cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Private gain and public pain: financing American health care.

Virtually all Americans are part of the health care system. They may be patients, health professionals, employers providing benefits, insurers, medical manufacturers, regulators, innovators, or investors. Each has a stake in this burgeoning sector of the United States economy, and each may be critically affected, in multiple and diverse ways, by changes to the system under health reform. As health care expenditures continue to rise, it is increasingly important to understand where these expenditures go and the factors that drive these cost increases. This article examines health care expenditure patterns, considering both the “usual suspects” that frequently are cited as spending drivers, as well as certain significant dynamics that may be the main contributors to rising costs. We conclude that in order to successfully contain costs, health reform will need to address these underlying factors.
The synaptic vesicle protein synaptotagmin promotes formation of filopodia in fibroblasts

NEURONAL filopodia are actin-rich cytoplasmic extensions that are involved in motility and recognition in growth cones and maturing axonal endings. A detailed understanding of neuronal growth will depend on clarification of the membrane fusion events occurring during filopodial extension. The synaptic vesicle protein synaptotagmin seems to be intimately involved in exocytotic membrane fusion1–3. Here we show that fibroblast cell lines transfected with synaptotagmin form long, highly branched, actin-rich filopodial processes, with the expressed synaptotagmin being incorporated into the plasma membrane. In contrast, cell lines expressing either of two other synaptic vesicle proteins, SV2 or synaptophysin, generate only rudimentary processes, and, like neurons, sort SV2 and synaptophysin to small intracellular vesicles. As presynaptic calcium entry regulates synaptic vesicle fusion, our results indicate that synaptotagmin might link neuronal activity with synaptic growth.
Stress-related and diurnal alcohol drinking in rats~

Recording ethanol intakes 24 h/day for rats which experienced shock avoidance sessions during the light portion of a 14L:10D cycle showed that: (a) animals drank immediately after coming back to the home cage, but not before or during the sessions; (b) dark onset was followed by a sharp increase in intake, declining towards light onset for alcohol but not for water. The amounts and times of ethanol intake suggest that corticosterone may mediate stress-related ethanol preference in rats.
Reverse Engineering the Ceramic Cooking Pot: Cost and Performance Properties of Plain and Textured Vessels

Ceramic cooking pots throughout the world vary in exterior surface treatment from smooth to roughly textured. An intriguing example of this variation occurred in the Puebloan region of the southwestern United States where cooking pots changed from scraped plain to highly textured, corrugated vessels between the seventh and eleventh centuries AD, and then reverted back to plain-surfaced by the fifteenth century. To investigate potential cost and performance differences between plain and corrugated cooking pots, a set of controlled experiments were performed, which document manufacturing costs, cooking effectiveness, and vessel durability. These experiments indicate that while corrugation may have increased manufacturing costs, neck corrugations improved vessel handling, upper body corrugations yielded greater control over cooking, and basal corrugations extended vessel use-life. Discerning the explanatory significance of these results for cooking pot change in the Southwest and elsewhere requires additional data on the contexts in which these pots were made and used.
The changing market structure of local television news

Local television news markets have been defined in terms of oligopoly theory, in which the number of competitors is limited and firms must pay significant attention to pricing behavior and product differentiation. The author explores how the development of independent television stations, cable television, and video recorders is changing the market from oligopoly to monopolistic competition.
Single amino acid substitution affects desensitization of the 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract 5-Hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptors were expressed in Xenopus oocytes from a cloned cDNA. The peak inward current evoked by 5-hydroxytryptamine (30 microM) was linearly related to the holding potential (-100 to +20 mV) and reversed near 0 mV. The inward current (at -60 mV) declined during the continued presence of 5-hydroxytryptamine with a half-time of about 2 s; this desensitization was 20 times slower in calcium-free solution. Desensitization was markedly different in channels in which Leu286 was changed by site-directed mutagenesis; this residue is thought to lie near the middle of the M2 segment. Desensitization was faster with Phe, Tyr, or Ala in this position and slower with Thr. Phe and Thr substitutions in the equivalent position of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor have similar effects on desensitization, suggesting that the underlying conformational change might be common to ligand-gated channels.
Called to order: A board president in trouble

This is a fictionalized case based on real events. It is intended as a teaching tool to stimulate discussion about procedural issues in nonprofit governance; board roles and responsibilities; communications; and relationships between boards, chairs, and executives, particularly in the context of smaller organizations. It is meant to support sessions on nonprofit boards and governance in introductory courses on nonprofit management or for use in workshops with new or less experienced executives and board members. Set in an organization engaged in cultural exchange, the case can be used in introductions to nonprofit management, arts administration, or international nongovernmental management.
Space efficient system for small animal, whole body microwave exposure at 1.6 GHz

A space efficient, whole body microwave exposure system for unrestrained laboratory animals utilizing a flared parallel plate waveguide is described. The system comprises an Iridium wireless signal source, signal generator, power supply and amplifier (400 W), a coax to waveguide transition, an open ended, flared parallel plate waveguide, and animal exposure area with a dipole field sensing antenna. Across the waveguide aperture the system provides uniform exposure (±3 dB incident RF power density) for small animals (rats, mice or hamsters) in up to 18 standard cages for housing groups of animals. Overall system dimensions are 3.6 m (d)×2.4 m (w)×1.6 m (h). Operating at 1.62 GHz, the system provided average power density of 3.7 W/m2 in the cage area, resulting in a calculated whole body dose of 0.07 W/kg and a calculated average brain dose of 0.19 W/kg. Bioelectromagnetics 23:127–131, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Could frequency-specific coupling between single-cell activity and the local field potential underlie memory encoding in the hippocampus?

