cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The American idea and inauthentic democracy

THE HISTORY of philosophy has witnessed some strange baptisms, but none more intriguing than the immersion of Superman in the waters of Democracy. The appeal to authentic existence has been heard before; but no one has yet offered the pitiless savagery of Achilles, vented in an unjust war for the sake of personal glory, as a paradigm of authentic existence for democratic man. Professor Olson's thesis is a sample of what can happen when theorists turn away from positive laws and concrete institutions to follow the traditional path to upper philosophic regions. His thesis is a valuable example of the bad reasons good men sometimes give, and the analysis of it can help us come to see what our democratic society is not.
Stimulus frequency and audiogenic seizures in DBA/2J mice.

DBA/2J mice are maximally susceptible to audiogenic seizures at about 18 days of age using a stimulus frequency of about 20 kHz.
Inactivation of alcohol and retinol dehydrogenases by acetaldehyde and formaldehyde

Abstract The rapid and progressive inactivation of alcohol dehydrogenase from horse liver, rat liver and from human retina and of retinol dehydrogenase of rat liver by low concentrations of acetaldehyde or formaldehyde is illustrated. The inactivation of alcohol dehydrogenase can be largely prevented and partially reversed with glutathione. These findings are discussed as a model for better understanding of toxic effects of alcohol and in the context of the importance of protein turnover measurements for clarification of untoward alcohol effects.
Neural Dynamics of 3-D Surface Perception: Figure-Ground Separation and Lightness Perception

This article develops the FACADE theory of three-dimensional (3-D) vision to simulate data concerning how two-dimensional pictures give rise to 3-D percepts of occluded and occluding surfaces. The theory suggests how geometrical and contrastive properties of an image can either cooperate or compete when forming the boundary and surface representations that subserve conscious visual percepts. Spatially long-range cooperation and short-range competition work together to separate boundaries of occluding figures from their occluded neighbors, thereby providing sensitivity to T-junctions without the need to assume that T-junction “detectors” exist. Both boundary and surface representations of occluded objects may be amodally completed, whereas the surface representations of unoccluded objects become visible through modal processes. Computer simulations include Bregman-Kanizsa figure-ground separation, Kanizsa stratification, and various lightness percepts, including the Munker-White, Benary cross, and checkerboard percepts.
Localization and dynamic relocalization of mammalian Rad52 during the cell cycle and in response to DNA damage

Abstract The importance of RAD52 in establishment and maintenance of genomic structure has been established by genetic experiments in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae , where mutation of RAD52 has been shown to diminish DNA repair and recombination of a variety of markers, including the rDNA [1–3]. Biochemical analysis has shown that yeast and mammalian Rad52 proteins have some identical functions in vitro [4–6], but targeted deletion of Rad52 in vertebrates has little effect on repair and recombination [7,8]. These results raise the question of whether mammalian Rad52 does indeed function in recombination and/or repair. Here we show that Rad52 is distributed throughout the nucleoplasm in actively cycling mammalian cells and is localized specifically to the nucleoli in S phase. In response to ionizing radiation, Rad52 relocalizes to form distinctive foci which are distributed throughout the nucleus and which colocalize with Rad50 foci in the DNA damage response. These data suggest that rDNA recombination and DNA repair are functions shared by mammalian Rad52 and its S. cerevisiae homolog, and provide evidence for the coordinated action of Rad50 and Rad52 in DNA repair.
The Application of Island-biogeographic Theory to Patches of Habitat: How Much Land is Enough?

Abstract The problem of estimating the minimum-sized parcel of land needed to preserve a given suite of species is little-addressed. Two techniques available for such estimations are: (1) ‘the method of island biogeography’, which uses extrapolations of the species-area equation; and (2) ‘the method of addition’, which uses only the actual suite of ‘island’ under investigation. No rationale exists for choosing technique 1 a priori , although the choice is often made. The two techniques produce minimum area estimates which define a spectrum of potential minimum areas. Determination of the real minimum area requirement must rely upon detailed natural-historical observation.
Single-Molecule Force-Clamp Studies of Fibrin'S ‘A-A’ Knob-Hole Interaction

