cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Smoking Outcome Expectancies in Children : The Smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Child

A measure of smoking outcome expectancies was developed for children ages 7-12 years. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to determine whether a 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-factor solution was most appropriate for the data set. CFA revealed that the 3-factor model produced the most adequate fit (Positive Reinforcement, Negative Consequences, and Weight Control). The resulting 15-item measure was named the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Child (SCQ-C). The fit of the 3-dimensional structure was then examined separately for 3 age groups representing young (7- to 8-year-old), middle (9- to 10-year-old), and old (11- to 13-year-old) children. Overall, the 3-factor structure fit the data well for the 3 groups. As such, we examined the relations of the 3 scales with antecedent variables for the entire sample. The Positive Reinforcement scale was associated with children's smoking behavior and having a family member or peers who smoked. The Negative Consequences scale was inversely related to having a family member or peer who smoked.
Everybody Counts, but Usually Just to 10! A Systematic Analysis of Number Representations in Children’s Books

Research Findings: Teachers and parents often use trade books to introduce or reinforce mathematics concepts. To date, an analysis of the early numeracy content of trade books has not been conducted. Consequently, this study evaluated the properties of numbers and counting within trade books. We coded 160 trade books targeted at establishing early numeracy skill in children to determine the numbers included; the representations of number presented; and how books used representations of number to inform children about numbers, including counting. The main findings included limited opportunity to learn the number 0 and numbers beyond 10 as well as limited exposure to multiple representations of number deemed necessary to build strong number understanding and counting skills. Practice or Policy: We discuss practical implications for the selection and use of trade books about number with young children.
Molecular dynamics study of a bicrystal at elevated temperatures

Abstract The use of the molecular dynamics simulation technique to study interfacial properties at high temperatures is discussed in the context of an investigation of thermal disordering at a grain boundary. Using a bicrystal model of a high-angle symmetrical tilt boundary and an empirical interatomic potential function for aluminum, results are obtained which reveal that total loss of crystalline order can occur in the interfacial region at about 0.8 to 0.9 of the bulk melting point.
Weld Features that Differentiate Weld and Plate Corrosion

Corrosion is an environmentally assisted damage that professionals face daily, particularly with welded structures. Fusion welds result from solidification and solid-state transformations induced by well-localized thermal cycles. A fusion weld joint inherently exhibits an irregular surface as well as gradients in chemical composition, microstructure, properties, and residual stress, depending on process parameters and part geometry. This article analyzes the roles of surface topography, alloy chemical compositional variation, hydrogen distribution, and stress on weld corrosion. Methods to inhibit weld corrosion are suggested.
Association of CaV1.3 L-Type Calcium Channels with Shank

Neurons express multiple types of voltage-gated calcium (Ca2+) channels. Two subtypes of neuronal L-type Ca2+ channels are encoded by CaV1.2 and CaV1.3 pore-forming subunits. Both CaV1.2 and CaV1.3 subunits contain class I PDZ (postsynaptic density-95/Discs large/zona occludens-1) domain-binding consensus at their C termini. In yeast two-hybrid screen of rat brain cDNA library with the C-terminal bait of CaV1.3a (long C-terminal splice variant) L-type Ca2+ channel subunit, we isolated multiple clones of postsynaptic adaptor protein Shank. We demonstrated a specific association of CaV1.3a C termini, but not of CaV1.2 C termini, with Shank PDZ domain in vitro. We further demonstrated that the proline-rich region present in C termini of CaV1.3a subunit binds to Shank Src homology 3 domain. We established that CaV1.3a and Shank localized to postsynaptic locations in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. By expressing epitope-tagged recombinant CaV1.3 subunits in rat hippocampal neuronal cultures, we demonstrated that the presence of Shank-binding motifs in CaV1.3a sequence is both necessary and sufficient for synaptic clustering of CaV1.3 L-type Ca2+ channels. In experiments with dominant-negative peptides and dihydropyridine-resistant CaV1.3a mutants, we demonstrated an importance of Shank-binding motif in CaV1.3a sequence for phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) signaling in cultured hippocampal neurons. Our results directly link CaV1.3 neuronal L-type Ca2+ channels to macromolecular signaling complex formed by Shank and other modular adaptor proteins at postsynaptic density and provide novel information about the role played by CaV1.3 L-type Ca2+ channels in pCREB signaling.
Facilitation of avoidance conditioning by barbiturate with stimulant properties.

