cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Internet as a Tool for Black Feminist Activism: Lessons From an Online Antirape Protest

This article explores how the Internet is a tool for Black women to challenge violence against women of color. It highlights online protest in response to the actions of civil rights organizations’ narrow focus on the treatment of Black male offenders while overlooking the civil rights of Black female victims. Specifically, the article examines a protest focusing on the reactions of racial justice leaders to a brutal gang rape in a Palm Beach housing project known as Dunbar Village. Drawing from the literature on collective action frames, this article illustrates how the Dunbar Village protest evolved from an online dialogue to social protest.
Aquatic Macrophytes and Algae at Old Woman Creek Estuary and Other Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands

Abstract Studies on aquatic macrophyte and algal floras of Old Woman Creek estuary (OWC) are examined in light of work conducted in other Great Lakes coastal wetlands. Since the last detailed inventory of aquatic macrophytes at OWC in 1973, many emergent and floating leaved species have become very restricted in their distribution, or have disappeared altogether. Possible causes for this vegetation shift are discussed. The algal flora of OWC is distinct from that in adjacent Lake Erie. Storm events are proposed to be a major factor in regulating phytoplankton species composition and dynamics in OWC. Primary productivity in OWC appears to be dominated by the algal communities rather than by macrophytes. The botanical research on Great Lakes coastal wetlands conducted to date has provided only cursory insights into these complex and dynamic communities. Knowledge of factors regulating these communities along with the roles these communities play in coastal wetland dynamics is needed. The impact of changing watershed use patterns on these wetland communities has not yet been determined. Finally, symbiotic and competitive interactions between the macrophyte and algal communities need to be elucidated.
Foreign direct investment in a strategically competitive environment: Coca-Cola, Belize, and the international citrus industry

Abstract Caribbean and Latin America governments are under pressure to liberalize tax rules and regulations governing foreign direct investment. Yet, as much recent economic theory suggests, liberalization, in the context of strategic behavior, imperfect information, principal-agent problems, or important path dependencies, can shift market structures and returns against domestic economic agents and the host country. This paper argues for the value of a sectoral-level approach to liberalization by offering a case study of how the 1987 indefinite suspension of a major citrus-investment project by Coca-Cola Foods in Belize was closely linked to the strategic opposition they faced from Belizean and Floridian citrus growers.
Absence of control of poly(A)(+) messenger RNA translation in growth-stimulated mouse 3T6 fibroblasts

Abstract To better understand the mechanism by which the rate of protein synthesis is regulated in growth-stimulated mouse 3T6 fibroblasts, we have determined the proportion of cytoplasmic poly(A)(+) mRNA that is associated with polysomes. We found that this proportion is nearly the same (70–80%) in resting, serum-stimulated, or exponentially growing cells. This indicates that the increase in the rate of protein synthesis following serum stimulation of 3T6 cells is regulated primarily by the increase in mRNA content rather than by an increase in the fraction of total mRNA engaged in protein synthesis. We also show that in detergent-lysed 3T6 cells, up to half of the subpolysomal poly(A)(+) mRNA is of mitochondrial origin. This conclusion is based on analysis of the size of the mRNA and its poly(A), its subcellular location and the inhibition of the labeling of this mRNA by ethidium bromide. The physical properties of subpolysomal mRNA of nuclear origin are similar to those of polysomal mRNA.
Chloride model for polluted onondaga lake

Abstract The validation of a mass balance chloride (Cl) model for enriched Onondaga Lake is documented for the period 1973–1991. The history of loading of Cl to the lake, extending from the mining of NaCl brines adjoining the lake in the late 1700s, through the 102 year period of operation and discharges of an adjoining soda ash/chlor-alkali facility, is reviewed. Loads are estimated for the 1973–1991 interval based on a program of continuous flow measurements and bi-weekly monitoring of Cl concentration for the major inflows. The model performs well in matching the substantial seasonal variations in lake Cl concentration and the major reduction in concentration observed since closure of the facility in 1986 (from about 1585 to 430 mg l −1 ). Projections with the validated model demonstrate the Cl concentration in the lake would be about 230 mg l −1 , nearly 50% lower than the present concentration, without the continuing waste input from the soda ash/chlor-alkali facility.
A comprehensive fate map by intracellular injection of identified blastomeres in the marine polychaete Capitella teleta

