cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Benzodiazepine-induced shaking behavior in the rat: structure-activity and relation to serotonin and benzodiazepine receptors

Abstract In studying the role of serotonin (5-HT) in the mechanism of action of benzodiazepine(BDZ)-induced wetdog shakes (WDS), only certain 1,4-substituted BDZ agonists were found to induce WDS at doses up to 60 mg/kg in the rat with the rank order of potency at peak dose effect clonazepam > nitrazepam = flunitrazepam ⪢ nimetazepam = lorazepam. BDZs evoking WDS at lowest doses contained an R 7 nitro group on the A ring. Non-BDZ agonists (CL 218,872), inverse agonists (β-CCE), peripheral type receptor agonists (Ro 5-4864), and BDZ antagonists (Ro 15-1788) did not induce shaking behavior. Several 5-HT 1 and 5-HT 2 agonists and antagonists were tested as blockers, but only putative 5-HT 1A agonists reduced WDS, 8-OH-DPAT and ipsapirone but not PAPP and 5-MeO-DMT having a significant effect. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT was dose dependent, with an ID 50 of 0.86 mg/kg, but it was not reversed by 5-HT or adrenergic antagonists at the doses studied. Intracisternal 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine lesions did not alter frequency, latency, or time course of BDZ-induced WDS. BDZ-evoked WDS were enhanced by Ro 15-1788 (which inhibited ataxia) but were unaffected by the various types of BDZ agonists. Several BDZ agonists induced both WDS and ataxia, but ataxia was not blocked by serotonergic drugs. No significant correlation with ataxia, BDZ radioligand binding, antipentylenetetrazol activity, or other BDZ property was found. BDZ-evoked WDS may relate to the unique predominance of BDZ II and 5-HT 1A receptors in the hippocampus, an important site for WDS, but 5-HT 1A agonists appear to modulate WDS by opposing pharmacologic actions rather than by direct receptor antagonism. These data indicate a species difference in the shakes induced by BDZs in rats (5-HT 2 independent) and in mice (5-HT 2 related).
The role of a neighborhood service center in community mental health.

A further description of this innovative Lincoln Hospital program. Staffed by indigenous nonprofessionals, the hospital's neighborhood service centers have become far more than information and referral units. They give direct and immediate assistance to people in crisis, coordinate services provided to a single family by a number of diverse agencies, act as a base from which new patterns and types of service are emerging, and contribute to the development of a more competent community by stimulating and supporting neighborhood self-help and community action projects.
Mixed modulation spaces and their application to pseudodifferential operators

Abstract This paper uses frame techniques to characterize the Schatten class properties of integral operators. The main result shows that if the coefficients { 〈 k , Φ m , n 〉 } of certain frame expansions of the kernel k of an integral operator are in l 2 , p , then the operator is Schatten p-class. As a corollary, we conclude that if the kernel or Kohn–Nirenberg symbol of a pseudodifferential operator lies in a particular mixed modulation space, then the operator is Schatten p-class. Our corollary improves existing Schatten class results for pseudodifferential operators and the corollary is sharp in the sense that larger mixed modulation spaces yield operators that are not Schatten class.
ECG-gated dual-source CT for detection of left atrial appendage thrombus in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Purpose Left atrial ablation is increasingly used to treat patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Prior to ablation, exclusion of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus is important. Whether ECG-gated dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) provides a sensitive means of detecting LAA thrombus in patients undergoing percutaneous AF ablation is unknown. Thus, we sought to determine the utility of ECG-gated DSCT in detecting LAA thrombus in patients with AF.
The vector reflector

A linearly polarized Bessel beam, whose spatial frequencies correspond to the Brewster angle, impinging at normal incidence on a higher refractive-index interface is shown to lead to a reflected field that can be used to produce an azimuthally polarized optical vector beam.
Life History Characteristics of the Elk River Crayfish

Abstract Cambarus elkensis (Elk River crayfish) was seined and dip-netted monthly during June through August and October through November 2003, and March through May 2004 from Left Fork Holly River in the Elk River drainage, West Virginia, U.S.A. Crayfish reproductive form was classified, and then individuals measured and returned to the stream. Carapace-length (CL) frequency analysis identified five overlapping year classes with growth progressing over a 5-year life span. Ovigerous females were collected in summer (June) and an individual with attached young in October, but young-of-the-year (Y-O-Y) crayfish did not appear in the collections until late winter (March). Juveniles and Y-O-Y dominated the collections and grew rapidly, reaching sexual maturity (≥ 29 mm CL) in 30-36 months. Growth continued but slowed in the older mature crayfish with the largest individuals (> 50 mm CL) disappearing from the collections sometime between fall and spring in the fifth year of life. Fastest growing individuals co...
Transportin-SR, a Nuclear Import Receptor for SR Proteins

