cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification and characterization of a thermal hysteresis protein from a plant, the bittersweet nightshade Solanum dulcamara.

Abstract Thermal hysteresis proteins (THPs), which depress the freezing point of water below the melting point (producing a characteristic thermal hysteresis), are well known for their antifreeze activity in both fish and terrestrial arthropods, but have only recently been identified in plants. This study describes the purification of a THP from winter-collected bittersweet nightshade, Solanum dulcamara, using ion exchange and preparative ‘free flow’ isoelectric focusing. The THP has a molecular mass of 67 kDa (considerably larger than those of animal THPs), and an unusually high glycine component (23.7 mol%). Treatments of the THP with periodate or borate caused inactivation, suggesting the presence of carbohydrate. More specific treatments directed at galactose (β-galactosidase or Abrus precatorius lectin) also resulted in inactivation, indicating that galactose is present. A thermal hysteresis activity versus THP concentration curve showed that the specific activity of the S. dulcamara THP is lower than that of any known animal THP. The functional significance of this low activity is discussed.
Mathematics teachers’ practices and thinking in lesson plan development: a case of teaching fraction division

In this study, we aimed to examine mathematics teachers’ daily lesson plans and associated practices and thinking in lesson plan development. By focusing on teachers’ preparation for teaching fraction division, we collected and analyzed a sequence of four lesson plans from each of six mathematics teachers in six different elementary schools in China. Interviews with these teachers were also analyzed to support the lesson plan analysis and reveal teachers’ thinking behind their practices. The results show that Chinese teachers placed a great consideration on several aspects of lesson planning, including content, process, and their students’ learning. Teachers’ lesson plans were similar in terms of some broad features, but differed in details and specific approaches used. While the textbook’s influence was clearly evident in these teachers’ lesson plans, lesson planning itself was an important process for Chinese teachers to transform textbook content into a script unique to different teachers and their students. Implications obtained from Chinese teachers’ lesson planning practices and their thinking are then discussed in a broad context.
Localization of Midgut-Specific Protein Antigens from Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Using Monoclonal Antibodies

Most insect transmitted pathogens interact with the midgut of their vectors for infection and, in some cases, development. Therefore, molecules associated with the midgut epithelium in direct contact with pathogens may be potential targets of infection-blocking measures. Here, we identify midgut-specific protein antigens from Aedes aegypti (L.) using monoclonal antibodies. Sixty-four monoclonal antibodies were generated with reactivity to the mosquito midgut, five of which are reported in this article. Three monoclonal antibodies identified protein antigens localized at the midgut epithelial surface (the brush border) and the peritrophic membrane. In addition, two monoclonal antibodies recognized mosquito nucleus-specific proteins by immunofluorescence microscopy. Because potential target antigens for blocking transmission of pathogens most likely are located at the interface of mosquito-pathogen interactions, these monoclonal antibodies could provide valuable tools for studying midgut-specific proteins and interactions of the mosquito midgut with pathogens.
Managing and supporting product life cycle through engineering change management for a complex product

This paper reports a case study of design and engineering change management in the design and manufacture of automated train systems in a company. The paper uses a combination of surveys and interviews to map the information flow processes in the design and engineering processes. Based on the interviews and data collected on information flow and communication processes, the paper identifies the sources of engineering changes in the design process. Further, the paper takes cognizance of the change in the organizational structure of the company’s engineering change processes to evaluate the engineering change notice (ECN) policies and its application in the company to identify the cause of errors in the engineering change process itself. Based on the analysis, the paper describes a support system that incorporates a novel, context-based ECN generation and workflow routing support system that is intended to reduce the cognitive load of the design engineer. The goal of the system is also to measure the causes of ECN to aid and improve managerial action.
Attack elicited in rats by electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus.

Abstract Attack was elicited in normally non-aggressive rats by electrical stimulation of 53 points in the ventrolateral hypothalamus. Attack specificity tests disclosed that live mice, dead mice, and juvenile rat pups were attacked with significantly greater frequency, shorter latency, and longer duration than adult rats of either sex or guinea pigs, and that attacks on live mice were more persistent than on dead mice. There was no evidence for olfactory inhibition of attack on rat pups. Ten out of 12 attack electrodes supported self-stimulation. Attack, alarm, and an oral response group were elicited from anatomically differentiated areas, supporting the hypothesis that hypothalamic motivational responses are produced by multiple overlapping substrates, and not by a single undifferentiated substrate.
In vivo modulation of several anticancer agents by β-carotene

