cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of equine antibody to Babesia equi merozoite proteins by a monoclonal antibody-based competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CI ELISA) was developed to detect antibody to Babesia equi. One hundred fifty-four equine serum samples from 19 countries were tested for antibody to B. equi by the complement fixation test and by CI ELISA. The CI ELISA and complement fixation test results agreed in 94% (144) of the serum samples tested. The 10 discrepant serum samples were retested and analyzed for ability to immunoprecipitate in vitro translation products from B. equi merozoite mRNA. Five discrepant results were clearly resolved in favor of the CI ELISA, and the remaining five discrepancies were not definitively resolved. Images
All Individuals May Be Made Worse Off U nder Any Nonwelfarist Principle

Nonwelfarist principles - notably, deontological principles - are often advanced to guide moral decisions. The types of choices addressed by such principles typically seem, on their face, to involve conflicts of interests among individuals. Nevertheless, it can be demonstrated that any nonwelfarist principle will, in some circumstances, favor choices that make all individuals worse off. For a variety of reasons, this conclusion has important implications for moral theories that are understood to support nonwelfarist principles.
Perceptions of Pharmacy Technicians and Students Regarding Technicians as Pharmacy Instructors

Objective. To understand technicians’ attitudes toward teaching student pharmacists and students’ attitudes toward learning from technicians.Methods. Survey data concerning technicians’ perceived i...
Fermi-edge resonance and tunneling in nonequilibrium electron gas.

Fermi-edge singularity changes in a nonequilibrium system, acquiring features that reflect the structure of energy distribution. In particular, it splits into several components if the energy distribution exhibits multiple steps. While conventional approaches, such as bosonization, fail to describe the nonequilibrium problem, an exact solution for a generic energy distribution can be obtained with the help of the method of functional determinants. In the case of a split Fermi distribution, the ``open loop'' part of the Greens function possesses power law singularities. At the same time, the resulting tunneling density of states exhibits broadened peaks centered at Fermi sublevels.
Some observations on particulates collected in underground coal mines using diesel and non-diesel equipment

Abstract The results obtained when sampling twenty underground coal mine sections, each in a different mine, are outlined. The sampling effort was oriented toward a detailed characterization of coal mine dusts and thus eight-stage Anderson Model 298 impactors were used as the primary collection instrument. This instrument allowed a fairly detailed size distribution for each of the particulates sampled. Because four of the mines used diesel outby equipment and/or diesel shuttle cars at the face, it is possible to make some comparisons of the particulate distributions in diesel versus non-diesel mines. One of the more interesting results is the pattern that exists in mines using diesels only for outby utility haulage. Particulates in these mines seem to be consistently heavy in the fine size ranges, perhaps being of significant concern to the industry. While no definite conclusions can be drawn from the limited data, a more detailed study of particulates may provide a better picture of particulate loadings.
Implantable Nano-Neurotechnological Devices: Consideration of Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues and Implications

Over the past decades, there has been considerable progress in the capability and application(s) of technology in the neurosciences. The tools of neurotechnology conjoin advances made in other disciplines, including nanoscience, to offer somewhat unique properties and capabilities that affect multiple dimensions of neural systems via implantable devices that afford articulation and manipulation at the subcellular scale. However, while striving for good, it is equally important to regard potential to generate major ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that arise in, and from the study and applications of implantable nano-neurotechnologies. This paper discusses specific properties and uses of various nano-neurotechnologies, and addresses proximate and distal ELSI. We argue that the fusion of nano- and neuroscience and technologies give rise to unique risks and burdens, but posit that a frank precautionary principle might be unrealistic given the demiurge of progress. Rather, we call for a dialectical approach that balances technological incentives with responsibility for inquiry, application, and consequences, and advocate that potential ELSI must be appreciated early and throughout the research and development process.
Pharmacological characterization of the effects of taurine on calcium uptake in the rat retina

Taurine is known to increase ATP-dependent calcium ion (Ca2+) uptake in retinal membrane preparations and in isolated rod outer segments (ROS) under low calcium conditions (10μM) (Pasantes-Morales and Ordonez, 1982; Lombardini, 1991). In this report, ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake in retinal membrane preparations was found to be inhibited by 5μM cadmium (Cd2+), suggesting the involvement of cation channel activation. The activation of cGMP-gated cation channels, which are found in the ROS, is a crucial step in the phototransduction process. An inhibitor of cGMP-gated channels, LY83583, was found to inhibit taurine-stimulated ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake but had no effect on ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake in the absence of taurine, indicating that taurine may be increasing ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake through a mechanism of action involving the opening of cGMP-gated channels. The activation of cGMP-gated channels with dibutyryl-cGMP and with phosphodiesterase inhibition using zaprinast caused an increase in ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake in isolated ROS, but not in taurine-stimulated ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake. LY83583 had the same effects in isolated ROS as in retinal membrane preparations. Another inhibitor of cGMP-gated channels, Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS, produced the same pattern of inhibition in isolated ROS as LY83583. Thus, there appears to be a causal link between taurine and the activation of the cGMP-gated channels in the ROS under conditions of low calcium concentration, a connection that suggests an important role for taurine in the visual signalling function of the retina.
Despotism and Differential Reproduction: A Darwinian View of History

