cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inclusion of electronic nicotine delivery systems in indoor smoke-free air policies and associated vaping behavior.

Abstract Introduction Despite an ongoing debate over regulations of use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) in public places, fourteen U.S. states or territories banned use of ENDS in indoor areas such as workplaces, restaurants, or bars (aerosol-free policies), as of March 31 ,2018. However, there is a paucity of studies on state-level aerosol-free policies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between statewide aerosol-free policies and U.S. adults' ENDS use. Methods We analyzed data from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (N = 240,849, ages 18–59 years), using multilevel logistic regressions, taking into account clustering of individuals within a state. We conducted stratified analyses by age groups to examine if the association between aerosol-free policy and ENDS use would be different between different age groups of adults. Results Adults living in the states with an aerosol-free policy were less likely to use ENDS compared with those living in the states without an aerosol-free policy, controlling for individual- and state-level covariates (adjusted odds ratio = 0.79, 95% confidence interval = 0.64, 0.97). Stratified analyses showed that the association varied by age group; the statewide aerosol-free policies was associated with lower odds of ENDS use only in adults aged 25–59 but not young adults (aged 18–24). Conclusions The results supported enforcement of prohibiting ENDS as well as traditional tobacco product indoor areas as a means of ENDS use prevention. Our findings also confirmed that young adults should be a priority target population for ENDS use prevention policies and programming efforts.
Lax Pairs for Edge-constrained Boussinesq Systems of Partial Difference Equations

The method due to Nijhoff and Bobenko & Suris to derive Lax pairs for partial difference equations (PDeltaEs) is applied to edge constrained Boussinesq systems. These systems are defined on a quadrilateral. They are consistent around the cube but they contain equations defined on the edges of the quadrilateral. By properly incorporating the edge equations into the algorithm, it is straightforward to derive Lax matrices of minimal size. The 3 by 3 Lax matrices thus obtained are not unique but shown to be gauge-equivalent. The gauge matrices connecting the various Lax matrices are presented. It is also shown that each of the Boussinesq systems admits a 4 by 4 Lax matrix. For each system, the gauge-like transformations between Lax matrices of different sizes are explicitly given. To illustrate the analogy between continuous and lattice systems, the concept of gauge-equivalence of Lax pairs of nonlinear partial differential equations is briefly discussed. The method to find Lax pairs of PDeltaEs is algorithmic and is being implemented in Mathematica. The Lax pair computations for this chapter helped further improve and extend the capabilities of the software under development.
Daily expectations of returns index

Abstract The paper introduces a daily index for expectations of returns based on tweets that express a directional prediction about the stock market index. I develop a dictionary that includes lexicon of traders to identify and classify opinionated tweets. The results show that (1) the Twitter Expectations of Returns Index (TERI) is positively correlated with weekly changes in net long position of investment managers, (2) expectations index of high followers accounts predicts stock market returns, and (3) private information is the primary source of return predictability.
Towards non‐linear construction of a Q ‐ compensation operator directly from measured seismic reflection data

We report on the development of a methodology for the construction of an operator that will act to perform non-linear Q-compensation directly in terms of measured seismic data, and in the absence of a prior knowledge of Q. In this paper, we demonstrate the conceptual and numerical viability of the extraction and isolated use of a subseries of the inverse scattering series to this end. We do this by considering the simplest possible scenario that still has the ability to reproduce recognizable intrinsically-attenuated seismic reflection data characteristics. We consider (1) the computation (from such “data” and a homogeneous, non-attenuating Green’s function) of a linear inverse that is complex, by virtue of viscous impedance contrasts; (2) the substitution of this linear inverse into an appropriately cast instance of the higher-order terms of the inverse scattering series, and (3) the extraction of a subseries thereof that is postulated to involve itself with the construction of the desired un-smoothing operator. We demonstrate the way in which these non-linear terms make an operator with the numeric wherewithal to correct for Q, and we demonstrate the salutary effect of this operator within our “proto-realistic” physical milieu. We comment on several of the forthcoming tasks required to bring these highly encouraging mechanisms to algorithm status.
DESENVOLVIMENTO DE INDICADORES PARA GESTÃO DE FORNECEDORES DE INSUMOS INDIRETOS

This research addresses the proposal of developing a prototype for managing indirect input suppliers from the development of indicators that allow a visual management of their performance, as well as the standardization of activities related to such management in order to make it effective and efficient. The study was conducted in a multinational industry that produces refrigeration equipment. This is an action research, with a case study design, where primary data were produced through unstructured interviews with procurement managers and analysts, and secondary data collected from a review of literature and information made available in a shared folder on the company’s network. In the discussion, the impact of the proposed model on the efficiency and effectiveness of the indirect input procurement process of the organization was verified. The research shows that the importance of this study lies in the fact that it presents a strategic model developed through a tool already used by the company to systematize the creation of evaluative indicators. The alignment of suppliers on their performance is also emphasized, obtaining the initially proposed improvement. The results obtained in this research recommend the use of this management method to indirect input suppliers.
Are geometric morphometric analyses replicable? Evaluating landmark measurement error and its impact on extant and fossil Microtus classification

