cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Partner Assaultive Men and the Stages and Processes of Change

Researchers have recently suggested that the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change (TTM; Prochaska, J. O. DiClemente, C. C., and Norcross, J. C., 1992, Am. Psychol. 47: 1102–1114) might help in understanding the mechanisms through which partner assaultive men attempt to change their abusive behavior. In the present study, we present data from 2 psychometrically sound scales designed to assess the stages and processes of change in a cross-sectional sample of 250 men attending 2 batterer's intervention and prevention programs: the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale for Domestic Violence (URICA-DV; Levesque, D. A., Gelles, R. J., and Velicer, W. F., 2000, Cog. Therapy Res. 24: 175–200), which assesses movement through the stages of change, and the Processes of Change Scale (POC), developed by the authors to assess self-reported usage of behavior change processes. Cross-validated cluster analyses indicated a three-cluster solution based upon URICA-DV scores: Immotive, Unprepared Action, and Preparticipation. Results indicated that individuals in more advanced stages of change reported using more behavior change processes, although this did not appear to result from being in treatment for a longer period of time. These data are interpreted in light of recent data indicating relatively small effect sizes for batterer's treatment programs and how assessment of the stages and processes of change might assist in matching men to different levels of treatment.
Rapid Cloud Data Processing with Healthcare Information Protection

The demand for electronic medical data sharing is increasing due to treatment delays and increased medication costs caused by data disorganization between healthcare providers. The integration of computer technology has met these challenges and revolutionized healthcare. Through cloud computing, data accessing from multiple locations has become easier. However, concerns about the protection of such private medical data have arisen as involuntary disclosure of this information can affect a patients personal life. Although considerable research has been done to solve this problem using a cloud brokerage system, numerous risks regarding this privacy violation problem remain. This paper aims to provide a security model for cloud data to facilitate the exchange of medical records with various institutes without privacy concerns. We demonstrate via experiment that our method yields greater performance than the existing technique.
Reversal of antagonists: Effect on elbow extension strength and endurance

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the reversal of elbow antagonists designed to facilitate the extensors relative to agonist-only contractions of the extensors, while using a protocol previously demonstrated to result in an increase in strength through motor learning. Design: Two-group convenience sample composed of healthy subjects. Setting: Clinic research laboratory. Subjects: Twenty-eight healthy women without a history of upper extremity injury or neurologic disorder. Measurements: Elbow extension strength and endurance were measured during maximal effort isometric reversal of the elbow antagonists (experimental group) and elbow extension only (control group) resistance exercise. Biceps brachii short head (BBS), triceps brachii lateral head (TLAT), and triceps brachii long head (TLNG) electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured concurrently. Results: There were no significant differences between groups for either elbow extension strength, BBS, TLAT, or TLNG EMG activity. The experimental and control groups exhibited a significant linear ( p p p Conclusions: The reversal of antagonists technique was not superior to agonist-only resistance exercise, nor did it interfere with the acquisition of muscular strength or endurance through motor learning.
The Importance of Social Network Structure in the Open Source Software Developer Community

This paper outlines the motivations and methods for analyzing the developer network of open source software (OSS) projects. Previous work done by Hinds [5] suggested social network structure was instrumental towards the success of an OSS project, as measured by activity and output. The follow-up paper by Hinds [4] discovered that his hypotheses, based on social network theory and previous research on the importance of subgroup connectedness, were vastly different than the results of his study of over 100 successful OSS projects. He concluded that the social network structure had no significant effect on project success. We outline how his approach disregarded potentially important factors and through a new study evaluate the role of the OSS developer network as it pertains to long-term project popularity. We also present an initial investigation into the adequacy of using the SourceForge activity percentile as a long-term success metric. In contrast with Hinds, we show that previously existing developer-developer ties are an indicator of past and future project popularity.
Differential cross sections for the T(p, n)He3 reaction

The zero-degree differential cross section of the T(p,n)He/sup 3/ reaction was measured with a recoil-proton counter telescope at about 0.5 Mev intervals from 5 to 13.5 Mev. Relative angular distributions of the neutrons from the reaction were also obtained at 0.5 Mev intervals from 5 to 13 Mev proton energy. Cross sections were obtained by normalization to the zero-degree telescope measurements. The distributions, when transformed to the center-of- mass system, were strongly peaked in the backward hemisphere. The center-of-mass distributions were fitted with a Legendre series expansion and the total reaction cross section obtained from the coefficients. (auth)
SU-E-J-185: Gated CBCT Imaging for Positioning Moving Lung Tumor in Lung SBRT Treatment.

