cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Power and the Turkish State

This book focuses on the historical sociology of the Turkish state, seeking to compare the development of the Ottoman/Turkish state with similar processes of large scale historical change in Europe identified by Michael Mann in The Sources of Social Power. Jacoby traces the contours of Turkey's 'modernisation' with the intention of formulating a fresh way to approach state development in countries on the global economic periphery, particularly those attempting to effect closer ties with northern markets. It also highlights matters of social change pertinent to states grappling with issues relating to political Islam, minority identity and irredentist dissent.
What is the origin of 3-methylglutaconic acid?

Increased urinary excretion of 3-methylglutaconic acid (3-MGC) and to a lesser extent 3-methylglutaric acid (3-MGR) is a not uncommon finding in children who are being investigated for presumed inborn errors of metabolism. During the last 5 years we have identified 70 such individuals. None of these had the characteristic clinical and laboratory findings of the three well-defined syndromes of 3-methylglutaconic aciduria (types I, II and III); all therefore were classified as type IV, the 'unspecified form' of Sweetman and Williams (1995). The origin of 3-MGC and its reduced metabolite 3-MGR in type IV methylglutaconic aciduria is not known (nor indeed is it for types II and III). The only proven enzymatic defect is in type I, the rarest of the four types, where 3-methylglutaconyl-CoA hydratase, an enzyme of the leucine catabolic pathway, is deficient. It has been suggested that 3-MGC (and thus 3-MGR) could occur as by-products of steroid synthesis (Kelley et al 1991) via the so-called mevalonate shunt pathway. Although the results of initial investigations of steroid biosynthesis in methylglutaconic aciduria were not promising (Ibel et al 1993), support was lent to this hypothesis by our finding that increased excretion of 3-MGC and 3-MGR was a normal finding during pregnancy when an increased flux through steroid biosynthesis would be expected (Walsh et al 1997). To further test this hypothesis, we examined urine specimens from patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), who would also be expected to have increased flux through the steroid biosynthetic pathways when under suboptimal control.
Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a highly aggressive subtype of prostate cancer that may either arise de novo or much more commonly after hormonal therapy for prostate adenocarcinoma. It is estimated that up to 30 % of late stage prostate cancers harbor a predominance of neuroendocrine differentiation [1]. However, due to a general lack of biopsy diagnoses for advanced disease, this may underrepresent the frequency of neuroendocrine PCa (NEPC). Since androgen deprivation therapy promotes the development of NEPC, its incidence is anticipated to escalate with the introduction of new potent hormonal agents into the clinical arena.
Warren White Award

The Warren D. White Award for Excellence in Radar Engineering was established by the Warren White family to recognize a radar engineer for the achievement of a major technical advance, or a series of advances over time, in the art of radar engineering.
Optimizing porous media microstructure characteristics for high heat flux application

Tailored porous media is a proposed method of achieving higher heat transfer coefficients while seeking to maintain an acceptable pressure drop when using gas coolants such as helium. This paper summarizes the results of our recent effort on optimizing the design and microstructure characteristics of a porous medium for high heat flux application. The design optimization analyses were carried out with our general porous flow model (MERLOT). The Model of Energy-transfer Rate for fLow in Open-porosity Tailored-media (MERLOT) was specifically updated for this task.
Calculating value: a digital library’s social media campaign

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss a social media campaign used to promote a digital library of archival resources. Design/methodology/approach – Librarians planned and executed a social media campaign using Tumblr and Pinterest and consulted Google Analytics and database reports to determine the impact. Findings – The campaign resulted in few conversions back to the digital library and little return on investment. Research limitations/implications – The campaign has been in effect for only five months, a longer testing period may be needed. Also, additional social media platforms will be added to the test. Originality/value – This is one of few examples of return on investment applied to social media and digital library promotion.
Alone in Publand: Leaving Academics to Themselves

In recent decades, the number of print and electronic outlets for scholarly publication across the humanities and social sciences has grown exponentially. Business models have shifted from university presses who offer subject-based clusters of journals to include commercial publishers and open-access digital platforms. With greater pressure than ever to publish early and often for those on and just out of reach of the tenure track, concerns with the timeline to publish and the number of outlets for publication become tantamount to the texts themselves. But what happens to the literature? When does readability no longer remain a commitment an author makes to its audience or editors make to their authors? This article argues for a persistent renewal of the journal editor’s commitment to providing authors with substantive peer review and suggestions for workable revisions. Publishers of scholarly content should also renew their commitment to professional copyediting in order to create lasting contributions to sociological literature that can be digested, interpreted, and built upon by researchers and students alike.
Individual determinants of homelessness: A descriptive approach

