cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The benefit of information asymmetry: When to sell to informed customers?

Buyers are often uncertain about product valuations before they commit to purchase. In such situations, firms have an opportunity to influence the accuracy with which buyers can estimate their valuations. When buyers are uncertain about the product's fit with their personal preferences, firms can help resolve this uncertainty by offering product previews, sampling, trials or return guarantees. When a buyer's valuation uncertainty is caused by unpredictability in their consumption state, firms can choose advance selling - which makes buyers decide while they are unsure about their valuations - or enable buyers to make an informed decision by offering spot sales. This paper examines firms' incentive to adopt mechanisms that endow buyers with private information - hence increase information asymmetry against the firm - and are mean preserving in the aggregate across the market. Prior studies suggest that in this setting, selling to uninformed buyers is advantageous because it presents the firm with a narrower dispersion in valuations, making it easier to extract consumer surplus. Countering this intuition, we show that when the market consists of distinct heterogeneous consumer segments ex ante, selling to privately informed buyers can improve the firm's profit. This is because under certain conditions, the demand curve can become flatter in a relatively high price range as buyers become informed, enabling the firm to extract higher surplus. Our work suggests that firms may want to employ product preview mechanisms even when they increase dispersion in valuations while only maintaining (rather than increasing) the mean. Our study highlights the interplay between buyer valuation uncertainty and consumer heterogeneity in determining a firm's selling strategy.
Potential role of PFOB enhanced sonography of the kidney. I. Detection of renal function and acute tubular necrosis

Potential role of PFOB enhanced sonography of the kidney. I. Detection of renal function and acute tubular necrosis. Perfluorooctylbromide (PFOB) enhances the echogenicity of perfused tissues on sonography. Since PFOB is not filtered and is limited to the intravascular space, the particles are concentrated in the vasa rectae as they travel across the osmotic gradient. Because sonography has been unable to detect renal function, we aimed to determine whether sonography when aided by PFOB could detect and distinguish the normal from the abnormal osmotic gradient. The sonographer, unaware of rabbit assignment, imaged both kidneys in 17 rabbits before and 24 hours after the temporary occlusion of one of the renal arteries and then again after the infusion of up to 5 ml/kg of PFOB (N = 10) or saline (N = 7). Two normal rabbits were imaged before and after PFOB infusion and then again after i.v. furosemide. Without PFOB, the normal and impaired kidneys were indistinguishable. The echogenicity of the medulla which was darker than cortex in normal kidneys became brighter than cortex after PFOB (increased by 117% ± 10%; P
Isolation of selective 3H-chlornaltrexamine-bound complexes, possible opioid receptor components in brains of mice

Abstract The nonequilibrium narcotic antagonist, chlornaltrexamine (CNA) was used to bind selectively and covalently pioid specific sites on brain membrane preparations. Selective binding of [ 3 H]CNA occured with a saturation maximum of 185 fmol/mg protein. Bound [ 3 H]CNA was extracted with Triton X-100, dialyzed against Brij 36T, precipitated with trichloroacetic acid and chromatographed on an ultrogel AcA 22 column. The elution profile suggests that this extract contains a minimum of four selective [ 3 H]CNA complexes. At least two of these complexes migrate in a single large peak. Column calibration showed that this peak eluted at 590,000 daltons. One of these specific [ 3 H]CNA complexes elutes at the elution volume of the column and is dialyzable. Finally, putative aggregate of these complexes elutes with the void volume.
Differences in Pride and Shame in Maltreated and Nonmaltreated Preschoolers

This study examined the expression of shame and pride in maltreated and nonmaltreated preschool children. 84 4-5-year-old children and their mothers participated in the study: 42 had a history of child maltreatment and 42 served as matched controls. Children were presented with easy and difficult tasks and their emotional responses of shame and pride were observed. No shame was shown when subjects succeeded on the tasks and no pride was shown when they failed. Maltreating mothers offered more negative feedback, particularly to their daughters, than nonmaltreating mothers. Maltreated girls showed more shame when they failed and less pride when they succeeded than nonmaltreated girls. The relation between differential socialization practices and the self-conscious emotions is explored as it relates to observed gender differences in emotionality and self-concept.
Color image quantization by agglomerative clustering

We present a simple and "well-behaved" agglomerative clustering approach to color image quantization, along with results of tests using synthesized and real-life images. >
What Perturbs the γ and δ Rings of Uranus