Purpose: Lung stereo-tactic body radiotherapy(SBRT) treatment requires high accuracy of lung tumor positioning during treatment, which is usually accomplished by free breathing Cone-Beam computerized tomography (CBCT) scan. However, respiratory motion induced image artifacts in free breathing CBCT may degrade such positioning accuracy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of gated CBCT imaging for lung SBRT treatment. Methods: Six Lung SBRT patients were selected for this study. The respiratory motion of the tumors ranged from 1.2cm to 3.5cm, and the gating windows for all patients were set between 35% and 65% of the respiratory phases. Each Lung SBRT patient underwent free-breathing CBCT scan using half-fan scan technique. The acquired projection images were transferred out for off-line analyses. An In-house semi-automatic algorithm was developed to trace the diaphragm movement from those projection images to acquire a patient's specific respiratory motion curve, which was used to correlate respiratory phases with each projection image. Afterwards, a filtered back-projection algorithm was utilized to reconstruct the gated CBCT images based on the projection images only within the gating window. Results: Target volumes determined by free breathing CBCT images were 71.9%±72% bigger than the volume shown in gated CBCT image. On the contrary, the target volume differences between gated CBCT and planning CT images at exhale stage were 5.8%±2.4%. The center to center distance of the targets shown in free breathing CBCT and gated CBCT images were 9.2±8.1mm. For one particular case, the superior boundary of the target was shifted 15mm between free breathing CBCT and gated CBCT. Conclusion: Gated CBCT imaging provides better representation of the moving lung tumor with less motion artifacts, and has the potential to improve the positioning accuracy in lung SBRT treatment.
A quantitative method for the determination of the specific radioactivity of sulfur-containing amino acids separated by paper chromatography

Abstract A sensitive, accurate, and precise method for the analysis of the separate sulfur-containing amino acids is described. Other amino acids do not interfere with the reaction, but certain solvents are unsuitable because of reagent bleaching. The method has been applied to the determination of the specific activity of amino acids separated by paper chromatography.
The dual os classroom: if you build it, will they come?

The University of Southern Maine needed another computer classroom, primarily to meet the needs of faculty who utilize Macs or those with small, often upper-level classes. The opportunity presented itself to inherit a space that had previously been used as a Foreign Language Lab. We purchased thirteen Intel Core 2 Duo iMacs. We settled on Parallels Desktop for Mac 2,2 running Windows XP on Mac OSX 10.4 (Tiger) to allow simultaneous running of both operating systems. By the time of this presentation, we will have experimented with the latest version of Parallels Desktop for Mac running Windows XP and Vista, and Apple's latest release of Boot Camp, also booting Windows XP and Vista. Two Software Support Specialists collaborated on the process behind the scenes, spending several weeks refining the final product. Some of the issues encountered included: early adoption of beta software (Parallels and VirtueDesktops); choosing between Faronics Deep Freeze for the Mac and Centurion Technologies MacShield (both new to Intel Macs); configuring settings for simultaneous IP connections on each platform; implementing our authentication (login) process; incorporating our in-house pay-for-print system; investigating Parallels Coherence mode pros and cons; utilizing WinBatch and other third-party tools for machine customization; and choosing a disk imaging solution.
Comparison of superplastic behavior in two 5083 aluminum alloys

Abstract Superplastic elongation is generally controlled by both strain-rate sensitivity and particles causing cavitation. The superplastic tensile behavior of 5083 Al (nominally Al–4.6% Mg) alloys from two different sources has been examined. It is found that for nearly the same grain size, one of the alloys (alloy A) has a slightly lower strain-rate sensitivity m. This alloy also contains a significantly larger number of hard particles and inclusions. Because this alloy exhibits somewhat lower flow stress during constant strain-rate tests, a reduced tendency for cavity initiation was expected. However, the larger density of particles tends to increase cavitation by providing more nucleation sites. Then the lower m value leads to more rapid cavity growth and interlinkage. Thus, while the presence of fine grain size and high-angle grain boundaries are important for superplastic flow, this research shows that in similarly processed alloys small changes in m values and variations in alloy chemistry that generate cavity-causing particles can have a medium to large effect on superplastic elongation.
State-Level Forecasts of U.S. Senate Elections

Election forecasting, as a science with models to be tested, got its start in political science 20 years ago (Lewis-Beck and Rice 1984; Rosenstone 1983). When the enterprise began, it was not popular. Forecasts, while entertaining, were not held to be serious research. As high-quality models with accurate forecasts were published in leading journals (see review in Lewis-Beck and Rice 1992), forecasting achieved more respect in the discipline. The 1996 presidential election was a high point. Forecasters formulated models that accurately predicted, well in advance, the presidential winner's vote share (Campbell and Garand 2000). This encouraged forecasters to ply their trade for new elections, and in 2000 scholars again met media demands to predict the presidential vote. On the front page of the Washington Post in May, one forecaster predicted a Gore victory and was quoted as saying, “It's not even going to be close” (Kaiser 2000). In the end, most of the 2000 forecasts greatly overestimated Gore's share of the vote.
Aggression and fighting ability are correlated in the swordtail fish Xiphophorus cortezi : the advantage of being barless

