cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Timing of Broadband Provision: The Role of Competition and Demographics

We examine the supply of DSL broadband by the incumbent local exchange company (LEC) in five U.S. states in the earlier years of deployment. Our empirical analysis shows that income, other demographics, and cost factors are important determinants of entry and availability, and thus, the supply side of the digital divide. After controlling for other factors, the racial characteristics of the area do not affect DSL provision. Active competition in broadband from competitive LECs reduces deployment of DSL by the incumbent, but potential competition from competitive LECs has the opposite effect. Competition from cable companies also negatively influences the incumbent's decision to supply DSL. Our objective in gauging the importance of the various factors is to highlight the important drivers of broadband provision for policy makers. Even though some form of broadband access is available in most areas of the U.S. today, the lessons learned from looking at the early years of adoption are still important for two reasons. Understanding what drives initial DSL deployment lends insight into what drives increasing competition, the best hope for lower service prices. Furthermore, many less developed countries around the world are in situations today similar to where the U.S. was five years ago.
Passive stability of vehicles without angular momentum including quadrotors and ornithopters

The paper presents a model for adding stabilizers to a flying device without rotational momentum (such as quadrotors or ornithopters) that will create passively stable vehicles in hover. This model enables the design of the size and location of these stabilizers that will vary the stability and performance of the vehicle. The model is verified with nine experimental vehicles that span the stability design space. Passive stability allows the removal of costly inertial sensors and increases the robustness of the vehicle. Analysis of the cost and drag that impacts flight performance is also discussed.
The Influence of Technology-Related, Market-Related, and Standards-Related Strategic Signaling During a Standards War

To increase their likelihoods of product-market success, innovating firms use strategic signals to communicate with market participants in order to reduce participants’ perceived uncertainties associated with their innovative products. We examine, during a standards war involving a technology-based product, the influence of technology-, market-, and standards-related strategic signals on the stock price of one of the product-market's technology leaders. A technology leader is defined as a firm that develops and promotes its proprietary product design to become industry standard. Using event study methodology, we find that a technology leader's market- and standards-related signals have significant positive influences on this leader's stock price; competitor technology leaders ’ technology-related and standards-related signals have significant negative influences, while these competitor leaders’ market-related signals have a significant positive influence; and c ompetitor technology followers ’ market- and standards-related signals lacked significant influences, while these followers’ technology-related signals possessed a weak negative influence.
Cancer of the Breast

Cancer of the breast is the most common malignant neoplasm diagnosed and the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death in women in the United States. This translates annually into an estimated 184,200 new diagnoses, 30% of cancers in women, and 40,800 related deaths, 17% of all cancer deaths in women [1]. The risk of women developing breast cancer over their lifetimes is about 1 in 8 (12%) and their risk of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 28 (3.6%) [2]. The incidence rate increases with age until the late 40s and then decreases [3].
Information Filtering in TREC-9 and TDT-3: A Comparative Analysis

Much work on automated information filtering has been done in the TREC and TDT domains, but differences in corpora, the nature of TREC topics vs. TDT events, the constraints imposed on training and testing, and the choices of performance measures confound any meaningful comparison between these domains. We attempt to bridge the gap between them by evaluating the performance of the k-nearest-neighbor (kNN) classification system on the corpus and categories from one domain using the constraints of the other. To maximize comparability and understand the effect of the evaluation metrics specific to each domain, we optimize the performance of kNN separately for the i>F1, i>T9P (preferred metric for TREC-9) and i>Ctrk (official metric for TDT-3) metrics. Through a thorough comparison of our within-domain and cross-domain results, our results demonstrate that the corpus used for TREC-9 is more challenging for an information filtering system than the TDT-3 corpus and strongly suggest that the TDT-3 event tracking task itself is more difficult than the TREC batch filtering task. We also show that optimizing performance in TREC-9 and TDT-3 tends to result in systems with different performance characteristics, confounding any meaningful comparison between the two domains, and that i>T9P and i>Ctrk both have properties that make them undesirable as general information filtering metrics.
The application of signal detection theory to decision-making in forensic science.

