cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Why Study Functional Amyloids? Lessons from the Repeat Domain of Pmel17

One of the current challenges facing biomedical researchers is the need to develop new approaches in preventing amyloid formation that is associated with disease. While amyloid is generally considered detrimental to the cell, examples of amyloids that maintain a benign nature and serve a specific function exist. Here, we review our work on the repeat domain (RPT) of the functional amyloid Pmel17. Specifically, the RPT domain contributes in generating amyloid fibrils in melanosomes upon which melanin biosynthesis occurs. Amyloid formation of RPT was shown to be pH sensitive, aggregating only under acidic conditions associated with melanosomal pH. Furthermore, preformed fibrils rapidly dissolved at neutral pH to generate benign monomeric species. From a biological perspective, this unique reversible aggregation/disaggregation is a safeguard against an event of releasing RPT fibrils in the cytosol, resulting in rapid fibril unfolding and circumventing cytotoxicity. Understanding how melanosomes preserve a safe environment will address vital questions that remain unanswered with pathological amyloids.
Recognizing and treating conversion disorder.

The underlying cause, diagnostic criteria, and treatment for conversion disorder. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Maternity Boot Camp: A Strategy to Begin Clinical

Abstract To allay anxiety about the maternity clinical experience, nursing faculty developed a simulation to enable prelicensure students to rehearse their 1st day on the maternity unit. Results from student feedback on Maternity Boot Camp indicate that students feel better prepared and more confident. They receive credit for the 8-hour day, which is applied to the 56 hours of clinical time required by this rotation.
Acute cardiometabolic effects of interrupting sitting with resistance exercise breaks.

Interrupting prolonged sitting with light activity breaks, such as short walks, improves cardiometabolic outcomes, yet less is known about the impact of resistance exercise breaks. This study exami...
Secondary School Students' Perceptions of Math Teachers and Math Classes.

IN THE last twenty years, mathematics education has passed through a sur prisingly productive and historically sig nificant period of innovation. One can note the beginnings in 1952 of the University of Illinois Committee on School Mathematics under Max Beberman, the establishment in 1955 of the Commission on Mathematics of the College Entrance Examination Board, the launching in 1958 of the highly in fluential School Mathematics Study Group under Edward Begle, and the series of Cambridge conferences on school math ematics held between 1963 and 1967. What ever the outcome of current debate over the new math, we have just witnessed a remark able period of mathematics curriculum de velopment (Kendig 1974). Of special rele vance to this paper are some of the conclusions reached by the Cambridge con ferences (Johnson and Rising 1972): (1) three years can be saved through the total abandonment of drill for drill's sake? "technical practice can be woven into the acquisition of new concepts"; (2) math ematics should play a role as a confidence builder; (3) intuitive development of con cepts should be stressed; (4) a variety of
Thread Structure Learning on Online Health Forums With Partially Labeled Data

Thread structures, the reply relationships between posts, in online forums are very important for readers to understand the thread content, and for improving the effectiveness of automated forum information retrieval, expert findings, and so on. However, most online forums only have partially labeled structures, which means that some reply relationships are known while the others are unknown. To address this problem, studies have been performed to learn and predict thread structures. However, existing work does not leverage the partially available thread structures to learn the complete thread structure. We have also observed that many online health forums are a type of person-centric forums, where persons are mentioned across posts, providing hints about the reply relationships between posts. In this article, we first proposed to learn the complete thread structures by leveraging the partially known structures based on a statistical machine learning model—thread conditional random fields (threadCRFs). Then, we proposed to use person resolution, the process of identifying the same person mentioned in different contexts, together with threadCRF for thread structure learning. We have empirically verified the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Rates of Prelinguistic Communication and Early Symbol Use in Young Children With Down Syndrome: Using a Progress-Monitoring Tool to Model Growth.

Purpose This study aims to provide descriptive data on rates of expressive communication skill use in young children with Down syndrome (DS) across early childhood. Children with DS are known to ha...
Piles and Secret Cities

When Arthur Compton decided to centralize nuclear-pile research at the University of Chicago’s Metallurgical Laboratory in early 1942, the first goal on the path to large-scale plutonium production would be to show that a self-sustaining chain reaction could be created and controlled. Enrico Fermi began moving his Columbia pile group to Chicago in early 1942 to join forces with Samuel Allison’s group. Fermi himself commuted between New York and Chicago through the winter and early spring of 1942, moving permanently in April. Five months were required to move Columbia uranium, graphite, and personnel to Chicago.
The Effects of Data Sampling with Deep Learning and Highly Imbalanced Big Data

