cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cuticular receptor activation of postural motoneurons in the abdomen of the hermit crab, Pagurus pollicarus

Displacement of the abdominal cuticle of the hermit crab, Pagurus pollicarus, activates motoneurons of the ventral superficial muscles that mediate posture and slow movements. Five excitatory motoneurons innervating the right ventral superficial muscle of the fourth abdominal segment were activated in a phasic stereotyped fashion in the isolated nervous system. Intracellular records from these motoneurons showed an initial monosynaptic burst, a period of inhibition in which inhibitory post-synaptic potentials were present and then a later period of increased spike frequency generated by excitatory post-synaptic potentials. The reflex response was maintained after severing all ganglionic roots from peripheral structures, isolating the nerve cord from peripheral feedback pathways. The two excitatory components of the response showed a dependence on strain that was much smaller than that found in sensory afferents. There was no relationship between the site of touch to the cuticle and the intensity or pattern of activation of the motoneurons. The reflex burst produced a transient activation of both longitudinal and transverse/circular layers of the muscle with forces that varied between 10% and 25% of the maximum muscle force. These results are consistent with a feedforward regulation of muscle stiffness.
Neurotoxicity of inhaled manganese: Public health danger in the shower?

Summary Context Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element but is neurotoxic at high doses. Showering with Mn-laden water has never been evaluated as a central nervous system (CNS) delivery vector for Mn, even though intranasally administered Mn in laboratory animals circumvents the blood–brain barrier and passes directly into the brain via olfactory pathways. Objective To review the literature on Mn and attempt to quantify potential human CNS exposure to manganese from showering. Data sources We systematically searched Medline 11/9/02 and again on 3/9/04. The following search terms were used: manganese, water, drinking water, shower, showering, bath, bathing and inhalation, then combined with “water or drinking water or showering or shower or bathing or inhalation.” Study selection Animal experimental investigations, human epidemiological studies, and consensus and governmental reports were utilized. Data extraction Data were extracted by both authors and extrapolations to humans were calculated by one of us (JGS) controlling for age, length of exposure and known respiratory differences between rats and humans. Data synthesis During a decade of showering in Mn-contaminated water, models for children and adults show higher doses of aerosolized Mn (3-fold and 1 1 2 - fold greater, respectively) than doses reported to cause Mn brain deposition in rats. Conclusions Long-term shower exposure to Mn-laden water may pose a significant risk for CNS neurotoxicity via olfactory uptake in up to 8.7 million Americans. If our results are confirmed, regulatory agencies must rethink existing Mn drinking water standards.
A study of the effect of attenuation curvature on molecular correlation energies by introducing an explicit cutoff radius into two-electron integrals.

We present a new attenuator function that can be applied to the Coulomb operator. Similar to the popular erf(ωr) attenuator, the function [erf(ω(r + r0)) + erf(ω(r − r0))]/2 divides the Coulomb potential into a singular short-range piece and a non-singular long-range piece. In our attenuator, ω controls the sharpness of the short-range/long-range division at r0. With r0 = 0, this reduces to erf(ωr), but the additional parameter allows more flexible adjustment of the potential, for physical and/or computational reasons. We present some illustrative results for a truncated MP2 method, where mean field effects are handled exactly and correlation is treated locally. This study indicates, somewhat expectedly, that the slope and curvature of the attenuated potential are more important than its value (a trivial constant may always be added to a potential). However, there are some surprising features of the data that suggest what bounds need to be put on the curvature of the attenuated potential in order to achie...
Alliances in Liner Shipping: an Instrument to Gain Operational Efficiency or Supply Chain Integration?

ABSTRACT This paper explores how shipping lines are responding to the changing environment, with particular reference to the diffusion of a supply chain management view, by using alliances. It reports the results of a survey conducted on a sample of alliances concluded by a number of firms in recent years. First, the implications for transportation providers with the adoption of the supply chain management approach by shippers are discussed. Then a literature review on the key driving forces effecting shipping line alliances is presented. The findings of this indicate that most of the alliances examined are concentrated in the maritime transport phase rather than in inland transport and logistics services activities. They chiefly achieve objectives of internal efficiency and meet user logistical needs specifically in supplying higher service frequency and broader geographical coverage. Several implications for shipping line alliance strategies and supply chain management are suggested.
Matrix pencil method for simultaneously estimating azimuth and elevation angles of arrival along with the frequency of the incoming signals

