cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A scalable system for executing and scoring K-means clustering techniques and its impact on applications in agriculture

We present Centaurus - a scalable, open source, clustering service for K-means clustering of correlated, multidimensional data. Centaurus provides users with automatic deployment via public or private cloud resources, model selection (using Bayesian information criterion), and data visualisation. We apply Centaurus to a real-world, agricultural analytics application and compare its results to the industry standard clustering approach. The application uses soil electrical conductivity (EC) measurements, GPS coordinates, and elevation data from a field to produce a 'map' of differing soil zones (so that management can be specialised for each). We use Centaurus and these datasets to empirically evaluate the impact of considering multiple K-means variants and large numbers of experiments. We show that Centaurus yields more consistent and useful clusterings than the competitive approach for use in zone-based soil decision-support applications where a 'hard' decision is required.
Generation and Measurement of Shear Waves In Situ

Field procedures used to measure in situ shear wave velocity by crosshole and downhole seismic methods are presented along with typical travel time records. Identification of the initial shear wave arrival is enhanced by use of a reversible torsional source in the crosshole method and a reversible embedded source in the downhole method. Correct triggering of recording equipment is critical in these measurements. Characteristics of three triggering systems-a velocity transducer, a resistance-capacitance (RC) circuit, and an electrical step trigger-are presented. Incorrect triggering can cause errors greater than 50 percent in field measurement of shear wave velocity. Other variables such as borehole casing, borehole disturbance, and source and sensor configuration also affect velocity measurement. The effects of many of the variables can be minimized by basing wave velocity computations on interval travel times of the initial arrival. It is recommended that any ASTM standards for crosshole and downhole seismic methods include field check procedures for correct timing and triggering of recording equipment and field measurement of borehole verticality.
A Method for Identifying Kolmogorov’s Inertial Subrange in the Velocity Variance Spectrum

AbstractKolmogorov’s inertial subrange is one of the most recognized concepts in fluid turbulence. However, the practical application of this theory to turbulent flows requires identifying subrange...
Graft Versus Host Disease-Associated Dry Eye: Role of Ocular Surface Mucins and the Effect of Rebamipide, a Mucin Secretagogue.

Purpose The present study was designed to investigate the role of ocular surface glycocalyx and mucins in graft versus host disease (GVHD)-associated dry eye. The ameliorative effect of topical rebamipide, a mucin secretagogue, on GVHD-associated dry eye was also tested. Methods A mouse model of allogeneic transplantation was used to induce ocular GVHD with C57BL/6 as donors and B6D2F1 as recipient mice. Phenol red thread method and fluorescein staining was used to quantify tear secretion and corneal keratopathy. At 8 weeks after the allogeneic transplantation, corneas were harvested to perform glycocalyx staining and confocal microscopy. Goblet cell staining was performed using periodic acid Schiff's staining. Corneal and tear film levels of Mucin 1, 4, 16, 19, and 5AC were quantified using ELISA and real-time PCR. Rebamipide was applied topically twice daily to mice eyes. Results Allogeneic transplantation resulted in ocular GVHD-associated dry eye characterized by a significant decrease in tear film volume and the onset of corneal keratopathy. Ocular GVHD caused a significant decrease in the area and thickness of corneal glycocalyx. A significant decrease in the goblet cells was also noted. A significant decrease in mucin 4 and 5AC levels was also observed. Topical treatment with rebamipide partially attenuated ocular GVHD-mediated decrease in tear film volume and significantly reduced the severity of corneal keratopathy. Conclusions Ocular GVHD has detrimental impact on ocular surface glycocalyx and mucins. Rebamipide, a mucin secretagogue, partially prevents ocular GVHD-associated decrease in tear film and reduces the severity of corneal keratopathy.
Estimating fecundity and density dependence from mark-recapture data for making population projections

Abstract Forecasting changes in size and distributions of populations is at the forefront of ecological sciences in the 21st century. Such forecasts require robust estimators of fecundity, survival and density-dependence. While survival estimation is the main focus of mark-recapture modelling, fecundity and density dependence are rarely the subject of these models. Here, we demonstrate that these parameters can be simultaneously estimated in a Bayesian framework using only robust design mark-recapture data. Using simulated capture histories, we show that this framework (which we named CJS-pop) can estimate vital rates and their density dependence with little bias. When CJS-pop is applied to capture history data from Brown Creeper (Certhia americana), it provides estimates of fecundity that is expected from the breeding biology of this species. Finally, we illustrate that density dependence, even when estimated with uncertainty in the CJS-pop framework, regularizes population dynamics and reduces the frequent population extinctions and explosions observed under density-independent models. While CJS-pop as a whole is a useful addition to the current mark-recapture modelling toolbox, we argue that the independent components of this framework in estimating fecundity and density dependence can be integrated to other CJS frameworks, potentially creating models capable of population projections.
Strategic Transformation Path Studies on Grain Food Processing Industry in China

