cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spanish Moss: Not Just Hanging in There

ABSTRACT Transforming science curricula into multicultural science curricula requires the infusion of materials and perspectives often omitted from classroom textbooks. One strategy that may help the development of such lessons is to design lessons that incorporate the cultural history behind the concept being taught. Presented in this article is a four-day science unit on Spanish moss, its cultural uses, physiology, geographical distribution, and survival adaptations. The study of Spanish moss, a practical specimen, can help synthesize various scientific concepts.
Japanese Management in Schools: Boon or Boondoggle?.

Abstract The question is no longer whether American industry and technology can successfully compete with the Japanese–at present, it is evident that we cannot. At stake is the very survival of our national economic well-being as we move from a post-industrial economy to a high technology model. For education, the issue is whether we can learn from the Japanese and, in doing so, improve the quality and productivity of American education.
Microfluidic source-sink model reveals effects of biophysically distinct CXCL12 isoforms in breast cancer chemotaxis

Chemokines critically regulate chemotaxis in normal and pathologic states, but there is limited understanding of how multicellular interactions generate gradients needed for cell migration. Previous studies of chemotaxis of CXCR4+ cells toward chemokine CXCL12 suggest the requirement of cells expressing scavenger receptor CXCR7 in a source-sink system. We leveraged an established microfluidic device to discover that chemotaxis of CXCR4 cells toward distinct isoforms of CXCL12 required CXCR7 scavenging only under conditions with higher than optimal levels of CXCL12. Chemotaxis toward CXCL12-β and -γ isoforms, which have greater binding to extracellular molecules and have been largely overlooked, was less dependent on CXCR7 than the more commonly studied CXCL12-α. Chemotaxis of CXCR4+ cells toward even low levels of CXCL12-γ and CXCL12-β still occurred during treatment with a FDA-approved inhibitor of CXCR4. We also detected CXCL12-γ only in breast cancers from patients with advanced disease. Physiological gradient formation within the device facilitated interrogation of key differences in chemotaxis among CXCL12 isoforms and suggests CXCL12-γ as a biomarker for metastatic cancer.
Fixed effects instrumental variables estimation in correlated random coefficient panel data models

We provide a set of conditions sufficient for consistency of a general class of fixed effects instrumental variables (FE-IV) estimators in the context of a correlated random coefficient panel data model, where one ignores the presence of individual-specific slopes. We discuss cases where the assumptions are met and violated. Monte Carlo simulations verify that the FE-IV estimator of the population averaged effect performs notably better than other standard estimators, provided a full set of period dummies is included. We also propose a simple test of selection bias in unbalanced panels when we suspect the slopes may vary by individual.
Microcontact printing of proteins for cell biology.

The ability to pattern proteins and other biomolecules onto substrates is important for capturing the spatial complexity of the extracellular environment. Development of microcontact printing by the Whitesides group (http://gmwgroup.harvard.edu/) in the mid-1990s revolutionalized this field by making microelectronics/microfabrication techniques accessible to laboratories focused on the life sciences. Initial implementations of this method used polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamps to create patterns of functionalized chemicals on material surfaces1. Since then, a range of innovative approaches have been developed to pattern other molecules, including proteins2. This video demonstrates the basic process of creating PDMS stamps and uses them to pattern proteins, as these steps are difficult to accurately express in words. We focus on patterning the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin onto glass coverslips as a specific example of patterning. An important component of the microcontact printing process is a topological master, from which the stamps are cast; the raised and lowered regions of the master are mirrored into the stamp and define the final pattern. Typically, a master consists of a silicon wafer coated with photoresist and then patterned by photolithography, as is done here. Creation of masters containing a specific pattern requires specialized equipment, and is best approached in consultation with a fabrication center or facility. However, almost any substrate with topology can be used as a master, such as plastic diffraction gratings (see Reagents for one example), and such serendipitous masters provide readily available, simple patterns. This protocol begins at the point of having a master in hand.
Lipid Mediator Dysregulation in Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

The characteristic arteriopathy of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) with attendant endothelial dysfunction provides an opportunity for enhanced cellular activation in the lung. Data from many laboratories support the concept of altered eicosanoid metabolism in PPH. Rigorously quantitative measurements of the excretion of metabolites of thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin support persistent platelet activation and inadequate endothelial response in patients with PPH. Recent studies measuring excretion of prostaglandin D2 metabolites suggest that additional cell sources, such as activated tissue macrophages, may also play a role in the observed elevation in thromboxane excretion and possibly in the pathogenesis of the vascular remodeling. Additional research examining in vivo cell activation in patients receiving therapy with long-term infusion of prostacyclin may further our understanding of the pathogenesis of PPH.
LIFESTYLES, ROUTINE ACTIVITIES, AND RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY VICTIMIZATION

