cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Language skills and earnings: Evidence from a pre-industrial economy in the Bolivian Amazon

Abstract Among linguistic minorities of industrial nations proficiency speaking the dominant national language increases earnings and wages, but do similar results apply to autarkic linguistic minorities of developing nations? We contribute to studies of the returns to language skills by applying the human-capital approach to a society of hunters, gatherers, and farmers in the Bolivian Amazon (Tsimane’). We use a panel consisting of five consecutive quarters to: (a) estimate the returns to language skills while controlling for schooling, math and writing skills, and other confounders and (b) explore the paths through which language skills might affect earnings. Fluent speakers of Spanish and the local language earned 36.9–46.9% more than monolingual speakers of the local language. Moderate fluency in Spanish bore no strong association with earnings. Spanish-Tsimane’ bilingualism bore a positive association with earnings partly because bilingualism bore a positive association with credit access, use of modern production technologies, and labor productivity.
New records of Eleocharis obtusetrigona (Cyperaceae) from Central and South America

New geographic records ofEleocharis obtusetrigona from the Galapagos islands, Guatemala, and El Salvador are reported. A description and illustration ofE. obtusetrigona are provided, along with a key to separate it from other Central and South American species ofEleocharis subg.Limnochloa with which it has been frequently confused.
Starvation and Its Effect on Semen Quality

Abstract THE practice of force molting hens has been studied over a long period of time and under various molting programs. Most of these programs employed some form of starvation. A review of the literature does not indicate that force molting procedures have been tried with the male. The object of these trials was to determine the effect of starvation on semen production, sperm quality, and feather molt. METHODS AND PROCEDURE In the first of two trials, three groups of White Plymouth Rock males, 3, 2, and 1 year of age, were maintained in single bird cages (61 × 61 × 61 cm.) in a house with natural daylight. A randomized complete block design, with families (usually full sibs) as blocks, was used with the control and force molt treatments assigned at random to each age group within a family. A total of 10 families was used. At the beginning of…
Single-unit chronic recordings from the sensorimotor cortex of unrestrained cats during locomotion.

Abstract The discharge patterns of pyramidal tract or nonpyramidal tract sensorimotor cortical neurons were investigated during stepping behavior of cats. Chronic intracortical microelectrodes, which allowed long-term recording from fully unrestrained, conscious animals were utilized. With these electrodes neural activity was studied for as long as a month from the same cat, and individual cells were held for more than 1 day. The units were classified according to their response both to pyramidal tract stimulation and cutaneous articular or deep pressure stimulation. Most of the units were activated contralaterally by only one type of adequate stimulus. A low degree of sensory convergence in the sensorimotor cortex of normal-behaving, chronically implanted cats was found. In addition, cells with different sensory inputs displayed discharge patterns related to the different phases of the step cycle.
Frequency Transformer: Appropriate and Different Models for a Building-up and Collapsing Magnetoplasma Medium

The interaction of an electromagnetic wave with a time varying medium is governed by the property of conservation of the wavenumber. This property can be utilized to construct a frequency transformer. The time variation in the relative permittivity of the medium is easily produced in a magnetoplasma medium by altering the ionization level. The change of the ionization level can be produced by the dynamic control of the source of ionization. The switching-on action of the source produces a build-up plasma, whereas a switching-off action produces a decaying plasma. Simple mathematical models, however, for the two cases are different. In the case of building-up plasma, the model has to ensure the continuity of the current density and in the case of decaying plasma, the average drift velocity of the surviving electrons has to be continuous. Using these two appropriate models, the effect of the time variation of the plasma frequency as well as the background magnetic field of the magnetoplasma medium are studied. Switching off the external magnetic field for the wave in the magnetoplasma medium converts a whistler wave to a wiggler magnetic field. Similar results are obtained with an intensification of the source wave as well as frequency upshift of the whistler wave for the collapsing plasma medium. By controlling the static magnetic field parameters and the level of ionization, the frequency shift ratio can be changed and the frequency transformer becomes tunable. The principle of frequency up-shifting using plasma permits the generation of signals from easily obtainable frequency bands and upshifts them into frequency bands not easily obtainable by other methods.
The influence of a3-year rotation and fertilizer treatments on the organic carbon of soils

The effects of a 3-year rotation and fertilizer treatments on the organic carbon of soils have been presented. The rotations consisted of potatoes, oats and clover. Basic fertilizer treatment was a one-ton per acre application of 4-8-7. Ohter treatments included variations in amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and lime applied.
Numerical studies on the electron impact ionisation of hydrogen near threshold

Electron impact ionisation of atomic hydrogen is calculated in the energy range 13.6-27 eV by numerically following the time evolution of a wavepacket. All dynamical degrees of freedom are included and total angular momenta L<or=2 have been considered. Plots of differential probability against ejection energy and the angle theta between the outgoing electrons reveal a strong influence of the interelectronic repulsion. Although angles theta approximately 180 degrees are favoured, another more isotropic mechanism can be distinguished. The slope of the total cross section near threshold has been extracted and found to agree with experiment.
Design and Evaluation of Statically Balanced Compliant Mechanisms for Haptic Interfaces

