cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Conceptual Framework of Data Readiness: The Contextual Intersection of Quality, Availability, Interoperability, and Provenance.

Background Data readiness is a concept often used when referring to health information technology applications in the informatics disciplines, but it is not clearly defined in the literature. To avoid misinterpretations in research and implementation, a formal definition should be developed. Objectives The objective of this research is to provide a conceptual definition and framework for the term data readiness that can be used to guide research and development related to data-based applications in health care. Methods PubMed, the National Institutes of Health RePORTER, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Duke University Library databases for business and information sciences were queried for formal mentions of the term “data readiness.” Manuscripts found in the search were reviewed, and relevant information was extracted, evaluated, and assimilated into a framework for data readiness. Results Of the 264 manuscripts found in the database searches, 20 were included in the final synthesis to define data readiness. In these 20 manuscripts, the term data readiness was revealed to encompass the constructs of data quality, data availability, interoperability, and data provenance. Discussion Based upon our review of the literature, we define data readiness as the application-specific intersection of data quality, data availability, interoperability, and data provenance. While these concepts are not new, the combination of these factors in a novel data readiness model may help guide future informatics research and implementation science. Conclusion This analysis provides a definition to guide research and development related to data-based applications in health care. Future work should be done to validate this definition, and to apply the components of data readiness to real-world applications so that specific metrics may be developed and disseminated.
Emissions projections for US utilities through 2050

Decarbonization is an urgent global policy priority, with increasing movement towards zero-carbon targets in the United States and elsewhere. Given the joint decarbonization strategies of electrifying fossil fuel-based energy uses and decarbonizing the electricity supply, understanding how electricity emissions might change over time is of particular value in evaluating policy sequencing strategies. For example, is the electricity system likely to decarbonize quickly enough to motivate electrification even on relatively carbon-intensive systems? Although electricity sector decarbonization has been widely studied, limited research has focused on evaluating emissions factors at the utility level, which is where the impact of electrification strategies is operationalized. Given the existing fleet of electricity generators, ownership structures, and generator lifespans, committed emissions can be modeled at the utility level. Generator lifespans are modeled using capacity-weighted mean age-on-retirement for similar units over the last two decades, a simple empirical outcome variable reflecting the length of time the unit might reasonably be expected to operate. By also evaluating generators in wholesale power markets and designing scenarios for new-build generation, first-order annual average emissions factors can be projected forward on a multidecadal time scale at the utility level. This letter presents a new model of utility-specific annual average emissions projections (greenhouse gases and air pollutants) through 2050 for the United States, using a 2019 base year to define existing asset characteristics. Enabling the creation and evaluation of scenario-based projections for dynamic environmental intensity metrics in a decarbonizing electricity sector can inform life cycle and other environmental assessment studies that evaluate impact over time, in addition to highlighting particular opportunities and risks associated with the timing and location of long-lived capital investments as the fossil fuel electricity generator fleet turns over. Model results can also be used to contextualize utilities' decarbonization commitments and timelines against their asset bases.
SafeAccess+: An Intelligent System to make Smart Home Safer and Americans with Disability Act Compliant.

Smart homes are becoming ubiquitous, but they are not Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliant. Smart homes equipped with ADA compliant appliances and services are critical for people with disabilities (i.e., visual impairments and limited mobility) to improve independence, safety, and quality of life. Despite all advancements in smart home technologies, some fundamental design and implementation issues remain. For example, people with disabilities often feel insecure to respond when someone knocks on the door or rings the doorbell. In this paper, we present an intelligent system called "SafeAccess+" to build safer and ADA compliant premises (e.g. smart homes, offices). The key functionalities of the SafeAccess+ are: 1) Monitoring the inside/outside of premises and identifying incoming people; 2) Providing users relevant information to assess incoming threats (e.g., burglary, robbery) and ongoing crimes 3) Allowing users to grant safe access to homes for friends/family members. We have addressed several technical and research challenges: - developing models to detect and recognize person/activity, generating image descriptions, designing ADA compliant end-end system. In addition, we have designed a prototype smart door showcasing the proof-of-concept. The premises are expected to be equipped with cameras placed in strategic locations that facilitate monitoring the premise 24/7 to identify incoming persons and to generate image descriptions. The system generates a pre-structured message from the image description to assess incoming threats and immediately notify the users. The completeness and generalization of models have been ensured through a rigorous quantitative evaluation. The users' satisfaction and reliability of the system has been measured using PYTHEIA scale and was rated excellent (Internal Consistency-Cronbach's alpha is 0.784, Test-retest reliability is 0.939 )
Debate over the ocean bomb radiocarbon sink: Closing the gap

