cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SMART Platforms: Building The App Store for Biosurveillance

Health care information is a fundamental source of data for biosurveillance, configuring electronic health records to report relevant data to health departments is technically challenging, labor intensive, and often requires custom solutions for each installation. Public health agencies wishing to deliver alerts to clinicians also must engage in an endless array of one-off systems integrations. SMART provides a common platform supporting an "app store for biosurveillance" as an approach to enabling one stop shopping for public health departments to create an app once, and distribute it everywhere.
The Relevancy of Twitter to Patron Usage and Workflow Processes in Libraries

Libraries and Twitter have been united to transform the functional environment of libraries into a more effectual classroom, community, and workplace. Twitter has the potential to change the workflow processes in modern libraries and be a relevant teaching and research tool for library patrons.
Penn state dedicates the Raj and Jeannette Mittra Microwave Lab

The Microwave Lab in the Electrical Engineering Department of the Penn State University (PSU) was recently dedicated in a ceremony organized by the College of Engineering. Figure 1 shows the plaque along with excerpts from the official press release (Figure 2), delivered by Dean Atchley of the Penn State College of Engineering (COE). Prof. Aydin, head of the EE Department, also said a few kind words about my sixteen years at Penn State, where I migrated from the University of Illinois in 1996.
Unusual Boundary-Layer Transition Results on Cones in Hypersonic Flow

Subliming ablation effects on boundary layer transition for cones in hypersonic flow, discussing Reynolds numbers measured in wind tunnel tests
Nucleotide composition of various ribosomes.

Recent research on ribosomes indicates that the RNA in the ribosomes, which represents about 60–80% of the total RNA in the cell, may carry the genetic information related to the sequences of the amino acids in soluble proteins to be synthesized in the particles. Thus, the nucleotide composition of these well-defined organelles may provide some information about coding. Furthermore, it would be more informative to obtain the nucleotide composition of ribosomes which synthesize only one kind of protein as in the case of ribosomes isolated from reticulocytes which synthesize mostly hemoglobin(Schweet, et, al., 1958) (Borsook, et, al., 1952). This report presents data on the nucleotide composition of the RNA in the ribosomes of pea seedling stems, rabbit reticulocytes, and reticulocytes of sheep of two hemoglobin types.
Optimal Cooperative Pooling in a Quality-Differentiated Market

This article focuses on the role of marketing cooperatives in quality-differentiated markets. Many studies have documented consumers' willingness to pay more for foods that sat isfy the quality dimensions that are important to them, creating profitable opportunities for farmers and marketing firms to position them selves favorably in the quality spectrum. Cooperatives have attempted to compete in the product quality dimension (Fulton and Sanderson 2002), but various traditional co operative business practices are regarded as inimical to success in meeting markets' de mands for quality. They include (i) revenue pooling, which in quality-differentiated mar kets is generally regarded as disadvantageous due to the potential for adverse selection; (ii) patronage-based financing, which leads to the horizon problem and underinvestment in long-term strategies that can enhance objec tive or perceived product quality; (iii) provid ing a "home" for member production, which is problematic both with respect to product qual ity and the potential to glut niche markets; (iv) difficulties in terminating "marginal" mem bers; and (v) limitations on procuring product from nonmember sources. These factors have led to pessimism re garding the ability of marketing cooperatives to compete and survive in modern agricul tural markets (Fulton 1995; Cook 1995). How ever, rigorous investigation of cooperatives' performance and opportunities in quality differentiated markets has been limited to date, as nearly all theory on marketing co operatives assumes that a single, homoge neous product is produced and sold. Zago (1999), who models a producer organization where heterogeneous farmers produce a prod uct which differs in quality based on their abil ity, represents an exception. We propose an economic modeling frame work based on vertical product differentiation and utilize it to study cooperatives' pooling practices. The conventional wisdom notwith standing, we identify and explore two counter balancing positive dimensions of cooperative revenue pooling: (a) pooling can counteract the tendency of competitive farmers to over produce high-quality product relative to the amount that maximizes industry profits, and (b) in the presence of stochastic quality, pool ing insures risk-averse farmers against quality risk.
Ultrasonic Level, Temperature, and Density Sensor

A sensor has been developed to measure simultaneously the level, temperature, and density of the fluid in which it is immersed. The sensor is a thin, rectangular stainless steel ribbon which acts as a waveguide and is housed in a perforated tube. The waveguide is coupled to a section of magnetostrictive material which is surrounded by a pair of magnetic-coil transducers. These transducers are excited in an alternating sequence to interrogate the sensor with both torsional ultrasonic waves, utilizing the Wiedemann effect, and extensional ultrasonic waves, using the Joule effect. The measured torsional wave transit time is a function of the density, level, and temperature of the fluid surrounding the waveguide. The measured extensional wave transit time is a function of the temperature of the waveguide only. The sensor is divided into zones by the introduction of reflecting surfaces at measured intervals along its length. Consequently, the transit times from each reflecting surface can be analyzed to yield a temperature profile and a density profile along the length of the sensor. Improvements in acoustic wave dampener and pressure seal designs enhance the compatibility of the probe with high-temperature, high-radiation, water-steam environments and increase the likelihood of survival in such environments. Utilization of a microcomputer to automate data sampling and processing has resulted in improved resolution of the sensor.
CAUSES OF THUNDERSTORMS OF THE FLORIDA PENINSULA

