cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cost-Benefit Analysis Theory versus Practice at the World Bank 1960 to 2015

Two cost-benefit analysis methods developed from differing economic situations and analytical objectives in the 1960s and 1970s. The Trade Policy Approach of Ian Little and James Mirrlees analyzed international competitiveness of projects producing private goods and physical infrastructure in markets severely distorted by trade protectionism; it was adopted in 1975 by the World Bank; the multilateral regional development banks followed suit. The Public Finance Approach of Arnold Harberger developed from comparative statics analyses of public projects and policies in the United States and was adopted at the US Agency for International Development and in several Latin American countries. The original Trade Policy Approach included social analysis too tedious for everyday application, leading an efficiency-only version to emerge and be popularized by teaching materials from Price Gittinger and colleagues in the World Bank’s Economic Development Institute. It proved the right method for World Bank use until Washington Consensus reforms, the GATT and WTO reduced price distortions, and slowly restored private international financial flows gave private industry access to international private investment capital. Official Development Assistance (ODA) portfolios responded by refocusing on public goods and market failures, leading to decreased utility of the Trade Policy Approach and decreased use of cost-benefit analysis at the World Bank. A 1990s drive in the World Bank to switch from the Trade Policy Approach to the increasingly relevant Public Finance Approach resulted in an internal manual and operational guidelines, but not a book from a distinguished university press, commonly presumed to signal official Bank policy. It is time for that long-overdue book to be published.
Agenesis of the corpus callosum and hepatoblastoma

Agenesis of the corpus callosum is a congenital brain malformation that can occur in isolation or as a component of a congenital syndrome. Hepatoblastoma (HB) is a rare tumor that comprises two thirds of primary hepatic neoplasms in children and adolescents. Up to 20% of children with HB have associated congenital anomalies. In addition to defined genetic syndromes such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Trisomy 13, and Trisomy 18, HB is significantly associated with kidney/bladder abnormalities. We present two children with multiple congenital anomalies, including agenesis of the corpus callosum, who were subsequently diagnosed with HB. Review of the literature revealed two patients with clinically-diagnosed Aicardi syndrome and HB. Due to the rarity of both agenesis of the corpus callosum and HB, this is likely a true association. Further investigation into the underlying genetic and molecular basis of this probable association is warranted.
Generating primed pluripotent epiblast stem cells: A methodology chapter.

At least two distinct pluripotent states, referred to as naive and primed, define the early mammalian embryo. In the mouse, the pluripotent epiblast cells in the pre/peri-implantation embryo are the source of naive embryonic stem cells (ESCs). After the embryo implants, the epiblast lineage generates a restricted or primed population of stem cells, referred to as epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs). ESCs can be cultured in EpiSC media to generate epiblast-like cells (EpiLCs). The differentiation of naive ESCs into primed EpiLCs permits insights into the development and differentiation of the pluripotent epiblast lineage. This chapter describes the generation and characterization of EpiSCs as well as EpiLCs.
Predictors and consequences of individual differences in cross-linguistic interactions: A model of second language reading skill

Previous research has demonstrated that individual differences in conflict management predict second-language (L2) reading skill. The current experiment tested the hypothesis that this relation reflects the need to manage conflict from cross-linguistic interactions (CLI). A novel model specifying the relation between L2 reading skill, CLI, and the predictors of such interactions was tested in 253 L2 English speaking adults, using structural equation modeling. In support of the hypothesis, the findings revealed that stronger CLI was related to poorer L2 reading skill. In addition, variability in non-linguistic conflict management, as measured by executive attention tasks, and relative language dominance reliably predicted CLI. Specifically, better conflict management and lower L1 dominance corresponded to fewer interactions. These results fill a crucial gap by demonstrating for the first time that the ability to manage CLI is critical to L2 reading, and that both cognitive skills and language experience contribute to variability in these interactions.
Intracranial self-stimulation and concomitant behaviors following systemic methamphetamine administration in Hnrnph1 mutant mice.

Methamphetamine (MA) addiction is a major public health issue in the USA, with a poorly understood genetic component. We previously identified heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 (Hnrnph1; H1) as a quantitative trait gene underlying sensitivity to MA-induced behavioral sensitivity. Mice heterozygous for a frameshift deletion in the first coding exon of H1 (H1+/−) showed reduced MA phenotypes including oral self-administration, locomotor activity, dopamine release, and dose-dependent differences in MA conditioned place preference. However, the effects of H1+/− on innate and MA-modulated reward sensitivity are not known. We examined innate reward sensitivity and facilitation by MA in H1+/− mice via intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS). We used intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) of the medial forebrain bundle to assess shifts in reward sensitivity following acute, ascending doses of MA (0.5–4.0 mg/kg, i.p.) using a within-subjects design. We also assessed video-recorded behaviors during ICSS testing sessions. H1+/− mice displayed reduced normalized maximum response rates in response to MA. H1+/− females had lower normalized M50 values compared to wild-type females, suggesting enhanced reward facilitation by MA. Finally, regardless of genotype, there was a dose-dependent reduction in distance to the response wheel following MA administration, providing an additional measure of MA-induced reward-driven behavior. H1+/− mice displayed a complex ICSS phenotype following MA, displaying indications of both blunted reward magnitude (lower normalized maximum response rates) and enhanced reward sensitivity specific to H1+/− females (lower normalized M50 values).
Diversity of developing peripheral glia revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing

The peripheral nervous system responds to a wide variety of sensory stimuli, a process that requires great neuronal diversity. These diverse neurons are closely associated with glial cells originating from the neural crest. However, the molecular nature and diversity among peripheral glia are not understood. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to profile developing and mature glia from somatosensory dorsal root ganglia and auditory spiral ganglia. We found that glial precursors (GPs) in these two systems differ in their transcriptional profiles. Despite their unique features, somatosensory and auditory GPs undergo convergent differentiation to generate molecularly uniform myelinating and non-myelinating Schwann cells. By contrast, somatosensory and auditory satellite glial cells retain system-specific features. Lastly, we identified a glial signature gene set, providing new insights into commonalities among glia across the nervous system. This survey of gene expression in peripheral glia constitutes a resource for understanding functions of glia across different sensory modalities.
Nonmedical uses of Antibiotics

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates the nonmedical uses of antibiotics in great detail. The impact of antibiotics on the treatment of infectious disease and indeed on the practice of medicine is well appreciated by most individuals. However, the multiple uses of antibiotics in areas outside of human and veterinary medicine, although quite extensive, are not so well known. In addition, the microbiologist in particular has found ways in which antibiotics have helped solve problems in the research laboratory. In this chapter, uses of antibiotics in animal nutrition, in plant disease control, and food preservation is discussed. Antibiotics as adjuncts in microbiological techniques and procedures, and in public health aspects of nonmedical uses of antibiotics are also discussed.
Evacuation in case of a nuclear power plant accident – Discussion of some ethical questions

Abstract Although the probability of a nuclear power plant accident in the Czech Republic is considered to be extremely low, authorities and citizens have to be prepared. An important part of emergency preparedness is the provision of clear guidelines for the possible evacuation of people from areas of radioactive contamination. In this context, different types of questions need to be addressed: What are the health risks that people remaining in a contaminated area would have to face? When are people to be evacuated, i.e. which radiation levels warrant action? Who is to be evacuated first, i.e. which groups, if any, should take precedence? What are the ethical principles that determine the when and who? This latter question is addressed here. The paper looks at the guidance given by the relevant public documents and identifies a number of ambiguous and contradictory points. It recommends that decision-makers are provided with additional information and are made aware of the ethical aspects of their decisions. It suggests that classical ethical theories such as utilitarianism and deontology can be taken into consideration, but that in an age of globalization a cross-cultural approach may be more appropriate.
THE SOLUBILITY OF HELIUM IN URANIUM DIOXIDE

A high-pressure furnace that operates up to 2000°C in the pressure range of 100 atm to 10−5 torr was designed and constructed to saturate UO2 powder of 4-µm average particle size with 4He. The powd...
Degrees of Freedom

In Chapter 1 we discussed the dimensionality of vertices, edges, faces, and cells. A vertex has dimensionality zero; on surfaces (dimensionality two) a vertex can move with two degrees of freedom, whereas on a curve (dimensionality one) it can move with only a single degree of freedom. In three-dimensional space a vertex has three degrees of freedom: three quantities are needed to specify its location.
A new hierarchical method for identification of dynamic regulatory pathways from time-series DNA microarray data

A new hierarchical method is proposed to analyze timeseries DNA microarray data to identify dynamic genetic pathways. Initially the hierarchical method applies a specialized clustering technique to incorporate the available heuristic information about biological system. Then, the prototypes of the resulting clusters are used as time-variables to develop an auto regressive model to relate the expression of the prototypes to each other. The resulting model also allows the prediction of gene expressions for the next time steps. The developed AR model can then be used to relate the expression value of each single gene to the genes of other clusters. The proposed method was applied to the cell-cycle dataset containing the DNA microarray time-series of a large number of genes involved in the eukaryotic cell-cycle. The technique resulted to a network of interactions among five clusters of genes in which the genes of each cluster have a biologically-meaningful trend in time.
Cell image segmentation for diagnostic pathology

The colors associated with a digitized specimen representing peripheral blood smear are typically characterized by only a few, non-Gaussian clusters, whose shapes have to be discerned solely from the image being processed. Nonparametric methods such as mode-based analysis [952], are particularly suitable for the segmentation of this type of data since they do not constrain the cluster shapes. This chapter reviews an efficient cell segmentation algorithm that detects clusters in the L*u*v color space and delineates their borders by employing the gradient ascent mean shift procedure [950], [951]. The color space is randomly tessellated with search windows that are moved till convergence to the nearest mode of the underlying probability distribution. After the pruning of the mode candidates, the colors are classified using the basins of attraction. The segmented image is derived by mapping the color vectors in the image domain and enforcing spatial constraints.
Nuclear-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 regulates BMI1 expression and determines proliferative capacity of high-grade gliomas

