cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anderson localization, branched polymers and the Yang-Lee edge singularity

We show that a recently proposed field-theoretic model of Anderson localization has the same critical behaviour as that found in the problem of branched polymers. Thus this model in D dimensions is in the same universality class as that studied by Parisi and Sourlas, which includes the Yang-Lee edge singularity in D — 2 dimensions. We stress that critical properties can be studied either at constant order parameter or at constant field and that critical exponents in the two cases are related by a Fisher renormalization. We note that constant order parameter exponents diverge at a critical dimension Dc.
Ear canal cross-sectional pressure distributions: Mathematical analysis and computation

Cross-sectional pressure distributions, natural acoustic modes, and associated cutoff frequencies are determined for real ear-canal geometries using an asymptotic theory in combination with a numerical method. The technique is particularly well suited to obtain the higher modes, which are trapped near both ends of the ear canal. Results detail the influence of the canal geometry and frequency on the spatial distribution of the pressure. Adult ear-canal geometries are determined near the concha from ear-mold sections using a light microscope interfaced to a video-data-acquisition system. Computed results compare favorably to the exact solutions for circular and square acoustic waveguides. The cutoff frequency of the two adult ear canals studied averaged 20% less than the cutoff frequency of a circular tube of identical cross-sectional area. Inserting a probe microphone into the canal decreases the rate of decay of circumferential nonplanar modes while increasing the rate of decay of radial modes. Relative to the pressure beyond the tube, insertion increases the plane-wave component of the pressure around the tube by a multiplicative factor approximately equal to the square root of the original area divided by the occluded area. Eccentric placement of the probe tube has a relatively small influence on the cutoff frequency. The transition of the pressure distribution at the entrance to a simple plane wave in the core region of the canal is calculated and shown graphically for the actual geometry of two adult subjects.
The Use of Cluster Analysis in Distinguishing Farmland Prone to Residential Development: A Case Study of Sterling, Massachusetts.

-means nonhierarchical cluster analysis using farm size, slope, and distance to the nearest city center and highway as surrogates of farmland conversion. Discriminant analysis showed that the two groups derived from the cluster analysis were 98.8% accurate (P < 0.0000). Results from the statistical analysis may serve as a starting point for the identification of individual farms prone to residential development. To explain the driving forces of farmland conversion to residential uses, interviews should be conducted with farmers, landowners, and land buyers. The use of multivariate statistical techniques to identify farms in jeopardy of residential development, in conjunction with qualitative assessments that explain the probability of development of individual farms, may prove a useful strategy to understand and predict farmland conversion.
Body mass index and the risk of prostate cancer

Correspondence: Daniel Lee McGee Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681-5000 Tel +1 787 263 3828 Fax + 1 787 265 5454 Email daniel.mcgee@upr.edu Background: This article presents cohort studies that use data from the National Health Information Survey from 1986 to 1994 and compares the effectiveness of Cox proportional hazards models that assume a linear relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of prostate cancer with models that assume a J-shaped relationship. Methods and results: Our study found that for black males over 40 years of age, neither a linear nor a J-shaped relationship yielded a statistically significant model. With white males over 40 years, assuming a linear relationship did not yield a statistically significant model (P = 0.582). When we assume a J-shaped relationship, the optimal change point where the risk of prostate cancer death is minimized occurs when the BMI is 25.5. Among white males over 40 years with BMI , 25.5, an inverse relationship was found (P = 0.009). Among white males over 40 years with BMI . 25.5, a direct relationship was found (P = 0.017). Conclusion: With this data set, we found that for white males over 40 years, Cox proportional hazards models that assume a J-shaped relationship between BMI and prostate cancer death provide a much better fit than models assuming a linear relationship.
Chemical synthesis of a hexasaccharide comprising the Lewisx determinant linked β-(1 → 6) to a linear trimannosyl core and the precursor pentasaccharide lacking fucose

Abstract Phenyl 2,3,4-tri- O -acetyl-6- O -chloroacetyl-1-thio-α,β-mannopyranoside (5) was condensed with benzyl O-(2,3,4- tri -O- benzyl-β- d -mannopyranosyl)-(1 → 6)-2,3,4-tri -O- benzyl-α- d -manno-pyranoside (12) in the presence of NIS-triflic acid to give, after removal of the chloroacetyl group, the key intermediate, benzyl O-(2,3,4- tri -O- acetyl-α- d -mannopyranosyl )-(1 → 6)-O-(2,3,4- tri -O- benzyl-β- d -mannopyranosyl)-(1 → 6)-2,3,4-tri -O- benzyl-α- d -mannopyranoside (14). A similar condensation of 6 and 7 with acceptor 14, followed by the removal of protecting groups, afforded 16 and 18, respectively. These compounds are expected to be useful in specificity studies of an antibody raised against a related, synthetic antigen that we are currently investigating.
Isolation of progesterone from human pregnant myometrium.

