cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of didealkylatrazine in water by graphitized carbon black extraction followed by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry

A highly specific and sensitive method has been developed for determining trace levels of didealkylatrazine (DDA), one of the dealkylated products of atrazine degradation occurring in ground and surface waters. The analyte was isolated efficiently from deionized water and ground water by liquid-solid extraction via a graphitized carbon black cartridge, and the recoveries are greater than 80%. These recoveries are an order of magnitude greater than those achieved by liquid-liquid extraction (dichloromethane) and solid-phase extraction with a C18 bonded silica cartridge. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry; mass profiles were acquired in the selected ion monitoring mode. A precision of < 20% (relative standard deviation) was obtained for six deionized water samples fortified with DDA at the 500 ppt level. The average accuracy is 85% of the true amount for the deionized water samples. The detection limit for a 200-ml sample is 2 ppt. The method has been successfully applied to determine DDA in ground water.
Crystal and molecular structure of bis(cyclopentadienyl)tungsten tetrasulphide

The crystal and molecular structure of bis(cyclopentadienyl)tungsten tetrasulphide, (C5H5)2WS4, has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray data collected by counter techniques. The coordination about the tungsten atom, consisting of the two terminal sulfur atoms of the tetrasulphide chain and the ring centroids of the two cyclopentadienyl rings, may be described as a distorted tetrahedron. The inner S-S bond distance is found to be somewhat shorter than the outer two S-S bond distances in the tetrasulphide chain. The substance crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP21/n witha = 11·242(3),b = 12·154(5),c = 8·790(2) A and β = 92·93(3) °. The structure was refined by least-squares techniques using 1581 independent reflections for whichFsk0/2 > 2σ(Fsk0/2), and the refinement converged at a conventionalR factor (onF) of 4·5 %.
Chemosensitivity of serotonergic neurons in the rostral ventral medulla.

The medullary raphe contains two subtypes of chemosensitive neuron: one that is stimulated by acidosis and another that is inhibited. Both types of neuron are putative chemoreceptors, proposed to act in opposite ways to modulate respiratory output and other pH sensitive brain functions. In this review, we will discuss the cellular properties of these chemosensitive raphe neurons when studied in vitro using brain slices and primary dissociated cell culture. Quantification of chemosensitivity of raphe neurons indicates that they are highly sensitive to small changes in extracellular pH (pH(o)) between 7.2 and 7.6. Stimulation by acidosis occurs only in the specific phenotypic subset of neurons within the raphe that are serotonergic. These serotonergic neurons also have other properties consistent with a specialized role in chemoreception. Homologous serotonergic neurons are present within the ventrolateral medulla (VLM), and may have contributed to localization of respiratory chemoreception to that region. Chemosensitivity of raphe neurons increases in the postnatal period in rats, in parallel with development of respiratory chemoreception in vivo. An abnormality of serotonergic neurons of the ventral medulla has been identified in victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The cellular properties of serotonergic raphe neurons suggest that they play a role in the CNS response to hypercapnia, and that they may contribute to interactions between the sleep/wake cycle and respiratory control.
Projectile K-Auger-electron production by bare, one-electron, and two-electron ions through zero-degree Auger spectroscopy.

Opportunities to study the strong asymmetry between target-atom ionization by charged projectiles vis a vis projectile ionization by neutral target atoms are afforded by the relatively new technique of zero-degree Auger-electron coincidence spectroscopy. Examples of the asymmetry in the degree of outer-shell stripping observed are noted, and recent theoretical work contrasting the n dependence of the ionization of hydrogenic systems when struck by charged vs neutral particles is mentioned.
Characterization of the molecular forms of ANP released by perfused neonatal rat heart

Abstract Although cultures of neonatal rat atria and ventricles have been widely used to study ANP biosynthesis and secretion, little is known regarding the circulating form of ANP in neonatal animals. To begin to address this issue, we have developed a method for perfusing isolated neonatal rat hearts. Reversed phase-HPLC analysis of the heart effluents coupled with ANP RIA demonstrated that the predominant form of ANP released was chromatographically identical to ANP(99–126). Size exclusion-HPLC confirmed that the secreted ANP was indistinguishable from ANP(99–126). This demonstrated that the neonatal rat heart can efficiently generate and secrete a peptide similar to the circulating form of ANP found in adult rats, and further justifies the use of neonatal rat atria as a source of primary cells for studies of ANP biosynthesis and secretion.
Is an Increased Serum Bicarbonate Concentration during Hemodialysis Associated with an Increased Risk of Death

