cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic light scattering of bovine cornea

Abstract Small angle light scattering patterns of bovine cornea were obtained under dynamic conditions when cornea strips were subjected to cyclic stresses with frequencies between 3.5–110 Hz. The patterns were photographed with high speed movie camera. Individual frames of a cycle were reproduced and analyzed for the intensities of the I+ and I″ mode of scatterings as a function of scattering angle. A model of a nonrandomly distributed two-dimensional assembly of anisotropic rods was employed. With the aid of this model, the changes in light scattering patterns have been interpreted in terms of changes in the superstructure of collagen fibrils of the cornea during cyclic vibrations.
Prenatal cocaine exposure: the role of cumulative environmental risk and maternal harshness in the development of child internalizing behavior problems in kindergarten.

Abstract This study examined the associations between prenatal exposure to cocaine and other substances and child internalizing behavior problems at kindergarten. We investigated whether maternal harshness or cumulative environmental risk mediated or moderated this association. Participants consisted of 216 (116 cocaine exposed, 100 non-cocaine exposed) mother–infant dyads participating in an ongoing longitudinal study of prenatal cocaine exposure. Results indicated that, as hypothesized, maternal harshness moderated the association between prenatal cocaine exposure to child internalizing in kindergarten such that prenatal cocaine exposure increased risk for internalizing problems at high levels of maternal harshness from 7 to 36 months and decreased risk at low levels of harshness. Contrary to hypothesis, the association between prenatal cocaine exposure and child internalizing in kindergarten was not mediated by maternal harshness or cumulative environmental risk. However, cumulative environmental risk (from 1 month of child age to kindergarten) was predictive of child internalizing behavior problems at kindergarten. Results have implications for parenting interventions that may be targeted toward reducing maternal harshness in high risk samples characterized by maternal substance use in pregnancy.
Rapid Convergence Rate in Adaptive Arrays

In many applications, the practical usefulness of adaptive arrays is limited by their convergence rate. The adaptively controlled weights in these systems must change at a rate equal to or greater than the rate of change of the external noise field (e.g., due to scanning in a radar if step scan is not used). This convergence rate problem is most severe in adaptive systems with a large number of degrees of adaptivity and in situations where the eigenvalues of the noise covariance matrix are widely different. A direct method of adaptive weight computation, based on a sample covariance matrix of the noise field, has been found to provide very rapid convergence in all cases, i.e., independent of the eigenvalue distribution. A theory has been developed, based on earlier work by Goodman, which predicts the achievable convergence rate with this technique, and has been verified by simulation.
Nucleolar Protein B23 Stimulates Nuclear Import of the HIV-1 Rev Protein and NLS-Conjugated Albumin†

Nucleolar phosphoprotein B23 is a putative ribosome assembly factor with a relatively high affinity for peptides containing sequences of nuclear localization signals (NLSs) of the SV40 T-antigen type [Szebeni, A., Herrera, J. E., & Olson, O. J. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 8037-8042]. The effects of protein B23 on nuclear import were determined by an in vitro assay [Dean, D. A., & Kasamatsu, H. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 4910-4916] using NLS peptide-conjugated bovine serum albumin (NLS-BSA) or the HIV-1 Rev protein as substrates for import into isolated rat liver nuclei. The import was ATP-dependent and inhibited by wheat germ agglutinin or by an antibody against p97, a component of the nuclear import system. The rate of import of either substrate was increased if protein B23 was added to the incubation medium. Similar enhancements of import were seen with both isoforms (B23.1 and B23.2). The stimulatory effect on Rev protein import was saturable with maximum stimulation (2-3-fold) at a molar ratio of protein B23:Rev of approximately 1:1. Phosphorylation of protein B23.1 by casein kinase II produced an additional doubling of the import rate. This effect was not seen if protein B23.1 was phosphorylated with a cdc2 type protein kinase. Mutant forms of protein B23.1 in which the nuclear localization signal was either deleted or altered did not stimulate import of the substrates. These results suggest that protein B23 plays a role as an accessory factor in the nuclear import of the NLS-containing proteins and that phosphorylation at sites in the highly acidic segments of the protein enhances the stimulatory effect.
Comparison of verbal preference assessments in the presence and absence of the actual stimuli

Abstract Stimulus preference assessments for individuals with developmental disabilities typically involve offering choices among stimuli and providing immediate access to the chosen stimuli. Several researchers have explored the utility of presenting choices verbally, thereby obviating the need to present the choices in tangible form and deliver access to those choices immediately. However, studies that have compared verbal selection to selection among tangible stimuli have nonetheless delivered the chosen stimulus following selections, in essence, manipulating the antecedent but not the consequence. It therefore remains unclear whether preference assessments that do and do not include the actual stimuli yield comparable results. The current study compared preference assessment results for three participants in which either (a) the stimuli were presented, selections were made verbally, and selection resulted in no differential consequence, or (b) the stimuli were presented both verbally and in tangible form, and selection produced access to the stimulus. Reinforcer assessments were then conducted to test contradictory predictions of reinforcer efficacy made by the two methods. Comparisons between the two assessments yielded only modest rank-order correlations (M = 0.24; range, −0.17 to 0.57) that varied widely across participants. Results of the reinforcer assessments suggested that the verbal-plus-tangible stimulus preference assessment more accurately predicted reinforcer strength.
Sex differences in work values.