In this paper we describe a method for simultaneously estimating the direction of arrival (DOA) of the signal along with its unknown frequency. In a typical DOA estimation problem it is often assumed that all the signals are arriving at the antenna array at the same frequency which is assumed to be known. The antenna elements in the array are then placed half wavelength apart at the frequency of operation. However, in practice seldom all the signals arrive at the antenna array at a single pre-specified frequency, but at different frequencies. The question then is what to do when there are signals at multiple frequencies, which are unknown. This paper presents an extension of the matrix pencil method to simultaneously estimate the DOA along with the operating frequency of each of the signals. This novel approach involves approximating the voltages that are induced in a three-dimensional antenna array, by a sum of complex exponentials by jointly estimating the direction of arrival (both azimuth and elevation angles) along with the carrier frequencies of multiple far-field sources impinging on the array by using the three-dimensional matrix pencil method. The matrix pencil method is a direct data domain method for approximating a function by a sum of complex exponentials in the presence of noise. The variances of the estimates computed by the matrix pencil method are quite close to the Cramer-Rao bound. Finally, we illustrate how to carry out the broadband DOA estimation procedure using realistic antenna elements located in a conformal array. Some numerical examples are presented to illustrate the applicability of this methodology in the presence of noise. It is shown that the variance decreases as the SNR increases. The Cramer-Rao bound for the estimators are also provided to illustrate the accuracy and the computational efficiency of this new methodology.
Femtosecond pure-rotational coherent anti-stokes raman scattering gas phase diagnostics.

We discuss recent experiments for the characterization of our femtosecond pure rotational CARS facility for observation of Raman transients in N{sub 2} and atmospheric air. The construction of a simplified femtosecond four-wave mixing system with only a single laser source is presented. Pure-rotational Raman transients reveal well-ordered time-domain recurrence peaks associated with the near-uniform spacing of rotational Raman peaks in the spectral domain. Long-time, 100-ps duration observations of the transient Raman polarization are presented, and the observed transients are compared to simulated results. Fourier transformation of the transients reveals two distinct sets of beat frequencies. Simulation results for temperatures from 300-700 K are used to illustrate the temperature sensitivity of the time-domain transients and their Fourier-transform counterparts. And strategies for diagnostics are briefly discussed. These results are being utilized to develop gas-phase measurement strategies for temperature and species concentration.
Biophysical inhibition of synthetic phospholipid-lung surfactant apoprotein admixtures by plasma proteins.

Abstract Biophysical activity and inhibition characteristics were studied for a series of synthetic surfactants composed of purified bovine lung surfactant proteins (SP)-B or -C combined with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and egg-phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in a weight ratio of 80:20:1 DPPC/PG/protein. Surfactant protein preparations included two isolates of SP-B, confirmed by amino terminal sequence analysis, three isolates of SP-C which were free of SP-B by ELISA and Western blot analysis, and two isolates containing both SP-B and -C. In oscillating bubble studies, mixtures of phospholipids with isolates containing pure SP-B or both SP-B and -C lowered surface tension to
Unusual backward enhancement in the angular distribution of products from the interaction of /sup 238/U with 400-GeV protons

Angular distributions of various Mg, Sc, Cu, Ag, and Ba nuclides produced in the interaction of /sup 238/U with 400-GeV protons have been measured. While all the angular distributions peak at approx. 90/sup 0/, those obtained for certain products are characterized by greater backward than forward emission in the laboratory system. This category includes both neutron-deficient and neutron-excess Sc fragments as well as neutron-deficient Cu and Ag nuclides.
On the singularity of least squares estimator for mean-reverting α-stable motions

Abstract We study the problem of parameter estimation for mean-reverting a-stable motion, dX t = (a 0 - ϑ 0 X t )dt + dZ t observed at discrete time instants. A least squares estimator is obtained and its asymptotics is discussed in the singular case (a 0 , ϑ 0 ) = (0, 0). If a 0 = 0, then the mean-reverting a-stable motion becomes Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process and is studied in [7] in the ergodic case ϑ 0 > 0. For the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process, asymptotics of the least squares estimators for the singular case (ϑ 0 = 0) and for ergodic case (ϑ 0 > 0) are completely different.
Durable flame retardant finishing of the nylon/cotton blend fabric using a hydroxyl-functional organophosphorus oligomer

Cotton/nylon blends have been commonly used as the material for protective clothing, but those blend fabrics are not flame retardant finished because of the unavailability of effective flame retardant finishing systems. Previously, we investigated the use of a hydroxyl-functional flame retardant organophosphorus oligomer (FR) in combination with the mixture of dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) and trimethylolmelamine (TMM) as the binders for flame retardant finishing of cotton. In this study, we investigated the application of FR to the 50/50 cotton/nylon fabric. When the FR/DMDHEU/TMM system is applied to the fabrics of nylon-6,6 and nylon-6, approximately 40% of the FR applied is permanently bound to the nylon fabrics. FR is bound to the nylon fabrics mainly through the formation of a FR/TMM crosslinked polymeric network, thus becoming durable to multiple launderings. The cotton/nylon blend treated with FR shows high levels of flame retardant performance and excellent laundering durability. The treated fabric passes the vertical flammability test even after 50 home laundering cycles. The fabric stiffness as a result of the finishing process is still an obstacle to be overcome for practical use of this finishing system.
Local Governments as Risk Takers and Risk Reducers: An Examination of Business Subsidies and Subsidy Controls

