cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environment, governance and GDP: discovering their connections

This article investigates the impacts of governance and GDP on environmental quality, as measured by water quality, air quality, wilderness of land and biodiversity, using data from 123 countries. It finds no evidence that GDP growth will turn environmental degradation around after a certain point, as much of the literature has suggested. Instead, GDP's impact is mixed and conditional upon governance. Increases in GDP and progress of governance are associated with constant improvement of air and water quality. Specifically, water quality improvements are more dependent on governance, while GDP seems to have a greater impact on air quality. Wilderness of the territorial system is found to correlate negatively with GDP and governance. Biodiversity, however, does not relate to either factor.
Mars Phoenix Entry, Descent, and Landing Simulation Design and Modeling Analysis

The 2007 Mars Phoenix Lander was launched in August of 2007 on a ten month cruise to reach the northern plains of Mars in May 2008. Its mission continues NASA s pursuit to find evidence of water on Mars. Phoenix carries upon it a slew of science instruments to study soil and ice samples from the northern region of the planet, an area previously undiscovered by robotic landers. In order for these science instruments to be useful, it was necessary for Phoenix to perform a safe entry, descent, and landing (EDL) onto the surface of Mars. The EDL design was defined through simulation and analysis of the various phases of the descent. An overview of the simulation and various models developed to characterize the EDL performance is provided. Monte Carlo statistical analysis was performed to assess the performance and robustness of the Phoenix EDL system and are presented in this paper. Using these simulation and modelling tools throughout the design and into the operations phase, the Mars Phoenix EDL was a success on May 25, 2008.
Glycosaminoglycans Inhibit Degradation of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein-5*

Human dermal fibroblasts secrete insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), -4, and -5. Fibroblast-conditioned medium contains minimal intact IGFBP-5, and this form of IGFBP is predominantely a 23-kilodalton fragment, suggesting that the IGFBP-5 fragment is derived from intact IGFBP-5 by proteolysis. In this study we investigated the effects of glycosaminoglycans on IGFBP-5 degradation in fibroblast-conditioned medium. The addition of heparin, heparan sulfate, and dermatan sulfate (100 micrograms/ml) to the medium of fibroblast monolayer cultures inhibited IGFBP-5 degradation, as determined by the conversion of intact IGFBP-5 to a 23-kilodalton fragment. In contrast, hyaluronic acid, keratan sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate-A and -C had no effect. Heparin and heparan sulfate inhibited IGFBP-5 degradation at concentrations of 1 or 2.5 micrograms/ml, but 100 micrograms/ml dermatan sulfate were required. Heparin was also inhibitory in vitro, that is when conditioned medium and heparin were incub...
Boron substitution in ternary metal phosphide superconductors

Abstract Partial substitution of boron for phosphorus in the ternary phosphide superconductors ZrRuP and LaRu2P2 induces highly anisotropic structural changes and suppresses the superconducting transition temperatures. Undoped ZrRuP [hexagonal, a=6.445(4) A, c=3.765(2) A] systematically expands for ZrRuP1−xBx (x=0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.40) in the a direction to 6.949(4) A and shrinks in the c direction to 3.601(3) A. Superconductivity is still present in the boron-substituted samples, although Tc drops from 10.1 K in ZrRuP to 5.6 K in ZrRuP0.6B0.4. LaRu2P2 [tetragonal, a=4.032(2) A, c=10.632(7) A] remains essentially unchanged along the a axis [a=4.037(1) A] upon substitution at a starting composition of LaRu2P1.6B0.4, but shrinks along the c axis to 10.477(5) A. Accordingly, the superconducting Tc drops from 4.0 K for LaRu2P2 to 2.0 K for LaRu2P1.6B0.4.
Pulmonary function in children with chronic renal failure.

Lung volumes were measured in 45 children with chronic renal failure and compared to 10 healthy controls. Six patients were receiving conservative treatment (CT), 11 were undergoing regular haemodialysis (HD), 8 were on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and 20 were post transplantation (TP). We measured vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV-1) with a bell spirometer. In addition residual volume (RV) was determined in CAPD patients. VC and FEV-1 values below the lower limit of predicted normal values from healthy children with the same body height were found in 38% and 52% of all patients respectively (P<0.05). Median values of VC and FEV-1 were lowest in CT and highest in TP patients. Median FEV-1 was significantly reduced to 79% of predicted values in CT and to 82% in HD patients (P<0.05). No correlation was found between FEV-1 and haemoglobin levels or the concomitant use of beta-blocking agents. During a HD session mean FEV-1 increased significantly. In CAPD patients the routine filling of the abdomen was followed by an 11% decrease of RV (non significant) while the other parameters remained stable. It is concluded that lung volumes are frequently reduced in chronic renal failure but remain essentially stable during the dialysis procedures.
Role of superoxide radicals in anoxia and reoxygenation-mediated vascular contraction

