cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased sensitivity of OSHA method analysis of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione in air

ABSTRACTGas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) operated in selected ion monitoring mode was used to enhance the sensitivity of OSHA Methods 1013/1016 for measuring diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione in air samples. The original methods use flame ionization detection which cannot achieve the required sensitivity to quantify samples at or below the NIOSH recommended exposure limits (REL: 5 ppb for diacetyl and 9.3 ppb for 2,3-pentanedione) when sampling for both diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione. OSHA Method 1012 was developed to measure diacetyl at lower levels but requires an electron capture detector, and a sample preparation time of 36 hours. Using GC/MS allows detection of these two alpha-diketones at lower levels than OSHA Method 1012 for diacetyl and OSHA Method 1016 for 2,3-pentanedione. Acetoin and 2,3-hexanedione may also be measured using this technique. Method quantification limits were 1.1 ppb for diacetyl (22% of the REL), 1.1 ppb for 2,3-pentanedione (12% of the REL), 1.1 ppb for 2,3-hexanedione...
Deep Sequencing-Identified Kanamycin-Resistant Paenibacillus sp. Strain KS1 Isolated from Epiphyte Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish Moss) in Central Florida, USA.

ABSTRACT Paenibacillus sp. strain KS1 was isolated from an epiphyte, Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss), in central Florida, USA. Here, we report a draft genome sequence of this strain, which consists of a total of 398 contigs spanning 6,508,195 bp, with a G+C content of 46.5% and comprising 5,401 predicted coding sequences.
Cervical cerclage: patient selection, morbidity, and success rates.

The author critically examines the use of cervical cerclage, focusing on the disparity between its accepted place in the medical armamentarium and its risks of postoperative morbidity and pregnancy loss, the possibility that its empirical use obscures other causes of recurrent pregnancy loss, and the basic problem of its unproven efficacy.
Exclusive e-cigarette use predicts cigarette initiation among college students.

Introduction An increasing body of research indicates that use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) predicts cigarette initiation. However, no studies examine if risk for cigarette initiation varies for exclusive ENDS users versus users of ENDS and other tobacco products. This study examined if: a) cigarette-naive young adults (i.e., never cigarette users) who ever used ENDS had a greater odds of initiating cigarettes than non-ENDS users over a 1.5 year period and b) the odds of cigarette initiation was consistent across exclusive ENDS users and users of ENDS and at least one tobacco product.
Frequency and Characterization of Tracheal Intubation Adverse Events in Pediatric Sepsis.

Objectives:Intubation in critically ill pediatric patients is associated with approximately 20% rate of adverse events, but rates in the high-risk condition of sepsis are unknown. Our objectives were to describe the frequency and characteristics of tracheal intubation adverse events in pediatric sep
At Home on the Midway: Carnival Conventions and Yard Space in Gibsonton, Florida

neighbor and carnival midway/backyard-in-a-neighborhood, which result in the confluence of symbolizations. What appears to be an oxymoron, contradiction, or bizarre overlay is shown to be workable way of life, especially the qualities of mobility and itinerancy against a staid notion of home. Gibsonton is the objectivation of a particular form of lived-experience, symbolizing its ambiguous embodiment and it succeeds due to its enactive participatory process of negotiating symbolic meanings. The author uses Gibsonton as a foil to critically examine New Urbanism. New Urbanism attempts to manufacture life through symbols that are not lived embodiments, because its strategy is to reify and to control behavior by erecting strict building codes that will coerce certain acceptable patternings of life, spatially inscribed through its pre-fabricated symbolizations. Body schemas may not conform with its behavioral modeling and non-resonance with its symbolizations will make the manufacturing of life an unsuccessful venture. Gibsonton allows us to rethink the fundamental significance of home as an adventure in the vernacular—a creative engagement with situational spatialities.
Associations Between Cool and Hot Executive Functions and Children's Eating Behavior.

Studies on obesogenic eating behaviors in young children have mainly focused on the roles of family environment and parental behaviors. However, intrapersonal characteristics, particularly executive functions, have recently gained more attention in the literature. Therefore, herein we review work on children’s executive functions (EFs), particularly the roles of cold and hot executive functions on children’s obesogenic eating behaviors. Most work examining the associations between EF and obesogenic eating among children has focused on the cool EF, particularly inhibitory control/impulsivity. Findings have consistently showed that deficits in inhibitory control/impulsivity are associated with overeating and food responsiveness. The roles of the other two cool EFs (attention control/shifting and working memory) and hot EF (delay of gratification and affective decision-making) in contributing to child obesogenic eating are less clear. For instance, the association between children’s performance on delay of gratification tasks and obesogenic eating varies depending on whether food or non-food rewards were used; children with poorer delay of gratification in non-food tasks had more obesogenic eating, although children with poorer delay of gratification in food tasks had less obesogenic eating. Deficits in inhibitory control/impulsivity are associated with more obesogenic eating, suggesting that improving children’s inhibition may reduce overeating and childhood obesity. The roles of other cool and hot components of EFs in contributing to obesogenic eating require further study.
Meeting a Historian: An interview with Dr. Geoffrey Megargee

