cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does mitigating ML's impact disparity require treatment disparity?

Following related work in law and policy, two notions of disparity have come to shape the study of fairness in algorithmic decision-making. Algorithms exhibit treatment disparity if they formally treat members of protected subgroups differently; algorithms exhibit impact disparity when outcomes differ across subgroups, even if the correlation arises unintentionally. Naturally, we can achieve impact parity through purposeful treatment disparity. In one thread of technical work, papers aim to reconcile the two forms of parity proposing disparate learning processes (DLPs). Here, the learning algorithm can see group membership during training but produce a classifier that is group-blind at test time. In this paper, we show theoretically that: (i) When other features correlate to group membership, DLPs will (indirectly) implement treatment disparity, undermining the policy desiderata they are designed to address; (ii) When group membership is partly revealed by other features, DLPs induce within-class discrimination; and (iii) In general, DLPs provide a suboptimal trade-off between accuracy and impact parity. Based on our technical analysis, we argue that transparent treatment disparity is preferable to occluded methods for achieving impact parity. Experimental results on several real-world datasets highlight the practical consequences of applying DLPs vs. per-group thresholds.
Fault classification and location identification in a smart DN using ANN and AMI with real-time data

This paper presents a real-time fault classification and location identification method for a smart distribution network (DN) using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). It also describes the development of a testbed for real-time testing of the proposed approach. The testbed consists of a simulated power system model [running on a digital real-time simulator (DRTS)] and AMI. The core parts of AMI are smart meters (SMs), a communication network (developed using DNP3 protocol over transfer control protocol/Internet protocol), data concentrator (DC), and a Utility Operations Centre (UOC). Event-driven data from SMs are collected in the DC and then fed to the UOC for being used as inputs for the novel ANN-based fault classification and location identification algorithm. On the basis of the data received, the algorithm can classify the fault type and locate it with high accuracy. Both balanced and unbalanced fault types are tested on different nodes and lines throughout a DN modelled in offline and on the DRTS. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis is performed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Classification accuracy of over 99% is achieved when classifying all fault types, and above 95% accuracy is achieved when identifying the fault location.
Genetic Barcodes Enable Quantitative Mapping of Operator Mutants to Gene Expression

Every organism has intricate regulatory networks that enable them to sense, move, and interact with complex environments. In E. coli, transcription factors (TFs) bind to short sequences upstream of genes, called operators, to repress or activate gene expression. Our lab has previously derived and validated a biophysical model of transcription regulation -the repression of a gene by LacI - demonstrating that repressorcopy number, the energy of TF:operator binding, and genome size all play crucial roles in determining the quantitative features of gene expression. But LacI is a small fish in the cellular pond; we must develop experimental methods that enable us to map how any TF:operator pair imparts predictable gene expression, and do so in a high-throughput manner without sacrificing quantitation. We report a high-throughput method to randomly mutagenize large libraries of operator sequences and quantify their resulting gene expression. Briefly, mutagenized binding sites for a TF are “mapped” to a random DNA barcode using next-generation sequencing. The native gene regulated by that TF is then inserted between the mutated operators and barcodes, and these libraries are genomically-integrated into E. coli. The relative abundance of cells carrying each operator mutant can be determined via DNA-sequencing of the barcodes, while their gene expression can be measured by quantitative RNA-sequencing of barcodes using a mixture of Unique Molecular Identifiers and other methods to minimize bias. These data will inform mathematical models for the de novo prediction of gene expression from regulatory sequences.
On the Unsteady Aerodynamics and Design of Flapping Wing Vehicles

Flying birds, bats and insects have always inspired humans to venture into developing bio-inspired flying machines. Such vehicles imitate flapping wing concept are also known as Ornithopters. Efforts to build such vehicles date back to 9th-century work by famous Arab scientist Abbas-Ibn-Firnas. Despite many efforts, design and development of such vehicle remained a challenge. The major limitation in this regard is the limited knowledge of related aerodynamic concepts like, Low-Reynolds number phenomenon, vortex induced lift, non-linear fluid structure interaction, high flapping frequency, low weight, complex mechanics, stabilization and controls algorithms. This review paper is aimed to provide an insight into recent developments in understanding the complex dynamics of flapping wing vehicles. Notable experimental works and numerical investigations have been discussed in details; special emphasis has been laid on computational techniques for analysing complex dynamics and design of flapping wing vehicles. Moreover, the modern trends in design, power requirement, motion control and mathematical modelling are also explored.
Fan Health Network: Feasibility, Acceptability and Preliminary Effects of a Healthy Lifestyle Behavior App to Improve University Faculty and Staff Well-being

