cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mutations in the FMN domain modulate MCD spectra of the heme site in the oxygenase domain of inducible nitric oxide synthase.

The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) ouput state for NO production is a complex of the flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-binding domain and the heme domain, and thereby it facilitates the interdomain electron transfer from the FMN to the catalytic heme site. Emerging evidence suggests that interdomain FMN−heme interactions are important in the formation of the output state because they guide the docking of the FMN domain to the heme domain. In this study, notable effects of mutations in the adjacent FMN domain on the heme structure in a human iNOS bidomain oxygenase/FMN construct have been observed by using low-temperature magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy. The comparative MCD study of wild-type and mutant proteins clearly indicates that a properly docked FMN domain contributes to the observed l-Arg perturbation of the heme MCD spectrum in the wild-type protein and that the conserved surface residues in the FMN domain (E546 and E603) play key roles in facilitating a productive alignment of the FMN and h...
THE DECLINE OF AN ADAPTATION IN THE ABSENCE OF A PRESUMED SELECTION PRESSURE.

The colonial nesting Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) lays eggs that vary in ground color and pattern, but individual females lay similar eggs each time. Tests on captive African stocks have shown that females reject eggs of other cohorts if such eggs are sufficiently different. The Village Weaver may have evolved rejection behavior and variable eggs in response to cuckoo parasitism in Africa. The Village Weaver was introduced into Hispaniola from Africa as early as the 18th century. Before the arrival of the Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) in the early 1970's, there were no brood parasites on Hispaniola. Furthermore, in an experimental parasitism study, Hispaniolan Village Weavers accepted both dummy eggs and dissimilar Village Weaver eggs. The Village Weaver may have decreased the egg-rejection behavior in the absence of the selective pressure of brood parasitism. Now Hispaniolan populations of the Village Weaver are parasitized by the Shiny Cowbird, which lays eggs dissimilar to those of the weaver. Brood par- asitism by the Shiny Cowbird exerts a detrimental impact on the Village Weaver by reducing nest success and productivity.
Singing Voice Synthesis: History, Current Work, and Future Directions

This article will briefly review the history of singing voice synthesis, and will highlight some currently active projects in this area. It will survey and discuss the benefits and trade-offs of using different techniques and models. Performance control, some attractions of composing with vocal models, and exciting directions for future research will be highlighted.
The displacement cascade in ceramic oxides

Abstract The displacement cascade in ceramic oxides is studied using the atomic scattering methods of Lindhard et al. and the Monte Carlo TRIM methods of Biersack et al. The results concentrate on the effects of cascade energy and material mass ratio. It is seen that the heavy metal atom is preferentially displaced relative to the lighter O atom and that compositional changes can occur on the scale of the cascade.
Trajectories of School Engagement during Adolescence: Implications for Grades, Depression, Delinquency, and Substance Use.

Using longitudinal data from the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development, the authors assessed 1,977 adolescents across Grades 5 to 8 to determine if there were distinctive developmental paths for behavioral and emotional school engagement; if these paths varied in relation to sex, race/ethnicity, and family socioeconomic status (SES); and whether links existed between trajectories of school engagement and grades, depression, substance use, and delinquency. Four trajectories for behavioral school engagement and four trajectories of emotional engagement were identified using a semiparametric mixture model. These trajectories were distinct with regard to initial levels of and changes in engagement, as well as to their shapes. Trajectories varied in regard to sex, SES, and race/ethnicity. Different trajectories of behavioral and emotional engagement were linked to grades, depression, delinquency, and substance use. Directions for future research and application are discussed.
Adaptation to Synaptic Inactivity in Hippocampal Neurons

In response to activity deprivation, CNS neurons undergo slow adaptive modification of unitary synaptic transmission. The changes are comparable in degree to those induced by brief intense stimulation, but their molecular basis is largely unknown. Our data indicate that prolonged AMPAR blockade acts through loss of Ca2+ entry through L-type Ca2+ channels to bring about an increase in both vesicle pool size and turnover rate, as well as a postsynaptic enhancement of the contribution of GluR1 homomers, concentrated at the largest synapses. The changes were consistent with a morphological scaling of overall synapse size, but also featured a dramatic shift toward synaptic drive contributed by the Ca2+-permeable homomeric GluR1 receptors. These results extend beyond "synaptic homeostasis" to involve more profound changes that can be better described as "metaplasticity".
A Cloud Computing Course: From Systems to Services

We have designed, developed and administered a course on cloud computing that was taught to over 700 students at our institution over two years. The goal of this project-based course is to provide students with foundational systems concepts as well as experience in developing the required skills to design and deploy viable, robust and elastic web-services within performance and budgetary constraints. We present our objectives, learning outcomes, projects, learning model, outcomes and lessons learned. So far, for this demanding course, our student retention rate is above 80% and enrollment is doubling every year.
Hierarchical clustering of monoclonal antibody reactivity patterns in nonhuman species.

