cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discursive Versus Information-Processing Perspectives on a Bioethical Problem The Case of ‘Unrealistic’ Patient Expectations

This article discusses an example of how the adoption of different theoretical views of the person can have practical implications for the field of bioethics. Patients who agree to receive new medical treatments with little chance of benefit routinely report strong confidence that they will experience benefit. These ‘unrealistic’ expectations are interpreted as false beliefs about treatment, and thus as evidence that the informed consent process has failed. This interpretation of patient reports is consistent with an information-processing framework in which the patient is viewed as transmitting information that enjoys an independent existence in the mental machinery of the person. The perspective of discursive psychology, on the other hand, views the patients’ reports as activities undertaken to achieve specific aims within particular discursive contexts. It is argued that if bioethicists adopt the discursive perspective, some cases of ‘false belief’ might not pose a bioethical problem.
Biogenic amine metabolism in juvenile neurocardiogenic syncope with dysautonomia

Objective Biogenic amine brain levels and their cerebral metabolism are frequently studied by quantitation of biogenic amine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compared to age-matched controls. There is a paucity of studies in adolescents and young adults investigating the potential role of disordered cerebral biogenic amine metabolism in young patients who have dysautonomia based on abnormal head-up tilt table (HUTT). Methods In a cohort of juvenile patients with neurocardiogenic syncope and dysautonomia documented by abnormal HUTT, biogenic amine metabolites of dopamine and serotonin were quantitated in 18 patients (15 females). HUTT testing is an effective clinical method to evaluate posturally induced physiological events in patients suspected of neurocardiogenic syncope with dysautonomia. Results Levels of the dopamine metabolite (homovanillic acid: HVA) and/or the serotonin metabolite (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid: 5HIAA) were significantly reduced in 13 patients compared to age-matched controls. Interpretation Peripheral biogenic amines and their metabolites have been extensively studied in adults with dysautonomia due to various neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson disease, multiple system atrophy, primary autonomic failure). Our findings indicate that more than two-thirds of this cohort of young patients with dysautonomia of variable severity have a defect in cerebral biogenic amines, particularly in dopamine and serotonin metabolism.
Predictors of Student Success in a Teacher Education Program: What is Valid, What is Not

(1991). Predictors of Student Success in a Teacher Education Program: What is Valid, What is Not. Action in Teacher Education: Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 41-46.
Protein sulfhydryls and their role in the antioxidant function of protein S-thiolation

Protein S-thiolation/dethiolation, i.e., the oxidation of protein sulfhydryls to mixed disulfides and their reduction back to sulfhydryls, is an early cellular response to oxidative stress (1-5). This response may be elicited by oxidative phenomena of diverse origins, and the few cases that have been studied extensively give a limited insight into the metabolic roles and the molecular mechanism of the process. Much of our current understanding arose from experiences with isolated proteins containing "reactive" sulfhydryls (6, 7), but recent experiments at the cellular level have begun to reveal interesting insights that suggest a complexity and importance not appreciated previously (8). This article will discuss the current status of experiments that relate to both the role of the cellular process and to the reactivity of selected proteins that participate in the cellular processes. The discussion will center on the role of glutathione, a molecule of central interest in every aspect of protein S-thiolation and dethiolation.
On Non-preemptive Scheduling of Recurring Tasks Using Inserted Idle Times

We consider the problem of non-preemptively scheduling periodic and sporadic task systems on one processor using inserted idle times. For periodic task systems, we prove that the decision problem of determining whether a periodic task system is schedulable for all start times with respect to the class of algorithms using inserted idle times is NP-hard in the strong sense, even when the deadlines are equal to the periods. We then show that if there exists a polynomial time scheduling algorithm which correctly schedules a periodic task system T whenever T is feasible for all start times, then P = NP. We also prove that with respect to the same class of algorithms, the problem of determining whether there exist start times for which a periodic task system is feasible is also NP-hard in the strong sense even when the deadlines are equal to the periods. The second part of the paper concentrates on sporadic task systems and inserted idle times. It seems reasonable to suppose that to insert idle times properly, knowledge of future releases of tasks is required. Thus, inserted idle times should not be expected to have much use in scheduling sporadic task systems. We provide a formal basis for these intuitions by proving that if a sporadic task system is schedulable by an online algorithm that uses inserted idle times, then it is schedulable by an online algorithm that does not use inserted idle times. We also prove that there cannot exist an optimal on-line inserted idle time algorithm for scheduling sporadic task systems, even if the deadlines correspond to the minimum separation time between successive releases of the same task. We conclude by considering the amount of look-ahead needed to schedule sporadic tasks correctly.
Renal cell carcinoma and thiazide use: a historical, case-control study (California, USA)

