cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Warm winters reduce landscape-scale variability in the duration of egg incubation for coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) on the Copper River Delta, Alaska

We quantified the sum of daily mean temperature above 0 °C and modeled incubation duration using water temperature data collected at 12 coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) spawning sites during two ...
Law and Order in Australia—Rhetoric and Reality, Don Weatherburn, Federation Press, 2004

(2005). Law and Order in Australia—Rhetoric and Reality, Don Weatherburn, Federation Press, 2004. Current Issues in Criminal Justice: Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 318-319.
CPR for OHCA Is Rarely Successful, and What Is "Success" Anyway?

The analysis by Pun et al. [1][1] on outcomes of patients who suffered a cardiac arrest at a dialysis unit is certain to generate attention and possibly concern among medical and lay communities. The authors’ discussion of the complex logistic, procedural, and cultural factors that may delay
Keys to Subcontracting Space Hardware with JPL

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL), process of subcontracting space hardware and systems with suppliers varies somewhat from the industry-standard supply chain process. This paper is an overview of the technical and contract process of subcontracting hardware or software with JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), in Pasadena, CA. The goal of this paper is to present and clarify the JPL way of subcontracting in order to help both potential and current suppliers understand the JPL technical and programmatic nuances and ease the process of contracting with JPL.
Fully automated intracranial ventricle segmentation on CT with 2D regional convolutional neural network to estimate ventricular volume

Hydrocephalus is a clinically significant condition which can have devastating consequences if left untreated. Currently available methods for quantifying this condition using CT imaging are unreliable and prone to error. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical utility of using convolutional neural networks to calculate ventricular volume and explore limitations. A two-dimensional convolutional neural network was designed to perform fully automated ventricular segmentation on CT images. A total of 300 head CTs were collected and used in this exploration. Two hundred were used to train the network, 50 were used for validation, and 50 were used for testing. Dice scores for the left lateral, right lateral, and third ventricle segmentations were 0.92, 0.92, and 0.79, respectively; the coefficients of determination were r2 = 0.991, r2 = 0.994, and r2 = 0.976; the average volume differences between manual and automated segmentation were 0.821 ml, 0.587 ml, and 0.099 ml. Two-dimensional convolutional neural network architectures can be used to accurately segment and quantify intracranial ventricle volume. While further refinements are necessary, it is likely these networks could be used as a clinical tool to quantify hydrocephalus accurately and efficiently.
Educating International Students about Medication Access and Usage in the US: A Pilot Project.

To (1) describe an educational program for international students about medication access and use, (2) assess perspectives on the session Participants: A College of Pharmacy and Office of Internati...
An Efficient Bayesian Method for Advancing the Application of Deep Learning in Earth Science

Despite their wide and successful applications, deep learning (DL) models are prone to overfitting for small training datasets, produce a poor predictive performance for uncertain data, and provide point estimations without any indication of the accuracy and credibility. These limitations of the deterministic DL models hinder their effective application in Earth system science where the labelled data are sparse, noisy and incomplete with large uncertainty and where the predictive uncertainty quantification is needed for scientific understanding and policy decision making. Integration of Bayesian inference into DL models adds an estimate of uncertainty and regularization in the predictions. However, traditional Bayesian methods are computationally unaffordable and inflexible for high-dimensional problems, which limits their application to DL systems that typically have millions of model parameters. In this effort, we propose an efficient and general-purpose Bayesian inference method to advance DL model optimization and uncertainty quantification, so as to facilitate the adoption of DL in Earth sciences. In a demonstration, we integrate the proposed Bayesian method with a feedforward neural network (NN) to build a fast-to-evaluate surrogate of the complex Energy Exascale Earth System Land Model for efficient modeling. The formulated Bayesian NN, using a small number of training data, produces an accurate prediction with high credibility, whereas with the same small training size, the deterministic NN cannot yield a reasonable estimation and does not provide confidence information. The proposed Bayesian method is computationally efficient and flexible, capable of integration with diverse network variants such as convolutional NNs and recurrent NNs to advance the application of DL in Earth sciences.
Photovoltaic Degradation Climate Zones

A large body of previous research indicates that climate affects photovoltaic (PV) degradation both in terms of steady power loss and hazardous failures. However, the geographic distribution of climate stressors has not yet been characterized in a systematic way. Most typically the Koppen-Geiger classification scheme is used for comparing PV degradation across different climates. However, Koppen-Geiger uses temperature and rainfall to develop zones relevant for botany and lacks the ability to distinguish locations based on climate stressors more relevant to PV degradation. Prior work has shown that specific stressors (e.g. high temperature, temperature cycling, damp heat, wind stress and UV exposure) induce multiple PV degradation modes such as solder bond degradation, corrosion by moisture intrusion, wind-induced cell cracking, encapsulant discoloration and others. We introduce a climate zone classification system specific to PV, PhotoVoltaic Climate Zones (PVCZ-2019 or PVCZ) that defines zones based on the geographic distribution in PV stressor intensity. This climate zone scheme provides quantitative thresholds on the climate stress experienced in each zone which can provide a basis for future work on the impact of climate on PV degradation and failure.
A retrospective analysis of pancreas operations in children

