cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatially Constrained Semisupervised Local Angular Discriminant Analysis for Hyperspectral Images

Dimensionality reduction is an important preprocessing step for hyperspectral image analysis. Hyperspectral images contain the reflectances measured at a very large number of wavelengths. Due to the over-dimensionality and potential redundancy of information, extraction of features which are meaningful for the purpose of classification becomes a step of prime importance. This is especially true when we have computational constraints (both in terms of time and memory) or a small number of samples available for training the classifier. For most applications, the number of labeled training samples for hyperspectral images is usually small, though the number of unlabeled samples are abundantly available. In this paper, we propose a semisupervised feature extraction algorithm which minimizes the angular similarity between the spectrally similar spatial neighbors and maximizes the angular separation between the pixels belonging to different classes in the projected lower dimensional subspace by utilizing unlabeled samples. We propose a method to incorporate the spatial information from the neighborhood pixels to generate a spatial–spectral dimension reduction algorithm for a semisupervised dimension reduction approach and show that it outperforms the present state-of-the-art feature extraction approaches. In general our approach for incorporating the spatial information can be applied to other supervised and unsupervised feature extraction methods.
Tailoring NCLEX-RN Indicator Assessments for Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Literature Review

A review of the literature was undertaken as the foundation for developing an assessment tool for Blacks/African Americans, other racial/ethnic minorities, and low-income students attending historically Black colleges and universities. Findings revealed a variety of academic and nonacademic indicators were used to evaluate likelihood of success. Course specific grades, grade point average (GPA), standardized comprehensive exams and standardized course specific exams were the most commonly used predictor variables that showed significant outcomes. Indicators more accurately predicted which students would pass NCLEX-RN rather than those who would fail. The type of pre-licensure program may influence best outcome indicators. Increased attention to and reporting of demographic information would increase the usefulness of findings in relation to developing a tailored assessment strategy for students enrolled in nursing programs at historically Black colleges and universities.
Alternative algorithms for computing economic equilibria

This paper reports on numerical experience in solving, general equilibrium problems using several alternative solution methods. The primary concern is to help identify methods which may be practical for solving large-scale problems. The methods examined include: sequences of linear programs, piecewise-linear homotopy methods, quasi-Newton methods for optimization, and sequences of linear complementarity problems. This work indicates that computing equilibria by sequences of linear complementarity problems is quite efficient for large problems.
2′-Fluoro-arabinosyl Pyrimidine Nucleosides: Chemistry, Antiviral, and Potential Anticancer Activities

ABSTRACT A series of 2′-fluoro-5-substituted-arabinofuranosyl-cytosines and -uracils were synthesized. Two of these, FIAC and FMAU, were found to be very potent and highly selective against herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 at very low drug levels. Cytotoxicity to uninfected Vero or human fibroblast cell proliferation was minimal. The selectivity of FIAC against HSV versus its low cytotoxicity against Vero cells is shown to be due, at least in part, to a virus-specified thymidine kinase. Structure-activity studies demonstrate that the 2′-fluoro substituent in the up (arabino) configuration is essential for this potent antiviral activity. Substitution of the 2′-fluoro group by chloro or bromo reduces the antiviral potency. FIAC is also active in a plaque reduction assay against herpes zoster virus at concentrations of 0.01 μM and against cytomegalovirus plaque formation at 0.1 μM. In vivo studies in mice inoculated with 20 LD50 of HSV-1 show that FIAC and FMAU are effective, the latter giving 60% cures at dose levels as low as 1 mg/kg/day x5. The selective cytotoxicity of FIAC against human tumor cell lines but not against normal human cells is discussed.
Realistic manpower planning for primary health care: practical considerations.

Adequate objective data for health manpower planning are often lacking as are commonly accepted assumptions about the quantity or mix of health professionals and distribution patterns that will assure adequate and accessible care. Several methods can be used to estimate need and demand for health manpower including: techniques using provider/population ratios approaches based on professionally defined criteria methods based on current population specific utilization rates and economic methods. A more efficient approach would be based on task analysis of needed jobs where the provision of health care services is focused on utilizing the most appropriate health personnel. Although no single model for planning primary health care (PHC) programs has universal application an approach which addresses common health care delivery problems would be beneficial. Problems face health planners in much of the developing world: lack of clear national health policy; shortages and maldistribution of manpower facilities equipment supplies and finances; inadequate coverage; underutilization of services; inappropriate use of health education; insufficient community participation; inappropriate training systems; and inadequate attention to environmental sanitation. A service delivery model that has been effective in developing countries is based on new manpower configurations relying on the services of mid-level and community health workers to increase the availability of care. New methods and technology for training these personnel are being developed. In planning the strengthening of a PHC program adequate attention must be given to: analysis and projection of health needs and demand for services; enumeration of existing health workers and task analyses; estimation of future manpower needs and expected supply; assessment and strengthening of the manpower infrastructure; and regional utilization of resources. Based on the experiences of several PHC programs using a multitiered health manpower infrastructure several suggestions are offered to facilitate the development and enhance the effectiveness of this type of program. Broad based support and national commitment is necessary to assure the programs significant and lasting impact. A positive operating framework must be created where workers are adequately compensated and accepted in the medical and local community. Community selection of workers is advised. Special attention must be given to management capability including supervision and support. Doctors must be involved in developing training curricula direct training and supervision to secure their support for the program. Training programs must be problem oriented reflecting task analyses and competency based. A modular program can allow curricular flexibility and be modified to address country specific needs. An additional advantage of a modular program such as MEDEX is the creation of a training and supervision interlock between the manpower levels and the multiplier effect of 1 person training several on the next tier maximizing service expansion.
Neonatal Contrast Sensitivity and Visual Acuity: Basic Psychophysics.

