cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethical discounting for civil infrastructure decisions extending over multiple generations

Abstract Life-cycle performance, safety, reliability and risk are emergent issues for civil infrastructure systems exposed to recurring natural and man-made disasters. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of socio-economic sustainability in research and practice in the field of civil infrastructure. Sustainable engineering solutions strive to achieve responsible stewardship of available resources and to avoid transferring the burden of costly maintenance or repair of civil infrastructure to future generations. The use of customary risk-informed decision frameworks, however, raises ethical issues in terms of project risk shared between current and future generations, especially when project expectations require it to function over extended periods of time that may be a century or more. In this paper, the relation between intergenerational equity in decision support frameworks for civil infrastructure is explored. We propose an intergenerational discounting method for civil infrastructure to achieve equitable risk sharing between current and future generations, and investigate the impact of discounting in life-cycle engineering on future generations and on sustainable decision-making. The effect of the proposed discounting method on decision consequences is highlighted through two examples; seismic retrofit of a dam and seismic design of a steel frame building.
Water Demand and Supply: Management and Planning

Water supply planning involves the duel components of estimating the future demand, and assessing the potential sources of supply. Until the mid 1970s, increasing water demand was considered inevitable, and planning activities focused almost exclusively on developing new sources of supply to meet the anticipated demand. As we came up against environmental limits in water availability and negative environmental impact associated with increasing rates of water withdrawal, consumption, and pollution, it became imperative to embrace water demand management as well. Managing water demand means using incentives and disincentives, new technologies, laws and regulations, and educational programs to promote water conservation and improved water use efficiency. Satisfying the future demand for water supply will require expanding the range of choice of the options available. The chapter examines some of the factors that influence water demand and studies some water supply alternatives. Finally, it considers the planning and decision-making process. In addition, the chapter discusses the urban and agricultural (irrigation) uses of water, the role of water conservation, and the improved water-use efficiency within each sector.
From Notes to Vowels: Neural Correlations between Musical Training and Speech Processing.

Both vocal and instrumental musical training put significant demands on auditory processing to resolve minute changes in timbre, timing, and pitch of both individual notes and their higher syntactic organization into melodies. Distinguishing timbres—the complex spectral and temporal acoustic
Abstract IA22: Investigating breast cancer evolution and diversity with single-cell sequencing

Sequencing breast tumor cohorts has identified many prevalent mutations, but provides limited insight into the genomic diversity within tumors. Here, we developed a whole-genome and exome single-cell sequencing approach called Nuc-Seq that can achieve 83-97% coverage breadth with low error rates. We applied this method to sequence single normal and tumor cells from an estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer and a triple-negative ductal carcinoma, and performed copy number profiling in parallel. Our data shows that aneuploid rearrangements occurred early in tumor evolution and remained highly stable as the tumor masses expanded. In contrast, point mutations evolved gradually, generating extensive clonal diversity. Many of the diverse mutations were shown to occur at low frequencies (0.03 -10%) in the tumor mass by targeted single-molecule sequencing. Using mathematical modeling we found that the triple-negative tumor cells had an increased mutation rate (13.3X) while the ER+ tumor cells did not. These findings have important implications for the diagnosis, therapeutic treatment and evolution of chemoresistance in breast cancer. Citation Format: Nicholas E. Navin. Investigating breast cancer evolution and diversity with single-cell sequencing. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Drug Sensitivity and Resistance: Improving Cancer Therapy; Jun 18-21, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(4 Suppl): Abstract nr IA22.
Signaling by HGF and KGF in corneal epithelial cells: Ras/MAP kinase and Jak-STAT pathways.

Purpose To characterize the signaling pathways used by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) in human corneal epithelial cells. Methods Cultures of SV40 large T antigen-transfected human corneal epithelial cells were treated with recombinant human HGF or KGF at 50 ng/ml to 100 ng/ml for 5 to 30 minutes and harvested for protein isolation. Immunoprecipitation was performed with antisera to signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1), STAT3, Janus kinase 1 (Jak1), Shc, Grb2, Sos1, and HGF receptor (met). Immunoprecipitated proteins were analyzed by western blot analysis. Gel retardation experiments were carried out with first-passage human corneal epithelial cells to detect binding of STATs to the high affinity c-sis (platelet-derived growth factor) inducible DNA element (hSIE). Effects of HGF, KGF, and kinase inhibitors on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation were evaluated by western blot analysis and enzymatic assays. Results In human corneal epithelial cells, the phosphorylation of adapter protein Shc (52- and 66-kDa isoforms) was enhanced by HGF, but not by KGF. Phosphorylated HGF receptor coimmunoprecipitated with Shc, Grb2, and Sos1. Hepatocyte growth factor or KGF rapidly activated MAPK in corneal epithelial cells. The activation of MAPK (p42 and p44) by HGF or KGF was transient and decreased gradually within 1 hour. MAPK kinase 1 (MEK1) inhibitor PD098059 or the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein blocked MAPK activation. Activation of MAPK induced by HGF was partially inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C. Hepatocyte growth factor and KGF had no effect on the activation of Jak-STAT cascade components that are activated by epidermal growth factor. Conclusions Hepatocyte growth factor and KGF activate Ras-MAPK pathways in human corneal epithelial cells. There may be at least two routes used by HGF in transmitting signals from its receptor to the MAPK cascade. One is the receptor-Grb2/Sos complex to the Ras pathway, and the other is through protein kinase C. Hepatocyte growth factor and KGF did not activate the Jak-STAT cascade components STAT1, STAT3, or Jak1 in corneal epithelial cells.
Topical Honey for Scalp Defects: An Alternative to Surgical Scalp Reconstruction

