cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF ENHANCED UV-B RADIATION ON POLLEN QUANTITY, QUALITY, AND SEED YIELD IN BRASSICA RAPA (BRASSICACEAE)

Three experiments examined the influence of ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B; 280-320 nm) exposure on reproduction in Brassica rapa (Brassicacaeae). Plants were grown in a greenhouse under three biologically effective UV-B levels that stimulated either an ambient stratospheric ozone level (control), 16% ({open_quotes}low enhanced{close_quotes}), or 32% ({open_quotes}high enhanced{close_quotes}) ozone depletion levels at Morgantown, WV, USA in mid-March. In the first experiment,pollen production and viability per flower were reduced by {approx}50% under both enhanced UV-B levels relative to ambient controls. While plants under high-enhanced UV-B produced over 40% more flowers than plants under the two lower UV-B treatments, whole-plant production of viable pollen was reduced under low-enhanced UV-B to 34% of ambient controls. In the second experiment, the influence of source-plant UV-B exposure on in vitro pollen from plants was examined and whether source-plant UV-B exposure influenced in vitro pollen germination and viability. Pollen from plants under both enhanced-UV-B was reduced from 65 to 18%. Viability of the pollen from plants grown under both enhanced UV-B treatments was reduced to a much lesser extent: only from {approx}43 to 22%. Thus, ambient source-plant pollen was more sensitive to enhanced UV-B levels to fertilize plants growing under ambient-UV-B levels, and assessed subsequent seed production andmore » germination. Seed abortion rates were higher in plants pollinated with pollen from the enhanced UV-B treatments, than from ambient UV-B. Despite this, seed yield (number and mass) per plant was similar, regardless of the UV-B exposure of their pollen source. Our findings demonstrate that enhanced UV-B levels associated with springtime ozone depletion events have the capacity to substantially reduce viable pollen production, and could ultimately reduce reproductive success of B. rapa. 37 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.« less
Is Serum Uric Acid Level Associated with All‐Cause Mortality in High‐Functioning Older Persons: MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging?

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect of serum uric acid level on subsequent all-cause mortality in high-functioning community-dwelling older persons. It is controversial whether high serum uric acid level is a true independent risk factor for cardiovascular and total mortality or the association is due to other confounding variables. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether the predictive value of uric acid level on mortality observed in younger cohorts can be extended to older people. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A sample of community-dwelling older people. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 870 participants from the MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging. MEASUREMENTS: Baseline information was obtained for serum uric acid level, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), prevalent medical conditions, and health behaviors. Crude and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between serum uric acid levels and 7-year all-cause mortality, while adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: In men, the multiply adjusted risk ratios for 7-year total mortality were 1.07 (95% CI = 0.61–1.88) for the mid tertile of uric acid level and 1.24 (95% CI = 0.70–2.20) for the top tertile. In women, the multiply adjusted risk ratios were 0.58 (95% CI = 0.29–1.18) and 0.47 (95% CI = 0.22–0.99), for the mid and top tertiles respectively. CRP and IL-6 were important confounders in the relationship between serum uric acid and overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS: High serum uric acid level is not independently associated with increased total mortality in high-functioning older men and women. When evaluating the association between serum uric acid and mortality, the potential confounding effect of underlying inflammation and other risk factors must be considered.
Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase: a multi-institutional study of a new prostate cancer marker.

Aim : To test whether α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is a sensitive and specific marker of prostate cancer. Methods and results : The expression levels of AMACR mRNA were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. A total of 807 prostatic specimens were further examined by immunohistochemistry specific for AMACR. Quantitative immunostaining analyses were carried out by using the ChromaVision Automated Cellular Imaging System and the Ariol SL-50 Imaging System, respectively. AMACR mRNA levels measured in prostatic adenocarcinoma were 55 times higher than those in benign prostate tissue. Of 454 cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma, 441 were positive for AMACR, while 254 of 277 cases of benign prostate were negative for AMACR. The sensitivity and specificity of AMACR immunodetection of prostatic adenocarcinomas were 97% and 92%, respectively. Both positive and negative predictive values were 95%. By automatic imaging analyses, the AMACR immunostaining intensity and percentage in prostatic adenocarcinomas were also significantly higher than those in benign prostatic tissue (105.9 versus 16.1 for intensity, 45.7% versus 0.02% and 35.03% versus 4.64% for percentage, respectively). Conclusions : We have demonstrated the promising features of AMACR as a biomarker for prostate cancer in this large series and the potential to develop automated quantitative diagnostic tests.
Targeting matrix remodeling in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure

Chronic pressure overload, such as that with hypertension, induces left ventricular (LV) remodeling characterized by increased mass, that is, LV hypertrophy (LVH). LVH can cause impaired diastolic function and thereby contribute to heart failure. The myocardial extracellular matrix undergoes significant remodeling in LVH contributing to abnormalities in diastolic function. Current pharmacological strategies for the treatment of hypertension only indirectly and/or incompletely affect the structure and composition of the myocardial matrix. Identifying crucial pathways involved in matrix remodeling in hypertension-induced LVH will aid in the selection of more relevant targets.
Concentrating (on) Native Proteins to Control Cell Fate

Synthetic biology has ambitious goals—to engineer and repurpose cells for applications ranging from medicine to energy ( 1 , 2 ). Such achievements require robust designs for programming cell behavior. Signaling pathways within cells integrate information from the environment to drive specific gene expression programs, so from an engineering perspective, these pathways represent prime interventional targets for harnessing control of cellular decision-making ( 3 ). The output of a signaling pathway ultimately depends on the dynamics of its constituents, which, in turn, are determined by their concentrations and interactions. Given that these properties are hard-wired into the genome of the organism, how might cell fate be artificially regulated without manipulating the host's DNA? On page 1358 of this issue, Galloway et al. ( 4 ) demonstrate that this can be accomplished by introducing synthetic genetic controllers into the host to modulate the activity of a native signaling pathway. Cell fate “rerouting” in yeast was accomplished by using these genetic controllers to conditionally increase the concentrations of key endogenous proteins in a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, thereby reshaping the signaling dynamics and cellular response without introducing new proteins into the network.
Effects of an Antibiotic Cycling Program on Antibiotic Prescribing Practices in an Intensive Care Unit

Various interventions have been proposed to combat the increase of antibiotic resistance and influence antibiotic prescribing practices. A prospective cohort study in a medical intensive care unit was conducted to determine the effect of an antibiotic cycling program on patterns of antibiotic use and to determine patient factors associated with cycling adherence. Four major classes of antibiotics for empirical therapy of suspected gram-negative bacterial infections were rotated at 3- and 4-month intervals. During the study, 1,003 patients received antibiotic therapy with at least one of the study drugs; of the 792 receiving cycle antibiotics during the cycling period, 598 (75.5%) received an on-cycle drug. Compared to the baseline, cycling recommendations increased the use of the target cycle agent: the use of cephalosporins increased during cycle 1 (56 to 64% of total antibiotic days, P < 0.001), fluoroquinolone use increased in cycle 2 (24 to 55%, P < 0.001), carbapenem use increased during cycle 3 (14 to 38%, P < 0.001), and use of extended-spectrum penicillins increased in cycle 4 (5 to 36%, P < 0.001). Overall, 48% of total cycle antibiotic days were compliant with the cycling protocol. On average, 8.8 days per patient were spent receiving on-cycle drugs (range, 1 to 109). Cycle periods that specified carbapenem and fluoroquinolone use had the highest number of off-cycle days (62 and 64%). Predictors of on-cycle antibiotic use were increased severity of illness, as measured by an acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score, and greater length of intensive care unit stay. In conclusion, the successful implementation of this cycling protocol increased antibiotic heterogeneity over time in the study unit.
Inland and Coastal Hydrographic Feature Identification in the Bahamas Using RADAR Data and Raster Processing in a GIS

Islands within the Caribbean region are frequented by heavy rains and strong winds, causing flooding and damage to infrastructure and the environment. The increasing availability of spaceborne RADAR data offers advantages over optical imagery for the mapping and mitigation of such hazards. RADAR data has the ability to penetrate cloud cover, making it capable of collecting data during virtually all weather conditions. In this study, the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture RADAR (PALSAR) was used to distinguish seasonally dynamic water bodies on New Providence Island in the Bahamas using an image thresholding technique. The threshold was determined by performing statistics on field-validated training sites. The accuracy of the RADAR data’s classification of water bodies was tested using a control dataset derived from GeoEye-1 imagery and GPS points collected during field work. The RADAR data was found to best classify large, static water bodies. It less accurately classified small, seasonally inundated water bodies and small ponds that are not spatially separated from vegetation. This study demonstrates a practical methodology which can be easily adapted by government and emergency management agencies within the Caribbean, as a preparation and mitigation tool. As such, it addresses the need for accessible data, techniques, and methods, designed to improve the understanding of dynamic natural phenomenon and assist government managers with decision making.
Black families and fostering of leadership