Fibrin networks, the structural mesh upon which blood clots form, must elastically withstand the shear forces of blood flow and provide mechanical stability to the clot. The mechanics of these networks are determined by the physical properties of individual fibrin monomers and the interactions between them. A critical interaction in the polymerization of fibrin fibers is the ‘A-a’ knob-hole interaction. In order to investigate the mechanical response and unfolding dynamics of the protein when pulled from the knob-hole interaction, we conducted single-molecule force-clamp experiments to apply constant force specifically to the ‘A-a’ knob-hole location. This represents the first application of the force-clamp technique to single-molecule fibrin studies. Force-clamp provides an accurate measure of the kinetics of unfolding the γ module of fibrin. This technique also revealed new extension patterns of multiple ∼3nm extensions in fibrin at low (100pN and less) forces compared to a single extension of ∼6nm at higher forces. Free energy measurements extracted from force-clamp experiments, ΔG = 21-30 kBT, agree with previous constant velocity fibrin unfolding studies by Averett et al. However, we discovered a non-exponential dependence of probability of unfolding on time indicating a more complex energy landscape than the simple two-state model. Additional force-quench experiments have facilitated the study of the reversibility of fibrin unfolding. The resultant information about the reversible nature of fibrin unfolding may be helpful in creating a course-grained model for fibrin clot behavior.
The expanding realm of endovascular neurosurgery: flow diversion for cerebral aneurysm management.

The worldwide prevalence of intracranial aneurysms is estimated to be between 5% and 10%, with some demographic variance. Subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to ruptured intracranial aneurysm results in devastating neurological outcomes, leaving the majority of victims dead or disabled. Surgical clipping of intracranial aneurysms remained the definitive mode of treatment until Guglielmi detachable coils were introduced in the 1990s. This revolutionary innovation led to the recognition of neurointervention/neuroendovascular surgery as a bona fide option for intracranial aneurysms. Constant evolution of endovascular devices and techniques supported by several prospective randomized trials has catapulted the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms to its current status as the preferred treatment modality for most ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. We are slowly transitioning from the era of coils to the era of flow diverters. Flow-diversion technology and techniques have revolutionized the treatment of wide-necked, giant, and fusiform aneurysms, where the results of microsurgery or conventional neuroendovascular strategies have traditionally been dismal. Although the Pipeline™ Embolization Device (ev3-Covidien, Irvine, CA) is the only flow-diversion device approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States, others are commercially available in Europe and South America, including the Silk (Balt Extrusion, Montmorency, France), Flow-Redirection Endoluminal Device (FRED; MicroVention, Tustin, CA), Surpass (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI), and p64 (Phenox, Bochum, Germany). Improvements in technology and operator experience and the encouraging results of clinical trials have led to broader acceptance for the use of these devices in cerebral aneurysm management. Continued innovation and refinement of endovascular devices and techniques will inevitably improve technical success rates, reduce procedure-related complications, and broaden the endovascular therapeutic spectrum for varied aneurysm morphology.
Geometric interpretation of smoothness conditions of triangular polynomial patches

Abstract In this short note we give geometric interpretation of the well-known smoothness conditions of two adjacent polynomial patches. Our result generalizes Farin's observations in (Farin, 1983, 1986).
α-Synuclein aggregation variable temperature and variable pH kinetic data: A re-analysis using the Finke–Watzky 2-step model of nucleation and autocatalytic growth

The aggregation of proteins is believed to be intimately connected to many neurodegenerative disorders. We recently reported an "Ockham's razor"/minimalistic approach to analyze the kinetic data of protein aggregation using the Finke-Watzky (F-W) 2-step model of nucleation (A-->B, rate constant k(1)) and autocatalytic growth (A+B-->2B, rate constant k(2)). With that kinetic model we have analyzed 41 representative protein aggregation data sets in two recent publications, including amyloid beta, alpha-synuclein, polyglutamine, and prion proteins (Morris, A. M., et al. (2008) Biochemistry 47, 2413-2427; Watzky, M. A., et al. (2008) Biochemistry 47, 10790-10800). Herein we use the F-W model to reanalyze protein aggregation kinetic data obtained under the experimental conditions of variable temperature or pH 2.0 to 8.5. We provide the average nucleation (k(1)) and growth (k(2)) rate constants and correlations with variable temperature or varying pH for the protein alpha-synuclein. From the variable temperature data, activation parameters DeltaG(double dagger), DeltaH(double dagger), and DeltaS(double dagger) are provided for nucleation and growth, and those values are compared to the available parameters reported in the previous literature determined using an empirical method. Our activation parameters suggest that nucleation and growth are energetically similar for alpha-synuclein aggregation (DeltaG(double dagger)(nucleation)=23(3) kcal/mol; DeltaG(double dagger)(growth)=22(1) kcal/mol at 37 degrees C). From the variable pH data, the F-W analyses show a maximal k(1) value at pH approximately 3, as well as minimal k(1) near the isoelectric point (pI) of alpha-synuclein. Since solubility and net charge are minimized at the pI, either or both of these factors may be important in determining the kinetics of the nucleation step. On the other hand, the k(2) values increase with decreasing pH (i.e., do not appear to have a minimum or maximum near the pI) which, when combined with the k(1) vs. pH (and pI) data, suggest that solubility and charge are less important factors for growth, and that charge is important in the k(1), nucleation step of alpha-synuclein. The chemically well-defined nucleation (k(1)) rate constants obtained from the F-W analysis are, as expected, different than the 1/lag-time empirical constants previously obtained. However, k(2)x[A](0) (where k(2) is the rate constant for autocatalytic growth and [A](0) is the initial protein concentration) is related to the empirical constant, k(app) obtained previously. Overall, the average nucleation and average growth rate constants for alpha-synuclein aggregation as a function of pH and variable temperature have been quantitated. Those values support the previously suggested formation of a partially folded intermediate that promotes aggregation under high temperature or acidic conditions.
Competition in Lending: Theory and Experiments

