cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Water, Ecosystems, and Poverty: Roadmap for the Coming Challenge

The next century will be a time of major transitions for those who manage and depend on water. With population increases and economic development, the demand for water will grow and likely exceed available supply (2030 Water Resources Group 2009). Competition for water will also grow and, consequently, the economic value of water will increase. In addition, changes in climate are likely to increase the variability of water resources and complicate the challenge of providing water services. As has been the case, historically, those who can pay for water will be able to gain access or be able to pay for alternatives, such as water-saving technologies.
The Videofluoroscopic Esophagram Technique and Protocol

One-third of the individuals who localize the source of their dysphagia to the cervical region will have an esophageal etiology for their swallowing dysfunction. A thorough evaluation of the esophagus is essential in the comprehensive work-up of persons with dysphagia and an advanced understanding of the methodology and analysis of the videofluoroscopic esophagram (VFE) is fundamental for all swallowing clinicians.
Comments on the paper of Heinrich Vogel and Hans-Henning Schröder (1)

The Soviets will be compelled to develop and apply the information technologies on a large scale to support their own aspirations and to contend with foreign pressures [Good86g]. Much of this will be concerned with the preservation and enhancement of political and economic control and military power, and with economic modernization through both blue- and white-collar applications. It is also important for them to present the image of a progressive society to the world and to their own population, if only to maintain military credibility, proclaim ideological superiority, and to contend with Western influence and internal expectations.
Stable Isotopic Analyses of Laetoli Fossil Herbivores

In order to further refine early hominin paleoecology at Laetoli, over 500 specimens of fossil enamel and ostrich eggshell fragments collected from the Laetolil Beds and the Upper Ndolanya Beds were analyzed isotopically. The goal was to develop a high-resolution spatio-temporal framework for identifying and characterizing foraging patterns of mammalian herbivore lineages and fossil ostriches that could be used to investigate aspects of plant physiognomy and climate through the Laetoli succession. In general, dietary patterns at Laetoli suggest heterogeneous ecosystems with both C3 and C4 dietary plants available that could support grassland, woodland, and forested communities. All large-bodied mammalian herbivores analyzed yielded dietary signatures indicating mixed grazing/browsing strategies or exclusive reliance on C3 browse, more consistent with wooded than grassland-savanna biomes. Although there were no obvious uniform dietary shifts within specific mammalian herbivore groups in the sequence, the transition from the Upper Laetolil Beds to the Upper Ndolanya Beds documents a significant increase in the representation of grazing bovids. Relative to extant taxa in related lineages, the isotopic ranges of a number of Laetoli fossil herbivores are anomalous, indicating significantly more generalized intermediate C3/C4 feeding behaviors, perhaps indicative of dietary niches and habitat types with no close modern analogs. Diets of ostriches as reflected in the isotopic composition of eggshell components indicate predominantly C3 diets but with discrete isotopic shifts within the sequence linked to taxonomic and possibly environmental change.
Retroviral cDNA Transfer to the RPE: Stable Expression and Modification of Metabolism

PURPOSE. TO determine the versatility of retroviral vector-mediated rat j3-glucuronidase cDNA expression in the normal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of eyes of various species and in RPE of eyes with three types of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS types I, VI, and VII) and to evaluate the effect of multiple transductions and long-term stable expression in the RPE. METHODS. A retroviral construct containing a rat j3-glucuronidase cDNA (NTK-BGEO) was used to infect RPE cells at subconfluence. The transduced cells were selected in G418, an antibiotic toxic to normal mammalian cells. j3-Glucuronidase activity was measured in transduced cells and media, using a fluorogenic substrate. Glycosaminoglycan profiles were examined by metabolically labeling RPE with Na2 35 SO4. RESULTS. Transduced RPE cells, regardless of species or disease status, expressed rat j3-glucuronidase. The expressed enzyme restored normal levels of glycosaminoglycans in the RPE cells of homozygous MPS Vll-affected dogs by metabolizing stored glycosaminoglycans. The expressed enzyme failed to metabolize stored glycosaminoglycans of MPS I and MPS VI, indicating that overexpression could not bypass the exoglycosidase restriction. Multiple transductions increased j3-glucuronidase activity several times in the cell layer and in the media. The expression was stable in vitro for at least 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS. A retroviral vector can mediate transfer of j3-glucuronidase in various species of normal and MPS-affected RPE. The expression is stable in vitro. The metabolism of stored glycosaminoglycans in MPS needs replacement of only the deficient enzyme to reverse the storage. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1998;39:1658-1666)
Insulin Resistance Syndrome: A Crucial Example Where a Physiological Continuum of Risks Needs Attention