In this paper, I utilize a novel data set collected in 2012 to investigate the determinants of homelessness intensity among those who are street homeless in Costa Mesa, California. By restricting the sample to only those who are already homeless and introducing the concept of a homelessness intensity measure, I exploit variation in individual characteristics and usage of a Check-In Center to predict the intensity of homelessness (defined as the ratio of actual homeless nights to potential homeless nights). By making use of a novel application of the weighted least squares estimator, I am able to estimate coefficients that are design-unbiased for the population values. By using an instrument, I find that the Check-In Center has a large negative effect on the intensity of homelessness. The self-reported cause of homelessness is a determining factor as well. I also find, as would be expected, that education and the presence of family nearby lessens the intensity of homelessness.
Development of policy in the ITU

Abstract As one of the oldest functional-purpose international organisations, the ITU is dedicated to voluntary agreements. These concern allocation of a scarce, internationally shared resourced, the radio frequency spectrum; standardisation of telecommunication services and systems; and joint planning. The organisation's policy making in pursuit of these objectives is outlined. Powers given to different organs are explained. Several cases are cited as illustrations of policy problems and their solutions. In summary, the rationale for the ITU's complex, federated structure is described.
Complete elemental analysis of aerosols: PIXE, FAST, LIPM, and mass

Abstract Methods are described that allow additional information to be gained on aerosol parameters from samples suitable for PIXE analysis. In particular, these methods yield ways to directly compare the sum of all elemental species with total mass obtained by weighing or β gauging the same sample.
The effects of pyridoxal phosphate on rabbit liver and kidney fructose 1,6-diphosphatases

Abstract Rabbit liver and kidney fructose 1,6-diphosphatases (FDPases) rapidly become desensitized to inhibition by AMP and are partially inactivated when treated with pyridoxal 5′-phosphate. Pyridoxal is somewhat less active than pyridoxal 5′-phosphate and pyridoxamine is inactive. Inactivation and desensitization are reversed by dilution. AMP protects both enzymes against desensitization. It also protects the liver enzyme against loss of catalytic activity, but not the kidney enzyme, which is more sensitive. Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate reacts with approximately 8 ϵ-amino lysine groups in liver FDPase, but the extent of desensitization is complete after incorporation of 4–5 equivalents. The amount of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate that is incorporated is increased when AMP is present. With kidney FDPase, approximately 11 equivalents of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate are incorporated, and this number is not increased by the presence of AMP. The product of the reaction with pyridoxal phosphate was characterized by spectral studies and N6-pyridoxyllysine was isolated from hydrolyzates of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-enzyme complexes that had been reduced with sodium borohydride. In addition to differences in their reactions with PLP, rabbit liver and kidney FDPases differ significantly in amino acid composition. However, they appear to be similar in molecular weight and subunit structure.
Comparative mechanisms of cancer cell migration through 3D matrix and physiological microtracks

Tumor cell invasion through the stromal extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key feature of cancer metastasis, and understanding the cellular mechanisms of invasive migration is critical to the development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Since cancer cell migration is highly adaptable to physiochemical properties of the ECM, it is critical to define these migration mechanisms in a context-specific manner. Although extensive work has characterized cancer cell migration in two- and three-dimensional (3D) matrix environments, the migration program employed by cells to move through native and cell-derived microtracks within the stromal ECM remains unclear. We previously reported the development of an in vitro model of patterned type I collagen microtracks that enable matrix metalloproteinase-independent microtrack migration. Here we show that collagen microtracks closely resemble channel-like gaps in native mammary stroma ECM and examine the extracellular and intracellular mechanisms underlying microtrack migration. Cell-matrix mechanocoupling, while critical for migration through 3D matrix, is not necessary for microtrack migration. Instead, cytoskeletal dynamics, including actin polymerization, cortical tension, and microtubule turnover, enable persistent, polarized migration through physiological microtracks. These results indicate that tumor cells employ context-specific mechanisms to migrate and suggest that selective targeting of cytoskeletal dynamics, but not adhesion, proteolysis, or cell traction forces, may effectively inhibit cancer cell migration through preformed matrix microtracks within the tumor stroma.
Effects of a relative-frequency elicitation question on likelihood judgment accuracy : The case of external correspondence

Abstract In three experiments, college students judged the likelihood that they chose the correct alternative for each of 40 two-alternative, general-knowledge items. They responded either to a relative-frequency elicitation question (“Out of 100 questions for which you felt this certain of the answer, how many would you answer correctly?”) or to a probability elicitation question (“What is the probability that you chose the correct answer?”). Judgments in response to the relative-frequency elicitation question tended to be lower, exhibit less scatter, and express complete certainty less often than judgments in response to the probability elicitation question. Two types of explanation for these effects are considered. First, the effect of the relative-frequency elicitation question may be to reduce random response error in participants' likelihood judgments. Second, the relative-frequency elicitation question may encourage the use of frequency information and simpler algorithms for making likelihood judgments.
The coronary care unit activities program: Its role in post-infarction rehabilitation

