cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hampton-hungry Homemakers: Female Voices in Bulgarian Literature after 1989 (Exigent exegesis)

The paper tries to write both of the history of prose and poetry in the post-communist Bulgaria. It is worth emphasising since in the Bulgarian culture poetry enjoys a higher credit not only among literary genres but also among the arts in general. As a consequence female prose often reminds the structure and texture of contemporary music or visual art rather than of a discursive practice. It rarely relies on what it says or states, nevertheless it tries to articulate unknown female realities and feminine experiences, which, being insusceptible to fabulation, demand from female fiction a highly poetic potential. On the other hand, the most challenging female poetic voices are those who cast aside the dictate of the metaphor in favor of a poetic narrative, which is a strategy almost deprived of tradition in Bulgarian literature. Along the 1990s female literature - taken as literature written mainly by, on and for women - has been fighting on two fronts: first, against patriarchy and its symbolic order, providing the foundations of the Bulgarian literary canon; and second, against the alleged simple and shallow feminist discourse, against the supposed false addressing of female issues, against the enticing exits and vain exiles. This exigent exegesis wants to throw a bridge between approaches that either read female literature as exceptionally female, or indiscriminately as literature per se.
ADAPTIVE NUMERICAL INTEGRATION FOR ITEM RESPONSE THEORY

Well-known numerical integration methods are applied to item response theory (IRT) with special emphasis on the estimation of the latent regression model of NAEP. An argument is made that the Gauss-Hermite rule enhanced with Cholesky decomposition and normal approximation of the response likelihood is a fast, precise, and reliable alternative for the numerical integration in NAEP and in IRT in general.
Reviews in NeuroVirology: An introduction

This issue highlights the intersection of neurovirology and emerging infectious diseases. The enclosed reviews illustrate several points: first, that many emerging infections, even thosewhere the respiratory system is the primary site for clinical manifestations, e.g., SARS (seeYuen) orNipah (seeBellini), can cause severe central and peripheral nervous system disease. Second, infections of wildlife and domestic animals pose threats to global human health. More than 75%of emerging infectious diseases, includingAIDS, Nipah (Bellini), West Nile encephalitis (see Bernard and Briese), new variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (see Chesebro), influenza, and SARS are zoonoses (diseases caused by microbes that jump from animals to humans). The number of zoonotic microbes that jump to human hosts is increasing with close contact between wildlife, domestic animal and human populations due to political instability, deforestation, urbanization, international travel and trade (see Mackenzie). We have only defined a small portion of the microbial world and know little about the microbial flora of domestic animals let alone those in
String-theoretical and Faddeev-Popov measures for path integrals.

The Faddeev-Popov method for dividing out the volume of a local symmetry group from the path integral for a gauge theory is compared to a method analogous to the one used in string theory. The difference between Jacobian determinants which arise in the two approaches is pointed out and the equivalence of the results is explicitly established.
Cosmological evolution of an early decaying particle

Abstract The cosmological evolution of an early-decaying particle is investigated by solving a set of the Boltzmann equations which describe the time evolution of the momentum distribution functions of the decaying particle and its decay products. The inverse decay process plays an important role when the decay occurs at a temperature greater than the rest mass of the particle. As a result, the abundance of the decaying particle does not decrease much before it becomes non-relativistic. We apply these generic results to the specific case of the decay of a heavy Majorana τ-neutrino with mass between 10 keV and 40 MeV and lifetime between 10 −4 s and 100 s. We assume that the τ-neutrino decays into a μ-neutrino and an invisible particle (e.g. majoron), and explore the nucleosynthesis constraint on mass and lifetime of the τ-neutrino.
Prolactin reduction after combined therapy for prolactin macroadenomas.

The ability of surgery or bromocriptine to produce endocrine control of a prolactin macroadenoma decreases as the prolactin level increases. Guidelines for the use of multimodality therapy have not been developed for tumors asociated with markedly elevated prolactin levels. We reviewed the records of 21 patients with prolactin levels >200 ng/ml treated by transsphenoidal surgery and postoperative radiotherapy with or without a dopamine agonist. Values before and after treatment were available for 19 patients (13 men and 6 women)
The frictional properties of a simulated gouge having a fractal particle distribution

