cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Information asymmetry and equilibrium monitoring in education

Abstract We develop a theoretical and computational model of school choice and achievement that embeds information asymmetries in the provision of education. Because school effort is unobservable to households and policymakers, schools have an incentive to under provide effort. This moral hazard affects both public and private schools, although public schools are subject to an additional distortion because of limited competition and fixed funding. Household monitoring of schools can mitigate moral hazard, but some households may free-ride on the monitoring of others. Using our calibrated model we simulate two policies aimed at raising achievement: public monitoring of public schools and private school vouchers. Our results indicate that in large scale settings no single tool may suffice. The reason is twofold: a) no tool raises achievement or welfare for all households; and b) since the extent of moral hazard is endogenous, the application of each tool has unintended consequences that limit its own effectiveness. Results also indicate that setting the policy parameters for public schools at the levels preferred by the majority of households may mitigate the distortions. Nonetheless, the current actual values of these parameters seem to match more closely the preferences of public schools than the preferences of parents.
IL-6 switches the differentiation of monocytes from dendritic cells to macrophages

Monocytes can give rise to either antigen presenting dendritic cells (DCs) or scavenging macrophages. This differentiation is initiated when monocytes cross the endothelium. But the regulation of DC and macrophage differentiation in tissues remains elusive. When stimulated with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4), monocytes yield DCs. However, we show here that the addition of fibroblasts switches differentiation to macrophages. On contact with monocytes, fibroblasts release IL-6, which up-regulates the expression of functional M-CSF receptors on monocytes. This allows the monocytes to consume their autocrine M-CSF. Thus, the interplay between IL-6 and M-CSF switches monocyte differentiation to macrophages rather than DCs, and IL-6 is an essential factor in the molecular control of antigen presenting cell development.
The German Tax Reform of 2000

Fundamental tax reform was a long time coming to Germany, but the landmark package of reforms agreed in July 2000 is substantially altering the business and personal tax environment. This paper describes and evaluates those reforms. It assesses the likely impact on investment and labor supply, and focuses particularly on key structural aspects of reform: the end of imputation, and the abolition of tax on corporate holdings in other corporations. Given Germany's prominence in Europe, and the structure of fiscal relations within Germany, it evaluates too the likely impact on other jurisdictions.
The Social Enforcement of Morality

Morality is often depicted as a structure consisting of two concentric spheres: an outer sphere and an inner. The outer sphere is composed of moral requirements whose violation exposes the actor to some permissible social sanction. The inner sphere, in contrast, is composed of moral requirements whose violation is no one else's business, and which are exposed to no permissible sanction at all, other than those brought to bear by the actor's conscience or with the actor's consent. This work-in-progress examines and repudiates this seductive picture.
Outcomes of pharmacological management of nocturia with non-antidiuretic agents: does statistically significant equal clinically significant?

OBJECTIVE • To evaluate the statistical and clinical efficacy of the pharmacological treatments of nocturia using non-antidiuretic agents. PATIENTS AND METHODS • A literature review of treatments of nocturia specifically addressing the impact of alpha blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARI) and antimuscarinics on reduction in nocturnal voids. RESULTS • Despite commonly reported statistically significant results, nocturia has shown a poor clinical response to traditional therapies for benign prostatic hyperplasia including alpha blockers and 5ARI. • Similarly, nocturia has shown a poor clinical response to traditional therapies for overactive bladder including antimuscarinics. CONCLUSIONS • Statistical success has been achieved in some groups with a variety of alpha blockers and antimuscarinic agents, but the clinical significance of these changes is doubtful. • It is likely that other types of therapy will need to be employed in order to achieve a clinically significant reduction in nocturia.
Meeting international standards for low frequency underwater radiated noise from ships

International standards for low frequency underwater radiated noise from ships were discussed. The procedure for noise prediction using a generic ship model with excitation provided by sample vibrations measured on engine mounts was demonstrated. The predicted radiated noise level at the 100m distance was plotted versus frequency. The lower curves showed the sound level for the broadside and bow aspects, as well as the maximum at each frequency.
Plant viruses: Quantitative assay methods and fine structure of the characteristic particles

In 1956, Gierer and Schramm (1) and Fraenkel-Conrat (2) independantly and by different procedures isolated from purified tobacco mosaic virus a ribonucleic acid fraction capable of initiating the characteristic disease in susceptible hosts. This was a fundamental advancement in our knowledge of viruses, and has resulted in a greatly increased interest in the fine structure of these pathogens.
The Catalytic Intramolecular Pauson‐Khand Reaction: 2,3,3α,4‐Tetrahydro‐2‐[(4‐Methylbenzene) Sulfonyl]Cyclopenta[C]Pyrrol‐5(1H)‐one

N-(2-Propenyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide 2,3,3α,4-Tetrahydro-2-[(4-methylbenzene) sulfonyl]cyclopentyl[C]pyrrol-5(1H)-one p-Toluenesulfonyl chloride N-(2-Propenyl)-N-(2-propynyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide Hexacarbonyl-2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol dicobalt Dicobalt octacarbonyl Keywords: intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction; methyl benzenes; cyclopentenones; thermally promoted cyclizations; enynes; waste disposal; carbon monoxide
Acute effects of hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia on vascular inflammatory biomarkers and endothelial function in overweight and obese humans.

