cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Women are Victims, Men Make Choices: The Invisibility of Men and Boys in the Global Sex Trade

The invisibility of men and boys in scholarly discussions of the global sex trade was analyzed through a sample of 166 recent articles published in social science journals. Most failed to acknowledge the existence of male sex workers at all. When male sex workers were discussed, they were assigned considerably more agency than female sex workers, the chief danger ascribed to them was HIV rather than violence, and the question of their sexual orientation was always addressed, whereas female sex workers were always assumed heterosexual. The results are discussed in the context of world system theory, Orientalism, and heteronormativity.
Attitudes toward E-Cigarettes, Reasons for Initiating E-Cigarette Use, and Changes in Smoking Behavior after Initiation: A Pilot Longitudinal Study of Regular Cigarette Smokers

Objectives: We examined 1) changes in smoking and vaping behavior and associated cotinine levels and health status among regular smokers who were first-time e-cigarette purchasers and 2) attitudes, intentions, and restrictions regarding e-cigarettes. Methods: We conducted a pilot longitudinal study with assessments of the aforementioned factors and salivary cotinine at weeks 0, 4, and 8. Eligibility criteria included being ≥18 years old, smoking ≥25 of the last 30 days, smoking ≥5 cigarettes per day (cpd), smoking regularly ≥1 year, and not having started using e-cigarettes. Of 72 individuals screened, 40 consented, 36 completed the baseline survey, and 83.3% and 72.2% were retained at weeks 4 and 8, respectively. Results: Participants reduced cigarette consumption from baseline to week 4 and 8 (p’s < 0.001); 23.1% reported no cigarette use in the past month at week 8. There was no significant decrease in cotinine from baseline to week 4 or 8 (p’s = ns). At week 8, the majority reported improved health (65.4%), reduced smoker’s cough (57.7%), and improved sense of smell (53.8%) and taste (50.0%). The majority believed that e-cigarettes versus regular cigarettes have fewer health risks (97.2%) and that e-cigarettes have been shown to help smokers quit (80.6%) and reduce cigarette consumption (97.2%). In addition, the majority intended to use e-cigarettes as a complete replacement for regular cigarettes (69.4%) and reported no restriction on e-cigarette use in the home (63.9%) or car (80.6%). Conclusions: Future research is needed to document the long-term impact on smoking behavior and health among cigarette smokers who initiate use of e-cigarettes.
Daytime partition of irradiation and the evaporation chilling of the ground

The present study concerns daytime conduction and convection at the ground; how added soil moisture magnifies the heat-flow cycle; and how latent heat of vaporization offsets the diurnal temperature cycles. Measured diurnal cycles of net radiation, conduction, and convection for dry ground are formalized to show how the amplitudes and phase lag of half-cycle temperature and conduction waves indicate the partition of energy at the ground surface. A series of four test plots of five acres each was studied during the spring frosts in a pear orchard near Lakeport. Two plots were disk-cultivated, and one of these was immediately flood-irrigated lightly. The observed diurnal magnitudes of heat flow were more than twice as great in the watered plot as in the unirrigated. The striking results are not the effect of disk cultivation but rather that of the chilling caused by application of water. The watered plot took more than ten days (in April) to recover from the evaporation chill (but then warmed up more than the other three plots and two weeks after flooding was definitely less liable to frost than the unwatered plots). These investigations have the considerable advantage of direct measurement of heat-conduction rates into and out of the ground. Much remains to be done, however, to establish empirical coefficients to be used with simplified formulas. The measurement of evaporation is an important future objective, but knowledge of total daily water loss from the soil can be used in the formulas to get a fair understanding of the diurnal thermal system.
Schools and Progress in the People's Republic of China

T his report provides ethnographic descriptions of schools in the People's Republic of China (PRC) derived from a visit to the PRC in December, 1972. The paper extends my report of meetings with PRC psychologists and officials responsible for Sino-American exchange of scholars and students (Yee, 1973). Since I was a university student in Canton in 1947-48, a year before the founding of the PRC, this report is comparative in part. The paper begins with a brief background, describes the schools visited, and concludes with interpretative comments. Since 1949, education has been China's chief instrument for class revolution (Fraser & Hawkins, 1972). Improving the status of soldiers, workers, and peasants has been given top priority. Educated Chinese have had the difficult role of reconciling their "bourgeois intellectual" attitudes and knowledge with the "mass line," while at the same time providing instruction and expertise. China's educational efforts appear to be the world's most revolutionary in terms of both objectives and achievement in recent time. It has been estimated that in 1949, the 450 million Chinese over seven years of age averaged less than two years of education. In 1959, elementary education was nearly universal, and junior high schooling became almost universal in cities and nearby rural areas. From 1959-66, national school enrollment grew to about 100 million and by 1966, persons over seven averaged four years of education (Kimball and O'Connell, 1972). Today, the adult literacy rate is probably 60 or more percent, since I was told people up to age 40 have learned to read. Maoist doctrine holds that knowl-
The impact of membership overlap on the survival of online communities

