cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbon-Carbon Bond Cleavage in Photogenerated Radical Anions

Abstract Electron acceptors yielding highly labile radical anions have been designed based on thermodynamic considerations. The radical anions of these acceptors were produced by an electron transfer from excited states of aromatic amines. The radical anions undergo rapid C–C bond scission with rates in the 106 – 1010 s−1 range. These are the first examples of C–C bond cleavage in photogenerated radical anions. The observed rates indicate that the activation energies for cleavage are only slightly higher than the free energies of the reactions, even for near–thermoneutral reactions.
Special Education Teacher Preparation and Service Delivery in a Developing Country: Indonesia.

This paper discusses the nature and extent of special education services and teacher preparation in indonesia. The discussion relates the current situation to the unique economic, cultural, and historical forces operating in Indonesia today. Future plans and problems are also presented.
Comparison of noise levels caused by four different neonatal high-frequency ventilators.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that neonatal high-frequency ventilators create different noise levels depending upon ventilator settings and device-specific properties.¶Materials: Three neonatal ventilators with built-in high-frequency options (Babylog 8000, Infant Star, Stephanie) and an exclusive high-frequency oscillator (SensorMedics 3100A).¶Measurements: Noise levels were recorded by a microphone and measured by a decibel recording device at a defined distance from a test lung.¶Results: Noise levels were highest for the SensorMedics and the Babylog (70 dB and 62 dB, respectively). Whereas the SensorMedics increased noise production with amplitude, the Babylog remained at a constant level. The Infant Star (52 dB) and the Stephanie (54 dB) were significantly less noisy at their maximum levels of amplitude (40 mbar and 50 mbar, respectively).¶Conclusion: Most levels recorded were below those measured within an incubator without the use of a ventilator. We conclude that neonatal high-frequency ventilators do not represent a major contribution to noise levels for newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
A linear chemical‐physical theory model for liquid metal solution thermodynamics

The simplified chemical-physical theory (SCPT) for compound-forming liquid metal solutions is improved by a reduction in the number of modeling parameters using an adaptation of the group contribution approach. A group contribution technique is applied to linearize the Gibbs energy (and enthalpy) of formation of intermetallic compounds. As a result, the activities or Gibbs energies of many binary liquid alloy systems are represented successfully with only a single parameter for the chemical interactions and another for the physical interactions. Similarly, the enthalpies of mixing are modeled well using only the temperature derivatives of these two parameters.
Time-frequency representations for wideband acoustic signals in shallow water

Wideband acoustic propagation in shallow water has a unique arrival structure due to modal group speed dispersion. It is possible to unravel the modal dispersion characteristics using a proper time-frequency (TF) analysis. During the Asian Seas International Acoustics Experiment (ASIAEX) - East China Sea (ECS) experiment, signal collected by the vertical arrays have been processed using several time-frequency analysis techniques. Based upon the dispersion characteristics of acoustic propagation, theoretical time-frequency structure is used to determine the change of group delay. We present an improved time-frequency representation to provide higher resolution for TF diagrams using ECS data. The dispersion characteristics of ECS data are observed with good resolution; this aids in increasing the performance of the inversion technique for long range sediment tomography.
Progress in the Treatment of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

This report summarizes the clinical, pathological, and surgical aspects of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. The significant risk of rupture of these aneurysms is well documented. Although large aneurysms are more prone to rupture, the risk of rupture of small aneurysms less than 4 cm in diameter is well established. While most aneurysms are a result of atherosclerosis, a small number are mycotic in origin or secondary to a dissection trauma or previous aortic surgery. Rupture of abdominal aneurysms occurs into the retroperitoneum in about ¾ of cases, and into the peritoneal cavity in the remainder. Occasionally rupture occurs into the small bowel or the inferior vena cava with fistula formation. The classical clinical features are abdominal or back pain, hypotension, and a pulsatile tender abdominal mass, but in many cases diagnosis has been delayed because of atypical presentations, in particular the absence of hypotension. Successful treatment requires immediate operation with control of the proximal abdominal aorta. Graft replacement is then performed. Avoidance of technical problems is essential, in particular damage to the great veins. Utilizing these principles we have achieved a major reduction in mortality rate in our own experience. In a series of 61 patients, overall mortality was only 14.8%. The causes of death were related to preoperative hypotension causing acute myocardial infarction, renal failure, and respiratory failure. The major factors responsible for these improved results were immediate operation with rapid proximal aortic control, avoidance of left thoracotomy, absence of technical errors, and expeditious completion of the surgical procedure. Despite these improved results, emphasis must continue to be placed on prevention of rupture by diagnosis and treatment of the unruptured aneurysm.
Abstract 4904: Mechanisms of cytotoxicity of bifunctional epoxide cross-linking agents