Purpose This research was prospectively designed to determine whether a 0.083 cycles per degree (cy/deg) (20/7200) square-wave stimulus is a good choice for clinical measurement of newborn infants' contrast sensitivity and whether the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) of the newborn infant is band-pass. The results were retrospectively analyzed to determine whether the method of constant stimuli (MCS) and the descending method of limits (dLIM) yielded similar results. Methods In across-subjects experimental designs, a pilot experiment used MCS (N = 47 visual acuity; N = 38 contrast sensitivity at 0.083 cy/deg), and a main experiment used dLIM (N = 22 visual acuity; N = 22 contrast sensitivity at 0.083 cy/deg; N = 21 at 0.301 cy/deg) to measure visual function in healthy newborn infants. Three candidate CSFs estimated maximum neonatal contrast sensitivity. MCS and dLIM psychometric functions were compared while taking the stimulus presentation protocols into account. Results The band-pass CSF fit the data best, with a peak sensitivity near 0.31 at 0.22 cy/deg. However, the 0.083 cy/deg square-wave stimulus underestimated the best performance of newborn infants by less than 0.15 log10 units. MCS and dLIM data agreed well when the stimulus presentation contingencies were taken into account. Conclusions Newborn contrast sensitivity is well measured using a 0.083 cy/deg square-wave target, regardless of which CSF shape is correct. MCS and dLIM yield wholly comparable results, with no evidence to suggest effects of other factors such as infant inattention or examiner impatience. Translational relevance These measurements open the way for clinical behavioral measurement of infant visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in the neonatal period.
Wells Fargo Circles the Wagons: Communicating During a Crisis

In October 2016, Timothy Sloan, the newly appointed CEO of American banking giant Wells Fargo, faced a massive public-relations crisis. A few weeks earlier, a United States government agency had announced the results of its regulatory review of the bank and exposed a shocking practice common in the retail division, in which aggressive community bankers had created more than a million fraudulent accounts and credit card applications on behalf of unaware customers for the past several years. Over the next few weeks, the bank—and Sloan's predecessor, John Stumpf, in particular—suffered from harsh criticism from politicians, journalists, and former employees alike, ultimately forcing Stumpf's resignation. As Sloan sought to minimize the public-image backlash and restore general trust in Wells Fargo, he struggled to construct the best communication strategy for the bank's next chapter. Excerpt UVA-BC-0263 Rev. Sept. 28, 2018 Wells Fargo Circles the Wagons: Communicating during a Crisis Two days after suddenly being named CEO of a scandal-ridden Wells Fargo & Company (Wells Fargo), Timothy Sloan found himself rattled by a quarterly conference call that he and his CFO, John Shrewsberry, had just conducted for inquisitive investors on the morning of October 14, 2016. Sloan's predecessor, former CEO and chairman John Stumpf, had just resigned from both posts at the bank two days earlier. His resignation became inevitable after a month of enduring critiques and shakedowns from politicians, journalists, former employees, and bank customers in response to September's exposure of the bank's intense corporate sales culture that had driven thousands of community bankers to open more than a million fraudulent accounts and more than half a million credit card applications for unaware customers since 2011. Although Sloan's intention going into the update call was to convey “continued strong financial results” at the bank and an action plan for recovering from the account crisis that had put the bank at the center of a public-relations nightmare, not every listener to the call was satisfied with the corporate presentation. Despite multiple corrective policy changes at Wells Fargo (which had been announced over the past few weeks and reiterated once again during that morning's presentation), in addition to the management shake-up initiated by Stumpf's resignation, many stakeholders were still left unsatisfied and unclear of future plans. One analyst, Mike Mayo from CLSA Limited, took the opportunity to grill Sloan and Shrewsberry during the Q&A section at the end of the call: Mike Mayo: Of the 115,000 accounts that were open without authorization and charged a fee, how many customers did those 115,000 accounts reflect? And what's been your retention rate of those customers? . . .
Uniparental isodisomy of chromosome 1 results in glycogen storage disease type III with profound growth retardation

