cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dietary Sodium/Potassium Intake Does Not Affect Cognitive Function or Brain Imaging Indices.

Background Dietary sodium may influence cognitive function through its effects on cerebrovascular function and cerebral blood flow. Methods The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of dietary sodium intake with cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults. We also evaluated the associations of dietary potassium and sodium:potassium intake with cognitive decline, and associations of these nutrients with micro- and macro-structural brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indices. In all, 1,194 participants in the Health Aging and Body Composition study with measurements of dietary sodium intake (food frequency questionnaire [FFQ]) and change in the modified Mini Mental State Exam (3MS) were included. Results The age of participants was 74 ± 3 years with a mean dietary sodium intake of 2,677 ± 1,060 mg/day. During follow-up (6.9 ± 0.1 years), 340 (28%) had a clinically significant decline in 3MS score (≥1.5 SD of mean decline). After adjustment, dietary sodium intake was not associated with odds of cognitive decline (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.50-1.84 per doubling of sodium). Similarly, potassium was not associated with cognitive decline; however, higher sodium:potassium intake was associated with increased odds of cognitive decline (OR 2.02 [95% CI 1.01-4.03] per unit increase). Neither sodium or potassium alone nor sodium:potassium were associated with micro- or macro-structural brain MRI indices. These results are limited by the use of FFQ. Conclusions In community-dwelling older adults, higher sodium:potassium, but not sodium or potassium intake alone, was associated with decline in cognitive function, with no associations observed with micro- and macro-structural brain MRI indices. These findings do not support reduction dietary sodium/increased potassium intake to prevent cognitive decline with aging.
Emergent Literacy Supports for Students who are Deaf-Blind or Have Visual and Multiple Impairments: A Multiple-case Study:

Seven classrooms of students with deaf-blindness or visual and multiple impairments were observed to document the emergent literacy supports that were present, including environmental characteristi...
Role of CD4 in the penetration of cells by HIV.

Enveloped viruses penetrate host cells by two distinct. mechanisms: by direct fusion between viral and cell membrane or by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Though not mutually exclusive, it is likely that viruses use one pathway or the other, that one predominates, or even that both occur but only one results in successful infection in the sense that productive infection ensues. Stein et al.1 and McClure et al.2 have shown convincingly that the low pH environment of the endosome is not necessary for infection by HIV. This does not mean that endocytosis does not occur; it may be that HIV is endocytosed but the low pH environment is not required for access of viral material to the cytoplasm. Electron microscopic studies have not been particularly helpful, and one can find examples supporting either mechanism1,3. Favoring the direct fusion mechanism is the observation that HIV-infected cells fuse with uninfected CD4 cells at neutral pH. The membrane fusion or syncytia phenomenon requires interaction between CD4 and viral envelope glycoprotein gpl20 and its mechanism is likely analagous to infection by cell-free virus. However, the endocytosis mechanism has a certain natural appeal in that the CD4 molecule, the receptor for HIV, has been shown to be internalized in endosomes as a result of T cell activation by mitogen, antigen, or phorbol ester. This occurs as a consequence of protein kinase C (PKC) activation and is associated with phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic segment of CD44-7. Bedinger et al.8 and Maddon et al.7 have made CD4 constructs lacking the cytoplasmic segment of CD4 that are incapable of PKC-induced internalization. Cells expressing these mutant CD4 molecules can be readily infected with HIV 7,8. However, ligand binding may induce internalization of a receptor independent of mechanisms involving PKC-activated phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic segment of the receptor. The EGF receptor is a case in point. Mutations in the cytoplasmic segment of the EGF receptor rendering it unresponsive to PKC induced internalization do not affect ligand-induced internalization9.
Applications of the Laplace Transform

Laplace transforms are useful in solving the spring-mass systems. Although the method of Laplace transforms can be used to solve problems of higher order equations, this method is most useful in alleviating the difficulties associated with problems of the type that involves piecewise-defined forcing functions. This chapter reviews the use of Laplace transforms to solve the second order initial value problem that models the motion of a mass attached to the end of a spring: mx”+cx’+kx = f(t) x(0) = x 0 , x’(0) = v 0, where m represents the mass, c the damping coefficient, and k the spring constant determined by Hooke's law. The chapter illustrates how the method of Laplace transforms is used to solve this type of initial value problem in which the forcing function is continuous with the help of some examples. Laplace transforms can be used to solve the L-R-C circuits problems as well. This method is most useful when the supplied voltage v(t) is piecewise-defined. Laplace transforms can be used to solve the population problems. In this case, however, the chapter focuses on the problems that include a nonhomogeneous forcing function. Laplace transforms are especially useful when dealing with piece wise-defined forcing functions, but they are useful in many other cases as well. The chapter reviews a problem involving a continuous forcing function used to describe the presence of immigration or emigration. In many cases, it is required to determine the inverse Laplace transform of a product of two functions. Just as in integral calculus when the integral of the product of two functions did not produce the product of the integrals, the inverse Laplace transform of the product also does not yield the product of the inverse Laplace transforms. Therefore, the Convolution theorem is needed.
A data analytic benchmarking methodology for discovering common causal structures that describe context-diverse heterogeneous groups