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The discovery that bifunctional alkylating agents have antitumor activity led to the development of cancer chemotherapy over 50 years ago. While these compounds form a variety of cellular lesions, DNA interstrand cross-links are believed to be the most lethal, impeding both replication and expression of the genetic material. We are characterizing the mechanisms by which diepoxybutane (DEB) and the structurally related compound epichlorohydrin (ECH) exert their cytotoxic effects in cultured cells. Our first goal is to determine the relationship between interstrand cross-linking and cytotoxicity. We are assaying cross-linking ability in cultured cells using Hoechst 33258 to determine the amount of duplex DNA following alkaline denaturation. Only cross-linked DNA reanneals rapidly and interacts with the dye, which is highly fluorescent when bound to duplex DNA. Preliminary results in chicken 6C2 and human HL60 cells suggest a correlation between cross-linking and LD50 values for these compounds. Our second goal is to characterize the pathways by which these compounds induce apoptosis. Reverse-transcriptase real-time PCR analysis of HL-60 cells treated with DEB and ECH under conditions determined to induce apoptosis suggests up-regulation of several key genes involved in the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, including BAK1, BAX, DIABLO, PUMA and APAF1. Finally, we are identifying the covalent structure of the ECH-cross-linked lesion via electrospray LC/MS. Characterization of the DNA modifications induced by these agents is an important step in understanding how these compounds exert their cytotoxic effects. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4904. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4904
Parent, sibling and peer associations with subtypes of psychiatric and substance use disorder comorbidity in offspring

Abstract Background Parental substance use disorder (SUD) is associated with a range of negative offspring outcomes and psychopathology, but the clustering of these outcomes into subtypes has seldom been examined, nor have the familial and environmental contexts of these subtypes been reported. The present study examines the clustering of offspring lifetime substance use and psychiatric disorders into subtypes and characterizes them in terms of familial and non-familial influences using an offspring-of-twins design. Method Telephone-administered diagnostic interviews were used to collect data on psychiatric disorders and SUD from 488 twin fathers, 420 biological mothers and 831 offspring. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to derive subtypes of lifetime comorbidity in offspring. Familial risk and environmental variables associated with each subtype (i.e., parenting, childhood physical or sexual abuse, perceived sibling and peer substance use) were identified using multinomial logistic regression. Results Four classes identified by LCA were characterized as (1) unaffected, (2) alcohol abuse/dependence, (3) alcohol abuse/dependence comorbid with anxiety and depression, and (4) alcohol, cannabis abuse/dependence and nicotine dependence comorbid with conduct disorder. Inconsistent parenting, childhood physical/sexual abuse, and perceived sibling and peer substance use were significantly associated with profiles of offspring comorbidity after adjusting for familial vulnerability. Some associations were specific (i.e., perceived peer alcohol use to the AUD class), while others were general (peer smoking to all 3 comorbidity classes). Conclusions We observed distinct subtypes of psychiatric and SUD comorbidity in adolescents and young adults. Subtypes of offspring psychopathology have varied associations with parental psychopathology, family environment, and sibling and peer behaviors.
Distribution of acid mucopolysaccharides in subcellular fractions of mouse brain

Summary The acid mucopolysaccharide (AMPS) of mouse brain consist of predominantly of the chondroitin sulfate and also contains hyaluronic acid and small amounts of unidentified components. The amount of AMPS per g of delipidized dry materials was found to be highest in the synaptic vesicle fraction, which contained about twice as much as the whole brain particulate fraction. The content in the mitochondrial fraction was very low on lipid-free dry weight basis. About 34% of the total amount of AMPS in whole brain is present in a soluble state, either as free AMPS or as AMPS-protein complex.
Facilitation and suppression of responding under temporally defined schedules of negative reinforcement

Abstract Two parameters for scheduling aversive stimulus presentations were studied systematically by specifying concurrent and independent probabilities of electric shock delivery for the occurrence and for the non-occurrence of a lever-press response. After preliminary training on a free-operant shock-avoidance schedule, 16 rhesus monkeys were divided into four groups, each group being assigned one shock distribution on a continuum from fixed interval to a widely ranging variable interval. Within groups, each subject was successively exposed to three values of response-dependence of shock delivery on a continuum from response-independent shock to complete dependence of shock on response occurrence (“punishment”). Introduction of shock following avoidance training produced initial response facilitation followed by suppression. Responding during both the facilitation and suppression periods was maximal when the shock schedule was periodic and response independent. Responding decreased as the inter-shock intervals were made more variable across groups, and as shock delivery was made increasingly response dependent within individual subjects.
Runx1/AML1/Cbfa2 mediates onset of mesenchymal cell differentiation toward chondrogenesis.

