cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electoral Competition and Agricultural Support in OECD Countries

Agricultural trade protectionism in developed countries remains a politically charged issue, yet few studies have attempted to explain the political dynamics behind this important trade issue. We consider agricultural subsidies as a type of distributive policy that targets the agricultural sector at the expense of consumers and taxpayers. Based on Cox (1987, 1990) and Myerson (1993), we argue that electoral systems that encourage politicians to appeal to a narrow constituency tend to have a higher level of agricultural support. We test this theoretical hypothesis using OECD agricultural support data disaggregated by commodity and country. A cross-classified multilevel model is employed to account for complex variation of agricultural support across countries, commodities, and time. Our empirical results show that electoral systems that encourage politicians to target narrow (broad) constituencies are associated with relatively high (low) levels of agricultural subsidies.
Proton-binding study of standard and reference fulvic acids, humic acids, and natural organic matter

The acid–base properties of 14 standard and reference materials from the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS) were investigated by potentiometric titration. Titrations were conducted in 0.1 M NaCl under a nitrogen atmosphere, averaging 30 min from start to finish. Concentrations of carboxyl groups and phenolic groups were estimated directly from titration curves. Titration data were also fit to a modified Henderson-Hasselbalch model for two classes of proton-binding sites to obtain “best fit” parameters that describe proton-binding curves for the samples. The model was chosen for its simplicity, its ease of implementation in computer spreadsheets, and its excellent ability to describe the shapes of the titration curves. The carboxyl contents of the IHSS samples are in the general order: terrestrial fulvic acids > aquatic fulvic acids > Suwannee River natural organic matter (NOM) > aquatic humic acids > terrestrial humic acids. Overall, fulvic acids and humic acids have similar phenolic contents; however, all of the aquatically derived samples have higher phenolic contents than the terrestrially derived samples. The acid–base properties of reference Suwannee River NOM are surprisingly similar to those of standard Suwannee River humic acid. Results from titrations in this study were compared with other published results from both direct and indirect titrations. Typically, carboxyl contents for the IHSS samples were in agreement with the results from both methods of titration. Phenolic contents for the IHSS samples were comparable to those determined by direct titrations, but were significantly less than estimates of phenolic content that were based on indirect titrations with Ba(OH)2 and Ca(OAc)2. The average phenolic-to-carboxylic ratio of the IHSS samples is approximately 1:4. Models that assume a 1:2 ratio of phenolic-to-carboxylic groups may overestimate the relative contribution of phenolic groups to the acid–base chemistry of humic substances.
A Meta-Analytic Review of the Hypoalgesic Effects of Exercise

Abstract The purpose of this article was to examine the effects of acute exercise on pain perception in healthy adults and adults with chronic pain using meta-analytic techniques. Specifically, studies using a repeated measures design to examine the effect of acute isometric, aerobic, or dynamic resistance exercise on pain threshold and pain intensity measures were included in this meta-analysis. The results suggest that all 3 types of exercise reduce perception of experimentally induced pain in healthy participants, with effects ranging from small to large depending on pain induction method and exercise protocol. In healthy participants, the mean effect size for aerobic exercise was moderate (dthr = .41, dint = .59), while the mean effect sizes for isometric exercise (dthr = 1.02, dint = .72) and dynamic resistance exercise (dthr = .83, dint = .75) were large. In chronic pain populations, the magnitude and direction of the effect sizes were highly variable for aerobic and isometric exercise and appeared to depend on the chronic pain condition being studied as well as the intensity of the exercise. While trends could be identified, the optimal dose of exercise that is needed to produce hypoalgesia could not be systematically determined with the amount of data available. Perspective This article presents a quantitative review of the exercise-induced hypoalgesia literature. This review raises several important questions that need to be addressed while also demonstrating that acute exercise has a hypoalgesic effect on experimentally induced pain in healthy adults, and both a hypoalgesic and hyperalgesic effect in adults with chronic pain.
Dopamine pharmacokinetics in critically ill newborn infants

To compare clinical responses with plasma concentrations of dopamine and to compare dopamine pharmacokinetics in infants of different gestational age or clinical condition, dopamine was administered under carefully controlled conditions of dose and rate of infusion. The dose was increased stepwise from 1 to 2, to 2 to 4, and 4 to 8μg/kg/min. Plasma concentrations of catecholamines including dopamine, were compared with blood pressure, heart rate, and Doppler cardiac output. The data were analyzed to determine the threshold or minimal plasma concentration of dopamine necessary to produce discernlble effects. Plasma clearance rate was calculated from steady-state plasma concentrations. The average threshold for increases in mean arterial pressure was 50% below that for increases in heart rate. Improvements in arterial pressure were noted before and at lower thresholds than for increases in heart rate. Serial echocardiographic data showed dose-dependent increases in cardiac output and stroke volume without significant change in heart rate or systemic vascular resistance. Thresholds and plasma clearance values were similar in infants of gestational age 27 to 42 weeks and birth weights 900 to 4300 g. Administration of dopamine at initial dosages lower than commonly recommended, followed by incremental increase in dose, may be associated with improved leff ventricular performance with avoidance of undesirable fachycardia and arrhythmias.
Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1α Expression in Vivo and in Vitro: The Role of Lipoteichoic Acid

