cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Too big to fail, too powerful to jail? On the absence of criminal prosecutions after the 2008 financial meltdown

Various explanations have been offered regarding the causes of the current global economic crisis that was spawned by the collapse of mortgage-based securities in the U.S. that were sold world-wide and that contained "toxic assets" comprised of subprime loans. There is ample evidence that such loans were originated through fraud. Firms recorded huge profits, and executives were awarded large bonuses even though some had led their companies into bankruptcy and plunged both the U.S. and global economies into the greatest recession since the Great Depression. This paper assesses the reasons why there have been no major prosecutions to date, and compares the U.S. government's response to that in the savings and loan crisis. It analyzes the influence of large financial institutions on lawmaking, regulation, and the allocation of enforcement resources, the continued general lack of understanding of financial fraud including control fraud, and problems related to the higher status and power of potential defendants.
The production, deactivation and chemical reactions of O(1D) atoms

Abstract The modes of production of O ( 1 D) atoms are described, with reference to laboratory studies and to the formation of the species in the upper atmosphere. A detailed review is given of the work carried out on the physical deactivation process O ( 1 D) + M → O ( 3 P) + M and in particular an attempt has been made to assess the relative importance of molecular nitrogen and oxygen as the deactivating species M , a point which is of special significance for the upper atmosphere. On the basis of presently available facts, some general conclusions are drawn regarding the most probable mechanisms for the transfer of electronic energy in the above deactivation process. The participation of O ( 1 D) in chemical reactions is also discussed in detail and its reactivity compared with that of the ground state atom.
Acute Hemorrhagic Leukoencephalitis: Recovery and Reversal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in a Child:

A case of acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHLE) in a 6-year-old girl is reported. The presentation was typical for acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis, with acute onset of a rapidly progressive neurologic disorder with asymmetric involvement of brain, with polymorphonuclear predominant peripheral leukocytosis and cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. Cerebrospinal fluid findings not previously reported included elevation of IgG and the presence of myelin basic protein. Additional previously unreported findings were striking abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, in contrast to normal findings on computed tomography (CT). The child was treated with high dose intravenous steroids and made a full recovery, with a parallel disappearance of all of her cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities and almost all of her abnormalities on MRI. Detailed examination of cerebrospinal fluid and MRI of brain should facilitate early diagnosis in other cases of suspected acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis and high-dose steroid therapy may lead to improved clinical outcomes.
The use of tungsten in fusion reactors: a review of the hydrogen retention and migration properties

In the past the role of tungsten as a fusion reactor plasma-facing material has been fairly limited. It has appeared sparingly in tokamaks, but usually only for experimental purposes. This is likely to change in the future. Tungsten has a very high threshold for sputtering as well as a high melting point and high thermal conductivity. Applications of tungsten in areas where the energy of the plasma particles can be kept below the sputtering threshold removes the plasma impurity problem often associated with the use of tungsten in fusion reactors. In the area of recycling and retention, tungsten is unlike carbon and beryllium in that hydrogen appears to stay in solution in the metal (at least at low concentrations) and diffuse somewhat classically. This paper presents a review of the hydrogen isotope retention and migration properties of tungsten as they relate to fusion applications. The review is begun with an examination of past experiments on the diffusivity, solubility, and permeability of hydrogen in tungsten. Fusion specific topics such as implantation and surface effects are then covered. Trapping is shown to be an important aspect of understanding hydrogen transport in this material. Blister and bubble formation are also addressed.
Exploring the structure of the U.S. intercity passenger air transportation network: a weighted complex network approach

The U.S. airline network is one of the most advanced transportation infrastructures in the world. It is a complex geospatial structure that sustains a variety of dynamics including commercial, public, and military operations and services. We study the U.S. domestic intercity passenger air transportation network using a weighted complex network methodology, in which vertices represent cities and edges represent intercity airline connections weighted by average daily passenger traffic, non-stop distance, and average one-way fares. We find that U.S. intercity passenger air transportation network is a small-world network accompanied by dissortative mixing patterns and rich-club phenomenon, implying that large degree cities (or hub cities) tend to form high traffic volume interconnections among each other and large degree cities tend to link to a large number of small degree cities. The interhub air connections tend to form interconnected triplets with high traffic volumes, long non-stop distances, and low average one-way fares. The structure of the U.S. airline network reflects the dynamic integration of pre-existing urban and national transportation infrastructure with the competitive business strategies of commercial airlines. In this paper we apply an emerging methodology to representing, analyzing, and modeling the complex interactions associated with the physical and human elements of the important U.S. national air transport and services infrastructure.
Numerical simulation of a lid-driven cavity viscoelastic flow at high Weissenberg numbers

