cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Sunk-cost Effect as an Optimal Rate-maximizing Behavior

Optimal foraging theory has been criticized for underestimating patch exploitation time. However, proper modeling of costs not only answers these criticisms, but it also explains apparently irrational behaviors like the sunk-cost effect. When a forager is sure to experience high initial costs repeatedly, the forager should devote more time to exploitation than searching in order to minimize the accumulation of said costs. Thus, increased recognition or reconnaissance costs lead to increased exploitation times in order to reduce the frequency of future costs, and this result can be used to explain paradoxical human preference for higher costs. In fact, this result also provides an explanation for how continuing a very costly task indefinitely provides the optimal long-term rate of gain; the entry cost of each new task is so great that the forager avoids ever returning to search. In general, apparently irrational decisions may be optimal when considering the lifetime of a forager within a larger system.
Neurofibromatosis and renal artery stenosis: A case of familial incidence

Abstract Hypertension as a result of proximal renal artery stenosis has been described in patients with neurofibromatosis, but a review of the English language literature showed no familial incidence of renovascular lesions in association with neurofibromatosis. We report a case of neurofibromatosis in a 24-year-old white woman with renovascular hypertension resulting from a proximal renal artery stenosis and poststenotic aneurysmal degeneration. Her sister, aged 38 years, presented similarly but without clinical evidence of neurofibromatosis. Both sisters had reversed saphenous vein bypass grafting for renal artery stenosis and showed no evidence of pheochromocytoma. Histologic examination of both surgical specimens revealed similar fibrodysplastic changes of the media and adventitia without abnormal neural tissue, findings consistent with those described in patients with neurofibromatosis. (J VASC SURG 1988;8:489-94.)
“The Test of a Civilization Is the Way that It Cares for Its Helpless Members”: Violence Against Older Women

Violence against women is a major health risk nationally and internationally. However, despite its impact, violence against older women remains an understudied area. Abuse of older women is frequently unrecognized unless encompassed under “elder abuse.” The purpose of this article is to (1) provide a summary of current research on violence against older women, (2) describe methodological biases in research on violence against older women, (3) discuss methodological biases that have kept the problem of violence against older women hidden from view, and (4) propose new directions for feminist research, advocacy, and therapy.
Thermodynamic treatment of cyclic amorphization during ball milling

Thermodynamic balance equations are written to describe the time evolution of a two-phase, crystal-amorphous element of material undergoing ball milling. The state of the microstructure is determined by the phase fraction, deformation state of each phase, and the temperature. Three steady-state solutions are obtained. The stability of the solutions are analyzed and it is shown that, for various combinations of materials parameters and rate constants, the solutions can be asymptotically stable spiral points which indicate cyclic amorphization behavior. Results are presented in terms of bifurcation diagrams for the phase fraction as a function of milling power.
Erratum to: On Representations of Integers in Thin Subgroups of {{\rm {SL}}_2(\mathbb {Z})}

Let Γ < SL(2,Z) be finitely generated, free, with no parabolic elements, and having critical exponent 1/2 < δ < 1. As such, there exists a finite symmetric set A := {A1, A−1 1 , A2, A−1 2 , . . . , Ak, A−1 k } of generators with no relations, so that every γ ∈ Γ is expressed uniquely as some reduced word γ = B1B2 · · ·Bm with Bj ∈ A. (Reduced means no annihilations, BjBj+1 = I). Mimicing [BK, §3, (3.2)], we construct the following exponential sum. Fix N 1 and 0 < σ < 1/4. Let Ξ be a subset of Γ containing elements of Frobenius norm at most N1/2, such that all elements ξ ∈ Ξ, when written as a reduced word in the generators of Γ, start with the same letter. Similarly, let Π be a subset of Γ containing elements of Frobenius norm at most N1/2−σ, and all elements ∈ Π, when written as a reduced word in the generators of Γ, ending in the same letter (ensuring that it is not the inverse of the letter which starts all elements of Ξ). Then for θ ∈ [0, 1], and primitive v0, w0 ∈ Z2, let SN (θ) := ∑
Synthesis of biologically active transforming growth factor alpha