Abstract In order to prevent deconditioning during convalescence from myocardial infarction, 10 patients without major complications participated in a rehabilitation program which combined mild, graded exercise, early sitting posture, and early ambulation. Exercises were begun at 3 days post-infarction and continued to discharge 16 days later; determinations of oxygen consumption at these times revealed only a modest increase in energy cost with exercise. Hemodynamic changes were insignificant, and there were no complications in these 10 patients, in an earlier pilot group of 10 patients, or in a subsequent group of 50 patients. Patient acceptance and cooperation were excellent, and patient morale appeared to improve through participation in the program. In selected patients, this program is safe, simple, does not prolong hospitalization, and may contribute to earlier and more complete rehabilitation.
The Matrix Metalloproteinase-14 (MMP-14) Gene Is Structurally Distinct from Other MMP Genes and Is Co-expressed with the TIMP-2 Gene during Mouse Embryogenesis

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-containing matrix degrading endopeptidases. A subfamily of membrane type (MT) -MMPs has been described recently. We have determined the structure of the gene (Mmp14) encoding the first MT-MMP to be described, MT1-MMP (MMP-14), and mapped it to mouse chromosome 14. The mouse MMP-14 protein is encoded by ten exons. The novel C-terminal peptide domains of MMP-14 are encoded by a single large exon that also encodes the 3′-untranslated region. The structure of the exons encoding the catalytic domain and pro-domain of MMP-14 is distinct from previously described MMP genes, whereas the exons encoding the hemopexin-like domains are similar to those of most other MMP genes. Mmp14 and the gene for tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (Timp2) show a temporally and spatially co-regulated expression during mouse development. They are co-expressed during vascular and urogenital development and during the development of osteocartilaginous and musculotendinous structures. The stringent co-expression of these two genes suggests common regulatory pathways that may have important functional implications for the activation of pro-gelatinase A in health and disease.
Continuous relaxation and retardation spectrum method for viscoelastic characterization of asphalt concrete

This paper presents a simple and practical approach to obtain the continuous relaxation and retardation spectra of asphalt concrete directly from the complex (dynamic) modulus test data. The spectra thus obtained are continuous functions of relaxation and retardation time. The major advantage of this method is that the continuous form is directly obtained from the master curves which are readily available from the standard characterization tests of linearly viscoelastic behavior of asphalt concrete. The continuous spectrum method offers efficient alternative to the numerical computation of discrete spectra and can be easily used for modeling viscoelastic behavior. In this research, asphalt concrete specimens have been tested for linearly viscoelastic characterization. The linearly viscoelastic test data have been used to develop storage modulus and storage compliance master curves. The continuous spectra are obtained from the fitted sigmoid function of the master curves via the inverse integral transform. The continuous spectra are shown to be the limiting case of the discrete distributions. The continuous spectra and the time-domain viscoelastic functions (relaxation modulus and creep compliance) computed from the spectra matched very well with the approximate solutions. It is observed that the shape of the spectra is dependent on the master curve parameters. The continuous spectra thus obtained can easily be implemented in material mix design process. Prony-series coefficients can be easily obtained from the continuous spectra and used in numerical analysis such as finite element analysis.
Influence of the HIPAA Privacy Rule on health research.

ContextAnecdotal reports suggest that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule (HIPAA Privacy Rule) may be affecting health research in the United States.ObjectiveTo survey epidemiologists about their experiences with the HIPAA Privacy Rule.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThirteen societies of epidemiology distributed a national Web-based survey; 2805 respondents accessed the survey Web site and 1527 eligible professionals anonymously answered questions.Main Outcome MeasuresResponses related influences such as research delays and added cost after Privacy Rule implementation, frequency and type of Privacy Rule–related institutional review board modifications, level of difficulty obtaining deidentified data and waivers, experiences with multisite studies, and perceived participant privacy benefits under the rule. Respondents ranked their perceptions of Privacy Rule influence on 5-point Likert scales.ResultsA total of 875 (67.8%) respondents reported that the HIPAA Privacy Rule has made research more difficult at a level of 4 to 5 on a Likert scale, in which 5 indicates a great deal of added cost and time to study completion. A total of 684 (52.1%) of respondents identified a “most affected” protocol. Respondents indicated that the proportion of institutional review board applications in which the Privacy Rule had a negative influence on human subjects (participants) protection was significantly greater than the proportion in which it had a positive influence (P < .001).ConclusionIn this national survey of clinical scientists, only a quarter perceived that the rule has enhanced participants' confidentiality and privacy, whereas the HIPAA Privacy Rule was perceived to have a substantial, negative influence on the conduct of human subjects health research, often adding uncertainty, cost, and delay.
Characterization of the major steroids present in amniotic fluid obtained between the 15th and 17th weeks of gestation