Many U.S. local governments that promote economic development give business subsidies, creating high levels of risk and uncertainty. Their main concern is that firms receiving subsidies may not benefit the city as much as the cost of the subsidies. To overcome this risk and uncertainty, many local governments now use subsidy controls, such as performance agreements, clawback clauses, and evaluation policies. Using survey data from more than 1,600 local governments, the author found that the majority use both business subsidies and subsidy controls. A positive association exists between these two activities: Local governments that give more in subsidies tend to employ more subsidy controls. This suggests that there is not a trade-off but rather a complementary relationship between promoting development aggressively by giving subsidies and regulating businesses to ensure that city residents benefit from subsidies.
Binding of Riboflavin and Riboflavin Phosphate by the Proteins of Milk

Summary The binding of riboflavin and riboflavin phosphate by the proteins of milk, particularly by α - and β -casein, has been studied. Binding constants have been determined and, from these, thermodynamic quantities have been calculated. The binding is of a low order of magnitude with an unusually high temperature coefficient. The binding by the calcium caseinate-phosphate complex in milk is equivalent to the binding by its component protein molecules. Certain similarities between the binding by the caseins, and the binding by flavoprotein enzymes, have been noted. The data indicate strongly that phenoxyl residues constitute the loci of binding.
A Device and Methodology for Continuous Hypothermic Perfusion of Explanted Large Mammalian Hearts, Followed by In Vitro Langendorff Reanimation: Pilot Studies

The current methodologies of clinical heart transplantation limit the ischemic window to 4–6 h. Periods longer than this can induce dysfunction in the organ and can lead to increased patient morbidity and mortality. An alternative to the current methods of static cold storage (CS) is continuous hypothermic perfusion (CHP), where a hypothermic oxygenated crystalloid solution is mechanically perfused through the coronary arteries. This has been shown to preserve the function for up to 72 h, but the techniques have yet to be optimized. We have developed an apparatus and methodology for performing CHP on large mammalian hearts, followed by reanimation in our in vitro Langendorff apparatus (The Visible HeartTM ). We are also investigating the utility of the cardioprotective agents docosahexaenoic acid and [D-Ala2, D-Leu5] enkephalin, both of which have shown cardioprotective effects in our laboratory, and we believe that their addition to the preservation solution can further extend the transplant window. A series of pilot studies has been performed to date, with modestly successful results. Hearts preserved with CHP seem to show better functionality than CS hearts but far worse functionality than hearts reanimated immediately after explant. We hope to use this system to optimize CHP methodology and eventually develop a system for prolonging the window for heart transplantation.
Salivary proteolysis of histidine-rich polypeptides and the antifungal activity of peptide degradation products

Incubation of purified synthetic histidine-rich polypeptides, HRP-2, -3, -4, -5, -6 (histatins), with diluted human parotid saliva yielded a series of peptide degradation products whose structures could be determined by gas-phase sequencing of cationic polyacrylamide gel electroblots. Sequencing indicated that two and sometimes three peptides were present in the same Coomassie blue-stained band. By comparing different individuals' salivas it was observed that structural variation occurs, perhaps due to differences in the concentrations or specific activities of salivary proteases. Based on the structural data, four proteolytic enzyme activities are proposed. A trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like enzymatic activity(s) appear to represent the most active salivary protease; however, both an alanine-lysine endopeptidase and a histidine peptidase activity are also present in parotid saliva. In comparison to HRP-4 or HRP-6, degraded products were less active as antifungal agents against Candida albicans both in blastospore and germ-tube assays.
Pathogenicity of a skin isolate of porcine parvovirus in swine fetuses

Abstract The pathogenic properties of a skin isolate of porcine parvovirus (PPV), designated Kresse isolate, were compared with NADL-8 isolate, a prototype isolate of PPV, by in utero inoculation of mid-term and late-term gestation swine fetuses. Fetuses from pregnant sows of mid-gestation were inoculated with either NADL-8 or Kresse virus. Both isolates were highly pathogenic to mid-gestation fetuses. In contrast, dramatic differences in pathogenicity between these 2 isolates were observed in fetuses inoculated late in gestation. Such fetuses from each of 4 sows were inoculated with NADL-8 or Kresse virus isolate and sacrificed at 10, 18, 21, or 23 days postinoculation (PI). NADL-8 inoculated fetuses were grossly normal. The pathogenic effects of Kresse isolate were evident by gross pathology in fetuses collected at 18, 21, and 23 days PI, but not at 10 days PI. Hemagglutination (HA) and fluorescent antibody (FA) methods were used to identify virus in various tissues of late-gestation fetuses collected at 10 and 21 days PI. At 10 days PI, HA antigens were detected only in livers of NADL-8-inoculated fetuses, but in all tissues examined of Kresse-inoculated fetuses, including the brain. PPV specific fluorescence was demonstrated in tissues of fetuses inoculated with NADL-8 and Kresse virus. The major difference was that virus antigen was found in the brains of fetuses inoculated with Kresse virus, but not in NADL-8 infected fetuses. At 21 days PI, HA antigen was not detected in any of the tissues of fetuses inoculated with NADL-8 virus, with PPV specific fluorescence by FA being found only in the kidney. However, fetuses inoculated with Kresse virus displayed HA antigen in liver and PPV-specific fluorescence in all tissues tested including the brain. Both isolates induced similar antibody responses, 1:128 to 1:256 at 10 days and 1:512 to 1:1024 at 21 days PI. In addition, immunoglobulin G (IgG) deposits were demonstrated in kidneys and skin of fetuses inoculated with Kresse virus and IgM in brain, but not in tissues from fetuses inoculated with NADL-8 virus.
Invasive and allergic fungal sinusitis

