cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Similar Reduction of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium on Grape Tomatoes and Its Cross-Contamination in Wash Water by Washing with Natural Antimicrobials as Compared with Chlorine Treatment

Thymol (THY), a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) compound found in thyme oil, has inhibitory effects against foodborne pathogens including Salmonella. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is another GRAS agent to effectively inactivate Salmonella. The aim of the current study was to develop a GRAS wash solution containing THY (or H2O2) and other GRAS antimicrobials (organic acids and food surfactants) that would effectively reduce Salmonella enterica on grape tomatoes and minimize cross-contamination in washing water. A systematic approach including minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration tests, inhibition zone tests, and small-scale and scaled-up tomato washing tests was used to develop such wash solutions. Grape tomatoes surface-inoculated with S. enterica Typhimurium were washed with selected solutions containing combination of 0.2 mg/ml THY, 5 % sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 2 mg/ml acetic acid (AA), 800 ppm H2O2, combination of 200 ppm H2O2 with 4 % SDS, or 200 ppm chlorine for 2 min. THY 0.2 mg/ml + SDS 5 % + AA 2 mg/ml, 800 ppm H2O2, or 200 ppm chlorine achieved around 7.5 log reductions of Salmonella on the tomatoes as compared to the control in tests involving 10 or 100 g tomatoes. More than 5.0 log reductions in the spent washing solutions (0.2 mg/ml THY + SDS 5 % + 2 mg/ml AA; 800 ppm H2O2) was observed. None of these antimicrobial washes changed the color, pH, texture, sensory quality of the tomatoes during 16-day storage at 4 and 22 °C. These treatments also achieved a 1.3 log reduction of total aerobic bacteria. Thus, washing with 0.2 mg/ml THY + SDS 5 % + 2 mg/ml AA and 800 ppm H2O2 as alternative to chlorine-based washing could be an effective method to inactivate Salmonella on tomatoes and reduce the transmission of pathogens from tomatoes to washing solutions.
Skin necrosis associated with acquired protein C deficiency in patients with renal failure and calciphylaxis.

Abstract purpose: To determine if the natural anticoagulant protein C plays a role in the pathogenesis of systemic calciphylaxis, a syndrome characterized by extensive vascular and soft tissue calcification and skin necrosis, which is similar to that seen in warfarin-induced skin necrosis. patients and methods: The study population included five patients with end-stage renal disease and systemic calciphylaxis undergoing hemodialysis, 12 patients without evidence of calciphylaxis undergoing dialysis, eight patients with nephrotic syndrome, and eight normal healthy volunteers. Protein C antigen levels were measured by rocket immunoelectrophoresis, and functional activity was quantitated by a chromogenic assay and an anticoagulant assay utilizing the venom of Agkistrodon contortrix . results: Skin biopsy specimens of involved areas in three patients showed thrombotic occlusion of venules identical to that seen in warfarin-induced skin necrosis. Protein C antigen levels were normal in all groups. However, protein C activity was significantly reduced as measured by chromogenic (p conclusion: These findings suggest that hypercoagulability due to functional protein C deficiency may contribute to thrombosis, resulting in skin necrosis and digital gangrene in systemic calciphylaxis.
A prediction of the inert gas solubilities in stoichiometric molten UO2

Abstract To analyze the effect of fission gas behavior on fast reactor fuels during a hypothetical overpower transient, the solubility characteristics of the noble gases in molten UO 2 have been assessed. To accomplish this, a theoretical estimation of such solubilities is made by determining the reversible work required to introduce a hard sphere, the size of the gas atom, into the liquid solvent. Results indicate that the solubility of the noble gases in molten UO 2 is quite low, the molar fraction of gas-to-liquid being approximately 10 −6 . Such a low solubility of fission gases suggests that for preirradiated fuels, added swelling or foamation may occur upon melting. In addition, such low solubility potential indicates that the fission gases do not play an appreciable role in the fragmentation of molten UO 2 upon quenching in sodium coolant.
Continuum aspects of directionally dependent cracking of an interface between copper and alumina crystals