Signal Detection Theory (SDT) has come to be used in a wide variety of fields where noise and imperfect signals present challenges to the task of separating hits and correct rejections from misses and false alarms. The application of SDT helps illuminate and improve the quality of decision-making in those fields in a number of ways. The present article is designed to make SDT more accessible to forensic scientists by: (a) explaining what SDT is and how it works, (b) explicating the potential usefulness of SDT to forensic science, (c) illustrating SDT analysis using forensic science data, and (d) suggesting ways to gain the benefits SDT analyses in the course of carrying out existing programs of quality assessment and other research on forensic science examinations.
Response to 13 generations of selection for increased 8-week body weight in lines of mice carrying a sheep growth hormone-based transgene.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate selection in lines of transgenic mice. Two replicates of lines that either carried or did not carry the sheep metallothionein-1a sheep growth hormone transgene (oMt1a-oGH) were established. The host lines had been previously selected for rapid growth or selected randomly. Within-litter selection for increased 8-wk body weight was carried out for 13 generations. The frequency of oMt1a-oGH was monitored in all generations in the transgenic lines, but no genotypic information regarding the transgene was used as an aid to selection. The oMt1a-oGH was activated from weaning, at 3 wk, until 8 wk of age by adding ZnSO4 to the drinking water. Zinc stimulation of the transgene was not done during mating, gestation, or lactation. Data on body weights and weight gains were analyzed with a conventional mixed model and with an animal model. Genetic progress was achieved in all lines subjected to directional selection. In the control background, response to selection for 8-wk body weight was larger in the nontransgenic lines than in the transgenic lines, whereas no difference was found in the selected background. The frequency of the transgene was increased from the initial .5 to .62 in the randomly selected background but decreased to .04 in lines from a selected background. The REML estimates of variance components and genetic gain estimates varied greatly between the two methods. In general, there was better agreement between the realized heritability estimates and the heritability estimates obtained from the conventional mixed model analysis than between realized heritability estimates and results obtained using the animal model. Favorable correlated responses were obtained for 3- and 6-wk body weights and on 3- to 6- and 6- to 8-wk weight gains. Correlated responses to selection were larger in the selected than in the nonselected background but were not affected by the presence of the transgene. Results suggest that constructs similar to the oMt1a-oGH, which allow tight regulation, may be successfully incorporated into commercial livestock and should have larger effects in populations that have not been subject to selection.
Hume, David (1711–76)

David Hume, a leading figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, contributed significantly to the disciplines of psychology, history, political science and economics—as well as to more theoretical discussions in ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, and philosophy of religion. He was a controversial figure in his own day, mainly because of his criticisms of both natural and revealed religion, and the political views expressed in his History of England (1983). His skeptical arguments concerning induction are still discussed by philosophers interested in probability theory, and his account of the foundations of morality enters into current disputes about the source of moral obligation. In his Treatise of Human Nature (1739–40) Hume set out to found all the other sciences on the science of human nature, and stressed that this science itself must be based on experiment and observation. The basic psychological principle that he sought to establish in his Treatise was that of the association of ideas and impressions. He followed Locke in rejecting innatism and holding that the elemental building blocks of our ideas must be based on experience; however, he argued against Locke that experience cannot supply us with our common sense or scientific conceptions of reality, or the foundations of morality. Rather, the latter arise through irrational processes of the imagination.
Accuracy of software quality models over multiple releases

Many evolving missiondcritical systems must have high software reliability. However, it is often difficult to identify faultdprone modules early enough in a development cycle to guide software enhancement efforts effectively and efficiently. Software quality models can yield timely predictions of membership in the faultdprone class on a moduledbydmodule basis, enabling one to target enhancement techniques. However, it is an open empirical question, “Can a software quality model remain useful over several releasesq” Most prior software quality studies have examined only one release of a system, evaluating the model with modules from the same release. We conducted a case study of a large legacy telecommunications system where measurements on one software release were used to build models, and three subsequent releases of the same system were used to evaluate model accuracy. This is a realistic assessment of model accuracy, closely simulating actual use of a software quality model. A module was considered faultdprone if any of its faults were discovered by customers. These faults are extremely expensive due to consequent loss of service and emergency repair efforts. We found that the model maintained useful accuracy over several releases. These findings are initial empirical evidence that software quality models can remain useful as a system is maintained by a stable software development process.
GEOMETRIC AND UNIPOTENT CRYSTALS

Let G be a split semisimple algebraic group over ℚ, g be the Lie algebra of G and U q (g) be the corresponding quantized enveloping algebra. Lusztig has introduced in [Lul] canonical bases for finite-dimensional U q(g)-modules. About the same time E as hi war a introduced in [Kl] crystal bases as a natural framework for parametrizing bases of finite-dimensional U q(g)-modules. It was shown in [Lu2] that Eashiwara’s crystal bases are the limits as q → 0 of Lusztig’s canonical bases. Later, in [K2] Kashiwara introduced a new combinatorial concept — crystals. Kashiwara’s crystals generalize the crystal bases and provide a natural framework for their study.
Genetic change after colonization