Since the remarkable case of H.M., researchers interested in identifying the neural substrates of memory have been drawn to the hippocampus, an evolutionarily old part of the cortex known as the archicortex. Despite a truly multidisciplinary effort from fields as wide ranging as molecular biology
Amorphous GexH1−x bolometers

Selected materials from the amorphous GexH1−x system are evaluated at 300 K as thermistor bolometers operating at photon energies between approximately 0.2 and 2.5 eV. The devices are deposited on glass and sapphire substrates by rf sputtering of polycrystalline Ge in an argon‐hydrogen atmosphere. Their current‐voltage characteristics, their response times, the frequency and spectral dependence of their responsivities, and the frequency dependence of the noise in a 3‐Hz bandwidth are all measured. Response times between 1 and 10 msec and Dλ* (0.633, 13, 1)’s of between 5×106 and 5×107 W−1 Hz1/2 cm are obtained, using a calibrated He‐Ne laser (λ=0.633 μm) as an excitation source. (At this wavelength, all nonreflected incident light is absorbed.)
Experimental knife-edge pressure solution of halite

Abstract Pressure solution experiments were carried out, using a quartz knife-edge 0.26 mm wide on halite single crystals in halite saturated solutions, to observe the detailed development of pressure solution contacts and the rates of pressure solution. A rate of about 3 μm/day was observed for initial knife-edge stresses ranging from 4.5 to 15 MPa. Close examination of the contact leads to the conclusion that the mechanism of pressure solution is a combination of plastic deformation at the contact and free surface pressure dissolution near its periphery. Free surface pressure dissolution increases the contact stress to about 18 MPa, high enough to cause plastic deformation, by changing the area of contact. This mechanism differs from a water film diffusion mechanism, previously suggested by many authors, but is similar in some ways to the undercutting hypothesis of Bathurst (1958). We infer a steady state plastic deformation instead of catastrophic grain crushing at the contact. Free surface dissolution plus the plastic deformation mechanism may be primarily responsible for pressure solution in relatively porous rocks.
Porcine heart succinate thiokinase Reactivity of sulfhydryl groups, cross-linking and immunochemical properties of the enzyme

Porcine succinate thiokinase (succinate: coenzyme A ligase (GDP-forming), EC 6.2.1.4) has been purified to virtual homogeneity by modification of the purification method described by Cha ((1969) Methods Enzymol. 13, 62–69). Antibody to the enzyme was also prepared. The antibody reacted almost fully with enzyme inactivated by N-ethylmaleimide or 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), according to the criteria of immunodiffusion and complement fixation. Inactivation and cross-linking (through sulfhydryl groups) of the enzyme by N,N′-o-phenylenedimaleimide or by N,N′-p-phenylenedimaleimide reduced the height of the complement fixation curves significantly, presumably by blockage or alteration of antigenic determinants. Horizontal shifts of the curves in the presence of p-chloromercuribenzoate (PCMB) suggested dissociation of the enzyme into subunits. Titration of the enzyme with 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate yielded a maximum of about 12 moles of sulfhydryl groups per mole of enzyme. Labeling of sulfhydryl groups with N-ethyl[14C]maleimide revealed essential sulfhydryl groups on both subunit types with greater incorporation occurring in the larger polypeptide chain.
Interactions of Cations with RNA Loop-Loop Complexes

RNA loop-loop interactions are essential in many biological processes, including initiation of RNA folding into complex tertiary shapes, promotion of dimerization, and viral replication. In this article, we examine interactions of metal ions with five RNA loop-loop complexes of unique biological significance using explicit-solvent molecular-dynamics simulations. These simulations revealed the presence of solvent-accessible tunnels through the major groove of loop-loop interactions that attract and retain cations. Ion dynamics inside these loop-loop complexes were distinctly different from the dynamics of the counterion cloud surrounding RNA and depend on the number of basepairs between loops, purine sequence symmetry, and presence of unpaired nucleotides. The cationic uptake by kissing loops depends on the number of basepairs between loops. It is interesting that loop-loop complexes with similar functionality showed similarities in cation dynamics despite differences in sequence and loop size.
Depression and vulnerability to incident physical illness across 10 years

