cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resiliency Policies in Access Control

We introduce the notion of resiliency policies in the context of access control systems. Such policies require an access control system to be resilient to the absence of users. An example resiliency policy requires that upon removal of any s users, there should still exist d disjoint sets of users such that the users in each set together possess certain permissions of interest. Such a policy ensures that even when emergency situations cause some users to be absent, there still exist independent teams of users that have the permissions necessary for carrying out critical tasks. The Resiliency Checking Problem determines whether an access control state satisfies a given resiliency policy. We show that the general case of the problem and several subcases are intractable (NP-hard), and identify two subcases that are solvable in linear time. For the intractable cases, we also identify the complexity class in the polynomial hierarchy to which these problems belong. We discuss the design and evaluation of an algorithm that can efficiently solve instances of nontrivial sizes that belong to the intractable cases of the problem. Furthermore, we study the consistency problem between resiliency policies and static separation of duty policies. Finally, we combine the notions of resiliency and separation of duty to introduce the resilient separation of duty policy, which is useful in situations where both fault-tolerance and fraud-prevention are desired.
Enhanced radiation killing by 5-fluorouracil of biliary tract cancer cell lines

Despite the frequent clinical use of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination with radiotherapy for patients with biliary tract cancers, data remain scarce concerning specifically the influence of 5-FU on the sensitivity of these cancer cells to radiation. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of concomitant treatment with 5-FU on radiation-induced cell killing in two established human biliary tract cancer cell lines (Mz-ChA-2 and SK-ChA-1 cells). These lines were chosen as we have previously shown that SK-ChA-1 cells are significantly more resistant to both radiation and 5-FU than Mz-ChA-2 cells. Clonogenic survival was employed as the end-point for cell killing. Administration of 5-FU at LD50 doses to each cell line significantly enhanced radiation-induced cell killing. The enhancement ratio (ER) was obtained by dividing the radiation dose required to decrease the cell survival fraction to 37% (D0) by the dose to decrease cell survival to the same level when the cells were also treated with 5-FU. The ER in each of the cell lines was greater when they were incubated with 5-FU after radiation rather than prior to radiation. Longer exposure times with 5-FU resulted in enhanced radiation killing. The ER was significantly higher in the radioresistant cell line than in the radiosensitive line. These findings suggest that therapy with radiation and 5-FU may be of value as components of multidisciplinary treatment for biliary tract cancer. Protracted low dose exposure to 5-FU may prove to be most efficacious in enhancing the effects of radiation therapy.
Candidate Gene Analysis in African Americans with Renal Failure

A search for renal failure genes is being conducted in African American sib pairs concordant for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) recruited predominantly from the dialysis population in the Southeastern United States. Family history data is being collected in patients from more than 250 individual dialysis units. Patients with polycystic kidney disease, Alport's Syndrome and confirmed urologic disease are excluded. The study employs a candidate gene strategy initially, followed by a genome-wide search for linkage between polymorphic markers and the phenotype “ESRD.”
Competing orders and field induction of d+id ′ state

Abstract The role of the magnetic field on the d-wave density wave as a model of pseudogap state of cuprates and on the d-wave superconducting state will be addresses. We argue that in d-wave density state magnetic field can produce secondary gap components. This distortion by magnetic field offers a possibility to distinguish between different scenarios of pseudogap in normal state of high- T c materials. Similarly we argue that magnetic field can distort the p-wave state and produce secondary component of the gap in p-wave superconductor.
Personality features and mate retention strategies: Honesty-humility and the willingness to manipulate, deceive, and exploit romantic partners

Personality features are associated with several relationship outcomes. We examined whether specific personality features differed in their associations with ''mate retention'' strategies. We examined the unique associations that personality features had with mate retention strategies reported by 179 community members in romantic relationships for at least 6 months. Personality features were associated with each of the mate retention strategies such that positive personality features (e.g., high levels of honesty-humility) were associated with less reliance on mate retention strategies that involved manipulating, deceiving, or exploiting romantic partners. Discussion focuses on the implications of these results for understanding the connection between personality features and behaviors intended to preserve and maintain romantic relationships.
Sulfur Supplementation of Urea-containing Silages and Concentrates. I. Feed Intake and Lactation Performance

Abstract Thirty-two lactating cows were in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment; factors were corn silage treated with .5% urea or 2.8% soybean meal at ensiling time and concentrates containing 0 or .9% added sodium sulfate. In a 19-week experiment cows fed soybean corn silage consumed more dry matter per unit body weight and produced more milk than cows on urea corn silage (P In a second experiment 24 cows arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial were fed .5% urea silage or 3.5% soybean meal silage and concentrates containing 0 or .8% added urea, each with 0 or .8% added sodium sulfate. No treatment differences were detected in feed intake or milk yield during 40 weeks. Sulfur supplementation increased sulfur in ration dry matter from .13% to .22% (Experiment I) and .11 to .18% (Experiment II) and also changed the ratio of nitrogen to sulfur from 19:1 to 11:1 (Experiment I) and 21:1 to 13:1 (Experiment II).
On the Split Personality of Penultimate Proline

