cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Quality of Management and Government Performance: An Empirical Analysis of the American States

Government performance is an enduring concern for students of public management, public administration, and political science. Government's administrative arrangements and managerial behavior can profoundly influence programmatic content, activities, and outcomes; therefore, considering public management's effects is necessary for a true understanding of public policy and government performance. This article uses data from the Maxwell School's Government Performance Project to examine the relationship between state governments’ managerial capacity and a measure of government performance (specifically, state policy priorities). We find that state management capacity has direct effects on state policy commitments: States possessing higher levels of management capacity tend to favor programmatic areas that distribute societal benefits widely (that is, collective benefits) as opposed to narrowly (that is, particularized benefits). Our analysis demonstrates that public interest group activity, government ideology, and citizen ideology each have significant, predictable effects on state policy commitments. Thus, our findings place managerial capacity alongside other more commonly studied state characteristics as an important influence on government activities.
Effects of pentagastrin and cholecystikinin on intestinal transport of ions and water in the rat.

SummaryPentagastrin and CCK cause no significant changes in the net movement of ions and water in the jejunum and ileum of anesthetized rats.I thank Mrs. Mary Denton for her skilled technical assistance, and Dr. T. Robitschek of Ayerst Laboratories for the gift of pentagastrin. This work was supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service Grants AM 09022 and AM 5390 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Disease.
Measuring toxic emissions from landfills using sequential screening

Comparisons of alternate spatial sampling strategies for characterizing hazardous waste sites can be performed using GIS-based stochastic simulation techniques. This work compares a traditional sampling design that uses only precise laboratory analytical methods to a sequential screening strategy that uses field screening methods to focus quantitative analysis on areas having pollutant concentrations above the analytical detection limit. Cost savings that result from eliminating uncontaminated areas from detailed analysis are spent on obtaining additional measurements until a fixed sampling budget is depleted. The screening strategy produces less biased and more precise estimates of volatile organic compounds emissions from an example landfill.
Cognitive testing with female nutrition and education assistance program participants informs validity of the Satter eating competence inventory

Abstract Objective Examine the validity of a self-report measure of eating competence with low-income women. Methods Twenty-five females (18-49 years old) recruited from low-income venues in Pennsylvania completed cognitive testing through an iterative interview process. Respondents' oral responses were compared to researchers' intended meaning of ecSatter Inventory (ecSI) items; responses were mapped to evaluate the similarity between respondents' internally generated answers and their ecSI choices for survey items; and scored responses were compared among participants. Results Interview findings provided a rationale for modifying the ecSI prior to use with low-income women. Four items were misinterpreted for various reasons, including problems with clarity and wording. The modified ecSI, termed the ecSatter Inventory for Low-Income (ecSI/LI), was comprehended as intended by researchers. Congruence of cognitive responses and ecS/LI scores further supported the instrument's validity. Conclusions and Implications Cognitive testing resulted in the development of an instrument to measure eating competence in low-income adults. The ecSI/LI requires validation with a large, heterogeneous low-income sample.
The cytogenetics of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML): Chronic phase and blastic crisis

Abstract Some of the recent cytogenetic findings in chronic myelocytic leukemia have been summarized and the significance of the Philadelphia-chromosome, including those resulting from unusual translocations, and other karyotypic changes discussed in relation to survival, blastic phase (including its extramedullary origin), and therapy.
A multi-resolution fractal additive scheme for blind watermarking of 3D point data

We present a fractal feature space for 3D point watermarking to make geospatial systems more secure. By exploiting the self similar nature of fractals, hidden information can be spatially embedded in point cloud data in an acceptable manner as described within this paper. Our method utilizes a blind scheme which provides automatic retrieval of the watermark payload without the need of the original cover data. Our method for locating similar patterns and encoding information in LiDAR point cloud data is accomplished through a look-up table or code book. The watermark is then merged into the point cloud data itself resulting in low distortion effects. With current advancements in computing technologies, such as GPGPUs, fractal processing is now applicable for processing of big data which is present in geospatial as well as other systems. This watermarking technique described within this paper can be important for systems where point data is handled by numerous aerial collectors including analysts use for systems such as a National LiDAR Data Layer.
In vitro assessment of alkylglycosides as permeability enhancers