"Much light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history," thus ended Darwin's "Origin of Species". For many years, the book provoked a flood of argument, but yielded little evidence. In the first century after the book's publication, virtually no one tested Darwin's theory against the evidence of human history. Now that tide has changed.. Laura Betzig challenges the proposition that the evolved end of human life is its reproduction by presenting the literature on conflict resolution from over a hundred societies. The research results presented in Despotism, Social Evolution, and Differential Reproduction convincingly uphold Darwin's prophecy.A basic premise behind research has always been that understanding the way things are should contribute to our ability to change them to the way we would like them to be. This idea forms the basis for Betzig's research - she sets out to explain how things really are by leading the reader through the historical and natural conditions that have promoted despotism in the hopes that this might eventually eradicate it. She begins with the idea that reproduction is the end of human life, and that all forms of power and strength are exploited in reaching this end. In this way, Betzig shows with startling clarity how power corrupts and how despotic governments continue to exist in the world today. Engaging - even at times railing against - existing literature on human and social evolution, such as that of Rousseau and Marx, Betzig asserts herself as a formidable and undeniable voice in this debate.Since Darwin's monumental work, more has been said about why questions regarding how human history has been shaped by natural history should not even be asked, than has been said in an effort to answer them. This work puts a stop to that by testing the Darwinian hypothesis and finding that he was right light has in fact been shed on human political and reproductive history. Controversial and creative, this book makes no apologies for its bold messages and interdisciplinary boundary blending and addresses a topic of continuing interest and importance.
Peptides and psychiatry, Part 1: How synthesis of neuropeptides differs from classical neurotransmitter synthesis.

1. Feldman RS, Meyes JS, Quenzer LF. Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology. Sunderland, Mass: Sinauer Assoc; 1997 2. Otsuka M, Yoshioka IC. Neurotransmitter functions of mammalian tachykinins. Physiol Rev 1993;73:229–308 3. Cooper JR, Bloom FE, Roth RH. The Biochemical Basis of Neuropharmacology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1996 4. Hokfelt T, Johansson O, Ljungdahl A, et al. Peptidergic neurons. Nature 1980;284:515–521
Analytical models for the gas carburizing process

Mathematical models for carburizing in batch and continuous furnaces are described. Both the steady-state model for continuous furnaces and the time-dependent model for batch furnaces are based on material balances, with thermodynamic equilibrium of the constituents of the furnace atmosphere assumed. The instantaneous rate of carburizing is taken to be proportional to the difference between the carbon potential of the furnace atmosphere and the surface carbon content of the work load. Computer programs incorporating these models were written which predict furnace operating characteristics for any assumed process. The continuous furnace model predicts the pattern of internal gas flow within the furnace and computes the natural gas (or air) additions to each zone needed to achieve the desired carbon potentials and satisfy the carbon demand. The batch furnace model describes how the furnace atmosphere changes in composition during carburizing as a result of the interaction of the instantaneous carbon demand and the rate of supply of carburizing gases to the furnace. Examples of the use of these programs are given, and the limitations of the predictions are discussed.
Economic equilibrium with costly marketing

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the economic equilibrium with costly marketing. An essential step in modeling monetary behavior of the economy is to formalize the idea of transaction cost. Money and financial intermediaries are designed to reduce the real resource requirements of the trading process. In the present model, however, prices will change when markets reopen and consumers know it. The reason is that the production sets change with time in a particular way: It is not possible to use period resources in operating markets until period actually arrives. In the next period, new markets will open and price spreads in other markets will change. The consumer choose not to exploit fully his trading opportunities at this moment, but to defer some trades to the future when other markets will exist and price spreads may be more favorable to him. Consumers and producers in the traditional model have all the information they need to make once and for all a complete consumption plan.
Clinical laboratory studies in Barth Syndrome.

