cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subsidence and origin of the Northern Red Sea and Gulf of Suez

Abstract Sedimentary accumulation and subsidence rates in the northern Red Sea and Gulf of Suez can be explained by extreme separation in central areas of rift basins and only minor thinning and tilting of fault blocks around the margins. During the Oligocene, local relief permitted red clastic sediments to be shed from the present area of the Red Sea. Very high rates of crustal thinning in Late Oligocene or earliest Miocene in the central part of the Gulf of Suez and part of the Red Sea trough permitted rapid subsidence of an early Miocene erosion surface. Miocene and younger sediments are thick only in these central areas. Movement on the Dead Sea shear zone began at the same time as subsidence, effectively isolating the Gulf of Suez from further tectonism and allowing thermal subsidence to occur to the present. Extension in the northern Red Sea, south of the shear zone, has either been so extreme as to leave a crust of less than 10 km thickness or has been accomplished by injections of large quantities of mafic magma, forming a crust intermediate between continental and oceanic. All observations are consistent with models of rifting by pure stretching or by detachment faulting.
Associations of BMI, TV-watching time, and physical activity on respiratory symptoms and asthma in 5th grade schoolchildren in Taipei, Taiwan.

The study evaluated the associations of body fatness, TV-watching time, and physical activity with the occurrences of asthma and respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren in Taipei, Taiwan. A questionnaire survey was conducted to elicit episodes of respiratory symptoms and data on lifestyle and anthropometric factors in 2290 5th-grade schoolchildren. Results show that overweight was positively associated with 5 of the 7 respiratory symptoms. The risk of having respiratory symptoms increased 47%–94% in overweight schoolchildren. Watching TV ≥ 3 hrs/day was associated with more occurrences of respiratory symptoms (aOR = 1.42–1.90). Physical activity ≥3 times/week was associated with fewer occurrences of respiratory symptoms (aOR = 0.66–0.73). Overweight was positively associated with an increased risk of suspected asthma in boys (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.07–2.29), but not in girls. In summary, overweight and greater TV-watching time increase the risk of respiratory symptoms, while habitual physical activity decr...
Testing the Comparator Theory Account of Probability of Reinforcement in Pavlovian Conditioning

Abstract Rats were trained in a sign-tracking procedure in which the percentage of CS presentations paired with the US was either 40 or 80%. Occasional unpaired US presentations did or did not occur during the ITI. When no ITI reinforcers occurred, the rate of acquisition was similar for the two percentage reinforcement conditions, but only when measured in terms of the number of CS–US pairings, not the number of trials. When ITI reinforcers were added, acquisition rate was generally retarded but more so with the smaller percentage of reinforcement. Thus, invariance in reinforcements to acquisition occurs in Pavlovian conditioning only in the absence of background reinforcers. This result conflicts with the findings of Williams (1989) using a successive discrimination procedure and thus suggests that simple conditioning and discrimination learning have different properties with respect to partial reinforcement.
Optimal treatment of replicate measurements in anthropometric studies

AbstractBackground: Anthropometric studies often include replicates of each measurement to decrease error. The optimal method to combine these measurements is uncertain.Aim: To identify the optimal method to combine replicate measures for analysis.Methods: The authors carried out 10 000 Monte Carlo simulations to explore the effect of six approaches to combine replicate measurements in a hypothetical two-group intervention study (n = 100 per arm) in which the outcome, infant length at age 1 year, was measured two or three times. One group had a true value with a normal distribution N (mean = 76, SD = 2.4 cm). Statistical power was estimated to detect a 1 cm difference between the groups, based on a t-test.Results: Under a realistic scenario with a measurement error distribution N (0, 0.8), highest power was reached by use of the mean and the median of pairwise averages. However, when a portion of the data (≥2%) were contaminated by greater error (e.g. due to data entry), the median of three measurements o...
Deceiving Our Minds: A Qualitative Exploration of the Money Illusion in Post-redenomination Ghana

The current study is a qualitative exploration of the presence of the money illusion in the lived experiences of Ghanaian adult consumers after a currency redenomination. The results indicated that a switch from the old currency to the new currency had implications for self-worth determination, trivialization of price increases, changes in spending behaviour, and changes in the extent of benevolence. All these changes were related to the tendency to make judgments based on the nominal value of an amount of money, rather than its real value; the judgment bias is known as the money illusion.
p-[18F]fluorobenzyltrozamicol ([18F]FBT): Molecular decomposition-reconstitution approach to vesamicol receptor radioligands for positron emission tomography