[1] There has over recent years emerged a controversy as to how much of the radiocarbon released into the atmosphere by nuclear weapons testing has been taken up by the ocean. Hesshaimer et al. [1994] made a case based on stratospheric and tropospheric measurements coupled with estimates of total bomb radiocarbon yield that it was not possible to explain both atmospheric observations and existing ocean-based bomb radiocarbon uptake estimates [Broecker et al., 1985, 1995]. They therefore proposed that estimates of the oceanic sink should be revised downward by about 25%. One reason for concern over this discrepancy is that the widely used wind speed dependent air-sea gas exchange parameterization of Wanninkhof [1992] is scaled to give an average exchange rate matching that given by the ocean bomb-radiocarbon budget. An example of an application of the Wanninkhof [1992] parameterization is in estimating ocean CO2 uptake based on direct measurements of the air-sea pCO2 difference [Takahashi et al., 1997]. Such estimates scale linearly with the air-sea gas exchange coefficient. Further, as has been highlighted by the Hesshaimer et al. [1994] study, an understanding of the global budget of radiocarbon is an important issue in and of itself. In this paper, a number of new approaches to assessing the size of the ocean bomb radiocarbon sink are explored, and estimates are given for the total ocean bomb radiocarbon inventory during both the mid-1970s and the mid-1990s. The revised estimates of bomb-radiocarbon ocean uptake yield a mid-1970s inventory in closer agreement with that proposed by Hesshaimer et al. [1994] than the inventory obtained by the Broecker et al. [1995] study.
Better Living Through Nanopore Chemistry

Materials with small holes such as zeolites possess enormous combined surface area for promoting chemical reactions and producing high-value products. But the chemical compositions of zeolites are limited and offer little catalytic benefit for the entire class of important reactants. In their Perspective, Hupp and Poeppelmeier discuss results reported in the same issue by FA©rey et al. in which the authors have synthesized a highly porous hybrid material based on interlinked organic and inorganic building blocks. The material, designated MIL-101, is crystalline and features a hierarchy of cavity sizes. Exhibiting a surface area about seven times that of the most catalytically effective zeolites, MIL-101 should stimulate a vigorous search for new hybrid nanoporous catalysts.
Functional polymers and sequential copolymers by phase transfer catalysis, 8. Synthesis of poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide)/aromatic poly(ether‐sulfone)/poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) triblock copolymers

Etherification d'un PPO avec une extremite de chaine hydroxy-4 dimethyl-3,5 phenyl avec des polyethersulfones ayant des groupes terminaux chloro-1 allyl ou bromobenzyl
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support for Hypokalemia-induced Cardiac Arrest: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abstract Background Hypokalemia is a reversible cause of cardiac arrest in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an established technology for cardiopulmonary support with emerging roles in resuscitation. Here, we review the literature of hypokalemic-induced cardiac arrests and discuss one such case successfully managed with ECMO. Case Report A 23-year-old Central American man who presented to a community ED under federal custody with several days of nausea and vomiting was found to have a serum potassium level of 1.5 mEq/L. Repeat serum potassium level was 1.1 mEq/L upon arrival to our facility. Within 2 h of arrival, despite electrolyte repletion, he suffered cardiac arrest. Advanced cardiac life support was performed for 45 min. ECMO was initiated while active chest compressions were performed. After aggressive potassium repletion, return of spontaneous circulation was achieved and ECMO was eventually discontinued. Further investigation ultimately confirmed the presence of a potassium-wasting nephropathy, for which the patient had been treated with chronic potassium supplementation prior to entering federal custody. Why Should an Emergency Physician be Aware of This? ECMO is a well-established modality for cardiopulmonary support, with an emerging role for patients in undifferentiated cardiac arrest presenting to the ED. There is a growing interest in the utility of ECMO in these circumstances. This report highlights hypokalemia as an important cause of cardiac arrest, reviews the treatment and causes of hypokalemia, and demonstrates a potential role for ECMO as a critical temporizing measure to provide time for potassium repletion.
Constrained heuristic search

We propose a model of problem solving that provides both structure and focus to search. The model achieves this by combining constraint satisfaction with heuristic search. We introduce the concepts of topology and texture to characterize problem structure and areas to focus attention respectively. The resulting model reduces search complexity and provides a more principled explanation of the nature and power of heuristics in problem solving. We demonstrate the model of Constrained Heuristic Search in two domains: spatial planning and factory scheduling. In the former we demonstrate significant reductions in search.
The infinitesimal cone of a totally positive semigroup

Given a complex reductive linear algebraic group split over R with a fixed pinning, it is shown that all elements of the Lie algebra g infinitesimal to the totally positive subsemigroup G>( of G lie in the totally positive cone g>o C g.
A study of numerical nonlinear control using piecewise linear system approximation

For differential geometry based control, the approximation and control scheme studied attempts to resolve the difficulties of accurate modeling and inconvenient calculations by casting the original problem into a simpler form. Given data from the nonlinear system, its state-space is partitioned into cells and an affine-in-state model is determined for each cell by least squares identification. The cell models then constitute an overall piecewise linear system model. Feedback linearization techniques are then performed on the piecewise linear model. The calculations needed to perform the feedback linearization within each cell are shown to be in a simple generic form. The overall controller is formed by joining the individual cell controllers. The results of implementing this control scheme on an example second order nonlinear system show that the resulting controller's performance approaches that of the standard input-state linearization controller.
Os cinco gestos de socorro

