cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do Court Decisions Drive the Federal Trade Commission Enforcement Policy on Merger Settlements

Most mergers filed at the enforcement agencies are conglomerate in nature with only minor horizontal overlaps. An enforcement agency may challenge the merger, if any overlap is believed to be adversely affected by the transaction. While the merging firm is entitled to a hearing in federal court, the delay would impose additional costs, thereby giving the enforcement agency the ability to hold up the bulk of the transaction, pending resolution. Hence, the agency's actions are not fully checked by the threat of litigation. This paper explores whether the FTC's decisions to challenge conglomerate transactions that could feasibly settle differ from the controlling case law. We find that the representative enforcement regimes are remarkably similar, though the FTC is more accepting of efficiencies arguments, while the court considers buyer sophistication as a mitigating factor. In aggregate, the differences generally cancel out leaving comparable levels of enforcement. In depth analysis identifies some minor enforcement differences, almost none of which are statistically significant.
Methodology of comparative studies of national character : West Coast Survey

This paper describes the methodology employed to survey Japanese Americans in the Seattle, Washington and San Jose, California areas. Japanese name dictionaries were used to generate a sampling frame of Japanese Americans who were registered voters in the counties that contained the two cities. Random samples were drawn and 344 survey respondents were interviewed. Items from the “Japanese National Survey” and from studies of Japanese American interpersonal style and community persistence were administered.
A comparison of biomechanical stability and pullout strength of two C1-C2 fixation constructs.

Abstract Background context Several fusion techniques are used to treat atlantoaxial instability. Recent literature suggests that intralaminar screw (LS) fixation and pedicle screw (PS) fixation offer similar stability and comparable pullout strength. No studies have compared these characteristics after cyclic loading. Purpose To compare the stability and pullout strength of intra-LSs and PSs in a C1–C2 instability model after 1,000 cycles of axial loading. Study design In vitro biomechanical study. Outcome measures Stability in axial rotation and screw pullout strength after cyclic loading. Methods Six fresh-frozen human cadaveric cervical spines (C1–C2) were used in this study. C1–C2 instability was mimicked via odontoidotomy at its base and posterior soft-tissue release, including the supraspinous ligaments and facet joint capsules. Specimens were tested to 1,000 cycles after stabilization with two fixation constructs: C1 lateral mass (LM) screws and C2 intra-LSs (C1LM–C2LS) and C1 LM screws and C2 PSs (C1LM–C2PS). Angular motion was recorded for right and left axial rotation using an Optotrak 3020 system (Northern Digital, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada). Tensile loading to failure was then performed collinear to the longitudinal axis of the screw, and the data were recorded as peak pullout strength in newtons. Results There was no statistically significant difference in stability (measured in degrees of rotation) between the intra-LS and PS constructs at 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 cycles of axial rotation. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in stability at 250 cycles versus 1,000 cycles for the LS (1.30 vs. 1.49, p=.80) or PS (0.84 vs. 0.85, p=.96). Pedicle screws had higher pullout strength when compared with the intra-LSs (757.5±239 vs. 583.4±472 N); however, high standard deviation precluded statistical significance (p=.44). Conclusions Our data suggest that a C1LM and C2LS construct has similar biomechanical stability when compared with a C1LM and C2PS construct after 1,000 cycles of axial rotation. Furthermore, PSs had higher pullout strength when compared with LSs; however, this result was not statistically significant.
Risperidone in Elderly Schizophrenic Patients: An Open-Label Trial

The authors assessed the safety and efficacy of risperidone in a group of elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia and behavioral disturbances (N = 10). There were no clinically significant changes on physical examination. Also, schizophrenic symptoms and cognitive performance improved during risperidone administration. Patients showed a sufficient improvement in both areas to warrant a larger, double-blind study assessing the effects of risperidone on cognitive and psychiatric symptoms in elderly psychotic patients.
The paratrigeminal nucleus. II. Identification and inter-relations of catecholamine axons, indoleamine axons, and Substance P immunoreactive cells in the neuropil

The localization of three different putative neurotransmitters— indoleamine, catecholamine, and Substance P — was studied in the paratrigeminal nucleus of the rat and rhesus monkey at the light and electron microscope level by autoradiography following administration of [3H] 5-hydroxytryptamine, or [3H] norepinephrine, and by immunocytochemistry using the unlabelled anti-Substance P antiserum peroxidase—antiperoxidase technique. The paratrigeminai neurons are not monoaminergic but certain cells exhibit Substance P-like immunoreactivity. These cells receive a rich plexus of indoleamine afferents, a sparse catecholamine input, and a rich plexus of fibres with Substance P-like immunoreactivity. Of the entire monoaminergic population of labelled axons, more than 60% are synaptic and less then 40% nonsynaptic, and this proportion is the same for indoleamines as for catecholamines. Indoleamine axons form a heterogeneous population with at least four different morphological types that are synaptic and three that are nonsynaptic. They bear distinctive collections of small, clear, tubular or large granular vesicles, which distinguish one category of axon from another. These axons engage in numerous axo—somatic, axo—spinous, axo—dendritic, and possibly axo—axonic relations with paratrigeminal neurons. The catecholamine axons are also heterogeneous in axoplasmic morphology but their terminal contacts are distributed to more peripheral portions of dendrites. The significance of the inter-relations between the monaminergic and peptidergic elements in the paratrigeminal nucleus is dicussed in relation to the possible functions of this nucleus as a nociceptive, chemosensitive, or pressure-sensitive centre on the lateral medullary surface.
The solvent effect in infra-red intensities