Males of the swordtail fish Xiphophorus cortezi are polymorphic for the pigment pattern vertical bars. Previous studies indicate that barred males exhibit higher levels of aggression towards males with bars than those without, while barless males fail to exhibit differential levels of aggression to either morph. In this study I matched barred and barless males for size and paired them in dyadic contests in order to determine if either morph was more dominant and if so, if dominance was the result of higher aggression levels. I found that barless males had higher bite frequencies and were able to win a majority of the contests while barred males consistently escalated to biting first, even though in most cases they were ultimately the losers. In order to determine whether the observed aggression levels and fighting abilities were inherent to being barless or a consequence of responses to the bars themselves, the dyads were re-paired once after barless males were given temporary bars and once after barred males had their bars removed. Thus, each morph encountered his opponent in both a barred and barless state. Regardless of bar state, naturally barless males continued to be more aggressive and more dominant than their barred counterparts. In addition, naturally barred males only won contests in which they bit more. These results indicate that for this species, aggression is an important component of winning contests when opponents are roughly the same size. As a result, naturally barless males as a whole appear to have higher resource holding potential (RHP) than naturally barred males of the same size because of their greater aggression levels.
Subtypes of Nonmedical Opioid Users: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

Aims To identify subtypes of nonmedical opioid users, gender variations in psychiatric disorders, and quality of life in a representative sample of adults.
HIV Type 1 Viral Infectivity Factor and the RUNX Transcription Factors Interact with Core Binding Factor β on Genetically Distinct Surfaces

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) requires the cellular transcription factor core binding factor subunit β (CBFβ) to stabilize its viral infectivity factor (Vif) protein and neutralize the APOBEC3 restriction factors. CBFβ normally heterodimerizes with the RUNX family of transcription factors, enhancing their stability and DNA-binding affinity. To test the hypothesis that Vif may act as a RUNX mimic to bind CBFβ, we generated a series of CBFβ mutants at the RUNX/CBFβ interface and tested their ability to stabilize Vif and impact transcription at a RUNX-dependent promoter. While several CBFβ amino acid substitutions disrupted promoter activity, none of these impacted the ability of CBFβ to stabilize Vif or enhance degradation of APOBEC3G. A mutagenesis screen of CBFβ surface residues identified a single amino acid change, F68D, that disrupted Vif binding and its ability to degrade APOBEC3G. This mutant still bound RUNX and stimulated RUNX-dependent transcription. These separation-of-function mutants demonstrate that HIV-1 Vif and the RUNX transcription factors interact with cellular CBFβ on genetically distinct surfaces.
Ejaculatory stimulation in spinal-cord injured men.

Abstract Anejaculation is a common problem among spinal-cord injured (SCI) men. Only 120 percent of SCI men can ejaculate. Methods of ejaculatory stimulation are needed to obtain sperm for artificial insemination purposes. The methods of stimulation heretofore used include intrathecal neostigmine, rectal probe electro-ejaculation, vibratory stimulation of the penis, and subcutaneous physostigmine. Ejaculatory ability increased to as much as 58 per cent using these techniques, but complications such as nausea and vomiting, elevated blood pressure, and headaches have been reported. The mechanisms of action of these techniques are poorly understood; they are believed to stimulate either reflex spinal ejaculatory centers or efferent peripheral nerves from these centers. The studies with these techniques often fail to use scientific methods of evaluation and are deficient in characterizing the subject population, description of stimulator and technique utilized, definition and presentation of “success” and/or complications observed. The criteria by which future studies of ejaculatory stimulation should be measured are suggested.
Evaluation of Ball Bearing Separator Materials Operating Submerged in Liquid Nitrogen

Progress in the field of cryogenic engineering during the last few years has introduced many new problems relative to the handling, storage, transfer and use of cryogenic liquids. Even though the handling and use of these liquids in large quantities is no longer a difficult task, more efficient and feasible methods must be developed.
Life satisfaction among the Japanese living abroad

Abstract The present study was designed to examine differences in life satisfaction between groups of Japanese living in three different countries using the Life Satisfaction Battery (LSB). The LSB was developed by Sorenson (1986) and consists of 12 scales: positive mood, negative mood, physical discomforts, satisfaction, daily routine, competence, accomplishments, resources, stress, motivation, internal obstacles, and external obstacles. This self-report inventory was administered to 747 native Japanese subjects located in three different countries: the United States (325), Egypt (72), and Japan (350). Results demonstrated significant differences between the three groups: Japanese in the United States were generally more satisfied than a comparable group living in their home country, and these two groups were substantially more satisfied with various areas of their lives than were Japanese subjects living in Egypt. This study demonstrates the effects of cultural differences on life satisfaction for people living temporarily in foreign societies, and attempts to explain the differences by interpreting the subjects' expectations and by examining access to help.
THEORIES OF FREE SPEECH

