cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flow Analysis and Design Suggestions for Regenerative Flow Pumps (Keynote)

The Regenerative Flow Pump, here referred to as RFP is a turbomachine capable of developing high pressure ratios in a single stage. It is also known with other names such as: • Peripheral pump; • Side channel pump; • Turbine pump; • Drag pump; • Traction pump; • Vortex pump. This paper reviews the status of the RFP and proposes a design guideline, with the aim to improve the performance and efficiency of the RFP. All previous works concentrated on the fully-developed flow region in the RFP and this work expands the consideration to the developing region.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Caring behaviors and job satisfaction.

Objective: This study examined the relationship between nurses’ expression of caring and job satisfaction. Background: Nurses have encountered barriers in their ability to express caring and find meaning and value in their work, which contributes to a decline in job satisfaction. Methodology: A descriptive correlational study randomly surveyed 5,000 (N = 1,091) medical-surgical staff nurses. Results: Participants demonstrated confidence in their ability to express caring. The participants reported positive job satisfaction. A correlation was established between Caring Efficacy Scale, Index of Work Satisfaction (IWS), and the 6 components of the IWS. Spending time with patients was found to be a predictor of the nurses’ ability to express caring behaviors. Conclusions: Caring and job satisfaction were correlated. Time was a predictor of their ability to express caring. Participants’ age, years in nursing, and years in the same institution influenced both how nurses perceived their ability to express care and their level of job satisfaction.
Short- and long-run adjustments in dairy production: a profit function analysis

A dual profit model is developed to analyse the structure of dairy technology using farm level data for Vermont. Potential short- and long-run effects of milk price reductions on output supply, input demand, farm size, and profitability are studied. The observed levels of the quasi-fixed inputs (family labour and herd size) are found to be significantly lower than their optimal or long-run equilibrium values, which is consistent with a continuing shift towards fewer and larger dairy farms. The analysis suggests that lower milk prices threaten the short-run survival of small and medium size farms, and reduce the optimal farm size in the long-run.
News from the Periodic Table: An Introduction to "Periodicity Symbols, Tables, and Models for Higher-Order Valency and Donor Acceptor Kinships"

The periodic table epitomizes chemistry and evolving representations of chemical periodicity should reflect the ongoing advances in chemistry. In this respect, the traditional Mendeleev-style table appears distinctly suboptimal for describing a variety of important "higher-order" periodicity patterns that have become apparent in the post-Mendeleevian quantal era. In this article we analyze the rigorous mathematical origins of chemical periodicity in terms of the quantal nodal features of atomic valence orbitals. We propose a variety of alternative 2D and 3D display symbols, tables, and models that are better able to exhibit the chemical richness of generalized isodonor, isoacceptor, and isovalency kinships, while also drawing closer connection to the instrinsic spectroscopic radial (n) and angular (l ) descriptors of atomic valence shells. These improved periodicity displays are also able to exhibit the recently discovered "Lewis-like" bonding analogies between main-group and transition-group elements, in...
Diversification of Drosophila Chloride Channel Gene by Multiple Posttranscriptional mRNA Modifications

Abstract : We have identified and analyzed a Drosophila melanogaster gene that encodes a chloride channel subunit (DrosGluCl-α) previously shown to function as a glutamategated chloride channel in an in vitro expression system. Sequence analysis of several cDNAs corresponding to the gene revealed sequence diversity in their open reading frames at seven specific sites. Site-specific A-to-G variations between cDNA and genomic sequences, consistent with RNA editing, were detected at five nucleotide positions. In addition, sequence variations among cDNA clones consistent with alternative splicing of mRNA were found at two different sites. In the 5′ region, two small adjacent exons, containing similar but distinct modular sequences, are alternatively incorporated into the mature mRNA. In the 3′ region, alternative splicing generates a variant encoding a protein with four additional amino acids just upstream of the fourth transmembrane domain. Combinations of RNA editing and alternative splicing can lead to extensive diversification of transcripts. These results give the first example of RNA editing in neurotransmitter-gated chloride channel genes or of alternative splicing in a glutamate-gated chloride channel gene of Drosophila.
Statistical methods for analyzing immunosignatures

Immunosignaturing is a new peptide microarray based technology for profiling of humoral immune responses. Despite new challenges, immunosignaturing gives us the opportunity to explore new and fundamentally different research questions. In addition to classifying samples based on disease status, the complex patterns and latent factors underlying immunosignatures, which we attempt to model, may have a diverse range of applications. We investigate the utility of a number of statistical methods to determine model performance and address challenges inherent in analyzing immunosignatures. Some of these methods include exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, classical significance testing, structural equation and mixture modeling. We demonstrate an ability to classify samples based on disease status and show that immunosignaturing is a very promising technology for screening and presymptomatic screening of disease. In addition, we are able to model complex patterns and latent factors underlying immunosignatures. These latent factors may serve as biomarkers for disease and may play a key role in a bioinformatic method for antibody discovery. Based on this research, we lay out an analytic framework illustrating how immunosignatures may be useful as a general method for screening and presymptomatic screening of disease as well as antibody discovery.
Evaluation of the role of refugia in conservation efforts for the Devils Hole pupfish, Cyprinodon diabolis Wales

