cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Support, Ethnic Identity, and Sexual Identity of Lesbians and Gay Men

Social support, sexual identity development, and ethnic identity development play key roles in individuals’ health and well-being. This study explores social support and identity variables in samples of ethnic minority (N = 297) and White (N = 294) lesbians and gay men. Ethnic minority participants as well as white participants reported generally high levels of satisfaction with social support, strong ethnic and sexual identities, and high levels of outness. Significant differences were found between satisfaction with overall social support and satisfaction with support for same-gender identity for all participants, and significant differences were found between White and ethnic minority participants in levels of outness. Positive relationships were found among coming out, ethnic identity, and satisfaction with support for the ethnic minority participants. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Karajá literary acquisition and sociocultural effects on a rapidly changing culture

This paper describes a model of bilingual‐bicultural education developed by the authors for the Karaja, an indigenous group whose language had previously been unwritten. The project was sponsored by the Brazilian government and promoted by a mixed team of expatriate, national and, later, indigenous educators trained as part of the programme. The key factors of success are shown to be: a) the particular type of indigenous teacher training, b) the innovations and didactic materials those teachers developed in the bilingual classroom and village context, c) the team‐of‐teachers approach, and d) the return of leadership to the people through a literary‐based education.
MN1-TEL myeloid oncoprotein expressed in multipotent progenitors perturbs both myeloid and lymphoid growth and causes T-lymphoid tumors in mice

The MN1-TEL (meningioma 1-translocation-ETS-leukemia) fusion oncoprotein is the product of the t(12;22)(p13;q11) in human myeloid leukemia consisting of N-terminal MN1 sequences, a transcriptional coactivator, fused to C-terminal TEL sequences, an E26-transformation–specific (ETS) transcription factor. To analyze the role of MN1-TEL in leukemogenesis, we created a site-directed transgenic (knock-in) mouse model carrying a conditional MN1-TEL transgene under the control of the Aml1 regulatory sequences. After induction, MN1-TEL expression was detected in both myeloid and lymphoid cells. Activation of MN1-TEL expression enhanced the repopulation ability of myeloid progenitors in vitro as well as partially inhibited their differentiation in vivo. MN1-TEL also promoted the proliferation of thymocytes while it blocked their differentiation from CD4-/CD8- to CD4+/CD8+ in vivo. After long latency, 30% of the MN1-TEL–positive mice developed T-lymphoid tumors. This process was accelerated by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea–induced mutations. MN1-TEL–positive T-lymphoid tumors showed elevated expression of the Notch-1, Hes-1, c-Myc, and Lmo-2 genes while their Ink4a/pRB and Arf/p53 pathways were impaired, suggesting that these alterations cooperatively transform T progenitors. We conclude that MN1-TEL exerts its nonlineage-specific leukemogenic effects by promoting the growth of primitive progenitors and blocking their differentiation, but cooperative mutations are necessary to fully induce leukemic transformation.
Apnea and bradycardia due to anaphylaxis to tobacco glycoprotein in the infant rabbit

Prenatal and postnatal exposure to cigarette smoke is associated with an increased incidence of the sudden infant death syndrome, although the cause(s) for this is unknown. Tobacco glycoprotein (TGP), a group of proteins purified from cured tobacco leaves and present in cigarette smoke, have been shown to cause anaphylaxis in excised hearts and lungs of adult rabbits that were neonatally sensitized to TGP and later rechallenged. We sought to determine whether anaphylaxis occurred in live infant rabbits who were neonatally sensitized to TGP. At the age of 1 day, 12 animals were sensitized to TGP (0.1mg in 0.25 cc alum) via intraperitoneal injection (i.p.i.) followed by a booster ipi at the age of 30 days (TGP-S). Seven animals received i.p.i. of antigen-free alum only (controls). All animals underwent an intravenous TGP challenge at age 42+/-2 days. Heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded for 2 min prior to and 5 min after the challenge. Baseline HR (approximately 260) and RR (approximately 120) were similar in all animals. Seven TGP-S animals developed apnea (1.9-4.7s) within 60s of the challenge while none of the controls did. The TGP-S also became bradycardic (the lowest HR over 50 consecutive beats), with the HR decreasing from 260 to 220 vs the controls, whose HR remained constant (approximately 250). We conclude that some rabbits neonatally sensitized to TGP develop apnea and bradycardia upon further intravenous TGP challenge. These studies suggest that cigarette smoke exposure may be associated with a higher rate of SIDS via an anaphylactic mechanism.
Climates, Landscapes, and Civilizations

Humans are now the dominant driver of global climate change. From ocean acidification to sea level rise, changes in precipitation patterns, and rising temperatures, global warming is presenting us with an uncertain future. However, this is not the first time human civilizations have faced a changing world. In the AGU monograph Climates, Landscapes, and Civilizations, editors Liviu Giosan, Dorian Q. Fuller, Kathleen Nicoll, Rowan K. Flad, and Peter C. Clift explore how some ancient peoples weathered the shifting storms while some faded away. In this interview, Eos speaks with Liviu Giosan about the decay of civilizations, ancient adaptation, and the surprisingly long history of humanity's effect on the Earth.
A local solvability result for operators with characteristics having odd order multiplicity

