cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of a standardized runoff index for characterizing hydrologic drought

[1] Many current metrics of drought are derived solely from analyses of climate variables such as precipitation and temperature. Drought is clearly a consequence of climate anomalies, as well as of human water use practices, but many impacts to society are more directly related to hydrologic conditions resulting from these two factors. Modern hydrology models can provide a valuable counterpart to existing climate-based drought indices by simulating hydrologic variables such as land surface runoff. We contrast the behavior of a standardized runoff index (SRI) with that of the well-known standardized precipitation index (SPI) during drought events in a snowmelt region. Although the SRI and SPI are similar when based on long accumulation periods, the SRI incorporates hydrologic processes that determine seasonal lags in the influence of climate on streamflow. As a result, on monthly to seasonal time scales, the SRI is a useful complement to the SPI for depicting hydrologic aspects of drought.
Low Levels of LTR Retrotransposon Deletion by Ectopic Recombination in the Gigantic Genomes of Salamanders

Across the tree of life, species vary dramatically in nuclear genome size. Mutations that add or remove sequences from genomes—insertions or deletions, or indels—are the ultimate source of this variation. Differences in the tempo and mode of insertion and deletion across taxa have been proposed to contribute to evolutionary diversity in genome size. Among vertebrates, most of the largest genomes are found within the salamanders, an amphibian clade with genome sizes ranging from ~14 to ~120 Gb. Salamander genomes have been shown to experience slower rates of DNA loss through small (i.e., <30 bp) deletions than do other vertebrate genomes. However, no studies have addressed DNA loss from salamander genomes resulting from larger deletions. Here, we focus on one type of large deletion—ectopic-recombination-mediated removal of LTR retrotransposon sequences. In ectopic recombination, double-strand breaks are repaired using a “wrong” (i.e., ectopic, or non-allelic) template sequence—typically another locus of similar sequence. When breaks occur within the LTR portions of LTR retrotransposons, ectopic-recombination-mediated repair can produce deletions that remove the internal transposon sequence and the equivalent of one of the two LTR sequences. These deletions leave a signature in the genome—a solo LTR sequence. We compared levels of solo LTRs in the genomes of four salamander species with levels present in five vertebrates with smaller genomes. Our results demonstrate that salamanders have low levels of solo LTRs, suggesting that ectopic-recombination-mediated deletion of LTR retrotransposons occurs more slowly than in other vertebrates with smaller genomes.
The growth rate of tooth germ in newly-born rats injected with cortisone acetate

Abstract The effects of cortisone acetate (subcutaneous injection of approximately 40 mg/kg) were studied in very young rats. This dosage resulted in retardation of weight gain, damage to skin and hair follicles, and increased mortality. Cortisone also retarded the growth of the tooth germ as a whole. The ameloblast and odontoblast layers were thinner in cortisone-treated animals, but the dentine layer was of normal thickness. The number of red blood cells was not affected by cortisone, but the decrease in the number of lymphocytes was striking. Atrophy of the adrenal cortex and reduction of lymphoid tissue in the thymus was observed in cortisone-treated animals. On the 8th day, these animals also showed reduced haemopoietic tissue in spleen, liver, and femur. It is concluded that cortisone in immunosuppressive doses cannot be used safely in the very young animal.
Effects of voluntary and forced exercise on lordosis behavior in female rats

We measured sexual behavior (lordosis) in ovariectomized, steroid-treated, exercising female rats. When estradiol-treated animals exercised voluntarily, lordosis was directly related to the amount of exercise. Forced exercise (swimming) following treatment with estradiol 17 beta and progesterone significantly increased lordosis scores but only after animals swam for 2.5 hr per day. Lordosis behavior returned to baseline levels 7 weeks after forced exercise was stopped. Circulating levels of estrogen and progesterone measured immediately after behavioral testing did not differ between animals forced to exercise and their controls. The mechanisms responsible for the increase in lordosis behavior following exercise are unclear. It is possible that a change in body composition, a change in neural sensitivity to gonadal steroids, and/or changes in pituitary or adrenal function contribute to the increased lordosis behavior in exercised animals.
Resolving the paradox of the active user: stable suboptimal performance in interactive tasks

This paper brings the intellectual tools of cognitive science to bear on resolving the “paradox of the active user” [Interfacing Thought: Cognitive Aspects of Human–Computer Interaction, Cambridge, MIT Press, MA, USA]—the persistent use of inefficient procedures in interactive tasks by experienced or even expert users when demonstrably more efficient procedures exist. The goal of this paper is to understand the roots of this paradox by finding regularities in these inefficient procedures. We examine three very different data sets. For each data set, we first satisfy ourselves that the preferred procedures used by some subjects are indeed less efficient than the recommended procedures. We then amass evidence, for each set, and conclude that when a preferred procedure is used instead of a more efficient, recommended procedure, the preferred procedure tends to have two major characteristics: (1) the preferred procedure is a well-practiced, generic procedure that is applicable either within the same task environment in different contexts or across different task environments, and (2) the preferred procedure is composed of interactive components that bring fast, incremental feedback on the external problem states. The support amassed for these characteristics leads to a new understanding of the paradox. In interactive tasks, people are biased towards the use of general procedures that start with interactive actions. These actions require much less cognitive effort as each action results in an immediate change to the external display that, in turn, cues the next action. Unfortunately for the users, the bias to use interactive unit tasks leads to a path that requires more effort in the long run. Our data suggest that interactive behavior is composed of a series of distributed choices; that is, people seldom make a once-and-for-all decision on procedures. This series of biased selection of interactive unit tasks often leads to a stable suboptimal level of performance.
Cytokine mRNA Expression in the Rabbit Ileal Loop Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis † 582

Mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) are not well understood. Prematurity, ischemia, presence of bacteria and substrate in the intestine have all been implicated in this disease process. The role of bacteria in eliciting a proinflammatory cytokine response has been widely reported, and elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-8 and IL-6 have been demonstrated in blood and tissue samples from babies with NEC. In the current study, we examined the expression of cytokine mRNAs in response to defined bacterial insults in the rabbit gut. An E. coli strain was used to produce NEC-like injury in the weanling rabbit ileal loop model using our previously reported protocols (Pediatr Res 36:115-21, 1994). Control and diseased ileal tissue samples were obtained from multiple loops in 4 rabbits 16-24 hours after bacterial infection and quickly frozen in liquid nitrogen for RNA extraction and further analysis. Expression of cytokine mRNAs was examined by Reverse Transcriptase- Polymerase Chain Reaction using rabbit-specific primers and quantified in a fluorimager. Each cytokine was normalized against β-actin. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the expression of IL-8 in infected loops. The mean value of IL-8 in E. coli infected loops was 0.34 (SEM 0.05) compared to 0.19 (SEM 0.04) in controls [p < 0.05]. For IL-1β, the mean value was 0.21 (SEM 0.09) compared to 0.12 (SEM 0.05) in controls [p = NS]. In contrast to the increased expression of IL-8 and IL-1β, the infected loops had a value of 0.16 (SEM 0.04) compared to 0.19 (SEM 0.05) in uninfected controls for IL-6 [p= NS]. Although IL-6 has been implicated in inflammatory states, its inhibitory effect on TNF and IL-1β has also been reported (Aderka et al.J Immunol 143:3517-23, 1989; Barton et al. Infect Immun 60:749-53, 1992). Failure to upregulate IL-6 as observed in our system may potentiate proinflammatory cytokines and may contribute to the pathogenesis of NEC.
Technological expectations and adoption of improved technology

Abstract Attention is focused upon the adoption (demand) rather than the creation (supply) of new technology, which improves from time to time. Based on the expected flow of technological progress over which the firm (demander) has no control, it must decide either to adopt the current best available technology or to postpone adoption. The distinguishing features of the model are that more than one technological innovation is anticipated and expectations about the likelihood of such innovations are revised as time passes since the last innovation. Our analysis shows that the firm will adopt the current best practice if its technological lag exceeds a certain threshold; moreover, as time passes without new technological advances it may become profitable to purchase a technology that has been available even though it was not profitable to do so in the past.
Effect of Medicare Home Health Care Payment on Informal Care

This paper assesses the effect of payment caps for Medicare home health care on the use of informal care by older adults with functional limitations. We find that individuals exposed to more restrictive payment caps offset reductions in Medicare home health care with increased informal care, although we only observe this effect for lower-income individuals. This suggests that home care payment restrictions may have increased the caregiving burden on some low-income families, but that many higher-income families were able to either forgo the care or finance it privately. Home care payment policies should recognize these effects, balancing costs of the program with the desire to protect families from the burdens associated with providing informal home care.
Constitutive design equations for thermal creep deformation of HT-9

Abstract In this paper, we present the results of analysis of data provided by SANDVIK Steel Research Center for the high temperature properties of HT-9. We develop design equations for use in inelastic structural mechanics applications, for the most important thermal creep parameters. Empirical correlations for creep rupture time and the complete description of elongation vs. time are presented. A phenomenological description of steady-state creep is also developed. It is found that dislocation creep can explain the measured data.
Influence of stereoregularity on precipitation fractionation of poly(vinyl chloride) in THF-H2O

Abstract Anomalies during precipitation fractionation of PVC from THF solution with H20 as nonsolvent were investigated by using GPC and solution infrared techniques. The data indicate that separation during the fractionation takes place by both stereoregularity and molecular weight because of the formation of molecular aggregates during the precipitation and collection of fractions. The separation by stereoregularity dominates at the beginning of the fractionation. The aggregates formed at this point are comprised of highly syndiotactic molecular segments which tend to precipitate before segments of lower stereo-regularity but higher molecular weight. For the first few fractions, molecular weights recorded may be seriously overestimated unless care is taken to disperse the aggregates by appropriate heating of the solutions used for GPC characterizations. After 25-30% of the polymer precipitates, the fractionation becomes independent of stereoregularity and proceeds according to molecular weight. While th...
In vivo effect of interleukin-1α on colony-stimulating factor-1 gene expression in the dental follicle of the rat molar