Abstract To determine the mechanism of anoxic vasoconstriction, precontracted rat aortic rings were exposed to 95% N 2 , which caused additional contraction. Reoxygenation (95% O 2 ) resulted in initial relaxation followed by contraction. Indomethacin did not affect anoxic contraction or reoxygenation-mediated events, but N G -monomethyl-l-arginine, which inhibits EDRF synthesis, and oxyhemoglobin, which reduces EDRF acitivity, markedly decreased anoxic contraction and reoxygenation relaxation, and potentiated subsequent contraction. Superoxide dismutase did not affect anoxic contraction, but potentiated reoxygenation relaxation and attenuated subsequent contraction. Endothelin concentrations remained unchanged throughout anoxia and reoxygenation. Thus, anoxic contraction and reoxygenation-mediated early relaxation appear to be due to changes in EDRF. On the other hand, reoxygenation-induced contraction appears related to release of superoxide radicals.
Swine influenza viruses isolated in 1976 from man and pig contain two coexisting subpopulations with antigenically distinguishable hemagglutinins.

Abstract Hsw1N1 viruses isolated from recruits at Fort Dix, New Jersey, in 1976 were compared by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neuraminidase inhibition (NI) tests with HswlN1 viruses isolated from pigs from 1930 to 1976. Viruses isolated in 1976 from pigs and man were found to consist of two subpopulations with antigenically distinguishable hemagglutinins (HA). The HA of one subpopulation of 1976 viruses is similar to that of A/swine/Wisconsin/1/67 and has been identified on virus isolates dating back to at least 1957. The HA of the other subpopulation of 1976 viruses is similar to that of several other viruses isolated from 1971 to 1976, but has not yet been found on any North American isolate from before 1971 although it exhibits a significant cross-reactivity with the early isolate A/swine/Cambridge/39. Evidence is presented that the two antigenically distinguishable subpopulations coexisted in some cases in the infected host, including recruits at Fort Dix, a farmhand in Wisconsin, and an infected pig to which the Wisconsin farmhand was exposed. The results strongly support the likelihood that an influenza-infected pig was the initial source of virus containing the hemagglutinin genes present in the viruses ultimately isolated from recruits infected at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
Distortion and Lying as Defense Processes in the Adolescent Child Molester.

Abstract The article proposes that the adolescent child molester universally engages in the defense processes of distortion and lying in an attempt to avoid the extremely aversive consequences of acknowledging his offense. It is suggested that these processes are interrelated and difficult to distinguish from one another. A theoretical rationale is presented as to the function and origin of the processes. Six specific denial strategies which are common manifestations of distortion and lying are outlined. The ideas presented are based on clinical observation of 42 adolescent child molesters in an outpatient setting.
Free Fatty Acids, Neutral Glycerides, and Phosphoglycerides in Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Cerebral ischemia is known to cause an increase in levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) and diacylglycerols (DGs), although the mechanism(s) leading to these changes is not well understood. In this study, we examined FFA and DG levels along with those of other lipids in rats during and after transient focal cerebral ischemia induced by temporary occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and both common carotid arteries. During the duration of ischemia (15-60 min), there was a time-dependent increase (two- to 10-fold) in FFA levels in the right MCA cortex, whereas levels of DG and other lipids were not altered appreciably. FFA levels in right MCA cortex returned to near control values after reperfusion. However, following a 60-min ischemic insult, there was a second phase of FFA level increase that was evident after 16 h. The FFAs accumulated during the ischemia period were different from those after reperfusion, suggesting differences in mechanisms for their release. During the second phase of FFA release, there were increases in levels of DGs and triacylglycerols (TGs) with unusually high proportions of 20:4(n-6) and 22:6(n-3). The increases in FFA, DG, and TG levels were marked by a decrease in content of phosphoglycerides (PGs). It is interesting that the increases in levels of FFAs and neutral glycerides accounted only for 10% of the total PGs depleted. The lipid changes during this reperfusion period correlated well with the development of cortical infarct.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
"Culture of life" politics at the bedside--the case of Terri Schiavo.

The parents of Terri Schiavo, a Florida woman who was in a persistent vegetative state, objected to her husband's decision to discontinue artificial nutrition, and a protracted legal battle ensued. The Florida courts ordered the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube to provide care consistent with her wishes. The judicial decisions in the Schiavo case were consistent with legal precedent, but the interference in the case by the legislative and executive branches of the Florida and U.S. governments was unprecedented.
High serum folate is associated with reduced biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy: Results from the SEARCH Database

Introduction To analyze the association between serum levels of folate and risk of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy among men from the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) database. Materials and Methods Retrospective analysis of 135 subjects from the SEARCH database treated between 1991-2009 with available preoperative serum folate levels. Patients' characteristics at the time of the surgery were analyzed with ranksum and linear regression. Uni- and multivariable analyses of folate levels (log-transformed) and time to biochemical recurrence were performed with Cox proportional hazards. Results The median preoperative folate level was 11.6ng/mL (reference = 1.5-20.0ng/mL). Folate levels were significantly lower among African-American men than Caucasians (P = 0.003). In univariable analysis, higher folate levels were associated with more recent year of surgery (P < 0.001) and lower preoperative PSA (P = 0.003). In univariable analysis, there was a trend towards lower risk of biochemical recurrence among men with high folate levels (HR = 0.61, 95%CI = 0.37-1.03, P = 0.064). After adjustments for patients characteristics' and pre- and post-operative clinical and pathological findings, higher serum levels of folate were independently associated with lower risk for biochemical recurrence (HR = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.20-0.89, P = 0.023). Conclusion In a cohort of men undergoing radical prostatectomy at several VAs across the country, higher serum folate levels were associated with lower PSA and lower risk for biochemical failure. While the source of the folate in the serum in this study is unknown (i.e. diet vs. supplement), these findings, if confirmed, suggest a potential role of folic acid supplementation or increased consumption of folate rich foods to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Statistical Thermalization of Anderson-localized Light