Geometric morphometric analyses are frequently employed to quantify biological shape and shape variation. Despite the popularity of this technique, quantification of measurement error in geometric morphometric datasets and its impact on statistical results is seldom assessed in the literature. Here, we evaluate error on 2D landmark coordinate configurations of the lower first molar of five North American Microtus (vole) species. We acquired data from the same specimens several times to quantify error from four data acquisition sources: specimen presentation, imaging devices, interobserver variation, and intraobserver variation. We then evaluated the impact of those errors on linear discriminant analysis-based classifications of the five species using recent specimens of known species affinity and fossil specimens of unknown species affinity. Results indicate that data acquisition error can be substantial, sometimes explaining >30% of the total variation among datasets. Comparisons of datasets digitized by different individuals exhibit the greatest discrepancies in landmark precision, and comparison of datasets photographed from different presentation angles yields the greatest discrepancies in species classification results. All error sources impact statistical classification to some extent. For example, no two landmark dataset replicates exhibit the same predicted group memberships of recent or fossil specimens. Our findings emphasize the need to mitigate error as much as possible during geometric morphometric data collection. Though the impact of measurement error on statistical fidelity is likely analysis-specific, we recommend that all geometric morphometric studies standardize specimen imaging equipment, specimen presentations (if analyses are 2D), and landmark digitizers to reduce error and subsequent analytical misinterpretations.
Guiding Principles in Developing Equity-Driven Professional Learning for Educators of Gifted Children:

Gifted education in the United States has a long history of underrepresentation of culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse (CLED) gifted students. Despite the many years of attention t...
Young but not defenceless: antifungal activity during embryonic development of a social insect

Termites live in environments heavily colonized by diverse microorganisms, including pathogens. Eggs laid within the nest are likely to experience similar pathogenic pressures as those experienced ...
Nonspecific Binding Correction for Single-Cell Mass Cytometric Analysis of Autophagy and Myoblast Differentiation

Satellite cells provide regenerative capacity to the skeletal muscle after injury. In this process, termed myogenesis, satellite cells get activated, proliferate, and differentiate. Myogenesis is recapitulated in the tissue culture of myoblasts that differentiate by fusion and then by the formation of myotubes. Autophagy plays an important role in myogenesis, but the asynchronous and unique trajectory of differentiation of each myoblast along the myogenic lineage complicates teasing apart at what stages of differentiation autophagy plays a critical role. In this report, we describe a mass cytometric, multidimensional, individual cell analysis of differentiating myoblasts that characterizes autophagy flux (i.e., autophagy rate) at separate myogenesis stages. Because mass cytometry uses a set of lanthanide-tagged antibodies, each being specific for a desired molecular target, quantification of each molecular target could be exaggerated by nonspecific binding of its respective antibody to other nontarget cellular regions. In this report, we used lanthanide-tagged isotypes, which allowed for correction for nonspecific binding at the single-cell level. Using this approach, myoblasts were phenotypically identified by their position in the myogenic lineage, simultaneously with the quantification of autophagic flux in each identified subset. We found that generally autophagy flux is upregulated specifically during myoblast fusion and declines in myotubes. We also observed that mitophagy (i.e., selective autophagic degradation of mitochondria) is also active after myotube formation. The ability to track different types of autophagy is another feature of this methodology, which could be key to expand the current understanding of autophagy regulation in regenerating the skeletal muscle.
Psychiatric Disorders Due to General Medical Condition

In this chapter, we discuss different psychiatric disorders that occur due to general medical conditions among older adults.
Risk factor assessment of homelessness at psychiatric hospital admission: a machine learning approach

Despite a persistent link between homelessness, mental illness, and increased psychiatric hospitalizations, there is a dearth of research examining risk factors for higher utilization of mental hea...
New Challenges for Romanian Agriculture – Organic Farming

The paper presents the evolution of the organic farming in Romania, the general background, the legislation bearing on it, the institutions created to coordinate this activity, the rules that should be observed for a product to be labelled as organic, opportunities for Romanian farmers, the new challenges in the fi led, tendencies and traditions. All these are analyzed in close relation with the evolution in the world and indicate the place of Romania in this competition.
Energetic and exergetic analysis of a sloped solar still integrated with a separated heat storage system incorporating phase change material

