cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Increasing Interphase Gap on N1 Latency of the Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potential and the Stimulation Level Offset in Human Cochlear Implant Users.

Objective This study reports two potential biomarkers of the physiological status of the cochlear nerve (CN) in cochlear implant users. Design This project represents a complementary analysis on a subset of electrophysiological data from our recently published study. This study compared changes in N1 latency and stimulation level (i.e., N1 latency offset and stimulation level offset) with increasing interphase gap of a biphasic pulse between children with cochlear nerve deficiency and children with normal-sized CNs. Results Children with cochlear nerve deficiency showed smaller N1 latency offsets and larger stimulation level offsets than children with normal-sized CNs at all electrode locations tested. Conclusions The N1 latency and stimulation level offsets differ in two patient populations with different physiological statuses of the CN. These parameters may be useful for evaluating CN function in individual cochlear implant patients.
Protocol for a Sequential, Prospective Meta-Analysis to Describe COVID-19 in Pregnancy and Newborn Periods

Abstract Background We urgently need answers to basic epidemiological questions regarding COVID-19 infection in pregnant women and newborns. While many national registries, health facilities, and research groups are collecting relevant data, we need a collaborative and methodologically appropriate approach to utilize these data to generate answers. Methods We propose that a sequential, prospective meta-analysis (PMA) is the best approach to rapidly generate policy and practice-oriented guidelines. As the pandemic is rapidly evolving, studies identified retrospectively through a living systematic review will also be invited to participate. The primary analysis will pool data using a two-stage meta-analysis with generic inverse-variance methods. The meta-analyses will be updated as additional data accrues in each contributing study and as additional studies meet study-specific time or data accrual thresholds for sharing. Participating Studies At the time of publication, there are 19 studies being conducted in 21 countries that prospectively agreed to pool data for this analysis. Among the 19 included studies, ten are COVID-19 registry studies, seven are cohort or surveillance studies, and two are case-control studies. More than 74,000 pregnant women are expected to contribute to the completed analysis. Dissemination Protocols and updates will be maintained publicly. Results will be shared with key stakeholders including the World Health Organization (WHO) Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (MNCAH) Research Working Group. Scientific publications will be published in open access journals on an ongoing basis.
Community Belonging and Attitudes Towards HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Transgender Women

For transgender (trans) women, community belonging may play an important role in shaping perceptions of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). A cluster analysis was performed using data obtained from a survey administered to 128 trans women residing in Philadelphia, PA and the San Francisco Bay area, CA. Six items assessing feelings of community belongingness among trans women produced three distinct clusters. Associations were examined between cluster membership and perceptual items including beliefs about PrEP, experiences with healthcare, patient self-advocacy, and perceived trusted sources for PrEP information. Clusters were demographically comparable apart from age. There were significant differences noted between trust in various communication channels and perceptions of PrEP; the least community-connected cluster had less trust and more negative perceptions of PrEP. Analyses suggest that psychographic differences exist based on perceived community belongingness in this population, and this in turn may be consequential in determining how information about PrEP is communicated and diffused to trans women for whom PrEP may be indicated.
Study on intrapartum service model during normal labor

Objective To study the availability of humanized service and healthy birth and it's effect on maternal and neonatal outcomes Methods A multicenteral prospective randomized control study was carried out in 9 maternity hospitals from Nov 2000 to June 2001 6 758 laboring women were randomly devided into study group and control group In study group ( n =3 437),midwives accompany laboring women in whole course of birth until two hours after delivery According WHO "Monitoring rules for normal birth" medical staff support the mothers in physiological,psychological and physical aspects In control group ( n =3 321) mothers receive tranditional management Midwives visit and check the mothers discoutinually In two groups husbands can company laboring women according women's requirement A questionnaire will be filled on the second day after birth Results In study group the spontaneous delivery rate was significant higher than that of control group (85 5% vs 66 0%, P 0 01). The cesarean section rate,postpartum hemorrhage rate, neonatal asphyxia rate and neonatal morbidity were marked lower in study group than those of control group ( P 0 01 and P 0 05) Conclusions Appropriate mode of intrapartum care can decrease the cesarean section rate and promote the vaginal delivery,also it can improve the maternal and neonatal outcomes
A regional survey evaluating patient experience seeking trial of labor after cesarean.