The SR proteins, a group of abundant arginine/serine (RS)-rich proteins, are essential pre-mRNA splicing factors that are localized in the nucleus. The RS domain of these proteins serves as a nuclear localization signal. We found that RS domain–bearing proteins do not utilize any of the known nuclear import receptors and identified a novel nuclear import receptor specific for SR proteins. The SR protein import receptor, termed transportin-SR (TRN-SR), binds specifically and directly to the RS domains of ASF/SF2 and SC35 as well as several other SR proteins. The nuclear transport regulator RanGTP abolishes this interaction. Recombinant TRN-SR mediates nuclear import of RS domain– bearing proteins in vitro. TRN-SR has amino acid sequence similarity to several members of the importin β/transportin family. These findings strongly suggest that TRN-SR is a nuclear import receptor for the SR protein family.
Time-Dependent Reactive Coupling at Polymer-Polymer Interfaces

X ABSTRACT: Using recently calculated rate coefficients for reactive coupling of chains at polymer-polymer interfaces, we describe the diffusion-controlled growth of diblock copolymer at the interface between dissimilar molten homopolymer films. The growth exhibits several regimes, successively controlled by (1) the quasilocal reaction rate near the interface, (2) center-of-mass diffusion of reactive homopolymer to the interface, and (3) the diffusion barrier presented by the growing copolymer layer. Our results can be tested by time-dependent measurements of the copolymer coverage or concentration of reacted coupling groups.
Biphasic Vasoconstriction of the Rabbit Ear Artery

Sympathetic nerve stimulation and intraluminal norepinephrine infusion for more than 15 seconds produced a biphasic response in the isolated rabbit ear artery perfused with Krebs solution. This response consisted of an initial rapid constriction (phase A), which was followed by partial relaxation, and a final slowly developing constriction (phase B), which lasted for the duration of nerve stimulation or norepinephrine administration. Raising the potassium concentration of the Krebs solution to 12mM decreased the relaxation time between the two constrictor phases in response to norepinephrine; lowering the potassium concentration to 1.2 mM increased the relaxation time and decreased the degree of constriction of both phases. Biphasic vasoconstrictor responses were also elicited by the intraluminal infusion of phenylephrine, histamine, serotonin, or 35 mM potassium. When calcium was absent from the perfusing solution or when manganous sulfate (1mM) was present, norepinephrine produced only a fast phase A constriction, with no subsequent slow phase B constriction. However, after treatment of the artery with ryanodine, the phase A constriction in response to norepinephrine was markedly inhibited, but the phase B constriction was not. We concluded that the fast phase A constriction depends on the release of calcium from an intracellular pool and that the slow phase B constriction depends on the influx of extracellular calcium.
Canine tooth strength and killing behaviour in large carnivores

Bending strength of upper canine teeth is examined among living canids, felids, hyaenids and several extinct species including sabretooth cats, borophagine dogs and the dire wolf, Canis dirus. The tooth is modelled as a cantilever with an elliptical cross-section. Using beam theory, the bending strength of the upper canine is calculated given a constant force applied to the canine tip. Results indicate that felids and hyaenids have relatively stronger canines than canids, particularly in bending about the anteroposterior (AP) rather than the mediolateral axis. It is suggested that canine shape reflects the forces produced during killing and feeding. As shown by an analysis of jaw muscle moment arms, felids and hyaenids have relatively stronger bites than canids. Moreover, the canines of hyaenids and felids are perhaps more likely to contact bone during feeding and killing and consequently may be subjected to larger and more frequent bending moments about the AP axis. The canines of sabretooth cats are shown to be more similar in shape and strength characteristics to those of living canids than felids, whereas those of the borophagine dogs and the dire wolf are closer to modern hyaenas.
Molecular evolution of α-latrotoxin, the exceptionally potent vertebrate neurotoxin in black widow spider venom

Black widow spiders (members of the genus Latrodectus) are widely feared because of their potent neurotoxic venom. α-Latrotoxin is the vertebrate-specific toxin responsible for the dramatic effects of black widow envenomation. The evolution of this toxin is enigmatic because only two α-latrotoxin sequences are known. In this study, ~4 kb α-latrotoxin sequences and their homologs were characterized from a diversity of Latrodectus species, and representatives of Steatoda and Parasteatoda, establishing the wide distribution of latrotoxins across the mega-diverse spider family Theridiidae. Across black widow species, α-latrotoxin shows ≥ 94% nucleotide identity and variability consistent with purifying selection. Multiple codon and branch-specific estimates of the nonsynonymous/synonymous substitution rate ratio also suggest a long history of purifying selection has acted on α-latrotoxin across Latrodectus and Steatoda. However, α-latrotoxin is highly divergent in amino acid sequence between these genera, with 68.7% of protein differences involving non-conservative substitutions, evidence for positive selection on its physiochemical properties and particular codons, and an elevated rate of nonsynonymous substitutions along α-latrotoxin's Latrodectus branch. Such variation likely explains the efficacy of red-back spider, L. hasselti, antivenom in treating bites from other Latrodectus species, and the weaker neurotoxic symptoms associated with Steatoda and Parasteatoda bites. Long-term purifying selection on α-latrotoxin indicates its functional importance in black widow venom, even though vertebrates are a small fraction of their diet. The greater differences between Latrodectus and Steatoda α-latrotoxin, and their relationships to invertebrate-specific latrotoxins, suggest a shift in α-latrotoxin toward increased vertebrate toxicity coincident with the evolution of widow spiders.
Rethinking the Dual City