Abstract Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a component of the cell wall of most gram-positive bacteria, has been shown to play a significant role in the initiation and progression of bacterial infection. However, little is known of its position in the cytokine network involved in the induction and perpetuation of inflammation. In this study, we assessed whether the macrophage activating and chemotactic cytokine macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) was expressed in the setting of localized gram-positive infection. Furthermore, we determined whether LTA purified from either Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes could induce the expression of MIP-1α mRNA and protein from human blood monocytes. Immunohistochemical staining of human endocardial samples obtained from patients with acute S. aureus endocarditis revealed cell-associated MIP-1α expression by neutrophils, macrophages, and fibroblasts. Treatment of human peripheral blood monocytes in vitro with LTA isolated from either S. aureus or S. pyogenes resulted in both the time- and dose-dependent expression of MIP-1α mRNA. Similarly, staphylococcal and streptococcal LTA induced the dose-dependent production of MIP-1α protein after 24 h in culture. These studies suggest that LTA may play an important role in triggering the recruitment and activation of leukocytes that characterizes the host response to gram-positive bacterial invasion.
A Calculus for Data Mapping

Technologies for overcoming heterogeneities between autonomous data sources are key in the emerging networked world. In this paper we discuss the initial results of a formal investigation into the underpinnings of technologies for alleviating structural heterogeneity. At the core of structural heterogeneity is the data mapping problem: discovering effective mappings between structured representations of data. Automating the discovery of these mappings is one of the fundamental unsolved challenges for data interoperability, integration, and sharing. We introduce a novel data model and calculus for expressing data mappings between relational data sources, laying the ground for a better understanding of the data mapping problem. This research uncovers several new safety issues in data mapping languages. We discuss ongoing investigations of syntactic and semantic restrictions on the calculus to deal with these issues.
Regulation of human protein C gene expression by the mouse WAP promoter

A 4.1 kb mouse whey acidic protein (mWAP) promoter was cloned from a C57BL/6 cosmid library. The tissue-specific and developmental pattern of expression of a hybrid gene comprised of the mWAP promoter fragment and the human protein C (HPC) gene was analysed in transgenic mice. The corresponding RNA was detected mainly in the mammary gland, with ‘leakage’ of expression in the salivary gland and kidney. The developmental pattern of transgene expression differed from that of the endogenous WAP gene. In particular, recombinant HPC (rHPC) transcripts were detected earlier in pregnancy than WAP RNA, with no significant increase during lactation. This indicates that regulatory elements responsible for developmental regulation are located outside the 4.1 kb mWAP gene promoter fragment, or if present, may be subject to position effects. Precocious expression of the transgene did not compromise the health or nursing abilities of transgenic females. Expression of rHPC affected the appearance of the mammary alveoli and alveolar epithelial cells in lactating transgenic mice. The alveoli were less distended and alveolar epithelial cells appeared cuboidal with centrally positioned nuclei. We suggest that the inefficient intracellular processing of rHPC can alter the histological appearance of alveolar epithelial cells in the transgenic mammary gland.
Competence and scope of practice: Ethics and professional development

In this article, I discuss the importance of the psychotherapist's capacities and attributes that go beyond formal education and training as they relate to both readiness for clinical training and continued competence throughout one's professional life. Professional development is essential to the maintenance of professional competence as a psychotherapist. Principles and standards from the American Psychological Association's (2002) Ethics Code are reviewed and illustrated with clinical vignettes. In striving to maintain competence, psychotherapists are strongly encouraged to focus on proactive self-care and professional development in addition to complying with the formal continuing education mandated by most states.
Assessing costs and cost effectiveness of pneumococcal disease and vaccination within Kaiser Permanente.

Objective: To review studies of the costs of pneumococcal disease and the cost effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination conducted in association with the Kaiser Permanente Pneumococcal conjugate Efficacy Trial. Results: for each birth cohort of 3.8 million infants, routine pneumococcal conjugate vaccination program for healthy infants would prevent more than 12 000 (78% of potential) meningitis and bacteremia cases, 53 000 (69% of potential) pneumonia cases, and 1 million (8% of potential) otitis media episodes. Before accounting for vaccine costs, the vaccination program would reduce the costs of pneumococcal disease by $342 million in medical and $415 million in work-loss and other costs. Vaccination of healthy infants would result in net savings for society if the vaccine cost less than $46 per dose, and net savings for the health care payer if the vaccine cost less than $18 per dose.
Quantitative analysis of granule cell axons and climbing fiber afferents in the turtle cerebellar cortex.