If the people belong to multiple online communities, their joint membership can influence the survival of each of the communities to which they belong. Communities with many joint memberships may struggle to get enough of their members' time and attention, but find it easy to import best practices from other communities. In this paper, we study the effects of membership overlap on the survival of online communities. By analyzing the historical data of 5673 Wikia communities, we find that higher levels of membership overlap are positively associated with higher survival rates of online communities. Furthermore, we find that it is beneficial for young communities to have shared members who play a central role in other mature communities. Our contributions are two-fold. Theoretically, by examining the impact of membership overlap on the survival of online communities we identified an important mechanism underlying the success of online communities. Practically, our findings may guide community creators on how to effectively manage their members, and tool designers on how to support this task.
A study of the division of global irradiance into direct beam and diffuse irradiance at seven Canadian sites

Canadian hourly global and diffuse irradiation data and associated daily surface meterological data of humidity, temperature and snow depth for the years 1977-1984 are analyzed. These data have been measured at Edmonton, Goose Bay, Montreal, Port Hardy, Resolute, Toronto and Winnipeg. Hourly values of the clearness index k{sub t} and diffuse index k{sub d} are sorted into bivariate histograms according to their numerical values. Different histograms are established for different ranges of the three variables: solar elevation, atmospheric precipitable water, and snow depth for each station. Properties of the different histograms are compared using standard statistical procedures. It is found that the division of global irradiation into direct beam and diffuse irradiation is correlated with the four variables k{sub t}, precipitable water, solar elevation, and snow depth. It is also found that many, but not all, of the differences between data from the same station at different times and between different stations can be attributed to conditions associated with differences in these four variables. The data show evidence that the division of global irradiation into direct and diffuse irradiation can depend upon the properties of the clouds beyond how these clouds are characterized by the four variables. 37 refs., 5more » figs., 7 tabs.« less
GABA receptor subunit mRNA expression in brain of conflict, yoked control and control rats

Abstract Animal conflict models have been used for years as a preclinical screen for predicting anxiolytic therapeutic efficacy. Anxiolytics, including benzodiazepines, increase punished responding. This suggests that the punished behavior may be mediated by the GABA receptor. To evaluate this hypothesis, we performed in situ hybridization histochemistry studies of GABA receptor subunits (α1–α4) and synthetic enzymes glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65 and GAD67) in four groups of rats: conflict (punishment), yoked controls (rats shocked without conflict training history), fixed interval only controls (rats that worked for food but were not shocked) and untreated controls. With conflict behavioral training, bilateral reduction of mRNA for the GABAA α1 subunit was seen relative to controls in the cortex, thalamus and hippocampus. In contrast, alteration of α2 mRNA levels appeared only in the yoked control group, with increased levels seen in the thalamus and cortex and decreased levels in the hippocampus. There were no differences in the α2 mRNA level between the control and the conflict behavioral trained animals. Further, no significant differences were found between groups in the mRNA levels for the α3 subunit, α4 subunit, GAD65, and GAD67. These results suggest that the behaviors related to conflict and uncontrollable aversive stimuli (yoked control group) are accompanied and perhaps mediated by selective changes in the GABAA α1 or α2 subunits, respectively. These findings highlight the potential usefulness of the conflict model as a means of elucidating the biological underpinnings of anxiety disorder.
Effect of Matrix Crystallinity on Nanocomposite Properties

The properties of two nanocomposite systems with semi-crystalline matrices were reported. Differences in achievable dispersion and thermomechanical properties were related to the matrix crystallinity. A lesser amount of matrix crystallinity aided in dispersion and led to greater mechanical reinforcement at temperatures above the glass transition.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Two electrons in a two dimensional random potential: exchange, interaction and localization

The problem of two electrons in a two-dimensional random potential is addressed numerically. Specifically, the role of the Coulomb interaction between electrons on localization is investigated by writing the Hamiltonian on a localized basis and diagonalizing it exactly. The result of that procedure is discussed in terms of level statistics, the expectation value of the electron-electron separation, and a configuration-space inverse participation number. We argue that, in the interacting problem, a localization-delocalization crossover in real space does not correspond exactly to a Poisson-Wigner crossover in level statistics.
Hybrid structural control using viscoelastic dampers and active control systems