Abstract A single slope solar still coupled with a separated heat storage system consisting of a double glazing solar collector provided with latent heat storage material(PCM) is investigated in this paper. This system is moulded for working autonomously and continuously throughout the day. A transient model is developed for assessing the performances of this device under summer climatic conditions of the Algerian Sahara. In this model, the fraction of molten PCM was assessed at each time step, which allowed inspecting the evolution of PCM material during all the time of computations. The results indicate that the additional heat storage system supplied heat to the still for 20 h continuously during the daytime. Accordingly, it is found that the increase rates of daily and nocturnal yields were respectively 63% and 635% (an increase of more than six times) compared to the conventional system. Furthermore, it is exhibited that the useful energy is strongly influenced by the increase of PCM mass, so this parameter must be lowered as possible. Also, it is shown that in the summer season; there is an optimum tilt angle of 15° Meanwhile, it is demonstrated that a great part of the irreversibility generated in the system is caused by the solar radiation and the PCM irreversibility represents only 7% of the total irreversibility. It is also revealed that the daily irreversibility decreases slightly with increasing the water mass and collector slope angle, but possesses an optimum at a PCM thickness of 6 cm.
Criminal Justice Secrets

The American criminal justice system is cloaked in secrecy. The government employs covert surveillance operations. Grand-jury proceedings are hidden from public view. Prosecutors engage in closed-door plea-bargaining and bury exculpatory evidence. Juries convict defendants on secret evidence. Jury deliberations are a black box. And jails and prisons implement clandestine punishment practices. Although there are some justifications for this secrecy, the ubiquitous nature of it is contrary to this nation’s Founders’ steadfast belief in the transparency of criminal justice proceedings. Further, the pervasiveness of secrecy within today’s criminal justice system raises serious constitutional concerns. The accumulation of secrecy and the aggregation of these concerns create a real constitutional problem.
Discovery of Quinoline-Derived Trifluoromethyl Alcohols as Antiepileptic and Analgesic Agents That Block Sodium Channels.

The discovery of novel analgesic agents with high potency, low toxicity and low addictive properties remain a priority. This study aims to identify the analgesic potential of quinoline derived α-trifluoromethylated alcohols (QTA) and their mechanism of action. We synthesized and characterized several compounds of QTAs and screened them for antiepileptic and analgesic activity using zebrafish larvae in high thorough-put behavior analyses system. Toxicity and behavioral screening of 9 compounds identified 4 candidates ( C2 , C3 , C7 and C9 ) with antiepileptic properties that induces specific and reversible reduction in photomotor activity. Importantly, C2 and C3 relieves the thermal pain response in zebrafish larvae indicating analgesic property. Further, using novel in vivo CoroNa green assay, we show that C2 and C3 blocks sodium channels and reduces inflammatory sodium signals released by peripheral nerve and tissue damage. Thus, we have identified novel QTA compounds with antiepileptic and analgesic properties which could alleviate neuropathic pain.
Artificial Intelligence and Future of Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering (SE) is in the midst of a digital transformation driven by advanced modeling tools, data integration, and resulting “digital twins.” Like many other domains, the engineering disciplines will see transformational advances in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to automate many routine engineering tasks. At the same time, applying AI, ML, and autonomation to complex and critical systems needs holistic, system-oriented approaches. This will encourage new systems engineering methods, processes, and tools. It is imperative that the SE community deeply understand emerging AI and ML technologies and applications, incorporate them into methods and tools, and ensure that appropriate SE approaches are used to make AI systems ethical, reliable, safe, and secure. This chapter presents a road mapping activity undertaken by the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC). The goal is to broadly identify opportunities and risks that might appear as this evolution proceeds as well as potentially provide information that guides further research in both SE and AI/ML.
Kuznetsov Measures II

In this section we shall study the relationship between Kuznetsov measures and the energy functional and the balayage operation. As in §6, throughout this section we suppose that (6.2) is in force. The right process X is always realized on the Ω defined below (6.5). We begin by expressing the energy functional in terms of the Kuznetsov measure.
Regulation of Timber Yield for Sustainable Management of Industrial Forest Plantations — Theory and Practice

The integration of forest plantations, sustained yield regulation of industrial wood fiber, and market responses of private forest landowners determine sustainable forest management for timber. The world has approximately 3.4 billion ha of forests; 230 million ha of all types of forest plantations; and 40 million ha of industrial wood plantations. A sample of private and public forestry analysts in the world indicated that they use a variety of timber harvest regulation approaches. These include Model I and Model II model formulations; Simplex and heuristic model solution approaches; sustained yield harvest constraints; and ecological constraints. An analysis of the forest plantation area and timber supply situation in the U.S. South indicated that intensive forest management can balance softwood timber inventories and timber harvests, at slightly increased real timber prices. The data on forest plantations and growth rates, as well as our survey of harvest regulation, indicate that the forest products industry and other forest owners have the means to achieve and modeling capabilities to measure and implement sustainable timber management. If this potential is realized, increased productivity in managed forests will lessen timber harvesting pressures and enhance the protection of natural forests.
Confocal Laser Scanning Light Microscopy

