cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating infiltration models and pedotransfer functions: Implications for hydrologic modeling

Abstract Soil is a critical medium that governs hydrological processes in a landscape; however, soil data quality and resolution are not given much emphasis during watershed modeling and developing practical management practices, especially in data scarce regions such as in the Ethiopian highlands. This is primarily because measuring most soil parameters is costly, laborious, and at times impractical. Infiltration models and Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) may bridge this gap by estimating such complex soil parameters from easily measurable ones. However, most infiltration models and PTFs were developed for temperate regions and there is no comprehensive experimental or modeling work done to evaluate the robustness of such approaches in the Ethiopian highlands. Therefore, this study aims to i) evaluate the performance of three infiltration models, namely Horton, Koistakov, and Philip in simulating soil infiltration rates and ii) test the reliability of nine PTFs in estimating saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil moisture contents at field capacity and permanent wilting point in a case study in the Anjeni watershed. Soils in the Anjeni watershed on average contain higher percentages of clay and silt with 42 and 34%, respectively; and have acidic pH and low organic matter. Steady infiltration rate (fs) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) ranged between 0.19 and 30.6 mm h−1 and 0.19 and 3.3 mm h−1, respectively. All the three infiltration models fitted observed data very well with R2 and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NS) values between 0.95 and 0.97 each. While the Horton and Koistakov models had the same R2 and NS values, the Horton provided smaller Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values. Some of the tested PTFs showed promising results in estimating saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil moisture content; however, all PTFs showed limitations which warrant further evaluation using observed data. This study showed that soil hydrologic parameters vary significantly even within a small area, and widely available soil datasets (e.g., Africa Soil Information Service (AfSIS) and FAO Harmonized World Soil Database) fail to reflect actual field conditions. This suggests that emphasis should be given to soil data quality and resolution during watershed modeling, and land and water management planning.
Radiation-related Lymphopenia after Pelvic Nodal Irradiation for Prostate Cancer.

Abstract Purpose Given the uncertainty with regard to the effectiveness of pelvic nodal irradiation (PNI) for prostate cancer, we aimed to determine whether patients with prostate cancer who are treated with PNI are at a higher risk of developing radiation-related lymphopenia (RRL). Methods and materials The electronic charts of 886 consecutive patients treated with radiation therapy for prostate cancer between 2006 and 2018 at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. Qualifying patients were those with total lymphocyte counts within 1 year before and 3 to 24 months after the start of radiation therapy. Lymphopenia was the primary outcome, and overall survival and biochemical progression-free survival were secondary outcomes. Results Thirty-six patients with and 95 patients without PNI qualified for inclusion. In the PNI cohort, 61.1% of patients developed RRL (median follow-up total lymphocyte count Conclusions The higher risk of RRL among patients with PNI comports with other papers that show that increased treatment volumes are associated with higher rates of RRL. Mounting evidence for the adverse effects of RRL on clinical outcomes supports the significance of our findings and suggests that further studies are needed on RRL as a potential harm of PNI that may affect the interpretation of results from clinical trials of PNI.
Multiple Timescale Online Learning Rules for Information Maximization with Energetic Constraints

A key aspect of the neural coding problem is understanding how representations of afferent stimuli are built through the dynamics of learning and adaptation within neural networks. The infomax para...
Mass Media, Consumerism and National Identity in Postwar Japan. By Martyn David Smith. (London, UK: Bloomsbury Academic, 2018. Pp. 165. $74.10.)

Martyn David Smith investigates the role played by Japan's expanding popular mass media in promoting the emergence of a vibrant consumer society and the development of a depoliticized postwar natio...
A versatile flow-based assay for immunocyte-mediated cytotoxicity

Cell-mediated cytotoxicity is a critical function of the immune system in mounting defense against pathogens and cancers. Current methods that allow direct evaluation of cell-mediated cytotoxicity suffer from a wide-range of drawbacks. Here, we present a novel strategy to measure cytotoxicity that is direct, sensitive, rapid, and highly adaptable. Moreover, it allows accurate measurement of viability of both target and effector cells. Target cells are fluorescently labeled with a non-toxic, cell-permeable dye that covalently binds to cell proteins, including nuclear proteins. The labeled target cells are incubated with effector cells to begin killing. Following the killing reaction, the cell mixture is incubated with another dye that specifically stains proteins of dead cells, including nuclear proteins. In the final step, cell nuclei are released by Triton X-100, and analyzed by flow cytometry. This results in four nuclear staining patterns that separate target and effector nuclei as well as nuclei of live and dead cells. Analyzing nuclei, instead of cells, greatly reduces flow cytometry errors caused by the presence of target-effector cell aggregates. Target killing time can often be reduced to 2 h and the assay can be done in a high throughput format. We have successfully validated this assay in a variety of cytotoxicity scenarios including those mediated by NK-92 cells, Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cells, and Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL). Therefore, this technique is broadly applicable, highly sensitive and easily administered, making it a powerful tool to assess immunotherapy-based, cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
Counting 1324-avoiding Permutations

We consider permutations that avoid the pattern 1324. By studying the generating tree for such permutations, we obtain a recurrence formula for their number. A computer program provides data for the number of 1324-avoiding permutations of length up to 20.
5 classes of antihypertensive drugs were not linked to positive COVID-19 test results or severe COVID-19.

