cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Institutional Pressures to Provide Social Benefits and the Earnings Management Behavior of Nonprofits: Evidence from the US Hospital Industry

This study examines the relationship between institutional pressures to provide social benefits and the discretionary accrual behavior of nonprofit firms. I examine this issue within the context of US nonprofit hospitals, an economically significant and politically rich setting where firms face considerable institutional pressure to provide an important social benefit: charity care. I argue that institutional pressures on nonprofits to provide higher levels of social benefits imply that lower profits should be reported. I develop theory and provide evidence which suggests that, due to competing private incentives to report higher profits, nonprofit managers strategically use discretionary accruals to increase accounting earnings when the social benefits their firms have provided in the current period exceed external stakeholders’ normative expectations. The findings from this study inform the ongoing political debate regarding the appropriateness of tax-exemptions for US nonprofit hospitals and should therefore be of interest to both regulators and policymakers. In addition, this study provides timely insights for researchers regarding how institutional pressures can affect managers’ reporting behaviors in other settings where similar competing reporting incentives exist between managers’ private benefits and stakeholder expectations related to social benefits.
Cancer Cell Proteomics using Molecular Aptamers

In recent decades, tremendous progress has been made in understanding origination and development of human cancers. Despite our increasing understanding of cancers, finding a cure for cancers remains a great challenge. This article focuses on the use of aptamer probes for molecular diagnosis of cancer. Keywords: molecular diagnosis; cancer; positron emission tomography (PET); aptamer; tumor detection
The oblique effect in a vernier acuity situation

Observers viewed either vertical or obliquely oriented vernier targets from either an upright position or with their heads tilted. Vernier acuity was consistently better for retinally vertical than for gravitationally vertical targets, even when presented against a background context of vertical stripes designed to aid veridical perception of gravitational orientation. These results indicate that vernier acuity depends on retinal image orientation rather than on perceived orientation. The high contrast of the vernier lines ensures that their gravitational orientation is clearly perceived. Thus the present results provide a stronger basis for ruling out the effects of perceptual orientation than previous studies involving grating contrast-threshold measurements. Since the vernier targets were presented as brief flashes, it is unlikely that the measured oblique effect is attributable to differences in eye-movement patterns.
Design, synthesis, and SAR of macrocyclic tertiary carbinamine BACE-1 inhibitors

Abstract This Letter describes the design and synthesis of tertiary carbinamine macrocyclic inhibitors of the β-secretase (BACE-1) enzyme. These macrocyclic inhibitors, some of which incorporate novel P2 substituents, display a 2- to 100-fold increase in potency relative to the previously described acyclic analogs while affording greater stability.
Knowledge and clinical practice regarding calcium nutrition among obstetrician-gynecologists.

Objective: To survey the knowledge of and attitude toward nutrition among practicing obstetrician-gynecologists, using calcium as a specific example. Methods: Our survey on calcium nutrition consisted of 29 questions divided into four categories: demographic information, professional interest and clinical practice, knowledge and opinions, and education. We mailed this survey to the 244 ACOG Fellows who are members of the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network and to a random sample of 756 Fellows who are not members of the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network. Results: Most (75.4%) respondents considered making dietary recommendations an important part of their practice. Interest in nutrition was correlated significantly with its perceived importance in clinical practice and was associated with a greater self-reported likelihood of making dietary recommendations to patients and referring patients to nutritional counseling. Nutrition was of greater importance to women and to older respondents. Women were more likely to make dietary recommendations to patients. Men were more likely to recommend nonfoods and higher fat foods as sources of dietary calcium. The daily calcium intake that obstetrician-gynecologists recommended for different types of patients varied widely but did not differ between male and female respondents. The responses to the knowledge questions concerning calcium metabolism were predominantly “don't know.” Conclusions: Although specific knowledge of calcium metabolism and regulation was incomplete, obstetrician-gynecologists generally recognized the importance of nutrition in their clinical practice. Being older and female independently increased the perceived importance of nutrition.
Structural polymorphism correlated to surface charge in filamentous bacteriophages

Fiber diffraction studies are used to demonstrate that changes in the helical symmetry of the protein coat of filamentous bacterial viruses fd and M13 are correlated with changes in the surface charge. Comparison of the structure of M13 and fd at pH 2 and 8 indicate that surface charge affects both the helical symmetry and flexibility of the virions. The changes in helical symmetry are similar in magnitude to that observed in the Pseudomanas phage Pf1 and probably reflect an inocuous side effect of the particle flexibility required for protection of the virus particles from damage due to shear. The magnitude of the observed changes in helical symmetry appears to be limited to that which can occur without repacking of the interfaces between the alpha-helices making up the viral protein coat.
Effects of addition of ethanol on the infiltration pressure of a mesoporous silica

The energy absorption behaviors of mesoporous silica particles immersed in aqueous solutions of ethanol were investigated. Addition of ethanol could significantly lower the infiltration pressure, which has great potential in developing selective protection systems. The ethanol concentration of the confined liquid inside the nanopores was higher than outside.
Properties of superconducting p-n junctions