This paper reports findings from an exploratory, place specific study of the relationship between victims' lifestyles, routine activities, and residential burglary victimization. A telephone survey differentiated people with various lifestyles in terms of daily obligatory and discretionary activities. These differential lifestyles were related to variations in routine activities (i.e., pedestrian and automotive traffic) on street segments around residential areas. In a pooled cross-sectional design, street segments with higher volumes of routine activities between 1992-1996 had significantly lower burglary rates over this time period, as did street blocks with irregular periods of routine activities in 1997. Implications are discussed for the lifestyle I exposure and routine activity theories and for the movement in criminology away from explaining why individual offenders commit crimes, toward explaining why crimes happen at particular places at particular times and not others.
Polymer-assisted deposition of homogeneous metal oxide films to produce nuclear targets

Targets are essential in experimental nuclear sciences as a source of stationary nuclei for nuclear reactions with ion beams. Typically, targets should be chemically pure, uniform, homogeneous and crack-free over the irradiation area, while also being structurally rigid. The polymer-assisted deposition (PAD) method uses a water-soluble multidentate polymer that chelates metal precursors in solution. This polymer-metal solution is then spin coated and annealed to yield a crack-free, homogeneous metal oxide film. In this protocol, nuclear targets are created using PAD on silicon nitride (Si3N4) windows with silicon frames. Silicon wafers ([100], single-side polished) coated with 1 μm of silicon nitride on both sides are patterned and etched to create 1-μm silicon nitride windows. The PAD solution is then spun onto the silicon nitride window and annealed to create a thin, uniform metal oxide film of variable thickness on top of the silicon nitride backing. The production of a target window and the deposition of a thin film ranging from 50 to 150 nm takes ∼13.5 h. Subsequent reapplications to grow thicker films require an additional 5 h per application.
PANDER KO mice on high‐fat diet are glucose intolerant yet resistant to fasting hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia

The recent creation of the PANDER (pancreatic-derived factor) knockout (PANKO) and acute mouse models have revealed a biological function in the regulation of glycemic levels via promotion of hepatic glucose production (HGP) and pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion. Therefore, we hypothesized that the absence of PANDER may afford some degree of protection from high-fat diet (HFD) induced fasting hyperglycemia. On HFD, fasting glycemic levels were significantly lower in the PANKO mice. Also, fasting insulin levels and the in vivo insulin response following glucose injection were inhibited in PANKO mice. The lowered fasting glycemic levels are attributed to decreased HGP due to the absence of PANDER. Overall, our findings further indicate PANDER impacts glycemic levels and may represent a potential but complicated therapeutic target.
The diagnosis and treatment of syphilis in women

Abstract Syphilis is a sexually transmitted diseage with a known cause and an effective cure. Unfortunately, during the past decade syphilis has resurfaced as a major public health problem. This resurgence of cases has paralleled the rise of crack cocaine abuse and the attendant risky sexual behaviors associated with drug-seeking. Syphilis, as a leading cause of genital ulcer disease, enhances human immunodeficiency virus transmissibility. Syphilis has returned to damage our most vulnerable patients, the developing fetus and newborn. The eradication of this disease awaits the solution of the stubborn social problems of ignorance, poverty, drug abuse, and prostitution.
Parametric non-mixture cure models for schedule finding of therapeutic agents

We propose a phase I clinical trial design that seeks to determine the cumulative safety of a series of administrations of a fixed dose of an investigational agent. In contrast with traditional phase I trials that are designed solely to find the maximum tolerated dose of the agent, our design instead identifies a maximum tolerated schedule that includes a maximum tolerated dose as well as a vector of recommended administration times. Our model is based on a non-mixture cure model that constrains the probability of dose limiting toxicity for all patients to increase monotonically with both dose and the number of administrations received. We assume a specific parametric hazard function for each administration and compute the total hazard of dose limiting toxicity for a schedule as a sum of individual administration hazards. Throughout a variety of settings motivated by an actual study in allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients, we demonstrate that our approach has excellent operating characteristics and performs as well as the only other currently published design for schedule finding studies. We also present arguments for the preference of our non-mixture cure model over the existing model.
Physical activity and the prevention of hypertension

As the worldwide prevalence of hypertension continues to increase, the primary prevention of hypertension has become an important global public health initiative. Physical activity is commonly recommended as an important lifestyle modification that may aid in the prevention of hypertension. Recent epidemiologic evidence has demonstrated a consistent, temporal, and dose-dependent relationship between physical activity and the development of hypertension. Experimental evidence from interventional studies has further confirmed a relationship between physical activity and hypertension as the favorable effects of exercise on blood pressure reduction have been well characterized in recent years. Despite the available evidence strongly supporting a role for physical activity in the prevention of hypertension, many unanswered questions regarding the protective benefits of physical activity in high-risk individuals, the factors that may moderate the relationship between physical activity and hypertension, and the optimal prescription for hypertension prevention remain. We review the most recent evidence for the role of physical activity in the prevention of hypertension and discuss recent studies that have sought to address these unanswered questions.
Disorder and the Superfluid Transition in Liquid 4He

