cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
T7 Protein Synthesis in F′ Episome-Containing Cells: Assignment of Specific Proteins to Three Translational Groups

Synthesis of many T7 proteins is prevented in F' episome-containing cells. In order to quantitate the degree of inhibition, we measured the activity of several T7 proteins in extracts prepared from T7-infected F(-) and F' cells and cells containing F factors mutant in phage inhibition [F'(PIF(-)2A) and F'(PIF(-)2A,2B)]. In addition, we were able to assign specific T7 proteins to the three translational units previously defined by polyacrylamide gel analysis of T7 proteins made in F(-) and episome-containing cells. After T7 infection, the presence of the wild-type F' (PIF(+)) episome led to greater than 90% inhibition of T7 DNA polymerase (product of gene 5), T7 lysozyme (gene 3.5), and gene 10 capsid protein synthesis. Nearly normal amounts of T7 RNA polymerase (gene 1) were made in these cells. T7 infection of cells containing the mutant F' (PIF(-)2A) episome led to normal synthesis of T7 RNA polymerase and T7 DNA polymerase; T7 lysozyme was synthesized at 30% of the maximal level in these cells; T7 gene 10 capsid protein synthesis was inhibited by 90%, and T7 DNA synthesis was arrested in these cells. T7 infection of cells containing the mutant F' (PIF(-)2A,2B) episome led to synthesis of normal levels of the enzymes assayed.
Kopp Receives 2012 William Gilbert Award: Citation

Robert E. Kopp received the 2012 William Gilbert Award at the 2012 AGU Fall Meeting, held 3–7 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes outstanding and unselfish work in magnetism of Earth materials and of the Earth and planets.
Unesco Places Physical Education and Sport in Global Perspective

(1980). Unesco Places Physical Education and Sport in Global Perspective. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 51, No. 7, pp. 21-25.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF SLEEP PROBLEMS TO ACADEMIC AND PSYCHOSOCIAL FUNCTIONING

The current study examined the concurrent and longitudinal relations among sleep problems with academic and psychosocial functioning in a prospective cohort study, the Tucson Children's Assessment of Sleep Apnea study (TuCASA). Children were assessed between the ages of 6 and 11 years and again approximately 5 years later. Sleep disordered breathing was assessed via polysomnography and sleep duration, sleep consistency, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and insomnia symptoms were evaluated via parental and self-report. Although regression models for sleep problems yielded minimum effect sizes in predicting standardized achievement scores, they jointly related to lower parent-reported grades and adolescent-reported school problems. Additionally, hierarchical multiple regression revealed that sleep parameters significantly predicted measures of psychosocial functioning with medium (Behavior Assessment Scales [BASC-2] Parent Report Form [PRF]-Behavioral Symptoms Index, Internalizing Behaviors Composite; Self-Report of Personality [SRP] Emotional Symptoms Index, Internalizing Behaviors, Personal Adjustment Composite) to small-medium effect sizes (BASC-2 PRF Externalizing Problems, Adaptive Skills Composites, BASC-2 SRP Inattention/Hyperactivity Composite) above and beyond sociodemographics and IQ. Similar findings occurred for BASC-2 subscales. Parent-reported current EDS and youth-reported insomnia symptoms were the most consistent contributors. School psychologists should screen for and treat or make referrals for sleep problems, taking into account chronicity and multiple informants' perspectives, to maximize academic intervention benefits.
Intendedness of pregnancy and other predictive factors for symptoms of prenatal depression in a population-based study.

Prenatal depression (PD) as a risk factor for adverse birth outcomes is well documented. Less is known about maternal risks for PD, which could inform preventive strategies for perinatal and interconceptional care. This exploratory study investigates associations between prenatal depression symptoms and unintended and mistimed pregnancies and other maternal risk factors for PD. A subset of birth records from the New York Statewide Perinatal Data System (n = 19,219) was used in this secondary analysis of cross-sectional data. Univariate and multivariate multinomial regression was used to identify factors that are independently associated with four self-reported levels of prenatal depression symptoms. Women with unintended pregnancies were more likely (AOR, 95 % CI) to report severe (3.6, 2.6–5.1) or moderate (2.0, 1.6–2.5) prenatal depression symptoms and less likely to report no symptoms, compared to women with intended pregnancies. Likewise, women with mistimed pregnancies were more likely to report severe (2.7, 2.2–3.5) or moderate (1.7, 1.5–2.1) prenatal depression symptoms than no symptoms, compared to women with intended pregnancies. Low education, drug use, smoking, minority race, being unmarried and having Medicaid insurance were also significant, independent predictors of PD symptoms. Results suggest that routine screening for depression, intendedness of pregnancy and other associated risk factors such as smoking and drug use during prenatal and interconceptional care visits may enable coordinated interventions that can reduce prenatal depression and unintended and mistimed pregnancies and improve pregnancy outcomes.
HAS-BLED and CHA2DS2-VASc Scores as Predictors of Bleeding and Thrombotic Risk After Continuous-Flow Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Abstract Background HAS-BLED and CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores predict bleeding in patients on anticoagulation and thromboembolic (TE) risk in patients with atrial fibrillation, respectively. We hypothesized that these scores would be predictive of bleeding and TE complications following continuous-flow ventricular assist device (CF-VAD) implantation. Methods and Results Baseline HAS-BLED and CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores were retrospectively determined for 173 consecutive patients who underwent HeartMate II CF-VAD implantation at a single center from 2005 to 2011. Forty-three patients had bleeding (24.9%) and 22 had TE (12.7%) events over a 290 patient-year follow-up period. The mean ± SD HAS-BLED scores were 2.7 ± 1.0 and 1.9 ± 1.1 ( P 2 DS 2 -VASc scores were 3.6 ± 1.4 and 2.9 ± 1.5 ( P = .03) in patients with and without TE events, respectively. A HAS-BLED score of ≥3 was associated with a significantly higher risk of bleeding events compared with a score of P 2 DS 2 -VASc score of ≥3 was associated with a higher risk of TE events compared with a score of P = .025). Conclusions Baseline HAS-BLED and CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores of ≥3 conferred significantly higher risks of bleeding and TE, respectively, following HeartMate II implantation.
Revolving scanning transmission electron microscopy: Correcting sample drift distortion without prior knowledge

