cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some thoughts on the validity of estimates of charitable giving

There is but a single source of widely-accepted estimates of charitable giving in the United States, and that isGiving USA, an annual publication of the AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy. This paper examines the validity of those estimates and raises questions that imply a need for further research in this area.
Single and repeated doses of the vasodilator/β-adrenergic antagonist, carvedilol, block cirazoline- and isoproterenol-mediated hemodynamic responses in the conscious rat

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of carvedilol, a β1&2 blocker and vasodilator, on cirazoline-mediated changes in arterial blood pressure and isoproterenol-mediated changes in heart rate after acute and chronic administration. Conscious, chronically instrumented male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with carvedilol (1 mg/kg, IV), prazosin (0.3 mg/kg, IV), or propranolol (1 mg/kg, IV) twice daily for 8 days. After administration of the first dose of carvedilol on day 1, the vasopressor response to cirazoline (60±3 mmHg predrug) and the isoproterenol-induced tachycardia (152±13 beats/min predrug) were blocked (e.g., 7±4 mmHg postdrug and 11±3 beats/min postdrug, respectively). After the administration of carvedilol on day 8, the cirazoline vasopressor response was 2±1 mmHg and the isoproterenol-induced tachycardia was 4±3 beats/min, indicating effective α- and β-adrenergic blockade after chronic dosing with carvedilol. Prazosin blocked the cirazoline-induced vasopressor response on both days 1 and 8 but had no effect on the isoproterenol-induced tachycardia. Propranolol blocked the isoproterenol-induced tachycardia on both days 1 and 8 but had no effect on the cirazoline vasopressor response. These data indicate that only carvedilol effectively blocked both α- and β-adrenergic hemodynamic responses and that the antagonism of these responses with carvedilol was not diminished after chronic dosing of twice-a-day treatment for 8 days.
Minicase measuring income in a multi currency economy

Abstract This case addresses a real situation that exists in the former Soviet republics. It is designed to illustrate the necessity of clearly selecting a measuring unit in any accounting context and of clearly selecting a functional currency in an international context. It also raises issues concerning how that functional currency selection might be made, both for the specific circumstance of the case and in general.
The impact of work status on adult daughters' early and future caregiving

This study explores the impact of work status on the provision of adult daughters' caregiving for elderly mothers. The research focuses on both present level of caregiving while mothers are still within the “young” range of elder years and the care daughters anticipate providing in the future. In this research, 103 adult daughters with a mean age of 37 years were interviewed. The participants were primarily White, middle-class women who worked part- or full-time outside the home. Utilizing interview techniques, information was gathered concerning work status, job-related variables, and present and anticipated caregiving. Women employed full-time reported higher levels of early caregiving than those working part-time, while variables relating to adult daughters' accessibility while at work or job flexibility were not significantly related to anticipated caregiving behavior. The significance of these results and the need for future exploration of this area are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
NRH proposal for limb classification and exercise prescription

(1996). NRH proposal for limb classification and exercise prescription. Disability and Rehabilitation: Vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 311-316.
Control of Cytoplasmic Maturation Events by Cytomegalovirus Tegument Protein pp150

Cytomegalovirus replication depends upon a betaherpesvirus-conserved 150-kDa tegument phosphoprotein (pp150; encoded by UL32) that supports the final steps in virion maturation at cytoplasmic assembly compartments. Amino acid substitutions were introduced into conserved region 1 (CR1) and CR2 of pp150, affecting a region that may interact with nucleocapsids. Two independent CR2 point mutants (N201A and G207A) failed to support viral replication in evaluations by a transient complementation assay or after reconstruction into recombinant viruses. An assembly compartment-like cytoplasmic inclusion developed in UL32 mutant virus-infected cells that was similar to that of wild-type virus-infected cells. The cellular localization of the trans-Golgi marker Golgin-97 suggested differences in the organization of the assembly compartment compared to that of wild-type virus-infected cells. Replication-defective CR2 point mutants exhibited the same phenotype as that of a virus carrying a complete deletion of the UL32 open reading frame in these assays. Electron micrographs of fibroblasts at 3 or 5 days postinfection with a deletion mutant (ΔUL32) grown on UL32-complementing cells showed a similar number and morphology of capsids in the nucleus, but the cytoplasmic region associated with virion assembly appeared highly vesiculated and contained few recognizable nucleocapsids or complete virus particles. These data demonstrate that the principle role of pp150 is to retain nucleocapsid organization through secondary envelopment at the assembly compartment.
Structure-localization relationships of 11C-labeled phentermine derivatives: Effect of aromatic substitution