// Claudia R. Oliva 1 , Tahireh Markert 1 , G. Yancey Gillespie 1 , Corinne E. Griguer 1, 2 1 Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 2 Center for Free Radical Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama Correspondence to: Corinne E. Griguer, e-mail: cgriguer@uab.edu Keywords: Cytochrome c oxidase, BMI1, COX4, glioma, proliferation Received: November 08, 2014 Accepted: December 31, 2014 Published: January 20, 2015 ABSTRACT Nuclear-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 (COX4) is a key regulatory subunit of mammalian cytochrome c oxidase, and recent studies have demonstrated that COX4 isoform 1 (COX4-1) could have a role in glioma chemoresistance. The Polycomb complex protein BMI1 is a stem cell regulatory gene implicated in the pathogenesis of many aggressive cancers, including glioma. This study sought to determine if COX4 regulates BMI1 and modulates tumor cell proliferation. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas database and a retrospective data set from patients with glioblastoma multiforme , we found that BMI1 expression levels positively correlated with COX4-1 expression and overall survival. Whereas COX4-1 promoted cell growth by increasing BMI1 expression, COX4-2 inhibited cell growth even in cells overexpressing BMI1. We also demonstrate that COX4-1 attenuates mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which is required for COX4-1-mediated effects on BMI1 expression and cell proliferation. Notably, mice bearing COX4-1-expressing glioma cell xenografts quickly developed invasive tumors characterized by the presence of multiple lesions positive for Ki-67, BMI1, and COX4-1, whereas mice bearing COX4-2-expressing xenografts rarely developed tumors by this point. COX4-1 also promoted the self-renewal of glioma stem-like cells, consistent with the reported role of BMI1 in stem cell growth. Taken together, these findings identify a novel COX4-1-mitochondrial ROS axis, in which differential expression of COX4 isoforms regulates mitochondrial ROS production and controls BMI1 expression.
Serum concentrations of β-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in human pregnancy

Abstract β-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (β-MSH) has been measured in pregnant women with the use of a sensitive tube radioimmunoassay technique which does not require prior extraction. This peptide rises progressivley throughout pregnancy with its highest concentration at term. Measurable quantities exceeding maternal levels were observed in both cord blood and amniotic fluid and elevated levels of β-MSH were found in lactating women. The role and possible chorionic origin of β-MSH remain to be determined, as well as the possible clinical use.
Effects of topical hypothermia on postoperative inflammatory markers in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background : We aimed to examine the effects of topical hypothermia on inflammatory markers in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods : Fifty patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass surgery were included the study. They were randomised to two groups. Mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (28-32°C) was performed on both groups using standardised anaesthesiology and surgical techniques. Furthermore, topical cooling with 4°C saline was performed on patients in group I. We recorded peri-operative and intra-operative results of blood samples, pre-operative and postoperative outcomes of electrocardiography and echocardiography, diaphragm levels on X-ray, and the necessity of positive inotropic medication and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). Results : Time-dependent changes in blood samples were compared between the two groups. The changes on complement 3 (C3) and TNF-α levels were more significant in group I than group II (p 0.05). One patient in group I died on the 18th postoperative day, but operative mortality rate was not statistically significant between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions : Topical hypothermia had a negative impact on inflammatory markers and postoperative morbidities.
SHIP inhibits Akt activation in B cells through regulation of Akt membrane localization.

Activation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt and the regulation of its activation are recognized as critical in controlling proliferative/survival signals via many hematopoietic receptors. In B lymphocytes, the B-cell receptor (BCR)-mediated activation of Akt is attenuated by co–cross-linking of BCR with the inhibitory receptor FcγRIIB1, and the binding of the SH2 domain-containing inositol phosphatase, SHIP, to FcγRIIB1. Because SHIP dephosphorylates phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) and activation of Akt requires PIP3, the destruction of this phospholipid has been proposed as the mechanism for Akt inhibition. However, upstream kinases that activate Akt, such as PDK1, also require PIP3 for activation. In this report, we addressed whether SHIP inhibits Akt directly at the level of Akt recruitment to the membrane, indirectly through PDK recruitment/phosphorylation of Akt, or both. We generated stable B-cell lines expressing a regulatable, but constitutively membrane-bound Akt that still required PDK-dependent phosphorylation for activation. Several lines of evidence suggested that activation of this membrane-targeted Akt is not inhibited by FcγRIIB1/SHIP and that PDK is not a target for SHIP-mediated inhibition. These data demonstrate that SHIP inhibits Akt primarily through regulation of Akt membrane localization. We also observed during these studies that FcγRIIB1/SHIP does not inhibit p70S6k activation, even though several other PIP3-dependent events were down-regulated. Because the enhanced activation of Akt in the absence of SHIP correlates with hyperproliferation in the myeloid lineage, our data have implications for SHIP and Akt-dependent regulation of proliferation in the hematopoietic lineage.
DNA Computing: A Review