The polychaete annelid Capitella teleta (formerly Capitella sp. I) develops by spiral cleavage and has been the focus of several recent developmental studies aided by a fully sequenced genome. Fate mapping in polychaetes has lagged behind other spiralian taxa, because of technical limitations. To generate a modern fate map for C. teleta, we injected 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3'3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) into individual identified blastomeres through fourth-quartet micromere formation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy at single-cell resolution was used to characterize blastomere fates during larval stages. Our results corroborate previous observations from classic studies, and show a number of similarities with other spiralian fate maps, including unique and stereotypic fates for individual blastomeres, presence of four discrete body domains arising from the A, B, C and D cell quadrants, generation of anterior ectoderm from first quartet micromeres, and contributions to trunk ectoderm and ventral nerve cord by the 2d somatoblast. Of particular interest are several instances in which the C. teleta fate map deviates from other spiralian fate maps. For example, we identified four to seven distinct origins of mesoderm, all ectomesodermal. In addition, the left and right mesodermal bands arise from 3d and 3c, respectively, whereas 4d generates a small number of trunk muscle cells, the primordial germ cells and the anus. We identified a complex set of blastomere contributions to the posterior gut in C. teleta, which establishes the most complete map of posterior gut territories to date. Our detailed cellular descriptions reveal previously underappreciated complexity in the ontogenetic contributions to several spiralian larval tissues, including the mesoderm, nervous system and gut. The formation of the mesodermal bands by 3c and 3d is in stark contrast to other spiralians, in which 4d generates the mesodermal bands. The results of this study provide a framework for future phylogenetic comparisons and functional analyses of cell-fate specification.
The challenge of an aging population. The case of the People's Republic of China.

Policymakers and demographers in China are cognizant of the implications of the one-child family policy for the eventual aging of their nation's population and are beginning to incorporate attention to the elderly into the economic and population policies being developed. A major stumbling block to the acceptance of the one-child family policy, especially in rural areas, has been fear about security in old age. As the one-child family becomes widely established, it will become increasingly difficult for the only child to support two elderly parents.
Reliability: How much is it worth? Beyond its estimation or prediction, the (net) present value of reliability

Abstract In this article, we link an engineering concept, reliability, to a financial and managerial concept, net present value, by exploring the impact of a system's reliability on its revenue generation capability. The framework here developed for non-repairable systems quantitatively captures the value of reliability from a financial standpoint. We show that traditional present value calculations of engineering systems do not account for system reliability, thus over-estimate a system's worth and can therefore lead to flawed investment decisions. It is therefore important to involve reliability engineers upfront before investment decisions are made in technical systems. In addition, the analyses here developed help designers identify the optimal level of reliability that maximizes a system's net present value—the financial value reliability provides to the system minus the cost to achieve this level of reliability. Although we recognize that there are numerous considerations driving the specification of an engineering system's reliability, we contend that the financial analysis of reliability here developed should be made available to decision-makers to support in part, or at least be factored into, the system reliability specification.
On-road bicycle facilities and bicycle crashes in Iowa, 2007-2010.

Abstract Purpose An average of 611 deaths and over 47,000 bicyclists are injured in traffic-related crashes in the United States each year. Efforts to increase bicycle safety are needed to reduce and prevent injuries and fatalities, especially as trends indicate that ridership is increasing rapidly. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bicycle-specific roadway facilities (e.g., signage and bicycle lanes) in reducing bicycle crashes. Methods We conducted a case site-control site study of 147 bicycle crash-sites identified from the Iowa Department of Transportation crash database from 2007 to 2010 and 147 matched non-crash sites. Control sites were randomly selected from intersections matched to case sites on neighborhood (census block group) and road classification (arterial, feeder, collector, etc.). We examined crash risk by any on-road bicycle facility present and by facility type (pavement markings--bicycle lanes and shared lane arrows, bicycle-specific signage, and the combination of markings and signage), controlling for bicycle volume, motor vehicle volume, street width, sidewalks, and traffic controls. Results A total of 11.6% of case sites and 15.0% of controls had an on-road bicycle facility. Case intersections had higher bicycle volume (3.52 vs. 3.34 per 30 min) and motor vehicle volume (248.77 vs. 205.76 per 30 min) than controls. Our results are suggestive that the presence of an on-road bicycle facility decreases crash risk by as much as 60% with a bicycle lane or shared lane arrow (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.09–1.82) and 38% with bicycle-specific signage (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.15–2.58). Conclusions Investments in bicycle-specific pavement markings and signage have been shown to be beneficial to traffic flow, and our results suggest that they may also reduce the number of bicycle-motor vehicle crashes and subsequent injuries and fatalities. As a relatively low-cost traffic feature, community considerations for further implementation of these facilities are justified.
Landau-level subband structure of electrons on a square lattice

For crystal electrons in two dimensions in magnetic field, each Landau level is split into subbands by a periodic potential. The dependence of the energy spectrum on magnetic field exhibits a recursive structure. For the case of a square lattice, this structure was discovered empirically by Hofstadter [Phys. Rev. B 14, 2239 (1976)]. In this paper we present a proof of the statements used by Hofstadter to characterize this recursive structure. In addition an interpretation is provided for the quantum number that, along with the Hall conductivity, labels the possible gaps within the Landau level.
Separation and analysis of dust in lung tissue.