Consideration is given to the case of a daughter population of a sexual species that becomes successfully established in an area previously lacking that species, as has occurred recently in the Krakataus. If the new area is isolated geographically and if the number of founder individuals is small, conventional wisdom foresees a reduction of genetic variability within the colony. This might obstruct genetic adjustment to new conditions. Recent studies of the genetics of such bottlenecked populations, however, show that, in some instances, genetic variability for quantitative traits may actually increase rather than decrease after a bottleneck event. Whereas loss of some quasi-neutral biochemical alleles may occur, the quantitative polygenic balances on which adaptation depends can be carried through the bottleneck into the new population. Novel phenotypes may result from natural selection during the generations that immediately follow the bottleneck. Growing shield volcanoes in particular show rapid turnover of their surfaces such that organisms surviving there must continually recolonize or become extinct. Such species, existing as metapopulations, should be prone to bottleneck effects that produce genetic shifts. Examples are given from Drosophila silvestris on the island of Hawaii. The relevance of such genetic shifts to population structure and evolutionary change in populations is discussed, emphasizing the probable role of metapopulation structure.
Differential effects of endothelin peptides in the systemic and pulmonary vascular beds of the cat.

Abstract The cardiovascular and pulmonary responses to vasoactive intestinal contractor (VIC) were compared with those of endothelin (ET)-1, ET-2, ET-3 and sarafotoxin 6b (S6b) and the mechanism by which ET-1 alters vascular resistance was investigated in the hindquarters vascular bed of the cat. In a manner similar to ET-1 and ET-2, VIC at a dose of 0.3 nmol/kg i.v. produced increases in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and biphasic changes in systemic arterial pressure (AP), systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). The biphasic changes were characterized by initial decreases followed by increases. In contrast, ET-3 and S6b at doses of 0.3 nmol/kg i.v. produced mainly decreases in AP and SVR, increases in PAP, and biphasic changes in PVR. A monocyclic ET-1 analog and the ET-1 C-terminal hexapeptide fragment produced no effect on AP, SVR, PAP and PVR at doses of 30–100 nmol/kg i.v. ET-1 at a dose of 0.3 nmol i.a. produced a biphasic change in hindquarters perfusion pressure. The initial vasodilation and secondary vasoconstriction were not modified by a variety of blocking agents, whereas the vasoconstrictor response was significantly reduced by infusion of nimodipine, a calcium entry blocking agent. Results of the present study indicate that VIC, a peptide specific to the mouse gastrointestinal tract, elicits cardiovascular responses that are similar to those elicited by ET-1 and ET-2. The present results indicate that responses to these novel peptides are complex and while the mechanism of action remains uncertain, these data indicate that structural differences among the peptides confer differences in biological activity.
Dose Enhancement Effects in a Shepherd Model 81-22 Cobalt-60 Irradiator

The magnitude of the low energy component of the photon energy spectrum inside a J. L. Shepherd Model 81-22 Co-60 irradiator has been experimentally determined. Thermoluminescent dosimeters and a specialized ionization chamber were used to verify the usefulness of a lead (0.06") and aluminum (0.03") filter box to harden the Co-60 photon energy spectrum. The area of uniform dose as a function of distance from the Co-60 source inside the irradiator also has been determined. The results suggest two recommendations for use of the irradiator: the Pb/Al box should be used for all irradiated samples where low energy radiation can be a factor, and samples should be placed as close to the source as possible, while maintaining a uniform dose rate over the entire sample area.
Genetic homogeneity among isolates of Fusarium solani that cause soybean sudden death syndrome.

Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli is the etiological agent of soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS). This form species includes both members that cause SDS and those that do not. Despite the extensive use of SDS isolates in soybean plant breeding studies, no information regarding genetic relatedness of isolates is available. Sequencing of the D2 region of the large-subunit (28S) ribosomal DNA of 19 isolates of F. solani f. sp. phaseoli, both SDS and non-SDS isolates, resulted in identical sequences and thus indicated a very low level of genetic variation within the form species. Sequencing of the ITS region resulted in low-level intra-individual as well as intra-specific variation. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used for a genome-wide estimate of genetic variation and was able to resolve only two amplitypes of the SDS isolates. Thus, SDS isolates from throughout the U.S. comprise an almost clonal population with an extremely low level of genetic variation among individuals.
FoldGPCR: Structure prediction protocol for the transmembrane domain of G protein-coupled receptors from class A