Abstract Modern organizations typically regard information and communication technologies (ICTs) as one of the significant direct or indirect inputs for achieving operational excellence and competitive advantage. Since the concept of competitive advantage involves a relative comparison of the performance of organizational entities, then the concepts of organizational capabilities, context, and benchmarking are relevant. In this paper we present a new multi-method methodology for benchmarking that explicitly takes into consideration context-specific factors impacting the performance of organizational entities. This novel methodology allows for obtaining actionable information, in the form of non-obvious common causal structures, for improving the performance of the less efficient entities vis-a-vis their more efficient counterparts. The new methodology is state-of-the-art and is novel because it explicitly takes into consideration the context within which the organizational entities perform. Such “context awareness” allows for expanding the universe of discourse within which the process improvement initiatives are usually considered, thus allowing to consider the impact of external to the process factors on internal to the process mechanisms. This methodology involves the creative integration of several Information Systems (IS)’ artifacts (i.e. multiple data mining methods) with Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). We present an illustrative application of this methodology to an IS/ICT & Productivity research problem in the ‘developing’ countries context.
Analytical solution for elliptic shear standing wave pattern in a bounded transversely isotropic viscoelastic material

Dynamic elastography methods—based on photonic, ultrasonic, or magnetic resonance imaging—are being developed for quantitatively mapping the shear viscoelastic properties of biological tissues, which are often altered by disease and injury. These diagnostic imaging methods involve analysis of shear wave motion in order to estimate or reconstruct the tissue’s shear viscoelastic properties. Most reconstruction methods to date have assumed isotropic tissue properties. But, application to tissues like skeletal muscle and brain white matter with aligned fibrous structure resulting in local transverse isotropic mechanical properties would benefit from analysis that takes into consideration anisotropy. A theoretical approach is developed for the elliptic shear wave pattern observed in transverse isotropic materials subjected to axisymmetric excitation normal to the fiber axis. This approach, utilizing Mathieu functions, is enabled via a transformation to an elliptic coordinate system with isotropic properties and a ratio of minor and major axes matching the ratio of shear wavelengths perpendicular and parallel to the plane of isotropy in the transverse isotropic material. The approach is validated via finite element analysis cases studies. This strategy of coordinate transformation to equivalent isotropic systems could aid in analysis of other anisotropic tissue structures. (Grant support: NIH AR071162.)Dynamic elastography methods—based on photonic, ultrasonic, or magnetic resonance imaging—are being developed for quantitatively mapping the shear viscoelastic properties of biological tissues, which are often altered by disease and injury. These diagnostic imaging methods involve analysis of shear wave motion in order to estimate or reconstruct the tissue’s shear viscoelastic properties. Most reconstruction methods to date have assumed isotropic tissue properties. But, application to tissues like skeletal muscle and brain white matter with aligned fibrous structure resulting in local transverse isotropic mechanical properties would benefit from analysis that takes into consideration anisotropy. A theoretical approach is developed for the elliptic shear wave pattern observed in transverse isotropic materials subjected to axisymmetric excitation normal to the fiber axis. This approach, utilizing Mathieu functions, is enabled via a transformation to an elliptic coordinate system with isotropic properties an...
The Judiciary and Economic Development

No degree of substantive law improvement can bring the rule of law to a country without effective enforcement, and a sound judiciary is the key to enforcement. Judicial independence and the strength and efficiency of judiciaries are associated with economic growth. Some research finds legal formalism (that is, procedural complexity) undesirable. Though procedural complexity may be a barrier to judicial efficiency, it is also true that some procedural rules are designed to avoid legal error, also surely an aspect of efficiency. In any event, many of the measured differences in formalism between the common law and civil law are related to the far different role of counsel and judge in the two legal systems. Judicial efficiency measured in terms of duration of cases shows an extraordinarily wide variance among countries within individual legal families, suggesting that something at least as significant as legal origin may be involved. The related concepts of separation of powers and of checks and balances are not well-defined, and their meaning varies depending on the country and the objective of the constitutional founders. For economic development the constitutional provisions on review of administrative acts take on special importance. Judicial independence is not just a question of the structural independence of the judiciary within the governmental system, but also of the behavioral independence of individual judges. The latter is based both on law (for example, lifetime tenure) and on the method of appointment of the judiciary, but also on the education, economic security, and place in society of individual judges. Especially noteworthy in this regard is the traditional independence of English judges despite the absence of constitutional structural independence and of any power of judicial review.
Comparison of a frailty short interview to a validated frailty index in adults hospitalized for acute respiratory illness.

