cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Re‐examination of production, cost, and restricted profit functions using quantile regression approach

This article estimates quantile regressions of production, cost, and restricted profit functions using a Cobb-Douglas functional form with non-Hicks neutral technology change. In contrast to previous studies, quantile regression estimates reveal the relationship between the independent (production, cost, and restricted profit) and dependent (input quantities and prices) variables at each quantile of the distribution. An empirical application using data from 48 states in United States from 1960 to 2004 indicates the returns to scale and aggregate technology not only differ across production, cost, and restricted profit functions but across states in different quantiles of the distribution. This suggests the traditional measures of returns to scale and aggregate technology are under- and overestimated in states at upper and lower quantiles, respectively.
Nesting failure in burying beetles and the origin of communal associations

Information on reproductive success and the probability of nest failure was gathered from 11 recent studies ofNicrophorus defodiens, which readily forms communal breeding associations andNicrophorus orbicollis, which rarely tolerates consexuals in the nest.Nicrophorus defodiens was subject to a high rate of nest failure on larger carcasses and consequently, is expected to achieve little reproductive benefit by excluding a rival during nest initiation.Nicrophorus orbicollis, on the other hand, was successful on a higher proportion of carcasses of all sizes and is predicted to gain substantial benefits by excluding a rival. These findings support the hypothesis that high rates of nest failure can promote the evolution of tolerance and incipient communality among unrelated adults, even in the absence of immediate reproductive gains.
Engineering multidomain ferroic samples

Abstract The existence of domains is essential in many practical applications of ferroics. Here we discuss devices in which a fixed spatial distribution of domains plays the significant role. Depending on the prevailing attributes of multidomain single crystals, three different possibilities can be distinguished. In domain-geometry-engineered samples the spatial distribution of domains is tuned to correspond to the K-vectors of fields propagating through the material. In domain-average-engineered samples the crystal is subdivided into a very large number of domains, representing a limited number of domain states. In domain-wall-engineered samples the characteristics of static walls can play an essential role in the averaged macroscopic properties. Examples illustrating these approaches are given.
Racial Differences in Treatment and Outcomes among Patients with Early Stage Bladder Cancer

BACKGROUND: Black patients are at greater of risk of death from bladder cancer than white patients. Potential explanations for this disparity include a more aggressive phenotype and delays in diagnosis resulting in higher stage disease. Alternatively, black patients may receive a lower quality of care, which may explain this difference. METHODS: Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data for the years from 1992 through 2002, the authors identified patients with early stage bladder cancer. Multivariate models were fitted to measure relations between race and mortality, adjusting for differences in patients and treatment intensity. Next, shared-frailty proportional hazards models were fitted to evaluate whether the disparity was explained by differences in the quality of care provided. RESULTS: Compared with white patients (n = 14,271), black patients (n = 342) were more likely to undergo restaging resection (12% vs 6.5%; P < .01) and urine cytologic evaluation (36.8% vs 29.7%; P < .01), yet they received fewer endoscopic evaluations (4 vs 5; P < .01). The use of aggressive therapies (cystectomy, systemic chemotherapy, radiation) was found to be similar among black patients and white patients (12% vs 10.2%, respectively; P = .31). Although black patients had a greater risk of death compared with white patients (hazards ratio [HR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.07-1.42), this risk was attenuated only modestly after adjusting for differences in treatment intensity and provider effects (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06-1.42). CONCLUSIONS: Although differences in initial treatment were evident, they did not appear to be systematic and had unclear clinical significance. Whereas black patients are at greater risk of death, this disparity did not appear to be caused by differences in the intensity or quality of care provided. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Conversations about Visual Arts: Facilitating Oral Language

Visual arts, such as drawings, are attractive to most young children. Marks left on paper by young children contain meaning. Although it is known that children’s oral language could be enhanced through communication with adults, rarely is there a series of dialogues between adults and young children about their drawings. Often heard instead are simple comments given by adults like “It is a neat picture!” “You did a great job painting!” Yet, dialogic communication between adults and young children could not only help facilitate children’s oral language, but also bring about many other merits. Regrettably, little literature addresses oral language facilitation about visual arts. This article describes the significance of facilitating children’s oral language via adults’ talking with young children about their visual arts based on Otto’s (Literacy development in early childhood: reflective teaching for birth to age eight, 3edn. Pearson Education Inc, Upper Saddle River, 2008) linguistic scaffolding strategies and Halliday’s (Language in a social perspective: explorations in the functions of language. Edward Arnold Model of Language Functions, London, 1973). Implications and suggestions for future research are given at the end of this paper.
Optically addressed multiband photodetector for infrared imaging applications

