cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Random amplified polymorphic DNA markers: usefulness for gene mapping and analysis of genetic variation of catfish

Abstract Catfish are the most important aquacultural species in the United States. A genetic linkage map is needed to improve efficiency of breeding by marker-assisted selection (MAS), and for identification, isolation and eventual cloning of commercially important genes. To identify DNA-based genetic polymorphism for constructing a genetic linkage map of catfish, we tested 100 random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers for their utility in identifying genetic polymorphism in catfish. The overall polymorphism was low among strains within a species for both channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) and blue catfish ( Ictalurus furcatus) . However, considerably higher levels of polymorphism were detected between channel catfish and blue catfish. Among the 100 primers tested, 42 produced highly clean and reproducible RAPD profiles; 33 produced medium quality RAPD profiles; and 25 produced poorly reproducible RAPD profiles or non-polymorphic RAPD profiles. The 75 high and medium quality primers generated 462 polymorphic bands, an average of 6.1 bands per primer. The RAPD markers were highly reproducible in a size range from 200 to 1500 base pairs (bp). They were transmitted to F 1 hybrids as dominant markers. There was no difference in RAPD profiles between channel catfish×blue catfish F 1 hybrids or their reciprocal hybrids. The markers segregated in F 2 or backcross progeny with ratios as expected from Mendelian inheritance.
Fluid Flow in Healed Tectonic Fractures

Core samples recovered during the course of the Multiwell Experiment (MWX) contained numerous mineralized vertical tectonic fractures a few millimeters wide. Permeability of these calcite-filled fractures were higher but of the same order as the surrounding matrix. This paper reports that increases in permeability of up to several-thousand-fold were obtained by treatment with acetic acid. Acid fracturing provides a possible approach to formation stimulation.
Coronal Ultraviolet Berkeley Spectrometer

We describe an instrument package to remotely measure thermospheric, exospheric, and plasmaspheric structure and composition. This instrument was flown aboard the second test flight of the Black Brant XII sounding rocket on December 5, 1989, which attained an apogee of 1460 km. The experiment package designed for this flight consisted of a spectrophotometer to measure He I 584-A, O II 834-A, a I 989-A, hydrogen Lyman β (1025-A), hydrogen Lyman α (1216-A), and O I 1304-A emissions, and a photometer to measure the He II 304-A emission. The optical design of the spectrophotometer was identical to that of the Berkeley Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Airglow Rocket Spectrometer payload, flown on September 30, 1988, aboard the maiden flight of the Black Brant XII rocket. The He II 304-A photometer consisted of a layered synthetic microstructure mirror tuned at 304 A in a Wadsworth-type mount acting as a light bucket to focus incident radiation through a thin-film metal filter onto a channeltron detector. We also present the initial data analysis and describe directions we will go toward the completion of our study.
Uterine activity and prostaglandin production following intraamniotic hyperosmolar urea

The relationship between endogenous prostaglandin (PG) production and uterine activity was studied in hyperosmolar urea induced abortion patients. Polygraphic recordings of intraamniotic pressure were obtained at periodic intervals following intraamniotic injection of 80 gm urea. At 0, 0.25, 1, 4 and 8 hours amniotic fluid and blood samples were obtained for PGE, PGF and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) analysis by radioimmunoassay. Blood was also sampled at time of absorption. In eight patients studies, uterine tone was elevated by 0.25 hour although no rhythmic contractions were observed by 1 hour. At 4 hours, amniotic fluid PGF concentration increased significantly (P < .01) over the pre-injection value and continued to increase at 8 hours. Amniotic fluid PGE, PGFM and all plasma PG's showed no change during the 8 hour period following urea administration. At time of abortion the plasma PGFM concentration was significantly greater than at the time of injection (238 ± 54.4 vs. 86.7 ± 7.3 pg/ml). There was no significant differences between pre-injection and absorption plasma PGF or PGE concentrations. In the present study, there is no evidence that increased prostaglandin production precedes urea induced contractions. The possible role of PG's in uterine contractions is discussed.
A disaster evacuation network model for transporting multiple priority evacuees

There is an increasing number of natural disasters occurring worldwide, particularly in populated areas. These events affect a large number of people, causing injuries and fatalities. Providing rapid medical treatment is of utmost importance in such circumstances. The problem of transporting patients to medical facilities has been studied to only a small extent. One of the challenges is to find a strategy that can simultaneously maximize the number of survivors and minimize the total evacuation cost under a given set of resource and geographic constraints. We propose a mathematical optimization model called Triage–Assignment–Transportation (TAT) model that decides on the tactical routing assignment of several classes of evacuation vehicles between staging areas and shelters in the nearby area. The model takes into account the level of injury to the evacuees, the capacities of vehicles, and available resources at each shelter. TAT is a mixed-integer linear programming and minimum-cost flow model. Comprehen...
The high‐pressure phase diagram of Fe0.94O: A possible constituent of the Earth's core