Monoclonal antibodies are an important resource for defining molecular expression and probing molecular function. The characterization of monoclonal antibody reactivity patterns, however, can be costly and inefficient in nonhuman experimental systems. To develop a computational approach to the pattern analysis of monoclonal antibody reactivity, we analyzed a panel of 128 monoclonal antibodies recognizing sheep antigens. Quantitative single parameter flow cytometry histograms were obtained from five cell types isolated from normal animals. The resulting 640 histograms were smoothed using a Gaussian kernel over a range of bandwidths. Histogram features were selected by SiZer—an analytic tool that identifies statistically significant features. The extracted histogram features were compared and grouped using hierarchical clustering. The validity of the clustering was indicated by the accurate pairing of externally verified molecular reactivity. We conclude that our computational algorithm is a potentially useful tool for both monoclonal antibody classification and molecular taxonomy in nonhuman experimental systems.
Evaluation of a Colorimetric Assay as a Measure of Gingival Inflammation

The Gindex test, a suggested measure of gingival fluid hemoglobin in saliva, has been advocated for assessment of gingival inflammation and oral hygiene. To evaluate the test, 28 subjects in good gingival health were examined prior to, during and after a 5-day period of abstention from all oral hygiene measures. Examinations included the Gingival Index (G.I.), estimations of plaque accumulation (PHP) and Gindex™ gingival chemical analysis. Gindex scores, based on a colorimetric scale of 25 (excellent) to 100 (poor) were derived independently for each subject by two separate investigators following manufacturer's instructions. Several additional studies were conducted to determine sources of assay variability. Changes in the G.I. at the three examinations (0.38, 0.50, 0.34) were not reflected by Gindex scores (78.0, 59.6, 72.0) which gave lower values at a time when plaque accumulation was maximum. While Gindex scoring by both investigators was highly related, no correlation was demonstrated between Gindex...
The effect of transfixion wire crossing angle on the stiffness of fine wire external fixation: a biomechanical study.

Summary To analyse the effect of transfixion wire-crossing angle on the stiffness of fine wire external fixation, a laboratory investigation using a fibreglass tibia fixed into an idealised fixator was performed with a servohydraulic test frame. Load–deformation behaviour was compared at the different wire-crossing angles (30°–90°) under identical conditions of central axial compression, medial compression-bending, posterior compression-bending, posteromedial compression-bending, and torsion. Stiffness values were calculated from the load–deformation and torque–angle curves. The increase in wire-crossing angle led to an overall increase in the stiffness, except medial bending stiffness. The wire-crossing angle of 90° provided significantly greater stiffness than all other angles in all load configurations ( p p
Luminescence of poly(n-vinyl-carbazole) films at 77 K. II. Kinetic model of exciton trapping and annihilation

Abstract Energy transfer in films of PVCA at low temperatures is due to singlet and triplet excitons. The range of the excitons is limited by excimer-forming sites. Delayed fluorescence is caused by triplet exciton-triplet excimer annihilation. These processes are described quantitatively by an exciton hopping model tailor made for energy transfer in PVCA. It predicts triplet excimer-forming sites of the order of 10 −5 mole/mole basic unit for the cationic polymer and 10 −4 for the radicalic one if a radiative phosphorescence lifetime of 50 s is assumed. The model correctly describes the dependence of fluorescence, phosphorescence and delayed fluorescence intensities on excitation intensity reported in part I of this work.
Magnetic ink for jet printing

Conversion of a base magnetic fluid into an ink for ink jet printing requires special chemical modifications. These are tailored for the fluid to meet specific properties such as magnetic moment, viscosity, colloidal stability, and jet directionality, as well as low evaporation rate, and drying time on paper. This paper will describe the set of simultaneous chemical modifications that are carried out on the base fluid in order to achieve the properties of a suitable ink for a jet printer.
A CHARACTERIZATION OF HOMEOMORPHIC BERNOULLI TRIAL MEASURES

We give conditions which, given two Bernoulli trial measures, determine whether there exists a homeomorphism of Cantor space which sends one measure to the other, answering a question of Oxtoby. We then provide examples, relating these results to the notions of good and refinable measures on Cantor space.
The Role of Maturation in Quality of Stackpole-Cured Peanuts1

Abstract Peanut curing studies utilizing stackpole curing led to the unique observation that extensive potential for post harvest maturation exists during slow curing. In the hull scrape maturity profile the percentage of black maturity class pods increased from 15 to 45% and 21 to 57% in ca. 30 d after stacks were prepared in 2 consecutive years. Simultaneously, the number of pods in less mature classes generally decreased. The weight percentage of black pods increased from 19 to 42% and 37 to 62% after 10 stack d in the 2 yr. A similar but less extensive maturity progression was observed in detached pods in a temperature-relative humidity-controlled environment where drying rate was faster than in stackpoles but much slower than in conventional practices. Because pod and seed sizes did not change during stackpole curing, maturation resulted in large increases in the percentage of mature peanuts (maturity distribution) in all commercial grade sizes. Moisture contents for orange and brown maturity classes...
Push-based brand awareness: the role of product availability and in-store merchandising