This case report discusses the use of medical-grade honey as solitary treatment for a large scalp defect due to surgical excision of necrotizing fasciitis. Honey promoted granulation and epithelialization over bare bone, which has been previously undocumented in the literature. We discuss the proposed mechanisms of honey as a wound-healing agent and the evidence for its use, and we propose that honey may be considered a therapeutic option for scalp wounds-especially in patients who are poor surgical candidates.
Coupled weyl gravitational and zero-rest-mass scalar fields

The Einstein field equations are solved for the metric representing static coupled gravitational and zero-rest-mass scalar fields that depend on at most two variables. Several metrics are then analysed to determine what changes occur in their singular structure when a zero-rest-mass scalar field is coupled to a vacuum gravitational field. In certain cases it is found that the addition of a zero-rest-mass scalar field can have the effect of changing some of the topological properties of the singularities of the corresponding vacuum field.
Certificates of Confidentiality and Compelled Disclosure of Data

A recent court case suggests that the privacy of research subjects may not be fully protected by Certificates of Confidentiality.
“Tired of watching customers walk out the door because of the smoke”: a content analysis of media coverage of voluntarily smokefree restaurants and bars

News media are key sources of information regarding tobacco issues, and help set the tobacco control policy agenda. We examined US news coverage of voluntarily smokefree restaurants and bars in locales without mandatory policies to understand how such initiatives are perceived. We searched three online media databases (Access World News, Lexis Nexis, and Proquest) for all news items, including opinion pieces, published from 1995 to 2011. We coded retrieved items quantitatively, analyzing the volume, type, provenance, prominence, and content of news coverage. We found 986 news items, most published in local newspapers. News items conveyed unambiguous support for voluntarily smokefree establishments, regardless of venue. Mandatory policies were also frequently mentioned, and portrayed positively or neutrally. Restaurant items were more likely to mention health-related benefits of going smokefree, with bar items more likely to mention business-related benefits. Voluntary smokefree rules in bars and restaurants are regarded by news media as reasonable responses to health and business-based concerns about worker and customer exposure to secondhand smoke. As efforts continue to enact comprehensive smokefree policies to protect all in such venues, the media are likely to be supportive partners in the advocacy process, helping to generate public and policymaker support.
The potential of carbon-11 and fluorine-18 chemistry: illustration through the development of positron emission tomography radioligands targeting the translocator protein 18 kDa.

The TSPO (translocator protein), also known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, is upregulated in the brain of subjects suffering from neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. Moreover, this overexpression has been proved to be linked to microglia activation making thus the TSPO a marker of choice of neuroinflammatory processes and therefore a potential target for the development of radioligands for positron emission tomography imaging. The discovery of selective TSPO ligands and their labelling with the short-lived positron-emitter isotopes carbon-11 and fluorine-18 emerged in the mid-1980s with the preparation of the 3-isoquinolinecarboxamide [(11) C]PK11195. To date, an impressive number of promising compounds-[(11) C]PK11195-challengers-have been developed; some radioligands-for example, [(11) C]PBR28, [(11) C]DPA-713, [(18) F]FEDAA1106 and [(18) F]DPA-714-are currently used in clinical trials. As illustrated in this review, the methodologies applied for the preparation of these compounds remain mainly [(11) C]methylations using [(11) C]MeI or [(11) C]MeOTf and SN 2-type nucleophilic aliphatic [(18) F]fluorinations-two processes illustrating the state-of-the-art arsenal of reactions that involves these two short-lived radioisotopes-but alternative processes, such as [(11) C]carbonylations using [(11) C]CO and [(11) C]COCl2 as well as SN Ar-type nucleophilic [(18) F]fluorinations, have also been reported and as such, reviewed herein.
Effect of substrates and pH on the intestinal Na+/phosphate cotransporter: evidence for an intervesicular divalent phosphate allosteric regulatory site.