Abstract Possible band diagrams and electrical transport properties of aniso-type superconducting junctions - contacts in which the charge carriers are electrons in one electrode and holes in the other - are discussed. Special attention is given to p-n junctions between superconductors with a low density of mobile charge carriers, such as the high- T c cuprates. It is predicted that most of such contacts are damped Josephon tunnel junctions with low critical current-normal-state resistance products due to a depletion layer at the interface. With increasing current bias the characteristics of the junctions exhibit a gradual transition to Esaki-diode behavior. Similar depletion layers may result in low critical currents at high- T c -low- T c junctions.
The Art of Marketing Research: Selections from Paul F. Lazarsfeld's "Shoe Buying in Zurich" (1933)

The market research studies done in Central Europe by Paul F. Lazarsfeld's Institute for Economic Psychology from 1926–1933 are unheralded classics of market analysis. Prefiguring today's “post-modernist” inquiry, they probe consumers' behavior with astonishing depth, power, and sensitivity. A translation of major sections from one report is presented here with an introductory commentary.
Rubber networks containing unattached macromolecules. I. Linear viscoelastic properties of the system butyl rubber–polyisobutylene

Mixtures of butyl rubber with polyisobutylene (molecular weights 0.055 and 2.3 × 106) up to 50% by weight were crosslinked by sulfur, leaving the polyisobutylene molecules free to reptate in the butyl rubber network. Linear viscoelastic properties were measured in shear creep for periods up to 5 × 105 sec at 25°C and oscillating shear deformations from 0.1 to 3 Hz, at temperatures from 2 to 63°C. Comparison with the properties of a butyl rubber crosslinked without polyisobutylene showed contributions to creep and mechanical loss attributable to the reptating species. Comparison with the properties of polyisobutylene (higher molecular weight) showed that the relaxation times associated with the reptating species in the upper part of the terminal zone are the same for different polyisobutylene contents (25% and 50%) and for 100% polyisobutylene in which no permanent network is present; their contributions to modulus appear to be proportional to the volume fraction of polyisobutylene to a power of about 2/3. The time required in stress relaxation for the portion of the modulus attributable to the reptating species to decay to half its plateau value is, based on the two molecular weights employed, proportional to the polyisobutylene molecular weight to the third power. The magnitude of the associated mechanical loss and its location on the frequency scale can thus be controlled independently.
Studies on 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase. II. Additional inhibition studies and suggestions on the nature of the enzymic site

Abstract 1. 1. The inhibition of 5-HTP decarboxylation by 3,4′-dihydroxy-3′-carboxychalcone, 3,4,4′-trihydroxy-3′-carboxychalcone and 1-(5-hydroxyindolyl-3)-2-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzoyl)ethylene was found to be competitive at both pH 6.8 and pH 8.0. 2. 2. The K m for 5-HTP decarboxylation was estimated to be 4.0 × 10 −5 at pH 8.0 and 1.7 × 10 −4 at pH 6.8. 3. 3. Preincubation experiments appear to rule out the possibility that 5-HTP irreversibly combines at a DOPA site while reacting at a different site. It appears possible but unlikely that DOPA irreversibly binds at a 5-HTP site while reacting at a different site. 4. 4. These experiments would seem to strengthen the view that one enzymic site is involved in the decarboxylation of DOPA and 5-HTP.
Moderate Sedation for Echocardiography of Preschoolers

Preschoolers frequently require sedation for echocardiograms. This study compared various sedation drugs at the authors' institution, as well as the charges for moderate versus deep sedation. From 2001 to 2007, sedation was administered to 703 patients ages 2 to 4 years. Four drug regimens were used: chloral hydrate (CH), chloral hydrate with diphenhydramine (CH + D), chloral hydrate with hydroxyzine hydrochloride (CH + H), and midazolam. The mean onset of sedation was 37 min, and the mean duration of sedation was 47 min. The CH group fell asleep the most quickly (30 min; p < 0.001), and the CH + D patients experienced the most prolonged sedations (13%; p < 0.001). Studies were completed by 97% of the chloral hydrate group, 98% of the CH + D group, and 94% of the CH + H group compared with 66% of the midazolam group (p < 0.001). Complications (7.4%) were minor and not significant for any particular medication. The charges for moderate sedation averaged $709 compared with $3,628 for deep sedation. The findings demonstrated that chloral hydrate was the fastest-acting agent and had a high success rate with minimally prolonged sedations. The low complication rate for chloral hydrate, and the much lower cost for its use to induce moderate sedation have made chloral hydrate our preference for the echocardiographic sedation of preschoolers.
A novel method to enable SNAr reaction of aminopyrrolopyrazoles