The influence of the position of the amino acid proline in polypeptide sequences is examined by a combination of ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (IMS-MS), amino acid substitutions, and molecular modeling. The results suggest that when proline exists as the second residue from the N-terminus (i.e., penultimate proline), two families of conformers are formed. We demonstrate the existence of these families by a study of a series of truncated and mutated peptides derived from the 11-residue peptide Ser1-Pro2-Glu3-Leu4-Pro5-Ser6-Pro7-Gln8-Ala9-Glu10-Lys11. We find that every peptide from this sequence with a penultimate proline residue has multiple conformations. Substitution of Ala for Pro residues indicates that multiple conformers arise from the cis-trans isomerization of Xaa1–Pro2 peptide bonds as Xaa–Ala peptide bonds are unlikely to adopt the cis isomer, and examination of spectra from a library of 58 peptides indicates that ~80% of sequences show this effect. A simple mechanism suggesting that the barrier between the cis- and trans-proline forms is lowered because of low steric impedance is proposed. This observation may have interesting biological implications as well, and we note that a number of biologically active peptides have penultimate proline residues.
Atomoxetine Attenuates Dextroamphetamine Effects in Humans

Background: Although preclinical studies support the contribution of the noradrenergic system activation in mediating the acute effects of amphetamines, these findings have not been followed up in clinical studies. Objectives: To examine the effects of atomoxetine, a norepinephrine transporter inhibitor, on subjective, physiological, and plasma cortisol responses to dextroamphetamine in 10 healthy volunteers. Methods: Subjects were randomly assigned to a sequence of atomoxetine (40 mg/day) or placebo treatments each lasting for 4 days. On Day 4 of each treatment period, responses to a single 20 mg/70 kg dose of dextroamphetamine were assessed. Results: Atomoxetine treatment attenuated dextroamphetamine-induced increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and plasma cortisol as well as the self-report ratings of “stimulated,” “high,” and “good drug effects.” Conclusions: These findings are consistent with previous preclinical studies supporting the role of the noradrenergic system in mediating acute ...
Pionic matrix elements in neutrinoless double-β decay

Physics beyond the standard model of electroweak interactions that violates lepton number will, in general, induce operators involving the quark and lepton fields that violate lepton number. I point out that some matrix elements of particular operators are known. In the limit of exact SU(3) flavor symmetry the operator $\ifmmode \bar{u}\else \={u}\fi{}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}(1\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{5})d\ifmmode \bar{u}\else \={u}\fi{}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}(1\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{5})d$ is part of the $27$ representation responsible for $\ensuremath{\Delta}I=\frac{3}{2}$ strangeness changing decays in the standard model. At leading order in the chiral expansion there is only one coupling constant that describes the weak interactions of the pseudo-Goldstone bosons induced by the $27$ representation. The observed branching fraction for ${K}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ determines this coupling constant. Contributions of the form ${m}_{s}\mathrm{ln}{m}_{s}$ are used to estimate SU(3) breaking corrections to the relation between ${K}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ and the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ interaction.
Development of process control in sheet metal forming

Abstract In sheet metal forming processes, the blank holder force controls the material flow into the die cavity, which is critical to producing a good part. Process control can be used to adjust the blank holder force in-process based on tracking a reference punch force trajectory to improve part quality and consistency. Key issues in process control include process controller and reference punch force trajectory design. The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic approach to the design and implementation of a suitable process controller and an optimal reference punch force trajectory. The approach includes modeling of the sheet metal forming process, design of the process controller, and determination of the optimal punch force trajectory. Experimental results from U-channel forming show that a suitable process controller can be designed through simulation and an optimal reference punch force trajectory can be synthesized through experiments. The proposed development should be useful in designing and implementing process control in sheet metal forming processes.
Estimating long-term changes in actual evapotranspiration and water storage using a one-parameter model

Summary Estimations of long-term regional trends in evapotranspiration ( E ) and water storage are key to our understanding of hydrology in a changing environment. Yet they are difficult to make due to the lack of long-term measurements of these quantities. Here we use a simple one-parameter model in conjunction with Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data to estimate long-term E and storage trends in the Missouri River Basin. We find that E has increased in the river basin over the period 1929–2012, consistent with other studies that have suggested increases in E with a warming climate. The increase in E appears to be driven by an increase in precipitation and water storage because potential E has not changed substantially. The simplicity of the method and its minimal data requirements provide a transparent approach to assessing long-term changes in hydrological fluxes and storages, and may be applicable to regions where meteorological and hydrological data are scarce.
Matching Procedure for Viscous-Inviscid Interactive Calculations x