The turtle cerebellar cortex is a single flat sheet of gray matter that greatly facilitates quantitative analysis of biotylinated dextran amine labeled granule cell and olivocerebellar axons and Nissl-stained granule and Purkinje neurons. On average, ascending granule cell axons are relatively thicker than their parallel fiber branches (mean±SD: 0.84±0.17 vs 0.64±0.12 µm, respectively). Numerous en passant swellings, the site of presynaptic contact, were present on both ascending and parallel fiber granule cell axons. The swellings on ascending axons (1.82±0.34 µm, n=52) were slightly larger than on parallel fibers (1.43±0.24 µm, n=430). In addition, per unit length (100 µm) there were more swellings on ascending axons (11.2±4.2) than on parallel fibers (9.7±4.2). Each parallel fiber branch from an ascending axon is approximately 1.5 mm long. Olivocerebellar climbing fiber axons followed the highly tortuous dendrites of Purkinje cells in the inner most 15–20% of the molecular layer. Climbing fibers displayed relatively fewer en passant swellings. The spatial perimeter of climbing fiber arbors (area) increased 72% from anteriorly (1797 µm2) to posteriorly (3090 µm2) and 104% from medially (1690 µm2) to laterally (3450 µm2). Differences in the size and spacing of en passant swellings on granule cell axons suggest that ascending axons may have a functionally more significant impact on the excitability of a limited number of radially overlying Purkinje cells than the single contacts by parallel fiber with multiple orthogonally aligned Purkinje cell dendrites. The spatially restricted distribution of climbing fibers to the inner most molecular layer, the paucity of en passant swellings, and different terminal arbor areas are enigmatic. Nevertheless, these finding provide important anatomical information for future optical imaging and electrophysiological experiments.
The role of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and prostaglandins in reducing blood pressure and improving thrombogenic indices.

Abstract Evidence linking dietary fats to blood pressure and thrombogenic indices is reviewed. Results of dietary studies performed at Beltsville, Maryland, have demonstrated that under controlled dietary conditions, i.e., when total fat intake is maintained at 25% fat calories with a P/S ratio of 1, at either a fixed or free-choice salt intake and where the body weight is maintained relatively constant, blood pressure can be lowered and platelet aggregation indices can be improved in men and women in the 40–60 age group. Results of a pilot epidemiologic study of farmers aged 40–45 in Finland and Italy generally confirm the experimental nutrition studies reported above. A possible explanation of these results based on the conversion of linoleic acid to prostaglandins as well as the physiological actions of prostaglandins is discussed.
Deposition of (Y2BaCuO5/YBa2Cu3O7−x) × N multilayer films on Ni-based textured substrates

Abstract Deposition of (Y2BaCuO5–0.5 nm/YBa2Cu3O7−x∼15 nm) × N multilayer films on rolling-assisted biaxially textured Ni-alloy (RABiTSTM) substrates was investigated, as a new candidate coated conductor architecture for improved flux pinning. Significant enhancements of critical current density (Jc) > 6-fold were measured for applied magnetic fields up to 7 T at 77 K, for multilayer films compared to YBa2Cu3O7−x—only films. By comparing Jc(H)/Jc(0 T) plots of films deposited on RABiTS and single-crystal substrates, the relative increase of Jc(H) from pinning was the same as measured on both substrates. This indicates the varying microstructural properties of the RABiTS templates were, on average, not adversely affecting the pinning enhancements.
A Novel Multifunctional Motif in the Amino-terminal A/B Domain of T3Rα Modulates DNA Binding and Receptor Dimerization

We reported previously that deletion of the 50-amino acid NH2-terminal A/B domain of the chicken (c) or rat thyroid hormone (T3) receptor-α (T3Rα) decreased the T3-dependent stimulation of genes regulated by native thyroid hormone response elements (TREs). This requirement of the NH2-terminal A/B domain for transcriptional activation was mapped to amino acids 21–30 of cT3Rα. Expression of transcription factor IIB (TFIIB) in cells was shown to enhance T3-dependent transcriptional activation by cT3Rα, and this enhancement by TFIIB was dependent on the same 10-amino acid sequence. In vitro binding studies indicated that cT3Rα interacts efficiently with TFIIB, and this interaction requires amino acids 23KRKRK27 in the A/B domain. In this study we document the functional importance of these five basic residues in transcriptional activation by cT3Rα, further supporting the biological significance of these residues and their interaction with TFIIB. Interestingly, we also find that the same amino acids also affect DNA binding and dimerization of cT3Rα. Gel mobility shift assays reveal that a cT3Rα mutant that has all five basic amino acids changed from23KRKRK27 to 23TITIT27 binds to a palindromic TRE predominantly as a homodimer, whereas cT3Rα with the wild-type23KRKRK27 sequence binds predominantly as a monomer. This results from both a marked decrease in the ability of the cT3Rα mutant to bind as a monomer and from an enhanced ability to dimerize as reflected by an increase in DNA-bound T3R-retinoic X receptor heterodimers. These effects of23KRKRK27 on DNA binding, dimerization, transcriptional activation, and the association of T3Rα with TFIIB support the notion that this basic amino acid motif may influence the overall structure and function of T3Rα and, thus, play a role in determining the distinct context-dependent transactivation potentials of the individual T3R isoforms.
Proton Transfer Reactivity of Large Multiply Charged Ions