The frictional properties of a layer of simulated Westerly granite fault gouge sandwiched between sliding blocks of Westerly granite have been measured in a high-speed servo-controlled double-direct shear apparatus. Most gouge layers were prepared to have a self-similar particle distribution with a fractal dimension of 2.6. The upper fractal limit was varied between 45 and 710 μm. Some gouges were prepared with all particles in the range between 360 and 710 μm. In each experiment the sliding velocity was cyclically alternated between 1 and 10 μms−1 and the coefficient of friction μm and its transient parameters a, b and Dc were measured as functions of displacement. In addition to the particle size distribution, the following experimental variables were also investigated: the layer thickness (1 and 3 mm), the roughness of the sliding surfaces (Nos 60 and 600 grit) and the normal stress (10 and 25 MPa). Some of the sample assemblies were epoxy impregnated following a run so the gouge structure could be microscopically examined in thin section. We observed that gouges which were initially non-fractal evolved to a fractal distribution with dimension 2.6. Gouges which had an initial fractal distribution remained fractal. When the sliding blocks had smooth surfaces, the coefficient of friction was relatively low and was independent of the particle distribution. In these cases, strong velocity weakening was observed throughout the experiment and the transient parameters a, b and Dc, remained almost constant. When the sliding blocks had rough surfaces, the coefficient of friction was larger and more dependent on the particle distribution. Velocity strengthening was observed initially but evolved to velocity weakening with increased sliding displacement. All three transient parameters changed with increasing displacement. The a and b values were about three times as large for rough surfaces as for smooth. The characteristic displacement Dc was not sensitive to surface roughness but was the only transient parameter which was sensitive to the normal stress. For the case of rough surfaces, the coefficient of friction of the 1 mm thick gouge was significantly larger than that for the 3 mm thick layers. Many of these observations can be explained by a micromechanical model in which the stress in the gouge layer is heterogeneous. The applied normal and shear stresses are supported by ‘grain bridges’ which span the layer and which are continually forming and failing. In this model, the frictional properties of the gouge are largely determined by the dominant failure mode of the bridging structures.
Separation of urinary catecholamines and catecholamine metabolites by high-pressure liquid chromatography

Abstract A series of high-pressure liquid chromatographic (hplc) procedures are described for the separation of all major and most minor catecholamine metabolites present in human urine. The amines and metabolites are first concentrated and partially purified by traditional methods, ion-exchange and alumina chromatography. Final separations are then performed with hplc. Our system is specifically designed to study dopamine β-hydroxylation in vivo . [ 3 H]Dopamine is administered intravenously to human subjects, and then all the excreted [ 3 H]dopamine metabolites and [ 3 H]norepinephrine metabolites are separated and assayed. The high degree of resolution achieved with hplc makes it possible to separate the small population of [ 3 H]norepinephrine metabolites from the much larger population of [ 3 H]-dopamine metabolites. The ratio of total excreted [ 3 H]norepinephrine metabolites/total excreted [ 3 H]dopamine metabolites averages 0.029 ± 0.005 in urine samples collected during the first 6 h following the administration of isotope.
New cooling approach and tool life improvement in cryogenic machining of titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V

Abstract Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V, a difficult-to-machine material because of its extremely short tool life, has been a major subject for cryogenic machining research. However, the approaches reported in past publications are inherently flawed. This study reviews how the temperature affects Ti-6Al-4V properties, and compares different cryogenic cooling strategies. Based on these findings, a new economical cryogenic cooling approach is proposed. Using a minimum amount of liquid nitrogen (LN2), this innovation features a specially designed micro-nozzle. Formed between the chip breaker and the tool rake face, the nozzle lifts the chip and injects focused LN2 into the chip–tool interface at the point of highest temperature. As the nitrogen evaporates, a nitrogen cushion formed by evaporating nitrogen lowers the coefficient of friction between the chip and the tool. An auxiliary mini-nozzle that sprays LN2 onto the flank at the cutting edge further reduces the cutting temperature. The study finds that the combination of these two micro-nozzles provides the most effective cooling while using the lowest LN2 flow rate. Improving the position of the nozzle/chip breaker further enhances the performance. Our cryogenic machining tests show that tool life increases up to five times the state-of the-art emulsion cooling, outperforming other machining approaches.
Secretion of the vasoactive peptides, endothelin, and parathyroid hormone-related peptide, by decidual explants from pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether in vitro secretion of two vasoactive peptides, endothelin and parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), is different in decidua from pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR, than in normal pregnancies. METHODS: In ten IUGR and nine gestational age-matched control pregnancies, decidua was collected at delivery and explants cultured for 24 hours. Endothelin and PTHrP concentrations in the conditioned medium were determined Lactate dehydrogenase release into the medium was measured at 4 and 24 hours in a separate group of four IUGR and three control decidua. RESULTS: Endothelin and PTHrP secretion by the decidua of the IUGR pregnancies were markedly lower than those in controls (endothelin 51 ± 11 versus 105 ± 16 pg/100 mg tissue/24 hours, P = 01; PTHrP 164 ± 17 versus 641 ± 209 ng/100 mg tissue/24 hours, P = .02). Lactate dehydrogenase release into the medium was not different between the IUGR and control decidua. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the known effects of endothelin and PTHrP on vascular smooth muscle, it was originally anticipated that more endothelin arid less PTHrP would be secreted by the IUGR decidua than the control. The finding that both peptides decreased could not be explained by route of delivery or global tissue dysfunction. Investigation of potential mediators of decidual ET and PTHrP will be necessary to determine why these hormones are both decreased in pregnancies complicated by IUGR.
Abnormal behavior patterns across cultures: Implications for counseling and psychotherapy