Background Operative intervention for pediatric pancreas diseases is rare. Our goal is to gain a better understanding of the indications and outcomes relating to pancreas surgery in children. We hypothesized that these operations are safe and effective in this population. Methods With IRB approval, we performed a retrospective review of data of pediatric patients (<18 years) who underwent pancreas operations at Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas from January 2005 to December 2018. These procedures included distal, central and total pancreatectomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy, and lateral pancreatojejunostomy. Demographics, surgical indication, and operative and postoperative outcomes were examined. Results Forty-six children underwent 47 pancreas operations. Pancreatic mass was the most common indication for resection (n=28, 60%), followed by traumatic injury (n=10, 21%) and chronic pancreatitis (n=8, 17%). The overall complication rate was 0.55 (range, 0-3) complications per procedure, including 4 pancreatic leaks. The overall unexpected hospital visit rate (emergency department and readmissions) was 0.76 (range, 0-6) visits per patient. There were no mortalities. Conclusions While pancreas operations are rare procedures in children, our data demonstrate clear indications in this population with an associated low complication rate. This retrospective series highlights the role of pancreas resection in children.
Netspeak as a New Mode of Communication in English

The Internet is the greatest gift of science and technology to mankind and the mobile phone is the cheapest technological tool that has reached the common man irrespective of social and economic status. The mobile phone with the internet is an interesting and exciting language learning tool that offers myriad opportunities for English language learners outside the formal classroom. It also promotes learner autonomy and communication skills. Though some private educational institutions do not encourage students to use it on campus, it cannot be denied that it offers a lot of learning experiences to students as well as teachers on campus and off campus. It helps students spend leisure time more usefully and constructively chatting with and messaging to friends. Teachers and students of English can use it inside the classroom not only as a tool, but also a source of reliable information for learning English. It has unique features that textbooks and reference books lack. This study analyzes students’ views on the use of online chatting/messaging for promotion of ‘speech in writing’ as the third medium of communication that demolishes the man-made artificial division between speech and writing as modes of communication. The results of the survey are highly revealing, positive, and encouraging on the use of mobile phone for acquisition of communication skills in English.
The Measurement of Risk (Continuous)

For a long period of time, people have been trying to resolve the risk evaluation during investment decisions. The quantitative risk theory - CAPM/APT, proposed and established by Professor Markowitz in 1952, has encountered a lot of problems in practice. Researching and studying in the past five years, I have reached some preliminary findings on risk as follows: - It seems that market prices is determined by both supply and demand. In fact, it's determined by demand only! - Price ascending is a process determined by market average price of holding. - Risk does not means uncertainty of future rates of return. Risk means the probability of price falls and the potential maximum loss ratio. - One of the core considerations of investment decisions is the return-loss ratio. - A worth security has zero correlation with the broad market index and moves independently of market trend. - The correlation coefficient (rho) of various assets in a risky portfolio is close to 0. On the basis of re-definiting risk, it is expected that a brand new theory on investment risk that applies to all investors can be established in the next few years, regardless of the size of the portfolio.
Loss of self-tolerance leads to altered gene expression and IMD pathway activation in Drosophila melanogaster

Immune self-tolerance is the ability of a hosts immune system to recognize and avoid triggering immune responses against self-tissue. This allows the host to avoid self-directed immune damage while still responding appropriately to pathogen infection. A breakdown of self-tolerance can lead to an autoimmune state in which immune cells target healthy self-tissue, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. In order to better understand the basic biology of autoimmunity and the role of the innate immune system in maintaining self-tolerance, we have recently characterized the Drosophila melanogaster tuSz autoimmune mutant. This mutant strain can serve as a model of innate immune mediated self-tolerance, and here we identify transcripts that are deregulated in flies experiencing a loss of self-tolerance. We found that these changes include the ectopic activation of pro-inflammatory signaling through the Relish/NF{kappa}B transcription factor, alterations in transcripts encoding proteins predicted to mediate organismal metabolism, and a downregulation of transcripts linked to developmental processes. This study can provide insight into the transcriptional and physiological changes underlying self-tolerance and autoimmunity.
Commercial Trucks in the Field Army