Dominant depictions of Black families in US scholarship and political discourse have been negative; tropes of defunct, hyper-masculinized men and welfare queens along with a general ‘tangle of pathology’ indictment are common. This article supports other scholarship, which challenges these depictions and acknowledges common positive traits associated with Black families. Through an examination of interviews with 39 famous Black leaders from the US Civil Rights Era coupled with an extant review of sociological Black family literature, this article highlights three positive, supportive traits common to Black families: (1) extended and fictive kin; (2) racial socialization; and (3) education. These findings challenge the assertion of the Black family as dysfunctional by highlighting multiple Black family voices. The analysis relies upon Black families’ articulations of their cultural strengths and successes, which contrasts with the prevailing review of Black families that uses structural approaches and a ri...
A framework for self-optimizing, fault-tolerant, high performance bulk data transfers in a heterogeneous grid environment

The drastic increase in the data requirements of scientific applications combined with an increasing trend towards collaborative research has resulted in the need to transfer large amounts of data among the participating sites. The general approach to transferring such large amounts of data has been to either dump data to tapes and mail them or employ scripts with an operator at each site to babysit the transfers to deal with failures. We introduce a framework which automates the whole process of data movement between different sites. The framework does not require any human intervention and it can recover automatically from various kinds of storage system, network, and software failures, guaranteeing completion of the transfers. The framework has sophisticated monitoring and tuning capability that increases the performance of the data transfers on the fly. The framework also generates on-the-fly visualization of the transfers making identification of problems and bottlenecks in the system simple.
Pegasus: Lessons from a Business-to-Business Electronic Marketplace's Struggle

This paper reports on a 2.5-year case study of the North American utility industry’s effort to create a business-to-business (B2B) electronic marketplace (e-marketplace)--- Pegasus. The utilities formed Pegasus in order to improve utility industry procurement practices by better integrating all aspects of the supply chain. The paper discusses the e-marketplace, evolving strategies, technology and challenges. This discussion offers several lessons to those interested in improving industry procurement practices with a B2B e-marketplace.
Professors of English and Functionalism

An appeal to professors of English to refresh their consciousness and their consciences with respect to the foreign-language bases of English.
Parsec: a parallel simulation environment for complex systems

Design and development costs for extremely large systems could be significantly reduced if only there were efficient techniques for evaluating design alternatives and predicting their impact on overall system performance metrics. Due to the systems' analytical intractability, simulation is the most common performance evaluation technique for such systems. However, the long execution times needed for sequential simulation models often hampers evaluation. The slow speeds of sequential model execution have led to growing interest in the use of parallel execution for simulating large-scale systems. Widespread use of parallel simulation, however; has been significantly hindered by a lack of tools for integrating parallel model execution into the overall framework of system simulation. Another drawback to widespread use of simulations is the cost of model design and maintenance. The simulation environment the authors developed at UCLA attempts to address some of these issues. It consists of three primary components: a parallel simulation language called Parsec (parallel simulation environment for complex systems), its GUI, called Pave, and the portable runtime system that implements the simulation algorithms.
Anaesthesia for spinal surgery in children

Spinal surgery is performed in children of all age groups. Some of these children will have significant, other medical problems. For most, surgery will be performed in the prone position. Blood loss may be high for some types of surgery, and patients will benefit from use of a blood-sparing technique. Many patients will require spinal cord monitoring to assess cord function and to prevent neurological deficit.
Examining Medical Interview Asymmetry Using the Expectation States Approach.

In this study we examine medical interview asymmetry using the expectation states approach. Physicians lead clinical interviews because of a feature inherent in those interviews, namely the status difference between doctor and patient. This power differential varies: it is greatest when the biomedical aspects of the interview are emphasized. These observations are consistent with status characteristics theory (SCT), which is based on the expectation states approach to understanding the emergence of power-prestige orders in groups facing shared tasks. From an SCT perspective, when the required scope conditions are met the status characteristics of doctor and patient trigger expectation states that result in inequalities relevant to the biomedical tasks of the interview. We examine interactions between medical students and standardized patients from the perspective of SCT. We observe the emergence of vocal spectrum inequalities when the interview task is biomedical. Other nonverbal behavioral outcomes emerg...
Role of the adrenal glands in the development of severe hypertension.

It has been previously shown that angiotensin II is involved in the pathogenesis of severe hypertension resulting from ligation of the aorta between the origins of the renal arteries. To see if part of the effect of the angiotensin II was due to the stimulation of mineralocorticoid secretion, blood pressure and plasma renin activity were studied after ligation of the aorta in adrenalectomized rats receiving maintenance doses of steroids. Rats subjected to adrenalectomy and aortic coarctation developed hypertension as severe as that in rats with intact adrenal glands. Thus, an increase in the secretory rate of adrenal hormones is not a pathogenetic factor in the development of severe hypertension after aortic coarctation.
Measuring Residents' Emotional Solidarity with Tourists: Scale Development of Durkheim's Theoretical Constructs

