cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bulk transport properties of bismuth selenide thin films grown by magnetron sputtering approaching the two-dimensional limit

Transport properties of topological insulator Bi2Se3 thin films are investigated with an emphasis on understanding finite-size effects as the two-dimensional limit is approached. Ultra-smooth, (000l)-orientated Bi2Se3 thin-films fabricated using radio-frequency magnetron sputtering reveal disproportionately large changes in bulk resistivity and Hall mobility below six quintuple layers (QL). We correlate such changes to the bulk (other than surface) electronic structure where a bandgap enlargement is observed below six QL in optical absorption spectroscopy measurements. This effect is strongest at the three and two quintuple layers that show the largest changes in bandgap. Temperature dependent transport measurements reveal the effect of disorder from substrate and high carrier concentration. Films on sapphire substrate demonstrate better transport properties compared to amorphous quartz. While temperature dependence of bulk resistivity is both thickness and substrate sensitive, the temperature dependence of Hall coefficient is determined only by the carrier concentration in films. Our work highlights the influence of the bulk electronic structure on the transport properties of few-layer Bi2Se3 which is of interest in the applied areas of optoelectronics, nanoelectronics, and spintronics.
MARKERS OF IDENTITY FOR NON-ELITE ROMANS: A PROLEGOMENON TO THE STUDY OF GLASS PASTE INTAGLIOS

Pliny’s Natural Histories provides evidence that glass paste intaglios were used as signet rings by those without the economic means to acquire precious gem intaglios; this is supported by the abundant survival of such objects. The iconography of these glass pastes provides historical evidence for the self-identification of non-elite Romans and this iconography shows many points of intersection with the republican coin series. In some instances, molds seem to have even been made from coin impressions. This paper uses the comparative evidence of the coinage to illuminate glass paste types known from multiple specimens, especially types intended to convey loyalty to a particular commander or to the Roman state itself. It suggests veterans as one likely group to have purchased and used such glass pastes.
Abstract WP139: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Generates Electric Fields (EF) at the Level of Deep Nuclei of the Human Brain in vivo

Introduction: tDCS is an investigational neuromodulatory therapy for stroke recovery and data has been inconsistent and mixed. The general perception for tDCS is that the majority of current gets shunted at the level of scalp and only minor portion penetrates to the superficial cortex. We aimed to detect electrical field (EF) via deep brain stimulation (DBS) leads in human brain. Hypothesis: Scalp-applied tDCS generates EF across the brain and forms detectable voltage gradient across DBS leads. Methods: We recruited patients undergoing DBS stage 2 procedure (implantable pulse generator or IPG implantation). We connected our recording setup to the IPG end of the DBS lead(s), which is otherwise unavailable except this specific surgical procedure. We applied 2 mA and 4 mA of tDCS using bitemporal and occipitofrontal montage and recorded voltage gradients across electrodes of DBS lead(s), while monitoring the applied voltage, injected current and body resistance through tDCS setup. Results: We recruited 3 pat...
Nation-Building and Education

Democracies and dictatorships have different incentives when it comes to choosing how much and by what means to homogenise the population, i.e., ‘to build a nation’. We study and compare nation-building policies under the transition from dictatorship to democracy in a model where the type of government and borders of the country are endogenous. We find that the threat of democratisation provides the strongest incentive to homogenise. We focus upon a specific nation-building policy: mass primary education. We offer historical discussions of nation-building across time and space, and provide correlations for a large sample of countries over the 1925–2014 period.
Assessing concussion knowledge and awareness in faculty and staff in a collegiate setting

PurposeTo examine faculty and academic support staff members’ awareness and knowledge regarding concussions.DesignCross-sectional, web-based questionnaire.SettingDivision II collegiate setting.Subj...
Deterrence Theory: Key Findings and Challenges

This Chapter prepared for the Cambridge Handbook of Compliance reviews the key findings of the optimal deterrence theory and discusses the remaining challenges. Some of these challenges reflect current modeling choices and limitations. These include the treatment of the offender’s gains in the social welfare function; the design of the damages multiplier in a realistic, multi-period framework; the effects of different types of uncertainty on behavior; and the study of optional, imperfectly-enforced, threshold-based regimes—that is, regimes that reflect the most common real-world regulatory setting. Other challenges arise because several key regulatory features and enforcement outcomes are inconsistent with the deterrence theory’s predictions and prescriptions. These inconsistencies include the “abnormally” high levels of compliance, the pervasiveness of gain-based (rather than harm-based) sanctions, the widespread use of offense history in sanctions design, the variation of sanctions based on legal aggressiveness, and the significance of the offender’s mental state in the determinations of both liability and sanctions. The Chapter discusses how the recent optimal deterrence scholarship has addressed—but has not fully resolved—all these challenges.
Gender trends in authorship of original otolaryngology publications: A fifteen‐year perspective

