cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A monoclonal antibody blocking human T cell function

The possible functional role of T cell surface antigens defined by monoclonal antibodies was investigated. Five monoclonal anti-T cell reagents as well as an anti-Ia and anti-beta 2-microglobulin antibody were examined for their effect on T cell function. It was shown that an antibody termed anti-T3, reactive with all peripheral T cells, blocked T cell proliferative responses to soluble and cell surface antigens. This inhibition was seen when T lymphocytes were treated with as few as 10(4) anti-T3 molecules per cell. Although anti-T3 could block the generation of cytotoxic T cells in mixed lymphocyte culture, once generated, anti-T3 had no effect on cytotoxicity. In addition, anti-T3 abrogated the ability of T cells to provide help to B cells in a pokeweed mitogen-driven immunoglobulin system. More importantly, these functional effects were not seen with the other monoclonal antibodies. Both the appearance of this antigen in intrathymic ontogeny and its critical role in T cell function suggests that the T3 molecule is related to an important antigen recognition receptor or cell-cell interactions molecule.
A broad survey reveals substitution tolerance of residues ligating FeS clusters in [NiFe] hydrogenase

In order to understand the effects of FeS cluster attachment in [NiFe] hydrogenase, we undertook a study to substitute all 12 amino acid positions normally ligating the three FeS clusters in the hydrogenase small subunit. Using the hydrogenase from Alteromonas macleodii “deep ecotype” as a model, we substituted one of four amino acids (Asp, His, Asn, Gln) at each of the 12 ligating positions because these amino acids are alternative coordinating residues in otherwise conserved-cysteine positions found in a broad survey of NiFe hydrogenase sequences. We also hoped to discover an enzyme with elevated hydrogen evolution activity relative to a previously reported “G1” (H230C/P285C) improved enzyme in which the medial FeS cluster Pro and the distal FeS cluster His were each substituted for Cys. Among all the substitutions screened, aspartic acid substitutions were generally well-tolerated, and examination suggests that the observed deficiency in enzyme activity may be largely due to misprocessing of the small subunit of the enzyme. Alignment of hydrogenase sequences from sequence databases revealed many rare substitutions; the five substitutions present in databases that we tested all exhibited measurable hydrogen evolution activity. Select substitutions were purified and tested, supporting the results of the screening assay. Analysis of these results confirms the importance of small subunit processing. Normalizing activity to quantity of mature small subunit, indicative of total enzyme maturation, weakly suggests an improvement over the “G1” enzyme. We have comprehensively screened 48 amino acid substitutions of the hydrogenase from A. macleodii “deep ecotype”, to understand non-canonical ligations of amino acids to FeS clusters and to improve hydrogen evolution activity of this class of hydrogenase. Our studies show that non-canonical ligations can be functional and also suggests a new limiting factor in the production of active enzyme.
The anti-excitotoxic effects of certain anesthetics, analgesics and sedative-hypnotics

Abstract Various agents were tested for their ability to antagonize the acute excitotoxic action of N-methyl- dl -aspartate (NMA) and kainic acid (KA) on neurons in the in vitro chick embryo retina. The following compounds (in order of descending potencies) were effective in completely blocking the neurotoxic activity of NMA: phencyclidine, ketamine, (±)-SKF 10,047, pentazocine, d -aminophosphonovalerate, d -aminophosphonoheptanoate, d -α-aminoadipate, OH-quinoxaline carboxylate, kynurenate, (±)- cis -2,3-piperidine dicarboxylate, secobarbital, amobarbital and pentobarbital. The latter 6 agents also protected against KA toxicity but complete protection was observed only from relatively high concentrations. At 20 mM, Mg 2+ blocked NMA toxicity but at concentrations up to 30 mM did not block KA toxicity. Compounds that failed to block either NMA or KA toxicity include d - and l -aminophosphonobutyrate, l -glutamic acid diethyl ester, xanthurenate, GABA and taurine. The chick embryo retina is a useful preparation for identifying agents that have either excitotoxic or anti-excitotoxic activity.
RF MEMS and reconfigurable antennas for communication systems

This paper explores the usefulness of RF MEMS and reconfigurable antennas in the context of modern communication systems and other applications. Simulation studies on a fractal antennas with switches and phase shifters provide beam steering and beam scanning characteristics. A brief description of the design aspects of two MEMS based coplanar waveguide (CPW) phase shifters for microwave and millimeter wave antenna applications are also provided here. One phase shifter design consists of a unique bilateral interdigital structure on a silicon substrate deposited with a thin film of electrically tunable barium strontium titanate. The dielectric constant of the thin film, and hence the effective permittivity of the transmission line changes by the application of a bias voltage. The second device is a distributed microelectromechanical system (MEMS) phase shifter fabricated on a high resistivity silicon substrate using microstereolithography technique is presented here. The distributed MEMS phase shifter consists of a high-impedance CPW transmission line and several MEMS bridges of uniform height. By applying a voltage the height of these bridges can be adjusted. This results in a variation in the distributed capacitance of the segment of the transmission line, which manifests in the phase shift at the output terminal. The fabrication procedure described here shows significant promise for the use of microstereolithography techniques for RF MEMS devices.
Oxidation-sulfidation behavior of nickel-base superalloys and MCrAl coatings☆