We show that coherent light traveling through a 1-D lattice of coupled waveguides with off-diagonal disorder exhibits super-thermal statistics (g(2) > 2) at asymptotic propagation distances. The slightest disorder causes a jump from g(2) = 1 to g(2) ~3.
481 GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE HEMOLYTIC UREMIC SYNDROME

Gastroenteritis is recognised as a precursor of the HUS but its role as major feature of this syndrome is less well established. The records of 12 patients, aged 1 to 40 years, in which a secure diagnosis of the HUS could be made on the basis of acute axotemic renal failure with hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia were reviewed with respect to G1 desease. G1 complaints initiated the disease in all patients; 12 had bloody diarrhea, 8 vomited and 7 had cramping abdominal pain. These symptoms persisted 2 days to 6 weeks before the diagnosis of the HUS was made. Prominent abdominal tenderness was elicited in 8 subjects, 2 had classical findings of peritonitis and 5 had hepatomegaly. Proctoscopy, performed in 4 patients, revealed friable mucosa, 4, lax anal sphincter tone, 2, a rectal ulceration, and a dirty gray pseudomembrane. Transaminases were elevated in all patients studied; SGOT and SGPT ranged from 58 to 468 and 89 to 149 IU/L respectively. Plain abdominal x-ray demonstrated ascites, 3, massive colonic dilitation, 1, and thumb printing of the sigmoid colon, 1, while barium enema, performed in 2 patients, showed evidence of diffuse colitis, 2, and a 2×2 cm. filling defect in the cecum. The illness was mistakenly diagnosed as appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, cecal polyp, pseudomembranous colitis or intersucception. An appendectomy and a colotomy were needlessly performed. All patients recovered normal G1 function with support for renal failure. We consider G1-liver disease to be a regular feature of the HUS.
Clandestine Management in the Imperial Chinese Bureaucracy

The imperial Chinese bureaucracy was subject to extensive manipulation and corruption by clerical subordinates and lesser functionaries. Higher officials, while required to demonstrate competence in classical scholarship in a series of rigorous, competitive examinations, were lacking in practical administrative knowledge, and were unable to deal with this problem.
Aggressive relapsing multiple sclerosis characterized by rapid disability progression

Background: Criteria for identifying relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) patients with aggressive disease, which would be useful for clinical decision making, are currently unavailable. Objective: Identify RMS patients with aggressive disease characterized by rapid disability progression. Methods: Data from a 2-year, phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with long-term follow-up evaluations of RMS patients taking either intramuscular interferon beta-1a (IM IFNβ1a, 30 μg) or placebo with baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 1.0–3.5 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with a ≥2.0-point increase in EDSS score, resulting in a score ≥4.0 by study end, were considered to have aggressive RMS. The risk of a poor long-term outcome, defined as an EDSS score ≥8.0 at 8 years of follow-up, was calculated as an odds ratio from a logistic regression model comparing patients with and without aggressive RMS. Results: Only 25 patients met the criteria for aggressive RMS. Among these patients, mean disease duration was 5.1±3.85 years, mean baseline age was 37.2±6.35 years, and mean baseline EDSS score was 2.8±0.74. Fewer IM IFNβ-1a-treated than placebo-treated patients met the criteria for aggressive RMS at 2 years (7% vs 22% on placebo, p=0.0072). Thirteen patients reached the EDSS milestone of ≥8.0 by the end of the 8-year follow-up. The odds ratio for attaining severe disability was 86.4 (95% CI, 10.3–726.4; po0.0001) for patients with aggressive RMS compared to patients without aggressive RMS. Conclusions: Defining aggressive RMS based on rapid EDSS progression was useful in identifying patients at risk for more severe disease course.
STORAGE STABILITY, PALATABILITY AND HISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MECHANICALLY TENDERIZED BEEF STEAKS

USDA Choice and Utility grade boneless beef loins were used to determine the palatability, bacteriological and histological characteristics of steaks mechanically tenderized. There was a significant improvement in taste panel ratings of tenderness for the Utility tenderized steaks, but only a small improvement (P > 0.05) for the Choice tenderized steaks. None of the total aerobic bacterial surface counts or the interior counts for total aerobic, psychotropic or anaerobic bacteria was significantly different, between tenderized and nontenderized steaks compared at 1, 2, 5 and 10 days of storage at 5°C. Histological studies showed a definite pattern of blade penetrations in the tenderized samples at low magnifications. At very high magnifications, the muscle fibers were torn and fragmented by the blade rather than evenly cut.
Timing Behavior in Rats with Water Drinking as a Mediator

Rats, reinforced for spacing their responses 20 seconds apart, used water-drinking as a means of "pacing" their response rate. "Timing" may be based on mediating response sequences such as drinking.
Neural drive to muscles in stuttering.

