cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does State Aid Stimulate Public Library Expenditures? Evidence from Pennsylvania's Enhancement Aid Program.

Pennsylvania public libraries began receiving increased allotments of state aid in 2000. In the first two years of enhancement aid, total state aid received by Pennsylvania libraries more than doubled. This reversed the trend of little growth in the years preceding 2000. The enhancement aid program also redesigned certain categories of state aid to increase incentives for local government support. Based on the principles from the economics of grants literature, an empirical model was employed to test the effect of state aid on library expenditures in Pennsylvania counties. Grant response was estimated by employing two separate equations in which library expenditures and state aid were simultaneously determined. It was found that expenditure response was significantly higher in the first two years of enhancement aid than it had been previously. Further, state aid stimulated increased local revenue financing in most years and in most counties. However, the degree of stimulation decreased in many counties du...
Capture and confinement of highly-charged beam ions in a Kingdon trap

Abstract Slow multiply-charged Ar q + ions (2 ⩽ q ⩽ 11) extracted in beams from an electron cyclotron resonance ion source have been injected into an electrostatic (Kingdon) ion trap and confined for times up to a second. Ions were detected at the end of the storage interval by ejecting a fraction of them onto a microchannel plate detector. The stored ion numbers were observed to decrease exponentially with time, indicating that product ions from electron capture collisions were not stored. Photons from the decay of metastable ion levels with lifetimes in the millisecond and longer range have also been observed.
Molecular sieve chromatography of myosin on agarose columns.

Abstract Myosin monomer can be separated from aggregated myosin and heterogeneous low molecular weight contaminants by chromatography on 4% or 2% agarose. The monomer was characterized by its ATPase activity, which was constant across the peak, and its molecular weight (about 465,000). Chromatographic studies of aged samples show that aggregation is accompanied by the release of low molecular weight material. Molecular sieve chromatography provides a new approach to the purification of myosin which should be useful in studies on its molecular structure.
Vapor phase sorption of benzene by cationic surfactant modified soil

Abstract The effect of cationic surfactant treatment on the vapor phase sorption of benzene by a desert soil has been investigated. Three cationic surfactants were studied benzyldimethylsterylammonium chloride (BDMS), cetylpyridinium chloride(CPYR), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMA). Surfactant treatment resulted in a drastic decrease in the surface area of the soil (19 m 2 /g to 2.7 m 2 /g). Under the driest conditions ( 1%) was present. Surfactant treatment can be used to attenuate the vapor phase migration of volatile hydrocarbons.
Seismic Evidence for an Earthquake Nucleation Phase

Near-source observations show that earthquakes initiate with a distinctive seismic nucleation phase that is characterized by a low rate of moment release relative to the rest of the event. This phase was observed for the 30 earthquakes having moment magnitudes 2.6 to 8.1, and the size and duration of this phase scale with the eventual size of the earthquake. During the nucleation phase, moment release was irregular and appears to have been confined to a limited region of the fault. It was characteristically followed by quadratic growth in the moment rate as rupture began to propagate away from the nucleation zone. These observations suggest that the nucleation process exerts a strong influence on the size of the eventual earthquake.
Proton NMR studies of vesicles incorporating glycophorin.

Abstract The effects of incorporation of glycophorin. the major sialoglycoprotein or the human crythrocyte membrane, on the lipid of small vesicles have been studied using proton NMR and electron microscopy. In contrast to the incorporation of other peptides, the major effect is apparently the clustering of vesicles without fusion. The relative mobility of lipids of the vesicle. monitored by changes in proton spin-lattice time, is only moderately effected by the presence of protein. The methylene protons of the lipid chains are subject to a somewhat greater restriction of motion following the incorporation of glycophorin than are the protons of the head group.
The genetic defect in the Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant UV61 permits moderate selective repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in an expressed gene.

Abstract We examined removal of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) from the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene in ultraviolet-irradiated Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) UV61 and UV5 cells. The sensitivity of UV61 cells to UV-irradiation is intermediate between that of the parental CHO cells and that of mutants such as UV5 that are highly defective in excision repair. UV61 cells have ben characterized as having normal repair of pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4 PPs) but no detectable removal of CPDs from the genome overall. We find that the extent of removal of CPDs from the DHFR gene in UV61 cells is intermediate between that of the parental CHO cells and that of the UV5 mutant, and the observed repair appears to be confined to the transcribed strand. We detected no removal of CPDs from the DHFR gene in UV5 cells. Our findings in UV61 cells demonstrate a correlation between survival after UV-irradiation and CPD repair in an expressed gene in a cell line with moderate UV-sensitivity and yet no apparent removal of CPDs from the genome as a whole. We have thus demonstrated that overall repair measurements can be misleading. Our results have implications for the determination of the relative biological importance of the CPD and the 6-4 PP, and they further support the hypothesis that removal of CPDs from transcriptionally active DNA is crucial for UV-resistance.
Multiphoton ionization by intense fields: Corrections to lowest order perturbation theory, with an application to photoionization of H

