cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Entitlement to Contract: Reshaping the Welfare State in Australia

L'Australie a connu une grande restructuration de son systeme social avec l'arrivee au pouvoir du Parti travailliste en 1983. L'Etat cherche a freiner les depenses sociales au moyen d'un ciblage plus rigoureux des avantages, un pointage plus strict des postulants et une exigence plus grande d'une recherche active d'emploi et de formations. Des obligations reciproques sont donc desormais le mot d'ordre et non plus des droits sociaux individualistes. Cet article examine l'origine et les implications de cette restructuration des programmes sociaux australiens. Il considere les dilemmes que provoquent des obligations liees a l'emploi et d'autres mesures de conformite a une epoque de fort taux de chomage
Compensation Issues Related to LP/HC Events: the Case of Toxic Chemicals

This paper examines compensation issues related to toxic substance pollution from the standpoint of decision making on LP/HC events. It reviews aspects of the tort liability system that impede recovery for toxic substance victims and considers proposals for reform, particularly with respect to easing the proof of causation. The paper then discusses the need for developing more comprehensive financial responsibility policies for hazardous enterprises and argues that satisfactory solutions in this area will require commitments by both the public and the private sector. The major implications of this discussion for future policy making related to LP/HC events are summarized in conclusion.
Effects of Blade Count Ratio on Aerodynamic Forcing and Mode Excitability

The effects of blade count ratio (BCR) on both the steady and unsteady blade loading and the sensitivity of generalized force to a change in mode shape (mode excitability) are studied numerically on two 2D configurations: a subsonic research compressor stage and a turbine stage with supersonic exit. Using the Harmonic Balance method, only a single passage is modeled to represent the actual blade count in a row at a high level of computational efficiency. BCR variation is achieved by scaling the downstream airfoils with a fixed chord-to-pitch ratio, thus preserving the steady-state aerodynamics. It is found that the interaction among potential-, wake-, and shock-related excitations, and the relative strength of harmonic contents are dependent on BCR, resulting in a non-monotonic correlation between unsteady loading and BCR in the downstream row. It is also found that the mode excitability can be sensitive to BCR variation in both up- and downstream rows in some cases. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first work on BCR study involving supersonic flow and a discussion of mode excitability patterns.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Effects of processing delay on function-parallel firewalls

Comprehensive security policies are an integral part of creating a secure network and commonly firewalls are used to accomplish this. Firewalls inspect and filter traffic arriving or departing a network by comparing packets to a set of rules and performing the matching rule action, which is accept or deny. Unfortunately, traffic inspection of this type can impose significant delays on traffic due to the complexity and size of policies. Therefore, improving firewall performance is important, given the next generation of high-speed networks.This paper investigates the performance of a function parallel firewall architecture that distributes the original policy across an array of firewalls. A packet is processed by all the firewalls simultaneously and a gate then makes a final decision (accept or deny) based on the results of the individual firewalls. Since the individual firewalls have fewer rules to process (only a portion of the original policy), the function parallel system has lower delays (e.g. 74% lower for a four firewall array) and a higher throughput than other data parallel (load-balancing) firewalls. However, the performance increase is dependent on the speed of the gate. The potential speed increase and the impact of the gate will be demonstrated empirically.
Role of Boron in the Polymer Chemistry and Photophysical Properties of Difluoroboron−Dibenzoylmethane Polylactide

Difluoroboron β-diketonate−polymer conjugates have remarkable solid-state luminescent properties that are useful in a variety of fields including multiphoton microscopy, cell biology, and tumor hypoxia imaging. Despite the successful applications of these systems, the role of boron in these polymeric materials has not been thoroughly investigated. Here we explore a boron-free model system with dibenzoylmethane chromophores in poly(lactic acid) (PLA) for comparison. The hydroxyl-functionalized aromatic diketone, dibenzoylmethane (dbmOH), is weakly fluorescent in the solid state and nonfluorescent in solution while its difluoroboron complex (BF2dbmOH) is highly emissive in both states. Using dbmOH and BF2dbmOH as initiators, well-defined end-functionalized polylactides, dbmPLA and BF2dbmPLA, were obtained via tin-catalyzed controlled ring-opening polymerization. Boronation of the dbmOH initiator affects the polymerization kinetics and the photophysical properties of the resulting BF2dbmPLA material. Both db...
On damped non-linear dynamic systems with many degrees of freedom

Abstract Non-linear mass-spring-damper systems with many degrees of freedom are studied; all springs and/or all dampers may be strongly non-linear. It is shown that the ultimate state of completely damped systems is always rest, that of incompletely damped systems may be either rest or a periodic normal mode motion. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the existence of classical normal mode motion in completely or incompletely damped systems. When the system is linear, these reduce to known results found by Rayleigh and generalized by Caughey and O'Kelly.
Computational depth and reducibility

This paper reviews and investigates Bennett's notions of strong and weak computational depth (also called logical depth) for infinite binary sequences. Roughly, an infinite binary sequence x is defined to be weakly useful if every element of nonnegligible set of decidable sequences is reducible to x in recursively bounded time. It is shown that every weakly useful sequence is strongly deep. This result (which generalizes Bennett's observation that the halting problem is strongly deep) implies that every high Turing degree contains strongly deep sequences. It is also shown that, in the sense of Baire category, almost every infinite binary sequence is weakly deep, but not strongly deep.
Calcium and potassium uptake from sodium free media by frog stomach muscle.