Abstract : The Army is considering a four-category system of trucks for the Field Army, namely, Military Hi-mobility Tactical, Military Tactical Standard, Quasi Military, and Commercial Administrative Types, which are broadly described and charted herein. Commercial trucks are generally not considered adequate for Field Army use; however, this proposed overall four-category system of trucks, potentially, can offer real military effectiveness at lowest cost. The success of the proposed system will largely depend on well supported and thorough truck engineering system design and cost studies to insure effective product implementation.
Orographic Precipitation Forcing along the Coast of Northern California during a Landfalling Winter Storm

AbstractThis study documents orographic precipitation forcing along the coastal mountains of Northern California during the landfall of a significant winter storm over the period 16–18 February 2004. The primary observing asset is a scanning X-band Doppler radar deployed on the coast at Fort Ross, California, which provides low-level (e.g., below 1 km MSL) horizontal and vertical scans of radial velocity and reflectivity to characterize airflow and precipitation structures. Further context is provided by a wind-profiling radar, a radio acoustic sounding system (RASS), balloon soundings, buoys, a GPS receiver, and surface meteorological sensors. The winter storm is divided into two episodes, each having pre-cold-frontal low-level jet (LLJ) structures and atmospheric river characteristics. Episode 1 has a corridor of terrain-trapped airflow (TTA) that forms an interface with the LLJ. The interface extends ~25 km offshore in a ~0.5-km vertical layer, and the western edge of this interface near the ocean surf...
APPLICATIONS OF EMPIRICAL FETCH-LIMITED SPECTRAL FORMULAS tO GREAT LAKES WAVES

Two episodes of Great Lakes waves for which both wind and wave data are simultaneously available are used to examine the applicability of the empirical fetch-limited spectral wave formulas developed by JONSWAP, Mitsuyasu, Liu, and Sverdrup-Munk-Bretschneider. Comparing the results hindcast from the formulas with those recorded shows that, for hindcasting significant wave heights, Liu's formula gives better results for less than fully developed Waves, while formulas by JONSWAP, Mitsuyasu, and Sverdrup-Munk-Bretsehnelder give better results for fully developed waves. In hindcasting average wave periods and peakenergy frequencies, all the formulas result in a deviation of up to 2 s and 0.5 rad s~*, respectively. These results can he used as a reference in evaluating and interpreting wave predictions made by these formulas as applied to the Greak Lakes.
Symmetric connectivity in Wireless Sensor Networks with directional antennas

In this paper, we study the Antenna Orientation (AO) problem concerning symmetric connectivity in Directional Wireless Sensor Networks. We are given a set of nodes each of which is equipped with one directional antenna with beam-width θ = 2π/3 and is initially assigned a transmission range 1 that yields a connected unit disk graph spanning all nodes. The objective of the problem is to compute an orientation of the antennas and to find a minimum transmission power range r = O(1) such that the induced symmetric communication graph is connected. We propose an algorithm that orients the antennas to yield a symmetric connected graph where the transmission power range is bounded by 6 which is currently the best result for this problem. We also study the performance of our algorithm through simulation.
Simultaneous administration of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and cytosine arabinoside for the treatment of relapsed acute myeloid leukemia.

Patients with refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are often treated with regimens containing high-dose cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C), resulting in complete response rates of approximately 30% to 50%, with a median remission duration of approximately 4 months [1]. Likewise, patients with the myeloid blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are often treated with high dose ARA-C, with re-establishment of a short-lived stable phase in only about 20% of cases [2]. An important reason for treatment failure in these high-risk patients is likely to be pharmacologic resistance to ARA-C, which may be due to multiple mechanisms including decreased intracellular levels of deoxycytidine kinase and decreased intracellular uptake of ARA-C. Since ARA-C is a cell-cycle-specific drug, another potential mechanism of resistance may be related to the observation that a large fraction of leukemic clonogenic cells is not in S phase at the time of ARA-C exposure [3]. We have attempted to overcome kinetic resistance to ARA-C in vitro by recruiting leukemic cells into S phase through the use of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF), a humoral factor which supports the in vitro proliferation of clonogenic cells from the majority of patients with AML [4]. We have previously shown in tissue culture that this agent is able to effectively increase the fraction of leukemic clonogenic cells in S phase, and that this effect is associated with a significant increase in ARA-C-mediated cytotoxicity [5]. Since rhGM-CSF is biologically active and well-tolerated when administered to patients with normal bone marrow function [6–8], we chose to study the in vivo kinetic and therapeutic effects of combined rhGM-CSF and high dose ARA-C treatment in a population of high risk patients with myeloid leukemia. We now report the results of this treatment strategy in six patients with relapsed or refractory AML, and in two patients with the myeloid blast crisis of CML.
Red blood cell aggregation quantitated via Myrenne aggregometer and yield shear stress.

