cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of road traffic noise on urban protected areas: A landscape modeling approach ☆

Abstract We modeled the propagation of traffic noise over the landscape and analyzed its impact on the structure and configuration of protected areas of the Twin Cities Metro Region, Minnesota. Using four noise thresholds, we found that at low and medium noise levels, 19% and 11% of the protected areas are within the road-effect zone. Using mean patch area and patch shape index, we measured the acoustic fragmentation of habitats. We found that at higher levels of noise patch shape index increased, while mean patch size decreased. The acoustic diversity of a patch is also found to be correlated with land cover type, patch area, and patch shape.
A High Speed Data Acquisition System for Fermilab Experiments

A high rate data acquisition system has been used to record some 40 million complex events in an experiment studying the hadroproduction of charm in Fermilab's Broad Band Neutral Beam. Event data is accumulated during the spill in large buffer memories without computer intervention through the University of Illinois Black Bin System. Between spills the memories are read by their FASTBUS ports to a PDP-11/45 for recording on magnetic tape. A sample of events is held for analysis by the program MULTI during the following spill.
Phase Transformations in Heavy Rare Earth Metal Lutetium to 270 GPa

The high-pressure structural phase transformations in a heavy rare earth metal lutetium (Lu) were studied by energy dispersive x-ray diffraction at room temperature using a synchrotron source in a diamond anvil cell. A new phase transition Sm-type→double-h. c. p was observed at 45±5 GPa. Distorted f. c. c phase was observed at megabar pressure range. Crystal structure data is presented to 270 GPa and results are discussed within the framework of s→d electron transfer under high pressures.
A crucial role for plasmacytoid dendritic cells in antiviral protection by CpG ODN-based vaginal microbicide.

Topical microbicides represent a promising new approach to preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. TLR agonists are ideal candidates for microbicides, as they trigger a multitude of antiviral genes effective against a broad range of viruses. Although vaginal application of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) and poly I:C has been shown to protect mice from genital herpes infection, the mechanism by which these agents provide protection remains unclear. Here, we show that plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) are required for CpG ODN–mediated protection against lethal vaginal challenge with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Moreover, we demonstrate that cells of both the hematopoietic and stromal compartments must respond to CpG ODN via TLR9 and to type I IFNs through IFN-αβ receptor (IFN-αβR) for protection. Thus, crosstalk between pDCs and vaginal stromal cells provides for optimal microbicide efficacy. Our results imply that temporally and spatially controlled targeting of CpG ODN to pDCs and epithelial cells can potentially maximize their effectiveness as microbicides while minimizing the associated inflammatory responses.
An example of a rigid partial differential equation

The motions of a partial differential equation Lu = 0 are those changes of the independent variables that take solutions to solutions. The study of the motions can shed light on the structure of the equation and on its space of solutions. An extreme case is when there are no motions except the identity transformation, in which case we say that the equation is rigid. We show here that this extreme
Computational study of decomposition mechanisms and thermodynamic properties of molecular-type cracking patterns for the highly energetic molecule GZT

This study uses the Gaussian 03 program and density functional theory B3LYP with three basis set methods—[B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), B3LYP/6-31+G(2d,p), and B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)]—to model the highly energetic ionic compound diguanidinium 5,5′-azotetrazolate (GZT) to research its decomposition mechanisms and thermodynamic properties. Molecular-type cracking patterns are proposed, which were initiated by heterocyclic ring opening, sequential cracking of the two five-membered rings of GZT, and simultaneous release of N2 molecules; whereas proton transfer, bond-breaking, and atomic rearrangements were performed subsequently. Finally, 15 reaction paths and five transition states were obtained. All possible decomposition species and transition states, including intermediates and products, were identified, and their corresponding enthalpy and Gibbs free energy values were obtained. The results revealed that (1) the maximum activation energy required is 187.8 kJ mol–1, and the enthalpy change (ΔH) and Gibbs free-energy change (ΔG) of the net reaction are −525.1 kJ mol–1 and −935.6 kJ mol–1, respectively; (2) GZT can release large amounts of energy, the main contribution being from the disintegration of the 5,5'-azotetrazolate anion (ZT2−) skeleton (ΔH = −598.3 kJ mol–1); and (3) the final products contained major amounts of N2 gas, but remaining gas molecules such as HCN and NH3 were obtained, which are in agreement with experimental results. The detailed decomposition simulation results demonstrated the feasibility of this method to calculate the energies of the thermodynamic reactions for the highly energetic GZT and predict the most feasible pathways and the final products.
Does Economic Inequality Depress Electoral Participation? Testing the Schattschneider Hypothesis