A variation of the Rothschild-Stiglitz' equilibrium is examined in the context of com- petitive lending under adverse selection. The predictions of the model are tested in an experimental market setting. If equilibrium exists, the loan contracts offered and taken should separate projects by quality. When equilibrium exists, the experiments confirm the theory. The entrepreneurs with high-risk projects take bigger loans and pay higher credit spreads than those with low-risk projects. When equilibrium does not exist, which happens exactly when the candidate equilibrium does not provide a Pareto-optimal allocation, in half of the sessions loan trading stabilizes around the candid- ate equilibrium pair. In the other half, however, markets never settle down. This finding has important implications. When lenders can offer menus of contracts, as is usually the case in reality, the outcome may not be the zero-profit separating contracts of the standard model. Worse, fitting the standard model to field data may lead to serious biases in estimated parameters while falsely accepting the model's main restriction (separation).
Synthetic Strands of Cardiac Muscle: Growth and Physiological Implication

Cardiac muscle cells obtained fronm disaggregated embryonic chick hearts were cultured on difjerentially treated oriented substrata. Subsequent cell reaggregation, growth, and attachmwent produced linearly organized strands of cardiac muscle with dimensions suitable for electrophysiological analysis. Along the strand, areas that contained few muscle cells demonstrated reduced conduction velocity and were subject to propagation failure.
Evaluation of a Regional Monitoring Program’s Statistical Power to Detect Temporal Trends in Forest Health Indicators

Forests are socioeconomically and ecologically important ecosystems that are exposed to a variety of natural and anthropogenic stressors. As such, monitoring forest condition and detecting temporal changes therein remain critical to sound public and private forestland management. The National Parks Service’s Vital Signs monitoring program collects information on many forest health indicators, including species richness, cover by exotics, browse pressure, and forest regeneration. We applied a mixed-model approach to partition variability in data for 30 forest health indicators collected from several national parks in the eastern United States. We then used the estimated variance components in a simulation model to evaluate trend detection capabilities for each indicator. We investigated the extent to which the following factors affected ability to detect trends: (a) sample design: using simple panel versus connected panel design, (b) effect size: increasing trend magnitude, (c) sample size: varying the number of plots sampled each year, and (d) stratified sampling: post-stratifying plots into vegetation domains. Statistical power varied among indicators; however, indicators that measured the proportion of a total yielded higher power when compared to indicators that measured absolute or average values. In addition, the total variability for an indicator appeared to influence power to detect temporal trends more than how total variance was partitioned among spatial and temporal sources. Based on these analyses and the monitoring objectives of the Vital Signs program, the current sampling design is likely overly intensive for detecting a 5 % trend·year−1 for all indicators and is appropriate for detecting a 1 % trend·year−1 in most indicators.
Elementary approximation for erf(X)

Abstract This paper develops two elementary approximations for the numerical calculation of the error function, erf x . The first approximation employs an exponential function and can be used to compute erf x with a relative error less than 0.0056 for all x . The second approximation requires the computation of two exponential functions and can be used to compute erf( x ) with a relative error less than 0.000045 for all x .
Causes of variability in monthly Great Lakes water supplies and lake levels

The purpose of this study was to identify those water budget components of the Great Lakes that have most frequently been a major cause of anomalous net basin supplies (NBS) and of ris- ing and falling lake levels at the monthly time scale. Principal component analysis and a simple count- ing of relative frequencies revealed that on the upper lakes NBS anomalies are most sensitive to over- lake precipitation, but on the lower lakes they are most sensitive to runoff. This shift is due to a downstream increase in the magnitude and variability of runoff. Evaporation variability plays a larger role in the NBS of the upper than the lower lakes and is most important during dry months. During wet months evaporation is not as much suppressed as one might assume from the simple cloud cover/inso- lation/temperature/evaporation relationship; this is most likely due to an increase in wind speed. High and rising as well as low and falling lake levels are the result of anomalous NBS on all lakes and rep- resent condition beyond the capabilities of lake-level regulations. Changing conditions— low but ris- ing levels or high but falling levels—are the result of anomalous NBS for all of the lakes except Ontario, for which almost all such changes are achieved by regulating the outflow.
2612 – Inter-relationship of the functional status question of the PHQ-9 and depression remission after six months of collaborative care management