ZANDER1 has reported that “with the methods presently available it has never been found possible to demonstrate non-labelled progesterone or either of the Δ4-3-ketopregnene-ol-one isomers in the target tissues, uterine muscle and mucosa”. With the aid of gas-liquid phase chromatography we have isolated non-labelled progesterone from the human pregnant myometrium and this report deals with the method used and the concentrations of the steroid found.
A scalable method for analysis and display of DNA sequences.

Background Comparative DNA sequence analysis provides insight into evolution and helps construct a natural classification reflecting the Tree of Life. The growing numbers of organisms represented in DNA databases challenge tree-building techniques and the vertical hierarchical classification may obscure relationships among some groups. Approaches that can incorporate sequence data from large numbers of taxa and enable visualization of affinities across groups are desirable. Methodology/Principal Findings Toward this end, we developed a procedure for extracting diagnostic patterns in the form of indicator vectors from DNA sequences of taxonomic groups. In the present instance the indicator vectors were derived from mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences of those groups and further analyzed on this basis. In the first example, indicator vectors for birds, fish, and butterflies were constructed from a training set of COI sequences, then correlations with test sequences not used to construct the indicator vector were determined. In all cases, correlation with the indicator vector correctly assigned test sequences to their proper group. In the second example, this approach was explored at the species level within the bird grouping; this also gave correct assignment, suggesting the possibility of automated procedures for classification at various taxonomic levels. A false-color matrix of vector correlations displayed affinities among species consistent with higher-order taxonomy. Conclusions/Significance The indicator vectors preserved DNA character information and provided quantitative measures of correlations among taxonomic groups. This method is scalable to the largest datasets envisioned in this field, provides a visually-intuitive display that captures relational affinities derived from sequence data across a diversity of life forms, and is potentially a useful complement to current tree-building techniques for studying evolutionary processes based on DNA sequence data.
Target patterns arising from the short-wave instability in near-critical regimes of reaction-diffusion systems

The supercritical short-wave oscillatory bifurcation is studied in finite systems using the amplitude ~Ginzburg-Landau! equation. Numerical simulations show that a zero-flux boundary stabilizes sources of target patterns. As a result, stable sources attached to the boundary can exist at small overcriticality, under the condition of convective instability of the homogeneous steady state. Oscillating target patterns and alternating wave packets are formed if the coupling between left and right propagating waves is strong. @S1063-651X~97!01807-2#
Accuracy and robustness impacts of power user attacks on collaborative recommender systems

Power users, in a Collaborative Filtering (CF) Recommender System (RS) context, are those who can exert considerable influence over the recommendation outcomes presented to other users. RS operators encourage the existence of power user communities and leverage them to help fellow users make informed purchase decisions. Thus, RS research in this area has focused on power user selection and utilization to address challenges such as rating sparsity for new items or users. But, as ever, there remains the potential for corruption by power users who provide biased ratings. And because of the influence that power users wield, biased ratings they provide can have significant impacts on RS accuracy and robustness. In order to better understand this problem and develop solution strategies, our research is investigating the impact on RS predictions and top-N recommendation lists when power users provide biased ratings. The open areas of research we have explored are analyzing and evaluating power user selection techniques, statistically characterizing power users in order to create attack profiles, mounting power user attacks on new items, and using accuracy and robustness metrics to evaluate power user attacks. In the future, we plan to extend our initial research in power user selection, characterization, and evaluation, as well as generate attack profiles based on power user characteristics, mount power user attacks on user-based, item-based, and SVD-based CF systems, evaluate power user attacks, and generalize our work across different domains.
The Role of Age and Sex in Symptoms, Neurocognitive Performance, and Postural Stability in Athletes After Concussion

Background: Researchers have begun to focus on age and sex differences in concussion outcomes. Results suggest that younger athletes and female athletes may take longer to recover from a concussion. However, little is known about the interactive effects of age and sex on symptoms, neurocognitive testing (NCT), and postural stability.Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine sex and age differences in symptoms, NCT, and postural stability following concussion. We hypothesized that high school and female athletes would have worse symptoms, NCT, and postural stability than college and male athletes, respectively.Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods: A total of 296 concussed athletes from a multistate, 2-year study were enrolled in this study. Participants completed the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) and Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) at baseline and again at 2, 7, and 14 days after concussion. Participants completed the Balance Err...
Engineering protein filaments with enhanced thermostability for nanomaterials

