cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Automated, High-Throughput Method for Interpreting the Tandem Mass Spectra of Glycosaminoglycans.

The biological interactions between glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and other biomolecules are heavily influenced by structural features of the glycan. The structure of GAGs can be assigned using tandem mass spectrometry (MS2), but analysis of these data, to date, requires manually interpretation, a slow process that presents a bottleneck to the broader deployment of this approach to solving biologically relevant problems. Automated interpretation remains a challenge, as GAG biosynthesis is not template-driven, and therefore, one cannot predict structures from genomic data, as is done with proteins. The lack of a structure database, a consequence of the non-template biosynthesis, requires a de novo approach to interpretation of the mass spectral data. We propose a model for rapid, high-throughput GAG analysis by using an approach in which candidate structures are scored for the likelihood that they would produce the features observed in the mass spectrum. To make this approach tractable, a genetic algorithm is used to greatly reduce the search-space of isomeric structures that are considered. The time required for analysis is significantly reduced compared to an approach in which every possible isomer is considered and scored. The model is coded in a software package using the MATLAB environment. This approach was tested on tandem mass spectrometry data for long-chain, moderately sulfated chondroitin sulfate oligomers that were derived from the proteoglycan bikunin. The bikunin data was previously interpreted manually. Our approach examines glycosidic fragments to localize SO3 modifications to specific residues and yields the same structures reported in literature, only much more quickly.
Nation-State Hegemony in Internet Routing

While the growth of the Internet has fostered more efficient communications around the world, there is a large digital divide between Western countries and the rest of the world. Countries such as Brazil, China, and Saudi Arabia have questioned and criticized America's Internet hegemony. This paper studies the extent to which various countries rely on the United States and other Western countries to connect to popular Internet destinations in those countries. Unfortunately, our measurements reveal that underserved regions are dependent on North American and Western European regions for two reasons: local content is often hosted in foreign countries (such as the United States and the Netherlands), and networks within a country often fail to peer with one another. Fortunately, we also find that routing traffic through strategically placed relay nodes can in some cases reduce the number of transnational routing detours by more than a factor of two, which subsequently reduces the dependence of underserved regions on other regions. Based on these findings, we design and implement Region-Aware Networking, RAN, a lightweight system that routes a client's web traffic around specified countries with no modifications to client software (and in many cases with little performance overhead).
Cement and Energy

Cement is one of the most important building materials in the world. It is mainly used for the production of concrete. Cement is produced in almost every country, although a few countries dominate the global production (e.g., China, India, the United States, and Japan). Cement production is a highly energy-intensive process. The cement industry consumes more than 2% of world energy use and contributes approximately 5% of global anthropogenic CO 2 emissions. Cement is made in two basic steps: the making of clinker from limestone and the mixing of clinker with other materials. Energy is mainly consumed in the first production step because of the energy-intensive calcination process. Energy conservation opportunities include energy efficiency improvement, new processes, application of waste fuels, and increased use of additives in cement making.
Freeze-thaw injury: Evidence for Double strand breaks in Escherichiacoli DNA

Neutral sucrose gradient sedimentation studies indicate that freezethawing of EscherichiacoliBr results in double strand breakage of its DNA. Breaks were detected after one hour of frozen storage at −16°C, resulting in a distinct displacement of the major peak of [3H]DNA toward the meniscus. In addition at this time a minor shallow peak of radioactivity toward the meniscus appeared indicating accumulation of some small molecular weight DNA fragments of heterogeneous size. These small DNA fragments seemed to become the major DNA breakage product after 112 and 4 months of frozen storage. Double strand DNA breakage continued through 8 and 12 months of frozen storage. However, the sedimentation profile became progressively more broad and shallow suggesting that the initial DNA fragments may have reassociated into molecular aggregates of heterogeneous molecular composition.
Population history with invasive predators predicts innate immune function response to early-life glucocorticoid exposure in lizards

ABSTRACT Early-life stress can suppress immune function, but it is unclear whether transgenerational stress exposure modulates the immune consequences of early stress. In populations where, historically, the immune system is frequently activated, e.g. persistent stressors that cause injury, it may be maladaptive to suppress immune function after early-life stress. Thus, the relationship between early-life stress and immune function may vary with population-level historical stressor exposure. We collected gravid fence lizards ( Sceloporus undulatus ) from populations that naturally differ in long-term exposure to invasive fire ants ( Solenopsis invicta ). We manipulated early-life stress in the resulting offspring via weekly exposure to fire ants, application of the stress-relevant hormone corticosterone or control treatment from 2 to 43 weeks of age. We quantified adult immune function in these offspring with baseline and antigen-induced hemagglutination and plasma bacterial killing ability. Early-life corticosterone exposure suppressed baseline hemagglutination in offspring of lizards from populations not exposed to fire ants but enhanced hemagglutination in those from populations that were exposed to fire ants. This enhancement may prepare lizards for high rates of wounding, toxin exposure and infection associated with fire ant attack. Adult bacterial killing ability and hemagglutination were not affected by early-life exposure to fire ants, but the latter was higher in offspring of lizards from invaded sites. A population9s history of persistent stress may thus alter individual long-term immunological responses to early-life stressors. Further consideration of historical stressor exposure (type and duration) may be important to better understand how early-life stressors affect adult physiology.
What Is Data-Based Child Advocacy?