Sex differences in work values were investigated among 202 advanced undergraduate business students. Significant sex differences (p < .001) were found on 18 of 25 values using the P. J. Manhardt (1972, Personnel Psychology, 25, 361–368), scale with women rating 12 of these values higher than men. Some of the significant differences were consistent with stereotypical male and female value patterns (e.g., advancement and taking risks for men and comfortable work environment and pleasant associates for women), while others were in contrast to such stereotypes (e.g., security and leisure time for men and accomplishment and development of knowledge/skills for women). It was hypothesized that men and women with the same career orientation (i.e., those who ranked career, family, etc., as their primary source of life satisfaction) would not differ significantly in their work value preferences. No support was found for this hypothesis. Finally, despite item differences, there appears to be a clear trend toward similarity of the patterns of preferences in the importance of work outcomes among women and men. Rankings of work values from the present study and two previous studies, spanning approximately 16 years, indicated an average rank-order correlation between the rankings of men and women of .75 (p < .001).
Capital accumulation and longevity

Abstract Increased survival probability and expected lifespan is shown to increase capital intensity and welfare in an overlapping generations model with uncertain lifetimes in the presence of annuities market and production.
Demands and Resources: Parents of School-Age Children With Asthma

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and is frequently noted as the reason for school absences. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the differences in demands and resources reported by African American (AA) and European American (EA) parents of school-age children with asthma. A convenience sample of 37 parents participated in the study. Data were collected from 19 AA and 18 EA parents. Family stress theory provided the framework for this study. All subjects completed a demographic questionnaire, the Care of My Child With Asthma Scale, and the Family Inventory of Resources for Management (FIRM). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The most time-consuming caregiving demand reported by EA parents was providing emotional support for the child. For AA parents, the most time-consuming caregiving demand was managing work or school outside the home and organizing asthma treatments at the same time. AA parents had limited resources in the area of extended family social support. The Mann–Whitney U test found no statistically significant differences between AA and EA parents in relation to demands and resources. Nursing implications are presented.
Dynamic gain changes during attentional modulation

Attention causes a multiplicative effect on firing rates of cortical neurons without affecting their selectivity (Motter, 1993; McAdams & Maunsell, 1999a) or the relationship between the spike count mean and variance (McAdams & Maunsell, 1999b). We analyzed attentional modulation of the firing rates of 144 neurons in the secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) of two monkeys trained to switch their attention between a tactile pattern recognition task and a visual task. We found that neurons in SII cortex also undergo a predominantly multiplicative modulation in firing rates without affecting the ratio of variance to mean firing rate (i.e., the Fano factor). Furthermore, both additive and multiplicative components of attentional modulation varied dynamically during the stimulus presentation.We then used a standard conductance-based integrate-and-fire model neuron to ascertain which mechanisms might account for a multiplicative increase in firing rate without affecting the Fano factor. Six mechanisms were identified as biophysically plausible ways that attention could modify the firing rate: spike threshold, firing rate adaptation, excitatory input synchrony, synchrony between all inputs, membrane leak resistance, and reset potential. Of these, only a change in spike threshold or in firing rate adaptation affected model firing rates in a manner compatible with the observed neural data. The results indicate that only a limited number of biophysical mechanisms can account for observed attentional modulation.
The Impact of Oakland Freedom School’s Summer Youth Program on the Psychosocial Development of African American Youth

The present investigation considers the program outcomes of one community youth project, Leadership Excellence Inc., Oakland Freedom Schools. Oakland Freedom Schools are culturally relevant 6-week ...
Career and Vocational Assessment 1993 -1994: A Biennial Review

This is the first biannual review of research for the Journal of Career Assessment. A selective review, this article covers the 2- year period, 1993-1994. Seven inclusion criteria were employed in ...
A regression analysis based state transition model for power system dynamic state estimation

In this paper, a new regression analysis based method is proposed to calculate the power system state transition matrix. This matrix is used to predict the system state which is subsequently corrected through extended Kalman filter in classical dynamic state estimation (DSE). State transition matrix is calculated by using regression analysis for a specified time interval and updated once new online measurement data are available. The preliminary tests on IEEE 14-bus system show improvement in the state forecasting accuracy when compared to existing state forecasting methods in dynamic state estimation.
Maternal Personality: Longitudinal Associations to Parenting Behavior and Maternal Emotional Expressions toward Toddlers