Freedom of Speech by Eric Barendt' is the latest in a series of recent philosophical treatments of the subject. The author acknowledges the recently published book by Frederick Schauer, Free Speech: A Philosophical Enquiry, the Williams Committee Report on Obscenity, and articles by Thomas Scanlon and Ronald Dworkin.2 To these earlier studies, Barendt's book adds a valuable emphasis on comparative law. He examines British, American, and West German law, and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, with occasional references to the laws of other Western European and Commonwealth countries. With some success, he attempts to bring order to an unruly combination of constitutional provisions, statutes, and judicial decisions, and he identifies the problems raised by the legal protection of freedom of speech in these four legal systems. The principal interest of his book, however, lies in its account of the arguments currently understood to support freedom of speech. An introductory chapter provides a brief and lucid account of these principles and their limitations, and successive chapters then survey the major areas of controversy over freedom of speech, such as the definition of speech, protection of political activity, libelous publications, and obscenity. By placing philosophical arguments at the centre of his analysis, Barendt raises three questions: How well do these arguments fit existing law in the legal systems that he examines? How well do they fit together into a single theory of freedom of speech? And what are the prospects for an improved theory ?
Predation by hatchery yearling salmonids on wild subyearling salmonids in the freshwater environment: A review of studies, two case histories, and implications for management

We conducted a literature review on predation by hatchery yearling salmonids on wild subyearling salmonids in the western United States. The review included 14 studies from the Pacific Northwest and California. In most instances, predation by hatchery yearling salmonids on wild subyearling salmonids occurred at low levels. However, when multiple factors contributing to the incidence of predation were met, localized areas of heavy predation were noted. Total prey consumed ranged from 456 to 111 000 subyearlings for the few studies in which enough information was gathered to make the estimate. We examined two of these studies in more detail: one detecting relatively low predation in four western Washington rivers and one detecting relatively high predation in the Trinity River in northern California. In the case of the rivers in western Washington, over 70% of wild subyearlings had migrated by the time hatchery steelhead were planted and those remaining had grown large enough to reduce their vulnerability to predation. In the case of the Trinity River, less than 20% of wild subyearlings had migrated by the time hatchery steelhead were planted and most were small enough to remain highly vulnerable to predation. We found that managers can effectively minimize the predation rate of hatchery yearling salmonids by reducing the spatial or temporal overlap of predator and prey. Unknown is the extent to which low predation rates, which likely occur in most places hatchery yearlings are released, might still negatively impact prey populations that are at low abundance because of other anthropogenic factors.
Synaptic plasticity: Keeping synapses under control

Recent studies have confirmed that a retrograde signal is produced at the neuromuscular junction that can adjust the efficacy of transmission to meet long-term changing needs. Genetic manipulations in Drosophila have begun to define the circumstances in which such signals are generated and how they act.
Real-time joint transform correlation with photoanisotropic dye–polymer films

The results of joint transform correlation with photoanisotropic organic materials are presented. The materials' dynamic holographic recording capability and high resolution permit the operation of such a correlator in real time. Both theoretical and experimental results show that the photoanisotropic properties cause a dependence of the correlation output on the state of the polarization of the readout beam and can be used to produce an output polarization orthogonal to the input, which permits polarization filtering to be used, greatly increasing the signal-to-noise ratio. The effect of the saturation of the nonlinearity on correlation performance is investigated and is shown to be able to improve correlator recognition and discrimination. The correlation results of binary images and of a high-resolution synthetic-aperture radar image are presented, demonstrating excellent optical quality, nonlinear edge enhancement, and real-time operation.
Evidence for a norepinephrine-dependent brain-stem substrate in the development of kindling antagonism.

Abstract ‘Kindling antagonism’ is a modification of the standard kindling paradigm in which two limbic system structures are stimulated on alternate trials. The consistent outcome of this procedure is that one site (‘dominant site’) develops typical generalized seizures, while kindled seizure development from the other site (‘suppressed site’) is arrested at an intermediate stage. Our recent research suggests that kindling antagonism is dependent on hindbrain norepinephrine (NE) systems. The present study explores this relationship further. Neonatal rats were treated with intracerebral injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). At adulthood, these animals received either (1) a low dose of 6-OHDA (75 μg), (2) a high dose of 6-OHDA (200 μg), or (3) vehicle. Regional NE concentrations were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. Neonatal 6-OHDA followed by vehicle resulted in decreases in forebrain and increases in hindbrain NE concentrations. Low dose 6-OHDA at adulthood depleted cerebellar, but not pontine-medullary NE. High dose 6-OHDA resulted in depletions of both cerebellar and pontine-medullary NE. Only high dose 6-OHDA significantly interfered with the development of antagonism. Neonatal 6-OHDA facilitated the rate of dominant site kindling independently of subsequent adult treatment regimens. Results suggest that the influence of NE on kindling antagonism is mediated through a brain-stem substrate and that the influence of NE on kindling rate is mediated through a forebrain substrate.
Coding for Selective Discharge from Overhead Chain Conveyors