The influence of quenched disorder on the critical behavior of superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ is studied by confinement of the helium to the pores of three different porous media: Vycor, xerogel, and aerogel glasses. In each case a well defined power-law behavior for the superfluid density is observed as the transition temperature is approached. In Vycor the superfluid critical exponent is bulklike, whereas strikingly different critical exponents are seen in the other two media.
Catechol estrogen concentrations in maternal and umbilical circulation at different modes of delivery

Abstract To investigate the role of catechol estrogens in human parturition, these steroids were analyzed in samples from the maternal venous and umbilical venous and arterial plasma at vaginal (n=28) and abdominal (n=28) delivery. To ensure the appropriateness of collection of umbilical artery and venous blood samples, progesterone content was also determined. Although there is no significant difference in maternal vein content of catechol estrogens between the two groups, the umbilical venous ( p =0.03) and arterial ( p =0.002) plasma concentrations are significantly higher at vaginal delivery than those measured at abdominal delivery. In view of the present data and the importance of catechol estrogens in prostaglandin synthesis and in potentiating the activity of catecholamines through competitive inhibition of catechol- O -methyltransferase, it is suggested that catechol estrogens may play a role in triggering the events involved in the onset of labor and delivery in humans.
Development of a multiframe optical imaging detector for proton radiography at LANL

In this paper we give a brief report on the development of simple direct- and indirect-detection imagers for proton radiography experiments. We outline a conceptual design for a novel, multi-frame 5 mega frames per second (Mfs) hybrid imager. The high-density interconnect is identified as a critical enabling technology. We present a description of a 3D electronics packaging cube, which was completed in a recent feasibility study.
Pathological pain and the neuroimmune interface

Reciprocal signalling between immunocompetent cells in the central nervous system (CNS) has emerged as a key phenomenon underpinning pathological and chronic pain mechanisms. Neuronal excitability can be powerfully enhanced both by classical neurotransmitters derived from neurons, and by immune mediators released from CNS-resident microglia and astrocytes, and from infiltrating cells such as T cells. In this Review, we discuss the current understanding of the contribution of central immune mechanisms to pathological pain, and how the heterogeneous immune functions of different cells in the CNS could be harnessed to develop new therapeutics for pain control. Given the prevalence of chronic pain and the incomplete efficacy of current drugs — which focus on suppressing aberrant neuronal activity — new strategies to manipulate neuroimmune pain transmission hold considerable promise.
Covalent synthesis of perylenediimide-bridged silsesquioxane nanoribbons and their electronic properties

Perylenediimide-functionalized silsesquioxane nanostructures were prepared from base-catalyzed polymerization of their respective monoalkoxysilane precursor. The shapes of nanostructures varied from nanoribbons to nanochains to nanorods upon changing the base concentration. Transmission electron microscopy confirms the twisted nature of nanoribbons with lengths up to 15 μm, whereas the dimensions of nanorods were in the range of 9 μm in length and 200 nm in width. The photovoltaic performance of the nanoribbons and nanorods were evaluated and compared for bulk heterojunction solar cells and it was discovered that morphology plays an important role in the PV performance.
Bias in Composite Milk Samples with Unequal Milking Intervals

Abstract Milk samples from a herd with milk intervals approximating 14-h nights and 10-h days were used to examine potential bias in measurements with composite samples. Six consecutive milkings were weighed and sampled individually. Composite samples for a day were determined mathematically from the data. Composite samples with equal amounts from a.m. and p.m. milkings gave fat percentage measurements that were .07% above the true daily measurement. Using the milking interval to determine the portion of sample from each milking reduced this bias to –.02%. Protein percentage and SCC were satisfactory with equal sampling (mean bias of .01% and 7, respectively) but were improved slightly with milking interval sampling regimen (mean bias of .00% and 1, respectively). Fat yields were determined with equal portions, milking interval portions, and two plans available from DHIA, namely, alternate component sampling and alternate a.m.-p.m. Based on mean deviation from true fat yield, alternate a.m.-p.m. was as accurate as alternate component sampling, but variations were greater with alternate a.m.-p.m.
NITRATE IN HAWAIIAN WATERS1