An interview with Dr. Geoffrey Megargee, focusing on his experiences as a historian of the eastern front and the historiographical conversation on this topic.
Longitudinal Effects of Syndemics on ART Non-adherence Among Sexual Minority Men

This study examined longitudinally the additive effect of syndemics, or co-occurring psychosocial problems, on antiretroviral treatment (ART) non-adherence among 390 HIV-positive sexual minority men. Participants completed measures of ART adherence (reduced to a non-adherence score using exploratory factor analysis) and six syndemic conditions. We employed multilevel modeling with the number of syndemics as a longitudinal predictor of non-adherence, and logistic regression with baseline syndemics predicting follow up viral load. Number of syndemics was a significant longitudinal predictor of non-adherence, with each additional syndemic associated with a 0.13 increase in non-adherence (p = 0.004). Each additional syndemic was also associated with 1.27 greater odds of detectable viral load (p = 0.002). Among HIV-positive sexual minority men in this sample, more syndemics were associated with lower ART adherence and greater odds of detectable viral load, suggesting the need for behavioral intervention to facilitate care for this population.
The Weak Interactions in the Confining Phase

In this talk I will report on work done in collaboration with L.F. Abbott. The basic idea1) is to describe the weak interactions as arising from the structure of composite left-handed quarks and leptons. The right-handed quarks and leptons are point like at the scale of the weak interactions G F −½ ≃ 250 GeV. Our model can produce the same effective four Fermi interaction Lagrangian as the standard model. However for Q2 bigger than zero the predictions of our model differ from those of the standard model.
Amphiphilic block copolymers in drug delivery: advances in formulation structure and performance.

Introduction: Nanostructured delivery vehicles can address key challenges facing drug delivery, including the lipophilic nature of therapeutic compounds and their effective transport through the bo...
Associations Between Unhealthy Weight-Loss Strategies and Depressive Symptoms.

Introduction There appears to be a link between weight loss and improved mental health, but less is known about how using unhealthy weight-loss strategies impacts the odds of reporting depression. Methods This study includes respondents from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2014 who attempted to lose weight over the past year. Analysis occurred in 2017. Multivariable logistic regression was used to describe associations between all weight-loss strategies, including those grouped as unhealthy (smoking, vomiting, laxatives, skipping meals, and using diet pills), and the adjusted odds of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire–9 score ≥10). The model was then stratified by BMI, sex, race, and antidepressant use to compare the effect of using at least one unhealthy weight-loss strategy and depression within certain populations. Results The sample included 6,765 respondents (weighted n=59.2 million, 95% CI=55.5, 62.9 million). Of these respondents, 18.0% (n=1,270) reported using at least one unhealthy weight-loss strategy. In unadjusted analysis, unhealthy weight-loss strategies were generally associated with higher incidence and odds of reporting depression. In multivariable analysis, using at least one unhealthy weight-loss strategy was significantly associated with odds of reporting depression (AOR=1.47, 95% CI=1.14, 1.91, p Conclusions Unhealthy weight-loss strategies are associated with increased odds of depression. This may inform screening practices and public health messaging.
Gastric adenocarcinoma prognosis in a multiracial population.

158Background: Gastric adenocarcinoma is a major health issue, with a high prevalence among Asian and Pacific Islander populations. We analyzed a hospital tumor registry and demonstrated that in a ...
Reasoning of State: Realists, Romantics and Rationality in International Relations

Scholars and citizens tend to assume that rationality guides the decision-making of our leaders. Brian C. Rathbun suggests, however, that if we understand rationality to be a cognitive style premised on a commitment to objectivity and active deliberation, rational leaders are in fact the exception not the norm. Using a unique combination of methods including laboratory bargaining experiments, archival-based case studies, quantitative textual analysis and high-level interviews, Rathbun questions some of the basic assumptions about rationality and leadership, with profound implications for the field of international relations. Case studies of Bismarck and Richelieu show that the rationality of realists makes them rare. An examination of Churchill and Reagan, romantics in international politics who sought to overcome obstacles in their path through force of will and personal agency, show what less rationality looks like in foreign policy making.
Outdoor temperature and survival benefit of empiric potassium in users of furosemide in US Medicaid enrollees: a cohort study.

