cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sleep and Technology in Early Childhood

Research suggests that technology use is associated with poorer sleep outcomes among children less than 6 years of age. These associations are evident regardless of the type of technology studied, although evening exposure may have the greatest impact compared with technology use during other parts of the day. More work is needed, particularly given that technology use is relatively high among young children. Clinicians should assess patients' technology exposure, including before bedtime, to assess whether sleep issues stem from children's technology use. Moreover, clinicians should educate caregivers about the association between technology use and sleep problems among young children.
Characterization of retinal microvasculature and its relations to cognitive function in older people after circuit resistance training.

Abstract Purpose To characterize the changes of retinal microvascular density and their relations to cognitive function in the healthy older people without known cognitive impairment after an 8-week high-speed circuit resistance training program (HSCT). Methods Twenty cognitively normal older people were recruited and randomly assigned to either the HSCT group or control group (CON). Twelve subjects (age 70.8 ± 5.8 yrs) in the HSCT group trained three times per week for 8 weeks. Eight subjects in the CON group (age 71.8 ± 4.8 yrs) did not perform formal training. Both eyes of each subject were imaged using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) at baseline and at 8-week follow-up. The densities of the retinal vascular network (RVN), superficial vascular plexus (SVP), and deep vascular plexus (DVP) were measured. In addition, their cognitive functions were tested using the NIH toolbox. Results There were significant increases in pattern comparison processing speed (PAT, P = 0.02) and fluid composite score (FCS, P = 0.005) at the follow-up in the HSCT group. Although the vessel densities did not differ between visits in either group, the variation (i.e., change) in retinal vessel density of SVP was negatively related to the changes of FCS (r = −0.54, P = 0.007) and the List Sorting Working Memory test (r = −0.43, P = 0.039) in the HSCT group. Conclusions This is the first study to reveal that the individual response of the SVD was related to the improvement in the cognition in cognitively normal older people after HSCT.
Romania’s Policy of Migration and Integration: Unattractive Host Nation and Alternative Transit Route

The challenges Romania’s migration policy faces occur on several levels and infer long-term implications for both Romania’s and the European policy-making. This chapter offers an analysis of the migration politics and policy of Romania in terms of attempted integration programmes, failures and lessons learnt. It shows how the politically ambiguous stance directly affected the country’s EU position on migration, the public perception, as well as the integration policy and how cooperation with the nongovernmental sector is key for a successful integration policy.
International Enforcement: the IAEA and the Nonproliferation Regime

Why should states delegate enforcement powers to international organizations (IOs)? Even IR scholars who believe international institutions have independent effects upon state behavior generally dismiss the possibility that IOs have the independent power to affect compliance with international agreements. This article argues IOs can reduce the costs of private, decentralized enforcement of international agreements if they possess the autonomy and the capacity to affect the material welfare of states. Studies of enforcement of the nuclear nonproliferation regime with and without the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are used to illustrate how public enforcement contributes to inducing compliance. This finding has clear policy implications for how scholars approach the role of IOs in the structure of international governance.
Patient and clinician factors associated with uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among adolescent patients of a primary care network.

Abstract Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates for adolescents remain relatively low. The purpose of this study is to examine patient and clinician factors associated with HPV vaccination among patients, ages 11–17, of a large community-based primary care network. Methods Electronic health records and administrative data from a large primary care network from January 2017 – June 2018 for patients ages 11–17 (n = 10,682) and the 198 primary care clinicians that saw them were analyzed. Mixed effects logistic regression models examined the association of patient and clinician factors with HPV vaccine uptake. Results Most patients (63.0%) had at least one dose of the HPV vaccine, and 37.7% were up to date. In adjusted analyses, patients who received the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 2.1–3.9) compared to those who did not receive the vaccine and patients with five or more medical visits (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.6–2.2) had the greatest odds of being up to date with the HPV vaccine series. Compared to White patients, African American/Black (OR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6 – 1.0) and Alaskan Native/American Indian (OR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3–0.9) patients were less likely to be up to date. Boys were also less likely to be up to date with the HPV vaccine series compared to girls (OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.7–0.8). Additionally, patients with family/general practice primary care clinicians were less likely to have their patients up to date than those with pediatricians (OR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6 – 1.0). Conclusion HPV vaccine uptake varied by patient characteristics, heath care utilization and primary care clinician specialty. These findings may inform future evidence-based interventions aimed at increasing HPV vaccine uptake among adolescents by targeting patient sub-groups and reducing missed opportunities for vaccination.
Genomic signatures of Lake Erie bacteria suggest interaction in the Microcystis phycosphere

