cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anxiety and the church's role

Anxiety, like time, is always with us and consequently so difficult to put our finger on. To adapt Augustine's aphorism on time: What, then, is anxiety? If no one asks of me, I know; if I wish to explain to him who asks, I know not. We are all aware of anxiety as an affect in the presence of a threat. Freud has aptly described the affect or feeling as a "freely floating, general apprehensiveness." We are not so aware that anxiety performs a function: to signal a situation of danger. Both the feeling state and the function run through three forms of anxiety, sometimes constructively, often destructively. In this paper I shall look at the three forms, trace their interrelationships, and pinpoint some things the church can do to help lessen the destructive side of anxiety.
DEVELOPMENT OF VACUOLES AND LIPID BODIES IN APICAL MERISTEMS OF PINUS BANKSIANA

Shoot apical meristems of jack pine were examined weekly during the first 8 weeks post-germination with light and electron microscopy. Most of the storage lipids were utilized by the end of the 2nd week. A few lipid bodies, possibly high in phospholipid content, remained in the apical initials and central mother cells and, during the 3rd week, gave rise to vacuoles via lamellar or myelin-like structures which were first seen on their periphery. The inter-lamellar spaces enlarged and eventually a vacuole was formed. At 5 weeks, elongate and spherical osmiophilic inclusions, presumably lipid, were found in the endoplasmic reticulum. Lipid bodies, visible with light microscopy, began to accumulate in the apical initials and central mother cells in the 6th week. MOST of the storage lipids in the shoot apical meristem of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) are catabolized during the first week of germination (Cecich and Horner, 1977). Since an abundance of lipids was found again in the meristems of seven-month-old seedlings (Cecich, 1977), further work was done to determine when lipid synthesis began in the seedling stage and to describe the utilization of this storage product during the yearly growth cycle. This paper examines the shoot apex during the first 8 weeks of seedling growth when the lipids began to accumulate in the meristem. Also, a mechanism is proposed for the development of vacuoles which appeared in the apical initial and central mother cell zones during these 8 weeks.
Prison labor and recidivism

This study examines recidivism among inmates who participated in prison industry programs during confinement and a comparison group of inmates who were not employed in prison industry. Industry participants had lower recidivism rates than nonparticipants, but when differences between the groups on other characteristics associated with recidivism were controlled, the recidivism rates of participants and nonparticipants were virtually identical. A proportional hazards regression model was estimated that showed that, net of other variables, the effect of prison industry participation on the probability of postrelease felony arrest was small and insignificant. The findings are discussed in the context of existing correctional outcome research and recent developments in prison work programs.
Synthesis and Hydrogen Storage Properties of Be12(OH)12(1,3,5-benzenetribenzoate)4

The first crystalline beryllium-based metal-organic framework has been synthesized and found to exhibit an exceptional surface area useful for hydrogen storage. Reaction of 1,3,5-benzenetribenzoic acid (H(3)BTB) and beryllium nitrate in a mixture of DMSO, DMF, and water at 130 degrees C for 10 days affords the solvated form of Be(12)(OH)(12)(1,3,5-benzenetribenzoate)(4) (1). Its highly porous framework structure consists of unprecedented saddle-shaped [Be(12)(OH)(12)](12+) rings connected through tritopic BTB(3-) ligands to generate a 3,12 net. Compound 1 exhibits a BET surface area of 4030 m(2)/g, the highest value yet reported for any main group metal-organic framework or covalent organic framework. At 77 K, the H(2) adsorption data for 1 indicate a fully reversible uptake of 1.6 wt % at 1 bar, with an initial isosteric heat of adsorption of -5.5 kJ/mol. At pressures up to 100 bar, the data show the compound to serve as an exceptional hydrogen storage material, reaching a total uptake of 9.2 wt % and 44 g/L at 77 K and of 2.3 wt % and 11 g/L at 298 K. It is expected that reaction conditions similar to those reported here may enable the synthesis of a broad new family of beryllium-based frameworks with extremely high surface areas.
Temperature Effect on Oxygen Permeability of Edible Protein-based Films

Edible films from corn zein, wheat gluten, and wheat gluten/soy protein isolate (2.1:0.9) were produced and their oxygen permeabilities were determined at 7, 15, 25, and 35°C under 0% relative humidity. Mean oxygen permeability values for the 3 films were in the range of 1.8–11.2, 0.9–6.1, and 0.6–3.8 amol/m.s.Pa, respectively. Data for all 3 films showed very good agreement with the Arrhenius activation energy model. No structural transitions were indicated within these films in this temperature range. Calculated activation energy values for the oxygen permeation process were 11.1, 11.9, and 10.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Comparisons with some non-protein edible coatings and plastic packaging materials showed dry protein films were very efficient oxygen barriers.
The Glans Penes and Bacula in Latin American Taxa of the Peromyscus boylii Group