SOURCE CITATION: Reynolds HR, Adhikari S, Pulgarin C, et al. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and risk of Covid-19. N Engl J Med. 2020;382:2441-8. 32356628.
When Third Time's a Charm: Successful Outcome after Third Orthotopic Heart Transplantation

Introduction Cardiac re-transplantation represents a small but growing proportion of total transplants being performed. Medical, ethical, moral and social dynamics continue to remain individualized and highly debated but more evolved with advancement in medicine for patients needing cardiac re-transplantation. We describe a case of a successful outcome in a patient requiring her third orthotopic heart transplant. Case A 26 year old female with history of orthotopic heart transplant at age 11 for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and subsequent re-transplantation for cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) ten years later presented to our emergency room with cardiac arrest. Prior to the index hospitalization, the patient had an echocardiogram with a mildly reduced ejection fraction and an angiogram with chronic total occlusions of the right coronary artery and left circumflex artery with excellent collaterals and preserved cardiac output. Nuclear stress test showed no evidence of ischemia. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy prophylaxis with aspirin and pravastatin in addition to a triple regimen of immunosuppression of tacrolimus, sirolimus and mycophenolate mofetil were verified. The hospitalization was complicated by rapidly deteriorating biventricular function and three more episodes of cardiac arrest ultimately requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Fortunately, the patient had negative HLAs with 0% CPRA and preserved end organ function. The selection committee thoughtfully considered her history of intermittent social marijuana use, active COVID 19 precautions in the hospital and a third sternotomy at such a young age, with likely need of possible 4th heart transplant in the future, but ultimately approved the patient for listing. Despite being Status 1, the patient had near daily loss of pulsatility for greater than 10-15 minutes which made us consider the possibility of total artificial heart. Fortunately, the patient received a local heart due to the COVID travel restrictions with total ischemic time of 98 minutes. She was induced with basiliximab and had negative retrospective and prospective crossmatches. There were no intra-op complications and post-op the patient had mild RV dysfunction requiring 4 days of inotropes. Patient was successfully discharged 9 days following her third OHT. Conclusion Patients undergoing re-transplantation have overall poorer outcomes than those undergoing primary transplantation. Several factors influence these outcomes including timing from prior transplant, previous sternotomy, sensitization status, and renal dysfunction. With advances in medicine and pediatric patients living well into adulthood, there will be more patients requiring re-transplantation. As these trends emerge, individualized patient selection remains the key factor to improved outcomes. Our case presents an otherwise healthy young woman with graft failure without evidence of sensitization who underwent a successful third transplantation.
Rainbows and "Ready for Residency": Integrating LGBTQ Health Into Medical Education

Introduction To provide appropriate and sensitive care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) youth, providers must learn specific skills and guidelines. Most medica...
Development of a simple method to measure static body weight distribution in neurologically and orthopedically normal mature small breed dogs.

Objective outcome measures capable of tracking different aspects of functional recovery in dogs with acute intervertebral disc herniation are needed to optimize physical rehabilitation protocols. Normal, pre-injury distribution of body weight in this population is unknown. The aims of this study were to quantify static weight distribution (SWD) using digital scales and to establish the feasibility of different scale methods in neurologically normal, mature, chondrodystrophic small breed dogs predisposed to intervertebral disc herniation. Twenty-five healthy, mature dogs were enrolled with a mean age of 4.6 years (SD 2.7) and a mean total body weight of 11.5 kg (SD 3.6). SWD for the thoracic and pelvic limbs and between individual limbs was acquired in triplicate and expressed as a percentage of total body weight using commercially available digital scales in four combinations: two bathroom, two kitchen (with thoracic and pelvic limbs combined), four bathroom and four kitchen (with limbs measured individually). SWD was also obtained using a pressure sensing walkway for comparison to scale data. Feasibility for each method was determined and coefficients of variation were used to calculate inter-trial variability. Mean SWD values were compared between methods using an ANOVA. The two bathroom scales method had the highest feasibility and lowest inter-trial variability and resulted in mean thoracic and pelvic limb SWD of 63 % (SD 3 %) and 37 % (SD 3 %), respectively. Thoracic limb mean SWD was higher for the PSW compared to any of the scale methods (p < 0.0001). SWD in a population of healthy chondrodystrophic dogs was simple to obtain using inexpensive and readily available digital scales. This study generated SWD data for subsequent comparison to dogs recovering from acute intervertebral disc herniation.
Treatment of Disorders of Tone and Other Considerations in Pediatric Movement Disorders

