cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Power of Perception: Reconciling Competing Hypotheses About the Influence of NRA Money in Politics

The failure of Congress to enact meaningful gun control legislation despite overwhelming public support in the wake of the 2012 shootings in Newton, CT provides a unique opportunity to examine the influence of money in politics. The suspicion of improper influence arises whenever there is an apparent discrepancy between public opinion and the actions of elected representatives. This paper will explore two competing hypotheses regarding the degree of influence in Congress the National Rifle Association (NRA) has acquired through its political contributions, independent expenditures, and lobbying efforts. Using Lawrence Lessig’s framework of “dependency corruption,” this paper will argue that the influence of NRA money in politics is not as straightforward as it may appear, but that ultimately, the actual nature of the dependency between Congress and the NRA is less important than the fact that both public citizens and elected officials perceive that there is a dependency. This perception is sufficient to undermine public trust in Congress and distort the formulation of public policy.
THE SYSTEM OF INTEGERS

This chapter discusses the system of integers and describes the need for a number system that is more extensive than the whole-number system and different from the fractional numbers. The system of whole numbers can be used in the construction of the system of integers. The construction of the integers parallels to some extent the construction of the whole numbers, and more so, the construction of the fractional numbers. A similar construction can be used to construct a more extensive number system than the integers. Every element of an equivalence class is called a representative of that class. If an integer and its inverse in regard to addition are added, the result is the identity in regard to addition. An important function on the set of integers, called the absolute value function, maps every integer onto a nonnegative integer.
A DECOMPOSITION OF EXCESSIVE MEASURES

Let {Pt;t ≥ 0} denote the transition semigroup for a Borel right Markov process on a state space (E, ℰ). We set \( U\left( {x,D} \right) = \int\limits_0^{\infty } {{P_t}} \left( {x,D} \right)dt \) and denote by µU and Uf the potential of a measure μ and a function f respectively. Given a measure m on ℰ and a set D in ℰ let mD be the measure mD(B) = m(D∩B). A measure m on ℰ is called excessive if it is σ-finite and m ≥ mPt for all t. If µ is a measure on ℰ the formula \( \mu U(A) = \int {\mu \left( {dx} \right)U\left( {x,A} \right)} \) defines a measure, the potential of µ, on ℰ. It will be excessive if and only if it is σ-finite. An excessive measure m is called invariant if mPt = m for all t.
The development of a Biobank of cancer tissue samples from World Trade Center responders.

World Trade Center (WTC) responders were exposed to mixture of dust, smoke, chemicals and carcinogens. Studies of cancer incidence in this population have reported elevated risks of cancer compared to the general population. There is a need to supplement current epidemiologic cancer follow-up with a cancer tissue bank in order to better elucidate a possible connection between each cancer and past WTC exposure. This work describes the implementation of a tissue bank system for the WTC newly diagnosed cancers, focused on advancing the understanding of the biology of these tumors. This will ultimately impact the modalities of treatment, and the probability of success and survival of these patients. WTC Responders who participated (as employees or volunteers) in the rescue, recovery and cleanup efforts at the WTC sites have been enrolled at Mount Sinai in the World Trade Center Health Program. Responders with cancer identified and validated through linkages with New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut cancer registries were eligible to participate in this biobank. Potential participants were contacted through letters, phone calls, and emails to explain the research study, consent process, and to obtain the location where their cancer procedure was performed. Pathology departments were contacted to identify and request tissue samples. All the 866 solid cancer cases confirmed by the Data Center at Mount Sinai have been contacted and consent was requested for retrieval and storage of the tissue samples from their cancer. Hospitals and doctors’ offices were then contacted to locate and identify the correct tissue block for each patient. The majority of these cases consist of archival paraffin blocks from surgical patients treated from 2002 to 2015. At the time of manuscript writing, this resulted in 280 cancer samples stored in the biobank. A biobank of cancer tissue from WTC responders has been compiled with 280 specimens in storage to date. This tissue bank represents an important resource for the scientific community allowing for high impact studies on environmental exposures and cancer etiology, cancer outcome, and gene-environment interaction in the unique population of WTC responders.
Deep Y-Descent in Right Atrial Waveforms is Associated with RV Dysfunction and Worse Outcome in LVAD Patients

Purpose Right atrial waveform provides diagnostic and clinical information in heart failure patients. Notably, the y-descent (Figure 1A) may provide information about right ventricular systolic and diastolic function . We aimed to investigate the clinical implication of right atrial waveform in LVAD patients. Methods Patients underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) at 6 months following LVAD implantation and were followed for 1 year afterwards. Impact of a deep y-descent (>3 mmHg) on echocardiographic RA and RV function and clinical outcomes were investigated. Results 56 LVAD patients (mean age 56.2 years, 77% male) underwent RHC. Patients with post-LVAD deep y-descent (N = 22 [39%]) had increased right ventricular size and worse right ventricular function (Table 1A). The patients with deep y-descent had higher rates of GI bleeding (1.10 vs. 0.32 event/year), stroke (0.28 vs. 0.0 event/year), and heart failure readmissions (0.57 vs. 0.12 events/year) compared to those without (p Conclusion Deep y-descent of the right atrial waveform during LVAD support is associated with impaired right ventricular function and worse clinical outcomes.
Cloud remote sensing with EPIC/DSCOVR observations: A sensitivity study with radiative transfer simulations