Education for health, teaching first aid, is the key for a population healthy and able to give the first aid and to use correctly the emergency number. Many studies shows the reduction in mortality and illness till 7.5%, in emergency situations, if the first aid was done by nonprofessional people, but with training in this area. This article presents an experience reporting my participation in a project of teaching the first aid to young children in school, that was prepared and implemented by a portuguese organization, ANAFS. The project has begun on 2007 and at the moment has formed near 10000 young children, from 6 to 9 years old in five areas: Prevention, Alert, Unconsciousness, Bleeding and Wound, by oral presentation, demonstration and training, in lessons of 2 hours. At the end of each session children receive a hand shaped guide book which is also a certificate. This reporting describes the project and shows the effort of this organization to maintain this activity. On the other hand reflects on the necessity of the creation of school programs containing the first aid and basic life support to educate the population for emergency situations.
An Improved Form of Nichols Radiometer

The improvement over the customary forms of the Nichols radiometer consists in the reduction of the moment of inertia of the rotating system to such a value that the system has a period of eight seconds and a sensitivity equal to that of the thermopile or bolometer under their best working conditions. A comparison of the thermopile and the radiometer is given.
Episodic riverine influence on surface DIC in the coastal Gulf of Maine

Abstract Anomalously high precipitation and river discharge during the spring of 2005 caused considerable freshening and depletion of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in surface waters along the coastal Gulf of Maine. Surface pCO2 and total alkalinity (TA) were monitored by repeated underway sampling of a cross-shelf transect in the western Gulf of Maine (GOM) during 2004–05 to examine how riverine fluxes, mixing, and subsequent biological activity exert control on surface DIC in this region. Most of the variability in surface DIC concentration was attributable to mixing of low DIC river water with higher DIC, saline GOM waters, but net biological uptake of DIC was significant especially during the spring and summer seasons. The extent and persistence of the coastal freshwater intrusion exerted considerable influence on net carbon dynamics. Integrated over the 10-m surface layer of our study region (∼5 × 104 km2), net biological DIC uptake was 0.48 × 108 mol C during April–July of 2004 compared to 1.33 × 108 mol C during April–July of 2005. We found the temporal signature and magnitude of DIC cycling to be different in adjacent plume-influenced and non-plume regions. Extreme events such as the freshwater anomaly observed in 2005 will affect mean estimates of coastal carbon fluxes, thus budgets based on short time series of observations may be skewed and should be viewed with caution.
A Factorial Approach to Modeling aw of a Multicomponent Food in the High Moisture Range (aw 0.90–1.00)

Water activity (aw) depression in a multicomponent food such as fish sausage was investigated using a 4x3x3 factorial design on combinations of NaCl, nonfat dry milk (NFDM) and lard added to a fixed amount of minced fish. The effects of NaCl, NFDM, lard and the interaction NaCl x NFDM, were significant. The responses across levels of the above factors were linear. From the magnitude of effect of each factor, two extended models for predicting aw were derived in terms of molal salt concentration and two empirical parameters called water activity depressing capacity, di, and water binding capacity, WBC, respectively. Both were demonstrated to predict accurately aw of newly formulated fish sausage.
Multi-valley effective-mass approximation of shallow donor levels in silicon

Abstract The 1 s → 2 p ± transition energies for the group V donors in Si are calculated in the effective-mass approximation by the variation method, taking into account of the symmetry of the wave function. A pseudo impurity potential with two parameters is constructed to fit the observed 1 s ( A 1 ) → 2 p ± and 1 s ( T 2 ) → 2 p ± energies. These parameters are shown to be related to the covalent form factor, and a definite correlation with the effective radius of the impurity ion core is obtained.
Wear Analysis of First-Generation Highly Cross-Linked Polyethylene in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty An Average 9-Year Follow-Up

This is a retrospective review of 46 primary total hip arthroplasties using a first-generation highly cross-linked ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene liner (Crossfire; Stryker, Mahwah, NJ) with an average of 9-year follow-up. The purpose of this study was to measure linear penetration rate of first-generation polyethylene to determine if it maintains its wear resistance and fatigue strength over an extended period compared with conventional polyethylene. The mean (SD) total penetration was 0.339 (0.204) mm, and the mean (SD) penetration rate was 0.037 (0.022) mm/y. Our study demonstrated a 74% reduction in total penetration of highly cross-linked polyethylene when compared with historical controls using conventional polyethylene at an average of 9 years. Our results support the belief that highly cross-linked polyethylene does retain its wear resistance over an extended period.
Tunneling measurement of the electron inelastic-scattering rate in a strongly disordered superconductor