Charge-charge interactions dramatically influence the dissociation and proton transfer reactivity of large multiply protonated ions. In combination with tandem mass spectrometry, proton transfer reactions have been used to determine the charge state of an ion and to increase the effective mass resolution of electrospray ionization mass spectra. A model for the proton transfer reactivity of multiply protonated ions, in which protons are assigned to specific sites in an ion based on the intrinsic reactivity of the site and the sum of point-charge Coulomb interactions between charges, is discussed. In combination with experimentally measured rates of proton transfer to bases of known gas-phase basicity, information about the intramolecular electrostatic interactions, gas-phase ion conformation and maximum charge state of an ion produced by electrospray ionization can be obtained.
Darwin and the evolutionary foundations of society

Abstract Although Charles Darwin never presented an explicit theory of society he wrote extensively on topics related to the origin and evolution of society. His ideas were influenced by classical economists, especially Adam Smith. His naturalistic and comparative studies on diverse societies affected his views on social and economic progress. His research on developmental psychology addressed fundamental issues in the evolution of social behavior. Much influenced by Adam Smith, he related the origin of the moral sentiments and the social instincts to evolutionary theory. Recognizing that families as well as organisms are ontological individuals that can be selected, he explained self-sacrifice largely by competition between groups, and downplayed reciprocity.
Signal detection with noisy reference for passive sensing

In many detection applications, the signal to be detected, referred to as target signal, is not directly available. A reference channel (RC) is often deployed to collect a noise-contaminated version of the target signal to serve as a reference, which is then used to assist detecting the presence/absence of the target signal in a test channel (TC). A standard approach is to cross-correlate (CC) the signals received in the TC and RC, respectively. When the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the RC is high, the CC behaves like the optimum matched filter. However, when the SNR in the RC is low, the CC detector suffers significant degradation. This paper considers the above detection problem with a noisy reference signal. We propose four detectors based on the generalized likelihood ratio test principle, by treating the unknown target signal to be deterministic or stochastic and under conditions whether the noise variance is known or unknown. Our results demonstrate that the noise in the RC has an impact on the achievable detection performance. However, when the reference signal is noisy, three of the proposed detectors offer substantial improvements in detection performance over the CC detector. HighlightsExamined the problem of signal detection with a noisy reference signal.Proposed 4 new signal detectors by taking into account the noisy nature of the reference signal.Considered cases when the noise variance is known or unknown and when the signal to be detected is modeled as deterministic or random.Proposed techniques are shown to outperform the conventional cross-correlation based detector which ignores the noise in the reference signal.
Odor sensitivity and respiratory complaint profiles in a community-based sample with asthma, hay fever, and chemical odor intolerance:

This is a community-based study of odor sensitivity and respiratory complaints for persons reporting asthma (n=14/141), hay fever (n=72/140), and chemical odor intolerance (CI) (n=41/181). CI, a sy...
Measuring gaps in reentry service delivery through program director and participant reports.

Delivery of services and programs to individuals who are incarcerated and those who have been released recently often falls short of expectations formed during the program planning stage. When prog...
Adjustment of the Summer Marine Boundary Layer around Point Sur, California

An instrumented C-130 aircraft flew over water around Point Sur, California, on 17 June 1996 under strong northwest wind conditions and a strong marine inversion. Patterns were flown from 30- to 1200-m elevation and up to 120 km offshore. Nearshore, marine air accelerated past Point Sur, reaching a surface maximum of 17 ms 21 in the lee. Winds measured over water in and above the marine layer were alongshore with no significant cross-shore flow. Sea level pressure, 10-m air temperature, and air temperature inversion base generally decreased toward the coast and were an absolute minimum just downcoast of the wind speed maximum. The sea surface temperature also decreased toward the coast, but was an absolute minimum directly off Point Sur. The nearcoast, air temperature inversion base height was 400 m north of Point Sur, decreased to a minimum of 50 m in the lee of Point Sur, then increased farther to the south. Wind speeds were at a maximum centered along the air temperature inversion base; the fastest was 27 m s 21 in the lee of Point Sur. Using a Froude number calculation that includes the lower half of the capping layer, the marine layer in the area is determined to have been supercritical. Most of the marine layer had Froude numbers between 1.0 and 2.0 with the extreme range of 0.8‐2.8. Temperatures in the air temperature inversion in the lee were substantially greater than elsewhere, modifying the surface pressure gradient. The overall structure was a hydraulic supercritical expansion fan in the lee of Point Sur under the influence of rotation and surface friction. The Naval Research Laboratory nonhydrostatic Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) indicated a broad, supercritical marine boundary layer moving to the south along central California and Point Sur during the aircraft flight. The marine boundary layer thinned and accelerated into the lee of Point Sur, which was the site of the fastest sea level wind speed along central California. Isotherms dip and speeds decreased in the lee of Point Sur in the capping inversion well above the marine layer. COAMPS forecasted a compression shock wave initiating off the upwind side of the topography behind Point Sur and other coastal points to the north. Evidence from the model and the aircraft supports the existence of an oblique hydraulic jump on the north side of Point Sur.
An iterative least-square based technique for high resolution source reconstruction with phaseless near field scan data