Abstract The problem of the effect of the solvent upon the intensity of infra-red absorption is discussed. Equations relating the intensities measured in solutions to one another and to the vapor intensity are derived and compared with experimental results. An equation based on a model which takes into account the shape of the solute molecule as well as the dielectric constant of the surrounding medium is capable of accounting, at least qualitatively, for the variety of observed solvent effects.
Photoacoustic Z-scan for the measurement of third-order nonlinear absorption coefficient

The third order optical nonlinearities cover a vast and diverse area in nonlinear optics. The third order nonlinear susceptibility χ (3) is a complex quantity and its real and imaginary components represent nonlinear refraction and nonlinear absorption, respectively. Measurement of these parameters is important for many practical applications. Z-scan is a simple optical technique for determining these characteristics with high accuracy. Here we present a novel photoacoustic Z-scan (PAZ-scan) technique that combines the advantages offered by the conventional Z-scan method and the sensitivity of the photoacoustic detection. In PAZ-scan, instead of measuring the transmitted optical signal as in the case of traditional Z-scan, we record the generated photoacoustic (PA) signal using a 10 MHz focused ultrasound transducer while the sample is translated along the focused laser beam. Since the photoacoustic signal strength is directly proportional to the optical absorption, PAZ-scan displays nonlinear behavior depicting the nonlinear optical absorption of the material. For reverse saturable absorber (RSA) materials, absorption and hence the PA signal increases with the increase of input intensity. Similarly for saturable absorber (SA) materials, absorption and the associated PA signal decreases with increase in input intensity. We studied the nonlinear absorption properties of SA and RSA materials. Our calculations of nonlinear absorption coefficient are in good agreement with conventional the Z-scan data.We believe that PAZ-scan will be a valuable tool for material characterization and has potential for applications in the fields of chemistry, physics, material science, biomedical, and manufacturing.
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying a Unique Intermediate Phase of Memory in Aplysia

Short- and long-term synaptic facilitation induced by serotonin at Aplysia sensory-motor (SN-MN) synapses has been widely used as a cellular model of short- and long-term memory for sensitization. In recent years, a distinct intermediate phase of synaptic facilitation (ITF) has been described at SN-MN synapses. Here, we identify a novel intermediate phase of behavioral memory (ITM) for sensitization in Aplysia and demonstrate that it shares the temporal and mechanistic features of ITF in the intact CNS: (1) it declines completely prior to the onset of LTM, (2) its induction requires protein but not RNA synthesis, and (3) its expression requires the persistent activation of protein kinase A. Thus, in Aplysia, the same temporal and molecular characteristics that distinguish ITF from other phases of synaptic plasticity distinguish ITM from other phases of behavioral memory.
On Modeling Correlated Random Variables in Risk Assessment

Monte Carlo methods in risk assessment are finding increasingly widespread application. With the recognition that inputs may be correlated, the incorporation of such correlations into the simulation has become important. Most implementations rely upon the method of Iman and Conover for generating correlated random variables. In this work, alternative methods using copulas are presented for deriving correlated random variables. It is further shown that the particular algorithm or assumption used may have a substantial effect on the output results, due to differences in higher order bivariate moments.
Planning Merchandising Decisions to Account for Regional and Product Assortment Differences

The last decade has fundamentally changed the face of retailing. The genesis has been increased customer fragmentation, enabling technologies such as the internet and increased competition. In this era of “hypercompetition,” retailers need to have a better understanding of the performance of individual stores so they can more accurately plan their merchandise assortments and set more realistic merchandising goals. In this paper, we determine the performance of retail outlets relative to the “best practice” set of outlets and demonstrate the importance of accommodating both regional and assortment differences. We empirically assess the performance of stores from a major Fortune 500 multinational retailing chain. Multiple inputs and outputs from 59 stores in three regions were used to determine sales goals for two different product categories. The results of three alternative models suggest that incorporating both assortment and regional differences significantly affects both performance and predicted sales volume estimates. Implications and avenues for future research are discussed.
Sparse Signal Reconstruction via ECME Hard Thresholding

