cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Characteristics of Deteriorating Engineering Structures

The monitoring of energy production and distribution systems with a view to predicting their future performance and service life is a difficult but increasingly important exercise. Specific interest here concerns the behavior of aging offshore oil and gas structures. The maintenance and safety of these systems is a major challenge considering their generally deteriorating nature and harsh operating environment. The dynamic response of a structural component or structure can be used to assess properties such as mass, stiffness and damping. If periodic assessment is conducted then any changes, specifically deterioration, during the lifetime of a structure can be monitored using vibration measurement methods. This information can then be used to predict the useful life of the structure given a constant rate of deterioration or provide the basis for remedial action to be taken to strengthen the structure. The prevention of catastrophic failure is included in this scenario. Suggestions for possible research directions are made with regard to nonlinear behavior. 127 refs., 2 figs.
Reactions of laser-ablated U atoms with (CN)2: infrared spectra and electronic structure calculations of UNC, U(NC)2, and U(NC)4 in solid argon

Reactions of laser–ablated U atoms with (CN)2 produce UNC, U(NC)2, and U(NC)4 as the major products, identified from their Ar matrix infrared spectra and precursors partially and fully substituted with 13C and 15N. Mixed isotopic multiplets substantiate product stoichiometries. Band positions and quantum chemical calculations verify the isocyanide bonding.
When is Diabetes?—A New Look at Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetes Mellitus

Summary: While the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is usually straightforward because of typical symptoms and signs along with an unequivocally high plasma glucose, there is still considerable controversy about diagnostic criteria for diabetes based on the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Recently there has been world-wide recognition of the need for standardisation of these criteria. A new set of diagnostic criteria, based on prospective and cross-sectional epidemiologic studies have now been recommended by a World Health Organisation Expert Committee on Diabetes. The new criteria set out recommendations for normal subjects, those with impaired glucose tolerance (a borderline group), and diabetics. The use of these criteria should result in uniform reporting of the OGTT, as well as reducing to a minimum the mis-diagnosis of diabetes.
Protective and dysregulated T cell immunity in RSV infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important cause of infantile bronchiolitis and a major pathogen in elderly and immunosuppressed persons. Although RSV shows limited antigenic diversity, repeated infections occur throughout life. Vaccine development has been delayed by poor immunogenicity, production issues and the fear of causing enhanced disease. T cells assist in viral clearance, but immune regulation serves to limit these responses and to prevent the exaggerated inflammatory response to RSV infection seen in children with bronchiolitis. Severe RSV disease can therefore be regarded as a dysregulated response to an otherwise trivial infection. Further insights into the role of T cells (including Th17) are needed to enable the rational design of safe, effective vaccines and novel treatments.
Isolation and characterization of a novel peptide amide from porcine brain

Peptide with C-terminal tyrosine amide was isolated from porcine brain by acid extraction and sequential steps of reverse phase HPLC. Microsequence, amino acid and mass spectral analyses revealed the structure: Ac-Ala-Ser-Glu-Lys-Arg-Pro-Ser-Glu-Arg-His-Gly-Ser-Lys- Tyr-amide. Since this peptide had the identical sequence to N-terminus of porcine myelin basic protein (pMBP) 1-14, we have designated porcine myelin peptide amide 14 (pMPA14). The final HPLC step yielded 20 micrograms of homogeneous peptide preparation from 20 kg brain tissue. Unlike other amidated peptides, pMPA14 may be produced by non enzymatic mechanism or unknown amidating enzyme. This unique amidation seems to occur exclusively to MBP in the brain.
Using Ecological Systems Theory and Density of Acquaintance to Explore Resident Perception of Entrepreneurial Climate

Using the concepts of Ecological Systems Theory and Density of Acquaintance, this study was developed to explore the relationship between rural North Carolina residents’ characteristics and their perceptions of entrepreneurial climate (e-climate). The North Carolina Community Assessment for Tourism and Entrepreneurial Climate Study was developed to determine which factors influence how residents view their community e-climate, an important antecedent to tourism success, in their community. Four categories of hypotheses were developed focusing on a resident’s (1) residential tenure and nativity, (2) community involvement through volunteerism, (3) employment, and (4) entrepreneurial self-perception were developed. The first three categories included variables measuring residents’ Density of Acquaintance; the fourth category addressed residents’ perceptions of themselves concerning entrepreneurial activity in both their paid and volunteer work. Findings indicated that residential tenure and amount of volunte...
The interaction of 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate with tubulin: a site independent of the colchicine-binding site.