Introduction In collaborative care management (CCM) for depression, a restoration of premorbid functional status is as important as symptom reduction. Objectives The goal of this study was to investigate if the baseline functional status of the patient (as determined by the tenth question of the PHQ-9) was an independent predictor of clinical outcomes six months after enrollment into CCM and the interdependence of clinical outcomes on functional improvement at six months. Methods One thousand eighty three adult patients who were enrolled in CCM for the diagnosis of major depression or dysthymia and had a PHQ-9 score of 10 or greater were retrospectively reviewed. Results Using a multiple regression model for clinical remission six months after enrollment into CCM; age, race and gender were not significant predictors of remission, however, being married was (OR 1.323 CI 1.013-1.727, P= 0.040). Patients in the Extremely Difficult category had an odds ratio of remission of 0.610 (CI 0.392-0.945, P=0.028) at six months compared to the Somewhat Difficult group. Also, the odds of a patient achieving normal functional status at six months was highly correlated to clinical remission (PHQ-9 Conclusions Depressed patients with worsening functional status at enrollment into CCM are less likely to achieve remission after six months, independent of all other variables studied. Also, improvement of a patient’s functional status at six months was highly correlated with clinical remission.
Technology and the New Meaning of Educational Equity

Abstract This article investigates the changing meaning of educational equity as a result of the growth of technology, especially computer-mediated networks and learning environments. The work is grounded in an overview of educational equity and access in U.S. history and the changed meaning of access in a digital age. Perhaps the most important point made is the need to broaden our definition of access and equity and to focus on connections between leadership, teaching, and technology.
A response to: Limitations within “The Limits to Tree Height”

Here we respond to the communication in American Journal of Botany (96: 542-544 in this issue) by Netting, who proposes several ways in which our paper "The Limits to Tree Height" (Nature 428: 851-854) may have erred in estimating the biophysical limits to height growth in Sequoia sempervirens. We first explain that because embolism repair requires long time periods and is generally incomplete, xylem vulnerability characteristics offer a sound basis for estimating performance limits in woody plants. We reaffirm our earlier use of vertical gradients of foliar carbon isotope composition with new data for S. sempervirens. We support these arguments with reference to studies in other tree species. We take exception with Netting's view that the turgor pressure-cell expansion relationship for Zea mays is applicable to S. sempervirens. Finally, we second Netting's call for more work on carbon allocation vis a vis height growth limits.
Linked diagram expansions for the nuclear transition matrix and the normalization of model-space wave functions

Abstract A unified and relatively simple linked-diagram expansion for performing microscopic calculations of the nuclear transition matrix T fi is derived. We first review a folded-diagram effective interaction theory, based on which, the model-space effective hamiltonian can be calculated from realistic nucleon-nucleon interactions. An important ingredient of this theory is the wave-function decomposition theorem which provides a convenient connection between the true and model-space wave functions. By directly making use of this theorem, a folded-diagram expansion of T fi is readily obtained. Using a partial summation method, the folded diagrams of T fi are then eliminated, leading to a considerably simpler expression for T fi . Our formalism requires that T fi must be calculated in strict consistence with the derivation of the model-space effective hamiltonian H eff . The model-space wave function normalization factor contained in our T fi , may play an important role in “quenching” the calculated nuclear transition matrix. A simple method for evaluating this normalization factor is derived, namely it can be obtained readily from the energy derivative of the respective self-consistent eigenvalue of H eff .
Social Workers' Personal Death Attitudes, Experiences, and Advance Directive Communication Behavior

This research surveyed 29 social workers to examine their personal death attitudes and experiences in relation to their advance directives communication practice behavior. The study measured death attitudes on 5 dimensions: fear, avoidance, neutral, approach, or escape acceptance of death. Participants' personal experiences with terminal illness and death were also assessed. Advance directive communication practices were operationalized as 7 phases: initiation of the topic, disclosure of information, identification of a surrogate decision-maker, discussion of treatment options, elicitation of patient values, interaction with family members, and collaboration with other health care professionals. Findings suggest that social workers' advance directive communication behavior differs by practitioners' death attitudes and experiences. Implications for social work education and professional development are discussed.
Pressure dependence of the electronic structure and Fermi surface of palladium

Abstract We have considered the effects of hydrostatic pressure on the de Haas-van Alphen external cross-sectional areas of the Fermi surface of palladium. Our calculations for the density of states in palladium with extended and contracted lattice constants show that a change of 2 per cent in the lattice constant changes the density of states at Fermi energy by 10 per cent.
The Effect of Metal Film Topography and Lithography on Grain Size Distributions and on Electromigration Performance