This study introduces a new brand awareness conceptualization; ‘push-based brand awareness’ in the light of available retailing, distribution, and branding literature. Previously, push-based awareness merely defined brand/product availability. This study extends that definition by including available brand awareness created by in-store merchandising. While out-of-stock (OOS) literature extensively interprets product availability and consumers' responses to OOS brands, a brand's effect on consumer awareness remains unexamined. Because such brand awareness may be one of the major reasons behind frequently purchased product success, such consumer awareness deserves closer attention. This study introduces the push-based brand awareness concept with a proposed model including possible managerial implications.
Mutations in the Second Cytoplasmic Loop of the Rat Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)/PTH-related Protein Receptor Result in Selective Loss of PTH-stimulated Phospholipase C Activity

To define the structural requirements of the parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related protein (PTHrP) receptor necessary for activation of phospholipase C (PLC), receptors with random mutations in their second cytoplasmic loop were synthesized, and their properties were assessed. A mutant in which the wild type (WT) rat PTH/PTHrP receptor sequence EKKY (amino acids 317-320) was replaced with DSEL had little or no PTH-stimulated PLC activity when expressed transiently in COS-7 cells, but it retained full capacity to bind ligand and to generate cAMP. This phenotype was confirmed in LLC-PK1 cells stably expressing the DSEL mutant receptor, where both PTH-stimulated PLC activity and sodium-dependent phosphate co-transport were essentially abolished. Individual mutations of these four residues point to a critical role for Lys-319 in receptor-G protein coupling. PTH-generated IPs were reduced to 27 ± 13% when K319E, compared with the WT receptor, and PLC activation was fully recovered in a receptor revertant in which Glu-319 in the DSEL mutant cassette was restored to the WT residue, Lys. Moreover, the WT receptor and a mutant receptor in which K319R had indistinguishable properties, thus suggesting that a basic amino acid at this position may be important for PLC activation. All of these receptors had unimpaired capacity to bind ligand and to generate cAMP. To ensure adequacy of Gαq-subunits for transducing the receptor signal, Gαq was expressed in HEK293 and in LLC-PK1 cells together with either WT receptors or receptors with the DSEL mutant cassette. PTH generated no inositol phosphates (IPs) in either HEK293 or LLC-PK1 cells, when they expressed DSEL mutant receptors together with Gαq. In contrast, PTH generated 2- and 2.5-fold increases in IPs, respectively, when these cells co-expressed both the WT receptor and Gαq. Thus, generation of IPs by the activated PTH/PTHrP receptor can be selectively abolished without affecting its capacity to generate cAMP, and Lys-319 in the second intracellular loop is critical for activating the PLC pathway. Moreover, α-subunits of the Gq family, rather than βγ-subunits, transduce the signal from the activated receptor to PLC, and the PLC, rather than the adenylyl cyclase, pathway mediates sodium-dependent phosphate co-transport in LLC-PK1 cells.
Enrichment in a general class of stoichiometric producer–consumer population growth models

Abstract This paper presents the derivation and partial analysis of a general producer–consumer model. The model is stoichiometric in that it includes the growth constraints imposed by species-specific biomass carbon to nutrient ratios. The model unifies the approaches of other studies in recent years, and is calibrated from an extensive review of the algae– Daphnia literature. Numerical simulations and bifurcation analysis are used to examine the impact of energy enrichment under nutrient and stoichiometric constraints. Our results suggest that the variety of system responses previously cited for related models can be attributed to the size of the total system nutrient pool, which is here assumed fixed. New, more complicated bifurcation sequences, such as multiple homoclinic bifurcations, are demonstrated as well. The mechanistic basis of the model permits us to show the robustness of the system’s dynamics subject to alternate approaches to modeling producer and consumer biomass production.
Ultrastructure of the spermatozoid of Lycopodium obscurum (Lycopodiaceae)

