cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Death of the Efficiency-Equity Tradeoff?: A Commentary on McMahon’s the Matthew Effect and Federal Taxation

Professor Martin J. McMahon, Jr.'s Article on the Matthew effect presents an important and timely argument about decreasing the income inequality in the United States through the federal tax system. His contention that the rich tend to get richer is widely supported by both economic and social theories. But Professor McMahon may be too sanguine about Congress's ability to increase top marginal tax rates significantly without adversely affecting economic output. In particular, concerns about the validity of the long-term studies on which he relies, and the failure to account fully for the special circumstances of very high-income taxpayers, suggest that only modest rate adjustments would be desirable.
High-Stakes Test Accommodations: Research and Practice.

Because high stakes are now attached to standardized assessments of student progress, policy makers, administrators, practitioners, and parents must understand how to most effectively and accuratel...
User Participation and Tailorability in PSN Systems Design

User participation has received significant research attention in the past. Researchers have attempted to understand and demonstrate a link between user participation and system success, but studies have shown the link to be conditional. The purpose of this paper is to propose a type of system design when user participation is not required because the design consists of tailorable functionality, permits exploration through reversibility, and builds trust. In this paper past participation research is examined – including findings casting doubt on the participation-success link. Technology features are then offered to address unresolved user concerns identified in prior research. Future research of a non-participatory design in a Public Safety Network is also described. This paper contributes to IS design knowledge by expanding on the contingency view of user participation and system success. This paper also assists public safety professionals by offering potential design solutions to address user concerns.
An electrochemiluminescence assay for the detection of bio threat agents in selected food matrices and in the screening of Clostridium botulinum outbreak strains associated with type A botulism

BACKGROUND Specific screening methods for complex food matrices are needed that enable unambiguous and sensitive detection of bio threat agents (BTAs) such as Bacillus anthracis spores and microbial toxins (e.g. staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) and clostridial botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs)). The present study describes an image-based 96-well Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assay for simultaneous detection of BTAs in dairy milk products. RESULTS The limit of detection of this ECL assay is 40 pg mL−1 for BoNT/A complex, 10 pg mL−1 for SEB and 40 000 CFU mL−1 for Bacillus anthracis spores in dairy milk products. The ECL assay was successfully applied to screen type A Clostridium botulinum outbreak strains. CONCLUSION The results of the study indicate that this ECL assay is very sensitive, rapid (<6 h) and multiplex in nature. The ECL assay has potential for use as an in vitro screening method for BTAs over other comparable immunoassays. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Party Identification in the United States and Great Britain

Political scientists for some time have questioned the value of party identification in the British context. The most popular objection has been that party identification appears to be less stable and less independent from the vote in Great Britain than in the United States. We attempt to demonstrate that the first objection is based on strong assumptions about how to deal with minor party identifiers and independents while the second can be disputed by showing that short-term forces, and not just measurement error, cause party identification and the vote to covary imperfectly. The analysis is carried out with the original Butler and Stokes data.
Lottery Preferences and the Time Series Variation of the Idiosyncratic Volatility Puzzle

We investigate the empirical implications of investors’ heterogeneous preferences for skewness with respect to the idiosyncratic volatility (IV) puzzle (the negative correlation between idiosyncratic volatility and mean returns). We show that the IV puzzle is stronger (1) within those stocks held primarily by agents with preference for lottery-like payoffs and (2) during economic downturns, when the demand for lottery-like payoffs is high. These results support recent theories that suggest lottery preferences may be a significant source of the IV puzzle.
Exploring identities to deepen understanding of urban high school students' sexual health decision-making

Sexual health is a controversial science topic that has received little attention in the field of science education, despite its direct relevance to students' lives and communities. Moreover, research from other fields indicates that a great deal remains to be learned about how to make school learning about sexual health influence the real-life choices of students. In order to provide a more nuanced understanding of young people's decision-making, this study examines students' talk about sexual health decision-making through the lens of identities. Qualitative, ethnographic research methods with twenty 12th grade students attending a New York City public school are used to illustrate how students take on multiple identities in relation to sexual health decision-making. Further, the study illustrates how these identities are formed by various aspects of students' lives, such as school, family, relationships, and religion, and by societal discourses on topics such as gender, individual responsibility, and morality. The study argues that looking at sexual health decision-making—and at decision-making about other controversial science topics—as tied to students' identities provides a useful way for teachers and researchers to grasp the complexity of these decisions, as a step toward creating curriculum that influences them. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 47:742–762, 2010
Propagation of constants and assertions

Constant propagation is a well-known data flow analysis problem. Constant propagation enables compiletime calculations and deletion of unreachable code. In this paper, constant propagation is generalized to allow propagation of a wider class of assertions. Along with equalities between variables and constants, this class includes controlling expressions of conditional branches and equalities originating from program assignments. The problem of propagating these assertions is solved by application of the mechanism of monotone data flow analysis frameworks. Propagation of the assertions enables additional optimizations: deletion of assignments and redirection of control flow.
Enhanced alignment of Mn12-acetate micro-crystals