To evaluate access to trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) in a large metropolitan city.In 2012, a public tertiary care hospital in Houston, TX promoted its TOLAC services on social media, resulti...
Cybersecurity Requirements for AM Systems: New Enforcement in DoD Environments, and Resources for Implementation

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the US Department of Defense (DoD) released Audit of the Cybersecurity of Department of Defense Additive Manufacturing Systems (DODIG-2021-098) [1] in July 2021, to determine "whether DoD [sites] secured additive manufacturing (AM) systems to prevent unauthorized changes and ensure the integrity of the design data." The audit report recommends requiring "all AM systems to obtain an authority to operate in accordance with DoD policy before their use" [1], and requiring "AM system owners to immediately identify and implement security controls to minimize risk until obtaining an authority to operate." [1] The DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO) responded that existing DoD regulations require both of these for "all IT systems, including AM systems" [1]. Such cyber security rules can help guard against vulnerabilities such as design file theft or digital thread hacking, as well as unauthorized prints on AM systems that can impact the safety and integrity of parts used in defense systems, expose critical intellectual property to bad actors and even cause manufacturing facilities to shut down. To improve AM system vendors' understanding of these cybersecurity requirements for DoD and the US Government (USG), we discuss in this paper the process for obtaining an Authority To Operate (ATO) certification for an IT system per DoD and USG cybersecurity regulations, i.e., the Risk Management Framework (RMF) process from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [2]. We also describe resources for AM system vendors to understand and implement the RMF process for obtaining an ATO certification, particularly in the DoD environment. [1] Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. 2021. Audit of the Cybersecurity of Department of Defense Additive Manufacturing Systems (DODIG-2021-098). https://www.dodig.mil/reports.html/article/2683843/audit-of-the-cybersecurity-of-department-of-defense-additive-manufacturing-syst/ Full report at: https://media.defense.gov/2021/Jul/07/2002757308/-1/-1/1/DODIG-2021-098.PDF [2]NIST Information Technology Laboratory Computer Security Resource Center. 2021. About the Risk Management Framework (RMF): A Comprehensive, Flexible, Risk-Based Approach https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/risk-management/about-rmf
Dynamic scene analysis for vessel structure determination

The authors describe a dynamic scene analysis system dedicated to determining the vessel paths followed by red blood cells in a sequence of laboratory images. Three descriptive mechanisms are used to yield a precise quantitative description of the vessel structure within the sequence of images. First, a pictorial description is produced which highlights the vessels against a black background in a binary image. Second, a description of the boundaries of the vessels is provided using a sequence of straight line segments fitted to the boundaries of the vessel structure. These straight line segments form a polygonal approximation to the shape of the vessel structure. Finally, a structural description is provided by obtaining the skeleton of the vessels' locations and their interconnections. Each point on the skeleton has a radius associated with it which details the width of the vessel structure at that point. Error measurements associated with the resultant vessel structure descriptions are discussed. >
Requirement of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) Type II Receptor for TGF-β-induced Proliferation and Growth Inhibition

Growth regulation of fibroblasts is important for lung development and repair of lung injury. In this study, we investigated the role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) type II receptor in the TGF-β-dependent proliferative response of lung fibroblasts. TGF-β stimulated the proliferation of adult lung fibroblasts at a low concentration (1 ng/ml), but inhibited the growth of fetal lung fibroblasts in a dose-dependent fashion (0.1-10 ng/ml). Cross-linking and Northern analysis demonstrated that the two lung fibroblast cell lines expressed the TGF-β type I receptor (TβRI) and type II receptor (TβRII). We overexpressed in lung fibroblasts a truncated derivative of TβRII that lacked the cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinase domain (TβRIIΔK). TβRIIΔK was a dominant-negative inhibitor of TGF-β signal transduction blocking not only TGF-β-induced mitogenic action upon adult lung fibroblasts but also TGF-β-induced growth inhibition of fetal lung fibroblasts. The results indicate that the type II receptor is indispensable for mediating both the mitogenic and antiproliferative effects of TGF-β upon lung fibroblasts.
Structure-function analysis of a small-molecule binding site in Kir1.1 and Kir7.1 (1062.4)

Inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels play fundamental roles in diverse physiological processes and may be unexploited drug targets. However, the limited pharmacology has slowed efforts to explore the physiology and druggability of most Kir channels. We discovered a small-molecule termed VU590 that inhibits Kir1.1 and Kir7.1 with IC50 values of ~300 nM and ~8 µM, respectively, but not Kir2.1 or Kir4.1. Kir1.1 regulates renal tubule salt and water transport and is an emerging diuretic target for the treatment of hypertension, whereas the functions of Kir7.1 are largely unknown. The aim of this study is to identify structural elements in Kir1.1 and Kir7.1 that imbue these channels with selective sensitivity to VU590. Patch clamp analysis revealed that VU590 can be displaced from the pore with inwardly directed K+ ions, suggesting the binding site is located in the membrane-spanning pore of the channel. Indeed, mutation of Asn171 to the corresponding residue in Kir2.1 (Asp) caused a ~20-fold loss of pote...
War Of The Worlds: Cyberspace And The High-tech Assault On Reality

