cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Land Use and Marriage Timing in Nepal

I examine the relationship between patterns of land use and marriage timing in the Chitwan Valley, a rural area in south-central Nepal. In this setting, I conceptualize a relevant dimension of land use as the portion of land in each neighborhood devoted to agriculture. Using discrete-time event history models, I examine the relationship between the proportion of land devoted to agriculture and the rate of marriage among 811 never-married individuals aged 15–20 years. Agricultural land has a positive association with marriage rates. As potential intervening mechanisms between agricultural land and marriage rates, I propose nonfamily organizations, school and work activities, and local marriage markets. A portion of the relationship between land and marriage rates appears to be mediated through the accessibility of nonfamily employers. Respondents’ actual employment activities, however, fail to mediate the effects of agricultural land or nonfamily employers. The precise mechanisms linking land use to marriage remain unclear.
Single mode wavelength control of modulated AlGaAs lasers with external and internal etalon feedback

Single mode lasing without mode hops has been obtained for VSIS and CSP laser diodes with an external etalon attached to the laser's front facet for up to an 8 C range CW and a 4 C range pulsed, with .07 nm/C tuning. Tests of thin tapered-thickness (TTT) laser diodes show CW and pulsed single mode lasing over 10 C and 2 C ranges, respectively, with .08 nm/C tuning. An analysis of the TTT structure reveals the equivalent of an internal etalon. The time-resolved pulsed behavior for both types of lasers show single mode lasing within the proper temperature ranges with minor modes present only early in the optical pulse, if at all. The external etalon produces noticeable interference fringes in the farfield pattern, while those of the TTT lasers are smooth. Ongoing CW lifetest results indicate stability to within one longitudinal mode after a few hundred hours of operation, along with at least several thousand hours lifetime.
Integrating molecular genetics and systems approaches to pulmonary vascular diseases.

AbstractThere is incredible potential to advance our understanding of disease pathogenesis, enhance our diagnostic capability, and revolutionize our treatment modalities with the advent of advanced systems approaches to genetic, genomic, and epigenetic discoveries. Investigation using these technologies is beginning to impact our understanding of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The following review details work to date on single gene mutations in PAH, and expression array analysis in the disease. The wider use of DNA-based arrays for genome wide association studies (GWAS) and copy number alterations is examined. The impact of epigenomic modulation in the pathobiology of PAH and its therapeutic implications is investigated. Finally, a summary of the capabilities and promises for next-generation sequencing is discussed. A framework for studies of the future is proposed.
Morphologic Changes in Cultured Astroeytes After Exposure to Glutamate

ABSTRACT Cultured astrocytes, exposed to glutamate at a dose that is generally neurotoxic in vitro (1 mM), exhibit transient swelling in the absence of cell death. In the present study, we further ...
Right Ventricle-to-Pulmonary Artery Shunt: Alternative Palliation in Infants With Inadequate Pulmonary Blood Flow Prior to Two-Ventricle Repair

Background Traditional palliation of infants with biventricular hearts and inadequate pulmonary blood flow is a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. The aim of this report is to assess the results of an alternative, right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) shunt. Methods Between August 2004 and July 2007, 10 infants with biventricular hearts and inadequate pulmonary blood flow underwent palliation with an RV-PA shunt. Median age was 9 days (range, 4 to 86), weight was 3.0 kg (1.7 to 4.5), and 4 of 10 patients weighed less than 2.5 kg. Shunts were nonvalved Gore-Tex (W.L. Gore Assoc, Flagstaff, AZ), and size was 6 mm (n = 5) or 5 mm (n = 5). Results There were no operative deaths. Median oxygen saturation at hospital discharge was 95% (87 to 98). In 2 patients the shunt was partially narrowed with a metal clip; they underwent successful balloon dilation 6 months after shunt placement. Eight patients have undergone two-ventricle repair 6 to 17 months after shunt placement. At the time of complete repair, oxygen saturation was 86 ± 1% and weight was 7.7 ± 1.7 kg. Repairs included a valved RV-to-PA conduit, 14 to 16 mm in diameter. There was one interstage death. Conclusions The RV-PA shunt provides successful palliation in infants with biventricular heart disease and inadequate pulmonary blood flow. It can be used in low birth weight infants and allows significant growth with protection of oxygen saturation prior to complete repair. Partial clipping of the shunt with subsequent balloon dilation is an option to prolong palliation. These results compare favorably with those of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt or single stage complete repair.
Photoelectron Spectroscopy of the NCN - and HNCN - Ions

