cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Great Depression in Italy: Trade Restrictions and Real Wage Rigidities

Abstract In Italy, as in many other countries, the years immediately after 1929 were characterized by a major slowdown in economic activity. We argue that the depth and duration of the crisis cannot be explained solely by productivity shocks. We present a model in which trade restrictions together with wage rigidities produce a significant slowdown in economic activity. The model is also consistent with evidence from sectoral disaggregated data. Our model predicts that trade restrictions can account for about one-half of the slowdown observed in the data while real wage rigidities can account for one-fourth of it. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: E30, F40, N24.
Converting fluid-based cytologic specimens to histologic specimens for immunohistochemistry

Background Cavitary effusions are often evaluated cytologically to determine if there is an underlying neoplastic cause. Differentiation of neoplastic epithelial from mesothelial populations within effusions can be difficult using routine cytology. In addition, cytology alone cannot provide information on the immunophenotype of round cell populations. Gel foam techniques can be used to convert effusions into cell blocks for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining which can then be used to differentiate mesothelial from epithelial cell populations, and also allow immunophenotyping of round cell populations within effusions. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate a gel foam cell block technique for converting potential neoplastic cells in cavitary effusions into cell blocks to characterize these further by IHC. Results Thirteen canine and 7 feline samples with cohesive cell populations were evaluated using gel foam cell blocks and IHC. Samples evaluated by routine cytology were categorized as (1) epithelial cells, (2) cohesive cell population without cytologic distinction between mesothelial and epithelial cells, and (3) mesothelial cells with signs of atypia. Antibody-mediated staining of vimentin and cytokeratin of the effusion cell blocks yielded further classification of cohesive cell populations. In addition, a total of 4 effusions with malignant round cells were evaluated; they were immunophenotyped as either B- or T-cell lymphoma. Conclusion The use of cytokeratin and vimentin IHC on gel foam cell blocks from cavitary effusions provided robust staining and allowed characterization of cohesive cells as mesothelial or epithelial and immunophenotyping of lymphoid cell populations. In addition, this method is cost and time effective.
Rings with lexicographic straightening law

The concept of a “straightening law” as a means of analyzing the structure of particular commutative algebras has appeared independently in the work of a number of authors. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a systematic theory of algebras endowed with a structure of a lexicographic straightening law based on a partially ordered set (or “lexicographic ring” for short). Much of the work in the literature dealing with such rings fits quite naturally in the context of our theory, and we sketch some of this work. Moreover, some of our later results, in particular the Betti number bound (in Section 6), may actually be new results even for the special cases of the known examples of lexicographic rings. The concept of a lexicographic ring as an interesting area of study was suggested to this author by DeConcini, who conjectured that a lexicographic ring is Cohen-Macaulay if the underlying partially ordered set is so. We prove this result in two different ways. It has recently come to our attention that this conjecture has also been proved by DeConcini et al. [ 131, using deformation theory methods. The results of this paper are arranged in two parts. The first part, consisting of Sections 2 through 4, is more elementary and uses the technique of “combinatorial decompositions” as developed by Garsia and this author. The second part, Sections 6 and 7, requires some knowledge of homological algebra methods in ring theory. The intermediate Section 5 discusses some of the known examples of lexicographic rings. In this section we also sketch some of the ways that our theory may be extended to more general contexts. The main result of the first part is the Transfer Theorem 4.3, which enables one to transfer combinatorial decompositions from the underlying partially ordered set (or more precisely from the corresponding Stanley-Reisner ring) to the lexicographic ring. As a result those concepts that are expressible in terms of combinatorial decompositions are also
Review of hydrodynamic principles for the cardiologist: Applications to the study of blood flow and jets by imaging techniques

An understanding of the basic concepts of the physics of blood flow is of vital importance to the cardiologist as he or she attempts to utilize new blood flow imaging modalities, such as Doppler ultrasound and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. Concepts such as the Bernoulli equation and its limitations, the continuity equation and volume flow calculations and the theory of free and confined jets have applications in cardiac blood flow-related problems. For example, mitral regurgitant flow may be treated with the free jet theory. Aortic stenosis results in confined jet flow. It is important that the cardiologist understand the basic principles behind these hydrodynamic concepts so that he or she can use them in appropriate applications. The limitations of the simplification of complex hydrodynamic relations that are used clinically need to be clearly understood so that these simplified principles are not used improperly or used to draw oversimplified conclusions.
An effective scale-dependent dispersivity deduced from a purely convective flow field

Abstract In the case of straight flow but with hydraulic conductivity varying in a transverse direction, the distribution of hydraulic conductivity has been determined for which the breakthrough curve due to convection only will have the same analytical form as the onedimensional convection/dispersion equation solution at the outlet end of a porous medium. That distribution is found exactly and it is very similar to the lognormal distribution. This result is significant since field evidence indicates that the logarithm of hydraulic conductivity is normally distributed. For the case considered, a simple relation between dispersivity and the coefficient of variation of hydraulic conductivity is found. One can thus determine very simply dispersivity in terms of the parameters of the distribution of hydraulic conductivity. This is particularly useful to estimate dispersivity in various cells of finite difference or finite element models when the distribution of hydraulic conductivity is not stationary, i.e. v...
Stress-induced redistribution of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor subtypes in the dorsal raphe nucleus.