Abstract In this Note we present a finite element method for simulating the Stokes flow of an Oldroyd-B fluid in a lid-driven cavity, which is a stringent test problem at high Weissenberg numbers. The key considerations are: (i) the preservation of the positive definiteness of the conformation tensor at the discrete level; (ii) the use of a coarser mesh when discretizing the conformation tensor to lower the number of high frequency modes; and (iii) additional diffusion to smooth the high frequency modes. The methodologies with the above three features are found to be stable at high Weissenberg numbers. To cite this article: T.-W. Pan, J. Hao, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 344 (2007).
The cruciform crack running in a biaxial tension field

Abstract Under a biaxial tension field, failure in a small region can give rise to simultaneous rapid crack extension along multiple paths. To gain insight into this phenomenon, the dynamic analysis of a cruciform crack growing from a point in a biaxial tension field is considered. An analytic solution is at present not available. However, by treating the cruciform arms as dislocation arrays, the problem is reduced to a pair of coupled integral equations. By following a scheme for plane crack analysis, these equations are uncoupled, and solved numerically by a standard technique for singular integral equations. Examination of the solution indicates that a plane crack is more likely to occur than a cruciform crack in a uniform biaxial tension field, and the crack openings will be larger.
Dietary fat saturation in rhesus monkeys affects LDL concentrations by modulating the independent production of LDL apolipoprotein B

In a recent study from this laboratory, rhesus monkeys fed a 90% palm oil/10% soybean oil-containing diet (PS), rich in 16:0 and 18:1 fatty acids, had decreased total and LDL cholesterol concentrations compared to monkeys fed a 90% coconut oil/10% soybean oil-containing diet (CS), rich in 12:0 and 14:0 fatty acids. To investigate the metabolic basis of these changes, homologous 125I-VLDL and 131I-LDL were injected simultaneously into eight monkeys (four per dietary group). Analysis of apo B specific activity curves revealed that PS monkeys had an increased pool size of VLDL apo B (P less than 0.02), a 3-fold increase in the total VLDL apo B transport rate (P less than 0.001), a decreased pool size of LDL apo B (P less than 0.01) and a 2-fold decrease in the total transport rate of LDL apo B (P less than 0.001), while the irreversible FCR for VLDL apo B and LDL apo B was similar between dietary groups. PS monkeys derived a greater percentage of LDL apo B from VLDL catabolism resulting in a greater transport rate of LDL apo B from VLDL catabolism (P less than 0.055), in comparison to CS monkeys. For CS monkeys the proportion as well as the amount of LDL apo B derived from VLDL-independent catabolism (i.e., LDL apo B derived from sources other than VLDL catabolism) was higher (P less than 0.001) than the values obtained in PS monkeys. In both dietary groups the proportion of VLDL apo B converted to LDL apo B was similar, although the absolute amount was higher for the PS monkeys (P less than 0.06). The proportion of VLDL apo B directly removed from the circulation was similar for both dietary groups, with the absolute amount being higher for the PS monkeys (P less than 0.001). Consistent with the lower pool size of LDL apo B and the higher pool size of VLDL apo B observed in PS monkeys, plasma and LDL cholesterol concentrations tended to be lower, whereas plasma triacylglycerol and VLDL cholesterol concentrations tended to be higher, but these changes were not statistically significant. Although total apo B and VLDL apo B transport rates were increased 2-3-fold in PS monkeys, LDL apo B concentration was reduced by 40% (P less than 0.02) attributed to a significant reduction in the mass and proportion of LDL apo B derived independent of VLDL catabolism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A nonparametric Bayesian approach to analysis of drug dependence data

In this paper, a nonparametric Bayesian approach to the analysis of binary response data is considered. Using a Dirichlet process prior, and squared error loss, the Bayes estimators of response probabilities are obtained. Finally, the results obtained are employed to analyze the ARC 090 Trial data.
Prostate specific acid phosphatase: further studies with immunological techniques

Abstract In the continuing saga of examining new immunological methods for the measurement of prostate-specific acid phosphatase (PAcP), we have compared the new technique of immunoenzymatic assay (IEA) to radioimmunoassay (RIA). No marked advantages in either the early diagnosis or the follow-up of prostatic cancer were apparent, with comparable specificities and sensitivities for both methods. The simple procedure, inexpensive equipment and stable reagents needed for the IEA were its major advantages. A comparison with digital rectal examination suggests that until the 'at risk' population is screened regularly by a PAcP assay, the most appropriate use of the assay is monitoring treatment effectivity.
New algorithms for (Q,r) systems with complete backordering using a fill-rate criterion

We present an algorithm which determines optimal parameter values for order quantity-reorder point systems with complete backordering. The service level is measured as fraction of demand satisfied directly from shelf, also known as “fill-rate.” This algorithm differs from existing algorithms because an exact cost function is used rather than an approximation. We also present a new heuristic algorithm, which is more efficient computationally than the optimal procedure and provides excellent results. Results of extensive computational experience also are reported.
Modeling engine static structures with conical shell finite elements