SummaryThe effects of phetharbital on behavior and learning have been studied in mice and correlated with concentrations of the drug in the brain. A dose of 75 mg/kg caused reduction of locomotor activity at 0.5 hour and stimulation at 2 or 3 hours after injection. Maximum concentrations in the brain were attained at 2 hours. The acquisition of a passive avoidance response was facilitated by phetharbital in high concentrations and impaired by low concentrations in the brain. Methylphenidate in stimulant doses failed to enhance passive avoidance conditioning in mice. Phetharbital caused prolongation of passive avoidance-latency periods and an apparent acceleration of the learning process despite an associated stimulant effect on motor activity.
Numerical mathematics and computer science

Numerical mathematics is viewed as the analysis of continuous algorithms. Four of the components of numerical mathematics are discussed. These are: foundations (finite precision number systems, computational compexity), synthesis and analysis of algorithms, analysis of error, programs and program libraries.
Evaluation of external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer using equivalent uniform dose.

Various radiotherapy (RT) modalities, such as external beam radiotherapy(EBRT) and permanent/high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy, have been used for the management of localized prostate cancer. Using the linear-quadratic (LQ) model, we compared the relative merits of these modalities in terms of equivalent uniform dose (EUD) and tumorcontrol probability (TCP). The LQ parameters (α=0.15 Gy −1 and α/β=3.1 Gy ) determined recently from compiled clinical data, as well as other sets of LQ parameters for prostate cancer, were used to carry out the EUD and TCP calculations. A computer code was developed for this purpose. We calculate the EUD for some common RT modalities, and present the corresponding TCP data predicted for a sample patient group (high-risk). Biological equivalence of treatment outcome among various RT modalities is demonstrated. The model suggests that the hypofractionation is preferred in terms of tumorcontrol, due to the lower α/β ratio. Also, the current combined treatment schemes (initial EBRT + permanent / HDR brachytherapy boost) provide higher EUD and TCP than these monotherapies. The study shows that EUD is less sensitive to model parameters than TCP, and EUD can be used to compare and to optimize treatment plans involving different RT modalities. Techniques to further optimize and/or to combine external beams with brachytherapy for better treatment outcomes are proposed.
Absorption of hydrogen by LaNi5, NdCo5 and ErCo3 at low temperatures

Abstract The rates of hydrogen absorption for activated specimens of LaNi 5 , NdCo 5 and ErCo 3 were measured in the temperature range 77–300 K. Measurement by a sensitive inductance bridge technique indicated that absorption does not occur at 77 K. Temperatures greater than 140 K are required to initiate hydrogen absorption. The susceptibility of these alloys to poisoning by trace gases at low temperatures prevented the determination of absolute absorption rates. These data are consistent with NMR diffusion studies of hydrogen in LaNi 5 hydride.
Synergistic Activation of Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase (eNOS) by HSP90 and Akt: CALCIUM-INDEPENDENT eNOS ACTIVATION INVOLVES FORMATION OF AN HSP90-Akt-CaM-BOUND eNOS COMPLEX *

Endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS), which generates the endogenous vasodilator, nitric oxide (NO), is highly regulated by post-translational modifications and protein interactions. We recently used purified proteins to characterize the mechanisms by which heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) increases eNOS activity at low and high Ca2+ levels (Takahashi, S. and Mendelsohn, M. E. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 9339–9344). Here we extend these studies to explore interactions between HSP90, Akt, and eNOS. In studies with purified proteins, HSP90 increased the initial rate and maximal extent of Akt-mediated eNOS phosphorylation and activation at low Ca2+ levels. Akt was not observed in the eNOS complex in the absence of HSP90, but both active and inactive Akt associated with eNOS in the presence of HSP90. Direct binding of Akt to HSP90 was observed even in the absence of eNOS. HSP90 also facilitated CaM binding to eNOS irrespective of Akt presence. Geldanamycin (GA) disrupted HSP90-eNOS binding, reduced HSP90-stimulated CaM binding, and blocked both recruitment of Akt to the eNOS complex and phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser-1179. Akt phosphorylated only CaM-bound eNOS, in an HSP90-independent manner. HSP90 and active Akt together increased eNOS activity synergistically, which was reversed by GA. In bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs), the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin on eNOS-HSP90-Akt complex formation and eNOS activation were compared. BAPTA-AM inhibited VEGF- but not insulin-induced eNOS-HSP90-Akt complex formation and eNOS phosphorylation. Insulin caused rapid, transient increase in eNOS activity correlated temporally with the formation of eNOS-HSP90-Akt complex. GA prevented insulin-induced association of HSP90, Akt and CaM with eNOS and inhibited eNOS activation in BAECs. Both platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and insulin induced activation of Akt in BAECs, but only insulin caused HSP90-Akt-eNOS association and eNOS phosphorylation. These results demonstrate that HSP90 and Akt synergistically activate eNOS and suggest that this synergy contributes to Ca2+-independent eNOS activation in response to insulin.
An empirical approach to clustering based on atomic energies

Abstract We present an empirical scheme that relates the Ω parameter, a quantity important in the context of clustering, to atomic p-energies. This scheme allows the determination of hitherto experimentally unknown Ω values by extrapolating from the known ones.
The effects of certain inorganic ions on in vitro porphyrin--heme formation.

