cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transition from Iowa Health Solutions: The Impact on Medicaid Enrollees. Results of a Survey with former Iowa Health Solutions Enrollees. Final report to the Iowa Department of Human Services

As of February 1, 2005, Iowa Health Solutions (IHS) was no longer a participating health plan for the Iowa Medicaid program. Thus, Medicaid coverage for all former Iowa Health Solutions enrollees had to be transferred to either a) Iowa Medicaid’s Primary Care Case Management program (MediPASS), or b) the traditional Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicaid program or “regular Medicaid.” The primary difference between these two options would be that as a MediPASS enrollee they would choose or be assigned to a primary care physician, whereas in the Fee-For-Service program, they would have to find a physician who would accept them as a patient and accept Medicaid Fee-for-Service payment. The impact of this change in health plans on children in Iowa Medicaid was evaluated as part of the program’s ongoing quality assurance activities. This evaluation was carried out by researchers at the University of Iowa Public Policy Center for the Iowa Department of Human Services. The primary research questions for this study were:
Chopra's Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and crime

Cet article tente d'effectuer un rapprochement entre le domaine de la spiritualite et celui de la criminologie a travers l'ouvrage de Depak Chopra Les sept lois spirituelles du succes. Potentialite, echange, causalite constituent respectivement les elements essentiels des trois premieres lois. La quatrieme, dite du moindre effort, comporte trois volets : acceptation des choses (illustree par l'attente dans un embouteillage), responsabilite (etre positif face a une situation), flexibilite. La cinquieme distingue l'attention, qui capte l'information et l'energie, et l'intention, qui les transforme. La sixieme loi, conseille une attitude de detachement, non a ses desirs et a ses intentions, mais au resultat, ce qui implique une certaine acceptation de l'incertitude et de l'insecurite. La septieme loi invite a rechercher ses talents uniques et en quoi on peut rendre service a autrui. Ces attitudes spirituelles sont mises en parallele avec l'appât du gain et de la possession qui caracterisent le capitalisme, mais aussi le crime.
Toward Social Causality: An Analysis of Interpersonal Relationships in Online Blogs and Forums

In this paper we present encouraging preliminary results into the problem of social causality (causal reasoning used by intelligent agents in a social environment) in online social interactions based on a model of reciprocity. At every level, social relationships are guided by the shared understanding that most actions call for appropriate reactions, and that inappropriate reactions require management. Thus, we present an analysis of interpersonal relationships in English reciprocal contexts. Specifically, we rely here on a large and recently built database of 10,882 reciprocal relation instances in online media. The resource is analyzed along a set of novel and important dimensions: symmetry, affective value, gender}, and {\em intentionality of action which are highly interconnected. At a larger level, we automatically generate {\em chains of causal relations} between verbs indicating interpersonal relationships. Statistics along these dimensions give insights into people's behavior, judgments, and thus their social interactions.
Biofunctionalization of Magnetic Nanoparticles

The sections in this article are Introduction Functionalization of Magnetic Nanoparticles for In Vitro Protein/Cell Separation Functionalization of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Biochemical/Chemical Synthesis of Therapeutic Drugs and Their Intermediates Functionalization of Magnetic Nanoparticles for In Vivo Bio-imaging, Drug Targeting and Tumor Hyperthermia Treatments MR Imaging Targeted Drug Delivery Magnetic Hyperthermia Conclusions Acknowledgments
Cetane Number and Engine Speed Effects on Diesel HCCI Performance and Emissions

The effects of cetane number (CN) on homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) performance and emissions were investigated in a single cylinder engine using intake air temperature for control. Blends of the diesel secondary reference fuels for cetane rating were used to obtain a CN range from 19 to 76. Sweeps of intake air temperature at a constant fueling were performed. Low CN fuels needed to be operated at higher intake temperatures than high CN fuels to achieve ignition. As the intake air temperature was reduced for a given fuel, the combustion phasing was retarded, and each fuel passed through a phasing point of maximum indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP). Early combustion phasing was required for the high CN fuels to prevent misfire, whereas the maximum IMEP for the lowest CN fuel occurred at a phasing 10 crank angle degrees (CAD) later. The high CN fuels exhibited a strong low temperature heat release (LTHR) event, accounting for more than 15% of the total heat release in some instances, while no LTHR was detected for fuels with CN ≤ 34. All of the fuels had comparable NOx emissions and pressure rise rates at their respective maximum IMEP timing, with NOx emissions below 6 ppm at 3.5 bar IMEP. At advanced combustion phasing, low CN fuels had significantly higher pressure rise rates and higher NOx emissions than the high CN fuels. At retarded phasing, the CO emissions for the high CN fuels were excessive, with a CO:UHC ratio of up to 8, while these remained <1 for low CN fuels. These results suggest that the products of LTHR, which are high in CO, are more sensitive to the quenching effects of cylinder expansion. Thus high CN fuels, which exhibit significant LTHR, require early combustion phasing, whereas low CN fuels can be retarded to later combustion phasing. Increasing engine speed had the effect of reducing the total LTHR. Further investigation showed that the LTHR rate is constant on a millisecond basis, so the effect of higher engine speed is to reduce the time allowed for the reaction without changing the rate of reaction.
Antimicrobial Peptides Initiate IL-1β Posttranslational Processing: A Novel Role Beyond Innate Immunity