A 50-amino acid residue transforming growth factor, type alpha (TGF alpha), secreted in culture by feline-sarcoma-virus-transformed rat embryo fibroblasts, was synthesized by an improved stepwise solid-phase method with an overall yield of 31%. A deprotection strategy based on the SN2 mechanism using either a low concentration of HF or CF3SO3H-CF3CO2H in dimethylsulfide was employed to remove most of the benzyl-derived protecting groups. The more acid resistant protecting groups of Cys and Arg were removed by the SN2 condition using a high concentration of HF. Synthetic TGF alpha was purified to homogeneity in three steps. Synthetic and natural TGF alpha were indistinguishable from each other in HPLC and in different assays, including the assay for anchorage-independent growth of normal rat kidney fibroblasts in soft agar, binding, and stimulating to epidermal growth factor (EGF)-receptor protein kinase. Furthermore, synthetic TGF alpha showed similar biological activities when compared with EGF in these assays. Thus, the chemical synthesis of TGF alpha provided convincing evidence that TGF alpha is functionally related to EGF and is one of the active principles required for cellular transformation.
Platelet-Directed Therapies and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is effective in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in certain high-risk groups. Despite improvement in surgical technique, hemorrhagic complications are a major concern and are likely to affect perioperative morbidity and mortality, length of stay, and hospital expenditures. The use of platelet-directed therapies in this setting is effective in decreasing ischemic complications, yet these agents simultaneously increase the risk of bleeding. Concern about potential hemorrhagic risk from antiplatelet agents in proximity to CABG may influence physicians to discontinue these agents. The benefit of low-dose aspirin given preoperatively is likely to outweigh any hemorrhagic risk. Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel (or aspirin and prasugrel) is associated with a significant increased risk of bleeding and its complications. Additional research is needed to properly evaluate the ischemic benefit versus bleeding risk of aspirin and clopidogrel. Whether reversible P2Y 12 receptor antagonists will mitigate the bleeding risk is unclear at the present time and will require large prospective studies.
Rising social inequalities in US childhood obesity, 2003-2007.

Purpose This study examines changes between 2003 and 2007 in obesity and overweight prevalence among U.S. children and adolescents 10 to 17 years of age from detailed racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Methods The 2003 ( N = 46,707) and 2007 ( N = 44,101) National Survey of Children's Health were used to calculate overweight and obesity prevalence (body mass index [BMI] ≥85th and ≥95th percentiles, respectively). Logistic regression was used to model odds of obesity. Results In 2007, 16.4% of U.S. children were obese and 31.6% were overweight. From 2003 to 2007, obesity prevalence increased by 10% for all U.S. children but increased by 23%–33% for children in low-education, low-income, and higher unemployment households. Obesity prevalence increased markedly among Hispanic children and children from single-mother households. In 2007, Hispanic, non-Hispanic White, and American Indian children had 3.0–3.8 times higher odds of obesity and overweight than Asian children; children from low-income and low-education households had 3.4–4.3 times higher odds of obesity than children from higher socioeconomic households. The magnitude of racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in obesity and overweight prevalence increased between 2003 and 2007, with substantial social inequalities persisting even after controlling for behavioral factors. Conclusions Social inequalities in obesity and overweight prevalence increased because of more rapid increases in prevalence among children in lower socioeconomic groups.
Tubulointerstitial injury and the progression of chronic kidney disease

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), once injury from any number of disease processes reaches a threshold, there follows an apparently irreversible course toward decline in kidney function. The tubulointerstitium may play a key role in this common progression pathway. Direct injury, high metabolic demands, or stimuli from various other forms of renal dysfunction activate tubular cells. These, in turn, interact with interstitial tissue elements and inflammatory cells, causing further pathologic changes in the renal parenchyma. The tissue response to these changes thus generates a feed-forward loop of kidney injury and progressive loss of function. This article reviews the mechanisms of this negative cycle mediating CKD.
A high-efficiency, “low-technology” Tullgren-type extractor for soil microarthropods

Abstract Construction and operation of a high-gradient Tullgren-type extractor for soil microarthropods are described. The extractor is simple and inexpensive, and is designed to be operated in a refrigerator or refrigerated room. Tops of samples are heated by Christmas tree lights; bottoms of samples are protected from heat by baffles and are cooled by the refrigerated air, yielding a 20°C gradient. The design of the extractor and the operating procedures are intended to reduce contamination by soil, thus increasing efficiency and reducing sample sorting time.
Bohr's Theory of Energy Losses of Moving Charged Particles

The stopping power of a particle having charge ${Z}_{\mathrm{eff}}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ and moving with velocity $v$ has been determined by Bohr for $\ensuremath{\kappa}=\frac{2{Z}_{\mathrm{eff}}{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{2}}{\ensuremath{\hbar}v}$ and ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{s}=\frac{2v}{{u}_{s}}g2$, where ${u}_{s}$ is the velocity of the orbital electron that is effective in stopping the particle. Bohr's results are formulated differently for $\frac{\ensuremath{\kappa}}{{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{s}}l1$ and $\frac{\ensuremath{\kappa}}{{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{s}}g1$ and are based on an orbital picture of the processes involved. An alternative method has been developed in which the space surrounding the particle track has been subdivided into three regions: (a) the region of validity of the Rutherford formula (adjacent to the track), (b) the intermediate region involving large perturbations for which no adequate theory exists at the present time, and (c) the region of validity of the quantum perturbation theory (the most remote from the track). By extrapolating the formulas valid in regions (a) and (c) into the region (b), the contribution to the stopping power due to the region (b) has been estimated, and adding to it the contribution due to the regions (a) and (c) an expression has been derived from the total stopping power that is applicable whenever $\ensuremath{\kappa}g1$ and ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{s}g1$. The expression has a wider region of applicability than the corresponding Bohr's formula since the latter can be used only for $\ensuremath{\kappa}\ensuremath{\ll}{{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{s}}^{3}$ if $\frac{\ensuremath{\kappa}}{{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{s}}g1$. The physical picture used for deriving this expression is somewhat similar to the one used by Bohr for $\frac{\ensuremath{\kappa}}{{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{s}}l1$ but is different from the one used by Bohr for $\frac{\ensuremath{\kappa}}{{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{s}}g1$.
Mucosal vaccination protects mice against influenza A heterosubtypic challenge

