cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mutual Implication as a Measure of Textual Equivalence

Semantic Textual Similarity (STS) and paraphrase de- tection are two NLP tasks that have a high focus on the meaning of sentences, and current research in both re- lies heavily on comparing fragments of text. Little to no work has been done in studying inference-centric ap- proaches to solve these tasks. We study the relation be- tween existing work and what we call mutual implica- tion (MI), a binary relationship between two sentences that holds when they textually entail each other. MI thus shifts the focus of STS and paraphrase detection to un- derstanding the meaning of a sentence in terms of its in- ferential properties. We study the comparison between MI, paraphrasing, and STS work. We then argue that MI should be considered a complementary evaluation met- ric for advancing work in areas as diverse as machine translation, natural language inference, etc. Finally, we study the limitations of MI and discuss possibilities for overcoming them.
Complications of pelvic ring fixation in patients requiring laparotomy

Abstract Background Pelvic ring disruptions in blunt trauma are rarely an isolated finding. Many individuals needing operative pelvic fixation also require laparotomy for other injuries. Pelvic fixation can be performed by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or external fixation (Ex-fix). Often when a laparotomy incision is present, ORIF is performed by extending this incision. We hypothesized ORIF performed by extending the laparotomy incision would result in higher rates of ventral hernia and wound complications versus Ex-fix. Methods All patients admitted from 2004–June 2014 who underwent laparotomy and pelvic fixation either by ORIF through extension of a laparotomy incision (ORIF group) or definitive Ex-fix group were identified. Injury severity score, demographics, associated injuries, and complications were collected. Results A total of 35 patients were identified who underwent laparotomy and pelvic fixation, 21 underwent Ex-fix, whereas 14 underwent ORIF through an extended laparotomy incision. There were no differences in injury severity score, demographics, associated injuries, or rate of ventral hernia. The ORIF group had more laparotomy incision infections (50.0% versus 4.8%, P versus 9.5%, P versus 5, P Conclusions Individuals who have undergone laparotomy and pelvic fixation are a complex group of patients with multiple injuries. These data suggest that when surgical repair of a pelvic ring disruption is indicated and the patient has undergone laparotomy, careful consideration to the method of fixation should be given.
Faster Non-linear Parametric Search with Applications to Optimazation and Dynamic Geometry

A technique for accelerating certain applications of parametric search to non-linear problems is presented, together with its applications to optimization on weighted graphs and to two problems in dynamic geometry on points moving in straight-line trajectories: computing the minimum diameter over all time and finding the time at which the length of the maximum spanning tree is minimized.
Glucose-induced Release of Amino Acids from Saccharomyces carlsbergensis by Action on the Cytoplasmic Membrane

When washed yeast cells grown under appropriate conditions were suspended in glucose solution there was a sudden release of α-amino nitrogen into the medium. This released material was of low molecular weight, and its composition was closely similar to that of the intracellular free amino acid pool. During the leakage of amino acids, the yeast did not efficiently absorb labeled amino acids added to the test medium, despite the rapid uptake and metabolism of glucose. Uptake of a labeled amino acid and reabsorption of the released α-amino nitrogen occurred almost simultaneously. When these yeast cells were exposed to glucose in the presence of calcium ions, leakage was strongly inhibited. Butanol under the same conditions increased glucose-induced leakage of cell contents. The adenosine triphosphatase activity of intact yeast cells exposed to glucose was greater than that of cells exposed to water. Yeast cells treated with glucose prior to equilibration with sorbose exhibited less ability to retain the sorbose when washed at 0 C than did cells pretreated with water. It was concluded that glucose-induced leakage of amino acids was the result of two factors acting together. These were (i) a change in membrane permeability associated with glucose uptake, and (ii) a temporary shortage of energy for amino acid uptake or retention.
Incorporation of dried blood alpha fetoprotein into traditional first trimester Down syndrome screening service.

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether incorporation of dried blood alpha fetoprotein (AFP) into first trimester screening using the biochemical markers free Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) can improve screening performance. Methods A retrospective study of 34 Down syndrome and 1185 unaffected dried blood specimens. First trimester dried blood AFP was performed using in-house immunofluorometric time-resolved assay. False positive and detection rates were determined from modeling. Results The multiple of the median in Down syndrome cases was 0.73. At a fixed 5% false positive rate, incorporating AFP into a free Beta hCG, PAPP-A, and nuchal translucency protocol adds 2% detection resulting in detection rates of 92% to 94% depending on the gestational age of the blood draw. At a fixed 90% detection rate, AFP reduced the false positive rate by 1.0 to 1.6 percentage points depending on gestational age. Using a cutoff of 1/1000, the combination of free beta hCG, PAPP-A, AFP, and nuchal translucency achieved a detection rate of 96% with a false positive rate of 8.4% to 9.9%. Adding in nasal bone increased detection to 98% while reducing false positive rates to 4.1% to 4.7%. Conclusion Inclusion of dried blood AFP into traditional first trimester screening improves detection while optimizing contingent protocols so that cell-free fetal DNA testing may be offered in a more cost effective manner. © 2015 The Authors. Prenatal Diagnosis published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The relationship between reaction to sudden, intermittent movements and sounds and temperament

