cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Privatizing constraint optimization

My thesis will contribute to the fields of constraint processing and multiagent systems by proposing novel schemes for achieving privacy in constraint optimization as well as new ways of analyzing and understanding the privacy properties of constraint optimization algorithms. Motivation: It is my belief that there are many domains within constraint processing that motivate the need for more private algorithms and that this work will be broadly applicable. However, I would like to present two particular salient examples in the following paragraphs. One domain that naturally motivates privacy preserving constraint optimization algorithms is scheduling. In this domain, a number of agents, including, say, Sally in Human Resources, wish to schedule events subject to their individual constraints. They wish to keep these constraints private. Sally’s calendar, for one, contains the intersection of multiple professional endeavors as well as items relevant to her personal life. In this case, the agents involved—including Sally—want a solution that will optimize the global social welfare, but that doesn’t mean they want everyone to know how Sally’s preference for attending cancer support group meetings led to that result. As another motivating example, consider the problem of resource allocation. Imagine several government, corporate and nonprofit groups that come together to help with some disaster relief effort. They all wish to contribute the resources that will lead to the optimal end, however, they are mutually distrustful in most of their other endeavors and don’t want the other entities to know the details of their individual constraints. Background: Initially, all constraint processing algorithms were centralized. All constraints were communicated to a central server that then could learn everything about everyone. Concerns about privacy led to the development of distributed constraint satisfaction and optimization algorithms [12, 6]. In these algorithms, each agent owns its own constraints and passes messages as necessary to other agents to collaboratively compute the solution. Since the information was distributed among many agents, these algorithms were thought to be more private. However, since this time most work in this area has focused on improving the effi-
Cyanobacteria and Algae

Abstract Cyanobacteria and algae are photosynthetic organisms and thus dependent on light for growth. Because light penetrates only a few millimeters into most soils, these organisms are naturally constrained to a very thin layer close to the soil surface. Nevertheless, they can become important in soil stabilization, soil hydrology, biogeochemical cycling, and fertility, particularly in climates or times restrictive to the extensive development of higher plants. This chapter reviews the basic biological characteristics of cyanobacteria and algae, as well as some of their ecological roles, with special emphasis on their importance for soils.
Quantized stabilization of stochastic systems with multiplicative noise under Markovian switching

AbstractA problem of quantized state feedback quadratic mean-square stabilization of discrete-time stochastic processes under Markovian switching and multiplicative noise is considered. A static quantizer is used in the feedback channel and the jump Markovian switching is modeled by a discrete-time Markov chain. The control input is simultaneously applied to both the rate vector and the diffusion term. It is shown that the coarsest quantization density that permits quadratic mean-square stabilization of this system is achieved with the use of a logarithmic quantizer, and the coarsest quantization density is determined by an algebraic Riccati equation, which is also the solution to a special linear stochastic Markovian switching control system. Also, sufficient conditions for exponential mean-square stabilization of such systems are also explored. An example is given to demonstrate the obtained results.
DBSA-Catalyzed Sewage Sludge Conversion into Biodiesel in a CSTR: RSM Optimization and RTD Study

Sewage sludge from the primary stage of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Al-Diwaniyah City was direct-transesterified to biodiesel using dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid catalyst in a system with two continuously stirred tank reactors. The response surface and the central cube design methodologies were used to optimize the parameters affecting the biodiesel yield. The optimum conditions for the process in this study were found to be (residence time: 90 min; catalyst loading 8 wt%; methanol/oil ratio: 18; reaction temperature: 368.15 K). Under the optimum process conditions a biodiesel yield of 96.51% was obtained. The experimental residence time distribution (RTD) was calculated and compartment models were applied for the two-tank reactor system. In the CSTR, a dead zone of (10 liter) was estimated. The independent analysis of fatty acids in the sewage showed that the lipids consisted primarily of palmitic acid (C16:0 = 37.86), oleic acid (C18:1 cis-9 = 19.72) and stearic acid (C18:0 = 17.32), and the acid value was (2.44 mg KOH/g). The properties of the biodiesel produced were comparable with the ASTM D-6751-2 standard and the properties of mineral diesel.
Adaptive Control of an Artificial Pancreas Using Model Identification, Adaptive Postprandial Insulin Delivery, and Heart Rate and Accelerometry as Control Inputs.

Background:People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have varying sensitivities to insulin and also varying responses to meals and exercise. We introduce a new adaptive run-to-run model predictive control ...
An In-Visit Decision Aid for Surgeons to Address Decision Making for Bilateral Mastectomy for Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients.