From the Publisher: Part cultural critique, part call to the ramparts, War of the Worlds is a funny, but eerily disturbing, humanist's look at the culture of cyberspace. Chronicling this revolution in the making and some of the key players in the field, Mark Slouka warns us that more is going on than mere on-line communication. We stand now on the threshold of turning life itself into computer code, of transforming the experience of living in the physical world - every sensation, every detail - into a product for our consumption. Whether you're a devoted citizen of cyberspace or the opposite, a PONA (person of no account), you owe it to yourself to join Slouka as he reveals some of the uglier side effects of technological "progress" and offers a compelling argument for reaffirming our connection to the unwired world.
Background on Options

In preparation for our study of derivative pricing models, we need to discuss the basics of stock options. Readers who are familiar with these derivatives will want merely to skim through the chapters to synchronize the terminology, as it were.
When is Religious Speech Not 'Free Speech'?

This article addresses the often difficult relationship between the speech and religion clauses of the First Amendment. The article challenges the routine assumption that religious speech should always be treated the same as other types of speech under the First Amendment. This challenge is based on the conclusion that the presence of the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment requires courts to treat religious speech differently than other types of controversial speech when that speech occurs on government property or in some other context that associates the religious speech with the government. In other words, the First Amendment itself limits the extension of free speech protection to religious speech whenever that protection would undercut the separation of church and state required by the Establishment Clause. Although this premise may initially seem both unusual and hostile to the central First Amendment goal of protecting religious liberty, in reality the Court itself has recognized that religious speech poses special dangers for a pluralist democracy. This recognition has often motivated the Court to permit greater restrictions on religious speech than on speech pertaining to nonreligious matters. The paradox is that these restrictions are necessary precisely to preserve the essential conditions in which religious liberty may flourish. This article explains that paradox and attempts to define its scope.
Conduct and impact vs. state of the market triggers for automatic market mitigation

This paper discusses market mitigation procedure, which is aimed at rectifying market imperfections that may prevent market forces from achieving desired social objectives. However, the unique characteristics of power systems make electricity markets extremely vulnerable to temporal and locational market with potentially severe economic and reliability consequences, which necessitate proactive and timely intervention in addition to long-term structural remedies. From economic point of view electricity markets have inherent structural flaws that prevent competitive forces present in ideal commodity markets from achieving the desired social objectives. Hence, market power mitigation measures are needed to compensate for these structural flaws. Market mitigation must be addressed in conjunctions with mechanisms that will allow prices to reflect legitimate security rents and with mechanisms for generation adequacy assurance.
Do loans increase college access and choice?: examining the introduction of universal student loans

The returns to college are substantial, including increased earnings and public benefits, such as better health and increased involvement in public service and giving. As a result, since the introduction of the Guaranteed Student Loan program in 1965 and the Pell Grant in 1972, the federal government has experimented with using financial aid to increase college access, choice, and affordability. ; Although years of research support the notion that financial aid can influence students' post-secondary decisions, questions remain about the best ways to design such programs and the relative effectiveness of different types of aid. Due to the fact that an overwhelming proportion of the research on financial aid focuses on grants, little is known about how a recent shift to loans has affected student access to higher education and their choice of institutions. Because loans are a much more complicated form of financial aid than grants, there is reason to suspect that their effectiveness differs from other aid. ; This paper attempts to provide additional information on the impact of loans on college decisions by focusing on the period during which college loans were made available to all families, regardless of financial need. The major shift in aid policy occurred due to the 1992 Higher Education Reauthorization Act (HEA92). By exploiting this 1992 policy change as a natural experiment, this paper examines the impact of introducing a student loan program on college enrollment and choice. The analysis uses the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) to detail how the number of students in college (e.g., the access question) and the amount of money spent on higher education and related expenses (e.g., the choice question or "how much" education was bought) changed after the policy change.
NSTX-U Advances in Real-Time C++11 on Linux

Programming languages like C and Ada combined with proprietary embedded operating systems have dominated the real-time application space for decades. The new C++11 standard includes native, language-level support for concurrency, a required feature for any nontrivial event-oriented real-time software. Threads, Locks, and Atomics now exist to provide the necessary tools to build the structures that make up the foundation of a complex real-time system. The National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade (NSTX-U) at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is breaking new ground with the language as applied to the needs of fusion devices. A new Digital Coil Protection System (DCPS) will serve as the main protection mechanism for the magnetic coils, and it is written entirely in C++11 running on Concurrent Computer Corporation’s real-time operating system, RedHawk Linux. It runs over 600 algorithms in a 5 kHz control loop that determine whether or not to shut down operations before physical damage occurs. To accomplish this, NSTX-U engineers developed software tools that do not currently exist elsewhere, including real-time atomic synchronization, real-time containers, and a real-time logging framework. Together with a recent (and carefully configured) version of the GCC compiler, these tools enable data acquisition, processing, and output using a conventional operating system to meet a hard real-time deadline (that is, missing one periodic is a failure) of 200 microseconds.
Collapse Resistance of Steel Columns under Combined Axial and Lateral Loading