Human monocytes stimulated with LPS produce large quantities of prointerleukin-1β, but little of this cytokine product is released extracellularly as the mature biologically active species. To demonstrate efficient proteolytic cleavage and export, cytokine-producing cells require a secondary effector stimulus. In an attempt to identify agents that may serve as initiators of IL-1β posttranslational processing in vivo, LPS-activated human monocytes were treated with several individual antimicrobial peptides. Two peptides derived from porcine neutrophils, protegrin (PTG)-1 and PTG-3, promoted rapid and efficient release of mature IL-1β. The PTG-mediated response engaged a mechanism similar to that initiated by extracellular ATP acting via the P2X 7 receptor. Thus, both processes were disrupted by a caspase inhibitor, both were sensitive to ethacrynic acid and CP-424,174, two pharmacological agents that suppress posttranslational processing, and both were negated by elevation of extracellular potassium. Moreover, the PTGs, like ATP, promoted a dramatic change in monocyte morphology and a loss of membrane latency. The PTG response was concentration dependent and was influenced profoundly by components within the culture medium. In contrast, porcine neutrophil antimicrobial peptides PR-26 and PR-39 did not initiate IL-1β posttranslational processing. The human defensin HNP-1 and the frog peptide magainin 1 elicited export of 17-kDa IL-1β, but these agents were less efficient than PTGs. As a result of this ability to promote release of potent proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, select antimicrobial peptides may possess important immunomodulatory functions that extend beyond innate immunity.
Global Collective Action: Terrorism: 9/11 and Its Aftermath

On a clear, crisp morning, the peace and security of the United States was forever shattered by four hijackings on 11 September 2001 (henceforth, 9/11) that resulted in the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers, the destruction of a section of the Pentagon, and the passenger-induced plane crash on a rural Pennsylvania field. Within a mere 90 minutes, the potential threat of terrorism and the vulnerabilities of America became understood by a traumatized public. In today's technology-based society, an everyday object could be transformed into a weapon of mass destruction (WMD). Apparently, al-Qaida terrorists surpassed their wildest dreams of robbing Americans of their serenity and security. Their heinous attack captured headlines for months and will continue to do so for years to come. By broadcasting much of the disaster live, including the toppling of the north and south WTC towers, the media unwittingly assisted in magnifying the potential risks that modern-day terrorism poses. This heightened state of anxiety probably induced the anthrax terrorist to capitalize on the insecurity and hysteria that had already gripped the nation. That is, the mailing of anthrax letters was a complementary incident to the 9/11 hijackings, thereby allowing the two incidents to have a greater influence than either would have had on its own. Although those responsible for the two sets of events surely differed, the timing of the anthrax letters was not coincidental. The events of 9/11 marked the largest ever terror attack on US soil – or anywhere – and resulted in the death of just over 3,000 people.
Anatomy of the PF magnet failure in Alcator C-MOD

The Alcator C-MOD tokamak began operation in late March, 1992. The terminal of one of the poloidal field magnets, located inside the TF magnet, suffered a structural failure in routine service on April 10, 1992. The protective systems functioned as designed and there was virtually no associated damage. Post mortem analysis showed that the terminal might well have failed at or near the design current limit, but a satisfactory explanation for the failure at 17% of design stress has not been produced. The terminal details of the failed magnet were present in 9 other PF magnets. A new design was developed and applied to all affected magnets. The replacement of the magnet terminals and restart of the experimental facility took 13 months. The terminal assembly that failed was on a relatively simple magnet with only moderately high applied loads. The toroidal field magnet and ohmic heating solenoid are both much more complex and subjected to higher loads. The TF magnet, for example, utilizes an innovative sliding joint construction method to carry loads to a massive external superstructure. Yet the TF magnet continues to perform well and is now operating routinely at over 50% of design current. This presentation will examine the factors and decisions that led to the original PF terminal design and subsequent failure. The new design will be presented, followed by a discussion of the lessons learned from this experience.
In Vivo Analysis of the Potency of Silicone Oil Microdroplets as Immunological Adjuvants in Protein Formulations

