cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward large-scale integration of carbon nanotubes.

This paper presents a large-scale assembly method to deposit discrete multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) across gaps present in an electrode array. A parametric study showed that MWCNTs dispersed in a liquid could be deposited to individually span gaps by combining an alternating current (ac) and a direct current (dc) electric field in a given ratio; it was shown that the ac field (5 MHz) serves to selectively attract and the dc field to guide individual deposition. Repeated trials demonstrated accurate, discrete, and aligned deposition at room temperature with 90% yield over an electrode array having 100 gaps.
Trilinear Monomials with Mixed Sign Domains: Facets of the Convex and Concave Envelopes

Convex underestimators of nonconvex functions, frequently used in deterministic global optimization algorithms, strongly influence their rate of convergence and computational efficiency. A good convex underestimator is as tight as possible and introduces a minimal number of new variables and constraints. Multilinear monomials over a coordinate aligned hyper-rectangular domain are known to have polyhedral convex envelopes which may be represented by a finite number of facet inducing inequalities. This paper describes explicit expressions defining the facets of the convex and concave envelopes of trilinear monomials over a box domain with bounds of opposite signs for at least one variable. It is shown that the previously used approximations based on the recursive use of the bilinear construction rarely yield the convex envelope itself.
Microvillus Assembly: Not actin alone

Transfection studies provide supporting evidence for the proposed role of villin and fimbrin in bundling the core actin filaments of microvilli.
Rob Kling In Search of One Good Theory

Rob Kling's legacy is a corpus of work that exemplifies the craft of inquiry and the social enterprise of science. This article examines his contribution to social informatics through an analysis of the multiple theories, methods, and sources of evidence he relied on to make his arguments about the social life of computing and the consequences of computerization. His citation identity demonstrates that he transcended disciplinary boundaries but grounded his analysis of the political and social order in interpretive theory and critique. Kling created a working vocabulary for theorizing about computerization and social life. His sustained inquiry and critique, a very public record of his work, enthusiasm, and charisma, contributed to the penetration of his ideas and the fostering of a world-wide community of interest for a domain of study called social informatics.
Nucleon Stability: A Geochemical Test Independent of Decay Mode

By analyzing published geochemical data on xenon isotopes measured in a 2.46 x 10 9 -year-old telluride ore, a lower limit of 1.6 x 10 25 years has been obtained for the mean lifetime of the nucleons in the tellurium-130 nucleus. This result is insensitive to the particular mode by which the nucleons decay and therefore provides a rigorous limit on possible baryon number nonconservation. The new limit is about two orders of magnitude better than the previous rigorous limit on nucleon stability.
Laser-enhanced NMR spectroscopy

Experimental studies show that optical irradiation far from any absorption bands can shift the resonances in a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum without significant heating. This effect may lead to increased dispersion in NMR studies of complex molecules.
An Analytical Model to Predict Chatter in Multi-Dimensional Periodically Time-Varying Machining Processes

An approach is presented to determine the stability limits for machining processes that exhibit periodic time variation and multi-dimensional structural dynamics. The approach leverages the solution for the single-dimensional case, which identified an added set of stability lobes in addition to those corresponding to the time-invariant case. The solution is developed for two-dimensional dynamics for both a damped system and an undamped system; it may be expanded to any order and extended to three-dimensional dynamics. The undamped solution provides a mathematical description of the stability lobe locations along the speed axis and asymptotes for the damped case. Numerical time-domain simulation is used to confirm the analytical solution. While the agreement is good even for a first-order analytical result, yet another extra stability lobe, not seen in the one-dimensional case, is now seen in the numerical simulation results. Some of its characteristics are noted; however, further study is needed to understand its source.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Insect control with baculoviruses

Abstract Baculoviruses have been researched extensively for insect control. Three of their features have been particularly attractive: their host specificity and consequential environmental safety, their virulence in host insects, and their capability for causing disease epizootics. There have been four approaches to their use for insect control: as microbial insecticides for short-term insect population suppression, through seasonal colonization or a recurring “booster shot” for control of more than one pest generation, through introduction-establishment where the viral species or strain was not indigenous, and through environmental manipulation to make the ecosystem more favorable for viral epizootics. Actual usage of baculoviruses in pest management has been disappointing, particularly with the microbial insecticide approach, primarily for three reasons: economics, slow speed of kill, and adverse effects of the environment on the viruses. The recombinant-DNA revolution has greatly increased the prospects for baculoviruses in insect pest management.
Outcome Analysis in Clinical Trial Design for Acute Stroke: Physicians’ Attitudes and Choices

Background: Thrombolysis remains the only proven therapy to benefit acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Recent studies have introduced more sensitive outcome measures such as the
Semantics modeling issues for processing natural language database queries