Abstract Directionally dependent cracking along the interface of a Cu/Al2O3 bicrystal has been analyzed using continuum mechanics. This work extends previous analyses by considering the elastic anisotropy and plastic deformation of copper. The goals of the analysis are: (1) To provide a possible continuum explanation of the experimentally observed directionally dependent cracking, and (2) to understand the effect of continuum deformation on the competition between dislocation nucleation at a crack tip (i.e., tip blunting and alleviation of the stress concentration) and cleavage. First, the mode mixity of the elastic fields at the crack tip is calculated by considering the traction vector on the interface as derived from anisotropic elasticity. This is compared to the results from isotropic elasticity. The effects of anisotropy, as pertaining to dislocation nucleation and cleavage, are discussed. Elastic-plastic FEM analyses within both the `small strain' and finite deformation formulations have been performed for the two crack directions in. Furthermore, a variety of hardening laws, including ideal plasticity, were used to investigate the robustness of the solutions. Comparisons between the FEM analyses show that the general sectorial nature of the crack tip stress fields isthe same for all hardening laws chosen. The effects of geometrical hardening and softening are pronounced in a finite deformation, ideal plasticity analysis. However, even moderate hardening greatly diminishes these effects. If the hardening law saturates, the resulting near tip fields are similar to those of an ideally plastic material. The two crack tip orientations affect the nature of the localization of the plastic deformation. These effects are discussed in the context of different hardening laws. In addition, the interface traction phase angle is changed significantly by the plastic deformation with consequences regarding dislocation nucleation and cleavage. Overall, no clear continuum-based explanation of directionally dependent fracture was found, but it is clear that elastic anisotropy and plastic deformation should, in general, be taken into account. Finally, critical problems encountered in this type of analysis are identified and some directions for future research are suggested.
Stuck on a Plateau?: Obstacles to Recruitment, Selection, and Retention of Women Police

This article explores reasons why the level of employment of women police in the United States is relatively low and no longer seems to be increasing. Surveys were administered to all women officer...
Pulsed electrochemical technique for monitoring antibody-antigen reactions at interfaces

Abstract The mechanism of pulsed potential waveform for monitoring antibody–antigen interactions at immunosensor interfaces is discussed. Some examples of antibody–antigen interactions at quartz crystal microbalance and polymer-modified antibody electrodes are presented. The binding and release of analytes to the modified sensor surfaces are monitored in real time. An overview of the analytical performance of some recently developed sensors utilizing pulsed amperometric detection techniques is also presented. The sensors obtained are reversible and reproducible (with a relative standard deviation of 0.30%), and their response times are in the millisecond range.
Group play therapy and tangible reinforcers used to modify the behavior of 8-yr-old boys

Abstract Eleven third-grade boys were randomly assigned to three play therapy groups. The boys had been referred by their teachers because of shy, withdrawn behavior. The Token Group met in a play group (4 Ss), had a therapist, and received tangible reinforcements for social approach behavior. The Verbal Group (4 Ss) was treated similarly to the Token Group except that no tangible reinforcements were used. The Control Group (3 Ss) met in a play group without a therapist present. Fourteen play sessions were held for each group. The Token Group changed more than the Verbal Group; the Verbal Group changed more than the Control Group; the Control Group showed no change on the objective measures used. The Token Group exhibited an increase in social approach behavior and a decrease in discrete, problem behavior. The Verbal Group increased slightly in social approach behavior. All groups failed to demonstrate changes in “productivity”, “anxiety” and “general psychological adjustment”.
Characterization of Aeromonas virulence using an immunocompromised mouse model.

An immunocompromised mouse model was used to characterize Aeromonas strains for their ability to cause opportunistic, extraintestinal infections. A total of 34 isolates of Aeromonas (A. hydrophila [n = 12]), A. veronii biotype sobria [n = 7], A. caviae [n = 4], A. enchelia [n = 4], A. allosaccharophila [n = 2], A. salmonicida (n = 4), and A. bestiarum [n = 1]) were introduced by intraperitoneal injection into immunocompetent or chemically compromised (using cyclophosphamide) mice. The ability of each isolate to persist in the liver and spleen tissue was monitored at 24 hours after exposure. A majority of A. hydrophila and A veronii v. sobria strains, but none of the isolates of other Aeromonas species, were capable of persistent colonization (<300 cells/mg spleen and liver tissue at 24 hours). The presence or absence of several putative virulence factors (cytotoxicity to HEp-2, lipase activity, elastase activity, and hemolysis) were determined for each isolate using in vitro tests. There were no correlations between the presence or absence of biochemical test results for putative virulence factors and persistence of the isolate in spleen and liver tissue at 24 hours.
Capacitated warehouse location model with risk pooling

In this article, we introduce the capacitated warehouse location model with risk pooling (CLMRP), which captures the interdependence between capacity issues and the inventory management at the warehouses. The CLMRP models a logistics system in which a single plant ships one type of product to a set of retailers, each with an uncertain demand. Warehouses serve as the direct intermediary between the plant and the retailers for the shipment of the product and also retain safety stock to provide appropriate service levels to the retailers. The CLMRP minimizes the sum of the fixed facility location, transportation, and inventory carrying costs. The model simultaneously determines warehouse locations, shipment sizes from the plant to the warehouses, the working inventory, and safety stock levels at the warehouses and the assignment of retailers to the warehouses. The costs at each warehouse exhibit initially economies of scale and then an exponential increase due to the capacity limitations. We show that this problem can be formulated as a nonlinear integer program in which the objective function is neither concave nor convex. A Lagrangian relaxation solution algorithm is proposed. The Lagrangian subproblem is also a nonlinear integer program. An efficient algorithm is developed for the linear relaxation of this subproblem. The Lagrangian relaxation algorithm provides near-optimal solutions with reasonable computational requirements for large problem instances. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2008
The influence of information presentation order on professional tax judgment