Abstract Rat brain tubulin binds 1 mole of 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) per dimer (110,000 daltons) with an association constant of 3.2 × 10 5 m −1 . The quantum yield of ANS fluorescence is increased 120-fold over that in water to φ = 0.48 and there is a hypsochromic shift of 56 nm to an emission maximum of 460 nm. There is energy transfer from tryptophan to bound ANS. Vinblastine and Ca 2+ enhance ANS fluorescence in tubulin by 35%–40%; this can be ascribed to an increased quantum yield, rather than changes in the affinity constant or number of binding sites. The ANS binding site shows minimal decay at 37 °C when colchicine binding has decreased to 50%. It is concluded that the colchicine- and ANS-binding sites occupy different regions of the tubulin molecule.
Genotyping diptera using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP): development of a genetic marker system for species in the families Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae

Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis of entomological material provides a means of obtaining a reproducible DNA profile in a relatively short period of time. AFLP profiles were obtained using larval samples from Cochliomyia macellaria, Phormia regina and Sarcophaga bullata. Genomic DNA was isolated using the DNeasy Tissue Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA), double-digested by two restriction endonucleases (EcoRI and MseI) and ligated to oligonucleotide adapters. Two consecutive PCR reactions (preamplification and selective amplification) were performed using a modification of the AFLP protocol described by Gibco (Invitrogen, Rockville, MD). The DNA fragments were separated by capillary electrophoresis using the CEQ 8000 DNA Fragment Analyzer. Species specific profiles were developed for all three species. The results indicate that the AFLP technique is a viable and valuable technique for identification of entomological material.
Task Incentives, Type A Behavior Pattern, and Verbal Problem Solving Performance1

A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the interaction between task incentives and the Type A behavior pattern in determining performance during a task of verbal problem solving. The results indicated that Type A subjects responded more quickly and more frequently than their Type B counterparts. In addition, evidence suggested that a situational characteristic–whether instructions offered a monetary reward or served as an evaluative stressor–affected subjects differently depending on their behavior pattern classification. These findings suggest that Pattern A behavior occurs as a response to challenges signifying the potential for reward as well as a threat of failure. Implications for future research emphasize the need to investigate the characteristics of the situation and the task, as well as the individual.
The oxytocin antagonist atosiban prevents androstenedione-induced myometrial contractions in the chronically instrumented, pregnant rhesus monkey

We tested the hypothesis that increased oxytocin is a necessary mechanism for the mediation of androstenedione (delta 4A)-induced myometrial contractions by investigating the effects of maternal treatment with the oxytocin antagonist atosiban on in vivo delta 4A-induced contractions. In four monkeys (group I), maternal estradiol, oxytocin, and myometrial contractions were assessed at baseline and after continuous iv delta 4A administration. Similar measurements were made in three monkeys (group II) that received the same delta 4A infusion regimen, but in addition were treated daily with atosiban. Maternal estradiol and oxytocin levels and contractions were also assessed in four additional monkeys (controls; group III), in which the delta 4A vehicle, intralipid, was infused iv continuously. In group I, delta 4A induced myometrial contractions and increased maternal estradiol and oxytocin to term concentrations. No myometrial contractions occurred in group II monkeys after combined delta 4A and atosiban tre...
A Note on Ain't Vs. Didn't Negation in African American Vernacular

L'A. examine le changement de code en anglais vernaculaire africain americain (AVAA). De nombreux traits de l'AVAA doivent etre analyses en termes d'interaction entre les deux grammaires distinctes de l'AVAA et de l'anglais americain. Un de ces traits est l'alternance entre ain't et didn't dans le discours de certains locuteurs AVAA
Demography, Growth, and Reproductive Allocation in Stream-Spawning Longnose Gar

Abstract The demography of breeding populations of the longnose gar Lepisosteus osseus has heretofore remained unstudied. During the summer of 1992, longnose gars were captured en route to spawning sites in Weaubleau Creek, a tributary of Missouri's Harry S. Truman Reservoir. To characterize the spawners, individual age, growth, and morphometric data were obtained. The spawning population consisted of smaller, younger males and somewhat fewer older, larger females. As expected, Weaubleau Creek spawners exhibited heightened condition values relative to other longnose gar populations assessed outside the breeding season. Females displayed greater backcalculated total lengths at age and higher growth rates than males, with these differences being manifested early in life. Examination of individual yearly growth increments suggested that most longnose gars in Weaubleau Creek were annual spawners. Females made substantial investments of time and biomass in reproduction, as their gonad weight–body weight relati...
Pulse function for control of the coherent excitation in stimulated Raman spectroscopy

A selective excitation of closely spaced Raman transitions using femtosecond pulse shaping is studied within a semiclassical approach. An analytical pulse function is proposed having duration T that selectively excites one of two transitions separated by a frequency interval less than 1/T. It is shown that, for intense fields, both the field amplitude and pulse frequency spectrum have to be carefully chosen to achieve the control of excitations. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 102: 313-317, 2005
Purification and properties of a human plasma endogenous modulator for the platelet tricyclic binding/serotonin transport complex