Abstract Here we report mild, environmentally-friendly reaction conditions which enable the addition–elimination S N Ar reaction between weakly reactive substrates––an aminopyrrolopyrazole template and several substituted pyrimidines. The method was developed during our efforts to synthesize a series of novel P21-activated kinase (PAK) inhibitors.
Oscillatory fuel droplet vaporization - Driving mechanism for combustion instability

Liquid fuels are commonly used in the propulsion of ramjets and rockets. They offer great flexibility in terms of controlling the rate of energy release. However, combustion instability has historically been a major problem in the development of liquid fueled ramjets and rockets. Previous investigations that employed a simplified droplet vaporization model indicated that droplet vaporization is indeed capable of driving an instability. In this study, an established droplet vaporization model has been used to make an exact evaluation of the effects of pressure and velocity oscillations on the vaporization process of a droplet moving through a longitudinal mode standing wave in a combustion chamber. It is then determined whether droplet vaporization as the burning rate controlling factor is capable of driving combustion instability. In addition, a parametric study has been conducted by using various frequencies of oscillation and amplitudes of fluctuation for the longitudinal mode. Depending on the local relative velocity between the gas and the droplet, it is possible that the wake may be ahead or behind the droplet, with reference to the chamber. This orientation has also been examined in the parametric study. It has been found that droplet vaporization is indeed capable of driving instability in some frequency domains and configurations. Preliminary results show that the amplitude of the oscillation does not have very significant effects on the response factor of the system. Orientation of the relative velocity, frequency of oscillation, and fuel volatility have strong influences on the instability.
Commercial Footsoldiers of the Empire: Foreign Merchant Politics in Tampico, Mexico 1861-1866

During the period from Mexican independence in 1821 to the end of the French intervention in 1867, Mexico's primary tie to the outside world was based on trade. The foreign merchants, who monopolized this activity, played a crucial role in the economic, diplomatic, and political life of Mexico. The current literature on these nineteenth century merchants includes studies of foreign groups, such as the French, detailed case studies of individual entrepreneurs, firms and merchant families, and one work that provides a unique state-centered perspective on the Mexican/merchant nexus. None, however, have tried to conceptualize the role of foreign merchants as a whole, across national lines and individual rivalries, in the port cities that were the central arena of contact and conflict with the outside world.
Synthesis of a carbon analogue of N-acetylmannosamine via acetolysis on a relatively stable ozonide.

After a 2-methylpropenyl group was added to a carbohydrate framework through regioselective opening of a glucose-derived epoxide, hydrolysis or acetolysis of the methyl glycoside in various derivatives was problematic. Ozonolysis of the olefin followed by brief treatment with dimethyl sulfide gave a mixture of diastereomeric ozonides that proved to be stable for weeks at room temperature. Acetolysis of these ozonides at low temperature allowed selective cleavage of the methyl glycoside in the presence of the 1,2,4-trioxolane as well as selective formation of the α-acetate.
Spatially resolved microrheology using localized coherence volumes

We propose an optical technique, based on dynamic light scattering, for investigating the local rheological response of a complex fluid over a frequency range larger than that provided by standard mechanical instrumentation. The low-coherence radiation used in a fiber optics configuration allows the measurements to be confined to a small volume around a tenth of a picoliter. The ability of the method to accurately measure both loss and storage moduli has been tested using both simple Newtonian liquids and viscoelastic, complex fluids. The possibility to monitor liquid-gel transitions in polymer solutions has also been demonstrated. The unique capability of the technique to localize the measurement volume suggests that this novel approach can be used for three-dimensional mapping of rheological properties in heterogeneous systems.
A Framework for Ethical Conformity in Marketing

The extant marketing literature provides little guidance for theory development or practice with regard to questions of ethical conformity and the resulting market response. To begin to bridge this research gap, we advance a theoretical framework of ethical conformity in marketing, appealing to marketing ethics, management strategy, and sociological foundations. We set the stage for our theoretical arguments by considering the role of normative expectations related to marketing practices and behaviors held by societal constituents. Against this backdrop, we propose drivers of conformity in marketing, including practices consistent with both overconformity and underconformity. The framework allows us to advance testable research propositions by which questions of ethical conformity may be explored. We conclude by suggesting additional future research needed to develop the domain, specifically in the form of empirical inquiries uncovering firm strategic decisions with ethical implications.
Src-dependent impairment of autophagy by oxidative stress in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal degenerative muscle disease resulting from mutations in the dystrophin gene. Increased oxidative stress and altered Ca(2+) homeostasis are hallmarks of dystrophic muscle. While impaired autophagy has recently been implicated in the disease process, the mechanisms underlying the impairment have not been elucidated. Here we show that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphatase (Nox2)-induced oxidative stress impairs both autophagy and lysosome formation in mdx mice. Persistent activation of Src kinase leads to activation of the autophagy repressor mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) via PI3K/Akt phosphorylation. Inhibition of Nox2 or Src kinase reduces oxidative stress and partially rescues the defective autophagy and lysosome biogenesis. Genetic downregulation of Nox2 activity in the mdx mouse decreases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, abrogates defective autophagy and rescues histological abnormalities and contractile impairment. Our data highlight mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of DMD and identify NADPH oxidase and Src kinase as potential therapeutic targets.
Preservation of self in the nursing home: Contradictory practices within two models of care ☆