We consider the perturbation expansion (in powers of the coupling strength of the electron interaction with the radiation field) of the standard time-independent expression for the multiphoton ionization amplitude. We show that corrections beyond lowest nonvanishing order contain divergent diagrams. These divergences cancel in the velocity gauge but not in the length gauge. We discuss the mathematical and physical nature of these divergences, and we present an application to the photoionization of hydrogen.
The mechanical characterization of carbon-nanotube-reinforced polymer-matrix nanocomposites: An unfolding story of interface

A polymer nanocomposite is created by introducing nanoparticulates into a macroscopic polymer matrix. Polymer nanocomposites represent a new class of material alternative to conventional filled polymers and possess some extremely interesting properties. The alteration/ enhancement of the properties of these materials can partially be attributed to the fact that the properties of the nanoparticulate fillers are substantially different/better than that of the micrometer-scale fillers and partially owing to the fact that when a good dispersion is obtained the filler-matrix interfacial area tends to be dramatically larger when compared to that in traditional composites. This paper presents an overview of past work done on the mechanical characterization of one such type of polymer matrix nanocomposite, the carbon-nanotube-reinforced polymer-matrix composite. The primary emphasis is on the properties of the filler/matrix interface and the methods used for interfacial charaterization.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the transplant population.

Background: The results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a group of transplant recipients were reviewed to determine the safety and efficacy of the procedure in the setting of immunosuppression. Methods: All solid-organ-transplant recipients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy over a 3-year period were reviewed. Indication for operation, conversion to open procedure, length of stay, and complications were characterized. These results were compared to the registry data of all laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at the same institution. Results: There were 26 transplant patients who underwent laparoscopic cholescystectomy including renal, heart, double lung, and heart-lung recipients. The mean age was 47 years. Symptomatic cholelithiasis was the most common indication in 73% of patients followed by acute cholecystitis in 11%. Seven patients (27%) underwent conversion to an open procedure. Three patients (11.5%) experienced a minor complication in hospital. Median length of stay was 2.5 days. One patient died during a subsequent unrelated operation. These results compared favorably to the registry experience at the same institution where the mean age was 49 years, 24% of cases were performed for acute cholecystitis, there was a 10% complication rate, median length of stay was 2 days, and 3 deaths occured in hospital. The only statistically significant difference was a lower conversion rate (11% vs 27%) in the registry vs transplant group. Conclusions: This experience confirms that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is as safe in the transplant population as the general population. Despite a slightly higher conversion rate to an open procedure, the advantages of short hospital stay, low morbidity, and early return to preoperative routines remain equivalent.
Experimental and clinical studies with the Paracor cardiac restraint device

Progressive cardiac enlargement is a consequence of congestive heart failure (CHF) and a cause of further deterioration. Cardiac restraint devices are intended to interrupt and reverse this process, thereby improving the natural history of CHF. The Paracor restraint device is made from a superelastic nitinol mesh that exerts a small but continuous epicardial force to relieve left ventricular (LV) wall stress and to limit LV dilation. Animal studies have used various heart failure models. The data show the device reduces LV dilation after infarction, preserves LV contractility with rapid pacing, and avoids diastolic constriction in the embolization model. Ten patients in Europe and 10 in the United States have been implanted through a small thoracotomy incision without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Changes in LV size, functional status, and exercise performance have been measured, but the detailed data have not yet been presented or published. The device remains experimental, pending completion of additional clinical trials.
The Indiana University Cyclotron Facility (IUCF) 1980

This largest isochronous cyclotron operating for nuclear research in the United States recently marked the fifth anniversary of first beam. The properties of the three-stage accelerator complex at IUCF are outlined and some of the operational characteristics are described. Work in progress on understanding and extending the accelerator performance is summarized and some options which are under discussion for future development are introduced.
Actual Milk Coagulation Time and Inverse of Chymosin Activity

Abstract Coagulation of Berridge substrate by several different chymosin concentrations was followed with a spectrophotometer to obtain actual coagulation times. Actual coagulation times plotted as functions of inverse enzyme concentrations produced an intercept within experimental error of zero. Deviations of this intercept from zero are artifacts of methods used to measure coagulation time.
Cholecystokinin (CCK-8) elicits prandial sleep in rats

Electroencephalographic activity and behaviors were recorded in unrestrained adult rats during their first meal and intermeal interval following 17 hrs of food deprivation. Cholecystokinin (CCK-8), in doses of 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 IDU/kg injected intraperitoneally 10 min after feeding began, suppressed ingestion, elicited and prolonged rest behavior, synchronous wave sleep, and desynchronous wave sleep in a dose-related manner. The 80 IDU/kg dose elicited EEG and behavioral patterns indistinguishable from those of the postprandial control rats. The results suggest that cholecystokinin elicits satiety for food in rats, not illness. The results also suggest that EEG measures can be used to quantify the postprandial state of satiety.
Closure and Repropagation of Healed Cracks in Silicate Glass