Introduction 7"N this Note, we describe a procedure for coupling a viscous Jl boundary-layer calculation with a solution of the Euler equations. The interaction between the viscous calculation and the rotational inviscid calculation is accomplished by means of an iterative process. An iterative approach to the subsonic interaction problem is not uncommon; several researchers have used this approach in conjunction with the displacement thickness concept to obtain better approximations to flows (e.g., Refs. 2 and 3). However, the present interactive method differs from these procedures in two ways. First, the present method does not rely solely on the mechanism of a physical displacement of the outer flow streamlines by the viscous layer to achieve coupling of the viscous and inviscid calculations. The interaction takes the form of an injection at solid surfaces, but it is different from the usual equivalent source distribution technique in that this injection has a momentum and enthalpy character. Second, the viscous solution is constructed in a manner suggested by the theory of matched asymptotic expansions. In order to illustrate the operation of this procedure more clearly, we discuss the specific case where the inviscid solution is an explicit time-marching, finite-difference calculation (e.g., MacCormack's method). However, the applicability of the method is not restricted to this choice.
Anticipatory search: using context to initiate search

Identifying content for which a user may search has a variety of applications, including ranking and recommendation. In this poster, we examine how pre-search context can be used to predict content that the user will seek before they have even specified a search query. We call this anticipatory search. Using a log-based approach, we compare different methods for predicting the content to be searched using different attributes of the pre-query context and behavioral signals from previous visitors to the most recent browse URL. Each method covers different cases and shows promise for query-free anticipatory search on the Web.
Local-field factors in a polarized two-dimensional electron gas

We derive approximate expressions for the static local-field factors of a spin-polarized two-dimensional electron gas that smoothly interpolate between their small- and large-wave-vector asymptotic limits. The proposed analytical expressions reproduce recent diffusion Monte Carlo data for the unpolarized and fully polarized electron gas. We find that the degree of spin polarization produces important modifications to the local factors of the minority spins, while the local-field functions of the majority spins are less affected.
Targeting specific PDZ domains of PSD-95: Structural basis for enhanced affinity and enzymatic stability of a cyclic peptide

A cyclic peptide, Tyr-Lys-c[-Lys-Thr-Glu(βAla)-]-Val, incorporating a β-Ala lactam side chain linker and designed to target the PDZ domains of the postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), has been synthesized and structurally characterized by NMR while free and bound to the PDZ1 domain of PSD-95. While bound, the lactam linker of the peptide makes a number of unique contacts outside the canonical PDZ binding motif, providing a novel target for PDZ-domain specificity as well as producing a 10-fold enhancement in binding affinity. Additionally, the cyclization greatly enhances the enzymatic stability, increasing the duration that the peptide inhibits the association between PSD-95 and glutamate receptors, effectively inhibiting the clustering of kainate receptors for over 14 hr after application. Highly specific regulation of kainate receptor action may provide a novel route for treatment of drug addiction and epilepsy.
Directional dependence in developmental research

In this article, we discuss and propose methods that may be of use to determine direction of dependence in non-normally distributed variables. First, it is shown that standard regression analysis i...
Expression of arginine decarboxylase in brain regions and neuronal cells

After our initial report of a mammalian gene for arginine decarboxylase, an enzyme for the synthesis of agmatine from arginine, we have determined the regional expression of ADC in rat. We have analyzed the expression of ADC in rat brain regions by activity, protein and mRNA levels, and the regulation of expression in neuronal cells by RNA interference. In rat brain, ADC was widely expressed in major brain regions, with a substantial amount in hypothalamus, followed by cortex, and with least amounts in locus coeruleus and medulla. ADC mRNA was detected in primary astrocytes and C6 glioma cells. While no ADC message was detected in fresh neurons (3 days old), significant message appeared in differentiated neurons (3 weeks old). PC12 cells, treated with nerve growth factor, had higher ADC mRNA compared with naive cells. The siRNA mixture directed towards the N-terminal regions of ADC cDNA down-regulated the levels of mRNA and protein in cultured neurons/C6 glioma cells and these cells produced lower agmatine. Thus, this study demonstrates that ADC message is expressed in rat brain regions, that it is regulated in neuronal cells and that the down-regulation of ADC activity by specific siRNA leads to lower agmatine production.
Will Public Sector Retiree Health Benefit Plans Survive? Economic and Policy Implications of Unfunded Liabilities