OBJECTIVE To examine trends in female author representation within original otolaryngology research between 2000 and 2015. METHODS Original research articles published in 11 otolaryngology journals were analyzed for 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, and 2015. The genders of the first and last authors for each article were recorded. Overall female authorship was calculated by summing the numbers of the first, last, and both first and last female-authored articles. Student t test and Cochran-Armitage trend test were utilized to determine significance between years and groups. RESULTS Of the 9,623 research articles published during 5 representative years, 223 were excluded due to one or more gender-indeterminate authors. Female first authorship exhibited a significant upward trend from 2000 to 2015 (P < 0.0001), as did the proportion of literature with female first and last authors (P < 0.0001). Although female senior authorship in literature with an impact factor (IF) greater than 2 did not increase significantly (10.0% in 2000 to 10.1% in 2015; P = 0.738), this metric did increase significantly just within journals with an IF between 1 and 2 (9.7%-12.3%, P = 0.036). The proportion of articles with a female author in the first, last, or both positions increased from 28% to 39% (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Increasing female representation in otolaryngology literature may reflect the rising proportion of women within otolaryngology as well as greater mentorship availability. Despite these auspicious strides, female-authored articles nonetheless represent a smaller proportion of the literature, and female senior authors remain a stark minority. Future studies should identify the barriers to female access and advancement within the field. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III Laryngoscope, 130:2126-2132, 2020.
Policing Mechanisms in Agricultural Contracts.

In this paper we focus on mechanisms of coordination in agricultural contracts. Our approach is intended to advance understanding of social relations of production and distribution of power in agrofood systems. Through an analysis of contracts between farmers and intermediaries (e.g., processors, shippers, consignment agents) for California fruits and vegetables, we identify three functions of contracts: they help to coordinate production, they provide incentives (and penalties) to induce particular behaviors, and they allow farmers and intermediaries to share risk. These functions are implemented via four policing instruments: input control, monitoring, quality measurement, and revenue sharing. The instruments are employed by intermediaries to mitigate “blind spots” in contracts and to control farmers' actions and the quality of their output. This mechanism design approach is complemented by a sociologically oriented analysis emphasizing the embeddedness of economic institutions. We problematize the stylized fashion in which the concept of authority has been treated in the contract farming literature, and propose an alternative approach to studying new organizational forms and divisions of labor among farmers and intermediaries.
Assessing the Population-Level Correlation of Medication Regimen Complexity and Adherence Indices Using Electronic Health Records and Insurance Claims.

BACKGROUND: Nonadherence to medication regimens can lead to adverse health care outcomes and increasing costs. OBJECTIVES: To (a) assess the level of medication complexity at an outpatient setting ...
Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Difluorinated Alkyl Bromides.

We report an iodoarene-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of β,β-difluoroalkyl bromide building blocks. The transformation involves an oxidative rearrangement of α-bromostyrenes, utilizing HF–pyr...
Gate-All-Around FET Design Rule for Suppression of Excess Non-Linearity

Gate-All-Around Field Effect Transistors (GAAFETs) for the future technology nodes will have highly confined channel cross-sections. Effects like subband separation and geometry dependent density of states result in kinks, peaks and valleys appearing in terminal characteristics like capacitance and transconductance. This has significant effect on the circuit linearity performance, in analog and RF domains. In this paper, we have proposed a design rule for the maximum allowed overdrive voltages or minimum silicon body width for a given body thickness so that the effects of subband separation may be avoided. Effect of corner radius has also been included.
Estimating the survival of unobservable life stages for a declining frog with a complex life history

Demographic models enhance understanding of drivers of population growth and inform conservation efforts to prevent population declines and extinction. For species with complex life histories, however, parameterizing demographic models is challenging because some life stages can be difficult to study directly. Integrated population models (IPMs) empower researchers to estimate vital rates for organisms that have cryptic or widely dispersing early life stages by integrating multiple demographic data sources. For a stream‐inhabiting frog (Rana boylii) that is declining through much of its range in Oregon and California, USA, we collected egg‐mass counts and capture–mark–recapture data on adults from two populations in California to fit IPMs that estimate adult abundance and the survival rate of both marked and unobserved life stages. Estimates of adult abundance based on long‐term monitoring of egg‐mass counts showed that study populations fluctuated greatly inter‐annually but were stable at longer timescales (i.e., decades). Adult female survival during 5–6 yr of capture–mark–recapture study periods was nearly equal in each population. Survival rate of R. boylii eggs to the subadult stage is low on average (0.002) but highly variable among years depending on post‐oviposition stream flow. Population viability analysis showed that survival of adult and subadult life stages has the greatest proportional effect on population growth; the survival of egg and tadpole life stages, however, is more malleable by management interventions. For example, simulations showed head‐starting of tadpoles, salvaging stranded egg masses, and limiting aseasonal pulsed flows could dramatically reduce the threat of extirpation. This study demonstrates the value of integrating multiple demographic data sources to construct models of population dynamics in species with complex life histories.
Neurological Manifestations In Adults With Neurofibromatosis Type I (2570)