Abstract Current teaching practices place a very high priority in recognizing “cutoff points” in diagnosing a majority of health maladies. However, adverse effects often continue to rise or descend appropriately with diagnostic markers in the normal range (continuum). In these cases, the physiological continuum of risk can indicate the need for resolution rather than waiting until diagnostic measurements go beyond a cutoff point or are outside a normal range. Blood pressure (BP) regulation and the avoidance of the insulin resistance syndrome are two areas where the physiological continuum of risk could become most important. Many experts in the field go along with the concept of maintaining systolic BP as low as possible under the right circumstances in a given individual while avoiding hypotension and other maladies that could arise from the latter. Realization that the circulating fasting blood glucose (FBG) in the normal range representing the status of insulin resistance has a physiological continuum pattern could provide a guide for preventing and/or ameliorating present and approaching major health problems associated with the insulin resistance syndrome. To derive a reasonable answer, data were combined from three different reports examining nondiabetic individuals. Circulating FBG levels indeed correlate adversely with a variety of important metabolic parameters, especially those associated with the insulin resistance syndrome. In conclusion, maintaining FBG in the lower normal range, say in the 80s (mg/dL) instead of the 90s (mg/dL), could be most helpful to maintain long-term optimal health.
Data, Dreams, and Drives: Interpersonal and Relational Innovations in Perspective

My fundamental approach is to first explore the most concrete understanding of any clinical phenomenon. Only after this consideration of the concrete do I go on to consider metaphoric or symbolic m...
Individual differences across caregivers in acoustic implementation of infant-directed and adult-directed speech: Modeling impacts on intelligibility in children with cochlear implants

Caregivers modify their speaking style from adult-directed speech (ADS) to infant-directed speech (IDS) when talking to infants. However, it is unclear how individual caregivers acoustically implement differences between ADS and IDS, and how these differences may affect experienced speech intelligibility by infants, particularly those with cochlear implants (CIs). Seven female talkers spoke fifteen utterances both in IDS and ADS. We analyzed these utterances and their cochlear implant-simulated versions (using 22-channel noise vocoders) to investigate how acoustic distances between ADS and IDS varied across talkers (based on Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients, MFCCs) and how the effect of these shifts in speaking style on utterance intelligibility were different between talkers (using the acoustic index of speech-to-reverberation modulation energy ratio tailored to CI devices, SRMR-CI). Results showed substantial variability across talkers comparing ADS and IDS for caregivers’ acoustic profiles from MFCCs and for speech intelligibility from SRMR-CI. These findings suggest that acoustic choices by individual mothers may differentially affect recoverability of intelligible words from speech signals by children with CIs, which may contribute to differences in these children’s language outcomes. [Work supported by NIH grant R01DC008581.]
Social enterprises in electronic markets: web localization or standardization

The question of how social enterprises (SEs)—organizations that work to solve social issues through innovative ideas and strategies—utilize the web to internationalize has received little attention in electronic business literature. We address this issue by examining whether SEs pursue a web globalization strategy that is standardized across national markets or localized and culturally customized to individual locales. Accepted knowledge about e-commerce corporations predicts that these firms would be better off with web localization. However, an investigation using content analysis and two case studies complemented with face-to-face and digital interviews reveals that SEs differ inherently from for-profit businesses in web globalization. Specifically, this paper shows that SEs adopt a web strategy high on standardization to mobilize, educate, advocate, and recruit would-be donors, influencers, and volunteers. Such a strategy allows SEs to build legitimacy and reinforce their global brand. Our empirical findings show the uniqueness of SEs’ digital context from profit-oriented e-commerce corporations and the need for a suitable theoretical framework.
Evaluation of plasma cleaning as an approach for the preparation of soil minerals for forensic comparison by photon and electron microscopy.

Although organic material is often used for forensic analysis, a substantial portion of the data gathered for determination of common origin of forensic soil samples is the inorganic, mineralogical composition of the sample, which may be obscured by the presence of soil organic material (SOM). Traditionally, SOM is removed by acidic, alkaline, or peroxide digest, or by combustion, but these techniques risk the damage to or destruction of target minerals of interest. Low-temperature plasma ashing, on the other hand, removes organic materials by exposing them to plasma ions with high-kinetic energy, converting organics to easily removed volatile products (CO, CO2 , H2 O, or methane) while avoiding the thermal alterations caused by heat combustion. This study exposed grains of known mineral types to 20 min of a low-pressure O2 plasma generated by a 10 MHz frequency generator. Powder x-ray diffraction was chosen as an independent method to evaluate the minerals for chemical or structural changes caused by this ashing process. Side-by-side comparison of before and after diffractograms revealed minimal, if any, variation in the detected 2θ and subsequently calculated d-spacing: differences in d values were found to generally be less than 1%, and most were within Hanawalt Search Index uncertainties by no less than a full order of magnitude. Peak intensity changes were similarly minimal. This study strongly suggests that low-temperature plasma ashing can be used for the isolation of inorganic soil material fraction for forensic soil analysis with little or no concern for potential alteration of the mineral grains.
Inverse design of a single-frequency diffractive biosensor based on the reporter cleavage detection mechanism