This article examines social polarization in New York City: first, as an objective condition among city neighborhoods; and second, as an issue in city politics. Data on income, poverty, housing, an...
Adjustments of Midwest Grain Farm Businesses in Response to Increases in Petroleum Energy Prices

Since the early 1970s, the increasingly tight energy situation has introduced a new emphasis, if not a wholly new concern, into the economics of agriculture. Assuming the tight energy situation continues, or even intensifies in the future, it is likely to require economic adjustment in U.S. agricultureâ€”an agriculture heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Dvoskin and Heady have shown that when maximizing farm profits is the primary goal, energy price levels have a minimal impact on acres of crops produced under reduced tillage methods in the U.S.. However, when energy minimization was the primary goal, there was a substantial shift from conventional to reduced tillage. An ERS study proposes that forms of reduced tillage can be a major means of achieving fuel savings. Reduced tillage methods do reduce fuel requirements, but these are accompanied by higher chemical requirements. Eidman, Dobbins and Mapp found that with current energy prices, a form of reduced tillage for corn production was preferable to conventional tillage methods. In a recent study, Musser and Marable concluded that with respect to machinery purchases, energy cost increases are providing incentives for substitution of labor for capital.
Energy-Efficient Target Monitoring in Wireless Sensor Networks

One of the fundamental purpose of sensing information is to immediately respond to any anomalies. Wireless sensor network (WSN) is a network of inexpensive, low-power nodes with embedded processors, radios, sensors, and actuators, often integrated on a single chip, to communicate with the physical world in applications, such as security and surveillance, smart classroom, monitoring of natural habitats, and medical monitoring. WSNs differ considerably from current networked and embedded systems and due to its extreme energy constraints its design requires a proper understanding of the interplay between network protocols, energy-aware design, signal-processing algorithms, and distributed programming. Though the small form-factor of sensor nodes makes them attractable for use in monitoring applications, at the same time their small size affects resources such as the energy, computational power, and storage. Therefore, improvising on the energy constraints of wireless sensor networks is crucial. We propose two base-station relocation policies that aim to minimize the energy consumed for transmitting the data to base station. Both the policies involve a mobile base station, and focus on moving the base station closer to the active sensors that detect the target. Our first policy involves having a mobile base station and relocating it to the geometric centroid of all the sensors detecting the target. This approach significantly reduces the energy overhead required for transmitting data from the sensors to the base station. Our second policy for performing network lifetime optimization is to move the base station to geometric centroid of the base station locations obtained over several time periods. However, in each case, moving the base station at each time period involves a considerable overhead and therefore we observe the effects of moving the base station after a specific number of time periods as opposed to moving after every time period. We evaluate the network lifetime performance of these two proposed policies over different network scenarios.
Global stability for mixed monotone systems

We show that the embedding method described in J.-L. Gouze and P. Hadeler (Monotone flows and order intervals, Nonlinear World 1 (1994), pp. 23–34) and H.L. Smith (The discrete dynamics of monotonically decomposable maps, J. Math. Biol. 53 (2006), pp. 747–758) leads immediately to the global stability results in M. Kulenovic and O. Merino (A global attractivity result for maps with invariant boxes. Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. Series. B, 6 (2006), pp. 97–110). This allows the extension of some results on global stability for higher order difference equations due to Gerry Ladas and collaborators. Further, we provide a new result suggests that embedding into monotone systems may not be necessary for global stability results.
A COST OF RESTORATION OF MALE FERTILITY IN A GYNODIOECIOUS SPECIES, LOBELIA SIPHILITICA

Models allowing the coexistence of females and hermaphrodites in gynodioecious populations assume a simple genetic system of sex determination, a seed fitness advantage of females (compensation), and a negative pleiotropic effect of nuclear sex-determining genes on fitness (cost of restoration). In Lobelia siphilitica, sex is determined by both mitochondrial genes causing cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and nuclear genes that restore fertility when present with specific CMS haplotypes (nuclear restorers). I tested for a cost of restoration in L. siphilitica by measuring restored hermaphrodites for five fitness components and estimating the number of nuclear restorers by crosses with females carrying CMS1 and CMS2. A cost of restoration appears as a significant negative coefficient (B) in the regression model explaining fitness. I found that hermaphrodites carrying more nuclear restorer genes for CMS2 (or restorer genes of greater effect) have lower pollen viability (B = -1.08, P = 0.001). This pollen viability cost of restoration in L. siphilitica supports the theoretical prediction that negative pleiotropic effects of restorers will exist in populations of gynodioecious species containing females. The existence of such a cost supports the view that gynodioecy can be a stable breeding system in nature.
The delta (Δ) gap: An approach to mixed acid-base disorders