Abstract In pooled amniotic fluid obtained between the 15th and 17th weeks of gestation the concentration of free steroids and steroid glucuronides was found to be 40 μg/dl. The concentration of steroid monosulfates and disulfates was 19 μg/dl. About half of the characterized steroids are progesterone metabolites. The “fetal type” 3β-hydroxy-5-ene steroids were found exclusively in the sulfoconjugated form. Their concentration represents 20% of the total steroid content. The identification of two 15β-hydroxylated C21 steroids, 3β,15β,17α-tridoxy-5-pregnen-20-one and 5-pregnene-3β,15β,17α,20α-tetrol isolated from mid-pregnancy amniotic fluid is reported here. Metabolites of cortisol and 17-deoxycorticosteroid metabolites had similar quantitative importance, 8.6 and 9.4%, respectively.
Some aspects of the history of membrane-damaging toxins

In this review the following topics are considered: (a) the character of biomedical research and how it has changed during the last six decades; (b) the early history of membrane-damaging toxins; (c) comparative toxinology as illustrated by similarity of the toxins of the brown recluse spider and the bacterial agent of peudotuberculosis, and by similarity of a toxin of a sea anemone and the thiol-activated membrane-damaging agents of bacteria; (d) examples of the diversity of membrane-damaging toxins; (e) cooperative or synergistic lytic systems; and (f) the outlook for the future.
Model of the Second Most Abundant Cisplatin-DNA Cross-Link: X-ray Crystal Structure and Conformational Analysis of cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(9-MeA-N7)(9-EtGH-N7)](NO(3)).2H(2)O (9-MeA = 9-Methyladenine; 9-EtGH = 9-Ethylguanine).

A model compound of the second most abundant DNA adduct of the antitumor agent cisplatin has been synthesized and structurally and spectroscopically characterized and its conformational behavior examined: cis-[(NH3)2Pt(9-MeA-N7)(9-EtGH-N7)](NO3)2·2H2O (9-MeA = 9-methyladenine; 9-EtGH = 9-ethylguanine) crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/n (No. 14) with a = 7.931(2), b = 11.035(3), c = 26.757(6) A, β = 94.94(2)°, and Z = 4. The two purine bases adopt a head-to-head orientation, with NH2 of 9-MeA and CO of 9-EtGH being at the same side of the Pt coordination plane. A theoretical conformational analysis of the complex cis-[(NH3)2Pt(Ade)(Gua)]2+ (Ade = adenine; Gua = guanine) based on molecular mechanics calculations of the nonbonded energy has revealed four minimum-energy zones similar to those derived previously for cis-[(NH3)2Pt(Gua)2]2+ (Kozelka; et al. Eur. J. Biochem. 1992, 205, 895). This conformational analysis has allowed, together with the calculation of chemical shifts due to ri...
Population-Level Administration of AlcoholEdu for College: An ARIMA Time-Series Analysis

Autoregressive integrated moving averages (ARIMA) is a powerful analytic tool for conducting interrupted time-series analysis, yet it is rarely used in studies of public health campaigns or programs. This study demonstrated the use of ARIMA to assess AlcoholEdu for College, an online alcohol education course for first-year students, and other health and safety programs introduced at a moderate-size public university in the South. From 1992 to 2009, the university administered annual Core Alcohol and Drug Surveys to samples of undergraduates (Ns = 498 to 1032). AlcoholEdu and other health and safety programs that began during the study period were assessed through a series of quasi-experimental ARIMA analyses. Implementation of AlcoholEdu in 2004 was significantly associated with substantial decreases in alcohol consumption and alcohol- or drug-related negative consequences. These improvements were sustained over time as succeeding first-year classes took the course. Previous studies have shown that Alcoho...
Stiles-Burch two-degree color mixture data

The 2 degree color mixture data of Stiles and Burch have been analyzed to study the differences between individual subjects and the lack of precision at the blue end of the spectrum. The luminous efficiency data have been compared to those of Judd's 1951 observer and the 1931 standard observer. The mixture data have been compared to those of Wright and Guild and have been related to mixture data of dichromats. One of the ten observers was found to have a luminous efficiency curve similar to that of a protanope and was excluded from the average data.
Evidence from thymidine-3H-labeled meristems of Vicia faba of two cell populations.

Treatments with tritiated thymidine (TdR-3H) have revealed the existence of two populations of mitotically active cells in meristems of lateral roots of Vicia faba. A rapidly dividing population, with a cycle time of 14 hr, constitutes about half the cells in the meristem. A second population of cells, with a cycle time in excess of 30 hr, is also present. Estimates of the relative size of this slowly dividing population are more difficult to make, but we calculate that this population includes 27–43% of meristem cells. The remaining fraction of the meristem is made up of cells that divide rarely or not at all. Since, at all times, both populations contribute to the mitotic index, the curve of the percentage of labeled mitoses that can be determined after a pulse label with TdR-3H differs from the curve expected of an ideal population in an important way: the peak value of the curve of the percentage of labeled mitoses is always less than 100%, usually between 75 and 80%. This heterogeneity within a meristem must be borne in mind in terms of the response of meristems to disruptive treatments, the mechanisms controlling mitotic cycle duration, and the spatial organization of a heterogeneous population in an organ that shows polarized growth.
Manipulating nonlinear optical responses from spin-polarized electrons in a two-dimensional electron gas via exciton injection