Objective Heat is associated with elevated all-cause mortality, and furosemide-induced potassium depletion might be worsened by heat-induced sweating. Because empiric potassium is associated with a marked survival benefit in users of furosemide at a dose of ≥40 mg/day, we hypothesised that this empiric potassium’s survival benefit would increase with higher temperature (≥24°C). Design Cohort study. Setting Outpatient setting, captured by Medicaid claims, supplemented with Medicare claims for dual enrollees, from 5 US states from 1999 to 2010, linked to meteorological data. Population/Participants Furosemide (≥40 mg/day) initiators among adults continuously enrolled in Medicaid for at least 1 year prior to cohort entry (defined as the day following the dispensing day of each individual’s first observed furosemide prescription). Exposure Interaction between: (1) empiric potassium, dispensed the day of or the day following the dispensing of the initial furosemide prescription, and (2) daily average temperature and daily maximum temperature, examined separately. Outcome All-cause mortality. Results In 1:1 propensity score matched cohorts (total n=211 878) that included 89 335 person-years and 9007 deaths, all-cause mortality rates per 1000 person-years were 96.0 (95% CI 93.2 to 98.9) and 105.8 (95% CI 102.8 to 108.9) for potassium users and non-users, respectively. The adjusted OR of all-cause mortality for potassium use declined (ie, its apparent protective effect increased) as temperature increased, from a daily average temperature of about 28°C and a daily maximum temperature of about 31°C. This relationship was not statistically significant with daily average temperature, but was statistically significant with daily maximum temperature (p values for the interaction of potassium with daily maximum temperature and daily maximum temperature squared were 0.031 and 0.028, respectively). Conclusions The results suggest that empiric potassium’s survival benefit among furosemide (≥40 mg/day) initiators may increase as daily maximum temperature increases. If this relationship is real, use of empiric potassium in Medicaid enrollees initiating furosemide might be particularly important on hot days.
The text‐encoding initiative: Part 1

Purpose – To present a concise introduction to and history of the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI).Design/methodology/approach – Presents the TEI from a literature‐based, chronological perspective.Findings – The de facto standard for electronic text encoding in the humanities, the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI), an international and interdisciplinary standard for the electronic representation of documents in the humanities, has influenced the development of the Extensible Markup Language (XML) family of standards, and has become an indispensable tool for building digital libraries.Practical implications – Reinforces the primacy of TEI in the creation of interchangeable electronic texts, particularly in humanities disciplines.Originality/value – The first part of a two‐part column, explains how the TEI came into being, how it has influenced the evolution of world wide web standards, and why it has become an integral tool for digital library development.
From Homo Sovieticus to Homo Economicus: The Transformation of the Human Subject in Polish Socialist Economic Thought

Whereas both classical and neoclassical economists based their theories on a static psychology of self-maximizing rationality that facilitated the formulation of universal economic laws, Marx propo...
Interprofessional Education Collaborative Competencies and the Public Health Professional

Interprofessional education involves programs that foster the partnerships of two or more individuals studying different health professions, thus allowing students to learn with and about the other...
ILS-MPM: An implicit level-set-based material point method for frictional particulate contact mechanics of deformable particles

Abstract Finite element simulations of frictional multi-body contact problems via conformal meshes can be challenging and computationally demanding. To render geometrical features, unstructured meshes are often generated via a trial-and-error procedure. This treatment also unavoidably increases the degrees of freedom and makes the construction of slave/master pairs cumbersome. In this work, we introduce an implicit material point method designed to bypass meshing of bodies by employing level set functions to represent boundaries at structured grids. This implicit function representation provides an elegant mean to link an unbiased intermediate reference surface with the true boundaries by closest point projection as shown in Leichner et al. (2019). We then enforce the contact constraints by a penalty method where the Coulomb friction law is implemented such that a return mapping algorithm can be used to provide constitutive updates for both the stick and slip states. To evolve the geometry of the contacts properly, the Hamilton–Jacobi equation is solved incrementally such that the level set and material points are both updated according to the deformation field. To improve the accuracy and regularity of the numerical integration of the material point method, a moving least square method is used to project numerical values of the material points back to the standard locations for Gaussian-Legendre quadrature. Several benchmarks are used to verify the proposed model. Comparisons with discrete element simulations are made to analyze the importance of stress fields on predicting the macroscopic responses of granular assemblies.
Dynamics of strand slippage in DNA hairpins formed by CAG repeats: roles of sequence parity and trinucleotide interrupts