Abstract An endogenous modulator for the site labeled by [ 3 H]imipramine which is putatively coupled to the serotonin transporter in human platelets was isolated and purified from plasma. Procrdures included sequential chromatography on Cibacron blue-Sepharose 4B, concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B, Mono Q HR 10/10 anion exchange, DuPont GF-250 gel permeation and Mono S HR 5/5 cation exchange columns. The purified modulator is a protein of M r 45 000 with a very acidic p K (less than 3) and sensitive to various proteinases but heat- and acid-stable. This protein inhibited [ 3 H]imipramine binding to platelet membranes competitively (IC 50 ≈6 μ M) and enhanced serotonin uptake in fresh human platelets (EC 50 ≈7 μ M). Various physico-chemical properties, including chromatographic, electrophoretic and immunological as well as amino acid composition analysis revealed that the isolated protein is most probably the human α 1 -acid glycoprotein.
Electrically small antennas augmented with internal non-foster elements

Summary form only given. Electrically small antennas (ESAs) have been a topic of great research interest for many years because of their utility for a wide variety of wireless applications. However, because of their compact size, ESAs are generally not efficient radiators and they have narrow bandwidths. There have been many efforts to overcome the conflicting performance characteristics of ESAs, including their efficiencies, bandwidths, and directivities, using various meta-structures. To overcome one of the fundamental bounds, the impedance bandwidth, we have introduced non-Foster elements into the near-field resonant parasitic elements of two classes of metamaterial-inspired designs: the protractor and Egyptian axe dipole (EAD) antennas. The active non-Foster element is realized with negative impedance convertor (NIC) circuit. In the case of the protractor antenna, a NIC-based capacitor element, a C-NIC, is introduced, while in the EAD antenna a NIC-based inductor element, an L-NIC, is introduced. These general design concepts and their possible alternatives are graphically represented in the figure below. In both cases, this non-Foster element approach leads to nearly complete impedance matching to a 50 ohm source without any external matching network over an extended, large frequency range. Both of these NIC-augmented near-field resonant parasitic ESAs have been simulated, fabricated and tested. Comparisons of the simulation and experiment results are very favorable and will be highlighted in our presentation. The experimental results confirm impedance bandwidths exceeding the fundamental passive bounds. We will also discuss a variety of details about the design procedure, antenna characteristic performance analysis, trade-offs in any practical NIC-based antenna design, sensitivity issues, stability issues and future work.
Urinary prolactin excretion in man.

PROLACTIN was the first pituitary hormone to be prepared in crystalline form (1), and various methods have been successfully used to extract it from pituitary tissue and to assay the material thus obtained. However, with one exception (2), no assay of prolactin excreted in human urine in terms of international units has been reported. The purpose of this paper is to present a method of extraction and assay of prolactin excreted in human urine, together with some of the results of assays in patients. Extraction procedure 1. Precipitation: To a 24-hour urine specimen, refrigerated during collection, are added 1 per cent by weight of sodium chloride and four volumes of 96 per cent ethyl alcohol. If the urine is not acid, it is acidified to litmus with acetic acid before addition of the alcohol. The precipitate is allowed to settle over night in the refrigerator, and collected by decantation and centrifugation. The precipitate is washed twice with 96 per cent alcohol, twice with ether, and dried. 2. Dialysis:...
Anesthesia and acute pain management for minimally invasive hip surgery1

I g p n the United States, about 250,000 patients annually undergo a total hip replacement (THR). After a THR, the averge length of acute care hospitalization is 3.5 to 4 days followed ypically by a transfer to a rehabilitation center for more extenive physical therapy to optimize the functional recovery. For a HR, the traditional surgical technique, involving a skin inciion of at least 12 cm, is associated with significant trauma to he hip muscles and capsule. A recent focus on minimizing the ize of the incision as well as the associated surgical trauma is ased on an expectation that such changes might result in horter hospitalization, more rapid functional recovery, and a educed need for rehabilitative services. Among the diverse attempts to “minimize” the surgical rauma of hip replacement, two general types of procedure are ecognized. The first, a “mini” technique, refers to the use of a educed incision, ranging in length from 6 to 10 cm, compared ith 12 to 20 cm for a traditional approach. Deep to the cutaeous incision, however, a conventional surgical approach is ndertaken. “Mini” incisions include posterolateral, anterolatral, and true anterior approaches.1 From the perspectives of osmesis and marketing, those modifications are attractive; here are, however, no available clinical data to provide conincing evidence that a relevant patient achieves more rapid ecovery or a shorter period of convalescence in the hospital. he second technique is a “minimally invasive technique” and efers to the use of either one or two even smaller incisions and dissection designed to be performed between the muscles non muscle-splitting). While one or two small capsular inciions are necessary, the capsule is preserved and potentially epaired as part of the surgical closure.2 Concomitantly, altertions have been made in the orthopedic anesthesia and postperative analgesic techniques. One example is the use of a ontinuous lumbar plexus catheter infusing a local anesthetic, uch as ropivacaine. The majority of patients who undergo a inimally invasive THR are discharged directly from the hosital to their homes, either on the day of surgery or within 24 ours after the procedure. A costly admission to a rehabilitation
Self-checking implementation of Boolean interpreted Petri nets