Building reliable structural models of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is a difficult task because of the paucity of suitable templates, low sequence identity, and the wide variety of ligand specificities within the superfamily. Template-based modeling is known to be the most successful method for protein structure prediction. However, refinement of homology models within 1-3 A C alpha RMSD of the native structure remains a major challenge. Here, we address this problem by developing a novel protocol (foldGPCR) for modeling the transmembrane (TM) region of GPCRs in complex with a ligand, aimed to accurately model the structural divergence between the template and target in the TM helices. The protocol is based on predicted conserved inter-residue contacts between the template and target, and exploits an all-atom implicit membrane force field. The placement of the ligand in the binding pocket is guided by biochemical data. The foldGPCR protocol is implemented by a stepwise hierarchical approach, in which the TM helical bundle and the ligand are assembled by simulated annealing trials in the first step, and the receptor-ligand complex is refined with replica exchange sampling in the second step. The protocol is applied to model the human beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR) bound to carazolol, using contacts derived from the template structure of bovine rhodopsin. Comparison with the X-ray crystal structure of the beta(2)AR shows that our protocol is particularly successful in accurately capturing helix backbone irregularities and helix-helix packing interactions that distinguish rhodopsin from beta(2)AR.
Step-Scan FT-IR Spectroelectrochemical Analysis of Surface and Solution Species in the Ferricyanide/Ferrocyanide Redox Couple

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry adds complementary structural information to sensitive electroanalytical measurements. In this work, in situ, external reflection FT-IR techniques allowed for examination of interfacial electrochemical events through a thin-layer spectroelectrochemical cell in which a sinusoidally modulated potential was applied to the electrode. The infrared spectra of electrochemically modulated species were measured by a step-scan FT-IR spectrometer. The phase-sensitive detection capability of this technique has been used to provide information about dynamic electrode processes and to enhance sensitivity to surface species. The cause of decreases in the heterogeneous rate constant, k°, of the ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox process with time has been investigated. Previous authors offer a variety of opinions for the variation of k° for this reaction including the adsorption of polymeric hexacyanoferrate complexes, ferrocyanide, or ferricyanide on the electrode surface; ot...
Choline inhibition of prothrombin activation

A computer-interfaced spectrophotometric kinetic assay for prothrombin activation was developed, coupling the production of thrombin to a thrombin-specific amidolytic chromogenic reaction. As thrombin accumulated initially at constant velocity, the simultaneous release from S-2238 of pNA conformed to an acceleration function. Adherence to the acceleration function of the temporally increasing A400 of pNA was evaluated after transforming the data into linear format which permitted linear regression analysis. High correlation coefficients, routinely greater than 0.99, verified linearity of thrombin production in individual assay mixtures. As prothrombin concentrations were varied, factor Xa exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Added choline produced a pattern of mixed-type inhibition. Replots of LB slopes and intercepts versus choline concentration gave apparent Ki and Ki' values (mM): 22 +/- 3 and 48 +/- 7 without factor Va, 25 +/- 4 and 41 +/- 4 with factor Va.
Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of bifunctional electrophiles and DNA adducts from vitamin C mediated decomposition of 15‐hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid

Reactive oxygen species convert the omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonic acid into 15-hydroperoxy-5,8,11,13-(Z,Z,ZE)-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE). Cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases can also convert arachidonic acid into 15-HPETE. Vitamin C mediated decomposition of 15(S)-HPETE to protein- and DNA-reactive bifunctional electrophiles was examined by normal-phase liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry (LC/APCI-MS). The individual bifunctional electrophiles, trans-4,5-epoxy-2(E)-decenal (t-EDE), cis-4,5-epoxy-2(E)-decenal (c-EDE), 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal (ONE), and 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal (HNE), exhibited protonated molecules at m/z 169, 169, 155, and 157, respectively. The MH+ ion at m/z 173 for 4-hydroperoxy-2(E)-nonenal (HPNE) was very weak with an ion corresponding to the loss of OH at m/z 156 as the major ion in the APCI mass spectrum. The bifunctional electrophiles were all separated under normal-phase LC conditions. All five bifunctional electrophiles were formed when 15-HPETE was treated with vitamin C. The LC/MS-based methodology showed that t-EDE was the major bifunctional electrophile formed during vitamin C mediated 15(S)-HPETE decomposition. Stable isotope dilution LC/MS studies revealed that this did not result in the formation of increased levels of unsubstituted etheno-dGuo adducts in calf thymus DNA when compared with 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9,10-(Z,E)-octadecadienoic acid [13(S)-HPODE], a lipid hydroperoxide derived from linoleic acid. However, the formation of heptanone-etheno-dGuo adducts in calf thymus DNA was reduced when compared with the 13(S)-HPODE. This was attributed to the reduced formation of ONE from 15-HPETE when compared with its formation from 13-HPODE. In contrast to reactions with dGuo or DNA conducted using 13(S)-HPODE, no carboxy-containing adducts were observed with 15(S)-HPETE.
Obesity in children: Identification of a group at risk in a New York ghetto

This study identifies mother-child separation as a factor favoring the development of childhood obesity. Of 72 consecutive patients referred to a Harlem obesity clinic, 23 (31.9 per cent) were, or had been, living with mother surrogates; only 6 (8.3 per cent) of 72 nonobese control subjects had histories of separation from their mothers. Absence of working mothers from their homes for part of the day had no apparent effect on the incidence of obesity. Some implications of these findings are discussed.
Addition of transcription activator‐like effector binding sites to a pathogen strain‐specific rice bacterial blight resistance gene makes it effective against additional strains and against bacterial leaf streak