Summary form only given. Due to continuous increasing operating frequency and shrinking component scale, considerable attention has been drawn to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and signal integrity (SI) problems in microelectronics. To solve these problems, near field scan (NFS) is adopted to locate radiating sources on devices under test (DUT). During the NFS process, ultra close-to-surface scan is required to enhance the resolution of scanned images due to the evanescing nature of electromagnetic fields. To compensate for the evanescence effect, recently inversion techniques have been employed. Inversion methods consider the radiating model of DUTs and reconstruct radiating sources based on scanned fields. The advantages of inversion methods including more flexibility for scan height and higher resolution on reconstructed images. However, conventional inversion methods require both magnitude and phase information of scanned fields. Obtaining phase information of near fields will dramatically increase the complexity and/or time of a NFS process. One possible way to overcome this problem is to utilize only the magnitude of radiated fields during inversion process. Unfortunately this attempt will result in solving a set of nonlinear equations which significantly increases the computational complexity of this problem. This work proposes an iterative least-square based technique that can reconstruct sources on DUTs without the needs for phase information of its radiated fields. This method searches for the solutions that approximate magnitudes of scanned fields. However, instead of forming a nonlinear system, this method leads to a linear system with the help of Taylor expansion. Therefore, iterative methods can be used to obtain least-square solutions to the newly formed linear system. Examples including synthetic and experiment data show competitive advantages of this method over conventional inversion methods when only magnitude information of scanned fields is available. Detail information on algorithm as well as examples that demonstrates the effectiveness of this method will be presented.
Comparative Diastereoselectivity Analysis of Crotylindium and 3-Bromoallylindium Additions to alpha-Oxy Aldehydes in Aqueous and Nonaqueous Solvent Systems.

The couplings of crotyl bromide (1) and 1,3-dibromopropene (2) to a triad of conformationally unrestricted α-oxy aldehydes in water, aqueous THF (1:1), and anhydrous THF are described. In no example involving 1 was the formation of anti,syn product detected. The proportion of syn isomers reached a maximum (syn/anti = 5.6:1) when the neighboring hydroxyl group was unprotected and water was the reaction medium. Although internal chelation also operates to some degree with 2, considerable erosion of this mechanistic pathway (maximum now only 2:1) in favor of Felkin and “anti-Felkin” transition states is reflected in the product distributions. This trend can be synthetically advantageous, and a utilitarian example is demonstrated. The indium reagents studied here are notably efficient nucleophilic reaction partners in water.
PKC, p42/44 MAPK and p38 MAPK regulate hepatocyte growth factor secretion from human astrocytoma cells.

Abstract Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c-Met are expressed in inappropriately high abundance in gliomas and are further upregulated during the transition from low- to high-grade malignancy. In these cells HGF induces expression of c-Met via PKC, Ras and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Here we report that secretion and expression of HGF in U87 astrocytoma is increased by a PKC activator, PMA, an effect which is abolished by a PKC inhibitor, Go6976, specific for PKCα and PKCβ1. Activating PKA by forskolin, on the other hand, had no effect. Furthermore, messenger molecule downstream of PKC, i.e. MEK mediates such effect of PKC as specific MEK inhibitors (PD98059 and U0126) abolished PMA induced HGF secretion by U87 cells. Accordingly, PMA induced rapid phosphorylation of MEK substrate, i.e. Erk1/2 (p42/44 MAPK). In addition, such effect of PKC is Ras-dependent as specific Ras inhibitor L-744,832 attenuated both PMA mediated induction of Erk 1/2 phosphorylation as well as HGF secretion. Moreover, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) almost completely inhibited basal HGF secretion to an undetectable level. Increased secretion of HGF is most likely exerted at the transcriptional level since inhibitor of transcription, actinomycin D abolished such increase. Furthermore, when assessed by Northern blot analysis, PMA increased HGF transcripts while U0127 and SB203580 inhibited. Therefore, our data reveal that HGF secretion in U87 cells is regulated by Ras-dependent PKC, MEK cascade and in parallel by p38 MAPK pathway. Since the Raf–PKC–MEK cascade is used for HGF’s signaling via its receptor in astrocytoma cells, our data revealing similar regulatory mechanism for HGF secretion in these cells would help to explain the feed forward nature of HGF action in glioma cells that would further accentuate its basal secretion, exacerbating its effects on the progression of gliomas in an autocrine fashion.
Candidate genes for hypertension: Insights from the Dahl S rat

Human genetic linkage and association studies have nominated many genes as possible contributors to disease. Mutating or deleting these genes in a relevant disease model can validate their association with disease and potentially uncover novel mechanisms of pathogenesis. Targeted genetic mutagenesis has only recently been developed in the rat, and this technique has been applied in the Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rat to investigate human candidate genes associated with hypertension. This mini-review communicates the findings of these studies and displays how targeted genetic mutagenesis may contribute to the discovery of novel therapies for patients.
Vibrissal Midbrain Loops

