cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient Wine Pricing Using Stochastic Frontier Models

We specify a two-tier stochastic frontier model to estimate a price equation for U.S. Rieslings and determine overpricing and underpricing of specific wines. The data is for 2000–2016. Using tasting score and tasting score squared as sole independent variables, we found evidence of overpricing and underpricing of wines. When additional location variables were entered, empirical estimates for this two-tier model were infeasible, suggesting that both underpricing and overpricing did not occur simultaneously in this market. Separate one-sided stochastic frontier models were then specified and estimated to test for either under or overpricing in this market. Results showed that overpricing exists and not underpricing, but the extent of overpricing is minor, suggesting that wineries do an efficient job pricing their wines, given tasting scores, conditional on regional location premiums or discounts. We also investigated the effect of scale on pricing for a smaller set of wineries. (JEL Classifications: C4, D4, Q1)
County Smoke-Free Laws and Cigarette Smoking Among U.S. Adults, 1995-2015.

Introduction Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Though research on smoke-free policies in the U.S. exists at the state or national level, there is limited evidence on such policies at the county level. This study examined the association between changes in county-level comprehensive smoke-free laws and smoking behavior among U.S. adults. Methods Data were used from the 1995/1996 to the 2014/2015 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey, analyzed in 2019. Changes in county smoke-free law population coverage over time were used as a natural experiment. Quasi-experimental analyses were performed to examine the association between changes in county-level comprehensive smoke-free laws and smoking behavior (smoking status and number of cigarettes smoked). Results During the study period, current smoking prevalence decreased from 21.6% to 11.9%. Specifically, the prevalence of every day smoking decreased from 17.1% to 9.1% and some days smoking decreased from 4.4% to 2.9%. The number of cigarettes smoked per day for every day smokers decreased from 18.5 to 13.6, and from 5.9 to 4.1 for those who smoked some days. Comprehensive smoke-free legislation was associated with lower odds of cigarette smoking (AOR=0.76, 95% CI=0.74, 0.79). Adults living in counties with comprehensive smoke-free policies smoked fewer cigarettes per day both for every day smokers (β= −1.55, p Conclusions County smoke-free policies in the U.S. may have contributed significantly to the reduction in smoking prevalence as well as the reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked among continuing cigarette smokers.
Climate change adaptation and spatial fisheries management

Abstract Changing ocean conditions have driven rapid shifts in the distribution of marine species, and these shifts are often larger in magnitude and more immediate than species on land. Coastal communities that rely on marine species for food and livelihoods have the potential to be impacted by species moving away from historically suitable habitat and becoming abundant in new areas. For those that do adapt, fishers may change where they fish or what they fish, but our research suggests these choices are constrained by management context, economics, and social dynamics of the fishery. Further, shifting species distributions may create important challenges for spatial fisheries management. In particular, shifting species distributions may alter the effectiveness of marine reserves. Likewise, static allocations of quota based on historical distributions may no longer reflect current access to fisheries resources. We conclude by exploring a suite of innovative tools that could be used to manage shifting fishes to achieve more climate-ready fisheries management.
Logarithmic-Barrier Decomposition Interior-Point Methods for Stochastic Linear Optimization in a Hilbert Space

Several logarithmic-barrier interiors-point methods are now available for solving two-stage stochastic optimization problems with recourse in the finite-dimensional setting. However, despite the ge...
Seeing through statistics: by Jessica M. Utts, 200 First Samford Place, 4th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902, Cengage Learning Press, 2020, pp. 630+xxiv, $30.99 (Paperback), ISBN-13: 978-1-285-05088-1

This well written book is all about learning and interpreting the data evidence via graphs, charts, and pictures. A knowledge of college algebra is needed to read and appreciate the contents of thi...
Cervical Vertebral Body Erosion Due to Vascular Abnormality: A Case Report.

Abstract Objective The occurrence of cervical vertebral erosion due to vertebral artery (VA) abnormalities such as tortuosity/loop formation and pseudoaneurysm is rare, but both abnormalities are potentially fatal. There are few reports of cervical vertebral body erosion due to VA abnormality. We report a case of a 92-year-old woman who presented to her primary care physician with neck pain and was referred for chiropractic care. Clinical Features The patient complained of headaches, left-sided neck pain, limited range of motion with radiating pain, and bilateral weakness of the upper extremities. On examination, cervical ranges of motion were decreased with moderate pain, along with sensory, motor, and deep tendon reflex deficits. The initial magnetic resonance imaging report obtained was nonconclusive. Axial T2, sagittal T1, sagittal T2, coronal T2, sagittal STIR, and axial GE sequences of the cervical spine were obtained for a reread. A reread of the magnetic resonance images suggested a diagnosis of a tortuosity of the VA, resulting in a chronic erosion of the C5 vertebral body; however, a pseudoaneurysm of the VA would be considered a possible differential cause for the vertebral body erosion Intervention and Outcome Management of cervical vertebral body erosion due to VA abnormality is often complicated and must be tailored to each patient's individual clinical presentation and symptoms. The patient in this case was managed with anticoagulant medication, close monitoring, and acupuncture treatment, which resulted in a reduction in pain intensity. Conclusion Vertebral artery abnormality and subsequent erosion of the vertebral body is a rare occurrence and can mimic symptoms of musculoskeletal neck pain and cervical radiculopathy. It is important to recognize features of VA abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging.
Airborne Aerosolized Mouse Cytomegalovirus From Common Otolaryngology Procedures: Implications for COVID-19 Infection.

