cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Internal Government Assessments of the Quality of Governance in China

Internal assessments of the quality of governance allow authoritarian regimes to identify and address public discontent before it threatens regime stability. This article provides a theory of how the information necessary to produce such assessments is collected, processed, and utilized to guide policy. The empirical focus of the article is on China, which is used to illustrate how information-gathering channels in communist autocracies differ from those used in electoral autocracies. The theoretical argument of the article is that petitions rather than elections function as the main channel for gathering information on popular perceptions about governance problems in communist autocracies. Information compiled through the analysis of petitions is valued because it allows the leadership to identify problems with policy implementation; to track corruption; and to monitor the level of popular trust in the regime. Although protests provide similar information, they can threaten stability. Therefore, the advantage of petitions from the perspective of the regime is that they allow for routine information transfer without compromising stability maintenance. This study is based primarily on previously unavailable archival sources and on a systematic analysis of internal-circulation (neibu) materials, which provide insight into internal government understandings of governance problems in China.
Biochemistry and genetics of chlorpyrifos resistance in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.).

Abstract The mechanisms and genetics of chlorpyrifos resistance were studied in a strain (Dursban-R) of the German cockroach displaying 20-fold levels of resistance by topical application compared to a susceptible laboratory strain (CSMA). Dursban-R was equally resistant to both chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos oxon. Penetration rates of [ 14 C]chlorpyrifos were similar for both strains. In vivo metabolism studies employing [ 14 C]chlorpyrifos indicate that chlorpyrifos oxon was present at reduced levels in the resistant strain relative to the susceptible strain, and that elevated levels of the hydrolysis product, 3,5,6-trichloropyridinol, were also associated with resistance. Resistance to chlorpyrifos was partially suppressed by both piperonyl butoxide and DEF suggesting the involvement of both cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases (MFOs) and hydrolytic enzymes in the resistance mechanism. In vitro , the Dursban-R strain displayed higher rates of NADPH-dependent microsomal metabolism of [ 14 C]chlorpyrifos associated with the formation of chlorpyrifos oxon, trichloropyridinol, and unknown metabolites, further implicating the monooxygenase system in the resistance. In vitro metabolism of [ 14 C]-chlorpyrifos with cytosolic fractions was not detected. However, higher levels of hydrolysis were detected in the Dursban-R strain when [ 14 C]chlorpyrifos oxon was used as substrate. These results indicate that increased levels of monooxygenase activity as well as increased hydrolysis of chlorpyrifos oxon are mainly responsible for resistance to chlorpyrifos in this strain. Reciprocal crosses of the resistant and susceptible strains and backcrosses of the F 1 progeny to the parental CSMA strain indicate that resistance is incompletely dominant, autosomal, and associated with more than one genetic factor.
Convergence studies of adaptive control algorithms part I: Analysis

The so-called "adaptive control problem" has received attention by theoreticians and practitioners alike for the past twenty-five years. Elegant and useful theoretical advances have been made in the last decade, and especially in the past three years, that have unified diverse approaches. However, despite the fact that the central question of global asymptotic stability of the overall feedback adaptive loop has been resolved for a substantial class of adaptive controllers--at least in the deterministic case--the mechanism of adaptation and the convergence properties in general of already existing algorithms are still far from being well understood. As a consequence, there is a significant gap between the available (theoretical) methodologies and the potential applications of such adaptive schemes. This paper contains the first results of a research effort whose long range objective is in developing a methodology of design for adaptive control systems by attempting to unify promising concepts based primarily upon hyperstability theory and stochastic optimal control, respectively, with some common sense engineering techniques. In this context, special emphasis is given on the convergence properties--in terms of rates and transient behavior--of a large class of adaptive control algorithms.
An investigation of factors affecting how engineers and scientists seek information

Abstract This study investigated how 872 US aerospace scientists and engineers select information carriers. When considering oral and written information carriers, the principle of least effort was supported with a strong preference for oral communication over written communication. In examining how the respondents select written carriers, the decision to use or not to use a written carrier was found to be primarily a function of the perceived importance of the carrier’s information to a person’s work. Task uncertainty and task complexity were found to be significant, but not the primary nor a totally consistent criteria. The perceived quality and accessibility of written carriers were not found significant. The findings reinforce the need for firms to hire knowledgeable employees, to provide them with comprehensive training programs, and to develop formal and informal communication networks.
Unique adsorption properties and potential energy profiles of microporous pillared clays