The ability of the collagenase inhibitor minocycline and of β-carotene to act as positive modulators of cytotoxic anticancer agents was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Cell-culture studies were conducted using the human SCC-25 squamous carcinoma cell line. Simultaneous exposure of the cells to minocycline and β-carotene or 13-cis-retinoic acid along with cisplatin (CDDP) resulted in a small decrease in the cytotoxicity of the CDDP. The addition of each of the modulator combinations for 1 h or 24 h to treatment with melphalan (L-PAM) or carmustine (BCNU) resulted in greater-than-additive cytotoxicity with each of four regimens. The modulator combinations of minocycline and β-carotene applied for 1 h or 24 h and the modulator combination of munocycline and 13-cis-retinoic acid produced greater-than-additive cytotoxicity at 50 μM 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC), whereas minocycline and 13-cis-retinoic acid applied for 1 h was antagonistic with 4-HC and the other modulator treatments at low concentrations of 4-HC resulted in subadditive cytotoxicity. The effect of treatment with β-carotene alone and in combination with several different anticancer agents was examined in two murine solid tumors, the FSaII fibrosarcoma and the SCC VII carcinoma. Administration of the modulators alone or in combination did not alter the growth of either tumor. Whereas increases in tumor growth delay occurred with the antitumor alkylating agents and β-carotene and with minocycline and β-carotene, a diminution in tumor growth delay was produced by 5-fluorouracil in the presence of these modulators. The modulator combination also resulted in increased tumor growth delay with Adriamycin and etoposide. Tumor-cell survival assay showed increased killing of FSaII tumor cells with the modulator combination and melphalan or cyclophosphamide as compared with the drugs alone. These results indicate that further investigation of this modulator strategy is warranted.
Surgical Pathology of Small- and Medium-Sized Vessels

Surgical pathologists encounter blood vessels in virtually every specimen they receive, but pathologies intrinsic to the vessels themselves are distinctly less common. Nevertheless, there are a variety of specific diagnoses and procedures involving vascular specimens that merit the attention of the anatomic pathologist. Etiologically, such pathologies can be broadly grouped into traumatic, degenerative, congenital, inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic lesions. Major examples of most of these are discussed, including anuerysms, vasculitis, thrombosis/embolism, and atherosclerosis.
Cell inactivation by heavy charged particles

The inactivation of cells resulting in lethal or aberrant effects by charged particles is of growing interest. Charged particles at extremely high LET are capable of completely eliminating cell-type and cell-line differences in repair capacity. It is still not clear however whether the repair systems are inactivated, or merely that heavy-ion lesions are less repairable. Studies correlating the particle inactivation dose of radioresistant cells with intact DNA analyzed with pulse field gel electrophoresis and other techniques may be useful, but more experiments are also needed to assess the fidelity of repair. For particle irradiations between 40-100 keV/microns there is however evidence for particle-induced activation of specific genes in mammalian cells, and certain repair processes in bacteria. New data are available on the inactivation of developmental processes in several systems including seeds, and cells of the nematode C. elegans. Future experimental and theoretical modeling research emphasis should focus on exploring particle-induced inactivation of endpoints assessing functionality and not just lethality, and on analyzing molecular damage and genetic effects arising in damaged but non-inactivated survivors. The discrete nature of selective types of particle damage as a function of radiation quality indicates the value of accelerated ions as probes of normal and aberrant biological processes. Information obtained from molecular analyses of damage and repair must however be integrated into the context of cellular and tissue functions of the organism.
PROCESSING AND PROPERTIES OF EXTRUDED FLAXSEED-CORN PUFF

The effects of flaxseed meal (0, 5, 10 and 15%) in flaxseed meal/corn meal blend and processing variables, including moisture content (16, 18 and 20%), and screw speed (200, 300 and 400 rpm), on extrudate chemical property (lignan residue) and physical properties (specific volume, hardness and color) were studied. The lignan compounds in the flaxseed and corn meals were 2.27 and 0 mg/g, respectively, before extrusion. A higher flaxseed meal level and a higher screw speed favored the retention of lignan compounds, but higher feed moisture showed the opposite effect. About 25–52% lignan compounds were lost after extrusion. Increasing flaxseed meal level, increasing feed moisture or decreasing screw speed significantly reduced the expansion and resulted in harder extrudate that was darker, more reddish and less yellow.
Cytokine production patterns and antibody response to measles vaccine.

Cytokines play an important role in the immune response to live measles virus immunization. To gain further insight into the cytokine production profile in response to measles vaccination, we studied interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in both supernatants from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), and plasma. We enrolled 57 healthy infants and children residing in an area where no measles virus circulated in their lifetimes. Overall analysis of cytokines in supernatants from PBMC showed that a predominant Th1 cytokine pattern occurs after the second dose of measles immunization. However, plasma levels of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, sIL-2R and TNF-α) were preferentially activated by measles virus after the first dose of measles vaccination. Median IFN-γ plasma levels were 1.73 pg/ml for infants compared to 0.63 pg/ml for older children (P=0.003). These data suggest that after the first and the second dose of measles virus immunization, there is a predominant Th1-type directed immune response, but the Th1 cytokine pattern seems to be stronger in previously unvaccinated children. There was no correlation between cytokine production by PBMC supernatants after PHA stimulation and circulating levels of plasma cytokines. No relationship was found between any specific cytokine level and measles antibody level.
Radiation-induced sarcomas of bone

Historically, the literature reveals that the incidence of radiation induced bone sarcomas is very low. Details related to epidemiology cannot be identified, however, because of the difficulty of identifying precisely the patient population at risk for development of the radiation induced sarcoma. The change in character of practice in cancer management with ever increasing numbers of patients receiving both radiation therapy and chemotherapy should alert physicians to the potential for increased incidence of this rare and unusual tumor.
Gastric colonization with Candida albicans.

