cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life, Multimodality, and the Demise of the Autocentric Metropolis: A Multivariate Analysis of 148 Mid-Size U.S. Cities

Quality of life has recently gained prominence in the urban affairs, development, and planning debates. A wide-range of factors have been linked to quality of life, including environmental health, commute times, arts and cultural amenities, school quality, housing availability, and economic concerns. The accessibility inherent in multimodal transportation is critical in the functioning of metropolitan areas. What has not been explored is the association between multimodal transportation and urban quality of life. In this paper, we adapt the method of urban sociologists, Harvey Molotch and Richard Appelbaum, to explore the association between multimodality and 12 measures of quality of life. We analyze 148 cities in the United States with populations over 50,000 that are more than 20 miles from other similarly sized cities. Our test measure is the percentage of workers who commute by some means other than a single-occupant vehicle. Using bivariate and multivariate analysis, this study shows a higher quality of life in counties and metropolitan areas with higher levels of multimodal commuting. These findings underscore the positive impact of sustainable transportation policies on quality of life and opens up new directions for research and policy in the built environment.
A mosaic of independent innovations involving eyes shut are critical for the evolutionary transition from closed to open rhabdoms

A fundamental question in evolutionary biology is how developmental processes are modified to produce morphological innovations while abiding by functional constraints. Here we address this question by investigating the cellular mechanism responsible for the transition between fused and open rhabdoms in ommatidia of apposition compound eyes; a critical step required for the development of visual systems based on neural superposition. Utilizing Drosophila and Tribolium as representatives of fused and open rhabdom morphology respectively, we identified three changes required for this innovation to occur. First, the expression pattern of the extracellular matrix protein Eyes Shut (EYS) was co-opted and expanded from mechanosensory neurons to the photoreceptor cells in taxa with open rhabdoms. Second, EYS homologs in these taxa obtained a novel extension of the amino terminus leading to the internalization of a cleaved signal sequence. This amino terminus extension does not interfere with cleavage or function in mechanosensory neurons, but it does permit specific targeting of the EYS protein to the apical photoreceptor membrane. Finally, a specific interaction evolved between EYS and a subset of Prominin homologs that is required for the development of open, but not fused, rhabdoms. Together, our findings portray a case study wherein the evolution of a set of molecular novelties has precipitated the origin of an adaptive photoreceptor cell arrangement.
Mechanism and site requirements for thiophene hydrodesulfurization on supported Re domains in metal or sulfide form

Abstract The elementary steps and active structures involved in thiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS) are examined here through structural and functional assessments of Re and ReSx catalysts prepared from ReOx precursors by treatment in H2 or H2S. These samples retain their respective bulk phases at sulfur chemical potentials prevalent during HDS, because nucleation barriers inhibit the interconversion of isotropic Re metal and lamellar ReSx layers. HDS turnover rates were much higher on ReSx than Re, but both phases showed similar kinetic effects of thiophene, H2, and H2S and binding constants for adsorbed thiophene and S-atoms, consistent with a common mechanism involving active sites that differ in number but not in binding properties. In such elementary steps, the surface consists of a template of refractory S-atoms that are bound irreversibly, known to form even at H2S/H2 ratios much lower than in HDS practice. Interstices within such templates can reversibly bind reactive intermediates, thus allowing catalytic turnovers, and act as HDS active sites. The number of such interstices depends on M S bond strength, which is lower for particles with ReSx than with Re bulk phases; their binding properties, however, are not dictated by the bulk phase, because they consist of those surface spaces that become capable of binding S-species weakly enough to allow their formation and removal as part of each catalytic turnover. On both Re and ReSx, thiophene conversion rates are limited by the addition of one H-atom to bound thiophene to form intermediate species that give tetrahydrothiophene (THT) and C4 hydrocarbons at a kinetic branch after this kinetically-relevant step. Thiophene pressures and H2S/H2 ratios do not influence THT/C4 product ratios, which decrease as residence time increases because of secondary C S cleavage in THT to form C4 products. Both products form in a single surface sojourn at similar site coverages by intermediates, as is also the case for secondary THT reactions. The effects of H2 on these primary and secondary events indicate that the kinetic branching occurs at a bound intermediate with the H-content of dihydrothiophene, from which the C S bond cleavage transition state is also formed. As in C C and C O cleavage, C S bond scission requires H-removal from saturated reactants (THT) by (i) increasing the bond order of its surface attachment; (ii) weakening the C X bond being cleaved (X = C, O, S); and (iii) evolving H2 to minimize entropy losses upon formation of the transition state.
Asia, Ancient Southwest: Scripts, Earliest

