cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of mental simulation of future waterpipe tobacco smoking on attitudes, perceived harms and intended use among young adults

The desire to engage in waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) may occur when smokers and nonsmokers conjure positive mental simulations of WTS. However, effects of these simulations on desire to smoke waterpipe tobacco and potential mediators are unexplored. This research addressed these effects among young adult waterpipe tobacco smokers and nonsmokers. Two online studies were conducted with adults ages 18-30. In Study 1, 200 smokers, 190 susceptible nonsmokers, and 182 nonsusceptible nonsmokers were randomized to mentally simulate or not WTS in the future. In Study 2, 234 smokers and 241 susceptible nonsmokers were randomized to four arms: no simulation or simulations that varied valence of experience (positive, negative or no valence provided). Main outcomes were immediate desire to smoke waterpipe tobacco, cognitive and affective attitudes, and perceived harms. In Study 1, mental simulations increased the desire to smoke waterpipe tobacco among smokers. In Study 2, asking participants to simulate WTS positively or with no valence instruction increased desire to smoke relative to negative valence instruction or no simulation. Negative simulations reduced perceived probability of smoking within a month compared to positive simulations. Effects on desire to engage in WTS were mediated by cognitive and affective attitudes among susceptible nonsmokers and by cognitive attitudes among smokers. These findings suggest that exploring when and how often mental simulations about WTS are evoked and their potency for promoting prevention and cessation of WTS merit further attention.
Counterinsurgency Tactics, Rebel Grievances, and Who Keeps Fighting

Foundational theories of civil war argue that grievances motivate individuals to rebel. This letter expands this logic to explain within-conflict rebel behavior, arguing that the counterinsurgency tactics of governments can further increase grievances which in turn shape the likelihood rebels continue fighting as conflicts unfold. I test the argument using newly compiled individual-level data on over 1,700 members of the Irish Volunteers and Irish Citizen Army who participated in the 1916 Easter Rising. Rebels varied in whether they evaded capture after the uprising. I show that rebels who were interned were more likely to fight throughout the entire Irish War of Independence. Qualitative evidence corroborates the contention that imprisonment further radicalized Irish rebels. The letter elucidates how within-conflict events shape rebel behavior, by documenting how the tactics governments employ as they fight can shape the subsequent actions of the rebels they are combating.
Children, dynastic altruism and the wealth of nations

Abstract The effective life span, or quantity of life, of an altruistic parent extends beyond her own longevity. The quantity of life is also determined by the number and longevity of her descendants. Using a calibrated version of the Barro–Becker model, I derive and estimate measures of effective quantity of life and of relative well-being for representative individuals of 116 countries between 1970 and 2005. I find that the gains in effective quantity of life arising from longevity improvements were on average more than offset by the losses due to fertility reductions. Effective quantity of life in the world fell by more than 7 percent during the period 1970–2005. Contrary to previous estimates, I find that the effective growth rate of well-being in the world, taking into account quantity and quality of life, was significantly below the growth rate of per-capita consumption.
Detection of uranium mill tailings settlement using satellite-based radar interferometry

Abstract The feasibility of monitoring erosion and settlement of earthen covers on uranium mill tailings impoundment was evaluated using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) coherence analysis, differential radar interferometry (DInSAR) and multi-temporal interferometry. A total of 13 ERS-1/-2 SAR images were acquired between August 22, 1996 and December 14, 2000 over two uranium mill tailings sites located in north-western New Mexico, USA. These SAR datasets were screened based on meteorological conditions at the time of acquisition, eliminating those acquired during (a) rain and thunderstorms, (b) mist or fog or, (c) during overcast conditions. Preliminary coherence analysis allowed us to better understand the dynamics of land disposal sites, to identify useful and relevant time domains and define the appropriate parameters for subsequent InSAR analyses. DInSAR allowed us to measure differential settlement of tens of mm over two 3 to 4 month periods. The Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) technique identified spatial variations in the rate of settlement ranging from approximately 1 mm/yr to 10 mm/yr. Although the extent of the analysis was limited by the availability of archived SAR data, the results demonstrated that monitoring using on-demand SAR data should yield reliable measurements of surface displacements earthen covers.
Abstract 4046: N-myc interactor impacts autophagy via modulation of GSK3β/mTOR signaling