Nearly a half-century ago, E.E. Schattschneider wrote that the high abstention and large differences between the rates of electoral participation of richer and poorer citizens found in the United States were caused by high levels of economic inequality. Despite increasing inequality and stagnant or declining voting rates since then, Schattschneider’s hypothesis remains largely untested. This article takes advantage of the variation in inequality across states and over time to remedy this oversight. Using a multilevel analysis that combines aspects of state context with individual survey responses in 144 gubernatorial elections, it finds that citizens of states with greater income inequality are less likely to vote and that income inequality increases income bias in the electorate, lending empirical support to Schattschneider’s argument.
Life Settlements From the Perspective of Institutional, Real Options, and Stewardship Theories:

dams's "The Role of Life Settlements in Preserving a Family Business," in this special issue, provides an introduction to the relatively new concept of life settle- ments and how the benefits of life settlements can aid in protecting family financial capital. Adams defines life set- tlements as "the sale of an existing life insurance policy to a third party rather than to an insurance company. The third party pays the policyholder a sum that is higher than the cash surrender value and lower than the value of the death benefit" (see Adams, 2009, IN PRESS). Adams argues that life settlements provide family businesses additional options to secure the long-term viability of their family enterprise. To further elaborate on the potential role of life settle- ments and the possible acceptance of life settlements by family business practitioners, this commentary will focus on life settlements through the multiple theoretical lenses of institutional theory, real options theory, and stewardship theory. Each of these three theories provides complemen- tary perspectives of the influence and acceptance of life settlements at the industry, firm, and individual level of analysis in relation to providing a family business a tool in mitigating future economic uncertainty. The commentary will conclude with an exploration of future research topics emanating from the discussion.
Questioning the Ubiquity of Neofunctionalization

Gene duplication provides much of the raw material from which functional diversity evolves. Two evolutionary mechanisms have been proposed that generate functional diversity: neofunctionalization, the de novo acquisition of function by one duplicate, and subfunctionalization, the partitioning of ancestral functions between gene duplicates. With protein interactions as a surrogate for protein functions, evidence of prodigious neofunctionalization and subfunctionalization has been identified in analyses of empirical protein interactions and evolutionary models of protein interactions. However, we have identified three phenomena that have contributed to neofunctionalization being erroneously identified as a significant factor in protein interaction network evolution. First, self-interacting proteins are underreported in interaction data due to biological artifacts and design limitations in the two most common high-throughput protein interaction assays. Second, evolutionary inferences have been drawn from paralog analysis without consideration for concurrent and subsequent duplication events. Third, the theoretical model of prodigious neofunctionalization is unable to reproduce empirical network clustering and relies on untenable parameter requirements. In light of these findings, we believe that protein interaction evolution is more persuasively characterized by subfunctionalization and self-interactions.
Behavioural cues of personality in Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: To determine if there were observable cues of personality to be found in the appearance and expressive behaviour of six men and six women with Parkinson's disease.Method: Participants comp...
The role of hexamethylmelamine in the combination chemotherapy of advanced ovarian cancer : a comparison of hexamethylmelamine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (H-CAP) versus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (CAP)

To evaluate the contribution of hexamethylmelamine (HMM) to the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer with combination chemotherapy, we compared the results of treatment with HMM, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (H-CAP regimen) to treatment results using cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (CAP regimen). The treatment regimens were identical in dosage and schedule with the exception of the addition of HMM to one regimen. Fifty-five patients treated with H-CAP at Vanderbilt University Hospital between August 1977 and March 1980 were compared with a subsequent group of 22 patients who received CAP between October 1984 and October 1987. Following six months of therapy, patients were restaged either with second-look laparotomy or with clinical restaging. Fifty-three of 55 patients (96%) had objective responses to H-CAP compared with 14 of 21 patients (67%) treated with CAP (p = 0.001). The pathologic complete response rate was also higher in the patients who received H-CAP (35% versus 19%). The median survival of patients receiving H-CAP is 47 months compared to 21 months for the CAP patients. When patients with limited residual disease (maximum tumor diameter less than or equal to 3 cm) were compared, the median survival also favored the H-CAP treatment (101 months versus 21 months, p = 0.002). The median time to progression was also greater in patients receiving H-CAP versus those receiving CAP (67 months versus 16 months, p = 0.045). Treatment-related toxicity did not differ substantially between the two regimens. Our findings suggest that the addition of HMM to CAP chemotherapy prolongs the median survival in patients with ovarian cancer and limited residual disease following cytoreductive surgery.
Design of a Mobile Platform for Overhead Detectors for Vehicles on the Highway

The California Department of Transportation, like many such departments in the United States, is working on developing a new family of electronic sensing devices for the purpose of monitoring certain characteristics of road vehicles as they move along the highway. The devices currently under development are to be located overhead individual highway traffic lanes, from where they can have a clear “view” of ground vehicles. In order to deploy these devices, there is a need to develop the capability to safely and efficiently mount them above highway traffic lanes, using existing overhead bridges and sign structures as support structures. This paper presents a technical study of a universal support platform for these devices. The study discusses such issues as mobility, reliability, and resistance to environmental and other hazards. Results of tests conducted on a prototype are also presented.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Whole-body STIR MR imaging in suspected child abuse: An alternative to skeletal survey radiography?