Alphabetic writing, regardless of the degree to which vowels are represented graphically, is animated by the principle of having one grapheme per sound (an ideal only) and makes use of syllabaries (sign-lists) comprised of signs numbering only in the tens instead of the hundreds more typical of logographic, syllabic, and logosyllabic writing systems. The origins of this form of writing date to the very beginning of the second millennium b.c.e. and is evidenced in two main script traditions. The first, and earlier of the two, is drawn in lines (originally pictographic or semipictographic) and is strongly indebted to Egyptian models of writing – indeed, it now appears that Egypt proper is the likeliest place for the invention of this script type. And it is this linear form of alphabetic writing that is eventually borrowed by the Greeks (from the Phoenicians) and transmitted throughout the world. The second script tradition dates from a slightly later period (ca. 14th century b.c.e.) and is currently attested mainly from the ancient north Syrian kingdom of Ugarit and its environs. This form of alphabetic writing employs wedge-shaped cuneiform signs (typically impressed with a stylus on wet clay) inspired by the writing system of the other dominant ancient Near Eastern civilization, Mesopotamia. Unlike the linear tradition, however, alphabetic cuneiform did not survive the great civilization collapse that swept across the Levant at the end of the Late Bronze Age. The early histories of these alphabetic forms of writing are recounted here.
Influence of Diet Restriction on Toxicity and Hormonal Status in Chemically Treated Mice

The influence of quality and quantity of diets on longevity and susceptibility of animals to cancer and other age-related degenerative diseases has long been recognized (McCay et al. 1935; Tannenbaum 1942, 1945). Chronic dietary restriction in male Osborne-Mendel, Sprague-Dawley, or SPF Fischer 344 rats was associated with a decrease in severity and a delay in the onset of age-related diseases such as nephropathy, interstitial cell hyperplasia of the testis, myocardial degeneration, and bile duct hyperplasia (Saxton and Kimball 1941; Berg and Simms 1960; Bras and Ross 1964; Yu et al. 1982). In female CFY SpragueDawley rats, dietary restriction leading to 50% depression in body weight caused a delay in the onset of puberty and prolonged the duration of fertility (Merry and Holehan 1979). Food restriction to amounts ranging from 10% to 75% caused decreases in the absolute weight of liver, spleen, heart, lung, kidney, testes, ventral prostate and seminal vesicles, epididymal fat pads, bones (tibia, femur, and humerus), and six different muscles (Hegarty et al. 1977; Myers et al. 1984; Oishi et al. 1979). Of these organs, only the relative weight of the brain and the testes were increased while that of the liver was decreased (Oishi et al. 1979). Short-term (4–5 weeks) food restriction (10%–35%) was associated with decreased leukocyte count and increased erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit (Oishi et al. 1979; Pickering and Pickering 1984; Scharer 1977).
Residential carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning risks: Correlates of observed CO alarm use in urban households

The authors conducted a household survey and observation to assess carbon monoxide (CO) knowledge and risks as well as prevalence of CO alarms in an urban community prior to the enactment of a mandatory ordinance requiring CO alarms in one U.S. city. From July to December 2009, household surveys and observations were completed in 603 residences. Participants were mostly African-American (61%), women (70%), 25-54 years in age (66%), and with a high school education or less (51%). Most homes visited contained CO-producing appliances, including gas stoves (86%), gas furnaces (82%), and gas water heaters (79%). Participants' overall mean percentage correct knowledge score was 57%. CO alarms were reported by 33% of participants and observed among 28% of households. Low rates of CO knowledge and CO alarm ownership, combined with high rates of CO-producing sources in homes, suggests the need for widespread campaigns to promote CO alarms. Recommendations are also made to integrate the lessons learned from the public health community's experience promoting smoke alarms. Language: en
Novel Approaches to Study Nasal Responses to Air Pollution

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the methods used to study the nasal passages in relation to air pollutants such as nasal smears, imprints, and brush. Nasal smears are obtained with cotton-wool swabs gently moved along the anterior to the posterior part of the inferior and/or the middle turbinates. The swab is then either smeared over a glass slide and the specimen is fixed and stained, or it is immersed in a transport fluid for microbiology culture techniques. This method yields cells from nasal secretions and the superficial portion of the nasal mucosa. In imprints method, plastic strips covered with 1% albumin are introduced into the nasal cavity under direct vision and are gently pressed over a nasal mucosa surface. The strips are then fixed, stained, and examined under the microscope. The material obtained contains nasal secretions and superficial epithelium. In brush technique, epithelium is harvested with a small brush made of plastic-coated steel wire with nylon bristles. The brush is introduced into the nasal cavity under direct vision and is rotated while being introduced and removed. The brush is then submerged into a saline-buffered solution or transport media if cell culture is the final choice. The brush is shaken, so the harvested cells go into suspension. The advantages of the procedure are the quantification of the total number of cells per volume by hemocytometer, staining of multiple slides for quantification of different cell types, and the use of cell pellets for biochemical analysis.
Markings on the map and pillars in the land: the legacy of Spanish imperial geography