Abstract Barth Syndrome is a rare X-linked disorder characterized principally by dilated cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy and neutropenia and caused by defects in tafazzin, an enzyme responsible for modifying the acyl chain moieties of cardiolipin. While several comprehensive clinical studies of Barth Syndrome have been published detailing cardiac and hematologic features, descriptions of its biochemical characteristics are limited. To gain a better understanding of the clinical biochemistry of this rare disease, we measured hematologic and biochemical values in a cohort of Barth Syndrome patients. We characterized multiple biochemical parameters, including plasma amino acids, plasma 3-methylglutaconic acid, cholesterol, cholesterol synthetic intermediates, and red blood cell membrane fatty acid profiles in 28 individuals with Barth Syndrome from ages 10 months to 30 years. We describe a unique biochemical profile for these patients, including decreased plasma arginine levels. We further studied the plasma amino acid profiles, cholesterol, cholesterol synthetic intermediates, and plasma 3-methylglutaconic acid levels in 8 female carriers and showed that they do not share any of the distinct, Barth Syndrome-specific biochemical laboratory abnormalities. Our studies augment and expand the biochemical profiles of individuals with Barth Syndrome, describe a unique biochemical profile for these patients, and provide insight into the possible underlying biochemical pathology in this disorder.
Maintenance and Discontinuity of Coping Mechanisms in an Intensive Care Unit

During a three month participant observation study of an intensive care unit, the maintenance of “detached concern” among medical personnel was analyzed. In order to function in their medical roles and to maintain emotional balance medical personnel typically employed the following coping mechanisms: humor, escape into work, language alteration, and rationalization. Discontinuity of detachment signaled a breakdown of coping and was derived from a specific type of patient contact. The balance between detachment and concern was affected by the age and personality characteristics of patients.
Silver deposited titanium dioxide thin film for photocatalysis of organic compounds using natural light

Abstract Developing a low-energy, efficient water treatment technology is a critical need. We fabricated nano-TiO 2 coated films on glass substrates using the doctor-blade procedure and modified the film surfaces with silver (Ag). The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry. We compared the catalytic activity of silver modified nanoparticle TiO 2 (Ag–TiO 2 ) and unmodified nanoparticle TiO 2 thin films towards photo-degradation of methyl orange (MO) under illumination of natural sunlight. When using the films for the first time, the degradation rate of MO was ∼18% greater in the presence of the Ag–TiO 2 film than with the unmodified TiO 2 film. A control showed negligible degradation of MO in the absence of a TiO 2 film. The catalytic activity of the TiO 2 films and their ability to degrade MO in batch experiments did not change significantly with repeated experiments. There was weak evidence that the degradation efficiency of the Ag–TiO 2 films did decrease with repeated uses, but the decrease was small. This study demonstrates the potential of a novel application of silver modified and unmodified nano-TiO 2 films to efficiently treat dissolved organic contaminants in water in the presence of sunlight.
Outcomes of curative treatment for hepatocellular cancer in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis versus hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease

Concomitant increasing incidences of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) suggest that a substantial proportion of HCC arises as a result of hepatocellular injury from NASH. The aim of this study was to determine differences in severity of liver dysfunction at HCC diagnosis and long-term survival outcomes between patients undergoing curative therapy for HCC in the background of NASH compared to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Patient demographics and comorbidities, clinicopathologic data, and long-term outcomes among patients who underwent liver transplantation, hepatic resection, or radiofrequency ablation for HCC were reviewed. From 2000 to 2010, 303 patients underwent curative treatment of HCC; 52 (17.2%) and 162 (53.5%) patients had NASH and HCV and/or alcoholic liver disease. At HCC diagnosis, NASH patients were older (median age 65 versus 58 years), were more often female (48.1% versus 16.7%), more often had the metabolic syndrome (45.1% versus 14.8%), and had lower model for end-stage liver disease scores (median 9 versus 10) (all P < 0.05). NASH patients were less likely to have hepatic bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis (73.1% versus 93.8%; P < 0.001). After a median follow-up of 50 months after curative treatment, the most frequent cause of death was liver failure. Though there were no differences in recurrence-free survival after curative therapy (median, 60 versus 56 months; P = 0.303), NASH patients had longer overall survival (OS) (median not reached versus 52 months; P = 0.009) independent of other clinicopathologic factors and type of curative treatment. Conclusion: Patients with HCC in the setting of NASH have less severe liver dysfunction at HCC diagnosis and better OS after curative treatment compared to counterparts with HCV and/or alcoholic liver disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;55:1811–1821)
Tele-operation Tools for Bench-scale Shake Tables for Instruction in Earthquake Engineering