Abstract Background Frailty is an important physiologic factor in studies of influenza and influenza vaccines carried out in older adults and hospitalized populations. Unfortunately, comprehensive assessments of frailty requiring physical assessments and extensive medical record review are not often feasible in time- and resource-limited settings common to studies of influenza and influenza vaccines. Methods We developed a 5-question frailty short interview, and implemented it in a multicenter, hospital-based study of influenza over two years. Frailty status defined by the frailty short interview was compared to a validated frailty index based on medical record review of 59 parameters. Agreement between the two frailty measures was assessed, and multivariable linear regression models were used to explore differences between the measures. The association between each frailty measure and likelihood of influenza vaccination was also assessed. Results During the 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 influenza seasons, 2070 adult patients hospitalized with acute respiratory illness were enrolled and included in analyses. Frailty was frequently identified in the study population; 43% of participants were defined as frail by the frailty short interview and 32% by frailty index. Responses to the frailty short interview were only moderately correlated with the frailty index, and agreement between the two frailty measures was low. Women were more likely to be defined as frail by the frailty short interview than men. White individuals were more likely than other races to be defined as frail by the frailty index. Increasing frailty index was associated with increased likelihood of influenza vaccination, but the frailty short interview was not associated with vaccination. Conclusions The frailty short interview provided a feasible and consistent measure of frailty across study hospitals and study years. However, its modest correlation with the frailty index and differential association with likelihood of influenza vaccination highlight differences in the conceptualization of frailty.
Aqueous electrophoretic deposition of gadolinium doped ceria

Abstract Homogeneous, bubble-free and smooth gadolinium doped ceria (GDC) films were successfully obtained with the application of alternating current electrophoretic deposition (AC-EPD) in the aqueous suspension. GDC particles were well dispersed in the aqueous suspension at a pH of 9.0. The alternating current was achieved through the application of an asymmetric square wave voltage to the electrodes of the deposition cell. An optimum frequency of 1 kHz showed the best balance between the suppression of bubble evolution and enhancement of the particle migration. The deposit yield increased monotonically with increasing time under the AC-EPD with a frequency of 1 kHz, suggesting its great potential to fabricate tunable thicknesses of deposition layers. The quality of the GDC film improved with an increase in frequency. An optimum combination of forward and reverse voltages and half-widths of the pulses was found.
On-line sample preparation for multiclass vitamin, hormone, and mycotoxin determination in chicken egg yolk using LC-MS/MS.

Abstract Hen egg yolk from chicken eggs were examined for their mycotoxin, hormone, and fat-soluble vitamin content. A method was developed for multi-class analysis of egg yolk using a dilute/precipitate, centrifuge, and shoot process coupled with on-line sample clean-up using restricted access media with LC-MS/MS. Matrix effects were evaluated and a standard addition protocol with internal standards was chosen for analyte quantitation. With some minor exceptions, the method displayed good linearity (R2 > 0.99), with appropriate limits of detection (0.05–10 ng/g) and limits of quantitation (0.15–30 ng/g) for the analytes tested. Overall, it was discovered there was some variation between the different types of eggs tested in these experiments, especially with regard to their fat-soluble vitamin contents. Low-level mycotoxins were detected in most of the eggs tested. The challenges associated with developing a multi-class compound determination from a single analytical run were elucidated.
Conducting a Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of an Early Numeracy Intervention

This study examined the cost-effectiveness of a 50-lesson mathematics intervention program focused on whole number concepts for at-risk kindergarten students, ROOTS. The study utilized a randomized...
Tangled compositions: Botany, agency, and authorship aboard HMS Endeavour.

By all accounts, James Cook's HMS Endeavour sojourn in Tahiti was a pivotal moment in Enlightenment engagements between Indigenous and European cultures. Among the voyage records that survive, the Endeavour draftsman Sydney Parkinson's Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas (1773) is widely viewed as anomalous for the depth and breadth of its interests in Indigenous Tahitian culture and plant knowledge. This essay complicates that view, with emphasis on the contingencies peculiar to the Journal's publication and to Parkinson's own authorial biography. Drawing on Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari's concept of the rhizome, I analyze Parkinson's account alongside the botanist Daniel Solander's historiographically underutilized "Plantae Otaheitenses" manuscript. In so doing, I offer an alternative reading of the Journal as archetypal rather than exceptional in its attention to Indigenous cultures and knowledges. At stake, I suggest, is an enhanced appreciation for Indigenous-European botanical engagements and for Enlightenment print culture more broadly, as well as for the nebulously adisciplinary and collaborative nature of Enlightenment natural history field practices.
A Novel Method for Identifying a Parsimonious and Accurate Predictive Model for Multiple Clinical Outcomes.