Training predictive models with class-imbalanced data has proven to be a difficult task. This problem is well studied, but the era of big data is producing more extreme levels of imbalance that are increasingly difficult to model. We use three data sets of varying complexity to evaluate data sampling strategies for treating high class imbalance with deep neural networks and big data. Sampling rates are varied to create training distributions with positive class sizes from 0.025%–90%. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve is used to compare performance, and thresholding is used to maximize class performance. Random over-sampling (ROS) consistently outperforms under-sampling (RUS) and baseline methods. The majority class proves susceptible to misrepresentation when using RUS, and results suggest that each data set is uniquely sensitive to imbalance and sample size. The hybrid ROS-RUS maximizes performance and efficiency, and is our preferred method for treating high imbalance within big data problems.
Control of fetal globin expression in man: new opportunities to challenge past discoveries

Decades-old findings supporting origin of F cells in adult life from adult-type progenitors and the in vitro and in vivo enhancement of fetal globin under stress conditions have been juxtaposed against recent mechanistic underpinnings. An updated molecular interrogation did not debunk prior conclusions on the origin of F cells. Although fetal globin reactivation by widely diverse approaches in vitro and in response to anemic stresses in vivo is a work in progress, accumulating evidence converges toward an integrated stress response pathway. The newly uncovered developmental regulators of globin gene switching not only have provided answers to the long-awaited quest of transregulation of switching, they are also reaching a clinical threshold. Although the effect of fetal globin silencers has been robustly validated in adult cells, the response of cells at earlier developmental stages has been unclear and inadequately studied.
Measuring the COVID-19 Mortality Burden in the United States : A Microsimulation Study.

Background Fully assessing the mortality burden of the COVID-19 pandemic requires measuring years of life lost (YLLs) and accounting for quality-of-life differences. Objective To measure YLLs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) lost from the COVID-19 pandemic, by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and comorbidity. Design State-transition microsimulation model. Data sources Health and Retirement Study, Panel Study of Income Dynamics, data on excess deaths from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and nursing home death counts from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Target population U.S. population aged 25 years and older. Time horizon Lifetime. Perspective Individual. Intervention COVID-19 pandemic through 13 March 2021. Outcome measures YLLs and QALYs lost per 10 000 persons in the population. The estimates account for the age, sex, and race/ethnicity of decedents, along with obesity, smoking behavior, lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, hypertension, dementia, and nursing home residence. Results of base-case analysis The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 6.62 million QALYs lost (9.08 million YLLs) through 13 March 2021, with 3.6 million (54%) lost by those aged 25 to 64 years. The greatest toll was on Black and Hispanic communities, especially among men aged 65 years or older, who lost 1138 and 1371 QALYs, respectively, per 10 000 persons. Absent the pandemic, 38% of decedents would have had average or above-average life expectancies for their subgroup defined by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Results of sensitivity analysis Accounting for uncertainty in risk factors for death from COVID-19 yielded similar results. Limitation Estimates may vary depending on assumptions about mortality and quality-of-life projections. Conclusion Beyond excess deaths alone, the COVID-19 pandemic imposed a greater life expectancy burden on persons aged 25 to 64 years, including those with average or above-average life expectancies, and a disproportionate burden on Black and Hispanic communities. Primary funding source National Institute on Aging.
Kinetic Studies of Ferrous Ion Oxidation With Crystalline Human Ferroxidase (Ceruloplasmin)

Abstract The kinetics of the catalysis of Fe(II) oxidation by crystalline human ferroxidase (ceruloplasmin) has been studied under various conditions at 30°. Two Km values with respect to Fe(II), Km1 = 0.6 µm and Km2 = 50 µm, were obtained at pH 6.5, at which ferroxidase gave the maximum activity of 550 Fe(II) per ferroxidase per min in an acetate buffer. Competition between the two substrates, p-phenylenediamine and Fe(II), was observed. The stoichiometry of Fe(II), ferroxidase, and oxygen, determined from the experimental data, was 4:1:1.
Adhesive bonding of various materials to hard tooth tissues

Abstract Adsorption of an adhesion-promoting compound, N-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropyl)-N-phenylglycine (NPG-GMA), was studied on synthetic hydroxyapatite from ethanol solution. The adsorption isotherm is very steep initially, followed by a step and then a Langmuir-type isotherm. The nature of adsorption is irreversible up to the step and reversible thereafter. The maximum amounts of the irreversibly adsorbed and the reversibly adsorbed materials are about the same. The irreversibly adsorbed material may be chemisorbed. If the irreversibility is effected by the chelating ligand groups of the molecule which rotates about the calcium ion site (centered on the nitrogen ligand) in a fully extended configuration, the area of the hydroxyapatite thus obtained corresponds to its BET (N2) area. An additional reversible adsorption may take place on the irreversibly adsorbed apatite at higher concentrations if the irreversibly adsorbed molecules are reduced in their areal domain by a folding of their methacrylate groups. Polymer filled with synthetic hydroxyapatite covered with the irreversibly adsorbed NPG-GMA has a tensile strength about 50% greater than that of the polymer filled with untreated apatite.
Family characteristics and behavior problems of suicidal and non-suicidal children and adolescents