Recent articles have reported a large and growing financial crisis associated with retiree health plans offered by state and local governments, and have expressed alarm over their impact on the financial status of these governmental units (Goldman Sachs 2007; David Zion and Amit Varshney 2007). The concern about the unfunded liabilities of retiree health plans follows from a change in the public accounting rules issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). GASB Statement No. 45 requires state and local governments to report unfunded accrued liabilities and annual required contributions needed to fully fund the retiree health promises. The GASB 45 statements produced by state governments indicate that unfunded liabilities for state employees and retirees total approximately $500 billion. This does not include additional liabilities associated with retiree health plans for local governments and public school teachers with plans that are not managed at the state level. The explicit acknowledgement of these liabilities and their absolute and relative size has created considerable concern and debate among economists, policymakers, and voters. This article presents data from state actuarial reports on the size of retiree health liabilities, examines the key assumptions used to determine the unfunded liabilities, and then assesses the potential future of retiree health plans in the public sector.
The effect of therapeutic anticoagulation on overall survival in men receiving first-line docetaxel chemotherapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Abstract Background Anticoagulants have been postulated to possess antitumor activity, although clinical data supporting this claim are conflicting. No definitive data exist on the clinical impact of anticoagulation therapy in patients with prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between therapeutic anticoagulant use and survival in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) receiving docetaxel chemotherapy. Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 247 consecutive patients with mCRPC who received first-line docetaxel chemotherapy between 1998 and 2010 at a single institution. Among them, 29 patients (11.7 %) received therapeutic anticoagulation (low-molecular-weight heparin [LMWH] or warfarin) for the treatment of venous thromboembolism. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to investigate the effect of anticoagulant use on overall survival. Results In univariate analysis, anticoagulant use was associated with improved survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.61; P = .024). Median survival was 20.9 months in the anticoagulation group versus 17.1 months in the control group ( P = .024). In multivariable analysis, anticoagulant use remained a significant predictor of survival after adjusting for other baseline prognostic factors (HR, 0.49; P = .023). When each anticoagulant was considered separately in the multivariable model, LMWH remained significantly prognostic for survival (HR, 0.48; P = .035), whereas warfarin use did not. Conclusions Anticoagulant use (LMWH in particular) is an independent predictor of improved survival in men with mCRPC receiving docetaxel. These data provide the impetus to further explore the antitumor properties of anticoagulants in patients with prostate cancer and warrant validation in prospective studies.
Atresia of the right atrioventricular orifice with complete transposition of the great arteries in a horse.

Summary The heart of a 6-week old Arabian filly with a history of poor health and exercise intolerance revealed at postmortem examination, multiple cardiac malformations which included atresia of the right atrioventricular orifice (tricuspid atresia, with associated atrial and ventricular septal defects), complete transposition of the great arteries, anomalous drainage of the venae cavae and coronary sinus into the left atrium, coarctation of the aorta, and a small but patent ductus arteriosus. The course of blood through the heart was suggested and discussed.
Tolerogenic function of Blimp-1 in dendritic cells

Blimp-1 has been identified as a key regulator of plasma cell differentiation in B cells and effector/memory function in T cells. We demonstrate that Blimp-1 in dendritic cells (DCs) is required to maintain immune tolerance in female but not male mice. Female mice lacking Blimp-1 expression in DCs (DCBlimp-1ko) or haploid for Blimp-1 expression exhibit normal DC development but an altered DC function and develop lupus-like autoantibodies. Although DCs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of lupus, a defect in DC function has not previously been shown to initiate the disease process. Blimp-1ko DCs display increased production of IL-6 and preferentially induce differentiation of follicular T helper cells (TFH cells) in vitro. In vivo, the expansion of TFH cells is associated with an enhanced germinal center (GC) response and the development of autoreactivity. These studies demonstrate a critical role for Blimp-1 in the tolerogenic function of DCs and show that a diminished expression of Blimp-1 in DCs can result in aberrant activation of the adaptive immune system with the development of a lupus-like serology in a gender-specific manner. This study is of particular interest because a polymorphism of Blimp-1 associates with SLE.
Imaging transplant rejection: a new view

The success of organ transplantation is severely hindered by immune-mediated rejection, but the steps involved in this process remain poorly defined. A new imaging study now reveals the sequence of events and immune cells involved in graft rejection in a mouse model, providing insights into the points at which the immune system could be rationally targeted to prevent transplant rejection (pages 744–749).
Retinol conversion to retinoic acid is impaired in breast cancer cell lines relative to normal cells.