Compliant mechanisms have the potential to increase the performance of haptic interfaces by reducing the friction and inertia felt by the user. The net result is that the user feels the dynamic forces of the virtual environment, without feeling the dynamics of the haptic interface. This “transparency” typically comes at a cost — compliant mechanisms exhibit a return-to-zero behavior that must be compensated in software. This paper presents a step toward improving the situation by using statically balanced compliant mechanisms (SBCMs), which are compliant devices that do not exhibit the return-to-zero behavior typical with most compliant mechanisms. The design and construction of a prototype haptic device based on SBCMs is presented, along with its mathematical model derived using the pseudo-rigid body model (PRBM) approach. Experimental results indicate that SBCMs effectively eliminate the return-to-zero behavior and are a feasible design element in haptic interfaces.© 2010 ASME
Grignard reagent formation

It is likely that reactions of magnesium metal with organic halides RX in ether solvents are typical metallic corrosions in which the stabilization of Mg2+, substantially through its coordination by the solvent, drives its loss from the metal and consequently the reductions of RX and reaction intermediates such as R at the metal surface. Although alkyl halides form Grignard reagents through non-chain mechanisms in which intermediate radicals diffuse in solution, very small amounts of radical isomerization occur in Grignard reactions of certain vinyl and aryl halides, even when intermediate radicals R would isomerize very rapidly. This suggests a dominant non-radical mechanism for these vinyl and aryl halides or a mechanism in which intermediate radicals R have extremely short lifetimes. Since the former seems more likely, a dianion mechanism, through a transition state [RX2−]‡, is proposed. Surface studies of polycrystalline Mg show that the “oxide” layer is mostly Mg(OH)2 and that it is mechanically passivating. In the absence of promoters, Grignard reactions occur very slowly until enough RX has seeped to the magnesium surface and reacted there to undercut and cause the Mg(OH)2 layer to flake off.
Crack detection of a full-scale reinforced concrete girder with a distributed cable sensor

A new concept of designing cable sensors for health monitoring of large-scale civil infrastructure has recently been proposed by the present authors. The concept was developed based on the change in topology of the outer conductor of a coaxial cable sensor. One such sensor was fabricated with its outer conductor tightly wrapped with a commercial tin-plated steel spiral that was covered with solder. It was mounted near the surface of a 15 m long reinforced concrete (RC) girder with a 762 mm square hollow cross section and 152 mm thick walls. The girder was tested under a progressively increasing cyclic torsion creating 45° inclined cracks around and along the girder. The main objectives of this study were to implement the distributed cable sensor technology in large-scale reinforced concrete structures, to understand the performance of a sensor under cyclic loading for detecting and locating cracks, and, finally, to address implementation issues such as signal loss, non-uniformity in sensor construction, and recoverability.
Miniature microwave plasma torch applicator and its characteristics

Summary form only given. A compact microwave plasma torch has been designed and experimentally evaluated. The torch is designed to be light weight and to operate at atmospheric pressure with a torch discharge size of less than 1 mm in diameter. The potential applications of the torch are for materials synthesis, material cutting and welding, and various surface treatments. This torch employs an open ended coaxial structure of 12 mm outer diameter with the discharge located at the tip of the center conductor that is 5 mm in diameter. The discharge is formed at atmospheric pressure where the feed gas flows through a nozzle hole of 200-500 /spl mu/m in diameter located at the end of the center conductor of the applicator. The microwave plasma torch is experimentally evaluated over a range of input power and a variety of feed gas mixtures including argon, mixtures of argon with hydrogen and selected hydrocarbon gases, nitrogen, and air. This torch operates from 10's to 100's of watts of 2.45 GHz input microwave power and is able to maintain discharges over a wide range of flows from diffusional flow of radicals for gentle surface processing to high velocity flow approaching supersonic velocities. Diagnostic measurements performed include (1) gas temperature measured by optical emission spectroscopy (OES), (2) discharge power densities and, (3) discharge volume and size. These measurements are done versus absorbed microwave power and gas flow rate. The discharge size for absorbed microwave powers of 10-30 watts is about 0.7 mm in diameter and 2-4 mm long for a nozzle diameter of 0.4 mm. By using spatially resolved OES measurements, the temperature profile of the discharge is determined.
On the importance of circumlocution in the Spanish language classroom