Electrical resistivity measurements to pressures of 83 GPa and temperatures ranging from 300 K to 4300 K confirm the presence of both crystalline and liquid metallic phases of FeO at pressures above 60-70 GPa and temperatures above 1000 K. By experimentally determinig the melting temperature of FeO to 100 GPa and of a model-core composition at 83 GPa, it is found that the solid-melt equilibria can be described by complete solid solution across the Fe-FeO system at pressures above 70 GPa. The results indicate that oxygen is a viable and likely candidate for the major light alloying element of the earth's liquid outer core. The data suggest that the temperature at the core-mantle boundary is close to 4800 K and that heat lost out of the core accounts for more than 20 percent of the heat flux observed at the surface.
Improving the stuck-at fault coverage of functional test sequences by using limited-scan operations

Functional test sequences were shown to detect unique defects in VLSI circuits. This is thought to be due to the fact that they are applied at-speed. However, functional test sequences do not achieve complete stuck-at fault coverage. Therefore, scan-based stuck-at tests, as well as other types of tests, are typically also applied. This increases the amount of test resources required for test application. We describe a procedure for inserting (limited) scan operations into a functional sequence in order to improve its stuck-at fault coverage, thus reducing or eliminating the need for separate scan-based stuck-at tests. Between scan operations, the functional test sequence can still be applied at-speed; however, a higher stuck-at fault coverage is achieved.
FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR OPTICAL HYBRID IMAGE PROCESSING

Optical image processing has, with a few notable and important exceptions, been overtaken by digital image processing. However, current technology in incoherent-to-coherent converters, optical detectors, and microprocessors is producing renewed interest in optical methods. Future systems will probably be combinations of optical and electronic subsystems. The current trends in this field are discussed and examples are given of present systems so that future prospects can be evaluated.
Density functional theory study of sulfur tolerance of CO adsorption and dissociation on Rh–Ni binary metals

Abstract The effect of Ni addition to improve the sulfur tolerance of a Rh catalyst for CO dissociation was studied using density functional theory (DFT) methods. Adsorption and dissociation were considered over the (1 1 1) surfaces of binary Rh1Ni2 and Rh2Ni1 metals with comparison to pure Rh and Ni surfaces. Sulfur adsorption on the Rh1Ni2(1 1 1) surface is 0.21 eV more endothermic than on the Rh(1 1 1) surface, suggesting that a Rh1Ni2 bimetallic catalyst has a higher sulfur tolerance than pure Rh catalysts due to a lower surface coverage of the sulfur poison. To compare catalytic activity in the presence of adsorbed sulfur, the CO dissociation rates over the binary and pure metals were calculated with 1/9 sulfur coverage. CO dissociation is fastest on the pure Rh surface under sulfur-free conditions, whereas among sulfur poisoned surfaces, the Rh1Ni2 surface shows the fastest CO dissociation rate. The CO dissociation barrier on Rh1Ni2 is destabilized less by a S coadsorbate than for the other metals. The addition of Ni atoms to a Rh catalyst improves the sulfur tolerance of the catalyst for CO dissociation by minimizing the repulsion between the adsorbed S atom and the CO dissociation transition state, as evidenced through a projected density of states analysis. The Rh1Ni2(2 2 1) stepped surface also shows a lower activation barrier and higher CO dissociation rate in the presence of sulfur than the Rh(2 2 1) stepped surface.
Development of a Network Analogy and Evaluation of Mean Beam Lengths for Multidimensional Absorbing/Isotropically Scattering Media

Based on Hottel's zonal formulation, a network analogy is developed for the analysis of radiative transfer in general multidimensional absorbing/isotropically scattering media. Applying the analogy to the analysis of an isothermal medium and assuming that the incoming and outgoing flux density is homogeneous within the medium, the effect of scattering on the evaluation of mean beam lengths is illustrated. Two concepts of mean beam length, an absorption mean beam length (AMBL) and an extinction mean beam length (EMBL), are introduced and shown to be important for the analysis of radiative transfer in practical systems. Both mean beam lengths differ significantly from the conventional mean beam length in systems of moderate and large optical thickness. Relations between AMBL and EMBL and their limiting behavior are developed analytically. Numerical results for a sphere radiating to its surface and an infinite parallel slab radiating to one of its surfaces are presented to demonstrate quantitatively the mathematical behavior of the two mean beam lengths.
Scaffolding visually cluttered web pages to facilitate accessibility

Increasingly, rich and dynamic content and abundant links are making Web pages visually cluttered and widening the accessibility divide for the disabled and people with impairments. The adaptations approach of transforming Web pages has enabled users with diverse abilities to access a Web page. However, the challenge remains for these users to work with a Web page, particularly among people with minimal Web experience and cognitive limitations. We propose that scaffolding can allow users to learn certain skills that help them function online with greater autonomy. In the case of visually cluttered Web pages, several accessibility scaffoldings were created to enable users to learn where core content begins, how text flows in a part of a Web page, and what the overall structure of a Web page is. These scaffoldings expose the elements, pathways, and organization of a Web page that enable users to interpret and grasp the structure of a Web page. We present the concept of an accessibility scaffolding, the designs of the scaffoldings for visually cluttered pages, and user feedback from people who work with our target end-users.
Enhanced light extraction through randomly nanotextured interfaces

