cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combating political hostage‐taking: An alternative approach

Rational actor models have examined the effects of increasing punishment or the probability of apprehension on terrorists activities including hostage‐taking. This paper attempts to introduce a policy tool in the form of a reward so as to examine the impact of a policy‐mix of penalties and rewards on the behavior of hostage‐takers. The results reached show that given hostage‐taking behavior and government cost, a policy‐mix of punishment and reward may have a greater impact on reducing hostage‐taking than any individual policy of pure punitive actions or pure reward. The penalty‐reward combination is likely to be Pareto superior to a policy depending completely on punitive actions.
Right ventricular ejection fraction response to exercise in patients with coronary artery disease: influence of both right coronary artery disease and exercise-induced changes in right ventricular afterload.

To determine the influence of proximal right coronary artery disease and right ventricular afterload on right ventricular ejection fraction response to exercise, 64 patients were studied at rest and after supine exercise with gated equilibrium radionuclide angiography and coronary angiography. Right ventricular afterload response to exercise was estimated from determinations of exercise-induced changes in pulmonary blood volume, previously shown to correlate with exercise-induced changes in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Values for right ventricular ejection fraction decreased from rest to exercise (48 ± 5% to 42 ± 9%, p To determine the coinfluence of coronary anatomy and changes in pulmonary blood volume, patients were classified by pulmonary blood volume ratio. Among patients with a normal pulmonary blood volume ratio, right ventricular ejection fraction did not change significantly in those with proximal right coronary artery disease during exercise, but increased significantly in patients with isolated left coronary disease. Among patients with an elevated pulmonary blood volume ratio, right ventricular ejection fraction during exercise increased significantly in those with proximal right coronary artery disease but was unchanged in patients with isolated left coronary disease. Thus, the right ventricular ejection fraction response to exercise appears to be influenced by both patency of the right ventricular coronary blood supply and by exercise-induced changes in pulmonary blood volume, which reflect increases in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and thus right ventricular afterload. The effects of these two factors on right ventricular ejection fraction appear to be additive.
Gene Expression Profiling of Zebrafish Embryonic Retina

A methodology for microdissecting intact retinas from zebrafish embryos at early developmental stages for expression profiling was developed in this study. Total RNA was extracted consistently and reproducibly from the dissected retinas using a customized extraction protocol. The results from microarray experiments indicated that the purified RNA samples faithfully represented the biological differences among different types of samples. Genes that were differentially expressed in a particular neuronal layer or region of the retina were detectable by microarray experiments. In conclusion, this methodology makes it possible to obtain retinal-specific total RNA for genomics research on retinal development in zebrafish.
Evidence of Prolonged Diapause in Prepupae of the Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar, Heterocampa manteo

In Michigan, 27–70% of the prepupae of Heterocampa manteo (Dbldy) remained in diapause longer than 1 yr and up to 31% diapaused for 2 yr. Diapause was facultative but the factors of development were not determined. Prolonged prepupal diapause of H. manteo is believed to contribute to cyclical outbreaks and provides a means of avoiding population collapse due to starvation and parasitism. Application of insecticides over extensive areas could, by depressing univoltine parasites of H. manteo, reduce the parasitism rates of those H. manteo in prolonged diapause and emerging the year subsequent to insecticide applications.
The effects of causality, response alternatives, and context continuity on hypothesis testing reasoning

Two selection hypothesis testing tasks and nine evaluation hypothesis testing tasks which varied systematically with respect to causality, response alternatives, and context continuity were administered to two samples of adults to determine the effects of those variables and to determine the degree to which subjects (Ss) reasoned with material conditional, material biconditional, partial, or partial plus biconditional connectives. On the causal selection task the majority of Ss responded “yes” to all four instances, while on the evaluation tasks all three variables were found to affect performance. Ss responded consistently with the material biconditional connective especially when the tasks called for them to state their expectations or were written with context continuity. Results were interpreted to support the hypothesis that hypothesis testing reasoning in causal contexts begins with the material biconditional connective and involves schemata of controlling variables, probability, and correlations. A strictly “logical” falsification strategy is not viewed as operative. Implications for teaching students how to effectively test hypotheses in science classes are discussed.
Tumors induce the formation of suppressor endothelial cells in vivo

