cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Achievement motivation in college women revisited: Implications for women, men, and the gathering of coconuts

An attempt was made to replicate the findings of French and Lesser (1964) within one university on the effects of value-appropriate arousal conditions on achievement motivation scores and motivation performance relationships in women. The findings of this study do not uphold those previously reported. There were no significant differences on either achievement motivation scores or task performance under value-appropriate versus -inappropriate arousal conditions. In the present study there were two innovations — performance criteria were extended to include academic performance, and scoring procedures were developed to give equal weight to achievement imagery in areas defined as traditionally feminine. The principle findings concern the importance of the scoring procedures. Intellectual (classic) N Ach does not relate to value orientation, task performance, or grade point average. Women's Role N Ach, however, is significantly related to task performance and to grade point average. This motivation-performance relationship exists despite differences in value orientation among women. It is suggested that when scoring procedures allow subjects, male or female, to express achievement strivings in areas of value to them, then performance may be morc sensitive to motivational variables.
A Quantitative Model to Evaluate Solubility Relationship of Polymorphs from Their Thermal Properties

The objective of the study is to develop a model to estimate the solubility ratio of two polymorphic forms based on the calculation of the free energy difference of two forms at any temperature. This model can be used for compounds with low solubility (a few mole percent) in which infinite dilution can be approximated. The model is derived using the melting temperature and heat of fusion for apparent monotropic systems, and the solid–solid transition temperature and heat of transition for apparent enantiotropic systems. A rigorous derivation also requires heat capacity (Cp) measurement of liquid and two solid forms. This model is validated by collecting thermal properties of polymorphs for several drugs using conventional or modulated differential scanning calorimetry. From these properties the solubility ratio of two polymorphs is evaluated using the model and compared with the experimental value at different temperatures. The predicted values using the full model agree well with the experimental ones. For the purpose of easy measurement, working equations without Cp terms are also applied. Ignoring Cp may result in an error of 10% or less, suggesting that the working equation is applicable in practice. Additional error may be generated for the apparent enantiotropic systems due to the inconsistency between the observed solid–solid transition temperature and the true thermodynamic transition temperature. This inconsistency allows the predicted solubility ratios (low melt/high melt) to be smaller. Therefore, a correction factor of 1.1 is recommended to reduce the error when the working equation is used to estimate the solubility ratio of an enantiotropic system. The study of the free energy changes of two crystalline forms of a drug allows for the development of a model that successfully predicts the solubility ratio at any temperature from their thermal properties. This model provides a thermodynamic foundation as to how the free energy difference of two polymorphs is reflected by their equilibrium solubilities. It also provides a quick and practical way of evaluating the relative solubility of two polymorphs from single differential scanning calorimetry runs.
The nature of preattentive storage in the auditory system

Event-related potentials were recorded to tones that subjects ignored while reading a book of their choosing. In all conditions, 90% of the tones were 100 msec in duration and 10% of the tones were 170 msec in duration. In a control condition, a customary oddball paradigm was used in which all of the tones were identical except for the longer duration tones. In two conditions, the tones varied over a wide range of tonal frequencies from 700 to 2050 Hz in 10 steps of 150 Hz. In another condition, the tones varied over the same frequencies but also varied in intensity from about 60 to 87 dB in steps of 3 dB. Thus, there was no “standard” tone in the sense of a frequently presented tone that had identical stimulus features. A mismatch negativity (MMN) was elicited in all conditions. The data are discussed in terms of the storage of information in the memory upon which the MMN is based.
Quantum theory of sticking.

We present an exact solution of a one-dimensional (1D) model: a particle of incident energy E colliding with a target which is a 1D harmonic «solid slab» with N atoms in its ground state; the Hilbert space of the target is restricted to the (N+1) states with zero or one phonon present. For the case of a short-range interaction V(z) between the particle and the surface atom supporting a bound state, an explicit nonperturbative solution of the collision problem is obtained
The Relation of Change in Hostility and Sociability During Childhood to Substance Use in Mid Adolescence.

In a cohort-sequential longitudinal study (N = 1075), we related change in children’s hostility and sociability assessed from 1st to 8th grade to their use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana assessed from 9th to 12th grade. Children who were more hostile at 1st grade, and had higher rates of growth of hostility, used more of all three substances at 9th grade, and those with higher initial levels of hostility increased their use of cigarettes and marijuana from 9th to 12th grade. Children who were more sociable at 1st grade used more alcohol at 9th grade. These findings demonstrate the significance of individual differences in the development of personality traits for the prediction of later substance use and have implications for prevention.
Changes in the level of tubulin subunits during development of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fiber

