cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Video-based data acquisition system for use in eye blink classical conditioning procedures in sheep

Pavlovian eye blink conditioning (EBC) has been extensively studied in humans and laboratory animals, providing one of the best-understood models of learning in neuroscience. EBC has been especially useful in translational studies of cerebellar and hippocampal function. We recently reported a novel extension of EBC procedures for use in sheep, and now describe new advances in a digital video-based system. The system delivers paired presentations of conditioned stimuli (CSs; a tone) and unconditioned stimuli (USs; an air puff to the eye), or CS-alone "unpaired" trials. This system tracks the linear distance between the eyelids to identify blinks occurring as either unconditioned (URs) or conditioned (CRs) responses, to a resolution of 5 ms. A separate software application (Eye Blink Reviewer) is used to review and autoscore the trial CRs and URs, on the basis of a set of predetermined rules, permitting an operator to confirm (or rescore, if needed) the autoscore results, thereby providing quality control for accuracy of scoring. Learning curves may then be quantified in terms of the frequencies of CRs over sessions, both on trials with paired CS-US presentations and on CS-alone trials. The latency to CR onset, latency to CR peak, and occurrence of URs are also obtained. As we demonstrated in two example cases, this video-based system provides efficient automated means to conduct EBC in sheep and can facilitate fully powered studies with multigroup designs that involve paired and unpaired training. This can help extend new studies in sheep, a species well suited for translational studies of neurodevelopmental disorders resulting from gestational exposure to drugs, toxins, or intrauterine distress.
"El rey y la reina", búsqueda y encuentro de la dignidad a través del amor

Se recoge la historia de las protagonistas -el jardinero y la duquesa- desde su anulacion personal hasta el descubrimiento de la conciencia de la propia singularidad, enmarcada en una circunstancia temporo-espacial clave: la Guerra Civil espanola y el castillo ducal. De igual manera, se establece la presencia de la guerra como un factor preponderante, en el contexto de un planteamiento fundamental: El amar como via de acceso a la Dignidad Humana. The story of the protaganists is traced back -the gardener and the duchesse- from a personal annullment to the discovery of conscience in its own uniqueness, framed in a temporal-spatial circumstance: the Spanish Civil War and the ducal castle. In addition, the presence of the war as a key factor is established in the context of a basic proposal: Love as a means of access to Human Dignity.
A common complication of myelofibrosis presenting as a rare finding in cerebrospinal fluid cytology

Herein, we present a rare case of intracranial extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) diagnosed by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology and describe the clinical presentation, radiologic, and pathologic findings. A 65 year-old man with a history of progressing primary myelofibrosis was admitted for headaches and right facial numbness. A brain MRI revealed focal abnormalities that were suspicious for leptomeningeal involvement of acute leukemia. Cytologic examination of CSF demonstrated a hypercellular specimen composed of hematopoietic cells including few blasts, as well as maturing red blood cells and granulocytic cells. The integration of morphologic findings, peripheral blood and bone marrow counts, as well as flow cytometric analysis of CSF and bone marrow, excluded leptomeningeal involvement by leukemic blasts and helped establish the diagnosis of intracranial EMH. Inclusion of EMH in the differential diagnosis of intracranial pathology in patients with known conditions predisposing them to EMH is important because recognizing this rare event has implications for treatment and prognosis.
Eric Davidson and deep time.

Eric Davidson had a deep and abiding interest in the role developmental mechanisms played in generating evolutionary patterns documented in deep time, from the origin of the euechinoids to the processes responsible for the morphological architectures of major animal clades. Although not an evolutionary biologist, Davidson’s interests long preceded the current excitement over comparative evolutionary developmental biology. Here I discuss three aspects at the intersection between his research and evolutionary patterns in deep time: First, understanding the mechanisms of body plan formation, particularly those associated with the early diversification of major metazoan clades. Second, a critique of early claims about ancestral metazoans based on the discoveries of highly conserved genes across bilaterian animals. Third, Davidson’s own involvement in paleontology through a collaborative study of the fossil embryos from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in south China.
The whiteness of race knowledge: Charles Mills throws down the gauntlet

With assiduous logic and political acumen, Charles Mills challenges the whiteness of race knowledge, with particular reference to philosophy and sociology. In different ways and against their profe...
The Evolution of the Russian Elites' Perceptions of National Interests, 2012-2016

Since the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea, Russian-Western relations have experienced rapid decline, with piling ideological resentments, new Cold War rhetoric streaming from both sides, increasing geopolitical confrontation, and greater potential risks associated with future military escalation. The West's growing anxiety over Russia's revised geopolitical ambitions to redraw spheres of influence, on the one hand, and Russia's retaliatory policies, on the other, exacerbate the importance of the study of factors affecting the perception of national interests by Russian elites. This paper offers a conceptual model which links the effects of national identity on the perception of the scope of national interests. The concept of national identity here is composed of such factors as "Patriotism," "Nationalism," "External" and "Internal Other," and the Soviet past. The conceptual model is tested using the Bayesian Structural Equation Model by drawing the data from the Russian Foreign Policy Elite Perspectives, 2008-2016.
Massive thrombus trapped within an atrial septal defect