Casual observations indicated that some cattle are more sensitive to sudden movement or intermittent sound than other cattle. Six commercial livestock auctions in two states and a total of 1,636 cattle were observed to assess the relationship between breed, sex, and temperament score on the response to sudden, intermittent visual and sound stimuli, such as the ringman swinging his arm for a bid and the sound of him briefly yelling a bid. A 4-point temperament score was used to score each animal while it was in the ring. The scores used were 1) walks and(or) stands still, with slow, smooth body movements; 2) continuously walks or trots, and vigilant; 3) gait is faster than a trot (runs even a couple of steps), with fast, abrupt, jerky movements, and very vigilant; and 4) hits the ring fence, walls, partitions, or people with its head. Animals were observed for flinches, startle responses, or orientation toward sudden, intermittent sounds, motions, and tactile stimulation, such as being touched with a cane or plastic paddle. The cattle observed were mostly Bos taurus beef breeds and Holstein dairy cattle. Holsteins were more sound-sensitive (P = .02) and touch-sensitive (P < .01) than beef cattle. Sensitivity to sudden, intermittent stimuli (e.g., sound, motion, and touch) increased as temperament score (excitability) increased. Cattle with a temperament score of 1 were the least sensitive to sudden, intermittent movement and sound and those with a temperament score of 4 were the most sensitive (P < .01). This same relationship was sometimes observed for touch but was not statistically significant. Motion-sensitive cattle were more likely than nonsensitive cattle to score a temperament rating of 3 or 4 (P < .01). Steers and heifers were more motion-sensitive than the older bulls and cows (P = .03). Beef cattle urinated (P < .01, n = 1,581) and defecated (P < .01, n = 1,582) more often in the ring than did dairy cattle. Cattle that became agitated during handling in an auction ring were the individuals that were most likely to be startled by sudden, intermittent sounds and movements. Reactivity to sudden, intermittent stimuli may be an indicator of an excitable temperament.
Improving the 2.4 kb/s military standard-MELP (MS-MELP) coder using pitch-synchronous analysis and synthesis techniques [speech coding]

In this paper, we presented new pitch-synchronous analysis and synthesis methods for improving the quality of the 2.4 kb/s U.S. military standard-MELP coder. These improvements include: a new pitch-estimation algorithm; a pitch-cycle segmentation algorithm; an adaptive linear-prediction analysis and Fourier series computation selection method; and speech synthesis with fractional cycle lengths. In listening tests, we found that these new techniques improve the quality for female speech significantly and they completely eliminate the quality difference for the MS-MELP coder between male and female talkers.
New Applications for Group Computing

Group computing (GC) encompasses two important paradigms: membership and multicast communication. So far, these paradigms are best understood in two domains: fault-tolerant applications (replicated services), and data dissemination applications (e.g. stock trading). Yet GC also has potential in many other areas of distributed applications. In this short paper we will discuss some new application domains, what approaches one may take when trying to apply GC here, and what implications this has for the GC paradigms themselves. In particular, we will discuss how our own new GC system, Horus [vRBC+92, vRHB94], addresses these issues. The application domains on which we focus are parallel computing, multimedia systems, and real-time control systems.
4,4‐Dimethyl‐2‐Cyclohexen‐1‐One

4,4-Dimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one reactant: 61.5 g. (0.853 mole) of isobutyraldehyde reactant: 60.6 g. (0.852 mole) of pyrrolidine intermediate: 1-(2-Methylpropenyl)pyrrolidine (62.6 g., 0.501 mole) reactant: 42.1 g. (0.601 mole) of methyl vinyl ketone product: 4,4-dimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one Keywords: annulation, carbocyclic-[6]; coupling; cyclization, condensation; cyclization, cycloaddition; hydrolysis, miscellaneous; isobutyraldehyde; Dean-Stark water separator
Pulse-step-sine rotation test for the identification of abnormal vestibular function

This study illustrates the use of a novel "pulse-step-sine" (PSS) rotational stimulus to identify abnormal function of the horizontal semicircular canals in human subjects with unilateral and bilateral vestibular deficits. The cyclic PSS stimulus includes a "bias component" and a "probe component". The bias component, consisting of a short duration pulse of acceleration followed by an acceleration step, is designed to produce a large change in canal afferent discharge rates that silences the neural activity in one canal during the step portion of the PSS stimulus. The pulse and step components are then repeated with opposite sign to silence afferent activity in the opposite canal. The probe component, consisting of a approximately 1 Hz sine wave superimposed on the step portions of the stimulus, is designed to test the ability of canal afferents in the excited canal to encode the probe stimulus. Various response measures are developed that characterize the horizontal slow phase eye movements evoked by the PSS stimulus. Results show that these measures can distinguish subjects with normal vestibular function from those with unilateral and bilateral vestibular loss, can identify the side-of-lesion in subjects with well compensated unilateral vestibular loss, and can possibly identify the side-of-greater-loss in subjects with asymmetric bilateral loss.
The Political Economy of AIDS