BACKGROUND Glycogen storage disease type III (GSDIII) is caused by mutations of AGL gene with debranching enzyme deficiency. Patients with GSDIII manifest fasting hypoglycemia, hepatomegaly, hepatopathy, myopathy, and cardiomyopathy. We report on an 18-year-old boy with a profound growth retardation (<3 SD) besides typical clinical features of GSDIII, whereby endocrinological studies were negative. METHODS AND RESULTS Molecular analysis of AGL gene revealed the homozygous reported variant c.3903_3904insA. Since discordant results from segregation studies showed the carrier status in one parent only, SNP array and short tandem repeats analyses were performed, revealing a paternal disomy of chromosome 1 (UPD1). CONCLUSION This study describes the first case of GSDIII resulting from UPD1. UPD can play an important role even in case of imprinted genes. DIRAS3 is a maternally imprinted tumor suppressor gene, located on chromosome 1p31, and implicated in growth and oncogenesis. It can be speculated that DIRAS3 overexpression might have a role in the severe short stature of our patient. The study emphasizes the importance of parental segregation analysis especially in patients with recessive conditions to look for specific genetic causes of disease and to estimate properly the risk of family recurrence.
The Blood-Brain Barrier as an Endocrine Tissue

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) was first noted for its ability to prevent the unregulated exchange of substances between the blood and the central nervous system (CNS). Over time, its characterization as an interface that enables regulated exchanges between the CNS and substances that are carried in the blood in a hormone-like fashion have emerged. Therefore, communication between the CNS, BBB and peripheral tissues has many endocrine-like properties. In this Review, I examine the various ways in which the BBB exhibits endocrine-related properties. The BBB is a target for hormones, such as leptin and insulin, that affect many of its functions. The BBB is also a secretory body, releasing substances either into the blood or the interstitial fluid of the brain. The BBB selectively allows classical and non-classical hormones entry to and exit from the CNS, thus allowing the CNS to be both an endocrine target and a secretory tissue. The BBB is affected by endocrine diseases such as diabetes mellitus and can cause or participate in endocrine diseases, including those related to thyroid hormones and obesity. The endocrine-like mechanisms of the BBB can extend the definition of endocrine disease to include neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer disease, and of hormones to include cytokines, triglycerides and fatty acids. The blood–brain barrier (BBB), which is widely known as the border that separates circulating blood from the brain, is also a secretory body. This Review examines the various ways in which the BBB exhibits endocrine-related properties.
Meal‐Concurrent Media Use is Associated with Increased Dietary Intake with no Evidence of Next Meal Compensation in Free‐Living Adults

Objective This study aimed to determine the effects of concurrent and prior media use on dietary intake and dietary compensation over 3 days in a free-living population. Methods Participants recorded food intake and media use for a 3-day period. The US Department of Agriculture multiple-pass method was used to ensure completeness of food records. Energy, protein, fiber, carbohydrates, sugar, added sugar, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium intake were assessed. Results Meals consumed while participants used media included 149.3 more calories on average than meals consumed without media. Media meals were higher in protein, carbohydrates, fat, and saturated fat. There was no evidence of dietary compensation at the meal following the media meal. Conclusions Energy and macronutrient intake increased during media-paired meals. Dietary compensation at the subsequent meal did not occur, suggesting that the effects of media-paired meals are additive over the short term.
Laser Ranging to Unknown Objects for Initial Orbit Determination: A Feasibility Study

Satellite laser ranging to objects without corner-cube retroreflectors is explored as a means of providing range data for initial orbit determination. The goal is to couple laser range data with op...
Narcissism and job commitment: The mediating role of job-related attitudes

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to examine whether job-related attitudes (e.g., job satisfaction) would mediate the associations that narcissistic personality features had with job commitment. We distinguished between two dimensions of grandiose narcissism: narcissistic admiration (i.e., a form of agentic self-enhancement) and narcissistic rivalry (i.e., a form of antagonistic self-protection). Analyses revealed that job satisfaction, job investment, and organizational pride mediated the positive association that narcissistic admiration had with job commitment as well as the negative association that narcissistic rivalry had with job commitment. Discussion addresses the benefits of distinguishing between narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry when considering the connections that narcissism has with job-related attitudes and job commitment.
ToF-SIMS evaluation of markings made by the same black ballpoint pens at different times