Abstract The effects of several inorganic ions (Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, As, Mo, U) on porphyrin-heme formation were studied in two in vitro systems, avian erythrocytes and bovine liver “acetone powder.” No direct effects of molybdenum, arsenic, uranium and probably zinc were observed. Ferrous ion gave the expected increase in heme formation at the expense of protoporphyrin. As might be expected EDTA decreased heme formation but had no significant effect on porphyrin level. Both copper and cobalt depressed porphyrin formation in bovine liver acetone powder preparations which were dosage level dependent. However, in avian erythrocytes, copper increased the formation of heme, apparently at the expense of porphyrin intermediates, presumably by increasing the utilization of iron. The alleged in vivo hemopoietic effects of the “trace elements,” cobalt, zinc, molybdenum, arsenic and uranium, thus apparently involve factors or mechanisms having some indirect relation to porphyrin-heme formation.
Effects of media headlines on consumer preferences for food safety, quality and environmental attributes

In recent years, Asia has emerged as an important supplier of food to Western countries. In this study, we focus on shrimp, a major aquaculture commodity, to evaluate consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP) for enhanced food safety, use of antibiotics and eco-friendly practices used in producing shrimp in the presence of country-of-origin labelling. Specifically, this research assesses the effects of news headlines regarding product safety, as information shocks on U.S. consumer demand. Consumers were found to have a mean willingness-to-pay of $7.81 per pound of shrimp with an enhanced safety characteristic from the United States, $0.94 for the same type of shrimp from China and $2.43 for similar shrimp from Thailand. Consumers had a WTP for the absence of antibiotics in the production of U.S. shrimp of $7.31 and were only willing to pay for an eco-friendly attribute on domestically produced shrimp. Media headlines were found to have a statistically significant effect on consumer preferences and WTP for product characteristics. Food policy and international agribusiness implications of our findings are discussed.
Building Bayesian Network Models in Medicine: The MENTOR Experience

An experiment in Bayesian model building from a large medical dataset for Mental Retardation is discussed in this paper. We give a step by step description of the practical aspects of building a Bayesian Network from a dataset. We enumerate and briefly describe the tools required, address the problem of missing values in big datasets resulting from incomplete clinical findings and elaborate on our solution to the problem. We advance some reasons why imputation is a more desirable approach for model building than some other ad hoc methods suggested in literature. In our experiment, the initial Bayesian Network is learned from a dataset using a machine learning program called CB. The network structure and the conditional probabilities are then modified under the guidance of a domain expert. We present validation results for the unmodified and modified networks and give some suggestions for improvement of the model.
Cycle Simulations of a Coal-Fueled, Reciprocating, Internal- Combustion Engine: the Role of Volatiles and Liquid Carriers

Abstract An engine cycle simulation was developed to investigate the role of volatiles and liquid carriers on the combustion process and performance of a coal-fueled, reciprocating engine operating at 1000 rpm. Models for coal particle combustion and devolatilization, liquid droplet vaporization, fuel vapor combustion, cylinder heat transfer, piston work, and mass flow rates were combined with a thermodynamic analysis of the engine to yield instantaneous cylinder conditions and overall indicated engine performance. Four representative devolatilization rate expressions for bituminous coal were selecled from the literature for comparison in this study. With rapid devulatilization of the coal, no external energy source was necessary to ignite and completely combust the fuel for an initial (at BDC) gas temperature of 450 K. In contrast. for no volatile evolution, an initial gas temperature of 600 K was needed to achieve maximum engine performance. The initial gas temperature was identified as a significant pa...
Building Global Inter-IRB Trust: A Cultural Immersion Challenge

It is critical to move forward, just as Barchi, Singleton, and Merz (2014) have done in prompting us to recognize not only existing institutional review board (IRB) collaborative frameworks and the...
The altitude extension of the mid-latitude trough and its correlation with plasmapause position

[1] Tomographic imaging provides a powerful technique for obtaining images of the spatial distribution of ionospheric electron density in an altitude versus geographic latitude grid at a specified longitudinal sector. The method, which involves monitoring the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere using signals transmitted from the global positioning system (GPS), has the ability to reveal the detailed structure of the ionosphere including the mid-latitude trough. The tomographic reconstruction of ionospheric electron density structures are performed at different specific longitudinal sectors both in the northern and southern hemisphere. At the same time the plasmapause position is estimated from IMAGE EUV images and mapped onto tomographic images. The simultaneous location of the altitude extension of the mid-latitude trough and the plasmapause position are essentially co-located.
Eukaryotic Cell Determination of ExoS ADP-Ribosyltransferase Substrate Specificity

