cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dogmatism and decisions involving risk

This experimental study examines the influence of dogmatism on risk‐taking behavior for both groups and individuals. Subjects completed a measure of dogmatism and an initial measure of risk‐taking. Groups composed of high, moderate, and low dogmatic subjects participated in problem‐solving discussions in which group risk‐taking was observed. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for developing an improved risky‐shift paradigm.
Species and hybrid differences in frequencies of play and agonistic actions in canids.

Developmental changes in the frequency of occurrence of some 23 action patterns were studied in pairs of coyotes, wolves, dogs and their hybrids. Over 4,300 entries were recorded from days 24--42 (85.5 h observations in toto). All subjects showed a decrease in contactual behaviors from 24--30 days, and a subsequent increase in play fighting and chasing. In all species, with the exception of the coyotes, the bite was inhibited and play behavior was recorded from 24 days onwards, but only after the 30th day in the coyotes. Species differences in occurrence and frequency of certain action patterns were evident in the wolves, coyotes and dogs, and these differences were also reflected in their hybrids. Language: en
The scattering of He3 by He4

Abstract Cross sections for the elastic scattering of He 3 by He 4 have been measured for incident He 3 energies in the range 2.5 ≦ E He 3 ≦ 5.7 MeV (lab system) using a Van de Graaff accelerator and a differentially pumped gas scattering chamber. Excitation functions were measured at centre-of-mass angles 54°44′, 63°27′, 73°57′, 90°2′, 104°38′, 106°36′, 116°37′, 125°19′ and 140°50′. Angular distributions were measured at E He 3 = 2.467, 3.600, 4.761 and 5.703 MeV. The scattering phase shifts were obtained from these data. The general trend of the S-wave phase shift with energy is similar to that for hard-sphere scattering with a radius R = 2.8 fm, although there is some indication of a systematic departure from this. The variation of the δ 1 + phase shift with energy is consistent with the effect of the Be 7 ground state, calculated using single-level dispersion theory. However, the behaviour of the δ 1 − phase shift cannot be explained by the effect of only the Be 7 first excited state. The presence of the second excited state in Be 7 explains the behaviour of the δ 3 + phase shift fairly well. The parameters used for this state were J π = 7 2 − , R = 4.4 fm , characteristic energy = 3.56 MeV , reduced width = 0.7 MeV .
The Cough from Hell: Diazepam for Intractable Cough in a Patient with Renal Cell Carcinoma

Cough is a common symptom in cancer. Its underlying cause should be managed when identified; otherwise, empiric treatment is the mainstay of symptom control. Cancer-related cough usually responds to radiation therapy, an opioid, or benzonatate, a peripheral anesthetic. We present the case of a patient with renal cell carcinoma hospitalized for intractable cough that failed to respond adequately to usual treatments, but improved with diazepam.
Local 90° switching in Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 thin film: Phase-field modeling

Abstract Polarization switching under an applied electrical field is a fundamental property of ferroelectric materials and has been explored for ferroelectric memory and electromechanical sensor applications. Ferroelectric/ferroelastic Pb(Zr 0.2 Ti 0.8 )O 3 (PZT) epitaxial thin films have been extensively studied due to their high electromechanical responses. Herein, we study the switching kinetics of PZT thin films under a local applied bias simulating a piezoresponse force microscopy tip via the phase-field approach. Local 90° switching was observed along with 180° switching, in good agreement with previous experimental observations. Different switching patterns are observed at different applied bias for films under different substrate strains. Generally, under low to medium bias, 90° switching is favored due to the huge release of elastic energy. While under a high applied bias, 180° switching dominates with large electrostatic energy decrease. It is worthwhile noting that the less mobile 90° domain wall cannot be fully switched back by a reverse electric field, which could lead to the “fatigue behavior”.
Variation of ice crystal size, shape, and asymmetry parameter in tops of tropical deep convective clouds

The variation of ice crystal properties in the tops of deep convective clouds off the north coast of Australia is analyzed. Cloud optical thickness, ice effective radius, aspect ratio of ice crystal components, crystal distortion parameter and asymmetry parameter are simultaneously retrieved from combined measurements of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Polarization and Directionality of the Earth's Reflectances (POLDER) satellite instruments. The data are divided into periods with alternating weak and strong convection. Mostly plate-like particle components with aspect ratios closer to unity and lower asymmetry parameters characterize strongly convective periods, while weakly convective periods generally show lower aspect ratios, relatively more column-like shapes and somewhat greater asymmetry parameters. Results for strongly convective periods show that, with increasing cloud top temperature, the distortion parameter generally decreases, while the asymmetry parameter and effective radius increase. For one of the strongly convective periods, the rate at which effective radii increase with cloud top temperature is more than double that of the other periods, while the temperature dependence of the other microphysical quantities for this period is substantially weaker. Atmospheric state analysis indicates that these differences are concurrent with differences in middle-to-upper tropospheric zonal wind shear. The observed variation of microphysical properties may have significant effects on the shortwave radiative fluxes and cloud absorption associated with deep convection. Additionally, MODIS collection 5 effective radii are estimated to be biased small with an artificially narrow range. Collection 6 products are expected to have less severe biases that depend on cloud top temperature and atmospheric conditions.
Formation of high-strength β′ precipitates in Mg–RE alloys: The role of the Mg/β″ interfacial instability