Multiband infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs) with small pixel pitch have increased device processing complexity since they often need more than two terminals per pixel for readouts. Simpler FPAs are enabled by our newly demonstrated optically-addressed two-terminal multiband photodetector architecture. For long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) and midwavelength infrared (MWIR) imaging applications, the use of quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP) has been investigated. The results show that the utilization of unipolar QWIPs with bipolar near infrared (NIR) devices is feasible with this new optical-addressing scheme. Potential device performance is analyzed with an equivalent AC circuit model. Proposed design maximizes fill factor and enables small pixel-pitch FPA with single indium-bump per pixel for NIR/MWIR/LWIR multiband detection capability.
Low frequency acoustic ground impedance measurement techniques

Abstract The low frequency (below 150 Hz) acoustic ground impedance was determined on a large uncultivated field using an impedance meter, the probe microphone method, a modified Biot-Stoll type calculation, and the phase gradient method. The impedance measured with the impedance meter has lower real and imaginary parts than the impedance determined from the probe microphone measurements. The modified Biot-Stoll type description of acoustic to seismic transfer based upon seismic and acoustic measurements gives an impedance which is consistent with probe microphone measurements. The impedance measured by the phase gradient method is largely consistent with the other measurements, but shows much more structure. This structure is believed to be caused by unwanted reflections during the measurement procedure rather than by actual structure in the ground impedance undetected by the other methods.
Characterization of Pt/SiO2 Model Catalysts at UHV and Near Atmospheric Pressures

Pt/SiO2 model catalyst samples, prepared under UHV conditions in a contiguous high pressure reactor cell surface analysis chamber, have been characterized via CO oxidation reaction kinetics under elevated pressure conditions (approaching 1 atm). Reaction kinetics are studied as a function of Pt coverage (θ Pt = 1–10 mL), along with measurements on a Pt(110) single crystal for direct comparison. CO desorption measurements and STM measurements on Pt/SiO2 films at T = 300 K have been obtained at various θ Pt. Kinetic results show agreement between observations on single crystal and catalyst samples, and general agreement and correlation is obtained for site calculations across the various methods. Results demonstrate the utility of well characterized model catalyst samples in obtaining qualitative and quantitative reactivity data at elevated pressures.
Ultrahigh Speed Photodetectors

Ultrahigh speed photodiodes with -3dB frequency roll-off in excess of 100 GHz or equivalently in the time domain an impulse response with a full width half maximum (FWHM) of 5.4 psec have been developed and characterzed. These 100 GHz photodiodes have a planar configuration fabricated on n on n+ GaAs expitaxial layers on semi-insulating GaAs substrates which together with proton bombardment, have kept parasitic capacitances to ≤15 femto farads. The planar structure photodiode also lends itself easily to monolighic integration with a MESFET. The device operates at a reverse bias of -4 volts.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
HIV-infected professionals, patient rights, and the 'switching dilemma'.

The ethical issues surrounding the Centers for Disease Control and American Medical Association guidelines for health professionals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus are examined and discussed. Although human immunodeficiency virus transmission risks during surgery are lower than many risks we routinely face, it is not irrational for a patient to want to switch from an infected professional to an uninfected one. The American Medical Association claim that physicians have a duty to avoid imposing any identifiable risks is implausible. Knowing the Centers for Disease Control estimate of risks gives us no way to decide whether the rights of patients or those of handicapped (infected) workers should be given priority. Granting priority to patient rights, either by giving patients the opportunity to know the risks they face and to switch to another provider, or by removing infected providers (compulsory switching), makes us all worse off. This gives us reason to reject these guidelines and emphasize other infection control measures. ( JAMA . 1992;267:1368-1371)
Computer simulation of cerebrovascular circulation: assessment of intracranial hemodynamics during induction of anesthesia.