Self-assembling protein templates have enormous potential as biomaterials for the fabrication of multifunctional nanostructures that require precise positioning of individual molecules in regular patterns over large surface areas. Furthermore, the development of protein templates that are stable under extreme conditions of heat or chemical denaturants will expand processing conditions and end-use applications for biomaterials that require exceptional stability and robustness. In the present work, we characterized the high thermal stability of a filamentous protein template, the γ-prefoldin (γPFD) from the hyperthermophile Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, and subsequently used rational design to further enhance the filament's thermal stability for application as a biotemplate in the creation of platinum nanowires. The γPFD assembles into long fibers with lengths that exceed 2 μm, which when heated to various temperatures and examined by transmission electron microscopy, revealed a Tm of 93°C for the quaternary filament structure. Subsequently, we increased the hydrophobicity of the α-helices of the γPFD's coiled-coil, which appeared to strengthen the filamentous structure, leading to filaments of greater length at elevated temperatures. These enhanced filaments functioned as templates for the synthesis of platinum nanowires at unprecedented temperatures, and may create new opportunities for other applications of nanoscale biotemplates that require exceptional thermal stability. See accompanying commentary by Jonathan S. Dordick DOI: 10.1002/biot.201200338
Needs Analysis for Instructional Technology Projects

Instructional media production in the higher education environment is often rushed. Faculty propose instructional technology solutions to help deliver content to students or to teach in novel ways, and instructional technologists may create media or systems to meet the faculty member's specifications. Often this process does not fully consider the needs of the students who ultimately use the finished product. Instructional tools and media can be enhanced by including a needs analysis process before the development process begins. The role of needs analysis process is to use information gathered from the intended users of the product to inform the product's design and implementation. The authors will share examples of how needs analysis is conducted at their institutions (Williams College and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences), how needs analysis has shaped the products they create for instruction, and how not including a needs analysis can result in a less effective finished product.
If program decisions hinged only on information: A response to patton

This is the third part of a miniseries on the use of evaluation. For those of you who missed the earlier episodes, I'll start with a brief recap . You can also enjoy the drama and beauty of this episode without worrying about what went before. I gave a speech at the American Evaluation Association in October 1987, which also appeared in the February 1988 issue of Evaluation Practice. The paper discussed obstacles to the use of evaluation results, channels by which the obstacles are circumvented and results come into currency, and the functions that evaluations serve. I intended to illustrate the many and varied ways in which evaluation results influence programming even when program decision makers do not implement results immediately and directly . Compared to much that has beenand is being-written about the sorry fate of evaluations, I intended it to be a beacon of hope. Although I thought it was an upbeat talk, Michael Q. Patton, who spoke at AEA the following day and whose speech was published in the May 1988 issue of this journal, took exception to it. He especially disagreed with two points I had made . First, he disagreed with my statement that evaluators have had "indifferent success in making evaluation the basis of decisions ." He said that success was much greater than I had indicated. Second, he believed that my vision for the future was "dismal." He quoted my statement:
Picosecond X-Ray Pulses Generated in a Diode Driven by 193-nm Picosecond Laser Pulses

Abstract A new technique for the generation of picosecond x-ray pulses is presented. Picosecond laser pulses are used to generate ultrashort electron pulses in a conventional x-ray diode in which the cathode is replaced by a photocathode. In the experiments presented, 9-ps UV pulses are employed to produce characteristic x-ray pulses with duration in range of 20–90 ps at a repetition rate of 300 Hz. This technique is inherently capable of subpicosecond x-ray pulses and synchronization of the x-ray pulses with the laser pulses or other ultrafast devices with picosecond accuracy.
The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome associated with mucoviscidosis in the same patient

Summary A typical example of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is reported in a Syrian male infant. The patient also had the classical features of fibrocystic disease of the pancreas. This association between these two diseases has not been described before.
Meteoroid impact into short-period comet nuclei

The effects of extended meteoroid bombardment on short-period comet nuclei are examined and their possible implications for asteroid and meteorite studies are discussed. It is suggested that after devolatilization of the nucleus, the accumulated material might combine with primary cometary solids to produce environments conducive to the formation of polymict brecciated meteorites and to influence reflectance spectra of the asteroids. Such meteoroids removed from active nuclei during degassing could be placed in trajectories that might evolve into earth-crossing orbits.
A Cultural and Contextual Decision Path Approach to Career Assessment With Native Americans: A Psychological Perspective:

A method to include the unique cultural and contextual backgrounds of Native Americans into the career assessment process is discussed in this article. The cultural and contextual differential assessment method focuses on five cultural differentials that are language usage, cultural orientation, home community, family system, and communication style. Cultural and Contextual Decision Paths are identified that provide practical guides for use by counselors and clients.
Evidence-Based Diagnosis