Vertically interrogated porous silicon (PSi) interferometric biosensors have shown high potential for sensing bio-molecules as they combine high detection sensitivity with simplicity of fabrication, functionalization, optical coupling, and interfacing with microfluidic systems. However, most interferometric sensor designs require either broadband or wavelength-tunable light sources as well as wide-angle detection schemes, increasing their complexity and cost for point-of-care biosensing applications. The limit of detection of such sensors is also constrained by the small size and low refractive index of biological molecules, making it hard to detect very low concentrations of pathogens. In this work, we use a large-scale computational “inverse design” technique to demonstrate a single-frequency, fixed-angle PSi-based biosensor, which exploits a recently developed high-contrast reporter cleavage detection (HCCD) technique. The HCCD sensors detect high-index reporter cleavage events instead of low-index target analyte capture events as typical for traditional label-free optical biosensors. We use the inverse design approach to discover an optimal configuration of a PSi biosensor that makes use of the extended achievable range of cleavage-induced PSi effective index variations and can be interrogated at a single frequency and at a fixed angle. The optimized design in the form of a one-dimensional PSi grating exhibits the change in the reflectance up to 55 % at the interrogation angle of 12∘ and wavelength of 600 nm, which is caused by cleavage of Au nanoparticle reporters initially occupying 2% of the sensor surface area. The maximum possible change in reflectance is predicted to be 222 % (for a two-dimensional freeform design not amenable to fabrication). This demonstration may pave the way for developing new or redesigned conventional interferometric and colorimetric point-of-care biosensor systems in combination with the cleavage-based detection schemes.
Dismantling the bacterial glycocalyx: Chemical tools to probe, perturb, and image bacterial glycans

Abstract The bacterial glycocalyx is a quintessential drug target comprised of structurally distinct glycans. Bacterial glycans bear unusual monosaccharide building blocks whose proper construction is critical for bacterial fitness, survival, and colonization in the human host. Despite their appeal as therapeutic targets, bacterial glycans are difficult to study due to the presence of rare bacterial monosaccharides that are linked and modified in atypical manners. Their structural complexity ultimately hampers their analytical characterization. This review highlights recent advances in bacterial chemical glycobiology and focuses on the development of chemical tools to probe, perturb, and image bacterial glycans and their biosynthesis. Current technologies have enabled the study of bacterial glycosylation machinery even in the absence of detailed structural information.
Addressing the psychological impact of elder mistreatment: Community-based training partnerships and telehealth-delivered interventions

This manuscript describes a two-pronged approach to addressing elder abuse in community-residing older adults. Part 1 of the program involves briefly training community healthcare providers to screen for elder abuse and refer for services; Part 2 is an intervention program that addresses mental health impacts of elder abuse in a non-stigmatizing, non-threatening manner, and leverages telehealth for greater reach.
Optimal Ordering Policies for Stochastic Inventory Problems with Observed Information Delays

Information delays exist in an inventory system when it takes time to collect, process, validate, and transmit inventory/demand data. A general framework is developed in this paper to describe information flows in an inventory system with information delays. We characterize the sufficient statistics for making optimal decisions. When the ordering cost is linear, the optimality of a state-dependent base-stock policy is established even when information flows are allowed to cross over time. Additional insights into the problem are obtained via a comparison between our models and the models with stochastic order lead times. We also show that inventory can substitute for information and vice versa.
Natural Phenolic Compounds as Anti-obesity and Anti-cardiovascular Disease Agent

Increasing interest has been focused on the antioxidant and anti-obesity effects of natural phenolic compounds (NPC). Based on generally used methodologies for the research of NPC anti-obesity effects including in vitro studies, in silico, cell models, animal model studies, and clinical research, the available scientific evidence has been summarized. The anti-obesity effect of NPC is a synergetic outcome of a series of mechanisms which can be classified in four main categories: (1) Inhibition of lipid absorption by binding bile salts and pancreatic lipase in digestion stage primarily in the duodenum, which results in fecal lipid excretion; (2) ‘prebiotic-like’ effect positively altering Gut microbes to enhance gut barrier function; (3) a series of anti-inflammation and modulation of fat metabolism in the cell; (4) Anti-atherosclerosis and suppression of plasma total triacylglycerol (TG) level through binding red blood cell (RBCs) and lipoproteins, and modulation of and HDL/LDL ratio link to atherosclerotic plaque in the cardiovascular system.
Structural basis for selective modification of Rho and Ras GTPases by Clostridioides difficile toxin B.

Toxin B (TcdB) is a primary cause of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). This toxin acts by glucosylating small GTPases in the Rho/Ras families, but the structural basis for TcdB recognition ...
Measuring Visceral Adipose Tissue Metabolic Activity in Sleep Apnea Utilizing Hybrid 18 F-FDG PET/MRI: A Pilot Study.