The anion gap (AG) is a helpful, yet underused, clinical tool. Not only does the presence of a high AG suggest a certain differential, but knowledge of the relationship between the rise in AG (delta AG) and the fall in bicarbonate (delta HCO3) is important in understanding mixed acid-based disorders. Simple arithmetic converts this relationship into a numerical value, the delta gap (delta gap). The delta gap = delta AG - delta HCO3. If the delta gap is significantly positive (greater than +6), a metabolic alkalosis is usually present because the rise in AG is more than the fall in HCO3. Conversely, if the delta gap is significantly negative (less than -6), then a hyperchloremic acidosis is usually present because the rise in AG is less than the fall in HCO3. Familarity with the relationship between the changes in AG and HCO3 can be useful in unmasking occult metabolic disorders.
Capacitive coupling of data and power for 3D silicon-on-insulator VLSI

We designed a 3D integrated multi-chip module that uses non-galvanic capacitive coupling to provide bi-directional communication and exchange power supply between two separate dies. A prototype was fabricated on a conventional 0.5 /spl mu/m silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) process. We demonstrated that bidirectional communication can be achieved between the two dies at 1 Hz-15 MHz (100 MHz from simulations) while at the same time also transferring power to the receiver die. The non-galvanically connected prototype is an enabling technology for the simplification of 3D VLSI fabrication, wafer stacking and packaging.
Kinetics of wheat germ lipoxygenase adsorbed to hydrophobic surfaces

Abstract Lipoxygenase binds to Teflon or epoxy coated surfaces, presumably through a hydrophobic interaction. The kinetics of bound enzyme differ from the kinetics of free enzyme both in the effect of substrate concentration on velocity and in the dependence of the induction time on substrate concentration. The binding site for the product hydroperoxide appears to be masked when the enzyme is bound to hydrophobic surfaces. In vivo kinetic behavior of the enzyme may be more closely approximated by that of adsorbed enzyme than by free enzyme.
Accuracy of broth microdilution and E test methods for detecting chloramphenicol acetyl transferase mediated resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae: Geographic variations in the prevalence of resistance in The SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (1999).

Abstract High antimicrobial resistance rates in Streptococcus pneumoniae has caused a need for alternative therapies. Chloramphenicol is currently being reconsidered as an empiric treatment for respiratory tract infections particularly in developing countries. In this study, we assessed the ability of the reference broth microdilution and Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) methods to detect chloramphenicol resistance among pneumococci as compared to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay. In the 1999 SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program, 1671 S. pneumoniae strains from respiratory tract infections were collected from 49 participants located in the Americas and Europe. The rates of penicillin and macrolide non-susceptibility were 15.6–41.3 and 12.4–26.8%, respectively. All chloramphenicol-resistant strains were CAT assay positive ( n = 154; 9.2% of isolates) with highest resistance rates in Europe (12.7%; range among sites, 0.0–38.5%) and the United States (10.6%; range, 0.0–25.6%). Etest MICs correlated with reference results and the current breakpoint for chloramphenicol resistance (≥8 μg/mL) remains valid for S. pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae (eight strains tested). CAT-mediated resistances dominate among chloramphenicol-resistant S. pneumoniae, and marked geographic variations in susceptibility were discovered.
Kyphectomy for Myelodysplasia

A progressive kyphotic deformity occurs in 15% of children with myelomingocele. The more common problems caused by the gibbus are recurrent or recalcitrant skin ulceration and seating difficulties. The only effective treatment is surgery. Excellent correction is possible by vertebrectomy of a portion of the cephalad limb of the deformity. Superior maintenance of the correction is accomplished by segmental spinal instrumentation. Alternative techniques that spare growth are currently being investigated. Vertebral body decancellation is one such method that is less extensive than vertebrectomy and, theoreticallty, allows continued spinal growth. It seems most appropriate for the younger patient with a less rigid and dramatic deformity.
Estrogen inhibits D2S receptor-regulated Gi3 and Gs protein interactions to stimulate prolactin production and cell proliferation in lactotropic cells

The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) is known to inhibit prolactin (PRL) secretion and the proliferation of lactotropes in the pituitary gland. Dopamine-2 (D2) receptor short (D2S) isoform is expressed in a reduced level while the D2 receptor long (D2L) isoform is expressed in an elevated level during estradiol (E(2))-induced PRL production and cell proliferation in lactotropes. To evaluate the role of these D2 receptor isoforms in E(2)-regulated lactotropic cell function, we compared E(2) effects on the level of PRL, cell proliferation, and G proteins in enriched lactotropes and lactotrope-derived PR1 cells containing only D2S isoform (D2S cells), D2L isoform (D2L cells), or no D2 receptor (V cells). Additionally, we determined the effects of G protein blockade on the E(2)-induced PRL production and cell proliferation in these cells. We here show that E(2) actions on G proteins, PRL production, and cell proliferation were maximally achieved in D2S cells, oppositely or marginally achieved in D2L cells, and absent in V cells. We also show that the DA and pertussis toxin modulations of E(2) actions on PRL, G proteins, and cell proliferation were maximally achieved in D2S cells compared with in D2L or V cells. Furthermore, we provide evidence for the existence of an inhibitory action of Gi3 on Gs that is under the control of the D2S receptor and is inhibited by E(2). These results suggest that the suppression of D2S-regulated Gi3 inhibition of Gs protein may be one of the mechanisms controlling E(2)-activated PRL synthesis and cell proliferation in lactotropes.
Evidence that Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) II Stimulates Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Secretion from Monkey Pituitary Cultures by Activating the GnRH I Receptor