Objective. The purpose of this project was to develop a computer model of cerebrovascular hemodynamics interacting with a pharmacokinetic drug model to examine the effects of various stimuli on cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure during anesthesia.Methods. The mathematical model of intracranial hemodynamics is a seven-compartment, constant-volume system. A series of resistances relate blood and cerebrospinal fluid fluxes to pressure gradients between compartments. Arterial, venous, and tissue compliance are also included. Autoregulation is modeled by transmural pressure-dependent, arterial-arteriolar resistance. The effect of a drug (thiopental) on cerebrovascular circulation was simulated by a variable arteriolar-capillary resistance. Thiopental concentration was predicted by a three-compartment, pharmacokinetic model. The effect site compartment was included to account for a disequilibrium between drug plasma and biophase concentrations. The model was validated by comparing simulation results with available experimental observations. The simulation program is written in VisSim® dynamic simulation language for an IBM-compatible PC.Results. The model developed was used to calculate the cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure changes that occur during the induction phase of general anesthesia. Responses to laryngoscopy and intubation were predicted for simulated patients with elevated intracranial pressure and non-autoregulated cerebral circulation. Simulation shows that the induction dose of thiopental reduces intracranial pressure up to 15%. The duration of this effect is limited to less than 3 minutes by rapid redistribution of thiopental and cerebral autoregulation. Subsequent laryngoscopy causes acute intracranial hypertension, exceeding the initial intracranial pressure. Further simulation predicts that this untoward effect can be minimized by an additional dose of thiopental administered immediately prior to intubation.Conclusion. The presented simulation allows comparison of varions drug administration schedules to control intracranial pressure and preserve cerebral blood flow during induction of anesthesia. The model developed can be extended to analyze more complex intraoperative events by adding new submodels.
On the Thermodynamics of Surface Transitions Close to the Bulk Critical Point

In the Ginzburg-Landau functional approximation, thermodynamics of phase transitions occuring at the surface of binary alloys, ferromagnets, and similar systems are analysed in detail, including finite bulk and surface thermodynamic fields. Equations describing the lines of the Nakanishi and Fisher surface transition diagram are derived. For all the lines and (multi-)critical points of the diagram, complete sets of thermodynamic critical exponents are obtained and scaling properties of the free energy surface excess, δfs, are examined in detail. The classical scaling of the bulk only holds at the critical prewetting lines. At the rest of the transitions, δfs is either a sum of two scaling functions with different exponents or includes a logarithmic singularity in addition to the leading one. This kind of scaling apparently represents some general properties of systems with surface-broken symmetry or in contact with a short-range substrate. [Russian Text Ignored]
Regulation of spike timing in visual cortical circuits

A train of action potentials (a spike train) can carry information in both the average firing rate and the pattern of spikes in the train. But can such a spike-pattern code be supported by cortical circuits? Neurons in vitro produce a spike pattern in response to the injection of a fluctuating current. However, cortical neurons in vivo are modulated by local oscillatory neuronal activity and by top-down inputs. In a cortical circuit, precise spike patterns thus reflect the interaction between internally generated activity and sensory information encoded by input spike trains. We review the evidence for precise and reliable spike timing in the cortex and discuss its computational role.
Quantum-mechanical vs. semi-classical spectral-line widths and shifts from the line core in the non-impact region for the Ar-perturbed/ K-radiator system

Abstract New quantum-mechanical (QM) and semi-classical (SC) shifts (d's) and widths (HWHM's, w's) were measured from the line core of computed full spectral-line shapes for the Ar-perturbed/K-radiator system (K/Ar). The initial state of our model was based on a 4p2P3/2,1/2 pseudo-potential for the K/Ar system, and the final state on a zero potential. The Fourier transform of the line shape formed the basis for the computations. Excellent agreement was found between the QM and SC values of d and of w in a high-pressure (P) non-impact region, which was characterized by a √P dependence of w and a P dependence of d. These agreements were shown to be another example of a correspondence between classical (SC) quantities and QM quantities in the limit of large quantum numbers. Typically at P=1×106 Torr and T=400 K, wQM=448 cm−1 and wSC=479 cm−1, where the deviation from the mean is ±3.3%. Also, dQM=−3815 cm−1 and dSC=−3716 cm−1, where the deviation from the mean is ±1.3%. A new general method was formulated which yielded a definite pressure P0, which was defined as an upper limit to the low-pressure impact approximation and a lower limit to the non-impact region.
Mathematical modeling of plane-strain bending of sheet and plate

Abstract Plane-strain (or straight-line) bending is a major sheet-forming operation. Precise prediction of springback is a key to designing bending dies, to controlling the process and the press, and to assessing the accuracy of part geometry. In this paper, a complete theory and reliable mathematical models for plane-strain sheet bending have been established to predict springback, bendability or the minimum bending ratio ( R/t ), strain and stress distributions, and the maximum loads on the punch and the die. The elastoplastic bending model incorporates the true (non-linear) strain distribution across the sheet thickness. Swift's strain-hardening law, Hill's (1979) non-quadratic yield criterion for normal and planar anisotropic materials, and the plane-strain deformation mode. A computer code called “BEND” has been developed to simulate the air bending and die bending processes with a U-die, a V-die, and a wiping-die. Simulation results were compared to experimental data, good agreement being observed. Air bending simulations show that the springback angle is proportional to the bending moment and the bent arc length between the punch and the die. The bending moment is greater for materials with higher strength, strain hardening and normal anisotropy, which increase the springback. For such materials, decreasing the bent arc length by reducing the die opening or die clearance is an effective way to reduce the springback. In air bending, springback can be compensated for by overbending through a deeper punch stroke and the necessary stroke can be preset in the press controller using the predicted curve of springback vs. stroke.
Extending the text: digital editions and the hypertextual paradigm