We report experimental studies of nonlinear optical processes of spin-polarized electrons when excitons or trions are injected into a two-dimensional electron gas. While the nonlinear response remains qualitatively the same with trion injection, the injection of excitons significantly alters the oscillatory nonlinear response from spin-polarized electrons. This behavior arises from an interplay between many-body interactions and carrier heating generated by trion formation from excitons and enables the effective manipulation of the nonlinear response via exciton injection.
A plea for conservatism in fusing operations on the spine and pelvis

Abstract There is no doubt that fusion of the spine and of the pelvis is an accepted operative procedure which will give excellent results. Persistent sacroiliac pain relieved by rest can be given permanent surgical relief. The mechanical deficiencies of the spine, certain types of pathology of the spine, and selected traumatic conditions can be greatly assisted and comfort may be given to the patient. Before a patient is eligible for such operation, however, he should receive careful investigation and an accurate diagnosis. When he finally arrives on the threshold of spinal fusion, his age should be a determining factor; for the young and the old fusion operations are not preferable. The group of available patients, therefore, grows smaller and smaller until the number qualifying for this procedure is very small—insignificant as compared to the persons presenting themselves with backache. If one must err, let it be on the side of allowing too much bed rest for the patient and doing fewer fusions, especially in traumatic cases.
Transcatheter Occlusion of a Large Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation Using the Amplatzer Vascular Plug

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare entity with well-described signs, symptoms, and complications. Pulmonary AVMs can be congenital or acquired. They have been described in the setting of severe liver disease and after palliation with a Glenn shunt in which the hepatic venous blood flow has been excluded from the pulmonary blood flow. A variety of surgical and transcatheter interventions have been used to occlude AVMs. We report the use of the Amplatzer vascular plug to successfully occlude a pulmonary AVM in a 12-year-old patient.
The amino acid sequence of taro ferredoxin

Taro ferredoxin amino acid sequence determined from chymotryptic and thermolysin peptides sequence
Influence of electrolytes, pH, and alcohol concentration on the solubilities of acidic drugs.

A study has been made to determine the validities of certain theoretical relationships, based on the law of mass action, which predict the influence of pH, electrolyte concentration, and additives such as alcohol on solubilities of weakly acidic pharmaceuticals. Experimental data obtained from sulfathiazole, barbiturates, and terramycin indicate that deviations from the expected relationships are usually small unless complex formation takes place.
Penalized-likelihood sinogram smoothing for dose reduction in computed tomography (Cum Laude Poster Award)

We have developed a statistically principled sinogram smoothing approach for single-slice, multi-slice, and conebeam computed tomography (CT) with the aim of obtaining high-quality reconstructed images from scans conducted with lower radiation doses than are generally employed. Reducing patient dose in x-ray computed tomography (CT) can be achieved by reducing the output of the x-ray tube but this will generally increase image noise levels as well. Standard approaches to noise control in CT involve simple apodization of the reconstruction filter, which would unacceptably compromise resolution to achieve the noise control necessary in low-dose situations. In this work, we present an explicitly statistical approach to sinogram smoothing in which we formulate the estimation of the attenuation line integrals from the measured data as a statistical estimation problem and make use of penalized likelihood methods to perform the estimation. We find that the proposed penalized-likelihood sinogram smoothing approach can reduce the appearance of noise in reconstructed images without introducing additional artifacts or severely degrading resolution. In terms of resolution-noise tradeoffs, it was found to outperform other approaches considered.
An asynchronous array of simple processors for dsp applications

An array of simple programmable processors designed for DSP applications is implemented in 0.18mum CMOS and contains 36 asynchronously clocked independent processors. The processors operate at 475MHz, and each processor has a maximum power of 144mW at 1.8V and occupies 0.66 mm2
Tumor Protein p63/microRNA Network in Epithelial Cancer Cells

Non-coding microRNAs are involved in multiple regulatory mechanisms underlying response of cancer cells to stress leading to apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and autophagy. Many molecular layers are implicated in such cellular response including epigenetic regulation of transcription, RNA processing, metabolism, signaling. The molecular interrelationship between tumor protein (TP)-p53 family members and specific microRNAs is a key functional network supporting tumor cell response to chemotherapy and potentially playing a decisive role in chemoresistance of human epithelial cancers. TP63 was shown to modulate the expression of numerous microRNAs involved in regulation of epithelial cell proliferation, differentiation, senescence, “stemness” and skin maintenance, epithelial/ mesenchymal transition, and tumorigenesis in several types of epithelial cancers (e.g. squamous cell carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, gastric cancer, bladder cancer, and breast tumors), as well as in chemoresistance of cancer cells. TP63/microRNA network was shown to be involved in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, autophagy, metabolism and epigenetic transcriptional regulation, thereby providing the groundwork for novel chemotherapeutic venues.
Food browning and its prevention: an overview