The adsorption isotherms of O2, N2, CH4, CO2, SO2, and NO on five pillared clays (Zr, Al, Cr, Fe, and Ti-PILCs) are measured. The equilibrium selectivity of CH4/N2 on Al-PILC is greater than 5.0, which exceeds all known sorbents by a large margin. In addition, high SO2/CO2 equilibrium selectivities are observed on these pillared clays. The sorption characteristics of these pillared clays (PILCs) exhibit characteristic trends that are better understood with the aid of the potential energy profiles. A new semi-empirical approach is presented for the calculations of the potential energy profiles of PILCs. This approach requires the adsorption isotherms and an isotherm equation that accounts for the structural heterogeneity of the adsorbents. A comparison of the energy profiles obtained using the semi-empirical approach with the corresponding results obtained via the Kirkwood-Muller formalism, where only dispersion forces are taken into account, provides a measure of the importance of the electrostatic forces in the sorption characteristics of these PILCs. Sizable differences are observed for the potential energy profiles, indicating that the electrostatic forces are not negligible, and can significantly enhance the adsorption potential, resulting in large increases in the amounts adsorbed on these PILCs.
Noninvasive Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Coronary Arterial Inflammation

The importance of inflammation to atherothrombosis has led to the pursuit of noninvasive imaging methods to measure inflammation within the arterial wall. There is substantial evidence supporting the use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging for evaluation of atherosclerotic plaque inflammation. However, coronary imaging with this technique has been limited, due to several technical hurdles. Nonetheless, early experiences in coronary FDG-PET imaging have been encouraging. This review outlines the development of vascular PET imaging and its potential use for evaluation of coronary artery disease.
Nonlinear distortions and their cancellation in transistors

A linear two-port network model of the intrinsic transistor, which accounts for the nonlinear effects at the emitter-base junction, is developed in this paper. From this model nonlinear distortions are calculated and their variations with frequency and operating point are accounted for. With extrinsic parameters incorporated into this model it is shown how third-order distortion cancellation results from their effect. Two-signal injection, which permits the maximum conversion gain for the transistor as a mixer to be developed along with figures of merit for harmonic distortions, cross modulation, and intermodulation, is considered.
Classical and quantum transport from generalized Landauer-Büttiker equations. II. Time-dependent resonant tunneling.

A generalization of the Landauer-B\"uttiker picture of transport applicable to time-dependent problems in the presence of dissipation is presented. Starting from the Schr\"odinger equation in the Keldysh formalism under appropriate boundary conditions and using a linear-response approximation, we find that an ideal voltage probe is described by a generalized Landauer-B\"uttiker equation (GLBE). Thus, the GLBE may be considered as a particular case of the Keldysh kinetic equation. The transmission probabilities become retarded functions of the elapsed time, and are evaluated in terms of the retarded and advanced Green's functions. The interpretation of the mathematical formalism is emphasized. The GLBE is applied to get the time-dependent dissipative resonant tunneling by considering a resonant dot coupled with (a) a dephasing process and (b) a finite side probe. For case (a), we find that the resonant-tunneling conductance G is associated with an inductance L\ensuremath{\approxeq}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathit{q}}$/G which accounts for the response in the low-frequency regime; G depends on the dissipation inside the resonant region, while ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathit{q}}$, being twice the natural lifetime of the resonant state, does not. For case (b), we find an additional delay in the response accounting for the ``inertia'' of the side probe. This result clarifies the concepts of ideal voltage probe and voltage source as applied in the case of time-dependent transport.
A generalization of Z-groups

A finite group with cyclic Sylow subgroups is called a Z-group. In his book on the theory of groups Zassenhaus described the structure of Z-groups. The aim of this paper is to give a generalization of this theorem. Roughly speaking, we consider solvable groups whose Sylow subgroups are of small class and are generated by few elements. It is well known that, if the prime powers that divide the order of a finite group satisfy certain arithmetic conditions, the group is nilpotent. Our theorem gives also a generalization of this result. In Section 1, besides explaining part of our notation, we give as a proposition a basic result that follows directly from definitions. In Section 2, we establish the connection between the derived length of a factor group of G and the subindex of the first subgroup in the derived series of G that has a normal p-complement. Then, sufficient conditions are given for a solvable group to have a nilpotent commutator group. Finally, in Section 3, we prove the Main Theorem.
Early History of Magnetic Resonance

The early history of magnetic resonance to around 1950 is discussed from the point of view of a participant in it. I. I. Rabi’s theory of space quantization in a gyrating magnetic field and his molecular beam experiments in the 1930s laid the foundation of the magnetic resonance method, which he and his associates subsequently pursued and developed further at Columbia University, leading eventually to the development of NMR after World War II and the invention of the separated oscillatory fields method in 1950.
Erythropoietin and Other Blood-Boosting Methods

Dating back to the earliest Olympics, athletes have been searching for a performance edge. Recombinant human erythropoietin was made commercially available in 1987 to treat various diseases associated with anemia. Within a few years, elite endurance athletes capitalized on its potential as an undetectable performance-enhancing agent. Although antidoping agencies have developed a test to detect its use, there are pitfalls. More importantly, athletes continue to add more sophisticated doping practices to their armamentarium, challenging regulatory agencies, putting their health at great risk, and tainting the spirit of fair competition.
Diphenylethylarsine as an interfacial corrosion inhibitor for zinc in perchloric acid solution