Electromigration performance of a variety of test structures has demonstrated a significant dependence of mean time to failure on topography. In particular, the severity and frequency of steps, both over poly and into and out of contacts, are the primary variables influencing the electromigration results. Materials studies show that the most significant materials parameter that changes at steps is grain size. In fact, it is shown that both lithography dimensions and the presence of topographic variations cause a variation in grain size. The conclusion of the study is that both the topography and lithography of the devices must be comprehended in designing test patterns for the estimation of electromigration performance of actual product devices.
Teratogeneic effects of endotoxin on the golden hamster

Gram-negative urinary tract infections in pregnant women have been implicated as causes of maternal endotoxemia and a subsequent higher incidence of malformations in their offspring. A study was performed to evaluate the effects of endotoxin on the development of the golden hamster. Endotoxin was shown to be extremely embryolethal at higher doses and to produce several malformations at lower doses. The pregnant hamster and its developing embryos were observed to be far more sensitive to endotoxin than species examined by other investigators.
Parsons on citizenship

In Parsons's analysis of citizenship, his general theory, liberal views, and assessment of American society intersect. Drawing from these distinctive sources, Parsons addresses questions still central to the study of citizenship. While Parsons presents a strong case for inclusion by means of liberal citizenship as an integrative force in modern societies, his treatment of inclusion is also limited in several respects. For example, Parsons elaborates one model of citizenship without attending to historical origins and variations; he stresses education as a type of cultural right but does not demonstrate the specific integrative role of higher education. As global controversy continues to swirl around liberal models of citizenship, Parsons's work can help in framing theoretically grounded responses to challenges to those models, such as communitarianism and fundamentalism, though it does not capture all possible forms of social integration.
Haemoglobin Vanderbilt (α2β289Ser→Arg): a New Haemoglobin with High Oxygen Affinity and Compensatory Erythrocytosis

Haemolysates of family members from three generations, all of whom had polycythaemia, were analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 8.8. Two closely spaced major bands were observed, one of which corresponded to Hb A and the other to a new mutant designated Hb Vanderbilt. Whole blood from a heterozygote for Hb Vanderbilt was analysed for oxygen affinity which was found to be much higher than that of normal subjects. Haemoglobin Vanderbilt was separated from Hb A using anion exchange chromatography. Cation exchange chromatography yielded a variant beta chain from which a mutant peptide was identified with a structure corresponding to residues beta83--89 with a Ser leads to Arg replacement at position 89. The oxygen affinity of 'stripped' haemolysates from the heterozygote was found to be much less sensitive to added organic phosphates than haemolysates from normal subjects. In while blood, the decreased sensitivity to 2,3-diphosphoglycerate results in an increased oxygen affinity, thus explaining the clinical observations of tissue hypoxia and compensatory polycythaemia.
Adjuvant breast cancer vaccine improves disease specific survival of breast cancer patients with depressed lymphocyte immunity.

Abstract Purpose Beginning in 1995 breast cancer patients were vaccinated in the adjuvant setting with an autologous, allogeneic whole cell vaccine to evaluate the effect on host lymphocyte immunity and disease specific survival. Methods The breast cancer patients had host lymphocyte immunity against tumor associated antigens evaluated by a Lymphocyte Blastogenesis Assay (LBA) before vaccination. Thirty-seven patients with depressed immunity were vaccinated in the adjuvant setting. Patients were given six intradermal injections (three weekly followed by three monthly). Ten weeks after the last injection the LBA was repeated. Results Some patients experienced slight pain and swelling at the injection site with slight chills and fever, but there were no severe toxicities. The vaccinated patients had a mean follow-up of 12.7 years with mean follow-up of 8.9 and 9.2 years for the patients with normal and depressed immunity, respectively, in the historic control. The 10 year survival was 95% (20 of 21 patients) in the normal immunity historic control, 59% (33 of 56 patients) in the depressed immunity historic control and 89% (33 of 37 patients) in the patients with depressed immunity that were vaccinated in the present clinical trial. The disease specific survival of the vaccinated patients with depressed immunity in this trial is significantly greater than that of the historic controls of unvaccinated patients with depressed immunity to their tumor associated antigens. Conclusion This study confirms the importance of maintaining good host lymphocyte immunity after completion of standard therapy and validates the value of cancer immunotherapy in the adjuvant setting.
Extreme value shoppers in the United States

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer patronage of extreme value retailers in the USA.Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs a sample generated from Retail Forward panel data (n=1,107) to explore consumer patronage of extreme value retailers. Descriptive statistics and decision tree analysis chi‐square automatic interaction detector is used to evaluate the data.Findings – The paper examines extreme value shoppers based on patronage frequency, expenditures, and primary reason for shopping in the extreme value format. Results suggest that although patronage frequency of extreme value stores is not increasing, expenditures for food/household essentials are increasing. Demographic characteristics (income and age) are revealed as predictors of the primary reason for patronizing the format.Research limitations/implications – Generalizations of the findings of this paper to markets outside the USA are limited due to the differences in consumers and retail formats available in variou...
Abnormal Innervation and Altered Nerve Growth Factor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression in Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