Exoenzyme S (ExoS) ADP-ribosylates multiple low-molecular-mass G- (LMMG-) proteins in vitro. Identification of the in vivo substrate specificity of ExoS has been hindered by its bacterial contact delivery into eukaryotic cells and difficulties in identifying ADP-ribosylated proteins within cells. Two-dimensional electrophoresis comparisons of substrate modifications by ExoS in vitro to that following bacterial translocation into HT-29 epithelial cells identified Ras, Ral, and Rab proteins and Rac1 as in vivo substrates of ExoS ADPRT activity. Cellular fractionation studies identified a relationship between membrane association and efficiency of substrate modification. Moreover, Rac and Cdc42 relocalized to the membrane in response to ExoS. Comparisons of substrate modification to time of exposure to ExoS identified a progression of substrate modification, with Ras, RalA, and Rab5 modified first, followed by Rab8 and 11, then Rab7 and Rac1. The data support that intrinsic properties of LMMG-proteins and their subcellular localization are determinants of bacterially translocated ExoS substrate selectivity.
Supranuclear Oculomotor Palsy and Exotropia After Tetanus

An 11-year-old boy developed generalized tetanus complicated by a supranuclear gaze palsy and exotropia. This case led us to include supranuclear palsy in an expanded definition of cephalic-tetanus.
Chromatin-specific hypersensitive sites are assembled on a Xenopus histone gene injected into Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract A cloned histone H4 gene of Xenopus laevis is efficiently transcribed after injection into germinal vesicles of X. laevis oocytes. Deletion analyses indicate that less than 140 base-pairs of 5′ flanking sequences and 50 base-pairs of 3′ flanking sequences are required for efficient transcription of this gene in Xenopus oocytes. Chromatin footprint analysis by a direct end-label technique reveals discrete DNase I-hypersensitive and micrococcal nuclease-hypersensitive sites at the 5′ and 3′ boundaries of the gene, which bracket the transcribed region of this minichromosome. The specific chromatin structure assembled around this homologous gene, together with the finding that histone genes of Drosophila melanogaster are not assembled into specific nucleoprotein structures within Xenopus oocytes, strongly suggest that sequence-specific and species-specific factors may be responsible for generating the chromatin-specific hypersensitive sites at the boundaries of active genes.
Comparative Dispute Resolution in the Workplace

Workplace dispute resolution procedures vary considerably in structure and design, yet little is known concerning how these differences affect employees. We evaluate the efficacy of the leading dispute resolution procedures to provide employees with voice and workplace justice and then consider how outcomes may differ. Alternative dispute resolution can enhance workplace justice; however, justice can be denied when employers institute mandatory systems and require employees waive their right to pursue claims through the courts. Much of the variation in outcomes between these procedures is attributable to the decision-makers who, across these systems, emphasize different factors when evaluating a case. Critical questions remain however. We offer several recommendations for future research and encourage a more interdisciplinary approach to the many, as of yet, unanswered questions.
The construction of the Cameroon political system: The Ahidjo years, 1958–1982

(1987). The construction of the Cameroon political system: The Ahidjo years, 1958–1982. Journal of Contemporary African Studies: Vol. 6, No. 1-2, pp. 3-24.
Introducing the Adaptive Energy Management Features of the Power7 Chip

Power7 implements several new adaptive power management techniques which, in concert with the EnergyScale firmware, let it proactively exploit variations in workload, environmental conditions, and overall system use to meet customer-directed power and performance goals. These innovative features include per-core frequency scaling with available autonomic frequency control, per-chip automated voltage slewing, power consumption estimation, and hardware instrumentation assist.
Combinatorial library of improved peptide aptamers, CLIPs to inhibit RAGE signal transduction in mammalian cells.

Peptide aptamers are small proteins containing a randomized peptide sequence embedded into a stable protein scaffold, such as Thioredoxin. We developed a robust method for building a Combinatorial Library of Improved Peptide aptamers (CLIPs) of high complexity, containing ≥3×1010 independent clones, to be used as a molecular tool in the study of biological pathways. The Thioredoxin scaffold was modified to increase solubility and eliminate aggregation of the peptide aptamers. The CLIPs was used in a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify peptide aptamers that bind to various domains of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End products (RAGE). NMR spectroscopy was used to identify interaction surfaces between the peptide aptamers and RAGE domains. Cellular functional assays revealed that in addition to directly interfering with known binding sites, peptide aptamer binding distal to ligand sites also inhibits RAGE ligand-induced signal transduction. This finding underscores the potential of using CLIPs to select allosteric inhibitors of biological targets.
Triplet Sensitizer Modification of Poly(3‐hexyl)thiophene (P3HT) for Increased Efficiency in Bulk Heterojunction Photovoltaic Devices