ObjectivesTo determine whether common otolaryngology procedures generate viable aerosolized virus through a murine cytomegalovirus (mCMV) model for infection.Study DesignmCMV model of infection.Set...
Predictive Utility of the Penetration-Aspiration Scale in Inter-Arytenoid Injection Augmentation.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To determine the utility of preoperative penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) scores and clinical findings on modified barium swallow (MBS) in predicting advancement of diet after interarytenoid injection augmentation (IAIA). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective review. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, 372 consecutive patients who underwent IAIA for pharyngeal dysphagia between 2009 and 2019 were initially identified. Patients were excluded from the study if they had insufficient preop MBS, no postop MBS within 3 months of injection, supraglottoplasty, or underlying neurological condition. Ninety-three patients were included in the study. Pre- and postoperative PAS scores were recorded, as were pre and postop diets. PAS scores were calculated by a single pediatric speech and language pathologist. RESULTS Average PAS score on MBS was 5.87 (standard deviation [SD] 2.74); median (range) = 8 (1-8). Postop average was 4.29 (SD 3.02); median (range) = 2 (1-8), P < .001. Those with worse preop PAS scores had increased odds of improvement in diet (odds ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.49, P = .029). An improvement in PAS score of 3.0 or greater predicted an improvement in diet with a sensitivity of 76.7% and a specificity of 85.7%. CONCLUSIONS PAS score on MBS can be a useful tool when assessing pediatric patients who may be candidates for IAIA. Prospectively comparing PAS score in patients post-IAIA to patients solely undergoing diet modification can help to better objectively assess differences in outcomes and understand the full utility of PAS score. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III (Individual Cohort Study) Laryngoscope, 131:E1707-E1713, 2021.
A Future Standard for Reactive Power Measurement

Reactive power is defined for sinusoidal voltage and current. Several different ways to measure the quantity have been developed, and while they all give the same result for sinusoidal voltages and currents, the results are not the same when the inputs are distorted. Work was done with distorted test signals to explore these—sometimes large—differences, and a report summarizing the findings was published by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2011. We show in this paper that the differences are smaller, but still not negligible, when the waveforms are less distorted. The differences between the results of the various existing methods are discussed from the viewpoint of measurement theory. The paper argues that it is time to select one measurement method. The relevance to the ongoing revision to IEEE standard 1459 (which defines reactive power for the purposes of measurement) is explored.
Correlation of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) protein expression with MTAP and CDKN2A copy number in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Aims Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) immunohistochemical expression is a specific marker of CDKN2A deletion in malignant mesothelioma. However, the relationship of MTAP expression with MTAP copy number remains unexplored. Methods and results Forty malignant pleural mesotheliomas were characterised by targeted next-generation sequencing (29), single-nucleotide polymorphism microarray (seven), or both (four). MTAP and CDKN2A copy numbers were correlated with MTAP expression. Twenty-seven (68%) tumours showed CDKN2A deletion (14 heterozygous; 13 homozygous), of which 20 (74%) showed MTAP codeletion (15 heterozygous; five homozygous). No tumours showed MTAP deletion without CDKN2A codeletion. Loss of MTAP expression was seen in 16 (40%) tumours, and was 75% sensitive and 95% specific for MTAP deletion, and 59% sensitive and 100% specific for CDKN2A deletion. Nine of 40 (23%) tumours showed heterogeneous MTAP staining, and the percentage of tumour cells with MTAP loss correlated with molecular detection of MTAP deletion. Conclusions MTAP is frequently codeleted with CDKN2A in pleural mesothelioma. However, homozygous deletion of both genes occurs in a minority of tumours (5/40; 13%); CDKN2A deletion often co-occurs with heterozygous MTAP deletion or neutral MTAP copy number; and MTAP expression correlates inconsistently with heterozygous MTAP deletion. Correspondingly, MTAP immunohistochemistry is a highly specific but only moderately sensitive assay for CDKN2A deletion.
The real effects of liquidity: Puerto Rico as a natural experiment