The γ and δ rings have by far the largest radial perturbations of any of the nine known Uranian rings. These two rings deviate from Keplerian orbits, having typical root-mean-square residuals of about 3 kilometers (compared to a few hundred meters for the other seven known rings). Possible causes for the perturbations include nearby shepherd satellites and Lindblad resonances. If shepherd satellites are responsible, they could be as large as several tens of kilometers in diameter. The perturbation patterns of the γ and δ rings have been examined for evidence of Lindblad resonances of azimuthal wave number m = 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. The β ring radial residuals are well matched by a 2:1 Lindblad resonance. If this represents a real physical phenomenon and is not an artifact of undersampling, then the most plausible interpretation is that there is an undiscovered satellite orbiting 76,522 ± 8 kilometers from Uranus, with an orbital period of 15.3595 ± 0.0001 hours and a radius of 75 to 100 kilometers. Such a satellite would be easily detected by the Voyager spacecraft when it encounters Uranus. The 2:1 resonance location is 41 ± 9 kilometers inside the δ ring, which makes it unlikely that the resonance is due to a viscous instability within the ring. In contrast, no low-order Lindblad resonance matches the γ ring perturbations, which are probably caused by one or more shepherd satellites large enough to be clearly visible in Voyager images.
A 6-Year Follow-up Study of Cambodian Refugee Adolescents Traumatized as Children

Seventy-three percent of a sample of 46 Cambodian youth interviewed in 1984 and 1987 were reinterviewed in 1990 as part of a pretest for a multisite study of Cambodian refugee trauma now under way. An additional sample of convenience of 38 youth were also interviewed to determine reliability and validity of the diagnostic instruments chosen for the larger study. The DSM-III-R diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was found to persist, but the symptoms appeared less intense over time. In contrast, the prevalence of depression dropped markedly since 1987. Subjects remained largely free of comorbid conditions. Diagnostic reliability and validity were satisfactory. The follow-up sample appeared to be functioning well despite their PTSD profiles. The findings are discussed in light of several current controversies surrounding the concept and measurement of PTSD.
Pumping Characteristics of the Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is crucial for maintaining fluid and protein balance, and for immune function. It also plays an important role in the spread of cancer. Lymphedema can form when parts of the system are not functioning, such as in patients who have undergone lymph node resection as part of cancer therapy. Lymphedema is a painful, debilitating condition for which there is no cure. This research is aimed at constructing multi-scale models of lymphatic pumping function, incorporating information from the cellular to the whole organ level. Lymphatic endothelial and smooth muscle cell mechanotransduction events are incorporated into a single lymphangion pumping unit. The performance of this pumping unit is shown to exhibit behaviors observed in experiments with rat mesentery.© 2010 ASME
The retreating state : political geographies of the object and the proliferation of space.

In their article, “Political geographies of the object,” Meehan, Shaw, and Marston (2013) introduce and explore some of the implications of object-oriented ontology (OOO) for political geography. Their analysis uses The Wire – a television drama about the legitimate and illegitimate forces affecting drug trade and policing in Baltimore – to consider how objects such as wiretaps, cameras and standardized tests affect power. Their theoretical aim is to move political geography beyond textual/discursive examinations of the state or those focusing on material/social relations. To do so, the authors appeal to OOO, which is gaining momentum in several fields beyond its originating home in continental philosophy. The implications of OOO are intriguing. So too are the problems. Particularly problematic, as this commentary identifies, is the question of what approaching the state as an object implies – a question left untouched in Meehan et al.’s provocative piece. I raise this problem because OOO requires approaching the state as a real object and this contrasts with political geographies that aim to avoid reifying the spatial extension of the state (i.e. territory) or its abstract relations. I begin with an overview of OOO that situates Meehan et al.’s arguments.
Effects of in utero linuron exposure on rat Wolffian duct development.

Linuron is an herbicide that displays weak androgen receptor antagonist activity. Male offspring exposed in utero to 50 mg/kg/day linuron often exhibit malformations in Wolffian duct derivatives (i.e. the epididymis and vas deferens). The objectives of this study were to determine the point during the perinatal period that linuron-induced epididymal lesions can be identified, to characterize linuron-mediated perinatal testicular and epididymal pathology, and to determine whether male rat fetuses exposed prenatally to linuron exhibit decreased intratesticular and serum testosterone (T) levels. Pregnant rats were administered corn oil vehicle or linuron by gavage at 0 or 50 mg/kg/day (n = 3 controls, 5-11 linuron-treated dams per time point) from gestation days (GD) 12 to 21 or to termination. Male fetuses or offspring were necropsied on GD 17, 19, and 21, and postnatal days (PND) 7 and 14. Epididymal malformations were not observed in fetuses from linuron-treated dams but were seen in linuron-exposed male offspring on PND 7 and 14. No testicular lesions were observed at any time point. The growth and development of linuron-exposed fetuses were altered, as evidenced by slight decreases in fetal weight and increased levels of immunoreactive proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) on GD 21. Intratesticular and serum T levels were not decreased in linuron-exposed male fetuses. These findings indicate that the adversely altered adult phenotype following in utero exposure to linuron is very similar to that produced by the antiandrogens di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). However, the absence of testicular lesions or alterations in fetal testosterone levels would suggest that the effect of linuron on the developing Wolffian ducts is distinctly different from DBP or DEHP.
African-American Parenting Characteristics and Their Association With Children’s Cognitive and Academic School Readiness

