cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting success of oligomerized pool engineering (OPEN) for zinc finger target site sequences

Precise and efficient methods for gene targeting are critical for detailed functional analysis of genomes and regulatory networks and for potentially improving the efficacy and safety of gene therapies. Oligomerized Pool ENgineering (OPEN) is a recently developed method for engineering C2H2 zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) designed to bind specific DNA sequences with high affinity and specificity in vivo. Because generation of ZFPs using OPEN requires considerable effort, a computational method for identifying the sites in any given gene that are most likely to be successfully targeted by this method is desirable. Analysis of the base composition of experimentally validated ZFP target sites identified important constraints on the DNA sequence space that can be effectively targeted using OPEN. Using alternate encodings to represent ZFP target sites, we implemented Naive Bayes and Support Vector Machine classifiers capable of distinguishing "active" targets, i.e., ZFP binding sites that can be targeted with a high rate of success, from those that are "inactive" or poor targets for ZFPs generated using current OPEN technologies. When evaluated using leave-one-out cross-validation on a dataset of 135 experimentally validated ZFP target sites, the best Naive Bayes classifier, designated ZiFOpT, achieved overall accuracy of 87% and specificity+ of 90%, with an ROC AUC of 0.89. When challenged with a completely independent test set of 140 newly validated ZFP target sites, ZiFOpT performance was comparable in terms of overall accuracy (88%) and specificity+ (92%), but with reduced ROC AUC (0.77). Users can rank potentially active ZFP target sites using a confidence score derived from the posterior probability returned by ZiFOpT. ZiFOpT, a machine learning classifier trained to identify DNA sequences amenable for targeting by OPEN-generated zinc finger arrays, can guide users to target sites that are most likely to function successfully in vivo, substantially reducing the experimental effort required. ZiFOpT is freely available and incorporated in the Zinc Finger Targeter web server ( http://bindr.gdcb.iastate.edu/ZiFiT ).
Diurnal, shade, and hybrid effects on nitrate content of young corn stalks

Abstract Significant correlations have been found between the nitrate concentration in young corn (Zea mays L.) stalks and available soi 1 N and relative grain yield when N availability is a yield limiting factor. To successfully use nitrate tissue testing as an indicator of the N status of plants, the effects of factors other than soil or fertilizer N on the nitrate concentration in the tested tissue must be understood. Diurnal effects on stalk nitrate content were studied in a greenhouse experiment, in which stalk samples were collected every two hours for 24 hours, and in a field study, where plants in an N‐fertilizer response experiment were sampled at sunrise and at mid‐day. A significant diurnal cycle was observed for stalk nitrate content in the greenhouse, with a peak at 0800 h and a low at 1400 h, but no diurnal effect was found in the field study, possibly due to plant stress from other environmental factors. In a second greenhouse study, stalk samples from seedlings in direct and 66% shaded nat...
Classroom Performance Systems, Library Instruction, and Instructional Design: A Pilot Study

To explore how effective CPS (Classroom Performance Systems) are in the classroom, specifically for library instruction, this pilot study considered the question: “Does the use of CPS improve student retention of information presented in class as measured by pre-and posttest scores?” The use of pretest and posttest measurements for the retention of information attempted to assess the impact of instruction using CPS for a single session and the usefulness of CPS for the delivery of instruction, generally. The data collected included the results of a five-item pretest and a six-item posttest, completed by 48 freshmen college students. Although scores improved for both groups after instruction, scores for the group using CPS with instruction showed somewhat greater improvement than the non-CPS group. The author also discusses the role of instructional design in the development of the study and other considerations for future studies.
The role of surgery in the treatment of patients with complications of acute myocardial infarction.

In the patient in cardiogenic shock with or without a mechanical complication after acute myocardial infarction, medical treatment alone is often inadequate. Occasionally, early mechanical circulatory support by means of intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) may be successful; in such patients, however, operation is usually required later. In most instances, IABP alone is insufficient, but it is an effective stabilizing measure that allows many patients to safely undergo cardiac catheterization, coronary arteriography, and surgical treatment. In selected patients with anterior myocardial infarction, early IABP can interrupt injury. Patients with severe cardiogenic shock due to massive infarction with extensive ventricular dysfunction are best managed with myocardial revascularization and, frequently, infarctectomy. Patients with an interventricular defect who survive to undergo defect repair usually do not undergo concomitant revascularization, but we frequently perform infarctectomy in this situation. Other patients with mechanical complications of myocardial infarction, such as mitral regurgitation due to papillary muscle rupture or dysfunction, ruptured chordae tendineae, or annular or ventricular dilatation, are usually best treated with both coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve repair or replacement with or without infarctectomy. In some patients with a malignant ventricular arrhythmia, wide excision of the infarct may be helpful, with or without revascularization. The likelihood of a good result after operation for any of the complications of myocardial infarction improves if the surgical procedure can be safely postponed until the patient is not in an acute state of illness. However, postponement should not be at the expense of other organ systems, and any patient who is showing signs of clinical deterioration while receiving optimal medical therapy should be considered for insertion of the intra-aortic balloon and operation.
Atrial pacing: an alternative treatment for protein-losing enteropathy after the Fontan operation.