EMG recordings were made from muscles of the jaw, lip, and neck during speech of 10 stutterers and 10 nonstutterers. One-second records of disfluent behaviors of stutterers and of fluent speech of ...
Variability revisited: An acoustic, aerodynamic, and respiratory kinematic comparison of children and adults during speech

Abstract A review of the kinematic and acoustic literature fails to provideunequivocal support for the general assumption that the child's speech mechanism is more variable than the adult's. The current study, applying a variety of coordinated acoustic and kinematic measures to children and adults ranging from 4 to 30 years, confirms that children are not consistently more variable. In particular, only the four-year-olds show some tendency to produce acoustic, aerodynamic, and respiratory kinematic speech events with more variability than adults. In some instances, adults displayed more variable speech behaviors than children. The author questions both the general assumption of linear development, and the “analytic components” approach to physiological modeling, suggesting rather that development may be multimodal, with different parts of the system developing at different rates at different times, and that a construction-theoretic approach to modeling may be useful.
Spiritual Improvisations: Ramakrishna, Aurobindo, and the Freedom of Tradition

Stage 1 : My path leads to the true goal, yours does not, therefore I'll kill you if you do not adopt my religion. Stage 2 : Your path unwittingly serves mine by leading part way to the goal, so I will refrain from killing you. Stage 3 : All paths lead to the same goal, therefore I do not need to subordinate you for professing another way. We can be friends. This phase envisages a heaven composed of sages from different traditions directly sensing they all share the same realization as they behold one another in a state of ineffable communion. Stage 4 : All paths ultimately lead to the same goal, but along the way there are significant human differences, and on this less than ultimate level, there can be reciprocal learning. Stage 5 : Even at the deepest levels, reciprocal learning can happen. Differences as well as similarities can be discerned in individuals and traditions at the most underlying and super-vening reaches of attainment. This stage posits a fallible and unfolding utopia in which heaven and earth forever inform each other, and everyone keeps learning from everyone. "Spiritual Improvisations" begins to portray the countenance of the fifth stage. To achieve this, modes of apprehension, intuition, communion, ecstasy, and heart-realization that are often said to be ultimate must be reconceived.
Spontaneous Hyphema Associated by Ingestion of Aspirin and Ethanol

Unilateral hyphema, hematuria, and ecchymoses developed in a previously healthy 42-year-old women after the ingestion of aspirin and ethanol. There was no evidence for ocular trauma, disease, or vascular malformation by slit-lamp examination and gonioscopy. Platelet count and coagulation tests were normal. The patient's bleeding time was prolonged and there was impaired platelet aggregation. Delayed (secondary) aggregation in response to collagen, adenosine diphosphate, and epinephrine was decreased, as was aggregation induced by thrombin and serotonin. These data indicate that the qualitative platelet defect was induced by both aspirin and ethanol. Anterior chamber hemorrhage subsided after discontinuation of aspirin and ethanol, and the hyphema subsequently resolved. Bleeding time and platelet aggregation were normal two weeks after the patient's initial presentation. A prolonged bleeding time in association with normal platelet count, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time indicated a qualitative platelet defect, which is most commonly drug-induced. Defective platelet function resulted in spontaneous hyphema.
Mathematical modeling of river ice processes

Abstract River ice processes involve complex interactions between hydrodynamic, mechanical, and thermal processes. River ice research has largely been driven by engineering and environmental problems that concern society, including ice effects on flooding, hydropower, navigation, ecology, and the environment. Important findings on river ice research before 1980 have been summarized by Ashton (1986) and Donchenko (1987). Significant progress has been made in river ice research in the last three decades. Mathematical modeling has been an essential part of this progress. Mathematical models have been developed for various river ice processes. They not only helped to advance understanding of the physical processes by complementing field and laboratory studies, but also provided tools for planning and design of engineering projects. In this paper, models of various river ice processes during the winter, from freeze-up to breakup, are reviewed after a brief overview of river ice phenomena. Following the discussion of these ‘component’ models, a discussion on ‘comprehensive’ models and an analytical framework which links all river ice processes in a coherent manner is presented.
Is a stable or decreasing prolactin level in a patient with prolactinoma a surrogate marker for lack of tumor growth