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Autophagy is a cellular mechanism for removal of dysfunctional cellular organelles, large protein complexes. It drives a specialized form of program cell death termed as programmed cell death II. Recent studies have demonstrated a prominent role of the process of autophagy in cancer progression and drug sensitivity. Under conditions of stress, cancer cells try to utilize autophagy to leverage a survival advantage; however, excessive autophagy renders cells vulnerable. Our previous work has demonstrated a pivotal role of N-myc interactor(NMI) in impeding breast cancer progression and metastasis. Loss of NMI is one of the key events that precedes and contributes to invasive progression of breast cancer. Here we provide evidence that NMI plays a crucial role in regulation of mTOR signaling ultimately impacting the autophagic response in breast cancer cells. Our initial observations showed that breast cancer cells restored for NMI expression contained more acidic vacuoles as determined by staining with Lysotracker. Further indication of autophagy was evidenced by the formation of distinct punctae in NMI cells upon transfection with GFP-LC3 which was ablated upon treatment with an autophagy inhibitor. Cells restored for expression of NMI showed decreased levels of p62 along with an increased LC3II processing. The mTOR signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in driving the autophagy. We found that p70S6K phosphorylation dramatically decreases in NMI expressing cells indicating an inhibition of mTOR signaling in these cells. Our observations show that active GSK3β, a negative modulator of mTOR, is responsible for mediating the effects of NMI. Conversely, NMI silenced cells showed indication of inactive GSK3β concomitant with activated mTOR signaling. Functionally, NMI mediated sensitization of cells to autophagy rendered breast cancer cells incapable of sustaining stress of cisplatin treatment. The sensitivity of these cells to cisplatin was notably reduced upon inhibition of the autophagic process. This suggests a possible role for autophagy in NMI induced drug sensitivity. Collectively, our results suggest that NMI plays an important role in modulation of autophagy via activation of GSK3β and consequent inhibition of mTOR signaling. Citation Format: Brandon J. Metge, Aparna Mitra, Lalita A. Shevde, Rajeev S. Samant. N-myc interactor impacts autophagy via modulation of GSK3β/mTOR signaling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4046. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4046
The Web of Computing: Computer Technology as Social Organization

Publisher Summary This chapter examines web models for understanding the dynamics of computing development and its use in organizational life. The chapter describes the study of the relative explanatory power of the discrete-entity model and web model by drawing upon the existing research literature and three case studies. The chapter explores different kinds of insights each model provides into the social dynamics of computing development and use. The chapter also illustrates the ways by which each model provides analytical power for making evaluations and predictions. Five major propositions that web analysts essentially make about the dynamics of computing development and use are also presented. The chapter concludes by examining two additional cases of computer developmentand use. It is noted that web models allow better predictions of the outcomes of using socially-complex computing developments in contrast to the discrete-entity models. Web analysts examine the interaction between people and technologies as part of a larger social and technical mosaic, in which the development and use of the focal technology is embedded.
On the smallest scale for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

We prove that, for solutions to the two- and three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, the minimum scale is inversely proportional to the square root of the Reynolds number based on the kinematic viscosity and the maximum of the velocity gradients. The bounds on the velocity gradients can be obtained for two-dimensional flows, but have to be assumed in three dimensions. Numerical results in two dimensions are given which illustrate and substantiate the features of the proof. Implications of the minimum scale result, to the decay rate of the energy spectrum are discussed.
A transaction manager component for cooperative transaction models

The database community has produced extensive research on the concurrency control problem in the context of traditional databases. However, this traditional model is not suitable for some applications, such as software development environments and CAD/CAM systems. What is needed is an extended transaction model better suited for these newer applications. Unfortunately, there is no consensus as to which of the almost dozens of extended transaction models is appropriate.This paper posits that there is no single model which will be applicable to every application and seeks other ways to use existing database technology. Towards this end, we present PERN, a new transaction manager component which provides the flexible and tailorable support required by advanced database applications.
Particle Size Distribution Technique Using Conventional Laser Doppler Velocimetry Measurements

The difference between the particle velocity and the fluid velocity within a flowfield is a direct function of the particle size distribution. Utilizing classical particle behavior through an oblique shock, a numerical algorithm has been developed to extract a size distribution estimate from conventional laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) measurements. As a specific application, the method is used to determine the size distribution of atomized silicon oil seed from LDV measurements through the leading-edge shock of a hypersonic forebody inlet at Mach 5.76. Knowledge of the particle sizes allows the measurement bias to be quantified and removed, thereby greatly enhancing the value of LDV as a nonintrusive flowfleld measurement technique.
Intelligent hybrid system for data mining

Summary form only given. Database mining is the process of finding patterns and relations in large database. A number of database mining techniques have been developed in domains that range from space and ocean exploration to financial and business analysis. The models generated from using data mining processes are statistical (e.g., linear regression, and nonlinear regression), symbolic (e.g., decision tree, CART, ID3), fuzzy symbolic (fuzzy logic systems), neural (feedforward neural network, recurrent neural networks, and self-organizing memory SOM), and genetic (genetic algorithm based on the biological survival of the fittest). Some scientists are trying to introduce chaos theory and fractal statistics for better data mining. It is the conflict between the symmetry of the Euclidean geometry and the asymmetry of the real randomness and determinism, chaos and order coexist. While these intelligent techniques have produced encouraging results in particular tasks, certain complex problems cannot be solved by a single intelligent technique alone. Each intelligent technique has particular computational properties that make them suited for particular problems. These limitations have been a central driving force behind the creation of intelligent hybrid systems. For example, the combination of neural network and fuzzy logic systems has been applied successfully in loan evaluation, fraud detection, financial risk assessment, financial decision making, and credit card application evaluation. We present a novel hybrid system for data mining in financial analysis.
Emergence of Meanings Through Ambivalence