Abstract Background and Objective Most methods for developing clinical prognostic models focus on identifying parsimonious and accurate models to predict a single outcome; however, patients and providers often want to predict multiple outcomes simultaneously. As an example, for older adults one is often interested in predicting nursing home admission as well as mortality. We propose and evaluate a novel predictor-selection computing method for multiple outcomes and provide the code for its implementation. Methods Our proposed algorithm selected the best subset of common predictors based on the minimum average normalized Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) across outcomes: the Best Average BIC (baBIC) method. We compared the predictive accuracy (Harrell's C-statistic) and parsimony (number of predictors) of the model obtained using the baBIC method with: 1) a subset of common predictors obtained from the union of optimal models for each outcome (Union method), 2) a subset obtained from the intersection of optimal models for each outcome (Intersection method), and 3) a model with no variable selection (Full method). We used a case-study data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to demonstrate our method and conducted a simulation study to investigate performance. Results In the case-study data and simulations, the average Harrell's C-statistics across outcomes of the models obtained with the baBIC and Union methods were comparable. Despite the similar discrimination, the baBIC method produced more parsimonious models than the Union method. In contrast, the models selected with the Intersection method were the most parsimonious, but with worst predictive accuracy, and the opposite was true in the Full method. In the simulations, the baBIC method performed well by identifying many of the predictors selected in the baBIC model of the case-study data most of the time and excluding those not selected in the majority of the simulations. Conclusions Our method identified a common subset of variables to predict multiple clinical outcomes with superior balance between parsimony and predictive accuracy to current methods.
Network externalities and long-run market shares

We study a dynamic duopoly model with network externalities. The value of the product depends on the current and past network size. We compare the market outcome to a planner. With equal quality products, the market outcome may result in too little standardization (i.e. too many products active in the long run) but never too much. The potential inefficiency is non-monotonic in the strength of the network effect, being most likely for intermediate levels. When products differ in quality, an inferior product may dominate even when the planner would choose otherwise, but only if the discount factor is sufficiently large
US Hospital Capacity Managers' Experiences and Concerns Regarding Preparedness for Seasonal Influenza and Influenza-like Illness.

Importance The 2017-2018 influenza season in the US was marked by a high severity of illness, wide geographic spread, and prolonged duration compared with recent previous seasons, resulting in increased strain throughout acute care hospital systems. Objective To characterize self-reported experiences and views of hospital capacity managers regarding the 2017-2018 influenza season in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants In this qualitative study, semistructured telephone interviews were conducted between April 2018 and January 2019 with a random sample of capacity management administrators responsible for throughput and hospital capacity at short-term, acute care hospitals throughout the US. Main Outcomes and Measures Each participant’s self-reported experiences and views regarding high patient volumes during the 2017-2018 influenza season, lessons learned, and the extent of hospitals’ preparedness planning for future pandemic events. Interviews were recorded and transcribed and then analyzed using thematic content analysis. Outcomes included themes and subthemes. Results A total of 53 key hospital capacity personnel at 53 hospitals throughout the US were interviewed; 39 (73.6%) were women, 48 (90.6%) had a nursing background, and 29 (54.7%) had been in the occupational role for more than 4 years. Participants’ experiences were categorized into several domains: (1) perception of strain, (2) effects of influenza and influenza-like illness on staff and patient care, (3) immediate staffing and capacity responses to influenza and influenza-like illness, and (4) future staffing and capacity preparedness for influenza and influenza-like illness. Participants reported experiencing perceived strain associated with concerns about preparedness for seasonal influenza and influenza-like illness as well as concerns about staffing, patient care, and capacity, but future pandemic planning within hospitals was not reported as being a high priority. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this qualitative study suggest that during the 2017-2018 influenza season, there were systemic vulnerabilities as well as a lack of hospital preparedness planning for future pandemics at US hospitals. These issues should be addressed given the current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Transoral Robotic Surgery for Tonsillar Neoplasms