The present study examined familial and individual variables in youngsters at high risk for suicide and non-suicidal youngsters. One hundred inpatient children and adolescents completed a battery of questionnaires including, FACES II, Family Strengths, and Problem Behavior Scales, to assess family dysfunction and individual behavior problems. The results indicated that suicidal youngsters have lower pride in their families and perceived them as less adaptable than non-suicidal youngsters as indicated by scores on the Family Strengths and FACES II, respectively. Scores on the Problem Behavior Scales indicated that suicidal youngsters also exhibited self-inflicted behaviors, withdrawal from others, little interest in activities, poor concentration, and difficulties with sleeping. In addition, youths at risk for suicide were more likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder, including major depressive disorder and dysthymia, as well as substance abuse and phobias. These findings suggest that suicidal youngsters' negative perceptions of their families and their maladaptive behaviors should be given special attention in designing appropriate interventions. In this way, treatment would likely be effective by providing appropriate coping skills and preventing future suicidal attempts in high risk youngsters.
Program implementation fidelity and substance use outcomes among middle school students in a drug abuse prevention program / Fidelidad de la implementación y resultados de consumo de sustancias entre estudiantes de secundaria en un programa de prevención

La fidelidad en la implementacion de programas esta siendo cada vez mas reconocida como un componente clave en los programas de prevencion efectivos. El presente estudio examina la asociacion entre la fidelidad en la implementacion y los datos de consumo de drogas entre jovenes estudiantes en 11 escuelas medias de Nueva York donde se han aplicado programas de prevencion de drogas. Observadores entrenados supervisaron la implementacion de un programa de prevencion aplicado por profesores (N=38), los alumnos participantes (N=1857) completaron cuestionarios sobre el uso de tabaco y alcohol en un periodo de 15 meses. Los resultados indican que los profesores que prefi rieron las clases magistrales cuando impartian el programa, utilizaban con menor probabilidad el debate y la demostracion como metodos educativos. Asimismo, los profesores que prefi rieron las clases magistrales fueron valorados por los observadores como menos preparados para dar clase y con menor capacidad de gestion de la clase. Los resultados indican que los factores relacionados con la calidad de implementacion predicen significativamente el cambio en los datos de consumo de sustancias entre los estudiantes. Abstract Implementation fi delity is increasingly recognized as a key component of effective prevention programming. The present study examined the association between implementation fi delity and youth substance use outcomes among students in 11 New York City middle schools receiving a drug abuse prevention program. Trained observers monitored the implementation of a research-based prevention program by classroom teachers (N = 38), and participating students (N = 1,857) completed surveys assessing smoking and alcohol use over a 15-month period. Findings indicated that teachers who relied more on lecturing when teaching the program were less likely to use discussion and demonstration as teaching methods. Teachers who relied on lecturing were rated by observers as being less ready to teach and having poorer classroom management skills. Findings indicated that factors related to the quality of implementation signifi cantly predicted change in student substance use outcomes. Students who were taught by the most skilled providers reported signifi cantly lower increases in smoking and drinking at the follow-up assessments compared to students taught by other providers. These fi ndings suggest that teacher training to enhance implementation fidelity is a crucial component to program success in terms of student behavioral outcomes.
McMullen’s root-finding algorithm for cubic polynomials

We show that a generally convergent root-finding algorithm for cubic polynomials defined by C. McMullen is of order 3, and we give generally convergent algorithms of order 5 and higher for cubic polynomials. We study the Julia sets for these algorithms and give a universal rational map and Julia set to explain the dynamics.
piCholesky: Polynomial Interpolation of Multiple Cholesky Factors for Efficient Approximate Cross-Validation.

The dominant cost in solving least-square problems using Newton's method is often that of factorizing the Hessian matrix over multiple values of the regularization parameter ($\lambda$). We propose an efficient way to interpolate the Cholesky factors of the Hessian matrix computed over a small set of $\lambda$ values. This approximation enables us to optimally minimize the hold-out error while incurring only a fraction of the cost compared to exact cross-validation. We provide a formal error bound for our approximation scheme and present solutions to a set of key implementation challenges that allow our approach to maximally exploit the compute power of modern architectures. We present a thorough empirical analysis over multiple datasets to show the effectiveness of our approach.
Small-Area Niobium/Aluminum Oxide/Niobium Junctions for SIS Mixers