Abstract The Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) onboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) views nearly the whole sunlit face of the Earth with 10 spectral bands ranging from the UV to the near-infrared, including two oxygen absorbing bands centered at 764 nm (A-band) and 687.75 nm (B-band). Clouds are among the primary remote sensing targets using EPIC images because of their important impacts on the Earth’s radiation budget. In order to facilitate the EPIC cloud data product development, we have built a radiative transfer simulator featuring flexible cloud microphysical parameters, gas absorptions, and the instrument line shape functions for each EPIC band. The radiative transfer simulator is used to explore the sensitivity of EPIC observations on liquid-phase cloud microphysical parameters, including optical depth, geometric thickness, and cloud top height. We found that the ratios of the reflectances in the oxygen A and B bands to their respective continuum measurements can be used to increase the confidence level of cloud masking over scenes with sun-glint. In addition, the 388 nm band can be used to differentiate low and high clouds with the uncertainty of roughly 2–3 km. Combining this information with the oxygen absorption bands, the cloud geometric thickness can be obtained with the rough uncertainty of 3–4 km.
Extensions of a RoboCup Soccer Software Framework

The RoboCup soccer leagues have greatly benefitted Team DARwIn and the UPennalizers. The stiff competition has hardened our code into a robust framework, and the community has allowed it to flourish as an open source project used by many teams. Working with the open source DARwIn-OP hardware allows even more clairvoyance into the inner workings on the low level code the builds to state machines. We show how our codebase performs in the Webots simulation and on the Open Source DARwIn-OP platform. From these beginnings, we wish to apply our codebase to new scenarios for humanoids including human robot interaction and manipulation tasks. Many of these scenarios are explored by other RoboCup leagues including @Home and Rescue, where we see a new avenue for our codebase. New human robot interaction features are described in our framework, and example performances are demonstrated. Finally, we describe added standards compliance and open source tool usage that will give our codebase more accessibility.
Cylindrical Aggregates of Chlorophylls Studied by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

Neutron small-angle scattering has demonstrated tubular chlorophyll aggregates are formed by self-assembly of a variety of chlorophyll types in nonpolar solvents. The size and other properties of the tubular aggregates can be accounted for by stereochemical properties of the chlorophyll molecules. Features of some of the structures are remarkably similar to light harvesting chlorophyll complexes in vivo, particularly for photosynthetic bacteria. These nanotube chlorophyll structures may have applications as light harvesting biomaterials where efficient energy transfer occurs from an excited state which is highly delocalized.
More Than a Vacation? Assessing the Impact of a Short-Term Study Abroad Program to the Middle East

What impact do short-term, faculty-led study abroad programs have on student learning? And are such programs more impactful than a standard face-to-face course? University administrators and facult...
Hunter-Gatherers: Problems in Theory

Hunter-gatherers are problems in theory. Because that is so, the future of hunter-gatherer research will rest in large part on the extent to which it is grounded in a clear and concise body of theory. Not just any body of theory will do: To qualify it must contain, at minimum, both a general theory and a number of limited theories that illustrate the operation of the general theory in the presence of special circumstances. Such a framework is basic to all productive scientific investigation because facts never speak for themselves. For every “obvious” fact (e.g., the definition of “hunter-gatherer”), there is a theory that defines where that fact starts and stops, what its variation consists of, and what causes that variation. Until the theory exists, the fact as a scientific phenomenon (i.e., as useful data) does not.
Physical punishment and child externalizing behavior: comparing American Indian, White, and African American children

This study examined if, compared to White and African American children, maternal spanking of American Indian children was associated with child externalizing behavior problems. Using a community-based sample of 3,632 children (1,183 White, 2,183 African American, 266 American Indian), multiple-group autoregressive cross-lagged models examined the associations between maternal spanking and child externalizing behavior across the first 5 years of life. Rates of spanking for American Indian and White children were similar at all three time points (age 1, age 3, and age 5). When comparing White and American Indian groups, maternal spanking at age 1 predicted child externalizing behavior at age 3 (White: β = .10, p < .001; American Indian: β = .08, p < .01), and maternal spanking at age 3 predicted child externalizing behavior at age 5 (White: β = .09, p < .05; American Indian: β = .08, p < .01). When comparing African American and American Indian groups, maternal spanking at age 1 predicted child externalizing behavior at age 3 (African American: β = .08, p < .01; American Indian: β = .06, p < .001), and maternal spanking at age 3 predicted child externalizing behavior at age 5 (African American: β = .08, p < .001; American Indian: β = .07, p < .001). Structural invariance tests suggested that the associations observed among American Indian children were not distinguishable from those observed among White and African American children. Results of this study can be interpreted in light of the recent American Academy of Pediatrics statement that encourages pediatricians to counsel parents against the use of physical punishment. Similar to White and African American families, American Indian families may benefit from reducing or eliminating the use of physical punishment.
Localization of Expressive Language Cortex in a 2-Year-Old Child Using High-Gamma Electrocorticography:

Cortical stimulation mapping is the gold standard for presurgical language mapping; however, it cannot be reliably performed in very young patients. Language mapping using noninvasive modalities is also challenging in very young patients. Although utility of language mapping using power of high-gamma in electrocorticographic recordings was demonstrated in adults and older children, there is a gap of knowledge in the ability of this procedure for localizing language-specific cortex in very young patients. We describe a case of a 2-year-old patient who, to our knowledge, is the youngest person to undergo successful high-gamma electrocorticographic presurgical language mapping for localization of the expressive language cortex (Broca area). The surgical plan was to resect a cortical tuber within the left inferior frontal gyrus and there was a strong concern about postoperative language deficit after resection. Presurgical language mapping using noninvasive modalities were attempted without success. Cortical stimulation mapping was not feasible in this patient. Therefore, high-gamma electrocorticography was the only viable option for language mapping, and it successfully localized the expressive language cortex. The patient underwent surgery for resection of the IFG tuber based on results of high-gamma electrocorticography and had no postoperative language deficit. High-gamma electrocorticography can be used for localizing language-specific cortex, especially Broca's area, in very young patients.
Food and the Brain

The rates of synthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin, acetylcholine, and probably also norepinephrine depend physiologically on the availability to the brain of their precursor molecules, the nutrients tryptophan, choline, and tyrosine, respectively. The brain concentration of each precursor can rapidly be influenced by the diet; food ingestion thus readily modifies the synthesis of each of these neurotransmitters in brain. Brain neurons that utilise serotonin, acetylcholine, or norepinephrine are involved in neuronal networks that control a number of body functions and behaviours (for example, appetite, food choice, sleep, memory, and mood). Thus dietary constituents are able normally to affect these functions and, when given as large doses of pure nutrients, to serve as treatments for brain diseases involving monoaminergic or cholinergic neurons.
Mechanosensitive Ca2+ signaling and coordination is diminished in osteocytes of aged mice during ex vivo tibial loading

Purpose: The osteocyte is considered the major mechanosensor in bone, capable of detecting forces at a cellular level to coordinate bone formation and resorption. The pathology of age-related bone loss, a hallmark of osteoporosis, is attributed in part to impaired osteocyte mechanosensing. However, real-time evidence of the effect of aging on osteocyte responses to mechanical load is lacking. Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) oscillations have been characterized as an early mechanosensitive response in osteocytes in systems of multiple scales and thus can serve as a real-time measure of osteocyte mechanosensitivity. Our objective was to utilize an ex vivo model to investigate potentially altered mechanosensing in the osteocyte network with aging.Methods: Tibiae were explanted from young-adult (5 mo) and aged (22 mo) female mice and incubated with Fluo-8 AM to visualize osteocyte intracellular Ca2+. Whole tibiae were cyclically loaded while in situ osteocyte Ca2+ dynamics were simultaneously imaged with confocal microscopy. Responsive osteocyte percentage and Ca2+ peak characteristics were quantified, as well as signaling synchrony between paired cells in the field of view.Results: Fewer osteocytes responded to mechanical loading in aged mice compared to young-adult and did so in a delayed manner. Osteocytes from aged mice also lacked the well-correlated relationship between Ca2+ signaling synchrony and cell-cell distance exhibited by young-adult osteocytes.Conclusions: We have demonstrated, for the first time, real-time evidence of the diminished mechanosensing and lack of signaling coordination in aged osteocyte networks in tibial explants, which may contribute to pathology of age-induced bone loss.
Maternal antepartum antibiotic administration and patterns of bacterial resistance in early preterm neonates.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between maternal antepartum antibiotic administration and antibiotic resistance patterns in preterm neonates admitted to the...
Toward a new perspective on salesperson success and motivation: a trifocal framework

Recent developments in sales theory and practice have shed light on the increasing complexity of the sales domain, which inspires a reassessment of understanding salespeople’s success and underlyin...
Hydrodynamics in Acute Ischemic Stroke Catheters Under Static and Cyclic Aspiration Conditions