Abstract Child abuse is a major problem worldwide. An early and reliable recognition and diagnostic work up is important for the management of these children and their caregivers. Radiological skeletal surveys in combination with brain imaging are mandatory in the initial evaluation. In selected cases, repeat radiography and/or bone scintigraphy is necessary. The radiation dose from these studies is significant. Whole-body STIR MR imaging permits evaluation of the entire skeleton and all viscera with a single examination while avoiding ionizing radiation. We report on a 2-month-old female suspected victim of child abuse in whom whole-body STIR MR imaging revealed multiple rib fractures suggestive of child abuse that were only partially recognised by conventional radiography. Our case suggests that whole-body STIR MR imaging should be considered as an alternative imaging modality in children in whom child abuse is suspected.
Changing forest structure across the landscape of the Sierra Nevada, CA, USA, since the 1930s

Understanding the dynamics of forest structure aids inference regarding future forests and their distributions around the world. Over the last few decades, several papers have addressed changing forest structure in the Sierra Nevada, CA, USA, but these studies were limited in scope. We carried out a broad comparison of forest density and composition in the 1930s versus the 2000s for the west slope of the central and northern Sierra Nevada, using the two most extensive data sets available. Forests in this region have endured a long, complex history of human disturbance, and are now experiencing climatic shifts. We subdivided the landscape into elevation and latitude zones and compared historical and modern tree densities within each zone. We compared densities in historical plots to burned and unburned modern plots, as well as densities of individual tree species in historical vs. modern plots for their entire elevational distribution. Density of small trees (10.2–30.4 cm dbh) was significantly higher in t...
Effect of particle size onin vitrocytotoxicity of titania and alumina nanoparticles

Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely used in nanotechnology-based products. Recently, researchers and the public have raised concerns about the adverse effects of these NPs in biological systems, particularly in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible adverse effects of these two common metal oxide NPs on human lung epithelium cells (A549) and to investigate NP size-dependent effects on these cells, considering both the primary and hydrodynamic particle size. NPs were found to inhibit cell viability and proliferation at the highest concentration level (10 mg/mL) included in this study, as measured by a clonogenic assay. Moreover, cell viability, proliferation and metabolism were impaired to a greater extent by the smaller NPs (5 nm TiO2 and 10 nm Al2O3) relative to the larger particles (200 nm TiO2 and 50 nm Al2O3) included in this study, as measured by cell proliferation and metabolism. Notably, the observed cytotoxic effects corre...
Linking culture and ethics: A comparison of accountants' ethical belief systems in the individualism/collectivism and power distance contexts

This study uses accounting professionals from an international setting to test the individualism and power distance cultural dimensions developed by Hofstede [Culture’s Consequences (Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, CA) 1980]. Six countries, which appropriately represented high and low values on the Hofstede dimensions, were chosen for the survey of ethical beliefs. Respondents (n = 249) from the six countries were requested to supply their agreement/disagreement with eight questionable behaviors associated with the work environment. Each of these behaviors contained an individualism and/or power distance cultural component for the responding accountants to consider. The results of the cultural analysis indicated significance on five of the eight survey items. Results lend support for the presence of the individualism cultural element in the ethical responses of the accountants surveyed.
A survey of speech training in high schools of the united states with recommendations for its improvement

(1922). A survey of speech training in high schools of the united states with recommendations for its improvement. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 224-255.
Quantifying bias due to allele misclassification in case-control studies of haplotypes.

Objectives Genotyping errors can induce biases in frequency estimates for haplotypes of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Here, we considered the impact of SNP allele misclassification on haplotype odds ratio estimates from case-control studies of unrelated individuals. Methods We calculated bias analytically, using the haplotype counts expected in cases and controls under genotype misclassification. We evaluated the bias due to allele misclassification across a range of haplotype distributions using empirical haplotype frequencies within blocks of limited haplotype diversity. We also considered simple two- and three-locus haplotype distributions to understand the impact of haplotype frequency and number of SNPs on misclassification bias. Results We found that for common haplotypes (>5% frequency), realistic genotyping error rates (0.1–1% chance of miscalling an allele), and moderate relative risks (2–4), the bias was always towards the null and increases in magnitude with increasing error rate, increasing odds ratio. For common haplotypes, bias generally increased with increasing haplotype frequency, while for rare haplotypes, bias generally increased with decreasing frequency. When the chance of miscalling an allele is 0.5%, the median bias in haplotype-specific odds ratios for common haplotypes was generally small (<4% on the log odds ratio scale), but the bias for some individual haplotypes was larger (10–20%). Bias towards the null leads to a loss in power; the relative efficiency using a test statistic based upon misclassified haplotype data compared to a test based on the unobserved true haplotypes ranged from roughly 60% to 80%, and worsened with increasing haplotype frequency. Conclusions The cumulative effect of small allele-calling errors across multiple loci can induce noticeable bias and reduce power in realistic scenarios. This has implications for the design of candidate gene association studies that utilize multi-marker haplotypes. Genet. Epidemiol. 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Current evidence regarding the design of rest breaks for video display terminal work