Abstract Background While considerable research exists on the role of physical illness in initiating depressive reactions, the role of depression in the onset of physical illness is much less studied. Moreover, whereas almost all previous research on depression and incident physical illness has involved specific physical illnesses, the present study examines the link between depression and incident physical illness more generally. Methods The study followed 388 clinically depressed patients who were entering treatment for unipolar depressive disorders and 404 matched community controls across 10 years. In self-report surveys, sociodemographic and health behavior data were indexed at baseline and physician-diagnosed medical conditions were indexed at baseline and at 1, 4, and 10 years during the follow-up period. Results After accounting for prior physical illness and key demographic and health behavior factors, membership in the depressed group was significantly linked to physical illness during the follow-up period. In these prospective analyses, depressed patients showed an almost two-thirds higher likelihood of experiencing physical illness during the follow-up period compared to community controls. The prospective association between depression and subsequent physical illness was evident for both less serious and more serious physical illness. Limitations Although participants were asked to report only physician-diagnosed conditions, the association between depression and physical illness may have been due to depressed individuals perceiving themselves as more ill than they were. Conclusions The World Health Organization has included the co-morbidity between depression and chronic physical illness among its ten concerns in global public health. The current findings broaden the growing awareness of the co-morbidity between depression and physical illness to encompass a vulnerability of depressed individuals to physical illness more generally.
An Examination and Comparison of Transsexuals of Color and Their White Counterparts Regarding Personal Well-Being and Support Networks

This study examines and compares the responses of 108 self-identified transsexuals of color and their white counterparts with regard to personal well-being (self-esteem and life satisfaction), the quality of support networks, and the influence of support networks upon well-being (self-esteem and satisfaction). Although transsexuals of color reported lower levels of education, income, and health insurance status, we found no significant differences in level of self-esteem and life satisfaction. Transsexuals of color reported higher levels of support from significant others and friends. The authors discuss these findings in the context of a multi-theoretical framework to explain discrimination based on transsexual status and race/ethnicity status.
Anti‐Inflammation Mechanism of Extract from Eisenia bicyclis (Kjellman) Setchell

An extract from Eisenia bicyclis, previously shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity, was found to stabilize lysosomal membranes in vitro as determined by measurement of inhibition of the marker enzyme beta-glucuronidase. Some anti-inflammatory activity was also due to counterirritancy.
Hydrogen-Assisted 1,2-Dichloroethane Dechlorination Catalyzed by Pt−Cu/SiO2: Evidence for Different Functions of Pt and Cu Sites

A monometallic Pt/SiO2 and two bimetallic Pt−Cu/SiO2 with Pt/Cu atomic ratio of 1 (Pt1Cu1) and 0.33 (Pt1Cu3) have been investigated by a combination of reaction kinetics and FTIR spectroscopic studies in order to understand the factors that control the selectivity toward ethylene and ethane in the CH2Cl−CH2Cl + H2 reaction. Carbon monoxide adsorption was used to probe the electronic state (ligand effect) of Pt and Cu, and the selective poisoning of Pt sites with CO under catalytic reaction conditions was employed to elucidate the impact of the ensemble effect and the role of Pt and Cu sites in the conversion of 1,2-dichloroethane. It was shown that both Pt and Cu in the bimetallic Pt−Cu catalysts are modified electronically, but this modification does not impact the catalysts' selectivity patterns. However, the addition of CO into the CH2Cl−CH2Cl + H2 reaction mixture at 473 K to block Pt sites resulted in a significant improvement in the ethylene selectivity of the bimetallic catalysts at the expense of ...
Determination of organic/inorganic associations of trace elements in kerogen of the New Albany shale☆

Abstract The inorganic and organic associations of trace elements in the kerogen of the New Albany shale were studied by analysis of kerogen fractions and a mineral residue (~85% FeS 2 ) obtained by density separations. The degree of association of As, Co, Mn, Ni, Sb and Se with pyrite and/or marcasite (FeS 2 ) was determined by the analysis of individual mineral grains by electron microprobe X-ray fluorescence (EMP-XRF) analysis and by analysis of the mineral residue treated with dilute HNO 3 to remove pyrite and marcasite. The association of several other elements in minerals which are insoluble in dilute HNO 3 , such as rutile and chalcopyrite, were also determined. The results of these studies indicate an essentially total organic association for V and approximately 95% organic association for Ni in New Albany kerogen. Methods to correct for inorganic contributions based on low-temperature ashing, chemical removal of pyrite, EMP-XRF and physical methods of separation are compared.
Massively parallel functional annotation of 3′ untranslated regions