Runx proteins mediate skeletal development. We studied the regulation of Runx1 during chondrocyte differentiation by real-time RT-PCR and its function during chondrogenesis using overexpression and RNA interference. Runx1 induces mesenchymal stem cell commitment to the early stages of chondrogenesis. Introduction: Runx1 and Runx2 are co-expressed in limb bud cell condensations that undergo both cartilage and bone differentiation during murine development. However, the cooperative and/or compensatory effects these factors exert on skeletal formation have yet to be elucidated. Materials and Methods: Runx1/Cbfa2 and Runx2/Cbfa1 were examined at different stages of embryonic development by immunohistochemistry. In vitro studies used mouse embryonic limb bud cells and assessed Runx expressions by immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR in the presence and absence of TGFβ and BMP2. Runx1 was overexpressed in mesenchymal cell progenitors using retroviral infection. Results: Immunohistochemistry showed that Runx1 and Runx2 are co-expressed in undifferentiated mesenchyme, had similar levels in chondrocytes undergoing transition from proliferation to hypertrophy, and that there was primarily Runx2 expression in hypertrophic chondrocytes. Overall, the expression of Runx1 remained significantly higher than Runx2 mRNA levels during early limb bud cell maturation. Treatment of limb bud micromass cultures with BMP2 resulted in early induction of both Runx1 and Runx2. However, upregulation of Runx2 by BMP2 was sustained, whereas Runx1 decreased in later time-points when type X collagen was induced. Although TGFβ potently inhibits Runx2 and type X collagen, it induces type II collagen mRNA and mildly but significantly inhibits Runx1 isoforms in the early stages of chondrogenesis. Virus-mediated overexpression of Runx1 in mouse embryonic mesenchymal cells resulted in a potent induction of the early chondrocyte differentiation markers but not the hypertrophy marker, type X collagen. Knockdown or Runx1 potently inhibits type II collagen, alkaline phosphatase, and Runx2 and has a late inhibitory effect on type X collagen. Conclusion: These findings show a distinct and sustained role for Runx proteins in chondrogenesis and subsequent chondrocyte maturation. Runx1 is highly expressed during chondrogenesis in comparison with Runx2, and Runx1 gain of functions stimulated this process. Thus, the Runx genes are uniquely expressed and have distinct roles during skeletal development.
On the noninferior index approach to large-scale multi-criteria systems

Abstract The noninferior index solution of multi-criteria optimization theory is studied as it relates to large-scale systems. The noninferior index set is related in a one-to-one manner to a family of auxiliary scalar index problems, where the auxiliary index is the inner product of the index vector J and a weighting vector α. Particular emphasis is placed on the functional relation between the noninferior index solutions and the weighting vector values. For a certain class of parameter optimization problems the entire noninferior index surface can be determined by solving the auxiliary index problem using only one value of the weighting vector α. The noninferior index solutions for such a parameter optimization problem are obtained for a large-scale system problem in water resource planning.
Modulation of expression of monocyte/macrophage plasminogen activator activity and its implications for attenuation of vasculopathy.

BACKGROUNDThe binding of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) to its receptor (uPAR) on cell surfaces has the potential to influence degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Thus, uPA bound to monocyte/macrophages and its interactions with plasminogen activator inhibitors types 1 and 2 (PAI-1 and PAI-2) may modify atherogenesis by altering cell-associated proteolytic activity, degradation of ECM, and neointimal formation at sites of vascular injury.METHODS AND RESULTSTo determine whether the expression of proteins on the surface of cells involved in fibrinolysis changes in human cells in response to mediators implicated in atherogenesis, we exposed U937 cells (an immortal human monocyte-like cell line) to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and to thrombin. Induction of uPAR mRNA occurred with TGF-beta (5 ng/mL) in a time-dependent fashion (P = .05; n = 4). Thrombin (5 National Institutes of Health [NIH] U/mL) increased uPAR mRNA by 2.8-fold above control (n = 4) without altering PAI-1 mRNA...
Using a Sponsorship to Improve the Success of Blood Drive Donations

ABSTRACT Promoting the idea of blood donation as well as the successful recruitment of blood donors represents substantial marketing challenges. For example, blood products have a short shelf life, donation is invasive, the industry is heavily regulated, and safety issues restrict the number of eligible donors. Moreover, many organizations that collect blood are non-profit services that are not equipped to make use of many of the tools of marketing and promotion. In the for-profit world, organizations are increasingly using sponsorships to enhance the effectiveness of their marketing expenditures. This paper reports on the use of a sponsorship to increase blood drive donations. The sponsorship used a standing annual holiday promotion/stakeholder appreciation campaign conducted by a large local group of gastroenterologists. Linkage of the sponsorship to a local blood drive resulted in increased response rates from donors and in the number of units of blood collected. Implications of the use of sponsorships...
Through the megacrisis: the passage to global maturity