Abstract Researchers have identified several aspects of nursing home care that interfere with residents' preservation of self. This paper examines how different models of care shape residents' opportunities for preserving a sense of self, adult identity, and agency. Using ethnographic data, I analyze staff practices in two facilities that reflect the contrast between the home and hospital models of long-term care. Previous research on long-term care suggests that an informal, “home-like” approach to care creates more opportunities for residents to preserve a sense of self-identity, whereas a formal, “institutional” approach fosters depersonalizing practices that interfere with residents' psychosocial well-being. My research suggests, however, that both approaches can have contradictory effects on residents' preservation of self. I analyzed patterns of objectification and infantilization that emerged in the social interactions between residents and staff members, as well as practices that mitigated these patterns. This study highlights how a larger culture of ageism and stigma surrounding dependency can become embedded in micro-level practices and underscores the challenges of defining and implementing “good” care.
Social instability increases plasma testosterone in a year–round territorial neotropical bird

In many vertebrates, elevated levels of plasma testosterone (T) are important for reproduction and territorial aggression. However, many tropical birds reproduce and defend territories while plasma T-levels are basal. We studied how aggression and T-levels are regulated in male neotropical spotted antbirds, which defend territories year-round in the Panamanian rainforest. Although spotted antbirds reproduce seasonally, T-levels of individual males often remained at baseline (0.2 ng ml-1) throughout the year, even in courting males. On the other hand, T-levels were elevated (maximally to 1.57 ng ml-1) during periods of social instability at any time of the year, even when males had entirely regressed gonads. Experimental territorial intrusions (broadcast of conspecific song) confirmed these observations by showing that T-levels increased after about two hours of playback time. Our data suggest that spotted antbirds avoided the potential costs associated with constantly high plasma T-levels (e.g. increased mortality rates). Contrary to temperate zone birds, spotted antbirds had the potential to react to social challenges with an increase of plasma T year-round. These results are, to our knowledge, presently unique, but may apply to many vertebrate species that inhabit the tropics.
A Compact Central Object in the Supernova Remnant Kesteven 79

A Chandra X-ray observation has detected an unresolved source at the center of the supernova remnant Kes 79. The best single-model fit to the source spectrum is a blackbody with an X-ray luminosity of LX(0.3-8.0 keV) = 7 × 1033 ergs s-1. There is no evidence for a surrounding pulsar wind nebula. There are no cataloged counterparts at other wavelengths, but the absorption is high. The source properties are similar to the central source in Cas A even though the Kes 79 remnant is considerably older.
Acute inhalation toxicity of soman and sarin in baboons.

Abstract Adult baboons (Papio sp.; 8–12 kg) were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (20 mg/kg iv). The animals were instrumented for measurement of mean blood pressure (MBP), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), ECG, arterial and mixed venous blood gases, lung volumes, lung pressures, and efferent phrenic nerve activity. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed. Studies were done prior to exposure, at intervals during the first 4 hr postexposure, and at 4 and 28 days after exposure. Control animals received a sham exposure to 2-propanol (N = 5). Soman (pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate) at 13.14 μg/kg (2 × LD50) was vaporized into the upper airway in a second group of animals (N = 5), and sarin (isopropyl methylphosphonofluoride) 30 μg/kg (2 × LD50) was vaporized into a third group of animals (N = 4). Controls showed no change in any parameter either immediately after diluent exposure or during the monitoring period. Soman and sarin produced a decline in MBP and bradyarrhythmias that were reversed with atropine. Apnea occurred in all soman- and sarin-exposed animals within 5 min postexposure, and was associated with absence of phrenic nerve signal. Ventilation was mechanically supported until the animal could maintain normal arterial blood gases during spontaneous breathing. BAL studies revealed an increase in total white cell population and neutrophils at 4 hr in all three groups. There were signs of impaired hemodynamics and persistent lung injury for 4 days that resolved by 28 days after exposure. In conclusion, inhalation of soman and sarin in the baboon is associated with cardiac arrhythmias, development of apnea, and a significant decrease in MBP. Inhalation exposure also resulted in a persistent influx of neutrophils and hypoxemia.
Ischemia‐reperfusion of rat liver modulates hepcidin in vivo expression