A series of alkylglycosides has been evaluated on human cell lines to determine its ability to open cellular tight junctions. Alkylglycosides were applied to cell monolayers; the resulting change in resistance was determined by transepithelial electrical resistance measurements. Change in resistance across cell monolayers is an indieation of tight junction activation, whereas subsequent increase in resistance signifies monolayer recovery. Of the 13 alkylglycosides tested, 4 caused irreversible solubilization of cell membranes, 5 allowed a partial recovery of the monolayer after a relatively rapid reduction in resistance, and 4 induced a decrease in resistance with more complete cell recovery. Alkylglycosides allowing extensive cell recovery after removal may indieate tight junctions activity dominance over membrane fluidity Repeated application of alkylglycosides for 6 hours lowered resistance across cells, which returned to near-normal values after a recovery period of 48 hours. A model dye was transported across the cell monolayer only in the presence of an alkylglycoside, although recovery of cells was incomplete. Activity of the alkylglycosides was unrelated to either the carbon chain length or to the carbohydrate moiety. A direct correlation was established between the concentration of applied alkylglycoside and reduction in resistance over a constant time period. Dodecylmaltoside and oetylglucoside were found to be optimal in decreasing resistance at low concentrations and allowing significant recovery of cells. Therefore these 2 alkylglycosides may be useful in facilitating drug transport across biological membranes.
Biomimetic Design of Reversibly Unfolding Cross-Linker to Enhance Mechanical Properties of 3D Network Polymers

We report here a biomimetic design of a reversibly unfolding modular cross-linker to enhance mechanical properties of 3D network polymers. The inspiration comes from the modular biopolymers observed in nature. A cyclic modular cross-linker based on the quadruple hydrogen bonding 4-ureido-2-pyrimidone (UPy) motif was synthesized via multistep organic synthesis. The modular cross-linker was incorporated into poly(n-butyl acrylate) by free radical polymerization. Stress−strain measurements show that the samples containing our modular cross-linker exhibit significantly enhanced mechanical properties over the control samples. Most strikingly, with increasing cross-linker density, both modulus and tensile strength are significantly improved without sacrificing extensibility. The enhanced tensile properties are attributed to the increased energy dissipating ability of the reversibly unfolding cross-linker. This introduces a novel biomimetic concept to enhance network mechanical properties through design of molec...
Ohm's Law in a Quantum World

Ohm's law is an empirical law based on the observation that the electrical transport properties of materials exhibit linear behavior. The principle is that the voltage that develops across a piece of conducting material is linearly proportional to the current flowing through it; the constant of proportionality being termed the resistance, V = IR ( 1 ). Such behavior is the backbone of classical conduction in these materials. In the 1920s and 1930s, it was expected that classical behavior would operate at macroscopic scales but would break down at the microscopic scale, where it would be replaced by the new quantum mechanics. The pointlike electron motion of the classical world would be replaced by the spread out quantum waves. These quantum waves would lead to very different behavior. On page 64 of this issue, Weber et al. ( 2 ) have constructed atomic-scale nanowires in Si and have observed that Ohm's law remains valid, even at very low temperatures, a surprising result that reveals classical behavior in the quantum regime.
Oxidation resistant NbCr2 phase in Nb-W-Cr system

Abstract Alloys of Nb–20W–5Cr and Nb–20W–10Cr (in weight percents) have been subjected to oxidation in air for 24 h at temperatures ranging from 700 to 1400 °C. Oxidation resistance revealed by weight gain per unit area after each oxidation treatment shows better oxidation resistance for 10Cr alloy. However, the alloy system shows phase transformations that may be directly affecting the oxidation resistance. 5Cr alloy becomes single phase around 1100–1200 °C and remains single phase until 1400 °C. It is anticipated that the second phase NbCr 2 provides the resistance to oxidation in these alloys since 10Cr alloy has less weight gain in the temperature range from 1000 to 1300 °C. Isothermal sections of the ternary Nb–W–Cr phase diagram allow us to make such analysis.
Using circular symmetry and intensity profiles for computer vision inspection

Abstract A computer vision system for inspecting circularly symmetric parts has been developed. The center is found by: (1) obtaining a thinned edge array from the picture intensity array, and (2) finding the vertical and horizontal axes of symmetry of the thinned edge array with a convolution technique. The inspection involves examination of the intensity profile to test for the presence of a component. The method has been applied to the inspection of valve spring assemblies on engine heads. The engine head is moved past a linear-array camera which takes a 64 by 64 pixel picture of the area near each valve spring assembly center. The program first finds the center of each assembly and then checks for the presence of both keys.
The Production Of Light By Animals

The sponges have been reported everal times to show luminosity, particularly in their free embryonic. condition . Mangold quotes three such instances, but an examination of the articles so quoted was far from convincing one that the cases have been carefully observed . While the matter is entirely probable, aye still lack careful observation and study bringing forth positive evidence . The writer well remembers a tubful of dredgings froth the bottom of the Bay of Naples in which sponges were mixed with many other forms . The whole mass glowed for hours after being brought into the laboratory, but a careful examination showed two facts : First, each luminous sponge, when looked at under the microscope, showed several kinds of luminous worms and protozoa distributed through its canals ; second, these same sponges taken from other and cleaner bottoms showed no trace of light under the most favorable conditions and severest stimulations . It is not probable that sponges can light . The coelenterata are one of our oldest and most widely distributed forms of animal life, and histologically and physiologically they have a remarkably uniform and characteristic tissue constitution . Among its characteristics may he mentioned a maximum of fluid in most of the cells, a . remarkable general transparency, a tendency to form cell membrane and extracellular jelly . and a distributed physiology due to lack of an efficient medium of circulation . Thus most of the bodily functions are carried out in simple epithelia, extending over large areas of surface and showing a marked absence of histological amplification (corrugation, evagination, and invagination) . As a result of this there are almost no large or involved glands, whose operation and usefulness would be seriously impeded by the lack of circulatory channels and medium . Since, however, a considerable number of functions, both
The ethics of knowledge