The levels of tubulin protein in developing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Stoneville 825) fibers were measured from 8 to 28 days post-anthesis using commercially available monoclonal antibodies against alpha- and beta-tubulin. As the monoclonal antibodies against alpha- and beta-tubulin were prepared from yeast tubulin and chick brain tubulin, respectively, indirect immunofluorescence microscopy was used to establish that the two monoclonal antibodies recognized microtubule structures in cotton fibers. Western blots of electrophoretically separated proteins in crude extracts of cotton roots and fibers showed that single polypeptides with the expected apparent molecular weight for tubulin subunits were recognized by the antisera. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify tubulin levels. From 10 to 20 days post-anthesis the level of tubulin protein increases approximately three-fold. After 20 days post-anthesis, the amount of tubulin relative to total fiber protein reaches a plateau or decreases slightly. The rapid rise in tubulin is correlated with the elongation of the fiber and an increase in cellulose synthesis.
A Finite-State Model of Georgian Verbal Morphology

Georgian is a less commonly studied language with complex, non-concatenative verbal morphology. We present a computational model for generation and recognition of Georgian verb conjugations, relying on the analysis of Georgian verb structure as a word-level template. The model combines a set of finite-state transducers with a default inheritance mechanism.
How do revised shoulders that are culture positive for Propionibacterium differ from those that are not

Background Many shoulder arthroplasties revised for pain, stiffness, or component loosening are culture positive for Propionibacterium . The culture results are unknown until days or weeks after surgery, too late to inform intraoperative surgical decisions and immediate postsurgical antibiotic treatment. The objective of this study was to identify preoperative and intraoperative characteristics that may alert surgeons to an increased likelihood of positive cultures. Methods We analyzed the records of 132 shoulders that underwent surgical revision of a shoulder arthroplasty, 66 of which became culture positive for Propionibacterium and 66 did not. Results Propionibacterium -positive and Propionibacterium- negative shoulders were similar with respect to many characteristics; however, Propionibacterium- negative shoulders were revised sooner after the index procedure and were significantly more likely to be female, to have sustained a fall, to have instability, and to have rotator cuff deficiency. Intraoperatively, Propionibacterium- positive shoulders demonstrated more glenoid erosions, glenoid osteolysis, glenoid loosening, and a higher incidence of a soft tissue membrane between the humeral component and humeral endosteum. Shoulders culture positive for Propionibacterium were more likely to be culture positive for another bacteria. Conclusions Although Propionibacterium- positive and Propionibacterium- negative shoulders have many similarities, factors such as male gender, delayed presentation, glenoid osteolysis and loosening, humeral membrane, and the absence of instability or cuff failure should arouse suspicion of Propionibacterium and suggest the need for deep cultures and consideration of aggressive surgical and medical treatment.
Regulated firms in pollution permit markets with banking

This paper examines a competitive intertemporal market for bankable emission permits, such as sulfur dioxide allowances. Without profit regulation, firms are willing to bank permits if permit prices rise over time with the rate of interest, but will not bank if prices rise more slowly.
Diagnostic hysteroscopy to evaluate the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding.

Diagnostic hysteroscopy has expanded the clinician's office capabilities to evaluate abnormal uterine bleeding. Evaluation was formerly a blind process in which endoscopic treatment was not utilized. With advances in hysteroscopic instrumentation, the physician has the ability not only to evaluate abnormal bleeding but also to plan therapy that can significantly reduce the number of unnecessary major surgical procedures.
Irreproducible and Uninterpretable Polymyxin B MICs for Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter aerogenes

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter species are emerging nosocomial pathogens. As with most multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, the polymyxins are often the only therapeutic option. In this study involving clinical isolates of E. cloacae and E. aerogenes, susceptibility testing methods with polymyxin B were analyzed. All isolates underwent testing by the broth microdilution (in duplicate) and agar dilution (in duplicate) methods, and select isolates were examined by the Etest method. Selected isolates were also examined for heteroresistance by population analysis profiling. Using a susceptibility breakpoint of ≤2 μg/ml, categorical agreement by all four dilution tests (two broth microdilution and two agar dilution) was achieved in only 76/114 (67%) of E. cloacae isolates (65 susceptible, 11 resistant). Thirty-eight (33%) had either conflicting or uninterpretable results (multiple skip wells, i.e., wells that exhibit no growth although growth does occur at higher concentrations). Of the 11 consistently resistant isolates, five had susceptible MICs as determined by Etest. Heteroresistant subpopulations were detected in eight of eight isolates tested, with greater percentages in isolates with uninterpretable MICs. For E. aerogenes, categorical agreement between the four dilution tests was obtained in 48/56 (86%), with conflicting and/or uninterpretable results in 8/56 (14%). For polymyxin susceptibility testing of Enterobacter species, close attention must be paid to the presence of multiple skip wells, leading to uninterpretable results. Susceptibility also should not be assumed based on the results of a single test. Until the clinical relevance of skip wells is defined, interpretation of polymyxin susceptibility tests for Enterobacter species should be undertaken with extreme caution.
Very low density lipoprotein metabolism in non-ketotic diabetes mellitus: Effect of dietary restriction