Although the study of red blood cell (RBC) aggregation continues to be of basic science and clinical interest, aggre- gation standards for calibration do not exist, and most aggregation studies report data in terms of arbitrary units: quantitative comparisons between studies are thus essentially precluded. However, use of low shear viscometry plus the Casson equation provides a yield shear stress that has defined units and is known to reflect RBC aggregation. Employing human RBC-plasma suspensions exhibiting a wide range of aggregation, the present study examined relations between yield shear stress values and aggregation indices obtained using the Myrenne aggregometer: the latter approach uses a light-transmission technique and provides an "M" index at stasis and an "M1" at very low shear. Our results for normal controls and for angina patients with- out coronary artery disease indicate highly significant correlations ( p< 0.001) between the yield stress and both M and M1. Thus, within the range of aggregation studied, these findings lend support to the rheological validity of the Myrenne approach; extension of our findings to intensely aggregating RBC suspensions may require additional validation studies.
Design of an adaptive velocity controller for a programmable four wheel vehicle

The design and implementation of a model reference adaptive velocity control system for a small programmable four-wheel robotic vehicle are presented. Modeling of the plant, hardware and software design approaches, and experimental results of the study are discussed. It has been demonstrated that a MRAC (model reference adaptive control) system can be easily implemented by programming the control law in a microcontroller. The designed PWM (pulse-width modulation) motor controller hardware performed as expected, providing a significant increase in the efficiency and controllability of the motor. The appropriate selection of the adaptive gains and other factors is crucial for the practical implementation of the MRAC control law. Computer simulation provides the necessary means for the adjustment of these parameters and the verification of the design. >
Incidences of lines in $P^3$ and the arithmetic genus of curves

Guth and Katz proved that, as conjectured by Elekes and Sharir, $m$ lines in 3-space have at most constant times $ m^{3/2}$ intersection points, aside from some obvious counter examples. We give an explicit bound for the constant, using the arithmetic genus of the union of the lines.
Reconciling multiple data sources to improve accuracy of large-scale prediction of forest disease incidence

Ecological spatial data often come from multiple sources, varying in extent and accuracy. We describe a general approach to reconciling such data sets through the use of the Bayesian hierarchical framework. This approach provides a way for the data sets to borrow strength from one another while allowing for inference on the underlying ecological process. We apply this approach to study the incidence of eastern spruce dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium pusillum) in Minnesota black spruce (Picea mariana). A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources operational inventory of black spruce stands in northern Minnesota found mistletoe in 11% of surveyed stands, while a small, specific-pest survey found mistletoe in 56% of the surveyed stands. We reconcile these two surveys within a Bayesian hierarchical framework and predict that 35–59% of black spruce stands in northern Minnesota are infested with dwarf mistletoe.
The role of massage in scar management: a literature review.

BackgroundMany surgeons recommend postoperative scar massage to improve aesthetic outcome, although scar massage regimens vary greatly.ObjectiveTo review the regimens and efficacy of scar massage.MethodsPubMed was searched using the following key words: “massage” in combination with “scar,” or “line
Design of two MUSIC-like estimators based on bias minimization

Two classes of MUSIC-like estimators are considered. One class, called weighted norm MUSIC, possesses an optimizing functional, or null spectrum, which is the product of the MUSIC null spectrum and an angle-dependent weight. The second class, which is denoted the D/sub r/ estimator, has an optimizing functional that is dependent on a parameter r and is a generalized distance between two particular vectors in the signal subspace. It is shown that the asymptotic mean-square errors of these estimators are the same as MUSIC. By determining an appropriate weight, based on a derived large-sample expression for the estimator bias, a weighted norm MUSIC estimator is found that gives zero bias of order N/sup -1/, where N is the sample size. Using an approximate relation between the two types of estimators under consideration, a data-dependent parameter r(/spl theta/) is derived for the D/sub r/ estimator, which results in small bias over a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) for two closely spaced sources.
Patent Ductus Venosus and Dioxin Resistance in Mice Harboring a Hypomorphic Arnt Allele

The Ah receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) is the dimeric partner of hypoxia-inducible factors and thus plays a pivotal role in cellular adaptation to low oxygen environments. ARNT is also a dimeric partner for the Ah receptor (AHR), and this complex is essential in regulating the adaptive metabolic response to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Because of the essential role of ARNT in hypoxia-driven developmental events, it has been difficult to study the physiological significance of AHR.ARNT heterodimers in vivo. To address this issue, we developed a hypomorphic Arnt allele that displayed normal development and allowed the examination of the role of ARNT in AHR biology. In this regard, the AHR is also known to mediate two additional biological processes: the toxicological response to compounds such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin) and the developmental closure of a fetal vascular structure known as the ductus venosus. Although the mechanism of the adaptive pathway has been well described, the mechanism of AHR-mediated signal transduction in the toxic and developmental pathways is not well understood. Liver perfusion studies demonstrated that ARNT hypomorphs have a patent ductus venosus, identical to that observed in the Ahr null mice. Parallel dioxin toxicity studies demonstrated that the ARNT hypomorphs exhibited resistance to the end points of dioxin exposure. Moreover, we observed that toxicity could be segregated from the classical adaptive responses such as P4501A induction. Taken in sum, these experiments demonstrate that ARNT is an essential component of AHR developmental signaling and shed light on the mechanism of dioxin toxicity.
Cloning, sequence analysis and disruption of the mglA gene involved in swarming motility of Sorangium cellulosum so ce26, a producer of the antifungal polyketide antibiotic soraphen A

The myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum So ce26, the producer of the agriculturally important fungicide antibiotic soraphen A, displays coordinated gliding motility (swarming) on agar surfaces. The consequent failure to form detached colonies represents a major obstacle for microbiological and genetic studies, since single cells representing discrete genetic events cannot be reliably separated and propagated as clones. The MglA protein, the product of the mglA gene, has been shown to be a central regulator of gliding motility and swarming in the related myxobacterium Myxococcus xanthus. We have cloned and sequenced a chromosomal locus from S. cellulosum So ce26 that shows similarity to the M. xanthus mglA locus. Insertional inactivation of the chromosomal copy of the S. cellulosum So ce26 mglA homolog resulted in a strain with a non-swarming colony phenotype. This strain is able to form distinct colonies presumably derived from single cells. This is the first report on the characterization of a genetic element of the gliding motility system in the myxobacterial suborder Sorangineae.
Profiling Transcriptome Complexity and Secondary Metabolite Synthesis in a Benthic Soft Coral, Sinularia polydactyla

Sinularia polydactyla, an abundant Indo-Pacific soft coral species, exhibits biochemical phenotypic plasticity, prompting investigations into differences in mRNA diversity and complexity in response to predation stress. Changes in transcriptome complexity of S. polydactyla cDNA libraries were measured using reannealing rate assays that employ an informatics-based analysis of kinetic profiles. This method allows for quick, high-throughput analysis of sequence complexity and has been used to compare transcriptome-level differences in other marine invertebrates. Here, S. polydactyla colonies were transplanted between two sites exhibiting high and low predation levels. Statistically significant differences between bite scar counts found on different transplant groups suggest site-specific variation in predation. Changes in mRNA pool complexity were quantified to indicate shifts in secondary metabolite concentration between treatment groups. Examining the complexity of the mRNA pool in this soft coral is one of the first steps toward understanding the mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity at a biochemical and molecular level.
High-performance liquid chromatographic separation and quantification of alanopine and strombine in crude tissue extracts

A method for the separation and quantification of the levels of alanopine and strombine in neutralized, perchloric acid extracts of tissues of marine invertebrates is presented. The method is based on high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation, postcolumn derivatization using o-phthaldialdehyde and sodium hypochlorite, and subsequent fluorometric detection. Isocratic separation results in the rapid elution of alanopine and strombine, with elution times of 4.7 and 5.4 min, respectively. The sensitivity of this method is in the range 50–250 pmol. However, the fluorometric detection approach provides the capability for even greater sensitivity.
Holistic medicine and mental health practice : toward a new synthesis

Holistic medicine offers insights and techniques which can significantly enlarge and enrich mental health practice. This approach, which recognizes the uniqueness of each patient, the centrality of the therapeutic partnership, and the primacy of self-care, regards the spiritual dimension as a vital enlargement of the biopsychosocial model. After outlining the holistic approach and its congruence with psychological thinking, this paper explores the ways in which holism may shape the future of mental health practice.
Splanchnic Uptake and Release of Energy Substrates in the Fasting Baboon Infant

ABSTRACT: Estimates of splanchnic energy substrate exchange in the primate infant have been obtained using a baboon model. The splanchnic bed of the fasting baboon newborn released glucose at an estimated rate of 14.5 ± 5.0 μmol/min·kg body weight. Splanchnic glucose release in the fasting 5-7-wk old baboon infant proceeded similarly at an estimated rate of 15.5 ± 4.5 μmol/min·kg body weight. The principal precursors taken up by the splanchnic bed were lactate, glycerol, and alanine. Uptake of alanine correlated in a linear fashion with glucose release. Lactate was the most important precursor in both age groups. Glucose recycling through lactate is an active mechanism in the primate fetus as well as in the young of other species.
Sum Rules for Photoproduction with Boson-Fermion Commutation Relations

