cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Ecology of Asthma Engaging Stakeholders in Integrating Health Behavior Theories and Practice-Based Evidence Through Systems Mapping

This article describes a process for integrating health behavior and social science theories with practice-based insights using participatory systems thinking and diagramming methods largely inspired by system dynamics methods. This integration can help close the gap between research and practice in health education and health behavior by offering a systematic approach to bring together stakeholders across multiple domains. In this process we create a diagram using constructs from multiple health behavior theories at all levels of the social ecological framework as variables in causal loop diagrams. The goal of this process is to elucidate the reciprocal relationships between explanatory factors at various levels of the social ecological framework that render so many public health problems intractable. To illustrate, we detail a theory-based, replicable process for creating a qualitative diagram to enrich understanding of caregiver and provider behavior around adherence to pediatric asthma action plans. We describe how such diagramming can serve as the foundation for translating evidence into practice to address real-world challenges. Key insights gained include recognition of the complex, multilevel factors affecting whether, and how effectively, parents/caregivers and medical providers co-create an asthma action plan, and important "feedback" dynamics at play that can support or derail ongoing collaboration. Although this article applies this method to asthma action plan adherence in children, the method and resulting diagrams are applicable and adaptable to other health behaviors requiring continuous, daily action.
An in vitro model for studying hemolysis associated with venom from the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa).

J. M. Futrell, B. B. Morgan and P. N. Morgan. An in vitro model for studying hemolysis associated with venom from the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa). Toxicon17, 355–362, 1979.—A quantitative in vitro hemolytic test has been developed based on observations that a component (or components) in venom from the brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa, reacts with and alters human erythrocytes. These erythrocytes are specifically lysed by fresh (but not heat-inactivated) normal, blood group-compatible human adult sera. Erythrocytes and fresh sera from several blood group-compatible donors were studied and results showed hemolytic properties were quantitatively associated with individual sera rather than differences in erythrocytes. However, the erythrocytes from all animal species did not react with venom in a similar manner. The erythrocytes from humans and swine, but not those of dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits, were able to participate in a hemolytic reaction. Serum complement apparently played a primary role in this hemolytic reaction since several known complement inhibitors (carrageenan, e-aminocaproic acid, antiserum to human Clq, zymosan, hydrazine and salicyladoxime), when added to fresh normal human adult sera, prevented the lysis of venom-sensitized erythrocytes. Other serum factors also appeared to be involved since fresh, normal human cord sera, containing significant amounts of functional serum complement, were unable to lyse venom-sensitized human erythrocytes.
Gender differences in the mechanism of dioxin toxicity in rodents and in nonhuman primates

Abstract This study examined the differences in mechanisms of toxicity when adipose cells from males and females were exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Glucose uptake by adipose tissue in vitro was decreased significantly in male guinea pigs within 1 d of intraperitoneal injection of TCDD, but there was no significant effect in females, even at 28 d after treatment. A similar difference between male and female guinea pigs was detected in the effect of TCDD on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, except that a significant decrease in LPL activity was observed 28 d after treatment. Experiments with adipose tissue expiants from untreated guinea pigs and macaques revealed similar gender differences in the effect of TCDD in vitro on glucose uptake and LPL activity. Both time-course studies and dose-response studies with TCDD in vitro confirmed the greater sensitivity of male tissues to TCDD toxicity. TCDD induced lipid peroxidation in the adipose tissues of male guinea pigs, while it had no effect in females. 3H-TCDD binding affinity studies in adipose expiant tissues showed that tissues from male guinea pigs and monkeys had a higher binding capacity for TCDD than female tissues. TCDD induced a significant reduction in nuclear protein phosphorylation and an increase in cytosolic protein phosphorylation in adipose tissue from male guinea pigs; the effects in female tissues were opposite: nuclear protein phosphorylation increased and cytosolic protein phosphorylation decreased. In a cell-free system in the absence of the nucleus, adipose tissues from male guinea pigs and monkeys responded to TCDD with a rapid stimulation of tyrosine kinase activity but female tissues from both species had a significantly lower and slower response. TCDD induced the DNA binding of AP-1 in adipose tissues of male guinea pigs, but in female tissues TCDD reduced the DNA binding of AP-1. In summary, the results of this study demonstrate gender differences in the response of nonreproductive cells to TCDD. Some of these differences involve different mechanisms of toxicity in both the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments of the cell.
Impact resistance and energy absorption mechanisms in hybrid composites