Cracks in soda-lime-silica and vitreous silica glass close against a finite load at humidities between 0.01% and 100%. The force associated with crack closure (0.15 J/m/sup 2/) can be predicted by a model which involves hydrogen-bonded linkages of surfaceadsorbed water molecules. The fracture energy to reopen healed cracks in vitreous silica is also in the range of hydrogenbonding interactions. In the driest environments used, healed cracks in soda-lime-silica glass required 1.7 + or - 0.2 J/m/sup 2/ to reopen. This bonding energy can be attributed to the formation of either cationic bridges or siloxane bonds between fracture surfaces. Since crack healing was observed to be independent of the number of cycles, a cationic bridging model is favored to explain healing effects at room temperature.
Development and application of a UV attainment threshold for the prevention of warmwater aquatic invasive species

Abiotic factors are important regulators of biological invasion and a recent study in Lake Tahoe (CA/NV, USA) showed that ultraviolet radiation (UV) can play a role in mediating warmwater fish invasion. In this study we highlight field and laboratory experiments that indicate strong species related differences in UV-induced stress between native and non-native fish species inhabiting the nearshore environment in Lake Tahoe. We use this differential UV sensitivity to develop a UV Attainment Threshold (UVAT) that if realized could be used to reduce susceptibility to warmwater fish invasion in nearshore environments. The UVAT is a target value for water transparency based on: (1) incident solar UV exposure levels during peak spawning season, and (2) experimentally derived UV exposure levels lethal to larval warmwater fish. We suggest that this value can be easily measured, monitored, and targeted to reduce the establishment and spread of invasive fish species. We also discuss how the UVAT increases the cost effectiveness of invasive species management. This approach could be relevant for any aquatic invasive species that is UV sensitive and constrained to relatively shallow water environments by, e.g. requirements for warmer spawning temperatures. Because many aquatic systems are threatened by both invasive species and declining water transparency we suggest that this research could have important applications in many systems, particularly in colder more UV transparent waters found in regions such as western North America.
Mediation of Parent-Adolescent Conflict Through the Combination of Problem-Solving Communication Training and Behavioral Exchange

Problem-Solving Communication Training (PSCT) is a treatment for parent-adolescent conflict based upon behavioral-family systems theory. Although research has demonstrated that PSCT is an effective and acceptable treatment for alleviating parent-adolescent conflict, researchers note some possible limitations of PSCT. Our primary purpose here is to evaluate both the PSCT literature for parent-adolescent conflict and the literature regarding Behavioral Exchange (BE) treatment. It is conjectured that BE may address some of the limitations of traditional PSCT leading to the argument that Behavioral Marital Therapy (BMT) can serve as a model for combining BE and PSCT procedures to enhance treatment for reducing parent-adolescent conflict.
The dynamics of NAO teleconnection pattern growth and decay

This investigation performs both diagnostic analyses with NCEP/NCAR re-analysis data and forced, barotropic model calculations to examine the dynamical mechanisms associated with the growth and decay of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) teleconnection pattern. The diagnostic calculations include projection and composite analyses of each term in the stream-function-tendency equation. The results of the analyses reveal a complete life cycle of growth and decay within approximately two weeks. The positive NAO phase is found to develop after anomalous wavetrain propagation across the North Pacific to the east coast of North America. This contrasts with the negative NAO phase which appeared to develop in situ. Both high-frequency (period 10 days) transient eddy fluxes drive the NAO growth. After the NAO anomaly attains its maximum amplitude, the high-frequency transient eddy fluxes continue to drive the NAO anomaly in a manner that is consistent with a positive feedback process. The decay of the NAO occurs through both the divergence term and the low-frequency transient eddy fluxes. The temporal and spatial properties of the divergence term are found to be consistent with Ekman pumping. These results illustrate many important differences between the NAO and Pacific/North American (PNA) teleconnection patterns, perhaps most striking being that the NAO life cycle is dominated by nonlinear processes, whereas the PNA evolution is primarily linear, In addition, the relation between the NAO and the zonal index is discussed. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society
Isogeometric analysis of continuum damage in rotation-free composite shells

Abstract A large-deformation, isogeometric rotation-free Kirchhoff–Love shell formulation is equipped with a damage model to efficiently and accurately simulate progressive failure in laminated composite structures. The damage model consists of Hashin’s theory of damage initiation, a bilinear material model for damage evolution, and an appropriately chosen Gibbs free-energy density. Four intralaminar modes of failure are considered: Longitudinal and transverse tension, and longitudinal and transverse compression. The choice of shell formulation and modes of failure modeled make the proposed methodology valid in the regime of relatively thin shell structures where damage occurs without significant evidence of delamination. The damage model is extensively validated against experimental data and its use is also illustrated in the context of multiscale composite damage analysis.
Identification and characterization of topoisomerase II inhibitory peptides from soy protein hydrolysates.