Abstract After a study of temperature and humidity soundings in Florida during the summer of 1946 failed to produce an explanation for the occurrence or nonoccurrence of thunderstorms, the theory was proposed that large-scale horizontal convergence in the low levels was the necessary condition for thunderstorm convection. Traveling or semipermanent synoptic features of the region producing this convergence were found to be too rare or too remote to account for the almost daily thunderstorm activity of the interior of the Florida peninsula. Low-level horizontal convergence caused by the afternoon sea breezes entering the peninsula from both sides was found to be the most rational explanation of the thunderstorms. Using the Bellamy “triangle method” applied to pilot-balloon stations it was found that low-level convergence developed practically every afternoon during the summer months as a result of this diurnal sea-to-land circulation. The effects extended to an altitude of 3000 or 4000 ft. A comparison wit...
Extracellular matrix modulates non-viral gene transfer to mouse mesenchymal stem cells

Non-viral gene delivery is severely limited by its efficiency. Previous studies aiming to improve the efficiency of non-viral gene delivery have focused on improving the vector system, while the cellular microenvironment where the cells reside is only beginning to be exploited as a means to enhance gene transfer. In this study, the effect of different densities of extracellular matrix proteins namely collagen I (C I), vitronectin (Vt), laminin (Lm), collagen IV (C IV), fibronectin (Fn) and ECM gel (ECMg), and their combinations on gene transfer to mouse mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs) was studied. Protein coatings that resulted in well spread cells such as Fn, ECMg and C IV, resulted in 14.6, 7 and 6.1 fold increase in transgene expression respectively when compared to uncoated surfaces. The transgene expression was up to 90% inhibited on C I coated surface, which led to less spread cells. Interestingly, the same trend was not observed for polyplex internalization, where protein coats that resulted in less spread cells, such as C I and Vt, resulted in higher polyplex internalization. Subsequently, decreased transgene expression corresponded with inhibited trafficking of the internalized complexes to the nucleus. The effect of combining multiple ECM proteins on non-viral gene transfer was also investigated. Surfaces coated with combinations including C I resulted in inhibition of transgene expression. Furthermore surfaces coated with combination of Vt, C IV and Lm resulted in a statistically similar enhancement in transgene expression as compared to fibronectin. For all ECM combinations analyzed, the extent of cell spreading mediated by the ECM protein had a 70% correlation with the extent of overall gene transfer observed. We believe that the cellular microenvironment can be engineered to promote efficient gene transfer.
PHYLOGENY AND CLASSIFICATION OF REEF-BUILDING CORALLINE ALGAE (CORALLINALES, RHODOPHYTA)

The Corallinales includes ca. 40 genera of calcified red seaweeds. Species are of two distinct morphotypes; those that possess genicula (uncalcified nodes) and those that lack genicula. Most nongeniculate species take the form of crusts. The presence (or absence) of genicula, secondary pit connections, and tetrasporangial conceptacle features have traditionally been used as key characters for delimiting coralline subfamilies. In this study, nuclear encoded 18S and 26S rRNA gene sequences were determined and used to reexamine relationships among coralline taxa. Separate and combined phylogenetic analyses of these data yielded similar trees in which four major lineages are resolved. Heydrichia and Sporolithon (Sporolithaceae) are positioned at the base of the tree and appear to be distantly related to other species examined. Within the Corallinaceae, the nongeniculate Melobesioideae is resolved as a monophyletic group. All members of this subfamily produce mutiporate tetraspoangial conceptacles. The Corallinoideae, which are characterized by unizonate genicula, are resolved as sister to a clade containing species placed in the Lithophylloideae, Mastophoroideae and Metagoniolithoideae. The molecular data indicate that geniculate and nongeniculate species characterized by the presence of secondary pit connections are closely related. For example, both data sets robustly support a sister taxon relationship between Amphiroa and Titanoderma. Our results indicate that: 1) all taxa in which secondary pit connections are present should be referred to the Lithophylloideae and, 2) genicula are nonhomologous structures that are independently derived in Amphiroa, Lithothrix, Metagoniolithon and the last common ancestor of the Corallinoideae.
Identification and Characterization of the Major Proteins of Mammalian Brain Synaptic Vesicles