Viscoelastic (VE) dampers and active control (AC) systems are studied together as a hybrid system for their effectiveness in reducing the response of seismic structures. VE dampers have properties which are both frequency and temperature-dependent. On the other hand, AC systems for seismic structures require rather large control forces in order to be effective. The possibility of combining VE dampers and AC systems to improve the performance of both systems is examined. It is found that for the same response reduction, the addition of VE dampers to an AC system reduces the required control forces considerably, which reduces the cost of the AC system. The addition of the AC system helps improve the velocity performance of VE dampers and considerably reduces the possibility of shear failure of the viscoelastic material. Two procedures for evaluating the damping effect of the VE dampers are suggested which can be applied to either shear-type or framed structures. Two control algorithms based on drift and velocity/acceleration feedback are compared to existing algorithms. A method of determining the weighting matrices of an AC system is presented which reduces the required control forces for certain control algorithms.
Stable isotope composition of dissolved inorganic carbon and particulate organic carbon in sea ice from the Ross Sea, Antarctica

[1] We examined controls on the carbon isotopic composition of sea ice brines and organic matter during cruises to the Ross Sea, Antarctica in November/December 1998 and November/December 2006. Brine samples were analyzed for salinity, nutrients, total dissolved inorganic carbon (ΣCO2), and the 13C/12C ratio of ΣCO2 Particulate organic matter from sea ice cores was analyzed for percent particulate organic carbon (POC), percent total particulate nitrogen (TPN), and stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13CPOC). ΣCO2 in sea ice brines ranged from 1368 to 7149 μmol kg−1, equivalent to 1483 to 2519 μmol kg−1 when normalized to 34.5 psu salinity (sΣCO2), the average salinity of Ross Sea surface waters. Sea ice primary producers removed up to 34% of the available ΣCO2, an amount much higher than the maximum removal observed in sea ice free water. Carbonate precipitation and CO2 degassing may reduce sΣCO2 by a similar amount (e.g., 30%) in the most hypersaline sea ice environments, although brine volumes are low in very cold ice that supports these brines. Brine ranged from −2.6 to +8.0‰ while δ13CPOC ranged from −30.5 to −9.2‰. Isotopic enrichment of the ΣCO2 pool via net community production accounts for some but not all carbon isotopic enrichment of sea ice POC. Comparisons of sΣCO2, and δ13CPOC within sea ice suggest that ep (the net photosynthetic fractionation factor) for sea ice algae is ∼8‰ smaller than the ep observed for phytoplankton in open water regions of the Ross Sea. These results have implications for modeling of carbon uptake and transformation in the ice-covered ocean and for reconstruction of past sea ice extent based on stable isotopic composition of organic matter in sediment cores.
Simultaneous Determination of the Rates of the TCA Cycle, Glucose Utilization, α-Ketoglutarate/Glutamate Exchange, and Glutamine Synthesis in Human Brain by NMR

13C isotopic tracer data previously obtained by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance in the human brain in vivo were analyzed using a mathematical model to determine metabolic rates in a region of the human neocortex. The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle rate was 0.73 ± 0.19 μmol min-1 g-1 (mean ± SD; n = 4). The standard deviation reflects primarily intersubject variation, since individual uncertainties were low. The rate of α- ketoglutarate/glutamate exchange was 57 ± 26 μmol min-1 g-1 (n = 3), which is much greater than the TCA cycle rate; the high rate indicates that α-ketoglutarate and glutamate are in rapid exchange and can be treated as a single combined kinetic pool. The rate of synthesis of glutamine from glutamate was 0.47 μmol min-1 g-1 (n = 4), with 95% confidence limits of 0.139 and 3.094 μmol min-1 g-1; individual uncertainties were biased heavily toward high synthesis rates. From the TCA cycle rate the brain oxygen consumption was estimated to be 2.14 ± 0.48 μmol min-1 g-1 (5.07 ± 1.14 ml 100 g-1 min-1; n = 4), and the rate of brain glucose consumption was calculated to be 0.37 ± 0.08 μmol min-1 g-1 (n = 4). The sensitivity of the model to the assumptions made was evaluated, and the calculated values were found to be unchanged as long as the assumptions remained near reported physiological values.
The emission spectrum of the BOF2 molecule

Abstract The 5800-A bands of the BF 3 discharge have been studied with the goal of positive identification of the emitter. The boron and oxygen vibrational isotope effects have shown that the emitting molecule contains only one each of these atoms. A study of the intensity of the bands as a function of the ratio of boron to fluorine has indicated that the emitter is the BOF 2 molecule or molecule-ion. By analogy with the known spectrum of the 31-electron molecule NO 3 , the assignment is made to the BOF 2 molecule. Both vibrational and rotational structure, including very small isotope effects in the former, are consistent with a planar model of point group C 2 v in each electronic state. The rotational contours are those of parallel-type bands of a nearly symmetric top. If the three bond angles are all near 120°, the top is nearly oblate and the electronic transition moment is perpendicular to the plane of the molecule.
Starburst SSD: An Efficient Protocol for Selective Dissemination