Ambivalenz ist ein Schlusselbegriff, der in den meisten grundlegenden Feldern der Psychologie – so z.B. in der Wahrnehmungs-, Personlichkeits-, Kommunikations- und Kognitionsforschung – verwendet wird. Dabei wurde aber meist die Relevanz von Ambivalenz fur Prozesse der Bedeutungs- und Sinnkonstruktion ubersehen. Alle Bedeutungen werden in der Gegenwart geschaffen (wobei vergangene Erfahrungen in diesem Prozess integriert werden) in ihrem Bezug auf eine Zukunft, die aber niemals vollstandig durch die Gegenwart determiniert werden kann. In dem von uns skizzierten Entwicklungsmodell zeigen wir, wie Bedeutungen im Spannungsfeld zwischen Gegenwart und Zukunft entstehen. Hierzu werden drei Verlaufe unterschieden: Erstens erreicht der Prozess der Bedeutungskonstruktion und -zuschreibung im Falle des Fehlens von Ambivalenz einen gewissen Status quo und fallt danach ab. Zweitens fuhrt schwache Ambivalenz zu sprunghaften Start- und Stoppbewegungen im Prozess der Bedeutungsgenese entlang von auslosenden Zeichen. Solche Zeichen "kontrollieren" Bedeutungen in der Gegenwart nur probeweise und vorlaufig, ohne dabei mogliche zukunftig zu erschliesende Bedeutungen grundsatzlich einzuschranken. Drittens fuhrt hohe Ambivalenz zum Aufkommen "starker" Zeichen, die zur Aufgabe haben, Ungewissheit bezuglich der Gegenwart werdenden Zukunft einzuschranken. Zur Veranschaulichung des Modells werden empirische Daten aus einer mikrogenetischen Studie zur Konstruktionsprozessen von Bedeutung/Sinn in der Entwicklung junger Erwachsener verwendet. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0501231
A Neoplasm of Globule Leukocytes in a Cat

A neoplasm involving the ileo-cecal-colic junction, thymus, and tracheobronchial lymph nodes of a 7-year-old domestic cat was composed of dense sheets of round to oval mononuclear cells with oval to indented nuclei, moderate amounts of cytoplasm, and variable numbers of round eosinophilic granules. These granules are brown to black in phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin-stained sections and stain variably with the periodic acid-Schiff stain. They are 0.8 to 1.5 micron in diameter, limited by a single unit membrane, and have variable electron density. Light microscopic cellular morphology and staining characteristics as well as ultrastructural features of these cells are consistent with feline globule leukocytes. Morphologic features of the neoplastic cells in the present case are similar to those of the only other reported neoplasm of globule leukocytes which also involved the intestine of a cat.
Racism and Classism in the Youth Justice System: Perspectives of Youth and Staff

Although numerous quantitative studies have examined racial disparity in the youth justice system, studies have ignored the perspectives of youth about whether racism exists within the system. This study used focus groups with system staff and focus groups and individual interviews with system-involved youth of color to explore perceptions of race and class bias within one state's youth justice system. Findings indicate that the majority of both staff and youth perceive that race and class bias are present, and that staff demonstrated apparently unintentional racism and classism during the focus groups. Implications for research and for addressing individual and institutional racism and classism are offered.
Selected breast cancer risk factors and early detection of the neoplasm in women from Lublin region attending screening program in St. John's Cancer Center, years 2005-2006.

Introduction and objective. In Poland, consulting is offered to women about risk factors of breast cancer, breast symptoms and early cancer detection. Study aims were to evaluate the correlation between some risk factors and women’s attendance to breast checkups, and to assess links between risk factors and detection of early breast cancer. Materials and methods. The study involved 8014 women aged 50–69 years, participating in breast cancer screening program. The frequency of breast checkups (mammography, CBE and BSE) and occurrence of breast cancer risk factors in studied women were evaluated as well as clinical stage of detected tumors. Odds ratios were used to compare relative odds of breast cancer with exposure to risk factors. Results. 47.11% studied women had regularly undergone MMG, 30.82% had CBE within the previous year, 14.26% regularly performed BSE. The incidence of risk factors varied from 2.94% (menarche at ≤ 11 years) to 12.38% (current use of HRT). In 47.82% women, no evidence of studied risk factors was found. Women with history of breast biopsies and current users of HRT had MMG, CBE and BSE significantly more often ( p<0.0001). 29.27% early breast cancers (pTis, pT1abN0) were found among 82 detected tumors. Relative odds of breast cancer occurrence in women without the risk factors were significantly lower (OR = 0.55, 95% CI [0.35; 0.86]). Only nulliparous women had significantly higher odds of early breast cancer (OR = 7.37, 95% CI [1.32; 41.17]). Conclusions. Women using HRT and women after breast biopsy were significantly more likely to attend breast checkups. There were no significant links between most risk factors and odds of early stages of breast cancer. Women should have preventive checkups irrespective of their breast cancer risk factors.
Effects of Motor Voter Legislation Voter Turnout, Registration, and Partisan Advantage in the 1992 Presidential Election

The 1992 presidential election featured nine states and the District of Columbia with effective motor voter laws on the books. In 1996 all states will be required to have similar motor voter proced...
Effect of antispastic drugs on motor reflexes and voluntary muscle contraction in incomplete spinal cord injury.