Nashif, A. D., "New Method for Determining Damping Properties of Viscoelastic Materials," Shock and Vibration Bulletin, Vol. 36, April 1967, pp. 37-47. Jones, D. I. G., "An Alternative System for Measuring Complex Dynamic Moduli of Damping Materials," Shock and Vibration Bulletin, Vol. 45, 1975. Nashif, A. D., "Materials for Vibration Control in Engineering," Shock and Vibration Bulletin, Vol. 43, June 1973, pp. 145151. Jones, D. I. G., "Temperature-Frequency Dependence of Dynamic Properties of Damping Materials," Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol. 33, April 1974, pp. 451-470.
EUNUCHOIDISM WITH LOW URINARY FOLLICLESTIMULATING HORMONE IN THE FEMALE: COMPARISON WITH THIS SYNDROME IN THE MALE AND WITH THE PREMENARCHAL MENOPAUSE

Four cases are presented of a syndrome in the female characterized by eunuchoidism without other endocrine abnormality and by an absence of urinary follicle-stimulating hormone (biologic assay). The syndrome is considered to be due to absence of pituitary FSH specifically, but it is possible that absence of pituitary luteinizing hormone is also a factor. The syndrome is contrasted with the premenarchal menopause, from which it is indistinguishable clinically, but in which there is a high titer of urinary FSH. It is also compared to eunuchoidism with low urinary FSH in the male, a syndrome with which it is etiologically identical. The results of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin differ greatly, however, between males and females with this condition. In the male, administration of HCG may result in complete testicular development, but prolonged studies with HCG in the female have failed to demonstrate any effect.
Additional studies on the use of cracking catalysts in conjunction with activated sludge wastewater treating

A previous study indicated that regenerated spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst, added to a test activated sludge system, increased the sludge settling rate, decreased the settled sludge volume (compaction), decreased the supernatant (effluent) TOC and increased the supernatant optical clarity. In addition, phosphate levels were markedly reduced in a municipal sewerage a ctivated sludge system.
Three dimensional PDMA assembly: Design, process, and applications

This paper discusses a recent three-dimensional assembly process called the Plastic Deformation Magnetic Assembly (PDMA) method. The PDMA method allows three dimensional micromechanical structures to be realized efficiently using surface micromachining and wafer-scale, post-sacrificial-release assembly. We will discuss the principle of the PDMA method, along with the design methodology. The PDMA process has been used for a number of applications, including vertical micro RF inductors, micromachined hot wire anemometers, artificial lateral line sensors, and two dimensional neuron probes. The process for these applications will be discussed to illustrate the usefulness of the PDMA process.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Poverty and impairment in activities of living among elderly Hispanics

This study employed data from a prior national survey of elderly Hispanics to examine the relationship between poverty and functionally impaired status, i.e., impairment in activities of daily living (IADL). The sample for this study consists of 1,685 Hispanics age 65 and older, representing four ethnic groups: Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and other Hispanics. Ethnic comparisons based on personal characteristics, poverty status and IADL found there were differences among the groups analyzed in terms of marital status, language, religion, age, education, poverty, and IADL. Logistic regression findings revealed that elderly Hispanics who were married, bilingual, and had higher educational achievement were more likely to live above the poverty level than were their counterparts. Findings from an ordinary least squares regression analysis revealed that poor elderly Hispanics had more IADL problems; that men had more IADL problems than women; that IADL problems tended to increase with age; that more educated people had fewer IADL problems; that Cubans had fewer IADL problems than other Hispanics; and that Puerto Ricans had more IADL problems than all other Hispanics. Implications for social work practice are discussed.
Interpretation of commercial food ingredient labels by parents of food-allergic children

Abstract Background: To avoid allergic reactions, food-allergic consumers depend on the ingredient labels of commercial products. Complex ingredient terminology (eg, casein and whey for milk) and label ambiguities (eg, natural flavor and may contain peanut ) might compromise the ability of patients/parents to determine the safety of particular products. Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the accuracy of label reading among parents of food-allergic children. Methods: Parents of children on restricted diets attending our referral center were asked to review a group of 23 food labels taken from widely available commercial products. For each label, each parent/parent pair was asked to indicate whether the product was safe for the allergic child and, if it was not, which foods restricted from the child's diet were in the product. Results: There were 91 participants. Peanut was the most commonly restricted food (82 children), followed by milk, egg, soy, and wheat (60, 45, 27 and 16 children, respectively). Identification of milk and soy was the most problematic: only 4 (7%) of 60 parents correctly identified all 14 labels that indicated milk, and only 6 (22%) of 27 parents correctly identified soy protein in 7 products. Peanut was correctly identified in 5 products by 44 (54%) of the 82 parents restricting peanut. Wheat (10 labels) and egg (7 labels) were correctly identified by most parents (14/16 and 42/45, respectively). Correct label identification was associated with prior instruction by a dietitian. Conclusions: With current labeling practices, most parents are unable to identify common allergenic food ingredients. These results strongly support the need for improved labeling with plain-English terminology and allergen warnings as well as the need for diligent education of patients about reading labels. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002;109:1019-21.)
Design and synthesis of substrate-based inhibitors of botulinum neurotoxin type B metalloprotease.