Abstract Intervesicular divalent phosphate-induced inhibition of the intestinal brush-border membrane Na+/phosphate cotransporter was examined using Na+-dependent phosphate uptake, substrate-induced tryptophan fluorescence quenching, and the apparent pKa values for substrate-induced conformational changes. In right-side-out (RSO) reconstituted proteoliposomes, only monovalent phosphate inhibited Na+-dependent phosphate uptake in the absence of pre-equilibration. Addition of divalent phosphate to inside-out (ISO) proteoliposomes resulted in 80 ± 5% inhibition of Na+-dependent phosphate uptake in the absence of pre-equilibration. The nature of divalent phosphate-induced inhibition of cotransporter function was examined using cotransporter partial reaction assays based on substrate-induced conformational changes reported as changes in tryptophan fluorescence. Na+ but not K+ induced a quenching of tryptophan fluorescence with a K0.5 of 25 mM and an apparent Hill coefficient of 1.8. Monovalent phosphate (difluorophosphate) induced a further quenching of tryptophan fluorescence with a K0.5 of 53 μM. Divalent phosphate (monofluorophosphate) had no effect on tryptophan fluorescence, but inhibited the difluorophosphate-induced quenching of tryptophan fluorescence. The Na+ to Na+ + divalent phosphate (monofluorophosphate) conformation and the Na+ to Na+ + monovalent phosphate (difluorophosphate) conformations were compared using tryptophan quench reagents. These transitions had different apparent pKa values and different phenylglyoxal sensitivities consistent with monovalent phosphate and divalent phosphate interacting with the cotransporter at separate sites.
Efficient method for lossless image compression using suboptimal, adaptive multiplicative autoregressive models

An efficient, lossless, predictive image compression scheme is introduced, based on suboptimal, adaptive multiplicative autoregressive models. The results of a comparative experimental study indicate that the proposed scheme achieves better compression than other predictive/interpolative lossless image coding techniques considered.
Supercontinuum laser illumination applied to traditional optical flow imaging methods

Abstract The schlieren method of refractive flow visualization traditionally requires non-coherent illumination in order to avoid problems with coherent artifact noise and binary cutoff by the knife-edge. Related shadowgraph and Wollaston-prism schlieren-interferometer methods, however, work well with light sources of high spatial coherence. Here we apply a supercontinuum laser as a light source for these methods, providing spatially coherent white-light illumination. Excellent results are obtained with shadowgraphy and schlieren-interferometry, but the schlieren method still requires a modified cutoff in place of the traditional knife-edge for laser illumination. Once they become widely available, supercontinuum lasers will find frequent use in these optical instruments, especially the schlieren-interferometer.
Repression of GADD153/CHOP by NF-kappaB : a possible cellular defense against endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cell death

Exposure of mammalian cells to ultraviolet light, nutrient deprived culture media, hypoxia, environmental toxicants such as methyl mercury, methyl methanesulfonate, crocodilite asbestos or the agents that disrupt the function of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leads to activation of the pro-apoptotic transcription factor GADD153/CHOP. Paradoxically, several of these agents also induce the anti-apoptotic transcription factor NF-kappaB. In this report, we demonstrate that NF-kappaB inhibits GADD153 activation in breast cancer cells exposed to nutrient deprived media, tunicamycin (which blocks protein folding in ER) or calcium ionopore (which depletes calcium stores in ER). Basal and calcium ionopore-induced GADD153 expression was more pronounced in fibroblasts obtained from mouse embryos lacking in p65 subunit of NF-kappaB compared to fibroblasts from wild type littermate embryos. Moreover, p65-/- fibroblasts were killed more efficiently by calcium ionopore and tunicamycin but not hydrogen peroxide compared to wild type fibroblasts. We also show that parthenolide, a NF-kappaB inhibitor, sensitizes breast cancer cells to tunicamycin. Transient transfection assay revealed that the p65 subunit but not the p50 subunit of NF-kappaB represses GADD153 promoter activity. These results establish a correlation between repression of pro-apoptotic genes by NF-kappaB and increased cell survival during ER stress as well as identify a distinct NF-kappaB regulated cell survival pathway.
Advances In Guidance Systems For Industrial Automated Guided Vehicles

We have focused our research on Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) which travel over a network of allowed paths defined in software and navigate using data from several types of sensors. This technology should be more flexible to install and modify, and opens the door to added capabilities and innovative control strategies. We are experimenting with a prototype, test-bed vehicle which navigates by dead reckoning from odo etry and by periodically measuring its absolute position with a simple machine vision system. Ongoing research seeks methods of adaptive improvement of system parameters affecting guidance. We have also develo' - a novel correlating camera that "watches the floor go by' to make non-contact displacement measurements that can comple ent odometry. Accuracies of 1 part in 3000 appear to be achievable from this device. For navigating inside semi-trailers, we have investigated a wall-following application of ultrasonic ranging.
Evaluating errors in screw rotor machining by tool to rotor transformation

AbstractScrew compressor rotors are machined mainly by form grinding or milling tools. The precision requirements imposed upon them are today so demanding that the tool is allowed only limited wear and must be well set in the machine. It is therefore important to be able to quantify the tool set errors as well as to compensate for tool deformation and wear. Tool to rotor transformation is applied here to quantify these properties. Three possible errors are analysed, namely mismatch of the angle between the tool and rotor shafts, mismatch of the centre distance between the tool and the rotor, and mismatch in the axial tool position. The effect of tool deformation on the accuracy of the rotor is also considered. The effect of all three set errors is then used to compensate for the tool wear. A similar technique is valid for many machining processes in which form tools are used.
Nitric oxide contributes to central sensitization following intradermal injection of capsaicin.