This paper explains some of the theoretical underpinnings informing the framework of the Virtual Humanities Lab [9] at Brown University. We argue that humanists can and should perform research collaboratively online, provided the availability of tools that suit their individual and collective needs. VHL's implementation of some such tools is extendable to treating a variety of primary sources. In its first year of development, VHL enables scholars to participate in the editing and annotation of a diverse typology of semantically encoded texts from Early Modern Italy.
Initial Condition Sensitivity of Western Pacific Extratropical Transitions Determined Using Ensemble-Based Sensitivity Analysis

Abstract An ensemble Kalman filter based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is used to generate ensemble analyses and forecasts for the extratropical transition (ET) events associated with Typhoons Tokage (2004) and Nabi (2005). Ensemble sensitivity analysis is then used to evaluate the relationship between forecast errors and initial condition errors at the onset of transition, and to objectively determine the observations having the largest impact on forecasts of these storms. Observations from rawinsondes, surface stations, aircraft, cloud winds, and cyclone best-track position are assimilated every 6 h for a period before, during, and after transition. Ensemble forecasts initialized at the onset of transition exhibit skill similar to the operational Global Forecast System (GFS) forecast and to a WRF forecast initialized from the GFS analysis. WRF ensemble forecasts of Tokage (Nabi) are characterized by relatively large (small) ensemble variance and greater (smaller) sensitivity to the...
"Physics first" and high school teachers.

A quote attributed to me in the Random Samples item “Flocking to physics” (9 Jan., p. 166) may have given the wrong impression. I was asked to comment on the recently released American Institute of Physics survey indicating that 61% of high school teachers surveyed rejected the “physics first” approach, in which physics is taught to high school students before chemistry and biology. In response to a question about what factors I thought might cause teachers to reject the “physics first” idea, I replied that pedagogical objections would certainly be one, but that inertia is always a problem when a major change is suggested. I certainly did not mean to give the impression that I believe that high school teachers are complacent or lazy, as the quote might seem to imply. To the contrary, I believe that high school teachers have one of the hardest jobs in our society. The teachers I met at a recent workshop on “physics first” were truly impressive in their dedication and willingness to try new ideas. The main point I tried to make, which was not reported, was that the survey is unfortunately already out of date because it is 3 to 4 years old. This is a long time in the relatively short history of the “physics first” movement. There are now several entire school districts (for example, San Diego) and some 300 individual schools that have adopted the sequence. I suspect that a new survey would show very different results.
Laboratory Investigations in Microprocessor-Based Variable Structure Control

This paper contains a description of four experiments which demonstrate the fundamental principles of variable structure control (VSC). Any or all of these investigations can be readily repeated in a senior/graduate level controls laboratory course which utilizes analog computers and microprocessors. A brief review of the theory of VSC is also enclosed.
A longitudinal study of depression in survivors of spinal cord injury.

Cohort study. The objective of this study is to assess depression over a 5-year period in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to assess risk factors for depression over time. Rehabilitation hospitals in the Southeast and Midwest. Participants included 801 adults with residual effects from a traumatic SCI averaging over 15 years post injury. Participants responded to two questionnaires, one in 2002 (Time1) and another in 2008 (Time 2). Probable major depression (PMD) was measured by the Older Adult Health and Mood Questionnaire. In all, 22.1% of participants had PMD at Time 1 and 20.2% at Time 2. There was a non-significant trend for change in PMD status (P=0.058). Of those who had PMD at Time 1, 55.7% had PMD at Time 2. Between the two time points, the most change occurred in the group with clinically significant symptomatology. Demographic factors (race–gender, age, time since injury) and health behaviors (pain medication use, hours out of bed, days out of the house, exercise) were significantly associated with PMD over time. Socioeconomic factors (income, education) were significantly related to depression but were not significant after controlling for behavioral factors. Depression is fairly consistent over time in persons with SCI, with the majority of change coming from those in the clinically significant symptomatology group. Examining depression at multiple time points, our results underscore the importance of health behaviors in relation to PMD, even after controlling for demographic, injury and environmental factors.
Determining feasible tool-approach directions for machining Be´zier curves and surfaces