AbstractThe collapse resistance of steel columns subjected to combined axial and reversed lateral loading is investigated computationally. Detailed finite-element models that are validated using available experimental data are presented. Simulation results using these models suggest that local buckling as well as lateral torsional buckling in deep, slender sections under combined axial and lateral loading can lead to a substantial reduction in column ductility. The results of an extensive parametric study suggest that the current design guidelines are potentially unconservative and are used to develop a simple-to-use design aid.
Mechanism of Melphalan-Induced B7-1 Gene Expression in P815 Tumor Cells

We have previously shown that exposure of P815 tumor cells to melphalan (l-phenylalanine mustard; l-PAM) leads to up-regulation of B7-1 surface expression, and this l-PAM-induced up-regulation requires de novo RNA synthesis and is associated with accumulation of B7-1 mRNA. Here we show that the effect of l-PAM on B7-1 surface expression can be mimicked by exposing P815 tumor cells to oxidative stress but not to heat shock. Moreover, the antioxidant N -acetyl-l-cysteine prevented the l-PAM-induced accumulation of B7-1 mRNA in P815 tumor cells, suggesting that reactive oxygen species are involved in the transcriptional regulation of l-PAM-induced B7-1 gene expression. Although AP-1 and NF-κB are regarded as redox-sensitive transcription factors and the promoter/enhancer region of the B7-1 gene contains an AP-1 and an NF-κB binding site, exposure of P815 tumor cells to l-PAM led to rapid and transient activation only of NF-κB, but not AP-1, that bound specifically to a probe containing the respective binding site in the murine or human B7-1 gene. Moreover, exposure of P815 tumor cells to a cell-permeable peptide that selectively inhibits NF-κB activation by blocking the activation of the IκB-kinase complex was found to inhibit the l-PAM-induced B7-1 mRNA accumulation, indicating that NF-κB activation is essential for the l-PAM-induced B7-1 gene expression. Taken together, these results indicate that l-PAM leads to activation of B7-1 gene expression by activating NF-κB via a pathway that involves reactive oxygen species.
Sensor Science for National Security

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has over 200 professionals engaged in measurement science research and development. This work includes transduction techniques, advanced microelectronics, signal and image processing, modeling and simulation, material synthesis and characterization, and system engineering issues for packaging, miniaturization, integration, and communications (e.g. wireless networks). ORNL is applying this expertise to detecting, preventing, and reversing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, deploying integrated systems for incident awareness, detection, and response, providing technology for detection of explosives, and delivering enhanced protection and new capabilities to first responders and warfighters. Sensor systems include micro- and nano-arrays, optical, chemical, and biological technologies. Electronics’ research has focused on low-power, low-cost, and wireless functionality. Signal processing advancements encompass data flow with conversion to information and knowledge for intelligent decision making.
Neonatal Exposure to Pneumococcal Phosphorylcholine Modulates the Development of House Dust Mite Allergy during Adult Life

Currently, ∼20% of the global population suffers from an allergic disorder. Allergies and asthma occur at higher rates in developed and industrialized countries. It is clear that many human atopic diseases are initiated neonatally and herald more severe IgE-mediated disorders, including allergic asthma, which is driven by the priming of Th2 effector T cells. The hygiene hypothesis attempts to link the increased excessively sanitary conditions early in life to a default Th2 response and increasing allergic phenomena. Despite the substantial involvement of IgE Abs in such conditions, little attention has been paid to the effects of early microbial exposure on the B cell repertoire prior to the initiation of these diseases. In this study, we use Ab-binding assays to demonstrate that Streptococcus pneumoniae and house dust mite (HDM) bear similar phosphorylcholine (PC) epitopes. Neonatal C57BL/6 mice immunized with a PC-bearing pneumococcal vaccine expressed increased frequencies of PC-specific B cells in the lungs following sensitizing exposure to HDM as adults. Anti-PC IgM Abs in the lung decreased the interaction of HDM with pulmonary APCs and were affiliated with lowered allergy-associated cell infiltration into the lung, IgE production, development of airway hyperresponsiveness, and Th2 T cell priming. Thus, exposure of neonatal mice to PC-bearing pneumococci significantly reduced the development of HDM-induced allergic disease during adult life. Our findings demonstrate that B cells generated against conserved epitopes expressed by bacteria, encountered early in life, are also protective against the development of allergic disease during adult life.
The phylogeny of Sodalis-like symbionts as reconstructed using surface-encoding loci

Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA support close relationships between the Gammaproteobacteria Sodalis glossinidius, a tsetse (Diptera: Glossinidae) symbiont, and bacteria infecting diverse insect orders. To further examine the evolutionary relationships of these Sodalis-like symbionts, phylogenetic trees were constructed for a subset of putative surface-encoding genes (i.e. ompA, spr, slyB, rcsF, ycfM, and ompC). The ompA and ompC loci were used toward examining the intra- and interspecific diversity of Sodalis within tsetse, respectively. Intraspecific analyses of ompA support elevated nonsynonymous (dN) polymorphism with an excess of singletons, indicating diversifying selection, specifically within the tsetse Glossina morsitans. Additionally, interspecific ompC comparisons between Sodalis and Escherichia coli demonstrate deviation from neutrality, with higher fixed dN observed at sites associated with extracellular loops. Surface-encoding genes varied in their phylogenetic resolution of Sodalis and related bacteria, suggesting conserved vs. host-specific roles. Moreover, Sodalis and its close relatives exhibit genetic divergence at the rcsF, ompA, and ompC loci, indicative of initial molecular divergence. The application of outer membrane genes as markers for further delineating the systematics of recently diverged bacteria is discussed. These results increase our understanding of insect symbiont evolution, while also identifying early genome alterations occurring upon integration of microorganisms with eukaryotic hosts.
Use of a tree-structured hierarchical model for estimation of location and uncertainty in multivariate spatial data

Analysis and modeling of spatial data are of considerable interest in many applications. However, the prediction of geographical features from a set of chemical measurements on a set of geographically distinct samples has never been explored. We report a new, tree-structured hierarchical model for the estimation of geographical location of spatially distributed samples from their chemical measurements. The tree-structured hierarchical modeling used in this study involves a set of geographic regions stored in a hierarchical tree structure, with each nonterminal node representing a classifier and each terminal node representing a regression model. Once the tree-structured model is constructed, given a sample with only chemical measurements available, the predicted regional location of the sample is gradually restricted as it is passed through a series of classification steps. The geographic location of the sample can be predicted using a regression model within the terminal subregion. We show that the tree-structured modeling approach provides reasonable estimates of geographical region and geographic location for surface water samples taken across the entire USA. Further, the location uncertainty, an estimate of a probability that a test sample could be located within a pre-estimated, joint prediction interval that is much smaller than the terminal subregion, can also be assessed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for a circadian rhythm of insulin secretion

Insulin secretion was studied in healthy volunteers at three different levels of glycemia. Plasma glucose was clamped at approximately 5, approximately 8.8 and approximately 12.6 mM for 68 h. Measured were serum insulin concentration and insulin secretion rates (ISR), the latter by deconvolution of plasma C-peptide concentration. Rhythmic patterns of ISR were identified (with a refined first-order Fourier transform) at all three glucose concentrations tested but were most clearly seen at 12.6 mM. ISR and serum insulin concentration changed in a circadian (approximately 24 h) rhythm, increasing from a nadir between midnight and 6 A.M. and reaching a peak between noon and 6 P.M. At 12.6 mM hyperglycemia, the amplitude of the insulin concentration cycles was greater than that of the ISR cycles (+/- 13.0 vs. +/- 8.7%) due to a decrease in insulin clearance (from 1.55 to 0.5 l/min, P < 0.01). Plasma melatonin levels (a marker of light-dark rhythmicity) changed in the opposite direction, i.e., they peaked when ISR bottomed and bottomed when ISR peaked. We concluded that normal human subjects have a circadian rhythm of insulin secretion, which becomes more apparent with rising ISR, and that circadian changes in ISR, rising during the day and falling during the night, may be one explanation for the well-established observation that glucose tolerance and insulin responses to glucose and meals are higher in the morning than at night.
Defining the role of left atrial appendage closure in atrial fibrillation

Despite more than 10 years’ clinical experience, 1 the role of percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is still elusive. The reasons include the complexity of the procedure, the limited clinical information from controlled trials, and recent developments in the field of anticoagulation. A weak, grade IIb recommendation (ie, usefulness/efficacy less well established by evidence/ opinion) was released by the 2012 European atrial fibrillation guidelines, reflecting uncertainty over LAA closure in patients with a high stroke risk and contraindications for long-term oral anticoagulation. 2 A valuable addition to our current knowledge of LAA closure in patients with NVAF is provided
Intermediates Produced in the Reaction of Chromium(VI) with Dehydroascorbate Cause Single-Strand Breaks in Plasmid DNA