The optimal interval for follow-up imaging of patients with prolactinomas is unclear. We wish to determine the likelihood of tumor enlargement in patients with prolactinomas who have a stable or reduced prolactin (PRL) level over time, whether or not they are treated with a dopamine agonist (DA). We identified 80 patients with prolactinomas (34 men, 46 women) who had at least two paired sets of serum PRL levels and pituitary MRIs, 3 or more months apart. Patients with hyperprolactinemia due to drug or stalk effects were excluded. The median (range) age was 45 (25–77) years. Sixty-three patients (78.8 %) were treated with DA. PRL levels (ng/mL) at the initial and latest sets were 114 (0.3–15,732) and 16 (0.3–1,204), respectively. In patients with identifiable tumors, the maximum tumor diameters (mm) at the initial and latest MRI studies were 12.5 (2–60) and 12.5 (2–39) respectively, with an interval of 2.9 (0.3–9.7) years. Sixty percent of patients (n = 48) had a macroadenoma. Forty-two (52.5 %) patients had either disappearance of the tumor (n = 22) or reduction (n = 20) in tumor size. In the remainder, tumor size was stable in 35 but increased in 3 patients. One of these patients, observed off therapy had a concomitant rise in PRL level. The other 2 had evidence of pituitary hemorrhage with no PRL increase. Tumor growth in prolactinoma patients with a stable or decreasing PRL level, regardless of size, is a rare event. Repetitive pituitary imaging in these patients may not be warranted.
Form and Function of on-off Amacrine Cells in the Amphibian Retina

on-off amacrine cells were studied with whole cell recording techniques and intracellular staining methods using intact retina-eyecup preparations of the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) and t...
The Texas Twin Project

Socioeconomic position, racial/ethnic minority status, and other characteristics of the macro-environment may be important moderators of genetic influence on a wide array of psychosocial outcomes. Designed to maximize representation of low socioeconomic status families and racial/ethnic minorities, the Texas Twin Project is an ongoing study of school-age twins (preschool through 12th grade) enrolled in public schools in the Austin, Texas and Houston, Texas metropolitan areas. School rosters are used to identify twin families from a target population with sizable populations of African American (18%), Hispanic/Latino (48%), and non-Hispanic White (27%) children and adolescents, over half of whom meet US guidelines for classification as economically disadvantaged. Initial efforts have focused on a large-scale, family-based survey study involving both parent and child reports of personality, psychopathology, physical health, academic interests, parent-child relationships, and aspects of the home environment. In addition, the Texas Twin Project is the basis for an in-laboratory study of adolescent decision-making, delinquency, and substance use. Future directions include geographic expansion of the sample to the entire state of Texas (with a population of over 25 million) and genotyping of participating twins.
Absence of Hepatitis B Resistance Mutants before Introduction of Oral Antiviral Therapy

Introduction. The aim of this study was to assess whether hepatitis B virus drug resistant mutations antedated the widespread use of nucleos(t)ide analogues in treatment naive patients. A number of reports have suggested that drug resistant mutants can be detected in apparently treatment naive patients. Study. Fifty deidentified serum samples collected from 1986 to 1992 from patients with replicative chronic HBV infection at the University of Miami were genotyped and tested for resistance mutations using a line probe assay InnoLiPA HBV DR v2/v3. Serum HBV DNA was measured. All patients had documented chronic HBV infection with a detectable viral load, HBeAg seropositivity, and absence of HIV infection. Results. Of the 50 individuals included, 86% were male, mean age was 40 ± 12 years, and mostly genotype A. The mean HBV DNA was 126 pg/mL (range 6.4 to 557.0). No mutations were identified. Conclusions. The absence of drug induced mutations in these sera collected several years prior to the introduction of oral antiviral therapy suggests that these mutations do not occur in treatment naive populations. Detection of drug resistance in an apparently treatment naive subject suggests either unrecognized prior antiviral therapy or infection by an inoculum from a treatment experienced patient.
Rhythmic Refinements to the nPVI Measure: A Reanalysis of Patel & Daniele (2003a)

the normalized pairwise variability index (npvi) , originally developed for the analysis of speech prosody, has been shown to be a useful tool in the analysis of the rhythmic variability present in individual melodies and melodic corpuses (Patel & Daniele, 2003a; Huron & Ollen, 2003; Patel, Iverson, & Rosenberg, 2006). Here we suggest a number of rhythmic refinements for the application of the nPVI in musical contexts. These include (a) applying the nPVI metric to higher levels of rhythmic structure, (b) taking metrical structure (duple versus triple) into account, and (c) using alternative codings for surface durations. A reanalysis of the data from Patel & Daniele (2003a) is given as a demonstration of the utility of these refinements for the analysis of musical styles and repertoires; other possible refinements are discussed.
Effect of discharge conditions and cathode identity on charged particle populations in the negative glow region of a simple diode glow discharge

Abstract Plasma properties of electron temperature, average electron energy, electron energy distribution function, and electron and positive ion number densities in the negative glow region are determined for a range of discharge conditions for various cathode identities (materials). The results show that the so-called “slow” electrons are heavily populated, with depletion of higher energy electrons, above 1.2 eV. This depletion seems to be caused by atomic excitation collisions. The results also show that the electron temperature and average electron energy are controlled mainly by “fast” electrons. The work function of the cathode plays an important role in the emission of secondary electrons but does not affect significantly the bulk plasma excitation conditions.
Effects of cultural practices and rotational crops on abundance of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) affecting sweetpotato in Georgia