Microbial interactions in harmful algal bloom (HAB) communities have been examined in marine systems, but are poorly studied in fresh waters. To investigate HAB-microbe interactions, we isolated bacteria with close associations to bloom-forming cyanobacteria, Microcystis spp., during a 2017 bloom in the western basin of Lake Erie. The genomes of five isolates (Exiguobacterium sp. JMULE1, Enterobacter sp. JMULE2, Deinococcus sp. JMULE3, Paenibacillus sp. JMULE4, and Acidovorax sp. JMULE5.) were sequenced on a PacBio Sequel system. These genomes ranged in size from 3.1 Mbp (Exiguobacterium sp. JMULE1) to 5.7 Mbp (Enterobacter sp. JMULE2). The genomes were analyzed for genes relating to critical metabolic functions, including nitrogen reduction and carbon utilization. All five of the sequenced genomes contained genes that could be used in potential signaling and nutrient exchange between the bacteria and cyanobacteria such as Microcystis. Gene expression signatures of algal-derived carbon utilization for two isolates were identified in Microcystis blooms in Lake Erie and Lake Tai (Taihu) at low levels, suggesting these organisms are active and may have a functional role during Microcystis blooms in aggregates, but were largely missing from whole water samples. These findings build on the growing evidence that the bacterial microbiome associated with bloom-forming algae have the functional potential to contribute to nutrient exchange within bloom communities and interact with important bloom formers like Microcystis.
Proconsuls: Delegated Political-Military Leadership from Rome to America Today

This book is a study of proconsulship, a form of delegated political-military leadership historically associated with the governance of large empires. Opening with a conceptual and historical analysis of proconsulship as an aspect of imperial or quasi-imperial rule generally, it surveys its origins and development in the late Roman Republic and its manifestations in the British Empire. The main focus is proconsulship in American history. Beginning with the occupation of Cuba and the Philippines after the Spanish-American War, it discusses the role of General Douglas MacArthur in East Asia during and after World War II, the occupation of Germany (focusing on General Lucius Clay), and proconsular leadership during the Vietnam War and the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan at the turn of the twenty-first century. An additional chapter provides an assessment of the evolution of American political-military command and control and decision making after the end of the Cold War.
Microfilm Documents: What Are the Boundaries in Document Examination?

Businesses are increasingly converting document transporting and storage systems to microfilming systems that ultimately destroy the original document. Consequently, microfilmed documents are being submitted for examination either as questioned or known material. In an effort to aid the examiner in determining the boundaries of handwriting examinations of microfilmed documents, the quality of the microfilmed copies were compared to the original documents. Handwriting characteristics, pen classifiation, simulations, and alterations are discussed.
Congenital tricuspid stenosis: Case treated by heterograft replacement of the tricuspid valve

Abstract This is the first reported case of successful porcine valve replacement in a patient with congenital tricuspid stenosis. The importance of careful diagnostic studies is stressed, particularly with regard to differentiation from tricuspid atresia and identification of patients with tricuspid stenosis who are anatomically suited for corrective surgery.
What Happens After the Professional Development: Case Studies on Implementing GIS in the Classroom

Case studies illustrate teachers implementing geospatial technologies, such as geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning system (GPS), and remote sensing in the classrooms. Each of the teachers had participated in one of a series of professional development workshops at James Madison University. We analyze the classroom implementation using the framework developed by the Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow (ACOT) project. We find that teachers with a background and interest in project-based learning are effective in implementing geospatial technologies with their students. We discuss our findings and suggest possibilities for further research.
Clinical implications of pharmacogenetic and microarray testing for advanced practice nurses

AbstractPurpose:The rapidly changing field of pharmacogenetics requires that advanced practice providers have a fundamental foundation in genetics and genetic testing on which new knowledge can be built. Testing for allelic variation in the well-researched Cytochrome P450 pathways and other pathways
Heterochrony in Evolution

The chapters in this book essentially form a collective argument for the abundance of heterochrony in evolution. In a sense, this is hardly surprising, since changing the rate or time at or during which a trait grows is certainly the simplest way to alter form (McKinney, this volume, Chapter 2). Why then all the ruckus? As Gould (this volume) has noted, there are a number of reasons, not the least of which is that a growing knowledge of developmental mechanisms is allowing us to define more precisely the link between ontogeny and evolution. But how far will heterochrony take us? At minimum, it may have little impact on the Darwinian view. These abundant cases could amount to little more than hanging polysyllabic names on the obvious mechanics of growth (larger traits have grown faster or for a longer time, so what?). However, at maximum, it may turn out that there are important ramifications not assimilated into the traditional view of evolution. Among the most important of these are previously unrealized heterochronic effects on rate and direction of evolution.
Human Factors Research