This paper studies the strategic transformation path model of China's grain food processing industry under new economic situation.On the basis of analyzing present status of China's grain food processing industry,combined with the major business of food processing industry,this paper puts forward the strategic transformation path model of core competency,and proposed the transfer and evolution models for different business,so as to provide theoretical and practical support for the development of China's grain food processing industry.
A Comparison of the GPROF Algorithm Results in the 2A-CLIM and 2A Data Products

The GPROF algorithm is used to retrieve precipitation values from all the GPM mission partner radiometers (i.e. GMI, MHS, ATMS, SSMIS, AMSR2). GPM produces two precipitation retrieval products (processing at level 2) using the GPROF algorithm. One has the type designation 2A and the other the designation 2A-CLIM. As a result understanding the difference between the two products is important for using and understanding them. Both of these GPROF products use exactly the same algorithm and a-priori databases. The only difference between the two types is the ancillary products used in the initial processing step. In the case of the 2A-CLIM products, ECMWF ERA-I is used as ancillary data. In the case of the 2A products, JMA's GANAL product is used as ancillary data. This presentation will provide a comparison between the two products using zonal mean comparisons. It will provide comparisons separately for land and ocean retrievals. It will compare the GMI differences over the entire current GPM mission life. As the only difference between the two products is the ancillary information used to create them, the comparison provides an elementary sensitivity study of the variables used from the reanalysis products and their impact on the GPROF retrieval. The purpose of the presentation is to provide users with an insight into the two GPROF products and provide them key information useful when using either of the products in scientific studies. Lastly, the presentation also discusses the reasons why only the 2A-CLIM product can be produced for the 17+ years of TRMM era data products.
Lightguide, Integral Field Snapshot Imaging Spectrometer for Environmental Imaging and Earth Observations

We present a fiber-based snapshot imaging spectrometer capable of imaging in VIS and NIR spectral windows. The system's principle is based on the application of a custom imaging fiber bundle to re-organize the input vs. output of the fiber structure. While, the input consists of densely populated fibers, the output provides void spaces between the fibers to accommodate spectral information and non-scanning datacube acquisition. Recently, we presented a proof of concept paper demonstrating the general system's capabilities [1]. The prototype, however, experienced significant light loss while still providing good imaging performance. This paper focuses on the throughput analysis and improvement of the light collection efficiency. We were able to define configurations that improve throughput by over 10+ fold and enable integration times below 1 ms. Here, we briefly describe the system's principle, discuss re-imaging configurations, and present examples of imaging results.
Creation of small kinetic models for CFD applications: a meta-heuristic approach

This paper updates a method for generating small, accurate kinetic models for applications in computational fluid dynamics programs. This particular method first uses a time-integrated flux-based algorithm to generate the smallest possible skeletal model based on the detailed kinetic model. Then, it uses a multi-stage optimization process in which multiple runs of a genetic algorithm are used to optimize the rate constant parameters of the retained reactions. This optimization technique provides the user with the flexibility needed to balance the fidelity of the model with their time constraints. The updated method was applied to the reduction of a methane-air model under conditions meant to approximate the end of a compression stroke of an internal combustion engine. When compared to previous techniques, the results showed that this method could produce a more accurate model in considerably less time. The best model obtained in this study resulted in relative errors ranging from 0.22 to 1.14% on all six optimization targets. This reduced model was also able to adequately predict optimization targets for certain operating conditions, which were not included in the optimization process.
Raloxifene reduces sex- and age-related intervertebral disc degeneration in mice by estrogen signaling

