cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Starburst Nature of Lyman-Break Galaxies: Testing UV Extinction with X-rays

We derive the bolometric to X-ray correlation for a local sample of normal and starburst galaxies and use it, in combination with several UV reddening schemes, to predict the 2--8 keV X-ray luminosity for a sample of 24 Lyman-break galaxies in the HDF/CDF-N. We find that the mean X-ray luminosity, as predicted from the Meurer UV reddening relation for starburst galaxies, agrees extremely well with the Brandt stacking analysis. This provides additional evidence that Lyman-break galaxies can be considered as scaled-up local starbursts and that the locally derived starburst UV reddening relation may be a reasonable tool for estimating the UV extinction at high redshift. Our analysis shows that the Lyman-break sample can not have far-IR to far-UV flux ratios similar to nearby ULIGs, as this would predict a mean X-ray luminosity 100 times larger than observed, as well as far-IR luminosities large enough to be detected in the sub-mm. We calculate the UV reddening expected from the Calzetti effective starburst attenuation curve and the radiative transfer models of Witt & Gordon for low metallicity dust in a shell geometry with homogeneous or clumpy dust distributions and find that all are consistent with the observed X-ray emission. Finally, we show that the mean X-ray luminosity of the sample would be under predicted by a factor of 6 if the the far-UV is unattenuated by dust.
Genetic variation in aneuploidy prevalence and tolerance across the Saccharomyces cerevisiae phylogeny

Individuals carrying an aberrant number of chromosomes can vary widely in their expression of aneuploidy phenotypes. A major unanswered question is the degree to which an individual9s genetic makeup influences its tolerance of karyotypic imbalance. Here we took a population genetics perspective to investigate the selective forces influencing aneuploidy prevalence in Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations as a model for eukaryotic biology. We analyzed genotypic and phenotypic variation recently published for over 1,000 S. cerevisiae strains spanning dozens of genetically defined clades and ecological associations. Our results show that the prevalence of chromosome gain and loss varies by clade and can be better explained by differences in genetic background than ecology. The phylogenetic context of lineages showing high aneuploidy rates suggests that increased aneuploidy frequency arose multiple times in S. cerevisiae evolution. Separate from aneuploidy frequency, analyzing growth phenotypes reveals that some backgrounds – such as European Wine strains – show fitness costs upon chromosome duplication, whereas other clades with high aneuploidy rates show little evidence of major deleterious effects. Our analysis confirms that chromosome amplification can produce phenotypic benefits that can influence evolutionary trajectories. These results have important implications for understanding genetic variation in aneuploidy prevalence in health, disease, and evolution.
Contention-based Grant-free Transmission with Independent Multi-pilot Scheme

Contention-based grant-free transmission is very promising for future massive machine-type communication (mMTC). In contention-based transmission, the random pilot collision becomes a challenge. To solve it, multi-pilot scheme is proposed. However, the existing work relies on the low correlation of spatial channels, and cannot be applied when the number of antennas is relatively small. This paper proposes a novel independent multi-pilot scheme, which utilizes the diversity of multiple pilots, instead of the spatial correlation. The interference cancellation of both data symbols and multiple pilots is utilized to improve the performance. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme significantly improves the performance in high-overloading mMTC and outperforms the existing work in a massive antenna array case.
Innate immune receptor clustering and its role in immune regulation.

ABSTRACT The discovery of receptor clustering in the activation of adaptive immune cells has revolutionized our understanding of the physical basis of immune signal transduction. In contrast to the extensive studies of adaptive immune cells, particularly T cells, there is a lesser, but emerging, recognition that the formation of receptor clusters is also a key regulatory mechanism in host–pathogen interactions. Many kinds of innate immune receptors have been found to assemble into nano- or micro-sized domains on the surfaces of cells. The clusters formed between diverse categories of innate immune receptors function as a multi-component apparatus for pathogen detection and immune response regulation. Here, we highlight these pioneering efforts and the outstanding questions that remain to be answered regarding this largely under-explored research topic. We provide a critical analysis of the current literature on the clustering of innate immune receptors. Our emphasis is on studies that draw connections between the phenomenon of receptor clustering and its functional role in innate immune regulation.
Strategies to prevent burnout in the cardiovascular health-care workforce.

Burnout is prevalent in medicine and has been further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies must be developed to reduce burnout by addressing a culture of wellness, efficiency of practice, and resiliency. The entire health-care community has a role in addressing burnout and promoting well-being.
Implied Dedication and Retroactvity

Consideration of when and how judicial and legislative treatments of the doctrine of implied dedication in public prescription situations do and do not function similarly.
Two sensitive characteristics and their overlap with two questions per card.