Abstract A coordinated procedure has been developed for the separation and subsequent x-ray diffraction analysis of dust in lung tissue. The tissue, preserved in 10% formalin, is dried at 110° C and then defatted with an azeotropic mixture of methyl alcohol and chloroform. Organic matter is destroyed by digestion on a hot plate with 30% hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an antifoaming agent. The dust, with or without added internal standard, is dispersed ultrasonically with the aid of a wetting agent and mounted for x-ray diffraction analysis by filtration of die suspension through a membrane filter disc. The method is applicable as a standard, routine technique to the analysis of relatively small specimens of lung tissue submitted for confirmation of pathologic findings.
Predicting the number of dominant R alleles in single wheat kernels using visible and near-infrared reflectance spectra

ABSTRACT An optical radiation measurement system was used to measure reflectance spectra of single wheat kernels from 400 to 2,000 nm. A total of 18 wheat samples with 0, 1, 2, or 3 R alleles for red grain color was used for this study. The results indicated a linear relationship between the degree of the red pigmentation and the number of R alleles. The highest coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.78 in the wavelength region of 500–1,700 nm when a four-class partial least squares model was used. The highest classification of red genes was 78.4%. For two-class models, differentiating samples with 0 R alleles and 1 R allele from samples with 3 R alleles had the highest success rate of 100 and 98.8%, respectively. The number and combination of R alleles had a significant effect on wheat kernel color. These relationships may be useful to wheat breeders in estimating the number and location of R alleles.
α-conotoxin MII-sensitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the nucleus accumbens shell regulate progressive ratio responding maintained by nicotine

Beta2 subunit containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (beta2(*)nAChRs; asterisk ((*)) denotes assembly with other subunits) are critical for nicotine self-administration and nicotine-associated dopamine (DA) release that supports nicotine reinforcement. The alpha6 subunit assembles with beta2 on DA neurons where alpha6beta2(*)nAChRs regulate nicotine-stimulated DA release at neuron terminals. Using local infusion of alpha-conotoxin MII (alpha-CTX MII), an antagonist with selectivity for alpha6beta2(*)nAChRs, the purpose of these experiments was to determine if alpha6beta2(*)nAChRs in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell are required for motivation to self-administer nicotine. Long-Evans rats lever-pressed for 0.03 mg/kg, i.v., nicotine accompanied by light+tone cues (NIC) or for light+tone cues unaccompanied by nicotine (CUEonly). Following extensive training, animals were tested under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule that required an increasing number of lever presses for each nicotine infusion and/or cue delivery. Immediately before each PR session, rats received microinfusions of alpha-CTX MII (0, 1, 5, or 10 pmol per side) into the NAc shell or the overlying anterior cingulate cortex. alpha-CTX MII dose dependently decreased break points and number of infusions earned by NIC rats following infusion into the NAc shell but not the anterior cingulate cortex. Concentrations of alpha-CTX MII that were capable of attenuating nicotine self-administration did not disrupt locomotor activity. There was no effect of infusion on lever pressing in CUEonly animals and NAc infusion alpha-CTX MII did not affect locomotor activity in an open field. These data suggest that alpha6beta2(*)nAChRs in the NAc shell regulate motivational aspects of nicotine reinforcement but not nicotine-associated locomotor activation.
Enthalpy of Formation of Zircon

Using high-temperature solution calorimetry in molt 2PbO {center dot} B{sub 2}O{sub 3}, the enthalpy of reaction of the formation of zircon, ZrSiO{sub 4}, from its constituent oxides has been determined: {Delta}{sub 4}H{sub 977}(ZrSiO{sub 4}) = {minus}27.9 ({plus minus}1.9) kJ/mol. With previously reported data for the heat contents of ZrO{sub 2} SiO{sub 2} and ZrSiO{sub 4} and standard-state enthalpies of formation of ZrO{sub 2} and SiO{sub 2}, we obtain {Delta}{sub f}H{sub 298}{degrees}. (ZrSiO{sub 4}) = {minus}2034.2 ({plus minus}3.1) kJ/mol and {Delta}{sub t}G{sub 298}{degrees} (ZrSiO{sub 4}) = {minus}1919.8 kJ/mol. The free energy value is in excellent agreement with a range previously estimated from solid-state reaction equilibria. At higher temperature also the data are in close agreement with existing data, though the data sets diverge somewhat with increasing T. In this paper the limitations of the data for predicting the breakdown temperature of zircon into its constituent oxides are discussed.
Democracy under Fire: Voter Confusion and Influences in Colorado's Anti-Affirmative Action Initiative

In this article, Amy N. Farley, Matthew N. Gaertner, and Michele S. Moses examine the use of ballot initiatives as a particularly attractive form of direct democracy for opponents of affirmative action in higher education. Building on previous scholarship, the authors question whether anti-affirmative ballot initiatives validly reflect voters’ attitudes toward affirmative action. The authors examine the case of Colorado's Amendment 46, an anti-affirmative action ballot initiative. They investigate the language of the initiative itself, as well as voters’ perceptions of and confusion around its intent, and the factors that influenced voting behavior. They employ item response theory to estimate voters’ attitudes toward affirmative action. The authors then describe the prevalence of voter confusion around the initiative's intent. Finally, employing a binary logistic regression model, they analyze survey data to determine which factors influenced voting behavior. They find that the initiative's language was ...
Delay-doppler pocs for specular multipath