This paper investigates the consequences of a large and sustained liquidity infusion on the real economy using Section 936 tax incentives in Puerto Rico as a natural experiment. I find that the tax incentives increased liquidity and lowered the cost of funds for PR banks. Furthermore, 936 funds stimulated C&I and real estate loans. However, the incidence of troubled loans increases with the amount of 936 funds received, pointing to excessive and inefficient financing in those sectors. The implementation and subsequent removal of these incentives induced a structural shift in Puerto Rico's economy, generating an unintended and long‐lasting boom‐bust cycle.
Cost- and Risk-Based Seismic Design Optimization of Nuclear Power Plant Safety Systems

Seismic analysis, design, and qualification of systems, structures, and components (SSCs) is a significant contributor to the capital cost of a nuclear power plant. To reduce capital costs of advan...
Immobilization of active ammonia-oxidizing archaea in hydrogel beads

Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) are major players in the nitrogen cycle but their cultivation represents a major challenge due to their slow growth rate and limited tendency to form biofilms. In this study, AOA was embedded in small (~2.5 mm) and large (~4.7 mm) poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)—sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel beads cross-linked with four agents (calcium, barium, light, or sulfate) to compare the differences in activity, the diffusivity of nitrogen species (NH4+, NO2−, and NO3−), and polymer leakage in batch systems over time. Sulfate-bound PVA-SA beads were the most stable, releasing the lowest amount of polymer without shrinking. Diffusion coefficients were found to be 2 to 3 times higher in hydrogels than in granules, with ammonium diffusivity being ca. 35% greater than nitrite and nitrate. Despite a longer lag phase in small beads, embedded AOA sustained a high per volume rate of ammonia oxidation compatible with applications in research and wastewater treatment.
“The American Outlaws Are Our People”: Fox Sports and the Branded Ambivalence of an American Soccer Fan at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup:

Drawing on fan studies, sports media studies, media industries studies, and participant observation of the American Outlaws, this essay analyzes specific aspects of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup ...
Security games with contagion: handling asymmetric information

Counterinsurgency, which is the effort to mitigate support for an opposing organization, is one such domain that has been studied recently and past work has modeled the problem as an influence blocking maximization that features an influencer and a mitigator. While past work has introduced scalable heuristic techniques for generating effective strategies using a double oracle algorithm, it has not addressed the issue of uncertainty and asymmetric information, which is the topic of this paper.
Variation of 6-Methylaminopurine Content in Bacteriophage P22 Deoxyribonucleic Acid as a Function of Host Specificity

Abstract The 6-methylaminopurine (MAP) content of P22 deoxyribonucleic acid has been analyzed as a function of the host specificity it carries. A 40 to 50% reduction in MAP level occurs as a result of growth in host cells defective in the ability to confer LT specificity.
A comparison of two methods for the preparation of Mg2+-dependent, (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase from the locust rectum

The activity, stability and temperature characteristics of Mg2+-dependent, (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase of lyophilized preparations of locust rectum have been determined and compared with the same parameters in preparations which have undergone homogenization in deoxycholate, followed by extraction in strong (2 M) sodium iodide. The activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was higher and the preparation more stable, after lyophilization than after deoxycholate/iodide treatment. The temperature characteristics, however, were similar irrespective of the method of preparation. This probably indicates that one and the same enzyme system was under investigation.
Rethinking History for a New Islamic Science

Science and Islam . By Muzaffar Iqbal . Greenwood, Westport, CT, 2007. 269 pp. $65, £37.95. ISBN 9780313335761. Greenwood Guides to Science and Religion. The author combines a historical survey of scientific achievements in the Islamic tradition with a call for a new science.
Bird-headed dwarfs (Seckel's syndrome)

A pattern of developmental, dental, skeletal, genital, and central nervous system anomalies is reported in two bird-headed dwarfs. These two siblings are compared with thirteen cases in the literature.
Validity of General Outcome Measures for Predicting Secondary Students' Performance on Content-Area Tasks:

This study investigated the validity of three curriculum-based measures for predicting the performance of secondary students on content-area tasks. It was hypothesized that oral reading, maze, and vocabulary measures would predict students' performance on comprehension, acquisition, and retention of content-area material. Participants were 184 urban middle school students, including 13 with mild disabilities. Reliable correlations were found between each of the three general outcome measures and performance on the content tasks. Results of regression analyses supported the vocabulary measure as the most efficient and effective measure for predicting student performance on the three content-area tasks.
Plant Species Identification for Phytoremediation of Mixed Contaminated Soils