The use of micro-structured interfaces has been shown to increase the extracted light portion far beyond the total reflection cone that limits extraction from flat surfaces. However, earlier theoretical treatments based on ray tracing, break down for nano-structured features smaller than the material wavelength. We apply a new analytic method converting the boundary conditions at the interface into surface currents following from the surface discontinuity in the perpendicular electric and parallel displacement vectors. These currents serve as source terms driving the transmitted radiation, computed by applying the full wave propagator. Analytic formulae yield the transmitted fraction for quasi-periodic surface features involving random variation of the feature size and period. A single incidence of an incoming plane wavefront suffices for transmission, while, in the ray tracing approach, many bounces with an opposing surface are required until the randomly changing angle of incidence falls within the extraction cone.
Children in foster care: a nursing perspective on research, policy, and child health issues.

ISSUES AND PURPOSE. To examine the roles of public policy and poverty on the rising number of children in family foster care, and to examine the impact of different types of family foster care on children's well-being. CONCLUSIONS. Recent changes in welfare legislation increase the likelihood of family poverty, with a subsequent increase in the number of children in out-of-home care. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on preventing entry into out-of-home care, improving the quality of foster care, and giving children a voice in care decisions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Nurses have important roles to play in the prevention of family dissolution, the design of healthcare delivery systems for children in foster care, in evaluating and educating all types of foster families, and as advocates in legal and legislative proceedings.
Chiral iron complexes (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)(L)X (L = phosphine, phosphite; X = acyl, alkyl, halide, hydride)

Abstract The complex [(η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)2]2, containing a chiral η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me ligand, was prepared by reaction of Fe2(CO)9 with α-phenethylcyclopentadiene and converted to (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)2X where X = I, Br, Cl, and Me by standard procedures. Reaction of (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)2Me with PPh3 in MeCN at reflux afforded (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)(PPh3)(C(O)Me) as a ca. 50/50 mixture of diastereomerically related pairs of enantiomers (diastereomers), which were substantially (95/5) separated by chromatography. Photochemical decarbonylation of isomerically enriched (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)(PPh3(C(O)Me) gave partly epimerized (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)(PPh3Me and resulted in the recovery fo the acetyl complex of unchanged diastereomeric composition. Photolysis of (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)2 X (X = I, Br) and PPh3 or PTol3 (L) yielded (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)(L)X as 50/50 mixtures of diastereomers, which were substantially (95/5) separated. The iodo diastereomers are configurationally stable in C6D6 at 25°C, but equilibrate at 72°C to ca. 50/50 mixtures. Reaction of (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)2 I with LiAlH4 in the presence of L, or of (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)(L)I with LiAlH4 (L = PPh3, PTol3, P(OPh)3, P(OEt)3, ETPB), yielded (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)(L)H as oils of varying degree of stability. Diastereomers of (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)(PPh3)H could not be separated chromatographically, and reactions of diastereomerically enriched (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)(PPh3)I with LiAlH4, Super Hydride, or K- or L-Selectride afforded a 50/50 isomeric mixture of (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)(PPh3)H. The product reacts with PTol3 in C6D6 at 25°C to give a 75/25 mixture of (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)(PPh3)H and (η5-C5H4CH(Ph)Me)Fe(CO)(PTol3)H. All new complexes were characterized by a combination of elemental analysis, IR and NMR (1H. 13C{1H}, and 31P{1H}) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Analysis of diastereomeric mixtures was made by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
Differences in organ system of distant metastasis by renal cell carcinoma subtype.

Purpose: The majority of the published data regarding the rates of renal cell carcinoma metastasis to specific locations has examined renal cell carcinoma as a whole. We evaluated site of distant metastasis by renal cell carcinoma histological subtype.Materials and Methods: We studied 910 patients treated with radical nephrectomy for clear cell, papillary or chromophobe renal cell carcinoma at the Mayo Clinic between 1970 and 2000 who had distant metastasis at nephrectomy or who had metastasis during followup. The sites of metastases were compared by histological subtype using the chi-square and Fisher exact tests.Results: There were 853 (94%) patients with clear cell, 39 (4%) with papillary and 18 (2%) with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. Median followup for the 65 patients who were still alive at last followup was 11.6 years. Patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma were more likely to have metastasis to the lungs (53.6%) compared to those with papillary (33.3%) and chromophobe (33.3%) renal cell...
Development of alternate ssu-rRNA probing strategies for characterizing aquatic microbial communities