The Hoover Dam Refugium was built to help insure the survival of the Devils Hole pupfish during an especially critical period. It served that purpose well. The Amargosa Pupfish Station added an additional, nearly identical artificial habitat to use in conservation and management of the Devils Hole pupfish. Contemporary concerns of conservation biology suggest that: 1) Genetic diversity or homogeneity of refugium populations should, when possible, be established by biochemical and morphological techniques; 2) protection of the natural habitat has been effected, and population levels have returned essentially to normal, therefore, management intervention in the natural population is not now appropriate; 3) refugium populations represent a unique opportunity to develop information useful in conservation and management of small populations of endangered fishes, if legal restrictions to such investigations can be accommodated; and 4) refugia, dependent on human activities for construction and maintenance, are less reliable than natural habitats.
Q-Band ENDOR (Electron Nuclear Double Resonance) of the Heme o3 Liganding Environment at the Binuclear Center in Cytochrome bo3 from Escherichia coli

The liganding environment and electronic structure of high-spin ferric heme o3 in the binuclear center of bo3 ubiquinol oxidase were probed with Q-band (34.1 GHz) ENDOR. We studied forms of the enz...
Diagnosis of microvasculopathy in CNS vasculitis: value of perfusion and diffusion imaging.

Functional imaging may come to play an important role in the evaluation of CNS vasculitis by demonstrating pathology on the microcirculatory level. A positive finding of microvascular ischemia may assist in the diagnosis of CNS vasculitis. More importantly, the demonstration of normal microcirculation may reliably exclude CNS vasculitis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 1999;10:310–313. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reduced fibrinolytic activity of atherosclerotic sera caused by an increase in low-density lipoproteins in blood.

Reduced Fibrinolytic Activity of Atherosclerotic Sera caused by an Increase in Low-density Lipoproteins in Blood
Echocardiographic findings in isolated, surgically created tricuspid insufficiency

Abstract The effects of surgically created tricuspid Insufficiency on the right ventricular dimension and the motion of the interventricular septum were determined by serial echocardiography in a patient with a hemodynamically normal heart who underwent tricuspid valvulectomy and later tricuspid valve replacement for medically intractable bacterial endocarditis. Initially, both the right ventricular dimension (1.8 cm) and motion of the interventricular septum were normal. After valvulectomy interventricular septal motion became distinctly paradoxical (pattern A, later pattern B), and the right ventricular dimension progressively increased to 3.5 cm. After successful tricuspid valve replacement interventricular septal motion promptly returned toward normal as did the right ventricular dimension (2.2 cm). The rapid changes in these echocardiographic variables with creation and relief of acute right ventricular volume overload correspond well with results of previous work in experimental animals but differ from findings in man with chronic right ventricular volume overload.
d-wave model for microwave response of high-Tc superconductors.

We develop a simple theory of the electromagnetic response of a d-wave superconductor in the presence of potential scatterers of arbitrary s-wave scattering strength and inelastic scattering by antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations. In the clean London limit, the conductivity of such a system may be expressed in ``Drude'' form, in terms of a frequency-averaged relaxation time. We compare predictions of the theory with recent data on Y-Ba-Cu-O and Bi-Sr-Si-Cu-O crystals and on Y-Ba-Cu-O films. While fits to penetration-depth measurements are promising, the low-temperature behavior of the measured microwave conductivity appears to be in disagreement with our results. We discuss implications for d-wave-pairing scenarios in the cuprate superconductors.
Worksite tobacco control programs: the role of occupational health

Worksite tobacco control initiatives face a crucial challenge: the growing occupational disparity in smoking prevalence. Blue-collar workers are more likely to be smokers than workers are in white-collar jobs. Blue-collar workers also experience a high prevalence of hazardous exposures on the job. Given these multiple risks, it is imperative that successful comprehensive programs be developed to promote and protect the health of blue-collar workers. Although evidence is still accruing about the efficacy of workplace interventions integrating tobacco control and occupational health, it is possible to identify promising intervention strategies by drawing on the preliminary evidence on effective worksite interventions. The effectiveness of worksite tobacco control interventions will be enhanced when coordinated interventions aim to promote cessation among individual smokers, build social support for quitting and social norms that support non-smoking, engage management in assuring a healthy work environment, involve workers' families in non-smoking initiatives, and provide links to community and public policy initiatives that support tobacco control as well as a broader effort promoting worker health.
Overview of the Rare Isotope accelerator project

This article provides an overview of the Rare Isotope Accelerator, RIA, concept. RIA represents a major advance in rare isotope capabilities for the US and the world nuclear science communities and has been given the highest priority for major new construction by the nuclear science community in the US. RIA combines many aspects of current rare isotope facilities. The concept attempts to provide a versatile facility that can take advantage of a variety of production methods and deliver rare isotope beams at a variety of energies.
Electrosorptive Detection of Simple Organic Compounds in Liquid Chromatography.