Effects of cultural practices on populations of wireworms affecting sweetpotato were evaluated, and a comprehensive survey was conducted to determine the preference of wireworms species for corn, sweetpotato, peanut, soybean, turnip, woodland, cowpea, fallow, cotton, tomato, and tobacco. In each of 3 yr, the highest number of wireworms per sample was observed in sweetpotato followed by peanut and corn. Few wireworms were recorded in fallow fields. Conoderus scissus Schaeffer and Conoderus rudis (Brown) were most abundant in Georgia. C. scissus and C. rudis were found in all crops and were most abundant in sweetpotato, whereas Conoderus amplicollis (Gyllenhal) was most abundant in corn. Conoderus falli Lane abundance was low in all crops. Cropping history influenced the wireworm species composition in sweetpotato. Wireworm populations increased in a crop when grown after sweetpotato, but baited traps of a corn-wheat seed mixture reduced wireworm populations significantly from the sweetpotato hills. Wireworms were more abundant in raised beds than between raised beds. Repeated plowing of the soil reduced wireworm abundance in a field. Abundance was greater in weedy fields than in weed-free fields.
Insensitivity of Ubiquinone Biosynthesis in Glioblastoma Cells to an Epileptogenic Drug, U18666A

To investigate the perturbation of ubiquinone biosynthesis by a hypocholesterolemic drug, 3 beta-(2-diethylaminoethoxy)androst-5-en-17-one hydrochloride (U18666A), we measured the incorporation of radioactive mevalonate, methionine, tyrosine, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid into ubiquinone in glioblastoma cells. These four precursors unanimously showed that ubiquinone biosynthesis was not significantly altered by U18666A, which blocked cholesterol biosynthesis at steps beyond mevalonate formation. The fluctuation of the endogenous mevalonate level had little effect on ubiquinone biosynthesis, implying the relative stability of cellular ubiquinone biosynthesis. Furthermore, exogenously added mevalonate did not have an appreciable effect on ubiquinone biosynthesis. The major ubiquinone produced in rat glioblastoma cells was identified as ubiquinone-9. The mevalonate-derived products accumulated in the U18666A-treated cells differed significantly from those reported in a broken cell study, suggesting the existence of delicate mechanisms regulating the formation of cholesterol intermediates.
Antioxidant enzyme responses to hyperoxia in preterm and term rats after prenatal dexamethasone administration

ABSTRACT: Although prenatal steroid therapy is known to enhance in utero maturation of the surfactant and antioxidant enzyme systems, little is known about the effects of steroids on the antioxidant system after birth. We measured activities of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, in lung homogenates from both preterm and term rat pups after prenatal dexamethasone treatment. Enzyme activities were measured at birth and after exposure to >98% oxygen. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in significantly higher survival of the preterm pups at 24 h (91.3% for dexamethasone versus 57% for saline). In preterm pups, the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase at birth were higher after dexamethasone treatment (p < 0.05). However, after 24 h of hyperoxic exposure, there were no differences in activities of any of the antioxidant enzymes between the dexamethasone and control groups of prematurely born pups. In term pups, antioxidant enzyme activities did not differ significantly at birth; nor did they differ after 24 to 72 h of hyperoxic exposure in the dexamethasone and control treatment groups. Our results indicate that although prenatal dexamethasone treatment augments survival and catalase and superoxide dismutase activities at birth in preterm rat pups, dexamethasone does not result in altered early postnatal antioxidant enzyme activities after exposure to hyperoxia.
Hyperbolic heat conduction effects caused by temporally modulated laser pulses

Abstract In non-destructive testing (NDT), the intensity of laser pulses may be temporally modulated to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of ultrasonic signals. The purpose of this work is to determine the time scale on which hyperbolic heat conduction effects are significant in ultrasonic displacements and stresses for temporally modulated laser pulses, under the assumption that the heat wave speed equals the longitudinal wave speed. A one-dimensional model with a finite train of heat flux pulses is investigated. Using the Green and Lindsay model, it is found that the critical modulation frequency in steel, above which hyperbolic heat conduction effects will become signficant, is 2.26 GHz. A dimensionless factor is given to calculate critical modulation frequencies in other isotropic materials. The signal enhancement potential of temporal intensity modulation is apparent in the numerical results.
Decidability and definability with circumscription

Abstract We consider McCarthy's notions of predicate circumscription and formula circumscription. We show that the decision problems “does θ have a countably infinite minimal model” and “does φ hold in every countably infinite minimal model of θ” are complete Σ 1 2 and complete π 1 2 over the integers, for both forms of circumscription. The set of structures definable (up to isomorphism) as first order definable subsets of countably infinite minimal models is the set of structures which are Δ 1 2 over the integers, for both forms of circumscription. Thus, restricted to countably infinite structures, predicate and formula circumscription define the same sets and have equally difficult decision problems. With general formula circumscription we can define several infinite cardinals, so the decidability problems are dependent upon the axioms of set theory.
Evidence that a significant number of naive T cells enter non‐lymphoid organs as part of a normal migratory pathway