Pediatric movement disorders (PMDs) consist of a heterogeneous group of signs and symptoms caused by numerous neurological diseases. Different neurological disorders in children also share overlapping movement disorders making a diagnosis of the underlying cause of the movement disorder challenging. The similarity of the symptoms across multiple disease types suggests that there may be a final common motor pathway causing the overlapping movement disorders. There are numerous disorders in children associated with disturbances in tone and involuntary movements. This chapter will focus primarily on those disorders that involve abnormalities of tone and other important considerations of pediatric movement disorders. This chapter will address rating scales and goals for treatment and will include a review of symptomatic treatment and, where possible, the treatment of the underlying disease processes. The chapter will review representative disorders, including an inborn error of metabolism, an autoimmune disorder, and a group of neurodegenerative disorders. These examples demonstrate how the disorder's underlying pathophysiology results in a specific approach to the underlying disease and the associated conditions of tone and involuntary movements. Finally, the multiple treatment options for cerebral palsy and considerations of cerebral palsy mimics will be discussed.
1969: The Birth of Tax Reform

This narrative poem framed from Robert Penn Warren’s epic poem, “Brother to Dragons,” transforms Warren’s poem into a satirical take on tax reform covering the origins, implementation, effectiveness, and future of American tax reform legislation. The poem begins by highlighting economic, political, social, and pop culture events from the American 1960s. The author discusses the emergence of and reasons for tax reform detailing the policy behind reform along with the positive and negative aspects of the original Tax Reform Act of 1969. The first reform attempted to curtail tax shelters by limiting risk write-offs, but exceptions in the reformation allowed tax shelters to continue to benefit the rich. The author suggests tax reform is merely a political tool for legislators to increase campaign funds by preventing the elimination of favorable tax provisions. The Revenue Act of 1978 also proved ineffective in eliminating tax shelter abuse. Then came the biggest reform up to date. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 effectively shut down tax shelters by adding legislation, which states losses from “passive activities” may be deducted only against income from similar sources. However, the reform still fails to eliminate tax benefits for the rich. The author then lapses into a narrative in an attempt to understand if true reform is possible. The author gives no answer, but insinuates reform is now on the conscience of Americans and the task is real: find reform.
Phase II study of single-agent nivolumab in patients with myelofibrosis

Dysregulated JAK-STAT signaling in myelofibrosis induces pro-inflammatory cytokines, which suppresses T cell proliferation and differentiation, likely responsible for disease progression. The PD-1 pathway, found to be overexpressed in myeloid malignancies, has gained great interest as a therapeutic target, where a significant unmet need exists for novel therapeutic strategies. Preclinical models showed JAK2 mutant cells had higher expression of PD-L1; furthermore, JAK2 mutant xenografts treated with PD-1 inhibition had prolonged survival and reduction in JAK2 allele burden. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of single-agent nivolumab in 8 adult patients with myelofibrosis. Nivolumab was given at 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks for 8 doses, then every 12 weeks for up to 4 years, or until disease progression or toxicity. The median number of nivolumab doses received was 6 [range, 5–16 doses]. Five patients had stable disease including spleen size, total symptom score, and blood requirements for a median of 3.3 months [range, 2.3–15.2 months]. After a median follow-up of 57 months, two patients were still alive. The median overall survival was 6.1 months [range, 3.2–57.4 months]. Due to failure to meet the predetermined efficacy endpoint, the study was terminated early. Trial registration: Clinical trials.gov NCT: 02,421,354
Endocrine and immunological responses to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) administration in juvenile harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) during winter and summer.

Abstract There is increasing interest in measuring endocrine and immune parameters in free-ranging seals and sea lions, but there is a lack of understanding in how an acute stress response, often associated with capture and handling, influences these parameters of interest. The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of a simulated stressor on both endocrine and immune parameters. During two seasons, exogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) was administered to seven female juvenile harbor seals and the response of several hormones (cortisol, aldosterone, total and free thyroxine and total triiodothyronine) and immunological parameters (total and differential leukocyte counts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) proliferation) were assessed. Cortisol peaked at 165 min (winter 203.1 ± 84.7 ng/ml; summer 205.3 ± 65.7 ng/ml) and remained significantly elevated 240 min after ACTH infusion in both seasons. Aldosterone peaked at 90 min (winter 359.3 ± 249.3 pg/ml; summer 294.1 ± 83.7 pg/ml) and remained elevated 240 min after administration of ACTH in both seasons. An increase in circulating total white blood cells was driven primarily by the increase in neutrophils which occurred simultaneously with a decrease in lymphocytes leading to an overall increase in neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. These findings demonstrate that a simulated stress response in juvenile harbor seals results in a predictable increase in both cortisol and aldosterone concentrations, and were associated with altered immunological parameters.
Impact of Fiscal Decentralization on Economic Growth in the Districts of Nepal