Making an accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure that a patient receives appropriate treatment and correct information regarding their prognosis. Characteristics of diagnostic tests are quantified in test accuracy studies, but many such studies have methodological flaws. The HSRC evidence-based diagnosis programme has focused on methods for systematic reviews of test accuracy studies, and the wider context in which tests are ordered and interpreted. We carried out a range of projects relating to literature searching, quality assessment, meta-analysis, presentation of results, and interactions between doctors and patients during the diagnostic process. We have shown that systematic reviews of test accuracy studies should search a range of databases and that current diagnostic filters do not have sufficient accuracy to be used in test accuracy reviews. Summary quality scores should not be used in test accuracy reviews; the Quality Assessment of Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy included in Systematic Reviews (QUADAS) tool for assessing test accuracy studies is acceptable for quality assessment. We have shown that the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) and bivariate models for meta-analysis of test accuracy are statistically equivalent in many circumstances, and have developed an add-on module for the statistical software package Stata that enables these statistically rigorous models to be fitted by those without expert statistical knowledge. Three areas that would benefit from further research are literature searching, synthesis of results from individual patient data and presentation of results.
Thanatophobia and opiophobia of hospice nurses compared with that of other caregivers.

In meeting national needs for our terminally ill, health care educators need to become more aware of their students’ aptitudes for hospice work. For these reasons we measured hospice nurses’ attitudes toward caring for the terminally ill and their views on using opioids, and compared them to those of other health care personnel and their students. Thirty-eight hospice nurses, 64 other nurses, 93 physicians, and 676 senior medical students participated in this study. Our primary measures were scales assessing thanatophobia and opiophobia and a battery of personal and professional role trait measures. Our results indicated that in providing end-of-life care, hospice nurses expressed less discomfort, helplessness, and frustration, and indicated less reluctance to use opioids than did any of the other groups surveyed. Overall, these hospice nurses had 35 percent lower opiophobia and 55 percent lower thanatophobia scores than the other health care professionals. Despite dealing with issues of death and dying o...
Measurement of axonal conduction velocity in single mammalian motor axons.

Abstract In deeply anesthetized cats, determinations of motor-axonal conduction velocity (CV) were made using extracellular potentials recorded from single, functionally isolated motor axons innervating the muscle tibialis posterior. Axons were activated by suprathreshold electrical stimulation at the ventral-root level. Action potentials were recorded with 3 bipolar electrodes located on the muscle nerve at the level of the popliteal fossa. The most proximal and distal of the bipolar muscle-nerve electrodes were 16.4–22.0 mm apart. Estimates were made of CV from ventral root to muscle nerve (conventional CV) and between the proximal and the distal pairs of muscle-nerve electrodes (muscle-nerve CV). An evaluation was based on comparison of these CVs, estimates of uncertainties in time and distance measurements and simulations of the effects of recording conditions on CV estimates. The analysis indicated that the uncertainty in the conventional CV measurement of mammalian motor axons is at least ±2%. However, variability may be as great as 20% between muscle-nerve CV measurements from different experiments, probably due to such factors as regional variation in CV and differences in recording configuration.
Data-free inference of the joint distribution of uncertain model parameters

A critical problem in accurately estimating uncertainty in model predictions is the lack of details in the literature on the correlation (or full joint distribution) of uncertain model parameters. In this paper we describe a framework and a class of algorithms for analyzing such ''missing data'' problems in the setting of Bayesian statistics. The analysis focuses on the family of posterior distributions consistent with given statistics (e.g. nominal values, confidence intervals). The combining of consistent distributions is addressed via techniques from the opinion pooling literature. The developed approach allows subsequent propagation of uncertainty in model inputs consistent with reported statistics, in the absence of data.
Differential regulation by SV40 T-antigen binding at site I defines two distinct classes of nucleosome-free promoter.

Background T-antigen binding site I has been shown previously to play a role in regulating the proportion of Simian Virus 40 (SV40) chromosomes containing a nuclease hypersensitive promoter region. In order to determine whether these changes in nuclease hypersensitivity were a result of changes in the proportion of SV40 chromosomes, which contained a nucleosome-free promoter region, SV40 chromosomes were visualized by electron microscopy. Methods SV40 chromosomes were prepared from cells infected with either wild-type or mutant virus lacking T-antigen binding site I, and the chromosomes were analyzed by electron microscopy for the presence of nucleosome-free regions. Results Both the wild-type and mutant chromatin were found to contain heterogeneous nucleosome-free promoter regions consisting of small (3–4 times the normal internucleosomal distance) and large (greater than four times the normal internucleosomal distance) regions. Quantification of the proportion of chromosomes containing each type of region indicated that deletion of site I resulted in a 25% increase in the proportion of chromosomes containing a large nucleosome-free region but had no effect on the proportion of chromosomes containing a small nucleosome-free region. Conclusions The results indicate that there are two distinct classes of nucleosome-free promoter region in SV40 chromatin and that T-antigen binding to site I is specifically involved in the regulation of only the class that contains a large nucleosome-free region. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Vegetation and Avian Response to Prescribed Fire on Glade Habitats in the Missouri Ozarks