Abstract It is shown that an operator L with the canonical form L = Dt2p + 1 + a(t, Dx) is locally solvable if and only if a(t, Dx) satisfies a Nirenberg-Treves-type condition.
Effects of resource manipulation on the correlation between total phenolics and astringency in Douglas-fir

The correlation between total phenolics and tannin content within a species is often considered to be suitably strong to allow researchers to assume, with some degree of confidence, that levels of one will approximately parallel the other. However, the manipulation of resource availability could lead to disproportionate changes in total phenolics and tannins and/or in the specific monomers of which these fractions are composed, thus altering the correlation between these components. In order to test this hypothesis, we examined the correlation between foliar levels of total phenolics (as measured by the ferric chloride assay) and tannins (as measured by an astringency assay) in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Mirb. Franco) before and after the manipulation of nitrogen and water availability. Prior to manipulation of resources, the correlation between total phenolics and tannins was strong and highly significant (r2=0.869;P < 0.001). This correlation was considerably weaker and not statistically significant following resource manipulation (r2 = 0.392; 0.20 <P < 0.50). These results demonstrate that manipulation of resource availability can alter the correlation between total phenolics and tannins in intraspecific comparisons. The causes underlying the observed degradation in the correlation between these measures (whether qualitative, quantitative, or both) are unknown and require further investigation.
The course of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Forty patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are described. All 32 surviving patients have been ill for 2–12 years or longer and all have been followed for 1–7 years (average 3.1 years). The clinical, laboratory and immunologic abnormalities exhibited by these patients are described. Striking fatigue, hoarseness, recurrent sore throat, and oral ulcerations were prominent features of the illness in some patients. The typical migratory arthritis did not lead to deformity. Serum gamma globulins were frequently present in large amounts but some patients with the nephrotic syndrome developed hypogammaglobulinemia. Of particular interest was the decrease in concentration of γ1A in 4 non-nephrotic patients. The test for antinuclear antibody was most helpful in differentiating ‘functional’ illnesses and acute rheumatic fever from systemic lupus. The titer of anti-nuclear and anti-DNA antibody, as well as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and thymol turbidity frequently, but not consistently, reflected disease activity. Over half of the patients developed complicating infections, most commonly urinary tract infections. Three stages of the patient's illnesses could be discerned: an early stage of mild symptoms, a second with severe episodic illness commonly lasting 2 years or less, and a third, quiescent stage which in some patients appeared to progress to complete remission. Relapses from this third stage were uncommon. Active therapy with large doses of corticosteroid seemed useful during the second stage of the illness to limit mortality and morbidity and to prevent irreversible neurological, renal and cardiac damage. The role of purine analogues and other antimetabolites in the therapy of systemic lupus remains to be determined.
When does shared leadership matter in entrepreneurial teams: the role of personality composition

Although prior research has investigated a number of conditions under which shared leadership in teams may improve team performance, team composition variables have been left unexplored. Using a sample of 144 teams in a technology incubator in China, this study explored the moderating effects of personality diversity on the relationship between shared leadership and entrepreneurial team performance. Results indicate that shared leadership improves entrepreneurial team performance; the strength of the relationship, however, depends on the level of team personality diversity. More specifically, when relationship-oriented personality diversity is high, the shared leadership—team performance relationship is stronger. These findings advance research in entrepreneurship, groups and teams, and shared leadership, and provide practical implications as well.
Gas-Liquid Chromatography of Oxygenated Compounds Related to the Autoxidation of n-Hexadecane

Abstract Gas chromatography has been utilized for analysis of a series of compounds related to n-hexadecane autoxidation. Several stationary phases have been tested and Silar-10C has been chosen for the separation of the C16 oxidation products. The selection was based on the thermal stability of the stationary phase and the resolution among the C16 compounds. Relative retention data obtained for selected oxygenated compounds and some of their trimethylsilyl derivatives are reported. Gas chromatographic analysis of reaction products from the autoxidation of n-hexadecane is then discussed.
United Kingdom labour force activity rates: unemployment and real wages

(1977). United Kingdom labour force activity rates: unemployment and real wages. Applied Economics: Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 265-270.
Synthesis, Purification, and Tumor Cell Uptake of 67Ga-Deferoxamine−Folate, a Potential Radiopharmaceutical for Tumor Imaging