The pathophysiology of ureteropelvic junction obstruction is unknown. Using specific antibodies, we studied specimens from 35 cases of ureteropelvic junction obstruction and 32 of normal ureteropelvic junction by immunohistochemistry using protein gene product 9.5 (a general neuronal marker), S100 (a supporting cell marker), synaptophysin (a neuromuscular junction marker) and nerve growth factor receptor. Nerve growth factor expression was examined at the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) level using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique in 11 ureteropelvic junction obstruction specimens and 7 controls. The most striking finding was the marked reduction of protein gene product 9.5, synaptophysin and nerve growth factor receptor staining positive nerve fibers in the muscle layers of ureteropelvic junction obstruction compared to the normal ureteropelvic junction. Supporting nerve cell fibers (S100) were preserved in cases of ureteropelvic junction obstruction and normal ureteropelvic junction. A significantly less intense signal for nerve growth factor mRNA was found in the ureteropelvic junction obstruction specimens compared to normal ureteropelvic junction. These findings suggest that defective innervation may have an important role in the pathogenesis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction, and decreased nerve growth factor mRNA expression may be important in the etiology of ureteropelvic junction obstruction.
Optimal taxation and cross-price effects on labor supply: Estimates of the optimal gas tax

Abstract This study estimates parameters necessary to calculate the optimal second-best gasoline tax, most notably the cross-price elasticity between gasoline and leisure. Prior theoretical work indicates the importance of this elasticity, but despite this, almost none of the prior studies of commodity taxation (and none of the studies on second-best environmental regulation) actually estimate it. Using household data, we find that gasoline is a relative complement to leisure, and thus that the optimal gasoline tax is significantly higher than marginal damages-the opposite of the result suggested by the bulk of the prior literature. Indeed, even if there were no externalities at all associated with gasoline, the optimal tax rate would still be almost equal to the average gas tax rate in the U.S. Following this approach to estimate cross-price elasticities with leisure could strongly influence estimates of optimal rates for other important commodity or pollution taxes.
An Overview of 9/11 Experiences and Respiratory and Mental Health Conditions among World Trade Center Health Registry Enrollees

To date, health effects of exposure to the September 11, 2001 disaster in New York City have been studied in specific groups, but no studies have estimated its impact across the different exposed populations. This report provides an overview of the World Trade Center Health Registry (WTCHR) enrollees, their exposures, and their respiratory and mental health outcomes 2–3 years post-9/11. Results are extrapolated to the estimated universe of people eligible to enroll in the WTCHR to determine magnitude of impact. Building occupants, persons on the street or in transit in lower Manhattan on 9/11, local residents, rescue and recovery workers/volunteers, and area school children and staff were interviewed and enrolled in the WTCHR between September 2003 and November 2004. A total of 71,437 people enrolled in the WTCHR, for 17.4% coverage of the estimated eligible exposed population (nearly 410,000); 30% were recruited from lists, and 70% were self-identified. Many reported being in the dust cloud from the collapsing WTC Towers (51%), witnessing traumatic events (70%), or sustaining an injury (13%). After 9/11, 67% of adult enrollees reported new or worsening respiratory symptoms, 3% reported newly diagnosed asthma, 16% screened positive for probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and 8% for serious psychological distress (SPD). Newly diagnosed asthma was most common among rescue and recovery workers who worked on the debris pile (4.1%). PTSD was higher among those who reported Hispanic ethnicity (30%), household income <$25,000 (31%), or being injured (35%). Using previously published estimates of the total number of exposed people per WTCHR eligibility criteria, we estimate between 3,800 and 12,600 adults experienced newly diagnosed asthma and 34,600–70,200 adults experienced PTSD following the attacks, suggesting extensive adverse health impacts beyond the immediate deaths and injuries from the acute event.
Non‐diffusive N + 2 degree Petrov‐Galerkin methods for two‐dimensional transient transport computations