Following the War of the Spanish Succession (1700–15), the Spanish monarchy began a reform program to centralize the state, curb monarchial inefficiency, and defend Spanish territorial sovereignty. To fulfill these objectives, the Spanish Monarchy incorporated geographic knowledge and associated language and practices into its agenda of reform. Ultimately, the piecemeal pursuit of geography during the Caroline period led to inconsistencies in the precision of Spanish cartography that became apparent during the occupation of Spain in 1808 during the Napoleonic Wars (1807–14). Beginning in 1810, Spanish American civic leaders wrestled with the future of the Spanish colonies and soon democratic republics began to replace the former colonial governments. This paper begins to analyze the impact of Spanish geographic products and monuments on the development of republican values in the Ibero-Atlantic world in the period following the dissolution of the Spanish Atlantic Monarchy. Investigating the legacy of these maps, monuments, censuses, and cadastral surveys will illuminate how scientific products produced to advance specific arguments of imperial sovereignty and nationhood are reinterpreted as similar evidence of nationhood by a different body politic.
Counting and Basic Numerical Skills

The following chapter outlines a typical developmental trajectory of children’s early number knowledge and counting skills. Using a series of anecdotal demonstrations of a young child’s emergent knowledge as a guide, the chapter first outlines the conceptual and procedural building blocks for counting and basic numerical skills, proceeds to an extended discussion of major conceptual achievements in counting, and concludes with a review of our emerging understanding on how to best support and facilitate the development of these skills. Throughout each of these sections, seminal studies are discussed to more clearly demonstrate the role of children’s intuitive number sense in the construction of natural-number concepts, specific challenges that children confront as they acquire the verbal count list (including several conceptual and linguistic obstacles that are often overlooked in early childhood curricula and assessments), and the effectiveness of low-cost, practical interventions that can be adopted by educators and parents to support and facilitate development.
6.14 – Toxicology of the Neuromuscular Junction☆

Because of the importance of skeletal muscle function to respiration, as well as voluntary movement, it is not surprising that a number of naturally occurring toxins such as those of reptiles (cobra venom) and arthropods (spider and scorpion venom) or anthropogenic toxicants such as cholinesterase inhibitors have actions directed at the synapse made by motor axons on skeletal muscle or neuromuscular junctions. Furthermore, other toxic chemicals have the neuromuscular junction as one of their sites of action. Additionally, due to its well-characterized physiology, biochemistry, and ultrastructure, the neuromuscular junction has been commonly used as a model synapse to examine the actions of putative neurotoxicants or neurotoxins on synaptic function.
Swell and Wind Wave Inversion Using a Single Very High Frequency (VHF) Radar

AbstractA hybrid, empirical radar wave inversion technique that treats swell and wind waves separately is presented and evaluated using a single 48-MHz radar unit and in situ wave measurements. Thi...
Dissatisfied Creators: Generating Creative Ideas Amid Negative Emotion in Health Care:

Improving performance often requires creative ideas in extreme work settings like health care. Frontline workers are promising sources of creative ideas. The authors assert that their job dissatisf...
A Play Environment for Blind Children: Design and Evaluation.

A play environment, comprised of eight circular play courts arranged around a ninth court, was designed on the basis of the idea that play could be used to help blind children learn orientation ski...
Large-effect flowering time mutations reveal conditionally adaptive paths through fitness landscapes in Arabidopsis thaliana

Contrary to previous assumptions that most mutations are deleterious, there is increasing evidence for persistence of large-effect mutations in natural populations. A possible explanation for these observations is that mutant phenotypes and fitness may depend upon the specific environmental conditions to which a mutant is exposed. Here, we tested this hypothesis by growing large-effect flowering time mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana in multiple field sites and seasons to quantify their fitness effects in realistic natural conditions. By constructing environment-specific fitness landscapes based on flowering time and branching architecture, we observed that a subset of mutations increased fitness, but only in specific environments. These mutations increased fitness via different paths: through shifting flowering time, branching, or both. Branching was under stronger selection, but flowering time was more genetically variable, pointing to the importance of indirect selection on mutations through their pleiotropic effects on multiple phenotypes. Finally, mutations in hub genes with greater connectedness in their regulatory networks had greater effects on both phenotypes and fitness. Together, these findings indicate that large-effect mutations may persist in populations because they influence traits that are adaptive only under specific environmental conditions. Understanding their evolutionary dynamics therefore requires measuring their effects in multiple natural environments.
Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

The nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are a structurally and chemically dissimilar group of antiretrovirals that are potent and
Temperature-sensitive mutants of influenza A virus: evaluation of the Alaska/77-ts-1A2 temperature-sensitive recombinant virus in seronegative adult volunteers.