The vitamin folic acid was covalently linked to the chelating agent deferoxamine (DF) via an amide bond using a simple carbodiimide coupling reaction. A mixture of two isomers, DF−folate(α) and DF−folate(γ), was produced involving the α- and γ-carboxyl group of folic acid, respectively. These two isomers were separated by anion-exchange chromatography using a NH4HCO3 gradient. Competitive binding studies revealed that only the DF−folate(γ) is recognized by the folate receptor on KB cells, interacting with an affinity comparable to unconjugated folic acid. The DF−folate conjugates were radiolabeled with the γ-emitting radionuclide 67Ga3+ and tested for uptake by cultured KB cells overexpressing the folate receptor. The cellular accumulation of 67Ga-DF−folate(γ) complex was found to be time-, temperature-, and concentration-dependent. The 67Ga-DF−folate(γ) tracer exhibited rapid uptake kinetics in cell culture with a t1/2 of ∼3 min. The KB cell association of 67Ga-DF−folate(γ) was competitively blocked by f...
The macromolecular neutron diffractometer (MaNDi) at the Spallation Neutron Source, Oak Ridge: enhanced optics design, high-resolution neutron detectors and simulated diffraction

The macromolecular neutron diffractometer MaNDi is currently under construction at the first target station of the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This instrument will collect neutron diffraction data from small single crystals (0.1–1 mm3) with lattice constants between 100 and 300 A, as well as data from less well ordered systems such as fibers. A focusing neutron guide has been designed to filter the high-energy neutron component of the spectrum and to provide a narrow beam with a wide spectral window and angular divergence almost insensitive to neutron wavelength. The system includes a final interchangeable section of neutron guide and two slits, which enable tuning of the horizontal and vertical beam divergence between 0.12 and 0.80° (full width at half-maximum) at the sample position. This allows the trading of intensity for resolution, depending on the scientific requirements. Efforts to enhance and develop suitable high-resolution neutron detectors at an affordable price are also discussed. Finally, the parameters of the neutron guide and detectors were used to simulate diffraction from a large unit cell.
The Notching Rule for Subordinated Debt and the Information Content of Debt Rating

This paper provides new evidence regarding the information content of debt ratings. We show that noninvestment grade subordinated issues are consistently priced too high (the yield is too low), and the reverse is true for some investment grade bonds. We relate this empirical bias to a notchingruleofthumbthatisusedinordertoratesubordinateddebtwithoutexpendingadditional resources for information production. We propose an explanation for these findings based upon a balance between an attempt to please the companies that pay the raters versus a concern for lawsuits and regulatory investigations should ratings be too optimistic. This paper provides new evidence regarding the information content of debt ratings. 1 We complement previous research that focuses on default probabilities by implicitly analyzing recovery rates as we compare the yields on senior and subordinated bonds.
Walbiri Graphic Signs: An Analysis1

SINCE the tlassic works of Spencer and Gillen, anthropologists have been familiar with the totemic designs that appear on the stone and wood "churinga" of Central Australia. The ethnography of this area is replete with descriptions and illustrations. (See e.g., Davidson 1937; Roheim 1945; Spencer and Gillen 1899.) Nevertheless, little is understood of the semantics of the designs or their relation to larger contexts of graphic usage in Central Australian societies. The present paper outlines an approach which has proved fruitful in analyzing the graphic system of the western desert Walbiri-one in which the totemic designs are viewed as part of the general cultural problem of graphic sign systems. The paper is an essay into what Charles Morris (1946:219) has called "descriptive semiotic." The Walbiri are a people of the arid region to the northwest of Alice Springs whose traditional culture and social organization remain largely intact despite changing economic patterns and the shift to a relatively stabilized station residence.2 The graphic system under consideration is still operative in contemporary Walbiri society. Walbiri religious ideology is of the characteristic Central Australian type, centering upon numerous totemic beings, such as kangaroo, fire, yam, and rain, who emerged from the ground during the ancestral period and travelled the country in lengthy tracks or circled in a narrower region. The Walbiri term for "ancestor" and "ancestral period" (djugurba) also denotes "dream." Walbiri point out that the ancestors dreamed their songs, graphic designs, and ceremonial paraphernalia while sleeping at sites along the route. In line with a usage common in the Australian literature (Elkin 1954, 1961; Stanner 1956), I will refer to the ancestral period as "The Dream Time" and the ancestors as "Dreamings." Rights over Dreamings are held by patrilineages, each of which has jurisdiction over a number of different species and over the designs (and other objects) associated with them. One or more designs are associated with each Dreaming. These graphs Walbiri regard as stabilized, unitary configurations transmitted in essentially the same form over time. Like an ancestor's verbal names, his designs stand as surrogates for him. In addition, each element in the design has a specific meaning, and the whole is regarded as conveying informaabout Dream Time events in much the way that a song is thought to convey such information.
Immunohistochemical identification of multipotent adult progenitor cells from human bone marrow after transplantation into the rat brain

In the immunohistochemical analysis of the brain, tissue preparation and fixation are critical steps. During our studies of transplanting human bone marrow multipotent adult progenitor cells (hMAPCs) into the rat brain, we noticed that various methods of brain tissue preparation and fixation differentially influenced antigenic preservation in the transplants and in the host brain. Here, we report a simple, effective and reproducible method of tissue preparation and fixation that results in the immunohistochemical labeling of transplanted and host cells.
Topoisomerase II inhibition by aporphine alkaloids.