Abstract Aging reactions in Mg–RE alloys strengthen magnesium, due to the formation of metastable β ″ and β ′ precipitates. We use first-principles calculations to critically assess binary Mg–RE (RE = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Y) aging reactions, metastable phases and interfacial energy. We find the following. (i) Our calculations correctly predict the formation of different variants of β ′ phases for Mg–RE systems across the RE series. (ii) Surprisingly, the Mg/ β ″ prismatic interfaces are unstable, with a negative interfacial energy. (iii) This interfacial instability implies the existence of a more energetically stable compound than β ″ , which we show to be the β ′ precipitate. By exposing the link between Mg/ β ″ prismatic interfaces and the β ′ structure, we propose that β ′ phase formation is due to an energetic preference for an ordered arrangement of Mg and β ″ . (iv) Our Mg/ β ″ interfacial energy results also indicate that atomically thin β ″ planar Guinier–Preston zones can form as a precursor to β ′ precipitation.
Listeria monocytogenes σB Regulates Stress Response and Virulence Functions

While the stress-responsive alternative sigma factor σB has been identified in different species of Bacillus, Listeria, and Staphylococcus, the σB regulon has been extensively characterized only in B. subtilis. We combined biocomputing and microarray-based strategies to identify σB-dependent genes in the facultative intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Hidden Markov model (HMM)-based searches identified 170 candidate σB-dependent promoter sequences in the strain EGD-e genome sequence. These data were used to develop a specialized, 208-gene microarray, which included 166 genes downstream of HMM-predicted σB-dependent promoters as well as selected virulence and stress response genes. RNA for the microarray experiments was isolated from both wild-type and ΔsigB null mutant L. monocytogenes cells grown to stationary phase or exposed to osmotic stress (0.5 M KCl). Microarray analyses identified a total of 55 genes with statistically significant σB-dependent expression under the conditions used in these experiments, with at least 1.5-fold-higher expression in the wild type over the sigB mutant under either stress condition (51 genes showed at least 2.0-fold-higher expression in the wild type). Of the 55 genes exhibiting σB-dependent expression, 54 were preceded by a sequence resembling the σB promoter consensus sequence. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends-PCR was used to confirm the σB-dependent nature of a subset of eight selected promoter regions. Notably, the σB-dependent L. monocytogenes genes identified through this HMM/microarray strategy included both stress response genes (e.g., gadB, ctc, and the glutathione reductase gene lmo1433) and virulence genes (e.g., inlA, inlB, and bsh). Our data demonstrate that, in addition to regulating expression of genes important for survival under environmental stress conditions, σB also contributes to regulation of virulence gene expression in L. monocytogenes. These findings strongly suggest that σB contributes to L. monocytogenes gene expression during infection.
Experimental study of the behavior of a valveless impedance pump

When a fluid-filled flexible tube is connected to tubing of different impedance, a net flow in either direction can be induced by periodically pinching the flexible section asymmetrically from the ends. We have experimentally demonstrated a variety of conditions under which pumping occurs; including changes in actuator position, size and pinching frequency, transmural pressure, systemic resistance and materials. Data collected includes dynamic pressure and flow-rate measurements at the inlet and outlet of the pump and ultrasound imaging of the tube walls. The net flow rate is highly sensitive to pinching frequency. The pump does not require a closed loop and can sustain a pressure head. We have also shown that a flexible, yet inelastic material is a sufficient condition for impedance-driven flow. A micro-scaled version of the pump was simultaneously tested demonstrating the feasibility of a miniature design.
Monotonic multigamma coupling for perfect sampling

We consider a monotonic version of the multigamma coupler introduced by Murdoch and Green in ‘Exact Sampling from a Continuous State Space’ (Scandinavian Journal of Statistics, 1998) in the context of bounded multivariate distributions. Monotonicity greatly increases the efficiency of the coupler. We prove the validity of the multigamma coupler when the coalescence probability ρ is variable; specifically, a function of the bounding chains. This variation is more efficient than the fixed ρ version, and can always be used when the multigamma coupler is monotonic. We apply our algorithm to two examples.
Decreased masticatory function in denture patients

Abstract A group of denture subjects were studied for their ability to chew a test food at 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 strokes. Comparison of findings with those of subjects with natural teeth indicates that most denture patients are even more handicapped than had previously been supposed. The group studied had an average efficiency of 12 per cent, less than one half that of previous findings.
Dopamine agonists: their effect on locomotion and exploration.

