cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alcohol price and intoxication in college bars.

Background: Many population studies find that alcohol prices are inversely related to alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems, including among college students and young adults. Yet, little is known about the "micro-level" effects of alcohol price on the behavior of individual consumers in natural drinking settings such as college bars. Therefore, we assessed patron's cost per gram of ethanol consumed at on-premise drinking establishments and its association with intoxication upon leaving an establishment. Methods: On 4 consecutive nights during April 2008, data were collected from 804 patrons exiting 7 on-premise establishments in a bar district located adjacent to a large university campus in the southeastern United States. Anonymous interview and survey data were collected as well as breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) readings. We calculated each patron's expenditures per unit of ethanol consumed based on self-reported information regarding the type, size, number, and cost of consumed drinks. Results: A multivariable model revealed that a 10-cent increase in cost per gram of ethanol at on-premise establishments was associated with a 30% reduction in the risk of exiting an establishment intoxicated (i.e., BrAC >/= 0.08 g/210 l). Conclusions: The results are consistent with economic theory and population-level research regarding the price elasticity of alcoholic beverages, which show that increases in alcohol prices are accompanied by less alcohol consumption. These findings suggest that stricter regulation of the drink discounting practices of on-premise drinking establishments would be an effective strategy for reducing the intoxication levels of exiting patrons. Language: en
Intermediate Length Rieske Iron-Sulfur Protein Is Present and Functionally Active in the Cytochrome bc 1Complex of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

To investigate the relationship between post-translational processing of the Rieske iron-sulfur protein ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae and its assembly into the mitochondrial cytochrome bc 1 complex we used iron-sulfur proteins in which the presequences had been changed by site-directed mutagenesis of the cloned iron-sulfur protein gene, so that the recognition sites for the matrix processing peptidase or the mitochondrial intermediate peptidase (MIP) had been destroyed. When yeast strain JPJ1, in which the gene for the iron-sulfur protein is deleted, was transformed with these constructs on a single copy expression vector, mitochondrial membranes andbc 1 complexes isolated from these strains accumulated intermediate length iron-sulfur proteins in vivo. The cytochrome bc 1 complex activities of these membranes and bc 1 complexes indicate that intermediate iron-sulfur protein (i-ISP) has full activity when compared with that of mature sized iron-sulfur protein (m-ISP). Therefore the iron-sulfur cluster must have been inserted before processing of i-ISP to m-ISP by MIP. When iron-sulfur protein is imported into mitochondria in vitro, i-ISP interacts with components of the bc 1 complex before it is processed to m-ISP. These results establish that the iron-sulfur cluster is inserted into the apoprotein before MIP cleaves off the second part of the presequence and that this second processing step takes place after i-ISP has been assembled into thebc 1 complex.
Circulation control airfoils as applied to rotary-wing aircraft

Nomenclature c — airfoil chord cd = corrected section drag coefficient cdg = effective drag coefficient rake = d drag coefficient from wake survey ct = section lift coefficient cm = pitching moment about the half-chord C^ = blowing momentum coefficient, =m-Vj/(qco'S) h = slot height m =jet mass flow A^ = freestream Mach number qx = freestream dynamic pressure s = chordwise slot location S =wing reference area V = velocity a. = angle of attack
Detection of metallothionein in bronchoalveolar cells and lavage fluid following repeated cadmium inhalation

Metallothionein (MT) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in bronchoalveolar cells and fluids derived from rat lungs following 0, 8, 12, 18, or 24 exposures to Cd acetate aerosols. Alveolar cell metallothionein levels increased from a base line value of 0.35 micrograms MT/mg protein in control rats to a value of 21.73 micrograms MT/mg protein in rats exposed 24 times to Cd aerosols. Cell-free lavage fluid levels of metallothionein also increased in response to frequency of Cd exposure but were 5 to 10-fold lower than in the free alveolar cells. Gel chromatographic analysis of free alveolar cells from Cd-exposed animals revealed the presence of a 11,600-Da Cd-binding protein with an absorption maximum of 254 nm. Metallothionein analyses of purified populations of alveolar macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes from exposed animals demonstrated that macrophages but not polymorphonuclear leukocytes contained metallothionein.
A COOPERATIVE APPROACH FOR MEASURING DIRECT-USE DAMAGES: THE 1992 AVILA BEACH (CALIFORNIA) OIL SPILL

ABSTRACT A cooperative approach was used to estimate natural resource damages from the Avila Beach, California, spill. The approach was cooperative because we, on behalf of Union Oil Company of California (UNOCAL), and the economist working for the State of California shared data collection and damage estimation responsibilities. Cooperative assessments have several advantages, including reduced costs and less duplication. Because this case was not settled when this paper was submitted, we provide no damage estimates.
Fearless Improvisation: A Pilot Study to Analyze String Students’ Confidence, Anxiety, and Attitude Toward Learning Improvisation