Editor's Note : This is the second of a two-part Eduquakes series on educational shake tables. In Seismological Research Letters 78(3), Eduquakes provided a brief survey of low-end shake tables and activities; here Shirley Dyke and co-authors describe an ongoing effort to allow wide access (via the Internet) to more sophisticated shake tables. These bench-top tables are capable of matching realistic earthquake ground motion and would enhance any seismology class. For example, students could first calculate the expected waveforms from an earthquake and then test the effects on a model building, thereby providing a system-level “rupture-to-rafters” understanding of earthquakes and their effects. Although developed primarily for earthquake engineering, these tools are potentially useful to a much wider audience. Bench-scale shake tables are an engaging tool for educating students at all levels about the importance of earthquake engineering. Shake tables allow for classroom demonstrations and hands-on experimentation regarding structural response to earthquake ground motions. Demonstrations for K-12 students allow students to gain an understanding of earthquake motions and how structures can be designed or retrofitted to better withstand seismic motions. At more advanced levels, undergraduate and graduate students can conduct experiments to test their knowledge of fundamental concepts. Students may also build or modify scaled structural models to experiment with their own innovations and may also gain experience with modern sensors. While theoretical and analytical discussions are necessary, hands-on experiments are quite effective for demonstrating basic concepts in structural dynamics and earthquake engineering and nicely supplement more traditional educational methods. The University Consortium on Instructional Shake Tables (UCIST) was developed by Shirley Dyke in 1998 to enhance undergraduate and graduate education in earthquake engineering (see http://ucist.cive.wustl.edu/). This consortium, head-quartered at Washington University in St. Louis, was initially a cooperative educational effort among 23 universities associated with the three U.S. national earthquake …
The decision to terminate childbearing: Differences in preoperative ambivalence between tubal ligation women and vasectomy wives

Abstract This paper examines the degree of preoperative ambivalence expressed by 255 currently married tubal ligation patients compared to 167 wives of vasectomy patients regarding the decision to terminate childbearing and aspects of the decision‐making process which account for differences between groups. Data indicate that tubal ligation women are significantly more certain and comfortable with their decision than are vasectomy wives. In order to explain this finding, analysis focused on sociodemographic factors; time factors related to the decision; variables related to communication with spouse and others; factors internal to the individual, including interest in another child and motivation for the decision; external constraints on the decision; and couple dynamics in the decision‐making process. Results indicate that group differences in ambivalence are primarily due to the effects of strong male control over the termination decision, as perceived by the wife, and a disproportionate prevalence of t...
Continuous class pattern recognition for pathology, with applications to non-hodgkin's follicular lymphomas

Continuous class pattern recognition is a new analytic method that differs from existing techniques by recognizing and exploiting the continuous relationship among classes along diagnostic scales. Continuous class pattern recognition was applied to a wide variety of image processing features extracted from lymph node biopsy images that were digitized using a Coulter diff3/50 automated research microscope. The resultant classifiers correctly subtyped 89% of a set of 37 follicular lymphomas, compared to individual pathologist rates that ranged from 57% to 81%. This study demonstrates that continuous class pattern recognition can significantly reduce this diagnostic error rate.
Efflux of amino acid neurotransmitters from rat spinal cord slices. II. Factors influencing the electrically induced efflux of [14Cglycine and3H-GABA

Abstract Electrical stimulation of rat spinal cord slices superfusedin vitro produced a greater than two-fold increase in the rate of efflux of glycine and GABA. No urea was released by electrical stimulation. There was a small increase in the rate of efflux of proline, l lysine, and cycloleucine, a somewhat greater increase in the rate of efflux of glutamic acid, but the only other amino acid that compared to glycine and GABA in extent of release was taurine. No regional specificity of electrically induced release was found for glycine or GABA, whereas there was a significantly greater release of glutamic acid from cerebral cortex than from spinal cord or cerebellum. High potassium (30–60 mM) or low sodium (28 mM) in the superfusion medium did not influence the electrically stimulated release of glycine or GABA from spinal cord slices. Incubation of slices in standard medium followed by superfusion with Ca-free medium had no effect on stimulated release of labeled glycine or GABA. However, when the slices were incubated and superfused in Ca-free medium containing 2 mM EDTA there was a marked reduction in electricity stimulated release of glycine and GABA. Superfusion with 1 mM strychnine had no effect. Cyanide reduced the release of glycine but not of GABA. Ouabain in the superfusion medium Completely abolished the release of glycine and GABA with electrical stimulation.
Contamination Sensitivity Of Typical Mirror Coatings - A Parametric Study

Contamination budgeting for space optical systems basically starts at understanding the sensitivity of component performance, e.g. mirror reflectance, window transmittance, etc., to surface deposits. To evaluate contamination sensitivity for mirror coatings, eight types representative of those used in the vacuum ultraviolet, visible, and infrared were modeled assuming that the contaminant is uniformly deposited on the mirror surface. Parametric studies over a range of complex refractive indices combined with an examination of optical data available for several organic materials suggested division of the contaminant layer index into three categories, N = 1.5 + 0.1i, N = 1.5 + 0.5i, and N = 1.5 + 2.0i. Contaminant thickness sensitivity curves were then calculated for each of the selected mirror coatings. For comparative purposes, critical thicknesses for each type were extracted, assuming a reflectance loss of 10 percent was allowable. Critical thicknesses ranged from about 10A. to 1000A depending on the specifics of coating design and spectral region.
Contrast dynamics during CT pulmonary angiogram: analysis of an inspiration associated artifact.