Metabolic acidosis is a common complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) and is known to be associated with deleterious outcomes under these conditions.1, 2 Consistent with this biologically plausible notion, several clinical studies have suggested that correction of acidosis and/or higher bicarbonate levels are associated with greater survival in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.3–5 Hemodialysis therapy can effectively correct metabolic acidosis. During each hemodialysis session, patients are exposed to both the prescribed bicarbonate bath, usually between 30–40 mEq/L, and the dry acid concentrate, which can yield up to 8 mEq/L of bicarbonate.6, 7 Thus, a total bicarbonate load during a single dialysis session can be quite variable. A number of recent epidemiologic studies, however, have suggested that a higher bicarbonate bath concentration in dialysis and/or a higher level of achieved serum bicarbonate may paradoxically and counterintuitively be associated with an increased risk for death.8–10 These recent findings have led to an FDA advisory in 2012 and ongoing controversies and litigations.6 Hence, the safety of prescribed bicarbonate bath in MHD patients and the ideal target serum bicarbonate concentration are in the public spotlight. We believe that these paradoxical associations between higher serum bicarbonate concentration and poor outcomes are likely false and stem from the confounding role of better nutritional status and higher dietary protein intake, which result in acidemia but improved survival (see below). On the other hand, more profound metabolic acidosis, as a consequence of more severe protein-energy wasting and hypercatabolism, likely worsens survival chance and also prompts clinicians to prescribe higher bicarbonate concentration; hence, a misleading association may arise from the notorious “confounding by indication” (see below).
Why don't more women major in information systems?

Purpose – Increasing enrollments in colleges of business have not been matched by women majoring in the field of information systems (IS). This paper aims to explore reasons why women choose not to major in information technology disciplines and to suggest potential solutions.Design/methodology/approach – The authors used a behavioral model based on the theory of reasoned action and a survey of the students enrolled in six sections of a college‐wide MIS course to help them answer the fundamental question “Why don't more women major in information systems?” They also used partial least squares analysis to estimate the parameters of the model and the results of several open‐ended survey questions to validate their statistical findings, leading to a richer triangulation of study results.Findings – The study found that a “genuine interest in IS” and the “influence of family” most account for a woman's decision to major in information systems. Equally important are those items that did not appear to attract fe...
Dark matter at colliders

We show that colliders can impose strong constraints on dark matter. We take an effective field theory approach where dark matter couples to quarks and gluons through high dimensional operators. We discuss limits on interactions of dark matter and hadronic matter from the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). For spin-independent scattering, the LHC limits are stronger than those from direct detection experiments for light WIMPs. For spin-dependent scattering, the LHC sets better limits over much of parameter space.
Using community engagement to teach engineering and computing

Community Engagement or Service-learning is a rapidly growing pedagogy in higher education and has come under increased visibility within engineering and computing education. It has been cited as a potential tool for increasing student engagement as well as diversity among our engineering, technology and computing student bodies. It also has opportunities to prepare the next generation of professionals, addressing issues including retention, diversity, learning and professional preparation. This workshop will introduce interested faculty, students, administrators and professionals to service-learning models including EPICS and provide resources for participants to implement such programs at their respective institutions.
Self-Monitoring, Opinion Leadership and Opinion Seeking: a Sociomotivational Approach

In complex markets characterized by abundant choice, many people assume the roles of opinion leaders and opinion seekers. Understanding people who gravitate toward these roles is a priority for consumer psychologists, because the effectiveness of large-scale persuasion often depends on word-of-mouth or peer-to-peer communication. In this study we tested a model, inspired by prior research, that included self-monitoring, status motivation and belonging motivation as predictors of both opinion leadership and opinion seeking. Self-monitoring was a significant predictor of opinion leadership and status motivation mediated this relationship. Self-monitoring was not a significant predictor of opinion seeking, but belonging motivation was. The study highlights motivations associated with self-monitoring and also suggests that the sociomotivational bases of opinion leadership and opinion seeking differ.
Electrolyte Tuning of Surfactant Interfacial Behavior for Enhanced Density-Based Separations of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

We study the interfacial behavior between the straight-chain alkyl surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as a function of added electrolytes, including NaCl. We observe an increase in photoluminescence intensity and narrowing of spectral line widths with electrolyte addition, indicating a change in SDS aggregation number that leads to a pronounced volume change in the nanotube/SDS composite structure. By tuning the interfacial dynamics through NaCl addition and temperature change, we demonstrate that this volume change can be used to yield diameter-dependent separation of metallic and semiconducting SWNTs, without the use of any additional cosurfactant, through density gradient ultracentrifugation. The diameter-dependent fractionation follows the intrinsic relation expected for the density of unfunctionalized nanotubes, indicating a simple amplification of these inherent density differences as the mechanism for salt enhanced separations. Isolation of enriched m...
Evidence for two metabolically distinct types of ribonucleic acid in chromatin and nucleoli.