Objective: Retrospective analysis of neurological manifestations in adults with neurofibromatosis type I Background: Neurofibromatosis type I [NF1], is a common human genetic disease, with an incidence of about 1 in 2500–3300. Autosomal dominant inheritance, with incomplete penetrance and wide Neurological phenotypic variability. the neurofibromatosis clinic at the University of Florida, is a specialized tertiary care clinic evaluating adults and children. Design/Methods: We have performed retrospective data analysis of the electronic medical chart on 200 patients with neurofibromatosis type I. There were 152 adult patients, and 48 pediatric patients. Results: Neurofibromatosis type I is a genetic disease, with a wide range of neurological phenotype. In order to evaluate the viability of phenotype, we studied neurological manifestations in adulthood in patients with NF1. Evaluated 200 patient’s charts, that included 152 adult patients, above the age of 18, and 48 children. This included a multidisciplinary clinical and radiological investigation. One or more neurological manifestations were observed, in about 45 % of patients–adults and children, and equals 89. These included: headaches [32 ], epilepsy [6 ], moyamoya syndrome and stroke [5 ], intraspinal neurofibroma [6 ], trigeminal neuralgia [3 ], polyneuropathy [10 ]. Several tumors were included, optic pathway tumors [10 ], meningioma [1], gliomatosis cerebri [3], malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors [7]. Conclusions: Adults with neurofibromatosis type I, have a large phenotypic neurological variability The highest neurological morbidity among our clinical patient sample, is malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors with neuropathic pain and moyamoya syndrome associated intracerebral hemorrhages. This retrospective study, helps general neurologists to appreciate the different neurological manifestations can present an adults. Referral to a specialized clinic in NF is important as we have increasing experience to diagnose multiple neurological complications seen in neurofibromatosis type I. This current study, is a basis of our newly implemented ongoing prospective study evaluating neurological morbidity and mortality and adults with NF1. Disclosure: Dr. Shuhaiber has nothing to disclose.
Expression Atlas of Avian Neural Crest Proteins: Neurulation to Migration

Neural crest (NC) cells are a dynamic population of embryonic stem cells that create various adult tissues in vertebrate species including craniofacial bone and cartilage and the peripheral and enteric nervous systems. NC development is a conserved and complex process that is controlled by a tightly regulated gene regulatory network (GRN) of morphogens, transcription factors, and cell adhesion proteins. While multiple studies have characterized the expression of several GRN factors in single species, a comprehensive protein analysis that directly compares expression across development is lacking. To address this, we used three closely related avian models, Gallus gallus (chicken), Coturnix japonica (Japanese quail), and Pavo cristatus (Indian peafowl), to compare the localization and timing of four GRN transcription factors, PAX7, SOX9, SNAI2, and SOX10 from the onset of neurulation to migration. While the spatial expression of these factors is largely conserved, we find that quail NC cells express SOX9, SNAI2, and SOX10 proteins at the equivalent of earlier developmental stages than chick and peafowl. In addition, quail NC cells migrate farther and more rapidly than the larger organisms. These data suggest that despite a conservation of NC GRN players, differences in the timing of NC development between species remain a significant frontier to be explored with functional studies. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=145 SRC="FIGDIR/small/456488v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (38K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d4210corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1c5d743org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1b78d56org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a04059_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Comparative analysis of neural crest (NC) protein spatiotemporal localization in quail, chick, and peafowl embryos. Avian embryos were incubated for different lengths of time to achieve the same developmental stage marked by somite number (somite stage, SS) as described by Hamburger and Hamilton (HH) in 1951. (A) Quail, (B) chick, and (C) peafowl embryos were collected for immunohistochemistry (IHC) to define and quantify the timeline of NC protein expression. We specifically focused on the expression of PAX7, SNAI2, SOX9, and SOX10 proteins. We determined that neural crest development as marked by common NC-specific proteins differs between species. Rather than similar, but scaled development, each organism has its own NC developmental timeline. Quail embryos develop much more rapidly than their counterparts, chick and peafowl. Further, chick and peafowl amino acid sequences are more similar to each other than they are to quail. C_FIG
An Isomorphism Theorem for Graphs

A seminal result by Lovasz states that two digraphs A and B (possibly with loops) are isomorphic if and only if for every digraph X the number of homomorphisms X → A equals the number of homomorphisms X → B. Lovasz used this result to deduce certain cancellation properties for the direct product of digraphs. We develop an analogous result for the class of digraphs without loops, and with weak homomorphisms replacing homomorphisms. We show that two digraphs A and B (without loops) are isomorphic if and only if the number of weak homomorphisms X → A equals the number of weak homomorphisms X → B. This result is then applied to deduce a general cancellation property for the strong product of digraphs as well as graphs.
Automated detection and repair of concurrency bugs