Mammalian gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) I is the neuropeptide that regulates reproduction. In recent years, a second isoform of GnRH, GnRH II, and its highly selective type II GnRH receptor were cloned and identified in monkey brain, but its physiological function remains unknown. We sought to determine whether GnRH II stimulates LH and FSH secretion by activating specific receptors in primary pituitary cultures from male monkeys. Dispersed pituitary cells were maintained in steroid-depleted media and stimulated with GnRH I and/or GnRH II for 6 h. Cells were also treated with Antide (Bachem, King of Prussia, PA), a GnRH I antagonist, to block gonadotropin secretion. In monkey as well as rat pituitary cultures, GnRH II was a less effective stimulator of LH and FSH secretion than was GnRH I. In both cell preparations, Antide completely blocked LH and FSH release provoked by GnRH II as well as GnRH I. Furthermore, the combination of GnRH I and GnRH II was no more effective than either agonist alone. These results indicate that GnRH II stimulates FSH and LH secretion, but they also imply that this action occurs through the GnRH I receptor. The GnRH II receptors may have a unique function in the monkey brain and pituitary other than regulation of gonadotropin secretion.
Rainbow Turán problem for even cycles

An edge-colored graph is rainbow if all its edges are colored with distinct colors. For a fixed graph H, the rainbow Turan number ex^*(n,H) is defined as the maximum number of edges in a properly edge-colored graph on n vertices with no rainbow copy of H. We study the rainbow Turan number of even cycles, and prove that for every fixed @e>0, there is a constant C(@e) such that every properly edge-colored graph on n vertices with at least C(@e)n^1^+^@e edges contains a rainbow cycle of even length at most [email protected][email protected]([email protected])@?. This partially answers a question of Keevash, Mubayi, Sudakov, and Verstraete, who asked how dense a graph can be without having a rainbow cycle of any length.
A Decommodified Experience? Exploring Aesthetic, Economic and Ethical Values for Volunteer Ecotourism in Costa Rica

Volunteer ecotourism has been described as an ‘ideal’ form of decommodified ecotourism that overcomes problems associated with tourism in general, and ecotourism specifically. Using a case study of volunteer ecotourism and sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica, this paper interrogates this ideal. Perceptions of volunteer ecotourism were explored through in-depth interviews with 36 stakeholders, including hosts, NGO staff, government employees, local ‘cabineros’ (families who provide accommodation) and guests (volunteers). Results show that while all stakeholder groups share similarly positive views of volunteer ecotourism, subtle but important differences exist. We analyse these differences in terms of aesthetic, economic, and ethical values, and situate the results in existing theories about the moralisation and decommodification of ecotourism.
A persistent postsynaptic modification mediates long-term potentiation in the hippocampus

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a long-lasting enhancement of synaptic transmission that can be induced by brief repetitive stimulation of excitatory pathways in the hippocampus. One of the most controversial points is whether the process underlying the enhanced synaptic transmission occurs pre- or postsynaptically. To examine this question, we have taken advantage of the novel physiological properties of excitatory synaptic transmission in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Synaptically released glutamate activates both NMDA and non-NMDA receptors on pyramidal cells, resulting in an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) with two distinct components. A selective increase in the non-NMDA component of the EPSP was observed with LTP. This result suggests that the enhancement of synaptic transmission during LTP is caused by an increased sensitivity of the postsynaptic neuron to synaptically released glutamate.
The Anatomy of a US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Lipid Screening for Children and Adolescents

Differing methods for guideline development result in conflicting recommendations and clinical practice variation. This article details the approach used by the US Preventive Services Task Force to issue recommendation statements, using the 2007 recommendation for screening of lipid levels as an example. An analytic framework served as the source of key questions for a systematic review of the evidence on lipid screening in children and adolescents. Evidence was insufficient, of poor quality, or conflicting to answer 7 of the 10 questions. There was no direct evidence of the benefit of lipid screening, and insufficient evidence existed in the indirect chain of evidence to support a recommendation. In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a clinical policy statement recommending screening for targeted children. We discuss the contrasting approach to the development of this guideline. The use of a standardized method to develop clinical guidelines promotes trust and credibility among patients and clinicians.
Simultaneous Observations of Cloud and Precipitation Particles with Vertically Pointing X-Band and Ka-Band Radars

The backscattered energy received at a radar from a cloud is proportional to several parameters which include peak power, antenna constants, and ?-4, where ? is the radar wavelength. The wavelengths of weather radars vary from centimeters to millimeters. In theory, all such radars should be able to detect both cloud and precipitation particles but, because of practical limitation on antenna size and power output, only the shortest wavelength weather radars are sensitive to the full range of sizes covered by these particles (0.01 mm to over 5 mm in dimensions) which can produce echoes ranging over 160 dB. Simultaneous observations of cloud and precipitation systems with X-band (3-cm wavelength) and Ka-band (0.86-cm wavelength) radars provide the needed realizable dynamic range. Simultaneous measurements of this type are described and are shown to reveal the locations within clouds where precipitation is developing and the growth of precipitation with fall distance, as well as providing continuous measurements of cloud top heights. The inadequacy of X-band radars to measure cloud top heights is demonstrated.
Scientific Realism and the Empirical Nature of Methodology: Bayesians, Error Statisticians and Statistical Inference