When compared to risk factors, less is known about family characteristics that enhance developmental outcomes among low-income African-American children. The current study explored elements of African-American parenting and their relationship to early childhood academic readiness. Using a predominantly low-income African-American subsample from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care (N = 105), this investigation examined associations between three maternal factors–beliefs, confidence, and warmth and children’s cognitive and early academic development. We hypothesized that the children of African-American parents who reported more traditional authoritarian beliefs, maternal confidence, and maternal warmth would display higher levels of cognitive development and achievement at school entry. Multiple regression analysis indicated that maternal confidence and warmth were predictive of cognitive development and achievement. Traditional beliefs were found to be inversely related to academic readiness. Together, the predictive variables explained 36% of the variation in cognitive functioning.
Advice for a new generation

Challenges for Nonprofits and Philanthropy: The Courage to Change, by Pablo Eisenberg, edited by Stacy Palmer. Medford, Mass.: Tufts University Press; Lebanon, N.H.: University Press of New England, 2005. 242 pp., $29.95 cloth. Fifty Years in Public Causes: Stories from a Road Less Traveled, by Brian O'Connell. Medford, Mass.: Tufts University Press; Lebanon, N.H.: University Press of New England, 2005. 228 pp., $24.95 cloth.
Evanescent wave immunoprobe with high bivalent antibody activity

Abstract We have determined the kinetic response of an evanescent wave optical fibre immunosensor and its absolute sensitivity. Using both kinetic methods and optical determinations of bound antigen, we infer that there are 2·4 × 10 11 active antibodies per cm 2 probe area. We estimate that 75% of the active antibodies are in the bivalent form, with both binding site capable of binding antigen. Using the kinetic data and optical measurements of the number of antigens bound to the fibre, we estimate that the unstirred dead layer thickness next to the fibre surface in the stirred solution, across which the antigens must diffuse, is 55 μm. Approximately 10 9 FITC labelled antigens are necessary to achieve a threshold signal, defined as 1% of the signal obtained when the fibre is saturated with antigen.
Thermal conductivity of high- T c superconductors

This paper reviews existing data on the thermal conductivity of high-T c superconductors. Included are discussions of pristine polycrystalline high-T c ceramics, single crystal specimens, and high-T c materials structurally modified by substitution or by radiation damage. The thermal conductivity of high-T c superconductors is compared with that of conventional superconductors, and dramatic differences are found between the two families. Mechanisms of thermal conductivity applicable to high-T c perovskites are discussed and implications for theories of high-T c superconductivity are noted.
Crystallization in pores

This review discusses the thermodynamics of crystallization within porous materials and the factors that influence stress development and cracking. The maximum driving force for crystallization is related to the supersaturation for crystals growing in solution, and to the undercooling for crystals growing from a melt. However, the stresses generated on the pore walls depend on other factors, including the pore size, the energy (γcs) of the interface between the pore wall and the crystal, and (for acicular crystals) the yield stress or buckling strength of the crystal. The fact that growing crystals push particles over large distances indicates that γcs is often large. If γcs were small, crystals would tend to nucleate on pore walls rather than pushing them away, and the crystals would propagate through the pore network without resistance. Even when the crystallization pressure is large, the stress existing in a single pore cannot cause failure because it acts on too small a volume. For fracture to occur, the crystals must propagate through a region of the network large enough that the stress field can interact with the large flaws that control the strength. In concrete, growth on this scale requires that the driving force be sufficient to permit the crystals to pass through pores as small as the breakthrough radius (which is the size of the entry into the percolating network of larger pores that controls the permeability of the body).
Magnetism and solid solution effects in NiAl (40% Al) alloys

The solid solution effects of ternary additions of transition elements in intermetallic Ni-40% Al were investigated by both experimental studies and theoretical calculations. Co solute atoms when sitting at Ni sublattice sites do not affect the lattice parameter and hardening behavior of Ni-40Al. On the other hand, Fe, Mn, and Cr solutes, which are mainly on Al sublattice sites, substantially expand the lattice parameter and produce an unusual solid solution softening effect. First-principles calculations predict that these solute atoms with large unfilled d-band electrons develop large magnetic moments and effectively expand the lattice parameter when occupying Al sublattice sites. The theoretical predictions were verified by both electron loss-energy spectroscopy (EELS) analyses and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The observed softening behavior can be explained quantitatively by the replacement of Ni anti-site defects (potent hardeners) by Fe, Mn, and Cr anti-site defects with smaller atom size mismatch between solute and Al atoms. This study has led to the identification of magnetic interaction as an important physical parameter affecting the solid solution hardening in intermetallic alloys containing transition elements.
Modulating Co-Stimulation