Purpose – The paper aims to give an evolutionary perspective and “collective intelligence” methods to help understand how the world could make the passage through today's “global megacrisis” – the intersection of climate change, peak oil, financial instability, and other threats – reaching a critical point as industrialization doubles over the next decade. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey is used to assess attitudes toward four scenarios defining the range of possible outcomes of the global megacrisis, and an improved Delphi method estimates when emerging technologies are likely to enter mainstream use. Findings – The survey shows that people think there is a strong likelihood these trends will cause major global disasters or a collapse of civilization in large parts of the globe. Macro-forecasts of the Technology Revolution suggest that the rise of e-commerce, green business, climate control, alternative energy, artificial intelligence, and other technological advances are likely to move th...
Electromechanical analogies and their use for the analysis of mechanical and electromechanical systems

After some introductory remarks which outline the problem and special features of its treatment, Section 3 explains how complex notation and the impedance concept can be applied directly to the analysis of mechanical systems. This leads naturally to the first or "direct" method of constructing an electrical "model" of a mechanical system, where a mechanical force is represented by a voltage and a mechanical velocity by a current; a mechanical impedance, i.e. the ratio of a force to a velocity is then represented by a proportional electrical impedance. In this analogy a mass is represented by an inductance. It is shown that this representation, when established for one particular frequency, is valid for all other frequencies. Section 4 shows that there exists a perfectly consistent, alternative method of constructing such an electrical model in which all these correspondences are replaced by their dual counterparts and which is therefore called the "indirect" or "inverse" analog). A mechanical force is here represented by an electric current and a mechanical velocity by a voltage. Accordingly, a mechanical impedance is then represented by an electrical admittance of proportional magnitude; in particular a mass is represented by a capacitance. This analogy has the advantage that it enables a circuit diagram of the electrical model to be copied from the diagram of the mechanical system, if this is drawn in accordance with certain conventions. The circuit diagram found by this method is the dual of the circuit found by the first method, and as it is a routine procedure to draw the dual of a given network the second analogy may also be useful when utilizing the first type of analogy. The paper supplements the development of this method by showing how levers fall into the general scheme of this geometrical correspondence if they are interpreted as auto-transformers. It also shows how the circuits of both these analogies may be found with advantage by an al
Modular structure of fuzzy system modeling using wavelet networks

This paper proposes a novel approach to constructing fuzzy logic control system using the combination of wavelet network and feedforward BP networks. Numerous works have been reported on the integration, of fuzzy logic systems and neural networks; however most of these hybridizations have resulted in the loss of the original knowledge structure embedded in its network implementation. Due to the inherent modularity, the decision-making process of a fuzzy logic control system can be readily partitioned into three functionally independent modules, namely pattern recognition, fuzzy reasoning and control synthesis, and therefore individual subnets can be built to implement these modules as subnets for the overall feedforward networks. Both wavelet network and BP feedforward network are adopted for the construction of the subnets so that the local receptive field-type wavelet networks with orthogonal least square learning algorithm are capable to capture the fine details of the underlying dynamics, and the overall feedforward structure with the BP algorithm is responsible for the global optimization of the networks parameters. Simulation also shows its superiority.
Quantitative trait loci associated with adventitious shoot formation in tissue culture and the program of shoot development in Arabidopsis.

Arabidopsis ecotypes, Columbia (Col) and Landsberg erecta (L er ), differ in their capacity to regenerate shoots in culture, as do many other cultivars and varieties of the same plant species. Recombinant inbred (RI) lines derived from a cross of Col × L er were scored for shoot regeneration, and the Arabidopsis genome was scanned using composite interval mapping for loci associated with shoot regeneration. Three QTL were identified—a major one on chromosome 5 in which the Col parent contributed the superior allele and two minor QTL on chromosomes 1 and 4 in which the L er parent contributed the superior alleles. The RI lines were binned into genotypic pools to isolate the effects of the major QTL on chromosome 5 while holding the minor QTL constant. To identify genes with expression levels that are associated with the allelic state of the major QTL on chromosome 5, oligonucleotide array expression patterns for genes in the LLC pool (L er alleles at the minor QTL and a Col allele at the major QTL) were compared to those in the LLL pool (L er alleles at all QTL). The genes that were significantly differentially expressed between the two pools included several encoding transcription factors and signaling or transposon-related proteins.
Immune response of macrophages from young and aged mice to the oral pathogenic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory gum disease that in severe cases leads to tooth loss. Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is a bacterium closely associated with generalized forms of periodontal disease. Clinical onset of generalized periodontal disease commonly presents in individuals over the age of 40. Little is known regarding the effect of aging on inflammation associated with periodontal disease. In the present study we examined the immune response of bone marrow derived macrophages (BMM) from young (2-months) and aged (1-year and 2-years) mice to Pg strain 381. Pg induced robust expression of cytokines; tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10, chemokines; neutrophil chemoattractant protein (KC), macrophage colony stimulating factor (MCP)-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α and regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), as well as nitric oxide (NO, measured as nitrite), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) from BMM of young mice. BMM from the 2-year age group produced significantly less TNF-α, IL-6 and NO in response to Pg as compared with BMM from 2-months and 1-year of age. We did not observe any difference in the levels of IL-1β, IL-10 and PGE2 produced by BMM in response to Pg. BMM from 2-months and 1-year of age produced similar levels of all chemokines measured with the exception of MCP-1, which was reduced in BMM from 1-year of age. BMM from the 2-year group produced significantly less MCP-1 and MIP-1α compared with 2-months and 1-year age groups. No difference in RANTES production was observed between age groups. Employing a Pg attenuated mutant, deficient in major fimbriae (Pg DPG3), we observed reduced ability of the mutant to stimulate inflammatory mediator expression from BMMs as compared to Pg 381, irrespective of age. Taken together these results support senescence as an important facet of the reduced immunological response observed by BMM of aged host to the periodontal pathogen Pg.
Rab-GTPase-dependent endocytic recycling of Kv1.5 in atrial myocytes.