Current debates over scientific realism have two suspicious traits: they are about entire domains of modern experimental science and they propose to determine the epistemic status of these domains on the basis of philosophical arguments. The goal of this paper is to show that these assumptions are indeed suspicious and in the process to defend an alternative view — call it contextualist realism — that is not committed to either claim.
Knowledge of Home Dialysis Among Inner-City Satellite Hemodialysis Patients.

There is limited use of home renal replacement therapies in the U.S.A. One percent of dialysis patients are on home hemodialysis (HHD) and only 9% undergo peritoneal dialysis (PD). In an effort to better understand this, 161 satellite hemodialysis patients in 6 units in Brooklyn were surveyed. Forty-eight percent of patients were women, 86% were black, 5% white, 8% Hispanic, and 1% other. Mean age was 49.4 years (range 22 - 69 years). Etiology of renal disease was hypertension (41%), diabetes mellitus (31%), polycystic kidney disease (3%), systemic lupus erythematosus (4%), and other or unknown (21%). Patients were queried about knowledge of and attitudes toward home therapies. Seventy-nine percent of patients knew of home dialysis. The source of this information was the nephrologist (59%), the social worker (14%), a nurse (8%), other patients (4%), and other sources (15%). Only 10% of patients had ever considered HHD. Fifty-four percent were afraid to do self-care at home and 35% were not interested. Surprisingly, only 3% felt they had no reliable helper and 8% felt that their housing was not suitable. Similarly, 78% of patients had been spoken to about PD, but only 11% had considered it. Forty-one percent were afraid of doing self-care on PD, and 45% were not interested. We conclude that, although the majority of patients in six inner-city dialysis units had heard of home dialysis, only a small number ever considered it. As many patients were afraid of doing home therapy, better education about the risks and benefits needs to be disseminated.
Projecting River Basin Resilience in the Zambezi River Basin through Global Analyses and Basin Realities

Projecting future hotspots of hydropolitical tension in international river basins may help countries in preventing hydropolitical conflict. The Zambezi River Basin has been identified as a basin at risk of future hydropolitical conflict. This paper analyzes the basin’s hydropolitical resilience using two approaches: i) a global analysis of factors that indicate change and institutional capacity, and ii) an in-depth examination of its hydropolitical history and present-day status using interviews with basin stakeholders, academics, NGOs, and policy makers. Results of the global analysis indicate that the Zambezi River Basin has comparatively higher institutional capacity, lower to medium rates of new dam development, lower human development and security values, lower water scarcity, yet higher projected water variability. Examining the basin’s hydropolitical history shows that these results are contextually dependent. This paper argues that while global hydropolitical resilience analyses are valid for indicating areas of possible tension over shared water resources, tracing basins’ hydropolitical history puts the global results into context that is crucial to identify specific aspects of the basin that may push the basin into conflict.
The Political Economy of Tax Enforcement: A Look at the IRS from 1978-2010

This paper looks at whether political ideology matters for enforcement of the nation’s tax laws. An analysis of the resources available to the IRS suggests that the party affiliation of the President makes no difference to the overall level of IRS resources. However, there are significant increases in the share of the IRS budget devoted to detecting tax fraud and the number of IRS employees devoted to criminal investigation under Democratic administrations. Audit probabilities for corporations are also significantly higher under Democratic administrations. This increase in audit probability raises the effective tax rate for corporations by about three percent.
Direct Shear Testing of Rockfill Material

The shear strength of granular materials is mainly derived from the particle sliding friction and resistance resulting from reorientation and sample dilatancy. Parameters affecting the shear strength therefore depend on the relative density, gradation, particle strength, particle size and shape, and degree of saturation of the specimen. In this study a customized shear box is fabricated and used to perform direct shear tests of large diameter gravels. The effects of particle size, gradation, shearing rate and moisture on shear strength are investigated. Sample dilatancy is observed during shearing for all specimens. The internal friction angle increases with the increase of particle size and shearing rate; shear strength peaks with a sand and gravel mixture weight ratio of 0.6; the existence of moisture reduces the shear strength. The 6.3mm sample is sheared under a wide normal pressure range from 2kPa to 600kPa indicating a progressive flattening failure envelope.
3-D Design For a Near-surface Seismic Reflection Investigation