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) allows surgeons to access tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract through a natural body orifice – the mouth. This technique has been most commonly applied for neoplasms of the tonsillar fossa and base of tongue. The reason for this site predilection is two-fold: neoplasms of the tonsil and base of tongue represent one of the most common subsites of cancer in the head and neck, and neoplasms in this area are amenable to exposure and resection with the currently available robotic instrumentation. The use of this technique, however, forces the surgeon to view the anatomy from a different vantage point. Head and neck surgeons are accustomed to approaching tumors of the oropharynx from lateral to medial. The transoral approach forces surgeons to consider the anatomy from the oral cavity and oropharynx medial perspective. This chapter discusses the evaluation and workup of patients with tonsillar neoplasms being considered for surgical treatment, the relevant anatomy, operative goals, robotic surgical technique, and clinical considerations of transoral robotic surgery for neoplasms of the tonsillar fossa.
Multi-layer Regulation of Rubisco in Response to Altered Carbon Status in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942

Abstract Photosynthetic organisms possess a variety of mechanisms to achieve balance between absorbed light (source) and the capacity to metabolically utilize or dissipate this energy (sink). While regulatory processes that detect changes in metabolic status/balance are relatively well-studied in plants, analogous pathways remain poorly characterized in photosynthetic microbes. Herein, we explore systemic changes that result from alterations in carbon availability in the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 by taking advantage of an engineered strain where influx/efflux of a central carbon metabolite, sucrose, can be regulated experimentally. We observe that induction of a high-flux sucrose export pathway leads to depletion of internal carbon storage pools (glycogen), and concurrent increases in photosynthetic parameters. Further, a proteome-wide analysis and fluorescence reporter-based analysis revealed that upregulated factors following the activation of the metabolic sink are strongly concentrated on ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) and axillary modules involved in Rubisco maturation. Carboxysome number and Rubisco activity also increase following engagement of sucrose secretion. Conversely, reversing the flux of sucrose by feeding exogenous sucrose heterologously results in increased glycogen pools, decreased Rubisco abundance, decreased photosystem II quantum efficiency, and carboxysome reorganization. Our data suggest that Rubisco activity and organization are key outputs connected to regulatory pathways involved in metabolic balancing in cyanobacteria. One sentence summary Rubisco activity and organization are key outputs involve in source-sink balancing in cyanobacteria.
Recent Developments In Choice

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses recent developments related to references for different schedules of the same reinforcers. Various studies of choice for schedules of reinforcement have utilized simple concurrent schedules. While these appear to provide reasonable measures of choice for many pairs of schedules, the method is flawed by a confounding feature that becomes apparent when two widely discrepant schedules are utilized. The measure of choice is confounded with the rates of responding generated by the schedules themselves and thus, if a fixed-interval (FI) and a variable-ratio (VR) schedule are compared for choice in a simple concurrent design, it would be impossible to determine the extent responding represented choice for one schedule over another and to what extent the behavior is controlled by the nature of FI and VR schedules. The chapter discusses the concurrent-chains procedure, in which the organism responds on two concurrently available keys, each of which is illuminated by the stimulus of the initial link of one chain. The concurrent-chains procedure has several advantages in the study of choice. In the first place, the procedure keeps the number of reinforcements for responding on each key close to the number intended by the experimenter over a wide range of preference for pecking one key or the other. Finally, while studying choice with the concurrent-chains procedure, the experimenter obtains a dividend in that the results are also relevant to the topic of conditioned reinforcement.
Information Transfer and Sperm Uptake by Mammalian Somatic Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter describes that sperm are endowed by their specific differentiation to interact with and to deliver their genetic components into ova for subsequent activation and function. Whether analogous genetic information can be transferred by sperm to mammalian somatic cells is unknown. The chapter describes that mammalian sperm interact with mammalian somatic cells as evidenced by actual penetration, the appearance of changes in morphology and growth characteristics, and the production of new gene products. These changes may be consequences of the direct acquisition and genetic expression of either the sperm chromatin itself or the reverse transcriptase containing complex within the sperm heads. The interaction of sperm with somatic cells that leads to fetal antigen expression and to changes resembling oncogenic transformation may involve a recapitulation, at least in part, of the program of postfertilization gene expression. The normal function of sperm is fertilization; the presence of its various components in somatic cells might very well induce changes analogous to those that occur in embryological and fetal development. It has been estimated that the amount of unique-sequence DNA that is transcribed in the rabbit blastocyst but no longer in the midgestation embryo is enough to specify some 23,000 different proteins; the corresponding difference between normal and virus-transformed mouse cells is regarded as sufficient to specify some 200,000 different proteins. To sort out the many steps involved in embryogenesis, fetal development, and oncogenesis in the face of such complexity is indeed a prodigious task.
Two-dimensional, finite Larmor radius magnetohydrodynamics code