A series of phentermine analogs, including the unsubstituted, the para-F, -Cl, -Br and -I, and the meta-CF3 derivatives, were labeled by [11C]methylation and evaluated in rats to determine the structure-localization relationships for this class of regional cerebral blood flow imaging agents. All the phentermines were well-localized in the brain; however, only the para-substituted agents were well-retained. Localization in the nontarget tissue was affected by the lipophilicity of the substituent. Comparison with the radioiodinated analogs showed virtually identical results, which suggests that the compounds were not significantly metabolized. The agent with the best biodistribution characteristics was the N-[11C]methyl-p-iodophentermine, with the p-bromo analog almost equivalent.
Large Ribosomal Protein 4 Increases Efficiency of Viral Recoding Sequences

Expression of retroviral replication enzymes (Pol) requires a controlled translational recoding event to bypass the stop codon at the end of gag. This recoding event occurs either by direct suppression of termination via the insertion of an amino acid at the stop codon (readthrough) or by alteration of the mRNA reading frame (frameshift). Here we report the effects of a host protein, large ribosomal protein 4 (RPL4), on the efficiency of recoding. Using a dual luciferase reporter assay, we found that transfection of cells with a plasmid encoding RPL4 cDNA increases recoding efficiency in a dose-dependent manner, with a maximal enhancement of nearly twofold. Expression of RPL4 increases recoding of reporters containing retroviral readthrough and frameshift sequences, as well as the Sindbis virus leaky termination signal. RPL4-induced enhancement of recoding is cell line specific and appears to be specific to RPL4 among ribosomal proteins. Cotransfection of RPL4 cDNA with Moloney murine leukemia proviral DNA results in Gag processing defects and a reduction of viral particle formation, presumably caused by the RPL4-dependent alteration of the Gag-to-Gag-Pol ratio required for virion assembly and release.
Overview of Meta-Analyses on Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This paper presents an overview of 5 meta-analyses of early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) for young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) published in 2009 and 2010. There were many differences between meta-analyses, leading to different estimates of effect and overall conclusions. The weighted mean effect sizes across meta-analyses for IQ and adaptive behavior ranged from g = .38–1.19 and g = .30–1.09, respectively. Four of five meta-analyses concluded EIBI was an effective intervention strategy for many children with ASDs. A discussion highlighting potential confounds and limitations of the meta-analyses leading to these discrepancies and conclusions about the efficacy of EIBI as an intervention for young children with ASDs are provided.
Yohimbine increases opioid-seeking behavior in heroin-dependent, buprenorphine-maintained individuals

Rationale In laboratory animals, the biological stressor yohimbine (α2-noradrenergic autoreceptor antagonist) promotes drug seeking. Human laboratory studies have demonstrated that psychological stressors can increase drug craving but not that stressors alter drug seeking.
Distributed agent-based air traffic flow management

Air traffic flow management is one of the fundamental challenges facing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today. The FAA estimates that in 2005 alone, there were over 322,000 hours of delays at a cost to the industry in excess of three billion dollars. Finding reliable and adaptive solutions to the flow management problem is of paramount importance if the Next Generation Air Transportation Systems are to achieve the stated goal of accommodating three times the current traffic volume. This problem is particularly complex as it requires the integration and/or coordination of many factors including: new data (e.g., changing weather info), potentially conflicting priorities (e.g., different airlines), limited resources (e.g., air traffic controllers) and very heavy traffic volume (e.g., over 40,000 flights over the US airspace).In this paper we use FACET -- an air traffic flow simulator developed at NASA and used extensively by the FAA and industry -- to test a multi-agent algorithm for traffic flow management. An agent is associated with a fix (a specific location in 2D space) and its action consists of setting the separation required among the airplanes going though that fix. Agents use reinforcement learning to set this separation and their actions speed up or slow down traffic to manage congestion. Our FACET based results show that agents receiving personalized rewards reduce congestion by up to 45% over agents receiving a global reward and by up to 67% over a current industry approach (Monte Carlo estimation).
A Comparison of Predicted and Measured Friction Factors for Turbulent Flow Through Rectangular Ducts

The friction coefficient for both laminar and turbulent flow through rectangular channels was analytically and experimentally studied. The analytic expression for the pressure loss in fully established laminar flow was verified by experiment. In turbulent flows the method of Deissler and Taylor was used to calculate the friction coefficient. The calculated and measured results were in agreement for ducts having large aspect ratios. At aspect ratios less than 5: 1, the predicted values of the friction factors were lower than the experimental data, with a maximum difference of 12 per cent evident for the square duct. It was found that the circular-tube correlation accurately predicts the friction coefficient for flow through rectangular ducts of any aspect ratio for Reynolds numbers between 6 x 10/sup 3/ and 5 x 105. Hydrodynamic entrance-length results are also presented in the laminar and turbulent flow ranges for both a smooth and an abrupt entrance configuration.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation in persons younger than the age of 18.