The concept of “data-based child advocacy” is introduced and several facets of data-based child advocacy are described, including the special situation of children in the advocacy arena.
Developers' sentiment and issue reopening

Since software engineering is done primarily by humans, the sentiment of the developers is crucial when trying to achieve the best possible results. This study takes a look at a specific instance of this: developer sentiment in relation to issue reopening. In general, issue reopening is something to be avoided as it indicates that something went wrong in the original issue fixing, which means extra work will have to be done to fix it entirely. In this study, we were able to apply a sentiment analysis tool to issue tracking comments and observe how the scores varied across issues with no reopenings, one reopening, and many reopenings. We found evidence that suggests that negative sentiment correlates with issue reopening, although the effect size seems to be rather small.
A Revised Capsule Design for the Accelerated Testing of Advanced Reactor Fuels

AbstractThe Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) has been used successfully for the testing of fast reactor fuel for nearly two decades. These successes have been in spite of numerous challenges for testing...
NADPH Oxidase Inhibition in Fibrotic Pathologies.

Significance: Fibrosis is a stereotypic, multicellular tissue response to diverse types of injuries that fundamentally result from a failure of cell/tissue regeneration. This complex tissue remodeling response disrupts cellular/matrix composition and homeostatic cell-cell interactions, leading to loss of normal tissue architecture and progressive loss of organ structure/function. Fibrosis is a common feature of chronic diseases that may affect the lung, kidney, liver, and heart. Recent Advances: There is emerging evidence to support a combination of genetic, environmental, and age-related risk factors contributing to susceptibility and/or progression of fibrosis in different organ systems. A core pathway in fibrogenesis involving these organs is the induction and activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) family enzymes. Critical Issues: We explore current pharmaceutical approaches to targeting NOX enzymes, including repurposing of currently U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs. Specific inhibitors of various NOX homologs will aid establishing roles of NOXs in the various organ fibroses and potential efficacy to impede/halt disease progression. Future Directions: The discovery of novel and highly specific NOX inhibitors will provide opportunities to develop NOX inhibitors for treatment of fibrotic pathologies.
Genetic disruption of the small GTPase RAC1 prevents plexiform neurofibroma formation in mice with neurofibromatosis type 17.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common cancer predisposition syndrome caused by mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene. NF1 encodes neurofibromin, a GTPase-activating protein for RAS proto-oncogene GTPase (RAS). Plexiform neurofibromas are a hallmark of NF1 and result from loss of heterozygosity of NF1 in Schwann cells, leading to constitutively activated p21RAS. Given the inability to target p21RAS directly, here we performed an shRNA library screen of all human kinases and Rho-GTPases in a patient-derived NF1−/− Schwann cell line to identify novel therapeutic targets to disrupt PN formation and progression. Rho family members, including Rac family small GTPase 1 (RAC1), were identified as candidates. Corroborating these findings, we observed that shRNA-mediated knockdown of RAC1 reduces cell proliferation and phosphorylation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) in NF1−/− Schwann cells. Genetically engineered Nf1flox/flox;PostnCre+ mice, which develop multiple PNs, also exhibited increased RAC1-GTP and phospho-ERK levels compared with Nf1flox/flox;PostnCre– littermates. Notably, mice in which both Nf1 and Rac1 loci were disrupted (Nf1flox/floxRac1flox/flox;PostnCre+) were completely free of tumors and had normal phospho-ERK activity compared with Nf1flox/flox;PostnCre+ mice. We conclude that the RAC1-GTPase is a key downstream node of RAS and that genetic disruption of the Rac1 allele completely prevents PN tumor formation in vivo in mice.
Consumer Health Information for Rural Communities

Rural communities experience health disparities that are exacerbated by barriers to reliable health information. This column recommends resources and strategies to increase the accessibility, aware...
More benign random peptides in E. coli are enriched for similar amino acids as young animal but not plant genes

Abstract Proteins are the workhorses of the cell, yet they carry great potential for harm via misfolding and aggregation. Despite the dangers, proteins are sometimes born de novo from non-coding DNA. Proteins are more likely to be born from non-coding regions that produce peptides that do little to no harm when translated than from regions that produce harmful peptides. To investigate which newborn proteins are most likely to “first, do no harm”, we estimate fitnesses from an experiment that competed Escherichia coli lineages that each expressed a unique random peptide. A variety of peptide metrics significantly predict lineage fitness, but almost all this predictive power stems from simple amino acid composition. Amino acids that are smaller and that promote intrinsic structural disorder have more benign fitness effects. Our amino acid composition-based predictions also have validity for an independent dataset using small random N-terminal tags. The same amino acids that predict high fitness in E. coli are enriched in young Pfams in animals, but not in plants. To modify Jacques Monod’s famous quote, what makes peptides benign in E.coli also makes them benign in elephants, but not in eucalyptus.
Revisiting the Proposal for a Wealth Tax