SYNOPSIS Objective . Longitudinal associations among maternal personality, emotional expressions, and parenting were examined. Design . Maternal parenting (sensitivity and intrusiveness) and positive emotional expressions were observed during a free-play session with toddlers at 18 (T1, n = 246) and 30 (T3, n = 216) months. Mothers completed a personality measure at T1 and a questionnaire measuring their emotional expressiveness (positive and negative) when toddlers were 24 months old (T2, n = 213). Results . Dimensions of maternal personality and maternal emotional expressiveness were related to individual differences in maternal parenting behaviors, in particular to maternal sensitivity. Conscientiousness and Agreeableness at T1 were positively associated with observed positive emotional expressions at T1. Agreeableness, Openness to Experience, and Extraversion at T1 also were positively related to positive emotional expressions reported by mothers at T2. Maternal positive emotional expressions (T1 and ...
Primary Events in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers with Multiple Mutations near the Photoactive Electron Carriers

We have investigated the primary charge separation reactions in two Rhodobacter capsulatus bacterial reaction center (RC) mutants that have multiple mutations near the L-side bacteriochlorophyll (B...
Simulating the effects of social networks on a population’s hurricane evacuation participation

Scientists have noted that recent shifts in the earth’s climate have resulted in more extreme weather events, like stronger hurricanes. Such powerful storms disrupt societal function and result in a tremendous number of casualties, as demonstrated by recent hurricane experience in the US Planning for and facilitating evacuations of populations forecast to be impacted by hurricanes is perhaps the most effective strategy for reducing risk. A potentially important yet relatively unexplored facet of people’s evacuation decision-making involves the interpersonal communication processes that affect whether at-risk residents decide to evacuate. While previous research has suggested that word-of-mouth effects are limited, data supporting these assertions were collected prior to the widespread adoption of digital social media technologies. This paper argues that the influence of social network effects on evacuation decisions should be revisited given the potential of new social media for impacting and augmenting information dispersion through real-time interpersonal communication. Using geographic data within an agent-based model of hurricane evacuation in Bay County, Florida, we examine how various types of social networks influence participation in evacuation. It is found that strategies for encouraging evacuation should consider the social networks influencing individuals during extreme events, as it can be used to increase the number of evacuating residents.
Population genetic study of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene

Genetic variants in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, predominantly the functional Val66Met polymorphism, have been associated with risk of bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders. However, not all studies support these findings, and overall the evidence for the association of BDNF with disease risk is weak. As differences in population genetic structure between patient samples could cause discrepant or spurious association results, we investigated this possibility by carrying out population genetic analyses of the BDNF genomic region. Substantial variation was detected in BDNF coding region single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) allele and haplotype frequencies between 58 global populations, with the derived Met allele of Val66Met ranging in frequency from 0 to 72% across populations. F(ST) analyses to assess diversity in the HapMap populations determined that the Val66Met F(ST) value was at the 99.8th percentile among all SNPs in the genome. As the BDNF population genetic differences may be due to local selection, we performed the long-range haplotype test for selection using 68 SNPs spanning the BDNF genomic region in 12 European-derived pedigrees. Evidence for positive selection was found for a high-frequency Val-carrying haplotype, with a relative extended haplotype homozygosity value above the 99 th percentile compared with HapMap data (P=4.6 x 10(-4)). In conclusion, we observed considerable BDNF allele and haplotype diversity among global populations and evidence for positive selection at the BDNF locus. These phenomena can have a profound impact on the detection of disease susceptibility genes and must be considered in gene association studies of BDNF.
Epistemetrics: conceptual domain and metrics of knowledge management

By and large, the emerging field of knowledge management has mainly contained a variety of attempts to define the field, to explain its core components and to discuss its relevance and utility to organisations. Much of this literature is replete with normative narratives, albeit with some narrative cases of implementation. There is a lack of a cohesive set of research questions and even more striking, there is a lack of an appropriate and generally accepted methodology and means of measuring the process and outcomes from knowledge management. This paper describes the sub-field of Epistemetrics: the metrics of knowledge. It fills the need in the literature of having a coherent system to measure knowledge. Epistemetrics is a domain composed of three inter related parts: what we measure in knowledge management; how we measure, and why we measure (what is the value generated from knowledge management). This paper focuses on the topic: how we measure.
Renal effects of drugs that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis

There is extensive, clinical use of antiinflammatory drugs that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in most, if not all, organs in the body. Much of the therapeutic efficacy of these agents depends on a reduction of prostaglandin synthesis at the site of inflammation. Not surprisingly, many of the side-effects of these drugs are secondary to decreased prostaglandin synthesis in brain, vasculature, stomach, lung, and kidney. In this review, we will focus attention on the effects of these antiinflammatory compounds on renal function, with particular emphasis on renin secretion, control of renal blood flow (RBF), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). To describe these renal consequences of prostaglandin inhibition, we will briefly review the biochemistry of prostaglandin synthesis and the major known physiologic actions of prostaglandins in the kidney.
OC8.05: The association between the Biparietal diameter and Nasal bone ratio (BPD/NB) and fetal aneuploidy in pregnancies between 15–22 weeks gestation