Tunneling measurements show that the inelastic-scattering rate for single-electron excitations in strongly disordered superconducting indium oxide films at T\ensuremath{\ll}${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}0}$ is approximately proportional to ${\mathit{T}}^{3}$, rather than to exp(-\ensuremath{\Delta}/${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{B}}$T) as expected for electron-electron scattering. A recent theory indicates that electron-phonon scattering may be the explanation.
Sentence Combining: A Sentence-Level Writing Intervention

“Of the many difficulties young writers may encounter when engaged in the complex act of writing, crafting sentences that accurately convey their intended meaning is particularly challenging. Sentence combining can provide systematic instruction in sentence-construction skills within an overall framework of the writing workshop.”
A Tribute to the Outgoing Editor-in-Chief

At the end of this month, John Maunsell will complete his seven-year term as the Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Neuroscience . Dora Angelaki will become the new Editor-in-Chief effective January 1, 2015. Throughout his tenure, John has worked tirelessly to improve the editorial process for both
Clinical Applications of Hypnosis in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Setting: Three Case Reports

Hypnosis is useful in the rehabilitation setting to help patients master skills, to increase their sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem and, in general, to facilitate and accelerate their rehabilitation program. I used hypnosis with three patients where patient behaviors and beliefs were interfering with the rehabilitation treatment goals set by the patient and the health care team. Collectively, these cases demonstrate the use of hypnotic techniques in diagnosing and treating problems with patient compliance and assisting patients to gain greater benefit from their rehabilitation regimen.
STEREOCHEMISTRY OF OXIDATIVELY-INDUCED TRANSFORMATION OF DIESTER PHOSPHOROTHIOIC ACIDS AND TRIESTER PHOSPHOROTHIONATES TO DIESTER HYDROGENPHOSPHONATES

Abstract The individual diastereoisomers of two diester phosphorothioic acids are converted to diester hydrogenphosphonates with retention of configuration at phosphorus on treatment with magnesium monoperoxyphthalate (three equivalents of peracid) in water. Analogous oxidation of the diastercoisomers of two triester phosphorothionates gives hydrogenphosphonates with inversion of configuration. These stereochemical relationships for the phosphorothioic acids are generally consistent with a mechanism involving oxidation directly at sulfur then nucleophilic attack at that center leading to hydrogenphosphonate formation such that the configuration is retained. For the phosphorothionates. a plausible mechanism involves initial oxidative activation of the thiophosphoryl functionality. attack at the phosphorus center by the solvent such that a substituent is displaced with inversion of configuration and then further oxidation at sulfur and subsequent reaction as with the phosphorothioic acids.
Permanent iodine-125 (I-125) boost implants after external radiation therapy in nasopharyngeal cancer

Abstract Purpose : Higher doses of external irradiation in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer have resulted in improved control of the primary tumor, but can result in significant late toxicity. Tumor control in locally advanced naso-pharyngeal cancer remains suboptimal due to the technical difficulties associated with delivering high doses of radiation to the tumor while shielding the brainstem, spinal cord, optic chiasm, etc. We report the use of 1–125 boost implants following moderate dose external radiation therapy in nasopharyangeal cancer, in an attempt at improving the local tumor control without increasing toxicity. Methods and Materials : Twenty consecutive patients with nasopharyngeal cancer were treated with external beam irradiation (median dose 60 Gy over 6 weeks) to the primary site and the neck followed by I-125 implant to the primary site. Results : With a median follow-up of 2 years (range 1–5 years) there has been no instance of necrosis or other complications related to the implant. So far, in no patient has the tumor recurred at the primary site, although 6 of the 20 patients (30%) have developed metastases. Conclusions : These data indicate that elective I-125 implantation could be performed safely after external irradiation in nasopharyngeal cancer, and has yielded an encouraging level of primary tumor control, to date.
Association of age, race, and obstetric history with urinary symptoms among women in the Nurses' Health Study.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to better understand associations among age, race, obstetric history, and urinary incontinence in women. STUDY DESIGN: Race and obstetric history were assessed through the use of biennial mailed questionnaires from 1976 to 1996 among participants of the Nurses' Health Study. In 1996, 83,168 women aged 50 to 75 years reported their frequency of leaking urine and quantity leaked. We used logistic regression to calculate multivariate-adjusted odds ratios and 95% CIs for the relation of risk factors to leaking urine. RESULTS: Overall, 34.1% of the women reported leaking urine at least once per month during the previous 12 months; this prevalence was lowest in the black women (21.2%). After potential confounders were controlled, there were strong trends of increasing prevalence of occasional and frequent leaking with increasing age ( P trend 35 years was associated with a slight elevation in frequent leaking compared with women with age at first birth from 21 to 25 years but was stronger for women with age at first birth of CONCLUSION: In these women, leaking urine is common; this condition is most prevalent in white women, in older women, in parous women, and in women with a younger age at first birth.
A meta-analysis of intergroup forgiveness