Topoisomerases are targets of several anticancer agents because their inhibition impedes the processes of cell proliferation and differentiation in carcinogenesis. With very limited information available on the inhibitory activities of peptides derived from dietary proteins, the objectives of this study were to employ co-immunoprecipitation to identify inhibitory peptides in soy protein hydrolysates in a single step and to investigate their molecular interactions with topoisomerase II. For this, soy protein isolates were subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion with pepsin and pancreatin, and the human topoisomerase II inhibitory peptides were co-immunoprecipitated and identified on a CapLC- Micromass Q-TOF Ultima API system. The inhibitory activity of these peptides from soy isolates toward topoisomerase II was confirmed using three synthetic peptides, FEITPEKNPQ, IETWNPNNKP,and VFDGEL, which have IC50 values of 2.4, 4.0, and 7.9 mM, respectively. The molecular interactions of these peptides eva...
Modeling the velocity field of the electroosmotic flow in charged capillaries and in capillary columns packed with charged particles: interstitial and intraparticle velocities in capillary electrochromatography systems

Mass transfer systems based on electrokinetic phenomena (i.e., capillary electrochromatography (CEC)) have shown practical potential in becoming powerful separation methods for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. A mathematical model has been constructed and solved to describe quantitatively the profiles of the electrostatic potential, pressure, and velocity of the electroosmotic flow (EOF) in charged cylindrical capillaries and in capillary columns packed with charged particles. The results obtained from model simulations (i) provide significant physical insight and understanding with regard to the velocity profile of the EOF in capillary columns packed with charged porous particles which represent systems employed in CEC, (ii) provide the physical explanation for the experimental results which indicate that the velocity of the EOF in capillary columns packed with charged porous particles is a very weak function (it is almost independent) of the diameter of the particles, and (iii) indicate that the intraparticle velocity, nu(p,i), of the EOF can be greater than zero. The intraparticle Peclet number, Pe(int rap), for lysozyme was found to be greater than unity and this intraparticle convective mass transfer mechanism could contribute significantly, if the appropriate chemistry is employed in the mobile liquid phase and in the charged porous particles, in (a) decreasing the intraparticle mass transfer resistance, (b) decreasing the dispersive mass transfer effects, and (c) increasing the intraparticle mass transfer rates so that high column efficiency and resolution can be obtained. Furthermore, the results from model simulations indicate that for a given operationally permissible value of the applied electric potential difference per unit length, Ex, high values for the average velocity of the EOF can be obtained if (1) the zeta potential, zeta(p), at the surface of the particles packed in the column has a large negative magnitude, (2) the value of the viscosity, mu, of the mobile liquid phase is low, (3) the magnitude of the dielectric constant, epsilon, of the mobile liquid phase is reasonably large, and (4) the combination of the values of the concentration, C(infinity), of the electrolyte and of the dielectric constant, epsilon, provide a thin double layer. The theoretical results for the velocity of the EOF obtained from the solution of the model presented in this work were compared with the experimental values of the velocity of the EOF obtained from a fused-silica column packed with charged porous silica C8 particles. Systems with four different particle diameters and three different concentrations of the electrolyte were considered, and the magnitude of the electric field was varied widely. The agreement between theory and experiment was found to be good.
Equilibrium of oxygen sorption on perovskite-type lanthanum cobaltite sorbent

This article reports results of a theoretical and experimental study on oxygen nonstoichiometry, oxygen sorption isotherms, and the heat of sorption of a representative perovskite-type ceramic sorbent La 0.1 Sr 0.9 Co 0.5 O 3-δ .
Optimum Formulas for Buoyant Plume Rise

While reliable plume rise formulas have long been needed for dispersion calculation, up to ten years ago there were very few data to test the half dozen or so published formulas. The literature is now becoming overpopulated with plume rise formulas, and, although many more data are now available, comparisons of formulas and data have not kept up. The author undertook a more comprehensive set of comparisons as part of a state-of-the-art report on plume rise for the Nuclear Safety Information Center of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Some of the results are summarized here.
A new approach to identification of linear systems and the optimal solution of a class of synthesis problems

A unifying solution is given to the problems of optimal deadbeat control, disturbance decoupling, exact model matching and system identification. It is shown that the optimal solutions of these problems can be obtained by solving a new type optimization problem. Our solution makes use of certain recent results on system structure and on geometric and polynomial theories of linear systems.
Adaptation of guinea‐pig vagal airway afferent neurones to mechanical stimulation