Human factors is often used as a superordinate term covering a number of endeavors that share the goal of understanding and improving the interactions of human operators with their technology, work environment, and other domain operators. We all recognize when bad design has not been informed by human factors research: the door you push that is designed to be pulled, instructions that misdirect you, the device that looks elegant but that fails to make clear how it is to be turned on (Norman, 1998). Keywords: ergonomics; applied experimental; applied cognitive; technology; user centered
Depression of Guanosine Diphosphate-Mannose Pyrophosphorylase by Mutations in Two Different Regulator Genes Involved in Capsular Polysaccharide Synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12

Mutations in a regulator gene (capR) that causes increased synthesis of capsular polysaccharide and derepressed synthesis of several enzymes involved in polysaccharide synthesis also derepress synthesis of guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-mannose pyrophosphorylase. In addition, a second mucoid mutation (capS, which maps separately from capR) also results in the derepression of GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase. New conditions for assaying GDP-mannose hydrolyase and GDP-l-fucose synthetase permitted us to show that these enzymes are also derepressed in the capS mucoid strain. Although phosphomannose isomerase and uridine diphosphate-galactose-4-epimerase are derepressed in capR mucoid strains, they are not derepressed in capS mucoid strains. A nonmucoid mutant of a strain containing the capR9 (mucoid) allele was deficient in GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase.
The Living Eye “Disarms” Uncommitted Autoreactive T Cells by Converting Them to FoxP3+ Regulatory Cells Following Local Antigen Recognition

Immune privilege is used by the eye, brain, reproductive organs, and gut to preserve structural and functional integrity in the face of inflammation. The eye is arguably the most vulnerable and, therefore, also the most "privileged" of tissues; paradoxically, it remains subject to destructive autoimmunity. It has been proposed, although never proven in vivo, that the eye can induce T regulatory cells (Tregs) locally. Using Foxp3-GFP reporter mice expressing a retina-specific TCR, we now show that uncommitted T cells rapidly convert in the living eye to Foxp3(+) Tregs in a process involving retinal Ag recognition, de novo Foxp3 induction, and proliferation. This takes place within the ocular tissue and is supported by retinoic acid, which is normally present in the eye because of its function in the chemistry of vision. Nonconverted T cells showed evidence of priming but appeared restricted from expressing effector function in the eye. Pre-existing ocular inflammation impeded conversion of uncommitted T cells into Tregs. Importantly, retina-specific T cells primed in vivo before introduction into the eye were resistant to Treg conversion in the ocular environment and, instead, caused severe uveitis. Thus, uncommitted T cells can be disarmed, but immune privilege is unable to protect from uveitogenic T cells that have acquired effector function prior to entering the eye. These findings shed new light on the phenomenon of immune privilege and on its role, as well as its limitations, in actively controlling immune responses in the tissue.
Degradation effects of humidity and storage on anhydride cured epoxies

A zinc oxide filled epoxy system was developed for use as a heat sink adhesive for thermally enhancing IC packages. An experimental study showed that the importance of controlling the exposure of the thin films of ZnO/epoxy to humidity is evident. Exposure of the anhydride cured epoxy to ambient humidity in thin films can have disastrous effects on the material's performance. A 60% RH (relative humidity) exposure for 2-4 h turns thin films of this material into a plastic sheet of unreactive material while the bulk material is relatively unaffected. Fortunately, this material was developed for high-speed, high-volume production. To guarantee that no problems will occur in manufacturing, an exposure of the screened material to a maximum of 1 h to a maximum RH of 60% has been added to the process specifications. In addition, DSC (differential scanning calorimeter) and Shore D criteria have been added to these specifications to further ensure the quality of the product. New parts made and retested with the above specifications showed that the internal thermal resistances did meet the criteria. >
BATSE analysis techniques for probing the GRB spatial and luminosity distributions

The Burst And Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) has measured homogeneity and isotropy parameters from an increasingly large sample of observed gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), while also maintaining a summary of the way in which the sky has been sampled. Measurement of both of these are necessary for any study of the BATSE data statistically, as they take into account the most serious observational selection effects known in the study of GRBs: beam-smearing and inhomogeneous, anisotropic sky sampling. Knowledge of these effects is important to analysis of GRB angular and intensity distributions. In addition to determining that the bursts are local, it is hoped that analysis of such distributions will allow boundaries to be placed on the true GRB spatial distribution and luminosity function. The technique for studying GRB spatial and luminosity distributions is direct. Results of BATSE analyses are compared to Monte Carlo models parameterized by a variety of spatial and luminosity characteristics.
Common uses of nonradioactive drugs in nuclear medicine

A variety of nonradioactive pharmaceuticals commonly used in patients who receive nuclear medicine diagnostic tests are described. Nonradioactive drugs used in thyroid, brain, hepatobiliary, cardiac, renal, Meckel's diverticulum, gallium, adrenal, and hematological studies are described. Pharmaceutical necessities used as disinfectants, diluents, and anticoagulants are also described. Hospital pharmacists should be familiar with the uses of commonly prescribed nonradioactive drugs in nuclear medicine studies.
Theory of electronic states in disordered alloy hydrides