We have measured the turnover of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride as well as plasma glucose, insulin and non-esterified fatty acid levels in nine mildly obese non-ketotic, insulinopenic diabetic subjects before and during an energy restricted diet. During the baseline period, subjects were hypertriglyceridaemic, hyperglycaemic and insulinopenic. During dietary restriction (mean weight loss: 2.3±0.4 kg) plasma triglyceride fell from 8.4±3.0 to 3.4±0.89 mmol/l (mean±SEM; p<0.05), and plasma glucose fell from 13.9 ±1.7 to 9.8±1.4 mmol/l (p<0.01). Neither fasting plasma insulin nor the insulin response to an oral glucose load changed. Plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations remained constant as well. During the baseline period, the transport rate of VLDL-triglyceride in the diabetic subjects was more than twice that in an age-weighted matched control group (27.4±2.9 versus 12.1±0.8 mg/kg ideal body weight per h). The fractional catabolic rates were similar in the two groups (0.20±0.05 versus 0.21±0.02/h). During energy restriction of the diabetic subjects, the VLDL-triglyceride transport rate fell to 17.4±2.9 mg/kg ideal body weight per h (p<0.05 versus baseline) while the fractional catabolic rate remained constant at 0.21±0.06/h (NS versus baseline). These data indicate that the major abnormality in triglyceride metabolism in these non-ketotic, insulinopenic diabetic patients was over-production of VLDL-triglyceride.
Post-prandial rise in alveolar CO2 and ventilatory response in cats.

Abstract Awake, unrestrained cats showed an average 4-5-torr increase of alveolar P CO 2 after eating. Ventilation, on the other hand, did not change, and it was concluded that the rise of alveolar P CO 2 i was a consequence of an increase of metabolism without proportional change of alveolar ventilation. Ventilatory response to CO 2 and to hypoxia, determined in the pre- and post-prandial states, showed curves with parallel displacement but no change of slope. A comparison is drawn against other situations of ventilatory response with increase of metabolism, but in all cases the mechanisms remain obscure.
Medical device regulation in the European Union, Japan and the United States. Commonalities, differences and challenges

The evolution and diversity of institutions across the United States, the EU and Japan, and the timing of the medical device framework splitting off from the drug regulatory framework, are striking. Regulatory agencies face a new landscape: the combination of industry-paid user fees and appropriations, and a general pro-business climate coupled with dramatic advances in medical technology, shortage in skilled experts trained in the latest state-of-the-art science, and necessary legal and administrative changes. This paper seeks explanations for the complex structure of medical device regulation by focusing on the meaning of the “life cycle” concept, opportunities for patient voices, and the scope of, and potential for conflicts of interest of, industry, physicians, scientific advisors and regulatory authorities. The paper concludes that the initial international differences between medical device frameworks tend to be mitigated by voluntary global harmonization, but that actual, effective integration into...
Investigating the Compass of Shame: The development of the Compass of Shame Scale

The way in which one copes with, or defends against, shame has important implications. The Compass of Shame Scale (CoSS) was developed to assess use of the 4 shame-coping styles described by Nathanson (1992): attack self, withdrawal, attack other, and avoidance. Reliability and criterion validity were explored ( N = 322). Subscale reliabilities ranged from .74 to .91. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a model with 4 primary factors. A differentiated pattern of correlations was obtained between CoSS scales and general internalized shame, self-esteem, anger, coping, and psychological symptoms. Results provided empirical support for Nathanson’s Compass of Shame model and the validity of the CoSS.
Unified mechanisms of Ca2+ regulation across the Ca2+ channel family.

Abstract L-type (Ca V 1.2) and P/Q-type (Ca V 2.1) calcium channels possess lobe-specific CaM regulation, where Ca 2+ binding to one or the other lobe of CaM triggers regulation, even with inverted polarity of modulation between channels. Other major members of the Ca V 1-2 channel family, R-type (Ca V 2.3) and N-type (Ca V 2.2), have appeared to lack such CaM regulation. We report here that R- and N-type channels undergo Ca 2+ -dependent inactivation, which is mediated by the CaM N-terminal lobe and present only with mild Ca 2+ buffering (0.5 mM EGTA) characteristic of many neurons. These features, together with the CaM regulatory profiles of L- and P/Q-type channels, are consistent with a simplifying principle for CaM signal detection in Ca V 1-2 channels—independent of channel context, the N- and C-terminal lobes of CaM appear invariably specialized for decoding local versus global Ca 2+ activity, respectively.
Cyanobacterial assimilatory nitrate reductase gene diversity in coastal and oligotrophic marine environments.