The modulation of co-stimulatory pathways represents a novel therapeutic strategy to regulate autoimmune diseases. Auto-reactive CD4+ T cells play a critical role in initiating the immune response leading to inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Blocking co-stimulatory signals prevents T-cell activation, thus diminishing autoimmune responses and possibly preventing the progression of autoimmune disease. Blockade of several co-stimulatory pathways has been investigated in animal models and has led to clinical trials testing specific blocking agents in humans. In this review we will describe the role of co-stimulatory pathways, primarily the CD28-B7 pathway, in autoimmune diseases, and we will present in vivo and in vitro studies supporting the efficacy of co-stimulation blockade in animal models of autoimmune disease. Finally, we will discuss the clinical therapeutic efficacy of blocking monoclonal antibodies in preventing or reducing auto-antigen driven T-cell activation in humans with particular attention to the CD28/B7 pathway. Inhibiting co-stimulatory molecule interactions by using monoclonal antibodies seems to be an original approach to regulate autoimmune diseases in humans.
Clinical implications of abundant calcium phosphate in routinely analyzed kidney stones.

Clinical implications of abundant calcium phosphate in routinely analyzed kidney stones. Background To better portray the clinical phenotype of kidney stone patients with high calcium phosphate (CaP) stone abundance, we present here clinical and laboratory findings of large numbers of stone formers (SF) with stone CaP ranging from 0% to 100%. Our purpose was to inform clinicians and highlight areas that seem to deserve further research. Methods We calculated average percent CaP (CaP%) in all stones of 1201 patients, and classified them into CaOx ( N = 1011) or CaP ( N = 190). Sex differences, stone formation rates, urine stone risk factors, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatments, and relapse during treatment were quantified in relation to stone CaP content. Results CaP% has risen for three decades, especially among women. ESWL rates adjusted for numbers of stones and duration of stone disease were higher in CaP SF (0.6 vs. 1.86 and 0.73 vs. 1.82, CaOx vs. CaP, men and women, respectively, P P Conclusion Stone CaP% has risen for three decades. CaP SF, particularly with brushite stones, receive more ESWL treatments than CaOx SF, not explained by stone number or duration of stone disease. Urine supersaturations explain the high CaP%. High CaP% does not hamper medical stone prevention.
A RFID Landmark Navigation Auxiliary System

This paper proposes the development of an RFID system to aid in the navigation of autonomous mobile robots. The use of the system to enable a mobile robot to estimate its pose is described. The paper presents a method to obtain fine orientation readings, a task neglected by former works. We also analyze one uncertainty source of this approach. Experimental and simulation results are presented in the paper to demonstrate the effect of the method. Finally, we present a possible alternative method to adapt to non-constant speed movement.
Radar and Profiler Analysis of Colliding Boundaries: A Case Study

Abstract The kinematics of a head-on collision between two gust fronts, followed by a secondary collision between a third gust front and a bore generated by the initial collision, are described using analyses of Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) and Mobile Integrated Profiling System (MIPS) data. Each gust front involved in the initial collision exhibited a nearly north–south orientation and an east–west movement. The eastward-moving boundary was 2°C colder and moved 7 m s−1 faster than the westward-moving boundary. Two-dimensional wind retrievals reveal contrasting flows within each gravity current. One exhibited a typical gravity current flow structure, while the other assumed the form of a gravity wave/current hybrid with multiple vortices atop the outflow. One of the after-collision boundaries exhibited multiple radar finelines resembling a solitary wave shortly after the collision. About 1 h after the initial collision, a vigorous gust front intersected the eastward-moving bore severa...
Medical diagnosis: comparison of human and computer logic.

Abstract Questionnaires describing four logical methods by which a patient's signs and symptoms can be translated into a diagnostic impression were administered to medical students and housestaff physicians. Two of the methods have been successfully used by diagnostic computer programs; two have not. Ninety per cent of the responders to the survey indicated that they used one or both of the logical systems which have not been successfully adapted to computer diagnosis.
Spontaneous and Specific Activation of Chemical Bonds in Macromolecular Fluids

Mechanical activation of chemical bonds typically involves the application of external forces, which implies a broad distribution of bond tensions. We demonstrate that controlling the flow profile of a macromolecular fluid generates and delineates mechanical force concentration, enabling a hierarchical activation of chemical bonds on different length scales from the macroscopic to the molecular. Bond tension is spontaneously generated within brushlike macromolecules as they spread on a solid substrate. The molecular architecture creates an uneven distribution of tension in the covalent bonds, leading to spatially controlled bond scission. By controlling the flow rate and the gradient of the film pressure, one can sever the flowing macromolecules with high precision. Specific chemical bonds are activated within distinct macromolecules located in a defined area of a thin film. Furthermore, the flow-controlled loading rate enables quantitative analysis of the bond activation parameters.
Development of adiabatic shear bands in annealed 316L stainless steel: Part I. Correlation between evolving microstructure and mechanical behavior

