cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining Marijuana User and Non-User Prototypes in Formative Research for Prevention Campaigns.

We report on research-both quantitative and qualitative-conducted to explore perceptions of prototypes of marijuana users, as well as the extent to which self-prototype congruence predicted marijuana use intention. Results of a survey of undergraduates (N = 139) showed that prototypes of users and non-users differed in terms of key attributes, and that a greater match between one's self and user prototype would be associated with greater intention to use marijuana. In addition, exploratory analysis showed that males had higher ratings of user prototype social attractiveness compared to females overall, with the most pronounced differences between non-White males and non-White females. To probe these findings, two focus groups consisting of African-American males and females (N = 12) were conducted. Results indicated that social attractiveness of users was a common theme among males but not females. Implications for prevention programs and future research are discussed.
A model for optimal resource allocation in the capital budgeting framework

Abstract Moder and Nicki (MN) presented in a recent issue of this journal a resource allocation model in the context of an urban renewal framework. This model was developed under “certainty” assumption. The present paper extends the MN model to “risk” conditions in the capital budgeting framework of a firm. The paper defines an appropriate measure of risk and explicitly introduces the possibilities of borrowing and lending in the model. Further analysis shows that slight variations of the constraints in the model yield important long-run policy guidelines to the management for resource allocation purposes.
Estrogen Modulation of G-protein-coupled Receptors

Estrogen exerts long-term effects in almost every cell through regulation of gene transcription. However, it has been known for some time that estrogen can rapidly alter neuronal firing within seconds, indicating that some cellular effects of estrogen could occur via non-genomic mechanisms. G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of membrane-bound receptors, and it appears that many of the rapid effects mediated by estrogen could involve changes in GPCR-effector system coupling in excitable cells within the reproductive axis.
Milk immunity and reproductive status among Ariaal women of northern Kenya

AbstractBackground: The immune factors in human milk protect infants from infection and promote immune development. Evidence suggests that the production of milk-specific immunoproteins is energetically costly, making them a form of maternal investment in offspring health that is subject to life history trade-offs.Aim: This research tests the relationship between measures of reproductive effort and the production of milk immunoglobulin A (IgA) among Ariaal women, a settled northern Kenyan pastoralist population that experiences nutritional and disease stress.Subjects and methods: Two hundred and forty-three lactating Ariaal women participated in a questionnaire, anthropometric measurement and milk collection. Milk IgA was analysed using ELISA.Results: There was a significant U-shaped relationship between post-partum months and milk IgA, reflecting decreasing investment in the current offspring over the early post-partum period and subsequent recovery of maternal energy status near the end. There was also ...
Surgical Correction of Left Superior Vena Cava Draining to Left Atrium Associated with Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

A case is reported of anomalous drainage of a persistent left superior vena cava to the left atrium associated with stenotic right superior vena cava. The anomaly was reflected by mild cyanosis and superior vena cava syndrome. Surgical relief was accomplished by transposing the left superior vena cava to the right appendage and widening the right superior vena cava with a pericardial patch graft.
Evolution, museums and society

Visitors to natural history museums have an incomplete understanding of evolution. Although they are relatively knowledgeable about fossils and geological time, they have a poor understanding of natural selection. Museums in the 21st century can effectively increase public understanding of evolution through interactive displays, novel content (e.g. genomics), engaging videos and cyberexhibits that communicate to a broad spectrum of society, both within the exhibit halls as well as outside the museum.
Identity achievement and axiological maturity

Three aspects of valuing (competence, value system content, fulfillment) are identified and a concept, axiological maturity, is proposed linking these three aspects. The further proposal that such axiological maturity would be reflected in identity status lead to specific predictions that scores on the Identity Achievement Status Scale would be significantly related to a measure of valuing competence (The Defining Issues Test, designed to assess principles moral judgment), to a measure of valuing fulfillment (The Purpose-in-Life Test), and to the conjoint valuing of Freedom and Equality (as assessed by the content-oriented Rokeach Value Survey). These predictions were confirmed and the implications of such confirmations are discussed.
Protein Modifications catalysed by Transglutaminase

WORK from this laboratory has shown that transglutaminase catalyses the hydrolysis of the amide group of protein-bound glutamine, and its exchange with primary amines1. In addition, preliminary evidence indicated that the e-amino group of protein-bound lysine may act as a replacing amine2. Therefore, by the action of transglutaminase, various proteins can be modified and the new protein species may have properties unlike those of the original protein; for example, proteins may acquire novel antigenic properties as shown by proteins in which the e-amino group of lysine had been modified by substitution with polyamino-acids by chemical means3,4. Modifications produced enzymatically by the linkage of two proteins to each other through the γ-carboxyl group of protein-bound glutamic acid and the e-amino group of protein-bound lysine are of particular interest.
Distribution of inorganic sulfate between plasma, liver, and bile