Abstract Objective To investigate the effects of antispastic drugs baclofen and tizanidine on reflexes and volitional tasks. Design Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, before-after trial, pilot study. Setting Research laboratory in a rehabilitation hospital. Participants Men with chronic (>6mo) motor incomplete spinal cord injury (N=10) were recruited for the study. Interventions Tizanidine, baclofen, and placebo were tested in this study. Agents were tested in separate experimental sessions separated by >1 week. Main Outcome Measures Reflex and strength were measured before and after the administration of a single dose of each intervention agent. Electromyographic and joint torque data were collected during assessments of plantar flexor stretch reflexes, maximum contraction during motor-assisted isokinetic movements, and maximum isometric knee extension and flexion. Results Reduced stretch reflex activity was observed after the administration of either tizanidine or baclofen. We observed that tizanidine had a stronger inhibitory effect on knee extensors and plantar flexors whereas baclofen had a stronger inhibitory effect on the knee flexors. The effects of these drugs on strength during isometric and isokinetic tasks varied across participants, without a consistent reduction in torque output despite decreased electromyographic activity. Conclusions These results suggest that antispastic drugs are effective in reducing stretch reflexes without substantially reducing volitional torque. Differential effects of tizanidine and baclofen on reflexes of flexors and extensors warrant further investigation into patient-specific management of antispastic drugs.
Uniform asymptotic expansions of integrals that arise in the analysis of precursors

Asymptotic expansions for λ ≫1 of functions defined by integrals of the form $$I(\lambda ;\theta ) = \mathop \smallint \limits_\Gamma \exp \{ i\lambda \phi (k;\theta )\} g(k;\theta )dk$$ are considered in the case where there are two stationary points of φ which approach ±∞ as the second variable θ approaches some critical value, say θ 0. In this limit the results of the classical methods of stationary phase and steepest descents become invalid. This paper is devoted to the development of an asymptotic expansion of I that remains valid even for θ near and equal to θ 0. The motivating physical problem is the propagation of signals in dispersive media. Indeed, the results of the present paper can be used to study the behavior of that portion of a signal called the “precursor” in a neighborhood of its front of propagation. The technique used to obtain the uniform expansion is an adaptation of the method originally developed by Chester, Friedman and Ursell in their treatment of the problem of two nearby stationary points. Here, however, we find that a certain family of Bessel functions play the role of the Airy functions in that problem. We also obtain the interesting result that our expansion remains valid for λ merely bounded away from zero and θ → θ 0. In fact a theorem is proved which establishes the asymptotic nature of our results in the relevant limits. Finally, two examples are considered to illustrate the use of these results.
The lean concept of waste in radiology.

Whenmostpeoplethinkofqualityim-provement, they immediately think ofpreventing mistakes. Although a corecomponent of a quality program is pa-tientsafetyandpreventingunnecessaryharm,qualityhasabroadergoalofcon-sistently delivering optimal outcomes.Consider an emergent pelvic ultra-sound examination ordered for acutepelvicpaininafemalepatient.Thepa-tient is rapidly brought to the ultra-sound department. The technologistdeftlyperformstheexamination,trans-fers the images, and alerts the radiolo-gist on cue. A diagnosis of ovariantorsionismadeimmediately,thegyne-cologist and operating room are in-formed, and the patient is transferreddirectlytotheoperatingroomfortreat-ment. We often store star-aligningmemories such as these, where com-munication and coordination are or-chestrated perfectly, as insulationagainst the daily delays and frustra-tions we too often encounter. Theheart of quality is striving to makethese scenarios the norm, not theexception.When looking for a quality proj-ect to conduct as part of the ABR’sMaintenance of Certiﬁcation re-quirements, it is necessary tobroaden your deﬁnition of qualityto include the concept of waste.The Toyota Production System,which became known as “Lean,” de-veloped a highly successful qualityimprovement methodology with itsprincipal goal of reducing waste. Themantra of Lean involves “preservingvaluewhile reducingwork”byiden-tifying non–value-added steps [1].Toyota identiﬁed and classiﬁed 8speciﬁc types of waste that consti-tuteareasforprocessimprovement.Although Lean was conceived in amanufacturing environment, theconcepthasbeentranslatedintothehealth care service sector withpromising results [2]. We have“translated” this concept for radiol-ogy, with relevant examples in eachcategory.
Policy Roles of City Managers: A Contingency Typology and Empirical Test