Summary form only given. A two-dimensional, finite Larmor radius magnetohydrodynamics (2D FLR MHD) code has been developed. The code solves the 2D FLR equations in the isothermal limit. These equations are presented in Braginskii (1965) and include an anisotropic ion stress tensor in the momentum equation. The FLR MHD equations are solved in conservative form. A nonlinear switch between an 8th order spatial scheme and a low-order scheme is used based upon the partial donor cell method (Hain, 1987). The novel feature of the code is the computation of the fluxes across cell interfaces. The code uses a variation of the beam scheme and computes fluxes based upon Maxwellian-like distribution functions that contain the magnetic forces. As a test of the code, theoretical and computational results for the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in the FLR MHD regime (Roberts and Taylor, 1962) are presented. We also discuss the transition to the unmagnetized regime where the Hall term becomes important, and applications to plasma boundary layer dynamics.
Health and safety risks in production agriculture

Production agriculture is associated with a variety of occupational illnesses and injuries. Agricultural workers are at higher risk of death or disabling injury than most other workers. Traumatic injury commonly occurs from working with machinery or animals. Respiratory illness and health problems from exposures to farm chemicals are major concerns, and dermatoses, hearing loss, certain cancers, and zoonotic infections are important problems. Innovative means of encouraging safe work practices are being developed. Efforts are being made to reach all groups of farmworkers, including migrant and seasonal workers, farm youth, and older farmers.
The Invisible Hand: The Power of Language in Creating Welcoming Postsecondary Learning Experiences.

This manuscript discusses from the joint perspectives of an undergraduate student and a faculty member the often invisible role that language can play in providing postsecondary learning experiences that can either include or exclude students on the basis of social identity. The authors discuss ignorance, uncertainty, and political correctness as barriers to open communication about race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and other aspects of social identity. They then address writing about diversity and provide ideas for engaging in conversations about diversity in the classroom.
Convex labelings of trees

A convex labeling of a tree T of order n is a one-to-one function f from the vertex set of T into the nonnegative integers, so that f(y) ⩽ (f(x) + f(z))/2 for every path x, y, z of length 2 in T. If, in addition, f(v) ⩽ n − 1 for every vertex v of T, then f is a perfect convex labeling and T is called a perfectly convex tree. Jamison introduced this concept and conjectured that every tree is perfectly convex. We show that there exists an infinite class of trees, none of which is perfectly convex, and in fact prove that for every n there exists a tree of order n which requires a convex labeling with maximum value at least 6n/5 – 22. We also prove that every tree of order n admits a convex labeling with maximum label no more than n2/8 + 2. In addition, we present some constructive methods for obtaining perfect convex labelings of large classes of trees.
Crystal structure characterization of nautilus shell at different length scales

In this work, we studied the shell structure of the Nautilus pompilius Linnaeus by using analytical techniques of scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction. The main objective of this study is the structural characterization of Nautilus shell at different length levels, from micron to nano-scale. The results were also used to try to determine the shell structure mechanism of formation. The information obtained in this work will place our particular knowledge a closer step to understand how self-assembly works in nature, and will increase the opportunities of using this information in the future synthesis of new advanced materials.
Strategies to Encourage a Sustainable Interorganizational Collaborative Culture

Interorganizational collaboration allows community organizations to work together to achieve common goals without duplicating services. Collaboration creates challenges when working with organizations from different sectors, but it can be achieved even if it is for a limited time. In this paper, we examine a case study conducted with collaborative partners from a private communications company, a small nonprofit organization, and a public/academic institution. In the findings, we offer ten themes for beginning the collaborative process, to better ensure its success to the end of the project and perhaps beyond. Through conclusions, we recommend strategies based on the case study and supported by the literature.
Alcohol dehydrogenase-coupled spectrophotometric assay of epoxide hydratase activity

Abstract A coupled assay was devised for the assay of liver microsomal epoxide hydratase using the ability of alcohol dehydrogenase to transfer electrons from diols to NAD+: epoxide hydratase activity was continuously monitored at 340 nm. Rates of hydrolysis of octene-1,2-oxide and styrene-7,8-oxide measured utilizing this assay were similar to those determined using gas-liquid chromatography and radiometric thin-layer chromatography, respectively. The assay was used to examine the ability of rat liver microsomes and highly purified rat liver microsomal epoxide hydratase fractions to hydrolyze 15 other epoxides.
Transcriptional Activation of a Cutinase Gene in Isolated Fungal Nuclei by Plant Cutin Monomers

Monomers, unique to cutin, and a soluble protein factor from the fungal extract selectively activated cutinase gene transcription, probably by promoting initiation in nuclei isolated from uninduced Fusarium solani pisi. This in vitro transcriptional activation produced normal-sized cutinase messenger RNA. Alterations in the monomer structure diminished the transcriptional activation
Developments in Quantitative Data Display and Their Implications for Evaluation