Finding and fixing concurrency bugs is critical in modern software systems. This talk examines two recent efforts to automate both the detection and the repair of certain types of concurrency bugs using a mixture of static, dynamic, and statistical methods. First, we present a low-overhead instrumentation framework to diagnose production-run failures caused by concurrency bugs. We track specific thread interleavings at run-time, using sparse random sampling to limit overhead. Methods drawn from work in statistical debugging let us identify strong failure predictors among the sampled concurrent behaviors. Our approach offers a spectrum of performance and diagnosis capabilities suitable for wide deployment to real user desktops. Second, we describe a strategy for automatically fixing one of the most common types of concurrency bugs in real-world code. Starting with descriptions of bad interleavings, our tool automatically inserts synchronization operations to steer future executions away from danger. Static analyses help us maintain good performance while reducing the risk of deadlocks. Dynamic monitoring allows for run-time recovery from deadlocks that could not be statically avoided. Overall, our approach yields overheads too low to reliably measure; produces small, simple, understandable patches; and completely eliminates detected bugs in the targeted class across a variety of complex, real-world applications. Speaker Bio Ben Liblit is an associate professor in the Computer Sciences Department of the University of Wisconsin---Madison, with research interests in programming languages and software engineering. Professor Liblit worked as a professional software engineer for four years before beginning graduate study. His experience has inspired a research style that emphasizes practical, best-effort solutions that bring formal methods to bear against the ugly complexities of real-world software development. Professor Liblit completed his Ph.D. in 2004 at UC Berkeley with advisor Alex Aiken. He earned the 2005 ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award for his work on post-deployment statistical debugging, and has received AFOSR Young Investigator and NSF CAREER awards in support of his research.
Kinetic Stabilization of the α-Synuclein Protofibril by a Dopamine-α-Synuclein Adduct

The substantia nigra in Parkinson9s disease (PD) is depleted of dopaminergic neurons and contains fibrillar Lewy bodies comprising primarily α-synuclein. We screened a library to identify drug-like molecules to probe the relation between neurodegeneration and α-synuclein fibrilization. All but one of 15 fibril inhibitors were catecholamines related to dopamine. The inhibitory activity of dopamine depended on its oxidative ligation to α-synuclein and was selective for the protofibril-to-fibril conversion, causing accumulation of the α-synuclein protofibril. Adduct formation provides an explanation for the dopaminergic selectivity of α-synuclein–associated neurotoxicity in PD and has implications for current and future PD therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.
Statement for Inclusion in the Hearing Record of: Hearing on Tax Reform Options: International Issues Held September 8, 2011 Before U.S. Senate Finance Committee - Congress Should (1) Replace the Current Deferral Regime for the Taxation of Foreign Income with an Imputation System Accompanied by a Lower Corporate Rate, and (2) Reject Proposals for Enactment of a Territorial System

While there are no easy solutions in international taxation, an imputation system offers many benefits over the current deferral system or a territorial system. One of the major benefits of an imputation system is that it will eliminate the bias in favor of foreign investment in low tax jurisdictions over U.S. investment and will eliminate the “lockout” effect. Another benefit is that an imputation system would preserve the U.S. tax base. Under the current deferral system, the U.S. loses billions of dollars in tax revenue, and this would also be true with a territorial system. With more tax revenue coming in every year under an imputation system, the U.S. would be able to significantly lower the corporate tax rate for all corporations. A reduction in the corporate tax rate would lead to an increase in investment in the U.S. by both domestic-controlled and foreign-controlled businesses. By enacting an imputation system, U.S. multinational corporations would no longer have an incentive to abuse the transfer pricing rules by deflecting (1) U.S. income to foreign subsidiaries, and (2) foreign expense to U.S. parents. Such abuses are significant in the current deferral system, would be even greater with a territorial system, and would be eliminated with an imputation system. The case for the adoption of an imputation system in conjunction with a lowering of the corporate rate is so strong that the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee should hold hearings specifically focused on the pros and cons of adopting an imputation system.
The Bangladesh approach to the Palestinian‐Israeli struggle

Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to propose a strategy to promote the culture of peace in the Palestinian‐Israeli struggle. The Bangladesh approach to peacemaking offers a dual strategy: conflict management in the Israeli‐Gaza situation and conflict resolution in the Israeli‐West Bank case. The first is designed to reduce the level of violence in intensified conflict. The second intends to build the foundations of a peaceful social order.Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops and elaborates the second part of the Bangladesh approach. It offers a strategy to build the foundations for a peaceful social order in the Israeli West‐Bank situation. The paper includes theoretical background, examples from other cases of intractable conflict, and lessons from the “Minds of Peace Experiment” – a simulation of a potential Palestinian‐Israeli public negotiating congress – which was conducted at the University of Missouri‐St Louis.Findings – The paper presents two competitive models of peacemaking...
Intergenerational Explorations: Where Everyone Has a Purpose