ObjectiveSeveral artifacts have been observed during contrast-enhanced CT of the pulmonary arteries. We describe a physiological artifact caused by a transient interruption of the contrast column in the pulmonary arteries associated with inspiration immediately prior to imaging. This results from a
Prenatal Cerebral Development: Effect of Restricted Diet, Reversal by Growth Hormone

Caloric restriction of rats from day 10 to day 20 of pregnancy results in significant decreases in body weight, placental weight, cerebral weight, cerebral DNA, and cerebral protein of the offspring at birth. These decreases did not usually occur if mothers on the restricted diet were treated concomitantly with bovine growth hormone. If growth hormone did not cross the placenta, then, it is postulated, at least one effect of growth hormone was the mobilization of maternal nutrient reserves.
Effects of soil properties on precipitation use efficiency

As other non-agricultural users need and are able to pay higher prices for irrigation waters it will be increasingly essential to make more efficient use of precipitation in crop production. Major problems constraining the efficiency with which rainfall is used are: large portions of this water run off or are evaporated from soil surfaces; root zone water holding capacity is not sufficient to hold water needed to sustain good crop production; and the random nature of the precipitation and associated probabilities of crop failure deter investments needed to achieve improved efficiency of water use on high value crops in rain fed lands. Gravel and organic mulches have shown potential for reducing annual evaporation to as low as 10 cm of water and for facilitating entry of expected intensities of rainfall. Under such mulches, soil water is almost as dependable as “money in the bank”, and can be retained for use in seasons when high value crops are most efficiently grown. Measurements of such stored water plus past weather records can provide bases for calculating probabilities of adequate water being available for crops whose water requirements are known. Most of these water requirements have been determined when these crops were planted close together and root zones, and in some cases the crop canopy, overlapped. Research is needed to determine the degree to which wider spacing of high value vegetables and fruit crops under mulched conditions can be used to increase probabilities of economic production when water supplies are marginal. For tree crops, where planting density is not temporally flexible, but small amounts of irrigation water may be available at high cost, management systems are needed to optimize use of rain and ascertain when the economic benefits are sufficiently great to justify use of the irrigation water. Such sporadic use requires that the supply system can provide water on demand. Increases in rooting depths by modifying soils with restricting layers can serve as a cost effective alternative to irrigation under some climatic regimes. Such regimes should be identified and costs of increasing rooting depths should be evaluated and reduced where possible. Availability of municipal and industrial waste products, whose producers may be willing to pay costs of transport and incorporation, may provide economically feasible means of removing such restrictions. Production levels and environmental consequences of incorporating such wastes-cum-amendments in soils need evaluation to provide bases for developing optimized and acceptable management systems.
Electrolyte and Water Transport across Epithelial Cells

We have been studying the urinary bladder of the toad, Bufo marinus, as a model transporting epithelium which actively moves sodium from urine to body fluids [1, 2]. The results of two recent studies, which relate to the functional structure of this tissue and to how its permeability properties are modified by vasopressin, will be presented.
The French videotex system, Minitel: its uses and applications in libraries

The Minitel videotex system has been a success in France, connecting millions of people to information services of every description via their home telephone system. It has been examined by both information specialists and business people to determine the reasons for its unique success. But, how many librarians outside of France know about the information available on Minitel and use this tool in their work? Assuming that those librarians who use the Internet and participate in library‐oriented discussion lists are the most likely at least to be aware of Minitel and its services, the author queried the participants of two discussion lists, LIBREF‐L (reference librarians) and PACS‐L (computer service librarians), to find out if anyone outside of France is using Minitel in the library environment. This article will trace the history of Minitel and will conclude with the results of the informal Internet survey, along with some suggestions for exploration of Minitel services.
Magnetic properties of pure and Gd-doped EuO probed by NMR

An Eu NMR study in the ferromagnetic phase of pure and Gd-doped EuO was performed. A complete description of the NMR line shape of pure EuO allowed for the influence of doping EuO with Gd impurities to be highlighted. The presence of a temperature-dependent static magnetic inhomogeneity in Gd-doped EuO was demonstrated by studying the temperature dependence of the line shapes. The results suggest that the inhomogeneity in 0.6% Gd-doped EuO is linked to colossal magnetoresistance. The measurement of the spin-lattice relaxation times as a function of temperature led to the determination of the value of the exchange integral J as a function of Gd doping. It was found that J is temperature independent and spatially homogeneous for all samples and that its value increases abruptly with increasing Gd doping.
Subcutaneous implantation of cancer: a rare complication of pleural biopsy.

A case of subcutaneous implantation and growth of mammary cancer following needle biopsy of the parietal pleura is reported. This is a rare complication which does not affect the prognosis of patients with malignant pleural effusions. Fear of such local spread of tumor should not serve as a contraindication to pleural biopsy.
Goats, germs, and fever: Are the pyrin mutations responsible for familial Mediterranean fever protective against Brucellosis?