Few decision aids for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients are used by surgeons during their consultations with patients. From 2017 to 2019, an online interactive breast cancer in-visit decision aid (BIDA) was used on 63 patients and 57 patients underwent usual care (UC). We compared knowledge, decision involvement, anxiety and distress (HADS scale), quality of life (PROMIS), fear of recurrence, body image, and patient values between BIDA and UC before surgery. A knowledge score of ≥ 57% was considered “high knowledge.” A total of 188 patients were enrolled of which 120 (63.8%) completed all study procedures. Patient demographic characteristics and anxiety and quality of life (QOL) at baseline were similar between patients in BIDA and UC cohorts. After seeing the surgeon, patients in the BIDA group had higher composite knowledge scores compared with UC patients [n = 55 (87.3%) vs. n = 39 (68.4%) respectively, p = 0.012]. Patients in the BIDA cohort reported being asked more often their surgical preference (p = 0.013) and discussing bilateral mastectomy (BM) as an option (p = 0.048). There was a trend of less patients in the BIDA cohort undergoing BM then in the UC cohort [10 (15.9%) vs. 14 (24.6%), p = 0.49]. Anxiety and distress, QOL, fear of recurrence, and body image were not significantly different between BIDA and UC cohorts. A decision aid used by surgeons during their consultation was associated with higher knowledge levels, patients reporting more discussion about BM, and a trend of lower BMs. A larger study with more patients is needed to confirm this finding.
The Anger Gap: How Race Shapes Emotion in Politics

Anger is a powerful mobilizing force in American politics on both sides of the political aisle, but does it motivate all groups equally? This book offers a new conceptualization of anger as a political resource that mobilizes black and white Americans differentially to exacerbate political inequality. Drawing on survey data from the last forty years, experiments, and rhetoric analysis, Phoenix finds that - from Reagan to Trump - black Americans register significantly less anger than their white counterparts and that anger (in contrast to pride) has a weaker mobilizing effect on their political participation. The book examines both the causes of this and the consequences. Pointing to black Americans' tempered expectations of politics and the stigmas associated with black anger, it shows how race and lived experience moderate the emergence of emotions and their impact on behavior. The book makes multiple theoretical contributions and offers important practical insights for political strategy.
Complex Multivariate Montgomery Identity and Ostrowski and Grüss Inequalities

We give a general complex multivariate Montgomery type identity which is a representation formula for a complex multivariate function. Using it we produce general tight complex multivariate high order Ostrowski and Gruss type inequalities. The estimates involve \(L_{p}\) norms, any \(1\le p\le \infty \). We include also applications. See also [1].
6 – Aggregate Demand

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses aggregate demand. Aggregate demand is a measure of the desired total quantity of goods and services that is demanded throughout the economy in some period of time. The aggregate demand curve shows how that total demand for goods and services varies with the price level. Total spending and total income are identical in the sense that income is created by spending. Policies that are designed to raise or lower the national income should do this by raising or lowering total spending. The spending-income relationship is illustrated by the circular-flow diagram. Saving, taxes, and imports are all leakages from the circular flow of spending and income; because they reduce current spending, they reduce total income. Investment spending, government spending, and purchases of exports are all injections into the circular flow in that by increasing total spending, they tend to increase total income. The macroeconomic equilibrium occurs when total leakages equal total injections.
Restless legs syndrome associated with use of stevia nonnutritive sweetener.

Restless legs syndrome is a common sensorimotor movement disorder affecting an estimated 15–20% of the general adult population in the United Sates. Several drugs and drug classes have been shown t...
Resident Education During COVID-19 Pandemic: Effectiveness of Virtual Electroencephalogram Learning

Objective To explore effectiveness of alternative methods of neurology resident electroencephalogram (EEG) learning during COVID-19 pandemic due to social distancing requirements which caused disruption of traditional in-person teaching. Methods Virtual EEG learning was instituted using Zoom platform. Residents participated in live, interactive virtual sessions for eight weeks. A pre-test and post-test were administered and a survey was performed at the end of the project. Results Based on pre-test and post-test results, there was a significant improvement on average resident test scores. On the survey, 100% agreed (81.8% strongly agreed, 18.2% agreed) that virtual EEG sessions provided a conducive learning environment with easy access while preserving effective communication with the instructor. When compared to traditional EEG reading, 100% agreed (81.8% strongly agreed and 18.2% agreed) that virtual sessions were more accessible, 72.7% agreed (54.5% strongly agreed, 18.2% agreed) that they were more interactive; 81.9% (45.5% strongly agreed, 36.4% agreed) felt more engaged and 90.9% agreed (81.8% strongly agreed, 9.1% agreed) that they were able to attend more sessions. Hundred percent residents (72.7% strongly agreed, 27.3% agreed) felt more confident in their EEG reading and all (81.8% strongly agreed and 18.2% agreed) would sign up for more virtual learning courses. Conclusions Virtual EEG education is an efficient method of resident education with improved ease of access while maintaining interactive discussion leading to increased confidence in learners. It should be considered even after resolution of the need for social distancing and its applications in other fields of learning should be further explored.
Introduction: Globalization and the Millennial Ascent of Individual Rights