We investigated the separate and combined effects of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia on markers of endothelial function, proinflammatory and proatherothrombotic responses in overweight/obese non...
Perceptions of social conflicts among incarcerated adolescents with callous‐unemotional traits: ‘You’re going to pay. It’s going to hurt, but I don’t care.’

Background: Delinquent youth with callous-unemotional (CU) traits may have a unique social-cognitive processing pattern that perpetuates their violent behavior. The current study examined the association between CU traits and the endorsement of deviant social goals during peer conflicts as well as expectancies and values regarding victim suffering following aggression. Methods: Participants included 156 (84 males, 72 females) adjudicated juveniles residing at two gender-specific residential facilities in an urban city within the southeastern United States. The association between CU traits and participants' ratings of their social goals in hypothetic conflict situations and outcome expectancies/values regarding victim suffering were examined after controlling for prior violence, intelligence, and demographic covariates. Results: CU traits were associated with an increased endorsement of social goals associated with revenge, dominance, and forced respect in social conflict situations. Adjudicated youth with CU traits were also less likely to endorse conflict avoidance and friendship building as important social goals when provoked by peers. There was no association between CU traits and expectations for victim suffering following aggression, but CU traits were significantly associated with lower levels of concern about victim suffering. These findings were significant after controlling for participants' prior history of violence, intelligence, and demographic covariates. Conclusions: Adjudicated youth with CU traits tend to emphasize power-oriented goals when provoked by peers and have little interest in rectifying social conflicts to build potential friendships with others. Juveniles with CU traits seem to be aware that their aggressive behavior will cause others to suffer, but they do not care when it does. Language: en
An Investigation of Post-Acquisition Satisfaction with the Merger:

This article explores post-acquisition attitudes and behaviors and the impact of merger satisfaction on attitudinal and behavioral outcome variables. The sample for the study comprises 2,845 employ...
Time Dependent Behavior of Chemically Amplified Resist Characterized under Sub-millisecond Post Exposure Bake

Chemically amplified photoresists require a post exposure bake (PEB) to catalytically deprotect the polymer backbone. However, excessive diffusion of the photogenerated acid during PEB results in resolution loss and line edge roughness. As both deprotection and diffusion are thermally activated processes, understanding their reaction kinetics as a function of temperature and time is potentially key to optimizing these two competing processes. In this work, we characterize the resist deprotection kinetics under laser PEB (lPEB), utilizing continuous wave CO2 laser thermal processing to shift the duration into sub-millisecond time frames at temperatures up to 500°C. At these temperatures and times, the extent of deprotection under l-PEB is comparable to that observed under conventional hot plate PEB conditions in the second time frames. Results show that, under isothermal conditions, deprotection has a power law dependence as a function of PEB duration, exhibiting secondorder or higher order kinetics under second time frames but a first-order kinetics under lPEB in sub-millisecond times.
Hepatic microsomal N-hydroxylation of aniline and 4-chloroaniline by rainbow trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss)

1. N-Hydroxylation of aniline and 4-chloroaniline was quantified in rainbow trout microsomal preparations using h.p.l.c.-liquid scintillation methods. Radioactive phenylhydroxylamine and 4-chlorophenylhydroxylamine metabolites were identified by co-elution with non-labelled standards. The method provided resolution of metabolite standards, and quantification of both N-hydroxylated metabolites was achieved without derivatization. 2. The maximum velocities at 25 degrees C were 33.8 +/- 1.40 and 22.0 +/- 0.98 pmol/min per mg for aniline and 4-chloroaniline N-hydroxylation, respectively. The Km values were 1.0 +/- 0.11 and 0.8 +/- 0.11 mM for aniline and 4-chloroaniline N-hydroxylation, respectively. These activities were not induced by treatment of the trout with Aroclor 1254 under the conditions of this study. 3. When incubations were performed at 11 degrees C, the physiological temperature of rainbow trout in this study, the Vmax for 4-chloroaniline N-hydroxylation decreased from 22.0 to 6.4 pmol/min per mg and the Km decreased from 0.8 to 0.5 mM. 4. The pH optimum for 4-chloroaniline N-hydroxylation was 8.0 while the pH optimum for aniline N-hydroxylation ranged from 7.4 to 8.0, suggesting the possible contribution of different isoenzymes. 5. The demonstration of aniline and 4-chloroaniline N-hydroxylation by rainbow trout microsomes provides further insight into the high acute:subchronic toxicity ratios observed in fish exposed to these compounds.
An Advanced Test Method to Determine Viscous Damping of Floating Structures