Abstract The response of hybrid composites to low-velocity impact loading has been investigated. The energy absorbing mechanisms of laminates containing various fibers were studied primarily by means of the instrumented falling dart impact testing technique. Static indentation tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also employed to assist in the identification of failure mechanisms. The composites containing polyethylene (PE) fibers, which were of high strength and high ductility, were found to be effective in both dissipating impact energy and resisting through penetration. Polyester (PET) fiber reinforced epoxy also exhibited superior impact characteristics even though the PET fabric layers without epoxy did not have good modulus or ductility. Good energy absorbing capability was also observed in epoxy reinforced with woven fabrics made of high-performance Nylon fibers. Nylon, PE and PET fibers were found to enhance the impact resistance of graphite fiber composites. Upon impact loading, the composites containing either PE or PET fibers in general exhibited a great degree of flexural plastic deformation and some level of delamination, thereby dissipating a significant amount of strain energy. Hybrids containing Nylon fabric showed analogous behavior, but to a lesser degree. The stacking sequence in hybrid laminates was found to play a critical role in controlling plastic deformation and delamination. This implies that the stacking sequence is a major factor governing the overall energy sorbing capability of the hybrid structure. The penetration resistance of hybrid composites appeared to be dictated by the toughness (strength plus ductility) of their constituent fibers. The fiber toughness must be measured under high strain rate conditions.
Simulating alternative foodgrain price and trade policies: An application for the Dominican Republic

Abstract Self-sufficiency and free trade are two of the most frequently advocated foodgrain policies. This paper presents a methodology for simulating the impact of thse two policy alternatives on a country's production, consumption, farm price, retail price and trade of a staple foodgrain. Simple formulas are also derived for estimating the effect of different policies on consumer and producer welfare. A simulation of the two policy alternatives is conducted for the case of rice in the Dominican Republic.
A benefit/risk assessment of existing therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of painful inflammatory conditions.

SUMMARY Pain remains the leading reason for which patients consult their doctors. Pain also motivates over-the-counter sales of analgesic medicines, to be taken orally or even transcutaneously. Prescription medicines usually follow attempts at self-medication that fail to achieve the desired results. Acute pain usually subsides spontaneously but medicines are needed until that occurs; in arthritic conditions—especially osteoarthritis—anti-inflammatory drugs work best in short-term administration for flares that aggravate chronic but tolerable pain. In cases of chronic pain that exceeds the level of easy tolerance, anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce the pain to tolerable levels more effectively than simple analgesics and narcotic combinations. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most useful medicines providing an array of drugs that differ chiefly in time of onset of action, duration of action and persistence in the blood. The benefit they provide is pain amelioration; none is curative. The risks are well known and do not differ greatly among the drugs; unwanted gastrointestinal (Gl) effects are the most common, but the skin, kidneys, liver and blood forming organs may also be affected. As the benefits are similar, when balancing risk and benefit it is important to: consider the cause and expected duration of pain, balance the risks (Gl unwanted effects far outnumber others), assess the severity and likelihood of specific reactions, and consider the costs—not only of the medicines themselves but also those of treating untoward reactions. Thus NSAIDs number among the most successful therapeutic options of modern medicine and, as pain will continue to require intervention, will likely continue—at least as ancillary medications—even as more definitive treatments are developed. In addition, the target population, its characteristics and the duration and acceptance of the intervention need to be considered.
Identification of a hepatitis C virus-reactive T cell receptor that does not require CD8 for target cell recognition

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been reported to elicit B and T cell immunity in infected patients. Despite the presence of antiviral immunity, many patients develop chronic infections leading to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure that can require transplantation. We have previously described the presence of HLA-A2–restricted, HCV NS3–reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in the blood of HLA-A2− liver transplantation patients that received an HLA-A2+ liver allograft. These T cells are analogous to the “allospecific” T cells that have been described in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients. It has been speculated that allospecific T cells express high-affinity T cell receptors (TCRs). To determine if our HCV-reactive T cells expressed TCRs with relatively high affinity for antigen, we identified and cloned a TCR from an allospecific HLA-A2–restricted, HCV:NS3:1406-1415–reactive CD8+ T cell clone and expressed this HCV TCR in Jurkat cells. Tetramer binding to HCV TCR–transduced Jurkat cells required CD8 expression, whereas antigen recognition did not. In conclusion, based on the reactivity of the TCR-transduced Jurkat cells, we have identified a TCR that transfers anti-HCV reactivity to alternate effectors. These data suggest this high affinity HCV-specific TCR might have potential new immunotherapic implications. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;43:973–981.)
Control system design and analysis using the INteractive Controls Analysis (INCA) program

The INteractive Controls Analysis (INCA) program was developed at the Goddard Space Flight Center to provide a user friendly efficient environment for the design and analysis of linear control systems. Since its inception, INCA has found extensive use in the design, development, and analysis of control systems for spacecraft, instruments, robotics, and pointing systems. Moreover, the results of the analytic tools imbedded in INCA have been flight proven with at least three currently orbiting spacecraft. This paper describes the INCA program and illustrates, using a flight proven example, how the package can perform complex design analyses with relative ease.
White and Blue Fingers: A Red Flag in Sickle Cell Disease