Abstract Diphenylethylarsine has been tested as a corrosion inhibitor for electropolished zinc in perchloric acid solution, using weight loss and polarization methods. The corrosion of zinc is reduced by 85% in the presence of 2 × 10 -4 M diphenylethylarsine. Anodic and cathodic polarization data reveal that diphenylethylarsine acts as an interfacial corrosion inhibitor for zinc in acidic solution. The free energy of adsorption of diphenylethylarsine is reported for different concentrations of solution.
Photon coupling theory for plasmas with strong Compton scattering: Four temperature theory

When an equimolar mixture of deuterium (D) and tritium (T) at high density undergoes fusion burn, the system becomes extremely nonequilibrium. The ion temperature rises much higher than the electron temperature which, in turn, is much higher than the radiation temperature. Accurately simulating this nonequilibrium burn process has previously required a multigroup representation of the radiation field. Although simulating this D–T burn with a simple three temperature model (3T) also results in significant departures from thermal equilibrium, the ion and electron temperature histories from the 3T simulations are much lower than from the multigroup simulations. In this paper, a theory that overcomes the deficiencies of the 3T model in simulating burn of high density D–T is developed. The primary deficiency of the 3T model for this physical system is with the treatment of the Compton scattering energy exchange. The theory here developed culminates in a four temperature model (4T) which describes the radiation...
Changes in histone methylase activity of rat brain and liver with ageing.

No function has been found for the methylation of the ɛ-N-amino group of lysine in certain histones that have been demonstrated in thymus gland, liver and erythrocytes as well as several other organs1. It has been suggested, however, that this modification of the histone polypeptide effects the DNA-histone interaction and may be involved in regulating gene expression1. Methylation appears to be very specific, occurring after histone synthesis is complete2. Methylation of certain histones can be correlated with development. Gershey et al. reported that 3-methylhistidine was formed more rapidly in immature erythroid cells than in mature erythrocytes3, and Borun et al. found that in developing HeLa cells the lysyl residues of F2b, F3 and F2a1 histones were methylated mainly in the G2 phase and during mitosis4. Methylation of rat brain histones also seems to depend on age. After the intraperitoneal injection of L-14CH3-methionine into different age classes of rats we found that only trace amounts of 14C-methyl were incorporated into brain histones after maturity5. If L-3H-lysine and L-14CH3-methionine are administered to newborn rats biphasic type decay curves (3H and 14C) are obtained for all histone subfractions. During brain development (up to 50 d) the arginine-rich histones have a halflife of 32 d while no turnover is observed after maturity as measured by either 3H or 14C decay. We now find that the level of the histone methylases and the ability of brain histones to accept methyl groups decreases during ageing. Freshly prepared brain and liver nuclei from rats of various ages were incubated with C3H3-S-adenosylmethionine. The reaction mixtures were chilled to 0° C, the nuclei centrifuged down and extracted three times with 0.14 M NaCl. The residue was washed with methanol–chloroform, acetone, acetic acid (pH 3.0) and the histones extracted with 0.4 M HCl6. When L-14C-lysine was added to the reaction mixture no 14C was incorporated into the resultant histones excluding in vitro synthesis of histone in our system.
Substrate-baited nanoparticles: a catch and release strategy for enzyme recognition and harvesting.

The isolation of a single type of protein from a complex mixture is vital for the characterization of the function, structure, and interactions of the protein of interest and is typically the most laborious aspect of the protein purification process. In this effort, a model system was utilized to show the efficacy of synthesizing a “baited” nanoparticle to capture and recycle enzymes (proteins that catalyze chemical reactions) from crude cell lysate. Enzyme trapping and recycling was illustrated with the CARDO system, an enzyme important in bioremediation and natural product synthesis. The enzymes were baited with azide modified carbazolyl moieties attached to poly (propargyl acrylate) nanoparticles through a click transformation. MALDI-TOF and SDS-PAGE analysis indicated the single step procedure to immobilize the enzymes on the particles was capable of significantly concentrating the protein from raw lysate and sequestering all required components of the protein to maintain bioactivity. These results establish a universal model applicable to concentrating and extracting known substrate protein pairs, but it can be an invaluable tool in recognizing unknown protein-ligand affinities.
Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Governors of the English-Speaking Caribbean and Puerto Rico: Conversations and Correspondence

Preface Introduction Jamaica British Virgin Islands Anguilla St. Kitts-Nevis Montserrat Antigua and Barbuda St. Lucia St. Vincent and The Grenadines Barbados Trinidad and Tobago Guyana Puerto Rico Further Reading Index
Membrane Cholesterol Modulates the Outward Facing Conformation of the Dopamine Transporter and Alters Cocaine Binding