Abstract The detection of a range of neutral organic compounds in liquid chromatography based on decreases in differential double-layer capacitance, Δ C d , at a mercury—aqueous interface caused by analyte specific adsorption is described. The arrangement employs alternating current phase-selective measurements using a large-volume wall-jet configuration. The low-molecular-weight organic solutes examined include aliphatic alcohols, diols, mono- and dicarboxylic acids, amines and alkanolamines. The differential capacitance measurements were conducted close to the potential of zero charge, where adsorption of such species is most extensive. Plots of Δ C d versus analyte concentration were generally sigmoidal, in accordance with expectations from the Frumkin adsorption isotherm. A potential-step coulometric method, where variations in the non-faradaic charge, Δ(Δ q ), are measured, was found to be a useful alternative detection scheme. Methods based on measuring transient capacitive currents associated with tensammetric adsorption—desorption behavior were also briefly investigated. A virtue of these double-layer capacitance detection schemes is that the magnitude of the Δ C d or Δ(Δ q ) response exhibits a clear sensitivity to the organic molecular structure, as anticipated in view of the known dependence of the adsorption thermodynamic upon solute hydrophobicity.
Intra- and Intermolecular C–H Activation by Bis(phenolate)pyridineiridium(III) Complexes

A bis(phenolate)pyridine pincer ligand (henceforth abbreviated as ONO) has been employed to support a variety of iridium complexes in oxidation states I, III, and IV. Complexes (ONO)IrL_2Me (L = PPh_3, PEt_3) react with I_2 to cleave the Ir–C bond and liberate MeI, apparently via a mechanism beginning with electron transfer to generate an intermediate Ir(IV) complex, which can be isolated and characterized for the case L = PEt_3. The PPh_3 complex is transformed in benzene at 65 °C to the corresponding phenyl complex, with loss of methane, and subsequently to a species resulting from metalation of a PPh_3 ligand. Labeling and kinetics studies indicate that PPh_3 is the initial site of C–H activation, even though the first observed product is that resulting from intermolecular benzene activation. C–H activation of acetonitrile has also been observed.
Religion and the quest for meaning and order : old paradigms, new realities

Abstract Steven Warner's seminal paper identifying the emergence of a new paradigm in the sociology of religion is cautious in making claims beyond the United States. This paper presents both theoretical and empirical evidence that points to a more universal application. At the empirical level there is mounting evidence to indicate that religion is not on a trajectory leading to extinction as predicted by secularization theory. At the theoretical level, rational choice models provide a more efficacious explanation of the persistence of religion in the modern world. Rather, it challenges the ability of secularization theory to explain the persistence and character of religion. The paradigm debate has served to sharpen the secularization theory perspective, but the theory stands clearly in need of serious revamping if it is to survive.
Convective instability in a superfluid He3He4 mixture

Abstract The criteria of convection instability in a superfluid mixture are obtained. The type of instability (stationary or oscillatory) and also the expression for the criterion depend on the heating conditions (either from above or from below) and on the magnitude of the kinetic coefficients.
Modeling of Mercury Oxidation and Adsorption by Cupric Chloride-Impregnated Carbon Sorbents

Cupric chloride-impregnated activated carbon sorbents (CuCl2-ACs) showed good performance in Hg0 oxidation and adsorption in previously published entrained-flow test results. In addition, our previ...
Nicotinic α7 receptors enhance NMDA cognitive circuits in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

The cognitive function of the highly evolved dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) is greatly influenced by arousal state, and is gravely afflicted in disorders such as schizophrenia, where there are genetic insults in α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7-nAChRs). A recent behavioral study indicates that ACh depletion from dlPFC markedly impairs working memory [Croxson PL, Kyriazis DA, Baxter MG (2011) Nat Neurosci 14(12):1510–1512]; however, little is known about how α7-nAChRs influence dlPFC cognitive circuits. Goldman-Rakic [Goldman-Rakic (1995) Neuron 14(3):477–485] discovered the circuit basis for working memory, whereby dlPFC pyramidal cells excite each other through glutamatergic NMDA receptor synapses to generate persistent network firing in the absence of sensory stimulation. Here we explore α7-nAChR localization and actions in primate dlPFC and find that they are enriched in glutamate network synapses, where they are essential for dlPFC persistent firing, with permissive effects on NMDA receptor actions. Blockade of α7-nAChRs markedly reduced, whereas low-dose stimulation selectively enhanced, neuronal representations of visual space. These findings in dlPFC contrast with the primary visual cortex, where nAChR blockade had no effect on neuronal firing [Herrero JL, et al. (2008) Nature 454(7208):1110–1114]. We additionally show that α7-nAChR stimulation is needed for NMDA actions, suggesting that it is key for the engagement of dlPFC circuits. As ACh is released in cortex during waking but not during deep sleep, these findings may explain how ACh shapes differing mental states during wakefulness vs. sleep. The results also explain why genetic insults to α7-nAChR would profoundly disrupt cognitive experience in patients with schizophrenia.
Two vulnerabilities in Android OS kernel