Abstract The differentiation and relative dating of ink lines in questioned documents are important tasks in forensic science. Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is a surface-sensitive mass spectrometry technique with potential to distinguish inks based on chemical differences such as those caused by differences in the age of ink markings from the same pen. In this work, both positive and negative polarity ToF-SIMS spectra were evaluated for three commercial black ballpoint pen inks over an analysis time of 4 to 671 days. Changes in the spectra included demethylation of triarylmethane dyes such as crystal violet, and loss of the anionic dye metanil yellow. ToF-SIMS spectra of the black ballpoint inks continued to change up to 6 months for all inks and up to 22 months in some cases. Samples with 1-day, 1-week and 1-month drying times were also evaluated using several data processing approaches. Markings from the same pen were most likely to be distinguished by ToF-SIMS if the age difference between the markings was 1 month or longer, although some samples were distinguished with smaller differences in writing times. Furthermore, the results indicated that ToF-SIMS imaging is best performed within 3–6 months after sample preparation as differentiation becomes more difficult after longer analysis delays. This is the first systematic ToF-SIMS study of ink aging, which provides valuable information about the characteristic ions and data analysis approaches for future forensic analyses.
A Global Constitutional Crisis

The Trump administration has recently pushed the World Trade Organization (WTO) into a crisis by gutting its court and waging trade wars. Conventional narratives on this crisis have been state-centered as they ascribe origins of the crisis to domestic politics in key WTO members, especially the United States. This Article divulges both analytical and normative blind spots left by these narratives. This Article, in a Copernican turn, submits a system-driven alternative, in terms of the “World Trade Constitution” (WTC), which generates rich insights in both diagnosing and prescribing the crisis. The WTC, for the purpose of the Article, does not denotes a formal document; rather, it signifies a broad sense of “constitutionalism” consonant with a total set of fundamental normative products, such as practice and precedent, which have historically emerged in the world trading community. This Article tests the resiliency of the WTC by demonstrating various system-maintaining behaviors of WTO members in the face of the crisis. This Article views that the WTC is culturally stickier than many would believe in that its stakeholders incorporate, by reference, the WTC into the domestic legal and political discourse, even without a formal transposition mechanism. The incoming Biden administration’s gesture to return to the WTO order is emblematic of the WTC’s resiliency. The legal gravitational force of the WTC can also shape daily operations of private businesses at a granular level, even if such force may remain unrecognizable on a surficial level. This Article finally argues that political constitutionalism, through a collective decision-making mechanism (voting), must complement the WTC for the latter’s lasting sustainability.
Housing 'Beta' Common Risk Factor in Returns of Stocks

This study proposes the housing "beta" and tests whether the housing "beta" is a significant determinant for stock returns in a multifactor framework. We hypothesize that the housing market is a systematic risk factor given the impact of the housing market on the overall economy and economics growth of most countries, as well as the effect of homes in the overall wealth of individual investors. The housing market directly affect GDP growth through residential fixed investment and housing services. In addition, the housing market indirectly impacts economic activities via consumption. Our results who that the housing "bets" is positive and significant in explaining stock returns after controlling several other factors from the prior literature. This relationship is stronger as expected, during the financial crisis period. We conducted several robustness checks using a different study period and housing market indices and obtain results which are consistent with our main findings.
Clinician Perspectives on Animated Video Vignettes to Support Advance Care Planning Communication for Veterans

Background: Despite availability of educational resources and documentation methods for advance care planning (ACP), few video tools exist. Animation relevant to Veteran experiences may enhance clinical conversations by illustrating relatable scenarios. Objective: To explore clinician perspectives on four novel video vignettes created by the study group. Design: Online survey with attention to perceived appropriateness, usefulness, and uptake intention. Settings/Subjects: Virtual video presentation with feedback poll for Veterans Affairs clinicians. Measurements: Descriptive and univariant analyses of responses to questions extracted from the validated Video Engagement Scale and prior ACP assessments. Results: Thirty respondents rated video appropriateness and usefulness at a mean 4.8 (range 4-5). Videos were relatable, relevant, and motivating with 90% respondents reporting ready intention to use in clinical practice. Conclusions: Veteran-specific animated video vignettes are received affirmatively by Veteran Affairs clinicians. These videos have potential to foster early engaged discussions about ACP.
Operator-induced structural variable selection for identifying materials genes.

In the emerging field of materials informatics, a fundamental task is to identify physicochemically meaningful descriptors, or materials genes, which are engineered from primary variables and a set of elementary algebraic operators through compositions. Standard practice directly analyzes the high-dimensional candidate predictor space in a linear model; statistical analyses are then substantially hampered by the daunting challenge posed by the astronomically large number of correlated predictors with limited sample size. We formulate this problem as variable selection with operator-induced structure (OIS), and propose a new method to achieve unconventional dimension reduction by utilizing the geometry embedded in OIS. Although the model remains linear, we iterate nonparametric variable selection for effective dimension reduction. This enables variable selection based on ab initio primary variables, leading to a method that is orders of magnitude faster than existing methods, with improved accuracy. An OIS screening property for variable selection with OIS is introduced; interestingly, finite sample assessment indicates that the employed Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART)-based variable selection method enjoys this property under the simulation settings. Numerical studies show the superiority of the proposed method, which continues to exhibit robust performance when the dimension of engineered features is out of reach of existing methods. Our analysis to single-atom catalysis identifies physical descriptors that explain the binding energy of metal-support pairs with high explanatory power, leading to interpretable insights to guide the prevention of a notorious problem called sintering and aid catalysis design.
TU-CD-BRD-02: Henry Ford Hospital System Experience, with Focus On Motivating and Reviewing