The results of two experiments are reported in which animals were simultaneously tested for locomotion and exploration after systemic injections of dopaminergic agonists. The testing apparatus was an open field in which 16 holes were made in the floor. Locomotion was measured by movement in the open field. Exploration was measured by investigation of the holes in the floor. In the first experiment the effects of apomorphine and ET 495 at three dose levels were compared in male rats that had been adapted to the testing situation for 21 days. In these animals, both drugs reduced exploration but only apomorphine reduced locomotion. In the second experiment, male and female rats with little prior experience in the apparatus were tested under three doses of apomorphine. In general the females were more sensitive to the drug, showing decreases in exploration at lower doses than did the males. Furthermore, the apomorphine failed to reduce locomotor activity in either sex except under the highest dose of apomorphine used (10 mg/kg) at which time stereotyped behavior was frequently observed.
Linguistic Constraint Systems as General Soft Constraint Satisfaction

This paper proposes that linguistic constraint satisfaction can be viewed as an instance of general human soft constraint satisfaction. After a discussion on the relation between modularity in grammar and soft constraints and a review of the conceptions of gradient phenomena in language, the paper presents a generalized theory of soft constraint satisfaction from the AI literature (Bistarelli 2001). It then shows that a unifying underlying theory of constraint satisfaction allows us to bring different constraint-based linguistic theories (e.g., LOT and HPSG) closer together as well as account for certain gradient phenomena straightforwardly.
Plasmid-mediated extended-spectrum β-lactamases in organisms other than Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli: A hidden reservoir of transferable resistance genes

Resistance due to AmpC β-lactamases and ESBLs in gramnegative bacillary pathogens is a growing and important problem and is tied to extensive use of extended-spectrum cephalosporins The emergence of these β-lactamases is then amplified by spread of resistant clones or resistant genes among patients within institutions or among patients who move between institutions within a region. Genes encoding β-lactamases are frequently linked to resistance genes for other classes of antibiotics. Thus, use of any one class of antibiotic may select for emergence of resistance to another. Treatment of infections caused by these multidrug-resistant pathogens is often problematic. One strategy to circumvent β-lactamase production has been use of β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, but AmpC β-lactamases and hyperproduction of ESBLs evade this therapeutic strategy. Use of carbapenems and cefepime, which are the most stable of all β-lactam antibiotics to hydrolysis by ESBLs and AmpC β-lactamases, can be expected eventually to select for emergence of resistance to these drugs as well.
Redox properties of human transferrin bound to its receptor.

Virtually all organisms require iron, and iron-dependent cells of vertebrates (and some more ancient species) depend on the Fe3+-binding protein of the circulation, transferrin, to meet their needs. In its iron-donating cycle, transferrin is first captured by the transferrin receptor on the cell membrane, and then internalized to a proton-pumping endosome where iron is released. Iron exits the endosome to enter the cytoplasm via the ferrous iron transporter DMT1, a molecule that accepts only Fe2+, but the reduction potential of ferric iron in free transferrin at endosomal pH (∼5.6) is below −500 mV, too low for reduction by physiological agents such as the reduced pyridine nucleotides with reduction potentials of −284 mV. We now show that in its complex with the transferrin receptor, which persists throughout the transferrin-to-cell cycle of iron uptake, the potential is raised by more than 200 mV. Reductive release of iron from transferrin, which binds Fe2+ very weakly, is therefore physiologically feasi...
A Biochemical Guide to Yeast Adhesins: Glycoproteins for Social and Antisocial Occasions

Fungi are nonmotile eukaryotes that rely on their adhesins for selective interaction with the environment and with other fungal cells. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-cross-linked adhesins have essential roles in mating, colony morphology, host-pathogen interactions, and biofilm formation. We review the structure and binding properties of cell wall-bound adhesins of ascomycetous yeasts and relate them to their effects on cellular interactions, with particular emphasis on the agglutinins and flocculins of Saccharomyces and the Als proteins of Candida. These glycoproteins share common structural motifs tailored to surface activity and biological function. After being secreted to the outer face of the plasma membrane, they are covalently anchored in the wall through modified GPI anchors, with their binding domains elevated beyond the wall surface on highly glycosylated extended stalks. N-terminal globular domains bind peptide or sugar ligands, with between millimolar and nanomolar affinities. These affinities and the high density of adhesins and ligands at the cell surface determine microscopic and macroscopic characteristics of cell-cell associations. Central domains often include Thr-rich tandemly repeated sequences that are highly glycosylated. These domains potentiate cell-to-cell binding, but the molecular mechanism of such an association is not yet clear. These repeats also mediate recombination between repeats and between genes. The high levels of recombination and epigenetic regulation are sources of variation which enable the population to continually exploit new niches and resources.
Hugh Blair's theory of taste