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company developed an advanced model test method to determine reliable damping values for predicting low frequency motions of an FLNG barge and an LNG carrier. Since viscous damping forces are a very small portion of the total force on the model, how to separate the viscous forces from the total forces is the key technical challenge. To better isolate viscous damping forces, an inertial compensation system consisting of springs was employed in the test. The spring stiffness was designed such that the restoring force cancelled the large inertial loads at the oscillation frequency. Furthermore, double-body models were built and were deeply submerged to minimize surface wave damping. With such an experimental setup, the total force measured was mainly the viscous damping force. Viscous damping was derived from the measured force and motion time histories.© 2010 ASME
Combination Docetaxel Plus Vitamin D3 as an Immune Therapy in Animals Bearing Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Objective Background tumor growth results in the mobilization of immune inhibitory CD34 + progenitor cells. However, vitamin D 3 can differentiate the CD34 + cells into immune stimulatory dendritic cells. This study determined if docetaxel treatment could increase the impact of the vitamin D 3 to generate dendritic cells. Methods The murine squamous cell carcinoma model, SCC VII/SF, which is often used as a head and neck cancer model, was used to determine the immunological effects of two cycles of docetaxel plus vitamin D 3 . Results Vitamin D 3 with or without docetaxel was similarly effective in reducing CD34 + cell levels within the spleen, lymph nodes, and tumor. Dendritic cell levels were similarly enhanced in the lymph nodes by vitamin D 3 alone or combined with docetaxel. However, the combination treatment caused a prominent increase in intratumoral levels of active T cells, which was not observed by the individual treatments. Conclusion Incorporating docetaxel treatment with vitamin D 3 differentiation-inducing treatment enhances intratumoral immune responsiveness.
Literacy and computer illiteracy

Computers are marvelous devices that have simplified data processing and stimulated new applications in many fields. As tools, the machines have become so useful and attractive that authorities are calling for computer literacy and ordering large numbers of microcomputers and full-screen terminals. The computer is becoming a dominant, all-purpose tool. But, like any tool, it is not a panacea for the difficulties of modern civilization. It may not even be a critical part of literacy. In fact, the computer may have distinct educational and biological disadvantages for the human species. This article places computers in a broad educational perspective.
Genetic Nomenclature in Clovers and Special-Purpose Legumes: II. Crimson and Subterranean Clover

Crimson clover, Trifolium incarnatum L., and subterranean clover, T. subterraneum L. are important annual legumes used for windter grazing in the U.S. Southeast. There is no single report of the inheritance of qualitative characters in this two species. The objective of this paper was to compile the reported gene names and symbols for crimson and subterranean clover characters and to propose symbols for characters of each species in accordance with the Trifolium genetic nomenclature system
Assessing Children's Homework Performance: Development of Multi-Dimensional, Multi-Informant Rating Scales.

Efforts to develop interventions to improve homework performance have been impeded by limitations in the measurement of homework performance. This study was conducted to develop rating scales for assessing homework performance among students in elementary and middle school. Items on the scales were intended to assess student strengths as well as deficits in homework performance. The sample included 163 students attending two school districts in the Northeast. Parents completed the 36-item Homework Performance Questionnaire – Parent Scale (HPQ-PS). Teachers completed the 22-item teacher scale (HPQ-TS) for each student for whom the HPQ-PS had been completed. A common factor analysis with principal axis extraction and promax rotation was used to analyze the findings. The results of the factor analysis of the HPQ-PS revealed three salient and meaningful factors: student task orientation/efficiency, student competence, and teacher support. The factor analysis of the HPQ-TS uncovered two salient and substantive factors: student responsibility and student competence. The findings of this study suggest that the HPQ is a promising set of measures for assessing student homework functioning and contextual factors that may influence performance. Directions for future research are presented.
Chronic intracranial EEG monitoring for localizing the epileptogenic zone: an electroclinical correlation.

Summary: Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic yield and identify predictive factors of the surgical outcome in patients with intractable partial epilepsy undergoing chronic intracranial EEG monitoring (CIEM). Methods: The clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electrophysiologic data of 108 patients that underwent CIEM were retrospectively reviewed. The discharge pattern and spatial extent of the initial ictal discharge were determined by blinded visual inspection and computerized analysis. Results: The main predictive indicator for epilepsy surgery outcome in patients that underwent CIEM was the presurgical MRI findings. Most patients with hippocampal atrophy or complete lesionectomy were rendered seizure free after epilepsy surgery (83 and 80%, respectively), whereas only a small minority of patients with partial lesipectomy or no detected MRI lesion had seizure-free operative outcomes (21 and 22%, respectively). Multifocal independent initiation of the initial ictal discharge was associated with a poor surgical outcome. In contrast, the pattern and local spatial extent of the initial ictal discharge observed with CIEM failed to predict the surgical outcome. Conclusions: The main predictor of the surgical outcome in patients that underwent CIEM was the MRI findings, whereas CIEM had only limited use in localizing the epileptogenic zone in the absence of an MRI lesion. The reported findings indicate a low specificity of CIEM in defining the site of seizure onset, which in turn significantly impairs the reliability of CIEM in delineating the epileptogenic zone for epilepsy surgery. Further studies are required to define the indications and patient subpopulations who can benefit from CIEM before epilepsy surgery. Key Words: Epilepsy-Intracranial electrodesEpilepsy surgery-EEG-Hippocampal atrophy.
Modeling sensory conflict and motion sickness in artificial gravity