Ascorbate (vitamin C) is a biological reductant of the human carcinogen chromium(VI). The product of this reaction is presumed to be dehydroascorbate. However, we have found that chromium(VI) can also react with dehydroascorbate. This reaction was monitored by UV/visible and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies. In sodium acetate buffer at pH 3.8, the reaction of chromium(VI) and excess dehydroascorbate produced chromium(V) and chromium(IV) intermediates. At high reaction concentration, the chromium(V) intermediate formed an EPR silent dimer, which dissociated upon dilution to lower concentration. UV/visible experiments at pH 3.8 demonstrated that manganese(II) catalyzed the disproportionation of chromium(IV) to chromium(V) and chromium(III). The ability of the reaction intermediates to induce strand breaks in pBR322 DNA was determined at pH 3.8 and pH 5.8. At pH 3.8, chromium(IV) appeared to be the major species responsible for induction of strand breaks because the time course for format...
Nutrient assimilation and growth of some seaweeds in mixtures of sea water and secondary sewage treatment effluents

Abstract Preliminary experiments with several economically important seaweeds studied their utilization of the major inorganic nutrients contained in secondary sewage effluent. Optimal growth occurred in a sewage—sea-water mixture upon addition of trace elements. Growth was similar whether nitrogen was mainly in the form of ammonia or nitrate. The assimilation of nitrogen and phosphorus was in a ratio, by atoms, which was considerably higher than that commonly found for phytoplankton. Phosphorus remained after nitrogen had been depleted from the medium. Methods for the restriction of both phytoplankton blooms and the growth of epiphytic algal species in large continuous flow cultures are discussed.
Pressure induced resistivity changes in diluted magnetic semiconductors of (Hg, Fe)Se and (Hg, Mn)Te

Abstract Electrical resistance measurements have been performed on samples of Hg1-xFexSe and Hg1-xMnxTe for × ≤ 0.30 as a function of pressure to 7.0 GPa. Both materials crystallize in the B3 structure at atmospheric pressure and room temperature and belong to the class of materials known as diluted magnetic semiconductors. At elevated pressures, HgTe undergoes a phase change from the B3 to B9 phase which is accompanied by an increase in the electrical resistivity of several orders of magnitude. The results reported here are that increasing × in both materials serves to increase the B3-B9 transition pressure. The implication being that partial replacement of the Hg-bonds by Fe-Se and Mn-Te, respectively, increases the stability range of the B3 phase
Disaster epidemiology and disease monitoring

Better epidemiologic knowledge of the mechanisms of death and of the types of injuries and illnesses caused by disasters is clearly essential to determining the appropriate relief medications, supplies, equipment, and personnel needed to effectively respond to such emergencies. The overall objective of disaster epidemiology is to measure scientifically and describe the health effects of disasters and the factors contributing to these effects. The results of such investigations allow disaster epidemiologists to assess the needs of disaster-affected populations, efficiently match resources to needs, prevent further adverse health effects, evaluate relief effectiveness, and plan for future disasters.
Model observer and human observer performance studies indifferential phase contrast CT

This study investigates the possibility of using the model observer detectability to represent human detection performance in differential phase contrast CT (DPC-CT). Five model observers were investigated, including the prewhitening (PW) observer, the prewhitening observer with eye filter and internal noise (PWEi), the nonprewhitening (NPW) observer, the non-prewhitening observer with eye filter (NPWE), and the channelized Hotelling observer (CHO). Human 2AFC experiments involving four physicist observers were also performed to provide reference to the model observer results. The contrast thresholds required for 92% correct decision rate in 2AFC tests were evaluated for each observer. While all five model observers show good correlations with human observers, the CHO generated the best quantitative agreement with human observer results. Compared with the time-consuming human observer method, the model observer method is of much higher efficiency for the evaluation and optimization of DPC-CT.
The robust generalized least-squares estimator

Abstract This paper addresses the problem of robust linear estimations of systems perturbed by noise with a wide sense stationary process (WSS). The noise spectral density is known only to be in a neighborhood of some specified spectral density. Additionally the system's impulse response function is assumed to be a random process. A generalized least-squares estimator (GLS) in the frequency domain is considered and it is demonstrated that where the Fourier transform is applied to the observed data, robust estimation occurs. The experiment shows that the sample maximum variance depends on noise contamination for large data segments and depends on the upper bound of the robust method for short data segments. The proposed approach is simple to implement and can be very effective in several practical applications.
Assessing the long-term financial performance of ethical companies

With the increased importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR), its impact on a firm's financial performance has been investigated in the marketing/finance interface. Prior research has found that CSR is positively related to firm market value, but most efforts have been focused on examining the relationship between CSR and short-term financial performance. Motivated by this research gap, this study attempts to uncover CSR's long-term financial performance using archival data on composite CSR scores and individual CSR dimensions. The results show that CSR is negatively related to a firm's systematic and unsystematic risks, suggesting that once recognized as ethical company, a firm can reduce its risks. Of the eight CSR dimensions, ‘Community’ and ‘Employee Relationship’ can be seen to lower systematic risk, whereas ‘Product/Customer’ and ‘Employee Relationship’ are the main drivers that enhance a firm's idiosyncratic return.
Screening of optical-phonon-hole interaction by photogenerated carriers in the layered semiconductor gallium selenide