Abstract The distribution of 35 SO 4 = between inorganic and other forms in plasma, liver and bile of rats was studied by use of paper electrophoresis. The overall liver sulfate space varied from 50–100% but when determined for inorganic 35 SO 4 = was constant at 34%. This is considerably higher than that expected for passive distribution and suggests SO 4 = is actively transported into liver cells. Overall bile/plasma ratios were always greater than 1 while the ratio for inorganic sulfate was 0.44, a value consistent with the known bile/plasma electrical potential.
Simulation and modeling for military air operations

The Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) in military air operations controls the allocation of resources (wings, squadrons, air defense systems, AWACS) to different geographical locations in the theater of operations. The JFACC mission is to define a sequence of tasks for the aerospace systems at each location, and providing feedback control for the execution of these tasks in the presence of uncertainties and a hostile enemy. Honeywell Labs has been developing an innovative method for control of military air operations. The novel model predictive control (MPC) method extends the models and optimization algorithms utilized in traditional model predictive control systems. The enhancements include a tasking controller and, in a joint effort with USC, a probabilistic threat/survival map indicating high threat regions for aircraft and suggesting optimal routes to avoid these regions. A simulation/modeling environment using object-oriented methodologies has been developed to serve as an aide to demonstrate the value of MPC and facilitate its development. The simulation/modeling environment is based on an open architecture that enables the integration, evaluation, and implementation of different control approaches. The simulation offers a graphical user interface displaying the battlefield, the control performance, and a probability map displaying high threat regions. This paper describes the features of the different control approaches and their integration into the simulation environment.
On removing a vertex from the assignment polytope

Abstract Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for a doubly stochastic matrix D to be expressible as a convex combination of permutation matrices distinct from the identity, thus solving a problem posed by L. Mirsky [12].
Phase-2 trial of an intensified conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant for poor-risk leukemia

Phase-2 trial of an intensified conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant for poor-risk leukemia
MidExDB: A database of Drosophila CNS midline cell gene expression

Background The Drosophila CNS midline cells are an excellent model system to study neuronal and glial development because of their diversity of cell types and the relative ease in identifying and studying the function of midline-expressed genes. In situ hybridization experiments generated a large dataset of midline gene expression patterns. To help synthesize these data and make them available to the scientific community, we developed a web-accessible database.
Making Decisions About Liability and Insurance: Editors’ Comments

Two related trends have created novel challenges for managing risks in the United States. The first trend is a series of dramatic changes in liability law. Tort law has expanded to assign liability to defendants for reasons other than negligence. Recent doctrines include joint and several liability, retroactive liability, probabilistic causation, and unlimited duration of liability. Many of these legal changes have added unpredictability about future damage claims (and about further changes in the law), making it difficult for firms to assess risks and for risks to be shifted effectively from firms to insurers (Committee for Economic Development, 1989).
Lithium–oxygen batteries: bridging mechanistic understanding and battery performance

Rechargeable energy storage systems with high energy density and round-trip efficiency are urgently needed to capture and deliver renewable energy for applications such as electric transportation. Lithium–air/lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) batteries have received extraordinary research attention recently owing to their potential to provide positive electrode gravimetric energies considerably higher (∼3 to 5×) than Li-ion positive electrodes, although the packaged device energy density advantage will be lower (∼2×). In light of the major technological challenges of Li–O2 batteries, we discuss current understanding developed in non-carbonate electrolytes of Li–O2 redox chemistry upon discharge and charge, oxygen reduction reaction product characteristics upon discharge, and the chemical instability of electrolytes and carbon commonly used in the oxygen electrode. We show that the kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction are influenced by catalysts at small discharge capacities (Li2O2 thickness less than ∼1 nm), but not at large Li2O2 thicknesses, yielding insights into the governing processes during discharge. In addition, we discuss the characteristics of discharge products (mainly Li2O2) including morphological, electronic and surface features and parasitic reactivity with carbon. On charge, we examine the reaction mechanism of the oxygen evolution reaction from Li2O2 and the influence of catalysts on bulk Li2O2 decomposition. These analyses provide insights into major discrepancies regarding Li–O2 charge kinetics and the role of catalyst. In light of these findings, we highlight open questions and challenges in the Li–O2 field relevant to developing practical, reversible batteries that achieve the anticipated energy density advantage with a long cycle life.
Cellular membrane potentials and contractile threshold in mammalian skeletal muscle susceptible to malignant hyperthermia