(1958). Hugh Blair's theory of taste. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 265-274.
Are emotional expressions intentional?: A self-organizational approach

This paper discusses the debate over whether emotional expressions are spontaneous or intentional actions. We describe a variety of empirical evidence supporting these two possibilities. But we argue that the spontaneous-intentional distinction fails to explain the psychological dynamics of emotional expressions. We claim that a complex systems perspective on intentions, as self-organized critical states, may yield a unified view of emotional expressions as a consequence of situated action. This account simultaneously acknowledges the embodied status of environment, evolution, culture and mind in theories of emotion.
Cutting Performance of Diamond-Like Carbon Coated Tool in Cutting of Aluminum Alloys

In cutting aluminum alloy 6061, continuous chips have a negative influence on the machining operation. Usually, Pb is added in order to break continuous chips. However, from the standpoint of environmental protection, it is necessary to improve chip breakability without adding Pb. One effective measure is improving chip breakability by adding Si in aluminum alloy 6061. However, the influence of Si content on tool wear has not been fully examined. In this study, in order to clarify the influence of a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating layer on cutting performance, aluminum alloys having different Si contents were turned. The substrate of the tool material was high speed steel (1.4%C). The chip configuration, cutting force and tool wear were experimentally investigated. The following results were obtained: (1) The DLC coating layer was effective for decreasing the cutting force. (2) In cutting Al-2mass%Si alloy, the wear progress of the DLC-coated tool was slower than that of the un-coated tool. The length of a chip with the DLC-coated tool was shorter than that with the un-coated tool.
Assessment of vegetation and soil water regimes in partial canopies with optical remotely sensed data.

Abstract The optical properties of a partially vegetated cotton field with spatially and temporally dynamic soil water conditions were analyzed with coincident aircraft and satellite data. The study was conducted at the Maricopa Agricultural Center in Arizona during June 1988. The dynamics of soil surface drying made it difficult to evaluate plant cover and assess soil condition with combined thermal, brightness, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) spectral parameters as all three parameters were sensitive to the three stages of soil drying. A soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) minimized both spatial and temporal variations in soil spectral behavior and was found useful in vegetation analysis and in further qualitative assessment of soil condition. Due to the complex dynamics of soil surface drying and variability in soil properties, soil water content at the surface (0 – 5 cm) could not be determined with the Thematic Mapper moisture bands, or with the various “wetness” indicators.
A versatile clustering algorithm with objective function and objective measure

Abstract A computer program for nonparametric cluster synthesis, using similarity rather than maximum likelihood as the basis for class membership, is presented. The algorithm utilizes recursive computations to develop a hierarchy or tree of nested clusters. The major components of the program are: (1) a (dis)similarity function. (2) a grouping or merger strategy, based on optimizing a dynamic objective function, and (3) a halting criterion, based on evaluating a dynamic objective measure. Program options permit variations of data normalization, measures of similarity, and clustering strategy. A variety of hard-copy summaries and displays are available to the user. An illustrative application to the classification of human mitotic chromosomes is included.
Culturally Relevant Literature: What Matters Most to Primary-Age Urban Learners

The ratings and rationales primary-age urban learners gave culturally relevant reading passages was the focus of this descriptive study. First- and second-grade students each read 30 researcher-developed passages reflecting the students’ immediate and historical backgrounds. The students rated the passages and gave a reason for their ratings. A descriptive analysis of these data showed that the students overwhelmingly rated the passages positively and preferred most the stories that they personally identified with, followed by those considered to be altruistic and/or fun. Passages that helped them to learn something also received positive ratings. We discuss these findings in terms of their implications for literacy development.
Automatic microwave network measurements

Network measurements using scattering parameters at microwave frequencies date back to before World-War II in different forms. With the advent of sweepers, the first phase of automation was achieved. Errors in reflection and transmission measurements were reduced by means of better hardware design until the next step of automation took place. Digital computers not only increased the speed of measurements, but were capable of correcting vectorial errors. The chronological development of S parameter-measurement techniques and error analysis is discussed.
Impact of concurrent naturalistic pharmacotherapy on psychotherapy of complicated grief

Complicated grief (CG) is a debilitating syndrome that can be reliably identified, but there is a paucity of research examining treatment of CG. A targeted psychotherapy for complicated grief (CGT) was recently shown to be efficacious [Shear, K., Frank, E., Houck, P.R., Reynolds, C.F., 3rd, 2005. Treatment of complicated grief: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association 293, 2601-2608]. We provide a detailed examination of the association of naturalistic pharmacotherapy use with treatment response and study completion in the psychotherapy study. Patients on an antidepressant medication were more likely to complete a full course of CGT (91% vs. 58% completed), while antidepressant use had no effect on completion rates for the comparator, interpersonal psychotherapy (70% vs. 77%). Our naturalistic data underscore the need for prospective, randomized controlled studies of CG pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy alone and in combination.
Toward the development of microbial indicators for wetland assessment