This paper focuses on the evolving pattern of fiscal decentralization and its impact on the growth of per capita GDP of the districts in Nepal. The dependent variable is the growth of the per capita district agricultural GDP, which is, used as a proxy for the annual growth of per capita district GDP growth. The revenue and expenditure indices have been used as the fiscal decentralization variables. The paper also uses a dummy variable for the Local Self Governance Act (LSGA) as a fiscal decentralization variable. From the various regressions, it is found that fiscal decentralization has positively influenced the per capita district GDP growth. The coefficient of fiscal decentralization variables and dummy variable for the LSGA are statistically significant and positive. The relationship is robust. It is conclude that, ceteris paribus, fiscal decentralization is supportive to district per capita GDP growth in Nepal.
Knowledge in Numbers

Using our ability to differentiate became one of our great passions. By using word tools, we began to differentiate or interrupt the continuum of being into discrete units. We dissected our world into blocks and then attempted to put the blocks back together again. The inclination to analyze, synthesize, to interrupt the continuum, is so pronounced that we might term it an innate human property. We see small children dissecting their new toys, sometimes with disastrous consequences, attempting to reduce them to the smallest possible units and then rebuilding them so that the parts at least resemble the original wholes.
Incentive Compatible Selection

Ensuring truthful evaluation of alternatives in human activities has always been an important issue throughout history. In sports, in particular, such an issue is vital and practice of the fair-play principle has been consistently put forward as a matter of foremost priority. In addition to relying on the code of ethics and professional responsibility of players and coaches, the design of game rules is an important measure in enforcing fair play. Ranking alternatives through pairwise comparisons (or competitions) is the most common approach in sports tournaments. Its goal is to find out the “true” ordering among alternatives through complete or partial pairwise competitions [1, 3–7]. Such studies have been mainly based on the assumption that all the players play truthfully, i.e., with their maximal effort. It is, however, possible that some players form a coalition and cheat for group benefit. An interesting example can be found in [2].
A Visit to a New Zealand School: Informal but On-Task, Strict but Caring.

If you were to see a picture of New Zealand students and not be aware of the locale, you could easily believe the setting was a Unted States classroom. Meeting them, you notice a difference in accent, but the level of their language development parallels that of American students of the same age. New Zealand students also parallel their American counterparts in their educational development. We noticed no differences between the physical, psychological, and educational development of the New Zealand students and those of a typical group of American students in grades kindergarten through six. Other than in social development, which we will discuss later, "Kids are kids" is an appropriate summary. American society, with its massive media influence and social pressure, tends to cause its children to mature early. This is seen in dress, behavior, dating, wearing of makeup, and in the appearance of social sophistication. The New Zealand children, in contrast, seem refreshingly naive and much like American children one or two generations ago. They are quite well informed about the history and geography of the United States, including our current events. They are inquisitive about rock stars, films, music, and radio and television programming and stars, but still they are children. During tea and lunch they play on the playground (this was even true at a high school we visited), and they are very courteous and formal in their behavior. Quite respectful of adults, they rise when the principal or a visitor enters their classroom.
Acid tolerance of Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus plantarum.

In this study, we determined the internal cellular pH response of Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus plantarum to the external pH created by the microorganisms themselves or by lactic or acetic acids and their salts added to the growth medium. Growth of Leuconostoc mesenteroides stopped when its internal pH reached 5.4 to 5.7, and growth of L. plantarum stopped when its internal pH reached 4.6 to 4.8. Variation in growth medium composition or pH did not alter the growth-limiting internal pH reached by these microorganisms. L. plantarum maintained its pH gradient in the presence of either 160 mM sodium acetate or sodium lactate down to an external pH of 3.0 with either acid. In contrast, the ΔpH of Leuconostoc mesenteroides was zero at pH 4.0 with acetate and 5.0 with lactate. No differences were found between d-(−)- and l-(+)-lactic acid for the limiting internal pH for growth of either microorganism. The comparatively low growth-limiting internal pH and ability to maintain a pH gradient at high organic acid concentration may contribute to the ability of L. plantarum to terminate vegetable fermentations.
Front-end buck converter topology for SRM drives - design and control

The design and control of a front-end buck converter based topology switched reluctance motors (SRM) are proposed in this paper. It has the advantages of minimum number of power switching devices, equal voltage rating for all the switching devices and variable dc link voltage for application to the motor. The operational characteristics of this converter-driven SRM drive are derived for four-quadrant performance. The feasibility of the proposed converter topology for the four-quadrant SRM drive system is validated by extensive dynamic simulation and experimental results of the motor drive system. The merits and demerits of the converter are given.
Design of the NIF Cryogenic Target System