In 1956 a readily accessible station near Koko Head, Oahu was established by the Honolulu Biological Laboratory of the U. S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries to provide information regarding the circulating water system of the Hawaiian Islands (Anom. 1960). In 1959 as part of an investigation on the chemical characteristics of the waters at this station, the method of Mullin and Riley ( 1955) was applied for the determination of nitrate. The work described briefly below is based exclusively upon experiences with this method although recently a modification by Strickland and Parsons (1960) has appeared. On a disturbing number of occasions, after appropriate treatment, the total blanks for sea water samples, when adjusted by the salt error factor of 0.77 recommended for the salinity range encountered, were larger than the corresponding extinction values of the samples. This resulted automatically in zero nitrate concentrations and cast doubt on the validity of the nitrate data. To account for the discrepancy, sea water from three different sources near Oahu was analyzed for nitrate by the same technique. Aliquots of the samples were enriched with varying quantities of nitrate to provide concentrations up to 10 pg-atoms NO,-N/L and the total nitrate again determined with application of the salt error factor of 0.77. Recoveries based on the amounts of nitrate added were consistently low with a range from 32 to 84% and an average less than 60% which suggested the possibility that the factor of 0.77 was not applicable to Hawaiian waters. For confirmation, the enrichment procedure of sea water samples was repeated. A sea water calibration curve was prepared
Somatosensory properties of spinoreticular neurons in the cat

Abstract (1) Spinal cord neurons projecting to the brain stem were studied in cats prepared by decerebration or anesthetized with barbiturate or nitrous oxide and halothane. Antidromic stimulation from the medial pontomedullary reticular formation (MPRF) and midbrain (MB) was used to identify the site of projection. (2) Receptive fields were mapped using adequate stimuli. A variety of noxious stimuli was employed to establish the capacity of these neurons to transmit nociceptive input. (3) Neurons were found to project bilaterally to the MPRF. Of 46 units tested for a more rostral projection, only 13 were activated from the MB electrode. (4) Neurons fall into three categories based on receptive fields: cutaneous, restricted (SR); deep, restricted (DR); and complex, extensive (CE). All 16 SR neurons were located in the dorsal horn and had low thresholds to mechanical stimulation of the skin. Seven discharged maximally to nociceptive inputs. The 34 DR neurons were widely distributed in the spinal gray and responded to pressure upon subcutaneous structures. Although 13 neurons increased their firing rate as the stimulus intensity was increased into the noxious range, nociceptive input could only be established with confidence in 4 neurons. The 38 CE neurons were located ventrally in the spinal gray and had highly convergent inputs from cutaneous and deep receptors. Ten responded maximally to noxious stimulation.
Acceptance of genetically modified food: comparing consumer perspectives in the United States and South Korea

This study examines public perceptions of biotechnology, specifically the consumer approval of genetically modified food products, from plant as well as from animal origin, based on data collected from national surveys conducted in both the United States and South Korea. South Korean consumers reported better understanding of food production, science, and technology relative to U.S. consumers. South Korean consumers also recalled having heard more about genetic modification than did U.S. consumers. Findings also suggest that consumers in the United States and South Korea who possessed an accurate knowledge of the applications and outcomes of genetic modification technology were more likely to approve of its use for the creation of foods than those who had inaccurate or no knowledge of the technology. Results also indicate that consumers who considered labeling of genetically modified foods to be necessary are less likely to approve of the genetic modification of foods than those who did not. Consumers in both countries are less approving of genetic modification of animals than the genetic modification of plants. However, U.S. consumers are more approving of using genetic modification technology to create animal-derived foods than are South Korean consumers.
Mitochondrial function in Antarctic notothenioid fishes that differ in the expression of oxygen-binding proteins

State III respiration rates were measured in mitochondria isolated from hearts of Antarctic notothenioid fishes that differ in the expression of hemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb). Respiration rates were measured at temperatures between 2 and 40°C in Gobionotothen gibberifrons (+Hb/+Mb), Chaenocephalus aceratus (–Hb/–Mb) and Chionodraco rastrospinosus (–Hb/+Mb). Blood osmolarity was measured in all three species and physiological buffers prepared for isolating mitochondria and measuring respiration rates. Respiration rates were higher in mitochondria from G. gibberifrons compared to those from C. aceratus at 2°C, but were similar among all species at temperatures between 10 and 26°C. Respiration rates were significantly lower in icefishes at 35 and 40°C compared to G. gibberifrons. The respiratory control ratio of isolated mitochondria was lower in C. aceratus compared to G. gibberifrons at all temperatures below 35°C. At 35 and 40°C, mitochondria were uncoupled in all species. The Arrhenius break temperature of state III respiration was similar among all three species (30.5 ± 0.9°C) and higher than values previously reported for Antarctic notothenioids, likely due to the higher osmolarity of buffers used in this study. These results suggest that differences in mitochondrial structure, correlated with the expression of oxygen-binding proteins, minimally impact mitochondrial function.
Co-morbid and socio-demographic factors associated with cognitive performance in an elderly community dwelling Irish population.