In this paper, we developed a new unique unrelated question randomized response model in which each card has two questions, either both questions on the sensitive characteristics or both questions on the two unrelated characteristics. The proposed model is unique in the sense this is the only way of asking two questions printed on each card that leads to protection of the privacy of the respondent. We first develop estimators of the prevalence of the two sensitive characteristics and of their overlap. Then we show that the resultant estimators are unbiased. Next we derive variance expressions for the developed estimators of the proportions. We also compute the relative efficiency and relative privacy protection of the proposed model with respect to its competitors. The variances of the proposed estimators are also verified by comparing them to the Cramer-Rao lower bounds of variance-covariance of the estimators. Estimators of conditional proportion, relative risk, and correlation coefficient are also discussed. Lastly, a real data application of the proposed model is considered, which shows the importance of the use of the proposed model in medical and social science studies.
Using computerized spiral analysis to evaluate deep brain stimulation outcomes in Parkinson disease.

Abstract Objective To determine whether spiral analysis can monitor the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson disease (PD) and provide a window on clinical features that change post-operatively. Clinical evaluation after DBS is subjective and insensitive to small changes. Spiral analysis is a computerized test that quantifies kinematic, dynamic, and spatial aspects of spiral drawing. Validated computational indices are generated and correlate with a range of clinically relevant motor findings. These include measures of overall clinical severity (Severity), bradykinesia and rigidity (Smoothness), amount of tremor (Tremor), irregularity of drawing movements (Variability), and micrographia (Tightness). Methods We retrospectively evaluated the effect of subthalamic nucleus (STN) (n = 66) and ventral intermediate thalamus (Vim) (n = 10) DBS on spiral drawing in PD subjects using spiral analysis. Subjects freely drew ten spirals on plain paper with an inking pen on a graphics tablet. Five spiral indices (Severity, Smoothness, Tremor, Variability, Tightness) were calculated and compared pre- and post-operatively using Wilcoxon-rank sum tests, adjusting for multiple comparisons. Results Severity improved after STN and Vim DBS (p Conclusions All major spiral indices, except Tightness, improved after DBS. This suggests spiral analysis monitors DBS effects in PD and provides an objective window on relevant clinical features that change post-operatively. It may thus have utilization in clinical trials or investigations into the neural pathways altered by DBS. The lack of change in Tightness supports the notion that DBS does not improve micrographia.
Light at the end of the tunnel: Influence of vaccine availability and vaccination intention on people's consideration of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Abstract Rationale Countries worldwide rely on the COVID-19 vaccine to contain the spread of the pandemic. However, because of the inequality in distribution, people in many demographic groups and regions still do not have access to a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. Objective To aid vaccine promotion campaigns that target populations with different access to the COVID-19 vaccine, this study examined how vaccine availability and vaccination intention influence people's consideration of the COVID-19 vaccine. Method We conducted a two-wave longitudinal survey and choice-based conjoint experiment to examine the influence of vaccine availability and vaccination intention on perceived barriers of vaccination (e.g., safety and cost concern) and preference in different vaccine features (e.g., FDA approval status and number of doses administered). Result We found that low availability and intention increased attention to global behavioral barriers such as safety concern and high-level vaccine attributes such as efficacy. In contrast, high availability articulates practical considerations such as cost and logistics associated with vaccination. Conclusion Based on such findings, we conclude that health communicators need to strategically customize their messages based on audience access to the COVID-19 vaccine and their intention to get vaccinated. Highlighting the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine may be more effective in low-accessibility and low-intention groups, while emphasis on practical considerations such as vaccine cost and logistics may be more effective in high-accessibility and high-intention groups.
Local IPOs and Household Stock Market Participation

We posit that IPOs of local companies will lead to increased stock market participation. First, local IPOs attract attention to the market, through both increased information production and publicity. Second, local IPOs generate wealth, not just for people associated with the heretofore private company but also for the wider community through local agglomeration effects. Consistent with predictions, we find that local IPOs increase both households’ propensity to own stock and equity holdings as a percent of wealth. Tests of the mechanisms underlying this relation support the attention channel. We find little evidence in support of the wealth channel. Given prior evidence that stock market participation represents a key factor toward building wealth, our findings highlight that the benefits of IPOs extend beyond those people directly involved with the offering.
Co-utilization of opioids and nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic drugs in U.S. ambulatory care visits, 2006-2016.