PLE in patients undergoing the Fontan operation who manifest sinus node dysfunction. Clinical summaries PATIENT 1. The patient underwent a nonfenestrated lateral tunnel Fontan operation for tricuspid atresia, ventricular septal defect, and pulmonic stenosis without complications at 2 years of age. Four years later, the patient had PLE with ascites and diarrhea (total protein, 4.3 g/dL; albumin, 2.5 g/dL; 24° stool α-1 antitrypsin clearance, 166 mL).* Temporary improvement occurred with diuretics, supplemental albumin infusions, and corticosteroids. The patient was unable to be weaned off of steroids after a return of PLE. Cardiac catheterization revealed a mean right atrial pressure of 13 mm Hg, an unobstructed systemic venous pathway, and good ventricular function. One year later, the patient underwent surgical creation of a single 4.8-mm fenestration. The oxygen saturation decreased to 84% with resolution of PLE (total protein, 7.2 g/dL; albumin, 4.1 g/dL). An ambulatory monitor 2 years later revealed a predominant junctional rhythm at 65 beats/min. The patient continued to do well (oxygen saturation, 85%) on Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is an uncommon but potentially debilitating and difficult to manage complication after the Fontan operation. A number of treatment strategies, including diuretics, afterload reduction, intravenous albumin replacement, corticosteroids, heparin, creation of a fenestration, or revision of the Fontan pathway, have all been attempted, with various degrees of success.1-4 Baffle fenestration is believed to augment cardiac output and increase oxygen delivery while lowering central venous pressure. Resolution of PLE after fenestration creation suggests that improvement in cardiac output and oxygen delivery are the key elements necessary for successful treatment of this disorder. Another complication noted after the Fontan operation is sinus node dysfunction.5 The presence of junctional rhythm and loss of atrioventricular synchrony can have deleterious effects on Fontan physiology by diminishing cardiac output. ATRIAL PACING: AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR PROTEIN-LOSING ENTEROPATHY AFTER THE FONTAN OPERATION
Isolation and characteristics of small, soluble photoreactive fragments of Rhodospirillum rubrum.

Abstract A simple isolation procedure for a photochemically active complex from wildtype cells of the photosynthetic non-sulfur bacterium, Rhodospirillum rubrum, is described. The method involves sucrose density centrifugation of chromatophores equilibrated with a large excess of ascorbate and, subsequently, treated with 1% sodium dodecylsulfate in a concentration of 5.4 g/mmole of bacteriochlorophyll. The resulting brown complex has a mol. wt of about 100 000 and a solubility in aqueous buffer of at least 70 mg/ml. 2.7% of the bacteriochlorophyll of the chromatophores was recovered in this preparation. Stoichiometry appears to hold for P870 to cytochrome c 2 (1:1), spirilloxanthin (1:3) and ubiquinone (1:1.7) while cytochrome cc′ was observed in variable amounts. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of this complex using 0.05% sodium dodecylsulfate yielded an even smaller photochemically active fraction (mol. wt approx. 35 000) which contained no cytochrome c 2 . The amino acid compositions of both fragments are compared.
The Distinct Patterns of Organized and Elected Representation of Racial and Ethnic Groups

Studies of minority political incorporation have demonstrated that advocacy organizations are critical for advancing minority electoral success and policy change. Drawing on an original data set of 30 midsized U.S. cities, the author evaluates the extent of organized representation of racial and ethnic groups and the effect of organized representation on elected representation. Latinos and Asian-Americans both have greater numbers of local advocacy organizations as the groups’ proportion of the population increases. Yet many cities with sizable African-American populations have a lower density of advocacy organizations than cities with fewer African-Americans. A smaller field of organizations increases elected representation for African-Americans but not for Latinos.
The notched T in left ventricular hypertrophy and in alcoholism.

The cardiac damage of left ventricular hypertrophy can result in abnormally notched T waves. Of 119 consecutive patients with abnormally notched T waves, 33 percent had electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy. This was significantly higher than in our hospital population. Thus the abnormally notched T may be used as a secondary change to decrease the incidence of false positive left ventricular hypertrophy voltage. The recognition of notched T waves should be suspected whenever a T appears low and flat-topped with a relatively high U wave. The incidence of heavy alcohol intake among 71 patients with abnormally notched T waves was 18 percent which is not a higher percentage of alcoholics than in our hospital population. Only four patients (6 percent) had no other apparent cause for the abnormal notch, and even two of these had malnutrition as a possible cause of their cardiomyopathy. Therefore, alcohol by itself is a rare cause of abnormal T notching.
Functional characteristics of the cardiac sarcolemmal monocarboxylate transporter.