Functional characterization of noncoding sequences is crucial for understanding the human genome and learning how genetic variation contributes to disease. 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) are an important class of noncoding sequences, but their functions remain largely uncharacterized. We developed a method for massively parallel functional annotation of sequences from 3' UTRs (fast-UTR) and used this approach to measure the effects of a total of >450 kilobases of 3' UTR sequences from >2,000 human genes on steady-state mRNA abundance, mRNA stability and protein production. We found widespread regulatory effects on mRNA that were coupled to effects on mRNA stability and protein production. Furthermore, we discovered 87 novel cis-regulatory elements and measured the effects of genetic variation within known and novel 3' UTR motifs. This work shows how massively parallel approaches can improve the functional annotation of noncoding sequences, advance our understanding of cis-regulatory mechanisms and quantify the effects of human genetic variation.
Syncope, seizure, or both? An unusual case of complete heart block

Syncope and epileptic seizures have common presenting features that make it difficult to determine if a patient's collapse is primarily cardiac or neurologic. The distinction is blurred further if epileptic neural activity provokes cardiac arrhythmias known to cause syncope. We present a case of convulsive movements, progressive atrioventricular block, and syncope in a patient known to have epilepsy. The history, serial electrocardiographic tracings, and other diagnostic tests strongly suggest the ictal bradycardia syndrome. The case illustrates interesting aspects of central autonomic function and the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas of evaluating and treating patients who present with this problem.
HER-2/neu, p53, and DNA analyses as prognosticators for survival in endometrial carcinoma.

Objective: To compare the prognostic importance of certain molecular biologic characteristics (HER-2/neu and p53 gene overexpression, DNA ploidy, and the S-phase fraction) to standard clinical-pathologic factors used to predict survival in patients with endometrial carcinoma. Methods: We reviewed archival specimens from 128 patients with endometrial cancer diagnosed during the period 1985–1987. One hundred four cases were eligible for inclusion in the study. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect p53 and HER-2/neu overexpression. We used flow cytometry to calculate DNA ploidy and the S-phase fraction. Life-table analysis and Cox multiple regression were used to analyze clinical and molecular data with respect to survival. Results: International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology stage, nuclear grade, lymph-vascular space invasion, and adverse histopathologic features each significantly correlated with poor outcome (each at P ≤ .001). Overexpression of p53 was demonstrated in 15% of the tumors and was associated with a 12% probability of 5-year survival, compared to a 90% probability of 5-year survival for the p53-negative cohort (P = .0001). Thirty percent of the tumors were aneuploid, which was also associated with poor prognosis (P = .0003). HER-2/neu overexpression and an S-phase fraction greater than 10% showed similar trends, but were not statistically significant. On multivariate analysis, p53 overexpression was the strongest independent prognosticator of survival (P = .0001). Conclusion: Molecular characteristics provide objective data that may be useful in predicting prognosis in patients with endometrial cancer. Further investigation of molecular and genetic characteristics are needed to refine our diagnostic and treatment modalities.
Teacher's Myers-Briggs personality profiles: Identifying effective teacher personality traits

The Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) and Beiderman Risk Taking (BRT) scale were administered to 58 teachers living in the state of Florida, USA. These teachers are considered part of prestigious group of educators who were nominated into the Florida League of Teachers by their superintendents/directors. Descriptive data includes frequency and percentage of response for each Type Indicator and for each combination of Type Indicators. Furthermore, a χ2 statistic showed that the sample of 58 Florida League of Teacher recipients were significantly different from two comparison groups of elementary school teachers (N=804, 189). In this study, significant differences (p<.01) occurred with the ENFP and the ENFJ combined profile types. Additionally, the significant results (p<.01) occurring for the combined ENFP type contradicts the typical ISFJ type as reported in other research characteristic of other American elementary educators.
Modelling and Simulation of Micro EDM Process

Abstract In micro EDM, simple-shaped tools are being used to machine complex 3D micro features because of the cost and difficulty in fabricating multiple complex-shaped micro electrodes. However, the tool wear adversely affects the accuracy of machined micro features. Therefore, a theoretical model for surface profile generation which takes into account the effect of tool wear is needed. This paper presents such a model and a simplified simulation algorithm. The experimental results of micro and macro EDM generated surface profiles confirm the validity of the proposed mathematical model and the simulation algorithm.
Coexistence of antigen-specific and idiotype-specific suppressor T cells in mice injected neonatally with a mixture of antigen and anti-idiotype antibody

Specific tolerance to phosphorylcholine (PC) can be induced in BALB/c mice by neonatal injection with either pneumococcal C-polysaccharide (PnC) containing PC or anti-TEPC-15 idiotype (T15id) antibody which recognizes the predominant idiotype of anti-PC antibody of BALB/c mice. Suppressor T cells (Ts) induced after treatment with anti-T15id antibody react with the T15id and PnC-induced Ts cells appear to recognize PC. A brief incubation of anti-id-induced, T15id-specific Ts with PnC-induced, PC-reactive Ts resulted in complete cancellation of their suppressor functions. However, both types of Ts were present in mice neonatally injected with mixtures of PnC and anti-T15id antibody. Neutralization experiments using either PnC-induced or anti-id-induced suppressor T cells strongly suggest that only one of the Ts cell types is functionally dominant in those mice: most frequently, T15id-specific Ts cells. The suppressor function of the other population is detectable only when the predominant Ts cell population is removed by anti-id or monoclonal IgM anti-PC (SP45) plus complement. However, both suppressor activities are completely eliminated when one of the Ts populations is removed by adherence to either antigen or T15id. These results suggest that mice neonatally injected with a mixture of antigen and anti-id antibody possess both types of suppressor T cells, yet only one type is functionally dominant.
High power harmonically mode-locked cw-pumped Nd:YAG laser