We adapted a rat model of gastrointestinal candidiasis for studies of in vivo gastric colonization withCandida albicans. Whereas normal rats cleared a single intragastric inoculum of 5×106C. albicans from the stomach within 4 hours, rats pretreated with chloramphenicol and gentamicin achieved stable gastric colonization for at least 5 days after administration of this inoculum. We next used this model to study host modifications hypothesized to alter gastric colonization. A first group received dilute HCl 4 hr before yeast inoculation, to induce acute superficial gastric erosions; another group was treated with glucocorticosteroid beginning 12 days before yeast inoculation; and another group received famotidine therapy beginning 3 days before yeast inoculation, to neutralize gastric acidity. Recovery of yeasts from stomachs was significantly different from the control group only in rats treated with steroids; greater colonization was found in the rats so treated. In a final group of experiments, we attempted to inhibit in vivo gastric colonization with yeasts by preincubation of yeasts in vitro with a polyclonal antiserum raised in rabbits against heat-killedC. albicans. We were not able to demonstrate inhibition of gastric colonization by preincubation with this antiserum in this model system.
Characterization of the flexural behavior of a reactive graphitic nanofibers reinforced epoxy using a non-linear damage model

Abstract In our previous work, a nano-epoxy was developed based on the preparation of reactive graphitic nanofibers (r-GNFs). The objective of this work is to study the effect of the r-GNFs in an epoxy resin on the mechanical properties of the resulting nano-epoxy composites. Three-point bending tests were carried out for the pure epoxy and nano-epoxy materials with 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 wt% r-GNFs to obtain the flexural behaviors. The nano-epoxy composite containing 0.3 wt% of r-GNFs showed the best flexural properties including highest flexural strength, modules and ductility values among all the tested materials. Non-linear fracture mechanics (NLFM) was applied to analyze the phenomena occurred during the bending tests. A non-linear damage model was used to interpret the flexural stress–strain relationships of the tested materials, which showed agreement with the testing results. The fracture surfaces of the nano-epoxy composites were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the morphological features on the SEM images also reveals that the nano-epoxy composites are tougher than the pure epoxy resin.
Routine pre-contrast CT for liver lesion detection. A re-examination.

Abstract Objective: Re-examination of routine pre-contrast computed tomography (CT) through liver. Materials and Methods: 852 abdominal CTs including pre- and post-contrast images were retrospectively reviewed regarding detection of hepatic lesions. Results: 103 cases demonstrated hepatic abnormalities. More liver lesions were seen pre- and post-contrast in 10; more lesions were seen pre-contrast in one case. Tiny calcifications were detected only pre-contrast in three cases. Conclusions: Routine pre-contrast scanning through liver is not cost-effective.
Phenotyping clinical disorders: lessons learned from pelvic organ prolapse

Genetic epidemiology, the study of genetic contributions to risk for disease, is an innovative area in medicine. Although research in this arena has advanced in other disciplines, few genetic epidemiological studies have been conducted in obstetrics and gynecology. It is crucial that we study the genetic susceptibility for issues in women's health because this information will shape the new frontier of personalized medicine. To date, preterm birth may be one of the best examples of genetic susceptibility in obstetrics and gynecology, but many areas are being evaluated including endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and pelvic floor disorders. An essential component to genetic epidemiological studies is to characterize, or phenotype, the disorder to identify genetic effects. Given the growing importance of genomics and genetic epidemiology, we discuss the importance of accurate phenotyping of clinical disorders and highlight critical considerations and opportunities in phenotyping, using pelvic organ prolapse as a clinical example.
Why Mami Wata Matter: Local Considerations for Sustainable Waterpower Development Policy in Central Africa

This paper is based on the author's fieldwork on the incorporation of local cultural understandings in the design of rural sustainability projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It explores several narratives about Mami Wata, mythological aquatic figures widely known in West and Central Africa, and their meanings for small-scale waterpower development projects, or micro-hydros. Careful examination of such narratives represents one way in which local conceptions and understandings can inform rural development policy, especially with regard to the social distribution of the benefits such projects aim to bring. When designing policies, development agents and agencies would do well to take these mythological and spiritual dimensions of local people's reality seriously rather than dismiss them as irrelevant, or simply as non-empirical phenomena and therefore without effects. The paper concludes with some concrete suggestions for policy action, paying special attention to how researchers and policymakers ...
Most scleractinian corals and octocorals host a single symbiotic zooxanthella clade