The glans penis and bacular morphology is described for 15 taxa of the Peromyscus boylii species group from Latin America on the basis of 17 qualitative and quantitative characters. These characters were analyzed phenetically using cluster, principal components, and minimum spanning tree analyses. A phylogenetic analysis was performed using 10 characters and 34 character states, with Osgoodomys banderanus as the outgroup taxon. Results from phenetic and phylogenetic analyses indicate that two distinct types of phalli exist among taxa in the P. boylii species group and these correspond to the dichotomous arrangement of taxa into a boylii and an aztecus assemblage as suggested by Carleton (1977). The taxa comprising each assemblage appear to be more closely related to each other than they are to any taxon in the other assemblage. In addition, evidence is presented supporting the distinction of P. b. rowleyi from the other subspecies of P. boylii .
Microsomal opiate receptors differ from synaptic membrane receptors in proteolytic sensitivity

We have found that opiate receptors in smooth microsomal fractions differ from synaptic membrane-associated receptors in proteolytic sensitivity. With 3 proteases of different substrate specificities (trypsin, chymotrypsin and S. griseus protease) smooth microsomal opiate receptors from rat brain were consistently less sensitive to limited proteolysis than were synaptic membrane receptors. Thiamine pyrophosphatase, a luminal Golgi membrane marker enzyme, exhibited a similar resistance to S. griseus protease in microsomal preparations, while microsomal Na+/K+-ATPase (ouabain-sensitive) was readily destroyed by trypsin. We also discovered that smooth microsomal opiate receptors co-migrate with both Golgi membrane and endoplasmic reticulum marker proteins on equilibrium density gradients under isopycnic conditions. Electron microscopic examination of the Golgi-enriched fraction showed the typical cisternae frequently associated with isolated Golgi membranes. Synaptic junctions, presynaptic membranes, myelin and mitochondria were conspicuously absent from this fraction. Since the microsomes isolated in vitro showed similar topography to those in vivo, the binding sites for opiates could be localized on the luminal surface membranes of the microsomal fractions. The exquisite sensitivity of synaptic membrane opiate receptors to proteolysis suggests that these receptors are found on the extracellular surface of the synaptic junction.
Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on regional blood flow in a porcine model of endotoxic shock

The results of early studies suggest that nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibition may be therapeutic in sepsis, but recent data indicate that NO inhibition may be harmful. This study investigates the effects of NO synthesis inhibition with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME) on regional blood flow following endotoxemia. Anesthetized, instrumented swine were randomly divided into four groups. Controls received normal saline resuscitation (NSR) at 1 cc/kg/min beginning at T 0 . The lipopolysaccharide group (LPS) received NSR and Escherichia coli LPS, 200 μg/kg at T 0 . The LPS + NAME group received NSR and LPS at T 0 , plus NAME (50 μg/kg/min) starting at T 1 . The NAME group received only NSR and NAME. Hemodynamic data, regional blood flow, and gastric intramucosal pH (pH i ) were measured hourly. LPS increased renal and carotid blood flow consistent with a hyperdynamic state. Mesenteric blood flow was decreased. Treatment of endotoxic animals with NAME decreased renal and carotid blood flow. Mesenteric blood flow and gastric pH i were improved by NAME. NO inhibition in endotoxic shock results in decreased carotid and renal blood flow, by decreasing cardiac output. Mesenteric blood flow and perfusion were improved ; however, this requires further study for validation.
A parallel implementation of fluid-solid interaction solver using an immersed boundary method

Abstract A parallel scheme is developed to solve fluid–solid interaction problems using the immersed boundary method (IBM). The fluid solver is based on a non-staggered pressure-based finite volume method, targeted to solving 3D incompressible low Reynolds number flows. Domain decomposition is employed to partition the global mesh into local meshes that are distributed over processors. A new efficient parallel marking algorithm is introduced to track the fluid–solid interface for IBM implementation. A second layer of ghost cells is included in the interpolation in order to produce consistent solutions between serial and parallel runs. Three linear solvers are implemented: (1) Algebraic Multi Grid (AMG), (2) BCGSTAB with AMG preconditioner, and (3) BCGSTAB with ILU0 preconditioner. The parallel performance and benchmarks of the linear solvers are investigated on different architectures by solving the 2D diffusion–convection problem and the 3D flow over sphere problem. Finally, the parallel implementation is validated by a micro-cantilever damping case.
Meeting the Needs of a Nuclear-Renewables Electrical Grid with a Fluoride-Salt–Cooled High-Temperature Reactor Coupled to a Nuclear Air-Brayton Combined-Cycle Power System

The traditional role of nuclear power has been the production of base-load electricity. However, the needs of the electricity grid are changing because of (a) the introduction of significant electricity generation by nondispatchable wind and solar and (b) increasing restrictions on using fossil fuels because of concerns about climate change. To meet these changing requirements, a fluoride-salt–cooled high-temperature reactor (FHR) with a nuclear air-Brayton combined-cycle power system is proposed. This technology (a) can be the enabling technology for a low-carbon nuclear-renewables electrical grid and (b) can substantially improve nuclear power plant economics by increasing plant revenue by 50% or more relative to a base-load nuclear power plant. This is because the plant can be operated at full power to produce base-load electricity, stabilize the grid, produce process heat to reduce sales of low-priced electricity, and produce peak electricity with auxiliary natural gas or hydrogen. The market basis fo...
The ecology of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), in two contrasting habitats in Virginia (Acarina: Ixodidae).