Arteaga and Llorente (2009) argue for the importance of addressing lexical regional variety in the Spanish language classroom. They advocate teaching students a dialectally neutral term that will be understood across dialectal zones. One problem with this approach, however, is the difficulty of identifying words that have the most currency among dialects. This paper argues for supplementing the use of neutral terms by the skill of circumlocution, which has been argued to be a valuable skill for second language learners in general (Rubin, 1975, Oxford and Nyikos, 1989, Schweers, 1999), although it must be taught explicitly. Model exercises that foster the use of circumlocution, while also emphasizing neutral terms, are given. This combination will allow students to communicate effectively with speakers of a wide variety of dialects.
Translational Regulation of Gene Expression by ω-3 Fatty Acids

The incidence of some cancers shows dramatic variations around the world that cannot be explained by ethnic or racial differences. Observational studies point to a negative correlation between consumption of fish and incidence of breast and prostate cancer. In vitro and animal model studies indicate that (omega-3) PUFAs present at high concentrations in marine animals inhibit proliferation of cancer cells and growth of tumors. However, how these fatty acids inhibit cell proliferation and tumor growth is a matter of considerable debate. In this review we summarize our recent work indicating that Ca(++) depletion mediated phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF2 and subsequent inhibition of translation initiation account for the anti-cancer activity of (omega-3) PUFAs.
China/USA nanotechnology research output comparison—2011 update

Abstract This Research Note updates our 2006 and 2009 China/USA nanotechnology and nanoscience (NN) research output comparisons. A 2009 comparison of China/USA research publication outputs showed that China is about to overtake the USA in NN research output. As predicted by the extrapolated 2009 curve, China has passed USA in NN research publication output. This transition occurred in the 2008/2009 time frame, and if the 2011 results (taken at mid-2011) hold for the full year, will become quite pronounced (~ 20%). When specific sub-disciplines are examined, the differences between China and USA become more pronounced. For example, the 2009 paper presented the time trend for China/USA publications in nanocomposites, an important sub-discipline of NN. The updated nanocomposites curve has increased about twice the rate of the overall NN curve, and shows no sign of abating. The USA papers lead in the numbers of citations by all metrics considered, but the Chinese papers are showing significant improvement with time. Overall, the Chinese papers are cited very modestly, but there is a core of 'heavy hitters' that appears to be increasing substantially with time, and is increasingly making its presence known in the higher Impact Factor journals.
Low Temperature Epitaxy of Si on Dihydride-Terminated Si (001): Energetic Versus Thermal Growth

Pulsed laser deposition of Si on dihydride-terminated (l×1) Si (001) at low temperatures yields epitaxial layers, unlike molecular beam epitaxy. Si films were grown by ultrahigh vacuum pulsed laser deposition on the dihydride surface at substrate temperatures from 40 °C to 350 ° C. Epitaxial thickness and interface roughness were measured by high-resolution cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and found to be comparable to known data for Si films grown by molecular beam epitaxy on monohydride-terminated (2×l) Si (001). Si films were grown at 200 °C by pulsed laser deposition on the dihydride surface at argon background pressures between 10− torr and 10−1 torr. Ion probe time of flight data was collected over the same pressure range. Comparison of the results suggests that loss of epitaxy is correlated with low incident energy. This, in conjunction with information on surface reconstruction obtained from reflection high-energy electron diffraction, suggests that the mechanism enabling epitaxy on the dihydride surface is Si subplantation, a mechanism only possible in growth with an energetic beam.
Party Responsiveness to the Collective Judgment of the Electorate The Case of Presidential Popularity in Latin America

Studies on retrospective voting argue that voters under presidentialism tend to assign co-responsibility for the president’s performance to her party in congressional elections. However, it is not uncommon for presidential parties to distance themselves from an unpopular president or for opposition parties to cooperate with a popular president. In doing so, parties can signal to voters that they side with a popular (or against an unpopular) president. Yet little is known about whether this strategic behavior has electoral payoffs. This study proposes a popularity-response model, where parties’ electoral outcomes are a product of how they respond to public opinion on the president. I hypothesize that parties defecting from an unpopular president (or cooperating with a popular president) minimize electoral losses and obtain a further electoral boost. Analysis using an original dataset coding issue congruence between presidents and parties prior to 35 elections in 18 Latin American countries supports this claim.
Attempts to enhance the differential coefficients method for reconstruction of transient emissions from heavy duty vehicles

AbstractEngine tailpipe emissions as measured by a sampling system and analyser do not clearly reflect the actual transient emissions from the engine at the tailpipe of the vehicle exhaust. With increasing demand for accurate emissions measurements, several research efforts are being made to compensate for the measurement distortions of the analyser system. The differential coefficients method is one such approach which reconstructs the input signal by approximating the analyser input as a linear combination of the output and the first two derivatives of the output. While the results with this approach were found to be acceptable, this paper focuses on the possibilities of improving the accuracy of the reconstruction by altering the ways in which the numerical derivatives are computed and by considering higher order derivatives in the linear combination. It was found that the use of backward differences in computing the numerical derivatives proved more effective than forward differences. Using higher ord...
Improved Feedback Loop for Adaptive Arrays