We report the development of revolving scanning transmission electron microscopy--RevSTEM--a technique that enables characterization and removal of sample drift distortion from atomic resolution images without the need for a priori crystal structure information. To measure and correct the distortion, we acquire an image series while rotating the scan coordinate system between successive frames. Through theory and experiment, we show that the revolving image series captures the information necessary to analyze sample drift rate and direction. At atomic resolution, we quantify the image distortion using the projective standard deviation, a rapid, real-space method to directly measure lattice vector angles. By fitting these angles to a physical model, we show that the refined drift parameters provide the input needed to correct distortion across the series. We demonstrate that RevSTEM simultaneously removes the need for a priori structure information to correct distortion, leads to a dramatically improved signal-to-noise ratio, and enables picometer precision and accuracy regardless of drift rate.
Synthesis and characterization of some group 1 and 2 metal derivatives of the crowding terphenyl thiolate and selenolate ligands —EC6H3-2,6-Trip2 (ES or Se; Trip 2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2−)

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of the monomeric magnesium thiolate Mg{SC6H3-2,6-Trip2}2 (1) (Trip  2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2−), the new selenol HSeC6H3-2,6-Trip2 (2), three of its alkali metal derivatives (MSeC6H3-2,6-Trip2) (MK, 3·PhMe, 3·Et2O, Rb, 4·PhMe) and the heterometallic thiolate RbAlMe2(SC6H3-2,6-Trip2)2 (5) are described. Compound 1 was synthesized by the reaction of commercially available ‘MgBu2’ with 2 equiv. of HSC6H3-2,6-Trip2. The new selenol 2 was obtained from the reaction of elemental selenium with LiC6H3-2,6-Trip2. The potassium and rubidium derivatives 3 and 4 were isolated by direct reaction of the metals with the selenol whereas 5 is formed by an exchange reaction between the corresponding rubidium thiolate and AlMe3. The compounds were characterized by 1H, 13C and 77Se NMR and IR spectroscopy, and by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 crystallizes as a unique monomer with an SMgS angle of 166.8(2)°. Compounds 3·PhMe and 4·PhMe crystallize as isomorphous dimers with M2Se2 cores. In these compounds each potassium or rubidium interacts in a π-fashion with two ortho aryl groups as well as σ-bonding to the chalcogens. The π-interaction is retained even in the presence of donor solvents. Thus, the ether solvate 3·Et2O is obtained by recrystallization of 3·PhMe from diethyl ether. Metal acryl interactions also are observed in the rubidium aluminate 5 which crystallizes with a planar RbAlS2 core. Crystal data at 130 K are as follows: Mg(SC 6 H 3 -2,6-Trip 2 ) 2 ( 1 ), a = 10.417(1), b = 11.644(1), c = 14.545(2) A , α = 69.536(8), β = 75.91(1), γ = 80.26(1)°, V = 1596.2(3) A 3 , space group P 1 , Z = 1, R1 = 0.043; (KSeC 6 H 3 -2,6-Trip 2 ) 2 ·PhMe ( 3 ·PhMe), a = 13.842(3), b = 15.124(3) , c = 17.776(3) A , α = 83.04(2) , β = 85.62(2), γ = 89.64(2)°, V = 3683(1) A 3 , space group P 1 , Z = 2, R1 = 0.090; (RbSeC 6 H 3 -2,6-Trip 2 ) 2 ·PhMe ( 4 ·PhMe) , a = 13.959(2), b = 15.179(1), c = 17.713(2) A , α = 97.636(7), β = 93.320(8), γ = 90.462(8)°, V = 3713.3(6) A 3 , space group P 1 , Z = 2, R1 = 0.050; RbAlMe 2 (SC 6 H 3 -2,6-Trip 2 ) 2 ·C 6 H 14 ( 5 ) , a = 26.610(5), b = 13.142(1), c = 21.575(5) A , β = 99.37(2)°, V = 7444(3) A 3 , space group C2/c, Z = 4, R1 = 0.047.
β -Adrenoceptor agonists increase membrane K + conductance in cardiac Purkinje fibres