Background: Mobile health apps (mhealth) are designed to improve the health of patients through multiple functionalities, such as access to medical care services, wearable health tracking devices, personal digital assistants (PDA) and other portable and wearable network-capable gadgets. Aim: The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the Fan Health Network (FHN) healthy lifestyle behavior application (app) on university faculty and staff’s healthy lifestyle beliefs, healthy lifestyle behaviors, perceived stress and health outcomes. Methods: A pre-experimental, one group pre-posttest design was used. Valid and reliable measures were used to assess healthy lifestyle beliefs, healthy behaviors, and perceived stress. Results: Healthy behaviors and perceived stress significantly improved over the intervention time frame. Although not statistically significant, small improvements were seen in body mass index and waist circumference at the three month follow-up. Feasibility and acceptability were considered average on app usefulness, helpfulness, and motivational components. Conclusion: The FHN app has potential as a key wellness intervention strategy for individual health promotion as well as for organizations, such as the workplace, to improve population health outcomes.
Developing Health Lifestyle Pathways and Social Inequalities across Early Childhood.

Lifestyles are a long-theorized aspect of social inequalities that root individual behaviors in social group differences. Although the health lifestyle construct is an important advance for understanding social inequalities and health behaviors, research has not theorized or investigated the longitudinal development of health lifestyles from infancy through the transition to school. This study documented children’s longitudinal health lifestyle pathways, articulated and tested a theoretical framework of health lifestyle development in early life, and assessed associations with kindergarten cognition, socioemotional behavior, and health. Latent class analyses identified health lifestyle pathways using the US Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Birth Cohort (ECLS-B; N ≈ 6550). Children’s health lifestyle pathways were complex, combining healthier and unhealthier behaviors and changing with age. Social background prior to birth was associated with health lifestyle pathways, as were parents’ resources, health behaviors, and nonhealth-focused parenting. Developing health lifestyle pathways were related to kindergarten cognition, behavior, and health net of social background and other parent influences. Thus, family context is important for the development of complex health lifestyle pathways across early childhood, which have implications for school preparedness and thus for social inequalities and well-being throughout life. Developing health lifestyles both reflect and reproduce social inequalities across generations.
Sampling with Derivatives in the Bergman Space

We characterize sets of sampling for Bergman space functions and their derivatives. In particular, we show that the methods used in the setting of the Bargmann-Fock space can be adapted to our purpose.
A systematic review of the literature on transnational caregiving: immigrant adult children to ageing parents in home country

Research on the effects of globalization and immigration on family relationships has focused on younger families. Few studies have addressed the issue of immigrant adult children caring for their a...
BCFG : a configuration management tool for heterogeneous environments.

Since clusters were first introduced[5], node counts have increased rapidly. Currently, a variety of clusters with more than one thousand nodes are listed on the TOP500 list. In the next three years, clusters with more than four thousand nodes are expected. Cluster management functionality has lagged behind all areas of system software. In order to effectively manage the clusters of today and tomorrow, the basic cluster management software model must change. Current techniques focus on the management of single nodes, as opposed to complete cluster configurations. This approach typically leads to automatic management of compute nodes, while using ad-hoc techniques to manage service nodes. Configuration management is the process where software configurations on clients are installed, updated and verified. Scalability in this context applies not only to node count, but also to numbers of administrators and discrete configurations. Another important area is that of cluster-aware configuration description languages. We believe these concerns will impact large cluster operations greatly if not addressed. To address these issues, we have begun development of BCFG, a symbolic configuration management tools for heterogeneous clusters. It uses a multi-tiered configuration description, allowing high levels of reuse among differing configurations. BCFG is intended as a vehicle for research into system management problems, and experimentation with new techniques. This effort was also motivated by our experiences on Chiba City[2], our testbed cluster. Testbed users can specify the software configuration for nodes; this allows the automatic replacement of any portion of the default cluster OS. Chiba City’s configuration management requirements are complex, due to this testbed usage model. However, we feel that these problems translate to large scale computational clusters as well; as the size of these clusters grows, the numbers of discreet configurations employed will grow as well.
Using Simulation to Understand and Shape Organizational Culture

Organizational culture plays a key role in the performance of individuals, teams, systems and organizations. The cultures of healthcare organizations are complex and influenced by historical silos that can negatively affect healthcare delivery. The elements that make up an organization’s culture may not be well understood by leaders of an organization. Simulation, especially in situ simulation, can provide significant insight into both how work is done and the relational aspects of the work in an organizational unit. More important, simulation and the associated debriefing offers a way for healthcare workers to better understand the diverse perspectives of other members of the healthcare team.
The Potential Effectiveness and Safety of Second Generation Vaccines

Several times during this symposium on Immunological Approaches to Contraception and Promotion of Fertility, reference has been made to second generation vaccines (Talwar, 1985). A characteristic of these vaccines is that they simultaneously attack more than one vulnerable site. Intuitively it seems obvious that such a strategy should result in greater efficiency of the vaccine. The magnitude of the gain in efficiency to be expected is less obvious because it will be strongly influenced by the correlations between the effects of the different components.
LOOKING “UPSTREAM”: THE ROLE OF BASIC PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS SATISFACTION IN SERVICE MEMBERS’ FUTURE ORIENTATION