1. Intracellular and extracellular electrophysiological recording techniques were employed to examine the mechanisms involved in adaptation of guinea-pig airway sensory neurones to suprathreshold mechanical stimulation in vitro. Extracellular recordings performed using an in vitro airway preparation revealed two unambiguously distinct subsets of mechanically sensitive nerve endings in the trachea/bronchus. In one group of fibres, the mechanical stimulus caused a brief burst of action potentials, after which the nerve rapidly adapted. In the other group of fibres, repetitive action potentials were evoked as long as the stimulus was maintained above threshold. 2. The adaptation response strictly correlated with ganglionic origin of the soma. Those fibres derived from the nodose ganglion adapted rapidly, whereas those derived from the jugular ganglion were slowly or non-adapting. 3. Intracellular recordings from airway-identified neurones in isolated intact ganglia revealed that the majority of neurones within either the nodose or jugular ganglion adapted rapidly to prolonged suprathreshold depolarizing current injections. 4. The electrophysiological adaptation of nodose ganglion-derived neurones following prolonged suprathreshold current steps was greatly reduced by 4-aminopyridine. However, 4-aminopyridine did not affect the adaptation of rapidly adapting nodose ganglion-derived nerve endings in response to mechanical stimuli. 5. The data suggest that ganglionic origin dictates adaptive characteristics of guinea-pig tracheal and mainstem bronchial afferent neurones in response to mechanical stimulation. Also, the rapid adaptation of nodose nerve endings in the trachea observed during a mechanical stimulus does not appear to be related to the adaptation observed at the soma during prolonged suprathreshold depolarizing current injections.
Immunotherapy for Bladder Cancer: Changing the Landscape

Systemic chemotherapy plays a central role in the management of metastatic bladder cancer. Although responses may be observed initially, overall survival with multiagent chemotherapy is still limited. No significant improvements have been made by novel cytotoxic or targeted agents in last decade. There exists an urgent need for the development of novel therapeutic agents to improve outcomes for these patients. In this paper, we review the role of immunotherapy, the programmed death 1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligands (PD-L1/2), and ongoing drug development efforts to block this pathway in bladder cancer, focusing on the currently available data from ongoing clinical trials.
Political Socialization and Civics Education in Oceania

Formal education, specifically civic education, as promoted in Oceania by the former colonial powers and, currently, the United Nations, aims to mobilize Pacific Islanders and integrate them into the modern world. This can be seen in the literature of UNESCO and is recorded in scholarly materials. But the very term, civic education, is foreign to the cultures of the Islanders; it flows from concepts of the development of nation-states (divine right and social contract theory), and is a product of normative western political thought. A recent anthropological empirical theory of the origin of states by Carniero, when applied to Oceania, confirms the absence of social institutions that would make the concept of civics education relevant to the cultures of Oceania. Thus, similar to earlier forms of colonial intrusion, current western intrusion in creating educational systems in Oceania exhibits an inconsistent message : while articulating normative values of self-determination, it practices the imposition of western values incongruent with Oceania cultures. Western policy continues to serve the national interests of powerful states at a cultural cost to Pacific Islanders and the preservation of diversity.
LPS-TLR4 Signaling to IRF-3/7 and NF-κB Involves the Toll Adapters TRAM and TRIF

Toll–IL-1–resistance (TIR) domain–containing adaptor-inducing IFN-β (TRIF)–related adaptor molecule (TRAM) is the fourth TIR domain–containing adaptor protein to be described that participates in Toll receptor signaling. Like TRIF, TRAM activates interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-3, IRF-7, and NF-κB-dependent signaling pathways. Toll-like receptor (TLR)3 and 4 activate these pathways to induce IFN-α/β, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and γ interferon–inducible protein 10 (IP-10) expression independently of the adaptor protein myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). Dominant negative and siRNA studies performed here demonstrate that TRIF functions downstream of both the TLR3 (dsRNA) and TLR4 (LPS) signaling pathways, whereas the function of TRAM is restricted to the TLR4 pathway. TRAM interacts with TRIF, MyD88 adaptor–like protein (Mal)/TIRAP, and TLR4 but not with TLR3. These studies suggest that TRIF and TRAM both function in LPS-TLR4 signaling to regulate the MyD88-independent pathway during the innate immune response to LPS.
AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE EPENDYMA AND SUBEPENDYMAL GLIA OF THE LATERAL VENTRICLE OF THE CAT.

Portions of the wall of the lateral ventricles of the cat were obtained directly and after initial chrome-osmium perfusion. After further fixation they were embedded in Epon-812, sectioned on a Porter-Blum microtome and examined in the electron microscope. Observations on the ultrastructure of ependyma and subependymal glia of the feline lateral ventricle are described. The ependyma contains a pale cytoplasm with many vesicles, a network of fibrils, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and numerous dense mitochondria. Cilia are present along the luminal surface which have a well defined basal body from which cross-striated rootlets diverge to make close contact with other ciliary rootlets and enter into complex relationships with a specialized cell juncture composed of mitochondria in linear arrangement along an intercellular membrane studded with zonula adherens. These rootlets thus form accommodating links between cilia and a morphologic relation to the plamsa membrane between ependymal cells. Theories of metachronal motion in ciliated mammalian epithelia may incorporate such structures in the future. Three varieties of subependymal glia are described. Oligodendrocytes are the least common but are observed in close relation to myelinated axons. Fibrous astrocytes send short processes beneath the ependyma, but ependymal astrocytes send thick processes deep into the underlying white matter. No ependymal cells are observed to send processes into the white matter, and it is suggested that in the adult cat this is the property of the ependymal astrocyte.
Effect of halofenate on binding of various drugs to human plasma proteins and on the plasma half-life of antipyrine in monkeys.