ABSTRACT Background Clinical guidelines and black boxed warnings caution on the serious risks, including death, associated with concomitant use of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines. Objective This study aimed to characterize the co-utilization of a similar class of medications – non-benzodiazepine sedative ‘Z’-drugs – with opioids at ambulatory care visits in the United States. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) from 2006 to 2016 characterized the trends in co-utilization of opioids and Z-drugs. Visits involving adult patients with an opioid prescription were included in the analysis. The weighted annual prevalence of concomitant use of an opioid medication and a Z-drug (zolpidem, eszopiclone, zaleplon) was evaluated. The analysis was stratified by patient demographics and the status of the prescriptions (i.e., new initiation or continued use). Results The authors analyzed 564,090,296 visits (weighted from a sample of 28,773) with a reported opioid prescription. Co-utilization of opioids with Z-drugs fluctuated during the study period beginning at 4.0% in 2006 (95%CI 2.2% to 5.7%), 6.3% in 2012 (95%CI 3.7% to 8.9%), and 4.7% in 2016 (95%CI 2.8% to 6.5%). Among all opioid visits in the study period, co-utilization with a Z-drug was not significantly different among female patients compared to male patients (5.26% vs. 4.63%, p = 0.26). Among visits with concomitant opioid and Z-drugs, 7.0% reported new initiation of both medications in the same visit. Conclusion At ambulatory care visits between 2006 and 2016, co-utilization of opioids and Z-drugs fluctuated with some differences by sex. Major regulatory advisories and policy changes during this period may have contributed to these varying rates of utilization. Additional work is needed to identify predictors of co-utilization and downstream consequences more widely.
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF SUICIDE RISK ASSESSMENT PRACTICES IN THE SCHOOL SETTING

Suicidal behavior in children and youth continues to be a major public health problem in the United States. School personnel have a legal and ethical obligation to recognize and respond to the mental health needs of their students and to take steps to ensure their safety. In this exploratory study, suicide risk assessment practices of three large school districts were examined. More than 3,400 suicide risk assessments were conducted in these districts during the 3 years considered. The results indicate that all three districts have implemented suicide prevention programs that include risk-assessment practices in an effort to reduce suicidality. Suicides risk assessments were conducted with at least one child in each grade from kindergarten through 12th in each district, occurring most frequently at the middle school level. Differences by gender were noted in terms of level of risk and hospitalizations, but no significant differences were observed based on race/ethnicity. These risk assessment efforts of these three districts appear to be promising in preventing suicides: none of the students who were assessed went on to commit suicide. Implications for school-based practices and training are discussed.
Antecedents to the integration process for recovery in older patients and spouses after a cardiovascular procedure.

Social isolation, psychological state and knowledge needs are important antecedents to the process of integration for recovery from cardiovascular (CV) procedures. The purpose of this study is to measure these antecedents at 6 and 12 weeks after CV procedures in patients (greater 65 years) and their spouses. This descriptive study enrolled 318 subjects; 87 patients/73 spouses responded. There was higher spousal anxiety at 6 weeks (4.64 ± 4.2) compared with 12 weeks (3.65 ± 3.3, t = -2.17, P < 0.032). Patients rated 10 and 7 self-care knowledge needs at 6 and 12 weeks as 'very important' with significant reductions in importance for 4 needs by 12 weeks. Spouses rated 14 and 10 knowledge needs as 'very important' at 6 and 12 weeks. There were three spouse care knowledge needs that were not met at 6 weeks. Data identified higher anxiety levels in spouses, and spouse needs that were unmet at 6 weeks after CV procedures.
Axonal microtubules stay put.

Direct visualization of individual axonal microtubules in Xenopus neurons indicates that they are primarily stationary, while another study shows that tubulin, the protein from which microtubules are made, can be transported in a non-microtubule form. Both results run contrary to a widely accepted model of slow axonal tubulin transport.
First Year in Office: How Do New CEOS Create Value?

Career concerns and possible “escalation of commitment” bias imply that replacing key decision makers is often necessary for effective re-optimization on poor prior investment decisions. Thus, examining firm actions immediately post CEO turnover can shed important light on the error correction process in a corporation. We find that the probability that a poorly performing business segment will be terminated almost doubles when the CEO who established it steps down. More generally, corrective actions such as operational downsizing tend to follow CEO turnover, while expansion and other corporate policy changes do not. Management shakeup greatly facilitates the correction process, especially after CEO turnover. The higher intensity of corrective actions and their positive value impact post CEO turnover hold pervasively, whether the pre-turnover firm and industry conditions are good or bad, and even for turnovers due to the death and retirement of the department CEOs. The intensity and value impact of post-turnover corrective actions can also explain the well documented performance difference between new insider and outsider CEOs. Our study suggests that a main source of value creation associated with CEO turnover is the facilitation of error correction and re-optimization. We also identify institutional frictions that can hinder error correction at CEO turnover.
Data Dependent Cells Chi-Square Test With Recurrent Events.