Estrogen agonist raloxifene is an FDA-approved treatment for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women that may also be a promising prophylactic for painful intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. Here, we hypothesized that raloxifene would augment IVD structure and reduce neurokinin-1 (substance P) in young and old mice by stimulating estrogen signaling. 2.5 month (male and female) and 22.5 month (female) C57Bl/6J mice were subcutaneously injected with raloxifene hydrochloride (5x/week, 6week, n=7-9/grp). Next, to determine the impact of estrogen-deficiency to IVD structure and substance P, female mice were ovariectomized (OVX) at 4mo and tissues from OVX and sham-operated mice were harvested at 6mo (n=5-6/grp). First, compared to male IVD, female IVD expressed less col2 and osterix transcription, early markers of IVD degeneration. Irrespective of sex, raloxifene increased the transcriptional expression for extracellular matrix anabolism, proliferation, notochordal cells (vs chondrocyte-like cells) and estrogen signaling in young IVD. Next, we determined that biological sex and aging each induced structural features of lumbar IVD degeneration. Therapeutically, injection of raloxifene countered these features by increasing IVD height in young mice, preventing mild sex-related IVD degeneration in young female mice and partially reversing age-related IVD degeneration in old female mice. Further, estrogen agonist raloxifene upregulated er- protein and downregulated substance P protein in young and old IVD. By contrast, estrogen-deficiency by OVX increased IVD degeneration and substance P protein in IVD cells. Similarly, substance P protein in vertebral osteocytes was upregulated in females relative to males and by estrogen-deficiency and downregulated by raloxifene. Overall, raloxifene augmented IVD structure and reduced substance P expression in young and old female murine IVD, whereas estrogen-deficiency increased substance P in the spine. These data suggest that raloxifene may potentially relieve painful IVD degeneration in postmenopausal women induced by biological sex, estrogen-deficiency and advanced age. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=71 SRC="FIGDIR/small/449482v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (28K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@87c74borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@2d2bf8org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a1e365org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@15803e7_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Graphical Abstract Injection of raloxifene promotes IVD health by engaging estrogen and Wnt signaling to promote cell proliferation and IVD structure. Differential estrogen signaling by raloxifene and ovariectomy regulated nerve signaling protein substance P in the spine. Raloxifene may also bind water to collagen to promote hydration. Acan: aggrecan, AF: annulus fibrosus, NC: notochordal cell, NP: nucleus pulposus C_FIG
Fluorescence intensity correlation imaging with high spatial resolution and elemental contrast using intense x-ray pulses.

We theoretically investigate the fluorescence intensity correlation (FIC) of Ar clusters and Mo-doped iron oxide nanoparticles subjected to intense, femtosecond, and sub-femtosecond x-ray free-electron laser pulses for high-resolution and elemental contrast imaging. We present the FIC of Kα and Kαh emission in Ar clusters and discuss the impact of sample damage on retrieving high-resolution structural information and compare the obtained structural information with those from the coherent diffractive imaging (CDI) approach. We found that, while sub-femtosecond pulses will substantially benefit the CDI approach, few-femtosecond pulses may be sufficient for achieving high-resolution information with the FIC. Furthermore, we show that the fluorescence intensity correlation computed from the fluorescence of the Mo atoms in Mo-doped iron oxide nanoparticles can be used to image dopant distributions in the nonresonant regime.
Hearing Preservation in a Vestibular Schwannoma Patient via a Retrosigmoid Approach.

Vestibular schwannoma(s) (VS) are benign tumors of the cerebellopontine angle comprising the Schwann cells that line the vestibular branch of cranial nerve VIII. Treatment goals focus on the preservation and improvement of facial nerve and hearing function as well as tumor control. The retrosigmoid (RS) approach is associated with lower hearing preservation rates compared to the middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach. A 60-year-old male was diagnosed with right-sided cystic VS and subsequently underwent surgical resection via a RS approach. Although his preoperative hearing function was quite low, with a right-sided speech reception threshold of 35 dB and a right-sided word recognition score of 48%, he experienced a drastic improvement in his hearing postoperatively with stable residual tumor. Although the RS approach for VS resection is not considered to be as effective at preserving hearing function compared to the MCF approach, we present a case where it resulted in significantly improved hearing function. Additionally, in cases where preoperative hearing function is severely diminished, hearing preservation is not typically an outcome that is considered. However, this case suggests that improvement of hearing in these patients may be attainable, particularly with the RS approach.
Crash Risk: Eye Movement as Indices for Dual Task Driving Workload

The goal of the present study was to examine eye movements as a function of dual task difficulty while driving. Two tasks were examined: maintaining a predetermined distance while car following and detecting a light change.Task demands were manipulated by varying the amplitude of lead vehicle’s (LV) speed change and increasing the average LV speed. As task demands increased, the number of saccades decreased. There was no significant difference in number of fixations, fixation duration, number of eye blinks, or pupil size. While car following performance did not change, drivers were more accurate at the light detection task at the 100% amplitude condition verses the 120%.
The esophageal biopsy "pull" sign: a highly specific and treatment-responsive endoscopic finding in eosinophilic esophagitis (with video).

Background and Aims Esophageal biopsy specimens from patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) can feel firm, with resistance felt when pulling the forceps to obtain the tissue sample. We aimed to assess the diagnostic utility of the esophageal biopsy "pull" sign and determine its histologic associations and response to treatment. Methods This was a prospective cohort study of adults undergoing outpatient upper endoscopy. Cases of EoE were diagnosed per consensus guidelines, and patients were subsequently treated with either topical steroids or dietary elimination. Control subjects were individuals who did not have EoE. The frequency of the esophageal biopsy "pull" sign was assessed in EoE patients and controls, and diagnostic metrics were calculated. The "pull" sign was also reassessed in patients after therapy. Results A total of 83 EoE patients and 121 control subjects were included. Sixty-three EoE patients (76%) were "pull" sign positive compared with just 2 control subjects (2%; P P Conclusions The "pull" sign is highly specific for EoE and is rarely seen in non-EoE control subjects. In patients with EoE who respond to treatment, the "pull" sign often resolves. The "pull" sign may be a simple and easily obtained measure of esophageal remodeling.
Prejudice and Discrimination