An influenza A virus recombinant bearing the surface antigens of the A/Alaska/6/77 (H 3 N 2) wild type virus and the twots genes of the A/Udorn/72-ts-1 A 2 (H 3 N 2) virus was evaluated for attenuation, antigenicity, and transmissibility in 28 adult volunteers all of whom possessed a preinoculation serum hemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) antibody titer of ≤1:8 and 18 of whom also possessed a serum neuraminidase-inhibiting (NI) antibody titer of ≤1:4. The Alaska/77-ts-1 A 2 recombinant, which had a 37° C shutoff temperature for plaque formation andts mutations on the genes thought to code for the P1 and P3 polymerase proteins, infected 71 percent of the vaccinees when administered at a dose of 106.5 TCID50. Only 3 percent of the vaccinees developed symptoms in contrast to 50 percent of volunteers who received 104.2 TCID50 of wild type virus. Vaccinees shed virus for a shorter interval and at a lower titer than the volunteers who received wild type virus. Eachts-1 A 2 isolate retained thets phenotype indicating that the recombinant was stable genetically in seronegative adults. An immunological response, as measured by a rise in serum HAI and/or NI antibody, was detected in 71 percent of the vaccinees and 87 percent of the recipients of wild type virus. Transmission of vaccine virus to susceptible contacts was not observed. The twots-1 A 2ts genes have now been transferred to two variants within the H 3 N 2 subtype, the Vic/75 and Alaska/77 viruses, and have rendered the viruses satisfactorily attenuated for adults. The level of infectivity of the Alaska/77-ts-1 A 2 virus appeared to be low, however.
Later Mohist ethics and philosophical progress in ancient China

The writings of the later Mohists are generally taken to contain several updates to the consequentialist ethical view held by the Mohist school. In this paper, I defend one interpretation of those ...
Preoperative activity levels are an important indicator of postoperative activity in cementless TKAs.

Abstract Introduction It is of interest if preoperative activity level has an impact on postoperative activity level following cementless TKA. Methods This review contained 127 patients who had a preoperative Lower Extremity Activity Scale (LEAS) score ≥ to 10 (active patients) and 121 patients Results Postoperatively, the results showed a difference in LEAS Activity (Active 10.5 vs. Inactive 8.7, p Conclusion Preoperative activity levels are a good indicator for postoperative activity in cementless TKA.
An observational study of the impact of COVID-19 and the rapid implementation of telehealth on community mental health center providers

The COVID-19 pandemic has remarkably altered community mental health service delivery through the rapid implementation of telehealth. This study reports provider perspectives on the impact that COVID-19 and the transition to telehealth had on their work and their ability to deliver evidence-based practices (EBPs). Providers (n = 93) completed online surveys with quantitative measures and open-ended items exploring their reactions to COVID-19 and to the transition to providing services via telehealth. Perceptions of personal risk and rumination around COVID-19 were low, while telehealth was viewed positively by providers. Three major themes emerged regarding the major impacts of COVID-19 on work: (1) the altered nature of interactions between patient/client and provider due to telehealth implementation, (2) changes in provider expectations regarding productivity, and (3) challenges maintaining work-life balance. In regard to the major impacts of COVID-19 on EBP delivery, three themes emerged: (1) increased difficulty delivering certain therapies via telehealth, (2) potential limitations to session confidentiality, and (3) challenge of engaging children in telehealth. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, community mental health providers continued to engage with clients and deliver EBPs while navigating a number of changes related to the rapid transition to and implementation of telehealth. This study highlights the need for further work on what supports providers need to effectively engage with clients and deliver EBPs via telehealth, and has implications for how telehealth is sustained or de-implemented post-COVID-19.
Adverse Event Fatalities Related to GI Endoscopy

Death after endoscopy is rare, under-reported, and has variable causes. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and causes of fatal endoscopic adverse events (AEs) across two academic medical centers and to identify patient-, procedure-, and sedation-related risk factors. This is a retrospective cohort study of fatal adverse events causally related to endoscopy at Denver Health Medical Center and the University of Colorado Hospital from 2011 to 2020. Fatal AEs were retrieved from the physician-reported database. Electronic medical records were then reviewed to determine medical history, procedure details, subsequent treatments, and time and cause of death. From January 2011 to January 2020, 146,010 GI endoscopy procedures were performed. Median patient age was 70 [51–78] and 57% were male. Thirty-one deaths were identified, 28 of which were attributed to endoscopy, yielding a procedure-related fatality rate of 0.018%. Procedures included 11 EGDs, one colonoscopy, two flexible sigmoidoscopies, six ERCPs, seven upper EUS, and one PEG-J tube placement. Specific causes of death included aspiration in four patients (14%); cardiac arrest or myocardial infarction in seven patients (25%); perforation in nine patients (32%); bleeding in four patients (14%); cholangitis or sepsis without perforation in three patients (11%); and acute pancreatitis in one patient (3.6%). Fatal endoscopic AEs were rare but tended to occur in older patients with major comorbidities. Most deaths occurred from aspiration pneumonia, cardiac arrest, or perforation-related sepsis within 1 week of the procedure.
Subdeltoid Rice Bodies in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis on Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drug Therapy: A Case Report.