The number of ion channels expressed on the cell surface shapes the complex electrical response of excitable cells. Maintaining a balance between anterograde and retrograde trafficking of channel proteins is vital in regulating steady-state cell surface expression. Kv1.5 is an important voltage-gated K+ channel in the cardiovascular system underlying the ultra-rapid rectifying potassium current (Ikur), a major repolarizing current in atrial myocytes, and regulating the resting membrane potential and excitability of smooth muscle cells. Defects in the expression of Kv1.5 are associated with pathological states such as chronic atrial fibrillation and hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. There is, thus, substantial interest in understanding the mechanisms regulating cell surface channel levels. Here, we investigated the internalization and recycling of Kv1.5 in the HL-1 immortalized mouse atrial myocytes. Kinetic studies indicate that Kv1.5 is rapidly internalized to a perinuclear region where it co-localizes with the early endosomal marker, EEA1. Importantly, we identified that a population of Kv1.5, originating on the cell surface, internalized and recycled back to the plasma membrane. Notably, Kv1.5 recycling processes are driven by specific Rab-dependent endosomal compartments. Thus, co-expression of GDP-locked Rab4S22N and Rab11S25N dominant-negative mutants decreased the steady-state Kv1.5 surface levels, whereas GTPase-deficient Rab4Q67L and Rab11Q70L mutants increased steady-state Kv1.5 surface levels. These data reveal an unexpected dynamic trafficking of Kv1.5 at the myocyte plasma membrane and demonstrate a role for recycling in the maintenance of steady-state ion channel surface levels.
Numerical Calculation Technique for Large Elastic-Plastic Transient Deformations of Thin Shells

Studies of explosive forming of structures must often include the large-deformation transient and permanent-deflection responses of the structure. To aid in studies of this nature, a large-deflection elasticplastic transient response prediction method has been developed. The accuracy and reliability of this method have been demonstrated by comparisons of theoretical predictions with experimental measurements. The large-deflection largerotation small-strain equations of motion for a thin shell including elastic, elasticplastic, strainhardening, and strain-rate material behavior are presented in tensor form. These equations are then cast into numerical form by finite differencing. The step-by-step numerical-integration technique is applied to the case of a cylindrical panel; dynamic-deformation predictions are compared with experimentally observed deformation histories of an explosively loaded cylindrical panel tested at the Picatinny Arsenal.
Depth-variant spectral characteristics of submersed aquatic vegetation detected by Landsat 7 ETM+

Spectral variations along depth profiles were compared using two subsets of a Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) scene to test the difference between submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) and non-vegetated bare substrate in their depth-induced spectral variation. Field-surveyed water depth and SAV cover along transects were overlaid with the satellite image of Lake Pontchartrain, LA, USA. Digital numbers on the survey transects for each band and for band ratios were correlated with depth and vegetation cover. Band 1/band 3 correlated well with depth in both SAV and bare substrates, indicating that this ratio least reflects the effect of SAV. The ratio of bands 2 and 1 correlated best with vegetation cover within the shallow estuarine waters. Correlations between depth and the ratio of band 2/band3 showed contrasting results between the two substrate types (SAV and bare), suggesting that the depth-induced variations in the band ratio can be used as indicators of SAV.
Looking Beyond the Text: Toward a General Theory of Interpretation in the Human Sciences

(1996). Looking Beyond the Text: Toward a General Theory of Interpretation in the Human Sciences. The European Legacy: Vol. 1, No. 8, pp. 2260-2273.
Minimum Bayes Risk Adaptive Linear Equalizers