Since the inception of the council-manager plan, the role of the city manager in city government policymaking has been debated. This article develops a contingency typology of city manager policy roles. It relates the desirability by city managers of five policy roles to two contingency variables, the degree of political competition and the degree of task analyzability. Using interview and survey data, two questions based on this typology are tested. The results provide only modest support for the contingency typology because a strong overriding preference for one policy role was found.
The Advantage of Incumbency in House Elections

This article offers another perspective on the electoral advantage of incumbents in House elections. The explanation (or theory) builds on the contributions of Richard Fenno, Morris Fiorina, David Mayhew, and Anthony Downs. The basic premise is that the electoral advantage enjoyed by House incumbents is a function of their ability to focus constituent attention on aspects of their job performance, or characteristics related to job performance, that produce favorable impressions of their overall performance. Incumbents are able to focus constituent attention, because they exercise a great deal of control over the dissemination of information about themselves. Since congressional elections are low information contests, the voting decision is reduced to a vote for, or against, change. Voters are likely to vote against change-electoral support for incumbents—because the information they receive about (and from) the incumbent convinces them that their congressman is doing a good job in looking after the intere...
Pleural tissue hyaluronan produced by postmortem ventilation in rabbits.

We developed a method that used Alcian blue bound to hyaluronan to measure pleural hyaluronan in rabbits postmortem. Rabbits were killed, then ventilated with 21% O2–5% CO2–74% N2 for 3 h. The pleural liquid was removed by suction and 5 ml Alcian blue stock solution (0.33 mg/ml, 3.3 pH) was injected into each chest cavity. After 10 min, the Alcian blue solution was removed and the unbound Alcian blue solution (supernatant) separated by centrifugation and filtration. The supernatant transmissibility (T) was measured spectrophotometrically at 613 nm. Supernatant Alcian blue concentration (Cab) was obtained from a calibration curve of T versus dilutions of stock solution Cab. Alcian blue bound to pleural tissue hyaluronan was obtained by subtracting supernatant Cab from stock solution Cab. Pleural tissue hyaluronan was obtained from a calibration curve of hyaluronan versus Alcian blue bound to hyaluronan. Compared with control rabbits, pleural tissue hyaluronan (0.21 ± 0.04 mg/kg) increased twofold, whereas pleural liquid volume decreased by 30% after 3 h of ventilation. Pleural effusions present 3 h postmortem without ventilation did not change pleural tissue hyaluronan from control values. Thus ventilation-induced pleural liquid shear stress, not increased filtration, was the stimulus for the increased hyaluronan produced from pleural mesothelial cells.
Implicit conservative characteristic modeling schemes for the Euler equations - A new approach

An implicit characteristic-modeling solution scheme for the Euler equations is presented. The scheme does not require the governing equations to be written in characteristic variables or the flux terms to be split into positive and negative contributions. For the two-dimensional problem of a shock wave reflecting from a flat plate, this feature and the simple solution algorithm combine to reduce the computational work per mesh point by 40 percent from that required by a standard, central-difference, implicit, solution algorithm. Application of the method to the quasi-one-dimensional nozzle flow equations for subsonic and supersonic flows without shocks shows the method to be well-conditioned for large time steps.
The location quotient as an estimator of industrial concentration

Abstract We construct the location quotient (LQ) from a discrete data generating process and formally test its statistical properties. First, we show that the LQ is typically unbiased, but exhibits finite sample bias when assuming a Poisson distribution. Second, we determine the accuracy of statistical tests, which depends of both sample size as well as desired confidence levels. After constructing LQs using County Business Patterns (2000) data, we find improved accuracy in statistical tests when one increases spatial as well as industrial aggregation. Results show a clear tradeoff between precise statistical inference and power in detecting industrial concentration.
Multiple homing pathways used by yeast mitochondrial group II introns.

The yeast mitochondrial DNA group II introns aI1 and aI2 are retroelements that insert site specifically into intronless alleles by a process called homing. Here, we used patterns of flanking marker coconversion in crosses with wild-type and mutant aI2 introns to distinguish three coexisting homing pathways: two that were reverse transcriptase (RT) dependent (retrohoming) and one that was RT independent. All three pathways are initiated by cleavage of the recipient DNA target site by the intron-encoded endonuclease, with the sense strand cleaved by partial or complete reverse splicing, and the antisense strand cleaved by the intron-encoded protein. The major retrohoming pathway in standard crosses leads to insertion of the intron with unidirectional coconversion of upstream exon sequences. This pattern of coconversion suggests that the major retrohoming pathway is initiated by target DNA-primed reverse transcription of the reverse-spliced intron RNA and completed by double-strand break repair (DSBR) recombination with the donor allele. The RT-independent pathway leads to insertion of the intron with bidirectional coconversion and presumably occurs by a conventional DSBR recombination mechanism initiated by cleavage of the recipient DNA target site by the intron-encoded endonuclease, as for group I intron homing. Finally, some mutant DNA target sites shift up to 43% of retrohoming to another pathway not previously detected for aI2 in which there is no coconversion of flanking exon sequences. This new pathway presumably involves synthesis of a full-length cDNA copy of the inserted intron RNA, with completion by a repair process independent of homologous recombination, as found for the Lactococcus lactis Ll.LtrB intron. Our results show that group II intron mobility can occur by multiple pathways, the ratios of which depend on the characteristics of both the intron and the DNA target site. This remarkable flexibility enables group II introns to use different recombination and repair enzymes in different host cells.
Baseline concentrations of hydrocarbons in barrier-island quartz sand, northeastern Gulf of Mexico

