cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ENERGY EXPENDITURE OF SWIMMING COPEPODS

The deceleration patterns following a leap by the Calanoid copepod, Labidoceru trispinosn were used to determine the parameters k and n in the proposed drag law Co = k( Rc )-” where CD is the drag coefficient and Re is the Reynolds number. This relation was used to calculate the rate of energy expenditure in constant velocity swimming and in acceIerating from rest to a given velocity. At the velocities and accelerations observed, assuming 1000/o metabolic and propulsive efficiency, the rate of energy expenditure is slightly greater than 0.1% of the basal metabolic rate. It was also shown that at the swimming speeds observed during vertical migrations, the rate of energy expenditure is slightly less than 0.3% of the basal metabolic rate.
Nature tourism and rural development in Tortuguero

Abstract Costa Rica's national parks have profoundly affected local populations by causing rural economies to move from resource extraction to resource protection. This study focuses on the establishment of Tortuguero National Park and its impact on a neighboring population. Park-based tourism has become important to the local economy, yet few of the villagers are aware of the economic value of the park, nor is there any systematic attempt to promote nature-based tourism as a development strategy. Small-scale, community-based, and nature-oriented tourism development in similar Third World countries is presented as a model for Tortuguero. Ecotourism and its potential contribution to Costa Rica's overall economic development is also considered.
Reevaluation of Prompt Neutron Emission Multiplicity Distributions for Spontaneous Fission

The prompt neutron emission probability distributions and average values (Pν and 〈ν〉, respectively) for nuclei that decay via spontaneous fission have been reevaluated to determine if any significa...
Genesis and early growth of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Fig 1. R. Adams Cowley, MD. Ftration among several surgeon groups desirous of starting a new professional society dedicated to thoracic surgery. At that time, certification in thoracic surgery was achieved only by way of an American Board of Surgery subspecialty section. Thoracic surgery training programs were variable in length and quality, and the only professional society concerned with the specialty was the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), which had a limitation on the number of active members (300), most of whom performed thoracic surgery as part of their general surgery practice. Dissatisfied surgeons wanted an organization for those interested in thoracic surgery to “call their own”; an organization that offered pride of membership and a forum for education and discussion of common interest subjects in the dynamic and rapidly changing field. A major impetus for this movement was championed by several members of the John Alexander Society, which was composed of surgeons who had trained at the University of Michigan under the tutelage of Dr Alexander, recognized by many as the “Founder of American Thoracic Surgery.” John Alexander Society meeting minutes are replete with references to discussions about the growing need and practicality of a new society. Of particular note is a meeting in Houston on April 8, 1963, when the formation of a “Committee on the Future of the John Alexander Society” was recorded. Although the surgeons involved in these formative activities were numerous, two were notably active at this stage, R. Adams Cowley, MD, of Baltimore (Fig 1) and Francis X. Byron, MD, of Duarte, California (Fig 2). Dr Cowley played a dominant role in discussions that led to the beginning of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). These discussions culminated in a recommendation that “a new society of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery be formed with the following objectives:
Temperature-Induced Deposition Method for Anchoring Metallic Nanoparticles onto Reflective Substrates for in Situ Electrochemical Infrared Spectroscopy

A new temperature-induced deposition method for anchoring metallic nanoparticles onto smooth/refelective polycrystalline Au (Au-poly) and classy carbon (GC) substrates has been developed for in sit...
DRAMATIC SELF CHANGE

Dramatic self-change is a long, arduous process that occurs over five stages. First, people must witness firsthand the splintering of their own selves during the fragmentation stage. In the second ...
Examining the Unique Effects of Multiple Motivational Sources on Task Performance

This paper examines whether multiple motivational sources uniquely influence task performance. Using the established framework in the goal-setting literature that suggests a pattern of mediated relationships, we test the relationship between assigned goals, incentives, and intrinsic motivation and task performance. The results show that assigned goals, incentives, and intrinsic motivation each positively influence task performance. However, the magnitude of the relationship varies considerably. The relationship for assigned goals was fully mediated by self-efficacy and self-set goals, whereas only a direct relationship emerged for incentives. The data reveal both direct and indirect relationships associated with intrinsic motivation.
The stimulation of coupling factor 1 ATPase by tentoxin and its analogs.