Subvisible particles in a therapeutic protein product may act as adjuvants to promote unwanted immune responses against the protein. Silicone oil is used as a lubricant in prefilled syringes, and microdroplets of silicone oil are often detected in protein formulations expelled from prefilled syringes. In order to test the adjuvant potency of silicone oil microdroplets, antibody responses in mice to subcutaneous injections of formulations of ovalbumin (OVA) that contained silicone oil microdroplets were measured. These responses were compared against responses to oil-free OVA formulations and to OVA formulations that contained microparticulate aluminum hydroxide ("alum"), the common vaccine adjuvant. When administered with high concentrations of silicone oil microdroplets, OVA formulations elicited strong anti-OVA IgG1 and IgG2a antibody responses. These responses were equivalent to those observed when alum microparticles were added to OVA formulations, suggesting that silicone oil can act as a potent adjuvant. However, when OVA formulations were prepared with lower levels of silicone oil that had been obtained directly from commercial siliconized syringes, the anti-OVA antibody response was not enhanced significantly compared with responses against OVA alone.
In search of the optimal Walsh-Hadamard transform

This paper describes an approach to implementing and optimizing fast signal transforms. Algorithms for computing signal transforms are expressed by symbolic expressions, which can be automatically generated and translated into programs. Optimizing an implementation involves searching for the fastest program obtained from one of the possible expressions. We apply this methodology to the implementation of the Walsh-Hadamard transform. An environment, accessible from MATLAB, is provided for generating and timing WHT algorithms. These tools are used to search for the fastest WHT algorithm. The fastest algorithm found is substantially faster than standard approaches to implementing the WHT. The work reported in this paper is part of the SPIRAL project. An ongoing project whose goal is to automate the implementation and optimization of signal processing algorithms.
Decreased Bone Mass and Strength in Ovariectomized Cynomolgus Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

Agents for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis must now be tested in a large animal species that exhibits bone remodeling. Ovariectomized, nonhuman primates provide one such model, and they consistently develop osteopenia accompanied by high bone turnover rates. The goal of this study was to further characterize this model, and particularly to determine the effect of ovariectomy on bone strength in vertebrae and femoral necks. Longitudinal evaluations of spinal bone mass and serum markers of bone turnover were performed in 19 sham-ovariectomized (SHAM) and 18 ovariectomized (OVX), domestically reared cynomolgus monkeys, aged >9 years. OVX monkeys lost bone relative to both baseline values and SHAM controls. Serum markers of bone turnover were increased by OVX. After 72 weeks, both vertebral bone compressive strength and femoral neck breaking strength were significantly decreased in OVX animals compared with SHAM. Ovariectomized cynomolgus monkeys, like postmenopausal women, develop accelerated bone loss, increased bone turnover, and reduced bone strength, and provide a suitable large animal model for efficacy studies with agents for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis.
Market basket analysis of crash data from large jurisdictions and its potential as a decision support tool

Data mining applications are becoming increasingly popular for many applications across a set of very divergent fields. Analysis of crash data is no exception. There are many data mining methodologies that have been applied to crash data in the recent past. However, one particular application conspicuously missing from the traffic safety literature until recently is association analysis or market basket analysis. The methodology is used by retailers all over the world to determine which items are purchased together. In this study, crashes are analyzed as supermarket transactions to detect interdependence among crash characteristics. The results from the analysis include simple rules that indicate which crash characteristics are associated with each other. The application is demonstrated using non-intersection crash data from the state of Florida for the year 2004. In the proposed methodology no variable needs to be assigned as dependent variable. Hence, it is useful in identifying previously unknown patterns in the data obtained from large jurisdictions (such as the State of Florida) as opposed to the data from a single roadway or intersection. Based on the association rules discovered from the analysis, it was concluded that there is a significant correlation between lack of illumination and high severity of crashes. Furthermore, it was found that under rainy conditions straight sections with vertical curves are particularly crash prone. Results are consistent with the understanding of crash characteristics and point to the potential of this methodology for the analysis of crash data collected by the state and federal agencies. The potential of this technique may be realized in the form of a decision support tool for the traffic safety administrators.
A Review of Federal Meteorological Programs for Fiscal Years

Abstract The trend in the funding of Federal meteorological services and research over the past decade has been assessed. The major thrusts of this analysis have been directed toward determining the service improvements that have occurred, the impact of inflation over the years, and the directions for future programs. The increases in radar surveillance of severe storms, the improved capability of remote sensing from satellites, the steady rise in computer power, and the expansion of warning dissemination systems are examples of program highlights discussed. While the annual Federal expenditures for meteorology have more than doubled over the past decade and have kept somewhat ahead of inflation, Federal manpower in operational meteorology peaked in the middle of the decade and is now at a level below that of ten years ago. The major meteorological functions of monitoring, forecast and warning preparation and dissemination, as well as the research that supports these functions, are all characterized by a ...
Navigation satellites: their future potential

The United States Department of Defense is developing a new generation of navigation satellites known as the Navstar Global Positioning System or GPS. When the full system of 18 satellites is deployed in the late 1980s, highly accurate information on position, velocity, and time will be available continuously to users anywhere in the world. This capability has already been demonstrated by the existing constellation of five prototype satellites. The original impetus for Navstar was the need for highly accurate positioning information by military aircraft, ships, and ground units. But Navstar also has potential for a variety of civilian uses, which include precision navigation, surveying and accurate time transfer. Moreover, the projected sharp decline in the cost of GPS user equipment will make the system available to a wide class of users.
An alternative dynamic binding model: deep binding with cacheing