We present Starburst, a routing-based protocol designed to efficiently disseminate data items to small subsets within a sensor network. Starburst constructs a routing hierarchy to enable fast, efficient and reliable dissemination to nodes in a sensor network that satisfy data-specific predicates. The protocol is based on the idea that when only a few nodes need an update, it is more efficient and much faster to route to those nodes directly. When every node needs an update, algorithms such as Trickle are more efficient. Starburst therefore dynamically determines what portion of nodes need an update and locally adapts its delivery policy accordingly. We also present dynamic beacon selection algorithms which enable scalability and fault tolerance in Starburst. We have implemented and evaluated Starburst on top of both the BVR and S4 routing protocols with promising results. Our simulations show that Starburst reduces both the transmission cost and latency of existing dissemination protocols by at least 50% for small subsets of nodes, and performs no worse than them for larger sets. Finally, tests on the Motelab testbed validate our simulation results.
Phosphorus Sorption Dynamics of Hawaii’s Coastal Wetlands

While phosphorus (P) sorption has been studied in Hawaii’s terrestrial soils, P sorption dynamics have yet to be investigated in coastal wetlands. In other coastal zones, wetlands have been shown to sorb P and act as P sinks at the land–sea interface. Thus, the objectives of this study were to examine variance in the P sorption index (PSI) within wetlands along hydrologic gradients and among wetlands of different types and to identify soil properties that best explain variability in the PSI. Forty wetlands on five islands were sampled and P sorption and related properties were measured. Phosphorus sorption index values ranged from −16.4–1,732.5. Hydrologic zone (within sites) and surface water salinity (among sites) accounted for significant proportions of the variance in the PSI. While texture, pH, and carbon content were found to be important predictors of PSI, the highest correlations were found for oxalate-extractable iron.
Evidence of Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Resistance in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and diabetes rarely occur together, a finding that provides a possible clue as to the development of AD. Abnormal glucose metabolism is not limited to diabetes, but also can include impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia. AD patients have significantly varying insulin levels after drinking sugared sodas and thus may be classified as insulin resistant. After reviewing the literature on impaired glucose tolerance and insulin production in AD, we present several hypotheses as possible explanations for the relationship between insulin resistance and AD. Finally, we suggest future studies, including studies on use of thiazolidinediones (currently used in the treatment of diabetes) in AD.
Modified intraoral film holders for postmortem identification.

To date there have not been any commercial dental X-ray film holders marketed to accommodate the special needs of forensic odontologists. Modification of standard Rinn XCP® film holders by the investigators produced self-supporting film holders that do not require the active participation from the examinee. The modified film holders greatly simplify the operator's technique of exposing dental radiographs on cadavers.
BIOLOGY OF BACTERIOCYTE-ASSOCIATED ENDOSYMBIONTS OF PLANT SAP-SUCKING INSECTS

AbstractPsyllids, whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs are members of the suborder Sternorrhyncha and share a common property, namely the utilization of plant sap as their food source. Each of these insect groups has an obligatory association with a different prokaryotic endosymbiont, and the association is the result of a single infection followed by maternal, vertical transmission of the endosymbionts. The result of this association is the domestication of the free-living bacterium to serve the purposes of the host, namely the synthesis of essential amino acids. This domestication is probably in all cases accompanied by a major reduction in genome size. The different properties of the genomes and fragments of the genomes of these endosymbionts suggest that there are different constraints on the permissible evolutionary changes that are probably a function of the gene repertoire of the endosymbiont ancestor and the gene losses that occurred during the reduction of genome size. Pel piacer di porle in lista. ...
Heparins and Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

This chapter discussed the pharmacology and use of the heparins—standard heparin, low molecular weight heparin, and fondaparinux. The complication of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is also discussed. Heparin functions as an antithrombotic agent by binding antithrombin (AT), promoting inactivation of the active serine proteases involved in blood coagulation (factors IIa, VIIa-TF, IXa, Xa, and XIa). Heparin is a blend of saccharide polymers ranging in molecular weight from 3 to 30,000 Da. A specific pentasaccharide sequence is required for promoting AT activity. This sequence is found in only one-third of the heparin molecules in the heparin currently used. Other polymers found in heparin may have platelet-inhibitory effects or fibrinolytic effects.
Local optimization in cooperative agent networks