A 39-year-old morbidly obese man with a medical history of tobacco abuse and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (Afib) on rivaroxaban presented to the emergency department with acute onset of shortness of breath and severe pleuritic chest pain. His vital signs were significant for blood pressure of 100/60 mm Hg, heart rate of 110 per minute, respiratory rate of 30 per minute and oxygen saturation of 80% on a non-rebreather mask. Physical examination was unremarkable, except for increased work of breathing. Arterial blood gas (ABG) showed pH 7.49, PaCO2 30 mm Hg and PaO2 86 mm Hg. Laboratory tests were significant for elevated troponin at 2.35 ng/mL and B-type natriuretic peptide at 309 pg/mL. ECG showed sinus tachycardia with new onset incomplete right bundle block and T-wave inversion in the right precordial and the inferior leads (figure 1A). A chest CT revealed extensive bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE), …
Bladder Augmentation in Patients with Neurogenic Bladder and Vesicoureteral Reflux

AbstractCurrent treatment of noncompliant neurogenic bladder associated with significant vesicoureteral reflux that is refractory to intermittent self-catheterization and anticholinergic therapy includes bladder augmentation coupled with a procedure to eliminate reflux. Antireflux surgery is often difficult in such a clinical setting. The diseased and thickened detrusor makes reimplantation into the bladder difficult, and successful reimplantation into the intestinal component is tricky and time-consuming.Augmentation alone was done in 14 patients with significant vesicoureteral reflux in the face of a noncompliant, high pressure neurogenic bladder. No effort was made to correct reflux surgically because, in theory, reflux is secondary to abnormal bladder pressure. Of the 13 patients who have had adequate evaluation with postoperative cystograms 12 no longer have reflux. The reflux in the remaining patient has improved from grade IV to grade II. Postoperative cystometric examination in 12 patients demonst...
Spatial Self-Focusing and Intensity Dependent Shift in LiI03 Using Tilted Pulses

Spatial quadratic optical soliton formation has been studied extensively in the past [1] – [4] and recently Li et al [5] demonstrated quadratic spatio-temporal soliton formation in LilO3 using tilted pulses. In this article we report self-focusing and intensity dependent walk-off compensation in LilO3 using tilted pulses. Tilted pulses are space time coupled pulses which allow control of dispersive propagation in normally dispersive materials. In this study we focus a short tilted pulse in the dimension transverse to the tilt and observe intensity dependent spatial shifts. We explore this intensity dependent spatial shift for thresholding and limiting application using ultrashort tilted pulses.
Breakdown of the Blood–Retinal Barrier

Macular edema that results from blood–retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown is a cause of significant visual loss associated with a variety of ocular disorders. BRB breakdown is a complex process that is regulated by multiple factors and involves different mechanisms. A variety of therapeutic approaches have shown modest suppression of macular edema, but to obtain greater efficacy, it is likely that multiple molecules, operating through distinct mechanisms, may need to be targeted. Studies aimed at identifying key target molecules and the optimal strategies for inhibiting them are ongoing in several laboratories.
On legal age change.

Joona Rasanen argues some people have a right to change their legal age to prevent age discrimination. He proposes two prerequisites—the person feels his age differs from his legal age, and that person’s biological age differs from his chronological age. I argue we can achieve the same protections from ageism through restricting access to one’s birth date. I review several moral reasons in favour of changing one’s legal age, concluding the enterprise is folly.
"It Would've Been Nice if They Interpreted the Data a Little Bit. It Didn't Really Say Much, and It Didn't Really Help Us.": A Qualitative Study of VA Health System Evidence Needs.

BACKGROUND Patient health outcomes improve when learning health care systems use evidence to implement promising services and allocate resources effectively. Here, we examine the unique environment in which Veterans Health Administration (VHA) leadership use evidence and the facilitators and barriers to using evidence synthesis products in decision-making. We end by describing the steps researchers can take to better support the needs of health system leadership. METHODS We conducted 20 semistructured phone interviews with individuals in VHA leadership positions. We used an inductive approach to identify themes observed across key informant interviews. RESULTS Key informants identified several factors that fostered the use of evidence including, timeliness, lack of bias, flexible approaches, and concise reports with a clear bottom line. Barriers included lack of relevant evidence and lack of information on how to translate evidence into practice, resistance to change among providers and within the larger health system, and political pressures to implement therapies or technologies with little evidence or uncertainty. Researchers can foster evidence uptake by developing a review scope and key questions that are important to multiple stakeholders, including frontline clinicians and health system leadership. CONCLUSIONS The VHA's evidence needs resemble other health systems, but evidence synthesis products should include a translational component to enhance implementation. Resistance to change and political pressures can further hinder the uptake of evidence within VHA.
A Complex Hierarchy of Avoidance Behaviors in a Single-Cell Eukaryote