We consider a recurrent event wherein the inter-event times are independent and identically distributed with a common absolutely continuous distribution function F. In this article, interest is in the problem of testing the null hypothesis that F belongs to some parametric family where the q-dimensional parameter is unknown. We propose a general Chi-squared test in which cell boundaries are data dependent. An estimator of the parameter obtained by minimizing a quadratic form resulting from a properly scaled vector of differences between Observed and Expected frequencies is used to construct the test. This estimator is known as the minimum chi-square estimator. Large sample properties of the proposed test statistic are established using empirical processes tools. A simulation study is conducted to assess the performance of the test under parameter misspecification, and our procedures are applied to a fleet of Boeing 720 jet planes' air conditioning system failures.
The sintering of combustion-synthesized titanium diboride

A comparative study of the sinterability of combustion-synthesized titanium diboride was conducted over the temperature range of 1800 to 2100° C. During the initia! sintering stage, the densification rate was slightly higher in the combustion-synthesized than in the commercially obtained titanium diboride. For sintering times of > 30 min, however, the shrinkage rates for both types of powders were the same. The activation energy for the late sintering stage was 774 ± 46 kJ mol−1, consistent with 8 volume diffusion mechanism, end was the same for both combustion-synthesized and commercial powders. The microstructures of sintered specimens with initial particle size below 1O µm exhibited a grain size ranging from 5 to over 40 µm after 30 min of sintering. The addition of 5 wt% NbB2 to the combustion-synthesized resulted in enhanced shrinkage during the initial sintering stage, but did not affect later stage kinetics. Various amounts of additives of CrB2, NiB and TiC had no effect on early and late stage sintering kinetics, with the exception of 50 wt% TiC which appreciably inhibited densification.
Saturation of postsynaptic glutamate receptors after quantal release of transmitter

Miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) were elicited from small numbers of release sites after brief microperfusion of Ba2+ and K+ onto proximal dendritic processes of hippocampal neurons in culture. Temporal summation of closely timed mEPSCs deviated significantly from linearity. The number of instances of closely timed mEPSCs that were also closely matched in terms of peak amplitudes was significantly greater than that expected by chance. Amplitude pairing became statistically more significant after prolongation of mEPSC duration and inhibition of glutamate receptor desensitization with cyclothiazide. These results are best explained by postsynaptic receptors that approach saturation after quantal release of transmitter.
The growth and electrical characteristics of epitaxial layers of zinc sulphide and of zinc selenide on p-type gallium phosphide†

Single crystal layers of ZnS and ZnSe have been expitaxially grown on p-type GaP using an HC1 close-spaced vapour transport system. Grown layer doping is accomplished using heavily doped source (ZnS, ZnSe) material and a zinc vapour diffusion process that reduces the number of compensating zinc vacancies. Experimental characteristics of nZnS-pGaP and nZnSe-pGaP diodes indicate dominance of the forward I-U relationship by space-charge-limited flow in the 103-104 ohm-cm ZnS and ZnSe. The reverse I-U characteristics of these devices agree qualitatively with a multistep tunnelling process but show larger than, expected reverse currents. The reverse bias capacitance is strongly frequency dependent in all devices studied. Forward injection electroluminescence was not observed from any of the nZnS-pGaP and nZnSe-pGaP devices studied.
Comparing power among three sampling methods for monitoring forest vegetation

We compared three methods of sampling forest vegetation for their ability to reliably estimate changes in species richness, plant abundance, and overstory basal area and composition. Methods include the US Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) method and two other methods being considered for use in monitoring National Parks in the Northern Great Lakes ecoregion. All methods were successful at detecting changes in composite variables but lacked sufficient enough power to detect a 20% change in the abundance of most individual species. All three methods had high power for detecting changes in overstory tree communities but differed greatly in their ability to track shifts in understory composition and diversity. Although complete walk-through surveys of all species present provided adequate power for tracking changes in diversity, sampling only 12 ground layer quadrats limited the power of the FIA method. Methods that sample the understory more intensively provide a better balance of samplin...
Forecasting Pell Program Applications Using Structural Aggregate Models.

Abstract Demand for postsecondary financial aid offered under the Pell Grant program has proved notoriously difficult to predict in recent years. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a microsimulation model to generate forecasts of applications, but the data requirements of this model are fairly severe and the results subject to considerable error, at least in some years. This paper proposes an alternative model for predicting Pell program applications that uses aggregate data, yet avoids some of the limitations of simple linear models. Using the moments of the aggregate income distribution and other macrovariables, this model empirically performs no worse on average than the microsimulation model, and better in some periods. [ JEL I21, I28, C53]
Consensus in Initial Impressions as a Function of Verbal Information

Past research has found higher levels of agreement in personality ratings of others on traits related to extroversion than on other traits such as intelligence, honesty, or conscientiousness, particularly at low levels of acquaintance. One explanation for this effect is that verbal information relevant to these latter traits is less likely to be elicited in initial get-acquainted interactions. Providing such information should increase agreement. The present data suggest this is not the case. Agreement was equally low on these difficult-to-judge dimensions whether more or less relevant information was provided. The authors argue that because these traits are highly socially desirable, nonverbal information about the negative pole of the trait dimension is needed to make a confident judgment. Because such information is not available during initial encounters, simply increasing the quantity of relevant verbal information does not improve consensus.
Distribution, abundance and conservation of the highly endemic Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle, Cicindela albissima Rumpp

The Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle, Cicindela albissima Rumpp, occurs only within a small area of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes in southwestern Utah. Even within this dune field, most of the population is limited to a small core area about 2 × 0.5 km2 in size (adjacent areas sometimes contain beetles, but these appear to be demographic sinks). The core habitat is a transition zone of transverse dunes located between more dynamic dunes to the south (crests of these move upwards of 3 m/y) and more stabilised ones to the north. A candidate species since 1994, the beetle was recently proposed for listing as a threatened species by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. A conservation agreement in 1997 established two off-highway-vehicle-free conservation areas, one of these supporting most of the population within the core habitat (A) and the other a potential site for establishing a second viable population (B). Annual population estimates of adults from 1999 to 2013 fluctuated significantly from a low of 558 to ...
Differential expression of placental (P)‐cadherin in sertoli cells and peritubular myoid cells during postnatal development of the mouse testis

BACKGROUND In previous work, RNA transcripts for placental (P)-cadherin, a calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule, were identified in the rat testis during the first 4 weeks of postnatal development. However, the cells in the testis responsible for P-cadherin expression have not yet been identified. METHODS We used conventional epifluorescence microscopy to examine P-cadherin immunoreactivity in cryostat sections of mouse testis and scanning laser confocal microscopy to localize P-cadherin and beta-catenin in wholemount preparations of mouse seminiferous tubules. We used fluorescent phalloidin to identify actin filaments. RESULTS Sertoli cells expressed P-cadherin on postnatal days 1, 3, and 8, but not on any day thereafter. In contrast, peritubular cells did not express P-cadherin on postnatal day 8 and continued expression in adulthood. beta-Catenin was localized near contact areas between peritubular cells on postnatal days 12 and 15. A mature pattern of actin filament organization in peritubular cells appeared on day 15 and coincided with the uniform appearance of P-cadherin and beta-catenin near areas of contact between adjacent peritubular cells. CONCLUSIONS During postnatal development of the testis, the earlier expression of P-cadherin by Sertoli cells is replaced by the subsequent expression of P-cadherin by peritubular cells. The expression of P-cadherin in peritubular cells is correlated temporally with the expression of beta-catenin and the development of a mature network of actin filaments and is consistent with a role in intercellular adhesion and junction formation.
Polymorphisms in FKBP5 are associated with peritraumatic dissociation in medically injured children.

Polymorphisms in FKBP5 are associated with peritraumatic dissociation in medically injured children
Moebius syndrome: measures of observer intelligibility with versus without visual cues in bilateral facial paralysis.

Abstract Objective: This study investigated observers' intelligibility for the spoken output of an individual with Moebius syndrome (MoS) with and without visual cues. Design: An audiovisual recording of the speaker's output was obtained for 50 Speech Intelligibility in Noise sentences consisting of 25 high predictability and 25 low predictability sentences. Stimuli were presented to observers under two conditions: audiovisual and audio only. Data were analyzed using a multivariate repeated measures model. Observers: Twenty students and faculty affiliated with the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of Nevada, Reno. Results: ANOVA mixed design revealed that intelligibility for the audio condition only was significantly greater than intelligibility for the audiovisual condition; and accuracy for high predictability sentences was significantly greater than accuracy for low predictability sentences. Conclusions: The compensatory substitutional placements for phonemes produced by Mo...
An eight-year follow-up: Outcome from adolescent compared to adult onset anorexia nervosa

Seventy-five women were traced and reassessed on average eight years after the onset of anorexia nervosa. All patients received treatment and 88% were hospitalized at least once. Comparisons between early (11–15 years; N=35), late (16–18 years; N=24) adolescent and adult (19–27 years; N=14) onset revealed no significant differences in outcome for age at onset. For 70% of adolescent and 42% of adult onset patients the outcome was good, meaning that the weight was within ± 15% of norm with regular cyclical menstruation,17% and 21% had an intermediate, and 9% and 21%, respectively, had a poor outcome, 5.3% had died. Taken together, 59% had physically recovered and were free of any eating disorder. Severity of illness reflected in a low body mass index, excessive exercise, and poor psychosocial functioning at intake were poor prognostic indicators;length of illness and food restriction or bulimia as eating patterns were unrelated to outcome. The observation that all women with chronic anorexia nervosa, and even a third of those who had physically recovered from anorexia nervosa, qualified for one or more psychiatric diagnoses suggests that the psychosocial correlates of anorexia nervosa require further study.
Texture clustering and long-range disorientation representation methods: application to 6022 aluminum sheet