Current methods of radioligand synthesis for the vesamicol receptor either utilize bioactive unlabeled precursors and/or generate unlabelled bioactive by-products. The presence of these compounds in the radiotracer preparation increases the risk of adverse pharmacological reactions in animals. To eliminate the risk of such reactions, we have synthesized the novel radioligand [18F]FBT from two inactive precursors, [18F]fluorobenzyl iodide and trozamicol. (+)- and (-)-[18F]FBT were synthesized in 57-85% yield, from [18F]fluorbenzyl iodide and (+)- and (-)-trozamicol, respectively. In the rat brain, comparable levels of (-)-[18F]FBT were found in the striatum, cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus during a 3 h period. In contrast, the striatum:cerebellum, cortex:cerebellum and hippocampus:cerebellum ratios for (+)-[18F]FBT increased from unity at 5 min post-injection to 2.8, 1.4 and 1.7, respectively, at 3 h. Therefore, (+)-[18F]FBT may be potentially useful for mapping vesamicol receptor density in vivo.
Tyrosine nitration in prostaglandin H2 synthase

In this study, we investigated the effects of various nitrogen oxide (NO(x)) species on the extent of prostaglandin H(2) synthase-1 (PGHS-1) nitration in purified protein and in vascular smooth muscle cells. We also examined PGHS-1 activity under these conditions and found the degree of nitration to correlate inversely with enzyme activity. In addition, since NO(x) species are thought to invoke damage during the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, we examined human atheromatous tissue for PGHS-1 nitration. Both peroxynitrite and tetranitromethane induced Tyr nitration of purified PGHS-1, whereas 1-hydroxy-2-oxo-3-(N-methyl-aminopropyl)-3-methyl-1-triazene (NOC-7; a nitric oxide-releasing compound) did not. Smooth muscle cells treated with peroxynitrite showed PGHS-1 nitration. The extent of nitration by specific NO(x) species was determined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Tetranitromethane was more effective than peroxynitrite, NOC-7, and nitrogen dioxide at nitrating a tyrosine-containing peptide (12%, 5%, 1%, and <1% nitration, respectively). Nitrogen dioxide and, to a lesser extent, peroxynitrite, induced dityrosine formation. Using UV/Vis spectroscopy, it was estimated that the reaction of PGHS-1 with excess peroxynitrite yielded two nitrated tyrosines/PGHS-1 subunit. Finally, atherosclerotic tissue obtained from endarterectomy patients was shown to contain nitrated PGHS-1. Thus, prolonged exposure to elevated levels of peroxynitrite may cause oxidative damage through tyrosine nitration.
Tailored materials for preconcentration or separation of metals by ion-imprinted polymers for solid-phase extraction (IIP-SPE)

The development of new enrichment techniques and selective separation of closely related metals are two important frontier areas of research in analytical chemistry. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) or solid-liquid extraction (SLE) offers several advantages over other preconcentration or separation techniques. The introduction of ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) in trace and ultratrace analysis provide vital breakthroughs in preconcentration or separation chemistry. The combination of the above two approaches results in IIPs for SPE (IIP-SPE) and has potential in trace and ultratrace analysis. With the preparation of tailor-made materials, IIP-SPE offers an approach to the recovery of valuable and rare metals from lean ores, minerals and dilute solutions and to the removal of toxic uranium and heavy metal pollutants from industrial wastes. This article takes stock of studies so far and outlines a future scenario in the rapidly developing and exciting area of IIP-SPE.
Crisis during recovery: lessons from 1904 Baltimore fire

Purpose – A recovery crisis is an occasion when there is a subsequent calamity after a major crisis such as the recovery crisis following the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy or the recovery crisis following the devastation in New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina. Consequently, this paper seeks to focus on what can be done to prevent or limit the ill effects of a crisis during recovery.Design /methodology/approach – An examination of the details of the great Baltimore fire of 1904 reveals why there was a crisis during their recovery; and by studying the lessons they learned, it will be evident that some of these lessons should be considered for dealing with present day recovery crises.Findings – While many people worked together to bring the fire under control during the great Baltimore fire many of the same people fought each other in a crisis that followed the fire during the recovery of Baltimore's 70 block business district. That is, initial passions changed abruptly from working unselfishly togethe...
Solubility Measurement and Dyeing Performance Evaluation of Aramid NOMEX Yarn by Dispersed Dyes in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The solubility of various dispersed dyes in supercritical carbon dioxide was measured and, subsequently, based on the solubility data, the dry dyeing was conducted in a temperature range of 363.15−423.15 K and at pressures of 10−30 MPa. The target fibers are Aramid NOMEX yarn obtained from Du Pont, which is known to be difficult to use to perform wet dyeing, and the dispersed dyes include E-types of C. I. Dis Red 60, Blue 56, and Yellow 54 and S-types of C. I. Dis Red 360, Blue 79, and Yellow 114. Solubility data of the dispersed dyes in CO2 were correlated in terms of the density of carbon dioxide, using an empirical equation of Bartle et al. The highest color depth (K/S) of the dyed Aramid spun yarn was obtained when the experiment was performed at 423.15 K and 30 MPa. The adsorption isotherms were measured using the concentration of the three dyestuffs (E-types). These adsorption isotherms follow the Langmuir type. As a result of the supercritical fluid dyeing (SFD) for Aramid yarn with the three diffe...
Refractive index engineering of liquid crystals with nano-particulates

We study the enhancement and control of the refractive index of liquid crystals with dispersed gold and silver nanoparticles. The maximum obtainable variation in the real and imaginary parts of the effective refractive index of the solution by reorientation of the liquid crystal molecules is calculated, and the results obtained with gold and silver nanospheres are compared. The effect of size, concentration, and composition of the nano-particulates (solid spheres vs. silver- or gold-coated silica nanoshells) on the refractive index and its wavelength dependence is also considered.
Urethane and contraction of vascular smooth muscle.