Objectives:To review the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (single-pulse TMS, paired TMS, and repetitive TMS [rTMS]) in persons younger than the age of 18 years. I discuss the technical differences, as well as the diagnostic, therapeutic, and psychiatric uses of TMS/rTMS in this age group.Met
Evidence for postmeiotic effect of t factors causing segregation distortion in mouse

THE t complex of the mouse consists of a large series of genetic factors often characterised by embryonic lethality of the homozygotes, reduced male fertility of viable homozygotes, suppression of recombination over a relatively long chromosomal segment and relatively frequent occurrence in natural mouse populations. Most t factors also possess a component which interacts with the Brachyury (T) gene and causes complete absence of the tail in T/t heterozygotes. One of the most fascinating but least explored characteristics of the t factors is their effect on genetic segregation. A male mouse carrying a t factor in a heterozygous condition (t/−) often transmits the factor to almost 100% of its progeny, in defiance of the Mendelian principle requiring 1:1 segregation.
THE EFFECT OF SOME ANTI-METABOLITES ON THE UPTAKE OF TRITIATED ESTRADIOL BY THE VAGINA OF THE OVARIECTOMIZED MOUSE.

Abstract The effect of puromycin, puromycin aminonucleoside, antinomycin D and ethionine on the vaginal retention of estradiol- 3 H and on the tetrazolium response of the vaginal epithelium to estradiol was studied. The estrogen and the anti-metabolites were usually administered intravaginally. No compound inhibited the initial incorporation or subsequent retention of estradiol although under certain conditions the tetrazolium test was inhibited at 24, 30 and 36 hr after estradiol administration. Actinomycin D was a potent inhibitor of the tetrazolium response when applied locally 10 to 270 min after estradiol, maximum inhibition occuring at approximately 30 min. These results indicate prolonged retention of this compound by the tissue or active mRNA synthesis particularly in the first 30 min. Puromycin was less potent than actinomycin D and appeared to have a transient action. With this compound the greatest effect was at 90–270 min suggesting an estrogen accelerated protein synthesis at this time. Ethionine was inactive in the tetrazolium assay although this compound was not thoroughly studied.
Analyzing cultural products: A new method of measurement

Abstract This research demonstrates a new technique for directly analyzing symbols. I present a full set of newly devised indicators allowing for the systematic measurement of musical symbols. Specifically, musical symbols are approached as symbolic codes; the measures classify these codes along several continua ranging from basic to embellished in design. Statistical tests assure us of the measures' validity. Using them, any piece of Western tonal music based on diatonic scales can be quantitatively measured in a precise and easily replicateable manner. Consequently, musical symbols become an accessible source of sociological data, amenable to all the rigorous research methods that are a central part of the sociological tradition. Potential sociological applications of the measures are presented and discussed.
Sources of Growth Methodology in Low-Income Countries: A Critique

I. Introduction, 138. — II. A general equilibrium model of the growing low-income economy, 139. — III. The sources of growth paradox, 141. — IV. An analysis of the sources of growth paradox, 144. — V. Conclusion, 147.
Comments on papers by Isard and Smith

THE ROLE OF A DISCUSSANT Without question, this work by Isard and Smith is presented as a contribution to the theory of behavior in space. Many months ago I naively agreed--note that I said naive, which is not to be confused with one of Walter's simple people--to comment on their effort, presumably to congratulate, to criticize, to extend or otherwise to evaluate their study. I am hesitant to fulfill this agreement. This hesitance does not mean [ have been intimidated by the lengthy title and its impressive array of pregnant terms. It does reflect my feeling that the theorist working on the spectrum of social sciences concerned, at least, with things, people, and actions in a regional or spatial context is consistently beset by contradictions and uncertainties about the value, merit, and need for his efforts. There are incessant reminders that the theory is always puny relative to the magnitude of problems that society wants and needs to resolve. Moreover, the theory invariably seems inadequate and weak relative to even the limited aspirations of an academic social science theory that is seemingly within range of our capabilities but, as yet, beyond our accomplishments. Conversely, it is invariably a simple matter for a critic to dismiss the available theory as trivial, irrelevant, crude, misleading or, for a multitude of other reasons, unworthy of retention as a viable and useful contribution. The strategies that lead to these conclusions are well known to all of us and, [ suspect, occasionally used by all of us. The dilemma confronting the critic is what to do in lieu of pat criticism. A common ploy is to describe your own research, which may be (though, not necessarily) relevant to the paper at hand. My ploy is to display some of my thoughts and other mental wonderings that arose as I read or, more accurately, confronted their paper.
The military production function