3-D seismic reflection methods have been established as the predominant seismic method for exploration scale purposes. While this is true for exploration scale surveys the same is not yet true for near-surface seismic reflection investigations. While the benefits of employing 3-D methods have been documented they are still yet to be fully adopted by the near-surface community. There are a number of reasons for this; primary among them is the difficulty in planting large numbers of geophones. Adding to this is the cost involved with the increased amount of equipment required. Additional concerns arise because planning a 3-D survey requires more consideration that a 2D survey. While both must address the same basic questions such as depth to target and resolution, planning a 3-D survey must take additional requirements, such as azimuth, into consideration as part of the design.
Differential Excitation of Distally versus Proximally Targeting Cortical Interneurons by Unitary Thalamocortical Bursts

Thalamocortical neurons relay sensory and motor information to the neocortex using both single spikes and bursts; bursts prevail during low-vigilance states but also occur during awake behavior. Bursts are suggested to provide an alerting signal to the cortex and enhance stimulus detection, but the synaptic mechanisms underlying these effects are not clear, because the postsynaptic responses of different subtypes of cortical neurons to unitary thalamocortical bursts are mostly unknown. Using optogenetically guided recordings in mouse thalamocortical slices, we achieved the first reported paired intracellular recordings from nine monosynaptically connected thalamic and cortical neurons, including principal cells and two subtypes of inhibitory interneurons, and compared between cortical responses to single thalamocortical spikes and bursts. In 18 additional cortical neurons, we elicited unitary burst responses optogenetically. Short-term dynamics and temporal summation of burst-evoked EPSPs were cell-type dependent: in principal cells and somatostatin-containing (SOM), but not fast-spiking (FS), interneurons, peak response during a burst was on average more than twofold larger than the response to the first spike. Thus, firing a burst instead of a single spike would more than double the probability of firing in postsynaptic excitatory neurons and in SOM, but not FS, interneurons. Consistent with this prediction, FS interneurons held near firing threshold fired most often on the first burst component, whereas SOM interneurons fired only on the second or later components. By increasing excitation of principal cells together with SOM-mediated, distally directed inhibition, thalamocortical bursts could momentarily enhance the saliency of the ascending sensory stimulus over less urgent, top-down inputs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Thalamocortical neurons relay sensory and motor information to the cerebral cortex using both single spikes and high-frequency bursts, but the function of bursts is not fully understood. Using brain slices from mouse somatosensory thalamus and cortex, we achieved the first dual recordings of directly connected thalamic and cortical neurons and compared between cortical responses to single thalamic spikes and to bursts. We report that bursts enhanced the responses of excitatory neurons and of inhibitory interneurons that preferentially target dendrites. A potential consequence is that bursts will enhance the response to the immediate sensory event over responses to less urgent, modulatory inputs.
Dynamics on networks: Chemical reactions as a unifying framework

The study of complex networks has uncovered many unifying topological principles from a plethora of apparently unrelated applications. However, progress has been slower in understanding dynamical processes taking place on networks. This difficulty largely arises from the diversity of networks and their inherent nonlinearities. Here, we demonstrate that chemical reactions can serve as a unifying framework for studying deterministic and stochastic processes on networks from the fields of cell biology, epidemiology, ecology, sociology, and game theory. This allows advanced techniques for the modeling, reverse engineering, and analysis of chemical reaction networks to be applied to a wide variety of applications with relative ease.
The electromagnetic basis of social interactions

It has been established that living things are sensitive to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields at vanishingly small intensities, on the order of tens of nT. We hypothesize, as a consequence of this sensitivity, that some fraction of an individual's central nervous system activity can be magnetically detected by nearby individuals. Even if we restrict the information content of such processes to merely simple magnetic cues that are unconsciously received by individuals undergoing close-knit continuing exposure to these cues, it is likely that they will tend to associate these cues with the transmitting individual, no less than would occur if such signals were visual or auditory. Furthermore, following what happens when one experiences prolonged exposure to visual and like sensory inputs, it can be anticipated that such association occurring magnetically will eventually also enable the receiving individual to bond to the transmitting individual. One can readily extrapolate from single individuals to groups, finding reasonable explanations for group behavior in a number of social situations, including those occurring in families, animal packs, gatherings as found in concerts, movie theaters and sports arenas, riots and selected predatory/prey situations. The argument developed here not only is consistent with the notion of a magnetic sense in humans, but also provides a new approach to electromagnetic hypersensitivity, suggesting that it may simply result from sensory overload.
Marriage Patterns and the Demographic Dividend

This chapter aims to show that the ability to fully realize a demographic dividend is likely to be affected by policies and programs that remove barriers to girls' right to marriage choice, educational advancement, and sexual and reproductive choice. Specifically, it examines the extent to which marriage patterns may affect sub-Saharan Africa’s prospects of reaping a demographic dividend using data from the United Nations World Marriage database, the Demographic and Health Surveys, and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Analyses of trends in marriage indicators from the 1980s to present indicate a gender gap in age at first marriage and adolescent marriage rate, and the prevalence of polygynous union decreased substantially in many countries. The median female and male ages at first marriage increased substantially in Eastern and Southern Africa, and to a lesser extent in Central and Western Africa. Countries with high rates of child marriage (before age 18 years) exhibited higher total fertility rates. Where age at marriage, female education, and modern contraceptive use remain low, marriage patterns will hamper sustained economic growth. In such countries (e.g., Central African Republic, Chad, Guinea, and Niger), an increase in women’s marriage age may contribute to lower fertility if premarital childbearing remains low. In countries where the marriage age, premarital childbearing, and school enrollment rates for girls remain high, as in Namibia and Swaziland, delaying marriage may not affect the fertility decline and the demographic dividend. Rather, policies and programs should be put in place to expand women’s access to sexual and reproductive health information and services.
Patrones epidemiológicos de Enfermedad de Hodgkin