Previous studies have suggested improved recanalization efficiency by using cyclic aspiration as opposed to static aspiration for mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, there has not been an investigation into which parameters optimize this theoretical approach. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the application of static and cyclic pressure in AIS aspiration catheters. An experimental flow system was designed to apply and measure both static and cyclic aspiration pressures in four commercial aspiration catheters. A medical aspirator and solenoid-valve were used to generate a range of applied pump pressures and cyclic valve frequencies. The measured mean and oscillatory pressure amplitudes were analyzed and compared across catheters and operating conditions. The greatest mean pressures and forces were achieved under contact-aspiration conditions using the largest diameter catheter, while the largest oscillating pressure (ΔP) and force (ΔF) values were generated in the least compliant catheter, determined to be proportional to both its inner radius and wall thickness. Furthermore, lower frequency cyclic aspiration was able to generate the largest values of ΔP and ΔF. For future investigations of cyclic aspiration AIS therapy, the best options are to use large inner diameter and low compliance catheters operating at lower cyclic frequencies to generate the greatest mean and oscillating forces on lodged thromboemboli.
Hepatoenteric recycling is a new disposition mechanism for orally administered phenolic drugs and phytochemicals in rats

Many orally administered phenolic drugs undergo enterohepatic recycling (EHR), presumably mediated by the hepatic phase II enzymes. However, the disposition of extrahepatically generated phase II metabolites is unclear. This paper aims to determine the new roles of liver and intestine in the disposition of oral phenolics. Sixteen representative phenolics were tested using direct portal vein infusion and/or intestinal perfusion. The results showed that certain glucuronides were efficiently recycled by liver. OATP1B1/1B3/2B1 were the responsible uptake transporters. Hepatic uptake is the rate-limiting step in hepatic recycling. Our findings showed that the disposition of many oral phenolics is mediated by intestinal glucuronidation and hepatic recycling. A new disposition mechanism 'Hepatoenteric Recycling (HER)", where intestine is the metabolic organ and liver is the recycling organ, was revealed. Further investigations focusing on HER should help interpret how intestinal aliments or co-administered drugs that alter gut enzymes (e.g. UGTs) expression/activities will impact the disposition of phenolics.
Spectrum of Electroencephalography Findings in Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy.

Background Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that presents with recurrent seizures associated with erratic brain activity which can be measured through EEG in addition to other neurological investigations. However, EEG may show abnormal patterns and waveforms while the patient is having a seizure which is crucial for making an accurate diagnosis. Objective This study aims to evaluate the spectrum of EEG findings in newly diagnosed epileptic patients as part of a neurological investigation. Material and methods This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Department of Paediatric Neurology, the Children's Hospital, and the Institute of Child Health, Lahore for six months. A sample of 122 patients was enrolled in this study with an age range of >1 month and <18 years, with a diagnosis of epilepsy based upon ≥2 unprovoked seizures that occurred ≥ 24 hours apart. After obtaining informed consent from the patients, a one-time EEG was carried out and details were noted such as type and frequency of the discharge, site of maximum amplitude, paroxysm morphology, and onset and offset (focal/generalized) of the discharges. The data was analyzed using SPSS v.25 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). Results The mean age of children enrolled in this study was 5.58 ± 3.46 years. There were 70 (57.4%) males and 52 (42.6%) females. The mean age at the onset of seizures was 4.85 ± 3.16 years. Out of 122 children, focal onset aware epilepsy type was noted in 8 cases, focal onset impaired awareness was noted in 19 cases and generalized onset motor type of epilepsy was noted in 95 cases. Furthermore, EEG findings were normal in 41 (33.61%) patients; however, 81 (66.39%) EEG findings of the patients place them in the abnormal range. On EEG, paroxysm morphology was typical in 78 (96.3%) patients while atypical in 3 (3.7%) patients. Discharge spectrum was generalized in 46 (56.8%) patients, localized in 19 (23.5%) patients, bilateral independent in 1 (1.2%) patient and multifocal in 15 (18.5%) patients. Discharge pattern was periodic in seven (8.6%) cases, rhythmic delta activity was noted in 4 (4.9%) cases, spike and wave pattern was noted in 68 (84.0%) cases and sharp and wave pattern was observed in 36 (44.4%) patients. Conclusion Our study concluded that EEG findings were abnormal in 81 (66.39%) patients. Thus to make the recommendations locally and nationally, we observed that EEG can highlight the abnormal pattern and discharges in newly diagnosed individuals with epilepsy. Our findings could be instrumental to identify the type of EEG discharges in a timely fashion while making diagnoses and treatment plan protocols accordingly. This study finding recommends the early application of EEG after the presentation of epileptic symptoms by the patient. We further recommend that further similar studies be conducted in multiple tertiary care settings to reach a firm and valuable conclusion.
Lg = 40nm Composite Channel MOS-HEMT Exhibiting f τ = 420 GHz, f max = 562 GHz

An L g = 40 nm, t ch = 7.0 nm In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As / InAs MOS-HEMT exhibiting f t = 420 GHz and f max = 562 GHz at V DS = 0.70 V, V GS = 0.30 V, and I DS = 0.793 mA/µm is reported. A 0.83 nm / 1.71 nm Al x O y N z / ZrO 2 high-k gate dielectric is used with a 3.0 / 4.0 nm In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As / InAs composite channel. At 40 nm L g , high peak g m,e = 2.9 mS/µm and record low g ds,e = 0.18 mS/µm at V DS = 0.70 V was achieved. Long gate length SS min = 69 mV/dec is observed. Bandwidth of the present devices is limited by parasitic C GS,p , C GD,p .
Inhibition of peptidylarginine deiminase attenuates inflammation and improves survival in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock.