AbstractThis study describes pot experiments that were conducted to investigate the plant species considered suitable for phytoremediation of mixed contaminated soil. Mixed contaminated soil was prepared by spiking silty clay soil with organic contaminants (naphthalene and phenanthrene) and heavy-metal contaminants (lead, cadmium, and chromium). Twelve species of plants were grown in pots filled with contaminated soil. Plants grown in uncontaminated soil were used as control. Results showed that five plant species (sunflower, oat plant, rye grass, tall fescue, and green gram) were able to survive the mixed contaminated conditions. The oat plant had better growth characteristics and minimal stress signs in mixed contaminated soil than the other species. Even though sunflower plants did not show the best growth characteristics, the maximum contamination removal from the soil was achieved by these plants. Exchangeable heavy metals were also reduced in the soil that was planted with sunflower plants compared ...
Automated Visual Yield Estimation in Vineyards

We present a vision system that automatically predicts yield in vineyards accurately and with high resolution. Yield estimation traditionally requires tedious hand measurement, which is destructive, sparse in sampling, and inaccurate. Our method is efficient, high-resolution, and it is the first such system evaluated in realistic experimentation over several years and hundreds of vines spread over several acres of different vineyards. Other existing research is limited to small test sets of 10 vines or less, or just isolated grape clusters, with tightly controlled image acquisition and with artificially induced yield distributions. The system incorporates cameras and illumination mounted on a vehicle driving through the vineyard. We process images by exploiting the three prominent visual cues of texture, color, and shape into a strong classifier that detects berries even when they are of similar color to the vine leaves. We introduce methods to maximize the spatial and the overall accuracy of the yield estimates by optimizing the relationship between image measurements and yield. Our experimentation is conducted over four growing seasons in several wine and table-grape vineyards. These are the first such results from experimentation that is sufficiently sized for fair evaluation against true yield variation and real-world imaging conditions from a moving vehicle. Analysis of the results demonstrates yield estimates that capture up to 75% of spatial yield variance and with an average error between 3% and 11% of total yield.
Inhibitory effects of semisynthetic flavonoid derivatives on the biochemical markers of tumor promotion in mouse epidermis in vivo

Abstract Two sets of flavonoid derivatives were synthesized from condensed tannins (CTs) or catechin, and compared with the procyanidin monomer models, (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin, for their abilities to inhibit the biochemical effects of the potent tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in mouse epidermis in vivo. Topical applications of the semisynthetic flavonoids, catechin dialkyl ketals and epicatechin-4-alkylsulphides inhibit TPA-induced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity to a much greater degree than catechin or epicatechin. Moreover, they reduce TPA-stimulated hydroperoxide (HPx) production, a response that cannot be inhibited by catechin or epicatechin. These compounds also inhibit the sequential stimulations of protein and DNA synthesis linked to TPA promotion. The remarkable effectiveness of these synthetic compounds, especially against the ODC marker of skin tumor promotion, suggests that they may be effective anti-tumor promoters.
The Myth of Intensification

we were, where we are, where we need to be. Manuscript submitted for publication. Maehr, M. L., Midgley, C., & Collaborators. (1996). Transforming school cultures. Boulder, CO: Westview/Harper Collins. National Education Summit. (1996, March). Summit and Summit documents. (Available at http://www.summit96.ibm.com) Nicholls, J. G. (1989). The competitive ethos and democratic education. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Paris, S. G., Lawton, T. A., Turner, J. C., & Roth, J. L. (1991). A developmental perspective on standardized achievement testing. Educational Researcher, 20(5), 12-20. Smith, M. L., & Shepard, L. A. (1989). Flunking grades: A recapitulation. In L. A. Shepard & M. L. Smith (Eds.), Flunking grades: Research policies on retention (pp. 214-236). London: The Falmer Press. Steinberg, L., Brown, B. B., & Dornbusch, S. M. (1996). Beyond the classroom: Why school reform has failed and what parents need to do. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Use of beta beta' dithiocyano diethyl ether (RID-O) to control mite infestations in mice.

SummaryBeta beta' dithiocyano diethyl ether (RID-O) has been found to be very effective in controlling mites and exhibits a relatively low toxicity in mice. This chemical may be found useful as an insecticide or an acaricide on other laboratory and domestic animals.
Do allelochemicals of Calotropis procera have an effect on the food utilization of Poecilocerus bmtonius (acrididae: Orthoptera)?