Abstract Tentoxin and two of its analogs, Sar1-tentoxin and D-MeAla1-tentoxin, all of which inhibit coupling factor 1 ATPase at low concentrations, are capable of significantly enhancing enzymatic activity at high concentrations.
On the variability of atmosphere-biosphere exchange of CO2

The terrestrial biota plays a major role in the geographical and temporal variations of atmospheric CO2 (Fig. Ia). The seasonal exchange of CO2 between the atmosphere and the biosphere, via photosynthesis and soil release, is the primary cause of the annual oscillations found in the records of atmospheric CO2 /1,2/. Analyses of the atmospheric CO2 measurements show that the annual oscillations exhibit interannual variations and the amplitudes of the cycles have been increasing in time /2,3/. One of the possible contributing factors to the interannual and long—term variations is enhanced summer assimilation by the biosphere, although there is little field evidence to confirm this hypothesis.
Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention in Oral Health for Pediatric Residents

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of an oral health educational intervention designed to increase proficiency of pediatric residents in oral health. Methods Pediatric residents at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) participated in oral health education that included didactic sessions, hands-on instruction by pediatric dentists and residents, preventive dentistry prompts, and change strategies to introduce oral health into practice. Pediatric residents at East Carolina University (ECU), who had a short practicum in oral health, and Wake Forest University (WFU), who had no specific oral health instruction, served as comparison groups. All residents completed questionnaires before and 12 months after instruction began at UNC. Effects were tested for each school separately by repeated-measure analysis of variance. Results The mean percentage of UNC residents who answered 18 knowledge questions correctly and reported frequently performing 10 preventive dental practices increased by 17.7% and 65.1%, respectively, from baseline levels. Residents' confidence in performing 10 counseling and oral health screening activities improved by 17.9%. Opinions about including oral health in their clinical care improved only slightly. Changes at ECU and WFU were small, but low response rates in those schools preclude substantive conclusions from between schools comparisons. Conclusions Multifaceted instruction in oral health was effective in improving pediatric residents' knowledge about oral health, their confidence in providing oral health services, and the delivery of these services in their ambulatory care practices. Residents also adopted the use of fluoride varnish, an innovation in pediatrics. More studies are needed to define the most efficient and effective residency-based instruction.
Describing Changes in Undergraduate Students' Preconceptions of Research Activities

Research has shown that students bring naive scientific conceptions to learning situations which are often incongruous with accepted scientific explanations. These preconceptions are frequently determined to be misconceptions; consequentially instructors spend time to remedy these beliefs and bring students' understanding of scientific concepts to acceptable levels. It is reasonable to assume that students also maintain preconceptions about the processes of authentic scientific research and its associated activities. This study describes the most commonly held preconceptions of authentic research activities among students with little or no previous research experience. Seventeen undergraduate science majors who participated in a ten week research program discussed, at various times during the program, their preconceptions of research and how these ideas changed as a result of direct participation in authentic research activities. The preconceptions included the belief that authentic research is a solitary activity which most closely resembles the type of activity associated with laboratory courses in the undergraduate curriculum. Participants' views showed slight maturation over the research program; they came to understand that authentic research is a detail-oriented activity which is rarely successfully completed alone. These findings and their implications for the teaching and research communities are discussed in the article.
Optical properties of perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) polymers

Fluoropolymers are viable material options for short haul fiber and planar waveguide photonic applications. This work provides the refractive index, extinction coefficient, Sellmeier coefficients, and infrared absorption for two perfluorocyclobutyl-based (PFCB) polymers. These PFCB fluoropolymers have marked themselves as alternatives to the more well known fluoropolymers based on their solution processability and broad tailorability of optical, thermal, and mechanical properties.
High-pressure distention of the saphenous vein during preparation results in increased markers of inflammation: a potential mechanism for graft failure.

Background Coronary artery disease is the single leading cause of death in the United States. Commonly it is treated with coronary bypass grafting using the saphenous vein (SV) or internal mammary artery (IMA) as a conduit. Unfortunately, the SV has much lower patency rates compared with the IMA. Several hypotheses exist as to why occlusion occurs more commonly in SV grafts than in IMA grafts. However detailed studies in this area have been limited. This study investigates the effects of pressure distention on inflammation in SV conduit used in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods Saphenous vein distention pressure was measured intraoperatively during 48 CABG procedures. A segment of SV was excised from the conduit before distention. Because the vein was used for coronary artery grafting, sequential pieces were archived for evaluation. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to investigate a change in the expression of biomarkers. Results Upregulation of various biomarkers occurred. These biomarkers included scavenger receptors A and B (SR-A, SR-B), toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR2, TLR4), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), and intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM) in segments of SV that were subjected to distention. Immunohistochemical results mirrored RT-PCR findings. A significant correlation was observed between biomarkers and pressure values. Conclusions These studies demonstrate that markers of inflammation are upregulated in response to SV distention. The data suggest that the pressure used in graft preparation procedures should be regulated to avoid inflammation and its potential to induce graft failure.
ANAESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE

E. A. M. FROST The increased use of the operating microscope combined with newer radiological techniques which have greatly improved early and precise diagnosis of intracranial disease mean that many more neurovascular procedures can be undertaken. As vascular disease is rarely restricted to the cerebral circulation, these patients frequently present with disease in many systems and are receiving a variety of drugs. Cerebral circulation and metabolism are responsive both to systemic physiological alterations and to all anaesthetic agents and techniques. The consequences to cerebral function may be catastrophic if spontaneous or induced changes are inappropriate to the brain's nutritional needs. To provide optimal protection to the brain during stress, the anaesthetist must appreciate both normal cerebral circulation and the consequences of cerebrovascular disease. ANATOMY
Assay of diadenosine tetraphosphate hydrolytic enzymes by boronate chromatography.

