cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving publication quality by reducing bias with double-blind reviewing and author response

Because scientific progress depends on peer-reviewing, it behooves researchers to ensure that evaluations are as error free as possible and of the highest possible quality. However, scientists are human and humans have emotions and biases. The reviewing process acknowledges our humanity. In particular, single-blind reviewing never reveals the reviewers’ identity to the authors, in order to protect reviewers from author retribution. All the conference, journal, and grant processes of which I am aware use at least single-blind reviewing. Some also use double-blind reviewing. In addition to not revealing reviewer identities, the authors’ identities are not known to the reviewers, for most of the double-blind reviewing process. The purpose of double-blind reviewing is to focus the evaluation process on the quality of the submission by reducing human biases with respect to the authors’ reputation, gender, and institution, by not revealing those details. Compared to single-blind reviewing, every study so far shows double-blind reviewing improves the outcome of the process. Many ACM conferences sponsored by SIGPLAN, SIGARCH, SIGMETRICS, SIGMICRO, and SIGMOD [1, 6], some computer science journals, such as TODS [4], and many journals in other disciplines, such as The Journal of Finance [2], successfully use double-blind reviewing. The SIGPLAN PLDI community significantly prefers doubleblind reviewing. In the 2007 PLDI attendee survey, we had 148 responses from 334 attendees (a 44% response rate). Respondents indicated double-blind reviewing was: very useful (40), useful (50), neutral (30), not useful (14), or harmful (4). Only 19% were opposed to it and 60% support it. I recommend that SIGPLAN require all its conferences and journals to use double-blind reviewing for evaluating research submissions, and furthermore that SIGPLAN advocates for an ACM wide policy that requires double-blind reviewing. In the remainder of this editorial, I point to some of the literature and scientific studies on reviewing, discuss the types of biases that double-blind reviewing helps minimize, and suggest implementation strategies. These strategies include (1) author response, (2) an external review committee (instead of ad hoc external reviews and in addition to the program committee), and (3) to minimize errors, revealing authors before making final decisions, but of course after
Search for a T=2 dibaryon.

We have made a good-resolution, high-sensitivity search for a {ital T}=2 dibaryon in the missing-mass spectra for the reaction {ital d}({pi}{sup {minus}},{pi}{sup +}){pi}{sup {minus}}nn at 292 MeV. Our results are consistent with there being no resonance peak due to such a state in the mass region 2001--2070 MeV. 95%-confidence upper limits for the integrated cross sections for such a state are presented. It is found that a quasifree model calculation, without final-state interactions, considerably underpredicts the continuum yield in the vicinity of the threshold.
Saddle-Point Approximations, Integrodifference Equations, and Invasions

Invasion, the growth in numbers and spatial spread of a population over time, is a fundamental process in ecology. Governments and businesses expend vast sums to prevent and control invasions of pests and pestilences and to promote invasions of endangered species and biological control agents. Many mathematical models of biological invasions use nonlinear integrodifference equations to describe the growth and dispersal processes and to predict the speed of invasion fronts. Linear models have received less attention, perhaps because they are difficult to simulate for large times. In this paper, we use the saddle-point method, alias the method of steepest descent, to derive asymptotic approximations for the solutions of linear integrodifference equations. We work through five examples, for Gaussian, Laplace, and uniform dispersal kernels in one dimension and for asymmetric Gaussian and radially symmetric Laplace kernels in two dimensions. Our approximations are extremely close to the exact solutions, even for intermediate times. We also employ an empirical saddle-point approximation to predict densities using dispersal data. We use our approximations to examine the effects of censored dispersal data on estimates of invasion speed and population density.
Tasting the World: Food in Early European Travel Narratives

Descriptions of foods and food practices in early European travel narratives constitute a crucial dimension of representations of non-Europeans in Asia and the Americas. A very preliminary comparison of seven travel narratives suggests a fundamental change in attitudes beginning in the seventeenth century. Earlier narratives are far more likely to express wonder at the abundance of foods associated with high rank, but also horror of unclean meats and especially of cannibalism, while at the same time rhetorically familiarizing foreign foodstuffs. Seventeenth century sources, on the contrary, deliberately stress the exotic nature of such foods through visceral reactions of delight and especially distaste, employing a tone of ironic detachment. This change in tone occurs at a time when European consumption of exotic products, especially foods, ceases to be a luxury reserved exclusively for the highest strata of society. These changes in patterns of consumption in turn modified attitudes of Europeans to non-E...
Appraisal of marketing approaches for consultation-liaison psychiatry

The high prevalence of undetected and undertreated mental disorders in the general health care sector suggests that the active "marketing" strategies proposed in these articles are overdue. However, a more extensive data base that documents the need for psychiatric involvement in the medical setting and assesses the capacities of other mental health professionals to substitute for consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatrists in clinical care, teaching, and research is urgently needed and will prove to be the most potent marketing tool available to the specialty.
Collaborative Learning and Innovative Assessment in Humanitarian Studies