Abstract It is necessary to characterize the vestibular response associated with head movements for various centrifuge rotation rates if one is to explore short-radius centrifugation as a viable form of artificial gravity for future spaceflights. An existing motion sickness model was modified to design an adaptation protocol to facilitate head movements at a centrifuge speed of 30 rpm. Modification involved addition of a quantitative sensory conflict model to serve as the input to the motion sickness model. Sensory conflict in this context was based on the dynamics of head movements during centrifugation as well as a previously developed transfer function relating angular accelerations to semicircular canal firing rates. Additionally, an adaptation parameter based on comparison between model predictions and previous experimental results was added. A 3-day incremental adaptation protocol was conducted in which 16 subjects successfully made 30 yaw head movements during rotation at 30 rpm on day 3. Motion sickness results showed good agreement with model predictions and demonstrated the feasibility of adaptation to increasingly high rotation rates.
The importance of cross-slip in high-rate deformation

We apply three-dimensional dislocation dynamics simulations to study the dynamic response of materials at high strain rates (104 to 106 s−1) with the focus on investigating the role of cross-slip in deformation. By comparing simulations with and without cross-slip, we find that cross-slip plays a role in the generation and annihilation of dislocations, leading to different dislocation velocities, density evolution and macroscale plastic response.
Taking a Whipper--The Fall-Factor Concept in Rock Climbing.

(2005). Taking a Whipper—The Fall-Factor Concept in Rock Climbing. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 135-140.
A Critical Examination of Heidegger’s Thoughts: Technology Places Humanity in Shackles Hindering Our Natural Thinking Process and Our Connection to Being

Technological advancements such as artificial intelligence have encroached upon humanity’s ability to think creatively. We rely on technical gadgets to add simple calculations and to retain listing and directories leading to memory loss. At times, we often cannot recall simple details and phone numbers since these things are all stored on our small hand-held computers. We must begin to consider how our technological advancements, in their many forms, are permeating our lives. As technology, especially computers, become increasingly smarter, we use our brains less resulting in a total surrender of our very lives to these gadgets. This marked and prolific worship of technology has separated us from our connection to our environment.
Aircraft and in Situ Salinity and Ocean Color Measurements and Comparisons in the Gulf of Mexico

We report here on aircraft measurements made in May, 2007, with the NRL STARRS (Salinity, Temperature and Roughness Remote Scanner), and optical multi-wavelength radiance and irradiance sensors (Satlantic OCR-507 at SEA-WIFS wavelength bands). These measurements were made in conjunction with in situ measurements of sea surface salinity (SSS), ocean color, and fluorescence in the Atchafalaya River outflow from the R/V Pelican. In this work we demonstrate the ability of the aircraft optical and L-Band measurements to (a) detect the location of salinity and color fronts as observed in the in situ measurements from the ship and (b) provide context for the in situ measurements by providing synoptic measurements over a wider area than the ship was able to cover. A multilinear regression for salinity, based on three of the optical channels, provides an excellent qualitatative proxy for large scale salinity in the Atchafalaya plume region. We believe this is the first simultaneous use of L-Band and optical instruments to measure salinity from an aircraft.
Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia in Patients with Ischemic Chest Discomfort: Effect on Beta‐Endorphins

Relief of discomfort during acute myocardial ischemia is usually accomplished with a narcotic analgesic. Because these medications may cause unpleasant symptoms and exert a possibly adverse hemodynamic effect, the availability of alternative analgesic medication would be advantageous. Nitrous oxide is a commonly used potent analgesic gas. Nitrous oxide has been used to relieve ischemic discomfort during myocardial infarction. The current study was undertaken to corroborate that data in a randomized, blinded, cross-over study and to begin to explore a mechanism for the analgesic effect. Twelve patients with typical ischemic chest discomfort and a suspected myocardial infarction were included in the study. Each patient received a 30-minute inhalation treatment of 30% nitrous oxide/70% oxygen and 30 minutes of 30% room air/70% oxygen. Patients were blinded to their treatment and were randomized to receive nitrous oxide first, then room air, or vice versa. A semiquantitative assessment of the severity of chest discomfort was made before, during, and at the conclusion of each treatment together with a measurement of plasma beta-endorphin levels using a venous blood sample. Eleven of the 12 patients reported a significant reduction in the intensity of their chest discomfort during the nitrous oxide inhalation, but none had pain relief during the control period. Beta-endorphin levels fell to a greater extent during the inhalation of nitrous oxide than during the control period (51% versus 26%; P less than .05). No significant adverse effects were noted and most patients slept during the nitrous oxide inhalation. It is concluded that nitrous oxide anesthesia is a superior method of pain relief in patients with ischemic heart disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Reactivity in Extroverts and Introverts