Patterns of radioisotope incorporation are useful characteristics in describing cellular RNA fractions, and have indicated a distinctive "nuclear" RNA. In order to characterize the RNA fractions of the two nuclear components, nucleoli and chromatin, and to determine thereby the precise localization of the RNA typical of isolated nuclei, time-courses of P32 incorporation into nucleolar, chromosomal, and cytoplasmic RNA of Drosophila salivary glands have been determined from autoradiograms. Two experiments are reported which cover 12 and 18 hour periods, including an initial 2 hour feeding on P32. Concentrations of RNA-P32 (identified by ribonuclease digestion) were determined by grain counts. After 1 hour only the nucleolar RNA is labelled. Activity is detectible in chromosomal and cytoplasmic RNA after the 2nd hour. The nucleolar fraction reaches its maximum activity shortly after transfer of the larvae to non-radioactive food, the other fractions several hours later. Maximum activities persist in the chromosomal and cytoplasmic fractions; nucleolar activity decreases after the 9th hour. The observed differences in times at which incorporation begins and maximum activities are reached, and in maintenance of maximum activities indicate that chromosomal and nucleolar RNA are distinct fractions. The metabolic characteristics which have been ascribed to "nuclear" RNA apply only to the nucleolar fraction.
Paired miniature tissue-equivalent proportional counters for dosimetry in high flux epithermal neutron capture therapy beams

Abstract Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a promising alternative to conventional radiation therapy for highly malignant brain tumors. Due to the variety of types of radiation present, and the short range of some of these particles, accurate dosimetry for BNCT is very difficult. Low pressure tissue equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs) are able to provide detailed information about the radiation types as well as microdosimetric information by providing the complete single event spectrum of charged particles depositing the dose in a simulated microscopic site. TEPC microdosimetry for BNCT has thus far been limited by the large size of commercially available TEPCs. To overcome this problem, a pair of miniature TEPCs has been constructed with sensitive volumes of 0.0027 cm3. Design considerations for these counters as well as preliminary absorbed dose measurements are presented.
The use of copper-lowering therapy with tetrathiomolybdate in medicine.

Background: Tetrathiomolybdate (TM), an anticopper drug, has been developed for the neurologic presentation of Wilson's disease. In animal models, lowering copper levels with TM produces antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, antiautoimmune, and anticancer effects, thought to be due to inhibition of many cytokines that are dependent on available copper for their activity. Clinical testing has been done relatively extensively in Wilson's disease and advanced cancers, but remains in its infancy in other diseases. Objectives: To review current preclinical and clinical studies done with TM, and our current knowledge of TM efficacy and toxicity. Methods: We have reviewed the last 10 years of literature on TM therapy. Results/conclusion: TM has excellent efficacy and acceptable toxicity for the initial treatment of neurologically presenting Wilson's disease. TM has excellent efficacy in animal models of fibrotic, inflammatory, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases, as well as Alzheimer's disease models.
Effects of tissue mechanical properties on susceptibility to histotripsy-induced tissue damage

Histotripsy is a non-invasive tissue ablation method capable of fractionating tissue by controlling acoustic cavitation. To determine the fractionation susceptibility of various tissues, we investigated histotripsy-induced damage on tissue phantoms and ex vivo tissues with different mechanical strengths. A histotripsy bubble cloud was formed at tissue phantom surfaces using 5-cycle long ultrasound pulses with peak negative pressure of 18 MPa and PRFs of 10, 100, and 1000 Hz. Results showed significantly smaller lesions were generated in tissue phantoms of higher mechanical strength. Histotripsy was also applied to 43 different ex vivo porcine tissues with a wide range of mechanical properties. Gross morphology demonstrated stronger tissues with higher ultimate stress, higher density, and lower water content were more resistant to histotripsy damage in comparison to weaker tissues. Based on these results, a self-limiting vessel-sparing treatment strategy was developed in an attempt to preserve major vessels while fractionating the surrounding target tissue. This strategy was tested in porcine liver in vivo. After treatment, major hepatic blood vessels and bile ducts remained intact within a completely fractionated liver volume. These results identify varying susceptibilities of tissues to histotripsy therapy and provide a rational basis to optimize histotripsy parameters for treatment of specific tissues.
Challenges at FEL facilities: The Stanford Picosecond FEL Center

Abstract There are now six FEL facilities in the United States and Europe, each delivering more than 2000 h of FEL beam time per year. Others, especially in Japan, will soon follow. At the present time approximately 100 papers are published each year in refereed scientific journals describing optical science experiments performed with FELs. Although the credibility of FELs has grown markedly in the past year, there are important challenges that FEL facilities must now address. In this paper we trace the recent history of the Stanford Picosecond FEL Center and discuss some of the most important challenges we now face.
A Mobile Computational model for Internet programming

A primary factor in the success of the Internet has been its ability to support heterogeneous networks, equipment, operating systems and software. However, this diversity coupled with security concerns makes creation and management of Internet applications more complicated than traditional ones in a static and well-defined environment. Internet Programming envisages being able to harness the power of the Internet by sharing resources and information in a secure and efficient manner. In this paper we present the Mobile Computational Model - a model that can fully support the Internet Programming paradigm through mobile computations. Mobility, communication, and security are supported at the language level through constructs provided for the purpose, strong type-checking, and other safety-promoting devices. They are also explicitly addressed at the management and execution levels. Portability on heterogeneous systems, and efficient execution of computations are assured through the RISC virtual machine. A prototype implementation of the Mobile Computation System, including the Mobile Computation Language, the Mobile Computation Manager and the RISC virtual machine, provides a proof-of-concept for the model. Preliminary testing has yielded encouraging results leading us to the conclusion that our model is a viable approach for Internet Programming.
A direct simulation of hemispherical transport of pollutants