We present the successful synthesis of a modified poly(3-hexyl)thiophene (P3HT) donor polymer with benzophenone (P3HTB) substitution. The triplet-sensitizer (benzophenone)-containing polymer (P3HTB) was synthesized by the oxidative copolymerization of 3-hexylthiophene and benzopheneone-modified thiophene [2-phenyl-2-(4-(thiophen-3-yl)phenyl)-1,3-dioxolane] and deprotecting the cyclic ketal group. The resulting polymer was characterized by using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and 13C NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Different ratios of the copolymer (P3HTB) and pristine P3HT mixtures were used for the fabrication and characterization of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) cells, with [6,6]-Phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) used as the acceptor in fabricating the active layers. An increase in power conversion efficiency (≈15 %) was observed with devices fabricated with 2.5 and 5 wt % P3HTB mixed with P3HT compared to those fabricated with P3HT alone.
Factors Influencing Health Care Seeking for STDs in Adolescents † 12

Background: Asymptomatic screening and timely presentation to care for symptoms are fundamental to reducing the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in adolescents. The objective of this study was to clarify provider and clinic characteristics that adolescents consider important to their decisions to seek care for STDs.
A Secular Resonance between Jupiter and Its Eighth Satellite

Abstract A 100,000-year numerical integration of the orbit of Jupiter's eighth satellite, Pasiphae, has led to the discovery of a locking mechanism that appears to be due to a secular resonance between Pasiphae's ecliptic longitude of perijove and Jupiter's longitude of perihelion. The locking mechanism acts to protect Pasiphae from being subjected to the strongest possible solar perturbations.
Carbon monoxide mass transfer in a syngas mixture

A myoglobin assay for measuring concentrations of dissolved carbon monoxide (CO) from an artificial synthesis gas blend (20% CO, 18% CO2, 52% N2, and 10% H2) was utilized to determine volumetric CO...
Increasing home health service referrals, boon or bane?

Discharges to home health services (HHS) increased dramatically for the elderly after Medicare's prospective payment system (PPS) was enacted in October 1983. A longitudinal study of fourth quarter South Carolina discharge abstracts from 68 of 71 short term acute care hospitals in the state were analyzed to appraise hospital responses to implementation of this significant change in Medicare's reimbursement system. PPS caused shifts in hospital practices as financial incentives radically changed from a cost-based system that encourages expenditures to a PPS that evokes conservation of resources within a hospital stay. In so doing, the "output" (i.e., discharge) changed. One of those changes observed was an increase in referrals to HHS. Apparently, capping the amount reimbursed for a particular diagnosis left the more resource-intensive patient vulnerable and in want of care on discharge. Demand for HHS rose significantly (+47% in 1983; +234% by 1985). Though a HHS referral may be appropriate during the recuperative phase of an illness, questions arise as to hospital motivation. The HHS referral represented the most resource-intensive, but arguably unprofitable segment. Had hospitals sought earlier discharges to "protect their bottom line" as reimbursement essentially was capped? Was a referral to HHS appropriate to meet the existing patient-care needs that remained? Did HHS offer a more cost-effective substitution for care formerly provided the patient in the hospital? What provider and consumer characteristics are at risk and why? Both consumer and provider concerns need to be addressed. Answers to these questions are most critical to future health care reform. Allocation decisions of scarce resources need to be grounded in realistic expectations drawn from appraisals of what does and does not work in the health care market.
Spatial principal states and vortex modes in optical fiber for communications

Using SU(N) group theory, we develop a formalism to superimpose N vortex modes and form N orthogonal principal states in fiber. These principal states provide a means to overcome the detrimental effects of mode coupling that occur in optical communications links. This formalism reduces to the Jones matrix eigenanalysis when N equals 2, which has been studied extensively to characterize polarization mode dispersion. Specifically we use the 4 vortex modes of the LP11 modal group to establish the principal states and we graphically display them using the higher order Poincare sphere, HOPS. For polarization mode dispersion and N = 2, we require 3 Pauli spin matrices and consequently 3 mux demux components to generate the Principal states. For N = 3, we use the 8 Gell Mann matrices and 8 components. For N = 4 as is the case for 4 the vortex modes of the LP11 modal group, we require 15 generators and 15 physical components, since these systems scale as N^2-1. The LP11 modal group includes the HE21 horizontal and vertical vortex modes as well as the transvers electric and transverse magnetic vortex modes. As an example, we describe in some detail a link with 3 and separately one with 4 principal states, which are superimposed from the vortex modes. We also show schematically the active and passive components required to multiplex and demultiplex the principal states.
Secondary prevention of cancer.