Summary and ConclusionsIsolated strips of frog stomach muscle, previously immersed overnight at 5°C in Na+ free Ringer solutions containing 110 mEq Li+, 6 mEq K+, and 1.8 mEq Ca++/1 accumulated K+ when reimmersed in a solution containing 106 mEq Na+, 10 mEq K+ and 1.8 mEq Ca++/1. When Na+ was replaced by Li+ in the second immersion fluid, K+ accumulation was inhibited. Removal of Ca++ from the Li+ Ringer used for the second immersion did not significantly increase the uptake of K+ by the fibers. Muscles kept in Ca++ free Li+ Ringer during both immersions had a significantly lower K+ content than muscles immersed throughout in Li+ Ringer containing 1.8 mM Ca+ + . Increasing the Ca++ content of the fluid used for the second or for both immersions had no significant effect on the final K+ content of muscles kept throughout the experiment in media containing normal concentrations of Na+. It is concluded that the inhibition of K+ uptake by frog stomach muscle observed when Na+ is replaced by Li+ in the second ...
Abstract B02: Protein Kinase C iota is required for the maintenance of a tumor-initiating cell phenotype in lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Protein kinase C iota (PKCι) is an oncogene that is frequently targeted for tumor-specific gene amplification in human cancers harboring the 3q26 amplicon including Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC). PKCι is required for the maintenance of the transformed phenotype of NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo . In addition, PKCι is critical for lung tumorigenesis in the LSL-K-rasG12D mouse model of NSCLC. Recently, we demonstrated that genetic disruption of Prkcι/λ ; in LSL-K-rasG12D mice blocks K-ras-mediated expansion and morphological transformation of bronchioalveolar stem cells (BASCs), the first identifiable step in K-ras -mediated transformation in this model. These results demonstrate that PKCι plays a requisite role in tumor initiation, and suggest that PKCι may serve a similar role in the tumor-initiating activity of lung cancer stem cells. Our current studies aim to identify and characterize the molecular signaling pathway(s) by which PKCι regulates the biology of human lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) tumor initiating cells (TICs) isolated from LSCC cell lines and primary tumors. Methods: Cultures enriched in TICs were established from LSCC lines or primary human LSCC tumors that harbor PRKCI amplification. PKCι expression in TIC cultures was inhibited by lentiviral shRNA, and the effect of PKCι knockdown on their stem-like properties was assessed. Whole genome deep sequencing analysis was performed on mRNA from parental, control TIC and PKCι knockdown TIC cultures in order to identify PKCι-regulated targets and signaling pathways in TICs. Results: LSCC TIC cultures express putative stem cell markers, and exhibit clonal expansion, self-renewal, enhanced anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenic potential in vivo . RNAi-mediated knockdown of PKCι inhibited TIC growth, clonal expansion, transformed growth and tumor initiation. mRNA sequencing revealed that PKCι regulates the expression and function of critical molecules involved in the stem-like phenotype of LSCC TICs. Details of PKCι-mediated signaling in LSCC TICs will be discussed. Conclusions: PKCι is required for maintenance of a highly tumorigenic stem-like population of cells in human LSCC. Given the prevalence of 3q26 amplification in human cancer, PKCι may regulate the biology of TICs in tumor types other than LSCC. Our results provide a rationale for therapeutic targeting of PKCι in LSCC TICs. Citation Format: Verline Justilien, Michael P. Walsh, Syed A. Ali, E. A. Thompson, Alan P. Fields. Protein Kinase C iota is required for the maintenance of a tumor-initiating cell phenotype in lung squamous cell carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-IASLC Joint Conference on Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer; 2014 Jan 6-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2014;20(2Suppl):Abstract nr B02.
The origin and success of polyploids in the boreal circumpolar flora: A new analysis