Abstract This study compared the nutritional indices in third instar female nymphs of the tropical grasshopper, Poecilocerus bmtonius, after feeding on Calotropis procera or wheat seedling. Analysis of the main and interactive effects of feeding on C. procera indicates that nymph performance was not affected by the cardenolides present in C. procera. The rate of consumption and assimilation on C. procerawas higher when compared with that of wheat seedlings and weight gain of the nymphs on C. procera was correlated to higher assimilation. The relative consumption rate (RCR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were significantly higher in nymphs fed on C. procera than in those fed on wheat seedlings. Feeding on wheat seedlings significantly reduced the approximate digestibility (AD), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), and efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD). Feeding on wheat seedlings resulted in 60% mortality of nymphs before moulting to the fourth instar stage. The nutritional indices...
Visual Attention and Distraction in Aphasic and Non-Aphasic Children

The ability to sustain visual attention was compared in 13 aphasic and 13 non-aphasic children. The aphasic children gave significantly more errors on the visual vigilance task than their controls. The difference remained under visual distraction but no significant performance reductions resulted. It was concluded that several of the aphasic children showed significant attentional deficits. The data support a need for systemaric clinical evaluation of attention in children with central language disorders.
Turning to the Courts: A Quantitative Analysis of the Gay and Lesbian Movement’s Use of Legal Mobilization

We quantitatively examine the factors influencing the lesbian and gay movement’s involvement in state-level appellate cases through an analysis of Lambda Legal’s judicial agenda from 1981 through 2000. We combine a list of state appellate cases involving gay and lesbian rights during this period with data from Lambda’s “Docket Update” to create a data set that identifies which cases Lambda was involved in. We theorize that Lambda’s involvement will be shaped by the potential policy implications of the case, the organization’s ability to influence the outcome, and organizational membership concerns. Using logistic regression, we examine the effect of case characteristics, the political and cultural climate in the state, and variations in the state’s lesbian and gay community on the likelihood of Lambda participating in a particular state-level case. We add to the understanding of movement tactical decisions and the factors influencing the likelihood of legal mobilization.
Quantitative analysis of aircraft height on final approach

• As advised in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Section 7–3–6, in visual operations flight crews of smaller trailing aircraft can stay at or above a larger leading aircraft's final approach flight path for wake encounter risk mitigation • Quantitative data shows that smaller trailing aircraft generally follow this guidance — The smaller the aircraft, the higher they ride • Small and “lower larges” (e.g., CRJ's) fly higher than the lead aircraft when following Heavies, 757s or “upper larges” (e.g., B737, A320) — Heavies, B757s and “upper larges” generally do not ride higher than the lead aircraft behind Heavies, B757s or “upper larges” — The closer the aircraft is to the leader, the more pronounced is the effect • This effect is seen even when distances are greater than standard radar and wake turbulence separations • Similar behavior is observed for operations on parallel runways • This effect is greatly diminished in IMC and during SOIA operations at SFO • New procedures (e.g., CDTI enhanced delegated separation, or CEDS) could be introduced that take advantage of this behavior by allowing for flying high in lieu of adding spacing behind larger aircraft even in less-than-visual conditions
Hypoxia regulates BMP4 expression in the murine spleen during the recovery from acute anemia.

Background Bone marrow erythropoiesis is primarily homeostatic, producing new erythrocytes at a constant rate. However at times of acute anemia, new erythrocytes must be rapidly produced much faster than bone marrow steady state erythropoiesis. At these times stress erythropoiesis predominates. Stress erythropoiesis occurs in the fetal liver during embryogenesis and in the adult spleen and liver. In adult mice, stress erythropoiesis utilizes a specialized population of stress erythroid progenitors that are resident in the spleen. In response to acute anemia, these progenitors rapidly expand and differentiate in response to three signals, BMP4, SCF and hypoxia. In absence of acute anemic stress, two of these signals, BMP4 and hypoxia, are not present and the pathway is not active. The initiating event in the activation of this pathway is the up-regulation of BMP4 expression in the spleen.
Decomposition of pyrite under coal liquefaction conditions: A kinetic study

Abstract The decomposition of FeS2, both as a single phase and as it exists in coal, has been studied between 250 and 350 °C, in hydrogen and nitrogen atmospheres, and in the presence of a coal-derived solvent. The first-order rate constant for decomposition of FeS2 at 350 °C with H2 alone is 6.7 × 10−1min−1; with H2 and coal-derived solvent, it is 5.5 × 10−2min−1; for FeS2 contained within coal, solvent and H2, it is 8.6 × 10−3min−1. Although the rate constant for decomposition is dependent upon temperature and the system, the activation energy in each case has been calculated to be 88 kJ mol−1. A mechanism consistent with these data is the thermal decomposition of FeS2 to produce Fe1−xS and S, followed by reaction of the sulphur with available hydrogen (from H2, solvent or coal) to form H2S.
Yeast genetics targets lipids in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative illness that affects five million people worldwide and no treatments are available to stop its relentless progression. Recently, a yeast model carrying human disease-linked α-synuclein transgenes was engineered. Genome-wide screening of 4850 gene-deletion strains identified 86 enhancers of α-synuclein toxicity. Surprisingly, the two largest groups of disease-modifying genes were involved in the related processes of lipid metabolism and vesicle-mediated transport. In this article, we discuss the implications of these findings for Parkinson's disease.
Monoamine oxidase inhibition: Possible mechanism for cyproheptadine-induced alterations in insulin secretion