The introduction discusses the evolving conceptualizations and policies of human societies since the antiquity regarding the rights and duties of people. The attention is focused on codes of conduct and institutions of societal support for poor and weak people and to the gradually evolving notions of natural law, human rights, common good, as well as to mutual aid societies in Ancient Greece, Rome, and Christianity. The rise of objective and subjective individual rights in Medieval Christianity is discussed, as well as their elaboration in the political realm by the thinkers of the first and second Enlightenment. Special attention is placed also on the evolution of the notion of civil society in the Ancient Rome and Greece, in the 17th century Dutch Republic, in the Enlightenment and subsequent intellectual and political milieux. The historical excursus ends with an overview of the pluri-millennial march of humankind toward human rights up to the 1948 UDHR, which incorporates three traditions of rights: a) the civil–political rights of the Enlightenment as well as the English, American, and French Revolutions; b) the socio-economic rights of the nineteenth century political revolutions; and c) the solidarity rights of the twentieth century.
Conservation planning in an uncertain climate: Identifying projects that remain valuable and feasible across future scenarios

This research was supported by S.M.W.'s Science to Action Fellowship through the National Climate Adaptation Science Center at the US Geological Survey. U.S. Geological Survey. Grant Number: G17AP00120 Open Access fees paid for in whole or in part by the University of Oklahoma Libraries.
Is Expected Utility a Descriptive Model of Consumer Decision Making Under Uncertainty

Recently, marketing researchers have recognized the importance of incorporating consumer perceived attribute uncertainty in consumer multiattribute evaluation models. However, marketing researchers have overlooked an important theory -- the expected model -- that has received extensive discussion in related disciplines. The study reported in this paper examines the applicability of the expected utility theory as a descriptive model in a marketing context.
Clumped isotope effects of thermogenic methane formation: Insights from pyrolysis of hydrocarbons

Abstract Methane clumped isotope analysis is a tool used to constrain the formation or equilibration temperatures of methane, or to differentiate methane of thermogenic, microbial or ‘abiotic’ origins. Geothermometry applications are based on the temperature dependence of relative abundances of multiply-substituted isotopologues in thermodynamic equilibrium, whereas assignments of biogenicity or ‘abiogenicity’ rely on kinetic isotope effects associated with synthesis, which disturb clumped isotope abundances away from expected equilibrium proportions. However, kinetic processes in thermogenesis or during post-generation storage of thermogenic gas may cause isotopic disequilibrium, confounding thermometry applications or leading to ‘false positive’ identifications of microbial or abiogenic gases. Non-equilibrated clumped isotope compositions have been observed in thermogenic gases including unconventional oil-associated gases and from coal pyrolysis experiments. The isotopic disequilibria might be caused by kinetic isotope effects expressed during gas migration (including extraction), or by irreversible chemical processes, such as breaking carbon–carbon bonds in an alkyl precursor. In this study, we performed controlled pyrolysis experiments at 400 °C on n-octadecane (C18H38). We characterized the gas chemistry, and compound-specific carbon and hydrogen isotope and methane clumped isotope compositions of the gas products. We found that Δ13CH3D values (anomalies relative to a stochastic distribution of isotopes) appear to be relatively close to equilibrium at the experimental temperature, whereas Δ12CH2D2 values are 30–40‰ lower than expected for equilibrium. The large deficit in Δ12CH2D2 can be explained by assembling hydrogen atoms affected by two distinct kinetic isotope effects into a methane molecule, previously referred to as a ‘combinatorial effect’. We present a kinetic model that describes the full isotopic systematics, including anomalous Δ12CH2D2 deficits, of pyrolysis product methane. Finally, we propose a model for the isotope signatures of natural thermogenic methane where the non-equilibrium Δ12CH2D2 composition is a signature of the onset of catagenetic methane production. Our model also describes ways in which this signature disappears as further maturation drives Δ12CH2D2 to equilibrium through hydrogen exchange. Our findings demonstrate that anomalous depletion in Δ12CH2D2 is not a unique signature for microbial or putative abiotic methane, and specifically, it can be generated during pyrolytic chemistry.
IgE-mediated allergy to polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a cause of anaphylaxis to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Anaphylactic reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been reported, with the polyethylene glycol (PEG) they contain being considered a possible culprit allergen. Sellaturay et al describe a patient who had a past anaphylactic reaction to a PEG-containing oral medication and urticarial reactions to topical application of PEG-containing personal care products, who subsequently had an anaphylactic reaction to the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Understanding the differentiation and epigenetics of cochlear sensory progenitors in pursuit of regeneration.