THIS study provides direct evidence from measurements of its metabolites, NO 2 - and NO 3 - , that NO is released in the spinal cord during central sensitization. A microdialysis fiber was implanted in the dorsal horn at L5 for collecting dialysate and administering drugs. Dialysate was pumped through a cadminum reducing column, a post-column derivatizing unit, and then a u.v. detector. After injection of capsaicin into one hind foot, NO 2 - increased in the dialysate. Pretreatment with N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) significantly reduced NO release induced by a second injection of capsaicin into the opposite foot. This supports the ideas that NO is involved in central sensitization in the spinal cord and contributes to hyperalgesia and allodynia following capsaicin injection.
Test-retest bias, reliability, and regression equations for neuropsychological measures repeated over a 12-16-week period.

The interpretation of neurobehavioral change over time requires knowledge of the test-retest characteristics of the measures. Without this information it is not possible to distinguish a true change (i.e., one reflecting the occurrence or resolution of an intervening process) from that occurring on the basis of chance or systematic bias. We tested a group of 72 healthy young to middle aged adults twice over a 12-to-16-week interval in order to observe the change in scores over time when there was no known intervention. The test battery consisted of seven commonly used cognitive measures and the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Test-retest regression equations were calculated for each measure using initial performance, age, education, and a measure of general intellectual function (Wonderlic Personnel Test) as regressors. Test-retest correlations ranged from .39 (POMS Fatigue) to .89 (Digit Symbol). Cognitive measures generally yielded higher correlations than did the POMS. Univariate regressions based only on initial performance adequately predicted retest performance for the majority of measures. Age and education had a relatively minor influence. Practice effects and regression to the mean were common. These test-retest regression equations can be used to predict retest scores when there has been no known intervention. They can also be used to generate statistical statements regarding the significance of change in an individual's performance over a 12-to-16-week interval.
The XPA-binding domain of ERCC1 Is Required for Nucleotide Excision Repair but Not Other DNA Repair Pathways

The endonuclease ERCC1-XPF incises the damaged strand of DNA 5′ to a lesion during nucleotide excision repair (NER) and has additional, poorly characterized functions in interstrand cross-link repair, double-strand break repair, and homologous recombination. XPA, another key factor in NER, interacts with ERCC1 and recruits it to sites of damage. We identified ERCC1 residues that are critical for the interaction with XPA and assessed their importance for NER in vitro and in vivo. Mutation of two conserved residues (Asn-110 and Tyr-145) located in the XPA-binding site of ERCC1 dramatically affected NER but not nuclease activity on model DNA substrates. In ERCC1-deficient cells expressing ERCC1N110A/Y145A, the nuclease was not recruited to sites of UV damage. The repair of UV-induced (6-4)photoproducts was severely impaired in these cells, and they were hypersensitive to UV irradiation. Remarkably, the ERCC1N110A/Y145A protein rescues the sensitivity of ERCC1-deficient cells to cross-linking agents. Our studies suggest that ERCC1-XPF engages in different repair pathways through specific protein-protein interactions and that these functions can be separated through the selective disruption of these interactions. We discuss the impact of these findings for understanding how ERCC1 contributes to resistance of tumor cells to therapeutic agents such as cisplatin.
Low-cost electrodes for acutely implanted neural recording and stimulation systems

Implantable microelectrodes for functional electrical stimulation are often designed to be used in chronic long term applications and subjected to strict endurance and resolution requirements. Their manufacturing requires costly thin-film processing technologies derived from conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques. On the other hand, these constraints can be relaxed in certain applications to allow the use of relatively lower cost flexible printed circuit board techniques optimized for high-volume markets. In this paper, we address some of the related shortcomings with this manufacturing technology, and suggest modifications in the fabrication process.
Historical foundations of social effectiveness? Dale Carnegie's principles

Dale Carnegie has been credited as the first to formulate principles of how to work with and through others. With the recent interest in constructs that focus on social effectiveness, one may question whether these new conceptions are distinctly different from the principles Carnegie introduced 70 years ago. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which the latest social effectiveness constructs resonate with the ideas that Dale Carnegie formulated as principles in How to Win Friends and Influence People to demonstrate the timeless significance of this work.
Strong consistency of M -estimates in linear models

This article studies the strong consistency of M-estimates in linear regression models directly from the minimization problem ∑i-1n ρ(Yi−α−Xi′β):=min , where X1. X2, … can be random observations of a p-dimensional random vector X, or that they are simply known nonrandom p-vectors. It is shown that the solution (αn, β′n) of this minimization problem converges with probability one to the true parameter (α0,β′0) under very general conditions on the function ϱ and the sequence {(X′i, Yi)}.
Atorvastatin increases exercise leg blood flow in healthy adults.