Highly purified rat and cow brain synaptic vesicles contain major proteins with molecular weights of approximately 74,000, 60,000, 57,000, 40,000, 38,000, and 34,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The presence of the major proteins on synaptic vesicles was confirmed by immunoprecipitation of intact rat brain synaptic vesicles with a synaptic vesicle-specific monoclonal antibody. The 40,000-Mr protein appeared to be identical to the 38,000-Mr integral membrane glycoprotein, p38 or synaptophysin, previously identified as a major component of mammalian synaptic vesicles. The isoelectric point of the 75,000-Mr proteins from either rat or cow brain synaptic vesicles is 5.0, and the pI of the 57,000-Mr protein is approximately 5.1 in both species. The similarity in size and charge of several major proteins in rat and cow synaptic vesicles suggests a high degree of structure conservation of these proteins in diverse mammalian species and raises the possibility that a set of functions common to most or all mammalian synaptic vesicles is mediated by these proteins.
Decision-related activity in sensory neurons reflects more than a neuron’s causal effect

During perceptual decisions, the activity of sensory neurons correlates with a subject's percept, even when the physical stimulus is identical. The origin of this correlation is unknown. Current theory proposes a causal effect of noise in sensory neurons on perceptual decisions, but the correlation could result from different brain states associated with the perceptual choice (a top-down explanation). These two schemes have very different implications for the role of sensory neurons in forming decisions. Here we use white-noise analysis to measure tuning functions of V2 neurons associated with choice and simultaneously measure how the variation in the stimulus affects the subjects' (two macaques) perceptual decisions. In causal models, stronger effects of the stimulus upon decisions, mediated by sensory neurons, are associated with stronger choice-related activity. However, we find that over the time course of the trial these measures change in different directions-at odds with causal models. An analysis of the effect of reward size also supports this conclusion. Finally, we find that choice is associated with changes in neuronal gain that are incompatible with causal models. All three results are readily explained if choice is associated with changes in neuronal gain caused by top-down phenomena that closely resemble attention. We conclude that top-down processes contribute to choice-related activity. Thus, even forming simple sensory decisions involves complex interactions between cognitive processes and sensory neurons.
The Reversal of Fortune Theme in Esther: Israelite Historiography in Its Ancient Near Eastern Context

[Abstract This paper examines the idea of reversal in Esther, arguably the most basic thematic constituent of that work, in an attempt to understand its background and meaning. It posits for it a historical context based on a reaction to contemporary ancient Near Eastern intellectual currents. Specifically this centers on Babylonian divination, astrology in particular, whose recognition as a serious branch of scientific reasoning in the ancient world was undeniable—or so it seems. The Book of Esther, which, as this paper demonstrates, manifests an unmistakable familiarity with this divinatory lore, itself partakes in the broader conversation. But, in accordance with its overring theme, it comes down on the matter with a reverse verdict., AbstractThis paper examines the idea of reversal in Esther, arguably the most basic thematic constituent of that work, in an attempt to understand its background and meaning. It posits for it a historical context based on a reaction to contemporary ancient Near Eastern intellectual currents. Specifically this centers on Babylonian divination, astrology in particular, whose recognition as a serious branch of scientific reasoning in the ancient world was undeniable—or so it seems. The Book of Esther, which, as this paper demonstrates, manifests an unmistakable familiarity with this divinatory lore, itself partakes in the broader conversation. But, in accordance with its overring theme, it comes down on the matter with a reverse verdict.]
5S rRNA genes in Pisum: sequence, long range and chromosomal organization.

We have employed a combination of techniques to examine the organization of pea 5S rRNA genes. These include the analysis of length variant interspersion patterns in cosmid clones, sequence analysis, Southern analysis of both conventional gels and field inversion gels and in situ hybridization. From these analyses we conclude that the 5S rRNA genes of pea are arranged in three major tandem arrays which are represented by three large EcoRI fragments and that these correspond to the three sites of in situ hybridization in the haploid pea complement
UTAH COAL FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA POWER: THE GENERAL ISSUES