We have previously shown that a mechanism for transportingl-lactate is located in cardiac sarcolemmal membranes (Am. J. Physiol.252:C483–C489, 1987). This mechanism has now been shown to transport pyruvate also. The transporter recognizes a wide range of monocarboxylic acids with chain lengths of three to six carbons, as evidenced by their ability to inhibitl-lactate uptake into sarcolemmal vesicles. The ability of the monocarboxylate analogues to inhibit depends strongly on the nature of substituents, particularly at the second carbon.l-lactate and pyruvate transport are not affected by dicarboxylates other than oxaloacetate. The transporter is inhibited by the protein modifiers diethylpyrocarbonate, dinitrofluorobenzene, and phenylisothiocyanate. Diethylpyrocarbonate inhibition is not reversed by hydroxylamine, nor is dinitrofluorobenzene inhibition reversed by thiol reagents, suggesting that the target residues are not histidine, or tyrosine or cysteine, respectively. Several monocarboxylates effectively protect the transporter from inhibition by the modifying reagents, suggesting that the modified residue(s) may be at or near the binding site. Alternatively, the target amino acid(s) in the transport protein may become inaccessible due to a conformation change triggered by the substrate analogues. Overall, the results suggest that a sensitive free amino group, associated with substrate binding, is attacked by the protein-modifying reagents.
What do human parasites do with a chloroplast anyway

Apicomplexans are an important group of pathogens that include the causative agents of malaria, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis. These single-celled eukaryotic parasites evolved from photosynthetic algae. A remnant chloroplast, called the apicoplast, is a telltale hold-over from this more benign past in the ocean. The apicoplast is essential for parasite growth and development and therefore a potential target for drug therapy. The fact that humans and animals lack chloroplasts suggests that using approaches to target the apicoplast may provide parasite specificity. What are the critical functions of the apicoplast that should be targeted? In addition to the obvious medical relevance this question has broader biological implications. Why do organisms maintain an ancient symbiotic relationship when the initial rationale for this relationship has fallen by the evolutionary wayside? A new study by Yeh and DeRisi provides important clues. Their work demonstrates that antibiotic-induced loss of the apicoplast in cultured malaria parasites can be chemically rescued by providing isopentenyl-pyrophosphate (IPP) in the medium. IPP is generated by the apicoplast resident isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway and is apparently the one apicoplast metabolite that the parasite cannot live without in the red blood cell. This finding could be of great importance for the development of drugs and vaccines. The ability to produce and maintain parasite lines that lack the apicoplast also offers exciting experimental possibilities for the future.
Decades after Resettlement: Later Life Experiences of Aging Cambodian Refugees

This study proposes that the experiences of refugees vary across the life course, creating new challenges as refugees grow into old age decades after resettlement. Past posttraumatic stress symptoms may emerge as different symptoms years later, with social role changes within the family and stressors triggered by the social environment surrounding the refugees. After their initial entry into the country decades ago as survivors of political violence, they were provided some material and financial assistance from the federal and state government in the region they relocated. Years later, however, aging population of refugees face new issues that were not present when they first arrived in this country. Scars of earlier traumatic experiences embedded in their psyche resurface requiring therapeutic attention. Social service providers and health care clinicians need to be aware of these changes, as they strive to provide relevant care and services to such groups. Only then can they effectively help refugees a...
Patient Safety in the Ambulatory Setting: A Clinician-based Approach

BACKGROUND: Voluntary reporting of near misses/adverse events is an important but underutilized source of information on errors in medicine. To date, there is very little information on errors in the ambulatory setting and physicians have not traditionally participated actively in their reporting or analysis. OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of clinician-based near miss/adverse event voluntary reporting coupled with systems analysis and redesign as a model for continuous quality improvement in the ambulatory setting. DESIGN: We report the initial 1-year experience of voluntary reporting by clinicians in the ambulatory setting, coupled with root cause analysis and system redesign by a patient safety committee made up of clinicians from the practice. SETTING: Internal medicine practice site of a large teaching hospital with 25,000 visits per year. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 100 reports in the 1-year period, increased from 5 in the previous year. Faculty physicians reported 44% of the events versus 22% by residents, 31% by nurses, and 3% by managers. Eighty-three percent were near misses and 17% were adverse events. Errors involved medication (47%), lab or x-rays (22%), office administration (21%), and communication (10%) processes. Seventy-two interventions were recommended with 75% implemented during the study period. CONCLUSION: This model of clinician-based voluntary reporting, systems analysis, and redesign was effective in increasing error reporting, particularly among physicians, and in promoting system changes to improve care and prevent errors. This process can be a powerful tool for incorporating error reporting and analysis into the culture of medicine.
Bare necessities: the argument for a ‘revenge porn’ exception in Section 230 immunity