Ultrastructural observations reveal that the spermatozoid of Lycopodium obscurum is crescent shaped and contains two posteriorly directed flagella that are inserted at the front of the cell. The nucleus is broad and elongated with a narrow posterior projection or nuclear diverticulum. Spline microtubules (MTs) number 180 at their maximum and provide the framework for the cell. These MTs extend from the anterior of the locomotory apparatus and along the outermost surface of the nucleus, with a central shank of 14-17 MTs encircling the cell for at least one-third gyre beyond the nucleus. The two basal bodies are slightly staggered and positioned at the front of the cell over a highly elongated multilayered structure (MLS). The MLS extends laterally around the cell anterior and curves posteriorly over the nucleus. One large anterior mitochondrion is situated subjacent to the MLS, while numerous small mitochondria are scattered near or among the lobes of the single plastid. The plastid rests on the inner nuclear surface and contains numerous large starch grains. This cell differs from that of L. cernuum, the only other species of Lycopodium examined to date, in that it is more elongated and has an anterior-posterior orientation of the nucleus, basal bodies, MLS, and spline. Comparisons with coiled gametes of bryophytes and Selaginella suggest that some degree of coiling and cell streamlining may be ancestral in archegoniate spermatozoids.
The lived experience of treatment for hepatitis C.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and describe male patients' experiences of undergoing and completing treatment for the hepatitis C virus. A qualitative, descriptive, and phenomenological methodology was used. Eight male patients diagnosed with the hepatitis C virus, aged 41–60 years and enrolled in a health maintenance organization, were interviewed in their private residences in a community setting. In depth, semistructured, tape-recorded, and transcribed interviews were analyzed by using theme coding. Six themes emerged that described the lived experience of male patients after undergoing treatment for the hepatitis C virus: acquisition of the disease, the diagnosis, the treatment decision making, the “horror stories” regarding treatment, what helped, and feelings now. Patients who are diagnosed with the hepatitis C virus and undergo treatment face a difficult therapy regimen. All participants knew how they acquired the disease and had no sense of apology for how they attracted it. Their only goal was to achieve viral clearance of this disease. Treatment was their option. Nurses play a key role in the management of treatment for patients undergoing therapy for hepatitis C. The management of the adverse effects of therapy has a great impact on patients' quality of life and compliance with the therapy. Nurses are able to help patients by recognizing and managing the adverse effects of this therapy.
The enlargement of NATO: The theory and politics of alliance expansion

Most studies of alliance behavior operate under realist assumptions, which maintain that the presence of an external threat and an understanding of state's national security interests are the most important factors in explaining alliance membership. While security concerns continue to provide some insight on NATO's recent enlargement, this article contends that realism does not capture the full dynamics of expansion. NATO's ability to enlarge occurred due to a complex interplay of political factors. The United States’ leadership within the alliance, coupled with very favorable domestic conditions in the United States and effective lobbying efforts by Visegrad states provide a more complete understanding of how NATO was able to add new members. The presence and importance of these political factors and their interplay demonstrate that the dominant paradigm of realism offers only a partial explanation for NATO's expansion.
Fine mapping chromosome 16q12 in a collection of 231 systemic lupus erythematosus sibpair and multiplex families

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, autoimmune disorder influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Linkage of SLE to chromosome 16q12-13 (LOD score=3.85) was first identified in pedigrees collected at the University of Minnesota, and has been replicated in several independent SLE collections. We performed fine mapping using microsatellites to further refine the susceptibility region(s), and the best evidence for linkage was identified at marker D16S3396 (LOD=2.28, P=0.0006). Evidence of association was suggested in the analysis of all families (D16S3094, P=0.0516) and improved to the level of significance (P=0.0106) when only the Caucasian families were analyzed. Subsets of pedigrees were then selected on the basis of clinical manifestations, and these subsets showed evidence for association with several markers: GATA143D05 (renal, P=0.0064), D16S3035 (renal, P=0.0418), D16S3117 (renal, P=0.0366), D16S3071 (malar rash, P=0.03638; neuropsychiatric, P=0.0349; oral ulcers, P=0.0459), D16S3094 (hematologic, P=0.0226), and D16S3089 (arthritis, P=0.0141). Together, these data provide further evidence that an important susceptibility gene(s) for SLE is located at 16q12.
Accelerated electricity conservation in Juneau, Alaska: A study of household activities that reduced demand 25%

Abstract An avalanche destroyed the main hydroelectric transmission line to Juneau, Alaska in April, 2008. Diesel-generated electricity was substituted, causing electricity prices to increase 500% for 45 days. Electricity demand fell by 25% during the supply disruption. Most of the reduction occurred before the higher rates were implemented. Some conservation – about 8% of historic consumption – persisted after the transmission line was repaired and prices returned to normal. Consumers reduced energy use through a combination of new habits and technical improvements. A survey of residential consumers indicated that the average household undertook 10 conservation actions, with major changes in lighting, space heating, fuel switching, and water and appliance use. We propose a method for prioritizing conservation actions for promotion according to their impact in electricity savings (as a function of popularity, effectiveness, and persistence) and a dynamic framework for electricity use before, during, and after a supply disruption (i.e., both the magnitude and rates of change in electricity conservation).
Plastic behavior of 70/30 brass sheet

The plastic yield behavior of strip annealed 70/30 brass sheet has been investigated using several experimental techniques. Proportional path, stress-strain relations were measured in two strain states using a recently devised plane-strain test and a standard sheet tensile test. Based on these data, 70/30 brass exhibits a dramatic departure from Hill's plasticity models. Particularly notable is the lower work-hardening rate in plane strain. A second series of tests was carried out by deforming first in plane-strain tension and subsequently in uniaxial tension. The relative orientation of the principal strain directions in the two strain paths strongly affected the transient yielding behavior, but the original work-hardening pattern and plastic anisotropy were approached after an additional effective strain of ∼0.04. These observations are consistent with a two yield-surface model;i.e., one an underlying, proportional path yield surface and one an instantaneous, transient yield surface.
An object-oriented framework for embedded WWW applications