Renal cell carcinoma has been linked to hypertension and antihypertensive medications. We investigated the association between renal cell carcinoma and the use of thiazide in a case-control study of 167 men and 90 women. Subjects were members of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in northern California (United States) who had taken a multiphasic health check-up from 1964 through 1988 and who were evaluated for cancer until the end of 1989. Control subjects received the same check-up, were matched by gender, year of check-up, and age at check-up, and had to be in the health plan until the date on which renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed. Data on known and potential risk factors, including hypertension, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status, were collected from the record of the check-up. Thiazide use was abstracted from the medical chart, which was reviewed from the date of the first entry until the date on which the cancer was diagnosed or the equivalent date for control subjects. The mean follow-back to check-up was 11.3 years. Among women, we found a significantly elevated risk of 4.0 (95 percent confidence interval [CI] 1.5–10.8) associated with ever having used thiazide after we adjusted for smoking, BMI, hypertension, and history of kidney infection at check-up. We did not find a statistically significantly elevated risk in men. Smoking was related to renal cell carcinoma in men (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, CI=1.1–5.4) for those who smoked at least one pack per day compared with those who had never smoked, but was not related in women. We found a statistically nonsignificant relation between BMI and renal cell carcinoma. After we adjusted for thiazide use, we did not find that hypertension was a statistically significant risk factor for renal cell carcinoma. Analysis of the dosage of thiazide measured by time since first use, duration of use, number of mentions of use in the chart, and an estimate of total grams of exposure did not result in any convincing dose-response relation. These findings are consistent with a growing body of data linking antihypertensive medication with renal cell carcinoma. We are unable to conclude whether thiazide use or some other characteristic of hypertensive persons taking these medications is responsible for the association.
Plagioclase compositions derived from thermal emission spectra of compositionally complex mixtures: Implications for Martian feldspar mineralogy

[1] The compositions of plagioclase, the most abundant mineral in the Martian crust, reflect changing conditions during magmatic evolution. Plagioclase contains spectral features at thermal infrared wavelengths that permit its detection by thermal emission spectrometers (Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES), Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), and Miniature TES (Mini-TES)) on Mars spacecraft. Previous studies have determined the accuracy with which average plagioclase compositions can be modeled in simple two-component sand mixtures and terrestrial volcanic rocks. Studies of terrestrial rock analogs suffer from difficulties in accurately determining the average plagioclase composition for comparison with the spectrally modeled composition. Sand mixtures, however, provide a means of controlling plagioclase compositions for direct comparison to those modeled by linear deconvolution. This has allowed us to address how compositional complexity may affect our ability to derive average plagioclase compositions from thermal emission data. In this study, we examine the accuracy with which average plagioclase compositions can be modeled from emission spectra of complex mixtures of three, four, and five compositions of coarse (500–850 μm) plagioclase sand. Additionally, we examine multiphase mixtures of plagioclase with pyroxene, olivine, magnetite, and ilmenite that are analogous to selected Martian surface materials. Increasing the number of plagioclase compositions or introducing additional mineral phases does not affect the accuracy previously reported for modeling average plagioclase compositions. Plagioclase can be modeled to within 6 An of measured compositions at laboratory, TES, THEMIS, and Mini-TES resolution (within 1σ standard deviation).
Controls of eolian dune size and spacing

Data for the Namib and Gran Desierto sand seas suggest that the controls of dune size and spacing are complex. The relation between dune height and spacing varies with dune type and location and reflects both dune dynamics (vertical accretion vs. migration or extension) and availability of sand. There is no general relation between dune spacing and grain size. In the Namib sand sea the height of compound and complex dunes (draas) is inversely proportional to potential sand-transport rates, whereas the height of dunes superimposed on their flanks varies directly with potential sand-transport rates. These observations can be combined with data on dune spacing to demonstrate the existence of a hierarchy of eolian dunes, each element of which responds to variations in sand-transport rates at different temporal and spatial scales. Whereas the morphology of individual simple dunes and superimposed dunes on draas is related to contemporary rates and directions of sand transport, the morphology and development of draas reflects long-term and regional patterns of sand transport and deposition.
T1754 Changes in Inflammatory Biomarkers Across Weight Classes in a Representative US Population: A Link Between Obesity and Inflammation

Background Obesity has been linked with a chronic state of inflammation which may be involved in the development of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and even cancer. The objective of this study was to examine the association between obesity class and levels of inflammatory biomarkers from men and women who participated in the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen were measured among US participants of the 1999–2004 NHANES. We examined biomarker levels across different weight classes with normal weight, overweight, and obesity classes 1, 2, and 3 were defined as BMI of <25.0, 25.0–29.9, 30.0–34.9, 35.0–39.9, and ≥40.0, respectively. Results With CRP levels for normal weight individuals as a reference, CRP levels nearly doubled with each increase in weight class: +0.11 mg/dl (95% CI, 0.06–0.16) for overweight, +0.21 mg/dl (95% CI, 0.16–0.27) for obesity class 1, +0.43 mg/dl (95% CI, 0.26–0.61) for obesity class 2, and +0.73 mg/dl (95% CI, 0.55–0.90) for obesity class 3. With normal weight individuals as a reference, fibrinogen levels increase with increasing weight class and were highest for obesity class 3 individuals, +93.5 mg/dl (95% CI, 72.9–114.1). Individuals with hypertension or diabetes have higher levels of CRP and fibrinogen levels compared to individuals without hypertension or diabetes, even when stratified according to BMI. Conclusions There is a direct association between increasing obesity class and the presence of obesity-related comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension with high levels of inflammatory biomarkers.
Context-based hand gesture recognition for the operating room