The bioactivity of retinol (vitamin A) is in part dependent on its metabolism to retinoic acid (RA). We investigated the ability of breast epithelial cells to synthesize RA when challenged with a physiological retinol dose (2 μM). Normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) cultured from reduction mammoplasties were competent in RA synthesis and the ability to synthesize RA was retained by immortal, nontumorigenic breast epithelial cell lines (MTSV1.7, MCF-10F, and 184B5). In contrast, most (five of six) breast cancer cell lines could not synthesize RA or did so at low rates relative to normal cells. A notable exception was the MDA-MB-468 cell line, which was fully competent in RA synthesis. Most (≥68%) of the RA synthesized by breast cells was recovered from the culture medium. Cellular retinol binding protein and cellular RA binding protein II, both expressed in HMEC, had various expression patterns in the cell lines that did not correlate with the observed differences in RA synthesizing ability. Strong RA induction of the RA hydroxylase P450RAI (CYP26) was confined to ERα-positive T47D and MCF-7 breast cancer cells and did not appear to explain the lack of detectable RA levels in these cells since RA remained undetectable when the cells were treated with 5–10 μM liarozole, a P450RAI inhibitor. We hypothesize that retinol bioactivity is impaired in breast cancer cells that cannot synthesize RA. In preliminary support of this hypothesis, we found that retinol (0.5–2 μM) inhibited MCF-10F but not T47D or MCF-7 cell growth. J. Cell. Physiol. 185:302–309, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Conformality of photoresist and antireflective coatings over topography

Scanned probe microscopy (SPM) and optical thickness measurements were used to study conformality of a 0.5 micrometer-thick photoresist and two different ARCs (75 nm thick). One ARC (ARC A) was a thermally stable system as applied. (The molecular weight did not change with the normal post-apply bake.) The other ARC (ARC B) was a thermally cross- linking system. (Cross-linking occurs on the wafer during post-apply bake, thus increasing molecular weight.) Three different step heights, ranging from 44 to 150 nm, were studied. Two measures of conformality were used: the 'planarization length' or distance from an edge for which the material reaches nominal thickness, and the film thickness loss over a given feature width. For the photoresist, the planarization length was 30 - 50 micrometer, and a 1 micrometer-wide ridge was almost completely planarized. (Resist thickness loss was 70 - 80% of the step height, vs 100% for complete planarization.) As expected, the much thinner ARC films were more conformal than the resist film; however, each behaved quite differently: the thermally stable system (ARC A) was more conformal than the thermally cross- linking system (ARC B). The planarization length for ARC A was 5 - 10 micrometer while, for ARC B, it was 20 - 40 micrometer. ARC A also showed less thickness loss for 1 to 10 micrometer- wide ridges. For a 1 micrometer-wide ridge, ARC A showed a thickness loss of 40% of the step height; for ARC B, the loss was 50%. For a 10 micrometer-wide ridge, the thickness losses were 5% and 15% for ARCs A and B, respectively.
Repeated tapping of ventricular reservoir in preterm infants with post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation does not increase the risk of reservoir infection

Repeated tapping of ventricular reservoir in preterm infants with post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation does not increase the risk of reservoir infection
Estimating the influence of population density and dispersal behavior on the ability to detect and monitor Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) populations.

ABSTRACT Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a phloemfeeding pest of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees native to Asia, was first discovered in North America in 2002. Since then, A. planipennis has been found in 15 states and two Canadian provinces and has killed tens of millions of ash trees. Understanding the probability of detecting and accurately delineating low density populations of A. planipennis is a key component of effective management strategies. Here we approach this issue by 1) quantifying the efficiency of sampling nongirdled ash trees to detect new infestations of A. planipennis under varying population densities and 2) evaluating the likelihood of accurately determining the localized spread of discrete A. planipennis infestations. To estimate the probability a sampled tree would be detected as infested across a gradient of A. planipennis densities, we used A. planipennis larval density estimates collected during intensive surveys conducted in three recently i...
Developing school psychologists as agents of social justice: A qualitative analysis of student understanding across three years

This study employed a cohort-sequential design with four cohorts over 3 years to investigate school psychology graduate trainees' (n=37) understanding of social justice. Using consensual qualitative research methods, participants' perspectives on social justice writ large, social justice as it applies to school psychology, and effective aspects of social justice training in their graduate training program were collected through semi-structured focus group interviews. Field-based training though service-learning in diverse communities provided trainees with exposure to experiences that were viewed as instrumental in their understanding of social justice in general and as it applies to school psychology. Trainees described aspects of the training program that were viewed as conducive to educating school psychologists as agents of social justice. Based on findings from the study, a descriptive model of school psychology training for social justice is proposed.
The Effects of Stimulability on the Articulation of /s/ Relative to Cluster and Word Frequency of Occurrence