Abstract For the next decade, Southern California is committed to receiving a large part of its electrical energy from coal-fired powerplants located outside California. This dependence on coal arises from arrangements made by the electrical utilities of Southern California with officials of the Federal government and of states other than California. Of particular importance is the planned construction of two 3000-Mw mine-mouth coal-fired electrical powerplants in Utah, from which the majority of electrical power produced would flow to Southern California. There are many issues to be considered, but they can be reduced to four major classes: 1. (1) those arising from the use of Upper Colorado River Basin surface water in the production of energy, 2. (2) those arising from the degradation of air quality in the area where the plants are sited, 3. (3) those arising from the choices for the mode of transportation of the energy from the producer region to the consumer region, and 4. (4) those arising from the socioeconomic impact on the producer region. The issues are interrelated in a complex way. If the power-plants are sited in Utah, then 1. (1) Utah's surface water must be used for power production, 2. (2) the air quality of Utah's recreational areas (including outstanding National Parks and Monuments) will be degraded, and 3. (3) energy will flow by electrical transmission lines to California. Many alternate combinations exist, and several are considered in this paper. After this paper was submitted and accepted for publication, Southern California Edison withdrew their application for the Kaiparowits Plant. The pressure arising from the issues discussed is temporarily removed. The long-term issues still remain with California.
Role of tissue Doppler and color M-mode imaging for evaluation of diastolic function in ambulatory patients with LV systolic dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and color M-mode (CMM) indices provide assessment of left ventricular (LV) relaxation when combined with pulse-wave Doppler (PWD)-derived transmitral inflow, allows for estimation of LV filling pressures. However, use of these indices in patients with LV systolic dysfunction (LVSD) has not been well characterized. METHODS AND RESULTS The study included 115 patients (age 58 +/- 11 years, 67% male) with LVSD (LV ejection fraction [LVEF] 15. Age-, gender-, and LVEF-adjusted analyses were performed. LV volumes and LVEF were significantly different between the groups (P < 0.01). PWD-derived E-wave velocity showed a significant stepwise increase across the three groups and the Em(septal) velocity demonstrated a stepwise decrease (P < 0.01 for both). CMM-derived diastolic intra-ventricular pressure gradient (IVPG) was significantly lower in the HFP compared to the other 2 groups (P < 0.01 for both); Vp was increased in the HFP compared to the other 2 groups (P < 0.01 for both), and Vp exhibited a U-shape relationship to LVEF. CONCLUSION In patients with LVSD, abnormal LV relaxation is uniformly observed regardless of LV filling pressure. PWD-derived E-wave velocity and the TDI-derived Em velocity are important measurements to identify elevated LV filling pressures. CMM-derived Vp and IVPG were of limited incremental value for the evaluation of diastolic function in patients with LVSD.
Phonetics and tongue position to improve mandibular denture retention: A clinical report

The fabrication, use, and wear instructions for complete dentures are often the factors determining success. The dentist must help guide the mental attitude of the skeptical patient to foster acceptance and success of complete dentures. A "feeling of looseness" may be a condition experienced while patients learn to wear a new mandibular complete denture. Some patients may not understand the reasons given by dentists for the lack of retention of a new mandibular denture. This type of patient requires more explanation, more advice, and more instruction. A phonetic training technique, to demonstrate to the patient how to retain and stabilize the mandibular denture, may be needed for some denture patients. This article reports the clinical use of phonetics and its effect on tongue position to improve the retention and stability of a mandibular complete denture.
A Microfluidic Based High Throughput Resistive Pulse Sensor

We describe a micromachined. resistive pulse sensor with multiple sensing microchannels. A unique design placing measurement microelectrodes in the center of the microchannels is demonstrated. This design creates isolation resistances among channels and thus circumvents the crosstalk caused by automatic electrical connection among microchannels. When implemented using microscale channels, the design is appropriate for the sensing of microscale particles in deionized water or in very dilute electrolyte solution; using nanoscale channels, the design is appropriate for the sensing of nanoscale particles in electrolyte solutions of any concentration. The design has multiple channels operating in parallel, but integrated with just one sample reservoir and one power source. The results with a four-channel device show that this device is capable of differentiating and counting micro polymethacrylate particles and Juniper pollens rapidly. The throughput is improved significantly in comparison to a single channel device. The concept can be extended to a large number of sensing channels in a single chip for significant improvement in throughput.© 2006 ASME
The role of family conflict and marital conflict in adolescent functioning.

Recent research has suggested that general family conflict is more disruptive to child functioning than is marital conflict. We hypothesized, in contrast to earlier work, that marital conflict will contribute unique variance to our understanding of child functioning but only when it occurs in front of children. One hundred and forty-six mother/adolescent pairs served as participants. Mothers completed measures of marital and general family conflict. Both mothers and teachers completed measures on child functioning at two points in time separated by 1 year. Consistent with the earlier findings, general family conflict was more predictive of child adjustment problems than marital satisfaction. However, marital conflict occurring in front of the child was equally predictive of child problem behaviors as was general family conflict.
Is wall‐bound calcium redistributed during the gravireaction of stems and coleoptiles?

We have tested the hypothesis that wall-bound calcium is redistributed from the lower to the upper sides of horizontal stems and coleoptiles during the reaction phase of gravicurvature. We used atomic absorption spectrometry to measure wall-bound calcium in the epidermal and internal layers of sunflower (Helianthus annum L.) hypocotyls and pea (Pisum sativum L.) epicotyls, and total calcium in maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles at the time of maximal gravireaction. In every case, we found that there was no measurable redistribution of wall-bound calcium either from the lower to the upper sides, or between epidermal and inner tissues in response to the gravistimulus. These results indicate that a redistribution of wall-bound calcium does not play a role during the gravireaction of stems and coleoptiles.
Reproductive anatomy of male Southern Emu-wrens (Stipiturus malachurus) and Striated Grasswrens (Amytornis striatus)

