cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metacircularity in the polymorphic l-calculus

Abstract We consider the question of whether a useful notion of metacircularity exists for the polymorphic λ-calculus. Even though complete metacircularity seems to be impossible, we obtain a close approximation to a metacircular interpreter. We begin by presenting an encoding for the Girard-Reynolds second-order polymorphic λ-calculus in the third-order polymorphic λ-calculus. The encoding makes use of representations in which abstractions are represented by abstractions, thus eliminating the need for the explicit representation of environments. We then extend this construction to encompass all of the ω-order polymorphic λ-calculus (Fω). The representation has the property that evaluation is definable, and furthermore that only well-typed terms can be represented and thus type inference does not have to be explicitly defined. Unfortunately, this metacircularity result seems to fall short of providing a useful framework for typed metaprogramming. We speculate on the reasons for this failure and the prospects for overcoming it in the future. In addition, we briefly describe our efforts in designing a practical programming language based on Fω.
Preterm infant follow-up project: a multi-site field experiment of hospital and home intervention programs for mothers and preterm infants

This study was designed as a multi-site field experiment to test the efficacy of hospital and home visit interventions to improve interaction between mothers and preterm infants. Hospital intervention consisted of State Modulation (SM) treatment, which focused on teaching mothers to read the behavioral cues and modulate the states of consciousness of preterm infants during feedings. Home visit intervention was a field-tested program, Nursing Systems for Effective Parenting-Preterm (NSTEP-P), implemented during the first five months after the infant's hospital discharge. A hospital program on car seats (CS) and standard public health nursing home visits (PHN) served as comparison treatments. The sample consisted of 327 mothers and their preterm infants who were less than 36 weeks of gestational age at hospital discharge. Mothers were randomly assigned to intervention groups on the basis of their education. High education (HE) was > or = 13 years of education, while low education (LE) was < or = 12 years of education. HE mothers were only assigned to hospital programs, while LE mothers were assigned to combinations of hospital and home visit programs. Evaluations were conducted at 40 weeks conceptual age (expected date of birth), at 46 weeks conceptual age (1.5-months-corrected age), and 60 weeks conceptual age (5-months-corrected age). Comparisons were made within each educational group. For HE groups, SM infants gave significantly more clear cues during observations of feeding interactions at 1.5-months-corrected age and teaching interactions at 5-months-corrected age than infants in the CS group. During the teaching interaction, well-educated SM mothers provided significantly more social-emotional and cognitive stimulation than CS mothers. For LE groups, infants in the SM group combined with either PHN or NSTEP-P exhibited significantly more responsive behavior during feeding observations than those infants in the CS/PHN group at 1.5-months-corrected age. LE mothers in the SM/NSTEP-P group demonstrated more sensitivity and more stimulation during teaching interactions at 5-months-corrected age than mothers in the SM/PHN or CS/PHN groups. Findings suggest that State Modulation treatment is effective in influencing positive social interaction of infants regardless of the level of maternal education. State modulation treatment combined with NSTEP-P is most effective in improving the social interaction between preterm infants and mothers with limited formal education. Such treatment-specific programs suggest avenues for providing cost-effective care that complements the changing transactional needs of mothers and preterm infants.
Prediction of stacking faults in β-silicon carbide : X-ray and NMR studies

The X-ray powder diffraction profiles of SiC were calculated on the basis of the matrix intensity equation method in order to investigate the stacking sequence in β-SiC powders. In the case of “rei...
Automatic regulation of canal offtakes

A mechanical scheme has been developed for the accurate control of flow rates from one canal or reservoir to another canal that is particularly applicable for operations at canal headings or bifurcations. The system is hydraulically actuated using water from any pressure source, or the change in water pressure accross the structure. It does not depend on electricity or motors which are vulnerable to electric outages and lightning strike damage. The system is a modification of the Danaidean controlled-leak system that uses a large float in a float chamber to mechanically control a canal gate (or valve). The new system is called the Dual-Acting Controlled Leak (DACL) system because valves control leakage both into and out of the float chamber to control canal levels to within ±3 mm. This paper focuses on comparisons between control methods and possible configurations for the DACL system.
Electron Tunneling through Water: Oxidative Quenching of Electronically Excited Ru(tpy)22+ (tpy = 2,2‘:6,2‘ ‘-terpyridine) by Ferric Ions in Aqueous Glasses at 77 K

The luminescence lifetime of Ru(tpy)22+ (tpy = 2,2‘:6,2‘ ‘-terpyridine) is 8.0 μs in H2SO4/H2O and HSO3F/H2O glasses (25% v/v) at 77 K, and 10.2 μs in D2SO4/D2O (25% v/v). Addition of moderate concentrations of the powerfully oxidizing Fe(OH2)63+ ion to the glasses leads to accelerated and highly nonexponential *Ru(tpy)22+ decay kinetics. The quenching is attributed to electron transfer from *Ru(tpy)22+ to randomly dispersed Fe(OH2)63+ complexes. The luminescence decay kinetics and quantum yields in the three aqueous glasses indicate that the electron-transfer rate constants decrease from ∼1013 s-1 at van der Waals contact with an exponential distance decay constant of 1.68 ± 0.07 A-1.
A test of conversational listening