The recently identified acute-phase response antimicrobial peptide hepcidin has been postulated to maintain iron homeostasis by modulating iron absorption at both the intestinal and macrophage levels. Hepcidin has also been reported to be responsible for anemia associated with chronic inflammatory diseases, and in anemia in patients with hepatic adenomas. Since Kupffer cells are known to be the primary contributor to early-phase ischemia-reperfusion injury in the liver and iron is known to modulate Kupffer cell production of proinflammatory cytokine and reactive oxygen species, we investigated hepcidin in vivo expression in the well-established rat partial-liver ischemia-reperfusion model. We found that both liver ischemia alone and liver ischemia-reperfusion significantly induced serum and liver hepcidin levels. Furthermore, currently proposed mediators of in vivo hepcidin expression, such as interleukin-6, signal transducers and activators of transcription-family transducers, and CCAAT/enhancing binding protein-alpha do not appear to modulate hepcidin expression in the liver ischemia-reperfusion acute inflammatory model. In this study we report the first in vivo evidence of liver ischemia and liver ischemia-reperfusion modulation of hepcidin expression. In conclusion, in the well-characterized liver ischemia-reperfusion model of acute inflammation, mechanism(s) other than interleukin-6 signal transduction via signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 may be responsible for hepcidin induction.
Comparative Depressant Activity and Interaction of Ethanol and Pentobarbital in Goldfish

Overturn as produced in goldfish by various concentrations of ethanol and/or sodium pentobarbital was studied in tromethamine-buffered solutions at pH 7.1 and a solution temperature of 23°. The results indicate that ethanol and pentobarbital interact in an additive manner to produce overturn. Tolerance or cross-tolerance was not observed, with one exception, when fish maintained in low concentrations of ethanol or pentobarbital for 48 hr. were tested against two concentrations of the same drug or the opposite drug. Determination of the ratio of death time/overturn time for the two agents indicates a greater margin of safety for ethanol than for pentobarbital.
Perturbation instabilities of the Kondo problem

Abstract Recent calculations of the low temperature properties of dilute magnetic alloys differ with respect to their predictions concerning the existence of an instability of the normal ground state when the impurity is anti-ferromagnetically or ferromagnetically coupled to the conduction electrons. In the process of developing a self-consistent Green function formulation based upon the singlet and triplet two particle Green functions, we have obtained results which suggest the resolution of this difference.
Speedup of determinism by alternation for multidimensional Turing machines

In 1985, Dymond and Tompa showed that every deterministic Turing machine with linear tapes and time complexity T can be simulated by an alternating Turing machine with linear tapes that runs in time O(Tlog T). We extend their result to multidimensional Turing machines. We show that every deterministic Turing machine with d-dimensional tapes and time complexity T can be simulated by an alternating Turing machine with linear tapes that runs in time O(T(log T)1d)
Detailed numerical modeling of a novel infrared single photon detector for λ ≫ 1 μm

We have designed a novel avalanche-free single photon detector for IR wavelengths above 1 μm. The detector shows high quantum efficiency and high gain. A detailed finite-element-method based three-dimensional simulation was developed to model and evaluate the nonlinear effects involved in the design.
Effect of pH on bacteriophage transport through sandy soils

Effects of pH and hydrophobicity on attachment and detachment of PRD-1 and MS-2 in three different sandy soils were investigated in a series of laboratory-column experiments. Concentrations of the lipid-containing phage PRD-1 decreased 3–4 orders of magnitude during passage through the 10–15-cm-long columns. Attachment of the lipid-containing phage PRD-1 was insensitive to pH and was apparently controlled by hydrophobic interactions in soil media. The less-hydrophobic phage MS-2 acted conservatively; it was not removed in the columns at pH's 5.7–8.0. The sticking efficiency (α) in a colloid-filtration model was between 0.1 and 1 for PRD-1, indicating a relatively high removal efficiency. Phage attachment was reversible, but detachment under steady-state conditions was slow. An increase in pH had a moderate effect on enhancing detachment. Still, these soils should continue to release phage to virus-free water for days to weeks following exposure to virus-containing water. In sandy soils with a mass-fraction organic carbon as low as a few hundredths of a percent, pH changes in the range 5.7–8.0 should have little effect on retention of more-hydrophobic virus (e.g., PRD-1), in that retardation will be dominated by hydrophobic effects. Sharp increases in pH should enhance detachment and transport of virus previously deposited on soil grains. A more hydrophilic virus (e.g., MS-2) will transport as a conservative tracer in low-carbon sandy soil.
Inbreeding-based bias in parental responsiveness to litters of oldfield mice

This study investigated variation in parental behavior in oldfield mice (Peromyscus polionotus). Specifically, I examined the possibility that parental behavior and probability of litter loss may differ depending on whether parents are related to one another and, therefore, whether offspring are inbred. When parents are related, they share more genes with their offspring and so may be predicted to invest more in inbred offspring if these offspring do not inherently have a greater risk of juvenile mortality. Survival of inbred pups did not differ from survival of outbred pups, and females tended to exhibit a preference, in the form of enhanced parental care, for inbred litters. Males did not display any consistent preferences. Inbred litters were left unattended more often during the immediate post-partum period than were outbred litters, but this inconsistent finding appeared to have a smaller effect than the overall improved maternal care provided to inbred litters. Females thus appeared to modulate their behavior to a greater degree than did males depending on characteristics of the litter. Patterns of litter loss indicated that complete death of litters was independent of litter inbreeding, whereas loss of selected pups in a litter occurred significantly more often when litters were inbred. Complete and partial loss of litters may be functionally different behaviors that are triggered by different cues.
A Call For Action From Limbo