Summary Cyanobacteria are important primary producers in many marine ecosystems and their abundances and growth rates depend on their ability to assimilate various nitrogen sources. To examine the diversity of nitrate-utilizing marine cyanobacteria, we developed PCR primers specific for cyanobacterial assimilatory nitrate reductase (narB) genes. We obtained amplification products from diverse strains of cultivated cyanobacteria and from several marine environments. Phylogenetic trees constructed with the narB gene are congruent with those based on ribosomal RNA genes and RNA polymerase genes. Analysis of sequence library data from coastal and oligotrophic marine environments shows distinct groups of Synechococcus sp. in each environment; some of which are represented by sequences from cultivated organisms and others that are unrelated to known sequences and likely represent novel phylogenetic groups. We observed spatial differences in the distribution of sequences between two sites in Monterey Bay and differences in the vertical distribution of sequence types at the Hawai’i Ocean Time-series Station ALOHA, suggesting that nitrogen assimilation in Synechococcus living in different ecological niches can be followed with the nitrate reductase gene.
Detection of loss of heterozygosity at chromosome 3p25-26 in primary and metastatic ovarian clear-cell carcinoma: utilization of microdissection and polymerase chain reaction in archival tissues.

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the 3p region is found in up to 50% of epithelial ovarian neoplasms. The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene at the 3p25 locus is one of the tumor-suppressor genes located at 3p. The role, if any, of the VHL gene locus is not clear in ovarian carcinogenesis. We analyzed primary and metastatic ovarian clear-cell carcinomas (OCCC) for LOH at 3p25 to determine its frequency and its diagnostic utility as an adjunctive tool in the differential diagnosis of metastatic clear-cell carcinomas. Microdissection followed by single-step DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, using two polymorphic markers flanking the VHL gene locus, was done on archival histology and cytology samples from 9 patients with metastatic OCCC. Of the informative cases, 43% of the metastatic and 50% of the primary OCCC showed LOH. LOH at the VHL gene locus is not uncommon in clear-cell ovarian carcinoma. LOH at 3p25 in cytologic specimens may be a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis of OCCC metastasis in cytologically equivocal cases. OCCC should enter the differential in clear-cell carcinomas of unknown primary that show LOH at 3p25. Diagn. Cytopathol. 24:328–332, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Toxicity Assessment of Pelvic Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy With Hypofractionated Simultaneous Integrated Boost to Prostate for Intermediate- and High-Risk Prostate Cancer

Purpose To evaluate the toxicity of pelvic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with hypofractionated simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to the prostate for patients with intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer. Methods and Materials A retrospective toxicity analysis was performed in 30 consecutive patients treated definitively with pelvic SIB-IMRT, all of whom also received androgen suppression. The IMRT plans were designed to deliver 70 Gy in 28 fractions (2.5 Gy/fraction) to the prostate while simultaneously delivering 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions (1.8 Gy/fraction) to the pelvic lymph nodes. The National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0, was used to score toxicity. Results The most common acute Grade 2 events were cystitis (36.7%) and urinary frequency/urgency (26.7%). At a median follow-up of 24 months, late toxicity exceeding Grade 2 in severity was uncommon, with two Grade 3 events and one Grade 4 event. Grade 2 or greater acute bowel toxicity was associated with signficantly greater bowel volume receiving ≥25 Gy ( p = .04); Grade 2 or greater late bowel toxicity was associated with a higher bowel maximal dose ( p = .04) and volume receiving ≥50 Gy ( p = .02). Acute or late bladder and rectal toxicity did not correlate with any of the dosimetric parameters examined. Conclusion Pelvic IMRT with SIB to the prostate was well tolerated in this series, with low rates of Grade 3 or greater acute and late toxicity. SIB-IMRT combines pelvic radiotherapy and hypofractionation to the primary site and offers an accelerated approach to treating intermediate- to high-risk disease. Additional follow-up is necessary to fully define the long-term toxicity after hypofractionated, whole pelvic treatment combined with androgen suppression.
Testing Competing Institutional Explanations of the Democratic Peace: The Case of Dispute Duration

Drawing upon two alternative versions of the institutional explanation for the democratic peace, we suggest competing hypotheses about the relationship between democratic political institutions and the length of dispute participation. One set of hypotheses originates in the argument that because of the bargaining arrangements internal to democratic states, disputes between democratic states will necessarily be drawn out, so that in the time that it takes to secure the domestic political base for war, diplomats have time to find nonwar solutions. A second set of hypotheses, derived from the selectorate argument about how institutions shape the behavior of leaders who want to remain in power, leads to the expectation that selection effects over which disputes to participate in make disputes between democracies shorter than disputes between pairs of other types of states. Using a Weibull survival model we analyze data on the length of Militarized Interstate Disputes during the period 1816 to 1992; we find cl...
Rational extension of the Clauser eddy viscosity model to compressible boundary-layer flow

An extension of the Clauser eddy viscosity model for the outer part of a compressible, turbulent boundary layer is proposed. This extension, unlike all of the previous ones, is based on a derivation, and not on ad hoc assumptions. The logic of the derivation of the original model is followed, except that the Crocco integral and the Howarth-Dorodnitsyn transformation are used for the purpose of the comparison with the velocity defect law. Predictions with the new model and two earlier ad hoc extensions of the Clauser model are compared to measured data. Improved predictions are obtained with the new model for both the outer part of the layer and the skin friction coefficient.
Reducing Warehouse Employee Errors Using Voice-Assisted Technology That Provided Immediate Feedback