Botulinum toxin (BoNT) metalloproteases and related proteases are the most selective proteases known. X-ray crystal structures suggest that the native enzymes exist in catalytically incompetent forms that must be activated by substrate binding. In order to characterize the postulated substrate-induced conformational changes, we synthesized a series of transition state analog inhibitors (TSI) in which the dipeptide cleavage site has been replaced by tetrahedral intermediate analogs within the minimal substrate peptide sequence. Reduced amide, α-hydroxyamide, α-thio-amide, and hydroxyethylamine analogs of —Gln–Phe— were incorporated via solid phase peptide synthesis into 35-mer analogs of the minimal peptide substrate sequence. The synthesis, characterization, and inhibition kinetics for four series of compounds against holotoxin BoNT/B is described. The α-thiol amide derivatives of the 35-mer substrate were found to inhibit BONT/B in the low micromolar range. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci), 2003
Accurate Quantal Studies of Ion-Atom Collisions Using Finite-Element Techniques

Methods have been developed to solve the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation with Coulomb interactions, and applied to ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{C}}^{+6}$ collisions with H in the energy range 8-84 keV/amu. Total charge-transfer cross sections agree well with experiment, while ionization cross sections are higher than previous estimates at low energies. The phenomenon of "cusp asymmetry" is verified. Examination of charge-density plots reveals unexpected structures.
Clarifying the relationship between teacher nonverbal immediacy and student cognitive learning: Affective learning as the central causal mediator

Recent research advanced a causal model explaining the teacher immediacy/student learning relationship by positing the mediational effects of students' state motivation to learn. This study argued instead for an alternative model which posits that affective learning, not state motivation, is the central causal mediator between teacher immediacy and students' cognitive learning. To test this causal model, students (N = 224) were asked to evaluate the instructors of their class meeting immediately after the course where they completed the questionnaires. These surveys included measures of teachers' nonverbal immediacy, students' state motivation to learn, and affective and cognitive learning. Path analytic tests of both models indicated that the Affective Learning Model provided the better theoretical explanation for the relationship between immediacy and cognitive learning.
Survival from prehospital cardiac arrest is critically dependent upon response time

Summary Study objective This study correlated the delay in initiation of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ByCPR), basic (BLS) or advanced cardiac (ACLS) life support, and transport time (TT) to survival from prehospital cardiac arrest. This was a secondary endpoint in a study primarily evaluating the effect of bicarbonate on survival. Design Prospective multicenter trial. Setting Patients treated by urban, suburban, and rural emergency medical services (EMS) services. Patients Eight hundred and seventy-four prehospital cardiac arrest patients. Interventions This group underwent conventional ACLS intervention followed by empiric early administration of sodium bicarbonate noting resuscitation times. Survival was measured as the presence of vital signs on emergency department (ED) arrival. Data analysis utilized Student's t -test and logistic regression ( p Results Survival was improved with decreased time to BLS (5.52min versus 6.81min, p =0.047) and ACLS (7.29min versus 9.49min, p =0.002) intervention, as well as difference in time to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The upper limit time interval after which no patient survived was 30min for ACLS time, and 90min for transport time. There was no overall difference in survival except at longer arrest times when considering the primary study intervention bicarbonate administration. Conclusion Delay to the initiation of BLS and ACLS intervention influenced outcome from prehospital cardiac arrest negatively. There were no survivors after prolonged delay in initiation of ACLS of 30min or greater or total resuscitation and transport time of 90min. This result was not influenced by giving bicarbonate, the primary study intervention, except at longer arrest times.
Teaching the Interactionist Model of Ethics: Two Brief Case Studies.