Abstract The seasonal fate of pollutant emissions from eastern North America, Europe and East Asia during 1974 is examined via 850 mbar forward trajectories of 20 days duration. Simple pure-decay kinetic scenarios are presented for atmospheric residence times of 5 and 10 days to illustrate the spatial extent of the continental plumes. The 20-day cutoff scenario is segregated by source region, indicating mean flow. The simulated potential impact at Barrow, Alaska indicates an annual pattern which resembles measured sulfate and haze patterns, with an anomalous August peak. Apparently European, and especially North American, plumes are unlikely to reach Barrow during May-September, but both appear to contribute to winter haze in the Arctic.
The relation between anxiety sensitivity and depression in children and adolescents referred for anxiety.

Abstract Research conducted with adult samples suggests that anxiety sensitivity is positively related to depression (Otto et al., 1995, Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 10, 117–123). The Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI, Silverman et al., 1991, Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 20 162–168) was used in this study to provide an examination of the relation between anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and depression in a sample of children and adolescents (N = 234) referred for anxiety disorders. A significant correlation between depression and anxiety sensitivity was found. This relation remained statistically significant when controlling for other aspects of anxiety (i.e. worry, physiological anxiety, and concentration). The similarities between these findings and findings obtained with adults are discussed, as well as suggestions for future research.
Chef’'s Nutrition Knowledge, Food Preparation Practices, and Attitudes Toward Nutrition Related to the Dietary Guidelines

Abstract The Institute of Medicine has highlighted the role of chefs in promoting healthy eating based on the Dietary Guidelines. One barrier is insufficient training in nutrition and healthy food preparation practices. The purpose of this study was to survey chefs and student chefs to determine their current level of nutrition knowledge, attitudes toward nutrition, and food preparation practices. Sections one and two of the 53 item questionnaire were developed to measure chefs' knowledge and food preparation practices necessary to meet the 1993 Dietary Guidelines. The third section was designed to measure chefs' attitudes toward nutrition in general, food preparation practices, and the Dietary Guidelines. The survey instrument was distributed to a convenience sample of 512 (220 practicing chefs and 292 student chefs). The students were associated with two culinary schools, and the chefs represented a foodservice corporation, educators at two nationally known culinary schools, and independent chefs who were members of the American Culinary Federation of New York City working in restaurants, hotels, and other culinary facilities. A total of 442 surveys were returned, a response rate of 86%. Seventy percent of the respondents were men, thirty percent were women. On the 13 question knowledge test, the students scored a mean of 7.8±1.7, chefs 8.7±2.5, (p
Interplay of nonlinearity and gain shaping in femtosecond fiber amplifiers.

A study of chirped-pulse amplification in the presence of large nonlinear phase shifts (as large as ∼12π) and finite gain bandwidth is presented. Numerical simulations that include the effect of nonlinearity, group-velocity dispersion, higher-order dispersion, and finite gain bandwidth predict the spectral signature of the interplay of nonlinearity with gain shaping. Experimental results obtained for up to ∼0.4 μJ pulse energies from a Yb fiber amplifier agree with the numerical calculations.
Shrimp winch injuries.

BACKGROUND:: Shrimp winch injuries range from phalangeal injuries to life-threatening limb amputations. The injuries often result in significant morbidity, significant cost, and lengthy hospitalizations. There are usually insufficient or nonexistent safety mechanisms on the boats to prevent these injuries. No international, federal, or state agencies regulate safety in the shellfish industry. The injuries are relatively rare, but likely underreported. METHODS:: We retrospectively reviewed 19 cases of injuries resulting from the use of shrimp winches in a 20-year period at our institution. In addition, people who use shrimp winches were interviewed and current regulations were researched. RESULTS:: All patients were men with an average age of 46.5 years. There were 17 upper extremity injuries, ranging in severity from crushed finger tips to transhumeral amputations, and two lower extremity injuries. A classification system based on injury pathomechanics and severity is offered. During inspection of local shrimp boats, the winch system was often in poor condition. No International, federal, state, or local regulations guiding the shellfish industry were found. CONCLUSIONS:: Injuries from the use of shrimp winches are rare, but may be underreported. However, they can be severe when they do occur. Stronger safety guidelines need to be put into practice to prevent these serious injuries. Language: en
Colitis cystica in mice