‘Revenge porn’ is the online posting of nude or sexually explicit photographs or videos of a former lover without his or her consent. Despite the malicious intent behind revenge porn, victims are provided with little to no relief due to Section 230 of the Federal Communications Decency Act, also known as the ‘Good Samaritan’ provisions. Section 230 unambiguously provides blanket immunity for website operators and Internet service providers that feature user-generated content, including revenge porn.In Section 1, I discuss the purpose of Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act. In Section 2, I analyze the legal impact of the blanket immunity established in Section 230. In Section 3, I examine the potential remedies already in existence for revenge porn victims and highlight their inadequacies. In Section 4, I argue Congress should create a narrow exception to Section 230 immunity specifically geared toward revenge porn. The exception would establish a definition of revenge porn, which would prevent ov...
Gas phase activation energy for unimolecular dissociation of biomolecular ions determined by Focused RAdiation for Gaseous Multiphoton ENergy Transfer (FRAGMENT)

We present a novel approach for the determination of activation energy for the unimolecular dissociation of a large (>50 atoms) ion, based on measurement of the unimolecular dissociation rate constant as a function of continuous-wave CO(2) laser intensity. Following a short ( approximately 1 s) induction period, CO(2) laser irradiation produces an essentially blackbody internal energy distribution, whose 'temperature' varies inversely with laser intensity. The only currently available method for measuring such activation energies is blackbody infrared radiative dissociation (BIRD). Compared with BIRD, FRAGMENT: (a) eliminates the need to heat the surrounding ion trap and vacuum chamber to each of several temperatures (each requiring hours for temperature equilibration); (b) offers a three-fold wider range of effective blackbody temperature; and (c) extends the range of applications to include initially cold ions (e.g., gas-phase H/D exchange). Our FRAGMENT-determined activation energy for dissociation of protonated bradykinin, 1.2 +/- 0.1 eV, agrees within experimental error to the value, 1.3 +/- 0.1 eV, previously reported by Williams et al. from BIRD experiments. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression Without Recognition: Contributions of the Human Amygdala to Emotional Communication

A growing body of evidence from humans and other animals suggests the amygdala may be a critical neural substrate for emotional processing. In particular, recent studies have shown that damage to the human amygdala impairs the normal appraisal of social signals of emotion, primarily those of fear. However, effective social communication depends on both the ability to receive (emotional appraisal) and the ability to send (emotional expression) signals of emotional state. Although the role of the amygdala in the appraisal of emotion is well established, its importance for the production of emotional expressions is unknown. We report a case study of a patient with bilateral amygdaloid damage who, despite a severe deficit in interpreting facial expressions of emotion including fear, exhibits an intact ability to express this and other basic emotions. This dissociation suggests that a single neural module does not support all aspects of the social communication of emotional state.
Achilles’ κῦδος in Iliad 24

This article argues that the honor/glory (τόδe κῦδος, 24.110) that Zeus intends to grant to Achilles in Book 24 refers primarily to his giving up Hector’s corpse and treating Priam with compassion and only secondarily to the ransom that Priam brings. The recent over-emphasis on the material ransom, encouraged by anthropological readings of the epic and a misunderstanding of the anaphoric reference of τόδe, skews the ending of the epic.
A primer on predictive models

Prediction research is becoming increasing popular; however, the differences between traditional explanatory research and prediction research are often poorly understood, resulting in a wide variation in the methodologic quality of prediction research. This primer describes the basic methods for conducting prediction research in gastroenterology and highlights differences between traditional explanatory research and predictive research.
Tissue specific alcohol dehydrogenase isozyme variation in carrot: Whole plant versus in vitro cultured cells

Tissue specific qualitative variation in the zymmogram profile of alcohol dehydrogenase in carrot is described. Extracts made from roots and petiole tissues of the plant exhibit three and two bands of activity, respectively. No alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity is detectable in lamina extracts. Similar extracts from carrot cells cultured in vitro exhibit five bands of ADH activity. However, when the same cell line is cultured in medium either lacking auxin (2,4-D) or Zn++, no ADH activity can be observed on the gels.
Wrong-way behavior of packed-bed reactors: influence of interphase transport

Large transient temperature excursions may be caused by a sudden reduction in the feed temperature to a packed-bed reactor operating at an intermediate conversion. When a unique steady state exists for all feed temperatures, the magnitude of the wrong-way behavior predicted by a two-phase model is very close to that predicted by a pseudohomogeneous model if PeH is equal to the dimensionless heat transfer coefficient H. The two-phase model enables a more efficient numerical simulation in such cases. The predictions of these two models may be rather different when steady-state multiplicity exists for some feed temperatures. In such cases, a two-phase model, which accounts for the axial dispersion of heat, should be used to simulate the transient behavior. The wrong-way behavior may lead to an ignition of a low-temperature state or an upstream propagation of a transient temperature wave.
EVALUATION OF INSECTICIDES FOR CONTROL OF INSECT PESTS IN SWEET CORN, 2001