A foodservice distributor in the southeastern United States implemented a voice assisted selecting tool to reduce selector errors by providing immediate feedback when errors occurred. An AB design with a nonequivalent comparison group was used to examine the effects of the voice technology on 132 selectors whose mispicks and shorts were collected over 6 weeks of baseline and 8 weeks of the intervention phase. Selector errors were reduced from 2.44 errors per 1,000 cases picked to 0.94 errors per 1,000 cases when voice technology was implemented. Further analysis indicated that the immediate feedback provided by voice had a greater impact on employees who were making the most errors during baseline.
Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 2B (LMP2B) Modulates LMP2A Activity

Latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) and LMP2B are viral proteins expressed during Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency in EBV-infected B cells both in cell culture and in vivo. LMP2A has important roles in modulating B-cell receptor (BCR) signal transduction by associating with the cellular tyrosine kinases Lyn and Syk via specific phosphotyrosine motifs found within the LMP2A N-terminal tail domain. LMP2A has been shown to alter normal BCR signal transduction in B cells by reducing levels of Lyn and by blocking tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium mobilization following BCR cross-linking. Although little is currently known about the function of LMP2B in B cells, the similarity in structure between LMP2A and LMP2B suggests that they may localize to the same cellular compartments. To investigate the function of LMP2B, B-cell lines expressing LMP2A, LMP2B, LMP2A/LMP2B, and the relevant vector controls were analyzed. As was previously shown, cells expressing LMP2A had a dramatic block in normal BCR signal transduction as measured by calcium mobilization and tyrosine phosphorylation. There was no effect on BCR signal transduction in cells expressing LMP2B. Interestingly, when LMP2B was expressed in conjunction with LMP2A, there was a restoration of normal BCR signal transduction upon BCR cross-linking. The expression of LMP2B did not alter the cellular localization of LMP2A but did bind to and prevent the phosphorylation of LMP2A. A restoration of Lyn levels, but not a change in LMP2A levels, was also observed in cells coexpressing LMP2B with LMP2A. From these results, we conclude that LMP2B modulates LMP2A activity.
A Survey of the Humoral Immune Response of Cancer Patients to a Panel of Human Tumor Antigens

Evidence is growing for both humoral and cellular immune recognition of human tumor antigens. Antibodies with specificity for antigens initially recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), e.g., MAGE and tyrosinase, have been detected in melanoma patient sera, and CTLs with specificity for NY-ESO-1, a cancer-testis (CT) antigen initially identified by autologous antibody, have recently been identified. To establish a screening system for the humoral response to autoimmunogenic tumor antigens, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed using recombinant NY-ESO-1, MAGE-1, MAGE-3, SSX2, Melan-A, and tyrosinase proteins. A survey of sera from 234 cancer patients showed antibodies to NY-ESO-1 in 19 patients, to MAGE-1 in 3, to MAGE-3 in 2, and to SSX2 in 1 patient. No reactivity to these antigens was found in sera from 70 normal individuals. The frequency of NY-ESO-1 antibody was 9.4% in melanoma patients and 12.5% in ovarian cancer patients. Comparison of tumor NY-ESO-1 phenotype and NY-ESO-1 antibody response in 62 stage IV melanoma patients showed that all patients with NY-ESO-1+ antibody had NY-ESO-1+ tumors, and no patients with NY-ESO-1− tumors had NY-ESO-1 antibody. As the proportion of melanomas expressing NY-ESO-1 is 20–40% and only patients with NY-ESO-1+ tumors have antibody, this would suggest that a high percentage of patients with NY-ESO-1+ tumors develop an antibody response to NY-ESO-1.
Multiple micro-organisms in chalkbrood mummies: evidence and implications

SUMMARY The pathogenic fungus Ascosphaera apis is the causative agent of the brood disease chalkbrood in honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae. Infected, hardened larvae ‐ in a powdered form ‐ have been used to inoculate experimental honey bee colonies. While attempting to grow a pure isolate of A. apis from chalkbrood infected larvae, we discovered (via Gram staining and sequencing of the 5.8S rDNA region) that the inoculum also harbours many species of bacteria and additional species of fungi. Some of these fungi have been identified previously as antagonists of A. apis. It is not surprising that bacteria and fungi grow on dead bees; however, our data indicate that previous experiments intended to study the effects of A. apis in honey bees have rather studied the response of honey bees to a cocktail of fungal and bacterial agents. Accordingly, our results indicate that previous research on the A. apis-honey bee disease system was not specific to A. apis and raise the possibility that the observed honey bee response may have been muted, magnified, or both.
A new suboptimal control design for cascaded non-linear systems