The possibility that scleractinian corals and octocorals could change their symbiotic zooxanthellae in response to global warming is alluring. In Goulet (2006; Mar Ecol Prog Ser 321:1-7) I concluded that corals capable of hosting multiple zooxanthella (Symbiodinium) clades may change zooxanthellae, while those hosting one clade may not. Since the majority of corals (77%) host a single Symbiodinium clade, their survival will depend on whether or not the existing symbioses withstand the changing environment. Baker & Romanski (2007; Mar Ecol Prog Ser 335:237-242, this volume) question whether these conclusions apply to scleractinian corals. They subscribe to the null hypo- thesis that most corals host multiple clades and argue that if sampling does not reveal multiple clades in a coral species, this is due to insufficient sample sizes, sampling sites and/or detection techniques. In this Reply Comment, I demonstrate that sample sizes are adequate: of the scleractinian corals capable of hosting multiple clades, 87.5% have been detected with sample sizes ≤5, and 97.7% with sample sizes ≤10. Within scleractinian coral families only a minority (29%) of species host multiple clades, concurring with the overall finding at the species level. The conclusions in Goulet (2006) are valid, and the message that coral reefs may undergo a reduction in biodiversity should be heeded.
The Intersection of Mutual Partner Violence and Substance Use Among Urban Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals

Intimate partner violence among gays and lesbians has gained increased attention in recent years. The present study assessed mutual partner violence within a gay, lesbian, bisexual (GLB) community sample to explore how mutual partner violence relates to the use of psychoactive substances. The results suggest that individuals engaging in mutual partner violence are more likely to report the use of numerous drugs than other subjects. However, this finding holds more consistently among men. The results also indicate that the exchange of violence is more significant for substance use than the particular type of violence involved. The authors suggest that minority stress may be an underlying mechanism of both substance use and partner violence and may contribute to the intersection of these deviant phenomena in the GLB community.
A NEW PROCESS FOR TAR SAND RECOVERY

An extraction process for bitumen recovery from tar sand has been developed using an alkaline solution (e.g., NaOH, Na2SiO3) and sonication at a low temperature and ambient atmosphere. The bitumen recovered thus far is extraordinarily low in ash content and virtually free of metal and asphaltene, with an average gravity of 15° API for 95% cumulative recovery (based on carbon content) in a continuous operation. The heavier components, asphaltene and preasphaltene, were separated as solids, which contained many highly-enriched strategic metals. Clean sand and intact clay can be recovered simultaneously, easily, and essentially in full. It is demonstrated here that (1) the addition of radicals (H2O2, benzoyl peroxide, AIBN) reduces the reaction time from hours to minutes, and (2) hydroquinone (radical inhibitor) slows the reaction rate tremendously. This process utilizes the principle of membrane-mimetic chemistry. By applying sonication simultaneously, the multi-lamellar vesicles dissociate into individual ...
The carboxyl-terminal domain of closely related endotoxin-binding proteins determines the target of protein-lipopolysaccharide complexes.

The bactericidal/permeability increasing (BPI) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding (LBP) proteins are closely related two-domain proteins in which LPS binding is mediated by the NH2-terminal domain. To further define the role of the COOH-terminal domain of these proteins in delivery of LPS to specific host acceptors, we have compared interactions of LBP, BPI, LBPN-BPIC (NH2-terminal domain of LBP, COOH-terminal domain of BPI), and BPIN-LBPC with purified 3H-LPS and, subsequently, with purified leukocytes and soluble (s)CD14. The COOH-terminal domain of LBP promotes delivery of LPS to CD14 on both polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes resulting in cell activation. In the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+, LBP and BPI each promote aggregation of LPS to protein-LPS aggregates of increased size (apparent M r > 20 × 106 Da), but only LPS associated with LBP and BPIN-LBPC is disaggregated in the presence of CD14. BPI and LBPN-BPIC promote apparently CD14-independent LPS association to monocytes without cell activation. These findings demonstrate that the carboxyl-terminal domain of these closely related endotoxin-binding proteins dictates the route and host responses to complexes they form with endotoxin.
Carbon isotopes and iodine concentrations in a Mississippi River delta core recording land use, sediment transport, and dam building in the river's drainage basin.