The midbrain consists of the tectum and the tegmentum. The tectum comprises the inferior colliculus and superior colliculus. The tegmentum contains several areas including the periaqueductal gray, mesencephalic reticular formation (aka, deep mesencephalic nucleus), cuneiform nucleus (also commonly referred in rodents as deep mesencephalic nucleus), laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT), pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPT), red nucleus, substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area.
Positive politeness as discourse process: politeness practices of high-functioning children with autism and Asperger Syndrome

This study draws upon naturalistic ethnographic data to expand current understandings regarding the socio-communicative capabilities and challenges of children with autism spectrum disorders in mid-childhood. Affording a view of the children’s spontaneous interactions within naturally occurring family and community settings, the study explores a range of discursive resources utilized by the children to accomplish socially reciprocal positive politeness practices in tandem with others. Emphasizing contextualized deployment of politeness forms in interaction, the practice-based conception developed here construes positive politeness as a discursive process encompassing both socio-cultural and interpersonal knowledge/skills; and contributes to a perspective in which social and communicative realms are conceptualized as integrated domains of functioning.
Cultures of Inquiry: From Epistemology to Discourse in Sociohistorical Research

Prologue 1. Introduction Part I. Formative Discourses: 2. Value discourse and the object of inquiry 3. Narrative cultures and inquiry 4. The conceptual possibilities of social theoretical discourse 5. The core of explanation and interpretation as formative discourse Part II. Practices of Inquiry: 6. Discursive hybrids of practice: an introductory schema 7. Generalizing practices of inquiry 8. Particularizing practices of inquiry 9. The prospects of inquiry.
Thermal Entry for Low Reynolds Number Turbulent Flow

Thermal entry problem solution for low Reynolds number turbulent gas flow based on Reynolds number dependent velocity profile
Using insulin pump therapy in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

Purpose The purpose of this pilot/feasibility study was to evaluate the use of insulin regimens among individuals with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. In addition, a secondary aim was to build the body of evidence regarding the use of insulin pumps in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods The setting was a suburban private endocrinology practice. Patients were a convenience sample of 15 adults, aged 40 to 64 years with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, as defined by a hemoglobin A1C (A1C) of 8% or higher when continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) was initiated. Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year A1C, body mass index (BMI), basal and bolus insulin use, and number of office visits were collected through medical record review. Descriptive, independent, and paired t tests were used to evaluate data. Results A significant reduction in basal insulin use was found. Significant reductions in A1Cs were found at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. A significant increase in BMI was noted. Conclusions Results indicated improvement in glycemic control with CSII for some patients with an associated increase in BMI. Reduction of basal insulin use was significant and, for some, cost effective using CSII. Current policies regarding CSII use in patients with type 2 diabetes need to be re-evaluated.
Effect of Fictive Temperature on Dynamic Fatigue Behavior of Silica and Soda‐Lime Glasses

The dynamic fatigue characteristics of silica glasses with fictive temperatures of 1000°, 1100°, and 1300°C and soda-lime glasses with fictive temperatures of 470° and 530°C were measured in air. For both glasses, samples with higher fictive temperatures had a greater fatigue resistance. Inert strength of silica glasses with flctive temperatures of 1000° and 1300°C was also measured at liquid nitrogen temperature. Glass with higher flctive temperature had a greater inert strength.
PDGFRβ reverses EphB4 signaling in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS) is an aggressive myogenic childhood malignancy, not infrequently presenting as incurable metastatic disease. To identify therapeutic targets, we performed an unbiased tyrosine kinome RNA interference screen in primary cell cultures from a genetically engineered, conditional mouse model of aRMS. We identified ephrin receptor B4 (EphB4) as a target that is widely expressed in human aRMS and that portends a poor clinical outcome in an expression level-dependent manner. We also uncovered cross-talk of this ephrin receptor with another receptor tyrosine kinase, PDGFRβ, which facilitates PDGF ligand-dependent, ephrin ligand-independent activation of EphB4 converging on the Akt and Erk1/2 pathways. Conversely, EphB4 activation by its cognate ligand, EphrinB2, did not stimulate PDGFRβ; instead, apoptosis was paradoxically induced. Finally, we showed that small-molecule inhibition of both PDGFRβ and EphB4 by dasatinib resulted in a significant decrease in tumor cell viability in vitro, as well as decreased tumor growth rate and significantly prolonged survival in vivo. To our knowledge, these results are the first to identify EphB4 and its cross-talk with PDGFRβ as unexpected vital determinants of tumor cell survival in aRMS, with EphB4 at the crux of a bivalent signaling node that is either mitogenic or proapoptotic.
The role of zeros in the performance of multiinput, multioutput feedback systems