In birds, several features of male reproductive anatomy vary with the degree of promiscuity and the intensity of sperm competition. We describe the male reproductive anatomy of the Southern Emu-wren (Stipiturus malachurus) and the Striated Grasswren (Amytornis striatus) in the context of sperm competition. Male Southern Emu-wrens exhibited a very low relative testes size of just 0.6% of male body mass, lacked a cloacal protuberance and possessed a relatively small seminal glomera containing an average of just 12.6 × 106 sperm. Male Striated Grasswrens exhibited relatively small testes, comprising 1.78% of male body mass, and small cloacal protuberances. The relative size of the seminal glomera was also small and seminal glomera contained an average of 42.5 × 106 sperm. When compared with the well-studied fairy-wrens (Malurus) and based on male reproductive anatomy, it appears that emu-wrens experience a relatively low level, and grasswrens an intermediate level, of sperm competition.
Suspending disbelief—of Wynne‐Edwards and his reception

Critique of Wynne-Edwards' views on population regulation and sociality suppose a population of discrete, mutually exclusive groups essential to his thought. Yet both his past and present work focus on continually distributed, philopatric populations; his critics have argued the untenability of a position never his own. Wynne-Edwardsian ‘group selection’ focuses on local population productivity under philopatry. A ‘group’ is a local confluence of genotypes which need not be reified, and group selection consists of the differential replication (hence heritability) of the local social environment in which a genotype is embedded. Differential productivity contingent on social environment can eliminate some relational structures on genotypes in favor of others, creating an expanding wave of population productivity as in Wright's shifting balance metaphor. Such a process is inherent in the evolution of reciprocity, where cooperators must cluster to successfully invade a population of defectors. Regulation of resource exploitation in continuously distributed populations may be modeled as overlapping n-person Prisoner's Dilemmas, where each individual participates in several distinct commons and defection represents local over-exploitation of resources.
Stability and dynamical properties of Rosenau-Hyman compactons using Padé approximants.

We present a systematic approach for calculating higher-order derivatives of smooth functions on a uniform grid using Pade approximants. We illustrate our findings by deriving higher-order approximations using traditional second-order finite-difference formulas as our starting point. We employ these schemes to study the stability and dynamical properties of K(2,2) Rosenau-Hyman compactons including the collision of two compactons and resultant shock formation. Our approach uses a differencing scheme involving only nearest and next-to-nearest neighbors on a uniform spatial grid. The partial differential equation for the compactons involves first, second, and third partial derivatives in the spatial coordinate and we concentrate on four different fourth-order methods which differ in the possibility of increasing the degree of accuracy (or not) of one of the spatial derivatives to sixth order. A method designed to reduce round-off errors was found to be the most accurate approximation in stability studies of single solitary waves even though all derivates are accurate only to fourth order. Simulating compacton scattering requires the addition of fourth derivatives related to artificial viscosity. For those problems the different choices lead to different amounts of "spurious" radiation and we compare the virtues of the different choices.
Puffs and gene regulation--molecular insights into the Drosophila ecdysone regulatory hierarchy.

Sixteen years ago, Michael Ashburner and his colleagues proposed a hierarchical model for the genetic control of polytene chromosome puffing by the steroid hormone ecdysone. The recent molecular isolation and characterization of three early ecdysone-inducible genes has confirmed many aspects of this model — these genes are directly induced by ecdysone, repressed by ecdysone-induced proteins, and appear to encode DNA binding regulatory proteins. The three early genes are also remarkably similar in structure. They are all unusually long and complex, with multiple transcripts that direct the synthesis of several related proteins from each locus. Proteins encoded by two of the early genes bind to both early and late ecdysone-induced puffs, implying that they are key regulators in the hierarchy.
Lack of association between left bundle-branch block and acute myocardial infarction in symptomatic ED patients !

Objective: Guidelines recommend treating patients with a new or presumed new left bundle-branch block (LBBB) similar to those with an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. It is often unclear which emergency department (ED) patients with potentially ischemic symptoms actually have an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), even in the setting of LBBB. Our null hypothesis was that in ED patients with potential AMI, the presence of a new or presumed new LBBB would not predict an increased likelihood of AMI. Methods: This was an observational cohort study. Patients older than 30 years who presented with chest pain or other ischemic equivalent and had an electrocardiogram (ECG) to evaluate potential acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were enrolled. Data collected include demographics, history, ECG, and cardiac markers. Electrocardiograms were classified according to the standardized guidelines, including LBBB not known to be old (new or presumed new LBBB), LBBB known to be old, or no LBBB. The hospital course was followed, and 30-day follow-up was performed on all patients. Our main outcome was AMI. Results: There were 7937 visits (mean age, 54.3 ± 15 years, 57% female, 68% black): 55 had new or presumed new LBBB, 136 had old LBBB, and 7746 had no LBBB. The rate of AMI was not significantly different between the 3 groups (7.3% vs 5.2% vs 6.1%; P = .75). Revascularization (7.8% vs old 5.2% vs 4.3%; P = .04) and coronary artery disease were more common in patients with new or presumed new LBBB (19.2% vs 11.9% vs 10.1%; P = .0004). Conclusions: Despite guideline recommendations that patients with potential ACS and new or presumed new LBBB should be treated similar to STEMI, ED patients with a new or presumed new LBBB are not at increased risk of AMI. In fact, the presence of LBBB, whether new or old, did not predict AMI. Caution should be used in applying recommendations derived from patients with definite AMI to ED patients with potential ACS that may or may not be sustaining an AMI.
NATO's International Security Role in the Terrorist Era