Android Honeycomb operating system is widely used for tablet devices, such as Samsung Galaxy Tab. The Android system programs are usually efficient and secure in memory management. However, there has been a few security issues reported that show Android's insufficient protection to the kernel. In this work, we reveal a new security pitfall in memory management that can cause severe errors and even system failures. Existing security software for android do not detect this pitfall, due to the private implementation of Android kernel. We then discuss two vulnerabilities introduced by this pitfall: 1) malicious programs can escalate the root-level privilege of a process, through which it can disable the security software, implant malicious codes and install rootkits in the kernel; 2) deny of service attacks can be launched. Experiments have been conducted to verify these two vulnerabilities on Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with Tegra 2 CPU. To protect systems from these vulnerabilities, we proposed a patching solution, which has been adopted by Google.
Vulnerability, Vulnerable Populations, and Policy

[ 411 ] Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal Vol. 14, No. 4, 411–425 © 2004 by the National Reference Center for Bioethics Literature Produced at the National Reference Center for Bioethics Literature, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, Box 571212, Washington, DC 20057-1212. The Center operates on a contract with the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Additional support is provided by the National Center for Human Genome Research, National Institutes of Health, and by other public and private sources. Scope Note 44
Similarity of structure-function parameters in the stably stratified boundary layer

The structure-function parametersC 2 andC 2 of temperature and velocity, respectively, from the 1973 Minnesota experiments and from large-eddy and direct numerical simulations show a smooth transition from M−O similarity to the “local scaling” hypothesized by Nieuwstadt for the outer regions of the stable boundary layer. Under that hypothesis, turbulence statistics aloft depend on the local vertical fluxes of momentum and temperature, so these results suggest that remote-sensing measurements ofC 2 andC 2 could be used to infer vertical profiles of those fluxes. We argue that the sensitivity of the fluxes to unsteadiness, baroclinity, terrain slope, and breaking gravity waves precludes the universality of the vertical profiles of structure-function parameters in the stable PBL. We find that theC 2 profile is particularly sensitive to these effects, which is consistent with observations that it varies considerably from case to case.
Blue light (470 nm) effectively inhibits bacterial and fungal growth.

UNLABELLED Blue light (470 nm) LED antimicrobial properties were studied alone against bacteria and with or without the food grade photosensitizer, erythrosine (ERY) against filamentous fungi. Leuconostoc mesenteroides (LM), Bacillus atrophaeus (BA) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) aliquots were exposed on nutrient agar plates to Array 1 (AR1, 0·2 mW cm(-2)) or Array 2 (AR2, 80 mW cm(-2)), which emitted impure or pure blue light (0-300 J cm(-2)), respectively. Inoculated control (room light only) plates were incubated (48 h) and colonies enumerated. The antifungal properties of blue light combined with ERY (11·4 and 22·8 μmol l(-1)) on Penicillium digitatum (PD) and Fusarium graminearum (FG) conidia were determined. Conidial controls consisted of: no light, room light-treated conidia and ERY plus room light. Light-treated (ERY + blue light) conidial samples were exposed only to AR2 (0-100 J cm(-2)), aliquots spread on potato dextrose agar plates, incubated (48 h, 30°C) and colonies counted. Blue light alone significantly reduced bacterial and FG viability. Combined with ERY, it significantly reduced PD viability. Blue light is lethal to bacteria and filamentous fungi although effectiveness is dependent on light purity, energy levels and microbial genus. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Light from two arrays of different blue LEDs significantly reduced bacterial (Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Bacillus atrophaeus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) viabilities. Significant in vitro viability loss was observed for the filamentous fungi, Penicillium digitatum and Fusarium graminearum when exposed to pure blue light only plus a photosensitizer. F. graminearum viability was significantly reduced by blue light alone. Results suggest that (i) the amount of significant loss in bacterial viability observed for blue light that is pure or with traces of other wavelengths is genus dependent and (ii) depending on fungal genera, pure blue light is fungicidal with or without a photosensitizer.
Four-vessel umbilical cord associated with multiple congenital anomalies: a case report and literature review

A case is described of a neonate with a four-vessel umbilical cord containing two arteries and two veins. This was due to a rare persistence of the caudal portion of the right umbilical vein. The infant had multiple congenital anomalies including a complete atrioventricular canal, an interrupted inferior vena cava, a double superior vena cava, a left ventricular hypoplasia, dextrocardia, situs ambiguous, and malrotation of the small bowel. The birth of an infant with a four-vessel cord mandates comprehensive work-up for associated anomalies. The literature is reviewed.
All-weather model for sky luminance distribution—Preliminary configuration and validation

Abstract This article reports the development and evaluation of a new model for describing, from routine irradiance measurements, the mean instantaneous sky luminance angular distribution patterns for all sky conditions from overcast to clear, through partly cloudy, skies.
Porous microspheres as additives in lead-acid batteries