LOOKING “UPSTREAM”: THE ROLE OF BASIC PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS SATISFACTION IN SERVICE MEMBERS’ FUTURE ORIENTATION By Bradley Joline Antonides, M.S. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015 Major Director: Steven Danish, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus Department of Psychology OBJECTIVE: This study explores psychological experiences that may influence service members’ self-concepts and future orientations. As stable, optimistic, future orientations have been associated with resilience to psychological distress and suicidality (Johnson, et al., 2011), it is worthwhile to explore how service members’ attitudes toward the future might be shaped in the context of intrapersonal and interpersonal experiences. METHOD: Data were collected from service members of the Virginia National Guard (N = 192) and included a Transportation unit, an Engineer unit, an Infantry unit and a group with no specific unit affiliation or substantive military experience. The study is a cross-sectional design that seeks support for the hypothesis that
Molds found in Indianapolis markets

A number of molds are noted for the destruction they cause in fruits and vegetables, and have thus become a dreaded problem for dealers in these commodities. Although much work has been done on molds and hosts in general, comparatively little study has been given to date to the various kinds of fungi common to fruit markets of particular cities. An extensive paper on the subject has been written by Fischer (4), who studied the diseases of fruits found on the markets at Evanston, Illinois, during October, 1928 to March, 1929. He lists 29 genera of fungi found on various hosts, and includes notes on most of them. While Fischer's work was concerned
Dual set arithmetic coding and its applications to image coding

Arithmetic coding is usually implemented in fixed precision. Such an implementation cannot efficiently code sources, such as image coding algorithms, that locally produce a small fraction of a large alphabet of symbols. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to overcome this inefficiency. The proposed algorithm uses dual symbol sets: a primary symbol set that contains the symbols that have occurred in the recent past and a secondary symbol set that contains all other symbols. Both sets are dynamically adapted to the local statistics. We summarize an analysis of the proposed approach and describe the results that we have obtained by applying it to images.
Constitutive Modeling of Sn/Ag and Sn/Ag/Cu Solder Alloys

In this paper, we report some results from a recent study on developing constitutive laws suitable for Sn/Ag and Sn/Ag/Cu based solder materials. Extensive thermomechanical testing has been conducted on these lead-free solder alloys under various temperature (-55C-150C) and strain rate (10-7/s-10-1/s), subjected to both monotonic and cyclic loading. The experimental data are then used to develop a viscoplastic constitutive model to describe the thermomechanical behavior. In addition, a neural network based computational tool has been developed and trained. The tool can be used to extract the various parameters in the constitutive model based on the experimental data. The validity and accuracy of this tool have been verified by using the Anand model on Sn/Pb eutectic solder alloy. Once trained, the tool is capable of extracting all 11 parameters in the Anand model using the experimentally obtained stress-strain curves. These parameters can then be used directly in commercial finite element software such as ANSYS or ABAQUS for solder joint reliability analysis. Using this tool, we have obtained all 11 parameters in the Anand model for Sn/Ag and Sn/Ag/Cu based solder materials
Structural motif of the DNA binding domain of gamma delta-resolvase characterized by affinity cleaving.

The DNA binding domain of γδ-resolvase, residues 141-183, is thought to bind DNA by a helix-turn-helix motif based on sequence similarities with other known DNA binding proteins. Incorporation of the DNA cleaving moiety, EDTA Fe, at the NH2 and COOH termini of γδ(141-183) allows the positions of these residues relative to the DNA bases at three resolvase binding sites, each consisting of inverted copies of an imperfectly conserved 9-base pair sequence, to be mapped by high resolution gel electrophoresis. The cleavage data for EDTA-γδ(141-183) reveals that the NH2 terminus of the DNA binding domain of gamma delta-resolvase is bound proximal to the minor groove of DNA near the center of the resolvase binding sites. Cleavage by EDTA Fe attached to a lysine side chain (Asn^(183)→Lys^(183)) at the COOH terminus of γδ(141-183) reveals that the putative recognition helix is in the adjacent major groove on the same face of the helix, oriented toward the center of the inverted repeats.
Repressive translational control in germ cells.

The earliest stages of embryonic development in many animals proceed without zygotic transcription. Genetic control is executed by maternally inherited mRNAs that are under translational control. To set aside the future germ cell lineage, it is pivotal to both exert translational regulation of maternal germline mRNAs and to repress maternal signals in those same cells that drive somatic cell-fate determination. Here we review repressive translational regulation in the germline from the perspective of the conserved RNA binding proteins Pumilio and Nanos, and discuss common themes that have emerged. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80:665–676, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Incidental parenchymal magnetic resonance imaging findings in the brains of patients with neurofibromatosis type 2.