Abstract Based upon a belief revision model recently proposed by Einhorn and Hogarth, the present research investigates the effects of information presentation orders on tax professionals' belief revisions about ambiguous tax treatments. In particular, two dimensions of the tax professionals' beliefs are examined: judgment of tax treatment reasonableness, and recommendation of tax treatment to client. Also examined in the study are the impacts of the tax professionals' individual attitudes and the client's tax preference on the belief revision. The results show that both dimensions of the tax professionals' belief revisions are affected by the presentation order manipulations, but neither are affected by the client preference manipulations. The results also indicate that the tax professionals' individual attitudes affect their recommendations of the tax treatments to client, but do not affect their judgments of the tax treatments reasonableness.
The outpatient diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: pharmacotherapy, administration of supplemental oxygen, and smoking cessation techniques.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common medical problem seen in the outpatient setting. The diagnosis of airways limitation and its severity are based on spirometry. Other information from the pulmonary function laboratory, such as the bronchodilator response and changes in spirometry during serial testing, must be interpreted cautiously. The pharmacotherapy for COPD has evolved with the use of inhaled medications, particularly inhaled parasympatholytics, with less of an emphasis on theophylline. The role of inhaled corticosteroids in COPD is unclear, although used together with bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids may have beneficial long-term effects on airways limitation, compared with the use of bronchodilators alone. All patients with hypoxemic COPD should be formally assessed for the need for supplemental oxygen. Surgical options for patients with severe COPD are increasing. The primary care physician has a pivotal role to play in smoking cessation and familiarity with the new nicotine replacement products, and behavior modification programs are essential. General internists caring for patients with COPD should consider a consultation with a pulmonary specialist for a patient with persistent dyspnea despite adequate pharmacotherapy or for a patient who develops evidence of lung cancer, such as hemoptysis or abnormalities in a chest roentgenograph.
The Effects of Internet Commerce on the Revenue Base of State and Local Governments

Abstract Internet sales for 2000 are projected to be $850 billion. This explosion in growth of sales on the Internet has not been all good news to the U.S. business community. Both business and government have taken notice of taxation issues related to these electronically generated revenues. Sales taxes have been the primary focus of this attention. Many issues have been raised but the primary one is whether or not sales taxes should be collected from “cyberspace” customers. Many difficult questions have been raised and remain to be solved. One federally appointed commission has been formed, submitted recommendations to Congress and has dissolved. A National Governors' Association committee is currently in place to study the issues and provide suggestions to State legislatures in 2001.
Survival in the U.S. petroleum refining industry

Of the 324 petroleum refineries operating in the U.S. in 1982, only 149 were still in the hands of their original owners in 2007. Using duration analysis, this paper explores why refineries change ownership or shut down. Plants are more likely to ‘survive’ with their original owners if they are older or larger, but less likely if the owner is a major integrated firm, or the refinery is a more technologically complex one. This latter result differs from existing research on the issue. This paper also presents a split population model to relax the general assumption of the duration model that all refiners will eventually close down; the empirical results show that the split population model converges on a standard hazard model; the log-logistic version fits best. Finally, a multinomial logit model is estimated to analyze the factors that influence the refinery plant's choices of staying open, closing, or changing ownership. Plant size, age and technology usage have positive impacts on the likelihood that a ...
Weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq

This essay focuses on the US use of depleted uranium in Iraq as a war crime repressed by the media. The use of this weaponry is seen as continuous with the death drive that shapes American society. The essay argues that in order to understand this condition we must overcome all the ideological and metaphysical guarantees that blind us to the contingency of history. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Test for Homogeneity of Regression without Homogeneity of Variance.

A likelihood ratio test procedure is described for testing for homogeneity of regression coefficients and population means across treatment groups without assuming homogeneous error variances. Maximum likelihood estimation equations are obtained assuming the criterion scores to be normally distributed, and a method for their solution is described. Examples of situation for which the procedure is appropriate are given, and extensions of the procedure are discussed. The procedure has been used on hypothetical and real data.
Detection and characterization of “Chimeric” yeast artificial chromosome clones by fluorescent in Situ suppression hybridization