A study was made of the epithelial changes in spontaneously prolapsed recti of mice sacrificed from 5 to 12 weeks after the prolapse was noted. All mice showed epithelial proliferation and downgrowth, with or without cyst formation, extending down into the submucosa and at times into the muscularis. The foregoing was interpreted as being secondary to the exposure of the mucosa with resulting shallow ulcerations, chronic inflammation and edema of the wall. The lesions closely resemble the findings in colitis cystica in man and experimental enteritis cystica in the rat. The findings emphasize the importance of caution in evaluating tumor-like lesions in the gastrointestinal tract.
Coordinating camera motion for sensing uncertainty reduction

Consider an example: covering a shopping mall using surveillance cameras. Suppose a volume V1 is to be covered. Given a camera that can effectively cover a volume V2, we need approximately V1/V2 cameras. However, in typical applications, the entire volume V1 may not be of interest but only small portions of it (such as spaces containing human faces, for face recognition) may be required to be imaged. This volume is a very small fraction, p, of V1, reducing the number of cameras required to pV1/V2. This reduction is possible only if the cameras can be adaptively moved to orient towards the interesting regions. In many applications, detecting regions of interest, such as humans, is possible using a low resolution image (such as detecting motion for detecting potentially interesting regions where humans may be present) or alternative forms of sensors. We develop methods which use this low resolution side information to adaptively control the motion of deployed cameras such that a smaller number of cameras, pV1/v2 can achieve the effective coverage of V1/V2 cameras.
Journal of Documentary Reproduction, 1938–1942: domain as reflected in characteristics of authorship and citation

The Journal of Documentary Reproduction (JDR) was a publication of the American Library Association (ALA) from 1938 through 1942 that addressed a variety of topics in the field of documentation. This article places the journal in an historical context and defines its domain in terms of the characteristics of its contributors. Part of a larger project involving JDR and its successor, American Documentation (AD) (now the Journal of the American Society for Information Science), this study of the complete run of JDR examines characteristics of authorship, including occupation, institutional affiliation, geographic distribution, and gender. Sources from the ALA Archives were consulted for information about the formation and dissolution of JDR. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Identification Criteria for Learning Disabilities: A Survey of the Research Literature

A survey of 307 research studies in learning disabilities (LD) was conducted to determine the nature and characteristics of the LD identification criteria used. Five categories of LD identification...
SU‐E‐T‐559: Quality Assurance Utilizing 3D Dose Reconstruction for Stereotactic Lung Body Radiotherapy

Purpose: Quality assurance for static field stereotactic lung body radiotherapy(SBRT) can present a clinical challenge when using manual calculations, film, or 2D detector arrays. For both methods, verifying the effect of summation from multiple field entry points and patient heterogeneity is extremely difficult, if not impossible. To address these concerns, reconstructed 3D dose maps from planar measurements were used to evaluate 41 static field lungSBRT plans and compared against the treatment planning system Eclipse. Methods: IBA's Compass software with Matrixx hardware and Sun Nuclear's 3DVH software with MapCheck hardware were used to create 3D dose maps. For the Compass software, data used to commission the treatment planning system was used to commission Compass' collapsed cone calculation engine and found to have good agreement for standardized fields in solid water. Plans were then analyzed using both the forward dose calculation engine and backprojected measurements. Results: Compared to Eclipse, Compass forward calculated a difference in mean PTV dose for plans ranging from −0.10 to +4.24%. Compass backprojected measurements showed a difference in mean PTV dose from +0.19 to +5.98% compared to Eclipse and −3.52 to +3.33% compared to Compass' forward calculation. 3DVH backprojected measurements showed a difference in mean PTV dose from −4.14 to 1.17% compared to Eclipse. Point measurements using an equivalent path length and field size scaling calculated an average field difference ranging from − 4.25 to +5.23%. Conclusion: In our dataset, point calculations predicted dose to the mean PTV approximately as well as an independent forward calculation using a collapsed cone algorithm, backprojection using a sophisticated algorithm, and backprojection using dose error perturbation kernels. However, 3D reconstructed dose maps indicated drops in target coverage and increase to organs at risk that could be considered clinically relevant.
Freestream Turbulence Measurements in Icing Conditions

Current understanding of the ice accretion process is based largely on icing wind tunnel tests. Turbulent fluctuations in the freestream, which are different in the wind tunnel than in flight, have been identified as having potentially important effects on the results of tests performed in icing tunnels. The turbulence intensity level in icing tunnels with the spray cloud turned off had been previously measured and found to be quite high due to the lack of turbulence reducing screens, and to the presence of the spray system. However, the turbulence intensity level in the presence of the spray cloud had not been measured. In this study, a method for making such measurements was developed and used to study the effects of the spray cloud on the turbulence level in the NASA Lewis Icing Research Tunnel (ERT). Turbulent velocity fluctuations were measured using hot-wire sensors. Droplets striking the wire resulted in distinct spikes in the hot-wire voltage which were removed using a digital acceleration threshold filter. The remaining data were used to calculate the turbulence intensity. Using this method, the turbulence intensity level in the IRT was found to be highly dependent on nozzle air pressure, while other factors such as nozzle water pressure, droplet size, and cloud liquid water content had little effect.
The police, crime, and economic theory: A replication and extension