A review of the early history attached to the idea of zeros for systems with multiple inputs and outputs is provided. A discussion of the consensus definitions for such zeros is given together with the ways in which they are involved in control thinking and control applications. A control zero principle and a control pole principle explain the intuitive way in which zeros and poles influence the performance of feedback systems. These are presented in the multivariable case by means of a pair of new results, this provides a framework to unify the overall presentation. Zeros at infinity are introduced; the causality of controllers is fitted onto place; and developments in time-varying zeros, nonlinear zeros, and generic zeroes are described. >
Inference on Treatment Effects after Selection among High-Dimensional Controls

We propose robust methods for inference about the effect of a treatment variable on a scalar outcome in the presence of very many regressors in a model with possibly non-Gaussian and heteroscedastic disturbances. We allow for the number of regressors to be larger than the sample size. To make informative inference feasible, we require the model to be approximately sparse; that is, we require that the effect of confounding factors can be controlled for up to a small approximation error by including a relatively small number of variables whose identities are unknown. The latter condition makes it possible to estimate the treatment effect by selecting approximately the right set of regressors. We develop a novel estimation and uniformly valid inference method for the treatment effect in this setting, called the “post-double-selection” method. The main attractive feature of our method is that it allows for imperfect selection of the controls and provides confidence intervals that are valid uniformly across a large class of models. In contrast, standard post-model selection estimators fail to provide uniform inference even in simple cases with a small, fixed number of controls. Thus, our method resolves the problem of uniform inference after model selection for a large, interesting class of models. We also present a generalization of our method to a fully heterogeneous model with a binary treatment variable. We illustrate the use of the developed methods with numerical simulations and an application that considers the effect of abortion on crime rates.
Adaptive Quadrilateral Mesh Refinement Considering Combined Static And Modal Load Cases

This paper concludes recent work in adaptive refinement of quadrilateral finite element meshes. The overall goal of the project was to improve adaptive refinement for a class of analyses typical of automotive body design—mostly-quadrilateral meshes created using modern, fully-automatic mesh generators. In addition, it was desired to improve upon available error estimation techniques. All of the error estimation techniques in use today—and there aren’t many—are based upon the error in energy rather than in typical response values such as displacements or frequencies. Specifically, this project produced improved software for adapting quadrilateral meshes and new software for calculating errors in response quantities in static and modal analyses. Although this software is preliminary and not commercial-quality, it has been integrated with HyperMesh to allow a userfriendly interface for easier, more reliable testing. The previous papers have dealt with static examples, modal examples, and problems in which multiple modes are considered in the mesh adaptivity. This final paper deals with an example problem with both a static load condition combined with a modal load case. A
Transnational Relations Between Perceived Parental Acceptance and Personality Dispositions of Children and Adults A Meta-Analytic Review

Three questions drawn from parental acceptance–rejection theory were addressed: (a) Are children’s perceptions of parental acceptance transnationally associated with specific personality dispositio...
A NON-EXTENDABLE BOUNDED LINEAR MAP BETWEEN C * -ALGEBRAS

We present an example of a which does not admit any bounded linear extension. This generalizes the result of Robertson and gives the answer to a problem raised by Pisier. Using the same idea, we compute the exactness constants of some Q-spaces. This solves a problem raised by Oikhberg. We also construct a Q-space which is not locally reflexive.AMS 2000 Mathematics subject classification: Primary 46L05. Secondary 46L07
Characterization of single wall carbon nanotubes by nonane preadsorption

Abstract The preferential blocking of the interior adsorption sites of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by n -nonane is demonstrated. Following adsorption of n -nonane and evacuation for 24 h at 323 K, it was found that interior sites with diameters less than ∼14 A remained filled with n -nonane, blocking the physical adsorption of N 2 on these sites at 77.3 K. We demonstrate that “nonane blocking” is a very useful technique for nanotube porosity characterization.
Vector sum excited linear prediction (VSELP) speech coding at 8 kbps

The vector sum excited linear prediction speech coder is presented. It utilizes a codebook with a structure that allows for a very efficient search procedure. Other advantages of the VSELP codebook structure are discussed, and a detailed description of an 8-kb/s VSELP coder is given. This coder was selected by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) as the standard for use in North American digital cellular telephone systems. The coder uses two VSELP excitation codebooks, a gain quantizer which is robust to channel errors, and a novel adaptive pre/postfilter arrangement. >
Higher Intensity of Purifying Selection on >90% of the Human Genes Revealed by the Intrinsic Replacement Mutation Rates

For over 3 decades, the rate of replacement mutations has been assumed to be equal to, and estimated from, the rate of "strictly" neutral sequence divergence in noncoding regions and in silent-codon positions where mutations do not alter the amino acid encoded. This assumption is fundamental to estimating the fraction of harmful protein mutations and to identifying adaptive evolution at individual codons and proteins. We show that the assumption is not justifiable because a much larger fraction of codon positions is involved in hypermutable CpG dinucleotides as compared with the introns, leading to a higher expected replacement mutation rate per site in a vast majority of the genes. Consideration of this difference reveals a higher intensity of purifying natural selection than previously inferred in human genes. We also show that a much smaller number of genes are expected to be evolving with positive selection than that predicted using sequence divergence at intron and silent positions in the human genome. These patterns indicate the need for using new approaches for estimating rates of amino acid-altering mutations in order to find positively selected genes and codons in genomes that contain hypermutable CpG's.
Phenology and flight periodicity of Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) in central New York, U.S.A.