CASE A 58-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on disease modifying antirheumatic drug therapy presented with chronic right shoulder pain. Magnetic resonance imaging was concerning for rice body disease which was confirmed through histology after intraoperative deltoid bursa resection. CONCLUSIONS Rice bodies can develop regardless of RA symptom severity or the degree of RA medical therapy administered. Therefore, physicians should not disregard rice bodies as a possible cause of symptoms in individuals on appropriate RA medical therapy or who are demonstrating adequate RA symptom and flair control.
Reporting of Financial Conflicts of Interest in Studies of Placental Membrane Allografts

Objective: To systematically review the accuracy of self-reported financial conflicts of interest (COI) by authors of placental membrane allograft product studies. Approach: A PubMed search identif...
Reactions Catalyzed Near Second-Order Phase Transitions of the Substrate

Although the theory of chemical rate constants, in the form given it by Eyring around 1930, serves rather well in many situations, there is a quite substantial number of reactions in which it seems to fail. The first penetrating examination of its validity, together with an outline of how to proceed when it fails, was given by Kramers1 in 1940, and there has been no really major advance in the theory since. Kramers’ results are summarized as follows.
Living with Chronic Heart Disease: A Pilot Study

Few studies have addressed the experience of living with chronic heart disease. Understanding how persons appraise and respond to heart disease will foster nurses' ability to provide holistic client care. The purpose of this pilot study was to extend understanding of the experience of living with chronic heart disease and to identify questions for further study. Qualitative inquiry was the interpretive approach guiding this descriptive explorative study. Individuals eligible for participation were (a) 18 years or older, (b) able to read and speak English, and (c) at least 1 year post acute cardiac event and free of chronic illness unrelated to heart disease. A purposive sample of 4 women and 6 men with chronic heart disease participated in the study. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS-C) and analyzed for common themes. Four themes emerged: (a) Uncertainty, (b) change over time, (c) conflict, and (d) playing the game. Living with heart disease is a dynamic experience characterized by periods of certainty, uncertainty, and changes in behavior and feelings that evolve over time. Understanding this experience will assist nurses in providing holistic care to clients and their family. This article is available in The Qualitative Report: http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol3/iss4/3 Living with Chronic Heart Disease: A Pilot Study by Charlene A Winters The Qualitative Report, Volume 3, Number 4, December, 1997
Improving the Lifetime of Non-penetrable Barrier Coverage in Sensor Networks

An area covered by a wireless sensor network is protected, or covered, by a sensor barrier if there exists a subset of sensors that divide the area into two regions, such that no intruder can move from one region into the other without being detected. To maximize the length of time the area is covered by a barrier, the sensors can be divided into multiple disjoint subsets, where each subset is a barrier. By having only one barrier active at any time, the duration of the coverage is maximized. Algorithms exist that divide the sensors into the maximum number of barriers, and thus, maximize network lifetime. Recently, a new security problem was discovered, known as a barrier-breach, that allows an intruder to cross the area while one barrier is being replaced by another. This is dependent not on the structure of an individual sensor barrier, but in the relative shape of two consecutive sensor barriers. Heuristics have been presented to choose the maximum number of sensor barriers without a barrier breach. In this paper, we redefine the barrier breach problem in such a way that it motivates a different heuristic for its solution. Through simulations, we show that our heuristic significantly outperforms the best known heuristic, and thus, it improves network lifetime and/or fault-tolerance.
Multi-factorial Lean Six Sigma product optimization for quality, leanness and safety: A case study in food product improvement

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to provide a method for Lean Six Sigma (LSS) improvement projects that may aid LSS practitioners to plan and conduct robust and lean product/process optimization studies for complex and constrained products, such as those encountered in food industry operations. Design/methodology/approach – The technique is to be used for replicated LSS product experimentation on multiple effects elicited on several product traits. The authors compress replicated information reducing each response to simpler lean and robust median and range response components. Then, the desirability method is utilized to optimize concurrently location and dispersion contributions. Findings – The suggested method is demonstrated with a case study drawn from the area of food development where cocoa-cream filling for a large-scale croissant production operation undergoes a robust screening on two crucial characteristics – viscosity and water activity – that influence product and process performance as...
Document Image Analysis and Recognition

Paper archives need to be converted to electronic form to enable the search and organization of documents. This article provides a brief introduction to the basic ideas and the remaining challenges. Essentially, this involves first scanning the image, then discovering the page layout to separate text segments and finally recognizing characters and words. The basics of scanning, image preprocessing steps, page segmentation and recognition are described for printed documents followed by a brief discussion of large vocabulary handwriting recognition. Other issues discussed include the detection of text against image backgrounds, language identification and datasets and evaluation. Modern good quality documents with printed fonts can be well recognized but poorer quality print recognition as well as handwriting recognition still remain major research challenges. Keywords: document imaging; character recognition; OCR; handwriting recognition; page segmentation
Human behavior representation in physical security systems simulation