Based on insights garnered from rational choice theory, Loftin and McDowall hypothesize that there is likely to be a reciprocal relationship, over time, within jurisdictions between police force strength and crime. Contrary to expectations, their ARIMA analyses of the association between total police force employment and the total crime rate for Detriot during the period of 1926 to 1977 produce null findings. As a result, they conclude that rational choice models are too simplistic to explain the relationship between the agency size and crime. It is our contention that this conclusion might be premature. We suggest that a failure to disaggregate total police force employment into its component sectors may be masking substantial reciprocal effects. The present investigation employs ARIMA techniques to model the reciprocal relationship between total, patrol, and detective police employment and total, property, and personal, robbery crimes in Milwaukee for the years 1930 to 1987. Consistent with previous research we report null findings between total police employment and total crime rates. However, the findings also reveal significant reciprocal relationships between the disaggregated measures of police size and crime. The implications of these results for rational choice theory are discussed.
Real-Time Displacement Measurement of a Flexible Bridge Using Digital Image Processing Techniques

In this study, real-time displacement measurement of bridges was carried out by means of digital image processing techniques. This is innovative, highly cost-effective and easy to implement, and yet maintains the advantages of dynamic measurement and high resolution. First, the measurement point is marked with a target panel of known geometry. A commercial digital video camera with a telescopic lens is installed on a fixed point away from the bridge (e.g., on the coast) or on a pier (abutment), which can be regarded as a fixed point. Then, the video camera takes a motion picture of the target. Meanwhile, the motion of the target is calculated using image processing techniques, which require a texture recognition algorithm, projection of the captured image, and calculation of the actual displacement using target geometry and the number of pixels moved. Field tests were carried out for the verification of the present method. The test results gave sufficient dynamic resolution in amplitude as well as the frequency. Use of this technology for a large suspension bridge is discussed considering the characteristics of such bridges having low natural frequencies within 3 Hz and the maximum displacement of several centimeters.
The effects of presumptive parole dates on institutional behavior: A preliminary assessment

Abstract This article reports research conducted by the United States Parole Commission to examine whether the provision of greater determinacy in the setting of prison release dates, known as “presumptive parole,” affects the frequency or nature of prison disciplinary infractions or program participation. An experimental design was used in which prisoners in an eligible pool of cases were randomly allocated to experimental (early notification of a “firm” parole date) and control (traditional procedure) groups.
Specificity of E.coli SSB Protein Binding To the Chi Subunit of DNA Pol III He and Pria Helicase in the Presence and Absence of ssDNA

The homotetrameric E.coli single stranded DNA binding (SSB) protein, is a key protein involved in replication, recombination and repair. Its unstructured C-terminal domains (SSB-Ct), which are not required for ssDNA binding, provide the binding site for at least 14 accessory proteins and serve to target these proteins to regions of DNA, where they function (Shereda et al., 2008, Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol, 43, 289). Here, we present a thermodynamic study of SSB interactions with two such proteins, the Chi subunit of DNA Pol III holoenzyme and the PriA helicase, using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC). Both proteins interact with SSB via the last 9 amino acids of SSB-Ct with similar moderate affinities and stoichiometries of approximately 4 molecules per SSB tetramer. However, these affinities are somewhat weaker than for PriA and Chi interactions with the corresponding Ct peptide. We ascribe this to an inhibitory effect of the SSB core, which may compete for the binding to SSB-Ct. We find that dT70 prebound to the SSB core (forming 1:1 complex) eliminates this inhibitory effect for Chi protein. However for PriA, a much greater binding enhancement (>10 fold) is observed. We discuss a possible origin of this specificity for PriA and the role it may play at initial stages of DNA processing (supported by NIH Grant GM30498).
Effect of a dorsal dermal surgical wound on the chemical response of rat abdominal skin to chronic administration of sodium diphenylhydantoin.

A dorsal dermal surgical wound inflicted five days before excision of abdominal skin from young rats that were under treatment with daily injections of sodium diphenylhydantoin (100 or 50 mg/ kg) greatly modified the dermal chemical response to this drug that was observed in unwounded animals. Sodium diphenylhydantoin failed to increase wound rupture strength.
Diversity among Northwest Hispanics

Abstract This article analyzes differences in the Northwest Spanish origin population by age, household—family structure, labor force participation, education, and poverty status. Comparisons are made with the white population to see if there are greater differences by county of residence. Contrary to findings in other studies, Hispanic females and more likely to be in the labor force when compared to white females. However, on variables indicating disadvantaged status, Northwest Hispanics follow patterns set in other parts of the country. In addition, there are generally greater differences by county of residence for the Hispanic population than for the white population. The implication of these findings for the status of Northwest Hispanics is discussed.
The Usefulness of SpyGlass™ Choledochoscopy in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Disorders