Abstract A dilute Mn 12 -acetate suspension composed of microscopic single crystals and single molecules in isopropanol was used for magnetic studies of Mn 12 -acetate single molecule magnets. We observed magnetic properties of the frozen Mn 12 -acetate suspension similar to large single crystals, specifically several sharp steps in the low-temperature hysteresis loop, indicating significantly enhanced alignment as compared to prior studies of micro-crystals. The greater the external magnetic field during alignment, the sharper the steps were in the low-temperature hysteresis loops, indicating that this method can be used for continuous control of alignment. A magnetic field of ∼0.5 T was sufficient to align the micro-crystals in the organic solvent to a degree previously observed only in much larger single crystals.
On Determining the Optimal Magnitude and Length of Liability in Torts

IN "Tort Reform and the Role of Government in Private Insurance Markets," Patricia Danzon argues that it is probable that the size of damage awards is inefficiently high and the period in which defendants are exposed to liability unduly long. Her paper represents an impressive effort, because of the scope and detail of its analysis.' The paper builds heavily on the recent literature on the economic analysis of law and is written in that spirit. The "new" law and economics is to be distinguished in part by its focus on the common law, but also for its devotion to the formal model-building process. Model building has the advantage of forcing the writer to lay out the logic of the argument clearly and to make assumptions explicit. The approach also has its risks. Models may be unnecessarily simplified in order to be mathematically tractable, and undiscerning readers may be tempted to read stronger policy implications into the analysis than is justified. Danzon's paper illustrates, in my view, many of the benefits of model building as well as some of its dangers. The clarity of the model and its presentation allow a critical reviewer to make constructive suggestions for improvement. The weakness of the paper is that it invites the reader to draw rather strong policy conclusions from a model still in its formative stages. The substantive theme of my comments is that the relationship between the design of tort reform and the costs of litigation is a subject area in need of substantially more attention in the law and economics literature. My analysis, like Danzon's, starts from two assumptions: (1) efficiency in liability rules is at least an important if not a dominant objective of the tort
Monitoring Reverse Logistics Programs: A Roadmap to Sustainable Development in Emerging Markets

This manuscript develops a reverse logistics monitoring system for controlling reverse flows of materials through marketing channels in emerging economies. Institutional theory is incorporated to show that both positive and negative impacts on environmental sustainability can be predicted. A partner control framework and scales are then developed for use by managers and researchers in furthering their understanding of the effective management of global reverse logistic networks
Savagés theorem with a finite number of states

Conditions which guarantee the existence of a (subjective) expected utility representation of preferences, when the state space is finite, are presented. The key assumptions are continuity and an analogue of the independence axiom.
Confirming the Designed Thermal Degradation of a Polycarbonate by Tga/Ft-Ir

Abstract Integrated thermogravimetric analysis/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA/FT-IR) was applied to study the thermal degradation of an aliphatic polycarbonate based on 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-hexanediol and 1,4-cyclohexanediol. A single experiment confirms that the polymer decomposes as designed to the expected products. Carbon dioxide, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, and isomeric hexadienes were thus detected and identified by comparison of their vibrational spectra with those of pure compounds in the spectral library. Some mechanistic implications are discussed.
Influence of natural organic matter on the corrosion of leaded brass in potable water

Abstract Natural organic matter (NOM) affects the rate of metal leaching from the surface of leaded brass and the morphology of lead-containing corrosion products. SEM data indicate that lead forms a separate phase on the surface of the alloy. In organic-free water, hexagonal thin plates of hydrocerussite Pb 3 (OH) 2 (CO 3 ) 2 accumulate on and near corroding lead islets. NOM inhibits the growth of the crystals of hydrocerussite and promotes the formation of an amorphous hydrated surface film. The galvanic coupling of the surface lead phase with the rest of the alloy accelerates its oxidation. The share of lead in the oxidized metal leached from or accumulated on the surface, substantially exceeds that in the bulk alloy both in organic free-water and in the presence of NOM. NOM increases both short- and long-term lead leaching. Its effects are most noticeable in the range of dissolved carbon concentrations 0–2 mg/l.
Relation between ionized calcium concentration and ventricular pump performance in the dog under hemodynamically controlled conditions