Purpose of review Sensory hair cells (HCs) of the inner ear are responsible for our ability to hear and balance. Loss of these cells results in hearing loss. Stem cell replacement and in situ regeneration have the potential to replace lost HCs. Newly discovered contributions of transcription factor regulatory networks and epigenetic mechanisms in regulating HC differentiation and regeneration are placed into context of the literature. Recent findings A wealth of new data has helped to define cochlear sensory progenitors in their developmental trajectories. This includes transcription factor networks, epigenetic manipulations, and cochlear HC subtype specification. Summary Understanding how sensory progenitors differ and how HC subtypes arise will substantially inform efforts in hearing restoration.
Global gradient estimate for a divergence problem and its application to the homogenization of a magnetic suspension

This paper generalizes the results obtained by the authors in \cite{dangHomogenizationNondiluteSuspension2021} concerning the homogenization of a non-dilute suspension of magnetic particles in a viscous flow. More specifically, in this paper, a restrictive assumption on the coefficients of the coupled equation, made in \cite{dangHomogenizationNondiluteSuspension2021}, that significantly narrowed the applicability of the homogenization results obtained, is relaxed and a new regularity of the solution of the fine-scale problem is proven. In particular, we obtain a global $L^{\infty}$-bound for the gradient of the solution of the scalar equation $-\mathrm{div} \left[ \mathbf{a} \left( x/\varepsilon \right)\nabla \varphi^{\varepsilon}(x) \right] = f(x)$, uniform with respect to microstructure scale parameter $\varepsilon\ll 1$ in a small interval $(0,\varepsilon_0)$, where the coefficient $\mathbf{a}$ is only \emph{piecewise} Holder continuous. Thenceforth, this regularity is used in the derivation of the effective response of the given suspension discussed in \cite{dangHomogenizationNondiluteSuspension2021}.
Idiopathic Anaphylaxis: A Diagnosis of Exclusion

We report the case of a 67-year-old female with hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis who had 5 unprovoked episodes of anaphylaxis in an 18-month period of time. We review idiopathic anaphylaxis, including its definition, diagnostic work-up, and differential diagnosis.
Introduction to Plithogenic Logic

A Plithogenic Logical proposition P is a proposition that is characterized by many degrees of truth-values with respect to many corresponding attribute-values (or random variables) that characterize P. Each degree of truth-value may be classical, fuzzy, intuitionistic fuzzy, neutrosophic, or other fuzzy extension type logic. At the end, a cumulative truth of P is computed.
Market Justice: Political Economic Struggle in Bolivia

Market Justice explores the challenges for the new global left as it seeks to construct alternative means of societal organization. Focusing on Bolivia, Brent Z. Kaup examines a testing ground of neoliberal and counter-neoliberal policies and an exemplar of bottom-up globalization. Kaup argues that radical shifts towards and away from free market economic trajectories are not merely shaped by battles between transnational actors and local populations, but also by conflicts between competing domestic elites and the ability of the oppressed to overcome traditional class divides. Further, the author asserts that struggles against free markets are not evidence of opposition to globalization or transnational corporations. They should instead be understood as struggles over the forms of global integration and who benefits from them.
Paper based biofuel cells: Incorporating enzymatic cascades for ethanol and methanol oxidation

Abstract Here we developed a flow-based system resulting in improved performance of enzyme cascade-based biofuel cells. A paper-based biofuel cell with passive laminar flow was build to show the impact of flow on the performance of two different enzyme cascades – methanol and ethanol cascade. Both cascades demonstrated enhanced electrochemical output as a consequence of the decreased diffusion path of reaction intermediates identifying the intermediates diffusion in between enzymatic active sites as the rate limiting step in cascade operating systems.
Small farm polyperiod planning model for developing economies.

Farm planning in developed economies has reached the sophistication level of involving static and dynamic annual or polyperiod decision models. These models or frameworks range from unadorned linear programming to dynamic systems utilizing interdependence among time spans. Goal or criterion decisions range from unrestricted global profit maxamization to local profit comparisons restricted by risk and other considerations.Systematic farm planning from the micro to the macro level is common in developed economies because of widespread knowledge of the planning tools and the availability of low-cost computational facilities. The potential increase in profits on large commercial farms makes the use of these planning tools profitable whether the farm unit bears the total cost or Extension Services or lending institutions subsidize their use. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase associates with membrane skeleton in thrombin-exposed platelets

Human platelets undergo a rapid, major reorganization of the cytoskeletal matrix upon exposure to thrombin, and accumulate 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides in a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent manner. These phosphoinositides have been suggested to be involved in actin polymerization/depolymerization. We reasoned that, if newly generated 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositide modulates cytoskeletal reorganization, a prerequisite for such action would be generation near cytoskeletal proteins. We have found that, after platelet activation, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phosphatidylinositol(4)P 3-kinase activities, antibody-detectable phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and PKC become markedly and specifically enriched in a Triton X-100-insoluble cytoskeletal fraction that contains GPIIb/IIIa (integrin) and pp60c-src. The cytoskeletal fraction then accounts for up to 70% of total phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity, a function of recruited activated enzyme. These proteins are not occluded or directly associated with newly polymerized actin, since blockage by cytochalasin D of actin polymerization, and consequent inhibition of accumulation of about 40% of incremental protein and actin in this fraction, has no effect on its content of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, GPIIb/IIIa, pp60c-src, or PKC. Depolymerization of actin with DNase I, or inhibition of ligand binding to GPIIb/IIIa by RGDS, however, in combination with cytochalasin D, further depletes actin and significantly decreases sedimentability of GPIIb/IIIa as well as phosphoinositide 3-kinase, pp60c-src, and PKC, without inhibiting total 3-kinase activity. Our results suggest that, as a function of platelet activation, enzymes that regulate the synthesis of 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides rapidly associate with the membrane skeleton and that skeletally associated phosphoinositide 3-kinase is more active than the Triton-soluble form.
Challenges in the Analysis of Mass-Throughput Data: A Technical Commentary from the Statistical Machine Learning Perspective