Abstract Background: The introduction of an influenza A virus possessing a novel hemagglutinin (HA) into an immunologically naive human population has the potential to cause the next influenza pandemic. The recent emergence of avian H5 and H9 influenza subtypes into the human population has renewed the search for a vaccine strategy that induces broadly cross-reactive or heterosubtypic immunity (Het-I), with the potential to protect individuals against multiple subtypes of influenza A virus. Methods: Mice vaccinated mucosally with a formalin-inactivated X-31 (H3N2) virus vaccine coadministrated with a mutant form of heat-labile enterotoxin (mLT) from Escherichia coli as an adjuvant were challenged with the highly pathogenic human H5N1 influenza A (A/HK/483/97) subtype. As the indicator of Het-I, survival and reduction in virus shedding from the respiratory tract were determined. Serum and mucosal antibody responses were compared between immune and non-immune control mice. Results: Mice that received three intranasal immunizations of H3N2 vaccine coadministered with 1–5 μg of mLT had increased levels of antiviral IgG and IgA antibodies, and lower levels of infectious virus observed in lung tissues when compared with mice which received vaccine alone. Mice administered H3N2/mLT vaccine were completely protected against lethal H5N1 challenge and had viral titers that were at least 1000-fold lower than control mice receiving mLT alone. Conclusions: These results suggest a strategy of mucosal vaccination that stimulates cross-protection against an influenza subtype with pandemic potential.
On the error in approximating stability spectra for discrete dynamical systems

Abstract: In this work, we develop a perturbation theory for the approximation of stability spectra (Lyapunov exponents and Sacker-Sell spectrum) for discrete time dynamical systems. The approach is based upon QR based methods that transform linear time varying discrete time systems to an upper triangular form that allows for extraction of the stability spectra. We focus on nonlinear planar maps and show how shadowing type error results can be combined with perturbation bounds for stability spectra. The utility of our results is illustrated with numerical experiments for the Henon and standard maps.
On the Origin of the Functional Architecture of the Cortex

The basic structure of receptive fields and functional maps in primary visual cortex is established without exposure to normal sensory experience and before the onset of the critical period. How the brain wires these circuits in the early stages of development remains unknown. Possible explanations include activity-dependent mechanisms driven by spontaneous activity in the retina and thalamus, and molecular guidance orchestrating thalamo-cortical connections on a fine spatial scale. Here I propose an alternative hypothesis: the blueprint for receptive fields, feature maps, and their inter-relationships may reside in the layout of the retinal ganglion cell mosaics along with a simple statistical connectivity scheme dictating the wiring between thalamus and cortex. The model is shown to account for a number of experimental findings, including the relationship between retinotopy, orientation maps, spatial frequency maps and cytochrome oxidase patches. The theory's simplicity, explanatory and predictive power makes it a serious candidate for the origin of the functional architecture of primary visual cortex.
The synthesis and structure of bis(1,4,7-trithiacyclodecane)-ruthenium (II) perchlorate: the meso diastereoisomer☆

The synthesis of the Ru(II) crown thioether complex, bis(1,4,7-trithiacyclodecane) ruthenium (II) perchlorate, [Ru(10S3)2](ClO4)2, and a study of its properties utilizing single crystal X-ray diffraction, electronic spectroscopy, 13C NMR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry is reported. The crystal structure shows the two 10S3 ligands are arranged in a trans or anti fashion around the ruthenium (II) center in nearly octahedral fashion to yield the meso stereoisomer. 13C NMR spectroscopy demonstrates that this stereoisomer is also the predominant one observed in solution, in contrast to the Co(III) and Fe(II) complexes. The electronic absorption spectrum is similar to other previously observed hexakis (thioether) ruthenium (II) complexes with d-d transitions at 346 and 297 nm. The electrochemical behavior is also similar to related Ru(II) complexes and shows a single quasi-reversible oxidation wave at + 1.37 V versus Fc/Fc+. Crystal data for [Ru(10S3)2](ClO4)2: C14H28Cl2O8RuS6; monoclinic, space group P21/c; a = 7.391(2), b = 9.480(2), c = 17.351(3) A; β = 97.10(2)0, V = 1206.4(5) A3; Z = 2; R = 0.0521; D = 1.896 g cm−3; 3211 reflections measured. The properties of the complex are compared with the congeneric Fe complex.
Unilateral pupillary mydriasis from nebulized ipratropium bromide: A false sign of brain herniation in the intensive care unit