In the past decade, interest has flourished in the empirical study of forgiveness in the wake of intergroup conflicts. In the current paper, we sought to empirically integrate the diverse predictors of intergroup forgiveness building on a tripartite model that incorporates affective, cognitive, and constraining features. Using a random effects approach, we meta-analyzed (N = 13,371; k = 43) correlates of intergroup forgiveness across diverse conflicts (e.g. 65% intrastate, 35% interstate) and populations (20 different nationalities; 60% female). We tested the effect of nine distinct predictors and investigated study characteristics as moderators of these effects (i.e. sex of victim and conflict type). Collective guilt [r = 0.49] and trust [r = 0.42] emerged as the strongest facilitators, whereas negative emotions [r = −0.33] and in-group identity [r = −0.32] emerged as the strongest barriers to intergroup forgiveness. We discuss practical applications of these findings.
Influence of driving patterns on life cycle cost and emissions of hybrid and plug-in electric vehicle powertrains

We compare the potential of hybrid, extended-range plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles to reduce lifetime cost and life cycle greenhouse gas emissions under various scenarios and simulated driving conditions. We find that driving conditions affect economic and environmental benefits of electrified vehicles substantially: Under the urban NYC driving cycle, hybrid and plug-in vehicles can cut life cycle emissions by 60% and reduce costs up to 20% relative to conventional vehicles (CVs). In contrast, under highway test conditions (HWFET) electrified vehicles offer marginal emissions reductions at higher costs. NYC conditions with frequent stops triple life cycle emissions and increase costs of conventional vehicles by 30%, while aggressive driving (US06) reduces the all-electric range of plug-in vehicles by up to 45% compared to milder test cycles (like HWFET). Vehicle window stickers, fuel economy standards, and life cycle studies using average lab-test vehicle efficiency estimates are therefore incomplete: (1) driver heterogeneity matters, and efforts to encourage adoption of hybrid and plug-in vehicles will have greater impact if targeted to urban drivers vs. highway drivers; and (2) electrified vehicles perform better on some drive cycles than others, so non-representative tests can bias consumer perception and regulation of alternative technologies. We discuss policy implications.
Evaluation of antimicrobial therapy orders circumventing an antimicrobial stewardship program: investigating the strategy of "stealth dosing".

Objective. Prior-approval antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) improve patient outcomes and decrease antimicrobial resistance. These benefits would be limited if physicians circumvented ASP efforts. We evaluated whether prescribers wait until after the prior-approval period to order restricted antimicrobial therapy that is in conflict with guidelines or unnecessary. Design. A cross-sectional study design and a retrospective cohort study design. Setting. A tertiary care, academic medical center with a prior-approval ASP that was active between 8 AM and 10 PM. Methods. We evaluated whether there was an increase in the proportion of orders for antimicrobial therapy that involve restricted (vs nonrestricted) antimicrobials during the first hour that the ASP is inactive (ie, the first hour that prior approval is not required), compared with the remainder of the day. We also evaluated whether restricted antimicrobial therapy ordered during this first hour is less likely to be continued when the ASP becomes active the next day, compared with that ordered during the preceding hour. Results. A greater proportion of the antimicrobial therapy orders placed between 10:00 PM and 10:59 PM were for restricted agents, compared with orders placed during other periods (57.0% vs 49.9%; P = .02). Surgical patients for whom antimicrobial therapy orders were placed between 10:00 PM and 10:59 PM were less likely to have that antimicrobial therapy continued, compared with patients whose therapy was ordered between 9:00 PM and 9:59 PM (60.0% vs 98.1%; P <.001). Nonsurgical patients whose therapy orders were placed between 10:00PM and 10:59 PM were also less likely to have the ordered antimicrobial therapy continued, compared with patients whose therapy was ordered between 9:00 PM and 9:59 PM (70.8% vs 84.2%; P = .01). Conclusion. Physicians avoid having to obtain prior approval for therapy involving restricted antimicrobials by waiting until restrictions are no longer active to place orders. Compared with restricted antimicrobial therapy ordered when the ASP is active, these courses of therapy are less often continued by the ASP, suggesting that they are more likely to be in conflict with guidelines or unnecessary.
Extraneous information in delayed pattern reproduction by monkeys

Nine highly trained rhesus monkeys were given short-term memory tests in a pattern reproduction paradigm. One white light and a variable number of red lights (1 to 15) in a 4 by 4 matrix were shown to Ss for 0.2 sec. After a 5-sec delay, Ss obtained a reward by opening the cell which previously had been illuminated with a white light. Choice of a cell which had not been illuminated or one which had been lit with a red light was not rewarded, and the response was recorded as an error. As the number of red lights increased from 2 to 6, the responses to the relevant light decreased and then, for 7 to 15 red lights, remained constant
Photoemission from aluminum