The confocal laser scanning microscope is an improved design of light microscope used for imaging fixed or living tissues that are usually labelled with one or more fluorescent probes. Keywords: microscopy; confocal; fluorescence; 3D reconstruction; laser
Sources of facts and advice for farmer decision-making concerning soil conservation practices in Grant County, Wisconsin

This study uses diffusion theory and opinion leadership to investigate sources of facts and advice used in farmer decision-making concerning soil conservation practices. The importance of interpersonal interactions and the role of new communication technologies, including the Internet, email and the cellular telephone, as well as practical inquiry into which persons, organizations and/or media sources are important opinion leaders in the area of implementation of soil conservation were investigated. Information sources used in actual past behavior changes and information sources likely to be influential in a future hypothetical scenario were assessed. Data for this study were gathered through a random sample mail survey of Grant County, Wisconsin rural landowners. A return rate of 48% yielded 268 usable surveys. Findings reveal that farmers use a number of sources for information concerning the adoption of soil conservation innovations, with ‘neighbors and other farmers,’ ‘government agency staff’ and ‘magazines and other publications’ being the most frequently used and the most important sources throughout the decision process. Perceived trustworthiness of a source was found to be a significant predictor of perceived source influence and although 40% of respondents reported that they are not Internet users, the Internet enjoys a relatively highperceived trustworthiness among all respondents. Among Internet users, the Internet had a very high level of trust—ranking third behind ‘government agency staff’ and ‘neighbors and other farmers.’
Stars vs. Clouds: Creating a Collaborative Commons Learning Space

The authors engaged in a redesign of the Robert Morgan Studio space, a learning lab for Instructional Systems students at Florida State University. This is a multipurpose computer and media lab that provides a venue for engaging with courseware, teaching and, learning applications, and accessing resources for specialization in digital production and dissemination. Originally intended to be a versatile computer and media lab for instructional systems courses with a specialization in digital production and dissemination, the space was found to be less than nurturing in its support of the original vision. The room was, in effect, designed without understanding the needed intent. Our goal was to provide a space for developing systems to evaluate how people learn, providing systems to help people engage in this learning. The lab needed to be deconstructed, literally and figuratively, from its austere and semi-functional layout into a more highly interactive studio; not simply individualized, but a highly social, context-dependent and collaborative achievement. This design case chronicles the design process including the installation and post-occupancy observations of both successes and failures in the resulting renovated space. The dynamics of team collaboration viewed horizontally across campus departments and vertically within the instructional and administrative structures of each group are explored as the design process unfolds. The narrative examines the Morgan Studio redesign through the process of conceptual design, schematic design, and design development normally associated with professional design practice. The roles of idea generation, sketch drawing, and FF&E selection and installation are highlighted against a client environment where proposed and perceived design directions are subjected to a variety of end-user desires, understandings, and expectations.
Andreev-reflection and Point-Contact Spectroscopy of Superconducting Rare Earth Transition Metal Borocarbides

The recently discovered [1], superconducting compounds RNi2B2C, where R is rare earths (Lu, Tm, Er, Ho and Dy) and Y, still remain a hot topic of intensive research. Their crystallographic structure resembles that of high-Tc materials, albeit being 3D in electronic properties. The mechanism of Cooper pairing in these compounds is not known in detail although they are commonly believed to be mediated by the ordinary electron-phonon interaction, like A15. The boron isotope effect [2, 3] clearly points that the phonons are involved in superconductivity . Whether these compounds are s- or d- wave superconductors [4] is still under debate. The important subclass in these materials is presented by the magnetic compounds (R =Tm, Er, Ho, and Dy), with the antiferromagnetic (AFM) order [5] and weak ferromagnetism (Er) [6] coexisting with superconductivity.
Discriminatory dimensionality reduction (Corresp.)

Truncated optimal entropy-minimizing expansions can serve to characterize classes of multivariate data. A method is presented here by which the level of truncation and the corresponding dimensionalities of the class subspaces can be chosen to ensure adequate discrimination. The subspaces are chosen to maximize the average margin of correct classification of the paradigms of one class subject to constraints on the other margins.
Site of fluoride accumulation in intact erupted human enamel.