Abstract Sedimentary material from coastal and nearshore areas in the Mississippi Delta region are comprised of different organic carbon sources with diverse ages that require isotopic and elemental records for resolving the various sources of plant residues. Carbon isotopic (13C, 14C) values were used to differentiate contributions from plants using the C3, C4, and/or CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) carbon fixation pathways., and iodine concentrations indicated that wetland plant residues are a significant source of organic carbon in a sediment core from the Mississippi River delta region collected at a 60 m water depth. This sediment core had been extensively described in Oktay et al. [Oktay, S.D., Santschi, P.H., Moran, J.E., Sharma, P., 2000. The 129Iodine Bomb Pulse Recorded in Mississippi River delta Sediments: Results from Isotopes of I, Pu, Cs, Pb, and C. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 64 (6), 989–996.] and significantly, includes unique features that had not previously been seen in the marine environment. These special features include a plutonium isotopic close-in fallout record that indicates a purely terrestrial source for these sediment particles and the elements associated with it, and a distinct iodine isotopic peak (as well as peaks for plutonium and cesium isotopes) that indicate little bioturbation in this core. Our carbon isotopic and iodine data can thus be compared to published records of changes in drainage basin land use, river hydrology, and hydrodynamic sorting of suspended particles to elucidate if these changes are reflected in nearshore sediments. This comparison suggests a significant contribution for organic carbon (OC) from C4 plants to these sediments during the 1950’s to early 1960’s. Relative older carbon isotopes, and episodically high iodine concentrations (up to 34 ppm) were observed during this time period that (1) indicate sediment deposition that is coincident with the times of major hydrological changes induced from dam and levee building in both the upper and lower reaches of the Mississippi River drainage basin, and (2) suggest episodic organic carbon deposition from wetland plant residues.
Factors Affecting Hospital-based Nurses' Willingness to Respond to a Radiation Emergency

BACKGROUND: Despite increased government and public awareness of the threat of a radiological emergency resulting from a terrorist attack or industrial accident, limited emphasis has been placed on preparing the US health care workforce for such an event. The purpose of this study was to develop and apply a rapid survey to evaluate hospital-based nurses' baseline knowledge, self-assessed clinical competence, perception of personal safety, and willingness to respond in the event of a radiological emergency. METHODS: The study was conducted in 2 phases, the first targeting nursing units likely to respond in the event of a radiological emergency and the second focusing more generally on members of the New York State Emergency Nurses Association currently employed as hospital-based nurses. RESULTS: Among the 668 nurses surveyed, baseline knowledge was found to be inadequate. Although baseline knowledge, clinical competence, and perception of personal safety were all positively associated with willingness to respond, perception of safety appeared to be the primary determinant. Furthermore, baseline knowledge did not appear to be strongly associated with perception of personal safety. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, the investigators recommend further clinical training to enhance preparedness and a more detailed exploration of the determinants of perceived personal safety. Language: en
On canonical Ramsey numbers for complete graphs versus paths

Abstract In this note we study the following canonization type problem: Let ƒ( P k , K l ) be the minimum number n of vertices of a complete graph K n with totally ordered vertex set having the property that for every coloring of the edges of K n , by an arbitrary number of colors one can always find either a totally multicolored increasing path P k of length k or a monochromatic complete subgraph K l . We show that this number is related to the classical Ramsey number r k −1 ( l ) (i.e., the least positive integer m such that for any ( k − 1)-coloring of the edges of K m , there is a monochromatic K l ). We prove that ƒ( P 3 , K l ) = r 2 ( l ) + r 1 ( l ) for l ≥ 5 and give a lower bound for ƒ( P k , K l ) in terms of properties of classical Ramsey graphs. We also consider Erdős-Rado canonization numbers er ( k ) defined analogously as Ramsey numbers. Improving an earlier lower bound painted out by F. Galvin and an upper bound which follows from the proof of P. Erdős and R. Rado we show that 2 ck 2 ≤ er ( k ) ≤ 2 2 c ′ k 3 .
Bending of multi-layered belts

Abstract The problem of multi-layered belts in large bending, around a circular drum, is studied. The belts are assumed to be made of thin, stiff-plies with soft rubber interplies. The equations governing the system are derived and the solution procedure presented. Some numerical results are given for the special case of a sandwich belt and these are compared with those obtained from classical beam theory.
Therapy of chronic idiopathic urticaria with nifedipine: Demonstration of beneficial effect in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial

The efficacy of nifedipine, a calcium channel antagonist, in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria, was evaluated in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Ten patients with chronic urticaria refractory to maximally tolerated doses of H1 and H2 antihistamines and in whom extensive evaluation failed to identify a cause for their urticaria were entered into the study. Patients continued with their prestudy antihistamine regimens. A study drug dosage was titrated in each patient and maintained throughout the trial. Patients were treated with placebo or nifedipine for 4 weeks and then crossed over to the other medication for 4 weeks. One patient withdrew because of unrelated medical illness, two patients withdrew after crossover to placebo because of intolerable urticaria, and seven patients completed the study. A beneficial effect of nifedipine was clearly demonstrated. Hive count, hive index, and itch index were all significantly improved at the end of 4 weeks of nifedipine treatment (p = 0.023, 0.003, and 0.003, respectively) but not placebo treatment (p = 0.194, 0.664, and 0.944, respectively). Additionally, end point hive index and itch index scores with nifedipine compared to corresponding placebo scores were significantly improved (p = 0.010 and 0.008, respectively). Nifedipine was well tolerated. Thus, when nifedipine is used as an adjunct to antihistamines, it appears to be a safe, efficacious drug for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Racial and Ethnic Identities in Mexican Statistics