This paper presents a technique of constructing a self-checking synchronous implementation of a Boolean interpreted Petri net. The validated Petri net specification is modeled with a circuit that automatically detects faults visible at Petri net level. The so called direct approach is used in modeling Petri nets by hardware. The faults that can be checked at hardware level manifest themselves at Petri net level through entering markings that do not belong to the set of allowable ones. These markings violate certain P-invariant assertions. A hardware framework based on self-checking checkers that allows detecting the violation of the P-invariant assertion is proposed. >
Toward understanding the role of tasks in behavioral research

Abstract Tasks play an important role in much research on human behavior, and differences in tasks and task characteristics have been shown to mediate differences in individual and social behavior. Thus, it is unfortunate that we know relatively little about the nature of tasks and their behavioral implications. This paper attempts to lay the ground work for furthering our understanding of the differences among tasks and the ways in which tasks influence behavior. Three general ‘problem areas’ are reviewed and evaluated in the paper: (a) problems in defining the concept ‘task’ — i.e., what are the components and characteristics of an adequate task definition; (b) problems relevant to the description of tasks — i.e., what are the most useful and appropriate bases for making task descriptions and comparisons; and (c) problems relevant to understanding task effects — i.e., how do task factors make differences in the ways people think and act. After evaluating several issues relevant to the problems of task definition and description, one working definition of the concept is proposed, and one general approach to task description is suggested as likely to be most useful in understanding the behavioral impact of tasks. Finally, a framework is proposed which outlines the diversity of effects which may be attributable to task factors in a performance situation, and suggests how these effects may be conceptualized and related.
Segregated Spatial Locations, Race-Ethnic Composition, and Neighborhood Violent Crime

How can we understand the dramatic linkages among race, ethnicity, place, and violence in the United States? One contention is that differences in violence across communities of varying race-ethnic compositions are rooted in highly differentiated social and economic circumstances of the segregated neighborhoods inhabited by whites, African Americans, Latinos, and other groups. Here, the authors draw upon and expand this perspective by exploring how inequality in the character of internal and nearby neighborhood conditions leads to patterned racial and ethnic differences in violence across areas. Using data from the National Neighborhood Crime Study to examine the racial-spatial dynamic of violence for neighborhoods in thirty-six U.S. cities, the authors demonstrate that along with the social and economic conditions that exist within neighborhoods, proximity to more disadvantaged and especially racially privileged (heavily white) areas is particularly critical in accounting for the large and visible differ...
Load-balanced CDS construction in wireless sensor networks via genetic algorithm

A Connected Dominating Set (CDS) is used as a virtual backbone for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Most existing works focus on a Minimum CDS (MCDS), a k-connect m-dominating CDS, a minimum routing cost CDS or a bounded-diameter CDS, ignoring the load-balance factor of CDSs. In this paper, we propose a novel problem  the Load-Balanced CDS (LBCDS) problem, in which constructing an LBCDS and load-balancedly allocating dominatees to dominators are investigated simultaneously. A Genetic Algorithm based strategy called LBCDS-GA is proposed to construct an LBCDS. Building an LBCDS and load-balancedly allocating dominatees to dominators can prolong network lifetime through balancing the workloads of all the dominators. Through extensive simulations, we demonstrate that our proposed methods extend network lifetime by 65% on average compared with the best and latest MCDS construction algorithm.
Response of breeding duck pairs to predator reduction in North Dakota

Predator management regularly improves waterfowl nesting success, often beyond levels believed necessary for population maintenance. If recruitment, survival of breeding females, and/or breeding site fidelity is increased on predator-reduced sites, then local breeding populations may increase in subsequent years. During 2005–2008, we annually conducted breeding pair surveys on >600 wetlands at 6 township-sized (93.2 km2) trapped sites and 4 non-trapped sites for the 5 most common upland nesting ducks in eastern North Dakota, USA. For each species, we developed a series of competing regression models that related breeding pair abundance to wetland size, predator management, and upland habitats adjacent to sampled wetlands. In contrast to previous studies, we found limited and equivocal evidence that breeding populations increased following predator management. We discuss multiple potential explanations for this lack of effect and suggest that managers should not assume that increased production as a product of elevated nest success will be compounded over years. © The Wildlife Society, 2013
Risk, reasons for refusal, and impact of counseling on consent among ED patients declining HIV screening