Background Epidemiological studies suggest an association between health factors and dementia. The impact of these factors on the cognitive performance of the elderly population is unclear. Possible correlates of poor cognitive performance in a community dwelling elderly Irish population were examined. Methods Subjects were from a sample of individuals over 65 years agreeable to interview using the Geriatric Mental State (GMS)-Automated Geriatric Examination for Computed Assisted Taxonomy (AGECAT) package conducted at the subject's home. Associations between patient profiles and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score were investigated in a multivariate model. Results There were 793 subjects, 528 (66.6%) female with mean (s.d.) age 74.8 (6.7) yrs. Mean MMSE score was 26.5 (3.3). 169 (21.3%) were current smokers, 198 (25%) ex-smokers. Two hundred and twenty-four (28.3%) had a history of hypertension, 85 (10.7%) case level anxiety or depression, 51 (6.4%) stroke, ten0 (1.3%) epilepsy, nine (1.1%) Parkinson's disease and 29 (3.7%) dementia. Two hundred and fifty-five (32.2%) subjects were on psychotropic medications. Factors associated with MMSE score included age (p ≤ 0.0001), diagnosis of dementia (p ≤ 0.0001), socioeconomic group (p ≤ 0.0001), education (p ≤ 0.0001), previous stroke (p = 0.0013) and use of psychotropic medication (p = 0.03). Case level anxiety or depression (p = 0.99), Parkinson's disease (p = 0.52), epilepsy (p = 0.26), smoking status (p = 0.99) and hypertension (p = 0.34) were not found to be associated with cognitive performance. Conclusion Factors associated with cognitive performance included age, socioeconomic group, education, previous stroke and use of psychotropic medication. These factors should be adjusted for in studies assessing cognition in this population. Stroke prevention strategies and avoidance of psychotropic medication may benefit cognitive performance. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rigorous Application of Tolerance Analysis in Setup Planning

Decades of computer-aided process planning research has resulted in techniques that automate portions of the process planning task such as operation sequencing and cutter path optimisation. Nonetheless, solutions to other areas such as setup planning and fixturing remain elusive. Setup planning research has received increased attention in recent years. The importance of tolerance analysis in setup planning has been recognised. However, due to the lack of a common measure for different types of tolerances, the analysis is carried out in an ad hoc fashion and often results in suboptimal setup plans. In this paper, a tolerance normalisation approach is presented to provide an accurate means for direct comparison of different types of geometric tolerances and dimensional tolerances. A normalised tolerance is an angle representing the maximum permissible rotation error when locating a component. It is calculated based on rigorous analysis of manufacturing errors involved in component setups. The formulae for tolerance normalisation are derived and the use of normalised tolerance in setup planning is illustrated.
Passive ranging of emissive targets using atmospheric oxygen absorption lines

Highly-energetic targets such as rocket plumes and detonation fireballs are difficult to locate and track effectively with active sensors that rely on reflection, but traditional passive sensors cannot determine range. Development of a passive ranging sensor will enable accurate target location and tracking while simultaneously improving covertness. Recent work is presented on development of a passive sensor to estimate range using spectroscopic measurements of atmospheric absorption. In particular, advantages of measuring absorption on the O 2(bX) transition near 762nm are discussed. Theoretical predictions are compared with experimental results to verify model performance at short ranges (up to 200m). Range accuracy better than 1% has been demonstrated using a Fourier transform spectrometer at short range. Extension of the theory to long range (in excess of 100km) is also discussed.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Systems-Based Identification of Temporal Processing Pathways during Bone Cell Mechanotransduction

Bone has long been established to be a highly mechanosensitive tissue. When subjected to mechanical loading, bone exhibits profoundly different anabolic responses depending on the temporal pattern in which the stimulus is applied. This phenomenon has been termed temporal processing, and involves complex signal amplification mechanisms that are largely unidentified. In this study, our goal was to characterize transcriptomic perturbations arising from the insertion of intermittent rest periods (a temporal variation with profound effects on bone anabolism) in osteoblastic cells subjected to fluid flow, and assess the utility of these perturbations to identify signaling pathways that are differentially activated by this temporal variation. At the level of the genome, we found that the common and differential alterations in gene expression arising from the two flow conditions were distributionally distinct, with the differential alterations characterized by many small changes in a large number of genes. Using bioinformatics analysis, we identified distinct up- and down-regulation transcriptomic signatures associated with the insertion of rest intervals, and found that the up-regulation signature was significantly associated with MAPK signaling. Confirming the involvement of the MAPK pathway, we found that the insertion of rest intervals significantly elevated flow-induced p-ERK1/2 levels by enabling a second spike in activity that was not observed in response to continuous flow. Collectively, these studies are the first to characterize distinct transcriptomic perturbations in bone cells subjected to continuous and intermittent stimulation, and directly demonstrate the utility of systems-based transcriptomic analysis to identify novel acute signaling pathways underlying temporal processing in bone cells.
Late Ordovician (Turinian–Chatfieldian) carbon isotope excursions and their stratigraphic and paleoceanographic significance