This article examines a multiyear project funded by the Teagle Foundation to assess student learning in humanitarian studies. It explores outcomes derived from developing a collaborative learning approach to humanitarian action that emphasizes both cross-campus and cross-institutional peer-to-peer learning and exchange. Faculty, staff, and students from Fairfield, Fordham, and Georgetown Universities worked together as members of the Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN) to design an innovative and comprehensive assessment process for curricular programs in humanitarian studies, as well as courses with significant humanitarian content. In particular, we focus on the value of establishing cognitive and affective learning objectives, developing tools and methods to assess learning (for example, rubrics and vignettes), demonstrating use of these tools through piloting and data analysis, and closing the assessment “loop.” As the first of its kind assessment strategy for humanitarian studies at the undergraduate level, we argue that these efforts make important inroads in establishing a common baseline for measuring learning in the burgeoning field of humanitarian studies. They also contribute to preparing individuals for futures in the humanitarian profession and to becoming “men and women for and with others.”
Response of secondary containment to presence of sodium and hydrogen

As part of an effort to demonstrate that the risk to the public from extremely low probability events in liquid metal fast breeder reactors is bound within an acceptable envelope, containment pressurization by sodium and hydrogen was evaluated. Temperature and pressure histories are presented for typical sodium spray and pool fires and sodium vapor reactions. A review of mechanisms for hydrogen generation and recombination as well as limit for flammability and autocatalytic recombination is provided, and general containment design options to reduce risk are discussed.
Evaluation of an emergency cardiac transport system

A university-based cardiac transport system was developed for the safe transfer of critically ill cardiac patients from community hospitals to a tertiary care facility. During the first year of operation, 50 patients were transported, 41 (82%) by ambulance and 9 (18%) by helicopter, from 24 hospitals in four New England states. The average response time from hospital request to transport team arrival was 75 minutes. Seventy-eight percent of these patients were unstable at the time of transfer. Hypotension or cardiogenic shock (39%), ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (16%), and severe and recurrent chest pain (12%) were the most common conditions for which the team was summoned. Forty-six percent required invasive procedures for stabilization prior to transport, and one-third of patients required active intervention, including defibrillation, during transfer to the tertiary care facility. The majority (62%) of transferred patients underwent significant hospital procedures, and 75% of admitted patients were discharged from the hospital. Our initial experience indicates that transport of critically ill cardiac patients in need of advanced care can be accomplished in a rapid and efficient manner with a relatively good short-term prognosis.
Deposition and modification of a flood layer on the northern California shelf: lessons from and about the fate of terrestrial particulate organic carbon

The 1995 flood of the Eel River in northern California provided an opportunity to follow the short-term history of riverine particulate matter on a continental shelf. Particulate organic carbon, including both vascular plant debris and soil carbon, was utilized as a tracer of the distribution and modification of the shelf flood deposit. These components were sorted during initial emplacement of the deposit, both in the river plume and in the benthic boundary layer. During the 8 months following the flood, lateral transport, shallow burial, and bioturbation contributed to spatial changes in the amount and character of carbon in the flood deposit. Study of the deposit suggests that this and previous flood layers may be preserved in the shelf and upper slope stratigraphic record as clay-rich beds with relatively high carbon to nitrogen ratios and more negative δ13C values than background, non-flood sediment. Concentrations of vascular plant debris are locally characteristic of such layers, and may serve as distinctive stratigraphic markers. Investigation of organic carbon in the 1995 flood layer on the Eel River shelf provides insight into the fate of terrestrial particulate carbon on continental margins in general. Flooding of the Eel River, and of similar river systems draining mountainous terrains, introduces large quantities of terrestrial carbon to the marine environment and may favor the preservation of both terrestrial and marine carbon. The abundant woody vascular plant debris discharged during floods is especially likely to survive oxidation and sulfate reduction in the shallower zones of the seabed. This study reveals the dominant role that physical and biological processes may play in attenuating the terrestrial organic-carbon signal on shelves over monthly to yearly time scales.
The management of gallstone pancreatitis in the era of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