Hormonal modulation of the ionic conductance of cell membranes is a topic of considerable current interest; it has a major role, for example, in the improved performance of the vertebrate heart elicited by sympathetic nerve stimulation or by circulating catecholamines, an effect involving enhanced calcium influx. beta-Agonist catecholamines also abbreviate the action potential of cardiac Purkinje fibres, and increase the resting potential in a variety of cells, including cardiac cells, a hyperpolarization usually attributed to stimulation of the electrogenic Na+/K+ pump. We show here that nanomolar concentrations of beta-catecholamines cause hyperpolarization of cardiac Purkinje fibres, not by increasing Na+/K+ pump current, but by increasing resting membrane K+ conductance. The hyperpolarization and shortening of the action potential should increase availability of Na+ channels and reduce the refractory period, effects tending to safeguard impulse propagation through the ventricular conducting system despite the increased heart rate caused by beta-catecholamine action on the sinus node pacemaker.
Immittance-domain Levinson algorithms

Several computationally efficient versions of the Levinson algorithm for solving linear equations with Toeplitz and quasi-Toeplitz matrices are presented, motivated by a new stability test. The new versions require half the number of multiplications and the same number of additions as the conventional form of the Levinson algorithm. The saving is achieved by using three-term (rather than two-term) recursions and propagating them in an impedance/admittance (or immittance) domain rather than the conventional scattering domain. One of the recursions coincides with recent results of P. Delsarte and Y. Genin (IEEE Trans., Acoust. Speech, Signal Proc., vol.ASSP-34, p.470-8, June 1986) on split Levinson algorithms for symmetric Toeplitz matrices, where the efficiency is gained by using the symmetric and skew-symmetric versions of the usual polynomials. This special structure is lost in the quasi-Toeplitz case, but one still can obtain similar computational reductions by suitably using three-term recursions in the immittance domain. >
Distributed shared memory in a loosely coupled distributed system

This work outlines the development and performance validation of an architecture for distributed shared memory in a loosely coupled distributed computing environment. This distributed shared memory may be used for communication and data exchange between communicants on different computing sites; the mechanism will operate transparently and in a distributed manner. This paper describes the architecture of this mechanism and metrics which will be used to measure its performance. We also discuss a number of issues related to the overall design and what research contribution such an implementation can provide to the computer science field.
Serum triiodothyronine, total thyroxine, and thyroxine to triiodothyronine ratios in paired maternal-cord sera and at one week and one month of age.

Extract: Twenty-seven paired maternal-cord sera were analyzed for serum triiodothyronine (T3), total serum thyroxine (TT4), and maximum thyroxine globulin binding capacity (TBG cap.). In 17 of the infants the same studies were repeated at 1 week of age and in 10 of the 17 at 1 month. The mean T3 value for the cord sera was 73.1 ± 20.4 ng/100 ml while the mean value for the maternal sera was 204 ± 49.2. The difference in the mean values was highly significant (P < 0.001). The maternal T3 values are comparable with those of nonpregnant control subjects; those of cord blood fall below normal values. No statistically significant difference was found between the TT4 and TBG cap. values for cord and maternal sera. Both values were higher than the normal nonpregnant control values. At 1 week of age the serum T3 levels had increased to a mean of 208.4 ± 40.9 ng/100 ml. This mean is significantly different from the one observed in cord sera (P < 0.001). A significant increase in the TT4 values, mean 12.53 ± 2.2 μg/100 ml (P < 0.01), was observed by the end of the 1st week. TBG cap. did not change significantly between birth and 1 week of age; by the end of the 1st month of life the serum TT4 had decreased significantly to a mean of 9.5 ± 2.7 μg/100 ml (P < 0.05), while the serum T3 was maintained at a mean level of 228.2 ± 16.9 ng/100 ml, a value not significantly different from the one observed at 1 week of age. Speculation: The extremely low levels of T3 in the cord blood in the presence of TT4 and TBG cap. values equal to those of the maternal blood suggest minimal materno-fetal placental transfer of T3. We have postulated that the low fetal T3 is responsible for the high levels of pituitary thyrotropic hormone (TSH) present in cord blood and early in the postnatal period and that the high levels of TT4 with normal T3 levels observed by the end of the 1st week of life indicate defective peripheral deiodination of thyroxine (T4) to T3 and account for the lack of signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. By the end of 1 month of age TT4 and T3 values are within normal ranges, which indicates maturation in the metabolic pathway of T4 and T3.
Fatal Cunninghamella bertholletiae infection in an immunocompetent patient

The first fatal Cunninghamella bertholletiae infection in a clinically immunocompetent host is reported. This case differs from previously reported cases by the lack of extensive vascular invasion and thrombosis.
Open-channel isolectric focusing in thermally engendered pH gradients