Abstract To link CAD data, computer-aided process planning and computer-aided manufacturing directly, it is necessary to determine a direction from which a feature can be approached for machining without interference from other portions of the part. This direction is called the tool-approach direction. It is used for determining the feasibility of machining the part, determining the tool orientation and part fixturing. The problem of finding all feasible tool-approach directions for machining Bezier curves and surfaces by using CAD data is presented in the paper. The paper discusses 3-axes machining with a ball-end cutter to generate Bezier curves and Bezier surfaces. The algorithms are developed based on subdivision of the control polygon, and proofs to demonstrate the correctness of the algorithms are presented. Test results indicating performance of the algorithms are also discussed.
A matroid generalization of a result of Dirac

This paper generalizes a theorem of Dirac for graphs by proving that ifM is a 3-connected matroid, then, for all pairs {a,b} of distinct elements ofM and all cocircuitsC * ofM, there is a circuit that contains {a,b} and meetsC *. It is also shown that, although the converse of this result fails, the specified condition can be used to characterize 3-connected matroids.
One generation at a time

Controlled binding of atoms or molecules within a larger structure could offer new routes to drug delivery or nanoscale materials. Synthetic dendrimers can be tailored to bind ions in just such a regulated manner.
Energy density of acoustic waves in a plasma

The energy density of longitudinal waves in a homogeneous plasma is found from a general theory for sound waves in dispersive media. The energy relation of Lonngren is then interpreted as the acoustic version of the harmonic Poynting theorem in electromagnetism.
The interplay between microbiome dynamics and pathogen dynamics in a murine model of Clostridium difficile infection

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) arises in the setting of antibiotic administration where disruption of the normal indigenous gut microbiota leads to susceptibility to C. difficile colonization and colitis. Using a murine model of CDI, we demonstrate that changes in the community structure of the indigenous gut microbiota are associated with the loss of colonization resistance against C. difficile. Several antibiotic regimens were tested in combination for the ability to overcome colonization resistance, including a five antibiotic cocktail consisting of kanamycin, gentamicin, colistin, metronidazole, and vancomycin administered in drinking water for three days, a single intraperitoneal dose of clindamycin or 10 days of cefoperazone in drinking water. Following antibiotic treatment animals were challenged with 105 colony forming units of C. difficile strain VPI 10463 via oral gavage. Animals that received the antibiotic cocktail and clindamycin prior to C. difficile challenge followed one of two clinical courses, either becoming clinically ill and moribund within 2-4 days post challenge, or remaining clinically well. Animals that became clinically ill developed histologically severe colitis. These histopathologic findings were significantly less severe in animals that remained clinically well. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences retrieved from gut tissue at necropsy demonstrated that Proteobacteria dominated the gut microbiota in clinically ill animals. In contrast, the gut microbial community of clinically well animals more closely resembled untreated animals, which were dominated by members of the Firmicutes. All animals that received cefoperazone treatment prior to C. difficile challenge were clinically ill and moribund by 2-5 days post challenge in a dose dependent manner. The gut communities in these animals were dominated by C.difficile suggesting that cefoperazone treatment resulted in a greater loss in colonization resistance. Thus, the severity of colitis that arises in this system reflects the interplay between the expansion of C. difficile in the gut community and the ecologic dynamics of the indigenous microbial community as it recovers from antibiotic perturbation. We demonstrate that altering the balance of these two opposing processes alters clinical outcome and thus may lead to novel preventative and therapeutic approaches for CDI.
Appearance of Protein Tagged with Radioactive Iodine in Thoracic Duct Lymph

Conclusions1. The total lymph volume is not measurable, so that the exact amount of activated protein that is present in the body lymph, following intravenous injection of iodinated protein, cannot be calculated. However, it appears from this experiment that a negligible amount is present in the thoracic duct lymph 10 minutes after injection.2. During the first hour there is a rapid increase in the lymph content of radioactive protein followed by a more gradual rise.
Out-of-Order Parallel Discrete Event Simulation for Transaction Level Models

The validation of system models at the transaction-level typically relies on discrete event (DE) simulation. In order to reduce simulation time, parallel discrete event simulation (PDES) can be used by utilizing multiple cores available on today's host PCs. However, the total order of time imposed by regular DE simulators becomes a bottleneck that severely limits the benefits of parallel simulation. In this paper, we present a new out-of-order (OoO) PDES technique for simulating transaction-level models on multicore hosts. By localizing the simulation time to individual threads and carefully handling events at different times, a system model can be simulated following a partial order of time without loss of accuracy. Subject to advanced static analysis at compile time and table-based decisions at run time, threads can be issued early, reducing the idle time of available cores. Our proposed OoO PDES technique shows high performance gains in simulation speed with only a small increase in compile time. Using six embedded application examples, we also show the speed trade-off for multicore PDES based on different multithreading libraries.
Research and development of information retrieval models and their application (introduction)