1 In vitro studies were undertaken on rat aortic strips and portal vein segments in order to determine whether or not the anaesthetic, urethane, can exert direct actions on vascular smooth muscle. 2 Urethane was found to inhibit development of spontaneous mechanical activity. This action took place with a urethane concentration as little as one tenth of that found in anaesthetic plasma concentratios, i.e., 10(-3) M. 3 Urethane (10(-3 to 10(-1) M) dose-dependently attenuated contractions induced by adrenaline, angiotensin and KCl. These inhibitory actions were observed with urethane added either before or after the induced contractions. 4 Ca2+-induced contractions of K+-depolarized aortae and portal veins were also attenuated, dose-dependently, by urethane. 5 All of these inhibitory effects were completely, and almost immediately, reversed upon washing out the anaesthetic from the organ baths. 6 A variety of pharmacological antagonists failed to mimic or affect the inhibitory effects induced by urethane. 7 These data suggest that plasma concentrations of urethane commonly associated with induction of surgical anaesthesia can induce, directly, relaxation of vascular muscle.
Urinary Tract Etiology of Bloodstream Infections in Hospitalized Patients

During a 23-month study, we identified 1,233 patients with nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTIs) among 40,718 consecutive admissions by using a standardized, prospective system of hospital-wide surveillance. Nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSIs) occurred in 565 patients, 32 of whom had BSIs originating from UTIs, for an attack rate of 2.7 per 100 patients with nosocomial bacteriuria. Patients with UTIs due to Serratia marcescens were most likely to develop secondary BSIs (rate, 16 per 100) compared to patients with nosocomial UTIs due to other organisms (rate, less than or equal to 4.3 per 100; P less than 0.05). Furthermore, the median interval between documentation of UTI and of secondary BSI was 24 days for patients with infections due to S marcescens compared to one day for the entire group (P less than 0.005). Risk factor analysis indicated that men with UTIs were more likely to develop secondary BSIs than were women (P less than 0.05). Intensified infection control efforts are particularly necessary with high-risk groups such as bacteriuric men--especially among those patients with UTIs due to S marcescens--to reduce the incidence of secondary, hospital-acquired BSIs.
New plasmids carrying antibiotic-resistance cassettes

A series of new plasmid vectors is described that carry gene cassettes imparting resistance to the antibiotics chloramphenicol (CmR), kanamycin (KmR), tetracycline (TcR) and spectinomycin/streptomycin (Sp/SmR). The gene cassettes are symmetrically flanked by several restriction sites. In addition, several restriction sites that are normally found internal to the gene cassettes have been eliminated, thereby expanding the number of restriction enzymes available to excise an intact antibiotic-resistance gene. The gene cassettes are carried by high-copy-number plasmids that confer ampicillin resistance (ApR).
Application of a model for delivering occupational safety and health to smaller businesses: Case studies from the US

Smaller firms are the majority in every industry in the US, and they endure a greater burden of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities than larger firms. Smaller firms often lack the necessary resources for effective occupational safety and health activities, and many require external assistance with safety and health programming. Based on previous work by researchers in Europe and New Zealand, NIOSH researchers developed for occupational safety and health intervention in small businesses. This model was evaluated with several intermediary organizations. Four case studies which describe efforts to reach small businesses with occupational safety and health assistance include the following: trenching safety training for construction, basic compliance and hazard recognition for general industry, expanded safety and health training for restaurants, and fall prevention and respirator training for boat repair contractors. Successful efforts included participation by the initiator among the intermediaries’ planning activities, alignment of small business needs with intermediary offerings, continued monitoring of intermediary activities by the initiator, and strong leadership for occupational safety and health among intermediaries. Common challenges were a lack of resources among intermediaries, lack of opportunities for in-person meetings between intermediaries and the initiator, and balancing the exchanges in the initiator–intermediary–small business relationships. The model offers some encouragement that initiator organizations can contribute to sustainable OSH assistance for small firms, but they must depend on intermediaries who have compatible interests in smaller businesses and they must work to understand the small business social system.
Initial Operation of the Argonne Superconducting Heavy-Ion Linac

Initial operation and recent development of the Argonne superconducting heavy-ion linac are discussed. The linac has been developed in order to demonstrate a cost-effective means of extending the performance of electrostatic tandem accelerators. The results of beam acceleration tests which began in June '78 are described. At present 7 of a planned array of 22 resonators are operating on-line, and the linac system provides an effective accelerating potential of 7.5 MV. Although some technical problems remain, the level of performance and reliability is sufficient that appreciable beam time is becoming available to users.
Monitoring the timing of ATP hydrolysis with activation of peptide cleavage in Escherichia coli Lon by transient kinetics