This paper is concerned with the problem of time constants in adaptive arrays. The paper presents a improved form of an adaptive array feedback loop, which has the property that its time constants are fixed. This property is an advantage over the well-known least mean square (LMS) loop, for which time constants depend on received signal power. Fixed time constants are of interest because they simplify dynamic range problems for adaptive arrays in communication and radar systems.
Natural transformation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae : from DNA donation to homologous recombination

Gonococci undergo frequent and efficient natural transformation. Transformation occurs so often that the population structure is panmictic, with only one long-lived clone having been identified. This high degree of genetic exchange is likely necessary to generate antigenic diversity and allow the persistence of gonococcal infection within the human population. In addition to spreading different alleles of genes for surface markers and allowing avoidance of the immune response, transformation facilitates the spread of antibiotic resistance markers, a continuing problem for treatment of gonococcal infections. Transforming DNA is donated by neighbouring gonococci by two different mechanisms: autolysis or type IV secretion. All types of DNA are bound non-specifically to the cell surface. However, for DNA uptake, Neisseria gonorrhoeae recognizes only DNA containing a 10-base sequence (GCCGTCTGAA) present frequently in the chromosome of neisserial species. Type IV pilus components and several pilus-associated proteins are necessary for gonococcal DNA uptake. Incoming DNA is subject to restriction, making establishment of replicating plasmids difficult but not greatly affecting chromosomal transformation. Processing and integration of transforming DNA into the chromosome involves enzymes required for homologous recombination. Recent research on DNA donation mechanisms and extensive work on type IV pilus biogenesis and recombination proteins have greatly improved our understanding of natural transformation in N. gonorrhoeae. The completion of the gonococcal genome sequence has facilitated the identification of additional transformation genes and provides insight into previous investigations of gonococcal transformation. Here we review these recent developments and address the implications of natural transformation in the evolution and pathogenesis N. gonorrhoeae.
Analysis of a Spanish Translation of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test

An experiment was undertaken in which Spanish translations of the English forms of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test were compared. 37 Spanish-speaking children scored significantly higher on the English version. Significant interactions of trial × form and trial × language were found. The author concludes that this local Spanish version of the Peabody is an inappropriate instrument for use with bilingual children. Full standardization is required.
On supervisory policies that enforce liveness in a class of completely controlled Petri nets obtained via refinement

The authors consider Petri nets (PNs), where each transition can be prevented from firing by an external agent, the supervisor. A PN is said to be live if it is possible to fire any transition from every reachable marking, although not necessarily immediately. The procedure proposed previously by the author (1996) involves the construction of the coverability graph, which can be computationally expensive. Using the refinement/abstraction procedure of Suzuki and Murata (1983), where a single transition in a abstracted PN N is replaced by a PN N/spl circ/ to yield a larger refined PN N/spl circ/, we show that when N/spl circ/ belongs to a class of marked-graph PNs, there is a supervisory policy that enforces liveness in the refined PN N/spl circ/ if and only if there is a similar policy for the abstracted PN N. Since the coverability graph of the PN N is smaller than that of the PN N/spl circ/, it is possible to achieve significant computational savings by using the process of abstraction on N/spl circ/. This is illustrated by example.
Prosthetic joint infection due to Salmonella species: a case series

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) due to Salmonella is rare. Numerous outbreaks of Salmonella have been reported throughout the United States in the last decade. We reviewed and analyzed cases of Salmonella PJI seen at our institution. The medical records of all patients diagnosed with a Salmonella PJI between 1969–2013 were reviewed. Patients were followed till death, treatment failure or loss to follow-up. Six patients of Salmonella PJI were identified during the 44 year study period. Five were male; median age was 63.5 years (range 52–76). Five patients were immunodeficient. Five had a total hip arthroplasty infection, while one had a total knee arthroplasty infection. Median prosthesis age at the time of diagnosis of first episode of Salmonella PJI was 5 years (range 4 months-9 years). Four presented with fever and constitutional signs within two weeks of symptom onset. Two patients each had gastrointestinal symptoms and Salmonella bacteremia. Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis was the most common organism isolated (4 patients). None were Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. Initial management included aspiration and antimicrobial therapy only (3), debridement and component retention (1) and two-staged exchange (2). All four patients treated without resection failed treatment a median of 2.5 months (range 2–11) after diagnosis and required resection arthroplasty. All six patients who underwent prosthesis removal (and exchange or arthrodesis) had successful outcome with a median duration of follow-up of 11 years (range 4–21). Three of these received oral antimicrobial therapy for a median duration eight weeks (range 4–8) and three received parenteral antimicrobial therapy for a median duration of six weeks (range 4–6). The increase in Salmonella outbreaks does not seem to lead to increased Salmonella PJI. PJIs due to Salmonella remain rare, and the presentation is often acute with fever. It frequently occurs in immunocompromised patients. In our patient population, removal of prosthesis with or without reimplantation, along with 4–6 weeks of effective parenteral antimicrobial therapy was most often associated with successful eradication of infection.
Evidence that calcineurin is required for the genesis of bone-resorbing osteoclasts