Over the past three decades, more than a dozen developed nations have abandoned their wealth taxes. Yet the United States today finds itself in the midst of a political debate about implementing a wealth tax to partially fund the spending commitments of progressive presidential hopefuls. The debate has involved constitutionality, estimates of potential revenues, and the economic impacts that such a wealth tax would have if implemented in the United States. The main argument for a proposed wealth tax also rests on a growing concern with the unequal distribution of wealth. In light of these developments, we evaluate the proposal for a progressive wealth tax and the potential outcomes of such a policy if implemented in the United States. First, we assess the reliability of wealth distribution findings of Berkeley economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman by reviewing the available data and existing literature. Second, we calculate a range of estimates for how much revenue such a tax could feasibly raise in light of the calculations by Saez and Zucman. Lastly, we evaluate the experiences of countries that have previously implemented such tax policies and assess why several countries have abandoned wealth taxes in recent years and decades. In sum, we find that the claim that implementing a wealth tax in the United States will be beneficial is largely unfounded and that doing so may actually lead to worsening economic conditions for most Americans. In addition, the underlying data behind recent calls for a wealth tax significantly overestimate the share of wealth held by the richest 1 percent.
Pneumocephalus: a radiological presentation of intracranial hypotension secondary to spinal anaesthesia.

A 44-year-old woman underwent a total laparoscopic hysterectomy for adenomyosis under spinal anaesthesia and general anaesthesia. Postoperatively, she recovered uneventfully and was discharged the following day. Three days after the surgery, she developed severe orthostatic headache associated with
At the Heart of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor–Induced Immune Toxicity

Summary: Wei and colleagues showcase a genetic mouse model of immune-mediated myocarditis that shares homology with immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)–induced myocarditis in patients with cancer. They demonstrate that abatacept (CTLA4–Ig) limits cardiac toxicity in the mouse model and, thus, may ameliorate the CPI-induced myocarditis in patients with cancer while potentially maintaining antitumor activity. See related article by Wei et al., p. 614.
A bridging model to reconcile statistics based on data from multiple surveys

Surveys designed to collect data on similar variables using samples representing the same population may still result in different estimates due, for example, to differences in sample designs or modes of data collection. Considered in this paper is the case where two surveys were conducted concurrently, with one using the same methodology as used in prior rounds of the survey and the other using an updated methodology, resulting in substantial differences in several key estimates. Due to differences in sample size, only the latter survey was detailed enough for disaggregated-level estimates of publishable quality. We propose a hierarchical model to account for discrepancies in the estimates from the two surveys and a Bayesian approach for producing reliable estimates at various levels of aggregation. The model relies on a common latent structure at the disaggregated level to allow “bridging” between the two surveys. The methodology is applied to the 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation and the 2016 50-State Surveys of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Related Recreation. Aligning these two surveys is critical to extend the series of related statistics that have been published since 1955, allowing for meaningful comparisons over time despite the change in survey methodology.
Changes in executive function in pediatric brain tumor survivors.

OBJECTIVE Pediatric oncology survivors are at risk for executive function (EF) and working memory (WM) deficits, which can be measured via performance-based measures or rating scales. Previous studies have shown these measurement methods to be weakly correlated. This study aimed to describe parent-rated EF and performance-based WM (PBWM) in pediatric brain tumor (BT) survivors, examine change in EF and PBWM across time, and investigate the relationship between parent-rated WM and PBWM. METHOD The sample included 56 patients diagnosed with a BT in childhood (Mage = 6.94 years; SD = 4.05) seen twice for clinical neuropsychological evaluation. PBWM was examined via the auditory WM scale from a Wechsler intelligence measure or Differential Ability Scales-II. Parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)/BRIEF-P/BRIEF-2 as a measure of global EF (Global Executive Composite [GEC]), metacognitive skills (Metacognitive Index/Cognitive Regulation Index [MI/CRI]), behavioral regulation (Behavior Regulation Index [BRI]), and emotional regulation (Emotion Regulation Index [ERI]). RESULTS GEC, MI/CRI, and ERI at Time 1 were significantly above the mean (p .05). CONCLUSIONS Multiple measures of EF should be considered when providing diagnoses and recommendations for pediatric BT survivors. Furthermore, given declines across time, findings document need for continued monitoring and reassessment of survivors as they get further out from treatment.
Hidden Genocides: Power, Knowledge, Memory