Patients with solid tumors have defects in immune effector cells, which have been associated with a poorer prognosis. Previous studies by our laboratory have shown that exposure to Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC)-secreted products induces the formation of suppressor endothelial cells in vitro. The current studies examined if tumors could induce the formation of suppressor endothelial cells in vivo. Endothelial cells were immunomagnetically isolated from the lungs of tumor-bearing mice or normal controls and examined for their ability to modulate NK cell, T-cell and macrophage functions. Compared to normal controls, supernatants from endothelial cells isolated from tumor-bearing lungs had elevated secretion of PGE2, IL-6, IL-10 and VEGF. Conditioned media from endothelial cells isolated from normal lungs increased CD8+ T-cell IFN-γ and CD4+ T-cell IL-2 production in response to anti-CD3 stimulation, while media conditioned by endothelial cells from tumor-bearing lungs had a diminished stimulatory capacity. Examination of NK cell functions showed that supernatants from endothelial cells isolated from normal lungs were potent activators of NK cells, as indicated by their secretion of TNF-α and IFN-γ. Endothelial cells isolated from tumor-bearing lungs had a significantly diminished capacity to activate NK cells. Finally, supernatants from endothelial cells of tumor-bearing lungs diminished macrophage phagocytosis compared to either treatment with supernatants of normal endothelial cells or treatment with media alone. The results of these studies demonstrate that tumors induce the formation of suppressor endothelial cells in vivo and provide support for the role of endothelial cells in tumor-induced immune suppression.
Comparative anatomy of the heart of mammals

Hearts from 20 mammalian orders were examined according to a fixed protocol to determine if the gross differences of shape and internal anatomy could be explained. Three generalizations can be made: firstly differences are most closely related to taxonomic position, secondly some features, such as the prominence of the conus of the right ventricle in animals that leap, dig or sprint regularly as part of their defence mechanism and a long, narrow left ventricle in endurance performers may be more closely related to activity than ancestry, and lastly some characteristics may be pleiotropic effects of thoracic morphogenesis.
Pauses as neural code in the cerebellum.

Spikes are frequently taken as the basic unit of neural coding. In the presence of constant activity, however, pauses in spiking may be just as meaningful. In this issue of Neuron, Steuber et al. propose that pauses of spiking in cerebellar Purkinje neurons carry significant information in pattern recognition tasks.
Kinetics of oxidation of methylhydrazines in water. Factors controlling the formation of 1,1-dimethylnitrosamine

Abstract The kinetics of oxidation of methylhydrazine ( MMH ) and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine ( UDMH ) by dissolved oxygen in water has been measured at various acidities as a function of catalyst (cupric ion) concentration. In dilute solutions the oxidation occurs through a cupric ion catalyzed process as well as by an uncatalyzed step. The extent of formation of nitrosodimethylamine ( NDMA ) depends upon the initial UDMH concentration. In dilute solutions NDMA is not formed, but in more concentrated solutions, NDMA formation increases with increasing UDMH content, reaches a maximum at 60–80% UDMH (by volume) and then decreases. The NDMA yield appears to approximately parallel the viscosity of the medium, and it is speculated that the factors which control viscosity may also be responsible for governing NDMA formation.
An Application of Three Deviance Theories to Adolescent Substance Use

This study tests the applicability of aspects of three theories of deviance—differential association, control, and strain—to the use of alcohol and drugs among a representative cross-section of 12-...
Comment on a recent paper by Mezincescu

It has been conjectured that for ≥0 the entire spectrum of the non-Hermitian -symmetric Hamiltonian HN = p2 + x2(ix), where N = 2 + , is real. Strong evidence for this conjecture for the special case N = 3 was provided in a recent paper by Mezincescu (Mezincescu G A 2000 J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 33 4911) in which the spectral zeta function Z3(1) for the Hamiltonian H3 = p2 + ix3 was calculated exactly. Here, the calculation of Mezincescu is generalized from the special case N = 3 to the region of all N≥2 (≥0) and the exact spectral zeta function ZN(1) for HN is obtained. Using ZN(1) it is shown that to extremely high precision (about three parts in 1018) the spectrum of HN for other values of N such as N = 4 is entirely real.
VALUE OF NECROPSY IN ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME

Abstract Necropsy findings in 101 adult patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) from two metropolitan hospitals were compared retrospectively with the antemortem clinical diagnoses. 94% of the patients were male and 68% were homosexual or bisexual. 75 (74%) patients had AIDS-related diseases at necropsy that were not suspected clinically. The commonest of the unsuspected AIDS-related diseases were cytomegalovirus infection (49% of all cases), systemic fungal infection (20%), systemic Kaposi's sarcoma (14%), Mycobacterium avium intracellulare infection (11%), and systemic herpes infection (9%). Cryptococcal infection and cytomegalovirus retinitis were always diagnosed antemortem; and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia went undiagnosed in only 5 of 58 (9%) patients who had proven infection either clinically or at necropsy. 8 patients who died with fungal pneumonia had undergone bronchoscopy; however, in only 1 patient was it diagnosed antemortem. Tuberculosis was undiagnosed in 4 patients. 4 cases of central nervous system lymphoma diagnosed only at necropsy had been treated empirically for toxoplasmosis. Bacterial pneumonias contributed considerably to mortality in 30% of the patients.
DO LOWER COURTS ANTICIPATE CHANGES IN SUPREME COURT POLICIES?: A Few Empirical Notes