and the cyanoamino radical: EA(X ˜ 3 “ g NCN) ) 2.484 ( 0.006 eV, EA(X ˜ 2 A′′ HNCN) ) 2.622 ( 0.005 eV, and EA(X ˜ 2 A′′ DNCN) ) 2.622 ( 0.005 eV. Our experimental findings are accurately reproduced by complete basis set (CBS) ab initio electronic structure calculations: EA(X ˜ 3 “g NCN) ) 2.51 ( 0.03 eV and EA(X ˜ 2 A′′ HNCN) ) 2.60 ( 0.03 eV. Our qualitative picture of these species is NdCd NX ˜ 3 “ g , [NdCdN] - X ˜ 2 ƒu, HNCt NX ˜ 2 A′′, and [HNCtN] - X ˜ 1 A′. We make use of the electron affinities of NCN and HNCN, together with the gas phase acidity of cyanamide, ¢acidH298(H-NHCN) ) 350 ( 3 kcal mol -1 , to find the bond enthalpies of H2NCN. We find DH298(H-NHCN) ) 96.9 ( 3.0 kcal mol -1 and ¢fH298(HNCN) ) 77 ( 4 kcal mol -1 , which closely agree with the calculated values: DH298(H-NHCN) ) 95.5 ( 0.7 kcal mol -1 and ¢fH298(H-NCN) ) 76.7 ( 0.7 kcal mol -1 . We therefore use the CBS ab initio electronic structure calculations to estimate ¢acidH298(H-NCN) = 339 kcal mol -1 . Use of the experimental electron affinity, EA(NCN), leads to the NH bond enthalpy of the cyanoamino radical, DH298(H-NCN) ) 83 ( 2 kcal mol -1 and ¢fH298(NCN) ) 108 ( 4 kcal mol -1 .
Frequency and determinants of early rapid filling abnormality

The frequency and determinants of early rapid diastolic filling abnormalities in the community and in cardiac patients are poorly understood. Early left ventricular (LV) rapid filling was assessed via equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography in 70 community volunteers (LV ejection fraction [EF] <0.50) and 778 cardiac patients, all aged at least 45 years. The frequency of early rapid filling and the independent clinical, therapeutic, and hemodynamic variables predictive of early rapid filling abnormality were determined. Depending on the parameter assessed, early rapid filling was abnormal in 27% to 54% of the community volunteers, 34% to 53% of cardiac patients with an LVEF of 0.50 or greater, and 42% to 67% of cardiac patients with an LVEF lower than 0.50. On the basis of multivariate analysis, models of clinical, therapeutic, and hemodynamic variables were modestly predictive of early rapid filling abnormality. Age, sex, valvular insufficiency, hypertension, digoxin use, and heart rate were independent determinants of early rapid filling. In participants aged older than 44 years, early rapid filling was frequently abnormal in the community volunteers and in patients with an LVEF of 0.50 or greater and was most common in patients with an LVEF lower than 0.50. Clinical, therapeutic, and hemodynamic variables had modest independent predictive value for early rapid filling abnormality.
High-energy photon interrogation for nonproliferation applications

Abstract There is an immediate need for technologies that can successfully address homeland security challenges related to the inspection of commercial rail, air and maritime-cargo container inspections for nuclear and radiological devices. The pulsed photonuclear assessment (PPA) technology, developed through collaboration between Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Idaho Accelerator Center (IAC) has demonstrated the ability to detect shielded/unshielded nuclear material primarily through the analysis of delayed neutrons and gamma-rays produced via photonuclear reactions. Because of current food irradiation limitations, however, most active photon (i.e. bremsstrahlung) interrogation studies have been performed with electron beam energies at or below 10 MeV. While this energy limit currently applies to cargo inspections, the World Health Organization has indicated that higher energy electron beam operations could be considered for future operations. Clinical applications using photon energies well in excess of 10 MeV are already well established. Notwithstanding the current limitation of 10 MeV, there is a definite advantage in using higher photon energies for cargo inspections. At higher energies, several phenomena contribute to increased sensitivity in regards to detecting shielded nuclear material. Two of the most important are: (1) increased ability for source photons to penetrate shielding; and (2) enhanced signature production via increased (γ,n) and (γ,f) cross-sections in materials such as 235 U and 239 Pu directly leading to faster inspection throughput. Experimental assessments have been conducted for various electron beam energies from 8 to 25 MeV. Increases of up to three orders of magnitude in delayed signatures have been measured over these energy ranges. Through the continued investigation into PPA-based inspection applications using photon energies greater than 10 MeV, higher detection sensitivities with potentially lower delivered dose to cargo and increased throughput may be realized.
Effect of the Solar Wind on the Lunar Atmosphere

The extent of the lunar atmosphere is severely limited by collision with the protons of the solar wind.
A Strengths-Based Parenting Intervention with Low-Income African American Families.

With the propensity of African American children at higher risk for academic success due to their disproportionate rate of school discipline problems compared to their peers, school counselors are challenged to provide culturally and developmentally responsive services for this population. This article provides a brief rationale for the use of a family-oriented, strengths-based approach when working with African Americans and explores the effect of "child parent relationship training" on children's behavior and parent-child relationship stress.
The Knowledge Required for Tutorial Planning: An Empirical Analysis.