We propose a probabilistic model for sparse signal reconstruction and develop several novel algorithms for computing the maximum likelihood (ML) parameter estimates under this model. The measurements follow an underdetermined linear model where the regression-coefficient vector is the sum of an unknown deterministic sparse signal component and a zero-mean white Gaussian component with an unknown variance. Our reconstruction schemes are based on an expectation-conditional maximization either (ECME) iteration that aims at maximizing the likelihood function with respect to the unknown parameters for a given signal sparsity level. Compared with the existing iterative hard thresholding (IHT) method, the ECME algorithm contains an additional multiplicative term and guarantees monotonic convergence for a wide range of sensing (regression) matrices. We propose a double overrelaxation (DORE) thresholding scheme for accelerating the ECME iteration. We prove that, under certain mild conditions, the ECME and DORE iterations converge to local maxima of the likelihood function. The ECME and DORE iterations can be implemented exactly in small-scale applications and for the important class of large-scale sensing operators with orthonormal rows used e.g., partial fast Fourier transform (FFT). If the signal sparsity level is unknown, we introduce an unconstrained sparsity selection (USS) criterion and a tuning-free automatic double overrelaxation (ADORE) thresholding method that employs USS to estimate the sparsity level. We compare the proposed and existing sparse signal reconstruction methods via one-dimensional simulation and two-dimensional image reconstruction experiments using simulated and real X-ray CT data.
Analysis on Spatial Intensity Modulation for Fiber-optic Sensor Applications

Abstract An inexpensive and sensitive technique for fiber-optic sensor applications is presented. It is based on analyzing the modal power distribution in multimode optical fibers, where light propagates in a set modal pattern defined by the boundary conditions of the waveguide. In the presence of external perturbations, the induced intermodal coupling will result in modal power redistribution. A theoretical approach to predicting external perturbations based on modal power analysis is discussed. A model for correlating changes in the modal power distribution with variations in the boundary conditions induced by external perturbations is developed for multimode fibers. This is a typical case of an intrinsic sensor where a multimode optical fiber is used as the sensing element. The intermodal coupling terms that are required to predict the modal pattern variation are derived under the weakly guiding assumption. Numerical results obtained by this approach are shown to be in agreement with experimental investigations.
Psychogenic Stress in Hospitalized Dogs: Cross Species Comparisons, Implications for Health Care, and the Challenges of Evaluation

Evidence to support the existence of health consequences of psychogenic stress has been documented across a range of domestic species. A general understanding of methods of recognition and means of mitigation of psychogenic stress in hospitalized animals is arguably an important feature of the continuing efforts of clinicians to improve the well-being and health of dogs and other veterinary patients. The intent of this review is to describe, in a variety of species: the physiology of the stress syndrome, with particular attention to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; causes and characteristics of psychogenic stress; mechanisms and sequelae of stress-induced immune dysfunction; and other adverse effects of stress on health outcomes. Following that, we describe general aspects of the measurement of stress and the role of physiological measures and behavioral signals that may predict stress in hospitalized animals, specifically focusing on dogs.
A New Method of Integration Recording

THE method now commonly used for recording continuously and in real time the integral of an instrument output signal requires the counting of pips in the final record. It is therefore essentially digital in nature. We have devised in our laboratory an analogue method (patents applied for) that eliminates counting and produces a new form of record, an ‘integram’, that appears to be particularly interesting and useful for gas chromatography.
Description of a new cicada in the genus Dilobopyga (Hemiptera: Cicadidae).

ABSTRACT A new cicada species, Dilobopyga aprina Lee, sp. nov. from Sulawesi is described. This new species is distinguishable from its congeners by the presence of 2 pairs of transverse black spots on the abdominal tergite 3 and the absence of such spots on other tergites and by the unique shape of the upper lobes of pygofer and the long and pointed claspers in the male genitalia.
Diagnostic characterization of gypsum scale formation and control in RO membrane desalination of brackish water

The utility of a laboratory diagnostic approach was investigated for a systematic evaluation of the impact of operating conditions, membrane type, and antiscalant effectiveness on membrane mineral salt scale formation. The study focused on low-pressure reverse osmosis (RO) membrane desalting of brackish water with high potential for scaling by calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum). Gypsum scale formation, in the surface crystallization regime, was studied in a plate-and-frame RO system via flux decline measurements and membrane surface imaging. Membrane scale coverage increased with increasing level of surface gypsum supersaturation. However, membrane scaling propensity, as quantified by both the surface scale coverage and flux decline, indicated that there were measurable differences among the four commercial membranes studied, particularly in response to antiscalant treatment. Axial development of scale coverage indicated higher scale coverage as the membrane channel exit was approached, consistent with increased level of gypsum supersaturation along the membrane. As a result, antiscalant effectiveness, at a given dosage, was also location dependent. The present study illustrates a practical approach of combining flux decline and surface scale coverage measurements as a means of quantifying the impact of scale formation and its dependence on operating conditions and membrane type. Clearly, further studies are needed to elucidate the impact of membrane surface roughness and charge as well as module geometry on surface mineral salt scale formation and its mitigation.
Laryngeal muscle activity and vocal fold adduction during chest, chestmix, headmix, and head registers in females.