Although often employed interchangeably and certainly related by laypersons and the media, the terms prejudice and discrimination possess distinct meanings for most social scientists. Prejudice denotes the possession of negative attitudes of a particular kind regarding members of a specific group or category. As commonly used in psychology, prejudice is not merely a statement of opinion or belief, but an attitude that includes feelings such as contempt, dislike, or loathing. Discrimination is a term applied to the negative actions that result from prejudicial attitudes and that are directed against the targets or victims of prejudice. Someone who is prejudiced may, in certain situations, practice discrimination. Prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination often go hand-in-hand, but it is also possible to have one without the others. Keywords: attitudes; bias; discrimination; prejudice; racism
Abstract #4402: Specific contributions of Irs-1 and Irs-2 in regulating mammary tumor metastasis

The Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS) proteins are docking molecules that function as essential signaling intermediates downstream of receptors that have been associated with cancer progression, including the Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 receptor (IGF-IR) and the \#945;6\#946;4-integrin receptor. We have previously demonstrated that IRS-1 and IRS-2 play distinct roles in mammary tumor progression. Specifically, Irs-2-/- tumors are less metastatic, and Irs-1-/- tumors are more metastatic, than tumors from wild-type mice. The results from our in vivo studies support that IRS-1 negatively impacts mammary tumor metastasis whereas IRS-2 positively regulates metastasis, and underscore the importance of identifying the specific contributions of each protein to tumor metastasis. Irs-1-/- tumors exhibit increased Irs-2 expression and activation, but a corresponding increase in Irs-1 expression is not observed in Irs-2-/- tumors. The upregulation of Irs-2 in Irs-1-/- tumors correlates with an increase in S6 Kinase (S6K) activation. Suppression of Irs-1 expression by RNAi also led to an upregulation of Irs-2 activity as well as an increase in S6K activation. When Irs-2 expression was knocked down to wild-type levels in Irs-1-/- cells, S6K activation was also restored to the level observed in wild-type cells, indicating that Irs-2 compensates for the loss of Irs-1 and mediates the activation of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In light of these results, we hypothesized that IRS-1 inactivation is required for mammary tumor metastasis and that the inactivation of IRS-1 induces an upregulation of IRS-2-dependent signaling pathways that promote metastasis. To this end, we have examined the invasive potential of Irs-1-/- cells in which Irs-2 expression has been stably knocked down via shRNA (Irs-1-/-,Irs-2sh). Our results indicate that loss of Irs-2 in Irs-1-/- cells restores the level of invasion to that of wild-type cells, again indicating that Irs-2 promotes invasion and metastasis in the absence of Irs-1. Likewise, we used shRNA to stably knock down Irs-1 in Irs-2-/- cells (Irs-2-/-,Irs-1sh). Suppression of Irs-1 in Irs-2-/- cells resulted in only a modest increase in invasion, which contrasts with the marked increase in invasion we observed when Irs-2 is expressed. We have also examined both mammary tumor growth rate and metastasis to the lungs after orthotopic injection of cells into the mammary fat pad. Although Irs-2-/-,Irs-1sh cells exhibited a diminished tumor growth rate, the frequency of tumor metastasis was approximately 3-fold higher than that observed for Irs-2-/-,GFPsh cells. Together our data provide evidence that both Irs-1 and Irs-2 play active roles in regulating tumor progression with Irs-1 suppressing and Irs-2 promoting metastasis. (Supported by the American Cancer Society, New England Division-Virginia Cochary Award for Excellence in Breast Cancer Research) Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 4402.
Merging Integration Solutions for Architecture and Security Mismatch

Integrating COTS products into a composite application can reduce development effort and associated costs. A major drawback comes from interoperability problems that hinder the seamless integration of components. Two types of problems are prominent: architecture mismatch and security mismatch. Because of their distinct properties, each problem is currently analyzed separately. The results are integration solutions that are constructed in isolation. Combining these solutions can yield another set of problems if their functionality is conflicting, duplicated, or overly complex. It is imperative to address these issues in component based software development. In this paper, we depict the architectural differences among components, their security access control policies, and the integration solutions that result from independent analysis. This is the first step toward including architectural interoperability issues and security conflicts in the design of an encompassing solution for an integrated application. We show a composition of the two solutions, highlighting redundancy and complexity.
Improving testing for English language learners