The U.S. Department of Energy has embarked on a campaign to conduct credible fusion ignition experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 2010. The target assembly specified for this campaign requires the formation of a deuterium-tritium fuel ice layer in a 2-mm-diam capsule at the center of a 9-mm-long X 5-mm-diam cylinder, called a hohlraum. The ice layer must be formed and maintained at temperatures below 20 K. At laser shot time, the target is positioned at the center of the NIF target chamber, aligned to the laser beams, and held stable to <7-μm root-mean-square. We have completed the final design of the cryogenic target system and are currently integrating the devices necessary to create, characterize, and position the cryogenic target for ignition experiments.
A high-protein breakfast prevents body fat gain, through reductions in daily intake and hunger, in “Breakfast skipping” adolescents

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine whether the daily consumption of normal-protein (NP) vs. high-protein (HP) breakfast meals improves appetite control, food intake, and body composition in “breakfast skipping” young people with overweight/obesity. Methods Fifty-seven adolescents (age: 19 ± 1 years; BMI: 29.7 ± 4.6 kg m−2) completed a 12-week randomized controlled trial in which the adolescents consumed either a 1,464 kJ NP breakfast (13 g protein) or a HP breakfast (35 g protein) or continued to skip breakfast (CON). Pre- and post-study appetite, food intake, body weight, and body composition were assessed. Results Time-by-group interactions (P < 0.05) were detected for body fat mass, daily intake, and perceived hunger. Specifically, HP prevented fat mass gains over the 12 weeks (−0.4 ± 0.5 kg) vs. CON (+1.6 ± 0.9 kg; P = 0.02), whereas NP did not (+0.3 ± 0.5 kg). HP led to reductions in daily intake (−1,724 ± 954 kJ) vs. CON (+1,556 ± 745 kJ; P = 0.03), whereas NP did not (+494 ± 213 kJ). Lastly, only the HP group experienced reductions in daily hunger vs. CON (P < 0.05). However, when directly comparing the HP vs. NP groups, no differences were detected in any outcomes. Conclusions The daily addition of a HP breakfast improved indices of weight management as illustrated by the prevention of body fat gain, voluntary reductions in daily intake, and reductions in daily hunger in breakfast skipping adolescents with overweight/obesity.
Nigerian Video Film as Minor Transnational Practice

This paper responds to the fears expressed by some observers that globalization will result in a growing standardization of cultural production around the world with trends being dictated from the global North and with the disappearance of diverse forms of cultural production especially in the poorer regions of the world. Using Nigerian video film as an example of minor transnational cultural production, this paper makes the argument that a distinct form of cultural productivity can still emanate from the margins of the official global economy if certain conditions are met. These include the availability of an accessible and affordable technology of production and reproduction, a commercial basis for production and distribution, responsiveness to local publics, and the existence of regional markets disconnected to some extent from the official global economy, and controlled by small time investors whose main sphere of operation is outside the official global economy.
‘Troubled Assets’: The Financial Emergency and Racialized Risk

This article examines the repositioning of racialized credit risk produced by new regulatory practices that have emerged in the neoliberal era. As increasingly volatile financial markets have periodically threatened the ability of the banking sector to supply credit, US regulators have adopted more aggressive roles to isolate 'troubled assets' and restore the norms of risk management. Revisiting the emergence of the US subprime mortgage market in the early 1990s, I use this framework to assess a critical question for urban political economy: how could decades of racial exclusion from US credit markets have been transformed so quickly and decisively into the exploitation of minority borrowers within the subprime market? The article identifies a series of regulatory practices associated with the management of the late-1980s banking crisis, arguing their distinctive orientation towards the circulation of risk created a new legal and market space for high-risk loans. I then examine the migration of those emergency risk practices into the institutional venues that shaped the subprime market and that differentially exposed minority borrowers to heightened rent-seeking. The results suggest new avenues for urban political economy emerging from a broader conceptualization of state relationships to financial risk. Resume Dans la mouvance neoliberale, de nouvelles pratiques reglementaires ont entraine le repositionnement du risque de credit 'racialise'. Aux Etats-Unis, la volatilite accrue des marches financiers a regulierement menace la capacite du secteur bancaire a fournir du credit. Les auteurs des reglementations se sont donc montres plus agressifs, afin d'isoler les 'actifs toxiques' et de retablir les normes de gestion des risques. Revenant sur la creation du marche americain des prets hypothecaires a haut risque (subprimes ) au debut des annees 1990, cet article etudie une question essentielle pour l'economie politique urbaine: comment des decennies d'exclusion raciale des marches du credit aux Etats-Unis sont-elles passees si vite et si radicalement a une exploitation des membres des minorites empruntant sur le marche des subprimes ? Ce travail identifie un ensemble de pratiques regulatrices liees a la gestion de la crise bancaire de la fin des annees 1980, et soutient que leur orientation specifique vers la circulation du risque a creea la fois un nouvel espace juridique et un nouvel espace de marche pour les prets a haut risque. Il analyse ensuite la migration de ces pratiques a risque exceptionnelles vers les sites institutionnels qui ont configure le marche des subprimes et ont expose les emprunteurs issus des minorites a un parasitisme plus intense. On peut en deduire de nouvelles possibilites pour l'economie politique urbaine a partir d'une conceptualisation elargie des rapports entre l'Etat et le risque financier.
Influence of Radial Glia and Cajal-Retzius Cells in Neuronal Migration