An increase in external K+ can generate contractile force in muscle, and K+ contractures are an established means to determine the effect of an agent on the relation between membrane potential and mechanical activity [8]. We have used K+-contractures to further test our hypothesis [5] that abnormal cell membrane potential responses are intrinsic to skeletal muscle of Poland China pigs susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (MHS), and a nervous system is not required to initiate malignant hyperthermia (MH). Recently it has been shown that K+-induced contractures in certain skeletal and cardiac muscles might not be determined only by cellular membrane potential changes predicted by the tendency for K+ to move in accord with its electrical and concentration gradients [3, 12]. We report here that normal and diseased skeletal muscles respond differently to raised external K+, which supports the idea that the onset of the MH syndrome is determined by a defect associated with a site in muscle cells superficial to the cytoplasm rather than, as has been suggested, within the cell or in the nervous system [7]. In addition, we find that porcine skeletal muscles, like certain other muscles, produce much less force in K+ than expected from our measurements of the relationship between membrane potential and external K+.
First elevated-temperature performance testing of coated particle fuel compacts from the AGR-1 irradiation experiment

Abstract In the AGR-1 irradiation experiment, 72 coated-particle fuel compacts were taken to a peak burnup of 19.5% fissions per initial metal atom with no in-pile failures. This paper discusses the first post-irradiation test of these mixed uranium oxide/uranium carbide fuel compacts at elevated temperature to examine the fuel performance under a simulated depressurized conduction cooldown event. A compact was heated for 400 h at 1600 °C. Release of 85Kr was monitored throughout the furnace test as an indicator of coating failure, while other fission product releases from the compact were periodically measured by capturing them on exchangeable, water-cooled deposition cups. No coating failure was detected during the furnace test, and this result was verified by subsequent electrolytic deconsolidation and acid leaching of the compact, which showed that all SiC layers were still intact. However, the deposition cups recovered significant quantities of silver, europium, and strontium. Based on comparison of calculated compact inventories at the end of irradiation versus analysis of these fission products released to the deposition cups and furnace internals, the minimum estimated fractional losses from the compact during the furnace test were 1.9 × 10−2 for silver, 1.4 × 10−3 for europium, and 1.1 × 10−5 for strontium. Other post-irradiation examination of AGR-1 compacts indicates that similar fractions of europium and silver may have already been released by the intact coated particles during irradiation, and it is therefore likely that the detected fission products released from the compact in this 1600 °C furnace test were from residual fission products in the matrix. Gamma analysis of coated particles deconsolidated from the compact after the heating test revealed that silver content within each particle varied considerably; a result that is probably not related to the furnace test, because it has also been observed in other as-irradiated AGR-1 compacts. X-ray imaging of selected particles was performed to examine the internal microstructure. This examination revealed variable irradiation performance of the coating layers, but sufficient statistical sampling is not yet available to identify any possible correlation to variation in individual particle fission product retention.
Preparing the millennial generation for the work place: how can academia help?

Just like universities, employers are recognizing significant differences in the current generation - herein referred to as Millennials - of students and graduates compared to Generation X. Unlike in academia, the situation is more complex in the workplace which involves the complex interactions of three generations with managers from Generation X mediating and managing the transition of the new Millennial recruits who are replacing the retiring Baby Boomers. In this paper, the authors select the relevant Millennial generation's characteristics from earlier studies, extract from those characteristics a set of opportunities these characteristics offer to educators and future employers as well as a set of threats those characteristics may pose to their career development process. The authors then suggest, based on the observed career development opportunities, a specific set of strategies for the employers in assimilating the new graduates into the workplace environment. Further, they will discuss a set of support activities, which serve as countermeasures for mitigating the observed threats, academia could use for the Millennial students' career development. The paper attempts to offer suggestions for closing the workforce generation gaps and for preparing the Millennial graduates for a smoother transition as they enter the workforce.
Different factors influencing the expression of Raynaud's phenomenon in men and women

Objective To determine whether the risk profile for Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is different between men and women. Methods In this cross-sectional study of 800 women and 725 men participating in the Framingham Offspring Study, the association of age, marital status, smoking, alcohol use, diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia with prevalent RP was examined in men and women separately, after adjusting for relevant confounders. Results The prevalence of RP was 9.6% (n = 77) in women and 5.8% (n = 42) in men. In women, marital status and alcohol use were each associated with prevalent RP (for marital status adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.4–3.9; for alcohol use OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0–5.2), whereas these factors were not associated with RP in men (marital status OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.6–3.5; alcohol use OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.2–4.4). In men, older age (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0–5.2) and smoking (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1–6.3) were associated with prevalent RP; these factors were not associated with RP in women (older age OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.4–1.6; smoking OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.4–1.1). Diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were not associated with RP in either sex. Conclusion The results indicate that risk factors for RP differ between men and women. Age and smoking were associated with RP in men only, while the associations of marital status and alcohol use with RP were observed in women only. These findings suggest that different mechanisms influence the expression of RP in men and women.
A comparative trial of anti-factor Xa levels versus the activated partial thromboplastin time for heparin monitoring.