Objective: Our objective is to evaluate the efficiency of BPD/NB ratio as an independent marker for fetal aneuploidy. Methods: Prospective cohort study of women presenting for anatomic survey between 15 and 22 weeks of gestation. The fetal nasal bone (NB) and other markers of fetal aneuploidy including: nuchal fold, femur (FL) and humeral (HL) lengths, choroid plexus cysts, major fetal anomaly, echogenic bowel, pyelectasis and hypoplastic fifth digits, were evaluated. NB hypoplasia was defined as a BPD/NB ratio > 11. Short FL and HL were defined as measurements 11.0 is a marker for fetal aneuploidy. However, as an isolated marker, the efficiency of nasal bone hypoplasia as an isolated marker is modest.
Simultaneous feature and feature group selection through hard thresholding

Selecting an informative subset of features has important applications in many data mining tasks especially for high-dimensional data. Recently, simultaneous selection of features and feature groups (a.k.a bi-level selection) becomes increasingly popular since it not only reduces the number of features but also unveils the underlying grouping effect in the data, which is a valuable functionality in many applications such as bioinformatics and web data mining. One major challenge of bi-level selection (or even feature selection only) is that computing a globally optimal solution requires a prohibitive computational cost. To overcome such a challenge, current research mainly falls into two categories. The first one focuses on finding suitable continuous computational surrogates for the discrete functions and this leads to various convex and nonconvex optimization models. Although efficient, convex models usually deliver sub-optimal performance while nonconvex models on the other hand require significantly more computational effort. Another direction is to use greedy algorithms to solve the discrete optimization directly. However, existing algorithms are proposed to handle single-level selection only and it remains challenging to extend these methods to handle bi-level selection. In this paper, we fulfill this gap by introducing an efficient sparse group hard thresholding algorithm. Our main contributions are: (1) we propose a novel bi-level selection model and show that the key combinatorial problem admits a globally optimal solution using dynamic programming; (2) we provide an error bound between our solution and the globally optimal under the RIP (Restricted Isometry Property) theoretical framework. Our experiments on synthetic and real data demonstrate that the proposed algorithm produces encouraging performance while keeping comparable computational efficiency to convex relaxation models.
Analysis and improvement of rate constant determination of reactions involving charged reactants

Kinetics of tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(ii), Ru(bpy)(3)(2+), luminescence quenching by copper(ii) (in the form of chloride, nitrate, sulfate and perchlorate salt) was studied using pulse laser photolysis technique. The pseudo-first order rate constant versus quencher concentration plots obtained were found to be nonlinear, bending upward. The ionic strength effect contribution was evaluated by applying the Debye-Huckel extended law and was found to be as important as other effects such as cation-counter anion complex and ion-pairing complex formation which were all found to be dependent on the counter anion. It is shown that the slope of the tangent line to the pseudo-first order curve at zero quencher concentration is equal to the quenching rate constants at zero ionic strength. Also, this value corresponds to quenching solely by Cu(2+) and is free from contributions from other species that are present at higher concentrations. This method produced a value, (1.6 +/- 0.2) x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1), (lower than previously published ones) which is in agreement with the quenching rate constant measurement analysis presented. Comparison between Stern-Volmer plots obtained using steady-state fluorimetry data and laser photolysis data showed that in 50 mM CuCl(2) and CuSO(4) aqueous solutions about 5% of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) is in the form of ion-pairing complexes. Our method was also applied to quenching by another divalent cation, methyl viologen, where it was found that charge transfer complexation effect contribution was about 50% of that of ionic strength effect, while ion-pairing complexation was not significant in the concentration range used. The quenching rate constant at zero ionic strength was found to be (2.3 +/- 0.2) x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1). The method proposed is also applicable to pulse radiolysis and stopped flow measurements.
Bone Marrow–Derived Cardiomyocytes Are Present in Adult Human Heart A Study of Gender-Mismatched Bone Marrow Transplantation Patients

Background— Recent studies have identified cardiomyocytes of extracardiac origin in transplanted human hearts, but the exact origin of these myocyte progenitors is currently unknown. Methods and Results— Hearts of female subjects (n=4) who had undergone sex-mismatched bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were recovered at autopsy and analyzed for the presence of Y chromosome–positive cardiomyocytes. Four female gender-matched BMT subjects served as controls. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the Y chromosome was performed on paraffin-embedded sections to identify cells of bone marrow origin with concomitant immunofluorescent labeling for α-sarcomeric actin to identify cardiomyocytes. A total of 160 000 cardiomyocyte nuclei were analyzed approximating 20 000 nuclei per patient. The mean percentage of Y chromosome–positive cardiomyocytes in patients with sex-mismatched BMT was 0.23±0.06%. Not a single Y chromosome–positive cardiomyocyte was identified in any of the control patients. Immunofluorescent costaining for laminin and chromosomal ploidy analysis with FISH showed no evidence of either pseudonuclei or cell fusion in any of the chimeric cardiac myocytes identified. Conclusions— These data establish for the first time human bone marrow as a source of extracardiac progenitor cells capable of de novo cardiomyocyte formation.
The Effect of Unfamiliar Tasks and Teachers on Autistic Children's Negativism