Abstract A significant portion of tutorial interactions revolve around the bugs a student makes. When a tutor performs an intervention to help a student fix a programming bug, the problem of deciding how to help the student appears to require extensive planning. In this article, we identify five considerations tutors appear to take into account when they plan tutorial interventions for students’ bugs. Using data collected from human tutors working in the domain of introductory computer programming, we (1) identify the knowledge tutors use when they reason about the five planning considerations, and (2) show that tutors are consistent in the ways that they use the kinds of knowledge to reason about students’ bugs.
Restraint and Rhetorical Craftiness: Emphasis as a Means of Figured Speech in Montaigne's Essays

One of the strongest voices against rhetorical excess in the Renaissance can be found in Montaigne's Essays. It is no wonder, then, that the author's own style has often been associated with a Stoic terseness that matches a professed goal of writing sans estude et artifice—in other words, without rhetoric. But when we consider the volatile political context in which Montaigne was writing, it becomes apparent that his stylistic restraint accomplishes far more than an effect of transparency. Focusing on the figure of emphasis-one in which the rhetor allows his audience to infer an additional meaning from what he says or does not say—this article explores the connection between the restraint of Montaigne's prose style and the classical art of covert argument.
Scrotal malignancies: the University of Iowa experience and a review of the literature.

Abstract Cancer of the scrotum is of special interest, despite its relative infrequency, because of its surprising virulence and also by virtue of its historical importance. This was the first known occupational cancer and showed the need for research involving potential environmental carcinogens. No one, individual has sufficient experience to randomize patients to different methods of treatment, and the disease is becoming even less common. Therefore, recommendations are often based on compilations from the literature, many reports being fifty to one hundred fifty years old. This report reviews the clinical features of scrotal malignancies and the forty-five-year experience with this disease at the University of Iowa.
Properties of simultaneous and sequential two-nucleon transfer☆

Abstract Approximate forms of the first- and second-order distorted-wave Born amplitudes are used to study the overall structure, particularly the selection rules, of the amplitudes for simultaneous and sequential transfer of two nucleons. The role of the spin-state assumed for the intermediate deuterons in sequential (t, p) reactions is stressed. The similarity of one-step and two-step amplitudes for (α, d) reactions is exhibited, and the consequent absence of any obvious J -dependence in their interference is noted.
Über die retention von eingeatmetem berylliumsulfat-aerosol in rattenlungen

Ratten wurden der taglichen Einatmung von Berylliumsulfat-Aerosol (in verschiedenen Versuchen 1,75, 17,5, 35 und 175 μg Be/m3) ausgesetzt und zwecks Bestimmung des Berylliumgehaltes der Lungen und der Lymphknoten in monatlichen Gruppen zur Soktion gebracht. Die dabei ermittelten Ergebnisse erlauben die folgenden Schlusfolgerungen: 1. Der Abtransport des eingeatmeten Berylliumsulfats aus Rattenlungen erfolgt hauptsachlich in Partikelform durch die Lymphwege. 2. Die Intensitat des Abtransportes hangt von der Lungenbelastung ab und fuhrt zu einem Gleichgewichtszustand zwischen Ablagerung und Ausscheidung. 3. Der Abtransport beim weiblichen Geschlecht zeigt eine allgemeine relative Leistungsschwache, die eine erhohte Empfindlichkeit gegen Berylliumeinatmung zur Folge hat.
Beyond Argumentation and Comparison/Contrast: Extending the Socrates CAI Design Principles to Classroom Teaching and the Interpretation and Production of Other Forms of Discourse.

This study compares pencil-and-paper and computer-assisted versions of a college process/model program in critical thinking and academic writing to a traditional composition program. Students in the experimental sections used more linguistic markers of argument and comparison/contrast, attempted more arguments and made stronger arguments. CAI students also did better than students in the pencil-and-paper sections on some measures. Applications of computer assisted techniques in studying meaning in poetry, teaching technical writing and in teaching practice, suggest new approaches to collaborative thinking and writing.
High-durability titanium bipolar plate modified by electrochemical deposition of platinum for unitized regenerative fuel cell (URFC)

Abstract The electrochemical deposition of platinum on a titanium bipolar plate (Pt/Ti) was studied for applications in a unitized regenerative fuel cell (URFC). Platinum deposition on the titanium plate was carried out in the platinum precursor solution (1.8 g dm −3 ) at constant acidity (pH 1.0) and temperature (90 °C). The pre-treatment of the titanium plate and the applied deposition current density were optimized to obtain uniform deposition of platinum on the titanium plate. New bipolar plates were prepared using the optimized deposition process and were used in a URFC. Electrochemical deposition of platinum on the titanium plate can effectively prohibit the formation of a passive oxide layer and corrosion on the surface of the bipolar plate, leading to lower resistance and better performance. In addition, the stability of URFC performance after the operation of the cell at 2.0 V for 1 h was significantly improved by the platinum deposition on the titanium bipolar plate. This improvement was mainly due to reduced corrosion on the surface of the bipolar plate.
Differential development of two classes of acetylcholine receptors in Xenopus muscle in culture