Fungal sinusitis encompasses a wide range of clinical syndromes. Disease is classified into four major categories: 1) acute invasive fungal sinusitis, 2) chronic invasive fungal sinusitis, 3) mycetoma, and 4) allergic fungal sinusitis. Acute disease is most often a fulminant, life-threatening process seen in immunocompromised patients. Treatment requires prompt antifungal therapy and extensive surgical debridement. Other types of fungal sinusitis are more indolent. For chronic invasive sinusitis, a combination of surgical debridement and antifungal agents is the cornerstone of treatment. Mycetomas can usually be extirpated surgically and do not require therapy with antifungal agents. Treatment of allergic fungal sinusitis remains controversial, but most current management regimens utilize surgical debridement combined with corticosteroid therapy, rather than antifungal agents.
A Higher Order Closure Model for Canopy Flow

Abstract The equations of motion were used to develop a one-dimensional, nonbuoyant mathematical model of air flow within vegetative canopies. The model consists of equations for mean horizontal momentum, Reynolds stress, and for the three components of turbulent kinetic energy with closure achieved by parameterizing the higher order terms. This eliminates the need to model the Reynolds stress directly using an eddy viscosity. The closure schemes rely upon a prescribed length scale and have been used elsewhere in modeling the atmospheric boundary layer free of vegetation. The equations were solved numerically using specified boundary conditions. Using a profile of plant area density for a crop of corn (Zea mays L.) the model predicted mean wind velocity, Reynolds stress and turbulent intensities for the region from the soil surface to twice the canopy height that compare well with experimental measurements (Shaw et al., 1974a,b). The model is believed to overestimate the intensity of turbulence generated ...
The electrophoretic characterization of ribosomes from the blue-green alga Anabaena flos-aquae

0946 09 1. Ribosomes of the blue-green alga, Anabaena flos-aquae, were isolated using a rapid lysis method and by grinding with alumina. 2. Analysis of ribosomes obtained by rapid lysis on sucrose gradients and electrophoretic gels indicated the presence of 30S, 50S, 70S, and 100S sibosomes as well as polysomes. 3. Dissociation of algal 70S and 100S ribosomes into their 30S and 50S subunits was demonstrated using a 6000xg preparation on a two-dimensional electrophoretic gel as well as a 105000xg fraction on a sucrose gradient. 4. Differences between blue-green algal and bacterial ribosomes were noted when 105000xg fractions of both were washed in ribosomal washing buffer. A major 100S or dimer peak was observed for the bacterial preparation before and after washing. The major peak in the algal preparation shifted from 100S to 70S after washing.
Surface wetting effects on the spreading of liquid droplets impacting a solid surface at low Weber numbers

Abstract A modification to the Kurabayashi–Yang equation, for predicting the maximum spreading ratio of a liquid droplet impacting a solid surface, has been made to account for effects of the contact angle between the spreading liquid and the impact surface. A computational fluid dynamics model was used to generate the correction factor, and comparison of the corrected model to experimental data from the literature shows that predictions improved significantly. The average error between the model’s predictions and the experimental values dropped from 12.2 ± 24.8% for the original equation to 3.6 ± 12.2% for the corrected equation.
Circumferential Cyclic Strain in Patients With Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: Implications for Endovascular Device Design

Endovascular graft (EVG) therapy has emerged as a promising alternative to open surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms. However, the long-term durability of thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) remains uncertain due to complications such as incomplete aneurysm exclusion (endoleaks), migration, and stent fracture and collapse. These complications could likely be reduced if the biomechanical environment of the thoracic aorta was better understood. Currently, there are three FDA approved EVGs for treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (DTAA), but the range of bench-top testing mechanisms for these devices are limited.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
BEYOND CULTURE-CONTACT AND COLONIAL DISCOURSE: “GERMANISM” IN COLONIAL BENGAL