Abstract The aporphine alkaloids (+)-dicentrine and (+)-bulbocapnine are non-planar molecules lacking features normally associated with DNA binding by intercalation or minor groove binding. Surprisingly, dicentrine showed significant activity as a topoisomerase II (EC 5.99.1.3) inhibitor and also was active in a DNA unwinding assay. The DNA unwinding suggests DNA intercalation, which could explain the inhibition of topoisomerase II. Bulbocapnine, which differs from dicentrine only by the presence of a hydroxyl group at position 11 and the absence of a methoxyl group at position 9, was inactive in all assays. Molecular modeling showed that dicentrine can attain a relatively planar conformation, whereas bulbocapnine cannot, due to steric interaction between the 11-hydroxyl group and an oxygen of the methylenedioxy ring. These observations suggest that dicentrine is an “adaptive” DNA intercalator, which can bind DNA only by adopting a somewhat strained planar conformation. The requirement of a suboptimal conformation to achieve DNA binding appears to make dicentrine a weaker topoisomerase II inhibitor than the very planar oxoaporphine alkaloid liriodenine. These results suggest that it may be possible to modulate DNA binding and biologic activity of drugs by modifications affecting their ability to adopt planar conformations.
Mechanism of Cyclopropanation Reactions Mediated by (5,10,15,20-Tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato)osmium(II) Complexes

Catalytic systems derived from [Os(TTP)]2 or Fe(TTP) (TTP = 5,10,15,20-tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato) are extremely efficient at converting styrenes and diazo reagents to cyclopropanes in high yields and high stereoselectivity. A number of mechanistic studies have been undertaken to elucidate the catalytic pathway. A mono(carbene) complex, (TTP)OsCHCO2Et, has been isolated but is not the catalytically active species. An electron-withdrawing ligand trans to the carbene in (TTP)OsCHCO2Et activates the carbon fragment toward transfer to an olefin. Labeling studies with (TTP)OsCHX and N2CHY and substrate reactivity profiles are consistent with a trans-osmium(II) bis(carbene) species as the active catalyst.
Ethanol drinking patterns in a continuous-access operant situation : effects of ethanol concentration and response requirements

Rats, initiated to self-administer ethanol with either a sucrose-substitution procedure or a secondary-conditioning procedure, were maintained in a continuous-access environmental system in which operant lever press responses were required to receive 10% ethanol and food reinforcement. Water available from a drinking tube was electronically monitored to detect licks. Total daily consumption and patterns of food, water, and ethanol responding were analyzed under conditions in which the concentration of ethanol presented as a reinforcer was either 10% or 20%, and the response requirement for ethanol reinforcement was either a fixed ratio 4 schedule or a fixed ratio 1 schedule. Either increasing the ethanol concentration or decreasing the response requirement resulted in an increase in total daily ethanol intake. There was no significant difference between initiation procedures. These results are similar to observations in studies using a limited-access operant situation. This increased ethanol intake resulted from a complex alteration in the daily ethanol drinking pattern. The greatest ethanol intakes were observed when both the ethanol concentration was increased and response requirement was decreased. This was predominantly the result of increasing the number of ethanol drinking bouts per day when the response requirement was decreased, and by decreasing individual bout size by less than half when the ethanol concentration was doubled. These studies indicate that concentration of the ethanol presented as the reinforcer and the response cost required for reinforcement are involved in regulating ethanol consumption in the continuous-access condition. Type of initiation did not appear to interact with these variables.
Language, identity, and marginality in Indonesia : the changing nature of ritual speech on the Island of Sumba

Introduction 1. Place, identity, and the shifting forms of cultivated speech: a geography of marginality 2. Towering in rage and cowering in fear: emotion, self, and verbal expression in Sumba 3. Changing forms of political expression: the role of ideologies of audience completeness 4. Ideologies of personal naming and language shift 5. From miracles to classrooms: changing forms of erasure in the learning of ritual speech 6. Conclusions.
Coupling schemes in doubly odd nuclei and identical superdeformed bands

Using coupling schemes derived for low-lying structures in doubly odd deformed nuclei in the framework of the particle rotor model and properties of orbitals which follow from pseudospin symmetry, likely explanations are given for identical superdeformed bands.
Tailoring Relaxation Dispersion Experiments for Fast-Associating Protein Complexes

NMR relaxation dispersion spectroscopy is a powerful technique to elucidate the mechanism of protein-protein binding reactions. However, it is difficult to optimize the concentration ratios that give relaxation dispersions of appropriate amplitude to determine accurate kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, especially in cases of very tight binding. In this study, we have obtained 15N R2 dispersions of Asn803-hydroxylated hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-OH) in the presence of sub-stoichiometric amount of its target protein, the transcriptional adapter zinc-binding (TAZ1) domain of CREB binding protein, whereas no R2 dispersion was observed for the bound state of HIF-OH at 1:1 concentration ratio because the binding is too tight. Although the R2 dispersions were measured for the free peaks of HIF-OH, they enabled us to quantitate the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of HIF-OH/TAZ1 binding process. Simulations of effective R2 rates revealed that the association rate is the key factor to determine the amplitude of R2 dispersions. By careful optimization of the concentration ratio, the R2 dispersion method should be generally applicable for studying a wide range of protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, and protein-small molecule interactions.
Scaal: A Robust, Accurate, And High-efficient All-atomistic Protein Reconstruction Method From Low-resolution Protein Models