Recent students have demonstrated a daily accumulations of eye and musculoskeletal strain in video display terminal (VDT) workers which is not eliminated by the use of high quality workstations or conventional rest break scheduled (Zwahlen et al., 1984; Schleifer and Amick, 1989). These types of observations have prompted calls for limitations on the period of continuous VDT work. For example, the Swedish national Board of Occupational Safety and Health has suggested an upper limit of 1 - 2 hours of continuos VDT work. While the logic for such recommendations is substantial, there has been little empirical study of the effects of shortened work periods, or increased rest breaks, in VDT work. There is, however, an extensive literature on the design of rest break schedules in light, repetitive industrial work. This literature has been largely ignored in discussions regarding rest break design in VDT work, but is highly relevant since the tasks studied share common stressors with VDT work (e.g., constrained, static postures; the need for continuous attention).Presented below is a brief review of the literature on rest breaks in light, repetitive work and of the literature examining rest break effects in VDT/office work. This review is organized in relation to two important considerations in the design of rest breaks in VDT/office work: Break frequency and duration, and break content.
d-Limonene: a bioactive food component from citrus and evidence for a potential role in breast cancer prevention and treatment

Although limited, observations from cell culture, animal, and epidemiological studies support the presence of anti-cancer properties in citrus peel and the primary bioactive food constituent, d-limonene. Early evidence from animal models suggests that when ingested, d-limonene exhibits a wide spectrum of biologic activity including chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive effects. In some of these early models, an analog of d-limonene, perillyl alcohol, demonstrated a more potent effect than d-limonene itself. Yet, when perillyl alcohol advanced to clinical trials, several trials were ended early due to dose-limiting toxicities. Alternatively, oral d-limonene administration in humans is well tolerated even at high doses supporting its investigation as a potential bioactive for cancer prevention. Though the exact mechanisms of action of d-limonene are unclear, immune modulation and anti-proliferative effects are commonly reported. Here, we review the pre-clinical evidence for d-limonene’s anti-cancer mechanisms, bioavailability, and safety, as well as the evidence for anti-cancer effects in humans, focusing on studies relevant to its use in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
Circulating and cellular adiponectin in polycystic ovary syndrome: relationship to glucose tolerance and insulin action.

Objective To evaluate serum adiponectin levels and organization into multimers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and assess relationships between adiponectin, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance. Design In vivo and in vitro study. Setting Outpatient clinic at university and Veterans hospitals in the United States and university laboratory. Patient(s) Thirty-one obese women with PCOS and six age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched normal cycling control subjects. Intervention(s) All subjects studied in the fasting state. Main Outcome Measure(s) A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), hyperinsulinemic/euglycemic clamp, circulating adiponectin levels, adipocyte adiponectin content, and organization of adiponectin into multimeric forms. Result(s) Whole body insulin action (glucose disposal rate, 5.61 ± 2.90 vs. 8.79 ± 0.81 mg/kg/min, PCOS and control) and adiponectin levels (9.5 ± 0.7 7 vs. 17.4 ± 1 μg/mL, PCOS vs. control) were significantly reduced in the subjects with PCOS. There were significant correlations between glucose tolerance, insulin action, and circulating adiponectin levels in all subjects. The content of adiponectin protein was reduced in subcutaneous adipocytes from subjects with PCOS (252 ± 31 vs. 388 ± 58 arbitrary units/10 μg protein). Subjects with PCOS had less of their circulating adiponectin organized into high molecular weight (HMW) multimeric complexes. Glucose-intolerant subjects with PCOS also had less intracellular HMW adiponectin. Conclusion(s) Both circulating adiponectin levels and the portion present as the most active HMW form are reduced in PCOS, with differences related to the degree of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.
Transforming place and belonging through action research, community practice, and public policy: Comparing responses to NIMBYism

While solidifying class inequalities on a transnational basis, corporate globalization often disrupts power regimes locally. Such disruptions can generate site-specific contention across social differences that solidify the physical marginalization or exclusion of less powerful groups at the local level. In the United States one form of local contention that results from corporate globalization is strong, organized opposition to the presence of marginalized and vulnerable immigrant populations. This article focuses upon NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) encountered in two cases where community organizations sought to create spaces and services for immigrants. The first section provides a multidimensional analytical framework centered around the concept of boundary contention. The second section lays out the methodological approach to the collaborative endeavor. The third section provides lessons learned for developing strategic practices that can assist organizations to reverse the disempowering dynamics of corporate globalization by either removing or expanding symbolic, relational, and physical boundaries in local contexts. Language: en
Laparoscopic antireflux surgery in the lung transplant population.