Summary Studies were carried out to determine the mechanism of cyproheptadine (CYPRO) inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in the golden hamster. Following CYPRO injection, intact hamsters have an increase in serum glucose concentration and an inhibition of insulin secretion. Using homogenates of isolated pancreatic islets and of liver from hamsters and rabbits we found that CYPRO is a competitive inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO). There is a significant correlation between the inhibitory potency of the serotonin antagonists CYPRO, cinanserin (CINAN), and methysergide (METHY) on in vitro insulin secretion from hamster pancreas and the MAO inhibitory effect of these compounds. The decreasing order of potency of the serotonin antagonists as inhibitors of MAO and insulin secretion is: CYPRO > CINAN > METHY. The antihistaminic agents diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine also inhibit insulin secretion and MAO activity. Our studies suggest that the net effect of CYPRO on insulin secretion in different species may be the results of the interaction of its MAO inhibitory and its antiserotonin properties.
Maternal discrimination of pup sex in rats

In recent studies (Moore, 1981, 1982; Moore & Morelli, 1979), it has been found that maternal female rats spend more time licking the anogenital region of male than female offspring. This discrimination of pup sex has important implications for the development of a number of sex differences in behavior later in life, and the present study was designed to re-examine Moore's observations while allowing each pup to be individually identified. Litters of Sprague-Dawley rats were delivered by Caesarean section, and the footpads of each animal were tattooed with India ink to permit identification throughout testing. Each litter was then fostered to a maternal female and remained with her except when observations of maternal licking were made--on the fourth, seventh, and tenth days after delivery. On each of these days, the foster mother was placed in a test chamber for 30 min, and each pup was then presented individually for a 10-min session. During this time the number and duration of anogenital licking episodes were recorded. We found, as did Moore, that adult females do distinguish between their male and female pups, spending significantly more time licking the anogenital region of the males in their litters on all but the first day of testing. The possibility that the attentional bias toward male young has important consequences for behavior later in life and contributes to behavioral differences between the sexes (Beach, 1979; Moore, 1982) makes the identification of individual animals throughout development important in the analysis of these effects.
Seasonal effects of antihistamine on mean serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone, growth hormone and prolactin in ovariectomized ewes☆

Abstract Ovariectomized ewes (n=5) were treated with a histamine H1-receptor antagonist, diphenhydramine, once each month to determine if: (1) histamine affects serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) during the breeding and anestrous seasons and (2) if histamine regulates the release of pituitary hormones through common or discrete mechanisms. Effects of diphenhydramine (200 mg) on serum concentrations of LH, GH and PRL were analyzed during the breeding season, anestrous season and periods of transition into, or out of, the breeding season. Treatment suppressed (P 0.05) by diphenhydramine. The possibility that histamine may function as a general modulator of overall hypothalamic function is unlikely because diphenhydramine differentially affected release of LH, GH and PRL. The absence of consistent effects of diphenhydramine on secretion of LH throughout the year do not support the premise that histamine is a direct modulator of release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
Classification as Culture: Types and Trajectories of Music Genres

Questions of symbolic classification have been central to sociology since its earliest days, given the relevance of distinctions for both affiliation and conflict. Music and its genres are no exception, organizing people and songs within a system of symbolic classification. Numerous studies chronicle the history of specific genres of music, but none document recurrent processes of development and change across musics. In this article, we analyze 60 musics in the United States, delineating between 12 social, organizational, and symbolic attributes. We find four distinct genre types—Avant-garde, Scene-based, Industry-based, and Traditionalist. We also find that these genre types combine to form three distinct trajectories. Two-thirds originate in an Avant-garde genre, and the rest originate as a scene or, to our surprise, in an Industry-based genre. We conclude by discussing a number of questions raised by our findings, including the implications for understanding symbolic classification in fields other tha...
Bile salt stimulated cholesterol esterase increases uptake of high density lipoprotein-associated cholesteryl esters by HepG2 cells.

Bile salt stimulated cholesterol esterase is predominantly synthesized in the pancreas. However, this enzyme is also synthesized by the liver and was found to be present in plasma. The physiologic role of the systemic cholesterol esterase has not been clearly defined. In the current study, the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 was used as a model to determine the role of cholesterol esterase on hepatic uptake of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated cholesteryl esters. The results showed that hepatic uptake of the cholesteryl esters analog [3H]cholesteryl ether on reconstituted HDL was inhibited by anti-cholesterol esterase antibodies. The HDL-associated cholesteryl ester transported to HepG2 cells was also increased 2-fold in the presence of taurocholate, an activator of the cholesterol esterase. These results suggest that liver-derived cholesterol esterase may play an important role in cellular uptake of cholesteryl esters from HDL. This hypothesis was supported by demonstrating the ability of exogenou...
Palpebral fissure responses to topical adrenergic drugs.