Summary Hypothesis Commercial singers produce chestmix register by maintaining or increasing adduction of the vocal processes (VPs) and by engaging the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle to a greater degree than they would to produce head register. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Methods Simultaneous recordings of TA and cricothyroid (CT) muscle activity, videonasendoscopy, and audio were obtained from seven female singers during production of a variety of midrange pitches in chest, chestmix, headmix, and head registers. Fast Fourier transforms were performed to measure the energy in the fundamental frequency and in mid and upper frequency harmonics to determine if the productions that were judged as perceptually distinct registers also showed distinctive acoustic characteristics. Then, measures of TA and CT muscle activity and vocal fold adduction ratings were obtained to determine how these varied as a function of pitch and register. Results Spectral tilt increased as subjects shifted from chest to chestmix to headmix and finally into head register. For same pitch phonation, subjects increased TA muscle activity and vocal fold adduction as they shifted register from head to headmix to chestmix to chest, particularly during production of higher frequencies. CT activity appeared to be more related to pitch rather than register control. Conclusion Nonclassically trained singers were able to produce pitches at the high end of the midrange in chestmix register by increasing TA muscle activity and adduction of the VPs.
Sports and performing arts medicine: 2. Lower extremity injuries.

Objective This self-directed learning module highlights upper limb sports and performing arts injuries. It is part of the study guide on sports and performing arts medicine in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Using a case vignette format, this article specifically focuses on shoulder, elbow and finger pain in athletes and wrist pain in musicians. The goal of this article is to enhance the learner's understanding on how to approach common upper limb pain conditions and injuries in these populations.
Presynaptic cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels modulate neurotransmission in the mammalian olfactory bulb.

Abstract Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) on the dendritic cilia of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) are critical for sensory transduction in the olfactory system. Do CNGCs also play a role in the axons and/or nerve terminals of ORNs? We find that the cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP can both facilitate and depress synaptic transmission between olfactory nerve fibers and their targets in olfactory bulb glomeruli. Cyclic nucleotides increase intracellular Ca 2+ in ORN terminals and enhance spontaneous transmitter release; at higher concentrations, cyclic nucleotides depress evoked transmission by altering olfactory nerve excitability. Cyclic nucleotides have no effect on transmission or nerve excitability, however, in mice lacking olfactory CNGCs. Taken together, our results identify a novel role for presynaptic CNGCs in modulating neurotransmission.
Botulinum Neurotoxins inhibit Regulated Exocytosis in many cell types other than Neurons

The botulinum neurotoxins are seven structurally similar, zinc-dependent proteases produced by the organism Clostridium botulinum. these neurotoxins block the release of acetylcholine in vivo, inhibiting exocytosis by cleaving proteins involved in a SNARE-dependent1 mechanism of regulated exocytosis. the work which defined the mechanism of action of the botulinum neurotoxins also helped define the roles of SNARE proteins in exocytosis. Now the botulinum neurotoxins are being used to study the requirement of SNARE proteins for exocytosis and vesicular trafficking in a wide range of non-neuronal cell types.
Molecular identification and expression of erythroid K:Cl cotransporter in human and mouse erythroleukemic cells.

Abstract ABSTRACT: A major pathway for K + efflux in human reticulocytes and young RBCs is K:Cl cotransport (K:Cl-CT). The activity of K:Cl-CT is increased in pathologic RBCs containing hemoglobins S and C and may contribute to the abnormal dehydration state of these cells. Human K:Cl-CT (gene product KCC1) has been recently sequenced from human (hKCC1), rabbit and rat tissue by Gillen et al. (J Biol Chem 271:16237, 1996). We report here the sequence of KCC1 from human and mouse erythroleukemic cells (K562 and MEL cells, respectively). The cDNA for human erythroid-KCC1 is 100% identical to hKCC1 and the cDNA for mouse erythroid-KCC1 shares 89% identity with hKCC1, which translates to 96% identity at the amino acid level. Mammalian KCC1 is strongly conserved with >95% identity between human, rabbit, rat, and mouse KCC1 proteins. We did not detect any full-length mRNA transcripts of human erythroid-KCC1 in circulating reticulocytes. We detected two mRNA isoforms of human erythroid-KCC1 that resulted in C-terminal truncated proteins (73 amino acid and 17 amino acids, respectively). Human and mouse erythroidKCC1 differed at several consensus sites including a predicted PKC phosphorylation site at 108 threonine and a predicted CK2 phosphorylation site at 51 serine, within the predicted cytoplasmic N-terminal, that are present in human but not mouse erythroid-KCC1. Expression of MEL-KCC1 mRNA increases substantially upon DMSO-induced differentiation opening the possibility that erythroid-KCC1 plays a role in early erythroid maturation events. The molecular identification of erythroid-KCC1 is an important step towards understanding the physiologic role mediated by this protein in young and pathologic RBCs and during erythropoiesis, as well as providing a new tool for the elucidation of pathways and signals involved in RBC volume regulation.
Chronic Mesangiolytic Glomerulopathy in a Patient With SC Hemoglobinopathy

Numerous cases of glomerular disease in sickle cell patients have been reported. Glomerular disease in SC double heterozygotes has not been reported despite its equal prevalence in adults. We herein report a case of mesangiolytic glomerulopathy in a patient with SC disease.
Pore formation and uncoupling initiate a Ca2+-independent degradation of mitochondrial phospholipids.