Abstract A new procedure was described for assay of diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap 4 A) hydrolases based on boronate chromatography. Potential reaction products, AMP, ADP, and ATP, of the hydrolysis of Ap 4 A were separated from residual substrate by chromatography on a boronate-derivatized cation-exchange resin, Bio-Rex 70. Separation was achieved by changing the concentrations of ethanol and ammonium acetate in the elution buffers. Picomole masses of products were detectable, blank dpm values were less than 0.5% of the total dpm, and auxilary enzymes were not required. The procedure was specifically described for Ap 4 A pyrophosphohydrolase from Physarum polycephalum . The assay is generally applicable for dinucleoside polyphosphate hydrolases which hydrolyze other substrates such as Ap 3 A, Ap 5 A, Ap 6 A, and Gp 4 G. Dinucleotide polyphosphates are readily purified by chromatography on this boronate resin in a volatile buffer. Tes, Tricine, and Tris buffers significantly interfered with the chromatography of ATP.
Model Checking Multitask Applications for OSEK Compliant Real-Time Operating Systems

In the verification of multitask software in real-time embedded systems, general purpose model checkers do not inherently consider characteristics of the real-time operating system, such as priority-based scheduling, priority inversion, and protocols for protecting shared memory resources. Since explicit state model checkers generally explore all possible execution paths and task interleaving, this could potentially lead to exploring execution paths that are redundant, unnecessarily increasing verification complexity and hampering tractability. Based on this premise, in this work we investigate how one can improve the performance of explicit state model checkers, such as SPIN, for the verification of multitask applications that target real-time operating systems.
Residential spatial growth with perfect foresight and multiple income groups

Abstract This paper presents explicit solutions for expanding monocentric cities with two or more income groups. Housing is durable but deteriorates over time, and redevelopment cannot take place. Landlords have perfect foresight. The utility function and housing technology are Cobb-Douglas. Population, per capita income, and transportation costs per mile change at constant percentage rates. The model is solved analytically, using an infinite time horizon. As development proceeds outward, a constant fraction of land is developed with high-income housing, and the remaining land is reserved for future low-income development. At any time, housing is constructed at one distance for high-income consumers, and at a lesser distance for low-income consumers. High-income housing is first occupied by high-income consumers, then filters to low-income consumers, and is ultimately abandoned. Low-income housing is first occupied by low-income households, and ultimately abandoned.
AMPK Supports Growth in Drosophila by Regulating Muscle Activity and Nutrient Uptake in the Gut

The larval phase of the Drosophila life cycle is characterized by constant food intake, resulting in a two hundred-fold increase in mass over four days. Here we show that the conserved energy sensor AMPK is essential for nutrient intake in Drosophila. Mutants lacking dAMPKα are small, with low triglyceride levels, small fat body cells and early pupal lethality. Using mosaic analysis, we find that dAMPKα functions as a nonautonomous regulator of cell growth. Nutrient absorption is impaired in dAMPKα mutants, and this defect stems not from altered gut epithelial cell polarity but from impaired peristaltic activity. Expression of a wild-type dAMPKα transgene or an activated version of the AMPK target myosin regulatory light chain (MRLC) in the dAMPKα mutant visceral musculature restores gut function and growth. These data suggest strongly that AMPK regulates visceral smooth muscle function through phosphorylation of MRLC. Furthermore, our data show that in Drosophila, AMPK performs an essential cell-nonautonomous function, serving the needs of the organism by promoting activity of the visceral musculature and, consequently, nutrient intake.
Studies on the interaction of furan with hepatic cytochrome P‐450

In vitro incubation of rat liver microsomes with [14C]-furan in the presence of NADPH resulted in the covalent incorporation of furan-derived radioactivity in microsomal protein. Compared to microsomes from untreated rats a two- to threefold increase in binding was observed with microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats and a four- to five-fold increase was observed with microsomes from rats pretreated with imidazole or pyrazole. Covalent binding was reduced with microsomes from rats pretreated with beta-naphthoflavone. Chemicals containing an amine group (semi-carbazide), those in which the amine group is blocked but have a free thiol group (N-acetylcysteine), and those which have both an amine and a thiol group (glutathione) effectively blocked binding of [14C]-furan to microsomal protein. A decrease in cytochrome P-450 (P-450) content and decreases in the activities of P-450-dependent aniline hydroxylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (ECD), and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (ERD) was observed 24 hours after a single oral administration of 8 or 25 mg/kg of furan, suggesting that the reactive intermediate formed during P-450 catalyzed metabolism could be binding with nucleophilic groups within the P-450. In vitro studies indicated a significant decrease in the activity of aniline hydroxylase in pyrazole microsomes and ECD in phenobarbital microsomes without any significant change in the CO-binding spectrum of P-450 or in the total microsomal heme content, suggesting that furan inhibits the P-450s induced by PB and pyrazole.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Need for a point-of-care assay for monitoring antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapies.