Clearance of synaptically released dopamine is regulated by the plasmalemmal dopamine transporter (DAT), an integral membrane protein that resides within a complex lipid milieu. Here we demonstrate that cholesterol, a major component of the lipid bilayer, can modulate the conformation of DAT and alter cocaine binding to DAT. In striatal synaptosomes and transfected cells, DAT was in cholesterol-rich membrane fractions after mild detergent extraction. After increasing the membrane cholesterol content by treatment of water-soluble cholesterol (cholesterol mixed with methyl-β-cyclodextrin), we observed an increase in DAT binding Bmax values for cocaine analogs [3H]WIN35428 and [125I]RTI-55, but similar levels of DAT proteins on the cell surface were shown by surface biotinylation assays. Membrane cholesterol addition also markedly enhanced the accessibility of cysteine sulfhydryl moieties in DAT as probed by a membrane-impermeable maleimide-biotin conjugate. We identified cysteine 306, a juxtamembrane residue on transmembrane domain 6 (TM6) of DAT, as the intrinsic residue exhibiting enhanced reactivity. Similar effects on DAT cysteine accessibility and radioligand binding were observed with addition of zinc, a reagent known to promote the outward facing conformation of DAT. Using substituted cysteine mutants on various positions likely to be extracellular, we identified additional residues located on TM1, TM6, TM7, and TM12 of DAT that are sensitive to alterations in the membrane cholesterol content. Our findings in transfected cells and native tissues support the hypothesis that DAT adopts an outward facing conformation in a cholesterol-rich membrane environment, suggesting a novel modulatory role of the surrounding membrane lipid milieu on DAT function.
Will primary central nervous system lymphoma be the most frequent brain tumor diagnosed in the year 2000

BACKGROUND There has been a dramatic increase in the diagnosis of primary lymphoma of the brain during the past decade, prompting speculation that it may become the most frequently diagnosed tumor of the central nervous system by the year 2000. The current analysis drew from the updated Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to establish projections for the incidence of brain lymphoma. The study also attempted to determine whether increased incidence rates are attributable to the increasing incidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and whether there is gender or age dependence. METHODS Primary brain lymphoma case data and population census data for calculating incidence rates for the period 1973-1992 were obtained from the SEER program. In an attempt to determine the contribution of AIDS to the increasing incidence of the disease, separate analyses were performed with and without the inclusion of never married men (a high risk group for the development of AIDS). Separate analyses were also performed within the San Francisco SEER registry because a higher incidence of AIDS-related cancers has been documented in this geographic region. Finally, a piece-wise linear model (using one regression line until 1982 and another regression line from 1982 onward) was used to predict incidence rates for the year 2000. RESULTS During the period of study, the incidence rates of brain lymphoma increased more than 10-fold, from 2.5 cases per 10 million population in 1973 to 30 in 1991-1992 (chi-square trend, 17.76: P < 0.0001). These increased incidence rates were independent of age and gender. The incidence rates of primary brain lymphoma did not differ significantly when comparing the San Francisco registry with the remainder of the SEER database for any comparison that excluded never married males. However, when the analysis included never married males, a statistically significantly higher incidence rate of primary central nervous system lymphoma was observed among San Franciscans compared with age-matched controls from the remainder of the SEER database. In the year 2000, the projected incidence rate of brain lymphoma would reach 51.1 per 10 million population and 118.2 per 10 million population, with never married men excluded and included, respectively. These incidence rates would still fall below the corresponding projections for glioma and glioblastoma multiforme. CONCLUSIONS There continues to be a significantly increasing incidence of brain lymphoma that is independent of age and gender. Indirect evidence implicates the AIDS epidemic as a contributor to this trend. Although the rate of increase in the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the brain is higher than for peripheral non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other glial tumors, brain lymphoma is not projected to surpass glial tumors as the most frequently diagnosed intracranial malignancy by the year 2000. Cancer 1997; 79:2409-13. ©1997 American Cancer Society.
Relative Efficiency of Trend Tests with Misspecified Genetic Models in Stratified Analyses of Case-Control or Cohort Data

Background/Aims: Genetic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are often analyzed using trend tests that rely on a specific assumption about the way that disease frequency varie
Structural insight into the role of the second intracellular loop of the bradykinin 2 receptor in signaling and internalization.