W hen we wrote an editorial opinion 5 years ago on the proper timing of surgery in gallstone pancreatitis, we never dreamed how much the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1989 would change current management. For the traditional open cholecystectomy and cholangiogram we recommended a delay of at least 3 days in the more severe cases to allow acute symptoms to subside, but operation before hospital charge.’ Now immediate endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is being widely urged to abort the acute attack. It is also being performed with increasing frequency because laparoscopic cholecystectomy is planned. The indications for urgent ERCP are very limited in gallstone pancreatitis. In the retrospective reviews of experience with this procedure, including sphincterotomy and stone extraction if needed, the benefits are uncertain and the complication rate is the expected 3-4%. Two comprehensive, prospective, and randomized studies of early ERCP have been published. In both studies the cases were stratified into mild and severe groups. Both included sphincteroplasty and stone extraction whenever stones were encountered. In both studies early ERCP did not alter the course of mild pancreatitis. In severe pancreatitis, Fan and colleagues found fewer bouts of septic cholangitis (0% vs 12%) when ERCP was performed within the first 24 hours. This was the only statistically significant benefit. This study was conducted in Hong Kong, where many patients have large soft primary stones in the common duct, so that these results may not be applicable to a non-Asian population. Neoptolemos and colleagues conducted their studies in England, where ERCP within 72 hours reduced complications significantly ( 18% of 22 cases having ERCP, vs 54% of 24 cases treated conventionally), but only in the severe cases.“’ These are relatively small numbers, so that more time and cases are needed. These results differ from the results in a randomized study of timing for open cholecystectomy. In both severe and mild cases the removal of an impacted ampullary stone did not ameliorate the progression of the pancreatitis.4
Modification of the block child rearing practices report

Factor analyzed the Block Child Rearing Practices Report (CRPR), which consists of 91 socialization-relevant statements. Studies have noted that the CRPR lacks homogeneity from sample to sample because of the large number of determined factors (28–33). The CRPR was administered to 95 parents from an urban and suburban school district and 211 undergraduates majoring in psychology in the form of a questionnaire that utilized a 6-point Likert type scale. Two factors were determined by analysis of the questionnaire using the Likert type format: Restrictiveness and Nurturance. Forty items of the original 91 loaded on the identified two factors. When the intended Q-sort format was administered to 150 undergraduate psychology students for cross validation, these two factors were identified further as stable dimensions. The results indicate that the modified 40-item Likert format of the CRPR facilitates administration and interpretation of the scale, without impeding reliability, and enhances its usefulness as an effective instrument in program evaluation.
Nonlinear Fabry–Perot action and optical bistability of a dielectric cladded thin film near the total internal reflection state

A nonlinear thin film bounded by two dielectric media could act as an optical switching and bistability device, owing to two physical mechanisms at work near the total internal reflection state. One is the simple intensity-dependent index change induced by the finite optical field in the film before transmission occurs, and the other is the nonlinear Fabry-Perot interference associated with the high reflectivities at the two interfaces when transmission takes place. We present a detailed theory for these two mechanisms and for the case in which the nonlinearity is also nonlocal (e.g., in a liquid-crystal film). The results for multiple switchings and hysteresis hold in general for any nonlinear thin film.
Optimum morphological filtering to remove speckle noise from SAR images

Speckle together with usual additive noises cause severe degradation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images. Spatial averaging is the commonly used technique for removing speckle noise. However, this technique reduces image resolution appreciably and as a result the image is blurred. Morphological closings and openings offer a better way to reduce the speckle noise without blurring the image. In this paper we have introduced new operators to remove dark or bright spots which can not fit inside the boundary of a convex 2D structuring element. Any region that can not fit inside the boundary is preserved. A multiscale filtering process is required to remove noise spots of different sizes. While using samples images for processing at higher scales, a preprocessing is required before the sampling to retain important image features that may be lost in sampling. Finally, the paper presents an algorithm that ensures that no distortion is introduced in the final image as a result of intermediate sampling and reconstruction steps. We have used this algorithm to filter the noise in SAR images obtained at different wavelengths. The present technique is remarkably more successful in restoring complex image details than either spatial averaging or morphological filtering using median operators.
Dielectric and conduction effects in non-Ohmic electrorheological fluids

Dielectric and conduction effects in electrorheological (ER) suspensions with non-Ohmic conductivity of the host liquid and with ac applied electric field are investigated. It is found that the conductivity ratio ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}},$ the non-Ohmic conductivity parameters $A$ and ${E}_{c}$ of the host oil, the dielectric constant ratio ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\varepsilon}},$ and the applied field frequency are important parameters that determine ER response. The effects of these parameters are more complex than in the case of host liquids with simple Ohmic conductivity. If the ac field frequency is high, the conductivity effect disappears; if the frequency is low the dielectric effect disappears. The current density is independent of the frequency below a critical value, but it increases with frequency beyond the critical value. The critical frequency is larger for ER suspensions having non-Ohmic conductivity of the host liquid than with Ohmic conductivity. Good agreement occurs between experimental measurements of the current density and attractive force between particles (including shear yield stress) and predictions by our model.
Isotopic studies of Mg, Fe, Mo, Ru and W in Fremdlinge from Allende refractory inclusions