Abstract The use of thermally forme pH gradients permits macromolecular separations in open-channel isoelectric focusing (IEF), simplifying product recovery, shortening run times and eliminating costly carrier ampholytes. Because of these unique advantages and other limitations this IEF method may effect purifications on a preparative scale more effectively than on an analytical scale where other IEF methods may cover a larger pH range. Heat exchangers at both ends of a 3.18 mm × 5.0 mm × 28.0 mm channel generated the temperature gradient (4°C cm −1 ). Owing to the large temperature dependence of the pH (dpH/d T = −0.028 K −1 ), the Tris—HCl buffer formed the pH gradient in the free solution. In a 25 V cm −1 electric field, a dilute mixture of hemoglobin variants A and S ( ca. 0.8 mg mg −1 , isoelectric points 6.98 and 7.2, respectively) were separated and concentrated by a factor of 20.
Understanding customers' revealed satisfaction preferences: An order probit model for credit unions

The issue of customer satisfaction has consistently surfaced as a central tenet in descriptive models regarding the behaviour of consumers. Satisfaction/dissatisfaction as a construct has been subject to a wide range of measurement alternatives and applied in many different industry sectors. This paper examines customer satisfaction and its role in the credit union sector of the financial services industry. The study uses an Order Probit model of Reveals Customer Satisfaction and finds empirical support indicating that a higher probability of achieving excellent overall customer satisfaction ratings is directly affected by high satisfaction in courtesy, privacy and waiting indicators. These results are particularly relevant for strategic management design of credit union product/service strategy.
Memory function for the velocity autocorrelation function at moderate densities

Abstract The memory function for the velocity autocorrelation function is evaluated at low and moderate densities for the square well potential. Short time deviations from the Boltzmann-Lorentz result are calculated for both incomplete scattering events and bound pairs. It is shown that the bound states are responsible for certain structural anomalies found in recent molecular dynamics simulation at low temperature.
Health care workers' ability and willingness to report to work during public health emergencies.

Objectives: We conducted a county-wide survey to assess the ability and willingness of health care workers to report to work during a pandemic influenza and a severe earthquake and to identify barriers and strategies that would help them report to work.Methods: A stratified random sample of 9211 health care workers was selected from the Washington state licensure database and from health care agencies. We assessed correlates between self-reported ability and willingness to report to work and demographic and employer-related variables under two scenarios, influenza pandemic and a severe earthquake.Results: For the influenza pandemic scenario, 95% of respondents reported that they would be able and 89% reported that they would be willing to report to their usual place of work. Seventy-four percent of respondents reported that they would be able and 88% would be willing to report to their usual place of work following a severe earthquake. The most frequently cited strategies that would help respondents report to work during an influenza pandemic were the availability of anti-viral influenza treatment and the ability to work from home. For persons with children at home, the strategy to increase ability to report to work during an earthquake was the availability of child care.Conclusions: The majority of the King County health care workforce is willing and able to respond to an influenza pandemic or a severe earthquake.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2011;5:300–308)
Examining Chinese managers' work‐related values and attitudes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine Chinese managers' perceptions of work ethic (work‐related values and attitudes) and to provide insights on how managers interact with their workers.Design/methodology/approach – This is a qualitative study using a series of in‐depth interviews to draw state‐owned enterprises (SOE) managers' perceptions of work ethic. The inquiry process led to a single‐case level of analysis where data are aggregated to incorporate a thematic approach. Underlining theoretical frameworks that guide the study are a combination of Western and Eastern work ethic frameworks and cross‐culture management understanding of the concept of guanxi.Findings – Five themes that emerged from data analysis became the five dimensions of Chinese managers' work ethic profile. In addition, the study revealed four overarching themes that influence managerial behavior in Chinese SOEs: the absolute power of the boss; work is the center of life; social network ties to the workplace; and place hope...
A theoretical model for carrier transport in disordered organic materials

Abstract A theoretical model based on exponential energy dependent mobility and density of states is proposed to describe the carrier transport in disordered organic materials. A power–law current–voltage relationship is derived and the power factor is found to depend on the half-width of the density of state distribution. The increased carrier concentration begins to populate higher mobility states, causing a higher averaged mobility. The combined effect of increased carrier concentration and the higher averaged mobility leads to the super-linear current–voltage relationship.
Time-distance helioseismology

Abstract The time-distance helioseismology (or helioseismic tomography) is a new promising method for probing 3-D structures and flows beneath the solar surface, which is potentially important for studying the birth of active regions in the sun's interior and for understanding the relation between the internal dynamics of active regions and chromospheric and coronal activity. In this method, the time for waves to travel along subsurface ray paths is determined from the temporal cross correlation of signals at two separated surface points. By measuring the times for many pairs of points from Dopplergrams covering the visible hemisphere, a tremendous quantity of information about the state of the solar interior is derived. As an example, we present the results for supergranular flows and for an active region which emerged near the center of the solar disk in July 1996, and was studied from SOHO/MDI for nine days, both before and after its emergence at the surface. Initial results show a complicated structure of the emerging region in the interior, and suggest that the emerging flux ropes travel very quickly through the depth range of our observations.
Raising the Maximum Permissible Air Velocity in Controlled Environment Plant Growth Chambers

Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants were grown in two naturally lighted, outdoor controlled environment plant growth chambers. The approach velocity to the plant growing zone was 75 cm s−1 in one chamber and 225 cm s−1 in the other. The lower air velocity represents the presently considered maximum permissible air velocity in controlled environment plant growth chambers. The humidity in both chambers was near saturation. After three weeks' growth in these chambers, there were no significant differences in fresh or dry weights of the plants or any parts thereof. The high air velocity reduced the transpiration rate as predicted by energy budget considerations and significantly lowered the average leaf temperature of the crop by three degrees. The data strongly support the hypothesis that the maximum permissible air velocity in controlled environment plant growth chambers can be raised considerably if the humidity is maintained high.
Effects of nicotine and tobacco-specific nitrosamines on hamster cheek pouch and gastric mucosa

Fifty-two hamsters were divided into 6 groups and their cheek pouches treated with either 0.01% NNN, 0.01% NNN and 6% nicotine, 0.01% NNK, 0.01% NNK and 6% nicotine, 6% nicotine, or sesame oil. After painting each pouch 3 times per week for 13 months, the animals were killed and specimens from the cheek pouch and forestomach examined. Cheek pouch epithelium showed more frequent histologic changes, including hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis and, in one animal, moderate dysplasia, when nicotine was combined with NNN than after treatment with NNN (or nicotine) alone. There was a higher frequency of hyperplasia with hyperkeratosis in the forestomach when nicotine was combined with NNK than following NNK, or nicotine treatment alone, and squamous cell papillomas were evident in animals treated with both NNK and nicotine. These results suggest that in mucosal tissues nicotine may enhance the effect of weak carcinogens such as the nitrosamines.
Critical appraisal of surgical revascularization for critical limb ischemia

Peripheral artery disease is growing in global prevalence and is estimated to afflict between 8 and 12 million Americans. Its most severe form, critical limb ischemia (CLI), is associated with high rates of limb loss, morbidity, and mortality. Revascularization is the cornerstone of limb preservation in CLI, and has traditionally been accomplished with open surgical bypass. Advances in catheter-based technologies, coupled with their broad dissemination among specialists, have led to major shifts in practice patterns in CLI. There is scant high-quality evidence to guide surgical decision making in this arena, and market forces have exerted profound influences. Despite this, available data suggest that the expected outcomes for both endovascular and open surgery in CLI are strongly dependent on definable patient factors such as anatomic distribution of disease, vein quality, and comorbidities. Optimal patient selection is paramount for maximizing benefit with each technique. This review summarizes some of the existing data and suggests a selective approach to revascularization in CLI, which continues to rely on vein bypass surgery as a primary option in appropriately selected patients.
Evaluation of equilibrium dialysis volume shifts: a comment.

Previous authors have presented in this journal an equation defining the fractional shift in volume (fs)as a general equation implying applicability to a wide variety of circumstances. The equation concerned actually applies only when the starting volumes before dialysis are equal. A better general definition is given by fs=(volume shift)/(starting volume of protein solution).
Elastic-Plastic Line-Spring Finite Elements for Surface-Cracked Plates and Shells

The elastic line-spring finite element of Parks, et al. [1], which was incorporated into the ABAQUS© finite element program, is extended to include elastic-plastic response for approximate evaluation of the J -integral in surface-cracked plates or shells. J -analysis of a long axial crack in a pressurized cylinder is performed both with the virtual crack extension method and with a single elastic-plastic line-spring element attached to a 180-deg ring of shell elements constrained to (axial) plane strain. Agreement of the two models is generally good, both in the elastic range (as was noted earlier by Buchalet and Bamford) and in the plastic range. An axially cracked, internally pressurized cylinder containing a semi-elliptical flaw of aspect ratio a/c = 1/3, and of varying maximum relative depths a/t has also been analyzed.
Uric Acid Nephrolithiasis: Current Concepts and Controversies

ABSTRACTPurpose: Uric acid calculi with or without a calcium component comprise a significant proportion of urinary stones. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of stone formation is important to direct medical treatment. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of uric acid renal stones.Materials and Methods: A MEDLINE search was performed on the topic of uric acid stones. Current literature was reviewed with regard to the epidemiology, pathophysiology, associated medical conditions and management of uric acid stones.Results: The incidence of uric acid stones varies between countries and accounts for 5% to 40% of all urinary calculi. Hyperuricuria, low urinary output and acidic urine are well known contributing factors. However, the most important factor for uric acid stone formation is persistently acidic urine. Gout and myeloproliferative disorders are associated with uric acid stones. Why most patients with gout present with acidic urine yet only 2...
Should Consumers Be Priced Out of Pollution-Permit Markets?