A sterile, intuitive context-integrated system for navigating MRIs through freehand gestures during a neurobiopsy procedure is presented. Contextual cues are used to determine the intent of the user to improve continuous gesture recognition, and the discovery and exploration of MRIs. One of the challenges in gesture interaction in the operating room is to discriminate between intentional and non-intentional gestures. This problem is also referred as spotting. In this paper, a novel method for training gesture spotting networks is presented. The continuous gesture recognition system was shown to successfully detect gestures 92.26% of the time with a reliability of 89.97%. Experimental results show that significant improvements in task completion time were obtained through the effect of context integration.
Balancing Hydrogen-Bond Donors and Acceptors in a Family of Bifunctional Aromatic N-Heterocycles

A series of bifunctional pyridine-aminopyrimidine/aminopyridine supramolecular reagents (SRs) have been synthesized through palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. 3-(2-Amino-4-methylpyrimidin-6-yl)pyridine 1, 4-(2-amino-4-methylpyrimidin-6-yl)pyridine 2, and 4-methoxy-3-(2-amino-4-methylpyrimidin-6-yl)pyridine 3 were synthesized via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling conditions in good yields, whereas 1-(2-amino-4-methylpyrimidin-6-yl)-2-(3-methoxypyridin-5-yl)ethyne 4, 1-(2-aminopyrid-5-yl)-2-(pyrid-3-yl)ethyne 5, and 1-(6-amino-3-pyridyl)-2-(4-{benzimidazol-1-yl}phenyl)ethyne 6 were synthesized through conventional Sonogashira cross-coupling conditions. The primary hydrogen-bonding motif in solid-state structures 1–5 is a self-complementary amino-pyrimidine N–H···N/N···H–N synthon, whereas adjacent molecules in the structure of 6 are connected via aminopyridine-benzimidazole N–H···N hydrogen bonds. Secondary anti-amino proton/pyridyl N–H···N hy...
Totalitarianism, Ideology, and Propaganda

THE COMPREHENSIVE AND DETAILED control of all ideas, beliefs, and statements is one of the most problematic features of totalitarian regimes. Several theories of totalitarian "ideology" have been presented to explain why political, philosophical, artistic, scientific, and historical ideas must conform to what the leadership considers "correct." In this essay I shall defend the hypothesis that the totalitarian leadership approaches ideas with the purpose of creating the maximum insecurity among the people it controls. The only exceptions to this generalization occur when the leadership wishes to realize certain short-term goals, like increasing production or stimulating patriotism. The hypothesis must be shown to account for the relevant data more satisfactorily than any other hypothesis. The most convenient way to establish its probability is to examine in some detail its principal alternative, which maintains that the data are to be understood in terms of a dogma or doctrine which determines the totalitarian's activities and to which he obliges everyone to'conform. By means of this procedure each problem can be introduced, the alternative hypothesis can be shown incapable of explaining it, and its relation to the purpose of total insecurity can be indicated. Both hypothesis imply that the relationship between totalitarian regimes and the ideas they control differ in kind from corresponding relationships within contemporary democracies and "old-fashioned" dictatorships. This view is a corollary of the belief that totalitarianism in general is a phenomenon unique to the contemporary era. Since most social scientists now accept this belief, and since a refutation of the theories which deny it would take us too far afield, I shall simply assume this difference in kind. The arguments which follow apply exclusively to totalitarian regimes, to totalitarianism in power rather than to totalitarian movements operating under non-totalitarian governments, for the totalitarians engage in all their curious practices regarding ideas only when they have control of the state. I shall also assume that [ 68]
An ecdysone-responsive nuclear receptor regulates circadian rhythms in Drosophila

Little is known about molecular links between circadian clocks and steroid hormone signalling, although both are important for normal physiology. Here we report a circadian function for a nuclear receptor, ecdysone-induced protein 75 (Eip75/E75), which we identified through a gain-of-function screen for circadian genes in Drosophila melanogaster. Overexpression or knockdown of E75 in clock neurons disrupts rest:activity rhythms and dampens molecular oscillations. E75 represses expression of the gene encoding the transcriptional activator, CLOCK (CLK), and may also affect circadian output. PER inhibits the activity of E75 on the Clk promoter, thereby providing a mechanism for a previously proposed de-repressor effect of PER on Clk transcription. The ecdysone receptor is also expressed in central clock cells and manipulations of its expression produce effects similar to those of E75 on circadian rhythms. We find that E75 protects rhythms under stressful conditions, suggesting a function for steroid signalling in the maintenance of circadian rhythms in Drosophila.
13C-13C Coupling-Constants in Carboxylate Esters