This article draws on the interactionist model of ethics as a framework to help students answer two key questions they will confront in their future careers: (a) How can I, as a professional manager, deter clearly unethical behavior among my subordinates? and (b) How can I avoid engaging in clearly unethical behavior myself? For each of these questions, a short case is presented as a teaching tool that illustrates the application of the interactionist model.
Dibenzofuran in diphenyl oxide and the relationship to brominated dibenzofurans in brominated diphenyl oxide

Abstract A method was developed for the ppb level analysis of dibenzofuran (DBF) in diphenyl oxide (DPO). Complimentary analytical techniques for the analysis of polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDFs) in polybrominated diphenyl oxides (PBDPOs) were also developed. The PBDFs in PBDPOs were found to be related to the presence of DBF in the original DPO.
Adult learners’ perceptions of an undergraduate HRD degree completion programme: reasons for entering, attitudes towards programme and impact of programme

The purpose of the study was to evaluate an undergraduate distance education (DE) programme based upon adult learners’ perceptions. The study investigated the value of the Human Resource Development programme at the University of Arkansas by examining the students’ reasons for returning to college, their attitudes towards the programme and the impact that the programme has had upon their lives. The respondents viewed DE as the best opportunity for adult students to complete their degrees. Female participants had significantly more positive attitudes towards DE than male participants did. The respondents had positive attitudes towards the learning environment, the instructors in the programme, the cohort design of the programme and the content of the programme. However, there were mixed opinions concerning the economic benefit of participation in the programme.
Chemotherapy of sarcomas with a combination of adriamycin and dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide

During the initial therapeutic evaluations of adriamycin and DIC, efficacy was noted with each in the treatment of advanced sarcomas. Preclinical studies suggested possible synergism without additive toxicity. This lead to our evaluating the two agents in combination in metastatic sarcomas. Adriamycin at 60 mg/m2 was given I.V. on day 1 and DIC 250 mg/m2 I.V. on days 1 to 5, with the entire regimen repeated every 21 days. The dosage of both drugs was reduced 25% in patients with extensive prior therapy. Of 120 patients entered, 100 were evaluable for therapeutic efficacy. Five complete and 36 partial remissions (> 50%) were observed for a response rate of 41% including the following diagnoses: synovial cell sarcoma 2/2; rhabdomyosarcoma 3/5; undifferentiated sarcoma 6/13; fibrosarcoma 5/11; osteogenic sarcoma 8/18; liposarcoma 3/7; mesothelioma 3/7; neurofibrosarcoma 4/10; leiomyosarcoma 6/16; angiosarcoma 1/5; chondrosarcoma 0/4, and miscellaneous sarcomas 0/2. The median duration for complete remission was 5+ months (range—3+ to 7+ months) and for partial remission was 31/2+ months (1–10+ months) with 29/41 still in remission. Toxicity was limited predominantly to vomiting, alopecia, and myelosuppression. Leukocyte depression was maximum by median day 15, with prompt recovery permitting retreatment at a 3-week interval in all but 8% of courses. Combination therapy with adriamycin and DIC appears to be an effective and promising regimen in the treatment of metastatic sarcomas.
Ranking of Words Chosen to Describe Older Women in General and Older Female Relatives

Two-hundred-ninety-six people completed a rating scale of 40 words that could be used to describe older women. Using Pearson Product Moment Correlations, there were weak but significant relations between the participants' age, gender, education, number of visits, and the applicability rating of words. There was a greater relationship when looking at the older female relative's health and the applicability of words with sick at a .69 and slow with a .437 correlation at the .O1 significance level. When looking at relationships between closeness of the respondent with the older female relative, considerably more words were found to have some relationship with seven having between a .40 and .485 at the .O1 significance level. It would seem that the relative's health and the closeness of the respondent with the older female relative indicate how the words are perceived and thus ranked.
Determination of content and specific activity of amino acids in central nervous system tissue utilizing tritium and carbon-14 dual labeling.

Abstract A method is reported for measuring content and specific activity of amino acids in central nervous system tissue of the rat. Tritiated dinitrofluorobenzene is used to produce dinitro-[ 3 H]phenyl amino acid derivatives which are separated by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography on silica gel. Both content and specific activity can be determined simultaneously by pulse-labeling with an appropriate 14 C precursor and measuring radioactivity in the individual spots of dinitrophenyl amino acids scraped from the chromatogram. This method is sensitive to at least 100 pmol and is shown to be more rapid than previously described procedures.
Solid-phase combinatorial approach for the optimization of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors

A 192-member library of N,N'-disubstituted urea inhibitors was synthesized by a solid-phase method. The ureas were tested for their inhibitory activities against recombinant human soluble epoxide hydrolase. Simple carbocyclic or para/meta-substituted phenyl groups showed inhibition potencies that were equal to or greater than adamantane-based sEH inhibitors, while the presence of bulky or ionizable groups close to the urea group dramatically decreased their activities.
Ghost ships and phantom cargoes: Reconstructing early Amalfitan trade

Various sources attest to the importance of the small port of Amalfi in Mediterranean trade in the ninth and tenth centuries. Concrete local evidence for this trade is, however, almost non-existent. A careful consideration of evidence from sources outside Amalfi and of the opportunities open to Amalfitan merchants and the technological limitations they faced in this early period makes possible some conjectures concerning the ships, routes, and goods of early Amalfitan trade.
Authoritarian Parental Attitudes and Cognitive Functioning in Preschool Children

Negative correlations are reported between concurrent measures of maternal authoritarian ideology and cognitive performance of 22 3-yr.-old middle-class children. Results support the hypothesis that nonauthoritarian parents promote earlier development of internalized verbal mediation.
Anticonvulsant actions of MK-801 on the lithium-pilocarpine model of status epilepticus in rats.