The amount and approximate molecular distribution of indigenous hydrocarbons in coastal sand provide a baseline above which petroleum pollution is measurable. Organic carbon, alkanes, total hydrocarbons, alkane/organic carbon and hydrocarbon/organic carbon ratios, and gas chromatographic analyses were used to characterize marine, lagoon, and pond facies of the barrier-island sand. Results from six localities provide no evidence for petroleum pollution. Such pollution would be indicated by complex molecular distributions resembling petroleum and by alkane/organic carbon ratios greater than 0.003 and hydrocarbon/organic carbon ratios greater than 0.01.
Time-Dependent Dielectric Breakdown of Thermal Oxides on 4H-SiC

Thermal oxides on 4H-SiC are characterized using time-dependent dielectric breakdown techniques at electric fields between 6 and 10 MV/cm. At 250°C, oxides thermally-grown using N2O with NO annealing achieve a mean time to failure (MTTF) of 2300 hours at 6 MV/cm. Oxides grown in steam with NO annealing show approximately four times longer MTTF than N2O-grown oxides. At electric fields greater than 8 MV/cm, Fowler-Nordheim tunneling significantly reduces the expected failure times. For this reason, extrapolation of mean-time to failure at low fields must be performed by datapoints measured at lower electric fields.
Scattering of Rayleigh Waves by Surface Irregularities

Scattering of surface waves by mass defects is estimated as a function of frequency and defect depth. Attenuation of surface waves of microwave frequencies on polished surfaces is discussed. Most of the energy is scattered into other surface waves, rather than body waves, so that energy of surface waves is retained, and leaks into the interior relatively slowly. This may explain the duration of seismic signals on the moon after the crash of the lunar excursion module during the Apollo 12 mission.
Ecology of freshwater shore zones

Freshwater shore zones are among the most ecologically valuable parts of the planet, but have been heavily damaged by human activities. Because the management and rehabilitation of freshwater shore zones could be improved by better use of ecological knowledge, we summarize here what is known about their ecological functioning. Shore zones are complexes of habitats that support high biodiversity, which is enhanced by high physical complexity and connectivity. Shore zones dissipate large amounts of physical energy, can receive and process extraordinarily high inputs of autochthonous and allochthonous organic matter, and are sites of intensive nutrient cycling. Interactions between organic matter inputs (including wood), physical energy, and the biota are especially important. In general, the ecological character of shore zone ecosystems is set by inputs of physical energy, geologic (or anthropogenic) structure, the hydrologic regime, nutrient inputs, the biota, and climate. Humans have affected freshwater shore zones by laterally compressing and stabilizing the shore zone, changing hydrologic regimes, shortening and simplifying shorelines, hardening shorelines, tidying shore zones, increasing inputs of physical energy that impinge on shore zones, pollution, recreational activities, resource extraction, introducing alien species, changing climate, and intensive development in the shore zone. Systems to guide management and restoration by quantifying ecological services provided by shore zones and balancing multiple (and sometimes conflicting) values are relatively recent and imperfect. We close by identifying leading challenges for shore zone ecology and management.
Bundling a pregnancy test with the yuzpe regimen of emergency contraception

The recent United States Food and Drug Administration approval of a commercial kit containing the Yuzpe regimen for emergency contraception is a welcome event. Unlike emergency contraceptive pills sold in other countries, however, the United States product has a pregnancy test bundled with the pills. The test could identify existing pregnancies and avoid unnecessary use of the pills, although any protection against lawsuits alleging injury to an embryo is speculative. Conversely, no major medical organization recommends routine pregnancy testing before using emergency contraceptive pills. The test might stigmatize the Yuzpe regimen as being dangerous to an embryo. Difficulty in understanding the pregnancy test instructions could, paradoxically, deter some women from using the pills after having bought them. The bulky size of the pregnancy test reagent stick makes the package indiscreet, and the test adds unnecessary cost to emergency contraception. The greatest usefulness of the test could be to confirm or exclude a pregnancy several weeks after taking the pills, rather than before. If bundling an unnecessary test with emergency contraception is the only way to bring this useful product to the United States market, then the public health benefits could outweigh the disadvantages. However, this approach sets a worrisome precedent and further isolates the United States from the international medical community.
Computational Modeling of Transverse Peltier Coolers