Sound data analysis is critical to the success of modern molecular medicine research that involves collection and interpretation of mass-throughput data. The novel nature and high-dimensionality in such datasets pose a series of nontrivial data analysis problems. This technical commentary discusses the problems of over-fitting, error estimation, curse of dimensionality, causal versus predictive modeling, integration of heterogeneous types of data, and lack of standard protocols for data analysis. We attempt to shed light on the nature and causes of these problems and to outline viable methodological approaches to overcome them.
Approaches to teaching metadata course at the university of north Texas

Metadata and Networked Information Organization and Retrieval (hereafter referred to as Metadata) is one of the courses taught on the undergraduate and graduate levels at the Department of Library and Information Sciences (LIS), University of North Texas (UNT). This course was developed in 2001 and taught by Dr. William Moen and later redesigned by Dr. Oksana Zavalina. It is currently taught by Dr. Oksana Zavalina and doctoral candidate Serhiy Polyakov. The Metadata course is one of the required for the Information Organization program of study in the Master of Science academic program and is an elective or a guided elective for other programs of study. This course was originally offered in a blended mode but is currently delivered in the completely online mode that allows for meeting the needs of the distance students. The instructors use Blackboard Learn learning management system (see FIG. 1) for delivery of the course materials, grading, assignment submission, and asynchronous communication. The GoToTraining online meeting service is used for the live online meetings. The Metadata course is offered during Fall, Spring, and Summer terms with enrollment between 24 and 51 students in each term.
Graphael: a system for generalized force-directed layouts

The graphael system implements several traditional force-directed layout methods, as well as several novel layout methods for non-Euclidean geometries, including hyperbolic and spherical. The system can handle large graphs, using multi-scale variations of the force-directed methods. Moreover, graphael can layout and visualize graphs that evolve though time, using static views, animation, and morphing. The implementation includes a powerful interface that allows the user to put together existing algorithms and visualization techniques, and to easily add new ones. The system is written in Java and is available as a downloadable program or as an applet at http://graphael.cs.arizona.edu.
Legal Hazard: Corporate Crime, Advancement of Executives' Defense Costs, and the Federal Courts

The corporate scandals that engulfed Enron and WorldCom have renewed scrutiny of practices such as corporate subsidy of executives' attorney's fees, insurance, and indemnification in criminal cases. Fee subsidies and related practices, while necessary in some contexts, reflect agency costs that separate the interests of managers and shareholders. Fee subsidies also promote moral hazard, by holding executives harmless for conduct that can injure the corporation. Prosecutors and regulators have recently begun to examine such practices as obstacles to cooperation and "cleaning house" by corporations that wish to avoid indictment. In response, segments of the organized bar have deplored the government's more skeptical turn. In addition, a federal court in a case involving the major accounting firm, KPMG, has struck down elements of the government's guidance to prosecutors. Drawing on earlier wisdom from New Dealers such as William O. Douglas, the article argues that the KPMG decision is a dangerous reach, and that both governments and corporate boards have legitimate interests in seeking to cap the subsidy of executives' legal fees in criminal cases.
The Association of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Atherogenesis

This chapter attempts to frame the issues surrounding the association of atherosclerosis and infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae. The results of seroepidemiologic and histopathologic studies are discussed in addition to data from animal experiments. In vivo and in vitro experiments regarding the cell biology of C. pneumoniae and the immune response it engenders are explored. The chapter highlights features pertinent to a possible role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Finally, results from two recent antibiotic intervention studies are examined. A chlamydial infection was first associated with myocarditis as early as 1930, but the first series of patients with heart disease and a chlamydia infection was reported in 1967. The association between the C. pneumoniae and atherogenesis can build on a seroepidemiologic link. Murine and rabbit models have traditionally been used to study atherosclerosis and recently have been adapted for study of C. pneumoniae pathogenesis. There have been two recently published antibiotic intervention trials. The first published study is a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial in which patients with a remote history of myocardial infarction (MI) and elevated IgG titers to C. pneumoniae were randomized to one or two courses of azithromycin or to placebo. The second published study was a double-blind, randomized trial of roxithromycin compared to placebo in patients with evidence of coronary artery disease manifest as unstable angina or an active non-Q wave infarction. The association of C. pneumoniae and atherosclerosis is likely to evolve from additional pieces of supportive evidence.
Extracellular Matrix Assembly in Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) (II. 2,6-Dichlorobenzonitrile Inhibition of Motility and Stalk Production in the Marine Diatom Achnanthes longipes)