Mitochondria contain a type IIA secretory phospholipase A2 that has been thought to hydrolyze phospholipids following Ca2+ accumulation and induction of the permeability transition. These enzymes n...
The 24-hour posttransfusion survival and lifespan of autologous baboon red cells treated with inositol hexaphosphate-polyethylene glycol or inositol hexaphosphate-adenosine triphosphate-polyethylene glycol to decrease oxygen affinity.

Baboon red cells were treated to reduce oxygen affinity by an osmotic-pulse procedure using dimethyl-sulfoxide. Inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) alone or IHP and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were incorporated into the red cells in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG). The procedure produced variable increases in the red cell P50 value, i.e., the partial pressure of oxygen at which 50% of the hemoglobin was saturated. The effect of treatment of autologous baboon red cells on the 24-hour posttransfusion survival value and lifespan T50 value was measured using a double-label procedure. The data demonstrate that the increase in the P50 value of treated red cells was negatively correlated with the 24-hour posttransfusion survival value; the higher the P50 value, the poorer the 24-hour posttransfusion survival value. The 24-hour posttransfusion survival value for nontreated baboon red cells was 90% and the T50 value was 14 days. The IHP-ATP-PEG-treated red cells had significantly higher red cell ATP levels than did IHP-PEG-treated red cells. The 24-hour posttransfusion survival value was 68% for the IHP-ATP-PEG treated red cells and 52% for the IHP-PEG-treated red cells when the increase in P50 ranged from 10 to 20 mm Hg; the lifespan T50 value for both the IHP-ATP-PEG-treated red cells and the IHP-PEG-treated red cells was 15 days. Osmotic pulse treatment produced significant red cell injury manifested by the 24-hour posttransfusion survival value. However, modification of the RBC with IHP-PEG or IHP-ATP-PEG to decrease hemoglobin affinity for oxygen did not affect their lifespan.
The 32‐kDa glycoprotein of Chlamydia trachomatis is an acidic protein that may be involved in the attachment process

The 32-kDa glycoprotein of Chlamydia trachomatis was shown to have a pI of 6.2 to 6.4 which distinguished this protein from the chlamydial histone-like protein of similar molecular mass that has a pI of > 10. The initial interaction of the glycan of 32 kDa glycoprotein and HeLa cells was also investigated. Glycan was cleaved from the protein backbone by N-glycanase and radiolabeled with tritium by sodium borohydride reduction. Competition assays showed the binding of glycan to HeLa cells was inhibited by galactose, mannose, and N-acetylglucosamine but not by sedoheptulose and fructose. Untreated and UV-treated organisms inhibited the binding, while heat-inactivated organisms did not. Binding was blocked by rabbit antiserum against whole organisms but not by rabbit anti-155-kDa antiserum or monoclonal antibodies against the lipopolysaccharide and major outer membrane protein.
An Investigation of Match-Up Effects: Influential Sources of Fit and the Generative Role of Imagination

The purpose of the study is to enhance our understanding of sources of visual–product fit by investigating imagination as a process mechanism in a print ad context. Three studies are presented. In the first study, a scale is developed to measure perceptions of fit. The second study applies the perceptions of fit measure to investigate sources of fit. Findings indicate that this influence resides in the overlap of shared visual–product assumptions. The results of the third study suggest that assumptions common to the visual and the product provide the generative ground for imagination. This common ground facilitates the allocation of cognitive resources for imagining product experiences and augmented features beyond those associated with just the visual or the product only.
Assessing affective states: A new methodology for some old problems

Demand characteristics and reactivity can jeoparadize the validity of adjective checklists. The present studies test a methodology for distinguishing among positive, neutral, and negative states, while minimizing demand and reactivity. Results from the studies revealed that ratings of neutral words accurately discriminated among college students induced to feel happy, neutral, or sad. In addition, independent judges demonstrated that assessing mood with ratings of neutral words weakens the link between scale items and to-be-measured mood state, thus minimizing potential demand and reactivity. Ratings of neutral words are discussed as an alternative to adjective checklists regarding measurement of affective states.
Potential for Quantification of Biologically Active Soil Carbon with Potassium Permanganate

Oxidation of soils with 333 mM potassium permanganate (KMnO4) has been identified as a means to quantify labile soil carbon (C) and may have potential for rapid measurement of biologically active soil C. In the current study, active C pools in several soils were estimated by oxidation with a range of KMnO4 concentrations and compared to estimates determined from carbon dioxide evolution during 28‐d incubations. Digestion with 333 mM KMnO4 identified larger active C pools than did incubation data. However, shaking soils for 15 min with 2.5 mM KMnO4 provided estimates of active C that accounted for 1.5 to 1.9% of the total C pools and were not significantly different than those estimated using incubation data. Oxidation with dilute KMnO4 appears to be feasible to rapidly quantify active soil C pools. However, measurements are dependent on KMnO4 concentration and shaking time, so great care is needed to assure consistent results. This article is not subject to U.S. copyright law.
Primary structure of the amino-terminal (vitamin K-dependent) region of human prothrombin