A 34-year-old woman with hemoglobin SC disease had intermittently painful and swollen wrists, metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. She photographed her right hand after going outdoors for 10 min (41 °F air temperature). The photograph demonstrated pallor, cyanosis, and erythema (Fig. 1), which abated after 10 min and were unrelated to pain crisis. Based on history and exam, she was diagnosed with Raynaud’s phenomenon. Evaluation revealed an ANA of 1:320 and negative Smith, RF, and CCP antibodies. Anti-RNP was elevated (25 EU/mL), suggesting possible mixed connective tissue disease and secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon. Figure 1. Raynaud’s phenomenon exhibiting acral cyanosis, pallor, and erythema. Hand pain and swelling in sickle cell disease can be from osteonecrosis, osteomyelitis, or hand-foot syndrome during vaso-occlusive crisis (up to 20 % incidence before age two, but rare in adults).1,2 However, Raynaud’s phenomenon is not known to be associated with sickle cell disease, and warrants further investigation for other possible etiologies to avoid misdiagnosis and treatment delays.3 Secondary Raynaud’s may result from vasculopathy, endocrinopathy, drugs, malignancy, or connective tissue diseases. Evaluation may include ESR, ANA, RF, and other disease-specific antibodies (Scleroderma, SLE, MCTD, etc.), as indicated by history. Close monitoring of patients with negative studies may be warranted, as 1 % per year may eventually develop a connective tissue disease.4
Theoretical studies of atmospheric triatomic molecules: Accurate SCF vertical spectrum for valence, mixed character, and Rydberg states of CO2

An accurate SCF vertical spectrum is computed for CO2. Orbital sizes, electric quadrupole moments, and quantum defects are reported for the excited states. The Rydberg MO expectation values are found to be highly transferable. Spectral assignments are made for the Rydberg states based on the closeness of agreement with observed spectroscopic data.
Is V/P a distinct anomaly?

Purpose – Frankel and Lee (1998) report significant abnormal security returns to a trading strategy based on the ratio of the intrinsic value to the market value of common equity (V/P). However, they measure the intrinsic value estimates based on the residual income model using several fundamental variables that have been documented to be associated with subsequent abnormal stock returns. The purpose of this paper is to test whether combining all these individual anomalies to V/P has generated additional predictive power, and whether the abnormal returns related to V/P are due to thepredictive ability of the residual income model or to that of the components used in constructing V/P.Design/methodology/approach – Two methods are used in this study to examine V/P's incremental effect. First, all the component variables of V/P are included in the same regression with V/P to test whether the coefficient of V/P remains significant. Second, an alternative ex ante transformation of the same component variables i...
Analysis of selected pharmaceuticals in fish and the fresh water bodies directly affected by reclaimed water using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A comprehensive method for the analysis of 11 target pharmaceuticals representing multiple commonly used therapeutic classes was developed for biological tissues (fish), reclaimed water, and the surface water directly affected by irrigation with reclaimed water. One gram of fish tissue homogenate was extracted by accelerated solvent extraction with methylene chloride followed by mixed-mode cation exchange solid phase extraction (SPE) cleanup and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Compared to previously reported methods, the protocol produces cleaner extracts resulting in lower method detection limits. Similarly, an SPE method based on Oasis HLB cartridges was used to concentrate and cleanup reclaimed and surface water samples. Among the 11 target compounds analyzed, trimethoprim, caffeine, sulfamethoxazole, diphenhydramine, diltiazem, carbamazepine, erythromycin, and fluoxetine were consistently detected in reclaimed water. Caffeine, diphenhydramine, and carbamazepine were consistently detected in fish and surface water samples. Bioaccumulation factors for caffeine, diphenhydramine, and carbamazepine in mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki) were calculated at 29 ± 26, 821 ± 422, and 108 ± 144, respectively. This is the first report of potential accumulation of caffeine in fish from a water body directly influenced by reclaimed water. Open image in new window Figure The pharmaceuticals detected in reclaimed water and the fresh water directly affected by reclaimed water.
A concrete statistical realization of Kleinberg's stochastic discrimination for pattern recognition. Part I. Two-class classification

The method of stochastic discrimination (SD) introduced by Kleinberg is a new method in statistical pattern recognition. It works by producing many weak classifiers and then combining them to form a strong classifier. However, the strict mathematical assumptions in Kleinberg [The Annals of Statistics 24 (1996) 2319-2349] are rarely met in practice. This paper provides an applicable way to realize the SD algorithm. We recast SD in a probability-space framework and present a concrete statistical realization of SD for two-class pattern recognition. We weaken Kleinberg's theoretically strict assumptions of uniformity and indiscernibility by introducing near uniformity and weak indiscernibility. Such weaker notions are easily encountered in practical applications. We present a systematic resampling method to produce weak classifiers and then establish corresponding classification rules of SD. We analyze the performance of SD theoretically and explain why SD is overtraining-resistant and why SD has a high convergence rate. Testing results on real and simulated data sets are also given.
Are Gay and Lesbian Cohabiting Couples Really Different from Heterosexual Married Couples