Background The stress-related neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is involved in determining behavioral strategies for responding to stressors, in part through its regulation of the dorsal raphe (DR)-serotonin (5-HT) system. CRF 1 and CRF 2 receptor subtypes have opposing effects on this system that are associated with active versus passive coping strategies, respectively. Methods Immunoelectron microscopy and in vivo single-unit recordings were used to assess CRF receptor distribution and neuronal responses, respectively, in the DR of stressed and unstressed rats. Results Here we show that in unstressed rats CRF 1 and CRF 2 are differentially distributed within DR cells, with CRF 1 being prominent on the plasma membrane and CRF 2 being cytoplasmic. Stress experience reverses this distribution, such that CRF 2 is recruited to the plasma membrane and CRF 1 tends to internalize. As a consequence of this stress-induced cellular redistribution of CRF receptors, neuronal responses to CRF change from inhibition to a CRF 2 -mediated excitation. Conclusions Given evidence that CRF 1 and CRF 2 activation are associated with distinct behavioral responses to stress, the stress-triggered reversal in receptor localization provides a cellular mechanism for switching behavioral strategies for coping with stressors.
Spiral dynamics of pulsating methane–oxygen flames on a circular burner

A premixed flame stabilized on a circular porous plug burner produces a uniform, steady luminous flame front. Throughout much of the parameter range hydrocarbon–oxygen mixtures form spiral-shaped fronts. In methane–oxygen flames at low pressure, the flame exhibits a sequence of states as a control parameter is decreased. These states include periodic rotation of a spiral front; precession of the spiral front in a direction opposite to its rotation, corresponding to doubly periodic petals-out meandering; and nonperiodic states with intermittent jumps associated with linear excursions of the tip, which occur after the spiral front has reached the boundary of the circular burner. We use Karhunen–Loeve (KL) analysis to find the coefficients of the dominant KL spatial eigenfunctions. Their phase space portraits and power spectra provide a description of the dynamics as flow rates are reduced and the system destabilizes. We discuss how these experimental results relate to previous theoretical studies that assume Euclidean symmetry for the experimental configuration.
AIDS: The Urban Policymaking Challenge

: The development and spread of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in American urban areas is challenging established policy making structures and patterns in a variety of ways. AIDS is forcing urban policymakers to engage in unusual efforts at large and nonincremental change while possessing relatively little understanding of the ultimate nature and course of the disease. A variety of uncertainties exist, involving the future scope and development of AIDS, current and future treatment costs, legal and administrative responsibilities, workplace concerns, education efforts, financing methods, and political effects. As a consequence, those making AIDS policy must rely upon what Jones (1984) terms ambitious decisionmaking styles. Successful control of AIDS will require decentralized policymaking centered on experimental efforts in each urban area confronted with the disease. Given the wide range of uncertainties regarding the nature of AIDS and effective policy measures, it is unlikely that a truly national AIDS policy will be established in the immediate future.
Effects of norepinephrine and sympathetic stimulation on extraction of oxygen and 86Rb in perfused canine small bowel.

Previous studies have shown that sympathetic stimulation can cause a redistribution of intestinal capillary blood flow. Our computer model of the intestinal circulation predicted that the diffusion parameters (e.g., capillary surface area and mean capillaryto-cell diffusion distance) altered by precapillary sphincter closure would be sufficient to affect intestinal oxygen extraction. To test this prediction in an animal model, we made continuous measurements of arteriovenous oxygen difference (ΔO 2 ) and perfusion pressure during constant-flow perfusion of isolated loops of canine small bowel. Intraarterial infusion of norepinephrine or stimulation of sympathetic nerves for 7 minutes produced sustained increases in vascular resistance and sustained reductions in arteriovenous ΔO 2 . Maximal changes in resistance and arteriovenous ΔO 2 occurred by the second minute of norepinephrine or sympathetic nerve stimulation, and subsequently both parameters escaped somewhat. The maximal and steady-state values of these parameters were dose-dependent or frequency-dependent. In other experiments, sympathetic nerve stimulation caused synchronous decreases in arteriovenous ΔO 2 and 86 Rb extraction. These results support the hypothesis that the infusion of norepinephrine and the stimulation of sympathetic nerves cause sustained reductions in the density of the perfused capillary bed which are sufficient to reduce intestinal extraction of Rb and oxygen despite constant-flow perfusion.
Laser monitoring of mass concentrations of monodisperse test aerosols