Abstract The amino acid sequence of residues 1–51 of human prothrombin fragment 1 has been determined. This 51 residue peptide is 1 residue shorter than the comparable bovine region and 8 of the amino acid residues are different. The positions of 10 glutamic acid residues are identical to the γ-carboxylated ones in the bovine species. From this homology and additional evidence, these residues in human prothrombin are considered to be γ-carboxylated. The sequence was completed by automated Edman degradation of the reduced, alkylated fragment and its subfragmentation with trypsin, thermolysin and acid hydrolysis.
Mother-Toddler Interactions During Child-Focused Activity in Transitional Housing

SUMMARYThis report describes the videotaped interactions of five mother-toddler dyads living in transitional housing. This study was designed to specifically examine the interactions as a function of routine in different types of child-focused activity. The interactions were described using the Parent-Toddler Coding System and Rating Scales of Dyadic Interaction (Ray & Tickle-Degnen, 2004). The focus was to examine the socio-emotional and task-supporting interactions that relate to the child's engagement in child-focused activity. Interactions were examined during free play, block play, slide play, and while having a snack. Positive moderate associations were noted between maternal and child socio-emotional dimensions of interactions in all activity conditions. The associations between maternal socio-emotional and task-related dimensions of interactions with child task-related dimensions of interaction were small in a positive direction, with higher associations noted in more familiar tasks such as during...
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis early secreted antigenic target of 6 kDa inhibits T cell interferon-γ production through the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

We reported previously that the early secreted antigenic target of 6 kDa (ESAT-6) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis directly inhibits human T cell IFN-γ production and proliferation in response to stimulation with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28. To determine the mechanism of this effect, we treated T cells with kinase inhibitors before stimulation with ESAT-6. Only the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, abrogated ESAT-6-mediated inhibition of IFN-γ production in a dose-dependent manner. SB203580 did not reverse ESAT-6-mediated inhibition of IL-17 and IL-10 production, suggesting a specific effect of SB203580 on IFN-γ production. SB203580 did not act through inhibition of AKT (PKB) as an AKT inhibitor did not affect ESAT-6 inhibition of T cell IFN-γ production and proliferation. ESAT-6 did not reduce IFN-γ production by expanding FoxP3+ T regulatory cells. Incubation of T cells with ESAT-6 induced phosphorylation and increased functional p38 MAPK activity, but not activation of ERK or JNK. Incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with ESAT-6 induced activation of p38 MAPK, and inhibition of p38 MAPK with SB203580 reversed ESAT-6 inhibition of M. tuberculosis-stimulated IFN-γ production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from subjects with latent tuberculosis infection. Silencing of p38α MAPK with siRNA rendered T cells resistant to ESAT-6 inhibition of IFN-γ production. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ESAT-6 inhibits T cell IFN-γ production in a p38 MAPK-dependent manner.
High-Dimensional Chaos in Dissipative and Driven Dynamical Systems

Studies of nonlinear dynamical systems with many degrees of freedom show that the behavior of these systems is significantly different as compared with the behavior of systems with less than two degrees of freedom. These findings motivated us to carry out a survey of research focusing on the behavior of high-dimensional chaos, which include onset of chaos, routes to chaos and the persistence of chaos. This paper reports on various methods of generating and investigating nonlinear, dissipative and driven dynamical systems that exhibit high-dimensional chaos, and reviews recent results in this new field of research. We study high-dimensional Lorenz, Duffing, Rossler and Van der Pol oscillators, modified canonical Chua's circuits, and other dynamical systems and maps, and we formulate general rules of high-dimensional chaos. Basic techniques of chaos control and synchronization developed for high-dimensional dynamical systems are also reviewed.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease self-management activation research trial (COPD–SMART): Results of recruitment and baseline patient characteristics

Objective To describe the recruitment methods, study participation rate, and baseline characteristics of a representative sample of outpatients with COPD eligible for pulmonary rehabilitation participating in a trial of a lifestyle behavioral intervention to increase physical activity.
Does organic material on hospital surfaces reduce the effectiveness of hypochlorite and UV radiation for disinfection of Clostridium difficile

An organic load of 5%–10% fetal calf serum significantly reduced hypochlorite and UV radiation killing of Clostridium difficile spores, but organic material collected from hospital surfaces did not affect hypochlorite and only modestly affected UV killing of spores. Hypochlorite reduced aerobic microorganisms on unclean surfaces with no wiping.
Acceptances for space-based and ground-based fluorescence detectors, and inference of the neutrino-nucleon cross-section above 10 19 eV