This work explores data semantics issues necessary for designing an NL interface capable of dealing with incomplete NL queries. First, the notion of incomplete NL queries is clarified to conclude the necessity for enriching the data semantics component of the system. An assumption made by the existing NL interfaces is expounded to argue that the approaches based on this assumption are unable to explore meta-knowledge about the stored data in the query conversion process. A new, unconventional approach is proposed whose tenets underlie the separation between the conceptual interpretation of NL queries and the semantics descriptions of the database constituents. This approach allows explicit descriptions of the conceptual knowledge, referred to herein as epistemological specifications, on the DB constituents.
A Paradoxical Gift of Memory: The Pain, Pride, and History of an Untouchable "Kitchen Poetess"

Indian untouchable women challenge the anthropologist to decipher what they orally convey about their sense of the "living past," the troubling present, and uncharted future. There has been scant written record of these women's lives. Nevertheless they can take the ethnographer on a journey of recollections and verities that they experienced distinctly. The journey is also a mental picture in which "living memory," a "living past," and a "do-it-yourself construction" of their own history intermingle (see Bastide 1970; Halbwachs 1980; on language and gender, see Lakoff l975; Philips 1987). Viewed on its own ground, such history resists buckling under the scientistic, hypercritical prejudice of "mainstream history," and it refuses to become a secondary, that is, dependent, source of knowledge. It asserts a social retrospective; it asserts highly coded "fluid dialogues" and a self-other critical narrative that transforms personal stories into a vivid, life-anchored collective history. Such history is born of collective memory, reflecting, as Wachtel (1986:213) would say (my interpolation), "a particular sensibility, a way of thinking and reacting peculiar to a period, to a generation of [people]… whose echo nonetheless reaches other generations … [and] which leaves its imprint on the collective memory."
Dreams as a source of supernatural agent concepts.

We present a theory of the creativity of dreams as well as psychopathology of religious delusions with respect to production of fundamental forms of religious cognition—specifically supernatural agent (SA) cognitions. We suggest that dream cognitions are particularly efficient at producing highly memorable and impactful experiences with SAs because dreams involve three processes that are prerequisites for the generation of god concepts: (1) mental simulations of alternative realities, (2) theory of mind attributions to the extra-natural dream characters and divine beings, and (3) attribution of ultimate value (exemplified by ‘good spirit beings’), and dis-value (exemplified by demonic monsters) to the supernatural dream characters. Because prefrontal cortex is deactivated during rapid eye movements (REM) sleep agentic impulses and internally generated ideas are not reliably attributed to Self or dreamer. Instead an exaggerated degree of agency is attributed to these supernatural dream characters who are then embedded in stories in dreams and in myths of waking life which explain their supernatural abilities. These dream-based SAs are salient characters that are processed in sleep-related memory systems according to rules of Lleweelyn’s ancient art of memory model and therefore more easily remembered and reflected upon during waking life. When REM sleep intrudes into waking consciousness, as is the case with some forms of schizophrenia, religious delusions are more likely to emerge.
Characterization of 11 commercial pyrethroids on the functional attributes of rat brain synaptosomes

Abstract The action of 11 commercial pyrethroids on Ca 2+ influx and glutamate release was assessed using high-throughput functional assays with rat brain synaptosomes to better understand the mechanistic nature of pyrethroid-induced neurotoxicity and aid in the reassessment of pyrethroids in vivo . Concentration-dependent response curves for each of the non-cyano and α-cyano containing pyrethroids were determined and the data used in a cluster analysis. The previously characterized α-cyano pyrethroids that induce the CS-syndrome (cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and esfenvalerate) increased Ca 2+ influx and glutamate release, and clustered with two other α-cyano pyrethroids (β-cyfluthrin and λ-cyhalothrin) that shared these same actions. Previously characterized T-syndrome pyrethroids (bioallethrin, cismethrin, and fenpropathrin) did not share these actions and clustered with two other non-cyano pyrethroids (tefluthrin and bifenthrin) that likewise did not elicit these actions. Our current findings indicate that pyrethroids that have an α-cyano group (with the exception of fenpropathrin) were more potent enhancers of Ca 2+ influx and glutamate release under depolarizing conditions than pyrethroids that did not possess this functional group. The collective data set does not support the hypothesis that pyrethroids, as a class, act in a similar fashion at presynaptic nerve terminals.
Surface recoiling, XPS and UPS study of chemisorption of H2, O2 and H2O on lanthanum

Abstract Chemisorption of H2, O2 and H2O on polycrystalline lanthanum is characterized by X-ray and UV photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS) and surface recoiling (SR) of adsorbate atoms. The SR technique using a pulsed 3 keV Ar+ source and time-of-flight detection of both neutrals and ions is demonstrated to have outer-monolayer sensitivity and the capability of directly detecting adsorbate hydrogen. The high sensitivity of SR (particularly to surface hydrogen) coupled with the chemical state information from XPS and UPS provides an excellent combination for monitoring adsorbates. Reaction of H2 with La forms the dihydride compound, reaching saturation on the surface after ∼ 50 L exposure and in the outer ∼ 20 A after ∼ 2000 L. Reaction with O2 is consistent with the formation of La2O3 at exposures ≲ 10 L. The results suggest that during the initial stages of reaction with H2O, oxide and hydride are formed followed by hydroxide formation beginning at ∼ 35 L. The saturation level exhibits a ratio OH/O ∼ 0.4.
Cognitive Predictors of Articulation in Writing