DNA computing holds out the promise of important and significant connections between computers and living systems, as well as promising massively parallel computations. Before these promises are fulfilled, however, important challenges related to errors and practicality have to be addressed. On the other hand, new directions toward a synthesis of molecular evolution and DNA computing might circumvent the problems that have hindered development, so far.
Ocular Lesions of Bovine Malignant Catarrhal Fever

The ocular lesions of bovine malignant catarrhal fever were characterized in 15 naturally occurring and eight experimentally induced cases of the disease. Consistent findings included: lymphocytic vasculitis of retinal, scleral, posterior ciliary, and uveal vessels; uveitis, especially involving ciliary processes, ciliary body, and iris; and keratitis with corneal edema, neovascularization, and epithelial and endothelial degeneration. Lymphocytic ciliary neuritis and optic meningitis were found less frequently. Ultrastructural examination of the ciliary body and iris from one experimental calf confirmed that most infiltrating mononuclear cells were lymphocytes. The uveitis, vasculitis, and keratitis of malignant catarrhal fever were probably immune-mediated.
Stability of silane modifiers on alumina nanoporous membranes

Abstract Stability of silanes covalently bound to the surface of nanoporous alumina membranes was investigated and the reasons for variation have been identified as due to activation of Al–O–Si bond caused by local increase of pH from primary and secondary amines of the linker molecules. Transformation of amines into amides or passivation of alumina surface by as little as five atomic layers of deposited silica before silanization dramatically improve stability of immobilized molecules.
FPGA optimized packet-switched NoC using split and merge primitives

Due to their different cost structures, the architecture of switches for an FPGA packet-switched Network-on-a-Chip (NoC) should differ from their ASIC counterparts. The CONNECT network recently demonstrated several ways in which packet-switched FPGA NoCs should differ from ASIC NoCs. However, they also concluded that pipelining was not appropriate for the FPGA switches.We show that the Split-Merge switch architecture is more amenable to pipelining on FPGAs, achieving 300MHz operation—up to three times the frequency and throughput of the CONNECT switches—with only 13–37% more area. Furthermore, we show that the Split-Merge switches are at least as efficient at routing traffic as the CONNECT switches, meaning the 2–3× frequency translates directly into two to three times the application performance.
Preoperative Prediction of Failure Following Two-Stage Revision for Knee Prosthetic Joint Infections

While two-stage revision is the gold standard for treatment of knee prosthetic joint infection (PJI), it is not without risk. The purpose of this study was to develop a tool to preoperatively predict the probability that a two-stage revision would fail to eradicate knee PJI. 3,809 surgical cases were retrospectively reviewed and data were collected from 314 charts. Overall, 105 (33.4%) cases failed to eradicate PJI using this procedure. Univariate analysis identified multiple variables independently associated with reinfection. Logistic regression was used to generate a model (bootstrap-corrected concordance index of 0.773) predicting failure of infection eradication. Preoperative knowledge of a high probability of failure may improve risk assessment, lead to more aggressive management, and allow for time to consider alternative therapies.
Aggravation of gastric mucosal lesions in rat stomach by tobacco cigarette smoke

In the model of gastric mucosal injury induced by 2 mol/liter hypertonic saline in rats, we tested the hypothesis that tobacco cigarette smoke aggravates gastric mucosal lesions by inhibition of injury-induced gastric mucosal hyperemia. Experimental rats were treated with tobacco cigarette smoke or nicotine-free smoke from nontobacco cigarettes, and controls breathed room air. Gastric mucosal blood flow was measured by hydrogen gas clearance before and during the intragastric administration of hypertonic saline. Tobacco cigarette smoke 3 and 18 ml/min, but not nicotine-free smoke, significantly attenuated the hyperemia and aggravated the hypertonic saline-induced lesion in a dose-dependent manner. We then tested the hypothesis that 18 ml/min of tobacco cigarette smoke, and the dose of intravenous nicotine previously shown to block injury-induced hyperemia and aggravate 2 mol/liter saline-induced gastric damage, will also adversely affect gastric lesions induced by acidified aspirin or acidified ethanol. The results confirm that tobacco cigarette smoke and intravenous nicotine indeed aggravate gastric mucosal damage in these two models. Taken together, the data suggest that the inhibition of injury-induced hyperemia by nicotine and tobacco cigarette smoke is an important predictor of their ability to increase the susceptibility of the gastric mucosa to noxious damage. Although limited in their experimental nature, these data provide one plausible explanation for the adverse effect of tobacco cigarette smoke on peptic ulcer disease.
RCM-E and AMIE studies of the Harang reversal formation during a steady magnetospheric convection event