Abstract Background We have recently shown that inhibition of peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) improves survival in a rodent model of lethal cecal ligation and puncture. The roles of PAD inhibitors in hemorrhagic shock (HS), however, are largely unknown. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of YW3-56, a novel PAD inhibitor, on survival after severe HS. Methods Mouse macrophages were exposed to hypoxic conditions followed by reoxygenation in the presence or absence of YW3-56. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure levels of secreted tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 in the culture medium. Cell viability was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. In the survival experiment, anesthetized male Wistar–Kyoto rats ( n = 10/group) were subjected to 55% blood loss, and treated with or without YW3-56 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Survival was monitored for 12 h. In the nonsurvival experiment, morphologic changes of the lungs were examined. Levels of circulating cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC-1) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the lungs were measured by ELISA. Expression of lung intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1) was also determined by Western blotting. Results Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) insult induced tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 secretion from macrophages, which was significantly attenuated by YW3-56 treatment. YW3-56 treatment also increased cell viability when macrophages were exposed to H/R up to 6/15 h and improved survival rate from 20% to 60% in lethal HS rat model. Compared to the sham groups, pulmonary MPO activity and ICAM-1 expression in the HS group were significantly increased, and acute lung injury was associated with a higher degree of CINC-1 levels in serum. Intraperitoneal delivery of YW3-56 significantly reduced pulmonary MPO and ICAM-1 expression and attenuated acute lung injury. Conclusions Our results demonstrate for the first time that administration of YW3-56, a novel PAD inhibitor, can improve survival in a rat model of HS and in a cell culture model of H/R. The survival advantage is associated with an attenuation of local and systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines and the protection against acute lung injury after hemorrhage. Thus, PAD inhibition may represent a novel and promising therapeutic strategy for severe HS.
Implementing Legally Mandated Science and Peer Review in Support of the Everglades Restoration Program

The Everglades Forever Act mandates that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District conduct any research necessary to numerically interpret Florida’s existing phosphorus criterion narrative standard, which requires phosphorus levels cause no imbalance in flora and fauna. The Act commands such research to: meet ambitious deadlines, utilize spatial-scaled science, incorporate substantive peer review, be open for public comment, and be published in scientific literature. These commands riddle phosphorus research with multiple obstacles.This article reviews phosphorus criterion research in the Everglades as an example of scientific excellence resulting from open publication in light of litigation, urgency, and ultimate need to support decision making on definitive phosphorus standards. Specifically, the article begins by reviewing the everglades system and its environmental issues, including those resulting from increased phosphorus levels. The article continues on to summarize the Everglades phosphorus research processes, challenges, and resulting benefits.Ultimately, the article supports the use of phosphorus research in the Everglades as a model example of the positive effects that can result when research is conducted in an open research process.
Planning in Cuba Today

In a world ideologically dominated for the past two decades by the theory of markets uber alles ("market fundamentalism" in more academic terminology), Cuba's rejection of this ideology and its tenacious commitment to comprehensive planning in both theory and practice, under extremely difficult economic conditions, merits investigation. This paper addresses three issues concerning planning in Cuba: the basis for Cuba's continued commitment to planning; Cuba's commitment to popular participation in planning (this is really a subpoint of the first issue but one that is particularly important to the issue of planning, so I address it as a separate point); and the new modality of socialist planning being developed in Cuba. There is a moderate amount of easily available written material from Cuba on these topics, but it is largely unknown outside of Cuba, even among socialists who are intensely debating many of the same central issues throughout the rest of the world. This work is intended to present a short introduction to what the Cubans have written on these issues.
Hand-mouth coordination in the newborn: Morphology, determinants, and early development of a basic act.