My research focuses on constructing and analyzing systems of intelligent, autonomous agents. These agents may include people, physical robots, or software programs acting as assistants, teammates, opponents, or trading partners. In a large class of multi-agent scenarios, the effect of local interactions between agents can be compactly represented as a network structure such as a distributed constraint optimization problem (DCOP) for cooperative domains. Collaboration between large groups of agents, given such a network, can be difficult to achieve; often agents can only manage to collaborate in smaller subgroups of a certain size, in order to find a workable solution in a timely manner. The goal of my thesis is to provide algorithms to enable networks of agents that are bounded in this way to quickly find high-quality solutions, as well as theoretical results to understand key properties of these solutions. Relevant domains for my work include personal assistant agents, sensor networks, and teams of autonomous robots. In particular, this thesis considers the case in which agents optimize a DCOP by forming groups of one or more agents until no group of k or fewer agents can possibly improve the solution; we define this type of local optimum, and any algorithm guaranteed to reach such a local optimum, as k-optimal. In this document, I present four key contributions related to k-optimality. The first set of results are worst-case guarantees on the solution quality of k-optima in a DCOP. These guarantees can help determine an appropriate k-optimal algorithm, or possibly an appropriate constraint graph structure, for agents to use in situations where the cost of coordination between agents must be weighed against the quality of the solution reached. The second set of results are upper bounds on the number of k-optima that can exist in a DCOP. Because each joint action consumes resources, knowing the maximal number of k-optimal joint actions that could exist for a given DCOP allows us to allocate sufficient resources for a given level of k, or, alternatively, choosing an appropriate level of k- optimality, given fixed resource. The third contribution is a set of 2-optimal and 3-optimal algorithms and an experimental analysis of the performance of 1-, 2-, and 3-optimal algorithms on several types of DCOPs. The final contribution of this thesis is a case study of the application of k-optimal DCOP algorithms and solutions to the problem of the formation of human teams spanning multiple organizations. Given a particular specification of a human team (such as a task force to respond to an emergency) and a pool of possible team members, a DCOP can be formulated to match this specification. A set of k-optimal solutions to the DCOP represents a set of diverse, locally optimal options from which a human commander can choose the team that will be used.
The Shuler Nurse Practitioner Practice Model: Clinical Application, Part 2

Nurse practitioners' unique contributions to primary care can be demonstrated more clearly if clinicians would adhere to a theoretical framework that reflects their combined nursing and medical role. This article explicitly delineates the process of utilizing the Shuler Nurse Practitioner Practice Model in clinical practice.
A revised and extended classification of the distal arthrogryposes

Since the group of disorders known as the distal arthrogryposes (DAs) were defined, additional disorders characterized by multiple congenital contractures of the distal limbs were described, and the distribution of phenotypic findings in the DAs has been expanded. The breadth of disorders labeled as DAs has diminished the usefulness of the DA classification. We propose a strict definition of DA and diagnostic criteria for DA disorders. Subsequently, we use these standards and propose a revised classification of discrete conditions that should be labeled DAs. Optimally, this serves as a framework for a DA classification based on underlying molecular and physiologic abnormalities.
The association between self-reported racial discrimination and 12-month DSM-IV mental disorders among Asian Americans nationwide.

Growing research finds that reports of discrimination are associated with mental health. However, many US studies are focused on regional samples and do not control for important confounders such as other stressors and response factors. The present study examines the association between self-reported racial discrimination and DSM-IV defined mental disorders among Asian respondents to the 2002–2003 US National Latino and Asian American Study (n ¼ 2047). Logistic regression analyses indicated that self-reported racial discrimination was associated with greater odds of having any DSM-IV disorder, depressive disorder, or anxiety disorder within the past 12 months—controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, acculturative stress, family cohesion, poverty, self-rated health, chronic physical conditions, and social desirability. Further, multinomial logistic regression found that individuals who reported discrimination were at a twofold greater risk of having one disorder within the past 12 months, and a threefold greater risk of having two or more disorders. Thus, self-reported discrimination was associated with increased risk of mental disorders among Asian Americans across the United States and this relationship was not explained by social desirability, physical health, other stressors, and sociodemographic factors. Should these associations ultimately be shown enduring and causal, they suggest that policies designed to reduce discrimination may help improve mental health.
An ste20 Homologue in Ustilago maydis Plays a Role in Mating and Pathogenicity

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are conserved from fungi to humans and have been shown to play important roles in mating and filamentous growth for both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and dimorphic fungi and in infectivity for pathogenic fungi. STE20 encodes a protein kinase of the p21-activated protein kinase family that regulates more than one of these cascades in yeasts. We hypothesized that an Ste20p homologue would play a similar role in the dimorphic plant pathogen Ustilago maydis. The full-length copy of the U. maydis gene was obtained from a genomic library; it lacked introns and was predicted to encode a protein of 826 amino acids, whose sequence confirmed its identity as the first Ste20p homologue to be isolated from a plant pathogen. The predicted protein contained both an N-terminal regulatory Cdc42-Rac interactive binding domain and a C-terminal catalytic kinase domain. Disruption of the gene smu1 resulted in a delayed mating response in a mating-type-specific manner and also in a severe reduction in disease production on maize. Unlike the Ustilago bypass of cyclase (ubc) mutations previously identified in genes in the pheromone-responsive MAPK cascade, mutation of smu1 does not by itself act as an extragenic suppressor of the filamentous phenotype of a uac1 mutant. Thus, the direct connection of Smu1p to MAPK cascade function has yet to be established. Even so, Smu1, though not absolutely required for mating, is necessary for wild-type mating and pathogenicity.
Britain's poll tax policy: An Institutionalist approach