Both partners from gay and lesbian cohabiting couples without children were compared longitudinally with both partners from heterosexual married couples with children (N at first assessment = 80, 53, and 80 couples, respectively) on variables from 5 domains indicative of relationship health. For 50% of the comparisons, gay and lesbian partners did not differ from heterosexual partners. Seventy-eight percent of the comparisons on which differences were found indicated that gay or lesbian partners functioned better than heterosexual partners did. Because the variables that predicted concurrent relationship quality and relationship stability for heterosexual parents also did so for gay and lesbian partners, I conclude that the processes that regulate relationship functioning generalize across gay, lesbian, and heterosexual couples.
Sensitivity of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa Isolates to Propiconazole and Impact on Control of Dollar Spot.

ABSTRACT In response to reports of reduced efficacy of propiconazole for control of dollar spot, isolates of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa were collected from several locations in Georgia and tested for sensitivity to propiconazole and other demethylation-inhibiting (DMI) fungicides. Two discriminatory concentrations of propiconazole (0.02 and 0.2 μg ml-1) were used to detect lower in vitro sensitivity in two populations that had been exposed repeatedly to propiconazole than in four nonexposed populations. Mean 50% effective concentration (EC50) values for a nonexposed population (baseline) and a DMI-exposed population were 0.0049 and 0.0283 μg ml-1, respectively. Positive correlations were significant among log10 EC50 values for propiconazole, fenarimol, and myclobutanil but not between triadimefon and any of the other three fungicides, indicating cross-resistance relationships in this pathogen may not be universal among the DMIs. In greenhouse experiments, propiconazole-treated bentgrass was inoculated with s...
Simulating Multivariate Nonhomogeneous Poisson Processes Using Projections

Established techniques for generating an instance of a multivariate NonHomogeneous Poisson Process (NHPP) such as thinning can become highly inefficient as the dimensionality of the process is increased, particularly if the defining intensity (or rate) function has a pronounced peak. To overcome this inefficiency, we propose an alternative approach where one first generates a projection of the NHPP onto a lower-dimensional space, and then extends the generated points to points in the original space by generating from appropriate conditional distributions. One version of this algorithm replaces a high-dimensional problem with a series of one-dimensional problems. Several examples are presented.
Population level virulence in polymicrobial communities associated with chronic disease

Renewed studies of chronic infection have shifted the focus from single pathogens to multi-microbial communities as culture-independent techniques reveal complex consortia of microbes associated with chronic disease. Despite a general acceptance that some chronic diseases are caused by mixed microbial communities, areas of research exploring community interactions as they relate to the alteration of virulence are still in the early stages. Members of the NIH Human Microbiome Project have been actively characterizing the microbial communities of the skin, nasal, oral, gastrointestinal, and urogenital cavities of healthy adults. Concomitantly, several independent studies have begun to characterize the oral, nasal, sinus, upper and lower respiratory microbiomes in healthy and diseased human tissue. The interactions among the members of these polymicrobial communities have not been thoroughly explored and it is clear there is a need to identify the functional interactions that drive population-level virulence if new therapeutic approaches to chronic disease are to be developed. For example, multiple studies have examined the role of quorum sensing (QS) in microbial virulence, and QS antagonists are being developed and tested as novel therapeutics. Other potential targets include the Gram-negative type III signaling system (T3SS), type IV pili, and two component regulatory systems (TCRS). Initial results from these studies indicate limited efficacy in vivo, further suggesting that the interactions in a heterogeneous community are complex and poorly understood. If progress is to be made in the development of more effective treatments for chronic diseases, a better understanding of the composition and functional interactions that occur within multi-microbial communities must be developed.
The Ku Wen Documents in Han Times

Since at least the 4th c. A.D., students of Han intellectual history have assumed the existence in Han of "more than ten' complete chapters of the Documents classic (Shang shu f&&) written in pre-Han script forms (the so-called ku-wen t@; or "Archaic Script"), in addition to the standard 29 p'ien ffi transmitted from the Ch'in dynasty (221 B.C.-208 B.C.) by Master Fu Sheng XRb. (The latter set of texts is usually identified, somewhat anachronistically, as the chin wen +@; or "Modern Script" Documents).l Given the fundamental importance of the Documents classic to Chinese state-sponsored ideology in Han, it is astonishing how few facts
Monoclonal antibody identification of a type II alveolar epithelial cell antigen and expression of the antigen during lung development.