The purpose of this study was to investigate the confidence, anxiety, and attitude of novice string student improvisers. A form of the Fennema–Sherman Mathematics Attitudes Scales, as modified for ...
Maternal Obesity and Increased Risk for Autism and Developmental Delay among Very Preterm Infants

Maternal obesity and increased risk for autism and developmental delay among very preterm infants
Electron Transfer and Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Reactivity and Self-Exchange of Synthetic [2Fe–2S] Complexes: Models for Rieske and mitoNEET Clusters

This report describes the thermochemistry, proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions and self-exchange rate constants for a set of bis-benzimidazolate-ligated [2Fe-2S] clusters. These clusters serve as a model for the chemistry of biological Rieske and mitoNEET clusters. PCET from [Fe2S2((Pr)bbim)((Pr)bbimH)](2-) (4) and [Fe2S2((Pr)bbim)((Pr)bbimH2)](1-) (5) to TEMPO occurs via concerted proton-electron transfer (CPET) mechanisms ((Pr)bbimH2 = 4,4-bis-(benzimidazol-2-yl)heptane). Intermolecular electron transfer (ET) self-exchange between [Fe2S2((Pr)bbim)2](2-) (1) and [Fe2S2((Pr)bbim)2](3-) (2) occurs with a rate constant of (1.20 ± 0.06) × 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) at 26 °C. A similar self-exchange rate constant is found for the related [2Fe-2S] cluster [Fe2S2(SArO)2](2-/3-), SArO(2-) = thiosalicylate. These are roughly an order of magnitude slower than that reported for larger [4Fe-4S] clusters and 1 order of magnitude faster than that reported for N-ligated high-spin iron complexes. These results suggest that the rate of intermolecular ET to/from [Fe-S] clusters is modulated by cluster size. The measured PCET self-exchange rate constant for 1 and 4 at -30 °C is (3.8 ± 0.7) × 10(4) M(-1) s(-1). Analysis of rate constants using the Marcus cross-relation suggests that this process likely occurs via a concerted proton-electron transfer (CPET) mechanism. The implications of these findings to biological systems are also discussed, including the conclusion that histidine-ligated [2Fe-2S] clusters should not have a strong bias to undergo concerted e(-)/H(+) transfers.
Linear and nonlinear optical properties of the arsenate isomorphs of KTP

Single-domain crystals of MTiOAsO4, where M equals K, Rb, & Cs were grown from various alkali arsenate self fluxes. Their refractive indices and Sellmeier coefficients were determined with critical angle of total reflection measurements. Type-II phase-matched SHG was used to check for crystal domains and to determine the accuracy of the Sellmeier coefficients. The dij coefficients for second harmonic generation were determined with Maker-fringe technique at 1.06 micrometers . Electro-optic coefficients rji were determined with interferometry. This paper reports the above measurement results and discusses the systematics of crystal structure, birefringence, and optical nonlinearities among the pure isomorphs and their solid-solutions. Calculated SHG cut-offs and tuning curves are also reported.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Moderate tricuspid regurgitation with left-sided degenerative heart valve disease: to repair or not to repair?

Background Uncertainty about long-term effects of surgically unaddressed moderate (2+) secondary tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation (TR) accompanying left-sided degenerative heart valve disease led us to identify reasons for and factors associated with TV repair, compare safety and clinical effectiveness of relieving TR, and identify factors associated with severe (3/4+) postoperative TR. Methods From 1997 to 2008, 1,724 patients with 2+ TR underwent 830 mitral, 703 aortic, and 191 double-valve procedures; 91 (5%) had concomitant TV repair. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with TV repair and for propensity-matched comparison of safety (in-hospital morbidity, mortality) and effectiveness of TV repair (longitudinal echocardiographic assessment of postoperative TR and New York Heart Association class, TV intervention, survival). Results Factors associated with TV repair of 2+ TR included larger right ventricles and left ventricles ( p p = 0.0002), and prior concurrent mitral valve procedures ( p ≤ 0.004). In-hospital complications, subsequent TV interventions, and intermediate-term survival were similar for matched patients. The TV repair patients had less 3/4+ TR at discharge (7% versus 15%), sustained out to 3 years. No TV repair ( p = 0.05), female sex ( p p = 0.008) were associated with 3/4+ TR. Conclusions A TV repair for moderate TR concomitant with surgery for degenerative left-sided heart valve disease is reasonable to provide an opportunity to prevent its progression and development of right ventricle dysfunction, particularly for patients with important right ventricle remodeling and evidence of right ventricular failure, and for patients with advanced left-sided disease requiring mitral valve replacement.
Studies of Materials at the Nanometer Scale Using Coherent X-Ray Diffraction Imaging

For many years, x-ray microscopy has been attractive for materials studies with its ability to image thick samples and provide nanometer-scale resolution. However, the ability to manufacture high-resolution x-ray optics has been a hurdle to achieving the full potential of diffraction limited x-ray imaging. Recently, the advent of bright and coherent x-ray sources at synchrotrons and x-ray free electron lasers has enabled a lensless imaging technique called coherent diffractive imaging (CDI). Since it was first demonstrated in 1999, CDI has been rapidly developing into a materials imaging technique with resolutions approaching a few nanometers. This review provides an overview of the development of CDI and several applications to nanometer-scale imaging in two and three dimensions of biological and condensed mater materials. Also, we review the development of tabletop, coherent, soft x-ray sources that provide a complimentary and potentially more accessible source for nanometer-scale coherent imaging of materials.
Overcoming pubic arch interference with free-hand needle placement in men undergoing prostate brachytherapy.