While it can prove easy to conceptualize of the relationship between residents and tourists as “us versus them,” it devalues the potential for intimate relationships to exist, whereby residents and tourists have many things in common. The theory of emotional solidarity can aid in explaining such an intimate relationship. Developing the framework from previous qualitative work, the purpose of this study is to formulate and validate scales corresponding to the constructs in Durkheim’s theoretical framework of emotional solidarity. Following two initial stages of pilot testing, each scale is included in an onsite self-administered survey instrument, with 455 heads of household completing the instrument in a coastal South Carolina county. Psychometric properties are assessed and each scale is found to be high in internal consistency and construct validity (i.e., convergent and discriminant validity). Implications as well as potential research opportunities concerning emotional solidarity are discussed.
[Comment on “Broad-based programs make the grade”] Broad-based program has many payoffs

“Broad-Based Geoscience Programs Make the Grade” [Eos, August 30,1994” gives a fair and balanced view. I write to add a supplement to my remarks there, which otherwise could give an impression that bachelor's degrees were a principal result of the merger that created our geoscience department. Apart from the fact that we always primarily emphasized graduate education—after as well as before the merger—I have often expressed the view that perhaps the most important result of the merger was the ability to attract interdisciplinary scientists to our broad-based department, who in most cases would not have felt comfortable in the traditional geology or meteorology department. This has many obvious payoffs, in research, education, and not least, visibility.
Magnetic compression of axially symmetric Brillouin-focused electron beams

A study has been made of high-current density Brillouin-focused electron beams formed with magnetic compression. Analysis of the problem was by numerical calculation of electron trajectories using a digital computer. Electrostatic field data were measured using a resistance network analog. The effect of the magnetic field was calculated as an equivalent potential. An experimental system based on the results of the analysis was designed and tested. A Muller-type electron gun was found to provide a more uniform current density than a corresponding Pierce type. Experimental results were in close agreement with design objectives. For an area magnetic compression of 10 to 1, a focused beam approaching ideal Brillouin flow was achieved.
Switch Region Identity Plays an Important Role in Ig Class Switch Recombination

Ig class switch recombination (CSR) is regulated through long-range intrachromosomal interactions between germline transcript promoters and enhancers to initiate transcription and create chromatin accessible to activation-induced deaminase attack. CSR occurs between switch (S) regions that flank Cμ and downstream CH regions and functions via an intrachromosomal deletional event between the donor Sμ region and a downstream S region. It is unclear to what extent S region primary sequence influences differential targeting of CSR to specific isotypes. We address this issue in this study by generating mutant mice in which the endogenous Sγ3 region was replaced with size-matched Sγ1 sequence. B cell activation conditions are established that support robust γ3 and γ1 germline transcript expression and stimulate IgG1 switching but suppress IgG3 CSR. We found that the Sγ1 replacement allele engages in μ→γ3 CSR, whereas the intact allele is repressed. We conclude that S region identity makes a significant contribution to CSR. We propose that the Sγ1 region is selectively targeted for CSR following the induction of an isotype-specific factor that targets the S region and recruits CSR machinery.
Validating Simulations of Acoustic Propagation in Complex Terrain

Comparing numerical simulations to experimental measurements validates aspects of a finite-difference, time-domain code used to simulate seismic and acoustic propagation. In the experiment, C4 explosions in five distinct locations were used as acoustic sources; the resulting pressure pulse propagated over grassy level terrain. Pressure measurements at multiple locations are compared to the three-dimensional simulations. The metrics used in the comparison were variance in amplitudes and arrival times, differences in the time-domain waveforms, and differences in the frequency response functions. The numerical and experimental waveforms agree qualitatively, but there is a relatively large standard deviation in the difference in peak pressure between experiment and simulation. This is likely due to the high-frequency content of the source, which is not captured in the band-limited numerical model. This will be investigated as the next step in the validation.
Chemical bonding and electronic structures of the Al2SiO5 polymorphs, andalusite, sillimanite, and kyanite: X-ray photoelectron- and electron energy loss spectroscopy studies

We have undertaken a detailed analysis of the X-ray photoelectron spectra obtained from the three polymorphs of Al2SiO5; andalusite, sillimanite, and kyanite. Comparison of the spectra was made based on the chemical bonding and structural differences in the Al- and Si-coordination within each polymorph. The spectra for Si(2p) for all three polymorphs are nearly identical, consistent with the fact that all the Si atoms are in 4-fold (tetrahedral) coordination, whereas the binding energies, peak shapes, and peak widths for Al(2p) vary depending on the type of polymorph. The upper-valence band for all three polymorphs is characterized by four main features derived from O(2p), Al(3s), Al(2p), Si(3s), and Si(3p), and the differences in their contributions are observed. The density of state of the Al2SiO5 polymorphs is relatively featureless compared to those observed from α-SiO2 and α-Al2O3, suggesting that the orbital overlaps span a greater range in energy. The observed band gap energy for Al2SiO5 (sillimanite) was ~9.1eV, a value in between those for α-SiO2 (~8.6eV) and α-Al2O3 (~9.6eV). The conduction band feature of Al2SiO5 was experimentally compared to those of α-SiO2 and α-Al2O3, and shown that it is indeed intermediate between the α-SiO2 and α-Al2O3 phases.
Thoracic and Thoracolumbar Idiopathic Deformity

Idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents and adults presents many challenges to the spinal surgeon. Preoperative planning, intraoperative technique, and postoperative management all contribute to the ultimate outcome. Avoiding complications in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis depends on a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles of spinal deformity evaluation and treatment.
Biosynthesis of retinoic acid by intestinal enzymes of the rat

The incubation of beta-carotene-(14)C with the soluble fraction of the intestinal mucosa resulted in the formation of small amounts of acidic material. The addition of NAD or NADH to the soluble fraction caused a tenfold increase in this material. Incubation of retinal-15-(14)C with the soluble fraction of the intestinal mucosa plus NAD or NADH resulted in the conversion of 80-90% of the retinal to acidic material, which has been shown to contain retinoic acid. In vivo studies on the formation of retinoic acid in the intestinal mucosa after the administration of beta-carotene-(14)C revealed that an appreciable amount of beta-carotene was converted to acidic compounds. When retinal-15-(14)C was administered, portal blood contained 30-40% of the absorbed radioactivity. 24% of this radioactivity was found in acidic material, which has been shown to contain retinoic acid. It is suggested that enzymes in rat intestine cleave beta-carotene to retinal and oxidize the latter to retinoic acid, which is then transported via the portal circulation to the liver.
Cortico–Basal Ganglia Circuit Function in Psychiatric Disease

Circuit dysfunction models of psychiatric disease posit that pathological behavior results from abnormal patterns of electrical activity in specific cells and circuits in the brain. Many psychiatric disorders are associated with abnormal activity in the prefrontal cortex and in the basal ganglia, a set of subcortical nuclei implicated in cognitive and motor control. Here we discuss the role of the basal ganglia and connected prefrontal regions in the etiology and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression, emphasizing mechanistic work in rodent behavioral models to dissect causal cortico-basal ganglia circuits underlying discrete behavioral symptom domains relevant to these complex disorders.
Symmetries constrain the transition to heterogeneous chaos in balanced networks

Biological neural circuits display both spontaneous asynchronous activity, and complex, yet ordered activity while actively responding to input. Recently, researchers have demonstrated how this spontaneous behavior underlies computational capabilities in large, recurrently connected networks of firing rate [1,2] and spiking [3] units. Yet, not all spontaneous activity is equal: complex computations may require the rich phase-space of heterogeneous chaos, in which each neuron has a different time-dependent firing rate [2,3]. Here, we address the question of how network connectivity structure may affect the transition to heterogeneous chaos in echo-state networks. We choose a family of firing-rate networks in which the neurobiological constraint of Dale's Law -- that most neurons are either excitatory or inhibitory -- is satisfied, and in which excitation and inhibition are balanced. We first study the transition to heterogeneous chaos in this setting, using principal component analysis (PCA) to provide a lower-dimensional description of network activity. We find that key characteristics of this transition differ in constrained networks, versus unconstrained networks with similar variability: the transition to heterogeneous chaos occurs at higher coupling strengths, and is variable across specific networks. These properties are a consequence of the fact that the constrained system may be described as a perturbation from a system with non-trivial symmetries. These symmetries imply the presence of both fixed points and periodic orbits that are an organizing center for solutions, even for large perturbations. In comparison, spectral characteristics of the network coupling matrix [4-6] are relatively uninformative about the behavior of the constrained system. We next investigated the impact of this structure on the computational capabilities of constrained vs. unconstrained networks. We first examine the response of networks to time-dependent inputs [3]. In comparison to unconstrained networks, constrained networks performed better on population coding of firing rate, but had less ability to separate two different time-dependent inputs in phase space. In contrast, the delayed transition to chaos had little effect on the ability of constrained networks to reproduce a learning task recently investigated in unconstrained networks [7]. We inspected example networks and found that the addition of the feedback loop quickly moves effective network connectivity away from symmetry and into the chaotic regime at the onset of training.
Studies of the physiological role of specific neuronal phosphoproteins.