This essay will explore the presence of Germany as a key trope of Bengali nationalist discourse in the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth. It will problematize the exhaustiveness of a conventional spectrum of interpretation in the analysis of colonial intellectual history that has been defined at one extreme by the cultural violence of colonial interpellation and at the other by a hermeneutic conception of authentic intercultural encounter across the limits of great traditions. When Bengalis actually began to interact directly with Germans and German thought, it was an encounter whose parameters had already been deeply determined in the course of the preceding forty or fifty years. But I shall also argue that this appeal to the trope of Germany emerged from within a more complex, multilateral configuration in which “Germany” was itself a key figure of Victorian discourses in Britain itself.
Ureteroarterial Fistulae in Exenteration Patients with Indwelling Ureteral Stents

Ureteroarterial fistulae (UAF) are a rare complication of prolonged ureteral stenting. To date only three patients have been reported who have developed UAF after pelvic exenteration. This report presents two additional patients with UAF following exenteration and prolonged ureteral stenting. Rapid diagnosis with pelvic arteriography and retrograde ureteral angioplasty balloon catheter placement is discussed, and successful management with femoral artery embolization and bypass surgery is reviewed.
Simulation of Supersonic Combustion Involving H2/Air and C2H4/Air

A turbulence model that calculates the turbulent Prandtl and Schmidt numbers as part of the solution is presented. This model also accounts for compressibility effects, and addresses turbulence/chemistry interaction. Its predictions are compared with two experiments: an axisymmetric case involving mixing, hydrogen combustion, and ethylene combustion; and a three-dimensional ethylene mixing experiment. Fair to good agreement is indicated in the cases where data is available. Chemical mechanisms are found to have an influence on autoignition for hydrogen combustion cases, and on ignition location and flame size for hydrogen/ethylene combustion cases using reduced mechanisms.
Meeting MDG 2: can IT save us?

While there continues to be rapid growth in the deployment of IT based teaching technology in the developed world, there is a much greater need to find a effective means of using such technology to reach millions of underserved children in the developing world. This paper briefly looks at the problem, the technology, and how the latter may mitigate the former.
Analysis of Long Term File Reference Patterns for Application to File Migration Algorithms

In most large computer installations files are moved between on-line disk and mass storage (tape, integrated mass storage device) either automatically by the system and/or at the direction of the user. In this paper we present and analyze long term file reference data in order to develop a basis for the construction of algorithms for file migration. Specifically, we examine the use of the on-line user (primarily text editor) data sets at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) computer installation through the analysis of 13 months of file reference data. We find that most files are used very few times. Of those that are used sufficiently frequently that their reference patterns may be examined, we find that: 1) about a third show declining rates of reference during their lifetime, 2) of the remainder, very few (about 5 percent) show correlated interreference intervals, and 3) interreference intervals (in days) appear to be more skewed than would occur with the Bernoulli process. Thus, about two-thirds of all suffi1ciently active files appear to be referenced as a renewal process with a skewed interreference distribution. A large number of other file reference statistics (file lifetimes, interference distributions, moments, means, number of uses/ file, file sizes, file rates of reference, etc.) are computed and presented. Throughout, statistical tests are described and explained. The results of our analysis of file reference patterns are applied in a companion paper to the development and comparative evaluation of file migration algorithms.
Tail, paw and pup retrieving in the rat

Over 80% of the mother rats in this study retrieved their own appendages (i.e. tails and paws), as well as their pups, during the first five post partum days. Such behaviors should not be considered abnormal although this is implied in some of the literature.
Phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity in tomato roots infected and resistant to the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita*

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) was extracted from seedling tomato roots (var. Nematex) at 96, 108 and 120 h after germination. The roots were grown at 27°C (resistant state) or at 32°G (susceptible state) and inoculated with nematode larvae at 96 h. Non-inoculated resistant roots had moderate PAL activity represented by two isoenzymes, PAL1 and PAL2. Infected resistant roots showed a significant increase in PAL activity at 108 h. The major increase occurred in the activity of PAL1. This increase in activity probably reflects the increased utilization of phenolic compounds in resistant roots. Control and inoculated roots in the susceptible state showed depressed PAL activity. This is correlated with temperature and is not related to invasion of the root tissue by the nematode larvae.
Favela: Four Decades of Living on the Edge in Rio de Janeiro – By Janice Perlman

A review of the book "Favela: Four Decades of Living on the Edge in Rio de Janeiro," by Janice Perlman is presented.
Attitude Change: Persuasion and Social Influence