The isotopic abundances of Mg, Fe, Mo, Ru and W in Fremdlinge and a refractory metal nugget in coarse-grained, Ca-Al-rich inclusions from the Allende meteorite have been determined using the PANURGE ion microprobe. These data represent the first measurement of the isotopic composition of Fremdlinge. No evidence for large, non-mass-dependent deviations (≳1%) from normal solar isotopic abundances was found for any of the elements measured. The only hint, of a nonlinear isotopic anomaly is for Mo in Fremdling 1 of Allende inclusion 5171; the measured ^(100)Mo/^(98)Mo ratio lies slightly more than two standard deviations above the value measured in standards. Isotopic variations due to mass-dependent fractionation are suggested for Mo in two Fremdlinge, Zelda of Egg 6 and Fremdling 1 of 5171, and for Ru in a refractory metal nugget in the FUN inclusion Cl. Mo is enriched in the lighter isotopes by ~ 4‰/amu and ~ 9‰/amu, respectively, while Ru is enriched in the heavier isotopes by ~ 4‰/amu. Despite their unusual mineralogy and extreme enrichment in refractory siderophile elements, Fremdlinge do not contain an enhanced component from a single nucleosynthetic source, but appear to contain the normal solar system mixture of є-, s-, and r-process material. While the possibility that some Fremdlinge may have formed under presolar conditions cannot be excluded, we believe that the chemical, petrologic and isotopic data are most plausibly interpreted in terms of the origin of Fremdlinge within the solar nebula.
Ischemic complications after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

The ischemic complications ofpercutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) include abrupt closure, which occurs in 2% to 10% of patients and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Periprocedural myocardial infarction due to side branch occlusion or embolization of platelet aggregates or thrombus occurs in 5% to 20% of patients. Patients with acute coronary syndromes, older age, and complex lesions are at greater risk of periprocedural complications. Technical advances, primarily stenting, are useful in the prevention and management of acute closure, but are also accompanied by thrombotic complications. It remains to be seen whether the new antithrombin agents reduce the rate of periprocedural complications if used in combination with aspirin and new antiplatelet therapies. These new antiplatelet agents (ticlopidine, clopidogrel, abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban) reduce the rate of ischemic complications and have become standard adjunctive therapy for patients who undergo PTCA.
Pseudoaneurysms of the ascending aorta following coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background: Ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms following prior cardiac procedures are a rare entity. We reviewed our institutional experience given the isolated case reports in the literature. Methods: A 10-year retrospective review identified 5 patients who underwent ascending aorta pseudoaneurysm repair. There were 3 women and 2 men with a median age of 70 years (range 63 to 79 years). Median duration from initial CABG to pseudoaneurysm repair was 5 years (range 5 months to 18 years). The clinical presentations included dyspnoea (2 patients), chest pain, fever of unknown origin, and a pulsatile mass. Four patients underwent urgent investigation and surgery. Diagnosis was established via CT scan (3 patients), transesophageal echocardiogram (1 patient), and MRA (1 patient). Two patients had a prior history of sternal wound infection. Results: Mortality was 60%. One survivor experienced a stroke. The etiology was prior cannulation site in 4 cases and vein graft anastamotic site in 1. Necrotic aortic tissue was noticed in 2 cases. Aortic tissue cultures were negative in all the patients. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established prior to sternotomy in 4 cases and 1 case was performed off-pump. Inadvertent rupture of the pseudoaneurysm (without exsanguination) occurred in 2 cases following sternotomy. Repair was performed with bovine pericardial patch in 2 cases and plication in 3 cases. Conclusion: This highlights the varied presentation, necessity for urgent diagnosis and repair with a high operative mortality due to the late presentation. Aggressive diagnosis should be sought and consideration should be given to catheter-based interventions for initial treatment.
Differential effects of spinal cord gray and white matter on process outgrowth from grafted human NTERA2 neurons (NT2N, hNT).

To investigate host effects on grafts of pure, postmitotic, human neurons, we assessed the morphologic and molecular phenotype of purified NTera2N (NT2N, hNT) neurons implanted into the spinal cord of athymic nude mice. NT2N neurons were implanted into both spinal cord gray matter and white matter of neonatal, adolescent, and adult mice and were evaluated at postimplantation times up to 15 months. NT2N neurons remained at the implantation site and showed process integration into all host areas, and each graft exhibited similar phenotypic features regardless of location or host age at implantation. Evidence of host oligodendrocyte ensheathment of NT2N neuronal processes was seen, and grafted NT2N neurons acquired and maintained the morphologic and molecular phenotype of mature neurons. The microenvironments of host gray matter and white matter appear to exert differential effects on implanted neuronal processes, because consistent differences were noted in the morphologies of graft processes extending into white matter versus gray matter. NT2N processes extended for long distances (>2 cm) within white matter, whereas NT2N processes located within gray matter had shorter trajectories. This suggests that NT2N neurons integrate similarly into spinal cord gray matter and white matter, but they extend processes that respond differentially to gray matter and white matter cues. Further studies of the model system described here may identify the host molecular signals that support and direct integration of grafted human neurons as well as the outgrowth of their processes in the nervous system.
Promoter anchored amplified polymorphism based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (PAAP-RAPD) in cotton