Abstract Purpose The present study evaluates the postimplant dosimetry when free-hand needles were placed to overcome interference from the pubic arch. Methods and Materials A review of all patients who underwent prostate brachytherapy at our institution from 2001 to 2006 was performed. Postimplant dosimetry in men requiring free-hand needle placement was compared with postimplant dosimetry in men not requiring free-hand needle placement. Results Of the 145 patients who underwent prostate brachytherapy, 8 patients required free-hand needle placement. The mean prostate volume in the free-hand needle cohort was 46.0 cc with a mean of 3.4 free-hand needles placed. In the 137 patients not requiring free-hand needle placement, the mean volume was 39.7 cc. The mean D 90 , V 100 , V 150 , and rectal V 100 for the free-hand cohort was 129.5%, 96.3%, 81.6%, and 1.45 cc, respectively. The mean D 90 , V 100 , V 150 , and rectal V 100 in men not requiring free-hand needle placement was 126.8%, 97.1%, 78.7%, and 1.03 cc, respectively. Conclusion The present study finds that adequate postimplant dosimetry can be obtained if free-hand needles are required due to pubic arch interference.
Localization of avian tumor virus group-specific antigen in cell and virus.

Abstract Nonproducing Rous sarcoma cells of the chicken contain an antigen which is group specific for the avian leukosis and sarcoma complex and can be demonstrated throughout the cytoplasm of such cells by indirect fluorescent antibody staining with immune sera from Rous sarcoma-bearing Syrian hamsters. In chick fibroblasts producing infectious avian tumor virus this group-specific ( gs ) antigen is localized at the cell periphery, where it is distributed in a fashion that is typical of released, cell-associated virus. This indicates that the gs antigen is closely associated with mature virus. Such gs antigen affiliated with extracellular, cell-associated virus is accessible to the immunochemical stain only after histologic fixation and is therefore considered to be an internal component of the virion. The type-specific viral envelope antigen, on the other hand, can be stained in extracellular virus prior to fixation. Gs antibody is readily demonstrable in the sera of tumor-bearing Syrian hamsters. In chicken sera prepared against avian tumor viruses, only type-specific antibodies have so far been detected, but the occurrence of a minor gs component has not been excluded with certainty.
Some implications of cognitive theory for instructional design

This article examines some of the implications of recent developments in cognitive theory for instructional design. It is argued that behavioral theory is inadequate to prescribe instructional strategies that teach for understanding. Examples of how instructional designers have adopted relevant aspects of cognitive theory are described. However, it is argued that such adoption is only a first step. The growing body of evidence for the indeterminism of human cognition requires even further changes in how instructional designers think and act. A number of bodies of scholarly research and opinion are cited in support of this claim. Three implications of cognitive theory for design are offered: instructional strategies need to be developed to counter the reductionism implicit in task analysis; design needs to be integrated into the implementation of instruction; designers should work from a thorough knowledge of theory not just from design procedures.
A Brief Proof of the Full Completeness of Shin’s Venn Diagram Proof System

In an article in the Journal of Philosophical Logic in 1996, “Towards a Model Theory of Venn Diagrams,” (Vol. 25, No. 5, pp. 463–482), Hammer and Danner proved the full completeness of Shin’s formal system for reasoning with Venn Diagrams. Their proof is eight pages long. This note gives a brief five line proof of this same result, using connections between diagrammatic and sentential representations.
Regionalisation and internationalisation in higher education and development: a historical perspective, c. 1950–1970

This article looks historically at the ‘regionalisation’ of higher education in the United States and East Asia. First, it recounts the proliferation of regional networks in American higher education in the 1950s and 1960s, with a focus on the international dimensions of these networks. Then, it revisits a major conference on ‘University Cooperation and Asian Development’, hosted by the University of Hong Kong in 1966. Noting that domestic university collaborations often paved the way for subsequent international networks, the article situates both American and Asian networks in their broader geopolitical context to show the relationship between higher education, regional development and the pursuit of soft power.
Mapping the Galactic halo with main-sequence and RR Lyrae stars