A method is presented for resolving delay and Doppler specular multipath components using an extension of a previously developed projection onto convex sets (POCS) algorithm. To improve performance and convergence speed, a matched-filter based support constraint is incorporated into the variance of the residual constraint in the style of constrained least squares. The resulting algorithm performs well in a wide variety of delay and Doppler simulated multipath environments. Simulation results for the POCS algorithm are included along with results for matched filtering and least squares for comparative purposes.
A novel hypercube with lower latency

In this paper, we present a hypercube with reduced diameter and latencies. This is achieved by reconnecting the hypercube with twisted and random connections while keeping the number of wires constant. This new topology is called RT-cube. The RT-cubes offer smaller diameter and reduced latencies compared to the normal hypercubes, resulting in a faster interconnection network topology. A packet switched routing algorithm and the router design model is also proposed for message passing in RT-cubes. The simulations and analysis have shown that RT-cube based proposed communication architecture is faster than the conventional hypercubes with the same wire cost, and scales well for massively parallel computing systems. >
Precarious Rock Evidence for Low Ground Shaking on the Footwall of Major Normal Faults

Preliminary interpretations of precarious rock observations suggest relatively low near-fault (<3 km) footwall ground motions for normal faults relative to strike-slip faults, as reported for a dynamic foam rubber normal fault model by Brune and Anooshehpoor (1999). Since for large normal fault earthquakes there are no instrumental data at such close distances from the fault trace, precarious rocks may provide important data for estimating the ground motion for these earthquakes. Use of empirical curves in the literature, based mainly on strike-slip data, may lead to overestimates of seismic hazard for the near-fault footwall of normal faults. These preliminary results may warrant more comprehensive and more quantitative followup studies.
An evaluation of the effects of quantization technique on the performance of digital matched filters in a direct sequence spread spectrum receiver

Digital matched filter (DMF) receivers offer implementation advantages over analog matched filter (AMF) receivers for direct sequence spread spectrum communications systems at the cost of some loss of performance. The level of performance lost is related in large part to the technique used for analog-to-digital conversion (ADC). The performance of various analog-to-digital conversion techniques are evaluated by means of the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) as described by Van Trees (1968). >
Statistically Driven Sparse Image Approximation

Finding the sparsest approximation of an image as a sum of basis functions drawn from a redundant dictionary is an NP-hard problem. In the case of a dictionary whose elements form an overcomplete basis, a recently developed method, based on alternating thresholding and projection operations, provides an appealing approximate solution. When applied to images, this method produces sparser results and requires less computation than current alternative methods. Motivated by recent developments in statistical image modeling, we develop an enhancement of this method based on a locally adaptive threshold operation, and demonstrate that the enhanced algorithm is capable of finding sparser approximations with a decrease in computational complexity.
Robust confirmatory factor analysis based on the forward search algorithm

A key concept of the forward search algorithm in confirmatory factor analysis is ordering of the data on the basis of observational residuals. These residuals are computed under the proposed model and measure the discrepancy between the observed and predicted response for each unit of the sample. Regression-type factor scores are used to estimate model predictions. Informative forward plots are created for indexing influential observations and to show the dynamics of the estimates throughout the search. The detailed influence of each observation on the model parameters and fit indices is analyzed and a robust model inference is achieved. Real and simulated data sets with known contamination schemes are used to demonstrate the performance of the forward search algorithm.
Association of mitral annulus calcification, aortic valve sclerosis and aortic root calcification with abnormal myocardial perfusion single photon emission tomography in subjects age ≤65 years old

Abstract OBJECTIVES We examined the hypothesis that mitral annulus calcification (MAC), aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) and aortic root calcification (ARC) are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in subjects age ≤65 years. BACKGROUND Mitral annulus calcification, AVS and ARC frequently coexist and are associated with coronary risk factors and CAD in the elderly. METHODS We studied 338 subjects age ≤65 years who underwent evaluation of chest pain with myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and a two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram for other indications. The association of MAC, AVS and ARC with abnormal SPECT was evaluated by using chi-square analyses and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS Compared with no or one calcium deposit and no or one coronary risk factor other than diabetes, multiple (≥2) calcium (or sclerosis) deposits with diabetes or multiple (≥2) coronary risk factors were significantly associated with abnormal SPECT in women age ≤55 years old (odds ratio [OR], 20.00), in women age >55 years old (OR, 10.00) and in men age ≤55 years old (OR, 5.55). Multivariate analyses identified multiple calcium deposits as a significant predictor for an abnormal SPECT in women (p CONCLUSIONS When coronary risk factors are also taken into consideration, the presence of multiple calcium deposits in the mitral annulus, aortic valve or aortic root appears to be a marker of CAD in men ≤55 years old and women.
Influence of Strain on Thermal Conductivity of Silicon Nitride Thin Films