Adiabatic shear localization in an annealed AISI 316L stainless steel was examined through a forced shear technique using a split Hopkinson pressure bar and hat-shaped specimens. A well-controlled forced shear technique provided the possibility of correlating the microstructural evolution of adiabatic shear localization to its transient mechanical behavior. The initiation of adiabatic shear bands occurred when the shear stress peaked after substantial work hardening. The work-hardening rate was found to play a dominant role in the formation of adiabatic shear localization. The stress drop presupposed the development of the localized deformation. A core structure of shear bands was generated within the shear band, which characterized a narrow-down process in the early stage of the shear band evolution. The continuous expansion of the shear band core to the entire width of the band was seen to correlate with the full development of shear localization.
On-line Resources for the Pain Medicine Physician

Background and Objectives: The Internet is increasingly an important resource for both the Pain Medicine physician and the patient. Considerable high-quality information exists within numerous government, university, professional association, and private sites. Large documents, such as patient care guidelines, can be readily retrieved on-line. Search capabilities within websites improve the efficiency of information retrieval. Clinicians may communicate about complex patient management issues via a list-serve, which delivers entire discussions to their E-mail accounts. These multiple resources offer an enriched environment for patient care, education, and research in pain management. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2000;25:291–295.
Induction of hepatic mono-oxygenase systems in fetal and neonatal rats with phenobarbital, polycyclic hydrocarbons and other xenobiotics

Abstract The induction of hepatic P-450 hemoprotein-dependent mono-oxygenase systems was studied in fetal and neonatal rats. The fetal liver was refractive to phenobarbital induction of aminopyrine and ethylmorphine N-demethylase. which are cytochrome P-450-dependent mono-oxygenases, but was not refractive to the 3-methylcholanthrene induction of benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase. a cytochrome P1-450-dependent mono-oxygenase. After parturition, all three enzyme activities were inducible. These and other observations suggest that a control mechanism operates in the fetal rat which selectively suppresses the induction of cytochrome P-450. but allows induction of cytochrome P1-450. This selective suppression of phenobarbital induction in the fetus was reversed in part by the simultaneous administration of 3-methylcholanthrene. Several other inducing agents also partially reversed the suppression of phonobarbital induction in Fetal livers: dibenz-[a,c]anthracene, 2-diethylaminoethyl-2.2-diphenyl-valerate (SKF 525-A), and 3β-hydroxy-20-oxopregn-5-ene-16α-carbonitrile (PCN). Other inducing agents were inactive: α-naphthoflavone, β-naphthoflavone. 1,1-bis[p-chlorophenyl]2,2,2-trichloroethane (DDT). 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T). dieldrin. chlordane and chlorpromazine.
Estimation of rainfall drop size distribution from dual-polarization measurements at S-band, X-band, and Ku-band radar frequencies

Rainfall estimation using dual-polarization radars has shown a number of advantages over traditional single polarization radars. As the building blocks for deriving dual-polarization radar rainfall algorithms, the rain drop size distribution (DSD) has been studied over three decades. In this study, we present the estimation of DSD parameters using dual-polarization radar measurements at S-, X-, and Ku-band frequencies. Various DSD retrieval algorithms are implemented using the data collected by the S-band WSR-88DP/KFWS, X-band CASA/XUTA, and D3R Ku-band radars.
Evidence for an Atypical Tetrapyrrole Biosynthetic Pathway inDesulfovibrio: Back Conversion of Sirohydrochlorin into Porphyrins

Abstract Isotope labeling experiments performed on Desulfovibrio vulgaris have determined that two methyl groups of heme c and its precursors coprophyrin III and protoporphyrin IX come from the S -methyl group of methionine and not from the expected source which would be C2 of 5-aminolevulinic acid. In vitro biosynthetic experiments with broken-cell extracts led to the isolation of small quantities of novel new tetrapyrrole intermediates which could be structurally identified by visible spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. These intermediates suggest that sirohydrochlorin is decarboxylated at pyrrole rings C and D and deacteylated at rings A and B to produce coproporphyrin.
The Voluntary Nongame Check-Off as a Revenue Source

Thirty-two of the 40 states with broad-based income taxes are now using voluntary Abstract check-offs on their tax returns as a way of soliciting contributions for nongame wildlife programs and other activities. This study uses both individual and aggregate data to examine the factors that influence check-off contributions. Income and the number of other check-offs on the tax form were among the major determinants. An appraisal of the check-off suggests that the tendency to add more check-offs to the tax return quickly erodes its revenue productivity. Furthermore, the check-offis open to serious questions about its fairness.
Optical coherence tomography of malignancy in hamster cheek pouches