The theoretical specific energy of the lead/acid battery is 17 6Whk g−1. The specific energy actually achieved depends on the discharge rate but is typically only about 15–25% of this maximum value. The major reason for the lead acid battery’s inability to obtain higher specific energies is that much of the active material in both the positive and negative electrode is not discharged. This is especially true at the higher discharge rates where the diffusion of sulfate ions into the positive plate limits the reaction. Porous, hollow, glass microspheres (PHGM) would allow for more electrolyte storage in the electrodes and enhance the high rate energy storage of lead acid batteries. In this paper, we present a method for making hollow, glass microspheres (HGMs) porous. Presently our process only produces small yields. We believe in the future that the yields with our process can be substantially increased. PHGMs could substantially improve the high rate performance of lead acid batteries and make these batteries more attractive for hybrid electric vehicle applications. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Woodlot scale: A method for rapid assessment of woodlot values

A method is described for the rapid survey and determination of the ecological value of woodlots. The three dominant tree species in a stand are given a visual ranking that is converted to awoodlot index through the use of species adaptation values. The woodlot index is scaled by presettlement vegetation type to yield awoodlot scale. The ecologically most valuable woodlots in a region are identified by using the woodlot scale and data on woodlot area, human disturbance, and tree density. The woodlot index corresponds closely to results from conventional methods of woodlot surveys. This method should be valuable to land-use planners for environmental impact assessment and regional planning.
International evidence on output-inflation trade-offs: Results from a covariance-bounds test

Abstract This paper derives a covariance-bounds test to determine whether unexpected price-level changes affect output in the manner predicted by Lucas. The test is applied to annual data from twenty-five countries. The results provide reasonable support for Lucas' hypothesis, but also suggest that unexpected price-level changes account for only a small share of the variance of output. Taken in conjunction with the results of Kormendi and Mequire, the results of this paper suggest that unexpected money affects output through some means other than causing unexpected changes in the price level.
βKlotho Is Required for Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Effects On Growth and Metabolism

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a fasting-induced hepatokine that has potent pharmacologic effects in mice, which include improving insulin sensitivity and blunting growth. The single-transmembrane protein βKlotho functions as a coreceptor for FGF21 in vitro. To determine if βKlotho is required for FGF21 action in vivo, we generated whole-body and adipose tissue-selective βKlotho-knockout mice. All of the effects of FGF21 on growth and metabolism were lost in whole-body βKlotho-knockout mice. Selective elimination of βKlotho in adipose tissue blocked the acute insulin-sensitizing effects of FGF21. Taken together, these data demonstrate that βKlotho is essential for FGF21 activity and that βKlotho in adipose tissue contributes to the beneficial metabolic actions of FGF21.
Kinetic studies of the oxidative photosubstitution reaction in the charge transfer photochemistry of Os(OEP)[P(OMe)3]2 (OEP ≡ octaethylporphine) in hexane-halocarbon mixtures

Abstract The osmochrome Os II (OEP)[P(OMe) 3 ] 2 , where OEP is octaethylporphine, undergoes an oxidative photosubstitution reaction in hexane in the presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CH 2 Cl 2 , CHCl 3 , CCl 4 , CHCl 2 CH 3 and CH 2 ClCH 2 Cl) under steady state photolysis. The product has been identified as Os IV (OEP)Cl 2 . Both initial rates of reaction and quantum yields are, within experimental error, independent of whether the hexane-chlorinated hydrocarbon solutions are argon purged, air equilibrated, N 2 O purged or oxygen purged. The quantum yields increase with increase in CR 2 Cl 2 (R  H or Cl) concentration; limiting quantum yields are 0.0017 ± 0.0001 (CH 2 Cl 2 ), 0.25 ± 0.08 (CHCl 3 ) and 0.93 ± 0.10 (CCl 4 ). The reactivity of the chlorinated reactants is CCl 4 (280) > CHCl 3 (35) & >; CH 2 ClCH 2 Cl (1.4) ≈ CHCl 2 CH 3 (1.1) ≈ CH 2 Cl 2 (1.0) under the experimental conditions used; this order accords with expectations based on the CCl bond strengths. A mechanism is postulated in which the three essential steps are (L  P(OMe) 3 ) (i) Os(OEP)LL ⇌ Os(OEP)L + L (ii) Os(OEP)L + CR 2 Cl 2 → products and (iii) Os(OEP)LL + CR 2 Cl 2 → products The data are treated using both the conventional kinetic theory and the model of Noyes for the scavenging of photoproduced radical pairs in solution.
Durations of Pre-Copulatory Periods of Laboratory-Reared Irradiated and Non-Irradiated Male Gypsy Moths