Aerosol sampling is a complicated problem in aerosol physics. A technique described to monitor continuously the mass concentration of monodisperse test aerosols using a He–Ne laser. Good approximations are possible from Mie theory. The method is fast, accurate, and eliminates the need for precalibration of a standard sampler to monitor aerosol mass concentration over increments of time. It can be used for sampler efficiency measurements and wherever it is desired to monitor test aerosols of spherical droplets continuously, e.g., in studies of the human respiratory system for droplets larger than a few micrometers.
Isospin- 1/2 nucleon-resonance production by a V, A weak neutral current

A set of ratios characterizing the production of the isospin-1/2 resonances D$sub 13$(1514) and S$sub 11$(1505), as well as the isospin-3/2 resonance P$sub 33$(1232), by electromagnetic and weak (charged and neutral) currents are defined. Assuming the most general weak neutral current with V, A spatial structure, the matrix elements needed to extract the production ratios are calculated in three dynamical models for resonance production: the Born- approximation model, the nonrelativistic quark model, and the quark-bag model. For the special case of the Weinberg-Salam theory neutral current, the three models suggest that for 0 < or = sin$sup 2$theta/subW/ < or = 0.5 the ratios D$sub 13$/P$sub 33$ and S$sub 11$/P$sub 33$ observed in neutral-current $pi$$sup 0$ or eta production on a free nucleon target should be substantially smaller (by a factor of 2 to 4) than the corresponding ratios observed in charged-current $pi$$sup 0$ or eta production. An attempt is made to predict the ratios D$sub 13$/P$sub 33$ and S$sub 11$/P$sub 33$ to be expected in charged-current production from the corresponding ratios observed in electroproduction, but here the three models do not agree, and so it is possible only to state a wide possible range in which the values of the ratios may lie. The charge-exchange corrections needed for comparison with experiments on complex nuclear targets are briefly discussed; it is found that for an aluminum target the reduction factors quoted above are halved, so that in neutral-current-induced reactions the ratios D$sub 13$/P$sub 33$ and S$sub 11$/P$sub 33$ are smaller by a factor of 1 to 2 than the corresponding ratios observed in charged-current--induced reactions. (AIP)
Management of Sport-Related Concussion in Young Athletes

Sport-related head injuries are a common clinical problem. Most head injuries in young athletes are mild traumatic brain injuries or concussions. The highest number of sport-related concussions has been reported in American football. In addition to the well described physical and psychosocial growth, there is ongoing neurocognitive development of the brain during childhood and through adolescence. This developmental process has direct implications in the assessment and management of head injuries in young athletes. Research on the management and long-term outcome following brain injuries in young athletes is limited. Traditionally, the assessment of concussion has been based on clinical history and physical and neurological examination. Increasingly, neuropsychological testing, especially computerised testing, is providing objective measures for the initial assessment and follow-up of young athletes following brain injuries. Numerous guidelines have been published for grading and return to play criteria following concussion; however, none of these have been prospectively validated by research and none are specifically applicable to children and adolescents.
The geomagnetic environment in which sea turtle eggs incubate affects subsequent magnetic navigation behaviour of hatchlings

Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings (Caretta caretta) use regional magnetic fields as open-ocean navigational markers during trans-oceanic migrations. Little is known, however, about the ontogeny of this behaviour. As a first step towards investigating whether the magnetic environment in which hatchlings develop affects subsequent magnetic orientation behaviour, eggs deposited by nesting female loggerheads were permitted to develop in situ either in the natural ambient magnetic field or in a magnetic field distorted by magnets placed around the nest. In orientation experiments, hatchlings that developed in the normal ambient field oriented approximately south when exposed to a field that exists near the northern coast of Portugal, a direction consistent with their migratory route in the northeastern Atlantic. By contrast, hatchlings that developed in a distorted magnetic field had orientation indistinguishable from random when tested in the same north Portugal field. No differences existed between the two groups in orientation assays involving responses to orbital movements of waves or sea-finding, neither of which involves magnetic field perception. These findings, to our knowledge, demonstrate for the first time that the magnetic environment present during early development can influence the magnetic orientation behaviour of a neonatal migratory animal.
Assessing the substitutability of mitigation wetlands for natural sites: estimating restoration lag costs of wetland mitigation