Optical coherence tomography (OCT)/optical Doppler tomography (ODT) provides real-time in vivo high-resolution (10-microm) imaging of tissues and real-time spatially resolved blood flow in microvasculature. Hamster cheek pouches with induced dysplasia and malignancies were imaged with OCT/ODT to assess the potential for application to airway malignancy. In 22 Golden Syrian hamsters, 0.5% 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene induces carcinogenesis over 10 weeks in right side cheek pouches; the left side three served as controls. The cheek pouches are imaged in vivo prior to sacrifice, and in vitro after excision, using a prototype 1310-nm broadband superluminescent diode based OCT/ODT device. Images are compared to standard histopathology. OCT imaging offers good resolution of the hamster cheek pouches to depths of 1 to 3 mm and paralleled histologic images. The feasibility of high-resolution functional imaging is demonstrated in this hamster cheek pouch tumor model. ODT accurately detects vascular change associated with carcinogenesis.
Seasonal variation and diurnal fluctuations in ephemeral desert pools

The physical variables which directly affect organisms inhabiting desert ephemeral pools were examined in four pools in southeastern Utah. During the day, pools were hyperoxic (240 torr) and hypocapnic (0.07 torr) while pH and temperature increased (7.5–9.0 & 17–35 °C respectively). Conversely, predawn pool measurements were hypoxic (40 torr) and hypercapnic (3 torr). While TA increased throughout the season (from 0.4 to 1.43 meq l−1), due largely to increased bicarbonate concentration (from 0.5 to 1.4 mmol l−1), water osmolarity remained relatively constant. These desert ephemeral systems represent unique environmental habitats where organisms experience both diurnal and seasonal changes in numerous physical variables over short time frames.
Research Trends in Textiles and Clothing: An Analysis of Three Journals, 1980–1999

The purpose of this research was to assess trends in research, research strategies, data analysis techniques, funding sources, affiliations, and the use of theoretical frameworks in textiles and clothing research. Empirical research focused on textiles and clothing and published in three home economics–related journals—Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, Family and Consumer Science Research Journal, and Clothing and Textiles Research Journal—from 1980 to 1999 was content analyzed (N = 586). Although survey methodology and experimentation were the first and second most-used research strategies in all but one 5-year period from 1980 to 1999, fieldwork has increased. Data analysis techniques were primarily quantitative, with increases in the use of some advanced statistical techniques. However, the qualitative treatment of data also increased. Suggestions for graduate education and faculty development are offered.
Properness of feedback transfer matrices

This article presents some sufficient conditions for the transfer matrix of a state-estimator type feedback system to be proper or improper. These conditions are needed in the discussion of the well–posedness of the feedback system.
Deficient recovery from potentially lethal radiation damage in ataxia telangiectasia and xeroderma pigmentosum

THE enhanced survival that occurs when mammalian cells are maintained in a density-inhibited state for a short time after treatment with X rays, ultraviolet light or drugs has been termed potentially lethal damage repair (PLDR)1–3. It is analogous to liquid-holding recovery in bacteria and yeast, and has been studied using a variety of agents in different cell lines3–5 and in malignant tumours6,7. To investigate the relationship between this cellular recovery phenomenon and repair at the molecular level, we have examined PLDR in human diploid cell strains with known molecular repair defects. We report here that xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) skin fibroblasts show no PLDR following ultraviolet light irradiation, whereas ataxia telangiectasia (AT) skin fibroblasts are specifically deficient in PLDR following X-ray irradiation. The results suggest that, as in bacterial cells, this cellular recovery phenomenon does reflect molecular DNA repair—probably the excision repair pathway.
Frustrated nonsequential double ionization: A classical model

Fully classical three-dimensional ensembles are examined under conditions of nonsequential double ionization and are shown to have trajectories in which both electrons apparently ionize only to have one electron bound to the nucleus after the laser pulse. These trajectories feature recollision excitation with subsequent over-the-barrier ionization at about the laser maximum. The ``ionized'' electron oscillates in the laser field but has small enough drift velocity to be recaptured at laser turnoff. Whether recapture can occur is shown to have extreme sensitivity to conditions at ionization.
Toward a Criminology of International Criminal Law: An Integrated Theory of International Criminal Violations

Violations of international criminal law (i.e., genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes) are a common occurrence around the globe. One need only to read international news, visit intra‐governmental (e.g., United Nations or the International Committee Red Cross), or nongovernmental organizations (e.g., Human Rights Watch or Amnesty International) to be exposed to the vast numbers of crimes of states, paramilitaries, and/or militias. Nonetheless, there has been relatively little attention paid to these types of offenses by criminologists. While there have been developments in creating typologies (Smeulers, 2008) and predictive models for genocide (Harf, 2005), due to the complexities and various forms of these types of crimes, there has been little to no development of a criminological theoretical model that can aid in the analysis of such crimes. Our goal is to firmly place international crimes on the criminological agenda by creating additional awareness of and interest in the most massive, syst...
Bio: Daniel R. Couriel, MD

