cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Initial experience of CT-guided pulsed radiofrequency ablation of the pudendal nerve for chronic recalcitrant pelvic pain.

AIM To evaluate initial experience with computed tomography (CT)-guided pulsed radiofrequency ablation (pRFA) of the pudendal nerve in cases of recalcitrant neuropathic pelvic pain. Endpoints include technical feasibility, safety, and efficacy of therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten patients who underwent pRFA ablation for neuropathic pudendal nerve pain during the trial period were followed for response to treatment for 6 months. Each patient was treated with pRFA under CT-guidance with concurrent perineural injection of anaesthetic and/or corticosteroid. Pain scores were then measured using a numeric rating scale at fixed intervals up to 6 months. RESULTS All procedures were considered technically successful with no immediate complications. pRFA demonstrated improved duration of pain improvement compared to the most recent perineural injection (p=0.0195), but not compared to the initial injection (p=0.64). Reported pain scores were lower with pRFA than with both the first and most recent injection but this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.1094 and p=0.7539, respectively). CONCLUSION Overall, pRFA of the pudendal nerve using CT-guidance can be a safe and effective therapy. This technique provides direct visualisation of the nerve to maximise safety and efficacy while offering a novel form of therapy for patients with chronic, recalcitrant pelvic pain.
Interactive Task Learning from GUI-Grounded Natural Language Instructions and Demonstrations

We summarize our past five years of work on designing, building, and studying Sugilite, an interactive task learning agent that can learn new tasks and relevant associated concepts interactively from the user’s natural language instructions and demonstrations leveraging the graphical user interfaces (GUIs) of third-party mobile apps. Through its multi-modal and mixed-initiative approaches for Human- AI interaction, Sugilite made important contributions in improving the usability, applicability, generalizability, flexibility, robustness, and shareability of interactive task learning agents. Sugilite also represents a new human-AI interaction paradigm for interactive task learning, where it uses existing app GUIs as a medium for users to communicate their intents with an AI agent instead of the interfaces for users to interact with the underlying computing services. In this chapter, we describe the Sugilite system, explain the design and implementation of its key features, and show a prototype in the form of a conversational assistant on Android.
Good Schools for Good Development: Race, Class, and Housing

Despite the impact of globalization, increased access to information, and improvements in technology, where one is born, grows up, and lives matters and has a significant impact on their future. Spatial inequalities resulting from urban development policies that encouraged white flight, redlining, and gentrification have led to economic segregation in housing patterns and what is in effect, a two-tiered structure for local schools in many urban regions. In the urban core, lower income, mostly minority students attend underfunded schools in high crime neighborhoods, and in the nearby suburbs, middle and upper income families have access to well-funded schools in lower crime areas. Education reformers seek to reduce these inequalities in outcomes by improving all students’ access to high-quality, high-performing schools, regardless of race, class, or home address. The focus of this chapter is to examine the interrelationships between schools, economic development, race, class, and housing.
Opportunities and possible methods to improve reproduction in the pig

Genetic selection for litter size received little attention either by scientists or commercial pig breeders until recently. Low heritability of litter size, its sex-limited expression and the fact that it cannot be measured until reproductive maturity are often given as reasons. But the major reason may be that the reproductive rate of pigs is already quite high, and the economic value of genetic changes in litter size have been small relative to those of efficiency and composition of growth. The economics of pig production have changed and technological and biological advances have caused us to re-examine the economic value of traits. Reducing fat in the carcass and more efficient conversion of feed to lean meat have always been, and will continue to be, high priority selection objectives for pig breeders. But expensive, environmentally controlled gestation, farrowing and nursery houses are the norm of modern pig production and increasing litter size will result in a significant reduction in the cost of producing lean meat (Tess et al., 1983).
Cuentos Combativos: Decolonialities in Puerto Rican Books About María:

Guided by theories of racialization and through a decolonial analysis, we share findings on the examination of four children’s books written in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. In e...
A Visual Insight Into Tweeting Activity Before and During Natural Disasters: Case Study of Hurricane Harvey