It has long been standard practice in radiation oncology to report internally when a patient’s treatment has not gone as planned and to report events to regulatory agencies when legally required. Most potential errors are caught early and never affect the patient. Quality assurance steps routinely prevent errors from reaching the patient, and these “near misses” are much more frequent than treatment errors. A growing number of radiation oncology facilities have implemented incident learning systems to report and analyze both errors and near misses. Using the term “incident learning” instead of “event reporting” emphasizes the need to use these experiences to change the practice and make future errors less likely and promote an educational, non-punitive environment. There are challenges in making such a system practical and effective. Speakers from institutions of different sizes and practice environments will share their experiences on how to make such a system work and what benefits their clinics have accrued. Questions that will be addressed include: • How to create a system that is easy for front line staff to access • How to motivate staff to report • How to promote the system as positive and educational and not punitive or demeaning • How to organize the team for reviewing and responding to reports • How to prioritize which reports to discuss in depth • How not to dismiss the rest • How to identify underlying causes • How to design corrective actions and implement change • How to develop useful statistics and analysis tools • How to coordinate a departmental system with a larger risk management system • How to do this without a dedicated quality manager Some speakers’ experience is with in-house systems and some will share experience with the AAPM/ASTRO national Radiation Oncology Incident Learning System (RO-ILS). Reports intended to be of value nationally need to be comprehensible to outsiders; examples of useful reports will be shown. There will be ample time set aside for audience members to contribute to the discussion. Learning Objectives: 1. Learn how to promote the use of an incident learning system in a clinic. 2. Learn how to convert “event reporting” into “incident learning”. 3. See examples of practice changes that have come out of learning systems. 4. Learn how the RO-ILS system can be used as a primary internal learning system. 5. Learn how to create succinct, meaningful reports useful to outside readers. Gary Ezzell chairs the AAPM committee overseeing RO-ILS and has received an honorarium from ASTRO for working on the committee reviewing RO-ILS reports. Derek Brown is a director of TreatSafely.org . Brett Miller has previously received travel expenses and an honorarium from Varian. Phillip Beron has nothing to report.
Protein Transformation in Soil

Publisher Summary Protein degradation is carried out mostly by microorganisms in conjunction with mesofauna such as earthworms and insect larvae. The mineralization of protein has a considerable effect on soil fertility and soil scientists have been studying microbial proteolysis in situ and in vitro in order to understand the genesis of soil nitrogen. This chapter provides an evaluation of the work done in this area and to point out its significance in the study of soil dynamics. It also discusses the transformations proteins undergo in the presence of biotic and abiotic components, and how these reactions may influence protein decomposition and nitrogen availability. Most of the nitrogen present in unfertilized soils is organic in nature. This organic nitrogen represents an important nutrient reservoir and a large part of it appears to be derived from protein. Sulfur and nitrogen are added to soil through the decomposition of methionine and cysteine. Some research suggests that amino compounds contribute to the structure of soil by their incorporation into humic acid, from which they are slowly released by enzymes. After transformation, they are used as plant nutrients. The breakdown of protein is crucial for composting, the development of soils, the digestion of sewage sludge, and the biodegradation of solid waste.
Thermodynamics of surface phase systems. V. Contribution to the thermodynamics of the solid-gas interface

Abstract A thermodynamic fundamental equation is derived for the surface phase of a solid exposed to an adsorbing gas. This equation is more general than the corresponding equation given by Gibbs in the sense that it is applicable with less restriction as to the state of strain of the solid surface. An equation relating the surface tension to the reversible cleavage work which is similar to the Shuttleworth equation is shown to be implied in the fundamental equation deduced. Some new thermodynamic expressions are obtained for the effect of temperature and gas pressure changes on the surface tension and on the reversible cleavage work. Measurements of adsorbent dimensional changes, heats of adsorption and surface structure transitions are discussed on the basis of the formalism developed.
Nursing Home Residence Confounds Gender Differences in Medicare Utilization: An Example of Simpson's Paradox