Abstract Due to fire suppression and land use changes, Missouri glade habitats have undergone long-term declines in area and function leading to consequent declines in many bird species that rely on these habitats. We examined breeding bird species composition and vegetation community composition on three glade sites undergoing restoration with prescribed fire and compared them to three unburned glade sites and three unburned forest sites. Although we documented subtle changes in vegetation characteristics in response to prescribed fire, important structural characteristics, such as canopy cover (>55% at all study sites) and grass cover (<10% at all study sites) remain outside ranges used to characterize glades. Despite this, bird community structure shifted towards grass-shrubland (glade) birds (e.g., prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor), blue-winged warbler (Vermivora pinus), yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens)) in glades that had been managed with prescribed fire. Using canonical correspondence analy...
Geropsychiatric Restraint Use

OBJECTIVES: To investigate predictors and reasons for restraint use with geropsychiatric patients. DESIGN: A prospective, correlational study. SETTING: The geriatric unit of an acute-care psychiatric hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one staff nurses and 131 patients admitted consecutively over a period of 6 months. MEASUREMENTS: Disruptive behaviors were measured with the Nursing Home Behavior Problem Scale (NHBPS), cognitive function was measured with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), mobility was measured with a Functional Mobility Screen (FMS), and reasons for restraint use were obtained with a questionnaire completed by nurses. RESULTS: Patients with a diagnosis of dementia, impaired mobility, or behavioral problems were more likely to be restrained. The most frequent reasons given by staff for restraint use were an unsteady gait and a risk of falling. The incidence of restraint use was 27.1%. CONCLUSION: The use of restraint with geropsychiatric patients may be more common than previously reported and requires further investigation. J Am Geriatr Soc 45:1515–1518, 1997.
Societies consuming nature: A panel study of the ecological footprints of nations, 1960–2003 ☆

Sociology is poised to greatly enhance our collective understanding of the various sustainability challenges facing the world today. To contribute to this endeavor, the authors conduct panel analyses of the per capita ecological footprints of nations to evaluate multiple theoretical traditions within environmental sociology and its sister approaches. Findings indicate that the consumption-based environmental impacts of nations are tied to economic development, urban population, militarization, and the structure of international trade. Ecological conditions in the context of climate and biogeography also prove to partially shape the environmental harms of human activities. Ultimately, this research suggests that political-economic factors, ecological milieu, and structural associations between nations all influence society/nature relationships. Considering the globally unsustainable levels of resource consumption and concomitant increases in pollution for a growing number of nations throughout the world, the authors contend that theoretically inclusive and methodologically rigorous investigations on such topics should be more central to the discipline.
Artificial decision-making and artificial ethics: A management concern

Expert systems are knowledge-based information systems which are expected to have human attributes in order to replicate human capacity in ethical decision making. An expert system functions by virtue of its information, its inferential rules, and its decision criteria, each of which may be problematic. This paper addresses three basic reasons for ethical concern when using the currently available expert systems in a decisions-making capacity. These reasons are (1) expert systems' lack of human intelligence, (2) expert systems' lack of emotions and values, and (3) expert systems' possible incorporation of intentional or accidental bias. For these reasons artificial ethics seems to be science fiction. Consequently, expert systems should be used only in an advising capacity and managers should not absolve themselves from legal and ethical responsibility when using expert systems in decision making.
Germs gone wild

The normally harmless behavior of bacteria in the intestinal tract is maintained by community structure and the integrity of host defenses. When either or both of these are compromised, a few disgruntled outcasts can cause a riot, taking down the whole neighborhood (pages 799-806).
On the Quantum Frobenius Map for General Linear Groups

Abstract For the quantum function algebras O q(Mn) and O q(GLn), atlth roots of unity whenlis odd, the image under theq-analog of the Frobenius morphism characterizes each prime (and primitive) ideal uniquely up to automorphisms obtained from row and column multiplication of the standard generatorsXijby powers ofq.
Genetic analysis of cerebellar lipids in mice susceptible to audiogenic seizures