Academic ethics are “academic” in the pejorative sense if not applied in all the activities that make up academic life.
Plasmon-enhanced light emission from InGaN quantum wells using lithographically defined nanoparticle arrays

Square periodic arrays of silver nanoparticles featuring plasmonic resonances in the technologically important green spectral region were developed and used to demonstrate plasmon-enhanced light emission from InGaN quantum wells.
Microwave spectrum of acetylene-d2

Abstract Eight P-branch transitions from the ν 5 1 -ν 4 1 difference band of C2D2 have been observed in the microwave region. Significant improvements in the spectroscopic constants for the two states involved in the difference band have been obtained by combining infrared and microwave data. The Stark shifts for the observed C2D2 lines are discussed in some detail. The vibrational transition moment is found to be μvib = 0.0358 ± 0.0020 D.
Hair Restoration: A Sophisticated Art Form

Hair restoration is truly an exciting and dynamic field that continues to fascinate and amaze. It has been nearly 20 years since Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America published its first volume that was devoted exclusively to hair restoration. Numerous developments in medical and surgical treatment options at the time of that publication quickly advanced the specialty beyond the notorious “plug”-based restoration methods that predominated the hair restoration discipline for so many years beginning over a half century ago. The introduction of restoration protocols with the exclusive use of follicular unit grafts, which began around the time Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America released “Hair Restoration Surgery” in 1994, initiated a period that produced consistent and predictable results of such naturalness as to be undetectable by even the most critical observer. The dramatic aesthetic leap forward at that time from the “plug” era gave one pause to believe that we reached the final frontier with respect to the evolution of hair restoration. However, the pause was very short lived and the specialty area of hair restoration has since continued to evolve at a breakneck speed.
The effect of solute on the obstacle profiles for dislocation intersection and solution strengthening in Ni alloys

The addition of solute to Ni has a strong influence on the dislocation-dislocation interaction processes. This effect is strongest at intermediate temperatures and is explained by a dynamic strain aging mechanism of the dislocation-arrest type. This mechanism operates in alloys which do not exhibit jerky flow and it may be possible on this basis to explain the plateau stress found in many fcc alloys.
Range hash for regular expression pre-filtering

Recently, major Internet carriers and vendors successfully tested high-speed backbone networks at 100-Gbps line speed to support rapid growth of the Internet traffic demands. In addition, traffic is getting more concentrated to points such as data centers, and demand for protecting such high-speed networks from attack traffic is increasing. Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) with Regular Expression (RegEx) detection is the de facto defense mechanism agains network intrusions. However, current RegEx detection systems cannot keep up with the upcoming high-speed line rate. The RegExes consist of three types of components, exact strings, character classes (CC), and repetitions. Exact string and repetition matching have been widely studied by RegEx research community for better performance. Yet, although more than 55% of RegExes in Snort signature set contain at least one CC, hardware based solutions that focus on CC detection is limited. In this paper we propose a new CC detection architecture called Range Hash that is suitable for high-speed, compact CC detection. Additionally, we propose a practical application of the Range Hash architecture where it can be used as a pre-filter for a Regular Expression detection system to increase overall RegEx detection performance. Based on our hardware prototype design which runs at 250MHz, Range Hash can reach to 100-Gbps CC detection throughput with today's FPGA chips.
Real-time traffic sign recognition based on Zynq FPGA and ARM SoCs

In this paper, an FPGA-based traffic sign recognition system is introduced for driver assistance applications. The system incorporates two major operations, traffic sign detection and recognition. The algorithms presented include hue detection for potential sign detection, morphological filters for noise reduction, labeling and Hausdorff distance calculation for template recognition. A new hardware platform is presented that combines a Zynq-7000 FPGA processing system and custom IP peripherals together. A frame-work for embedded system development on ARM CPU cores and FPGA fabric is introduced. The proposed hardware platform achieves up to 8 times speed-up compared to the existing FPGA based solutions.
Practical implementations of embedded software using the Ravenscar Profile

There is significant industry interest in the use of the Ravenscar Tasking profile for high performance and high integrity systems. This paper takes one such design paradigm, the single writer and multiple readers problem, shows why it is difficult to implement using Ravenscar, and provides an effective Ravenscar implementation.
Surgical approach to the dolphin's ear.