The cellulose synthesis inhibitor 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB) and the DCB analogs 2-chloro-6-fluorobenzonitrile, 3-amino-2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile, and 5-dimethylamino-naphthalene-1-sulfonyl-(3-cyano-2, 4-dichloro)aniline (DCBF) inhibited extracellular adhesive production in the marine diatom Achnanthes longipes, resulting in a loss of motility and a lack of permanent adhesion. The effect was fully reversible upon removal of the inhibitor, and cell growth was not affected at concentrations of inhibitors adequate to effectively interrupt the adhesion sequence. Video microscopy revealed that the adhesion sequence was mediated by the export and assembly of polymers, and consisted of initial attachment followed by cell motility and eventual production of permanent adhesive structures in the form of stalks that elevated the diatom above the substratum. A. longipes adhesive polymers are primarily composed of noncellulosic polysaccharides (B.A. Wustman, M.R. Gretz, and K.D. Hoagland [1997] Plant Physiol 113: 1059–1069). These results, together with the discovery of DCB inhibition of extracellular matrix assembly in noncellulosic red algal unicells (S.M. Arad, O. Dubinsky, and B. Simon [1994] Phycologia 33: 158–162), indicate that DCB inhibits synthesis of noncellulosic extracellular polysaccharides. A fluorescent probe, DCBF, was synthesized and shown to inhibit adhesive polymer production in the same manner as DCB. DCBF specifically labeled an 18-kD polypeptide isolated from a membrane fraction. Inhibition of adhesion by DCB and its analogs provides evidence of a direct relationship between polysaccharide synthesis and motility and permanent adhesion.
Dual use beyond the life sciences: An LIS perspective

Abstract Dual use research is used to describe research, conducted for benign purposes, which could be used for malevolent purposes. Most recent studies of dual use research have focused on the life sciences, although some researchers have suggested that dual use research occurs across many disciplines. This study is an initial investigation into the prevalence of dual use research in other scientific disciplines through surveying senior editors of scientific journals. Survey results show that some journal editors in nearly every discipline reported some experience with dual use research. This suggests that broader conceptualizations of dual use research are needed. The publication—or withholding—of dual use research has implications for norms of scholarly communication.
Perdeuterio bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene

Abstract The deuterated S-based organic donor molecule bis(ethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene 5b , C 10 S 8 D 8 , was synthesized with high deuterium purity (99.7+%) by phosphite coupling of the thione intermediate perdeuterio-4,5-ethylenedithio-1,3-dithiole-2-thione 3b , C 5 S 5 D 4 , or the carbonyl intermediate perdeuterio-2,5,7,9-tetrathiabicyclo [4.3.0] non-1(6)-en-8-on 4b , C 5 S 4 -OD 4 . 3b was prepared by the addition of D 4 -ethylenedibromide to an alcoholic solution of 1,3-dithole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate that was generated by the reaction of sodium with carbon disulfide in N , N -dimethylformamide. No deuterium exchange with solvents during the course of reactions was observed. Compounds 3b-5b , and their isotopic purity, were established by use of mass, NMR, FT-IR and UV-visible spectrometry.
Impact of Journal Cancellations on Interlibrary Loan Demand

Rachel Fleming and Kristin Calvert of Western Carolina University discuss their study of interlibrary loan borrowing requests in the three years surrounding a journal cancellation project. Noting that the impact of such a cancellation on interlibrary loan has not been studied since the 1990s, they examine numerous facets of requests for cancelled and non-cancelled journals, including request per journal, year of article requested, and request history for newly cancelled journals. Though journal cancellations resulted in a 2 percent increase in interlibrary loan requests, this number proved so small that Calvert and Fleming judged that their cancellations caused no undue effects.
Partnering-Project Performance in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Partnering in engineering and construction usually involves an agreement between an owner and contractor to work together for an extended period of time, over several consecutive contracts. Because of legal regulations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is unable to establish long‐term partnering relationships, but has been successful in implementing partnering on a project‐by‐project basis. This paper presents an overview of the methodology that is used to set up public‐sector partnering agreements. It presents the extent of the Corps of Engineers' partnering program in domestic districts, including the status of projects both completed and ongoing. Data from recently completed projects are presented that indicate significant cost savings and schedule reductions for construction projects executed using partnering arrangements, and interview data with partnering project participants are given that tend to support the premise that partnering is a viable contract administration alternative for public‐sector ...
Influence of Floor Types on Performance of Broiler Breeder Hens