Wetland assessment tools are being developed and employed in wetland monitoring and conservation based on physical, chemical and biological characterization. In wetland biological assessment, various ecological functions have been described by biological traits of an entire species pool that adapts to different types of wetland environments. Since microorganisms play a key role in wetland biogeochemical processes and respond quickly to environmental disturbances, this review paper describes the different macro indicators used in wetland biological monitoring and expands the potential use of microbial indicators in wetland assessment and management. Application of molecular microbial technologies paves the path to an integrated measure of wetland health conditions. For example, the ratio of ammonia-oxidizing archaeal and bacterial populations has been proposed to serve as a microbial indicator of wetland nutrient conditions. The microbial indicators coupled with physical, chemical and other biological parameters are vital to the development of multi-metric index for measuring wetland health conditions. Inclusion of microbial indicators will lead to a more comprehensive wetland assessment for wetland restoration and management practices.
Structural difference rule for amorphous alloy formation by ion mixing

We formulate a rule which establishes a sufficient condition that an amorphous binary alloy will be formed by ion mixing of multilayered samples when the two constituent metals are of different crystalline structure, regardless of their atomic sizes and electronegativities. The rule is supported by the experimental results we have obtained on six selected binary metal systems, as well as by the previous data reported in the literature. The amorphization mechanism is discussed in terms of the competition between two different structures resulting in frustration of the crystallization process.
A freeze-etch and thin-section study of mycoplasmas in Vinca rosea phloem.

Mycoplasmas in the phloem of V. rosea were examined in thin sections and freeze-etchings. The plasmalemma of the parasite possessed evenly distributed particles on both fracture faces; particle diameters ranged from 8.7 to 13.2 nm. Vesicles in some mycoplasmas were found, in serial sections, to be wholly intracellular. Vesicles occurred most frequently in mycoplasmas thought to be senescent (characterized by swollen cells with very electron-lucent cytoplasm and a few nucleic acid strands). The fracture faces of the vesicular membranes lacked particles, and irregularly shaped regions 16 to 24 nm in diameter were demarcated by furrows. The functional significance of this unusual membrane structure was not determined.
Infection of human pericytes by HIV-1 disrupts the integrity of the blood–brain barrier

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection of the central nervous system (CNS) affects cross-talk between the individual cell types of the neurovascular unit, which then contributes to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and the development of neurological dysfunctions. Although the toxicity of HIV-1 on neurons, astrocytes and brain endothelial cells has been widely studied, there are no reports addressing the influence of HIV-1 on pericytes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether or not pericytes can be infected with HIV-1 and how such an infection affects the barrier function of brain endothelial cells. Our results indicate that human brain pericytes express the major HIV-1 receptor CD4 and co-receptors CXCR4 and CCR5. We also determined that HIV-1 can replicate, although at a low level, in human brain pericytes as detected by HIV-1 p24 ELISA. Pericytes were susceptible to infection with both the X4-tropic NL4-3 and R5-tropic JR-CSF HIV-1 strains. Moreover, HIV-1 infection of pericytes resulted in compromised integrity of an in vitro model of the BBB. These findings indicate that human brain pericytes can be infected with HIV-1 and suggest that infected pericytes are involved in the progression of HIV-1-induced CNS damage.
Use of Calcium-Binding Proteins to Map Inputs in Vestibular Nuclei of the Gerbil

We wished to determine whether calbindin and/or calretinin are appropriate markers for vestibular afferents, a population of neurons in the vestibular nuclear complex, or cerebellar Purkinje inputs. To accomplish this goal, immunocytochemical staining was observed in gerbils after lesions of the vestibular nerve central to the ganglion, the cerebellum, or both. Eleven to fourteen days after recovery, the brain was processed for immunocytochemical identification of calretinin and calbindin. After lesion of the vestibular nerve, no calretinin staining was seen in any of the vestibular nuclei except for a population of intrinsic neurons, which showed no obvious change in number or staining pattern. Calbindin staining was reduced in all nuclei except the dorsal part of the lateral vestibular nuclei. The density of staining of each marker, measured in the magnocellular medial vestibular nucleus, was significantly reduced. After the cerebellar lesion, no differences in calretinin staining were noted. However, calbindin staining was greatly reduced in all nuclei. The density of staining, measured in the caudal medial vestibular nucleus, was significantly lower. After a combined lesion of the cerebellum and vestibular nerve, the distribution and density of calretinin staining resembled that after vestibular nerve section alone, whereas calbindin staining was no longer seen. This study demonstrates that calretinin and calbindin are effective markers for the identification of vestibular afferents. J. Comp. Neurol. 386:317‐327, 1997. r 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Indexing terms: calbindin; calretinin; plasticity; compensation; sensory motor
Aging and oxygen toxicity: Relation to changes in melatonin