Normal development of cerebral cortex depends on proper sequential genesis of cortical neurons and glia. Disruption of corticogenesis in ferret by short-term arresting of cell division using injections of methylazoxy methanol (MAM) leads to a specific constellation of effects, including disruption and early differentiation of radial glia into astrocytes and disorganization of reelin-containing Cajal-Retzius cells. We hypothesize that early interference of normal cortical development removes a factor instrumental in maintaining radial glia in their normal elongated shape. In support of this idea, coculture of MAM-treated slices with normal cortical plate restores radial glia and Cajal-Retzius cells to their normal positions. Recently, we found that conditioned medium obtained from normal organotypic cultures returned radial glia toward their normal morphology only in a fraction of 30–50 kDa molecular weight (MW). To assess whether restoring this factor would also improve effective migration into the cortical plate of E24 MAM-treated animals, we conducted experiments using cocultures of normal cortical plate with organotypic cultures of MAM-treated cortex, which received prior BrdU injections. In both the normal and E24 MAM-treated/normal cortical plate coculture, a greater percentage of BrdU positive cells migrated effectively into the cortical plate. We suggest that early interruption of cell division eliminates a population of cells and a factor important for maintaining proper cortical development, specifically providing cues maintaining elongation of radial glia.
Depressive Symptoms in Women With Physical Disabilities: Identifying Correlates to Inform Practice

Abstract Objective To examine correlates of depressive symptomatology in a sample of women with diverse physical disabilities to inform practice of modifiable risk factors that warrant attention and intervention. Design Interview survey. Setting Outpatient chronic care clinics. Participants Racially and ethnically diverse women (N=415) aged 18 to 64 years living with physical disabilities. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results Depressive symptoms were high with more than half the women exceeding an established cutoff for clinically significant depressive symptomatology. In hierarchical multiple regression analyses, demographic, disability, and health variables explained significant variance in depressive symptoms; however, modifiable variables (pain interference, social support, abuse) contributed significantly to depression scores over and above demographic, disability, and health variables. Analyses examining predictors of depression classification revealed similar findings. Conclusions Depression is a significant problem for many women with physical disabilities. Modifiable contributors to depressive symptoms may provide intervention opportunities for researchers and clinicians. Clinicians need to attend closely to pain, particularly perceptions of pain interference; social support and social isolation; and abuse among women with physical disabilities. It may be valuable to include pain self-management, social networking and social skill development, and safety and abuse prevention training when designing depression intervention programs for this population.
Systems analysis and mental health services

Systems analysis, a method originating in engineering and planning areas, evaluates the costs and consequences of alternative approaches to a goal given a known set of constraints. Mental health services are badly in need of a more rational approach to planning, and this article shows how specific systems analysis techniques can be used to describe a mental health system and, at the same time, to evaluate consequences and costs of changing the system in different ways. The limitations of the approach are also considered. The authors' main aim is a general introduction to the systems approach for mental health practitioners.
Forensic Investigation of Debonding in Rich Bottom Pavement

Rich bottom flexible pavements have become more prevalent as state agencies have begun building perpetual pavements to meet the growing demand for high-performing long-life pavements. The rich bottom uses higher asphalt contents, typically 0.5% above optimum, to achieve greater density and resistance to fatigue. In this way, bottom-up fatigue cracking and consequential full-depth repairs can be eliminated. A rich bottom pavement was included in the 2003 research cycle at the National Center for Asphalt Technology test track to evaluate its effectiveness in controlling fatigue. Although it was expected to perform better than comparable sections, it failed first, in fatigue. An investigation was made to find the cause of the failure and to recommend further action regarding rich bottom pavements. In the course of the study, it was determined that slippage between layers (a construction issue), rather than the increased asphalt content, led to the early failure of the section. Theoretical and measured strain...
Morphology of the inferior olivary complex of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