This paper takes advantage of the change from the Warren Supreme Court to the Burger Supreme Court to investigate a phenomenon not usually examined in judicial impact research—anticipatory reactions. The research question is whether and under what circumstances federal courts of appeals anticipate changes in policy by the Supreme Court. Changes in the citation of Warren Court civil liberties decisions from the Warren Court era to the early Burger Court era are used to evaluate this question. It is hypothesized that moves away from Warren Court decisions would be greatest for decisions which received minimal support on the Warren Court and for important or salient policies. Contrary to these expectations it was found that during the Burger Court era the number of citations of Warren Court decisions actually increased, the percentage of positive citations increased, and the increases were greatest for decisions receiving minimal voting support on the Warren Court and for decisions classified as important.
CT image assessment by low contrast signal detectability evaluation with unknown signal location

Purpose: To devise a new methodology for CT image quality evaluation in order to assess the dose reduction potential of new iterative reconstruction algorithms (IRA). Methods: Because of the nonlinear behavior of IRA, the authors propose a task-based methodology consisting of measuring the detectability of small, low contrast signals at random locations. The authors test, via simulations, a phantom design that facilitates human and numerical observer studies in such conditions. The setup allows for the random selection of regions of interest (ROI) around each signal, so that the relative signal location is unknown if the ROIs are shown separately. With such a setup one can perform signal detectability measurements with a variety of image reading arrangements and data analysis methods. In this work, the authors demonstrate the use of the localization relative operating characteristic method. The phantom design also allows for efficient image evaluation utilizing an automatic signal search technique and a recently developed nonparametric data analysis method using the exponential transformation of the free response characteristic curve. Results: The authors present the application of these methods by performing a comparison between the filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm and a polychromatic iterative image reconstruction algorithm. In this generic illustration of the image evaluation framework, the expected improved performance of the IRA over FBP is confirmed. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the ability of these methods to determine signal detectability indices with good accuracy with only a small number, of the order of a few tens, of image samples.
Photometric Precision in Infrared Spectra Measured by Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

Digitally recorded spectra containing lines of width less than or equal to the resolution at which the measurement has been made are observed to show some photometric error. In spectra measured by Fourier transform spectroscopy, this error may be substantially reduced if the interferogram is aero-filled. To prevent the generation of artifacts in the spectrum (of a similar origin to the sine x side-lobes formed when a non-zero-filled spectrum is computed with a box-ear truncation function), the aero-filled interferogram must be suitably apodized.
Selection and Sequencing of Separations

Abstract Selection criteria are reviewed for choosing the most promising methods of separation for accomplishing a given separation of chemical components. The degree of separation attainable is governed by the separation factor, which in turn is related to molecular or ionic properties. Various separation processes are contrasted with regard to general desirablilty of using them, both on an industrial scale and on a laboratory scale. Heuristic rules for synthesizing sequences of separations to create multiple products are also considered. Criteria which have proven useful for generating separation sequences on an industrial processing scale are contrasted with those which may be useful for choosing sequences of separation steps in the laboratory.
O romance histórico ainda é possível

O romance historico articula uma oposicao entre um plano publico ou historico (definido seja pelos costumes, acontecimentos, crises ou lideres) e um plano existencial ou individual, denotado pela categoria narrativa que denominamos personagens. A arte do romance historico consiste na habilidade com que essa intersecao e configurada e exprimida, em uma invencao singular que se produz de modo imprevisto em cada caso.
Autocitrullination of human peptidyl arginine deiminase type 4 regulates protein citrullination during cell activation

Objective To address mechanisms that control the activity of human peptidyl arginine deiminase type 4 (PAD-4). Methods PAD-4 autocitrullination was determined by anti–modified citrulline immunoblotting, using purified recombinant and endogenous PAD-4 from activated human primary neutrophils and cell lines expressing PAD-4. The citrullination sites in PAD-4 were determined by mass spectrometry. Mechanisms of autocitrullination-induced inactivation and the functional consequences of autocitrullination in PAD-4 polymorphic variants were addressed using purified components and cell lines expressing PAD-4 wild-type, PAD-4 mutant, and PAD-4 polymorphic variants relevant to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Results PAD-4 is autocitrullinated in vitro and during activation of primary cells and cell lines expressing PAD-4. Interestingly, this modification inactivated the function of the enzyme. The efficiency of inactivation differed among genetically defined PAD-4 variants relevant to RA. PAD-4 was citrullinated at 10 sites, which are clustered into 3 distinct regions, including a cluster of arginines around the active site cleft where Arg-372 and -374 were identified as the potential autocitrullination targets that inactivate the enzyme. Autocitrullination also modified the structure of PAD-4, abrogating its recognition by multiple rabbit antibodies, but augmenting its recognition by human anti–PAD-4 autoantibodies. Conclusion Our findings suggest that autocitrullination regulates the production of citrullinated proteins during cell activation, and that this is affected by structural polymorphisms in PAD-4. Autocitrullination also influences PAD-4 structure and immune response.
John Hunter and the origins of modern orthopaedic research