The two most common dynamic binding models used in Lisp systems are shallow and deep binding. For a succinct summery of these see Padget and Fitch [1985], which includes a proposed third model. It is often claimed that shallow binding are unsuited to systems which allow context switching. We wish to describe an alternative binding model, deep binding with cacheing, which provides the efficiency of shallow binding in "ordinary" call/return control, while exhibiting the ease of context switching of deep binding. This binding model was implemented in the Lisp system built at the IBM Research Center, later elaborated into LISP/VM. In this article the term LISP/VM will be used to encompass both that program and all of its progenitors developed at IBM Research.
In myofibroblastic sarcomas of the head and neck, mitotic activity and necrosis define grade: a case study and literature review

Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMFS) is considered a distinct entity in the World Health Organization classification of soft tissue neoplasms, defined as an atypical myofibroblastic proliferation with fibromatosis-like features and a predilection for the head and neck. A substantial subset of previously reported myofibroblastic sarcomas (MFS), particularly in the head and neck region, are associated with appreciable tumor-associated morbidity and mortality and should be differentiated from the more indolent LGMFS. However, no specific morphological criteria have been developed to define the entity of LGMFS. We have reviewed histological findings in conjunction with clinical follow-up information of previously reported MFS in the head and neck region in the English literature, with the addition of five new cases from our institution. We found that MFSs with 6 or more mitoses per 10 high power fields and/or presence of spontaneous necrosis were accompanied by a higher mortality rate that is statistically significant.
A Conserved Sequence within the Propeptide Domain of Membrane Type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase Is Critical for Function as an Intramolecular Chaperone

The propeptide domain of secreted matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is responsible for maintaining the latency of these proteinases. Recently, the propeptide domain of the prototype membrane type matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) was demonstrated to act as an intramolecular chaperone (Cao, J., Hymowitz, M., Conner, C., Bahou, W. F., and Zucker, S. (2000)J. Biol. Chem. 275, 29648–29653). In the current study, the role of an unique four-amino acid sequence in the propeptide domain of MT1-MMP was examined. The sequence42YGYL45 is conserved in the propeptide domain of all six members of the MT-MMP subfamily, but not in secreted MMPs. Mutant MT1-MMP cDNAs coding for alanine substitutions (single and double amino acid sequences) in this conserved propeptide region were transfected into COS-1 cells deficient in endogenous MT1-MMP. As demonstrated by immunofluorescence, mutant MT1-MMP protein was synthesized and displayed on the plasma membrane of transfected cells. Alanine substitutions within the 42YGYL45sequence proved to be detrimental for enzyme function in terms of activation of proMMP-2 and binding TIMP-2 to the cell surface (MT1-MMP serves as a cell surface receptor for TIMP-2). In contrast to wild-type MT1-MMP-transfected cells, mutant MT1-MMP-transfected cells were incapable of degrading and migrating on a fibronectin substrate. These data indicate that the conserved 42YGYL45sequence within the propeptide domain of MT-MMPs is required for intramolecular chaperone function of these intrinsic membrane proteinases.
Effect of presentation order on the construction of linear orders

Subjects constructed four-term linear orders from three sentences expressing the relationships between adjacent elements in the order. Successful performance was more likely when the second sentence introduced only one element not mentioned in the first sentence rather than two new elements and when the second and third sentences introduced new elements as grammatical subjects rather than objects. Except for the latter result, previously proposed theories of reasoning processes primarily in three-term series problems, predict other differences that failed to appear. Apparently, in longer series, memory limitations favor conditions in which each sentence after the first presents a relationship between a new and an old element in linguistic forms that identify the new element.
Growth, auxin requirement, and indole-3-acetic acid content of cultured crown-gall and habituated tissues of tobacco

Abstract We used radioimmunoassay to compare the indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentration in cultured auxinautonomous tissues of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv.‘Havana 425’ that differ in growth rate, auxin requirement, capacity for organogenesis, and proximal cause of transformation. Lines HT37 and HB6 were crown-gall tissues transformed by the T37 and B6 strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens . The tissue line 156AH, like the crown-gall lines, was auxin and cytokinin autotrophic, but arose spontaneously in culture and did not result from crown-gall transformation. The IAA content of the lines was variable and between 10 −7 and 10 −6 moles kg −1 fresh weight. This same range of IAA concentration was found in growing leaf tissues on the plant. IAA concentrations were 2–5 fold higher in HB6 than HT37 during the first few days of culture, and exogenous auxin induced the teratomatous HT37 tissue to grow in an unorganized fashion suggesting that auxin plays a role in regulating tumor morphology. The major difference between genetically transformed crown-gall tissues and the auxin-cytokinin autotrophic tissue line was that net IAA production continued to rise for several weeks of culture in tumor tissues but only for the first few days of culture in the autotrophic tissue.
AstroBiology Explorer Mission Concepts (ABE/ASPIRE)