Summary Data are summarized that support the secondary contact-balanced hybridity of polyploid evolution in plants. This states that polyploids are most likely to arise and achieve initial success in regions where alternate isolation plus differentiation followed by reunion and hybridization, in the broadest sense of the word, are most likely to occur. The initial polyploids vary greatly in their evolutionary success. With the passage of time, a small proportion of the original neopolyploids evolve into mesopolyploids, that are widespread, aggressive colonizers, and become abundant over a broad geographical and ecological range. Even later, some of these become diploidized. The resulting paleopolyploids are more like diploids than their original polyploid ancestors with respect to gene pools, geographical distribution and different ecological situations occupied in any region. These conclusions are well supported by a preliminary analysis of polyploidy in the flora of Alaskan Beringia, but more extensive ...
Protective coatings for Cr2O3-forming interconnects of solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract Cr 2 O 3 evaporation from Cr 2 O 3 -forming metallic interconnects during operation of the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) can poison other cell components and cause degradation. Protective NiFe 2 O 4 spinel coatings on interconnect alloys were developed by electroplating and screen printing, respectively. Results indicate that NiFe 2 O 4 coatings can significantly improve the oxidation resistance of the alloy while providing effective conducting path with inherent low resistance, and also are expected to serve as a diffusion barrier to effectively reduce the Cr 2 O 3 evaporation. Two coating techniques were evaluated in terms of the performances of the coatings. A very interesting and smart coating structure was reported.
Protonation of methotrexate bound to the catalytic site of dihydrofolate reductase from lactobacillus casei

Summary [2- 13 C]Methotrexate bound to dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei has been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance. The chemical shift for enzyme-bound methotrexate over the range pH 6.0 to 9.0 is constant and close to that for free, protonated methotrexate. Furthermore, the ultraviolet spectrum of bound methotrexate is the same from pH 6.4 to pH 10.0 and considerably different from that of free, unprotonated methotrexate. These data indicate that N-1 of bound methotrexate has pK > 10. From this and from the measured apparent association constants of methotrexate and folate it can be concluded that the charge interaction between the protonated N-1 of bound methotrexate and the active site carboxyl accounts for the particularly tight binding of the inhibitor.
Queueing network models for concurrent transaction processing in a database system

This paper presents two queueing network models which correspond to different implementations of the lock management algorithm for concurrent transaction processing in a database system. These models are developed to investigate the effects of varying the granularity of locks and the degree of multiprogramming on the performance of a database system. A numerical example is presented for a set of apparently realistic parameters and its results are discussed. In addition to other conclusions, these results also confirm the result of Ries and Stonebraker, using a simulation model [9], that a relatively coarse granularity is sufficient to allow enough parallelism for efficient resource utilization. In contrast with simulation models, the queueing network models presented in this paper allow us to examine more closely the cause-effect relationships of concurrent transaction processing in a database system at less cost.
Relational Aggression, Relational Victimization, and Language Development in Preschoolers

We investigated language development, relational aggression, and relational victimization in ethnically, socioeconomically diverse preschoolers. Relational aggression was positively related to language development. Girls were more relationally aggressive than boys, and higher-socioeconomic status (SES) children were more relationally aggressive and victimized than lower-SES children. Neither gender nor SES conclusively moderated the relation between language and relational aggression, though some findings suggest the possibility of stronger relations among boys and lower-SES children. Teachers agreed on ratings of relational aggression and relational victimization to a moderate extent.
Citrus canker detection using hyperspectral reflectance imaging and PCA-based image classification method

Citrus canker is one of the most devastating diseases that threaten marketability of citrus crops. Technologies that can efficiently identify citrus canker would assure fruit quality and safety and enhance the competitiveness and profitability of the citrus industry. This research was aimed to investigate the potential of using hyperspectral imaging technique for detecting canker lesions on citrus fruit. A portable hyperspectral imaging system consisting of an automatic sample handling unit, a light source, and a hyperspectral imaging unit was developed for citrus canker detection. The imaging system was used to acquire reflectance images from citrus samples in the wavelength range between 400 and 900 nm. Ruby Red grapefruits with normal and various diseased skin conditions including canker, copper burn, greasy spot, wind scar, cake melanose, and specular melanose were tested. Hyperspectral reflectance images were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) to compress the 3-D hyperspectral image data and extract useful image features that could be used to discriminate cankerous samples from normal and other diseased samples. Image processing and classification algorithms were developed based upon the transformed images of PCA. The overall accuracy for canker detection was 92.7%. Four optimal wavelengths (553, 677, 718, and 858 nm) were identified in visible and short-wavelength near-infrared region that could be adopted by a future multispectral imaging solution for detecting citrus canker on a sorting machine. This research demonstrated that hyperspectral imaging technique could be used for discriminating citrus canker from other confounding diseases.
Parametric yield optimization for MOS circuit blocks

Two techniques are presented for optimizing the parametric yield of digital MOS circuit blocks for VLSI designs. The first is based on quasi-Newton methods and utilizes the gradient of the yield. A novel technique for computing this yield gradient is derived and algorithms for its implementation are discussed. Geometrical considerations motivate the second method which formulates the problem in terms of a minimax problem. Both yield optimization techniques utilize transient sensitivity information from circuit simulations. Encouraging results have been obtained thus far; several circuit examples are included to demonstrate these techniques. >
Chain length specificities of peroxisomal and mitochondrial β-oxidation in rat liver