Abstract New Measurements of photoemission from aluminum show more pronounced structure in the photoelectron energy distribution than earlier measurements. The mean free path for electron-electron scattering is found to be 65 A for electrons 9 eV above the Fermi energy.
What Are the Best Predictors of Opinions of Mental Illness in the Indian Population

Mental illness affects millions of people around the world, and yet support, advocacy, and acceptance of people with psychological disabilities is lacking. The stigma of mental illness hinders those who want and need help from getting it, which only perpetuates the problem. The purpose of this study was to identify those factors that have predictive value for opinions of mental illness. Mechanical Turk was used to distribute the Opinions of Mental Illness scale along with a demographics survey. Taking part in the initial survey were 195 people (82 females) of Indian descent. Utilizing a backwards stepwise regression, we constructed a model that included the four most influential factors. Gender, political affiliation, parental nurturing, and age emerged as the best predictors of opinions of mental illness within the Indian population.
Research Article: Cultivation of Lemon Basil, Ocimum americanum, in two different hydroponic configurations supplemented with various concentrations of Tilapia aquaculture green water

Abstract It was deemed important to determine whether Tilapia fish green water would allow increased lemon basil plant growth when added to a hydroponic nutrient solution. Since Tilapia effluent is known to contain beneficial microorganisms, it was hypothesized that it would enhance hydroponic plant growth. In the initial study, fish green water was added at varying concentrations (8.3%, 4.2%, and 0%) in three different plastic pool “cultures” (six feet in diameter containing 60 gallons of nutrient solution and 51 culture cups per pool). In the subsequent experiment, the size of the culture containers was decreased in order to obtain additional culture replicates (three replicates in each of the four groups which each contained 19 gallons of nutrient solution and seven culture cups). Nutrient solutions were monitored once a week for pH, temperature, electronic conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solutes (TDS). Also, plants were enumerated and their relative health noted. After eight or nine weeks of cu...
The morphology of unique structures on the spines of a deep-water Hawaiian hermit crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Paguridae)

Unique structures, which have been observed on the spines of the chelipeds in a recently described deep-water Hawaiian hermit crab, Nematopagurus spinulosensoris McLaughlin & Brock, 1974, are herein described. At present the function of these structures is unknown; however, their morphology appears to be more complicated than that of any sensory structures heretofore ascribed to decapod crustaceans.
Development of an anti-idiotypic antibody that blocks substance P primary antibodies and substance P membrane binding

Abstract Polyclonal antibodies against substance P were raised in rabbits and partially purified. This apparently homogeneous immunoglobulin fraction was used to immunize other rabbits. The anti-idiotypic antibodies derived from these rabbits were substantially more effective in competing with substance P than in competing with β-endorphin for binding to their respective primary antibodies. The anti-idiotypic antibody was also 50 times more potent in competing with substance P binding than in competing with substance K binding to rat duodenal membranes, a tissue containing receptors for substance P and substance K. The anti-idiotypic antibodies exhibited significant enhancement of substance P induced spasmogenic response on the rat uterus and guinea pig ileum (GPI). The results indicate that it is possible to develop anti-idiotypic antibodies that recognize substance P receptors. These antibodies will be of value in studies of the physiological roles of the neuropeptide, substance P.
Prometheus as Teacher and the Chorus's Descent, P.V . 278 ff.

descent represents a progression in this relationship whereby the Chorus, in finally abandoning their chariot and agreeing to approach Prometheus and listen to him, jeopardize their detachment from him and his fate, offer tentative support, and give him scope to develop his storytelling abilities and apply his persuasive powers. Although this progression does not represent an unequivocal commitment to Prometheus–for the Chorus fluctuate throughout the play between sympathy and reproach for him–it is none the less a crucial step as signalled by the intensity of Prometheus' insistence that they descend and hear his story through to the end.
High strain rate testing of kidney stones.

Sections of struvite kidney stones were tested in compression at high strain rates (∼3000 s−1) using a Kolsky bar and at low strain rates (<0.001 s−1) using an Instron testing machine. The peak stress in both cases appeared to be similar. At high strain rates the values of flow stress measured were between 40 and 65 MPa and at low strain rates they were between 37 and 58 MPa. However, the morphology of the damage was dramatically different. Stones tested at low strain rates formed a small number of cracks but otherwise remained intact at the end of the test. In comparison, stones tested at high strain rates were reduced to a powder. Kidney stones are a two-phase material consisting of a crystalline ceramic phase and an organic binder. We speculate that in the high strain rate tests the large difference in the sound speed between the matrix and the crystalline grains leads to shear stresses that destroy the stone. These data indicate that shear stress induced by the internal structure may be a mechanism by which shock waves comminute kidney stones in lithotripsy.
A Note On Methods Of Rapidly Adjusting A Radio Frequency Oscillator In Small Steps Of Frequency

Simple and rapid methods for adjusting the frequency of a radio frequency oscillator in small steps of frequency by aural methods are described. By use of the nth harmonic of the radio frequency oscillator the steps of frequency may be made 1/n times a convenient fixed audio frequency, such as that of a tuning fork. By elaboration of the equipment the adjustments may be made to within 1/n cycles per second, where n is the order number of the oscillator harmonic employed.
The uses and limitations of calmodulin antagonists.