Xanthomonas transcription activator-like (TAL) effectors promote disease in plants by binding to and activating host susceptibility genes. Plants counter with TAL effector-activated executor resistance genes, which cause host cell death and block disease progression. We asked whether the functional specificity of an executor gene could be broadened by adding different TAL effector binding elements (EBEs) to it. We added six EBEs to the rice Xa27 gene, which confers resistance to strains of the bacterial blight pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) that deliver the TAL effector AvrXa27. The EBEs correspond to three other effectors from Xoo strain PXO99(A) and three from strain BLS256 of the bacterial leaf streak pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc). Stable integration into rice produced healthy lines exhibiting gene activation by each TAL effector, and resistance to PXO99(A) , a PXO99(A) derivative lacking AvrXa27, and BLS256, as well as two other Xoo and 10 Xoc strains virulent toward wildtype Xa27 plants. Transcripts initiated primarily at a common site. Sequences in the EBEs were found to occur nonrandomly in rice promoters, suggesting an overlap with endogenous regulatory sequences. Thus, executor gene specificity can be broadened by adding EBEs, but caution is warranted because of the possible coincident introduction of endogenous regulatory elements.
Prevention by hypothermia of paradoxical calcium necrosis in cardiac muscle.

Abstract Isolated rat hearts were perfused with calcium-free medium at either 37° or 4°C, and electrical and mechanical phenomena recorded. The calcium-free perfusion of the isolated rat heart at 37°C for periods in excess of 3 min, caused quick cessation of contractile activity with electro-mechanical dissociation. When calcium was restored to the perfusate at 37°C irreversible electro-mechanical dissociation and myocytolysis occurred, accompanied by a massive efflux of intracellular constituents into the perfusate. When the isolated rat heart was perfused with calcium-free medium at 4°C, both the electrocardiogram and contractility disappeared within 15–20 s. The restoration of calcium to these hearts perfused with calcium-free medium at 4°C, permitted rapid recovery of cardiac function upon warming to 37°C. Electron microscopy of hearts perfused with calcium after calcium-free perfusion at 37°C and 4°C showed that at 37°C extensive alteration and lysis of the cardiac organelles occurred, whereas at 4° they were well protected. Uptake of 45Ca2+ by the myocardium subsequent to calcium-free perfusion at 37°C was approximately 20 times greater than that observed in hearts subjected to calcium deprivation at 4°C. These findings lend support to the view that the paradoxical calcium necrosis of cardiac muscle at 37°C is due to the massive influx of calcium into the cardiac muscle cells following damage to the sarcolemma. It is suggested that the damage to the sarcolemma observed at 37° consists of loss of membrane-bound proteins responsible for the physiologic “calcium channel”. At 4°C their escape from the bilayer appears to beretarded by a more sluggish shift in conformation from the calcium-bound to the calcium-free state, and a more crystalline membrane.
Compact form for the relativistic ponderomotive Hamiltonian

The infinite series of functions present in the ponderomotive Hamiltonian are explicitly summed using Newberger’s sum rule. The result is a compact and easily evaluated expression for the ponderomotive Hamiltonian. Application of the K‐χ theorem yields the linear susceptibility of relativistic magnetized plasma in agreement with, but generalizing, the previous result of Weiss and Weitzner.
Neurogenic Bladder: Current Pharmacologic Trends

Several studies have investigated the many pharmacologic therapies to treat neurogenic bladder. Our aim with this review is to provide an update on the current clinical and basic science literature pertaining to pharmacotherapy for this condition. Advances have been made in pediatric and adult pharmacotherapy. The most notable include the safety and effective use of tolterodine and transdermal oxybutynin in the treatment of pediatric neurogenic bladder. Also, recently, the safe and effective triple drug therapy consisting of an antimuscarinic, an α-blocker, and imipramine in combination has been shown to significantly improve bladder compliance and detrusor pressures.
Optical antennas: Redirecting single molecules

Optical antennas have already been shown to dramatically enhance molecular excitation and emission processes. Now, a compelling new study illustrates how they can redirect the emission of single molecules.
Coping with stigma: Lifelong adaptation of deaf people

Abstract The author studied 200 deaf people in the San Francisco Bay Area over the age of 60 who communicate in American Sign Language. The findings indicate that deaf identity and the development of a social support system are two factors that intervene positively in the management of stigma. Coping mechanisms that build on these factors enable aged deaf people to adapt to both their disability and to old age.
Function of a C-Rich Sequence in the Polypyrimidine/Polypurine Tract of the Promoter of the Chicken Malic Enzyme Gene Depends on Promoter Context

