ben Franklin is the complexity of how taxes are managed. As the American economy teeters on the brink of its second recession in four years, tax reform may be the solution to the economic situation the United States finds itself in today.
Some Cautionary Notes on ESR and ENDOR Measurements in Coal Research

The general nature of the free radicals in coals has been deduced via electron spin resonance (ESR) and recent reports suggest that electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy may provide additional insight into the nature of these radicals. Deductions based on spectroscopic measurements, however, require that the data be quantitatively reliable. The purpose of the present article is to alert analysts and coal researchers to possible pitfalls which may adversely affect the validity of such data. In particular, recent investigations in this laboratory have shown that (1) failure to dilute samples of high rank coals and heat-treated coals with a nonconducting medium can result in significant errors in both ESR intensities and g values, and (2) hyperfine lines in the ENDOR spectra of coals may be broadened beyond detection if the measurements are made on unevacuated samples. The objective for conducting the research was not only to ensure the validity of ESR and ENDOR data obtained for coals and treated coals in our laboratories, but also to provide the necessary experimental background for planned investigations involving the rapid heating of coals directly in the cavity of an ESR spectrometer.
pH-responsive thin film membranes from poly(2-vinylpyridine) : Water vapor-induced formation of a microporous structure

We report the fabrication of microporous thin film membranes with two-dimensionally arranged submicron pores whose size can be varied by changing pH of aqueous medium. A solution containing poly(2-vinylpyridine) partially quaternized with 1,4-diiodobutane (qP2VP) and unreacted 1,4-diodobutane (DIB) was used for the formation and deposition of the membranes on solid substrates. The membranes were spin-coated onto solid substrates in a controlled humid environment. The presence of water vapor in air was found to be a necessary condition for the pore formation. We studied the influence of relative humidity on the membrane morphology and proposed a mechanism of pore formation. Cross-linking the qP2VP membranes with DIB made them insoluble (stable) in organic solvents and acidic water. The cross-linked membranes demonstrated pH-dependent swelling, which had a strong influence on the pore size.
Bombshells on Film: Women, Military Films, and Hegemonic Gender Ideologies

This research explores the gendered representation of women in mainstream military films produced in the United States over a 70-year period when the official capacity of women in armed service underwent significant transformation. Utilizing contextualized visual semiotics, findings reveal that these films present women's standing as uncertain at best by reinforcing their exclusion from many nontraditional feminine roles or by setting them up for reintegration into proper gender roles. Such depictions reaffirm the two and only two gender category dichotomy, which discourages popular discourse from considering full integration of women into traditionally masculine roles in highly masculine gendered institutions.
ROAD TRAFFIC MONITORING ACTIVITY IN THE UNITED STATES

Traffic monitoring in the USA dates back nearly 100 years. Various programs are dependent on the availability of high quality, consistent, and reliable data. The article discusses the methods, mostly technical, by which the Federal Highway Administration serves its various customers' needs by ensuring the availability of such data in cooperation with its partners, the State highway agencies.
Modeling an Improvement in Phosphorus Utilization in Tropical Agriculture

Studies of Terra Preta soils have generated interest in recreating their fertility elsewhere. Much of the research has focused on soil amendment charcoal (“biochar”). Terra Preta also contains bone fragments, producing a high concentration of phosphorus. Some forecast worldwide declines in phosphorus supplies, and better agricultural system management is required to improve phosphorus use efficiency. A conceptual model is offered to consider the influence of charcoal on bioavailability of phosphorus. The model describes a system where improvements in the chemical and biological condition of the soil result in increased phosphorus availability and cycling. Mechanisms of phosphorus/charcoal interaction are considered, and an assessment is made of the potential impact on African subsistence agriculture from the incorporation of biogenic, allogenic phosphorus through biochar.
Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Auditory Hallucinations: A Pilot Study.

In this article, we describe a pilot study that investigated the effectiveness of group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for auditory hallucinations. Eleven inpatients with either chronic schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder participated in 2 CBT groups of differing treatment duration (i.e., 7 versus 20 sessions). The results showed that participation in both groups was associated with significant positive changes in the participants' beliefs about their voices and with a trend for reduced negative reactions to the voices. These changes were not a function of premorbid cognitive functioning. Finally, duration of treatment did not affect participants' beliefs or distress associated with the voices. Implications for future clinical research in this area are discussed.
Antiognadotropic hormones and lipogenesis in the testis and seminal vesicles of the rat

Abstract Antiserum to purified ovine interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH) decreased the weights of the testes and seminal vesicles and increased the concentration of total lipid phosphorus, especially phosphoinositides, phosphatidyl choline, and sphingomyelin in the testes, and all of the phospholipids in the seminal vesicles. The incorporation of 32P into all of the phospholipids was decreased in the testes and the total, free, and esterified cholesterol in the seminal vesicles were increased. Testosterone propionate prevented the loss of weight in the testes and seminal vesicles and increased the concentration of the total lipids in the testes. Testosterone propionate, administered with anti-βs-ICSH serum, decreased the concentration of total lipid phosphorus in the testes and increased the concentration and incorporation of 32P into phospholipids in the testes and seminal vesicles. Testosterone propionate did not affect the concentration of cholesterol in the testes but prevented the increase in the concentration of total, free, and esterified cholesterol in the seminal vesicles. Antiserum to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) did not affect the weight of the testes, seminal vesicles, or the biosynthesis of phospholipids by the seminal vesicles. The concentration of total lipid phosphorus and the incorporation of 32P into testicular phospholipids were decreased by anti-FSH serum. The total and free cholesterol in the testes and the total, free, and esterified cholesterol in the seminal vesicles were also increased.
An example of non‐uniqueness with the method of moments

The method of moments is applied to the problem of estimating the shape parameter of a two‐parameter Weibull distribution, assuming that the scale parameter is known. It is shown that, under appropriate conditions, this problem has (i) a unique solution, (ii) more than one solution and (iii) no solution. The uniqueness question in this problem is related to the problem of examining the ‘goodness' of the scale parameter estimator when both parameters are assumed to be unknown. A large‐sample one‐sided confidence interval for the scale parameter is derived, assuming the theoretical Weibull distribution to be unimodal.
Biodiesel Synthesis via Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst: Titanium Niobate Nanosheet

A robust, heterogeneous, and recyclable catalyst to react upon broad range of feedstock for biodiesel processing so as to best utilize local oil/grease resources and whose optimal catalytic conditions are environmentally benign is sought to improve overall production of the alternative fuel. The application of titanium niobate nanosheets has been developed to transesterify soybean oil under environmentally favorable catalytic conditions. Experiments were conducted with a comprehensive study of the catalyst from its synthesis to analysis of the final biodiesel product. In the optimization of catalyst synthesis and its activation/reactivation, heating temperature and times and solvent washing were studied. The optimal catalyst was achieved with a 1:2:1 molar ratio of K2CO3:TiO2:Nb2O5 heated in a ThermoLyne® furnace at 500°C for 14 h. The application in biodiesel processing reached 99 % conversion in a flash reaction time of 5 min with a 1:2 methanol:soybean oil by weight and 6.5 wt % catalyst. Temperature was maintained at 66°C by a hot water jacket in a self-pressurized closed system. Initial reactions using used restaurant grease have shown 15 % conversion with optimization ongoing. Recycling and reactivating the catalyst have been studied and found to maintain efficiency in use. Transesterification was quantitatively analyzed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. An innovative method designed to adhere the titanium niobate nanosheets to silica beads is underway with the intention of industrial scale biodiesel application.