Previous interpretations of Britain's poll tax policy fail to offer sufficient explanations. This article argues that the poll tax can only be fully understood by taking an explicit lnstitutionalist approach, which argues for an examination of the interaction of ideas, interests and institutions. The following analysis shows that the genesis of the policy was the inability of the Conservatives to force local expenditure reductions through the previous local government finance system. This led to a search for new policy options which, interacting with Thatcherite ideas on local government, produced the poll tax policy.
ENZYME VARIABILITY IN THE DROSOPHILA WILLISTONI GROUP. III. AMOUNTS OF VARIABILITY IN THE SUPERSPECIES, D. PAULISTORUM

The semispecies composing the superspecies, Drosophila paulistorum, have been analyzed for genetic variation at 17 enzyme loci. On the average a population of D. paulistorum is polymorphic for 55-67% of its loci and an average individual is heterozygous at 21% of its loci. The pattern of genetic variability found supports the hypothesis that allozyme variation is maintained in natural populations by some form of balancing selection. Evidence is presented which supports the hypothesis that glucose-metabolizing enzymes are less genetically variable than non-glucose-metabolizing enzymes. The known genetic relationships between the semispecies of D. paulistorum are discussed in the light of the frequencies of alleles at allozyme loci.
Differential beamspace MIMO for high-dimensional multiuser communication

We develop a new multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transceiver architecture — Differential Beamspace MIMO (DB-MIMO) for high-dimensional MIMO systems. DB-MIMO enables linear quasi-coherent interference suppression between multiple spatially multiplexed data streams in conjunction with differential transmission. The differential nature of DB-MIMO is particularly attractive in emerging high-frequency systems, e.g. centimeter-wave (cmW) and millimeter-wave (mmW) systems, where the requirement of a phase-coherent local oscillator at the receiver can be challenging. The beamspace approach is naturally relevant to tame the complexity of massive MIMO due to the expected channel sparsity in beamspace, especially at cmW and mmW. We focus on downlink multiuser systems in which an access point equipped with a high-dimensional antenna array serves multiple single-antenna mobile stations (MSs). First, the concept of dominant multi-beam selection is discussed that enables transceivers whose complexity tracks the number of MSs. Then the recently introduced concept of differential MIMO is applied in which a quasi-coherent channel estimate is obtained from differential measurements. This enables the development of low-complexity quasi-coherent DB-MIMO transceivers. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the minimal performance loss of the low-complexity DB-MIMO transceivers in comparison with their full dimensional coherent counterparts.
On the Fallacy of Quantitative Segmentation for T1-Weighted MRI.

T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) generates contrasts with primary sensitivity to local T1 properties (with lesser T2 and PD contributions). The observed signal intensity is determined by these local properties and the sequence parameters of the acquisition. In common practice, a range of acceptable parameters is used to ensure “similar” contrast across scanners used for any particular study (e.g., the ADNI standard MPRAGE). However, different studies may use different ranges of parameters and report the derived data as simply “T1-weighted”. Physics and imaging authors pay strong heed to the specifics of the imaging sequences, but image processing authors have historically been more lax. Herein, we consider three T1-weighted sequences acquired the same underlying protocol (MPRAGE) and vendor (Philips), but “normal study-to-study variation” in parameters. We show that the gray matter/white matter/cerebrospinal fluid contrast is subtly but systemically different between these images and yields systemically different measurements of brain volume. The problem derives from the visually apparent boundary shifts, which would also be seen by a human rater. We present and evaluate two solutions to produce consistent segmentation results across imaging protocols. First, we propose to acquire multiple sequences on a subset of the data and use the multi-modal imaging as atlases to segment target images any of the available sequences. Second (if additional imaging is not available), we propose to synthesize atlases of the target imaging sequence and use the synthesized atlases in place of atlas imaging data. Both approaches significantly improve consistency of target labeling.
Inversion: A tool to tie near-surface static corrections

Multiple layer near-surface models for 2D lines can be constructed from uphole control. Time anomalies may still be present in the static solution due to the sparse sampling of the near-surface by the upholes. The anomalies are solved by additional shifts from residual statics, or replacement by statics calculated from refraction or tomography methods. These static shifts are inverted back to the multiple layer model to provide a revised model. This revised model forms a new 2D framework grid for additional 2D seismic lines. Where there are 3D surveys modeled with different methods of statics solutions, the framework provides primary control for cokriging of the statics solution from 3D surveys.
The effects of protein-binding on distribution of antibiotics and the problem of continuous versus intermittent infusions

