cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stretching Postcommunism: Diversity, Context, and Comparative Historical Analysis

Although small-N comparison has become increasingly useful in accounting for postcommunist diversity, most comparative studies tend to focus on a single geographic region (such as East-Central Europe), failing to fully exploit the comparative method and running the risk of selection bias by arbitrarily reducing the variation on a relevant variable. To guard against this risk, two political scientists adapt Sartori's logic of "conceptual stretching" to articulate a definition of postcommunism that enables a wider array of comparable cases without losing the concept's intended analytic function. The article also considers a number of atypical "postcommunist" cases as well as empirical puzzles where these cases can be fruitfully utilized.
The Effect of Feedback and Practice on the Acquisition of Novel Speech Behaviors

Purpose This study examined the effect of manipulating several parameters of motor learning theory on participants' phonetic acquisition and retention of utterances in a foreign language (Korean). ...
Morpho-syntactic markedness and discourse structure

Abstract This study explores an interesting interaction between discourse structure and morphosyntactic markedness. In particular, it is shown that the marked member of some morphosyntactic oppositions (those involving participant tracking) tends to be associated with the beginning of discourse units. The principle is supported with data on word-order inversion in Tagalog and with data on anaphora in English. As part of this exploration, it is suggested that viewing discourse as composed of hierarchically arranged functional units, rather than as a string of clauses, strengthens our hypotheses concerning the relationships between discourse and grammar.
The telluric‐magnetotelluric method in two‐ and three‐dimensional environments

The assumption of spatial uniformity of the horizontal magnetic field, which is an implicit assumption made in straightforward applications of the telluric‐magnetotelluric (T-MT) method, is not always valid near conductivity inhomogeneities. For a two‐dimensional (2-D) case, the transverse electric mode horizontal magnetic field may vary more than a factor of three. The spatial variation of the horizontal magnetic field is not as great over three‐dimensional (3-D) inhomogeneities, but it may still contribute significantly to impedance magnitude and phase over shallow inhomogeneities at higher frequencies. Spatial variation of the horizontal magnetic field can cause T-MT impedances to differ significantly from magnetotelluric (MT) impedances. Consequently, MT modeling of T-MT field data could result in a misleading interpretation of conductivity structure. To avoid erroneous interpretation, numerical modeling programs should calculate actual T-MT responses, rather than MT responses, for comparison with T-M...
The insulin-like growth factor system in kidney diseases.

The insulin-like growth factor system is intimately involved in renal development, growth, function and the pathophysiology of several disease states. Exogenous IGF-I increases GFR and RPF, perhaps mediated by nitric oxide (NO). In chronic renal failure, IGF-I, the binding proteins and their fragments decrease bioavailability. After transplantation, the levels of bioactive IGF-I increase likely due to better nutrition and increased clearance of the binding proteins and their fragments. In the nephritic syndrome, a similar mechanism may be active, in that the binding proteins and their fragments may inhibit IGF-I action.
Ammonia measurements in mammalian cell culture media with a diffuse reflectance-based fiberoptic ammonia sensor.

A solid-state, diffuse reflectance-based fiberoptic sensor is described for quantifying ammonia. This sensor is constructed by immobilizing chlorophenol red, a weak acid chromophoric indicator dye, in a microporous polypropylene membrane. A flow-injection analysis system is used to carry a 10-μL aliquot of the sample across the treated membrane. Ammonia in the sample diffuses through the air-filled pores within the membrane structure before reacting with the indicator dye. A reversible acid-base reaction between ammonia and chlorophenol red results in a measurable change in the reflectance at 560 nm. Response characteristics include a peak response within 20 s, a limit of detection of 0.2 ± 0.1 mM ammonia, and a dynamic range of up to 60 mM ammonia. The analytical utility of this sensor is demonstrated by measuring ammonia levels in 48 individual samples collected during the growth of PC3 human prostate cancer cells in a typical serum-containing growth medium. Accuracy of the proposed sensor is verified by a comparison of results from this sensor to those from a conventional enzyme assay.
Using attitudes and subjective norms to predict pharmacist counselling behaviors.

Abstract This field study examines the applicability of the central components of Fishbein and Ajzen's model for the prediction of behavior to the medication counselling activities of community pharmacists. The findings from a sample of 40 pharmacists provide support for the attitudes-subjective norms model. Both the attitude and subjective norm measures are significant predictors of behavior for verbal instruction provided and the length of encounter time. Each of the other behaviors examined—written instruction provided, monitoring activity, and pharmacist approachability—is weakly to moderately influenced by one of the two independent variables.
Using Item Response Theory to Assess Effects of Mathematics Instruction in Special Populations