The morphology of the inferior olivary complex was determined in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). The position, configuration, and relations of each of its components were ascertained in serial transverse sections extending from caudal through rostral poles of the complex. The medial accessory nucleus was divided into seven cell groups (labeled a through g). The principal nucleus consisted of well-developed dorsal, ventral, and lateral lamellae and a criterion was established for distinguishing the boundaries of each. This distinction was based upon the pattern of invagination that developed in the principal nucleus in progressing rostrally from its caudal pole. The dorsal and lateral lamellae each presented a characteristic pattern of major invaginations, while the ventral lamella did not. Finally, a detailed comparison was made of the inferior olivary complex of the monkey with that of the cat as determined by other investigators. It was shown that the medial and dorsal accessory nuclei of the two species appeared similar and that the major difference between these species concerns the principal nucleus.
Discrete simulation of core utilization

The purpose of this simulation is to determine if the current computer hardware at the University of Mississippi is sufficient for projected needs and if by scheduling the use period of some users, more efficient service could be given to all users. All programs involved in the simulation are in Standard FORTRAN and are therefore easily adaptable to all computer facilities.By implementation of this simulation procedure, any computer facility can determine the efficiency of core utilization with their current scheduling procedures as compared to alternate systems. The scheduling of "fixed" or constant users of the system to a low use time period, can be simulated to determine if an overall increase in core utilization is possible. As an added feature this simulation procedure can forecast whether the current core capacity is sufficient for future needs. These two simulations can be tied together to allow a facility to determine how long current core capacity will be sufficient. Because these changes are simulated, increased core efficiency can be tested without disrupting normal routine. Same of the detailed results provided by this project are: Average amount of core available(under the simulated conditions); per cent of time core is full; amount of time a user must wait if core is full, number of jobs run for each time period; and statistics on the individual jobs run during the time period.The programs involved in the simulation function as follows. Jobs are placed in a core input queue at random time intervals, based on observed conditions. The jobs are then loaded in core as space permits and removed at completion times. Each job's core requirement, time in core, and origin is based on actual data but are also selected by random procedures to insure realizm.The simulation of actual conditions at the University of Mississippi proved to be extremely accurate. The results of simulations conducted have proved to be both plausible and useful.
Non-minimal coupling from dimensional reduction of the Gauss-Bonnet action

Abstract Dimensional reduction of a sum of the Einstein-Hilbert and Gauss-Bonnet action in five dimensions leads to a modified four-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell action. The latter contains a special product of curvature and electromagnetic field strength which contributes at most second derivatives of the four-dimensional metric and the electromagnetic potential to the field equations.
Drug Absorption VI: Water Flux and Drug Absorption in an In Situ Rat Gut Preparation

The influence of net water transfer on drug absorption occurring in an in situ rat intestinal preparation was studied using hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic intestinal lumenal solutions composed of sodium phosphate and sodium chloride. It was found that the tonicity of the lumenal solution tended to change to a slightly hypertonic value when the initial solutions were isotonic or hypertonic and to isotonicity when the lumenal solution was initially hypotonic. Net water flux occurred from hypotonic solutions and into hypertonic solution. Water loss from isotonic solutions ranged between 7 and 17% in 3.0 hr. The results indicated that the intestinal water loss or gain which occurred with the different tonicity solutions altered the apparent rate constant for sulfaethidole absorption. It was found that the changes could be accounted for by correcting the rate constant for volume and relative available surface area and that when this was done there were no differences between permeability constants for sulfaethidole from the iso‐and hypotonic solutions for absorption. However, the hypertonic solution had a reduced permeability constant.
Effect of antipsychotic drugs on the firing of dorsal raphe cells. I. Role of adrenergic system.

Abstract The activity of serotonergic (5HT) neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus was inhibited by the i.v. administration of certain antipsychotic drugs (methiothepin, clozapine and thioridazine). However, other antipsychotic agents (chlorpromazine, haloperidol and pimozide) did not inhibit raphe cell firing. The inhibitory potency of these drugs on raphe activity correlates with reported central noradrenergic blocking efficacy. An α-adrenergic blocking agent, piperoxane, but not the α-blocking agents, propranolol and MJ 1999, inhibited raphe activity when administered systemically. All of these drugs appear to act indirectly since they (and NE) have relatively weak or variable effects when applied microiontophoretically to raphe neurons. The depressant effects of certain antipsychotic drugs and piperoxane on 5HT neurons appears to be mediated by a central adrenergic system since (1) the depression could be reversed by the catecholamine releasing agents 1- and d-amphetamine; (2) the depression could be abolished by destruction of adrenergic pathways in the CNS by chemical, mechanical, or electrothermic lesions. While a precise localization has not yet been obtained, the data suggest that these drug effects may be mediated by an adrenergic pathway ascending from the lower brainstem.
Effect of diltiazem on cardiac rate and rhythm after myocardial infarction