Physiological properties of acetylcholine receptors on muscle cells at very early stages of ontogeny were compared with those of cells at later stages. Two changes were observed that contributed to an overall shortening of the mean open time of single-channels. First, there was a shift in the relative proportions of two receptor types with different conductances and mean open times, such that the contribution of receptors with large conductance and short open time increased as development proceeded. Second, there was a sharp reduction in the mean open time of channels having small conductance, with no similar change in channels having large conductance.
DATA ON CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN ASTER (ASTERACEAE), WITH COMMENTS ON THE STATUS AND RELATIONSHIPS OF CERTAIN NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES

Chromosome counts are presented for more than 250 populations ofAster representing 56 species and eight spontaneous interspecific hybrids. Species are listed according to the infrageneric classification system presented in the preceding paper which utilizes basic chromosome numbers as the pivotal diagnostic character. Fundamental to the classification is an ecological species concept. The list is augmented by a series of comments on field observations and on the examination of types. Six older names previously placed in synonymy or recognized at an inferior rank are reinstated at the species level:A. brachypholis, A.firmus, A. fragilis, A. longifolius, A. simmondsii andA. tardiflorus. Two taxa included as species in current manuals of the eastern North American flora are reduced in status to subspecies rank underA. cordifolius. Putative hybrid status is assigned to four taxa previously treated and originally published as species:A. × coerulescens (= A. praealtus × A. simplex, A. × interior (= A. simplex × A. tradescantii, A. × maccallae (= A. ciliolatus × A. subspicatus) and A. × subgeminatus (= A. ciliolatus × A. tardiflorus). With new data available, the basic chromosome number ofx = 8 has now been confirmed for all species ofAster sectionHeterophylli, except the Mexican A.coahuilensis.
Management of infants with large ventricular septal defects. Results with two-stage surgical treatment.

Abstract Forty-two infants with large ventricular septal defects underwent pulmonary arterial banding. There have been 7 postoperative deaths in the entire series but only 1 death in 29 procedures during the last five years, and there has been 1 late death after operation. Another child suffered a severe cerebrovascular accident and hemiparesis 15 months following the banding procedure. Twelve children underwent pulmonary arterial debanding and ventricular septal defect closure. There were 2 postoperative deaths, both related to difficulty in removing the band and in pulmonary artery reconstruction. In this study, the mortality with the debanding procedure was directly related to removal of the band and not to the unusual anatomy of the septal defect. Because of the total morbidity and mortality with the staged surgical approach in infants with large ventricular septal defects, we advocate early primary closure of the defect.
Effects of N-ethylmaleimide on the ATPase activities of cardiac myosin from thyrotoxic rabbits.

Abstract The ATPase activities of cardiac myosin from thyrotoxic and euthyroid rabbits have been compared. The Ca 2+ -ATPase activity of myosin from thyrotoxic animals was elevated by 200%, while the K + (EDTA)-ATPase activity was the same as in euthyroid animals. Modification by N-ethyl-maleimide of the most rapidly reacting class of sulfhydryls (SH 1 ) in myosin from euthyroid animals increased Ca 2+ -ATPase activity about 177% over the unreacted value. Modification of the SH 1 groups in myosin from thyrotoxic animals had no effect on CA 2+ -ATPase activity. We conclude that thyroxin may increase cardiac myosin ATPase activity by a conformational change in the same region as the SH 1 thiols.
Activation of calpain I and calpain II: A comparative study using terbium as a fluorescent probe for calcium-binding sites

Abstract The present study demonstrates the activation of calpain I and calpain II by micromolar levels of terbium and has utilized the enhancement in the fluorescence of proteinbound terbium to study and compare the calcium binding sites of the two enzymes. Calpain I and calpain II were isolated from bovine erythrocytes and brain, respectively. While the rates of activation of calpain I by terbium and calcium are comparable, the rate of activation of calpain II was much greater in the presence of terbium than in the presence of calcium. Binding of terbium ions to calpains was monitored by the enhanced terbium fluorescence and by the changes in the intrinsic protein fluorescence of calpains. Stoichiometric titrations indicated that calpain I and calpain II bound four and six molar equivalents of terbium ion, respectively. During the titration, the intrinsic protein fluorescence of calpain II was successively quenched whereas that of calpain I showed an abrupt drop just prior to the saturation. The association constants ( K a ) increased from 10 5 to 10 7 m −1 for calpain I and from 10 4 to 10 6 m −1 for calpain II with addition of increasing molar equivalents of terbium. Titration of enzymatic activities with calcium showed that the activation of calpain I required fewer molar equivalents of metal ions than were necessary for the activation of calpain II, in agreement with Stoichiometric titration with terbium.
Accuracy of Random Groups Equating with Very Small Samples