AbstractObjective: To determine if laboratory monitoring of intravenous (IV) unfractionated heparin (UFH) using an anti–activated factor X (anti–factor Xa) assay, as opposed to the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), would result in a higher percentage of results within the goal range, fewer monitoring tests, and fewer dose adjustments. Methods: Retrospective, single-center, cohort study conducted at a community teaching hospital. A newly implemented deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism treatment protocol, in which patients' doses of IV UFH were adjusted based on blood plasma anti–factor Xa level monitoring, was compared with a deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism protocol, in which patients' IV UFH doses were adjusted based on monitoring with the blood plasma aPTT. We reviewed the medical records of 186 patients (88 managed by the anti–factor Xa assay–based protocol and 98 managed by the aPTT-based protocol) to determine how often monitoring tests were within the goal range (aPTT, 75–110 ...
Genetic studies of substance abuse

Genetic studies of substance abuse indicate that variation in the risk for the disorder in the population is contributed by differences in both individual genotypes and environment. Recent developments in genetics raise the possibility of disentangling the complex system of genotype-environment interaction that determines the development of the individual behavioral phenotype. This paper reviews the concepts, methods and results pertaining to genetic investigation of substance abuse.
Moderators and mediators of exercise-induced objective sleep improvements in midlife and older adults with sleep complaints.

Regular exercise can improve sleep quality, but for whom and by what means this occurs remain unclear. We examined moderators and mediators of objective sleep improvements in a 12-month randomized controlled trial among initially underactive midlife and older adults reporting mild/moderate sleep complaints. Participants (N=66, 67% women, 55–79 years) were randomized to moderate-intensity exercise or health education control. Putative moderators were gender, age, and baseline physical function, self-reported global sleep quality, and physical activity levels. Putative mediators were changes in BMI, depressive symptoms, and physical function at 6 months. Objective sleep outcomes measured by in-home PSG were percent time in Stage 1 sleep, percent time in Stage 2 sleep, and number of awakenings during the first third of sleep at 12 months. Baseline physical function and sleep quality moderated changes in Stage 1 sleep; individuals with higher initial physical function (p=0.01) and poorer sleep quality (p=0.03) had greater improvements. Baseline physical activity level moderated changes in Stage 2 sleep (p=0.04) and number of awakenings (p=0.01); more sedentary individuals had greater improvements. Decreased depressive symptoms (CI:−1.57 to −0.02) mediated change in Stage 1 sleep. Decreased depressive symptoms (CI: −0.75 to −0.01), decreased BMI (CI:−1.08 to −0.06), and increased physical function (CI:0.01 to 0.72) mediated change in number of awakenings. In conclusion, initially less active individuals with higher initial physical function and poorer sleep quality improved the most. Affective, functional, and metabolic mediators specific to different parameters of sleep architecture were suggested. Collectively, the results indicate strategies to more efficiently treat poor sleep through exercise in older adults.
Procedures for the determination of dislodgeable dust on foliage as related to worker reentry hazards.

Foliar dust was first implicated as the primary vehicle of worker exposure in the early observations of QUINBY and LEMMON (1958) and recently verified by the measurements of SPEAR et al. (1977). The levels of foliar dust were found by POPENDORF et al. (1975) to correlate with the aerosol levels create--~ ~y workers disturbing the foliage. For tree and other high crops, this aerosol of contaminated dust appears to be the primary means of worker exposures to pesticide residues. Further, the extrapolation and utilization of foliar pesticide residue data from the few conditions actually under observation in any one study into other worker exposure situations, will require knowledge not only of pesticide concentrations on foliar dust (ppm) but also its partitioning between foliar dust, leaf surfaces, and water both at the time of application and during the aqueous extraction phase (POPENDORF and LEFFINGWELL, 1978). Finally, foliar dust plays a vital role in the pesticide decay process itself. Not only does the type of dust affect pesticide decay rates (IWATA, et al., 1973 and ADAMS, et al., 1977), but recent data indicates that the quantity o--~liar dust (mg/cm 2) is also an important decay parameter (POPENDORF and LEFFINGWELL, 1978).
Human papillomavirus and circumcision: a meta-analysis.