Background: Lung transplantation has emerged as a viable therapeutic option for patients with a variety of end-stage pulmonary diseases. As immediate posttransplant surgical outcomes have improved, the greatest limitation of lung transplantation remains chronic allograft dysfunction. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with resultant aspiration has been implicated as a potential contributing factor in allograft dysfunction. GERD is prevalent in end-stage lung disease patients, and it is even more common in patients after transplantation. We report here on the safety of laparoscopic fundoplication surgery for the treatment of GERD in lung transplant patients. Methods: Eighteen of the 298 lung transplants performed at Duke University Medical Center underwent antireflux surgery for documented severe GERD. The safety and benefit of laparoscopic fundoplications in this population was evaluated. Results: The antireflux surgeries included 13 laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications, four laparoscopic Toupets, and one open Nissen (converted secondary to extensive adhesions). Two of the 18 patients reported recurrence of symptoms (11%), and two others reported minor GI complaints postoperatively (nausea, bloating). There were no deaths from the antireflux surgery. After fundoplication surgery, 12 of the 18 patients showed measured improvement in pulmonary function (67%). Conclusions: GERD occurs commonly in the posttransplant lung population. Laparoscopic fundoplication surgery, when indicated, can be done safely with minimal morbidity and mortality. In addition to the resolution of reflux symptoms, improvement in pulmonary function may be seen in this population after fundoplication. Lung transplant patients with severe GERD should be strongly considered for antireflux surgery.
Do Embryonic “Patients” Have Moral Interests?

Laurence B. McCullough and Frank A. Chervenak (2008) provide a lucid and convincing account of the conceptual errors made by abortion opponents in using the term unborn child as a rhetorical device...
Rapid apoptosis in the pulmonary vasculature distinguishes non-metastatic from metastatic melanoma cells

Abstract The presence of metastases indicates an ominous prognosis in patients with malignancies, yet the factors that distinguish metastatic from non-metastatic tumors remain poorly understood. Here we pursued the hypothesis that apoptosis in vivo would distinguish metastatic cells from non-metastatic cells and developed a novel method for observation of apoptosis induction in living cells. One hour after the infusion of metastatic or non-metastatic human melanoma or transformed rat embryo fibroblasts, arrest of tumor cells in the pulmonary vasculature was equivalent. In order to demonstrate the induction of apoptosis in living cells, we observed the translocation of cytoplasmic BAD-GFP fusion proteins to the mitochondria during apoptosis. Microscopic observation of the tumor cells transfected with BAD-GFP in isolated lung preparations after intravenous injection into nu/nu mice revealed translocation of BAD-GFP in many more of the arrested, non-metastatic melanoma or transformed rat embryo cells over 4–24 h than of the metastatic cells. TUNEL staining confirmed enhanced apoptosis by non-metastatic tumor cells after injection in vivo. Metastatic melanoma cells or metastatic embryo fibroblasts were better able to negotiate the barrier of survival in the circulation after pulmonary arrest than non-metastatic cells confirming the hypothesis that susceptibility to apoptosis after arrest in the pulmonary vasculature distinguishes metastatic from non-metastatic cells and introducing a new assay for in vivo induction of apoptosis.
Internal medicine patients' expectations for care during office visits

Objective: To describe internal medicine patients’ expectations for care during office visits and to examine the relationship between fulfillment of expectations for care and visit satisfaction.
Why a good-faith requirement is a bad idea for mediation

Rules proliferate requiring parties to participate in mediation in good faith. These rules attempt to head off using mediation as a delaying tactic. John Lande, of Columbia, Mo., writes that while good-faith rules may deter inappropriate conduct, they could cause more problems than they solve. In the first of two parts, the author discusses the science behind getting good-faith participation in mediation.
Retinoic Acid Directs Cardiac Laterality and the Expression of Early Markers of Precardiac Asymmetry