Summary Complex behavior is associated with animals with nervous systems, but decision-making and learning also occur in non-neural organisms [ 1 ], including singly nucleated cells [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ] and multi-nucleate synctia [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Ciliates are single-cell eukaryotes, widely dispersed in aquatic habitats [ 9 ], with an extensive behavioral repertoire [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. In 1906, Herbert Spencer Jennings [ 14 , 15 ] described in the sessile ciliate Stentor roeseli a hierarchy of responses to repeated stimulation, which are among the most complex behaviors reported for a singly nucleated cell [ 16 , 17 ]. These results attracted widespread interest [ 18 , 19 ] and exert continuing fascination [ 7 , 20 , 21 , 22 ] but were discredited during the behaviorist orthodoxy by claims of non-reproducibility [ 23 ]. These claims were based on experiments with the motile ciliate Stentor coeruleus. We acquired and maintained the correct organism in laboratory culture and used micromanipulation and video microscopy to confirm Jennings’ observations. Despite significant individual variation, not addressed by Jennings, S. roeseli exhibits avoidance behaviors in a characteristic hierarchy of bending, ciliary alteration, contractions, and detachment, which is distinct from habituation or conditioning. Remarkably, the choice of contraction versus detachment is consistent with a fair coin toss. Such behavioral complexity may have had an evolutionary advantage in protist ecosystems, and the ciliate cortex may have provided mechanisms for implementing such behavior prior to the emergence of multicellularity. Our work resurrects Jennings’ pioneering insights and adds to the list of exceptional features, including regeneration [ 24 ], genome rearrangement [ 25 ], codon reassignment [ 26 ], and cortical inheritance [ 27 ], for which the ciliate clade is renowned.
Collaborating With Parents to Increase Proactive Bystander Messages

School antibullying initiatives are increasingly focused on educating students about the impact of proactive bystanders to reduce victimization. However, according to the social-ecological perspect...
ECG Diagnosis: Dextrocardia.

Dextrocardia with situs inversus (also referred to as situs inversus totalis) is a rare congenital anomaly whereby the position of the abdominal and thoracic viscera are reversed.1 The occurrence of this congenital anomaly has been reported to range between 1/6000 to 1/35000 live births and affects males and females equally.2 The affected population with dextrocardia with situs inversus usually does not need any specific treatment except when they are symptomatic or whenever any treatable congenital heart anomaly is present. However, the recognition of this congenital condition is essential when any interventional procedure or emergency surgery is going to be performed in order to avoid any mishaps.3 In our case, a 43-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with chest pain and was found to have dextrocardia with situs inversus by physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), and chest radiography.
Molecular dynamics investigation of material deformation behavior of PMMA in nanoimprint lithography

Computational analysis of polymeric materials plays a key role in defining their tribological characteristics. This research investigates the deformation behavior of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) as a thermoplastic resist material for the thermal nanoimprint lithography (T-NIL) process. Molecular dynamics modeling was conducted on a PMMA substrate imprinted with a rigid spherical indenter. The effect of indenter size, force, and imprinting duration on the indentation depth, penetration depth, recovery depth, and recovery percentage of the polymer was evaluated. The results showed that the largest indenter, regardless of force, had the most significant impact on deformation behavior. The 40-A indenter with a 1 μN of force caused the surface molecules to descend to the lowest point compared to the other indenters. An increase in the indenter size resulted in a higher penetration depth, recovery depth, and recovery percentage. Higher durations of imprint cycle (400 fs) resulted in plastic deformation of the PMMA material with minimal recovery (30 A). The results of this research lay foundation for explaining the effect of several T-NIL process parameters on the virgin PMMA thermoplastic resist material.
Fetal macrosomia in home and birth center births in the United States: Maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes

Background Fetal macrosomia is associated with negative outcomes, although less is known about how severities of macrosomia influence these outcomes. Planned community births in the United States have higher rates of gestational age-adjusted macrosomia than planned hospital births, providing a novel population to examine macrosomia morbidity. Methods Maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with grade 1 (4000-4499 g), grade 2 (4500-4999 g), and grade 3 (≥5000 g) macrosomia were compared to normal birthweight newborns (2500-3999 g), using data from the MANA Statistics Project-a registry of planned community births, 2012-2018 (n = 68 966). Outcomes included perineal trauma, postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean birth, neonatal birth injury, shoulder dystocia, neonatal respiratory distress, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay >24 hours, and perinatal death. Logistic regressions controlled for parity and mode of birth, obesity, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. Results Sixteen percent of the sample were grade 1 macrosomic, 3.3% were grade 2 macrosomic, and 0.4% were grade 3 macrosomic. Macrosomia grades 1-3 were associated in a dose-response fashion with higher odds of all outcomes, compared to non-macrosomia. The adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for postpartum hemorrhage for grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 macrosomia vs normal birthweight were 1.75 (1.56-1.96), 2.12 (1.70-2.63), and 5.18 (3.47-7.74), respectively. Other outcomes had similar patterns. Discussion The adjusted odds of negative outcomes increase as grade of macrosomia increases in planned community births; results are comparable with the published literature. Pre-birth fetal weight estimation is imprecise; prenatal supports and shared decision-making processes should reflect these complexities.
Multiparametric Cardiac 18 F-FDG PET in Humans: Kinetic Model Selection and Identifiability Analysis