We present an analysis of Galactic halo structure, substructure, and metallicity traced by mainsequence and RR Lyrae stars selected from the SDSS stripe 82 and CFHT Legacy Survey data sets. The main result of the study based on SDSS stripe 82 data is a 2D map of the Galactic halo that reaches distances of 100 kpc and traces previously known and new halo substructures, such as the Sagittarius and Pisces tidal streams. We present strong direct evidence, based on both RR Lyrae and main-sequence stars, that the halo stellar number density profile significantly steepens beyond 30 kpc from the Galactic center. The steepening of the density profile beyond 30 kpc is also evident in the distribution of main-sequence stars observed by the CFHT Legacy Survey along four Galactic lines of sight. In the two CFHT sightlines where we do not detect significant substructure, the median metallicity is found to be independent of distance within systematic uncertainties ([Fe/H] ∼ −1.5 ± 0.1 dex within 30 kpc of the Galactic Center).
Eating on the fly: Function and regulation of autophagy during cell growth, survival and death in Drosophila

Significant progress has been made over recent years in defining the normal progression and regulation of autophagy, particularly in cultured mammalian cells and yeast model systems. However, apart from a few notable exceptions, our understanding of the physiological roles of autophagy has lagged behind these advances, and identification of components and features of autophagy unique to higher eukaryotes also remains a challenge. In this review we describe recent insights into the roles and control mechanisms of autophagy gained from in vivo studies in Drosophila. We focus on potential roles of autophagy in controlling cell growth and death, and describe how the regulation of autophagy has evolved to include metazoan-specific signaling pathways. We discuss genetic screening approaches that are being used to identify novel regulators and effectors of autophagy, and speculate about areas of research in this system likely to bear fruit in future studies.
Consistency in subjective evaluations of community attributes

Subjective indicators of life quality are used frequently in the planning and decision making process. The limitations inherent in the use of subjective indicators often go unnoticed among those most likely to use such data in the context of planned change. We direct attention to a potential source of error in subjective evaluations of community services and facilities. Specifically, we utilize repeated measures to test for response bias that results from placing items in alternative sections of the same survey instrument. Evidence concerning the hypothesized presence of systematic bias was mixed. When overall service evaluation items were embedded within a section devoted exclusively to that service, considerable systematic bias was observed. The findings indicate that the choice of question format depends upon the ultimate use to which the data will be put.
Decline in adrenocorticotropin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid expression in the baboon fetal adrenocortical zone in the second half of pregnancy.

We have previously shown a decrease in fetal zone-specific ACTH-stimulable dehydroepiandrosterone formation and an increase in definitive zone-specific cortisol biosynthesis in the baboon fetal adrenal gland in the second half of gestation. Therefore, the fetal and definitive zones seem to develop a divergence in functional capacity with advancing gestation. We have proposed, therefore, that there is a selective decrease in ACTH receptor expression and thus tropic responsivity to ACTH within the fetal zone in the second half of primate pregnancy. The present study examined this possibility and whether corresponding changes occurred in the developmental expression of major components required for steroidogenesis. ACTH receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, determined by in situ hybridization, in the fetal zone of the baboon fetal adrenal were approximately 2-fold greater (P < 0.05) at mid (i.e. day 100) than at late (i.e. day 170) gestation and 3-fold greater (P < 0.01) in the definitive zone than in the fe...
Local Extrema of Traces of Heat Kernels onS2

Abstract OnS2we consider metrics conformal to the standard round metricgand of area 4π. We show that among such metrics the trace of the heat kernelTr(etΔ) is locally minimized atg, for any givent>0. The local condition is expressed in terms of anL∞neighborhood of the set of conformal factors ofgof the form |τ′|, withτa Mobius transformation. To prove this result we use a power series expansion of the trace in terms of its conformal variations. We derive a combinatorial formula for the second variation and prove that it is positive definite except along the first eigenspace, where it vanishes. We estimate the higher variations and use a center of mass argument to complete the proof.
Money for quakes

In the wake of a multibillion-dollar earthquake relief bill for California that quickly passed Congress, the Senate voted to retain the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the lead agency of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program by passing an amended version of S. 1062, a bill to reorganize NEHRP. In a related action, the Senate added more money for the program to an appropriations bill. On the floor of the Senate October 25, Al Gore (D-Tenn.) introduced and won approval for an extra $20 million appropriation for NEHRP as an addition to a Continuing Resolution on the Fiscal Year 1990 budget. He compared the October 17 earthquake in northern California to last December's Armenian earthquake, which killed 20,000 people. “The difference between 20,000 dead and less than 100 dead was preparation, preparedness, prevention,” he said
Self assembled (In,Ga)As quantum structures on GaAs (4 1 1)A

Abstract We demonstrate the use of high index GaAs (4 1 1)A substrates as templates for the growth of (In,Ga)As quantum wires and quantum dots by molecular beam epitaxy. Scanning tunneling microscopy is used to characterize the facets of these nanostructures. For a deposition of six monolayers of (In,Ga)As on GaAs (4 1 1)A, quantum wire structures were observed to form along the [−122] direction with side facets indexed to {11 5 2}. By increasing the (In,Ga)As deposition to twelve monolayers, three-dimensional islands were observed to form above the wires bounded by similar {11 5 2} facets as well as steeper {1 1 0} and (1 1 1)A facets and a convex curved region composed of (1 0 0) facets.
Effect of Ku86 and DNA-PKcs deficiency on non-homologous end-joining and homologous recombination using a transient transfection assay