Abstract A gradient from 200 down to 70 ppm of fluoride from surface inward (in 50μ increments) was found in completely sound intact young enamel. A slight increase to 400 ppm was found in outer sound enamel of older teeth. No difference was found in sound enamel from surface to surface on the same type of tooth except in incisors where the mesial-distal had twice the fluoride content of the labial or lingual surface. The marked gradient in fluoride content from surface inward of sound enamel, so often reported, was found to be primarily limited to discoloured enamel, characterized by a shallow microradiolucent band just under the surface. It ranged from 2000–3300 to 50 ppm in a steep gradient. The extent of this natural discolouration increases with age.
Motor vehicle mismatch: a national perspective

Objective To determine the RR of the severe injury associated with light truck vehicle (LTV) versus passenger vehicle (PV) mismatch following motor vehicle collisions across the USA. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study with the primary outcomes of Injury Severity Score (ISS) >8 and body region Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) >2. The National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System (NASS CDS) was searched for occupants in frontal and side impact crashes from 1993 to 2007. Occupants in PVs struck by LTVs were compared to PV occupants struck by another PV. Poisson regression was used to estimate the RR of severe injury after adjusting for driver age, driver gender, and change in velocity during the crash (∆v). Because 21% of cases were missing ∆v, multiple imputation was used to estimate the missing values. NASS CDS weights were used to estimate the risk of severe injury nationally. Results PV occupants in front impact crashes with an LTV as the striking vehicle were at increased risk of severe injury compared to those struck by another PV (RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.73). A similar increase risk was observed in side impact crashes (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.62). Increased risk of injury was also identified in several body regions. Conclusions Motor vehicle mismatch crashes are associated with a significant increase in risk of severe injury for PV occupants in the USA. Addressing vehicle compatibility remains an important issue for occupant safety.
Television and Sex‐Role Stereotyping1

The possible influence of television on sex-stereotyped behavior was investigated in three studies. In Study I the portrayal of male and female central characters on children's Saturday morning television programs was examined, and a number of differences consistent with current sex-role stereotypes were found. Males and females were portrayed in different roles, they manifested different behaviors, and their behaviors were followed by different consequences. In addition, male characters were more frequent than females, and they exhibited higher rates of behavior. Similar differences in the portrayal of males and females in the commercial announcements accompanying these programs were found in Study II. The sexes differed in their frequency of appearance, their location, their roles, their expertise, and the consequences of their behavior. In Study III the effects on children's behavior of exposure to sex-stereotyped vs. non-stereotyped behavior by adult televised models were examined. It was found that children manifested greater imitation and recall for the behavior of a same-sex model with the result that boys exposed to “stereotyped” behavior by a male and female model manifested and recalled relatively more “masculine” behavior than those exposed to “non-stereotyped” behavior, while the opposite trend obtained for girls. Implications of these three studies for television's contribution to sex-stereotyped behavior are discussed.
Vapour Pressures of Xenon (77°–180° K) and Krypton (77°–130° K)

FOR the evaluation of recently measured low-temperature adsorption data we required the vapour pressure curves of krypton and xenon from 77° K to about 20° K above their respective triple points. We therefore undertook a critical review of the literature in order to try to define for each gas the vapour pressure curve that is best substantiated by the reported values. We found that the vapour pressure data for krypton published by various authors1–6 are generally in good agreement with each other. Most reported values lie within ± 1 per cent of the curve given by the vapour pressure equations of Freeman and Halsey6, which can therefore be used with some confidence.
United Parkinson Foundation Neurotransplantation Registry on adrenal medullary transplants: Presurgical, and 1‐ and 2‐year follow‐up

Thirteen centers participated in a multicenter database with systematic evaluation of US and Canadian patients who had adrenal medullary transplantation for Parkinson9s disease. This voluntary registry collected demographic, safety, and efficacy data using the same scoring measures over a 2-year follow-up period. Baseline data on 61 patients and 2-year follow-up data on 56 patients were compared. Eighteen percent died during the study period, and one-half of these deaths were related or questionably related to the surgery. Of the remaining 45 patients with data, global improvement, defined as an improved summed score of the “n” and “off” motor and activities of daily living functions from the Unified Parkinson9s Disease Rating Scale, occurred in 32% of the patients at 2 years after surgery. At follow-up, significant group improvement persisted in the amount of daily “on” time and the quality of “off” function, but other measures were no better than baseline. When the global improvement calculation was based on the total sample and included deaths and patients lost to follow-up as “not improved,” only 19% were improved 2 years after surgery. Twenty-two percent of survivors had persistent psychiatric morbidity not present prior to surgery. These data document a modest group improvement in “off” function after neurotransplantation, but a serious level of mortality and morbidity.
Endoscopy and upper gastrointestinal contrast studies are complementary in evaluation of weight regain after bariatric surgery