The Political Economy of AIDS. Merrill Singer. ed. Amityville, NY: Baywood Publishing Company, 1998. viii. 236 pp.
Review: Stephen John Hartnett (2003). Incarceration Nation: Investigative Prison Poems of Hope and Terror

Incarceration Nation: Investigative Poems of Prison, Hope and Terror ist das poetische Ergebnis der neunjahrigen Lehrtatigkeit des Autors in Gefangnissen. Seit zwolf Jahren schreibt HARTNETT uber das Leben in Haft und prangert die Zustande in Gefangnissen an. Er hat sich die Hoffnung auf eine bessere Zukunft der Haftlinge seitdem bewahrt: Seine Gedichte entstanden aus Gesprachen mit Gefangnisinsassen und denjenigen Personen, die ihm bei der Erforschung der Gefangniswelt und der Aufdeckung der Missstande des Strafsystems zur Seite standen, ohne dabei die Vision aufzugeben, die der amerikanischen Dichter Walt WHITMAN formulierte, als er Amerika als das "beste und radikalste demokratische Experiment der Welt" bezeichnete. In sieben Kapiteln finden sich 33 Gedichte uber das Gefangnisleben; umfangreiche Anmerkungen runden den Gedichtband ab. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0502149
The Effect of Predictability on Evoked Response Enhancement in Intramodal Selective Attention

We investigated the relationship between the attention enhancement of the visual average evoked response (AER) and the S's ability to predict the presentation of the attended stimulus. Twelve students were presented with sequences of two distinct visual stimuli while DC EEG and electro-oculogram (EOG) were simultaneously recorded. Stimuli were either regularly alternated (predictable) or randomly intermixed (nonpredictable). Verbal instructions directed S's attention and push button response to either one or both of the two stimuli. Interstimulus interval was held constant to permit computer averaging of the AER and the contingent negative variation. Selective attention enhanced the late positive component of the AER equally in the two conditions of predictability. Thus, it seems that the AER enhancement with intramodal selective attention does not depend on the S's ability to predict the presentation of the attended stimulus or to differentially arouse prior to its presentation. In the high predictability condition, the baseline EEG potential fluctuated with attention such that the AERs to the attended stimuli were negative relative to those to the ignored stimuli.
Characters and the equivalence of codes

MacWilliams proved that two linear codes are equivalent up to monomial transformations if and only if there is a weight-preserving linear isomorphism between them. We present a new proof based on the linear independence of group characters. We also present a new proof of a theorem of Bonisoli characterizing constant weight codes.
Sensitivity to P-T-C among primates.

The taste threshold of 228 subjects from 17 species of non-human primates was determined with graded solutions of P-T-C. Among species for which the sample size was sufficiently large, only the chimpanzee definitely showed a bimodal distribution. Experiments with tyrosine and cabbage indicate that the concentration of the former, in saliva, influences the individual's threshold and that the amount of cabbage, or other goitrogens, in the diet probably also has an influence. These results, in addition to information in the literature, indicate that sensitivity to P-T-C is not selectively neutral and, in man, may be another example of balance polymorphism.
Inhibition and Killing of Oral Bacteria by Silver Ions Generated with Low Intensity Direct Current

Silver cations generated by passing low intensity direct current through pure silver electrodes were found to be sufficiently antibacterial to cause sterilization of samples of infected dentin. The optimal procedure involved a 5 microA current applied for 20 minutes with the anode then left in contact with the sample. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of electrically generated silver ions for representative oral bacteria were essentially equal to those for silver ions added as nitrate or fluoride salts, and medium constituents, including sodium thioglycolate, antagonized antibacterial action. A major advantage to the use of the electrode method is that it allows for continuous, focal application of antibacterial silver cations.
Laser-Micromachined and Laminated Microfluidic Components for Miniaturized Thermal, Chemical and Biological Systems

Microchannel microfluidic components are being developed for heat transfer, chemical reactor, chemical analysis, and biological analytical applications. Specific applications include chemical sensing, DNA replication, blood analysis, capillary electrophoresis, fuel cell reactors, high temperature chemical reactors, heat pumps, combustors, and fuel processors. Two general types of component architectures have been developed and the fabrication processes defined. All involve a lamination scheme using plastic, ceramic, or metal laminates, as opposed to planar components. The first type is a stacked architecture that utilizes functionality built in each layer, with fluid flow interconnects between layers. Each layer of the laminate has specific microchannel geometry, and performs a specific function. Polymeric materials are used primarily. Fabrication processes used are laser micromachining, wet and dry etching, and coating deposition. the laminates can also be micromolded plastics. The second architecture employs laminates to form internal microchannels and interconnects. Materials include ceramic tapes and high temperature metals. Catalysts can be placed in the microchannels. Fabrication processes used are diffusion bonding, ceramic bonding and firing, photochemical etching, and electrochemical micromachining. Bonding, thus sealing, the laminates is an important issue. Process conditions have been develop to reduce distortion of the laminates and to hermetically seal the components.
Shoot organogenesis and plant regeneration in Pityopsis ruthii