A new non-diffusive Petrov-Galerkin type finite element method which uses test functions two polynomial degrees higher than the trial functions is developed for the transient convection dominated transport equation in two dimensions. The scheme uses bilinear quadrilateral finite elements for the spatial discretization and Crank-Nicolson finite differencing for the time integration. The standard product extension of very successful one-dimensional N + 2 degree upwinding functions to two dimensions is ineffective for general 2-D flow problems, especially at higher Courant numbers where cross-derivative truncation terms become important. Therefore effective N + 2 degree test functions are developed through an analysis by which the truncation error terms in the discrete nodal equation are eliminated up to fifth order. The new scheme is very effective for general 2-D flows over a wide Courant number range and eliminates the troublesome cross-derivative truncation terms. The scheme is simple and robust in that the upwinding coefficients are readily defined and only dependent on Courant number. Numerical examples illustrate the excellent behaviour of the new scheme.
Automatically Activated Attitudes as Mechanisms for Message Effects: The Case of Alcohol Advertisements

Alcohol advertisements may influence impulsive, risky behaviors indirectly, via automatically-activated attitudes toward alcohol. Results from an experiment in which participants were exposed to either four alcohol advertisements, four control advertisements, or four drunk driving public service advertisements, suggested that alcohol advertisements had more measurable effects on implicit, than on explicit attitude measures. Moreover, there were significant indirect paths from alcohol advertisement exposure through automatically-activated alcohol attitudes on willingness to engage in risky alcohol-related behaviors, notably drinking and driving. A mechanism that may explain how these advertisements activate automatic, non-deliberative alcohol attitudes was investigated. Associative evidence was found supportive of an evaluative conditioning mechanism, in which positive responses to an alcohol advertisement may lead to more positive automatically-activated attitudes toward alcohol itself.
Controlling neuroticism in the measurement of stress

To assess stress — the demands placed on the individual by his or her environment — life-event checklists and lists of daily hassles have been widely used. Such instruments are intended to reflect harmful, threatening, or challenging aspects of the environment, but they are likely to be strongly influenced by characteristics of the respondent, especially the personality disposition of neuroticism. Individuals high on this dimension perceive life as stressful, cope poorly, are dissatisfied with social supports, have low psychological well-being, and make more somatic complaints. Relations among these variables may be due to the common influence of neuroticism rather than processes of stress and coping. Longitudinal designs and objective outcome measures can reduced the confounding effect of neuroticism. By including measures of neuroticism in their designs, researchers can increase their understanding of the mutual roles of stress and personality in determining mental and physical health. By measuring neuroticism in their clients, stress management practitioners can gain insight into the reports of stressful events and conditions their clients make.
Variegated mesocosms as alternatives to shore-based planktonkreisels: notes on the husbandry of jellyfish from marine lakes

Variegated mesocosms, which provide spatial cues lacking in planktonkreisels, facilitated morphological and behavioral studies of plankton from marine lakes. A mesocosm and its application to marine lake studies are described, then several modifications to the present design suggested. Variegated mesocosms are a neglected resource in plankton research.
Stability of a polytope of matrices: counterexamples

While there have been significant breakthroughs for the stability of a polytope of polynomials since V.L. Kharitonov's (1978) seminal result on interval polynomials, for a polytope of matrices, the stability problem is considered far from completely resolved. Counterexamples are provided for three conjectures that are directly motivated by the results in the polynomial case. These counterexamples illustrate the fundamental differences between polynomial-stability and matrix-stability problems and indicate that some obvious lines of attack on the matrix polytope stability problem will fail. >
Gumball: a race condition prevention technique for cache augmented SQL database management systems

Query intensive applications augment a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) with a middle-tier cache to enhance performance. An example is memcached in use by very large well known sites such as Facebook. In the presence of updates to the normalized tables of the RDBMS, invalidation based consistency techniques delete the impacted key-value pairs residing in the cache. A subsequent reference for these key-value pairs observes a cache miss, recomputes the new values from the RDBMS, and inserts the new key-value pairs in the cache. These techniques suffer from race conditions that result in cache states that produce stale data. The Gumball Technique (GT) addresses this limitation by preventing race conditions. Experimental results show GT enhances the accuracy of an application hundreds of folds and, in some cases, may reduce system performance slightly.
A Note on Learning of Spatial or Temporal Order

Summary The effects of temporal and spatial definition of item sequence on order learning were examined by means of a position-judgment procedure. In an effort to control presentation intermittency, a low-similarity series of 12 CVCs was presented to 48 male and female undergraduates at a 2-second rate either individually or simultaneously in a repeated horizontal array. Results showed weak advantages during later trials and in middle serial positions from temporal presentation, in contradiction to prior findings. It was argued that the results could be procedural artifacts and that an unbiased assessment of performance and of distinctiveness topographies associated with temporally or spatially defined sequence may be infeasible.
The source coding game

The encoding of a source whose probability distribution varies arbitrarily from letter to letter is considered. The problem is formulated as a two-person statistical game. The exponential rate of growth with block length of the minimum number of codewords needed to achieve a specified fidelity with respect to a single-letter distortion measure is determined. The rate distortion function of a source whose statistics are entirely unknown is obtained as a special case. The dependence of the results on the rules under which the game is played also is studied. The analysis is based on a refinement of the usual random coding argument for sources which sheds new light on the significance of the term that decays at a doubly exponential rate with block length.
Ethnicity and differential access to care for eating disorder symptoms.