Pre-formed fibrin clots were implanted subcutaneously in rabbits, following which various antibiotics were infused intravenously (except for streptomycin and kanamycin which were given intramuscularly). At frequent intervals over the next few hours, serum and fibrin clots were obtained for antibiotic assay. In addition, interstitial fluid was sampled by touching filter-paper discs to subcutaneous tissues. Abscess contents were studied in several animals which spontaneously developed these lesions in the course of the studies. The concentrations and half-life of ampicillin in interstitial fluid were similar to those in serum; in contrast, the levels of drug in abscesses were lower and more prolonged than those in serum, and closely paralleled those in fibrin clots. The percentage penetration (peak level in clots/peak level in serum) of two highly bound penicillins (oxacillin, nafcillin) was significant different to that of two weakly bound ones (ampicillin, methicillin). Likewise, two lightly bound aminoglycosides (kanamycin, streptomycin) exhibited high values for precentage penetration into fibrin loci. Following repeated administration of antibiotics, the levels in fibrin loci were similar to the peak concentrations of free drug in the serum. Ampicillin given by repeated bolus infusions produced significantly higher levels and a greater “area under the curve” in fibrin clots than did the same quantity of drug administered by continuous infusion; this appeared to be due to the higher levels of free drug in the serum with intermittent injections. These findings are discussed in terms of some controversial aspects of the effects of proteinbinding on therapeutic efficacy, peak serum levels of antibiotic, rates of elimination and distribution within the body.
Description of the NIF Laser

AbstractThe possibility of imploding small capsules to produce mini-fusion explosions was explored soon after the first thermonuclear explosions in the early 1950s. Various technologies have been pursued to achieve the focused power and energy required for laboratory-scale fusion. Each technology has its own challenges. For example, electron and ion beams can deliver the large amounts of energy but must contend with Coulomb repulsion forces that make focusing these beams a daunting challenge. The demonstration of the first laser in 1960 provided a new option. Energy from laser beams can be focused and deposited within a small volume; the challenge became whether a practical laser system can be constructed that delivers the power and energy required while meeting all other demands for achieving a high-density, symmetric implosion. The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is the laser designed and built to meet the challenges for study of high-energy-density physics and inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosi...
Effects of solvent quality and degree of polymerization on the critical micelle temperature of poly(ethylene oxide- b - N -butyl methacrylate) in ionic liquids

Block copolymers are attractive building blocks for designing micelles having complex shapes and functionality, but experimental investigations into the detailed thermodynamics of block copolymer micellization have been constrained. In this work, we take advantage of the favorable solvent properties of ionic liquids to study the thermodynamics of block copolymer micelle formation. Specifically, we investigate the effects of solvent quality and degree of polymerization on the critical micelle temperature (cmt) of poly(ethylene oxide-b-n-butyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PnBMA) in mixtures of two ionic liquids: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium:bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([BMIm][TFSI]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium:TFSI ([EMIm][TFSI]). The solvent quality for the core-forming block of the block copolymer, PnBMA, is varied over a wide range by blending the two ionic liquids in different ratios, resulting in a large variation in the cmt of PEO-b-PnBMA. It is shown that the interaction parameter between the solven...
TREM2-mediated early microglial response limits diffusion and toxicity of amyloid plaques

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a microglial receptor that recognizes changes in the lipid microenvironment, which may occur during amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation and neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Rare TREM2 variants that affect TREM2 function lead to an increased risk of developing AD. In murine models of AD, TREM2 deficiency prevents microglial clustering around Aβ deposits. However, the origin of myeloid cells surrounding amyloid and the impact of TREM2 on Aβ accumulation are a matter of debate. Using parabiosis, we found that amyloid-associated myeloid cells derive from brain-resident microglia rather than from recruitment of peripheral blood monocytes. To determine the impact of TREM2 deficiency on Aβ accumulation, we examined Aβ plaques in the 5XFAD model of AD at the onset of Aβ-related pathology. At this early time point, Aβ accumulation was similar in TREM2-deficient and -sufficient 5XFAD mice. However, in the absence of TREM2, Aβ plaques were not fully enclosed by microglia; they were more diffuse, less dense, and were associated with significantly greater neuritic damage. Thus, TREM2 protects from AD by enabling microglia to surround and alter Aβ plaque structure, thereby limiting neuritic damage.
Reclaiming neighborhood from the inside out: regionalism, globalization, and critical community development

ABSTRACTIn this article, we argue the need for a critical turn in community development practice and research in the face of two scalar tensions in the existing academic literature and US community development policy. The first tension is the perceived ineffectiveness of neighborhood-based community development in the context of globalization despite the increasing interrelatedness of neighborhoods and globalization. The second tension emerges in a growing body of academic literature and policy action that privileges the region as the place from which to understand urban decline and to address issues that have historically been the concern of community development. These two tensions dominate community development discussions and often undermine community development politics and policy by contesting its relevance for multiscalar processes. Instead, we argue that neighborhoods are more important than ever because it is from the place of the neighborhood that it becomes possible to understand the multiscal...
Studies of analgesic drugs