This study investigated the effects of stimulability on the articulation of cluster nested /s/ in high- and low-frequency clusters and words. A good stimulability group and a poor stimulability group of /s/-defective seven-year-old children were investigated. Statistical analysis did not reveal significant differences between the articulatory performances of the two groups on words or clusters occurring with high or low frequency. Subjects in the good stimulability group obtained significantly fewer errors on the test stimuli than did subjects in the poor stimulability group. Correlational analyses indicated that stimulability was positively correlated with correct numbers of /s/ productions in both clusters and words occurring with both high and low frequency. Subjects' spontaneous /s/ errors on the Templin-Darley screening test were not found to be correlated with their stimulability scores or their imitative /s/ productions in words and clusters occurring with high or low frequencies.
Living Standards in Nineteenth-Century Russia

Most of the studies of living standards in pre-revolutionary Russia by economic historians have focused on a narrow range of measures for predominantly urban areas. A micro-level analysis that employs a broader set of measures of well-being for a small rural region in central Russia suggests that, contrary to previous findings, living standards were improving throughout the nineteenth century, even in seemingly less dynamic rural areas. Moreover, the variation in income and consumption patterns, human-capital development, and the distribution of resources in the countryside was greater than typically assumed. Since state and local institutions might be able to account for it, these determinants should be emphasized in future analyses of rural living standards in pre-Soviet Russia.
Enhancement of myofilament calcium sensitivity by acute hypoxia in rat distal pulmonary arteries

Hypoxic contraction of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle is thought to require increases in both intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, which may or may not be ...
Trauma Narratives: It's What You Say, Not How You Say It

Structural and content- related features of trauma narratives of traumatic events may help explain the development of PTSD. In a sample of 35 female assault survivors, we examined the association between the structure and content of trauma narratives and PTSD and other trauma-related reactions (i.e., depression, anxiety, anger, dissociation, and guilt). When controlling for recounting style and recounting distress, narrative structure was not strongly associated with PTSD or other trauma-related reactions. In contrast, the content of the trauma narratives (more positive and negative emotion words, higher cognitive process, and less self-focus being) was associated with lower symptomatology. Taken together, trauma narrative content rather than grammatical structure of the narrative may be more reflective of underlying emotional processing of the traumatic memory or lack thereof.
High Resolution Copy Number Variation Data in the NCI-60 Cancer Cell Lines from Whole Genome Microarrays Accessible through CellMiner

Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) is a powerful technique for detecting gene copy number variation. It is generally considered to be robust and convenient since it measures DNA rather than RNA. In the current study, we combine copy number estimates from four different platforms (Agilent 44 K, NimbleGen 385 K, Affymetrix 500 K and Illumina Human1Mv1_C) to compute a reliable, high-resolution, easy to understand output for the measure of copy number changes in the 60 cancer cells of the NCI-DTP (the NCI-60). We then relate the results to gene expression. We explain how to access that database using our CellMiner web-tool and provide an example of the ease of comparison with transcript expression, whole exome sequencing, microRNA expression and response to 20,000 drugs and other chemical compounds. We then demonstrate how the data can be analyzed integratively with transcript expression data for the whole genome (26,065 genes). Comparison of copy number and expression levels shows an overall medium high correlation (median r = 0.247), with significantly higher correlations (median r = 0.408) for the known tumor suppressor genes. That observation is consistent with the hypothesis that gene loss is an important mechanism for tumor suppressor inactivation. An integrated analysis of concurrent DNA copy number and gene expression change is presented. Limiting attention to focal DNA gains or losses, we identify and reveal novel candidate tumor suppressors with matching alterations in transcript level.
Does Strictness Explain the Appeal of Working-Class Conservative Protestant Congregations?

For different reasons, Kelley (1977) and Iannaccone (1994) have argued that ascetic strictness causes congregational growth. The relevant published case studies of congregations do not support strictness theory, however this research concerned mainly middle-class congregations. A recently published quantitative study found that church growth was positively associated with strictness, but only among working-class congregations. Thus the research reported in this paper focused on working-class congregations and was meant to determine if there is a causal connection, and not just a statistical association, between strictness and church growth. Open-ended interviews were done with new participants in two working-class Protestant congregations about what drew them to their new congregations. The most important factors were feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit, the family-like nature of congregational life, and qualities of the pastor. No evidence supporting strictness theory was found. The popularity of a congregation, at the micro level, or of a brand of religion,
Sulfuric Acid and Sulfur Trioxide