This paper reports the results of a multiple discriminant analysis of a self‐report listening test. 208 participants were given an eighteen item test measuring their listening skills in conversations. The MDA demonstrated that twelve items accounted for 100% of the variance. The shorter version is proposed as a useful tool for studying listening.
Electrostatic properties of cytochrome f: implications for docking with plastocyanin

The electrostatic properties of cytochrome f (cyt f), a member of the cytochrome b6f complex and reaction partner with plastocyanin (PC) in photosynthetic electron transport, are qualitatively studied with the goal of determining the mechanism of electron transfer between cyt f and PC. A crystal structure for cyt f was analyzed with the software package GRASP, revealing a large region of positive potential generated by a patch of positively charged residues (including K58, K65, K66, K122, K185, K187, and R209) and reinforced by the iron center of the heme. This positive field attracts the negative charges of the two acidic patches on the mobile electron carrier PC. Three docked complexes are obtained for the two proteins, based on electrostatic or hydrophobic interactions or both and on steric fits by manual docking methods. The first of these three complexes shows strong electrostatic interactions between K187 on cyt f and D44 on PC and between E59 on PC and K58 on cyt f. Two other manually docked complexes are proposed, implicating H87 on PC as the electron-accepting site from the iron center of cyt f through Y1. The second complex maintains the D44/K187 cross-link (but not the E59/K58 link) while increasing hydrophobic interactions between PC and cyt f. Hydrophobic interactions are increased still further in the third complex, whereas the link between K187 on cyt f and D44 on PC is broken. The proposed reaction mechanism, therefore, involves an initial electrostatic docking complex that gives rise to a nonpolar attraction between the regions surrounding H87 on PC and Y1 on cyt f, providing for an electron-transfer active complex.
Historical and epistemological limits in subaltern studies

Consider that the friars and the secular clergy each has its own form of penance; consider that the Franciscan friars have one manner of doctrine and one way of life and one dress and one way of prayer; and the Augustinians another; and the Dominicans another; and the secular clergy another … and it was also like this among those who kept our gods, so that the ones from Mexico had one way of dress and prayer … and other towns had another; each town had its own way of sacrificing.
Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms Recovered at a Military Burn Center

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in patients with burn injuries. We performed a 6-year antibiotic susceptibility records review from January 2003 to December 2008 to assess the prevalence of MDR isolates by pathogen at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center. During the study period Acinetobacter baumannii (780 isolates [22%]) was the most prevalent organism recovered, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (703 isolates [20%]), Klebsiella pneumoniae (695 isolates [20%]), and Staphylococcus aureus (469 isolates [13%]). MDR prevalence rates among these isolates were A. baumannii 53%, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) 34%, K. pneumoniae 17% and P. aeruginosa 15%. Two isolates, 1 A. baumannii and 1 P. aeruginosa, were identified as resistant to all 4 classes of antibiotics tested plus colistin. A. baumannii isolates recovered from patients with burns greater than 30% of total body surface area (TBSA) were more likely to be MDR (61%) with no significant difference for P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae. A higher proportion of MDR P. aeruginosa isolates were recovered from respiratory specimens compared to blood specimens (24% vs. 9%) while the opposite was true for MRSA (35% vs. 54%). A comparison of A. baumannii recovered during hospitalization days 1-5 and 15-30 revealed higher MDR levels as length of stay increased (48% vs. 75%) while no significant trends were observed for P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae. A similar pattern was observed for MDR A. baumannii levels for the facility between 2003 and 2005 and 2006-2008 (39% vs. 70%), with no significant increase in MDR P. aeruginosa and MDR K. pneumoniae. Increasing antibiotic resistance patterns of the most prevalent isolates recovered during extended hospitalization, impact of % TBSA and other clinical parameters may affect empirical antimicrobial therapy and patient management decisions during treatment.
Locomotion and Cargo Handling in Simulated Artificial Gravity

Performance of selected tasks was evaluated experimentally during rotation at 3, 4, or 5 rpm. Test subjects were suspended in the artificial g vector while climbing ladders radially, and walking tangentially. The walking cargo-handling experiments were performed at radii of 20, 40, 60, and 70 ft, at g levels between 0.06 arid 0.58. Radial transfer was also evaluated in an elevator between radii of 10 and 65 ft. The experimental conditions did not prove unduly stressful to the test subjects, and it is concluded that selection and indoctrination will enable the majority of men to comfortably live and perform in an artificial g environment. Restraints may be required on elevators in space to counteract lateral coriolis forces in the presence of diminishing artificial g forces. Ladder climbing was, subjectively, an acceptable mode of radial transfer. Tangential locomotion and cargo transport were reported to be better when walking in the pro-spin direction as compared to the antispin direction, due in part to the "flat floor' configuration. It was concluded that crew orientation did not seriously affect crew performance at radii of 40 ft or more. However, all performance was seriously degraded at a radius of 20 ft. Cargo handling was affected somewhat by the radial location, but more significantly, by the rotational rate.
Evaluation of queuing system parameters using linear algebraic queuing theory—an implementation