Sweet corn was planted on 12 Jun at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center near Painter, VA. Each plot consisted of two 20-ft long rows spaced 3 ft apart. Plots were flanked by at least one untreated row. The experiment included nine treatments and an untreated check arranged in an RCB design replicated six times. Insecticide applications were made on 26 and 29 Jul; 1, 4, and 7 Aug using a propanepressurized backpack sprayer that had a boom equipped with a single hollow cone nozzle calibrated to deliver 30 gpa at 40 psi. Latron B-1956 was added to all treatments at 8 fl oz/product/100 gal water. Timing of the first application corresponded with the initiation of the silk stage (approximately 50% silk). On 10 Aug, 40 mature ears were harvested per plot and examined for damage by Lepidopteran larvae and SB. Ear quality was rated as either fresh market (no damage), processing (no damage or damage confined within the first 1.5 inches from the tip of the ear) or cull (any damage below the first 1.5 inches from the tip of the ear). The number of CEW, ECB, FAW, SB larvae and SB adults per ear was recorded. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and treatment means were compared among each other using LSD at P < 0.05.
High-resolution adaptive phase distortion compensation using a diffractive-feedback system: experimental results

An adaptive system having 70,400 wave-front control channels has been experimentally analyzed. Wave-front control is based on the diffractive-feedback principle and requires neither a reference wave nor direct wave-front measurements. The key system elements are a liquid-crystal television used as a phase modulator, a CCD camera, and an optoelectronic feedback loop. Experiments demonstrated efficient suppression of wave-front distortions belonging to a bandpass spectral domain. Results demonstrate the system’s potential as a secondary high-resolution adaptive feedback system for adaptive optics applications.
Chronic Bronchitis and Antibiotics

Excerpt To the editor: I hoped that the article by Nicotra and colleagues (1) would help to clarify the use of antibiotics in treating acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. My hopes were not m...
The Wor(l)d is a Collage: Multi-Performance by Chinese Heritage Language Speakers.

This study examines the simultaneous use of English and Chinese by speakers of Chinese as a heritage language (CHL). It focuses on spontaneous, dynamic, and high-density mixing of the two languages within the smallest building block of a speaking turn: the turn constructional unit (TCU). Drawing upon data from different age and proficiency groups, it shows that CHL speakers migrate between and mingle the two language systems freely and frequently at multiple and nested levels of phonemes, morphemes, syllable structures, tones, noun and verb phrases, and clauses. It reconsiders existing syntactic descriptions, sociopragmatic taxonomies, and conversation-analytic accounts concerning codeswitching and conclndes that rather than being governed by fixed, a priori linguistic constraints, sociopragmatic meaning, or conversation-sequential contingency, this type ofad hoc, intra-TCU codeswitching is accomplished with a full range of verbal resources from both languages that are simultaneously accessible to the speaker and might be accounted for by a type of rationality characterized by fuzzy logical conditions. It further suggests that, pushing and breaking perceptible linguistic boundaries, CHL speakers celebrate their multi-competence, traverse invisible cultural and identity boundaries, and employ and enjoy both languages at all ages and proficiency levels in transient and transcendent multi-performances, which in turn can become a rich resource for heritage language socialization across the lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Tangent Geometric Stiffness of Inclined Cables Under Self-Weight

An exact formula is derived for the tangent geometric stiffness of inclined cables under self-weight. Comparisons are made with the well-known approximate formula by Ernst. It is found that the accuracy of Ernst's formula deteriorates with increasing cable slackness and inclination. The error can be significant for certain configurations of the cable that are commonly used in such structures as cable-stayed bridges, guyed towers, electric transmission lines, and conductor cables connecting electrical substation equipment. An accurate and simple approximate formula is developed, which is applicable to a wide range of parameter values.
Potential acceptability of ovulation detection kits and RU-486 at two college campuses.

Abstract Two innovations in fertility research may expand birth control options in the United States. Ovulation detection kits, used alone or in conjunction with barrier methods of contraception, could be used to chart the fertile period. RU-486, when used in conjunction with a prostaglandin, induces early abortion, providing an alternative to conventional vacuum aspiration abortion. To measure the hypothetical acceptability of these methods, the authors surveyed 710 women at two college campuses in California regarding potential use of ovulation detection kits and RU-486. Seventy-one percent of the women in the final sample indicated an interest in using ovulation kits. Of these women, most (72%) were interested in using an ovulation detection kit as a supplement to barrier methods, and 22% indicated they would consider the kit as a sole method of birth control. More than 68% of the women in the sample indicated they would choose an abortion if faced with an unwanted pregnancy, and 60% would hypothetical...
The immune response of congenitally athymic (nude) mice to the intestinal nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.