Abstract Isotopic enrichment or a multipulse NMR experiment (INADEQUATE) was utilized to measure the 13 C- 13 C coupling constants for a collection of carboxylate esters. Significantly different values were measured for the C 2 C 3 bond of endo - and exo -2-norbornyl acetates. The 13 C- 13 C coupling constants for the CαCO bond of substituted methyl and ethyl acetates (YCCO 2 R: Y = Br, Cl, SH, CN, etc.) were in the range of 56 to 65Hz; the magnitude of J CC is substantially higher when the hybridization of Cα is sp 2 (as with benzoates and acrylates). The carbonyl carbons also displayed long range 13 C- 13 C couplings of 2.5 to 7.2 Hz.
A role for a 70-kilodalton heat shock protein in lysosomal degradation of intracellular proteins

A 73-kilodalton (kD) intracellular protein was found to bind to peptide regions that target intracellular proteins for lysosomal degradation in response to serum withdrawal. This protein cross-reacted with a monoclonal antibody raised to a member of the 70-kD heat shock protein (hsp70) family, and sequences of two internal peptides of the 73-kD protein confirm that it is a member of this family. In response to serum withdrawal, the intracellular concentration of the 73-kD protein increased severalfold. In the presence of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and MgCl2, the 73-kD protein enhanced protein degradation in two different cell-free assays for lysosomal proteolysis.
Cross-Validation of a Recently Published Equation Predicting Energy Expenditure to Run or Walk a Mile in Normal-Weight and Overweight Adults

An equation published by Loftin, Waddell, Robinson, and Owens (2010) was cross-validated using ten normal-weight walkers, ten overweight walkers, and ten distance runners. Energy expenditure was measured at preferred walking (normal-weight walker and overweight walkers) or running pace (distance runners) for 5 min and corrected to a mile. Energy expenditure per mile was predicted using the Loftin et al. (2010) equation yielding a mean predicted value of 99.7 ± 13.8 kcal · mile−1. This was significantly different (p < .05) than the mean actual value from the cross-validation group (107.8 ± 15.5 kcal · mile−1), although the difference was within the published standard error of estimate. A Chow test revealed no significant differences between regression coefficients of the original equation and the cross-validation group equation. It appears the Loftin et al. (2010) regression equation is useful for exercise prescription of energy expenditure for walking or running a mile in normal-weight and overweight adults.
RANKL up-regulates brain-type creatine kinase via poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 during osteoclastogenesis

Receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) is the key regulator for osteoclast formation and function. During osteoclastogenesis, RANKL-stimulated signals differentially modulate expression of a large number of proteins. Using proteomics approaches, we identified that brain-type cytoplasmic creatine kinase (Ckb) was greatly induced in mature osteoclasts. Ckb has been shown to contribute to osteoclast function. However, the mechanisms of Ckb regulation and the contribution of other isoforms of creatine kinase during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis are unknown. We found that Ckb was the predominant isoform of creatine kinase during osteoclastogenesis. Real-time PCR confirmed that RANKL induced ckb mRNA expression by over 40-fold in primary mouse bone marrow macrophages and Raw 264.7 cells. The RANKL-responsive region was identified within the −0.4- to −0.2-kb 5′-flanking region of the ckb gene. Affinity binding purification followed by mass spectrometry analysis revealed that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) bound to the −0.4/−0.2-kb fragment that negatively regulated expression of ckb in response to RANKL stimulation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with PARP-1-specific antibody located the binding site of PARP-1 to the TTCCCA consensus sequence. The expression of PARP-1 was reduced during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, concurrently with increased expression of Ckb. Consistently, knockdown of PARP-1 by lentivirus-delivered shRNA enhanced ckb mRNA expression. The activity of PARP-1 was determined to be required for its inhibitory effect on the ckb expression. In summary, we have demonstrated that PARP-1 is a negative regulator of the ckb expression. Down-regulation of PARP-1 is responsible for the up-regulation of ckb during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis.
To be a great operations researcher from a MCDM scholar

Abstract By removing limiting habits and employing common sense an MCDM scholar can become a great operations researcher. Habitual domain is introduced as a means of discussion. Methods and principles to expand and enrich our habitual domains to become a great operations researcher are provided.
A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF ATMOSPHERIC DENSITIES FROM METEOR DECELERATIONS FOR SOLAR, LUNAR AND YEARLY OSCILLATIONS