The paper will give particulars of methods of coding used in conjunction with overhead chain conveyors for selective discharge. An installation is then described for the sorting of mail bags from a storage area into numerous positions where discharge is effected into British Railway Universal Trolleys for transport by rail. After the final loading position, the destination code, which is indicated by a label attached to the mail bag, is keyed into an electronic memory, which in turn activates the selected discharge station at the appropriate time, thereby automatically releasing the bag directly into the appropriate trolley.
Juvenile hormone and circadian locomotor activity in the honey bee Apis mellifera

Age-related division of labor in honeybees is associated with plasticity in circadian rhythms. Young nest bees care for brood around the clock with no circadian rhythms while older foragers have strong circadian rhythms that are used for sun compass navigation and for timing visits to flowers. Since juvenile hormone (JH) is involved in the coordination of physiological and behavioral processes underlying age-related division of labor in honey bees, we tested the hypothesis that JH influences the ontogeny of circadian rhythms and other clock parameters in young worker bees. Treatments with the JH analog methoprene or allatectomy did not influence the onset of rhythmicity, overall locomotor activity, or the free-running period of rhythmic locomotor behavior. There were, however, significant differences in the onset of rhythmicity, overall locomotor activity, and longevity between bees from different source colonies, suggesting that there is significant genetic variation for these traits. Our results suggest that JH does not coordinate all aspects of division of labor in bees and that coordination of task performance with circadian rhythms is probably mediated by other regulatory systems.
Crystal structure of chemically synthesized [N33A] stromal cell-derived factor 1α, a potent ligand for the HIV-1 “fusin” coreceptor

Stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α ) is a member of the chemokine superfamily and functions as a growth factor and chemoattractant through activation of CXCR4/LESTR/Fusin, a G protein-coupled receptor. This receptor also functions as a coreceptor for T-tropic syncytium-inducing strains of HIV-1. SDF-1α antagonizes infectivity of these strains by competing with gp120 for binding to the receptor. The crystal structure of a variant SDF-1α ([N33A]SDF-1α ) prepared by total chemical synthesis has been refined to 2.2-Å resolution. Although SDF-1α adopts a typical chemokine β-β-β-α topology, the packing of the α-helix against the β-sheet is strikingly different. Comparison of SDF-1α with other chemokine structures confirms the hypothesis that SDF-1α may be either an ancestral protein from which all other chemokines evolved or the chemokine that is the least divergent from a primordial chemokine. The structure of SDF-1α reveals a positively charged surface ideal for binding to the negatively charged extracellular loops of the CXCR4 HIV-1 coreceptor. This ionic complementarity is likely to promote the interaction of the mobile N-terminal segment of SDF-1α with interhelical sites of the receptor, resulting in a biological response.
Androgen stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in human prostate cancer

Prostate growth and differentiation is androgen dependent, and increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) has been found in more aggressive prostate cancers. As part of our efforts to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for prostate cancer progression, we evaluated the MMP-2 expression after androgen stimulation in human prostate cancer LNCaP and LAPC-4 cells, which express a functional androgen receptor. Treatment of the cells with a synthetic androgen R1881 resulted in an increase of pro-MMP-2 expression assessed by Western blot and gelatinolytic zymography in both cell lines. R1881-stimulated pro-MMP-2 expression occurred in a dose-dependent manner, which was completely abrogated in the presence of the nonsteroid androgen antagonist bicalutamide. In accordance with the protein expression, MMP-2 promoter activity was also increased by R1881 in a cell-based luciferase reporter assay. However, R1881 treatment did not significantly affect either the pro-MMP-9 expression or its promoter activity. Although we observed an appearance of active form of MMP-2, its activator MT1-MMP was not changed after R1881 treatment. Pretreatment of the cells with inhibitors of RNA transcription, actinomycin D, or protein translation, cycloheximide, significantly suppressed R1881-induced pro-MMP-2 expression in LNCaP cells, indicating that androgen stimulates pro-MMP-2 gene expression. In addition, phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase inhibitor, LY294002 or wortmannin, strongly inhibited R1881-induced pro-MMP-2 expression. Finally, R1881-enhanced LNCaP cell migration was clearly suppressed by LY294002 or the MMP-2 inhibitor OA-Hy in an in vitro migration assay. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that androgen stimulates pro-MMP-2 expression in LNCaP cells via phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase-dependent androgen receptor transactivation.
P04.37. The impact of integrative medicine on inpatient patient satisfaction at Abbott Northwestern Hospital