Abstract Novel stimuli (tasks and teachers) were tested as elicitors of negativistic task performance and avoidance behaviors in autistic and cognitively and emotionally disturbed children. Unexpectedly, both groups performed better and were more interested in the unfamiliar tasks than in the familiar ones. However, the unfamiliar teacher elicited aloofness from the autistic children and playfulness from the children with cognitive processing disturbances. Evidence for a distinctive pattern of “autistic negativism” was also found.
Indefinite Wh in Mandarin Chinese

Wh-words in Mandarin Chinse can have a non-interrogative indefinite interpretation as well as an interrogative one. The occurrence of a non-interrogative Wh-element is subject to certain semantic and syntactic constraints: it needs a c-commanding non-interrogative Wh licensor, the set of the licensors being defined in terms of the effect on the truth value of a proposition. The relation between the non-interrogative Wh and its licensor is a binder-variable relation, like the one that exists between an interrogative Wh and a question operator. Appropriate interpretations of given Wh-elements are determined by the property of the binder: if a Wh-element is bound by a question operator, it is an interrogative; if bound by a non-question operator, it is a non-interrogative. The binder-variable relation is subject to a Minimality requirement and displays Blocking and Specificity effects.
Linear stability analysis of dynamical quadratic gravity

We perform a linear stability analysis of dynamical, quadratic gravity in the high-frequency, geometric optics approximation. This analysis is based on a study of gravitational and scalar modes propagating on spherically-symmetric and axially-symmetric, vacuum solutions of the theory. We find dispersion relations that do no lead to exponential growth of the propagating modes, suggesting the theory is linearly stable on these backgrounds. The modes are found to propagate at subluminal and superluminal speeds, depending on the propagating modes' direction relative to the background geometry, just as in dynamical Chern-Simons gravity.
Comprehensive Assessment of Children and Youth with ADHD

Outlines relevant issues—medical and educational/psychological—in assessment of children with ADHD
Superstable theories with few countable models

We prove here: Theorem. LetT be a countable complete superstable non ω-stable theory with fewer than continuum many countable models. Then there is a definable groupG with locally modular regular generics, such thatG is not connected-by-finite and any type inG eq orthogonal to the generics has Morley rank. Corollary. LetT be a countable complete superstable theory in which no infinite group is definable. ThenT has either at most countably many, or exactly continuum many countable models, up to isomorphism.
Estradiol Acutely Suppresses Inhibition in the Hippocampus through a Sex-Specific Endocannabinoid and mGluR-Dependent Mechanism

The steroid 17β-estradiol (E2) is well known to influence hippocampal functions such as memory, affective behaviors, and epilepsy. There is growing awareness that in addition to responding to ovarian E2, the hippocampus of both males and females synthesizes E2 as a neurosteroid that could acutely modulate synaptic function. Previous work on acute E2 actions in the hippocampus has focused on excitatory synapses. Here, we show that E2 rapidly suppresses inhibitory synaptic transmission in hippocampal CA1. E2 acts through the α form of the estrogen receptor to stimulate postsynaptic mGluR1-dependent mobilization of the endocannabinoid anandamide, which retrogradely suppresses GABA release from CB1 receptor-containing inhibitory presynaptic boutons. Remarkably, this effect of E2 is sex specific, occurring in females but not in males. Acute E2 modulation of endocannabinoid tone and consequent suppression of inhibition provide a mechanism by which neurosteroid E2 could modulate hippocampus-dependent behaviors in a sex-specific manner.
Site-specificity of histone HL methylation by two H1-specific protein-lysine N-methyltransferases from Euglena gracilis

Abstract 1. 1. The histone H1 fractions from rat spleen and liver were used as substrates for two H1-specific protein-lysine N-methyltransferases, V-A and V-B (protein methylase III) from Euglena gracilis. 2. 2. When the enzymatically [methyl-3H]labeled H1 fractions were resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, four subtypes were found to be methylated (Hlb, Hlc, Hld and Hle). Both enzymes methylated Hlc and Hlb to approximately the same extent; H1d and Hle were methylated preferentially by enzyme V-B and V-A, respectively. 3. 3. Histone Hlc, [methyl-3H]labeled by the methyltransferase V-A, which had been digested by arginine-specific protease (Arg C protease), showed a single radioactive peptide on HPLC, indicating methylation site specificity of the enzyme. 4. 4. Arg C protease-digestion of [methyl-3H]labeled Hlc labeled by methyltransferase V-B indicated that this enzyme methylated two sites on the histone molecule. 5. 5. The histone Hlc methylation sites of these two enzymes did not overlap, indicating the two enzymes have different site specificity. 6. 6. In combination with the other results, this suggests that the two enzymes serve discrete purposes, possibly involving the presumed different actions of histone H1 subtypes.
Devoted to development Moral progress, ethical work, and divine favor in south India

The article presents rural citizens in postcolonial India as subjects of development: individuals who must submit themselves to an order of power identifying their own nature as a problem, and dema...
A collective risk comparative study