The β-oxidation system for fatty acids and the novel fatty acyl-CoA oxidase activity of liver peroxisomes were characterized in terms of assay requirements and of chain length specificity of substrate. Both activities showed a specificity for medium to long-chain length acyl-CoA's (C10–C16), with a well defined peak of activity at C12. The specific activities were similar and, in each case, oleoyl-CoA was a better substrate than stearoyl-CoA. The mitochondrial fatty acyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity showed a broader range (C4–C16), with the shorter-chain length substrate being the more active and no preference being shown for oleoyl-over stearoyl-CoA. Using palmitoyl-CoA as substrate, the total enzymatic activity for the first step of β-oxidation in the mitochondrion was 7.7-fold greater than for the corresponding step in the peroxisome.
Conformational analysis of β-d-fructofuranosyl-(2 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside by molecular mechanics (MM2) calculations

Conformational energies for models of the disaccharide beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside were computed by molecular mechanics using MM2(87). An initial investigation of staggered forms examined the linkage bonds characterized by the torsion angles phi, psi, and omega, and subsequently the fructose hydroxymethyl side groups, characterized by the torsion angles chi-1 and chi-6. Then, in our major search of conformational space, the torsion angles of two linkage bonds, phi and omega, were driven through 360 degrees in 20 degree increments at all staggered side group combinations. From these results, the low-energy forms were minimized without the driver restrictions to generate the global minimum structure found and herein reported. This conformer was then used to map the conformational space of phi and omega by driving only those torsion angles through 360 degrees. Both the 4(3)T (northern) conformer (Cremer-Pople puckering phase angle of phi 2 = 265 degrees) and the 3(4)T, (southern) conformer (phi 2 = 80 degrees) of the fructofuranose ring were tested for comparison, and both were shown to be significant contributors of populated forms. As these two conformers had different minima for a number of important torsion angles, experimental studies may reveal different properties than those expected solely from the preferred northern conformer.
The reaction of β-mercaptop0ruvate with lactic dehydrogenase of heart muscle

Abstract A modified procedure for the preparation of pure ammonium β-mercaptopyruvate has been described. Evidence was obtained which indicates that the salt exists in solid state as the enol. LDH reversibly reduces β-mercaptopyruvate by DPNH. It is suggested that this reaction may be of physiological significance.
Extraction of echocardiographic data from the electronic medical record is a rapid and efficient method for study of cardiac structure and function

Measures of cardiac structure and function are important human phenotypes that are associated with a range of clinical outcomes. Studying these traits in large populations can be time consuming and costly. Utilizing data from large electronic medical records (EMRs) is one possible solution to this problem. We describe the extraction and filtering of quantitative transthoracic echocardiographic data from the Epidemiologic Architecture for Genes Linked to Environment (EAGLE) study, a large, racially diverse, EMR-based cohort (n = 15,863). There were 6,076 echocardiography reports for 2,834 unique adult subjects. Missing data were uncommon with over 90% of data points present. Data irregularities are primarily related to inconsistent use of measurement units and transcriptional errors. The reported filtering method requires manual review of very few data points (<1%), and filtered echocardiographic parameters are similar to published data from epidemiologic populations of similar ethnicity. Moreover, the cohort is comparable in size, and in some cases larger than community-based cohorts of similar race/ethnicity. These results demonstrate that echocardiographic data can be efficiently extracted from EMRs, and suggest that EMR-based cohorts have the potential to make major contributions toward the study of epidemiologic and genotype-phenotype associations for cardiac structure and function in diverse populations.
Testicular XO-XY mosaicism in a phenotypic female with XY sex chromosomes in other tissues.

A young woman with normal female external genitalia is described, who failed to develop breasts, menses and sexual hair, and was found to have intra-abdominal testes with XO/XY mosaicism. There was a rudimentary uterus with tubes. Leukocytes and skin cells showed an XY chromosome constitution. She did not resemble patients having the usual form of XO/XY mosaicism; on the other hand, she differed from the testicular feminization syndrome in that she did not feminize, and her testes were fibrotic and about half the size of those seen in the testicular feminization syndrome. The question is raised whether the failure to feminize may be causally related to the XO cell line in the testes.
VITAMIN A AND THE VAGINAL RESPONSE TO SEX HORMONES IN THE RAT1

IN 1922 Evans and Bishop (1, 2) reported that vitamin A deficiency causes con-tinuous cornification of the vaginal epithelium in the rat. This condition was found in both intact and castrated animals. In the intact rat, this persistent cornification is independent of the normal estrous cycles which indicates that neither the ovary (directly) nor the hypophysis (indirectly) is involved. The obvious infer-ence is that the vaginal epithelium itself is somehow altered. In view of the fact that cornification of the castrate rat vagina is used as a criterion for estrogenic activity in biological assay methods, it seemed of value to study the possible relationship between vitamin A intake and the sensitivity of the rat’s vaginalepithelium to estrogens. This appeared particularly pertinent since Sherwood, Brend and Roper (3) reported that administration of excess vitamin A to normal female rats suppressed the normal vaginal cornification of estrus.
Poliovirus RNA synthesis in Vitro: Structuralelements and antibody inhibition