Abstract The results of epidemiological, clinical, and cross-cultural studies of psychopathology are reviewed. They point to a moderate, but not unlimited impact of cultural factors upon psychiatric symptoms and other related manifestations. These differences are principally quantitative and not qualitative. No support is provided for the extreme cultural relativist position in abnormal psychology. The gap remains to be bridged between the recognition of the importance of cultural factors in shaping psychopathology and the practical application of these insights in the practice of counseling. Preliminary ideas to this end are formulated and advanced.
Evaluation of on-farm irrigation applications using the simulation model EPIC

An understanding of water needs in agriculture is a critical input in resolving the water resource issues that confront many southeastern and other US states. The objective of this study was to evaluate on-farm irrigation applications for three major crops grown in Georgia, USA using the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model. For cotton, 16, 58, and 75 farmers’ fields in 2000, 2001, and 2002, respectively, were selected from among the Agricultural Water Pumping (AWP) program sites across the state of Georgia. For maize, 9, 20, and 28 fields were selected in 2000, 2001, and 2002, respectively, and for peanut, 18, 51, and 54 fields were selected in 2000, 2001, and 2002, respectively. The majority of these fields were located in the southwest region of Georgia, where traditional row-crop agriculture is most dominant. We compared the simulated irrigation requirements with the amount of water that the farmers actually applied during the 2000, 2001, and 2002 growing seasons. For cotton and peanut, the means of farmer-applied irrigation amounts and simulated irrigation requirements agreed very well, with similar values for root mean squared deviation (RMSD) of the two crops. For maize, good agreement between simulated and farmer-applied irrigation amounts were found only in 2001. Farmers applied more water to their maize crop when compared to simulated irrigation requirements, especially when rainfall was very low and potential evapotranspiration was high during the 2000 and 2002 growing seasons. The component of the mean squared deviation (MSD = RMSD2) related to the pattern of variability in seasonal irrigation applications contributed most to MSD. Accurate estimates of the mean and the magnitude of variability in seasonal irrigation applications could be very useful for the estimation of overall water use by agriculture in Georgia and other southeastern states. This study showed that the EPIC model would be an adequate tool for this purpose; potential users could include policy makers, planners and regulators, including the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The role of the pediatrician in preventing congenital malformations.

1. Robert L. Brent, MD, PhD, DSc (Hon)* 1. *Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Jefferson Medical College, Wilmington, DE. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Review the discoveries and advances in teratology, genetics, toxicology, and clinical teratology counseling in the past 50 years. 2. Explain the changes that have occurred in some basic principles of teratology. 3. List the drugs, chemicals, infections, and other environmental agents that may harm the developing embryo. 4. Explain how congenital malformations can be prevented and how to manage pregnancies in which the embryo has a congenital malformation. 5. Delineate the principles involved in evaluating the risks and effects of environmental toxicants and know how to evaluate the potential risks of a specific exposure. 6. Discuss how to evaluate whether a child's congenital malformation is caused by an environmental exposure or other mechanism. During the first half of the 20th century, the field of teratology (the study of birth defects) was represented sparsely in the medical literature. Pediatricians who graduated from medical school in the 1950s were taught that the correct number of human chromosomes was 48, until the number was reported accurately as 46 by Tijo and Levan in 1956. (1) Gregg had described the teratogenicity of rubella virus infection during pregnancy in 1941. (2) The teratogenic risk of the folic acid antagonists (aminopterin) was established in humans, (3)(4) and experimental studies indicated that nutritional deficiencies could produce congenital malformations (CMs) in animals. (5)(6)(7) In the 1950s, teratologists were aware that only a small percentage of birth defects were caused by drugs, chemicals, and physical agents. (5) By 2007, further information confirmed the viewpoint that birth defects caused by drugs, chemicals, and physical agents account for a small but significant …
Do multiple data sets provide support for a bipolar illness susceptibility locus on chromosome 18

We carried out nonparametric linkage (NPL) analysis of the five chromosome 18 data sets for bipolar illness, as well as of the combined data set. Prior to analysis, we constructed a common genetic map and computed separate marker allele frequencies for each data set. We also attempted to create two consistent diagnostic categories, Narrow (bipolar I, BPI, only) and Broad. The results of the analysis of the combined data set provided stronger evidence of linkage under the Broad category, but at a level of significance that would be expected to occur by chance 4-5 times in a whole-genome scan. When the data sets were analyzed individually, the NIMH data set showed suggestive evidence of linkage (p = 0.0007). The other four data sets, considered together or separately, failed to support this finding, showing only slightly elevated allele sharing among affecteds at a level that would not be unexpected in an unlinked chromosomal region.
Fluoroscopic Surrogate for Pharyngeal Strength: The Pharyngeal Constriction Ratio (PCR)