This paper introduces Bayes risk (expected loss) as a criterion for linear equalization. Since the probability of error is equal to the Bayes risk (BR) for a particular binary loss function, this work is a natural generalization of previous works on minimum probability of error (PE) equalizers. Adaptive equalization algorithms are developed that minimize the BR. Like the minimum PE equalizers, the BR algorithms have low computational complexity which is comparable to that of the LMS algorithm. The advantage of the BR criterion is that the loss function can be specified in a manner that accelerates adaptive equalizer convergence relative to the minimum PE adaptive algorithm as illustrated in simulation examples. Besides introducing a new criterion, this paper provides another independent contribution to the field of PE minimizing equalization. While most prior works focus on M-ary QAM type modulations with rectangular decision regions, this paper uses upper bounds on the probabilities of certain events to yield tractable mathematics that apply to two-dimensional constellations with arbitrarily shaped decision regions. The resulting adaptive algorithm use the full information available in the phase of the error signal, whereas previous algorithms use a quantized version of this error phase.
Modeling climate change mitigation from alternative methods of charcoal production in Kenya

Abstract Current carbon accounting methodologies do not accommodate activities that involve emissions reductions from both land-use change and energy production. This paper analyzes the climate change mitigation potential of charcoal production in East Africa by examining the impact of changing both land management and technology. Current production in a major charcoal producing region of Kenya where charcoal is made as a by-product of land clearance for commercial grain production is modeled as the “business-as-usual” scenario. Alternative production systems are proposed based on coppice management of native or exotic trees. Improved kilns are also considered. Changes in aboveground, belowground, and soil carbon are modeled and two distinct baseline assessments are analyzed: one is based on a fixed area of land and one is based on the quantity of non-renewable fuel that is displaced by project activities. The magnitude of carbon emissions reductions varies depending on land management as well as the choice of carbonization technology. However, these variations are smaller than the variations arising from the choice of baseline methodology. The fixed-land baseline yields annualized carbon emission reductions equivalent to 0.5–2.8 tons per year (t y −1 ) with no change in production technology and 0.7–3.5 t y −1 with improved kilns. In contrast, the baseline defined by the quantity of displaced non-renewable fuel is 2–6 times larger, yielding carbon emissions reductions of 1.4–12.9 t y −1 with no change in production technology and 3.2–20.4 t y −1 with improved kilns. The results demonstrate the choice of baseline, often a political rather than scientific decision, is critical in assessing carbon emissions reductions.
USING PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING TO DEVELOP SKILLS IN SOLVING UNSTRUCTURED PROBLEMS

This article describes my efforts to improve student skills in solving unstructured problems in a junior-level undergraduate business course by employing a problem-based learning (PBL) design. A rationale for adopting a PBL approach for this course is articulated. A 7-step problem-solving model is then presented. The course’s design is described, including its learning outcomes, PBL projects, associated learning activities, and methods of assessing learning. Finally, student reactions and evidence of learning are discussed. The article concludes by raising a related issue: If graduates possess skills in solving unstructured problems, will businesses be receptive to their use?
The relationship between amount of soda consumed and intention to reduce soda consumption among adults exposed to the Choose Health LA 'Sugar Pack' health marketing campaign.

Author(s): Robles, Brenda; Blitstein, Jonathan L; Lieberman, Alicea J; Barragan, Noel C; Gase, Lauren N; Kuo, Tony | Abstract: ObjectiveTo examine behavioural intention to reduce soda consumption after exposure to the Choose Health LA 'Sugar Pack' campaign in Los Angeles County, California, USA.DesignA cross-sectional street-intercept survey was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes, health behaviours and behavioural intentions after exposure to the 'Sugar Pack' campaign. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to examine the relationships between the amount of soda consumed and self-reported intention to reduce consumption of non-diet soda among adults who saw the campaign.SettingThree pre-selected Los Angeles County Metro bus shelters and/or rail stops with the highest number of 'Sugar Pack' campaign advertisement placements.SubjectsRiders of the region's Metro buses and railways who were the intended audience of the campaign advertisements.ResultsThe overall survey response rate was 56 % (resulting n 1041). Almost 60 % of respondents were exposed to the advertisements (619/1041). The multivariable logistic regression analysis suggested that the odds of reporting intention to reduce soda consumption among moderate consumers (1-6 sodas/week) were 1·95 times greater than among heavy consumers (≥1 soda/d), after controlling for clustering and covariates. Respondents with less than a high-school education and who perceived sugary beverage consumption as harmful also had higher odds; in contrast, respondents aged ≥65 years had lower odds.ConclusionsResults suggest that future campaigns should be tailored differently for moderate v. heavy consumers of soda. Similar tailoring strategies are likely needed for younger groups, for those with less educational attainment and for those who do not perceive consumption of soda as harmful.
STIMULUS DEFINITION IN CONDITIONAL DISCRIMINATIONS

With a customary arrangement of three horizontally aligned stimulus/response keys, two rhesus monkeys learned conditional hue and line discriminations--an "identity-matching" procedure. First, sample stimuli were presented on the center key, and comparison stimuli were presented on the two side keys. Next, the sample was allowed to appear on any one of the three keys, with the comparisons on the remaining two. The change from fixed to variable sample and comparison locations caused the horizontal and vertical lines to lose control over the animals' responses; the conditional hue discrimination remained intact. Accurate description of controlling stimuli in a matching-to-sample procedure may therefore require that their spatial location be specified.
Design and test results of kicker units for the positron accumulator ring at the APS

Three fast kicker units have been designed, tested, and installed in the positron accumulator ring (PAR) at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) for beam injection and extraction. The performance of these kicker units has been satisfactory. This paper presents the design and test results.
Oncologic effectiveness of selective neck dissection in the N0 irradiated neck.