Pityopsis ruthii is an endangered herbaceous perennial species from the United States. In vitro multiplication of this species can be valuable for germplasm conservation. Flower receptacles of P. ruthii were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 11.4 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in combination with 2.2, 4.4 or 8.8 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA). Shoots were visible within 14–28 days and three plants were successfully rooted on MS medium supplemented with 5.7 μM IAA. A two tailed t-test for paired-variates revealed that shoot regeneration on MS medium amended with 11.4 μM IAA and 2.2 μM BA was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than on other treatments. Leaf explants were also cultured on MS not supplemented with growth regulators or supplemented with 11.4 μM IAA in combination with 0, 2.2, 4.4 or 8.8 μM BA. Shoots were visible within 21–35 days and one plant was successfully rooted on MS medium supplemented with 5.4 μM NAA. Shoot regeneration on MS medium augmented with 11.4 μM IAA and 2.2 μM BA was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the other treatments according to analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a rank transformation. Hyperhydricity and rooting of shoots was problematic for explants derived from flower receptacles and leaf tissue, but viable plants were regenerated using both explants sources indicating the potential role for micropropagation in the ex situ conservation of the species.
Identity and Human Rights in the Muslim World:Negotiating Norms in the Age of Globalization

The right to a fair trial is a basic human right and essential for the prevention of the abuse of all other human rights. This is a history of the meaning and use of fair trial based on examples of use from over 100,000 trials and appeal cases heard between the years 1674–2005. For several hundred years fair trial meant a trial that was conducted according to correct procedure. It was a very rare expression. This meaning shifted at the turn of the twentieth century to imply a trial where the rights of a party were observed. Rights such as the right to a public hearing within a reasonable time, to an impartial tribunal, to know the charge and to examine witnesses. This new meaning turned the use of fair trial from a rarity to a commonplace. The history of fair trial has implications for the debate on the nature of human rights. Some say that they are universal and inherent in humans. Others say that they are a new fad. I fall in the latter camp and argue that such a novel and peculiar English right to a fa...
A dosimetric comparison of non-coplanar IMRT versus Helical Tomotherapy for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer.

Abstract Purposes To determine if there are clinically significant differences between the dosimetry of sinus tumors delivered by non-coplanar LINAC-based IMRT techniques and Helical Tomotherapy (HT). HT is capable of delivering highly conformal and uniform target dosimetry. However, HT lacks non-coplanar capability, which is commonly used for linear accelerator-based IMRT for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus tumors. Methods and materials We selected 10 patients with representative early and advanced nasal cavity and paranasal sinus malignancies treated with a preoperative dose of 50Gy/25 fractions without coverage of the cervical lymphatics for dosimetric comparison. Each plan was independently optimized using either Corvus inverse treatment planning system, commissioned for a Varian 2300 CD linear accelerator with 1cm multileaf collimator (MLC) leaves, or the HT inverse treatment planning system. A non-coplanar seven field technique was used in all Corvus plans with five mid-sagittal fields and two anterior oblique fields as described by Claus et al. [F. Claus, W. De Gersem, C. De Wagter, et al., An implementation strategy for IMRT of ethmoid sinus cancer and bilateral sparing of the optic pathways, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 51 (2001) 318–331], whereas only coplanar beamlets were used in HT planning. Dose plans were compared using DVHs, the minimum PTV dose to 1cm 3 of the PTV, a uniformity index of planned treatment volume (PTV), and a comprehensive quality index (CQI) based on the maximum dose to optical structures, parotids and the brainstem which were deemed as the most critical adjacent structures. Results Both planning systems showed comparable PTV dose coverage, but HT had significantly higher uniformity ( p p Conclusions Overall HT provided equivalent or slightly better normal structure avoidance with a more uniform PTV dose for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer treatment than non-coplanar LINAC-based IMRT. The disadvantage of coplanar geometry in HT is apparently counterbalanced by the larger number of fields.
Detection of Lawsonia intracellularis by Real-time PCR in the Feces of Free-living Animals from Equine Farms with Documented Occurrence of Equine Proliferative Enteropathy