We present the design of a C++ framework for building custom Web agent applications. Our framework includes abstractions for networking and communications as well as a format-independent set of classes for representing document components. We discuss the design and parts of the implementation of the framework and present possible extensions.
Is global climate change influencing the overwintering distribution of weakfish Cynoscion regalis

The pattern of stable isotope signatures in a sub-sample of 67 juvenile weakfish Cynoscion regalis, captured at the mouth of the Christina River, 113 km upstream of the mouth of Delaware Bay (U.S.A) in the autumn of 2000, suggested that they resided at the location since recruitment. The possibility that young C. regalis departed from the generally characteristic life-history pattern of marine migrants at this latitude, i.e. emigrating offshore with the adults in autumn was bolstered by the collection of 69 individuals during the winters of 2000-2006 from the travelling screens of a power plant located at river kilometre 88 including an 118 mm total length juvenile captured in mid-February 2006.
Novel nanochemistry toward generation and stabilization of gold nanoparticles in human serum albumin matrix

The interactions of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with human serum albumin (HSA) greatly influence their in vivo characteristics. It is important to develop conjugates that can serve as ideal structural models to understand the interaction of AuNPs with HSA. We report the synthesis and stabilization of AuNPs in HSA matrix with no additional ligands on the sur- face of the NPs. The hydrodynamic size of the AuNP-HSA conjugate is 22 nm, and trans- mission electron microscopy (TEM) measurement shows the core size as 8-13 nm. We have performed strip assay to establish that the biological activity of HSA is retained even after conjugation. Our cellular toxicity evaluation studies show that AuNP-HSA conjugates are nontoxic and biocompatible.
Uncovering the contribution of travel time reliability to dynamic route choice using real-time loop data

Travel time reliability has generally been surmised to be an important attribute of transportation systems. In this paper, we study the contribution of travel time reliability in travelers' route choice decisions. Traveler's route choice is formulated as a mixed-logit model, with the coefficients in the model representing individual traveler's preferences or tastes towards travel time, reliability and cost. Unlike the traditional approach involving the use of traveler surveys to estimate model coefficients and thereby uncover the contribution of travel time reliability, we instead apply the methodology to real-time loop detector data, and use genetic algorithm to identify the parameter set that results in the best match between the aggregated results from traveler's route choice model and the observed time-dependent traffic volume data from loop detectors. Based on freeway loop data from California State Route 91, we find that the estimated median value of travel-time reliability is significantly higher than that of travel-time, and that the estimated median value of degree of risk aversion indicates that travelers value a reduction in travel time variability more highly than a corresponding reduction in the travel time for that journey. Moreover, travelers' attitudes towards congestion are not homogeneous; substantial heterogeneity exists in travelers' preference of travel time and reliability. Our results validate results from previous studies involving the California State Route 91 value-pricing project that were based on traditional traveler surveys and demonstrate the applicability of the approach in travelers' behavioral studies.
Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems in Phytogeography

As a separate discipline Artificial Intelligence (AI) is only about thirty years old. Since its growth has been exponential, many of its concepts and results are quite recent and still undergoing revision. AI is an overlap of the fields of computer science and cognitive science (Gardner, 1986). AI workers have adopted as their major paradigm the information-processing model. This model dominates cognitive psychology, one of the supporting disciplines of cognitive science. As long as other aspects and factors of intelligence are excluded from the AI model, it may be difficult for AI to duplicate higher aspects of intelligence (e.g. creativity), but useful knowledge bases are still possible to construct in fields like phytogeography today.
Comfortable and maximum walking speed of adults aged 20—79 years: reference values and determinants

Objectives: to establish reference values for both comfortable and maximum gait speed and to describe the reliability of the gait speed measures and the correlation of selected variables with them. Design: descriptive and cross-sectional. Methods: subjects were 230 healthy volunteers. Gait was timed over a 7.62 m expanse of floor. Actual and height normalized speed were determined. Lower extremity muscle strength was measured with a hand-held dynamometer. Results: mean comfortable gait speed ranged from 127.2 cm/s for women in their seventies to 146.2 cm/s for men in their forties. Mean maximum gait speed ranged from 174.9 cm/s for women in their seventies to 253-3 cm/s for men in their twenties. Both gait speed measures were reliable (coefficients > 0.903) and correlated significantly with age (r^ — 0.210), height (r^ 0.220) and the strengths of four measured lower extremity muscle actions (r = 0.190-0.500). The muscle action strengths most strongly correlated with gait speed were nondominant hip abduction (comfortable speed) and knee extension (maximum speed). Conclusions: these normative values should give clinicians a reference against which patient performance can be compared in a variety of settings. Gait speed can be expected to be reduced in individuals of greater age and of lesser height and lower extremity muscle strength.
Dimensions of being modern in medical practice.