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a chemical mediator produced in the pineal gland and other sites in the body. The melatonin found in the blood is derived almost exclusively from the pineal gland. Since the pineal synthesizes melatonin primarily at night, blood levels of the indole are also higher at night (5–15 fold) than during the day. Some individuals on a nightly basis produce twice as much melatonin as others of the same age. Throughout life, the melatonin rhythm gradually wanes such that, in advanced age, melatonin production is usually at a minimum. Melatonin was recently found to be a free radical scavenger and antioxidant. It has been shown, in the experimental setting, to protect against both free radical induced DNA damage and oxidative stress-mediated lipid peroxidation. Pharmacologically, melatonin has been shown to reduce oxidative damage caused by such toxins as the chemical carcinogen safrole, carbon tetrachloride, paraquat, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, kainic acid, δ-aminolevulinic and amyloid β peptide of Alzheimer’s disease as well as a model of Parkinson’s disease involving the drug 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Additionally, the oxidative damage caused by agents such as ionizing radiation and excessive exercise is reduced by melatonin. Since free radical-induced molecular injury may play a significant role in aging, melatonin’s ability to protect against it suggests a potential function of melatonin in deferring aging and age-related, free radical-based diseases. Besides its ability to abate oxidative damage, other beneficial features of melatonin may be important in combating the signs of aging; these include melatonin’s immune-stimulating function, its sleep-promoting ability, its function as an anti-viral agent, and general protective actions at the cellular level. Definitive tests of the specific functions of physiological levels of melatonin in processes of aging are currently being conducted.
The Human Side of Reference in an Era of Technology

Summary Technology has impacted society in diverse ways. Libraries have not been exempt from the consequences of technology. Yet even as libraries become more technical and technologically challenging in their use, reference librarians have to be aware of the human aspects viable in the performance of our duty. We are challenged to recognize our diverse users and their needs, be clear in our definition of the terminology used in this new era, emphasize critical thinking and the existence of print, be honest in our quest for innovations at staffing the reference desk, and finally be willing to learn as much as possible. We must become part of this new age in order to be able to interact with and instruct our users.
Endogenous liquidity in emerging markets

Abstract Recent work has documented the “endogenous liquidity” phenomenon – that is, evidence that the amount of liquidity provision is determined endogenously by the expected profitability of market making. This effect has been verified in existing literature using G7 financial market data. The present paper examines whether endogenous liquidity is also present in the equity markets of emerging countries. Results show that indeed there is strong evidence across a broad range of countries for the hypothesis, with the effect potentially being even stronger in emerging market countries than in the G7 sample.
Review of “Crime and Culpability: A Theory of Criminal Law”

This is a review of the challenging book in which Larry Alexander and Kimberly Ferzan propose sweeping revisions to the structure of substantive criminal law.
Gene flow, refugia, and evolution of geographic variation in the song sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

We surveyed mtDNA restriction-site variation in song sparrows taken from across their continental range. Despite marked geographic variation in size and plumage color, mtDNA variation was not geographically structured. Subspecies were not identifiable by mtDNA analysis. We suggest that postglaciation dispersal scattered mtDNA haplotypes across the continent, explaining the lack of mtDNA geographic patterns. Evolution of size and plumage coloration has probably proceeded faster than mtDNA evolution, leading to the well-structured continental pattern of morphological variation. We suggest that the nonordered geographic distribution of haplotypes reflects the recency of population establishment following completion of range expansion. Dispersal distance was estimated from the mtDNA data at 6.1 km per generation, an order of magnitude greater than that (0.3 km) estimated from demographic data. Island samples were not especially different from continental ones. Rooting the haplotype cladogram with a putative primitive haplotype identified Newfoundland and the Queen Charlotte Islands as potential sites of recent refugia. We question whether study of geographic variation in song sparrows leads to insights concerning speciation.
Some Perspectives on Quantitative Criminology Pre-JQC: and Then Some

I am honored to have been invited to participate with the editors of JQC to join in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Journal. I think I got called on because I probably have had the longest opportunity to observe the dramatic growth in bringing quantitative analysis to criminology. My involvement started in 1966 when I was invited to lead the Task Force on Science and Technology for the President’s Crime Commission. 1 That was quite a challenge for someone who had an undergraduate degree in engineering physics and a PhD in operations research who protested that he knew nothing about crime or criminal justice, but accepted that risky invitation with the assurance that the Commission had lots of people around who had that expertise and could answer any questions. That was a golden opportunity to play ‘‘emperor’s clothes’’ and ask any probing questions however nao¨ve, and—little did I realize—launch a new career.
Reshaping the electric power industry