Only activated and effector memory T cells are thought to access non-lymphoid tissues. In contrast, naive T cells are thought to circulate only between the blood, lymph and secondary lymphoid organs. We examined the phenotype of endogenous T cells in various non-lymphoid organs and showed that a subset of cells exhibited an apparently naive phenotype and were functionally inactive. FTY720 treatment selectively depleted this population from the non-lymphoid tissues. In addition, RAG-deficient TCR transgenic CD4 and CD8 T cells were present in non-lymphoid tissues in bone marrow chimeric mice and in situ imaging analysis revealed their location in the parenchymal tissues. Moreover, migration of TCR transgenic T cells to non-lymphoid tissues after adoptive transfer was pertussis-toxin resistant. Overall, the results suggest that naive T cells may circulate through non-lymphoid tissues as part of their normal migratory pathway.
Effect of a Charge-Transfer Interaction on the Catalytic Activity of Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase: A Theoretical Study of the Role of Oxidized Flavin

To examine the role of charge transfer (CT) interactions in the catalytic activity of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, model systems for the reactant complex of tricyclic or bicyclic models of FAD (Flox) with the thioenolate portion of acyl-CoA were studied. Singlet excitation energies have been estimated at the TD-B3LYP/6-31G(d)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. Location and intensity of the charge-transfer band in the UV-absorption spectrum of the thioenolate/Flox complex depends on the distance between model substrate and isoalloxazine ring and becomes prominent at approximately the van der Waals contact distance. The prereaction complex for hydride transfer from the thioenolate to flavin [fully optimized at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)] possesses a sandwich-like structure with a contact distance of about 3.7 A between participants and has about 0.7 electrons transferred from the enolate to the flavin. We suggest that the formation of a CT complex in the enzyme has a significant impact on the barrier to α-proton abstrac...
Presidential Election Laws and Multipartism in Latin America

This article examines the interaction between the rules governing presidential elections and multipartism in Latin America. Data from 16 Latin American systems are examined through the use of a multivariate model to gain an understanding of the independent impact of presidential electoral formula (plurality vs. majority), the timing of presidential and legislative elections (concurrent vs. nonconcurrent) and legislative district magnitude on legislative multipartism, and by extension, on the number of relevant political parties operating in the nation. The findings demonstrate the strong and significant impact which formula and timing have on multipartism. They also point to the importance of examining the interaction between elections for different constituent institutions. Finally, they underscore the applicability of Duverger's law to presidential elections.
Influence of α-tocopherol over the time course of experimental IgA nephropathy

The present study investigated the pathogenesis and the time course of kidney injury in experimental IgA nephropathy. In order to determine an appropriate period in the course of experimental IgA nephropathy to study renal injury and repair, we examined proteinuria and IgA deposition in the renal mesangium after 4, 8, and 16 weeks of mucosal challenge by bovine gamma globulins (BGG) provided in the drinking water. The hallmark of IgA deposition in the mesangium was present after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of BGG inoculation, but by 16 weeks, the mesangial IgA deposition had resolved. In addition, we confirmed our previous report on the beneficial effects of α-tocopherol in reducing proteinuria in IgA nephropathy at 8 weeks, and extended this observation to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of α-tocopherol at both 4 weeks and 16 weeks. Proteinuria resolved spontaneously at 16 weeks. There is oxidative stress, as suggested by the elevation in plasma and renal malondialdehyde content, and increased fibrogenic cytokine message, as suggested by elevated transforming growth factor β1 mRNA. These increases were clearly blunted by α-tocopherol at both 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Treatment with α-tocopherol was associated with a significant reduction in the severity of proteinuria. Thus, our data suggest that the period between 4 and 8 weeks of BGG vaccination could be relevant in designing an appropriate model to study the molecular biology of the pathogenesis of renal injury and the effects of treatment. The 16-week model may be useful in exploring gene expression involved with spontaneous resolution.
Synthesis and incorporation of 4-triethoxysilyl-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene into silica gel and solgel polymers: Preparation and utilization of recyclable catalysts for alkene hydroformylation and methanol homologation

A chelating phosphine monomer, 4-triethoxysilyl-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene (9), was prepared in three steps from 2,4-dibromoiodobenzene. Attachment of 9 to the surface of commercial silica gel, followed by chelation of rhodium, gave a catalyst which showed both undiminished activity (turnover rates of 90 atom−1 h−1) and no loss of rhodium over five recycles in the hydroformylation of styrene. Complexation of cobalt afforded a catalyst for the homologation of methanol. Monomer 9 could be incorporated into a solgel polymer produced from silicic acid in tetrahydrofuran, but low rhodium uptake and low catalytic activity suggested that few phosphine sites were available to the rhodium. The catalytically-active species were modeled by the synthesis of cobalt and rhodium complexes containing 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene.
DELAYED TEMPORAL DISCRIMINATION IN PIGEONS: A COMPARISON OF TWO PROCEDURES