Research on mathematics education often includes some experimental manipulation of instruction in order to compare the effects of one type of instruction with that of one or more others. Tracking students' progress during treatments may be difficult in studies with special populations where numbers of participants are sometimes very small. In this study, we illustrate a method for scaling and reporting test results that helps to overcome this problem, particularly when number-correct scoring is used on measures to assess treatment effectiveness. Results are compared for an instructional experiment with remedial and nonremedial students using a number-correct scoring and a standardized score scale developed using item response theory (IRT).
A review of lamination in Area 17 of the visual cortex ofMacaca, mulatta

This paper develops a concordance of methods for designating laminae in the primate striate cortex. The classic notation schemes of Ramony Cajal, Brodmann, and von Bonin and four recent modifications are described in words and photomicrographs. The recent trend toward adopting a lamination scheme that effects a division of cells into recognizable layers and at the same time reflects their connections is considered. Since a single, consistent plan for lamination of the visual cortex would facilitate communication among investigators, it is suggested that Brodmann's original scheme be followed as the most generally useful and applicable.
Pharmacokinetics with uncertainties in rate constants— III: the inverse problem

Abstract The identification of a random compartmental model from kinetic data in pharmacokinetics is considered, where the randomness arises due to uncertainties in our knowledge of the rate constants. An identification scheme together with computational algorithms for estimating the properties of the random rate constants is presented. A two-compartment model is used as an example, and the problem of identification based upon incompletely observed data is commented upon. The results also show that, if the underlying model is actually random, serious degradation in results can be expected if it is incorrectly modeled as deterministic.
WHEN DO THREE LONGEST PATHS HAVE A COMMON VERTEX

It is well known that any two longest paths in a connected graph share a vertex. It is also known that there are connected graphs where 7 longest paths do not share a common vertex. It was conjectured that any three longest paths in a connected graph have a vertex in common. In this note we prove the conjecture for outerplanar graphs and give sufficient conditions for the conjecture to hold in general.
Hydrologic Budget Analysis of a Small Natural Wetland in Southeast USA

Temporal variability and linkages among hydrologic components of a natural riparian wetland in the southeast USA were examined using two years of measured data. Rainfall was the dominant inflow and evapotranspiration (ET) the dominant outflow for the wetland. The wetland response factor, defined as the ratio of runoff to rainfall volume, was small and surface runoff accounted for only 9% of the total rainfall. ET was significantly different for wetland vegetation types and was significantly less than Class A Pan evaporation for most part of the year. Water losses through groundwater discharge accounted for 20% of the annual water budget. On an annual scale, very little water was added to storage within the wetland. Because of its shallow nature the wetland did not have a large capacity for flood storage and did not always attenuate floods. The results obtained from this research should be applicable to other natural riparian wetlands in temperate/subtropical climates. Also, the data should be useful to developing and validating hydrologic models of natural and constructed wetlands.
Time-Correlation Functions, Memory Functions, and Molecular Dynamics

The memory functions for the velocity, angular-momentum, and dipolar autocorrelation functions from a series of molecular-dynamics studies of liquid carbon monoxide are examined. The velocity and angular-momentum memory functions decay initially almost to zero in a Gaussian fashion. However, their long-time behavior has a much slower time dependence. The dipolar memory function from a simulation using a strong noncentral potential is approximately this system's angular-momentum autocorrelation function. Approximate velocity and angular-momentum correlation functions are generated from approximate memory functions and the results are compared to experiment. Gaussian memories based on the second and fourth moments of the corresponding autocorrelation functions give the best agreement with experiment. However, none of the approximate memories examined adequately represents the long-time behavior of the experimental memories. The static atomic radial distribution functions are given and are shown to depend upon the strength of the orientational parts of the pair potential used in the dynamics calculations. The non-Gaussian characteristics of the Van Hove self-correlation functions are examined and shown to depend on the potential and number of particles used in the dynamics calculations. The intermediate scattering function and its memory are also examined.
Lack of effect of two 17-substituted testosterones on hepatic sulfobromophthalein clearance in dogs.

Abstract No effect on hepatic function in dogs given 10–100 mg per day of methyltestosterone or norethandrolone for periods up to 50 days could be demonstrated by the sulfobromophthalein retention test or the sulfobromophthalein clearance rate. Apparently the impairment of hepatic sulfobromophthalein clearance caused by these drugs in humans does not occur in the dog.
On the sum of the Hermitian scalar curvatures of a compact Hermitian manifold

Soit M une variete hermitienne compacte. Alors: a) u+v>0⇒P m =0, ∀ m >0; b) u+v≥0⇒P m ∈{0,1}, ∀ m >0, ou u et v sont les deux courbures scalaires de geometrie hermitienne, et P m et Q m sont les miemes plurigenres et le mieme plurigenre dual de M
High resolution material processing with femtosecond lasers: mask repair and beyond