Abstract The electric power industry has entered a period of rapid change — with profound implications for the health of the global economy and natural environment. Many of today's vertically integrated utilities are likely to be restructured or broken up in the coming decade, yielding a commodity market in power generation and transmission, and a competitive services market at the local distribution level. The transformation of the industry is being driven both by broad trends toward privatization and deregulation, and by rapid advances in energy producing and consuming technologies. Devices such as fuel cells, photovoltaics, and flywheels will open the way to a more decentralized power industry in which electricity generation and storage facilities are increasingly located in customers' own facilities — integrated and controlled by new digital communications systems.
Optimal photonic crystal bends with linear dispersion

We present a method for systematic design of Photonic Crystal Waveguide (PCW) bends to achieve high transmission and low dispersion over large bandwidths by identifying factors and studying their effects on transmission and dispersive properties of bends.
Outpatient Surgical Management of Arthrofibrosis After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery

We present a consecutive series of nine patients who were referred to us because of arthrofibrosis (loss of > 15 degrees of extension) after intraarticular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autogenous patellar tendon (eight patients) or semitendinosus (one patient) graft. Eight patients had surgery within 2 weeks of injury. All patients had been immobilized in flexion after the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and they had failed to improve despite vigorous physical therapy and other closed methods of treatment. The mean time from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction to the subsequent surgery was 10.2 months (range, 3 to 14). The patients underwent an outpatient arthroscopic anterior scar resection, notchplasty, a closed knee manipulation for flexion, and extension casting. Serial daily extension cast changes allowed the patients to obtain full extension, which was maintained by a bivalved extension splint for bedtime use. Flexion was actively sought by aggressive outpatient physical therapy. All patients except one noted near-normal ultimate range of motion. One patient could only attain 10 degrees short of flat extension at the end of his rehabilitation and was considered a failed result. At final followup (mean, 31 months), no patient complained of symptoms of instability, all had a normal gait, and all but one were able to return to athletic activities.
Antioxidative mechanisms and plasma growth hormone levels: potential relationship in the aging process.

Factors affecting longevity are complex and poorly understood. We have recently found that Ames dwarf mice (df/df), which are deficient in growth hormone (GH), prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone, live significantly longer than their normal siblings whereas transgenic mice that overexpress GH exhibit reduced life-spans and various indices of premature aging. The production of reactive oxygen species increases with aging and is associated with DNA damage to the tissues. However, several cellular oxygen scavenging/detoxifying systems exist that improve the antioxidative defense capacity of cells. We evaluated the activity of enzymes involved in this defense system in liver, kidney, and heart tissue from dwarf, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-bovine GH transgenic, and corresponding groups of normal mice. Liver glutathione and ascorbate levels were lower (p<0.0025) in dwarf animals compared to normal and GH transgenic mice. By contrast, the level of catalase activity, which detoxifies hydrogen peroxide, in dwarf liver and kidney was significantly higher when compared to the other groups. Animals deficient in GH (dwarf) live longer and exhibit enzyme activities and levels that may combat oxidative stress more efficiently than normal mice and those overexpressing GH.
Adequate bone mineralization in breast-fed infants

To determine if human milk provides sufficient nutrients for adequate bone mineralization in healthy term infants, 76 term Caucasian infants were evaluated at 2 and 16 weeks of age. The infants and their mothers were divided according to the infant's diet into three groups: human milk alone, human milk with supplemental vitamin D, and Similac. At 2 and 16 weeks of age, bone mineral content was measured by photon absorptiometry and blood was drawn for measurement of serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, and 25-OH vitamin D. At both 2 and 16 weeks of age, BMC was similar among all three feeding groups. At 16 weeks of age there was no difference in serum total Ca, ionized Ca, P, or alkaline phosphatase values. At 16 weeks of age the serum 25-OH D concentration was lower in the infants fed human milk alone ( P
Evidence for a Müllerian-inhibiting substance autocrine/paracrine system in adult human endometrium.