Peroral choledochoscopy was first described in the 1970s, but the use of earlier generation choledochoscopes was significantly limited by complex equipment setup and fragility resulting in high repair costs. In late 2006, the SpyGlass Direct Visualization System (Boston Scientific Corp, Natick, MA, USA) was introduced to the market. It is a single-operator cholangioscopy platform and improves upon many shortcomings of the dual-operator systems. Currently, the two main indications for its use are evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures and lithotripsy for difficult-to-remove biliary stones. Recently published prospective data reconfirm that the overall success rates for adequate tissue sampling and bile duct stone clearance are around 90 %, with an acceptable safety profile. The sensitivity for detecting cancer in intrinsic biliary strictures (e.g., cholangiocarcinoma) is superior to that of standard ERCP sampling modalities, but a limited yield has been noted when sampling extrinsic malignant biliary strictures (e.g., pancreatic cancer). The two main limitations of the SpyGlass system are image quality that is impeded by the use of fiberoptic technology and a relatively small accessory channel providing passage only for dedicated miniaccessories. Nevertheless, the SpyGlass platform has made single-operator cholangioscopy feasible and refined the technique in a number of important ways. This innovation has significantly expanded our diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP armamentarium. An upgraded digital imaging version is currently in development.
The proteasome function reporter GFPu accumulates in young brains of the APPswe/PS1dE9 Alzheimer’s disease mouse model

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is neuropathologically characterized by accumulation of insoluble fibrous inclusions in the brain in the form of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular senile plaques. Perturbation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has long been considered an attractive hypothesis to explain the pathogenesis of AD. However, studies on UPS functionality with various methods and AD models have achieved non-conclusive results. To get further insight into UPS functionality in AD, we have crossed a well-documented APPswe/PS1dE9 AD mouse model with a UPS functionality reporter, GFPu, mouse expressing green fluorescence protein (GFP) fused to a constitutive degradation signal (CL-1) that facilitates its rapid turnover in conditions of a normal UPS. Our western blot results indicate that GFPu reporter protein was accumulated in the cortex and hippocampus, but not striatum in the APPswe/PS1dE9 AD mouse model at 4 weeks of age, which is confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and elevated levels of p53, an endogenous UPS substrate. In accordance with this, the levels of ubiquitinated proteins were elevated in the AD mouse model. These results suggest that UPS is either impaired or functionally insufficient in specific brain regions in the APPswe/PS1dE9 AD mouse model at a very young age, long before senile plaque formation and the onset of memory loss. These observations may shed new light on the pathogenesis of AD.
Identification of interspecies interactions affecting Porphyromonas gingivalis virulence phenotypes

Background: Periodontitis is recognized as a complex polymicrobial disease, however, the impact of the bacterial interactions among the 700-1,000 different species of the oral microbiota remains poorly understood. We conducted an in vitro screen for oral bacteria that mitigate selected virulence phenotypes of the important periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis. Methods: We isolated and identified oral anaerobic bacteria from subgingival plaque of dental patients. When cocultured with P. gingivalis W83, specific isolates reduced the cytopathogenic effects of P. gingivalis on oral epithelial cells. Results: In an initial screen of 103 subgingival isolates, we identified 19 distinct strains from nine species of bacteria (including Actinomyces naeslundii, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mitis, and Veilonella dispar) that protect oral epithelial cells from P. gingivalis-induced cytotoxicity. We found that some of these strains inhibited P. gingivalis growth in plate assays through the production of organic acids, whereas some decreased the gingipain activity of P. gingivalis in coculture or mixing experiments. Conclusion: In summary, we identified 19 strains isolated from human subgingival plaque that interacted with P. gingivalis, resulting in mitigation of its cytotoxicity to oral epithelial cells, inhibition of growth, and/or reduction of gingipain activity. Understanding the mechanisms of interaction between bacteria in the oral microbial community may lead to the development of new probiotic agents and new strategies for interrupting the development of periodontal disease Keywords: oral pathogen; bacterial interactions; virulence; gingipain; cytotoxicity (Published: 17 October 2011) Citation: Journal of Oral Microbiology 2011, 3 : 8396 - DOI: 10.3402/jom.v3i0.8396
Algebras of subnormal operators

The paper deals with the following: (I) If S is a subnormal operator on H, then Ol(S) = W(S) = Alg Lat S. (II) If L ∈ (Ol(S), σ-wot)∗, then there exist vectors a and b in H such that L(T) = 〈T a, b〉 for every T in Ol. (III) In addition to I the map i(T) = T is a homeomorphism from (Ol, σ-wot) onto (W(S), wot). (IV) If S is not a reductive normal operator, then there exists a cyclic invariant subspace for S that has an open set of bounded point evaluations. (This open set can be constructed to be as large as possible.)
Stochastic Observability Test for Discrete-Time Kalman Filters