Femtosecond pulses of light merged with deep ultraviolet optics results in materials processing with exceptional, sub 100 nm spatial resolution and has been incorporated into a photomask repair system operating in manufacturing. Better than 200 nm resolution in the femtosecond stimulated deposition of metals at atmospheric pressure has been achieved. 350.3850 320.2250
Lessons Learned in Developing a Support Intervention for African American Women With Breast Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To describe the process of planning a theory-based support group project for African American women with breast cancer. DATA SOURCES A needs assessment and recruitment strategies consistent with the Oncology Nursing Society's Multicultural Outcomes: Guidelines for Cultural Competence were used to adapt a support group intervention for newly diagnosed African American women in urban central Texas. DATA SYNTHESIS The reviewed literature and local cancer survivor leaders indicated the need for education and support of newly diagnosed women. Although researchers worked for several years with lay leaders to gain legitimacy and trust, not enough participants were recruited to test an intervention specifically for African American women. CONCLUSIONS Recruiting support group research participants from a relatively small minority population is problematic even when collaborating with population leaders. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Nurses may encounter barriers to conducting research in minority populations. Starting early to build credibility with that population, being flexible with eligibility criteria, beginning with pre-experimental studies, and paying participants may be required.
Performance of Optical Sensors in the Control of Flexible Structures

This paper demonstrates the use of embedded single-mode optical fibers in the active control of smart structures. The experimental prototype structure, a composite lattice configuration fashioned from graphite/bismaleimide laminate, exhibits complex bending and torsional modes, and forms a sub-scale model of a similar structure being analyzed at the Air Force Astronautics Laboratory. Simulations that include effects of Gaussian observation and process noise on a linear quadratic regulator/ loop transfer recovery (LQG/LTR) controller for active vibration damping are presented. The fiber-optic sensor demonstrates advantages over conventional strain gage sensors in terms of reduced sensitivity to sensor placement, reduced problems with observation and control spillovers, and improved control stability.
Violation Semirings in Optimality Theory

This paper provides a brief algebraic characterization of constraint violations in Optimality Theory (OT). I show that if violations are taken to be multisets over a fixed basis set Con then the merge operator on multisets and a ‘min’ operation expressed in terms of harmonic inequality provide a semiring over violation profiles. This semiring allows standard optimization algorithms to be used for OT grammars with weighted finite-state constraints in which the weights are violation-multisets. Most usefully, because multisets are unordered, the merge operation is commutative and thus it is possible to give a single graph representation of the entire class of grammars (i.e. rankings) for a given constraint set. This allows a neat factorization of the optimization problem that isolates the main source of complexity into a single constant γ denoting the size of the graph representation of the whole constraint set. I show that the computational cost of optimization is linear in the length of the underlying form with the multiplicative constant γ. This perspective thus makes it straightforward to evaluate the complexity of optimization for different constraint sets.
The demise of medical malpractice screening panels and alternative solutions based on trust and honesty.

Frivolous or “junk” lawsuits 1 are part of the medical malpractice lexicon. The civil tort system and its lay jury sidekick are demonized for misinterpreting complex medical evidence and compensati...
ENZYME-CATALYZED ENOLIZATION REACTIONS : A THEORETICAL STUDY ON THE ENERGETICS OF CONCERTED AND STEPWISE PATHWAYS

Abstract The enzyme-catalyzed enolization of acetaldehyde has been studied using ab initio methods. The energetics of concerted and stepwise proton transfer pathways are compared, with the participation of a general acidic and/or a general basic catalyst. Two different stepwise pathways are possible and involve the formation of enolate and oxocarbonium intermediates, respectively, while the concerted pathway involves a transition state with partial proton transfer to both the carbonyl group from the general acidic catalyst and from the acidic carbon atom to the general basic catalyst. Potential energy surfaces are constructed at the RHF/6-31G level of theory for two models of the general acid/base portions of the active site; one model involves the ammonium/ammonia pair of molecules representing the general acid and general base, respectively, while the other model involves the acetic acid/acetate pair. Two reaction coordinates, which correspond roughly to the two separate stepwise mechanisms of the proton transfer reaction, are defined and 8 points along each reaction coordinate are mapped out to yield a total of 64 points on the potential energy surface. From this surface, the geometries of the stable intermediates and transition state along the concerted reaction are reoptimized at a higher level of theory, the results of which corroborate the qualitative conclusions made at the lower level of theory. The more exact calculations involve larger basis sets, a correlated wavefunction using second-order Moller-Plesser perturbation theory, and a self consistent reaction field to estimate the effects of solvent. The calculations show that the energy of the transition state for the concerted pathway is significantly lower than that for either stepwise processes, and that stable hydrogen-bonded intermediates are the key to the stability of this pathway. The results provide insight into the mechanisms of enzyme-catalyzed reactions which are initiated by abstraction of a proton from a carbon atom adjacent to a carbonyl or a carboxylic acid group (α-proton of a carbon acid) and help explain the fast rates observed for reactions such as the enolization of acetyldehyde.
Extremely potent immunotherapeutic activity of a STING agonist in the B16 melanoma model in vivo