Abstract Plastids in phytoplankton retain prokaryote-like DNA sequences that may generate false-positive signals from eubacterial small subunit (ssu) rRNA oligonucleotide probes, resulting in the overestimation of bacterial activity in aquatic microbial communities. To assess the extent of possible plastid-associated binding to eubacterial signals, we performed an extensive database search, flask experiments using algal and cyanobacterial pure cultures, and field trials on five common eubacterial probes: S-D-Bact-008-a-A-19, S-D-Bact-338-a-A-18, S-D-Bact-785-a-A-19, S-D-Bact-927-a-A-17, and S-D-Bact-1088-a-A-20. The database search and laboratory tests showed significant potential for binding among most bacterial probes and organelle ssu-rRNA. However, we propose two probing strategies to overcome this problem. First, one could use Bact-785 and Bact-338 in tandem, with the plastid component being estimated as the difference between the two signals (Bact-338 has ~70% overlap with known plastid sequences). Alternately, one might use Bact-338 as the primary eubacterial probe, but then use Cyan-785-a-A-19 (a probe that binds significantly to plastid rRNA) to correct for the plastid-associated false-positive signal. Both strategies would use a eukaryotic probe (S-D-Euca-1379-a-A-16) and Cyan-785-b-A-19 (a probe for most cyanobacteria) to further segregate rRNA signals. Trials were successfully performed using the strategies on samples from a recent field study.
Joint Estimation of Activity and Attenuation in Whole-Body TOF PET/MRI Using Constrained Gaussian Mixture Models

It has recently been shown that the attenuation map can be estimated from time-of-flight (TOF) PET emission data using joint maximum likelihood reconstruction of attenuation and activity (MLAA). In this work, we propose a novel MRI-guided MLAA algorithm for emission-based attenuation correction in whole-body PET/MR imaging. The algorithm imposes MR spatial and CT statistical constraints on the MLAA estimation of attenuation maps using a constrained Gaussian mixture model (GMM) and a Markov random field smoothness prior. Dixon water and fat MR images were segmented into outside air, lung, fat and soft-tissue classes and an MR low-intensity (unknown) class corresponding to air cavities, cortical bone and susceptibility artifacts. The attenuation coefficients over the unknown class were estimated using a mixture of four Gaussians, and those over the known tissue classes using unimodal Gaussians, parameterized over a patient population. To eliminate misclassification of spongy bones with surrounding tissues, and thus include them in the unknown class, we heuristically suppressed fat in water images and also used a co-registered bone probability map. The proposed MLAA-GMM algorithm was compared with the MLAA algorithms proposed by Rezaei and Salomon using simulation and clinical studies with two different tracer distributions. The results showed that our proposed algorithm outperforms its counterparts in suppressing the cross-talk and scaling problems of activity and attenuation and thus produces PET images of improved quantitative accuracy. It can be concluded that the proposed algorithm effectively exploits the MR information and can pave the way toward accurate emission-based attenuation correction in TOF PET/MRI.
Ionic, Covalent, and Metallic Surface States of a One-Dimensional Mathieu Potential with Arbitrary Termination

A model of surface states on a one-dimensional crystal with sinusoidal potential has been simply solved for arbitrary values of the sinusoidal amplitude $q$, lattice termination ${z}_{0}$, surface step height $\ensuremath{\xi}$, and band-gap index $m$. The Schr\"odinger equation inside the crystal is equivalent to the Mathieu equation, whose eigenfunctions and eigenvalues are well known. Surface states are constructed as hybrids of bulk states [incorporating the proper nearly free-electron (NFE) and linear-combinations-of-atomic-orbitals (LCAO) limits], and they move towards the centers of the band gaps the stronger the surface "perturbation." It is shown that ionic surface states occur for $m=2$, ${z}_{0}=\frac{1}{4}\ensuremath{\pi}$, and $m=2$, ${z}_{0}=\frac{3}{4}\ensuremath{\pi}$; covalent surface states occur for $m=1$, ${z}_{0}=\frac{1}{2}\ensuremath{\pi}$; and metallic (or virtual) surface states occur in the allowed band between $m=0$ and $m=1$. Shockley states (looked for at ${z}_{0}=0$, all $m$) do not appear. This work has been favorably related to the author's semiclassical ionic model, to previous NFE and LCAO approximation methods, to the theories of Shockley and Statz, and to real surfaces in accordance with low-energy-electron-diffraction studies. In addition, it has uncovered a new linkage between the NFE and LCAO terminologies.
A universal asymptotic velocity distribution for independent particles in a time-dependent irregular container

Abstract We show that the velocity distribution f(v) for a gas of non-interacting particles bouncing around in a deforming irregular container of fixed volume tends to a universal function independent of its original form and of the container's shape or time evolution. This function turns out to be the exponential velocity distribution. f(v) ∞ e −v c where c is one third of the instantaneous average particle speed. This may be contrasted with the gaussian Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution appropriate in the case of a gas of interacting particles.
Measures of outcomes for children and youth