"Chimeric" yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) are clones containing two or more noncontiguous segments of DNA and represent the most common artifact found in total genomic YAC libraries currently used for large-scale genome mapping. These YACs create spurious mapping information that complicates the construction of YAC contigs and leads to erroneous maps during chromosome walks. The presence of these artifactual clones necessitates laborious and time-consuming characterization of each isolated YAC clone, either by comparison of the physical map of the YAC with the corresponding source genomic DNA, or by demonstrating discrepant chromosomal origins for the two ends of the YAC by hybridization or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Here, we describe a rapid and sensitive method for the assessment of YAC colinearity by fluorescence in situ suppression hybridization (FISSH) by utilizing fluorescein-12-dUTP for labeling YAC clones. We have analyzed 51 YACs and found that 43% (22 out of 51) are chimeric and significantly larger (302 kb) than colinear ones (228 kb). One of the 51 YAC clones (2%) examined contains portions of three chromosomes and 2 (4%) seem to map to a chromosome different than that of the identifying STS. FISSH analysis offers a straightforward visualization of the entire YAC insert on the chromosomes and can be used to examine many YACs simultaneously in few days.
A Perplexing Case of Child Abuse: Oral Injuries in Abuse and Physician Reporting Responsibilities.

The following case presents a pediatric patient with an oral foreign body secondary to intentional injury. This patient had presented several previous times for medical care, first with thigh bruises, then mouth bleeding, and finally with the unusual finding of a sharp foreign body embedded in the tongue. This case illustrates the importance of considering physical abuse in the differential of orofacial injuries. Frenulum tears, both in mobile and nonmobile children, are concerning for abuse and should trigger further evaluation. This case highlights the complexity of assessing for physical abuse when examining a patient. Bruising, as seen in this patient, is common in children, and the clinical team must determine if the pattern, location, and history are concerning for a nonaccidental injury. Physicians should strongly consider child abuse in the emergency department when patients present with concerning physical examination findings such as bruises or orofacial injures without corroborating history. Finally, this case reviews mandatory reporting requirements for physicians and other medical professionals and highlights the obligation to report suspected child abuse even when not working in the professional capacity at the time of recognition. Language: en
Temperature and Plant Adaptation. I. Interaction of Temperature and Light in the Synthesis of Chlorophyll in Corn

The effect of temperature and light intensity have been studied in relation to the greening of etiolated corn (Zea mays cv. Pioneer 309-B) seedlings. Chlorophyll accumulation is rapid at high temperature (28 degrees ) under all conditions of light intensity. At low temperature (16 degrees ), and particularly in combination with high light intensity (3000-4500 ft-c), the accumulation of both chlorophyll and carotene is inhibited.Low pigment content at 16 degrees is not directly due to a block in the pigment synthesizing mechanism, but rather to the photodestruction of chlorophyll prior to its stabilization in the membrane structure of the chloroplast lamellae. The parallel reduction in carotene content at high light intensity is probably a contributing factor, because of its role in protecting chlorophyll from photodestruction. The greater severity of photo-oxidation of chlorophyll at low temperature in corn when compared with wheat, appears to be due to a slower rate of protochlorophyllide synthesis and subsequent esterification. Thus in corn at 16 degrees there is a prolongation of the photosensitive stage during chlorophyll synthesis. Photo-oxidation at 16 degrees has also been shown to be a function of the incident light energy, with the photosynthetic pigments acting as receptors for their own destruction.In comparison with the behavior of corn, wheat seedlings green rapidly at high light intensity at both 16 degrees and 28 degrees . This contrasting temperature response with respect to chlorophyll synthesis may underlie a fundamental difference in adaptation of these 2 species to growth in the temperate zones of the world.
Distributed Decision‐Making in Supply Chains and Private E‐Marketplaces

This paper develops a distributed decision-making framework for the players in a supply chain or a private e-marketplace to collaboratively arrive at a global Pareto-optimal solution. In this model, no player has complete knowledge about all the costs and constraints of the other players. The decision-making framework employs an iterative procedure, based on the Integer L-shaped method, in which a master problem is solved to propose global solutions, and each player uses his local problems to construct feasibility and optimality cuts on the master problem. The master problem is modeled as a mixed-integer program, and the players' local problems are formulated as linear programs. Collaborative planning scenarios in private e-marketplaces and in supply chains were formulated and solved for test data. The results show that this distributed model is able to achieve near-optimal solutions considerably faster than the traditional centralized approach.
Women who excel on a spatial task: proposed genetic and environmental factors.