Two new graphical methods are presented for microstructural analysis of crystalline material. These analyses are intended to aid an understanding of deformation behavior at scales larger than the grain size. The correlation of orientation over large distances has rarely been investigated, since a long-range correlation has been assumed to be negligible, if present at all. The first method reveals orientation clustering by calculating the variance of the orientation distribution function (ODF). The second addresses orientation ordering or orientation autocorrelation and is named the disorientation correlation function (DCF). We show that both analyses can be derived from the two-point autocorrelation functions of the orientation field.
Biot response spectrum

Abstract The response spectrum method (RSM) in earthquake engineering was conceived and then fully developed by M.A. Biot (1905–1985) during the period of about 10 yr, between 1932 and 1942. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Biot's birth, this paper reviews his contributions to earthquake engineering, and then briefly outlines the milestones in the later evolution of the RSM, and the eventual introduction and acceptance of the method by the engineering disciplines in the early 1970s. The role of the Biot spectrum in the formulation of design codes is illustrated briefly, using examples from code development in California. Finally, the limitations of the linear response superposition method are discussed, and future directions for the development of earthquake-resistant design tools are suggested.
Assessment of Twentieth-Century Regional Surface Temperature Trends using the GFDL CM2 Coupled Models

Abstract Historical climate simulations of the period 1861–2000 using two new Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) global climate models (CM2.0 and CM2.1) are compared with observed surface temperatures. All-forcing runs include the effects of changes in well-mixed greenhouse gases, ozone, sulfates, black and organic carbon, volcanic aerosols, solar flux, and land cover. Indirect effects of tropospheric aerosols on clouds and precipitation processes are not included. Ensembles of size 3 (CM2.0) and 5 (CM2.1) with all forcings are analyzed, along with smaller ensembles of natural-only and anthropogenic-only forcing, and multicentury control runs with no external forcing. Observed warming trends on the global scale and in many regions are simulated more realistically in the all-forcing and anthropogenic-only forcing runs than in experiments using natural-only forcing or no external forcing. In the all-forcing and anthropogenic-only forcing runs, the model shows some tendency for too much twentieth-c...
Variability in metabolic rate, feed intake and fatness among selection and inbred lines of mice

Mouse populations differing in metabolic rate have been developed through selection for high (MH) and low (ML) heat loss (HLOSS), along with randomly selected controls (MC). Objectives of this study were to (a) compare MH, ML and MC lines for HLOSS and correlated traits of feed intake, body composition and organ weights; (b) compare three widely used inbred mouse lines with MH, ML and MC for the same traits; and (c) investigate potential genotype by diet interaction resulting from feeding diets differing in fat percentage. Heat loss (kcal/day) of MH and ML mice differed by 37% of the mean and remained significant (33%) when HLOSS was expressed on a fat-free mass basis. MH mice consumed more energy than ML with a greater difference in mice fed high-fat compared with standard diets (27% vs 13.9%). Despite greater energy consumption, MH mice were leaner than ML with a difference in total body fat percentage of 40%. The greatest difference in HLOSS between selection and inbred lines was between MH and C57BL/6J (BL), which differed by 26.3%. MH and BL mice also differed in energy intake (15.5%). Body composition of BL mice was similar to MH when fed a standard diet, but similar to ML when fed a high-fat diet. Crosses between MH and ML or between MH and BL would be useful to investigate the genetic regulation of, and identify quantitative trait loci influencing HLOSS, energy intake and body composition. Feeding of a high-fat diet may allow diet-specific loci influencing body composition to be identified in MH and BL lines.
SU-E-T-510: Mitigation Strategies to Reduce the Relative Extrafocal Dose (RED)

Purpose: Several studies [1,2] indicate that IMRT may lead to peripheral (extrafocal) dose outside the intended treatment‐field. The purpose of this study is to: (a) obtain an accurate assessment of the relationship between the relative extrafocal dose (RED) and beam energy, modulation factor, treatment modality, and Y‐jaw settings in connection with the high‐definition HD120‐leaf MLC from Varian; and (b) identify the most efficient mitigation strategies to reduce RED when significant. Methods: IMRT fields with varying modulation were simulated by using an accurate representation of the TrueBeam linac equipped with HD120‐MLC in Geant4 (v9.4.p02). Dose to water phantom calculations were performed relative to a 10×10cm2 field. RED distributions were normalized to dmax for the 6MV, 6FFF, 10MV, 10FFF and 15MV beams. Inline profiles indicated the spatial location of the RED maximum, while simulations with and without the flattening filter revealed its origin. The effect of reducing the Y‐jaw position was quantified for different incident energies. Results: RED is mainly due to photons scattered by the flattening filter, therefore it is not a concern (∼0.7%) when the filter is removed (i.e. 6FFF and 10FFF). The RED maximum is located 4cm outside the outermost boundary leaf (i.e. 15cm off‐axis for HD120‐MLC). Its magnitude can be reduced below 1% by decreasing the Y‐jaw setting, lowering the photon beam energy, lowering the modulation factor of the plan or by using FFF beams, if available. At 15MV, the RED magnitude was reduced from 2.6% to 0.9% by setting the Y‐jaw limit to 8cm. Conclusion: Methodologies to effectively lower the relative extrafocal dose were identified for various photon beams on a Varian linac with HD120‐MLC, including using FFF modes, choosing lower‐energy beams, limiting the Y‐field size and lowering the modulation.[1]E.E. Klein et al., Med.Phys.33 (2006), 2525‐1531[2]D.S. Sharma et al., B.J.R.79 (2006), 331–335
Far-Infrared Spectroscopy in Diamond Anvil Cells