Stochastic observability refers to the existence of a filter for which the errors of the estimated state mean vector have bounded variance. In this paper, we derive a test to assess the stochastic observability of a Kalman filter implemented for discrete linear time-varying stochastic systems. This test is derived with the assumptions that the system matrices consist of known deterministic parameters and that there is complete uncertainty in the statistics of the initial state vector. This test can also be used to assess the stochastic observability of extended Kalman filters implemented for nonlinear stochastic systems linearized about the true state vector trajectory. We illustrate the utility of the stochastic observability test using an aided inertial navigation system. We also provide a counterexample to illustrate that observability is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for the stochastic observability of a Kalman filter implemented for a system.
Development of a Continuous Enzymatic Process for the Preparation of (R)-3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy Propionic Acid

While many methods have been reported for the synthesis of chiral 2-hydroxy acids, few of them have proven to be reliable toward the synthesis of the title compound in terms of overall yield and enantioselectivity. Herein we describe a continuous enzymatic process for an efficient synthesis of (R)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy propionic acid at multikilogram scale with a high space−time yield (560 g/(L·d)) using a membrane reactor. The product was generated in excellent enantiomeric excess (ee > 99.9%) and good overall yield (68−72%).
Breast masses in males with carcinoma of the prostate

Breast masses developing in male patients who have prostatic carcinoma may represent gynecomastia secondary to estrogen therapy, metastasis of the prostatic carcinoma to the breast, or a primary carcinoma of the breast. Accurate diagnosis of this lesion by biopsy and, if possible, histochemical determination of acid phosphatase is essential to determine prognosis and treatment. The patient with breast metastases from a primary prostatic carcinoma will survive on the average only 4 mo. However, in the patient with prostatic carcinoma, surgical treatment for a primary breast carcinoma may extend survival considerably.
AI, knowledge, and the quest for smart systems

As EIC (editor in chief) of IEEE Expert magazine, the author had to think about the AI field in global and strategic terms so that the magazine could guide its readers to the most vital information. In this capacity, he has inevitably developed some opinions about both the field and how the advances in it are presented to readers. He offers some loosely connected remarks about Al and the technology of intelligent systems. These views have their origin at least partly in his role as the EIC of IEEE Expert. The following areas are discussed: the state of the field, the quest for smart systems, AI as a provider of ontology, and knowledge level/symbol level confusion. >
Effect of dietary Yucca schidigera extract on rumen and blood profiles of steers fed concentrate- or roughage-based diets

In two experiments, four rumen-fistulated steers were used in a Latin square design arrangement with each rotation period of 15 days. Yucca schidigera extract (YE) was added at the rate of 250 mg kg−1 of mixed feed. In the first experiment, four isonitrogenous high-roughage (HR) feeds were tested: HR + soybean meal (R1); R1 + YE (R2); HR + urea (R3); R3 + YE (R4). Feed intakes (FI) (kg day−1) were 11.4, 11.2, 11.3, and 11.0 for R1, R2, R3 and R4, respectively. Ruminal pH and rumen ammonia-N (RAN, mg dl−1) for R1, R2, R3 and R4 (pooled values for 0, 3, 6, 9 h postfeeding, HPF) were: 6.5, 11.5; 6.6, 10.2; 6.6, 15.1; 6.6, 12.9. Plasma ammonia-N (μg ml−1) and plasma urea-N (mg dl−1) for R1, R2, R3 and R4, respectively, were: 1.13, 13.64; 1.24, 14.79; 1.19, 16.11; and 1.04, 14.7 In Trial 2, the four isonitrogenous, high-concentrate (HC) diets were: HC (barley) + soybean meal (C1); C1 + YE (C2); HC + urea (C3); C3 + YE (C4). Average daily FI (kg) were: 14.2, 13.5, 14.2 and 13.7 for C1, C2, C3 and C4, respectively. Ruminal pH and RAN for C1, C2, C3 and C4, respectively, were: 5.81, 7.92; 5.82, 6.88; 6.09, 10.85; 6.00, 10.50 The plasma ammonia-N (PAN) and plasma urea-N (PUN) for C1, C2, C3 and C4 were: 1.17, 14.00; 0.89, 11.52; 1.15, 13.87; 1.15, 13.76. In the HR trial, rumen fluid concentrations of different volatile fatty acids (VFA) (averaged across time) were not different among treatments, except that isovalerate concentration in R1 was higher (P < 0.05) than R2. Numerically, acetate concentration was lower in R2 vs. R1, and propionate, isobutyrate and valerate concentrations were higher in R4 vs. R3. There was less fluctuation in VFA concentrations at different HPF in R4 vs. R3. Total VFA concentration was higher in R1 vs. R2 and R4 vs. R3. The acetate:propionate ratio was lower in R1 vs. R2 and R4 vs. R3. In the HC trial, acetate, propionate, isobutyrate and valerate concentrations were lower in the YE diets. Total VFA concentrations and acetate:propionate ratios were generally lower in the YE diets. The results showed a tendency for YE to reduce RAN, PAN and PUN, which could lead to more efficient utilization of dietary nitrogen, particularly when HR diets supplemented with urea are fed.