The effect of plasma ionized calcium concentration on left ventricular function was studied in the canine heart on right heart bypass. Stroke volume, mean arterial pressure and heart rate were controlled. Plasma ionized calcium was lowered to 0.58 +/- 0.01 mM by citrate infusion and raised to 1.70 +/- 0.01 mM by calcium chloride infusion in random order in each dog. Left ventricular function at each of these ionized calcium levels was compared with that in an immediately preceding normocalcemic period. At a constant stroke work (16.9 +/- 0.2 g-m), sustained hypercalcemia was associated with a small decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (1.7 +/- 0.7 cm H2O, p less than 0.05) despite a marked increase in peak left ventricular dP/dt (first derivative of ventricular pressure) averaging 34 percent (p less than 0.001). Coronary blood flow, tension-time index and myocardial oxygen consumption were not significantly altered. Stroke work determined at a left ventricular end-diastolic pressure of 14 cm H2O, by interpolation in left ventricular function curves, was 11 +/- 4.4 percent above that at control normocalcemia (p less than 0.05). At a constant stroke work (16.9 +/- 0.2 g-m), sustained hypocalcemia was associated with a marked depression of left ventricular function as demonstrated by a substantial increase (from 4.9 +/- 0.3 to 12.7 +/- 1.1 cm H2O, p less than 0.0001) in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (p less than 0.0001), decreased mean systolic ejection rate (p less than 0.01) and decreased peak left ventricular dP/dt (p less than 0.0001). Coronary blood flow increased (p less than 0.05) whereas myocardial oxygen consumption did not change significantly. A marked displacement of left ventricular function curves to the right (compared with curves obtained during normocalcemia) was observed, and stroke work determined at a left ventricular end-diastolic pressure of 14 cm H2O was 52 +/- 5.4 percent below control level (p less than 0.001). It appears that hypercalcemia, when initiated from a normal control level, provides only a small enhancement of ventricular pump performance (as indexed by the stroke work-left ventricular end-diastolic pressure relation) despite a marked increase in peak left ventricular dP/dt, whereas marked improvement of left ventricular performance may be expected when calcium infusion is initiated from an ionized calcium level that is below normal.
Safety of growth hormone treatment in patients previously treated for cancer.

Treatment with GH in childhood cancer survivors has not been shown to increase the risks of disease recurrence or mortality. Treatment with GH may be associated with an increased risk of second neoplasms, but studies are based on a few events. Radiation-associated meningiomas are the most common second neoplasms observed in GH-treated individuals. Exposure to cranial radiotherapy also predisposes to the development of meningiomas. Cancer survivors treated with GH require close monitoring during therapy and long-term follow-up. More data are needed on the long-term safety and benefits of GH replacement in deficient adult survivors.
Normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common disorder of mineral metabolism characterized by incompletely regulated, excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone from one or more of the parathyroid glands. The historical view of this disease describes two distinct entities marked by two eras. When primary hyperparathyroidism was first discovered about 80 years ago, it was always symptomatic with kidney stones, bone disease and marked hypercalcemia. With the advent of the multichannel autoanalyzer about 40 years ago, the clinical phenotype changed to a disorder characterized by mild hypercalcemia and the absence of classical other features of the disease. We may now be entering a 3rd era in the history of this disease in which patients are being discovered with normal total and ionized serum calcium concentrations but with parathyroid hormone levels that are consistently elevated. In this article, we describe this new entity, normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism, a forme fruste of the disease.
Hexosamine induction of oxidative stress, hypertrophy and laminin expression in renal mesangial cells: effect of the anti-oxidant α-lipoic acid

We have previously shown that one of the potential mediators of the deleterious effects of high glucose on extracellular matrix protein (ECM) expression in renal mesangial cells is its metabolic flux through the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP). Here, we investigate further whether the hexosamines induce oxidative stress, cell-cycle arrest and ECM expression using SV-40-transformed rat mesangial (MES) cells and whether the anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic acid will reverse some of these effects. Culturing renal MES cells with high glucose (HG, 25 mM) or glucosamine (GlcN, 1.5 mM) for 48 h stimulates laminin gamma1 subunit expression significantly approximately 1.5 +/- 0.2- and 1.9 +/- 0.3-fold, respectively, when compared to low glucose (LG, 5 mM). Similarly, HG and GlcN increase the level of G0/G1 cell-cycle progression factor cyclin D1 significantly approximately 1.7 +/- 0.2- and 1.4 +/- 0.04-fold, respectively, versus LG (p < 0.01 for both). Azaserine, an inhibitor of glutamine:fruc-6-PO(4) amidotransferase (GFAT) in the HBP, blocks the HG-induced expression of laminin gamma1 and cyclin D1, but not GlcN's effect because it exerts its metabolic function distal to GFAT. HG and GlcN also elevate reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, pro-apoptotic caspase-3 activity, and lead to mesangial cell death as revealed by TUNEL and Live/Dead assays. FACS analysis of cell-cycle progression shows that the cells are arrested at G1 phase; however, they undergo cell growth and hypertrophy as the RNA/DNA ratio is significantly (p < 0.05) increased in HG or GlcN-treated cells relative to LG. The anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic acid (150 microM) reverses ROS generation and mesangial cell death induced by HG and GlcN. Alpha-lipoic acid also reduces HG and GlcN-induced laminin gamma1 and cyclin D1 expression in MES cells. In addition, induction of diabetes in rats by streptozotocin (STZ) increases both laminin gamma1 and cyclin D1 expression in the renal cortex and treatment of the diabetic rats with alpha-lipoic acid (400 mg kg(-1) body weight) reduces the level of both proteins significantly (p < 0.05) when compared to untreated diabetic rats. These results support the hypothesis that the hexosamine pathway mediates mesangial cell oxidative stress, ECM expression and apoptosis. Anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic acid reverses the effects of high glucose, hexosamine and diabetes on oxidative stress and ECM expression in mesangial cells and rat kidney.
Feedback in teacher education: mentor discourse and intern perceptions