Abstract The oxidation-sulfidation behavior of several nickel-base superalloys and a number of MCrAl coatings on an IN-738 substrate has been examined after exposure to ten different O 2 S 2 mixed gas environments. Selected alloys have been tested in a thermogravimetric system in which the mass change of the specimens was continuously monitored. Extensive metallurgical analyses of the exposed specimens were performed and the results were used to develop generalized maps that depict the corrosion product morphologies as a function of the exposure environment. The results, in general, showed that nickel-base superalloys are susceptible to sulfidation attack and undergo breakaway corrosion in low O 2 environments that contained sulfur. Of several MCrAl coatings that were tested, CoCrAlY and NiCoCrAlY compositions showed superior sulfidation resistance over a wide range of S 2 partial pressures at the test temperatures of 1144 and 923 K. Other MCrAl coatings examined in this study showed promise at low to intermediate S 2 partial pressures.
Sustained Food Vacuole Formation by Axenic Paramecium tetraurelia and the Inhibition of Membrane Recycling by Alcian Blue

It is believed that the uptake mechanism of some nutrients by Paramecium tetraurelia primarily involves transport through the cell surface, whereas the uptake of other compounds appears to be restricted to bulk transport during food vacuole (phagosome) formation. In this study, we established that, in axenically grown cells, food vacuole formation occurred at continuous rates over long periods. This information allows quantitation of the volume of media taken up by bulk transport. India ink and latex beads were shown to be inert food vacuole markers and carmine was found to have an initial stimulatory effect on phagosome formation rates. Cultures grown for 3.5 h or longer with the glycocalyx stain Alcian Blue, contained only three phagosomes/cell, whereas cells cultured with the other markers contained 15 phagosomes/cell. Electron microscopy of fecal material that accumulated at the bottom of Alcian Blue-grown cells demonstrated the presence of membranes, suggesting that the vacuolar membrane was eliminated during defecation. Neither cell lysis nor the formation of autophagous vacuoles was detected in Alcian Blue-grown cells, indicating that the stain was not cytotoxic at the concentrations used. Thus it appeared that the binding of Alcian Blue to the digestive vacuole membrane resulted in a loss of the vacuole membranes from the cell which reduced the amount of membranes retrieved and recycled and hence eventually reduced the rate of phagosome formation. Alcian Blue-treated cultures exhibited decreased rate of growth and final density, which is consistent with a decrease in bulk transport of nutrients resulting from reduced membranes of digestive cycle organelles available in the cell.
Carboxypeptidase-G2 rescue in a patient with high dose methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity

Background. High dose methotrexate (HDMTX) induced renal failure is a medical emergency, as methotrexate (MTX) is primarily eliminated by renal excretion. High doses of leucovorin (LV) do not necessarily prevent toxicity in the presence of sustained elevated plasma MTX concentrations. The bacterial enzyme carboxypeptidase-G2 (CPDG2) hydrolyzes MTX into inactive metabolites and has been demonstrated to lower plasma MTX concentrations to nontoxic levels rapidly in the nonhuman primate after HDMTX infusion. Therefore, CPDG2 was evaluated as a rescue agent in a patient with acute renal dysfunction secondary to HDMTX. Methods. A 16 year old patient with osteosarcoma experienced acute renal dysfunction after HDMTX administration, which resulted in markedly elevated and sustained plasma MTX concentrations. She received three doses of CPDG2 on the fifth day after HDMTX. Plasma MTX concentrations were determined before and after CPDG2 administration. Results. The plasma MTX concentrations decreased from 60 to 1.2 μM within 15 minutes after the first dose of CPDG2. No rebound increase in plasma MTX concentrations or adverse reactions to the enzyme were observed. The patient developed only mild mucositis. Serum creatinine at the time of CPDG2 administration was 5 mg/dl and returned to normal within 7 weeks of enzyme administration. Conclusions. Carboxypeptidase-G2 rapidly, markedly, and persistently lowered plasma MTX concentrations to a level that could be rescued safely with LV. Based on the experience with this patient and on preclinical studies in nonhuman primates, CPDG2 appears to be more effective than hemodialysis or hemoperfusion, and may prove beneficial for patients at risk for life-threatening toxicity secondary to delayed excretion of MTX. Cancer 1995; 76:521–6.
Determination of Aluminum in the Presence of Fluoride by Emission Spectroscopy