Among 106 college students scores on a spontaneous 20-min. essay were regressed on referents of verbal and visual spatial ability. 26% of the variability in writing articulation among males was accounted for by the regression of graded writing scores against logical relations and embedded figures tests. 82% of the variability in writing ability among females was accounted for by the regression of graded writing scores on visual closure, reading comprehension, spatial visualization, and embedded figures tests. The use of verbal and visual spatial referents as predictors of the degree of articulation in spontaneous writing samples consistent with sex-specific models of cerebral lateralization was described.
In Search of Gender Neutrality: Is Singular They a Cognitively Efficient Substitute for Generic He?

With increasing frequency, writers and speakers are ignoring grammatical proscription and using the plural pronoun they to refer to singular antecedents. This change may, in part, be motivated by efforts to make language more gender inclusive. In the current study, two reading-time experiments demonstrated that singular they is a cognitively efficient substitute for generic he or she, particularly when the antecedent is nonreferential. In such instances, clauses containing they were read (a) much more quickly than clauses containing a gendered pronoun that went against the gender stereotype of the antecedent, and (b) just as quickly as clauses containing a gendered pronoun that matched the stereotype of the antecedent. However, with referential antecedents, for which the gender was presumably known, clauses containing singular they were not read as quickly as clauses containing a gendered pronoun that matched the antecedent's stereotypic gender.
Surfactant Use for Slug Flow Pattern Suppression and New Flow Pattern Types in a Horizontal Pipe

A set of experiments was performed to study flow pattern suppression in horizontal air-water pipe flow by means of surfactant additive. Results suggest that addition of the surfactant to the gas-liquid flow significantly reduces the occurrence of slug flow. In addition, previously unreported flow patterns were observed to exist between slug and dispersed bubble flows. It is concluded that new mechanisms for slug flow transition need to be considered.
Systematic, Political, and Socioeconomic Influences on Educational Spending in the American States1

For decades, scholars have debated the relative explanatory power of economic and political factors in determining policy outputs. In addition, I introduce a new concept, “systematic determinants,” which includes incrementalism and proportionalism. Policy spending is likely to change only marginally, or incrementally, from previous spending levels. Also, the relative sizes of policy programs in a government are likely to remain similar, or proportional. In my study of the elementary and secondary educational spending by the state governments of the United States in 2000, I found that the systematic determinants, such as incrementalism and proportionalism, have a greater influence on the educational spending. Also, my finding shows that Democratic-majority legislative chambers are likely to increase educational spending.
Transfusion therapy in postpartum hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is an obstetric emergency that can occur following vaginal or cesarean delivery. Rapid diagnosis of PPH using laboratory and clinical parameters is an important first step in its management. Traditional blood components, including packed red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate, should be used in patients with significant bleeding. Recent studies underline the utility of transfusing these components in defined ratios to prevent dilutional coagulopathy. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) should be considered in severely bleeding obstetric patients and should be treated aggressively using blood components. Newer hemostatic agents, such as activated factor VII, will play significant roles in patients with bleeding that is refractory to standard therapy. Implementation of an obstetric bleeding protocol that integrates new knowledge in coagulation should aid physicians in improving outcomes for the mother and her fetus.
Efficacy of alosetron in irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The 5HT3 receptor antagonist alosetron has been tested in several trials on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to determine its effect on adequate relief of pain or global improvement of symptoms in IBS patients. Six large, multicentre, randomized, placebo-controlled trials fulfilled pre-set criteria for high quality and were included in the meta-analysis; 1762 patients were randomized to alosetron treatment and 1356 to placebo. Seventy-five per cent of the patients experienced diarrhoea-predominant IBS and 93% were females. The pooled odds ratio for adequate relief of pain or global symptoms improvement was 1.81 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57-2.10). The average number of patients needed to treat with alosetron for one patient to achieve improvement over placebo treatment was seven (95% CI 5.74-9.43). The present analysis shows that alosetron 1 mg b.i.d. positively impacts global symptoms, and pain and discomfort in non-constipated IBS female patients. One in four patients treated with alosetron may develop constipation. The efficacy of alosetron is unclear in male patients.
Simultaneous removal of phosphorus and foulants in a hybrid coagulation/membrane filtration system