A step-and-integrate Fourier transform spectrometer, a liquid-helium-cooled composite germanium bolometer, and specially configured non-focusing optics have been interfaced to gasketed diamond anvil cells. Simple molecular solids like iodine have been studied at pressures up to 16 GPa, frequencies down to 20 cm−1, and temperatures of 2 to 150 K with this arrangement. Evidence that spectroscopy in diamond anvil cells should be feasible to even lower frequencies and higher pressures is presented.
Gustavo Gutierrez: Latin American Liberation Theology

Latin American liberation theology has become one of the more dynamic and controversial intellectual forces of contemporary Latin American politics. Although identified with a minority left‐wing perspective, liberation theology constitutes an important component within the larger context of progressive change in the political orientation of the Church in recent years. The chief inspiration for liberation theology stems from the Conference of Latin American Bishops at Medellin in 1968. The central theme of the Medellin conference was that Latin America lives beneath a tragic sign of under‐development: hunger, misery, illness, infant mortality, inequalities of income; tension between classes and outbreaks of violence; the lack of participation of people in decisions affecting the common good; an external position of neo‐colonial dependency. The privileged classes, it alleges, are insensitive to the miseries of the marginal sectors and frequently resort to force to repress opposition with “anti‐communism” or “keeping order” as the justification for their actions.
Dynamic modeling and stability analysis of Magnetically Levitated systems

In this paper, the analytical model of a MagLev system is derived using Ampere's law and the MagLev equivalent magnetic circuit. A finite element model is then used to study the static characteristics of the MagLev, namely, its magnetic force, flux density distribution and system inductance. Based on MagLev's equivalent electrical circuit, dynamic model of the MagLev system has been developed. Lyapaunov's stability analysis method has been used to investigate the stability of the MagLev system in closed loop operation. Finally, the analytical and dynamic models will be verified using simulation results.
Effects of the comutagens, harman and norharman, on the interaction of a tryptophan pyrolysis product, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido(4,3-b)indole with DNA

Abstract Harman and norharman, known as comutagens of many chemicals, were tested for their effect on the binding to DNA of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido(4,3-b)indole, (Trp-P-2), a potent mutagen found with harman and norharman in the pyrolysate of tryptophan (1). We demonstrated that the alteration of the DNA helix by intercalation of these comutagens to DNA does not affect the affinity of this potent mutagen for DNA. Covalent binding, however, was inhibited by the comutagens.
Random and block copolymerization in metal oxide gel synthesis from metalorganic compounds

The introduction and development of the block copolymerization concept in metal oxide gel synthesis will in the future generate a new class of glass/microcrystalline materials. By the year 2004, better scientific understanding of the chemical principles controlling the distribution of network formers or modifiers in silicate gels will permit the synthesis of architecturally well-defined block polymers with unique high-performance behavior.
Marketing To The Culinary Tourist

ABSTRACT This study examines food experiences at festivals as a unique form of culinary tourism. Festival marketing materials were explored through content analysis. As tangible attributes, food experiences contribute to the cognitive component of a destination image. Food experiences also invoke emotions, thus contributing to the affective component. These two characteristics align with the existing principles of how a destination image is formed. Food experiences are often depicted through words and images in marketing materials. These words and images are essentially gastronomic cues that can be strategically incorporated into marketing materials to effectively attract culinary tourists. Four dimensions were identified. Sub-dimensions were also delineated by cultural symbolism spanning a continuum from no cultural significance to high cultural significance.
Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review.