Abstract Interleukin-1 α (IL-1 α ) acts in vitro to enhance the gene expression of colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) of dental follicle cells. Because the dental follicle is required for tooth eruption and because CSF-1 appears to be a key molecule in initiating eruption, it was the aim of this study to determine if IL-1 α could enhance the expression of the CSF-1 gene in the dental follicle in vivo . To determine this, rats were injected with IL-1 α at different ages postnatally and the total RNA was isolated from the dental follicles of the first mandibular molars. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that IL-1 α enhanced the expression of CSF-1 in the follicle. Thus, IL-1 α may play a part in the cascade of molecular signals that initiate eruption by its effect upon the CSF-1 gene.
Practice Trends in the Diagnosis and Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in the United States

AbstractPurpose: The American Urological Association (AUA) first commissioned the Gallup Organization of Princeton, New Jersey to conduct a study to assess urologists' practice patterns in 1992.Materials and Methods: In August 1994 a random sample of 514 American urologists was surveyed by the Gallup Organization regarding practice patterns for the diagnosis and management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It asked questions regarding the practice patterns of respondents in their diagnosis and management of BPH.Results: The survey revealed that 99 percent of the respondents were aware of and used the AUA symptom score index, and that 21 percent of these respondents had altered their diagnosis and management strategies because of its existence.Conclusions: Therapeutic recommendations of the respondents based upon AUA symptom score index severity parallel the recently announced federal Agency for Health Care Policy and Research BPH practice guidelines.
We have never been postmodern: Latour, Foucault and the material of knowledge

In We Have Never Been Modern Bruno Latour challenges the intellectual community to find an alternative to modernism that does not privilege either the discursive or the material in the construction of knowledge. A central aspect of his thesis is the rejection of postmodernism as a version of linguistic constructionism. I challenge his assessment of one postmodern, Michel Foucault, by arguing that Foucault's work successfully integrates the discursive and the material. Focusing on Foucault's theory of power, I argue that he provides a viable alternative to both modernism and linguistic constructionism that is particularly relevant to political theory. His approach to knowledge entails the intimate integration and interaction of the material and the discursive in every aspect of its constitution. I argue that his conception offers an understanding of politics and power that avoids the pitfalls of the material/discursive dichotomy.
Quasielastic Neutrino Scattering: A Measurement of the Weak Nucleon Axial Vector Form-Factor

The quasielastic reaction ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ was studied in an experiment using the BNL 7-foot deuterium bubble chamber exposed to the wide-band neutrino beam with an average energy of 1.6 GeV. A total of 1138 quasielastic events in the momentum-transfer range ${Q}^{2}=0.06\ensuremath{-}3.00$ (${\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c})}^{2}$ were selected by kinematic fitting and particle identification and were used to extract the axial-vector form factor ${F}_{A}({Q}^{2})$ from the ${Q}^{2}$ distribution. In the framework of the conventional $V\ensuremath{-}A$ theory, we find that the dipole parametrization is favored over the monopole. The value of the axial-vector mass ${M}_{A}$ in the dipole parametrization is 1.07\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06 GeV, which is in good agreement with both recent neutrino and electroproduction experiments. In addition, the standard assumptions of conserved vector current and no second-class currents are checked.
Quantitative Difference in a Rabbit-Ovulating Dose of Prolan and Anterior Pituitary Extract

Conclusions1. The ovulating dose of an anterior pituitary extract for rabbits is very much less than that of Prolan when the potency of these 2 substances is standardized on immature female rats. 2. This difference in quantitative activity of Prolan and anterior lobe extract suggests a physiological difference between the 2 substances.
Multilocus linkage disequilibrium mapping of epistatic quantitative trait loci that regulate HIV dynamics: a simulation approach

The time-dependent change of HIV particle load, i.e. HIV dynamics, is likely to be controlled by a multitude of quantitative trait loci (QTL) that interact with each other as well as with various developmental and environmental factors in a coordinated manner. In this article, we have derived a new statistical model for mapping the epistatic QTL responsible for HIV dynamics in a natural human population. This model, constructed on the integrated theme of functional mapping and linkage disequilibrium (LD) mapping, can make use of information from multiple markers genotyped from the human genome. It allows for the test and estimation of genetic actions and interactions involved in the control of HIV progression and provides a general platform to identify the detailed genetic architecture of resistance or susceptibility of humans to HIV on a dynamic scale. We have generalized this model to accommodate various complicated clincal designs for AIDS studies. Simulation studies with different scenarios are performed to examine the statistical behaviour of the model. The genetic and statistical extensions of this mapping model to HIV/AIDS genomic research are discussed.
Phase I trials of targeted anticancer drugs: a need to refocus