Laboratory-reared irradiated and non-irradiated male gypsy moths were compared for the durations of their pre-copulatory and copulatory periods. Pre-copulatory duration was significantly different ( P = 0.04) between irradiated (45.2 min) and non-irradiated (25.2 min) males, but not between their respective first and second matings. Copulatory duration of irradiated and non-irradiated males was not significantly different ( P > 0.05); however, first matings were significantly longer ( P = 0.01) than second matings in their durations (73 and 62 min, respectively).
Reevaluating Economic Education: Principles of Economics Texts:

Principles of economics texts not only reveal the essential elements of orthodox economic theorizing, but they also contain an ideological message and are intended to explain economic reality. This paper summarizes major criticisms of such texts, showing that they are poorly equipped to explain reality. It concludes by suggesting a more meaningful approach.
Directed neurectomy for treatment of chronic postsurgical neuropathic pain

Abstract Background Chronic neurogenic pain after surgery, especially inguinal herniorrhaphy, remains a major cause of morbidity. The traditional treatment of postinguinal herniorrhaphy neurogenic pain has included triple neurectomy with the removal of any mesh. This report describes a directed, minimally invasive surgical neurectomy that provided pain relief in 28 patients with minimal morbidity. Methods After temporary but successful proximal peripheral nerve blockade, the nerve was blocked in the operating room using a small amount of blue dye mixed with the local anesthetic. After confirming pain relief with the dye-anesthetic mixture, the patient was then sedated, and all blue-stained tissue was excised through a small incision, avoiding both the previous surgical scar and mesh. Results All but 1 of the 28 patients had complete relief for a minimum of 12 months when discharged from follow-up. Conclusions This simple directed neurectomy method typically provides long-term relief for patients suffering from chronic postsurgical neurogenic pain.
Commonly taught and less commonly taught language learners: are they equally prepared for CALL and online language learning?

In this study, we present the analyses stemming from a survey administered to 2149 foreign language learners at Michigan State University. We had three goals. First, we aimed to compile a profile of language learners' technological acumen, access to and ownership of technology, and the current uses of technology across a wide range of languages being studied. Second, we wanted to investigate whether learners, when grouped by language of study (commonly taught or less-commonly taught), differed in their knowledge, ownership, or uses of technology. Third, we wanted to relate these data to the learners' receptiveness to a proposed increase in the amount of technology used for language instruction. Significant differences in the variables were found in terms of level of academic study and the classification of the language being learned (commonly taught versus less-commonly taught and Roman alphabet versus non-Roman alphabet). These differences reflect the recent discussions on the preparedness of students fo...
Neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s Disease

During the last two decades, a wealth of animal and human studies has implicated inflammation-derived oxidative stress and cytokine-dependent neurotoxicity in the progressive degeneration of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway, the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this review, we discuss the various hypotheses regarding the role of microglia and other immune cells in PD pathogenesis and progression, the inflammatory mechanisms implicated in disease progression from pre-clinical and clinical studies, the recent evidence that systemic inflammation can trigger microglia activation in PD-relevant central nervous system regions, the synergism between gene products linked to parkinsonian phenotypes (α-synuclein, parkin, Nurr1, and regulator of G-protein signaling-10) and neuroinflammation in promoting neurodegeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway, and the latest update on meta-analysis of epidemiological studies on the risk-lowering effects of anti-inflammatory drug regimens.
Sensitivity Of Bonded And Composite Beams

Abstract In this paper the sensitivity of the modal damping and natural frequencies of adhesively bonded and composite beams to small pre-deformations is investigated. Originally, a set of experiments was conducted on adhesively bonded beams in order to assess the extent to which damping could be influenced by the joint's location. As a part of the study, the experiments were repeated a number of times, and it was observed that the data exhibited a large amount of scatter. After further investigation, it was found that the scatter in the damping data could be correlated with small, initially undetected pre-deformations of the beams, and that the pre-deformation also caused significant changes in the beams' natural frequencies. In order to study this phenomenon further, a finite element model of the specimen was developed that could be used to calculate its mode shapes, natural frequencies and modal damping. The finite element model exhibited behavior that was consistent with the experiments. The calculations also indicated that if the frequencies were plotted as a function of the amplitude of the pre-deformation, then some pairs of frequencies crossed while others veered away from each other, and that the crossings and veerings could be closely related to mode shape changes and damping variations. In addition, the finite element program was used to simulate the behavior of composite sandwich beams and it was predicted that they would exhibit analogous behavior. Lastly, sets of experiments were conducted on both adhesively bonded and composite beams in which the amplitudes of the pre-deformation, the natural frequencies and the modal damping were measured and compared with predictions from the finite element model. The correlation between the predictions and the experimental data was good and the amount of scatter was reduced to acceptable levels once pre-deformation was taken into account.
Improved visualization of plastid fine structure: Plastid microtubules

Fixation of leaf segments with caffeine added to the glutaraldehyde and wash buffers dramatically improves the resolution of plastid fine structure. Control preparations, fixed without the addition of caffeine, have plastids with extremely electron dense stroma material, indicative of the indiscriminate movement of phenols from the vacuole into the plastid. No structural detail may be observed in the stroma and the thylakoids stand out in negative relief. However, after “caffeine fixation”, electron micrographs reveal an extensive array of plastid microtubules. These plastid microtubules appear to connect the thylakoid apparatus to the plastid envelope and may even allow for changes in plastid morphology.
Informative Regress: Critical Antecedents in Comparative Politics

How can political scientists best uncover historical causation without committing infinite regress? This article introduces a revised framework for historical analysis that can help systematically ...
Development of chorda tympani nerve taste responses in the hamster.