Background. The incidence and patterns of nodal spread in previously irradiated N0 necks are not well defined. Therefore, the safety and efficacy of selective neck dissection (SND) in this patient population is not well established. In a pre- vious report from our institution, SND in irradiated patients with recurrent disease at the primary site but clinically negative necks resulted in excellent tumor control in the neck. The objective of this study is to validate our initial observations in a larger sample of patients with longer follow-up. Methods. A retrospective chart analysis of patients pre- viously treated with primary radiation therapy or chemoradio- therapy for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck between January 1997 and June 2003 was performed. Patients with recurrent or persistent disease at the primary site or a second primary head and neck SCC, with no clinical or radiologic disease in the neck, who underwent surgical salvage with resection of the primary site along with a site-specific SND were analyzed. Patients who remained disease free at the primary site were analyzed for regional control after SND. Results. Sixty-nine patients underwent a total of 96 site- specific SNDs. The mean age was 64.1 years (range, 39- 91 years). There was histologically positive nodal disease in 17 of 69 patients (25%), and 22 of 96 necks (23%). Fifty-three patients had at least a 12-month follow-up. The mean follow- up was 23.3 months (range, 1-96 months). Of the patients with 1-year of follow-up, six patients died from recurrence at the primary site and nine died from distant metastasis. There were no cases of neck recurrence with the primary site controlled. All patients who had more than two positive nodes had recurrence either at the primary site or distant metastasis. Conclusions. Our results confirm that the patterns of lymphatic spread are not affected by radiation. We conclude that SND is oncologically safe in the management of the N0 irradiated neck and that the finding of more than two positive nodes predicts a poor outcome. A 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 27: 415-420, 2005
The UAB Drug Store Program: A Successful Partnership for Drug Education among Schools, Community Agencies, and Institutions of Higher Education

Abstract A local army reserve command developed the Drug Store, an experiential community-based drug education program for middle school students, in 1993. More than 9,000 children have participated in the program since its inception. During 1997-99, university health education and psychology faculty members collaborated with substance abuse prevention specialists and the state department of education to develop classroom resources for middle school teachers. The National Health Education Standards and state course of study curriculum framework were used as content guides. This collaboration resulted in an enhanced community-based drug education program.
Facilitating Economic Development in the World Trading System: Proposal for Development Facilitation Tariff (DFT) and Development Facilitation Subsidy (DFS)

While the objectives of the World Trade Organization include promotion of economic development for developing countries, Current trade rules impede development interests significantly by depriving developing countries of the ability to adopt effective development policies. This problem is particularly severe in the areas of tariff binding and state subsidies. While the WTO provisions that require tariff binding and prohibit certain trade-related subsidies may be necessary for stabilizing world trade and inhibiting state interference with world trade, they also have significant implications for tariff and subsidy-based economic development policies. This article lays out the problems with current WTO rules in these areas and discusses ways in which regulatory reforms may strike an adequate balance between economic development and open trade.
Science-Based Regulatory and Policy Considerations in Nutrition

Scientific evidence is necessary for the development of effective and enforceable regulations and government policy. To use scientific information appropriately, a systematic approach is needed for review and evaluation of the evidence. Federal agencies in the United States have developed useful approaches for such a review and evaluation to develop nutrition labeling, including health claims, and for updating of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The WHO is using a systematic evaluation process to update its recommendations on diet and health. The results of such reviews also highlight research needs to address relevant gaps in our knowledge.
Therapeutic effects of stress-programmed lymphocytes transferred to chronically stressed mice.