Abstract Lollar DJ, Simeonsson RJ, Nanda U. Measures of outcomes for children and youth. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81 Suppl 2:S46-S52. Objective: To provide an overview of the issues related to the measurement of disability outcomes among children and on an assessment of selected instruments. Data Sources: Published scientific English literature in the area of child development, public health, and outcomes research. Study Selection: Studies selected were those that provide global measures of health outcomes focusing on children. Those selected allowed data collection to address the effects of intervention on individual children or populations of children. Psychometric characteristics were also a part of the selection process. Data Extraction: Specific guidelines for assessing the instruments include the number of scales and index capability, breadth of domains, inclusion of norms, capacity to measure elements of the World Health Organization model of functioning and disability, item and scaling bias, respondent burden, administrative burden, and retest reliability. Data Synthesis: Thirteen instruments were included. The measures vary in their utility for broad versus specific applications, eg, clinical and public health uses. Children themselves are often not part of the assessment process. In addition, environmental influences on health outcomes of children are not adequately addressed. Conclusion: Although it is challenging to evaluate outcomes associated with children with disabilities, there are frameworks and instruments that will advance outcome measurement. Approaches that include children should be explored further, and the environmental influences including and beyond the family require further measurement development. © 2000 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
Mortality from the influenza pandemic of 1918–19 in Indonesia

The influenza pandemic of 1918–19 was the single most lethal short-term epidemic of the twentieth century. For Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, the most widely used estimate of mortality from that pandemic is 1.5 million. We estimated mortality from the influenza pandemic in Java and Madura, home to the majority of Indonesia's population, using panel data methods and data from multiple quinquennial population counts and two decennial censuses. The new estimates suggest that, for Java alone, population loss was in the range of 4.26–4.37 million, or more than twice the established estimate for mortality for all of Indonesia. We conclude that the standing estimates of mortality from influenza in Java and Indonesia need to be revised upward significantly. We also present new findings on geographic patterns of population loss across Java, and pre-pandemic and post-pandemic population growth rates.
Acetylcholine receptor clustering in C2 muscle cells requires chondroitin sulfate

Proteoglycans have been implicated in the clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on cultured myotubes and at the neuromuscular junction. We report that the presence of chondroitin sulfate is associated with the ability of cultured myotubes to form spontaneous clusters of AChRs. Three experimental manipulations of wild type C2 cells in culture were found to affect both glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and AChR clustering in concert. Chlorate was found to have dose-dependent negative effects both on GAG sulfation and on the frequency of AChR clusters. When extracellular calcium was raised from 1.8 to 6.8 mM in cultures of wild-type C2 myotubes, increases were observed both in the level of cell layer-associated chondroitin sulfate and in the frequency of AChR clusters. Culture of wild-type C2 myotubes in the presence of chondroitinase ABC eliminated cell layer-associated chondroitin sulfate while leaving heparan sulfate intact and simultaneously prevented the formation of AChR clusters. Treatment with either chlorate or chondroitinase inhibited AChR clustering only if begun prior to the spontaneous formation of clusters. We propose that chondroitin sulfate plays an essential role in the initiation of AChR clustering and in the early events of synapse formation on muscle. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Stochastic modeling of the crossover process during meiosis

During meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair and each of the paired chromosomes duplicates, resulting in a bundle of four homologous chromatids. Exchanges take place after the formation of this four-strand structure, with each crossover involving two nonsister chromatids, i.e. chromatids originating from homologous chromosomes. Crossovers are precise breakage-and-reunion events which are essential for proper segregation, and can promote genetic variation. A good model for the crossover process is important to the understanding of crossing over mechanisms, to the construction of genetic maps, and to the strategy of finding disease genes. Usually randominvolvement of different pairs of chromatids (no chromatid interference) and random occurrence of crossovers on the four strand bundle (no chiasma interference) are assumed in genetic mappings, although crossover interference has been observed in many organisms. In this paper, we discuss Markov models for both chromatid interference and chiasma interference. U...
Mitochondrial Translocation of Protein Kinase C δ in Phorbol Ester-induced Cytochrome c Release and Apoptosis

Apoptosis is induced by the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytoplasm. The present studies demonstrate that the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induces translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) delta from the cytoplasm to mitochondria. The results also show that translocation of PKCdelta results in release of cytochrome c. The functional significance of this event is further supported by the demonstration that PKCdelta translocation is required for TPA-induced apoptosis. These findings demonstrate that translocation of PKCdelta to mitochondria is responsible, at least in part, for inducing cytochrome c release and apoptosis.
REVISITING INTERVIEW–COGNITIVE ABILITY RELATIONSHIPS: ATTENDING TO SPECIFIC RANGE RESTRICTION MECHANISMS IN META‐ANALYSIS

This study revisits the relationship between interviews and cognitive ability tests, finding lower magnitudes of correlation than have previous meta-analyses; a finding that has implications for both the construct and incremental validity of the interview. Our lower estimates of this relationship than previous meta-analyses were mainly due to (a) an updated set of studies, (b) exclusion of samples in which interviewers potentially had access to applicants' cognitive test scores, and (c) attention to specific range restriction mechanisms that allowed us to identify a sizable subset of studies for which range restriction could be accurately accounted. Moderator analysis results were similar to previous meta-analyses, but magnitudes of correlation were generally lower than in previous meta-analyses. Findings have implications for the construct and incremental validity of interviews, and meta-analytic methodology in general.
Quantitative analysis of signal intensities and contrast after fat suppression in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the spine