Halofenate free acid was shown to reduce markedly the binding of salicylic acid and aspirin in human plasma. Similar, but much smaller, effects were observed on binding of chloro-thiazide, tolbutamide, digitoxin, and phenylbutazone. No effect was seen on binding of warfarin, dicumarol, or indomethacin. Halofenate administration did not alter the plasma half-life of antipyrine in rhesus monkeys.
Inosinic acid 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli: purification by affinity chromatography and some properties.

Abstract The introduction of a long hydrocarbon chain between the Sepharose backbone and the competitive inhibitor of the enzyme inosinic acid 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase, GMP, seems to have a profound effect on the binding of the enzyme to the derivative. The strongly bound enzyme could be eluted by the use of 3 m urea. Analytical gel electrophoresis showed six bands of protein corresponding to activity and electrophoresis in presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate gave a single band that has a molecular weight of 54,000. The enzyme was found to be readily renatured following denaturation with urea, guanidine-HCl, and SDS.
Regulation of cell polarity during eukaryotic chemotaxis: the chemotactic compass

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase lipid products and the Rho GTPases play a central role in transmitting information from chemotactic receptors to the effectors of cell polarity, and recent advances in the field have allowed us to understand these roles more clearly. Emergent properties of positive and negative regulation of these molecules may account for the establishment of cell polarity during chemotaxis for a wide range of cells from Dictyostelium to fibroblasts to neutrophils.
Toward the Development of a Family Business Self-Efficacy Scale: A Resource-Based Perspective

Given the importance of succession planning in family-owned businesses, our research is focused on identifying the key dimensions that could comprise af amily business selfefficacy scale. We employed an explorative qualitative research methodology by querying a group of family business presidents to describe the skills critical for success. Using a resource-based perspective and relevant family business succession literature, we organized this feedback into a framework depicting the key challenges associated with leadership succession. The presidents’ comments highlight as et of general and family business skill requirements that fall into the domains of social and human capital.
Machine acquisition of skills by neural networks

Presents a theory and an architecture on machine skill acquisition and its implementation in neural networks. Particular emphasis is given to the skill acquisition in man/machine systems where the neural network observes control behavior of a human expert and learns rules behind his expertise. The paradigm of machine acquisition of skills implies the machine exploitation of its own skills through the exploration of experience based on the transferred skills. A new neural network architecture and a learning algorithm, referred to as the hierarchically self-organizing learning (HSOL) network, is presented especially for skill learning. The HSOL network is a dynamically competitive or cooperative network with the ability of self-organizing hidden units, and functions as a universal approximator of arbitrary input-output mappings. This network is applied to machine acquisition of game playing skills, and its performance is compared with that of other networks, including backpropagation, fully connected network, bidirectional associative memory, and recurrent network. >
Impaired Retinoic Acid (RA) Signal Leads to RARβ2 Epigenetic Silencing and RA Resistance

Resistance to the growth-inhibitory action of retinoic acid (RA), the bioactive derivative of vitamin A, is common in human tumors. One form of RA resistance has been associated with silencing and hypermethylation of the retinoic acid receptor β2 gene (RARβ2), an RA-regulated tumor suppressor gene. The presence of an epigenetically silent RARβ2 correlates with lack of the RA receptor α (RARα). Normally, RARα regulates RARβ2 transcription by mediating dynamic changes of RARβ2 chromatin in the presence and absence of RA. Here we show that interfering with RA signal through RARα (which was achieved by use of a dominant-negative RARα, by downregulation of RARα by RNA interference, and by use of RARα antagonists) induces an exacerbation of the repressed chromatin status of RARβ2 and leads to RARβ2 transcriptional silencing. Further, we demonstrate that RARβ2 silencing causes resistance to the growth-inhibitory effect of RA. Apparently, RARβ2 silencing can also occur in the absence of DNA methylation. Conversely, we demonstrate that restoration of RA signal at a silent RARβ2 through RARα leads to RARβ2 reactivation. This report provides proof of principle that RARβ2 silencing and RA resistance are consequent to an impaired integration of RA signal at RARβ2 chromatin.
“Starvation Taught Me Art”: Tree Poaching, Gender and Cultural Shifts in Wood Curio Carving in Zimbabwe.