The objective of this study was to determine whether Lawsonia intracellularis was present in the feces of free-living animals collected on two equine premises with documented occurrence of equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE). Fresh feces from black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus, n=100), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis, n=22), feral cats (Felis catus, n=14), Brewer's Blackbirds (Euphagus cyanocephalus, n=10), Virginian opossums (Didelphis virginiana, n=9), raccoons (Procyon lotor, n=4), California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi, n=3), and coyotes (Canis latrans, n=2) were collected from August 2006 to January 2007 either from the ground while walking the premises or after trapping the animals using live traps. Nucleic acid purified from feces was directly processed for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis using a real-time PCR assay targeting the aspartate ammonia lyase gene of L. intracellularis. Purified DNA samples were also precipitated, preamplified for L. intracellularis, and analyzed using the same real-time PCR assay, to increase the detection limit to one L. intracellularis organism per extracted sample. Feces from jackrabbits, striped skunks, Virginian opossums, and coyotes tested PCR positive for L. intracellularis, whereas all feces from feral cats, Brewer's Blackbirds, raccoons, and ground squirrels tested PCR negative for L. intracellularis. PCR testing on DNA extracted directly from feces was positive for L. intracellularis in six of 164 fecal samples. When DNA purification from feces was followed by a precipitation and preamplification step, five additional fecal samples tested PCR positive for L. intracellularis (11/164). The largest number of PCR positive L. intracellularis fecal samples was observed in striped skunks, followed by Virginian opossums, jackrabbits, and coyotes. This is the first description of L. intracellularis in these four species. Because the fecal samples were collected at equine farms with confirmed cases of EPE, striped skunks, Virginian opossums, jackrabbits, and coyotes may act as potential sources of infection to susceptible weanlings.
Dynamics and Thermodynamics of a Warming Event in a Coupled Tropical Atmosphere–Ocean Model

Abstract A simple coupled ocean–atmosphere model, similar to that of Zebiak and Cane, is used to examine the dynamic and thermodynamic processes associated with El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The model is run for 300 years. The interannual variability which results is regular, with a period of either 3 or 4 years, quantized by the annual cycle. The amplitude (∼1.5 m s−1 wind and 2°C SST anomalies), period and structure of the interannual variability compare well with observations. The model warm event is initiated in the spring prior to the event peak, and is well described as an instability of the coupled system. During instability growth, the sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly is primarily generated by vertical upwelling processes. The SST anomaly can be approximately described by the expression ∂T/∂t = KTh − α*T, where T is the SST anomaly, t time, h the upper layer thickness (pycnocline) perturbation and α* an effective damping time which includes heat loss to the atmosphere. KT parameterizes...
The future is uncertain and the end is always near

The standard view of contemporary unipolar politics is that systemic constraints impede the translation of American power capabilities into influence over security outcomes, rendering the United States (US) much less capable than its material capabilities imply. Challenging this logic, William Wohlforth and Stephen Brooks argue that systemic constraints under unipolarity are largely inoperative with respect to the security policies of the unipolar power. Indeed, the US is uniquely positioned in today's world to convert its enormous capability advantages into influence and usable power. While World out of balance is a masterwork of logical and rigorous argumentation, Brooks and Wohlforth, in their exclusive focus on the hegemon and its policies, do not attempt to offer a general theory of unipolarity. Thus, they do not consider the possibility that unipolarity does not constrain any actors or the issue of system change. This essay advances two routes out of unipolarity: (1) a ‘delegitimation’ phase followe...
Evidence-based medicine: Revisiting the pyramid of priorities

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is beset with numerous problems. In addition to the fact that varied audiences have each customarily sought differing types of evidence, EBM traditionally incorporated a hierarchy of clinical research designs, placing systematic reviews and meta-analyses at the pinnacle. Yet the canonical pyramid of EBM excludes numerous sources of research information, such as basic research, epidemiology, and health services research. Models of EBM commonly used by third party payers have ignored clinical judgment and patient values and expectations, which together form a tripartite and more realistic guideline to effective clinical care. Added to this is the problem in which enhanced placebo treatments in experimentation may obscure verum effects seen commonly in practice. Compounding the issue is that poor systematic reviews which comprise a significant portion of EBM are prone to subjective bias in their inclusion criteria and methodological scoring, shown to skew outcomes. Finally, the blinding concept of randomized controlled trials is particularly problematic in applications of physical medicine. Examples from the research literature in physical medicine highlight conclusions which are open to debate. More progressive components of EBM are recommended, together with greater recognition of the varying audiences employing EBM.
Franck–Condon factors in studies of dynamics of chemical reactions. V. Simple construction of quasiadiabatic potential energy surfaces and numerical evaluation of Franck–Condon integrals

We test the Franck–Condon (FC) approximation for chemical reactions by prescribing a simple construction of quasiadiabatic potential energy surfaces and evaluating numerically FC overlap integrals for the collinear case of the chemical reactions H2(D2)+F and H+Cl2. The FC model is derivable from the exact transition matrix by the use of four basic approximations: neglect of virtual transitions to excited electronic states; Born–Oppenheimer approximation; neglect of nuclear–electronic couplings; and the Franck–Condon approximation. The wave functions involved in the FC overlap are determined from quasiadiabatic potential surfaces, which were chosen to be constructed from the corresponding LEPS and anti‐LEPS adiabatic surfaces for the chemical reaction in question. A coupling function which involves a single free parameter is needed to connect the quasiadiabatic surfaces. Our calculations show that the results are insensitive to this free parameter. We calculate vibrational distributions of reaction products for various initial kinetic energies of reactants and find the results to be in good qualitative agreement with both exact quantal calculations and FC models which include further approximations (with compensatory ease of calculation). Our results agree with the maximum in the vibrational distribution predicted by the other calculations and show similar trends with variation in initial relative kinetic energy and the masses (including isotopic substitution) as well as certain features of the potential surface.
The Effect of Different Plaque Control Modalities on the Keratinizing Potential of the Sulcular Epithelium in Monkeys