Five positive carbon isotope excursions are reported from Platteville–Decorah strata in the Upper Mississippi Valley. All occur in subtidal carbonate strata, and are recognized in the Mifflin, Grand Detour, Quimbys Mill, Spechts Ferry, and Guttenberg intervals. The positive carbon isotope excursions are developed in a Platteville–Decorah succession in which background δ13C values increase upward from about −2‰ at the base to about 0‰ Vienna Pee Dee belemnite (VPDB) at the top. A regional north–south δ13C gradient, with lighter values to the north and heavier values to the south is also noted. Peak excursion δ13C values of up to +2.75 are reported from the Quimbys Mill excursion, and up to +2.6 from the Guttenberg excursion, although there are considerable local changes in the magnitudes of these events. The Quimbys Mill, Spechts Ferry, and Guttenberg carbon isotope excursions occur in units that are bounded by submarine disconformities, and completely starve out in deeper, more offshore areas. Closely spaced chemostratigraphic profiles of these sculpted, pyrite-impregnated hardground surfaces show that they are associated with very abrupt centimeter-scale negative δ13C shifts of up to several per mil, possibly resulting from the local diagenetic effects of incursions of euxinic bottom waters during marine flooding events.
Hysterical dysphonia: hypnotic treatment of a ten-year-old female.

Abstract Hypnotherapy was successfully used over a period of five weekly sessions to treat hysterical dysphonia in a 10-year-od female. The therapeutic methodology included direct and indirect suggestions, both of which were formulated and derived from a number of psychosoical factors which were hypothesized to be maintaining the hysterical symptom of dysphonia. Principal factors hypothesized to have been perpetuating the conversion symptom are discussed. At nine-months followup the client is still phonating clearly.
Pattern of expression of the KGF receptor and its ligands KGF and FGF‐10 during postnatal mouse mammary gland development

The expression of the KGF receptor (KGFR) and its stromal ligands, KGF and FGF-10, was compared during mouse mammary gland development. KGFR expression in mammary parenchyma is maximal in mature virgin mice, declines during pregnancy and lactation, but rises after weaning. The rise in KGFR mRNA in the virgin animal corresponds to parenchymal growth. The fall in KGFR expression in pregnancy is driven by hormone-induced alveolar differentiation since the level of KGFR mRNA is 5-fold higher in isolated ductal cells compared to alveolar cells. KGF and FGF-10 expression patterns differ during ductal development. FGF-10 is also expressed at about a 15-fold higher molar level than KGF. During pregnancy and lactation, expression of KGF and FGF-10 decreases in intact fat pads but is unchanged in parenchyma-free fat pads. Thus, the decrease in KGF and FGF-10 expression observed in intact glands during pregnancy and lactation is not a direct consequence of the changing hormonal milieu but more likely reflects an increase in the ratio of epithelium to stroma. Differences in the level and pattern of expression of mRNA for KGF, FGF-10, and the KGFR during postnatal development of the mouse mammary gland are a result of morphological development, changes in the ratio of stroma to epithelium, and hormonal regulation of cell differentiation. These changes suggest that the biological roles that these growth factors play are regulated by fluctuations in both growth factor and growth factor receptor expression and that KGF and FGF-10 may have different regulatory functions.
Explaining the Strategic Behavior of States: International Law as System Structure

Neorealist models of international politics have usefully called attention to the importance of system structure in determining states' strategic behavior. Neorealism errs, however, in equating international structure with the distribution of capabilities among states in the system. Since it is logically possible (even in an anarchic realm) for legal norms to determine strategic behavior, and since international law does exist, a theory of international politics should instead equate international structure with the legal principles regarded by states as imposing binding constraints on their strategic actions. A review of available data on actual patterns of territorial conquest, war initiation, and balancing behavior by states suggests that such a law-based approach yields valuable new insights into the structural dynamics of states' strategic choices. The law-based approach also resolves several troubling empirical anomalies associated with neorealist theory.
Release of soluble fibronectin containing an extra type III domain (ED1) during acute pulmonary injury mediated by oxidants or leukocytes in vivo

This study was undertaken to determine if fibronectin containing an extra type III domain (ED1) is released during inflammatory injury of pulmonary tissue in vivo. ED1 fibronectin, measured by quantitative immunoassay, was markedly increased in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (2 and 4 h posttreatment) from rabbits with lung injury resulting from intrabronchial treatment with glucose oxidase and glucose to generate H2O2. This protein comprised a greater portion of total fibronectin in BAL fluid than in plasma, suggesting local release. Leukocyte-mediated lung injury after intrabronchial or intravenous treatment with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) also affected ED1 fibronectin, triggering specific accumulation of this fibronectin variant in both BAL fluid and plasma. ED1 fibronectin in tissue fluids was largely intact and dimeric during injury, as demonstrated by Western blot analysis. Compartmental release of soluble ED1 fibronectin reflects acute pulmonary injury induced by oxidants or leukocytes in vivo.
Urinary catheters: what type do men and their nurses prefer?