Objectives To review criteria for mass cancer screening among asymptomatic populations and barriers to secondary prevention of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. To describe challenges to implementing theoretically based interventions to increase appropriate cancer screening, follow-up, and surveillance. Data Sources Published journal articles, text books, and epidemiologic reports. Conclusion Interventions to increase breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening participation must be approached from a systems perspective that includes patient, health care provider, and health care system variables. Implications for Nursing Practice Understanding the array of factors that impede progress in the secondary prevention of cancer is necessary to improve care. Nurses have an important role in decreasing morbidity and mortality from breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers.
An ordinal modification of classical utilitarianism

Classical utilitarianism holds that moral assessment ought to be rooted in a determination of the value of states of the world, and that the value of such a state is the sum of excess pleasure over pain that it contains.1 The view has, in pleasure and pain, a clear and intuitive account of what might ground the truth of ethical propositions, but it is subject to a number of persuasive objections. Two of these are related: Classical utilitarianism is notoriously insensitive to the distribu? tion of pleasure and pain, and hence seems to offend our moral intuition that distribution matters. This insensitivity is underwritten by a second counterintuitive feature of the view its arithmetization of pleasure and pain. If value can be added and subtracted, then the value of a whole is not a function of distribution, just as the weight of a whole is not. But many suspect that it does not make sense to speak of an exact sum of pleasures and pains, in the way that classical utilitarianism requires and that supports distribution insensitivity. This paper proposes a modi? fication of classical utilitarianism which fares better in these two ways, which does not require an arithmetization of pleasure and pain and which is sensitive to distribution.
Metapragmatic Discourse and the Ideology of Impolite Pronouns in Thai

The complex system of person-referring expressions in Thai sheds light on relationships between social structures, language use, and language ideologies. This article looks critically at the nature and implications of native speakers' metapragmatic awareness of person-referring expressions. The analysis focuses on two transcripts of spontaneous metapragmatic discourse about the appropriate use of so-called impolite pronouns, highlighting gender differences in usage and attitudes and situating this empirical evidence within the broader theoretical framework of language ideology.
The prosthodontic management of cleft palate patients

The role of the prosthodontist in the multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of the cleft palate patient has been described. A brief review of the literature on the historical background, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of the cleft palatal defect has been presented. A technique for constructing a cleft palate prosthesis has been outlined in detail. Treatment of several patients using this technique has produced excellent results. Prosthetic therapy aids the patient in developing normal speech, promoting deglutition and mastication and in closing off the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. The esthetic benefits can be instrumental in the psychologic and social acceptance of the cleft palate patient.
Sluggish inflation and optimizing models of the business cycle

Abstract Many researchers have added sticky prices to quantitative business cycle models. I simulate several of these models in order to evaluate their success at reproducing two features of US data: the lagged reaction of inflation to monetary growth, and the persistence of inflation.
Longitudinal Splitting in Epoxy and K-Polymer Composites: Shear Lag Analysis Including the Effect of Fiber Bridging:

The shear-lag model used previously by Nairn (1988) to derive a fracture mechanics analysis of longitudinal splitting in double-edge notched unidirectional composites was used to investigate the effect of fibers bridging across the longitudinal split in these composites. Using the new analysis, the longitudinal splitting fracture toughness, G(Lc), was determined for Hercules AS4/3501-6 graphite/epoxy laminates and for K-polymer based laminates containing Magnamite IM-6 as the graphite reinforcing fiber. Results show that the inclusion of the fiber bridging in the fracture analysis significantly affects the reported fracture toughness.
Sequence‐structure mapping errors in the PDB: OB‐fold domains

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is the single most important repository of structural data for proteins and other biologically relevant molecules. Therefore, it is critically important to keep the PDB data, as much as possible, error-free. In this study, we have analyzed PDB crystal structures possessing oligonucleotide/ oligosaccharide binding (OB)-fold, one of the highly populated folds, for the presence of sequence-structure mapping errors. Using energy-based structure quality assessment coupled with sequence analyses, we have found that there are at least five OB-structures in the PDB that have regions where sequences have been incorrectly mapped onto the structure. We have demonstrated that the combination of these computation techniques is effective not only in detecting sequence-structure mapping errors, but also in providing guidance to correct them. Namely, we have used results of computational analysis to direct a revision of X-ray data for one of the PDB entries containing a fairly inconspicuous sequence-structure mapping error. The revised structure has been deposited with the PDB. We suggest use of computational energy assessment and sequence analysis techniques to facilitate structure determination when homologs having known structure are available to use as a reference. Such computational analysis may be useful in either guiding the sequence-structure assignment process or verifying the sequence mapping within poorly defined regions.
Subjective Color Preferences of Common Road Sign Materials Under Headlamp Bulb Illumination

This document reports on a study undertaken to determine subjective color preferences of common road sign materials under headlamp bulb illumination. The authors first review the different types of headlamps that have become available, beginning with conventional halogen lamps that produce the familiar blackbody-like continuous-spectrum output light. In the last ten years, high-intensity discharge (HID) light sources have come onto the market place with their characteristic discrete spectra and higher correlated color temperature (CCT). In addition, coated ""blue'' halogen lamps have become available which reduce the amount of long-wavelength light and shift the light output to higher CCTs. The study incorporated side-by-side and sequential viewing of targets illuminated by headlamp bulbs. Neodymium, HID, ""blue''-coated, and conventional halogen lamps were compared. Common sign materials were used to make up the test targets, because traffic signs are among the most important colored objects along the roadway. The study focused on color viewing properties including color naming, specific color comparison preference, overall color comparison preference, and overall preference. They conclude with a discussion of the implications of the study results for both driving performance and aesthetics.
Response to open peer commentaries on "Three ways to politicize bioethics".