Rationale and Objectives. We studied the effect of fat suppression on signal intensity and contrast on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images of the spine. Methods. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR images were obtained at identical levels with and without fat suppression. Signal intensity and contrast were measured in regions of interest in fat, muscle, spinal bone marrow, and enhancing lesions. The differences in the mean values of these signal intensities and the mean values of contrast between enhanced tissues and bone marrow, fat, and muscle were subjected to statistical validation. Results. Mean signal intensity of the extraspinal fat and bone marrow was lower after fat suppression (70% and 46% reduction, p p p p p p Conclusion. In contrast-enhanced MR examinations of the spine, the use of fat suppression may increase the signal intensity of the enhancing lesion by expanding the dynamic gray scale of the image and increases the contrast between the lesion and adjacent bone marrow and suppressed fat.
Model-Based Analysis System For Tracking Of Limiting Conditions For Operation And Surveillance Requirements In Power Plants

A Model-Based Production-Rule Analysis System is developed for the tracking of the Limiting Conditions for Operation (LCOs) and the Surveillance Requirements in power plants. These LCOs and Surveillance Requirements are delineated in Power Station's Technical Specifications. The system is constructed as a Production-Rule Analysis System having the same structure as the E-Mycin system with a Natural Language Interface. The Goal-Tree constituting the Knowledge-Base is generated and is searched by the Inference Engine using Backward-Chaining with a Deduction-Oriented Antecedent-Consequent Logic. The functioning of the system is demonstrated in the identification and tracking of the LCOs and Surveillance Requirements and the associated applicable actions for maintaining the operability status of the components in the plant reactivity control systems.
The Effects of Supervisor's Race and Level of Support on Perceptions of Supervision

The effects of supervision support and supervisor race were examined in a 2 × 2 factorial design (high vs. low support × African American vs. Caucasian supervisor), with the inclusion of a no-supervision control condition. Sixty Caucasian women served as counselors in two counseling sessions with a confederate client. They were supervised by 1 of 6 experienced supervisors—3 African American and 3 Caucasian. Dependent variables included measures of counselor anxiety, perceived performance, satisfaction, and perceptions of the supervisory relationship. Results revealed a significant main effect for supervisor level of support but no significant effects for supervisor race. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Comparison of contracture, adhesion, tissue ingrowth, and histologic response characteristics of permanent and absorbable barrier meshes in a porcine model of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.

The objective of this study was to determine the mesh contracture, adhesion, tissue ingrowth, and histologic characteristics of a novel absorbable barrier mesh (Ventrio™ ST Hernia Patch) compared to existing permanent (Ventrio™ Hernia Patch) and absorbable barrier meshes (Sepramesh™ IP Composite and PROCEED™ Surgical Mesh). Standard laparoscopic technique was utilized to bilaterally implant meshes in 20 female Yorkshire pigs (n = 5 pigs/group). Meshes were fixated to the intact peritoneum with SorbaFix™ absorbable fixation devices. Mesh contracture, adhesion coverage, and adhesion tenacity were evaluated after 4 weeks. T-Peel testing and hematoxylin and eosin (HE a greater number of macrophages were observed in PROCEED™ compared to Ventrio™; and a greater number of neutrophils were observed in PROCEED™, compared to Sepramesh™ (P < 0.05). Focal areas of hemorrhage were also observed on the visceral surface of PROCEED™. Ventrio™ ST Hernia Patch demonstrated comparable contracture, adhesion, tissue ingrowth, and histologic characteristics compared to existing permanent and absorbable barrier meshes. Host inflammatory and fibrotic responses for all four meshes were minimal and representative of a biocompatible response.
Standardized capsule of Camellia sinensis lowers cardiovascular risk factors in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Abstract Objective Previous studies examining the effect of tea drinking on cardiovascular health have produced mixed results due to their observational nature and qualitatively and quantitatively imprecise definitions of active tea components. The objective of this study was to determine if a standardized and defined decaffeinated green tea ( Camellia sinensis ) product lowers blood pressure, serum lipids, oxidative stress, and markers of chronic inflammation. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study on 111 healthy adult volunteers 21–70 y old was performed. We administered a standardized capsule of Camellia sinensis compounds (CSC) twice a day. Before and after 3 wk, blood pressure, serum lipids, serum amyloid-α (a marker of chronic inflammation), and serum malondialdehyde (a marker of oxidative stress) were measured. Results After 3 wk, CSC lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressures by 5 and 4 mmHg, respectively. After 3 mo, systolic blood pressure remained significantly lower. CSC lowered serum amyloid-α by 42% and lowered malondialdehyde by 11.9%. In men, there were 10- and 9-mg/dL reductions in total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, respectively. In all subjects with a baseline LDL cholesterol level >99 mg/dL, there was 9 mg/dL lowering of total and LDL cholesterol. Adverse effects were mild and few and not different from placebo. Conclusion CSC was effective for decreasing, in as quickly as 3 wk, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, oxidative stress, and a marker of chronic inflammation, all independent cardiovascular risk factors.
Use of a Chase Boat for Increasing Electrofishing Efficiency for Flathead Catfish in Lotic Systems