Escherichia coli Lon, also known as protease La, is an oligomeric ATP-dependent protease, which functions to degrade damaged and certain short-lived regulatory proteins in the cell. To investigate the kinetic mechanism of E. coli Lon protease, we performed the first pre-steady-state kinetic characterization of the ATPase and peptidase activities of this enzyme. Using rapid quench-flow and fluorescence stopped-flow spectroscopy techniques, we demonstrated that ATP hydrolysis occurs before peptide cleavage, with the former reaction displaying a burst and the latter displaying a lag in product production. The detection of burst kinetics in ATP hydrolysis is indicative of a step after nucleotide hydrolysis being rate-limiting in ATPase turnover. At saturating substrate concentrations, the lag rate constant for peptide cleavage is comparable to the kcat of ATPase, indicating that two hydrolytic processes are coordinated during the first enzyme turnover. The involvement of subunit interaction during enzyme cata...
Situational leadership theory in Taiwan: a different culture perspective

Reports a study to investigate the applicability of situational leadership theory within the Republic of China (Taiwan). The study was conducted in a large construction company with a broad diversity of managerial responsibilities. The LEAD‐Self instrument was given to a large sample of managers, to determine their perception of their own leadership style. Employees completed the LEAD‐Other questionnaire, to give their perceptions of their manager. Productivity scores were also established for each manager using measures of absenteeism, turnover, overall profitability and quality of work. The results indicated that the situational leadership theory does have applicability in Taiwan; there was a good match between the self‐perception of leaders and perceptions by peers, superiors and subordinates and between the LEAD‐Self score and LEAD‐Other; also that leadership adaptability was directly related to productivity as measured by absenteeism, turnover rates, profitability and, to a lesser extent, quality.
The broad-spectrum antiviral functions of IFIT and IFITM proteins

Over the past few years, several groups have identified new genes that are transcriptionally induced downstream of type I interferon (IFN) signalling and that inhibit infection by individual or multiple families of viruses. Among these IFN-stimulated genes with antiviral activity are two genetically and functionally distinct families--the IFN-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFIT) family and the IFN-induced transmembrane protein (IFITM) family. This Review focuses on recent advances in identifying the unique mechanisms of action of IFIT and IFITM proteins, which explain their broad-spectrum activity against the replication, spread and pathogenesis of a range of human viruses.
Statistics and Physical Origins of pK and Ionization State Changes upon Protein-Ligand Binding

This work investigates statistical prevalence and overall physical origins of changes in charge states of receptor proteins upon ligand binding. These changes are explored as a function of the ligand type (small molecule, protein, and nucleic acid), and distance from the binding region. Standard continuum solvent methodology is used to compute, on an equal footing, pK changes upon ligand binding for a total of 5899 ionizable residues in 20 protein-protein, 20 protein-small molecule, and 20 protein-nucleic acid high-resolution complexes. The size of the data set combined with an extensive error and sensitivity analysis allows us to make statistically justified and conservative conclusions: in 60% of all protein-small molecule, 90% of all protein-protein, and 85% of all protein-nucleic acid complexes there exists at least one ionizable residue that changes its charge state upon ligand binding at physiological conditions (pH = 6.5). Considering the most biologically relevant pH range of 4–8, the number of ionizable residues that experience substantial pK changes (ΔpK > 1.0) due to ligand binding is appreciable: on average, 6% of all ionizable residues in protein-small molecule complexes, 9% in protein-protein, and 12% in protein-nucleic acid complexes experience a substantial pK change upon ligand binding. These changes are safely above the statistical false-positive noise level. Most of the changes occur in the immediate binding interface region, where approximately one out of five ionizable residues experiences substantial pK change regardless of the ligand type. However, the physical origins of the change differ between the types: in protein-nucleic acid complexes, the pK values of interface residues are predominantly affected by electrostatic effects, whereas in protein-protein and protein-small molecule complexes, structural changes due to the induced-fit effect play an equally important role. In protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid complexes, there is a statistically significant number of substantial pK perturbations, mostly due to the induced-fit structural changes, in regions far from the binding interface.
Identification of a Kv3.4 channel in corneal epithelial cells.