DNA trinucleotide repeats (TRs) can exhibit dynamic expansions by integer numbers of trinucleotides that lead to neurodegenerative disorders. Strand slipped hairpins during DNA replication, repair and/or recombination may contribute to TR expansion. Here, we combine single-molecule FRET experiments and molecular dynamics studies to elucidate slipping dynamics and conformations of (CAG)n TR hairpins. We directly resolve slipping by predominantly two CAG units. The slipping kinetics depends on the even/odd repeat parity. The populated states suggest greater stability for 5'-AGCA-3' tetraloops, compared with alternative 5'-CAG-3' triloops. To accommodate the tetraloop, even(odd)-numbered repeats have an even(odd) number of hanging bases in the hairpin stem. In particular, a paired-end tetraloop (no hanging TR) is stable in (CAG)n = even, but such situation cannot occur in (CAG)n = odd, where the hairpin is "frustrated'' and slips back and forth between states with one TR hanging at the 5' or 3' end. Trinucleotide interrupts in the repeating CAG pattern associated with altered disease phenotypes select for specific conformers with favorable loop sequences. Molecular dynamics provide atomic-level insight into the loop configurations. Reducing strand slipping in TR hairpins by sequence interruptions at the loop suggests disease-associated variations impact expansion mechanisms at the level of slipped hairpins.
MOSE: Practical Multi-User Oblivious Storage via Secure Enclaves

Multi-user oblivious storage allows users to access their shared data on the cloud while retaining access pattern obliviousness and data confidentiality simultaneously. Most secure and efficient oblivious storage systems focus on the utilization of the maximum network bandwidth in serving concurrent accesses via a trusted proxy. How- ever, since the proxy executes a standard ORAM protocol over the network, the performance is capped by the network bandwidth and latency. Moreover, some important features such as access control and security against active adversaries have not been thoroughly explored in such proxy settings. In this paper, we propose MOSE, a multi-user oblivious storage system that is efficient and enjoys from some desirable security properties. Our main idea is to harness a secure enclave, namely Intel SGX, residing on the untrusted storage server to execute proxy logic, thereby, minimizing the network bottleneck of proxy-based designs. In this regard, we address various technical design chal- lenges such as memory constraints, side-channel attacks and scala- bility issues when enabling proxy logic in the secure enclave. We present a formal security model and analysis for secure enclave multi-user ORAM with access control. We optimize MOSE to boost its throughput in serving concurrent requests. We implemented MOSE and evaluated its performance on commodity hardware. Our evaluation confirmed the efficiency of MOSE, where it achieves approximately two orders of magnitudes higher throughput than the state-of-the-art proxy-based design, and also, its performance is scalable proportional to the available system resources.
Access to Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Under New Medicare Surgical Volume Requirements.

This cohort study examines the frequency and characteristics of non–transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) hospitals that do or do not meet new surgical volume requirements compared with TAVR hospitals.
Fitting an Old Tiger with New Teeth: Protecting Public Employee Funds Investing in Complex Financial Instruments

State employee benefit funds invested heavily in complex financial instruments before the crash of 2008, driven by higher yields than those offered by traditional securities in the low interest climate of the era. Their risks were concealed by investment-grade ratings issued by credit rating agencies and by deceptive marketing practices. With the crash, funds incurred major losses which, unlike losses by private funds, are not insured by the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. This Article deals both with enforcing claims based on deceptive practices, and protecting funds against future investments of this kind. Enforcement is an issue because the SEC has limited resources, though it faces fewer procedural burdens than the states, and is the only party with standing to bring actions under statutes such as the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. State enforcement poses problems because most states have limited experience in securities litigation, and because they may proceed under state law, risking divergent outcomes that could undermine the consistency in dealing with securities fraud intended by the federal securities laws. This Article proposes that the SEC create within itself an Office of State Coordination to help train state legal personnel in securities fraud actions and enable the SEC to work with state agencies to best allocate limited enforcement resources. It next discusses protecting benefit funds in future investments. Analyzing the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act dealing with securities ratings, it finds them to be largely ineffective. It therefore recommends largely bypassing Dodd-Frank, and giving earlier securities laws new teeth through regulatory changes restricting the sale of unregistered securities to larger, more sophisticated funds. It also recommends extending the SEC’s “Plain English” disclosure rules — now applicable only to registered securities — to all securities offerings. These rules require issuers to disclose the risks of the instruments they offer in plain English and in order of the magnitude of the risks they pose. They thus provide better guides to risk than the rating system, even as modified by Dodd-Frank, and will aid states both in regulating investments by their funds and in enforcement actions against deceptive practices.
A Scoping Review and Assessing the Evidence for Nutrition Education Delivery Strategies for Refugees in High-Income Countries.