Formation of the left/right body axis is a critical early step in embryogenesis. The heart loop is one of the first clearly recognizable morphological asymmetries, and the molecular pathway which dictates this laterality is now beginning to be understood. We report here that the left and right precardiac fields of chick differ in their sensitivity to retinoic acid (RA); while RA applied to the right precardiac field at gastrulation randomizes heart looping, left side treatment induces situs inversus only at high RA concentrations. We identified two extracellular matrix proteins, the heart-specific lectin-associated matrix protein-1 (hLAMP1) and the fibrillin-related protein recognized by the antibody JB3, which are distributed asymmetrically within the precardiac fields at the head process stage. In normal embryos, JB3 expression is enhanced within the right precardiac field, and hLAMP-1 is enriched within the left. RA treatment predictably altered the expression of these proteins in a manner consistent with subsequent heart laterality: RA treatments which randomize heart loop direction also equalized or reversed the left/right JB3 and hLAMP-1 distribution prior to heart tube fusion. The existence of asymmetrically expressed extracellular matrix proteins within precardiac regions suggests that interactions between cardiocytes and their environment may contribute to heart laterality determination and looping.
An Approach to Specify Knowledge in Multi-agent Systems Using Petri Nets

The use of approaches based on artificial intelligence, specially agents and multi-agents systems, permits to clearly distinguish the aspects of implementation and the knowledge that gives substrate to the system. Concerning the implementation aspects, there are some traditional frameworks and languages as AUML, Gaia, and JASON. However, this technologies are not comfortable in acquiring and structuring knowledge. In this paper, it is presented a Petri net model developed to specify knowledge in agents and multi-agent systems independently of frameworks and knowledge representation formalisms. The Petri net model presented permits to map the knowledge acquired and structured in any formalism and framework used to implement a computational system. Besides that, the Petri net tool permits to analyze and validate the knowledge elicited concerning aspects as redundancy, deadlocks and conditions associated to agent tasks. The main contribution of this approach is to shift the project focus to the knowledge level of the system.
Diatom community structure on commercially available ship hull coatings

Diatoms are primary colonizers of both antifouling and fouling-release ship hull coatings. There are few published studies which report on diatom community development on modern ship hull coatings. This study reports diatom communities on eight commercial marine ship hull coatings exposed at three static immersion sites along the east coast of Florida, viz. Daytona, Sebastian, and Miami. The coatings tested were three ablative copper systems (Ameron ABC-3, International BRA-640, and Hempel Olympic 76600), two copper-free biocidal systems (E-Paint SN-1, Sherwin Williams HMF), and three fouling-release (FR) systems (International Intersleek 700, International Intersleek 900, and Hempel Hempasil). One hundred and twenty-seven species comprising 44 genera were identified, including some of the more commonly known foulers, viz. Achnanthes, Amphora, Cocconeis, Entomoneis, Licmophora, Melosira, Navicula, Nitzschia, Synedra, and Toxarium. A significant difference was seen among sites, with the more estuarine site...
Acute occipital demyelinating lesion appearing as an infarct on diffusion magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract Purpose To report a case of a 27-year-old woman who presented with an acute right homonymous visual field deficit due to demyelination diagnosed by postprocessing analysis of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Design Observational case report. Method Magnetic resonance imaging analysis with an exponential diffusion-weighted imaging. Results On MRI, a left occipital lesion with mild enhancement after gadolinium infusion on the T1-weighted image, bright signal with some mass effect on the T2-weighted image, and the diffusion-weighted imaging suggested a diagnosis of an acute infarct. With the use of the exponential image technique, the T2 hyperintense signal present on the diffusion study was almost completely eliminated, changing the diagnosis and treatment plan. Subsequent examinations and MRI confirmed the diagnosis of demyelinating disease. Conclusions In diseases such as cerebral ischemia and demyelination, MRI diffusion is often abnormal because such diseases modify the integrity of central nervous system structures. A technique that subtracts the T2 contribution to the diffusion-weighted imaging analysis supported a diagnosis of an acute demyelinating episode that was subsequently confirmed.
The influence of partial treatment with penicillin on the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis

It has been suggested that partial treatment of bacterial meningitis with low doses of antibiotics can suppress the meningeal reaction sufficiently so that the initial cerebrospinal fluid examination will reveal findings consistent with a viral meningitis. In this series of patients, procaine penicillin had been the only antibiotic given prior to the initial lumbar puncture. Partial treatment had no significant effect on the symptoms, physical findings, or cerebrospinal fluid values in patients with bacterial meningitis. There was no relationship between the individual cerebrospinal fluid values and the length of partial treatment. The incidence of apparent viral meningitis was no higher in the partially treated patients than in the untreated patients. The physician presented with a case of meningitis partially treated with low doses of penicillin should be able to apply his usual criteria for differentiating between a bacterial and a viral etiology.
The impact on the market for audit services of aggressive competition by auditors