Background Gender differences in health care utilization in older Americans may be confounded by nursing home residence. Medicare data contain several files that can be used to create a measure of nursing home residence, but prior work has not addressed which best account for potential confounding. Simpson's paradox occurs when aggregated data support a different conclusion from what the disaggregated data show. We describe such a paradox that appeared when we sharpened our definition of "nursing home residence" while examining gender differences in Medicare utilization at the end of life. Methods To understand gender-specific health care utilization at the end of life, we conducted a retrospective analysis of a national random sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged 66 or older who died in 2001 with Parts A and B data for 18 months before death. We sought to associate each of total hospital days and costs during the final 6 months of life with numbers of primary care physician visits in the 12 preceding months. In addition to demographics, comorbidities, and geography, "nursing home residence" was a potential confounder, which we imputed in two ways: 1) from skilled nursing facility bills in the Part A Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) file; and 2) from Berenson-Eggers-Type-of-Service codes indicating widely spaced doctor visits in nursing homes obtained from Medicare's carrier file. Conclusion Gender differences in Medicare utilization are strongly confounded by nursing home resident status, which can be imputed well from Medicare's carrier file, but not MedPAR.
Using social theory to leap over historical contingencies : A comment on Robinson

To be fair to Robinson, it is worth mentioning that he does offer a number of qualifications to his thesis. He tries to avoid excessive determinism and at one point suggests:
Database Role in Information Systems: The Evolution of Database Technology and its Impact on Enterprise Information Systems

During the 1960's and 1970's commercial database management systems focused on transaction and batch processing environments with an emphasis on minimizing computing resources. Relational database management systems appeared on the commercial scene in the 1980's and extended the range of applications amenable to database processing. These applications now include interactive environments as well as transaction and batch. Relational DBMSs emphasize function, ease of data access by users, and improved economics of application development at the expense of computing resources. This paper looks at how enterprise information systems have been affected by the evolution of database technology in the 1980's, emphasizing the role of relational database and forecasting expectations for the 1990's.
Biogenetic-type synthesis of polyketides Part IX : A model for the biosynthesis of 6-methyl salicylic acid

Abstract An improved synthesis of tetraacetic lactone (TETAL) (VIII) is described. The reactions of pyrones (XIX) and of several derivatives of TETAL e.g. VI, VII are examined. Ring closure of VI after hydrolysis proceeds almost exclusively by aldol condensation. Hydrolysis of 5,6-dihydro TETAL (XXVIII ; R1 = CH3COCH2, R2 = H) affords intermediates which serve as models for the biosynthesis of 6-methyl salicylic acid (IV).
Functional polymers and sequential copolymers by phase transfer catalysis, 2. Synthesis and characterization of aromatic poly(ether‐sulfone)s containing vinylbenzyl and ethynylbenzyl chain ends

A simple method for the synthesis of α,ω-bis(vinylbenzyl) aromatic poly(ether-sulfone)s (2) and their transformation into α,ω-bis(ethynylbenzyl) aromatic poly(ether-sulfone)s (4) is presented. This method involves a fast and quantitative Williamson etherification of the α,ω-bis(hydroxyphenyl)polysulfone with a mixture of p- and m-chloromethylstyrenes in the presence of tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate as phase transfer catalyst, a subsequent bromination, and then a dehydrobromination with potassium tert-butoxide. The DSC study of the thermal curing of these α,ω-bis(vinylbenzyl)polysulfones and α,ω-bis(ethynylbenzyl)polysulfones demonstrates high thermal reactivity for this new class of styrene-terminated oligomers.
Structure of Homo- and Hetero-Nuclear Micro-Clusters

Using ab initio SCF-LCAO-MO theory, studies have been made on small clusters of lithium, beryllium, magnesium, and carbon atoms. These studies include the investigation of the equilibrium geometries, relative stabilities, and the evolution of various structural and electronic properties. The study of the electronic properties shows that the geometries of the clusters have a direct relationship with their spin configurations. The effects of foreign atoms on the properties of clusters have been investigated using clusters of LiNNa, LiNMg, and LiNAl. The effect of ionization on cluster stability and the dissociation channels of multiply ionized clusters are also discussed.
Epistemic Modernity and the Emergence of Homosexuality in China

Centred on two Republican-era Chinese sexologists, Zhang Jingsheng (1888–1970) and Pan Guangdan (1899–1967), this article explores the intellectual context in which the western category of ‘homosexuality’ was introduced to Chinese culture, thereby highlighting its production of a key epistemological rearrangement in the social significance of same-sex desire in modern China. The article proposes and develops the analytic rubric of ‘epistemic modernity’ to illuminate the pertinent discursive apparatus of cultural translation and negotiation, on the basis of which explicit claims of (sexual) knowledge-making were imbricated with implicit claims about cultural indicators of traditionality, authenticity and modernity.
Recent advances in silage microbiology