Abstract A monoclonal antibody identifying an antigen expressed by rat type II alveolar epithelial cells, but not by type I epithelial cells or other mature lung cells, was produced by immunization of mice with cells of the rat L2 cell line. The antigen recognized by the antibody was present on the microvillous luminal surface of type II epithelial cells. In adult rat lung, only type II epithelial cells bound the antibody. During fetal development the antigen was expressed by cubodial epithelial cells lining the respiratory ducts of the first divisions of the tracheal bud, but not by epithelial cells lining the esophagus or trachea. The antigen continued to be expressed by cuboidal epithelial cells lining the larger respiratory ducts until approximately 19 days gestational age. Thereafter, expression was increasingly limited to selected single cells or clusters of two to four cuboidal cells in the smallest ducts. By the 21st postnatal day, the antigen was expressed only by type II alveolar epithelial cells. Type II alveolar epithelial cells isolated from adult lung and the L2 cell line in culture expressed the antigen on the cell surface. A protein of approximately 146,000 Mr was isolated by immunoadsorption of the antigen from non-ionic detergent extracts of type II cells and L2 cells. Preliminary studies of the binding of the antibody to other rat tissues indicate that the antibody binds to renal proximal tubular epithelial cells of the kidney and the luminal surface of the small bowel epithelial cells.
Model checking in errors-in-variables regression

This paper discusses a class of minimum distance tests for fitting a parametric regression model to a class of regression functions in the errors-in-variables model. These tests are based on certain minimized distances between a nonparametric regression function estimator and a deconvolution kernel estimator of the conditional expectation of the parametric model being fitted. The paper establishes the asymptotic normality of the proposed test statistics under the null hypothesis and that of the corresponding minimum distance estimators. We also prove the consistency of the proposed tests against a fixed alternative and obtain the asymptotic distributions for general local alternatives. Simulation studies show that the testing procedures are quite satisfactory in the preservation of the finite sample level and in terms of a power comparison.
Toward solution-phase automated iterative synthesis: fluorous-tag assisted solution-phase synthesis of linear and branched mannose oligomers

We report herein the first synthesis of linear and branched mannose oligosaccharides using fluorous-tag assistance with reagents and FSPE protocols that are amenable to automation. The particular fluorous linker proved to maintain solubility of the growing oligosaccharide chain such that identical reaction solvent conditions and purification protocols could be used between glycosylation and deprotection reactions, thereby rendering the procedures amenable to automation.
Opening the door to spiritually sensitive nursing care.

By listening carefully to your patient you can help him search for his own answers to the eternal question, Why?
Depression as a risk factor for nursing home admission among older individuals.

Objectives Depression is common among those aged 65 and older and has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study investigated whether individuals enrolled in Medicare+Choice with symptoms of depression as measured using the mental health scale from the SF-36 were at increased risk of using nursing home services. Design A Cox proportional hazards model was used. Setting The study investigated community-based adults aged 65 and older. Participants Participants were individuals aged 65 years and older enrolled in Medicare+Choice who responded to the Health Outcomes Survey and were not institutionalized or incapable of responding for themselves at the time of survey administration. Measurements The purpose of the study was to predict the risk of admission to a nursing home over time, controlling for variables related to demographics, comorbidity, age, and functional status. Results The results indicated that, even after controlling for physical health, functional status, age, demographics, and socioeconomic status, Medicare+Choice enrollees over the age of 65 experiencing symptoms of depression as identified by the SF-36 are at increased risk of using nursing home services. Conclusions These results have implications for payers of nursing home services such as Medicare and Medicaid as well as for providers and the families of older individuals. While the results do not prove that prevention is possible, they do suggest that better identification and treatment of depression reduce the risk of nursing home admission. Even if nursing home placement cannot be avoided, it is possible that the individual’s quality of life could be significantly enhanced by better diagnosis and treatment of depression. These findings have implications beyond the Medicare+Choice population.
THE DEMAND FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND INSTITUTIONAL ENROLLMENT FORECASTING

This paper presents a university enrollment forecasting model and evaluates the model's performance in a case application. The model includes (1) enrollment demand equations with both tuition and labor market variables; (2) equations to forecast values of the labor market variables which influence demand; and (3) procedures to calculate the statistical confidence interval in an enrollment forecast.
Superhydrophilic Surfaces for Antifogging and Antifouling Microfluidic Devices

Superhydrophilic surfaces are investigated for their potential to provide antifogging and antifouling properties for microfluidic devices. Two types of exemplary superhydrophilic surfaces are prepared, including polyester films treated by oxygen plasma and indium tin oxide-coated glasses treated by an electrochemical method. The superhydrophilicity of the treated surfaces presented herein is confirmed by their near-zero water contact angles. Their corresponding antifogging and antifouling capability is examined. The fluorescence microscopic study has confirmed the significantly reduced adhesion of the fluorescein and fluorescent proteins after the surfaces are treated to be superhydrophilic, indicating their potential for antifouling applications. The degradation of the superhydrophilicity under different humidity conditions is also investigated.
Unsymmetrical C-substituted ethylenediamine platinum coordination complexes: synthesis and activity against mouse leukemia L1210.