Mutations in the MEFV gene are highly prevalent in the Middle East and Mediterranean basin, with carrier rates of up to 1:3 in some populations. More than 50 mutations in the MEFV gene have been described. The high prevalence, multiple mutations, and geographic localization to the Middle East suggest a positive selection advantage for the abnormal gene operating in this area over the last several thousand years. To date, no satisfactory explanation of this phenomenon has been made. Rather, many harmful effects of these mutations have been described. MEFV gene mutations cause familial Mediterranean fever in homozygotes, a disease associated with recurrent febrile inflammatory episodes, and death from renal failure and amyloidosis. Heterozygotes with MEFV mutations are predisposed to premature coronary disease, and rheumatologic conditions such as Behcet's disease. MEFV mutations do not appear to protect against tuberculosis. Brucellosis is still highly endemic in the Middle East because of the traditional reliance for meat and dairy production on goats and sheep, the major vectors for this zoonosis. Brucellosis causes a prolonged febrile illness lasting for months and even years, and it may have exacted a major toll among Bronze Age peasant populations in the Middle East. The gene product for MEFV, pyrin, normally inhibits interleukin-1beta production. Mutations in MEFV result in a pro-inflammatory state, with a Th1 polarization and high levels of interferon-gamma. This may actually be protective against intracellular pathogens such as brucellosis. The possible heterozygote advantage of MEFV mutations against brucellosis may therefore be a balanced polymorphism, analogous to the protective effect against malaria that maintains high levels of sickle cell trait in sub-Saharan Africa.
Mortality of the chronically impaired.

An analysis of the effects of diabetes and generalized atherosclerosis on death due to ischemic heart disease or stroke was conducted using multiple cause mortality statistics. Specifically, all U.S. deaths in 1969 were classified into two groups on the basis of whether diabetes or generalized atherosclerosis was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate. Then race and sex specific analyses were made of ischemic heart disease deaths (or alternately of stroke deaths) using modified life table techniques for each group (one with the specified chronic disease and one without). Comparisons were made of mortality due to the acute circulatory events (ischemic heart disease or stroke) in the two groups to determine the implications of the chronic disease for the progression of the circulatory disease events. It was found, according to expectations, that diabetes and generalized atherosclerosis play very different roles in deaths due to stroke and ischemic heart disease.
Testing Distributed Programs Containing Racing Messages

Finding errors in non-deterministic programs is complicated by the fact that a bug may be revealed only by a particular sequence of program activities. An erroneous program may run correctly hundreds or thousands of times, each time avoiding the failure-causing sequence. This problem is exacerbated in distributed systems since race conditions on messages may not be under the direct control of the programmer. We describe how message delivery ordering can be controlled during execution. Our objective is to provide a practical yet powerful testing environment for distributed systems, using re-execution. Previous work in this area was limited to replaying deterministically the same execution repeatedly. We focus on re-executing the program, under a strictly different message ordering. In this way, latent bugs are more likely to reveal themselves during testing. We show that messages are grouped into waves, such that any two messages from different waves must always be received in the same order. We provide an algorithm that produces a re-execution that maximizes the number of reordered pairs of message delivery events. We prove a tight lower bound of k - 1 reordered pairs of messages where k is the number of messages in a wave. We also provide an efficient on-line algorithm for detecting racing messages. Previous methods for detecting race conditions were either off-line, or limited to detecting the races for a single process.
On the effect of fiscal zoning on land and housing values

The note is a comment on and extension of “The Effect of Zoning on Land Value,” by J. C. Ohls, R. C. Weisberg, and M. J. White. It is suggested that some of the results of that paper are very sensitive to the way in which the market for urban housing and the market for urban land are modeled. In the context of a more general model, it is shown that a major result of that paper, that land values may rise or fall, in a metropolitan area, in response to zoning, still holds, although the mechanism underlying the process is very different in the more general model. Furthermore, it is shown that the effect of such a zoning change on housing prices and consumer welfare is unambiguous; the former rises and the latter falls. Finally, it is proved that zoning by a small municipality within a metropolitan area will cause land and housing values to fall.
Two-Stage Taper Enhanced Ultra-High $Q$ As $_{2}$ S $_{3}$ Ring Resonator on LiNbO $_{3}$

A hybrid optics platform consisting of LiNbO3 waveguides vertically coupled to high-index-contrast As2S3 waveguides can provide tight bend radii for ring resonators and strong tuning capability via electrical-optic effects in LiNbO3 substrate. A vertically integrated As2 S3 ring resonator having an ultranarrow free spectral range (FSR) of 0.0579 nm and side-coupled to a low-index Ti-diffused:LiNbO3 straight waveguide was designed and fabricated. Using improved design and fabrication processes, a low 1.2-dB/cm propagation loss in the ring with over 30 dB of extinction ratio was demonstrated on a fabricated 1.7-cm-long path ring resonator with a 400- μm radius, which corresponds to a calculated intrinsic quality factor-Q as high as 3.5 × 105. To our knowledge, this is the highest Q factor reported for chalcogenide ring resonator planar waveguide devices.
Euphausia superba: A critical review of estimates of annual production