Fluoride greater than 0.1N interfered negatively in the determination of Al by the rotating-disk-electrode technique. Fluoride interference was eliminated by the addition of H3BO3. Aluminum in the 1–100 ppm range was successfully determined in the presence of 0.25N fluoride by making the solutions 2.5% in H3BO3. The coefficients of variation among six determinations for solutions containing 10 and 100 ppm Al were 3.0% and 0.9%, respectively. Recovery of known amounts of Al added to fluoride-extracts of soils ranged from 98.4% to 102.2%. The proposed method thus gave acceptable accuracy and precision. The method is simple and rapid since it does not require the removal of fluoride by distillation as H2SiF6 nor does it prevent the determination of Si in the same sample.
Report on research in terrestrial magnetism by the Department of Geology of the University of North Carolina

At the present time, the Department of Geology of the University of North Carolina is carrying on investigations in the folded Appalachians, in the Piedmont Plateau, and in the Coastal Plain Area. One of the most interesting lines of investigation is trying to determine the origin of the numerous elliptical bays and lake-basins in North and South Carolina. The magnetometer has demonstrated the presence of a magnetic high in association with practically all the medium to large-size elliptical bays and lake-basins in all parts of the Coastal Plain. The highs are better developed in the portions away from the Coast. Insufficient work has, however, been done in the areas between the bays to make certain of the freedom of such areas from “spot”-highs of the type associated with the bays. Funds are now being sought to carry on this detailed “grid”-survey.
Salt sensitivity is associated with an increased mortality in both normal and hypertensive humans.

While a variety of studies have demonstrated the heterogeneity of the blood pressure response to salt loading and depletion, none has examined the relationship of these responses to mortality. We conducted a follow-up study of 430 normal and 278 hypertensive subjects studied as long ago as 28 years by techniques to assess their blood pressure responses to salt and volume expansion and depletion (salt sensitivity). We found that 123 (21 %) of our study subjects had died in the interval since the initial study. The following measures were found to be significantly associated with the risk for death: blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, mean arterial, and pulse pressures), hypertension, age, salt sensitivity, baseline renin levels (inverse), and body mass index (but not body weight). Normotensive, saltsensitive subjects had a survival that was no different than that of hypertensive subjects. Only initially normotensive, salt-resistant individuals had improved survival. Studies are continuing in order to elucidate the mechanisms by which salt sensitivity, even in normotensive subjects, may lead to reduced survival.
The Effectiveness of "Teach for America" and Other Under-certified Teachers

The academic achievements of students taught by under-certified primary school teachers were compared to the academic achievements of students taught by regularly certified primary school teachers. This sample of under-certified teachers included three types of under-qualified personnel: emergency, temporary and provisionally certified teachers. One subset of these under-certified teachers was from the national program "Teach For America (TFA)." Recent college graduates are placed by TFA where other under-qualified under-certified teachers are often called upon to work, namely, low-income urban and rural school districts. Certified teachers in this study were from accredited universities and all met state requirements for receiving the regular initial certificate to teach. Recently hired under-certified and certified teachers (N=293) from five low-income school districts were matched on a number of variables, resulting in 109 pairs of teachers whose students all took the mandated state achievement test. Results indicate 1) that students of TFA teachers did not perform significantly different from students of other under-certified teachers, and 2) that students of certified teachers out-performed students of teachers who were under-certified. This was true on all three subtests of the SAT 9reading, mathematics and language arts. Effect sizes favoring the students of certified teachers were substantial. In reading, mathematics, and language, the students of certified teachers outperformed students of under-certified teachers, including the students of the TFA teachers, by about 2 months on a grade equivalent scale. Students of under-certified teachers make about 20% less academic growth per year than do students of teachers with regular certification. Traditional programs of teacher preparation apparently result in positive effects on the academic achievement of low-income primary school children. Present policies allowing under-certified teachers, including those from the TFA program, to work with our most difficult to teach children appear harmful. Such policies increase differences in achievement between the performance of poor children, often immigrant and minority children, and those children who are more advantaged.
Two-pulse propagation in media with quantum-mixed ground states

We examine fully coherent two-pulse propagation in a $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-type medium, under two-photon resonance conditions and including inhomogeneous broadening. We examine the effects of both short pulse preparation and medium preparation. We contrast the cases in which the two pulses have or have not matched envelopes, and media with and without ground state coherence. We find that an extended interpretation of the area theorem for single-pulse self-induced transparency is able to unify two-pulse propagation scenarios, including some aspects of electromagnetically induced transparency and stimulated Raman scattering. We present numerical solutions of both three-level and adiabatically reduced two-level density matrix equations and Maxwell's equations, and show that many features of the solutions are quickly interpreted with the aid of analytical solutions that we also provide for restricted cases of pulse shapes and preparation of the medium. In the limit of large one-photon detuning, we show that the adiabatic two-level equations commonly used to study stimulated Raman scattering are not reliable for pulse areas in the $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ range, which allows puzzling features of previous numerical work to be understood.
Nonlinear Commutating Reactors for Rectifiers

ONE of the prime objectives in rectifier development during the past 20 years has been the decrease in frequency of arc-back. The factors involved in arc-back have received considerable attention, and it now appears that arc-backs of typical mercury arc rectifiers are caused by the following: 1. Breakdown of the mercury vapor because of inverse voltage. 2. Conditions favorable for cathode spot formation on the anode at the end of the commutation period.
Modulation of mutagenesis, DNA binding, and metabolism of aflatoxin B1 by licorice compounds