Purpose Whereas T2 hyperintensities known as NF-associated bright spots are well described in patients with neurofibromatosis type I (NF-1), there is a paucity of data on incidental findings in patients with neurofibromatosis type II (NF-2). We aim to characterize unexplained imaging findings in the brains of patients with NF-2.
Thickness and character of regolith on mountain slopes in the vicinity of Mountain Lake, Virginia, as indicated by seismic refraction, and implications for hillslope evolution

Abstract Seismic refraction was used to determine the variation in thickness and seismic velocities of regolith on boulder-mantled mountain flanks underlain by shale in the Valley and Ridge province near Mountain Lake, southwestern Virginia. Emphasis was on cross-slope variations, particularly the difference between dells (hollows) and noses. Four types of material were distinguished on the basis of seismic velocity. Soil material within 1–2 m of the ground surface affected by pedogenesis had a velocity generally less than 400 m/s. Unconsolidated bouldery colluvium, up to 6 m thick, had a velocity of about 400–800 m/s. Old, weathered and consolidated colluvium had a velocity of 800–2000 m/s. Bedrock residuum and highly weathered bedrock showed similar velocities, however, so that all material in this range was collectively termed “weathered regolith.” Its thickness exceeded 30 m in places. Relatively unweathered bedrock showed velocities of at least 2000 m/s. On average, seismic profiles showed regolith thicknesses in excess of 10 m, the greater part being residuum or weathered bedrock. This finding contrasts with one study near the glacial border in Pennsylvania, which showed that colluvium generally directly overlies bedrock. This difference may reflect less-intense Pleistocene periglacial erosion in Virginia than in Pennsylvania. Topography generally was not a good predictor of regolith thickness. Hollows showed greater thicknesses of ypung colluvium than did noses, but dells and noses showed little difference in total regolith thickness. Both dells and noses showed great variation in regolith thickness. The largest systematic difference was found between dell floors (or parts thereof) that seemed to be undergoing long-term downcutting and those that appeared to be relict features no longer associated with active drainageways. The former were underlain by a mean of 5.5 m of weathered regolith, whereas the latter were underlain by a mean of 14.0 m, indicative of a greater depth of weathering and therefore a greater antiquity. On three noses, closely spaced seismic profiles were used to demonstrate asymmetric distribution of regolith thickness in a direction transverse to nose axes. Findings are compatible with the concept that noses and dells on the boulder-mantled mountain slopes undergo topographic inversion during long-term retreat of the mountain front.
A lifespan perspective on terrorism: age differences in trajectories of response to 9/11.

A terrorist attack is an adverse event characterized by both an event-specific stressor and concern about future threats. Little is known about age differences in responses to terrorism. This longitudinal study examined generalized distress, posttraumatic stress responses, and fear of future attacks following the September 11, 2001 (9/11) terrorist attacks among a large U.S. national sample of adults (N = 2,240) aged 18-101 years. Individuals completed Web-based surveys up to 6 times over 3 years post 9/11. Multilevel models revealed different age-related patterns for distress, posttraumatic stress, and ongoing fear of future attacks. Specifically, older age was associated with lower overall levels of general distress, a steeper decline in posttraumatic stress over time, and less change in fear of future terrorist attacks over the 3 years. Understanding age differences in response to the stress of terrorism adds to the growing body of work on age differences in reactions to adversity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Partnering ‘out’ and fitting in: residential segregation and the neighbourhood contexts of mixed‐race households

This analysis considers how racial segregation affects the residential geographies of households headed by mixed-race couples. We also become interested in assessing whether diverse households live in diverse places. To measure neighbourhood diversity, we develop a new index of diversity based on the exposure index. The analysis of 12 large US metropolitan areas finds that race (in tandem with status markers like income) and nativity provide some of the best understandings of the neighbourhood geographies of mixed-race households. The study also reveals that instead of fitting into and thus reinforcing the existing racialised urban spatial structure, some households formed by ‘partnering out’ live in spaces characterised by their racial diversity. We focus on the mixed-race household because such a collective constitutes a scale at which mixed-race contact takes place and a site for identity construction of individuals, partners, and the surrounding neighbourhood. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The present status of “quick tests” for on-farm analysis with emphasis on manures and soil: What is available and what is lacking?