The goal of the purposeful intergenerational (IG) program is to enhance older adults’ self-efficacy, or feeling of accomplishment, by facilitating their ability to share their knowledge with younge...
Moving heaters as a model of continental drift

Abstract The dynamical behavior of vertical and horizontal movements of floating heat sources is studied experimentally and theoretically. The study of the properties of horizontally moving sources continues the recent work of Howard, Malkus and Whitehead; and the slightly reformulated theory indicates behavior in qualitative agreement with the earlier work. The dynamics of slightly deformable heat sources is explored and a class of source aggregates whose strength decreases with depth is found to dynamically deform to an asymmetric shape which continues to propel the source. The consequence of downwelling which entraps heat-producing surface material is also reported. One of the principal features is a local deep heating which leads to an upward restoring force. Systems are discussed in which this causes an oscillating behavior with period t ≈ (νρC p /(gαQw)) 1 2 which, if the Earth fulfills certain conditions, is of the order of a few hundred million years.
Personal Characteristics of House Staff Candidates: A Quantitative Analysis of Relative Weights

Abstract We surveyed the faculty, fellows, and residents of a department of medicine to determine the relative importance of each of eight personal characteristics evaluated during the interview of...
Speckle reduction in ultrasonic synthetic aperture images

Abstract The ultrasonic synthetic aperture imaging technique has been used for non-destructive testing since it gives very good lateral resolution in all regions of interest. However, when this technique is used on coarse-grained materials, the images show a significant amount of speckle. The performance of two techniques for speckle reduction in synthetic aperture images is evaluated: the split spectrum processing technique with polarity thresholding algorithm and the interlaced array technique. Experimental results show significant speckle reduction in these images after the application of these techniques. The signal-to-noise ratios of the processed and unprocessed images have been calculated to quantitatively measure the reduction of speckle.
Sensory Adapted Dental Environments to Enhance Oral Care for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

This pilot and feasibility study examined the impact of a sensory adapted dental environment (SADE) to reduce distress, sensory discomfort, and perception of pain during oral prophylaxis for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants were 44 children ages 6–12 (n = 22 typical, n = 22 ASD). In an experimental crossover design, each participant underwent two professional dental cleanings, one in a regular dental environment (RDE) and one in a SADE, administered in a randomized and counterbalanced order 3–4 months apart. Outcomes included measures of physiological anxiety, behavioral distress, pain intensity, and sensory discomfort. Both groups exhibited decreased physiological anxiety and reported lower pain and sensory discomfort in the SADE condition compared to RDE, indicating a beneficial effect of the SADE.
Chaotic vectors and a proposal for multidimensional associative network

The paper presents mathematical and empirical results of the behavior of a new multidimensional neural computing paradigm called multidimensional holographic associative computing (MHAC). MHAC can be potentially used for high density associative storage and retrieval of image information. Unlike conventional neural computing, each morsel of information in MHAC is presented as a complex vector in a multidimensional unit spherical space. Each of the individual phases of the vector enumerates a value of the information. The magnitude of the vector represents the associated confidence in the information. In contrast, the conventional neural computing operates only on the notion of confidence. The proposed multidimensional generalization demonstrates significant improvement in associative storage capacity without the loss of generalization space. Virtually, unlimited pattern associations can be enfolded over a single holographic memory substrate by higher order encoding. In addition, its well-structured computation, simultaneous multi-channel learning, and single step non- iterative retrieval promise highly scalable parallelism. The paper presents the theory of operation of MHAC that is founded on the generalized holographic principles and multidimensional Hebbian learning. The paper also presents analytical as well as empirical evidence from computer simulation supporting the superior performance of MHAC cells.
Automated Image-Map Registration Using Active Contour Models And Photogrammetric Techniques

A method for the automatic registration of imagery and maps is presented, using a combination of photogram-metric and active contour model techniques. Roads appearing on the map and in the imagery are modeled as active contours, and their positions in the image determined by energy minimization on an energy surface calcu-lated as a function of edge strength. The rest positions of the contour models in the image are required to be projections of their map positions, thus maintaining the known shape of the roads. The image orientation parameters are refined as part of the road location process, yielding a simultaneous, consistent determination of the road locations and the imaging parameters and allowing well-determined features to assist the location of weaker ones.© (1989) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of altered hormonal states and fasting on rat-liver mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase levels