Abstract In recent years there has been a rapid growth in interest about information retrieval as new storage, processing, and communication technologies emerge that will aid individuals to directly search for and utilize helpful data, information, and knowledge. Since conventional retrieval systems have numerous limitations it is important to consider work by leading researchers in developing new models and in extending and applying already proposed experimental models. Much of that work has been first presented at 1 of the 11 conferences sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Special Interest Group on Information Retrieval (SIGIR). This article summarizes and introduces a series of 11 articles that had their origins in papers presented at the Tenth Annual International ACM SIGIR Conference on Research & Development in Information Retrieval, June 3–5, 1987, New Orleans, Louisiana. Seven of those articles appear in this Special Issue; the remaining four and perhaps others derived from the 1987 conference papers will appear in subsequent issues of this journal. The articles and ideas introduced relate to: modeling data, information, and knowledge; Boolean logic; probability theory; artificial intelligence; organizing and encoding information and data; and characteristics of users of retrieval systems.
Attitudes of Adolescents and Adults toward Contemporary Issues

93 adolescents (Mago = 16.1 yr.) and 91 adults (Mago = 44.1 yr.) completed a 29-item questionnaire containing items pertaining to such contemporary issues as drug use, police and military authority and power, sexual behavior, and religion. Significant attitudinal differences between the generations obtained on 89.5% of the items. Insofar as attitudes toward these contemporary issues are concerned, it is concluded that evidence for a generation gap was found with this sample. The results are compared with those of other studies which have investigated the political-social attitudes of adolescents and are found to be discrepant.
Assailing the Seasons

The Flight from Science and Reason . PAUL R. GROSS, NORMAN LEVITT, and MARTIN W. LEWIS, Eds. xii, 593 pp. New York Academy of Sciences, New York, 1996; $95, ISBN 1-57331-002-6. Paperback edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, 1997; paper, $19.95, ISBN 0-8018-5676-0. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol. 775. From a conference, New York, May-June 1995.
The politics of psychiatric self-help: Political factions, interactional support, and group longevity in a social movement

Abstract This paper examines data from a national sample of 104 groups in the former mental patient self-help movement in terms of how differences in group longevity are related to patterns of interactional social support within the different political factions in the movement. Community organization theory, which explains self-help group longevity in terms of interactional support from external community organizations, would suggest that the oldest groups should be the most conservative groups. This contradicts the de facto existence of old radical groups. Mental patient movement activists claim that the oldest groups are the most radical groups that began the movement in the early 1970s. This ignores the existence of some equally old conservative groups and offers no explanation of group longevity. Data are presented that show the longevity of conservatively affiliated groups to be an artifact of their propensity toward external community interactional support and their lack of involvment in organizational interaction within the self-help movement. The data also show that the existence of some of the oldest groups in the movement within the most radical factions is associated with the perpetuation of radical, anti-psychiatric ideology within the movement. These groups are shown to be actively involved in radical social movement activities (organizational interaction) and to eschew involvement in the development of institutional interaction. Thus, these findings show that some self-help groups can and do find needed social systemic and moral support within the movement itself and do not require external official institutional support for their long-term survival. These data explain the bi-modal distribution of group longevity within the movement from the perspective of social movement theory in sociology. The data provide explicit empirical support for the notion that there is an inverse relationship between organizational activities and institutional activities, and that this factor intervenes between dimensions of political structure and ideology, on the one hand, and group longevity, on the other.
Estimating the total number of nucleotide substitutions since the common ancestor of a pair of homologous genes: Comparison of several methods and three beta hemoglobin messenger RNA's

The mRNA sequences of beta hemoglobin for human, mouse and rabbit were examined. Observations included the following: (1) there is a significant bias against the use of codons only one nucleotide different from terminating codons; (2) less than 4% of the codons end in adenine; (3), guanine is the most common third position nucleotide but it never follows a second position cytosine; (4) nearest neighbor (doublet) nucleotides are non-random with the greatest contributor to non-randomness being the third position suggesting that codon choice for a given amino acid rather than a choice among amino acids is the more important contributor; (5) the CG dinucleotide is even rarer in positions other than the first and second of the codon than it is in those two, suggesting that the need for arginine has in fact elevated the CG frequency in those positions; (6) 77 per cent of the nucleotides are unsubstituted among these three taxa, which could be a sampling effect, but there is strong evidence that about one-third of them are in fact unsubstitutable because of selective constrainsts; (7) the two longest stretches of unsubstituted nucleotides (32 and 35 consecutive nucleotides) surround the points of the two non-coding insertion sequences; (8) over half the substitutions occur in the third nucleotide position of the codons; (9) silent (non-amino acid changing) substitutions occur at about four times the rate of non-silent substitutions on the basis of their relative opportunity to occur; (10) silent substitutions occur slightly but significantly more often in codons that also have non-silent substitutions than independence of the two events would predict; (11) substitutions occur in adjacent nucleotides significantly more often than chance would predict; (12) among four-fold degenerate codons, third position transitions (principally cytosine-uracil interchanges) outnumber transversions by two to one although the reverse ratio would be expected.
The influence of first-list organization upon second-list free-recall learning