Transverse thermoelectric effect can be produced artificially by stacking at an angle layers of a thermoelectric material with another material that may or may not be a thermoelectric material. In this exploratory computational study, a new metamaterial, comprised of tilted alternating layers of an n-type thermoelectric alloy and a metal, is investigated to gain an understanding of how much cooling can be produced by transverse thermoelectric effect and the conditions under which maximum cooling is attainable. The governing conservation equations of energy and electric current, with the inclusion of thermoelectric effects, are solved on an unstructured mesh using the finite-volume method to simulate a transverse Peltier cooler under various operating conditions. First, the code is validated against experimental data for a n-Bi2Te3-Pb metamaterial, and subsequently explored. It is found that intermediate applied currents produce maximum temperature depression (ΔT). Optimum values of the geometric design parameters such as tilt angle and device aspect ratio are also established through parametric studies. Finally, it is shown that the ΔT can be amplified by constricting the phonon (heat) transport cross-section while keeping the electron (current) transport cross-section unchanged — a strategy that cannot be employed in conventional thermoelectric devices where electrons and phonons follow the same path. This makes transverse Peltier coolers particularly attractive for generating large ΔT without multi-stage cascading.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
A criterion validity test of the contingent valuation method: comparing hypothetical and actual voting behavior for a public referendum

Abstract This study pursues external validation of contingent valuation by comparing survey results with the voting outcome of a Corvallis, Oregon, referendum to fund a riverfront improvement project through increased property taxes. Survey respondents hypothetically make a voting decision—with no financial consequences—on the upcoming referendum. The survey sample consists of respondents verified to have voted in the election. We use available precinct-level election data to compare the proportion of “yes” survey and referendum votes as well as estimate voting models and mean willingness to pay (WTP) based on the two sets of data. We find that survey responses match the actual voting outcome and WTP estimates based on the two are not statistically different. Contrary to similar studies, our statistical results do not depend on re-coding the majority of “undecided” survey responses to “no.” Furthermore, such a re-coding of responses may be inappropriate for our data set .
A distillation method for the rapid determination of the volatile constituents of small samples of copper-zinc alloys

The sum of the volatile constituents of copper-zine alloys can be rapidly determined on samples of a few milligrams weight by heating at 1150° C. for 10 minutes in a gentle current of hydrogen The apparatus necessary, consisting of a Kipp generator, a gas wash bottle, a short piece of quartz tube and an electric resistance tube furnace, is available in almost every laboratory. In experiments performed the results were on an average about 0,5% (abs.) too high, the maximum deviations between individual determinations being 1,5% (abs.). Reasons indicating that, when dealing with commercial alloys, quantitative separations by fractional volatilization will not permit the obtaining of results of high precision are discussed with reference to the literature on the subject.
Evolution of a Hydrophobic Core Leads to Fluorescence in Canonical Bacteriophytochromes

Use of fluorescent proteins to study in vivo processes in mammalian systems begs development of near-infrared (NIR) biomarkers due to superior penetration of the excitation light at longer wavelengths. Bacteriophytochromes (BphPs) that use biliverdin as their chromophore have been engineered to form monomeric NIR biomarkers. Absorption of a red light photon (l=700 nm) leads to isomerization of the C15=C16 bond of BV in the Pr ground state, leading to the second ground state, the far red-light absorbing Pfr. The archetypal NIR phytofluor carried a D207H substitution. The 207 position is important because the main chain carbonyl forms a hydrogen bond with the BV A ring, thus potentially functioning as a proton sink during the photocycle. This variant spurred development of NIR biomarker BPhPs IFP1.4, Wi-Phy, and iRFP. We have solved the structure of IFP1.4 and observe a tightly packed hydrophobic core in the BV binding pocket in contrast to the open pocket in native BphP. Side chains of V173, M174, and V288 form this stabilizing interaction, which is absent in the wild type counterpart because residue 288 is an alanine. We have further disproven the hypothesis that H207 is required for fluorescence, by engineering IFP1.4 D207 and demonstrating it is brighter than any NIR phytofluor described to date. Our research has helped delineate the origin of fluorescence in BphPs and will help phytofluors gain wide spread use as their brightness and resistance to photobleaching are augmented.
Ceria-based gas sensors

Abstract The electrical conductivity of Pr x Ce 1– x O 2– δ (PCO) with x ⩽0.05 was examined as functions of praseodymium content ( x ), oxygen partial pressure and temperature and a defect model based on multiple oxidation states of Pr was found to be consistent with the data. These results are used to examine PCOs potential as an active film in gravimetric sensors.
Antitubercular Agent Formed by Condensing Bis (4-Aminophenyl)-Sulfone with L-Ascorbic Acid,

The compound formed by condensing L-ascorbic acid with bis(4-aminophenyl)-sulfone has high in vivo activity against tuberculosis. Tests on animals and humans indicate that it is one of the most effective sulfones. The properties of the condensation compound are described.
Identifying student characteristics influencing success in introductory computer science courses