Non-coding sequences account for a majority of the higher plant genome, some of which have important effects in gene regulation and plant development. In an effort to develop molecular marker systems to search for polymorphisms associated with high fiber yield and quality in cotton, we have developed a methodology that could specifically target the regulatory regions of the cotton genome. In this study we designed 10-nucleotide degenerate promoter primers based on conserved core promoter sequences and tested their applicability in PCR amplifications in combination with 10-mer random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. The amplified markers are called promoter anchored amplified polymorphism based on RAPD (PAAP-RAPD). Forty cotton genotypes with diverse genetic and geographical backgrounds were used to test the PAAP-RAPD system using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Based on PAAP-RAPD markers amplified from 12 primer combinations, the 40 genotypes were classified into five distinctive groups: two Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) groups from China, another two Upland cotton groups from the USA, and one group from American Pima cotton (G. barbadense). The groupings are in general consistent with their genetic and geographical origins. Thirty-six PAAP-RAPD and RAPD fragments were cloned and four of them were further subjected to sequence analysis. Signal scanning using software PLACE confirmed that they contained an array of cis-regulatory sequences in addition to the core promoter sequences. The results demonstrate the potential application of PAAP-RAPD as a new marker system specifically targeting regulatory regions of the plant genome.
λ-Rings and Chern Classes

This chapter describes first the basic ring structure of the objects to be encountered later in a more geometric context. The algebra involved is elementary and self-contained. We have axiomatized certain notions which originally arose in the theory of vector bundles. Actually we work with two rings, one of them usually graded. We also develop the formalism of Hirzebruch polynomials, which belongs to the basic theory of symmetric functions. We have preserved original names like Chern classes, Todd character, etc., although the algebra involved here deals only with a pair of rings and some elementary formal manipulation of power series, independently of the geometry from which they came.
A Novel Compound Inhibits Reconstituted High-Density Lipoprotein Assembly and Blocks Nascent High-Density Lipoprotein Biogenesis Downstream of Apolipoprotein AI Binding to ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1–Expressing Cells

Objective— Nascent high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles form from cellular lipids and extracellular lipid-free apolipoprotein AI (apoAI) in a process mediated by ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1). We have sought out compounds that inhibit nascent HDL biogenesis without affecting ABCA1 activity. Methods and Results— Reconstituted HDL (rHDL) formation and cellular cholesterol efflux assays were used to show that 2 compounds that bond via hydrogen with phospholipids inhibit rHDL and nascent HDL production. In rHDL formation assays, the inhibitory effect of compound 1 (methyl 3α-acetoxy-7α,12α-di[(phenylaminocarbonyl)amino]-5β-cholan-24-oate), the more active of the 2, depended on its ability to associate with phospholipids. In cell assays, compound 1 suppressed ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux to apoAI, the 18A peptide, and taurocholate with high specificity, without affecting ABCA1-independent cellular cholesterol efflux to HDL and endocytosis of acetylated low-density lipoprotein and transferrin. Furthermore, compound 1 did not affect ABCA1 activity adversely, as ABCA1-mediated shedding of microparticles proceeded unabated and apoAI binding to ABCA1-expressing cells increased in its presence. Conclusion— The inhibitory effects of compound 1 support a 3-step model of nascent HDL biogenesis: plasma membrane remodeling by ABCA1, apoAI binding to ABCA1, and lipoprotein particle assembly. The compound inhibits the final step, causing accumulation of apoAI in ABCA1-expressing cells.
Predicting Americans’ Exposure to Political Talk Radio in 1996, 1998, and 2000

This article draws on the 1996-2000 National Election Studies to look at the size of political talk radio’s audience and to identify the factors predicting exposure. Interest in politics and distru...
The spherical tearing mode

[1] The spherical tearing mode is the three-dimensional analog of the classical tearing mode in two dimensions. In three dimensions, loops of field lines connecting magnetic nulls play the role of separatrices. A numerical study of the tearing instability of a three-dimensional analytic equilibrium containing a closed spherical tearing surface composed of null-null lines is presented. A new fast tearing instability is identified. Implications of this model for global models of reconnection at the dayside magnetopause are discussed.
Screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis among healthcare workers at low, moderate, and high risk for tuberculosis exposure: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cost-effective screening and treatment strategies for healthcare workers (HCWs) at risk for tuberculosis exposure. DESIGN: A Markov model was developed to track three hypothetical cohorts of HCWs at low, moderate, and high risk for tuberculosis exposure. For those found to be tuberculin reactors at entry, the choice was for isoniazid treatment or no treatment. For those without tuberculin reactivity, the choice of screening intervals was 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or 5 years. Outcomes measured were tuberculosis cases, death, life expectancy, and cost. Assumptions were derived from published data and analyses. RESULTS: Treatment of initial reactors with isoniazid in all three risk groups was associated with a net savings of $14,800 to $15,700 for each tuberculosis case prevented. For those without evidence of infection at entry, the most cost-effective screening interval was 1 year for high-risk groups, 2 years for moderaterisk groups, and 5 years for low-risk groups, with a net savings $0.20 to $26 per HCW per year. Screening at a more frequent interval was still cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: For HCWs found to be tuberculin reactors, treatment of their latent infection is to their benefit and is associated with a net cost-savings. Regular tuberculin screening of HCWs can be cost-effective or result in a net cost-savings. Each institution could use its own skin test surveillance data to create an optimum screening program for its employees. However, for most HCWs, a 1-year screening interval would be a cost-effective and safe choice (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2004;25:1056-1061).
Colonial and Post-Colonial Elaborations of Avataric Evolutionism