Abstract Background To assess the utility of upper endoscopy (EGD) and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) contrast studies in the evaluation of weight regain after previous bariatric surgery. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the findings of EGD and UGI studies for patients referred to our center for weight regain after bariatric surgery. All patients received a dietary assessment concomitant with the anatomic evaluations. Results From January 2003 and March 2006, 30 patients qualified for the study (25 women and 5 men, average age 49 years). Of the 30 patients, 16 had undergone gastroplasty and 14 open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Of the 30 patients, 27 (90%) had ≥1 abnormality detected on UGI study or EGD. Of these abnormalities, 10 were gastrogastric fistulas, 8 of which were detected with both UGI study and EGD; 11 dilated pouches were diagnosed by EGD but only 2 were also diagnosed on the UGI study. An enlarged stoma size was diagnosed in 7 patients (6 by EGD and 1 on the UGI study). Also, the UGI study diagnosed 1 Roux limb and 7 esophageal abnormalities not seen on EGD, and EGD diagnosed 4 esophageal and 3 gastric abnormalities not seen on the UGI study. On the basis of these findings and the dietary evaluation, 23 patients (77%) were offered a revisional procedure. Conclusion EGD and UGI contrast studies are complementary in the evaluation of patients with weight regain after bariatric surgery. The combination of the 2 studies detected all the gastrogastric fistulas present. EGD provided more useful pouch and stomal information, and the UGI study detected esophageal or Roux limb abnormalities that frequently require additional evaluation.
Stochastic decentralization of competitive allocations

Abstract When consumers and producers select weakly continuous probability distributions over ∈-indifferent actions, a price vector exists which clears mean aggregate demand, and the potential relative disequilibrium vanishes as the economy becomes large.
Existence and failure of T-cell homeostasis prior to AIDS onset in HIV-infected injection drug users.

Abstract Prior studies, based on populations of homosexual men, have shown that during HIV infection, levels of total circulating T-cells (CD3+lymphocytes) remain constant for long periods of time after seroconversion. This suggested homeostatic phenomenon was observed to break down about 18 months prior to AIDS diagnosis with a quick loss of T-cells. The objective of this study was to determine whether (a) total T-cells are maintained at a constant level for long periods of time among HIV-infected injection drug users (IDUs) and (b) total T-cells decline before AIDS onset in this risk group and, if so, by how long. The design and setting was prospective follow-up, with semiannual clinic visits, of 646 HIV-infected IDUs who participate in the ALIVE study (Baltimore, MD). Among AIDS cases, T-cell levels remained quite stable at about 1500 cells/μl up to approximately 24 months prior to AIDS. However, a steep decline in CD3+cell levels began approximately 24 months prior to AIDS diagnosis and was −17.5% per 6 months in the last 18 months before AIDS. Among seropositive IDUs without AIDS, a gradual decline of less than −4% per 6 months was observed. These trends remained virtually unchanged after accounting for current injection drug use, smoking, and HIV-related medications. IDUs, like homosexual men, exhibited T-cell homeostasis following HIV infection, as well as failure of this homeostasis about 2 years before AIDS. Although the mechanisms for the maintenance and later failure of the homeostasis of T-lymphocytes are not well understood, the observation has a potentially important prognostic value as well as biological interest.
Political Ignorance and Collective Policy Preferences

In contrast with the expectations of many analysts, I find that raw policy-specific facts, such as the direction of change in the crime rate or the amount of the federal budget devoted to foreign aid, have a significant influence on the public’s political judgments. Using both traditional survey methods and survey-based randomized experiments, I show that ignorance of policy-specific information leads many Americans to hold political views different from those they would hold otherwise. I also show that the effect of policy-specific information is not adequately captured by the measures of general political knowledge used in previous research. Finally, I show that the effect of policy-specific ignorance is greatest for Americans with the highest levels of political knowledge. Rather than serve to dilute the influence of new information, general knowledge (and the cognitive capacities it reflects) appears to facilitate the incorporation of new policy-specific information into political judgments.
A microprogramming language-directed microarchitecture

A microarchitecture designed for high performance, control store efficiency, and ease of microprogramming is described. These objectives were achieved by orienting the design to support the requirements of a powerful higher-level-like microprogramming language. 1, 2 The language is machine dependent and achieves efficiency of execution and space, as well as compactness of expression through relatively powerful constructs such as partial field operations and by permitting appropriate suboptions to be coupled with each of the various constructs. The relative utility of the various constructs is indicated by a statistical analysis of an actual emulator.
Cell-free ethylene evolution from etiolated pea seedlings

Abstract : Cell-free preparations from peas are described that can mediate ethylene evolution in both an enzymatic and nonenzymatic manner.
Hospital radiology department overhead energy estimation

The interest in the energy management is found in every sector of the economy. This is true of the commercial sector which includes the healthcare industry. The focus of this study is on estimating the overhead energy consumption of healthcare facilities where buildings are open and operating 24 hours a day/365 days a year. Overhead energy consumption, heating, air conditioning and lighting are the greatest contributors to the total energy consumption in commercial buildings. According to the Annual Energy Outlook 2011 Report, healthcare facilities are ranked third, after malls and offices, in total energy consumed. In this paper, we investigate and compare three different methods for estimating overhead energy consumption of the CT and x-ray rooms in the radiology department of a hospital: a heuristic using annual energy consumption, thermal analysis, and simulation. The comparison of methods will provide information and guidance on the selection of a method with a given level of accuracy and easy of application.
Ruminant Abortion Diagnostics