Why are some genocides prominently remembered while others are ignored, hidden, or denied? Consider the Turkish campaign denying the Armenian genocide, followed by the Armenian movement to recognize the violence. Similar movements are building to acknowledge other genocides that have long remained out of sight in the media, such as those against the Circassians, Greeks, Assyrians, the indigenous peoples in the Americas and Australia, and the violence that was the precursor to and the aftermath of the Holocaust.The contributors to this collection look at these cases and others from a variety of perspectives. These essays cover the extent to which our biases, our ways of knowing, our patterns of definition, our assumptions about truth, and our processes of remembering and forgetting as well as the characteristics of generational transmission, the structures of power and state ideology, and diaspora have played a role in hiding some events and not others. Noteworthy among the collection s coverage is whether the trade in African slaves was a form of genocide and a discussion not only of Hutus brutalizing Tutsi victims in Rwanda, but of the execution of moderate Hutus as well."Hidden Genocides" is a significant contribution in terms of both descriptive narratives and interpretations to the emerging subfield of critical genocide studies.Contributors: Daniel Feierstein, Donna-Lee Frieze, Krista Hegburg, Alexander Laban Hinton, Adam Jones, A. Dirk Moses, Chris M. Nunpa, Walter Richmond, Hannibal Travis, and Elisa von Joeden-Forgey"
Grass interference limits resource availability and reduces growth of juvenile red pine in the field

The effects of competing grasses on resource availability, growth and ecophysiological characteristics of 3-0 red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) seedlings were examined the first two years following outplanting in Anoka County, Minnesota, USA. Equal numbers of seedlings were planted into suppressed and undisturbed grass communities in a sandy soil. Grass suppression was maintained throughout the first growing season, but partially discontinued thereafter on the site. During the first field season interference from grass reduced pine seedling root collar diameter, needle length, number of new root tips, and lateral root length by over 40%. Mean pre-dawn needle water potential was 0.55 MPa lower in undisturbed grass plots during a brief drought in year one, but otherwise water stress was not significantly (p=0.05) influenced by grass interference. The presence of grass also reduced, up to 50%, the photosynthetically active radiation reaching the seedling canopy. At the end of year one, total biomass N, P, K, and Ca content were significantly (p=0.05) less in seedlings growing in the undisturbed grass community. Nitrogen was deficient in seedlings growing in grass. After two growing seasons, seedling shoot length (p=0.03), root collar diameter (p=0.001), and needle length (p=0.001) were significantly less (40, 54 and 20%, respectively) for seedlings growing in undisturbed grass. Seedling growth reductions induced by grass competition were associated with multiple environmental stressors in the field and not restricted to water stress as was observed in earlier studies with pine species at low and mid-latitude sites.
DEPENDENCE OF RESPIRATION ON PHOSPHATE AND PHOSPHATE ACCEPTOR IN SUBMITOCHONDRIAL SYSTEMS. I. DIGITONIN FRAGMENTS.

1. 1. Factors affecting the rate of respiration of the digitonin fragments of rat-liver mitochondria, in the presence and absence of Pi and ADP, were examined. Respiration is stimulated some 2.5-fold by Pi and phosphate acceptor; the effect is specific for Pi and for ADP. 2. 2. Phosphate as well as arsenate stimulates respiration significantly in the absence of ADP. 3. 3. The quantitative relationship between stimulation of respiration in the absence of Pi and ADP (acceptor-less respiration) and stimulation of ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.4) activity has been investigated. “True” uncoupling agents such as dinitrophenol stimulate both acceptor-less respiration and ATPase activity; the rate of ATPase activity, on a molar basis, is approximately three times the rate of the acceptor-less respiration, in the presence or absence of “true” uncouplers. Inhibitors of phophorylating respiration such as oligomycin and azide inhibit both respiration and ATPase activity. On the other hand, the action of Mg2+ is anomalous; it stimulates ATPase activity but neither increases respiration nor uncouples phosphorylation. 4. 4. The digitonin particles exhibit the previously unreported property of “reverse acceptor control”, in which the rate of oxidation of β-hydroxybutyrate or NADH, but not succinate, is lower in the presence of ADP and Pi than in their absence. This effect occurs when free NAD+ is present in the medium. The mechanism of “reverse acceptor control” is not at all understood and is under further study.
The toxic action of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis in Aedes aegypti in vivo: II. The relevance of skeletal muscle system lesions to its poisoning syndrome

Abstract Skeletal muscles of Aedes aegypti larva undergo progressive structural damage following ingestion of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis crystal toxin (BTI). In BTI-treated mosquito larvae, skeletal muscles swell, the plasma membrane separates from underlying myofibrils, and mitochondria lose their structural integrity. With the progress of poisoning, BTI-induced damage extends to A-bands and I-bands. BTI treatment also impairs skeletal myoepidermal cells. The time of appearance and intensity of ultrastructural lesions in the skeletal muscle system coincides with the onset of overt symptoms of BTI poisoning such as sluggishness and general body paralysis. The results of this study indicate that the skeletal muscle system plays a major role in symptomatic manifestation of BTI toxicity. The necrosis of skeletal muscles appears to be the principal cause of paralysis in BTI-treated insects.
Changing Patterns in Partisan Politics: Evidence from East European and Latin American IMF Programs