This chapter reviews empirical and theoretical developments in research on social influence and message-based persuasion. The review emphasizes research published during the period from 1996-1998. Across these literatures, three central motives have been identified that generate attitude change and resistance. These involve concerns with the self, with others and the rewards/punishments they can provide, and with a valid understanding of reality. The motives have implications for information processing and for attitude change in public and private contexts. Motives in persuasion also have been investigated in research on attitude functions and cognitive dissonance theory. In addition, the chapter reviews the relatively unique aspects of each literature: In persuasion, it considers the cognitive and affective mechanisms underlying attitude change, especially dual-mode processing models, recipients' affective reactions, and biased processing. In social influence, the chapter considers how attitudes are embedded in social relations, including social identity theory and majority/minority group influence.
Estimating percentile‐specific treatment effects in counterfactual models: a case‐study of micronutrient supplementation, birth weight and infant mortality

Summary. Clinical trials of micronutrient supplementation are aimed at reducing the risk of infant mortality by increasing birth weight. Because infant mortality is greatest among the low birth weight (LBW) infants (2500 g or under), an effective intervention increases the birth weight among the smallest babies. The paper defines population and counterfactual parameters for estimating the treatment effects on birth weight and on survival as functions of the percentiles of the birth weight distribution. We use a Bayesian approach with data augmentation to approximate the posterior distributions of the parameters, taking into account uncertainty that is associated with the imputation of the counterfactuals. This approach is particularly suitable for exploring the sensitivity of the results to unverifiable modelling assumptions and other prior beliefs. We estimate that the average causal effect of the treatment on birth weight is 72 g (95% posterior regions 33–110 g) and that this causal effect is largest among the LBW infants. Posterior inferences about average causal effects of the treatment on birth weight are robust to modelling assumptions. However, inferences about causal effects for babies at the tails of the birth weight distribution can be highly sensitive to the unverifiable assumption about the correlation between the observed and the counterfactuals birth weights. Among the LBW infants who have a large causal effect of the treatment on birth weight, we estimate that a baby receiving the treatment has 5% less chance of death than if the same baby had received the control. Among the LBW infants, we found weak evidence supporting an additional beneficial effect of the treatment on mortality independent of birth weight.
PPAR-gamma in Cushing's Disease

The majority of pituitary tumors that cause Cushing's disease are small (<1 cm diameter), and most disease morbidity is due to the effects of elevated, non-suppressible, ACTH levels that these tumors secrete. Tumor-derived ACTH leads to adrenal-derived steroid hypersecretion and results in many disabling and sometimes life-threatening symptoms including abnormal fat deposition, skin thinning, psychological disturbances, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and muscle weakness. Cushing's disease is associated with high morbidity and ultimately mortality. In experienced specialized centers, 70% of corticotroph microadenomas can be successfully resected by transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. However, surgical "cure" rates for larger ACTH-secreting pituitary tumors are achieved in only 30% of cases, and recent reports highlight a significant recurrence rate after longer term follow-up even in smaller tumors. Post-surgical persistence of ACTH hypersecretion may require pituitary-directed radiation, but this treatment may take some time to be effective, and like extensive surgical pituitary tumor resection, ultimately leads to partial- or total hypopituitarism in approximately 80% of cases. Although hypercortisolism may be completely resolved by adrenalectomy, this procedure does not suppress, and may act as a stimulus to pituitary tumor growth, and is associated with other co-morbidity. Although some currently available drug-based treatments for Cushing's disease effectively control hypercortisolism, their drawback has been that they do not impact on pituitary tumor growth. Recent studies have identified the potential utility of peroxisome-proliferator activating receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) novel ligands in in vitro, and in vivo Cushing's disease models, and have paved the way for early clinical studies to develop novel therapeutic approaches in Cushing's disease.
The Politics of Conservation: An Illustration

Taking its cue from Herring, this paper will examine the politics of conservation as illustrated by soil conservation policy for private land in the United States. The analysis will have to consider related policies (respecting agricultural prices and adjustment) as well as political questions concerning decentralization, the action approach versus that of research and educational agencies, the relationship of private organizations to public agencies, and the involvement of agricultural administration with the political parties. The initial focus will be upon the groups, agencies, and interests involved, the interrelationships among them, and the significance for political institutions. Ideological conceptions will then be probed. Finally, a different ideological orientation for soil conservation and related policies will be offered and obstacles to its adoption analyzed.
A novel structure for time-varying FIR filter banks

Perfect reconstruction (PR) time-varying analysis-synthesis filter banks are those in which the filters are allowed to change from one set of PR filter banks to another as the input signal is being processed. Such systems have the property that, in the absence of coding, they faithfully reconstruct every sample of the input. This paper introduces a new structure for exact reconstructing time-varying analysis-synthesis filter banks. This structure consists of the conventional filter bank followed by a time-varying post filter. The new method requires neither the redesign of the analysis sections, nor the use of any intermediate analysis filters during transition periods. It provides a simple procedure for designing time-varying filter banks without the disadvantages of the previous methods. >
Can the sample being transmitted be used to refine its own PDF estimate