The promoters of many genes contain C-rich polypyrimidine/polypurine (PPY/PPU) sequences that are important for gene expression. The promoter of the chicken malic enzyme gene contains a long PPY/PPU tract that can act as an alternative promoter. This tract can be separated functionally into a C-rich and (CT)7 sequences. The (CT)7 region together with some 3' nucleotides is essential for function of the alternative transcription start site and the C-rich sequence as a regulatory element. In constructs that contained the PPY/PPU tract or the -147/+31-bp promoter of the malic enzyme gene connected to a reporter gene, deletion of the C-rich region increased gene expression. In constructs containing 5.8-kb 5'-flanking DNA of the gene, deletion of the same C-rich region decreased expression of the reporter gene. Positive function of the C-rich sequence required two upstream DNA regions, -237 to -147 bp and -3474 to -2715 bp. To understand the mechanism(s) by which the same sequence exerts different effects, we examined the transcription start sites in the construct where the C-rich region was deleted. We directly visualized transcription start sites by performing 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends and a subsequent primer extension on a single-stranded template. Deletion of the C-rich region from constructs containing 5.8 kb of 5'-flanking DNA almost completely abolished transcription initiation from the PPY/PPU promoter and reduced transcription from the major endogenous start site. DEAE fractionation of hepatic nuclear extract revealed more than 10 proteins that bound specifically to C-rich DNA. These results suggest that interactions between upstream DNA elements and the C-rich sequence and the selective use of DNA-binding activities may bestow different functions on the same nucleotide sequence.
Obesity and cancer risk among white and black United States veterans.

Background: Obesity has been linked to excess risk for many cancers, but the evidence remains tenuous for some types. Although the prevalence of obesity varies by race, few studies of obesity-related cancer risk have included non-white subjects. Methods: In a large cohort of male US veterans (3,668,486 whites; 832,214 blacks) hospitalized with a diagnosis of obesity between 1969 and 1996, we examined risk for all major cancer sites and subsites. Person-years accrued from the date of first obesity diagnosis until the occurrence of a first cancer, death, or the end of the observation period (September 30, 1996). We calculated age- and calendar-year adjusted relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for cancer among white and black veterans, comparing obese men to men hospitalized for other reasons, with obesity status as time-dependent. For selected cancers, we performed additional analyses stratified by specific medical conditions related to both obesity and risk of those cancers. To determine whether obesity-related cancer risks differed significantly between white and black men, we evaluated heterogeneity of risk for each cancer site. Results: Among white veterans, risk was significantly elevated for several cancers, including cancers of the lower esophagus, gastric cardia, small intestine, colon, rectum, gallbladder and ampulla of vater, male breast, prostate, bladder, thyroid, and connective tissue, and for malignant melanoma, multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Excess risks initially observed for cancers of the liver and pancreas persisted among men without a history of diabetes or alcoholism. Among black veterans, risks were significantly elevated for cancers of the colon, extrahepatic bile ducts, prostate, thyroid, and for malignant melanoma, multiple myeloma, CLL and AML. Conclusions: Obese men are at increased risk for several major cancers as well as a number of uncommon malignancies, a pattern generally similar for white and black men. Due to the increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight worldwide, it is important to clarify the impact of excess body weight on cancer and to elucidate the mechanisms involved.
TRANSITIVITY IN TWO-DIMENSIONAL LOCAL LANGUAGES DEFINED BY DOT SYSTEMS

The paper investigates two-dimensional recognizable languages that are defined by the so-called "dot systems" that are special subgroups of (ℤ/2ℤ)ℤ2. The dot shapes that provide directional transit...
Regional disparities in the CO 2 fertilization effect and implications for crop yields

Although crop yield generally responds positively to increased atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]), the response depends on the species and environmental conditions. Thus, even though global [CO2] is increasing roughly uniformly, regional yield response to increased [CO2] will vary due to differences in climate and the mixture of crops. Although [CO2] effects have been shown to be important for economic and food security impacts of climate change, regional [CO2] effects are not often considered, and the few studies that have considered them disagree on regional patterns. Here regional yield effects of elevated [CO2] are examined by combining experimentally determined CO2 fertilization effect estimates with grid-level data on climate, crop areas, and yields. Production stimulation varies between regions, mostly driven by differences in climate but also by the mixture of crops. The variability in yield due to the variable response to elevated [CO2] is about 50–70% of the variability in yield due to the variable response to climate. There is, however, little agreement between studies regarding which regions benefit most from elevated [CO2]. This is likely because of interactions of CO2 with temperature, species, water status, and nitrogen availability, but no models currently account for all these interactions. These results suggest that regional differences in CO2 effects are of similar importance as regional differences in climate effects and should be included in models.
The dust bands of the planet Mars

Abstract The possibility of dust grains (with radii greater than 20 μm) forming a torus around Mars is investigated using standard numerical integration techniques. The orbital elements, positions, and velocities are determined for particles with varying radii taking into account both the influence of Martian gravity (spherical and oblate terms), and radiation pressure. Under the influence of only these forces it is found that dust grains (under the appropriate conditions) can be injected into high inclination orbits leading to the possible formation of a Martian dust grain torus. It is also shown that a dust band produced from particles emitted from Deimos will in general be more dependent upon particle grain sizes than will one produced using particles emitted from Phobos.
Accurate heterogeneous dose calculation for lung cancer patients without high-resolution CT densities.