We previously have reported that innate immune sensing of tumors in vivo involves type I IFN production by dendritic cells (DCs), which in turn acts on CD8α+ DCs to promote endogenous cross-priming of CD8+ T cells in vivo. Recently, we have identified the cytosolic DNA sensing pathway involving the molecule STING as the major upstream mechanism that leads to type I IFN production and DC activation in the setting of tumor implantation in vivo. Since most spontaneous T cell priming against tumors in vivo is suboptimal, ultimately ineffective, and fails to cause tumor rejection, we reasoned that stronger activation of the STING pathway could have therapeutic efficacy. To test this notion, we utilized DMXAA (5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid), a xanthenone derivative recently shown to directly bind to murine STING. In vitro, DMXAA led to STING aggregation as assessed by ImageStream cytometry, and induced phosphorylation of the downstream signaling proteins TBK1 and IRF3. Functionally, this led to the production of not only IFN-β, but also IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-12, as well as upregulated expression of MHCII, CD40 and CD86 by DCs. All of these functions were ablated when STING-/- DCs were treated. We therefore developed therapeutic regimens for in vivo studies using pre-established B16.SIY melanoma tumors. Surprisingly, a single intratumoral dose of DMXAA led to complete elimination of tumors in the majority of mice. The endogenous T cell response against SIY, as assessed by IFN-β ELISPOT and SIY/Kb pentamer FACS, was markedly increased in animals treated with DMXAA. This therapeutic effect was eliminated in STING-/- hosts. Mice with complete responses were completely protected against rechallenge with B16.SIY, suggesting immunologic memory. Slightly inferior but similar anti-tumor activity was observed with systemic (intraperitoneal) administration of DMXAA. Our data suggest that STING agonists can have profound therapeutic efficacy through the activation of host DCs and augmented priming of endogenous anti-tumor T cells in vivo. Inasmuch as DMXAA binds to murine but not human STING, the development of analogs that similarly engage human STING should receive high priority for ultimate clinical translation.
Trends in HIV Prevalence and HIV Testing Among Young MSM: Five United States Cities, 1994–2011

We examined trends in cross-sectional HIV prevalence (a surrogate for incidence) and past 12 month testing behavior among young men who have sex with men (MSM). The Young Men’s Survey and the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System conducted interviews and HIV testing among MSM recruited by venue-based sampling during 1994–2011. Using data from five cities, we determined whether interview year was associated with HIV prevalence and recent testing for MSM ages 18–22 and 23–29 years, after adjusting for city, race/ethnicity, and education. Multivariable analysis demonstrated an overall increase in prevalence among MSM ages 23–29 years, driven by an increase in Baltimore. There was no change in HIV prevalence among MSM ages 18–22 years overall, although prevalence increased in Baltimore. HIV testing increased significantly for both age groups. Gains in HIV testing are encouraging, but increasing prevalence among young MSM in Baltimore suggests increasing incidence and the need for additional efforts for this population.
Mental Imagery and Post-Event Processing in Anticipation of a Speech Performance Among Socially Anxious Individuals ☆

The present study investigated whether post-event processing (PEP) involving mental imagery about a past speech is particularly detrimental for socially anxious individuals who are currently anticipating giving a speech. One hundred fourteen high and low socially anxious participants were told they would give a 5 min impromptu speech at the end of the experimental session. They were randomly assigned to one of three manipulation conditions: post-event processing about a past speech incorporating imagery (PEP-Imagery), semantic post-event processing about a past speech (PEP-Semantic), or a control condition, (n=19 per experimental group, per condition [high vs low socially anxious]). After the condition inductions, individuals' anxiety, their predictions of performance in the anticipated speech, and their interpretations of other ambiguous social events were measured. Consistent with predictions, high socially anxious individuals in the PEP-Imagery condition displayed greater anxiety than individuals in the other conditions immediately following the induction and before the anticipated speech task. They also interpreted ambiguous social scenarios in a more socially anxious manner than socially anxious individuals in the control condition. High socially anxious individuals made more negative predictions about their upcoming speech performance than low anxious participants in all conditions. The impact of imagery during post-event processing in social anxiety and its implications are discussed.
Constitutive model parameter determination from generic EFP warhead tests

La determination des parametres de modelisation constitutive du materiau de revetement, bases sur les resultats de quatre tests EFP, avec differentes geometries de revetement, est decrite dans cet article. Cet article presente une approche pour determiner un «ensemble approprie» de parametres du materiau pour decrire le comportement deviateur du materiau de revetement. Les modele constitutifs de Johnson-Cook et Steinberg-Guinan sont evalues avec le modele de Steinberg mis en evidence comme etant le mieux adapte en raison de sa limite superieure sur la contrainte d'ecoulement. Un ensemble de parametres de durcissement par contrainte d'ecoulement est defini, fournissant une excellente correlation avec les quatre configurations differentes d'ogives EFP
Olfaction mediates developmental transition in the altricial newborn of selected species of mammals