Abstract Studies in the last five years have provided conclusive evidence that protein phosphorylation is involved in the regulation of neuronal function. Direct evidence from microinjection experiments has shown that four distinct classes of protein kinases modulate physiological processes in neurons. In addition, a large number of substrates for these proteins have been identified in neurons. Three of these phosphoproteins have been discussed here: first, synapsin I, a substrate protein present in nerve terminals, the phosphorylation of which appears to regulate neurotransmitter release from those nerve terminals; second, the acetylcholine receptor, the phosphorylation of which regulates its rate of desensitization in the presence of acetylcholine; and, finally, DARPP-32, the phosphorylation of which converts it into a very potent phosphatase inhibitor that may be involved in the regulation by the neuromodulator dopamine of the effects of the neurotransmitter glutamate. These studies of specific phosphoproteins suggest that the identification and characterization of additional neuronal phosphoproteins should lead to the clarification of additional molecular mechanisms by which signal transduction is carried out in nerve cells.
Politics, Government Spending, and Growth: Evidence from Greece

I study the allocation of pork barrel spending, and the impact of politics on regional growth in Greece, using a large dataset that covers the period between 1959 and 2010. I find that electoral districts that lean towards the majority party receive more spending from the central government, and grow faster. Theoretically, this association could be either because parties reward the regions that vote for them, because majority MPs divert funds towards their constituencies, or both. Since, the electoral law by design creates some quasi-random variation in the allocation of parliamentary seats, it is possible to distinguish the effect of voting for the “right” party from the effect of being represented by the “right” people. The electoral support and the representation in the parliamentary majority variables have a significant joint effect on the distribution of government spending, but the precise nature of the link is unclear. In the case of growth, there is evidence that both explanations are relevant. Finally, regions do not seem to enjoy any additional benefits when their elected representatives also occupy positions in the executive branch of the government. ∗batzilis@uchicago.edu; 1126 East 59th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
The Effects of Majoring in Political Science on Political Efficacy.

ABSTRACTThis study tests, and finds support, for the hypotheses that a student who majors in political science will have stronger feelings of political competence and will be more willing to engage in hypothetical political actions than two peer groups: (a) those who major in other fields and (b) those who show an interest in politics but have not studied it. In a study of 1,083 undergraduates at two different universities, we find that senior political science majors have higher feelings of internal political efficacy than comparison groups and are more willing than their peers or than interested freshmen to say that they would engage in meaningful political action, especially joining organized groups.
Effects of PAF on isolated rat airways perfused with blood-free solution

We examined the mechanism of constriction and muscarinic augmentation of contraction of airway smooth muscle caused by platelet-activating factor (PAF) in airways from 55 Sprague-Dawley rats perfused through the isolated bronchial circulation (BC) and pulmonary circulation (PC) and isometrically in tissue perfusion chambers. Dose-response curves were generated cumulatively by infusing 10(-10) to 10(-7) mol PAF dissolved in Krebs-Henseleit solution buffer containing 4% bovine serum albumin into the BC or PC. The efficacy of PAF in central airways (BC) was approximately twofold greater in increasing lung resistance (RL) than for more peripheral airways perfused by the PC (P less than 0.05). Tachyphylaxis was demonstrated in both BC and PC for preparations in which a second PAF dose-response curve was generated. Bolus injection of 10(-6) mol of the PAF antagonist, CV-6209, plus 10(-7) mol PAF caused 81% reversal of the maximal BC response. The same dose of CV-6209 reversed the response to PAF in the PC by 99.2%. Initial administration of 10(-6) mol CV-6209 with PAF prevented completely contraction elicited by PAF in the BC and PC. Concentration-response studies also were generated isometrically in tissue perfusion chambers from 64 tracheal smooth muscle strips. Maximal contraction elicited by 10(-6) M PAF was blocked completely with 10(-6) M CV-6209. In separate studies, addition of 10(-6) mol CV-6209 to the BC perfusate caused 93% blockade of the RL response to PAF and 100% inhibition when administered in the PC. Prior administration of PAF caused two- to fourfold augmentation of the contractile response to acetylcholine (ACh) within the same preparation; in the presence of CV-6209, the response to ACh was unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Stretch-activated ion channels in tissue-cultured chick heart

With use of single-channel patch-clamp recording, we found five distinct types of stretch-activated ion channels (SACs) in tissue-cultured embryonic chick cardiac myocytes. With 140 mM K+ saline in...
Disciplining Knowledges: Ruptures in Academic Systems

The expansion of higher education after World War II was accompanied by massive transformations in the systems of knowledge production, dissemination, and organization. The geographies, hierarchies, and institutional dynamics of knowledge production shifted quite considerably between 1945 and 2015. The chapter is divided into three parts. First, it compares the changing patterns in the landscapes of knowledge production in different world regions. Second, it examines the complex and profound transformations in academic fields. Third, it analyses the role and impact of the new information and communication technologies. These trends manifested themselves quite differently in various world regions. In fact, old disparities persisted and new ones arose.
Pumped Thermal Energy Storage and Bottoming System Part B: Sensitivity analysis and baseline performance