Although there are many causes of anisocoria in the intensive care setting, the development of unilateral mydriasis in patients with intracranial hemorrhage or tumor is a neurological emergency, as it may herald the onset of uncal herniation. We describe two patients with a hemiparesis from neurosurgical disorder who subsequently developed a fixed and dilated pupil. The pupillary abnormality was caused by nebulized ipratropium bromide in both cases, and resolved when the medication was discontinued. Nebulized ipratropium may leak from the mask into ipsilateral eye and cause mydriasis in patients with facial weakness. This benign cause of anisocoria in the intensive care setting is distinguished from uncal herniation by the laterality of neurologic findings, and lack of mental status change, ptosis, and extraocular movement impairment.
Transformation of visual direction requires the cognitive visual system

We differentiate a cognitive branch of the visual system from a sensorimotor branch with the Roelofs, effect, a perception that a target's position is biased in the direction opposite the offset of a surrounding frame. When a small fixed target is presented inside a frame that is offset to one side, normal humans perceive the target to be deviated in the direction opposite the frame's offset (the Roelofs effect). They can still jab the target accurately, however, even though it is perceptually mislocalized. This dissociation indicates that motor coordinates are coded in a 'sensorimotor', possibly dorsal, pathway containing visual information that can be inconsistent with perceived information in a 'cognitive', possibly ventral pathway. Lack of a Roelofs effect indicates use of information in the sensorimotor pathway, independent from perception. We ask whether the sensorimotor pathway can handle a transformation of target position, in an anti-jabbing task analogous to anti-saccade tasks: the observer jabs a position symmetrically opposite the target's position, relative to the midline of the head. A 1 deg target and a 24 deg wide frame appeared together, remained for 1 sec, and disappeared together. The target could appear 3 deg left or right of center; the frame could appear centered or 6 deg left or right. Observers were to jab the symmetrically opposite position as soon as the target disappeared. The result was a large and consistent Roelofs effect (p<0.01) for an open-loop motor task, indicating that information from the cognitive pathway must be used to perform this task.
A factor analytically derived measure of coping: The Coping Strategy Indicator.

Three stages of factor-analytic investigation aimed at uncovering general strategies that underlie the myriad specific coping responses to stress. Each stage utilized a separate, large, heterogeneous sample, yet analyses consistently revealed three fundamental strategies: Problem Solving, Seeking Social Support, and Avoidance. Over the course of studies, a short, self-report questionnaire evolved that indicates the extent to which each of the strategies has been employed in a recent stressful event. A fourth stage of study, focusing on the instrument's psychometric properties, revealed orthogonality of scales and good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. Advantages over existing measures, as well as potential problems in the instrument, are discussed. Researchers in the field of stress have long sought a finite set of "strategies" to define the myriad coping responses that people bring to bear on life's problems. Traditionally, there have been two philosophies about how best to conduct this search. One approach has been to begin with a set of hypothetical categories, designed to be mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive of coping options, and then test this new taxonomy by assessing actual responses to stressful stimuli (Beckham & Adams, 1984; Folkman & Lazarus, 1980; Miller, 1987; Morris & Engle, 1981; Sidle, Moos, Adams, & Cady, 1969; Stone & Neale, 1984). Such deductive taxonomies have been appealing
Metabolic activation of cyclophosphamide by yolk sac endodermal cells of the early chick embryo

Endodermal cells isolated from the yolk sacs of day 3 chick embryos were able to activate metabolically cyclophosphamide. This was demonstrated by the cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide to the endodermal cells themselves as well as by the ability of endodermal tissue to mediate a cytotoxic response in coculture with KB cells, a human tumor cell line unable to activate cyclophosphamide. Yolk sac endodermal cells from day 3 embryos were sensitive to cyclophosphamide when the drug was added immediately after the start of culture, but not when the drug was added after 24 hr of culture. The ability to metabolize cyclophosphamide by the day 3 embryo appeared limited to the endodermal cells of the yolk sac as cells derived from neither the embryo proper nor yolk sac mesoderm-ectoderm tissue were positive in these tests. Using whole blastoderms, cyclophosphamide activation was detected as early as 12 hr of egg incubation.
Sensory Fiction: A Design Fiction of Emotional Computation

This paper is situated in the emergent field of "Design Fiction" and describes how this approach can be applied to explorations in the field of immersive media experiences. We present Sensory Fiction -- an exploration in augmenting the emotions of a reader via a modular, multi-sensory system. The science on the nature of emotions is still inconclusive and direct ways of controlling them computationally are yet to be discovered. However, this project creates a Design Fiction that highlights the opportunities and challenges that the availability of such technology might bring. We leveraged existing scientific insights to build a functional prototype that aims to induce and evoke emotions by simulating the physiological system. Used in combination with conceptual, non-functional modules (i.e. modules that do not function physically but that introduce the idea of a physical actuation), we created an artifact to spark discussion about the future of immersive emotional experiences but that can also be experienced by the audience. Lastly, we show how presenting the project in appropriate contexts and analyzing the audience's reaction is a useful strategy to evaluate Design Fiction projects.
A novel effect of molybdate on the binding of [3H]aldosterone to gel-filtered type I receptors in brain cytosol.