Our group has recently provided novel insights into a poorly understood component of intercommunication between the brain and the immune system by showing that psychological stress can modify lymphocytes in a manner that may boost resilience to psychological stress. To demonstrate the influence of the adaptive immune system on mood states, we previously showed that cells from lymph nodes of socially defeated mice, but not from unstressed mice, conferred anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects and elevated hippocampal cell proliferation when transferred into naive lymphopenic Rag2(-/-) mice. In the present study, we asked whether similar transfer could be anxiolytic and antidepressant when done in animals that had been rendered anxious and depressed by chronic psychological stress. First, we demonstrated that lymphopenic Rag2(-/-) mice and their wild-type C57BL/6 mouse counterparts had similar levels of affect normally. Second, we found that following chronic (14days) restraint stress, both groups displayed an anxious and depressive-like phenotype and decreased hippocampal cell proliferation. Third, we showed that behavior in the open field test and light/dark box was normalized in the restraint-stressed Rag2(-/-) mice following adoptive transfer of lymph node cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressing donor mice previously exposed to chronic (14days) of social defeat stress. Cells transferred from unstressed donor mice had no effect on behavior. Immunolabeling of GFP+ cells confirmed that tissue engraftment had occurred at 14days after transfer. We found GFP+ lymphocytes in the spleen, lymph nodes, blood, choroid plexus, and meninges of the recipient Rag2(-/-) mice. The findings suggest that the adaptive immune system may play a key role in promoting recovery from chronic stress. The data support using lymphocytes as a novel therapeutic target for anxiety states.
Prevalence of Smoking and Drinking Among Chronic Diseases Surveillance Population in Guangxi

Objective To investigate the prevalence of smoking and drinking among the population in Guangxi,and to provide scientific evidences for intervention development.Methods A total of 1,276 eligible residents aged 18～69 years were selected by a multi-phase randomized sampling scheme to survey by designed questionnaires.Results Higher standardized prevalence of drinking(33.75%)and smoking(25.92%)was found in Guagnxi compared with the national levels(20% and 25%).The age of the population experienced first smoking ranged from 15 to 20 years,and the youngest smoking age was 5 years.The most likely place to be exposed to passive smoking was in families(55.02%).The standardized prevalence of smoking,passive smoking and drinking was significant higher in males than that in females(P0.01).As compared with rural areas,the standardized prevalence of smoking and drinking was lower,yet that of passive smoking was higher in urban areas.Conclusions Prevalence of smoking and drinking among the surveyed population in Guangxi is relatively higher in China,which should draw more attention of the health workers.The results suggest that appropriate intervention measures are needed in Guangxi.
Several theoretical problems about sustainable development of China

There are still so many theoretical problems regarding strategy of sustainable development need to be studied and settled. In comparison with some developed countries in the world, China more desire to study and then settle the problems in human's living environment and sustainable development. In order to settle these special problems, we have to deal well with some relations between economic development, sustainable development, science and technology development, and development of equal rights. without harming China self interests.
FlipSphere: A Software-based DRAM Error Detection and Correction Library for HPC

Proposed exascale systems will present considerable challenges. In particular, DRAM soft-errors, or bit-flips, are expected to greatly increase due to higher memory densities and near-threshold voltages. To address this challenge, we introduce FlipSphere, a tunable, transparent silent data corruption detection and correction library for HPC applications that is first in its class to use hardware accelerators, such as the Intel Xeon Phi MIC, to increase application resilience. FlipSphere provides comprehensive silent data corruption protection for application memory by implementing on-demand page integrity verification coupled with a software-based error correcting code that allows for automatic error recovery. Using this framework, we demonstrate the trade-offs of dedicating hardware resources for resilience, showing up to 90% of memory may be protected with a 40% slowdown.
Abstract P72: Pattern of Deactivation of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator in Inpatient Hospice Units

Background: There have been an increasing number of patients receiving implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) over the last decade. Although ICDs prevent arrhythmic death, patients may still develop other terminal illnesses, or progression of underlying heart failure. ICD- delivered shocks are associated with significant pain, anxiety and reduced quality of life. Therefore for this population of patients, it may become undesirable to receive shock therapy nearing the end of life. We reviewed the practices for ICD deactivation on a series of patients admitted to a hospice center. We hypothesized that for patients with ICDs, the frequency for ICD deactivation at end of life would be low. Methods: In this retrospective study we reviewed records of patients with ICDs who were admitted to the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center, an inpatient hospice facility, in Rochester NY from January 2005 to December 2009. Information regarding patient's demographics, indications for ICD implantation, deactivation of ICD (frequency, location) and history of shock in hospice care was recorded. Results: We identified 32 patients who were admitted to inpatient hospice with ICDs for primary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. The mean age was 78 + 9 years and 23 out of 32 (72%) were male. Sixteen patients had metastatic cancer, 8 patients had sepsis, 4 patients had stroke, 3 patients had renal disease and one patient had liver disease. Twenty (62%) patients had their ICD deactivated in the hospital before transferring to inpatient hospice. Nine (28%) patients were transferred to the center without ICD deactivation. Among these patients, 3 (10%) received ICD shock while in hospice and subsequently died in the center (average 2 days after receiving the shock). Three (10%) patients refused to have their ICD deactivated. Out of these three patients, two died in the hospice center while one patient was discharged home and none of them had ICD shock during hospice admission. Conclusion: The discussion about ICD deactivation should be initiated in terminally ill patients who are opting for hospice care for end of life care. Deactivating the device allows patients to die without the discomfort of electric shocks.