Submillimeter-wave SIS receivers require junctions with small RC products. The RC product can only be reduced by decreasing the thickness of the insulating barrier; however, this is generally accompanied by an increased subgap leakage current which adversely affects mixer performance. Thus, it is advantageous to choose a junction fabrication technology which produces inherently high quality barriers and low subgap leakage currents. Junctions fabricated from Nb/Al-Oxide/Nb trilayers (Gurvitch et al. 1983; Lichtenberger et al. 1988) are particularly well known in this regard, and have shown good performance when used in mm-wave mixers (Inatani et al. 1987; Pan et al. 1987). However, junction areas must be reduced to ≤ 1 µm2 in order to meet impedance-matching requirements at submm wavelengths. Here we report Nb/Al-Oxide/Nb junctions which are among the smallest fabricated to date (see also Imamura and Hasuo 1988).
Diffusion in sparsely connected pore spaces: Temporal and spatial scaling

Diffusion both disperses and retards mass movement of contaminants through porous media. The retardation generally involves mass transfer of contaminants from faster to slower flow paths, making prediction more difficult and remediation slower. In ordinary (Fickian) diffusion, root-mean-square displacement of a population of diffusing molecules increases with the square root of the elapsed time, and diffusivity (D, L 2 T - 1 ) of the porous medium is constant in time. The diffusivity can be measured using time-dependent methods such as pulsed field gradient (PFG) magnetic resonance (MR), or steady state diffusion experiments. However, it is known that diffusion behaves anomalously in sparsely connected pore spaces at the percolation threshold. We conducted a series of Monte Carlo simulations using random walks, designed to mimic measurement of D using both time-dependent and steady state methods. In the time-dependent simulations, diffusivity scaled as D ∼ T - 0 . 4 8 at the percolation threshold. Above the percolation threshold, D decreased at early times, then became constant, with the time required for constant D being greater when the medium was less interconnected. In the steady state simulations we examined the effect of sample size on apparent diffusivity. Above the percolation threshold, diffusivity decreased, then became constant as sample size increased, but at the percolation threshold, diffusivity scaled as D ∼ L - 1 . 8 3 . The drop in diffusivity with sample size was caused by both a decrease in effective porosity and an increase in tortuosity, each of which also followed scaling laws. A single measurement will not suffice to determine whether a sample's pore space is at the percolation threshold, necessitating measurement of diffusivity at more than one scale in time or space. Using a scale-dependent measurement to make predictions at a different scale can result in serious overestimation or underestimation of diffusive mass transfer and consequent retardation.
Subjective characterization of nerve sparing predicts recovery of erectile function after radical prostatectomy: defining the utility of a nerve sparing grading system

ABSTRACT Introduction Radical prostatectomy (RP) is a common technique for managing prostate cancer. Concern regarding functional outcomes in patients prompted the development of nerve sparing to improve recovery of erectile function. Aim To assess if a cumulative nerve damage grading system is a more precise predictor of recovery of erectile function as compared to the current “all‐or‐none” grading system. Methods Baseline demographic, medical history, and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)‐erectile function domain (EFD) scores were collected. At the time of RP, patients were assigned a nerve sparing score (NSS) by their surgeon for each neurovascular bundle (left and right) to assess the quality of intraoperative nerve sparing (1—complete preservation, 4—complete resection). Patients completed IIEF questionnaires at 24 months after RP. Main Outcome Measures Group comparisons and multiple regression analyses were used to test the association between the NSS and IIEF‐EFD scores for patients with preoperative EFD scores ≥24. Results A total of 173 patients were included in this analysis. Mean age for patients was 59, and 62% of patients had at least one comorbidity. Baseline EFD scores were comparable between all NSS assignments. At 24 months, EFD scores were reduced by 7.2, 11.6, 13.9, and 15.4 points for patients with NSS grades of 2, 3, 4, and 5–8, respectively ( P P = 0.001), as did age ( P = 0.001) and baseline EFD score ( P = 0.02). Conclusions Our data support the adoption of a subjectively assigned NSS to more precisely predict erectile function outcomes and suggest that even minor nerve trauma significantly impairs the recovery of erectile function after procedures classically regarded as having achieved bilateral nerve sparing. Further studies are needed to identify the optimal NSS system. Moskovic DJ, Alphs H, Nelson CJ, Rabbani F, Eastham J, Touijer K, Guillonneau B, Scardino PT, and Mulhall JP. Subjective characterization of nerve sparing predicts recovery of erectile function after radical prostatectomy: Defining the utility of a nerve sparing grading system.
Intentional Growth Training: Developing an Intervention to Increase Personal Growth Initiative