Abstract Three licorice compounds (extract 348, carbenoxolone, and glycyrrhetinic acid) were studied for their effects on aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 )-induced mutagenesis using Salmonella typhimurium TA-100 as the bacterial tester strain, and rat liver 9,000 x g supernatant (S-9) as the metabolic activation system. The effects of these compounds on [ 3 H]AFB 1 binding to calf thymus DNA were assessed. Organosoluble and water-soluble metabolites of [ 3 H]AFB 1 were extracted and analyzed by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography and alumina column liquid chromatography. All three compounds exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibition of S-9-mediated mutagenesis induced by AFB 1 . These compounds also significantly inhibited AFB 1 binding to DNA and significantly decreased the activation of AFB 1 to mutagenic/carcinogenic metabolites. The findings indicate that licorice compounds used in this study possess antimutagenic and, potentially, cancer chemopreventive properties.
Update in infectious diseases: evidence published in 2012.

This Update summarizes studies published in 2012 that the authors consider highly relevant to the practice of infectious disease. Topics include sinusitis, azithromycin toxicity, infective endocard...
A prospective comparison of computerized tomography(CT), 18 fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography(FDG-PET) and endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) in the preoperative evaluation of potentially operable esophageal cancer patients

A prospective comparison of computerized tomography(CT), 18 fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography(FDG-PET) and endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) in the preoperative evaluation of potentially operable esophageal cancer patients
Generating functions for partial sex control problems.

If at: each conception couples have some control over the sex of their intended offspring, their chances of reaching a desired ultimate family composition will be influenced by the specific order in which they try for sons and daughters. This article introduces and discusses the mathematics of the strategy decisions that arise where probabilities remain constant at each birth. In the Appendix probabilities and their generating functions for distributions ofi children of one sex and 1–2 children of the other sex are given.
An Electronic Minipermeameter for Use in the Field and Laboratory

The quantification of permeability and geostatistical scaling from laboratory to well field to regional systems requires large spatial data sets for which field and laboratory minipermeameters have proven to be effective tools. We developed an electronic gas minipermeameter for use in either the field or the laboratory. This design alleviates several problems common to minipermeameters. In particular, errors in measurement of gas flow rate, calibration of flow rate meters, and countering pressure and temperature effects were reduced by using electronic mass-flow transducers. Problems of sealing the injector (probe) tips and of measuring the permeability of weathering rinds and fracture “skins” were remedied with a sample chamber capable of handling thin wafers or rock cores of arbitrary dimensions. Calibrations with samples of known permeability were excellent. It is now possible to measure permeability very accurately on weathering rinds, fracture surfaces, utcrops, and large hand samples.
Social science research on rural development: Issues and perspectives from the Ethiopian experience

Abstract Until recently, Ethiopia suffered from a lack of social science research on rural development. This has been due to a number of factors in the Ethiopian system of higher education. A literature review demonstrated first that the system of graduate education has emphasised studies of topics relevant to Western academic disciplines. Secondly, the Ethiopian academic faculty has neither emphasised research on rural areas nor organised social science research which concentrates on development projects that affect more than a small percentage of the rural population. An alternative approach is proposed which will promote multidisciplinary research of rural areas, integrate field experience, teaching and research in training rural development experts, involve the rural population in the research process and facilitate co-operation amongst university faculties, students and local rural development agencies.
In vivo assessment by computed tomography of the natural progression of infarct size, left ventricular muscle mass and function after acute myocardial infarction in the dog

Quantification of myocardial infarct (MI) size is of prognostic importance in patients with acute ischemic damage. Evaluation of the efficacy of interventions for salvage of ischemic myocardium depends on the accurate estimation of the ischemic area and a knowledge of the natural progression of the infarct. Computerized transmission tomography (CTT) is a reliable in vivo technique for estimating infarct size. We serially studied 8 dogs over approximately 1 month after occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery using both ungated and prospectively electrocardiogram-gated CTT. Scans were obtained 20 minutes after occlusion and then several more times until the dogs were killed. Using the ungated CTT scans, infarct size increased from 0 to 4 days (+ 65 +/- 20%, mean +/- standard error of the mean, p less than 0.05), then progressively decreased. The initial perfusion defect overestimated the eventual MI size at 1 month by 33 +/- 15% (p less than 0.05). The MI size at necropsy correlated well (r = 0.98, p less than 0.001) with CTT MI size determined just before sacrifice. Non-infarcted left ventricular (LV) muscle mass increased significantly (27 +/- 7% greater at 1 month compared with day 0, p less than 0.01) over time, presumably representing compensatory LV hypertrophy. The LV muscle mass at necropsy correlated well (r = 0.94, p less than 0.001) with CTT LV muscle mass just before sacrifice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Holistic face training enhances face processing in developmental prosopagnosia