This article analyzes three methods of estimating the military production function which relates military inputs to a measure of military effectiveness. The econometric military production function employs historical data to estimate the relationship between inputs and military effectiveness. A production function estimated during the Vietnam War is provided as an example. The response‐surface military production summarizes the input and output data of a large‐scale military operations research model. This method is illustrated using a model that links maintenance manpower to aircraft sorties. The technological military production function is derived from underlying technological relationships.
Salal Harvester Local Ecological Knowledge, Harvest Practices and Understory Management on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Despite growing interest in traditional and local ecological knowledge for conservation and resource management, the role of migrant resource users is largely unexplored. Challenging many assumptions about what constitutes "local knowledge," migrant and immigrant harvesters of non-timber forest products on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington possess useful ecological knowledge of overstory-understory relationships and how forestry practices affect understory biological and commercial production. Harvesters of salal (Gaultheria shallon), a shrub used in the multi-million dollar floral greens industry, were interviewed in Mason County, Washington in 2001-2003. Interviews revealed that harvesters possess different kinds of resource management knowledge depending on whether they are experienced harvesters or more recent newcomers to the area. These differences may also correlate with differences in their harvesting practices. Understanding how resource management knowledge differs between experienced and newcomer harvesters can inform forest managers in their efforts to develop effective management and permitting policies for floral greens and other non-timber forest resources in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
Migration of silicone oil into the brain: a complication of intraocular silicone oil for retinal tamponade.

Abstract PURPOSE: To report a case in which intravitreal silicone oil migrated along the intracranial portion of the optic nerve and into the lateral ventricles of the brain after the repair of a retinal detachment secondary to cytomegalovirus retinitis. METHODS: A 42-year-old man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) developed a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in his left eye secondary to a cytomegalovirus infection of the retina. The detachment was repaired using 5000 cs intraocular silicone oil for a long-term tamponade. Subsequently, the affected eye developed glaucoma, which was poorly controlled. Fifteen months after the retinal surgery, he developed a peripheral neuropathy that was thought to be AIDS related. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the head were performed to investigate the neuropathy. RESULTS: The patient was found to have a foreign substance within his lateral ventricles that shifted with position and was identical with respect to its imaging properties to the remaining intraocular silicone oil. Additional material was found along the intracranial portion of his optic nerve. CONCLUSION: Under certain circumstances, intraocular silicone oil may migrate out of the eye, along the intracranial portion of the optic nerve, and into the lateral ventricles of the brain.
Putting the Brakes on the Rush to Spend Down End‐of‐Year Balances: Carryover Money in Oklahoma State Agencies

End-of-the-year spending sprees by government agencies are viewed generally as an example of government wastefulness. Agency personnel, however, rationalize the practice as a means for protecting their budgets from inexpedient cuts. In Oklahoma, a policy has been adopted that allows agencies to carry over and reprogram year-end surpluses as long as the reprogrammed funds are spent within 16.5 months of the end of the fiscal year. Using agency theory as a theoretical lens, we show that this policy restructures the contract between the principal (legislature) and its agents (state agencies) so that their interests are better aligned, regarding end-of-the-year surpluses.
Efficient plant male fertility depends on vegetative nuclear movement mediated by two families of plant outer nuclear membrane proteins

Increasing evidence suggests that nuclear migration is important for eukaryotic development. Although nuclear migration is conserved in plants, its importance for plant development has not yet been established. The most extraordinary plant nuclear migration events involve plant fertilization, which is starkly different from that of animals. Instead of evolving self-propelled sperm cells (SCs), plants use pollen tubes to deliver SCs, in which the pollen vegetative nucleus (VN) and the SCs migrate as a unit toward the ovules, a fundamental but barely understood process. Here, we report that WPP domain-interacting proteins (WIPs) and their binding partners the WPP domain-interacting tail-anchored proteins (WITs) are essential for pollen nuclear migration. Loss-of-function mutations in WIT and/or WIP gene families resulted in impaired VN movement, inefficient SC delivery, and defects in pollen tube reception. WIPs are Klarsicht/ANC-1/Syne-1 Homology (KASH) analogs in plants. KASH proteins are key players in animal nuclear migration. Thus, this study not only reveals an important nuclear migration mechanism in plant fertilization but also, suggests that similar nuclear migration machinery is conserved between plants and animals.
Comparison of intracellular sugar-phosphate levels from 31P nmr spectroscopy of intact cells and cell-free extracts.

Estimation of intracellular intermediary metabolite levels is of fundamental importance to characterize cell metabolic processes and their regulation. Usually, intracellular intermediates are determined by stopping the cell metabolism, e.g., by immersing the cell sample in liquid nitrogen, and performing percNoric acid extracts of the cells. The metabolite levels are then obtained either by standard analytical methods'-3 or by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) ~pectroscopy.~*~ Using this technique, it is possible to obtain only one point per sample because the method is destructive. Thus, transient studies are not possible on the same cell sample, and a series of aliquots are required with the assumption that all have the same dynamic behavior and are exposed to the same initial conditions. Also, information on compartmentalization within the cell is lost when extracts are prepared. For example, this prevents differentiation of compounds in the cytoplasm from those in the vacuole in yeast. In vivo determinations of cell metabolite content are possible using NMR, a technique that allows noninvasive measurement. Phosphorus-3 1 (3'P) NMR resolves small phosphate-containing metabolites in different compartments within the cell, as well as extracellular compound^.^^' Using in vivo 3'P NMR, the intracellular sugar phosphates in yeast utilizing glucose appear as a single broad peak which consists mainly of overlapping peaks of glucose-6phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, fructose- 1,6-diphosphate, and 3-phosphoglycerate. This peak can be deconvoluted into its individual components by spectral analysis methods.' The deconvolution method consists in optimizing the correspondence between a linear combination of the individual peaks and the experimental sugar phosphate peak through a modified Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. After
The faculty perspective on holistic and systems thinking in American and Australian mechanical engineering programmes