Objective To determine if adult human endometrium possesses an intact mullerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) signal transduction system and, if so, whether MIS can modulate endometrial cell viability. Design Adult human endometrial tissue was subjected to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and immunohistochemistry. In addition, cultured human endometrial stromal cells were treated with recombinant MIS or transiently transfected with MIS and/or MIS type II receptor (MISRII) expression plasmids to assess for effects upon endometrial cell viability and apoptosis. The MIS in conditioned media was quantified by specific ELISA. Setting Academically affiliated medical center. Patient(s) Reproductive-age women undergoing routine infertility evaluation. Intervention(s) Endometrial sampling. Main Outcome Measure(s) Assessment of MIS gene transcription and protein translation in human endometrial tissue in vivo and in vitro. Result(s) 1) The RT-PCR revealed that adult human endometrium expresses the genes for MIS, MISRII, ALK3, and Smads 1 and 9. 2) Immunohistochemistry reveals that MIS and MISRII protein are expressed in human endometrium. 3) Immunocytochemistry of cultured human endometrial cells reveals that MIS and MISRII protein are primarily restricted to mitosing cells. 4) ELISA reveals that MIS is secreted by human endometrial cells in vitro and that this process is increased by sex steroids. 5) Increasing local MIS concentration in cultured human endometrial stromal cells either by exogenous administration or transient transfection significantly decreases cell viability and increases apoptosis. Conclusion(s) Adult human endometrium possesses a functional MIS signal transduction system which negatively regulates cellular viability.
Simulation of Foam-Impact Effects on the Space Shuttle Thermal Protection System

A series of three-dimensional simulations has been performed to investigate analytically the effect of insulating foam impacts on ceramic tile and reinforced carbon-carbon components of the space shuttle thermal protection system. The simulations employed a hybrid particle finite element method and a parallel code developed for use in spacecraft design applications. The conclusions suggested by the numerical study are in general consistent with experiment. The results emphasize the need for additional material testing work on the dynamic mechanical response of thermal-protection-system materials and additional impact experiments for use in validating computational models of impact effects.
Filial therapy with victims of family violence: A phenomenological study.

This research study examined the perceptions of parents, and victims of domestic violence, after receiving filial therapy. Specifically, parents were trained in a 10-week filial therapy model, Child–Parent Relationship Training. At the completion of the study, parents were given a semi-structured, open-ended style interview to gather information about their experiences. Themes emerged from the data participants provided, such as: experiencing increased warmth and trust in the child–parent relationship, changed parenting style, and decreased parental stress. Additionally, narratives reflect the positive influence the training had on parents’ perceptions of violence. A summary of the essence of the parent’s experiences is included.
The spectrum of closed-head injuries in facial trauma victims: Incidence and impact

Little is known of the incidence of closed-head injury (CHI) associated with facial trauma. To study this problem, we conducted a retrospective review of 200 consecutive admissions to the University of Michigan Medical Center Emergency Department from 1980 to 1985 for treatment of acute facial fractures. All patients were admitted within 48 hours of injury (93% within 24 hours). Medical records were reviewed for age, sex, description, and circumstances of facial injury; assessment of loss of consciousness and anterograde amnesia; and associated intracranial or extracranial injuries. Seventy-three percent of the patients were men (mean age, 27.8 years). Etiologies, in descending order, were road traffic accidents (52%), assaults (22%), sports (14%), falls (7%), other injuries (3%), and gunshot wounds (2%). The incidence rate of CHI in our study was 55%. More than 90% of the head injuries were associated with the loss of consciousness of less than one hour. Risk factor analysis failed to demonstrate that an increased risk of CHI is associated with age, sex, or number of facial fractures. However, there was a one and one-halffold increased risk associated with patients involved in automobile accidents.
A comparison of association methods for cytotoxicity mapping in pharmacogenomics

Cytotoxicity assays of immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) represent a promising new in vitro approach in pharmacogenomics research. However, previous studies employ- ing LCLs in gene mapping have used simple association methods, which may not adequately capture the true differences in nonlinear response profiles between genotypes. Two common approaches summarize each dose-response curve with either the IC50 or the slope parameter estimates from a hill slope fit and treat these estimates as the response in a linear model. The current study investigates these two methods, as well as four novel methods, and compares their power to detect differences between the response profiles of genotypes under a variety of different alternatives. The four novel methods include two methods that summarize each dose-response by its area under the curve, one method based off of an analysis of variance (ANOVA) design and one method that compares hill slope fits for all individuals of each geno- type. The power of each method was found to depend not only on the choice of alternative, but also on the choice for the set of dosages used in cytotoxicity measurements. The ANOVA- based method was found to be the most robust across alternatives and dosage sets for power in detecting differences between genotypes.
HgTe/HgCdTe superlattices: Growth, electrical and optical properties

Abstract HgTe/HgCdTe superlattices are under development as a new infrared material for long wavelength IR applications. We report the molecular beam epitaxial growth of high quality HgTe/HgCdTe superlattices and the dependence of interface quality, electrical properties, and optical properties on growth conditions. Growth at 170°C on (100) substrates produced excellent quality superlattices based on these criteria. Hall measurements indicated high n- and p-type mobilities and the absorption spectra exhibited step-like features characteristic of layered structures and in agreement with theory. Raman and magneto-optical measurements have also been done in order to characterize the superlattice.