Here, we demonstrate that the Ca2+/calmodulin-sensitive phosphatase calcineurin is a necessary downstream mediator for osteoclast differentiation. Using quantitative PCR, we detected the calcineuri...
Reply to: Differences in the Success of NFL Coaches by Race: A Different Perspective

Malone, Couch, and Barrett argue that a broader analysis of fired coaches, including adding in partial season fires, considering a wider range of causes of firing, and analyzing rehiring makes the results reported by Madden ‘‘disappear.’’ We show that Malone et al. have analyzed inaccurate data. When the data used by Malone et al. are corrected and their speculations tested empirically, Madden’s conclusion that analyses of all employment decisions involving head coaches between 1990 and 2002 are consistent with discrimination against African Americans is supported.
Development of a Molecular Assay for Rapid Screening of Chemopreventive Compounds Targeting Nrf2

Emerging molecular studies have shown that the transcription factor NF-E2-related factor (Nrf2) plays an essential role in cancer chemoprevention. Here, we report the development of a molecular biosensor for rapid detection of antioxidant-responsive element (ARE)-bound Nrf2 protein. The development will provide a molecular assay for high-throughput screening of chemopreventive compounds. Specifically, a double-stranded DNA probe is designed based on the ARE sequence. One of the DNA strands is labeled with a fluorophore on the 5′ end and the complementary strand is labeled with a quencher on the 3′ end. A single-stranded DNA competitor is also designed. The existence of the Nrf2 stabilizes the fluorescent probes and delays the competitor from separating the fluorophore-quencher complex. Therefore, the concentration of the Nrf2 proteins can be measured quantitatively based on the fluorescence intensity. The molecular binding scheme was demonstrated using purified p50 and the detection of endogenous Nrf2 was...
Seasonal patterns of tropical forest leaf area index and CO2 exchange

[1] We used in situ and satellite measurements to investigate the seasonal patterns of leaf area index (LAI) and gross ecosystem CO2 exchange (GEE) by an evergreen tropical forest. The forest experienced a dry season from June through November. The rates of light-saturated CO2 uptake (GEE) were comparatively high from December through March and low from May through July. In situ measurements showed that LAI varied seasonally, with a minimum from May through September. Leaf production and leaf abscission were reduced from December through April. Leaf abscission increased in May, which reduced LAI. High rates of leaf abscission and production occurred from July through September associated with leaf turnover. Leaf abscission decreased abruptly in October, while production continued, which rapidly increased LAI. Leaf phenology was not directly correlated with changes in soil water. The seasonal cycle of in situ LAI differed markedly from the seasonal cycles of in situ normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) MOD15 LAI product. We hypothesize that the NDVI and MOD15 seasonality at the site is driven partly by seasonal changes in leaf age and leaf reflectance. We developed three simple models to investigate the causes of GEE seasonality. The first two models showed that the seasonal changes in LAI alone, and the effects of leaf age on leaf-level photosynthesis alone, could not account for the observed GEE seasonality. The third model showed that the combined effect of seasonal changes in LAI and seasonal changes in leaf age and leaf photosynthesis was sufficient to account for the observed GEE seasonality.
Behind the Discovery of ''Nissenbaum's Fixative''

The author describes the serendipitous discovery, conception, development, and history of Nissenbaum's Fixative while an undergraduate biology major in the early 1950s. The subsequent uses, applications, and modifications over the past forty-seven years are also described. Some of the modifications omitted from his short original paper are mentioned. Highlights of his subsequent career in the field of medicine are noted.
Biochemical Studies of Mycobacterial Fatty Acid Methyltransferase: A Catalyst for the Enzymatic Production of Biodiesel

Transesterification of fatty acids yields the essential component of biodiesel, but current processes are cost-prohibitive and generate waste. Recent efforts make use of biocatalysts that are effective in diverting products from primary metabolism to yield fatty acid methyl esters in bacteria. These biotransformations require the fatty acid O-methyltransferase (FAMT) from Mycobacterium marinum (MmFAMT). Although this activity was first reported in the literature in 1970, the FAMTs have yet to be biochemically characterized. Here, we describe several crystal structures of MmFAMT, which highlight an unexpected structural conservation with methyltransferases that are involved in plant natural product metabolism. The determinants for ligand recognition are analyzed by kinetic analysis of structure-based active-site variants. These studies reveal how an architectural fold employed in plant natural product biosynthesis is used in bacterial fatty acid O-methylation.
“WE ARE THE WORLD”: THE FLIGHT FROM IMPOTENCE IN THE SOCIETY OF THE SPECTACLE