Vitamin D may modify the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this review was to examine the association between vitamin D status and incident type 2 diabetes, and the effect of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic outcomes. We performed a systematic review of English-language studies using MEDLINE through February 2011. Longitudinal cohort studies reporting associations between vitamin D status and incident type 2 diabetes, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of vitamin D supplementation, were included. Study characteristics and results were extracted, and study quality was assessed. A total of 8 observational cohort studies and 11 RCTs were included. In meta-analyses of observational studies, vitamin D intake >500 international units (IU)/day decreased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 13% compared with vitamin D intake 25 ng/ml) had a 43% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (95% confidence interval 24, 57%) compared with those in the lowest group (<14 ng/ml). In post hoc analyses from eight trials among participants with normal glucose tolerance at baseline and in three small underpowered (n=32–62) trials of patients with established type 2 diabetes, there was no effect of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic outcomes. In two trials among patients with baseline glucose intolerance, vitamin D supplementation improved insulin resistance. Vitamin D may play a role in type 2 diabetes; however, to better define the role of vitamin D in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes, high-quality observational studies and RCTs that measure blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and clinically relevant glycemic outcomes are needed.
Assessing the damping properties of coupled wall structural systems

In this paper, the global response of the coupled shear wall assemblies will be studied at two different limit states. The primary objective of this investigation is to establish upper and lower bounds on the level of the damping that will be induced in the system due to yield excursions and energy dissipation of the structural members.
Percutaneous electrovaporization of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma in patients with functionally solitary kidneys

Objectives We present the first reported experience using percutaneous electrovaporization with both a rollerball and the VaporTrode electrode of large upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in 2 individuals with functionally solitary kidneys. Methods Under general anesthesia and in the prone position, 2 patients underwent electrovaporization of upper tract TCC through upper pole percutaneous access. Using either a rollerball (Case 1) or the VaporTrode (Case 2) electrode at 200 W pure cutting current, the tumors were completely vaporized. Results Average operating room time was 145 minutes. Hemostasis was excellent. No significant perioperative complications were noted. A nephrostogram at the end of the procedure revealed no extravasation in either case. There was no appreciable change in serum creatinine. Both patients received postoperative mitomycin (40 mg in 1000 cc normal saline over 20 hours) through the nephrostomy tube. One patient (Case 2) is completely free of disease via antegrade nephroscopy and biopsy at 2 weeks' follow-up. The other patient (Case 1) had two remaining focal areas of tumor via antegrade nephroscopy 3 weeks postoperatively; both lesions were treated with electrovaporization via a flexible electrode through the flexible cystoscope and the VaporTrode, respectively. Conclusions Percutaneous electrovaporization of upper tract TCC appears to provide a simple, rapid, and effective endosurgical treatment in properly selected patients. Long-term follow-up will be needed to assess this new treatment modality definitively.
Advancing the design of a dynamic petro-dollar currency basket

This study offers Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member nations a crude oil pricing currency basket based on currency liquidity, in contrast with prior emphasis on OPEC trading patterns. Motivating the search for an alternative US dollar pricing of crude oil is the significant and inverse relationship (r=−0.82, p<0.01) between the US dollar major currencies index and crude oil price over the period January 1999–March 2009. A dynamically weighted petro-dollar currency basket is proposed based on the five currency claims (US dollar, Euro, British pound, Japanese yen and Swiss franc) and their varying proportions of foreign exchange reserves held by central banks. The major currencies US dollar index is compared against the proposed petro-dollar index to reveal an average US$8.1 billion annual gain in favor of the petro-dollar currency basket, offering OPEC members a revenue stream of diversified and highly liquid currencies to transition away from complete dependence on the US dollar crude oil pricing. The proposed petro-dollar crude oil pricing schema offers OPEC a crude oil price dynamically denominated in currencies reflecting the global use and importance of crude oil. This paper concludes with implementation issues facing a move toward the dynamically weighted petro-dollar crude oil pricing schema.
Actions of a protease inhibitor in arachidonate induced sudden death in rabbits.

Summary Sodium arachidonate (2 mg/kg) is uniformly lethal in 3 to 5 minutes to 100% of the rabbits given this fatty acid. Death results from massive formation of thromboxane A 2 which produces pulmonary vasoconstriction and thrombosis. Aprotinin, a protease inhibitor given intravenously at a dose of 50,000 KIU/kg 15 minutes prior to arachidonate increased survival to 25%, and a dose of 100,000 KIU/kg improved the survival rate to 38% (p 2 concentrations was observed compared with the 12–14 fold increase observed in non-survivors. Similarly, survivors did not develop pulmonary thrombosis. Aprotinin also prevented 6-keto-PGF 1α increases in plasma indicating it does not act as a selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitor. Rather, aprotinin appears to act to enhance the clearance of arachidonate from the circulation or to inhibit cyclooxygenase or a closely related enzymatic step in the conversion of arachidonate to prostaglandin endoperoxides. This may represent an important new action of aprotinin in addition to its well known anti-shock effect and its ability to preserve myocardial tissue in acute myocardial ischemia.