Abstract Chase boats are commonly used to increase the catch efficiency of boat electrofishing for flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris. However, use of a second vessel requires additional personnel, equipment, and budgetary resources that may influence decisions regarding sample planning efforts. While the efficacy of chase boats has been examined for lentic environments, no such studies have been documented for lotic systems. During 2002 and 2003, we compared low-voltage electrofishing catch efficiency with and without the use of a chase boat for three flow-rate classes in the lower St. Joseph River, Michigan. The median percentage of flathead catfish captured was significantly greater when a chase boat was used (60% of immobilized fish observed) than when a chase boat was not used (33%) at sampling locations with moderate flow rates (0.31–0.6 m/s). However, the catch efficiency with and without the use of a chase boat did not significantly differ at sampling locations with low (0–0.3-m/s) and high (>0....
N-Way MANOVA: A BASIC program for minicomputers

Although there are several programs available which will perform an N-way Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), many are expensive and difficult to obtain. More importantly, most require a relatively large amount of core, more than is available on many computer systems. The present program was designed for minicomputers; not only are the core requirements minimal. but no peripheral devices other than a Teletype are necessary. The program computes a MANOVA for either a one-way (between-groups) design or a more complicated N-way factorial arrangement of the independent variables. The solution requires equal sample sizes in the groups or cells. Computer and Language. The program is written for an interactive BASIC compiler with matrix operations, variable logical units, and optional LET statements. It will run with little or no modification on any computer with an interactive BASIC compiler that allows the matrix operations statements. An Interdata Model 70 minicomputer with 32K bytes of core storage was used for program development. Core and Time Requirements. The program has 100 statements, aside from the REM statements, and takes up 1,810 bytes in core. The data storage is flexible, but, as an example, a 2 by 3 MANOVA with five dependent measures requires an additional 1,012 bytes. Running time is determined primarily by input/output time. On our system the computation time for the above design with 10 subjects per cell is only 9 sec. It takes about 4 min, however, to print the results via Teletype. Input. The first record unit contains the number of subjects per cell, the number of independent variables, the number of dependent variables, the number of cells, and the logical input unit for the data. The data is then entered in lexicographic order, as in the BMD ANOVA series (Dixon, 1968). All of the data from the first subject in Cell I is input, followed by the data from the first subject in Cell 2, and so on. Data are read in as replications, where a replication consists of one subject from each cell of the design. Replications are read in
Solvent venting interface for capillary gas chromatography and a microwave-induced plasma

Abstract A solvent venting system for capillary gas chromatography coupled with a microwave-induced plasma detector was constructed and evaluated. The solvent vent is based on a fluid logic system within the plasma containment tube. During solvent elution, the column effluent is routed to waste and does not pass through the plasma. During analyte elution, the fluid logic system is used to direct the analytes through the plasma for detection. Because the system has no transfer line, problems associated with interface dead volume and analyte degradation reaction due to reactive sites in the transfer line are eliminated. Switching from the vent-on to the vent-off mode is rapid and does not affect plasma stability or flow through the chromatographic column. The baseline shift during switching is negligible. The solvent venting system is simple and easily constructed. Design details are presented and chromatographic results are evaluated.
The effects of land use in meteorological modeling: implications for assessment of future air quality scenarios

In recent years, there has been an increased use of prognostic meteorological models to assess current and future air quality related problems. Often, these meteorological models are applied in their forecasting mode with current land use/land cover patterns and data assimilation techniques to generate historical meteorological data for use in air quality models. In this study, we examined the sensitivity of land use/land cover on the predicted meteorological fields, and the implications for examining air quality in a future year. A community-based mesoscale meteorological model (MM5-Version 1) was applied to the northeastern US urban corridor under two scenarios, one with the existing land use/land cover (base case), and the second reflecting a hypothetical change in about 40% of the base case urban grid cells to deciduous forest. A comparison of the two meteorological fields reveals substantial localized differences in surface temperature and zonal wind speeds. These findings suggest reevaluation of the practice of using historical meteorological fields to assess future air quality, especially if one expects large changes in land use patterns.
The Problem of Admiration in Rousseau’s “Sad and Great System”