As cancer therapy progresses through the development of molecularly targeted drugs, the focus of Phase I trials needs to shift towards investigating end points that could guide more effective trial design, dosing and choice of tumour setting for Phase II studies.
TNFα regulation of Fas ligand expression on the vascular endothelium modulates leukocyte extravasation

It is generally believed that the vascular endothelium serves as an inflammatory barrier by providing a nonadherent surface to leukocytes. Here, we report that Fas ligand (FasL) is expressed on vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and that it may function to actively inhibit leukocyte extravasation. TNFα downregulates FasL expression with an accompanying decrease in EC cytotoxicity toward co-cultured Fas-bearing cells. Local administration of TNFα to arteries downregulates endothelial FasL expression and induces mononuclear cell infiltration. Constitutive FasL expression markedly attenuates TNFα-induced cell infiltration and adherent mononuclear cells undergo apoptosis under these conditions. These findings suggest that endothelial FasL expression can negatively regulate leukocyte extravasation.
Case Study: Re-Engineering an Institutional Repository to Engage Users

When institutional repositories were introduced, many libraries embraced them as a means to support and further the cause of open access and the dissemination of scholarly communication. As has been widely reported, however, faculty did not embrace the concept, and repositories generally have not filled up as envisioned. We pose the question: is it possible to design an institutional repository that faculty and graduate students find useful and attractive enough to change their ingrained habits and incorporate into their work routines? The University of Rochester's River Campus Libraries is engaged in finding out. Based on two major user research studies, the team at Rochester determined that a number of crucial features were needed to attract end user interest: the system must become part of the workflow during the research and writing phase, it must support collaboration with users outside the institution, it must provide quantifiable evidence of use, and it needs to allow the users to control and showc...
Characterization, Biosynthesis, and Release of Neuropeptides from the X–Organ–Sinus Gland System of the Crab, Cardisoma carnifex

Separation of neuropeptides by high-pressure liquid chromatography and proteins by gel electrophoresis has been undertaken for the X–organ–sinus gland (XOSG) neurosecretory system of the crab, Cardisoma carnifex . Biosynthetic incorporation of [3H]leucine by isolated XOSG systems confirms synthesis of the peptides and certain of the proteins, as well as their calcium-dependent release during secretion evoked by elevation of saline potassium. Eleven peptides (mol wt < 7,000) are consistently found in significant quantities. Characterization of these shows them to represent three groups: 1) red-pigment concentrating hormone (previously sequenced, Fernlund and Josefsson, 1972); 2) 3 hyperglycemic peptides with amino acid compositions similar to those previously reported (Keller, 1981); and 3) 7 novel peptides whose biological activities have not been determined, labelled b, C, D, E, F, H, and I. Peptides b, C, D, E, F, and I can be explained by the partial proteolysis of peptide H at two internal sites, with non-proteolytic covalent modification of at least one of the amino-terminal fragments. Analysis of single glands shows different relative amounts of the b–I peptides in different animals, but with precise duplication of relative amounts of the b–I peptides in contralateral sinus glands. The data suggest that mixtures of peptides secreted may vary under physiological control and raise the question whether the physiological effects of such mixtures differ.
N-doping of pentacene by decamethylcobaltocene

We demonstrate n-type doping of pentacene with the powerful reducing molecule decamethylcobaltocene (CoCp2*). Characterization of pentacene films deposited in a background pressure of CoCp2* by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering confirm that the concentration of incorporated donor molecules can be controlled to a level as high as 1%. Ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy show Fermi level (EF) shifts toward unoccupied pentacene states, indicative of an increase in the electron concentration. A 1% donor incorporation level brings EF to 0.6 eV below the pentacene lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. The corresponding electron density of ∼1018 cm−3 is confirmed by capacitance–voltage measurements on a metal–pentacene–oxide–silicon structure. The demonstration of n-doping suggests applications of CoCp2* to pentacene contacts or channel regions of pentacene OTFTs.
Mistranslation in IGF-1 during over-expression of the protein in Escherichia coli using a synthetic gene containing low frequency codons.

Summary Partial misincorporation of Lys for Arg has been observed for the Arg residues of IGF-1 when the molecule is expressed in Escherichia coli using a synthetic gene with the low frequency AGA codon encoding all six Arg residues and yeast preferred codons encoding the remaining residues. The Lys for Arg substitution at these residues could not be detected when a gene containing E. coli preferred codons, with the codon CGT coding for all Arg residues, was used for the expression of the protein. Similarly, no misincorporation of Lys for Arg could be detected when a gene containing Escherchia coli preferred codons at all positions, except for an AGA codon at Argwas utilized.
Growth: Now and Forever?