This research effort examined current mechanical engineering educational programmes in America and Australia to determine the degree of holistic, systems thinking of each programme. Faculty from ten American universities and ten Australian universities participated in online surveys and interviews. Resulting data analysis and interpretation suggest that holistic, systems thinking is present in both American and Australian engineering educational programmes, although it is more prevalent in Australian programmes. Specific examples of educational opportunities (courses, projects, extracurricular activities, research experiences) that integrate complex systems study are described in the full paper. This study is currently limited a small sample size within two countries, but it would be very useful to expand the study to a larger population and to include European sites to gain a fuller picture of the state of holistic, systems thinking in higher education.
Lingual Function and Relative Length of the Lingual Frenulum

A procedure for measurement of the lingual frenulum in relation to the dimensions of the anterior, inferior segment of the tongue is described and its reliability established. The procedure was validated through physiological studies including speech articulation and oral motor coordination in diadochokinetic movements. Forty subjects were selected from a pool of 210 11–12 year old children and separated into two groups of twenty subjects on the basis of relative length of the lingual frenulum. Significant differences were found between these two groups both in speech articulation errors and in diadochokinetic rates of movement. Findings are discussed with respect to reliability and validity of the procedure. The findings are particularly pertinent to the clinical entity called congenital inferior ankyloglossia or “tongue-tie.”
Peri-operative aspirin can prevent post-operative ischemia and thrombosis

Of the 30 million patients in the USA who undergo non-cardiac surgery every year, approximately 1.5 million suffer post-operative cardiovascular events. Surgical trauma and associated catecholamine release leads to platelet activation in the immediate post-operative period, as evidenced by a rise in circulating platelet release products. Platelet activation promotes platelet aggregation and hypercoagulability. Aspirin is widely used for its platelet inhibiting effects to prevent myocardial infarction and stroke. However, aspirin is not routinely started in the immediate peri-operative period, and even in high-risk patients already taking aspirin, aspirin is generally discontinued before elective surgery to improve intra-operative hemostasis. The risk-to-benefit ratios of administering vs withholding aspirin in the immediate peri-operative period have never been assessed and compared. We hypothesize that aspirin given pre-, intra- or immediately post-operatively will reduce post-operative ischemia and thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, and that risk-benefit analysis would favor the administration of aspirin. This hypothesis can and should be tested in a prospective, randomized trial.
Chemical and Electrical Approaches to Sedation of Hybrid Striped Bass: Induction, Recovery, and Physiological Responses to Sedation

Abstract Currently, in the United States, there are few sedatives available to fisheries professionals that are safe, effective, and practical. Chemical sedatives, including tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222), carbon dioxide (CO2), benzocaine, and eugenol may be used to sedate fish, though none of these compounds are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as immediate-release fish sedatives. Another option is the use of electricity to temporarily immobilize fish. Few studies have assessed the efficacy of these options for immediate-release sedation in side-by-side comparisons. We evaluated the use of MS-222 (150 mg/L), CO2 (∼400 mg/L), benzocaine (150 mg/L), eugenol (60 mg/L), and a commercially available electrosedation unit (30 Hz pulsed DC, 60 V, 25% duty cycle, 3-s exposures) to induce hybrid striped bass (white bass Morone chrysops × striped bass M. saxatilis; 510 ± 12 g [mean ± SE]) to stage IV anesthesia or sedation. Induction times were shortest (0.2 ± 0.1 min) when electrosed...
A Simulation Study of the Vertical-Migration Microprocessor Architecture

Vertical-migration microprocessor architecture was introduced in [1], and results of its analytical study were presented in the same paper. This paper presents results of its simulation study which is based on selected production benchmarks. Vertical-migration architecture enables the constructs typical of HLL's to be mapped into the constructs typical of microcode. This mapping is provided only for selected types of HLL statements and for HLL statements with a relatively small number of operands and parameters, i.e., for-the most frequent HLL constructs. Using an extended subset of Fortran 77, one that matches the typical demands of the targeted application, i.e., dedicated microprocessing, it has been shown how the proposed architecture supports the mapping of HLL constructs into microinstructions. That was done through the description of a flexible register-transfer level simulator which was implemented to support this study. It was used to run benchmarks, typical of various applications, on various configurations of the architecture. Simulation study has shown that this approach is particularly suitable for the time-critical dedicated signal processing and robotics/control applications, as well as for the GaAs implementation.
Habilidade social e a teoria dos campos