What role does NATO play in combating terror? NATO's missions have expanded dramatically since the end of the Cold War, and most of the United States’ closest allies are members of the alliance. Nevertheless, NATO plays, at best, a supportive role in U.S. efforts to combat terrorism. The alliance contributes to preventive and defensive missions to address the threat of terrorism, and its consequence management plans aim to respond to terrorist attacks and to mitigate their effects. But many of the essential activities of the fight against terrorism occur outside NATO, through bilateral cooperation or loose coalitions of the willing. Three factors help to explain NATO's minor role in combating terrorism: shifts in alignments and threat perceptions caused by systemic changes, the alliance's limited military capabilities, and the nature of the fight against terror itself. Over time the consequences of NATO's limited role could be severe. If NATO's strongest members do not seek to address their core security ...
Detection of Geminiviruses in Sweetpotato by Polymerase Chain Reaction

Li, R., Salih, S., and Hurtt, S. 2004. Detection of geminiviruses in sweetpotato by polymerase chain reaction. Plant Dis. 88:1347-1351. Geminivirus infection of sweetpotato (Ipomoea spp.) germplasm acquired from foreign regions is common. Graft inoculation of the indicator host, Ipomoea setosa, is the accepted detection method for these viruses, but the assay is laborious and requires up to 8 weeks. When infected sweetpotato is subjected to meristem tip culture to eliminate these viruses, the eradication rate is low. In this study, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection assay was developed for the detection of geminiviruses in a variety of sweetpotato cultivars. Different methods were evaluated to extract nucleic acids suitable for PCR from Ipomoea spp., and a reliable and simple extraction method was developed for large-scale sample preparation. PCR products of the expected sizes were amplified from infected plants using degenerate and virus-specific primers, but not from noninoculated indicator plants. PCR assays using three primer pairs detected nine uncharacterized isolates of the geminiviruses in sweetpotato from Asia and America. However, the best PCR result was obtained with degenerate primers SPG1/SPG2, which detected a Taiwan isolate of Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV-Taiwan) in a sample diluted to 10 –9 . Viral identities of three amplicons from SPLCV-Taiwan were confirmed by sequencing. The degenerate primers had a broader detection range than virus-specific primers; therefore, they were used to detect geminiviruses in in vitro plantlets and greenhouse-grown sweetpotato plants, and in several Ipomoea hosts. PCR was shown to be as reliable for virus detection as grafting. Additional keywords: begomoviruses, DNA extraction, Ipomoea leaf curl virus, Ipomoea yellow vein virus, malate dehydrogenase
Projective covers as subquotients of enlargements

We show that not only completions of systems in various senses but also projective covers in the category of compact Hausdorff spaces may be obtained as subquotients of enlargements.
Depressive Symptoms, Depression Proneness, and Outcome Expectancies for Cigarette Smoking

The high rates of cigarette smoking among depressed persons may be partially explained by increased positive expectancies for cigarette smoking among this population. In view of theoretical and empirical work on depressed people’s negative views of the future, though, it would be expected that depressed smokers would hold particularly negative expectancies about the effects of cigarette smoking. The two current studies examined the relations between depression and smoking outcome expectancies in (a) a general population of adult regular smokers and (b) adult smokers seeking to quit smoking. Depressive symptoms and depression proneness both showed significant positive correlations with positive expectancies for cigarette smoking. Several positive correlations with negative expectancies also emerged. Thus, experiencing depressive symptoms may serve to amplify both favorable and unfavorable expectancies about the effects of smoking.
McKinnon-Shaw versus the neostructuralists on financial liberalization: A conceptual note

Abstract The views of the McKinnon-Shaw group and the neostructuralists differ about the approach to financial liberalization, not about financial liberalization itself. The neostructuralists' view—as it is normally interpreted—is misleading in that it recommends that developing countries maintain low interest rates in the banking sector. A practical way for developing countries to pursue financial liberalization would be through the organized financial system.
Laparoscopic assisted colectomy