This study looks at wood curio carving in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Africa. Although the local people, Ndebele and Shona, have always carved, they now face a weakened economy, due in large part to land reforms in 2000. Thus, more people sculpt wood as a form of livelihood. As one man said “Starvation taught me art”. As a result, gender roles are shifting as men and women begin to enter realms previously reserved for the other. Environmentally, carvers poaching trees deforests the woodlands. As more individuals turn to making crafts sustainability deteriorates. However, people are looking into more sustainable practices. Ndebele and Shona are experimenting with carving smaller items so as to be able to earn more profit from less wood, and to use branches instead of heartwood. Carvers are also using scrap wood from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) lumber mills to lessen dependence on live trees.
Functional genomics and the development of pathogenesis-targeted therapies for Kaposi’s sarcoma

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a multifocal angioproliferative disorder affecting the skin, mucosa and viscera of individuals infected with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8; also Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus [KSHV]). KS is the most common neoplasm in AIDS patients; the clinical outcome of AIDS-KS is significantly improved by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, in Africa, where the severest manifestations of KS occur, there is limited access to these and other effective but expensive drugs. Here we present a review of current efforts to identify novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of KS using functional genomics, with recommendations regarding the development of economically feasible treatments for use in Africa.
Modulation of Sinorhizobium meliloti quorum sensing by Hfq‐mediated post‐transcriptional regulation of ExpR

Summary In Sinorhizobium meliloti, the timing of quorum sensing (QS)-dependent gene expression is controlled at multiple levels. RNA binding protein Hfq contributes to the regulation of QS signal production, and this regulation is exerted both in the manner that involves the acyl homoserine lactone receptor ExpR, and via expR-independent mechanisms. In the expR+ strain of S. meliloti, deletion of hfq resulted in the hyper-accumulation of QS signals at low population densities, increased diversity of the QS signals in mid-to-late exponential phase and then led to a sharp decrease in QS signal accumulation in stationary phase. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that the accumulation of expR and sinI (but not sinR) mRNA was increased in the late exponential phase in an hfq-dependent manner. A translational, but not transcriptional, expR-uidA reporter was controlled by hfq, while both transcriptional and translational sinI-uidA reporters were regulated in the hfq-dependent manner. In co-immunoprecipation experiments, expR mRNA was bound to and then released from Hfq, similar to the positive controls (small regulatory RNA SmrC9, SmrC15, SmrC16 and SmrC45). Neither sinI nor sinR transcripts were detected in the pool of RNA heat-released from Hfq-RNA complexes. Therefore, post-transcriptional regulator Hfq controls the production and perception of QS signals, and at higher population densities this control is mediated directly via interactions with expR.
Three Behavioral Functions of Classroom Noncompliance: Diagnostic and Treatment Implications:

This conceptual paper presents three possible behavioral functions of child noncompliance in the classroom: (a) attention seeking, (b) mild escape/avoidance, and (c) extreme aversion. Each function...
ASP2151 for the Treatment of Genital Herpes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Valacyclovir-Controlled, Dose-Finding Study

Background. Current therapies for genital herpes have only partial efficacy. Helicase-primase inhibitors are novel, potent inhibitors of herpes simplex virus replication. Methods. This randomized trial assessed the safety and efficacy of ASP2151 for episodic therapy of recurrent genital herpes. Participants self-initiated with ASP2151 (100, 200, or 400 mg daily for 3 days), ASP2151 (1200 mg as a single dose), placebo for 3 days, or valacyclovir (500 mg twice daily for 3 days). The primary efficacy endpoint, time to lesion healing excluding aborted lesions, was analyzed using a proportional hazards model. Statistical significance was determined by P 5 .01. Results. Of 695 adults enrolled, 437 experienced a recurrence and received study drug. Median time for lesion healing excluding aborted lesions was 139.8 hours with placebo, 119.6 hours with ASP2151 (100 mg; hazard ratio [HR], 1.40; P 5 .065), 106.2 with ASP2151 (200 mg; HR, 1.40; P 5 .081), 115.9 with ASP2151 (400 mg; HR, 1.25; P 5 .25), 102.1 with ASP2151 (1200 mg; HR, 1.72; P 5 .007), and 113.9 with valacyclovir (500 mg twice daily; HR, 1.42; P 5 .077), indicating improvement in all treatment groups except ASP2151 (400 mg). Incidence of treatmentemergent adverse events was similar across groups. Conclusions. Three-day or single-day courses of ASP2151 appear to be effective and safe options for treatment of episodes of recurrent genital herpes. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT00486200.
Surrogate ranking for very expensive similarity queries

We consider the problem of similarity search in applications where the cost of computing the similarity between two records is very expensive, and the similarity measure is not a metric. In such applications, comparing even a tiny fraction of the database records to a single query record can be orders of magnitude slower than reading the entire database from disk, and indexing is often not possible. We develop a general-purpose, statistical framework for answering top-k queries in such databases, when the database administrator is able to supply an inexpensive surrogate ranking function that substitutes for the actual similarity measure. We develop a robust method that learns the relationship between the surrogate function and the similarity measure. Given a query, we use Bayesian statistics to update the model by taking into account the observed partial results. Using the updated model, we construct bounds on the accuracy of the result set obtained via the surrogate ranking. Our experiments show that our models can produce useful bounds for several real-life applications.
Genetically Engineered Antigen Confers Partial Protection Against Avian Coccidial Parasites