This study investigated the effectiveness of equating with very small samples using the random groups design. Of particular interest was equating accuracy at specific scores where performance standards might be set. Two sets of simulations were car ried out, one in which the two forms were identical and one in which they differed by a tenth of a standard deviation in overall difficulty. These forms were equated using mean equating, linear equating, unsmoothed equipercentile equating, and equiper centile equating using two through six moments of log-linear presmoothing with samples of 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, and 200. The results indicated that identity equat ing was preferable to any equating method when samples were as small as 25. For samples of 50 and above, the choice of an equating method over identity equating depended on the location of the passing score relative to examinee performance. If passing scores were located below the mean, where data were sparser, mean equat ing produced the smallest percentage of misclassified examinees. For passing scores near the mean, all methods produced similar results with linear equating being the most accurate. For passing scores above the mean, equipercentile equating with 2 and 3-moment presmoothing were the best equating methods. Higher levels of pre smoothing did not improve the results.
Voluntary disclosure theory and financial control variables: An assessment of recent environmental disclosure research

A growing number of environmental disclosure studies are using financial control variables based on arguments from the voluntary disclosure theory (VDT). The VDT justifications for these controls a...
Artifact formation in the GC/MS analysis of zolone EC (Phosalone) insecticide formulation

In an investigation of potential causes for three grape-harvester pesticide poisoning incidents, acetone extracts of Zolone EC [active ingredient, phosalone [O,O-diethyl S-(6-chloro-2-oxobenzoxazolin-3-yl)-methyl phosphorodithioate]] were analyzed by GC/MS for the presence of possible impurities. Initial findings suggested the presence of isophosalone [O,S-diethyl S-(6-chloro-2-oxobenzoxazolin-3-yl)methyl phosphorodithioate], a phosalone isomer containing S-ethyl and oxon functionalities, as a formulation impurity. High-resolution and tandem mass spectrometry experiments confirmed the structure of isophosalone. An additional solid probe tandem mass spectrometry study and investigations of the effects of injector temperature, column length, and on-column injection verified that isophosalone was produced as an artifact of gas chromatography and was not initially present in the Zolone EC formulation. The results demonstrate the utility of high-resolution and tandem mass spectrometry experiments for structural confirmation and illustrate that the potential exists for formation of isomer artifacts of phosphorodithioate insecticides during the gas chromatographic process.
The distribution of rare-earth elements in deeply buried Gulf Coast sediments

Abstract Analyses of rare-earth elements (REE) in Gulf Coast sediments indicate that the absolute REE content of the bulk sample is nearly constant between 174 and 165 ppm at depths of 1.81 and 3.67 km, respectively; but it increases perceptibly to 212 ppm at a depth of 4.77 km. Similarly, the absolute REE contents in the clay-sized fractions range between 175 and 205 ppm at depths of 1.81 and 4.42 km but they increase moderately to 272 ppm at a depth of 4.77 km. The ratios of the light to heavy rare-earths (LREE/HREE) of the bulk samples and their clay-sized fractions are nearly constant between 7.2 to 8.4 for depths between 1.81 and 4.42 km, whereas the ratio decreases to about 5.5 and 6.6 for sediments at 4.77 km. Both the absolute REE content and the LREE/HREE ratio of the sediments most likely reflect the character of the provenance(s) of the sediments, and they are influenced only to a minor extent by diagenesis. The Eu/Sm ratios of all samples cluster very tightly around the value of 0.21, similarly to that of the North American Shale composite. A nearly constant Eu/Sm ratio among samples at all depths may have been inherited primarily at the provenance(s) of these Gulf Coast sediments.
Fiscal preference and balanced budget fiscal policy

In a 1967 paper that appeared in Papers on Non-Market Decision Making (the precursor to Public Choice), J. M. Buchanan presents an analysis of tax expenditure fiscal policy alternatives in terms of a model of individual fiscal preferences. The model is based on a number of assumptions. Aggregate demand is to be maintained at a steady rate over time, and this objective is secured by the injection or withdrawal of funds through budget deficits or surpluses. There is one public good produced, and it is financed by confronting each taxpayer-voter with an invariant tax price. The question analyzed by Buchanan in this setting is how individual "purchases" of the public good are affected by various ways of creating budget deficits, which are required due to an exogenous fall in aggregate demand. Buchanan analyzes five cases of deficit creation and the impact of each case on individual fiscal preference. In this note we will discuss a simple extension of Buchanan's model to examine the case of balanced budget fiscal policy. Consider Figure 1, which duplicates part of Buchanan's Figure 1. Initially, the budget is balanced and the individual is in equilibrium with OX of the public good being produced at a tax-price of OP per unit. In drawing the representative individual's demand curve for the public good, following Buchanan, we neglect income effects.1 Now postulate that for some exogenous reason, an expansionary fiscal policy is called for. Buchanan treats all cases of deficit creation and establishes that the deficit will reduce the individual's tax price for the public good, regardless of how the deficit is created. However, consider the case where the expansionary fiscal policy is pursued while maintaining a balanced budget. A balanced increase in the *Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Oklahoma, and Associate Professor of Economics, Texas A & M University. We are greatful to James M. Buchanan for reading an earlier version of this paper. The usual caveat applies. 1The reader will note that in the extension of Buchanan's model which we develop, the introduction of an endogenous budget effect on the individual resulting from the increased taxes, would cause a reduction in demand and strengthens our result that a balanced budget expansionary policy places the individual off and alove his demand or marginal evaluation curve for the public good.
Identifying Hubs in Protein Interaction Networks