Abstract The a priori hypothesis that diltiazem would reduce the frequency and repetitiveness off ventricular arrhythmias was tested 3 months after myocardial infarction in patients participating in the Multi-center Diltiazem Postinfarction Trial. After 3 months of follow-up, 1,546 of the 2,466 patients enrolled had a 24-hour continuous electrocardiographic recording that contained ≥ 12 hours of analyzable data. They were similar to the patients who survived 3 months but chose not to have a 24-hour ehctrocardiographic recording (i.e., they were representative of the entire group that survived 3 months). After 3 months of follow-up, there were no significant differences between the diltiazem and placebo groups in the prevalence of atrioventricular block, the frequency of atrial arrhythmias or the frequency or repetitiveness of ventricular arrhythmias. Heart rate was significantly lower (67 ± 12 vs 71 ± 12 beats/min) and there was a significantly greater proportion of patients with sinus pauses ≥ 2 seconds in duration in the diltiazem group (6%) than in the placebo group (3%). Comparison with placebo revealed no evidence either for an anti- or proarrhythmic effect of diltiazem. There was no reduction in sudden or arrhythmic death attributable to diltiazem treatment; the fraction of total deaths that were arrhythmic by the Hinkle classification was 41% in the placebo group and 42% in the diltiazent group. It may be that the lack of effect of diltiazem on ventricular arrhythmias is partially responsible for its lack off effect on mortality after myocardial infarction.
Experimental Investigation of Pulsed Laser Deposition Based on a Compressible Flow Framework

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is a popular technique for creating thin films. The film characteristics are directly related to the kinetic energy of the laser-induced plume. According to the theory of transient shock wave expansion during laser ablation, laser-induced plume properties are strongly affected by laser intensity as well as ambient temperature, pressure, and gas species. This theory leads to the development of PLD strategies to properly optimize the PLD parameters. The experiments were carried out to deposit diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films under different ambient temperature, pressure and gas species. The deposited DLC thin films were characterized by Raman spectroscopy. Experimental results showed that the thin film quality can be improved by decreasing the ambient temperature, increasing the ambient pressure and using ambient gases with low molecular weight. Experimental results agree well with the theoretical prediction.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The dissipation of wind wave energy across a fringing reef at Ipan, Guam

Field observations over a fringing reef at Ipan, Guam, during trade wind and tropical storm conditions are used to assess the transformation of sea and swell energy from the fore reef to the shoreline. Parameterizations of wave breaking and bottom friction developed for sandy beaches are found to represent the observed decay in wave energy with an increased friction coefficient. These parameterizations are incorporated into the one-dimensional energy flux balance, which is integrated across the reef to assess the effects of varying tidal range, incident wave height and reef bathymetry on the sea and swell band wave height and wave setup near the shoreline. Wave energy on the reef is strongly depth-limited and controlled by the reef submergence level. Shoreline wave energy increases with incident wave height largely due to the increase in water level from breaking wave setup. Increased tidal levels result in increased shoreline energy, since wave setup is only weakly reduced. The wave height at the shore is shown to be inversely proportional to the width of the reef flat due to dissipation.
Hyperglycemia, Hypertension, and Dyslipidemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Goals for Diabetes Management

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is frequently associated with other major cardiovascular risk factors, namely, hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia; low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; the likely presence of metabolic syndrome; and the spectrum of nontraditional risk factors, including inflammation, hypercoagulability, and vascular endothelial abnormalities, that often accompany insulin resistance. Patients with type 2 DM, therefore, are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Along with the prevention of microvascular complications, the prevention of CVD events and mortality are major goals of diabetes therapy. Research has helped to establish targets for the treatment of the 3 major risk factors for type 2 DM–hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia—and clinical guidelines agree about the need to monitor and treat these risk factors. Lifestyle modification is recommended as a first-line approach to risk reduction; however, many patients will also require pharmacotherapy to achieve their treatment goals.
Detection and diagnosis of abnormal batch operations based on multi-way principal component analysis World Batch Forum, Toronto, May 1996

Abstract The industrial application of a new monitoring scheme for batch and semi-batch processes is presented. Multi-way Principal Component Analysis is used to analyze the information from the on-line process measurements. The basic idea is to build a statistical model based on process measurements from past successful batches, which describes the normal operation of the process. Subsequently future batches are compared against this model and characterized as normal or abnormal. The algorithms and all the design equations are presented for setting up Statistical Process Control charts which monitor the performance of a batch process. Contribution plots for detected abnormal operations are developed to identify the measurement variables and time periods of abnormal operation.
Cities in Globalization: Practices, Policies and Theories – Edited by Peter J. Taylor, Ben Derudder, Pieter Saey and Frank Witlox

The article presents a review of the book "Cities in Globalization: Practices, Policies and Theories," edited by Peter J. Taylor, Ben DeRudder, Pieter Saey, and Frank Witlox.