Upon resettlement, refugees face many challenges, including limited knowledge of available food and food insecurity, that increase their risks of diet-related diseases. Nutrition education may help them better navigate the challenges of their new food environments and help them live healthier lives. This review assesses the evidence on nutrition education delivery strategies and outcomes among refugees in the United States and other high-income countries using Levac review guidelines. Multiple electronic databases were searched using combinations of the following terms: nutrition, food, cooking, or gardening; education, workshop, curriculum, class, literacy, or program; and refugee. The quality of the peer-reviewed papers was assessed using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI) scoring method. A total of 1930 studies were identified, and 17 met the inclusion criteria. The mean MERSQI score of the peer-reviewed studies was 9.02 (SD, 3.3; range, 1-14). The key nutrition education delivery strategies included conducting a needs assessment and providing client-centered education, a collaborative approach in program design, and hands-on activities such as cooking and store visits. A refugee's literacy level, cultural, and language barriers are common challenges to nutrition education delivery. Because there is limited evidence regarding the efficacy of programs regarding changes in refugees' nutrition knowledge and diet-related behaviors, future research should include rigorously designed studies and the development and implementation of standardized assessment and training tools. The adoption of a context-specific and flexible model is important for effective nutrition education delivery among the refugee population.
Information security in the age of cloud computing

Information security has been a particularly hot topic since the enhanced internal control requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) were introduced in 2002. At about this same time, cloud computing started its explosive growth. Outsourcing of mission-critical functions has always been a gamble for managers, but the advantages of cloud computing are too tempting to ignore. However, the move to cloud computing could prove very costly for a business if the implementation were to fail. When making the decision to outsource critical functions, managers look to accountants to provide assurance that their data and transactions will be secure and that emergency procedures will be in-place and work as designed, to protect the business from any potential losses due to unforeseen events. Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) 70 has provided guidance to auditors of third-party service organizations since 1992, but was replaced in April 2010 by Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) 16. And yet, data breaches continue to occur, costing billions of dollars annually. This research used data from the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) database and, through frequency analysis, Chi-square and cluster analysis techniques, found statistically significant differences in the frequency of breaches experienced by various types of consumer organizations based on breach and organization type. This result will be useful to auditors. The research also conducted a survey of 67,749 IT manager/directors. The responses to this survey were to be analyzed using binary logistic regressions and Chi-square tests. Unfortunately, due to severe limitations in the response rate and further complicated by the number of incomplete responses, no inferences can be drawn regarding factors relevant to decision-makers when contemplating the movement of critical business functions into the cloud environment.
Time-averaging equivalent circuit analysis and controller design of full-bridge parallel resonant DC/DC converters

The time-averaging equivalent circuit model of the full-bridge parallel resonant converter operating in the discontinuous-conduction mode is set forth. This model is used to design a phase-lead controller for the converter which ensures good response, internal and overall system stability, and robustness to modeling uncertainties for all possible operating conditions. Computer simulation and experimental results of a 100 W, 500 kHz converter indicate that the controlled converter shows improvements over the open-loop system in terms of good transient response and good disturbance rejection to input voltage and output load variations. >
Photosynthetic exciton theory in the 1960s

Theoretical developments in the 1960s concerning the migration of chlorophyll electronic excitation energy through a photosynthetic core antenna to a reaction center are reviewed in three parts. These include the first theory paper whose calculated results were consistent with experiment, the first analytic determination of the mean number of steps in the two-dimensional random walk of a dephased exciton to reach the reaction center, and the first theoretical description of the possible effects of true collective excited states (Frenkel excitons) on the rate of trap-limited migration and trapping. The possible relevance of these developments, particularly the last, to current photosynthesis research is briefly discussed.
Extending Dijkstra's algorithm to maximize the shortest path by node-wise limited arc interdiction

We consider the problem of computing shortest paths in a directed arc-weighted graph G = (V,A) in the presence of an adversary that can block (interdict), for each vertex v ∈ V, a given number p(v) of the arcs Aout(v) leaving v. We show that if all arc-weights are non-negative then the single-destination version of the problem can be solved by a natural extension of Dijkstra's algorithm in time $$O(|A|+|V|{\rm log}|V|+\Sigma_{\upsilon\in{V}\ \backslash \{t\}}(|A_{out}(\upsilon)|-p(\upsilon)){\rm log}(p(\upsilon)+1)).$$ Our result can be viewed as a polynomial algorithm for a special case of the network interdiction problem where the adversary's budget is node-wise limited. When the adversary can block a given number p of arcs distributed arbitrarily in the graph, the problem (p-most-vital-arcs problem) becomes NP-hard. This result is also closely related to so-called cyclic games. No polynomial algorithm computing the value of a cyclic game is known, though this problem belongs to both NP and coNP.
A user's perspective on the application of adjustable speed drives and microprocessor control for HVAC savings

Installation of an automatic air-conditioning control system has been found to maximize chiller efficiency, minimize the number of chilled water pumps operating while maintaining adequate capacity, and control the air volume by varying the fan speed to move only the air required to maintain desired room conditions. Project payback was typically less than three years, depending on energy costs, with the space conditions actually improving by providing a more even control of temperature and humidity. Details are discussed including selection of control equipment, calculation of savings, motor load reading techniques, and adjustable-speed drive fundamentals involved in selection of equipment. >
Targeted genomic deletion of the lens-specific intermediate filament protein CP49.