Abstract A series of new unsymmetrical C-substituted ethylenediamines was prepared. The substituents included branched chain alkyl, cycloalkyl, and phenyl groups. Twenty-eight new platinum compounds were prepared from these diamines and were tested for activity against luekemia L1210. The cycloalkyl substituted ethylenediamines produced especially active compounds. The phenyl-substituted analogs were generally low in activity. The activity of the complexes was compared to aqueous solubility, organic solubility, and amphipathic character. There was good indication that antitumor activity increased as aqueous solubility and hydrophilic character of the molecules increased.
Materials aspects of BWR plant life extension

Abstract Considerable experience with plant equipment performance in nuclear power stations has indicated that the principal factors limiting the life of BWRs and PWRs are materials related. Specifically, for LWRs it is known that these materials issues generally include parameters related to stress corrosion cracking, corrosion fatigue, wear and radiation embrittlement. Not only do these parameters affect and limit the actual useful design life of plant components but also affect the plant's operating availability. In all these cases, the elimination or control of one or more of these critical parameters should improve the plants availability and significantly extend the useful service life. In the present paper, research performed to address the intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) area is described. Specific emphasis is placed on Type 304 stainless steel which has suffered IGSCC in piping in the heat-affected-zone (HAZs) adjacent to the welds in the BWR primary system. Research has developed and qualified a number of techniques which address the three necessary conditions for IGSCC in BWRs: (1) sensitized microstructure, i.e., chromium depletion at the grain boundaries during welding; (2) over yield tensile stress; and (3) oxygenated (200 ppb) high temperature (288 Another potential life-limiting IGSCC phenomenon for certain components, irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) of stainless steel exposed to a high neutron flux, is also discussed. Unlike the IGSCC, IASCC results in intergranular cracking of annealed material at low stress. Fortunately, preliminary research has indicated that some of the techniques utilized for IGSCC control in piping as well as new controlled impurity level stainless steel alloys may reduce the future potential IASCC concern to an insignificant level.
Risk in the face of retribution: Psychopathic individuals persist in financial misbehavior among the Dark Triad

Abstract Psychopathy is related to parasitic behavior that is both antisocial and high-risk. Such individuals are unlikely to consider consequences when engaging in selfish financial behavior, even in the face of punishment and financial loss. After completing Dark Triad measures (psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism), participants were told that everyone could gamble (in a clearly biased game) with the next person’s bonus. Participants were then randomly assigned to think their bonus was still intact or nearly depleted. Participants were then given the option to punish the previous participant. Finally, participants were given the option to gamble with the next participant’s bonus. Wins benefited current participants, and losses hurt the next participant. Participants were reminded that they could be punished by the next participant and lose everything. Results indicated that all three Dark Triad traits correlated with attempting one round of gambling. However, only individuals high in psychopathy persisted in gambling, leading to greater financial loss of the next participant. These findings highlight the importance of screening for malevolent traits in the financial world, particularly psychopathy.
Before the storm

Katrina grabbed the headlines recently, but hurricanes have been a focus of attention for centuries.
The valuation problem in arbitrage price theory

Abstract Suppose a continuous, strictly positive, linear price functional p is given on a subspace M of marketed claims. The valuation problem consists of verifying whether or notthere exists a continuous, strictly positive, linear extension of p from M to the entire contingent claims space X . We solve this problem when X belongs to a large class of Banach lattices including the classical Banach spaces, and also simplify some analogous results found in the literature for other types of financial models.
Conservation and the Myth of Consensus

Environmental policy makers are embracing consensus-based approaches to environmental de- cision making in an attempt to enhance public participation in conservation and facilitate the potentially incompatible goals of environmental protection and economic growth. Although such approaches may pro- duce positive results in immediate spatial and temporal contexts and under some forms of governance, their overuse has potentially dangerous implications for conservation within many democratic societies. We suggest that environmental decision making rooted in consensus theory leads to the dilution of socially powerful con- servation metaphors and legitimizes current power relationships rooted in unsustainable social constructions of reality. We also suggest an argumentative model of environmental decision making rooted in ecology will facilitate progressive environmental policy by placing the environmental agenda on firmer epistemological ground and legitimizing challenges to current power hegemonies that dictate unsustainable practices.
Four Contemporary Issues Concerning Ionospheric Plasma Flow to the Magnetosphere