PURPOSE Voltage-gated K(+) channels maintain salt and water balance and normal function of corneal epithelial cells. To determine their identity, Kv channel types were sought in cultured rabbit corneal epithelial cells and in the intact rat corneal epithelium. METHODS Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were performed to detect K(+) channels in the membrane and cell lysates of rat and SV-40-transformed rabbit corneal epithelial (RCE) cells, using specific antibodies. The whole-cell patch clamp was used to characterize the biophysical and pharmacologic properties of the K(+) current in RCE cells. RESULTS Expressions of K(+) channel types in corneal epithelial cells were detected by using a panel of specific anti-K(+) channel antibodies. Western blot analysis, using specific anti-K(+) channel antibodies including anti-Kv1.1, -2.1, -3.1, -3.2, -3.4, -4.2, and -4.3, demonstrated that in corneal epithelial cells Kv3.4 channel was highly expressed in whole-cell lysates and in cell membrane preparations. The anti-Kv3.4 channel antibody produced intense immunoreactivity in both RCE cells and rat corneal epithelium. Fluorescence immunostaining and avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunostaining confirmed localization of Kv3.4 channels in the cell membrane of both RCE and rat corneal epithelial cells. Voltage depolarization-activated K(+) currents in RCE cells were inhibited by applications of either 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, at micromolar levels), alpha-dendrotoxin at nanomolar levels, or blood-depressing substance-I at nanomolar levels. CONCLUSIONS Biochemical and pharmacological profiles of the voltage-gated, 4-AP-sensitive K(+) channel in rat and RCE cells resemble characteristics of a Kv3.4 channel, a member of the Shaw subfamily. This channel may play important roles in maintaining normal function of corneal epithelium.
Calcium-sensing receptors

It is now known that variations in extracellular calcium concentration exert diverse physiologic effects in a variety of tissues that are mediated by a calcium-sensing receptor (CaSRs). In parathyroid tissue, the CaSR represents the molecular mechanism by which parathyroid cells detect changes in blood ionized calcium concentration, modulate parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion accordingly, and thus maintain serum calcium levels within a narrow physiologic range. In the kidney, the CaSR regulates renal calcium excretion and influences the transepithelial movement of water and other electrolytes. More generally, activation of the CaSR represents an important signal transduction pathway in intestine, placenta, brain, and perhaps bone. Some of these actions involve cell cycle regulation, changes that may be relevant to understanding the pathogenesis of parathyroid gland hyperplasia in secondary hyperparathyroidism caused by chronic kidney disease. The CaSR represents an appealing target for therapeutic agents designed to modify parathyroid gland function in vivo, offering the prospect of novel therapies for selected disorders of bone and mineral metabolism. Other receptors capable of responding to extracellular calcium ions also have been identified, but the functional importance of these interactions remains to be determined.
Arbitrage and the Forward Gold Premium

In a recent article in this Journal, John H. Makin 1 observed a positive relationship between the dollar forward premium on gold and the ratio of gold to dollar assets in international reserve portfolios. This, he concludes, shows that gold is not a "sterile" asset; it has an expected rate of return that acts as a yield variable in the calculus of central banks making portfolio choices between gold and dollar assets. The expected rate of return on gold is represented by the size of the forward premium on gold, which mirrors expectations of capital gains to be realized in the event of appreciation (or revaluation) of gold with respect to the dollar. The analysis, as Makin recognizes, depends crucially on the assumption that an observed forward premium on gold reflects expectations of an increase in the dollar price of gold. The behavior of the forward gold premium, however, should reflect, in addition to expectations about the future price of gold, movements in the rate of return on dollar securities. Covered interest arbitrage between the dollar and gold should establish a positive relationship between the rate of interest on dollar securities and the forward gold premium, just as it creates a link between interest differentials and forward premiums in currency markets. If the three months' rate of return on dollar-denominated securities rises above the three months' (percentage) forward premium on gold by an amount greater than the costs of moving into and holding dollar securities, arbitragers can profit by replacing gold with dollar securities in their portfolios and simultaneously buying an equivalent amount of gold forward. On the other hand, if the rate of return on dollar securities falls below the (percentage) forward premium on gold by an amount greater than the costs of moving into and holding gold, arbitragers can profit by replacing dollar-security holdings with gold and selling an equivalent amount of gold forward.2 This demand and supply of forward gold by * I am indebted to Thomas D. Willett and Terry Rush for helpful comments, and to John H. Makin for making available his series on forward gold premiums. Suggestions by referees were also highly useful. 1. John H. Makin, "Swaps and Roosa Bonds as an Index of the Cost of Cooperation in the 'Crisis Zone'," this Journal, LXXXV (May 1971), 34956. Also see John H. Makin, "The Composition of International Reserve Holdings: A Problem of Choice Involving Risk," American Economic Review, LXI (Dec. 1971), 818-32. 2. Arbitragers will be willing to extend their positions until the cost of moving into and holding the asset acquired rise so as to become equal to the
Chip-scale dispersion engineering using chirped vertical gratings

A strongly coupled, chirped Bragg grating made by sinusoidally modulating the sidewalls of a silicon waveguide is designed, fabricated, and experimentally characterized. By varying the device parameters, the operating wavelength, device bandwidth, sign (normal or anomalous), and magnitude of group-velocity dispersion may be engineered for specific photonic applications. Asymmetric Blackman apodization is best suited for maximizing the useable bandwidth while providing good ripple suppression. Dispersion values up to 7.0 x 10(5) ps/nm/km are demonstrated at 1.55 microm.
Economic Liberalization via IMF Structural Adjustment: Sowing the Seeds of Civil War?