Orthopaedic research is a multi-disciplinary, eclectic pursuit conducted in a scientific manner. John Hunter (1728-1793), the Founder of Scientific Surgery, was the first to engage systematically in this enterprise. Born in Scotland, Hunter moved to London to help his brother, William, run an anatomy school. This involved both the procurement and dissection of cadavers, for which activities John showed great aptitude. Further training and a spell as an army surgeon equipped him for his life's work as a practitioner, researcher and teacher. Hunter amassed an enormous collection of specimens displayed in a specially designed house he constructed in Leicester Square, and maintained an extensive menagerie and additional laboratories in Earl's Court. Many of his specimens are now housed in the Hunterian Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons in London. Among Hunter's contributions to orthopaedics are his discovery of bone remodeling, and his studies on the repair and regeneration of bone, cartilage and tendon. He developed numerous new surgical procedures, and provided detailed anatomical descriptions that often corrected received wisdom. Many of his pupils became famous in their own right and two of them founded the USA's first medical school. John Hunter died of a heart attack brought on by hospital administrators.
Coupled-cluster method for excitation energies

The coupled-cluster method of electronic-structure calculation is briefly introduced and examined as to its dependence upon the choice of reference state. It is found that the method depends relatively weakly on the reference state if single-particle “clusters” are included in the calculations. This fact makes it reasonable to combine coupled-cluster calculations of ground and excited states, based on the same reference wave function, to obtain an equation for the excitation energy. This excitation-energy equation is of nearly the same form as that obtained by the “equations of motion” approach, but contains additional terms which should improve the description of orbital-relaxation and state-dependent correlation effects.
The Effects of Manual Therapy on Connective Tissue

The purpose of this manuscript is to examine the known and theoretical mechanical effects of therapeutic manual techniques on the connective tissue (CT) of joints and fasciae. Typical CT structures that could be influenced by manual techniques will be discussed. The behavior of CT under loading and the influence of immobilization on CT will be examined. The forces developed during manual techniques will be described, and their potential effects on the physical properties of CT will be discussed. Research priorities regarding the effects of manual therapy on CT will be outlined.
Use of Graphite Nanofibers as a Novel Catalyst Support Medium for Hydrogenation Reactions

In this investigation we elected to use the hydrogenation of 1-butene as probe reactions in an attempt to monitor any possible changes in catalytic behavior resulting from supporting 5 wt.% nickel on different types of carbon nanofibers compared to the performance of the same metal loading on more traditional carriers, including γ-Al2O3 and active carbon. In all cases the carbon nanofiber supported nickel particles are found to exhibit superior activity and significant changes in selectivity to that found from the same metal supported on traditional carriers.
Myosin cross-linking in freeze-dried meat.

Myosin cross-linking in freeze-dried meat has been investigated. Extraction of proteins and electrophoretic separation of the extracted proteins were used to monitor the cross-linking in freeze-dried meat. The extractability of proteins decreases upon heating and the loss of solubility of myosin is evident. Treating the freeze- dried meat with N-α-acetyl-L-lysine or L-lysine·HCl prevents this loss. The decrease in extractability of myosin is accompanied by the development of brown color. The cross-linking is attributed to a Maillard-type reaction and is suggested to be responsible for textural changes in freeze-dried meat. Treating the meat with hydrolyzed vegetable protein is proposed as a practical method of preventing such cross-linking in freeze-dried meat.
Social capital: a novel platform for understanding social determinants of health in systemic lupus erythematosus.

ObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to introduce the concept of social capital as a unique and distinct entity from the traditional psychosocial factors of social support, depressive symptoms, and self-efficacy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and to evaluate how social capital varies in an SLE sample according to demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, SLE patients completed the Adapted Social Capital Assessment Tool (A-SCAT), which measures cognitive and structural social capital. Patients also completed measures of social support, depressive symptoms, and SLE self-efficacy. Correlations were evaluated between social capital scores and demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables.ResultsWe recruited 89 patients (mean age: 39 ± 15 years old, 83 (93): female; mean SLEDAI: 4; mean SLICC 1). The mean A-SCAT score was 34 ± 15 (normal: 0–71); higher scores were associated with female sex, older age, higher education, Caucasian race, and non-...
Soka Gakkai International: The Global Expansion of a Japanese Buddhist Movement

Japan's Soka Gakkai is the largest of Japan's many New Religious Movements with a major presence not only in Japan, but also meaningful representation in nearly 200 foreign countries and territories. This Japan-based Buddhist organization which in 2013 claims ten million members at home has attracted over two million followers abroad through its ability to assimilate into local cultures and to offer doctrines and practices that are universal in their application. Japanese as well as foreign members find Soka Gakkai's form of Buddhism appealing because it is said to give them a sense of confidence and self-empowerment, permitting them to manage their lives in a more creative and fulfilling manner.
Interviews in qualitative nursing research: differing approaches for ethnographic and phenomenological studies