Detection of ultrahigh energy neutrinos will be useful for unraveling the dynamics of the most violent sources in the cosmos and for revealing the neutrino cross-section at extreme energy. If there exists a Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuz'min (GZK) suppression of cosmic-ray events above ${E}_{\mathrm{GZK}}\ensuremath{\sim}5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{19}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}$, as predicted by theory, then the only messengers of energies beyond ${E}_{\mathrm{GZK}}$ are neutrinos. Cosmic neutrino fluxes can initiate air-showers through interaction in the atmosphere, or in the Earth. Neutrino trajectories will be downgoing to nearly horizontal in the former case, and ``Earth-skimming'' in the latter case. Thus it is important to know the acceptances (event rate/flux) of proposed air-shower experiments for detecting both types of neutrino-initiated events. We calculate these acceptances for fluorescence detectors, both space-based as with the EUSO and OWL proposals, and ground-based, as with Auger, HiRes and Telescope Array. The neutrino cross-section ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\ensuremath{\nu}N}^{\mathrm{CC}}$ is unknown at energies above $5.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{13}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}$. Although the popular QCD extrapolation of lower-energy physics offers the cross-section value of $0.54\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}31}({E}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}/{10}^{20}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}{)}^{0.36}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, new physics could raise or lower this value. Therefore, we present the acceptances of horizontal (HAS) and upgoing (UAS) air-showers as a function of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\ensuremath{\nu}N}^{\mathrm{CC}}$ over the range ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}34}$ to ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}30}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The dependences of acceptances on neutrino energy, shower-threshold energy, shower length, and shower column density are also studied. We introduce a cloud layer, and study its effect on rates as viewed from space and from the ground. For UAS, we present acceptances for events over land (rock), and over the ocean (water). Acceptances over water are larger by about an order of magnitude, thus favoring space-based detectors. We revisit the idea of Kusenko and Weiler [Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 161101 (2002)] to infer ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\ensuremath{\nu}N}^{\mathrm{CC}}$ at ${E}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}{10}^{20}$ from the ratio of HAS-to-UAS events, and obtain favorable results. Included in our UAS calculations are realistic energy-losses for taus, and Earth-curvature effects. Most of our calculation is analytic, allowing insight into the various subprocesses that collectively turn an incident neutrino into an observable shower.
Polygroups derived from cogroups

Abstract A polygroup is a completely regular, reversible in itself multigroup in the sense of Dresher and Ore [4]. These systems occur naturally in the study of algebraic logic [1, 2]. Some algebraic and combinatorial properties were developed in [3]. The question of whether or not Q 2 (Group), the class of double quotients of groups, is the same as the class of all chromatic polygroups is important for many reasons. In this paper double quotients of groups are constructed in a natural way from cogroups. Cogroups were introduced by Eaton [5] in an attempt to axiomatize D -hypergroups, i.e., systems obtainable from groups by right coset decompositions with respect to, not necessarily normal, subgroups. Eaton's axioms apply only to finite systems. Utumi [7] formulated a general notion and gave an example of a cogroup not isomorphic to a D -hypergroup. Utumi's scalar partition hypergroups appear in Section 2. The main results, in Section 3, show that polygroups derivable from cogroups are chromatic and they include all double quotients of groups.
Highland Maya Psychotherapy

"PSYCHOTHERAPY" generally antedates empirical medicine in the curing arts and may be the oldest curing technique known to mankind. It is defined here as the persuasive healing method which attempts to reintegrate the total person into his universe. Evidence from contemporary preliterate and non-literate cultures suggests that such methods have been practiced in every period of man's cultural development. All cultures necessarily develop systems to explain and treat illness which form part of their total world view.
Pedological and geological relationships with soil lichen and moss distribution in the eastern Mojave Desert, CA, USA

Abstract Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are ubiquitous in drylands globally. Lichens and mosses are essential biocrust components and provide a variety of ecosystem services, making their conservation and management of interest. Accordingly, understanding what factors are correlated with their distribution is important to land managers. We hypothesized that cover would be related to geologic and pedologic factors. We sampled 32 sites throughout the eastern Mojave Desert, stratifying by parent material and the age of the geomorphic surfaces. The cover of lichens and mosses on ‘available ground’ (L + Mav; available ground excludes ground covered by rocks or plant stems) was higher on limestone and quartzite-derived soils than granite-derived soils. Cover was also higher on moderately younger-aged geomorphic surfaces (Qya2, Qya3, Qya4) and cutbanks than on very young (Qya1), older-aged surfaces (Qia1, Qia2), or soils associated with coppice mounds or animal burrowing under Larrea tridentata. When all sites and parent materials were combined, soil texture was the most important factor predicting the occurrence of L + Mav, with cover positively associated with higher silt, very fine sand, and fine sand fractions and negatively associated with the very coarse sand fraction. When parent materials were examined separately, nutrients such as available potassium, iron, and calcium became the most important predictors of L + Mav cover.
Cellulose acetate decoupler for on-column electrochemical detection in capillary electrophoresis.