Statistics, generated by censuses, represent knowledge of society and environment used in the government of complex hierarchical societies. In this article we discuss the changing ways that censuses have reflected and constructed corporeal and cultural difference in Mexico. We show that shifts in conceptualizing and identifying racial and ethnic groups in Mexico are associated with larger social dynamics, and our history of these determinations is organized according to a series of periods—colonial, mercantile; Porfirian; revolutionary; and neoliberal—that chart changes in political economy as well as shifts in census categories and statistical tools. Second, we point out a shift in the representational technologies of statistics from encyclopedic forms to enumerative forms that occurred in Mexico in the last decades of the nineteenth century. We trace categories of difference across the transition from encyclopedic to enumerative statistics and also describe a shifting balance in the content of those cat...
Electrokinetic Studies of Bacteria II: Effect of Cetyltrimethylammoniurn Bromide on Streptococcus faecalis

Bacteria were treated with different concentrations of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in solutions of constant ionic strength equal to 0.01 M, buffered at pH values of 3.4 and 7.0. The initial negative ζ-potential of the bacterial cell wall decreased in absolute value as the concentration of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide was increased, reached zero in the vicinity of the CMC, and then became increasingly positive. This is interpreted as chemisorption of the surface-active cation by ion exchange to form cetyltrimethylammonium carboxylate, followed by physical adsorption of the entire cetyltrimethylammonium bromide molecule. Lysis of the bacteria in the presence of relatively high concentrations of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide increased the positive value of the ζ-potential of the cell wall. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide completely inhibited the growth of Streptococcus faecalis at a concentration which produced only a 10–30% decrease in the absolute value of the ζ-potential. This seems to indicate that the primary site of attack of the compound is probably not the cell wall.
Association of two functional polymorphisms in the CCR5 gene with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is mediated by Th1-immune responses. In children with JRA, synovial T cells express high levels of the Th1-chemokine receptor CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), which has been implicated in susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis. To test the hypothesis that genetic variation in CCR5 is associated with susceptibility to JRA, we analyzed patterns of variation in the 5′cis-regulatory region of CCR5 in 124 multiplex families from a JRA-affected sibpair registry. After sequencing the upstream region of CCR5, variants were tested for association with JRA by transmission disequilibrium testing. A single nucleotide polymorphism, C-1835T, was significantly undertransmitted to children with early-onset JRA (P<0.01). C-1835T was genotyped in 424 additional simplex and multiplex families. CCR5-1835T allele was undertransmitted in the cohort of all probands with JRA (P<0.02), as well as in those with early-onset (P<0.01) or pauciarticular JRA (P<0.05). Another variant, a 32-bp deletion in the open reading frame of CCR5 (CCR5-Δ32) was also tested in ∼700 simplex and multiplex families. CCR5-Δ32 was also significantly undertransmitted to probands with early-onset JRA (P<0.05). Both variants are in regions under natural selection, and result in functional consequences. Our results suggest these CCR5 variants are protective against early-onset JRA.
Gauging acceptance of software metrics: Comparing perspectives of managers and developers

Metrics efforts are often impeded by factors such as poor data quality and developer resistance. To better understand and thus to address the developer perspective in a metrics program we undertook a case study at a large multi-national corporation. We identified six projects, and conducted surveys of both project managers and developers. These surveys were based on the Metrics Acceptance Model (MAM) which is a framework (i.e. a model of relationships between factors, operationalized by a survey instrument) for gauging developer opinions toward software metrics. We noticed some interesting differences between developers' and managers' perceptions of metrics. While managers were on the same page as developers when it came to factors such as ease of use of the metrics tool, they over-estimated developers' confidence to report accurate measures. Managers under-estimated developers' beliefs about the usefulness of metrics and about their fear of adverse consequences. These findings suggest that the MAM could provide useful insights to project managers to train and motivate their developers. We also found that the MAM can be an effective diagnostic tool both at an organizational and project level to identify potential impediments in metrics programs.
Price Transmission and Asymmetric Adjustment in the U.S. Beef Sector