The following is a prose piece focusing on one woman’s disillusionment with a false American Dream. She discusses graduating from the University of Iowa at the brink of the economic collapse, returning to classes four years later, the disparity of wealth between herself and the Presidential candidates, and an increasing feeling of not belonging within the dual spheres of our flawed political structure. The ending encourages Iowans to focus on their state in the next four years, as state politics are one of the few places to actively see change in political involvement.
Geographic information systems and the New York State Library: mapping new pathways for library service

The New York State Library in Albany hosts the New York State GIS Clearinghouse, and employs hands‐on geographic information systems technology as an enhancement to its reference services. Both GIS initiatives involve new social alliances in bringing the benefits of spatial data use to New Yorkers. This article describes both operations, with an emphasis on the person‐to‐person services of librarians to our user communities.
Teaching about Implicit Prejudices and Stereotypes: A Pedagogical Demonstration.

Social psychology instructors from five distinct state universities in California examined the effect of incorporating the implicit association test (IAT) in a teaching module on students’ perceived knowledge of implicit biases and motivation to control prejudice. Students (N = 258) completed a knowledge survey on prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination and a motivation to control prejudice scale before (Time 1) and after (Time 2) a teaching module on implicit and explicit prejudice that included taking the IAT. Results showed that students’ perceived knowledge of implicit biases increased after completing the teaching module. In addition, the more students displayed an implicit bias against African Americans (relative to European Americans), the more they reported mastering course material about implicit biases and the more they indicated being internally motivated to control prejudice (at Time 2). These findings suggest that using the IAT as a teaching tool might be a beneficial learning experience, ...
Calcium activation of photosynthetic water oxidation

As a consequence of investigations on the resolution and reconstitution of oxygen-evolution activity. Ca 2+ has also been identified as a cofactor for the reaction. The following sections assess the data currently available on Ca 2+ function in PS II, identify the areas where divergent results have been obtained, and compare properties of Ca 2+ binding to well-characterized proteins with that is known about the properties of the binding and action of the metal in PS II
Early Tertiary plate reconstructions for the South China Sea region: constraints from northwest Borneo

Abstract Previous plate reconstructions and tectonic syntheses for the southeast Asia region (Leichti et al. 1960, Ben Avraham and Uyeda 1973, Hamilton 1979, Holloway 1982, Taylor and Hayes 1982) have all highlighted the problems of correlating events in northwest Borneo with contemporaneous extension of the South China Sea. Theoretical modelling of crustal scale deformation in Asia during the Tertiary (Tapponnier et al. 1982) following India's collision with Asia suggested that the opening of the South China Sea basin accommodated major sinistral displacement. Haile (1973) and Hamilton (1979) have proposed that active subduction of oceanic crust beneath northwestern Borneo during the late Cretaceous and early Tertiary was associated with the development of a major arcuate accretionary complex, the “Crocker-Rajang” complex (Haile 1973), which is exposed over a large area of West Malaysia. Contemporaneous outer arc basin sedimentation in west Sarawak and eastern Kalimantan is consistent with a southeasterly dipping orientation of subduction at the margin. The duration of subduction is poorly constrained, but the initiation of major clastic depocenter in the Baram-Belait area during the early Miocene (Brondjik 1963), indicates a major change in sedimentation and deformational style at the northwestern Bornea continental margin. Pre-Miocene geological and paleomagnetic evidence from Borneo is inconsistent with the simple model of estrusion tectonics and suggests that Borneo and Malaya were separate microplates during the early Tertiary.
SLAVE-MAKER ANT COMPETITION FOR A SHARED HOST AND THE EFFECT ON COEVOLUTIONARY DYNAMICS

Competition is an important evolutionary force behind population regulation and community structures. The degree of competition symmetry (competition hierarchies) between species determines coexistence, exclusion, or niche differentiation. Intraspecific competition, however, is an important component in dictating levels of symmetry/asymmetry between species and should be accounted for when attempting to understand interspecific evolutionary or ecological outcomes. Some social parasites compete for access to a common host and, thus, adhere to both parasite-host and predator-prey coevolutionary and ecological dynamics. Here I examine tripartite evolutionary dynamics with respect to intraspecific competition of two sympatric slave-making social parasites in the family of ants that conduct ''brood raids'' on a shared host species and use the captured brood as a functional work force. Slave-makers were challenged with either a conspecific or heterospecific parasite and the impact on hosts and parasites was evaluated. Within-species raiding occurred frequently in the ''prudent'' slave-maker but was almost nonexistent in the ''virulent'' slave-maker. Although intraspecific raiding led to larger single prudent slave-maker colonies, the preservation of two independent virulent slave- maker colonies had an early and a more devastating effect on the host. However, in response to synchronized raiding phenologies, the prudent slave-maker emerged as the better direct competitor against the virulent slave-maker. Sex ratios were male biased in the virulent slave- maker colonies but numerically equal (hence female biased) in prudent slave-maker colonies. Combined, these results suggest that interspecific parasite interactions have produced ecological shifts in both slave-makers and attenuated the coevolutionary arms race between the prudent slave-maker and the shared host in sympatric populations.
Motion-Activated Reconfigurable and Cognitive Radio Antenna Systems