Background: A one-week intervention (Intentional Growth Training; IGT) to increase personal growth initiative (PGI) was created and tested in a series of studies to determine its effect on PGI level. Because PGI predicts psychological well-being and depression, IGT has potential to have considerable benefit on a person's mental health. Methods: Study 1 was the initial assessment of whether IGT increased PGI greater than various control conditions. Study 2 employed an enhanced version of IGT and utilised the singular components of IGT determining which components were most impactful at increasing PGI. Study 3 was a narrative analysis of writing samples from Study 2 determining whether participant language varied by condition in use of negative or positive emotion, or personal growth-related words. Results: In Study 1, PGI increased significantly across conditions. In Study 2, the growth activity only condition, and PGI education coupled with the growth activity, produced significant increases in PGI. In Study 3, those receiving only PGI education used more growth-related words than control conditions. Conclusion: The most effective IGT format appears to include both education about PGI and a growth activity. The benefits of utilising IGT are discussed.
Confidence Interval Simulation for Systems of Random Variables

Bayesian network models are seen as important tools in probabilistic design assessment for complex systems. Such network models for system reliability analysis provide a single probability of failure value whether the experimental data used to model the random variables in the problem are perfectly known or derive from limited experimental data. The values of the probability of failure for each of those two cases are not the same, of course, but the point is that there is no way to derive a Bayesian type of confidence interval from such reliability network models. Bayesian confidence (or belief) intervals for a probability of failure are needed for complex system problems in order to extract information on which random variables are dominant, not just for the expected probability of failure but also for some upper bound, such as for a 95% confidence upper bound. We believe that such confidence bounds on the probability of failure will be needed for certifying turbine engine components and systems based on probabilistic design methods. This paper reports on a proposed use of a two-step Bayesian network modeling strategy that provides a full cumulative distribution function for the probability of failure, conditioned by the experimental evidence for the selected random variables. The example is based on a hypothetical high-cycle fatigue design problem for a transport aircraft engine application.
Revision anterior cruciate ligamentsurgery: Etiology of failures

Abstract Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has gained wide acceptance as the treatment of choice for the functionally unstable ACL-deficient knee. Long-term good or excellent results of primary ACL reconstructions with respect to functional stability, relief of symptoms, and return to activity is between 75% and 95%. As much as 8% of the unsatisfactory results after primary ACL reconstructions are secondary to recurrent instability and graft failure. Failed ACL reconstruction with recurrent instability can be classified into the following three categories based on the primary reason for failure: technical errors, biological failure, and traumatic failure. These causes of failure are not mutually exclusive, and more than one may contribute to failure. Technical reasons are the most common cause of failure, and anterior femoral tunnel placement is by far the most prevalent cause of graft failure and recurrent instability after ACL reconstruction. This article reviews the possible causes of recurrent instability after ACL reconstruction to enable the surgeon to thoroughly delineate the cause of failure before proceeding with revision ACL surgery.
Quantum-dye labeled proteins for glycobiology: a viable nonradioactive alternative tracer

Quantum dye (QD), a macrocyclic europium-chelate, developed as a cytological marker, has never been used for quantitative applications. It would be ideal, however, if the same tracer can be used for both qualitative and quantitative purposes. We have labeled some lectins and neoglycoproteins with QD for the purpose of quantitative analyses in glycobiology, and tested its suitability in three different areas in glycobiology: (1) glycosyltransferase, (2) an animal lectin - mannose-binding protein, and (3) the Gal/GalNAc receptor of rat liver membrane. Usefulness of QD-labeled lectins was amply demonstrated by the quantification of galactosyltransferase activity using QD-soybean agglutinin and QD-RCA120 ( Ricinus communis agglutinin). We also showed that QD-labeled neoglycoproteins, QD-Man-BSA and QD-Gal-BSA, can replace radioiodinated counterparts in the binding assays of animal lectins (serum mannose binding protein and hepatic Gal/GalNAc receptor.) The advantage of QD and other europium labels is that it does not decay as radioiodides do. The long shelf-life results in more consistent results from repeated experiments.
Thinking through the body: the conceptualization of yoga as therapy for individuals with eating disorders.

Yoga has historically been viewed as a discipline that increases self-awareness through body based practices, meditation, self-study, and the reading of philosophical texts. In the 21st century the mindfulness techniques of yoga have been adapted as an adjunct to the treatment of individuals with eating disorders. In an effort to understand the conceptualization of yoga as therapy for individuals with eating disorders, this article juxtaposes how mindfulness based yoga is regarded in three disciplines: sociology, neuroscience, and the “spiritual texts” of yoga.
Deformable mirror calibration for adaptive optics systems

We present a rapid technique for the simultaneous calibration and flattening of a deformable mirror in an adaptive optics system. We achieve an rms surface figure equivalent to better than (lambda) /100 in the K band in our first application of the scheme. The technique requires the presented of a phase shifting interferometer within the adaptive optics system. Measurements of the mirror surface are made while each mirror actuator's gain is estimated, in a stable, system. Measurements of the mirror surface are made while each mirror actuator's gain is estimated, in a stable, iterative, convergent sequence. Knowledge of the mirror responses function to single actuator activation is not needed. The iterative process ends when the mirror surface reaches some preset desired flatness, which can be specified by the rms deviation of the surface. An overall scale correction to the gains is measured and applied after the iterations converge. Our technique uses the mirror under conditions similar to those present when the adaptive optics system is running. This technique provides the user the ability to calibrate the mirror in a matter of a minute or two, enabling re-calibration of the actuator gains may times during a night with minimal impact on observing duty cycle, in order to adapt to changing conditions.
PREMARITAL SEXUAL COERCION: TREATMENT ISSUES FOR FAMILY THERAPISTS