Interviews form an essential part of data collection for many qualitative nursing studies. Information about how to individualize interview formats to meet the purpose and style of specific qualitative research approaches, however, is not readily accessible to the researcher. This paper offers an overview of use of the interviewer as an instrument in qualitative research, as well as ways in which the differing purposes and styles of ethnographic and phenomenological research approaches affect the format for the interview.
SQMD: Architecture for Scalable, Distributed Database System Built on Virtual Private Servers

Many scientific fields routinely generate huge datasets. In many cases, these datasets are not static but rapidly grow in size. Handling these types of datasets, as well as allowing sophisticated queries necessitates scalable distributed database systems, in which scientists are efficiently able to search the datasets. In this paper we present the architecture, implementation and performance analysis of a scalable, distributed database system built on software based virtualization environments. The system architecture makes use of a software partitioning of the database based on data clustering, SQMD (single query multiple database) mechanism, a Web service interface, and virtualization software technologies. The system allows uniform access to concurrently distributed databases, using the SQMD mechanism based on the publish/subscribe paradigm. We highlight the scalability of our architecture by applying it to a database of 17 million chemical structures. In addition to simple identifier based retrieval, we will present performance results for shape similarity queries, which is extremely, time intensive with traditional architectures.
Nonlinearity Management in Optics: Experiment, Theory, and Simulation

We conduct an experimental investigation of nonlinearity management in optics using femtosecond pulses and layered Kerr media consisting of glass and air. By examining the propagation properties over several diffraction lengths, we show that wave collapse can be prevented. We corroborate these experimental results with numerical simulations of the (2+1)-dimensional focusing cubic nonlinear Schrodinger equation with piecewise constant coefficients and a theoretical analysis of this setting using a moment method.
A geometric approach to designing a programmable force field with a unique stable equilibrium for parts in the plane

In automated assembly, before parts can be put together, they often have to be appropriately oriented and positioned. The device performing this task is generally referred to as a part feeder. A new class of devices for non-prehensile distributed manipulation, such as MEMS actuator arrays, vibrating plates, etc., provide an alternative to traditional mechanical platforms for part feeding. These devices can be abstracted as programmable vector fields. Manipulation plans for these devices can therefore be considered as strategies for applying a sequence of fields to bring parts to some desired configurations. Typically, to uniquely orient and position a part, several fields have to be sequentially employed. Previously, it has been proven that there exists a combination of the unit radial field and a constant field that induces a unique stable equilibrium for almost any part. However, that work focuses mainly on an existential proof and fails to address how to compute the field for a given part. We propose a radically different field with a proof confirming that the field induces a unique stable equilibrium for almost any part. This proof leads us to a method for computing a single field for orienting a given part, together with the corresponding stable equilibrium configuration of the part.
Improved crystal orientation and physical properties from single-shot XFEL stills

X-ray diffraction patterns from still crystals are inherently difficult to process because the crystal orientation is not uniquely determined by measuring the Bragg spot positions. Only one of the three rotational degrees of freedom is directly coupled to spot positions; the other two rotations move Bragg spots in and out of the reflecting condition but do not change the direction of the diffracted rays. This hinders the ability to recover accurate structure factors from experiments that are dependent on single-shot exposures, such as femtosecond diffract-and-destroy protocols at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs). Here, additional methods are introduced to optimally model the diffraction. The best orientation is obtained by requiring, for the brightest observed spots, that each reciprocal-lattice point be placed into the exact reflecting condition implied by Bragg's law with a minimal rotation. This approach reduces the experimental uncertainties in noisy XFEL data, improving the crystallographic R factors and sharpening anomalous differences that are near the level of the noise.
The Key to All Metaphysics: Kant's Letter to Herz, 1772

Kant's 1772 letter to Markus Herz is celebrated for its marking the ‘Critical turn’ in Kant's thought, a turn that would move Kant away from the speculative metaphysics of the 1750s towards the Critical philosophy of 1781. It is here, seemingly for the first time, that Kant asks the question concerning the relationship between concepts and objects, telling his former pupil that the answer to this question ‘constitutes the key to the whole secret of hitherto still obscure metaphysics.’ For anyone interested in the development of Kant's thought this makes for exciting news since it is the posing of this question that marks Kant's first step towards the Critique and it is the answer to this question that will come to identify the ‘objective portion’ of the Transcendental Deduction, a text that already begins with a rehearsal of points raised in Kant's letter. But while the letter to Herz is clearly itself a key to what Kant sees as the ‘whole secret of hitherto still obscure metaphysics’, the question concerning concepts and objects itself poses interpretive problems that need to be addressed. Above all, one needs to ask how Kant arrived at such a question.
High linearity power X-band GaInP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor

We report for the first time two-tone test results measured on a GaInP/GaAs HBT. A 2/spl times/400 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ device delivered more than 1.3 W under one-tone testing at 7.5 GHz and output more than 1 W under two-tone. The corresponding intermodulation product is -14 dBc, and decreases to -21 and -36 dBc, respectively, at 3-dB and 10-dB back-off from the saturated two-tone output. These results demonstrate that GaInP/GaAs HBT's are suitable for microwave transmitter applications. >
A Framework for Discussing e-Research Infrastructure Sustainability

e-Research infrastructure is increasingly important in the conduct of science and engineering research, and in many disciplines has become an essential part of the research infrastructure. However, this e-Research infrastructure does not appear from a vacuum; it needs both intent and effort first to be created and then to be sustained over time. Research cultures and practices in many disciplines have not adapted to this new paradigm, due in part to the absence of a deep understanding of the elements of e-Research infrastructure and the characteristics that influence their sustainability. This paper outlines a set of contexts in which e-Research infrastructure can be discussed, proposes characteristics that must be considered to sustain infrastructure elements, and highlights models that may be used to create and sustain e-Research infrastructure. We invite feedback on the proposed characteristics and models presented herein.
Bounds on Exponential Sums and the Polynomial Waring Problem Mod p

TODD COCHRANE, CHRISTOPHER PINNER, AND JASON ROSENHOUSE Abstract. We give estimates for the exponential sum ∑p x=1 exp(2πif(x)/p), p a prime and f a non-zero integer polynomial, of interest in cases where the Weil bound is worse than trivial. The results extend those of Konyagin for monomials to a general polynomial. Such bounds readily yield estimates for the corresponding polynomial Waring problem mod p; namely the smallest γ such that f(x1) + · · ·+ f(xγ) ≡ N (mod p) is solvable in integers for any N .
The Real Costs of Credit Access: Evidence from the Payday Lending Market*

Using geographic differences in the availability of payday loans, I estimate the real effects of credit access among low-income households. Payday loans are small, high interest rate loans that constitute the marginal source of credit for many high risk borrowers. I find no evidence that payday loans alleviate economic hardship. To the contrary, loan access leads to increased difficulty paying mortgage, rent and utilities bills. The empirical design isolates variation in loan access that is uninfluenced by lenders' location decisions and state regulatory decisions, two factors that might otherwise correlate with economic hardship measures. Further analysis of differences in loan availability--over time and across income groups--rules out a number of alternative explanations for the estimated effects. Counter to the view that improving credit access facilitates important expenditures, the results suggest that for some low-income households the debt service burden imposed by borrowing inhibits their ability to pay important bills. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
WATER STATUS AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF CYANIDIUM CALDARIUM IN SOIL1

SUMMARY The size and photosynthetic ability of Cyanidium caldarium populations in soil were related to the water status of the soil, welter soil, areas having larger populations and more extensive photosynthesis. The application of the direct methods used to the study of other soil algae, mosses, and lichens is discussed.
Principal Preparation Programs: Perceptions of High School Principals.

There has been an abundance of research documenting perceived deficiencies in traditional principal preparation programs, but little field data have been collected. As such, the authors of this study sought to assess the satisfaction of practitioners, high school principals, with their preparation programs. Questionnaires were received from 374 participants located at schools within four southeastern states. Using descriptive and inferential statistics, data were generated and analyzed illustrating frequency of response, means, and standard deviation from 13 key questions relating to the principalship. Findings included apparent content with preparation programs in all areas of responsibility identified with the exception of preparation for addressing the needs of special populations. These findings could be of importance to universities as they reorganize principal preparation curriculum to be more connected to K-12 issues.
RADLAC-II upgrade experiments

The linear induction accelerator RADLAC-II (Radial Line Accelerator II) is being upgraded to produce a 20-MeV, 40-kA, annular electron beam. Prior to the upgrade, RADLAC II produced a 15-MeV, 15-kA electron beam. Modifications to the pulsed power, injector, and magnetic transport have resulted in a faster-rising flat-topped voltage pulse. A high-quality, 40-kA, 2.0-cm-diameter beam with a low perpendicular thermal velocity has been produced from the injector. The high-quality beam has been accelerated through two accelerating gaps. The final four accelerating stages are being added to RADLAC-II, and transport experiments through the full accelerator are beginning. Simulations show that the beam quality will be maintained through the entire accelerator. >
An architecture for multimedia data stream handling and its implication for multimedia transport service interfaces

A multimedia software system architecture should reflect that-for performance reasons-digital audio and video data is routed through different paths in a computer than traditional data. The author proposes a multimedia architecture based on the notion of 'stream handlers' which generate, filter, forward or consume multimedia data within a real-time environment. Stream handlers provide control operations to determine the content and direction of a multimedia stream. A multimedia transport system is discussed as an example of a multimedia stream handler. >
Ceramic Coatings with Controlled Reflective and Emissive Properties