MK-801, a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, was tested for anticonvulsant effects in rats using two seizure models, coadministration of lithium and pilocarpine and administration of a high dose of pilocarpine alone. Three major results are reported. First, pretreatment with MK-801 produced an effective and dose-dependent anticonvulsant action with the lithium-pilocarpine model but not with rats treated with pilocarpine alone, suggesting that different biochemical mechanisms control seizures in these two models. Second, the anticonvulsant effect of MK-801 in the lithium-pilocarpine model only occurred after initial periods of seizure activity. This observation is suggested to be an in vivo demonstration of the conclusion derived from in vitro experiments that MK-801 binding requires agonist-induced opening of the channel sites of the NMDA receptor. Third, although it is relatively easy to block seizures induced by lithium and pilocarpine by administration of anticonvulsants prior to pilocarpine, it is more difficult to terminate ongoing status epilepticus and block the lethality of the seizures. Administration of MK-801 30 or 60 min after pilocarpine, i.e., during status epilepticus, gradually reduced electrical and behavioral seizure activity and greatly enhanced the survival rate. These results suggest that activation of NMDA receptors plays an important role in status epilepticus and brain damage in the lithium-pilocarpine model. This was further supported by results showing that nonconvulsive doses of NMDA and pilocarpine were synergistic, resulting in status epilepticus and subsequent mortality.
Wikipedia and Psychology: Coverage of Concepts and Its Use by Undergraduate Students

The online encyclopedia Wikipedia is a frequently referred-to source of information for Internet users. A series of 3 studies examined Wikipedia's coverage of psychology-related concepts, examined how accessible Wikipedia's psychology content is when using Internet search engines, and described how both first-year and senior undergraduates use Wikipedia. The results demonstrated that Wikipedia's coverage of psychological topics was comprehensive and prominently displayed on the major search engines. In addition, a majority of undergraduate students reported referring to Wikipedia for both personal and school-related activities; however, few students reported using Wikipedia as a formal reference in academic work.
Modeling lost production from destroyed platforms in the 2004–2005 Gulf of Mexico hurricane seasons

Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Rita passed through the Gulf of Mexico during 2004 and 2005 and resulted in the largest number of destroyed and damaged offshore oil and gas structures in the history of Gulf operations. In the final official government assessment, a total of 126 platforms were destroyed and over 183 structures were identified as having extensive damage. Production associated with wells and structures that are not redeveloped are classified as lost. The purpose of this paper is to derive functional relations that describe the likely contribution the collection of destroyed assets would have made to future production in the Gulf of Mexico. We estimate that the total remaining reserves from the set of destroyed structures range in value between $1.3 and $4.5 billion depending on the assumptions employed. We summarize the impact of the storms on the Gulf of Mexico oil and gas infrastructure and discuss the main issues involved in redevelopment decision making. A meta-model analytic framework is applied to perform sensitivity analysis and to explore the interactions of assumptions on model output. A discussion of the limitations of the analysis is presented.
Prolonged exposure to levetiracetam reveals a presynaptic effect on neurotransmission.

Summary: Purpose: The antiepileptic drug levetiracetam (LEV) is an enigma. Despite the fact that it specifically binds to the presynaptic vesicle protein, SV2A, no satisfactory mechanism of action has yet been identified. Using a combination of electrophysiological and cellular imaging techniques, we carefully tested the hypothesis that LEV directly interferes with neurotransmitter release. Methods: We measured extracellular evoked responses in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices after paired pulse stimulation and after application of up to 10 pulses applied at 5–80 Hz. In parallel experiments, we used quantitative 2-photon microscopy and the fluorescent vesicular marker FM1–43 to measure the effect of repetitive stimulation on presynaptic vesicle release. Results: Acute exposure to LEV (100 μM) had no effect on paired pulse synaptic responses. However, when slices were exposed to LEV for 3 h, there was a significant alteration in paired pulse responses and a more striking reduction in late synaptic potentials delivered in an 80 Hz train. LEV significantly reduced the rate of vesicle release assessed by FM1–43 destaining during 1 Hz stimulation. Conclusion: LEV is unique among currently available antiepileptics, because it directly inhibits presynaptic neurotransmitter release in a use-dependent fashion. While there are alternate explanations for this observation, it is plausible that LEV exerts its effect by binding to a protein selectively expressed in presynaptic nerve terminals.
Antidiabetic prescribing trends and predictors of thiazolidinedione discontinuation following the 2007 rosiglitazone safety alert.