Purpose Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is proinflammatory and is associated with cardiovascular (CV) disease. We investigated the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) metabolic activity in a pilot group of patients using positron-emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) tracer as a novel marker of adipose tissue inflammation. Patients and methods We analyzed patients from an ongoing study, recruiting those with newly diagnosed, untreated OSA (Respiratory Disturbance Index [RDI] ≥ 5), using home sleep apnea testing (WatchPAT-200 Central-Plus). PET/MRI scans were acquired before continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)-initiation, and after 3 months of CPAP therapy. Adipose tissue metabolic activity (18F-FDG-uptake) was measured using standardized uptake values (SUV) within the adipose tissue depots. The primary outcome was VAT SUVmean, and secondary outcomes included VAT volume, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) volume/SUVmean. Reproducibility and reliability of outcome measures were analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate the association between OSA and primary/secondary outcomes. Results Our analytical sample (n = 16) was 81% male (mean age 47 ± 15 years, mean BMI of 29.9 ± 4.8kg/m2). About 56% had moderate to severe OSA (mean RDI 23 ± 6 events/hour), and 50% were adherent to CPAP. We demonstrated excellent inter/intra-rater reliability and reproducibility for the primary and secondary outcomes. Patients with moderate-to-severe OSA had a higher VAT SUV mean compared to those with mild OSA (0.795 ± 0.154 vs 0.602 ± 0.19, p = 0.04). OSA severity was positively associated with VAT SUVmean (primary outcome), adjusted for age and BMI (B [SE] = 0.013 ± 0.005, p = 0.03). Change in VAT volume was inversely correlated with CPAP adherence in unadjusted analysis (B [SE] = -48.4 ± 18.7, p = 0.02). Conclusion Derangements in VAT metabolic activity are implicated in adverse cardiometabolic outcomes and may be one of the key drivers of CV risk in OSA. Our results are hypothesis-generating, and suggest that VAT should be investigated in future studies using multi-modal imaging to understand its role as a potential mediator of adverse cardiometabolic risk in OSA.
The Moral Demands of Memory

1. Memory as a subject of evaluative inquiry 2. Taking responsibility for one's own past 3. Doing justice to the past 4. Ethics, truth, and collective memory 5. The responsibility of remembrance 6. Memory and bearing witness.
Integrating Experiential Learning and Applied Sociology to Promote Student Learning and Faculty Research

Although the benefits of experiential learning for students are well documented, such courses are sometimes seen as a professional burden for faculty because they are very labor- and time-intensive endeavors. This paper suggests, however, that the time investment in experiential learning courses can be made more efficient if faculty members treat these courses not as discrete teaching moments but as long-term applied research projects that simultaneously advance students' research skills and faculty research agendas. We discuss our experiences using applied research and experiential learning as an example.
Playing with Diagrams

This paper extends work that developed a programmed model of reasoning about geometric propositions. The system reasons by manipulating representations of diagrams and noticing newly emerged facts that are construed as inferences. The system has been explored as a means of verifying diagrammatic demonstrations of classical geometric propositions and for constructing diagrammatic demonstrations of conclusions supplied for the system. The process of discovering propositions to be demonstrated is a more difficult task. This paper argues that central to the discovery process is systematic manipulation of diagrams - playing - and observing consistent relations among features of the diagram as manipulations are made and observed. The play results in the creation of an "episode" of diagram behaviors which is examined for regularities from which a general proposition might be proposed. The paper illustrates this process and discusses the advantages and limitations of this system and of other computational models of diagrammatic reasoning.
Mitochondrial ATP synthase complex. Membrane topography and stoichiometry of the F0 subunits

The topography of the subunits of the membrane sector F0 of the ATP synthase complex in the bovine mitochondrial inner membrane was studied with the help of subunit-specific antibodies raised to the F0 subunits b, d, 6, F6, A6L, OSCP (oligomycin-sensitivity-conferring protein), and N,N' -dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD)-binding proteolipid and to the ATPase inhibitor protein (IF1) as an internal control. Exposure of F0 subunits in inverted and right-side-out inner membranes was investigated by direct antibody binding as well as by susceptibility of these subunits to degradation by various proteases as monitored by gel electrophoresis of the membrane digests and immunoblotting with the subunit-specific antibodies. Results show that subunits b, d, F6, A6L (including its C-terminal end) and OSCP were exposed on the matrix side. Sufficient masses of these subunits to recognize antibodies or undergo proteolysis were not exposed on the cytosolic side. This was also the case for subunit 6 and the DCCD-binding proteolipid on either side of the inner membrane. Quantitative immunoblotting in which bound radio-activity from [125I]protein A was employed to estimate the concentration of an antigen in a sample allowed the determination of the stoichiometry of several F0 subunits and IF1 relative to F1-ATPase. Results showed that per mol of F1 there are in bovine heart mitochondria 1 mol each of d, OSCP, and IF1, and 2 mol each of b and F6. Subunit 6 and the DCCD-binding proteolipid could not be quantitated, because the former transferred poorly to nitrocellulose and the latter's antibody did not bind [125I]protein A.
Take your Pi for a ride [spinning up a raspberry Pi-based cycling computer]