Abstract This paper (Part B) presents the results of sensitivity, baseline performance, and levelized cost of energy analyses of a recently proposed Pumped Thermal Energy Storage and Bottoming System (Bot-PTES) that uses ammonia as the working fluid. The system model was outlined in Part A of this two-part paper. This analysis focuses on the effects of hot thermal storage utilization, system pressure, and evaporator/condenser size on the system performance. It also presents the estimated performance for a proposed baseline Bot-PTES. Results of this analysis showed that all selected parameters had significant effects on efficiency, with the evaporator/condenser size having the largest effect over the selected ranges. Results for the baseline case showed stand-alone energy storage efficiencies between 51 and 66% for varying power levels and charge states, and a stand-alone bottoming efficiency of 24%. The resulting efficiencies for this case were low compared to competing technologies; however, the dual-functionality of the Bot-PTES enables it to have higher capacity factor, leading to $91–197/MWh levelized cost of energy compared to $262–284/MWh for batteries and $172–254/MWh for Compressed Air Energy Storage.
Utilization of the National Inpatient Sample for abdominal aortic aneurysm research

Large administrative databases, including the Medicare database by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database sponsored by the American College of Surgeons, and the National Inpatient Sample, have been used by major public health agencies for years. More recently, medical researchers have turned to database research to power studies on diseases that are noted to be relatively scarce. This study aimed to review and discuss the utilization of the National Inpatient Sample for abdominal aortic aneurysm research, inclusive of its advantages, disadvantages, and best practices.
Comparing mechanistic and empirical approaches to modeling the thermal niche of almond

Delineating locations that are thermally viable for cultivating high-value crops can help to guide land use planning, agronomics, and water management. Three modeling approaches were used to identify the potential distribution and key thermal constraints on on almond cultivation across the southwestern United States (US), including two empirical species distribution models (SDMs)—one using commonly used bioclimatic variables (traditional SDM) and the other using more physiologically relevant climate variables (nontraditional SDM)—and a mechanistic model (MM) developed using published thermal limitations from field studies. While models showed comparable results over the majority of the domain, including over existing croplands with high almond density, the MM suggested the greatest potential for the geographic expansion of almond cultivation, with frost susceptibility and insufficient heat accumulation being the primary thermal constraints in the southwestern US. The traditional SDM over-predicted almond suitability in locations shown by the MM to be limited by frost, whereas the nontraditional SDM showed greater agreement with the MM in these locations, indicating that incorporating physiologically relevant variables in SDMs can improve predictions. Finally, opportunities for geographic expansion of almond cultivation under current climatic conditions in the region may be limited, suggesting that increasing production may rely on agronomical advances and densifying current almond plantations in existing locations.
Interactive and Authentic e-Learning Tools for Criminal Justice Education

ABSTRACTThis mixed-method study tested the effectiveness of two experiential e-learning tools for criminal justice courses. The first tool was a comprehensive video series, including a criminal trial and interviews with the judge, defense counsel, prosecution, investigators and court director (virtual trial), in order to enhance course and learning outcomes. The tool was a comprehensive and Interactive Criminal Justice Computer Model flowchart that allowed the students to work within the multifaceted and complex systems and explore descriptions, concepts, theories, relationships, and sequences in order to enhance learning outcomes regarding the system(s) of justice. Survey data were collected from an array of learning and criminal justice professionals. Student self-assessments and course satisfaction indicators were administered. These tools presented authentic and holistic criminal justice learning opportunities to students that would not have been possible otherwise. Both professionals and students fou...
The Development of Theory of Mind: Predictors and Moderators of Improvement in Kindergarten.

Theory of mind describes the ability to engage in perspective-taking, infer mental states, and predict intentions, behavior, and actions in others. Theory of mind performance is associated with fou...
Clinical Access and Utilization of Reports and Images in Neuroradiology.