Big data provided by social media has been increasingly used in various fields of research including disaster studies and emergency management. Effective data visualization plays a central role in generating meaningful insight from big data. However, big data visualization has been a challenge due to the high complexity and high dimensionality of it. The purpose of this study is to examine how the number and spatial distribution of tweets changed on the day Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Houston, Texas. For this purpose, this study analyzed the change in tweeting activity between the Friday of Hurricane Harvey and a typical Friday before the event.
Response Estimation of Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Nonlinear Stochastic Structural Systems through Metamodeling

AbstractThe ever-growing reliance on probabilistic performance-based frameworks in assessing and designing structural systems is creating a need for efficient tools for propagating uncertainty thro...
Abstract P101: Primary Aldosteronism Screening In At-risk Populations

Background: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of endocrine hypertension. PA is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal comorbidities as compared to eq...
Looking for synergies between the equilibrium point hypothesis and internal models

The nervous system needs to control movement of a complex body in a complex world subject to uncertainty due to sensory and motor noise. In this issue, Mark Latash argues in favor of a framework that addresses these problems – the Hierarchical Equilibrium Point Hypothesis (as we call it here, HEPH). According to this hypothesis, movement is created by having a central controller specify a shift in the reference body configuration. This time-varying reference body configuration is passed on to lower level (e.g., limb) controllers, and finally to the lowest level controllers which set the thresholds of the tonic stretch reflex of individual muscles as assumed in the lambda model. In the context of this paper we find it useful to discuss other approaches, in particular approaches that focus on estimation (e.g. Internal models, IMs) and approaches that focus on control given estimations (e.g. Optimal control, OC)1. Specific proposals have been put forward of how the nervous system may implement estimation (neural IM) and proposals of how the nervous system may implement control (neural Control, nC). The EPH is a version of nC which suggests that the motor system simplifies the control problem by centrally adjusting parameters of the spinal proprioceptive feedback. The idea of distributed hierarchical control seems to have emerged in many communities to solve the problem of control complexity. We will briefly review the differences across approaches and highlight possible synergies.
Aging characteristics of Li/SO/sub 2 /cells

Storage and discharge tests and chemical analyses were conducted on Li/SO/sub 2/ cells from two manufacturers. Cells from five lots and five storage temperatures, ranging from one year to seven years in age, were studied. An Arrhenius plot was constructed from the storage and discharge data and an activation energy of 10.26 kcal/mol was calculated for the self-discharge process. Hydrogen gas is generated during storage, resulting in a slight increase in internal pressure of the cells. This was not found to affect their performance or safety. >
Phenomenology of Error in Legal Writing

Studies show that the legal academy, bench, and bar are concerned with the basic writing skills exhibited by law students and practicing attorneys. Because many students today have participated in rigorous legal writing classes, which address the skills that the bench and bar consider most important, individuals interested in legal education reform should be interested in why this dichotomy exists. Moreover, since legal writing instructors study and adopt feedback and commenting practices from education theory, they are often at a loss to explain why students appear to ignore the feedback they provide on their students’ writing. This article examines the reasons why students make persistent errors in their legal writing classes and may help to explain why those errors continue to be evident once they engage in practice. It reports the results of an interview study of ten students at the beginning of their second year of law school regarding their previous writing experiences and approach to legal writing classes. The study demonstrates that these students largely misunderstood the importance of writing in the legal profession and their own skills as writers, exhibited a disquieting tendency to utilize instructor comments on their graded work ineffectively, and failed to engage in effective self-help to overcome their basic skill errors. Instead, they made changes their instructors specifically marked mechanically but not reflectively. This article explores important findings from the interviews in light of learning theory, relevant literature on legal education, and scholarship on the use of comments in legal writing. It should interest any individuals who wish to overcome the phenomenon of error in legal writing.
An oxygen flow calorimeter for kilogram-size samples of municipal solid waste: Part I. A 25 gram capacity combustion flow calorimeter for determining the calorific value of refuse-derived fuels