“We should compare the manner in which orientation develops, first to the mother and later to an expanding environment. It would be interesting to carry out detailed comparisons of the ontogeny of such adjustments in blind-born mammals such as the dog in comparison with mammals that have vision at birth–ungulates, for example. Important changes occur in the orientation of blind-born mammals in the presight period, which we do not as yet have the techniques to investigate adequately.” T.C. Schneirla (1954)
Preparation of dibarbiturates of oxindole by condensation of isatin and barbituric acid derivatives

A very efficient, simple, and high yield procedure for the isatin condensation with barbituric acid derivatives was described. The condensation reaction is very selective, which is corroborated by following the reaction by NMR, and the structure of the product was confirmed by X-ray structural analysis.
Self-awareness as conscious meta-representation

Citing the phenomenon of transparency, some philosophers argue that we cannot become aware of the intrinsic properties of our experiences. When we introspect, they argue, our experiences always seem as if they are exhausted by their intentional contents. They conclude that introspection does not reveal any properties that seem intrinsic to experience. In order to answer this argument, we must show how it could seem as if we are simultaneously aware of external objects and our experience of those objects. I explain how this is possible by introducing the notion of conscious meta-representation. Conscious meta-representation occurs when we consciously conceive of represented objects as being merely putative. This sort of conceiving sometimes involves a distinctive phenomenology, and it explains how certain features of an experience can simultaneously seem as if they belong to external objects and to our experiences of those objects. We can, I conclude, look ‘at’ our experiences even as we are looking ‘throu...
SCATTERING OF 3.7-25 MEV POSITIVE PIONS BY HYDROGEN

The Columbia University hydrogen bubble chamber was used to investigate the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}\ensuremath{-}p$ scattering cross section in a laboratory energy range from 3.7 to 25 Mev. A total of 950 events were measured, of which 338 were caused by incident pions that would have come to rest in the chamber. Treating the small $p$-wave and large Coulomb contributions as known, the $s$-wave phase shift is found to deviate from a linear dependence on momentum only by one and a half standard deviations.
Monitoring and modeling of a prestressed segmental box bridge

A large number of relatively long bridges have been constructed using prestressed segmental box girder technology and are currently in service around the world, This article purports to report the investigation of one such structure. The structure has been operational since the late 1970's and has innumerable visible shear cracks originating from the shear keys of the individual segments. The present investigation, a non-linear finite element model of the structure has been developed and analyzed under dead load, live load and thermal gradients. Results from a preliminary crack propagation investigation have also been reported. To validate and upgrade the finite element model a long term monitoring system has been installed on the bridge for monitoring temperature changes, crack growth and strain cycling due to traffic and temperature variations.
Reflectance of single leaves and field plots ofcycocel-treated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in relation to leaf structure

Abstract Leaves from cotton plants sprayed with 100 g/ha Cycocel in a fieldexperiment were about 40% thicker and 20% larger in surface dimension than non-Cycocel-sprayed leaves. Cycocel-treated leaves had approximately a threefold increase in numbers of intercellular spaces within their mesophylls. Spectrophotometric measurements of spectra of individual leaves over the wavelength interval 500–2500 mμ revealed a 5%. increase in reflectance over the wavelength interval 500–1350 mμ and a 6% decrease in transmittance over the entire 500–2500-mμ interval for treated compared with untreated leaves. Increased reflectance and decreased transmittance over the wave-length interval 750–1350 mμ were mainly associated with Increased numbers of air spaces in leaf mesophylls. Decreased transmittance of Cycocel-treated leaves over wavelength intervals 500–750 and 1350–2500 mμ was due to Increased absorptance caused by Increased chlorophyll and water contents, respectively. The Cycocel treatment increased absorptance 13 % at the chlorophyll absorption band, 550 mμ; only 2–3 % over the wavelength interval 750–1350 mμ; and 10 and 11 % at the water absorption bands approximating 1450 and 1950 mμ, respectively. Near-infrared light reflectance from single leaves, measured with a spectrophotometer, was inversely related and visible light reflectance was directly related to the reflectivity of field plots of cotton recorded on Kodak Ektachrome infrared aero film, type 8443, with a Kodak Wratten No. 15 (G), light-orange filter, during an overflight.
Multicast traffic grooming in WDM networks

This paper considers the problem of grooming multicast traffic in WDM networks, with arbitrary mesh topologies. The problem is different from grooming of unicast traffic, since traffic can be delivered to destinations through other destinations in the same set, or through branching points. The paper presents an optimal Integer Linear Programming (ILP) formulation in order to minimize the cost of the network in terms of the number of SONET Add/Drop Multiplexers (ADM). The formulation also minimizes the number of wavelength channels used in the network, and does not allow bifurcation of traffic. Since the ILP formulation is able to solve limited size problems, the paper also introduces a heuristic approach to solve the problem.
Coupling of the orientations of thermotropic liquid crystals to protein binding events at lipid-decorated interfaces.