Se estudia epidemiologia e histologia de la enfermedad de Hodgkin en Cali, Colombia, en base a los datos del registro de cancer y a la revision histologica del material de varios Departamentos de patologia de la ciudad. La comparacion de los resultados, que incluyen los datos de incidencia publicados por UICC y de otros informes en relacion con subclasificacion histologica, ha llevado a la identificacion de varios patrones epidemiologicos. El patron I se caracteriza por tasas de incidencia altas en nnos y predominio de los subtipos histologicos asociados con mal pronostico. El patron III se caracteriza por tasas altas en adultos jovenes y predominio de subtipos histologicos asociados con mejor pronostico. El patron II presenta un aspecto intermedio. Estos patrones estan relacionados con la estractificacion economica de las comunidades estudiadas. Se sugiere que muchos de los matices epidemiologicos de la enfermedad de Hodgkin podrian ser explicados en base a la interrelacion entre el ambiente, huesped y los factores etiologicos.
The Leveller Challenge to the Commonwealth Regime, 1649

The early months of the English Commonwealth saw a contest between the government and the Levellers, whose leaders were again imprisoned. Convinced that the new Council of State masked the establishment of military government, the Leveller spokesmen agitated against it in print. They saw themselves as rescuing the Commonwealth from the grandees, and they sought to secure popular support for a re-establishment of legitimate government through a new Agreement of the People. Despite impressive petitions and urban demonstrations, these efforts miscarried, largely because of army mutinies that some contemporaries and historians have too closely linked to the Levellers. After the defeat of the mutineers at Burford, the government escalated a successful propaganda campaign against the Levellers, portraying them as dangerous incendiaries.
The Transition in India: An Integrated View

The impact of reforms is not just the emergence of new marketing channels, but the variety of the channels generated is fascinating. The new channels appear more efficient in reducing unwanted marketing costs and margins than the traditional channels they replace or compete with, and the efficiency varies with the length of the channels. However, sensitivity to the farm size of the prospective participant especially when the channel is private sector driven is a cause of concern for equity. Traditional traders cannot also be relegated to their fate especially in light of the important role they play in information dissemination among producers.
Possible cases of relaxed selection in civilized populations.

Summary. Genetic traits which are disadvantageous or deleterious in "primitive" cultures, of hunters and food gatherers, have very low frequencies in almost all cases. There are a few special exceptions, such as the sickle cell trait. Some deleterious traits under genetic control are rare in "primitive" populations but have fairly high frequencies in populations with long histories or prehistories of "civilization", such as Chinese, Japanese or European populations. The Darwinist might suggest that these traits have less selective disadvantage, that is, lower rates of selective elimination, in "civilized" habitats; i.e. that the various changes in habitat accompanying "civilization" have caused the rigor of natural selection to relax, in part or perhaps completely. Several cases are discussed of traits under genetic control or genetic influence which demonstrate this phenomenal contrast, between low frequencies among "primitive" populations and high frequencies among "civilized" populations. Population data are presented for 4 such cases: colorblindness, myopia, abnormality of the nasal septum and abnormally small external opening of the tear duct. Zusammen/assung. Mit einigen bekannten Ausnahmen, z.B. Sichelzellan~mie, kommen genetische Merkmale, die bei den UrvSlkern yon J/~gern und Sammlern ungfinstig oder sogar sch~dlich wirkten, mit niedriger H~nflgkeit vor. Genetisch bedingte schi~dliche Merkmale, die selten unter UrvSlkern gefunden werden, kommen jedoeh h~ufiger vor bei BevSlkerungen, die eine lange Geschiehte bzw. Vorgeschichte der ,,Zivilisation" besitzen, wie z. B. in China, Japan oder Europa. Ein Darwinist wiirde behaupten, alas bei ,,zivilisierten" Wohnorten solche Merkmale selektiv weniger nachteilig wirken, d. h., da$ die selektive Ausscheidung langsamer vorgeht. Anders gesagt: der mit der ,,Zivilisation" verbundene Weehsel des Wohnortes bildet einen Grunfl fiir eine Milderung der Strenge der natiirlichen Auslese. Es werden einige genetisch bestimmte oder genetisch beeinflul~te Merkmale besproehen, die den Untersehied zwisehen den H~ufigkeiten (niedrig bei Urv61kern, hoeh bei ,,zivilisierten" V61kern) aufzeigen. Ftir 4 solcher F/ille: FarbensinnstSrungen, Kurzsichtigkeit, Nasenscheidenwand-Deformit£ten und anomale kleine AuBen6ffnungen der Tri~nenwege werden die Befunfle aus den BevOlkerungen dargestellt.