The pharyngeal constriction ratio (PCR), derived directly from videofluoroscopy without the need for manometry, requires validation as a surrogate for pharyngeal strength. A correlation of -0.70 was previously identified between PCR and pharyngeal clearing pressures (PP) on separate fluoroscopic and manometric studies. As PP increases, PCR decreases. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the correlation between PCR and PP in 25 patients undergoing simultaneous fluoroscopy and pharyngeal manometry. The effect of the manometric catheter on PCR was also investigated. The correlation between the PCR and averaged pharyngeal clearing pressures was -0.72 (p 0.25 had a P <60 mmHg. PCR did not differ significantly as a consequence of the manometric catheter. Results suggest the utility of an objective fluoroscopic measure in assessing pharyngeal strength when manometry may not be available or possible.
Turning the Twentieth Century on its Side: A Review of The Queer Child

The Queer Child examines childhood sexuality from the intersection of childhood studies, queer theory, film theory, and literary studies. This highly theoretical text not only demonstrates how the “ghostly gay child” lurks alongside the twentieth century in literature and film but also provides reading practices for discerning these queer children.
Comparative requirements for the restriction of retrovirus infection by TRIM5α and TRIMCyp

The restriction factors, TRIM5α in most primates and TRIMCyp in owl monkeys, block infection of various retroviruses soon after virus entry into the host cell. Rhesus monkey TRIM5α (TRIM5αrh) inhibits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) more potently than human TRIM5α (TRIM5αhu). TRIMCyp restricts infection of HIV-1, simian immunodeficiency virus of African green monkeys (SIVagm) and FIV. Early after infection, TRIMCyp, like TRIM5αrh and TRIM5αhu, decreased the amount of particulate viral capsid in the cytosol of infected cells. The requirements for the TRIMCyp and TRIM5α domains in restricting different retroviruses were investigated. Potent restriction of FIV by TRIMCyp occurred in the complete absence of RING and B-box 2 domains; by contrast, efficient FIV restriction by TRIM5αrh required these domains. Variable region 1 of the TRIM5αrh B30.2 domain contributed to the potency of HIV-1, FIV and equine infectious anemia virus restriction. Thus, although differences exist in the requirements of TRIMCyp and TRIM5α for RING/B-box 2 domains, both restriction factors exhibit mechanistic similarities.
Primary Productivity of Phytoplankton in Loch Leven, Kinross

Photosynthetic productivity of phytoplankton in Loch Leven was studied over a 4-year period (1968-71), using the oxygen light and dark bottle technique. Marked seasonal changes in hourly and daily rates of gross photosynthetic productivity are described within the range 0.02 to 1.59g 02/m2.h and 0.4 to 21.0 g 02/m2.day respectively. Hourly rates are shown to be relatively insensitive to variations in surface light intensity, whereas daily rates are influenced to a considerable extent by the duration of incident radiation (daylength). The phytoplankton itself exerts a dominant influence on underwater light penetration, accounting for ca 75 per cent of light extinction at highest crop densities. This self-shading effect contributes to the poor correlation observed between crop density and areal gross productivity. The chlorophyll a content per unit area in the euphotic zone often approached its estimated theoretical limit of 430 mg/m2• In general, increase in photosynthetic capacity (per unit content of chlorophyll a) accompanied increase in water temperature. During certain periods an inverse relationship between photosynthetic capacity and population density was evident. Reduction in photosynthetic capacity is attributed, in part, to the high pH values (>9.5) with concomitant CO2 depletion associated with dense phytoplankton crops. Estimates of net photosynthetic productivity were frequently zero or negative. even over periods when algal populations were increasing and dissolved oxygen and pH values were above their respective air-equilibrium values. Underestimation of gross photosynthesis due to photochemical oxidation, photorespiration or the use of stationary bottles could not account for this apparent anomaly. The most probable sources of error in the estimates of net photosynthetic productivity are discussed.
Gromov-Witten gauge theory

We introduce a modular completion of the stack of maps from stable marked curves to the quotient stack [pt/C^x], and use this stack to construct some gauge-theoretic analogues of the Gromov-Witten invariants. We also indicate the generalization of these invariants to the quotient stacks [X=C^x], where X is a smooth proper complex algebraic variety.
Diagnostic Yield of Genetic Testing in Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorders at a Regional Referral Center