It is important to study the varied characteristics of queueing networks, in a self-consistent manner and interactive environment. We report here the development of an efficient and practical software package (QST) for the analysis of a particular class of queueing systems, (those described by two subsystems which interact only through the exchange of customers) which can run on an IBM PS/2 Model 70 or equivalent, or with some restrictions, on 80286-based PC's. The package produces data (or graphs) of various performance (including residual behavior) characteristics for these generalized queueing loops. It also generates such transient properties as “Busy Period”, “Rush Hour”, and “Mean Time to Failure”. The equations, which are transparent to the user, come from the “Linear Algebraic Approach to Queueing Theory”. For now, the package has been developed within the MATLAB environment. We provide some examples of input and output.
Prescribing practices of advanced practice psychiatric nurses: Part I--Demographic, educational, and practice characteristics.

This study was designed to identify and describe the prescribing practices of advanced practice psychiatric nurses. Part I describes the demographic, educational, and clinical setting characteristics. A survey method was used with N = 88 nurses representing seven different states. Nurse prescribers were: younger than nonprescribers, employed in community mental health settings, and voluntarily using a consulting physician arrangement. Limitations on practice included: statute formulary, controlled substances, and formulary/protocols with a consulting physician. Results suggest nurses' prescribing practices are used in outpatient settings, viewed as conservative, with a value on physician collaboration even in the absence of legal mandates.
Academic Gender Bias and Women's Behavioral Agency Self‐Efficacy

The relationship between academic gender bias and female students' agentic self-efficacy expectations was examined. Agentic self-efficacy expectations was defined as an individual's beliefs about her ability to successfully engage in proactive educational and career facilitative behaviors. Participants included 67 full-time junior and senior undergraduate women enrolled in traditional, nontraditional, and gender-neutral majors. Results revealed that perceived academic gender bias was significantly predictive of agentic self-efficacy expectations, above and beyond the contributions of sex role attitudes, gender concentration of major, and race/ethnicity. Implications for women's career development and future research are discussed.
Parental Problem-Solving Abilities and the Association of Sickle Cell Disease Complications with Health-Related Quality of Life for School-Age Children

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The current analysis sought to explore parent problem-solving abilities/skills as a moderator between SCD complications and HRQOL to evaluate applicability to pediatric SCD. At baseline, 83 children ages 6–12 years and their primary caregiver completed measures of child HRQOL. Primary caregivers also completed a measure of social problem-solving. A SCD complications score was computed from medical record review. Parent problem-solving abilities significantly moderated the association of SCD complications with child self-report psychosocial HRQOL (p = .006). SCD complications had a direct effect on parent proxy physical and psychosocial child HRQOL. Enhancing parent problem-solving abilities may be one approach to improve HRQOL for children with high SCD complications; however, modification of parent perceptions of HRQOL may require direct intervention to improve knowledge and skills involved in disease management.
Pulmonary MR angiography techniques and applications.

This article discusses the role of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in evaluating the pulmonary arterial system. For depiction of pulmonary arterial anatomy and morphology, MRA techniques are compared with CT angiography and digital subtraction x-ray angiography. Perfusion, flow, and function are emphasized, as the integrated MR examination offers a comprehensive assessment of vascular morphology and function. Advances in MR technology that improve spatial and temporal resolution and compensate for potential artifacts are reviewed as they pertain to pulmonary MRA. Current and emerging gadolinium contrast-enhanced and non–contrast-enhanced MRA techniques are discussed. The role of pulmonary MRA, clinical protocols, imaging findings, and interpretation pitfalls are reviewed for clinical indications.
Secretory effects of intravenous serotonin on the proximal jejunum of the awake dog.

Summary The intestinal secretory effects of hyperserotoninemia were studied in conscious dogs with cannulated, exteriorized chronic proximal jejunal segments. A basal absorptive state for water and electrolytes was significantly changed to a secretory state for water, sodium ion, chloride ion, and potassium ion when serotonin was infused intravenously at 30 μg/kg per minute. This effect disappeared with the cessation of the infusion. During infusion, whole blood serotonin concentrations were similar to those in patients with the carcinoid syndrome. Diarrhea developed in all animals studied during infusion, and significant hypokalemia also occurred. These results support a primary role for serotonin in the pathogenesis of diarrhea associated with the carcinoid syndrome.
Symptomatic spinal epidural lipomatosis associated with Cushing's syndrome