The U.S. livestock sector has experienced numerous structural changes in recent years. For example, the meatpacking industry has experienced many mergers and acquisitions leading to significant increases in industry concentration. In particular, the four-firm concentration ratio for steer and heifer slaughter, a frequently cited statistic and an important indicator of industry concentration, increased from 35.7% in 1980 to 79.8% in 1997 (USDA). There have also been significant regional shifts in livestock production and changes in marketing practices, with decreased use of public markets in many areas. For some products, traditional auction markets have been largely replaced by contract production and sales. Cattle inventories have also trended downward over the last two decades. This has been accompanied by decreases in the number of producers and, in some cases, with significant increases in the scale of operations. The vertical transmission of shocks among various levels of the market is an important characteristic describing the overall operation of the market. Of course, price is the primary mechanism by which various levels of the market are linked. The extent of adjustment and speed with which shocks are transmitted among producer, wholesale, and retail market prices is an important factor reflecting the actions of market participants at alternative market levels. The nature, speed, and extent of adjustments to market shocks may also have important implications for marketing margins, spreads, and mark-up pricing practices. An extensive literature has examined mar-
Serum total estriol in abnormal newborn infants.

Abstract Serum total estriol was determined in blood samples obtained from 128 newborn infants admitted to a newborn intensive care unit. Forty of the infants were studied by serial sampling. The estriol was assayed following hot acid hydrolysis of the serum, using a highly specific antibody to estriol. The mean values of serum total estriol, on the first day of life, ranged from 959 ± 413 (S.D.) ng/ml in infants t 1 2 of the endogenous total estriol could be determined in 21 infants. The t 1 2 s tended to be less with increasing gestational age, the regression equation being y = 5.98 − 0.128 × (r = −0.51). Intrauterine growth retarded and dysmature infants > 35 wk gestation had a mean serum total estriol level of 950 ± 477 (S.D.) ng/ml on the first day of life. This value is similar to the mean of the appropriate for gestational age infants > 35 wk, 1028 ± 440 (S.D.) ng/ml. Very slow declines in serum total estriol were found in 4 infants with intestinal hypomotility who developed necrotizing enterocolitis. The cause may be enterohepatic shunting of estriol as a result of the delay in clearing meconium from the intestinal tract.
Statistical framework for assessing uncertainty in hydrological models

For regional managers trying to make long-term investments in hydrological infrastructure, having a reliable forecast of how their watershed may evolve in a changing climate is a significant boon. To make a projection of the regional effects of climate change, researchers often use the calculations of a global general circulation model to determine a set of initial conditions—for either historical or future climes—which can then be used to run a regional hydrological model. Using this approach, uncertainty can arise from a number of sources, including from the difficulties of projecting climate change, from errors within either the general circulation model or the hydrological model, from uncertainty surrounding modeled parameterizations, or from data sampling errors.
The New Public Service: Serving Rather than Steering

The New Public Management has championed a vision of public managers as the entrepreneurs of a new, leaner, and increasingly privatized government, emulating not only the practices but also the values of business. Proponents of the New Public Management have developed their arguments largely through contrasts with the old public administration. In this comparison, the New Public Management will, of course, always win. We argue here that the better contrast is with what we call the “New Public Service,” a movement built on work in democratic citizenship, community and civil society, and organizational humanism and discourse theory. We suggest seven principles of the New Public Service, most notably that the primary role of the public servant is to help citizens articulate and meet their shared interests rather than to attempt to control or steer society.
A SIX-STAGE MODEL OF THE BUYING PROCESS FOR ERP SOFTWARE

Abstract This paper presents a model of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software acquisition process that reflects the findings from the four cases examined in this study. This ERP acquisition process model includes six distinctive, yet interrelated, processes (planning, information search, selection, evaluation, choice, and negotiations). This paper depicts the principal processes and many of the constituent activities, issues, dynamics, and complexities that pertain to the acquisition of ERP software. The results from this study contribute to the identification of processes that are part of this type of acquisition. Further, this model also suggests complexities that are worthy of further investigation, in and of themselves, if for no other reason than that they could prove the limit of generalizability of the model.
Self and other obedience estimates: biases and moderators.

Abstract The authors conducted 2 studies regarding behavior perceptions of “self” and “typical other” in hypothetical replications of S. Milgram's (1963) obedience experiment. In Study 1, participants' knowledge about Milgram's actual results was manipulated. Regardless of knowledge, results demonstrated several specific social and perceptual biases (e.g., the self-other bias; J. D. Brown, 1986), in addition to several general, fundamental lessons of social psychology (e.g., the perseverance of lay dispositionism). Study 2 was designed to explore the possibility that participants' own academic interests and worldview could influence the biases explicated in Study 1. The authors assessed perceptions of both criminal-justice majors and non-criminal-justice majors regarding their perceptions of behaviors of self and typical other. The criminal-justice students' self-other obedience estimates were significantly higher than those of the non-criminal-justice students. Further, the self-other discrepancy for cri...
Asking The Right Questions: The Central Issue In Evaluating Programs For The Gifted and Talented

What is an appropriate focus for gifted program evaluation? How can we justify focusing program evaluations on questions connected to improving the program rather than judging its success? The auth...
Impact of Discrete-Charge-Induced Variability on Scaled MOS Devices