Recent advances in silage microbiology are reviewed. Most new techniques in silage microbiology use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to make copies of a portion of the DNA in microorganisms. These techniques allow us to identify and quantify species as well as do community analysis. The PCR-based techniques are uncovering new species, both bacteria and fungi, during storage and feeding. Silage inoculants are widely available, but of greater interest has been research investigating why inoculants are so successful. Various inoculant strains have been found to produce bacteriocins and other compounds that inhibit other bacteria and fungi, improving their chances for success. In vitro ruminal fermentation research is showing that some inoculated silages affect rumen microorganisms, reducing methane in some cases and increasing microbial biomass production in others. Better understanding of silage microbiology will allow us to better manage silos and develop better inoculants to improve silage quality.
ENHANCEMENT OF THE NCDD MICROTUBULE MOTOR MUTANT BY MUTANTS OF ALPHA TUB67C

Ncd is a kinesin-related microtubule motor protein required for chromosome segregation in Drosophila oocytes and early embryos. In tests for interactions with other proteins, we find that mutants of alpha Tub67C, which affect an oocyte- and early embryo-specific alpha-tubulin, enhance meiotic nondisjunction and zygotic loss of ncdD, a partial loss-of-function mutant of ncd. The enhancement is dominant and allele-specific with respect to alpha Tub67C, and depends on the recessive effects of ncdD. Cytologically, embryos of alpha Tub67C/+ show delayed meiotic divisions and defective female pronucleus formation, while meiotic spindle assembly is abnormal in embryos of ncdD/ncdD. Doubly mutant alpha Tub67C ncdD/ncdD embryos are rescued for female pronucleus formation, but show delayed meiotic progression and defective pronuclear conjugation or fusion. Delayed completion of meiosis, together with failure of pronuclear fusion, prevents normal interactions of maternal with paternal chromosomes, enhancing the ncdD mutant phenotype. The genetics and cytology of doubly mutant embryos and the molecular defect of NcdD provide evidence for interaction of Ncd with alpha Tub67C in vivo. These results imply that a specific alpha-tubulin isoform is required for normal cellular function of a kinesin motor protein.
Towards a mechanistic understanding of human-induced rapid environmental change: a case study linking energy development, nest predation and predators

Summary 1. Demographic consequences of human-induced rapid environmental change (HIREC) have been widely documented for many populations. The mechanisms underlying such patterns, however, are rarely investigated and yet are critical to understand for effective conservation and management. 2. We investigated the mechanisms underlying reduced avian nest survival with intensification of natural gas development, an increasing source of human-induced rapid environmental change globally. We tested the hypothesis that energy development increased the local activity of important nest predator species, thereby elevating nest predation rates. During 2011–2012, we surveyed predators and monitored 668 nests of Brewer’s sparrows Spizella breweri (BRSP), sagebrush sparrows Artemisiospiza nevadensis (SASPs) and sage thrashers Oreoscoptes montanus (SATHs) breeding at twelve sites spanning a gradient of habitat loss from energy development in western Wyoming, USA. 3. Nine species, representing four mammalian and three avian families, were video-recorded depredating eggs and nestlings. Important nest predator species differed across songbird species, despite similar nesting habitats. Approximately 75% of depredation events were by rodents. 4. Consistent with our predictions, detections of most rodent nest predators increased with surrounding habitat loss due to natural gas development, which was associated with increased probability of nest predation for our three focal bird species. 5. An altered nest predator assemblage was therefore at least partly responsible for elevated avian nest predation risk in areas with more surrounding energy development. 6. Synthesis and applications. We demonstrate one mechanism, that is the local augmentation of predators, by which human-induced rapid environmental change can influence the demography of local populations. Given the accelerating trajectory of global energy demands, an important next step will be to understand why the activity and/or abundance of rodent predators increased with surrounding habitat loss from energy development activities.
Hedonic price estimation of variable urban air quality

Abstract This paper investigates the validity of the hypothesis that the appropriate specification of the hedonic function should use mean levels of environmental quality. A test of the mean specification is constructed by estimating a hedonic equation with the probabilities of various levels of environmental quality entered as independent variables. The test indicates rejection of the mean specification. The results imply that benefit estimates based on the traditional mean model are likely to be biased and that efforts to improve the accuracy of hedonic methods should consider more complete measures of environmental quality.
Thermochemical Investigations of Associated Solutions: Calculation of Solute–Solvent Equilibrium Constants from Solubility Measurements

A simple solution model that has lead to successful predictive equations for the partial molar excess properties of a solute in simple binary solvent mixtures containing only nonspecific interactions is extended to include association between the solute and one of the solvent components. An expression is derived and tested for its ability to describe anthracene solubilities in binary solvent mixtures containing benzene. The best description of the experimental solubilities requires the formation of a 1:1 anthracene-benzene complex, with a molarity-based equilibrium constant of KcAC approximately equal to 0.107 M-1. In comparison, a stoichiometric complexation model which attributes all solubility enhancement to the formation of anthracene-benzene complexes requires a somewhat larger equilibrium constant (KcAC approximately equal to 0.228 M-1) to describe the solubility behavior of anthracene in the benzene-n-heptane system. The results of these calculations illustrate that the determination of solute-solvent equilibrium constants from solubility data depends on the theoretical model used and the manner in which nonspecific interactions are incorporated into the model.
An immunofluorescent focus assay for gross leukemia virus.