In this letter, we present a new technique to control reconfigurable and cognitive radio antenna systems. For both cases, the control is done by sensing a movement in the antenna surroundings. This surrounding awareness ability is achieved by incorporating an infrared (IR) motion detector with the antenna system. Once a movement is detected, the IR sensor generates a voltage that can be used to activate the biasing network of a reconfiguring element on an antenna structure. This concept is first tested on a varactor-based reconfigurable antenna. Then, a modified version of the circuit is used to control a cognitive radio antenna system that consists of a reconfigurable antenna and a wideband sensing antenna.
Ventromedial septal lesions in rats reduce stomach erosions produced by inescapable shock

Exposure to inescapable shock produced fewer and less extensive stomach erosions in rats with ventromedial septal lesions than in the sham-operated controls. This finding, in conjunction with our previous findings that ventromedial septal lesions also reduce several other physiological and behavioral responses to the stress of inescapable shock, indicates that this area of the limbic system is importantly involved in mediating several responses to inescapable shock. It is suggested that, by disrupting the cholinergic septohippocampal system, ventromedial septal lesions may reduce the ability of rats to learn that shocks are inescapable or may reduce the aversiveness of such knowledge.
Quantitation and size determination of poly(A) by hybridization to [3H]poly(dT)

Abstract [ 3 H]Poly(dT) was synthesized with calf thymus terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase and the size and specific activity of the purified product were determined. The [ 3 H]poly(dT) was used to detect poly(A) sequences in sea urchin embryos, differentiating rat myoblasts, silk moth ovarian follicle RNA and in rabbit globin and calf lens crystallin mRNAs. [ 3 H]Poly(dT) was hybridized to poly(A) standards and to various mRNAs. After digestion with single-strand specific nuclease and alkali, the resistant [ 3 H]poly(dT) strands were recovered and their sizes were determined by gel electrophoresis using poly(A) and oligo(dT) markers. This method is a sensitive assay to detect, quantiated and size poly (A)
The economic control of quality

Summary Quality has always been a key component of a successful business Scientific Quality in the twentieth century has led to lower costs for the producer and higher expectations for the customer. Manufacturing has developed Quality technology both for the routine tasks and also for the crises. The challenge today is to transfer these tools to, and to develop new ones for, the service sector of the economy.
Contribution of Systolic and Diastolic Abnormalities to Heart Failure With a Normal and a Reduced Ejection Fraction

Heart failure (HF) has traditionally been divided into HF with a reduced ejection fraction (EF; systolic HF) and HF with a normal EF (diastolic HF). Both groups have reductions in exercise tolerance, neurohumoral activation, and abnormal left ventricular (LV) filling dynamics and impaired relaxation. Although the normal EF indicates that pump performance is adequately compensated, some of the patients with HF and a normal EF have reduced longitudinal systolic velocity indicating cardiac muscular contractile dysfunction. Regardless of EF, the severity of HF and its prognosis and degree of exercise intolerance are closely related to the degree of diastolic filling abnormalities. Patients with HF and a reduced EF have ventricular dilatation and elongated myocytes, whereas patients with HF and a normal EF do not. Thus, patients with HF have diastolic abnormalities regardless of EF and many patients with HF and a normal EF have contractile abnormalities despite preserved systolic pump performance. Heart failure with a normal EF and a reduced EF differs in the systolic LV pump performance and the type of remodeling. The mechanism of the differing remodeling responses is not known, but aging, sex differences, and diabetes may contribute.
Pregnancy management decisions by adolescents following second-trimester prenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormalities

Abstract Study Objective: To evaluate the pregnancy management decisions made by adolescents who were found to be carrying fetuses with abnormalities. Design: Adolescent women who were carrying fetuses with abnormalities detected in the second trimester of pregnancy were evaluated as to their decision to continue or terminate their pregnancies. The decision by these women to include parents, guardians, or partners in the counseling process was also evaluated. Setting: The clinical offices of the Division of Reproductive Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee, Memphis. Participants: Twelve adolescent women (16 years old or younger) who were found to be carrying fetuses with abnormalities. All participants were between 14 and 20 weeks gestation. Main Outcome Measures: Genetic counseling was provided to five women carrying fetuses with chromosome abnormalities (two trisomy 21, two 45,X, and one trisomy 13), four women with fetuses demonstrating malformations with normal chromosome complements, and three women carrying fetuses with neural tube defects (two spina bifida and one anencephaly). Results: All 12 women elected to have a parent or guardian accompany them for genetic counseling following the detection of fetal abnormalities. In five cases the patient's partner attended the counseling session. All women elected to terminate their pregnancies. Conclusion: Factors other than severity of the abnormality (e.g., desire to terminate the pregnancy irrespective of abnormality, stable and nurturing marital or family relationships, economic independence) may play important roles in the adolescents' decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy after detection of fetal abnormalities.
Laser Focusing Optics With Extremely Insensitive Performance/Temperature Dependency