The aim was to systematically review genetic testing guidelines in the evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The Clinical Report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)1 recommended individualizing the workup, including karyotype and specific DNA testing for fragile X syndrome. A recent publication reported higher rates of abnormalities on CGH microarray (CMA) testing on children with ASD.2 The medical records of 507 children seen through the Kirch Developmental Services Center were abstracted for genetic testing and factors associated with this testing. Abnormalities were found on karyotype in 2.3% and in DNA for fragile X in 0.04%. The author concludes that the diagnostic yield of the genetic testing was low in this population. Furthermore, their findings support the theory that CMA can be considered as part of the initial genetic screening in children with ASD in most situations. Future studies will need to be done prospectively to evaluate children in a standard f...
The Relationship of Dietary Animal Protein and Electrolytes to Blood Pressure: A Study on Three Chinese Populations

The relationship of diet to blood pressure was studied in a total of 705 men and women aged 40-59 from three Chinese population samples having different mean blood pressure and dietary sodium and animal protein intake. Two groups were farmers from Shanxi in northern China, and Guangxi in southern China, and the third were fishermen from Zhejiang, eastern China. Three 24-hour dietary recalls were done for each participant. Serum and overnight urine amino acids were measured in random subsamples. Determination of electrolytes in three 24-hour urine specimens was done in an additional sample of 59 men in each population. Results of multiple or stepwise regression showed: 1) in the pooled group, individual intake of sodium was positively associated with systolic blood pressure; 2) when stratifying by median calcium intake, a positive association of dietary sodium or sodium/potassium was found only in the group with calcium intake lower than the median; 3) daily intake of animal protein, urinary sulphate and certain serum and urine amino acids formed from protein metabolism, were inversely associated with blood pressure.
Determination of the Effective Depth for Double-Fiber Fluorometric Sensors

The relationship between the relative fluorescence signal excited and collected with a double-fiber optic sensor and the sample depth has been investigated. The complexity of the analytical expressions for the relative fluorescence signal and the effective depth was reduced by deriving a set of semi-empirical equations which can be evaluated in a simple fashion. These expressions take into account the configuration of the sensor, i.e., fiber diameter, acceptance angle, and separation between fibers. The expressions were tested with the use of double-fiber sensors with different diameters and separations between fibers. The reduction of the effective depth in solutions with significant absorbance was evaluated.
Preparation of Cathodes for Use in Demountable Hollow Cathode Lamps

The hollow cathode lamp produces intense, stable, and narrow line spectra. Because of these properties, and the fact that it is inexpensive and easy to operate, it is the source of resonance radiation most commonly used in atomic absorption spectroscopy. Most often the lamps used are the sealed type commercially available from various sources. Demountable lamps have been shown, however, to have some advantages when compared to the sealed variety, and are now available commercially. Often water cooling is incorporated into the lamp allowing the lamp to be run at higher currents, thus producing nonreversed lines of greater intensity than can be obtained in sealed lamps. The sealed lamps are only useful for a finite period before they need replacement. In addition, an individual lamp is needed for each element to be analyzed, whereas only the cathode needs replacement in a demountable lamp to change from element to element. The interchangeable cathodes are easily prepared if the material to be excited can be obtained in a machinable form. This is true of many metals, but often cathodes of nonmachinable elements are needed or a machinable piece of the desired material is not readily available. The latter situations are the subject of this correspondence.
Adrenal insufficiency in two women with anticardiolipin antibodies

We describe 2 women with anticardiolipin antibodies and a lupus-like disorder who developed acute adrenal insufficiency. We also review 5 similar cases reported previously. Anticardiolipin antibodies appear to be a risk factor for this vascular complication.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients, report of five cases and review of the literature

Cytopenias are common among pediatric SOT; however, autoimmune cytopenias are infrequently reported. We report five cases of autoimmune cytopenias in pediatric LT patients: two with isolated IgG-mediated AIHA, two with ITP, and one with Evans syndrome (ITP and AIHA). All patients were maintained on tacrolimus as immunosuppression. Viral illness commonly preceded the autoimmune cytopenias. All patients responded well to medical therapy (steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and rituximab) and lowering tacrolimus serum level. Prognosis appears to be worse when more than one cell line (e.g., Evans syndrome) is affected, and/or there is no preceding viral illness. A critical literature review of autoimmune cytopenias in children following SOT is conducted. Autoimmune cytopenias are a rarely reported complication of pediatric SOT, but clinicians taking care of pediatric transplant recipients need to be aware of this complication.
Digitally controlled distributed multiphase DC-DC converters

This paper describes a distributed master-slave multiphase DC-DC converter architecture and related digital control and communication techniques. In the distributed master-slave architecture, all converter modules are identical, but one module operates as the master. The master module communicates its voltage error and current data over a single-wire serial bus to remove the voltage sensing mismatch and to accomplish active current sharing among the modules. Experimental results are shown for a 5 V-to-12 V input, 1.3 V, 20 A output two-phase synchronous buck converter.
Excited Electronic States of the Cyclic Isomers of O3 and SO2