Band structure calculations of metal hydrides have provided understanding of the bonding characteristics of these materials and clarified the mechanisms involved in various physical properties such as superconductivity. Since the electronic structure of stoichiometric hydrides has been discussed extensively in the literature, in this article we will focus on the methodology and results of disordered hydrides. This disorder can occur on the metal site of the hydride by considering random substitutions of the host metal or on the hydrogen sublattice where vacancies appear.
Ultrastructure of coronary arteries and myocardium in experimental hypertension

Abstract The ultrastructure of coronary arteries and myocardium has been examined after 1–4 weeks of experimental hypertension produced in Wistar-Kyoto rats by unilateral renal artery constriction. Upon sacrifice blocks of ventricular myocardium were processed for light and electron microscopy. Two types of medial necrosis are observed in epicardial arteries: one involving elongated smooth muscle cells throughout the media and the other localized to the outer layers of the vessel wall. Some of the epicardial and intramyocardial arteries exhibit hyperplastic lesions characterized by smooth muscle cells in the subendothelial space. Medial smooth muscle cells of small intramyocardial arteries also exhibit contraction, fragmentation and necrosis. Plasma, cells and fibrin accumulate in the subendothelial space of intramyocardial arteries. Discrete areas of myocardial injury of variable severity are present in the subendocardium of the left ventricle. The vascular lesions in epicardial and intramyocardial arteries are related to the severity of blood pressure elevation and the vasoconstrictor actions of angiotensin II, while the foci of myocardial damage are consistent with ischemic or anoxic injury.
Complementary ℓ1-Graphs Embeddable in the Half-Cube

Abstract A finite connected graph is called an l 1 -graph if it can be isometrically embedded into the space l 1 . We complete the classification of pairs of complementary l 1 -graphs started by Deza and Huang, and continued by Shpectorov.
Oxytocin improves specific recognition of positive facial expressions

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that is associated with increased trust. Perceptions of trustworthiness are associated with detection of positive facial affect, which suggests that oxytocin may enhance the recognition of positive facial affect. The present study tests this hypothesis. A double-blind, between-groups design was used, with 50 volunteers randomly assigned to receive intranasally administered oxytocin or placebo. Thirty-five minutes following the administration of oxytocin or placebo, participants identified anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise expressions that were morphed with neutral faces such that they varied from 10% to 100% intensity. Oxytocin significantly and specifically improved the recognition of happy facial expressions; no significant differences in recognition of other expression were found. The improvement was not associated with gender, response biases, or changes in mood, and it was most pronounced for subtle expressions. Acute oxytocin administration enhances healthy adults’ ability to accurately identify positive emotional facial expressions. These findings reinforce oxytocin’s role in facilitating affiliative interactions and have implications for the treatment of conditions that are marked by social affiliation deficits.
The H protein isolated from tobacco mosaic virus reassociates with virions reconstituted in vitro.

Virions of two strains of tobacco mosaic virus (U1 and Cc) have associated with them a small amount of a minor protein called H protein (A. Asselin and M. Zaitlin, 1978, Virology 91, 173-181), now known to be related to the viral coat protein (C.W. Collmer, V.M. Vogt, and M. Zaitlin, 1983, Virology 126, 429-448.). In the present study, a quantification technique involving disruption of virions followed by direct analysis of the component parts on SDS polyacrylamide gels was used to confirm an average of one molecule of H protein per virion for U1 TMV. H protein was separated from coat protein and purified by electrofocusing in a flatbed of granulated gel under stringent dissociating conditions. When assayed in the presence of urea, H protein has a pI of approximately 5.4, coat protein has a pI of approximately 4.9. Proteinase K-treated TMV RNA and H-protein-free TMV coat protein were reconstituted in vitro with or without H protein and the resulting virions were analyzed. A small amount of H protein reassociated with virions reconstituted in vitro (less than 10% of the amount found in native virions) and became resistant to degradation by trypsin, but such virions were no different from virions reconstituted without H protein in terms of yield of reconstituted particles or infectivity. In mixed reconstitution experiments with RNA and coat protein from strains U1 and Cc in all four possible combinations and with U1 H protein, the H protein always associated with the U1 coat protein. This demonstrated U1-H protein affinity for a specific coat protein rather than a specific RNA. It is unlikely that H protein functions in the early stages of viral infection, although the possibility of its having some other role in the life cycle of TMV remains.
Assessing Public Exposure to Pesticide‐Contaminated Ground Water