Prosopagnosia has largely been regarded as an untreatable disorder. However, recent case studies using cognitive training have shown that it is possible to enhance face recognition abilities in individuals with developmental prosopagnosia. Our goal was to determine if this approach could be effective in a larger population of developmental prosopagnosics. We trained 24 developmental prosopagnosics using a 3-week online face-training program targeting holistic face processing. Twelve subjects with developmental prosopagnosia were assessed before and after training, and the other 12 were assessed before and after a waiting period, they then performed the training, and were then assessed again. The assessments included measures of front-view face discrimination, face discrimination with view-point changes, measures of holistic face processing, and a 5-day diary to quantify potential real-world improvements. Compared with the waiting period, developmental prosopagnosics showed moderate but significant overall training-related improvements on measures of front-view face discrimination. Those who reached the more difficult levels of training (‘better’ trainees) showed the strongest improvements in front-view face discrimination and showed significantly increased holistic face processing to the point of being similar to that of unimpaired control subjects. Despite challenges in characterizing developmental prosopagnosics’ everyday face recognition and potential biases in self-report, results also showed modest but consistent self-reported diary improvements. In summary, we demonstrate that by using cognitive training that targets holistic processing, it is possible to enhance face perception across a group of developmental prosopagnosics and further suggest that those who improved the most on the training task received the greatest benefits.
Factors Affecting Cytidine Uptake and Utilization by the Rat Uterus

The influence of cytidine dosage on uptake and distribution of [3H]cytidine by the uterus of the adult ovariectomized control rat was examined 20 min after injecting the nucleoside. Intracellular accumulation of free cytidine was observed only at a dosage of 4.2 µAinol/100 g. At lower dosages, the nucleoside was phosphorylated as rapidly as it entered uterine cells, thereby preventing its accumulation within cells. µ3H½Cytidine (4.2 µAmol/100 g) was used in time-course studies in ovariectomized control andestradiol-treated rats. From this study the following differences between uteri of control and estradiol-treated animals were noted: 1) both nucleotides and RNA were five to six times more highly labeled in treated than control animals after a five minute labeling period, 2) this difference between control and treated animals was reduced to twofold when the labeling period was extended to 20 min, 3) free nucleoside had begun to accumulate intracellularly in treated animals, but had notequilibrated with u...
Conditions causing burn injuries in foodservice workers

Minor occupational burn injuries are common among foodservice workers. Risk factors and interventions to prevent these injuries, however, have not been well elucidated. The goal of this study was to determine the workplace conditions that put foodservice workers at risk for such burn injuries. A chart review of patients who presented to an ambulatory clinic located in a large metropolitan airport in the US with burns from handling food was conducted. This was followed by workplace visits of multiple food vendors and aircraft. The majority of burn injuries identified were scald injuries to the hands and upper extremities, and occurred primarily while handling coffee and from splashes of cooking oil. Contact burn injuries were also common, involving the use of hot equipment or incidental contact with nearby equipment. Mechanisms of injury and root causes were explored. Measures for preventing these painful, potentially disfiguring and time-losing occupational injuries are suggested.
Electron-Capture GLC Determination of Nanogram to Picogram Amounts of Isosorbide Dinitrate

A GLC method for the determination of plasma isosorbide dinitrate using electron-capture detection is described. The organic nitrates are especially suited for electron-capture detection if the detector temperature is optimized for maximum sensitivity, e.g., 175 degrees. Proper maintenance of the detector and column assures reproducible data in the low nanogram range. The extraction procedure described is simple, efficient, and expedient for processing large numbers of samples. The method was used to study plasma levels in four human volunteers after a single dose of a 5-mg chewable isosorbide dinitrate tablet. Concentration levels of isosorbide dinitrate as low as 0.5 ng/ml of plasma can be measured by this procedure.
Role of PKC and calcium in modulation of effects of angiotensin II on sodium transport in proximal tubule

It has been well documented that low concentrations of ANG II (10−11 to 10−10 M) stimulate, whereas high concentrations of ANG II (10−8 to 10−5 M) inhibit Na+transport in proximal tubules of rat an...
Discussion and Application of the Homotopy Filter

Development of the novel homotopy, or particle-flow, nonlinear filters1-10 has recently been quite rapid. There is actually a whole family of such methods, so we will refer to these collectively in this paper as "DH" filters, after their developers, the third and fourth authors of this manuscript. Unlike a particle filter, a DH filter does not resample; instead, the particles are moved in a smooth way, from a space that reflects prior (predicted) knowledge to one that is updated according to the measurements. Working versions of several DH filters now exist, and the purpose of this paper is to attempt to provide some perspective on them. We stress that this paper discusses the efforts of the first two authors to learn about and to explain in their own terms these these filters that others might benefit from that. The latter pair of authors - these are the developers of the DH filter family - have been instrumental in this effort. But it must be noted that they continue to develop their algorithms, and that this paper represents a snapshot of a rapidly changing landscape.
Animal spirits: the effect of economic expectations on economic output