The poliovirus RNA polymerase complex has been analyzed by immunoautoradiography using antibody probes derived from purified replicase (P3) region viral polypeptides. Antibody preparations made against the polio RNA polymerase, P3-4b, detected a previously unreported cellular protein that copurifies with the RNA polymerase. An IgG fraction purified from rabbit antiserum to polypeptide P3-2, a precursor of the RNA polymerase, specifically inhibits poliovirus RNA synthesis in vitro. We have also immunoprecipitated a 60,000-dalton protein (P3-4a) with antiserum to protein P3-4b and have determined the precise genomic map position of this protein by automated Edman degradation. Protein P3-4a originates by cleavage of the RNA polymerase precursor at a glutamine-glycine amino acid pair not previously reported to be a viral cleavage site.
Experimental petrology and petrogenesis of mare volcanics

The present review is an extension of a review of experimental studies by Kesson and Lindsley (1976) on mare basalts that determined melting relations over a range of pressure. Pressures of multiple saturation (olivine + pyroxene +/-Cr-rich spinel +/-ilmenite) are in the range of 5 to 12.5 kbar for primitive mare basalts and in the range of 18 to 25 kbar for picritic basalts. High-Ti picrites have augite in the subliquidus region at intermediate pressures where olivine is the liquidus phase, but orthopyroxene is the liquidus phase at multiple saturation. Because of the steep depth/pressure gradient in the outer portion of the moon (20 km/kbar), these pressures imply great depths of melting within the moon and some means of transporting magmas hundreds of kilometers to the surface without significant chemical modification, if both olivine and pyroxene were left in the residuum.
Effects of hydration on the molecular structure of metal ion–atrazine dimer complexes: a MOPAC (PM3) study

Abstract A semi-empirical (PM3) study of atrazine dimer formation and atrazine monomer and dimer complexes containing Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , or Zn 2+ is reported. The two low energy atrazine dimers include distorted V (form A) or L shape (form B) dimers that provide a cleft or pocket for the insertion of a metal ion. Insertion of a divalent metal ion in this pocket results in a separation of the dimer atrazine molecules. The atrazine molecules in metal ion–atrazine dimer complexes provide ring and side-chain nitrogens that bind to Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , or Zn 2+ . The majority of metal ion–sidechain nitrogen interactions involve the –N- i -propyl rather than the –N-ethyl side-chain nitrogen. The metal ion–nitrogen (side-chain or ring) distances are generally in the order of their ionic radii. Addition of either one or two waters of hydration to the metal ion–atrazine dimer complexes lowers the enthalpies of formation and reaction considerably. The computed enthalpies of formation and reaction for the hydrated metal ion–dimer complexes are ordered Ca 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ . Density-functional theory (DFT) and PM3 structures of Zn(atrazine)(H 2 O) 2 2+ are virtually identical, supporting the use of the PM3 method for these complexes.
Computation of Fourier integrals of exponentials of truncated Fourier series

Abstract An efficient and accurate method is described for computing a class of definite integrals that have arisen in plasma physics and that arise in the theory of frequency modulated radio transmission.
The Intracellular Localization of Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The pyrenoid is a proteinaceous structure found in the chloroplast of most unicellular algae. Various studies indicate that ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) is present in the pyrenoid, although the fraction of Rubisco localized there remains controversial. Estimates of the amount of Rubisco in the pyrenoid of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii range from 5% to nearly 100%. Using immunolocalization, the amount of Rubisco localized to the pyrenoid or to the chloroplast stroma was estimated for C. reinhardtii cells grown under different conditions. It was observed that the amount of Rubisco in the pyrenoid varied with growth condition; about 40% was in the pyrenoid when the cells were grown under elevated CO2 and about 90% with ambient CO2. In addition, it is likely that pyrenoidal Rubisco is active in CO2 fixation because in vitro activity measurements showed that most of the Rubisco must be active to account for CO2-fixation rates observed in whole cells. These results are consistent with the idea that the pyrenoid is the site of CO2 fixation in C. reinhardtii and other unicellular algae containing CO2-concentrating mechanisms.
Severe surgical site infection in community hospitals : Epidemiology, key procedures, and the changing prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Objective. To characterize the epidemiology of severe (ie, nonsuperficial) surgical site infection (SSI) in community hospitals. Methods. SSI data were collected prospectively at 26 community hospitals in the southeastern United States. Two analyses were performed: (1) a study of the overall prevalence rates of SSI and the prevalence rates of SSI due to specific pathogens in 2005 at all participating hospitals and (2) a prospective study of consecutive surgical procedures at 9 of the 26 community hospitals from 2000 through 2005. Results. In 2005, a total of 1,010 SSIs occurred after 89,302 procedures (prevalence rate, 1.13 infections per 100 procedures). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was the pathogen most commonly recovered (from 175 SSIs). Trend data from 2000 through 2005 demonstrated that the prevalence rate of MRSA SSI almost doubled during this period, increasing from 0.12 infections per 100 procedures (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-0.13) to 0.23 infections per 100 procedures (95% CI, 0.22-0.24) (P<.0001). In adjusted analysis, MRSA SSI was significantly more prevalent at the end of the study period than at the beginning (prevalence rate ratio, 1.48 [95% CI, 1.36-1.61]; P<.0001). Conclusions. MRSA was the pathogen that most commonly caused SSI in our network of community hospitals during 2005. The prevalence of MRSA SSI has increased significantly over the past 6 years.
Joint Inference of Population Assignment and Demographic History