Apres un rapide rappel des connaissances actuelles concernant les caracteristiques structurales et les capacites de regulation cellulaire de la calmoduline, les auteurs presentent sous forme de tableaux, l'ensemble des types d'inhibiteurs de la calmoduline, en precisant leur classe pharmacologique et leur structure moleculaire. Presentation tres complete, egalement sous forme de tableaux, des proprietes de fixation du medicament et d'inhibition de la calmoduline, ce qui permet une etude comparative. Etude du mecanisme d'action des inhibiteurs et discussion sur leur utilisation therapeutique contre le cancer, les dysfonctionnements neurologiques et d'autres maladies
The search for rhythmicity in biological time-series

Abstract It has often been concluded that subtle, pervasive geophysical stimuli are responsible for the persistence in the laboratory of apparently-spontaneous biological rhythms, i.e. that “biological clocks” have an extrinsic origin. This conclusion rests primarily on the analyses of biological data by procedures related to the classical Buys-Ballot table. When the assumptions necessary for the valid application of these techniques are carefully considered, the claims for persistent accurate geophysical components in biological data prove to have an insufficient logical basis. The periodogram represents a generalization of these same Buys-Ballot methods, but involves less-restrictive assumptions; its usefulness and limitations were explored with artificial data generated by a computer. Following this testing of the analytical method, which served as a kind of empirical “calibration”, the periodogram has been used for a re-examination of some of the original biological data which led to the hypothesis of an extrinsic origin for persistent rhythmicity. These re-analyses indicate that none of 17 examined data sets provides convincing evidence for accurate tidal components (24·8 hours); and that the presence of accurate diurnal components (24·0 hours) represents a reasonable interpretation for only 3 data sets out of 17. Since alternative hypotheses are available which could also account for these (relatively rare) instances of possibly-accurate average diurnal rhythmicities, and since it can reasonably be concluded that accurate tidal rhythmicities are completely absent under laboratory conditions, the arguments in favor of an extrinsic origin for persistent biological rhythms seem to be without any solid foundation in the data on which these arguments have been based.
Election Forecasting: The Future of the Presidency and the House

This article is about a simple two-variable equation forecasting presidential election outcomes and a three-variable equation forecasting seat change in House elections. Over the past two decades a cottage industry of political forecasting has developed (Lewis-Beck and Rice 1992; Campbell and Garand 2000). At the 1994 meeting of the Southern Political Science Association, several participants offered their forecasts of the upcoming midterm House elections. Unfortunately, not one of the forecasters was within 20 seats of the actual outcome. If, however, these forecasts had been pooled, as Gaddie (1997) points out, then they would have come remarkably close to the actual seat change that occurred. Moving forward, at the 1996 APSA Annual Meeting the collection of forecasters did a much better job with that year's presidential election. The forecasters also got the overall popular vote outcome correct at the 2000 APSA Annual Meeting for that year's presidential election. We all forecasted a victory for Al Gore, with James Campbell coming the closest to the actual total (50.2%) at 52.8%. At the panel at the 2004 APSA Annual Meeting almost every forecaster predicted the actual outcome correctly. Forecasting elections holds us accountable—we cannot go back and change our forecast for an election after it has occurred. Moreover, if we stick with one forecast, it easy to judge the overall accuracy of our equations.
An Evaluation of Power and Type I Error of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Transmission/Disequilibrium–Based Statistical Methods under Different Family Structures, Missing Parental Data, and Population Stratification

Researchers conducting family-based association studies have a wide variety of transmission/disequilibrium (TD)–based methods to choose from, but few guidelines exist in the selection of a particular method to apply to available data. Using a simulation study design, we compared the power and type I error of eight popular TD-based methods under different family structures, frequencies of missing parental data, genetic models, and population stratifications. No method was uniformly most powerful under all conditions, but type I error was appropriate for nearly every test statistic under all conditions. Power varied widely across methods, with a 46.5% difference in power observed between the most powerful and the least powerful method when 50% of families consisted of an affected sib pair and one parent genotyped under an additive genetic model and a 35.2% difference when 50% of families consisted of a single affection-discordant sibling pair without parental genotypes available under an additive genetic model. Methods were generally robust to population stratification, although some slightly less so than others. The choice of a TD-based test statistic should be dependent on the predominant family structure ascertained, the frequency of missing parental genotypes, and the assumed genetic model.
Assignment of torsion and low frequency bending vibrations of secondary chlorides

Abstract Far infrared and Raman spectra of 2-chloropropane, 2-chlorobutane and dl - and meso-2,4-dichloropentane have been analyzed in order to assign the torsional force constants in the valence force field for secondary chlorides. Band assignments have been based on experimental data as well as preliminary normal vibration calculations. With incorporation of torsional force constants, and a global refinement of the force field, the observed low frequency bands of the above molecules, as well as those of 3-chloropentane, are very well accounted for.
Phospholipid/aromatic thiol hybrid bilayers.