In mammalian cells, DNA double-strand breaks are repaired by non-homologous end-joining and homologous recombination, both pathways being essential for the maintenance of genome integrity. We determined the effect of mutations in Ku86 and DNA-PK on the efficiency and the accuracy of double-strand break repair by non-homologous end-joining and homologous recombination in mammalian cells. We used an assay, based on the transient transfection of a linearized plasmid DNA, designed to simultaneously detect transfection and recombination markers. In agreement with previous results non-homologous end-joining was largely compromised in Ku86 deficient cells, and returned to normal in the Ku86-complemented isogenic cell line. In addition, analysis of DNA plasmids recovered from Ku86 mutant cells showed an increased use of microhomologies at the nonhomologous end joining junctions, and displayed a significantly higher frequency of DNA insertions compared to control cells. On the other hand, the DNA-PKcs deficient cell lines showed efficient double-strand break repair by both mechanisms.
Development of BEM for thermoplasticity

Abstract A boundary element method (BEM) for general thermoplastic analysis is presented. A thermally-sensitive two surface material model is used to simulate constitutive behavior. The nonlinear system of equations, arising from an initial stress approach, is solved using a new Newton-Raphson solution algorithm. The stress tensors are collapsed into a scalar variable using certain characteristic tensors arising out of the constitutive equations. This leads to a simpler system requiring much less computation. The solution algorithm is iterative in nature and checks for convergence at the end of each increment. The resulting robust analysis tool is then utilized in solving several practical applications to illustrate the growing importance of BEM as an alternative to the finite element method.
Conserved Residues Are Functionally Distinct within Transketolases of Different Species

Most of the amino acid residues which interact with thiamine pyrophosphate are highly conserved among enzymes which use this cofactor. The possible roles of several such residues in cofactor bindin...
Fast computation of uncertainty quantification measures in the geostatistical approach to solve inverse problems

Abstract We consider the computational challenges associated with uncertainty quantification involved in parameter estimation such as seismic slowness and hydraulic transmissivity fields. The reconstruction of these parameters can be mathematically described as inverse problems which we tackle using the geostatistical approach. The quantification of uncertainty in the geostatistical approach involves computing the posterior covariance matrix which is prohibitively expensive to fully compute and store. We consider an efficient representation of the posterior covariance matrix at the maximum a posteriori (MAP) point as the sum of the prior covariance matrix and a low-rank update that contains information from the dominant generalized eigenmodes of the data misfit part of the Hessian and the inverse covariance matrix. The rank of the low-rank update is typically independent of the dimension of the unknown parameter. The cost of our method scales as O ( m log m ) where m dimension of unknown parameter vector space. Furthermore, we show how to efficiently compute measures of uncertainty that are based on scalar functions of the posterior covariance matrix. The performance of our algorithms is demonstrated by application to model problems in synthetic travel-time tomography and steady-state hydraulic tomography. We explore the accuracy of the posterior covariance on different experimental parameters and show that the cost of approximating the posterior covariance matrix depends on the problem size and is not sensitive to other experimental parameters.
Clocking arbitrarily large computing structures under constant skew bound

A scheme for global synchronization of arbitrarily large computing structures such that clock skew between any two communicating cells is bounded above by a constant is described. The scheme utilizes clock nodes that perform simple processing on clock signals to maintain a constant skew bound irrespective of the size of the computing structure. Among the salient features of the scheme is the interdependence between network topology, skew upper bound, and maximum clocking rate achievable. A 2-D mesh framework is used to present the concepts, introduce three network designs, and to prove some basic results. For each network the (constant) upper bound on clock skew between any two communicating processors, is established, and its independence of network size is shown. Simulations were carried out to verify correctness and to check the workability of the scheme. A 4*4 network was built and successfully tested for stability. Such issues as node design, clocking of nonplanar structures such as hypercubes, and the concept of fuse programmed clock networks are addressed. >
Destruction of intracellular Trypanosoma cruzi after treatment of infected macrophages with cationic electron carriers.

Abstract Intracellular forms of Trypanosoma cruzi were destroyed in infected mouse macrophage cultures treated for 24 h with micromolar concentrations of phenazine methosulfate, brilliant cresyl blue, or crystal violet. Parasites were not killed in macrophages which were only treated with the dyes before infection, indicating that the drugs did not induce a protracted state of macrophage trypanocidal activity.
Preferences and the Democratic Peace