Abstract The extent and rate to which mitigation wetlands can replace the functions of natural ones remains uncertain. Further, the economic time lag costs of wetland function restoration and therefore cost-effective and efficient means of wetland mitigation have yet to be adequately addressed. In this study, 16 mitigation wetlands were assessed, comprised of eight low elevation inland freshwater emergent marshes in Ohio and eight high elevation (>2285 m) freshwater emergent marshes in a wetland complex in Colorado, USA. This research identified the ecological substitutability of mitigation inland freshwater marshes for natural ones, estimated economic restoration lag costs to society and addressed least-cost approaches to successful mitigation. Years required to achieve full functional equivalency for both floristics and soils for the Ohio sites under logarithmic growth ranged from 8 to 50 years with a median of 33 years. Years required to achieve floristic functional equivalency for the Colorado sites ranged from 10 to 16 years with a median of 13 years. Restoration lag costs per acre (0.4 ha) in Ohio ranged from $3460 to $49,811 per acre with an average of $16,640 per acre (2000 US$). Lag costs as a percentage of total restoration costs ranged from 5.6% to 52.8% with an average of 25%. Restoration lag costs per acre to achieve full floristic equivalency in Colorado ranged from $22,368 to $31,511 per acre with an average $27,392 per acre. Time lag costs as a percentage of total restoration costs ranged from 44% to 53% with an average of 49%. Findings of this research suggest that society is currently incurring significant wetland restoration costs due to time lags of mitigation sites. Requiring the posting of an interest accruing performance bond can serve to internalize the time lag costs to the permittee and provide an incentive for more cost-effective wetland restoration efforts.
Is packing density important in stent-assisted coiling?

BACKGROUND Recent reports have shown that stent-assisted coiling (SAC) is associated with lower aneurysm recanalization rates compared with conventional coiling, raising questions about the necessity of achieving high packing density (PD) in stented aneurysms. OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of PD on follow-up obliteration rates of stented aneurysms and attempt to determine the optimal range of PD in SAC. METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of a single, large, cerebrovascular referral center's experience over a 5-year period in SAC with the use of Neuroform and Enterprise stents. The rate of complete obliteration on follow-up angiograms was compared for 3 different PD groups: high PD (>22%), moderate PD (12-22%), and low PD (<12%). RESULTS There were 292 stent-coiled aneurysms (36 ruptured, 256 unruptured) with available angiographic follow-up. Mean PD was 15.2%, and complete obliteration rate was 79.5% at latest follow-up. The rates of complete obliteration were significantly higher in the moderate (86.4%; OR = 2.58; P = .006) and high PD groups (85.3%; OR = 2.35; P = .037) compared with the low PD group (71.1%). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the moderate and high PD groups (OR = 0.91; P = .84). In multivariate analysis, PD was a significant predictor of complete obliteration (P = .007) along with smaller aneurysm volumes (P = .004). Ruptured (P = .002) and cavernous aneurysms (P < .001) had significantly lower obliteration rates. CONCLUSION High obliteration rates at follow-up were observed despite modest packing of stented aneurysms. Although PD is a definite factor in SAC, moderate and high packing of stented aneurysms seems to provide equivalent angiographic obliteration rates at follow-up.
Impact of an elastic pseudo-rigid body on a rigid foundation

This paper deals with the impact behavior of elastic pseudo-rigid bodies. It is shown that in the case of a spherically symmetric, linearly elastic pseudo-rigid body impacting on a rigid foundation, energy conservation necessitates the existence of multiple impact events. A comparison is made with the dynamic Hertzian theory in terms of the coefficient of restitution and the duration of impact. In addition, the chaotic nature of the long-term dynamics of this system is explored qualitatively.
Review of Storytelling in Organizations: Why Storytelling Is Transforming 21st Century Organizations and Management by John Seeley Brown

Purpose – This is a review of Storytelling in Organizations: Why Storytelling Is Transforming 21st Century Organizations and Management by John Seeley Brown.Design/methodology/approach – This review looks at the applications of storytelling, as described by the authors of the book reviewed, in the context of a larger storytelling revival.Findings – This review finds value in the advocacy of storytelling in contexts where it has often been neglected. Nevertheless, it criticizes the authors of the book for their lack of awareness of work on storytelling done in other fields.Originality/value – This will help place the revival of narrative in corporate settings within the larger context of storytelling as an art.
Delivering Bad News: How Procedural Unfairness Affects Messengers’ Distancing and Refusals

Drawing from a social predicament and identity management framework, we argue that procedural unfairness on the part of decision makers places messengers in a dilemma where they attempt to protect their professional image or legitimacy by engaging in refusals (e.g., curbing explanations) and exhibiting distancing behaviors (e.g., minimizing contact with victims) when delivering bad news. Such behaviors however, violate key tenets of fair interpersonal treatment. The results of two experiments supported our hypotheses in samples of experienced managers. Specifically, we found that levels of messengers’ distancing and refusals were greater when the procedures used by decision makers were unfair rather than fair. Additionally, messengers’ perceptions of a predicament (honesty versus disclosure) mediated these relationships. Implications and future research directions regarding the ethical delivery of bad news in the workplace are discussed.
Analysis of action potentials in the canine ventricular septum: no phenotypic expression of M cells.