Gold-supported hybrid bilayers comprising phospholipids and alkanethiols have been found to be highly useful in biomembrane mimicking as well as biosensing ever since their introduction by Plant in 1993 (Plant, A. L. Langmuir 1993, 9, 2764–2767). Generalizing the mechanism (i.e., hydrophobic/hydrophobic interaction) that primarily drives bilayer formation, we report here that such a bilayer structure can also be successfully obtained when aromatic thiols are employed in place of alkanethiols. Four aromatic thiols were studied here (thiophenol, 2-naphthalene thiol, biphenyl-4-thiol, and diphenylenevinylene methanethiol), all affording reliable bilayer formation when 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine liposomes were incubated with self-assembled monolayers of these thiols. Characterization of the resultant structures, using cyclic voltammetry, impedance analysis, and atomic force microscopy, confirms the bilayer formation. Significant differences in electrochemical blocking and mechanical char...
Inhibition of plasminogen activator associated with chronic granulomatous inflammation.

Abstract Extracts of livers from noninfected and schistosome infected mice were assayed for inhibitor activity against plasmin and urokinase using synthetic chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates. Antiurokinase activity was found only in extracts from granulomatous livers of infected mice, whereas a small amount of antiplasmin activity was present in extracts from livers of noninfected as well as infected mice. The urokinase inhibition was rapid, time dependent, stoichiometric, and apparently irreversible. It is postulated that inhibitors of plasminogen activation serve to limit fibrinolysis in tissue during the development of schistosomiasis-induced granulomatous inflammation.
Study of contact angle hysteresis using the Cellular Potts Model

We use the Cellular Potts Model (CPM) to study the contact angle (CA) hysteresis in multiphase (solid-liquid-vapour) systems. We simulate a droplet over the tilted patterned surface, and a bubble placed under the surface immersed in liquid. The difference between bubbles and droplets was discussed through their CA hysteresis. Dependency of CA hysteresis on the surface structure and other parameters was also investigated. This analysis allows decoupling of the 1D (pinning of the triple line) and 2D (adhesion hysteresis in the contact area) effects and provides new insight into the nature of CA hysteresis.
Remote gas plume sensing and imaging with NASA’s Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer (HyTES).

The hyperspectral thermal emission spectrometer was developed under NASA’s instrument incubator program and has now completed three deployments. The scan head uses a state-of-the-art Dyson spectrometer cooled to 100K coupled to a quantum well infrared photodetector array held at 40K. The combination allows for 256 spectral channels between 7.5μm and 12μm with 512 cross track spatial pixels. Spectral features for many interesting gases fall within the instrument passband. We first review the pre-flight calibration and validation process for HyTES using a suite of instrumentation. This includes a smile measurement at two wavelengths (8.18μm and 10.6μm) as well as a concentration determination using large aperture gas cells. We then show positive gas plume detection at ranges >1000m for various cases: Ammonia gas detection from Salton Sea fumaroles, Methane detection from staged releases points in Wyoming as well as naturally occurring methane hot spots off the coast of Santa Barbara.
Alfred Russel Wallace, Journalist

To date little attention has been paid to how Alfred Russel Wallace's skill as a writer helped advance his career. Here, a small discovery is reported which contributes to such an understanding: Wallace apparently had a standing arrangement with a London magazine to provide eyes-in-the-field reports when he set out for Singapore in early 1854.
Mathematical Thinking: The Struggle for Meaning.

This paper argues that mathematical thinking is not thinking about the subject matter of mathematics but a style of thinking that is a function of particular operations, processes, and dynamics recognizably mathematical. It further suggests that because mathematical thinking becomes confused with thinking about mathematics, there has been little success in separating process from content in the classroom presentation of the subject. A descriptive model of mathematical thinking is presented and then used to provide a practical response to the questions, Can mathematical thinking be taught? In what ways? The teacher is encouraged to recognize both what constitutes mathematical thinking, whether in the mathematics class or some other, and what conditions are necessary to foster it.
Global asymptotic stability in discrete systems

Abstract Several types of discrete physical systems are characterized by difference equations. An often used mathematical model of discrete systems is that of a continuous mapping function T: R n → R n, where xi + 1 = T(xi), i = 0, 1, …. In the analysis and design of discrete systems, global asymptotic stability is an important consideration. For some related discussion see J. P. La Salle [1, pp. 20, 21]. In this paper two theorems on global asymptotic stability are proven. The first theorem given below supplies the answer to the unknown system stability mentioned in [2, p. 188]. The special case of the theorem, where T′(x) is a linear transformation has been proved in [3].