SummaryPhenotypically normal mice expelled the intestinal nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis by Day 10-12 post-larval-inoculation. Congenitally athymic (nude) mice maintained, for their lifetime...
Synthesis and Characterization of (Pentadienyl) (Tricarbonyl) Iron(+1) Cations

Abstract A series of (1-alkylpentadienyl) (tricarbonyl) iron(+1) hexafluorophosphate salts were prepared (alkyl [dbnd] methyl to n-heptyl). Physical and spectral data for the moisture sensitive complexes are presented.
Characterization of C60-Based Solid Electrolyte, and Compositional Dependance of the Humidity Sensing Effect

Abstract Bulk C60-based solid electrolyte is shown to consist of two distinct compound fractions, hydrophobic and hydrophilic. Analysis of the fractions by FT-IR and UV-Vis absorbance, and mass spectrometry, indicate they contain true fullerene derivatives such as alcohols, acids, and ethers. the separated components can be recombined in solution and spin coated into thin films, which display humidity sensitive conductivity. by varying the hydrophobic;hydrophilic content ratio, the humidity response behavior of these films can be adjusted.
Effect of Public Commitment upon Opinions.

Abstract In two separate experiments college students were induced to pledge themselves to make tape recordings which would be played publicly of their position on certain issues. They were not asked to make such recordings for certain other issues. Opinions toward the issues were measured before the recordings actually were to be made. In both experiments it was found that the subjects' private opinions became more extreme when they committed themselves to state their position publicly on the issues, that is, opinions were more extreme for those issues than for the other issues.
Medical tourism facilitators: Patterns of service differentiation

This article studies the nature of differentiation in the market for medical tourism facilitators in the USA. Medical tourism facilitators in the USA resemble a monopolistically competitive industry. They choose to differentiate their services in several ways, including by the scope of countries and hospitals which they use, the scope of the treatments in which they specialize, the extent of involvement of medical professionals in the company, and the kinds of ancillary services they offer. The authors perform an exploratory study of the differentiation among 46 such firms. Using principal-components analysis, they detect three components: an emphasis on providing a broad selection of destinations, an emphasis on physician’s concerns, and an emphasis on the travel aspects of medical tourism. Cluster analysis separates the firms’ profiles into six types.
Characterization of an erythrocytic virus in the family Iridoviridae from a peninsula ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus sackenii)

A wild peninsula ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus sackenii) in Florida was found to have hypochromic erythrocytes containing two different types of inclusions: purple granular inclusions, and pale orange or pink crystalloid inclusions that were round, oval, rectangular, or hexagonal in shape. Transmission electron microscopy revealed hexagonal or pleomorphic, homogenous inclusions and enveloped particles morphologically consistent with a member of the Iridoviridae. Histopathology of the animal revealed necrotizing hepatitis consistent with sepsis. Consensus PCR was used to amplify a 628-bp region of iridoviral DNA-dependent DNA polymerase. Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis found that this virus was distinct from other known iridoviral genera and species, and may represent a novel genus and species.
Gravitational lensing of high-redshift Type Ia supernovae: a probe of medium-scale structure

The dispersion in the peak luminosities of high-redshift Type Ia supernovae will change with redshift because of gravitational lensing. This lensing is investigated with an emphasis on the prospects of measuring it and separating it from other possible sources of redshift-dependent dispersion. Measuring the lensing-induced dispersion would directly constrain the power spectrum of density fluctuations on smaller length-scales than are easily probed in any other way. The skew of the magnification distribution is related to the bispectrum of density fluctuations. Using cold dark matter models it is found that the amount and quality of data needed are attainable in a few years. A parametrization of the signal as a power law of the angular size distance to the supernova is motivated by these models. This information can be used in detecting lensing, detecting other systematic changes in supernovae and calculating the uncertainties in cosmological parameter estimates.
Confusion Over Measures of Evidence (p's) Versus Errors (α's) in Classical Statistical Testing

Confusion surrounding the reporting and interpretation of results of classical statistical tests is widespread among applied researchers, most of whom erroneously believe that such tests are prescribed by a single coherent theory of statistical inference. This is not the case: Classical statistical testing is an anonymous hybrid of the competing and frequently contradictory approaches formulated by R. A. Fisher on the one hand, and Jerzy Neyman and Egon Pearson on the other. In particular, there is a widespread failure to appreciate the incompatibility of Fisher's evidential p value with the Type I error rate, α, of Neyman-Pearson statistical orthodoxy. The distinction between evidence (p's) and error (α's) is not trivial. Instead, it reflects the fundamental differences between Fisher's ideas on significance testing and inductive inference, and Neyman-Pearson's views on hypothesis testing and inductive behavior. The emphasis of the article is to expose this incompatibility, but we also briefly note a pos...
Tangible anchoring: grasping news and public opinion