We present a micro-electro-mechanical system-based experimental technique to measure thermal conductivity of freestanding ultra-thin films of amorphous silicon nitride (Si3N4) as a function of mechanical strain. Using a combination of infrared thermal micrography and multi-physics simulation, we measured thermal conductivity of 50 nm thick silicon nitride films to observe it decrease from 2.7 W (m K)?1?at zero strain to 0.34 W (m K)?1?at about 2.4% tensile strain. We propose that such strong strain?thermal conductivity coupling is due to strain effects on fraction?phonon interaction that decreases the dominant hopping mode conduction in the amorphous silicon nitride specimens.
Outcome of 51 cases of unilateral locked cervical facets: interspinous braided cable for lateral mass plate fusion compared with interspinous wire and facet wiring with iliac crest

Object. To increase knowledge about unilateral facet dislocation, including presentation, radiological findings, management, and outcome, the authors reviewed the cases of 51 consecutive patients with unilateral locked facets of the cervical spine who underwent treatment over an 11-year period. With the development of internal fixation devices, the authors compared the procedure of using interspinous wire and facet wiring of iliac crest to fix unilateral locked facets with that in which interspinous braided cable and lateral mass plates were used. Methods. Thirty-seven patients (73%) presented with radiculopathy, eight (16%) with neck pain only, and six (12%) with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Plain x-ray films demonstrated subluxation in only 44 (86%) of 51 cases. All patients underwent cervical computerized tomography (CT) scanning, and in all patients with SCI, a magnetic resonance (MR) image was obtained. Fracture in addition to facet locking was seen on 24 (47%) of 51 CT scans. Disc disruption with co...
Imitative production of regular past tense ‐ed by English‐speaking children with specific language impairment

Background: Language intervention procedures often involve the speech‐language pathologist highlighting or making more salient forms that are problematic for the child with a language impairment. According to limited processing accounts of specific language impairment (SLI), one way to increase the saliency of a form is to manipulate its sentence position.Aims: The placement of verbs with past tense regular ‐ed, a morpheme documented to be significantly difficult to acquire for English‐speaking children with SLI, was manipulated. Specifically, the accurate production of verbs with regular past tense ‐ed in the final position of sentences was evaluated in comparison with verbs with regular past tense ‐ed in the internal sentence position.Methods & Procedures: Ten English‐speaking children with SLI (mean age 5;2) who were variable in the production of the regular past tense ‐ed morpheme participated in the study. A sentence imitation task that consisted of sentences with the past tense ‐ed in the sentence i...
Diffraction and depths-of-field effects in electron beam imaging at SURF III

Abstract Imaging an electron beam with visible light is a common method of diagnostics applied to electron accelerators. It is a straightforward way to deduce the transverse electron distribution as well as its changes over time. The electrons stored in the Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility (SURF) III at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) were studied over an extended period of time to characterize the upgraded accelerator. There is good agreement between experimental and theoretical horizontal beam sizes at three different electron energies.
Oral versus topical NSAIDs in rheumatic diseases: a comparison.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide and are responsible for approximately one-quarter of all adverse drug reaction reports. NSAIDs are widely prescribed for patients with rheumatic disease — a population at increased risk for serious gastrointestinal (GI) complications. Topical administration of NSAIDs offers the advantage of local, enhanced drug delivery to affected tissues with a reduced incidence of systemic adverse effects, such as peptic ulcer disease and GI haemorrhage.
Spectrum of sodium hypochlorite toxicity in man - Also a concern for nephrologists

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is the active ingredient in household bleach and is a very common chemical. It has been used in medical and commercial situations dating back to the 18th century for its disinfectant properties, including topical use in medicine as an antiseptic. For this indication, NaOCl is a proven and safe chemical. However, exposure of NaOCl beyond topical use, whether it is intentional or accidental, is associated with significant risks due to its strong oxidizing properties. Potentially damaging scenarios include ingestion, inhalation, deposition into tissue or injection into the bloodstream. All of these scenarios can lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. In this review, we examine the toxicity associated with NaOCl exposure and analyze potential mechanisms of injury, placing special emphasis on the potential for renal toxicity. Due to the extreme ease of access to household bleach products and its use in medicine, it is important for the clinician to understand the potential damage that can occur in NaOCl exposures so that complications can be prevented before they arise.
Folding and stability of the C-terminal half of apolipoprotein A-I examined with a Cys-specific fluorescence probe

Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) has important physiologic roles in reverse cholesterol transport, as a component of HDL; however, apoA-I also exists in lipid-poor or lipid-free forms that are key intermediates in HDL metabolism and acceptors of lipids from cells. The aim of this study was to examine the structure and stability of the central and C-terminal regions of lipid-free apoA-I. To this end, five Cys mutants of proapoA-I were constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli: V119C, A124C, A154C, A190C, and A232C. These mutants were specifically labeled with 6-acryloyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene (acrylodan, AC) and were examined by CD spectroscopy and a variety of fluorescence methods. The results showed that the introduction of Cys residues and their covalent labeling with AC did not affect the overall structure and stability of apoA-I. However, AC fluorescence properties revealed that different segments of the central and C-terminal half of apoA-I have distinct folding and stability properties. From fluorescence energy transfer data, average distances between the N-terminal region containing Trp residues and the various AC locations were obtained. The current results, together with previously published observations, led to the construction of a three-dimensional model for the folding of lipid-free apoA-I.
Cost model for commercial plasma source ion implantation