Aspects of the population dynamics and distribution of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americallum (L.), were studied in 2 contrasting, predominantly forest habitats in Virginia. The 17.6-ha Piedmont locality comprised old fields and mixed pine-deciduous forest in various stages of succession adjacent to a swamp, cultivated fields and pastures. The average adult tick density in this area at the time of peak host seeking activity was 627/ha (range, 421–833/ha); the average peak nymphal tick density was 1338/ha (range, 393–2283/ha). Radioisotope-tagged larvae of the lone star tick were released in this area in an attempt to estimate the population density of this stage, but none were recaptured on the various mammals sampled (raccoons, skunks, opossums, and gray squirrels). The contrasting coastal plain 59.5-ha Newport News study area was part of a very large expanse of unused mixed pinedeciduous forest containing extensive freshwater habitat. The average adult and nymphal tick densities at peak host seeking activity were 2273/ha and 3001/ha, respectively, or approximately 4.4 and 2.3 times the comparable densities at the Montpelier study area. Estimates of the larval tick population were obtained by release and recapture of radioisotopetagged individuals on raccoons. The estimated average larval density for the stream and swamp-edge habitat frequented by these animals was 10,859/ha. These results suggest that the very large subclimax lowland deciduous forest represented by the Newport News City Park had a much higher lone star tick support capacity than the small, frequently cut-over upland woodlots represented by the Piedmont plateau Montpelier study area. The results of studies on population dynamics, particularly changes in the relative frequency of adults versus nymphs between years, suggest that the life cycle in nature requires 3 activity seasons for completion, at least in this cooler, northern part of the geographic range. Statistical tests of the locations of tick captures in the 2 areas suggest that the distribution is essentially random. No consistent relationship between tick distribution and any of the dominant forest types was found. However, ticks were less abundant in the old fields than in the forest habitat. Possible explanations for the findings described above are discussed in the text.
Understanding the Culture of Chinese Children and Families

Providing appropriate health care to a client can be accomplished only in an environment that is sensitive to the cultural values and beliefs of the client. As the population of first-and second-ge...
Oliver Heaviside, Fractional Operators, and the Age of the Earth

Oliver Heaviside is today usually remembered by technologists as an eccentric electrical engineer who once had something to do with the ionosphere. Sometimes it is even recalled he had a curious method (called the "operational calculus") for doing his mathematics, and somehow applied it in a strange and mysterious manner to difficult problems. One of these problems was that of calculating the age of the Earth, and it got Heaviside indirectly involved in a controversy that included Lord Kelvin. The new theories of evolution and geology were explicitly tied to the debate. This paper describes the historical context of the controversy, and outlines how Heaviside used his operational methods to demonstrate Kelvin's estimate of the Earth's antiquity to be mathematically simplistic. Heaviside used his "age-of-the-Earth" analyses as the lead to the second volume of his Electromagnetic Theory, partly to demonstrate the power of his operational methods (which he then applied to electrical problems). These methods were the precursor to the now common use of the Laplace transform by electrical engineers.
γ-Interferon promotes differentiation of cultured cortical and hippocampal neurons☆

Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that the development of the brain may be modulated by soluble growth factors traditionally associated with cells of the immune system. As part of an investigation into agents modulating early neural differentiation, we examined the effects of the lymphokine γ-interferon (IFN-γ) on the development of cultured cortical and hippocampal neurons from embryonic rats and mice. We report here that recombinant IFN-γ, at concentrations of 0.2–10 U/ml (50–2500 pg/ml, 3–150 pM), affects the differentiation of embryonic central neurons. IFN-γ increased the number of cells expressing neurofilament (NF) protein, the growth of primary and secondary neurites on NF-expressing somas, and the extent of cell aggregation observed in culture. IFN-γ-induced increases in the numbers of NF-positive cells were seen in the virtual absence of differentiated astrocytes, and in mixed neuron-glia cultures. Our results thus indicate that at physiologically relevant concentrations IFN-γ acts, either directly on neurons and their precursor cells and/or indirectly via nonneuronal cell stimulation, to promote the differentiation of immature neurons.
Supervising students in satellite locations: overlords need minions!