Summary Background Determine the relationship of circumcision status to the risk for genital infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Methods A MEDLINE search and a review of references in published articles were used to identify publications from peer-reviewed journals in Index Medicus with data on circumcision status in patients with and without HPV infections. Inclusion criteria included diagnosis by culture, biopsy, or PCR, determination of circumcision status by physical examination, and multiple site sampling including the shaft of the penis. A meta-analysis was performed with sensitivity analyses. Results Sixteen articles contained data on circumcision status in patients with and without HPV infections. Eight studies used accurate diagnostic methods. Only three articles satisfied the strict inclusion criteria. There was no significant association between circumcision status and HPV infection (random-effects model summary effect OR=1.20, 95%CI=0.80–1.79) in these three studies. If the eight studies using accurate diagnostic methods are adjusted for the method of determining circumcision status and failure to sample the penile shaft using meta-regression the summary effects odds ratio is 1.25 (95%CI=0.95–1.67). Conclusions The medical literature does not support the claim that circumcision reduces the risk for genital HPV infection. To correctly assess the risk of HPV infection in circumcised males, the penile shaft needs to be sampled for HPV infection.
Postoperative epidural analgesia following radical retropubic prostatectomy: outcome assessment.

Background and Objectives: We retrospectively examined the effects of epidural analgesia on patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Methods Patients (203) underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy under either general or epidural anesthesia alone or a combined general epidural technique. Of those, 143 had an epidural catheter placed and underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy under general anesthesia followed by postoperative epidural analgesia (Group E+G). Twenty-eight patients had the operation under epidural anesthesia followed by epidural analgesia in the postoperative period (Group E). Thirty-two patients had general anesthesia for the operation and postoperative systemic analgesia (Group G). Results There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to age, height, weight, ASA status, or operation time. The length of postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in the general anesthesia group patients as compared to the other two groups (P < 0.05). Intraoperative blood loss and blood replacement were significantly higher in the general anesthesia group (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to return of bowel function postoperatively, or incidence of complications. Conclusions Epidural anesthesia and analgesia following radical retropubic prostatectomy have demonstrated a number of beneficial effects. These include decreased blood loss and shorter hospital stay. J. Surg. Oncol. 1998:67:117–120. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Designing vibrotactile balance feedback for desired body sway reductions

Vibrotactile feedback about body position and velocity has been shown to be effective at reducing low frequency body sway (below about 0.5 Hz) in response to balance perturbations while standing. However, current devices cause an undesirable increase in high frequency body sway. In addition, unlike other sensory prostheses such as hearing aids, which are fine-tuned to the user, current vibrotactile balance prostheses largely employ a “one size fits all” approach, in that they use the same settings (i.e. parameter values) for all subjects. Rather than using a fixed design consisting of position and velocity feedback for all subjects, we propose a “custom design” approach that employs system identification methods to identify the feedback required to achieve a desired body sway frequency response for the subject. Our derivations and simulations show that in order to accomplish this objective, feedback consisting of a subject-specific filtered combination of body position, velocity and acceleration is required. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the results.
A code snippet library for CS1

The authors describe several methods they had used in an attempt to lessen the frustration of entry-level CS1 students as they learn to code. The suggested method is to use a specially designed library of code "snippets" of the control structures in the language. The work describes the process by which students copy and mechanically modify the snippets. The C++ and Java versions of the library are available to the reader as a download.
Absorption of fast waves by electrons on the DIII-D tokamak.

Efficient direct heating of electrons by fast waves has been observed on the DIII-D tokamak. The measured fast-wave heating efficiency was independent of magnetic field, in contrast to the strong inverse magnetic field scaling predicted by the theory of single-pass damping, indicating multiple-pass absorption. The central heating of electrons by the fast waves had a strong dependence on the target eelctron temperature. {ital H}-mode plasmas were obtained with fast-wave heating alone for the first time in the direct electron heating regime.
Angular velocity: a new method to improve prediction of ventricular fibrillation duration.

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a leading cause of sudden death. Electrical defibrillation is the primary modality of treatment, but evidence is accumulating that its use in the late stage of VF prior to providing ventilation, chest compressions and the administration of appropriate medication is detrimental. In VF of min duration a 'perfuse first' approach is more effective. Because of the difficulty in determining the duration of VF in the clinical setting we have sought to develop method which analyze 5 s intervals of VF waveform and quickly provide an estimate of duration. Such methods would be useful in directing clinical interventions. Using methods of nonlinear dynamics and fractal geometry we have previously derived a quantitative measure of VF duration, namely the scaling exponent (ScE). In this study we report on a novel method also based on nonlinear dynamics, the angular velocity (AV). By constructing a flat, circular disk-shaped structure in a three-dimensional phase space and measuring the velocity of rotation of the position vector over time, a statistic is developed which rises from 58 rad/s at 1 min to 79 rad/s at 4 min and then decreases in a linear manner to 32 rad/s at 12.5 min. Using ScE and AV probability density estimated, VF of <5 min duration can be identified with 90% sensitivity on the basis of a single 5 s recording of the waveform. The combination of ScE and AV can be used in developing strategies for the treatment of VF during the different clinical phases of VF.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can be clean and economical in dirty power systems