Abstract Upper-atmosphere densities derived from photographic meteor decelerations were analyzed to probe the existence of detectable oscillations with periods corresponding to solar and lunar tides (and half-periods) and seasonal variations. Extensive fragmentation in meteors adds considerable difficulty to the analysis and makes empirical corrections necessary. The mean height of the analyzed meteors is 91.8 kilometers. A seasonal variation with an amplitude of 15 per cent of the mean density barely emerges from its probable error by a factor of two; tidal oscillations, if present, are masked by observational scatter and could not exceed 10 per cent of the mean density.
Weight minimization of axisymmetric clamped plates subject to constraints

outer radius of plate power series functions of Y, B function of v, B, determined via the boundary conditions flexural rigidity depending on plate thickness, h, modulus of elasticity in tension and compression power series function of v, fi undetermined multiplier function of x, 8, h, maximum value of G corresponding to 8, at x, for first constraint plate thickness at outer radius, a plate thickness at center of plate plate thickness at x value of h, which makes plate weight a minimum for first constraint value of h,, for the ith value of Y plate thickness varying at center of plate, see Fig. 2 constant, see equation (18) functions of v, /?, see equations (16) and (17) bending moments/unit length subscript notation signifying a maximum or a minimum nth term, nth increment notation defined by equation (9) intensity of axisymmetric distributed load upper bound value of allowable load q notation defined in equation (32) shearing force parallel to z axis/unit length of a section of a plate perpendicular to T direction cylindrical coordinates; r, 13 in plane of plate displacement (deflection) in z direction of middle-plane (surface) of a thin plate deflection at center of plate weight of plate dimensionless ratio r/a value of x which maximizes G at x,, using p, in equation (31), for first constraint limits of interval in which G, > 1 dimensionless ratio h,/h, dimensionless variable defining shape of plate material density “pencil of curves” for a given h,i, see Fig. 3 value of B satisfying at least the first constraint, making the plate weight an extremum Poisson’s ratio uniaxial yield stress, equal values in tension and compression lower bound value of the yield stress, us, see equation (32) normal stresses in radial and tangential directions slope of middle surface as defined in equation (5)
The effects of communicating threats and promises upon the bargaining process

This study sought to examine the effects of communicating contingent and noncontingent threats and promises upon cooperation in a two-person bargaining game (Deutsch and Krauss, 1960). We have adopted Schelling's (1958, 1960) definition of threat and promise as a conditional commitment by the threatening or promising party (sender) contingent upon whether the other party (receiver) acts or fails to act as the sender designates. According to Schelling, a threat is a "warning" that punishment is contingent upon the other's behavior; conversely a promise offers a contingent reward. In the context of a "bargaining" process both warnings and promises are designed to control the behavior of the other party and can be viewed as different forms of social influence. The warning appeals to the other party's fear of punishment and relies upon credible deterrents, whereas promise appeals to his desire to obtain rewards and relies upon incentives. The warning or promise works by influencing the receiver's expectations as to how the sender will react. The social context in which warnings
Wear of composite resins in permanent posterior teeth.

A significant problem associated with composite resins in restorations for permanent posterior teeth has been wear or loss of anatomic form. A number of contributing factors have been identified. Although newer materials represent an improvement on past composite resins, the problem of wear has not yet been eliminated. Therefore, proper case selection and material determination are essential for clinical success.
Lagrange-type extremal trajectories in differential inclusions

Abstract Necessary conditions for optimal, or boundary solutions of differential inclusions usually state that such solutions are extremal in some sense. There are several possible concepts of extremality, which lead to different, often difficult to compare necessary conditions. In this paper, we give a complete comparison of three classes of extremal trajectories: two different Lagrange-type extremals, and Hamiltonian extremals. In the second part, we consider a nonconvex differential inclusion, and prove that every boundary trajectory is a Lagrangian extremal.
Knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors among Korean immigrants in the United States.

Korean immigrant's knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors was assessed in a convenience sample (n = 119) in a Midwestern metropolitan area. Knowledge ranged from very low to moderate. Cluster analysis showed that there were two groups. One cluster had higher knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors, but lower knowledge of symptoms and risk factors not associated with stroke. Participants who were older, were not married, and had a history of hypertension had significantly lower knowledge of stroke symptoms and stroke risk factors. Lower knowledge among older adults and/or those who had hypertension is a particular concern because such individuals are at highest risk for stroke. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 29: 337–344, 2006
Ego identity and desperate love

The relationships between ego-identity consolidation, a romantic attitude toward love, and a desperate style of fusional love relations were examined using several questionnaire measures: Tan, Kendis, Fine, and Porac's (1977) Ego Identity Scale, Sperling's (1985) Desperate Love Scale, and Knox and Sporakowski's (1968) Attitude Toward Love Scale. Results based on an initial undergraduate sample of 84 men and 87 women, and a follow-up sample of 116 men, supported the primary hypothesis of a negative correlation between ego-identity consolidation and desperate love, as well as the secondary hypotheses.
The Political Economy of Deficit Spending in Nine Industrialized Parliamentary Democracies: The Role of Fiscal Institutions