The AstroBiology Explorer (ABE) and the Astrobiology Space InfraRed Explorer (ASPIRE) Mission Concepts are two missions designed to address the questions (1) Where do we come from? and (2) Are we alone? as outlined in NASA s Origins Program using infrared spectroscopy to explore the identity, abundance, and distribution of molecules of astrobiological importance throughout the Universe. The ABE mission s observational program is focused on six tasks to: (1) Investigate the evolution of ice and organics in dense clouds and star formation regions, and the young stellar/planetary systems that form in them; (2) Measure the evolution of complex organic molecules in stellar outflows; (3) Study the organic composition of a wide variety of solar system objects including asteroids, comets, and the planets and their satellites; (4) Identify organic compounds in the diffuse interstellar medium and determine their distribution , abundance, and change with environment; (5) Detect and identify organic compounds in other galaxies and determine their dependence on galactic type; and (6) Measure deuterium enrichments in interstellar organics and use them as tracers of chemical processes. The ASPIRE mission s observational program expands upon ABE's core mission and adds tasks that (7) Address the role of silicates in interstellar organic chemistry; and (8) Use different resolution spectra to assess the relative roles and abundances of gas- and solid-state materials. ABE (ASPIRE) achieves these goals using a highly sensitive, cryogenically-cooled telescope in an Earth drift-away heliocentric orbit, armed with a suite of infrared spectrometers that cover the 2.5-20(40) micron spectral region at moderate spectral resolution (R>2000). ASPIRE's spectrometer complement also includes a high-resolution (R>25,000) module over the 4-8 micron spectral region. Both missions target lists are chosen to observe a statistically significant sample of a large number of objects of varied types in support of the tasks outline above. The ABE and ASPIRE mission lifetimes are designed to be 14 months and 3 years, respectively, both with significant cryogen and propellant lifetime margins to support an extended observing campaign. The ABE/ASPIRE mission concepts and their supporting Science Teams are led by Principal Investigator Dr. Scott Sandford of NASA s Ames Research Center, with industry partner Ball Aerospace Technologies Ltd., and managed by Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The ABE/ASPIRE Science Operations will be carried out at NASA s Ames Research Center, and the ABE/ASPIRE database will be archived at Caltech/IPAC.
Pseudomyxoma peritonei: Preoperative diagnosis by ultrasound and computed tomography a case report

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is an unusual condition caused by rupture of a mucinous neoplasm. Correct preoperative diagnosis can now be made by use of ultrasound and computed tomography.
Determination of Isoflavone Contents for Selected Soybean Lines and Soy Foods by Fourier Transform Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Soybean isoflavones are of considerable interest in relation to their possible health effects in human diets. Rapid and economical determination of soybean isoflavone contents is essential for breeding and selection of soybean seeds with optimal isoflavone levels for food applications. Fourier Transform Near Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-NIR) calibrations were developed for rapid and reliable analysis of soybean isoflavone content. Our isoflavone calibrations are characterized by low standard errors ( 99%).
An Electrically Switchable Metal-Organic Framework

Crystalline metal organic framework (MOF) materials containing interconnected porosity can be chemically modified to promote stimulus-driven (light, magnetic or electric fields) structural transformations that can be used in a number of devices. Innovative research strategies are now focused on understanding the role of chemical bond manipulation to reversibly alter the free volume in such structures of critical importance for electro-catalysis, molecular electronics, energy storage technologies, sensor devices and smart membranes. In this letter, we study the mechanism for which an electrically switchable MOF composed of Cu(TCNQ) (TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane) transitions from a high-resistance state to a conducting state in a reversible fashion by an applied potential. The actual mechanism for this reversible electrical switching is still not understood even though a number of reports are available describing the application of electric-field-induced switching of Cu(TCNQ) in device fabrication.
Free convection in a vertical duct of square cross section with variable viscosity

Nusselt numbers and dimensionless flow rates have been calculated as functions of Prandtl number, Grashof number, and a viscosity parameter that takes into account variation of viscosity with temperature. The dependence of heat transfer coefficient and flow rate on the viscosity parameter is shown to be strong enough to require consideration of temperature variation of viscosity for accurate calculations. The results are useful in the design of heat sink assemblies having square vertical slots.
The structure of regular semigroups, III: The reduced case

Reduced regular semigroups were characterized in the previous announcements of this sequence: up to isomorphism, they are the full regular subsemigroups of certain semigroups U built from regular partially ordered sets. We now complete this result by an explicit procedure to pick out all full regular subsemigroups of any U. This also provides a way to obtain (from partially ordered sets) all possible egg-box pictures of regular semigroups, as well as a blueprint for the multiplication in the general case.
Experimental study of seismic response of buildings with supplemental fluid dampers

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the seismic response of buildings with supplemental fluid damping devices. These devices operate on the principle of fluid flow through orifices specially shaped so as to produce damping forces proportional to the velocity, i.e. the devices operate as linear viscous dampers. The experimental results demonstrate that the addition of fluid dampers to the tested steel model structure resulted in reductions of interstory drifts, floor accelerations and story shear forces by factors of two to three in comparison with the response of the same structure without the dampers.
Beach communications: a need for evaluation of current approaches.