In cases of Cushing's syndrome, unusual amounts of fat may accumulate in the spinal epidural space, similar to centripetal fat deposits elsewhere in the body. The mass of excessive epidural fat may be responsible for neurological symptoms referable to compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina. We report three cases illustrating this unusual phenomenon and call attention to three cases reported previously. Although it is an unusual complication of Cushing's syndrome, epidural lipomatosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any such case with neurological symptoms referable to the spinal cord or cauda equina. The diagnosis may be confirmed by computed tomographic scanning in conjunction with myelography. Therapeutic considerations are discussed.
Default and loss given default in agriculture

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between loan default and loss given default (LGD) in an agricultural loan portfolio. The analysis employs a simulation model approach to evaluate the role that systematic and non‐systematic risks play in determining the economic capital requirements under different agricultural economic conditions.Design/methodology/approach – The authors employ the theoretical approach suggested by Miu and Ozdemir to assess the role of LGD in the banking industry. A Monte Carlo simulation model is developed using Excel and calibrated to an agricultural credit association using historical data. The simulation model is used to evaluate the mark‐up to economic capital that is implied by increasing credit risks due to cyclical changes in farm real estate values.Findings – The paper demonstrates that historical systematic risks due to the correlation between probability of default (PD) and LGD through the business cycle can result in a significant mark‐up ...
Mediating Difference: Normative Conflict as Opportunity

(2003). Mediating Difference: Normative Conflict as Opportunity. The American Journal of Bioethics: Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 25-27.
Competitive effects of hypokalemia and volume depletion on plasma renin activity, aldosterone and catecholamine concentrations in hemodialysis patients.

Competitive effects of hypokalemia and volume depletion on plasma renin activity, aldosterone and catecholamine concentrations in hemodialysis patients. The effects of isokalemic and hypokalemic ultrafiltration dialysis on plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (ALDO) and plasma catecholamine (CA) concentrations were investigated in eight patients with end-stage renal failure. Plasma sodium concentration was kept constant during each hemodialysis, but plasma potassium decreased (4.8 to 3.4 mEq/liter, P Effets competitifs de l'hypokaliemie et de la diminution du volume sur l'activite renine et les concentrations plasmatiques d'aldosterone et de catecholamines chez les malades en hemodialyse. Les effets de la dialyse par ultrafiltration isokaliemique et hypokaliemique sur l'activite renine plasmatique (PRA), l'aldosterone (ALDO) et les catecholamines (CA) plasmatiques ont ete etudies chez huit malades au stade terminal de l'insuffisance renale. La concentration plasmatique de sodium a ete maintenue constante au cours de toutes les hemodialyses mais le potassium plasmatique n'a diminue(4,8 a 3,4 mEq/litre, P
Intra-Abdominal Abscesses: Emphasis on Image-Guided Diagnosis and Therapy

Infection of the peritoneal cavity can be divided into acute peritonitis and chronic abscess formation. While acute peritonitis is easier to diagnose and treatment is often straightforward, the diagnosis of an intra-abdominal abscess can be subtle and treatment can involve multiple diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. The advent of high-quality computed tomography and ultrasonography has revolutionized the care of these patients, and has allowed for the definitive management of these infections without open operation. We review the current techniques for the diagnosis, localization, and treatment of these serious infections, discuss important factors influencing the decision between percutaneous and operative approaches, and examine several other controversies In this challenging area.
Predictors of survival after resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma: a population-based analysis and critical appraisal of the AJCC staging system.

Objective:To identify predictors of survival after resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) and to evaluate the performance of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for RPS.Summary Background Data:Previous studies of survival after RPS resection are restricted to at most sev
Between dialogue and contestation : gender, Islam, and the challenges of a Malian public sphere

This paper examines how Islam has become a widely used idiom in discussions about gender in Mali. It foregrounds ordinary Malians' and particularly women's reflexive engagements with broadly debated religious and political questions. Centred on a 2004 five-day conference on gender issues, this paper examines the forms of Muslim women's involvement in the Malian public sphere, some of the challenges these women encounter, and their discursive attempts to reconcile their emancipatory agendas with their identities as Muslims. Resume L’article analyse la facon dont l’islam est devenu un mot tres employe dans des discussions portant sur le genre au Mali. Il sous-tend la reflexion des Maliens ordinaires, et en particulier des femmes, sur lesquestions religieuses et politiques les plus debattues. Centre sur une conference de cinq jours qui s’est tenue en 2004 sur les questions de genre, l’auteur examine les formes d’engagement des femmes musulmanes dans la sphere publique malienne, quelques-unes des difficultes qu’elles rencontrent et leurs tentatives discursives de concilier leurs mots d’ordre d’emancipation et leurs identites de femmes musulmanes.
Nicotine-responsive genes in cultured embryonic mouse lung buds: interaction of nicotine and superoxide dismutase.