Quantitative displays discussed in this chapter can be used across multiple evaluation stages, although this chapter pays significant attention to visualization as a mechanism for communicating data and results. The chapter is split into two parts. The first part illustrates some newer chart types that have gained popularity over the last decade, and identifies evaluation situations where these new visualizations could be useful. The second part examines new display functionality made possible by the Web and discusses how these features can be used to increase the amount of data presented while maintaining visual simplicity. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Distribution of Plum Curculio Injury in a Sour Cherry Orchard and Sampling Procedures for Determining the Extent of Injury

The distribution of plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst), injury was studied in a semineglected Montmorency sour cherry orchard in Door County, Wisconsin, from 1959 through 1962. Populations were found to be aggregated, with most fruit injury occurring in trees near the orchard margins. Injury ranged from 2 to 25%, averaging about 15%. Fruit samples taken approximately 30 days after the petal-fall stage were the most effective for detecting injury which was at random within a tree, but varied considerably between trees. Between-tree differences were highly significant foe larval-infested and adult feeding-punctured fruit. The variation for oviposition punctures was about 4 times as great as that for larval infestations. A sampling plan is proposed for increasing the efficiency of detecting differences among pesticides used for plum curculio control on sour cherry.
Long run time series tests of constant steady-state growth

Abstract We propose a new methodology to study the stability of steady-state growth. Long-run GDP per capita can be characterized by: (1) the linear trend hypothesis, where there are no long-run changes in GDP levels or growth rates, (2) the level shift hypothesis, where there are long-run level shifts, but not changes in growth rates, and (3) the growth shift hypothesis, where there are long-run changes in both GDP levels and growth rates. We formally test these hypotheses using time series techniques with over 139 years of data. The results are not favorable to the hypothesis of constant steady-state growth. While we find evidence supporting the linear trend hypothesis for the United States and Canada and the level shift hypothesis for three additional OECD countries, the growth shift hypothesis is supported for seven OECD and four Asian countries. The results are not driven by transition dynamics.
A Stratigraphic Study of Small Volcano Clusters on Venus

Recently proposed global stratigraphy and geologic history models have led to two end member volcanic evolution models for Venus: a “directional” model that proposes Venus has progressed through a series of stages, each characterized by a particular style of volcanic activity (A. T. Basilevsky and J. W. Head 1997, J. Geophys. Res.103, 8531–8544), and a [nondirectional] model that proposes a more Earth-like type of volcanic activity with different eruption styles occurring globally on a local scale throughout the recent history of the planet (J. E. Guest and E. R. Stofan 1999, Icarus139, 55–66). The former infers that most small volcanoes (D<20 km) define a global unit, referred to as the “shield plains,” that predates emplacement of the widespread plains with wrinkle ridges, or “regional plains.” To test this hypothesis, cross-cutting and superposition relations were used to determine the stratigraphic positions of small volcano clusters in seven quadrangles (11% of the surface). The seven quadrangles included 179 clusters containing over 22,000 constructs. Three materials were defined for each cluster: (1) the constructs, (2) the material immediately surrounding the constructs (called the cluster material), and (3) the regional plains. Where possible, relative ages were established between the constructs, cluster material, and the regional plains. There are six possible temporal relations between the constructs and regional plains emplacement: (1) the constructs postdate regional plains emplacement, (2) some constructs postdate regional plains emplacement, and other constructs predate regional plains deformation but their ages relative to regional plains emplacement are ambiguous, (3) the constructs predate regional plains emplacement, (4) some constructs predate regional plains emplacement, and other constructs predate regional plains deformation but their ages relative to regional plains emplacement are ambiguous, (5) the constructs both predate and postdate regional plains emplacement, and (6) the ages of the constructs relative to regional plains emplacement are ambiguous. An age relative to regional plains emplacement could not be determined for almost half of the clusters studied. Of the clusters for which a relative age could be determined, almost half postdate regional plains emplacement, and an additional third contain at least some constructs that postdate regional plains emplacement. Less than a tenth of the clusters predate regional plains emplacement. These observations indicate that many small constructs postdate the emplacement of the regional plains and therefore are consistent with the nondirectional volcanic evolution model in which small constructs represent a global process occurring locally throughout the recent history of Venus.
Balancing weight, system reliability and redundancy in a multiobjective optimization framework