The low-lying electronic states of O3 and SO2 in their bent and cyclic isomers up to about 10 eV are calculated using the multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) method with a standard Gaussian correlation consistent polarized triple-ζ (cc-pVTZ) basis set. The vertical excitation energies, electron configurations, and oscillator strengths of these states are reported. The molecular orbital structures and excited states of the cyclic isomers are discussed in relation to the bent ones. Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) schemes for detecting the synthesis of the cyclic isomers are suggested.
Paid to Care: The Origins and Effects of Care Leave Policies in Western Europe

A number of European countries have adopted paid child care leaves and allowances in the name of parental choice and valuing care. We examine the origins and consequences of these policies in Austria, Finland, France, Germany, and Norway. Care leave policies have been politically attractive to center-right governments seeking to fight unemployment, contain spending on child care, and appeal to parents struggling to balance work and family. Yet given the low benefits provided by these programs, choices for parents remain deeply constrained by gender and class. These policies also are likely to reinforce the traditional division of care work in the home. Temporary homemaking is being institutionalized as the norm for many women, who face potentially negative consequences for their earnings and long-term employment trajectories. While the United States has been busy in the past ten years dismantling its only system of public income supports for mothers, many countries in Western Europe have gone in the opposite direction. In recent years, governments have created two- or three-year job leaves and/or child-rearing benefits that allow parents (almost entirely mothers) of young children to care for their own children at home and receive public funds to support them. These policies have been adopted in the name of valuing care work in the home and
Assessment of on-chip wire-length distribution models

Ultralarge-scale integrated (ULSI) chip design data is needed for an assessment of existing on-chip wirelength distribution models. Data extracted from modern chips such as high-performance microprocessors provide information about actual wire length requirements in ULSI chip designs. These requirements are compared with wirelength estimates obtained by evaluating existing models as functions of Rent's parameters that are extracted from the designs. This brief assesses the extent to which existing models estimate wirelength requirements in 100 ASIC-like control logic designs in the 1.3-GHz POWER4 microprocessor. For each design, physical design characteristics and wirelength requirements are measured and compared with model estimates. Lack of agreement between the data and models is observed for most designs, and possible reasons for the lack of agreement are discussed.
Characterization of 5-HT1A receptor-mediated []GTPγS binding in rat hippocampal membranes

Abstract Stimulation of [ 35 S ]GTPγS binding by serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) receptor ligands was characterized in rat hippocampal membranes. The optimized assay contained 30–50 μg protein, 300 μM GDP and 0.1 nM [ 35 S ]GTPγS, incubated at 37°C for 20 min. At 10 μM, the 5-HT1A receptor agonist R(+)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin [R(+)-8-OH-DPAT] stimulated GTPγS binding from 27.1±2.5 to 45.7±4.2 fmol/mg protein. Increasing the protein concentration did not affect the absolute difference between basal and maximal GTPγS binding nor the EC50, but decreased the percent stimulation. The non-selective agonists serotonin and 5-carboxamidotryptamine were 30–35% more efficacious, whereas the partial agonists buspirone and S(−)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin stimulated GTPγS binding by 19±1 and 43±3%, respectively, compared to R(+)-8-OH-DPAT. Neither the 5-HT2 receptor agonist [(±)1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane HCl] (DOI) nor the 5-HT1A receptor antagonists WAY 100,635 (n-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-n-(2-pyridinyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide trihydrochloride) and spiperone altered basal GTPγS binding. WAY 100,635 abolished the effect of R(+)-8-OH-DPAT, but only reduced the effect of serotonin by 88±3%. Finally, methiothepin antagonized R(+)-8-OH-DPAT-stimulated GTPγS binding and reduced basal GTPγS binding by itself. The reduction was not affected by WAY 100,635. We have characterized a method to assess functional activity at 5-HT1A receptors in rat hippocampal membranes by measuring agonist-induced [ 35 S ]GTPγS binding.
Extended-Range Probability Forecasts Based on Dynamical Model Output

Abstract A probability forecast has advantages over a deterministic forecast as the former offers information about the probabilities of various possible future states of the atmosphere. As physics-based numerical models find their success in modern weather forecasting, an important task is to convert a model forecast, usually deterministic, into a probability forecast. This study explores methods to do such a conversion for NCEP’s operational 500-mb-height forecast and the discussion is extended to ensemble forecasting. Compared with traditional model-based statistical forecast methods such as Model Output Statistics, in which a probability forecast is made from statistical relationships derived from single model-predicted fields and observations, probability forecasts discussed in this study are focused on probability information directly provided by multiple runs of a dynamical model—eleven 0000 UTC runs at T62 resolution. To convert a single model forecast into a strawman probability forecast (single ...
Importance of positioning and technical factors in anatomic localization of sporting injuries in scintigraphic imaging