Recently we reported that adding molybdate to crude steroid-free cytosol at 0°C results in a dose-dependent reduction in the binding of [3H]aldosterone ([3H]ALDO), to Type I adrenocorticosteroid receptors. In the experiments outlined here, we found that addition of molybdate to steroid-free brain cytosol produces a 30–50% increase in the subsequently measured maximal specific binding capacity (BMAX) of [3H]ALDO-Type I receptors if the cytosol is subjected to Sephadex G-25 gel filtration prior to steroid addition. These manipulations were found to have no effect on the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of the receptors. In contrast, when gel filtration of steroid-free cytosol was performed in the absence of molybdate, there was a 2-fold increase in the Kd and over a 50% reduction in the subsequently measuredBMAX of [3H]ALDO-Type I receptors. When molybdate was added to this steroid-free cytosol immediately following gel filtration, there was no reduction (or increase) in Type I receptor [3H]ALDO binding capacity compared with nongel-filtered controls. The addition of as little as 2 mM molybdate to crude steroid-free cytosol was found to stabilize the binding capacity of Type I receptors during exposure to 22°C incubations; however, when gel-filtered steroid-free cytosol was exposed to these conditions at least 10 mM molybdate was required to stabilize Type I receptor binding capacity. Adding the sulfhydryl reducing reagent, dithiothreitol, to the various steroid-free cytosols had little effect on [3H]ALDO-Type I receptor binding. The effects of molybdate, revealed in this study, on Type I receptors in brain cytosol subjected to gel filtration are clearly different from those seen with receptors in crude cytosol preparations, as well as from those reported in the literature for other steroid receptors. Possible mechanisms of action of molybdate on unoccupied Type I receptors in crude and gel-filtered cytosol are discussed.
Vocationalism and the differentiation of tertiary education: lessons from US community colleges

Many countries, including the US and England, have developed sub‐degree institutions within tertiary education—community colleges, further education colleges, and related institutions in other countries. The policy question is whether the differentiation of tertiary education has been a wise development, and whether the benefits—greater access to tertiary education, an emphasis on teaching, an ability to bridge different purposes, lower costs—outweigh the potentially negative effects on equity. In the US, a number of ways of blurring the boundaries between community colleges and universities have developed, representing potential solutions to some of the problems created by differentiated institutions.
A transfer method for complex structures fabricated on non-planar surfaces

A method to fabricate complex structures on non-planar surfaces by utilizing a transfer method is presented. 3-dimensional and high-aspect-ratio microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structures are transferred to flexible membranes, and can be further transferred to any non-planar surfaces. Here, we used a structure formed on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer by deep reactive-ion etching (DRIE) as an example. Both photoresist SU8-2050 and AZ 4620 were used as the flexible membranes. The effect of the structure and density of pillars on the transferring procedure was studied. Potentially this method could be utilized to transfer any MEMS structures and devices to any non-planar surfaces, thus possessing great potential in MEMS devices.
Mapping Multiple Identities Within the Self-Concept: Psychological Constructions of Sri Lanka's Ethnic Conflict

Individuals are members of multiple social groups, and thus possess multiple social identities. Relatively little is known, however, about the structure of multiple social identities within the self concept. Using a variety of multivariate statistical techniques, the present study explored the structure of 11 social identities within the self-concepts of a representative sample of 426 working adults in the south Asian nation of Sri Lanka. The analysis identified four identity clusters (labeled Conflictual, Socioeconomic, Demographic, Geographic) and two higher-order identity clusters (labeled Collective and Categorical). In addition, the proximities of national, racial, and religious identities were examined more closely in light of their relevance to Sri Lanka's ongoing civil war.
An Elementary Course in Mathematical Symmetry.

(1981). An Elementary Course in Mathematical Symmetry. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 88, No. 1, pp. 59-64.
Involvement of central cannabinoid CB2 receptor in reducing mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of neuropathic pain

We sought to examine the involvement of central cannabinoid CB2 receptor activation in modulating mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. JWH133 was demonstrated to be a selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist in mice, reducing forskolin-stimulated cAMP production in CHO cells expressing mouse cannabinoid CB2 and cannabinoid CB1 receptors with EC50 values of 63 nM and 2500 nM, respectively. Intrathecal administration of JWH133 (50 and 100 nmol/mouse) significantly reversed partial sciatic nerve ligation-induced mechanical allodynia in mice at 0.5 h after administration. In contrast, systemic (intraperitoneal) or local (injected to the dorsal surface of the hindpaw) administration of JWH133 (100 nmol/mouse) was ineffective. Furthermore, the analgesic effects of intrathecal JWH133 (100 nmol/mouse) were absent in cannabinoid CB2 receptor knockout mice. These results suggest that the activation of central, but not peripheral, cannabinoid CB2 receptors play an important role in reducing mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of neuropathic pain.
Monotonicity properties of bargaining solutions when applied to economics