Physical security systems are designed to prevent access to a facility by intruders, detect the presence of intruders, or facilitate the capture of intruders once they are detected. These systems generally include a combination of physical barriers, human guards, and sensor-based detection systems such as video surveillance systems. Because of the complex interactions between guard, intruder, and neutral entities as well as the interactions between these entities and the environment, analysis of these systems is very difficult and is often limited to static "line of sight" and "field of view" models designed to help with camera placement. Existing simulation-based analysis methodologies include only crude and often hard-coded implementations of human behaviors for the guard, intruders, and neutrals. This limits the analysis capabilities of these systems. In response, this research develops a computational framework that supports realistic computer characters (or agents) that can operate within physical security system simulations. The outputs of these simulations can then be used to analyze the effectiveness of the tested physical security system configurations and to design more effective physical security systems. The proposed computational framework is comprised of three components: a spatial model, a temporal model, and a representation of the application domain. As the spatial model, a conceptual data model named Hierarchical Graph Representation for Scenes (HIGHRES) is developed to formally represent the static features of the environment in a simulation-friendly structure. A Behavior-Intuition Framework for Realistic Agents (ABIRA) is devised as a temporal model to realistically model the decision making activities of the agents. A retail store security system is selected as the sample application domain to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed framework and furthermore, to validate the behavior emerging from the proposed computational models. The primary contribution of this work is twofold: a generic, extensible computational framework to emulate realistic human decision making and the integrated physical security systems simulation framework. This integrated simulation framework is capable of conducting simulation experiments to analyze the effectiveness of different physical security configurations that are comprised of both the physical security measures themselves and the security policies that manage them.
Problematizing the STEM Pipeline Metaphor: Is the STEM Pipeline Metaphor Serving Our Students and the STEM Workforce?

Researchers and policy makers often use the metaphor of an ever-narrowing pipeline to describe the trajectory to a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) degree or career. This study interrogates the appropriateness of the STEM pipeline as the dominant frame for understanding and making policies related to STEM career trajectories. Our review of pertinent literature and independent analysis of data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 finds that the trajectory implied by the pipeline metaphor fails to describe the experience for nearly half of those who go on to become scientists or engineers, masks meaningful differences in trajectories by subfield, and informs policies that do little to diversify or increase the size of the STEM workforce. We suggest a pathway metaphor to better illuminate the multiple trajectories toward STEM degrees and careers and present four composite trajectories as useful categorizations of the individual paths taken by STEM graduates and career entrants. C 2014 Wiley Periodicals,
Expression, purification and functional characterization of influenza hemagglutinin II (HA2) protein containing transmembrane (TM) domain and ectodomain (781.1)

Developing better vaccines against influenza requires investigating the viral infection process. Influenza hemagglutinin protein consists of two polypeptide chains HA1 and HA2. Conformational chang...
Wide band strip-fed rectangular dielectric resonator antenna

Simple wideband rectangular dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) for the X-band and Ku-band applications is presented. The DRA is excited by a vertical strip through a coaxial probe attached to a finite size ground plane. Good agreement between measured and simulated results is obtained. The measured bandwidth of this antenna is about 7.7 GHz with a center frequency of 12 GHz.
Seeking sunlight: rapid phototactic motility of filamentous mat-forming cyanobacteria optimize photosynthesis and enhance carbon burial in Lake Huron's submerged sinkholes.

We studied the motility of filamentous mat-forming cyanobacteria consisting primarily of Oscillatoria-like cells growing under low-light, low-oxygen and high-sulfur conditions in Lake Huron’s submerged sinkholes using in situ observations, in vitro measurements and time-lapse microscopy. Gliding movement of the cyanobacterial trichomes (100-10,000 µm long filaments, composed of cells ~10 µm wide and ~3 µm tall) revealed individual as well as group-coordinated motility. When placed in a petri dish and dispersed in ground water from the sinkhole, filaments re-aggregated into defined colonies within minutes, then dispersed again. Speed of individual filaments increased with temperature from ~50 µm minute-1 or ~15 body lengths minute-1 at 10°C to ~215 µm minute-1 or ~70 body lengths minute-1 at 35°C – rates that are rapid relative to non-flagellated/ciliated microbes. Filaments exhibited precise and coordinated positive phototaxis towards pinpoints of light and congregated under the light of foil cutouts. Such light-responsive clusters showed an increase in photosynthetic yield – suggesting phototactic motility aids in light acquisition as well as photosynthesis. Once light source was removed, filaments slowly spread out evenly and re-aggregated, demonstrating coordinated movement through inter-filament communication regardless of light. Pebbles and pieces of broken shells placed upon intact mat were quickly covered by vertically motile filaments within hours and became fully buried in the anoxic sediments over 3-4 diurnal cycles – likely facilitating the preservation of falling debris. Coordinated horizontal and vertical filament motility optimize mat cohesion and dynamics, photosynthetic efficiency and sedimentary carbon burial in modern-day sinkhole habitats that resemble the shallow seas in Earth’s early history. Analogous cyanobacterial motility may have played a key role in the oxygenation of the planet by optimizing photosynthesis while favoring carbon burial.
A randomized trial comparing prostaglandin E2 vaginal insert (Cervidil) to vaginal gel for cervical ripening before induction of labor