This study aimed to examine the change in antidiabetic medication prescribing trends and predictors of thiazolidinedione (TZD) discontinuation six months after the 2007 rosiglitazone safety alert. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis. Patients with two prescriptions for a TZD between 1 January and 21 May 2007, including one covering 21 May 2007, and continuous enrolment during 2006–2007 were identified from the MarketScan database. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to compare characteristics between patients who continued and discontinued each TZD. We identified 40,836 and 37,183 individuals with a current prescription for rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, respectively. Significantly more rosiglitazone (53.5%) compared to pioglitazone users (21.4%) discontinued initial therapy six months after the alert (p < 0.001). Approximately 23% of patients who discontinued rosiglitazone were switched to pioglitazone, while <1% was switched from pioglitazone to rosiglitazone. Notably, 19.4% of patients who discontinued rosiglitazone and 36.1% of those who discontinued pioglitazone did not have evidence of any antidiabetic drug at follow-up. There was a significant decrease in metformin and an increase in sitagliptin prescribing in patients who discontinued TZDs. Age, sex, region, cardiovascular comorbidities and physician specialty predicted TZD discontinuation. These findings suggest that FDA advisories may be associated with substantial changes in medication use.
Chlorinated hydrocarbons: estrogens and antiestrogens

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds bind to the intracellular aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor and induce a diverse spectrum of biochemical and toxic responses. Ah receptor agonists also modulate several endocrine pathways, and research in several laboratories has shown that TCDD and related compounds inhibit estrogen (E2)-induced responses in the rodent mammary and uterus and in human breast cancer cell lines. The mechanisms of interaction between the TCDD- and E2-induced signaling pathways are complex and some of the inhibitory effects may be related to 5'-flanking inhibitory-dioxin responsive elements (i-DREs) in target genes. The antiestrogenic and antitumorigenic activity of Ah receptor agonists has been used to prepare a series of relatively non-toxic alkyl polychlorinated dibenzofurans which have clinical potential for treatment of mammary cancer.
Citizenship Lessons in Abstinence-Only Sexuality Education

Abstract We examine abstinence-only-until-marriage education as part of a broad effort to reassert the primacy of conventional (hetero) sexual norms. While all sexuality education offers students lessons in “good sexual citizenship,” abstinence-only-until-marriage education reserves the rights and responsibilities of membership and belonging for those who are willing or able to conform to expectations of heterosexual marriage and excludes those whose sexual lives are routinely cast as suspect and excessive by the prevailing rhetoric. We advocate policies and curricula that recognize the citizenship stakes in sexuality education's lessons and that foster inclusive models of membership and belonging.
Multiple interactions across the surface of the gp120 core structure determine the global neutralization resistance phenotype of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Resistance to neutralization is an important characteristic of primary isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) that relates to the potential for successful vaccination to prevent infection and use of immunotherapeutics for treatment of established infection. In order to further elucidate mechanisms responsible for neutralization resistance, we studied the molecular mechanisms that determine the resistance of the primary virus isolate of the strain HIV-1 MN to neutralization by soluble CD4 (sCD4). As is the case for the global neutralization resistance phenotype, sCD4 resistance depended upon sequences in the amino-terminal heptad repeat region of gp41 (HR1), as well as on multiple functional interactions within the envelope complex. The functional interactions that determined the resistance included interactions between the variable loop 1 and 2 (V1/V2) region and sequences in or near the CD4 binding site (CD4bs) and with the V3 loop. Additionally, the V3 loop region was found to interact functionally with sequences in the outer domain of gp120, distant from the CD4bs and coreceptor-binding site, as well as with a residue thought to be located centrally in the coreceptor-binding site. These and previous results provide the basis for a model by which functional signals that determine the neutralization resistance, high-infectivity phenotype depend upon interactions occurring across the surface of the gp120 core structure and involving variable loop structures and gp41. This model should be useful in efforts to define epitopes that may be important for primary virus neutralization.
A SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS APPROACH TO UNDERSTAND CHANGES IN A CANCER DISPARITIES COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP NETWORK.

The Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network (TBCCN) is one of the Community Network Program sites funded (2005–10) by the National Cancer Institute's Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities. TBCCN was tasked to form a sustainable, community-based partnership network focused on the goal of reducing cancer health disparities among racial–ethnic minority and medically underserved populations. This article reports evaluation outcome results from a social network analysis and discusses the varying TBCCN partner roles—in education, training, and research—over a span of three years (2007–09). The network analysis included 20 local community partner organizations covering a tricounty area in Southwest Florida. In addition, multiple externally funded, community-based participatory research pilot projects with community–academic partners have either been completed or are currently in progress, covering research topics including culturally targeted colorectal and prostate cancer screening education, patient navigation focused on preventing cervical cancer in rural Latinas, and community perceptions of biobanking. The social network analysis identified a trend toward increased network decentralization based on betweenness centrality and overall increase in number of linkages, suggesting network sustainability. Degree centrality, trust, and multiplexity exhibited stability over the three-year time period. These results suggest increased interaction and interdependence among partner organizations and less dependence on the cancer center. Social network analysis enabled us to quantitatively evaluate partnership network functioning of TBCCN in terms of network structure and information and resources flows, which are integral to understanding effective coalition practice based on Community Coalition Action Theory (Butterfoss and Kegler 2009). Sharing the results of the social network analysis with the partnership network is an important component of our coalition building efforts. A comprehensive baseline needs assessment for the next five-year funding phase (2010–15) of TBCCN Community Networks Program Centers (CNP Center) is under way to further evaluate the growth and sustainability of the partnership network, with an emphasis on community-based intervention research that takes into account culture and literacy.
Elevated Expression of the G-Protein-Activated Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channel 2 (GIRK2) in Cerebellar Unipolar Brush Cells of a Down Syndrome Mouse Model

1. Down syndrome (DS) arises from the presence of three copies of chromosome (Chr.) 21. Fine motor learning deficits found in DS from childhood to adulthood result from expression of extra genes on Chr. 21, however, it remains unclear which if any of these genes are the specific causes of the cognitive and motor dysfunction. DS cerebellum displays morphological abnormalities that likely contribute to the DS motor phenotype.
Classification of regimes of wave transport in quasi-one-dimensional non-conservative random media

Passive quasi-one-dimensional random media are known to exhibit one of the three regimes of transport – ballistic, diffusive or localized – depending on the system size. In contrast, in non-conservative systems, the physical parameter space also includes the gain/absorption length scale. Here, by studying the relationships between the transport mean free path, the localization length, and the gain/absorption length, we enumerate 15 regimes of wave propagation through quasi-one-dimensional random media with gain or absorption. The results are presented graphically in the form of a phase diagram. Of particular experimental importance in an absorbing random medium, we identify three different regimes that bear the signatures of the localized regime of the passive counterpart. We also review the literature and, when possible, assign experimental systems to a particular regime on the diagram.
Intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviors are associated with sleep disturbances in bereavement‐related depression

Cognitive arousal has been associated with disrupted sleep in individuals with insomnia and may be one mechanism underlying sleep disturbances in depression. We evaluated the relationship of sleep to bereavement-related intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviors in 40 men and women with major depression consequent to bereavement. Mean subject age was 65 years, 25% of the same was male, and median time since loss was 7.4 months. Levels of intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviors were similar to samples seeking treatment for stress response syndromes, including post-traumatic stress disorder. After controlling for the effects of age, time since loss, and depression severity, greater frequency of bereavement-related intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviors was associated with longer sleep latency and lower delta sleep ratio (P values < .01). Intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviors were not strongly related to gender, time since loss, depression severity, or subjective sleep quality. These results suggest that intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviors affect sleep in bereavement-related depression and may therefore be related to the clinical course of depression.
Cross Sectional Variation in Cash Flow Asymmetric Timeliness and Its Effect on the Earnings-Based Measure of Conditional Conservatism

Earnings asymmetric timeliness in recognizing losses versus gains is the most commonly used measure of conditional accounting conservatism. However, this measure captures both accrual asymmetric timeliness and operating cash flow (CFO) asymmetric timeliness. Because cash flow asymmetry is not related to differential verification thresholds in recognizing gains versus losses, we argue that it adds noise or bias to tests of conservatism. Importantly, we show that CFO asymmetry varies cross-sectionally with variables associated with firms’ life-cycle stage -- size, age, growth, and capital expenditures. We attribute this result to the differential weight that the market places on assets in place versus growth options in good news versus bad news environments during various stages of a firm’s life cycle. Using three empirical settings, we show that CFO asymmetric timeliness confounds results in studies where the sample is over-represented by early life-cycle stage firms or the partitioning variable deemed to give rise to conservative reporting is correlated with the firms’ life-cycle stage. Going forward, we recommend that researchers either use an accrual-based asymmetric timeliness measure or control for firm characteristics associated with life-cycle stage when testing for conditional conservatism.
Application of the library least-squares analysis to whole-body counter spectra derived from an array of detectors.

The library least-squares method was applied to the analysis of gamma-ray spectra obtained from an array of 54 NaI(Tl) detectors in a whole-body counter. The analysis of spectra which were obtained over a period of 8 yr demonstrates the applicability of the method despite inherent variations encountered in large counting systems. The elements of interest analyzed were total-body K, Ca, Na, Cl, and P. Least-squares fits obtained with library standards derived from distributed sources were better than those obtained from library standards derived from localized sources.