Geoffrey A. Donnan MD, FRACP Stephen M. Davis MD, FRACP Section Editors: The Framingham studies instituted by the National Institutes of Health in the 1950s identified the major risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. Specific lipid-lowering drugs and a variety of blood pressure-lowering drugs were developed to better mange these cardiovascular disease risk factors. Along with the use of these therapeutic modalities, the means to monitor risk factors after medical intervention was also developed. However, despite the fact that antiplatelet therapies are in use for a lot longer than statin therapy, no simple, specific, cost-effective assays are available for monitoring antiplatelet therapy. The need for such an assay for monitoring antithrombotic therapies is greater in patients with stroke. According to the American Heart Association update,1 on an …
A New Order in Elementary French Grammar

Author's summary.— Modern elementary French grammar texts for college students are too condensed, and follow no logical order in presenting explanations. A logical sequence of 14 lessons, designed to help the student overcome initial difficulties in mastery of French word-order, is tabulated and described.
Story Planning: Creativity Through Exploration, Retrieval, and Analogical Transformation

Storytelling is a pervasive part of our daily lives and culture. The task of creating stories for the purposes of entertaining, educating, and training has traditionally been the purview of humans. This sets up the conditions for a creative authoring bottleneck where the consumption of stories outpaces the production of stories by human professional creators. The automation of story creation may scale up the ability to produce and deliver novel, meaningful story artifacts. From this practical perspective, story generation systems replicate the creative abilities of humans and can thus be considered instances of computational creativity. Computational systems that are purported to be creative typically utilize one of three general approaches: exploration of a space of concepts, combination of concepts, and transformation of concepts. In this article we present an approach to story generation that utilize exploration, combination, and transformation. Our approach, implemented in the Vignette Based Partial Order Causal Link story planner, is an algorithm that searches through a space of possible story solutions, guided by combinations of existing story fragments called vignettes. The vignettes are made relevant to novel story generation contexts through an automated transformation pre-process. Through these processes, we show that story generation can incorporate multiple perspectives on computational creativity. Our approach is presented at both the theoretical and technical levels.
The effect of partially irrelevant anchors on verbal conceptual thinking

Three groups of 200 Ss each, a total of 600 Ss, were given lists of words to categorize as belonging to specific concepts. Group 1 had no anchoring words in their list; Group 2 had 10 anchoring words not pertinent to the category in question; and Group 3 had 10 anchoring words pertinent to the category in question. Analyses of variance showed significant differences between groups. It is suggested that irrelevant words may operate in two ways, as a generalized “strength of concept” and as “content” anchors.
Student research highlight estimation of structured covariance matrices for radar STAP

Radar systems using multiple antenna elements that coherently process multiple pulses offer significant benefits, such as overcoming the directivity and resolution limits of a single sensor. Specifically, joint adaptive processing in the spatial and temporal domains called space-time adaptive processing (STAP) creates an ability to suppress interference signals, while simultaneously preserving gain on the desired signal. For STAP implementation, the interference statistics, in particular, the covariance matrix of the disturbance or interference, must be estimated from target-free training data. Therefore, the disturbance covariance estimation plays a pivotal role in radar target detection for radar STAP.
Long-term-average, solar cycle, and seasonal response of magnetospheric energetic electrons to the solar wind speed