Giving and receiving feedback are essential activities in student teaching. This paper explores the strategies that mentors adopted in giving post-observation feedback to the interns in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and these teaching interns’ perceptions of the feedback they received. The discourse analysis of six post-observation meetings that involved six mentors and five MA student interns shows how the mentors engaged the interns in the interaction and made their feedback more acceptable to these teaching interns. The mentors’ strategies include the questioning techniques, as well as patterns in the delivery of compliments, criticisms and suggestions. Analysis of the recorded mentors’ feedback and follow-up interviews with the interns reveal that they appreciated many of the mentors’ strategies in giving feedback. The paper concludes with conditions which seem to foster constructive post-observation interactions.
An isothermal model for high-speed spinning of liquid crystalline polymer fibers – coupling of flow, orientation, and crystallization

Abstract Experiments show high-speed spinning of many synthetic fibers is accompanied by the partial crystallization of the initially amorphous melt. This crystallization is induced by some combination of the extensional flow, molecular orientation and extension, and temperature dependence. The crystallization of the material couples back to affect the fiber rheology, through a process of stress-hardening. Recently Forest, Wang and Bechtel have derived isothermal 1-D equations from macroscopic approximations of Doi-type liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) kinetic equations; their equations model the coupling between the extensional flow and the molecular orientation. Here we extend that model to include a fully three-way coupling of flow, orientation and crystallization mechanics, adopting an Avrami crystallization law with an orientation-dependent rate constant as proposed by Ziabicki, and the Kikutani stress-hardening law. We show that there is a significant difference in the fiber diameter profile, orientation and crystallinity with the inclusion of the stress-hardening to the extensional flow. Of interest here also is the role of crystallization in localizing the drawdown into a so-called `neck' region. We illustrate important qualitative and quantitative effects due to the development of crystallization: a pronounced drop in the fiber radius, an increased rapid fluid acceleration, and enhanced molecular alignment with the fiber centerline axis. These three features all occur over the short orientation-induced crystallization lengthscale, and are isolated in the first 20% of the crystallizing region along the spinline for draw ratios typical of high-speed spinning.
Preface to special section: Validation of Atmospheric Infrared Sounder Observations

The papers described below demonstrate that the AIRS calibrated radiances and retrieved geophysical products generally meet or exceed the prelaunch specifications. The retrieved quantities show little variation in uncertainty as a function of cloud amount. However, AIRS retrieval yield is a rapidly decreasing function of cloud amount; at about 80% cloudiness essentially no infrared radiances are used in the retrieval processes. Also, AIRS performance has not been demonstrated for all conditions and products. Calibrated and forward calculated radiances meet performance specifications for conditions varying from the cold poles to warm tropics. The retrieval system performs well over extrapolar land in the free troposphere (~2-15 km above the surface) and over extrapolar oceans at all tropospheric altitudes. The AIRS retrieval algorithms have not been optimized for polar winter conditions, so no such results are presented in these papers.
Motherhood and Feminism: Are They Compatible? The Ambivalence of Mothering:

This paper examines two conflicting moral imperatives: mothers are the people best equipped to raise their own children; and women are people and have a right to their own lives. Based on interviews with women with small children, this paper looks at the conflicts experienced by these women as they attempt to fulfil the motherhood role. It is found that being a person and being a mother can be experienced as mutually exclusive, especially where there is a high level of idealism about motherhood. We conclude that it is not the mothering of small children or motherhood per se that leads to the feelings of ambivalence on the part of mothers: it is mothering under a certain set of conditions (in the isolation of the nuclear family) and with a particular set of beliefs about womanhood and motherhood that leads to conflict and loss of self.
Validity of experimental tests for chain reactions in batch reactors

Abstract Gas phase chain reactions are investigated for radiolytic and photochemical batch reactors. The steady state treatment leads to a nonlinear equation of continuity when there is competition between volume termination and wall termination of the chain carriers. The equation is solved analytically for several limiting cases and numerically for a range of experimental conditions. For many situations of experimental interest, and particularly ones that involve short chains, the numerical solutions indicate that the reaction yield may be remarkably insensitive to either pressure or dose rate. In such circumstances the existence of a chain reaction might easily be masked, as is demonstrated by an analysis of experiments on isotopic exchange in nitrogen gas.
The interaction of oxygen with polycrystalldve niobium studied using aes and low-energy sims