Abstract A “bent twig” model which incorporates Annett's genetic handedness theory with an environmental component predicted characteristics of college women likely to excel on a mental rotation task. Those likely to have the necessary combination of genetic potential and prior experiences are right-handed women with non-right-handed relatives who rate themselves high in spatial experiences. This subgroup significantly outperformed all other groups of right-handed women on the Vandenberg Mental Rotation Test. This study provides support for the view that family handedness and spatial experiences are important factors influencing mental rotation ability in women.
Gradient-Driven Diffusion Using Dual Control Volume Grand Canonical Molecular Dynamics (DCV-GCMD)

Recently we developed a new nonequilibrium molecular simulation method [1] that allows the direct study of interdiffusion in multicomponent mixtures. The method combines stochastic insertion and deletion moves characteristic of grand canonical (GC) simulations with molecular dynamics (MD) to control the chemical potential μi of a species i. Restricting the insertions and deletions to two separate control volumes (CV’s) one can apply different μi’ s in distinct locations, and thus create chemical potential gradients. DCV-GCMD can be used to study transient phenomena such as the filling of micropores or used in steady-state mode to determine the diffusion coefficients in multicomponent fluid mixtures. We report on the effects of molecular interactions and demonstrate how in a sufficiently nonideal ternary mixture this can lead to up-hill or reverse diffusion. In addition we introduce a novel extension of DCV-GCMD that is specifically designed for the study of gradient-driven diffusion of molecules that are simply too large to be inserted and deleted.
Declining Revenues, Increasing Enrollments, and the Open Door.

A national study of community colleges found declining state support and increasing enrollments in a majority of the states. Although the community college officials who participated in the study indicated that they did not view current levels of state support as sufficient given the significant increases in enrollment, few reported plans to limit enrollment or restrict access.
Aerocele, an unusual complication of anterior cricoid split

Since its introduction, the anterior cricoid split has proven to be a safe and effective procedure for the management of infants with acquired subglottic stenosis. In this article we report an unusual complication--an aerocele, which occurred on the 14th day following an anterior cricoid split on a 9-month-old child. The possible etiology and successful management of the aerocele are reviewed.
On the mechanism of angiotensin II induced release of prostacyclin

Summary In anaesthetized cats three beta-adrenolytic drugs (propranolol, practolol, pindolol), two membrane active drugs (lidocaine and chlorpromazine) as well as phentolamine and atropine were studied from the point of view of their influence on A II-induced release of prostacyclin (PGI 2 ). Phentolamine, atropine and practolol were ineffective while the other four drugs inhibited A II-induced release of PGI 2 but not the pressor response to this peptide. It is postulated that the release of PGI 2 may be triggered by A II through a hypothetic endocrine receptor distinct from a receptor for the pressor action of A II.
Comparative Marketing: The First Twenty five Years

This article reviews the field of Comparative Marketing in terms of scope, types, and depth of studies; methodological issues, conceptual and managerial payoffs, and teaching approaches. After its first quarter of a century as an international business topic, Comparative Marketing is still relatively green.
The synthesis and aerosol formulation of certain rare earth compounds as potential antiperspirants

Neodymium methionate, praseodymium methionate, samarium methionate, and praseodymium sulfamate have been prepared and characterized. Two new potential antiperspirant mixtures, a mixed rare earth methionate and a mixed rare earth sulfamate, have been synthesized and analyzed. Aerosol formulas of a mixed rare earth methionate and a mixed rare earth sulfamate have been developed and studied for such properties as stability and solubility at various temperatures, vapor pressure, and corrosion.
Decomposition strategy for the synthesis of minimum‐unit heat exchanger networks

Conditions pour lesquelles on peut appliquer la methode de Linnhoff pour trouver le nombre minimum d'echangeurs de chaleur
Postmenopausal hormone replacement and venous thromboembolism following hip and knee arthroplasty.

Hormone replacement therapy has been associated with venous thromboembolism. Controversy exists regarding the appropriate management of hormone replacement in the perioperative setting and in other situations – such as acute illness – predisposing to acute venous thromboembolism.We performed a case-control study to determine whether perioperative hormone replacement is associated with venous thromboembolism following hip and knee arthroplasty. 108 patients with postoperative venous thrombosis were matched by age, date and type of surgery, and surgeon with 210 controls without thrombosis. Perioperative hormone replacement use was no more prevalent in patients with postoperative thrombosis than those without. Eighteen (16.7%) women with post-operative thrombosis had taken perioperative hormone replacement compared to 49 (23.3%) of controls: odds ratio = 0.66; (95% CI 0.35-1.18; p=0.17). After multivariate analysis, the adjusted odds ratios were similar.Variables predicting post-operative thrombosis included: prior venous thromboembolism (OR = 2.3; p = 0.02), rheumatologic disease (OR = 2.2; p = 0.03), and absence of pharmacologic antithrombotic prophylaxis (OR = 13.4; p = 0.005). Cases and controls were otherwise similar. Users of hormone replacement were similar to non-users except that they were less likely to have coronary disease (OR 0.34; p = 0.03) or prior thrombosis (OR = 0.28; p = 0.04), and were younger (median age 67 versus 74 years; p
Nucleotide Composition of the Nelumbo nucifera Genome