At the University of Wyoming we currently have about 80 student lab assistants. We had talked for years about developing a program where a handful of individuals would be "Team Leaders" for smaller groups. They would provide leadership, assist with training, and be "go to" people in the labs. We kept putting the idea off as we had so much on our plates, just like most of our colleagues at SIGUCCS. After the Baltimore conference, we decided it was time to "get 'er done." We started by examining the costs of additional students and outlining what we wanted them to be doing. After identifying funding for a pilot project, we put out a call for applications to our current employees. Many applied, and we hired five people to test out our ideas. After only five months, the program has had huge successes. We have more accountability for our Lab Assistants (LA's) and they have additional resources. The Team Leaders came up with several good ideas, and at their suggestion we implemented a "Question of the Week" program, helping bring all employees up to speed on critical issues. Comments about LA's have improved greatly on our annual survey, and we've been surprised at some of the benefits we've discovered. This session will discuss our fledgling program and some of the problems we encountered, requiring "on-the-fly" solutions. We'll also look at where we want to go in the future. Anyone who has problems supervising groups of students who are spread out across campus should attend.
Determining the affinity in vitro of hepatic ribosomal subunits for derivatives of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract By a method employing centripetal floatation of membranes away from sedimenting particles, the binding capacity of pyrophosphate/citrate-treated rough membranes at 3 o for large ribosomal subunits has been found to be greater than for small subunits. Accurate comparison of the membrane affinity for the 2 subunits is apparently precluded however by greater instability of the small subunit, even in the presence of ribonuclease inhibitor.
Chronic Apoptotic Signaling is Induced by Low Levels of Mitochondrial Dna Mutations in the Mouse Heart

INTRODUCTION. MtDNA mutations rise with age and are associated with a variety of degenerative diseases. Their pathogenesis has been questioned, however, in part because it is not clear by what mechanism low levels of mtDNA mutations cause cellular dysfunction. In order to study this issue, we constructed transgenic (tg) mice that rapidly accumulate both point and deletion mutations in cardiac mtDNA starting at birth due to the expression of a proofreading deficient DNA pol γ (1). By 1 month of age, mutations are at levels commonly seen in the aged or ischemic human heart (2). Tg mice develop dilated cardiomyopathy but pathogenesis does not appear to involve either mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction or increased oxidative stress (3). Rather, the rising frequency of mtDNA mutations induces chronic pro-apoptotic signaling in all cardiomyocytes, some of which succumb by apoptosis. This mitochondrial signaling is counteracted by a persistent upregulation of a number of antiapoptotic proteins. Although myocytic apoptosis is thereby blunted, we propose that the "compensated state" contributes to myocytic dysfunction. METHODS. Protein levels were quantified by western blotting of heart lysates or sub-cellular fractions. Cytochrome c (cyt c) release from mitochondria was characterized by gel filtration of S100 fractions. The proportion of cardiomyocytes showing elevated pro- and anti-apoptotic signaling was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining. RESULTS. Apoptosis in the transgenic heart begins to rise relative to controls at 3 weeks of age, peaks 1 week later, and then declines at a time when Bcl2 levels rise and remain high (Fig. 1). Apoptosis is associated with the release of cyt c and translocation of BAX onto mitochondria (Fig. 2). Counteracting these pro-apoptotic signals is the upregulation of a number of anti-apoptotic proteins which inhibit different steps in mitochondrial apoptotic signaling (Fig. 2): Bfl1 (BAX activity {4}), Bcl2 and Bcl-xL (BAX-induced release of cyt c {5}), Hsp27 (activation of caspase 9 {6}), XIAP (activation of caspase 3 {7}). Although total levels of both Bcl2 and Bcl-xL are elevated, only Bcl2 is also upregulated in mitochondria (Fig. 2). Immunohistochemical analysis for Bcl2 and cyt c shows that by 5 weeks of age all cardiomyocytes in the transgenic heart show upregulation of Bcl2 and release of cyt c.
Predictors of hand function in older persons : a two-year longitudinal analysis

OBJECTIVE: To validate a hierarchical model of hand function in older persons, using longitudinal data. DESIGN: Longitudinal observational study (2-year data from an ongoing longitudinal study). SUBJECTS: 689 persons older than age 60, including Continuing Care Retirement Community (n = 230), homebound (n = 204), and ambulatory (n = 255) respondents. Mean age at baseline 76.6 (SD = 8.8). MEASUREMENT: Independent variables included sociodemographics, physician measures of upper joint impairment, self-reported comorbidity, arthritis pain, depression, and anxiety. The dependent variables included grip strength and a timed manual performance test. MAIN RESULTS: Using generalized estimated equations (GEE) to test our hierarchial model, we found that gender and upper extremity joint impairment were the strongest predictors of a longitudinal measure of grip strength. Grip strength, in turn, along with demographics, comorbidity, and a measure of psychological status, was significantly related to timed manual performance. CONCLUSIONS: The longitudinal analyses confirmed a previous cross-sectional finding that upper extremity joint impairment contributes significantly to reduced grip strength, which, in turn, contributes to reduced hand performance on a timed test.
The Effects of Hepatic Cryosurgery on Tumor Growth in the Liver