Screening for HIV in the emergency department (ED) is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The relative importance of efforts to increase consent among those who currently decline screening is not well understood. We compared the risk characteristics reported by patients who decline risk-targeted, opt-in ED screening with those who consent. We secondarily recorded reasons for declining testing and reversal of the decision to decline testing after prevention counseling. Of 199 eligible patients, 106 consented to testing and 93 declined. Of those declining, 60 (64.5%) of 93 completed a risk assessment. There were no differences in HIV risk behaviors between groups. Declining patients reported recent testing in 73.3% of cases. After prevention counseling, 4 (6.7%) of 60 who initially declined asked to be tested. Given similarities between those who decline and those who consent to testing, efforts to increase consent may be beneficial. However, this should be tempered by the finding that many declined because of a recent negative test. Emphasizing risk during prevention counseling is not a promising strategy for improving opt-in consent rates.
Genetic Analyses of DNA-Binding Mutants in the Catalytic Core Domain of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Integrase

The catalytic core domain (CCD) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase (IN) harbors the enzyme active site and binds viral and chromosomal DNA during integration. Thirty-five CCD mutant viruses were constructed, paying particular attention to conserved residues in the Phe139-Gln146 flexible loop and abutting Ser147-Val165 amphipathic alpha helix that were implicated from previous in vitro work as important for DNA binding. Defective viruses were typed as class I mutants (specifically blocked at integration) or pleiotropic class II mutants (additional particle assembly and/or reverse transcription defects). Whereas HIV-1P145A and HIV-1Q146K grew like the wild type, HIV-1N144K and HIV-1Q148L were class I mutants, reinforcing previous results that Gln-148 is important for DNA binding and uncovering for the first time an important role for Asn-144 in integration. HIV-1Q62K, HIV-1H67E, HIV-1N120K, and HIV-1N155K were also class I mutants, supporting findings that Gln-62 and Asn-120 interact with viral and target DNA, respectively, and suggesting similar integration-specific roles for His-67 and Asn-155. Although results from complementation analyses established that IN functions as a multimer, the interplay between active-site and CCD DNA binding functions was unknown. By using Vpr-IN complementation, we determined that the CCD protomer that catalyzes integration also preferentially binds to viral and target DNA. We additionally characterized E138K as an intramolecular suppressor of Gln-62 mutant virus and IN. The results of these analyses highlight conserved CCD residues that are important for HIV-1 replication and integration and define the relationship between DNA binding and catalysis that occurs during integration in vivo.
Cerebral Microbleeds and Macrobleeds: Should They Influence Our Recommendations for Antithrombotic Therapies?

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH, or macrobleeds) and cerebral microbleeds-smaller foci of hemosiderin deposits commonly detected by magnetic resonance imaging of older adults with or without ICH-are both associated with an increased risk of future ICH. These hemorrhagic pathologies also share risk factors with ischemic thromboembolic conditions that may require antithrombotic therapy, requiring specialists in cardiology, internal medicine, and neurology to weigh the benefits vs hemorrhagic risks of antithrombotics in individual patients. This paper will review recent advances in our understanding of hemorrhage prone cerebrovascular pathologies with a particular emphasis on use of these markers in decision making for antithrombotic use.
Physical Properties of Superconducting and Ferromagnetic Materials Based on C60

We present results of magnetization and pressure measurements on recently discovered superconductors K{sub 3}C{sub 60} and Rb{sub 3}C{sub 60}, as well as ferromagnetic C{sub 60} TDAE, and discuss the nature of the ground state suggested by these studies.
The Multifaceted Role of Th17 Lymphocytes and Their Associated Cytokines in Cancer

While the role of T helper 17 lymphocytes (Th17) in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and in infectious immunity has been relatively well defined, the impact of these cells and their associated cytokines on cancer development is still under debate. Although multiple reports have indicated that Th17 can promote anticancer immunity, others have argued that these cells may exhibit tumor-promoting properties. This dichotomy in the function of Th17 lymphocytes in cancer may be related to the versatile nature of these cells, being capable of differentiating into either proinflammatory Th1 or suppressive FoxP3-expressing Treg cells or hybrid T cell subsets depending on the underlying environmental conditions. In the current review, we examine the role of Th17 lymphocytes and Th17-associated cytokines in cancer and discuss how factors that control their final lineage commitment decision may influence the balance between their tumor-promoting versus tumor-suppressing properties.
Alcohol Problems and the Availability of Alcohol

This study assesses the statistical effects of the physical availability of alcohol as measured by the number of liquor store employees per 100,000 persons. Controlling for the effects of per capita income and urbanism, it is found that there are effects of physical availability on current tangible consequences but not on alcoholism rates or frequent heavy drinking.
Why Women Don't Report Sexual Assault to the Police: The Influence of Psychosocial Variables and Traumatic Injury