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of a controlled release vaginal insert (Cervidil) with hospital compounded prostaglandin E(2) vaginal gel for cervical ripening before labor induction.Methods: A prospective randomized study was performed between July 1996 and August 1997 on 200 patients undergoing cervical ripening before induction of labor. The efficacy and safety of a 12-hour controlled release 10-mg vaginal insert (Cervidil, Forest Pharmaceuticals) was compared with two 4-mg doses of prostaglandin E(2) gel.Results: The study groups did not differ by parity, estimated gestational age, indications for induction, and initial Bishop scores. No differences were noted in Bishop score at 12 hours or change in Bishop score. No statistically significant differences were noted in the successful inductions, additional days of induction, and the number of patients discharged undelivered. There were no differences in mean time to active labor, cesarean section, meconium staining, 1 and 5 minute Apgar scores, cord pH values, NICU admissions, and incidence of hyperstimulation.Conclusions: Two 4-mg doses of prostaglandin vaginal gels are equally effective to a Cervidil vaginal insert for preinduction cervical ripening.
Stable isotope record of late Holocene salinity and river discharge in San Francisco Bay, California

Abstract Oxygen and carbon isotopic measurements of fossil mollusks from San Francisco Bay are used to derive a record of paleosalinity and paleostreamflow for the past 5,900 years. The δ 18 O and δ 13 C values of river water (−12‰ and −9‰) are markedly different than seawater (0‰ and 1‰), and vary systematically as a function of salinity in the estuary. The data show that annually averaged salinity in the south-central part of the Bay was very close to the modern ‘diversion-corrected’ value of 26.8‰ over the past 2,700 years, and 4‰ lower than modern between 3,800 and 5,100 yr B.P. Based on those salinities, the average annual river inflow to San Francisco Bay is calculated to have been 1290 m 3 /s over the past 2,400 years, and 1990 m 3 /s between 3,800 and 5,100 yr B.P., 1.8 times greater than the modern ‘diversion-corrected’ value of 1100 m 3 /s, assuming a constant bay volume. The inferred river discharge record generally corroborates independent paleohydrologic records in California, including tree-ring, treeline and lake level records.
Characterization of Proteins in Mouse Blood by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of blood plasma and blood cells from two control female mice and four bred female mice were obtained using the blood component sample films formed on polyethylene IR cards. The protein level in each component was found to remain relatively constant for the control mice. Spectral differences due to variations in protein contents, however, were observed for the pregnant mice. The results show that the FTIR‐IR card method can be simple and effective at probing total blood protein changes.
Pressure-driven flow of a suspension: Buoyancy effects

Abstract Dynamic simulation of pressure-driven flow of a non-neutrally buoyant suspension has been performed by Stokesian Dynamics. Channel flow at zero Reynolds number of a monodisperse non-Brownian suspension of spheres in a monolayer was studied for a range of three parameters: bulk particle area fraction ΦAb dimensionless gravitational parameter B = (U 0 /〈u〉( H a ) 2 , and dimensionless channel width H a . Here, U0 is the Stokes settling velocity of an isolated sphere, 〈u〉 is the mean velocity of the suspension, H is the channel width, and a is the particle radius. From an initially uniform distribution, a range of behavior in the fully-developed flow is observed depending upon the value of B. For small B, shear-induced migration dominates buoyancy effects, and a layer at large ΦA is formed in the center of the channel. For sufficiently strong gravitation, particles settle rapidly to form a concentrated layer that is transported along the bottom of the channel by shearing. At intermediate values of B, shear-induced migration of particles to the center of the channel occurs simultaneously with gravitational settling. In the lower portion of the channel, these fluxes are opposed and lead to nonmonotonic variation of particle fraction, with ΦA increasing away from the lower wall to a maximum near or even above the centerline and then rapidly decreasing, typically vanishing to leave clear fluid adjacent to the upper wall. These results are in qualitative agreement with the small amount of experimental data in the literature on such systems. The flow has been modeled using macroscopic balance equations presented previously; the predictions agree well with simulations.
Animal models for scleroderma: An update