Long-term exposure assessments regarding four commonly used pesticides are presented in this paper. Alachlor, aldicarb, lindane, and parathion have been detected in ground-water monitoring wells. A multimedia transport model is employed to predict the long-term fate of these chemicals in the environment. Concentrations in each environmental compartment are calculated and used to determine the dominant exposure pathways and hence dose rate. Aldicarb is shown to move from the upper soil compartment, through the lower soil compartment, and accumulate at a rate which is several orders of magnitude greater than the other pesticides. Lindane moves faster to the biota compartment than the other pesticides. The dominant exposure pathway for aldicarb and alachlor is drinking water ingestion for both adults and children. For lindane and parathion, the dominant exposure pathway is biota ingestion for children and fish ingestion for adults. The methods presented in this paper can be used as screening tools for designing remediation, mitigation, or interdiction measures and can serve as a basis for evaluating risk management strategies.
Habitat Occupancy by Rusty Blackbirds Wintering in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley

Abstract. The Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) has declined by 90% since the 1960s, possibly from conversions of forested wetlands in the southeastern U.S. to agriculture. Because its habitat use during the nonbreeding season had not been quantified, we estimated occupancy rates of Rusty Blackbirds wintering in the lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley in relation to habitat type (four types of bottomland forest and adjacent agricultural fields), tree density, canopy cover, and water cover. In January and February, we surveyed 89 sites eight times during 2006, 117 and 109 sites 10 times during 2007 and 2008, respectively. Occupancy of individual birds, estimated from their presence or absence at a site, was generally high and greater in 2006 (0.71) than during either 2007 (0.43) or 2008 (0.37). Occupancy of flocks, estimated from presence or absence of ≥20 individuals, was highest in 2006 (0.46), lowest in 2007 (0.17), and intermediate in 2008 (0.30), possibly because of water levels fluctuating from year...
Effects of modified digestion schemes on the identification of proteins from complex mixtures.

In shotgun proteomics, a complex protein mixture is digested to peptides, separated, and identified by microcapillary liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC−MS/MS). In this technology, complete protein digestion is often assumed. We show that, to the contrary, modifications to a standard digestion protocol demonstrate large, reproducible improvements in protein identification, a result consistent with digestion being a limiting factor in the efficiency of protein identification. Keywords: mass spectrometry • proteomics • digestion • protein identification
Assessing the Use and Impact of Humor on Advertising Effectiveness: A Contingency Approach

Abstract Every year billions of dollars are spent on advertising that uses humor to sell products. How is that spending decision made? Despite much research examining humor effects in advertising, many advertisers make the decision on faith. Many past studies lack a clear conceptual focus to guide the investigation of humor effects in advertising. The authors examine humor effectiveness by using a conceptual framework adapted from Speck along with a product-contingent focus. The resulting approach affords a clearer understanding of the appropriate use of humor through the examination of (1) the humor mechanisms employed, (2) the intentional relatedness of humor to the ad or product, and (3) the type of product advertised. The descriptive results of the study indicate that current practice for many advertisers is to employ incongruity-based humor in a humor-dominant context. That practice is contrasted with others to examine the influence of humor on the effectiveness of print advertisements for different ...
Endoscopic versus conventional radial artery harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting: Functional and histologic assessment of the conduit

Background The radial artery's propensity for vasospasm and vulnerability to surgical trauma are well known. A less invasive endoscopic method to harvest the radial artery was recently introduced, but its effect on radial artery integrity is unknown. Methods To compare the effects of harvest method on radial artery function, we prospectively randomized 54 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with the radial artery into 3 groups on the basis of harvest techniques: endoscopic, conventional with cautery, and conventional with harmonic scalpel. We assessed endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxation of radial artery segments to sequential doses of acetylcholine and nitroglycerin, respectively, using standard organ-chamber methodology. Vasospasm was assessed as the vasoconstrictor response to the thromboxane analog U46619. We assessed endothelial integrity using light and electron microscopy and by rating intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and P-selectin expression by means of immunohistochemistry on a semiquantitative 0- to 3-point scale. Harvest procedures were performed by a single surgeon, and data analyses were blinded to the harvesting method. Results Maximal relaxation-contraction responses to acetylcholine, nitroglycerin, and U46619 and effective drug concentration yielding 50% response were similar in the 3 groups. Adhesion molecule expression and histologic changes, as assessed by means of light and electron microscopy, were similar in the 3 groups. Conclusions Endoscopic harvest does not alter radial artery vasoreactivity or endothelial integrity compared with conventional harvest techniques. Because the endoscopic technique is less invasive, it might prove to be the technique of choice to harvest the radial artery.
Advancement of Technology and Its Impact on Urologists: Release of the da Vinci Xi, A New Surgical Robot

Just prior to arriving in Stockholm, Sweden, for the 2014 European Association of Urology’s annual meeting, I learned—as did most of you—of Intuitive Surgical’s release of the new da Vinci Xi (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA). It had just gained approval by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States and now awaits
Ferns and Fire: Village Subsistence, Landscape Change, and Nature Conservation in China's Southeast Uplands