Abstract We are concerned with the application of bargaining solutions to economic problems of fair division, and, in particular, with the way they respond to changes in the amount to be divided. For instance, one may want an increase in that amount to benefit all agents. A variety of monotonicity properties have been studied in the abstract framework of bargaining theory. Most of the commonly studied solutions are known not to satisfy many of these properties. Here, we investigate the extent to which they do when applied to economics. We show that when there is only one good, they do in fact satisfy many monotonicity properties that they do not satisfy in general. However, this positive result fails as soon as the number of commodities is greater than 2.
Mechanisms of Endothelial Differentiation in Embryonic Vasculogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels in the adult organism not only contributes to the progression of diseases such as cancer and diabetic retinopathy but also can be promoted in therapeutic approaches to various ischemic pathologies. Because many of the signals important to blood vessel development during embryogenesis are recapitulated during adult blood vessel formation, much work has been performed to better-understand the molecular control of endothelial differentiation in the developing embryo. In this review, we describe the current understanding of where endothelial differentiation from pluripotent progenitor cells occurs during development, how this process is controlled at the molecular level, and what model systems can be used to investigate the earliest steps of blood vessel formation.
Grass Roots Promotion of Community Health and Human Rights for People with Disabilities in Post-communist Central Europe: A profile of the Slovak Republic

Individuals living with a disability or chronic illness in post-communist Central and Eastern Europe face significant challenges to quality of life. The government-supported health care infrastructures in the post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe remain highly centralised and institutional, which poses particular obstacles to people with disabilities who wish to live independently in their communities. A partial solution to this difficulty has been the development of innovative grass roots organisations that provide community-based support to individuals with disabilities or chronic illness. These disability organisations provide services and advocacy that allow individuals to receive needed support outside of the biomedical institutions, facilitating independent living in the community. They do so, however, in a political and economic environment of immense change, and one with varying degrees of support for non-governmental organisa tions and a Civil Society. The following article profi...
Signature Compilation for the Edinburgh Logical Framework

This paper describes the Signature Compiler, which can compile an LF signature to a custom proof checker in either C++ or Java, specialized for that signature. Empirical results are reported showing substantial improvements in proof-checking time over existing LF checkers on benchmarks.
Use of personalized Dynamic Treatment Regimes (DTRs) and Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trials (SMARTs) in mental health studies.

Dynamic treatment regimens (DTRs) are sequential decision rules tailored at each point where a clinical decision is made based on each patient’s time-varying characteristics and intermediate outcomes observed at earlier points in time. The complexity, patient heterogeneity, and chronicity of mental disorders call for learning optimal DTRs to dynamically adapt treatment to an individual’s response over time. The Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMARTs) design allows for estimating causal effects of DTRs. Modern statistical tools have been developed to optimize DTRs based on personalized variables and intermediate outcomes using rich data collected from SMARTs; these statistical methods can also be used to recommend tailoring variables for designing future SMART studies. This paper introduces DTRs and SMARTs using two examples in mental health studies, discusses two machine learning methods for estimating optimal DTR from SMARTs data, and demonstrates the performance of the statistical methods using simulated data.
Aesthetics matter: leveraging design heuristics to synthesize visually satisfying handheld interfaces

We present a tool for automatically generating UI layouts for handheld devices based on design principles. This tool introduces a gestalt approach to visual interface design rather, complementing prior work on user cost minimization. We aim to increase user satisfaction using this approach. The tool automatically generates size and position of widgets drawn from the UI design heuristics of simplicity, structuring, and proportion. Simplicity refers to excluding non-core functionality; structuring to contextual grouping, and proportion to best-practice geometric ratios of width, height, and spacing. Layouts are generated from device constraints and simple XML containing UI component hierarchy. These layouts can be directly manipulated using a GUI editor.
Activation of NF-ΚB by Toxoplasma gondii correlates with increased expression of antiapoptotic genes and localization of phosphorylated IΚB to the parasitophorous vacuole membrane

Mammalian cells infected with Toxoplasma gondii are resistant to apoptosis induced by a variety of stimuli. We have demonstrated that the host transcription factor NF-κB plays a pivotal role in the T.-gondii -mediated blockade of apoptosis because inhibition is lost in cells lacking the p65 (RelA) subunit of NF-κB (p65 –/– ). In the present study, we examined the effects of T. gondii infection on NF-κB activation and the expression of genes involved in the apoptotic cascade. Infection of wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with T.-gondii -induced nuclear translocation of the p50 and p65 subunits of NF-κB as examined by immunoblotting of nuclear extracts, immunofluorescence and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. A comparison of apoptotic gene expression profiles from wild-type and p65 –/– MEFs revealed distinct patterns of induction in response to T. gondii infection. In particular, the differences seen in the Bcl-2 and IAP families are consistent with the antiapoptotic responses observed in the resistant wild-type cells compared with the sensitive p65 –/– fibroblasts. Consistent with NF-κB activation, T. gondii infection promoted phosphorylation of the inhibitor IκB. Interestingly, phosphorylated IκB was concentrated on the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM), suggesting a parasite-directed event. Results from this study suggest that activation of NF-κB plays an important role in stimulation of antiapoptotic gene expression by T. gondii . Furthermore, recruitment of phosphorylated IκB to the PVM implies the presence of intrinsic factor(s) in T. gondii that might be used to manipulate the NF-κB signaling pathway in the host to elicit a survival response during infection.
On the likely number of solutions for the stable marriage problem