A new cavity configured from commercially available parts including a harmonic mode locker has yielded stable 60-ps pulses and an average power of 14 W. Powers of up to 20 W are readily attained at the expense of pulse width. These are the largest peak powers yet reported for a single-lamp cw-pumped Nd:YAG laser.
The selective degradation of injected proteins occurs principally in the cytosol rather than in lysosomes

Abstract These studies use microinjection to determine whether the selective degradation of cytosolic proteins involves selective transfer of proteins to lysosomes or selective proteolysis within the cytosol. 14 C-Sucrose-labeled bovine serum albumin ( 14 C-sucBSA) was conjugated to polylysine, and monolayers of L929 cells were exposed to the conjugate. The 14 C-sucrose-labeled peptides that arose upon degradation of the added 14 C-sucBSA polylysine accumulated exclusively within lysosomes. In contrast, when 14 C-sucBSA or 14 C-sucrose-labeled pyruvate kinase ( 14 C-sucPK) was microinjected into L929 cells, over half the 14 C-sucrose-labeled peptides derived from the injected proteins were present in the postlysosomal supernatant. Control experiments demonstrated that the microinjection procedure did not cause 14 C-sucrose peptides to leak from lysosomes. Therefore, the presence in the cytosol of substantial amounts of the degradation products from injected 14 C-sucBSA and 14 C-sucPK confirms the existence of a major proteolytic system(s) within or readily accessible to the cytosol of animal cells.
The construction of the World Wide Web-accessible myocardial two-dimensional gel electrophoresis protein database “HEART-2DPAGE”: A practical approach

The construction of the two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) gel protein database “HEART-2DPAGE” for human heart proteins, accessible via the World Wide Web (WWW), is described. This database provides the opportunity to retrieve descriptive information interactively by mouse clicking on a protein spot within a 2-DE gel image or to retrieve the position of a protein if its protein name or a search expression is given. The realization of searching for proteins, the creation of clickable spots, marked by crosses or textual information, and interactive viewing opportunities are discussed from a softwareoriented point of view. The database takes into account that some human heart proteins are chamber specific. Several Common Gateway Interface (CGI) scripts are described and some practical experience is discussed.
Heat-Resistant Fungi of Importance to the Food and Beverage Industry

Spoilage of pasteurized and canned fruit and fruit products caused by heat-resistant molds have been reported repeatedly in recent years. Species most commonly implicated in fruit and fruit product disintegration are Byssochlamys fulva, Byssochlamys nivea, Neosartorya fischeri, Talaromyces flavus, and Eupenicillium brefeldianum. These organisms are saprophytic rather than parasitic and usually contaminate fruits on or near the ground. They can survive heat treatments used for fruit processing and can grow and spoil the products during storage at room temperature, which results in great economic losses. Mold heat resistance is attributed to the formation of sexual spores, ascospores. Ascospores have a wide range of heat resistance, depending on species, strain, age of organism, heating medium, pH, presence of sugars, fats, and acids in heating medium, growth conditions, etc. The mechanism(s) of thermoresistance are not clear; probably some very stable compound(s) critical to germination and outgrowth are present in the heat-resistant ascospores. Besides spoilage, the heat-resistant molds produce a number of toxic secondary metabolites, such as byssotoxin A; byssochlamic acid; the carcinogen, patulin, the tremorgenic substances, fumitremorgin A and C, and verruculogen; fischerin, which caused fatal peritonitis in mice; and eupenifeldin, a compound possessing cytotoxicity as well as in vivo antitumor activity. Growth of heat-resistant fungi can be controlled by lowering the water activity, adding sulfur dioxide, sorbate, or benzoate; washing of fruits in hypochlorite solution before heat treatment reduces the number of ascospores and makes the heat destruction more successful. More research is needed to elucidate the mechanism(s) of thermoresistance and develop new methods for the complete inactivation of resistant ascospores.
Modeling jet fuel (JP-8) fate and transport in soils with plants.