A debate exists over whether ~and to what degree! the democratic peace is explained by joint democracy or by a lack of motives for conflict between states that happen to be democratic. Gartzke ~1998! applies expected utility theory to the democratic peace and shows that an index of states’ preference similarity based on United Nations General Assembly roll-call votes ~affinity! accounts for much of the lack of militarized interstate disputes ~MIDs! between democracies. Oneal and Russett ~1997b, 1998, 1999! respond by arguing that UN voting is itself a function of regime type—that democracy “causes” affinity. Oneal and Russett seek to demonstrate their thesis by regressing affinity on democracy and other variables from a standard model of the democratic peace. I replicate results reported by Oneal and Russett and then extend the analysis in several ways. I find that the residuals from Oneal and Russett’s regression of affinity remain highly significant as a predictor of the absence of MIDs. Further, significance for democracy is shown to be fragile and subject to variable construction, model specification, and the choice of estimation procedure. A fundamental positive goal of international relations is the explication of costly contests—students of world politics seek to understand why states fight. A fundamental normative goal of international relations is of course the alleviation of such contests. The democratic peace—the observation that liberal dyads seldom engage in militarized disputes—is exciting precisely because it offers important opportunities for addressing both of these goals. Still, unification of the two goals remains contingent on the character of the explanation. Any account that fits the facts is potentially useful in positive terms, but to fulfill the normative objective, accounts must offer causal variables either that are socially manipulable or that trend in a desirable direction. If the causes of the democratic peace lie in liberal politics or economics, then the foreign policies of leading powers or the inexorable march of time may yield an expanding sphere of pacific relations. If instead the democratic peace is substantially explained by variables that are unresponsive to autonomous policy efforts or that are more likely to wander than to trend, then the prospects for long-term peace remain in greater doubt.
Multi-protocol architectures as a paradigm for achieving inter-operability

An inclusive approach to achieving heterogeneous system interoperability based on the use of multiprotocol architectures is considered. A detailed description of a framework and model for describing and constructing multiprotocol architectures is given. A case study based on architectures that mix protocols from the OSI and Internet suites is then described. Solutions to the problem of determining which set of protocols to use for a particular communication task are proposed. >
Protective Coating of Integrated Circuits for Operation in Corrosive Environments

This paper describes the development of a technique for protecting non-hermetically packaged integrated circuits for use inside the human body. A two layer combination consisting of a thin adhesion-promoting primer of plasma polymerized methane covered with a thicker layer of Parylene®-C has been found to provide excellent protection during long term exposure to simulated body fluids under continuous DC bias. The process for synthesizing the two layer combination in continuous vacuum is described. Results from adhesion and electrical testing of passive test structures are given. A new technique for the formation of small openings in thick polymer coatings for neural stimulation and sensing sites of implantable sensors is described. The technique uses biased thin film resistors formed on the passivation layer to provide localized heated areas which prevent polymer deposition during synthesis.
Abnormal Gastric Function in Longstanding, Insulin-Dependent Diabetic Patients

We evaluated gastric function in 8 longstanding, insulin-dependent diabetic patients with nausea and recurrent vomiting, as well as in 10 asymptomatic diabetic patients and 11 nondiabetic subjects. Gastric vagal function was assessed by measuring the gastric acid secretory response to sham feeding. Normal subjects secreted 17.2 ± 3.1 meq/hr, whereas diabetic patients with, or without, vomiting secreted 5.4 ± 1.4 and 6.4 ± 2.0 meq/hr, respectively (P From these studies we conclude that many patients with longstanding insulin-dependent diabetes have (a) reduced acid secretory responses to sham feeding, suggesting vagal neuropathy; (b) normal acid secretory responses to infused food, despite an enhanced serum gastrin response; and (c) delayed gastric emptying. These abnormalities occur both in diabetic patients with nausea and vomiting and in asymptomatic diabetic patients.
TimeTree: a public knowledge-base of divergence times among organisms

Summary: Biologists and other scientists routinely need to know times of divergence between species and to construct phylogenies calibrated to time (timetrees). Published studies reporting time estimates from molecular data have been increasing rapidly, but the data have been largely inaccessible to the greater community of scientists because of their complexity. TimeTree brings these data together in a consistent format and uses a hierarchical structure, corresponding to the tree of life, to maximize their utility. Results are presented and summarized, allowing users to quickly determine the range and robustness of time estimates and the degree of consensus from the published literature. Availability: TimeTree is available at http://www.timetree.net Contact: [email protected]
Identification of global modeshape from a few nodal eigenvectors using simple free-form deformation

A new method, different from common eigenvalue extraction methods, was proposed by Li and Kikuchi (in 8th ARC conference, 2002). It consists of explicit finite-element method and eigenvalue-extraction method in time domain. Even though the new method performs well in extracting eigenvalues, it is difficult to identify global modeshape of the given structure due to large size of time history data. Only some eigenvectors of a few nodal points can be extracted. In this paper, we apply computer animation technique to identify the global modeshape from a few nodal eigenvectors. Free-form deformation (FFD) technique is simply modified—simple FFD—and applied to the identification of global modeshapes. The basic concepts that consist of simple FFD algorithm are Delaunay triangulation and barycentric coordinate. Some numerical examples show good performance for the identification of global modeshape of a given structure.
Total endoscopic repair of a pediatric atrial septal defect using the da Vinci robot and hypothermic fibrillation