Background: The role and feasibility of laparoscopic assisted colectomy (LAC) in both benign and malignant disease of the colon are not clear. We have reviewed our series in an effort to further delineate whether or not LAC is appropriate in the treatment of colonic disease. Methods: This is a retrospective view of a personal series focusing on feasibility, cure of malignant disease, and length of stay (LOS). Results: One hundred and two LACs were completed out of 104 attempts (98%). There were no wound or trocar implants in the Dukes A, B and C patients. Lymph node retrieval was similar in the laparoscopic and open historical controls. The LOS was 5.9 days in the LAC group as compared with 11 days in the open group. There was a 4.8% major morbidity rate and a 1% mortality rate in this series. Conclusions: LAC is technically feasible in a high percentage of patients. While a definite statement regarding its use in malignant disease can not be ascertained from this review, the preliminary results are encouraging. A randomized trial comparing open and LAC is warranted.
Sparse MRI: The application of compressed sensing for rapid MR imaging.

The sparsity which is implicit in MR images is exploited to significantly undersample k -space. Some MR images such as angiograms are already sparse in the pixel representation; other, more complicated images have a sparse representation in some transform domain–for example, in terms of spatial finite-differences or their wavelet coefficients. According to the recently developed mathematical theory of compressedsensing, images with a sparse representation can be recovered from randomly undersampled k -space data, provided an appropriate nonlinear recovery scheme is used. Intuitively, artifacts due to random undersampling add as noise-like interference. In the sparse transform domain the significant coefficients stand out above the interference. A nonlinear thresholding scheme can recover the sparse coefficients, effectively recovering the image itself. In this article, practical incoherent undersampling schemes are developed and analyzed by means of their aliasing interference. Incoherence is introduced by pseudo-random variable-density undersampling of phase-encodes. The reconstruction is performed by minimizing the 1 norm of a transformed image, subject to data
Panic-attack-induced transient leukocytosis in a healthy male: a case report

Abstract The lifetime prevalence of panic attacks is 28.3% in American adults 18 years and older. The age of onset of panic attack extends throughout adulthood; however, it typically develops in early adulthood, with median age of onset of 22 years [Kessler R.C., Chiu W.T., Jin R., Ruscio A.M., Shear K., Walters E.E. The epidemiology of panic attacks, panic disorder, and agoraphobia in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006 Apr;63(4):415–24.]. As reported in our case, panic attacks could induce transient leukocytosis in healthy adults. If practitioners recognize this association, expensive investigations and extensive hospital stays may be prevented, although prudent practice would likely still require some type of investigations.
Simulation model of the pendulum reflex test to aid in the design of intelligent functional electrical stimulation controllers

The use of electrical stimulation as a therapeutic measure in the control of muscular function (and in specific cases of paralysis) has been of varying degrees of success. The main reason is that the human body has to be considered as a highly complex nonlinear system. Many engineers and scientists have attempted to create a closed loop controller for sections of this system. This research focuses on the simulation of the musculo-skeletal function of the lower leg, based on the Pendulum Reflex Test data. The developed simulation of the lower leg can then be utilized in the design of new controllers, to be used in the control of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). These more intelligent systems will enhance the therapeutic effects of the FES devices.
Mothers' Knowledge of Early Adolescents' Activities Following the Middle School Transition and Pubertal Maturation

This study tested a sequential mediation model to determine whether experiences, social cognitions, or parent-adolescent interactional processes account for lower levels of mothers’ knowledge of adolescents’ whereabouts and activities following early adolescents’ transition into middle school (MS) and pubertal development. Cross-sectional data were collected from 106 mother-adolescent dyads during the summer before the adolescent entered MS (M age = 11.39 years, 55% female) and from an additional 85 mother-adolescent dyads during the summer following the adolescents’ 1st year of MS (M age = 12.47 years, 49% female). Path analyses indicated that adolescents who had experienced the MS transition and who were more pubertally advanced had weaker authority beliefs and engaged in more unsupervised activities. Weaker authority beliefs were associated with less adolescent disclosure but with more maternal control. More unsupervised activities were associated with less maternal control. Experiencing the MS transit...
Neuronal perikarya and astroglia of rat brain: chemical composition during myelination

Cells isolated by a new technique from 10-, 20-, and 30-day-old rat brains have been analyzed for total lipid, cholesterol, galactolipid, individual phospholipids, gangliosides, DNA, and RNA. The lipid composition does not vary appreciably in either neurons or astrocytes during this period of rapid myelination. Moreover, the lipid compositions of the two cell types are surprisingly similar, both having very low galactolipid concentrations, high phospholipid content, and cholesterol concentrations lower than whole brain. Astrocytes have a higher ganglioside content than neuronal perikarya, a finding ascribed to the higher ratio of surface membrane to mass in the astrocytes, and considered as evidence that gangliosides are normal glial constituents. Compared with an average astrocyte, the individual neuron soma has less mass, a lower total lipid content, and a much higher RNA content.
How short can an adiabatic mode transformer be in a coupled waveguide system