SUMMARY A new suboptimal control design technique is proposed for a class of cascaded non-linear systems. The design is based on a forward recursive design rather than a backstepping design, and it utilizes a non-linear tracker derived using the state-dependent algebraic Riccati equation approach. The proposed design has two distinct features. First, it provides suboptimal performance with respect to a performance index that is defined in terms of the original state and control variables and thus can be prescribed. Second, the forward recursive procedure eliminates differentiation of fictitious controls (or their functions), which makes the design much simpler in applications. Due to the use of the non-linear tracker, the proposed design has the potential of producing less conservative results than non-linear servo results. Copyright # 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Winning with the Bomb

Nuclear weapons' effects on an actor's success in coercive diplomacy are in part a function of how nuclear weapons change the perceived costs of conflict. The authors argue that states can improve their allotment of a good or convince an opponent to back down and have shorter crises if their opponents have greater expected costs of crisis. Noting that nuclear weapons increase the costs of full-escalation scenarios but decrease their probability, it is uncertain what impact nuclear weapons should have on expected costs of conflict. The authors assess crisis outcomes from 1945 to 2000 using the International Crisis Behavior data set. The evidence confirms that nuclear actors are more likely to prevail when facing a nonnuclear state. The expected duration of crisis in such asymmetric directed dyads is substantially smaller than the duration of crisis for actors in nonnuclear dyads. Nuclear actors in asymmetric dyads are also more likely to prevail than states in symmetric nuclear dyads.
Mechanisms Governing the Activation and Trafficking of Yeast G Protein-coupled Receptors

We have addressed the mechanisms governing the activation and trafficking of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) by analyzing constitutively active mating pheromone receptors (Ste2p and Ste3p) of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Substitution of the highly conserved proline residue in transmembrane segment VI of these receptors causes constitutive signaling. This proline residue may facilitate folding of GPCRs into native, inactive conformations, and/or mediate agonist-induced structural changes leading to G protein activation. Constitutive signaling by mutant receptors is suppressed upon coexpression with wild-type, but not G protein coupling-defective, receptors. Wild-type receptors may therefore sequester a limiting pool of G proteins; this apparent "precoupling" of receptors and G proteins could facilitate signal production at sites where cell surface projections form during mating partner discrimination. Finally, rather than being expressed mainly at the cell surface, constitutively active pheromone receptors accumulate in post-endoplasmic reticulum compartments. This is in contrast to other defective membrane proteins, which apparently are targeted by default to the vacuole. We suggest that the quality-control mechanism that retains receptors in post-endoplasmic reticulum compartments may normally allow wild-type receptors to fold into their native, fully inactive conformations before reaching the cell surface. This may ensure that receptors do not trigger a response in the absence of agonist.
Indwelling urinary catheter management and catheter-associated urinary tract infection prevention practices in Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders hospitals.

Background: Indwelling urinary catheters (IUCs) are commonly used in hospitalized patients, especially elders. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) account for 34% of all health care associated infections in the United States, associated with excess morbidity and health care costs. Adherence to CAUTI prevention practices has not been well described. Methods: This study used an electronic survey to examine IUC care practices for CAUTI prevention in 3 areasd(1) equipment and alternatives and insertion and maintenance techniques; (2) personnel, policies, training, and education; and (3) documentation, surveillance, and removal remindersdat 75 acute care hospitals in the Nurses Improving the Care of Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) system. Results: CAUTI prevention practices commonly followed included wearing gloves (97%), handwashing (89%), maintaining a sterile barrier (81%), and using a no-touch insertion technique (73%). Silver-coated catheters were used to varying degrees in 59% of the hospitals; 4% reported never using a cathetersecuring device. Urethral meatal care was provided daily by 43% of hospitals and more frequently that that by 41% of hospitals. Nurses were the most frequently reported IUC inserters. Training in aseptic technique and CAUTI prevention at the time of initial nursing hire was provided by 64% of hospitals; however, only 47% annually validated competency in IUC insertion. Systems for IUC removal were implemented in 56% of hospitals. IUC documentation and routine CAUTI surveillance practices varied widely. Conclusions: Although many CAUTI prevention practices at NICHE hospitals are in alignment with
The story of anthrax from antiquity to the present: a biological weapon of nature and humans.

Anthrax is a disease of extraordinary interest. A condition affecting animals and humans identifiable clinically as anthrax occurred in both biblical times and during the classical period. The discovery of the etiologic agent parallels the history of modern bacteriology, whereas the control of anthrax previews the modern interest in occupational pulmonary medicine. The current wave of terrorism has brought renewed interest in this zoonosis, and anthrax has three presentations in humans.
Molecular diffusion in polymer solutions

Methods for estimating mutual diffusion coefficients for polymer-solvent systems are reviewed. Procedures are recommended for the determination of the temperature, concentration, and molecular weight dependences of diffusivities both for dilute and concentrated solutions.
High temperature oxide superconductors-their potential for high field magnetic use

The state of knowledge about high-temperature oxide superconductors, with particular reference to their potential for high-field magnet use, is reviewed. After a brief discussion of the structural and physical properties of superconductors, high-field superconducting properties are detailed. The problem of the large gap between the magnetization current density and the transport critical current density is described; various ideas concerning the weak links responsible for this gap are explored. The author concludes with a brief overview of the principal challenges facing the use of oxides for high-field magnets. >
A review of allochthonous organic matter dynamics and metabolism in streams