Previous studies that have explored the effects of economic liberalization on civil war have employed aggregate measures of openness and have failed to account for potential endogeneity bias. In this research note, we suggest two improvements to the study of the relationship between liberalization and civil war. First, emphasizing that it is processes that systematically create new economic winners and losers rather than particular levels of economic openness that have the potential to generate conflict, we consider the effects of one oft-used means of liberalizing economies: the adoption by countries of International Monetary Fund (IMF) structural adjustment programs. Second, we use a bivariate probit model to address issues of endogeneity bias. Analyzing all data available for the period between 1970 and 1999, we identify an association between the adoption of IMF programs and the onset of civil war. This finding suggests that IMF programs to promote economic openness unintentionally may be creating an environment conducive to domestic conflict.
Crystallography of ordered colloids using optical microscopy. 1. Parallel-beam technique.

A technique is described for determining the reciprocal lattice basis vectors of randomly oriented colloidal crystals from optical Fourier transform images using a parallel incident beam. This approach is demonstrated by comparing information gathered using this technique with results from real-space images for a single colloidal crystal grain with a random hexagonal close-packed structure. The reciprocal space and available real-space results agreed to within experimental error. The complete set of reciprocal lattice basis vectors was determined using the proposed technique in contrast to the partial lattice information available from real-space images. This technique appears to be generally capable of measuring lattice parameters to within 1% and orientation to better than 1°.
Distinct Classes of Yeast Promoters Revealed by Differential TAF Recruitment

The transcription factor TFIID contains the TATA box binding protein (TBP) and multiple TBP-associated factors (TAFs). Here, the association of TFIID components with promoters that either are dependent on multiple TAFs (TAFdep) or have no apparent TAF requirement (TAFind) is analyzed in yeast. At TAFdep promoters, TAFs are present at levels comparable to that of TBP, whereas at TAFindpromoters, TAFs are present at levels that approximate background. After inactivation of several general transcription factors, including TBP, TAFs are still recruited by activators to TAFdeppromoters. The results reveal two classes of promoters: at TAFind promoters, TBP is recruited in the apparent absence of TAFs, whereas at TAFdep promoters, TAFs are co-recruited with TBP in a manner consistent with direct activator-TAF interactions.
Arbitrator bias and self-interest: Lessons from the baseball labor market

Their desire for enduring employment is commonly assumed to induce arbitrators to make fair awards. We find, however, that in major league baseball's unique institutional setting, selfinterested behavior by arbitrators has led to bias against players and preservation of monopsony rents for team owners. We apply a standard model of arbitrator behavior to all 391 arbitrated cases in baseball since 1979. Under conditions that should lead to an even split in awards to teams and players, probit analysis indicates that arbitrators favor teams 61 percent of the time. Furthermore, bias against African-American and Latinborn players is even more pronounced.
Klüver-Bucy syndrome and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a case report with biochemistry, morphometrics, and Golgi study.

We studied a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the Kluver-Bucy syndrome. At autopsy there was extensive degeneration of the limbic system with the brunt of the changes in the medial temporal lobe, especially the entorhinal cortex and subiculum. Degenerative changes were also seen in the substantia nigra and lower motor neurons. Morphometric and biochemical studies implied a disease process that affected small, possibly somatostatinergic, cortical neurons. These latter findings and the lobar distribution of cortical atrophy were consistent with Pick9s disease, but Pick bodies and ballooned neurons were not present.
Effect of temperature on water and ion balance in larval Ambystoma gracile.

Abstract 1. 1. Larval Ambystoma adapted to 5, `5 and 25°C maintain a steady state with respect to water, sodium and chloride content. 2. 2. The uptake of water, which equals the renal loss of water, was 0·03, 0·11 and 0·20 ml/10g per hr at 5, 15 and 25°C respectively. 3. 3. The GFR at 5, 15 and 25°C was respectively 0·9, 0·33 and 0·36 ml/10 g per hr. 4. 4. The sodium efflux at 5, 15 and 25°C was 0·6, 1·4 adn 2·7 μequiv./10 g per hr. The renal fraction of the efflux was 17 per cent at 5°C, 21 per cent at 15°C and 33 per cent at 25°C.
In situ osmotic analyzer for the year-long continuous determination of Fe in hydrothermal systems

Abstract A submersible osmotically pumped analyzer (Fe-OsmoAnalyzer) has been adapted for the long-term continuous high resolution monitoring of iron(II) and (III) in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Ferrozine is used as the colorimetric reagent. The detection limit for our analyzer is 0.1 μM for a 0.7 cm pathlength with a linear response up to 50 μM. The Fe-OsmoAnalyzer uses periodic injections of standards and blanks to self calibrate and can operate unattended for over a year collecting data every 15 min. The Fe-OsmoAnalyzer was field tested during a 6 week test deployment at 900 m in Monterey Bay and a year-long deployment at 1100 m off the coast of Hawaii. A second year-long deployment in a low temperature hydrothermal vent on the Juan de Fuca Ridge provided high resolution continuous monitoring of Fe and was able to distinguish tidally influenced fluctuations in Fe concentrations.
The relationship between apartment living and fertility for blacks, Mexican Americans, and other Americans in Racine, Wisconsin