A spreadsheet based cost model was used to explore the installation and operating costs for a PSII system based on various operating conditions and equipment configurations. It was found that plasma density and implantation voltage were operating specifications which can significantly aVect capital costs. The plasma density is an important factor since operating at lower plasma density levels requires larger vacuum chambers and pump systems which significantly increase capital costs. Comparisons of the cost eYciency of operating at relatively high versus low implantation voltages were made. Results indicated that high dosage levels favor a higher implant voltage whereas high plasma densities favor a lower voltage, with the plasma density being the dominant factor. When capital expenses are amortized, the cost of operation comprises the majority of total annual costs, with personnel expenses being the most significant of these. Therefore, any cost comparisons with other technologies should emphasize the number and expertise (salary) of personnel. © 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.
Experiences authoring interactive pedagogical dramas

The focus of this article is the design of Interactive Pedagogical Dramas (IPD). An IPD is a computer-generated environment that immerses the learner as an active participant in an engaging, evocative story, populated with animated characters. The story unfolds based on the learner's decisions. The various design issues that are faced in crafting IPDs will be covered. In particular, how pedagogy can be incorporated into the learner's interaction with the narrative will be discussed. The discussion will be illustrated using several existing IPDs. Finally, we will conclude with several observations on the design process for IPDs and possible new directions for this design process.
Abstract 20280: Suppression of Post-Ischemic Arrhythmias by a Selective Small Molecule Inhibitor of Dynamin and Dynamin Related Protein 1

Introduction: Dynamins (Dnm) and Dnm related protein 1 (DRP1) play central roles in cell biology by regulating pathways involved in endocytosis and mitochondrial fission, respectively. Disruption of both processes has been implicated in cardiac dysfunction associated with ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury. Recently, the small noncompetitive Dnm GTPase inhibitor, Dynasore (Dyn) was shown to improve cardiac lusitropy in response to IR injury. Here, we investigated the electrophysiological (EP) consequences of Dyn under conditions of acute oxidative stress (OS) caused by H2O2 challenge or IR injury. Methods: Rat hearts (N=39) were treated with a low (1uM) or high (5uM) concentration of Dyn for 35 or 120 min before challenge with H2O2 (200uM) or no flow ischemia for 12 min followed by reperfusion. High resolution optical mapping was used to measure spatio-temporal changes in the action potential and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) across the heart. Results: Pretreatment of hearts with 1um Dyn for 120 min but not 35 min suppressed the incidence of reperfusion arrhythmias compared to untreated hearts (5/12 vs 6/7). Investigation of the EP substrate revealed marked attenuation of conduction slowing with no change in APD in response to ischemia in Dyn treated hearts. These beneficial effects were abrogated by selective PKC inhibition in an additional subset of experiments (n=3). Similar to IR injury, challenge of hearts with H2O2 for 30 min was associated with a significantly (p=0.0019) lower arrhythmia score in Dyn-treated compared to untreated hearts. Underlying this reduction in arrhythmic vulnerability was the prevention of H2O2 induced MMP depolarization and attenuation of MMP heterogeneity. Importantly, treatment of hearts with a higher (5uM) concentration of Dyn that is more consistent with inhibition of clatherin mediated endocytosis resulted in the rapid elevation of coronary perfusion pressure, MMP depolarization, and early onset of arrhythmias. Conclusions: At low but not high concentrations, Dyn exerts potent anti-arrhythmic activity likely by preventing OS-induced mitochondrial fission and associated dysfunction. Selective DRP1 inhibition may be a novel strategy for arrhythmia suppression in ischemic heart disease.
Which Countries Have the Happiest People? An Empirical Study of 52 Countries

This study examines the World Values Survey data to determine the relative happiness of people in 52 countries. The countries are ranked. Comparisons are also made of per capita GDP and religion to determine whether there was a strong correlation. The study found that the correlation between happiness and income and happiness and religion were weak or nonexistent. The people of Uzbekistan were the happiest. Egyptians were the least happy.
Task-Specific Fatigue Among Older Primary Care Patients.

Objective: Fatigue is a common condition contributing to disability among older patients. We studied self-reported task-specific fatigue and its relation with mobility task performance among commun...
A Field Experiment Examining Audit Subordinates' Knowledge and a Partner-Led Intervention in Fraud Brainstorming