Many image coders map the input image to a transform domain, and encode coefficients in that domain. Usually, encoders use previously transmitted samples to help estimate the probabilities for the next sample to be encoded. This backward probability estimation provides a better PDF estimation, without need to send any side information. A new method of encoding was proposed that goes one step further: besides past samples, it also uses information about the current sample in computing the PDF for the current sample. Yet, no side information was transmitted. The initial PDF estimate is based on a Tarp filter, but probabilities are then progressively refined for non-zero samples. Results are superior to JPEG2000, and to bit-plane Tarp.
The effect of the front contact sheet resistance on solar cell performance

Abstract The transparent top contact layer of a solar cell is a distributed resistance that cannot be easily represented mathematically. We have used a finite element model to calculate the current distribution in this transparent layer. The calculation gives the voltage drop along the layer as well as the resulting reduction in the current generated in the active layer of the solar cell. IV curves generated by the model are used to investigate various methods of experimentally determining series resistance. It is found that the suns- V oc method is the most accurate. A fit of the finite element model to experimental IV data from an organic solar cell is used as an example of obtaining solar cell model parameters.
IL-13 receptors and signaling pathways: An evolving web

IL-13 is an immunoregulatory cytokine secreted predominantly by activated T(H)2 cells. Over the past several years, it has become evident that IL-13 is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. IL-13 shares many functional properties with IL-4, stemming from the fact that they share a common receptor subunit, the alpha subunit of the IL-4 receptor (IL-4Ralpha). Characterization of IL-13-deficient mice, IL-4-deficient mice, and IL-4 receptor alpha-deficient (IL-4Ralpha(-/-)) mice have demonstrated nonredundant roles for IL-13. IL-13 mediates its effects by interacting with a complex receptor system comprised of IL-4Ralpha and two IL-13 binding proteins, IL-13Ralpha1 and IL-13Ralpha2. IL-13 receptors are expressed on human B cells, basophils, eosinophils, mast cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, monocytes, macrophages, respiratory epithelial cells, and smooth muscle cells. However, functional IL-13 receptors have not been demonstrated on human or mouse T cells. Thus unlike IL-4, IL-13 does not appear to be important in the initial differentiation of CD4 T cells into T(H)2-type cells but rather appears to be important in the effector phase of allergic inflammation. This is further supported by many in vivo observations, including that administration of IL-13 resulted in allergic inflammation, tissue-specific overexpression of IL-13 in the lungs of transgenic mice resulted in airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion, IL-13 blockade abolished allergic inflammation independently of IL-4, and IL-13 appears to be more important than IL-4 in mucus hypersecretion. Given the importance of IL-13 as an effector molecule, regulation at the level of its receptors might be an important mechanism of modulating IL-13 responses and thus propagation of the allergic response. Accordingly, IL-13 is an attractive, novel therapeutic target for pharmacologic intervention in allergic disorders. This review will summarize the current understanding of the IL-13 receptors and signaling pathways, emphasizing recent observations.
STUDIES OF UROBILIN ELIMINATION IN THE NORMAL AND ANEMIC DOG

1. The output of urobilin is increased in experimental trypanosome anemia presumably as a result of the increased blood destruction. 2. The administration of salvarsan (arsenobenzol) during the anemic period, if it checks the blood destruction, reduces the urobilin elimination, but this result does not follow unless the blood picture improves. 3. Following splenectomy in the normal dog an increase in the urobilin elimination of varying degree occurs, the significance of which is doubtful. 4. Splenectomy during the period of anemia does not cause a decrease in urobilin elimination. The experiments support the view that the elimination of urobilin may be considered as an index of blood destruction, but they do not explain the decrease in the elimination occurring in man in certain forms of hemolytic anemia following splenectomy.
Longitudinal changes in fatness in white children: no effect of childhood energy expenditure

Reduced energy expenditure may predispose children to the development of obesity, but there are limited lon- gitudinal studies to support this theory. We studied 75 white, preadolescent children over 4 y by taking annual measures of body composition and resting energy expenditure (by indirect calorimetry) and two annual measures of total energy expendi- ture and physical-activity-related energy expenditure (by doubly labeled water). Body composition of parents was assessed at the onset of the study with use of underwater weighing. The major outcome variable was the individual rate of change in fat mass (FM) adjusted for fat-free mass (FFM). The influence of sex, energy expenditure components, initial FM, and parental FM on the rate of change in FM was analyzed by hierarchical linear modeling and analysis of variance. The rate of change in absolute FM was 0.89 ± 1.08 kg/y (range: -0.44 to 5.6 kg/y). The rate of change in FM adjusted for FFM was 0.08 ± 0.64 kg/y (range: -1.45 to 2.22 kg/y) and was similar among children of two nonobese parents and children with one nonobese or one obese parent, but was significantly higher in children with two obese parents (0.61 ± 0.87 kg/y). The major determinants of change in FM adjusted for FFM were sex (greater fat gain in girls), initial fatness, and parental fatness. None of the compo- nents of energy expenditure were inversely related to change in FM. The main predictors of change in FM relative to FFM dur- ing preadolescent growth are sex, initial fatness, and parental fat- ness, but not reduced energy expenditure. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;67:309-16.
Modernization among Cakchiquel Maya: An Analysis of Responses to Line Drawings