Purpose To deduce the function of the lens-specific cytoskeletal structure, the beaded filament, by blocking expression of the fiber cell-specific beaded filament protein CP49. Methods The first exon of the mouse CP49 gene was deleted by using targeted genomic deletion techniques. Gene deletion was assessed through Southern blot analysis and PCR. Translation and protein expression were characterized by Northern and Western blot analysis of both CP49 and its assembly partner filensin. The architecture of knockout lenses was compared with that of wild-type lenses at the histologic level by light microscopy. Lens clarity was assessed in situ by direct ophthalmic examination and slit lamp microscopy. Results Transcription and translation of CP49 were successfully negated in knockout animals. Lenses homozygous for the CP49 deletion showed no obvious changes in lens architecture at the light microscope level. Filensin levels were sharply reduced, although filensin mRNA levels appeared unchanged. Direct examination of lenses showed no obvious loss of lens clarity, but slit lamp examination revealed the emergence of opacification in even the youngest animals. The opacification worsened with age. Conclusions The absence of CP49 causes a subtle loss of optical clarity in the ocular lens, a loss that worsens with age. However, CP49 is not essential for the assumption or maintenance of overall fiber cell shape or long-range order of fiber cells. CP49 appears to regulate the protein levels of its assembly partner filensin, suggesting a mechanism for the regulation of beaded filament protein stoichiometry.
Marine longitudinal biodiversity: causes and conservation

The horizontal temperature zones of the earth tend to restrict the latitudinal ranges of species but allow the possibility of exceedingly broad longitudinal dispersals. In the Tropical Zone, biodiversity on the continental shelves is not homogeneous but is concentrated in two conspicuous peaks, one in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and the other in the Atlantic. The Indo-Pacific biodiversity peak is located within a relatively small area called the East Indies Triangle. The Atlantic peak is located in the southern Caribbean Sea. Evidence that has been accumulated over the years indicates that each area functions as a centre of origin and evolutionary radiation. What are the causes of these concentrations and their present functions? A newly published model indicates a positive relationship between environmental temperature and the rate of speciation. While this helps to explain the generally high tropical diversity, and the negative relationship between diversity and latitude, it does not provide a reason for the longitudinal concentrations. But, other new research serves to substantiate previous indications of a positive relationship between speciation rate and species diversity. The existence of this positive feedback, together with some contributory factors, provides the reason why concentrations occur. The evolutionary radiation probably begins when the build-up of species diversity reaches a critical level. The warm-temperate biotas are derived from the tropics. Their northern longitudinal relationships tend to be minor but, in the southern hemisphere, the West Wind Drift is an important dispersal mechanism for both warm-temperate and cold-temperate species. The cold-temperate biotas peaked in two areas, the North Pacific and the Antarctic; each has developed into a centre of origin. The continuous dispersal of well-adapted species from the centres helps peripheral communities maintain diversity.
Does the clinical presentation of a prior preterm birth predict risk in a subsequent pregnancy

Objective The objective of the study was to determine whether risk of recurrent preterm birth differs based on the clinical presentation of a prior spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB): advanced cervical dilatation (ACD), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), or preterm labor (PTL). Study Design This retrospective cohort study included singleton pregnancies from 2009 to 2014 complicated by a history of prior SPTB. Women were categorized based on the clinical presentation of their prior preterm delivery as having ACD, PPROM, or PTL. Risks for sonographic short cervical length and recurrent SPTB were compared between women based on the clinical presentation of their prior preterm birth. Log-linear regression was used to control for confounders. Results Of 522 patients included in this study, 96 (18.4%) had prior ACD, 246 (47.1%) had prior PPROM, and 180 (34.5%) had prior PTL. Recurrent PTB occurred in 55.2% of patients with a history of ACD compared with 27.2% of those with PPROM and 32.2% with PTL ( P = .001). The mean gestational age at delivery was significantly lower for those with a history of ACD (34.0 weeks) compared with women with prior PPROM (37.2 weeks) or PTL (37.0 weeks) ( P = .001). The lowest mean cervical length prior to 24 weeks was significantly shorter in patients with a history of advanced cervical dilation when compared with the other clinical presentations. Conclusion Patients with a history of ACD are at an increased risk of having recurrent preterm birth and cervical shortening in a subsequent pregnancy compared with women with prior preterm birth associated PPROM or PTL.
Polarized piezomodulated reflectance study of spontaneous ordering in GaInP2

Abstract Piezomodulated reflectivity is used to probe the electronic structure of GaInP 2 epilayers grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy, which exhibit various degrees of ordering. Our study provides information on the fundamental gap, crystal field splitting, and spin-orbit splitting at 15 K. Our results provide evidence for domains with a distribution of order parameters η in epitaxial films of GaInP 2 that exhibit spontaneous ordering. Aspnes' first derivative functional form for the piezomodulated reflectivity line shape is used to fit the spectra.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Incentives and Coordination in Operations Management