Nucleotide composition of genomes varies among organisms and among genes within a genome. Knowing the variations of nucleotide composition and the consequences of these differences would provide fundamental information for understanding genome evolution. Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.), a basal eudicot, diverged from its closest sister lineage at 135–125 MYA. The unique phylogenetic position of lotus makes it important for evolutionary studies. With the draft genome sequence of lotus available, we analyzed the nucleotide composition of the lotus genome compared to other sequenced plant genomes. GC content of the lotus genome was between grasses and eudicots. The lotus genome had more coding sequences with high GC3 than did the core eudicots, and its GC3 composition exhibited a negative gradient along the transcription direction. The difference between purines and pyrimidines in the coding sequence of lotus was smallest among the selected eudicot species. The lotus genome had a lower observed/expected (O/E) ratio of CpG dinucleotide than did the selected dicots and monocots except for grape. The lower O/E ratio of CpG dinucleotide is likely caused by instability of transposable elements, rather than a higher mutation rate.
ASSESSING THE PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY-BASED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION PLANS

Community-based natural resources management (CBNRM) is increasingly perceived as a bottom-up alternative approach to the traditional top-down rational model of local environmental conservation planning. Although many studies have discussed the effectiveness of these two models in environmental planning, little research has been done to empirically determine the influence of these two principles on local environmental conservation planning. This study analyses 54 cities' local environmental conservation plans to quantitatively measure the conceptual plan components, then uses regression models to detect the factors influencing local environmental conservation plan quality. Descriptive results indicate that local plans have a relatively low awareness of strategic-level conservation items, a medium level of analysis for regional conservation items, and a high level of community-based conservation efforts. Regression results further highlight that the governance capacity has significant influence on local environmental conservation plan quality; however, the community-based participation capacity was not statistically significant.
Earthquakes and Human Behavior

Abstract Efforts by social scientists to investigate behavioral aspects of earthquakes are few when compared to other disasterinducing natural phenomena. Nevertheless, completed studies reveal patterns of findings similar to those found in other disaster investigations; and social scientific earthquake investigations promise to be more frequent in the future. This paper catalogues what the existing research record suggests as the major conclusions about human behavior in reference to earthquakes. Some of the conclusions reached in this paper are, first, action to mitigate future earthquake losses does not necessarilly follow from heightened risk perceptions in individuals; second, human response to earthquake disasters is better viewed as one in which the “thin‐veneer‐of‐civilization” is strengthened rather than as a state of chaos or societal disorder, and the public is better described as a resource in disaster than as a problem; third, earthquake disaster economic impacts are not uniform in human popul...
Effect of a multidisciplinary intervention on medication compliance in elderly patients with congestive heart failure

purpose The objectives of this investigation were to prospectively assess medication compliance rates in elderly patients with congestive heart failure, to identify factors associated with reduced compliance, and to evaluate the effect of a multidisciplinary treatment approach on medication adherence. patients and methods: A total of 156 patients ≥70 years of age (mean, 79.4 ± 6.0; 67% female, 65% nonwhite) hospitalized with congestive heart failure were evaluated prospectively. Prior to discharge, patients were randomized to the study intervention (n = 80) or conventional care (n = 76). The intervention consisted of comprehensive patient education, dietary and social service consultations, medication review, and intensive postdischarge follow-up. Detailed data were collected on all prescribed medications at the time of discharge, and compliance was assessed by pill counts 30 ± 2 days later. results The overall compliance rate during the first 30 days after discharge was 84.6 ± 15.1% (range, 23.1–100%). Compliance was 87.9 ± 12.0% in patients randomized to the study intervention, compared with 81.1 ± 17.2% in the control group ( P = 0.003). A compliance rate of ≥80% was achieved by 85.0% of the treatment group versus 69.7% of the control group ( P = 0.036). By multivariate analysis, assignment to the treatment group was the strongest independent predictor of compliance ( P = 0.008). Other variables included in the model were Caucasian race ( P = 0.044) and not living alone ( P = 0.09). conclusions: A multidisciplinary treatment strategy is associated with improved medication compliance during the first 30 days following hospital discharge in elderly patients with congestive heart failure. Improved compliance may contribute to improved outcomes in these patients.
Inhibition of hepcidin transcription by growth factors.