The purpose of this study was to determine if various plaque control regimes would be effective in permitting the gingival sulcular epithelium to keratinize. Three adult Rhesus monkeys had their teeth scaled and were placed on specific plaque control regimes including various combinations of prophylaxes, topical Chlorhexidine and systemic tetracycline. Over the 2-month experimental period, weekly Plaque and Gingival Indices were determined. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained during the first 2 treatment weeks and at the end of the 1st month. Block sections of individual teeth from the different experimental regimes were serially sectioned to be evaluated histologically for inflammation and keratinization. Plaque and Gingival Indices were significantly reduced by the end of the 8th week compared to the pretreatment levels for all experimental regimes, except that the regime consisting only of three prophylaxes per week failed to reduce the Gingival Index significantly. Rubber cup prophylaxes were les...
An atomistic model for the simulation of acoustic phonons, strain distribution, and Grüneisen coefficients in zinc-blende semiconductors

An accurate modeling of phonons, strain distributions, and Gruneisen coefficients is essential for the qualitative and quantitative design of modern nanoelectronic and nanooptoelectronic devices. The challenge is the development of a model that fits within an atomistic representation of the overall crystal yet remains computationally tractable. A simple model for introducing the anharmonicity of the interatomic potential into the Keating two-parameter valence-force-field model is developed. The new method is used for the calculation of acoustic phonon and strain effects in zinc-blende semiconductors. The model is fitted to the Gruneisen coefficients for long-wavelength acoustic phonons and reproduces the response to strain throughout the Brillouin zone in reasonable agreement with experiment.
Par-3 partitioning defective 3 homolog (C. elegans) and androgen-induced prostate proliferative shutoff associated protein genes are mutationally inactivated in prostate cancer cells

Background Gene identification by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay inhibition (GINI) has proven its usefulness in identifying mutant genes in cancer cell lines. An increase in transcription in response to NMD inhibition of a subset of genes is a major cause of false positives when genes are selected for sequencing analysis. To distinguish between mRNA accumulations caused by stress response-induced transcription and nonsense-containing mRNA stabilizations is a challenge in identifying mutant genes using GINI.
Impact of a Disease Management Program Upon Caregivers of Chronically Critically Ill Patients

Objectives: Few studies have examined the effects of caregiving on the caregivers of chronically critically ill (CCI) patients, and no one has examined the impact of a disease management program (DMP) on physical and psychological outcomes for the caregivers of CCI patients. The purposes of this study of caregivers of CCI patients were as follows: (1) to describe the characteristics of CCI patients and caregivers and to examine the frequency of depression, subjective burden, and physical health; (2) to examine factors related to depression after hospital discharge; and (3) to examine the effects of a DMP on the physical health, depression, and burden of caregivers 2 months post-hospital discharge. Design: Prospective experimental design. Setting and participants: Caregivers of 290 patients who had received > 3 days of mechanical ventilation while in the ICU of a university medical center. Measurements: Sociodemographics, caregiver burden, physical health status, and depression were measured using established tools. Results: Interviews of caregivers were conducted at hospital discharge and 2 months later. Seventy-three percent of patients survived, completed the study period, and required caregiving 2 months later. Caregivers of patients residing in an institution reported higher depression (p = 0.0001), higher burden ( ie , disrupted schedule, p = 0.0001; lack of family support, p = 0.036), and greater health problem scores (p = 0.0001) than did caregivers of patients residing at home. The DMP did not have a statistically significant impact on any of the outcome variables. However, by 2 months, 54% of caregivers in the experimental group had no depression or mild depression compared with 34.5% of the control group. Conclusion: Two months after hospital discharge, approximately 25% of caregivers were classified as depressed with 16.7% of the depressed group classified as moderately or severely depressed. The caregivers of CCI patients are at risk for post-hospital discharge depression, and the caregivers of institutionalized CCI patients are at highest risk of long-term negative effects from caregiving.
Metallothionein protects islets from hypoxia and extends islet graft survival by scavenging most kinds of reactive oxygen species