This article examines Rousseau’s understanding of the phenomenon of admiration. I begin with a discussion of Rousseau’s critique of the enlightenment understanding of the relation among admiration, charisma, and fanaticism found in Voltaire’s Mahomet. I then turn to Rousseau’s own account of the nature of admiration and his argument that admiration is necessarily ubiquitous in social life, even in the minds of apparently cynical men. Next, I look to Rousseau’s indications of how this psychic passion can be constrained and turned to good use for political and moral education. Finally, I offer a critical assessment of Rousseau’s view of admiration, arguing that he shows persuasively that admiration is inevitable in social life, but that his “system” offers no standard of the truly admirable grounded in nature. Rousseau thus teaches us an important lesson about ourselves, but leaves us in need of guidance we cannot find in his system.
Preserving privacy and fairness in peer-to-peer data integration

Peer-to-peer data integration - a.k.a. Peer Data Management Systems (PDMSs) - promises to extend the classical data integration approach to the Internet scale. Unfortunately, some challenges remain before realizing this promise. One of the biggest challenges is preserving the privacy of the exchanged data while passing through several intermediate peers. Another challenge is protecting the mappings used for data translation. Protecting the privacy without being unfair to any of the peers is yet a third challenge. This paper presents a novel query answering protocol in PDMSs to address these challenges. The protocol employs a technique based on noise selection and insertion to protect the query results, and a commutative encryption-based technique to protect the mappings and ensure fairness among peers. An extensive security analysis of the protocol shows that it is resilient to several possible types of attacks. We implemented the protocol within an established PDMS: the Hyperion system. We conducted an experimental study using real data from the healthcare domain. The results show that our protocol manages to achieve its privacy and fairness goals, while maintaining query processing time at the interactive level.
Effect of humidity and dose on latent image stability.

Abstract After exposure to 0, 0.1, or 1 R, personnel monitoring films were held for up to 17 weeks prior to development at 20° 0.5°C and a constant relative humidity of 2 weeks at relative humidities outside the 35 to...
Robot and sensor networks for first responders

The need to collect, integrate, and communicate information effectively in emergency response scenarios exceeds the state of the art in information technology. This emergency response problem provides an interesting and important test bed for studying networks of distributed mobile robots and sensors. Here, we describe the component technologies required to deploy a networked-robot system that can augment human firefighters and first responders, significantly enhancing their firefighting capabilities. In a burning building at a firefighting training facility, we deployed a network of stationary Mote sensors, mobile robots with cameras, and stationary radio tags to test their ability to guide firefighters to targets and warn them of potential dangers. Our long-term vision is a physical network that can sense, move, compute, and reason, letting network users (firefighters and first responders) Google for physical information - that is, information about the location and properties of physical objects in the real world.
Technological Advances in Observational Data Collection: The Advantages and LImitations of Computer-Assisted Data Collection:

Quantitative behavioral observation can add a great deal of depth to anthropological research. The development of laptops handheld computers and observational software has given researchers enhanced flexibility in sampling strategies and assistance in training and establishing reliability; it has also greatly reduced the amount of time required for data entry. With technological advances more researchers should be able to incorporate quantitative behavioral analysis into their projects. Although computer-assisted data collection offers many advantages it is not without pitfalls and limitations. One of the primary disadvantages is the potential loss of data resulting from battery failure computer error or operator error. This article reviews the basic elements of observational data collection and considers the advantages and disadvantages of computer-assisted quantitative observational data collection for human field research with a focus on The Observer software and associated hardware from Noldus Informational Technology.
Geologic setting of some destructive earthquakes in Central America

Most destructive earthquakes in Central America are either shallow earthquakes of moderate size (4 ≤ M ≤ 7) that occur in the volcanic belt or large shallow earthquakes (M > 7) that occur along the inclined seismic zone. Each of these classes of earthquakes, as well as the locations where population centers have developed, appears to be spatially controlled or influenced by Quaternary structures. This study examines the relationships between destructive earthquakes and Quaternary tectonics and uses this information to develop qualitative estimates of seismic hazard. Quaternary structures in the volcanic belt of Central America are linked to the zone of plate convergence by transverse breaks that segment the overriding slab and the underthrust slab. The surface expressions of these breaks are transverse structural depressions. Longitudinal structural depressions coincide with lines of active volcanos. Moderate-size shallow earthquakes in the volcanic belt occur within the grid of transverse and longitudinal structural depressions. Many of these shallow earthquakes occur near the lines of active volcanos or are associated with volcanic eruptions. The grid of structural depressions that localizes these earthquakes provides a topographically favorable urban site. Many cities have therefore been built in especially hazardous areas. Large shallow earthquakes that occur in the inclined seismic zone can be divided into two types: major earthquakes that have relatively small focal areas and short recurrence times and which cluster around transverse breaks in the arc, and great earthquakes that have large focal areas, cause great damage, are infrequent, rupture one or more segments of the arc, and have focal areas that end at transverse breaks. Most great Central American earthquakes occurred in two brief space-time progressions. During 1847–1851 great earthquakes ruptured the El Salvador, eastern Nicaragua, and two Costa Rican segments of the arc. During 1898–1902, the western Nicaragua segment, the three Guatemalan segments, and a segment in southeast Mexico were ruptured. The most probable areas for the next great earthquake are the El Salvador and central Costa Rica segments of the arc.