Dr. Couriel is a medical oncologist and hematologist, with exclusive dedication to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). He is an expert in the area of graft-versushost disease (GVHD), the most important complication of allogeneic HSCT. His clinical research has focused on risk factors, clinical presentations and new treatment modalities for both acute and chronic GVHD. He pioneered numerous treatment modalities for both acute and chronic GVHD, including extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP). He is currently the Clinical Director of Adult Blood and Marrow Transplant at the University of Michigan, and he is applying his extensive experience in the field of GVHD, with particular focus in the care of patients with chronic GVHD and also ECP as an immunomodulatory treatment modality. He is currently conducting a randomized study for the treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis comparing ECP to pulsed steroids, and evaluating possible mechanisms of action that are common to this and other autoimmune conditions. Dr. Couriel has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers.
Effects of neuroleptic drugs on brain somatostatin-like-immunoreactivity

We previously found a dose-dependent reduction in striatal somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) following chronic haloperidol therapy. In the present experiments the effect was shown to be specific for the striatum and nucleus accumbens. With pimozide reductions in SLI were seen in the striatum, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, hypothalamus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and central grey matter. Other neuroleptics including chlorpromazine and fluphenazine also resulted in reduced concentrations of SLI in the striatum, nucleus accumbens and amygdala. A time course experiment showed that effects were demonstrable by 3 days and maximal at two weeks. The present findings provide further evidence of an interaction between somatostatin and dopaminergic neurons in the striatum.
‘A horizon lit with blood’: public poetry and mass politics in Iraq

Poetry is not often viewed as a suitable subject of social history by contemporary historians of the modern era. While social historians have presented convincing arguments for the vitality of poet...
Systems analysis in support of the selection of the ARIES-RS design point

Systems analysis has been instrumental in the determination of the ARIES-RS reference design point through the evaluation of design options and the economic optimization of design variables. The ARIES-RS reference design point is described as modeled by the ARIES systems code. Parametric sensitivities about the ARIES-RS reference design point are presented that illustrate the economic impact of various design choices considered within the ARIES-RS design study.
Stage-structured matrix models for organisms with non-geometric development times

Matrix models have been used to model population growth of organisms for many decades. They are popular because of both their conceptual simplicity and their computational efficiency. For some types of organisms they are relatively accurate in predicting population growth; however, for others the matrix approach does not adequately model growth rate. One of the reasons for the lack of accuracy is that most matrix-based models implicitly assume a specific degree of variability in development times for the organism. Because the variability is implicit, the implied variances are often not verified with experimental data. In this paper, we shall present extensions to the stage-classified matrix models so that organisms with arbitrary means and standard deviations of development times can be modeled.
A cytological study of the parthenogenetically developing turkey germ discs and embryos.

1. Diploidy is the prevailing chromosomal complement in parthenogenetically developing turkey germ discs and embryos.2. The modal chromosomal count in normal turkey embryonic material is 72. On the basis of their size the chromosomes can be classified into macro-chromosomes and micro-chromosomes. The former can be further subdivided into two subgroups: (a) the largest eight are very conspicuous both in shape and size (because of this they have been used as markers in this study for ascertaining ploidy in the parthenogenetic material); (b) about ten middle-sized chromosomes.There are approximately 54 micro-chromosomes, with the number varying among the individual embryonic specimens, and within cells of the same specimen.3. The available parthenogenetic material has demonstrated the presence of two small, V-shaped chromosomes in the metaphase nuclear plates. These chromosomes were classed as sex chromosomes because of sex dimorphism in their number. On the basis of this, the genetic sex of the membranous growths and of embryos was determined to be male.4. In addition to normal diploid cells, the parthenogenetic specimens showed numerous polyploid (mostly tetraploid) plates. These were interpreted to be the product of the restitution nuclei fused into one, or of mitotic divisions in the binucleated cells.5. Small nuclear plates, interpreted to possess the haploid chromosomal complement, also occurred frequently in the parthenogenetic material. The occurrence of such plates may be a major factor responsible (either per se or due to recessive lethals) for the abortive nature of most of the instances of parthenogenetic development in turkeys.
Continuum computer architecture for nano-scale and ultra-high clock rate technologies

Continuum computer architecture (CCA) is a non-von Neumann architecture that offers an alternative to conventional structures as digital technology evolves towards nano-scale and the ultimate flat-lining of Moore's law. Coincidentally, it also defines a model of architecture particularly well suited to logic classes that exhibit ultra-high clock rates (> 100 GHz) such as rapid single flux quantum (RSFQ) gates. CCA eliminates the concept of the "CPU" that has dominated computer architecture since its inception more than half a century ago and establishes a new local element that merges the properties of state storage, state transfer, and state operation. A CCA system architecture is a simple multidimensional organization of these elemental blocks and physically may be considered as a new family of cellular computer. But CCA differs dramatically from conventional cellular automata. While both deliver emergent global behavior from the aggregation of local rules and ensuing operation. The CCA emergent behavior is a global general-purpose model of parallel computation, as opposed to simply mimicking some limited phenomenon like heat and mass transfer as do conventional cellular automata. This paper presents the motivation and foundation concepts of CCA and exposes key issues for further work.
An Ontology-Supported Misinformation Model: Toward a Digital Misinformation Library