The response times of 17 introverts and 24 extroverts to red and blue stimulus lights were compared. While no differences were found between the groups, introverts responded faster to the presentation of the red stimulus light than the blue one.
Inverted repeat sequences can influence the melting transitions of linear DNAs

The influence of inverted repeat sequences on the melting transitions of linear DNAs has been examined. Derivative melting curves (DMC) of a 514 base pair (bp) DNA, seven subfragments of this DNA, and four other DNAs have been compared to predictions of DNA melting theory. The 514-bp DNA contains three inverted repeat sequences that can form cruciform structures in supercoiled DNA. We refer to these sequences as c-inverted repeats. Previous work showed that the DMC of this DNA, unlike a number of other DNAs, is not accurately predicted by DNA melting theory. Since the theoretical model does not include hairpin-like structures, it was suggested that hairpin or cruciform formation in these inverted repeats may be responsible for this discrepancy. Our results support this hypothesis. Predicted DMCs are in good agreement with DNAs with no inverted repeats, or inverted repeats not evident in supercoiled DNA. Differences between the theoretical and experimental Tm's are less than or equal to 0.3 degrees C. DNA molecules that contain one or more of the three c-inverted repeats are not as accurately predicted. Experimental Tm values are lower than predicted values by 0.7-3.8 degrees C. It is concluded that some inverted repeat sequences can form hairpin-like structures during the melting of linear DNAs. These structures appear to lower overall DNA stability.
The response of scintillation detectors to internally induced radioctivity

Abstract Pulse-height distributions produced in NaI and CsI detectors by the decay of certain internally disributed radionuclides have been calculated using a Monte Carlo method. The method traces the possible decays of a radio-active atom, taking into account β±-emission, electron capture, gamma-ray emission, internal-conversion-electron emission, and X-ray or Auger-electron emission following the creation of atomic K-shell vacancies. The scattering, absorption, and escape of gamma-rays, annihilation quanta, and X-rays are included. Results are presented for the radio-isotopes 22Na, 124I, 124Sb, 125Sb, 123mTe, and 125mTe to indicate the characteristic features of the pulse-height distributions.
Facile One-Pot Synthesis of Brush Polymers through Tandem Catalysis Using Grubbs' Catalyst for Both Ring-Opening Metathesis and Atom Transfer Radical Polymerizations

Using Grubbs' catalyst Cl2(PCy3)2Ru=CHPh for tandem catalysis, poly(methyl methacrylate)-based brush polymers were prepared by one-pot sequential ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) via an inimer having both an alpha-bromoisobutyrate ATRP initiator functionality and an exo-norbornenyl ROMP monomer functionality. The surface morphologies and aggregation behaviors of these nanoscopic single molecules were studied by tapping-mode atomic force microscopy measurements on mica.
Demulsification of water/oil/solid emulsions by hollow‐fiber membranes

The demulsification techniques investigated use preferential surface wetting to allow separation of oil and water phases in ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes. A hydrophobic membrane allows the permeation of an oil phase at almost zero pressure and retains the water phase, even though the molecular weight of the water molecule (18) is much smaller than that of the oil molecule (198 for tetradecane, used in this study). Hydrophobic membranes having pore sizes from 0.02 to 0.2 {micro}m were tested for demulsification of water-in-oil emulsions and water/oil/solid mixtures. The dispersed (aqueous)-phase drop sizes ranged from 1 to 5 {micro}m. High separation rates, as well as good permeate quality, were obtained with microfiltration membranes. Water content of permeating oil was 32--830 ppm depending on operating conditions and interfacial properties. For emulsions with high surfactant content, simultaneous operation of a hydrophobic and hydrophilic membrane, or simultaneous membrane separation with electric demulsification was more efficient in obtaining complete phase separation.
Language Development during the Adolescent Years: Aspects of Pragmatics, Syntax, and Semantics.

Aspects of language that develop during the adolescent years are discussed in the domains of pragmatics, syntax, and semantics. Selected topics include complex conversational behaviors that adolescent boys and girls employ with peers versus parents; syntactic attainments associated with persuasive w
Influence of beam loading on the operation of the relativistic klystron amplifier

Experiments in modulating an electron beam of power greater than 30 GW revealed a mechanism that limits the output RF power of the NRL relativistic klystron amplifier. This mechanism is beam loading of high voltage gaps. It is found that the presence of charge at the gaps is analogous to connecting a capacitor in parallel with the HV gap. This capacitor has a component that depends only on the electron density and on the geometry. Its presence causes detuning of the cavity, resulting in a slow build-up time for the electron beam modulation, saturation of the RF current amplitude and occasionally erratic fluctuations in the RF current. The nonlinear components of this capacitor cause the spectrum of the current modulation to be shifted toward the high frequencies.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Study on a Differentiated Service Queuing Scheme Based on Transmitted Bytes Within a UMTS Core Network Gateway

Universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) is a popular 3G system to support network applications full of variety. According to the quality of service (QoS) features of four types of UMTS traffic, this study proposes a BBQ (byte-based queuing) scheme to handle a UMTS packet forwarding process in differentiation. With the BBQ scheme, four types of UMTS traffic depend on their QoS features to receive differentiated packet forwarding performance within a UMTS core network. Several scenarios are simulated to realize the packet transmission performance of the BBQ scheme. Moreover, a packet transmission performance comparison between the IETF RIO scheme and the BBQ scheme is discussed in this study. The simulation results show that a differentiated packet forwarding behavior among UMTS traffic can be provided by the BBQ scheme with low cost operation/architecture; this demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed queuing scheme.
Regulation of neuronal function by protein trafficking: a role for the endosomal pathway

Protein trafficking plays a central role in many aspects of neuronal function, from the release of neurotransmitters by exocytosis and the recycling of synaptic vesicle proteins to the regulation of receptor signalling. Synaptic function can be significantly modified on a short time scale by alterations in the levels of receptors, ion channels and transporters both pre- and postsynaptically. In many cases, these alterations appear to be mediated by acute changes in the rates at which the proteins are endocytosed from and exocytosed to the cell surface from intracellular pools. While our current understanding of the signalling mechanisms and the intracellular pathways responsible for these acute changes is still in its infancy, intriguing details are beginning to emerge from a number of systems.
Youth and culture: A seventeen nation study of perceived problems and coping strategies

JANICE T. GIBSON, MARVIN J. WESTWOOD, F. ISHU ISHIYAMA, WILLIAM A. BORGEN, SUSAN M. SHOWALTER, QASEM AL-SARRAF, SEMIHA A. ATAKAN, ISAURA R.F. GUIMARES, A. LINA GUISTI-ORTIZ, MARGARET ROBERTSON, BENJAMIN SHAFRIR, PETER DE WEERDT, GUNDELINA A. VELAZCO, CAROL E. BAKER, MARIA DIKAIOU, TATIANA GABAY, LINA KASHYUP, ILONA LEE, MARIA E. FELCE DI PAULA, HILLMAN NGUNANGWA & NINA F. TALYZINA University of Pittsburgh, School of Education, Forbes Quadrangle, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia in the Elderly: When to Say ''Uncle''

In the present study, 105 men and 9 women with irondeficiency anemia (IDA) and negative endoscopy and colonoscopy were followed for a mean of 65 months. Of the approximately half who had persistent or corrected anemia, significant pathology was present in only 4.3 %. In contrast, 54 % (6/11) of patients with recurrent anemia were ultimately diagnosed with significant lesions including colorectal cancer (2), gastric ulcer (2), and one case each of duodenal cancer and gastric angiodysplasia. An approximate threefold difference in mortality was noted between patients with resolved (normalization of hemoglobin with iron supplementation) versus persistent
LOCALIZATION OF CELL DIVISION ACTIVITY IN THE PRIMARY THICKENING MERISTEM IN ALLIUM CEPA L

Stems 1, 2, 3 months old of Allium cepa L. were labelled with tritiated thymidine, fixed in FAA, sectioned, stained with the Feulgen reaction, and prepared for autoradiography. The serial transverse sections were outlined with a camera lucida, recording labelled nuclei as dots. These drawings were used for 3-dimensional reconstructions of the locations of labelled nuclei. Near the top of the stem, labelled nuclei occur in a broad band, whereas they occur in narrower bands at successively lower levels in the stem, and finally labelled nuclei disappear. The locations of the labelled nuclei correspond to the location of the primary thickening meristem (PTM) in the stem of onion as determined by previous histological and histochemical observations. Microspectrophotometry was used to measure the relative amounts of DNA in Feulgen-stained nuclei of the PTM in serial transverse sections of 1- and 2-month-old onion stems. A bimodal distribution was obtained which can be explained by changes in DNA levels during the cell cycle. No evidence of polyploid nuclei was observed. One can conclude, therefore, that the PTM is the site of cell division activity during the primary stem thickening process in onion.
On the lack of conjugation stabilization in polyynes (polyacetylenes).

By analogy to conjugated polyenes, conjugative stabilization of polyynes with the −C⋮C−C⋮C− group might be expected to be substantial. On the contrary, consistent with our recent report of a surprising lack of conjugative stabilization in butadiyne, we find by G3(MP2) calculations and by comparisons with available experimental data from these and other laboratories that the ground-state stabilization of conjugated polyynes is in fact quite small, amounting to <1 kcal mol-1. By similar calculations, the 2,4-pentadiyn-1-yl radical shows no enhanced stabilization relative to 2-propyn-1-yl radical, despite the potential stabilization of the odd electron by two conjugated triple bonds and unlike the behavior of 2,4-pentadien-1-yl radical. The thermochemistry of straight-chain alkynes and polyynes is very self-consistent. Enthalpies of hydrogenation, leading to enthalpies of formation, are predictable with a high degree of accuracy (absolute mean deviation = ±0.39 kcal mol-1 vs theoretical values and ±0.52 vs e...
Toxicity of allyl isothiocyanate-amended soil to Limonius californicus (Mann.) (Coleoptera: Elateridae) wireworms