We report a study of the interactions of proteins with monolayers of phospholipids (d/l-α-dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and l-α-dilauroyl phosphatidylcholine) spontaneously assembled at an interface between an aqueous phase and a 20-μm-thick film of a nematic liquid crystal (4‘-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl). Because the orientation of the liquid crystal is coupled to the organization of the lipids, specific interactions between phospholipase A2 and the lipids (binding and/or hydrolysis) that lead to reorganization of the lipids are optically reported (using polarized light) as dynamic orientational transitions in the liquid crystal. In contrast, nonspecific interactions between proteins such as albumin, lysozyme, and cytochrome-c and the lipid-laden interface of the liquid crystal are not reported as orientational transitions in the liquid crystals. Concurrent epifluorescence and polarized light imaging of labeled lipids and proteins at the aqueous−liquid crystal interface demonstrate that spatially patterned...
Retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder of boars during collection of semen by electroejaculation

Boars that had a catheter implanted in the urinary bladder (n = 11) were used to determine the magnitude of retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder during electroejaculation. The overall mean (+/- SD) number of spermatozoa in the electroejaculate of boars was 22 +/- 20 x 10(9), with a mean range for individual boars of 3 +/- 3 to 48 +/- 13 x 10(9). The overall mean adjusted total number of spermatozoa in the post-electroejaculation urine was 1.038 +/- 2.656 x 10(9), and the mean percentage of retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder among boars ranged from 0% to 32.69%, with an overall mean percentage of retrograde flow of 7.51 +/- 17.82%. These findings indicate that in boars electroejaculation is associated with retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the bladder.
Blindness and play fighting in juvenile rats

Play behavior of blinded and sighted juvenile rats was measured using the brief paired-encounter procedure. Dyads of sighted-sighted, blind-blind, or sighted-blind rats were observed in a large or small chamber on alternate days for ages 28 through 43 days. Blinded rats played as frequently as sighted rats regardless of pair composition or chamber size. Vision is not essential for initiating or maintaining play fighting.
On the significance of viscerosomatic convergence

Viscerosomatic convergence is a surprisingly common inducible feature of the response properties of neurons throughout the central nervous system. It indicates an extensive potential overlap between neuronal domains that process interoceptive information and those that process exteroceptive and proprioceptive information. This potential for overlap suggests that responses of individual neurons serve different functions at different times depending on the current pattern of activity in other neurons throughout the nervous system. Within such a dynamic scheme, skin and skeletal muscle have access to interoceptive control mechanisms and take variable advantage of that access for different purposes, for example, for shunting blood supply to tissues that need it. Similarly, viscera have access to exteroceptive control mechanisms and use them flexibly as needed. One important use would be to employ the exteroceptive domain's efficient protective mechanisms when a viscus is under threat. Visceral and referred pain would thus be byproducts of this opportunistic tactic.
His Bundle Electrograms in Two Cases of Wolff-Parkinson-White (Pre-excitation) Syndrome

The catheter technic for recording the electrical activity of the specialized conducting system in the human heart showed in two patients studied that ventricular pre-excitation was apparently due to a bypass of the His bundle. Intermediate forms of WPW complexes appeared to be combination beats resulting from the activation of the ventricles through impulses traversing both the His bundle and accessory communications. Preferential iatrogenic activation of an intra-atrial (and perhaps even of an atrioventricular) tract appeared to occur in one of the patients. The patients with the WPW (pre-excitation) syndrome and long histories of paroxysmal arrhythmias were successfully treated with a combination of oral propranolol and implanted (transvenous) demand pacemaker.
Centralized versus decentralized decision-making in a county government setting

During the November 1988 election cycle, the residents of Mississippi's 82 counties were allowed to choose whether or not to switch to an alternative system for governing the construction and repair of county roads. Under the system then used statewide – the so-called beat system – each of a county's five elected supervisors determined spending priorities and allocated funds within the boundaries of his or her own district. Under the alternative system – the so-called unit system – such choices were to be made by the supervisors collectively and then executed by a hired professional road manager. This paper models the decision of voters to retain the beat system (38 counties) or to switch to the unit system (44 counties). Theory and evidence suggest that the choice between centralized versus decentralized governance depends on the perceived costs and benefits of the alternatives to voters and their elected representatives.
Influences of aging and dietary restriction on red blood cell density profiles and antioxidant enzyme activities in rhesus monkeys