[1] Among the interplanetary activity parameters the solar wind speed is the one best correlated with the energetic electron fluxes in the inner magnetosphere. We examine the radial and temporal characteristics of the 2–6 MeV electron response, approximating it in this paper with linear filters. The filter response is parameterized by the time delay (τ), measured from the time of solar wind impact, and the L shell (L). We examine solar cycle and seasonal effects using an 8-year-long database of Solar, Anomalous, and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX)/ Proton Electron Telescope (PET) measurements at the radial range L = 1.1–10. The main peak P1 of the long-term-average response is at (τ, L) = (2, 5.3) and has a simultaneous response over a wide range of radial distances, ΔL = 5. The duration of the response after the peak is inversely proportional to the L shell. The central part of the inner magnetosphere (L = 3.7–5.75) has a much more prolonged response (>10 days) than other parts. Prior to the main response, P1, a brief response, P0, of typically lower amplitude appears at (τ, L) = (0, 3), probably as a quasi-adiabatic response to the compression of the magnetosphere by the solar wind pressure. Over the solar cycle the variation in solar wind input results in a systematic change of the position, amplitude, radial extent, and duration of the two peaks: during solar wind minimum the quasi-adiabatic peak disappears, and the radial size of the responding region decreases; both are responses to low-density, high-speed streams. During solar minimum, the duration is at least 3 days (30%) longer than average, probably due to the sustained solar wind input. Systematic variations appear also as a function of season due to several magnetic and fluid effects. During equinoxes the coupling is stronger, and the duration is longer (by at least 2 days) compared to solstices. Between the two equinoxes the fall response has a significantly higher amplitude and longer duration than the spring equinox response. This is at least partly due to the higher GSE By component during the observation time, which acts to increase the effective GSM Bz component according to the Russell-McPherron effect. The seasonal modulation of the response is consistent with the variation in the fluxes themselves [Baker et al., 1999]. The modulation is discussed in terms of the equinoctial and axial hypotheses [Boller and Stolov, 1970; Russell and McPherron, 1973; Cliver et al., 2000].
Descriptive and Comparative Osteology of the Young of three Species of Flounders, Genus Paralichthys

A comparative skeletal study was made of the young (10–130 mm) of three closely related species of flounders (Paralichthys dentatus, P. lethostigma, and P. albigutta), which occur along the southeastern Atlantic Coast of the United States. The young flounders are difficult to identify unless the pigment pattern is developed, and this usually does not occur in specimens less than 40 mm long.
A note on feasible implementations

Abstract This paper is concerned with the problem of individually feasible outcomes in decentralized allocation mechanisms. We consider a well-known mechanism which achieves efficient allocations in equilibrium. This mechanism, however, may leave agents bankrupt, if they fail to reach equilibrium. It is shown that the bankruptcy problem can be avoided, if a voting stage is added to the original mechanism.
Retrograde amnesia from detention

Abstract Detention of mice in the passive avoidance apparatus after the training trial decreased their step-through latencies in the retest trial and increased amnesic effect of ECS treatment. Mere detention was found to produce retrograde amnesia even if it occurred outside the apparatus. Finally, detention affected performances in the retest trial only if given immediately after the training trial.
Little Known, Much Needed: Addressing the Cocurricular Needs of LGBTQ Students

Due to the invisible nature of the LGBTQ undergraduate population, it is difficult for student affairs professionals at community colleges to identify and address the needs of sexual minority students on campus.
Extended linear driving-force approximation for intraparticle diffusion rate including short times

An extended linear driving-force (LDF) approximation for the intraparticle diffusion rate is derived based on a cubic intraparticle concentration profile. It is shown that a cubic concentration profile with a time-dependent coefficient (A3) for the cubic term can lead to the exact solution for the intraparticle diffusion rate. The extended LDF approximation is valid for both long and short times upon step changes. It has been demonstrated to be useful for both single-step changes and cyclic adsorption—desorption processes. It is applicable to cyclic processes involving mixed dimensionless times (θ), i.e. long θ for the fast-diffusing component and short θ for the slow-diffusing component. From the extended LDF approximation, intraparticle concentration profiles during a cyclic process can be calculated and an insight can be gained on the dynamic changes during the process. Experimental data for adsorption and cyclic adsorption—desorption of CO2, N2 and CH4 in molecular sieve carbon are gathered and used to demonstrate the application of the extended LDF approximation.
Optimization of Power Allocation in Multimedia Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks WSN have been widely applied in monitoring and surveillance fields in recent years and have dramatically changed the methodologies and technologies in monitoring and surveillance. However, the sensor nodes in WSN have very limited computing resources and power supply, and thus the maximization of network life is a very critical issue. In the newly-emerging Wireless Multimedia Sensor Network WMSN, the high volume of sensed video data needs to be compressed before transmission. Different video coding schemes have been developed and applied to wireless multimedia sensor networks, and there exists a tradeoff between the power consumption of data compression and that of data transmission. Video compression will reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted and thus the amount of power consumed for data transmission; however, too much video compression will consume excessive power which outweighs the power savings on data transmission. Thus, how to reach an optimized balance between compression and transmission and maximize network life becomes a challenging research issue. In this paper, the authors propose mathematical models which describe power consumptions of data compression and transmission of sensor nodes in hexagon-shaped clusters. Under the proposed model, they have achieved the optimized data compression ratio which can minimize the overall power consumption of the whole cluster.
STATISTICAL SOFTWARE FOR THE CLUSTERING OF HEALTH EVENTS