A surgical approach to the cetacean (Tursiops truncatus and Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) ear represented a unique problem. The first obstacle was the development of a safe and humane anesthesia procedure and techniques of long-term physiological maintenance of the animal during surgery. The surgical anatomy was a challenge especially because of the extensive venous plexuses that invest the entire ear and adnexa. The corpus cavernosum carotidis and other small arterial networks course through this venous mass. Sodium pentothal-halothane anesthesia and careful physiological monitoring were determined to be adequate for long-term maintenance during surgery and cochlear recording experiments. A specially designed surgical tank held the animal during the procedure. Immersion in water relieved the lungs of external pressure that ordinarily occurs, when the animal is out of the water, due to the flexible thorax. Thermoregulation was provided for by regulating the water temperature in response to the dolphin's core temperature. This arrangement also provided for underwater auditory stimulation and easy manipulation of the animal since dolphins with their lungs inflated are close to neutral buoyancy. It was necessary to ligate the external and internal carotid arteries, neither of which supplies blood to the ear or brain. Hemostasis in the massive venous plexus could be achieved only by partial removal and subsquent application of oxycel and surgical cement to effectively dam off the area of the round window and other ear structures for electrical potential recording and experimental manipulations. With this technique the round window of the cochlea was exposed. Fully anesthetized animals were maintained for periods up to 24 hours while electrophysiological measurements were being made. Some of the auditory measurements required further surgical manipulation of the auditory meatus, bulla, ossicular chain and other middle-ear structures.
The Lorenz curve and the mobility function

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to specify a functional form of a Lorenz curve which allows us to examine an aspect of the observed income graduation which has not previously been analyzed. We demonstrate that the form of the Lorenz curve specified satisfied a Riccati differential equation and the logarithmic derivative satisfies a Bernoulli differential equation which allows us to discuss the notion of what we call the Mobility function. This function conveys information about the relative difficulty of moving up the personal income distribution. We estimate various points along this function for the years 1977 and 1983.
Schottky barrier diode as an infrared low-level detector

Abstract If collisions between carriers and the lattice can be neglected for the space charge region of a Schottky barrier diode (thermionic mode of operation) the infrared response of the diode, when operating as a low-level quadratic detector, has been calculated. It is shown that the limitation in the infrared response is not so much in the voltage response of the detector, but is caused by the large input conductance of the device caused by carriers that have insufficient energy to reach the metal contact.
New trends in content creation : changing responsibilities for librarians

This paper addresses the changes in the role of librarians as information intermediaries due to the introduction of new forms of digital content brought about by modern information and communication technologies. The main focus is on the way in which these changes have affected the moral responsibilities of librarians. Six content trends are identified in support of this claim. These are: the growth in volume; amount of noise; sharing of content and information participation; personal space; collaboration and naive use. The ethical challenges of these six trends are discussed. Because of the unpredictability and uncontrollability of contemporary digital content, a case is made that the traditional model of retrospective responsibility, according to which responsibility is assigned based on causality, should be supplemented with a positive prospective model of responsibility according to which librarians also need to look 'forward' anticipating possible harmful impacts of modern ICTs. It is also argued, based on the open and interactive nature of new forms of content, that there should be a form of shared and distributed responsibility, which should include not only librarians, but also Internet service providers, library users, and software designers.
Feeding causes thermophily in the woodhouse's toad (Bufo woodhousii).

Abstract (1) We placed 12 toads ( Bufo woodhousii ) in linear thermal gradients with floor temperatures ranging from 10 to 40°C and monitored body temperatures ( T b 's) with chromega-alomega thermocouples interfaced with a datalogger. (2) We measured T b 's at 10 min intervals over a 24 h period in toads that had eaten an equivalent of 5% of their body mass or had fasted for 5 days. (3) The mean 24 h T b did not differ significantly between the fed and fasted groups. (4) Hourly mean T b 's of fed toads differed significantly over the 24 h, but those of fasted toads did not. Fed toads selected highest T b 's during late afternoon and evening.
An In-Group Advantage in Detecting Intergroup Anxiety:

We examined the possibility of an in-group advantage in detecting intergroup anxiety. Specifically, we videotaped White and Black participants while they engaged in same-race or interrace interactions. Then we asked White and Black observers to view these videotapes (unaware of the racial context) and provide their impressions of participants' anxiety. Two results pointed to an in-group advantage in detecting intergroup anxiety. First, only same-race observers perceived a modulation of participants' anxious behavior as a function of racial context. This held true not only for relatively subjective perceptions of global anxiety, but also for perceptions of single, discrete behaviors tied to anxiety. Second, we found that only same-race observers provided descriptions of anxiety that tracked reliably with participants' cortisol changes during the task. These results suggest that White and Black Americans may have difficulty developing a sense of shared emotional experience.
Preventing Failure: The Value of Performing a Single Point of Failure Analysis for Critical Applications and Systems