My primary aim in writing this article was to promote more thoughtful discussion of what it means and could mean to politicize bioethics. The peer commentaries are encouraging in this regard, and I am grateful to the authors for taking the time to respond. I am not sure how Sam Berger (2009) got the idea that republicanism involves “the elimination of interest groups” or that it might “hide groups’ actions behind the veneer of individual citizen engagement” (61). Berger’s characterization might apply to an extreme version of communitarian republicanism, which my article explicitly rejects. The Machiavellian republicanism I describe relies on diverse institutions and associations — including interest groups, although I focus on bioethics councils — for facilitating popular political engagement. Moreover, I endorse the “liberal emphasis on the irreducible plurality of values and interests in modern societies,” (Brown 2009, 43) and I note that excluding interests from public deliberation works against disadvantaged groups. The article also includes a paragraph on “non-deliberative contributions to public bioethics” where I praise the actions of a disability rights group (43). It is true that some theorists of republicanism and deliberative democracy have neglected interest groups, but my article criticizes the standard liberal view of politics for “reducing it to interest group competition,” (43, emphasis added) not interest group competition as such. Berger’s (2009) other main point is that my article “ignores political realities” (61) by underestimating the difficulties of promoting intelligent public engagement in complex bioethical issues. Here Berger’s comment overlaps with Chris Durante’s concern that my article “lacks a detailed method of engaging the public” (55). My article did not aim to provide such a method, nor to describe the practical challenges of public engagement. Berger (2009) notes correctly that popular understanding of many bioethical issues is rather dismal, and that public opinion is necessarily framed and easily manipulated by the media. But criticizing efforts to expand public engagement on the basis of poor public understanding of science puts the cart before the horse. Is it really surprising that standard public surveys regarding isolated scientific facts reveal widespread ignorance? Who
Humor and Pain Management A Review of Current Literature

The purpose of this article is to provide a review of current literature related to humor and pain management. A brief review of the benefits of humor on the body is followed by a literature review of articles on humor and pain management, including research articles and scholarly articles on the topic. Research studies on the use of humor with both acute and chronic pain will be reported. The review of scholarly unresearched articles will include articles giving guidelines for humor use, suggested humor assessment guidelines, discussion of the nurse's role with humor use, and implementation strategies via humor carts and rooms.
Leveraging temporal dynamics of document content in relevance ranking

Many web documents are dynamic, with content changing in varying amounts at varying frequencies. However, current document search algorithms have a static view of the document content, with only a single version of the document in the index at any point in time. In this paper, we present the first published analysis of using the temporal dynamics of document content to improve relevance ranking. We show that there is a strong relationship between the amount and frequency of content change and relevance. We develop a novel probabilistic document ranking algorithm that allows differential weighting of terms based on their temporal characteristics. By leveraging such content dynamics we show significant performance improvements for navigational queries.
Suicidal behavior, smoking, and familial vulnerability.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking is a well-established correlate of suicidal behavior. It is not known if familial risk factors contribute to this association. METHODS: Data were obtained via semistructured interviews with 1,107 twin fathers, 1,919 offspring between ages 12-32 years, and 1,023 mothers. Familial vulnerability to nicotine dependence and suicidal behavior was modeled via father and maternal self-report of these behaviors. Multinomial logistic regression models were computed with and without familial risk factors to estimate the association between offspring ever smoking, regular smoking, nicotine dependence, and a 4-level offspring suicide variable: (a) none, (b) ideation, (c) ideation + plan, and (d) ideation + plan + attempt or ideation + attempt. All models were stratified by gender and adjusted for sociodemographics, familial risk factors including parental suicidal behavior, nicotine dependence, and conduct disorder, and offspring conduct disorder, depression, alcohol abuse/dependence, and illicit drug abuse/dependence. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates and familial risk factors, ever smoking was not significantly associated with suicidal behavior in males and females. In males, regular smoking was associated with ideation + plan (odds ratio [OR] = 5.47; 95% CI: 1.05-28.60), and in females, regular smoking was associated with ideation + plan + attempt or ideation + attempt. In both genders, nicotine-dependent smoking was associated with ideation + plan + attempt or ideation + attempt (males: OR = 6.59; 95% CI: 1.91-22.70, females: OR = 3.37; 95% CI: 1.25-9.04). Comparison of models with and without familial risk factors indicated that there is no mediation of smoking status and suicidal behavior by familial risk.Conclusions:Smoking and nicotine dependence are correlated with suicidal behaviour. Contributions from familial risk factors did not significantly alter this association. Language: en
Recent Advances in Systematics

and focus systematists abhor the idea of a focus does not stem from any lack of intellectual content in the subject matter. It comes from a simpler cause, namely, that most systematists by choice are not problem solvers in their method of working. It might be said that the perfect experimental biologist selects a problem first and then seeks the organism ideally suited to its solution. The systematist does the reverse. He selects the organism first (for reasons that are highly individual) and only secondarily chances upon phenomena of general significance. The chief value of his discoveries is that
The period-doubling of gravity-capillary waves