Several investigators have shown that some narcotic antagonists are potent analgesics in man, and suggested that a clinically useful nonaddicting potent analgesic could he found among the narcotic antagonists. Since these compounds are respiratory depressants as well, concern has been expressed that the use of narcotic antagonists as analgesics would be handicapped by the lack of an antagonist to its toxic effects, especially respiratory depression. This study was undertaken to demonstrate that a nonspecific analeptic could antagonize the respiratory depression induced by a narcotic antagonist. The respiratory depressant effects of pentazocine, a weak narcotic antagonist which is a potent nanaddicting analgesic in man, was used as the test object. Methylphenidate (30 mg. per 70 Kg. intravenously) significantly antagonized the respiratory depression of pentazocine (40 mg. per 70 Kg. intramuscularly) compared to a placebo in a complete crossover study of six healthy subjects. Antagonism was incomplete at 30 minutes but almost complete at 75 minutes after methylphenidate.
Re-imaginando la negridad en los Andes Una conversación con Jhonny Hendrix Hinestroza (9 de Octubre 2014)

Re-imaginando la negridad en los Andes. Una conversacion con Jhonny Hendrix Hinestroza (9 de Octubre 2014) por Ximena Gonzalez-Parada
Coagulum Pyelolithotomy: Impact on Unrecognized Stones

AbstractThe use of coagulum free of thrombin to remove 313 renal calculi from 46 patients is reviewed. Twenty-six additional calculi removed from 17 patients were not apparent on preoperative studies. Of the 313 stones apparent preoperatively 3 were not extracted in the coagulum. Other means (stone forceps and so forth) were used to deliver 2 of these calculi and 1 was left in the kidney. Incisions used for these procedures included the conventional flank incision in 9 patients, a 10cm. posterior flank incision in 30 and lumbotomy in 7. Adjunctive use of coagulum in 8 additional patients is presented. The recovery of more than the preoperatively identified renal calculi may be an advantage for coagulum pyelolithotomy. The length of hospital stay in these 46 patients averaged 4.8 days, with an average operative time of 1.22 hours. The patients returned to work within an average of 13 days. We suggest that these data are comparable to other methods of pyelonephrolithotomy.
Introducing an innovative mathematical method to predict the bankruptcy risk: measures for the financial markets stability

This paper advances innovative measurement models for bankruptcy risk and develops a framework for further research in the use of latent multilevel static and dynamic models in modeling bankruptcy decision making. A brief presentation of literature is given, with an emphasis on the most recent developments in this field. The econometric model underlying the fuzzy sets theory applied to the measurement of bankruptcy risk is particularly examined here. The innovative part of the paper is the application of a new methodology to the analysis of bankruptcy. This model, called Item Response Theory (IRT), is a traditional technique in psychometrics and brings a set of advantages when being applied to the analysis of latent measures by a set of observable binary indicators, as is the bankruptcy risk. At the end, the paper concludes on the need for more collaboration among researchers in business, computer science and low, in order to develop new interdisciplinary measurement tools in finance.
Immunogenetic Aspects of Febrile Convulsions

Investigators in Genetics, Pediatrics, Neurology, and Immunology, at Mansoura Un., Mansoura, Egypt found a gene frequency of 0.284 (c.f.
Operational Cost Optimization for Cloud Computing Data Centers Using Renewable Energy

The electricity cost of cloud computing data centers, dominated by server power and cooling power, is growing rapidly. To tackle this problem, inlet air with moderate temperature and server consolidation are widely adopted. However, the benefit of these two methods is limited due to conventional air cooling system ineffectiveness caused by recirculation and low heat capacity. To address this problem, hybrid air and liquid cooling, as a practical and inexpensive approach, has been introduced. In this paper, we quantitatively analyze the impact of server consolidation and temperature of cooling water on the total electricity and server maintenance costs in hybrid cooling data centers. To minimize the total costs, we proposed to maintain sweet temperature and available sleeping time threshold (ASTT) by which a joint cost optimization can be satisfied. By using real-world traces, the potential savings of sweet temperature and ASTT are estimated to be average 23% of the total cost, while 96% requests are satisfied compared to a strategy which only reduces electricity cost. The co-optimization is extended to increase the benefit of the renewable energy, and its profit grows as more wind power is supplied.
Planning Your Raspberry Pi Classroom Deployment

The PMI-ACP certification recognizes an individual's expertize in Agile practices by putting equal focus on knowledge and skills as well as Agile tools and techniques. The Tools and Techniques area that spans 50% of the exam covers topics like estimation, planning, adapting, quality, metrics, communication, value-based analysis, and prioritization to name but a few. The other 50% is dedicated to knowledge and skills that have been organized into levels of importance. The discussion around these topics will constitute this book. But first, and foremost, we need to understand the foundation concepts of the Agile framework; its contrasts with traditional (waterfall-based) project management; and most important, the Agile Manifesto and its guiding principles.