Recently published data from a sample of Bogota, Colombia public housing residents show that apartment dwellers, but not house dwellers, reduced their fertility in a tight housing market. We propose that the utilitycost theory of fertility accounts for this finding, and, using this theory, we predict that (a) apartment residents will not decrease their fertility in an open housing market and (b) higher fertility will be associated with larger dwellings. Longitudinal data from a sample of Midwest urban blacks, Mexican Americans, and other Americans support both predictions. The substantive implications are discussed.
Topology and secondary structure of the N-terminal domain of diacylglycerol kinase.

Prokaryotic diacylglycerol kinase (DAGK) functions as a homotrimer of 13 kDa subunits, each of which has three transmembrane segments. This enzyme is conditionally essential to some bacteria and serves as a model system for studies of membrane protein biocatalysis, stability, folding, and misfolding. In this work, the detailed topology and secondary structure of DAGK's N-terminus up through the loop following the first transmembrane domain were probed by NMR spectroscopy. Secondary structure was mapped by measuring 13C NMR chemical shifts. Residue-to-residue topology was probed by measuring 19F NMR relaxation rates for site-specifically labeled samples in the presence and absence of polar and hydrophobic paramagnetic probes. Most of DAGK's N-terminal cytoplasmic and first transmembrane segments are α-helical. The first and second transmembrane helices are separated by a short loop from residues 48 to 52. The first transmembrane segment extends from residues 32 to 48. Most of the N-terminal cytoplasmic dom...
Are All Adult Stem Cells The Same

Every adult tissue has its own resident committed progenitor or stem cell. In addition, there exists a class of adult stem cells that are multipotent and/or have injury-specific functions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are quite different in comparison with neural stem cells (NSCs) when focusing on the range of different differentiated cell types that can develop from their progeny. These striking differences aside, MSCs, NSCs, and hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) have a very striking number of similarities. They are all dominant cells, multipotent, have a well-defined niche on or in contact with blood vessels, they all actively sense and respond to their local environment, they are all paracrine secretors, they are all immune-modulatory and trophic, and they all have a profound effect on site-specific regeneration following injury. These similarities, especially their unique interactions and association with vasculature, distinguish these adult cells from their embryonic progenitors and by virtue of these similarities define these unique adult stem cells. The adult body has many stem cells, at least one for every major tissue. These stem cells provide the basis for the maintenance, repair, and regeneration of these tissues. These stem cells can divide and differentiate into a specialized tissue like muscle or liver. However, stem cells from different tissues have a common core of properties that are similar in function. For example, the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) produces all the cells in blood. The mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) can produce fat or bone. The HSC and MSC function at tissue sites of injury to cause the tissue to regenerate. Thus, the HSC and MSC do the same injury function although they are uniquely different. Moreover, each stem cell establishes a unique habitat next to or in contact with blood vessels.
Advances in ultrarapid freezing for the preservation of cellular ultrastructure

Most of our current knowledge of cellular ultrastructure is derived from studies of chemically fixed and chemically cryoprotected preparations. In the first part of this review, we document the many artifacts associated with chemical techniques that render them unsuitable for further refinement of our understanding of cellular ultrastructure. The best method currently available for the preservation of cellular ultrastructure is ultrarapid freezing. The second part of this review is a consideration of the physics of ice crystal formation in biological systems, which suggests that ice crystals will be present in any frozen, uncryoprotected specimen. We define an ultrarapidly frozen preparation as one in which the ice crystals are so small as to be invisible at the electron microscopic level. Improvements in the ease of application and reliability of ultrarapid freezing techniques have reached the point that these techniques can be used by anyone requiring the best achievable preservation of cellular ultrastructure. In the third part of this review, we describe and critique the five methods of ultrarapid freezing in current use.
Markets and the End of the Current Era in U.S.Higher Education1

The current era in U.S. higher education began roughly thirty years ago, c. 1980, when a series of marked departures from existing conditions crystallized. After three decades, the transformations of the current era stand out more clearly than ever. This paper examines three distinguishing developments of this era and how they have been shaped by market forces. What are these features? The common thread for all of them is privatization, although in each case it is manifest in different ways. First, is the financial aid revolution. Student financial aid has always played a role in American higher education, but since 1980 two-thirds of students have become dependent on financial aid, most of them on student loans. Federal student financial aid is now the largest source of revenue for higher education.2 The financial aid revolution has contributed to the escalation of tuition prices across all sectors of American higher education.
Adaptive morphological filtering for DEM generation