Acute toxicity of soil amended with allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) to three size classes ofLimonius californicus (Mann.) wireworms was determined in the laboratory. Wireworms were exposed to AITC at initial concentrations of 120–300 nmol/g soil for one day. During this time, extractable AITC concentrations decreased by 66 to 93 %. Probit analysis estimated LC50 values of 238 and 226 nmol/g soil at one day posttreatment for medium and large wireworms, respectively. For small wireworms, LC50 values decreased from 211 to 157 nmol/g soil during 1–137 days posttreatment. Sublethal concentrations of AITC significantly reduced feeding activity of treated wireworms at three posttreatment times and over the entire 137 days. Wireworm weight was not significantly affected by AITC. The potential exists to use glucosinolate-containing plant tissue as an isothiocyanate (ITC) source to reduce crop damage caused byL. californicus wireworms.
Celiac artery aneurysm repair in Behcet disease complicated by recurrent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Behcet's disease is a chronic, relapsing multisystemic inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent orogenital aphthous ulcers, uveitis, and skin lesions. Vascular involvement occurs in up to 38% of these patients. Herein, we report a 19-year-old male who initially presented with an isolated celiac artery aneurysm that was treated with open surgical repair. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with Behcet's disease after the development of oral aphthous ulcers and multiple recurrent postoperative deep venous thromboses and thoracoabdominal arterial aneurysms. Ultimately, a hybrid approach was undertaken. This is the fifth celiac artery aneurysm ever reported in this patient group and the first to present with an isolated celiac artery aneurysm as the initial manifestation of Behcet's disease.
Colonic spasm and pseudo-obstruction in an elongated colon secondary to physical exertion: diagnosis by stress barium enema

Anatomic and functional abnormalities of the colon are known to cause a variety of abdominal complaints, including constipation, diarrhea, and pain. We describe a patient with dolichocolon (elongated colon) with transient spasm (pseudo-obstruction) associated with exertion. The diagnosis in this case rested with a novel approach and less invasive evaluation of the colon.
Changes in microbial properties after manure, lime, and bentonite application to a heavy metal-contaminated mine waste

Abstract Organic materials improve soil properties conducive to plant growth and may be necessary to stabilize lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) mine wastes. Composted beef manure was applied to mine wastes at two sites at 45 and 269 Mg ha −1 with and without lime and bentonite. Switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ) was established as a vegetative cover. Compost significantly increased waste nutrient content, pH, and available water, and decreased heavy metal availability. The largest total phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) increase was in the high compost treatment, with values of 80.3 and 30.2 (site A) and 84.9 and 23.1 (site B) μmol kg −1 soil for treated and control, respectively. However, high rates of compost (269 Mg ha −1 ) were generally required to increase bacterial and fungal communities beyond the control. The high compost-treated waste exhibited increased arylsulfatase, phosphatase, and β-glucosidase enzyme activities. Observed increases in pH may have resulted in lowered enzyme activity in the low compost treatment. Results suggest that an organic matter addition above 45 and up to 269 Mg ha −1 may be needed to support and sustain microbial activity and biomass in mine waste materials, at least over the two year period evaluated.
Response of two species of amphibious stichaeoid fishes to temperature fluctuations in an intertidal habitat

The temperature regime of the intertidal microhabitat of two species of co-existing amphibious stichaeoid fishes, Anoplarchus purpurescens and Pholis ornata, were compared with experimentally determined tolerances to elevated temperatures. Studies of the critical thermal maxima of the two species revealed only slight differences in temperature tolerance but exposure to a cycled pattern of high temperatures sharply differentiated the resistance times of the two species with P. ornata capable of tolerating greater cumulative exposure to thermal stress when administered in a cycled program of temperature fluctuations with peak temperature at 27 °C. While the experimentally determined temperature tolerances exceeded those measured in the field, the greater tolerance of P. ornata may facilitate habitation of intertidal mudflats during summer months.
Slaframine: A parasympathomimetric from Rhizoctonia leguminicola

An interesting cholinergic compound has been isolated from the fungus Rhizoctonia leguminicola grown on extracts of red clover hay. The compound was characterized as 1-acetoxy-8-aminooctahydroindolizidine and given the name “slaframine.” It has been shown that slaframine is not the active compound but is converted to the active metabolite by liver microsomal enzymes. Physiological studies with slaframine point out that it is a potent stimulator of exocrine glands. In addition, its long duration of action and low toxicity suggest that it may have therapeutic value. Preliminary data suggest that slaframine is a potent stimulator of pancreatic activity, and its long duration of action results in a stimulation of protein synthesis by the gland.
Reducing accounting students' oral communication apprehension: Empirical evidence