More than any book to date, this one provides a comprehensive approach to designing, building, implementing and interpreting test results that validly measure the academic achievement of English language learners. It scaffolds the entire process of test development and implementation and discusses essential intervention points. The book provides the type of evidence-based guidance called for in federal mandates such as the NCLB legislation. Key features of this important new book include the following… Comprehensive – This book recommends methods for properly including ELLs throughout the entire test development process, addressing all essential steps from planning, item writing and reviews to analyses and reporting. Breadth and Depth of Coverage– Coverage includes discussion of the key issues, explanations and detailed instructions at each intervention point. Research Focus – All chapters include an extensive review of current research. Emerging Trends – The chapters summarize guidance appropriate for innovative computer-based assessments of the future as well as the paper-and-pencil tests of today. This book is appropriate for anyone concerned with the development and implementation of fair and accurate testing programs for English language learners. This includes university based researchers, testing personel at the federal, state and local levels, teachers interested in better assessing their diverse student populations and those involved in the testing industry. It is also appropriate for instructors teaching undergraduate and graduate courses devoted to testing the full range of students in todays schools.
Age-associated cardiovascular changes in health: impact on cardiovascular disease in older persons.

In the United States, cardiovascular disease, e.g., atherosclerosis and hypertension, that lead to heart failure and stroke, is the leading cause of mortality, accounting for over 40 percent of deaths in those aged 65 years and above. Over 80 percent of all cardio-vascular deaths occur in the same age group. Thus, age, per se, is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Clinical manifestations and prognosis of these cardiovascular diseases likely become altered in older persons with advanced age because interactions occur between age-associated cardiovascular changes in health and specific pathophysiologic mechanisms that underlie a disease. A fundamental understanding of age-associated changes in cardiovascular structure and function ranging in scope from humans to molecules is required for effective and efficient prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in older persons. A sustained effort over the past two decades has been applied to characterize the multiple effects of aging in health on cardiovascular structure and function in a single study population, the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging. In these studies, community dwelling, volunteer participants are rigorously screened to detect both clinical and occult cardiovascular disease and characterized with respect to lifestyle, e.g. exercise habits, in an attempt to deconvolute interactions among lifestyle, cardiovascular disease and the aging process in health. This review highlights some specific changes in resting cardiovascular structure and function and cardiovascular reserve capacity that occur with advancing age in healthy humans. Observations from relevant experiments in animal models have been integrated with those in humans to provide possible mechanistic insight.
Biologically Derived Nano and Micro Porous Material

Porous materials account for billions of dollars in annual sales and are used in a wide variety of applications including filtration and purification media (air, water, molten metal, polymer); catalyst structural support; sensors (gas, chemical, particulate); thermal insulation; low density structural members; and waterproof breathable fabrics just to name a few. Many methods have been developed in the past to produce porous materials. In this paper, we discuss a novel procedure for making nano and micro porous ceramic materials using biological agents (which could include fungi, bacteria and viruses) in conjunction with nano-sized ceramic particles. The porosity in these systems has been produced by one of two distinct methods -biologically derived gas production and biological templating. These porous structures have been formed in various ceramic compositions using a variety of micro and nano-sized ceramic particles including silicon carbide, silicon dioxide and silicon nitride. The results presented include characterization of the porous samples by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
Trading on Pork and Beans: agribusiness and the construction of the Brazil-China-soy-pork commodity complex

As “food crises” appear to increase in both frequency and severity around the world, renewed attention is focused on the political economy of the global food system. Specifically, the emerging production and consumption powerhouses of Latin America and China are drawing attention to the reconfiguration of trade flows and the role of powerful multinational agribusinesses in that process. This chapter examines the emergence of the Brazil-China-soy-pork commodity complex as a lens on global agro-food restructuring. As China has shifted pork production to an intensified, industrial model, its demand for imported soy to feed hogs has skyrocketed. Brazil has largely stepped in to meet that demand, which has led to the integration of the Chinese pork sector and the Brazilian soy sector in a highly interdependent commodity complex. The emergence of this commodity complex signals a shift away from the traditional production and consumption centers of soy (the US and EU/Japan, respectively) towards new South-South trade flows. What has remained the same—at least to this point—is the control exercised over that commodity complex by the four primary transnational soybean brokers and processers: Archer Daniels Midland, Bunge, Cargill, and Louis-Dreyfus. The level of control wielded by these four companies is not without challenges from farmers, governments, and NGOs in both China and Brazil. However, because of the structure of the industry and the extent of their reach down the supply chain, these firms maintain significant influence over the governance of this global commodity complex. This chapter addresses the structuring of the global soy market through the interaction of policy and the private sector in Brazil and China, and concludes with a discussion of the consequences of this new commodity system for food, farmers, and the environment.
Vernon, Connecticut's Juvenile Curfew: The Circumstances of Youths Cited and Effects on Crime