Abstract Objectives We sought to examine the effect of atorvastatin therapy on exercise leg blood flow in healthy middle-aged and older-men and women. Background The vasodilatory response to exercise decreases in humans with aging and disease and this reduction may contribute to reduced exercise capacity. Methods We used a double-blind, randomly assigned, placebo-controlled protocol to assess the effect of atorvastatin treatment on exercising leg hemodynamics. We measured femoral artery blood flow (FBF) using Doppler ultrasound and calculated femoral vascular conductance (FVC) from brachial mean arterial pressure (MAP) before and during single knee-extensor exercise in healthy adults (ages 40–71) before (PRE) and after (POST) 6 months of 80mg atorvastatin (A: 14 men, 16 women) or placebo (P: 14 men, 22 women) treatment. FBF and FVC were normalized to exercise power output and estimated quadriceps muscle mass. Results Atorvastatin reduced LDL cholesterol by approximately 50%, but not in the placebo group ( p p p Conclusions High-dose atorvastatin augments exercising leg hyperemia. Statins may mitigate reductions in the exercise vasodilatory response in humans that are associated with aging and disease.
Resolution in surface scanning electron microscopy of bulk samples

Abstract Ultimately resolution in today's surface scanning electron microscopes is determined by electron-sample interactions and not by the capabilities of the electron optical systems. In other words, it is not possible to resolve surface features on bulk samples (i.e., samples that are opaque to electrons) that are seperated by as small a distance as might be expected from the minimum beam diameter. The minimum beam diameter in a standard secondary electron SEM is set by the spherical aberration of the final lens and diffraction to less than 2.0nm, but secondary electrons are excited up to several nanometers away from the incident electrons. As a result, the best point to point resolution for secondary electron images of features on the surface of true bulk samples has been 5nm – 10nm. High energy electrons elastically scattered from a very shallow surface layer are also used for imaging the surface of bulk samples. A shorter focal length final lens is used in this case because the sample can be immersed in the magnetic field. This allows the beam diameter to be reduced to 0.5nm but again interaction phenomena limit resolution. Finite penetration of the electrons before they are scattered apparently limits point to point resolution to about 2nm. Contrast is high however, and ultimately it may be possible to “see” single atomic surface steps.
Network on chip design and optimization using specialized influence models

In this study, we propose the use of specialized influence models to capture the dynamic behavior of a Network-on-Chip (NoC). Our goal is to construct a versatile modeling framework that will help in the development and analysis of distributed and adaptive features for NoCs. As an application testbench, we use this framework to construct a design methodology for dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS). We also point out similarities of the proposed model with backpressure mechanisms that could be potentially exploited toward enhanced models for estimation and optimization of NoCs.
Carrier dynamics of composite and nanolayered films of zinc phthalocyanine and C 60 measured by time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy

We present a study of charge transfer and carrier dynamics in films of zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and buckmisnsterfullerene (C 60 ) investigated by time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy (TRTS). These films are model structures for charge generation layers in organic photovoltaics and their intrinsic properties are therefore of interest. We compare two classes of films: composite films of ZnPc and C 60 prepared by co-evaporation and layered ZnPc/C 60 films prepared by alternating deposition. We find evidence for a short-lived charge transfer state of C 60 that decays within several picoseconds of excitation. In contrast, both composite and multi-layered films have a long-lived THz absorption that depends on the composition and structure of the fims. The optimum composition for charge transfer within composite films is a 1:1 blend of ZnPc and C 60 . Amongst the layered films, there is an increase in charge photogeneration with decreasing layer thickness with a sample having ultrathin (2 nm) exhibiting the strongest THz absorption. A much stronger THz absorption signal was obtained from the layered structure than for the best composite film, even both structures contain similar fractions of ZnPc and C 60 .
Apparent frequency of words and pictures as a function of pronunciation and imagery

A sample of sixth graders was asked to estimate how many times each item in a list of either word or picture stimuli (presented varying numbers of times on a study trial) had in fact been displayed. It was found that, in comparison to words, pictures (a) were judged as having occurred more frequently, (b) resulted in less variable within-subject judgments, and (c) produced fewer false alarms on items never presented during study. At the same time, instructions to pronounce or to image the stimuli on the study trial had no effect on frequency judgments, either as a main effect or in interaction with stimulus types. The results were interpreted in terms of existing frequency theory, and permitted for speculations regarding picture-word differences in verbal learning experiments.
Euthanasia: The “good death”?