In the quest to develop multiscale molecular simulation methods for complex protein dynamics that fuse high-resolution and low-resolution protein representations, it is important to investigate the required information of reconstruction of all-atomistic proteins from low resolution ones with manageable uncertainly. In this paper, we introduce a robust, accurate, and fast reconstruction method (SCAAL) that produces reliable all-atomistic protein structure by taking few beads from a coarse-grained model with at least one side chain bead and one Cα bead in the backbone (Side chain-Cα Model, SCM) into accounts. Our algorithm (SCAAL) is compared with SCWRL3.0 and it excels in robustness and is more accurate in the reconstruction of large amino acids. In addition, we further test SCAAL in the reconstruction of a complete protein folding trajectory from SCM coarse-grained models. We show that the efficiency, accuracy, and robustness of SCAAL as leverage for multi-scale simulations are excellent in terms of low root mean square deviations that lie within 1A resolution.
DFT study of the reactivity of methane and dioxygen with d10-L2M complexes

Abstract A density functional theory analysis of the reactions of methane and O2 with d10-L2M complexes (M = Pd, Pt; L = N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC), PMe3) is presented. Computations suggest that reaction of L2M0 with O2/CH4 to form cis- (L)2M(OOH)(CH3) is only slightly uphill (ΔG ∼ 10–11 kcal/mol). Based on calculated thermodynamics, reaction of (L)2Pt0 with CH4 and O2 is predicted to be more favorable by first addition of CH4 and then reaction of O2 with the resulting methyl–hydrido complex. However, oxidative addition for either the C–H bond of methane or of O2 to d10-L2M complexes is kinetically prohibitive. If barriers to oxidative addition to d10-L2M systems could be reduced, conversion of L2M(H)(CH3) to L2M(OOH)(CH3) via hydrogen atom abstract/radical rebound is calculated to be thermodynamically and kinetically feasible, particularly for NHC and Pd. As (NHC)2Pd also has a lower free energy to methane C–H oxidative addition than does (NHC)2Pt, the former combination would appear to be a promising starting point in the search for catalysts for partial hydrocarbon oxidation.
Association of paternal age with prevalence of selected birth defects.

BACKGROUND: Unlike maternal age, the effect of paternal age on birth defect prevalence has not been well examined. We used cases from the Texas birth defect registry, born during 1996–2002, to evaluate the association of paternal age with the prevalence of selected structural birth defects. METHODS: Poisson regression was used to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with paternal age for each birth defect, adjusting for maternal age, race/ethnicity, and parity. RESULTS: Relative to fathers ages 25–29 years, fathers 20–24 years of age were more likely to have offspring with gastroschisis (PR 1.47, 95% CI: 1.12–1.94), and fathers 40+ years old were less likely to have offspring with trisomy 13 (PR 0.40, 95% CI: 0.16–0.96). No association was seen between paternal age and prevalence of anencephaly and encephalocele. A selection bias was observed for the other birth defects in which cases of younger fathers were more often excluded from study. CONCLUSIONS: In studies of birth defect risk and paternal age, the source of information may affect the validity of findings. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Catfish somatostatin is unique to piscine tissues

It has been previously shown that catfish islets contain two distinct forms of somatostatin: somatostatin-14 and the predominant form, catfish somatostatin, which is a 22-residue peptide structurally related to somatostatin-14. Using antisera against this catfish somatostatin and somatostatin-14, other tissues of the catfish and pancreatic tissue of various animals were examined for the presence of these two peptides. Catfish intestine also contained large amounts of catfish somatostatin in comparison to that of somatostatin-14, but the predominant form in catfish brain tissues was somatostatin-14. Relatively small quantities of catfish somatostatin were found in extracts of anglerfish islet, but none were detected in pancreatic tissues of frog, chicken, or rat. Somatostatin-14 was found in relatively large amounts in these other pancreata. These results suggest that catfish somatostatin is found only in piscine tissues and that there may be a differential expression of the two somatostatin genes in those tissues.
Facile Synthesis of Gold-Silver Nanocages with Controllable Pores on the Surface

Gold−silver alloy nanocages with controllable pores on the surface have been synthesized via galvanic replacement reaction between truncated Ag nanocubes and aqueous HAuCl4. Unlike in the previous studies, the initiation of replacement reaction started in a controllable way, simultaneously from eight corners of the truncated Ag nanocubes where {111} facets were exposed. The formation of cubic nanocages with pores at all the corners was determined by the capping agent, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), which preferentially covered the {100} facets of a truncated Ag nanocube.
Alcohol Addiction: An Enigma among Us