Sulfuric acid, an important article of commerce since the mid-1700s, is one of the largest-volume basic chemicals in the world. It is used in a wide variety of applications, including production of basic chemicals, steel, copper, fertilizer, fibers, plastics, gasoline, explosives, electronic chips, batteries, and pharmaceuticals. Sulfuric acid is typically less costly than other acids and can be readily handled in steel or common alloys at normal commercial concentrations. Sulfuric acid, oleum, fuming sulfuric acid, and the anhydride sulfur trioxide are discussed. The contact processes for sulfuric acid manufacture are discussed, as are the equipment necessary and the corresponding materials of construction. Safe handling practices are given. Keywords: Sulfuric acid; Sulfur trioxide; Sulfur dioxide gas; Oleum; Materials of construction; Special plant design; Fertilizers; Petroleum alkylate
Adaptive significance of Ipomopsis aggregata nectar production: observation and experiment in the field

Production of floral nectar is generally thought to be an adaptation that increases plant fitness by altering pollinator behavior, and therefore pollination success. To test this hypothesis, I investigated the effects of floral nectar production rate on pollination success of the hermaphroditic plant Ipomopsis aggregata (Polemoniaceae). Success through male function (estimated by the export of fluorescent dyes) was significantly greater for plants with naturally high nectar production rates than for nearby plants with low nectar production rates, whereas success through female function (receipt of fluorescent dye) was unrelated to nectar production rate. Experimental addition of artificial nectar also produced a significant increase in male function success and no increase in several estimates of female function success. Observations confirmed that hummingbirds probed a larger proportion of flowers on plants that received supplemental nectar, as they do in response to natural variation in nectar production. The concordance of results across these observational and experimental studies indicates that nectar production acts primarily to increase pollination success through male function for this species.
Reciprocity in EMI-EMC

The basis of and errors in interpreting the law of reciprocity are reviewed and applied to conducted and radiated electromagnetic interference-electromagnetic compatibility (EMI-EMC). Conditions for reciprocity include reversibility and passivity of elements in the reciprocal system. The law is expressed in circuit form and the reciprocal signals are clearly distinguished. Symmetric and asymmetric line filters are used as examples of reciprocity in conducted interference. It is shown that an incompletely shielded circuit can be regarded as an antenna, allowing one to establish radiation reciprocity between it and a measuring antenna. Some difficulties encountered in EMI-EMC measurements that give the impression of reciprocity being violated are discussed. >
Rapid evolution of reproductive proteins in abalone and Drosophila

Observations from different taxa, including plants, protozoa, insects and mammals, indicate that proteins involved in reproduction evolve rapidly. Several models of adaptive evolution have been proposed to explain this phenomenon, such as sexual conflict, sexual selection, self versus non-self recognition and pathogen resistance. Here we discuss the potential role of sexual conflict in the rapid evolution of reproductive genes in two different animal systems, abalone (Haliotis) and Drosophila .I n abalone, we reveal how specific interacting sperm‐egg proteins were identified and discuss this identification in the light of models for rapid protein evolution and speciation. For Drosophila ,w e describe the genomic approaches taken to identify male accessory gland proteins and female reproductive tract proteins. Patterns of protein evolution from both abalone and Drosophila support the predicted patterns of rapid protein evolution driven by sexual conflict. We stress however that other selective pressures may contribute to the rapid evolution that is observed. We conclude that the key to distinguishing between sexual conflict and other mechanisms of protein evolution will be an integration of genetic, experimental and theoretical data.
Pathways to Dependency

Forces of Habit Drugs and the Making of the Modern World. David T. Courtwright. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 2001. $24.95. ISBN 0-674-00458-2. Courtwright's historical approach examines the social and biological factors that have made certain drugs so seductive. He addresses such questions as why coffee, tobacco, and marijuana have spread around the world while peyote and qat have not, and why alcohol and tobacco are legal but heroin and cocaine are not.
Sage Philosophy: Revisiting Oruka’s African Ideology

The term African philosophy is considered by Western philosophy either as a subgenre or as an improbability. The findings of Kenyan philosopher H. Odera Oruka provide substantial proof of a major nature that negates this attitude toward African philosophy. This essay demonstrates how Oruka’s Sage philosophy has the consistency and coherence to alter forever any notion of Western superiority in philosophy. Indeed, Oruka, much like Cheikh Anta Diop in the field of anthropology and history, transforms the way we think about African philosophy by taking it away from the Western schools’ perspective to show that oral and proverbial wisdom has a long and noble tradition in human reflection.
The use of corticosteroids in conjunction with antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B with ongoing viral replication

Summary Eleven patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic active hepatitis B were treated with an 8-wk course of prednisone followed by 28 days of adenine arabinoside 5′-monophosphate. Five individuals had a complete response (loss of HBeAg and DNA polymerase) whereas 3 had a partial response (sustained loss of DNA polymerase but persistence of HBeAg). At the present time 27 ± 3 mo has elapsed since the completion of therapy, and 4 of 5 complete responders remain negative for replicative markers while the fifth person exhibited transient reactivation of infection. Elevated DNA polymerase has reappeared in two of the three partial responders, in one 22 mo after completion of therapy. These encouraging results have led to a randomized, controlled trial using short-term prednisone followed by recombinant alpha-interferon.
IPO Underpricing, Disclosure, and Litigation Risk