Abstract Ensuring that a system is resilient requires not only good design and implementation, but also an independent engineering review in the form of a single point of failure analysis. This article presents guidelines for testing prior to any implementation and can prove very useful in meeting the requirements of the users.
Geometrically effective cloud fraction for solar radiation

Abstract It has been suggested in the past that an “effective” cloud fraction can be used to take into account cloud geometry effects in solar radiation parameterizations. All such models have been based on the reflected flux from non-plane-parallel cloud fields. In this study, it is shown that the “effective” cloud fraction based on absorption (or transmission) could differ considerably from that based on reflection and, moreover, is not constant throughout the solar spectrum even for fixed cloud geometry. Furthermore, the representation of cloud radiative forcing at the surface and at the top of the atmosphere in terms of cloud fractions are based on different “effective” cloud fractions. Therefore, a simple interpretation of measured values of the forcing ratio is not possible when geometric effects are present.
Cost analysis of a high-performance CMOS multichip module

A high-performance CMOS multichip module (MCM) is described, and its evolution from prototype to production part is discussed. The number of suppliers involved and the complications of manufacture are reviewed. The cost evaluation of this high-performance CMOS MCM is tracked and evaluated from prototype to production. The cost analysis includes nonrecurring engineering charges as well as substrate and component costs. The early engineering activities required to produce the prototypes and their associated cost are addressed. The evolution from prototype to production part shows significant cost savings, resulting from the simplification of the design and the component suppliers' efforts to provide TAB (tape automated bonding) devices. Compared to an equivalent discrete board solution, the redesign module represents a 40% cost savings, a size reduction, and a reliability improvement due to design simplification and a reduced parts list. The redesign requires only 18 parts and module assembly. The PC board has been eliminated. >
Reproduction and Development in Chondrichthyan Fishes

Patterns of chondrichthyan reproduction and development are diverse. Species either are reproductively active throughout the year, or have a poorly defined annual cycle with one or two peaks of activity, or have a well defined annual or biennial cycle. Based on embryological origin and adult morphology, their reproductive system is more similar to tetrapods than to teleosts. Primordial germ cells are of endodermal origin. The Wolffian ducts in males and Mullerian ducts in females become the functional urogenital ducts. Differentiation is under hormonal control. Unusual features of the reproductive system include an epigonal organ in males and females. It contains lymphoid and hemopoietic tissue. Leydig's gland, a modified region of the kidney, produces seminal fluid. In some species, sperm passing through the vas deferens, is enclosed in spermatophores. Rotating about their long axis, helical spermatozoa can move forward or reverse direction. Spermatogenesis often occurs in bicellular units, spermatocysts. These consist of a spermatogonium enclosed in a Sertoh cell. Fertilization is internal. Claspers, modified portions of the pelvic fins act as intromittent organs. In many viviparous sharks and rays, the female reproductive system is asymmetrical. Eggs of some sharks are the largest known cells. Yolk platelets contain lipovitellin. Oocytes have lampbrush chromosomes. Eggs released from the ovary into the body cavity are transported by ciliary action to the ostium of the oviduct. There they are fertilized. Physiological polyspermy is normal. The shell gland, a specialized region of the anterior oviduct, functions both in long term sperm storage and in egg case production. Egg cases of sharks and skates consist of unique collagenous protein with a 400 A period, organized as a cholesteric liquid crystal. Chimaeroid egg cases contain 550 A pseudotubules in orthogonal lattices. In small sharks, males copulate by coiling around the female. A parallel position is assumed by large sharks. Skates and rays copulate with ventral surfaces apposed or by a dorsal approach. Biting is a pre-copulatory release mechanism. Parental care, except for selective oviposition, is lacking. Heavily yolked eggs undergo meroblastic, discoidal cleavage. Development is lengthy, shortest (2–4 months) in rays, longer in skates (3–8 months) and longest (9–22 months) in sharks and chimaeras. Most sharks and all rays are viviparous. Chimaeras, skates, and some sharks are oviparous. Viviparity either involves a yolk sac placenta or is aplacental. If aplacental, the embryo derives nutrients either from yolk reserves, or by intra-uterine embryonic cannibalism, or from placental analogues which secrete “uterine milk.” Phylogenetic position, geographical distribution, benthic vs. pelagic habitat, adult size, egg-embryo size, feeding ecology, and embryonic osmoregulation are factors in the retention of oviparity or the evolution of viviparity.
Transmissibility of swine flu at Fort Dix, 1976

AbstarctThe 1976 outbreak of A/New Jersey/76 influenza in Fort Dix is a rare example of an influenza virus with documented human to human transmission that failed to spread widely. Despite extensiv...
A Receiver Architecture for Dual-Antenna Systems