To determine whether changes in salt and sugar responses occur during development in the hamster, multifiber responses were recorded from the chorda tympani nerve while stimulating the anterior tongue of preweanling, early postweanling, and adult hamsters. Gustatory stimuli included 0.1 and 0.5 M solutions of NH4Cl, NaCl, LiCl, and KCl, and concentration series (0.01–1.0 M) of glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, and (0.0005–0.01 M) saccharin. Dramatic alterations in hamster peripheral gustatory sensitivities occurred with age, with the direction and magnitude of change dependent on the specific stimulus. Response magnitudes to 0.1 M solutions of NaCl and LiCl decreased with age compared to the NH4Cl response, whereas responses to all other salt stimuli remained constant during development. Responses to all sugars and saccharin compared to the NH4Cl response increased during development across a large concentration range; however, the age at which mature responses were achieved depended on the specific “sweet” stimulus. Whereas these findings demonstrate that the hamster peripheral gustatory system is dynamic during postnatal development, the hamster has a unique developmental pattern of salt taste development compared to other species. Specifically, the effectiveness of NaCl and LiCl decrease during development compared to NH4Cl in the hamster, but increase dramatically in the rat and sheep. Thus, the developmental patterns are opposite in direction for the hamster compared to the rat and sheep and may relate to the environmental pressures imposed upon each species.
Effect of diffusion on patterns in excitable Belousov-Zhabotinskii systems

Travelling wave patterns occur frequently in chemically reacting systems: these include planar fronts, target patterns and spiral structures. We review the dispersion relation for planar waves, including the effects of diffusion in the “slow” field for a simplified piecewise-linear model, with a focus on the scaling behavior with respect to the relative rate of the “fast” and “slow” reactions. We discuss the implications of these results for spirals, showing the origins of Fife scaling and deriving a boundary-integral formulation of the spiral equations. We discuss the generalization to more realistic models, in particular, the popular Oregonator model for Belousov-Zhabotinskii reactions.
Tetrodotoxin sensitivity of muscle action potentials in pufferfishes and related fishes

The effect of tetrodotoxin (TTX) was examined on action potentials in various fishes obtained in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. The action potentials in muscles of all pufferfishes examined (seven species) were found to be insensitive to 3 × 10−6 M TTX. On the other hand, TTX blocked the action potentials in common hardy-head (Pranesus ogilbyi), slender remora (Echeneis naucrates) and parrotfish (Callyodon pyrrhostethus) at a concentration of 3 × 10−7 M. The dose-response curve fits well the curve predicted by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The dissociation constants thus determined in the above mentioned fishes were 3 × 10−8 M, 6 × 10−8 M and 5 × 10−8 M respectively. In contrast to the small dissociation constants found in ordinary fishes, some fishes closely related to pufferfishes have large dissociation constants. They are 3 × 10−7 M in porcupinefish (Diodon holacanthus), 1 × 10−7 M in boxfish (Rhynchostracion nasus) and 5 × 10−7 M in triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus). We speculate that the resistivity of pufferfish action potentials to TTX is a result of evolutionary change and that the selection may have been done by TTX itself. The effect of saxitoxin (STX) on pufferfish action potentials (Arothron hispidus) was examined and it was found that the action potentials are also resistant to 3 × 10−7 M STX whereas those of common hardy-head (Pranesus ogilbyi) muscle were blocked by 3 × 10−8M. Possible molecular mechanisms of the TTX resistivity are discussed.
Algebraic structure of some stochastic discrete event systems, with applications

Generalized semi-Markov processes (GSMPs) and stochastic Petri nets (SPNs) are generally regarded as performance models (as opposed to logical models) of discrete event systems. Here we take the view that GSMPs and SPNS are essentially automata (generators) driven by input sequences that determine the timing of events. This view combines the deterministic, logical aspects and the stochastic, timed aspects of the two models. We focus on two conditions, (M) and (CX) (which we previously developed to study monotonicity and convexity properties of GSMPs), and the antimatroid and lattice structure they imply for the language generated by a GSMP or SPN. We illustrate applications of these structural properties in the areas of derivative estimation, simulation variance reduction, parallel simulation, and optimal control.
Superior oblique palsy: A complication of endoscopic sinus surgery

A 34-year-old woman with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps was treated with bilateral pansinusotomy. Postoperatively, she had a unilateral superior oblique paresis. We suspect that superior oblique damage occurred without involvement of the medial rectus because of inadvertent entry of the endoscopic probe through the superior lamina into the left orbit.
Activation of cap-independent translation by variant eukaryotic initiation factor 4G in vivo