. Avataric evolutionism is the idea that ancient Hindu myths of Vishnu's ten incarnations foreshadowed Darwinian evolution. In a previous essay I examined the late nineteenth-century origins of the theory in the works of Keshub Chunder Sen and Madame Blavatsky. Here I consider two major figures in the history of avataric evolutionism in the early twentieth century, N. B. Pavgee, a Marathi Brahmin deeply involved in the question of Aryan origins, and Aurobindo Ghose, political activist turned mystic. Pavgee, unlike Keshub, used avataric evolutionism in expounding his nationalistic goals for an independent India. His rationale was bolstered by the idea that India was the fountainhead of all science and civilization. Aurobindo saw in avataric evolutionism a possible key to understanding the involution and evolution of the supreme spirit in the realm of matter as taught in traditional Vedanta. This material-spiritual evolution represented for Aurobindo the necessary knowledge for the true liberation of India, transcending purely political independence. Such knowledge he also saw as the means for the spiritual liberation of the whole of humankind. The processes of involution and evolution he claimed were not in conflict with modern science, and Western evolutionary thinking seems to have inspired many of his own evolutionary reflections, even though in the end he rejected the Darwinian transmutation of species. I conclude with an overview and assessment of recent, post-colonial Hindu assimilations of avataric evolutionism.
Reply to Bhosle and Sansgiry

We appreciate this opportunity to respond to and support the importance of pharmacists in the medication use process in computerized physician order entry (CPOE) environments. While in reports of our research we have not explicitly proposed new roles or workflow practices for the pharmacist in CPOE settings, our findings do support Bhosle and Sansgiry's recommendation that inclusion of pharmacists as part of a multidisciplinary “team approach” is essential for successful CPOE implementation. However, while we believe that pharmacy practice will change significantly due to CPOE, we do not believe that computer-aided pharmacist order entry in the narrow sense described by Bhosle and Sansgiry could fulfill the promise of CPOE. Due to the current focus on patient safety, and reduction of medication errors in particular,1 inclusion of the skills and domain knowledge of the pharmacist is vital in the order entry process. Our research team has been fortunate in having a pharmacist (JDC) as a team member since 2000. He has authored a paper describing the role of the pharmacist related to CPOE, and his research indicates that pharmacist roles in patient and staff education, monitoring, and gathering and recording reliable allergy and medication histories may be expanded in CPOE environments.2 Informants in that …
Comparison of the Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments with the pressure-specifying sensory device

Measuring human sensibility remains a challenge, with the primary limitation being the instrumentation traditionally available. The Pressure-Specifying Sensory Device (PSD) permits quantitation of the human pressure perception threshold by means of transducers that couple two rounded prongs to a personal computer. If just one prong is perceived in constant contact with the skin, the cutaneous pressure threshold is directly obtained, scaling along a continuum from .05 to 100 g/mm2 (readout on computer monitor). This measurement is analogous to that obtained with the series of Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments (SWM) (readout in logarithmic marking on nylon rod). The present study evaluated twenty normal volunteers and ten nerve-impaired patients with both the PSD and the SWM. There was a poor correlation between the measurement offeree (r = 0.21) and pressure (r = 0.29) obtained with the PSD and the SWM. This study reaffirms the value of measuring pressure perception threshold during the sensibility evaluation, while calling attention to selection of instrumentation for obtaining this measurement.
Acute Regulation of Fatty Acid Oxidation and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