AbstractThis paper identifies student characteristics influencing success in introductory computer science courses at a small four-year liberal arts college. The primary purpose of this study was to build a simple and practical model to predict success, for purposes of advising students wanting to register for introductory computer courses. Characteristics studied in this investigation included previous computer experience, number of years since high school, and mathematics and verbal proficiency. This study developed a model accounting for 82 % of the variation within student performance as measured by final grade. Results from a stepwise multiple regression on these predictor variables contradict previous studies which concluded that success could not be predicted, and support those studies identifying mathematics proficiency as a dominant factor in computer science success. From these results, a simple linear model was constructed that is used to place incoming freshmen into appropriate computer scienc...
Developing consistency in enamel etching by CO2 laser

This research was designed to ascertain which CO2 laser exposure parameters result in consistent etching of enamel. Fourteen non-carious teeth were selected and a 2 X 4 gridwork was cut into the buccal surfaces creating eight discrete windows for laser exposures. Four teeth served for the initial pilot project. Two windows were lased at each combination of exposure parameters. Laser exposures were at .01, .02, .05, or.10 sec. at 2, 5, 10, or 15 watts (W) with a model 20C Pfizer CO2 laser. A 1.0 mm focal spot was used throughout. Following SEM examinations, it became clear that etching occurred only at .05 and .10 sec. at 10 and 15 W. Ten teeth were used for the main project at .05 and .10 sec exposures at 10 and 15 W. Ten windows were lased for each combination of exposure parameters. SEM analysis was accomplished at 100X and 1,200X. Laser exposures of 10/10 at .05 sec./15 W, .10 sec./10 W and .10 sec./15 W resulted in etched enamel. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in etching between the .05 sec. 10 W group and the higher exposure parameters.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Stochastic grammars and languages

This paper summarizes some recent results concerned with the extension of formal languages to their corresponding stochastic versions. Weighted grammars and languages are first defined, and stochastic grammars and languages are defined as a special case of weighted grammars and languages. Fuzzy grammars and languages, which have some properties similar to weighted grammars and languages, are also discussed. Stochastic automata are defined from the language recognition viewpoint. Languages accepted by stochastic finite-state and pushdown automata, with and without a cutpoint, are studied. Weighted and stochastic programmed and indexed grammars, and stochastic nested stack automata are defined. Finally, some decidability problems of stochastic (weighted, fuzzy) languages are discussed, and problems for further research are suggested.
EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF RADIOACTIVE NUCLIDES FOR ISOTOPIC RADIOGRAPHY

I N ADDITION to the well-known use of radioisotopes for tracer experiments, radioactive n&ides have been used for isotopic radiography in medicine,’ dentistry,2 and nondestructive testing.s The remarks in this article are limited to those radiations which, when transmitted through materials of surface densityt less than about 4.0 Gm. per square centimeter, are capable of producing shadows that can be interpreted for diagnostic purposes when recorded on photographic emulsions customarily used in roentgenology. From a dental point of view, these radiations, which range in energies between 25 and 250 kev., produce satisfactory radiographic visualization not only of the teeth and their supporting structures but also of the skull.2
A rank-based goodness-of-fit approach to testing for non-additivity in the two-way layout with no replications

Abstract One of the major problems for which satisfactory small-sample rank-based test procedures are only recently being developed is that of evaluating the possible presence of interaction in the standard two-way layout. This is especially true when there is only one observation on each treatment-block combination. In this paper we take a goodness-of-fit approach to this problem using the idea of grouping “similar” block rank permutations to obtain a workable number of collapsed categories. This grouping is based on the concepts of decomposable and indecomposable classes of rank vectors considered by Comtet (C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 275 (1972) 569; in Advanced Combinatorics: the Art of Finite and Infinite Expansions, D. Reidel, Boston, 1974, p. 262). Alignment within treatment levels is utilized to adjust for the possible presence of treatment effects prior to the application of the goodness-of-fit procedure to test for interaction. We present the results of a substantial Monte Carlo simulation power study of the proposed procedure.
Studies of high index immersion lithography

High index immersion lithography is one of the candidates for next generation lithography technology following water immersion lithography. This technology may be most attractive for the industry since it is effective in raising resolution without seriously changing the chip making processes. This motivates us to continue to study further NA expansion although there are many challenges with respect to either high index fluid development or high index lens material development. In this paper, the current status of high index lithography development compared with the industry's requirements is discussed while considering design feasibility.
The Relationship Between Academic Dishonesty and Unethical Business Practices

Abstract This article investigates whether the range and severity of academic dishonesty engaged in during undergraduate studies is related to the range and severity of dishonesty engaged in later during employment. Self-reported data was collected from 60 MBA students. Findings indicate that subjects who admitted to having engaged in a wide range of academic dishonesty also admitted to a wide range of work-related dishonesty. Additionally, those subjects who engaged in behaviors considered severely dishonest in college also engaged in behaviors considered severely dishonest at work.
Slow/fast light due to induced dispersion in 1.55 μm semiconductor lasers

Conditions for obtaining slow/fast and backscattered light via nonlinear wave interactions in semiconductor lasers are investigated using numerical modeling of interacting waves. Feasibility of superluminal propagation induced by a strong driving wave is discussed.