A simple and inexpensive optical system is described which can be used to focus a laser beam to provide a very fast f# diffraction-limited point source, for use in optical testing, experiments, etc. The design is characterized by an extremely low sensitivity of its performance to uniform temperature changes (thermal soaks). A temperature change of several hundred degrees centigrade - from cryogenic temperatures up to near the melting point of the optics, has essentially no effect on the predicted performance. Since the system has no aspheric surfaces, it is substantially less expensive than a fast f# parabolic mirror, which would also provide a point source. The system is also less alignment sensitive than a parabola of the same f#. © (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
In vitro cytoreductive effects on multiple myeloma cells induced by bisphosphonates

In a double blind randomized study, the bisphosphonate drug Pamidronate (Aredia) significantly protected Durie-Salmon stage III multiple myeloma patients from osteolytic bone disease. In the patient sub-group on salvage chemotherapy. Pamidronate treatment was also significantly associated with prolonged survival. To test if this drug could induce direct antitumor effects, we exposed myeloma cells to increasing concentrations of Pamidronate or a more potent bisphosphonate, Zoledronate. A concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxic effect was detected on four of five myeloma cell lines as well as three specimens obtained directly from myeloma patients. Zoledronate-induced cytotoxicity was significantly greater than that of Pamidronate. Cytotoxicity could not be explained by bisphosphonate-induced chelation of extracellular calcium or secondary decrease in production of the myeloma growth factor interleukin-6. Morphological examination, DNA electrophoresis and cell cycle analysis indicated that the bisphosphonate-induced cytotoxic effect consisted of a combination of cytostasis and apoptotic myeloma cell death. Enforced expression of BCL-2 protected against the apoptotic death but not against cytostasis. Most cytotoxic effects were seen between 10 and 100 microM of drug. The results suggest a possible direct anti-tumor effect in myeloma patients treated with bisphosphonates which may participate in their significantly increased survival. This hypothesis should now be further tested in clinical trials.
Attitudes toward the Black Political Movement: Trends, Meaning, and Effects on Racial Policy Preferences*

This paper examines the influence of prejudice and of conflict-based concern with protecting group position on people's attitudes toward the black political movement. Analyses of national survey data show the existence of black-white differences in trends in attitudes toward the black political movement; in part, these trends reflect differential strategic adaptation to changes in the political context. For many whites, attitudes toward the black political movement are related to other conflict attitudes (perceptions of conflicting group objectives and fraternal deprivation) and to general social protest orientations net of the effects of measures of prejudice. Attitudes toward the black political movement also influence racial policy preferences. Each of the conflict attitudes, however, is related strongly to measures of prejudice. Implications of the results of the group conflict and prejudice approaches to racial attitudes are discussed. The political activism and demands of black Americans are a major force in changing black-white relations in the United States. Yet there has been only limited concern with the changing character and determinants of public opinion regarding the civil rights movement, black militancy, and other forms of black political activism. My general hypothesis is that reactions to the black political movement involve both racial prejudice and real political conflict between whites and blacks as members of social groups that are respectively the target public and the constituency public of that movement. This paper develops and then tests ideas that differentiate (where possible) prejudicebased and realistic conflict-based sources of attitudes toward the black political movement. The theoretical argument emphasizes a group conflict perspective on racial attitudes because ideas about these types of factors are
Evidence for Involvement of Yeast Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen in DNA Mismatch Repair

DNA mismatch repair plays a key role in the maintenance of genetic fidelity. Mutations in the human mismatch repair genes hMSH2, hMLH1, hPMS1, and hPMS2 are associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is essential for DNA replication, where it acts as a processivity factor. Here, we identify a point mutation, pol30-104, in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae POL30 gene encoding PCNA that increases the rate of instability of simple repetitive DNA sequences and raises the rate of spontaneous forward mutation. Epistasis analyses with mutations in mismatch repair genes MSH2, MLH1, and PMS1 suggest that the pol30-104 mutation impairs MSH2/MLH1/PMS1-dependent mismatch repair, consistent with the hypothesis that PCNA functions in mismatch repair. MSH2 functions in mismatch repair with either MSH3 or MSH6, and the MSH2-MSH3 and MSH2-MSH6 heterodimers have a role in the recognition of DNA mismatches. Consistent with the genetic data, we find specific interaction of PCNA with the MSH2-MSH3 heterodimer.