Cardiac 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has been used in clinics to assess myocardial glucose metabolism. Its ability for imaging myocardial glucose transport, however, has rarely been exploited in clinics. Using the dynamic FDG-PET scans of ten patients with coronary artery disease, we investigate in this article appropriate dynamic scan and kinetic modeling protocols for efficient quantification of myocardial glucose transport. Three kinetic models and the effect of scan duration were evaluated by using statistical fit quality, assessing the impact on kinetic quantification, and analyzing the practical identifiability. The results show that the kinetic model selection depends on the scan duration. The reversible two-tissue (2T) model was needed for a 1-h dynamic scan. The irreversible 2T model was optimal for a scan duration of around 10–15 min. If the scan duration was shortened to 2–3 min, a one-tissue model was the most appropriate. For global quantification of myocardial glucose transport, we demonstrated that an early-dynamic scan with a duration of 10–15 min and irreversible kinetic modeling was comparable to the full 1-h scan with reversible kinetic modeling. Myocardial glucose transport quantification provides an additional physiological parameter on top of the existing assessment of glucose metabolism and has the potential to enable single-tracer multiparametric imaging in the myocardium.
Housing Demand & Affordability for Low-Wage Households: Evidence from Minimum Wage Changes

Rent-to-income ratios have risen over the past two decades with large increases at the bottom of the income distribution, prompting concern about a housing affordability crisis. This paper uses minimum wage changes as a natural experiment to study the relationship between housing demand & policies affecting low-wage households. If their housing demand is relatively inelastic, an increase in income will causally decrease rent-to-income ratios. The results suggest a 10% increase in minimum wages increases income for affected households by 1.9%, increases housing consumption by 0.5%, and decreases rent-to-income ratios by 1.4%. These estimates suggest that housing demand is fairly income inelastic, and preferences over housing demand are non-homothetic. In a modeling exercise, this paper suggests that homothetic models may not match housing demand behavior and may underestimate welfare gains to low-wage households.
Uniform Commercial Code Survey - Sales

This Article is a survey of the highlights of noteworthy sales cases from 2010 decided under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Particular Article 2 highlights include the warranty cases of Teter v. Glass Onion, Inc., (formation under 2-204) In re Ebro Foods, Inc. (2-206 and 2-207), Lion Oil Trading & Transportation, Inc. v. Statoil Marketing and Trading (US) Inc. (2-202), and Kochanski v. Twin City Marine, Inc. (2-608 and cure).
Mobilizing Investment Through Social Networks: Evidence from a Lab Experiment in the Field

Abstract. In the absence of strong formal institutions, social networks play a significant role in contract enforcement and in determining the scope of co-investment. Social norms and rules of thumb may dictate how friends vs. strangers decide to share an economic surplus or how popular vs. socially isolated individuals sustain cooperation with others. We shed light on the effects of network characteristics on investment decisions through a framed field experiment. Our laboratory protocol builds on a basic two-party trust game with a sender and receiver. In some treatments, we introduce third-party monitors or punishers that may or may not be identifiable by the other two participants. We find that the social network interacts with the play of the game in economically meaningful ways. First, social proximity mitigates the co-investment problem. Both senders and receivers in socially close pairs make larger transfers to each other. Second, while on average, third-party punishment decreases the size of investments made by the sender, socially important punishers are efficiency enhancing. Third, characteristics such as caste and elite status affect play, but in ways distinct from network centrality. Elites benefit from higher partner transfers, but do not use their status to increase total surplus. Finally, we use our results to provide the first assessment of institutional structures as a function of network shape. Typically, socially far judges encourage efficient behavior, while socially close judges are prone to collusion. However, high centrality judges are able to resist proximity-based collusion and restore high levels of investment.
Assessment of a Biochar-Based Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer Coated with Polylactic Acid

Conventional nitrogen (N) fertilizers used in crop production typically have use efficiencies of only 30 to 40%. While reduced efficiency can be a result of multiple factors (rate, placement, source), mismatched timing between N availability and N crop demand is a significant cause of reduced efficiency. This study aims to develop a biochar-based controlled release nitrogenous fertilizer (BCRNF) from relatively low-cost renewable materials to improve N availability when needed by the corn crop thus reducing N losses and improving nitrogen use efficiency. Ammonium sulfate was impregnated in biochar and then pelletized into particles. Three concentrations (3%, 6%, and 10%) of polylactic acid (PLA) solutions were used to coat the particles to produce BCRNF. The effects of different PLA concentrations on N release and physical properties of BCNRFs were investigated in both water and soil conditions. Water absorption and retention, thermal stability, and microstructures of BCRNFs were also analyzed to determine the N release mechanism of BCRNFs. The BCRNF coated by 10% and 6% of PLA both released 70% of N over 12 days in water and 25 days in soil. The biochar held 14% N that was not released into the water. However, coating with PLA, increased N holding to 16% inside BCRNF particles. The thermal properties of BCRNFs were stable under 230 °C. The PLA concentration of the coating layer significantly affected not only the N releasing time and rate but also the morphology and thermal properties of BCRNFs. Higher PLA concentrations resulted in a longer releasing time at lower N release rates. This study demonstrates that a biochar-based controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer (BCRNF) can enhance N release time and rate in both water and soil environments through the integration of biochar absorption and a PLA coating. Further development could yield a BCRNF that can optimally synchronize timing and amount of available N with crop N demand to increase N use efficiency.
Courtier and Seeing-Man: Differences in Europeans’ Roles in East Asian and Central American Societies as Reflected through Maps