Aims: Programs to notify the public about water quality at beaches are developed at the state and local levels. We sought to characterize the messages and message delivery options in use, and information about the effectiveness of these beach notification programs. Methods: A telephone survey of 37 US state, tribal and territorial and 18 county, city or local beach programs was conducted to characterize current public notification practices and any evaluations of those practices. Results: Beach notification practices vary substantially at the state and local levels. Colorcoded signs or flags are commonly used, but not universally, and the color schemes and their meanings vary. New communication approaches utilizing text messaging and the internet are in use or under development for local use. Few communication methods had undergone systematic evaluations of their content, delivery methods or effectiveness in promoting behavior change. Conclusion: The prevention of waterborne illness requires communications that effectively promote the avoidance of swimming when water quality is impaired. Current communication practices are variable and generally have not undergone formal evaluations for their effectiveness. It is not known whether or how they impact health risk.
Variations of cellular nitrogen components of different yeasts during growth

The amino acid composition of whole cells of eight yeast species together with protein and RNA contents were determined at three selected points of a growth curve. Total nitrogen and crude protein contents showed a decrease during the growth cycle, while true protein concentrations appeared to be more stable. RNA contents decreased in the stationary phase. Variability was negligible for overall amino acid patterns from different phases of growth.
Scaling up the nervous system of Caenorhabditis elegans : is one ape equal to 33 million worms?

Although vastly different, both the mammalian brain and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans' nervous system must contribute critically to assure survival. Two quantitative conditions which place bounds on networks for connectedness and stability are tested on the published neural network of C. elegans and fit. Consideration of networks scaled up to mammalian size and confined between these bounds suggests that perhaps, the entire spectrum of brain size may be built between these bounds. Further consequences of increasing brain size relate to the trade-off between complexity, providing internal resistance to individual damage, and redundancy of population, as survival mechanisms.
Displaying Race and Exhibiting Empires in the 1930s

(2003). Displaying Race and Exhibiting Empires in the 1930s. Social Identities: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 127-138.
Evolution of Intelligent Shipboard Piloting Systems: A Distributed System for the St Lawrence Seaway

Safe navigation in restricted waters continues to be a perennial concern for ship owners, operators, navigators, and citizens. The Nieuw Amsterdam, a cruise ship which ran aground in Southeast Alaska in August 1994; the Royal Majesty, another cruise ship which ran aground 10 miles east of Nantucket Island in June 1995; and the Regent Star, which caught fire in Prince William Sound, Alaska on 22 July, 1995, are just a few of the recent incidents which remind us of the importance of safe navigation in restricted waters. Clearly, the Braer, the World Prodigy, and the Exxon Valdez provide other examples of the importance of safe navigation in close waters. Fire, collision, allisions and groundings can result if vessels navigating in such waters stray.
Selective changes in cytochrome P-450 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase subpopulations following partial hepatectomy in rats.

Abstract Following 65% hepatectomy in adult male rats, the cytochrome P-450 in the residual liver decreased continuously from 1.0 to approximately 0.5 nmol/mg protein over a period of 2 to 3 days, and then recovered slowly to presurgety values by 14 days. In contrast UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity (per mg protein) declined (25 to 40% depending on the aglycone used to assay the enzyme) for only 1 day, with a rapid recovery to presurgery values by 5 days. Transferase activity toward estrone overshot control values during recovery and was elevated above its presurgery value at 7 days. The changes in drugmetabolizing enzymes were accompanied by a surge inmitosis which peaked at 2 days. The extent of the decline in cytochrome P-450 and the increase in the mitotic index were proportional to the amount of liver removed. The decline in cytochrome P-450 was selective for cytochrome P-450 which elutes in the void volume upon anion-exchange high-pressure liquid chromatography of solubilized microsomes. Accompanying the decline in cytochrome P-450 in this eluate was a decline in protein(s) with a molecular weight of 51,500. The decline in cytochrome P-450 also caused disproportionate decreases in microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity and metabolic-intermediate complex formation from norbenzphetamine and SKF 525-A, but not in p-nitroanisole O-demethylase activity, metabolic-intermediate complex formation from isosafrole or metyrapone binding to cytochrome P-450.
Indigenous Movements and Their Critics: Pan Maya Activism in Guatemala