The importance of research on misinformation has received wide recognition. Two major challenges faced by this research community are the lack of theoretical models and the scarcity of misinformation in support of such research. This paper aims to address the aforementioned challenges by conceptualizing misinformation and enabling the interoperability of misinformation. In particular, a representation and a model of misinformation are proposed through surveying, synthesizing, and explicating existing work in the field. Moreover, ontology is used to represent the proposed model. The ontology-supported misinformation model can not only guide future misinformation research but also lay the foundation for building a digital misinformation library by advancing our knowledge on misinformation and by improving its sharing, management, and reuse. In addition, we present a formal methodology for managing misinformation in a digital library, and suggest future research directions related to the misinformation model.
Aliasing-free error detection (ALFRED)

Aliasing, which is the mapping of a faulty circuit's signature onto the fault-free signature, is a major problem in signature analysis. The authors present a new design technique (ALFRED) for zero aliasing based on the concept of sequence detection. For a test sequence of length n, the length of the signature in ALFRED is Theta (log n). The authors reduce the circuit complexity by adopting a shift-register-like structure that minimizes the logical dependencies of all but one of the flip-flops. They relate the theory of balanced functions to ALFRED, and demonstrate the feasibility of the approach by using it to design a signature analyzer for a carry-lookahead adder. >
Design principles for virtual worlds

In this research note, we examine the design, development, validation, and use of virtual worlds. Our purpose in doing so is to extend the design science paradigm by developing a set of design principles applicable to the context of virtual environments, particularly those using agent-based simulation as their underlying technology. Our central argument is that virtual worlds comprise a new class of information system, one that combines the structural aspects of traditional modeling and simulation systems in concert with emergent user dynamics of systems supporting emergent knowledge processes. Our approach involves two components. First, we review the characteristics of agent-based virtual worlds (ABVWs) to discern design requirements that may challenge current design theory. From this review, we derive a set of design principles based on deep versus emergent structures where deep structures reflect conventional modeling and simulation system architectures and emergent structures capture the unpredictable user-system dynamics inherent in emergent knowledge processes, which increasingly characterize virtual worlds. We illustrate how these design challenges are addressed with an exemplar of a complex mirror world, a large-scale ABVW we developed called Sentient World. Our contribution is the insight of partitioning ABVW architectures into deep and emergent structures that mirror modeling systems and emergent knowledge processes respectively, while developing extended design principles to facilitate their integration. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of our design principles for informing and guiding future research and practice.
Negative Regulation of Toll-like Receptor-mediated Signaling by Tollip

Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated recognition of pathogens represents one of the most important mechanisms of innate immunity and disease resistance. The adaptor protein Tollip was identified initially as an intermediate in interleukin (IL)-1 signaling. Here we report that Tollip also associates directly with TLR2 and TLR4 and plays an inhibitory role in TLR-mediated cell activation. Inhibition by Tollip is mediated through its ability to potently suppress the activity of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) after TLR activation. In addition, we show for the first time that Tollip is a bona fide substrate for IRAK and is phosphorylated by IRAK upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide or IL-1. Negative regulation of TLR signaling by Tollip may therefore serve to limit the production of proinflammatory mediators during inflammation and infection.
Protein selection and export via outer membrane vesicles

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are constitutively produced by all Gram-negative bacteria. OMVs form when buds from the outer membrane (OM) of cells encapsulate periplasmic material and pinch off from the OM to form spheroid particles approximately 10 to 300nm in diameter. OMVs accomplish a diversity of functional roles yet the OMV's utility is ultimately determined by its unique composition. Inclusion into OMVs may impart a variety of benefits to the protein cargo, including: protection from proteolytic degradation, enhancement of long-distance delivery, specificity in host-cell targeting, modulation of the immune response, coordinated secretion with other bacterial effectors, and/or exposure to a unique function-promoting environment. Many enriched OMV-associated components are virulence factors, aiding in host cell destruction, immune system evasion, host cell invasion, or antibiotic resistance. Although the mechanistic details of how proteins become enriched as OMV cargo remain elusive, recent data on OM biogenesis and relationships between LPS structure and OMV-cargo inclusion rates shed light on potential models for OM organization and consequent OMV budding. In this review, mechanisms based on pre-existing OM microdomains are proposed to explain how cargo may experience differing levels of enrichment in OMVs and degrees of association with OMVs during extracellular export. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Protein trafficking and secretion in bacteria. Guest Editors: Anastassios Economou and Ross Dalbey.
New Limit on the Electron Electric Dipole Moment

We present the result of our most recent search for T-violation in 205Tl, which is interpreted in terms of an electric dipole moment of the electron de. We find de = (6.9 plus/minus 7.4) times 10{sup -28} e cm. The present apparatus is a major upgrade of the atomic beam magnetic resonance device used to set the previous limit on de.