In a field experiment, we leverage differences in audit subordinates’ job-relevant knowledge about clients, fraud brainstorming objectives, and “normal” audit partner leadership to explore whether and how knowledge moderates the effect of a partner-led intervention on brainstorming processes and outcomes. Our research design allows us to examine how differences in subordinate knowledge (between seniors and managers) influence auditors’ judgment processes on actual audit engagements, thereby facilitating uniquely realistic inferences about the conditions under which prompt-based interventions influence brainstorming. We develop and test a theoretical model that articulates an indirect effect of quality-differentiated partner leadership on brainstorming outcomes through changes in subordinates’ mental representations of fraud risk, conditional on subordinate knowledge. We manipulate partner leadership in brainstorming sessions for actual audit engagements and induce quality-differentiated leadership in our treatment group. We measure changes in mental representations using retrospective recalls of targeted professional skepticism, the number of new fraud risks identified, and changes in fraud risk assessments as a result of brainstorming. We predict and find an effect of quality-differentiated partner leadership on changes in the mental representations of seniors, but not managers. We also predict and find an indirect effect on fraud risk response outcomes (i.e., planned procedures) through changes in mental representations of seniors, but not managers. Both effects are stronger for seniors than managers. Our findings suggest knowledge differences as an explanatory factor that can guide the interpretation of, and potentially reconcile, prior mixed findings regarding incremental benefits of interventions in teams that are already brainstorming interactively.
Nichtbeweisbarkeit von gewissen kombinatorischen Eigenschaften endlicher Bäume

In der vorliegenden Arbeit stellen wir gewisse bis jetzt nicht veroffentlichte Forschungsergebnisse von Harvey Friedman vor. Diese Ergebnisse liefern die eindrucksvollsten bis jetzt gefundenen Beispiele von mathematisch bedeutsamen Satzen der endlichen Kombinatorik, die in gewissen logischen Systemen nicht beweisbar sind. Die betroffenen logischen SystemeATR 0 und Π 1 1 —CA 0 sind als verhaltnismasig starke Teilsysteme der Arithmetik der zweiten Stufe bekannt. Die nicht beweisbaren kombinatorischen Satze haben mit Einbettbarkeitseigenschaften endlicher Baume zu tun. Friedmans Methode grundet sich zum Teil auf eine enge Verbindung zwischen endlichen Baumen einerseits und den Ordinalzahlbezeichnungssystemen andererseits, die in der an Gentzen anknupfenden Beweistheorie vorkommen.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for an Arab College Student With Social Phobia and Depression

Coexistent social anxiety disorder (SAD) and major depression can be highly debilitating and cause significant interference with social, occupational, and educational functioning. Cognitive-behavio...
Food Allergy Management in Elementary School: Collaborating to Maximize Student Safety

The prevalence of food allergies, with associated risk for anaphylaxis, has increasingly become a significant public health concern with copious and pervasive implications for patients, families, c...
Labial-Licking for Chemical Sampling by the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

Lizards perform several distinct types of lingual protrusions, including tongue-flicks directed to environmental substrates, tongue-flicks passing through the air, but not contacting a substrate (e.g., Burghardt et al., 1986), and short extensions directed to the individual's own labial scales. Tongue-flicking, i.e., outward protrusion of the tongue directed at a substrate or into the air, is a primary method of sampling environmental chemicals for transfer to the vomeron-
Triassic fossils found stratigraphically above ‘Jurassic’ eolianites necessitate the revision of lower Mesozoic stratigraphy in Picket Wire Canyonlands, south-central Colorado

The recent discovery of Triassic tetrapod fossils in the Picket Wire Canyonlands of southeastern Colorado necessitates large-scale modification of the currently accepted stratigraphy of the area. The bone-bearing strata lie stratigraphically above a thick (∼80 meter [m]) eolianite historically identified as the Middle Jurassic Entrada Sandstone. The identifiable fossils include teeth and bone fragments of Late Triassic tetrapods, including metoposaurs, phytosaurs, and aetosaurs, recovered from thin (m-scale) discontinuous channels of limestone-pebble conglomerate deposited in a high-energy fluvial environment. Metoposaur bones consist of characteristically textured dermal bone fragments of the skull and pectoral elements, as well as a tooth. Phytosaur fossils consist of type C and B teeth, skull and jaw fragments, and some osteoderms. Aetosaurs are represented by several distinctive osteoderms, including some with evidence of prominent eminences and anterior bars. All identifiable tetrapods pertain to taxa known only from strata of Late Triassic age elsewhere, but none constrains the age of the fossil assemblage more precisely, although the assemblage is similar to lower Chinle Group assemblages of Carnian age (Otischalkian–Adamanian). The two most reasonable solutions to the discovery of Late Triassic index fossils stratigraphically above “Jurassic” beds are that the Triassic strata of this area have been mistakenly correlated with the Middle Jurassic Entrada Sandstone, or else the fossils are reworked into dramatically younger (Middle to Upper Jurassic) beds. The conglomerates are lithologically dissimilar from other Jurassic units regionally, but similar to Upper Triassic conglomerates of Wyoming (Gartra Formation) and New Mexico (Cobert Canyon Bed). Therefore, we consider the fossils to be in Upper Triassic strata. New lithostratigraphic data, including a composite measured section from the Picket Wire Canyonlands—as well as analysis and correlation of newly measured sections and others in the literature from south-central Wyoming, Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico—suggest that the eolianite below the bone-bearing horizon and the finer clastic strata directly beneath the eolianite are best correlated to the Red Draw Member of the Jelm Formation. We correlate the bone-bearing conglomerates with the Cobert Canyon Bed at the base of the Chinle Group, described by previous authors as limestone and lithic-pebble conglomerate underlying the Travesser Formation in northern New Mexico. The gypsiferous and clastic strata overlying the conglomerates and below the Morrison Formation, ∼30 m higher in Picket Wire Canyon, are referred to the Middle Jurassic Ralston Creek (= Bell Ranch) Formation, a correlative of the Summerville Formation. These correlations extend the known distribution of Jelm Formation strata southeastward from north-central Colorado and south-central Wyoming and highlight the need for a major, modern restudy of this unit.
Quantification of Organic Porosity and Water Accessibility in Marcellus Shale Using Neutron Scattering