The changing attitude of some medical practitioners in certain countries condones the practice of euthanasia. This article examines the scope of attitudes toward life and death, suggesting moral and ethical considerations regarding euthanasia.
Retinofugal pathways in fetal and adult spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias

Retinofugal pathways in fetal and adult spiny dogfish were determined by intraocular injection of [3H]proline for autoradiography. Distribution and termination of the primary retinal efferents were identical in pups and adults. The retinal fibers decussate completely, except for a sparse ipsilateral projection to the caudal preoptic area. The decussating optic fibers terminate ventrally in the preoptic area and in two rostral thalamic areas, a lateral neuropil area of the dorsal thalamus and more ventrally in the lateral half of the ventral thalamus. At this same rostral thalamic level, a second optic pathway, the medial optic tract, splits from the lateral marginal optic tract and courses dorsomedially to terminate in the rostral tectum and the central and periventricular pretectal nuclei. The marginal optic tract continues caudally to terminate in a superficial pretectal nucleus and also innervates the superficial zone of the optic tectum. A basal optic tract arises from the ventral edge of the marginal optic tract and courses medially into the central pretectal nucleus, as well as continuing more caudally to terminate in a dorsal neuropil adjacent to nucleus interstitialis and in in a more ventrally and medially located basal optic nucleus. Comparison of the retinofugal projections of Squalus with those of other sharks reveals two grades of neural organization with respect to primary visual projections. Squalomorph sharks possess a rostral dorsal thalamic nucleus whose visual input is primarily, if not soley, axodendritic, and an optic tectum in which the majority of the cell bodies are located deep to the visual terminal zone. In contrast, galeomorph sharks are characterized by an enlarged and migrated rostrodorsal thalamic visual nucleus, and an optic tectum in which the majority of the cell bodies are located within the visual terminal zone. These data suggest that evolution of primary visual pathways in sharks occurs by migration and an increase in neuronal number, rather than by the occurrence of new visual pathways.
The synthesis of glycopeptide fragments of human plasma α1-acid glycoproteins by sequential elongation at the terminal-amino group☆

Glycopeptides corresponding to sequences 27--28, 48--49, and 58--59 of human plasma alpha1-acid glycoproteins have been synthesized by sequential elongation of the peptide chain at the terminal amino group. 2-Acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1-N-(L-aspart-4-oyl)-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine was condensed with the p-nitrophenyl esters of protected amino acids to give the corresponding protected glycodipeptides having the sequences Gly-(GlcNAc-4-)Asn, Pro-(GlcNAc-4-)Asn, Val-(GlcNAc-4-)Asn, Leu-(GlcNAc-4-)Asn, Glu-(GlcNAc-4-)Asn, Tyr-(GlcNAc-4-)Asn, Ser-(GlcNAc-4-)Asn, and Cys-(GlcNAc-4-)Asn. Deprotection of the carbohydrate and of the peptide residues of these compounds was achieved, except for those having N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl protective groups, to give the corresponding free glycopeptides. The glycotripeptide 2-acetamido-1-N-(2-N-[N-(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)-L-glutam-1-oyl-L-tyrosyl]-L-aspart-4-oxy)-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine, having the amino acid sequence 10--12 of human plasma alpha1-acid glycoprotein, was prepared by condensation of 2-acetamido 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-1-N-[2-N-(L-tyrosyl)-L-aspart-4-oyl[-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine with 5-benzyl 1-p-nitrophenyl N-(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)-L-glutamate, followed by removal of the ester groups.
9-(5-Carboxypentylamino)-acridine. An affinity adsorbent ligand for Electrophorus acetylcholinesterase.

We have developed a simple method for the synthesis of the ligand 9-(5-carboxypentylamino)-acridine and the resulting affinity adsorbent using Sepharose CL-4B. This affinity adsorbent is efficient and specific for purification of acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine acetylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.7) from Electrophorus electricus electric organ.
On the Idea that God is Continuously Re-creating the Universe

Many theists believe that God is continuously acting to sustain the universe in existence. One way of understanding this act of sustenance is to see God as actually creating the universe anew at each moment. This paper argues against the coherence of this view by drawing out some of its consequences. I argue that the re-creationist must deny the causal efficacy of created f things, as well as the identity of things across time. Most problematically, I argue that re-creationism ultimately denies the reality of time itself.
Blocking and Routing Discrete Solitons in Two-Dimensional Networks of Nonlinear Waveguide Arrays

It is shown that discrete solitons can be navigated in two-dimensional networks of nonlinear waveguide arrays. This can be accomplished via vector interactions between two classes of discrete solitons: signals and blockers. Discrete solitons in such two-dimensional networks can exhibit a rich variety of functional operations, e.g., blocking, routing, logic functions, and time gating.
Health policy: All-or-none compliance is the best determinant of quality of care.