Computerized robotic enhancement has recently emerged as a promising technology to facilitate minimally invasive cardiac surgery. We report the first totally endoscopic closure of an atrial septal defect in a child using the da Vinci robot and hypothermic fibrillation.
Seizure risk in brain tumor patients with conversion to generic levetiracetam

Breakthrough seizure activity has been reported with conversion from brand name to generic anticonvulsants. This has prompted several organizations to support physician notification of generic substitution and patient consent. Recently, a generic formulation of levetiracetam has become available. Risk of seizures with generic levetiracetam has yet to be reported. Literature was reviewed regarding risk of generic substitution. Four cases of seizure activity in primary brain tumor patients after conversion from Keppra to generic levetiracetam are reported. In all cases, there was no evidence of tumor growth or concurrent illness that would increase the risk of seizures. In three cases, the patients have remained seizure free with conversion back to Keppra. The final patient required an increased dose of levetiracetam. As has been described with generic substitution of other anticonvulsants, patients switched to generic levetiracetam may be at risk for breakthrough seizure activity.
Sedimentation in a Transgressed Interdistributary Bay on Mississippi-Lafourche Delta Lobe: ABSTRACT

Caminada Bay is a shallow south Louisiana bay, located between the distributary levees and beach-ridge plain of the late Lafourche Mississippi delta (900-500 y.B.P.) on the west and the Bayou Des Families levees (3,000-2,000 y.B.P.) on the east. Small distributaries traversed the region of the present-day bay, probably during both early and late Lafourche time. The Lafourche delta actively prograded until about 500 y.B.P. when it was abandoned by the Mississippi River; the area of the present bay then entered its transgressive phase. Grand Isle, which separates Caminada Bay from the Gulf of Mexico, was subsequently built by sand derived from local distributary-mouth bars and erosion of the Lafourche beach-ridge plain to the west. As a consequence of the cutoff in fluvial ediment supply and continued subsidence, the lower delta plain of the Lafourche lobe is currently being transformed into the rapidly expanding Caminada Bay. Visual description, x-ray radiography, and resin peels of 23 vibracores (4 to 8 m, 13 to 26 ft, in depth) reveal the following vertical succession of sedimentary units beneath the bay: (1) basal paleobay deposits, (2) an intermediate unit representing Lafourche delta lobe progradation, and (3) upper transgressive bay deposits. The deepest unit penetrated (paleobay deposits) consists of mottled or bioturbated very fine sand and clay and shell beds. The intermediate unit (delta lobe) consists of intricately interlaminated very fine to fine sand, silt, and clay. It features lenticular, wavy, and flaser bedding. The upper transgressive unit consists of banded organic-rich clay with in-situ and detrital peat. Expansion of the bay by wave erosion of the many marsh islands removes most of the organic-rich upper unit. A thin unit of bioturbated muds is currently being emplaced on the bay floor. End_of_Article - Last_Page 475------------
Critical features of good dairy feeding experiments.

Summary This paper is an analytical survey of the factors to be considered in designing dairy feeding experiments. The problems of choosing experimental subjects, treatments, and response measures, the desirability of estimating experimental errors and the concepts of experimental sensitivity and experimental efficiency are discussed in a general way. Matters of error control and experimental design are discussed in detail, with special reference to dairy experiments. To point up the logical basis of error control, attention is focused on the lactation curve and factors affecting its general trend and shape. Designs for continuous and change-over trials are discussed in terms of controlling the factors affecting the lactation curve. Carry-over effects in change-over trials and ways proposed to surmount them are considered. Some comments to guide researchers in choosing between continuous trials and between different types of change-over designs are made.
Confounding in publications of observational intervention studies

We conducted a systematic literature search in Medline to assess the proportion of observational intervention studies appreciating confounding bias in peer-reviewed medical literature from 1985 through 2005. This study shows only 9% of all papers on observational intervention studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals mention any of the terms (confounding, adjustment, or bias) indicating appreciation of confounding.
A standoff, focused-beam land mine radar

This paper describes a standoff, focused-beam, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) for detecting buried antipersonnel (AP) mines. The radar features a 1 to 6 GHz, pulsed stepped-frequency microwave source with hardware range gate, an ultrawide bandwidth feed antenna, and an offset parabolic reflector. A focused-beam, created by feeding the reflector from an offset position, reduces the surface clutter and improves the detection of buried mines. A processing technique based on spectral analysis (Prony method) is developed in an attempt to reduce surface clutter. Tests conducted at the Fort A.P. Hill countermine test lanes showed excellent detection capability for both metallic and nonmetallic mines.
Ultrasound Probe and Needle-Guide Calibration for Robotic Ultrasound Scanning and Needle Targeting