Objective : Transmural heterogeneity in the ventricular free wall, enhanced by the midmyocardial long action potential duration (APD) of M cells, plays an important role in the arrhythmogenesis of long QT syndrome. Although we observed dynamic expression of M cell phenotypes in the canine ventricular free wall, it is still unclear whether similar phenomena are present in the interventricular septum. This study evaluated transmural heterogeneity of APD in the septum. Methods : We isolated and perfused 22 canine septal preparations through the septal branch of the anterior descending coronary artery, and optically mapped 256 channels of action potentials on their cut-exposed transseptal surfaces before and after treatment with sotalol (IKr blocker), anemone toxin II (ATX-II, which slows the inactivation of INa), or drug-free state in 6, 9, and 22 preparations, respectively. The preparations were paced from the left ventricular endocardium at cycle lengths of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 ms. Results : We observed progressively lengthening of APD across the septum from the right ventricular to the left ventricular endocardium without a midmyocardial maximum under all conditions. All action potentials had minor phase-1 notches, resembling the endocardial action potential in the ventricular free wall. Increasing cycle lengths and concentrations of sotalol and ATX-II prolonged APD without midmyocardial preference and increased the transseptal dispersion of APDs. Conclusions : Canine interventricular septal action potentials are similar in shape to the endocardial action potentials in the ventricular free wall, with smooth transseptal transition in APD. We found no phenotypical expression of M cells in the canine interventricular septum.
Dialect Proficiency and Auditory Comprehension in Standard and Black Nonstandard English

A dialect proficiency task and an auditory comprehension task (stories and questions) were administered to 32 black second graders. Half of the subjects received the auditory comprehension task in ...
Cardiovascular responses to face immersion (the diving reflex) in human beings after alcohol consumption

The diving reflex is a complex cardiovascular-respiratory response to immersion. This multireflex response in animals consists of apnea; bradycardia (the experimental parameter most often measured); peripheral vasoconstriction (resulting in preferential perfusion of the brain and heart); decreased cardiac output (with a maintained or increased stroke volume); and an increase in mean arterial blood pressure. These cardiovascular alterations act in a manner that conserves oxygen for the heart and brain. Because alcohol is often involved in water accidents with associated submersions, these initial experiments dealt with human volunteers who consumed alcohol to a blood level of 0.1 g% (legal level of intoxication). The diving reflex was elicited before and after alcohol consumption. Heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output were measured before, during, and after face immersion in 4 C water. In the sober state, immersion decreased heart rate, increased stroke volume, increased blood pressure, and increased total peripheral resistance. In comparison to the sober state, alcohol consumption increased pre-immersion heart rate, but did not significantly alter pre-immersion blood pressure or stroke volume. Following alcohol consumption, facial immersion decreased heart rate, but not to the same low rate as in the sober state. Alcohol consumption also evoked a lesser increase in blood pressure and failed to increase stroke volume significantly.
A framework for designing performance-oriented distributed systems

A methodology and related software design environment for the development of performance-engineered object-oriented distributed systems is essential. In this research, a performance-engineered design framework that utilizes the system architecture and object-oriented software design techniques of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and the architecture of the Hierarchical Performance Model (HPM) is developed to assist designers in evaluating alternatives for performance enhancement. The developed framework integrates the architectural, structural and behavioral components of an application with the performance parameters required for performance model generation and evaluation during the software design process. Performance views for the presentation of performance information and selection of critical path scenarios along with an example are briefly described.
Lung Cancer in Women: The Importance of Smoking, Family History of Cancer, and Medical History of Respiratory Disease

The importance of smoking and other factors for lung cancer in women was investigated in a case-control study of women who had previously received a multiphasic health checkup at Northern California Kaiser Hospitals. Smoking and medical histories for 217 cases and matched controls were obtained from the multiphasic questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) associated with cigarette smoking were 35.1 (95% CI 4.8-256) for squamous and small cell and large cell carcinomas combined and 2.5 (95% CI 1.3-5.1) for adenocarcinoma. After adjusting for smoking, risk was increased in women with a family history of lung cancer (OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.7-5.6) and family history of any cancer (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.2). A significant interaction existed between smoking and family history. Women with a history of bronchitis, pneumonia, or emphysema were at increased risk, whereas women with a history of asthma or hay fever experienced a significantly lower risk for lung cancer.
An analog parallel distributed solution to the shortest path problem

The evolution of analog VLSI has led to increased application of analog circuitry in solving problems previously solved digitally or numerically. Specifically, analog parallel distributed (APD) methods have been used. These methods are applicable to problems that can be modeled using the mathematical functions characteristic of analog circuits. One such problem is the single-source shortest path problem (SPP). An SPP algorithm that is derived by applying an APD approach to solving Bellman's equation is proposed. Correctness of the algorithm is proved for the case of zero-initial conditions. Simulations of the system (algorithm) yield correct results in all cases. A decomposition technique is developed to analyze the dynamic behavior of the algorithm in detail. The complexity, accuracy, and settling time of a physical implementation of the system are also discussed. >
Molecular Mechanism of the Regulation of Bacillus subtilis gltAB Expression by GltC