Abstract Vegetation is often used to clean up soils and groundwater contaminated with organic contaminants. Plant‐induced upward water movement may draw organic contaminants spilled near the watertable to the more aerated near‐surface soil. The objective of this study was to develop and verify a 1‐D model of fate and transport of JP‐8, a kerosene‐based jet fuel, in soil. The modeling approach considered the advective and dispersive transport of jet fuels dissolved in groundwater, which may undergo simple first‐order decay or linear adsorption. The governing partial differential advection dispersion equation was solved in one dimension. Data from an experiment of fate and transport of JP‐8 with plant‐induced upward water movement were used to verify the model. Simulated results with different scenarios described the experimental results well for different depths above the contaminated zone in both vegetated and unvegetated columns. Advection was the dominant mechanism near the contaminated zone and advecti...
Cladistic analysis of the alderflies of America north of Mexico (Megaloptera: Sialidae)

. A cladistic analysis of thirty-five morphological characters is used to produce a cladogram for the twenty-four American species of Sialis found north of Mexico, two European species, and three species of Protosialis. Three species groups (americana, califomica and infumata) proposed by Ross 1937 are shown to be monophyletic. Sialis, Protosialis, and the aequalis species group as currently constituted, are paraphyletic; S.nevadensis is nested within Protosialis and Protosialis is nested within Sialis. Character evolution is evaluated in the light of a phylogenetic hypothesis, and structural modifications are found to correlate with presumed functional constraints.
The variational iteration method for solving systems of equations of Emden–Fowler type

In this paper, the variational iteration method (VIM) is used to study systems of linear and nonlinear equations of Emden–Fowler type arising in astrophysics. The VIM overcomes the singularity at the origin and the nonlinearity phenomenon. The Lagrange multipliers for all cases of the parameter α,α>0, are determined. The work is supported by examining specific systems of two or three Emden–Fowler equations where the convergence of the results is emphasized.
Marriage and Childbearing in China Since 1940

Increased age at marriage in China has contributed significantly to the large decline in fertility that has occurred. If every married couple had attained its actual completed family size and age at marriage had not changed there would have been 104 million more births since 1950. Cohorts marrying in the 1950s and 1960s followed surprisingly closely the structure of a mathematical model of first marriage rates by age derived from the pattern of first marriage frequencies in Sweden in the nineteenth century. The fit to the model schedule was destroyed in the 1970s by administratively enforced postponement of marriage. (EXCERPT)
Keeping it safe: MRI site design, operations, and surveillance at an extended university health system

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safety has attracted increasing attention both within the radiology community and in general. Although much of this attention has been spurred by high-profile accidents, the wide distribution of increasingly powerful MRI technology makes safety a paramount concern. While the ACR has sponsored an overarching policy statement regarding MRI safety (The ACR White Paper on MR Safety), and many articles have reported specific hazards and evaluated myriad devices, this paper describes in detail the practical implementation of safe MRI practice at a large medical center. The implementation focuses on 3 key areas: (1) site access restriction, (2) personnel management, and (3) equipment. In addition, a comprehensive and proactive program for MRI safety surveillance and preemptive action is presented. This last step is key to maintaining the effectiveness of an MRI safety program.
Ethical and Professional Practice Issues in the Provision of Educational Services to Gifted Students

Using ethical principles for psychologists and school psychologists as a guideline, this chapter discusses the ethical and professional practice issues that may arise when providing educational services to gifted children. Issues related to the varying definitions of “giftedness” and their impact on the identification of gifted children are discussed, as well as considerations for reliable and valid assessments of gifted children. Also included is a discussion of ethical and professional issues to consider when deciding on the most appropriate educational placement for gifted students, given that contemporary definitions of giftedness may not be consistent with a school’s curriculum for gifted students.
Surface and deep phonology

or if one consonant is ambivalent, i.e. is part of a C1 AND part of a C2 simultaneously (mattress, belfry). If there is clear separation between C1 and C2 the sequences are rare (aesthetic, cosmetic, Norway). The underlying structure of di-vocalic words in English therefore depends on syllabic indeterminacy; the introduction of the syllable into the analysis can only obscure this fact. In languages in which a non-arbitrary syllable-division is always possible because it is implicit in the consonant clustering and in which this division does not clash with grammatical cuts nor obscure the underlying structure it is possible to use the syllable as a unit for quick reference, although it is not necessary because the syllable is then not an independent entity. In all other languages the syllable has no place in the phonology, and it is, consequently, not a phonological universal.
The utility of image-guided percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy for the diagnosis of spontaneous vertebral osteomyelitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background context Spontaneous vertebral osteomyelitis (SVOM) is mostly acquired via hematogenous seeding. Diagnosis of SVOM is often delayed because of the insidious nature and rarity of this disease. The microbiological yield of image-guided needle biopsy varies between 36% and 91%. The utility and accuracy of this procedure have not been systematically reviewed. Purpose To systematically review and assess the diagnostic accuracy of image-guided spinal biopsy for SVOM in adults when compared with combined reference standards. Study design A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sample Seven retrospective studies involving 482 patients with clinical and/or radiologic suspicion of SVOM who underwent image-guided spinal biopsy were included. Outcome measures The primary outcome measure was diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Other outcomes included likelihood ratio of a positive test (LRP), likelihood ratio of a negative test (LRN), sensitivity, and specificity. Methods We searched in six medical databases through September 1, 2013 for studies evaluating the performance of image-guided spinal biopsy for SVOM with no limits on language or publication date. Combined reference standards, which included histopathologic findings consistent with vertebral osteomyelitis, identifications of pathogens from open surgery and/or blood cultures, and/or evidence of clinical and radiologic improvement after empiric antimicrobial therapy, were used for comparison. The random-effect model was used for meta-analysis. Two reviewers independently selected the studies. Results Three hundred fifty-eight potentially relevant studies were identified. Seven studies were included in our analysis. Two studies that used only single reference standard were excluded in the sensitivity analysis, and five studies involving 352 patients were pooled. Image-guided spinal biopsy had a DOR of 45.50 (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.66–151.56), an LRP of 16.76 (95% CI, 5.51–50.95), an LRN of 0.39 (95% CI, 0.24–0.64), a sensitivity of 52.2% (95% CI, 45.8–58.5), and a specificity of 99.9% (95% CI, 94.5–100). This is based on the assumption that combined reference standards are a valid standard for comparison. Conclusions Image-guided spinal biopsy is highly specific and performs well in predicting SVOM, but has a moderate accuracy for ruling out this diagnosis. This procedure should be considered in the diagnostic work-up of adults suspected with SVOM.
Tenacious inferential illusions: Experimental fact vs. critical fancy