Background.The effects of hepatic cryosurgery on residual hepatic tumor growth, and on tumor immunity, have not been determined. Materials and Methods.Two experiments were performed. In both, animals (n= 10 per group) had solitary left lobe hepatomas established, and underwent left lobectomy, cryoablation, or control laparotomy. Experiment I: immediately after tumor treatment, intraportal challenge of hepatoma cells was performed to evaluate for the effects of treatment on residual hepatic tumor growth. Experiment II: animals were challenged 14 days after tumor treatment, and splenocyte cytotoxicity assays were performed to evaluate for tumor immunity. Hepatic tumor nodules were counted 3 weeks after challenge in both experiments. Results.In animals challenged immediately after tumor treatment, the mean number of liver nodules at 3 weeks was similar between control and cryoablation groups (65 ± 13 vs 115 ± 38,P= 0.17). Animals that had undergone resection, however, had a significant increase in the mean number of nodules as compared to cryoablation (278 ± 74 vs 115 ± 38,P= 0.04) and control (278 ± 74 vs 65 ± 13,P= 0.002) animals. In addition, only resection animals had elevation in serum levels of the growth factor FGF-basic, 48 h after treatment (mean = 30 ± 14 pg/ml). In animals challenged 14 days following treatment, all groups had similar numbers of nodules (resection vs cryoablation,P= 0.8). Splenocyte cytotoxicity was not increased after cryosurgical treatment. Conclusions.Unlike partial hepatectomy, cryoablation of hepatomas in rats does not accelerate residual tumor growth in the liver or result in production of the growth factor FGF-basic. We did not find evidence for the development of tumor immunity following cryosurgery.
Bayesian methodology for reliability model acceptance

Abstract This paper develops a methodology to assess the reliability computation model validity using the concept of Bayesian hypothesis testing, by comparing the model prediction and experimental observation, when there is only one computational model available to evaluate system behavior. Time-independent and time-dependent problems are investigated, with consideration of both cases: with and without statistical uncertainty in the model. The case of time-independent failure probability prediction with no statistical uncertainty is a straightforward application of Bayesian hypothesis testing. However, for the life prediction (time-dependent reliability) problem, a new methodology is developed in this paper to make the same Bayesian hypothesis testing concept applicable. With the existence of statistical uncertainty in the model, in addition to the application of a predictor estimator of the Bayes factor, the uncertainty in the Bayes factor is explicitly quantified through treating it as a random variable and calculating the probability that it exceeds a specified value. The developed method provides a rational criterion to decision-makers for the acceptance or rejection of the computational model.
A Cherenkov infrared laser

Abstract Successful production of microwave radiation by Cherenkov masers has prompted an investigation into their feasibility for submillimeter and far infrared wavelength generation. A theoretical examination of output parameters such as frequency and small signal gain has been conducted for an easily fabricated resonator geometry. The resonator consists of two parallel plates, each with a thin (0.5 to 3 μm) dielectric coating, separated by 2 mm. This waveguide will support TM modes which are coupled to a relativistic electron beam propagating between the plates. While the interaction of the electrons with the dielectric causes spontaneous Cherenkov emission, the difference between the beam velocity and the phase velocity of the mode causes a bunching of the electrons which is responsible for further stimulated emission. The frequency of the generated radiation is determined by the dispersion relation of the waveguide mode. Gain is calculated assuming the effects of space charge modes are negligible, i.e., operation is in the Compton regime. Our results indicate that such a “double-slab” resonator will provide detectable levels of infrared radiation from a midly relativistic (3–10 MeV) electron beam. The theoretical analysis is undertaken in preparation for a series of experiments to be conducted at the ENEA facility in Frascati, Italy, where a 5 MeV microtron accelerator will be used to produce radiation in the 10 to 100 μm range. A suitable choice for the dielectric material would be polyethylene, both because of its low dielectric constant (2.2) and its relatively low loss in the infrared. A detailed discussion of the design choices will be presented.
Geometry-based macro-tool evaluation of non-moving-part valvular microchannels

An examination of non-moving-part (NMP) microvalves using geometry-based tools is presented. On a microscale, valves without moving parts possess the potential to greatly benefit fluid delivery systems. To improve valve effectiveness, these 'valves'—which are little more than rectangular, multiple-path channels—require configurations that retard reverse-direction flow as much as possible relative to forward-direction flow. Application of current geometry-based macro-tools to the microchannels of interest provides much insight into pressure-loss/flow-rate relationships for these valves. It was observed that for forward flow, macro-tools predict pressure losses quite well. For reverse flow, transition losses at this scale appear too minute to completely describe experimental data. Yet, with a modified model, pressure-loss behavior can follow a somewhat similar trend for the reverse case. With proper consideration, geometry-based macro-tools are shown to provide helpful insight into pressure-loss/flow-rate relationships for NMP microvalves.
On the tractability of query compilation and bounded treewidth

We consider the problem of computing the probability of a Boolean function, which generalizes the model counting problem. Given an OBDD for such a function, its probability can be computed in linear time in the size of the OBDD. In this paper we investigate the connection between treewidth and the size of the OBDD. Bounded treewidth has proven to be applicable to many graph problems, which are NP-hard in general but become tractable on graphs with bounded treewidth. However, it is less well understood how bounded treewidth can be used for the probability computation problem of a Boolean function. We introduce a new notion of treewidth of a Boolean function, called the expression treewidth, as the smallest treewidth of any DAG-expression representing the function. Our new notion of bounded treewidth includes some previously known tractable cases: all read-once Boolean functions, and all functions having a bounded treewidth of the primal graph or of the incidence graph also have a bounded expression treewidth. We show that bounded expression treewidth implies the existence of a polynomial size OBDD, and that bounded expression pathwidth implies the existence of a constant-width OBDD. We also show a converse of the latter result: constant-width OBDD imply bounded expression pathwidth. We then study the implications of these results to query compilation, where the Boolean function is the lineage of a fixed query on varying input databases. We give a syntactic characterizations of all UCQ≠ queries that admit a polynomial size OBDD, showing that these are precisely inversion-free queries with unrestricted use of ≠. It was previously known that inversion-free queries characterize precisely those UCQ queries that have a polynomial size OBDD, and that these also have a constant width OBDD: in contrast, inversion-free queries with ≠ have polynomial-width OBDD, thus using the full power of OBDD. Finally, we show that in the case of UCQ, the four classes studied in this paper collapse: bounded expression pathwidth, bounded expression treewidth, constant-width OBDD, and polynomial size OBDD.
Protecting the Rights of Alleged Sexual Harassment Perpetrators: Guidance from the Decisions of Labor Arbitrators