At many wastewater treatment plants, chemical addition is required to meet the requirements for discharge of phosphorus. Membrane filtration is an attractive option for removing the chemically precipitated phosphorus, but that process can be impeded by fouling of the membrane by effluent organic matter (EfOM). In the current study, membrane fouling and ortho-P removal were explored in hybrid adsorbent/membrane systems dosed with alum and/or a new aluminum-based adsorbent (heated aluminum oxide particles, HAOPs). HAOPs prevented fouling more effectively than alum did, even though the two adsorbents removed similar amounts of EfOM. The HAOPs were particularly effective when they were pre-deposited on the membrane (as opposed to being mixed into the feed upstream). On the other hand, alum removed ortho-P more efficiently than HAOPs did. Combining both adsorbents in a single membrane system takes advantage of the most attractive features of each, accomplishing good ortho-P removal while simultaneously minimizing fouling. In addition to being potentially applicable directly, the results demonstrate the potential benefits of using multiple coagulants and/or adsorbents in a single hybrid membrane system.
Response of soybean to foliar-applied boron and magnesium and soil-applied boron

Abstract Annual plants may partition carbon (C) preferentially to reproductive structures slowing root elongation and subsequent nutrient uptake. Although foliar applications of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) supplement uptake by roots, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield increases have not been found in most studies. Experiments were designed to determine if foliar applications of boron (B), magnesium (Mg), or B+Mg would increase soybean yield and if soybean would respond to B applied to the soil several weeks prior to planting. Foliar B or Mg applied separately four times during reproductive growth did not affect soybean yield. However, four foliar applications of B+Mg increased soybean yield 12% at Mt. Vernon and 4% at Columbia over a three‐year period. Two foliar applications of B+Mg during the late reproductive stages increased soybean yield 8% over a two‐year period. The yield increase from foliar B+Mg treatment resulted from an increased number of pods on the main st...
Using Facebook and text messaging to deliver a weight loss program to college students.

Objective: Between 31 and 35% of the college-aged population is overweight or obese, yet few weight loss trials for this population have been conducted. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a technology-based 8-week weight loss intervention among college students. Design and Methods: Students (N = 52) were randomly assigned to one of the three arms: Facebook (n = 17); Facebook Plus text messaging and personalized feedback (n = 18); Waiting List control (n = 17), with assessments at 4 weeks and 8 weeks (post-treatment). Participants were 20.47 ± 2.19 years old, 86.45 ± 17.11 kg, with a body mass index of 31.36 ± 5.3 kg/m2. Participants were primarily female (86.5%), and the sample was racially diverse (57.7% Caucasian, 30.8% African American, 5.8% Hispanic, and 5.7% other races). Results: The primary outcome was weight loss after 8 weeks (post-treatment); 96.0% of the participants completed this assessment. At 8 weeks, the Facebook Plus group had significantly greater weight loss (−2.4 ± 2.5 kg) than the Facebook (−0.63 ± 2.4 kg) and Waiting List (−0.24 ± 2.6 kg) (both Ps < 0.05). Weight change at 8 weeks was not significantly different between the Facebook and Waiting List groups. Conclusions: Results show preliminary efficacy and acceptability of the two active intervention arms (97.0% found the program helpful, 81.3% found the videos/handouts helpful, and 100% would recommend the program to others). Results indicate the potential for an innovative weight loss intervention that uses technology platforms (Facebook and text messaging) that are frequently used and already integrated into the cultural life of college students.
International Psychology and the Undergraduate Curriculum: A Personal Note

Many psychologists in the United States are intellectually isolated. In this article, I argue that important benefits are gained by including international psychology in the undergraduate curriculum.
Associations between two common polymorphisms in the ABCA1 gene and subclinical atherosclerosis: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Abstract Objective ABCA1 controls the first step in reverse cholesterol transport. The potential associations between G1051A (R219K) and −565C/T genetic polymorphisms in the ABCA1 gene, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and subclinical cardiovascular disease in the general population remains unclear. We examined these associations in a sample of Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants. Methods Nine hundred and sixty-nine MESA participants were genotyped and underwent CT examinations for coronary artery calcification (CAC) and carotid ultrasound examinations for intima media thickness. Genetic association analyses were performed. Results The AA genotype was associated with a 2.4mg/dl higher HDL-C, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity and clinic site ( p =0.04). There was a 28% lower prevalence of CAC ( p =0.002) in those with AA genotype that persisted after further adjustment for HDL-C. There were no significant associations between −565C/T genotype and HDL-C. There were trends towards a higher prevalence of CAC in those with CT (PR=1.13, p =0.08) and TT (PR=1.16, p =0.08) genotypes, compared with CC genotype. Neither G1051A nor −565C/T polymorphisms were associated with carotid intima media thickness. Conclusion The AA genotype of the G1051A polymorphism is associated with slightly higher HDL-C and lower prevalence of CAC and thus may protect against subclinical cardiovascular disease. The T allele of −565 C/T polymorphism may increase risk for subclinical cardiovascular disease.
Introduction to session 1A: feedstock genomics and development.