I the past decade or so, we have witnessed a shift of research interests in the field operations management (OM) from the study of centralized decision making to the investigation of models that emphasize decentralized decision making. When we recognize that many operations decisions are made in contexts where there are multiple decision makers who may have access to different information and operate under different objectives, we begin to see models that are very different from what we were used to. It has been an eye-opening experience, but more importantly, it has been a learning experience. Decentralized decision making has been routinely investigated in other disciplines such as economics, game theory, industrial organization, marketing, etc., but it is often the case that the models in our neighboring fields suppress the richness of a firm’s operations to focus on its competitive behavior, incentive systems, and so on. This provides OM researchers with ample opportunities to develop novel models aimed at understanding the interdependency between a system’s business processes and technologies, and the incentive mechanisms that can be used to coordinate the system. The investigation of these novel models, however, often requires new tools. This means reeducating ourselves by absorbing knowledge from other disciplines. Fortunately, many OM researchers have chosen to do this, and they have successfully applied the newly acquired knowledge to study a wide variety of decisions that are central to a firm’s operations. This infusion of ideas from different disciplines has great potential to both improve our understanding of operations management and refine the insights generated by the researchers in the other fields. A flagship journal for the field of operations management, Management Science emphasizes interdisciplinary research. Therefore, the journal has an important role to play in fostering the kinds of research mentioned above. This special issue serves exactly this purpose.
Combining Electrical Defect Monitors with Automatic Visual Inspection Systems

As defect densities decrease, ever increasing sample areas will be required for statistically valid estimates of defect densities. Several tools exist, such as electrical defect monitors (serpentines and combs), that can test a large area but provide little information about the defects detected. At the same time, automated visual inspection techniques (KLA 2028) exist that inspect smaller areas with greater detail. We propose a strategy for analyzing large areas with great detail by combining both of these tools. The necessity of obtaining visual information for process evaluations is discussed. Experimental results are described in support of this strategy.
Evidence for a shift in 5'-termini of early viral RNA during the lytic cycle of JC virus

We have used primer extension and S1 analysis to localize the 5'-termini of JC virus (JCV) early RNAs in infected primary human fetal glial cells at various times postinfection and in stable JCV-transformed hamster fetal glial cells. At early times postinfection (Days 1-5), two early transcripts are initiated at nucleotides 5122 and 5082. A major shift in 5'-ends at later times results in the synthesis of a new series of early mRNAs beginning upstream at nucleotide 35 and downstream at nucleotides 5047, 5037, and 5012. In the transformed hamster cells, however, only one RNA species was detected, starting at nucleotide 5122. The mechanism underlying the shift in the initiation site of JCV early RNAs during a lytic infection remains unclear but appears analogous to that which occurs in the SV40 lytic cycle. Since the shift occurs during DNA replication, when T-antigen is at maximal levels, it is possible that T-antigen binding to JCV DNA and/or alterations in chromatin structure contribute to this event.
Balancing Workloads and Minimizing Set-up Costs in the Parallel Processing Shop

This paper presents an optimal scheduling algorithm for minimizing set-up costs in the parallel processing shop while meeting workload balancing restrictions.
Plant fibers in the paper industry

For 20 centuries, vegetable fibers from various sources have been converted into thin sheets for use in trade, communications, law, and even for shelter. Cotton and linen rags were the first fibrous raw materials to acquire widespread status in paper making, and they are still needed for specialty products. Increasing demands for paper ultimately surpassed the availability of rags, so that other sources of fiber were sought. About the year 1800, numerous other materials of agricultural origin began to come into use somewhat temporarily. Although woods have become the prime source of paper making fibers during the last 100-125 years, annual plant fibers retain their importance. The technical feasibility of non-woody materials is substantiated by more than 300 paper mills throughout the world that use such raw materials. Both necessity and special properties account for their use. The potential for various nonwoody fibrous plants is being investigated intensively by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, to discover new crops that might hare practical significance in the national agricultural program and in the commercial production of paper.
Inhibition of ovulation by melatonin in the cyclic rat.