Current evidence is providing a view of the actions of ethanol that indicates that this simple two-carbon molecule demonstrates significant specificity in its actions. Even within ethanol-sensitive systems such as the GABAA and NMDA receptors, differential sensitivity is apparent and based on the subunit composition of these receptors. Additionally, posttranslational modification, particularly the phosphorylation state, of certain GABAA and NMDA receptor subunit combinations can add another layer of selectivity to the acute actions of ethanol. In looking for genetic determinants of differential ethanol sensitivity and predisposition to alcoholism, one may, therefore, be confronted with a search that leads to subtle differences in receptor structure or posttranslational modification, rather than to gross differences in the primary structure of an individual protein. The adaptive changes induced by ethanol in the GABAA receptor system may have a more significant relationship to the development of ethanol tolerance, while the changes in the NMDA receptor system seem to mirror the expression of signs of physical dependence (withdrawal signs). A dissociation in the development of ethanol tolerance and physical dependence has also been demonstrated in prior studies (reviewed byTabakoff et al. 1996xHandbook Exp. Tabakoff, B, Hellevuo, K, and Hoffman, P.L. Pharmacol. 1996; 118: 373–458See all ReferencesTabakoff et al. 1996). The NMDA and GABAA receptor systems may also be involved in the control of particular aspects of ethanol intake, the NMDA receptor by mediating actions of glutamate on dopaminergic neurons, which influence reinforcement, and GABA through actions downstream of these neurons, on processes that control termination of ethanol intake. It is enticing to think that the witnessed adaptive changes in GABAA and NMDA receptor systems would not only underlie the phenomena of tolerance and physical dependence on ethanol, but would also contribute to difficulties that alcohol-dependent individuals experience in controlling their drinking and their compulsion to drink alcohol.
Locally adapted hierarchical basis preconditioning

This paper develops locally adapted hierarchical basis functions for effectively preconditioning large optimization problems that arise in computer graphics applications such as tone mapping, gradient-domain blending, colorization, and scattered data interpolation. By looking at the local structure of the coefficient matrix and performing a recursive set of variable eliminations, combined with a simplification of the resulting coarse level problems, we obtain bases better suited for problems with inhomogeneous (spatially varying) data, smoothness, and boundary constraints. Our approach removes the need to heuristically adjust the optimal number of preconditioning levels, significantly outperforms previously proposed approaches, and also maps cleanly onto data-parallel architectures such as modern GPUs.
A Generalized Limit Theorem for Reliability

A new and more general limit theorem is proposed in place of the exponential limit theorem of Drenick. First it is shown that as time goes to zero, the hazard rate can be made to approach an almost arbitrary function. Next it is pointed out that in the exponential limit theorem (and others) the only practical and necessary effect of having the number of elements ``go to infinity'' is to force time to go to zero. Therefore the limit theorems are not as useful as was once thought.
The impact of risk preference on health insurance and health expenditures in the United States

The Affordable Care Act includes an individual mandate whereby persons are required to carry health insurance. This mandate will bring currently uninsured persons into the insurance pool. The uninsured are a heterogeneous group that includes persons with diverse risk preferences. It is important, therefore, to understand the role risk preference plays in (1) the likelihood of being uninsured and (2) the health care expenditures. Using the recently available data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), we analyse eight years of US data using multivariate regression and quantify the role of risk preference in insurance and expenditure equations. The results provide evidence that a person with high risk preference is less likely to hold health insurance, and spends less on healthcare even when controlling for insurance.
178. Association between immune response and the physiological and psychosocial factors that may predict development of Type 2 diabetes in African American women

Obesity is a multi-factorial disease process; in African Americans, factors contributing to obesity and Type 2 diabetes include socioeconomic status, access to health care, cultural attitudes, psychosocial factors, and lifestyle behaviors. Recent progress in defining the role of the immune system as a regulator of insulin resistance has identified monocyte inflammasome activation as an important factor. Monocytes may traffic from the blood to adipose tissue and produce inflammatory mediators. Given that obesity and Type 2 diabetes are multifactorial conditions and that biological mechanisms are less well understood in African Americans, we evaluated the association between monocyte activation and physiological (BMI, HbA1c) and psychosocial factors in African American women. In this study, purified blood monocytes isolated from 14 middle aged women (mean BMI = 29.6, mean HbA1c = 5.7) were cultured with two different cell activators (LPS or virus). There was a positive correlation between the physiological factors of HbA1c and BMI and the inflammasome marker IL-1β, the inflammatory cytokine score, and monocyte-associated chemokines. The negative psychosocial factors of racism and financial strain were correlated with increased levels of the same immune variables. In contrast, the positive psychosocial factor optimism was associated with reduced chemokine. In summary, monocyte responsiveness in blood obtained from African American women is associated with known physiological and psychosocial factors that contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes.
Use of a capillary extrusion rheometer to measure curing of thermosetting plastics and rubbers