The problem of the relationship between actors and the social structures in which they are embedded is central to sociological theory. This paper suggests that the "new institutionalist" focus on fi elds, domains, or games provides an alternative view of how to think about this problem by focusing on the construction of local orders. This paper criticizes the conception of actors in both rational choice and sociological versions of these theories. A more sociological view of action, what is called "social skill", is developed. The idea of social skill originates in symbolic interactionism and is defi ned as the ability to induce cooperation in others. This idea is elaborated to suggest how actors are important to the construction and reproduction of local orders. I show how its elements already inform existing work. Finally, I show how the idea can sensitize scholars to the role of actors in empirical work.
Design, Modeling, Fabrication, and Evaluation of the Air Amplifier for Improved Detection of Biomolecules by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Abstract Through a multi-disciplinary approach, the air amplifier is being evolved as a highly engineered device to improve detection limits of biomolecules when using electrospray ionization. Several key aspects have driven the modifications to the device through experimentation and simulations. We have developed a computer simulation that accurately portrays actual conditions and the results from these simulations are corroborated by the experimental data. These computer simulations can be used to predict outcomes from future designs resulting in a design process that is efficient in terms of financial cost and time. We have fabricated a new device with annular gap control over a range of 50–70 μm using piezoelectric actuators. This has enabled us to obtain better aerodynamic performance when compared to the previous design (2× more vacuum) and also more reproducible results. This is allowing us to study a broader experimental space than the previous design which is critical in guiding future directions. This work also presents and explains the principles behind a fractional factorial design of experiments methodology for testing a large number of experimental parameters in an orderly and efficient manner to understand and optimize the critical parameters that lead to obtain improved detection limits while minimizing the number of experiments performed. Preliminary results showed that several folds of improvements could be obtained for certain condition of operations (up to 34 folds).
Functional analysis of the stem loop S3 and S4 structures in the coronavirus 3'UTR

We designed a series of mutations to separately destabilize two helical stems (designated S3 and S4) predicted by a covariation-based model of the coronavirus 3'UTR (Zust et al., 2008). Mouse hepatitis virus genomes containing three or four nucleotide mutations that destabilize either S3 or S4 were viable, whereas genomes carrying these mutations in both S3 and S4 were not viable. A genome carrying these mutations in S3 and S4 plus compensatory mutations restoring base-pairing yielded a virus with wild type phenotype. Larger mutations which completely disrupt S3 or S4 generated various phenotypes. Mutations opening up S3 were lethal. Disruptions of S4 generated both viable and lethal mutants. Genomes carrying the original mutations in S3 or S4 plus compensatory mutations restoring base pairing were viable and had robust growth phenotypes. These results support the Zust model for the coronavirus 3'UTR and suggest that the S3 stem is required for virus viability.
Using fundamental principles to understand and optimize nonlinear-optical materials

Our approach to the problem of understanding the nonlinear-optical response of a material focuses on fundamental concepts, which are exact and lead to broad results that encompass all material systems. For example, one can calculate precisely and without approximation the fundamental limit of the efficiency of any optical phenomenon. Such limits, in turn, when built into a scale-invariant figure of merit can be used to determine what makes a material optimal for maximizing a desired property, such as its nonlinear-optical response. However, since the results are broad and general (for example, fundamental guidelines for making better quantum systems may demand a particular shape of an electron cloud or energy level spacing), the difficulty arises in implementing such fine tuning using the approaches available to the synthetic chemist or nanotechnologist. Undoubtedly, an intimate interplay of empirical and fundamental approaches will need to be applied to the problem of optimizing molecules and materials. Much of the work in the field of nonlinear optics has by necessity focused on empirical approaches. Our work focuses on the fundamental approach, which is beginning to bear fruit in providing practical guidelines for making new materials. This paper reviews progress made over the last decade.
Utility and Validity of Estimated GFR–Based Surrogate Time-to-Event End Points in CKD: A Simulation Study