Administration of 1.25–5 mg of melatonin dissolved in 10% methanol in saline by intracardiac route during the critical period of proestrus (2–4 PM) resulted in complete inhibition of ovulation during presumptive estrus. All animals receiving the vehicle shed an average of ten ova. The inhibition can be overcome by iv injection of 10 ¼g luteinizing hormone (LH) thereby suggesting that melatonin is not acting at the ovarian level. Results of radioimmunoassay of serum LH levels in melatonin and vehicle—treated animals indicate that multiple injections of melatonin prevented the release of LH and inhibited ovulation. However, the same doses given before or after the critical period on the day of proestrus did not affect the incidence of ovulation. It is concluded that melatonin, at the dose levels used affects directly the ovulatory surge of gonadotropin and consequently inhibits ovulation. These results further support the concept that the pineal gland exerts control over reproductive functions via an inhibi...
Activation of the interventricular septal myocardium studied during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract The sequence of activation of the right and left surfaces of the interventricular septum of the canine heart has been studied by means of bipolar electrograms recorded under direct vision from multiple selected points in the in situ heart during total cardiopulmonary bypass. Earliest activity is almost simultaneous on both sides of the septum; depolarization of septal musculature is first recorded, on the right, from the septum above and anterior to the anterior papillary muscle and, on the left, from the central septum either above or below the midline. Records of septal activation after bundle branch block show that all of the anterior and middle parts of the right surface, including the anterior papillary muscle, are dependent on the right bundle branch for normal activation, and all of the left surface is dependent on the left bundle branch. In some animals the posterior and basal parts of the right surface are normally activated from some part of the left bundle branch.
Cloud condensation nuclei activity, closure, and droplet growth kinetics of Houston aerosol during the Gulf of Mexico Atmospheric Composition and Climate Study (GoMACCS)

In situ cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) measurements were obtained in the boundary layer over Houston, Texas, during the 2006 Gulf of Mexico Atmospheric Composition and Climate Study (GoMACCS) campaign onboard the CIRPAS Twin Otter. Polluted air masses in and out of cloudy regions were sampled for a total of 22 flights, with CCN measurements obtained for 17 of these flights. In this paper, we focus on CCN closure during two flights, within and downwind of the Houston regional plume and over the Houston Ship Channel. During both flights, air was sampled with particle concentrations exceeding 25,000 cm^(−3) and CCN concentrations exceeding 10,000 cm^(−3). CCN closure is evaluated by comparing measured concentrations with those predicted on the basis of measured aerosol size distributions and aerosol mass spectrometer particle composition. Different assumptions concerning the internally mixed chemical composition result in average CCN overprediction ranging from 3% to 36% (based on a linear fit). It is hypothesized that the externally mixed fraction of the aerosol contributes much of the CCN closure scatter, while the internally mixed fraction largely controls the overprediction bias. On the basis of the droplet sizes of activated CCN, organics do not seem to impact, on average, the CCN activation kinetics.
Effect of vitamin A on the activity of arylsulfatase and β-glucuronidase of rat tissues

Vitamin A alcohol activates arylsulfatase (aryl-sulfatesulfohydrolase, EC 3-1.6.1) and inhibits β-glucuronidase (β-d-glucuronide glucuronohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.31) of rat colon. These effects were less pronounced with vitamin A acetate and they were negligible with vitamin A acid and other chemically related compounds. Action of vitamin A alcohol was not dependent upon the integrity of a particulate membrane and was unaffected by removal of lipid from the enzyme suspension, suggesting a direct effect on the enzyme proteins. Kinetics of arylsulfatase and β-glucuronidase were altered in the presence of vitamin A alcohol. Solubilized arylsulfatase and β-glucuronidase of particulate fractions from rat small intestine, kidney and liver showed the same response to vitamin A as the colon enzymes.
Classical interface modes of quantum dots.

The classical surface and interface modes of dotlike microstructures and the optical absorption corresponding to them are studied within a dielectric continuum approach. Explicit results are given mainly for the interface phonons of ionic materials, and it is noted that the same formalism applies to the surface plasmons of conducting materials. Analytical results for the modes are given for dots having the shapes of spheres and ellipsoids of revolution. An integral-equation approach is introduced to treat dots having arbitrary shapes. The dependence of the mode frequencies and eigenmodes on the dot shape and the dependence of the optical absorption on its shape and on the light polarization are discussed. An interesting feature that emerges is that the number of optically active modes increases as the dot shape becomes less symmetric. Dots with sharp tips are found to support interface modes which are strongly enhanced in the vicinity of the tip, a fact relevant to phenomena involving electric fields near the tip of a scanning microscope probe.
Three year follow-up of patients with chronic pain who were treated in a multidisciplinary pain management center.

Abstract Between September 1979 and October 1982, 408 patients with chronic benign pain were evaluated for admission to a pain management program. Of the 408 patients, 249 completed the program; the success rate at the time of dismissal was 70% among these 249 patients. Of the 239 patients who entered the follow-up study, 87% responded to either a mailed questionnaire or a follow-up telephone call by an independent reviewer at the time of 3 year follow-up; the improvement had been maintained by 46.6% of the successfully treated patients (or a third of the original participants). The present finding is strikingly similar to that in a previous study from this institution — an indication of the long-term efficacy of the multidisciplinary pain management program. Further search for modifications for the existing program is indicated to accommodate the needs of patients who fail initially or cannot maintain the improvement.