The signals received by two antennas can be processed by a single time-shared receiver but only in the absence of interferers and channel-select filters. A low-IF receiver architecture is introduced that translates two antenna signals to positive and negative frequencies in the complex domain, reducing the number of baseband A/D converters by a factor of two. A dual-receiver prototype designed and fabricated in 0.18-mum CMOS technology provides a sensitivity of -72 dBm with an EVM of -25 dB for 64 QAM signals while drawing 60.2 mW from a 1.8-V supply.
Mast cell regulation of Na-glutamine co-transporters B0AT1 in villus and SN2 in crypt cells during chronic intestinal inflammation

In the chronically inflamed rabbit small intestine, brush border membrane (BBM) Na-glutamine co-transport is inhibited in villus cells (mediated by B0AT1), while it is stimulated in crypt cells (mediated by SN2/SNAT5). How mast cells, known to be enhanced in the chronically inflamed intestine, may regulate B0AT1 in villus and SN2/SNAT5 in crypt cell is unknown. Thus, the aim of the present study is to determine the regulation of B0AT1 and SN2/SNAT5 by mast cells during chronic enteritis. Chronic intestinal inflammation was induced in male rabbits with intra-gastric inoculation of Eimeria magna oocytes. Rabbits with chronic inflammation were treated with ketotifen (10 mg/day) or saline (Placebo) for 2 days. Villus and crypts cells were isolated from the rabbit intestine using the Ca++ chelation technique. Na/K-ATPase activity was measured as Pi from cellular homogenate. BBM vesicles (BBMV) were prepared from villus and crypt cells and uptake studies were performed using rapid filtration technique with 3H-Glutamine. Western blot analyses were done using B0AT1 and SN2 specific antibodies. In villus cells, Na-glutamine co-transport inhibition observed during inflammation was completely reversed by ketotifen, a mast cell stabilizer. In contrast, in crypt cells, Na-glutamine co-transport stimulation was reversed to normal levels by ketotifen. Kinetic studies demonstrated that ketotifen reversed the inhibition of B0AT1 in villus cells by restoring co-transporter numbers in the BBM, whereas the stimulation of SN2/SNAT5 in crypts cells was reversed secondary to restoration of affinity of the co-transporter. Western blot analysis showed that ketotifen restored immune-reactive levels of B0AT1 in villus cells, while SN2/SNAT5 levels from crypts cell remained unchanged. In the present study we demonstrate that mast cells likely function as a common upstream immune pathway regulator of the Na-dependent glutamine co-transporters, B0AT1 in villus cells and SN2 in crypts cells that are uniquely altered in the chronically inflamed small intestine.
Racial/ethnic differences in weight-related teasing in adolescents.

Objective: The current study examined general, peer, and family weight teasing across race/ethnicity and weight status (average weight, overweight, obese) in adolescents. For those participants who reported peer or family weight teasing, the extent to which this teasing bothered them was also reported. Methods and Procedures: Data were from the first wave of Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), a longitudinal study of eating and weight-related variables in 4,746 adolescent boys and girls. Participants completed a survey and their height and weight were measured. Results: Prevalences of general weight teasing were similar across race/ethnicity. Asian-American boys, black boys, and Asian-American girls reported lower prevalences of peer teasing than whites. Hispanic, Asian-American, and mixed/other girls reported higher prevalences of family weight teasing than did white girls. In nearly all racial/ethnic groups for all three teasing variables, obese adolescents were significantly more likely to report having been teased, compared to average-weight adolescents. In some racial/ethnic groups overweight adolescents were also significantly more likely than average-weight adolescents to report having been teased. Among girls who were teased, fewer black and mixed/other girls were bothered by peer teasing, compared to white girls. Similarly, fewer girls from most racial/ethnic groups were bothered by family weight teasing, compared to white girls. Discussion: The results of the current study suggest that weight-based teasing is a problem for all youth, and especially so for overweight and obese youth, regardless of racial/ethnic group. Asian-American adolescents may experience somewhat less weight teasing from peers, and possibly more weight teasing from family members. One-quarter to one-half of those teased by family or peers were bothered by it, and more white girls were bothered than other groups. Efforts to eradicate weight stigmatization could provide benefits to a sizable number of adolescents across a variety of racial and ethnic groups.
Capitalism, Climate Change and the Transition to Sustainability: Alternative Scenarios for the US, China and the World