OBJECTIVES: Urinary catheters are used frequently, but the relative risks and benefits of different types of devices are not clear. We sought to determine the beliefs of both older male patients and nursing staff about the relative merits and problems of condom and indwelling catheters. DESIGN: Patient and nurse survey using convenience sampling. SETTING: A University-affiliated Veterans Affairs medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Men hospitalized on medical, rehabilitation and nursing home units using either an indwelling or a condom catheter were invited to participate as were all members of the nursing staff on these units. Of 116 eligible patients, 104 were interviewed (response rate = 90%). Of 107 eligible nursing staff members, 99 completed the questionnaires (response rate = 92%). INTERVENTION AND MEASUREMENTS: Consenting patients were interviewed personally about their urinary catheter. The nursing staff were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Patients were mostly older and predominantly hospitalized on the medical service. Compared with those using an indwelling catheter, patients using a condom catheter were more likely to believe that their catheter was comfortable (86 vs 58%, P = .04) and less likely to believe it was painful (14 vs 48%, P = .008) or to restrict their activity (24 vs 61%, P = .002). The nursing staff had a mean of 13 years nursing experience, and the majority worked in the nursing home unit. Most of the nursing staff respondents believed that condom catheters were less painful and restrictive for patients and were easier to apply, but they also believed that they fell off and leaked more often and required more nursing time. CONCLUSIONS: Both patients and nursing staff prefer condom to indwelling catheters for patient comfort, but they recognize that dislodgment and leaking are major drawbacks of condom catheters. A more secure condom catheter would greatly improve the management of male incontinence. J Am Geriatr Soc 47:1453–1457, 1999.
On the conservativity of the axiom of choice over set theory

We show that for various set theories T including ZF, T + AC is conservative over T for sentences of the form $${\forall x \exists ! y}$$ A(x, y) where A(x, y) is a Δ0 formula.
BEEM spectroscopy at interfaces of Au, Ag, Cu, Mg and Ni films with n-GaP(110)

Abstract A systematic investigation with ballistic-electron emission microscopy (BEEM) of local Schottky-barrier heights for ≅ 100 A thick films of Au, Ag, Cu, Mg and Ni evaporated onto cleaved n-GaP(110) surfaces is presented. It is shown that the onset of the BEEM current follows a 5 2 power law, thermally broadened by the tip Fermi function. Schottky-barrier heights are found to be 1.41 ± 0.02 eV (Au), 1.27 ± 0.02 eV (Ag), 1.21 ± 0.03 eV (Cu), 1.03 ± 0.02 eV (Mg) and 1.06 ± 0.06 eV (Ni). In addition, the influence of varying injection geometry and tip contamination on the BEEM spectra is discussed.
The depletion of protein signals in metabonomics analysis with the WET–CPMG pulse sequence

Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool capable of providing a comprehensive metabolic profile of biofluids such as urine, plasma, and serum. Unfortunately, when measuring serum and plasma, the high protein concentration can obscure the signals originating from low molecular weight metabolites. We evaluated the use of different parameters within the Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) pulse train of fast spin-echoes to remove the macromolecular signal contribution in one-dimensional proton ( 1 H ) NMR spectra. Experimental parameters such as the refocusing delay in the CPMG pulse train, pulse miscalibration, and recycle time were examined to assess the ability to remove the protein signals from the spectrum without causing a deleterious effect on the signals originating from free, low molecular weight metabolites. The 1 H -NMR spectra of a variety of serum samples spiked with 2′-deoxyadenosine were acquired using various acquisition parameters. Our results show that the delay used in the CPMG spin-echo and the combination of the acquisition pulse flip angle and recycle time are the two major factors affecting the observed metabolite signal amplitudes in the resulting 1 H -NMR spectrum.
Dating floodplain sediments using tree‐ring response to burial

Floodplain sediments can be dated precisely based on the change in anatomy of tree rings upon burial. When a stem of tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima) or sandbar willow (Salix exigua) is buried, subsequent annual rings in the buried section resemble the rings of roots: rings become narrower, vessels within the rings become larger, and transitions between rings become less distinct. We combined observations of these changes with tree-ring counts to determine the year of deposition of sedimentary beds exposed in a 150-m-long trench across the floodplain of the Rio Puerco, a rapidly filling arroyo in New Mexico. This method reliably dated most beds thicker than about 30 cm to within a year of deposition. Floodplain aggradation rates varied dramatically through time and space. Sediment deposition was mostly limited to brief overbank flows occurring every few years. The most rapid deposition occurred on channel-margin levees, which migrated laterally during channel narrowing. At the decadal timescale, the cross-section-average sediment deposition rate was steady, but there was a shift in the spatial pattern of deposition in the 1980s. From 1936 to 1986, sediment deposition occurred by channel narrowing, with little change in elevation of the thalweg. After 1986 sediment deposition occurred by vertical aggradation. From 1936 to 2000 about 27 per cent of the arroyo cross-section filled with sediment. The rate of filling from 1962 to 2000 was 0·8 vertical m/decade or 85 m2/decade. Published in 2005 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Content-free voice analysis of mothers talking about their failure-to-thrive children*