By use of a modified, small-bore, capillary extrusion rheometer (MCER) with an Instron tensile testing machine, the flow and set-up properties of thermosetting plastics and rubbers were characterized. The majority of the experiments were performed with diallyl phthalate, where the rate of curing was also followed by infrared determination of the reduction in unsaturation as the polymerization-curing proceeded. Phenol–formaldehyde was also characterized. Finally, the curing of ethylene–propylene and ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer rubbers with peroxide was studied and correlated with the type of peroxide used. The MCER data are shown to be of practical use for predicting the time–temperature–pressure relationships for processing thermosetting plastics and rubbers. Moreover, the history of the curing, as obtained by analysis of the continuously extruded strand, is also of theoretical interest for studying reaction kinetics and for evaluating the effectiveness of various curing systems. It is predicted the MCER will be widely used for studying the curing of thermosetting plastics and rubbers.
Solid-state ice volcanism on the satellites of uranus.

Voyager images of the Uranian satellites Ariel and Miranda show flow features with morphologies indicating that ice has been extruded to the satellites' surfaces in the solid state. These images provide the first observational evidence for solid-state ice volcanism in the solar system. Topographic profiles have been measured across a number of flow features on Ariel. With a simple model of extrusion, spreading, and cooling of a viscous flow, the initial viscosity of the flow material is found to have been no more than about 10 to the 16th poise, far lower than expected for H2O ice at the ambient surface temperatures in the Uranian system. Sharply reduced viscosities may have resulted from incorporation of ices like NH3 or CH4 in the Uranian satellites.
An Overview of Leading Current Legal Issues Affecting Information Technology Professionals

This article provides an overview of key legal issues currently affecting information technology professionals. An understanding of the current legal issues affecting information technology development, distribution, and use can enhance the ability of information technology professionals to perform their duties. This article highlights some of the most highly visible current legal issues affecting information system operations and management. It is intended to provide technology professionals a basic understanding of today's prominent technology law issues and to help the professionals recognize their connection with those issues.
Diffusional limits to the consumption of atmospheric methane by soils

Net transport of atmospheric gases into and out of soil systems is primarily controlled by diffusion along gas partial pressure gradients. Gas fluxes between soil and the atmosphere can therefore be estimated by a generalization of the equation for ordinary gaseous diffusion in porous unsaturated media. Consumption of CH4 by methylotrophic bacteria in the top several centimeters of soil causes the uptake of atmospheric CH4 by aerated soils. The capacity of the methylotrophs to consume CH4 commonly exceeds the potential of CH4 to diffuse from the atmosphere to the consumers. The maximum rate of uptake of atmospheric CH4 by soil is, therefore, limited by diffusion and can be calculated from soil physical properties and the CH4 concentration gradient. The CH4 concentration versus depth profile is theoretically described by the equation for gaseous diffusion with homogeneous chemical reaction in porous unsaturated media. This allows for calculation of the in situ rate of CH4 consumption within specified depth intervals.
Coaches' and New Urban Teachers' Perceptions of Induction Coaching: Time, Trust, and Accelerated Learning Curves

Approximately 80% of new teachers have mentors, yet mentoring typically fails to foster new teachers' professional learning—particularly in high-poverty schools. This qualitative study was situated within an urban teacher residency context and explored how six first-year urban teachers and the two induction mentors with whom they worked perceived and experienced induction coaching. This study also seeks to understand the characteristics of mentored induction (called coaching) that facilitate or impede learning. Results indicate that mentoring contributed to new teachers' professional learning and that (a) trusting relationships were foundational to the coaching process and developed over time; (b) coaching was aligned with new teachers' needs and context; and (c) coaching was a scaffolded process that enhanced new teachers' ability to respond to immediate needs, as well as identify and work toward long-term instructional goals. Insights and recommendations are provided to guide the development of or stren...
Role Ambiguity Among Women Providing Care for Ex-Husbands

Twenty-one women were interviewed regarding their caregiving experiences for ill or dying ex-husbands. Emergent in the analyses was the variety of ways in which they experienced role ambiguity as ex-wife caregivers. This article describes the role ambiguity ex-wife caregivers encountered interpersonally through interactions with network members, institutionally in dealing with professionals and the workplace, and intrapersonally in confusion over their roles and feelings. Consequences of role ambiguity are discussed, and recommendations for policy and practice are made in light of the aging population, changing family forms, and women's care roles.
Novel approach for measuring the effective shear modulus of porous materials

A new approach is proposed for the experimental study of the effective shear modulus of porous elastic materials using the uniaxial tension test. The idea is to measure strains at a few points surrounding a cluster of holes that represents the structure of the material. The representative cluster is placed in the material with the same elastic properties as those of the matrix. The measured strains lead to the properties of the equivalent circular inhomogeneity, which would produce the same elastic fields as from the cluster. An aluminum plate containing a cluster of seven circular or hexagonal holes was used. The effective shear modulus obtained from the strain data was compared with theoretical predictions and various bounds, and it was shown that the laboratory estimated values are quite accurate. The experimental technique can be used for the determination of the effective Poisson’s ratio of porous media and/or cellular solids if more detailed strain data are obtained.
Taxpayer attitudes toward tax audit risk.