Background There is interest in surrogate end points for clinical trials of chronic kidney disease progression because currently established end points—end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and doubling of serum creatinine level—are late events, requiring large clinical trials with long follow-up. Doubling of serum creatinine level is equivalent to a 57% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We evaluated type 1 error and required sample size for clinical trials using surrogate end points based on lesser eGFR declines. Study Design Simulation study. Setting & Participants Simulations evaluating 3,060 scenarios representative of 19 treatment comparisons in 13 chronic kidney disease clinical trials. Index Tests Surrogate end points defined as composite end points based on ESRD and either 30% or 40% eGFR declines. Reference Test Clinical outcome (ESRD) for type 1 error. Established end point (composite of ESRD and 57% eGFR decline) for required sample size. Results Use of the 40% versus 57% eGFR decline end point consistently led to a reduction in sample size > 20% while maintaining risk for type 1 error 2 ) for: (1) 2-, 3-, or 5-year trials with a high mean baseline eGFR (67.5mL/min/1.73m 2 ), and (2) 2-year trials with an intermediate mean baseline eGFR (42.5mL/min/1.73m 2 ). Use of the 30% versus the 40% eGFR decline end point often led to moderately larger reductions in sample size in the absence of an acute effect, but not in the presence of acute effects. Limitations The complexity of eGFR trajectories prevented evaluation of all scenarios for clinical trials. Conclusions Use of end points based on 30% or 40% eGFR declines is an appropriate strategy to reduce sample size in certain situations. However, risk for type 1 error is increased in the presence of acute effects, particularly for 30% eGFR declines. The decision to use these end points should be made after thorough evaluation of their expected performance under the conditions of specific clinical trials.
Investigation of Laboratory Procedure for Evaluating Chemical Dust Palliative Performance

In their study, the authors focused "on the development and description of a dust generation device, measurement of dust generation through gravimetric and optical means, and the application of that device to evaluate the effectiveness of a range of commercial dust mitigation products." They noted that the generation of dust on unpaved roads and airfields has been a long-time concern, from both a safety and an environmental standpoint. An experimental testing protocol was developed to compare the relative effectiveness of chemical dust palliatives. The methods and application simulate field construction using commercial spray components. The test devices were constructed to simulate wind speeds and conditions for rotary wing aircraft. Fifteen chemical dust suppressants were evaluated using this methodology. These commercial products were applied topically to prepared soil specimens and allowed to cure for one and 48 h. Effectiveness was determined from the relative mass loss of the soil samples from erosion when samples were subjected to an air impingement device. An optical dust sensor was installed in the test device to measure airborne dust concentrations as an additional method for quantifying performance. A method to disturb the treated soil surface was also introduced to simulate the effect of traffic. Select application rates of the palliatives were used in sample preparation to identify minimal quantities necessary for the desired performance. The testing equipment and processes provided a rapid screening methodology for selecting potential dust palliatives. Results indicated good correlation between erosion and airborne dust concentrations with higher application rates and complete curing of materials demonstrating reduced dust levels. The traffic simulation test identified products with a propensity to form surface crusts that may be disturbed by traffic.
Chemical synapses in the mammalian central nervous system: An introduction

This paper provides a brief review of the historical development of our understanding of synaptic structure in the central nervous system. The basic structure of the synapse is reviewed as well as the development of ultrastructural techniques that have allowed the details of synaptic organization to be elucidated.
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of two intravenous morphine dosages (0.10 mg/kg and 0.15 mg/kg) in emergency department patients with moderate to severe acute pain.

Study objective We compare pain relief and safety of morphine 0.10 mg/kg with 0.15 mg/kg in adult emergency department (ED) patients with acute pain. Methods This was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of intravenous morphine 0.10 mg/kg versus 0.15 mg/kg, (delivered in 2 divided doses) in adult ED patients with acute pain requiring opioid analgesia. Assessment was made at baseline, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes with a validated verbal numeric rating scale. Pain reduction and satisfaction scores were measured at 30 and 60 minutes. The primary outcome measure was the between-group difference in mean before-after change in numeric rating scale from baseline to 60 minutes. Results Two hundred eighty patients were enrolled. Between-group difference in numeric rating scale improvement from baseline to 60 minutes was 0.8 (95% confidence interval 0.1 to 1.5), favoring the 0.15 mg/kg group. Pain relief scores and adverse events were similar in the 2 groups. Conclusion Although 0.15 mg/kg of morphine is safe and provides statistically superior analgesia compared with a dose of morphine at 0.10 mg/kg, this difference in pain reduction did not reach the threshold of greater than 1.3 numeric rating scale units required to declare the higher dose of morphine clinically superior.
Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation

Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is an independent risk factor for stroke. The overall risk of ischemic stroke in patients experiencing AF without prior stroke averages about 5% per year, but varies depending on the presence of coexistent thromboembolic risk factors. Patients with AF with low (about 1% per year), moderate (2%–4% per year) and high (≥ 6% per year) stroke risks have been identified, but the generalizability of available risk stratification schemes to clinical practice has not been defined. Adjusted-dose warfarin (target International Normalized Ratio [INR] 2–3) is highly efficacious for prevention of stroke in patients with AF (about 60% reduction) and is relatively safe for selected patients, if carefully monitored. Aspirin has a modest effect on reducing stroke (about 20% reduction). The role of transesophageal echocardiography is routine management of AF remains unsettled. Warfarin therapy should be considered for patients with AF predicted to have a high risk of stroke and who can safely receive it. Aspirin may be indicated for patients with AF at low risk for stroke and for those who cannot safely receive adjusted-dose warfarin. For those with moderate stroke risk, individual bleeding risks during anticoagulation and patient preferences should guide antithrombotic therapy.
Cocaine constricts immature cerebral arterioles by a local anesthetic mechanism.