An instance of a size-n stable marriage problem involves n men and n women, each individually ranking all members of opposite sex in order of preference as a potential marriage partner. A complete matching, a set of n marriages, is called stable if no unmatched man and woman prefer each other to their partners in the matching. It is known that, for every instance of marriage partner preferences, there exists at least one stable matching, and that there are instances with exponentially many stable matchings. Our focus is on a random instance chosen uniformly from among all (n!)2n possible instances. The second author had proved that the expected number of stable marriages is of order nlnn, while its likely value is of order n1/2−o(1) at least. In this paper the second moment of that number is shown to be of order (nlnn)2. The combination of the two moment estimates implies that the fraction of problem instances with roughly cnlnn solutions is at least 0.84. Whether this fraction is asymptotic to 1 remains an open question.
Economics of Inheritance

Economists are concerned with inheritance at two levels: the economywide level and the household level. At the economywide level, the principal focus of economic research has been to determine the proportion of total wealth in the economy that was either received as an inheritance or accumulated with the intent to bequeath. At the household level, the principal focus is on determining the behavioral motivation for making bequests. Our survey focuses on both of these aspects of inheritance by summarizing the frameworks through which economists have analyzed inheritances, assessing the empirical evidence accumulated, and highlighting the policy relevance and possible consequences of these findings. In the next section, we discuss in greater detail how economists’ concept of inheritance may differ from the legal or commonly held definitions of inheritance.
Accounting for the Change in Income Disparities between US Central Cities and their Suburbs from 1980 to 1990

In this paper we are concerned with the widely acknowledged policy problem of substantially higher levels of per capita income in suburban areas of US metropolitan areas compared to that of their central cities. We focus on causes of changes in this per capita income gap from 1980 to 1990 (for those metropolitan areas where such a gap existed in 1980) in an effort to determine what factors are associated with narrowing of these disparities. We do so by first describing the relationship between central-city and suburban per capita income across American metropolitan areas in 1980 and 1990. We review the connection between the operation of metropolitan labour markets and changes in suburban-central-city income disparities. We then develop regression models of changes in income disparities for all 111 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with populations of at least 250 000 in 1980 and where suburban per capita income exceeded central-city per capita income in 1980. This is followed by a summary of the results.
Investigation of Mode Filtering as a Preprocessing Method for Shallow-Water Acoustic Communications

Acoustical array data from the 2006 Shallow Water Experiment (SW06) was analyzed to show the feasibility of broadband mode decomposition as a preprocessing method to reduce the effective channel delay spread and concentrate received signal energy in a small number of independent channels. The data were collected by a vertical array, which spans the water column from 12-m depth to the bottom in shallow water 80 m in depth. Binary-sequence data were used to phase-shift-keyed (PSK) modulate signals with different carrier frequencies. No error correction coding was used. The received signals were processed by a system that does not use training or pilot signals. Signals received both during periods of ordinary internal wave activity and during a period with unusually strong internal wave solitons were processed and analyzed. Different broadband mode-filtering methods were analyzed and tested. Broadband mode filtering decomposed the received signal into a number of independent signals with a reduced delay spread. The analysis of signals from the output of mode filters shows that even a simple demodulator can achieve a low bit error rate (BER) at a distance 19.2 km.
Influence of atmospheric oxygen on leaf structure and starch deposition in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant culture in oxygen concentrations below ambient is known to stimulate vegetative growth, but apart from reports on increased leaf number and weight, little is known about development at subambient oxygen concentrations. Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. (cv. Columbia) plants were grown full term in pre-mixed atmospheres with oxygen partial pressures of 2.5, 5.1, 10.1, 16.2, and 21.3 kPa O2, 0.035 kPa CO2 and the balance nitrogen under continuous light. Fully expanded leaves were harvested and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy or for starch quantification. Growth in subambient oxygen concentrations caused changes in leaf anatomy (increased thickness, stomatal density and starch content) that have also been described for plants grown under carbon dioxide enrichment. However, at the lowest oxygen treatment (2.5 kPa), developmental changes occurred that could not be explained by changes in carbon budget caused by suppressed photorespiration, resulting in very thick leaves and a dwarf morphology. This study establishes the leaf parameters that change during growth under low O2, and identifies the lower concentration at which O2 limitation on transport and biosynthetic pathways detrimentally affects leaf development. Grant numbers: NAG5-3756, NAG2-1020, NAG2-1375.
Second Transplants for NHL: If at First You Don't Succeed…