Protein synthesis is tightly controlled by assembly of an intricate ribonucleoprotein complex at the m(7)GTP-cap on eukaryotic mRNAs. Ensuing linear scanning of the 5' untranslated region (UTR) is believed to transfer the preinitiation complex to the initiation codon. Eukaryotic mRNAs are characterized by significant 5' UTR heterogeneity, raising the possibility of differential control of translation initiation rate at individual mRNAs. Curiously, many mRNAs with unconventional, highly structured 5' UTRs encode proteins with central biological roles in growth control, metabolism, or stress response. The 5' UTRs of such mRNAs may influence protein synthesis rate in multiple ways, but most significantly they have been implicated in mediating alternative means of translation initiation. Cap-independent initiation bypasses strict control over the formation of initiation intermediates at the m(7)GTP cap. However, the molecular mechanisms that favor alternative means of ribosome recruitment are not understood. Here we provide evidence that eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4G controls cap-independent translation initiation at the c-myc and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 5' UTRs in vivo. Cap-independent translation was investigated in tetracycline-inducible cell lines expressing either full-length eIF4G or a C-terminal fragment (Ct) lacking interaction with eIF4E and poly(A) binding protein. Expression of Ct, but not intact eIF4G, potently stimulated cap-independent initiation at the c-myc/VEGF 5' UTRs. In vitro RNA-binding assays suggest that stimulation of cap-independent translation initiation by Ct is due to direct association with the c-myc/VEGF 5' UTR, enabling 43S preinitiation complex recruitment. Our work demonstrates that variant translation initiation factors enable unconventional translation initiation at mRNA subsets with distinct structural features.
Effects of glycerol and PE‐g‐MA on morphology, thermal and tensile properties of LDPE and rice starch blends

The effects of glycerol and polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) on the morphology, thermal properties, and tensile properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and rice starch blends were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry, and the Instron Universal Testing Machine, respectively. Blends of LDPE/rice starch, LDPE/rice starch/glycerol, and LDPE/rice starch/glycerol/PE-g-MA with different starch contents were prepared by using a laboratory scale twin-screw extruder. The distribution of rice starch in LDPE matrix became homogenous after the addition of glycerol. The interfacial adhesion between rice starch and LDPE was improved by the addition of PE-g-MA as demonstrated by SEM. The crystallization temperatures of LDPE/rice starch/glycerol blends and LDPE/rice starch/glycerol/PE-g-MA blends were similar to that of pure LDPE but higher than that of LDPE/rice starch blends. Both the tensile strength and the elongation at break followed the order of rice starch/LDPE/glycerol/PE-g-MA blends > rice starch/LDPE/glycerol > LDPE/rice starch blends. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 344–350, 2004
Acetylated microtubules are required for fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes

Autophagy is a dynamic process during which isolation membranes package substrates to form autophagosomes that are fused with lysosomes to form autolysosomes for degradation. Although it is agreed that the LC3II-associated mature autophagosomes move along microtubular tracks, it is still in dispute if the conversion of LC3I to LC3II before autophagosomes are fully mature and subsequent fusion of mature autophagosomes with lysosomes require microtubules. We use biochemical markers of autophagy and a collection of microtubule interfering reagents to test the question. Results show that interruption of microtubules with either microtubule stabilizing paclitaxel or destabilizing nocodazole similarly impairs the conversion of LC3I to LC3II, but does not block the degradation of LC3II-associated autophagosomes. Acetylation of microtubules renders them resistant to nocodazole treatment. Treatment with vinblastine that causes depolymerization of both non-acetylated and acetylated microtubules results in impairment of both LC3I-LC3II conversion and LC3II-associated autophagosome fusion with lysosomes. Acetylated microtubules are required for fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes to form autolysosomes.
Perception of Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients With COPD

Introduction Although dyspnea is considered the primary activity-limiting symptom in patients with COPD, other symptoms, such as fatigue, are frequently reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between fatigue and pulmonary function, exercise tolerance, depression, and quality of life in patients with COPD. Methods Forty-one patients (age = 62 ± 8 years; FEV 1 = 1.08 ± 0.55 L; FEV 1 percent predicted=35.8 ± 17%) from two sites participated in the study. Spirometric measures of pulmonary function were carried out in each patient. The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory was used to measure five subscales of fatigue: general, physical and mental fatigue, reduction in activity, and reduction in motivation. The St. George Respiratory Questionnaire, used to measure quality of life, has three subscale dimensions (symptom, activity, and impact), as well as an overall or total quality of life score. Depression was measured with the Centers of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. In 19 patients, exercise tolerance was determined with the 6-min walking distance. Results General fatigue correlated with FEV l , percent predicted (r = −0.32, p Conclusions These data show a relationship between dimensions of fatigue and pulmonary function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life in COPD. Based on these results, fatigue is an important symptom requiring evaluation and management in patients with COPD. These data clarified also the relationship between depression and fatigue in this patient population.