Genomics research aimed at improving bioconversion properties of feedstocks received a major impetus as a result of the Feedstock Genomics program jointly operated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In addition, oil company BP established the Energy Biosciences Institute in collaboration with the University of California-Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. This was followed later on in the year by the establishment of three DOE-funded bioenergy centers. The need to switch from petroleum-based duels to biofuels was underscored by the report of Working Group II of the United Nations-sponsored International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in which the wide-spread effects of greenhouse gas emissions on the global climate were presented. IPCC and former U.S. vice-president Al Gore received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to quantify and disseminate the effects of global warming.
Managing and mining large graphs: patterns and algorithms

Graphs are everywhere: social networks, the World Wide Web, biological networks, and many more. The sizes of graphs are growing at unprecedented rate, spanning millions and billions of nodes and edges. What are the patterns in large graphs, spanning Giga, Tera, and heading toward Peta bytes? What are the best tools, and how can they help us solve graph mining problems? How do we scale up algorithms for handling graphs with billions of nodes and edges? These are exactly the goals of this tutorial. We start with the patterns in real-world static, weighted, and dynamic graphs. Then we describe important tools for large graph mining, including singular value decomposition, and Hadoop. Finally, we conclude with the design and the implementation of scalable graph mining algorithms on Hadoop.This tutorial is complementary to the related tutorial "Managing and Mining Large Graphs: Systems and Implementations".
The isotopic composition of strontium in Permian limestones, eastern Kansas

Abstract The strontium ( 87 86 ) ratios in ten samples of Permian limestones from eastern Kansas vary from 0.7070 to 0.7091. This range is beyond the possible analytical error of ± 0.0003 per single analysis determined from sixteen analyses of an interlaboratory standard. The possible reasons for this range may be: (1) actual fluctuations in local environments in Permian seas; (2) preferential leaching of radiogenic 87Sr from argillaceous constituents during the analytical procedures; (3) secondary enrichment of 87Sr in the limestones due to recrystallization; (4) some other process or a combination of any of the above. Comparison of total strontium and silica contents with the isotopic Sr ( 87 86 ) data indicate no direct correlation between these parameters; hence the range is most probably due to reason 1. In addition, attempts to pinpoint the isotopic composition of Sr on the marine geochron proposed by Hurley et al. (1965) have failed, and the data suggest that present methods of determining this geochron are inadequate at present.
Effect of pattern of administration on the response to exogenous pituitary-derived chicken growth hormone by broiler-strain pullets.

The effect of pulsatile versus continuous intravenous administration of exogenous, pituitary-derived chicken growth hormone (cGH) on growth performance and endocrine/metabolite status of broiler-strain pullets was determined. In a first study, 8-week-old pullets, surgically prepared with intravenous catheters and maintained via a fluid swivel/spring tether/harness system, were administered cGH or vehicle (control) over a 10-min period every 90 min (i.e., 90-min pulse pattern) for 21 consecutive days. Feed intake, body weight gain, and carcass yield and composition were determined in conjunction with plasma concentrations of several hormones and metabolites. In a second study, 8-week-old pullets were intravenously administered cGH or vehicle continuously for 21 consecutive days under the same conditions as for Study I. Pulsatile cGH administration improved feed efficiency (P less than 0.02), increased longitudinal bone growth (P less than 0.02) and mass (P less than 0.01), and reduced abdominal fat pad size (P less than 0.05) and total carcass lipid (P less than 0.09) over the 21-day treatment period in comparison to vehicle infusion. Pulsatile cGH administration also resulted in hepatomegaly, a marked elevation in plasma IGF-I (P less than 0.003) and T3 (P less than 0.005) concentrations, and a reduction in plasma T4 levels (P less than 0.04). In contrast to the above responses to pulsatile cGH, continuous intravenous cGH administration significantly impaired feed efficiency (P less than 0.01) and had no significant effect on abdominal fat pad or liver size or on total carcass lipid, but did result in widening of the epiphyseal growth plate (P less than 0.06) and increased bone mass (P less than 0.01) in comparison to vehicle infused controls. These studies demonstrate that in the broiler chicken, for which endogenous plasma GH concentrations are pulsatile at early ages in conjunction with rapid growth, the pattern of exogenous GH administration is clearly a factor influencing the nature of response to the hormone.
Exploring locked nucleic acids as a bio-inspired materials assembly and disassembly tool