A new approach to assigning individuals to populations using genetic data is described. Most existing methods work by maximizing Hardy–Weinberg and linkage equilibrium within populations, neither of which will apply for many demographic histories. By including a demographic model, within a likelihood framework based on coalescent theory, we can jointly study demographic history and population assignment. Genealogies and population assignments are sampled from a posterior distribution using a general isolation-with-migration model for multiple populations. A measure of partition distance between assignments facilitates not only the summary of a posterior sample of assignments, but also the estimation of the posterior density for the demographic history. It is shown that joint estimates of assignment and demographic history are possible, including estimation of population phylogeny for samples from three populations. The new method is compared to results of a widely used assignment method, using simulated and published empirical data sets.
Crystallization of water in a dynamic diamond-anvil cell : Evidence for ice VII-like local order in supercompressed water

We report the observation of ice VII, directly crystallized from metastably supercompressed liquid water at pressure of up to $1.8\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$, well within the stability field of ice VI. This result is achieved by making time-resolved measurements of pressure-induced crystallization using a unique instrument, a dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC), which permits the measurement of pressure/time-dependent phase transformation pathways. We are able to evaluate the interfacial free energy, and find that the value for supercompressed water (SW)/ice VII is smaller than that of SW/ice VI, indicating that the local order of the SW is more similar to ice VII than ice VI. This result is consistent with recent studies, which suggest that the local order of high density water is bcc-like, as in ice VII.
Conflict resolution: If it weren't for the client, I'd have done a great job

“I hated having the clients there...it made it so emotional and almost impossible to reach resolution. With just the lawyers present, we could have wrapped it up quickly and efficiently.” (Law school debrief after a simulated negotiation involving represented clients.) “If it weren’t for the politicians, we could make some good decisions. ” (Occasional lament by planners working in the field.) “Community reps are too emotional and don’t have the skills to understand how things are done in real life.” (Frequent comment by planning students after simulations.) “We went to school for ... years to learn how to do this... and they think they can do it too.” (Architect’ and planners’ reaction to client input they deem uninformed.)
Micromechanical modelling of interfacial decohesion

Abstract A phenomenological framework for describing the process of interfacial decohesion from initial debonding through complete separation is described. Within this framework constitutive relations are specified independently for material phases and for the interface. The interface is characterized by a traction-displacement relation so that dimensional considerations introduce a characteristic length. Also, interfacial decohesion can be predicted without the introduction of an additional failure criterion. Issues related to the characterization of interface response, to the nucleation and propagation of crack-like defects and to void nucleation are discussed.
Reduction of aspirin-induced ulcers by a new imidazoline anti-inflammatory agent

We have previously described the anti-inflammatory and low ulcerogenic actions of the formamidine pesticide, chlordimeform (CDM). In this study, the related basic compound, CDMI [2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenylamino)-2-imidazoline], also demonstrated potent anti-edema (vs. carrageenin) and low ulcerogenic activity. A nonulcerogenic i.p. dose of CDMI reduced aspirin (ASA)-induced ulcers [lesion index (L.I.): 25.8 for ASA alond vs. 5.3 for ASA +i.p.CDMI]; prevented stress-induced ulcers in mice; and decreased acid secretion (by 90% in the Shay rat preparation). A mildly ulcerogenic oral dose (0.6 mmol/kg) of CDMI prevented stress ulcers, but did not reduce ASA ulcers. A nonulcerogenic oral dose (0·15 mmol/kg) of CDMI did reduce ASA ulcers (L.I.: 24.5 for ASA alone vs. 14.7 for ASA+oral CDMI). Thus, CDMI is a unique anti-inflammatory agent with additional anti-secretory and ulcer-reducing actions.
P3 reduction in auditory evoked potentials of schizophrenics.