This paper analyses the maps of East Asia and Central America drawn by Europeans between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, and illustrates the distinctions in the roles of Europeans in these ...
Prostate Cancer in Older Adults: Risk of Clinically Meaningful Disease, the Role of Screening and Special Considerations.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in the USA and several studies suggest more aggressive disease in older patients. However, screening remains controversial, especially in the older patient population. Aggressive prostate cancers are more common in older men. Screening trial results are conflicting but data suggest an improvement in prostate cancer mortality and increased detection of metastatic disease with screening. When PSA is utilized with multiparametric MRI and biomarker assays, patients at significant risk of clinically meaningful prostate cancer can be appropriately selected for biopsy. A thoughtful and individualized approach is central when considering prostate cancer screening in older men. This approach includes life expectancy estimation, use of appropriate geriatric assessment tools, use of multiparametric MRI and biomarkers in addition to PSA, and most importantly shared decision-making with patients.
Algorithm design for young children

Algorithms are the essence of computational thinking, which refers to a set of problem-solving processes that help children become logical thinkers in this increasingly digital society. It is impor...
The Drug Price Raiser

Washington DC is continually nipping at the heels of big pharma over their high prices. An initiative along these lines comes to us courtesy of a 230–192 House vote (228 Democrats supported this) which would authorize the Federales to bargain down the price of drugs purchased by Medicare. But this is the merest tip of the iceberg in this vein.
Jagdish Bhagwati and Arvind Panagariya, Why growth matters: How economic growth in India reduced poverty and the lessons for other developing countries

After gaining independence in 1947, India’s economic policy was marked by the adoption of central economic planning at home and near autarky in its economic relations with the rest of the world. The overarching goal of the Indian planners in adopting this policy mix, termed “economic nationalism” by the economistMichael Heilperin, could be summed up in the phrase—“economic growth through economic self-sufficiency”; the idea was to rapidly industrialize and achieve high rates of economic growth by producing everything domestically. Whole swathes of the economy, especially its commanding heights, were either nationalized or reserved for the public sector, while the private sector was shackled within a maze of controls. The first cracks in this system of controls began to appear in the 1980s, with a fewminor steps of liberalization taken in the second half of the decade. It was, however, in 1991 that this slow trickle of economic reforms suddenly turned into a flood; and thereafter, a sizeable chunk of the planning apparatus was dismantled over the course of the following two decades. For the majority of the period under planning, India’s rate of growth was at best average by developing country standards and at worst egregiously low. The reforms brought with them a much needed uptick in this growth rate. The 1990s, for instance, saw per capita GDP grow at a rate of 3.8 %, whereas the following decade witnessed acceleration in this rate to 6.6 %. InWhy Growth Matters Jagdish Bhagwati and Arvind Pangariya make their case for why the reforms and the associated high growth rates have benefitted the poorest of the poor in India. The increased productivity unleashed by the process of liberalization has, according to them, “pulled up”millions out of poverty and into gainful employment (p. xviii). Moreover, the increased growth has provided the Indian government with added revenues to undertake expenditure on education, health care and other much needed Rev Austrian Econ (2015) 28:217–219 DOI 10.1007/s11138-013-0248-2
Chapter 15 Approximating the distributions of econometric estimators and test statistics

Publisher Summary Approximate distribution theory derives results from assumptions on the stochastic process generating the data. The quality of the approximation is not better than the quality of the specifications on which it is based. The models used by econometricians are, at best, crude and rather arbitrary. As most of the approximation methods employ information on the first four moments of the data whereas the usual asymptotic theory typically requires information only on the first two moments, some loss in robustness must be expected. However, if a rough idea about the degree of skewness and kurtosis is available, that information can be often exploited to obtain considerably improved approximations to sample statistics. The chapter discusses that sophisticated approximation theory is most appropriate in situations where the econometrician is able to make correct and detailed assumptions about the process being studied. In current practice, applied econometricians occasionally draw incorrect conclusions on the basis of alleged asymptotic properties of their procedures. In recent years, an extraordinary fondness for asymptotic theory has developed among econometricians. Considerable effort is devoted to showing that some new estimator or test is asymptotically normal and efficient. The assertion that a given estimator is approximately normal suggests that the speaker believes that it would be sensible to treat the estimator as though it were really normal. Accurate and convenient approximations for the distributions of econometric estimators and test statistics are of great value.
Ecological evidence that affect and perceptions of drink effects depend on alcohol expectancies.