Abstract There is an increasing interest in on-farm testing of a variety of materials, from soils to materials produced or utilized on the farm, including manure. Among the issues to consider are selection of constituents of interest, e.g., fiber and protein in forages versus inorganic-and organic-N and P in manures; the nature of the testing, e.g., conventionally based assays using solutions or test strips versus portable instruments; the potential advantages or disadvantages of on-farm versus conventional laboratory testing, such as speed, timeliness, waste generation, and cost. The availability of on-farm testing methods varies greatly with both the media in question and the analyte of interest. For example, for manures several quick tests exist for the determination of total ammoniacal N (TAN) which can be quite accurate ( R 2 of .9 or better versus laboratory determinations), fast and reasonably inexpensive, while no such methods exist for the determination of organic-N in the same samples. No quick test has been found satisfactory for the determination of P or K in dairy or poultry manures, although excellent results have been obtained for swine manure. Similarly, soil test kits have existed for years for determining N, P and K, but no such test exists for determining soil C content (organic or inorganic), and no inexpensive method exists for forage quality determinations (fiber, protein, digestibility). Spectroscopic methods such as near-and mid-infrared spectroscopy have found increasing use in the laboratory for the rapid analysis of a wide variety of products including feeds, manures and soils and offer great potential for on-farm determinations. This paper discusses the present state, and future potential, of methods suitable for on-farm testing of the wide variety of materials from soils to those materials utilized or produced on a farm, with emphasis on manures and soils and spectroscopic methods.
Equine cytomegalovirus: cultural characteristics and properties of viral DNA.

Abstract Equine cytomegalovirus (equine herpesvirus type 2; ECMV) exhibited cultural characteristics typical of the cytomegalovirus group. Ninety-six to one hundred twenty hours were required to reach a maximum titer of 1 × 10 7 PFU/ml in infected cells, from which no more than 50% of infectious virus produced was released into the supernatant fluid. Only cells of equine or rabbit origin were permissive for virus replication. Ultrastructural investigation of ECMV-infected cells revealed the presence of three types of intranuclear nucleocapsids (empty capsidc, capsidc with a cross-shaped, electron-lucent core, and mature capsidc with an electron-dense core). The mature capsids appeared to acquire their envelope at the nuclear membrane. Infected cells were characterized by nuclei containing marginated chromatin in a large, electron-dense inclusion substance. Viral DNA extracted and purified from virions, nucleocapsids, or infected cells (Hirt fractionation) demonstrated an average density of 1.716 g/cm 3 which corresponds to a G+C content of 57.7%. Sedimentation analyses of ECMV DNA in neutral sucrose gradients using phage T4 and equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) DNA as markers indicated a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 61 S. Sedimentation in alkaline sucrose suggested that the ECMV genome is a non-cross-linked, double-stranded DNA, possibly possessing nonligated areas either within the sugar phosphate backbone of the molecule or within specific alkali-labile regions. Sedimentation analyses of ECMV DNA yielded a molecular weight of approximately 121 × 10 6 which was confirmed by restriction endonuclease analyses which indicated a value of 126 × 10 6 Determination of the number, size, and molarity of ECMVDNA fragments generated by digestion with restriction enzymes revealed that ECMV DNA differs markedly in molecular structure from the genome of EHV-1.
Your School's Image: A Behavioral Approach to Identification and Use

Does your image of your school correspond to the image held by members of your school community? Described here is an instrument designed to measure community attitudes about the school.
Long-term oral carbenicillin therapy in complicated urinary-tract infections.

The availability of the indanyl ester of carbenicillin provides an oral preparation of this antibiotic for the treatment of selected patients with urinary infections due to susceptible pathogens. This study was undertaken to evaluate this preparation in the long-term management of such patients. Seventeen of the patients were initially infected with strains of Pseudomonas species while the remaining eight patients were infected with other gram-negative pathogens. The underlying pathology in these patients included renal calculi, obstructive uropathy, neurogenic vesicle dysfunction, ileal conduit urinary diversion, and chronic pyelonephritis. Oral carbenicillin was given for three weeks to 18 months in a dose of 0.5 g four times daily. The results of therapy in this group of patients were surprisingly good. In 19 of the 25 patients there was eradication or suppression of bacteriuria. Twenty of the 25 patients experienced clinical improvement.
Race and Sociological Reason in the Republic: Inquiries on the Métis in the French Empire (1908-37)

This article compares two collective surveys on the metis conducted in 1908 and 1937 in the French colonies. Metis was a category used mostly to describe children born out of wedlock to indigenous mothers and European fathers. The first inquiry was sponsored by anthropologists of the Societe d'anthropologie de Paris; the second was an administrative survey that brought together social scientists, administrators and a variety of other experts. The comparison sheds light on the specific trajectory of the `metis problem' in the French Empire, and on the process of construction of a social category. More broadly, it invites a reappraisal of the signification and role of race in both the construction of French citizenship and the history of French social thought in the first half of the 20th century.
A COMMON OXIDATIVE PATHWAY FOR GLUTAMINE AND ORNITHINE IN ENTEROCYTES. † 1913