Image-to-robot registration is a typical step for robotic image-guided interventions. If the imaging device uses a portable imaging probe that is held by a robot, this registration is constant and has been commonly named probe calibration. The same applies to probes tracked by a position measurement device. We report a calibration method for 2-D ultrasound probes using robotic manipulation and a planar calibration rig. Moreover, a needle guide that is attached to the probe is also calibrated for ultrasound-guided needle targeting. The method is applied to a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) probe for robot-assisted prostate biopsy. Validation experiments include TRUS-guided needle targeting accuracy tests. This paper outlines the entire process from the calibration to image-guided targeting. Freehand TRUS-guided prostate biopsy is the primary method of diagnosing prostate cancer, with over 1.2 million procedures performed annually in the U.S. alone. However, freehand biopsy is a highly challenging procedure with subjective quality control. As such, biopsy devices are emerging to assist the physician. Here, we present a method that uses robotic TRUS manipulation. A 2-D TRUS probe is supported by a 4-degree-of-freedom robot. The robot performs ultrasound scanning, enabling 3-D reconstructions. Based on the images, the robot orients a needle guide on target for biopsy. The biopsy is acquired manually through the guide. In vitro tests showed that the 3-D images were geometrically accurate, and an image-based needle targeting accuracy was 1.55 mm. These validate the probe calibration presented and the overall robotic system for needle targeting. Targeting accuracy is sufficient for targeting small, clinically significant prostatic cancer lesions, but actual in vivo targeting will include additional error components that will have to be determined.
Marine Low-Cloud Anomalies Associated with ENSO.

Abstract As a contribution to understanding the possible impact of altered climate regimes on marine clouds, and hence on cloud radiative forcing, ship-observed marine low clouds and precipitation frequency for individual seasons are regressed at zero lag on an index of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) for the period December 1955– January 1996 for ocean areas between 40°S and 70°N. Seasonal anomalies of atmospheric circulation parameters, static stability, and SST are also examined in order to illuminate physical mechanisms responsible for observed ENSO cloud variations. The following extratropical regions exhibit significant ENSO cloud anomalies and are discussed in detail: winter–spring North Pacific, summer North Pacific, winter western North Atlantic, autumn northeastern Atlantic, and western Mediterranean Sea. In all of these regions except the summer North Pacific, cloud anomalies are related to jet stream and storm track anomalies associated with atmospheric teleconnection patterns. The summer ...
Tobacco smoke toxicant and carcinogen biomarkers and lung cancer susceptibility in smokers

Stephen S. Hecht, Steven G. Carmella, Sharon E. Murphy, Irina Stepanov, Silvia Balbo, Dorothy K. Hatsukami, Jian-Min Yuan, Sungship L. Park, Daniel O. Stram, Christopher Haiman, Yesha Patel, Loic Le Marchand Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI
Chapter 3. Benzodiazepine Receptors

Publisher Summary The binding of a drug, such as a benzodiazepine or endogenous substance to the recognition site, is currently envisioned as initiating a series of events resulting in a pharmacologic or physiologic action. This chapter describes the recent developments on the regulation of the benzodiazepine receptor that has yielded new insights into the modes of action of agents that are structurally dissimilar to the benzodiazepines but share common therapeutic actions. One of the most important advances in probing the molecular pharmacology of the benzodiazepine receptor is the observation that a functional coupling exists between this site and a recognition site for ۄ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Although a large body of electrophysiologic, pharmacologic, and behavioral evidence suggests that benzodiazepines facilitate the actions of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, the neurochemical bases for this facilitation remain unclear. The functional association of benzodiazepine receptors with a chloride ionophore has been further strengthened by neurochemical findings from several laboratories. It has been reported that the convulsant benzodiazepine Ro-5-3663 is more potent as an inhibitor of GABA-enhanced benzodiazepine binding than in inhibiting “basal” (non GABA-stimulated) binding. Several drugs, as well as endogenous factors have now been found to possess similar characteristics. Prior to the introduction of benzodiazepines, barbiturates were widely used as anxiolytics and continue to be prescribed occasionally for this purpose. The pyrazolopyridines, demonstrated to have anxiolytic actions in experimental animals, must be given a comprehensive clinical trial to determine their efficacy as anxiolytics in man. Nonetheless, it is still premature to attempt to assign a pharmacologic action to specific changes in a benzodiazepine/GABA receptor/chloride ionophore complex.
Investigation of abbreviated 4 and 8 item versions of the PTSD Checklist 5

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant public health concern associated with marked impairment across the lifespan. Exposure to traumatic events alone, however, is insufficient to determine if an individual has PTSD. PTSD is a heterogeneous diagnosis such that assessment of all 20 symptoms is problematic in time-limited treatment settings. Brief assessment tools that identify those at risk for PTSD and measure symptom severity are needed to improve access to care and assess treatment response. The present study evaluated abbreviated measures of PTSD symptoms derived from the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) – a 20-item validated measure of PTSD symptoms – across two studies. In the first, using a community sample of adults exposed to a traumatic event, 4-and 8-item versions of the PCL-5 were identified that were highly correlated with the full PCL-5. In the second, using a sample of combat veterans, the 4-and 8-item measures had comparable diagnostic utility to the total-scale PCL-5. These results provide support for an abbreviated measure of the PCL-5 as an alternative to the 20-item total scale.