Two types of ceramic coatings were formulated for application to Inconel to give (a) the highest possible emittance from room temperature to about 1200°C. and (b) the highest possible reflectance to solar energy (0.4 to 2.0 μ) while having high emissivity in the infrared from 25° to 700° C. or higher. Both types of coatings were formulated from a modified barium silicate frit. This frit was opacified with various black spinels to give the (a)-type enamels having total normal emittances ranging from 0.74 to 0.87. The (b)-type enamels were made with equal parts of stannic and eerie oxides as opacifiers. At thicknesses greater than 5 mils, these had hemispherical reflectances varying between 0.67 and 0.62 at wave lengths of 0.6 to 2.6 μ respectively, together with total emittances of 0.75 at 400°C. and 0.60 at 800° C.
How do the physiology and transcallosal effects of the unaffected hemisphere change during inpatient rehabilitation after stroke

In this issue of Clinical Neurophysiology, Takechi and colleagues publish a paper entitled “Longitudinal changes of motor cortical excitability and transcallosal inhibition after subcortical stroke” that represents a long-overdue examination of changes in inter-hemispheric interactions during an important period for the recovery of motor function after stroke. It has been suspected that this type of recovery to neuronal damage represents a type of neuroplasticity, potentially with both adaptive and maladaptive processes. But in order to demonstrate plasticity, one has to demonstrate change over time.
Time-domain optimal experimental design in human postural control testing

We are developing a series of systems science-based clinical tools that will assist in modeling, diagnosing, and quantifying postural control deficits in human subjects. In line with this goal, we have designed and constructed an experimental device and associated experimental task for identification of the human postural control system. In this work, we present a Quadratic Programming (QP) technique for optimizing a time-domain experimental input signal for this device. The goal of this optimization is to maximize the information present in the experiment, and therefore its ability to produce accurate estimates of several desired postural control parameters. To achieve this, we formulate the problem as a non-convex QP and attempt to maximize a measure (T-optimality condition) of the experiment's Fisher Information Matrix (FIM) under several constraints. These constraints include limits on the input amplitude, physiological output magnitude, subject control amplitude, and input signal autocorrelation. Because the autocorrelation constraint takes the form of a Quadratic Constraint (QC), we replace it with a conservative linear relaxation about a nominal point, which is iteratively updated during the course of optimization. We show that this iterative descent algorithm generates a convergent suboptimal solution that guarantees monotonic non-increasing of the cost function while satisfying all constraints during iterations. Finally, we present example experimental results using an optimized input sequence.
Editing of apolipoprotein B messenger RNA in differentiated Caco-2 cells

During the differentiation of human enterocytes, the secretion of apolipoprotein B is switched from the apoB-100 form seen almost exclusively in fetal cells to the apoB-48 form seen almost exclusively in adult cells. This switch is accomplished by the post-transcriptional editing of the messenger RNA for apoB-100. We report that a similar switch occurs during the differentiation of the human colonic carcinoma cell line, Caco-2, and that this is accomplished by the same mRNA editing mechanism. Caco-2 cells cultured on Millipore filters developed confluent electrically resistant monolayers, and on Western blot analysis, using a monoclonal antibody directed against the amino terminal region of human apoB-100 (Mab C1.4), secreted greater than 50% apoB-48 (of total apoB-100) into culture media, while Caco-2 cells grown on plastic secreted greater than 95% apoB-100. To assess whether mRNA editing was responsible for the switchover from apoB-100 to apoB-48, apoB cDNA fragments spanning nucleotides 6504-6784 of apoB mRNA were synthesized using RNA isolated from Caco-2 cells grown on filters and Caco-2 cells grown on plastic. The appropriate oligonucleotide primers and Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase were used. The resulting cDNA fragments were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and PCR products were subcloned and sequenced. A single cytosine/thymine base change occurred in 8/20 clones of cDNA derived from Caco-2 cells grown on filters (corresponding to a cytosine/uridine change in mRNA) and in 1/25 clones of cDNA derived from Caco-2 cells grown on plastic. PCR products of genomic sequences from Caco-2 cells did not contain the stop codon.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The relation between oral contraceptive use and subsequent development of hyperprolactinemia

Serum prolactin levels were determined in 123 patients who presented with menstrual irregularities and/or infertility of more than 1 year's duration. Sixty-three patients had hyperprolactinemia with serum prolactin levels of 26 to 843 ng/ml (normal 5 to 22 ng/ml); 44.4% of this group of patients received oral contraceptive for a period of 2 months to 7 years. Sixty patients were normoprolactinemic, with serum prolactin levels of 3 to 22 ng/ml; 33.4% of this group received oral contraceptives for a period of 6 months to 7 years. The age of presentation, onset of symptoms, age at which they started on oral contraceptives, and duration of use were tabulated. The data were analyzed using chi 2 test corrected for continuity. There was no significant difference in age at the time of evaluation between oral contraceptive users and nonusers with hyperprolactinemia. The relative odds developing hyperprolactinemia were 2.64 times greater among women who has used oral contraceptives for more than 1 year and 6.25 times greater if this use started before the age of 25.
CO2-Laser Heterodyne Detection with GaAs/AlGaAs MQW Structures