Despite widespread adoption of juvenile curfews, little research evaluates their effectiveness in reducing crime and promoting juvenile safety. This study examines Vernon, Connecticut's nighttime curfew of youths younger than 18. Connecticut and FBI Uniform Crime Reports are used to compare Vernon's Part I crime trends to those of similarly sized Connecticut cities (including those without curfews), Connecticut as a whole, and 600 similarly populated cities nationwide. The results show that after the curfew took effect in 1994, Vernon experienced a smaller decline in Part I crime than did comparable cities or the state. Furthermore, examination of 410 individual curfew stop citations issued by Vernon police for 1995-1998 showed only seven of the cited youths were involved in criminal or suspicious activities; none were intoxicated or endangered. The curfew's main effect was to occupy police time removing law-abiding youth from public, creating emptier, less policed streets, and possibly enhanced opportuni...
Conflicto y hegemonía en el suroccidente de la Nueva Granada, 1780-1800

This article studies the conflicts in which the slaves of the province of Barbacoas and the natives of the Andean town of Tuquerres were involved, with emphasis in the tactics used by both groups that were object of the Borbon reformist policies. It seeks a better understanding of an important, yet poorly explored dimension of the Hispanic Monarchy’s policy. By examining, though criminal sentences, crisis situations that involved slaves and natives as agents of violence during the last two decades of the eighteenth century, the article analyzes actions and form of argumentation used by actors to defend their rights. The political strategies of the commoners, through arguments that rest on the centrality of the monarchy in the construction of their legal identity, permit us to reexamine the hegemonic nature of the monarchic discourse and its particularity in the reformist context of the 18th century.
Piezo-Optical Birefringence Modulators: New Use for a Long-Known Effect

A general description is given of a long-neglected use for the piezo-optic or photoelastic effect (stress-induced birefringence). An acoustic vibration, such as a fundamental extensional mode in a bar or long thin plate, is set up in a block of isotropic transparent material, such as glass or fused silica; the vibration is sustained by a transducer. The resulting modulated birefringence can be used in a variety of ways, notably to produce a beam of alternately left- and right-circularly polarized light for circular-dichroism measurements. Strains of the order 10−5 are required, considerably below the breakage point for most materials. Because advantage is taken of the high Q of the vibrational modes, typically 103 to 104, very small transducer power is needed, usually less than 1 W. The literally enormous useful angular aperture, of the order 50° total cone angle, makes the device far superior to Pockels or Kerr cells for many applications. Reference is made to current practical realizations and to present and future uses of the device.
The Mini Report: a Practical Tool to Address Lung Cancer Disparities in Rural Communities

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an effective way to address cancer disparities in medically underserved populations. Our research demonstrates how CBPR principles were used to develop lung cancer and risk factor mini reports for a network of community coalitions in the Illinois Delta Region, a predominately rural region with high lung cancer disparities in southern Illinois. An academic-community partnership, including a community-based medical school, state public health department, and a healthcare system, used CBPR principles to translate epidemiological, behavioral, and demographic data into understandable, comprehensive, yet concise mini reports for each coalition. A cyclical and iterative process was used to draft, revise, and optimize these mini reports to raise awareness about lung cancer disparities in the community and to provide information to help guide the development of interventions that address these disparities. The use of CBPR principles was a successful way to create mini reports about local lung cancer disparities and risk factors that were usable in individual communities. Local coalitions used the mini reports to educate community members at local meetings, to guide strategic planning, and to disseminate information through their respective websites. Additionally, the process of creating these reports built trust among academic-community partners and provided additional avenues of engagement, such as the involvement of an academic partner in the strategic planning process of a local coalition. Using CBPR processes is an effective way to translate epidemiological data into a community-friendly format to address cancer disparities.
The feasibility of dental strontium analysis for diet-assessment of human populations

It has been suggested that bone and dental strontium contents of extinct terrestrial vertebrates vary in direct proportion to the strontium levels present in the animals' diets. It has been hypothesized that these trace quantities decrease as one moves upward along the food chain--herbivores having more strontium than primary carnivores, primary carnivores more than secondary carnivores, and so on. The present study was designed to determine the feasibility of dental strontium analysis for diet-assessment of human fossil populations. Human vegetarian and nonvegetarian teeth were analyzed for strontium. It was hoped that by comparing the strontium levels of these two groups, one might determine conclusively whether the nature of diet plays an important role in the determination of dental strontium levels within a species. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to analyze seven vegetarian and seven nonvegetarian teeth. Strontium levels varied considerably within both groups of teeth and no significant difference in strontium levels existed between the vegetarian and nonvegetarian teeth. These results suggest that dental strontium analysis may not be a useful indicator of the dietary habits of human fossil populations.
Volumetric Cortical Bone Porosity Assessment with MR Imaging: Validation and Clinical Feasibility.