Last month, Paul Wallich brought you a bicycle-mounted lidar for detecting cars approaching from behind. I’m continuing the cycling theme this (Northern Hemisphere) summer with a bike computer designed for middle-aged eyes.
Dysferlin Deficiency Enhances Monocyte Phagocytosis: A Model for the Inflammatory Onset of Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2B

Dysferlin deficiency causes limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B; proximal weakness) and Miyoshi myopathy (distal weakness). Muscle inflammation is often present in dysferlin deficiency, and patients are frequently misdiagnosed as having polymyositis. Because monocytes normally express dysferlin, we hypothesized that monocyte/macrophage dysfunction in dysferlin-deficient patients might contribute to disease onset and progression. We therefore examined phagocytic activity, in the presence and absence of cytokines, in freshly isolated peripheral blood monocytes from LGMD2B patients and in the SJL dysferlin-deficient mouse model. Dysferlin-deficient monocytes showed increased phagocytic activity compared with control cells. siRNA-mediated inhibition of dysferlin expression in the J774 macrophage cell line resulted in significantly enhanced phagocytosis, both at baseline and in response to tumor necrosis factor-α. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive staining for several mononuclear cell activation markers in LGMD2B human muscle and SJL mouse muscle. SJL muscle showed strong up-regulation of endocytic proteins CIMPR, clathrin, and adaptin-α, and LGMD2B muscle exhibited decreased expression of decay accelerating factor, which was not dysferlin-specific. We further showed that expression levels of small Rho family GTPases RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc 42 were increased in dysferlin-deficient murine immune cells compared with control cells. Therefore, we hypothesize that mild myofiber damage in dysferlin-deficient muscle stimulates an inflammatory cascade that may initiate, exacerbate, and possibly perpetuate the underlying myofiber-specific dystrophic process.
Valoració de judicis sobre el caràcter català

The conference has two well differentiated parts. The first one is a reference to the collective characterology and how it is related to the notions of "State" and "Nation". It is also explained how the misrepresentation of this characterology specific in each nation is produced as a consequence of the artificial frontiers established by the different states. In spite of these deformations it is also stated how the colective characterology of each people is such that it's impossible to ignore its existence. This affirmation is based on three concrete demonstrations:1) The first judgment of a person is always in function nof his place of origen.2) The present crisis of political ideologies demonstrates that there isno possible ideology without a previous knowledge of the psychology of thepeople.3) All definitions that have been made throughout history concerningwhat a "nation" is, have had to refer necessarily to that particular way ofthinking and acting that distinguishes one people from another. After all,they have had to speak about their collective character.The second part of the conference, based on a series of interviews published by Avui, is an analysis of the catalan character and the characteristics that really form it, forgetting the topics that often falsqy and mask it. Exactly the seven traits attributed by the majority of those interviewed to our way of being are analyzed as a reply to one of the questions in the interuiews: Which characteristics do you think better define the Catalan way of being?The basic idea that derives from this project is that it demostrates as absolute proof the existente of the catalan characterology. However it requires a systematic and deep investigation in order to reach an exact and objective knowledge of our way of being, that connects with our past, with our history, but at the aume time allows us to project ourselves more efficiently, as a nation, towards the future.
An ordinal-time reliability model applied to "Big-Bang" suite-based testing

System testing is often performed by means of a comprehensive test suite that spans the functional requirements of a software product ("Big Bang" testing). This suite is then run repeatedly after each modification or fix until a satisfactory pass rate is achieved. Such testing does not lend itself to treatment with traditional reliability models which, in keeping with their origins in hardware, assume that each fault is fixed upon discovery and that the relevant temporal variable is calendar or execution time. In this paper, a model using ordinal time, measured by baselined development configurations, is presented. The use of this model in combination with an empirical mapping of test case failures to product code faults allows for rapid tracking of testing progress. The use of the model as an aid to project management in the testing phase of a project is illustrated.
Predictions of the interacting boson approximation in a consistent Q framework