Abstract The authors present a simple diagrammatic exposition of a pollution-permit market in which both firms that generate pollution and consumers who are harmed by pollution are allowed to purchase permits at a single market price. They show that the market equilibrium is efficient if and only if the endowment of permits is equal to the efficient level of pollution. Furthermore, if consumers actually participate in the market, then the equilibrium is not efficient. Welfare can be improved by decreasing the endowment of permits and thereby pricing consumers out of the market.
Larinus minutus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), A Biological Control Agent of Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe ssp. Micranthos), Established in Northern Arkansas

Larinus minutus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Cur culionidae) is a univoltine weevil that feeds on the seeds of spotted and diffuse knapweeds Centau rea stoebe ssp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek and C. diffusa Lamarck. After emerging from overwin tering sites in the leaf litter, adult weevils begin feeding on the vegetative portions of the plants. Adults, however, prefer to feed on flowers when they are available and development of beetle ova ries is dependent upon flower feeding (Groppe 1990). Females oviposit on newly opened flower heads (capitula). Two or 3 eggs can occur in each flower head, but only 1 larva usually develops in smaller capitula. Multiple larvae can survive in large spotted knapweed capitula (Groppe 1990). Under laboratory conditions (25°C), eggs hatch in 3-4 d (Groppe 1990). Larval development takes approximately 4 weeks and larvae go through 3 instars. Larvae feed on knapweed seeds and pu pate in the capitula, making a cocoon out of the seed head material (Kashefi & Sobhian 1998). Larvae can destroy up to 100% of the seeds in a capitulum (Kashefi & Sobhian 1998). In the West ern United States, adult weevils emerge in late Sep and feed on plants until winter, when the adults overwinter in leaf litter and emerge in the following Jun (Jordan 1995). Larinus minutus was first released into the United States in 1991 with collections from Greece and Romania (Story 2002). Although 12 other natural enemy species were introduced into the Western United States and Canada to control spotted and diffuse knapweeds, only recently has adequate suppression of some populations been seen (Myers 2004; Smith 2004). Myers (2007) sug gested that knapweed populations did not signif icantly decline until the establishment of L. minutus. Populations of L. minutus have been es tablished in Washington, Wyoming, Oregon, Mon tana, Minnesota, Colorado, and Indiana (Lang et al. 1996; Story 2002). No natural enemies of spotted knapweed have been released in Arkansas until the inception of this study. However, we found Urophora quadrifasciata (Meigen) (Diptera: Tephritidae) established throughout the range of spotted knapweed in the state in a survey in 2006 for knapweed natural ene mies. This seedhead galling fly was introduced from Russia into Canada in 1980 and has since been re distributed or spread on its own to several states in the northeastern and northwestern United States (Story 2002). Duguma (2008) found that U. quadri fasciata reduced the number of seeds produced by spotted knapweed by 44% late in the season (Aug), at a time when plants are more environmentally stressed. However, the fly did not significantly re duce the number of seeds produced earlier in the season, a time when knapweed is most robust (Du guma 2008). Thus, it is likely that U. quadrifasciata alone will not significantly suppress knapweed pop ulations in Arkansas, or stop its spread further into the southern United States.
Single-photon 2-D imaging X-ray spectrometer employing trapping with four tunnel junctions

We are developing single-photon 2-D imaging X-ray spectrometers for applications in X-ray astrophysics. The devices employing a Ta strip X-ray absorber with Al traps and a tunnel junction at each end have been tested. They achieve an energy resolution of 26 eV out of 5.9 keV over a limited length (Segall, IEEE Trans., in press) with a 1-D spatial resolution of about 2 lm over the full 160 lm length. By analytical and numerical simulations of the quasiparticle di!usion process, we study related devices with a square Ta absorber having four traps and attached junctions to provide 2-D imaging. The traps give charge division to the corners or to the edges of the square absorber. We "nd that these devices can give good 2-D spatial resolution. We discuss the operating principle and the factors which a!ect the spatial resolution. ( 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Enlarging the club: When do candidate states enforce gender equality laws?

This paper develops a model for explaining levels of government compliance with EU accession requirements on gender equality in the workplace in four post-communist enlargement countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania and Poland. Government compliance is understood as a complex two-stage process that consists of legislative and institutional reforms. I argue that government compliance with international requirements is determined by the domestic political system and depends on the configuration of political actors mobilized in support of and in opposition to new policies. In countries where gender equality reforms are not politically and socially contested (Lithuania and the Czech Republic), government compliance depends on the degree of mobilization of women, whether in women's movements or among women parliamentarians. In countries, where counter-movements are strong (Poland and Hungary), the success of government reforms are explained by the mobilization capacities of women's movements and their ability to form coalitions with political actors within government elites, most importantly governing parties. In Poland and Hungary, the effect of women's movements on the implementation of policies on gender equality in the workplace is moderated by the ideology of political parties in power.
Patterns of trace metal concentration and acidity in montane forest soils of the northeastern United States

Forest floor and mineral soil samples were collected from subalpine spruce-fir forests at 1000 m above mean sea level on 19 mountains in the northeastern United States to assess patterns in trace metal concentrations, acidity, and organic matter content. The regional average concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Zn in the forest floor were 72.3 (2.9 s.e.) μg g−1, 8.5 (0.7) μg g−1, and 46.9 (2.0) μg g−1, respectively. The regional average concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Zn in the mineral soil were 13.4 (0.8) μg g−1, and 18.2 (1.2) μg g−1, respectively. The regional average pH values of the forest floor and mineral soil were 3.99 (0.03), and 4.35 (0.03), respectively. The Green Mountains had the highest concentrations of Pb (105.7 μg g−1), and Cu (22.7 μg g−1), in the forest floor. They also had the highest concentrations of Cu (18.0 μg g−1), in the mineral soil. Site aspect did not significantly influence any of the values. Concentrations of Pb were lower than concentrations reported earlier in this decade at similar sites while concentrations of Cu and Zn remained the same. We believe that these lower Pb concentrations reflect real changes in forest Pb levels that have occurred in recent years.
The origin of correlations in metabolomics data