Abstract Background The radiology report serves as the primary means of communication between radiologist and clinician. However, the value clinicians place on imaging and reports is variable, with many images of studies or their reports never being viewed. This has implications on the perceived value of the radiologist in the imaging chain. We hypothesized that neurologists, neurosurgeons, and otolaryngologists would view neuroradiology images most frequently and neuroradiology reports least frequently of all medical specialties. Materials and Methods Ordering data were collected on all neuroradiology studies over a 1-month period. Imaging study date and time stamps were obtained for (1) when imaging study orders were placed, (2) when the patient underwent the imaging study, (3) when the imaging studies were viewed, and (4) when the radiology reports were accessed and by whom. Each data point included provider names, locations, departments, and level of training. Results There were 7,438 imaging neuroradiology studies ordered. Overall, 85.7% (6,372) of reports and 53.2% (3,956) of imaging studies were viewed and 13.1% (977) of studies had neither images nor reports viewed. Inpatient neurosurgeons and neurologists viewed both imaging and reports significantly more than primary care specialties (P Conclusion Viewing of imaging and reports varies with neurosurgeons viewing neuroradiology studies more than all other medical specialties. Overall, the reports were viewed significantly more than the images, suggesting that the radiologist and his or her interpretation are more valuable than the study’s images. The radiologists’ value, as measured by reports viewed, was maximal with obstetricians and gynecologists and psychiatry clinicians.
Observations on the Post-Bayh-Dole Rise in University Patenting

This chapter is an interim report on a large, and expanding, study of what lies behind the rise in U.S. university patenting and license revenues that has occurred since the late 1970s, on what have been the consequences of those developments, and the policy issues they raise. The early work on this project was focused on Columbia University. Michael Crow, Annetine Gelijns, Holly Raider, Bhaven Sampat, and Richard Nelson were the principal researchers on this early work. Then the project extended to include the University of California and Stanford, with David Mowery and Arvids Ziedonis joining the research group. Recently the project has expanded further, to include scholars at Johns Hopkins University, Penn State, and Duke University. Other scholars at Case Western Reserve University, Purdue and perhaps others may join us.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection and house mouse (Mus musculus) distribution in urban Baltimore

Abstract Four hundred eighty house mice (Mus musculus) were trapped primarily from urban sites in Baltimore, Maryland from 1984 to 1989 and tested for antibody to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). The majority of mice (95%) were trapped in residences at two city locations (n = 260), or in an urban park (n = 196); five additional sites were sampled. Overall, 9.0% of the mice were LCMV antibody positive and infected animals were obtained from six of eight sites, including all three of the primary city sites, where the prevalence varied significantly (3.9–13.4%). The location with the highest prevalence was an inner city residential site where positive mice were found significantly clustered within blocks and households. In this location, LCMV antibody prevalence was also significantly correlated with estimates of mouse density within individual blocks. The focal nature of LCMV infection in house mice may result from contact or vertical transmission of virus in conjunction with the highly structured social system of mice, which promotes inbreeding and limited dispersal.
The Epistemological Skyhook: Determinism, Naturalism, and Self-Defeat

Throughout philosophical history, there has been a recurring argument to the effect that determinism, naturalism, or both are self-referentially incoherent. By accepting determinism or naturalism, one allegedly acquires a reason to reject determinism or naturalism. The Epistemological Skyhook brings together, for the first time, the principal expressions of this argument, focusing primarily on the last 150 years. This book addresses the versions of this argument as presented by Arthur Lovejoy, A.E. Taylor, Kurt Godel, C.S. Lewis, Norman Malcolm, Karl Popper, J.R. Lucas, William Hasker, Thomas Nagel, Alvin Plantinga, and others, along with the objections presented by their many detractors. It concludes by presenting a new version of the argument that synthesizes the best aspects of the others while also rendering the argument immune to some of the most significant objections made to it.
The Worrisome State: Assessing North Korea's Security Challenges

For a small, impoverished nation, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) induces an extraordinary level of level of concern among both its immediate neighbors and the wider world. Employing a positive metaphor, which also has literal truth, one might say that North Korea “punches above its weight.” Yet, however charitable one might wish to be, there is little positive to say about the DPRK’s actions.The immediate security challenges posed by North Korea are multiple and formidable. The challenges include nearly the full array of what are typically described as weapons of mass destruction (WMD): a nuclear weapons program based on both plutonium separation and uranium enrichment; the world’s third largest chemical weapons arsenal (2,500-5,000 metric tons of agents); a biological weapons capability that may include agent production and weaponization; and a range of ballistic missiles that may be able to deliver these weapons to immediate neighbors and perhaps further afield. The threat from these weapons is not just direct. North Korea transferred missiles and nuclear weapons technology to other outlier states and has threatened to transfer nuclear weapons to non-state actors. In addition to security challenges in the military realm, North Korea provides various reasons for concern over its state criminality and threats to human security. This essay will address the multitude of security challenges emanating from North Korea but will focus particularly on the area of gravest concern. North Korea’s nuclear program is why citizens everywhere in the world care about the behavior of the feudal regime in Pyongyang and wonder so intently what is to become of the second dynastic succession. The new young leader stirs Western hopes for a new era, but the massive foreign policy failure with which he began his tenure in 2012 reinforces an assessment that nuclear weapons will remain in North Korea as long as there is a separate North Korea.