The purpose of this study was to identify the variables that acutely influence reporting practices in female sexual assault victims presenting to an urban clinic or Emergency Department. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of consecutive female victims during an 18-month study period. Patient demographics, assault characteristics, and injury patterns were recorded in all eligible patients using a standardized classification system. At the completion of the forensic examination, victims were asked to complete a psychosocial questionnaire designed to determine specific reasons why women reported or did not report their sexual assault to police. During the study period, 424 women were eligible to participate in the study; 318 (75%) reported the sexual assault to police. One hundred six (25%) did not file a police report, but consented to a medical-legal examination. Women not reporting sexual assault were typically employed, had a history of recent alcohol or drug use, a known assailant, and prolonged time intervals between the assault and forensic evaluation (p < 0.001). There were no differences in the extent of non-genital injuries or anogenital injuries between the two groups. Thirty-six percent (152/424) of the eligible population agreed to complete the questionnaire. Only three of the 20 psychosocial variables examined were found to be significantly different in women not reporting sexual assault compared to reporters. The reasons for not reporting were primarily environmental factors (prior relationship with assailant) rather than internal psychological barriers (shame, anxiety, fear).
Intrasexual competition in females: evidence for sexual selection?

In spite of recent interest in sexual selection in females, debate exists over whether traits that influence female‐female competition are sexually selected. This review uses female‐female aggressive behavior as a model behavioral trait for understanding the evolutionary mechanisms promoting intrasexual competition, focusing especially on sexual selection. I employ a broad definition of sexual selection, whereby traits that influence competition for mates are sexually selected, whereas those that directly influence fecundity or offspring survival are naturally selected. Drawing examples from across animal taxa, including humans, I examine 4 predictions about female intrasexual competition based on the abundance of resources, the availability of males, and the direct or indirect benefits those males provide. These patterns reveal a key sex difference in sexual selection: Although females may compete for the number of mates, they appear to compete more so for access to high-quality mates that provide direct and indirect (genetic) benefits. As is the case in males, intrasexual selection in females also includes competition for essential resources required for access to mates. If mate quality affects the magnitude of mating success, then restricting sexual selection to competition for quantity of mates may ignore important components of fitness in females and underestimate the role of sexual selection in shaping female phenotype. In the future, understanding sex differences in sexual selection will require further exploration of the extent of mutual intrasexual competition and the incorporation of quality of mating success into the study of sexual selection in both sexes. Key words: aggression, female competition, intrasexual selection, mating success, sexual selection. [Behav Ecol]
Interferon (IFN)-α Activation of Human Blood Mononuclear Cells In Vitro and In Vivo for Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) Type 2 mRNA and Protein Expression: Possible Relationship of Induced NOS2 to the Anti–Hepatitis C Effects of IFN-α In Vivo

Although researchers have noted high level activation of rodent mononuclear phagocytes for nitric oxide (NO) synthase type 2 (S2) expression and NO production with a variety of agents such as interferon (IFN) γ and endotoxin, it has been difficult to demonstrate activation of human mononuclear phagocytes. The purpose of this study was to determine if IFN-α serves as an activator in vitro and in vivo in humans. Treatment of normal monocytes or mononuclear cells in vitro with IFN-α caused a dose-dependent increase in monocyte NOS2 activity and NO production, and increased expression of NOS2 protein and mRNA expression. To determine if in vivo administration of IFN-α also modulated NOS2, we studied blood cells from patients with hepatitis C before and after IFN-α therapy. Untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection had levels of NOS activity and NOS2 antigen in freshly isolated mononuclear cells similar to those of healthy subjects, and they expressed minimal or no NOS2 mRNA. However, IFN-α treatment of patients with hepatitis C infection was associated with a significant elevation in mononuclear cell NOS activity, NOS2 antigen content, and NOS2 mRNA content. IFN-α–treated patients had significant decreases in levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and plasma hepatitis C mRNA. The degree of IFN-α–enhanced mononuclear cell NOS2 antigen content correlated significantly with the degree of reduction in serum alanine aminotransferase levels. Thus, IFN-α treatment of cells in vitro or administration of IFN-α to hepatitis C patients in vivo increases expression of mononuclear cell NOS2 mRNA expression, NOS activity, NOS2 antigen expression, and NO production. Since NO has been reported to have antiviral activity for a variety of viruses, we speculate that induced NO production may be related to the antiviral action(s) of IFN-α in hepatitis C infection.
Aquarium science: The substance behind an image