Abstract The transport of hand(s) toward the mouth is manifested prenatally and remains a prominent behavior at birth. Hand-mouth coordination is indeed one of the earliest behavioral expression of an integration between different sensorimotor systems. It is a trademark of infancy, forming a basic act with obvious adaptive value all through the lifespan. This chapter discusses the morphology and determinants of hand-mouth coordination at birth, and presents its development in the course of the first semester of life. Recent empirical evidence suggests that changes in the motor patterns of hand-mouth coordination correspond to changing functional goals driving the transport of hand(s) to the mouth. Hand-mouth coordination in newborn infants is shown to be an integral part of the feeding system, controlled by particular oropharyngeal stimulation (i.e. sucrose). By 2 months, when infants start to bring objects to the mouth, sucrose stimulation vanishes as a robust predictor of this coordination. Hand-mouth coordination switches to a bi-manual involvement, with both hands moving in symmetry toward the mouth, from a one-handed action at birth. By 5 months, hand-mouth coordination appears to become an integral part of multimodal exploration and manipulation of objects. The motor expression of this coordination changes as hands come increasingly under the control of vision, and as haptic and manipulatory skills develop. This progression is discussed in terms of rapid changes in the functional goals driving hand-mouth coordination at Birth and in the course of the first semester.
Effect of calcium and fat intake on calcium metabolism in calves

Ten male Holstein calves were fed diets with or without 5% added animal fat in combination with low and high dietary calcium (.15 or .98%) for 4 wk. After 3 wk, the animals were orally dosed with calcium-45. One week later they were killed and tissue samples taken. Except for lower calcium-45 in bile, added dietary fat had no marked influence on calcium metabolism. Net absorption of calcium-45 (not excreted in feces) ranged from 82% for calves fed low calcium to 53% for those given high calcium. Calcium-45 in bone was substantially higher in calves fed .15% calcium. Tailbone biopsies revealed rapid uptake of calcium-45 with approximately as much incorporated during the 1st d as in the following 6 d. Calcium-45 in blood peaked 24 h following dosing. Calves fed .15% calcium had higher calcium-45 in blood and bile than those receiving .98% calcium. Calcium-45 values in soft tissue were low and did not differ materially among treatments. The decreases in radioactive calcium absorption and bone deposition with higher dietary calcium indicated that variable absorption was a major factor in calcium homeostasis. Added fat did not materially effect calcium metabolism with either low or high dietary calcium.
The phosphate content of Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase and its effect on stopped flow kinetic studies.

Abstract Alkaline phosphatase purified from Escherichia coli contains up to 2 molecules of tightly bound inorganic phosphate per enzyme molecule. Removal of this endogenous ligand alters the stopped flow traces obtained for the hydrolysis of substrates at pH 5.5 and at pH 8.0. The pre-steady state burst transient of product release normally seen at pH 5.5 (τ-1 = 20 s-1) is transformed into an instantaneous burst of equal amplitude; an equivalent instant phase is created at pH 8.0, where no burst normally is seen. Addition of 1.5 eq of phosphate to phosphate-free enzyme restores the stopped flow trace completely to the normal burst transient. The maximum burst amplitude seen at all stoichiometries of enzyme preincubated with phosphate at pH 7.4 before reaction with substrate at pH 5.5 is 1.4 to 1.6 moles of product released per mole of enzyme and not 1.0 as previously reported. This amplitude is decreased if enzyme is preincubated with endogenous or added phosphate at pH values below 6.5. These results suggest that: (a) during the steady state turnover of substrate, the enzyme shuttles between two conformations, one of which binds substrate preferentially and catalyzes substrate hydrolysis and one of which binds phosphate preferentially and has no catalytic activity; the former conformation is thermodynamically preferred in the absence of phosphate; and (b) the active sites on the alkaline phosphatase molecule may be equivalent and independent, at least in the pre-steady state.
Emotional Expressivity and Trustworthiness: The Role of Nonverbal Behavior in the Evolution of Cooperation

Previous research has found that high emotional expressivity contributes to interpersonal attraction independently of and on par with the contributions of physical attractiveness. Using an evolutionary perspective, we argue that emotional expressivity can act as a marker for cooperative behavior or trustworthiness. Theoretical and empirical work from social dilemma research pointing to the advantages of having a signal for cooperation is considered, as well as research from the limited number of studies that have looked at expressive behavior within a social exchange context. We also argue that we need to inject nonverbal emotional behavior into the social dilemma paradigm, which has downplayed or ignored its role in the communication processes associated with cooperation. Finally, we offer an outline for testing our theory and expanding the role of nonverbal emotional processes within research on cooperation and social exchange.
Experimental methods of contraception

While most new contraceptives currently in development incorporate existing contraceptive agents into new delivery systems, several types of contraceptives with novel mechanisms of action are making steady progress. The antiprogestin mifepristone (better known as RU 486) is being tested as an ovulation inhibitor, as a once-a-month pill, and as a postcoital contraceptive. An antiestrogen, Centchroman (Hindustan Latex, India), is in use in India as a once-a-week, nonsteroidal pill. The development of more potent pituitary gonadotropin antagonists has improved their potential to block ovulation in women and to inhibit spermatogenesis in men (which requires concurrent administration of testosterone). Another promising male contraceptive is an intraluminal vas occlusion plug tested extensively in China that can be removed with no apparent detriment to future fertility. Finally, several types of immunocontraceptives could become the most specific form of fertility control by directing an antibody response against the fertilized or unfertilized egg or against sperm.
High stability measurement in the sub-half micron region based on new ESD technology