Abstract Dietary restriction (DR) retards aging processes in rodents and other animals but its influence on aging in primates is unknown. In rats, the average density of red blood cells (RBCs) reportedly increases with RBC age and decreases with host age and RBC antioxidant enzyme activities fall with both types of aging. We determined RBC density profiles and antioxidant enzyme activities in four groups ( n = 5) of male rhesus monkeys. The “Control” group (11–14 years) was fed a purified diet ad lib and the “DR” group (11–16 years) were fed 70% of the ad lib level for two years. “Young” (6–10 years) and “Old” (27–36 years) monkeys were fed a nonpurified diet ad lib. The average RBC size was least in the most dense fraction (F4) and internal structural complexity increased with RBC density based on flow cytometry analysis but these were not influenced by host age or DR. Catalase activity decreased with increasing density. In contrast to findings in rats, age and fraction differences in glutathione peroxidase activities were insignificant. DR did not influence enzyme activities. These data suggest that aging in rhesus monkeys influences RBC density profiles and antioxidant enzyme activities far less strikingly than has been reported in rats.
Efficient utilisation of customer relationship management (CRM) technology: a self-directed learning approach

The growth of CRM technology has changed the way firms conduct business with customers and prospects. Though CRM creates efficiencies and opportunities in the sales process, sales professionals do not fully utilise CRM technology due to lack of: 1) investment in training; 2) interest in learning a new system; 3) acceptance of new technology. This article discusses why sales professional resist or do not fully utilise CRM technology and explores the insights that self-directed learning (SDL) may provide into facilitating salespeople to fully utilise CRM technology.
Charismatic Leadership in Islam: The Mahdi of the Sudan

It is generally acknowledged that the contemporary revival of Weber's concept of charismatic authority was prompted by its utility in explaining the revolutionary movements of the first half of the twentieth century. The more recent applications of the concept to the study of leadership in the emerging non-Western states, constituted yet another revival, testifying to the analytical power of Weber's conceptual scheme.
The mechanics of a certain class of pumps

Abstract A so-called elastodynamic pump has been developed for the purpose of studying flow in a recirculatory system which is intended to simulate certain mechanical aspects of the flow in a human cardiovascular system. It consists essentially of two rubber hemispheroids attached one to each end of a short cylindrical shell to form a compact fluid container. A check valve is provided at an inlet port to the cylindrical shell and another check valve at the outlet port. A periodic driving force is applied to the rubber hemispheroids by a cam activated device. The cam is shaped to produce the desired driving force function. It is fitted to a shaft which rotates at a fixed predetermined speed, using a time-controlled motor. The periodic force applied to the pump produces a unicursal flow in any fluid system into which the pump is inserted. The performance characteristics of the pump have been determined with certain flow calibration apparatus. As a consequence, characteristics of the pump, which show flow delivery as a function of pressure developed, have been determined. Curves of these data are presented for several operating conditions. The use of the pump for studies of flow in the human cardiovascular system is discussed.
Transmission of ovine herpesvirus 2 among adult sheep

Abstract Previous studies from this laboratory have defined the pattern of acquisition of ovine herpesvirus 2 (OHV-2) in lambs under natural flock conditions. This study examined the question of whether OHV-2 could be transmitted between adult sheep. Two potential routes of transmission were examined: (1) direct inoculation of either viable leukocytes or whole blood from OHV-2 positive sheep, and (2) horizontal transmission through natural contact with OHV-2 positive sheep. Two groups of OHV-2 negative adult sheep were inoculated with material from infected sheep, one with 5 × 10 8 viable peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), and the other with 100 ml of whole peripheral blood. No PCR signals were detected in any of the three sheep inoculated with the PBL during the 20 weeks following inoculation. In the group of five sheep inoculated with whole blood, two became PCR-positive at 7 and 8 weeks post-inoculation, respectively, and the remaining three sheep maintained their negative status until termination of the experiment at 20 weeks post-inoculation. In two experiments conducted in different flocks, a total of 20 adult sheep were used to examine horizontal transmission by contact; all animals became PCR-positive within 12 months of mixing the uninfected and infected animals. The results of these experiments support two conclusions. First, the susceptibility to OHV-2 is not limited to young lambs; adult sheep remain fully susceptible. Second, the fact that whole blood, but not PBL, from infected sheep was able to transmit the infection to only two of five inoculated sheep suggests that the infection in peripheral blood cells may be largely non-productive.
Hydrophilic/hydrophobic, block and graft copolymeric hydrogels: synthesis, characterization, and solute partition and penetration

Abstract A series of hydrophilic/hydrophobic copolymers has been synthesized and characterized for possible applications in drug delivery. Such systems were prepared by random, graft or block copolymerization of various monomers, followed by selective hydrolysis. The copolymer composition was investigated using NMR spectroscopy, whereas their molecular weight distribution was determined by gel permeation chromatography. Thermodynamic and physical properties, such as transition temperatures and degrees of swelling were measured to elucidate the effect of phase separation on the formed network structure. Microdomain formations, balance of chemical properties, and network characteristics affected the partitioning and transport of theophylline and myoglobin in these swollen networks. Finally, the non-linear network swelling, selective drug partitioning and control of drug permeation through and release from copolymer membranes were correlated to the presence of hydrophobic and hydrophilic microdomains in the copolymer networks for a selected number of copolymers studied.
Response complexity and precue interval effects on the lateralized readiness potential