Abstract Theoretical analyses on tax evasion usually assume that the taxpayer's behavior conforms to the Von Neumann-Morgenstern axioms for behavior under uncertainty, namely that the taxpayer is generally risk averse. This study found that the taxpayers' attitudes toward risk could be affected by (1) whether taxpayers perceive a tax payment as reduced income or as a loss; and (2) the magnitude of the tax savings and penalty structure. The findings, in general, agree more with the prospect theory than with the classical expected utility theory.
Regionalisation trends in Russia: Between the Soviet Legacy and the Forces of Globalisation

Regionalisation in Russia is to be understood as part of the overall transformation process. It is argued that while the form of regionalisation during the Yeltsin era after 1991 presented an image...
Family and migration.

This paper examines the effects of international migration on internal family structure as well as the adaptation and integration of families into receiving countries. The importance of the role and function of the family in migration research can be examined from 3 angles: theoretical methodological and empirical (that is the societal relevance of family in migration). A renewed theoretical perspective views the family in the sending country instead of the individual as the focus of attention and reveals that 1) migration patterns are not exclusively among the poor or unemployed; 2) migration is not always for the benefit of the immigrant; and 3) migration should be studied as a process not as a result. Recent studies show that 1) family or kinship migration is increasingly important and that families help new migrants adapt to the receiving country both emotionally and financially; 2) family and kinship ties tend to become consolidated in the receiving country; and 3) the family helps migrants cope with stress caused by the migration experience. Studies on families preservation of culture and adaptation of culture and behavior have gone from 1) descriptive to analytical and 2) focusing on the receiving society to focusing on the strategies used by immigrants (from value-conformity to an individualistic-situation approach). Migration also causes changes in family organization and functioning which should be studied as an internal process inside the family and as complex group. Within the family are 3 sets of substructures which change during the process of adaptation and/or assimilation to/into the receiving society: 1) the husband-wife relationship 2) the parent-child relationship and 3) the relationship among siblings.
Applications of the Photographic Pressure Effect

Because of their sensitivity to mechanical pressure, photographic emulsions will reproduce accurately surface contours pressed against them. This offers a new method for preparing high contrast transparent replicas for microscopy. Some photomicrograms of replicas which have been prepared in this way are reproduced here. The technique may find useful application in the microscopy of metallurgical and other opaque surfaces.
Comparative morphology of intimal and adventitial hyperplasia of the arteriosclerotic turkey aorta

Abstract An electron microscopic study was made of the spontaneous intimal and adventitial hyperplastic lesions which occur in the arteriosclerotic abdominal aorta of the turkey. The hyperplastic intimal lesions contain multilayered rows of longitudinal modified smooth muscle cells, situated internal to and perpendicular to the internal elastic membrane. The area of adventitial hyperplasia also contains multilayered rows of modified smooth muscle cells, usually located external to and perpendicular to the external elastic membrane. The cells in the two areas of hyperplasia are similar in all respects except that adventitial cells are smaller in length and width than intimal cells. The cells in both areas are bound by fibrillar-flocculent material. Hyperplastic lesions are present in the adventitial portions of the abdominal aorta which overlie areas of intimal hyperplasia. It seems that the weakest areas in the arteriosclerotic turkey aorta are the areas of intimal hyperplasia immediately internal to the internal elastic membrane and the area of adventitial hyperplasia immediately external to the external elastic membrane.
BATTERY INGESTION HAZARD MITIGATION

Background Recent research indicates an increase in button/coin battery ingestion, causing severe injuries or death, if not detected and removed within 2 h of lodging in the oesophagus. A multifaceted approach is needed to combat the hazard, including increasing consumer education and awareness of proper use and disposal of batteries; improving product standards for electronic enclosures, product packaging, and literature; and advancing technological improvements in battery design that could mitigate the hazard. Objective To discuss conceptual technological improvements in button/coin battery designs to mitigate battery ingestion hazards. Methods This paper considers various methods of reducing the hazard including: using nonconductive encapsulation or modifying the terminal surface area to reduce accessible electrode area; adding a protective device to limit current flow; or adding a collapsible mechanism to a battery's outer surface that will expand when the battery is removed from an enclosure so that it will be too big to be swallowed. Results Practicalities of these conceptual changes and results of some battery ingestion simulations are discussed. Simulations show that near-complete encapsulation of one of the poles is necessary to prevent necrosis. Significance Methods for battery ingestion prevention or disabling the current from an ingested battery could prevent or reduce severe injury and death. This is an abstract of a presentation at Safety 2012, the 11th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, 1-4 October 2012, Michael Fowler Center, Wellington, New Zealand. Full text does not seem to be available for this abstract.