Abstract Redundancy is often desired in structural systems, although no redundancy definition has been widely accepted as an objective measurement. In this paper a probabilistic index is employed as a measure of structural redundancy. This index is compatible with structural system reliability analysis. The optimization problem is solved in a multiobjective framework in which the goal is to minimize and/or maximize several objectives simultaneously. Optimal structural designs are sought in the sense of least weight, highest system reliability and highest system redundancy. Numerical results show that optimal searchings balancing weight, system reliability and system redundancy produce more rational structural designs.
Risk, fear, bird flu and terrorists: A study of risk perceptions and economics

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between risk perceptions, affect and the economic consequences of a bio-security threat against the U.S. food system. The main argument is that there exists a link between risk perceptions and economic behavior. The paper raises conjectures through a utility-theoretic economic model and examines these through two separate surveys, the first being a hypothetical agroterrorist attack and the second a hypothetical discovery of ‘bird flu’ in the United States. The results provide strong evidence that risk perception and fear can interact with consumption in an economically significant way.
Double immunostaining reveals distinctions among opioid peptidergic neurons in the medial basal hypothalamus

We adapted an uncommon peroxidase substrate, ortho-dianisidine, to double immunostaining methodology in order to analyze the degree of neuronal coexistence of pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides and to compare the distribution of neurons containing β-endorphin immunoreactivity (ir) with those containing enkephalin-ir and dynorphin-ir in the medial basal hypothalamus. Double immunostaining demonstrated co-localization of β-endorphin-ir, adrenocorticotropic hormone-ir, and γ3-melanocyte stimulating hormone-ir in medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) neurons. However, while all perikarya containing β-endorphin-ir invariably contained adrenocorticotropic hormone-ir, not all of these cell bodies contained γ3-melanocyte stimulating hormone-ir. In contrast, separate neuronal cell bodies containing β-endorphin-ir, enkephalin-ir, and dynorphin-ir were distributed throughout the rostral-caudal extent of the MBH. Fibers containing enkephalin-ir closely surrounded cell bodies containing β-endorphin-ir, suggesting axosomatic contacts between these two opioid peptidergic neuronal populations.
Effect of very high temperatures on the mechanical properties of AlFeVSi alloy

Analyse par microscopie electronique en transmission de la microstructure de l'alliage Al-12,4 Fe-1,2 V-2,3 Si (% en poids) soumis a un recuit entre 500 et 600 C. Correlation entre la microstructure et les proprietes mecaniques. A 550, 600 C, les dispersoides grossissent, la croissance des grains et une recristallisation apparaissent. La durete et la resistance a la traction diminuent par augmentation de la quantite recristallisee. L'allongement a la rupture est affectee par la structure des dispersoides le long des joints de grains
WHY DO WE NEED TRANSGENIC ANIMALS

Genetic modification of animals through cross breeding and selection has probably been practiced since wild animals were first domesticated, but became more intensive beginning ~200 years ago with the creation of defined breeds with specialised phenotypes. This generality applies both to agriculturally important species, such as chickens and cattle, and to companion animals, such as cats and dogs. It also applies to plants. In the 20th century, new technologies designed to improve agricultural productivity, perhaps best illustrated by the development of artificial insemination and sperm cryopreservation for the dairy industry, as well as improved nutrition and veterinary care, all fueled by generous government support of agricultural research, accelerated progress towards providing low-cost, safe, and nutritious food for a burgeoning world population. Progress in some cases has been quite remarkable, especially in milk and meat production. The report by Palmiter, Brinster and colleagues in 1982, that mice harboring a transgene for growth hormone under the control of a metallothionein gene promoter grew faster than control siblings, raised the spectre of using relatively simple, one-step gene insertions, rather than cross-breeding and selection, to improve the production of milk, meat, and fibre, and enhance animal health quickly and directly. Although agronomy and horticulture have been able to benefit greatly from applying genetic modification to plants, there has been only very slow application of transgenesis to animal agriculture and aquaculture. The main goal of my talk will be to illustrate some of the difficulties, both scientific and social, that have been encountered in bringing genetic modification and related technologies, such as cloning, into mainstream agriculture. I shall also discuss the competitive advantage held by rodents over alternative animal models in biomedical sciences but argue that the latter still have an important role to play in this regard. A final topic will be to review the potential value of pluripotent stem cells for introducing genetic change in domestic species and for testing the efficacy and safety of grafts derived from pluripotent stem cells before human clinical trials.
Behavioral effects of chronic lead ingestion on laboratory rats.

Abstract Rats contineously exposed to lead acetate solutions were tested on a visual discrimination reversal problem, on the open field and in 2 shuttle avoidance situations. High lead intake produced slower acquisition of the visual discrimination problem but had no effect on reversal performance. High lead intake reduced activity on the open field and improved performance on both shuttle avoidance problems. Results are interpreted to indicate that the effects produced by exposure to lead may involve an increase in responsiveness to aversive situations.