The role of allochthonous organic matter in lotic ecosystems has been an important research topic among aquatic ecologists since the seminal work by Lindeman was published in 1942. Since 1986, studies on organic matter budgets, ecosystem metabolism, and decomposition published in J-NABS have made significant contributions to the overall understanding of organic matter dynamics in streams. In this review, we summarize the utility of organic matter budgets, cover the major advances in research on ecosystem metabolism, and describe the intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing organic matter decomposition. We also discuss future directions and current applications of research and highlight the need for additional studies on the role of land use and climate change, as well as continued use of organic matter processing as a functional metric in biomonitoring studies. We emphasize the need for continued data synthesis into comprehensive organic matter budgets. Such comparative studies can elucidate important drivers of organic matter dynamics and can assist in the understanding of large continental/ global changes that might be occurring now and in the near future. In general, continued emphasis on synthesizing information into a larger framework for streams and rivers will improve our overall understanding of the importance of organic matter in lotic ecosystems.
Bison: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

No species in North America today more powerfully represents the United States than the plains bison (popularly called “buffalo”); preserving Bison bison bison Linnaeus, and its genetic integrity, is important to the nation. This paper first examines the bison's prehistory, migrations to North America, relationship with North American Native American cultures, and events leading to the nineteenth century near-extinction. It then discusses early conservation successes, including the work of individuals and organizations that made this possible. This paper focuses on mainly the prospects for bison protection today in the face of strong challenges such as bison-cattle (Bos Taurus Bojanus) interbreeding and the threat of bison genomic extinction. This work is being carried out by bison protection organizations and a Department of the Interior (DOI) bison working group. Their goals include finding and establishing connected habitats wherein buffalo can roam and migrate as they did historically across broad ranges. Maintaining genetic integrity and creating safe habitats for bison herds can lead to long-term viability.
Combining genetics with age/length data to estimate temporal changes in year-class strength of source populations contributing to mixtures

Abstract We developed an approach for estimating changes in relative year-class strength of source populations contributing to mixtures by incorporating ages or lengths of mixture individuals in genetic stock identification models. The approach is intended for long-lived fishes with high pre-recruitment and low post-recruitment mortality rates for which consistent temporal changes in recruitment can be assumed. Age- and collection-year specific contributions of sources to the mixture are modeled as linear functions of two source-specific parameters: an intercept representing relative recruitment for the first modeled year class and a slope representing how relative recruitment changes annually. Based on simulations, the estimation approach performed reasonably well under diverse conditions, including varying numbers of sources, levels of genetic divergence among sources, degrees of change in year-class strength, durations and frequencies of sampling from mixtures, age ranges of individuals from mixtures, and sample sizes from mixtures. The estimation approach was also robust to aging error and uncertainty in length-age relationships. We applied the approach to genetic and length data for lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens from Green Bay, Lake Michigan, collected from 2002 to 2008, with sources corresponding to five Lake Michigan tributaries. Two of the Lake Michigan sources showed declining recruitment levels, whereas the other three sources showed increasing recruitment levels. We believe our proposed approach for indexing changes in year-class strength shows promise as a tool for identifying sources potentially at risk due to declining recruitment and for relating changes in recruitment to biotic or abiotic factors.
Quantifying uncertainty in the phylogenetics of Australian numeral systems

Researchers have long been interested in the evolution of culture and the ways in which change in cultural systems can be reconstructed and tracked. Within the realm of language, these questions ar...
Corn Response to Long-Term Applications of Cattle Manure, Swine Effluent, and Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer

Published in Agron. J. 107:1701–1710 (2015) doi:10.2134/agronj14.0632 Available freely online through the author-supported open access option. Copyright © 2015 by the American Society of Agronomy, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711. All rights reserved. aBstract Cattle (Bos taurus) manure and swine (Sus scrofa) effl uent are applied to cropland to recycle nutrients, build soil quality, and increase crop productivity. Th e objective of this study was to determine the long-term eff ects of land application of cattle manure and swine effl uent using the Kansas Nutrient Utilization Plan on crop yield, yield components, and crop nutrient uptake. Th e study was conducted for 10 yr (1999 through 2008) near Tribune, KS. Th ere were 10 treatments: three levels of cattle manure and swine effl uent (P, N, and 2N), three levels of N fertilizer (N1 = 56, N2 = 112, and N3 = 168 kg N ha –1), and an untreated control. Corn (Zea mays L.) grain and stover yields, yield components, and water use were measured. In all but 2 yr, all treatments signifi cantly increased grain yield compared with the control and the lowest inorganic N rate. Mean corn grain yield over the years from the Cattle N and P, Swine N and P, and inorganic N2 and N3 treatments were about 2X, 1.8X, and 1.9X greater than the untreated control, respectively. Grain nutrient content and water productivity were consistently higher for the cattle manure treatments and the inorganic N2 and N3 treatments. However, grain yield and nutrient uptake did not diff er among rates of cattle manure and swine effl uent application. We concluded that using the lower application rate based on either N or P from the Kansas Nutrient Utilization Plan was suffi cient to achieve optimal crop yield and water productivity.
Commentary: Two Sides to Every Story—the Need for Objectivity and Evidence