Stat!’ is statistical software for the clustering of health events that uses disease cluster tests in the context of exploratory data analysis (EDA) to determine whether an observed pattern of cases is statistically unusual. EDA has two goals. The first is to identify patterns in the data, and the second is to generate hypotheses regarding the origin of those patterns. Stat! identifies pattern using space and time cluster statistics and tests for space-time interaction. Time clustering methods include distributions of waiting times,2 the Ederer-Myers-Mantel test,3 the empty cells test: Larsen’s test,5 the 0-1 matrix test,6 Grimson’s test for time clustering,’ and the scan These statistics are sensitive to different aspects of time clustering and can be used with single time series or with several time series simultaneously. Data may be either rates, such as SMRs observed in a county or census district over several consecutive years, or case counts, such as the number of bone fractures by month in a hospital infirmary. Several of the methods may be used with time series as short as 5 time cells that preclude the use of traditional time series methodology. Stat!s spatial clustering methods include distributions of nearest-neighbour distances,2 Cuzick and Edward’s Grimson’s test13 for spatial clustering, Moran’s and Moran’s I adjusted for population size.16 Data may be rates within areas, such as counties or census districts, or case locations such as the geographic co-ordinates of place of residence. Both Cuzick and Edward’s test and the adjusted Moran’s I account for heterogeneous population density. Space-time interaction methods are the k-nearest neighbour test,’ ’ Grimson’s test for intera~tion,~ the Knox test” and Mantel’s test.” Depending on the method, distributions of test statistics under the null hypothesis of no clustering are generated using Monte Carlo approximation or asymptotic distributions. Where appropriate, exact methods are used for calculating statistical probability. Stat! incorporates recommendations from the Guidelines for Investigating Clusters of Health Events promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control” into its user manual. The software features a Statistical Advisor to aid in the selection of appropriate methods. Stat! requires an IBM compatible personal computer running DOS or Windows, a hard disk, and an EGA/VGA monitor.
Sequence analysis reveals genomic factors affecting EST-SSR primer performance and polymorphism

This study was to explore genomic factors affecting the performance and polymorphism of 340 randomly selected EST-SSR (expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat) primers through BLAST of primer sequences to a reference genome. Genotyping showed 111 failed and 229 succeeded. The failed types included “no peaks” (NP, 69 primers), “weak peaks” (WP, 30), and “multiple peaks” (MP, 12). The successful types were divided into HM (homozygous between two selected parents, 78 primers) and HT (heterozygous at least in one parent, 151 primers). The BLAST revealed primer alignment status, genomic amplicon size (GAS), and genomic and expressed amplicon size difference (ASD). The alignment status was categorized as: “no hits found” (NHF); “multiple partial alignments” (MPA); “single partial alignment” (SPA); “multiple full alignments” (MFA); and “single full alignment” (SFA). NHF and partial alignment (PA) mainly resulted from discrepant nucleotides in contig-derived primers. The ASD separated 247 non-NHF primers into: “deletion”, “same size”, “insertion”, “intron (GAS ≤500)”, “intron (GAS >500)”, and “error” categories. Most SFA primers were successful. About 88 % “error”, 53 % NHF primers, and 47 % “intron (GAS >500)” failed. The “deletion” and “insertion” primers had the higher HT rates, and the “same size” had the highest HM rate. Optimized primer selection criteria are discussed.
Knowledge representation for mathematical discovery: Three experiments in graph theory

This paper describes the nature of mathematical discovery (including concept definition and exploration, example generation, and theorem conjecture and proof), and considers how such an intelligent process can be simulated by a machine. Although the material is drawn primarily from graph theory, the results are immediately relevant to research in mathematical discovery and learning. The thought experiment, a protocol paradigm for the empirical study of mathematical discovery, highlights behavioral objectives for machine simulation. This thought experiment provides an insightful account of the discovery process, motivates a framework for describing mathematical knowledge in terms of object classes, and is a rich source of advice on the design of a system to perform discovery in graph theory. The evaluation criteria for a discovery system, it is argued, must include both a set of behavior to display (behavioral objectives) and a target set of facts to be discovered (factual knowledge). Cues from the thought experiment are used to formulate two hierarchies of representational languages for graphy theory. The first hierarchy is based on the superficial terminology and knowledge of the thought experiment. Generated by formal grammars with set-theoretic semantics, this eminently reasonable approach ultimately fails to meet the factual knowledge criteria. The second hierarchy uses declarative expressions, each of which has a semantic interpretation as a stylized, recursive algorithm that defines a class by generating it correctly and completely. A simple version of one such representation is validated by a successful, implemented system called Graph Theorist (GT) for mathematical research in graph theory. GT generates correct examples, defines and explores new graph theory properties, and conjectures and proves theorems. Several themes run through this paper. The first is the dual goals, behavioral objectives and factural knowledge to be discovered, and the multiplicity of their demands on a discovery system. The second theme is the central role of object classes to knowledge representation. The third is the increased power and flexibility of a constructive (generator) definition over the more traditional predicate (tester) definition. The final theme is the importance of examples and recursion in mathematical knowledge. The results provide important guidance for further research in the simulation of mathematical discovery.
Hemodynamic and cognitive effects of lofexidine and methadone coadministration: a pilot study.