The predictions of the interacting boson approximation are studied in the consistent $Q$ formalism in which the same parametrization of the boson quadrupole operator is used in both the Hamiltonian and in the $E2$ operator. In this scheme, wave functions, relative energies of states of the same spin, and all relative $B(E2)$ values depend on only a single parameter, ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{Q}$, which appears in the internal structure of the operator $Q$. This feature allows a number of simple results to be obtained, principally through the construction of contour plots of various observables in terms of ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{Q}$ and the boson number $N$. The entire SU(3)---O(6) region, including both limiting symmetries, can be treated by allowing ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{Q}$ to vary between its respective limiting values for those two symmetries. For deformed nuclei, a number of characteristic features are obtained, involving the predicted decay of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ band and the energy and decay of the first ${0}^{+}$ excitation. It is shown that the dominance of the $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ over $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}g$ matrix elements and the near equality of $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}g$ $E2$ matrix elements are inherent features of the model. The automatic inclusion of band mixing in the interacting boson approximation is discussed in terms of the mixing parameter ${Z}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ and it is shown that the interacting boson approximation reproduces the empirical systematics in ${Z}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$. The concepts of the intrinsic state formalism are reviewed in the context of the consistent $Q$ framework and shown to imply vanishing $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}g$ transitions, for any boson number, in the absence of $K$ mixing effects. The O(6) limit obtained with the consistent $Q$ formalism is shown to be a special case of the general limit. Finally, transition regions are discussed, particularly the SU(3)---O(6) case, in terms of "trajectories" in ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{Q}$ between its limiting values. A number of qualitative parameter-free predictions for the evolution of energy or $E2$ branching ratios are thus obtained.
Dividend reinvestment plans and Pecking Order capital structure behavior: An empirical investigation

Due to the asymmetric information effect, corporations have been reluctant to use external sources of equity capital. The adoption of dividend reinvestment plans (DRP) by large numbers of firms may indicate an alternative way to raise external equity funds. It has been shown that many factors may explain a firm’s decision concerning the source of the shares made available to DRP participants. The hypothesis to be tested is that the nature of the DRP actually selected may be predicted by financial characteristics such as cash flow generation, investment needs, historical dividend policy, firm ownership structure and firm capital structure. Using logistic regression analysis, results of joint tests of financial variables suggested by the Pecking Order Theory of capital structure indicate significant support for the hypothesis. Specifically, ownership structure, historical dividend policy and debt ratio are found to be key determinants of the type of DRP utilized.
Effect of exertion on the pathophysiologic course of acute myocardial infarction and repair in young vs old rats

Old and young male, Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to acute myocardial infarction with isoproterenol. Some of the young and old rats were made to exert themselves by swimming while others remained sedentary. Initially, young animals survived best. Old animals, allowed to remain sedentary, survived in greater numbers than those forced to exert themselves. Survival improved in the older animals as time progressed, irrespective of activity. Serum enzymes, e.g., SGOT, SGPT and LDH, and corticosterone were particularly elevated in exercised animals. The young rats developed atrial and ventricular thromboses, myocardial aneurysm formation, and more severe myocardial necrosis, whereas the old rats manifested no thromboses or aneurysm formation and less severe myocardial necrosis.
Is preadaptation for language a necessary assumption

Preadaptation for language is an unnecessary assumption because intermediate stages of linguistic ability are possible and adaptive. Language could have evolved through gradual selection from structures exhibiting few features associated with modern structures. Without physical evidence pertaining to language ability in prehabilis hominids, it remains possible that selective pressures for language use preceded and necessitated modern neurolinguistic structures.
Periodic Conductivity as a Mechanism for Cardiac Stimulation and Defibrillation

This study examines the distribution of the transmembrane potential in the periodic strand of cardiac muscle established by configurations of sources similar to those arising during extracellular stimulation and defibrillation, during intracellular stimulation, and during propagation of action potential. The closed-form solution indicates that during extracellular stimulation with large current and during defibrillation, the periodic component of the transmembrane potential is very important. We postulate that this periodic component causes the depolarization or defibrillation in cardiac muscle, which is different from the depolarization mechanism for a continuous fiber. On the other hand, during propagation and intracellular stimulation, the periodic component only slightly modifies the monotonic decrease of the transmembrane potential, which suggests that the mechanism of propagation in discrete structures may be similar to that of the continuous fiber.
Factors impacting physicians’ decisions to prevent variceal hemorrhage

Reasons underlying the variability of physicians’ preferences for non-selective beta-blockers (BBs) and endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) to prevent a first variceal bleed have not been empirically studied. Our aims were to examine whether 1) gastroenterologists can be classified into distinct subgroups based on how they prioritize specific treatment attributes and 2) physician characteristics are associated with treatment preference. We surveyed physicians to determine their preferred treatment for a standardized patient with large varices and examined the influence of treatment characteristics on physicians’ decision making using best-worst scaling. Latent class analysis was used to examine whether physicians could be classified into groups with similar decision-making styles. 110 physicians were interviewed (participation rate 39%). The majority spent two or more days a week performing endoscopies and had practices comprising less than 25% of patients with liver disease. Latent class analysis demonstrated that physicians could be classified into at least two distinct groups. Most (n = 80, Group 1) were influenced solely by the ability to visually confirm eradication of varices. In contrast, members of Group 2 (n = 30) were influenced by the side effects and mechanism of action of BBs. Group 1 members were more likely to have practices that included fewer patients with liver disease and more likely to choose options including EVL (p = 0.01 for both). Among physicians, where the majority performs endoscopy on two or more days per week, most prefer prevention strategies which include EVL. This may be due to the strong appeal of being able to visualize eradication of varices.
Nitrogen-14 NQR spectra of glyoximes and bis(glyoximato)metal complexes