Premarital sexual coercion is conceptualized as nonconsensual sexual activity between two persons who are not married to each other but who are involved in an intimate relationship with one another. Factors and consequences associated with premarital sexual coercion are presented. Three possible clinical scenarios are discussed, and a case example is presented to highlight the importance of several therapeutic issues, including the need for individual sessions with the victim in order to provide crisis intervention and assess her safety and willingness to continue the relationship.
Does School Finance Litigation Cause Taxpayer Revolt? Serrano and Proposition 13

An influential theory argues that court-ordered school finance equalization undermines support for public schools. Residents of wealthy school districts who cannot keep their tax revenues for their own school districts may vote to limit school funding altogether. Proponents of this theory point to Serrano v. Priest, a 1977 decision of the California Supreme Court that mandated equalization of school financing and was followed almost immediately by Proposition 13, a ballot initiative to limit the local property tax. I test the theory that these two events were causally related by using hierarchical models to analyze voters within school districts. I find no evidence that opposition to school finance equalization contributed to the tax revolt. Claims about the perverse consequences of school finance litigation should be greeted with skepticism.
Alopecia with perineural lymphocytes: a clue to linear scleroderma en coup de sabre

Linear scleroderma en coup de sabre (‘the stroke of the sword’) is an uncommon form of morphea with onset typically in childhood or adolescence. Involvement is usually located on the paramedian forehead and is associated with alopecia. It is microscopically indistinguishable from other forms of scleroderma. We present a 51-year-old woman who presented with alopecia and subsequently developed linear scleroderma en coup de sabre on her adjacent forehead. Histopathology revealed a strikingly perineural lymphocytic and plasmacytic infiltrate, extending deeply into the subcutis and fascia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of alopecia with perineural lymphocytic inflammation as a presenting sign of linear scleroderma en coup de sabre. Goh C, Biswas A, Goldberg LJ. Alopecia with perineural lymphocytes: a clue to linear scleroderma en coup de sabre.
How to Do the Right Thing

This paper presents a novel approach to the problem of action selection for an autonomous agent. An agent is viewed as a collection of competence modules. Action selection is modeled as an emergent property of an activation/inhibition dynamics among these modules. A concrete action selection algorithm is presented and a detailed account of the results is given. This algorithm combines characteristics of both traditional planners and reactive systems: it produces fast and robust activity in a tight interaction loop with the environment, while at the same time allowing for some prediction and planning to take place.
The Mean Zonal Flow Response to Rossby Wave and Gravity Wave Forcing in the Equatorial Lower Stratosphere: Relationship to the QBO

Observations show that the westerly acceleration of the equatorial quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) can be accounted for by Kelvin waves, but that there is a deficiency in the easterly acceleration due to Rossby-gravity waves. Rossby waves and westward propagating gravity waves have been suggested as alternative sources for the easterly acceleration. The possible role of these two wave modes has been tested in a two-dimensional model of the QBO. When the easterly acceleration is due to Rossby waves, the zonal-mean response is steady; when it is due to gravity waves, an oscillation with some features similar to the QBO occurs, but it is of short period and weak amplitude. A similar result occurs when a standing-wave forcing pattern is imposed. These results suggest that Rossby waves play only a minor role in the QBO, and that while the Rossby-gravity mode is essential, other gravity modes may also be important for the easterly phase.
3‐methylindole as a model of equine obstructive lung disease

Summary 3-methylindole was administered orally and intravenously to horses and ponies in order to determine the ability of this chemical to provide a model of equine pulmonary disease. Both routes produced a severe and sometimes fatal pulmonary disease, characterised by bronchiolitis. Clinical signs developed 48 to 72 h after dosing and were most severe between Days 4 and 10 post dosing. Intravenous administration of 3-methylindole produced lung injury more rapidly and at a lower dose rate than the oral route. It is suggested that the respiratory condition induced by this chemical could become a method for standardisation of lung function techniques and interpretation in equine obstructive pulmonary disease.
Microstructure and abrasive wear in silicon nitride ceramics