Two studies investigated the influence of prior experience with free-recall learning upon subsequent learning of another list. In Experiment I first lists contained elements from the same conceptual categories as those in the final lists; but individual elements were always different. The first lists varied in the degree to which their organization was comparable to the organization in the final list. The results supported the notion that first which lead to memorial organization similar to that appropriate for second-list learning enhance final-list learning. The hypothesis that enhanced final-list recall was due to the S s' use of rules of organization which are independent of the exact words and categories in the two lists was not supported in Experiment II.
The iras view of the extragalactic sky

The IR-observable characteristics of the extragalactic sky are reviewed, summarizing the results of recent studies based on the IRAS survey, which covers over 96 percent of the sky to about 500 mJy at 12, 25, and 60 microns and to about 1.5 Jy at 100 microns. The numerical and morphological data are described; possible mechanisms for the IR emission are discussed; and the object classes are considered separately. Consideration is given to spiral and disk galaxies, barred and ring galaxies, irregular and dwarf galaxies, blue compact galaxies, elliptical and S0 galaxies, AGN observations (BL Lacs and OVV quasars, Seyfert galaxies, and quasars), highly luminous IR galaxies, and the cosmological implications of the IRAS findings. Diagrams, graphs, and tables are provided.
Antiidiotypic antibodies as probes for the Sindbis virus receptor

Rabbit polyclonal antiidiotypic antibodies were made to mouse monoclonal antibodies that neutralize the infectivity of Sindbis virus. One of the antiidiotypic antisera obtained has properties characteristic of an antireceptor antiserum. It binds to the surface of chicken cells as shown by immunofluorescence and partially blocks virus binding to these cells as determined by binding of radiolabeled virus or by a plaque reduction assay. It also immunoprecipitates a protein with a molecular weight of 63,000 from chicken cells. From the fact that the antiserum will only partially block virus uptake, and that it does not block uptake of a variant of Sindbis virus resistant to the monoclonal antibody used to produce the antiidiotypic antiserum, we propose that at least two distinguishable receptors can be used by Sindbis virus to enter chicken cells. Furthermore, the receptors used by Sindbis to enter BHK cells appear to be different from those on chicken cells, at least in part, in that the antiidiotypic antiserum does not recognize the BHK counterpart of the chicken cell receptor. We suggest that the alphaviruses use a number of distinguishable receptors which differ depending on the host and the tissue. In chicken cells the 63,000 molecular weight protein may be one of them. The diversity of such multiple receptors could account for the very wide host range of the alphaviruses, which infect mosquitoes, birds, and mammals.
Family (re)organization in the context of Alzheimer's Disease in the elderly: an exploratory and descriptive study

Aims: To understand (re)organization of the family of elderly patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease from the perspective of complexity; to know the perceptions of teachers of health courses that relate to a project to support families/caregivers of Alzheimer patients about the need for family (re)organization; to identify/delineate care strategies that can contribute to the process of family (re)adjustment in coping with the disease. Method: This is an exploratory and descriptive study that uses a qualitative approach. Results: We identify some difficulties, such as unwillingness to accept the disease and the confrontation with the unknown. Among the possibilities, we highlight the discovery of new meanings. Teachers consider Alzheimers as a unique and multidimensional disease, and they suggest strategies such as the interconnection between support networks to assist in family (re)organization and care for the elderly. Conclusion: The disorientation experienced as a result of Alzheimer's disease is generated by, and is a generator of, continuous family (re)organization.
Theoretical analysis of evaporative losses from impactor and filter deposits

Abstract The pressure drop in aerosol samplers can lead to evaporation of the collected particles. A theoretical analysis for the evaporative losses from both impactor and filter deposits is developed. Quantitative expressions for the losses are expressed in terms of three dimensionless parameters: dimensionless pressure drop, ratio of the equilibrium vapor density of the aerosol species to its mass concentration, and dimensionless sampling time. In typical atmospheric aerosol sampling, the first two parameters are the dominant factors affecting evaporative loss rates. The results that are presented account for evaporative losses of pure, single component aerosols that are saturated at the inlet of the samplers. The analysis shows that evaporative losses will typically be substantial (10% or more) when the vapor-to-particle mass ratios of the aerosol are larger than about 1.0. It follows that for species present at mass concentrations of 10 μg m −3 , evaporative losses will be substantial when vapor pressures exceed about 10 −9 atm. The analysis also suggests that evaporative losses from single-stage impactor samplers may be less than from typical filter media. It follows that impactors may offer some advantages over filters for sampling volatile aerosol species.
Average case complete problems