Abstract Infinite time ruin probabilities are computed by the convolution method, the incomplete gamma function method, and an inverse Gaussian method for a real-life example involving data from 24,000 life insurance policies. Some analysis of the methods, and computational suggestions are included.
The isotopic characterization of carbon monoxide in the troposphere

Abstract The distributions of stable isotopes in trace atmospheric species are controlled mainly by the isotopic compositions of precursor molecules and isotope fractionation effects during production and removal of the species. Distributions of radioactive isotopes are controlled mainly by the isotopic compositions of precursor molecules and radioactive decay processes. As a result, through their isotopic compositions, atmospheric species are traceable to sources and sinks. Thus, isotopic compositions provide useful information for estimating source strengths and for understanding the importance of removal processes in the cycling of the species. The use of radioactive 14C and the stable isotopes (13C and 18O) are reviewed here for understanding production and removal processes of CO in the troposphere. Carbon monoxide is a critical component in atmospheric chemistry because of its large effect on levels of OH, the principal oxidant in the atmosphere. In the troposphere, this is due to relatively high concentrations of CO and a short lifetime (2–4 months). Initially, 14CO measurements were instrumental in estimating accurately the tropospheric lifetime. Since seasonal 14CO variation is controlled largely by OH, 14CO serves as an important surrogate measure of tropospheric OH. Global 14CO measurements have also been used to estimate the biogenic component of the global CO budget, specifically contributions from biomass burning, oxidized non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) emissions, oceans and plants. Research using 14CO measurements is also active in quantifying fossil and non-fossil urban emissions. Kinetic isotopic fractionation during production of 13CO and C18O from reduced precursors allows one to distinguish, at least qualitatively, different varieties of CO based on seasonal tropospheric isotopic measurements. Difficulties in interpreting the stable isotopic record arise from large fractionation effects that obscure source isotopic signatures (in particular the oxygen kinetic isotope effect for the CO+OH reaction), and large seasonal/latitudinal variability in source fluxes. While dual-isotopic CO source signatures do not allow a direct mathematical determination of contributions from several sources, plots of δ18O vs δ13C may help estimate relative proportions of dominant sources. In addition to understanding CO sources, the pressure dependence of the carbon kinetic isotope effect (KIE) has helped elucidate pathways for the CO+OH reaction. Since formaldehyde (HCHO) is an important intermediate in hydrocarbon oxidation to CO and CO2, the stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in atmospheric HCHO may help distinguish different hydrocarbon sources to regional CO budgets and elucidate the importance of different oxidative reaction pathways.
The Normal Cup-Disk Ratio

We determined the cup-disk ratios of 580 individuals, ranging in age from 4 to 91 years, with a Hruby lens; we also determined the cup-disk ratios of 289 of the 580 with a direct ophthalmoscope. All had applanation pressures of 18 mm Hg or less. There was no linear relationship (covariation) between cup-disk ratio and refractive error or intraocular pressure, but there was a tendency toward increasing cup-disk ratio with increasing age. The mean cup-disk ratio in the group examined with the Hruby lens was 0.38 and that in the group examined with the direct ophthalmoscope was 0.25. With either method almost all eyes had cup-disk ratios of 0.7 or less. In 9% of the eyes the cup was ovoid. In only 10% of these cases was the vertical cup-disk ratio greater than the horizontal cup-disk ratio, and in only one case was this difference 0.2 or more. The Hruby lens method consistently gave a slightly larger cup-disk ratio than the direct ophthalmoscope did. However, there was seldom a disparity of more than 0.2. The Hruby lens or biomicroscopic lens should be used to determine the fullest extent of the contour of the cup. Any cup-disk ratio of 0.7 or more, any vertical cup-disk ratio larger than the horizontal cup-disk ratio, and any disparity between the direct ophthalmoscope estimation and Hruby lens estimation of more than 0.2 should be viewed with suspicion.
The discipline encounter: Contemporary issues

Abstract The central message of this essay is that neither extreme position in the reincarnated discipline controversy offers parents an efficacious model of child rearing today, any more than it did 30 years ago when the authoritative model was developed as a viable alternative to both the conservative (authoritarian) model and the liberal (permissive) model. Each extreme contains its germ of truth — the liberal permissive model, that autonomy and self-will are to be cultivated, not punished; the conservative authoritarian model, that discipline, sometimes confrontational or punitive, is required to socialize the child's self-indulgent willfulness. But each polarized model demonizes the other, and both fail to distinguish between mitigated and unmitigated agency, equating self-assertive individuality with unbridled aggression and egoism. The development of optimal competence in children requires the cultivation of the ability to disobey and accept unpleasant consequences, as well as to comply with legitimate authoritative directives. Because socialization represents the accommodative force in society, the disciplinary encounter, indeed socialization itself, has limited (although necessary) objectives.
Predicting the ciprofloxacin-theophylline interaction from single plasma theophylline measurements.