We derive the shortest length of adiabatic mode transformers which keep the power scattered into unwanted modes below a certain level. The theory is well supported by the numerical results from a transfer matrix method.
Science as a Way of Knowing—Evolution: The Biology of Whole Organisms1

Examples of current research of importance to the conceptual and informational bases of evolutionary biology in the areas of morphology, development, physiology, ecology, population biology, natural history, and systematics are discussed. A synthetic approach to problems that utilizes ideas and techniques from several areas of biology characterizes much current research, and it is providing new conceptual frameworks and new, testable hypotheses. Some of the possible problems with methods of presentation as we often teach in these areas of biology are considered.
Confirming the Factor Structure of the Anticipated Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale

This study of the Anticipated Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (A-BAES) examined the factor structure of expected stimulant and sedative effects on the ascending and descending limbs of the blood alcohol curve. Subjects reported the effects they anticipated they would experience immediately after drinking four drinks (ascending) and 1 1/2 hr later (descending). The proposed 4-factor model of stimulant and sedative effects on the ascending and descending limbs fit the data significantly better than single-factor, null, limb-only, and effect-only models, suggesting that the A-BAES has a confirmable structure. In addition, anticipated effects varied with limb of the blood alcohol curve, gender, and drinking habits. Anticipated stimulant effects were higher on the ascending than descending limbs; anticipated sedative effects were higher on the descending than ascending limbs. Women and men differed in their anticipated effects of alcohol, even when differences in drinking habits were controlled. Anticipated sedative effects correlated significantly with alcohol consumption, offering further support for the relation between expectancies and drinking.
Simplifying network administration using policy-based management

The management of network infrastructure in an enterprise is a complex and. daunting affair. In an era of increasing technical cornplexity, it is becoming difficult to find trained personnel who can manage the new features introduced into the various servers, routers, and switches. Policy-based network management provides a means by which the administration process can be simplified and largely automated. In this article we look at a general policy-based architecture that can be used to simplify several new technologies emerging in the context of IP networks. We explain how network administration can be simplified by defining two levels of policies, a business level and a technology level. We discuss how business-level policies are validated and transformed into technology-level policies, and present some algorithms that can be used to check for policy conflicts and unreachable policies. We then show how to apply this architecture to two areas: managing performance service level agreements, and supporting enterprise extranets using IPSec communication.
Restoration of a Potassium-requiring Sodium Pump in Squid Giant Axons Poisoned with CN and Depleted of Arginine

MICROINJECTION of high energy phosphate compounds such as ATP and phosphoarginine (ArgP) into CN-poisoned squid giant axons restores sodium extrusion to normal levels1. Only the latter compound, however, also restores the “K-free effect”, that is to say, a 30–70 per cent drop in sodium efflux when the axon is transferred to potassium-free seawater2. Furthermore, treatments resulting in intracellular ArgP breakdown without ATP breakdown (namely, incipient CN poisoning or partial poisoning with 2,4-dinitrophenol) abolish the K-free effect. Caldwell et al.3 considered two possible explanations for this observation: either ArgP itself plays a part in Na–K coupling, or a high axoplasmic ATP/ADP ratio is required for the K-free effect to occur. Injected ArgP continuously regenerates ATP from ADP, maintaining a high ratio, whereas injected ATP rapidly breaks down to ADP, thus lowering the ratio.
Vocabulary use during extended conversations by two cohorts of older adults

The purpose of this study was to identify the vocabulary use patterns of 65- to 74-year-old and 75- to 85-year-old adults. Communication samples of routine conversations were collected from 10 individuals (5 men and 5 women) for each age cohort using voice-activated portable audiotape recorders. Analysis for frequency and commonality of word use was completed using custom computer software and are reported in extensive appendices.
Design implications of low-K

The aggressive technology migration of the last 10 years is presented. The circuit-level electrical characteristics of interest ( performance, power, area, noise ) that drive the definition of the back-end of line (BEOL) architecture features ( material, width, pitch, space ) are discussed. The paper finishes with a portrayal of the system, circuit, and technology options that may be needed in the 65 nm to 45 nm technology nodes to maintain scalability.
Varieties of Capitalist Interests: Power, Institutions, and the Regulatory Welfare State in the United States and Sweden

Current wisdom about the American welfare state's laggard status among advanced industrial societies, by attributing it to the weakness of the Left and organized labor, poses a historical puzzle. In the 1930s, the United States experienced a dramatically progressive turn in social policy-making. New Deal Democrats, dependent on financing from capitalists, passed landmark social insurance reforms without backing from a well-organized and electorally successful labor movement like those in Europe, especially Scandinavia. Sweden, by contrast, with the world's strongest Social Democratic labor movement, did not pass important social insurance legislation until the following two decades.
Guest Editorial: Special Section on Advances in Recognition Techniques, Part 1

The breadth and depth of the advances in recognition techniques are rather broad. The active investigators thus come not only from the optics community but from many other disciplines.