Abstract Although communication skills are recognized as crucially important to success in the accounting profession, the issue of oral communication (OC) skills development has not been widely examined in accounting education studies. Further, some have questioned whether a program can be designed to effect significant gains in OC skills in relatively short periods, given the resource constraints often associated with accounting programs. One important facet of OC is oral communication apprehension (OCA) -anxiety related to interpersonal OC. Since OCA has been linked to OC skills as well as other communication behaviors, reducing OCA is a step towards improving OC skills. We describe an experimental, undergraduate accounting course that had reducing students' OCA as one of its main objectives. Pretest and posttest measures of OCA for treatment and control groups of accounting majors indicated a significant reduction in OCA for the treatment group but not the control group. This suggests that significant reductions in OCA can be made in a single course. The implications of such short-term gains in reducing OCA are that accounting educators should not necessarily presume that limited resources impose a prohibitive constraint on the inclusion of procedures to reduce OCA in accounting curricula, and should consider incorporating exercises such as those described in this study in their courses where appropriate. Further research is needed to help guide these efforts, however, for OCA remains an underexamined phenomenon in accounting education.
Toward a more comprehensive understanding of interpersonal violence: Introduction to the special issue on interconnections among different types of violence.

Recent epidemiological work shows that most victims of interpersonal violence have experienced other forms of violence as well. Similarly, perpetrators of one type of violence often engage in aggression in other contexts, and many people report both perpetration and victimization. This special issue presents 8 studies on the leading edge of research investigating the interconnections among different forms of violence, abuse, and maltreatment. They examine links between sexual and physical abuse, intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, community violence, and violent media. Together, they suggest that focusing on the co-occurrence of different types of violence has the potential to advance our understanding of the causes and consequences of violence and to develop more effective approaches to prevention and intervention.
Ideology, "shirking", and representation*

In theory, republican government arises from the fact that the citizens are too numerous to be gathered in one place to make decisions. From the larger number a smaller number must be chosen and given the power to make decisions. How the small number should decide is the question of representation, and this question has been a central concern of public choice from the field’s earliest days.1 Most of the work has dealt with elucidating how different ways of structuring legislatures and elections affects the diversity of interests that can be represented. Much of this research has treated the representative fairly mechanically, assuming that he somehow embodies the preferences of his electorate.
Heat pipe based passive emergency core cooling system for safe shutdown of nuclear power reactor

Abstract On March 11th, 2011, a natural disaster created by earthquakes and Tsunami caused a serious potential of nuclear reactor meltdown in Fukushima due to the failure of Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) powered by diesel generators. In this paper, heat pipe based ECCS has been proposed for nuclear power plants. The designed loop type heat pipe ECCS is composed of cylindrical evaporator with 62 vertical tubes, each 150 mm diameter and 6 m length, mounted around the circumference of nuclear fuel assembly and 21 m × 10 m × 5 m naturally cooled finned condenser installed outside the primary containment. Heat pipe with overall thermal resistance of 1.44 × 10−5 °C/W will be able to reduce reactor temperature from initial working temperature of 282 °C to below 250 °C within 7 h. The overall ECCS also includes feed water flooding of the core using elevated water tank for initial 10 min which will accelerate cooling of the core, replenish core coolant during loss of coolant accident and avoids heat transfer crisis phenomena during heat pipe start-up process. The proposed heat pipe system will operate in fully passive mode with high runtime reliability and therefore provide safer environment to nuclear power plants.
Pharmacologic levels of nitrendipine do not affect actin-myosin interaction in the human uterus and placenta

Abstract Because of the potential of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in the management of premature labor, we have studied the direct effects of nitrendipine on actomyosin in the pregnant and nonpregnant uterus and in the term human placenta. Actomyosin adenosinetriphosphatase in the three tissues and another model of actin-myosin interaction, superprecipitation of placental actomyosin, were inhibited by nitrendipine. The inhibition was not diminished by high concentrations of calcium. To identify the mechanism, placental myosin was phosphorylated in the absence and presence of 0.8 × 10 −4 mol/L of nitrendipine. The myosin phosphorylated in the presence of nitrendipine had lower actin-activated adenosinetriphosphatase, which is consistent with the inhibition of myosin light chain phosphorylation. However, nitrendipine did not affect the adenosinetriphosphatase activity of myosin nor did further reduce the adenosinetriphosphatase of the already phosphorylated placental actomyosin. Thus nitrendipine inhibition is directed to the phosphorylation reaction but not to the adenosinetriphosphatase site of myosin. Myometrial relaxation in vivo or in vitro occurs at the pharmacologic nitrendipine levels of 10 −9 to 10 −8 mol/L, which is at least 10,000 times lower than that of the concentration of 50% inhibition of myosin light chain phosphorylation (0.0026 ± 0.00015 mol/L of nitrendipine, mean ± SEM) demonstrated in the present work. Because of this difference, the direct intracellular actions of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are not expected to cause adverse effects in the uteroplacental system when these drugs are used in the prevention or treatment of premature labor.
Ophthalmologic oncology: sebaceous carcinomas of the eyelids.

Abstract. Sebaceous carcinomas are rare, and deadly, adnexal tumors with a distinct predilection for eyelid skin. A chronic blepharoconjunctivitis and/or a recurrent chalazion are the most common clinical presentations that should alert the clinician to the diagnosis. Great care and skill are needed in interpreting these lesions histopathologically as they can be easily confused with basal- and squamous-cell carcinomas.