Glutamine (GLN) is known to support the growth and differentiation of enterocytes, presumably via oxidation in the TCA cycle. Preliminary evidence suggests that ornithine (ORN) has a similar ability to support enterocytes. In enterocytes ORN can be oxidized by ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) into polyamines which are important for DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. Enterocytes express the enzymes necessary for the interconversion of GLN and ORN; however, the degree to which these substrates are interconverted is unknown. In addition, there may be significant changes in the interconversion at different developmental stages, with polyamines being formed from both substrates early in differentiation, and subsequent shunting of carbon into the TCA cycle for energy production after differentiation has occurred. To determine the extent of interconversion of GLN and ORN at different developmental stages, we examined the oxidation of these substrates in the Caco-2 human adenocarcinoma cell line, an established model of human small intestinal epithelium. Experiments were performed during logarithmic growth(4d) and at confluency (7d). Experimental media contained 2 mM GLN or ORN, with 1 uCi/ml of U-14C5 labeled GLN or ORN, respectively. CO2 was collected at 6 and 24 hours. Half of the tissue culture media also contained 4 mM difluoromethylornithine (DFMO)*, an inhibitor of ODC. We found a greater oxidation of GLN at both 4d and 7d compared to ORN (p<0.01 at 24 hours). Cells at 4d oxidized both substrates to a greater degree than cells at 7d (p<0.01). Inhibition of ODC had no affect on oxidation of either substrate at 4d or 7d, even though ODC activity can be demonstrated (data not shown). Thus, both GLN and ORN are oxidized in the TCA cycle by enterocytes. While both substrates probably contribute to polyamine synthesis in this tissue, CO2 production from ODC activity is comparatively smaller than that from the TCA cycle. Further study is needed to determine the contribution of GLN carbon to polyamines.Figure
Burden of Disease and Health Status Among Hurricane Katrina–Displaced Persons in Shelters: A Population-Based Cluster Sample

Study objective Anecdotal evidence suggests that the population displaced to shelters from Hurricane Katrina had a significant burden of disease, socioeconomic vulnerability, and marginalized health care access. For agencies charged with providing health care to at-risk displaced populations, knowing the prevalence of acute and chronic disease is critical to direct resources and prevent morbidity and mortality. Methods We performed a 2-stage 18-cluster sample survey of 499 evacuees residing in American Red Cross shelters in Louisiana 2 weeks after landfall of Hurricane Katrina. In stage 1, shelters with a population of more than 100 individuals were randomly selected, with probability proportional to size sampling. In stage 2, 30 adult heads of household were randomly chosen within shelters by using a shelter log or a map of the shelter where no log existed. Survey questions focused on demographics, socioeconomic indicators, acute and chronic burden of disease, and health care access. Results Two thirds of the sampled population was single, widowed, or divorced; the majority was female (57.6%) and black (76.4%). Socioeconomic indicators of under- and unemployment (52.9%), dependency on benefits or assistance (38.5%), lack of home ownership (66.2%), and lack of health insurance (47.0%) suggested vulnerability. One third lacked a health provider. Among those who arrived at shelters with a chronic disease (55.6%), 48.4% lacked medication. Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, pulmonary disease, and psychiatric illness were the most common chronic conditions. Risk factors for lacking medications included male sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96 to 2.59) and lacking health insurance (OR 2.25; 95% CI 1.21 to 4.20). More than one third (34.5%) arrived at the shelter with symptoms warranting immediate medical intervention, including dehydration (12.0%), dyspnea (11.5%), injury (9.4%), and chest pain (9.7%). Risk factors associated with presenting to shelters with acute symptoms included concurrent chronic disease with medication (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.98 to 3.43), concurrent disease and lacking medication (OR 2.22; 95% CI 1.36 to 3.63), and lacking health insurance (OR 1.83; 95% CI 1.10 to 3.02). Conclusion A population-based understanding of vulnerability, health access, and chronic and acute disease among the displaced will guide disaster health providers in preparation and response.
Generation of magnetic fields by convection in a rotating sphere, I

Abstract The magnetohydrodynamic dynamo problem is solved for an electrically conducting spherical fluid shell with spherically symmetric distributions of gravity and heat sources. The dynamics of motions generated by thermal buoyancy are dominated by the effects of rotation of the fluid shell. Dynamos are found for low and intermediate values of the Taylor number, T ≲ 10 5 , if the scale of the nonaxisymmetric component of the velocity field is sufficiently small. The generation of magnetic fields of quadrupolar symmetry is preferred at Rayleigh numbers close to the critical value R c for onset of convection. As the Rayleigh number increases, the generation of dipolar magnetic fields becomes preferred.
Fluorescence imaging and chlorophyll fluorescence to evaluate the role of EDU in UV-B protection in cucumber