Methods Patient satisfaction is routinely assessed in hospitals across the US through the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey. The HCAHPS compares generic patient satisfaction across hospitals for concerns such as communication with hospital and nurses. However, the survey does not assess the impact of integrative medicine on patient satisfaction for issues such as pain management. To address this limitation, we developed a brief 3 question pilot survey to be completed by patients, who received inpatient integrative medicine, after completing their HCAHPS survey. The questions were: (1) My pain was improved as a results of the therapies I received (such as acupuncture, massage, guided imagery, aromatherapy or relaxation techniques); (2) I was taught helpful practices to self-manage my pain (such as relaxation, imagery or acupressure); (3) I used the helpful practices I was taught to self manage my pain (relaxation, imagery or acupressure). The questions were answered on a 5 point Likert scale.
Overlapping spreading centres: new accretion geometry on the East Pacific Rise

In a detailed Seabeam investigation of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) from 8°N to 18°N, a new kind of volcano-tectonic geometry associated with fast-spreading centres has been discovered (Figs 1, 2). At several locations along the rise axis the neovolcanic zone is discontinuous, and is laterally offset a short distance (1–15 km). In contrast to a classic ridge–transform–ridge plate boundary, however, the offset ridge terminations overlap each other by a distance approximately equal to or greater than the offset. They curve sharply towards each other and often merge into one another along strike. Separating the overlapping spreading centres (OSCs) is a closed contour depression up to several hundred metres deep which is sub-parallel to the trend of the OSCs. The region between the OSCs is a complex zone of both shear and rotational deformation with no obvious transform parallel structures. Based on wax model studies of spreading centres, we suggest here that transform faults fail to develop at fast spreading centres where the lateral offsets are small (<15 km), because the lithosphere is too thin and weak to maintain a classic, rigid plate spreading centre–transform fault pattern. The OSC geometry is unstable and evolves rapidly. One of the two OSCs prevails while the other is abandoned. A significant area of sea floor created at fast spreading rates may bear the imprint of this newly observed process.
Primal-Dual Approximation Algorithms for Feedback Problems in Planar Graphs

Given a subset of cycles of a graph, we consider the problem of finding a minimum-weight set of vertices that meets all cycles in the subset. This problem generalizes a number of problems, including the minimum-weight feedback vertex set problem in both directed and undirected graphs, the subset feedback vertex set problem, and the graph bipartization problem, in which one must remove a minimum-weight set of vertices so that the remaining graph is bipartite. We give a 9/4-approximation algorithm for the general problem in planar graphs, given that the subset of cycles obeys certain properties. This results in 9/4-approximation algorithms for the aforementioned feedback and bipartization problems in planar graphs. Our algorithms use the primaldual method for approximation algorithms as given in Goemans and Williamson [14]. We also show that our results have an interesting bearing on a conjecture of Akiyama and Watanabe [2] on the cardinality of feedback vertex sets in planar graphs.
Software quality function deployment

Any product development involves projecting its potential success in achieving its functional and commercial goals. Better quality designs that match customer needs and preferences and integrate other lifecycle issues early in the software development process are more likely to be competitive. Thus, there is significant concern in industry about quality product design, which is addressed by quality function deployment (QFD). QFD uses matrices to organize and relate pieces of data to each other. These matrices are often combined to form a basic tool of QFD, called a House of Quality (HoQ). QFD was developed in the Kobe shipyards as a way to expand and implement the view of quality as taught by W. Edwards Deming and others. It has been widely applied in many industries worldwide, such as automobile, electronics, food processing, computer hardware and software ever since. Software quality function deployment (SQFD) focuses on improving the quality of both the software development process and the product. The improvement in software quality leads to fewer changes in requirements specification, design, and code, a reduction in the number of defects and less rework, and therefore, higher productivity.
The Effect of Student Evaluations on Academic Success

Abstract This article uses longitudinal student-level data from the American University of Sharjah, a large comprehensive university in the Middle East, to examine the relationship between student evaluations of teachers and current and future student achievement. Our model strategies control for the observed and unobserved heterogeneity of students and use unique instruments. We find that when all disciplines are examined together there is a positive relationship between current evaluation and current grade point average (GPA) but a negative relationship between past evaluations and current GPA. Discipline-specific estimations find the same results in the math and science course subsample, but for other course types there is little relation between evaluation and GPA.
From clarity to efficiency for distributed algorithms

This paper describes a very high-level language for clear description of distributed algorithms and optimizations necessary for generating efficient implementations. The language supports high-level control flows where complex synchronization conditions can be expressed using high-level queries, especially logic quantifications, over message history sequences. Unfortunately, the programs would be extremely inefficient, including consuming unbounded memory, if executed straightforwardly.We present new optimizations that automatically transform complex synchronization conditions into incremental updates of necessary auxiliary values as messages are sent and received. The core of the optimizations is the first general method for efficient implementation of logic quantifications. We have developed an operational semantics of the language, implemented a prototype of the compiler and the optimizations, and successfully used the language and implementation on a variety of important distributed algorithms.
Synthesis of a novel photopolymerized nanocomposite hydrogel for treatment of acute mechanical damage to cartilage