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that are driven and charged in ‘dirty’ power systems, with high penetrations of coal and other polluting generation fuels, may yield higher net emissions than conventional vehicles (CVs). We examine the implications of imposing a constraint on PHEV recharging that forces emissions from PHEVs to be no greater than those from a comparable CV. We use the Texas power system, which has a mix of coal- and natural gas-fired generation and has been shown to yield higher emissions from PHEVs than CVs, as a case study. Our results show that imposing the emissions constraint results in most of the PHEV charging loads being shifted from coal- to cleaner natural gas-fired generators. There is, however, virtually no increase in generation or PHEV driving costs due to efficiency benefits that are possible through coordination of unit commitment and PHEV charging decisions.
Placebo as a Treatment for Depression

The placebo response rate in depression consistently falls between 30 and 40%. Among more severely depressed patients antidepressants offer a clear advantage over placebo; among less severely depressed patients and those with a relatively short episode duration the placebo response rate is close to 50% and often indistinguishable from the response rate to antidepressants. In the treatment of depression none of the psychotherapies have consistently been shown to offer an advantage over pill placebo. This is not entirely surprising given the fact that the common, and arguably the therapeutic, features of the psychotherapies (expectation of improvement, support, mobilization of hope) are provided with pill placebo treatment. The placebo response in depression has been viewed as a nuisance rather than as a therapeutic and research opportunity. I propose that the initial treatment for selected depressed patients should be four to six weeks of placebo. Patients so treated should be informed that the placebo pill contains no drug but that this treatment can be helpful.
Transpectoral ultrasound-guided catheterization of the axillary vein: an alternative to standard catheterization of the subclavian vein

Subclavian vein catheterization is associated with failure and complications because of injury to the nearby lung and subclavian artery. Its position, sandwiched between the clavicle and the first rib, makes sonographic imaging difficult. The medially pointed sonography probe makes it difficult to align the needle as well as image the entire needle. The axillary vein lies outside of the thoracic cage and can be easily imaged in its longitudinal view along with the entire needle, guidewire, dilator, and catheter in real-time. All described techniques of venous access using sonography have used transverse images of veins, and the needle is not completely visualized. Five cases of axillary vein catheterization using longitudinal section images of the vein, and following the needle, guidewire, and line with real-time sonography, are described. The use of longer puncture needles and introducer sheaths is suggested. A larger study is required to assess the potential of this technique.
Serendipitous discovery of two highly selective inhibitors of bacterial luciferase

Abstract Herein, we report the serendipitous discovery of two highly selective inhibitors of bacterial luciferase, N-phenacylthiazolium bromide (PTB) and pifithrin-α (PFT-α). These compounds, which are both derivatives of N-phenacylthiazolium salts, comprise a previously unreported class of luciferase inhibitors that are effective both in vitro and in live bacteria. Interestingly, although they are structurally similar, these compounds appear to elicit inhibitory effects via two different modes of action. Support for these conclusions has been obtained using purified luciferase enzyme as well as genetic knockout strains of Vibrio harveyi. Overall, this report provides the first evidence that N-phenacylthiazolium derivatives can serve as luciferase inhibitors, and also illustrates how the systematic investigation of logical hypotheses can lead to unexpected and potentially useful outcomes.
The evolution of bill coloration and plumage dimorphism supports the transference hypothesis in dabbling ducks

Bright coloration in male birds is typically thought to be driven by sexual selection (female choice or male–male competition). Bird species often vary in the intensity of bright coloration, but few studies have addressed this cross-species variation. Potentially this variation could result from either variation in female preferences or in the relative costs of male traits. Species of dabbling ducks vary in the presence of bright male plumage and bill coloration. I tested the transference hypothesis for ornament evolution in dabbling ducks using a phylogenetic study of character evolution. The transference hypothesis makes three predictions: (1) a costly male ornamental trait is the ancestral condition, (2) a less costly male ornamental trait is the derived condition, and (3) gains in the less costly trait are associated with losses or absence of the more costly male trait. All three of these predictions were satisfied in this study of the evolution of plumage dimorphism and bright bill coloration in the dabbling ducks, given that bright plumage coloration is more costly than bright bill coloration.
Equivalence of Linear MMSE Detection in DS-CDMA and MC-CDMA Systems over Time and Frequency Selective Channels