Abstract Nicotine exposure during prenatal development may be a cause of the abnormal lung function seen in infants born to smoking women. Previously we used an organ culture system to demonstrate that nicotine directly affects branching morphogenesis and gene expression in embryonic mouse lung buds. Here we attempt to identify genes potentially involved in the nicotine response and explore the relationship between gene expression changes and stimulation of branching. DNA microarray technology, analyzed by DChip software, and semi-quantitative RT–PCR were applied to RNA samples from embryonic lung buds grown in presence or absence of nicotine. Four genes, BAX, calcyclin, osteopontin and Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), identified by the microarray as showing changes in mRNA level with nicotine treatment were investigated in detail. RT–PCR showed that nicotine exposure resulted in significant decreases in mRNA levels for BAX, calcyclin and osteopontin, but nicotine did not affect the mRNA level of SOD1. Nicotine-induced changes in BAX, calcyclin and osteopontin mRNAs showed a general correlation with stimulation of branching, implying a common mechanism for effects of nicotine on branching and on gene expression. BAX, calcyclin and osteopontin mRNA levels were found to be developmentally regulated, but only the effect of nicotine on BAX mRNA was parallel to the developmental change in vivo, suggesting that nicotine action cannot be explained simply as a stimulation of the embryonic lung’s developmental program. Addition of exogenous SOD to the culture medium resulted in increased branching similar to that caused by nicotine, but, unexpectedly, branching was not increased relative to control when nicotine and SOD were co-administered, suggesting interfering mechanisms of action of the two agents. Exogenous SOD was found to alter mRNA levels of BAX, calcyclin and osteopontin in a pattern that differed from that seen in response to nicotine. Gene expression changes seen with co-administration of nicotine and SOD yielded further evidence of interaction between these agents. In conclusion, three putative nicotine-responsive genes were identified whose expression was also influenced by developmental stage and by exogenously added SOD. A common mechanism likely underlies nicotine’s effects on both branching and gene expression in this system. Our evidence also suggests that nicotine and SOD stimulate branching by distinct but interacting mechanisms.
Channel height effects on forced-convection boiling and critical heat flux from a linear array of discrete heat sources

Abstract Due to the lack of understanding in the literature of channel height effects on forced-convection boiling and critical heat flux (CHF) in rectangular channels, experiments were performed with FC-72 at 1.36 bar for channel heights of 2, 5, and 10 mm. Boiling heat transfer from a linear array of nine discrete heat sources simulating microelectronic chips was investigated for velocity and liquid subcooling ranges of 13–400 cm s −1 and 3–36°C, respectively. Unique to these experiments was the concentration of heat flux on a fraction of the channel perimeter corresponding to the width of the chip, with unheated fluid flowing on either side of the chips. Flow visualization in the 2 mm channel revealed that bubbles in near-saturated flow spanned the entire width of the channel, and increases in velocity and/or subcooling reduced the lateral spread of the bubble layer; on the other hand, bubbles in the 5 and 10 mm channels were primarily confined to the area just above the chips. Using the drift-flux model, an analysis for determining the void fraction in subcooled boiling was developed. Experimental data supported by void fraction predictions and flow visualization suggest the existence of an optimal channel height for which forced-convection CHF is a maximum. For equal flow velocities, maximum CHF values in the present study were obtained with the 5 mm channel.
Brief report novel mechanism for valproate-induced teratogenicity.

Background Valproic acid (VPA) is a commonly prescribed drug for those affected by epilepsy and bipolar disorders. VPA has a well known teratogenic potential, causing a variety of birth defects including neural tube defects (NTDs) and other congenital malformations, when women are treated with this medication during pregnancy. Unfortunately, the mechanism by which VPA is teratogenic remains unknown, although a range of potential mechanisms including histone deacetylase inhibition and folate antagonism have been proposed. The latter is of considerable importance, as clinicians need to know if additional folate supplements can prevent VPA-induced defects.
The Effects of Team Diversity on Team Outcomes: A Meta-Analytic Review of Team Demography

Over the past few decades, a great deal of research has been conducted to examine the complex relationship between team diversity and team outcomes. However, the impact of team diversity on team outcomes and moderating variables potentially affecting this relationship are still not fully answered with mixed findings in the literature. These research issues were, therefore, addressed by quantitatively reviewing extant work and provided estimates of the relationship between team diversity and team outcomes. In particular, the effects of task-related and bio-demographic diversity at the group-level were meta-analyzed to test the hypothesis of synergistic performance resulting from diverse employee teams. Support was found for the positive impact of task-related diversity on team performance although bio-demographic diversity was not significantly related to team performance. Similarly, no discernible effect of team diversity was found on social integration. The implications of the review for future research ...
Ovarian aging in developmental and evolutionary contexts

Evolutionary theory predicts that aging-related fertility declines result from tradeoffs between reproduction and somatic maintenance. Developmental programs for oogenesis also contribute to variation in aging-related reproductive declines among female vertebrates. Documented reproductive aging patterns in female vertebrates, including humans, are consistent with canonical aging patterns determined developmentally and require no special adaptive explanation. Here we discuss patterns of aging-related ovarian decline in diverse female vertebrates, and place human ovarian aging in comparative context. Depletion of finite oocyte stores accompanied by fertility loss occurs in a variety of nonhuman mammals and vertebrates, including short-lived rodents, birds, and some fishes; moreover, postreproductive lifespans of considerable length clearly are not limited to long-lived, social species with well-developed kin networks. We argue for a more rigorous comparative approach for understanding the evolutionary and developmental bases of ovarian aging in vertebrates with a wider range of aging patterns and social structures.
Does the Mafia suppress entrepreneurship in Italy