Sports medicine is becoming increasingly important as more people take up exercise for health and well-being. It is adding to the spectrum of acute and chronic injuries that have traditionally been seen in elite or professional athletes. Because of its high sensitivity and lesion contrast, bone scintigraphy has traditionally played a key role in the detection of such injuries. This role has been reduced in recent times by the increased use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which has functional capability, high-contrast resolution, and high-spatial resolution. Bone scintigraphy has the capability of detecting early cortical ligament avulsion and enthesopathic disease before the onset of edema or changes in bone marrow that are detected by MRI. If this capability is added to more precise anatomic localization of lesions, we may see a resurgence in its use in sports medicine. A number of techniques are presented in this article, encompassing positioning, special views, and tomographic reconstructions, that can significantly improve the accuracy of localization of scintigraphic abnormalities with reference to anatomic models or sources of cross-sectional anatomy.
Indole Glucosinolate Biosynthesis Limits Phenylpropanoid Accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants produce an array of metabolites (including lignin monomers and soluble UV-protective metabolites) from phenylalanine through the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway. A subset of plants, including many related to Arabidopsis thaliana, synthesizes glucosinolates, nitrogen- and sulfur-containing secondary metabolites that serve as components of a plant defense system that deters herbivores and pathogens. Here, we report that the Arabidopsis thaliana reduced epidermal fluorescence5 (ref5-1) mutant, identified in a screen for plants with defects in soluble phenylpropanoid accumulation, has a missense mutation in CYP83B1 and displays defects in glucosinolate biosynthesis and in phenylpropanoid accumulation. CYP79B2 and CYP79B3 are responsible for the production of the CYP83B1 substrate indole-3-acetaldoxime (IAOx), and we found that the phenylpropanoid content of cyp79b2 cyp79b3 and ref5-1 cyp79b2 cyp79b3 plants is increased compared with the wild type. These data suggest that levels of IAOx or a subsequent metabolite negatively influence phenylpropanoid accumulation in ref5 and more importantly that this crosstalk is relevant in the wild type. Additional biochemical and genetic evidence indicates that this inhibition impacts the early steps of the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway and restoration of phenylpropanoid accumulation in a ref5-1 med5a/b triple mutant suggests that the function of the Mediator complex is required for the crosstalk.
Role of the Gut Microbiome in Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity represent two of the biggest global health challenges of this century and are associated with significant comorbidities and healthcare costs. Although multiple factors undoubtedly contribute to the development and progression of DM and obesity, research over the last decade has demonstrated that the microbes that colonize the human gut may play key contributory roles. Gut microbes are now known to codevelop with the human host and are strongly influenced by mode of birth and early diet and nutrition, as well as environmental and other factors including antibiotic exposure. Gut microbes contribute to human health through roles in polysaccharide breakdown, nutrient absorption, inflammatory responses, gut permeability, and bile acid modification. Numerous studies have suggested that disruptions in the relative proportions of gut microbial populations may contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance, including alterations in Gammaproteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia and the ratios of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes in weight gain and possible alterations in butyrate-producing bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in DM. In addition, it has been shown that the methanogenic Archaea may contribute to altered metabolism and weight gain in the host. However, the majority of studies are performed with stool or colonic samples and may not be representative of the metabolically active small intestine. Studies predominantly in rodent models are beginning to elucidate the mechanisms by which gut microbes contribute to DM and obesity, but much remains to be learned before we can begin to approach targeted treatments.
Mechanism of ischemia-enhanced aminoglycoside binding and uptake by proximal tubule cells.

Preceding ischemia or concurrent hypotension is known to enhance aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity; however, the underlying mechanisms responsible have not been determined. To investigate the effect of...
Highway Tolls Could Relieve Traffic Jams

Suppose you place a half dozen scorpions in a bottle, and shake vigorously. What would be the result? One need not be a sophisticated biologist to know that each of the creatures, feeling crowded, frightened and put upon, would lash out at all the others. Something of this sort seems to have occurred in California, where motorists have taken pistol shots at one another along the freeways. Although these are people, not scorpions, and they are on a highway not in a bottle, the parallels in the two situations are ominous.
On fixed points of locally and pointwise contracting maps

Abstract We prove that the following self-mappings must have unique fixed points: pointwise contractive (PC) maps on compact rectifiably path connected spaces; uniformly locally contractive (ULC) maps on complete connected spaces.
DISTRIBUTION OF SEDIMENT TRANSPORT ACROSS THE SURF ZONE

The wave-induced sand transport alongshore is investigated by an energy principle approach. Although the energy approach has been used before, this is the first application to comparing theory and measurements of the distribution of littoral transport along a line perpendicular to the beach. Bed load transport equations are formulated for outside and inside the surf zone. Sand transport data were collected in the field using bed load traps. Wave, tide, wind, and current information was collected simultaneously in order to verify the derived predictive equations for longshore current and sediment transport. Quite reasonable predictions are obtained for the relative distribution of bed load transport, both inside and outside the surf zone.
Wanted: scalable tracers for diffusion measurements.