The interaction of oxygen with polycrystalline niobium has been studied using both Auger electron spectroscopy and low-energy secondary ion mass spectrometry in the temperature range from 300–1250 K. At higher temperatures there is oxygen dissolution into the bulk but a preferential surface segregation on recooling. Between 300 and 1250 K, there is a rapid initial adsorption into a very stable state which is associated with increases in the Nb+ and NbO+ yields that are linear with coverage. At 1250 K, further changes are very slow. At 900 K, the initial stage is followed by the adsorption with a lower sticking coefficient (<0.1) as coverage increases from θ = 0.5 to 0.7. This produces an additional larger increase in the yield of Nb+ but a much smaller change in NbO+. At 300 K, the sticking probability falls more slowly with coverage above θ = 0.5 and the amount of oxygen continues to increase slowly with exposure. The SIMS spectrum shows dramatic increases in Nb+, NbO+ and NbO+2 yields and the successive appearance of small yields of ions such as Nb2O+2 and Nb2O+3 as oxide formation begins. The Nb+ yield slowly decreases as further oxidation occurs. Each stage of oxidation has a characteristic secondary ion mass spectrum.
Common blind spots on chest CT: where are they all hiding? Part 1-airways, lungs, and pleura.

W533 tracheal or endobronchial lesions. Malignant lesions may present as endoluminal nodules, subtle wall thickening (Fig. 1), or irregular contour of the lumen. Tracheal tumors such as adenoid cystic carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma can have submucosal spread, which can be difficult to detect or be underestimated on CT. The accurate detection and description of the extent of the tumor is, however, essential for surgical planning. Endobronchial metastases can be seen most frequently in patients with primary renal cell, breast, and colorectal cancers and melanoma. The most common primary bronchial tumors include squamous cell carcinoma and carcinoid tumors. Benign entities such as broncholith, endobronchial hamartoma, and aspirated foreign bodies can also cause significant complications such as recurrent atelectasis or pneumonia. Intraluminal secretion or mucus plug can mimic central airway lesions. However, secretion usually appears smoothly marginated and focal, often along the dependent aspect of the airways. Tiny air bubbles can sometimes be visualized within secretion. Comparison with prior imaging is helpful because a persistent intraluminal opacity is more suggestive of a true lesion. Repeat imaging in prone position or after coughing can also help in differentiating secretions from endoluminal lesions.
Mutation accumulation affects male virility in Drosophila selected for later reproduction.

Abstract An intensive study of longevity, female fecundity, and male reproductive behavior in Drosophila melanogaster was undertaken in order to establish whether late‐life fitness characters in short‐lived populations might be affected by the increase in deleterious alleles due to random genetic drift. We also sought to determine whether selection for late‐life fertility could eliminate alleles that produce a decline in later fitness components in short‐lived populations, as predicted by the mutation accumulation hypothesis for the evolution of aging. These experiments employed long‐lived (O) populations, short‐lived (B) populations, and hybrids made from crosses of independent lines from within the O and B populations. No detectable longevity differences were seen between hybrid B males and females and purebred B males and females. Reproduction in aged B purebred females was significantly less than in hybrid females at 3 wk of age only. A full diallel cross of the five replicate B lines showed a steady ...
Soft-Switched PFC Boost Rectifier With Integrated ZVS Two-Switch Forward Converter

A soft-switched continuous-conduction-mode boost power factor correction front-end converter with an integrated zero-voltage-switched two-switch forward second-stage converter is introduced. In the proposed approach, a single transformer is commonly used by the two stages to provide isolation of the power supply and soft switching of all semiconductor switches including a controlled di/dt turn-off rate of the boost rectifier. The performance of the proposed approach was evaluated on a 150-kHz, 430-W/12-V, universal-line range prototype converter
THE STATISTICAL DEFINITION OF FAIRNESS IN THE FEDERAL SELECTION GUIDELINES AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR MINORITY EMPLOYMENT

The definition of fairness in the guidelines is the same as Cleary's regression model of test bias, which results in a lower proportion of new hires that is minority than the proportion of qualified applicants that is minority. This article explains the disparity, reviews alternative definitions that reduce the disadvantage, and discusses legal arguments. Apparently the guidelines definition is widely disregarded in practice–a color-blind model seems to be the definition generally used by employers. That definition puts minorities at less of a disadvantage than the federal guidelines definition does.
Teachers' Salaries and Human Capital, and Their Effects on Academic Performance: An Institution-Level Analysis of Los Angeles County High Schools

This study re-examines the relationships between school performance (at the high school level) on standardized exams and both teacher pay/salaries and teacher quality, where the latter is measured by teachers’ human capital. To undertake this analysis, we employ Academic Performance Index (API) data from high schools in Los Angeles County (CA) to measure school performance. Heteroscedasticity-consistent OLS results indicate that both teacher pay and teacher quality exercise positive impacts upon school performance. Indeed, an increase from lowest to highest (i.e., over the entire range) of teacher pay and teacher quality, ceteris paribus, generates high school performance increases of approximately three and six percentage points, respectively.
Merlin: hanging tumor suppression on the Rac.