Abstract The major neutral and acidic cerebellar lipids were studied in audiogenic seizure (AGS)-resistant C57BL 6 (B6) and AGS-susceptible DBA 2J (D2) mice. These cerebellar lipids were also studied in the D2.B6-Iasb congenic mice and in the B6D2F1 hybrids that are mostly AGS resistant. Except for the Iasb gene, which inhibits AGS susceptibility, the D2.B6-Iasb congenic mice are genetically similar to the D2 mice. Because subtle abnormalities in the chemical structure of membranes may underlie epilepsy, we wanted to determine if AGS susceptibility was associated with abnormalities in the distribution of cerebellar lipids. A new method for the analysis of total brain lipids was used in this study. Slight, but significant, differences were found between the B6 and D2 strains for the concentrations (μg/100 mg wet weight) of sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, and cerebrosides. However, these differences may not be associated with differences in AGS susceptibility since the concentrations of these lipids in the AGS-resistant D2.B6-Iasb and B6D2F1 mice were more similar to the D2 than the B6 concentrations. The expression of Iasb is not responsible for the lipid differences found between the B6 and D2 mice.
Decision-making in crisis: an introduction:

tegration have become a systematic program for applying techniques from several disciplines to the study of international relations. More recently, under a small contract with Project Michelson of the Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, the Studies undertook an assessment of the Sino-Soviet controversy, using the same techniques and conceptual framework that were developed for the crisis studies. During these investigations it became apparent that the high stress that is almost universally characteristic of international crisis situations tends to have a crucial effect upon the decision-making patterns of the leaderships involved. The question then arose whether the concepts and techniques which had been developed by the Studies were appropriate and adequate for relating and measuring the emotional phenomena associated with decision-making in situations of crisis. It seemed worthwhile to take time for appraisal. On January 12 and 13, 1962 the Studies in International Conflict and Integration held a seminar on the general topic of "Decision-making in Crises." Participants included members of the staff and also a number of scholars from other institutions
Theory of an intracavity Raman laser

The quantum mechanical Langevin equations of a cavity where laser action takes place both by ordinary population inversion and stimulated Raman scattering is discussed for both single mode and multimode oscillation of the pump and Raman laser. Expressions for amplitude correlation and linewidth due to phase diffusion are obtained both for homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening.
DEPRESSION OF THE SERUM PROTEIN-BOUND IODINE LEVEL BY DIPHENYLHYDANTOIN*

The mean serum protein-bound iodine (PBI) level in 36 cases of cerebral disease with seizures treated by administration of diphenylhydantoin was 3.81±0.14 (s. e.)μg. per 100 ml. This was significantly lower than the corresponding mean PBI level in 12 cases of cerebral seizure not so treated, viz., 5.39 ± 0.16 μg. per 100 ml. Despite the occurrence of PBI levels as low as 2.4 μg. per 100 ml. in the diphenylhydantoin group, there was no clinical evidence of hypothyroidism in any of the patients and there were no significant alterations in the other parameters of thyroid function. In 7 of 8 euthyroid subjects, diphenylhydantoin also depressed the serum PBI concentration. The mechanism of action of diphenylhydantoin is apparently extrathyroidal, since this drug depressed the PBI level in hypothyroid patients maintained with a constant dosage of desiccated thyroid. Diphenylhydantoin added in vitro consistently increased the uptake of I131-labeled 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine by red blood cells incubated with plasma...
Measurement of the optical properties of fruits and vegetables using spatially resolved hyperspectral diffuse reflectance imaging technique

This paper reports on the measurement of the optical properties of fresh fruits and vegetables over the visible and short-wave near-infrared region (500–1000 nm) using a spatially resolved steady-state diffuse reflectance technique. A hyperspectral imaging system in line scan mode was used to acquire spatially resolved diffuse reflectance images from the samples of apple (three varieties), peach, pear, kiwifruit, plum, cucumber, zucchini squash, and tomato (at three ripeness stages) over the spectral range of 500–1000 nm. The absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of the samples were determined from the spatially resolved scattering profiles using inverse algorithms for a diffusion theory model. Spectra of the absorption coefficient were featured by major pigments (chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and carotenoid) and water in the samples, whereas spectra of the reduced scattering coefficient generally decreased with the increase of wavelength. Values of the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients varied greatly among the test samples. Large differences in the absorption spectra were observed for the tomatoes of three ripeness stages (green, pink, and red), and their ripeness was correctly classified using the ratio of the absorption coefficient at 675 nm (for chlorophyll) to that at 535 nm (for anthocyanin). Values of the reduced scattering coefficient positively correlated with the firmness of tomatoes at individual wavelengths of 500–1000 nm, with the maximum correlation of 0.66 being obtained at 790 nm. Light penetration depths, defined as the depths at which the incident light was reduced by 99%, were estimated to be between 0.97 and 6.52 cm for the fruit and vegetable samples over the wavelength range of 500–1000 nm; they were influenced by major pigments in the plant tissue. The spatially resolved steady-state diffuse reflectance technique provides a convenient and efficient means for measuring the optical properties of turbid food and agricultural products.
HPV16 transmission between a couple with HPV-related head and neck cancer