Modernization among Cakchiquel Maya on Panajachel, a Guatemalan town, is analyzed by combining a line drawing test with standardized interview schedules and field observations. A strong relationship was found between specific attitudes and behaviors, which also correlate significantly with general modernization and traditional variables. In these correlations there are two significant patterns: social and psychological variables are both the best and most frequent predictors of specific attitudes and behaviors. These patterns support the theory that there is a hierarchy of best predictors toward individual modernization in which economic variables are the best predictors until a threshold of development is reached at which time social and psychological variables become the best predictors. These patterns also suggest that specific attitudes and behaviors have idiosyncratic correlates depending on both the attitude or behavior and the situation in which it is found.
Benzo[a]pyrene metabolism in the Mongolian gerbil: influence of chlordecone and mirex induction.

1. The metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) by gerbil hepatic microsomes is increased following induction by phenobarbital (PB), chlordecone, mirex and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC).2. By several criteria including the influence of α-naphthoflavone (α-NF) on BP-hydroxylase activity and BP-metabolite profiles, the cytochromes P-450 responsible for benzo[a]pyrene metabolism appear to be similar in microsomes isolated from PB-, chlordecone-, or mirex-treated gerbils. The cytochromes P-450 present in microsomes isolated from control animals and those treated with 3-MC are different from each other and from those present in PB, chlordecone, or mirex microsomes by the same criteria.3. Of the inducers used, only PB induced microsomal epoxide hydrolase activity.
Silks by Sea: Trade, Technology, and Enterprise in China and Japan

Although East Asia's silk trade with the West stretched far back into antiquity, the middle and later years of the nineteenth century witnessed a remarkable growth in the European and American demand for silk. This imparted a tremendous impetus to the Chinese and Japanese industries. For some eighty years, from the 1850s through the 1930s, trade flourished until the coming of synthetic fibers and world war curtailed its growth. The rise of so large an international business obviously had a significant impact on these countries, one that was particularly profound in the case of Japan. When the upsurge in trade began, both China and Japan were at roughly comparable stages in their economic development, but when the trade ended with the onset of war, it was Japan, not China, which had emerged as one of the leading industrial nations of the world. While few would contend that silk alone, however important, accounted for this differing course of national development, the dissimilar paths followed by the Chinese and Japanese silk industries not only reflected many themes characteristic of business enterprise in those countries but also typified their divergent national experience during this dramatic era of economic growth.
Simulation tools to study a distributed shared memory for clusters of symmetric multiprocessors

Distributed shared memory (DSM) systems have become popular as a means of utilizing clusters of computers for solving large applications. We have developed a high-performance DSM, Strings. In addition, to improve the performance of our DSM, a memory hierarchy simulator has been developed that allows us to compare various techniques very quickly and with much less effort. This paper describes our simulator, DSMSim. We show that the simulator's performance closely matches the real system and demonstrate potential performance gains of up to 60% after adding optimization features to the simulator. The simulator also accepts the same code as the software distributed shared memory.
A text mining application for linking functionally stressed-proteins to their post-translational modifications

In the proteome, stresses may work against optimal protein function and PTMs play roles in protein stress responses. Many peer-reviewed articles are available to bioinformatics research in the literature, however, the details of stress, protein and their PTM interactions have been scattered throughout the literature and these concepts are mentioned amongst the other details of respective studies. In each publication, for instance, there are many small pieces of knowledge which could be combined to build a better understanding. Since it is impossible to harvest all of its available knowledge using manual means, text mining methods are an attractive approach to assemble ideas from articles where these concepts may not have been a main focus. We present a text mining method to harvest and assemble a knowledge base relating to the relationships of stresses, proteins and PTMs from the literature. Although we also studied the stresses, proteins and PTMs which were associated with apoptosis, diabetes and Parkinson's diseases in the literature, to introduce our method, we address these concepts as they are related to Alzheimer's disease. We use the results from our text mining tool to process article abstracts to build networks which suggest how functional proteins may be linked to environmental stresses and their PTMs. We discuss how networks of biologically relevant keywords may eventually be used to describe directions in research which could be further explored to forecast new trends of studies. We also show how our method may help to predict stress, protein and PTM associations which may be included in these future studies.
Bumpless Transfer for Adaptive Switching Controls

Abstract In this paper, a new bumpless transfer method is introduced based on slow-fast decomposition of the controller. The method is especially well-suited to situations in which the plant model is poor or yet to be identified, as may be the case in adaptive switching control. Simulation results are presented.