Abstract In Bacillus subilis, glutamate synthase, a major enzyme of nitrogen metabolism, is encoded by the gltAB operon. Significant expression of this operon requires the activity of GltC, a LysR-family protein, encoded by the divergently transcribed gene. We purified a soluble, active form of GltC and found that it requires α-ketoglutarate, a substrate of glutamate synthase, to fully activate gltA transcription in vitro, and that its activity is inhibited by glutamate, the product of glutamate synthase. GltC regulated gltAB transcription through binding to three dyad-symmetry elements, Box I, Box II and Box III, located in the intergenic region of gltC and gltA. Free GltC bound almost exclusively to Box I and activated gltAB transcription only marginally. Glutamate-bound GltC bound to Box I and Box III, and repressed gltAB transcription. In the presence of α-ketoglutarate, GltC bound to Box I and Box II, stabilized binding of RNA polymerase to the gltA promoter, and activated gltAB transcription. The binding of GltC to Box II, which partially overlaps the −35 region of the gltA promoter, seems to be essential for activation of the gltAB operon. Due to the high concentration of glutamate in B. subtilis cells grown under most conditions, alterations of the concentration of α-ketoglutarate seem to be crucial for modulation of GltC activity and gltAB expression.
Long-Acting Beta-Agonists and the Risk of Intensive Care Unit Admission in Children

Objective. A possible association between long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) and severe asthma exacerbations including death remains controversial. We examined whether LABA in the setting of combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) increase the risk of near-fatal asthma in children using a case–control study design. Methods. Medical records from admissions for asthma exacerbations in children 4–18 years of age during the 2005 calendar year at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC were reviewed. Cases and controls were determined by pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and floor admission, respectively. Exposure was defined by LABA use in combination with ICS versus ICS alone. Results. Records from 85 PICU and 96 pediatric floor admissions were reviewed. LABA use in combination with ICS did not increase the risk of PICU admission (odds ratio 1.07, 95% CI 0.46–2.52) compared to ICS only without LABA. After adjusting for demographics, asthma severity, history of PICU admissions, and concurren...
Animal Models in Pancreatic Surgery: A Plea for Pork

There has been resurgence in the utilization of larger animal models in medicine over the last decade, particularly in the field of pancreatic research. With increasing pressures to more accurately replicate the human model prior to clinical application, an ideal animal model is necessary. Previous work in larger species (dog, pig) in pancreatic surgery research has identified several key anatomical differences that have led us to conclude that perhaps the swine is a model better fit for more accurate human representation.
Mobile and fixed-bearing (all-polyethylene tibial component) total knee arthroplasty designs: surgical technique.

BACKGROUND: Proponents of mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty believe that it has potential advantages over a fixed-bearing design in terms of diminished wear and improved motion and/or function, but these advantages have not been demonstrated in a randomized clinical comparison to our knowledge. We conducted a patient-blinded, prospective, randomized clinical trial to compare mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing cruciate-substituting total knee arthroplasties of the same design. METHODS: Patients between the ages of sixty and eighty-five years were prospectively randomized to receive a cruciate-substituting rotating-platform design or a fixed-bearing design with an all-polyethylene tibial component. There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics (mean age, 72.2 years; mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score, 2.7; mean body mass index, 31.8 kg/m2) or preoperative clinical or radiographic measures between the groups. Routine clinical and radiographic follow-up measures included the Knee Society score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Short Form-36 (SF-36) outcome measures. RESULTS: The results of 312 arthroplasties (136 with an all-polyethylene tibial component and 176 rotating-platform designs) in 273 patients were analyzed at a minimum of two years (mean, forty-two months) postoperatively. Although there was significant improvement in both groups, there was no significant difference between the groups with regard to the mean postoperative range of motion (110.9° and 109.1°, respectively; p = 0.21), the mean KSS clinical score (90.4 and 88.2 points; p = 0.168), or the mean KSS pain score (44.9 and 43.1 points; p = 0.108) at this follow-up point. There were ten revisions: seven because of infection, one because of patellar fracture, one because of instability, and one because of aseptic loosening. CONCLUSIONS: The two designs functioned equivalently at the time of early follow-up in this low-to-moderate-demand patient group. The rotating-platform design had no significant clinical advantage over the design with the all-polyethylene tibial component. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. ORIGINAL ABSTRACT CITATION: “Mobile and Fixed-Bearing (All Polyethylene Tibial Component) Total Knee Arthroplasty Designs. A Prospective Randomized Trial” (2009;91:2104-12).
Toward biologically meaningful net carbon exchange estimates for tall, dense canopies: Multi-level eddy covariance observations and canopy coupling regimes in a mature Douglas-fir forest in Oregon