As MOS transistors are scaled down, the impact of randomly placed discrete charge (impurity atoms, traps and surface states) on device characteristics rapidly increases. Significant variability caused by random dopant fluctuation (RDF) is a direct result of this, which urges the adoption of new device architectures (ultra-thin body SOI FETs and FinFETs) which do not use impurity for body doping. Variability caused by traps and surface states, such as random telegraph noise (RTN), though less significant than RDF today, will soon be a major problem. The increased complexity of such residual-charge-induced variability due to non-Gaussian and time-dependent behavior will necessitate new approaches for variation-aware design.
Mechanisms of cryoprotection in freezing tolerant animal systems.

Abstract The theoretical mechanisms of freezing protection afforded by the natural occurrence of glycerol in an adult, freezing-tolerant insect have been considered in light of recent findings. While unequivocal identification of the specific site or sites of action of glycerol is yet obscured in a maze of interactions, it is apparent that a multicellular system (organism) that naturally possesses glycerol in high, nonlethal concentrations, that can maintain activity in the presence of tissue ice, that can survive frequent and prolonged freeze-thaw encounters, and finally, that can regulate cryoprotectant levels in the presence of changing environmental conditions should be a major focus of future studies. The carabid beetle, Pterostichus brevicornis has been found to regulate glycerol levels in response to fluctuating ambient temperatures even while frozen. Hemolymph freezing points and whole-body supercooling points correlated well with changes in glycerol. Freezing and supercooling points decreased 0.9 ° C per 4 g/100 ml increase in glycerol. An interpretation of the data accumulated on insect studies and integrated with data from other multicellular systems supports the theory that a single site of freezing concept as applied to considerations of cryoprotection and cryoinjury may not be realistic. Each level of events occurring during the freezing process in glycerolated and nonglycerolated animal systems has been discussed. There appears little room for speculative separation and isolation of the site of action for the events of freezing (and thawing) represent a continuum with changes in each parameter directly dependent upon the entire sequence.
ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST AND THE SECOND SOMESTHETIC REGIONS (SI AND SII) IN THE RAT THALAMUS.

Organization of the rat somesthetic thalamus was studied by a combination of electrophysiologic, stereotaxic, and histologic methods. A monopolar recording electrode was inserted numerous times in any one preparation to explore systemically those thalamic regions which receive somesthetic input. The tip of the electrode was small enough to detect unit activity as well as slow potentials. The recording sites were spaced at 250 and 300 μ distances by using sensitive microdrives in all stereotaxic dimensions. For each recording sire maps were made of the peripheral projection fields which, upon tactile stimulation, evoked strong, medium strong, or weak responses. Punctures made by the recording electrode were reconstructed from sections cut by the freezing method and the geometric arrangement of the recording sites within the thalamus was reconstituted. Two thalamic regions for somesthetic projection (SI and SII) were found in the rat thalamus. They are similar to the first and the second somesthetic areas previously described with the rat cerebral cortex. The thalamic regions encompass the ventrobasal nuclear complex. In the relatively large region of SI there is contralateral projection of the body only. The snout is extensively represented througout this projction region whereas the hindquarters project on a smaller amount of thalamic tissue found in the extreme anterolateral position of SI. Region SII is relatively small. It is situated posterolaterally to SI. The animal's body is represented anew but this time bilaterally; snout dorsomedially, hindquarters ventrolaterally.
A Parametric Study of the Thoracic Injury Potential of Basic Taekwondo Kicks

A parametric investigation of the thoracic injury potential of basic taekwondo kicks was conducted through the use of computer simulations. Linkage-based models were employed to simulate the kinetics of the kicking leg and were used to drive a human thorax model. The results of the analysis according to the thoracic compression criterion indicated a minimal probability of severe injury (AIS4+) for swing kicks, nearly 0 percent and thrust kicks, less than three percent. The thoracic viscous criteria, on the other hand, predicted a severe injury probability of up to 100 percent for swing kicks and up to 80 percent for thrust kicks. Additional analysis showed that the injury potential was a strong function of the kick velocity and a weak function of the applied constant force. The injury potential was also found to be a weak function of the size and weight of the kicking leg, with variations in the peak compression and viscous response being typically below 5 percent for a 20 percent change in either the mass or the length.
Acetyldehydrorishitinol, a rishitinol-related potato stress metabolite

Abstract A controlled atmosphere of ethylene in oxygen elevates rishitin and phytuberin levels in hypersensitive potato tuber tissue and the levels of hitherto unidentified stress metabolises. One of these was isolated and mass spectral, NMR, IR and UV data suggest the structure, 5,8-dimethyl-2[2 acetoxyisopropyl]-1,4-dihydronaphthalene. This new stress metabolise is related to rishitinol by loss of water and acetylation.