This article analyzes the influence of four sets of factors on deficit spending in 9 industrialized parliamentary democracies during 1958-1990. This article analyzes the influence of these factors and introduces and tests the importance of an additional potential influence on the size of a country's fiscal deficit: the “strength of fiscal bureaucracy.” It is argued that the stronger a country's fiscal bureaucracy, the lower its deficit, ceteris paribus. Empirically, the authors find that the state of a nation's economy heavily affects its deficit. Little systematic relationship is found between the ideology of the ruling political party and a nation's deficit or between the political strength of the ruling party and deficits, in contrast to the findings of Roubini and Sachs. Finally, it is found that the strength of a country's fiscal bureaucracy is an important influence on the deficit in these 9 industrialized parliamentary democracies.
Glucose-induced period-doubling cascade in the electrical activity of pancreatic β-cells

In the presence of stimulatory concentrations of glucose, the membrane potential of pancreatic β-cells may experience a transition from periods of rapid spike-like oscillations alternating with a pseudo-steady state to spike-only oscillations. Insulin secretion from β-cells closely correlates the periods of spike-like oscillations. The purpose of this paper is to study the mathematical structure which underlines this transitional stage in a pancreatic β-cell model. It is demonstrated that the transition can be chaotic but becomes more and more regular with increase in glucose. In particular, the system undergoes a reversed period-doubling cascade leading to the spike-only oscillations as the glucose concentration crosses a threshold. The transition interval in glucose concentration is estimated to be extremely small in terms of the rate of change for the calcium dynamics in the β-cells. The methods are based on the theory of unimodal maps and the geometric and asymptotic theories of singular perturbations.
Volume of the Various Lobes of the Hypophysis During Pregnancy in the Rat

Contrary to the general tendency of the hypophysis, and particularly the anterior lobe, to enlarge during pregnancy in many animals, it appears from the data on 86 albino rats tabulated below, that the organ, as a whole, does not enlarge. If anything, the whole organ is slightly smaller in the normal pregnant animals. No significant difference was found in the relative volume of the various lobes as determined by the paper weight method on serial sections.All the animals used in these investigations were standard female albino rats reared under uniform conditions in the animal colony of the Department of Anatomy, University of Minnesota.Group I—Normal non-pregnant controls were specifically chosen litter mates of the animals in Group II. They were all killed at approximately the same body weight of 185 gm.Group II—Normal pregnant group-Litter mates of Group I were impregnated at about 175 gm. At least one animal was killed on each day of the gestation period, which in a rat is 22 days. Impregnation was do...
Hydrogen peroxide room disinfection - ready for prime time?

Non-manual techniques for terminal disinfection of hospital rooms have gained increasing interest in recent years as means to reduce transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). A prospective crossover study by Blazejewski and colleagues in five ICUs of a French academic hospital with a high prevalence of MDRO carriers showed that two different hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-based non-touch disinfection techniques reduced environmental contamination with MDROs after routine cleaning. This study provides further evidence of the ‘in use’ bioburden reduction offered by these techniques. Before H2O2-based non-touch disinfection can be recommended for routine clinical use outside specific outbreak situations, further studies need to show whether the environmental contamination reduction provided by these techniques is clinically relevant and results in reduced cross-infections with MDROs.
Initial Results From an Experimental Hybrid Solar Lighting System in a Commercial Building and Overview of Related Value Propositions

This paper describes preliminary results from research on a new hybrid solar lighting (HSL) system being developed to reduce electric lighting in commercial office buildings. A physical description of HSL system components along with preliminary results from an experimental system deployed in a commercial building in Knoxville, TN are provided. Results from a systems-level, chromaticity model are compared with experimental data. A total lumen distribution efficiency of over 50% was recorded for the initial prototype having optical fibers an average of 6 m (19.5 ft) in length. The total electrical power displacement of the 1 m2 HSL proof-of-concept prototype is estimated to be between 522–2350 watts per 1000 W/m2 of incident solar radiation on the collector depending on the type of electric lights being used in conjunction with the solar lighting system. By adding the reductions in heat gain associated with reduced electric lamp use and predicted performance improvements achieved by a system redesign, the electrical power displaced in a commercial prototype could rise to between 702–3160 W (peak)/m2 of collected sunlight not including any additional electrical power that can be generated using the otherwise wasted IR energy. The color temperature of the distributed sunlight emerging from the optical fibers is approximately 5100°K and the chromaticity values in uniform color space (u′v′) are approximately (.2010, .4977). These values match well with modeled results and will vary slightly depending on the day, time, atmospheric conditions, and system configuration. The paper concludes with a discussion of new value propositions that HSL provides architects, energy providers, building owners, and occupants and briefly outlines anticipated disadvantages.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Aging of tubulin at neutral pH: stabilization by colchicine and its analogues.