Abstract A total of 1,800 broiler breeder pullets and cockerels were fed on a skip-a-day program and reared to 23 wk of age to body weights recommended by the breeder. Birds were housed in the laying house in pens of four treatment groups: 1) full-slat floor of plastic-covered wire [1.5 × 1.7 cm-openings (FP)]; 2) two-thirds slat floor of plastic-covered wire (1.5 × 1.7-cm openings) and one-third litter (PP); 3) two-thirds wood slat floor and one-third litter (PW); and 4) rice hull litter floor (L). Each treatment group was in four replicate pens. Floor space per pullet was .166, .174, .174, and .273 m2 in the FP, PP, WP, and L treatments, respectively. No significant differences were observed for hens on PP, FP, or PW floors for hen-housed or hen-day egg production, mortality, fertility, hatch of fertile eggs, hatch of all eggs, or egg weight. Significantly higher hen-housed and hen-day egg production and feed per dozen eggs was found for birds on L floors than for birds on the other floor treatments. No foot problems were noted in males or females for birds on slats.
Risks and benefits of femoropopliteal percutaneous balloon angioplasty

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of angioplasty in the treatment of femoropopliteal arterial disease. Methods: From 1980 to 1991, 126 angioplasty procedures were performed in 131 limbs of 106 patients with 175 femoropopliteal lesions (26 common femoral, 118 superficial femoral, and 31 popliteal). Critical ischemia was present in 55 limbs (42%), and claudication was present in 76 (58%). Angioplasty was performed for a single lesion in 87 limbs (66%) and for multiple lesions in 44 (34%). In 13 limbs (10%) the most severe lesion was an occlusion; in 118 (90%) all lesions were stenoses. Distal runoff was good (2 or 3 vessels patent) in 72 limbs (55%) and poor (0 or 1 vessel patent) in 59 (45%). Results: Death within 30 days occurred in 0.8%, nonfatal systemic morbidity in 7.1%, and local morbidity in 1.6% of procedures. Multivariate analysis revealed that indication and age were predictive of increased morbidity and mortality rates. Immediate success was achieved in 95% of limbs treated. Mean follow-up time was 2.0 years. The overall 5-year cumulative primary patency rate was 45% (± 5%). In a proportional hazards model indication and lesion type were predictive ( p Conclusion: These results suggest that femoropopliteal angioplasty is a low-risk procedure with acceptable long-term results in patients with claudication and stenoses. (J VASC SURG 1993;17:183-94.)
Separation and detection of the isomeric equine conjugated estrogens, equilin sulfate and Δ8,9-dehydroestrone sulfate, by liquid chromatography–electrospray-mass spectrometry using carbon-coated zirconia and porous graphitic carbon stationary phases

Equilin-3-sulfate and Δ8,9-dehydroestrone-3-sulfate are two isomers found in equine conjugated estrogens that differ in structure only by the position of a double bond in the steroid B-ring. These geometric isomers were not resolved on a C18 column during the analysis of conjugated estrogen drug products by LC–MS using acetonitrile-ammonium acetate buffer as the mobile phase. While no separations of these two isomers were observed on C18 or other alkyl-bonded silica based phases using a variety of mobile phase conditions, partial separations were achieved on phenyl bonded silica phases with a resolution of 1.5 on a diphenyl phase, and baseline separations were readily achieved on two carbonaceous phases with resolutions routinely exceeding three on graphitic carbon-coated zirconia (Zr-CARB) and resolutions as high as 19 on porous graphitic carbon (Hypercarb). An examination of a selected few conjugated estrogens in the complex drug substance by LC–MS on Hypercarb is presented.
Determination of residual stress intensity factor in the compact tension coupon

Abstract This paper provides an influence function required to compute the residual stress intensity factor in the compact tension coupon, as a function of crack length, from measurements of back-face strain as a function of crack length. The influence function is determined from a reference solution for the C(T) with uniform applied pressure on the crack face that provides stress intensity factor and strain over a broad range of crack length (measured from the front face) and strain gage length. A closed form surface fit provides values of the influence function as a function of crack length and strain gage length.
OVARIAN SECRETION AND TUMOR INCIDENCE.

(1) Non-breeding reduces tumor incidence in mice and delays the time of tumor appearance (207 mice used). (2) Two hundred and ten female mice castrated at 28-35 days behave much the same as non-breeding females. (3) Two hundred and forty-one males castrated at 28-35 days did not develop tumor, thus resembling non-castrated males. (4) Spontaneous tumors, never obtained in thousands of normal males of the stock used, may develop in castrated males which have received subcutaneous transplants of ovarian tissue (210 operated—four tumors).
Should I Give Ketamine IV or IM