AIMS: (1) To compare affective changes over drinking and non-drinking days among frequent drinkers. (2) To evaluate whether drinkers' expectations influence affective changes and perceived pleasure and relief from drinking. DESIGN: Observational study involving ecological momentary assessments collected via electronic diaries over the course of three weeks. SETTING: Drinkers' usual settings in Columbia, MO, USA. PARTICIPANTS: 400 adult, frequent drinkers, ages 18-70. MEASUREMENTS: Ecological assessments included morning reports, pre-drinking random prompts, user-initiated first-drink reports, and device-prompted follow-ups over drinking episodes. Participants rated positive (enthusiastic, excited, happy) and negative (distressed, sad) affect and perceived pleasure and relief from drinking in real time. A self-report questionnaire completed at baseline evaluated expectancies for enhanced sociability and tension reduction from drinking. FINDINGS: Relative to affective changes over non-drinking days, positive affect increased prior to drinking, 95%CI[.073,.102], and at first drink, 95%CI[.169,.254], whereas negative affect decreased prior to drinking, 95%CI[-.008,-.0005], and at first drink, 95%CI[-.148,-.079]. Sociability expectancies augmented increases in positive affect prior to drinking, 95%CI[.006,.024], and at first drink, 95%CI[.004,.159]). Sociability expectancies also enhanced perceived pleasure from first drinks, 95%CI[.046,.318]. Tension-reduction expectancies attenuated decreases in negative affect at first drink, 95%CI[-.137, -.027], but augmented perceived relief from first drinks, 95%CI[.001,.304]. CONCLUSIONS: Although theoretical models tend to focus on negative affective outcomes of drinking, changes in positive affect prior to drinking and early in drinking episodes are important for maintaining drinking behavior. Frequent drinkers' expectations for enhanced sociability or tension reduction from drinking influence their affective experiences over drinking days and perceptions of pleasure and relief from drinking. Language: en
Polarization state rotation filtering for single sideband generation and carrier suppression using a variable DGD element

We demonstrate a novel, flexible method to generate single sideband subcarrier multiplexed signals using a DGD element and polarizer. We achieve tunable carrier suppression and SSB generation with suppression ratios=35 dB.
Dave Tell, Confessional Crises and Cultural Politics in Twentieth-Century America: University Park: Penn State University Press, 2012. ix + 238 pp. ISBN: 0271056282, $64.95 (hardcover).

Dave Tell wrote an entire book about confession without ever providing any concrete definition for that genre. For Tell, confession is not primarily a genre appropriated by authors, but confession ...
Review of: Human Skeletal Anatomy Laboratory Manual and Workbook

Courses in human osteology and skeletal biology vary widely in scope and focus from institution to institution. Course content depends on the specific goals of the instructor, the degree program and topical concentration of the department, and associated courses taught within the curriculum. Therefore, no text in skeletal anatomy perfectly suits the needs of every instructor. The alternative is multiple texts, usually some combination of Bass (1987), White and Folkens (2000), Steele and Bramblett (1988), or Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994).
GLT-1 Transport Stoichiometry Is Constant at Low and High Glutamate Concentrations when Chloride Is Substituted by Gluconate

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter, but prolonged exposure even at micromolar concentrations causes neuronal death. Extracellular glutamate is maintained at nanomolar level by glutamate transporters, which, however, may reverse transport and release glutamate. If and when the reverse occurs depends on glutamate transport stoichiometry (GTS). Previously we found that in the presence of chloride, the coupled GLT-1 glutamate transporter current and its relationship to radiolabeled glutamate flux significantly decreased when extracellular glutamate concentration increased above 0.2 mM, which implies a change in GTS. Such high concentrations are feasible near GLT-1 expressed close to synaptic release site during excitatory neurotransmission. The aim of this study was to determine GLT-1 GTS at both low (19–75 μM) and high (300–1200 μM) glutamate concentration ranges. GTS experiments were conducted in the absence of chloride to avoid contributions by the GLT-1 uncoupled chloride conductance. Mathematical analysis of the transporter thermodynamic equilibrium allowed us to derive equations revealing the number of a particular type of ion transported per elementary charge based on the measurements of the transporter reversal potential. We found that GLT-1a expressed in COS-7 cells co-transports 1.5 Na+, 0.5 Glu-, 0.5 H+ and counter-transports 0.6 K+ per elementary charge in both glutamate concentration ranges, and at both 37°C and 26°C temperatures. The thermodynamic parameter Q10 = 2.4 for GLT-1 turnover rate of 19 s-1 (37°C, -50 mV) remained constant in the 10 μM–10 mM glutamate concentration range. Importantly, the previously reported decrease in the current/flux ratio at high glutamate concentration was not seen in the absence of chloride in both COS-7 cells and cultured rat neurons. Therefore, only in the absence of chloride, GLT-1 GTS remains constant at all glutamate concentrations. Possible explanations for why apparent GTS might vary in the presence of chloride are discussed.
Formation of CdSe nanocrystals onto oxidized, ozonized single-walled carbon nanotube surfaces