Tape recordings of mothers of 13 normal and 15 nonorganic failure-lo-thrive (NOFTT) infants talking about their infants were filtered to remove voice content and rated by female students, who scored them on 19 affect-related categories. Control mothers scored significantly higher on a composite variable termed “positive affect” compared to NOFTT mothers, suggesting content-free voice analysis may be a useful tool in measuring aspects of the mother-infant relationship and in understanding NOFTT.
China’s Military after the Sixteenth Party Congress: Long March to Eternity:

Among the numerous issues concerning the Chinese military in the aftermath of the Sixteenth Party Congress, this article will concentrate on three interrelated topics: the trend of China’s military capability, debates about military strategies, and civil-military relations. Following a layout of China’s security environment, the article will examine its changing military capability and force concentrations. Changes in its military development require an assessment of China’s strategies and defense policies. Moreover, the leadership transition in the Sixteenth Party Congress provides a compelling need to investigate China’s civil-military relations, which will affect regime stability and governance in Chinese politics. Several challenges lie ahead for China’s military. Chinese leaders will have to make difficult choices in prioritizing various weapons systems for a credible deterrence and compellence capability. China’s military strategy and force structure will also depend on the development of U.S.-China...
Teachers' Workplace Meets The Professors of Teaching: A Chance Encounter at 30,000 Feet

In Teachers' Workplace, Rosenholtz presents evidence suggesting that teachers' attitudes and behaviors are direct results of the social organization of their workplace. She describes low- consensus...
A Virtue Ethics Guide to Best Practices for Community-Based Participatory Research

Background: Rule ethics, or principled thinking, is important in the analysis of risks and benefits of research and informed consent, but is not completely adequate for guiding ethical responses to communities as research participants and collaborators. Virtue ethics theory can be used to guide actions in relationships, which are foundational to the implementation of community-based participatory research (CBPR). Virtues are strengths of character that contribute to a life of flourishing or well-being for individuals and communities. Objectives: This article provides an overview of virtue ethics theory, identifies common ethical problems in CBPR, and discusses how professional virtues can be used to guide ethi- cal research practice. Methods: The virtues of compassion, courage, honesty, humility, justice, and practical reasoning are defined and applied to ethical practice in the development, implementa- tion, and dissemination of CBPR. Best practices for CBPR that consider the well-being of communities are identified. Conclusions: The virtues of compassion and humility foster inclusiveness and integration of community perspectives in research collaboration. Courage requires researchers to step out of the research safety-net to listen to community member voices and wisdom and share power in research decisions. Honesty requires researchers to communicate realistic expectations for research outcomes, share all findings with the community, and consider community perspectives in research dissemination. Systematic involvement of the community in all steps of the research process represents the virtue of practical reasoning. From a justice perspective, CBPR aims to restore communities rather than take from them.
Review of proteomics with applications to genetic epidemiology.

Mapping of the human genome has the potential to transform the traditional methods of genetic epidemiology. The complete draft sequence of the 3.3 billion nucleotides comprising the genome is now available over the Internet, including the location and nearly complete sequence of the 26,000 to 31,000 protein-encoding genes. However, aside from water, almost everything in the human body is either made of, or by, proteins. Although the DNA code provides the instructions for their amino acid sequence, there are an estimated 1.5 million proteins. Thus, the correlation between DNA sequence and protein is low, reflecting alternate splicing as well as post-translational modification. The purpose of this article is to explore ways in which the emerging field of proteomics, the study of proteins in a cell, may inform our approach to gene mapping. This article reviews the various technical approaches currently available for proteomics. Technologies are available to quantify protein expression (and compare normal versus disease states), identify proteins through comparison with sequence information in databases or direct sequencing (which can then be mapped to chromosomal locations to ensure appropriate markers), elucidate protein-protein interactions (which may underlie disease), determine localization of proteins within the cell (abnormal trafficking of proteins could have an inherited basis), and characterize modifications of proteins (which is relevant to modifier gene candidates). Several examples are presented to illustrate the potential application of proteomics to the field of genetic epidemiology, and we conclude with various considerations regarding design and analysis.
Medicare Disadvantaged And The Search For The Elusive Level Playing Field

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) raised payment levels for established Medicare Advantage (private) local plans and would-be regional preferred provider organizations (PPOs). Even though plans on average receive about 108 percent of what would have been spent for the same beneficiaries in traditional Medicare, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) added another 2.3 percent in 2004 and 4.0 percent in 2005 in its implementation of risk-adjusted payments. Although MMA gives a clear preference to private plans to start a fundamental restructuring of Medicare, the question remains whether Congress will maintain overpayments to private plans when faced with the pressure to reduce budget deficits. (Robert Berenson. December 15, 2004. Health Affairs web exclusive.)