I N ORDER to learn something of the way in which medical innovations make their way into the doctor’s practice, intensive interviews were conducted with 216 physicians in four midwestern cities, and their replies were subjected to statistical analysis. A previous article’ described how the use of a new medication spread gradually among most of the 125 general practitioners, pediatricians, and internists among them. (This was ascertained by examining pharmacists’ prescription records covering a 16-month peri0d.t) This account constitutes a case history of the diffusion of a single innovation, a relatively minor variant of a well-established family of drugs. One cannot presume that the findings presented so far would necessarily hold true for innovations of other kinds or under other conditions. One wonders, nevertheless, whether the doctors who were first to use this particular drug would again be first the next time a new drug is introduced and whether they are progressive in other respects as well. This is an intriguing question; for, on the one hand most doctors know that they evaluate each proposed innovation on its own merits and, on the other hand, one keeps hearing some doctors described as “quick to jump on the bandwagon ,” or as “individuals that try everything that comes along,” while others are characterized as “stodgy doctors” who “are not interested in hearing about new techniques and want things to go on as they are.” Are such descriptions mere caricatures, or is there really some generalized tendency or trait of “innovatingness” which is strong in some doctors and weak or absent in others? This article is designed to answer this question, to the extent that an answer is possible on the basis of the data gathered. We will first look into the timing of the introduction of new drugs into the individual physician’s practice and then into other aspects of the use of modern drugs. Later we will turn to some broader questions of modern practice.
Where is America in the republic of letters

Where is America in the republic of letters? This question has formed in my mind over the last four years as I have collaborated on a new project based at Stanford University called Mapping the Republic of Letters. The project aims to enrich our understanding of the intellectual networks of major and minor figures in the republic of letters, the international world of learning that spanned the centuries roughly from 1400 to 1800. By creating visual images based on large digitized data sets, we hope to reveal the hidden structures and conditions that nourished the growth of the republic of letters in the early modern era and the causes of its transformation in the nineteenth century. This task has only recently become feasible with the digitization of the correspondences of major intellectuals such as Benjamin Franklin, John Locke, Athanasius Kircher, and Voltaire, and of libraries, cabinets of artifacts, and Grand Tour itineraries.
Empirical Law and Economics

Empirical work has grown in importance in law and economics. This growth coincides with improvements in research designs in empirical microeconomics more generally. In this essay, we provide a stylized discussion of some trends over the last two or three decades, linking the credibility revolution in empirical micro to the ascendancy of empirical work in law and economics. We then provide some methodological observations about a number of commonly used approaches to estimating policy effects. The literature on the economics of crime and criminal procedure illustrates the ways in which many of these techniques have been used successfully. Other fields, including corporate law and economics and the law and economics of civil procedure, have lagged behind in methodological terms.
Effects of interleukins 2 and 12 on TBT-induced alterations of MAP kinases p38 and p44/42 in human natural killer cells.

NK cells are lymphocytes in the non-adaptive immune system that protect the body against intracellular pathogens and eliminate tumor cells. Tributyltin (TBT) is a toxic chemical that has been detected in human foods as well as in human blood. The role of TBT in immunosuppression has been described, including inhibition of the human NK-cell cytotoxic function. Previous studies indicated that exposure of NK cells to TBT for 1 h induced progressive and irreversible inhibition of cytotoxic function. However, it was found that if NK cells were incubated in TBT-free media with either IL-2 or IL-12, loss of cytotoxic function was prevented/reversed within 24 h. Molecular studies established that loss of cytotoxic function is accompanied by alteration of MAP kinases (MAPKs) p38 and p44/42 phosphorylation. This study examined whether interleukin-mediated recovery of cytotoxicity involved reversal of tributyltin-altered p38 and p44/42 phosphorylation. The results indicated that there was no substantial IL-2 prevention/reversal of the TBT-induced alteration of phosphorylation of either p38 or p44/42 after either a 24 or 48 h recovery period. Additionally, IL-12 caused no substantial prevention/reversal of the TBT-induced alteration of phosphorylation of the MAPKs seen after either 24 or 48 h. These data suggest that IL-2 and/or IL-12-mediated recovery of NK cytotoxic function is not a result of prevention/reversal of TBT-induced phosphorylation of p38 and p44/42 MAPKs at the 24 or 48 h time points. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Storytelling and coping with stressful events.