Sum rules applicable to the photoproduction of $\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\eta}$ mesons on nucleons are written down using the commutation relation for electromagnetic current density with the field of the proton. These rules relate scattering channels obtained by interchanging a boson with a fermion line, e.g., $\ensuremath{\gamma}+N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}+N$ and $N+\overline{N}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}+\ensuremath{\pi}$ channels. When saturated with nucleon, ${N}^{*}$, ${S}_{11}$, and vector-meson poles, these rules relate photonic vertices of the vector meson to the vertices of fermions. Such relations between all boson vertices and fermion vertices are consequences of the boson-fermion commutation relations. The estimate for $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coupling is in agreement with the values obtained from the partial decay width for $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\gamma}$. The estimate for $\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coupling leads via the $\ensuremath{\rho}$-dominance model to a value of total decay width for the $\ensuremath{\eta}$ meson in agreement with other such estimates.
Developments in health care finance

Costs, quality, and access are the central themes in health care policy in the United States. In the 1980s the predominate issue is becoming access, and the likelihood for universal health coverage, or a national health insurance program, is growing. This paper explores how the America health care system got to this point and examines the present conditions, the trends, and the consequences of those trends.
Link Between Function-Flow Failure Rates and Failure Modes for Early Design Stage Reliability Analysis

This scope of this paper is to provide an extension to the Function Failure Design Method (FFDM). We first implement a more robust knowledge base using Failure Mode/Mechanism Distributions 1997 (FMD-97). Then failure rates from Nonelectric Parts Reliability Data (NPRD-95) are added to more effectively determine the likelihood that a failure mode will occur. The proposed Functional Failure Rate Design Method (FFRDM) uses functional inputs to effectively offer recommendations to mitigate failure modes that have a high likelihood of occurrence. This work uses a past example where FFDM and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) were compared to show that improvements have been made. A four step process is presented to show how the FFRDM is used during conceptual design.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Experimental probe of the spatial dependence of the superconducting order parameter: kinetic inductance studies of the proximity effect

Kinetic inductance measurements have been used to study the spatial variation of the order parameter in an amorphous Bi-Fe proximity sandwich. The kinetic inductanceL K (T) of the sandwich is inversely proportional to the spatial average of the square of the order parameter 〈|Ψ| 2 〉. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with calculations by Fulde and Moormann of the spatial dependence ofΨ in a proximity sandwich based on the Ginzburg-Landau equations.
Comparison of Results of Immunotherapy Based on Skin End-Point Titration, Prick Testing, and Scratch Testing:

Presented is a clinical study comparing the result of immunotherapy based on allergy testing with three different test modalities: skin end-point titration, prick testing, and scratch testing. Thirty patients with allergic rhinitis were randomly assigned to one of the three test groups. Treatment vials were made on test results according to the instructions for each test. For skin end-point titration, each antigen was included at a concentration based on the patient's sensitivity, found with the fivefold dilution testing procedure. For the prick test, treatment vials were based on a two-level test response scale of stronger or lesser positive results. The scratch test yields vials used in one concentration based simply on a positive vs. negative test result. Patients in all three groups were treated at weekly intervals with immunotherapy, progressing in volume until the maximum tolerated dose was achieved. Relief of symptoms was evaluated after 6 months of treatment. Nine of the 10 patients receiving skin end-point titration based immunotherapy had complete relief of symptoms, and one had partial relief. None of the patients in the prick or scratch test groups achieved relief of symptoms after 6 months of treatment. Results dramatically demonstrate the need to base allergy immunotherapy treatment on a test that quantifies the patient's level of sensitivity to each antigen.
Sterols and intracellular vesicular trafficking: lessons from the study of NPC1.

Abstract Cholesterol is an important structural component of membranes as well as a precursor for steroid hormone, bile acid and regulatory oxysterol biosynthesis. Recent observations revealed that cholesterol plays an important role in signaling and the regulation of intracellular vesicular trafficking. Studies on Niemann–Pick type C disease, a fatal neuro-visceral cholesterol storage disorder, led to the elucidation of a sterol-modulated vesicular trafficking pathway. Mutations in the NPC1 gene, which cause the majority of cases of Niemann–Pick type C disease, result in the accumulation of free cholesterol in lysosomes and associated defects in glycolipid sorting. NPC1 has a sterol-sensing domain that presumably recognizes free sterols in the protein’s environment and participates in the movement of cholesterol out of lysosomes. The compartment containing NPC1 is a subset of late endosomes; it is highly mobile, travels along microtubules, emitting flexible tubules. The movements of this compartment require an intact NPC1 sterol-sensing domain and are dramatically suppressed when free cholesterol accumulates in the late endosomes. Two other proteins involved in sterol trafficking enter into the NPC1 compartment, NPC2 also known as HE1, a secreted sterol-binding glycoprotein, and MLN64, a StAR-related lipid transfer (START) domain protein, which can bind cholesterol and promote its movement from donor to acceptor membranes. Mutations in NPC2 cause a rarer form of Niemann–Pick type C disease, establishing its importance in intracellular sterol movement. NPC2, NPC1 and MLN64 may act in an ordered sequence to sense cholesterol, effect sterol movement, and consequently, influence the process of vesicular trafficking.
Hepatotoxicity of the anti-juvenile hormone precocene II and the generation of dihydrodiol metabolites