Forecasters often predict continued rapid economic growth into the medium and long term for countries that have recently experienced strong growth. Using long-term forecasts of economic growth from the IMF/World Bank staff Debt Sustainability Analyses for a panel of countries, we show that the baseline forecasts are more optimistic than warranted by past international growth experience. Further, by comparing the IMF’s World Economic Outlook forecasts with actual growth outcomes, we show that optimism bias is greater the longer the forecast horizon.
Experimental results for image-based pose and velocity estimation

A method is presented to estimate the pose and velocity of a moving object in Euclidean space. Euclidean homography relationships are used to recover the pose of an object with respect to a camera frame. A Lyapunov-based robust integral of the signum of the error (RISE) control law is employed to estimate the velocity of an object with respect to a camera frame. The method described in this paper does not require the initial rotation between the camera frame and the object reference frame but requires only a single known length on the object. It is distinguished from earlier methods which require rotation matrix along with a single known length. A series of experiments are presented to test the accuracy of the algorithm. The pose estimates are calculated and compared with ground truth data logged using a laser speed gun - a velocity measuring device. Velocity estimates are compared with ground truth data at various speeds.
Sum of the Parts: Composition and Architecture of the Bacterial Extracellular Matrix

Abstract Bacterial biofilms are complex multicellular assemblies that exhibit resistance to antibiotics and contribute to the pathogenesis of serious and chronic infectious diseases. New approaches and quantitative data are needed to define the molecular composition of bacterial biofilms. Escherichia coli biofilms are known to contain polysaccharides and functional amyloid fibers termed curli, yet accurate determinations of biofilm composition at the molecular level have been elusive. The ability to define the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial for the elucidation of structure–function relationships that will aid the development of chemical strategies to disrupt biofilms. We have developed an approach that integrates non-perturbative preparation of the ECM with electron microscopy, biochemistry, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy to define the chemical composition of the intact and insoluble ECM of a clinically important pathogenic bacterium—uropathogenic E. coli . Our data permitted a sum-of-all-the-parts analysis. Electron microscopy revealed supramolecular shell-like structures that encapsulated single cells and enmeshed the bacterial community. Biochemical and solid-state NMR measurements of the matrix and constitutive parts established that the matrix is composed of two major components, curli and cellulose, each in a quantifiable amount. This approach to quantifying the matrix composition is widely applicable to other organisms and to examining the influence of biofilm inhibitors. Collectively, our NMR spectra and the electron micrographs of the purified ECM inspire us to consider the biofilm matrix not as an undefined slime, but as an assembly of polymers with a defined composition and architecture.
Induction of immunologic tolerance in older New Zealand mice repopulated with young spleen, bone marrow, or thymus.

Newborn, 7–9 day, and 16–18 day old NZB and B/W mice were, unlike older New Zealand mice, rendered tolerant to single doses of 8–10 mg of soluble BGG. After challenge, this tolerance was of short duration and escape occurred rapidly. Age-matched and similarly treated C3H, Balb/c and C57Bl mice did not escape from tolerance. Partial tolerance could be maintained by repeated injections of BGG. Biofiltration ruled out hyperphagocytosis as an explanation for this resistance to tolerance. Tolerance could be induced in older B/W mice if they were thymectomized, irradiated, and repopulated with young (12–15 day), but not old (2–3 month), spleen or bone marrow cells. Old bone marrow cells gave a non-tolerant response even when combined with young thymic grafts. Young bone marrow gave a tolerant response which was followed by the expected rapid escape only if a young thymus graft was also present. Escape was retarded if old thymus, or old irradiated thymus, was combined with young bone marrow. These results are best explained by abnormalities of both lymphoid precursors and thymic regulation.
The Retreat of Social Democracy. By John Callaghan. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2000. 255p. $69.95 cloth, $24.95 paper. Against the Third Way. By Alex Callinicos. Oxford: Polity Press, 2001. 160p. $56.95 cloth, $21.95 paper. Social Democracy in Neoliberal Times: The Left and Economic Policy since 1980. Edited by Andrew Glyn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001. 374p. $70.00 cloth, $22.95 paper.

Since the 1980s, global financial integration and the rise of neoliberalism have significantly changed the terrain on which European social democratic parties operate. However, fierce debate persists over the evaluation of these changes. Some observers—from widely differing political standpoints—insist that social democracy and the free movement of capital across national boundaries are fundamentally incompatible. It follows that the only options for social democratic parties are either to embrace neoliberalism and dismantle much of the welfare state or organize concerted action to reshape the global financial architecture. An opposing group of analysts are equally adamant that while the terrain has certainly become more difficult, it is still possible for Social Democrats to preserve much of the welfare state and even launch new policy initiatives.
D2L, D2S, and D3 dopamine receptors stably transfected into NG108‐15 cells couple to a voltage‐dependent potassium current via distinct G protein mechanisms