Recent evidence indicates that sexual harassment in the workplace continues to pose a problem for organizations. Using published arbitration awards, the current study examines the critical issues involved in discipline decisions of alleged sexual harassment perpetrators. Content analysis of 92 cases enabled the examination of critical judgment factors considered by arbitrators examining the disciplinary penalties imposed by management. Elements of the arbitrator's judgment including the just cause standards, mitigating circumstances, severity of harassment, and length of harassment were examined. The results of the analyses are discussed with an emphasis on the lessons provided for effective management practices.
Italy not alone in science system woes.

In the letter “Open letter to Senator Rita Levi-Montalcini” (21 March, p. [1615][1]), R. Clementi et al . raise concerns regarding the paucity of long-term contracts among medical scientists in Italy. It is true that the nonmeritocratic system causes many young researchers to fail. The system is further jeopardized by the fact that those who do achieve a “professor” position can hold the position (with its financial guarantee) for years regardless of productivity. Professors can become “empty names”—they are hardly reachable and sometimes they are not even there. Even worse, there are no formal procedures to handle misconduct allegations in Italian universities. However, these challenges are not unique to the Italian research community. In the United States, graduates also hold temporary positions for many years before the possibility of attaining even the nontenured rank of assistant professorship. At this phase, renewal of contract depends mostly on their productivity (i.e., the number of publications). In most institutions, investigators are required to obtain funding to support their salaries, and this has become more challenging, given the recent drop in success rates for NIH-funded grant applications ([1][2]). The candidate is eligible for tenure only after a long probationary period of at least 7 years and, according to one study ([2][3]), only 50% of the candidates will obtain tenure, at which point their average age is 43 to 44 ([3][4]). Although presenting some disturbing characteristics, in comparison to the United States, Italy does not seem to represent such a dramatic case. 1. 1.[↵][5]Office of Extramural Research ( ). 2. 2.[↵][6]1. M. J. Dooris, 2. M. Guidos , paper presented at the Annual Forum of the Association for Institutional Research , Chicago, IL, 14 to 18 May 2006 ([www.psu.edu/president/pia/planning\_research/reports/AIR\_Tenure\_Flow\_Paper_06.pdf][7]). 3. 3.[↵][8]National Study of Postsecondary Faculty ( ). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.319.5870.1615b [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #ref-3 [5]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1. in text" [6]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2. in text" [7]: http://www.psu.edu/president/pia/planning_research/reports/AIR_Tenure_Flow_Paper_06.pdf [8]: #xref-ref-3-1 "View reference 3. in text"
Nucleotide sequence of the chicken cardiac alpha actin gene: absence of strong homologies in the promoter and 3'-untranslated regions with the skeletal alpha actin sequence.

Abstract The entire nucleotide sequence of the chicken cardiac α-actin (CCαA) gene has been determined. This is the first complete sequence of a cardiac actin gene that includes the promoter region, cap site, all the introns, and the polyadenylation site. The gene contains six introns, five of which interrupt the coding region at amino acids (aa) 41, 150, 204, 267, and 327. The. first intron is in the 5'-noncoding region and is 438 bp in length. The CCαA gene encodes an mRNA of approx. 1400 bp with 5'- and 3'-untranslated region of 59 and 184 nucleotides (nt), respectively. Like the chicken skeletal α-actin gene, the CCαA gene has the codon for the aa cysteine between the initiator ATG and the codon for the N-terminal aspartic acid residue of the mature protein. There are no strong homologies (less than 13 consecutive nt) in the promoter or 3'-untranslated regions between the CCαA and chicken skeletal α-actin genes even though both are expressed in skeletal muscle during development. However, the 3'-untranslated region of the CCαA gene demonstrates significant sequence homology (76% over a 200-nt region) with the same region in the partial sequence of the human cardiac gene. The conservation of these sequence homologies between identical isoforms rather than the different α actin genes suggests these conserved regions may have a role in regulation rather than tissue-specific expression, as previously proposed.
A search for Ca ii emission enhancement in stars resulting from nearby giant planets

We present a search for periodicities (Pchr) in the chromospheric Ca ii infrared triplet emission of several stars (τ Boo, 51 Peg, υ And, ρ1 Cnc, ρ CrB, 70 Vir and GL 876) which may be directly attributable to interaction with close-in giant planets. Activity enhancements could arise from increased non-radiative heating and dynamo action in planet-induced tidal bulges (with Pchr≈Porb/2), or from interactions between the stellar and planetary magnetic fields (with Pchr≈Porb). We compare both Pchr and the phase dependence of the activity with the planetary orbital period Porb, the orbital phase, and models. No significant Pchr or phase dependence attributable to planets can be clearly identified. We place approximate upper limits on the amplitude of any planet-induced activity. We identify a possible stellar rotation period for GL 876, and support previous period determinations for four other stars. We discuss the results and possible directions of future research.
Novel drug amooranin induces apoptosis through caspase activity in human breast carcinoma cell lines.