The effect of colchicine and its analogues, allocolchicine, 2,3,4-trimethoxy-4'-carbomethoxy-1,1'biphenyl, 2,3,4,4'-tetramethoxy-1,1'-biphenyl, 2,3,4-trimethoxy-4'-acetyl-1,1'-biphenyl, and tropolone methyl ether, on the aging process of tubulin has been examined. In contrast to the vinca alkaloid drugs which accelerate the formation of the paucidisperse 9 S polymers by a factor of 3.5, the colchicine class of ligands stabilize alpha,beta-tubulin. Less than 10% of the protein is transformed into the aggregates after 50 h of incubation in the presence of 1 x 10(-3) M colchicine, as compared to nearly 70-75% transformation in its absence. These results are supported by fluorescence examination of the retention of colchicine binding ability, as well as circular dichroism spectroscopy. In the presence of colchicine, the rate determining step is a conformational change, just as in its absence. The colchicine analogues which bind to tubulin in a rapidly reversible equilibrium were almost as effective in tubulin stabilization. Addition of vincristine to the system reduced the stability of the tubulin-colchicine complex. Furthermore, vincristine was found to have the same effects on the fresh complex as it does on pure tubulin; i.e., it induced the isodesmic linear polymerization and inhibited assembly into the microtubule-mimicking large polymers. This inhibition, however, was stoichiometric, whereas it is substoichiometric in the case of microtubules.
Stereochemistry of the glyoxylate N-sulfonylimine ene reaction

Abstract Ene reactions of sulfonylimine 1b with cyclohexane and trans -2-butene are highly stereoselective, affording products 4 and 10 , respectively.
High-resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis reveals a glucose-response protein of 65 kDa in pancreatic islet cells.

Abstract High-resolution two-dimensional PAGE was used to search for glucose-response proteins in isolated pancreatic islets that were labeled with [35S]methionine at ambient glucose concentrations of 0-18 mM. A 65-kDa protein, isoelectric focusing point of approximately 6.6-7.0, was discovered that showed at least a 20-fold stimulation of radiolabeling when glucose in the labeling medium was increased from 3 to 18 mM, in contrast to a 2.5-fold enhancement of label incorporation into total islet proteins. This 65-kDa protein is evident after 30 min of labeling with 18 mM glucose and is preferentially synthesized compared to its nearest neighbors after both 30 and 60 min of labeling. Glucose induction of the 65-kDa protein was virtually blocked by D-mannoheptulose. Glucose induction of this 65-kDa protein is in practically all aspects comparable to glucose induction of insulin and glucokinase in pancreatic beta cells. A working hypothesis is developed proposing that glucose-response proteins or "glucospondins" are pivotal constituents of pancreatic islet cells and that their discovery and exploration promise new insights into normal and pathological islet cell function.
Tuning in on ‘Prime Time’: Channel Effects in L2 Grammaticality Judgment Tasks

ABSTRACT Formerly held distinctions which opposed “conscious” to “unconscious” learning, “controlled” to “automatic” processing, and “learning” to “acquisition“have eroded as tenable models of L2 learning processes. Recent formulations of L2 development instead favor an approach which integrates linguistic theory with the information-processing models advanced in cognitive psychology. Rather than relying on binary distinctions, processing-oriented, task-centered research features continua which accommodate the overlapping, interdependent dimensions of explicit and implicit knowledge, as well as learning with and without awareness. In this study, learners performed metalingual and preference tasks requiring them to utilize L2 knowledge brought to mind under one of two conditions: 1)byan aural “priming” activity (a listening exercise) designed to tap into memory without recourse to explicit rules, or 2) by a written task (a multiple-choice grammar exercise) aimed specifically at invoking explicit L2 rules. Francophone secondary students of English as a foreign language (N=169) took a 50-item aural test involving judgments of well-formed and ill-formed English syntactic structures, and a parallel written multiple choice test containing corresponding strings. The “primed” group, which took the written test before the aural test, significantly outperformed the “unprimed” group (p ≤ .01), which took the aural test first; performance levels on the written tests were statistically comparable. Two-way ANOVA results indicate important differences between recall with awareness and recall without awareness, strongly suggesting a positive role for “priming” via the written channel in foreign language learning. That is, completion of the written task prior to the listening task appeared to enhance learners performance significantly on the latter, possibly because of the explicit character of the former.
Calcium Increases Xylella fastidiosa Surface Attachment, Biofilm Formation, and Twitching Motility