Pores within organic matter (OM) are a significant contributor to the total pore system in gas shales. These pores contribute most of the storage capacity in gas shales. Here we present a novel approach to characterize the OM pore structure (including the porosity, specific surface area, pore size distribution, and water accessibility) in Marcellus shale. By using ultrasmall and small-angle neutron scattering, and by exploiting the contrast matching of the shale matrix with suitable mixtures of deuterated and protonated water, both total and water-accessible porosity were measured on centimeter-sized samples from two boreholes from the nanometer to micrometer scale with good statistical coverage. Samples were also measured after combustion at 450 °C. Analysis of scattering data from these procedures allowed quantification of OM porosity and water accessibility. OM hosts 24–47% of the total porosity for both organic-rich and -poor samples. This porosity occupies as much as 29% of the OM volume. In contrast...
Challenging Case of Postmenopausal Bleeding and Complete Urogenital Duplication.

Background Mullerian duct anomalies represent a wide spectrum of congenital abnormalities ranging from simple uterine anomalies to more complex multisystem derangements. Complete duplication of uterus, cervix, and vagina may be associated with urologic and caudal gastrointestinal malformations. Case report We present a case report detailing the management of a morbidly obese patient with postmenopausal bleeding and thickened endometrial stripe who had a very rare condition of pelvic organ duplication, including 2 hemiuteri, 2 vaginas, 2 hemibladders, and 2 each of ovaries, fallopian tubes, kidneys, and ureters. Laparoscopic hysterectomy was complicated by difficulties understanding urinary system anatomy requiring intraoperative urology consultation and imaging. Conclusions Management of patients with urogenital duplication and abnormal uterine bleeding requires a thorough understanding of possible associated malformations. Thorough preoperative evaluation, careful surgical exploration, and multidisciplinary approach may be necessary to avoid urologic injury in such patients.
Preparation and preliminary identification of monoclonal antibody against Borrelia burgdorferi in China

To prepare and identify the monoclonal antibody against Borrelia burgdorferi in order to provide basis for the detection of Lyme spirochetes and diagnosis of Lyme disease.Spleen cells were prepared from BALB/c mice which was immunized by the whole proteins of B.garinii strain PD91.And then they were fused with SP2/0 myeloma cells.The positive clones were picked out and identified by ELISA and WB.The positive clones were subcloned two or three times to obtain the monoclonal cells.Ten hybridoma cell strains which could produce the monoclonal antibody against B.burgdorferi were obtained,in which four is against OspA,three against OspB and three against OspC.Three kinds of monoclonal antibodies against B.burgdorferi have been successfully prepared.And they can be used in the diagnosis of Lyme disease and detection of Lyme spirochetes.
Scanned document enhancement based on fast text detection

In this paper, we propose a Fast Text Detection (FTD) algorithm to automatically identify the text and line art pixels in scanned monochromatic and color documents for enhancing text in printed documents. To simulate the scanning operation, the input image is converted from the RGB space to a Luminance-Chrominance space and is then divided into individual strips. This is followed by a low pass filtering operation on the input strips for removing high frequency noise and to reduce processing time. An edge detection scheme is then applied to the blurred strips to generate corresponding edge-strips. The edge-strips are then subjected to a morphological operation and an edge-based adaptive thresholding simultaneously and the resulting two output strips are merged together to obtain the final candidate text plane. In the text enhancement operation, the original image is first converted into LCH space and the pixels corresponding to the detected text pixels are enhanced via a clipping operation in the L and C channel. This algorithm is highly efficient in terms of memory usage and processing speed and is thus suited to run effectively in low-cost embedded devices.
Oral sulfonylureas and CV mortality.

Do these mainline, cost-effective treatments for type 2 diabetes increase the incidence of new coronary events?
Defining Objectives for Preventing Cyberstalking

Cyberstalking is a significant challenge in the era of Internet and technology. When dealing with cyberstalking, institutions and governments alike have a problem in how to manage it and where to allocate resources. Hence, it is important to understand how individuals feel about the problem of cyberstalking and how it can be managed in the context of cybersecurity. In this paper we systematically interviewed over 100 individuals to interpret their values on cyberstalking. Keeney’s [21] value focused thinking approach is then used to convert individual values into objectives which form the basis for planning to curb cyberstalking and for institutions and governments to allocate resources prudently.