A fluorescence imaging system and chlorophyll fluorescence emissions were used to evaluate whether EDU, N-[2-(2-oxo-1- imidazolidinyl) ethyl]-N'-phenylurea, provided protection against ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation (290 - 320 nm) in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) leaves. Plants were grown in growth chambers illuminated for 14 h per day with 400 W high pressure sodium and metal halide lamps. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) for 1 hr at the beginning and end of each cycle was provided at 270 micrometers ol m -2 s -1 PAR; during the other 12 hr of the photoperiod, the plants received 840 micrometers ol m -2 s -1 PAR. Beginning on the twelfth day, the plants were exposed to UV-B radiation (0.2 & 18.0 kJ m -2 d -1 ) for 2 days at 8 h per day centered in the photoperiod. Rapidly acquired (less than 1 s), high spatial resolution (less than 1 mm 2 ) images were obtained for whole adaxial leaf surfaces using a fluorescence imaging system. The steady-state fluorescence images were acquired in four spectral regions: blue (F450 nm), green (F550 nm), red (F680 nm), and far-red (F740 nm). Fluorescence emission spectra for leaf pigments extracted in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were obtained by excitation at 280 and 380 nm (280EX 300 - 530 nm; 380EX 400 - 800 nm). Both UV-B and EDU induced stress responses in cucumber leaves that altered the fluorescence emissions obtained from extracts. In the fluorescence images only UV-B induced stress responses were observed but this damage was detected before it was visually apparent. There was no evidence that EDU afforded protection against UV-B irradiation. Use of fluorescence imaging may provide an early stress detection capability for helping to assess damage to the photosynthetic apparatus of plants.
Nietzsche's natural morality

Nietzsche's plan for a revaluation of all values is well known. It was conceived as a "naturalization of morality," that is, as an attempt to replace all moral values with naturalistic ones. 1 The compilers of The Will to Power believed that this idea was revolutionary and published some of the items mentioned in the plan under the heading: "fundamental innovations. ''2 However, on the face of it, this belief appears to be completely mistaken, for two reasons: First, moral naturalism is one of the oldest and most common beliefs in our Western tradition. And second, naturalism as such is incompatible with the "aesthetic" philosophy developed by Nietzsche. Against these objections I will argue that something is truly innovative and philosophically promising in Nietzsche's naturalism, but only insofar as it is understood as a radically experimental morality, to be developed with the philosophically transformed experimental method used in the natural sciences. The influence of other writers on Nietzsche has been recognized for some time. But lately George J. Stack has argued that most of Nietzsche's central ideas were lifted into his own writings from the works of others, mainly from those of Lange and Emerson. 3 These borrowings and similarities have been painstakingly documented, but it seems to me at the expense of radical differences. I would like to discuss what Nietzsche did with the naturalistic basis of morality that he took from others in his discussions of good and evil. By carefully scrutinizing his generous borrowings we can learn what is really new in Nietzsche. Consider, then, the notion of a naturalistic morality found in the writings of both Emerson and Nietzsche. It has been argued that it is basically the same, and that Nietzsche simply adopted Emerson's idea without adding anything except hyperbole. 4 For Emerson, such a morality assumes the existence of two worlds, that of nature and that of culture. Unlike brutes, we belong to both worlds; our natural traits, drives, and instincts tie us to nature and the ready-made order of things and fixed ends, while our sublimations
Water adsorption and desorption on ultra-low friction sulfur-doped hydrogenated carbon films

Water adsorption on hydrogenated carbon film surfaces can drastically affect friction behaviour. In this work, we investigate water adsorption and desorption properties of sulfur-doped hydrogenated films, which we have observed to retain ultra-low friction properties of hydrogenated carbon films in humid air. Water adsorption studies using a quartz crystal microbalance show that there is an almost threefold reduction in equilibrium water coverage at room temperature on hydrogenated carbon films doped with 5 at.% sulfur. Thermal desorption studies indicate that sulfur doping weakens the binding of water molecules on hydrogenated carbon film surfaces.
Hypertension and Diabetes—A Toxic Combination

� Objective: To assess the relationship of diabetes and hypertension and the effect on cardiovascular outcomes. � Methods:�A review of the English-language literature regarding the effects of diabetes and hypertension published between January 1, 1980, and April 30, 2008, was performed. � Results: In type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of hypertension due to both hyperglycemia and insulin resistance is increased. High insulin levels are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and decreased ventricular function. The growth factor effects of insulin on the myocardium are worsened by hypertension. The diabetic hypertensive patient is exquisitely sensitive to blood pressure lowering as it relates to cardiac events and mortality. Because of this, the blood pressure goals for diabetic hypertensive patients are lower than those for their nondiabetic hypertensive peers. Cardiac events have a stronger association with systolic hypertension and the pulse pressure than with diastolic hypertension. The presence of microalbuminuria not only signifies a higher risk of developing diabetic nephropathy, but also increased mortality and incidence of cardiovascular events. Thus, when microalbuminuria is detected, intensification of hypertensive therapies, especially suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is essential. � Conclusion: The effects of hypertension in persons with diabetes increase the frequency and severity of cardiac events, especially when microalbuminuria is present. (Endocr Pract. 2008;14:1031-1039) Abbreviations: ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; BP = blood pressure
Resin film impregnation in fabric prepregs with dual length scale permeability