The goal of this paper is to compare the performance of the linear minimum mean square error (MMSE) detector for a class of code division multiple access (CDMA) systems in time and frequency selective channels. Specifically, we consider direct sequence (DS)-CDMA, multicarrier (MC)-CDMA, and the MC-DS-CDMA systems. Two key tools are used in our development. First, a general time-frequency framework that includes the different CDMA systems as special cases. Second, the duality between time and frequency domains that is used to derive equivalences between the different CDMA systems operating over purely frequency selective and purely time selective channels. We then combine the insights obtained from these special cases to assess the performance of CDMA systems over time and frequency selective channels. We provide sufficient conditions for the codes employed by the CDMA systems for the equivalences to hold. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the results.
Room Temperature Ring-Opening Metathesis of Pyridines by a Transient Ti⋮C Linkage

The transient titanium alkylidyne complex (PNP)Ti⋮CtBu (PNP = N[2-P(CHMe2)2-4-methylphenyl]2-), prepared from α-hydrogen abstraction of the corresponding alkylidene−alkyl species (PNP)TiCHtBu(CH2tBu), can readily cleave the CN bond of N-heterocycles such as pyridine and 4-picoline at room temperature to afford azametallabicyclic systems. Experimental and theoretical studies strongly favor a ring-opening metathesis pathway where [2 + 2] cycloaddition of pyridine across the Ti⋮C linkage ultimately leads to CN bond rupture.
Depression and HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS continues to be a significant public health problem. Millions of people worldwide are infected with this virus daily, and thousands die yearly of AIDS-related illnesses. Despite rapid advances in our knowledge about HIV and its mode of transmission, we have been unable to find a cure or prevent new infections. Psychiatric comorbidity is associated with HIV/AIDS: as a risk factor for HIV infection, a comorbidity of HIV infection, sequelae of HIV/AIDS, and a potential mediator for progression to AIDS. In this article, we focus on depression, which is prevalent in HIV/AIDS. We review the evidence associating depression with HIV, the challenges in recognizing depression in HIV-positive individuals, and the psychopharmacologic strategies known to be effective in the treatment of HIV-positive individuals with depression.
Measurement of the Roughness of the Sea Surface from Photographs of the Sun’s Glitter

A method is developed for interpreting the statistics of the sun’s glitter on the sea surface in terms of the statistics of the slope distribution. The method consists of two principal phases: (1) of identifying, from geometric considerations, any point on the surface with the particular slope required for the reflection of the” sun’s rays toward the observer; and (2) of interpreting the average brightness of the sea surface in the vicinity of this point in terms of the frequency with which this particular slope occurs. The computation of the probability of large (and infrequent) slopes is limited by the disappearance of the glitter into a background consisting of (1) the sunlight scattered from particles beneath the sea surface, and (2) the skylight reflected by the sea surface.The method has been applied to aerial photographs taken under carefully chosen conditions in the Hawaiian area. Winds were measured from a vessel at the time and place of the aerial photographs, and cover a range from 1 to 14 m sec−1. The effect of surface slicks, laid by the vessel, are included in the study. A two-dimensional Gram-Charlier series is fitted to the data. As a first approximation the distribution is Gaussian and isotropic with respect to direction. The mean square slope (regardless of direction) increases linearly with the wind speed, reaching a value of (tan16°)2 for a wind speed of 14 m sec−1. The ratio of the up/ downwind to the crosswind component of mean square slope varies from 1.0 to 1.9. There is some up/downwind skewness which increases with increasing wind speed. As a result the most probable slope at high winds is not zero but a few degrees, with the azimuth of ascent pointing downwind. The measured peakedness which is barely above the limit of observational error, is such as to make the probability of very large and very small slopes greater than Gaussian. The effect of oil slicks covering an area of one-quarter square mile is to reduce the mean square slopes by a factor of two or three, to eliminate skewness, but to leave peakedness unchanged.
The genesis of friction

Abstract The genesis of friction is explained in terms of a new theory. Contrary to the postulates of the adhesion theory of friction, this theory postulates that the frictional force (and thus the friction coefficient μ) is affected by the sliding distance and the environment because of the changing contributions of three components of friction, i.e. that due to the deformation of surface asperities (denoted μd), that due to plowing by wear particles and hard asperities (denoted μp) and that due to the adhesion of the flat portions of the sliding surface (denoted μa). Therefore the coefficient of friction is not a simple material property. There are four or six stages of the friction regime depending on the sliding conditions. The initial friction coefficient μi can range from 0.1 to 0.2 for most machined surfaces. μi is largely independent of environmental conditions (including lubricants), materials and surface topography. μp varies from 0 to 1.0 and μa from 0 to 0.4. Only μa depends on the quality of surface adhesion. The history-dependent frictional behavior of materials is represented in the “friction space” diagram. According to this theory, the compatibility of sliding surfaces is dictated more by the mechanical properties of materials such as hardness than by their relative solubility at low temperatures.
Analytic calculation of the bound state spectrum in the light-cone two-body equation