Abstract 1. 1. Rat-liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP: oxaloacetate carboxylyase (transphosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.32) levels have been measured following various hormonal treatments and fasting, and in control animals. 2. 2. Adrenalectomy and hydrocortisone administration were without significant effect on mitochondrial carboxykinase levels, although amounts of this enzyme in soluble fraction of these same livers were nearly doubled by administration of the glucocorticoid. 3. 3. Alloxan diabetes, insulin administration, and fasting also were without statistically significant effect on levels of mitochondrial carboxykinase expressed per mg protein; increases of 55% and 51% respectively, in mitochondrial activity per g liver or per 100 g body weight were noted in diabetic animals. 4. 4. It is conluded that any concerted participation of rat-liver pyruvate carboxylase (pyruvate: CO2 ligase (ADP), EC 6.4.1.1) plus phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in glucogenesis must involve principally the extramitochondrial carboxykinase.
Probing NMDA receptor GluN2A and GluN2B subunit expression and distribution in cortical neurons

The spatial distribution of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunits in layer 5 (L5) neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is important for integrating input-output signals involved in cognitive functions and motor behavior. In this study, focal laser scanning photostimulation of caged glutamate, slice electrophysiology, and small peptide pharmacology, were used to map the distribution of functional GluN2A and GluN2B subunits of the NMDAR from L5 neurons of wild-type (WT) and GluN2A(-/-) mice. Focal uncaging of glutamate evoked spatially-restricted glutamatergic responses on various dendritic locations of pyramidal neurons in the mPFC. Analyses of the spatial arrangements of the GluN2A and GluN2B subunits were performed by comparing inhibition of glutamatergic responses in the presence of the GluN2A-selective pharmacological antagonist, NVP-AAM077 (NVP), and the GluN2B-selective peptidic antagonist, conantokin-G (con-G). We found that apical and basal expression and distribution of GluN2A and GluN2B were similar in L5 mPFC neurons of WT mice. However, the inhibition of glutamatergic responses by NVP in brain slices of GluN2A(-/-) mice were dramatically decreased, while con-G inhibition remained similar to that observed in WT brain slices. The data obtained show that expression and spatial arrangement of GluN2B subunits is independent of GluN2A in L5 neurons of the mPFC. These findings have important ramifications for NMDAR organization and function in L5 pyramidal neurons of the mPFC, and show that specific populations of NMDARs can be antagonized, while sparing other subgroups of NMDARs, thus preserving selective NMDAR functions, an important therapeutic advantage.
“Reduced to a Zero‐Point”: Banjamin's Critique of Kantian Historical Experience

L'A. repere dans l'oeuvre de Benjamin les indices implicites et explicites d'un engagement critique face a Kant, dans le contexte academique d'un depassement du neokantisme dans les annees 1920. Examinant la critique de la conception kantienne de l'experience comme element pratique de l'histoire, l'A. met en evidence la dimension marxiste de la position de Benjamin concernant le materialisme historique et le messianisme.
Safety and quality assessment of packaged spinach treated with a novel ozone-generation system

Abstract The quality and safety of packaged salad are major concerns to consumers. Ozone gas is a non-thermal processing technology capable of treating food to reduce pathogens. The ozone generation system (PK-1) used in this study consisted of a pair of electrodes with an adjustable gap inside a package. Individual, fresh, prepackaged, whole spinach leaves inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 6460 were treated in packaging with ozone generated in air and oxygen. Samples were treated for 5 min and stored at room temperature (22 °C) or refrigeration (5 °C) for 0.5, 2, and 24 h. Gas composition and relative humidity were measured. All treated samples showed reductions in E. coli O157:H7 populations with the largest reductions (3–5 log10 CFU/leaf) after 24 h of storage. After 5 min of treatment, ozone concentrations were 1.6 and 4.3 mg/L for air and oxygen gas, respectively. The concentrations of ozone decreased with time and were not detectable after 24 h. A 5-point Spinach Color Quality (SCQ) scale was established (5-best, 1-worst). Treated spinach showed discoloration with SCQ-values of 3.83 and 1.00 for air and oxygen gas exposed leaves after 24 h. These results indicate that the PK-1 system is capable of reducing E. coli O157:H7 in packaged spinach; however, minimizing quality changes after treatment requires further research.
The Effects of Chronic Marijuana Use

Summary There has been much controversy in the literature as to whether marijuana is detrimental to the psychological functioning of the user. In light of this issue, 14 male and female users, nonusers, and quitters of high school and college age were studied in a pre-posttest design to determine if chronic use affects the variables of aggression, frustration, alienation, and social- and self-adjustment. The quitters group discontinued use for two months after a two-week baseline period. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences among groups on any of the measures. Relating these findings to the literature suggests that differences which have been previously indicated may be due to the use of naive vs. experienced marijuana users as Ss.
Further studies on the eosinophilic response of rats infected with irradiated Trichinella