Successful abortion diagnosis in ruminants involves input from the producer, practitioner, and diagnostician. Unfortunately, despite best efforts, many investigations still result in a diagnosis of idiopathic abortion. If this diagnosis is made after a complete and systematic investigation of appropriate and reasonably preserved samples, some comfort can be taken that practitioners and diagnosticians did their best for the benefit of the producer. As new diagnostic technology is developed for abortion diseases, hopefully this best will only get better.
Cardiac responsiveness after acute withdrawal of chronic propranolol treatment in rats.

Abstract 1. 1. This study examined possible effects of chronic beta-adrenergic blockade on (a) rat myocardial beta-adrenergic receptors and (b) the responsiveness of isolated atria and right ventricular strips to various agents. 2. 2. Following withdrawal of propranolol or saline treatment, significant left shifts were noted in the inotropic responses of propranolol-treated right ventricular strips to isoproterenol and norepinephrine. 3. 3. This supersensitivity could not be demonstrated in left atrial inotropic or right atrial chronotropic responses. 4. 4. Treatment and withdrawal did not alter (a) the inotropic responsiveness of right ventricular strips to extracellular calcium, methoxamine, ouabain, glucagon, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, acetylcholine or methacholine, or (b) beta-adrenergic receptors in ventricular membranes.
Development Of Knowledge Systems For Trouble Shooting Complex Production Machinery

This paper discusses the use of knowledge base system software for microcomputers to aid repairmen in diagnosing electrical failures in complex mining machinery. The knowledge base is constructed to allow the user to input initial symptoms of the failed machine, and the most probable cause of failure is traced through the knowledge base, with the software requesting additional information such as voltage or resistance measurements as needed. Although the case study presented is for an underground mining machine, results have application to any industry using complex machinery. Two commercial expert-system development tools (M1 TM and Insight 2+TM) and an Al language (Turbo PrologTM) are discussed with emphasis on ease of application and suitability for this study.
Toward a causal topic model for video scene analysis

Unsupervised of different types of activity in video data has many applications such as anomaly detection, automated tagging of video for search, and cognitive modeling. Topic models originally used in corpus analysis have recently been used to identify different types of activities in videos. Among topic models, probabilistic latent semantic analysis (pLSA) provides an efficient method for identifying clusters of activity in video. This paper integrates pLSA with the causal graphical models of Pearl [1] to learn visual event structures and their temporal relationships simultaneously. The model is fully generative. A noisy-OR style temporal dependence is used for learning which is well known to identify the same causal patterns that human learners do. The addition of temporal learning allows the system to model temporally ordered and long range temporal dependencies that traditional topic models cannot. The model successfully identifies human recognizable event structures in video and successfully classifies videos of human activity learning.
Effects of course in hospice nursing: attitudes and behaviors of baccalaureate school of nursing undergraduates and graduates.

The study is a longitudinal quasiexperimental study of two groups of baccalaureate school of nursing students (n = 6) and graduates (n = 69). One group completed a course in hospice nursing; the control group said they would elect to enroll in the course were it offered. The attitudinal component, focusing on fears of death and dying, was measured by the Colett-Lester Fear of Death Scale. The behavioral component, focusing on self-reported avoidance behaviors towards dying, alcoholic, psychiatric, and AIDS patients, was measured by the Social Distance Scale. Between 1980 and 1985 pretest data were collected on the first day of a hospice nursing course and posttest data on the last day. Delayed posttest data were collected in 1985 from students and those graduates who could be located. Analysis of pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest scores indicated significantly less fear of death and dying and significantly fewer avoidance behaviors toward dying, alcoholic, psychiatric, and AIDS patients in the train...
The Population Explosion by Paul R. Ehrlich and Anne H. Ehrlich (Simon and Schuster, NewYork, 1990), pp. 320, $US18.95, ISBN 0-671-68984-3

(1991). The Population Explosion by Paul R. Ehrlich and Anne H. Ehrlich (Simon and Schuster, NewYork, 1990), pp. 320, $US18.95, ISBN 0-671-68984-3. Prometheus: Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 396-397.
Mechanisms of iron import in anthrax

During an infection, bacterial pathogens must acquire iron from the host to survive. However, free iron is sequestered in host proteins, which presents a barrier to iron-dependent bacterial replication. In response, pathogens have developed mechanisms to acquire iron from the host during infection. Interestingly, a significant portion of the iron pool is sequestered within heme, which is further bound to host proteins such as hemoglobin. The copious amount of heme-iron makes hemoglobin an ideal molecule for targeted iron uptake during infection. While the study of heme acquisition is well represented in Gram-negative bacteria, the systems and mechanism of heme uptake in Gram-positive bacteria has only recently been investigated. Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax disease, represents an excellent model organism to study iron acquisition processes owing to a multifaceted lifecycle consisting of intra- and extracellular phases and a tremendous replicative potential upon infection. This review provides an in depth description of the current knowledge of B. anthracis iron acquisition and applies these findings to a general understanding of how pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria transport this critical nutrient during infection.
The role of theory and research in the practice of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy: if you build it, they will come.