Many interesting combinatorial problems were found to be NP-complete. Since there is little hope to solve them fast in the worst case, researchers look for algorithms which are fast just “on average,” This matter is sensitive to the choice of a particular NP-complete problem and a probability distribution of its instances. Some of these tasks are easy and some not. But one needs a way to distinguish the “difficult on average” problems. Such negative results could not only save “positive” efforts but may also be used in areas (like cryptography) where hardness of some problems is a frequent assumption. It is shown in [1] that the Tiling problem with uniform distribution of instances has no polynominal “on average” algorithm, unless every NP-problem with every simple probability distribution has it.
Cell Trafficking of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Tumor Progression

Blood vessel formation plays an essential role in many physiologic and pathologic processes, including normal tissue growth and healing, as well as tumor progression. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are a subtype of stem cells with high proliferative potential that are capable of differentiating into mature endothelial cells, thus contributing to neovascularization in tumors. In response to tumor-secreted cytokines, EPCs mobilize from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood, home to the tumor site, and differentiate to mature endothelial cells and secrete proangiogenic factors to facilitate vascularization of tumors. In this review, we summarize the expression of surface markers, cytokines, receptors, adhesion molecules, proteases, and cell signaling mechanisms involved in the different steps (mobilization, homing, and differentiation) of EPC trafficking from the bone marrow to the tumor site. Understanding the biologic mechanisms of EPC cell trafficking opens a window for new therapeutic targets in cancer.
Re-engineering legal opportunity structures in the European Union? The Starting Line Group and the Politics of the Racial Equality Directive

Using the Racial Equality Directive to test competing explanations concerning the types of actors who seek to liberalize legal opportunity structures, we find that it was pursued by a coalition of societal interests working through European Union institutions that sought reforms intended to facilitate strategic litigation.
Development of an Internet/Population-Based Weight Management Program for the U.S. Army

A significant number of Army soldiers are sufficiently overweight to exceed the maximum weight allowances defined by the Army weight control program (AR600-9). Also, the body weights of a substantial number of soldiers approach the maximum weight allowances. These soldiers should not gain additional weight if they are to meet Army weight allowances. The conventional approach to this overweight problem is assigning soldiers to remedial physical training and mandatory referral for nutrition counseling by a health care provider. An alternative to this conventional approach is to target the entire population of soldiers (population-based intervention) to promote weight loss in overweight soldiers and weight gain prevention in soldiers who are approaching overweight status. To accomplish this objective, the Healthy Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle Training Headquarters (H.E.A.L.T.H.) program was developed. This article describes the rationale for developing the program, the components of the program, and the utilization promotion strategies of the program. The H.E.A.L.T.H. program includes two primary components: (1) a Web site tailored to the standards established in Field Manual 21-20, Physical Fitness Training, Army physical fitness test, and AR600-9, the army weight control program, and (2) a health promotion program designed to promote awareness of the H.E.A.L.T.H. Web site and to facilitate use of the Web site by soldiers and their family members. The Web site is equipped with personalized planning tools and progress tracking over time related to fitness, caloric intake, and lifestyle behavior change goals. The health promotion program includes media advertisements and “ground roots” efforts to facilitate use by soldiers.
Fatigue in children with neurologic impairments.

Chronic fatigue is an underdiagnosed condition in children, particularly those with neuromuscular illnesses. The mechanism and treatment of chronic fatigue in this special population may differ from those of the adult population. More research is necessary to fully understand and best address the role of this problem in children with special health care needs.
Simultaneous Multicolumn Operation of the UV-Analyzer for Body Fluids

At the current state of development, high-resolution liquid chromatographs for analyses of complex physiologic fluids require relatively long analysis times and consequently the rate at which analyses can be done is limited. This rate can be increased by decreasing the analysis time or by use of multiple columns to process several samples in unison. An automated multicolumn high-resolution chromatograph for separating ultraviolet-absorbing molecular constituents of body fluids is being developed. The sample-handling capacity was increased several-fold with minimum added cost by using many of the components of the single-column analyzer. Results from routine use of a UV-Analyzer with two columns in parallel show that parallel operation is not only feasible but highly advantageous. The design of a high-pressure, multiple-column, sample injection valve for simultaneous injection of samples on different columns is discussed.