Amooranin (AMR) is a triterpene acid isolated from the stem bark of a tropical tree (Amoora rohituka) grown wild in India. A. rohituka stem bark is one of the components of a medicinal preparation used in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment of human malignancies. We investigated the mechanism of cell death associated with AMR cytotoxicity in human mammary carcinoma MCF-7, multidrug resistant breast carcinoma MCF-7/TH and breast epithelial MCF-10A cell lines. AMR IC50 values ranged between 3.8–6.9 µg/ml among MCF-7, MCF-7/TH and MCF-10A cells. AMR induced oligonucleosome-sized DNA ladder formation characteristic of apoptosis when tumor cells were treated with 1–8µg/ml AMR for 48 h. In situ cell death detection assay indicated that AMR caused 37.3–72.1% apoptotic cells in MCF-7, 32–48.7% in MCF-7/TH and 0–37.1% in MCF-10A cells at 1–8µg/ml concentrations. The induction of apoptosis in AMR treated cells was accompanied by the elevation of total caspase and caspase-8 activities. Flow cytometric analysis showed that AMR induced caspase-8 activation in 40.8–71% MCF-7, 28.5–43.2% MCF-7/TH and 4–32.8% MCF-10A cells at 1–8 µg/ml concentrations. Our results suggest that AMR is a novel drug having potential for clinical development against human malignancies.
Cloud motions on Neptune from Voyager 2 images

The puzzle presented by Neptune's circulation is evidenced by its wide spectrum of wind speeds and differences between the drift rate of its longest lived features and its finer scale cloud forms, unlike Jupiter or Saturn. Neptune's clouds appear dynamic and show strong evidence of atmospheric waves, making cloud motion measurements somewhat difficult and requiring some departures from the methods which have been traditionally used to determine atmospheric circulations. New measurements of cloud motions of Neptune that confirm the general characteristics reported by Smith et al. (1989) are presented below. Besides greater number of measurements from a higher time resolution data set, the new results reveal the shape of the westerly jet at 72 deg S latitude.
Observation of and model for nonlinear mode conversion in a non-neutral plasma

The nonlinear interaction of the two lowest Trivelpiece–Gould modes in a non-neutral plasma has been observed. Because of coupling in the nonlinear terms of the continuity and momentum equations, the two modes can exchange energy and convert one to the other. This can be modeled using the cold fluid equations and the averaging method. Experimentally, this process always stops with the lower frequency mode dominating the final state. Numerical integration of the model suggests that this occurs because the higher frequency mode is more strongly damped than the lower frequency mode.
Ultrasonic backscatter system for automated on-line endocardial boundary detection: evaluation by ultrafast computed tomography.

Abstract Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the recently developed echocardiographic on-line endocardial border detection system using ultrafast computed tomography, an independent and proved tomographic imaging modality. Background. The automated system for on-line endocardial border detection identifies the blood-tissue interface by acoustic quantification of the ultrasonic backscatter signal. Methods. Eighteen subjects were screened by conventional echocardiography and acoustic quantification. Ten of these, with high quality echocardiographic images, were also examined by ultrafast computed tomography. Comparable image planes at the midpapillary level were analyzed. Measurements of left ventricular cavity area were compared at end-diastole and end-systole and time course analyses of cavity area during the cardiac cycle were performed. Results. There was good correlation between values for left ventricular end-diastolic area (r = 0.99), end-systolic area (r = 0.93) and fractional area change (r = 0.91) using the two methods. The on-line backscatter system underestimated end-diastolic area (p Conclusions. The ultrasonic backscatter system is associated with cyclic cavity area measurement errors that need to be addressed if its early promise for on-line assessment of ventricular function is to be fulfilled. Incorporation of an electrocardiographically triggered time-varying gain control may improve accuracy for on-line analysis of ventricular performance.
What is adequate evidence for mass procurement of ungulates in zooarchaeology

Abstract For more than 40 years, zooarchaeologists have explored possible criteria for distinguishing ungulate mass procurement (killing of many animals in one event) from bonebed sites. However, beyond age distributions, there has been little debate about what evidence is sufficient to accept the hypothesis of mass procurement. Here I discuss possible lines of evidence under the broad categories of threshold bone count, human-caused mortality, single depositional episode, and single mortality event. I argue that none of these is adequate by itself, but acceptable proof might emerge from multiple, converging lines of evidence.
Uranium isotopes in the Greenland ice-sheet