The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) aims to reduce complications by ensuring adherence to a number of procedural criteria. The findings of a recent study imply that adherence to individual SCIP infection-prevention measures may not be an effective measure of quality. Rather, 'all-or-none' compliance with multiple SCIP recommendations is required if hospitals are to achieve quality-improvement outcomes.
Testing the Feasibility of Small Multiples of Sparklines to Display Semimonthly Income Statement Data

This paper tests the ability of 129 accounting students to look up data, perceive and compare data patterns, and detect anomalies when the amount of information in traditional single page three-year comparative income statements is expanded 25-fold by adding semimonthly data to the page in graphical form. Participants were able to use the graphs to perform most tasks correctly more often than not. Tabular presentation of the same 1,100 to 2,000 data points required six pages. Participants using the one-page income statements with embedded graphs were better able to identify and compare patterns than those using multi-page tables, but had less success looking up precise data values. The results on pattern recognition and comparison are consistent with the proximity compatibility principle.
Some remarks on the Dirac delta function approximation for ASER analysis of digital modulations over fading channels

In this article, we apply two distinct methods to obtain simple closed-form approximations for the average symbol error rate (ASER) performance metric of a broad class of coherent digital modulations in a myriad of fading environments (with/without diversity), which are known to be analytically involved as they require evaluation of the expectation of the Gaussian Q-function and/or its integer powers. In the first approach, we exploit the shifting property of Dirac delta approximations of the Q-function to circumvent the need for integration. In the second approach, we introduce tight exponential-type approximations for the Q-function that directly lead to the development of closed-form expressions for the ASER in terms of only the moment generating function (MGF) of the received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) random variable. Numerical results reveal that our proposed solutions based on the MGF method are much more versatile and can yield better accuracy compared to our approximations derived via the Dirac delta approximation technique.
Pressure Sensitivity of Emission Intensities and Plasma Voltage for a Planar Magnetron Glow Discharge

A glow discharge device is described which uses a curved magnetic field passing through the surface of a planar cathode in order to trap electrons near the cathode surface and thus obtain stable operation at unusually low pressures. The magnetic field is obtained from a ring-shaped ceramic magnet and a coaxial Co-Sm rare-earth magnet located directly behind the cathode. In Ar, the device operates over the pressure range 6 × 10−4 Torr to over 2.5 Torr with plasma voltage under 420 V. Plasma voltage vs. pressure data for Cu and Al cathodes suggest that several modes of operation occur over this pressure range. Emission intensity vs. pressure data are presented for Ar, Ar+, Cu, Al, continuum background, and some residual-gas band systems.
Public Perceptions of Human Trafficking in Moldova

Human trafficking is a widely studied phenomenon. Comparing public perceptions of traffick- ing to institutional (i.e. the academy, governmental and non-governmental organizations) perceptions gives a richer understanding of the problem. The data for this study were collected in and around Chisinau, Moldova in the summer of 2004. Public discourse provides a more intimate "portraiture" of the issue, but the public also demonstrated a complex level of understanding of this social problem in this study. Its view is juxtaposed against an institutional view of human trafficking as explored through a literature review. Combining institutional and public perceptions and knowledge of a social problem is helpful in not only establishing a more thorough understanding of the social problem and guiding policy decisions, but in exploring the experiences victims may face at the community level. Keywords: human trafficking, institutional perceptions, public perceptions, victims and community. Resumen. Aunque el trafico ilegal de personas es un fenomeno ampliamente estudiado, la comparacion entre las percepciones publicas y las institucionales (es decir, del mundo academico, el gobierno y las orga- nizaciones no gubernamentales) puede aportar una mejor comprension del problema. Los datos del presen- te estudio fueron recogidos en Chisinau y alrededores, Moldavia, durante el verano del 2004. El discurso publico proporciona un "retrato" mas intimo del problema, pero tambien pone de manifiesto su gran com- plejidad. La perspectiva publica del trafico ilegal de personas se yuxtapone a la perspectiva institucional como revela una revision de la literatura al respecto. Combinar percepciones y conocimientos publicos e institucionales de un problema social ayuda no solo a establecer una comprension mas rigurosa del proble- ma y a guiar las decisiones politicas, sino tambien a explorar las experiencias a las que las victimas se enfrentan en sus comunidades. Palabras clave: percepciones institucionales, percepciones publicas, trafico ilegal de personas, victimas y comunidad.
Matrix-valued subdivision schemes for generating surfaces with extraordinary vertices

Subdivision templates of numerical values are replaced by templates of matrices in this paper to allow the introduction of shape control parameters for the feasibility of achieving desirable geometric shapes at those points on the subdivision surfaces that correspond to extraordinary control vertices. Formulation of the matrix-valued subdivision surface is derived. Based on refinable bivariate spline function vectors for matrix-valued subdivisions, the notion of characteristic map introduced by Reif is extended from (scalar) surface subdivisions to matrix-valued subdivisions. The C^1- and C^k-continuity of Reif and Prautzsch for matrix-valued subdivisions are discussed. To illustrate the general theory, the smoothness of matrix-valued triangular subdivision schemes for extraordinary vertices with valences 3 and 4 is analyzed. The issue of effective choices of the shape control parameters will also be discussed in this paper.
Supporting Start-to-Finish Development of Knowledge Bases