ABSTRACT Xylella fastidiosa is a plant-pathogenic bacterium that forms biofilms inside xylem vessels, a process thought to be influenced by the chemical composition of xylem sap. In this work, the effect of calcium on the production of X. fastidiosa biofilm and movement was analyzed under in vitro conditions. After a dose-response study with 96-well plates using eight metals, the strongest increase of biofilm formation was observed when medium was supplemented with at least 1.0 mM CaCl2. The removal of Ca by extracellular (EGTA, 1.5 mM) and intracellular [1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA/AM), 75 μM] chelators reduced biofilm formation without compromising planktonic growth. The concentration of Ca influenced the force of adhesion to the substrate, biofilm thickness, cell-to-cell aggregation, and twitching motility, as shown by assays with microfluidic chambers and other assays. The effect of Ca on attachment was lost when cells were treated with tetracycline, suggesting that Ca has a metabolic or regulatory role in cell adhesion. A double mutant (fimA pilO) lacking type I and type IV pili did not improve biofilm formation or attachment when Ca was added to the medium, while single mutants of type I (fimA) or type IV (pilB) pili formed more biofilm under conditions of higher Ca concentrations. The concentration of Ca in the medium did not significantly influence the levels of exopolysaccharide produced. Our findings indicate that the role of Ca in biofilm formation may be related to the initial surface and cell-to-cell attachment and colonization stages of biofilm establishment, which rely on critical functions by fimbrial structures.
Positive and negative consequences of salinity stress for the growth and reproduction of the clonal plant, Iris hexagona

Summary 1 Salinization is a growing environmental stress in wetland ecosystems world-wide. Several models have been proposed that predict clonal plant responses to stress, including that environmental stress stimulates sexual reproduction. 2 We conducted a common-garden experiment to investigate the effects of salinity on 10 natural populations of Iris hexagona, a clonal perennial endemic to freshwater and brackish wetlands of the North American Gulf Coast. 3 Salinity reduced vegetative growth but either increased or had neutral effects on sexual reproduction, consistent with the clonal stress hypothesis. Salinity of 4 µg g−1 more than doubled the number of seeds produced compared with freshwater controls, but flower number and seed mass were unaffected. 4 Salinity reduced total below-ground mass by nearly 50% compared with controls, with no significant change in rhizome numbers. 5 Plants from 10 randomly selected I. hexagona populations differed dramatically in growth and reproduction, independent of salinity. Total biomass that accumulated over the 20-month experiment ranged across all treatments from 52 to 892 g, and flower numbers varied from 2.3 to 11.3 per replicate. 6 Populations did not respond differently to salinity, except with respect to above- : below-ground ratios, thus providing no conclusive evidence for local adaptation to salinity stress. 7 Our results concur with published models of plant reproductive strategies in variable environments, in that environmental stress stimulated sexual reproduction at the expense of growth. However, these models do not predict the observed sharp decline in seed production at near lethal salinity levels.
Robustness and Pricing with Uncertain Growth

We study how decision-makers’ concerns about robustness affect prices and quantities in a stochastic growth model.In the model economy, growth rates in technology are altered by infrequent large shocks and continuous small shocks.An investor observes movements in the technology level but cannot perfectly distinguish their sources.Instead the investor solves a signal extraction problem.We depart from most of the macroeconomics and finance literature by presuming that the investor treats the specification of technology evolution as an approximation.To promote a decision rule that is robust to model misspecification, an investor acts as if a malevolent player threatens to perturb the actual data-generating process relative to his approximating model.We study how a concern about robustness alters asset prices.We show that the dynamic evolution of the risk-return trade-off is dominated by movements in the growth-state probabilities and that the evolution of the dividend-price ratio is driven primarily by the capital-technology ratio. This article shows how decision-makers’ concerns about model misspecification can affect prices and quantities in a dynamic economy.We use the familiar stochastic growth model of Brock and Mirman (1972) and Merton (1975) as a laboratory.Technology is specified as a continuous-time hidden Markov model (HMM), inducing investors to make inferences about the growth rate.They form their opinions about the growth rate from current and past observations of technology that are clouded by concurrently evolving small shocks modeled as Brownian motions.We show how investors’ desire to make their decision rules robust to misspecification of the evo
The Raman spectrum of gaseous oxygen

Abstract The pure rotational and rotation-vibrational Raman spectrum of oxygen gas at 1 atmosphere pressure has been photographed under high dispersion in the first order of a 15,000 lines/inch, 21-foot concave grating in Wadsworth mounting. The molecular constants are δ ν0 =δG 1 2 =1556.26, B e =1.4457, α=0.0158, D 0 =D ν =5.6 × 10 −6 cm −1 These results are in good agreement with those obtained from the study of the electronic spectrum.
Blocking sets in designs with block size four II

Abstract In this paper, we give constructions of block designs with block size 4 and index λ, for λ = 3, 6 which have a blocking set for all admissible orders (with at most 5 possible exceptions). A design which admits a blocking set is 2-colorable. These results, in conjunction with an earlier paper [1], settle the existence question for 2-colorable block designs with block size 4 for all λ (with a handful of possible exceptions).