In this review, we examine four specific questions/issues of contemporary interest within the overall topic of ionospheric plasma outflow into the magnetosphere. These four question areas are framed here as: (1) Are high-latitude F-region upflows predominantly driven by soft auroral electron precipitation?; (2) Is the O+ within the polar cap magnetosphere supplied primarily by the cleft ion fountain or a direct polar cap ionospheric source?; (3) Is centrifugal acceleration an important mechanism in the acceleration of ionospheric plasma outflows?; and (4) Are lobe ionospheric outflows captured by the plasma sheet?
Soluble adenylyl cyclase is required for activation of sperm but does not have a direct effect on hyperactivation

Soluble adenylyl cyclase (SACY) is an essential component of cAMP-signalling cascades that activate sperm motility and capacitate sperm. SACY activity is stimulated by HCO(3)(-) and Ca(2+). Sperm from Sacy(-/-) (null) mice were immotile or weakly motile, but cAMP analogues N(6),2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (dbcAMP) and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate acetoxymethyl ester (cAMP-AM) activated motility. Null sperm activated by dbcAMP quickly developed hairpin bends at the junction of the midpiece and principal piece, which could be prevented by omitting HCO(3)(-). Treating Sacy(-/-) sperm with thimerosal or NH(4)Cl to raise flagellar cytoplasmic Ca(2+) could not substitute for cAMP analogues in activating motility; however, sperm activated with cAMP-AM hyperactivated after thimerosal treatment. Treating activated wild-type sperm with SACY inhibitor KH7 did not prevent hyperactivation from developing during capacitation in vitro, although high doses impaired motility. These results indicate that, while the SACY/cAMP signalling pathway is required for motility activation, it is not directly involved in triggering hyperactivation.
Cell multiplexing in ATM networks

Formulates, analyzes, and compares several connection multiplexing algorithms for a multiplexer residing in the equivalent terminal of the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) layer at the user premise. The primary goal is to find an algorithm that efficiently combats the cell delay variation (CDV) introduced by the multiplexer. Several performance criteria are examined, one of which is unique to ATM networks. This one is the proportion of arriving cells that do not conform to the traffic contract of the connection. The conformance is being tracked by a generic cell rate algorithm (GCRA) recommended (but not mandatory) by CCITT. Other criteria are the classical buffer requirements and the cell delay. Service fairness among connections is also evaluated with respect to each performance criterion. The impact of the following five multiplexing policies on the performance criteria are evaluated for constant bit rate (CBR) traffic sources. The policies are first in, first out (FIFO), round robin (RR), least time to reach bound (LTRB), most behind expected arrival (MBEA), and golden ratio (GR). Extensive numerical examples reveal that there is no single policy that is best across all criteria. With respect to cell conformance, most behind expected arrival (MBEA) emerges as the preferred one. FIFO is best with respect to cell delay, except for high utilizations where RR dominates. The LTRB is marginally better than all other policies with respect to buffer requirements.
The flow due to a rotating disc

1. The steady motion of an incompressible viscous fluid, due to an infinite rotating plane lamina, has been considered by Karman. If r, θ, z are cylindrical polar coordinates, the plane lamina is taken to be z = 0; it is rotating with constant angular velocity ω about the axis r = 0. We consider the motion of the fluid on the side of the plane for which z is positive; the fluid is infinite in extent and z = 0 is the only boundary. If u, v, w are the components of the velocity of the fluid in the directions of r, θ and z increasing, respectively, and p is the pressure, then Karman shows that the equations of motion and continuity are satisfied by taking
Meaning and Use of not…until

Time adverbials introduced by until impose restrictions on the aspectual class of the main clause they combine with: they only combine with durative sentences. In negative sentences, the situation is more complex. The question arises whether negative sentences are durative, or whether there is a separate use of until as a negative polarity item. In this paper, I discuss the three treatments of not ... until that are characterized in the literature as the scope analysis, the ambiguity thesis and the lexical composition approach. I work out the interpretation of the three approaches in an event-based semantics, and argue that they are truth-conditionally equivalent in sentences containing an explicit negation. Furthermore, they generate the same pragmatic implicatures. A separate negative polarity use of until is motivated by sentences containing NPI-licensers different from explicit negation, though. The observation that the scope analysis, the ambiguity thesis and the lexical composition approach are semantically and pragmatically equivalent in sentences containing an explicit negation helps us describe the similarities and differences between the expression of exclusion of a range of values on the time axis in a variety of languages
Nonthermal Dielectric-Barrier Discharge Plasma-Induced Inactivation Involves Oxidative DNA Damage and Membrane Lipid Peroxidation in Escherichia coli