unrelated donors (90% of the population), and the high frequency of mismatched unrelated donors (one third of the total population). Unfortunately, no separate analyses on the outcome of these poorly matched patients or according to different numbers of risk factors are provided, so their individual effects are hard to quantify. So what else can we learn from this analysis that will inform our decisions in the future? It would seem that the most important question is that given the outcomes described, would this population have done better if they were to undergo allogeneic transplantation in first remission rather than waiting for progression? Large series that have looked at the results of allogeneic transplantation for large cell lymphoma have not identified a population of patients that would do better with an allogeneic rather than an autologous transplantation, although there is a hint that high-risk patients did better than expected with allografts as compared to their projected outcome with an autologous approach as initial therapy for recurrent or refractory disease [3]. Given the high relapse rates reported in the CORAL trial [4] for patients who recur quickly after initial chemotherapy, particularly if they failed a rituximab-containing regimen, perhaps an allograft in this patient population would be more effective than an autologous approach. It is however, speculation as to whether this would be the case, particularly given the difficulty in finding appropriate matches quickly enough to benefit patients with rapidly progressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In contrast to the paradigm of therapy for patients with large cell NHL, patients with mantle cell lymphoma are frequently treated with very aggressive induction regimens such as rituximab plus hypercyclophosphamide,vincristine,adriamycin,dexameth
AzureBOT: A Framework for Bag-of-Tasks Applications on the Azure Cloud Platform

Windows Azure is an emerging cloud platform that provides application developers with APIs to write scientific and commercial applications. However, the steep learning curve to understand the unique architecture of the cloud platforms in general and continuously changing Azure APIs specifically, make it difficult for the application developers to write cloud based applications. During our extensive experience with Azure cloud platform over the past few years, we have identified the need of a framework to abstract the complexities of working with the Azure cloud platform. Such a framework is essential for adoption of cloud technologies. Therefore, we have created AzureBOT-a framework for the Azure cloud platform to write bag-of-tasks class of distributed applications. Azure provides a straightforward and general interface that permits developers to concentrate on their application logic rather than cloud interaction. While we have implemented AzureBOT on Azure cloud platform, our framework design is generic to most of the cloud platforms. In this paper, we present the detailed design of our framework's internal architecture, the APIs in brief, and the usability of our framework. We also discuss the implementation of two different applications and their scalability results over 100Azure worker processors.
Thinned concentric ring arrays

A ring array is a planar array with elements lying on a circle. If several of these arrays with different radii share a common center, then the resulting planar array is known as a concentric ring array. This paper demonstrates the optimized thinning of concentric ring arrays using point sources and dipoles.
Effects of luminal glucose versus nonnutritive infusates on jejunal mass and absorption in the rat

These studies were designed to better understand the effects of luminal nutrition on intestinal mass and function. Parenterally nourished rats received a midjejunal infusion of either 0.9% saline, 10% glucose, 10% 3-O-methyl glucose, or 30% glucose. A fifth group underwent sham operation. After 7 days, intestinal mass and in vitro glucose and leucine uptake were measured in the intestine just distal to the infusion site. Luminal infusion led to greater intestinal mass in all groups compared to controls, but only the 10% and 30% glucose groups had significantly greater overall glucose uptake. Kinetic analysis revealed a greater apparent maximal transport rate in both glucose groups. The 30% glucose group had a greater apparent maximal transport rate for leucine and permeability for glucose and leucine. These data confirmed that "work load," in addition to luminal nutrition, maintains intestinal mass. However, adaptation of intestinal transport is more specific and appears to be regulated both by substrate metabolism and caloric density.
To screen of not to screen: Is that the question? Improving the outcomes of depression in primary care

Objective:��Toreviewtheutilityofscreeninginim- provingdepressionoutcomes.� •� Methods:��Qualitativereviewoftheliterature. •� Results:��Depressionishighlyprevalentinthecom- munityandinprimarycaresettingsandimposesa� burdenofillnessgreaterthanmostchronicmedical� disorders.�Standardizedscreeningfordepressionin� primarycarehasbeenrecommendedbyanumber� ofpracticeguidelines,�yetthereisminimalevidence� foranimpactofscreeningonpatientoutcome.�Edu- cationofpatientsandprovidershasshownequally� marginalimpact.�Improvedoutcomesfordepression� inprimarycareseemtohingeonmoresystematic� depressionmanagementsystems,�involvingmore� integrationofspecializedmentalhealthservicesand� primarycareandmoreassertiveoutreachtofollow� depressedpatients.�Suchinterventionshavebeen� showntohavegoodcost-effectiveness.� •� Conclusion:��Effortstoimproveoutcomesofdepres- sioninprimarycareshouldmovefromemphasison� screeningandeducationtothedevelopmentofde- pressionmanagementsystemsthatinvolvecollab- orativecarebyprimarycareprovidersandmental� healthprofessionalsandactiveoutreachtomonitor� complianceandresponse.