Islet transplantation is a promising therapy for Type 1 diabetes, but many attempts have failed due to early graft hypoxia or immune rejection, which generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the current study, we determined that transgenic overexpression of the antioxidant metallothionein (MT) in pancreatic beta cells provided broad resistance to oxidative stress by scavenging most kinds of ROS including H2O2, peroxynitrite radical released from streptozotocin, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), and superoxide radical produced by xanthine/xanthine oxidase. MT also reduced nitric oxide-induced beta cell death. A direct test of hypoxia/reperfusion sensitivity was made by exposing FVB and MT islets to hypoxia (1% O2). MT markedly reduced ROS production and improved islet cell survival. Because MT protected beta cells from a broad spectrum of ROS and from hypoxia, we considered it to be an ideal candidate for improving islet transplantation. We first tested syngeneic transplantation by implanting islets under the kidney capsule of the same strain, FVB mice, thereby eliminating the immune rejection component. Under these conditions, MT islets maintained much greater insulin content than control islets. Allotransplantation was then tested. MT transgenic and normal FVB islets were implanted under the kidney capsule of BALB/c mice that were previously treated with streptozotocin to induce diabetes. We found that MT islets extended the duration of euglycemia 2-fold longer than nontransgenic islets. The benefit of MT was due to protection from ROS since nitrotyrosine staining, an indicator of free radical damage, was much lower in MT grafts than in FVB grafts. The time course of protection suggested that the major mode of MT action may have been protection from hypoxia or hypoxia/reperfusion. These data demonstrate that treatment with a broad spectrum antioxidant protects islets from ROS damage such as that produced during the early phase of islet transplantation.
Democratic Prospects in Iraq: A Comparative Approach

While structuralist explanations for regime transition focus on domestic conditions in initiating democracy within the nation-state, I argue that exogenous events such as regime removal through foreign intervention are an important causal variable to democratization. Examining regime transition in Iraq, I use the comparative approach to show that where the United States imposes democracy upon a country, it is relatively successful. To explain this empirical finding, I posit that democratization is strongly influenced by the success of US military intervention and assistance during the transitional phase and positive socioeconomic conditions within the host country during the rebuilding stage. While regime removal through foreign intervention was a necessary condition for democratic transition in Iraq, the sustainability of democracy increases with strong economic growth and development, and controlling for the adverse effects of ‘rentierism’. In this regard, I suggest the prospects of Iraq building and maintaining a competitive regime are cautiously optimistic.
Prelude to a theory of homo absurdus: variations on themes from Thorstein Veblen and Jean Baudrillard

Homo absurdus refers to an economic character who differs markedly from the leading characters in both orthodox and Marxist interpretations of economic life. The social and psychological characteristics of absurdus are drawn from Thorstein Veblen's ironical and existential insights into business culture. In particular, the article shows how Veblen uses irony to describe and explore the type of despair that results from a dichotomy between industrial and pecuniary practices and frames the experience of absurdity in this culture. Jean Baudrillard's critique of Marxism in The Mirror of Production is discussed as an example of the contemporary relevance of Veblen's approach. Beyond its theoretical uses, absurdus is described as a therapeutic response to escapism born of despair. Copyright 1997 by Oxford University Press.
Chirped-pulse microwave spectrum and ab initio calculations of four distinct conformers of 3-vinylbenzaldehyde

Abstract Chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave (CP-FTMW) spectroscopy was used to measure the pure rotational spectrum of 3-vinylbenzaldehyde (3VBA) in four distinct conformations in the 8–18.5 GHz region of the microwave spectrum. The rotational constants and centrifugal distortion constants of each conformer were determined and compared with the supporting ab initio calculations performed at the Hartree–Fock, DFT, and MP2 levels of theory. Details of the CP-FTMW spectrometer are also discussed.
Marine protection in the Arctic cannot wait

Global economics, not declining sea ice, is driving ships to the Arctic Ocean. Only international regulation will protect the region, says Lawson Brigham.
Association of G-protein β3 subunit C825T variant (Gβ3S) and heart valve abnormalities in obese patients treated with fenfuramine-phentermine

Obesity is associated with serious health risks, including an increased incidence of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. Appetite-suppressant medications such as fenfluramine-phentermine (fen-phen) have been used for several decades to treat obesity. Recently, fen-phen has been suggested to increase the incidence of cardiac valvulopathy. Among potential mechanisms, increased signal transduction by G protein coupled receptors such as the serotonin receptor (5HT1C) may be important. We hypothesized that patients with the C825T polymorphism would be at higher risk for fen-phen associated disease, because the 825T allele is associated with the generation of a novel splice variant, enhanced intracellular signal transduction, and arterial hypertension. We reevaluated 33 patients who were treated with fen-phen during a randomized crossover trial in 1983. All patients had no history of heart disease at the onset of the original study. During reevaluation each patient completed a questionnaire, underwent cardiac auscultation, had a complete echocardiographic evaluation, and Gβ3S C825T allele genotyping. Fifteen age-matched untreated obese patients served as controls. A significant association between the 825T allele and obesity was observed (TT+TC = 85.4% in this group of obese patients, compared to 25% prevalence in the general population [Siffert, Nat. Genet 18:45,1998]) similar to results reported by Siffert (J Am Soc Nephrol 10:1921,1999). There was no difference in the prevalence of 825T allele among patients with cardiac valvulopathy (TT+TC: 6/8 [75.0%]) compared to patients without valvulopathy (TT+TC: 22/25 [88.0%]) in fen-phen treated patients. Prevalence of 825T allele was similar in untreated control patients (TT+TC: 13/15 [86.7%]). The TC genotype was significantly increased among treated patients who developed cardiac valvulopathy (5/8. 62.5%) compared to treated patients without valvulopathy (10/25,40.0%, p < 0.01) or control patients (7/15, 46.7%, p<0.01). This observation, if replicated in larger studies, suggests a genetic contribution to the cardiac effects of fen-phen.
Motivational factors associated with sports program participation in middle school students.