Abstract New14N NQR data have been obtained for glyoximes (HONCX)2, X = Cl, C6H5, and CH3, and for bis(glyoximato)metal(II) complexes, M(HO2N2C2X2)2, X = CH3, C6H5, or Cl when M = Pd, X = CH3 when M = Ni. The data for the complexes show marked reductions in14N quadrupole coupling constants as compared with the free ligands. The altered values are interpreted in terms of changes in nitrogen orbital occupancies and bond angles, using Townes-Dailey theory. Equations expressing the field gradient tensor at nitrogen in terms of hybrid orbital occupancies are given for the most general case of low symmetry about a planar nitrogen. The nitrogen orbital directed toward the metal is estimated to have an occupation number of 1.65 in Ni(DMG)2 and 1.75 in Pd(DMG)2, as compared with 2 in the free ligand. The higher value for the Pd complex is not in accord with expectations based on relative electronegativities of the metals. The complexity of the changes occurring about nitrogen upon complexation of these ligands precludes effective use of a simple model to analyze small differences between complexes.
The Integration of a Lower‐Class Culture: Some Social Implications of a Rigid Class Structure*

IN ONE OF the fairly recent studies of delinquency, Albert Cohen suggests that delinquent gangs may be a means of meeting the frustration caused by constant failure in the dominant society. While the juvenile delinquent cannot meet certain standards, he does not accept his failure passively; instead he inverts these standards so that he and other members of his peer group facing the same situation can succeed. Instead of respecting private property, he wantonly destroys it. Instead of respecting authority in school and community, he openly defies the teacher and challenges the police. One theme of the book appears to be that if a group of people cannot achieve a measure of success according to the accepted standards of the society, they are inclined to form their own subsociety and subculture which will redefine the criteria for status and prestige so that the members of the group can succeed.' From this point of view, a comparison of the social structure of American cities with that of Vienna, Austria, might be of interest. This comparison is based on the following assumptions:
Shape distortion of space structures, postulates and controversy

An attempt to resolve the controversy connected with the definition of shape distortion of space structures is proposed by generalization of the different approaches. A generalization of the criterion for shape control robustness of space structures is also proposed.
Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Modeling of Rubber Bushing Subjected to Complex Loading

A finite element procedure was used to analyze rubber components on track links of military vehicles for improving their life. The procedure includes consideration of material nonlinearity with the use of a hyper-elastic material model, geometric nonlinearities utilizing surface-to-surface contact interface, large deformation and large strain nonlinear solutions. The procedure was validated with available experimental data. Very good correlation was obtained. The procedure was then applied to analyze a two-lobe rubber bushing using a 3-D model and applying a complex loading sequence including installation of the bushing onto the track links, operative loading of a combined steady-state vertical and torsional load. Results provided detailed insight to the deformation and locations of highly stressed areas at which failure initiation and limiting life might occur.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Cytoplasmic β-actin promoter produces germ cell and preimplantation embryonic transgene expression

The cytoplasmic beta-actin promoter, commonly used as strong promoter in many gene regulation studies, produces a pattern of male germ cell and preimplantation, embryonic gene expression in transgenic mice. In seven of ten expressing transgenic lines, a chicken beta-actin-lacZ fusion gene was expressed in adult testes. In addition, five of the ten lines demonstrated transgene expression in the preimplantation mouse embryo. This is the first example of transgene expression at the stages of both gamete and early embryo. Overall, the site or transgene integration appeared to influence transgene expression in adult tissues.
Adherence of emulsan-producing Acinetobacter calcoaceticus to hydrophobic liquids

The adherence of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus ATCC 31012 cells to hexadecane and perfluorocarbon FC-43 was measured using the Bacterial Adherence To Hydrocarbon (BATH) assay. In batch culture the adherence of cells to both hydrophobic liquids increased sharply during the exponential growth phase and remained high for the remainder of the culture period. No correlation was found between the surface emulsan concentration and the adherence to perfluorocarbon FC-43 and hexadecane. In continuous cultures, the production of cell-free emulsan was found to be growth-associated. The adherence to both hydrophobic liquids decreased with increasing dilution rate while the amount of surface emulsan increased. Furthermore, exogenously added emulsan decreased the adherence to hydrophobic liquids. Thus, the accumulation of surface emulsan does not appear to have a beneficial effect for cell adherence to hydrophobic liquids.
On a measure of bounded input/initial state bounded output stability over ball