The second cytoplasmic loop (IC2) of the bradykinin B2 receptor plays a vital role in its dynamic life cycle including the activation, internalization, desensitization, and resensitization of this receptor. Here, we probe the structure and function of the IC2, with particular emphasis on threonine-137, which is crucial for signal transduction and internalization. Mutation of this threonine to proline (T137P) produces wild type (WT) signaling and complete inhibition of internalization. Incorporation of aspartate (T137D) leads to a marked reduction in receptor signaling but with WT receptor uptake. The T137D mutation coupled with serine to alanine substitution of S335 and S341 within the distal C-terminus recovers signaling, leading to an actually enhanced arachidonic acid release and phosphoinositide turnover compared to WT bradykinin B2 receptor (BKB2R). To provide a structural basis for the actions of this mutant, the conformational features of IC2 (both WT and mutant) were investigated by high-resolution NMR. The NMR analysis illustrated two prominent α-helices at the N- (L123–M138) and C-termini (A149–I156) of the IC2 receptor domain. Incorporating these structural characteristics into a model of BKB2R, we determined that the entire N-terminal helix of IC2 is incorporated as TM3, placing Y131 1.5 helical turns into TM3 and T137 at the membrane surface. The NMR data indicated no structural changes upon substitution of T137D. These results suggest that the altered signaling of the T137D mutant can be attributed to the introduction of a negative charge, indicating that phosphorylation of this residue takes place and participates in the life cycle of this receptor. Additionally, the return to WT signal capacity of the mutation T137D/S335A/S341A, to overcome the deleterious T137D substitution points to a functional interaction between the IC2 and the C-terminus. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopolymers 63: 239–246, 2002; DOI 10.1002/bip.10072
Apparent molar volumes and apparent molar heat capacities of aqueous sodium bromide and sodium fluoride at temperatures from (278.15 to 393.15) K and at the pressure 0.35 MPa

Abstract Apparent molar volumes Vφ and apparent molar heat capacities Cp,φ were determined for aqueous solutions of sodium bromide NaBr(aq) at molalities m=(0.01 to 1.0) mol · kg−1 and of aqueous sodium fluoride NaF(aq) at molalities m=(0.01 to 0.7) mol · kg−1 at temperatures T=(278.15 to 393.15) K and at the pressure 0.35 MPa. Our Vφ values were calculated from densities obtained using a vibrating-tube densimeter, and our Cp,φ values were obtained using a twin fixed-cell, power-compensation, differential-output, temperature-scanning calorimeter. Our results were fitted to functions of m and T, and estimated values of Vφ and Cp,φ of the anions F−(aq), Cl−(aq), and Br−(aq) are compared over the ranges of m and T given above.
Reference Values of Aortic Flow Velocity Integral in 1193 Healthy Infants, Children, and Adolescents to Quickly Estimate Cardiac Stroke Volume

The aortic velocity time integral (VTI) is an echocardiographic tool used to estimate cardiac output (CO) by multiplying it with the aortic valve (AV) area and heart rate (HR). Inaccurate measurement of AV diameter will lead to squared miscalculation of CO. The aortic VTI itself can serve as a left-ventricular (LV) output parameter. The normal range of aortic VTI in adulthood is relatively stable, compared with childhood, but reference data are lacking. The aim of this study was to establish reference values of VTI in infants, children, and adolescents. A retrospective analysis of 1223 echocardiographic examinations of healthy children (age 0–20 years, body surface area [BSA] 0.11–2.23 m2) was performed. Data were correlated with age, BSA, and HR, and age subgroups with normal distribution were determined. Interobserver and intraobserver variability was calculated. Aortic VTI ranged from mean 13.8 cm (10.0–18.4 cm 5–95th percentile) in neonates to 25.1 cm (19.6–32.8 cm 5–95th percentile) in children >17 years of age and had a positive correlation with age (r = 0.685, p < 0.001), BSA (r = 0.645, p < 0.001) and a negative correlation with HR (r = −0.710, p < 0.001). Interobserver and intraobserver variability were excellent (3.9 ± 3.1 and 4.6 ± 3.7 %, respectively). Calculated mean values and percentile charts for the different age groups can serve as reference data to easily judge LV output in patients with or without congenital heart disease without enlargement or dysfunction of the AV.
Test experience on an ultrareliable computer communication network

The dispersed sensor processing mesh (DSPM) is an experimental, ultra-reliable, fault-tolerant computer communications network that exhibits an organic-like ability to regenerate itself after suffering damage. The regeneration is accomplished by two routines - grow and repair. This paper discusses the DSPM concept for achieving fault tolerance and provides a brief description of the mechanization of both the experiment and the six-node experimental network. The main topic of this paper is the system performance of the growth algorithm contained in the grow routine. The characteristics imbued to DSPM by the growth algorithm are also discussed. Data from an experimental DSPM network and software simulation of larger DSPM-type networks are used to examine the inherent limitation on growth time by the growth algorithm and the relationship of growth time to network size and topology.
Thermodynamics with generalized ensembles: The class of dual orthodes