Abstract The 234 U/ 238 U activity ratio was measured in dated strata of the Dye-3 Greenland ice-sheet. Values were generally less than unity indicating a source in weathered crustal rock debris. Three levels showed elevated ratios which are attributed to entry of debris from the aborted Russian satellite Cosmos 954 following residence in the stratosphere.
Children's response characteristics in a structured self-paced learning task

Abstract Fourth and fifth-grade children identified as fast/inaccurate and slow/accurate responders on the basis of the Matching Familiar Figures test were administered a self-paced learning task. The task consisted of a 25 word categorizable list composed of five instances from each of five categories. Four treatment conditions, the usual random presentation and blocked presentation conditions plus random presentation with instructions and blocked presentation with instructions, were employed. Analysis of variance was used to analyze clustering, free recall, and cued recall performance. A significant main effect for type of treatment was found in clustering performance. A significant instruction by response style interaction in the analysis of free call performance indicated that while fast/inaccurate responders benefit from instructions, slow/accurate responders did not. When children identified as fast/inaccurate or slow/accurate were placed in self-paced learning situation, no significant difference was found in total viewing time of the stimulus materials.
Detection of synchrony in the discharge of a population of neurons. I. Development of a synchronization index.

Abstract A test for synchronization among the spike trains of muscle afferents or motor units is described which utilizes averages of neurograms and rectified neurograms. Synchronization is quantified by the increase of a synchronization index I s , above a theoretical value for asynchrony. The dependence of the I s , on signal amplitude and certain experimental conditions and a method of estimating confidence limits for the test are presented.
Schenker's theory of tonal music—its explication through computational processes

It has been possible to depict the constructs of a theory of tonal music developed by Heinrich Schenker (1867-1935) as a system of computational processes. The basis of Schenker's theory involves the existence of musical proto-structures which expand into tonal compositions through a well-defined set of rewriting rules. On the basis of these rewriting rules, it becomes possible to describe musical structure in terms of tree transformations. Using the programming language LISP, we have implemented a data structure that models the process by which the hierarchy is created. To demonstrate our system, we present structural descriptions of excerpts of tonal music as LISP programs. While our data and control structures help to clarify many of Schenker's ideas, we shall also focus upon those aspects of the theory found during the course of this study to be problematic.
Speech feature analysis using variational Bayesian PCA

In most hidden Markov model-based automatic speech recognition systems, one of the fundamental questions is to determine the intrinsic speech feature dimensionality and the number of clusters used on the Gaussian mixture model. We analyzed mel-frequency band energies using a variational Bayesian principal component analysis method to estimate the feature dimensionality as well as the number of Gaussian mixtures by learning a maximum lower bound of the evidence instead of maximizing the likelihood function as used in conventional speech recognition systems. In analyzing the Texas Instruments/Massachusetts Institute of Technology (TIMIT) speech database, our method revealed the intrinsic structures of vowels and consonants. The usefulness of this method is demonstrated in the superior classification performance for the most difficult phonemes /b/, /d/, and /g/.
Reliability in Electronic Equipment

Since the last years of World War II, the use of electronic equipment has come more and more into being. Maintenance and repair techniques have so lagged behind this development that, in the case of military electronics, maintenance costs are sometimes one hundred times the production cost. Motivated by rising costs, the need for safety, and the lack of trained repair personnel, steps are being taken to provide greater reliability in electronic equipment. Using reliability data obtained from effective telephone repeater equipment and other systems, attempts are now being made to effect on-the-spot replacement of faulty subassemblies and to make available better vacuum tubes. Progress has been made with printed wiring components imbedded in plastic compounds. The military, faced with overburdening maintenance problems, production demands in times of mobilization, and untrained personnel, looks to development of greater reliability, inbred into equipment design. At present the military is seeking to have the manufacturer join, with comparable research, into the search for greater reliability. The Office of Naval Research is carrying out a research program in analyzing electronic maintenance minimization.
Liquid fragility and the glass transition in water and aqueous solutions

Abstract Various properties of water and aqueous solutions are reviewed within the framework of the ‘strong/fragile liquids’ classification. The peculiar situation presented by pure water and dilute aqueous solutions, is discussed, then the more concentrated and easily glass-forming solutions involving salts, molecular components, and polymeric components are reviewed. In the electrolyte cases the properties of solutions in the glass-forming domain up to the ice-saturated limit prove to be those of very fragile liquids. This behavior is incompatible with the properties of pure water near the glass transition of vitreous ice (amorphous solid waters; ASW), supporting the notion that the latter is a distinct and separate phase of H2O. In the molecular solute cases, particularly with sugar components, the liquids appear to become stronger with increasing water content, whereas with water-plasticized polymers the position is not yet clear. Evidence on methacrylate polymers and proteins suggested that they may be rather strong. With this background the effects of solution fragility on the kinetics of longer time scale processes is discussed. In particular, the freezing of chemical reactions at temperatures well above Tg is considered in relation to the fluid (solvent) fragility, and accounted for in terms of a simple diffusion model.