Scleroderma is a progressive debilitating fibrosing disease that may involve multiple organs. The pathogenesis of this disease remains unclear. Animal models for scleroderma are valuable for studying the pathogenesis of this complex disorder and for testing potential treatments for human scleroderma. There are several animal models available that exhibit important features of scleroderma, each with an emphasis on different aspects of the disease (tissue fibrosis, inflammation, vascular injury, or immunologic changes). These models can be separated into several categories in which fibrosis is induced by external agents (vinyl chloride, bleomycin), by breeding of mutant strain combinations (integrin a1 null mouse, MRL/lpraR-/-mouse), and by transplantation of disparate immune cells (sclerodermatous graft versus host disease). In addition, there are spontaneous mutations (UCD 200 chicken, tight skin mouse) in which fibrosis occurs. The tight skin mouse has been reviewed recently. This review discusses the other animal models and some interventions in each.
Substrate and intensity dependent photoenhanced transamination reactions of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate in solution

Abstract The proposed mechanisms underlying the photoenhanced transamination of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP) Schiff bases in solution were explored via substrate dependent photoactivity and ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. The observed substrate-independent transamination activity under incident blue-light with a linear power-dependent up to 1 W is indicative of a single-photon enhancement mechanism, in contrast to a previously proposed multi-transition ‘triplet photoacid’ model. Significant differences in the relative phototransamination efficiencies for different PLP-substrates Schiff bases were argued to originate from slower (>10 ns) triplet-state photochemistry including excite-state proton transfer and back intersystem crossing dynamics back to the singlet manifold.
Patriotism and Other Mistakes

Patriotism and Other Mistakes. By George Kateb. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2006. 464p. $35.00. Readers of George Kateb's previous work will recognize the author's familiar voice in this collection of papers from the last 17 years or so. By turns earnest (“I know that I preach,” [p. 12]) and cavalier (“I know I am being arbitrary,” [p. 125]), Kateb is intent on plumbing the pernicious irrationalities that seduce us away from his favored stance, democratic individuality. His approach is literary, freewheeling, elliptical. Theorists fond of analytic philosophy will be impatient with how blurry and peremptory his claims can sound. Still, his is an instructive sensibility.
Theoretical Issues of Scope and Problems

(1964). Theoretical Issues of Scope and Problems. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 116-122.
Mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum: the lethal interorganelle cross-talk.

The fundamental contribution of the mitochondria and ER to the decision made on the cell’s fate has been increasingly recognized. This progress has illuminated the need for the mechanisms these organelles use to initiate and to propagate apoptotic signals. The toolbox of the mitochondria and ER is evolutionary conserved, overlapping and complementary. Furthermore, mitochondria are often closely associated with the ER providing the conditions for a local and privileged communication between the two organelles. The present review is concerned with the spatially and temporally coordinated utilization of Bcl-2 family proteins and Ca2+ by the mitochondria and ER to control the membrane permeabilization in the mitochondria and to regulate Ca2+ distribution and the activity of apoptotic proteins in the ER. The apoptotic means of the mitochondria and ER will eventually come together to control the dismantling of the cell by the caspases and other enzymes.
Model reference control of a laser beam steering system for laser communication applications

High data rates of laser communication systems must be complemented by high tracking bandwidth of acousto-optic beam steering technology utilizing Bragg cells. This research investigates applications of advanced control techniques to enhance characteristics of a laser beam steering system containing a Bragg cell - quadrant detector combination. Laboratory characterization of both devices resulting in detailed mathematical description and simulation models is presented. An adaptive model reference controller is designed and validated by computer simulation.
Grid Infrastructure Deployment using SmartFrog Technology

The Globus Toolkit is properly configured open source software for setting up grid nodes across multiple heterogeneous platforms. The process of grid enabling a machine is a long one involving Globus Toolkit installation, certificate requests generation, signing certificate requests by CA (Certificate Authority), installation of signed certificates, configuring various grid services and some basic testing to ensure that the setup is correct. Generally, a grid deployment is done across a large number of distributed machines. In such cases, the process of grid enabling becomes tedious and time-consuming more so in a heterogeneous environment. This paper proposes a solution for grid infrastructure deployment across multiple heterogeneous distributed machines in parallel using SmartFrog (Smart Framework for Object Groups) technology. SmartFrog is a framework for configuring and automatically activating distributed applications. SmartFrog helps in abstracting the configuration for grid enabling process and its runtime environment automatically triggers installations across distributed machines. The initial results we achieved on experimental setups are encouraging.
N-{3-[(1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzothiazol-3-yl)(phenyl)amino]propyl}benzamide analogs as potent Kv1.3 inhibitors. Part 1

We report the synthesis and in vitro activity of a series of novel N-{3-[(1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzothiazol-3-yl)(phenyl)amino]propyl}benzamide analogs. These analogs showed potent inhibitory activity against Kv1.3. Several compounds, including compound 8b, showed similar potency to the known Kv1.3 inhibitor PAP-1 when tested under the IonWorks patch clamp assay conditions.