Abstract We address the problem of the foundation of generalized ensembles in statistical physics. The approach is based on Boltzmann's concept of orthodes. These are the statistical ensembles that satisfy the heat theorem, according to which the heat exchanged divided by the temperature is an exact differential. This approach can be seen as a mechanical approach alternative to the well established information-theoretic one based on the maximization of generalized information entropy. Our starting point are the Tsallis escort ensembles which have been previously proved to be orthodes, and have been proved to interpolate between canonical and microcanonical ensembles. Here we shall see that the Tsallis escort ensembles belong to a wider class of orthodes that include the most diverse types of ensembles. All such ensembles admit both a microcanonical-like parametrization (via the energy), and a canonical-like one (via the parameter β ). For this reason we name them “dual”. One central result used to build the theory is a generalized equipartition theorem. The theory is illustrated with a few examples and the equivalence of all the dual orthodes is discussed.
Model for large strain consolidation with compressible pore fluid

A numerical model, called CCPF1 (Consolidation with Compressible Pore Fluid 1), is presented for one-dimensional large strain consolidation of a saturated porous medium with compressible pore fluid. The algorithm includes all the capabilities of a previous large strain consolidation code, CS2, written for incompressible pore fluid. In addition, fluid density and fluid viscosity are functions of fluid pressure in CCPF1. Generalization of the numerical approach to accommodate these functions requires several modifications to the CS2 method, including phase relationships, intrinsic permeability, pore pressure, fluid potential, and mass flux. Inertial forces are neglected and isothermal conditions are assumed. The development of CCPF1 is first presented, followed by an example that illustrates the effects of pore fluid compressibility on the mechanics of consolidation of saturated porous media. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Politics of Prediction

contexts such as pari-mutuel racing, they have always effectively played that role. The current price of a share of stock provides a prediction about a company’s future cash flows, and the pari-mutuel odds reflect a group consensus about the likely outcome of a race. But in neither context is prediction the central purpose. Financial markets exist to promote broad and diversified ownership of enterprises, and pari-mutuel betting has long been a vehicle for gambling and entertainment. An innovation called prediction markets combines the most useful aspects of both approaches—the dynamic trading of financial markets and pari-mutuel’s focus on a specific event—to generate group forecasts that are interesting for their own sake. Prediction markets apparently originated in 1988, when the first Iowa Electronic Markets predicted the winner of the presidential election. The founders of the Iowa Electronic Markets wanted a vehicle that would better explain the workings of financial markets, and their approach built on the work of experimental economists who had conducted experiments using simplified financial markets in the laboratory. Robin Hanson reports having first considered the idea of prediction markets at about the same time as the Iowa Electronic Market was developed, and his revolutionary contribution was to recognize that prediction markets (or “idea futures,” as he then called them) might serve not merely as a test of financial markets, but as a tool in their own right, to produce group consensus forecasts. Hanson’s initial academic article on the subject focused specifically on “science claims,” but his argument clearly showed that markets could be used to assess virtually any claim about the future that could eventually be verified. The Foresight Exchange, which implemented his vision, includes claims about a wide variety of Michael Abramowicz
An integrative approach to intracranial hydraulic physiology I. Basic concepts, pressure-volume relationships, and infusion studies

Abstract A computer simulation of the anatomy of the intradural fluid compartment is used to explore intracranial hydraulic physiology. It examines the mutual interactions of fluid flow rates, volumes, and pressures that control the physiology of the intracranial fluid. The mechanisms of change in intracranial pressure despite the fixed volume constraint are elucidated. The physical origins of the pressure-volume curve and data on the infusion of cerebro-spinal fluid are examined. The dynamic behavior of this passive system closely simulates the observed physiologic response to bolus infusion, constant rate infusion, hyper-capnia-hypocapnea, and hydrocephalus.
Aspirin inhibits both lipid peroxides and thromboxane in preeclamptic placentas

Abstract Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of human pregnancy that is a leading cause of premature delivery and fetal growth retardation. It is characterized by hypertension, reduced uteroplacental blood flow, proteinuria, and edema. Preeclampsia is associated with an imbalance of increased thromboxane and decreased prostacyclin, as well as with an imbalance of increased lipid peroxides and decreased antioxidants. Low-dose aspirin (ASA) therapy (60–150 mg/day) is being evaluated for the prevention of preeclampsia. The rationale for this is that low-dose ASA selectively inhibits thromboxane synthesis without affecting prostacyclin synthesis. We hypothesized that ASA might also inhibit the synthesis of lipid peroxides. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aspirin on lipid peroxide, thromboxane, and prostacyclin production rates in placentas obtained from women with preeclampsia. Placentas were obtained from five preeclamptic women. Placental tissues (350 mg) were incubated in Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium (DMEM) for 48 h, alone and with varying concentrations of aspirin: 1 × 10−6 M, 1 × 10 −5 M, 5 × 10−5 M, 1 × 10−4 M, and 5 × 104 M. Samples were collected at 0, 2, 6, 16, 28, and 48 h of incubation, and analyzed for thromboxane and prostacyclin by RIA of their stable metabolites, thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-PGF1α, and for lipid peroxides by peroxide equivalents. As compared to control, an aspirin concentration of 5 × 10−5 M significantly inhibited (p 0.05). Lower aspirin doses (1 × 10 6 M, 1 × 10−5 M) had no effect, whereas higher doses (1 × 10−4 M and 5 × 10−4 M) inhibited all three compounds. We conclude that aspirin inhibits lipid peroxides, as well as thromboxane and prostacyclin, in preeclamptic placentas. The inhibitory effects are dose dependent. Low-dose aspirin (5 × 10−5 M) selectively inhibits lipid peroxides and thromboxane without affecting prostacyclin. We speculate that the selective inhibitory effect of low-dose aspirin may account for its effectiveness in the prevention of preeclampsia.
Forces on a colloidal particle in a polymer solution: a study using optical tweezers