It is well known that abrasive wear resistance is not strictly a materials property, but also depends upon the specific conditions of the wear environment. Nonetheless, characteristics of the ceramic microstructure do influence its hardness and fracture toughness and must, therefore, play an active role in determining how a ceramic will respond to the specific stress states imposed upon it by the wear environment. In this study, the ways in which composition and microstructure influence the abrasive wear behavior of six commercially-produced silicon nitride based ceramics are examined. Results indicate that microstructural parameters, such as matrix grain size and orientation, porosity, and grain boundary microstructure, and thermal expansion mismatch stresses created as the result of second phase formation, influence the wear rate through their effect on wear sheet formation and subsurface fracture. It is also noted that the potential impact of these variables on the wear rate may not be reflected in conventional fracture toughness measurements.
Tat protein from human immunodeficiency virus forms a metal-linked dimer

Tat, the transactivating protein from HIV, forms a metal-linked dimer with metal ions bridging cysteine-rich regions from each monomer. This novel arrangement is distinct from the "zinc finger" domain observed in other eukaryotic regulatory proteins. Ultraviolet absorption spectra show that Tat binds two Zn2+ or two Cd2+ ions per monomer, and electrophoresis of the Tat-metal complexes demonstrates that the protein forms metal-linked dimers. Partial proteolysis and circular dichroism spectra suggest that metal binding has its primary effects in the cysteine-rich region and relatively little effect on the folding of other regions. These results suggest new directions for biological studies and new approaches to drug design.
The effects of state R&D tax credits in stimulating private R&D expenditure: A cross‐state empirical analysis

This is a cross-state empirical study which examines the effects of state research and development (R&D) tax credits on private R&D expenditure in the states. Other explanatory variables include federal R&D subsidies, public services in higher education and R&D-targeted programs as well as other control variables. The statistical result shows that the establishment of state R&D credit programs is effective in stimulating more industrial R&D expenditure. In addition, state services in higher education and R&D-targeted programs also matter in private decision of R&D investment. This policy assessment sends a positive message to state policymakers because it shows the great potential in using R&D policy instruments to promote innovation-based economic development. © 2005 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
The Role of Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Depression: Review of Two Practice Guidelines

Persons AND colleagues 1 have raised some intriguing, provocative, and clinically important issues in their review and critique of two clinical practice guidelines: one by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), 2, 3 aimed at primary care (PC) practitioners, and the second by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), 4 directed toward psychiatrists. In essence, Persons et al find a greater basis for recommending psychotherapy alone as a treatment for major depressive disorder, and they view the stronger call for combined treatment (medication and psychotherapy) by the APA as lacking empirical support. They make several recommendations for subsequent guideline development (eg, multidisciplinary panels, comments on cost, highest reliance on randomized controlled trials [RCTs], periodic revisions, etc). The following comments, intended to be explanatory rather than in defense of, in particular, the AHCPR guidelines, focus on the philosophical basis underpinning the development and use of clinical practice guidelines. Assumptions made
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Treated With Irradiation: Management of the Neck.

Radiation therapy may be used in the management of cervical lymph node metastases as elective treatment when there are no palpable lymph nodes, as the only treatment for clinically positive lymph nodes, or as preoperative or postoperative treatment in combination with a neck dissection for clinically positive lymph nodes. The regional lymph nodes are considered in the treatment planning of the primary lesion, With clinically negative neck nodes, treatment planning depends on the estimated risk of subclinical disease in the nodes. With clinically positive lymph nodes, the plan is influenced by the number of lymph nodes, their size, mobility, and their location. This article reviews the management of the neck for patients in whom irradiation alone is used to treat the primary lesion. Treatment policies from the University of Florida are emphasized. The 1983 AJCC staging system is used unless otherwise specified, as much of the available data are analyzed using this staging system (Table l).’ The data presented are from the University of Florida, unless otherwise specified.
On the asymmetry of random regular graphs and random graphs

This paper studies the symmetry of random regular graphs and random graphs. Our main result shows that for all 3 ≤ d ≤ n - 4 the random d-regular graph on n vertices almost surely has no nontrivial automorphisms. This answers an open question of N. Wormald [13].
Determining the physical stability and water–solid interactions responsible for caking during storage of alpha-anhydrous glucose

Typically, a crystalline powder is considered reasonably stable below it deliquescence point (RH0), however, caking has been reported for some materials below their RH0. The critical relative humidity (RH) values for caking and hydrate formation in alpha-anhydrous glucose (α-AG) and α-AG partitioned into three particle sizes were assessed using saturated salt slurries ranging from 0 to 84 % RH at 25 °C for 20 weeks. The degree of caking was determined by a five-point visual physical stability scale, from free flowing with minimal clumping (1) to fully caked (5), and X-ray powder diffraction was used to determine the composition of the samples. Caking was observed in α-AG during storage at 68 % RH at 25 °C and the severity of caking increased with increasing RH. Fine particle α-AG caked during storage at 64 % RH, whereas medium and large particle α-AG caked at 68 and 75 % RH, respectively, at 25 °C. Caking was observed in the absence of deliquescence, amorphous content, and hydrate formation; therefore, it is proposed that capillary condensation leads to caking in α-AG below its RH0. Capillary condensation caking occurs at a specific RH (termed RHcc) where direct condensation of moisture into confined spaces, such as particle contact points or surface defects, causes the formation of liquid bridges, which may solidify over time without changes in RH or temperature. To avoid caking, α-AG should be stored below its RHcc, which is highly dependent on particle size; and to avoid conversion to glucose monohydrate, α-AG, regardless of particle size, should be stored below 64 % RH at 25 °C.
Janet Woodcock discusses the FDA and the drug development process