Anthropogenic fire has shaped mountain landscapes in southern China since prehistoric times. Early Han settlers adopted periodic burning techniques from non-Han swidden agriculturalists, adapting them to suit their own cultural needs. In the early 1900s, Western observers noted the ubiquity of firing, but its historical role in village subsistence remained enigmatic. Research in western Fujian shows that in high mountain areas fire maintained montane grasslands and wet meadows within a mosaic of broadleaf forests, bamboo, and rice paddies. Meadows were prime grazing areas for cattle and provided bracken fern (Pteridiiim aquilimim) rhizomes, an important source of dietary starch in an area with low rice yields. Wildlife surveys show that grasslands, wet meadows, and other clearings are good habitats for wild ungulates, but widespread burning at lower elevations, where forest cover was sparse, often caused erosion, flooding, and ecological degradation. Following state bans on burning, beginning in the 1950s...
A family of divisors on M¯g,n and their log canonical models

Abstract We prove a formula of log canonical models for moduli stack M ¯ g , n of pointed stable curves which describes all Hassett's moduli spaces of weighted pointed stable curves in a single equation. This is a generalization of the preceding result for genus zero to all genera.
Platinum−Molybdenum Complexes of Cyclic Tropynes, Cumulenes, and Alkynes

The bis(triphenylphosphine)platinum complexes of tropyne (1), cyclohepta-3,5-dien-1-yne (12), and cyclohepta-1,5-dien-3-yne (13) react rapidly with (η6-p-xylene)Mo(CO)3 in a mixture of CD2Cl2 and THF-d8 to give the bimetallic complexes 4−6. Reduction of 4 with LiAl(O-t-Bu)3H or KBEt3H gives a mixture of 5−7 (essentially quantitative) in a ratio of 5:10:85 and 8:21:71, respectively. The major isomer contains a 1,2,3,5-cycloheptatetraene ring, a ring system that has previously been inaccessible either free or complexed to a transition metal. Hydride abstraction from 5, 6, or 7 regenerates 4. X-ray crystal structures for 5 and 7 are reported. The absolute configuration of complex 7 in the crystal was determined.
Educational Data Use: A Sociotechnical Process

Coburn and Turner's Research on Data Use: A Framework and Analysis is a major step forward for educational researchers in the still-young community studying how educational systems are impacted by ...
Mobility as an Influence on Retail Patronage Behavior of the Elderly: Testing Conventional Wisdom

While the marketplace potential of the elderly segment is tremendous, research with regard to what influences the elderly’s patronage behavior has, to date, been inconclusive. This article attempts to determine the effect lack of transportation mobility has on various patronage behaviors. The research reported here is based on a large national smaple of the elderly and incorporates the factors suggested by previous research. The study shows mobility is not a significant influence on the type of retail store frequented, but can influence switching patronage between stores of a given type. Additionally, it was found that mobility is related to the elderly’s psychographic profiles, convenience needs, and information source usage.
The pros and cons of immunomodulatory IL-10 gene therapy with recombinant AAV in a Cftr −/− -dependent allergy mouse model

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have decreased levels of lung epithelial interleukin (IL)-10 and increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-4, IL-8 and IL-6). This has also been documented in Cftr (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator)-deficient mice (Cftr 489X−/−, FABP-hCFTR+/+). Our laboratory has recently characterized a peculiar hyper-IgE phenotype in these mice, in response to Aspergillus fumigatus crude protein extract (Af-cpe). Thus, we hypothesized that sustained systemic circulating IL-10 levels achieved through skeletal muscle transduction with recombinant adeno-associated vectors expressing IL-10 (rAAV1-IL-10) would serve to downregulate Th1 and Th2 cytokine production. This in turn would dampen the allergic response in the Cftr−/−-dependent mouse model of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. After Af-cpe sensitization and airway challenge, mice treated with rAAV1-IL-10 had markedly lower IgE levels when compared to the control-treated rAAV1-GFP group. This was accompanied by a significant reduction in the levels of IL-5, IL-4 and IL-13 in the lung compartment. The lower lung cytokine profiles resulted in a near absence of eosinophil recruitment in the lung and a lower inflammatory response in the lung tissue of mice receiving rAAV1-IL-10. Unfortunately, sustained secretion of IL-10 from transduced muscle did lead to thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly in mice injected with rAAV1-IL-10. These results highlight that while IL-10 gene therapy is very effective for treating allergic responses caution must be taken with the prolonged secretion of IL-10.
Comparison of two methods to identify major personality factors

Both Howarth and Comrey have developed taxon omies of personality traits and inventories to measure them. The Howarth Personality Questionnaire and Ad ditional Personality Factor inventories include 20 fac tors, whereas the Comrey Personality Scales (CPS) taxonomy includes eight factors. Howarth identified his factors through factor analysis of items, whereas Comrey identified his primary level factors through factor analysis of conceptually distinct clusters of ho mogeneous items, called Factored Homogeneous Item Dimensions (FHIDs), while avoiding the inclusion of highly redundant variables in the same analysis. Data for all three inventories were collected from the same subjects and factor analyzed. The Howarth factor scales were narrower in content and more highly over lapping than the CPS factor scales. Most of the Ho warth factor scales were good marker variables for the CPS primary factors. Five CPS factors had major loadings for more than one of the Howarth factor scales. The CPS Emotional Stabilit...
Atomic-resolution structure of an N5 flavin adduct in D-arginine dehydrogenase.