Enzymatic and nonenzymatic browning reactions of amino acids and proteins with carbohydrates, oxidized lipids, and oxidized phenols cause deterioration of food during storage and processing. The loss in nutritional quality and potentially in safety is attributed to destruction of essential amino acids, decrease in digestibility, inhibition of proteolytic and glycolytic enzymes, interaction with metal ions, and formation of antinutritional and toxic compounds. Studies in this area include influence of damage to essential amino acids on nutrition and food safety, nutritional damage as a function of processing conditions, and simultaneous formation of deleterious and beneficial compounds. These compounds include kidney-damaging Maillard reaction products, mutagens, carcinogens, antimutagens, antioxidants, antibiotics, and antiallergens. This overview covers the formation, nutrition, and safety of glycated proteins, characterized browning products, and heterocyclic amines. Possible approaches to inhibiting browning reactions and preventing adverse effects of browning during food processing and food consumption, including protection against adverse effects of heterocyclic amines by N-acetylcysteine, caffeine, chlorophyll, conjugated linoleic acid, lignin, and tea extracts, are also described. This research subject covers a complex relationship of the chemistry, biology, and pathology of browning products and the impact on human nutrition and health. Future study should differentiate antinutritional and toxicological relationships, define individual and combined potencies of browning products, and develop means to prevent the formation and to minimize the adverse manifestations of the most antinutritional and toxic compounds. Such studies should lead to better and safer foods and improved human health.
A spectral characterization of the ill-conditioning in numerical deconvolution

An important class of applications in digital signal processing involves the numerical solution of the convolution integral. These so-called numerical deconvolution problems are notoriously difficult to solve because of their inherent ill-conditioning. In this paper we present a characterization of this ill-conditioning based on a classical spectral decomposition of the discrete convolution. Factors prominently influencing the conditioning are identified and some explicit sensitivity measures are introduced.
Monte Carlo modeling of the effect of extreme events on the extinction dynamics of faunal species with 2-stage life cycles

Abstract Our paper computationally explores the extinction dynamics of an animal species effected by a sudden spike in mortality due to an extreme event. In our study, the animal species has a 2-stage life cycle and is endowed with a high survival probability under normal circumstances. Our proposed approach does not involve any restraining assumptions concerning environmental variables or predator–prey relationships. Rather it is based on the simple premise that if observed on an year-to-year basis, the population size will be noted to either have gone up or come down as compared to last year. The conceptualization is borrowed from the theory of asset pricing in stochastic finance. The survival probability (λ) is set at unity i.e. the model assumes that all young members of the population mature into adults capable of reproduction. As we bias our model heavily in favor of survival, the chance of the population size increasing over time is much higher than it suffering a decline, if no extreme events occur. One of the critical parameters in our simulation model is the shock size i.e. the number of immediate mortalities that may be caused by an extreme event. We run our model for two pre-selected fecundity levels denoted as “high” and “low”. Under each of the two fecundity levels one hundred independent simulation runs are conducted over a time period of ten stages (i.e. five generations) and the relevant descriptive statistics are reported for the terminal (i.e. the fifth) generation. Shock sizes are varied until at least one scenario of total extinction is observed in the simulation output. Any extinctions occurring in t0 are treated as “trivial cases” and not counted. Our results indicate that an extreme event with a minimum shock size exceeding 2 / 3 the size of the pristine population can potentially drive animal species with 2-stage life cycles to extinction for both “low” and “high” fecundity levels.
Disturbances in reality testing as markers of risk in offspring of parents with bipolar disorder: a systematic review from a developmental psychopathology perspective