A change occurring in commercial aquaria is transforming them from centers of entertainment to places that emphasize education, science, and wildlife conservation. If this transformation is to be authentic, it must be based on a greater understanding of the animals in their captive environment. A stronger scientific basis for husbandry management, education, and conservation is needed. A systems approach to aquariology, aimed at both the individual holding facility and the aquarium institution, is suggested. A science of “aquariology,” i.e., the study of animals in controlled aquatic systems, needs to be advanced, and a program instituted in which research, management, education, and conservation goals are integrated. Aquarium science should emphasize an ecosystem approach and consider the evolutionary history of the species held. Exhibits could focus on the role of organisms in ecosystems to better encourage public understanding and support for aquatic conservation. A systems approach could also facilitate communications among managers, staff, and outside experts, as well as contribute to the long-term care of the organisms and their capacity to adapt. A systems approach is essential if the aquarium image is based more on understanding and conserving aquatic life and less on public relations and exploitation of wild species. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cost utility of prostate cancer chemoprevention with dutasteride in men with an elevated prostate specific antigen.

Background: In the Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) trial, dutasteride reduced the relative risk of prostate cancer (CaP) diagnosis over a 4-year period by 22.8%, but questions remain regarding the cost–effectiveness of widespread utilization. We evaluated the cost utility of chemoprevention using dutasteride in men at elevated risk for CaP. Methods: A Markov decision analysis model with probabilistic sensitivity analysis was designed to determine the lifetime prostate-health-related costs, beginning at age 50, for men treated with dutasteride compared with placebo who are at elevated risk for CaP. Model assumptions were based on data in REDUCE; surveillance, epidemiology, and end-results program; literature review of costs, utilities, and transition rates among various prostate cancer health states; and local institutional cost data. Results: Under the assumptions of the base case analysis, dutasteride chemoprevention is associated with a gain of 108 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) per 1,000 men and the quality-adjusted cost–effectiveness ratio for dutasteride compared with men not receiving chemoprevention was $140,240 per QALYs. At a cost of $626 per year, down from the current cost of $1,400, the model predicts a cost benefit from dutasteride with a willingness-to-pay threshold lower than $50 K. Assuming a 15% period prevalence renders, an incremental cost–effectiveness ratio of $576,630 per QALYs and a 30% period prevalence would yield a $98,059 per QALYs. Conclusions: Dutasteride is unlikely to be cost effective when considering the impact on survival differences among treated versus untreated groups. However, chemoprevention may be cost effective in high-risk populations when taking into consideration adjustments for the impact on quality of life. Cancer Prev Res; 4(2); 277–83. ©2010 AACR .
Quasi-3D analysis of free vibration of anisotropic plates

The subject of the present work is multilayered finite elements that are able to furnish an accurate description of both strain and stress fields. The formulation of the finite elements is based upon Reissners mixed variational theorem (RMVT), which allows one to assume two independent fields for displacements and transverse stress variables. The resulting advanced finite elements can describe, a priori, the interlaminar continuous transverse shear and normal stress fields, and the so called C 0 -requirements can be satisfied. This paper is mainly concerned about the vibrations of multilayered plates. The present FEM formulation is validated by comparing the results with both the literature and the commercial code NASTRAN. To conduct the assessment, five challenging benchmarks with different boundary conditions and lamination schemes are considered. For each benchmark, the first four nondimensional frequencies are calculated and a few modes are presented. It can be concluded that the present quasi-3D layer-wise formulation has a very good agreement with respect to the more computationally expensive three-dimensional FEM formulations. Moreover, the displacement and transverse stresses are computed a priori without any operation of post-processing. Therefore, the present results can be used as reference numbers for testing other new FEM models. � 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Electron-excited energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry in the variable pressure scanning electron microscope (EDS/VPSEM): it's not microanalysis anymore!

X-ray spectra suffer significantly degraded spatial resolution when measured in the variable-pressure scanning electron microscope (VPSEM, chamber pressure 1 Pa to 2500 Pa) as compared to highvacuum SEM (operating pressure 0.1 mass fraction), minor (0.01 ≤ C ≤ 0.1), and trace (C < 0.01) constituent levels can be estimated. NIST DTSA-II for Java-platforms is available free at: http://www.cstl.nist.gov/div837/837.02/epq/dtsa2/index.html).
How Values Shape Concerns about Privacy for Self and Others

In this globally connected world, maintaining information privacy has become an issue to both individuals and societies. People from different cultural backgrounds not only perceive the importance of privacy differently but also may differ in terms of how they assess the sensitivity of private information, which might consequently affect their disclosure behaviors. Studying privacy concerns through cultural-values has received some attention but several gaps exist that call for further investigations. In this research-in-progress, we extend this research area by adopting Schwartz’s theory to study the critical roles that personal and social values play in shaping concerns about privacy. Specifically, we plan to examine the impact of values on concerns about privacy for both self and others, and how these concerns influence self-disclosure behaviors. We aim to test our research model in different cultures (U.S., Europe, and Asia) while accounting for different contexts (social networks, online retail websites, and health websites).
SURGES AND WAVES GENERATED BY SHIPS IN A CONSTRICTED CHANNEL