Developing knowledge bases using knowledge-acquisition tools is difficult because each stage of development requires performing a distinct knowledge-acquisition task. This paper describes these different tasks and surveys current tools that perform them. It also addresses two issues confronting tools for start-to-finish development of knowledge bases. The first issue is how to support multiple stages of development. This paper describes Protos, a knowledge-acquisition tool that adjusts the training it expects and assistance it provides as its knowledge grows. The second issue is how to integrate new information into a large knowledge base. This issue is addressed in the description of a second tool, KI, that evaluates new information to determine its consequences for existing knowledge.
How beliefs about a partner's goals affect referring in goal‐discrepant conversations

This study examines how interlocutors’ beliefs about each other's goals (partner‐goal beliefs) affect conversational references. Pairs of participants whose mismatched conversational goals required getting information at a more or less specific level discussed abstract shapes. Pairs were either informed of the goal difference, misinformed that goals were the same, or noninformed about the goal difference. Partner‐goal beliefs affected how participants collaborated on references: Speakers tailored their descriptions to fit their beliefs about addressees’ goals, and addressees’ verbal feedback was affected by speakers’ descriptions. Misinformed and noninformed pairs never differed reliably in their language use, but speakers in these pairs described shapes, and their addressees responded to their descriptions, differently than informed pairs. Afterward, informed participants recognized the shapes more or less accurately depending on their individual goal, whereas in the misinformed and noninformed pairs, pa...
Models of cell interaction based on differential adhesion

Recent efforts to model the mechanical interaction of aggregates of biological cells are reviewed. Differential adhesion is discussed as a means of creating a field of stress equivalent to tension elements at interfaces between unlike cell types. Several numerical algorithms are described and applied to shortening and folding of cell sheets, three-dimensional monolayers, and two-dimensional cell aggregates.
Job desirability among criminal justice majors: Exploring relationships between personal characteristics and occupational attractiveness

This paper examines the attractiveness of selected criminal justice (CJ)-related occupations among a purposive/convenience sample of students in the northeastern United States (N = 633). In a self-administered questionnaire, students rated the overall attractiveness of ten CJ-related occupations. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to compare means across gender, major, year in college (grade level), punitiveness levels, and other variables. Major, grade level, gender, attitudes of punitiveness, and ideology were associated with occupational attractiveness among the sample, particularly among law enforcement-related occupations. CJ majors were found to view law enforcement-related occupations as highly attractive and more attractive than a variety of corrections-related occupations. Students who rated law enforcement careers as attractive also reported higher levels of punitiveness. The pedagogical and advisement-related implications of the findings are discussed.
Effect of Quantity of Concomitant Energy (E) Intake of Low Birth Weight (LBW) Infants on Leucine Oxidation † 1388

We have shown that an E intake of 150 vs. 120 kcal/kg·d enhances protein utilization by LBW infants (Kashyap, et al., Pediatr Res 1994; 35:704). To determine the effect of quality of E intake on protein utilization, LBW infants (BW, 750-1600g were assigned randomly and blindly to receive one of 5 formulas differing only in quantity and quality of energy. Groups 1, 2 and 3 received formulas providing an E intake of 120 kcal/kg·d with 35, 50 and 65% of non-protein E, respectively, as carbohydrate (lactose + glucose polymers (CHO) and the remainder as fat; Groups 4 and 5 received an E intake of 150 kcal/kg·d with 35 and 65% of non-protein E, respectively, as CHO. Protein intake of all groups was 4g/kg·d. Leucine oxidation (i.e., the cumulative percent of a bolus dose of 1-13C-Leu recovered in breath from 0-8h) was determined in subsets of all groups (n=4-7) just prior to discharge. Leucine oxidation of Groups 1-5, respectively, was 24.2±5%a, 19.3±2.2%b, 14.8%c 13.7 ±2.9%c and 13.2±9,8%c of intake (values with different superscripts are statistically significant). Thus, both quantity and quality of concomitant E intake appear to affect protein utilization as measured by leucine oxidation. At E intakes of 120 kcal/kg·d, increasing the CHO content of non-protein E from 35% to 50% and from 50-65% increases protein utilization. A total E intake of 150 kcal/kg·d improves utilization relative to 120 kcal/kg·d with 35 and 50 but not 65% CHO. This suggests that increasing the CHO content of an E intake of 120 kcal/kg·d is as effective in promoting protein utilization as increasing E intake to 150 kcal/kg·d regardless of CHO content.
Statistical timing and leakage power analysis of PD-SOI digital circuits

This paper presents a fast statistical static timing and leakage power analysis in Partially-Depleted Silicon-On-Insulator (PD-SOI) CMOS circuits in BSIMSOI3.2 100 nm technology. The proposed timing analysis considers floating body effect on the propagation delay for more accurate timing analysis in PD-SOI CMOS circuits. The accuracy of modeling the leakage power in PD-SOI CMOS circuits is improved by considering the interactions between the subthreshold leakage and the gate tunneling leakage, the stacking effect, the history effect, and the fanout effect. The proposed timing and leakage power analysis algorithms are implemented in Matlab, Hspice, and C language. The proposed methodology is applied to ISCAS85 benchmarks, and the results show that the error is within 5% compared with random simulation results.