Three studies explored the coping benefits and limitations of stories people hear about others undergoing similar stressful events. In Study One, cancer patients reported that positive stories about other patients were preferable to and more helpful than negative stories, yet negative stories were more commonly told. Study Two manipulated the valence and source of stories told to college students facing midterm exams. Stories with positive endings and those relayed by expert sources were regarded more positively than negative stories and those told by nonexperts. Study Three manipulated the valence and informativeness of stories in a similar college sample. Positive and informative stories were rated more favorably, although these effects were independent of each other. Implications for social comparison and social support are discussed.
Long-term posterior and anterior segment complications of immune recovery uveitis associated with cytomegalovirus retinitis☆

Abstract PURPOSE: To identify and describe long-term posterior and anterior segment complications of immune recovery uveitis in patients with inactive cytomegalovirus retinitis who are undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy–mediated recovery of immune function. METHODS: A prospective cohort study at a university medical center. Twenty-nine eyes of 21 patients with immune recovery uveitis and inactive cytomegalovirus retinitis were followed for 14.5 to 116 weeks (median, 43 weeks) after diagnosis of immune recovery uveitis. RESULTS: Nine eyes of nine patients developed visually important complications involving the posterior segment, anterior segment, or a combination of both. Posterior segment complications included severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy in three eyes and spontaneous vitreous hemorrhage from avulsion of a blood vessel secondary to contraction of the inflamed vitreous in one eye. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy recurred in all cases after surgery, severely compromising the visual outcome. Anterior segment complications included posterior subcapsular cataracts with vision decrease in five eyes and persistent anterior chamber inflammation after cataract extraction, resulting in posterior synechiae and large visually important lens deposits in three eyes. CONCLUSION: Persistent inflammation in immune recovery uveitis may lead to vision-threatening complications, such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy, posterior subcapsular cataracts, and severe postoperative inflammation. Immune recovery uveitis is a chronic inflammatory syndrome that may result in complications months to years after the onset of inflammation.
Teacher Time Use in Special Education

How special education teachers spend their time is largely unknown. Yet conceptually, “time” is one of the most tangible and salient variables of the effective instruction literature, Carroll's model of school learning and many economic models of performance measures. This currently unknown use of teacher time has clear and important implications for special education research and practice that include teacher quality, the professional roles of educator's, accountability and student achievement. 36 special education teachers representing 4 variations of instructional arrangements recorded 2200 hours of data in the spring of 2006. Special educators reported their time use via a web-based monitoring system while continuous and interval direct observation data were simultaneously collected. Data provide a snapshot view of teacher time use and reflect the percentages of a school day spent in academic instruction, non-academic instruction, instructional support, consultation/collaboration, assessment, planning...
Role of interventional radiology in the management of complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Abstract Background This study evaluated the role of interventional radiology (IR) procedures to manage complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Methods A retrospective review was made of the records of patients with postsurgical complications managed with IR. Results Among the 440 patients reviewed, the mortality, morbidity and reoperation rates were 1.6%, 36%, and 2%, respectively. Complications occurred in 159 patients, of which 39 (25%) required ≥1 IR procedures. Of those 39 patients, 72% underwent percutaneous drainage of an intra-abdominal abscess, 18% underwent percutaneous biliary drainage, and 10% underwent angiography for gastrointestinal bleeding or pseudoaneurysm. The reoperation rate among the 159 patients with complications was 6% (n = 9). Reoperation was avoided in 90% of patients receiving IR. Four patients underwent reoperation despite IR for persistent abscess, pancreatic fistula, anastomotic disruption, or mesenteric venous bleeding. Conclusions The majority of complications occurring after pancreaticoduodenectomy can be managed effectively using IR, thus minimizing morbidity and the need for reoperation.
Beam's-eye-view imaging during non-coplanar lung SBRT

Purpose: Beam’s-eye-view (BEV) imaging with an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) can be performed during lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to monitor the tumor location in real-time. Image quality for each patient and treatment field depends on several factors including the patient anatomy and the gantry and couch angles. The authors investigated the angular dependence of automatic tumor localization during non-coplanar lung SBRT delivery. Methods: All images were acquired at a frame rate of 12 Hz with an amorphous silicon EPID. A previously validated markerless lung tumor localization algorithm was employed with manual localization as the reference. From ten SBRT patients, 12 987 image frames of 123 image sequences acquired at 48 different gantry–couch rotations were analyzed. δ was defined by the position difference of the automatic and manual localization. Results: Regardless of the couch angle, the best tracking performance was found in image sequences with a gantry angle within 20° of 250° (δ = 1.40 mm). Image sequences acquired with gantry angles of 150°, 210°, and 350° also led to good tracking performances with δ = 1.77–2.00 mm. Overall, the couch angle was not correlated with the tracking results. Among all the gantry–couch combinations, image sequences acquired atmore » (θ = 30°, ϕ = 330°), (θ = 210°, ϕ = 10°), and (θ = 250°, ϕ = 30°) led to the best tracking results with δ = 1.19–1.82 mm. The worst performing combinations were (θ = 90° and 230°, ϕ = 10°) and (θ = 270°, ϕ = 30°) with δ > 3.5 mm. However, 35% (17/48) of the gantry–couch rotations demonstrated substantial variability in tracking performances between patients. For example, the field angle (θ = 70°, ϕ = 10°) was acquired for five patients. While the tracking errors were ≤1.98 mm for three patients, poor performance was found for the other two patients with δ ≥ 2.18 mm, leading to average tracking error of 2.70 mm. Only one image sequence was acquired for all other gantry–couch rotations (δ = 1.18–10.29 mm). Conclusions: Non-coplanar beams with gantry–couch rotation of (θ = 30°, ϕ = 330°), (θ = 210°, ϕ = 10°), and (θ = 250°, ϕ = 30°) have the highest accuracy for BEV lung tumor localization. Additionally, gantry angles of 150°, 210°, 250°, and 350° also offer good tracking performance. The beam geometries (θ = 90° and 230°, ϕ = 10°) and (θ = 270°, ϕ = 30°) are associated with substantial automatic localization errors. Overall, lung tumor visibility and tracking performance were patient dependent for a substantial number of the gantry–couch angle combinations studied.« less
Permission schemas and the selection task