In this paper an attempt is made to explain the period-doubling of wind-generated gravity-capillary waves as observed in the experiment of Choi (1977). It is conjectured that period-doubling is closely related to the phenomenon of second-harmonic resonance. In order to obtain a simple dynamical model, results of McGoldrick (1970) and Simmons (1969) are extended to include the effect of wind input and shear in the current. For pure gravity–capillary waves (no wind, no current) the condition for energy transfer from the second harmonic to the fundamental wave of Chen & Saffman (1979) is recovered. We also discuss the effect of wind and we find that wind input gives rise to a very sudden period-doubling. Qualitative agreement with experiment is obtained.
Abnormal Small Airways Function in Children With Mild Asthma

Background Small airways disease is a hallmark in adults with persistent asthma, but little is known about small airways function in children with mild asthma and normal spirometry. We assessed ventilation heterogeneity, a marker of small airways function, with an easy tidal breath single-breath washout (SBW) technique in school-aged children with mild asthma and normal FEV 1 and healthy age-matched control subjects. Methods The primary outcome was the double-tracer gas phase III slope (SDTG), an index of ventilation heterogeneity in acinar airways derived from the tidal double-tracer gas SBW test. The second outcome was the nitrogen phase III slope (SN2), an index of global ventilation heterogeneity derived from the tidal nitrogen SBW test using pure oxygen. Triplicate SBW and spirometry tests were performed in healthy children (n = 35) and children with asthma (n = 31) at baseline and in children with asthma after bronchodilation. Results Acinar (SDTG) but not global (SN2) ventilation heterogeneity was significantly increased in asthma despite normal FEV 1 . Of the 31 children with asthma, abnormal results were found for SDTG (≤ −2 z scores) in 11; forced expiratory flow, midexpiratory phase (FEF 25%-75% ) in three; and FEV 1 in zero. After bronchodilation, SDTG, SN2, FEF 25%-75% , and FEV 1 significantly changed (mean [95% CI] change from baseline, 36% [15%-56%], 38% [18%-58%], 17% [9-25%], and 6% [3%-9%], respectively). Conclusions Abnormal acinar ventilation heterogeneity in one-third of the children suggests that small airways disease may be present despite rare and mild asthma symptoms and normal spirometry. The easy tidal SBW technique has considerable potential as a clinical and research outcome in children with asthma.
Efficient testing of tree circuits

The authors investigate the testing properties of a class of regular circuits known as trees which include parity circuits, multiplexers, and decoders. Viewing a tree as overlapping one-dimensional arrays makes it possible to extend the testing properties of these arrays to trees. The authors give conditions for individually testing the arrays within a tree with a constant number of tests. Under the best conditions when this can be done, the bound on the number of tests required is proportional to the number of leaf modules in the tree. The authors also present necessary and sufficient conditions for C-testing trees, that is, testing trees of arbitrary size with a constant number of tests. More restrictive conditions are also presented that allow trees to be completely C-tested with the minimum number of tests.
Detection of and Response to Signals Involved in Host-Microbe Interactions by Plant-Associated Bacteria

Diverse interactions between hosts and microbes are initiated by the detection of host-released chemical signals. Detection of these signals leads to altered patterns of gene expression that culminate in specific and adaptive changes in bacterial physiology that are required for these associations. This concept was first demonstrated for the members of the family Rhizobiaceae and was later found to apply to many other plant-associated bacteria as well as to microbes that colonize human and animal hosts. The family Rhizobiaceae includes various genera of rhizobia as well as species of Agrobacterium. Rhizobia are symbionts of legumes, which fix nitrogen within root nodules, while Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a pathogen that causes crown gall tumors on a wide variety of plants. The plant-released signals that are recognized by these bacteria are low-molecular-weight, diffusible molecules and are detected by the bacteria through specific receptor proteins. Similar phenomena are observed with other plant pathogens, including Pseudomonas syringae, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Erwinia spp., although here the signals and signal receptors are not as well defined. In some cases, nutritional conditions such as iron limitation or the lack of nitrogen sources seem to provide a significant cue. While much has been learned about the process of host detection over the past 20 years, our knowledge is far from being complete. The complex nature of the plant-microbe interactions makes it extremely challenging to gain a comprehensive picture of host detection in natural environments, and thus many signals and signal recognition systems remain to be described.