A new decoupler for on-column electrochemical detection in capillary electrophoresis is presented. The decoupler is constructed by etching a series of holes through the side of the separation capillary with a CO2 laser and then coating the holes with cellulose acetate. The decoupler shows isolation of the detection circuit for separation currents up to 30 μA. Detection limits below 1 nM were achieved for four model compounds, including anions, neutrals, and cations, using the laser-etched decoupler. This decoupler design combines excellent mechanical stability, effective shunting of high separation currents, and ease of manufacture.
AIDS: The mismanagement of an epidemic

Abstract An argument is made that, so far from being a disease which is unstoppable in its epidemic consequences, AIDS has produced an epidemic, which owes its present virulence to sociological configurations of rather recent existence. Instead of a vigorous attack on the transmission chain of the epidemic, the emphasis of public health policy has been on finding a vaccine and/or a cure of the disease which produces the epidemic. By means of a simple model, it is argued that by simply closing businesses catering to high contact rate anal sex, e.g. sexually oriented bathhouses, the American public health establishment might have avoided most of the tragic consequences of the present epidemic.
The Apatite Structure without an Inversion Center in a New Bismuth Calcium Vanadium Oxide: BiCa4V3O13

Abstract A new bismuth calcium vanadium oxide, BiCa 4 V 3 O 13 , with hexagonal symmetry has been synthesized: space group P 6 3 (#173), a = 9.819(2) A, c = 7.033(2) A, V = 587.2(3) A ] , and Z = 2. The structure was solved and refined from single crystal X-ray data leading to R = 0.055 and R w = 0.069 for 1076 unique reflections. Three different types of Ca sites were found: Ca(1) and Ca(2) coordinate to six O atoms, and Ca(3) coordinates to nine O atoms. There is no Bi site; instead, Bi partially occupies the Ca(1) and Ca(2) sites. The V atom is coordinated to four O atoms and forms a distorted tetrahedron with the V-O bond lengths ranging from 1.693(6) A to 1.72(1) A and O-V-O angles varying from 102.5(7)° to 114.7(6)°. The coordination polyhedra of Ca(1) and Ca(3) share faces forming chains along the c axis, and the coordination hexahedra of Ca(2) also from a chain along the c axis through sharing the corners among themselves. The VO 4 tetrahedra connect the two types of chains forming a three dimensional structure. The BiCa 4 V 3 O 13 formula may be written as A 5 (VO 4 ) 3 O to emphasize that this structure is essentially the same as the apatite structure, except that the inversion center is missing. Many compounds previously reported to have the apatite structure may actually have the lower symmetry version of this structure found in this study and thus be candidates for ferroelectricity.
Racial disproportionality in state prison admissions: Can regional variation be explained by differential arrest rates?

Abstract Recent studies have found that states in the Midwest incarcerate Blacks at a higher rate than those in the South. This article examines the extent to which this regional pattern of racial disproportionality in incarceration rates could be explained by controlling for race-specific arrest rates. The findings showed that the level of racial disproportionality in imprisonment decreased among all of the regions after controlling for race-specific arrest rates, but previously observed regional differences remained. These findings indicate that differences in the level of racial disproportionality in incarceration rates among regions were due to differential involvement in serious crimes by race resulting from a higher concentration of Blacks in urban areas relative to Whites in the Midwest.
Signpost communication by white-tailed deer: research since Calgary

In the Proceedings of the 1971 Calgary symposium “The Behaviour of Ungulates and its Relation to Management”, the first detailed investigation of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) signpost behavior was published. Several types of marking behavior were described and suggestions as to communicative significance were provided. Since then, numerous studies have investigated whitetail marking behaviors and their roles in reproductive biology. This paper reviews the past 17 years of research on white-tailed deer signposting. A composite view of these behaviors and their roles in deer reproductive behavior is also presented, and areas for future research are suggested.
Lactic dehydrogenase isozymes in diploid and heteroploid cells.

Abstract In this study diploid embryonic lung cells from two different sources exhibit the same isozyme pattern for a period equal to approximately half of the life expectancy of these cells, A gradual diasppearance in the most anodal band is then found withe teh progressive aging of the cells. The heteroploid cells exhibit an isozyme pattern similar to the early passage of the diploid. The difference in the isozyme pattern between the heteroploid and early passages of the diploid cells, compared to the older passages of the diploid cells, cannot be explained by the total LDH concentration which is comparatively similar for all cells studied. A definite difference between the heteroploid and diploid cells was found in the amount of lactic acid produced; the diploid cells produced far greater quantities of lactic acid than the heteroploid cells. Malignant cells as well as well as embryonic cells usually exhibit a high rate glycolysis and accompanying lactate production. Diploid cells may resemble the embryonic cells from which they were derived in their lactate production. There are numerous exceptions to the high rate of glycolysis and lactate production usually found with malignant cells (13, 14). The low production of lactate found with the heteroploid cells in these studies may be another exception to the usual pattern. Further studies on the glycolytic and oxidative metabolism of the diploid and heteroploid cells are needed before any valid conclusions can be made.