Oligonucleotides hold great promise as a recognition-based biomaterials assembly and disassembly tool. Chemically modified oligonucleotides such as locked nucleic acids (LNA) provide the added advantage of nuclease resistance. In the current study, we focus on programming the assembly and disassembly of LNA-linked colloidal particles as a function of sequence composition. We find that incorporation of LNA residues (∼30%) into either one or both primary hybridization partner strands results in a higher duplex density than for isosequential DNA strands. Mismatched primary hybridization partners with sequence length of 11–15 bases have similar initial primary duplex densities. The displacement of mismatched strands by 15 base-long, perfectly matched competitive target strands, however, does depend on the base length of the original mismatched partner strand. Confocal microscopy confirms that substantial colloidal assembly occurs for both perfectly matched and mismatched LNA sequences that are 9 bases in length. Extensive disassembly for the mismatched case is then triggered through the introduction of 15 base-long competitive target strands. Our work demonstrates that LNA can be used to programmatically assemble and disassemble colloidal particles.
Brief interventions for reducing drinking in veterans with Hepatitis C

The prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) infection among veterans treated within Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) is 3 to 4 times higher than the general population prevalence of 1.8%. Approximately 50 to 60% of patients with HCV are at risk for progression to end-stage liver disease. The risk for progression to end-stage liver disease is significantly increased in individuals with heavy alcohol consumption and veterans with HCV have a high rate of co-morbid alcohol use. Treatments that reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption among HCV-positive veterans may reduce the impact of the disease for the individual. Motivational enhancement treatments (MET) have shown the greatest efficacy in treating alcohol use disorders in general. Further, medications that reduce alcohol craving and consumption, that are also not metabolized in the liver are equally beneficial. The objectives of this presentation are to detail two ongoing studies at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center that aim to reduce alcohol consumption for veterans with hepatitis C. The first study assesses the efficacy of MET to reduce number of drinking days over the period of six months. This study is being conducted in two VA Medical Centers and compares a four session MET intervention to a four session educational (control) intervention. The second study being conducted at three VA medical centers assesses the use baclofen, a generic medication approved for use in muscle spasm that has been shown in initial trials to reduce alcohol craving and consumption. Baclofen is not metabolized in the liver and is potentially ideal for patients with HCV. Both non-medication and medication interventions are crucial strategies for improving the health of veterans with HCV who have co-morbid alcohol use.
Life history of Gambusia nobilis (Pecos Gambusia) from Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Relatively little is known about variation in allocation to growth and reproduction of endangered and threatened fish species with small geographic distributions or isolated populations. We examined life history and reproductive variation among four ecologically distinct populations of the federally listed Pecos gambusia, Gambusia nobilis, from sinkholes at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, United States. Despite ecological variation between sinkholes, there were no significant differences in female reproductive traits between populations. Reproductive strategy shifted over the reproductive season from investment in many small embryos to fewer large offspring. Reproductive effort was not correlated with female size or condition (which varies between populations), suggesting that small or poor quality females invest similarly to larger or healthier females. Reproduction was asynchronous between populations and through the reproductive season. Embryo development patterns suggest that females often carry embryos of two or more developmental stages and provision them during gestation (matrotrophy). Understanding the life history strategies of this endangered species is important to the planning and implementation of conservation efforts.
Atom Chip-Based Microwave Potentials for Ultracold Atoms

We present progress towards using atom chip-based RF and microwaves to trap and spatially manipulate ultracold rubidium and potassium. We also investigate the use of RF evaporation in such traps.
The solid-phase synthesis of human and monkey beta-melanotropins.

Monkey and human β-MSH have been synthesized by the solid-phase method. The protected peptide resin corresponding to the sequence of each hormone was deprotected with liquid HF. Chromatographic purification gave the highly purified and biologically active hormones.
Inverse limits on [0,1] using logistic bonding maps

Abstract In this paper we investigate inverse limits on [0, 1] using a single bonding map chosen from the logistic family, fλ (x) = 4λx(1 − x) for 0 ⩽ λ ⩽ 1. Many interesting continua occur as such inverse limits from arcs to indecomposable continua. Among other things we observe that up through the Feigenbaum limit the inverse limit is a point or is hereditarily decomposable and otherwise the inverse limit contains an indecomposable continuum.
Menopause: Cross-Cultural Considerations

The objective of this chapter is to assess, based on available literature, if there is adequate evidence to support the concept that there are cross-cultural differences related to the menopausal transition based on geographic location or sociocultural influences.
Group B streptococcal disease prevention practices of obstetrician-gynecologists

Abstract Objective: To describe group B streptococcal (GBS) disease prevention practices of obstetrician-gynecologists. Methods: We surveyed 1019 ACOG Fellows—the 419 members of the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network (CARN) and 600 randomly selected non-CARN Fellows. Results: There were 601 eligible respondents. More than 95% in both the CARN and the non-CARN groups reported adopting one of three GBS prevention strategies. The most commonly reported strategy was a combination approach not described in the consensus guidelines. The second most common strategy was the screening-based strategy; the risk-based strategy was third. Most respondents provided GBS information to all prenatal patients, but those using a risk-based strategy and those in solo practice were less likely to do so. Less than 60% in each group used penicillin as their first choice for GBS prophylaxis. More than 20% in each group who routinely screened for GBS did not collect both vaginal and rectal cultures. Respondents rated ACOG publications as the most important influence on their GBS prevention approach. Conclusion: Almost all ACOG Fellows have adopted a GBS prevention strategy. The importance of providing GBS prevention information to all patients, use of penicillin, and collection of both vaginal and rectal cultures should be reinforced.
Junctions and cost functions in motion interpretation.