Indigenous Movements and Their Critics: Pan Maya Activism in Guatemala. Kay B. Warren. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1999. xxii. 288 pp., photographs, appendixes, glossary, notes, bibliography, Index.
CHROMOSOME ABNORMALITIES IN ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE BREAKTHROUGH PREGNANCIES

Studies have shown an increased incidence of chromosome abnormalities in babies of women who have taken oral contraceptives (OC) at the time of conception. The Kaiser-Permanente Birth Defects Study between 1975-1977 observed 814 babies of OC users at time of conception and found 1 case of trisomy 21 and 2 cases of trisomy 18. The frequency rate for the 3 cases of de-novo chromosome abnormality in the pill failure group was 3.69/1000 and 1.28/1000 among 32737 in the control group.
Structural and immunocytochemical characterization of the adhesive tendril of Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia [L.] Planch.)

The tendrils of Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) do not coil around their supports. Rather, they adhere to supporting objects by flattening against the support surface and secreting an adhesive compound which firmly glues the tendril to the support. In this study, microscopic and immunocytochemical techniques were utilized to determine the nature of this adhesive. Following touch stimulation, epidermal cells of the tendril elongate toward the support substrate, becoming papillate in morphology. Following contact with the support surface, an adhesive is produced at the base of the papillate cells. The adhesive appears as a highly heterogeneous, raftlike structure and consists of pectinaceous, rhamnogalacturonan (RG) I-reactive components surrounding a callosic core. In addition, more mobile components, composed of arabinogalactans and mucilaginous pectins, intercalate both the support and the tendril, penetrating the tendril to the proximal ends of the papillate cells. Following adherence to the support, the anticlinal walls of the papillate cells are devoid of RG I side-chain reactivity, indicating that extensive debranching of RG I molecules has taken place. Furthermore, a large amount of RG I backbone reactivity was observed in the contact area. These results may indicate that the debranched RG I molecules diffuse into and permeate the contact region, forming an integral part of the adhesive compound. These results indicate that Virginia creeper adheres to objects by a composite adhesive structure consisting of debranched RG I, callose, and other, less-well characterized mucilaginous pectins and that this structure subsequently becomes lignified and very weather-resistant upon the ultimate senescence of the tendril.
Ideology and Voter Preferences as Determinants of Financial Globalization

We propose that the global spread of ideas affects international economic openness policies, and that to omit ideology as an explanatory variable for economic globalization is to risk omitted variable bias. Using voting data, we create measures of global ideology regarding economic openness and propose that changes in both global and domestic ideology influence how open or closed to international finance an economy is. We also test other influences on liberalization, including proposed state-centered diffusion mechanisms. Using PCSTS and system-GMM models, we estimate the determinants of change in international capital account regulation for 82 countries, 1955 to 1999. We thereby examine diffusion of both liberalizations (1950s and 1990s) and closures (1960s and 1970s). Changes in both global and domestic ideology robustly influence liberalization and closure. The capital account policies of neighboring countries (positively) and of the leading economies (negatively) also influenced a country's capital account liberalization.
Information Security Risks and Countermeasures in CPA Practices

With proliferation of computers and accounting software, information security became a significant concern for individual CPA practitioners and CPA practices. This research is based on a survey conducted by the authors at the Second Accounting and Tax CPA seminar at California State University at Los Angeles (CSULA) in 2011. The purpose of this research is to establish metrics and assess cyber security for solo practitioners, small and mid-size CPA practices by surveying and analysing risks that the practices are facing and the countermeasures they employ. The survey reveals the perceptions and practices of CPA practitioners and employees of CPA firms, small and medium, related to cybersecurity, associated risks in practices of their organizations, and the challenges they confront in their efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to such risks. Among our key findings are: profiles of CPA practices; indexes for Weighted Risk Expectancy (WRE) and Weighted Countermeasure Expectancy (WCE) based on the risk/countermeasure significance and likelihood of occurrences; comparative analysis of WRE and WCE for CPA firms of various sizes and their averages.
Changes in middle-ear input admittance during postnatal auditory development in chicks.

Abstract Admittance at the tympanic membrane was measured in one ear of 73 chicks in 8 age groups between 1 and 150 days post-hatch. Admittance at 7 frequencies (0.66–1.8 kHz) was calculated from measurements of the magnitude and phase angle of sound pressure in front of the tympanic membrane. The results show that admittance magnitude at all frequencies increased exponentially with age during the first 70 days of life. The admittance angle also changed systematically with age, These developmental events may be related to changes in the compliance and resistance of the tympanic membrane.
Acidic residues in the nucleotide-binding site of the bacteriophage T7 DNA primase.