It is generally accepted that endothelial cells generate most of their ATP by anaerobic glycolysis and that very little ATP is derived from the oxidation of fatty acids or glucose. Previously, we have reported that, in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by the cell-permeable activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboximide riboside (AICAR) is associated with an increase in the oxidation of (3)H-palmitate. In the present study, experiments carried out with cultured HUVECs revealed the following: (1) AICAR-induced increases in palmitate oxidation during a 2-hour incubation are associated with a decrease in the concentration of malonyl coenzyme A (CoA) (an inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1), which temporally parallels the increase in AMPK activity and a decrease in the activity of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC). (2) AICAR does not stimulate either palmitate oxidation when carnitine is omitted from the medium or oxidation of the medium-chain fatty acid octanoate. (3) When intracellular lipid pools are prelabeled with (3)H-palmitate, the measured rate of palmitate oxidation is 3-fold higher, and in the presence of AICAR, it accounts for nearly 40% of calculated ATP generation. (4) Incubation of HUVECs in a glucose-free medium for 2 hours causes the same changes in AMPK, ACC, malonyl CoA, and palmitate oxidation as does AICAR. (5) Under all conditions studied, the contribution of glucose oxidation to ATP production is minimal. The results indicate that the AMPK-ACC-malonyl CoA-carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 mechanism plays a key role in the physiological regulation of fatty acid oxidation in HUVECs. They also indicate that HUVECs oxidize fatty acids from both intracellular and extracellular sources, and that when this is taken into account, fatty acids can be a major substrate for ATP generation. Finally, they suggest that AMPK is likely to be a major factor in modulating the response of the endothelium to stresses that alter its energy state.
Environmental and plant genetic effects on tri‐trophic interactions

The effects of plant genotype and environmental factors on tri-trophic interactions have usually been investigated separately, limiting our ability to compare the relative strength of these effects as well as their potential to interactively shape arthropod communities. We studied the interactions among the herb Ruellia nudiflora, a seed predator, and its parasitoids using 14 maternal plant families grown in a common garden. By fertilizing half of the plants of each family and subsequently recording fruit number, seed predator number, and parasitoid number per plant, we sought to compare the strength of plant genetic effects with those of soil fertility, and determine if these factors interactively shape tri-trophic interactions. Furthermore, we evaluated if these bottom–up factors influenced higher trophic levels through changes in abundance across trophic levels (density-mediated) or changes in the function of species interactions (traitmediated). Plant genetic effects on seed predators and parasitoids were stronger than fertilization effects. Moreover, we did not find plant genetic variation for fertilization effects on fruit, seed predator, or parasitoid abundance, showing that each factor acted independently on plant resources and higher trophic levels. Both bottom–up forces were transmitted via density-mediated effects where increased fruit number from fertilization and plant genetic effects increased seed predator and parasitoid abundance; however, seed predator attack was density-dependent, while parasitoid attack was density-independent. Importantly, there was evidence (marginally significant in one case) that fertilization modified the function of plant-seed predator and seed predator–parasitoid interactions by increasing the number of seed predators per fruit and decreasing the number of parasitoids per seed predator, respectively. These findings show that plant genetic and soil fertility effects cascaded up this simple food chain, that plant genetic effects were stronger across all trophic levels, and that these effects were transmitted independently and through contrasting mechanisms.
Statistical analysis of subthreshold leakage current for VLSI circuits

We develop a method to estimate the variation of leakage current due to both intra-die and inter-die gate length process variability. We derive an analytical expression to estimate the probability density function (PDF) of the leakage current for stacked devices found in CMOS gates. These distributions of individual gate leakage currents are then combined to obtain the mean and variance of the leakage current for an entire circuit. We also present an approach to account for both the inter- and intra-die gate length variations to ensure that the circuit leakage PDF correctly models both types of variation. The proposed methods were implemented and tested on a number of benchmark circuits. Comparison to Monte Carlo simulation validates the accuracy of the proposed method and demonstrates the efficiency of the proposed analysis method. Comparison with traditional deterministic leakage current analysis demonstrates the need for statistical methods for leakage current analysis.
Molecular dynamics simulation of ds-DNA on a gold surface at low surface coverage

Molecular dynamics methods have been used to study the conformation of ds-DNA on a gold surface for low surface coverage at the atomistic level. Each ds-DNA strand, which is attached to the [111] surface of gold with a–S(CH2)6− linker, is found to be nearly perpendicular to the surface and maintaining the Watson-Crick B-DNA conformation. The tilt angle between the ds-DNA and an axis normal to the gold surface is 7.3 ± 2.2°. The concentration of counterions around the ds-DNA is increased by a factor of 1.8 relative to the bulk, which is significantly lower than in our previous simulations of ds-DNA at high surface coverage.
THE EFFECTS OF REINFORCEMENT MAGNITUDE ON FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OUTCOMES

The duration or magnitude of reinforcement has varied and often appears to have been selected arbitrarily in functional analysis research. Few studies have evaluated the effects of reinforcement magnitude on problem behavior, even though basic findings indicate that this parameter may affect response rates during functional analyses. In the current study, 6 children with autism or developmental disabilities who engaged in severe problem behavior were exposed to three separate functional analyses, each of which varied in reinforcement magnitude. Results of these functional analyses were compared to determine if a particular reinforcement magnitude was associated with the most conclusive outcomes. In most cases, the same conclusion about the functions of problem behavior was drawn regardless of the reinforcement magnitude.
Dietary Fiber and Energy Regulation