Fifteen schizophrenics and 15 age-matched controls performed a reaction time (RT) task. A Bernoulli sequence of 85 dB SPL, 50 msec, 800 c/sec (P = 0.85) and 1200 c/sec (P = 0.15) tones was presented with an interstimulus interval of 1 sec. Subjects were instructed to press a button quickly upon hearing the 1200 c/sec tone. If a subject failed to respond within 650 msec, a 50 msec white noise burst occurred. In averages synchronized with target tones and computed without respect to RT, P3 was maximal at Pz with a mean latency of 330 msec for both schizophrenics and controls. P3 amplitude at Pz, however, averaged 6 μV in schizophrenics and 14 μV in controls (P < 0.001). Both mean RT and mean within-subject variance were greater in schizophrenics than controls. Other kinds of averages were computed to investigate the possibility that the amplitude differences were associated with different RTs or with differences in P3 latency variability in underlying trials. Averages of trials associated with short RTs (100–286 msec) had larger P3s than averages associated with long RTs (287–600 msec) (P < 0.01). Within each RT range, however, schizophrenic P3s were smaller than control P3s. Neither response-synchronized averaging nor adaptive filtering eliminated P3 amplitude differences between groups, indicating that P3 latency variability cannot account for these differences. We hypothesize that the smaller P3s in schizophrenics represent a deficit in reactivity to unexpected stimuli that is compatible with normal RT performance.
Self-evaluation in a simulated team

S received feedback purported to represent his individual or team tracking performance relative to average ability. The “average ability” criterion was made lenient, moderate, or stringent. After the session, S estimated his individual ability. Under individual instructions, S’s estimate agreed with his feedback. Under team instructions, S accepted credit for good scores (lenient criterion) but blamed his “partner” for poor scores (stringent criterion).
Analysis of phenolic acids and flavonoids by high-pressure liquid chromatography☆

Abstract A high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) technique for the separation and quantitation of three classes of naturally occurring phenolic compounds has been developed. Investigated were a series of phenolic acids, both cinnamic and benzoic, and a variety of flavone compounds including flavones, flavonols, and flavanones as well as glycosylated flavone derivatives with mono- and disaccharide substitution. The effects of structural variations within the phenolic compounds upon elution order and retention were elaborated. The technique offers selectivity, resolution, speed, and sensitivity (minimum detectable amounts below 50 ng) far superior to classical techniques such as paper chromatography. Time of analysis by the HPLC technique is measured in minutes while an equivalent analysis by classical techniques would require several days, if not weeks.
The use of feedback systems for the control of anesthesia

Electronic control steps into the operating room to aid the surgeon. Electrical activity of the patient's brain, an index of his depth of anesthesia, is used to actuate a feedback network which controls the dosage of anesthetic administered to the patient.
Field dependence of cross relaxation in scandium (I=7/2)

Abstract We are studying the magnetic field dependence of the cross relaxation mechanism that couples the equal energy transitions ±5/2↔±7/2 and ±5/2↔±1/2 through a second order dipolar interaction. Application of a small magnetic field, ≈ 10 Gauss, changes the characteristic shape of the magnetization recovery curves. We attribute this change to the destruction of the cross relaxation since the condition of exact energy equality is no longer satisfied in the presence of such a magnetic field.
Measures of Physical Ability Are Unrelated to Objectively Measured Physical Activity Behavior in Older Adults Residing in Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Abstract Zalewski KR, Smith JC, Malzahn J, VanHart M, O'Connell D. Measures of physical ability are unrelated to objectively measured physical activity behavior in older adults residing in continuing care retirement communities. Objective To explore the relationship between measures of physical performance, physical activity, and self-reported physical activity. Design Cross-sectional analysis. Setting Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) in the greater Milwaukee area. Participants Older adults from independent or assisted living apartments (N=59). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Physical performance was measured with comfortable and fast gait speeds and the six-minute walk test. Physical activity was measured by an ankle-mounted accelerometer to observe daily steps; stepping rate was averaged over a 7-day wear time. Self-reported physical activity was measured by the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Results Participants reported walking more steps per day than older adults who are not living in CCRCs. There was no relationship between physical abilities and total steps walked ( r =.087–.213, P >.05). No relationship was observed between measures of physical performance or total steps and PASE scores ( r =−.034–.177, P = not significant). The relative contributions of physical activity categories to total PASE score were different than published reports for older adults not living in CCRCs. Conclusions Common measures of physical performance often used by clinicians in making decisions on rehabilitation outcomes do not appear to be related to the actual functioning of older adults residing in senior communities. The nature of the environment customized to the needs of the older adult may facilitate increased physical activity participation independent of physical abilities.
Association of the internal membrane protein with the lipid bilayer in influenza virus. A study with the fluorescent probe 12-(9-anthroyl)-stearic acid

Abstract The lipid fluorescent probe 12-(9-anthroyl)-stearic acid was introduced into the lipid bilayer of influenza virus particles. Fluorescent energy transfer was observed from the viral protein to the probe. This transfer persisted after removal of the glycoprotein spikes which cover the outside of the viral particle, demonstrating that the energy donor was an internal protein. It was concluded that the energy donor was the non-glycosylated membrane protein (M protein), the major protein component of the spikeless particle. Analysis of the emission spectrum of the spikeless particle excited at 275 nm shows that a substantial portion of the fluorescence arises from tyrosine residues, in contrast to most other proteins which contain both tryptophan and tyrosine. It is suggested that the donor residue(s) are located no more than 11 A exterior to the bilayer surface, and that a portion of the M protein may penetrate into the bilayer.
Human hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase: a single nucleotide substitution in cDNA clones isolated from a patient with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (HPRTMidland)