We present the in situ formation of crystalline CdSe quantum dots on the surfaces of oxidized, ozonized single-walled carbon nanotubes, which is a rational synthetic route to the synthesis of complex hierarchical assemblies.
An On-Line Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry Experiment

Abstract An on-line liquid chromatography/tandem quadrupole (LC/MS/MS) instrument was used to monitor aromatic acids in a complex mixture. This mixture contains components known to exist as humic acid degradation products. The use of the tandem quadrupole removed LC solvent interferences and selected the protonated molecular ion of a particular acid to undergo collisional activation. The resulting fragments provide the specificity to detect target acids; the CA spectrum is “clean” and resembles the reference spectrum. This specificity is unobtainable by LC/MS alone. Present LC/MS/MS detection limits are 5 μg injected on column (50 ng in source) for a full scan detecting fragment ions greater than 5% relative intensity.
Thermochronometers in Sedimentary Basins

Sedimentary basins, both modern and ancient, cover most of Earth’s land and subsea surface, and provide some of the best natural laboratories for studying and constraining geologic processes. The record of sedimentation, burial, erosion, and uplift provides a rich history that can be combined with various analytical and modeling techniques to evaluate: (1) processes that lead to basin formation; (2) deformation of regions related to plate tectonic effects; (3) timing and duration of hydrocarbon generation, migration, and trapping; (4) past and present effects of fluid flow in basin deposits; and (5) past climate change. Sedimentary basins have been classified by many workers (e.g., Bally and Snelson 1980; Dickinson 1993; Ingersoll and Busby 1995). Ingersoll and Busby (1995) generally classify the basins as forming in divergent settings, intraplate regions, convergent settings, transform settings, and hybrid settings. Many mechanisms have been proposed for the formation of the different styles of basins including, but not limited to, crustal thinning, sedimentary and tectonic loading, subcrustal loading, and mantle lithospheric thickening (e.g., Ingersoll and Busby 1995). Thermochronometers have played an increasingly important role in the evaluation of both intra- and interbasin processes. Thermochronometers, especially the lower-temperature apatite fission-track and apatite (U-Th)/He dating, are now commonly combined with burial and thermal history analysis and modeling to provide important constraints on the timing and duration of heating/cooling events that can be used to evaluate hydrocarbon systems as well as structural and basin-forming mechanisms. Past reviews of thermochronometer use in sedimentary basins are given by Naeser et al. (1989), Green et al. (1989a), Naeser (1993), and Giles and Indrelid (1998). Rather than review each study of thermochronometer use in sedimentary basins during the last decade, in this chapter some of the fundamental concepts used to evaluate the present-day thermal field for …
Isolation of an "Immobilizing Antigen" from Rabbit Sperm Membranes

To understand more precisely how individual sperm antigens function during sperm immobilization and fertilization, we describe a method for their isolation from rabbit sperm membranes. Three fractions were prepared by centrifugation of a rabbit epididymal sperm homogenate, examined by SDS-PAGE, and by electron microscopy, and tested for hyaluronidase and succinic dehydrogenase activity. The membrane-rich fraction was extracted with lithium diiodosalicylate and a sperm surface membrane glycoprotein (MGP; “immobilizing antigen”) isolated from it by ion-exchange chromatography. The MGP showed a single immunodiffusion precipitin band against goat anti-rabbit sperm globulin. Antibodies to MGP immobilized rabbit sperm in the presence of complement. This MGP-”immobiizing antigen” was localized on the head and tail plasma membrane of epididymal, ejaculate and capacitated sperm by exchange agglutination and immobilization in the presence of guinea pig complement.
Escherichia coli promoter opening and −10 recognition: mutational analysis of σ70

The opening of specific segments of DNA is required for most types of genetic readout, including σ70-dependent transcription. To learn how this occurs, a series of single point mutations were introduced into σ70 region 2. These were assayed for duplex DNA binding, DNA opening and DNA double strand–single strand fork junction binding. Band shift assays for closed complex formation implicated a series of arginine and aromatic residues within a minimal 26 amino acid region. Permanganate assays implicated two additional aromatic residues in DNA opening, known to form a parallel stack of the type that can accept a flipped-out base. Substitution for either of these aromatics had no effect on duplex probe recognition. However, when a single unpaired –11 nucleotide is added to the probe, the mutants fail to bind appropriately to give heparin resistance. A model for DNA opening is presented in which duplex recognition by regions 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 of sigma positions the pair of aromatic amino acids, which then create the fork junction required for stable opening.
β-Barrel membrane protein folding and structure viewed through the lens of α-hemolysin