Consistent with the developmental psychopathology concept of multifinality, defined as the potential for multiple outcomes from a common source of risk (1), there is strong evidence for many deleterious outcomes in children being born to and raised by a parent with bipolar disorder (2–4). As bipolar disorder is one of the most heritable types of mental illness (5, 6), the risk of this disorder is critically important to consider, given that 4–15% of offspring of parents with bipolar disorder (O-BD) will go on to develop bipolar disorder (7– 9). Yet, developing bipolar disorder represents only part of their risk profile for O-BD. Up to 40– 60% of O-BD may develop moderate to severe forms of psychopathology during childhood and adolescence (3, 10–12). Also consistent with the developmental psycho-pathology perspective is the importance of identifying the course and timing of deviations to atypical functioning from normative development (13, 14). For example, while there is mixed evidence regarding the extent to which O-BD experience significant psychopathology in early childhood, there is ample evidence that by adolescence many O-BD may suffer from a range of problems (10, 11, 15, 16). Indeed, many pressing questions linger about the etiological sources of the wide range of problems that manifest in those being born to and raised by a parent with bipolar disorder. Recent efforts are beginning to consider the broader array of outcomes in O-BD, including an increased prevalence of low-incident outcomes that involve disturbances in reality testing (DRT) (17). This review is intended to sharpen current understanding of potential outcomes in O-BD by focusing on a less understood but potentially severe and debilitating outcome. Specifically, our focus is on the transmission of a broader spectrum of problems that include psychotic symptoms and other behavioral indicators suggestive of DRT (e.g., 18–21). We define DRT as an inclusive construct characterized by hallucinations, delusions, significant disruptions in cognition (e.g., loosening of associations, tangential thought patterns, magical thinking, and apophenia) and other manifestations of atypical behavior oddities or perseverations (17, 22). While DRT is most easily identified in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and psychosis, these disturbances may also be observed in a broader range of psychiatric conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder with psychotic features, obsessive compulsive disorder, and dissociative disorder). DRT also includes prodromes for psychotic conditions (e.g., schizoid personality disorder) and dimensions more commonly distributed across the population [e.g., numbers of thought problem symptoms on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) (23)].
The Effects of Racial Composition on Neighbourhood Succession

This study investigates the extent to which, under segmented housing market conditions, neighbourhood racial composition has a significant influence on the rate of neighbourhood succession. Using Houston and St Louis census tract data, pooled and stratified regression estimates are developed which predict succession as proxied by income changes. Quite strong relationships are found, indicating that nonwhite and racially transitional neighbourhoods tend toward more rapid downward succession than otherwise equivalent white neighbourhoods. Furthermore, this relationship seems to hold over different housing market types and over a wide range of neighbourhood conditions. The source of these differences is also investigated.
Psychoactive "Bath Salts" Intoxication with Methylenedioxypyrovalerone

Abuse of the psychoactive “designer drug” methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) has become a serious international public health concern because of the severity of its physical and behavioral toxicities. MDPV is the primary ingredient in so-called “bath salts,” labeled as such to avoid criminal prosecution and has only been classified recently as a controlled substance in the United States and some other countries. However, it remains a danger because of illegal sources, including the Internet. MDPV is a synthetic, cathinone-derivative, central nervous system stimulant and is taken to produce a cocaine- or methamphetamine-like high. Administered via oral ingestion, nasal insufflation, smoking, intravenous or intramuscular methods, or the rectum, the intoxication lasts 6 to 8 hours and has high addictive potential. Overdoses are characterized by profound toxicities, causing increased attention by emergency department and law enforcement personnel. Physical manifestations range from tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmias, hyperthermia, sweating, rhabdomyolysis, and seizures to those as severe as stroke, cerebral edema, cardiorespiratory collapse, myocardial infarction, and death. Behavioral effects include panic attacks, anxiety, agitation, severe paranoia, hallucinations, psychosis, suicidal ideation, self-mutilation, and behavior that is aggressive, violent, and self-destructive. Treatment is principally supportive and focuses on counteracting the sympathetic overstimulation, including sedation with intravenous benzodiazepines, seizure-prevention measures, intravenous fluids, close (eg, intensive care unit) monitoring, and restraints to prevent harm to self or others. Clinical presentation is often complicated by coingestion of other psychoactive substances that may alter the treatment approach. Clinicians need to be especially vigilant in that MDPV is not detected by routine drug screens and overdoses can be life-threatening.
Kinetics of phytosterol metabolism in neonates receiving parenteral nutrition

Phytosterols in soybean oil (SO) lipids likely contribute to parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD) in infants. No characterization of phytosterol metabolism has been done in infants receiving SO lipids. In a prospective cohort study, 45 neonates (36 SO lipid vs. 9 control) underwent serial blood sample measurements of sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. Mathematical modeling was used to determine pharmacokinetic parameters of phytosterol metabolism and phytosterol exposure. Compared to controls, SO lipid-exposed infants had significantly higher levels of sitosterol and campesterol (P < 0.01). During SO lipid infusion, sitosterol and campesterol reached half of steady-state plasma levels within 1.5 and 0.8 d, respectively. Steady-state level was highest for sitosterol (1.68 mg/dl), followed by campesterol (0.98 mg/dl), and lowest for stigmasterol (0.01 mg/dl). Infants born < 28 wk gestational age had higher sitosterol steady-state levels (P = 0.03) and higher area under the curve for sitosterol (P = 0.03) during the first 5 d of SO lipid (AUC5) than infants born ≥ 28 wk gestational age. Phytosterols in SO lipid accumulate rapidly in neonates. Very preterm infants receiving SO lipid have higher sitosterol exposure, and may have poorly developed mechanisms of eliminating phytosterols that may contribute to their vulnerability to PNALD.
Are Increasing Test Scores in Texas Really a Myth