We have determined the molecular basis for hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) deficiency in a patient, J.H., with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Radioimmunoassay of lysates of erythrocytes or cultured B-lymphoblasts showed that this patient had no detectable HPRT enzyme activity or HPRT protein. HPRT-specific mRNA levels were normal by Northern analysis. We created a cDNA library from mRNA isolated from cultured lymphoblasts derived from this patient. Nucleotide sequencing of full-length HPRT cDNA clones revealed a single nucleotide (nt) substitution: a T-to-A transversion at nt 389. We have designated this variant HPRTMidland. The predicted amino acid (aa) substitution in HPRTMidland is a valine to aspartic acid at aa 130. This substitution is within 2 aa of the amino acid substitution in a previously defined HPRT variant, HPRTAnn Arbor. Both mutations are within a highly conserved sequence in the putative 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate-binding domain. The amino acid substitution in HPRTMidland causes a significant perturbation in the predicted secondary structure of this region. The HPRTMidland mutation affects a different domain of HPRT than the HPRTFlint mutation located at 167 nt away.
The Potential for use of Probiotics in Pediatric Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Controlled trials of probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome are promising, but most are limited by suboptimal design and small sample size. A recent report from the Rome foundation group included 32 randomized clinical trials of probiotics. Seventy-five percent of these studies (including the 4 pediatric ones) did show an improvement in symptoms, but the therapeutic gain over placebo was generally modest. The patients most benefitting from probiotics appear to be those with predominant diarrhea and those who have developed irritable bowel syndrome after an episode of gastroenteritis. A review focusing only on children with functional gastrointestinal disorders concluded that probiotics are more effective than placebo in the treatment of patients with abdominal pain-related functional disorders, but no effect on constipation was evident for any strain. In spite of a solid conceptual and experimental basis for successful use of probiotics in inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), research in humans has been overall quite limited and overall disappointing. To summarize current evidence, no probiotic has proven successful in Crohn’s disease, while in ulcerative colitis data are more promising. In fact, a recent meta-analysis, that included 23 randomized controlled trials, concluded that there is evidence of efficacy for the probiotic mixture VSL#3 in helping inducing and maintaining remission. In summary, for both irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases, there is a definite need for well-designed, randomized clinical trials.
A Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm for enhancing Bayesian Networks hybrid-based modeling

Bayesian Networks are increasingly being used to model complex socio-economic systems by expert knowledge elicitation even when data is scarce or does not exist. In this paper, a Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA) is presented for assessing the parameters (input relevance/weights) of fuzzy dependence relationships in a Bayesian Network (BN). The MOEA was designed to include a hybrid model that combines Monte-Carlo simulation and fuzzy inference. The MOEA-based prototype assesses the input weights of fuzzy dependence relationships by learning from available output data. In socio-economic systems, the determination of how a specific input variable affects the expected results can be critical and it is still one of the most important challenges in Bayesian modeling. The MOEA was checked by estimating the migrant stock as a relevant variable in a BN model for forecasting remittances. For a specific year, results showed similar input weights than those given by economists but it is very computationally demanding. The proposed hybrid-approach is an efficient procedure to estimate output values in BN.
Lessons from history: Surviving old age during The Great Depression in the United States

This paper focuses on 30 couples who received a pension and other services from two private trusts in Detroit, Michigan beginning in 1929 or 1930. Results of the qualitative analysis of case files, which contain notes recorded chronologically for 17 of the couples and then surviving spouses, provide a portrait of older couples' lives prior to a partner's death, circumstances surrounding the death, and changes in the social support systems of widows and widowers until their deaths. Close examination of the experiences of these couples is a reminder of how old age and widowhood were experienced prior to the enactment of public pensions and health insurance in the United States.
Prevalence of negative birth perception, disaffirmation, perinatal trauma symptoms, and depression among postpartum women.

PURPOSE. This study documented new case and estimated annual case prevalence, and relationships among women's negative birth perceptions, provider disaffirmation, perinatal trauma symptoms, and depression at 6–7 months postpartum. DESIGN AND METHODS. An exploratory investigation of 71 White women (20.8% of the total population) was conducted. CONCLUSIONS. New case prevalence of negative birth perceptions (9.6:100), perinatal trauma symptoms (10.2:100), disaffirmation (8.6:100), and depression (15.7:100) are greater than other prominent high burden diseases. Variables were significantly correlated. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Findings reinforce the need for psychiatric liaison advanced practice nurses caring for childbearing women, including roles for detection/screening, educating professionals in communication, legislative/advocacy for funding, and further research.