Although squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is closely linked to tobacco and alcohol use, there is an increasing incidence HPV16-related SCCHN arising in the oropharynx. The mechanisms of viral transmission, carcinogenesis and natural history are not well understood. Here, we report a couple-husband and wife diagnosed synchronously with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck wherein the tumors were positive for HPV16 by PCR diagnosis. Both viral genomes were genetically identical and closely related to the revised European prototype, HPV16R. An uncommon signal variant nucleotide was identified in both genomes that is not present in the HPV16R. These tumors likely represent transmission between the couple.
Hollywood Ethics: Developing Ethical Issues ... HollywoodStyle

Hollywood has yet to produce a BusinessEthics epic. Between the special effects andcartoon characters, however, ethical issues dosurface, and, on occasion, Hollywood featuresintriguing and complex characters and plotsladen with moral freight. Some of these can beturned to student advantage, and this articlewill explore films that may become excellentteaching tools.
Biogenesis of erythrocyte membrane skeleton in health and disease

To study the biogenesis of red cell membrane skeleton at various stages of erythroid differentiation, we have chosen the following model systems: a) Rauscher erythroleukemia cell line representing the early stages of differentiation, b) Friend erythroleukemia cells, and c) in vitro cultured human erythroblasts. The latter two systems represent terminally differentiated erythroblasts. Using these model systems, we have shown asynchronous synthesis of membrane proteins during erythroid differentiation. At the early stages of erythroid development, the synthesis of spectrin, ankyrin and band 4.1 proteins is initiated before that of the band 3 protein. Following erythroid induction with erythropoietin and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), there is a dramatic increase in the synthesis of the band 3 protein without noticeable changes in the synthesis of other membrane proteins. This increase in band 3 synthesis is accompanied by increased stability and recruitment of the skeletal proteins into the membrane skeleton, leading to increased steady state levels. The progressive increase in band 3 synthesis continues during terminal maturation of erythroblasts. This is accompanied by increased stability and assembly of spectrin and ankyrin on the membrane, despite their reduced synthesis. These results point to a key role for the band 3 protein in anchoring and stabilizing these proteins into the permanent skeletal network. Finally, to detect defects of skeletal biosynthesis, we have extended these studies to a patient with severe hereditary spherocytosis characterized by a combined deficiency of spectrin and ankyrin. We have shown that this combined deficiency is a consequence of reduced ankyrin synthesis and mRNA content representing a thalassemia-like membrane protein mutation.
Motor-based intervention protocols in treatment of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS).

This paper reviews current trends in treatment for childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), with a particular emphasis on motor-based intervention protocols. The paper first briefly discusses how CAS fits into the typology of speech sound disorders, which is followed by a discussion of the potential relevance of principles derived from the motor learning literature for CAS treatment. Next, various motor-based treatment protocols are reviewed, along with their evidence base. The paper concludes with a summary and discussion of future research needs.
Effect of selected β-diketones on lithium fluxes of bovine red blood cells

Abstract Lithium fluxes were measured for bovine erythrocyte suspensions in normal Ringer at 37°. Apparent cell concentraion, mmole Li/ liter packed cells, increased rapidly with time until a maximum was attained, then decreased to a constant or equilibrium value. The correlation between apparent maximum cell uptake and effective external lithium concentration (external lithium concentration divided by hematocrit) was significant ( r = 0.966, P = ). The equilibrium cell concentration showed a correlation ( r = 0.842, P = ) with lithium gradient (ratio of internal and external lithium concentrations). Loss of lithium from cells followed first-order kinetic law, and the rate constant showed a correlation ( r = 0.959, P = ) with the initial lithium gradient. The effect of dipivaloylmethane (DPM) on lithium influx and efflux was studied. The chelating agent enhanced the rate of lithium removal from lithium-loaded cells. For lithium influx, the effect of chelating agent appears to be a semi-logarithmic function, flux = a log [ DPM ] ( r = 0.993, P = 0.05) , implications of these observations to the design of lithium control agents are considered.
Role of caveolin-1 in endothelial BKCa channel regulation of vasoreactivity

A novel vasodilatory influence of endothelial cell (EC) large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels is present following in vivo exposure to chronic hypoxia (CH) and may exist in other path...
Deficient human immunodeficiency virus type 1-specific cytotoxic T cell responses in vertically infected children