A phenomenon observed earlier in the development of metabolomics as a systems biology methodology, consists of a small but significant number of metabolites whose levels are highly correlated between biological replicates. Contrary to initial interpretations, these correlations are not necessarily only between neighboring metabolites in the metabolic network. Most metabolites that participate in common reactions are not correlated in this way, while some non-neighboring metabolites are highly correlated. Here we investigate the origin of such correlations using metabolic control analysis and computer simulation of biochemical networks. A series of cases is identified which lead to high correlation between metabolite pairs in replicate measurement. These are (1) chemical equilibrium, (2) mass conservation, (3) asymmetric control distribution, and (4) unusually high variance in the expression of a single gene. The importance of identifying metabolite correlations within a physiological state and changes of correlation between different states is discussed in the context of systems biology.
The therapeutic alliance in a naturalistic psychiatric setting: temporal relations with depressive symptom change.

Objective Numerous studies have reported associations between the therapeutic alliance and depressive symptom improvement in outpatient samples. However, little is known regarding the temporal relationship between the alliance and symptom change among relatively severely depressed patients receiving treatment in naturalistic, psychiatric hospital settings.
Polarization and Geometry in the n-Site DAFS Problem

The use of diffraction anomalous fine-structure (DAFS) as a means to isolate site-specific XAFS-like response functions in low symmetry materials requires careful consideration of the polarization dependence of the anomalous scattering amplitudes. Starting from the second order matrix elements that describe the anomalous scattering, we use the Rehr-Albers scattering matrix formalism to describe the most general DAFS polarization tensor and make several conclusions about the polarization dependence of DAFS. In this short report, we limit our discussion to practical issues of experimental geometry for the case of DAFS from a material with multiple inequivalent sites in the unit cell.
My So-Called Felicity and the City : Coming of Age with and Through Feminist Media Studies

This essay uses autoethnography to investigate the intersection of the dual identities of feminist scholar and media consumer as one mode of investigating television’s role in women’s identity construction. I draw on my experiences with the popular television programs My So-Called Life, Felicity, and Sex and the City as examples of becoming intertwined with the main characters’ relational and purchasing choices on screen. I examine how women of the third wave, raised on television, have come to define our identities by the presence of a man, due in part to the limited, heteronormative media choices available to young women today. The essay closes with a discussion of how the author’s own coming of age as a feminist media scholar parallels the “coming of age” of the discipline of feminist media studies.
Stakeholder Validation of a Model of Readiness for Transition to Adult Care

Importance That too few youth with special health care needs make the transition to adult-oriented health care successfully may be due, in part, to lack of readiness to transfer care. There is a lack of theoretical models to guide development and implementation of evidence-based guidelines, assessments, and interventions to improve transition readiness. Objective To further validate the Social-ecological Model of Adolescent and Young Adult Readiness to Transition (SMART) via feedback from stakeholders (patients, parents, and providers) from a medically diverse population in need of life-long follow-up care, survivors of childhood cancer. Design Mixed-methods participatory research design. Setting A large Mid-Atlantic children’s hospital. Participants Adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer (n = 14), parents (n = 18), and pediatric providers (n = 10). Main Exposures Patients and parents participated in focus groups; providers participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Main Outcomes and Measures Validity of SMART was assessed 3 ways: (1) ratings on importance of SMART components for transition readiness using a 5-point scale (0-4; ratings >2 support validity), (2) nominations of 3 “most important” components, and (3) directed content analysis of focus group/interview transcripts. Results Qualitative data supported the validity of SMART, with minor modifications to definitions of components. Quantitative ratings met criteria for validity; stakeholders endorsed all components of SMART as important for transition. No additional SMART variables were suggested by stakeholders and the “most important” components varied by stakeholders, thus supporting the comprehensiveness of SMART and need to involve multiple perspectives. Conclusions and Relevance SMART represents a comprehensive and empirically validated framework for transition research and program planning, supported by survivors of childhood cancer, parents, and pediatric providers. Future research should validate SMART among other populations with special health care needs.
Characterizing the Pathway, Free Energy, and the Effect of Substrate Binding on Structural Transition of MFS Transporter GlpT between Inward- and Outward-Facing States