Punctuating a recent music video we see, in his white glove and gold jacket, before his infamous face-whitening surgeries, the Michael Jackson of old. This video, for the song “We are the World 25,” is introduced, directly into camera, by a sincere Jamie Foxx, who implores viewers to give generously to help the recovery effort in Haiti. “Do more than just watch,”he says. “Take action.” Then, before the expected images of Haitians, and even before the singing celebrities themselves, we see a host of signatures unfolding on a black background.From the beginning, then, this video walks a very thin line: clearly banking on the reputations of singers who have made their careers as spectacles, as images, the video goes to some lengths to claim an authentic, and even superior, political position. “Give what you can,”Jamie Foxx says, “as I have.”The video’s repeated use of the image of Michael Jackson signifies this tenuous, if not contradictory, position. Who, after all, is more exemplary of the cultural logic of the societyof the spectacle than Michael Jackson? And who, in the pantheon of MTV singers, spent more time claiming authenticity and declaring our collective responsibility for a universal humanity? The video presents an excess of repetition and citation, in terms of its music and lyrics, the images Michael Jackson himself, as well as the chorus of Jackson-citing celebrity singers. But, despite the obvious point that these images and these performers are perhaps the most manufactured and least authentic imaginable, the video’s authenticity, as well as its anxiety over its own search for authenticity, is almost hyperbolically announced. My goal in this short essay is to read this video in relation to Agamben’s claims about the spectacle in his book The Coming Community. I will argue that it is precisely this citationality, this identity without essence—what is clearly a profoundly inauthentic announcement of authenticity—that Agamben sees as, potentially, the road out of the spectacle society. This video promiseswhat Agamben calls “whatever” politics (1), so–called politics, or, in Derrida’s terminology, a politics “under erasure” ( OG 23). At the same time, this video reveals the parallel logic,suggested in juridical terms in Agamben’s Homo Sacer, in which the anxiety of nonbelonging and inauthenticity leads to a more extreme and potentially violent search for essential group belonging and authentic political identity.
Influence of Segmental Swelling Ratio of a Symmetric Block Copolymer on the Morphology of Melt-Mixed Immiscible Polymer Blends

We investigate droplet breakup and coalescence under shear flow for an immiscible polymer blend system in which styrene-acrylonitrile random copolymer and poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) are the blend components, and a symmetric poly(styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) block copolymer (bcp) is utilized as a compatibilizer. The influence on the blend morphology of the ratio (S r ) between the swelling power at the interface of the bcp segment outside the droplet versus that inside the droplet is studied. We find that the balance of swelling between external and internal segments has an important influence on the ultimate blend morphology. Four zones of morphological behaviors are observed: S r S r > 0.4, unstable emulsification; 2.5 > S r > 1, stable emulsification; S r > 2.5, external emulsification failure.
Realistic Consideration of Women and Violence is Critical

Violent offending by women has been on the rise in recent decades. Women perpetrate relationship violence, child physical and sexual abuse, and stalking. They commit approximately half of the cases of filicide, and nearly all neonaticides. Like men, women may be aggressive and have rational though
The Effects of Different Levels of Genetic Exchange on Organelle Evolution

Each mitochondrion and chloroplast organelle has tens to hundreds of genomes, and there are tens to hundreds of such organelles within each cell. This results in a genetic organization generating a population structure akin to a geographically structured population. Since genomes and organelles replicate and gene conversion can occur between copies, this offers the possibility for directional evolutionary forces acting within the cell. The consequences of genetic exchange within the cell (between genomes within an organelle and between individual organelles) and between individuals (biparental inheritance) when within-cell directional forces are present is examined. The net effect of genetic exchange is to increase the importance of any directional forces present within the cell. The consequences of within-cell forces when the variants they act on also have fitness consequences for individuals are also examined.
Gender differences in naphthalene metabolism and naphthalene-induced acute lung injury

Humans are widely exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, commonly found in cigarette smoke and diesel exhaust. These can undergo site- and cell-specific metabolism to cytotoxic intermediates. Metabolism of naphthalene and Clara cell cytotoxicity have been extensively studied in male animals. To address whether male and female mice are equally susceptible to naphthalene, mice were injected with naphthalene, and lungs were examined 1, 2, 3, 6, and 24 h after treatment. By analysis of acute injury using differential permeability to fluorescent nuclear dyes and high-resolution histopathology, injury in female mice was found to be more extensive, occur earlier, and include permeable cells in proximal airways, including airway bifurcations. HPLC analysis of the products of cytochrome P-450 (CYP)-mediated metabolism in microdissected airways indicated that although both genders produced a predominance of products from CYP2F2, female mice produced more naphthalene dihydrodiol in distal airways, the primary sites of injury. We conclude that there are clear gender differences in susceptibility to naphthalene-induced injury and that differences in metabolism of naphthalene may play a role in elevated susceptibility in female mice.
Intergovernment Aid and Local Response Patterns: A Refocusing of Aid Impact Studies