This paper analyzes the changing role of partisan politics in the developing world since the 1980s. The analysis identifies two related but distinct dimensions of partisanship – ideology and institutional ties – and then tests their impact on IMF program initiation in Latin America and Eastern Europe in the last two decades. In addition to this conceptual distinction, I show that partisanship is best understood not in isolation but in its changing interaction with different types of economic crises. In particular, I show that some types of crises (e.g. low foreign currency reserves) elicit similar policy responses across political parties and temporal/regional contexts. By contrast, other crises (such as inflation and recessions) trigger different responses depending on the government's partisan preferences, and these patterns differ across regions and time periods as a function of historical legacies and the international economic and political context.
Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology

There is a growing awareness of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Many of the children who display psychopathology may benefit from psychopharmacologic treatment. This chapter reviews potential benefits, risks, and treatment guidelines for psychotropic medications used in children and adolescents.
Property Analogues in Spectrum Management: Applying Adverse Possession

As wireless applications continue to grow in value, the radio spectrum will continue to become more contentious. Unfortunately, not all licensed spectrum is being fully used. Indeed, there is some value to speculative "squatting" on spectrum as the FCC moves more toward property-like rights for spectrum licenses. However, inefficiencies in spectrum management reduce the overall public benefits of this vital resource. The analogy between spectrum licenses and property rights is becoming stronger due to fewer restrictions put on newly auctioned radio spectrum. This paper defends applying the common law doctrine of adverse possession as a means of obtaining license to fallow spectrum. While some argue in favor of full property rights for spectrum management, this is unnecessary to add adverse possession to the spectrum management toolbox. Instead, adverse possession would become another property-like right for spectrum licenses. An adjusted version of adverse possession, as a means of obtaining a spectrum license, would provide a mechanism to motivate potential entrants to seek unused spectrum. As a result, the application of adverse possession would increase the overall public benefit of the wireless spectrum by encouraging efficient uses of the spectrum. This paper also addresses technical and administrative concerns that would arise as a result of adverse possession. Adverse possession could be used as a great tool to encourage utilization of "white spaces." It will also serve as a corrective measure to settle disputes over spectrum licenses at the same time as promoting technological innovation.
Speaker identification using singular value decomposition of LPC spectral magnitudes

An experimental procedure for identification of speakers using singular value decomposition of spectral magnitudes of speech is described. Amplitude spectra at 10 discrete frequencies from 500 Hz to 5000 Hz, which are derived from a tenth order short-time linear predictive coding (LPC) model, are used as pattern vectors characterising speech utterances. The set of stored reference spectra yielding the largest ratio of singular values with the spectra of an unknown utterance is considered closest to the unknown. An overall identification score of 70% to 87.5%, depending on the frequency used, was observed on a set of 40 test utterances. >
The identification of early risk factors for severe emotional disturbances and emotional handicaps: An epidemiological approach

Epidemiological methodology is used to examine the relationship between early childhood risk factors and future identification as having a Severe Emotional Disturbance or as having an Emotional Handicap (SED/EH) at age 13. Data were obtained from 1979/1980 Florida birth records that were electronically linked with 1992/1993 Florida school records. An epidemiological perspective was chosen due to its ability to model both individual and community-level risk. In regards to increasing an individual's risk of SED/EH, two factors, gender (being male) and low maternal education (mother not completing high school at the time of the child's birth), were found to have particularly strong effects. When examining effects of these risk factors upon overall rates of SED/EH in the community, maternal education and marital status (being unmarried at the time of the child's birth) were associated with a large proportion of the cases. Health/biological markers were moderately associated with SED/EH on the individual level, but were related to a relatively small percentage of cases in the population. In addition, effects varied based upon ethnic/cultural heritage. Researchers are encouraged to consider using an epidemiological perspective and its potential utility in the field of community psychology and public policy is discussed.
Democratization: Process vs. Product?