We measured the magnitude and time course of the increase in palpebral fissure width in ten normal volunteers in response to direct-acting (2.5% phenylephrine, 1% apraclonidine) and indirect-acting (10% cocaine, 1% hydroxyamphetamine) topical adrenergic drugs given in one eye. The increase in the palpebral fissure width of the treated eye was compared to the width of the untreated, control eye during a period of 60 minutes after each drug was administered. The difference in fissure width (asymmetry) between the treated and untreated eyes increased significantly for all drugs during the three- to 60-minute time period after treatment. There was no significant difference in the maximum eyelid effect among the adrenergic drugs tested. The drugs exerted their maximum effect by 30 minutes in 39 of the 40 trials (97.5%). The direct-acting drugs tended to exert their effect more quickly than the indirect-acting drugs. Our results demonstrate the expected increase in palpebral fissure width in response to topical adrenergic drugs in normal eyes. This information will provide a basis for evaluating Muller's muscle and its sympathetic innervation in patients with blepharoptosis.
A Community of Scholars Investigates Music Listening

(2006). A Community of Scholars Investigates Music Listening. Arts Education Policy Review: Vol. 107, No. 3, pp. 5-13.
Technology or Politics

In Inventing Accuracy, Donald MacKenzie presents a strong argument for refuting the belief that the socalled arms race is caused by an inherent technological imperative. This is an empirically rigorous and highly readable book about what first seems to be an area only accessible to experts. Based on over a hundred-and-forty interviews with various people, politicians and engineers involved in the US nuclear program, the author unravels the open-endedness of technical development. The achievement of high accuracy in nuclear missiles is believed to have brought about the shift from countercity to counterforce strategy. The author shows that this linear model of technology-influencing politics overlooks both technical uncertainty and the political shaping of technology. Drawing on the social construction of technology (SCOT) approach, he demonstrates the conventionality of knowledge claims and argues that determinism only paralyzes action toward change. However, there are still barriers to large-scale change within the bureaucratic politics of technology he describes. Hence this work needs to be related to broader political issues in peace research.
Performance of respirator expiratory valves.

Abstract A survey of the performance of expiratory valves used in air-purifying respirators is presented. Valves chosen for the study represented the four major valve design types in use in this country. Operating pressure, resistance to flow, and dynamic leakage were evaluated. The study of leakage included an investigation of the effects of valve orientation, covering, humidity, and work rate on dynamic leakage. Test results demonstrated significant differences in performance between valve types.
Coherent optical implementation of 1-D Mellin transforms.

Peter Kellman and Joseph W. Goodman Stanford University, Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford, California 94305. Received 20 May 1977. Recent interest in Mellin power spectra, complex filtering, and correlation is due to the scale invariance of the Mellin transform. Mellin correlation has been cited for application to 2-D target detection and 1-D signal processing where parameters of scale and Doppler are unknown. In such applications, Fourier domain matched filtering requires either sequential hypothesis testing or multichannel processing. Loss of correlation in the Fourier implementation due to scale difference between received signal and reference is exchanged, however, for an equally severe loss in the Mellin correlation due to time or positional displacement. A coherent optical technique for Mellin transforms is described here in which signals may be processed in real time to provide scale invariant correlations. The parameterization on time uncertainty is provided for automatically by utilizing an acoustooptic spatial light modulator. Methods for performing general linear integral transforms using parallel processing in both spatial dimensions allow real time operation. Several of these methods have been outlined recently; one configuration, well suited for implementing Mellin spectrum analysis, is reviewed here. The general linear superposition integral may be written as
Many-port homodyne detection of an optical phase

We present a quantum analysis of the measurement of a relative optical phase using a many-port method that can be implemented using arrays of photodetectors in the limit of a large number of detector elements. Its application to coherent states and states not describable by the semiclassical theory shows that the many-port method has in principle several advantages compared to an eight-port method previously studied. In some cases, especially for very weak fields, the many-port method provides a more faithful characterization (i.e., a smoother distribution) of the distribution of the relative phase than does the eight-port method. The definition used here for the relative phase between two fields is an operational one, not corresponding to any presently known Hermitian phase operator. We discuss the conditions under which our phase definition corresponds to the best estimate in the maximum-likelihood sense. We find that if the many-port data set is analyzed in a way that retains the contributions from zero photon counts, the many-port phase distribution takes on a character that resembles other phase distributions, such as the Pegg-Barnett or Wigner phase distributions, that show very small modulation depth in the case of weak fields.
Randomized trial of a physician-based intervention to increase the use of folic acid supplements among women