Abstract 1. 1. Previous estimates of the annual production of the Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, from four different methods, range over nearly two orders of magnitude. 2. 2. Changes in our understanding of the lifespan, growth patterns and degree of food limitation of krill allow us to evaluate these estimates. 3. 3. A reasonable range of estimates for the annual production of krill is 100–500 million metric tons.
Beyond Curitiba: The rise of a participatory model for urban intervention in Brazil

This article uses the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte as a case-study to show that beyond the centralized planning model that prevailed in the 1970s, a new model of urban intervention has developed, based on the participatory budget and focused on the most vulnerable portion of the Brazilian urban population: the favela dwellers. While larger Brazilian cities such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have a deeper history of intervention in the favelas, this article focuses on Belo Horizonte as the polar opposite to the well-known model of Curitiba. If we agree that any real sustainable urbanism should be built upon a participatory community, the favela's interventions carried on in Belo Horizonte might rise to the occasion as a promising alternative.
Differential games on function space

Abstract A wide class of game problems with saddle point is formulated by using linear and nonlinear operators defined on function space. Examples of optimal pursuit-evasion strategies between two linear dynamic systems are illustrated.
Evidence from crystal structures in regard to atomic structures

The distribution of valence electrons in the diamond and similar crystals.—Because of the cubical symmetry, the equivalent scattering power of all the atoms, and the absence of pyro- and piezo-electric effect, the atoms in the diamond cannot be held together as a result of the transfer of electrons from atom to atom. Symmetry requirements also eliminate any cubical arrangement of electrons or orbits around each atom. The diamagnetism of H2 and of most organic compounds eliminates rotations of two electrons or orbits in the same direction about each atomic center-line as a means of holding the atoms together. Similar structures and numbers of valence electrons, together with interatomic distance comparisons, indicate that the atoms in BeO, ZnO, ZnS, CdS, AgI, etc., are held together in a manner similar to that in the diamond. If so, there cannot be four electrons rotating around each atomic kernel in the diamond, for Zn--, Ag---, O++ etc., are chemically impossible. It is not possible for two electrons to be rotating about each two adjacent atomic kernels in crystals of NaCl, MgO, CdO, AgBr, etc., and since chemically and physically these are not very different from BeO, CdS, AgI, etc., the bonds in the last named crystals and so in the diamond are probably not of this type. The conclusion is therefore reached that in the diamond and crystals of similar structure, the electrons are in pairs at tetrahedron corners around each atom, each pair being held jointly by two atoms. This is as predicted from the Lewis theory of valence. A study of the other known crystal structures leads to the conclusion that in general the valence shells of electro-negative atoms are tetrahedra of electron pairs rather than cubes of single electrons.
Comparative effectiveness research in radiation oncology: stereotactic radiosurgery, hypofractionation, and brachytherapy.

Radiation oncology encompasses a diverse spectrum of treatment modalities, including stereotactic radiosurgery, hypofractionated radiotherapy, and brachytherapy. Though all these modalities generally aim to do the same thing—treat cancer with therapeutic doses of radiation while relatively sparing normal tissue from excessive toxicity, the general radiobiology and physics underlying each modality are distinct enough that their equivalence is not a given. Given the continued innovation in radiation oncology, the comparative effectiveness of these modalities is important to review. Given the broad scope of radiation oncology, this article focuses on the 3 most common sites requiring radiation treatment: breast, prostate, and lung cancer.
Effects of metal-ion implantation on wear properties of polypropylene

Polypropylene was implanted with 100 keV titanium and silver ions to fluences of 1, 10 and 50×1019 ions m−2 using a vacuum arc metal-ion source. The implanted specimens were tested for sliding reciprocating wear properties using a nylon counterface, 1 N normal load, 3 mm stroke length and 10000 sliding cycles. The results of the wear tests showed that there was a dramatic improvement in wear properties for the 50×1019 ions m−2 titanium-implanted specimen, to the point that no wear damage was visibly evident after 10000 cycles. A similar wear improvement was not obtained for the lower fluences for titanium implantation or for the silver-implanted specimens. The improvement in wear properties was related to the mechanisms of linear energy transfer from the incident ions to the polypropylene substrate, and consequent effects on cross-linking, which is responsible for changes in properties. The linear energy transfer was quantified using Monte Carlo calculations. In addition, friction coefficient values were also correlated with the wear test results. The significance of high fluences for wear improvements by ion implantation was demonstrated in this study. The investigation showed that metal-ion implantation can be effective in significantly improving wear properties of polymers with a judicious choice of ion type and ion fluence.
SAFER SEXUAL DECISION MAKING IN ADOLESCENT WOMEN: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE CONFLICT THEORY OF DECISION-MAKING