Abstract The effect of cocaine on cerebral arterioles was determined in newborn pigs and the mechanism of action was examined in terms of its local anesthetic and sympathomimetic properties. Forty-three newborn piglets were anesthetized, equipped with a closed cranial window, and the diameter of pial arterioles was measured by intravital microscopy. Increasing concentrations of cocaine (10−7 M to 10−3 M) applied onto the cortical surface resu3ted in a dose-dependent decrease in arteriolar diameter. Coadministration with phentolamine, an α-adrenoceptor antagonist, did not inhibit the contractile response to cocaine even though phentolamine blocked the constriction to topically applied norepinephrine. In contrast, coadministration of either tetrodotoxin (Na+ channel blocker), charybdotoxin (K+ channel blocker), or quinacrine (phospholipase A2 inhibitor), or pretreatment with indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor) attenuated vasoconstriction induced by cocaine. Topically applied lidocaine (10−7 M to 10−3 M), a local anesthetic without sympathomimetic properties, caused a dose-dependent constriction similar to cocaine, whereas topically applied nomifensine and desipramine (each 10−7 M to 10−3 M), inhibitors of dopamine and norepinephrine re-uptake, respectively, did not constrict cerebral arterioles. These results indicate that cocaine constricts cerebral arterioles by its local anesthetic properties rather than its sympathomimetic properties. The mechanism appears to involve an alteration in the flux of Na+ or K+ or prostanoid metabolism.
B and T lymphocytes in the bovine mammary gland: Rosette formation and mitogen response

Abstract Characterization of lymphocyte subpopulations in the bovine mammary gland was accomplished using cells obtained from dry secretions. Correlation of cell surface properties with functional capacity was attempted by assaying the ability to form erythrocyte-antibody (EA) rosettes, erythrocyte-antibody-complement (EAC) rosettes, and sheep erythrocyte (E) rosettes and the ability to respond to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), Concanavalin A (Con A), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in the lymphocyte stimulation test. Results were compared with those obtained for peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from the same animals. Mammary gland lymphocytes (MGL) formed significantly fewer (p
Interactive effects of fertilization and disturbance on community structure and resource availability in an old-field plant community

The interactive effects of fertilization and disturbance on plant community structure and resource availability were studied by supplying four levels of nitrogen and applying four intensities of tilling to a 30 year old field in a factorial design for 2 year. Live above-ground biomass, root biomass, and litter generally increased with nitrogen supply and decreased with disturbance. Species composition varied significantly, with annuals increasing with both nitrogen and disturbance, but with perennials unaffected by nitrogen and decreased by disturbance. Species diversity decreased with disturbance, but decreased with nitrogen only in undisturbed vegetation. Root: shoot ratios decreased with added nitrogen, leaf allocation decreased with disturbance, and flowering allocation increased. Surprisingly, stem allocation was unaffected by disturbance. This result reflected a shift from vertical stems to horizontal stems as disturbance increased. Resource measurements suggested that the vegetation responded to interactions between the treatments as well as to direct treatment effects. Variation in light penetration was reduced by fertilization in undisturbed vegetation but not in tilled plots; variability was not directly affected by disturbance. The availability of nitrogen, the limiting soil nutrient, increased with fertilization but was not significantly affected by disturbance. In contrast, the ratio of ammonium to nitrate was significantly reduced by disturbance but unaffected by supply rates, suggesting that nitrogen may have had different effects under different disturbance regimes, even though its total availability was constant. While many community responses to fertilization and disturbance conformed to those reported earlier, resource and allocation measurements indicated that their interactions are not always predictable from their separate effects.
Osmomechanical stress selectively regulates translocation of protein kinase C isoforms.

Osmomechanical stress, resulting in cell swelling and activation/regulation of numerous cellular processes, may play a critical role in cell signaling by selectively regulating translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms from cytosol to membrane compartments. Western blotting of renal epithelial cell fractions demonstrated the expression of five PKC isoforms. Three of these isoforms (PKCα, PKCϵ, PKCζ) translocated to the membrane fraction upon exposure of cells to osmomechanical stress (hypotonic medium). Immunohistochemical staining of cells using isoform-specific antibodies further demonstrated translocation of the phorbol ester-sensitive isoforms, PKCα and PKCϵ, to both the plasma membrane and perinuclear sites, reflecting potential initial steps in regulation of specific effector pathways. Indeed, selective inhibition of PKCs indicates a potential role for PKCα in modulating a calcium influx channel. It is concluded that osmomechanical stress induces selective translocation of specific PKC isoforms, demonstrating a key role of osmomechanical stress in selectively regulating PKC-dependent signaling pathways.