Democratization during the third wave, a period that Samuel Huntington identifies with the collapse of the military regime in Portugal in 1974 and continued with other cases of democratization in Latin America, Southern and Eastern Europe, and Africa, has primarily been a function of compromises, negotiations, and external pressures. Democratization in these countries initiated important changes, yet preserved some authoritarian elements in the political systems. In some cases, the introduction of multiparty elections failed to symbolize the creation of a new political order, thereby stalling the transition halfway between authoritarianism and democracy. Alfred Stepan’s Democracies in Danger draws attention to the post-transition era and highlights the dangers involved in consolidation of emerging democracies, whereas Linberg’s edited volume, Democratization by Elections: A New Mode of Transition, emphasizes the importance of elections as an instrument to bring about democracy. As such, these two volumes complement each other and make an important contribution to the study of democracy and democratization. Stepan’s volume exceeds the subject of transition to democracy and delves into a critical yet often concealed aspect of democracy involving the quality and sustainability of democratic reforms. This volume presents the dangers and threats inherent in new democracies. These dangers, ranging from ethnic and religious divisions to the state’s inability to provide services and security, present a new type of challenge for nascent democracies. Drawing upon experiences from multiethnic and multireligious societies (that is India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka), Ashutosh Varshney in chapter 1 presents the dangers of ethnocommunal conflict for the quality and sustainability of democracy; concluding ethnocommunal civic engagement and interethnic ties can lay the groundwork for a peaceful coexistence. Along this line, Richard Simeon (chapter 2) highlights the Canadian experience, as an example of a success story, to examine the ‘‘accommodation and management of difference.’’ Varshney and Simeon both draw attention to bridging social capital as well as institutions that provide the groundwork for a peaceful coexistence in multiethnic societies. This conclusion bodes well with the literature on institutionformation in post-conflict societies in order to prevent the kind of conflict that has been inimical to the quality and stability of new democracies (for a review, see Wolf 2010; also see Rothchild and Roeder 2005). Felipe Aguero, in chapter 3, points to the dangers inherent in transitory phases that pin down military and security forces as posing formidable obstacles that inhibit the deepening of new democracies. Furthermore, Narcis Serra, in
Threatened Protestants: Confessional Conflict in the Rhine Province and Westphalia during the Nineteenth Century

Hostilities between Catholics and Protestants abounded in Germany during the nineteenth century, and historical scholarship on religion has provided numerous examples. Likewise, the unequal distribution of power and status between German Catholics and Protestants that commonly factored into these conflicts has long been recognized and researched by historians. Catholics faced disadvantages in the German lands, and this situation only worsened with the foundation of the empire in 1871 under the leadership of Protestant Prussia. At the same time, several scholars have pointed out that Protestants, like Catholics, also experienced varying degrees of anxiety over confessional relations. Yet, compared to the Catholic case, historians have given far less attention to this topic. Looking at cases from the Rhine Province and Westphalia, this article attempts to flesh out the picture of Protestant anxiety by examining fears expressed in communal conflicts that were quite legitimate given the threatening confessional circumstances that existed in certain regions and locales. Examples are drawn from both rural and urban settings. The conflicts range from burial disputes to disagreements about access to adequate health care. The emphasis on the particular contexts of these cases allows for a better understanding of the multiplicity of factors that fuelled confessional conflicts.
Transport of solutes into polyethylene bottles from aqueous solutions; empirical relationships of the data

Abstract The interaction between a selected polyethylene container and solutes of aqueous solutions stored in the container was investigated. It was found that the solute disappearance from the solution follows either monoexponential or biexponential kinetics. It was shown that there is a rapid uptake stage followed by a slower (steady) disappearance phase during which the solute evaporates from the container to the atmosphere. The amount of solute in the container wall has been shown for the two principal solutes used in this work to remain constant until the concentration in solution drops to a predictable level. This constancy is attributed to the solubility of the solute in the plastic. The maximum amount of the solute dissolved in the container wall is related directly to the surface area of the container in contact with the solution. The effect of the polarity of a number of compounds on one of the characteristics of the interaction was investigated and a statistically significant correlation between the hexane—water partition coefficients of the compounds and their exponential disappearance rate constants was found.
Notch2 regulates BMP signaling and epithelial morphogenesis in the ciliary body of the mouse eye

The ciliary body (CB) of the mammalian eye is responsible for secreting aqueous humor to maintain intraocular pressure, which is elevated in the eyes of glaucoma patients. It contains a folded two-layered epithelial structure comprising the nonpigmented inner ciliary epithelium (ICE), the pigmented outer ciliary epithelium (OCE), and the underlying stroma. Although the CB has an important function in the eye, its morphogenesis remains poorly studied. In this study, we show that conditional inactivation of the Jagged 1 (Jag1)-Notch2 signaling pathway in the developing CB abolishes its morphogenesis. Notch2 is expressed in the OCE of the CB, whereas Jag1 is expressed in the ICE. Conditional inactivation of Jag1 in the ICE or Notch2 in the OCE disrupts CB morphogenesis, but neither affects the specification of the CB region. Notch2 signaling in the OCE is required for promoting cell proliferation and maintaining bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, both of which have been suggested to be important for CB morphogenesis. Although Notch and BMP signaling pathways are known to cross-talk via the interaction between their downstream transcriptional factors, this study suggests that Notch2 maintains BMP signaling in the OCE possibly by repressing expression of secreted BMP inhibitors. Based on our findings, we propose that Jag1-Notch2 signaling controls CB morphogenesis at least in part by regulating cell proliferation and BMP signaling.
POPULATION SIZE AND FRAGMENTATION THRESHOLDS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF GENETIC DIVERSITY IN THE HERBACEOUS ENDEMIC SCUTELLARIA MONTANA (LAMIACEAE)