Abstract Supporters of direct uninvited solicitation activities argue that clients can make more informed choices of auditors when auditors are allowed to solicit prospective clients. In banned markets, auditors are allowed to submit bids to provide audit services only when invited by the client. This study provides theoretical models that examine the efficiency of client–auditor alignments in the banned and allowed market. We identify conditions under which realignment differences between the two markets occur and derive client losses in the banned market as compared to the allowed market. We also identify conditions under which independence may be impaired in the allowed market, consistent with the claims of solicitation opponents. However, we believe that, in view of the potential positive effects related to audit pricing and client–auditor alignment, restrictions on advertising or direct uninvited solicitation are not necessarily indicated. Instead, regulators or market mechanisms should insure that the independence (truth-telling) condition is so readily satisfied as to be virtually irrelevant. This can happen in one of two ways: (a) increased scrutiny, leading to an increased likelihood of discovery, or (b) increased penalties when an audit failure is discovered, leading to increased costs of an audit failure, or both.
New third order nonlinear solvers for multiple roots

Abstract Two third order methods for finding multiple zeros of nonlinear functions are developed. One method is based on Chebyshev’s third order scheme (for simple roots) and the other is a family based on a variant of Chebyshev’s which does not require the second derivative. Two other more efficient methods of lower order are also given. These last two methods are variants of Chebyshev’s and Osada’s schemes. The informational efficiency of the methods is discussed. All these methods require the knowledge of the multiplicity.
Anomalous NMR magnetic shifts in CeCoIn 5

We report ${}^{115}\mathrm{In}$ and ${}^{59}\mathrm{Co}$ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements in the heavy fermion superconductor ${\mathrm{CeCoIn}}_{5}$ above and below ${T}_{c}.$ The hyperfine couplings of the ${}^{115}\mathrm{In}$ and ${}^{59}\mathrm{Co}$ are anisotropic and exhibit dramatic changes below 50 K due to changes in the crystal field level populations of the Ce ions, suggesting localized f electrons. Below ${T}_{c}$ the spin susceptibility is suppressed, indicating singlet pairing.
Spin relaxation phenomena in the 3He-A1 phase. Effects of magnetic field profile, spin counterflow, and 4He coverage

We report observations on the effects of the magnetic field profile and surface coverage by 4He on the magnetically driven superflows in the 3He-A1 phase. When the gradient magnetic field profile is changed: (1) an unexpected reversal in the direction of superflow is observed, and (2) the relaxation time of the induced pressure increases in the warmer region of the A1, phase but remains constant in the colder region. When the surfaces in the apparatus are covered with 4He: (1) the induced pressure amplitude decreases and the relaxation time increases and saturates at about twice that of pure 3He in the warmer side of the phase, and (2) the relaxation time is independent of the 4He coverage in the colder side. We give qualitative interpretation of the observed effects in terms of spin density relaxations; in the warmer side of the phase the spin density relaxes via processes in both bulk liquid and surface boundary and in the colder side the spin relaxation is dominated by connective spin counterflows in the A2/A phase liquid in the fringing field of the static magnetic field.
Quantum efficiency of a digital x-ray imaging system for small animal studies

The objective of this study is to characterize the quantum efficiency of a digital x-ray imaging system. This system is designed for small animal experiments. It is equipped with an x-ray tube with a Be-filtered tungsten target, 0.02 mm focal spot and 0.3 mA operating current. The fiber optically coupled CCD module, through a scintillating screen, covers a field of 5 cm 10 cm, at 1024 2048 pixel format. To analyze the impact of x-ray photon flux and CCD electronic noise to the quantum efficiency of the system, the noise power spectrum (NPS) and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) were measured as a function of x-ray exposure and detector integration time. A BR-12 phantom was placed between the x-ray tube and the detector during measurements. The results showed consistent DQE when exposure/integration is in the range of 2 to 7 seconds (for a 0.5cm thick phantom), and 3 to 15 seconds (for a 2cm thick phantom). With a 0.5cm phantom, DQE are approximately 36.7%, 25% and 5.4% at frequencies of 0 lp/mm, 3 lp/mm and 8 lp/mm respectively. With a 2 cm BR-12 slab, hardened x-ray beam at 26 KVp doesn’t have much impact on DQE, approximately 36.2%, 27.3% and 6% for 0 lp/mm, 3 lp/mm and 8 lp/mm frequencies. In summary, the CCD based digital x-ray imaging system investigated in this study is an efficient, x-ray quantum noise limited system for small animal experiments.
Cretinoid epiphyseal dysgenesis

Summary In some children having severe hypothyroidism resembling that of the true cretins, many of the epiphyses develop abnormally and have the following characteristics: There are multiple loci of calcification; the calcification is slow; abnormal epiphyses occur in many parts of the skeleton; the distribution usually is bilateral; the process occurs generally in the capital epiphyses; and there may never be normal structure without treatment. When thyroid extract is used normal epiphyses develop in as short a time as six to twelve months. Dysgenesis is frequently mistaken for the chondrodystrophy of Calve-Legg-Perthes disease.
Mechanisms in Co-Translational Protein Folding Elucidated using Single Molecule FRET