A study of surges and waves was initiated because of serious bank erosion along the Sabine-Neches Waterway, located in East Texas. The Waterway provides ship access from the Gulf of Mexico to Port Arthur and Beaumont. The design water depth in the ship channel is 12.12 m (40 ft). The 1978 tonnage of ships using the waterway was 69,740,900 tons (1). The highway on the east bank of the Waterway between Port Arthur and Mesquite Pt. leading to Louisiana had to be relocated several times because of bank erosion. The erosion was thought to be principally caused by ship traffic generating surges and waves. The main purpose of the study was to: 1. evaluate the magnitude of surges and waves generated by ships using the Waterway, 2. evaluate bank erosion potential, and 3. evaluate and recommend the most economical structural measures to prevent further bank erosion. The results of this first part of the study are reported in this paper.
Population Loss and Gain in the Rare Butterfly Euphydryas gillettii (Nymphalidae)

ABSTRACT. Fourteen populations of the montane butterfly E. gillettii Barnes were surveyed initially during 1982–1984 and again during 2002–2006 to assess reasons for decline, extirpation, and colonization. Surveys were conducted by counting egg masses at each site soon after the flight period. Seven of the 14 populations disappeared between the two surveys because of vegetative succession, drying of meadow habitats, and isolation from other colonies. Populations at low elevations and low latitude were more likely to die out; colonies that were part of a metapopulation were more likely to survive. One population reestablished at a high elevation site where the habitat remained moist. The vegetation had changed conspicuously at all sites where the butterflies were extirpated, with climate change being implicated in the drying of the habitats. Given the modest number of known populations, continued attention to the status of the species is warranted.
Demonstration of Santoku: optimizing machine learning over normalized data

Advanced analytics is a booming area in the data management industry and a hot research topic. Almost all toolkits that implement machine learning (ML) algorithms assume that the input is a single table, but most relational datasets are not stored as single tables due to normalization. Thus, analysts often join tables to obtain a denormalized table. Also, analysts typically ignore any functional dependencies among features because ML toolkits do not support them. In both cases, time is wasted in learning over data with redundancy. We demonstrate Santoku, a toolkit to help analysts improve the performance of ML over normalized data. Santoku applies the idea of factorized learning and automatically decides whether to denormalize or push ML computations through joins. Santoku also exploits database dependencies to provide automatic insights that could help analysts with exploratory feature selection. It is usable as a library in R, which is a popular environment for advanced analytics. We demonstrate the benefits of Santoku in improving ML performance and helping analysts with feature selection.
A Review of Family Therapy in Residential Settings

This article provides an overview of the history of family involvement in residential treatment as well as a synthesis of the research showing family-centered interventions and outcomes for youth in residential settings. There are many methods for engaging families in residential treatment that are discussed in the literature; however, there is a significant gap as the field has not yet identified specific family therapy approaches that demonstrate efficacy in working with youth and their families in this particular setting. A review of the literature over the past 10 years will highlight the emerging family therapy models being utilized in this setting, which include multiple-family group intervention, family-directed structural therapy, and narrative family therapy. The article will also include a discussion of three major, well-established theoretical approaches that have been found to be effective in working with youth with conduct issues and show promise in treating youth and families in the complex setting of residential treatment: brief strategic family therapy, multi systemic therapy, and functional family therapy.
LOW-VELOCITY IMPACT RESPONSE OF ORTHOTROPIC PLATES USING A HIGHER-ORDER THEORY

The problem of low-velocity impact response of orthotropic plates is investigated in this paper using a higher-order theory. The theory incorporates the transverse normal strcss and rotatory inertia elrects and fulIills the shcar stress conditions on the bounding surfaces. Numerical illustrations for both orthotropic and transverselyisotropic plates are presented. It is found that the effcct of the transverse normal stress term is critically important when a relativcly thick plate is involved. In contrast to the first-order shear deformation theory, the initial in-plane stresses are found to intensify the llexural stress components. A coniparative study shows that misleading results may he obtained when the classical theory is applied to cornpositc plates.
Politics as War by Other Means: The International Community and Party System Entrenchment After Civil Wars

This paper seeks to understand how the international community pursued party system change in Cambodia and Timor Leste while it had legal political control. It argues that the international community sought to make parties have more local responsiveness, be less ethnically exclusive, campaign more on substantive policy issues, and be more tolerant of opposition. However, civil wars in these countries gave the groups that fought the civil war qualities that make them resistant to the international community’s goals. These included the local networks that facilitate patronage and violence against opposition, strong emotional attachment to wartime causes, and pervasive poverty. I trace the efforts of the international community to create better parties in Cambodia and Timor Leste and show how these parties resisted these changes.