Conventional input/output approaches, to nonlinear system stability, often ignore the transient behavior of systems by employing the assumption that the initial state is at the steady state of interest. Furthermore, these same input/output approaches allow inputs to span the whole space often assuming values which are not physically realizable. Some of these limitations can be alleviated by considering an input-state-output system description and sets of allowable initial conditions and input signals. To this end, a measure for bounded input/initial state bounded output (BIISBO) stability over ball is introduced. This notion is then employed to develop a theorem which allows one to deduce the closed-loop system's BIISBO stability over ball from those of the plant and the controller. Computation of the measure for BIISBO stability over ball is shown to be possible through optimal control theory. A physical system is employed to demonstrate the computation and various features of the proposed analysis.
Poverty and Affluence: A Comparative Analysis of Economic Segregation in Metropolitan Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus, Ohio, 1970-2000

Our research examines the dynamics of economic segregation in metropolitan Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus during the period 1970-2000 through comparison of (1) Dissimilarity Index and General Spatial Segregation Index values, (2) concentration patterns of the rich and poor, and (3) mapped class distributions. Our results corroborate other studies that observed rising economic segregation from 1970 to 1990, followed by a substantial decline in the 1990s to approximately 1970 levels. We find the rich and the poor moderately segregated from the nonrich and the nonpoor, while highly segregated from each other. The segregation manifests itself in growing concentrations of the poor in the central cities and emigration of the middle class and the wealthy to the suburbs and beyond. When the poor population is disaggregated by race, our results indicate the highest level of segregation continues to be experienced by poor Blacks.
Willingness to Seek Help as a Function of Self‐Disclosure and Problem Severity

In this study the authors examined the effects of problem severity, amount of self-disclosure, and self-disclosure flexibility on willingness to seek help for a problem. The participants were 101 midwestern university students enrolled in an introductory psychology course who had not had previous counseling experience. The participants completed the Jourard Self-Disclosure Questionnaire (SDQ), the Chelune Self-Disclosure Situations Survey (SDSS), and responded to questions after reading a scenario depicting a personal problem of either high or low severity. The results indicated that the factors that predicted the greatest amount of variance in willingness to seek help were the interaction of problem severity with willingness to self-disclose to a counselor, followed by problem severity; no gender differences were found. Implications for counseling and further research are discussed.
Mechanism of photo-induced and antimycin A-induced carotenoid synthesis in mycobacterium marinum. Requirements for carotenogenesis and further evidence for protein synthesis following induction

Abstract In dark-grown Mycobacterium marinum , carotenoid synthesis can be induced either with light or with antimycin A. In this study, optimal requirements for caroenoid production have been investigated. The optimal conditions are: 7–30 mM glycerol, depending upon type of induction; 3 mM (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 (or 1.5 mg/ml casein hydrolysate); 50 mM phosphate; and pH in the range of 8–10. In addition, O 2 is required for carcinogenesis. Para-chloromercuribenzoate and para-hydroxymercuribenzoate, known to mimic light for carotenoid production in Fusarium aquaeductuum , inhibit rather than stimulate carotenogenesis in M. marinum . Three types of evidence suggest that both light and antimycin A induce carotenoid production by inducing the de novo synthesis of proteins (carotenogenic enzymes). (a) Chloramphenicol and puromycin block carotenogenesis. (b) A 4-h lag period preceding actual carotenogenesis is indicative of other synthetic events. (c) A source of nitrogen is needed for carotenoid formation. Kinetics of protein synthesis show that induced protein synthesis continues for more than 20 h if bacteria are given continuous light (or given antimycin A). This is in contrast to only 4 h of protein synthesis in bacteria which are given an initial saturating dose of light and then are dark incubated. Because of this decreased protein synthesis, the latter group of bacteria synthesizes substantially lower amounts of carotenoids.
The strange case of the missing apocentric librators in the 3:2 resonance

From a comparison of the 2:1 and 3:2 resonances (in the asteroidal belt) two possible explanations to the absence of 3:2 apocentric librators are suggested. The first one is that such 3:2 resonant motion is dynamically unstable. The second interpretation requires the absence of near-circular orbits originally at 4 AU. The latter view, if correct, is inconsistent with cosmogonic models which predict the original orbits of the asteroids to be nearly circular.
The Bartol PIXE microprobe facility: Recent applications in archaeology

Abstract The first part of this paper describes some of the novel features of the Bartol PIXE facility that have made it such an effective analytical tool for the study of a diverse range of ancient materials, including the recent development of a microprobe arrangement with a tightly-focused proton beam of 50 μm spot size. The second part summarizes the use of this arrangement in the study of (i) multi-colored banding on glass beads and vessels, (ii) metal residues entrapped in smelting slags, and (iii) the variability in the composition of painted decoration on pottery.