Scalable tracers are potentially a useful tool to examine diffusion mechanisms and to predict diffusion coefficients, particularly for hindered diffusion in complex, heterogeneous, or crowded systems. Scalable tracers are defined as a series of tracers varying in size but with the same shape, structure, surface chemistry, deformability, and diffusion mechanism. Both chemical homology and constant dynamics are required. In particular, branching must not vary with size, and there must be no transition between ordinary diffusion and reptation. Measurements using scalable tracers yield the mean diffusion coefficient as a function of size alone; measurements using nonscalable tracers yield the variation due to differences in the other properties. Candidate scalable tracers are discussed for two-dimensional (2D) diffusion in membranes and three-dimensional diffusion in aqueous solutions. Correlations to predict the mean diffusion coefficient of globular biomolecules from molecular mass are reviewed briefly. Spe...
Constraint based temporal event sequence mining for Glioblastoma survival prediction

Display Omitted A novel constraint-based event sequence mining algorithm to extract temporal treatment patterns.An integrated predictive model that involves clinic, genomic and temporal treatment patterns on Glioblastoma patients.Accurate prediction (c-statistic 0.85) obtained and clinically meaningful predictive features identified. ObjectiveA significant challenge in treating rare forms of cancer such as Glioblastoma (GBM) is to find optimal personalized treatment plans for patients. The goals of our study is to predict which patients survive longer than the median survival time for GBM based on clinical and genomic factors, and to assess the predictive power of treatment patterns. MethodWe developed a predictive model based on the clinical and genomic data from approximately 300 newly diagnosed GBM patients for a period of 2years. We proposed sequential mining algorithms with novel clinical constraints, namely, 'exact-order' and 'temporal overlap' constraints, to extract treatment patterns as features used in predictive modeling. With diverse features from clinical, genomic information and treatment patterns, we applied both logistic regression model and Cox regression to model patient survival outcome. ResultsThe most predictive features influencing the survival period of GBM patients included mRNA expression levels of certain genes, some clinical characteristics such as age, Karnofsky performance score, and therapeutic agents prescribed in treatment patterns. Our models achieved c-statistic of 0.85 for logistic regression and 0.84 for Cox regression. ConclusionsWe demonstrated the importance of diverse sources of features in predicting GBM patient survival outcome. The predictive model presented in this study is a preliminary step in a long-term plan of developing personalized treatment plans for GBM patients that can later be extended to other types of cancers.
Spin-wave multiple excitations in nanoscale classical Heisenberg antiferromagnets

Monte Carlo and spin dynamics techniques have been used to perform large-scale simulations of the dynamic behavior of a nanoscale, classical, Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a simple-cubic lattice with linear sizes $L\ensuremath{\leqslant}40$ at a temperature below the N\'eel temperature. Nanoparticles are modeled with completely free boundary conditions, i.e., six free surfaces, and nanofilms are modeled with two free surfaces in the spatial $z$ direction and periodic boundaries parallel to the surfaces in the $xy$ direction, which are compared to the ``infinite'' system with periodic boundary conditions. The temporal evolutions of spin configurations were determined numerically from coupled equations of motion for individual spins using a fast spin dynamics algorithm with the fourth-order Suzuki-Trotter decomposition of exponential operators, with initial spin configurations generated by Monte Carlo simulations. The local dynamic structure factor $S(q,\ensuremath{\omega})$ was calculated from the local space- and time-displaced spin-spin correlation function. Multiple excitation peaks for wave vectors within the first Brillouin zone appear in the spin-wave spectra of the transverse component of dynamic structure factor ${S}^{T}(q,\ensuremath{\omega})$ in the nanoscale classical Heisenberg antiferromagnet, which are lacking if periodic boundary conditions are used. With the assumption of $q$-space spin-wave reflections with broken momentum conservation due to free-surface confinements, we successfully explained those spectra quantitatively in the linear dispersion region. Meanwhile, we also observed two unexpected quantized spin-wave excitation modes in the spatial $z$ direction in nanofilms for ${S}^{T}(q,\ensuremath{\omega})$ not expected in bulk systems. The results of this study indicate the presence of unexpected forms of spin-wave excitation behavior that have yet to be observed experimentally but could be directly tested through neutron scattering experiments on nanoscale ${\mathrm{RbMnF}}_{3}$ particles or films.