Study Objective. To determine the hemodynamic and cognitive effects of lofexidine and methadone coadministration. Design. Prospective, double-blind study. Setting. Outpatient drug treatment research clinic. Subjects. Fourteen participants (aged 18–45 yrs) with physical dependence on opioids. Intervention. Subjects were stabilized on methadone maintenance therapy, starting with 30 mg/day and increasing by 10-mg/day increments, based on each subject's tolerability to achieve a target dose of 80 mg/day. After 3 weeks of methadone stabilization, lofexidine 0.4 mg/day or matching placebo were coadministered with methadone, in doses escalating by 0.2-mg/week increments, to achieve a target dose of 1.6 mg/day over the next 8 weeks. Measurements and Main Results. Acute orthostatic vital signs and neuropsychological effects of lofexidine and methadone coadministration were monitored for 5 hours after the dose on the first day of each new lofexidine dose. Orthostatic vital signs and adverse events were assessed daily thereafter to determine the effects of repeated doses. Lofexidine significantly decreased sitting systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.045 and p=0.033, respectively) compared with placebo (i.e., methadone alone). With lofexidine 0.4 mg/day, mean decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 27 ± 17 and 15 ± 16 mm Hg, respectively. No significant association was noted between changes in orthostatic vital signs and lofexidine dose. Decreased cognitive efficiency was associated with lofexidine administration, and higher lofexidine doses adversely affected performance on a mathematical task compared with placebo (p=0.0035). The rate of adverse events was no higher with lofexidine than with placebo; the majority (54.3%) were common adverse effects of lofexidine. Conclusion. Significant changes in hemodynamic and cognitive efficiency were observed with coadministration of lofexidine and methadone compared with methadone alone. When patients receiving methadone are prescribed lofexidine, they should be closely monitored for cardiovascular and cognitive changes.
Psychometric characteristics of the Child Occupational Self-Assessment (COSA), Part Two: Refining the psychometric properties

Self-assessment is an appropriate way to support client-centered practice and promote personal development in young occupational therapy clients. This study, the second study in a series of two, sought to refine the psychometric properties based on previous analysis of the Child Occupational Self-Assessment (COSA), a self-report tool based on the Model of Human Occupation. The COSA comprises 24 statements, which the child rates in terms of personal competence and importance. The Rasch Rating Scale Model was used to evaluate the measurement properties of the Competence and Values scales that result from these self-ratings. The original three-point rating scale was expanded to four response categories in this study, which resulted in improved reliability and sensitivity. In this second study, the items once again coalesced to form measures of competence and values, and the order of items from less to more competence and value was similar to that in the first study, supporting the internal validity of the COSA scales. The results provide evidence that the COSA can be used as meaningful and reliable client-directed assessment tool as well as an outcome measure.
Resources, Instruction, and Research:

Many researchers who study the relations between school resources and student achievement have worked from a causal model, which typically is implicit. In this model, some resource or set of resources is the causal variable and student achievement is the outcome. In a few recent, more nuanced versions, resource effects depend on intervening influences on their use. We argue for a model in which the key causal agents are situated in instruction; achievement is their outcome. Conventional resources can enable or constrain the causal agents in instruction, thus moderating their impact on student achievement. Because these causal agents interact in ways that are unlikely to be sorted out by multivariate analysis of naturalistic data, experimental trials of distinctive instructional systems are more likely to offer solid evidence on instructional effects.
Beam Current Monitor for the Oak Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator

A toroidal induction monitor was designed for the Oak Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator (ORELA) to provide a visual display of beam current pulses having peak amplitudes up to 15 amp with widths ranging from 3 to 200 nsec. To achieve rise times of about 1 nsec, the monitor was designed to utilize the influence of the electric field of the electron bunch to improve the response time of the magnetically induced output pulse. The final monitor design consists of a Ferroxcube 400T750, ferrite toroidal core of 1.25 in. ID wound with ten symmetrical turns of AWG 26 Formvar copper wire. The toroid is mounted at the end of the last acceleration tube in an assembly which includes a 0.9-in. ID collimator preceding the toroid. For simplicity of mechanical design, the toroid is operated at the vacuum level of the acceleration tube.
Signals, signal devices, and signal space in organisations: A conceptual lens to crisis evasion

Given that warning signs precede all crises, it is surprising that not much attention has been given to understand why these signals "disappear" and may not appear again until after some "avoidable" calamity has reoccurred. Disasters are often anecdotally anteceded by stories involving unheeded predictions. It is commonly recognised that the path a signal traverses through has significant bearings on whether the right decision maker will receive the intended information, given the many opportunities the path affords the signal to be lost or rendered useless. This may reflect on the notion that no amount of technology can overcome recognised frailties in the human thought processes. Organisations that are aware of this condition have an advantage. In the following paper, we draw from the literature on electrical engineering, signal processing, information theory, cognitive psychology, and communication theory to explain the crucial reasons signals can be lost in an organisation. To this end, we propose a conceptualisation of signal devices in organisations, the collection of which along with signals makes up the signal space of the organisation. Following this we look at key issues in dealing with signals of impending crises. We also use case studies of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the 9–11 terrorism attacks to ground our model.
Ethanol ingestion increases susceptibility of mice to Listeria monocytogenes.