In multiple level political systems the existence of inter-level interactions presents a significant problem in comparative subnational-unit policy analysis. If the policies of cities, for example, are not autonomous of the actions of other levels of government, then these inter-level effects must be taken into account in analyses of the causes of city policies. This analysis is an attempt to deal with this problem of including indicators of the activity of other levels of government in the specific area of local government expenditure policy. Expenditure studies of state and local governments have generally focused on the determinants of levels of expenditure. Intergovernmental aid has become incorporated in such studies because of its relative explanatory importance as a determinant of expenditure levels. The basic focus with regard to intergovernmental aid, in terms of both a priori theory and empirical analyses, has been whether its independent effect is to increase levels of expenditure, and by how much. In conducting these analyses, the primary goal has been to produce a measure which shows the effects of aid "independent" of social conditions such as wealth, costs or need and spatial groupings. The essential criticism and point of the analysis to be presented here is that aid represents one aspect of intergovernmental relations, and that in conceptualizing this aspect only in terms of its independent or
Leachability of Arsenic from Field Containers Filled With Plant Growth Medium Amended With Biosolids Compost

The leaching of arsenic (As) from plant growth medium, admixed with different proportions of composted biosolids in field containers, was determined over a four-month period. Eight-week-old perennial flowers, Coreopsis grandiflora L, were transplanted in the field in 2-L containers filled with plant growth media. The treatments were replicated three times and rainfall was supplemented to supply 2 cm of water per day. Water percolating through potted plant containers was collected biweekly and analyzed for As using graphite furnace atomic spectrometry. The concentrations of As in the leachates increased with increasing proportions of compost in the medium and decreased with time of leaching, generally remaining below the drinking water standard of 50 μg/L after two months. Leaching of As occurred at a rapid rate initially but then continued at a slow rate. Compared to other metals of concern, as Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb, As in the compost appeared more mobile.
Preseason Assessment of Radiographic Abnormalities in Elbows of Little League Baseball Players.

Background: Youth baseball has been associated with elbow pain and elbow abnormalities, leading to the implementation of throwing and pitching guidelines. The purpose of the current study was to examine elbow abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in asymptomatic Little League baseball players and to correlate these findings with the players’ throwing history and physical examinations. Methods: A prospective study of Little League players who were 10 to 13 years of age was performed. Players were recruited prior to the start of the season and underwent bilateral elbow MRI. All players underwent a physical examination and responded to a questionnaire addressing their playing history and any arm pain. The MRIs were read by 2 radiologists. Responses on the questionnaire and physical examination findings were compared between subjects with and without positive MRI findings utilizing chi-square and analysis of variance techniques. Results: Twenty-six players were enrolled. The majority (77%) were right-handed and 14 (54%) were a pitcher and/or catcher. Nine players (35%) had 12 positive MRI findings: 7 findings of edema or signal change of the medial epicondyle apophysis, 2 findings of fragmentation of the medial epicondyle, and 3 findings of edema or signal change of the sublime tubercle. The prevalence of positive MRI findings and a history of arm pain were not greater in pitchers and catchers compared with other players. Players with a positive MRI finding demonstrated greater reduction in shoulder internal rotation (12°) compared with the nondominant arm (3°) (p = 0.04). The two factors associated with a positive MRI finding were year-round play (47% of year-round players compared with 11% of non-year-round players; p < 0.01) and working with a private coach (71% compared with 21%; p = 0.02). Additionally, a history of pain was associated with year-round play and a private coach (p < 0.05). Conclusions: MRI abnormalities involving the medial aspect of the elbow are common in year-round Little League baseball players, especially those with internal rotation deficits and private coaches. Although Little League guidelines potentially lessen abnormalities seen in pitchers, further refinement of these guidelines addressing year-round play, pain, and private coaching should be considered. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Flurbiprofen axeil injection for postoperative pain in children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy or not

Objective:To observe analgesic efficacy and safety of flurbiprofen axeil injection in the treatment of postoperative pain in patients undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.Methods:thirty-two patients(ASAⅠ-Ⅱ) were randomly assigned into two groups.In group F(n=16) patients received intravenous injection of flurbiprofen axeil 1mg/kg after surgery.Pain intensity(PI)was assessed by color-analogue scales before the treatment and at 15min,30min,1h,2h,4h,6h and 8h after surgery in all of the patients.Results:PI at the 8th hour after treatment in F group was 1.2,while the index in the control group was 3.2,respectively.There was significant difference between the two groups(P0.01).Conclusion:Flurbiprofen axeil injection is a safe and effective drug in treatment of postoperative pain in patients undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
Surface Coating Constraint Induced Self-Discharging of Silicon Nanoparticles as Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries.