The time-resolved photoluminescence kinetics of GaSe has been measured at room temperature. The rise time of the spontaneous-emission band is within the response time of the picosecond laser pulse duration and streak camera (\ensuremath{\le}20 ps) when the photogenerated carrier density is below 5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and increases to a measurable value when the carrier density is above 5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. The increase in the rise time of the spontaneous-emission band arises from the screening of nonpolar optical-phonon emission from hot photogenerated carriers due to high photogenerated carrier density. On the other hand, the rise time of the stimulated-emission band is not time resolved with increasing picosecond laser pulse intensity.
Factors predicting high-risk sexual behavior in heterosexual college females

The purpose of this study was to determine which factors based in social cognitive theory are associated with risky sexual behavior in heterosexual college females. Results showed that negative attitudes toward condoms and toward involvement in a relationship were associated with less consistent condom use; frequent alcohol use preceding intercourse and low sexual satisfaction were associated with less consistent contraceptive use. Sex education on the college campus currently provides protection information only; these strategies have not proved successful. We encourage the development of more comprehensive educational strategies, which include discussion of the social cognitive factors shown here to be associated with risky sexual behavior.
Observations of the Interplanetary Plasma

Observations bearing on the nature and properties of the interplanetary plasma are reviewed, and consideration is given to possible fruitful directions for further work. The observations are classified according as they involve traditional (comet tail, optical, geomagnetic, cosmic ray), radio (solar noise, radar, radio-source scattering and scintillation, space-probe transmission) or direct (space-probe) measurements. A fairly complete set of references up to September 1967 is given for the cases of comet tail, radar, radio-source scattering and scintillation, and space-probe measurements. An important development concerns observations of the composition of the solar wind. High-resolution measurements of the positive ion energy per charge spectra have been made using the Vela-3 satellites (Bame et al., 1968). Ionic components other than H+ and He++ have been detected, notably the various ions of oxygen, O+5, O+6, O+7, (Hundhausen et al., 1968). A promising technique for unambiguously distinguishing H+ and He++ ions, based on velocity as well as energy per unit charge, has been flown successfully on the satellite IMP-F by Ogilvie and Williamson (1968).
Assessment of plant community restoration following Tree-of-Heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ) control by Verticillium albo - atrum

Tree-of-Heaven (TOH) is a highly invasive woody species incurring substantial investment in control efforts across its extensive adventive range. A recently isolated strain of the fungus Verticillium albo-atrum has been found to cause near 100 % mortality of TOH in laboratory and field tests. We assessed plant communities in experimentally infected TOH stands 5–6 years post treatment and compared them to uninfected control stands. We found no statistically significant differences in introduced or native species cover between treated and control stands. Healthy TOH stands often harbor substantial populations of native and introduced invasive species, and on average, successful control of overstory TOH by V. albo-atrum did not alter vegetation cover in these communities. V. albo-atrum appears to be a promising tool in targeted control of TOH that carries a relatively low risk of opportunistic weed replacement.
High-resolution computed tomography imaging: a virtual bone biopsy.

A 63-year-old post-menopausal Caucasian woman presented for kidney-related bone disease evaluation. She had a history of hypertension and remote tobacco use. Intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and calcium levels had been normal for 2 years before presentation (range: iPTH 31–64 pg/ml; calcium 2.25–2.52 mmol/l; reference ranges 10–65 pg/ml and 2.15–2.55 mmol/l, respectively).
Broadening our reach and representation: publishing e-government research in diverse scholarly venues

The purpose of this panel is to explore the ways in which research produced within the e-government community may overlap with the interests of scholars in public administration and management and information science as represented by a variety of scholarly journals. Editors from three journals outside the normal province of publication for e-government scholars discuss their publications, norms and practices, and audiences with e-government scholars.
Acoustic variations in reading produced by speakers with spasmodic dysphonia pre-botox injection and within early stages of post-botox injection.