Background: In spite of the scale-free degree distribution that characterizes most protein interaction networks (PINs), it is common to define an ad hoc degree scale that defines “hub” proteins having special topological and functional significance. This raises the concern that some conclusions on the functional significance of proteins based on network properties may not be robust. Methodology: In this paper we present three objective methods to define hub proteins in PINs: one is a purely topological method and two others are based on gene expression and function. By applying these methods to four distinct PINs, we examine the extent of agreement among these methods and implications of these results on network construction. Conclusions: We find that the methods agree well for networks that contain a balance between error-free and unbiased interactions, indicating that the hub concept is meaningful for such networks.
Objectively Quantified Physical Activity in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract Objectives To investigate levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a large sample of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and controls using accelerometry as a measure of physical activity, and to compare the rates of meeting public health guidelines for MVPA (ie, 30min/d) between persons with MS and controls. Design Secondary analysis of a combined data set of persons with MS and healthy controls from 13 previous investigations of physical activity over a 8-year period (2005–2013). Setting University. Participants Participants with MS (n=800) were recruited primarily within Illinois through multiple sources, including print and e-mail flyers and an online advertisement on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. Healthy controls (n=137) were recruited via public e-mail postings delivered across the university community. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Levels of MVPA and meeting public health guidelines for MVPA between persons with MS and controls. Results After controlling for covariates (ie, age, sex, education, race, income), there was a moderate ( d =.68) and statistically significant (F=47.2, P 2 =50.7, P Conclusions We provide data using an objective physical activity measure and a large sample to indicate that only a small proportion of persons with MS are achieving adequate amounts of daily MVPA.
Studies on on‐line bioreactor identification. III. Sensitivity problems with respiratory and heat evolution measurements

The applicability of the respiratory quotient measurement, a heat evolution measurement, and a commonly observed correlation between the respiratory quotient and product yield to on-line bioreactor identification and control were inspected. It was found that singularities can exist in macroscopic balances used in connection with these measurements or the correlation, rendering them inappropriate for process parameter identification. By the formulation of generalized metabolic pathways together with NADH(2) and ATP balances, general rules were derived for identifying conditions causing singularities. Thus it was found that, in addition to other less probable situations, the RQ measurement becomes impractical when the degree of reductance of the substrate is identical to that of the product, if any, and close to that of biomass. The correlation always presents sensitivity problems because it is nearly a linear combination of the elemental balances and the balance arising from the definition of the respiratory quotient. The heat evolution measurement nearly always presents sensitivity problems because of a linear dependence between the enthalpy balance and the degree of reductance, or NADH(2), balance due to the regularity that the degrees of reductance of most biological compounds are proportional to their heats of combustion. Problems are considered and suggestions made for replacing the measurements, when inapplicable, or the correlation with an ATP balance. Experimental results and numerical studies on the fermentations of yeast and E. coli support the theoretically derived rules.
Buckling of a pervasively faulted lithosphere

We investigated the buckling response of a faulted elastic plate under horizontal compression using the finite element technique to better understand the effect of faults on the elastic behavior of a plate. We studied the effect of changes in fault spacing, depth and dip on the effective Young's modulus, buckling stress and wavelength. Our model consists of a thick elastic plate whose entire upper surface is cut by evenly spaced faults. We impose either an initial sinusoidal deformation with a fixed wavelength or a random deformation to the grid. A fault is represented as a free surface with no resolved shear stress and is allowed to slip in a specified direction using the method of ‘slippery nodes’. With the assumption of free slip on the faults, our model results represent an end member case in which the buckling wavelength and buckling stress are minimized by the presence of the faults.
Differential diagnosis of muscle tension dysphonia and adductor spasmodic dysphonia using spectral moments of the long‐term average spectrum