The hepatic peptide hormone hepcidin controls the duodenal absorption of iron, its storage and its systemic distribution. Hepcidin production is often insufficient in chronic hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease, leading to hyperabsorption of iron and its accumulation in the liver. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) mediate the hepatic regeneration after liver injury. We examined the effect of the growth factors on hepcidin synthesis by hepatocytes. Results: HGF and EGF treatment of primary mouse hepatocytes, as well as EGF administration in mice, suppressed hepcidin mRNA synthesis. The suppression of hepcidin by these growth factors was transcriptional, and was mediated by a direct effect of HGF and EGF on the BMP pathway regulating hepcidin synthesis. We further showed that growth factors interfered with nuclear localization of activated Smads and increased the nuclear pool of the BMP transcriptional co-repressor TG-interacting factor (TGIF). In a kinase screen with small-molecule kinase inhibitors, inhibitors in the PI3 kinase pathway and in the MEK/ERK pathway prevented HGF suppression of hepcidin in primary mouse hepatocytes. Conclusion: HGF and EGF suppress hepatic hepcidin synthesis, in part through PI3 kinase MEK/ERK kinase pathways which may be modulating the nuclear localization of BMP pathway transcriptional regulators including activated Smads1/5/8 and the co-repressor TGIF. EGF, HGF and possibly other growth factors that activate similar pathways may contribute to hepcidin suppression in chronic liver diseases, promote iron accumulation in the liver and exacerbate the destructive disease processes.
Using patient-focused research in evaluating treatment outcome in private practice

The increasing emphasis on therapist accountability and empirical demonstration of psychotherapeutic treatment effectiveness points to the need for practicing therapists to integrate treatment evaluation methods into routine clinical practice. Unfortunately, most private practitioners have little involvement in carrying out evaluation procedures. In this study we demonstrate how patient-focused research was used to track the progress and outcome of patients seen by a clinical psychologist in private practice. Twenty-nine adults and 40 children/adolescents were evaluated on a weekly basis to assess the number of sessions required to reach improvement (reliable change) and recovery (clinically significant change). Dose-response survival analysis results indicated that 50% of adults reached clinically significant change in 54 sessions, and 50% of youth met the same standard in 14 sessions. These results were compared with outcome in large-scale studies. Implications of this study for integrating treatment evaluation methods into clinical practice are discussed.
Positive Psychology and the Illness Ideology: Toward a Positive Clinical Psychology

This article challenges traditional views of the proper subject matter of clinical psychology, the nature of psychological adjustment and maladjustment, and the roles and functions of clinical psychologists. Toward this end, the article discusses clinical psychologists’conceptions of psychological adjustment and maladjustment and of the difference between psychological adjustment and maladjustment. It describes and challenges the illness ideology that has prevailed in clinical psychology for the past century—an ideology that has been socially constructed rather than scientifically constructed. This ideology consists of not only a set of assumptions about the nature of psychological adjustment and the “territory” of clinical psychology but also a language that influences the way clinical psychologists and others think about the field. It then offers a statement of a new mission for and vision of clinical psychology based on the values of positive psychology. Cet article interroge l’approche traditionnelle des questions specifiques a la psychologie clinique, la nature de l’adaptation et de l’inadaptation psychologiques, et les roles et fonctions des psychologues cliniciens. A cette fin, on examine les conceptions des cliniciens concernant l’adaptation et l’inadaptation psychologiques, ainsi que la difference entre ces deux notions. On decrit et conteste l’ideologie de la maladie qui a prevalu en psychologie clinique au cours du dernier siecle, une ideologie qui a eteelaboree socialement plutot que scientifiquement. Cette ideologie renvoie non seulement a une serie d’affirmations sur la nature de l’adaptation psychologique et le « territoire » de la psychologie clinique, mais aussi a un langage qui influence la facon dont les psychologues cliniciens (et d’autres aussi) abordent ce domaine. On propose ensuite, a partir des valeurs de la psychologie positive, une vision de la psychologie clinique debouchant pour elle sur une nouvelle mission.
ESTIMATING THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF LAND

SUMMARY The method of Levesque et al., designed for the prediction of the development of supply and demand of land, is in the main practical and correct, but it can only be used for the short term. For an insight of long-term developments, which is of essential significance for the design of structural agricultural policies, the method is insufficient. The findings of economists should be added to it. An attempt can be made to establish, with the use of farm-models, which farm-types and farm-sizes in a certain region will be desirable and necessary, taking economic, social and technological developments into account. Sociological and farm-economics research together may be able to predict the supply and demand of land in the long term and to indicate the bottle-necks in structural development. RESUME La methode que Levesque a elabore en vue d'une prevision de l'offre et de la demande de terres est, dans son ensemble, pratique et correcte, mais ne peut etre utilisee que pour une prevision a court terme. Pour arriver a une comprehension du developpement a long terme, qui est d'une importance primordiale pour la determination des politiqucs de structures agricoles, la methode est insuffisante. Les resultats obtenus par les economistes devraient y etre incorpores. Une tentative peut etre faite en utilisant des modeles d'exploitation, d'etablir quel type et quelle dimension d'exploitation serait souhaitable et necessaire dans une region donnee, en tenant compte des developpements economiques, sociaux et technologiques. Les recherches conjuguees en economie et sociologie rurale peuvent permettre de prevoir l'offire et la demande de terres a long terme et d'indiquer les goulots d'etranglement du developpement structural. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Die Methode, die Levesque und andere fur die Voraussage der Entwicklung von Angebot und Nachfrage bei Land entwickelt haben, ist im ganzen anwendbar und fehlerfrei, aber nur fur kurz-fristige Entwicklungstendenzen. Fur einen Einblick in die lang-fristige Entwicklung, die fur die Fesdegung der Agrarstrukturpolitik von wesentlicher Bedeutung ist, ist diese Methode unzureichend. Die Erkenntnisse der Okonomen sollten dazu herangezogen werden. Man kann anhand von Betriebsmodellen versuchen festzustellen, welche Betriebstypen und Betriebsgrosen in bestimmten Regionen erwunscht und notwendig sind, und zwar unter Berucksichtigung der wirtschaftlichen, sozialen und technologischen Entwicklung. So-ziologische und agrarokonomische Forschungsergebnisse zusammen ermoglichen eine langfristige Vorausschau von Angebot von und Nachfrage nach Land und machen die Engpasse in der strukturellen Entwicklung deutlich.
The seed reserve of Halophila engelmannii (Hydrocharitaceae) in redfish bay, Texas