Glycerol-3-phosphate transporter (GlpT) is an MFS secondary transporter whose structure has been only solved in the apo inward-facing (IF) state. Despite extensive experimental and computational studies, the structure of the outward-facing (OF) and occluded states, an accurate description of the IF-OF transition pathway, and the associated energetics are missing. We have studied the IF-OF structural transition of GlpT using a novel approach based on a combination of several state-of-the-art sampling techniques such as nonequilibrium driven MD, umbrella sampling, and Hamiltonian replica exchange MD. Biasing the system along a set of system-specific holonomic coordinates allowed us to adequately sample the relevant regions of the phase space around the transition path in the presence of explicit solvent and membrane. The free energy profiles of the IF-OF transition were reconstructed for both the apo and the substrate-bound GlpT, using a novel implementation of the generalized weighted histogram analysis method (WHAM). Our results indicate that the known IF conformation is indeed the global minimum in the free energy profile of apo GlpT; however, there exists another low free energy minimum associated with an OF conformation with a free energy barrier of only 10 kcal/mol between the two states. More interestingly, the binding of a substrate not only lowers this barrier but also stabilizes at least two intermediate/occluded states that were not observed in the apo GlpT simulations. Our results not only verify the “alternating-access” mechanism but also provide a detailed description of the IF-OF transition mechanism of GlpT at an atomic level, establishing a quantitative basis for the study of MFS transporters and introducing a novel approach to study the large-scale transitions in membrane transporters.
Expression, purification, and characterization of stable, recombinant human adenylosuccinate lyase.

Abstract The full length human adenylosuccinate lyase gene was generated by a PCR method using a plasmid encoding a truncated human enzyme as template, and was cloned into a pET-14b vector. Human adenylosuccinate lyase was overexpressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta 2(DE3)pLysS as an N-terminal histidine-tagged protein and was purified to homogeneity by a nickel–nitriloacetic acid column at room temperature. The histidine tag was removed from the human enzyme by thrombin digestion and the adenylosuccinate lyase was purified by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The histidine-tagged and non-tagged adenylosuccinate lyases exhibit similar values of Vmax and Km for S-AMP. Analytical ultracentrifugation and circular dichroism revealed, respectively, that the histidine-tagged enzyme is in tetrameric form with a molecular weight of 220 kDa and contains predominantly α-helical structure. This is the first purification procedure to yield a stable form of human adenylosuccinate lyase. The enzyme is stable for at least 5 days at 25 °C, and upon rapid freezing and thawing. Temperature as well as reducing agent (DTT) play critical roles in determining the stability of the human adenylosuccinate lyase.
Comparison of Left Ventricular and Pulmonary Arterial Injection Sites in Determination of Cardiac Output by Indicator Dilution Technique

Cardiac outputs calculated from left ventricular indicator dilution curves were compared to outputs calculated from pulmonary arterial curves in 58 patients with a variety of cardiac abnormalities. Cardiac outputs calculated from left ventricular and pulmonary arterial curves differed by only 0.037 ± 0.052 L/min. Individual measurements of cardiac output using left ventricular curves had an estimated standard error of 0.41 L/min (9.0 percent of output); individual measurements using pulmonary arterial curves had an estimated standard error of 0.35 L/min (7.7 percent of output). Thus, the two methods gave nearly identical values for cardiac output and were equally reproducible. A significant association (P=0.02) was found between mitral regurgitation and dissimilar values for cardiac output determined by the two methods. It is concluded that the site of injection of the indicator does not appreciably influence calculation of cardiac output except in the presence of severe mitral regurgitation.
The effects of anxiety and time upon productivity and vocabulary diversity in the absence of nonlexical feedback

Feedback variables normally associated with the interview situation were controlled by having Ss write their responses as a function of high and low anxiety-arousing instructions and in 2- or 10-min periods. Productivity was found to be significantly inhibited for those groups operating under anxiety-arousing conditions, while vocabulary diversity was restricted during short response periods. A within-S analysis of type-token ratios revealed a significant and systematic increase in this variable over time in the absence of interpersonal feedback.
Aging reduces somatosensory responsiveness of caudate neurons in the awake cat

Abstract Neuronal activity was recorded in 7 awake cats (3 animals 11–15 years and 4 animals 1–3 years of age) to determine if the ability of caudate neurons to process facial somatosensory information was impaired in aged animals. Proportionately fewer neurons responded to somatosensory stimuli and facial receptive fields were larger in the aged cats. In addition, proportionately fewer caudate neurons responded to cortical activation, there were fewer excitatory responses and spontaneous firing decreased in aged cats. These results provide additional evidence that excitability of caudate neurons is reduced in aged cats.
Silent ischemia: A hypothetical mechanism

Ischemia of visceral organs, especially the heart, is often a painful and potentially life-threatening condition. However, in at least 75% of all cases myocardial ischemia may be “silent” (i.e., without pain or sensation). Yet, the mechanisms responsible for silent ischemia are not well understood. As such, many different theories have been advanced to explain silent ischemia; however, none have been able to adequately explain all of the experimental and clinical findings. This paper proposes a hypothetical mechanism that may help to understand mechanisms of silent ischemia.
Fast inverse using nested dissection for NEGF

An accurate and efficient algorithm for computing non-equilibrium Green's functions has been developed and used in the simulations of a novel nanoscale MOSFET device structure. The method is based on the principle of nested dissection and demonstrates significant performance improvement from both speed and memory requirements points of view as compared to the state of the art recursive Green's function approach.