Our work identified a porosity index biomarker that strongly correlated with actual volumetric cortical bone porosity.
Context and Prior Impression Effects on Attention, Judgment Standards, and Ratings: Contrast Effects Revisited

The present study extended research on contrast effects by (a) examining the effect of context performances on ratings of a target performance when a prior impression of the target performer already exists, and (b) clarifying the issue of whether contrast is caused by attention to context-discrepant behavior or shifts in judgment standards. The results demonstrated that the existence of a prior impression mitigates the influence of context performances on ratings. Judgment standards were found to be unstable and dependent on information provided to raters by the experimental manipulations. Regression analyses showed that both attention and standards of judgment mediate the relationship between context and ratings. Implications of these findings for contrast effects, performance ratings, and the importance of reliable judgment standards for real-world performance appraisals are discussed.
GATT, Dispute Settlement and Cooperation: A Reply

This paper analyzes GATI' and its dispute settlement procedure (DSP) in the context of a supergame model of international trade featuring both explicit and implicit agreements. An explicit agreement, such as OAT!', may be violated at some positive cost in addition to retaliatory actions that might be induced by the violation. We interpret this cost as arising from 'international obligation," a phenomenon frequently mentioned in the legal literature on GAY!'. We focus on how international obligation affects two aspects of GAIT-DSP: unilateral retaliation and the effect of inordinate delays in the operation of DSP. Marie Thursby Dan Kovenock Department of Economics Department of Economics Krannert Graduate School of Management Krannert Graduate School Purdue University of Management West Lafayette, IN 47907 Purdue University and NBER West Lafayette, IN 47907
Did Retail Enterprise Among White Immigrants Benefit from the Residential Segregation of Blacks? A Study of Large Northern Cities in the Early 20th Century*

Objective. This study tests the proposition, suggested by the middleman minority theory of entrepreneurship, that retail enterprise among white immigrants in the urban North was aided by the emergence of segregated black communities during the Great Migration of 1915–1930. Methods. Census data on major Northern cities in 1910, 1920, and 1930 are analyzed in several multivariate regressions. Results. The merchant participation rate of foreign-born white men was unrelated to the index of black spatial isolation but was positively associated with the relative size of the black population, implying that the existence of large black consumer markets did promote the entry of the immigrants into the retail trade. Conclusions. White immigrants in the early 20th century North had a retailing niche based partly on serving blacks. Yet, there was no evidence that the immigrants benefited from a ‘‘captive market’’ that arose because of residential segregation by race. Middleman minority theory (Blalock, 1967:79–84; Bonacich, 1973) is one of the most venerable accounts of immigrant entrepreneurship. It suggests that those foreign-born minority groups that occupy an intermediate position in the ethnic stratification system of their host society can establish a niche in the urban economy by becoming merchants who trade with a ‘‘pariah’’ minority group that the dominant majority group wishes to avoid. Korean immigrant shopkeepers are frequently cited as a
Concentration, distribution and characteristics of depleted uranium (DU) in the Kosovo ecosystem: A comparison with the uranium behavior in the environment uncontaminated by DU

The smear samples of the penetrator were analyzed for the determination of the uranium composition. The obtained relative composition (m/m) of uranium isotopes in all the smear samples is in the range of 99.76-99.78% for 238U, 0.000659-0.000696% for 234U, 0.213-0.234% for 235U, and 0.00274-0.00328% for 236U, showing characteristics of depleted uranium (DU). The uranium concentrations in Kosovo soil and water samples as well as biological samples were investigated. It was found that the uranium concentrations in the Kosovo soil samples are in the range of 11.3-2.26·105 Bq·kg-1 for 238U, 10.3-3.01·104 Bq·kg-1 for 234U, 0.60-3251 Bq·kg-1 for 235U, and £0.019-1309 Bq·kg-1 for 236U. The obtained activity ratios are in the range of 0.112-1.086 for 234U/238U, 0.0123-0.1144 for 235U/238U, and 0-0.0078 for 236U/238U, indicating the presence of DU in about 77% of the surface soil samples. At a specific site, the DU inventory in the surface soil is about 140 mg·cm-2, which is 1.68·106 times higher as the estimated mean DU dispersion rate in the region. The uranium concentrations in Kosovo lichen, mushroom, bark, etc., are in the range of 1.97-4.06·104 Bq·kg-1 for 238U, 0.48-5158 Bq·kg-1 for 234U, 0.032-617 Bq·kg-1 for 235U, and £0.019-235 Bq·kg-1 for 236U with mean activity ratios of 0.325±0.0223 for 234U/238U, of 0.0238±0.0122 for 235U/238U, and 0.0034±0.0028 for +U/238U, indicating the presence of DU in the entire sample. On the contrary, the uranium concentrations in Kosovo water samples are low, compared with the water samples collected in central Italy, indicating the presence of negligible amount of DU. The uranium isotopes in Kosovo waters do not constitute a risk of health at the present time.
Agricultural Productivity in Africa: Discussion