Abstract Cognitive-behavioral couple therapy (CBCT), while empirically validated and highly efficacious, does not always have positive results for couples. One factor that may limit the efficacy of this intervention is the way in which therapists are trained to provide this type of therapy. More specifically, there is a need for therapists to gain a solid foundation in CBCT theory in order to maximize treatment results. This paper presents an argument for why an understanding of theory is necessary for therapists in treating couples. Then, this paper presents our training model and how we integrate theory into our training of both graduate student therapists and more experienced clinicians. We take the stance that “if you build it, they will come.”
Herbal Medicine in America

Herbs and herbal products are relatively big business in America, but they are not commonly sold in pharmacies. Current federal laws do not permit the sale of herbs as drugs, that is, with claims of efficacy appearing on their labels. If such claims are made, the efficacy must be proven to the satisfaction of the Federal Food and Drug Administration, a process as much as $ 100 million per drug. Since no one is willing to spend this amount of money on a product for which patent protection is not available, herbs are sold labeled only with the name of the product, primarily in “health food” stores. Literature purporting to explain the uses of the herbs is also available in such establishments. Most often it is outdated, not scientifically of clinically accurate, and is written primarily to promote the sale of the products. Because the laws and regulations applied to foods naturally do not raquire any proof of efficacy prior to sale, some manufacturers attempt to market herbal products as nutrients, food supplements nutritional products, or just plain foods. Another promotional scheme ist to combine minute of a variety of herbs with standard multivitamin-mineral preparations and then make extravagant claims for the products based on their herbal contents. Quality control in the American herb industry is, in general, very poor. Contamination or misidentification of herbs is commonplace, and herbs shown to be toxic in animal tests continue to be sold without restraint. Although phytochemistry is not neglected in America, little attention is currently paid to the phsiological or clinical utility of herbs. For financial reasons, serios studies of herbs will probably never be carried out in significant numbers there. This leaves just that much more to do in the herbal field for European scientists.
Binding of Thermobifida fusca CDCel5A, CDCel6B and CDCel48A to easily hydrolysable and recalcitrant cellulose fractions on BMCC

Abstract The binding of the catalytic domain of Thermobifida fusca endoglucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) CD Cel5A and exoglucanases (EC 3.2.1.91) CD Cel6B and CD Cel48A to BMCC was studied. At 5 °C, the binding of these CDs to BMCC is rapid with maximum binding occurring just after CD loading. An observed desorption of the bound CDs with time was attributed to the loss of binding sites due to hydrolysis of the easily hydrolysable BMCC. This conclusion was supported by prehydrolysis experiments where the easily hydrolysable BMCC fraction was removed, and binding to the recalcitrant fraction was observed. More of the CDs were bound to the recalcitrant fraction. This was especially true for the exoglucanases, CD Cel6B and CD Cel48A, where 81–76% of the total CD binding was to the recalcitrant BMCC fraction. The binding to the easily hydrolysable fraction for the endo CD Cel5A was 1.5–4 times higher than that of the exo CD Cel6B and CD Cel48A at the same enzyme concentration. Although CD Cel5A saturated the easily hydrolysable fraction of BMCC first, the ratio of the bound to the recalcitrant substrate was constant for CD Cel6B and CD Cel48A as 81 and 76%, respectively. As the reaction temperature was increased to 50 °C, CD Cel5A and CD Cel48A exhibited a rapid increase in the rate and extent of binding, while CD Cel6B exhibited a decrease in the extent of binding.
Determining the Cost-Savings Threshold for HIV Adherence Intervention Studies for Persons with Serious Mental Illness and HIV

Persons with serious mental illnesses are at increased risk for contracting and transmitting HIV and often have poor adherence to medication regimens. Determining the economic feasibility of different HIV adherence interventions among individuals with HIV and serious mental illness is important for program planners who must make resource allocation decisions. The goal of this study was to provide a methodology to estimate potential cost savings from an HIV medication adherence intervention program for a new study population, using data from prior published studies. The novelty of this approach is the way CD4 count data was used as a biological marker to estimate costs averted by greater adherence to anti-retroviral treatment. Our approach is meant to be used in other adherence intervention studies requiring cost modeling.