Emergency department (ED) dissociative sedation can be safely and effectively accomplished with the ketamine administered either intravenously or intramuscularly. But is one of these routes superior to the other? The answer is not unexpected: it depends. In this issue, Roback et al report the first prospective, randomized, controlled trial of intravenous (IV) versus intramuscular (IM) ketamine, applying rigorous research methodology to shed light on this common clinical question. Before this study, physicians based their decision to use IM versus IV ketamine on personal experience, available ED resources, and apparent trends from disparate case series or single arms from clinical trials (Table). The IM route has historically been the most popular for ED use because of its simplicity and economy. However, many larger centers have switched almost entirely to IV use. One of the foremost considerations when selecting a route of administration for procedural sedation and analgesia agents in children is minimizing pain and anxiety. Therefore, many physicians have historically favored the IM route, regarding a brief injection as less stressful for a child than the initiation of IV access. However, in children’s hospitals and large general EDs where nurses are highly skilled at IV access in children, the procedure can be done quickly and with minimal stress to the child. Thus, staff skills play a large role in determining the optimal route of administration for ketamine. Recovery duration is the most widely perceived difference between ketamine routes. The period of effective dissociation after a single loading dose of ketamine is shorter by the IV route compared with IM (approximately 5 to 10 versus 20 to 30 minutes), suggesting that IV recovery should also be faster. Indeed, Roback et al found median IV recoveries to be 49 minutes shorter than IM recoveries (80 versus 129 minutes), a nontrivial difference for the typical busy ED in which room availability is the rate-limiting step for patient flow. However, this difference doesn’t include time to start the IV, which must be factored into any comparison. The difference in recovery length noted in the current trial is not evident from inspection of the literature (Table), although
Scaphoid and lunate motion during a wrist dart throw motion.

Abstract Purpose The primary purpose of this study was to measure the in vitro scaphoid and lunate motion during 9 different variations of a wrist dart throw motion. Another goal was to determine the specific dart throw motion that minimized scaphoid and lunate motion. Methods Scaphoid and lunate motion were recorded in 7 cadaver forearms during various combinations of wrist dart throw motions caused by a wrist joint motion simulator. Results During wrist flexion and extension the scaphoid and lunate motions follow the wrist motion. During wrist radial and ulnar deviation the scaphoid and lunate correspondingly flex and extend. During intermediate motions the scaphoid and lunate move as little as 26% of the total third metacarpal motion and do not necessarily follow a planar motion. Conclusions These findings suggest that there may be a dart throw motion during which there may be minimal scaphoid and lunate motion. If a subject's wrist motion could be clinically restricted to this dart throw motion, early hand mobility might be possible after surgery on the scaphoid and lunate.
Interobserver variability among faculty in evaluations of residents' clinical skills

Objective: To describe interobserver variability among emergency medicine (EM) faculty when using global assessment (GA) rating scales and performance-based criterion (PBC) checklists to evaluate EM residents clinical skills during standardized patient (SP) encounters. Methods: Six EM residents were videotaped during encounters with SPs and subsequently evaluated by 38 EM faculty at four EM residency sites. There were two encounters in which a single SP presented with headache, two in which a second SP presented with chest pain, and two in which a third SP presented with abdominal pain, resulting in two parallel sets of three. Faculty used GA rating scales to evaluate history taking, physical examination, and interpersonal skills for the initial set of three cases. Each encounter in the second set was evaluated with complaint-specific PBC checklists developed by SAEM's National Consensus Group on Clinical Skills Task Force. Results: Standard deviations, computed for each score distribution, were generally similar across evaluation methods. None of the distributions deviated significantly from that of a Gaussian distribution, as indicated by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness-of-fit test. On PBC checklists, 80% agreement among faculty observers was found for 74% of chest pain, 45% of headache, and 30% of abdominal pain items. Conclusions: When EM faculty evaluate clinical performance of EM residents during videotaped SP encounters, interobserver variabilities are similar, whether a PBC checklist or a GA rating scale is used.
Computational Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) Microscopy for Quantitative Imaging

We demonstrate that application of a regularized alternating minimization algorithm to DIC microscopy images results in quantitative imaging of the specimen’s phase and amplitude information. The alternating minimization algorithm’s robustness to noise is investigated.
Interaction of Wild Males and Laboratory-Adapted Females of the Mexican Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Natural Habitats

Despite >40 yr of ecological and behavioral research on reproductive interactions involved in sterile insect release programs, experimental measurement of the intensity of intermale competition for mates and the role of sterile females in these programs has rarely been addressed. Experiments described in this study were designed to evaluate these factors. Virgin females from a mass-rearing strain (mass reared for 36 yr) of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), were released and subsequently recaptured along with native Mexican fruit flies in natural habitats in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Tests were carried out at six locations and replicated four times. Recaptured females were dissected to determine mating status. Data were analysed to determine whether the released females mated with native males, and to evaluate the influence of test site, test date, and wild male and female density on rates of recapture of the released females and their mating status. Results showed that 5–50% of the recaptured females mated with native males. This indicates that released females (even from a strain adapted to mass rearing) may occupy a significant amount of native male reproductive effort and that males in native populations have excess reproductive capacity. Number of native males captured per test was significantly correlated with the percentage of mated females. Plots of percent mating versus number of native males captured showed that when number of captured males was high, percent females mated was always high, but when numbers of males captured was low, percent mating could still be high. A severe freeze during the fourth test greatly reduced the native population. Released females were recaptured up to 7 wk after release and 4 wk after the freeze, indicating that the mass-reared strain had sufficient physiological-behavioral tolerance to survive extreme environmental stress.