A great divide exists within Italy: the North is prosperous while the South remains relatively poor. The divide has persisted and regions have failed to converge, contradicting neo-classical growth theory. With this in mind, the following research aims to contribute toward the dialog pertaining to the divide and its persistence by discussing Mafia presence and entrepreneurship. Little has been done to establish a solid relationship between entrepreneurship and Mafia presence, and even fewer studies have been conducted utilising a solid measurement of Mafia presence that can be used for meaningful discourse. Using probit and ordered probit to obtain marginal effects, the research shows that Mafia presence has no sound relationship with entrepreneurial desire, yet has a significantly negative one with entrepreneurial outlook. The research exposes a pattern of discouragement and suggests that Mafia presence suppresses entrepreneurship; limiting the amount of firms and investment that flows through communities in the South. Policy makers should enact policy and increase enforcement to quell Mafia expansion and reduce Mafia presence in areas already under control.
Degradation kinetics of green color and chlorophylls in peas by colorimetry and HPLC.

The kinetics of chlorophyll degradation and visual green color loss in pureed green peas with 80% moisture (w/w) were determined at 70, 80 and 90 C. The –a value from a tristimulus colorimeter was chosen as the physical property and a technique based on fractional conversion was developed in the determination of kinetic parameters of visual green color loss. The degradation of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and greenness followed a first order reaction and the temperature dependence of these reactions indicated an Arrhenius relationship. The activation energies were 19.5, 17.1 and 18.2 kcal/mol, respectively.
Dissonance between multiple alerting systems.I. Modeling and analysis

The potential for conflicting information to be transmitted by different automated alerting systems is growing as these systems become more pervasive in process operations. Newly introduced alerting systems must be carefully designed to minimize the potential for and impact of alerting conflicts, but little is currently available to aid this process. A model of alert dissonance is developed that provides a theoretical foundation for understanding conflicts and a practical basis from which specific problems can be addressed. Part I establishes a generalized methodology to analyze dissonance between alerting systems, and Part II exercises the principles and presents methodologies to avoid and mitigate dissonance. In Part I, we develop a generalized state-space representation of alerting operation that can be tailored across a variety of applications. Based on the representation, two major causes of dissonance are identified: logic differences and sensor error. Additionally, several possible types of dissonance are identified. A mathematical analysis method is developed to identify the conditions that cause dissonance due to logic differences. A probabilistic analysis methodology is also developed to estimate the probability of dissonance originating due to sensor error.
The relationship of calcium intake, source, size, solubility in vitro and in vivo, and gizzard limestone retention in laying hens

A 10-d trial was conducted to investigate the relationship of Ca particle size (CPS), dietary Ca level (DCL), limestone source (LS), limestone solubility in vitro (LST) and in vivo (LSV), and limestone retention in the gizzard (LRG). A total of 120 molted Leghorn hens, 88 wk of age, were randomly assigned into a 2 x 3 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments with LS (A and B), DCL (1.95, 3.72, and 5.32%), and CPS of each limestone source (average U.S. Screen Nos. 5, 8, 14, and 27). The in vitro solubility of the four respective particle sizes were 29.8, 45.8, 49.3, and 63.1% for Source A; and 36.3, 54.8, 57.7, and 67.6% for Source B. The limestone retention in the gizzard of Source A was greater than that of Source B. The limestone retention in the gizzard was increased as in vitro solubility decreased (P 0.8 mm) with lower in vitro solubility (30 to 50%) was retained in the gizzard for a longer time, which increased the in vivo solubility (94% maximum). The results support the concept that larger particle size or lower in vitro solubility may increase Ca retention for layers.
Micro-Electrocardiograms to Study Post-Ventricular Amputation of Zebrafish Heart

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an emerging model for cardiovascular research. The zebrafish heart regenerates after 20% ventricular amputation. However, assessment of the physiological responses during heart regeneration has been hampered by the small size of the heart and the necessity of conducting experiments in an aqueous environment. We developed a methodology to monitor a real-time surface electrocardiogram (ECG) by the use of micro-electrodes, signal amplification, and a low pass-filter at a sampling rate of 1 kHz. Wavelet transform was used to further remove ambient noises. Rather than paralyzing the fish, we performed mild sedation by placing the fish in a water bath mixed with MS-222 (tricane methanesulfonate). We recorded distinct P waves for atrial contraction, QRS complexes for ventricular depolarization, and QT intervals for ventricular repolarization prior to, and 2 and 4 days post-amputation (dpa). Sedation reduced the mean fish heart rate from 149 ± 18 to 90 ± 17 beats/min. The PR and QRS intervals remained unchanged in response to ventricular apical amputation (n = 6, p > 0.05). Corrected QT intervals (QTc) were shortened 4 dpa (n = 6, p < 0.05). In a parallel study, histology revealed that apical thrombi were replaced with fibrin clots and collagen fibers. Atrial arrhythmia was noted in response to prolonged sedation. Unlike the human counterpart, ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation was not observed in response to ventricular amputation 2 and 4 dpa. Taken together, we demonstrated a minimally invasive methodology to monitor zebrafish heart function, electrical activities, and regeneration in real-time.
Remanent Magnetism of Carboniferous Limestone