Abstract Precocene II (6,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethylchromene), the most active anti-juvenile hormone isolated from Ageratum houstonianum , has been shown to be hepatotoxic in male Sprague-Dawley rats. A single 300-mg/kg dose of precocene II administered via i.p. injection caused extensive necrosis of parenchymal cells in the hepatic centrolobular areas. Liver functions were markedly affected as shown by the significant increases of glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase in the serum. By means of reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), [ 3 H]precocene II was found to be rapidly metabolized in vitro by rat liver microsomes in an NADPH-generating system. Approximately 5% (3.4 nmol/mg protein) of the radioactivity from the [ 3 H]precocene II substrate was covalently bound to the macromolecular pellet at the end of a 15-min incubation period when phenobarbital (PB)-induced microsomes were used. Results obtained from experiments using different incubation systems indicated the involvement of the cytochrome P -450-dependent monooxygenases in the metabolism of precocene II and the concurrent covalent binding. The most predominent metabolite was isolated and accounted for >90% of the radioactivity associated with the ethylacetate-extractable metabolites. Further analysis by mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy identified it as a 37 : 63 stereoisomeric mixture of the cis and trans 3,4-dihydrodiols of precocene II. A highly reactive (3,4-epoxy-6,7-dimethyl-2,2-dimethylchromane (precocene-3,4-epoxide) was thus suggested as a crucial metabolic intermediate which may be responsible for the histopathological changes seen in rat liver.
Analysis of the impacts of freeway reconstruction closures in urban areas

The traffic- and business-related impact of a weekend closure of a major urban freeway is evaluated. Data were gathered from a 9-km section of 1-405 in Seattle that was closed to traffic in a single direction for two consecutive weekends, August 15-17 and August 22-24, 1997, for repaving operations. In evaluating this approach to highway reconstruction (i.e., total directional closure), the impact on vehicle travel time and total emissions including carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and volatile organic compounds was estimated. Also, a survey was conducted asking travelers how their travel patterns changed in response to the weekend closure of this section of 1-405. In addition to questions about changes in travel patterns, questions relating to the travelers' overall impressions were asked. Limited dependent analysis techniques including ordered probit and binary logit models were used in the survey analyses. Finally, a small sample of businesses were interviewed for their impressions of the closure.
Structure and change in child mental health service delivery networks

This article presents an empirical approach which views mental health service systems as interorganizational networks. Data are reported on two county-based child mental health systems in North Carolina that participated in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Mental Health Services Program for Youth. Analyses are based on a structural equivalence approach which groups organizations on the basis of similarity in their patterns of interaction. Site-specific data were collected at two time points (1991 and 1993) to measure the social network structure of these service systems including their density, fragmentation, and centralization. Findings indicate that two interesting changes occurred in these systems of care. First, each system moved in a direction consistent with the goals of the RWJF demonstration program, in that they were better organized by the end of the demonstration. Second, while the two systems started at very different levels of system development, one site made significantly larger gains, such that the systems converged over time toward moderately high levels of system organization at the end of the demonstration. Implications for further research are discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Integrity, culture, and scale: an empirical test of the big bad police agency

Building on Klockars et. al. (2000) analysis of survey data on police agency integrity, this analysis develops an economic model of police corruption within police agencies. Empirical estimates of the economic model are consistent with Klockars et. al. (2000) in that there is no evidence to support the traditional theory that police agency corruption is attributable to the “individual bad-apple.” Independent of other factors, the present analysis shows that police culture fosters corruption. Furthermore, the present analysis shows that incentive structures within police agencies increase the problem of corruption as the scale of police agency operation increases. Policies that would promote higher levels of integrity are considered.
Unexpected oocyst shedding by cats fed Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites: In vivo stage conversion and strain variation

Tachyzoites, bradyzoites (in tissue cysts), and sporozoites (in oocysts) are the three infectious stages of Toxoplasma gondii. The prepatent period (time to shedding of oocysts after primary infection) varies with the stage of T. gondii ingested by the cat. The prepatent period (pp) after ingesting bradyzoites is short (3-10 days) while it is long (18 days or longer) after ingesting oocysts or tachyzoites, irrespective of the dose. The conversion of bradyzoites to tachyzoites and tachyzoites to bradyzoites is biologically important in the life cycle of T. gondii. In the present paper, the pp was used to study in vivo conversion of tachyzoites to bradyzoites using two isolates, VEG and TgCkAr23. T. gondii organisms were obtained from the peritoneal exudates (pex) of mice inoculated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with these isolates and administered to cats orally by pouring in the mouth or by a stomach tube. In total, 94 of 151 cats shed oocysts after ingesting pex. The pp after ingesting pex was short (5-10 days) in 50 cats, intermediate (11-17) in 30 cats, and long (18 or higher) in 14 cats. The strain of T. gondii (VEG, TgCKAr23) or the stage (bradyzoite, tachyzoite, and sporozoite) used to initiate infection in mice did not affect the results. In addition, six of eight cats fed mice infected 1-4 days earlier shed oocysts with a short pp; the mice had been inoculated i.p. with bradyzoites of the VEG strain and their whole carcasses were fed to cats 1, 2, 3, or 4 days post-infection. Results indicate that bradyzoites may be formed in the peritoneal cavities of mice inoculated intraperitoneally with T. gondii and some bradyzoites might give rise directly to bradyzoites without converting to tachyzoites.
26-Hydroxycholesterol and cholest-4-en-3-one, the first metabolites of cholesterol in potato plants