DNA primases catalyze the synthesis of oligoribonucleotides to initiate lagging strand DNA synthesis during DNA replication. Like other prokaryotic homologs, the primase domain of the gene 4 helicase-primase of bacteriophage T7 contains a zinc motif and a catalytic core. Upon recognition of the sequence, 5′-GTC-3′ by the zinc motif, the catalytic site condenses the cognate nucleotides to produce a primer. The TOPRIM domain in the catalytic site contains several charged residues presumably involved in catalysis. Each of eight acidic residues in this region was replaced with alanine, and the properties of the altered primases were examined. Six of the eight residues (Glu-157, Glu-159, Asp-161, Asp-207, Asp-209, and Asp-237) are essential in that altered gene 4 proteins containing these mutations cannot complement T7 phage lacking gene 4 for T7 growth. These six altered gene 4 proteins can neither synthesize primers de novo nor extend an oligoribonucleotide. Despite the inability to catalyze phosphodiester bond formation, the altered proteins recognize the sequence 5′-GTC-3′ in the template and deliver preformed primer to T7 DNA polymerase. The alterations in the TOPRIM domain result in the loss of binding affinity for ATP as measured by surface plasmon resonance assay together with ATP-agarose affinity chromatography.
An assessment of the effects of crude oil pollution on soil properties, germination and growth of Gambaya albida (L.)

No Abstract. UNISWA Research Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology Vol. 8(2) 2005: 148-155
Analysis of e-business models in real estate

We use Canvas Application Framework to analyze e-business models of Realestate.yahoo.com, Yahoo.com, Redfin.com, Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Zillow.com, and Craigslist.com. We investigate the similarities and differences among e-business models and how e-business model differentiation affects company success. We looked at which business model components, such as distribution channels, business partnerships, attracting customers, revenue streams, etc., are important. We further investigate whether the web-advertising, brokerage, virtual value-chain, or the diversified internet business model is used by each company, and which ones are more successful. We discover similarities and differences among e-business models. Differences include the use of revenue streams for generating revenue, the extent of partnerships, and the role they play in a company's success.
Diamond Turning Of Parabolic Mirrors

The manufacture and testing of a silver parabolic mirror cut directly with a diamond tool in a high precision numericallycontrolled lathe without subsequent optical figuring or polishing is described. The mirror is 6 in. in diameter with a 1.5 in. facal length, giving an f-number (ratio of focal length to beam diameter) of 0.25.
Differences in the Distribution of Catecholamine Varicosities in Cat and Rat Reticular Formation

The distribution of catecholamine varicosities within the brainstem reticular formation of the immature cat was determined by means of the formaldehyde-induced fluorescence technique. A continuous pattern of intense, green, medium-sized varicosities exists at nearly all brainstem levels. At most of these levels the varicosities appear within the boundaries of reticular formation nuclei. However, in rostral mesencephalon, some of the varicosities of the pattern lie in proximity to perikarya of the red nucleus. In addition, numerous varicosities in caudal medulla appear to extend from the pattern into nonreticular formation nuclei. A comparable pattern of reticular formation fluorescence is absent in the rat and this finding is believed to represent a true interspecies difference.
Observation of self-focusing in optical fibers with picosecond pulses

Self-focusing was observed at Raman frequencies, using picosecond pulses propagating in a large-core optical fiber of 100-μm diameter. For intense input pulses, a continuum of Stokes frequencies was generated in a small ring-waveguide structure. The ring diameter of 11 μm was about 10 times smaller than the beam diameter at low intensities. The ring structure was attributed to an induced-gradient-index profile arising from the nonlinear index of refraction.
Measuring Effective Writing: Cloze Procedure and Anaphoric “This”

In this study of expert use of anaphoric “this,” six history textbook passages written by composition instructors, text linguists, and professional editors are submitted to cloze procedure for comp...
NKCC1 and KCC2 Prevent Hyperexcitability in the Mouse Hippocampus

During postnatal development of the central nervous system (CNS), the response of GABAA receptors to its agonist undergoes maturation from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing. This switch in polarity is due to the developmental decrease of the intracellular Cl− concentration in neurons. Here we show that absence of NKCC1 in P9-13 CA3 pyramidal neurons, through genetic manipulation or through bumetanide inhibition, results in a significant increase in cell excitability. Furthermore, the pro-convulsant agent 4-aminopyridine induces seizure-like events in NKCC1-null mice but not in wild-type mice. Measurements of muscimol responses in the presence and absence of NKCC1 shows that the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter only marginally affects intracellular Cl− in P9-P13 CA3 principal neurons. However, large increases in intracellular Cl− are observed in CA3 pyramidal neurons following increased hyperexcitability, indicating that P9-13 CA3 pyramidal neurons lack robust mechanisms to regulate intracellular Cl− during high synaptic activity. This increase in the Cl− concentration is network-driven and activity-dependent, as it is blocked by the non-NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist DNQX. We also show that expression of the outward K-Cl cotransporter, KCC2, prevents the development of hyperexcitability, as a reduction of KCC2 expression by half results in increased susceptibility to seizure under control and 4-AP conditions.