Objective Fewer than one third of American women take folic acid daily, although many women report that they would take folic acid if their physicians advised them to do so. This study determined the impact of a physician intervention during routine gynecologic visits on folic acid supplementation. Study design Patients were assigned randomly to receive brief folic acid counseling, a reminder phone call, and 30 folic acid tablets (n=162 women; intervention group) or to receive counseling about other preventive health behaviors and a folic acid informational pamphlet (n=160 women; control group). Self-reported folic acid use was compared at baseline and at 2 months. Results Of the 279 patients who completed the study, weekly folic acid intake increased in the intervention group by 68%, compared with 20% in the control group ( P =.008). No significant differences were found in daily intake. The women who were most influenced by the intervention were black and lower income and not planning pregnancies. Conclusion With little effort expended to encourage folic acid use, gynecologists could potentially reduce the risk of folate-preventable birth defects among their patients by as much as 11%.
Strength, Flexibility, and Maturity in Adolescent Athletes

• The relationship between lower-extremity strength and flexibility and maturational status as measured by Tanner staging (TS) was assessed in 84 male high school athletes. The sum of one-repetition maximum lifts for knee extension and flexion was determined and flexibility was measured with the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance sit-and-reach test. Chronologic age, body weight, and percent fat were also recorded. Strength and flexibility were compared for each maturational and chronologic age category. Maturational age was better correlated with strength and flexibility than was chronologic age. All correlations were significant. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated significant correlations of TS and age with strength and flexibility. Tanner staging had greater predictive value than age for strength and flexibility. After adjusting for age, the relationship between TS and strength remained significant. ( AJDC 1989;143:560-563)
Predictions for elastic and inelastic nucleon-nucleus cross sections at high energies

Abstract The effect of intermediate resonance production on particle-nucleus cross sections is discussed for particle energies in the energy range up to 1 TeV. It is shown that from present cosmic ray data in pp inelastic cross sections, a decrease in the total and inelastic cross sections for p-nucleus scattering of less than 10% can be expected in this energy range provided that σ pp is constant. Effects of increases in σ pp are discussed. It is shown that the decrease in the inelastic cross section is much smaller, and hence the inelastic cross section cannot be used to probe the high mass hadron spectrum.
A simplified prediction of entropy of melting for energetic compounds

A new widely applicable model for the prediction of the entropy of melting of organic compounds is presented. The use of three simple geometry based parameters: rotational symmetry, flexibility, and eccentricity enables the simple and accurate prediction of this important property. This paper demonstrates the use of the model for energetic compounds.
Impaired Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Patients With Essential Hypertension Evidence That Nitric Oxide Abnormality Is Not Localized to a Single Signal Transduction Pathway

Background Patients with essential hypertension have abnormal endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation, largely related to reduced bioactivity of nitric oxide (NO). The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether this defect is due to a deficit at the specific intracellular signal-transduction pathway level or is a consequence of a more generalized endothelial abnormality. Methods and Results The responses of the forearm vasculature to acetylcholine and bradykinin (endothelium-dependent agents that act through different signal transduction pathways) and to sodium nitroprusside (a direct dilator of vascular smooth muscle) were studied in 10 hypertensive patients (5 men, 5 women; aged 48±9 years old [mean±SD]) and 12 control subjects (6 men, 6 women; aged 48±7 years old). To determine the contribution of NO to bradykinin-induced vasodilation, the vascular responses to bradykinin were also measured after administration of NG-monomethyl-l-arginine, an arginine analogue that inhibits the syn...
Research on Primate Behavior in Japan

DURING a seminar1 on primate behavior held in the Anthropology Department of the University of Chicago, I discovered that there were a number of papers and even some books and a journal published on the subject in Japanese. At first I contented myself with translating and with talking to the other members of the seminar, but it soon became apparent that this was not enough. All members of the seminar asked for a document describing the Japan Monkey Center2 and the research being carried on there. The following article attempts to make a small part of this rich material available to anthropologists who do not read Japanese. The Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) have long been known the world over as the "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" monkeys of Buddhist teaching. They may soon become even more famous, at least among primatologists and anthropologists, as the primates whose behavior has been most closely studied by man. For the last ten years, Japanese primatologists and ecologists have been conducting intensive research on the life of populations of wild monkeys inhabiting their islands. The fieldwork, organized on a scale without precedent in the study of primate behavior, has begun to bear fruit. Since all of the material published so far is in Japanese, it seems worthwhile to provide a short survey of the studies already completed or currently in progress. After a brief description of the nature and objectives of the research group, I shall analyze some of the contributions that hold possible significance for anthropology.
A Cherenkov source for freely-propagating terahertz beams

Using a unique cylindrical optical arrangement, the authors have coupled out a Cherenkov electromagnetic shock wave from the confining dielectric substrate and have used this shock wave as a source to produce freely propagating terahertz pulses. The shock wave is initially generated by a surface-dipole distribution propagating faster than the phase velocity in the underlying dielectric substrate. >