Abstract We sought to improve net ecosystem exchange (NEE) estimates for a tall, dense, mature Douglas-fir forest in the Oregon Coast range characterized by weak flows, systematic wind directional shear, and limited turbulent mixing throughout the diurnal period. We used eddy covariance (EC) observations at two levels and concurrent biological measurements of carbon and water fluxes collected over a period of 6 years (2006–2011) to develop and test a conceptual framework to (i) reduce uncertainty by retaining more measurements for the computation of annual NEE sums and (ii) produce defendable and biologically meaningful estimates by accounting for the missing sub-canopy respiration. The framework assumes that (a) the scalar exchange between vertical layers can be categorized into discrete canopy coupling regimes and (b) advection leads to a systematic loss of scalar from the observational volume that can indirectly be estimated and accounted for as sub-canopy respiration flux when canopy layers are decoupled. Periods with a decoupled sub-canopy layer dominated and occupied 65 and 88% of the day- and nighttime periods, respectively. Annual NEE derived from the new framework was estimated as 480 gC m−2 year−1, which was reduced by 620 gC m−2 year−1 compared to traditional estimates from single-level EC data filtered using a critical friction velocity. The reduced NEE was due to an enhanced ecosystem respiration (RE), while gross ecosystem productivity remained unchanged. Improved RE estimates agreed well with those from independent estimates based on soil, stem, and foliage respiration within 3%. Risks and limitations of the new framework are discussed. We conclude that concurrent above- and sub-canopy EC observations are essential to measure a meaningful carbon balance in tall, dense forests since they do no lend themselves to traditional, standardized processing. The new framework may help to include more tall and dense forests in global carbon cycle synthesis and modeling efforts.
THE PRESS, PATRIOTISM, AND PUBLIC DISCUSSION: C. P. SCOTT, THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN , AND THE BOER WAR, 1899–1902

This article demonstrates the connections between journalism, patriotism, and the culture of public discussion in late Victorian Britain, taking as a case study C. P. Scott's use of the Guardian in opposing the Boer War. It asserts that while opposing the war, Scott was simultaneously trying to redefine ‘patriotism’ and preserve a rapidly waning ideal of the press as an agent of public discussion, two interrelated goals. In contrast to a predominant image of the patriot as blind supporter of the government's imperial expansionism, the Guardian put forth an ideal of a critical patriotism. At the same time, Scott rejected the prevailing contemporary notion that the press should merely ‘represent’ the readers' interests. Instead, he sought to use leading articles and news reports to encourage a culture of public discussion. Scott's journalistic and political goals overlapped, as his notion of patriotism required maintaining a healthy public sphere. Although this study demonstrates Scott's role in the persistence of critical ideals of patriotism and journalism, it concludes that Scott had to content himself with appealing to an elite audience.
Maspin expression in invasive breast cancer: association with other prognostic factors.

Maspin is a unique serine protease inhibitor with a molecular weight of 42 kDa. It has been shown to inhibit tumour cell motility and invasion in cell culture, and tumour growth and metastasis in animal models. There is very limited data on the prognostic utility of maspin in human breast cancer. We performed a preliminary study to assess the associations of maspin with other established prognostic factors in invasive breast cancer (IBC). 1068 paraffin-embedded IBCs were immunohistochemically stained with a monoclonal antibody to maspin. A nuclear signal was present in 96% and a cytoplasmic signal in 35% of the cases. Nuclear staining was related to oestrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positivity (p < 0.0001), but not to S-phase fraction (SPF) or ploidy. Cytoplasmic staining was related to ER and PR negativity (p < 0.0001), high SPF (p < 0.0001), and aneuploidy (p = 0.003). Thus, maspin nuclear staining was significantly associated with good prognostic factors, while cytoplasmic staining was associated with poor prognostic markers. These findings suggest that the presence of maspin in two different compartments of the cell may have different biological and clinical implications. Additional studies are needed to evaluate further this expression profile of maspin in breast cancer.
Ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis in guinea pig liver during Q fever.

Abstract Protein and ribonucleic acid (RNA) syntheses increase in the liver during Q fever, coincident with progressive increments in cortisol levels. Cell-free protein-synthesizing systems indicate that the pH 5 enzyme fraction was chiefly responsible for enhanced activity. Although the polysome profiles from normal and infected livers were similar, the number of liver ribosomes doubled during infection. There was a concomitant increase in orotate incorporation in the 28s, 18s, and 4s RNA species of infected liver.
The Impact of an Organizational Development Program on Perceptions of Interpersonal, Group, and Organization Functioning:

There are two central tasks today in the ever-widening field of organizational development. One is the application of and experimentation with behavioral science knowledge and methods to improve pr...
ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE CONCHOCELIS STAGE OF THE MARINE RED ALGA PORPHYRA LEUCOSTICTA1

SUMMARY The ultrastructure of the Conchocelis or filamentous stage of Porphyra leucosticta was investigated. Each cell contains 1 or 2 parietal, stellate chloroplasts with a single pyrenoid in each chloroplast. The centrally located nucleus is irregularly shaped and contains 1–2 nucleoli. The cytoplasm has typical floridean starch grains and nonmernbrane-bound lipid bodies. The cell wall is divided into an outer and an inner wall. Many lomasomes are associated with the cell membrane. Pit connections are found between cells, and their taxonomic significance is discussed.
Decision-Making Dysfunctions of Counterfactuals in Depression: Who Might I have Been?