SummaryAn immunofluorescent focus assay for GLV is described. GLV was demonstrated in tissues and fluids of AKR mice, as well as in tumor cells from a spontaneous lymphoma of AKR mice.A sensitive 50% focus reduction assay for neutralizing antibody to GLV is described.
Expression of small heat shock proteins and intermediate filaments in the human optic nerve head astrocytes exposed to elevated hydrostatic pressure in vitro

The small heat shock proteins (sHSP), αB-crystallin and Hsp27 are chaperone molecules that maintain the integrity of intermediate filament (IF) network and prevent unfolding of cellular proteins induced by stress. In the optic nerve head (ONH) of eyes with glaucoma, reactive astrocytes expressed Hsp27, perhaps in response to stress related to elevated intraocular pressure. In this study, we determined the effect of elevated hydrostatic pressure (HP) in the synthesis, distribution and co-localization of αB-crystallin and Hsp27 with IF in cultured ONH astrocytes. Astrocyte monolayers were pressurized to 60 mm Hg (92% air 8% CO2) and incubated at 37°C for 6, 24 or 48 hr. Controls were exposed to ambient pressure. Cells were analyzed by immunocytochemistry, Western blot and immunoprecipitation using antibodies to Hsp27, αB-crystallin, vimentin or GFAP. Control astrocytes seemed flat, polygonal with short processes. αB-crystallin appeared granular in the perinuclear area and filamentous in the cell periphery. Fine granular Hsp27 was distributed throughout the cytoplasm. GFAP and vimentin co-localized with Hsp27 in the cytoplasm. Astrocytes exposed to HP were star-shaped with long processes. Hsp27 was condensed in large granules around the nucleus. GFAP and vimentin co-localized with Hsp27 and αB-crystallin in the perinuclear area. Western blot and metabolic labeling detected increased synthesis of Hsp27, GFAP and vimentin but no change in αB-crystallin. These results indicated that GFAP and vimentin associate with Hsp27 and αB-crystallin in ONH astrocytes. HP affected the integrity of the cytoskeleton consistent with morphological changes. Small HSP may reinforce and maintain IF integrity in response to HP. J. Neurosci. Res. 66:59–73, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Design of a Packed Bed Thermal Storage Unit for a Solar System

A method for the design and sizing of a packed bed thermal storage unit for a hot air solar heating system is presented. A controlled bypass of the heat storage unit during the retrieval process is used in order to maintain the fluid temperature leaving the system at a constant value. The use of a bypass arrangement with a closed air circulation loop for the collector enables the storage unit to operate at a higher mean temperature and the system to utilize the maximum allowable pressure drop. This results in a greater heat storage per unit volume of storage material. The complete solar system is simulated numerically during both the heating and retrieval modes of operation to obtain a set of design charts for sizing the thermal storage unit. In the simulation, consideration is given to geographical location, composition of the storage bed and the maximum allowable pressure drop across the bed. A set of design curves for State College, Pennsylvania, is presented.
The Fracture Behavior of a Ti-6242 Alloy Deformed in Bending Fatigue

In this paper, the fracture behavior of the Ti-6242 alloy subjected to bending fatigue deformation is presented and discussed. Samples of the alloy were deformed to failure in bending over a range of maximum load levels. The macroscopic fracture mode was found to be marginally different over the range of load levels examined. Microscopically the fracture surfaces revealed features reminiscent of locally ductile and brittle mechanisms. The kinetics governing crack advance and fracture is rationalized in light of maximum load, local stress concentration effects, and contributions from intrinsic microstructural features.
Large displacement vertical translational actuator based on piezoelectric thin films

A novel vertical translational microactuator based on thin-film piezoelectric actuation is presented, using a set of four compound bend-up/bend-down unimorphs to produce translational motion of a moving platform or stage. The actuation material is a chemical-solution deposited lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) thin film. Prototype designs have shown as much as 120 μm of static displacement, with 80-90 μm displacements being typical, using four 920 μm long by 70 μm legs. Analytical models are presented that accurately describe nonlinear behavior in both static and dynamic operation of prototype stages when the dependence of piezoelectric coefficients on voltage is known. Resonance of the system is observed at a frequency of 200 Hz. The large displacement and high bandwidth of the actuators at low-voltage and low-power levels should make them useful to a variety of optical applications, including endoscopic microscopy.