Field and laboratory studies were performed to determine the phenology of flight activity and the thermal requirements for adult emergence of Sirex noctilio. Degree-day (DD) accumulation from egg to adult was measured in bolts of Pinus sylvestris infested with eggs from laboratory-reared adults. Adult emergence was similarly monitored in bolts from trees that were naturally infested in the field by wild populations of S. noctilio reared at constant temperature. Laboratory-infested bolts produced mostly males, whereas field-collected material produced a 2.7 : 1 male-biased sex ratio. Mean DDs to emergence was 1477.0 ± 13.4 (males) in laboratory-infested bolts, as well as 1455.2 ± 11.2 (males) and 1577.8 ± 19.5 (females) in field-collected material. Field-trapping studies were conducted to compare flight activity with rearing data. Trap captures showed first flight activity and peak catch occurred at 709 and 1145 DDs. The resulting degree-day model predicts early flight activity in early to mid-April for pine stands in southeastern U.S.A., early to mid-May in the Mid-Atlantic region, and late June to early July in the northeast.
Enumeration of some microbial groups in thermophilic poultry waste digesters and enrichment of a feather-degrading culture.

Methane-producing, cellulolytic, feather-degrading, and total anaerobic microbial populations were enumerated in four laboratory-scale (l l) thermophilic (50°C) poultry waste digesters over a 40d period. Four different operation conditions were: 5 d retention time (RT), 6% volatile solids (VS); 5 d RT, 3% VS; 10 d RT, 6% VS; and 10 d RT, 3% VS. Laying hen manure was the sole source of substrate and micro-organisms. At theoretical steady state (day 40) the biogas volumetric rate was near 3.0 l/l digester volume (l/l/d) in all but the 10 d RT, 3% VS digester which was 2 l/l/d. The total viable anaerobic population was > 106 cfu/ml digester fluid at the first sampling and stabilized at 107–108 cfu/ml between days 20 and 40 in all digesters. Methane-producing bacteria increased from ≤ 10/ml early in the sampling period to 105/ml at steady state in all but the 5 d RT, 3% VS digester which was highest at 107/ml. Cellulolytic micro-organisms were low throughout the 40 d, generally less than 10/ml. Feather-degrading micro-organisms ranged from near 102–105 at steady state and were decreasing in number near day 40 in all but the 10 d RT, 6% VS digester which maintained 105/ml after day 20. A feather-degrading culture was enriched from this digester and subsequently adapted to grow in a medium with feather as the sole source of carbon. Results of this study provide information regarding potential biological upgrading of poultry waste digesters for increased operational efficiency and potential industrial application of a feather-hydrolytic micro-organism.
Modeling pionic fusion

Recently observed rare heavy ion fusion processes, where the entire available energy is carried away by a single pion, is an example of extreme collectivity in nuclear reactions. We calculate the cross section in the approximation of sudden overlap, modeling the initial and final nuclei by moving harmonic oscillator potentials. This allows for a fully quantum-mechanical treatment, exact conservation of linear and angular momenta and fulfillment of the Pauli principle. The results are in satisfactory agreement with data. Mass number dependence and general trends of the process are discussed.
Dynamics of gonadotropin-releasing hormone release during a pulse.

This study examined the nature of the GnRH signal that travels down the pituitary portal vessels and causes an LH pulse. Individual GnRH pulses were described in terms of abruptness of increase and decrease, amplitude, duration, and amount of GnRH released. Pituitary portal blood was obtained at 30-set intervals for 2.5 or 5 h from five short-term ovariec- tomized ewes. Jugular blood was sampled every 10 min for LH. We examined 13 GnRH pulses; each produced an LH pulse. The contour of most GnRH pulses approximated a square wave. The rising edge of the GnRH pulse was very abrupt; GnRH secretion increased as much as 50-fold within 1 min. The mean peak amount of GnRH collected during pulses (24 pg/min, range 2- 66) was 70-fold greater than the interpulse baseline (0.2-0.5 pg/ min). The release period was sustained an average of 5.5 min; thereafter, GnRH fell to prepulse levels within 3 min. Overall, the larger and more prolonged pulses of GnRH were associated with higher amplitude LH pulses. To assess the distortion of the GnRH signal by the collection procedure, samples were obtained in vitro using the same technique during application of 4- and 7-min square wave GnRH pulses by means of a syringe pump. Signals were carried as square-waves through the sampling op- eration with minimal distortion, with the exception that ampli- tude decreased during the collection procedure. Our findings indicate the square-wave pulses observed in vivo are an accurate description of the dynamics of GnRH release during a pulse in short-term ovariectomized ewes. (Endocrinology 130: 503-510, 1992)