We report a study of the dynamical behaviour of a polystyrene latex sphere in a telechelic poly(ethylene oxide) solution using optical tweezers. With this new technique, we use a position-sensing detector and a lock-in amplifier to measure the displacement magnitude and phase responses of one latex sphere driven sinusoidally by optical tweezers. For a single particle in solution, the equation of motion of the particle is simply that of the forced oscillation problem with damping from viscous drag and the restoring force from the elasticity of the solution medium and that of the optical tweezers. Because the system is overdamped, it is not feasible to probe the high-frequency regime. Thus we cannot measure the viscosity and elastic moduli separately from frequency-dependent measurements alone. At low polymer concentration, measurements of the viscosity have been achieved. We compared the measured viscosity with that obtained with other measurements. Key issues for further development of this technique, such as measuring the elastic modulus, are briefly discussed.
Planar lightwave circuit design for programmable complementary spectral keying encoder and decoder

A planar lightwave circuit design for implementing complementary spectral keying encoders and decoders is presented. The design uses only one arrayed-waveguide grating integrated with arrays of thermo-optic phase shifters and attenuators in a reflective structure. The result is a compact, low component count, programmable spectral keying switch that can implement a variety of spectral encoding/decoding functions.
Cisplatin, Cetuximab, and Radiation in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer: A Retrospective Review

Efficacy of cisplatin versus cetuximab with radiation in locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) was evaluated. A total of 96 patients with newly diagnosed LAHNC treated at our institution between 2006 and 2011 with concurrent radiation and cisplatin (group A, n = 45), cetuximab (group B, n = 24), or started with cisplatin but switched to cetuximab because of toxicity (group C, n = 27) were reviewed. Chi-square test, analysis of variance, and log-rank test were used for analysis. The three groups had similar baseline characteristics, except for median age, T stage, albumin levels, hemoglobin levels, performance status, and comorbidities. A complete response (CR) was seen in 77%, 17%, and 67% of patients (P 65 months), even though it was significantly longer than median OS for group B (11.6 months; P ≤ 0.001). The 2-year OS in groups A and C is significantly higher than that in group B (70% for groups A and C, 22% for group B). There is no significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) between groups A and C. The median PFS for these groups was not reached (.62 months), and is significantly longer than that for group B (4.3 months; P ≤ 0.001). The 2-year PFS of group A (67%) and group C (76%) was significantly longer than that of group B (20%). Cisplatin with radiation appears to be more efficacious even in suboptimal dosing than cetuximab with radiation in LAHNC but the two groups were not well matched.
Analysis of mechanisms contributing to the origin of nuclear quadrupole interactions in spherical half filled shell atoms — Application to nitrogen

It is well-known that the ground state of nitrogen atom, if LS coupling is exact, is 4S and hence should not exhibit any nuclear quadrupole interaction. But a small nuclear quadrupole interaction (with a sizeable range of error) was observed by Holloway, Luscher and Novick I and was subsequently shown unambiguously to be finite by the very precise measurements of Crampton, Berg, Robinson and Ramsey 2. This problem has ever since resisted quantitative theoretical understanding. In addition to those on nitrogen atom, finite quadrupole interactions have also been measured in the transition metal and rare-earth atoms with half-filled shells, namely manganese and europium, and mechanisms proposed for the origin of the finiteness of the nuclear quadrupole interaction have been reasonably successful in explaining quantitatively the observed interactions in these two systems. But the same approach has been unsuccessful in nitrogen, predicting a coupling constant many times larger than the experimental value. In the present work, we wish to show that electron-electron interactions, especially the Breit interaction 3, treated accurately in the frame-work of relativistic many-body perturbation theory cancel out the large net contribution from the already proposed mechanisms 4, noticeably from the Casimir mechanism. As a result we obtain a small theoretical value of 2.5 Hz for the nuclear quadrupole coupling constant which is in satisfactory agreement with the experimental value of 1.3• Hz, demonstrating that theory is now in essential agreement with experiment.
Ruggedness testing and validation of a practical analytical method for >100 veterinary drug residues in bovine muscle by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract In this study, optimization, extension, and validation of a streamlined, qualitative and quantitative multiclass, multiresidue method was conducted to monitor >100 veterinary drug residues in meat using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). Optimization centered on extensive ruggedness evaluation of the method. Various clean-up sorbents were tested and the amount of co-extractives were weighed, matrix effects were measured using post-column infusion of representative analytes, the effect of extract dilution before injecting was studied, and analyte recoveries and reproducibilities were determined. In order to extend our previous method, more drug analytes were added that possessed a wider range of chemical properties, and a re-appraisal of different types of C18 in dispersive solid-phase extraction clean-up and mobile phases in UHPLC–MS/MS was done. Ultimately, end-capped C18 and post-column infusion of ammonium formate as an ionization enhancer for the late-eluting anthelmintics were found to give improved qualitative results for greater analytical scope. A multi-day, multi-analyst validation demonstrated that the final method is suitable for screening of 113 analytes, identifying 98 and quantifying (recoveries between 70–120% and RSD
Configuring artificial neural networks to implement function optimization