Fundamental properties of an important new tool in cognitive electrophysiology, the lateralized readiness potential (LRP), were examined in two experiments. Experiment 1 resolved an apparent inconsistency in the literature by demonstrating that this response-specific lateralization is larger preceding complex then preceding simple finger movements. In Experiment 2, the foveally presented precue, which indicated hand of response, preceded the go/no-go stimulus by 0, 100, 300, or 1,400 ms. Analyses of LRP latency indicated that hand-specific preparation began earlier with longer foreperiods but was temporally linked to the reaction stimulus as well as the precue. Although the degree of lateralization did not predict reaction speed in either study, a nonlateralized, response-locked negativity was larger prior to faster reactions.
On-Line Measurement of Sarcomere Length from Diffraction Patterns in Muscle

Two different systems designed to extract sarcomere length and several other variables from the light diffraction pattern in muscle are described. One system utilizes a linear photodiode array to detect the intensity distribution of diffracted light from muscle. This system provides computed outputs of sarcomere length, first order width, and time rate of sarcomere length change according to two different algorithms. Another system utlizes a Schottky photo-position sensor and provides sarcomere length and integrated first order intensity. The accuracy (within 1%) and resolution (2 nm) of both systems are comparable. The former system offers better convenience of operation while the latter offers wider bandwidth (2.5 kHz vs. 100 kHz).
Multiple regions of deletion on chromosome arm 13q in head-and-neck squamous-cell carcinoma.

Several lines of evidence suggest that the progression of head-and-neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC) involves inactivation of at least one and possibly several tumor-suppressor genes on the long arm of chromosome 13. The fact that neither Rb1 nor BRCA2 appears to be inactivated in the majority of head-and-neck cancers suggests that novel tumor-suppressor genes are involved. We have used microsatellite repeat polymorphisms and PCR to detect several distinct minimal regions of deletion on 13q in supraglottic and oral squamous-cell carcinomas. One region maps to 13q34, the second to 13q14.3 and a potential third region, not reported in previous studies, maps to 13q12.1. Overall, 69% of the 145 tumors examined demonstrated allelic loss at one or more loci on 13q. We investigated whether a novel suppressor candidate mapping to 13q14. 3-q21, leukemia-associated gene 1, might also be involved in the progression of squamous-cell carcinomas. Multiplexed PCR revealed homozygous deletion of leu1 in one oral cavity tumor. This suggests that this gene or one nearby may be the actual target of deletions in this region of the chromosome arm.
Reconstitution of the low density lipoprotein receptor

The receptor for low density lipoprotein was purified from bovine adrenal cortex in the presence of the nonionic detergent octylglucoside. Receptors were incorporated into the bilayer of egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles by a detergent-dialysis method. Reconstituted receptors were functional in that they bound low density lipoprotein as well as a monoclonal antibody directed against the receptor in a specific, saturable fashion. Binding activity of reconstituted receptors was measured by a gel chromatography assay. The orientation of the receptor molecule within the phospholipid bilayer was investigated by binding assays following proteolytic digestion. Reconstituted receptors showed an orientation that was functionally indistinguishable from that of low density lipoprotein receptors in the plasma membrane of intact human fibroblasts.
Creating a Testable, Estimable Model to Inform Our Response to the Test-Score Gap Crisis

The test-score gap between black and white students should be seen as a crisis. We propose a testable model based on readily available data that will allow us to estimate the impact and interrelationships of a multitude of factors that may be partially responsible for the problem. The estimation of this model will require the joint efforts of experts in many areas of education as well as of experts in multilevel structural equation modeling.
A prediction rule for the use of postdischarge medical services

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a prediction rule screening instrument, easily incorporated into the routine hospital admission assessment, that could facilitate discharge planning by identifying patients at the time of admission who are most likely to need postdischarge medical services. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with separate phases for prediction rule development and validation. SETTING: Urban teaching hospital. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: General medical service patients, 381 in the derivation phase and 323 in the validation phase, who provided self-reported medical history, health status, and demographic data as a part of their admission nursing assessment, and were subsequently discharged alive. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Use of postdischarge medical services such as visiting nurse or physical therapy, medical equipment, or placement in a rehabilitation or long-term care facility was determined. A prediction rule based on a patient’s age and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical function and social function scores stratified patients with regard to their risk of using postdischarge medical services. In the validation set, the rate of actual postdischarge medical service use was 15% (15 of 97), 36% (39 of 107), and 58% (57 of 98) among patients characterized by the prediction rule as being at “low”, “intermediate,” and “high” risk of using postdischarge medical services, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This prediction rule stratified general medical patients with regard to their likelihood of needing discharge planning to arrange for postdischarge medical services. Further research is necessary to determine whether prospective identification of patients likely to need discharge planning will make the hospital discharge planning process more efficient.