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gag proteins were studied prospectively in 17 children (12 infected) born of mothers with HIV-1 seropositivity and in five pediatric patients with hemophilia infected by transfusion of HIV-1-contaminated factor VIII concentrate. B lymphoblastoid cells infected with vaccinia virus vectors expressing HIV-1 gag gene products were combined with autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells to detect circulating CTLs. Effector cells were defined by monoclonal antibody-mediated, complement-dependent cytolysis. Circulating HIV-1 gag-specific cytotoxic responses were detectable in 4 of 5 HIV-1-infected pediatric hemophilic patients, and were similar in magnitude to those previously described in adults. In contrast, circulating HIV-1 gag-specific cytolysis was detectible in only 3 of 12 vertically infected children. Depletion data revealed that the majority of detectible gag-specific cytolysis was CD8 T cell-mediated. No apparent relationships between CD4 T cell counts, CD8 T cells counts, or serum p24 antigen levels and CTL responses were seen. Deficient CTL development may, in part, explain the more rapid onset of symptomatic disease following vertical HIV infection.
13C enrichment of carbons 2 and 8 of purine by folate-dependent reactions after [13C]formate and [2-13C]glycine dosing in adult humans

The 10-formyl moiety of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate is the source of carbons at the positions 8 (C(8)) and 2 (C(2)) of the purine ring, originating from formate and a few amino acids. Uric acid is the final catabolic product of purines. In adult humans, we independently measured the (13)C enrichment of the C(2) and C(8) positions of urinary uric acid after an oral dose of [(13)C]sodium formate and that of the C(2) and C(8) plus C(5) positions after [2-(13)C]glycine. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric method was used to measure the (13)C enrichment of uric acid in urine, which was collected for 3 to 4 days. Purine catabolism to uric acid does not alter the positions of carbons in the ring. After the formate dose, the (13)C enrichment at C(2) was greater than at C(8), and a circadian rhythm was observed in the enrichment at C(2). After the glycine dose, the C(8) plus C(5) positions were enriched, whereas no significant enrichment at C(2) was found. These (13)C enrichment patterns are not consistent with previous accepted metabolism. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate (13)C enrichment from formate and glycine independently into the C(2) and C(8) positions of purine in the same subjects. Possible mechanisms explaining our findings are discussed. Oral [(13)C]formate or [2-(13)C]glycine dosing and urine collection can be used to study purine biosynthesis in humans.
Benefits and Constraints Associated with the Use of an Urban Park Reported by a Sample of Elderly in Hong Kong

Abstract The purpose of the study was to explore the constraints and benefits associated with the use of an urban park by a sample of elderly people in Hong Kong. The proportion of elderly in the population of Hong Kong is increasing rapidly. Although a substantial body of research on leisure and the elderly exists in western societies, no previous research on this subject in Hong Kong has been reported, and it seemed likely that cultural differences would lead to some different perspectives. A purposive sample of 25 elderly respondents, 13 within Tsuen Wan Jockey Club Tak Wah Park and 12 outside the park, were interviewed. Representatives from three age cohorts, 60–69, 70–79, and 80 and over, were selected. The major constraints associated with not using the park more by both park and non‐park users were poor health, being too busy, and poor park management, which incorporated crowding, the poor hygiene of other park users, and illicit behavior in the park. Non‐park users cited a number of additional rea...
High-temperature thermoelectric energy conversion—I. Theory☆

The high-temperature thermoelectric energy-conversion theory is examined. It is shown that semiconductors are the logical choices for high-figure of merit-value materials, but the requirements for optimization differ depending on whether the material is classed as a broad-band or narrow-band semiconductor. Optimization is discussed as a function of temperature. Phonon scattering mechanisms are considered; and for the reduction of thermal conductivity, basic material guidelines are given. Although experimental results indicate that ZT (where Z is the figure of merit and T is the temperature) of about 1 represents an upper limit, there is in fact, no theoretical limitation. It is unlikely that the Z values will be significantly reduced by radiation transfer at temperatures lower than 2000 K. The current status of materials research is also considered. The rare-earth chalcogenides which behave as n-type semi-conductors and the boron-rich borides which exhibit hopping p-type conductivity behavior are the materials that show promise for high-temperature Z values. The reasons for low thermal conductivities in these materials is discussed.
Dynamics of superexchange photoinduced electron transfer in duplex DNA

Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) in DNA can occur via one of two mechanisms, single-step superexchange and multi-step hole hopping. The dynamics of superexchange charge separation and charge recombination has recently been investigated in several structurally well-defined systems. In each of these systems, an electron acceptor is separated from a guanine or deazaguanine nucleobase donor by a variable number of A:T base pairs. The results of experimental studies on these and related systems are presented and analyzed within the framework of semi-classical electron transfer theory. Comparison of the results with those for other bridge-mediated electron transfer systems indicates that the π-stacked bases of DNA provide a better medium for electron transfer than the sigma bonded pathways of proteins and saturated hydrocarbons but do not function as a molecular wire.