Rats were infected with Trichinella larvae subjected to sterilizing doses (12,000 and 14,000 r) of x radiation. During the course of such infections, which were limited to the intestine, circulating eosinophilia failed to develop in rats infected with larvae subjected to 12,000 r. In another experiment, similar rats infected with larvae exposed to 14,000 r did develop a marked eosinophilic response, in contrast to the previous report. It is not clear why in earlier studies Trichinella irradiated with 12,000 or 16,000 r failed to stimulate an eosinophilia, while similar larvae irradiated with 14,000 r did. One possible explanation offered is that a certain dose of x ray damages eosinophilogenic centers or substances in the parasite while other doses may stimulate such factors. It is also possible that 14,000 r might damage certain structures in such a fashion as to endow them with eosinophilogenic properties. It is concluded that irradiated larvae may or may not stimulate the host's eosinophil response even in the absence of the second generation of parasites. Thus the irradiation technique as used here does not provide an unequivocal answer to the question originally proposed, namely, can or does the intestinal phase of infection with Trichinella initiate themore » characteristic eosinophilia associated with trichinosis? A different approach to the problem is required. (BBB)« less
THE ARCHIVES OF AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

(1976). THE ARCHIVES OF AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. The Review of Education: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 285-297.
The pelvic and perineal fasciae and their neural and vascular relationships

This study was based upon a dissection of the pelvic fasciae and associated structures of one hundred and three adult pelves as well as those of three full term fetuses. The perineal fasciae and their neural and vascular relationships were studied in an additional 55 specimens. The uterovaginal fascia, as stated by others, is a well-defined structure. One is usually able, on the basis of a fascial cleft, to distinguish readily between the fascial sheath of rectum proper and the deeper layer of subperitoneal fascia, called by some the presacral fascia. The latter is described, including the relationship of the pelvic autonomics thereto. The relationship of the vesical branches of the pelvic plexus and of the venous plexuses to the terminal ureter are also described. We were able to confirm the presence of a superficial and a deep perineal fascia; the latter forms the inferior boundary of the superficial perineal space proper, as described by others. The relationship of particular nerves (and vessels) to the fascial planes of the perineum follows a definite pattern even when variation from the normal is present.
What views and uses of radiation sources in the 21st century

Considering that in 1899 neither biotechnology nor the electronic revolution were foreseen, some humility might be advisable when one looks into the crystal ball for the future role of radiation sources. In the past 50 years, nuclear medicine, nuclear weapons, and nuclear power have had a huge impact in the world. In the next 50 years, nuclear weapons may be phased out, nuclear power revived, and nuclear medicine may continue, especially for diagnostic purposes. Conflicts between great powers and blocks will no longer be about territorial or ideological domination but about trade, finance, information, and the environment and the weapons used will not be bombs but investments, credits, and control of information. Nuclear power-still based on fission-will be relaunched and get more uses, e.g., to propel ships, to produce heat for industry and for space heating, and perhaps to desalinate water. The public will be more at ease with radiation as it is better educated, as nuclear safety continuously improves and new types of nuclear power plants emerge, as waste sites fail to cause any problems, and as no other energy source is found to deliver so much energy at reasonable cost with negligible impact on climate and environment. One kilogram of oil corresponds to 4 kWh of electricity. One kilogram of uranium fuel corresponds to 50,000 kWh, and 1 kg of plutonium 6,000,000 kWh! In nuclear medicine, radiation may give way to other treatments as the understanding of cancer advances. On the other hand, the extreme ease with which sources of radiation can be identified is unmatched and likely to make them useful tools as tracers and markers in medicine-and other fields-for a long time. For certain uses--perhaps food irradiation--radiation sources, such as cobalt, may be replaced by accelerators which may be switched on and off at will. As more sources are used, registration and control of them must be made very effective around the whole world. Very high natural emissions of radon will continue to call for cautionary measures, but many other nonradiating substances will be identified as hazardous to health and call for vigorous intervention.
Electron-stimulated oxidation of silicon carbide

Abstract Auger Electron spectroscopy was used to study electron-stimulated oxidation (ESO) of SiC. The rate of oxidation was investigated as a function of electron-beam exposure (on and off), primary electron-beam energy (3–6 keV), electron-beam current (25–500 nA) and total chamber pressure. The oxidation rate correlated with overall chamber pressure rather than the partial pressure of H2O, CO or CO2 alone. The rate decreased as the primary-beam voltage Ep was increased. The oxidation rate increased as the primary-beam current was increased at higher pressures (2.2×10−7 Torr). Oxidation did not occur in the absence of the electron beam.
Temporal Relationship Between the Deposition and Microbial Degradation of Lignocellulosic Detritus in a Georgia Salt Marsh and the Okefenokee Swamp