Form, motion, occlusion, and perceptual organization are intimately related. We sought to assess the role of junctions in their interaction. We used stimuli based on a cross moving within an occluding aperture. The two bars of the cross appear to cohere or move separately depending on the context; in accord with prior literature, motion interpretation depends in part on whether the bar endpoints appear to be occluded. To test the importance of junctions in motion interpretation, we explored the effect of changing the junctions generated at the occlusion points in our stimuli, from T-junctions to Ljunctions. In some cases, this change had a large effect on perceived motion; in others, it made little difference, suggesting junctions are not the critical variable. Further experiments suggested that what matters is not junctions per se, but whether illusory contours are introduced when the junction category is changed. Our results are consistent with an optimization-based computation that seeks to minimize the presence of illusory contours in the perceptual representation. Although it may be possible to explain our results with interactions between junctions, parsimony favors an explanation in terms of a cost-function operating on layered surface interpretations, with no explicit reference to junctions.
Presidential Campaign Spending and Correct Voting from 2000 to 2008

Objective This study examines whether presidential campaigns help voters make informed choices on Election Day, or whether unique campaign contexts can actually hinder quality votes. We explore this question by relating the allocation of resources by presidential campaigns to a measure of correct voting (Lau and Redlawsk, 1997). Methods. We expect that when campaign messages become overwhelmingly one sided, the number of incorrect votes increases and test this through an assessment of campaign data and responses to the 2000, 2004, and 2008 American National Election Studies. Results. Our results reveal that lopsided campaign contexts create an opportunity for campaigns to pick up votes that would otherwise go to the opposing candidate. Conclusion. This research underscores the normative value of competitive political campaigns as it relates to voters’ exposure to political information. Our findings contribute to debates on campaign strategy, information environments, and the effect of campaigns on voter decision-making.
The Psychological and Institutional Determinants of Early Voting

This article examines early voting, an institutional innovation whereby citizens can cast their ballots a time and location other than on election day and at the precinct place. Early voting has been proposed as way to expand the franchise, by making voting more convenient, and extend the franchise, by encouraging turnout among those segments of the population who are unable or unwilling to vote using traditional methods. The article draws on models of voter decision making that conceptualize voting as a choice reached under uncertainty. Voters vary by (a) their willingness to accept uncertainty, (b) their cognitive engagement with the campaign, and (c) their location in an institutional environment that makes early voting possible. We propose a multivariate model of early voting, contingent on a voter’s prior levels of political information, level of fixed political beliefs, and political information activity. These are also interacted with the institutional context (laws and procedures that allow early voting). At the descriptive level, we find most of the expected demographic and attitudinal patterns: early voters are older, better educated, and more cognitively engaged in the campaign and in politics. Because national surveys are ill equipped to capture nuanced campaign dynamics, many of the statistically significant relationships disappear in multivariate analyses. Regardless, revealing differences emerge between midterm and presidential election years that allow us to make important inferences about the demographic and participatory characteristics of early voters.
Potentiation of opioid analgesia by cocaine: the role of spinal and supraspinal receptors.

These studies examined the effect of cocaine on the analgesia produced by systemically and centrally administered opioid agonists. Cocaine (50 mg/kg, s.c.) increased the analgesic potency of systemic, ICV and IT morphine; and the ICV and IT analgesic effects of the delta selective peptide, [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE). Cocaine also increased the analgesic potency of the mu selective ligand [D-Ala2,NMePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAGO) administered ICV. However, cocaine did not alter the ED50 for IT DAGO. GC-MS studies indicated that brain cocaine concentration was approximately 3.0 micrograms/g wet weight 45 min following s.c. administration. These results suggest that cocaine-induced increases in opioid analgesic potency are mediated at brain mu and delta receptors and spinal mu receptors. Furthermore, there might be functional differences between spinal and supraspinal sites at which DAGO produces analgesia.
Rapid reduction of off-task behavior in retarded children by use of light-out.