can (SSA) agriculture. Each adds to our understanding of processes of change in SSA agricultural production, cost, and productivity, although major gaps in that understanding remain. While each paper relies on different data and methods, taken together they stand in some contrast to most studies of SSA agriculture over the last decade in that they each offer more positive readings of change in SSA agriculture than have most previous studies. I will discuss each study briefly, beginning with the micro-data study (Savadogo, Reardon, and Pietola for Burkina Faso), then the macrodata study of Zimbabwe (Jayne, et al.), and finally Black's multi-country data study (hereafter referred to as the Burkina, Zimbabwe, and SSA studies). The Burkina Faso paper is a first effort at analyzing a rich data set collected with considerably more care than is the norm for SSA agricultural studies. The data set in question includes crop-specific inputs (land, labor, fertilizer and manure, and, presumably, animal labor) and enables estimation of crop-specific production functions. The authors specify a quadratic production function (1) and input demand functions (2). It is not clear what is gained by the use of the complex quadratic production function, since factor demand functions consistent with it are not estimated. (The quadratic production function is not a self-dual function, although the normalized quadratic profit function is widely used as in the Zimbabwe paper.) Savadogo, Reardon, and Pietola could have treated their production functions as having an animal traction input and, in a pooled sample, attempted to deal with the problem of "corner solutions," in that roughly half the farmers do not actually use animal traction. The Mills ratio from (3) would have been appropriate. Instead they chose to split the sample, creating a selectivity bias. This problem is recognized and the Mills ratio procedure is probably also appropriate for it. However, in the animal traction sample, the animal traction input is a "left-out" variable and this creates a bias in the estimates.
Sensitivity of binding of high-affinity dopamine receptor radioligands to increased synaptic dopamine.

PET and SPECT studies have documented that D2 radioligands of moderate affinity, but not radioligands of high affinity, are sensitive to pharmacological challenges that alter synaptic dopamine levels. The objective of this work was to determine whether the brain kinetics of high-affinity radioligands for dopamine D1 ([(3)H]SCH 23390) and D2 ([(123)I]epidepride) receptors were altered by a prolonged elevation of synaptic dopamine induced by the potent cocaine analog RTI-55. Mice were injected intravenously with radioligands either 30 min after or 4 h before intraperitoneal administration of RTI-55 (2 mg/kg). In separate experiments, the pharmacological effects of RTI-55 were assessed biochemically by measuring uptake of dopamine in synaptosomes prepared from RTI-treated mice and behaviorally by monitoring locomotor activity. Consistent with the expected elevation of synaptic dopamine, RTI-55 induced a long-lasting decrement in dopamine uptake measured ex vivo, and a prolonged increase in locomotor activity. RTI-55 injected prior to the radioligands induced a significant (P < 0.05) increase in striatal concentration of [(123)I]epidepride at 15 min, relative to saline-treated controls, but there were no differences between the two groups at later time-points. For [(3)H]SCH 23390, both initial striatal uptake and subsequent clearance were slightly increased by preadministration of RTI-55. Administration of RTI-55 4 h after the radioligands (i.e., when it was presumed that a state of near equilibrium binding of the radioligands had been reached), was associated with a significant reduction of striatal radioactivity for both radiotracers. Our results are consistent with increased competition between dopamine and radioligand for binding to both D1 and D2 receptors after treatment with RTI-55. We suggest that the magnitude of the competition is reduced by failure of the receptor binding of high-affinity radioligands to rapidly attain equilibrium.
An improved Lorentzian technique for evaluating resonance characteristics of the Earth-ionosphere cavity

Abstract The effectiveness of various formulations of the Lorentzian procedure for estimating Schumann resonance (SR) characteristics of the Earth-ionosphere waveguide from transient electromagnetic signals is tested in the limits of a simplified, spherically uniform model of the resonator. It is shown that the major improvement, in comparison with the “classic” Lorentzian formulation, is achieved by consideration of the intra-modal phase interference. The effect of the “limited frequency dispersion” inherent in the “classic” Lorentzian approach – that is of substantial importance at the lowest SR modes – can be effectively neutralized by interpolating the values for the propagation parameter between the adjacent modal frequencies. Several practical aspects of applying the Lorentzian procedure to transient signals are also discussed.
Knowledge presentation according to the linkage intensity

The objective of this paper is to study methods of knowledge representation, such as frame approaches, production systems, semantic network, and symbolic logic, can be found in literatures. In this paper, we study the notions of similar relation of sets and linkage sets that can be used in not only the characterization of the relation, but also the knowledge representation system and pattern recognition.