Cognitive neuroscience enables us now to decompose major depressive disorder into dysfunctional component processes and relate these processes to specific neural substrates. This approach can be used to illuminate the biological basis of altered psychological processes in depression, including abnormal decision-making. One important decision-related process is counterfactual thinking, or the comparison of reality to hypothetical alternatives. Evidence suggests that individuals with depression experience exaggerated emotional responses due to focusing on counterfactual decision outcomes in general and regret, i.e. the emotion associated with focus on an alternative superior outcome, in particular. Regret is linked to self-esteem in that it involves the evaluation of an individual’s own decisions. Alterations of self-esteem, in turn, are a hallmark of depression. The literature on the behavioral and neural processes underlying counterfactual thinking, self-esteem, and depression is selectively reviewed. A model is proposed in which unstable self-representation in depression is more strongly perturbed when a different choice would have produced a better outcome, leading to increased feelings of regret. This approach may help unify diverse aspects of depression, can generate testable predictions, and may suggest new treatment avenues targeting distorted counterfactual cognitions, attentional biases toward superior counterfactual outcomes, or increased affective response to regretted outcomes.
Prospects of manufacturing organic semiconductor-based integrated circuits

The driving force for developing organic thin-film transistor (OTFT)-based electronics is the fact that they are flexible, lightweight and have the prospect of low-cost manufacturing. Major barriers in the practical realization of OTFT-based electronic systems are the need for larger power supplies, lower gain, lower switching speeds and reliability problems. New directions leading to changes in the design of transistors, materials used in the fabrication, and processing techniques are warranted for developing process and equipment that can lead to the manufacturing of OTFT-based electronics. For developing dense OTFT-based electronics, the low thermal conductivity (as compared to silicon) of organic semiconductors is a fundamental problem. The use of nanodimension polymers with homogeneous microstructure, transistors operating in subthreshold region and the use of new materials (high and low dielectric constant dielectric materials as well as Cu as the conductor for interconnections) for fabricating transistors and a novel rapid photothermal processing technique for depositing thin films of organic semiconductors as well as for reducing the defects introduced during processing are some of the proposed directions that may lead to the manufacturing of OTFT based electronics.
Seasonal Flight Activity of Two Homalodisca Species (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) That Spread Xylella fastidiosa in Southern California

Homalodisca coagulata (Say) and Homalodisca lacerta (Fowler) are vectors of a new bacterial disease of oleander in California known as oleander leaf scorch, induced by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. H. coagulata also has been implicated in the spread of the strain of X. fastidiosa that induces Pierce's disease of grapevines in California. We monitored the flight activity of H. coagulata and H. lacerta in oleander and citrus by using yellow sticky cards at three southern California locations where outbreaks of oleander leaf scorch have been documented, and where vector compliments are different. Areas sampled included a mesic coastal area (Irvine, CA) that supports predominantly H. coagulata and few H. lacerta, a dry inland location (Palm Desert, CA) that supports predominantly H. lacerta and few H. coagulata, and an intermediate area (Riverside, CA) supporting both Homalodisca species. From November 1996 to October 1999 peak catches of both Homalodisca species occurred during the midsummer at all locations. H. coagulata was trapped in greater numbers in citrus than in oleander at both the Riverside and the Irvine sites. Likewise, H. lacerta in Riverside was more associated with citrus than oleander, yet H. lacerta in Palm Desert was trapped in greater numbers in oleander than citrus.
Fabrication, Welding, and Inspection Techniques in Preparation for In-Reactor Testing of Accident Tolerant Fuels

After the Fukushima events in 2011, DOE-NE in collaboration with nuclear industry shifted RD as such, it is an integral part of Phase I: Feasibility Assessment and Down-Selection outlined in the ATF Roadmap. This irradiation test series is planned to be performed as a series of drop-in capsule tests to be irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) operated by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and it has been designated as the ATF-1 test series.Current fission reactors use zirconium-based fuel cladding because of its extremely low macroscopic thermal neutron absorption cross-section, good high temperature strength, and decent corrosion resistance. However, advanced, innovative materials may provide these same benefits while increasing reactor safety margin, core power density, and fuel utilization. These advanced fuel cladding systems will allow revolutionary cladding performance and enhanced fuel mechanical designs, however, challenges exist in design, analysis and fabrication of innovative, never before tested, fuel cladding systems for in-reactor testing. This paper highlights the challenges associated with design, fabrication and welding, and inspection of innovative materials and actions taken to address those challenges in preparation for the Phase I ATR irradiation testing. The lessons learned from Phase I of this experiment can be used to guide researchers for design and analysis of future in-reactor testing of advanced fuel cladding systems.Copyright © 2015 by ASME