Cancer can result from any number of abnormalities in the control of cell-cycle progression, intracellular signaling and transduction of extracellular cues. Many insights into the crucial events that govern the regulation of cell growth have derived from studies of the gene products mutated in inherited cancer syndromes. Recent work on the neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) tumor suppressor gene suggests that this negative growth regulator might function by modulating growth factor and extracellular matrix (ECM) signals that trigger Rac1-dependent cytoskeletonassociated processes. In this article, we propose a molecular model for NF2 protein (merlin) function in the light of these and related new findings.
The Measurement of Dialysis Access Recirculation

The measurement of dialysis access recirculation has important diagnostic implications. Recent recognition that its traditional means of measurement is fraught with the potential for substantially overestimating access recirculation requires that we alter current practice. Most of the potential error in the measurement can be overcome by using an arterial rather than a venous specimen for the "systemic" sample. For practical purposes, such a sample can be drawn from the dialysis afferent (arterial) line as long as it is done in a manner that minimizes both contamination by recirculated blood as well as the increase in blood urea nitrogen that occurs when the arteriovenous blood urea nitrogen gradient is dissipated by slowing or stopping dialysis.
The Effect of Psychoeducation on Attitudes Toward Bisexuality

The attitudes of 124 heterosexual college students were measured using the Attitudes Regarding Bisexuality Scale before and after reading a factual excerpt on bisexuality, an autobiographical excerpt of a bisexual woman, or an article unrelated to bisexuality. Tolerance toward bisexuality and the belief in the stability of bisexuality were assessed. Results showed that factual information was more effective in increasing the belief that bisexuality is stable compared to exposure to personal information. No change was found in tolerance toward bisexuality under any of the conditions. Factual information is a valuable tool in addressing negative attitudes towards bisexuality.
Weeding: facing the fears

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide librarians with an approach to weeding, which reduces librarians' fears and concerns of withdrawing books from an academic collection.Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a case study.Findings – The paper outlines specific steps for implementing a weeding project, including developing criteria and procedures, garnering the support of administration, building librarian confidence in performing weeding, and encouraging teaching faculty involvement.Originality/value – The paper provides insights into the nature of the concerns and fears librarians face in weeding an academic library collection, and offers suggestions on how to build confidence and support for weeding among both librarians and academic faculty.
On the limit cycle for the 1/r2 potential in momentum space

Abstract The renormalization of the attractive 1/r2 potential has recently been studied using a variety of regulators. In particular, it was shown that renormalization with a square well in position space allows multiple solutions for the depth of the square well, including, but not requiring a renormalization group limit cycle. Here, we consider the renormalization of the 1/r2 potential in momentum space. We regulate the problem with a momentum cutoff and absorb the cutoff dependence using a momentum-independent counterterm potential. The strength of this counterterm is uniquely determined and runs on a limit cycle. We also calculate the bound state spectrum and scattering observables, emphasizing the manifestation of the limit cycle in these observables.
Stable submolecular folding units in a non-compact form of cytochrome c.

Abstract Studies of structure, dynamics, and stability of cytochrome c (cyt c ) at low pH in a non-compact pre-molten globule state indicate that the protein contains submolecular folding units that are independently stable. In high salt, acid cyt c (pD 2·3; where D is deuterium) is nearly as compact as the native form. Nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) line broadening typical of the molten globule form is seen, indicating loosened packing and increased mobility not only for side-chains but also for the main chain. As NaCl concentration is decreased below 0·05 m , cyt c expands due to the deshielding of electrostatic repulsions, attaining a linear extent perhaps double that of the native protein (viscosity, fluorescence). In the extended form, tertiary structural hydrogen bonds are largely broken (hydrogen exchange rate), some normally buried parts of the protein are exposed to water (fluorescence), and many of the native side-chain contacts must be lost. Nevertheless, almost all of the helical content is retained (circular dichroism). The helices involve the same amino acid residues that are helical in the native state (hydrogen exchange labeling monitored by 2-dimensional n.m.r.). The equilibrium constant for helix formation at 20°C (0·02 m -NaCl, pD 2·2) is about 10 (hydrogen exchange rate), even though the individual helical segments when isolated have little or no structure. Additional experiments were done to check assumptions and calibrate parameters that underlie the hydrogen exchange analysis of protein folding. These results indicate that the native-like helical segments in the expanded non-globular form of cyt c exist as part of somewhat larger submolecular folding units that possess significant equilibrium stability. Results from equilibrium and kinetic studies of protein folding support the generality of this conclusion. This view is contrary to the two-state paradigm for equilibrium folding and inconsistent with the idea that side-chain packing constraints determine folding motifs. The result suggests an extension of the thermodynamic hypothesis for protein structure to kinetic folding processes, so that the amino acid code for equilibrium and kinetic folding may be the same, and also seems pertinent to the biological evolution of contemporary protein structures.
Problem‐solving environment for line balancing automated manufacturing systems