Abstract Purpose The purposes of this study were 1) to identify gender-specific motivational factors associated with sports program participation and attrition in middle school students and 2) to examine the relationships among sports program participation, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in this age group. Methods Seventh and eighth grade students (N = 1692) completed a questionnaire to measure sports program participation and factors that may motivate continued participation in or attrition from sports. The psychometric properties of the participation and attrition scales were tested using gender-separate exploratory factor analysis. Analysis of variance (participation status*gender) was used to identify differences in motivational factor scores and physical activity variables. Results Eighty percent of the students were recent participants (within the past year), 10% were former participants, and 10% had never participated. For boys, the participation factors were labeled (in order) competition, social benefits, and fitness. For girls, factor structures were slightly different than the boys, which loaded as; social + skill benefits, competition, and fitness. For both genders, lack of interest, coaching problems, and time barriers were identified as attrition factors. Recent sport participants reported more time in vigorous ( p p = .03), and strengthening activities ( p p Conclusions Gender-specific motivational factors exist for middle school youth; boys are more attracted to the competitive aspects of sports whereas girls are more motivated by the social opportunities that sports provide. Boys and girls who participate in sports are more physically active, so it is important to develop programs that children want to participate in and maximize retention.
Involvement of thromboxane in injury to isolated rat lungs perfused with phorbol myristate acetate in the presence and absence of neutrophils.

Abstract In a previous study, we demonstrated that a nontoxic concentration of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) produced edema in isolated rat lungs which were coperfused with neutrophils (PMN). In this study, we examined whether prostaglandins or thromboxane were responsible for increases in pressure and/or edema in this preparation. In lungs perfused with PMA (14 ng/ml) and PMN (1 × 108), significantly greater amounts of thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) were produced than in controls. Relative lung weights and increases in perfusion pressure correlated with concentrations of TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α that were produced. Indomethacin (10 μ m ) or Dazmegrel (10 μ m ) retarded the increase in perfusion pressure and prevented the increase in relative lung weight induced by PMA and PMN. When lungs were perfused with a high concentration of PMA (57 ng/ml) in the absence of added PMN, lungs also become edematous. Compared to controls, concentrations of TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α were elevated in media collected from this preparation. As with lungs perfused with PMN and PMA, increases in pressure and relative weights of lungs perfused with PMA (57 ng/ml) correlated with the concentrations of TxB2 that were detected in perfusion media. Although indomethacin (10 μ m ) and Dazmegrel (50 μ m ) retarded the increase in perfusion pressure in this preparation, they only partially attenuated the increase in lung weight. These results suggest that, depending on the concentration, PMA can produce lung injury via different mechanisms. Thromboxane does not seem to be required for the genesis of edema induced by a high concentration of PMA in the absence of perfused neutrophils; however, it appears to play an obligatory role in the pathogenesis of edema induced by a low concentration of PMA in the presence of PMN.
Diamond-like carbon coatings as biocompatible materials—an overview

Amorphous hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (DLC) and tetrahedral carbon (taC) films are characterized by high wear resistance, low friction coefficients and chemical inertness, thus high-corrosion resistance. The properties of DLC and taC can further be modified by incorporating other elements in the films, such as N, F, Si and metals, thus tailoring them for specific applications. The films can be deposited as conformal, very smooth layers. These properties make the films good candidates as biocompatible coatings for biomedical devices and tools. The paper presents on overview of the biomedical characteristics of different varieties of amorphous carbon and their potential applications.
Role for retinoid signaling in left–right asymmetric digestive organ morphogenesis

The looping events that establish left-right asymmetries in the vertebrate gut tube are poorly understood. Retinoic acid signaling is known to impact left-right development in multiple embryonic contexts, although its role in asymmetric digestive organ morphogenesis is unknown. Here, we show that the genes for retinaldehyde dehydrogenase (RALDH2) and a retinoic acid hydroxylase (CYP26A1) are expressed in complementary patterns in the Xenopus gut during looping. A late-stage chemical genetic assessment reveals that agonists and antagonists of retinoid signaling generate abnormal gut looping topologies, digestive organ heterotaxias, and intestinal malrotations. Accessory organ deformities commonly associated with intestinal malrotation in humans, such as annular pancreas, pancreas divisum, and extrahepatic biliary tree malformations, are also induced by distinct retinoid receptor agonists. Thus, late-stage retinoic acid signaling is likely to play a critical role in asymmetric gut tube morphogenesis and may underlie the etiology of several clinically relevant defects in the digestive system.