The level and distribution of genetic variation is thought to be affected primarily by the size of individual populations and by gene flow among populations. Although the effects of population size have frequently been examined, the contributions of regional gene flow to levels of genetic variation are less well known. Here I examine the effects of population size and the number of neighboring populations (metapopulation density) on the distribution and maintenance of genetic diversity in an endemic herbaceous perennial. Reductions in the proportion of polymorphic loci and the effective number of alleles per locus were apparent for many populations with a census size of less than 100 individuals, but no effects of population size on levels of inbreeding were detected. I assess the effects of regional population density on levels of diversity and inbreeding using stepwise regression analysis of metapopulation diameter (i.e., the size of a circle within which population density is estimated). This procedure provides a spatially explicit evaluation of the effects of metapopulation size on population genetic parameters and indicates the critical number of neighboring populations (fragmentation threshold) for the regional maintenance of genetic diversity. Stepwise regression analyses revealed fragmentation thresholds at two levels; at a scale of 2 km, where small metapopulations resulted in greater levels of selfing or sibling mating, and at a scale of 8 km, where metapopulation size was positively associated with higher levels of genetic diversity. I hypothesize that the smaller fragmentation threshold may reflect higher levels of selfing in isolated populations because of the absence of pollinators. The larger threshold probably indicates the maximum distance over which pollen dispersal rates are high enough to counteract genetic drift. This study demonstrates that the regional distribution of populations can be an important factor for the long-term maintenance of genetic variation.
Composition and structural aspects of naturally occurring ferrihydrite

A series of naturally occurring ferrihydrites sampled from an acid mine drainage environment were characterized and compared with synthetic 2-line ferrihydrite using high energy X-ray total scattering and pair distribution function analysis, Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), BET N2 surface area measurements, and chemical extractions in order to place constraints on their structural and physical properties as a function of composition. Overall, the short- and intermediate-range ordering of the natural samples is comparable to synthetic ferrihydrite. However, with increasing Al, Si, and organic matter contents, a decrease in particle size and an increase in structural disorder were observed. Silica is suspected to have a pronounced effect on the crystallinity of ferrihydrite as a result of its inhibitory effect on Fe polymerization and particle growth, and it is likely complexed at the surfaces of ferrihydrite nanoparticles. Aluminum, on the other hand may substitute for Fe3+ in natural ferrihydrite. Organic matter is pervasive and intimately associated with ferrihydrite aggregates, and its presence during ferrihydrite precipitation may have contributed to additional structural disorder. The increase in impurity content affects not only the particle size and structural order of ferrihydrite but may also have a significant effect on its surface reactivity.
The de Haas-van Alphen effect and the fermi surface of tungsten

Abstract The de Haas-van Alphen effect in tungsten has been studied in detail using large impulsive magnetic fields, and the frequencies have been determined to high accuracy with the aid of digital data recording, digital analysis and dynamic calibration of the entire apparatus. These improvements in experimental technique have resulted in the detection of several new frequency branches which have not been previously reported. A quantitative description of all sheets of the Fermi surface is given in terms of simple analytical functions, and this geometrical model is in excellent agreement with the observed angular variations of the de Haas-van Alphen frequencies. In most respects, the model surface is found to be quite similar to that deduced by Loucks from first-principles relativistic band calculations, and the predictions of the empirical model are compared with the results of other experiments relating to the Fermi surface.
Coherent Driving of the Persistent Current Qubit

We present an on-chip oscillator designed to drive the persistent current qubit. A DC SQUID which delivers an oscillating flux of 0.001Φ0 in a frequency range from 5 to 15 GHz has been engineered to minimize its decoherence effects on the qubit. Multiple adaptations of this design are currently being fabricated.
Prospective Evaluation of Fine Needle Aspiration of Small, Solid Renal Masses: Accuracy and Morbidity

Abstract Objectives To determine the accuracy and clinical utility of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of small, solid renal masses. Methods A total of 25 patients with small (less than 5.0 cm), solid, clinically localized renal masses were prospectively identified and evaluated with computed tomography guided FNA with analysis for presence of malignant cells and determination of nuclear grade. The final pathologic findings were used for comparison in each case. All patients had renal cell carcinoma and were managed with radical or partial nephrectomy; 3 had low-grade lesions (Fuhrman's grade 1/4), 2 had high-grade lesions (Fuhrman's grade A/4), and all other patients had intermediate-grade lesions (Fuhrman's grade 2/4 or 3/4) on final histopathologic assessment. Results Overall, 10 aspirations yielded diagnostic malignant cells, and 9 were read as rare atypical cells suspicious for malignancy. The remainder were negative (n = 6). Correlation with final nuclear grade was observed in eight instances and discordance in two instances. Subcapsular hematomas were observed at the time of surgery in 10 patients, but in no instance was the operation adversely affected. Conclusions The diagnostic yield of FNA of small, solid renal masses appears to be too low to justify the potential morbidity of the procedure. reserved.
Multi-model motion tracking under multiple team member actuators