A within-subjects comparison was made of pigeons' performance on two temporal discrimination procedures that were signaled by differently colored keylight samples. During stimulus trials, a peck on the key displaying a slanted line was reinforced following short keylight samples, and a peck on the key displaying a horizontal line was reinforced following long keylight samples, regardless of the location of the stimuli on those two choice keys. During position trials, a peck on the left key was reinforced following short keylight samples and a peck on the right key was reinforced following long keylight samples, regardless of which line stimulus appeared on the correct key. Thus, on stimulus trials, the correct choice key could not be discriminated prior to the presentation of the test stimuli, whereas on position trials, the correct choice key could be discriminated during the presentation of the sample stimulus. During Phase 1, with a 0-s delay between sample and choice stimuli, discrimination learning was faster on position trials than on stimulus trials for all 4 birds. During Phase 2, 0-, 0.5-, and 1.0-s delays produced differential loss of stimulus control under the two tasks for 2 birds. Response patterns during the delay intervals provided some evidence for differential mediation of the two delayed discriminations. These between-task differences suggest that the same processes may not mediate performance in each.
Light-actuated high pressure-resisting microvalve for on-chip flow control based on thermo-responsive nanostructured polymer

A simple light-actuated microvalve using a quartz halogen illuminator with tungsten filament was introduced to manipulate flow path effectively in micro-total analysis systems, which reduces system complexity and the need for on-chip integration. The microvalve device in cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) microchip functions very well based on the thermo-responsive polymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), whose pressure-tolerance can be tuned by changing the mechanical strength of polymer monolith inside the microchannel with the choice of suitable amount of monomer and crosslinker. The response time and pressure resistance of the valve can be optimized by the tetrahydrofuran composition in the polymerization mixture as well. Very importantly, the microvalve can withstand the leakage pressure up to around 1350 psi, and its opening and closing response time is only 4.0 and 6.2 s respectively. Microchips with such valves will be very useful in drug delivery, chemical analysis and proteomic analysis.
Mutation of MEF2A in an Inherited Disorder with Features of Coronary Artery Disease

The early genetic pathway(s) triggering the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) remain largely unknown. Here, we describe an autosomal dominant form of CAD/MI (adCAD1) that is caused by the deletion of seven amino acids in transcription factor MEF2A. The deletion disrupts nuclear localization of MEF2A, reduces MEF2A-mediated transcription activation, and abolishes synergistic activation by MEF2A and by the transcription factor GATA-1 through a dominant-negative mechanism. The MEF2A protein demonstrates strong expression in the endothelium of coronary arteries. These results identify a pathogenic gene for a familial vascular disease with features of CAD and implicate the MEF2A signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of CAD/MI.
Software for the automatic correction of recorded eye fixation locations in reading experiments.

Because the recorded location of an eyetracking fixation is not a perfect measure of the actual fixated location, the recorded fixation locations must be adjusted before analysis. Fixations are typically corrected manually. Making such changes, however, is time-consuming and necessarily involves a subjective component. The goal of this article is to introduce software to automate parts of the correction process. The initial focus is on the correction of vertical locations and the removal of outliers and ambiguous fixations in reading experiments. The basic idea behind the algorithm is to use linear regression to assign each fixation to a text line and to identify outliers. The freely available software is implemented as a function, Open image in new window, written in R.
The phosphatase inhibitor calyculin antagonizes the rapid initiation of apoptosis by photodynamic therapy.

Abstract DNA fragmentation and internucleosomal cleavage were rapidly initiated after lysosomal photodamage to murine leukemia cells, with apoptotic chromatin and DNA `ladders' detected within 30 min after irradiation. Apoptosis was inhibited by concurrent exposure of cells to a 10 nM concentration of the serine-threonine phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A and promoted by a serine/threonine kinase inhibitor. These results indicate that a late stage in apoptosis requires serine/threonine dephosphorylation.
Whitney's Problem on Extendability of Functions and an Intrinsic Metric

Abstract We consider the space of functions with bounded ( k +1)th derivatives in a general domain in R n . Is every such function extendible to a function of the same class defined on the whole R n ? H. Whitney showed that the equivalence of the intrinsic (=geodesic) metric in this domain to the Euclidean one is sufficient for such extendability. There was an old conjecture (going back to H. Whitney) that this equivalence is also necessary for extendability. We disprove this conjecture and construct examples of domains in R 2 such that the above extendability holds but the analogous property for smaller k fails. Our study is based on a duality approach.
Drivers of disparity: differences in socially based risk factors of self-injurious and suicidal behaviors among sexual minority college students.

Abstract Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (ie, sexual minority) populations have increased prevalence of both self-injurious and suicidal behaviors, but reasons for these disparities are poorly understood. Objective: To test the association between socially based stressors (eg, victimization, discrimination) and self-injurious behavior, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt. Participants: A national sample of college-attending 18- to 24-year-olds. Methods: Random or census samples from postsecondary educational institutions that administered the National College Health Assessment during the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters. Results: Sexual minorities reported more socially based stressors than heterosexuals. Bisexuals exhibited greatest prevalence of self-injurious and suicidal behaviors. In adjusted models, intimate partner violence was most consistently associated with self-injurious behaviors. Conclusions: Sexual minorities’ elevated risks of self-injurious and suicidal behaviors may stem from higher expo...