The effect of ciprofloxacin treatment on theophylline clearance was evaluated with a theophylline multiple dose, multiple sample protocol and with a single dose, single sample protocol. The object was to determine whether a single dose, single sample protocol for estimating theophylline clearance could be used as a screening strategy for evaluating host factor influences on theophylline clearance. Ciprofloxacin (750 mg per os) was administered every 12 h for nine doses in the multidose study and every 12 h for seven doses in the single dose protocol. Subjects were sixteen healthy, non-smoking young adult males. The oral clearance of theophylline at steady state, (CL/F)ss, decreased from a mean (+/- s.d.) value of 0.035 (+/- 0.008) 1 h-1 kg-1 to 0.024 (+/- 0.004) 1 h-1 kg-1 during ciprofloxacin treatment. Single sample estimates of theophylline clearance, CL/F, similarly decreased from 0.040 (+/- 0.014) 1 h-1 kg-1 to 0.018 (+/- 0.008) 1 h-1 kg-1. Mean theophylline clearances were significantly different when comparing control with ciprofloxacin treatment means (P less than 0.01), but were not different when comparing single sample vs multiple sample clearances for a given treatment (i.e. control or ciprofloxacin). It is concluded that a single dose, single sample strategy may be used in screening for host-factor influences on theophylline clearance.
TiO2 nanotube (T_NT) surface treatment revisited: Implications of ZnO, TiCl4, and H2O2 treatment on the photoelectrochemical properties of T_NT and T_NT–CdSe

The surface treatment of an anodized TiO2 nanotube (T_NT) is very desirable for enhancing its photoelectrochemical properties and often is a prerequisite to deposition of any overlying layer for photoactivity efficiency improvement. This study provides a comparative analysis of the effects of such surface treatments and the mechanistic insights behind the observed improvements in the performance of the treated T_NTs. T_NT surface treatment using three approaches, viz., TiCl4, Zn(NH3)42+, and H2O2 is examined. TiCl4 and Zn(NH3)42+ treatment results in the formation of discontinuous islands of the respective oxides with 5–10 nm and 15–20 nm diameter particles. TiCl4 treatment demonstrates an increase of 7.4% in photovoltage and is the most effective of the three approaches. Zn(NH3)42+ treatment also results in an ∼2% increase in photovoltage. However, a surface treatment of T_NT using H2O2 results only in a favourable shift in flatband potential (80 mV). The T_NTs are rendered ineffective as H2O2 treatment causes the destabilization of the T_NT at the base. Finally, the activity of an overlying chalcogenide layer is improved with the TiCl4 and Zn(NH3)42+ treatment (and not with H2O2) as evident from the photoelectrochemical responses: (JT_NT–TiO2–CdSe > JT_NT–ZnO–CdSe > JT_NT–CdSe > JT_NT–H2O2–CdSe).
Fission yeast chk1 protein kinase links the rad checkpoint pathway to cdc2

The dependence of cell-cycle progression on the integrity of the genome has been described as checkpoint control. A number of mutants of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, selected for their sensitivity to DNA damage caused by radiation (rad mutants) or to the DNA synthesis inhibitor hydroxyurea (hus mutants) have been classified as checkpoint mutants because they fail to arrest the cell cycle in response to DNA damage or incompletely replicated DNA. Coupling of the checkpoint pathways that monitor DNA repair and replication to control of the cell cycle is essential. In a search for components that interact with the cell-cycle regulatory kinase p34cdc2, we have identified a novel fission yeast protein kinase homologue which is involved in cell-cycle arrest when DNA damage has occurred or when unligated DNA is present. We have called the gene encoding this protein chk1 for checkpoint kinase. Multiple copies of chk1 partially rescue the ultraviolet sensitivity of rad1-1, a mutant deficient in checkpoint control. Identification of a gene involved in checkpoint control as a rescue of a cdc2 mutant links the rad1-dependent DNA-damage-sensing pathway and p34cdc2 activity.
Synthesis of 3D cauliflower-fungus-like graphene from CO2 as a highly efficient counter electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells

Three dimensional cauliflower-fungus-like graphene (3D CFG), which possesses high conductivity and excellent catalytic activity, was directly synthesized from CO2. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with 3D CFG as a counter electrode exhibited a high energy conversion efficiency of 8.1%, which is 10 times higher than that (0.7%) of a DSSC with a counter electrode based on the regular graphene synthesized via chemical exfoliation of graphite. The efficiency is even better than that (7.5%) of the DSSCs with an expensive Pt counter electrode. This would provide a novel approach not only to synthesize free-standing 3D graphene for solar cells, but also to control CO2 emission.
Cancer incidence among California seventh-day adventists, 1976-1982

Cancer incidence was monitored in a population of 34,000 Seventh-day Adventists in California. By religious belief, Adventists do not consume tobacco, alcohol, or pork and approximately one-half adhere to a lacto-ovovegetarian lifestyle. Only a small percentage are pure vegetarians. Comparisons of cancer-incidence rates in this population with an external reference population were completed by calculating standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs) for all cancer sites. Also, within the population, relative risks were calculated by using data obtained from a detailed lifestyle questionnaire that members of the study population completed. For all cancer sites combined in males, the SMR was lower in the Adventists (SMR = 0.73). The SMR was also lower in males for most individual cancer sites. However, prostate cancer risk was higher. For females, the all-cancer SMR was lower but not significantly so (SMR = 92). Most site-specific SMRs were lower, although not as much as the male SMRs. The SMR for endometrial cancer was significantly higher in female Adventists.
Abiotic nitrate incorporation in soil: is it real?