Objectives/Hypothesis: Adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) can mimic the voice characteristics of muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) contributing to diagnostic confusion and inappropriate management. Elevated spectral noise has been reported in MTD, which may aid in differential diagnosis. The long-term average spectrum (LTAS) can be compared to a Gaussian bell curve using spectral moments analysis. Four moments describe features of the LTAS: spectral mean (moment 1), standard deviation (moment 2), skewness (moment 3), and kurtosis (moment 4). This investigation evaluated spectral moments analysis of the LTAS as an objective test to distinguish ADSD from MTD. Study Design: Case-control comparison. Methods: Pretreatment voice samples from 59 subjects with MTD (10 males and 49 females) and 41 subjects with ADSD (19 males and 22 females) were analyzed. Groups were separated by gender, adjusted for age, and results from the analysis were compared across different analyzing bandwidths. Diagnostic precision estimates were calculated including sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios. Results: No significant spectral differences were found between men in both groups. However, significant between-group differences were identified for all spectral moments for women. Logistic stepwise regression identified that spectral standard deviation (moment 2) uniquely distinguished women with MTD and ADSD. No other spectral moments contributed significant discriminatory information. Conclusions: The results suggest that moment 2 of the LTAS provides respectable diagnostic precision by highlighting spectral noise differences between females with MTD and ADSD. Automated spectral moments analysis deserves further attention as a possible test for differential diagnosis. Laryngoscope, 2010
Structure-activity relationships for the reserpine-like actions of derivatives of β-carboline in vitro

Abstract The abilities of 10 derivatives of β-carboline to competitively inhibit the ATP-Mg 2+ stimulated uptake of epinephrine (0.1 mM) were studied in isolated rat adrenal medullary storage vesicles. Uptake was inhibited 72% by harmine (0.03 mM), 64% by harmaline, 59% by 2-methylharmine, 43% by harmol and 25% by harman. Norharman, 6-methoxyharman, 6-methoxyindole, 6-methoxytetrahydroharman and yohimbine did not inhibit epinephrine uptake, nor did any of the 10 derivatives affect metaraminol uptake. The potencies of epinephrine uptake inhibitors were unrelated to the lipid solubility or pK of the drugs, suggesting that differences in activity reflected differences in affinity for the catecholamine transport site. Harmol, 2-methylharmine and harmaline were themselves incorporated into the vesicles, but the temperature dependence was much smaller than that of epinephrine or metaraminol (Q 30 of 1.5–2 vs. 4.5–7). These data suggest that β-carboline derivatives interact with a catecholamine carrier on the outside surface of the vesicle membrane and that the attachment involves at least 3 portions of the molecule. The different structure- activity relationships for inhibition of epinephrine uptake vs. uptake of the β-carboline derivatives themselves indicate that two separate processes, inward transport and subsequent intravesicular binding, contribute to the measured uptake.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Presenting as Acute Pancreatitis: The Role of Hypercalcemia

A 53-year-old smoker female presented to our hospital with abdominal pain secondary to acute pancreatitis. Severe hypercalcemia was felt to be the precipitating cause of pancreatitis. Her work up showed SCLC with bone marrow metastases as the only site of extra-thoracic metastases. We review the literature regarding hypercalcemia mechanisms in patients with SCLC.
The effect of excessive tibial torsion on the capacity of muscles to extend the hip and knee during single-limb stance

Excessive tibial torsion, a rotational deformity about the long axis of the tibia, is common in patients with cerebral palsy who walk with a crouch gait. Previous research suggests that this deformity may contribute to crouch gait by reducing the capacity of the soleus to extend the knee; however, the effects of excess external torsion on the capacity of other muscles to extend the stance limb during walking are unknown. A computer model of the musculoskeletal system was developed to simulate a range of tibial torsion deformities. A dynamic analysis was then performed to determine the effect of these deformities on the capacity of lower limb muscles to extend the hip and knee at body positions corresponding to the single-limb stance phase of a normal gait cycle. Analysis of the model confirmed that excessive external torsion reduces the extension capacity of soleus. In addition, our analysis revealed that several important muscles crossing the hip and knee are also adversely affected by excessive tibial torsion. With a tibial torsion deformity of 30°, the capacities of soleus, posterior gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus to extend both the hip and knee were all reduced by over 10%. Since a tibial torsion deformity reduces the capacity of muscles to extend the hip and knee, it may be a significant contributor to crouch gait, especially when greater than 30° from normal, and thus should be considered by clinicians when making treatment decisions.
Aneuploidy prediction and tumor classification with heterogeneous hidden conditional random fields

Motivation: The heterogeneity of cancer cannot always be recognized by tumor morphology, but may be reflected by the underlying genetic aberrations. Array comparative genome hybridization (array-CGH) methods provide high-throughput data on genetic copy numbers, but determining the clinically relevant copy number changes remains a challenge. Conventional classification methods for linking recurrent alterations to clinical outcome ignore sequential correlations in selecting relevant features. Conversely, existing sequence classification methods can only model overall copy number instability, without regard to any particular position in the genome. Results: Here, we present the heterogeneous hidden conditional random field, a new integrated array-CGH analysis method for jointly classifying tumors, inferring copy numbers and identifying clinically relevant positions in recurrent alteration regions. By capturing the sequentiality as well as the locality of changes, our integrated model provides better noise reduction, and achieves more relevant gene retrieval and more accurate classification than existing methods. We provide an efficient L1-regularized discriminative training algorithm, which notably selects a small set of candidate genes most likely to be clinically relevant and driving the recurrent amplicons of importance. Our method thus provides unbiased starting points in deciding which genomic regions and which genes in particular to pursue for further examination. Our experiments on synthetic data and real genomic cancer prediction data show that our method is superior, both in prediction accuracy and relevant feature discovery, to existing methods. We also demonstrate that it can be used to generate novel biological hypotheses for breast cancer. Contact: ogt@cs.princeton.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A Truth Table Method for the Synthesis of Combinational Logic