A web-based problem-solving environment designed to teach assembly line balancing was developed based on analytic and simulation models. This environment was evaluated by 67 undergraduate students. Differences between pre- and post-test scores were significant (α = 0.05) and students felt that the system helped them to visualize line balancing concepts. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 17: 52–60, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae20198
Coupled Angular Momentum Channels and Axial-Vector Resonance in π ω Scattering

The possibility of binding an axial-vector meson in the $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\omega}$ system is considered. A substantial admixture of $s$ and $d$ waves is required to bootstrap this particle, and the decay angular distribution calculated is in good agreement with the recent experimental information.
Strain-gage techniques in biomechanics

In order to successfully use strain gages to monitor the mechanical response of biological systems to mechanical inputs, new techniques have been developed. Special procedures for wiring, bonding and waterpooofing strain gages are illustrated. These may change with the type of biological specimen being studied—living or dead—the length of time the gages must function, and the depth of the desired point of application below the surface of the body. Strain gages have been successfully applied deep into the thoracic cavity of a cadaver and have remained operable for a month which is well beyond the required time. Gages applied to the rib cage and the facial bones have been used over a two-month period with no loss in function. For animal tests, applications of up to three weeks are possible with longer periods available with more involved techniques. Strain gages have a distinct advantage over any other type of measuring device which might be employed in that a correlation between static and dynamic results can be determined; this makes it a most useful and valuable tool for the investigator in biomechanics.
An individualized weight-based goal urine volume model significantly improves expected calcium concentrations relative to a 2-L goal urine volume

Increased urinary volume decreases recurrence rates of nephrolithiasis. Current recommendations for goal volumes are not adjusted to reflect individual risk factors, such as obesity. Our intent was to develop and evaluate a goal urine volume for stone prevention based on predictive calcium modeling. Stone formers with a 24-h urine study (6/2001–9/2010) were identified. Patients with inadequate collections or non-calcium stones were excluded. Multivariate and univariate predictive models for daily calcium were evaluated and a univariate (weight) model was selected. A target calcium concentration constant (2.5 mM) was determined from current recommendations. Individualized weight-based goal urine volumes (WGUV) were calculated. Measured calcium concentration and expected calcium concentrations using a 2-L goal volume and WGUV were compared. 185 of 399 patients met inclusion criteria. Body weight was a strong predictor of calcium excretion in each model (p < 0.0001). While a 2-L goal urine volume would be expected to improve mean calcium concentrations for the cohort from 3.53 to 2.96 mM, the benefit is unequal between subsets with nearly twofold expected concentration for the highest weight quartile (3.98 vs. 2.10 mM) and higher expected concentration for males (3.35 vs. 2.59 mM). By contrast, a WGUV model improves expected concentrations for all subsets to <2.9 mM and the overall cohort to 2.50 mM. This study demonstrates a strong relationship between body weight and urinary calcium excretion in stone formers. We introduce the novel concept of individualized goal urine output using statistical modeling, which may be preferable to current recommendations.
NP-Complete decision problems for binary quadratics

The computational complexity of deciding whether a polynomial with integer coefficients has natural-number zeros ranges from deterministic polynomial time feasibility (for polynomials in one variable or of degree one) to undecidability (presently known to hold for polynomials in nine or more variables). We show that for the two-variable quadratics of the form αx2 + βy − γ = 0; α, β, γ ϵ ω, the problem is NP-complete. This implies NP-completeness of certain questions about the solutions x of x2 = α modulo β; α, β, ξ ϵ ω. It also shows that a nondeterministic Turing machine restricted to evaluating deterministically polynomials of a given form at nondeterministically constructed argument values (called a nondeterministic Diophantine machine below) can solve an NP-complete problem in polynomial time.
Thermal regime suitability: Assessment of upstream range restoration potential for Colorado pikeminnow, a warmwater endangered fish