Conventional SEMs for C/D measurement are used at lower acceleration voltage due to the reduced charge up effect on the processed wafers. However these systems are not stable and it is difficult to maintain colum environment conditions over the long term without frequent maintenance. We produced a new C/D measurement system at higher acceleration voltage than usual using a new signal detection system, ESD. This system has high resolution and high stability for any type of processed layers.
Capillary endothelial fenestrations in the lamina propria of the guinea pig tongue

Fenestrations of the capillary endothelium have been observed in the lamina propria of the guinea pig tongue. They measure about 600 A in diameter and are closed by a diaphragm. The diaphragm is thinner and less electron-dense than the endothelial cell plasma membrane, and occasionally displays a central thickening, “knob” or “a dense ring-like structure.” Similar fenestrations are sometimes observed in the walls of endothelial vesicles as well.
Cavernous hemangioma of the thoracic spinal cord

A 25-year-old woman presented with a four-year history of progressive right-lower-extremity weakness and atrophy and a left hemisensory deficit was found. Metrizamide-enhanced spinal CT scan showed an intramedullary lesion at the level of T1-T2; this had expanded the cord in fusiform fashion but showed no evidence of a cystic component. Surgical resection was performed and the pathological diagnosis was cavernous hemangioma. Two and one-half years later, her left hemisensory deficit was worsening and a spinal MRI showed high signal intensity mass in the region of the previous surgery consistent with chronic hematoma which was re-evacuated with some improvement in the patient's neurological condition.
A multiplex PCR procedure for the detection of six major virulence genes in Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Abstract A multiplex PCR procedure that detects six major virulence genes, fliC, stx1, stx2, eae, rfbE, and hlyA, in Escherichia coli O157:H7 was developed. Analyses of the available sequences of the six major virulence genes and the published primers allowed us to develop the six-gene, multiplex PCR protocol that maintained the specificity of each primer pair. The resulting six bands for fliC, stx1, stx2, eae, rfbE, and hlyA were even and distinct with product sizes of 949, 655, 477, 375, 296, and 199 bp, respectively. The procedure was validated with a total of 221 E. coli strains that included 4 ATCC, 84 cattle, and 57 human E. coli O157:H7 strains as well as 76 non-O157 cattle and human E. coli strains. The results of all 221 strains were similar to the results generated by established multiplex PCR methods that involved two separate reactions to detect five virulence genes (stx1, stx2, eae, fliC, and hlyA). Specificity of the O antigen was indicated by amplification of only O157, and not O25, O26, O55, O78, O103, O111, O127, and O145 E. coli serotypes. Sensitivity tests showed that the procedure amplified genes from a fecal sample spiked with a minimum of 104 CFU/g (10 cells/reaction) of E. coli O157. After a 6-h enrichment of E. coli O157-spiked samples, a sensitivity level of 10 CFU/g was achieved.
Some aspects of structure and function in cytoplasm.

AN I N C R E A S I N G L Y large number of specific cellular activities can today as assigned to clearly defined and consistently visualized morphologic units within cytoplasm. Cellular biochemistry as well as physiology can be best comprehended when function is examined in relation to structure. This truism applies with equal force to the investigator who extends knowledge for his peers, and the student who wishes to gain knowledge only for his own purposes. At the subcellular level, there is greater similarity between animals, plants, and bacteria than one might suspect from the disparity found in their gross morphology. For this reason, knowledge gained by examina-
Avian brainstem neurogenesis is stimulated during cochlear hair cell regeneration

Unlike mammals, adult avians are able to regenerate cochlear sensory hair cells following injury. Brainstem auditory neurons in chicken nucleus magnocellularis (NM), which receive their sole excitatory afferent input from the cochlea, were examined for evidence of mitosis during ototoxin-induced loss and regeneration of cochlear hair cells. Using tritiated thymidine as a mitotic marker in tissue processed for autoradiography and counterstained with thionin, labeled NM neurons and glia were counted from chickens killed 16 days after gentamicin or saline injections. Newly generated NM neurons were observed during cochlear hair cell regeneration. More labeled neurons were observed in the experimental chickens, but a few were also seen in the control chickens. We predicted labeled NM neurons would be found solely in the rostral high frequency region, given the gentamicin-induced high frequency cochlear hair cell loss and regeneration. However, the labeled NM neurons were located throughout the tonotopic axis of the nucleus. The total number of labeled neurons was lower than predicted. Many labeled NM glia were observed in experimental and control chickens. Labeled cells were also observed throughout the chicken brainstem and cerebellum in both experimental and control chickens, indicating great potential for CNS plasticity. Results in NM indicate the avian auditory system is capable of regenerating brainstem auditory neurons in addition to the previously well-established capability of regenerating cochlear hair cells in response to ototoxic injury. Recovery of both central and peripheral auditory components will be necessary to restore hearing damaged by noise or ototoxic drugs.
Dynamic associations of negative mood and smoking across the development of smoking in adolescence.