In acid forest soils nitrate (NO 3 − ) from anthropogenic nitrogen deposition is retained at levels beyond what can be explained by known biological mechanisms. A number of researchers have hypothesized that abiotic NO 3 − incorporation into soil organic matter might be responsible for this phenomenon, however studies have been limited to a few temperate forest sites. The goal of this study was to determine if abiotic NO 3 − incorporation is important across a wide range of soil types. We collected 44 soils from a number of different ecosystem types in North and South America and measured the extent of abiotic NO 3 − incorporation. Significant abiotic nitrate incorporation did not occur in any of the soils examined. We show that the apparent abiotic incorporation observed in previous studies is likely the result of iron interference with NO 3 − measurements. Our results suggest that abiotic NO 3 − incorporation is not a likely explanation for the high rates of NO 3 − retention observed in some ecosystems.
Star-to-Star Abundance Variations among Bright Giants in the Mildly Metal-poor Globular Cluster M4

We present a chemical composition analysis of 36 giants in the nearby mildly metal-poor ( = -1.18) CN-bimodal globular cluster M4. The stars were observed at the Lick and McDonald Observatories using high-resolution echelle spectrographs and at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory using the multiobject spectrometer. Confronted with a cluster having interstellar extinction that is large and variable across the cluster face, we combined traditional spectroscopic abundance methods with modifications to the line depth ratio technique pioneered by Gray to determine the atmospheric parameters of our stars. We derive a total-to-selective extinction ratio of 3.4 ± 0.4 and an average E(B-V) reddening of 0.33 ± 0.01, which is significantly lower than that estimated by using the dust maps made by Schlegel and coworkers. We determine abundance ratios typical of halo field and cluster stars for scandium, titanium, vanadium, nickel, and europium with star-to-star variations in these elements of less than ±0.1. Silicon, aluminum, barium, and lanthanum are overabundant with respect to what is seen in other globular clusters of similar metallicity. These overabundances confirm the results of an earlier study by Brown & Wallerstein based on a much smaller sample of M4 giants. Superposed on the primordial abundance distribution is evidence for the existence of proton capture synthesis of carbon, oxygen, neon, and magnesium. We recover some of the C, N, O, Na, Mg, and Al abundance swings and correlations found in other more metal-poor globular clusters, but the range of variation is muted. In the case of Mg and Al, this is compatible with the idea that the Al enhancements are derived from the destruction of 25,26Mg, not 24Mg. We determine that the C + N + O abundance sum is constant to within the observational errors and agrees with the C + N + O total that might be expected for M4 stars at birth. The asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in M4 have C, N, and O abundances that show less evidence for proton capture nucleosynthesis than is found in the less evolved stars of the red giant branch (RGB). Deeply mixed stars of the RGB, subsequent to the helium core flash, might take up residence on the blue end of the horizontal branch and thus fail to evolve back to the AGB, but reasons for skepticism concerning this scenario are noted.
Components of soil suppressiveness against Heterodera schachtii

Heterodera schachtii populations were introduced into nematode-suppressive and conducive field plots and were monitored for 2550 degree-days (DD). At 1200 DD, H. schachtii population densities significantly increased in conducive versus suppressive plots, up to 14-fold at termination of the trial. In greenhouse experiments with the same soil, H. schachtii female population densities were similar in suppressive and conducive soil in the first nematode generation, but remained low in the suppressive soil compared to significant increase in conducive soil in the second generation. At termination of the experiment, ca. one third of the cysts, but no females from suppressive soil were infested with fungi, whereas fungal-infested females and cysts were rarely found in conducive soil. The most common fungi isolated from infested cysts were Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium sp. nov., and Dactylella oviparasitica. Paecilomyces lilacinus and some nonidentified fungi occurred less frequently. Suppressiveness was transferred at a rate of one cyst from suppressive soil amended to 110 g of H. schachtii-infested conducive soil. Heat treatment of suppressive soil for 30 min at 558C eliminated H. schachtii suppressiveness and reduced F. oxysporum populations to the detection level. q 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Women's Organisations and the Politics of Gender in Cuba's Urban Insurrection (1952–1958)

This article sheds new light on Cuba's urban insurrection to oust Fulgencio Batista by focusing on two all-women's anti-Batista groups. It charts the origins and developments of the groups, explores their conceptions about the importance of women's political action and examines the impact that participating in the insurrection had on group members. The article complicates long-standing assumptions about women's low levels of participation in the insurrection and the absence of demands for gender equity among those who did participate by noting that some older women militants had histories with the feminist movement of the 1930s, and that many younger women were forced by the circumstances of the insurrection to confront and challenge contemporary gender norms.