Abstract Etiolated potato sprouts convert administered cholesterol-4- 14 C to radioactive 26-hydroxycholesterol and cholest-4-en-3-one. These two steroids must be the first products of cholesterol metabolism in potato plants.
SIS epidemic attractors in periodic environments

The demographic dynamics are known to drive the disease dynamics in constant environments. In periodic environments, we prove that the demographic dynamics do not always drive the disease dynamics. We exhibit a chaotic attractor in an SIS epidemic model, where the demograhic dynamics are asymptotically cyclic. Periodically forced SIS epidemic models are known to exhibit multiple attractors. We prove that the basins of attraction of these coexisting attractors have infinitely many components.
SALTWATER PERFORMANCE OF ALL-FEMALE TRIPLOID ATLANTIC SALMON

Survival and growth in a saltwater net-pen was compared between sexually immature all-female diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). All-female fish were produced using sperm from sex-reversed gynogenetic males and triploidy was induced by heat shock. At 17 months post-initiation of feeding, fish larger than 60 g were individually tagged and transferred to a saltwater net-pen where they were reared communally for 376 days. Survival from transfer to harvest was 65% for diploids and 40% for triploids, the difference between ploidy groups having occurred primarily during the 3.5 month period following transfer. Initial average weights of diploids and triploids at stocking were 112 and 103 g per fish, respectively; these values were not significantly different (α = 0.05). Average final weights were 766 and 679 g per fish for diploids and triploids, respectively; these values were significantly different between ploidy groups (P < 0.01). However, specific growth rates calculated for individual fish identified at harvest and averaged within ploidy groups did not differ significantly (0.52% per day and 0.49% per day, respectively). Average condition factor of fish at stocking was significantly lower for diploids than for triploids (0.98 and 1.02, respectively; P < 0.001), and was significantly greater for diploids at harvest (0.90 and 0.83, respectively; P < 0.001). In summary, triploid all-female Atlantic salmon appeared to require a larger size to complete smoltification, and to grow comparably to or slightly slower than diploids.
State trading organizations: A bias decision model and applications

Abstract This paper examines the role of public enterprises in international trade (State Trading Organizations - STOs). Section 2 contrasts motives given for STO creation with those given for public enterprises in general and with policy conclusions of international trade theorists. Section 3 explores sources of bias which at the time of the decision to create an STO lead to understatement of expected costs and overstatement of expected benefits. Section 4 provides a detailed examination of two recently-created Peruvian firms, ENCI and MINPECO, within this biased-decision framework. The concluding section suggests further research needed about STOs.
The development of a best practice business process improvement methodology

This paper examines the effectiveness of various business process improvement and benchmarking methodologies described in the literature and reported by survey respondents. As a result of this “benchmarking study” a new and potentially improved business process improvement methodology is developed.
Digital natives and mobile phones: A survey of practices and attitudes about privacy and security

The generation of young people who do not remember life before the Internet, who grew up surrounded by computing technology and mobile phones, are often referred to as ‘digital natives’. This generation has a special affinity to mobile devices — young people often carry their mobile phones with them at all times to keep a constant connection with their friends while also consuming and creating digital media. This paper presents the results of a survey of over 330 young people aged 18 to 25, which attempts to evaluate their use of mobile technology, their attitudes about security and privacy as it relates to mobile phones, as well as their perceptions of different ways how security and privacy could be improved in future mobile devices. Despite a commonly held belief that digital natives are technologically savvy, their self-assessment does not appear to support this statement. Furthermore, despite the respondents' awareness of various threats to security and privacy, very few of them actually take any concrete steps to protect their devices from unauthorized access. This paper discusses these findings and analyzes the views of young people on different authentication technologies.
Complex Visual Concept in the Pigeon

Pigeons were trained to respond to the presence or absence of human beings in photographs. The precision of their performances and the ease with which the training was accomplished suggest greater powers of conceptualization than are ordinarily attributed to animals.