The public is characterized as able forecasters of future economic performance. They engage in rational expectations. Empirical evidence exists to bolster the claim. This article considers the possibility that the public does more than predict economic output. They may engage in a self-fulfilling prophecy where belief about the future economy translates into personal financial behaviour (e.g., consumption and investment) that actually drives economic performance. After controlling for rational expectations with elite forecasts, leading indicators and past economic performance, it is shown that between 5% and one-third of the variance in economic output can be explained by prospective economic sentiment. This result has broad implications for electoral behaviour research.
Cranberries Of Wisconsin: Analyzing The Economic Impact

Once mainly known as a menu item in American and Canadian Thanksgiving dinners, cranberries have branched out to become a major commercial crop in the United States. Cranberries, along with blueberries and concord grapes, are the only native fruits grown commercially in the United States. Wisconsin leads the United States in cranberry production. The growth of this industry has led to a net economic gain to the community and region. This paper initiates the discussion of the cranberry industry to the State of Wisconsin’s economy; adding it as a topic in the field of economic development. This paper uses "input output analysis" in an effort to estimate the economic value of this crop.
Comparing Outcomes of Kinect Videogame-Based Occupational/Physical Therapy Versus Usual Care

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a game-like exercise tool as a component of occupational and physical therapy treatment for patients with shoulder pain and impairment in an outpatient physical therapy clinic. Materials and Methods: The product evaluated is a hands-free therapy (HFT) prototype, using Microsoft® (Redmond, WA) Kinect™ technology. HFT was designed as a home exercise program (HEP), or adjunct to a clinic-based exercise program, with the goal to improve patient compliance and outcomes by providing patients with continuous immediate feedback and engaging them in a game-like experience. Eight patients with shoulder injuries were randomly assigned to study groups. Outcomes in pain, range of motion, and function were assessed. The experimental group received six sessions using HFT; the control group received six sessions of treatment as usual. Results: The research demonstrated that patient outcomes were as good in the group using HFT as outcomes ach...
Target tracking control of a mobile robot using a Brain limbic system based control strategy

In this paper, a Brain limbic system (BLS) based control algorithm is used to address the problem of target tracking in mobile robotics. The mathematical description of this approach in the form of BELBIC (Brain Emotional Learning Based Intelligent Control; also referred to as BLS) is presented and used to generate appropriate velocity profile for the mobile robot to track its target. The overall performance of the system is enhanced via fuzzy clustering of the error and velocity pairs.
Retirement Preparation and Retirement Satisfaction in the Rural Elderly

This study investigated preparation for retirement in the rural elderly and the relationship between that preparation and retirement satisfaction. A number of anticipatory socialization for retirem...
Noonan syndrome and related disorders

Abstract Noonan syndrome is a common multiple malformation syndrome seen in children with congenital heart disease. Recently, a mutation in the PTPN11 gene was found to be present in about 50% of individuals with Noonan syndrome. Over 80% of these patients have some form of congenital heart disease with pulmonary stenosis often associated with a dysplastic valve being, by far, the most common lesion. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs in 20–30%. Characteristic facies, chest deformity, short stature, undescended testes in the male and learning disabilities comprise the Noonan phenotype but there is wide phenotypic variation and a changing phenotype with age. This phenotype is noted in several other syndromes which share similar cardiac defects. These include LEOPARD, neurofibromatosis, Noonan syndrome, cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome and Costello syndrome. A definitive diagnosis is particularly difficult in infancy.
WHEN MEMORY REPEATS ITSELF: THE POLITICS OF HERITAGE IN POST CIVIL WAR LEBANON

On 4 August 2005 the Lebanese English-language paper the Daily Star reported that Lebanon's ancient inscriptions at Nahr al-Kalb had been accepted into the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO’s) collection of “worldwide rare documents” through its Memory of the World Programme. UNESCO established the Memory of the World Programme in 1992, after realizing that its World Heritage Programme, which seeks to protect historic landscapes and architectural landmarks, did not safeguard a category of less visible, yet equally important, documents of the past: texts. The Memory of the World Programme made the preservation of “documentary heritage [which] reflects the diversity of languages, peoples and cultures” its goal, hoping that its work would help prevent “collective amnesia.” An eight-member Lebanese national committee made up of cultural and political elites affiliated with Lebanon's Ministry of Culture and Lebanese University, the country's largest public university, submitted a unanimous proposal to UNESCO's International Advisory Committee (IAC) to include Nahr al-Kalb in its collection of “documentary heritage.” The IAC reviewed and accepted the proposal in June 2005, placing the inscriptions along the river of Nahr al-Kalb in the company of 156 other universally memorable texts from around the world.
Portfolio selection and asset pricing models