Tangible Anchoring explores potential practices for news reporting and analysis afforded by the convergence of tabletop computing forms, broadcast media, and user-generated content via mobile, interactive television, and online technologies. Our system applies these technologies in a novel combination to support new forms of dialogue for broadcast television, with a focus on polling, and the techniques prototyped are also applicable for webcasts, meetings, and art installations. The system enables tabletop computing users (e.g. television anchors or moderators) to receive and mix for redistribution both quantitative and qualitative data, i.e. viewpoints, from participants in remote locations or face-to-face settings.Our design scenario for the television studio assumes multiple camera angles, two or more discussants, multiple displays, and issues-based polls using mobile phones. Our current prototype features viewer viewpoints presented on a tangible tabletop broadcast anchor desk. In this paper, we present our design rationale and feedback on the application from industry professionals and colleagues.
Software architecture built from behavior models

This paper suggests an approach to formal software system architecture specification based on behavior models. The behavior of the system is defined as a set of events (event trace) with two basic relations: precedence and inclusion. The structure of event trace is specified using event grammars and other constraints organized into schemas. The schema framework is amenable to stepwise architecture refinement, reuse, composition, visualization, and application of automated tools for consistency checks. The concept of event attribute supports a continuous architecture refinement up to executable design and implementation models.
Examining the complexity behind a medication error: generic patterns in communication

Communication was the most frequently cited cause of medication errors reported between 1995 and 2003. More detailed models of how communication breakdowns contribute to adverse events are needed to intervene to improve communication processes. We describe in detail an incident where an oncology fellow physician erroneously substituted the medication navelbine for the intended etoposide during ordering, resulting in a prolonged hospitalization with severe leukopenia for the patient. A team of human factors and medical experts analyzed the case and identified communication patterns described in the human factors literature. We discuss how the findings suggest targeted ideas for improving communication processes, media, and systems that may have higher "traction" for improving patient safety than are possible solely from aggregated analyses of coded descriptions of large sets of cases.
Sextant: a unified node and event localization framework using non-convex constraints

Determining node and event locations is a canonical task for many wireless network applications. Yet dedicated infrastructure for determining position information is expensive, energy-consuming, and simply unavailable in many deployment scenarios. This paper presents an accurate, cheap and scalable framework, called Sextant, for determining node position and event location in sensor networks. Sextant operates by setting up and solving a system of geographic constraints based on connectivity information from the underlying communication network. Sextant achieves high accuracy by enabling non-convex constraints to be used to refine position estimates. It represents position estimates as potentially non-contiguous collections of points. This general representation enables Sextant to use _negative information_, that is, information on where a node or event is not located, to refine location estimates. Sextant unifies both node and event detection within the same general framework. It can provide high precision without dedicated localization hardware by aggressively extracting constraints from the link layer, representing areas precisely with Bezier-enclosed polygons and probability distributions, and using event detection to refine node position estimates. A compact representation and a fully distributed implementation make the framework practical for resource-limited devices. The framework has been implemented, deployed and tested on laptops, PDAs and Mica-2 motes. Physical experiments show that a large number (98%) of the nodes in a network can determine their positions based on a small number (30%) of landmark nodes and that a large number (90%) of events can be located with low median error.
Optimal lightpath routing and rerouting in WDM networks

The high throughput provided by WDM technology in fiber optic networks and the emergence of high speed all-optical wavelength converters have attracted extensive research on lightpath routing in WDM networks. Given a connection request, it is desirable to find a minimum cost lightpath or semi-lightpath to establish the connection without interrupting any existing connections. When a connection cannot be established without rerouting, one would like to establish a connection after rerouting a minimum number of existing lightpaths. In this paper, we present an efficient algorithm for computing a minimum cost route among routes requiring minimum cost reroutings. Our results provide either improvements or generalizations of several recent results in lightpath routing/rerouting.
Commentary Paper 3 on Visual Players Detection and Tracking in Soccer Matches

This manuscript presents object detection and tracking in video clips of soccer matches. Background subtraction based framework on pixel energy is proposed to detect objects in the input video clip with varying light conditions, high frame rates, and real-time processing. Unsupervised clustering is then used classify detected objects into various classes. A stochastic approach based on maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) is proposed for object tracking.
Adam Smith as Legal and Constitutional Theorist

Adam Smith belongs in the mainstream of modern jurisprudence and cannot be omitted from any full understanding of how we have come to think as we do about the law. That is the message of this wide-ranging and ambitious study of Smith's legal and constitutional thought by Swiss scholar Daniel Briihlmeier. Most readers know that modern economics owes a lot to Smith, but it may come as a surprise to discover that modern legal thought, including constitutional law, is also heavily Smithian. Failure to discover this, and failure to read Smith,' condemns us to perpetual efforts to rediscover the wheel. Indeed, the author of this book documents numerous instances in which something that Smith said has later been presented as something
Note on a Nontrivial Simple Example of Higher-Order One-Dimensional Beam Theory