Summary Paleomagnetic data are lacking on Carboniferous limestones of England and during an investigation of iron ores the author found specimens of these limestones that could be measured. An average declination of S 41 W and inclination of minus 29 degrees was determined for the remanent magnetization. This gives a pole position of north 40 degrees latitude and 122 degrees east longitude. Intensity values of remanent magnetizationrangedupwardsto 27.5 x 10demu/cm3. I. Introduction During the course of a study of the magnetism of rocks of ore deposits and associated areas, the author measured the remanent magnetism of a series of specimens of British hematitic iron ore and contiguous Carboniferous limestone. This paper pertains to the remanent magnetism of the Carboniferous limestone ; results on the hematites will be forthcoming. The specimens were collected during the winter of 1959-60, from an area immediately southwest 'of the Lake District of England. Specifically they came from sites located at N 54O, W 3". These locations are on either the Barrow-inFurness or Keswick one inch maps of the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain. The field orientation of the specimens was determined with the aid of a Brunton compass after it had been determined that there were no local anomalous magnetic effects that would effect the orientation of the compass needle. From the oriented specimens oriented discs were obtained that measured three-fourths of an inch in diameter and five-eights of an inch in length. A total of 52 disks were prepared from 19 specimens and of this total 22 disks could be measured from 14 specimens. Corrections for geological dip were made by coring normal to bedding surfaces of specimens collected at one site where dips of 8" were measured. At other sites the beds were considered to be flat lying. The specimens measured are fine- to medium-grained, grey to reddish brown, limestone of Carboniferous age (Smith 1919). The rocks have been locally altered and even more locally have been metasomatically replaced and openings filled by hematite. 2. Experimental and calculated results
Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Activity and In Vivo Disposition of Dipivalyl Terbutalone in Rabbits

The ocular hypotensive activity and in vivo disposition of dipivalyl terbutalone, a chemical delivery system for terbutaline, were investigated in the albino rabbit model. The dose–response relationship was assessed at drug concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 4% in normal saline. Intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering activity of dipivalyl terbutalone was compared with epinephrine in equal concentrations. The in vivo disposition was investigated after topical administration of dipivalyl terbutalone at 4% dose level for which two metabolic products, terbutaline, and terbutalone, were monitored in different anterior segment tissues/fluid of albino rabbits, including corneal and iris–ciliary body homogenates and aqueous humor. The instillation of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4% solutions (1 drop of 50 μL) significantly decreased the IOP of normotensive rabbits in a dose-dependant manner. At the highest dose, the maximum reduction (5.6 ± 0.65 mm Hg) was observed at 3 h. In a comparative efficacy study, dipivalyl terbutalone wa...
Xenopus nodal-related signaling is essential for mesendodermal patterning during early embryogenesis

Previously, we showed that Xenopus nodal-related factors (Xnrs) can act as mesoderm inducers, and that activin induces Xnr transcription, suggesting that Xnrs relay or maintain induction processes initiated by activin-like molecules. We used a dominant negative cleavage mutant Xnr2 (cmXnr2) to carry out loss-of-function experiments to explore the requirement for Xnr signaling in early amphibian embryogenesis, and the relationship between activin and Xnrs. cmXnr2 blocked mesoderm induction caused by Xnr, but not activin, RNA. In contrast, cmXnr2 did suppress mesoderm and endoderm induction by activin protein, while Xnr transcript induction was unaffected by cmXnr2, consistent with an interference with the function of Xnr peptides that were induced by activin protein treatment. The severe hyperdorsalization and gastrulation defects caused by Xnr2 in whole embryos were rescued by cmXnr2, establishing a specific antagonistic relationship between the normal and cleavage mutant proteins. Expression of cmXnr2 resulted in delayed dorsal lip formation and a range of anterior truncations that were associated with delayed and suppressed expression of markers for dorsoanterior endoderm, in which the recently recognized head organizer activity resides. Reciprocally, Xnr2 induced dorsoanterior endodermal markers, such as cerberus, Xhex-1 and Frzb, in animal cap ectoderm. The migratory behavior of head mesendoderm explanted from cmXnr2 RNA-injected embryos was drastically reduced. These results indicate that Xnrs play crucial roles in initiating gastrulation, probably by acting downstream of an activin-like signaling pathway that leads to dorsal mesendodermal specification, including setting up the head organizer.
SAR ambiguity study for the Cassini radar