Finance theory can be used to form informative prior beliefs in financial decision-making. This paper approaches portfolio selection in a Bayesian framework that incorporates a prior degree of belief in an asset pricing model. Sample evidence on home bias and value and size effects is evaluated from an asset-allocation perspective. U.S. investors' belief in the domestic CAPM must be very strong to justify the home bias observed in their equity holdings. The same strong prior belief results in large and stable optimal positions in the Fama-French book-to-market portfolio in combination with the market since the 1940s.
Role of Organic Anion and Amino Acid Carriers in Transport of Inorganic Mercury in Rat Renal Basolateral Membrane Vesicles: Influence of Compensatory Renal Growth

Susceptibility to renal injury induced by inorganic mercury (Hg 2 + ) increases significantly as a result of compensatory renal growth (following reductions of renal mass). We hypothesize that this phenomenon is related inpart to increased basolateral uptake of Hg 2 + by proximal tubular cells. To determine the mechanistic roles of various transporters, we studied uptake of Hg 2 + , in the form of biologically relevant Hg 2 + -thiol conjugates, using basolateral membrane (BLM) vesicles isolated from the kidney(s) of control and uninephrectomized (NPX) rats. Binding of Hg 2 + to membranes, accounted for 52-86% of total Hg 2 + associated with membrane vesicles exposed to HgCl 2 , decreased with increasing concentrations of HgCl 2 , and decreased slightly in the presence of sodium ions. Conjugation of Hg 2 + with thiols (glutathione, L-cysteine (Cys), N-acetyl-L-cysteine) reduced binding by more than 50%. Under all conditions, BLM vesicles from NPX rats exhibited a markedly lower proportion of binding. Of the Hg 2 + -thiol conjugates studied, transport of Hg-(Cys) 2 was fastest. Selective inhibition of BLM carriers implicated the involvement of organic anion transporter(s) (Oat1 and/or Oat3; Slc22a6 and Slc22a8), amino acid transporter system ASC (Slc7a10), the dibasic amino acid transporter (Slc3al), and the sodium-dicarboxylate carrier (SDCT2 or NADC3; Slcl3a3). Uptake of each mercuric conjugate, when factored by membrane protein content, was higher in BLM vesicles from uninephrectomized (NPX) rats, with specific increases in transport by the carriers noted above. These results support the hypothesis that compensatory renal growth is associated with increased uptake of Hg 2 + in proximal tubular cells and we have identified specific transporters involved in the process.
Sparse Support Vector Machines with L_{p} Penalty for Biomarker Identification

The development of high-throughput technology has generated a massive amount of high-dimensional data, and many of them are of discrete type. Robust and efficient learning algorithms such as LASSO [1] are required for feature selection and overfitting control. However, most feature selection algorithms are only applicable to the continuous data type. In this paper, we propose a novel method for sparse support vector machines (SVMs) with Lp (p < 1) regularization. Efficient algorithms (LpSVM) are developed for learning the classifier that is applicable to high-dimensional data sets with both discrete and continuous data types. The regularization parameters are estimated through maximizing the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the cross-validation data. Experimental results on protein sequence and SNP data attest to the accuracy, sparsity, and efficiency of the proposed algorithm. Biomarkers identified with our methods are compared with those from other methods in the literature. The software package in Matlab is available upon request.
Successful mitigation of viral disease based on a delayed exposure rearing strategy at a large-scale steelhead trout conservation hatchery

Abstract In 2009, the largest steelhead trout conservation hatchery in the state of Idaho, Dworshak National Fish Hatchery (NFH), lost over 50% of the juvenile steelhead trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) population being reared for release. The causative agent of this high mortality was the viral pathogen infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV). This was neither the first nor the worst epidemic of IHNV to occur at the hatchery, but it was the worst in over a decade. Genetic analysis of IHNV isolates taken from juveniles suffering epidemic IHN disease in 2009 revealed that the virus was of the M group of IHNV viruses, known to have high virulence for trout. The water supply for steelhead trout rearing at Dworshak NFH is untreated water taken directly from the Clearwater River. Further genetic analysis of IHNV isolates from adults spawned in 2009 indicated that adult steelhead trout in the river (in the hatchery water supply) were the most probable transmission source for the epidemic IHN disease in the juvenile fish. Previously, Dworshak NFH had been able to gain access to reservoir water from behind the Dworshak Dam for nursery egg incubation and the earliest stage of fry rearing, which nearly eliminated incidence of IHN disease in that stage of rearing. Additionally, the nearby Clearwater State Fish Hatchery (SFH), which operates entirely with reservoir water, has never had a case of IHN disease in juvenile steelhead trout. Therefore, staff at Dworshak NFH sought and obtained access to a limited supply of reservoir water for the first few months of outdoor rearing of juvenile steelhead trout, beginning in 2010. This strategy delayed the exposure of juvenile steelhead trout to river water for several months. The effects of this program change were: drastic reduction in IHN disease in juvenile steelhead trout; interruption in the transmission of highly virulent M group IHNV from adult steelhead trout; no interruption in the transmission of low virulent U group IHNV from adult Chinook salmon; and a shift of IHNV types in adult fish spawned at Dworshak NFH in subsequent years from M to U group viruses. While juvenile steelhead trout may still be infected via exposure to IHNV in river water, the disruption of virulent M group IHNV has been successful in dramatically reducing IHN disease in steelhead trout every year since 2010. Statement of relevance Effective reduction of severe mortality due to IHNV.
The Fourth Pacific Science Congress