Adolescent women are at risk for unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including human immune deficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency deficiency syndrome (AIDS), if they do not engage in safer sexual practices. Adolescent women are biologically, behaviorally, and socially more at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV than adolescent men. Although abstinence is the safest sexual health practice for adolescent women, once sexual activity begins, safer sexual practices involve condom and contraceptive use, and communicating with sexual partners to negotiate condom use. A number of implicit and explicit decisions are involved in these activities. A number of researchers have examined safer sexual decisions of adolescent women, some of whom have used theory models such as the Transtheoretical Model of Change. Although these findings have contributed to the knowledge base about safer sexual decision making, many questions remain unanswered about how adolescent women make safer sexual decisions. The Conflict Model of Decision Making is presented and discussed as a framework for enhanced understanding of safer sexual decision making by adolescent women.
Geriatric-Focused Educational Offerings in the Department of Veterans Affairs from 1999 to 2009

The scope of geriatrics-related educational offerings in large health care systems, in either the target audiences or topics covered, has not previously been analyzed or reported in the professional literature. The authors reviewed the geriatrics-related educational sessions that were provided between 1999 and 2009 by the Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (GRECCs) and the Employee Education System (EES) of the United States' largest integrated health care system, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Using records of attendance and content at local training events and regional and national conferences, the authors estimated the number of attendees in different health disciplines and the number and types of lectures. During the past 11 years, GRECCs and EES provided geriatric-related educational sessions to about one third of a million attendees, most of them nurses and physicians, in about 15,000 lectures. About three-fourths of the educational events occurred through local, rather ...
Buoyant decompression melting: A possible mechanism for intraplate volcanism

[1] Volcanic activity away from plate boundaries occurs in a variety of settings. Linear, age-progressive volcanic chains have been explained as the manifestation of fixed hot spots, possibly generated by plumes originating deep in the mantle. However, important examples of oceanic intraplate volcanism cannot be explained in this way, including short-lived chains and chains violating the predicted age-distance behavior. Furthermore, a significant fraction of volcanism does not occur in linear chains, and observations suggest control by lithosphere structure in many cases. In this study, melting in mantle upwellings that result from the buoyancy associated with the melting itself is considered as a mechanism of intraplate volcanism. Numerical models of this “buoyant decompression melting” in a layer that is initially at its melting temperature over some depth range are used to determine the duration and amount of melting in upwellings which organize from an initially small, random perturbation for a range of model parameters. A predicted inverse correlation between the amount of melt produced and the duration of melting may be diagnostic of the buoyant melting process. Buoyant melting could occur in a number of geologic settings. Since the oceanic upper mantle may have previously melted beneath a spreading center and subsequently cooled, spontaneous buoyant decompression melting may be possible only in regions where a large-scale mantle upwelling can counteract conductive cooling, keeping the mantle at its solidus temperature over some depth range. Where the mantle is at, or sufficiently near, its solidus, buoyant decompression may spontaneously generate “convective storms” of melting. This may explain the abundance of volcanism associated with the South Pacific Superswell. Where mantle is slightly cooler than its melting temperature, buoyant melting may not occur spontaneously but may be triggered by some initial upwelling. This may provide a physical explanation for volcanism that is controlled by lithosphere structure.
A Game-Theoretic Model of Endogenous Public Policies

Public policies are the equilibrium outcome of a cooperative game among interest groups and the policy maker. This study stresses the interdependence between policies and players' bargaining strengths and derives their comparative statics with respect to a changing economic environment. It also provides a specification of behavioral equations consistent with the underlying bargaining process. An analysis of the political economy of food and agricultural price policies in Senegal illustrates the proposed framework.
Yeast-Fouling Effects in Cross-Flow Microfiltration with Periodic Reverse Filtration

Yeast-foulant removal via reverse filtration from cellulose acetate microfiltration membranes was observed in situ using a direct visual observation (DVO) microvideo system. The sizes of the foulant blockages increased with filtration time as cells aggregated on the membrane surface and in the suspension. Coupling of the DVO-determined fractional coverage data with the experimentally determined membrane fluxes indicates that the flow through the cleaned portions of the membranes is nearly straight-through (i.e., little to no radial flow underneath foulant blockages), and the flux through the yeast-covered fraction with backpulsing is over twice the long-term fouled membrane flux without backpulsing. Cell rupture caused by reverse filtration at transmembrane pressures of 3 psi or more led to increased irreversible fouling of the membranes, with scanning electron microscopy pictures revealing a thin blanketing layer of foulant, which is most likely the contents of ruptured cells.