Acoustic analysis of a reading passage was used to identify the abnormal phonatory events associated with adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) preand postinjection of Botulinum Toxin A (Botox). Thir...
Oldest primitive agriculture and vegetational environments in Japan

In Japan, shifting agriculture as part of a hunting and gathering strategy was generally thought to have started during the Middle Jomon period (5,000–4,000 BP)1–4. We present here evidence of primitive agricultural activities at least 1,600 years earlier than this date. At the Ubuka bog on the coast of the Sea of Japan in southwestern Honshu (34°29′ N, 131°35′ E, 390 m altitude) buck-wheat cultivation dates back to as early as 6,600 BP in the Early Jomon period (7,000–5,000 BP). The warm-temperate climatic regime in that period supported the growth of Podocarpus, Cyclobalanopsis, Ilex crenata/I. serrata and Viscum album var. coloratum. Slash-and-burn agriculture was intensified ∼2,000 BP and rice cultivation was introduced ∼ 1,500 BP.
Field Assessment of Enclosed Cab Filtration System Performance Using Particle Counting Measurements

Enclosed cab filtration systems are typically used on mobile mining equipment to reduce miners’ exposure to airborne dust generated during mining operations. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (OMSHR) has recently worked with a mining equipment manufacturer to examine a new cab filtration system design for underground industrial minerals equipment. This cab filtration system uses a combination of three particulate filters to reduce equipment operators’ exposure to dust and diesel particulates present in underground industrial mineral mines. NIOSH initially examined this cab filtration system using a two-instrument particle counting method at the equipment company's manufacturing shop facility to assess several alternative filters. This cab filtration system design was further studied on several pieces of equipment during a two- to seven-month period at two underground limestone mines. The two-instrument particle counting method was u...
Role of neutralizing antibodies in PRRSV protective immunity

Little has been known about the components of the immune system that are effective in the protection of a pig against PRRSV infection. Although antibodies were initially perceived as a deleterious, ineffective component of the PRRSV-specific immune response, neutralizing antibodies (NA) are now considered to be an important correlate of protective immunity against PRRSV. This paper reviews the current knowledge on arterivirus-specific NA, the role that NA have in protection against infection with PRRSV, as well as the viral molecular structures that are responsible for the production of this type of antibodies by the pig. This information should prove central to the design of new generation vaccines against PRRSV.
Variability in Hematological Response of Chicks Fed an Iron-Copper Deficient Diet,

Abstract SELECTION is generally based on the expression of a trait when the organism is placed in an optimal environmental range. As genetic progress is made, it becomes increasingly difficult to make further progress. Eventually the interacting forces of selection reach a balance and selection progress “plateaus”. Throughout this type of program, selection can be made only on those genes which express themselves in the environment of the organism. Recent concepts of gene action indicate that the functioning of structural genes may be controlled by operator and repressor genes and that the latter are responsive to stimuli from the external and internal environment of the cell (for review, see Ames and Martin, 1964). These concepts would indicate that many genes which under normal situations do not operate may act under certain conditions. Evidence of this type of gene action in the domestic fowl is provided by the observation of the production…
A Psychometric Evaluation of the SASSI‐3 in a College Sample

Although the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory-3 (SASSI-3; F. G. Miller & L. E. Lazowski, 1999) is widely used with college students (L. Myerholtz & H. Rosenberg, 1998), it is unclear whether the SASSI-3 is appropriate for use with this population. The authors investigated the SASSI-3's psychometric capabilities in a college student sample (N = 230). They found that the SASSI-3's psychometric properties are equal to or exceed those of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (M. L. Selzer, 1971), the CAGE (J. A. Ewing, 1984), and the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale-Revised (C. MacAndrew, 1965).
Sibling Variation and Family Language Policy: The Role of Birth Order in the Spanish Proficiency and First Names of Second-Generation Latinos

The effects of birth order have been debated in many disciplines and have been shown to be important for a number of outcomes. However, studies examining the significance of birth order in language development and practices, particularly with regard to minority languages, are few. This article reports on two sets of data collected among Spanish speakers in Chicago, each of which are used to investigate the role that birth order plays in family language policies and heritage language development. Included are an analysis of (a) the interplay between birth order and the Spanish language activities and proficiency of children in 18 families, as reported by their mothers, and (b) the child-naming choices in 54 families. Results show clear patterns both in language use and competence, and in the ethnolinguistic character of first names that correspond to a child's position in the family, pointing to evolving language policies, practices, and ideologies as immigrant families’ years in the United States accumula...
Contact between an elastically supported circular plate and a rigid indenter

Abstract The axially symmetric problem of a finite circular plate loaded at its center by a smooth, rigid punch is solved by superposing an infinite layer elasticity solution with a pure bending plate theory solution. The problem is reduced to dual integral equations, which are further reduced to a single Fredholm integral equation of the second kind. The Fredholm equation is numerically solved and the results are used to compute contact stresses under the indenter as well as the overall load-deflection behavior. The problem is formulated to model a partially fixed edge around the plate's perimeter, and calculations are carried out for the limiting cases of simple supports and complete fixity. Various ratios of plate diameter to plate thickness are studied, and the results are compared to both Hertzian contact theory and standard plate theory.