Dr. Thomas Gutheil, in his article, “Boundaries, Blackmail, and Double Binds: A Pattern Observed in Malpractice Consultation,” provides readers with some important and useful recommendations regarding the avoidance of real or perceived boundary violations and how to avoid the pitfalls of difficult therapy. However, in doing so, he moved away from the usual even-handedness and objectivity that characterizes his work. Forensic mental health professionals rely on evidence, and always wait until they have carefully considered both (or all) relevant sides of an issue before rendering an opinion.
Induction and Suppression of IgE Antibody Response

Previous studies have shown that IgE antibody is a cause of hay fever and probably involved in other allergic diseases (1). These findings immediately raised the possibility that prevention or suppression of IgE antibody response may have clinical value for hay fever patients. Our approach to this goal was to establish a cell culture system and adoptive transfer system for the analysis of cellular events in the IgE antibody response, and to study immunological effects of hyposensitization treatment in an animal model. In this presentation, I would like to briefly summarize recent progress in our approaches.
Effect of corticosteroids on free and sulfoconjugated catecholamines at birth in premature newborn sheep

We previously demonstrated that prenatal corticosteroids attenuated the expected exponential increase in circulating catecholamines at birth. The present studies were undertaken to determine if alteration in sulfoconjugation could account for this attenuation. Catheterized fetal lambs received saline (n = 6) or corticosteroids (n = 8) intravenously for 60 h. The lambs were delivered by cesarean section at 130 +/- 1 days gestation. Ventilatory and cardiovascular responses and plasma catecholamine concentrations were measured for 2 h after birth. Although plasma free catecholamines levels were higher in controls than in corticosteroid-treated fetuses, the sulfoconjugated levels were similar in the two groups. Thus the corticosteroid-treated fetuses had a higher proportion of plasma sulfoconjugated catecholamines consistent with the possibility that sulfoconjugation was augmented during intrauterine life. After birth, the corticosteroid-treated animals showed an attenuated increase in plasma free catecholamine levels compared with controls but a similar increase in sulfoconjugated catecholamine levels to the control animals. The proportion of plasma sulfoconjugated catecholamines was higher in the corticosteroid-treated animals; however, the increase in sulfoconjugated catecholamines was insufficient to account for the attenuated overall increase in total catecholamines in the corticosteroid-treated animals.
CSF sTREM2: marking the tipping point between preclinical AD and dementia?

Biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have improved our understanding of the temporal sequence of biological events that lead to AD dementia (Jack et al , [2013][1]). AD is characterized neuropathologically by amyloid plaques comprised of the amyloid‐β peptide and neurofibrillary tangles comprised of tau. Brain amyloid deposition, as evidenced by a decline in amyloid‐β peptide 42 (Aβ42) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or by binding of amyloid PET ligands, is thought to be a key initiating event in AD and begins many years prior to the onset of dementia. A rise in CSF tau and phosphorylated tau in the setting of Aβ deposition appears to reflect neurodegeneration and also begins years prior to the onset of dementia but after Aβ deposition has begun to accumulate. Individuals with “preclinical AD,” that is, normal cognition but abnormal AD biomarkers, have a much higher risk for developing AD dementia but may remain cognitively normal for years (Vos et al , [2013][2]). While deposition of amyloid and formation of tau tangles are necessary for AD to occur, it is likely that additional events involving inflammation or other processes contribute to crossing the tipping point from preclinical AD to AD dementia. Current efforts are aimed at defining the biomarker(s) that best predict the transition from cognitive normality to abnormality. A biomarker that is closely associated with the onset of cognitive decline could help us to understand the biological events that connect amyloid deposition and tangle formation to cognitive decline and could have significant practical value in AD diagnosis and clinical trial design. [1]: #ref-4 [2]: #ref-11
Size effects on the thermal conductivity of amorphous silicon thin films

We investigate thickness-limited size effects on the thermal conductivity of amorphous silicon thin films ranging from 3 to 1636 nm grown via sputter deposition. While exhibiting a constant value up to $\ensuremath{\sim}100$ nm, the thermal conductivity increases with film thickness thereafter. The thickness dependence we demonstrate is ascribed to boundary scattering of long wavelength vibrations and an interplay between the energy transfer associated with propagating modes (propagons) and nonpropagating modes (diffusons). A crossover from propagon to diffuson modes is deduced to occur at a frequency of $\ensuremath{\sim}1.8$ THz via simple analytical arguments. These results provide empirical evidence of size effects on the thermal conductivity of amorphous silicon and systematic experimental insight into the nature of vibrational thermal transport in amorphous solids.