Cheng and Holyoak's abstract permission schema version of Wason's selection task and the standard abstract version of the task were examined in two experiments, each a factorial design with type of problem (permission vs. standard), presence or absence of a checking context, explicit or implicit negatives on the not-p and not-q cards, and presence or absence of a rule clarification statement as factors. The original permission problem violation-type instruction was employed in Experiment 1, and Margolis's not-p and not-q violation instruction (Griggs & Jackson, 1990) was used in Experiment 2. Subjects were 640 university undergraduates, with each subject solving only one problem. The major findings for permission tasks were: (1) facilitation for the abstract permission version was replicated but found to be dependent upon the presence of explicit negatives on the not-p and not-q cards; and (2) this facilitation was enhanced by the Margolis not-p and not-q instruction. Per Girotto, Mazzocco, and Cherubini ...
Who are gynandromorphophilic men? Characterizing men with sexual interest in transgender women

Background Gynandromorphophilia (GAMP) is sexual interest in gynandromorphs (GAMs; colloquially, shemales). GAMs possess a combination of male and female physical characteristics. Thus, GAMP presents a challenge to conventional understandings of sexual orientation as sexual attraction to the male v. female form. Speculation about GAMP men has included the ideas that they are homosexual, heterosexual, or especially, bisexual. Method We compared genital and subjective sexual arousal patterns of GAMP men with those of heterosexual and homosexual men. We also compared these groups on their self-ratings of sexual orientation and sexual interests. Results GAMP men had arousal patterns similar to those of heterosexual men and different from those of homosexual men. However, compared to heterosexual men, GAMP men were relatively more aroused by GAM erotic stimuli than by female erotic stimuli. GAMP men also scored higher than both heterosexual and homosexual men on a measure of autogynephilia. Conclusions Results provide clear evidence that GAMP men are not homosexual. They also indicate that GAMP men are especially likely to eroticize the idea of being a woman.
Government and Public Administration: Challenges to and Need For Connecting Knowledge

The material object of the study of public administration is to acquire knowledge about government. As government's role and position in society has grown to historically unprecedented levels—as is clear when comparing current size of personnel, expenditure, number of laws and regulations and so forth to those of a 100 years ago—so has academic specialization grown. Efforts to connect these specialized bodies of knowledge both among the various specializations within the study of public administration, as well as among the various disciplines who study government from their particular formal object, are few and far between. More attention needs to be paid to developing and providing metaframeworks and metalanguages on the basis of which compartmentalized knowledge about government can be linked better. The pluralist perspective upon knowledge integration developed in this article serves as an umbrella for the four groups of approaches under which most theories-in-use can be categorized. But, the challenge...
Pathobiology of Parathyroid Gland Structure and Function in Animals

Calcium plays a key role in many fundamental biologic processes and is also an essential structural component of the skeleton. These processes include neuromuscular excitability, membrane permeability, muscle contraction, enzyme activity, hormone release, blood coagulation. The precise control of calcium in extracellular fluids is vital to health. To maintain a constant concentration of calcium, despite marked variations in intake and excretion, endocrine control mechanisms have evolved that consist primarily of the interactions of three major hormones: parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT), and cholecalciferol (vitamin D). This chapter summarizes recent advances in the pathobiology of parathyroid glands and selected disease problems in animals associated with perturbation of parathyroid structure and function in animals.
Economics and Happiness Research: Insights from Austrian and Public Choice Economics

Over the past decade economists have increasingly focused on the implications of happiness, also known as subjective well-being, for economic theory and policy.1 The focus on happiness can be seen as part of the larger behavioral movement in economics. To understand the growth and impact of this area of research, consider that the 2002 Nobel Prize in economics was awarded to a psychologist, Daniel Kahneman, “for having integrated insights from psychological research into economic science, especially concerning human judgment and decision making under uncertainty.”2 The main focus of the happiness and economics research has been on understanding the interconnection between economic outcomes and the resulting happiness of economic actors. The work in this area has yielded many implications for policy in a number of areas including public finance (government expenditure and taxation), welfare policy and labor law.