Temperature dependence and seasonal variations in rates of microbial degradation of the lignin and polysaccharide components of specifically radiolabeled lignocelluloses were determined in sediment and water samples from a Georgia salt marsh and the nearby Okefenokee Swamp. Although temperature regimes in the two ecosystems were similar, rates of mineralization ofSpartina alterniflora lignocellulose in salt marsh sediments increased eightfold between winter and summer, whereas rates of mineralization of lignocellulose from an analogous freshwater macrophyte,Carex walteriana, in Okefenokee sediments increased only twofold between winter and summer. Temperature was the major factor influencing seasonal variations in rates of lignocellulose degradation in both environments. At any given temperature, no substantial differences in lignocellulolytic potential were observed with sediment samples collected at each season. In both ecosystems, the bulk of the lignocellulosic detritus was not degraded at the time of its peak deposition during the fall and winter. Instead, the periods of maximal decomposition occurred during the following spring and summer. These results suggest that periods of maximal nutrient regeneration from the mineralization of lignocellulosic detritus coincide with periods of highest primary production, and that, depending on hydrologic conditions, significant horizontal transport of essentially intact lignocellulosic material is possible due to the lag period between deposition and microbial degradation.
Extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma: An unusual location

A 14-year-old boy with a retrohepatic para-aortic pheochromocytoma demonstrates the potential difficulties of localization in an unusual extra-adrenal site of pheochromocytoma. Ultrasonography, computed tomography, metaiodobenzylguanidine scanning, and angiography with venous sampling failed to define the true anatomic location of this tumor. Collateral venous drainage produced confusing venous sampling data and represents a potential pitfall in the interpretation of these studies.
Economic indicators of resource scarcity: A critical essay

Abstract The theoretical arguments of the conceptual and empirical literature on economic indicators of long run resource scarcity are logically flawed. If resource allocators were informed of the nature of resource scarcity, their behavior and the economic indicators it generates would reflect the scarcity. But if they were so informed, we could simply ask them if resources were scarce. If they are not informed, their behavior and economic indicators are as likely to indicate their ignorance as the reality. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing whether they are informed or not unless we already know whether resources are scarce.
Effects of ATP-magnesium chloride on the cardiopulmonary manifestations of group B streptococcal sepsis in the piglet.

Effects of ATP-Magnesium Chloride on the Cardiopulmonary Manifestations of Group B Streptococcal Sepsis in the Piglet 1
Incomplete inhibition of the Rb tumor suppressor pathway in the context of inactivated p53 is sufficient for pancreatic islet tumorigenesis

Here, we describe the surprising residual capability of the Rb pathway to negatively regulate proliferation and tumorigenesis in a SV40 large T antigen (Tag)-driven mouse model of pancreatic islet carcinogenesis. Heterogeneous Tag expression during all progression stages suggested that a threshold level of the T antigen oncoprotein might be deterministic for beta-cell hyperproliferation and led us to hypothesize that Tag might not be fully inhibiting the tumor suppressor activity of Rb. Moreover, genomic profiling of these tumors by array CGH pointed to regions of loss on chromosomes 6 and 14, where the Rb pathway inhibitor p27 and Rb itself, respectively, reside. Indeed, genetic ablation of the p27(Kip1) or Rb genes accentuated Tag-induced tumorigenesis, with loss of Rb in particular broadly enhancing multiple parameters of tumorigenesis including the frequency and growth rates of premalignant lesions, of nascent solid tumors, and of invasive carcinomas. The data indicate that attenuation rather than complete inactivation of Rb tumor suppressor gene function, in the context of p53 inhibition, is sufficient to initiate tumorigenesis in this model of islet cell cancer, with the demonstrable possibility that subsequent losses of Rb or its regulators can enhance malignant progression. The results may be relevant to human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cervical neoplasias where E7 oncogene expression levels or activity (in the case of intermediate/low-risk HPV subtypes) incompletely inhibits Rb tumor suppressor functions, as well as to other neoplasias where initiating oncogenic or tumor suppressor events reduce but do not abrogate Rb function.
The evolution of the Russian polity: The case of the Security Council

Abstract The demise of the Soviet Union and the resurrection of the Russian state made the creation of new administrative structures inevitable. To address national-security issues, the Russian Security Council was established in March, 1992. This paper examines the effectiveness of Boris Yeltsin's efforts to construct this key part of the political structure. As a result of a new constitution which has concentrated power in the Presidency as well as continuing instability in the Russian polity, Yeltsin has found it necessary to create the functional equivalent of the former communist party administrative structure to enact national security policy.
The Czech Republic on the UN Security Council: The Rwandan Genocide

The Rwanda civil war that in 1994 degenerated into a slaughter of the country's Tutsi, amounting to genocide, was possibly the world's most devastating bloodbath of the 1990s. In 1994, the newly formed Czech Republic took up its place as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council; Karel Kovanda was the Czech Ambassador at the time. Drawing on internal documents of the Czech Foreign Service and on his own private notes, as well as on a wealth of published information, Kovanda details in this personal memoir the step-by-step evolution of the Rwandan tragedy as he and his delegation perceived it, and the Czech reaction to it. He repeatedly highlights the information gap: on the one hand, insufficient and biased information provided by the UN Secretariat; on the other hand, the detailed, accurate, and timely information his delegation received from NGOs. Kovanda estimates that during the first weeks, the Security Council gave perhaps 80% of its attention to the civil war between Rwandan government forc...