Abstract Prepregs are precursor materials for composites processing. Most prepregs are fully impregnated however some prepregs are only partially impregnated with resin. This study characterizes the resin impregnation process in a prepreg consisting of a resin film laminated to one side of a woven fabric. Layers of such prepregs are stacked on a tool surface to build thickness with low positive pressure. This assembly is then bagged and placed under vacuum pressure to remove the air and volatiles under vacuum before the resin impregnates these empty spaces. The assembly is then allowed to cure in an oven under vacuum pressure to form the composite. There is a need to understand resin flow in such fabrics with dual length scale permeability under the initial positive pressure and also the vacuum pressure. This paper focuses on understanding the under pinning flow mechanisms and presents an in situ method for characterizing fabric prepregs under low positive pressures before vacuum bag processing. The proposed in situ method monitors the pattern of resin saturating the empty spaces between the fibers and the tows within the fabric over time, which allows for characterization of dual length scale permeability of such prepregs. The experimental technique compresses a resin film into the fabric at a known temperature and pressure, during which the flow pattern is recorded from the opposite side through a transparent table with a CCD camera. The flow is modeled analytically to match the observed two stages: inter-fiber tow flow and intra-tow flow to characterize the dual length scale prepreg permeability.
Lead and δ-aminolevulinic acid concentrations in human parotid saliva

Abstract Quantitative values of lead and δ-aminolevulinic acid in normal human parotid saliva were determined and were found to be 3.1 (±0.5) and 10.2 (±0.6) μg/100 ml, respectively. The relationship of salivary lead concentration to blood lead concentration was examined. For the experimental population studied, parotid saliva was estimated to contain approximately 13% of the blood lead concentration. No significant difference was found between parotid saliva and plasma δ-aminolevulinic acid concentrations.
MAESTRO -- A Model and Expert System Tuning Resource for Operators

Abstract We have developed MAESTRO, a m odel a nd e xpert s ystem t uning r esource for o perators. It provides a unified software environment for optimizing the performance of large, complex machines, in particular the Advanced Test Accelerator and Experimental Test Accelerator at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The system incorporates three approaches to tuning: • - a mouse-based manual interface to select and control magnets and to view displays of machine performance; • - an automation based on “cloning the operator” by implementing the strategies and reasoning used by the operator; and • - an automation based on a simulator model which, when accurately matched to the machine, allows downloading of optimal sets of parameters and permits diagnosing errors in the beam line. The latter two approaches are based on the artificial-intelligence technique known as Expert Systems.
Theory of laser cooling of semiconductor quantum wells

We present a microscopic many-body theory of laser cooling of semiconductor quantum wells. The cooling mechanism is the upconversion of pump photons through absorption and subsequent luminescence by an electron–hole–exciton mixture maintained at steady state in the quantum well. Assuming this Coulomb plasma to be in quasi-thermal equilibrium, our theory calculates its absorption/luminescence spectra within a diagrammatic (real-time) Green's function approach at the self-consistent T-matrix level. These spectra are used in a cooling threshold analysis for GaAs quantum wells that also takes into account other losses into heat. We compare the present results with previous ones obtained for bulk GaAs. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Arterial and venous blood gas analyses during retrograde cerebral perfusion.

Objective: To examine arterial and venous blood gas analyses during retrograde cerebral perfusion to quantify oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production. Design: Prospective. Setting: Community hospital, university setting, single institution. Participants: Twelve patients undergoing reconstructive aortic surgery with profound hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: After 10 minutes of retrograde cerebral perfusion, blood gas analysis (measured at 37°C, without temperature correction) was performed on blood samples drawn simultaneously from the arterial inflow and venous return (collected via aortic arch vessels) sites. Compared with arterial blood samples, PO2 (ΔpO2: 431.2 ± 154.9 mmHg; p < 0.05), pH (ΔpH: 0.16 ± 0.09, p < 0.05) and base excess (ΔBE: 1.0 ± 0.85; p < 0.05) decreased in venous blood samples, whereas PCO2 increased (ΔPCO2: 18.2 ± 8.8 mmHg; p < 0.05). An arteriovenous content difference of 2.5 ± 1.9 mL/dL reflected a total oxygen extraction of 20.5% ± 15.7%, although most extraction occurred from oxygen in solution. Conclusion: These findings suggest that retrograde cerebral perfusion produces cerebral aerobic metabolism.