Purpose: The a im of this study was to investigate the relative accuracy of megavoltage photon-beam dose calculations employing either 5 bulk densities or independent voxel densities determined by calibration of the CT Houndsfield number. Materials/Methods: Full -resolution CT and bulk density treatment plans were generated for 70 lung or esophageal cancer tumors (66 cases) using a commercial treatment planning system with an adaptive convolution dose calculation algorithm (Pinnacle3, Philips Medicals Systems). Bulk densities were applied to segmented regions. Individual and population average densities were compared to the full-resolution plan for each case. Monitor units were kept constant and no normalizations were employed. Dose volume histograms (DVH) and dose difference distributions were examined for all cases. Results: The average densities of the segmented air, lung, fat, soft tissue, and bone for the entire set were found to be 0.1 4 , 0. 26 , 0. 89, 1.02, and 1.1 2 g/cc, respectively. In all cases, the normal tissue DVH agreed to better than 2 % in dose. In 62 of 70 target DVHs, agreement to better than 3 % in dose was observed . Six cases demonstrated emphysema, one with bullous formations and one with a hiatus hernia having a large volume of gas. They required the additional assignment of density to the emphysemic lung and inflammatory changes to the lung, the regions of collapsed lung, the bullous formations, and the hernia gas. Conclusions : Bulk tissue density dose calculation provides an accurate method of heterogeneous dose calculation. However, patients with advanced emphysema may require high-resolution CT studies for accurate treatment planning.
Let’s Not Contribute to Disparities: The Best Methods for Teaching Clinicians How to Overcome Language Barriers to Health Care

Clinicians should be educated about how language barriers contribute to disparities for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). However, educators must avoid developing educational interventions that increase health disparities for LEP patients. For example, studies suggest that teaching “Medical Spanish” or related courses may actually contribute to health care disparities if clinicians begin using these non-English language skills inappropriately with patients. We discuss the risks and benefits of teaching specific cultural competence skills and make evidence-based recommendations for the teaching content and methods for educational interventions focused on overcoming language barriers in health care. At minimum, we suggest such interventions include: (1) the role of language barriers in health disparities, (2) means of overcoming language barriers, (3) how to work with interpreters, (4) identifying and fixing problems in interpreted encounters, and (5) appropriate and safe use of one’s own limited non-English language skills.
Improving efficiency in software maintenance

Efficiency is critical to the profitability of software maintenance and support organizations. Managing such organizations effectively requires suitable measures of efficiency that are sensitive enough to detect significant changes, and accurate and timely in detecting them. Mean time to close problem reports is the most commonly used efficiency measure, but its suitability has not been evaluated carefully. We performed such an evaluation by mining and analyzing many years of support data on multiple IBM products. Our preliminary results suggest that the mean is less sensitive and accurate than another measure, percentiles, in cases that are particularly important in the maintenance and support domain. Using percentiles, we also identified statistical techniques to detect efficiency trends and evaluated their accuracy. Although preliminary, these results may have significant ramifications for effectively measuring and improving software maintenance and support processes.
Construction and operation of a laboratory or aquaculture facility in a developing country

Abstract There are opportunities for fisheries scientists or aquaculturists from developed countries to work overseas, sometimes developing or managing laboratories or aquaculture facilities. Individuals will probably be hired based on their technical capabilities and may lack training or experience in skills and subjects that are essential for successful project management. If the project is located in a developing country, there are language and cultural differences to be considered. To assist professionals in preparing for such an experience, a brief overview of those skills and subjects is presented. A guideline is provided for the development of a hypothetical facility in a remote part of a developing country. Topics such as site selection, design considerations, construction, management, communications, language and cultural differences, and human resources management are discussed.
Deformation of a nanoporous silica under compressive loading

In a compression experiment on a nanoporous silica gel, it is observed that at a high pressure the collapse of nanoporous structure provides a mechanism for plastic deformation, leading to an energy absorption efficiency much higher than that of many conventional protection and damping materials. Even though the network material is brittle, the overall behavior of the silica gel is ductile. After the compression test, the nanopore volume is largely reduced while the variation in nanopore surface area is secondary. According to a first-order poromechanic analysis, the effective plastic deformation is dominated by the buckling of the nanopore walls parallel to the external loading.
The effect of mycorrhizal infection of Abutilon theophrasti on competitiveness of offspring.