The D2-like dopamine (DA) receptor family has continued to expand and now includes the D2-short (D2S) and D2-long (D2L) receptor isoforms and the D3 and D4 receptors. The D2 receptor isoforms differ in length by 29 amino acids within the third cytoplasmic loop, a region of the receptor believed to be important for G protein coupling. This observation has led to the hypothesis that the two isoforms of the D2 receptor may utilize different signal transduction pathways when present in the same cell. The D2 and D3 receptors, although mostly different, show some common amino acid sequences within the third cytoplasmic loop. Thus, it is possible that the D2 and D3 receptors may employ similar signal transduction pathways. To test these hypotheses directly, NG108-15 neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells were stably transfected to express either the D2S, D2L, or D3 DA receptors. All transfected but not untransfected NG108-15 cells demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in the peak whole-cell potassium (K+) current in response to receptor activation by DA or the DA receptor agonists quinpirole (QUIN) and apomorphine (APO). The modulation of K+ current by D2S receptor stimulation was prevented by pretreatment of the cells with cholera toxin (20 micrograms/ml for 18 h), whereas pertussis toxin pretreatment (500 ng/ml for 4 h) completely blocked the effects of D2L and D3 receptor activation. These observations suggest that the signal transduction mechanisms involved in coupling the two isoforms of the D2 receptor to the K+ current are different, whereas the D2L and D3 receptor coupling mechanisms may be similar. In direct support of this hypothesis, it was observed that the intracellular application of a polyclonal antibody that is specific for the GO alpha subunit completely blocked the ability of D2L and D3 receptors to modulate outward K+ currents. In contrast, the D2S-mediated modulation of K+ currents was blocked by intracellular application of an antibody recognizing GS alpha but not GO alpha. These findings demonstrate that D2S and D2L receptors are able to couple to a common effector in a cell via two G protein pathways.
Autonomous demand response for frequency regulation on a large-scale model of an interconnected grid

This research examines the use of autonomous demand response to provide primary frequency control in an interconnected grid. The work builds on previous studies in several key areas: it uses a large realistic model; it establishes a set of metrics which can be used to assess the effectiveness of autonomous demand response; and it independently adjusts various parameters associated with using autonomous demand response to assess effectiveness and to examine possible threats or vulnerabilities associated with the technology. More than 6,000 simulations of the power system model were conducted during the course of the study. The studies demonstrated that very few conditions associated with autonomous demand response have the potential to degrade reliability, and that the marginal benefit attributable to autonomous demand response is quantifiable and can be used to determine the value of the technology, as compared to traditional means, for providing primary frequency control.
Electronic Journal Forum: CONSER Summit on Serials in the Digital Environment

The CONSER Summit on Serials in the Digital Environment was held March 18–19, 2004. Attendees represented all library service areas, commercial information services, and standards development. The program included panel discussions and facilitated breakout sessions that provided specific recommendations for shaping CONSER and the Program for Cooperative Cataloging efforts in providing metadata for electronic resources.
What hysteria? A systematic study of newspaper coverage of accused child molesters

Abstract Objective: There were three aims: First, to determine the extent to which those charged with child molestation receive newspaper coverage; second, to analyze the nature of that coverage; and third, to compare the universe of coverage to the nature of child molestation charges in the criminal justice system as a whole. Method: Two databases were created. The first one identified all defendants charged with child molestation in Rhode Island in 1993. The database was updated after 5 years to include relevant information about case disposition. The second database was created by electronic searching the Providence Journal for every story that mentioned each defendant. Results: Most defendants (56.1%) were not mentioned in the newspaper. Factors associated with a greater chance of coverage include: cases involving first-degree charges, cases with multiple counts, cases involving additional violence or multiple victims, and cases resulting in long prison sentences. The data indicate that the press exaggerates “stranger danger,” while intra-familial cases are underreported. Newspaper accounts also minimize the extent to which guilty defendants avoid prison. Conclusions: Generalizing about the nature of child molestation cases in criminal court on the basis of newspaper coverage is inappropriate. The coverage is less extensive than often claimed, and it is skewed in ways that are typical of the mass media.
Association of cadmium, lead and mercury with paraoxonase 1 activity in women.

Background: The activity of paraoxonase 1 (PON1), an antioxidant enzyme whose polymorphisms have been associated with cancer risk, may be associated with metals exposure. Objective: To evaluate PON1 activity in relation to cadmium, lead, and mercury levels in healthy, premenopausal women. Methods: Women from upstate New York were followed for $ two menstrual cycles. Repeated measures linear mixed models estimated the association between cadmium, lead, and mercury levels (by tertile: T1, T2, T3) and PON1 arylesterase (PON1A) and PON1 paraoxonase (PON1P) activity, separately. Analyses were stratified by PON1 Q192R phenotype and unstratified. Results: Median blood cadmium, lead, and mercury concentrations were 0.30 mg/L, 0.87 mg/dL, and 1.15 mg/L. In unstratified analyses cadmium and mercury were associated with decreased PON1A activity (T2 vs. T1; not T3 vs. T1) but metals were not associated with PON1P. Phenotypes were distributed between QQ (n=99), QR (n=117), and RR (n=34). Cadmium was associated with decreased PON1A activity for QR and RR phenotypes comparing T2 vs. T1 (214.4% 95% confidence interval [CI] [220.1, 28.4] and 227.9% [239.5, 214.0],). Lead was associated with decreased PON1A (RR phenotype, T3 vs. T1 218.9% [232.5, 22.5]; T2 vs. T1 219.6% [232.4, 24.4]). Cadmium was associated with lower PON1P comparing T2 vs. T1 for the RR (234.9% [251.5, 212.5]) and QR phenotypes (29.5% [218.1, 0.0]) but not comparing T3 vs. T1. Cadmium was associated with increases in PON1P levels (QQ phenotype, T3 vs. T1 24.5% [7.0, 44.9]) and mercury was associated with increased PON1A levels (QQ phenotype, T3 vs. T1 6.2% [0.2, 12.6]). Mercury was associated with decreased PON1P (RR phenotype, T2 vs. T1 222.8 [237.8, 24.1]). Conclusion: Blood metals were associated with PON1 activity and these effects varied by phenotype. However, there was not a linear dose-response and these findings await replication.
Spectroscopy of KISS emission-line galaxy candidates. IV. KPNO and WIYN observations