Optical heterodyne experiments are carried out on GaAs/AlGaAs multiplequantum-well (MQW) structures using a CO2-laser local oscillator operating near 10 μm. In a structure having 100 4.5-nm-wide GaAs quantum wells and 40-nm-wide AlGaAs barriers, the electrical bandwidth BIF is approximately 13 GHz for 77-K operation and the heterodyne quantum efficiency ηEH is 20%. This value of ηEH is near the theoretical photon-noise limit for photoconductors as applied to the MQW detector. The measured BIF is roughly five times that of the fastest HgCdTe detectors, making the GaAs/AlGaAs MQW structure useful for applications in broadband terrestrial spectroscopy, astrophysics, communications, and radar.
Survivability of Salmonella and Shigella spp. in Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Tween 80 at 22 and 40°C

Fresh produce has been implicated in several foodborne disease outbreaks. A primary site of contamination during production and handling is the surface of produce. One approach to reducing contamination is to treat fresh produce with rinsing agents. Studies have examined the efficacies of detergents and other rinses in recovering pathogens from produce surfaces. The determination of how these detergents affect bacterial cells may aid in understanding the mechanisms behind their removal. This study examines the survivability of Salmonella and Shigella in two detergents. A 0.1% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) solution, a 0.1% Tween 80 solution, and water were inoculated with a cocktail of stationary-phase organisms (3 log CFU/ml) and incubated for up to 32 h at 22 degrees C and 40 degrees C. Samples were taken over time and plated on tryptic soy agar supplemented with 50 ppm of nalidixic acid. Salmonella survived in all solutions and exhibited significant growth in water (0.8 log CFU/ml at 22 degrees C and 1.9 log CFU/ml at 40 degrees C) and Tween 80 (1.0 log CFU/ml at 40 degrees C). Shigella survived in all solutions at 22 degrees C and exhibited a growth level of 2.0 log CFU/ml in SLS. Shigella also survived in all solutions at 40 degrees C, although its populations decreased significantly in Tween 80 over time. Elevated temperatures may allow Tween 80 to kill Shigella spp. over time. Overall, the detergents tested were not detrimental to the cells; therefore, if these solutions were to be used as produce rinse agents, they would aid in removal of organisms from surfaces rather than kill the cells.
Energetics at the nanoscale: Impacts for geochemistry, the environment, and materials

Nanoparticles are ubiquitous in both natural and synthetic environments, providing much of the chemical reactivity for geochemical, planetary, environmental, and technological processes. However, this reactivity and differences between the bulk and nanoscale are thermodynamically, as well as kinetically, controlled. Energetic effects arising from differences in surface energies of different nanomaterials lead to changes in which phases are thermodynamically stable under given conditions. This results in crossovers in polymorphic stability as a function of particle size and substantial shifts in the positions of dehydration and redox equilibria. Examples of these phenomena in aluminum, cobalt, iron, and manganese oxides are presented, and implications for catalysts, battery materials, and other functional oxides are discussed. A hypothesis is presented that low surface energy and the resulting relatively weak water binding on the surface leads to better function when electrons or ions are transferred at the solid-solution interface.
Biochemical analysis of yeast suppressor of Ty 4/5 (Spt4/5) reveals the importance of nucleic acid interactions in the prevention of RNA polymerase II arrest

RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) undergoes structural changes during the transitions from initiation, elongation, and termination, which are aided by a collection of proteins called elongation factors. NusG/Spt5 is the only elongation factor conserved in all domains of life. Although much information exists about the interactions between NusG/Spt5 and RNA polymerase in prokaryotes, little is known about how the binding of eukaryotic Spt4/5 affects the biochemical activities of RNAPII. We characterized the activities of Spt4/5 and interrogated the structural features of Spt5 required for it to interact with elongation complexes, bind nucleic acids, and promote transcription elongation. The eukaryotic specific regions of Spt5 containing the Kyrpides, Ouzounis, Woese domains are involved in stabilizing the association with the RNAPII elongation complex, which also requires the presence of the nascent transcript. Interestingly, we identify a region within the conserved NusG N-terminal (NGN) domain of Spt5 that contacts the non-template strand of DNA both upstream of RNAPII and in the transcription bubble. Mutating charged residues in this region of Spt5 did not prevent Spt4/5 binding to elongation complexes, but abrogated the cross-linking of Spt5 to DNA and the anti-arrest properties of Spt4/5, thus suggesting that contact between Spt5 (NGN) and DNA is required for Spt4/5 to promote elongation. We propose that the mechanism of how Spt5/NGN promotes elongation is fundamentally conserved; however, the eukaryotic specific regions of the protein evolved so that it can serve as a platform for other elongation factors and maintain its association with RNAPII as it navigates genomes packaged into chromatin.