1. Our goal was to determine whether mycorrhizal infection of one generation of plants could influence the competitiveness of the subsequent generation. 2. We grew the offspring of mycorrhizal (M) and non-mycorrhizal (NM) Abutilon theophrasti plants together in dense populations in large boxes in a greenhouse. 3. Offspring of M plants were larger than offspring of NM plants. As the experiment progressed, the difference in size was magnified and self-thinning occurred. 4. Compared with offspring of NM plants, offspring of M plants had a twofold greater survival and collectively produced a total of nearly four times as many seeds. 5. We conclude that mycorrhizal infection of the parent generation can increase the competitive ability of the offspring.
A paired compositions model for round-robin experiments

Investigation of the effects of a series of treatment conditions upon some social behaviors may require observation of a set of subjects which have been mutually paired, in round-robin fashion. Data arising from such experiments are difficult to analyze, partly because they do not fit neatly into standard designs. A paired compositions scaling model due to Bechtel is adapted to provide a linear model for such round-robin experiments. Both fixed and mixed versions of the model are considered and some results of a Monte Carlo study of the mixed model are reported. The model is applied to illustrative data from the field of physiological psychology.
Aerosol Particle Deposition with Electrostatic Attraction in a Turbulent Channel Flow

A digital simulation procedure for studying deposition rates of aerosol particles in a vertical turbulent channel flow including electrostatic effect is developed. It is assumed that the aerosol particles have a Boltzmann charge distribution. The effect of Coulomb and image forces on deposition rate is studied. The deposition velocities of particles carrying one unit of charge and average charges in accordance with the Boltzmann distribution are also analyzed. Several electric field intensities are used in the simulation studies and the resulting deposition velocities are compared with those obtained from empirical equations. The results show that the use of the mean number of charge is not sufficient and the actual charge distribution must be used in the simulation.
Public administration's underdeveloped core: neglected subjects

Education for public administration at the time of Minnow-brook I neglected several important core subjects, including information management, computing, strategic management, policy implementation, program evaluation, ethics. The hope for a new public administration is dependent on the development of new theories of decision-making and policy-making, and a reinterpretation of the fit between the Constitution and public administration.
The utility of image processing techniques for morphometric analysis and stock identification

Abstract The development of image analysis systems has facilitated progress and diversification of morphometric methods and expands the potential for using morphometry as a tool for stock identification. Identifying intraspecific groups with different life histories according to shape variation has become more powerful, based on a review of published studies and our experiences with American lobster and Atlantic salmon. Traditional multivariate morphometrics, accounting for variation in size and shape, have successfully discriminated many fish stocks. However, traditional methods have been enhanced by image processing techniques, through better data collection, more effective descriptions of shape, and new analytical tools. Properly calibrated coordinates of morphometric locations, or ‘landmarks’, are generally more efficient and precise than manual distance measurements. ‘Truss networks’ of distances between landmark coordinates provide more comprehensive coverage of form for greater discriminating power. Image analysis systems also allow more advanced ‘geometric morphometrics’, which include outline methods and landmark methods. Unfortunately, few stock identification studies have applied outline methods, and landmark methods have not been used to discriminate fishery stocks. It appears that advanced geometric methods have not been commonly applied in fishery science, because ontogenetic interpretations are difficult.
Polymerization of a cysteinyl peptidolipid Langmuir film.

The surface pressure−area isotherm of a cysteinyl peptidolipid on a pure water subphase (pH 5.8) was compared with that on a water subphase saturated with oxygen and buffered with ammonium bicarbon...
Pacinian corpuscle on the olfactory bulb of the squirrel monkey.

WHILE we were carrying out histochemical investigations on the localization of various groups of oxidative and dephosphorylating enzymes and esterases of the olfactory bulb of the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciurea), we noticed a Pacinian corpuscle on the olfactory bulb. This corpuscle was observed in one of our histochemical preparations of succinic dehydrogenase enzyme localization1. It was found situated at the inferior surface of the bulb between the leptomeninges covering and the nerve fibre layer (Fig. 1). It was orientated in a coronal plane to the bulb. It had a concentric lamellae of epithelial cells arranged like onion peel as observed in other Pacinian corpuscles in standard histological sections (Fig. 2). These lamellae are made up of continuous sheets of flat squamous epithelial cells laid one on top of the other, but not by fibroblasts as was once thought2–4. These cells are derived by a continuation of the perineural epithelium which covers the nerve fibre supplying the corpuscle5–12.