Dams have reduced distribution of the endangered Colorado pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius in the upper Colorado River basin: low-head diversion dams blocked upstream passage and large dams inundated free-flowing segments and cooled downstream reaches with deep-water releases. To date, range restoration efforts in the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers have focused on building fish ladders around diversion dams to allow recolonization of upstream reaches. Upstream thermal suitability for this warmwater cyprinid was assessed using temperature data and existing distributional information from river reaches where Colorado pikeminnow movements were unrestricted. Among-site thermal regime comparisons were made using mean annual thermal units (ATU), derived from mean daily temperatures during 1986–2005 and the relation between temperature and Colorado pikeminnow growth. Upstream distributional limits in the Yampa and Gunnison Rivers occurred where in-channel thermal regimes fell below a long-term mean of 47–50 ATU, suggesting that two Colorado River fish ladders will make available an estimated 17 km of thermally suitable habitat. A Gunnison River fish ladder successfully re-established access to 54 km of suitable habitat, but 32 km of critical habitat upstream remains unsuitable. Suitability there could be achieved by raising temperatures only 1–2°C from late May to mid-October with installation of a temperature control device on an upstream dam. Maximum, main-channel, summer temperatures did not limit Colorado pikeminnow distribution in downstream reaches of the upper Colorado River. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Note on Stability in the U.S. Metropolitan System: 1950–1970

The authors attempt to replicate Wanners analysis (see 44: Title 2136) of the classification of U.S. metropolitan communities as defined by Duncan (see 36: Title 3116). They use 1970 data to determine whether the two factors identified by Wanner namely industry structure and specialization remained significant and the extent to which cities have maintained their position in the urban system over the period 1950 to 1970 (ANNOTATION)
Effects of Heterogeneity in Aquifer Permeability and Biomass on Biodegradation Rate Calculations—Results from Numerical Simulations

Numerical simulations were used to examine the effects of heterogeneity in hydraulic conductivity (K) and intrinsic biodegradation rate on the accuracy of contaminant plume-scale biodegradation rates obtained from field data. The simulations were based on a steady-state BTEX contaminant plume undergoing biodegradation under sulfate-reducing conditions, with the electron acceptor in excess. Biomass was either uniform or correlated with K to model spatially variable intrinsic biodegradation rates. A hydraulic conductivity data set from an alluvial aquifer was used to generate three sets of 10 realizations with different degrees of heterogeneity, and contaminant transport with biodegradation was simulated with BIOMOC. Biodegradation rates were calculated from the steady-state contaminant plumes using decrease in concentration with distance downgradient and a single flow velocity estimate, as is commonly done in site characterization to support the interpretation of natural attenuation. The observed rates were found to underestimate the actual rate specified in the heterogeneous model in all cases. The discrepancy between the observed rate and the “true” rate depended on the ground water flow velocity estimate, and increased with increasing heterogeneity in the aquifer. For a lognormal K distribution with variance of 0.46, the estimate was no more than a factor of 1.4 slower than the true rate. For an aquifer with 20% silt/clay lenses, the rate estimate was as much as nine times slower than the true rate. Homogeneous-permeability, uniform-degradation rate simulations were used to generate predictions of remediation time with the rates estimated from the heterogeneous models. The homogeneous models generally overestimated the extent of remediation or underestimated remediation time, due to delayed degradation of contaminants in the low-K areas. Results suggest that aquifer characterization for natural attenuation at contaminated sites should include assessment of the presence and extent of, and contaminant concentrations in, low-permeability areas of an aquifer.
Neutron activation analysis of heavy rare earths

A method of nondestructive activation analysis of heavy rare earth elements (Sm−Lu) is described. Intensities of γ-ray peaks are compared to that of an internal reference after irradiations by both thermal and fission spectrum neutrons. Results are obtained from computer comparisons of peak areas.
Filling the void

Abstract In the tourism field educational and training programmes are proliferating. Professor Gunn of Tourism Planning and Development at Texas A and M University, argues that instead of standardizing these courses educators should encourage the development of more to fill the gaps left by the rapid growth in this complex area. Education and training should be emphasized not as separate issues but as interlinked components in college programmes.
A general technique for deterministic model-cycle-level debugging

Efficient use of FPGA resources requires FPGA-based performance models of complex hardware to implement one model cycle, i.e., one time-step of the original synchronous system, in several implementation cycles. Generally implementation cycles have no simple relationship with model cycles, and it is tricky to reconstruct the state of the synchronous system at the model-cycle boundaries if only implementation-cycle-level control and information is provided. A good debugging facility needs to provide: complete control over the functioning of the target design being simulated; fast and easy access to all the significant target design state for both monitoring and modification; and some means of accomplishing deterministic execution when the target design is a multicore processor running a parallel application. Moreover, these features need to be provided in a manner which does not incur substantial resource and performance penalties. In this paper, we present a debugging technique based on the LI-BDN theory. We show how the technique facilitates deterministic model-cycle-level debugging. We used it to build the debugging infrastructure for Arete, which is an FPGA-based cycle-accurate multicore simulator. The resource and performance penalties of our debugging technique are minimal; in Arete the debugging infrastructure has area and performance overheads of 5% and 6%, respectively.