D-Arginine dehydrogenase (DADH) catalyzes the flavin-dependent oxidative deamination of D-arginine and other D-amino acids to the corresponding imino acids. The 1.07 {angstrom} atomic-resolution structure of DADH crystallized with D-leucine unexpectedly revealed a covalent N(5) flavin adduct, instead of the expected iminoleucine product in the active site. This acyl adduct has been successfully reproduced by photoreduction of DADH in the presence of 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoic acid (ketoleucine). The iminoleucine may be released readily because of weak interactions in the binding site, in contrast to iminoarginine, converted to ketoleucine, which reacts with activated FAD to form the covalently linked acyl adduct.
The role of government in economic development: the chinese experience

This study examines the role of government in China's economic reform and development years. The study first provides a literature review about major functions government played in the modern economic system and the importance of government policies to economic development. It then evaluates the experience of the Chinese government in the process of reform and development by focusing on five major roles: (a) promoter of growth, (b) manager of economy, (c) distributor of income, (d) regulator of industry, and (e) protector of citizen and business. The implications of the Chinese experience are discussed.
Inducing or suppressing chaos in a double-well Duffing oscillator by time delay feedback

Abstract The chaotic behavior of a double-well Duffing oscillator with both delayed displacement and velocity feedbacks under a harmonic excitation is investigated. By means of the Melnikov technique, necessary condition for onset of chaos resulting from homoclinic bifurcation is derived analytically. The analytical results reveal that for negative feedback the presence of time delay lowers the threshold and enlarges the possible chaotic domain in parameter space; while for positive feedback the presence of time delay enhances the threshold and reduces the possible chaotic domain in parameter space, which are further verified numerically through Poincare maps of the original system. Furthermore, the effect of the control gain parameters on the chaotic motion of the original system is studied in detail.
Methods for mapping of local fiber characteristics with submolecular accuracy

A technique for selective localization of four-photon mixing (FPM) is described. The new technique relies on localized counter-colliding power transfer and is capable of mapping transverse geometry, dispersion, stress and birefringent properties in fiber-based devices. The technique is capable of resolving core fluctuations comparable to a single silica molecular diameter.
Electronic quenching of highly rotationally excited OH(A 2Σ, ν′=0, 1) by H2O

Abstract Population of specific high-lying rotational levels of OH (A 2 Π) in ν′=0 and 1 is achieved by tunable dye laser excitation of the A←X transition of the OH product formed in O( 1 D)+H 2 O→2 OH(ν′=0, 1). Observation with a fast transient recorder/signal averager of the spontaneous A→X emission temporal profile as a function of H 2 O pressure yields the rate constant, k H 2 O , for collisional quenching following excitation of specific OH(A 2 Π, ν′, N ′, F ′) states. This rate decreased with increasing rotational excitation in sensible agreement with a model in which long-range attractive forces on a highly directional potential surface dominate collisional quenching. Extrapolation of the observed emission lifetimes to P H 2 O =0 yields optical lifetimes in good agreement with previously reported values.
CONGENITAL CYSTIC DISEASE OF KIDNEY Classification and Manifestations

Abstract A simplified, easy to recall classification of congenital renal cystic disease, based on location of the cysts, is presented. Adherence to this nomenclature should clarify existing semantics and eradicate much of the confusion which has developed throughout the years.
ALLEYS AND URBAN FORM: TESTING THE TENETS OF NEW URBANISM