Intra-articular fractures initiate a cascade of pathobiological and pathomechanical events that culminate in post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Hallmark features of PTOA include destruction of the cartilage matrix in combination with loss of chondrocytes and acute mechanical damage (AMD). Currently, treatment of intra-articular fractures essentially focuses completely on restoration of the macroanatomy of the joint. However, current treatment ignores AMD sustained by cartilage at the time of injury. We are exploring aggressive biomaterial-based interventions designed to treat the primary pathological components of AMD. This study describes the development of a novel injectable co-polymer solution that forms a gel at physiological temperatures that can be photocrosslinked, and can form a nanocomposite gel in situ through mineralization. The injectable co-polymer solution will allow the material to fill cracks in the cartilage after trauma. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposite are similar to those of native cartilage, as measured by compressive and shear testing. It thereby has the potential to mechanically stabilize and restore local structural integrity to acutely injured cartilage. Additionally, in situ mineralization ensures good adhesion between the biomaterial and cartilage at the interface, as measured through tensile and shear testing. Thus we have successfully developed a new injectable co-polymer which forms a nanocomposite in situ with mechanical properties similar to those of native cartilage, and which can bond well to native cartilage. This material has the potential to stabilize injured cartilage and prevent PTOA.
Estimating divergence dates and evaluating dating methods using phylogenomic and mitochondrial data in squamate reptiles

Recently, phylogenetics has expanded to routinely include estimation of clade ages in addition to their relationships. Various dating methods have been used, but their relative performance remains understudied. Here, we generate and assemble an extensive phylogenomic data set for squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes) and evaluate two widely used dating methods, penalized likelihood in r8s (r8s-PL) and Bayesian estimation with uncorrelated relaxed rates among lineages (BEAST). We obtained sequence data from 25 nuclear loci (500–1000 bp per gene; 19,020 bp total) for 64 squamate species and nine outgroup taxa, estimated the phylogeny, and estimated divergence dates using 14 fossil calibrations. We then evaluated how well each method approximated these dates using random subsets of the nuclear loci (2, 5, 10, 15, and 20; replicated 10 times each), and using 1 kb of the mitochondrial ND2 gene. We find that estimates from r8s-PL based on 2, 5, or 10 loci can differ considerably from those based on 25 loci (mean absolute value of differences between 2-locus and 25-locus estimates were 9.0 Myr). Estimates from BEAST are somewhat more consistent given limited sampling of loci (mean absolute value of differences between 2 and 25-locus estimates were 5.0 Myr). Most strikingly, age estimates using r8s-PL for ND2 were 68–82 Myr older (mean = 73.1) than those using 25 nuclear loci with r8s-PL. These results show that dates from r8s-PL with a limited number of loci (and especially mitochondrial data) can differ considerably from estimates derived from a large number of nuclear loci, whereas estimates from BEAST derived from fewer nuclear loci or mitochondrial data alone can be surprisingly similar to those from many nuclear loci. However, estimates from BEAST using relatively few loci and mitochondrial data could still show substantial deviations from the full data set (>50 Myr), suggesting the benefits of sampling many nuclear loci. Finally, we found that confidence intervals on ages from BEAST were not significantly different when sampling 2 vs. 25 loci, suggesting that adding loci decreased errors but did not increase confidence in those estimates.
Moxifloxacin as an Alternative or Additive Therapy for Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Objective:To evaluate clinical studies on the role of moxifloxacin in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).Data Sources:A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1960-July 2011). Key search terms were moxifloxacin, BAY 12-8039, fluoroquinolones, and TB. References of review articles and of a Cochrane Review were also evaluated.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All articles published in English were evaluated. Prospective studies that evaluated the use of moxifloxacin in addition to or in substitution for first-line TB therapies were reviewed and included. Case series and retrospective studies were excluded.Data Synthesis:Four 8-week clinical trials were included. All had comparator regimens containing standard doses of rifampin, isoniazid, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Two evaluated the substitution of moxifloxacin for ethambutol, 1 evaluated the substitution of moxifloxacin for isoniazid, and 1 studied the addition of moxifloxacin to a standard regimen. The dose of moxifloxacin was 400 m...
Effects of sales presentation topic on cognitive responses in industrial buying groups

This article presents results of an experiment which tested the effects of sales messages on cognitive responses in industrial buying groups. Results suggest that matching sales presentations to buyers’ job responsibilities leads not only to higher levels of message involvement and attention, but also to increases in arousal and greater extremity in buyers’ evaluations of the sales presentation, the salesperson, and the represented vendor. Implications of these results for practitioners and researchers are discussed.
Histologic, immunologic and endocrine biomarkers indicate contaminant effects in fishes of the Ashtabula River