This paper presents the results of a modeling study on the formation of the Harang reversal (HR) during a steady magnetospheric convection event. The Harang reversal is identified as the boundary of the northward and southward electric field in the nightside auroral zone using the Assimilative Mapping of Ionospheric Electrodynamics (AMIE) procedure. We simulate the event with the Rice Convection Model-Equilibrium (RCM-E) by adjusting its boundary conditions to approximately match Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) and GOES observations in the nightside magnetosphere. Our results show that the HR is collocated with an upward region 1 field-aligned current, where converging ionospheric currents cause a southward/northward electric field on the poleward/equatorward side of the HR. Our results also indicate that the electric field reversal is slightly poleward of the ionospheric east–west current reversal and is to the northeast of the ground magnetic reversal, which is consistent with previous observations. We also test the sensitivity of the HR formation to a variety of parameters in the RCM-E simulations. We find that (1) the reduction of the flux tube entropy parameter PV5/3 near the midnight sector plays a major role in the formation of the HR; (2) a run carried out assuming uniform conductance produced the same major features as the run with more realistic precipitation-enhanced conductance; and (3) the detailed pattern of the polar cap potential distribution plays a minor role, but its dawn-dusk asymmetry significantly controls the location of the HR with respect to midnight. The RCM-E simulations also predict PV5/3 and flow distributions associated with the magnetospheric source of the HR in the plasma sheet, which can be further tested against observations.
Drug interactions in the management of HIV infection: an update.

Improvement in the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy continues to reduce HIV morbidity and mortality. With more treatment choices and better accessibility, the extent of medication use among patients with HIV/AIDS continues to grow. ARV drugs are particularly prone to drug interactions as a consequence of their metabolic and pharmacokinetic properties. The recognition and management of drug interactions in patients on ARVs is a constant challenge to medical providers. Staying abreast of drug interaction knowledge is complicated by the rate at which new information becomes available through in vivo investigation, case reports and pharmacokinetic studies. In addition, distinguishing the clinical significance of an interaction is difficult due to the large interpatient variability in pharmacokinetics exhibited by most ARV agents. This review provides an update to a previous review article published in 2005, and is intended to improve the reader's knowledge of drug interactions in the management of...
A flow-based synthesis of telmisartan

A highly efficient continuous synthesis has been developed for telmisartan, the active ingredient in the antihypertensive drug, Micardis. This synthetic route employs a convergent strategy that requires no intermediate purifications or solvent exchanges. The key step in the reaction scheme is a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction between two functionalized benzimidazoles that is catalyzed by a solid-supported Pd catalyst. This flow-based approach utilizes a tubular reactor system coupled with a plug flow packed bed cartridge unit that produces telmisartan in an 81% isolated yield.
Geographic Distance Between Donor and Recipient Does Not Influence Outcomes After Lung Transplantation

Background The shortage in organ donation is a major limiting factor for patients with end-stage lung disease. Expanding the donor pool would be beneficial. We investigated the importance of geographic distance between the donor and recipient and hypothesized that it would not be a critical determinant of outcomes after lung transplantation. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the United Network for Organ Sharing lung transplant database from 2000 to 2005 to allow sufficient time for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) development. Allograft recipients were stratified by geographic distance from their donors (local, regional, and national) and had yearly follow-up. The primary end points were the development of BOS and 1-year and 3-year mortality. Posttransplant outcomes were compared using a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. Kaplan-Meier curves were compared by log-rank test. Results Of 6,055 allograft recipients, donors were local in 59%, regional in 19.3%, and national in 21.7%. BOS-free survival did not differ by geographic distance. Geographic distance did not independently predict BOS (hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.96 to 1.10). Similarly, Kaplan-Meier survival curves were not significantly worse for recipients with national donors. Geographic distance did not independently predict 3-year mortality (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.89 to 1.01). Conclusions With appropriate donor selection, moderately long geographic distance (average ischemic time
The Politics of Dismantling Containment

What are the political prospects for an engagement strategy with North Korea, Cuba, Iran, and Iraq? Although they vary from case to case, the new president and Congress may just transform U.S. strategy toward these countries.
Circuit effect in LiNbO(3) channel-waveguide modulators.