The effectiveness of a light-out procedure in reducing periods of off-task behavior in retarded children was evaluated. Four children ages 3 to 10 yr. (mean IQ 32) were trained on a lever-pressing task as an analogue to discrete-trial training procedures. Positive reinforcement sessions were alternated with concurrent escape/avoidance procedures during which light-out was contingent upon nonresponding in an alternating treatment design. The light-out contingency rapidly and effectively reduced the length of time off-task and slightly increased response rate. Educational and therapeutic implications for retarded and autistic children include adaptation of the procedure for decreasing off-task behavior during discrete-trial training, such as in speech and language remediation.
An Event-Emotion or Event-Expression Hypothesis? A Comment on the Commentaries on Bennett, Bendersky, and Lewis (2002)

The hypothesis investigated by Bennett, Bendersky, and Lewis (2002) has 2 components. The first concerns relations between events and emotions, and the second concerns relations between emotions and facial expressions. These components should be conceptually distinguished, independently investigated, and separately evaluated.
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity of a Recently Characterized Carbon Black Adsorbate: Cyclopenta(Cd) Pyrene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are widespread environmental contaminants that may be metabolically activated to mutagenic or carcinogenic derivatives (Particulate Polycyclic Organic Matter, 1972; Gelboin and Ts’o, 1978). Intensive research indicates that PAH are promutagens or procarcinogens containing the bay region geometric feature (Jerina et al., 1978). Studies show that the biological activity of these compounds results from metabolism to bay region diol-epoxides, which are capable of forming covalent adducts at nucleophilic sites within DNA.
Transfer of Minilab TLC Screening Methods to Quantitative HPTLC-Densitometry for Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol, Isoniazid, and Rifampicin in a Combination Tablet

Individual HPTLC-densitometry methods for pyrazinamide, ethambutol, isoniazid, and rifampicin antituberculosis drugs in a combination tablet were developed by transfer of TLC screening methods contained in the Minilab manual from Global Pharma Health Fund E.V. for field use in identifying substandard and fake pharmaceutical products. Transfer was made using a model process published earlier. For ethambutol the transfer was essentially direct, but for the other three drugs lower sample and standard solution concentrations and a different mobile phase were needed. A CAMAG Linomat 4, Merck HPTLC premium purity silica gel 60 F254 glass plates, and a CAMAG Scanner 3 with winCATS software were used for assay of tablets for the four drugs and validation of the results of the new methods for linearity, accuracy, precision, peak identity, and peak purity.
Narratives of transformation: Family discourse, autism and trajectories of hope:

This article explores the role of personal life narrative as a self-shaping transformative process in the day-to-day family lives of 17 US children diagnosed with autism. Employing ethnographic vid...
Increased Collagen Synthesis by Gingival Fibroblasts Derived from a Papillon-Lefevre Patient

Both skin and gingival fibroblasts in the Papillon-Lefevre patient synthesized Type I and Type III collagen in a ratio very similar to fibroblasts of control cells. The only abnormality appeared to be elevated levels of collagen and protein synthesis by gingival cells derived from the Papillon-Lefevre patient.
Rotating self-trapped necklace beams, Coriolis force, and fractional angular momentum

Summary form only given. In a recent article we proposed the first stable self-trapped beams in (2+1) D cubic self-focusing NLSE, the so-called necklace-ring beams. Necklace beams are shaped like rings whose thickness w is much smaller than their radius R, and whose intensity is azimuthally periodically modulated. Preliminary experiments with self-trapped necklaces have already been reported. Here, we present self-trapped necklace beams that carry angular momentum, and in contrast to all known results with bright and dark solitons, this angular momentum can be a non-integer multiple of the energy. In other words, we present the first self-trapped beams (of any kind) carrying a non-integer topological charge. Further, we demonstrate Coriolis force effects on rotating self-trapped beams.
Building Customer Value And Profitability With Business Ethics

Firms assume ethical business practices only add costs to the firm. However, business ethics actually add value for customers and result in increased profitability and performance for the firm.
Experimental validation of hybrid micro-macro optical method for distortion removal in multi-chip global free-space optical-interconnection systems

Experimental validation of a distortion removal technique for multi-chip free-space optical shuffle interconnections is presented. The free-space fabric links dense two-dimensional arrays of vertical cavity surface emitting laser(s) (VCSEL)(s) and detectors and must achieve full field registration on the order of 10 microns across the entire array. The new hybrid micro-macro optical concept realizes the required high-registration accuracy by simultaneously eliminating distortion in each of the interleaved off-axis imaging systems that comprise the complete fabric. This is achieved by exploiting the typically low numerical aperture of VCSELs. Individually tailored beam-deflecting micro-optical elements were used to create symmetry about a central aperture for VCSEL beams in the optical system. Experiments were developed to quantify the registration accuracy, the VCSEL images, and the associated spot sizes. The experimental results show that beam steering can be implemented to remove distortion in off-axis free-space optical-interconnection systems.
On epicyclic Hermitian codes

The class of Hermitian codes is a popular and well-studied class of codes on planar curves over GF(2/sup m/). These codes have large blocklength, and may soon find engineering importance. In contrast to Reed-Solomon codes, which were discovered by engineers, Hermitian codes were introduced by mathematicians as an example of algebraic geometry codes. We re-introduce Hermitian codes as if they had been discovered by the engineering community. Many insights emerge from this development. In particular, we give constructions of Hermitian codes as quasi cyclic codes and as linear combinations of Reed-Solomon codes akin to the Turyn construction.