One of the key challenges of Si-based anodes for lithium ion batteries is the large volume change upon lithiation and delithiation, which commonly leads to electrochemi-mechanical degradation and subsequent fast capacity fading. Recent studies have shown that applying nanometer-thick coating layers on Si nanoparticle (SiNPs) enhances cyclability and capacity retention. However, it is far from clear how the coating layer function from the point of view of both surface chemistry and electrochemi-mechanical effect. Herein, we use in situ transmission electron microscopy to investigate the lithiation/delithiation kinetics of SiNPs coated with a conductive polymer, polypyrrole (PPy). We discovered that this coating layer can lead to “self-delithiation” or “self-discharging” at different stages of lithiation. We rationalized that the self-discharging is driven by the internal compressive stress generated inside the lithiated SiNPs due to the constraint effect of the coating layer. We also noticed that the criti...
Information Needs and Data Requirements for International Economic Research

This paper argues that, barring a spectacular theoretical breakthrough, the greatest gains in the field of international economic research will come in the form of empirical work. Comparable to other fields of economics, the data relevant to international economic research are relatively reliable, complete, and conducive to more intensive use in useful quantitative empirical work. The paper provides a discussion of the major data sources available through international organizations, focusing on their limitations and presenting some suggestions for their improvement. In addition, problems of information retrieval and accessibility are briefly discussed, with the argument made that libraries should become more responsive to the needs of researchers by expanding their handling of machine readable data.
Molecular characterization of CD30+ anaplastic large-cell lymphoma: high frequency of c-myc proto-oncogene activation

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) represents a morphologically distinct type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) characterized phenotypically by the expression of the CD30 antigen, a new member of the nerve growth factor gene family. The lymphoid origin of ALCL has been documented using immunohistochemical and molecular genetic analyses. However, very little is known so far regarding the precise pathogenetic mechanisms involved in its development and progression. Therefore, we investigated bcl-2, p53, and retinoblastoma gene (Rb) expression immunohistochemically; the occurrence of bcl-2, c-myc, and Rb gene rearrangements using Southern blotting; and the presence of ras and p53 gene somatic mutations by single-strand conformation polymorphism assay in a panel of 18 well-characterized ALCLs. In addition, the presence of Epstein-Barr (EBV) and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) genomes were investigated using polymerase chain reaction. We identified abnormal c-myc gene products in 6 of 18 cases (33%) of ALCL. On the other hand, the bcl-2 and Rb genes were not rearranged and K-, N-, and H-ras gene somatic mutations were not found. Significant levels of p53 protein expression were found in more than 60% of ALCLs, but only a single ALCL carried a p53 gene mutation (exon 5). Only 3 ALCL cases, all occurring in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, were positive for EBV genomes. On the other hand, contrary to previous findings, no HTLV-I products could be identified. Despite the fact that the c-myc proto-oncogene appears to be frequently altered in ALCL, no pathognomonic abnormality could be identified and therefore additional studies and new strategies should be designed to identify the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the development of ALCL.
Myxoid liposarcoma with cartilaginous differentiation

Common histologic variants of liposarcoma are readily recognized. Histologic classification might be difficult, however, when liposarcoma demonstrates cartilaginous differentiation. Although this phenomenon has previously been noted, it has not, to our knowledge, been reported as a specific pathologic entity. All three patients in the present study were men, ages 37, 42, and 63 years. Each presented with a solitary, enlarging mass of the thigh that was surgically excised. The tumors ranged in size from 8 to 13 cm. Microscopically, each lesion displayed characteristic features of myxoid liposarcoma; in addition, all possessed discrete, rounded foci of mature-appearing hyaline cartilage. One case displayed small foci showing chondrocyte atypia. No other patterns of mesenchymal differentiation were present. All patients received postoperative radiation therapy. No recurrences or metastases have been identified (mean duration, 39 mo). Myxoid liposarcomas with cartilaginous differentiation are of importance because they might be misdiagnosed as malignant mesenchymoma. The latter, if not qualified as to histologic grade, might be presumed to be a biologically more aggressive lesion. In addition, these lesions must be distinguished from two benign processes: chondroid lipoma and extraskeletal chondroma with lipoblast-like cells. Additional studies of this uncommon variant of liposarcoma will be necessary to document further its status as a low-grade sarcoma.
Improved Thermoelectric Properties in Ga 2 Te 3 -GaSb Vacancy Compounds

Thermoelectric materials with high figure of merit, which requires large Seebeck coefficient, large electrical conductivity, and low thermal conductivity, are of great importance in solid-state cooling and power generation. Solid-solution formation is one effective method to achieve low thermal conductivity by phonon scattering due to mass and strain field fluctuations. This type of scattering is maximized in structures containing vacancies. The thermoelectric properties of Ga2Te3-GaSb vacancy compounds were studied in this work. We find that the lattice thermal conductivity is reduced by over an order of magnitude with the addition of only very moderate amounts of Ga2Te3. Additionally, both the carrier type and concentration can be modified. While the vacancy structure induced by Ga2Te3 addition to GaSb can effectively reduce phonon conductivity, carrier mobility is also degraded, and optimized thermoelectric properties require careful control of the vacancy content in these solid solutions.