An RC circuit is used to model transient effects that occur when dc or quasi-dc voltages are applied to channel-waveguide modulators. These effects are believed to be due to the anisotropic redistribution over time of charge stored in the LiNbO3. The anisotropy arises from the anisotropic material properties and the inhomogeneity induced when channel waveguides are formed. The transient effects measured are not caused by photorefractivity.
Heterogeneous population growth, parental effects and genotype-environment interactions of a marine oligochaete

Cultures of asexually reproducing populations of the oligochaete Paranaislitoralis (Muller) collected from six different patches (3 to 50 m apart) on an intertidal mud flat in Flax Pond, New York, on two occasions, June and October 1993, showed significant differences among lines in life span, number of offspring produced, and in finite rate of increase (λ). Although growth rates were significantly lower in October than in June, they were always positive (λ > 1) in the laboratory cultures reared in field-collected sediment, while field data show that the densities of P. litoralis decreased sharply in summer and autumn from a seasonal high in early June. Cultures of worms reared at high densities without renewal of sediment crashed, and effects on individuals were irreversible: worms from late (declining) stages of population growth had a significantly higher mortality and lower reproduction than worms from earlier stages, also when transferred to high-quality food. Genetical analysis using RAPDs (random amplified polymorphic DNA) confirmed the existence of several clones of P. litoralis in our cultures. Experiments where parent and offspring were cultured in sediments of different qualities showed clone–environment interactions in the number of asexual offspring produced, but not in age at first reproduction. Clones also differed in that some showed significant parental effects of sediment quality on life-history characteristics while other clones did not. Our results indicate that P.litoralis populations in Flax Pond are not an example of a population subdivided into a set of permanent source and sink subpopulations, but rather an example of a continuously shifting mosaic of local growth conditions.
PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE: A LATENT GROWTH MODELING APPROACH

The positive core construct of psychological capital (consisting of efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience) has been conceptually and empirically demonstrated to be related to employee performance. However, much of this work has relied on cross-sectional designs to examine these relationships. This study utilizes longitudinal data from a large financial service organization (N= 179 financial advisory-type employees) to examine within-individual change in psychological capital over time and if this change relates to their change in performance. Latent growth modeling analyses revealed statistically significant within-individual change in psychological capital over time, and that this change in psychological capital was related to change in 2 types of performance outcomes (supervisor-rated performance and financial performance, i.e., individual sales revenue). Moreover, results of an exploratory cross-lagged panel analysis suggested a causal relationship such that prior psychological capital leads to subsequent performance rather than vice versa. Taken together, these results highlight the impact employees’ psychological capital may have on their subjectively and objectively measured performance over time and offer evidence-based practical guidelines for human resource selection, development, and performance management.
The effects of glutathione and ascorbic acid on the oxidations of 6-hydroxydopa and 6-hydroxydopamine

The interactions of ascorbic acid (AA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the oxidations of the catecholaminergic neurotoxins 6-hydroxydopa (TOPA) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) were investigated by both high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED) and spectrometric methods. These comparative studies showed TOPA and 6-OHDA to be extremely unstable, with 100% of the trihydroxyphenyls oxidized within 0.5 min at physiological pH in potassium phosphate buffer. Neither AA nor GSH was found capable of significantly impeding the oxidations of these trihydroxyphenyls, or of regenerating these substances by reducing back their oxidation products, even though such a redox exchange mechanism was demonstrated for AA and the dihydroxyphenyl dopamine. Although ineffective in keeping TOPA and 6-OHDA as reduced molecules, GSH may nevertheless influence the neurotoxicity of trihydroxyphenyls by interacting with their oxidation products forming glutathionyl conjugates, thereby switching the reaction pathway away from potentially toxic eumelanin precursors and toward the production of pheomelanin. Electrochemical analyses established the formation of two oxidation products derived from each trihydroxyphenyl, one detected at -100 mV and the other at +700 mV. AA had no effect on either oxidation product, whereas GSH significantly decreased the levels of both oxidation products. The component detected at +700 mV is the cyclized, reduced leukochrome. The identity of the component detected at -100 mV was not established, but it is considered to be either the p-quinone or the cyclized, oxidized aminochrome.
The zebrafish as a model for complex tissue regeneration

For centuries, philosophers and scientists have been fascinated by the principles and implications of regeneration in lower vertebrate species. Two features have made zebrafish an informative model system for determining mechanisms of regenerative events. First, they are highly regenerative, able to regrow amputated fins, as well as a lesioned brain, retina, spinal cord, heart, and other tissues. Second, they are amenable to both forward and reverse genetic approaches, with a research toolset regularly updated by an expanding community of zebrafish researchers. Zebrafish studies have helped identify new mechanistic underpinnings of regeneration in multiple tissues and, in some cases, have served as a guide for contemplating regenerative strategies in mammals. Here, we review the recent history of zebrafish as a genetic model system for understanding how and why tissue regeneration occurs.
An examination of preferences and evaluations of visitors based on environmental attitudes: Biscayne Bay national park

This study links visitor preferences to environmental attitudes in an effort to assist national park managers reconcile the public demand for both protection of the natural environment and its utilisation. Support was found for the hypothesis that visitors with ecocentric views will prefer that national park resources be allocated to protect and preserve the environment while those with anthropocentric inclinations will favour transforming the environment. The results suggest that park resource managers may need to consider alternative management practices for the two groups as well as monitor changes in environmental attitudes that will impact preferences for park management practices.
Metric approach to transformation optics