Abstract Download full-size image Currently Acting Deputy Commissioner for Operations at FDA, Janet Woodcock has served as Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at FDA since 1994. She previously served in other positions in FDA including Director, Office of Therapeutics Research and Review and Acting Deputy Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. She received her MD from Northwestern Medical School and held faculty appointments at the Pennsylvania State University and the University of California in San Francisco. She joined FDA in 1986.
Keyless Jam Resistance

Traditionally, omnidirectional, radio frequency (RF) communication has been made resistant to jamming by the use of a secret key that is shared by the sender and receiver. There are no known methods for achieving jam resistance without that shared key. Unfortunately, wireless communication is now reaching a scale and a level of importance where such secret-key systems are becoming impractical. For example, the civilian side of the global positioning system (GPS) cannot use a shared secret, since that secret would have to be given to all 6.5 billion potential users, and so would no longer be secret. So civilian GPS cannot currently be protected from jamming. But the FAA has stated that the civilian airline industry will transition to using GPS for all navigational aids, even during landings. A terrorist with a simple jamming system could wreak havoc at a major airport. No existing system can solve this problem, and the problem itself has not even been widely discussed. The problem of keyless jam resistance is important. There is a great need for a system that can broadcast messages without any prior secret shared between the sender and receiver. We propose the first system for keyless jam resistance: the BBC algorithm. We describe the encoding, decoding, and broadcast algorithms. We then analyze it for expected resistance to jamming and error rates. We show that BBC can achieve the same level of jam resistance as traditional spread spectrum systems, at just under half the bit rate, and with no shared secret. Furthermore, a hybrid system can achieve the same average bit rate as traditional systems.
Examination of the limits of accuracy of the extended Koopmans' theorem ionization potentials into excited states of ions of liH, He2, and Li2

A comparison is made between the ionization potentials (IPS) calculated by the extended Koopmans' theorem (EKT) and by taking energy differences (ΔCI) from configuration interaction calculations in the same basis. Several ionization potentials were calculated for LiH, He2, and Li2. The best ΔIP, the difference between the EKT IP and the corresponding ΔCI value, was 0.05 meV for the 2σ orbital for LiH and 83.5 meV for the 3σ orbital. The ΔIPS for He2 were 0.7 meV for the 1σu orbital, 6 eV for the 2σu orbital, 5 meV for the 2σg orbital, and 3 eV for the 3σg orbital. The ΔIPS for Li2 are 0.1 meV for 2σg, 53 meV for 3σg, 0.6 meV for 2σu, and 1.73 eV for 3σu. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Beyond the Rhetoric Lessons From Louisville’s Consolidation

Louisville’s consolidation with Jefferson County was the first large-scale merger to take place in the United States in more than 30 years. The authors examine this merger as a major institutional innovation that was supposed to enhance economic development. Proponents of consolidation claimed that institutional change would “shake up” the system and create an economic boom. The authors use actual results to determine whether this much-heralded experience warrants claims that it can be a role model, point of reference, or best practice. In doing this, they compare data from premerged and postmerged Louisville over a full 8-year period. Of central concern are whether “shake up” worked, how elites manage results as unsatisfying outcomes become apparent, and what that behavior portends for responsible governance. The authors conclude with a number of principles and policies regarding institutional change.
Synthesis of β-Dicarbonyl Compounds Using 1-Acylbenzotriazoles as Regioselective C-Acylating Reagents

1-Acylbenzotriazoles 1 are efficient C-acylation reagents for the regioselective conversion of ketone enolates 2 into β-diketones 3.
Imagining the American Polity: Political Science and the Discourse of Democracy

Imagining the American Polity: Political Science and the Discourse of Democracy. By John G. Gunnell. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2004. 289p. $40.00. John Gunnell laments the ignorance of our own past in political science and is determined to get us to understand the richness of earlier generations of political scientists and theorists who focused on the American incarnation of democracy. The key task of this book is to examine the discipline's understanding of democracy, with a focus on the conversations surrounding conceptions of the state, liberalism, and, especially, pluralism. On this, Gunnell offers a comprehensive and enlightening history of some of the central defining discourses of political science and political theory, interwoven with discussions of how this history relates to the development of political science as a discipline.