The Cassini radar's synthetic aperture radar (SAR) ambiguity analysis is unique with respect to other spaceborne SAR ambiguity analyses owing to the non-orbiting spacecraft trajectory, asymmetric antenna pattern, and burst mode of data collection. By properly varying the pointing, burst mode timing, and radar parameters along the trajectory the study shows that the signal-to-ambiguity ratio of better than 15 dB can be achieved for all images obtained by the Cassini radar. >
The Media and Social Reality Effects Self and System Orientations of Blacks

This study investigated some key theoreticalpropositions derivedfrom a synthesis of two related areas of research: the construction of social reality and cultivation analysis. A total of eight hypotheses were generated from the following propositions: (1) three broad construct categories (objective, symbolic, and subjective) constitute, to a major degree, the construction of social reality; (2) indicators of subjective reality can be placed usefully on a close-remote continuum based on their distance from the everyday life experiences of the individual; and (3) the accumulation of television exposure has a dominant influence on the shaping of beliefs and interpretations of the world, the direction of influence being contingent on the "bias "of the specific content consumed. A national sample of black adults, 18 andover, was usedto test the hypotheses. Path analysis provided some support for the hypotheses.
Computing with recursive types

A study is made of the complete adequacy for a lambda -calculus with simple recursive types. The set of types is built using the standard domain-theoretic constructors, namely, function space, sum, cartesian and strict product, and lifting. The recursive types allow the author to solve arbitrary systems of mutually recursive domain equations. Thus, he can define in this calculus types of integers, Booleans, lists and streams over these, and so on. The author can also define numerals, Boolean constants, simple arithmetic versions, of pure untyped terms. A precise description is given of the author's calculus, as well as some examples illustrating its expressiveness. A complete adequacy result for the lattice semantics is presented. The problem of designing a completely adequate evaluator for the CPO semantics is also examined. >
Parametric study on the effect of asymmetry in multi-channel differential signaling

The effects of geometric asymmetry on the electrical performance of multi-channel differential signaling in printed circuit boards are investigated in this paper. The asymmetry, which is the origin of noise coupled through mode conversion, is difficult to control in real channel structures, where a large number of vias and traces are populated. Supported by an efficient parametric simulation tool, this paper presents the effects of the asymmetry on mode conversion and differential mode crosstalk in real multi-channel structures. This extensive parametric study was used to define design guidelines to suppress this noise coupling by adding ground vias in strategic locations.
Frequency warping by dynamic programming

The author introduces dynamic frequency warping (DFW), an exact analog of dynamic time warping (DTW) in which two utterances are represented by matrices, spectrograms that have been sampled in both frequency (perhaps by a discrete Fourier transform) and time (perhaps every centisecond). DFW tests all the dilations in the frequency direction that can be generated by single repetitions of rows of either matrix, and chooses the one that makes the dilated matrices look maximally alike. Thus DFW frequency-aligns similar speech events in the two tokens, as DTW aligns them in time. >
Newt epidermal cell migration in vitro and in vivo appears to involve Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser receptors

The effect of a synthetic peptide consisting of Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS), the amino acid sequence representing the fibroblast attachment site in fibronectin (FN), was tested on migrating newt epidermal cells. In one approach, skin explants were placed on the bottom of plastic dishes coated with human FN, human fibrinogen (FGN), human serum spreading factor (SF), or bovine type I collagen. The explants were then incubated overnight in serum-free medium with or without RGDS. In these experiments exposure to 50 micrograms ml-1 of RGDS reduced migration over FN, FGN and SF to 2-7% of control levels. Two peptides structurally dissimilar to RGDS (Val-Gly-Ser-Glu and Thr-Pro-Arg-Lys), and two that are structurally similar (Lys-Gly-Asp-Ser and Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser), had no effect on explant migration even when used at concentrations higher than 50 micrograms ml-1. Upon removal of the RGDS peptide, inhibited explants quickly recovered. In collagen-coated dishes 50 micrograms ml-1 of RGDS was much less effective than in dishes coated with the other substrates. Raising the RGDS concentration in collagen-coated dishes tenfold did not greatly increase the RGDS effect. When added to the medium bathing wounded limbs, 50 micrograms ml-1 of RGDS only moderately inhibited wound closure. This concentration of peptide, however, severely inhibited migration from skin explants in newt-plasma-coated-dishes and migration over pieces of newt-plasma-coated plastic placed under one edge of a skin wound. Increasing the RGDS concentration to 500 micrograms ml-1 resulted in almost total suppression of wound closure. Wounds exposed to this same concentration of Lys-Gly-Asp-Ser closed normally. These results indicate that newt epidermal cells possess RGDS receptors and that these receptors are involved in epidermal wound closure in vivo and in migration from skin explants onto plastic coated with FN, FGN, SF and collagen. The relative RGDS-insensitivity of wound closure in vivo and in migration from explants onto collagen may reflect in these instances the presence of a relatively high density of RGDS receptor binding sites on the substrate; the presence of RGDS receptor binding sites of relatively high affinity; or the participation of receptors other than those involved in migration over plastic coated with FN, FGN or SF.