Abstract Seeds of Halophila engelmannii Aschers, were present in 36% of the sediment samples examined monthly from October 1986 to May 1987 in Redfish Bay, Texas. For samples with seed, the reserve varied from 100 to 800 m−2; for all samples, the mean seed reserve was 74 m−2. For seed that was collected in October, germination in light at 24–27°C began 27–33 days after collection, but for seed that was collected in November–May, germination began in light in the laboratory after 7–10 days. Seed that was collected in June and kept in the dark at 24–27°C for 18 weeks (late September) began to germinate after 27–38 days in light, but seed kept in the dark for 30 weeks began to germinate after 9–12 days. Seeds probably remain ungerminated if buried in the sediment and germinate upon exposure to light following sediment disturbance, allowing colonization of newly available substrates.
Norms and meaning potential

: The spread of English offers sociolinguistics a unique venue to study sociolinguistic variables, including the question of norms and standards for English in its worldwide domain. This paper begins with a discussion of the factors in the spread of English, and proceeds to consider the process of nativization, with particular reference to the concept of meaning potential. In this context, the construct of concentric circles as proposed by Kachru (1987) is discussed and modified. After a brief excursus on communicative competence, the conclusion is reached that norms and standards for world Englishes are best considered as interactions of the meaning potential of the social semiotic and the linguistic form of the language.
An approach for coupled-code multiphysics core simulations from a common input

This study describes an approach for coupled-code multiphysics reactor core simulations that is being developed by the Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA) project in the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light-Water Reactors (CASL). In this approach a user creates a single problem description, called the “VERAIn” common input file, to define and setup the desired coupled-code reactor core simulation. A preprocessing step accepts the VERAIn file and generates a set of fully consistent input files for the different physics codes being coupled. The problem is then solved using a single-executable coupled-code simulation tool applicable to the problem, which is built using VERA infrastructure software tools and the set of physics codes required for the problem of interest. The approach is demonstrated by performing an eigenvalue and power distribution calculation of a typical three-dimensional 17 × 17 assembly with thermal–hydraulic and fuel temperature feedback. All neutronics aspects of the problem (cross-section calculation, neutron transport, power release) are solved using the Insilico code suite and are fully coupled to a thermal–hydraulic analysis calculated by the Cobra-TF (CTF) code. The single-executable coupled-code (Insilico-CTF) simulation tool is created using several VERA tools, including LIME (Lightweight Integrating Multiphysics Environment for coupling codes), DTK (Datamore » Transfer Kit), Trilinos, and TriBITS. Parallel calculations are performed on the Titan supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory using 1156 cores, and a synopsis of the solution results and code performance is presented. Finally, ongoing development of this approach is also briefly described.« less
Discovering a domain alphabet

A key to the success of any genetic programming process is the use of a good alphabet of atomic building blocks from which solutions can be evolved efficiently. An alphabet that is too granular may generate an unnecessarily large search space; an inappropriately coarse grained alphabet may bias or prevent finding optimal solutions. Here we introduce a method that automatically identifies a small alphabet for a problem domain. We process solutions on the complexity-optimality Pareto front of a number of sample systems and identify terms that appear significantly more frequently than merited by their size. These terms are then used as basic building blocks to solve new problems in the same problem domain. We demonstrate this process on symbolic regression for a variety of physics problems. The method discovers key terms relating to concepts such as energy and momentum. A significant performance enhancement is demonstrated when these terms are then used as basic building blocks on new physics problems. We suggest that identifying a problem-specific alphabet is key to scaling evolutionary methods to higher complexity systems.
Evaluation of pharmacist continuing professional development portfolios.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to conduct a random continuing professional development (CPD) portfolio audit to assess the portfolios of pharmacists who completed CPD training in the stat...