Java was hot and there were other discomforts, but all who were present at the congress returned to their homes appreciative of the charms and manifold subjects of scientific and other kinds of interest of what is perhaps the most fascinating of tropical islands, deeply grateful for the courtesies and hospitality extended to them and convinced that the Fourth Pacific Science Congress was the most successful of that series of congresses. Thanks are due all of those who contributed to the social enjoyment and the scientific accomplishments of the congress, but it may be permissible to emphasize the part played by the general president, Dr. Otto de Vries. He showed capacity in the organization of the congress, his handling of all matters connected with it was tactful and his genial personality endeared him to every one. We congratulated him on his success and told him that we were proud of him.
Left cardiac sympathetic denervation for the treatment of methadone-induced long QT syndrome

Introduction Methadone remains one of the most common noncardiovascular drugs associated with the development of torsade de pointes (TdP), as QT interval prolongation can occur in up to 15% of methadone-maintenance patients. In fact, the overall use of methadone has increased significantly in the past decade, and it has also been found to be associated with an increased risk of sudden death in a community-based study. For patients with recurrent methadone-associated dP who are unable to discontinue the offending medicaion, an effective secondary prevention strategy is permaent pacing with defibrillator backup. However, there are ccasions when this treatment option is not clinically reaonable because of a high risk for cardiac device infection. e report one such case of an individual on methadone aintenance and a secondary-prevention implantable carioverter-defibrillator (ICD) who subsequently developed a evice infection. Given the patient’s clinical picture upon resentation, left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) as chosen as treatment. This case suggests that LCSD ight be an alternative to consider in patients on methadone ith significant QT interval prolongation, and thereby at isk for ventricular arrhythmias.
Volatile Organic Compounds in Untreated Ambient Groundwater of the United States, 1985-1995

As part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program of the US Geological Survey, an assessment of 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in untreated, ambient groundwater of the conterminous US was conducted based on samples collected from 2,948 wells between 1985 and 1995. The samples represent urban and rural areas and drinking-water and nondrinking-water wells. A reporting level of 0.2 {micro}g/L was used with the exception of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, which had a reporting level of 1.0 {micro}g/L. Because ambient groundwater was targeted, areas of known point-source contamination were excluded from this assessment. VOC concentrations generally were low; 56% of the concentrations were less than 1 {micro}g/L. In urban areas, 47% of the sampled wells had at least one VOC, and 29% had two or more VOCs; furthermore, US Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water criteria were exceeded in 6.4% of all sampled wells and in 2.5% of the sampled drinking-water wells. In rural areas, 14% of the sampled wells had at least one VOC; furthermore, drinking-water criteria were exceeded in 1.5% of all sampled wells and in 1.3% of the sampled drinking-water wells. Solvent compounds and the fuel oxygenate methyl tert-butyl ether were among the most frequently detected VOCs in urban and rural areas.
Metabolism of the right ventricle and the response to hypertrophy and failure

Profound transcriptional, translational and energetic derangements develop in the right ventricle (RV) in response to physiologic and pathophysiologic stress. The transition from pressure and volume overload to cardiac hypertrophy and subsequent failure is accompanied by a distinct switch from preferential fatty acid to glucose utilization for ATP generation. The failing RV is characterized by an energy-starved state with insufficient ATP levels. Modern non-invasive imaging using positron emission tomography using specific radioactive tracers allows a detailed spatial and temporal characterization of RV metabolism. While the current role for pharmacologic interventions on RV metabolic abnormalities is unclear, several potentially promising molecular targets have been identified and clinical trials targeting molecular dysfunction in RV hypertrophy and failure have been designed.
Effect of drag-reducing polymers on mass transfer fluctuations

Utilisation de techniques electrochimiques pour montrer que les polymeres reducteurs de trainee diminuent la grandeur et la frequence des fluctuations de transfert de matiere. Les mesures du spectre de frequence des fluctuations de transfert de matiere, permettent de calculer la composante normale des fluctuations de vitesse au voisinage immediat de la paroi. Cette information permet d'interpreter l'effet observe des polymeres reducteurs de trainee sur la vitesse de transfert de matiere
Micro-Raman Evaluation of Polycrystalline Silicon MEMS Devices

Micro-Raman spectroscopy is a valuable tool for thermometry of operational polysilicon MEMS devices. By using the temperature-calibrated response of the optical phonon peak of the polysilicon Raman signature and the micron-scale spatial resolution achieved with a 488 nm Ar + laser Raman probe, we have obtained spatially resolved steady-state thermal profiles of Joule-heated thermal flexure actuators. The measured thermal profiles are further compared to one-dimensional numerical models of the thermal response of the electrically heated devices.