Threshold binary networks of the discrete Hopfield-type lead to the efficient retrieval of the regularized least-squares (LS) solution in certain inverse problem formulations. Partitions of these networks are identified based on forms of representation of the data. The objective criterion is optimized using sequential and parallel updates on these partitions. The algorithms consist of minimizing a suboptimal objective criterion in the currently active partition. Once the local minima is attained, an inactive partition is chosen to continue the minimization. This strategy is especially effective when substantial data must be processed by resources which are constrained either in space or available bandwidth.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Juvenile hormone biosynthesis and oocyte development in adult female Blattella germanica: Effects of grouping and mating

The roles of grouping and mating in modulating the activity of the corpora allata (CA) in adult female cockroaches were investigated using the in vitro radiochemical assay of juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis. Isolated virgin females have longer, asynchronous cycles of CA activity and oocyte maturation than do isolated females mated on day 8. Three factors were identified as the major contributors to this difference: (1) an experimental artifact of selection for sexually receptive females, (2) a positive effect of grouping on JH synthesis and oocyte maturation, and (3) a positive effect of copulation on oviposition and retention of the ootheca. Mated females constitute a subpopulation of receptive females that differ significantly from other females by having higher rates of JH synthesis prior to mating. The relative importance of such selection is substantial when the rate of mating is low, as in experiments with isolated females that are exposed to males for a short period of time. Long-term exposure of females to males introduces a grouping effect, which obscures any additional effect of mating on CA activity and oocyte development. However, mating influences ootheca formation and its retention. The effect of grouping can be mimicked in isolated females by transection of the nerves connecting the CA–corpora cardiaca complex to the brain, suggesting that in this insect isolation causes brain inhibition of the CA, and grouping provides disinhibitory stimuli that release the CA from brain inhibition.
Bringing Graphic Novels into a School's Curriculum

(2004). Bringing Graphic Novels into a School's Curriculum. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 78, No. 2, pp. 67-72.
Conspecific preferences in prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster, and meadow voles, M. pennsylvanicus

Interactions between congeneric species in sympatry offer opportunities to study mating preferences for conspecifics, preferences that maintain premating reproductive isolation between species. Sixteen males and 16 females of two sympatric species, prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) and meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus), were tested for conspecific as opposed to heterospecific preferences in an automated preference apparatus. The results indicated that male prairie and meadow voles displayed preferences for conspecifics when the females were in estrus, but showed no preference when females were in diestrus. Female prairie voles in both estrous and diestrous conditions likewise displayed a preference for conspecifics, whereas meadow vole females showed no such preference. These species differences may be related to social organization, for prairie voles are monogamous, pair-bonding, and contact-prone, whereas meadow voles, which are polygamous, display high intraspecific aggression during initial contact. Conspecific preferences can be considered as one factor that maintains existing isolation between the species.
Timing of saccadic eye movements during an accumulative visual search task

OF DISSERTATION ii Acknowledgements iv Table of contents v List of Figures vi List of Tables vii
The roles of anatomic factors, thrombophilia, and antithrombotic therapies in childhood-onset arterial ischemic stroke

Childhood-onset arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is a rare disorder with high risks of both recurrent stroke and life-long neurological morbidity. Anatomic risk factors for primary and/or recurrent AIS include a venous thrombotic source for paradoxical embolism via a patent foramen ovale, primary cardioembolism, extracranial dissection, and intracranial arteriopathies, among others. Genetic and acquired thrombophilias are common, some of which have been shown to have prognostic influence on risk of recurrent AIS. While knowledge of childhood AIS risk factors has grown considerably in recent years, an evidence-based understanding of optimal antithrombotic therapy strategies has not yet been attained. Consensus-based guidelines have been developed, but future research must emphasize identification of additional prognostic factors and the initiation of cooperative randomized controlled clinical trials.