This paper presents a novel approach to LiDAR filtering of ALS (Airborne Laser Scanning) data. The main effort is devoted to simplify and overcome the shortcomings of the existing morphological filtering algorithms. The proposed approach is based on the morphological erosion operation. The filtering is applied only to the points of discontinuity, which are identified from their residuals. The threshold for identifying the points of discontinuity is adaptively determined during the iteration. Our experiments show the proposed approach produces satisfying results in different terrain conditions with minimal change of parameters.
Design and performance of a noncontacting probe for measurements on high-frequency planar circuits

Optimal design of a noncontacting magnetic probe for measurements on the interior of planar high-frequency circuits has been studied, and performance of the probe has been determined. The design was studied using enlarged models tested at frequencies 100 times lower than those of the actual intended use. The nature of its errors has been investigated, and some techniques for error reduction have been found. The accuracy of measurements on circuits with SWR >
Interdisciplinary differences on a general hospital psychiatry unit

A questionnaire was distributed to staff members of a 28-bed general hospital psychiatry unit to determine and compare staff perceptions of the value of psychotherapies and the role of the disciplines in conducting treatments. Marked interdisciplinary differences were reported in attitudes toward the use of psychopharmacologic agents, the importance of diagnostic evaluation, the value of psychotherapy in the treatment program, the role of various disciplines in the program, and the therapeutic community approach. Clinical implications of the magnitude of interdisciplinary differences are discussed, and recommendations are made for resolving intergroup conflict.
Clinical impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors therapy with bleeding risks

. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are extensively used for the treatment of multiple psychiatric conditions. In vitro and ex vivo data with these agents indicate they may have varying degrees of antiplatelet activity via multiple receptors. Reports of bleeding in patients receiving SSRIs appeared soon after their introduction. A review of the literature suggests SSRI therapy may increase the risk of bleeding especially with concomitant aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing these agents in high risk patients and maintain awareness of the potential contribution of SSRIs to unexplained bleeding episodes.
A Multivariate Analysis of Intercompany Loss Triangles

The prediction of insurance liabilities often requires aggregating experience of loss payment from multiple insurers. The resulting data set of intercompany loss triangles displays a multilevel structure of claim development where a portfolio consists of a group of insurers, each insurer several lines of business, and each line various cohorts of claims. In this article, we propose a Bayesian hierarchical model to analyze intercompany claim triangles. A copula regression is employed to join multiple triangles of each insurer, and a hierarchical structure is specified on major parameters to allow for information pooling across insurers. Numerical analysis is performed for an insurance portfolio of multivariate loss triangles from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. We show that prediction is improved through borrowing strength within and between insurers based on training and holdout observations.
Simple Medial Elbow Dislocations: A Rare Injury at Risk for Early Instability

Purpose To report the presentation, treatment, and outcomes of a series of simple medial elbow dislocations and to identify features distinguishing this injury from the more common dislocation patterns. Methods From 2000 to 2011, 4 cases of simple medial elbow dislocations were treated at a single referral center. Retrospective review was conducted to evaluate presentation, treatment, and outcomes. Results The mean patient age was 56 years (range, 49–61 y). All dislocations were in the nondominant arm of women after a fall from standing height. Two elbows had immediate closed reduction, and 2 elbows could not be reduced acutely. All elbows presented within 2.5 weeks of injury with recurrent instability or dislocation. Two patients also had acute symptoms of ulnar neuropathy. All patients had surgical repair of the lateral collateral ligament complex and extensor tendon origin. Three patients had ulnar nerve decompressions. All elbows were stable to valgus, varus, and rotatory stress testing, with no subjective instability at a minimum follow-up of 8 months (range, 8–144 mo). Three patients reported no pain. Symptoms of ulnar neuropathy resolved in all patients. Mean elbow range of motion was from 13° to 135° of extension/flexion, with full pronation and supination. Conclusions Simple medial elbow dislocations may be at risk for early instability and may represent a more noteworthy soft tissue injury than typical dislocation patterns. Surgical treatment of early instability in these injuries led to acceptable patient outcomes. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
A-types granites and rhyolites: Is A for ambiguous?

A symposium entitled “;A-Type Granites and Rhyolites: Is A for Ambiguous?,” held last May at the AGU 1992 Spring Meeting in Montreal, Canada, provided a forum for continued discussion and scientific debate of the complexities inherent in A-type granites. The concept of A-type granites [Loiselle and Wones, 1979] originally distinguished granites that are relatively anhydrous, with alkaline affinities, and which are formed in anorogenic tectonic settings, commonly after a previous episode of crustal melting. These granites were noted for their distinctive mineralogy and chemistry. A-type granites commonly contain sodic pyroxenes and amphiboles, late crystallizing iron-rich amphiboles and biotites, fluorite, and exotic accessory minerals (for example, chevkinite). They have high SiO2, Na2O+K2O, Fe/Mg, F, and low CaO and Sr. They are enriched in high field strength elements (for example, zirconium, niobium, gallium, yttrium) and REEs except europian.