Pass rates by Texas tenth-graders on the high school exit exam improved from 52 percent in 1994 to 72 percent in 1998. In his article "The Myth of the Texas Miracle in Education" (EPAA, August 2000) Professor Walt Haney argued that some part of this increased pass rate was, as he put it, an illusion. Haney contended that the combined effects of students dropping out of school prior to taking the 10th grade TAAS and special education exemptions accounted for much of the increase in TAAS pass rates. Relying on the same methodology and data that Haney used, we demonstrate that his conclusion is incorrect. None of the 20 percent improvement in the TAAS exit test pass rate between 1994 and 1998 is explained by combined increases in dropout rates or special education exemptions.
A Psychophysiological Interpretation of Voodoo Illness and Voodoo Death

Voodoo illness is a form of psychosomatic illness. When sufficiently intense and prolonged, the extreme physiological arousal pattern to stimulation that comprises emotional behavior produces pathological changes in physiological functioning and anatomic structure, which are psychophysiological and psychosomatic disorders. New stimuli may become associated with established autonomic reaction patterns that are emotional behavior; also particular autonomic reactions may be strengthened through differential reinforcement. Thus, emotional stimuli and emotional response patterns may be learned. When the emotional reaction patterns are sufficiently frequent or prolonged and sufficiently intense in the person socially prepared to react and physically predisposed (i.e., vulnerable via genetically determined or later acquired biological weakness), changes of such magnitude may occur in physiological functioning or anatomical structure as to be incompatible with continued life. Voodoo death corresponds to that form...
Qualifying confidentiality: historical and empirical issues and facts

Kipnis (2006) raises several important points, reminding us of the difficult trade-offs involved in the Tarasoff decision, yet his argument rests on several assumptions that pose critical ethical, ...
Lupus Erythematosus Profundus Masquerading as Idiopathic Orbital Inflammatory Syndrome

Idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome (IOIS) is a nonspecific inflammation of orbital tissue. As it is a diagnosis of exclusion, systemic testing and, at times biopsy, is utilized to rule out other inflammatory etiologies. Since some inflammatory etiologies that masquerade as typical IOIS can be vision or life threatening, it is important to consider these diagnoses. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune process that can affect the eye and visual system in 20% of individuals. In this idiopathic process, the deposition of pathogenic autoantibodies and immune complexes damage tissues and cells. Some common ocular manifestations of SLE include keratoconjunctivitis sicca, periocular skin lesions, orbital inflammation, retinal hemorrhages and vasculitis, retinal vaso-occlusive disease, iritis, scleritis, optic neuritis and optic neuropathy. One rare clinical entity in the SLE spectrum is panniculitis, also known as lupus erythematosus profundus (LEP), which is a nodular inflammation of adipose tissue. Panniculitis involving orbital structures as the primary presenting symptom of SLE is quite unusual and has only rarely been previously reported in the literature and has not been reported presenting as IOIS. This uncommon presentation can make the diagnosis more difficult. We describe a patient who had presented with ptosis evolving to orbital inflammation, which was consistent with IOIS by laboratory and histologic examinations. The patient later developed extensive panniculitis and a final diagnosis of LEP was made.
Spiritual anti-elitism: Ibn Taymiyya's doctrine of sainthood (walāya)

The article focuses on Ibn Taymiyya's concept of walāya, the Sufi technical term for sainthood or friendship with God, as exposed in his treatise Al-furqān bayna awliyāʾ al-Raḥmān wa-awliyāʾ al-Shayṭān, ‘The criterion [for distinguishing] between the friends of the All Merciful and the friends of Satan’. A close reading of this text helps us to see that, notwithstanding his criticisms, Ibn Taymiyya did not reject the Sufi tradition wholesale, but tried to bring it within the strict limits of Islamic orthodoxy as he understood it. More specifically, Ibn Taymiyya sought to defend an ideal of walāya within the reach of ordinary Muslims, against what he perceived as the elitism of certain Sufi views of sanctity and the extravagant behavior of marginal holy men. Some of the questions addressed in this work include the major theological issues that Muslim authors had raised with regard to Sufi claims, such as the relationship between prophethood and sainthood, the special qualities of God's friends, and the evi...
Analysis of Commingled Tight Gas Reservoirs

This paper presents a method to match the production data of commingled tight gas reservoirs. A simple computer program is used to history match production data, estimate the individual OGIP and productivity of each layer, and forecast the total performance of the well. The method was verified against both simulation and actual field data. The method is based on a layered model that couples the material balance equation for gas reservoirs with the stabilized gas flow equation for each layer in the commingled system. The analysis is done through history-matching the total well production data using an optimization routine to help determine the two parameters (OGIP and flow coefficient) of each layer that best match the production history. The method showed excellent results for cases that arc predominantly in the stabilized flow period. This method can be used to analyze commingled tight gas reservoirs and predict their performance. It can be also used to obtain the OGIP value for each layer and assess the relative importance of each layer in the commingled system.