The conventional method for calculating the dielectric tensor for metamaterial relies on finding a transformation from the physical space containing the medium to a virtual electromagnetic space. Such a transformation exists if, and only if, the space is flat, which greatly restricts the way in which we are able to manipulate light. Furthermore, the transformation medium must not alter the temporal coordinate. Here, we show an alternate method for calculating the dielectric tensor that stems from the light ray trajectory equation derived from the metric. Thus, the process of defining an explicit transformation is circumvented entirely. We show that this method reproduces the correct results for the cylindrical cloaking device, and we use it to derive the material parameters of a device that gives rise to a curved space in which light rays follow closed Keplerian orbits.
Artificial Neural-Net Based Intelligent Robotics Control

Fast real-time intelligent control of dynamic systems can be implemented with a combination of logic-based (higher level) strategies and automatic reflexive pattern driven responses generated with artificial neural-nets (ANN). In this paper we are concerned with the adaptive control of a robot manipulator with two degrees of freedom. The objective is to move the end effector of a two limbed manipulator towards a target point until the positions of two coincide. The task is to generate the control signals for movement of the arm through the use of ANN. Control algorithm is computationally simple and robust due to the exploitation of highly parallel information processing capabilities of multilayered neural-nets. Feasibility of obstacle avoidance is discussed also. The proposed approach was evaluated with a computer simulation. A feedforward neural-net was used for this purpose. The results are presented and discussed in this paper.
L-Quisqualic acid transport into hippocampal neurons by a cystine-sensitive carrier is required for the induction of quisqualate sensitization

Abstract A brief exposure of hippocampal slices to L -quisqualic acid sensitizes CA1 pyramidal neurons 30–250-fold to depolarization by two classes of excitatory amino acid analogues: (1) those whose depolarizing effects are rapidly terminated following washout, e.g. L -2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoic acid ( L -AP4) and L -2-amino-6-phosphonohexanoic acid ( L -AP6) and (2) those whose depolarizing effects persist following washout, e.g. L -aspartate-β-hydroxamate ( L -AβH). This process has been termed quisqualate sensitization. In this study we directly examine the role of amino acid transport systems in the induction of quisqualate sensitization. We report that L -quisqualate is a low-affinity substrate ( K M =0.54 mM) for a high capacity ( V max =0.9 nmol (mg protein) −1 min −1 ) Na + -dependent transport system(s) and a high-affinity substrate ( K M =0.033 mM) for a low-capacity ( V max =0.051 nmol (mg protein) −1 min −1 ) transporter with properties similar to the cystine/glutamate exchange carrier, System x c − . We present evidence that suggests that System x c − participates in quisqualate sensitization. First, simultaneous application of L -quisqualate and inhibitors of System x c − , but not inhibitors of Na + -dependent glutamate transporters, prevents the subsequent sensitization of hippocampal neurons to phosphonates or L -AβH. Second, L -quisqualic acid only sensitizes hippocampal neurons to other substrates of System x c − , including cystine. Third, immunocytochemical analysis of L -quisqualate uptake demonstrates that only inhibitors of System x c − inhibit the highly concentrative uptake of L -quisqualate into a widely dispersed group of GABAergic hippocampal interneurons. We conclude that quisqualate sensitization is a direct consequence of the unique interaction of various excitatory amino acids, namely L -quisqualate, cystine, and phosphonates, with the exchange carrier, System x c − . Therefore, the results of this study have important implications for the mechanism by which L -quisqualate, and other substrates of this transporter which are also excitatory amino acid agonists (such as glutamate and β- N -oxalyl- L -α,β-diaminopropionic acid, β- L -ODAP) may trigger neurotoxicity.
Fluorescence Quantum Yields of Tryptophan and Tyrosine

Abstract Fluorescence quantum yields (Q) for tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine in water at 23° determined by the comparative method using a quinine standard were found to be 0.14, 0.13, and 0.024, respectively. Similar values were obtained with phenol as the standard. The numbers are much lower than those literature values which have been widely used to calculate protein fluorescence quantum yields. Possible reasons for the discrepancies are discussed. The quantum yields of isomeric tyrosines and fluorophenylalanines are also reported.
A Laser Induced Fluorescence-Based Instrument for In-Situ Measurements of Atmospheric Formaldehyde

Direct, in situ detection of gas phase formaldehyde (HCHO) via laser induced fluorescence in a White-type multipass cell is demonstrated with a (3sigma) limit of detection of approximately 0.051 parts per billion by volume in a 1 s sampling time. Calibration is performed in two ways: using permeation tubes and with air bubbled through an aqueous solution of HCHO. The concentration of HCHO output from the bubbler is measured by cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Measurement of ambient HCHO is carried out at the University of Wisconsin, Madison for a period of several days.
The push–pull action of dopamine on spatial tuning of the monkey retina: the effects of dopaminergic deficiency and selective D1 and D2 receptor ligands on the pattern electroretinogram.