This contribution evaluates the geopolitical and technical issues involved in climate stabilization and discusses alternative technical paths towards the required emission reductions in the US, China and the world. There are no plausible scenarios in which climate stabilization is compatible with a pace of capital accumulation required for economic and political stability under a capitalist system. Meaningful and effective actions towards climate stabilization presuppose and require fundamental social change.
Altered apoptotic gene expression and acquired apoptotic resistance in cadmium-transformed human prostate epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND Cadmium is a suspected prostatic carcinogen, although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. To investigate these mechanisms, we performed molecular comparisons between the cadmium-transformed prostate epithelial cell line CTPE and the nontumorigenic parental line RWPE-1. METHODS Gene expression patterns were compared by using cDNA arrays, RNase protection assays, and Western blots. Apoptosis was analyzed by using flow cytometry to quantify apoptotic nuclei and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method to measure DNA fragmentation. Caspase-3 activity was measured colorimetrically. RESULTS Among the genes down-regulated in CTPE cells were those encoding several members of the caspase family of apoptotic proteases as well as the apoptotic regulator Bax. Ribonuclease protection assays confirmed global down-regulation of caspase gene expression in CTPE. Decreased Bax expression in CTPE was confirmed by Western blots, which also revealed increased expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Consistent with these changes, CTPE cells exhibited increased resistance to apoptosis induced by cadmium, cisplatin, and etoposide. CTPE cells also exhibited lower caspase-3 activity vs. RWPE-1 after etoposide treatment. CONCLUSIONS CTPE cells exhibited altered expression of important apoptotic regulators as well as resistance to several apoptotic stimuli. We hypothesize that acquired apoptotic resistance may be a key aspect of cadmium-induced malignant transformation of prostate epithelial cells and that this may contribute to both tumor initiation and the acquisition of aggressive characteristics subsequent to tumor formation. Prostate 52:236–244, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Superassertibility and the Equivalence Schema: A Dilemma for Wright’s Antirealist

Crispin Wright champions the notion of superassertibility as providing a truth predicate that is congenial to antirealists in many debates in that it satisfies relevant platitudes concerning truth and does so in a very minimal way. He motivates such a claim by arguing that superassertibility can satisfy the equivalence schema: it is superassertible that P if and only if P. I argue that Wright’s attempted proof that superassertibility can satisfy this schema is unsuccessful, because it requires a premise that has not been properly motivated and is prima facie implausible. I further argue that, even if the dubious premise is accepted, the resulting proof is intuitionistically invalid. This is problematic, because a proponent of superassertibility as a truth predicate has independent reasons to affect a logical revision in the direction of intuitionism. The resulting dilemma suggests that superassertibility may not be an adequate truth candidate for any significant ranges of discourse.
Seasonal variation influences outcomes following lung cancer resections

Objective: The effect of seasonal variation on postoperative outcomes following lung cancer resections is unknown. We hypothesized that postoperative outcomes following surgical resection for lung cancer within the United States would not be impacted by operative season. Methods: From 2002 to 2007, 182 507 isolated lung cancer resections (lobectomy (n = 147 937), sublobar resection (n = 21 650), and pneumonectomy (n = 13 916)) were evaluated using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Patients were stratified according to operative season: spring (n = 47 382), summer (n = 46 131), fall (n = 45 370) and winter (n = 43 624). Multivariate regression models were applied to assessthe effect of operative seasonon adjusted postoperative outcomes.Results:Patient co-morbidities and risk factors were similardespite the operative season. Lobectomy was the most common operation performed: spring (80.0%), summer (81.3%), fall (81.8%), and winter (81.1%). Lung cancer resections were more commonly performed at large, high-volume (>75th percentile operative volume) centers (P < 0.001). Unadjusted mortality was lowest during the spring (2.6%, P < 0.001) season compared with summer (3.1%), fall (3.0%) and winter (3.2%), while complications were most commonin the fall (31.7%,P < 0.001). Hospital length of stay was longest for operations performed in the winter season (8.92 0.11 days, P < 0.001). Importantly, multivariable logistic regression revealed that operative season was an independent predictor of inhospitalmortality (P < 0.001) andof postoperativecomplications (P < 0.001). Risk-adjusted oddsof in-hospital mortalitywere increasedfor lung cancer resections occurring during all other seasons compared with those occurring in the spring. Conclusions: Outcomes following surgical resectionfor lungcancerareindependentlyinfluencedbytimeofyear. Risk-adjustedin-hospitalmortalityand hospitallengthofstay werelowest during the spring season.
The stability of an unsteady Kelvin–Helmholtz flow

The investigation concerns the stability of an interface between two inviscid fluids of different densities which flow parallel to each other in an oscillatory manner. When the difference in the mean speeds is below the steady, critical speed for instability but is large compared to the amplitude of the fluctuations, parametric amplification of waves at the interface occurs, and the interface exhibits a resonance of a subharmonic nature. The paper concludes with a discussion of the stability of unsteady shear layers on the basis of the results.
Voter Uncertainty Can Produce Preferences with More Than One Peak, but Not Preference Cycles: A Clue to the Fate of Ross Perot?