Self-medication models of smoking posit that the emotional benefits of smoking reinforce and maintain cigarette use, yet research demonstrates both positive and adverse affective consequences of smoking. The current study examined longitudinal changes in adolescent mood variability and overall negative mood at various stages of smoking behavior to inform understanding of the etiology of adolescent smoking. Participants included 461 adolescents (M age = 15.67 years, SD = 0.61; 55% girls, 56.8% White) drawn from a longitudinal study of adolescent smoking. Youth provided data on smoking behavior at baseline and a 15-month follow-up wave. Ecological momentary assessments were used to measure overall levels of negative mood as well as within-person mood fluctuations (i.e., negative mood variability) at each wave. Findings revealed that smoking–mood relations vary across different stages of smoking behavior. Youth who rapidly escalated in their smoking during the study experienced improved mood regulation (for ...
Molybdoenzymes in Drosophila. IV: Further characterization of the cinnamon phenotype

Mutations at the cin gene display drastically lowered levels of the molybdoenzymes, xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and aldehyde oxidase (AO), and lack pyridoxal oxidase (PO) and sulfite oxidase (SO) activities. Certain mutations at cin also display varying degrees of female sterility, which is maternally affected. Here we characterize five new cin alleles with respect to the molybdoenzyme activities as well as the molybdenum cofactor, commonly required for molybdoenzyme activity. In complementing cin heterozygotes we find that, in addition to the previously reported unusually high levels of XDH and AO activities, there are unusually elevated levels of SO activity, as well as complementation for PO activity. The levels of immunologically crossreacting material in such heterozygotes indicate that the elevated levels of molybdoenzyme activities cannot be due to increases in the number of enzyme molecules. Measurements of the level of molybdenum cofactor activity normally present in XDH, AO, PO, and SO point to the possibility that a larger fraction of the enzyme molecules are active in these heterozygotes. The possible role of SO with respect to cinnamon's female sterility is also discussed.
Constitutive Modeling of Magnetic Field-Induced Phase Transformation in NiMnCoIn Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys

In this work we model the magnetic field induced phase transformation (FIPT) of magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMAs). The working principle of such materials is described by the deformation of continua due to mechanical and magnetic forces. The cross coupling of mechanical and magnetic variables is captured by introducing nonlinear kinematics. The mechanical and magnetic constitutive equations are derived by a thermodynamic consistent way. Finally, the model prediction followed by model calibration is compared with the experimental results.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Reconnaissance of an oil spill

Abstract When oil is spilled in the sea at a temperature near its pour point, it can become invisible to aerial reconnaissance through being fragmented by wave action. The lumps formed drift in the wind at a velocity less than 2–4% of the wind speed and the velocity of oil lenses.
Price issues in delivering E-content on-demand

The explosive increase in Internet bandwidth and usage opens a vista of opportunities to sell multimedia-rich software and services using the Internet. Once e-content is created, the cost of replication is negligible. Customers can download the e-content immediately after online transactions. Alternately, the content provider can stream the content to the customers. A sound business model is necessary for the success of such an enterprise. In this paper, we examine the determinants of revenue for an Internet based on-demand content delivery service. The determinants of revenue are: transaction model, pricing strategy, customer behavior, distribution resources, and competition. We briefly describe each of these factors and discuss how they relate to revenue. Our belief is that by better understanding how these factors affect revenue, content providers can develop services that generate more revenue while also being more compelling to users.
Analysis of random grating period and amplitude errors in ultra‐thin long‐period grating

The effects of random fabrication errors on an ultra-thin long-period grating are numerically investigated. The influences of the random grating period and random amplitude nodes on an optical bandpass filter based on an ultra-thin long-period grating are introduced. It is found that the random period errors present severe degradation of the spectral performance of the ultra-thin long-period grating. The coupling intensity of the ultra-thin long-period grating decays exponentially with even small grating period noises. Our simulation results may help manufacturers to analyze the quality of fabricated long-period gratings and to point out future improvement directions. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 30: 178–181, 2001.
Kinetic neutral transport effects in the pedestal of H-mode discharges in the DIII-D tokamak

A series of hydrogen and deuterium discharges are analyzed with fluid plasma and Monte Carlo neutrals codes. Comparison of poloidally averaged radial distributions of core neutral density and ionization with analytic solutions of 1-D plasma and neutrals continuity equations support the hypothesis that the width of the density pedestal is largely determined by the neutral source. The increased neutral penetration depth that arises from multiple charge exchange can be included in the analytic model with radially dependent scale lengths. The scale length in the analytic model depends on the neutral fluid velocity which increases across the divertor and pedestal as the neutral atoms charge exchange with the higher temperature background ions. The neutral penetration depth and corresponding density pedestal width depend sensitively on the neutral temperature and the degree of ion-neutral temperature equilibration.