Excessive consumption of alcohol is associated with an increase in the frequency and severity of infectious diseases. Ethanol adversely affects specific and nonspecific aspects of the immune response. We used a murine model to determine whether ethanol ingestion impairs host mechanisms of resistance to Listeria monocytogenes. Naive mice and mice immune to L. monocytogenes were pair-fed either a Leiber-DeCarli liquid diet containing 7% (v/v) ethanol or an isocaloric control diet for 7 days. Then, nonimmune mice were given a sublethal dose of L. monocytogenes and studied 2 and 5 days after infection, and immune mice were challenged with a lethal dose of L. monocytogenes and studied 5 days after infection. Multifocal liver abscesses developed in nonimmune ethanol-treated and control mice 2 days after infection. Bacterial colony counts in the spleens were similar between the two groups; however, counts in the livers were slightly higher in ethanol-treated mice as compared with those in control mice. Five days after infection the nonimmune ethanoltreated mice had large necrotizing liver granulomas and organ bacterial colony counts 100 to 1000 times higher than those in control mice. Immune ethanol-treated mice had large areas of liver necrosis and inflammation containing numerous Gram-positive bacilli, whereas immune control mice had small, well-formed granulomas and much less necrosis. Organ bacterial colony counts were about 100 times higher in immune ethanol-treated mice as compared with those in immune control mice. Liver enzyme levels and mortality were significantly higher in ethanol-treated immune and nonimmune mice as compared with those in immune and nonimmune control mice. Data support the suggestion that ethanol consumption impairs the development and expression of T cell-mediated immunity of mice to L. monocytogenes, resulting in increased susceptibility to infection with this organism.
Financial Analysis Of Open Versus Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy And Nephroureterectomy

Purpose: Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy are rapidly becoming established procedures in select patients with renal cell carcinoma and upper tract transitional cell carcinoma, respectively. We present a retrospective comparative analysis of laparoscopic versus open radical nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy from a financial standpoint. The effect of the learning curve on costs incurred was also evaluated.Materials and Methods: Detailed itemized cost data on 18 contemporary cases of open radical nephrectomy performed from September 1997 to July 1998 were compared with similar data on 20 initial laparoscopic cases performed from September 1997 to July 1998 and 15 more recent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy cases performed from August 1998 to July 1999. Financial data were also compared on 14 contemporary patients each who underwent open radical nephroureterectomy from June 1997 to December 1999, initial laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy from June 1997 to December 1998 and more ...
Utility-gap Dominances and Inequality Orderings

The justification for using Lorenz dominance as an inequality ranking condition has been based on the aggregate social welfare comparison and the Pigou–Dalton principle of transfers. Since both the aggregating aspect of the social welfare function and certain implications of the principle of transfers are debatable, ordering conditions stronger than Lorenz dominance are worth exploring. A particularly interesting direction to pursue is to follow the frequently invoked notion that inequality is the “gap” between the rich and the poor. This paper follows this notion to formally propose a unified utility-gap concept and characterizes several utility-gap based conditions as general stronger-than-Lorenz-dominance ranking criteria. Specifically, we propose utility-gap dominance which requires all pair-wise utility-gaps in one distribution to be uniformly smaller than those of the other distribution. We then explore a conceptually weaker dominance concept – quasi dominance – which imposes conditions only on the gap between each person’s utility and some reference utility point of the distribution.
ASSOCIATION OF RIGHT-WING AUTHORITARIANISM AND INCOME WITH WIFE ABUSE

This study investigated the association of right-wing authoritarianism and amount of income with wife abuse, 93 men currently involved in relationships completed Altemeyer's Right Wing Authoritarianism Scale, the Conflict Tactics Scale, and reported their age, yearly income, and spouse's yearly income. Analyses indicates that among lower income males, high right-wing authoritarianism scores were associated with higher scores on the Conflict Tactics Scale. Language: en
Probabilistic Visualisation of High-Dimensional Binary Data

We present a probabilistic latent-variable framework for data visualisation, a key feature of which is its applicability to binary and categorical data types for which few established methods exist. A variational approximation to the likelihood is exploited to derive a fast algorithm for determining the model parameters. Illustrations of application to real and synthetic binary data sets are given.