The one-dimensional Downsian spatial model entails single-peaked preferences for each voter. Consequently, the preference ranking of the electorate as a whole is also single-peaked, and Condorcet cycles in the preferences of the electorate are not possible. Our main theoretical results herein are that, if the model is generalized to allow for voter uncertainty about candidates' positions, then single-peakedness no longer exists invariably, either for individual voters or for the electorate as a whole. However, cyclical preference majorities remain impossible. We examine how well the generalized model may fit preference and variability data from the 1992 United States Presidential election.
Electronically Controlled Stage for Systematic Scanning of Microscopic Areas

An instrument has been developed to automatically scan a microscopic area for the quantitative evaluation of the light transmitting properties of biological materials on the cellular and subcellular levels. The specimen may be viewed through an aperture of selected size in the microscope both visually and electronically, while the slide is electronically manipulated to scan a rectangular area whose length and width are independently adjustable from 5 to 100?. The slide is swept back and forth horizontally at a uniform rate which is adjustable from 0.4 to 4 ?/sec. At the end of each horizontal sweep it is moved vertically by an adjustable step of 0.2 to 10 ?. The scanning process proceeds entirely automatically until the selected area has been scanned. The stage motion is produced by thermal expansion and contraction in tungsten wires through which electronically controlled heating currents are passed. Precise control of the velocity and position of the stage is achieved by the use of feedback systems to control the heating currents in the wires so that their resistances, and therefore their temperatures, are accurately related to the values of analog control voltages. The relation between the horizontal and vertical stage displacements and the controlling voltages is linear within the precision of an occular micrometer.
Cell Division in Caenorhabditis elegans

Accurate cell division is crucial to cellular and organismal viability and mistakes can have serious consequences such as developmental defects or disease. Successful cell division results in the production of two daughter cells, each possessing a complete and accurately replicated copy of the parental genome. This is achieved through segregation of the replicated chromosomes on the bipolar mitotic spindle and subsequent cellular fission to produce two daughter cells. Here, we review how use of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans has contributed to our understanding of cell division.
ASYMMETRIC STRATIFICATION AN OUTLINE FOR AN EFFICIENT METHOD FOR CONTROLLING CONFOUNDING IN COHORT STUDIES

Confounding is usually controlled by either cross-stratification or multivariate modeling. The first approach is simple and intuitive, but it is not practical for controlling many factors. The second approach, although less intuitive, may provide a more efficient means for controlling many confounders, but its ability to control confounding depends on the appropriateness of the chosen model. Hybrid methods based on a multivariate confounder score or a propensity score combine the favorable characteristics of both methods and may be better suited for controlling many confounders. However, the resulting strata are defined by subranges of a multivariate model, and, therefore, may possess little intrinsic meaning. The authors propose the principle of asymmetric stratification to control efficiently a number of confounders in cohort studies while retaining the intuitive appeal and general framework of cross-stratification. The proposed method resembles a propensity score analysis but does not use a multivariate model to define the strata. Instead, strata are defined by the categories of only a subset of the original potential confounders. The authors also demonstrate how our proposed method can be implemented by an application of classification and regression trees (CART) (recursive partitioning), as outlined by Breiman et al. (Classification and Regression Trees. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1984). Computer simulations and an actual example suggest that the proposed method is a potentially simpler alternative to the standard propensity score analysis. Specific recommendations on how the proposed method can be improved are also presented.
Competitive Advantage in Nonprofit Grant Markets: Implications of Network Embeddedness and Status

ABSTRACTThis article empirically addresses the effects of network embeddedness on nonprofit organizations’ ability to access financial resources within competitive markets, with a focus in this analysis on the acquisition of foundation grants. We test theory on the role of organizational status in competitive markets using data from a network of nonprofits linked by foundation grants in metropolitan Atlanta during 2000 and 2005. We find that observable characteristics of nonprofits, including size, fundraising expenses, and financial health, explain success in grant markets. However, market status in previous time periods, operationalized as prior relationships with influential foundations in grant markets, additionally explains future grant awards. Our findings suggest that the status conferred through connections to important actors in a network can raise the profile of a nonprofit and increase the probability of grant success.
Iridium Pincer-Catalyzed Dehydrogenation of Ethers Featuring Ethylene as the Hydrogen Acceptor

We describe efficient methods to dehydrogenate ethers by using iridium pincer complexes (iPr4Anthraphos)-Ir(H)(Cl), 4, iPr4PC(sp3)P–Ir(H)(Cl), 5, and (iPr4PCP)-Ir(H)(Cl), 6. At 120 °C, cyclic ethers were dehydrogenated with tert-butylethylene as the hydrogen acceptor with high turnover numbers (over 400 in many cases). Acyclic ethers such as diethyl ether can also be dehydrogenated catalytically with TONs up to 90. The efficient dehydrogenation of cyclic and acyclic ethers using ethylene as a more practical hydrogen acceptor has been demonstrated for the first time.