Objective The impact of ethnicity on access to health care for eating disorder symptoms among participants in the 1996 National Eating Disorders Screening Program (NEDSP) was examined in two studies. Method Self-report and clinician-assessed data were analyzed from 9,069 participants in an educational and two-stage screening program for eating disorders in Study I. In Study II, both cross-sectional and prospective data from a randomly selected sample of 289 participants from the same program were analyzed to investigate the impact of ethnic minority status on both help-seeking patterns and clinician referral patterns for eating disorder symptoms. Results Even after controlling for severity of self-reported eating disorder symptoms, both Latino and Native American participants in the NEDSP were significantly less likely than Whites to receive a recommendation or referral for further evaluation or care. Ethnic minority subjects with self-acknowledged eating and weight concerns were also significantly less likely than non-minority participants to have been asked by a doctor about eating disorder symptoms. Only one marginally significant difference was found between ethnic minority and non-minority respondents with respect to their help-seeking behaviors, namely, ethnic minority subjects were less likely (at the level of a trend) to seek eating disorders treatment within 1½–2 years following the NEDSP. Discussion These data suggest that clinician bias may be an important barrier to access to care for eating disorder symptoms in ethnic minority populations. © 2003 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 33: 205–212, 2003.
Empirical Selection of Psychosocial Treatment Targets for Children and Adolescents with Diabetes

Used an empirical approach to determine psychosocial variables related to optimal metabolic control of diabetes in two samples (total n = 56) of children and their families. Children and adolescents classified as either in optimal or nonoptimal control of diabetes (based on glycosylated hemoglobin results) completed self-report measures on variables of anxiety, coping, family environment and health locus of control, and a structured interview. Parents completed parallel self-report measures and a child behavior checklist. Children in optimal control of diabetes had more structured and controlling family environments, and more frequently believed that "powerful others" were responsible for their health. There was a marginally significant difference in knowledge, with children in poorer metabolic control showing better knowledge about diabetes and its management than children in optimal control. The study illustrates an empirical approach to the selection of psychosocial treatment targets for children with diabetes, and underscores the importance of parental involvement with the diabetes regimen to ensure optimal control of diabetes in both children and adolescents.
The Economics of Poverty and the Poverty of Economics: A Christian Perspective

In this world of plenty, almost half of the world's six billion people live on two dollars a day or less and the number living on less than one dollar a day has increased over the past fifteen years (World Bank 2000). Between one third and one half suffer undernutrition due to insufficient intake of calories, protein or critical micronutrients such as vitamin A, iodine and iron. More than one child in five lives in acute poverty. Why does such unnecessary injustice continue to disfigure a rich, technologically advanced world and what can be done to care for the poor and thereby to care for and honor God, as the Gospels instruct us? In attempting to answer those questions, at least partly, this paper offers some insights from recent research in economics, as well as my concerns about the limits to economic understanding of these humanitarian, intellectual and spiritual challenges. The Christian's interest in poverty is rather obvious. Jesus routinely expressed special concern for and devotion to the poor. We are called to feed the hungry, nurse the sick, and clothe the naked. The impulse to assist is obviously not unique to Christendom. Nor is it especially the comparative advantage of economics, for the instinct of economists is to look beyond the symptoms of poverty that indisputably demand prompt humanitarian response, and to seek instead the causal mechanisms that perpetuate poverty. In reflecting on the economics of poverty, my focus is therefore not on humanitarian response operations but, rather, on the mechanisms that necessitate the grim but honorable and too-necessary work of humanitarian relief agencies. Most of this essay was composed during a trip to some of my field research sites in Madagascar, a fascinating country where extraordinarily high species endemism rates fuel intense interest by conservationists and where the unique blend of Polynesian and Bantu cultures has long drawn the attention of cultural anthropologists. Such obvious unique qualities aside, Madagascar is nonetheless the quintessential poor economy. According to the most recent nationally representative household survey data, 69.6% of the population of Madagascar falls below a national poverty line equivalent to US $0.42/day per capita. More than 80 percent of the population lives in rural areas and 92% of the poor live in rural areas. The rural poor depend heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods, both as farmers and as workers on others' farms. Yet agricultural productivity is weak and the soils, forests and hydrological systems on which smallholder farming fundamentally depends are under significant threat from anthropogenic and natural causes. Because it so typifies poor economies, I illustrate some of my core points with brief anecdotes from a few of the many Malagasy who have been some of my most important teachers, not only about the economics of poverty, but also about the dignity and majesty of human life and the whole of God's Creation.