For at least a decade, writers have endeavored to both criticize and defend neotraditional urbanism. The battle has raged mostly at the macro-level, with advocates of new urban form claiming that better design will lead to better communities. Meanwhile, many authors, including critical geographers, have condemned neotraditional urbanists for inventing histories and contributing to an increasingly polarized society. My purpose is to sidestep these big battles by evaluating the details of neotraditional design piece by piece through empirical observation. To begin, I chose to examine how people perceive and use their alleys. Alleys, often associated with dirt and crime, are one of the most controversial elements associated with neotraditional design. I distributed questionnaires, took photographs, and carried out interviews with residents in four older neighborhoods in San Diego. For the most part, people like alleys and use them often. Information of this kind can be useful in the planning and design of ne...
Hospital experience and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective. To determine if a hospital's experience in treating patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with in-hospital mortality among patients with this condition. Methods. The California Hospital Discharge Database, which contains information on all discharges from acute-care hospitals in California, was used to identify patients with SLE hospitalized from 1991 to 1994 (n = 9,989). The risks of in-hospital mortality were compared between patients admitted to hospitals in which there was a high degree of experience (those with an average of >50 urgent or emergency SLE admissions per year) and those in which there was less experience. Results. Patients admitted on an urgent or emergency basis to hospitals in which there was a high degree of experience had a slightly lower risk of in-hospital mortality than patients admitted to hospitals in which there was less experience (mortality 3.8% versus 5.3%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.72, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.50-1.04). In the subset of 2,372 patients hospitalized on an emergency basis, those admitted to hospitals in which there was a high degree of experience had a risk of in-hospital mortality that was 66% lower than that of patients admitted to hospitals in which there was less experience (mortality 4.2% versus 11.3%; adjusted OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.19-0.58). In the subset of 405 patients hospitalized on an emergency basis due to SLE, those admitted to hospitals in which there was a high degree of experience had a risk of in-hospital mortality that was 95% lower than that of patients admitted to hospitals in which there was less experience (mortality 1.7% versus 10.0%; adjusted OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.006-0.34). Among those with emergency hospitalizations for any reason or emergency hospitalizations due to SLE, lengths of stay and total costs did not differ between patients hospitalized at hospitals in which there was a high degree of experience and hospitals in which there was less experience. Conclusion. In-hospital mortality among patients with SLE is lower at hospitals in which there is more experience in caring for patients with SLE. This association is strongest among patients hospitalized on an emergency basis due to SLE.
Behavioral and endocrine correlates of multiple brooding in the semicolonial house sparrow Passer domesticus I. Males

Behavioral and endocrine changes associated with reproductive events were studied in free-living female house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Circulating levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) were maximal during egg-laying, declined during incubation, and began to rise during the nestling stage. This pattern was repeated three to five times during the prolonged breeding season of this species. Multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that elevated levels of LH and E2 were associated with maximal sexual activity, high rates of intrusion at nests by conspecifics, and elevated rates of agonistic activity. Patterns of sexual activity varied during the season and perhaps reflected differing strategies for protecting paternity adopted by the male. Curiously, elevated levels of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were not associated with high levels of intrusion or agonistic response, but rather were associated with incubation stages. As in males, concentrations of corticosterone (B) were high during each egg-laying and nestling stage and were associated with high or rising levels of reproductive hormones, suggesting that reproductive activity was not overly stressful to these birds. Body mass and fat depots declined during the season and may regulate termination of reproduction. It appears that access to abundant food resources found in association with human dwellings allows house sparrows to maintain reproductive activity longer than most other temperate-zone dwelling bird species.
Calcium-sensing receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase C-γ1 is downstream of phospholipase C-β and protein kinase C in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts

Elevated extracellular calcium (Ca(e)) stimulates both chemotaxis and mitogenesis of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts via a calcium-sensing receptor (CasR). Ca(e)-mediated chemotaxis of these bone-forming cells is dependent on phospholipase C (PLC) and blocked by the Gi-protein inhibitor pertussis toxin. In this study, we examine the signaling mechanisms by which the CasR stimulates PLC activity in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. We found that elevated Ca(e) stimulated PLC-gamma1 tyrosine phosphorylation in a time-dependent and Ca(e)-concentration-dependent manner. The maximal increase in PLC-gamma1 tyrosine phosphorylation was observed 3-5 min after increasing Ca(e) by 3.2 mmol/L from 1.8 mmol/L. Elevated Ca(e) also promoted a rapid increase in both inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], a second messenger formed by PLC-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, and cytosolic free calcium ([Ca+2]i). The kinetics of the CasR-mediated increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 and [Ca+2]i and the sensitivity of the Ca(e)-stimulated elevation in [Ca+2]i to U73122 (a PLC inhibitor) together suggest that the osteoblast CasR is coupled via Gq to PLC-beta. U73122 blocked the Ca(e)-promoted, but not PDGF-promoted, PLC-gamma1 tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that the activation of PLC-beta is upstream of PLC-gamma1 activation. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) disrupted Ca(e)-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma1. In addition, exposure to pertussis toxin or exogenous activation of protein kinase A (PKA) inhibited PLC-gamma1 tyrosine phosphorylation in response to Ca(e). The results indicate that: (a) the osteoblast CasR activates PLC-gamma1 downstream of PLC-beta in a PKC-dependent manner; (b) PKA is a negative regulator of Ca(e)-promoted PLC-gamma1 phosphorylation; and (c) Gq and Gi are both involved in the CasR-mediated phosphorylation of PLC-gamma1.