The beta-barrel is a transmembrane structural motif commonly encountered in bacterial outer membrane proteins and pore-forming toxins (PFTs). Alpha-hemolysin (alphaHL) is a cytotoxin secreted by Staphylococcus aureus that assembles from a water-soluble monomer to form a membrane-bound heptameric beta-barrel on the surface of susceptible cells, perforating the cell membranes, leading to cell death and lysis. The mechanism of heptamer assembly, which has been studied extensively, occurs in a stepwise manner, and the structures of the initial, monomeric form and final, membrane-embedded pore are known. The toxin's ability to assemble from an aqueous, hydrophilic species to a membrane-inserted oligomer is of interest in understanding the assembly of PFTs in particular and the folding and structure of beta-barrel membrane proteins in general. Here we review the structures of the monomeric and heptamer states of LukF and alphaHL, respectively, the mechanism of toxin assembly, and the relationships between alphaHL and nontoxin beta-barrel membrane proteins.
Learning from the Inquiries: Lessons for Using Collaborative Inquiry as an Adult Learning Strategy.

Discerning insights from the cases, the editors comment on presentational knowing's pivotal role in learning from experience, the reciprocity between personal development and social action, and structural issues to consider when facilitating CI.
Geophysics and computers: A look to the future

Computers and geophysical exploration are even more intimately connected than are oil and politics. For more than 40 years, theoretical ideas for advancing the usefulness of geophysical exploration have been far ahead of the practical capabilities of computers to carry them out. For the past 25 years, the leading edge of exploration geophysics has advanced only as fast as digital computer availability would allow.
Determination of plasma pantothenic acid by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay

Abstract We report in this study an indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of pantothenic acid in plasma. Also reported is a comparison between the ELISA and radioimmunoassay (RIA) by measuring plasma pantothenic acid content of rats fed a pantothenic acid deficient or a surfficient diet for 1.5 and 3 wk. The ELISA is based on the competition for the antibody between immobilized pantothenate adsorbed on polystyrene microwells and free pantothenate in samples. Specific antibody was produced by injection of pantothenate-bovine serum albumin conjugate to rabbits. An optimal standard curve was produced with an antisera concentration of 1:50,000 and with anti-rabbit IgG labeled with horseradish peroxidase. The resulting A 405 was inversely correlated with free pantothenate in samples. This ELISA accurately quantitates between 2–1000 ng pantothenic acid, whereas the RIA shows linear range between 10–200 ng. The correlation coefficient (r) of 24 rat plasma pantothenic acid concentration as measured by the ELISA and RIA was 0.91. The reproducibility and recovery studies produced a 6% coefficient of variation (10 trials) and 95±6%, respectively. This new method requires no preparation for plasma. Plasma pantothenic acid concentration of rats fed a pantothenate deficient diet for 1.5 wk was significantly (p
Modelling of maximum acceptable load of lifting by physical factors

Matching the job demands to a person's physical characteristics is an effective method of reducing the risk involved in a manual materials-handling task. Seventy-three male and 73 female industrial workers served as subjects. Maximum Acceptable Load of Lifting (MAL) was determined psychophysical under each combination of the following task conditions: six ranges of lift (floor to knuckle, floor to shoulder, floor to reach, knuckle to shoulder, knuckle to reach and shoulder to reach); four lifting frequencies (2,4,6 and 81/min); and three box sizes (30·48,45·72 and 60·96cm). A factor-score-based model (R2 = 0-924) is developed in this paper based on 100 subjects for predicting an individual's MAL and for describing his/her physical characteristics in terms of strength and anthropometric scores. The model was validated on the remaining 46 subjects and was shown to be superior to the previously developed models from the same data set.
Cryptic MBP epitope 1-20 is inducing autoimmune anterior uveitis without EAE in Lewis rats.

Abstract Lewis rats immunized with myelin basic protein (MBP) developed experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and associated anterior uveitis (AU). Although several cryptic epitopes of MBP have strong encephalitogenic and uveitogenic properties, the peptide corresponding to the MBP residues 1–20 was uniquely capable of inducing AU without EAE. In this study, we showed that acetylation of the N-terminal amino acid did not produce encephalitogenicity, did not enhance uveitogenicity, and did not improve T cell proliferation in Lewis rats. The cytokine production profile induced by MBP 1–20 immunization was consistent with a Th1 response. In MBP-injected rats and in peptide-injected rats, the frequency of the IFN-γ-secreting cells in MBP 69–89 -stimulated T cells was significantly higher than the frequency of IFN-γ-secreting cells in MBP 1–20 -stimulated T cells. However, similar numbers of IFN-γ-producing specific cells were found in the eyes of MBP 69–89 and MBP 1–20 immunized rats. In these rats, the iris-infiltrating cells consisted of a much higher percentage of CD4 + T cells expressing L-selectin (CD62L) than did those cells found in the spinal cord. The results demonstrate that MBP 1–20 is immunogenic and uveitogenic, although it induced only weak proliferation and weak Th1 reaction. The fact that T cells with the same specificity have different effects on target organs suggested that, in the eye and spinal cord, a distinct mechanism might mediate the recruitment of cells to these organs.