Autonomous robots need to track objects. Object tracking relies on predefined robot motion and sensory models. Tracking is particularly challenging if the robots can actuate on the object to be tracked, as the motion can become highly discontinuous and nonlinear. We have previously developed a successful tracking approach that switches among target motion models as a function of one robot's actions. In this paper, we consider the object to be effected by a team of agents. We contribute on our team-based tracking method that can use a dynamic multi-motion model based on a team coordination plan. We present the multi-target multi-model probabilistic tracking algorithm in detail and present empirical results both in simulation and in a human-robot Segway soccer team. The team coordination plan allows the robot to much more effectively track mobile targets.
Auditory frequency discrimination after transection of the olivocochlear bundle in squirrel monkeys

Abstract Difference limens for auditory frequency discrimination were determined before and after transection of the olivocochlear bundle in four squirrel monkeys (Samiri sciureus). A modified Wisconsin General Test Apparatus was used to determine the frequency difference limens at 1000 and 4000 cycle/sec. Following transection of the olivocochlear bundle, all of the animals showed marked deficits in frequency discrimination performance. The mean absolute difference limens (75% correct responses) were increased by 450 cycle/sec at 1000 cycle/sec and by 600 cycle/sec at 4000 cycle/sec. Performance on an auditory localization task was not affected by the lesions of the efferent tract. It is suggested that the efferent auditory system operates to sharpen the frequency resolving power of the ear.
'Hypnotic' prescription patterns in a large managed-care population.

Abstract Background and purpose : Medical treatment of insomnia has declined over the past decade and, when treated, use of non-hypnotic medications has increased. This study assessed the characteristics of the prescriptions for insomnia and of the patients receiving those prescriptions. Patients and methods : The outpatient pharmacy database of the Henry Ford Hospital, Health Alliance Plan (HAP) was searched from 1/1/98 to 6/30/99 for mentions of the 10 most frequently used drugs for the treatment of insomnia listed in the National Disease and Therapeutic Index for 1987–1996. The 10 drugs were alprazolam, amitriptyline, clonazepam, doxepin, flurazepam, lorazepam, temazepam, trazodone, triazolam, and zolpidem. These were classified by their indication as antidepressant, anxiolytic, or hypnotic and the three indication groupings were compared on patient and prescription characteristics. Results : Over the 18 month period the total patient population covered by HAP was 287,456; 20,014 (7%) patients received one or more prescriptions for insomnia. Of these, anxiolytics were most frequently prescribed (55%), then antidepressants (25%), and hypnotics least frequently (20%). Patients receiving hypnotics were more likely to be male, older, and to receive a narrower dose range, in smaller quantities and with fewer refills than patients receiving anxiolytics or antidepressants. Conclusions : In this large managed-care population, hypnotics are prescribed conservatively, while the non-hypnotics, for which there is limited efficacy and safety data, are prescribed on a more chronic basis.
Platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa: member of a family of Arg-Gly-Asp--specific adhesion receptors

Adhesive interactions of the platelet surface with plasma proteins such as fibrinogen and fibronectin play an important role in thrombosis and hemostasis. The binding of both of these proteins to platelets is inhibited by synthetic peptides containing the sequence Arg-Gly-Asp, which corresponds to the cell adhesion site in fibronectin and is also present in the alpha chain of fibrinogen. An affinity matrix made of an insolubilized heptapeptide containing the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence selectively binds the platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa from detergent extracts of platelets. When incorporated into liposome membranes, the isolated protein confers to the liposomes the ability to bind to surfaces coated with fibrinogen, fibronectin, and vitronectin but not to surfaces coated with thrombospondin or albumin. This platelet receptor is related to the previously identified fibronectin and vitronectin receptors in that it recognizes an Arg-Gly-Asp sequence but differs from the other receptors in its wider specificity toward various adhesive proteins. These results establish the existence of a family of adhesion receptors that recognize the sequence Arg-Gly-Asp.
The Effect of Tool Joint Stiffness on Drill Pipe Fatigue in Riser Ball Joints

The ball joint in a marine riser can cause fatigue damage in the drill pipe passing through. Previous investigators have assessed the damage done for a lower ball joint angle of 3-5 degrees (drilling) and 1-3 degrees (running casing). This paper extends that work to deep water operations in which an upper ball joint is also present. Also, it is shown, via finite element models, that tool joint bending stiffness can have a significant effect on fatigue life. Fatigue damage calculations, including this heretofore unconsidered effect, are presented for various ball joint angles and drill pipe tensions