Tzeng and Tzeng's (1982) assertion that the results from two indices of estimated item coendorsement should not have been combined in Mirels' (1976) demonstration of inferential illusions is shown to be based on erroneous suppositions. Evidence for the equivalence of the two formats makes it clear that the separate presentation of data for each index would have yielded results and led to conclusions virtually identical to those for the combined data. The objection by Tzeng and Tzeng to Mirels' use of empirical conditional probabilities as a criterion against which to assess the veridicality of Implicit Personality Theory is also shown to be without empirical foundation. In the light of available findings, the existence of striking inaccuracies in the culturally prevalent Implicit Personality Theory seems well established.
Testing, terminating, and discriminating.

In my previous thinking about the considerations that go under the heading of the “expressivist argument,” I have been fascinated chiefly by two of its features: its (implicit) semantic commitments and its independence from disputes about the moral standing of fetuses. Abortions prompted by prenatal testing are undertaken because of indications that the fetus has physical features that would be configured as disabilities in the social world into which it would otherwise emerge. The expressivist argument's allegation, as I have understood it, is that abortions so motivated convey semantic content—“send a message”—to people who are currently living with disabilities that is somehow insulting, hateful, dismissive, or disparaging. It is thus uncontroversial moral subjects who are wronged, not—or, at least, not necessarily—the aborted fetuses. So far as this argument goes, a person might hold strongly pro-choice views about abortion generally and still object to “selective” abortions.
Ariadne—an adaptive router for fault-tolerant multicomputers

Adaptive routing has been proposed as a means of improving performance and fault-tolerance in multicomputer networks. While a number of algorithms have been proposed, few adaptive routers have been implemented in hardware. This paper presents the design and implementation of Ariadne --- a prototype single chip, hardware router. The primary motivation is tolerance to link and router failures, while reconciling conflicting demands on performance. This is achieved by implementing the m-misroute backtracking protocol (MB-m) using the pipelined circuitswitching (PCS) communication mechanism[17]. Ariadne implements two virtual data channels and one virtual control channel per physical link. The router is self-timed with single flit buffering at the input and output ports, and is fully adaptive.
Global deposition of extraterrestrial particles during October

Abstract Concentration peaks of magnetic spheroids were recorded simultaneously at different latitudes during October 1967 and 1969. The shapes of concentration curves in each hemisphere are very similar. Spheroids present in an exceptionally high concentration on 10 October 1969 in the southern hemisphere contained Mn, Cr, and Ni, a fact which supports the existence of an extraterrestrial source for those particles. Nearly all data for October 1969 show simultaneous changes in spherule concentrations in the 2–5 μ and 5–20 μ diameter size ranges; the two groups appeared at sampling stations at the same time, indicating an aided downward particle transport in a foreign matrix, possibly ice. In view of the lack of association between the magnetic spheroid concentration peak and any well-defined meteor activity, the hypothesis linking frequency of rainfall with an extraterrestrial source was formulated as follows: a causal relationship exists between the probability of rainfall and an extraterrestrial particle source for areas where water vapor is available and rain formation is initiated by the ice phase.
Joint Estimation and Testing for Functional Form and Heteroskedasticity

Abstract This paper develops the maximum likelihood procedure to estimate the appropriate functional form in regression models with heteroskedastic errors. The analysis can then enable us to separate out the influence of non-linearity in an estimate of the transformation parameter from the influence of stabilizing the error variance. Illustrative examples have been used to show that estimation and tests for functional form and heteroskedasticity can and should be jointly considered.
The substructure of crystalloids in secretory granules of dog pancreatic islet B cells.