Oxidative stress leads to membrane lipid peroxidation, which yields products causing variable degrees of detrimental oxidative modifications in cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the key regulators in this process and induce lipid peroxidation in Escherichia coli. Application of nonthermal (cold) plasma is increasingly used for inactivation of surface contaminants. Recently, we reported a successful application of nonthermal plasma, using a floating-electrode dielectric-barrier discharge (FE-DBD) technique for rapid inactivation of bacterial contaminants in normal atmospheric air (S. G. Joshi et al., Am. J. Infect. Control 38:293-301, 2010). In the present report, we demonstrate that FE-DBD plasma-mediated inactivation involves membrane lipid peroxidation in E. coli. Dose-dependent ROS, such as singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide-like species generated during plasma-induced oxidative stress, were responsible for membrane lipid peroxidation, and ROS scavengers, such as α-tocopherol (vitamin E), were able to significantly inhibit the extent of lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage. These findings indicate that this is a major mechanism involved in FE-DBD plasma-mediated inactivation of bacteria.
The morphogenesis of the lateral nasal wall in the early prenatal life of man

To study the fetal morphogenesis of the lateral nasal wall and nasal conchae as well as the initial development of the paranasal sinuses, 15 specimens were investigated. Their crown-rump lengths ranged from 25 to 263 mm. The specimens were fixed in Bouin's solution. Serial sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and Mallory's trichrome stain. The objectives were to ascertain the time and course of development of: (1) ossification in the maxilla and palate, (2) formation of the nasal capsule and the conchae, (3) chondrification and ossification in the nasal capsule and conchae, (4) the maxillary sinus and ethmoidal cells, and (5) glands in the respiratory mucosa. The earliest appearance of the conchae was observed in a 25 mm CR fetus. In a 32 mm CR fetus, ossification in the maxilla and palate was begun and the first maxillary sinus primordium was observed. The glands associated with the maxillary sinus and the inferior concha developed in a 49 mm and in a 90 mm CR fetus, respectively. The ethmoid and three conchae started to ossify in a 160 mm CR fetus. It was concluded that the transformation of mesenchyme into the bony skeleton was accomplished in a 263 mm CR fetus. Both groups of paranasal sinuses and the respiratory glands in the 263 mm CR fetus were morphologically well differentiated. In addition to an extensive survey of the literature, the possible role of the mucosal glands in development of the paranasal system was discussed.
Keeping Sight of the Forest Through the Trees Response to “Collective Bargaining, Transfer Rights, and Disadvantaged Schools”

In this invited response to Moe and Anzia (2014), we describe both the points of convergence and divergence between our prior research (2007a, 2007b) and that of Moe (2005) and Moe and Anzia (2014). We also respond to Moe and Anzia’s critique of our published work. Moe and Anzia’s study helps to refine the policy discussion around seniority preferences in teacher collective bargaining agreements by providing further evidence that such preferences may exacerbate the teacher quality gap in particular settings - specifically, large, likely highly bureaucratic, elementary school districts - a finding that is consistent with a finding from our earlier research. However, we believe that those significant findings are limited to certain school districts, and we were unable in our prior research to conclude that the strength of seniority preferences consistently and systematically exacerbates the teacher quality gap within and among all school districts. This is the point of divergence between our work and that o...
Plant Glutathione S-Transferases, a Tale of Theta and Tau

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs, EC 2.5.1.18) are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze the addition of glutathione to a wide variety of substrates. Plant GSTs have been studied mainly in relation to their role in the detoxification of herbicides, mostly in maize. Recently, several gst genes have been isolated as genes that respond to the plant hormone auxin with increased transcription. Pathogen infections and other treatments have also been found to lead to increased expression of gst genes. It is now apparent that different types of plant gst genes and activities exist in most plant species, but their functional relationships and their relationships to the action of auxin are still poorly understood. Here, a historic overview on plant GSTs will be presented. Based on primary sequence differences, a new class of plant GSTs, tau, will be proposed. The possible roles of auxin and oxidative stress in inducing gst genes will be discussed. Hopefully this review will help develop new ideas and stimulate new research to study the functions of the ever growing family of plant GSTs.
The Ebonics Controversy.

The term Ebonics, coined by the author in 1973 at a conference on the language of Black children, was formed by combining ebony (black) and phonics (speech sounds). Two schools of thought on the origin of Ebonics are presented: (a) pidgin/Creole and (b) African retention. What sparked the national controversy on Ebonics was the Oakland school board's decision to recognize Ebonics as a legitimate language. The school board's primary goal is to discover more effective ways to improve African American children's acquisition of Standard English and reading skills. Three research studies are presented to support the use of Ebonics in the classroom as a bridge to Standard English. Many African American children speak Ebonics or a home language. Using the language children bring to school as a bridge to teaching new language systems is a widely used technique in second language acquisition.