The use of fish as sentinels of aquatic ecosystem health is a biologically relevant approach to environmental monitoring and assessment. We examined the health of the Ashtabula River using histologic, immunologic, and endocrine biomarkers in brown bullhead (BB; Ameiurus nebulosus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and compared fish collected from a reference site (Conneaut Creek). Seasonal analysis was necessary to distinguish differences in fish between the two rivers. Overall BB from the Ashtabula River had a lower condition factor and significantly more macrophage aggregates than those from the reference site. Reduced bactericidal and cytotoxic-cell activity was observed in anterior kidney leukocytes from both BB and largemouth bass from the Ashtabula River. Lower plasma thyroxine and triiodo-l-thyronine in both species in the Ashtabula River indicated disruption of the thyroid axis. Differences in physiological biomarker responses were supported by body burden chemical concentrations when data were analyzed on a seasonal basis. The use of two fish species added a level of rigor that demonstrated biological effects were not exclusive to a single species. The results provide strong evidence that contaminants have affected fish in the Ashtabula River, a Great Lakes Area of Concern, and provide a baseline by which to evaluate remediation activities.
More complete gene silencing by fewer siRNAs: transparent optimized design and biophysical signature

Highly accurate knockdown functional analyses based on RNA interference (RNAi) require the possible most complete hydrolysis of the targeted mRNA while avoiding the degradation of untargeted genes (off-target effects). This in turn requires significant improvements to target selection for two reasons. First, the average silencing activity of randomly selected siRNAs is as low as 62%. Second, applying more than five different siRNAs may lead to saturation of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and to the degradation of untargeted genes. Therefore, selecting a small number of highly active siRNAs is critical for maximizing knockdown and minimizing off-target effects. To satisfy these needs, a publicly available and transparent machine learning tool is presented that ranks all possible siRNAs for each targeted gene. Support vector machines (SVMs) with polynomial kernels and constrained optimization models select and utilize the most predictive effective combinations from 572 sequence, thermodynamic, accessibility and self-hairpin features over 2200 published siRNAs. This tool reaches an accuracy of 92.3% in cross-validation experiments. We fully present the underlying biophysical signature that involves free energy, accessibility and dinucleotide characteristics. We show that while complete silencing is possible at certain structured target sites, accessibility information improves the prediction of the 90% active siRNA target sites. Fast siRNA activity predictions can be performed on our web server at http://optirna.unl.edu/.
Poststimulation inhibition of the micturition reflex induced by tibial nerve stimulation in rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) on the micturition reflex. Experiments were conducted in 24 rats under urethane anesthesia. A catheter was inserted into the bladder via the bladder dome for saline infusion. A cuff electrode was placed around right tibial nerve for stimulation. TNS (5 Hz, 0.2 msec pulse width) at 2–4 times the threshold (T) intensity for inducing a toe movement was applied either during slow (0.08 mL/min) infusion of the bladder or for 30 min with an empty bladder. TNS had no effect on the micturition reflex when it was applied during slow bladder infusion. However, the 30-min TNS applied with an empty bladder induced poststimulation inhibition and significantly (P < 0.05) increased the bladder capacity to about 140% of prestimulation level in a 50-min period following the termination of stimulation. The bladder compliance was also significantly (P < 0.05) increased after the 30-min TNS. These results suggest that different mechanisms might exist in acute- and post-TNS inhibition of micturition reflex. The animal model developed in this study will be very useful for further investigations of the neurotransmitter mechanisms underlying tibial neuromodulation of bladder function.
Testing the Free Radical Theory of Aging in Bats

The extended longevity of bats, despite their high metabolic rates, may provide insight to patterns and mechanisms of aging. I tested the free radical theory of aging as an explanation for the extreme longevity of the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus (maximum life span potential [MLSP] = 34 years). In a comparative study, I measured whole-organism oxygen consumption and mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide production in brain, heart, and kidney tissues from M. lucifugus and short-tailed shrews, Blarina brevicauda (MLSP = 2 years). As predicted by the free radical theory of aging, M. lucifugus produced approximately half the amount of hydrogen peroxide as B. brevicauda. In addition, I compared oxygen consumption and hydrogen peroxide production of adult (approximately 1 year) and juvenile (fully developed and fledged young of the year) M. lucifugus to assess oxidative damage to mitochondria (measured as an increase in hydrogen peroxide production) due to the high metabolic rate associated with flight. Contrary to my prediction, juveniles had significantly higher levels of hydrogen peroxide production than adults. I propose that the decreased free radical production in adults is the result of within-individual selection of efficient mitochondria due to selective pressure created by the high energetic demands of flight.