The B cells of dog pancreatic islets were studied by electron microscopy. The crystalloid core of secretory granules in B cells is unique. The crystallization of the secretory granule core appears to be accomplished in the Golgi apparatus. The square or hexagonal network with a periodicity of 30–60 A that is produced suggests that the unit cell is either hexagonal or rhombohedral. The electron opaque dots which constitute the periodic densities may represent the insulin molecule itself in a crystalloid array.
Science and Economics in the Management of an Invasive Species

ABSTRACT Estimates of the economic impacts of nonnative nuisance (“invasive”) species must rely on both a sound ecological understanding and the proper application of economic methods. Focusing on the example of the invasive European green crab (Carcinus maenas), we show that the crab's estimated economic impact—which has been used to help justify recent public policy—is based on data taken from the wrong geographic location. Furthermore, the predictions of ecological effects appear to rest on loose footing, and economic methods have been misapplied in constructing the estimate. Our purpose is to call attention to the need for the more careful application of science and economics in managing this pressing environmental issue.
BCG-induced urinary cytokines inhibit microvascular endothelial cell proliferation

Purpose: Angiogenesis is thought to depend on a net balance of molecules that inhibit or stimulate microvascular endothelial cells. A variety of molecules that affect angiogenesis are induced locally by the administration of intravesical bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for superficial bladder cancer. We sought to determine whether BCG-induced urinary cytokines alter the effects of patient urine on assays of angiogenic activity.Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing BCG treatment provided urine samples before and at peak cytokine production times after BCG instillation. Fifty-four urine samples from 8 patients were analyzed by ELISA for a panel of molecules known to affect angiogenesis, and tested for angiogenic activity in human dermal microvascular endothelial cell (HDMEC) proliferation and migration assays. To assess the role of specific BCG-induced cytokines, urinary HDMEC proliferation assays were repeated in the presence of neutralizing antibodies to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-...
A Unified Approach to Taxonomic Delimitation in the Fern Genus Pentagramma (Pteridaceae)

Abstract The native goldback and silverback ferns of western North America, composing the genus Pentagramma, are phylogenetically isolated within the xeric-adapted cheilanthoid clade. Although species-poor compared to its sister group, Pentagramma encompasses a diverse array of morphotypes, cytotypes, and flavonoid chemotypes. Because the differences are generally cryptic, however, the various entities are usually recognized at an infraspecific level. In recent years, as many as five subspecies have been ascribed to P. triangularis, and only P. pallida has been considered sufficiently divergent to warrant recognition as a distinct species. In this study, we take a unified approach to taxonomic delimitation in Pentagramma. Combining spore studies with phylogenetic analyses of plastid and nuclear sequences, we identify six genetically and morphologically distinct diploid lineages, each of which is here treated as a species. A new species is described (P. glanduloviscida) and three new combinations are made ...
2-Level-Service

2-level-service occurs when an inventory system has two or more locations and one location is the source to another location in the network. The source location receives its stock from a supplier and -- when called upon -- replenishes the stock to another location, here called the 2-level-service location. This paper shows how to control the inventory at each location and generates table values on inventory levels for a range of scenarios.
UWB impulse radar for vital signs sensing — A modeling framework for arbitrary periodic heart and lung motion

The Impulse Radio Ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) vital signs application is typically characterized by a periodic transmitted waveform and a periodic delay modulation caused by periodic chest displacement. We present closed-form spectral coefficients for the chest-reflected IR-UWB signal as it arrives at the radar receiver, assuming a planar chest model. We assume the chest displaces according to arbitrary periodic motion of the heart and lungs. Our base model assumes a periodic train of transmitted impulses. We call our approach a "framework" because our model can be put with any burst waveform that is transmitted periodically (such as a pseudo-random binary sequence), any multi-layer model of the chest, and any receiver signal processing model, to provide a complete model of the post-processed radar received signal. We describe in the paper how each of these extensions can be done in a straightforward way with our model, without having to re-derive the coefficients of the base model. Our model is more general than existing models, which lack closed form expressions or have various constraints, such as sinusoidal chest displacement, zero phase, or unavoidable aliasing.
SEC Administrative Proceedings: Backlash and Reform

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s aggressive prosecution of securities violations inside administrative proceedings (APs) has generated backlash. Key stakeholders are now attacking the agency’s enforcement program as illegitimate and a growing number of respondents charged in APs have launched broad constitutional challenges. Though these suits target deeply entrenched features of administrative adjudication, they have already begun to prove successful, and threaten significant transformations to the SEC and beyond.Historically, the SEC’s enforcement architecture embodied respect for the principle that, holding all else equal, procedures ought to be commensurate with the stakes of the adjudication. After Dodd-Frank, the agency abandoned this principle. The backlash is, at least in part, attributable to and justified by this reversal.The SEC should have done after Dodd-Frank what it had done after previous expansions of its administrative penalty powers: reestablish the equilibrium between penalties and procedures by revising the Rules of Practice that govern APs. The SEC’s recently proposed amendments to these rules are too little, too late. A bolder approach is required.