Abstract Relativistic bound states are analyzed with the light-cone formalism of the Bethe-Salpeter equation in the Wick-Cutkosky model. A simple analytic relation between the coupling constant and the binding energy is derived for all nl states with l = n − 1 and the Balmer formula is recovered in the nonrelativistic limit. A valid analytic solution of the light-cone two-body equation is presented.
Potential risk effect from elevated levels of soil heavy metals on human health in the Niger delta

An analysis of the soil quality in the Niger Delta Area (NDA) was carried out to determine the severity of soil contamination. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) risk assessment model was used in determining the potential health risk due to lifetime exposure (by means of ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation) of the population to heavy metal contents in the soil. Substantial levels of contamination were found indicating elevated levels of heavy metals above background concentrations from controlled samples in the areas. Median topsoil metal concentrations (0-15cm) in the NDA measured in mg/kg were: Zn 58.3±37.0, Cd 1.3±1.0, Cr(VI) 13.2±5.5, Cu 28.3±31.5, Pb 895.1±423.9, Ni 42.7±20.3, Mn 201.8±77.5 and Fe 1303.5±2028.6. Pb, Ni, Zn, Cd, Cr(VI), Fe and Mn exceeded some guideline and standard values; while the comprehensive levels of total metals contamination exceeded the environmental action level for soils, which could potentially affect human health. The collective total risk (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) for minors and adults were established from the model using the slope factors and reference dose of the compounds respectively. The study has shown that soil contamination in the industrial and residential regions are similarly significant; while the risk assessment proved that based on the pollutants concentration in the soil, metals with the highest cancer risk values (Pb=2.62E-02 and Cr(VI)=1.52E-02) have the potential of affecting the health status of the residents, especially for children in the region. The chronic daily intake of the metals are of major concern as their cumulative effect could result to several health complications of children and adults in the region.
Ploidy Effects on Anatomy and Gas Exchange of Tall Fescue Leaves

A growth chamber study was designed to interpret differences in CO 2 exchange rate (CER) and leaf diffusive resistance among 4X, 6X, 8X, and 10X ploidy levels of tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea , Schreb). Mesophyll cell size, stomatal density, number of major and minor veins, and bundle cap size of leaf blades were evaluated. Diffusive resistance tended to decrease and CER to increase with increasing ploidy level. Mean stomatal density decreased from 43.6 per square millimeter to 30.6 per square millimeter as ploidy level increased from 4X to 8X. The 10X ploidy level exhibited the highest stomatal density, 47.2 per square millimeter. Major veins decreased from a mean of 14.2 to 10.2, and minor veins increased from a mean of 4.2 to 6.6, per leaf blade as ploidy increased from 4X to 10X. Total number of veins decreased significantly from a mean of 18.4 to 15.7 as ploidy increased from 4X to 8X. Length and width of mesophyll cells tended to increase as ploidy increased from 4X to 8X, but then decreased again at 10X. The number of cells in the bundle cap showed no trend among ploidy levels. Estimated volume of mesophyll cells increased six times between the 4X and the 6X level while chromosome number of nuclear DNA per cell increased only 50%. However, increases in estimated cell volume were proportional to chromosome number as ploidy increased from 6X to 8X. The relationship between cell volume and chromosome number at 10X was intermediate between that at 4X and 6X or 8X. Differences in stomatal density and diffusive resistance did not fully account for the ploidy effect on CER. Further mesophyll cell volume was positively related to CER, a factor contrary to earlier experiments.
Convergent Stereocontrol in Peterson Olefinations. Application to the Synthesis of (±)-3-Hydroxybakuchiol and Corylifolin

The iron-catalyzed Kirmse reaction was used to generate neopentyl alpha-silyl thioethers that were elaborated to meroterpenes using two complementary routes: one route involved a sila-Pummerer rearrangement, and the other route involved a Peterson olefination. While severe eclipsing interactions undermined the efficiency of the stereospecific sila-Pummerer rearrangement, they made it possible to stereoselectively generate E olefins without isolation or separation of syn- and anti-beta-silyl alkoxides. Addition of a neopentyl alpha-silyl alkyllithium intermediate to an aryl aldehyde generated a mixture of syn- and anti-beta-silyl alkoxides. The syn-beta-silyl alkoxide eliminated stereospecifically at -78 degrees C to give an E olefin, whereas the anti-beta-silyl alkoxide was unreactive. The reaction mixture was then acidified and heated to induce stereospecific elimination of the anti isomer to give the same E olefin via a complementary cationic pathway. This route was used to complete the first synthesis of the meroterpene (+/-)-3-hydroxybakuchiol. In addition, we synthesized another meroterpene corresponding to the natural product corylifolin and offer evidence that the structure of corylifolin was misassigned.