Abstract A fusion protein of β-galactosidase and Eimeria tenella produced in a recombinant Escherichia coli strain was injected into chickens and elicited partial protection against an oral challenge with Eim. tenella parasites. The fusion protein contained a 31 kilodalton (kD) coccidial antigen designated as 5401. The DNA sequencing of the 5401 antigen-coding sequence revealed that this protein segment was highly negatively charged and strongly hydrophilic, and contained an amino-acid sequence repeated five times. A dose-titration study showed that immunizing chickens with a single subcutaneous injection of the 5401 antigen at 1,200 to 4,800 nanograms (ng)/bird in Freund's complete adjuvant decreased lesion scores, mortality, and feed conversions compared to unimmunized, challenged controls. Using the 1,200 and 2,400 ng/bird of the 5401 antigen, group weight gains were higher than for the unimmunized, challenged birds. In three other trials using the 5401 antigen at 2,400 ng/bird with light, medium, and heavy coccidial infections, significant protection was evidenced by reduced lesion scores, increased individual weight gains, or both. In addition, feed conversions were reduced when compared with unimmunized controls or birds immunized with a noncoccidial protein E. coli extract. Western blot analysis of sporozoite preparations with serum from 5401-immunized birds labeled two antigenic bands of 66 and less than 200 kD. These results indicate that the coccidial proteins produced in E. coli are potentially effective immunogens for protecting chickens against avian coccidiosis.
Strategic mobilization: Why proportional representation decreases voter mobilization

Many scholars suggest that proportional representation increases party mobilization by creating nationally competitive districts that give parties an incentive to mobilize everywhere. This paper provides theoretical and empirical arguments that bring this claim into question. I propose, unlike earlier scholars, that the positive effect of district competitiveness on party mobilization efforts increases as electoral districts become more disproportional, arguing that disproportionality itself encourages mobilization by exaggerating the impact of competitiveness on mobilization. Individual-level survey data from national legislative elections show that competitiveness has a much larger positive effect on parties' mobilization efforts in single-member districts than in proportional districts. Contrary to prior literature, these results suggest proportional electoral rules give parties no strong incentive to mobilize anywhere.
On straight crested waves in a third overtone SC-cut quartz resonator

Finite element matrix equations employing high frequency, piezoelectric plate equations are derived. The equations may be used for modeling third harmonic overtone of thickness-shear vibrations. A perturbation technique is developed to account for piezoelectric stiffening in the mechanical stiffness matrix. Results from the perturbation method compare well with the direct solution of the piezoelectric finite element equations. The technique will result in significant savings in computer memory and computational time. Numerical results for straight crested waves in a third overtone SC-cut quartz strip, with and without electrodes are presented. Steady state response to an electrical excitation is calculated. >
From Geneva to the Americas: The International Labor Organization and Inter-American Social Security Standards, 1936–1948

Beginning in the mid-1930s, Western Hemisphere nations turned to social insurance legislation—guided by the new concept of social security—in response to the economic crisis of the Great Depression. Supported by the International Labor Organization (ILO), national-level policy makers introduced a range of measures in recognition of the 1935 US Social Security Act. As Europe descended into a war, inter-Americanism served as way to maintain regional economic, and later military, security. This article describes an era of social welfare diplomacy in the Americas, one in which countries south of the US border projected their own distinct visions of social policy. Regional solidarity served as an integral step in the development of ideas concerning international social and economic rights. Placing President Franklin Roosevelt's Good Neighbor Policy in a wider frame, this analysis of ILO inter-American activities reveals an intriguing moment in history, when leaders from several nations saw economic development, trade, future growth, social security, and labor rights as integrally bound together.
Monte Carlo simulation of the risk of contamination of apples with Escherichia coli O157:H7

Abstract Quantitative descriptions of the frequency and extent of contamination of apple cider with pathogenic bacteria were obtained using literature data and computer simulation. Probability distributions were chosen to describe the risk of apple contamination by each suspected pathway. Tree-picked apples may be contaminated by birds infected with Escherichia coli O157:H7 when orchards were located near a sewage source (ocean or landfill). Dropped apples could become contaminated from either infected animal droppings or from contaminated manure if used as fertilizer. A risk assessment model was created in Analytica. The results of worst-case simulations revealed that 6–9 log CFU E. coli O157:H7 might be found on a harvest of 1000 dropped apples, while 3–4 log CFU contamination could be present on 1000 tree-picked apples. This model confirms that practices such as using dropped apples and using animal waste as fertilizer increase risk in the production of apple cider, and that pasteurization may not eliminate all contamination in juice from heavily contaminated fruit. Recently published FDA regulations for juices requiring a 5-log CFU/ml reduction of pathogenic bacteria in fresh juices should be a fail–safe measure for apples harvested in all but the worst-case scenarios.