Dietary fiber has many functions in diet, one of which may be to aid in energy intake control and reduced risk for development of obesity. The role of dietary fiber in energy intake regulation and obesity development is related to its unique physical and chemical properties that aid in early signals of satiation and enhanced or prolonged signals of satiety. Early signals of satiation may be induced through cephalic- and gastric-phase responses related to the bulking effects of dietary fiber on energy density and palatability, whereas the viscosity-producing effects of certain fibers may enhance satiety through intestinal-phase events related to modified gastrointestinal function and subsequent delay in fat absorption. The goal of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the role of dietary fiber in energy intake regulation, highlighting the relationship between fiber properties and physiologic action.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Performances of Substituted Layered Transition Metal Oxides. LiM1-yM'yO2. (M=Ni and Co. M'= B and AI)

The synthesis, characterization and electrochemical performances of lithiated nickelate and cobaltate doped with Al and B are reported. The synthesis involves solid state reaction between lithium hydroxide, nickel or cobalt oxides and several sources of aluminum and boron. Careful selection of precursors and heat treatment conditions are required to prepare single phase impurity free samples. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement analysis indicate that the layered structure is preserved upon considerable substitution of aluminum and boron. X-ray diffraction line intensities and positions remained in good agreement with the R3m space group. The IR spectra of the samples indicate formation of compressed CoO6 and NiO6, and elongated LiO6 octahedra. The IR vibrational mode of the LiO6 remains in the 200-300 cm-1 and the vibrational modes of the MO6 expand over 400-650 cm-1. Results of long charge-discharge cycling of the samples as cathode materials in lithium cells showed long cycle life. The capacity of the electrodes upon substitution were reduced almost linearly as the concentration of substitution was increased. The solubility limit for the formation of solid solutions upon substitution of Al and B in LiNiO2 and LiCoO2 was found to be around 25%. Specific capacities of the samples were between 120 to 160 mAh/g depending on the amount of substitution.
Multiple paternity in the red‐eyed treefrog Agalychnis callidryas (Cope)

DNA fingerprinting of tadpoles from two different 'one female-two male' matings of the red-eyed treefrog, Agalychnis callidryas, revealed multiple paternity of offspring. Offspring were assigned paternity based on bands shared with the putative father, but not shared between putative fathers or with the mother. Paternity was split approximately 44/56% and 36/64% in two matings. These results do not support a hypothesis of sperm priority in access to unfertilized eggs by primary males. Multiple paternity may be commonplace in species of anurans with matings by multiple males.
Integrating Temporal Streams of Image Classifications Using Evidential Reasoning for Smart Airbag Applications

In many real-time classification applications, a sequence of images are collected and classified over time. During operation, there may be times when the system may experience a variety of situations that may make the correct classification difficult or even impossible. These changes result in a new type of classification errors, namely assignable errors, rather than random errors. We propose a framework based on the theory of evidential reasoning to process a real-time sequence of image classifications results. We develop a general framework based on evidential reasoning and then demonstrate its effectiveness using Bayesian and Dempster-Shafer inference. We then compare their performance with traditional classifier combination algorithms on the application of a real-time vision system for smart automotive airbags. We show that the evidential reasoning approaches outperform traditional classifier combination method by roughly 10% and provide roughly a 20% improvement over single image decisions.
Automatic synthesis of thermodynamically feasible reaction clusters

Reaction clusters serve to carry out reactions whose thermodynamic yield is too low for practical large-scale application. They therefore play an important role in the economics of the process and can decisively control its environmental impact. Reaction cluster synthesis must address such economic and environmental considerations. This was successfilly accomplished in this work, which is the first employing an optimization technique for this task. The problem formulation ensures that all mass balances are satisfied, that all reactions are thermodynamically feasible, and that they follow certain user-defined characteristics of a generalized chemical reaction. In addition, given a set of chemical species, all clusters are identified that can represent this reaction; the ones found first are the most promising candidates. The formulation is flexible, accommodating a different number of reactions per cluster and allowing specification of many attributes by the user.
A theoretical description of ultraviolet laser ablation of organic materials

A theoretical description of the ultraviolet laser etching process is developed. The model is based on an analysis of radiation transport at high intensities, and the results agree well with all available experimental etch data for organic polymers. In its simplest form the model describes ablation by single-photon absorption of the laser light, with negligible attenuation of the laser pulse by the ablation plume. This would describe ablation of a material with a relatively high single-photon absorption coefficient and with ablation products which do not strongly absorb at the laser wavelength. The calculated curve correlates excellently with the measured ablation data for XeCl excimer laser etching of polyimide. The concepts involved should be applicable to the description of excimer laser ablation of tissues. >