Spectroscopic observations for 614 emission-line galaxy (ELG) candidates from the KPNO International Spectroscopic Survey (KISS) have been obtained using the KPNO 2.1 m telescope and the WIYN 3.5 m telescope. KISS is a wide-field objective-prism survey for extragalactic emission-line objects that has cataloged over 2400 ELG candidates to date. Spectroscopic follow-up observations are being carried out at several telescopes to study the characteristics of the survey objects. We present the following data derived from the KPNO spectra: redshifts, reddening estimates, line equivalent widths, Hα line fluxes, and emission-line ratios. The galaxies have been classified based on their emission-line characteristics. The procedure for selecting the ELG candidates in KISS is found to be very reliable: the follow-up observations verify the presence of emission lines in 93% of the sample presented here. A comparison of objective-prism survey data—redshifts, Hα line fluxes, and equivalent widths—to the long-slit measurements shows good overall agreement.
Public advocacy and people-centred advocacy: mobilising for social change

Public and people-centred advocacy are shaped by the political culture, social systems, and constitutional framework of the country in which they are practised. It is the practice of advocacy that determines the theory, and not vice versa. If advocacy is not rooted in grassroots realities and is practised only at the macro level, the voice of the marginalised is increasingly likely to be appropriated by professional elites. However, the very credibility of advocacy practitioners depends on their relationship with mass-based movements and grassroots perceptions of what constitutes desirable social change.
Child maltreatment and adult socioeconomic well-being.

Abstract Objective Little empirical research has examined the impact that child maltreatment may have on victims’ long-term socioeconomic well-being. The current study sought to address this gap by exploring the relationship between childhood experiences of abuse and neglect and several indicators of socioeconomic well-being in adulthood. Method Data from the nationally representative National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) (n = 5004) were analyzed using logistic regression models to examine whether maltreatment in childhood (any maltreatment, physical abuse, sexual abuse, severe neglect, and multiple types of maltreatment) affected employment status, income, and health care coverage in adulthood. Several potential confounds of this relationship were included as covariates in the models, including race, sex, age, and several indicators of childhood socioeconomic status (SES). Results The results show that adults who had experienced maltreatment differed significantly from non-maltreated adults across each of the socioeconomic domains examined. Effects were additionally found to differ depending on the number of types of maltreatment experienced. Conclusions Increased rates of unemployment, poverty, and Medicaid usage indicate the significant long-term personal impact of early victimization. They also suggest a substantial societal cost from this problem through lost economic productivity and tax revenue, and increased social spending. Low socioeconomic status among parents has also been identified as a salient risk factor for the perpetration of maltreatment, and, as such, these results indicate a potential mechanism in the intergenerational transmission of violence. Practice implications The findings from this study suggest that victims of child maltreatment are at increased risk for financial and employment-related difficulties in adulthood. Approximately one million children are identified each year by state agencies as victims of maltreatment in the United States. Many maltreated children, furthermore, go undetected by protective service agencies, indicating the high prevalence of this problem, and underscoring its large economic costs to society. By highlighting the long-term socioeconomic costs of maltreatment, this research should encourage policy makers to focus on improving prevention, intervention, and treatment efforts for victims of abuse and neglect.
Flow volume asymmetry in the right aortic arch in children with magnetic resonance phase encoded velocity mapping.