Retinal dopamine depletion in monkeys using either systemic MPTP or 6-OHDA results in attenuated electroretinographic (ERG) responses to peak spatial frequency stimuli. Diverse dopamine receptors have been identified in the primate retina. ERG studies performed using Haloperidol (a mixed antagonist), L-Sulpiride (D2 antagonist) and CY 208-243 (a D1 agonist) cause spatial frequency dependent diverse effects. 'Tuning' of the normal spatial contrast response PERG, was quantified by dividing the amplitude of the response at the peak spatial frequency with the amplitude to the low spatial frequency response yielding a number greater than one. Tuning for the pharmacological experiments was defined by dividing the actual amplitude obtained at the normal peak response with the actual amplitude at the low spatial frequency response. The PERG spatial contrast response function is discussed as the envelope output of retinal ganglion cells or the average or 'equivalent' retinal ganglion cell. However, we postulate the existence of two dopamine sensitive pathways with different weights for two classes of ganglion cells. It is inferred that D1 receptors are primarily affecting the 'surround' organization of ganglion cells with large centers, while D2 post-synaptic receptors contribute to 'center' response amplification of ganglion cells with smaller centers. These inferences are consistent with some lower vertebrate data. It is also inferred that low affinity D2 autoreceptors may be involved in the D1 'surround' pathway. An understanding of the logic performed by retinal D1 and D2 receptors may be useful to discern the functional role of diverse dopamine receptors in DA circuits elsewhere in the CNS.
Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3 single crystal fiber grown by the laser heated pedestal growth technique

The preparation of Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3 (BMT) ceramics and the first successful growth of BMT single crystals by the laser heated pedestal growth technique (LHPG) is reported. The single crystal has a simple cubic perovskite structure in comparison to the ordered hexagonal structure normally found in ceramics of the same phase. The dielectric properties of single crystals are examined, the dielectric Q value increases with the increase in B‐site ordering, while the dielectric constant κ is relatively independent of ordering. Our results also show that BMT is a candidate substrate for high Tc superconductor thin films as it has one of the highest Q values known for the oxide perovskite family, along with its matching thermal expansion coefficient α=9.0×10−6/ °C and twin‐free cubic perovskite structure with a=4.0877 A. BMT single crystals grown by the LHPG technique are probably the highest melting oxide compounds grown to date.
Testing Trends in Environmental Compliance

Many environmentalregulations are based on threshold levels. Such a level is generally set such that exposure to a toxin above the level is considered a hazard to health. In many instances, the level may be exceeded a certain number of times before regulatory action is taken. Such is the case with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in accordance with the 1990 amendment of the Clean Air Act of 1970. This set of standards sets threshold levels for several pollutants including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ground-level ozone, and lead. Many areas of the United States, which the EPA designates as nonattainment areas, persistently exceed the air pollution levels set by the NAAQS. Progress in these areas is of ten slow but can be studied through data collected on the elapsed time between violations. The purpose of this article is to present a relatively easy but flexible statistical method for assessing whether an area is making progress with compliance to the NAAQS. The method presented in this article is based on a randomization test of a general model for the mean time between violations of the standard. The modeling-type approach of this method makes it flexible enough to study many types of trends. The use of the randomization test makes the method simple to apply and requires fewer assumptions than many other proposed methods. We discuss some general theoretical conditions for which the method is well suited and study the performance of this method empirically, Finally, we apply the method to a well-known set of interviolation times corresponding to data collected on ground-level ozone in Houston, Texas.
Improvement of arithmetic self concept through combined positive reinforcement, peer interaction, and sequential curriculum

Abstract This study investigated the development of arithmetic self concept and achievement among seven- to nine-year-old children who had problems or who were at the bottom of the lowest track of a third grade. S s were two girls and two boys from a class of 24 low track children, who completed a one-dimensional five-point scale for self concept and were administered 20-item tests for achivement in arithmetic repeatedly throughout eight weeks of instruction. Formation of small groups, peer interaction, individual curriculum adjustment, and positive reinforcement both at individual and group level were applied. Effective, correlated results were recorded along both scales for each child, and the gains for the four target children were shown in comparison to the class as a whole.
Role of Isoprenoid Metabolism in Chemotactic Peptide Receptor-Mediated G Protein Activation

The role of isoprenylation in formyl peptide receptor-mediated G protein activation was studied using plasma membranes isolated from normal HL-60 granulocytes and from cells in which isoprenylation was inhibited with mevastatin. Plasma membrane expression of formyl peptide receptors and G protein beta subunits, but not alpha i2 and alpha i3, was significantly reduced by inhibition of isoprenylation. This reduced expression resulted in impaired basal and fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated G protein activation.