I find that U.S. IPO prospectus disclosure exhibits significant correlation with first day underpricing, consistent with theories of underpricing as caused by informational asymmetry. In particular, a 1 standard deviation increase in positive prospectus disclosure is associated with almost a third reduction in first day underpricing. More disclosure also has a significant positive relation to measures of informational completeness. Further, I show that the amount of disclosure may derive from litigation risk. Controlling for measures of litigation risk, more disclosure exhibits a significant and positive relation to IPO litigation, while absent controls the relation is negative – suggesting that the amount of disclosure responds to ex ante perceived risk of litigation.
Systemic Leadership, Evolutionary Processes, and International Relations Theory: The Unipolarity Question

Scholars disagree about the nature of the current international distribution of power and its implications for world politics. Is the current system unipolar, and, if so, is unipolarity likely to persist for very long? Fifteen generalizations about the structure of the international system are culled from the literature and addressed critically from a leadership long cycle point of view. Although the current system is militarily unipolar, it is not buttressed by a new wave of radical technological innovation that is critical to the operation of systemic leadership. Until or unless US military predominance is based on economic predominance, the effects of unipolarity are likely to be relatively weak and probably also short-lived.
Characterization of a human bladder cancer cell line selected for resistance to BMY 25067, a novel analogue of mitomycin C

This study describes characteristics of a human bladder cancer cell line, SCaBER/R, selected for resistance to a mitomycin C (MMC) analogue BMY 25067. The SCaBER/R cell line was isolated by repeated 24 h exposures of the parental cells to 0.09 μM BMY 25067 (IC90, 24 h drug exposure) over a period of about 180 days. Approximately 2.2-fold higher concentration of BMY 25067 was required to kill 50% of the SCaBER/R cell line compared with parental cells (P < 0.001). The IC20 and IC90 values for BMY 25067 were also significantly higher in the SCaBER/R cell line than in SCaBER. Unlike most MMC resistant cell lines, the SCaBER/R cell line displayed a marked cross-resistance to 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) and lacked cross-resistance to cisplatin, doxorubicin or VP-16. The SCaBER/R cell line also displayed a marked cross-resistance to the parent drug (MMC) and BMY 25282, another analogue of MMC. NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase activity, an enzyme implicated in bio-reductive activation of MMC, did not differ significantly in these cells. DT-diaphorase activity, another MMC activation enzyme, was significantly lower in the SCaBER/R cell line when compared to the SCaBER cells. These results suggest that relatively lower sensitivity of SCaBER/R cell line to MMC and BMY 25067 may result from impaired drug activation. Cellular levels of glutathione (GSH) and GSH-transferase (GST), which have been suggested to affect the cytotoxicity of MMC, were comparable in SCaBER and SCaBER/R cell lines. BMY 25067 induced DNA interstrand cross-links (DNA-ISC) could not be detected in either of the cell lines even at drug concentrations which produced a significant cell kill. These findings suggest that (a) cellular resistance to BMY 25067 in the SCaBER/R cell line may be due to impaired drug activation, and (b) the nature of the cytotoxic lesions produced by BMY 25067 may be different from that of MMC.
Postural Sway and Motor Control in Trans-Tibial Amputees as Assessed by Electroencephalography during Eight Balance Training Tasks

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the Power Spectral Density (PSD) of the electroencephalogram (EEG) during 8 common sensorimotor balance training tasks of varying difficulty in single-limb trans-tibial amputees. Material and methods Eight sensorimotor balance exercises, including alteration in vision, base of support, and surface compliance, were used to test postural control and how it related to the electroencephalogram (EEG). A control group was compared to a group of people with trans-tibial amputation of 1 leg to see how the brain responds to loss of a single limb during progressively harder balance testing. Postural sway and EEG changes of the alpha, beta, and sigma wave bands were measured in 20 participants (10 controls, 10 amputees) during 8 balance tasks of varying difficulty with eyes open and closed, feet in tandem or apart, and on a foam or a firm surface. Results The power of alpha, beta, and sigma bands increased significantly in most tests when comparing the amputees to the control subjects. Balance was significantly worse in the amputees even when standing on both legs. In amputees, balance required more cortical activity than in the controls. Conclusions This study demonstrated that amputees have considerably more difficulty in motor control for the brain during balance tasks. Balance was impaired even when standing feet apart on 2 legs and EEG showed more spectral power in all areas of the brain in the amputees.