This paper describes a method for synthesizing a switching function directly from its: ruth table. A switching function is defined as any mapping of a set of binary input combinations onto 0 and 1. Hence, the procedures apply equally well to the don't care cases. The method rests on the concept alogically passive function (LPF). Roughly speaking, an LPF is a truth table which can be realized with only AND and OR gates?no inverters. Techniques are described for 1) making a function logically passive, 2) eliminating rows and columns from the truth table of an LPF, 3) synthesizing an LPF in a two-level irredundant form, 4) expanding LPF's and 5) synthesizing LPF's with 3-input majority gates. The underlying methods are quite straightforward and appear to be particularly well suited for mechanization on a digital computer.
Introduction to the special issue on risk behaviour of market participants

Risk has been examined for a long time in the field of agricultural economics. Almost all individual and collective decisions are made in an uncertain environment. To understand how market participants respond to risk, economists and psychologists have developed the concepts of risk perception and risk attitude. Risk perception reflects the decision-maker’s interpretation of the likelihood of exposure to the content of the risk and is defined as a decision-maker’s assessment of the risk inherent in a particular situation. On the other hand, risk attitude reflects the extent to which the decision-maker general or consistently dislikes or likes the risk content. It is important to emphasise that risk attitude and risk perception are two distinct concepts. If one could quantify a decision maker’s risk attitude and risk perception, one could predict his risk behaviour. How decision makers will respond to risk also depends on the risk content. Participants in the marketing channel interact, and this interaction, which may take the form of various contract relationships, can influence the risk content they face and may also influence their risk attitude and risk perception. How can we manage risk? At the farm level, various risk management instruments have been developed. Commodity futures and options and crop insurance programmes have been heavily researched in the literature regarding their performance in reducing risk and their use by farmers and agribusiness companies. The first paper in this Special Issue, by Garcia and Leuthold, reviews the various aspects of futures and options that have been studied, and makes various suggestions for future research. Garcia and Leuthold consider that one of the topics that needs to be addressed is how the measurement of risk attitude influences our understanding of risk behaviour. Nelson and Escalante address this issue by deriving a constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) location-scale function for modelling choice under uncertainty. They argue that a mean-variance objective function exhibiting well accepted behavioural assumptions (e.g., decreasing absolute risk aversion) can contribute to a fuller exploration of the location-scale approach in agricultural risk management. Numerous factors have been identified that influence trading behaviour in futures and options markets. Tuthill and Frechette investigate under which conditions a risk-averse hedger may be inclined to adopt speculative behaviour in unbiased markets. While this behaviour is not rational under the standard expected
Variation of Morphology and Elemental Concentrations in the California Nickel Hyperaccumulator Streptanthus polygaloides (Brassicaceae)

Abstract The Ni hyperaccumulator Strepthanthus polygaloides (Brassicaceae) is one of a handful of Ni hyperaccumulators known from continental North America. Surveys have revealed four distinctive morphs of this species, relying primarily on floral traits (sepal color and shape): a purple sepal morph (P), a yellow sepal morph (Y), a morph in which sepals start yellow and mature to purple (Y/P), and a morph with light yellow undulate sepals (U). In this study, we raised plants from ten populations (five Y, three P, one Y/P, and one U) under uniform greenhouse conditions to determine if morphs varied in morphology and elemental concentrations when grown on Ni-amended potting soil in a common garden. Morphological data included measurements of leaf form (length, width, and degree of lobing) and plant size (height to first flower as they bolted in summer). Phenology was documented by noting flowering timing of plants. Elemental concentrations of plants were also determined for nine elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg,...
A study of PD-characteristic equations for time-varying linear systems using coordinate transformations

This paper is concerned with a Riccati type class of nonlinear differential equations called parallel D-characteristic (PD-characteristic) equations, associated with time-varying linear dynamic systems which are described by differential equations. The solutions of PD-characteristic equations are known to possess singularities (finite-time escapes), which greatly hampers their use in the analysis and control of time-varying linear systems. A theorem is developed to show that the solutions of PD-characteristic equations are well-behaved near the singularities This result allows the classical notion of continuability of solutions to be extended through such singularities. A number of coordinate transformations are also discussed which facilitate numerical integration through such singularities. >
American Patriotism, American Protest: Social Movements Since the Sixties – By Simon Hall

In this new study, the author explores the history of five social movements in the United States from the 1960s through the 1980s: gay rights, women's rights, antibusing, antitax, and antiabortion....