Abstract : One-dimensional beam equations are derived for a rectangular-cross section beam consisting of shear webs and corner stringers with one cross-sectional axis of symmetry. It is shown that a systematic statement of this problem involves one more equation than elementary theory, with this additional equation involving the concept of cross-sectional warping and bi-moment. As an application of the general results of the paper, new conclusions are deduced concerning the location of the center of shear of the beam. (Author)
Ambient ultrafine particles provide a strong adjuvant effect in the secondary immune response: implication for traffic-related asthma flares

We have previously demonstrated that intranasal administration of ambient ultrafine particles (UFP) acts as an adjuvant for primary allergic sensitization to ovalbumin (OVA) in Balb/c mice. It is important to find out whether inhaled UFP exert the same effect on the secondary immune response as a way of explaining asthma flares in already-sensitized individuals due to traffic exposure near a freeway. The objective of this study is to determine whether inhalation exposure to ambient UFP near an urban freeway could enhance the secondary immune response to OVA in already-sensitized mice. Prior OVA-sensitized animals were exposed to concentrated ambient UFP at the time of secondary OVA challenge in our mobile animal laboratory in Los Angeles. OVA-specific antibody production, airway morphometry, allergic airway inflammation, cytokine gene expression, and oxidative stress marker were assessed. As few as five ambient UFP exposures were sufficient to promote the OVA recall immune response, including generating allergic airway inflammation in smaller and more distal airways compared with the adjuvant effect of intranasally instilled UFP on the primary immune response. The secondary immune response was characterized by the T helper 2 and IL-17 cytokine gene expression in the lung. In summary, our results demonstrated that inhalation of prooxidative ambient UFP could effectively boost the secondary immune response to an experimental allergen, indicating that vehicular traffic exposure could exacerbate allergic inflammation in already-sensitized subjects.
Rapid system design framework for fuzzy applications

In this paper, we present an efficient rapid system design framework for fuzzy systems. The given system specification is broken into two components: conceptual and parameter specifications. The conceptual specification contains the system core, which is unchanged throughout the simulation phase and can be implemented in hardware at an early stage. The parameter specification, implemented in software, includes variables that are adjustable for system performance tuning. The design example shows the efficiency and flexibility of our approach.
Two bracketing theorems characterizing the eigensolution for theh-version of the finite element method

This paper demonstrates that the classical inclusion principle is in general not valid for the h-version of the finite element method. Whereas the inclusion principle is valid for second-order systems discretized by the h-version of the finite element method, provided linear interpolation functions are used as admissible functions, the principle is not valid for fourth-order systems. To characterize the computed eigenvalues for fourth-order systems discretized by the h-version of the finite element method, this paper formulates two bracketing theorems.
Texture of the uppermost inner core from forward- and back-scattered seismic waves

Body waves interacting with the boundary of the solid inner core at narrow and wide angles of incidence provide independent constraints on a heterogeneous texture that may originate from the process of solidification. The equatorial, quasi-eastern hemisphere, of the uppermost 50–100 km of the inner core is characterized by a higher isotropic P wave velocity, lower Qα's inferred from PKIKP, and simpler PKiKP pulses compared to adjacent regions in the western hemisphere and polar latitudes. Compared to this region, the adjacent western (primarily Pacific) equatorial region is characterized by higher Qα's and a higher level of coda excitation following PKiKP. Lateral variations in both inner core Qα inferred from transmitted PKIKP and inner core heterogeneity inferred from the coda of reflected PKiKP can be modeled by lateral variations in a solidification fabric. In an actively crystallizing eastern equatorial region, characterized by upwelling flow in the outer core, fabrics that explain strong attenuation and the absence of attenuation and velocity anisotropy in short range (120°–140°) PKIKP and weak PKiKP codas have an anisotropy of scale lengths with longer scale lengths in the vertical direction, perpendicular to the inner core boundary. In less actively solidifying regions in the equatorial western hemisphere, longer scale lengths tend to be more parallel to the inner core boundary, consistent with outer core flow tangent to the inner core boundary or viscous shearing and recrystallization in the horizontal direction away from more actively crystallizing regions in the eastern hemisphere. This texture is less effective in attenuating PKIKP by forward scattering. Lateral variation in the equatorial western hemisphere between vertical versus horizontal oriented plate-like textures may explain lateral variations from weak to strongly back-scattered PKiKP coda and from strong to weak velocity and attenuation anisotropy in short range PKIKP. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Using Skew for Classification

One classic example of a binary classifier is one which employs the mean and standard deviation of the data set as a mechanism for classification. Indeed, principle component analysis has played a major role in this effort. In this paper, we propose that one should also include skew in order to make this method of classification a little more precise. One needs a simple probability distribution function which can be easily fit to a data set and use this pdf to create a classifier with improved error rates and comparable to other classifiers.