In nature, protein folding mechanisms are determined by both amino acid sequence AND physiological context. Inside living cells the transient and vectorial nature of protein synthesis, the presence of molecular chaperones, and macromolecular crowding can each have a profound effect on the paths nascent chains take en route to their native states. This adds a daunting level of complexity to the study of in-vivo protein folding mechanisms. To begin to address these issues we have developed methods which enable the detection of ribosome-bound nascent chain (RNC) conformational distributions and dynamics using single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Our approach employs a purified and reconstituted E. coliin-vitro translation system to generate stalled RNCs, the site-specific incorporation of chemically-reactive alkyne-bearing unnatural amino acid tags into nascent chains, and post-translational bioconjugation of pairs of single-molecule donor and acceptor fluorophores to the RNCs using a highly-efficient ligand accelerated copper-click chemistry reaction. We apply our novel RNC labeling approach to explore the role of helix stabilization by and propagation from the exit tunnel of the ribosome as a general means by which the ribosome may direct the co-translational folding of nascent polypeptides.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Direct observation of textured YBa2Cu3O7−δ crystal growth from the melt

Abstract The behavior and kinetics of textured growth of the YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (123) compound from Y 2 BaCuO S (211) + liquid have been investigated by hot-stage optical microscopy and high-temperature x-ray diffraction methods. The formation of the 123 is found to begin in the liquid of the peritectic melt, not nucleated from 211 crystals as is widely assumed. The quantity of the liquid phase strongly influences the crystal growth and final morphology of the 123. Dynamic studies show that the optimum temperature for 00 l orientation of 123 is 940°C on an MgO substrate. The growth rate of 123 from the melt is rapid; the rate constant was determined to be 0.526×10 −2 S −1 .
Toxic NMDA‐Receptor Activation Occurs During Recovery in a Tissue Culture Model of Ischemia

In some animal models of reversible ischemia, there is a therapeutic window during early recovery when glutamate receptor antagonists can rescue neurons from injury. We have previously reported that organotypic cultures of the hippocampus can be protected by NMDA-receptor antagonists during recovery from a brief period of simulated ischemia. To model ischemia, we have used potassium cyanide to inhibit oxidative metabolism and 2-deoxyglucose to inhibit glycolysis. To study the time course and mechanisms of delayed NMDA-receptor toxicity in more detail, we have extended these studies to dissociated cortical cultures. Injury was assessed by release of lactate dehydrogenase into the culture medium. Metabolic inhibition for 15 min caused dose-dependent injury. Morphologic signs of neuronal toxicity were delayed until the recovery period. MK-801 reduced injury significantly when present throughout the experiment. Surprisingly, MK-801 provided the same protection when administration was delayed until after the end of the metabolic inhibition, blocking NMDA receptors only during recovery. To examine NMDA toxicity during metabolic inhibition, the competitive NMDA-receptor antagonist 3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid was added during exposure. The protective effect of NMDA-receptor blockade was completely lost if the antagonist was removed during 1 min of continuing selective inhibition of oxidative metabolism. The toxic potency and effectiveness of glutamate were enhanced during metabolic inhibition, showing that receptors were not inactivated by simulated ischemia. These results are consistent with the specific hypothesis that return of oxidative metabolism triggers a critical period of toxic NMDA-receptor activation.
Cultural voice markers in speech-to-speech machine translation systems

Current implementations of real-time speech-to-speech (S2S) translation systems for intercultural collaboration have mainly focused on the accuracy of the recognition and translated content. Typically, the translated utterance is presented to users through text-to-speech (TTS), without projecting cultural nuances in the tone of voice. This study investigates whether there are cross-cultural markers of variations in voice dynamics, and, if these have any impact on user satisfaction. Based on subjective user evaluations (Chinese and English), we conclude that there are salient cross-cultural voice markers relevant to the interaction of culture and system design; with noticeable impact on user satisfaction in TTS and S2S systems.
Disaster Anniversay: A Social Reconstruction of Time

The author uses a sociology of time framework to explore how six communities acknowledge the first and second anniversary of Hurricane Hugo. Employing the concept anniversary with a conventional time framework, a comparative case study of coastal and inland communities is used to illustrate how past events surrounding a disaster, such as Hurricane Hugo, are reconstructed to have meaning and utility for the present.
Men don’t just get mad; they get even: Revenge but not anger mediates gender differences in physical aggression

Abstract Past research indicates that men are more physically aggressive than women, but very little research has examined mediators of this gender difference. Indeed, the only established finding to date is that one plausible mediator – namely trait anger – shows no reliable gender difference whatsoever. Drawing on sexual selection theory and social-learning theories, we predicted that revenge may mediate this gender difference even though anger does not. Three studies using both personality questionnaires (Studies 1 and 2) and objective laboratory measures of aggression (Study 3) provided support for this contention. The results provide some of the first evidence for a reliable mediator of gender difference in physical aggression.