Abstract Background The right aortic arch is not uncommon in pediatrics. Flow dynamics in this type of aortic arch, which is important for cardiac energetics, organ perfusion, and Doppler flow calculations, have not been defined. Although there are complex secondary flow patterns, bulk axial flow makes up most of the energy use. Methods We examined 14 children with a right aortic arch by using through-plane phase-encoded magnetic resonance velocity mapping in the ascending and descending aorta to determine flow volume symmetry and velocity. The aortic cross section was divided into 4 quadrants aligned along the long axis of the aorta. Significance was defined as a P value Results In the ascending aorta, the posterior right quadrant demonstrated significantly greater blood flow than the other quadrants across the entire cardiac cycle (28% vs 23%-25%) and at the point of maximum flow (29% vs 22%-25%). Flow asymmetry was also present in the descending aorta; there was significantly more flow in the posterior quadrants than the anterior quadrants in total flow across the cardiac cycle (28% vs 21%-23%) and at the point of maximum flow (27%-28% vs 20%-24%). The time to maximum flow was significantly shorter in the ascending than the descending aorta (18% vs 24% of the cardiac cycle). In 10 of 14 patients, maximum velocity occurred in the right half of both the ascending and descending aorta. Flow reversal at end-systole was haphazard, occurring in all quadrants. Conclusion Flow volume asymmetry exists in the ascending and descending portions of the right aortic arch, which has implications for cardiac energetics, organ perfusion, and Doppler scanning flow calculations. This information may be useful in designing improved aortic surgical reconstructions in cases of congenital heart disease. (Am Heart J 2003;145:154-61.)
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and Second-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: When, How, and Which One?

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a progressive and often fatal myeloproliferative disorder. The introduction of imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) specific for BCR-ABL, was a major breakthrough in CML therapy. Although most patients respond to first-line imatinib therapy, some experience a loss of response (resistance) or require treatment discontinuation due to toxicity (intolerance). For patients who fail with standard-dose imatinib therapy, imatinib dose escalation is a second-line option. However, high-dose imatinib is not an appropriate approach for patients experiencing drug toxicity, and there remain questions over the durability of responses achieved with this strategy. Alternative second-line options include the newer TKIs dasatinib and nilotinib. A substantial amount of long-term data for these agents is available. Although both are potent and specific BCR-ABL TKIs, dasatinib and nilotinib exhibit unique pharmacological profiles and response patterns relative to different patient characteristics, such as disease stage and BCR-ABL mutational status. To optimize therapeutic benefit, clinicians should select treatment based on each patient's historical response, adverse-event tolerance level, and risk factors.
STATISTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF REDUCED TRANSITION PROBABILITIES IN 26AL

Abstract Reduced electromagnetic transition matrix elements were determined for levels in 26Al from the ground state to 8 MeV. In this energy region in 26Al, states with isospin 0 and 1 coexist, and isospin is approximately 97% conserved. These data provide the first test of the effect of symmetry breaking on the transition matrix element distribution. The experimental distribution deviates significantly from the Porter-Thomas distribution.
Studies of synthetic helical peptides using circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance.

We have designed a set of 17-residue synthetic peptides to be monomeric helices in aqueous solution. Circular dichroism experiments indicate the presence of helical structure in aqueous solution at low temperature and low pH. The two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance results for one of the peptides show a segment of ten residues which clearly meets all of the criteria for the existence of helical structure at both 5°C and 15°C. The first four residues of the peptide are in a largely extended conformation. Calculations suggest that residues 5 through 14 are significantly helical at 5°C. When the temperature is increased, circular dichroism spectra indicate that the helical content decreases. At 15°C, the 3 J Nα coupling constants increase in the helical region, indicating an increase in motion or conformational averaging in the helical segment. None of the peptides has pH titration behavior consistent with salt bridge stabilization of helical conformation. Our data lend themselves to interpretation with the helix dipole model and specific side-chain interactions. When the N and C termini charges are removed the helical content of the peptides increases. The amount of helicity increases as the pH is lowered, due to the ionization of Hiauthor6. Much of the helical stabilization appears to be due to a specific side-chain interaction between Hiauthor6 and Tyr12.
Site‐selective in vivo targeting of cytosine‐5 DNA methylation by zinc‐finger proteins

Cytosine-5 DNA methylation is a critical signal defining heritable epigenetic states of transcription. As aberrant methylation patterns often accompany disease states, the ability to target cytosine methylation to preselected regions could prove valuable in re-establishing proper gene regulation. We employ the strategy of targeted gene methylation in yeast, which has a naturally unmethylated genome, selectively directing de novo DNA methylation via the fusion of C5 DNA methyltransferases to heterologous DNA-binding proteins. The zinc-finger proteins Zif268 and Zip53 can target DNA methylation by M.CviPI or M.SssI 5-52 nt from single zinc-factor binding sites. Modification at specific GC (M.CviPI) or CG (M.SssI) sites is enhanced as much as 20-fold compared with strains expressing either the free enzyme or a fusion protein with the zinc-finger protein moiety unable to bind to DNA. Interestingly, methylation is also selectively targeted as far as 353 nt from the zinc-finger protein binding sites, possibly indicative of looping, nucleosomes or higher-order chromatin structure. These data demonstrate that methylation can be targeted in vivo to a potentially broad range of sequences using specifically engineered zinc-finger proteins. Further more, the selective targeting of methylation by zinc-finger proteins demonstrates that binding of distinct classes of factors can be monitored in living cells.