Abstract A new calorimeter is under development at the National Bureau of Standards to determine the enthalpies of combustion of kilogram-size samples of minimally processed municipal solid waste (MSW) in flowing oxygen near atmospheric pressure. A small prototype calorimeter is described in which the organic fraction of 25 g pellets of highly processed MSW has been burned in pure oxygen to CO2 and H2O. The basic measurement equation used to calculate the enthalpy of combustion from the observed data is discussed. An error analysis is presented. The results obtained with the prototype calorimeter are shown to agree with those obtained with bomb calorimetry within their respective overall uncertainties. Pure cellulose was found to be a satisfactory chemical calibrant material.
Do We Really Need to Estimate Rule Utilities in Classifier Systems

Classifier systems have traditionally used explicit measures of utility (strength, predicted payoff, accuracy, etc.) to quantify the performance and fitness of classifier rules. Much of the effort in designing and implementing classifier systems has focused on getting these utilities "right". One alternative worth exploring is the idea of using endogenous fitness; that is, reinforcing successful performance with "resources" that rules need in order to reproduce. Under this regime, the best rules are those that accumulate the most resources over their lifetime and, consequently, have the most off spring. This paper describes a classifier system designed along these lines. Rules have no associated utility measure. Instead, each rule has one or more reservoirs that can be used to store resources. When enough resources have been accumulated, a rule utilizes some of its resources to reproduce and the reservoir level is reduced accordingly. Preliminary tests of this system on the multiplexor problem show that it performs as well as utility-based classifier systems such as XCS.
The Elementary Forms of Conflict Management

Conflict management is the handling of grievances, including litigation, mediation, arbitration, negotiation, beating, torture, assassination, feuding, warfare, strikes, boycotts, riots, banishment, resignation, running away, ridicule, scolding, gossip, witchcraft, witch-hunting, hostage-taking, fasting, confession, psychotherapy, and suicide.1 Although diverse, its many varieties reduce to a smaller number, each arising under distinctive conditions.
Improving the Performance of the Hopfield Network By Using A Relaxation Rate

In the Hopfield network a solution of an optimization problem is obtained after the network is relaxed to an equilibrium state. This paper shows that the performance of the Hopfield network can be improved by using a relaxation rate to control the relaxation process. Analysis suggests that the relaxation process has an important impact on the quality of a solution. A relaxation rate is then introduced to control the relaxation process in order to achieve solutions with better quality. Two types of relaxation rate (constant and dynamic) are proposed and evaluated through simulations based on 200 randomly generated city distributions of the 10-city traveling salesman problem. The result shows that using a relaxation rate can decrease the error rate by 9.87% and increase the percentage of valid tours by 14.0% as compared to those without using a relaxation rate. Using a dynamic relaxation rate can further decrease the error 3rate by 4.2% and increase the percentage of valid tours by 0.4% as compared to those using a constant relaxation rate.
General Model Theoretic Semantics for Higher-Order Horn Logic Programming

We introduce model-theoretic semantics [6] for Higher-Order Horn logic programming language. One advantage of logic programs over conventional non-logic programs has been that the least fixpoint is equal to the least model, therefore it is associated to logical consequence and has a meaningful declarative interpretation. In simple theory of types [9] on which Higher-Order Horn logic programming language is based, domain is dependent on interpretation [10]. To define T P operator for a logic program P, we need a fixed domain without regard to interpretation which is usually taken to be a set of atomic propositions. We build a semantics where we can fix a domain while changing interpretations. We also develop a fixpoint semantics based on our model, and show that we can get the least fixpoint which is the least model. Using this fixpoint we prove the completeness of the interpreter of our language in [14].
Die elektronische Bandstruktur in äußeren Magnetfeldern

A review is given of the splitting of energy bands in the presence of an external magnetic field. The quantization of the magnetic electron orbits by means of the phase integral method yields discrete Landau levels, if the Fermi surface is simply closed or consists of several simply closed, sufficiently separated parts.
Preoperative (3-dimensional) computed tomography lung reconstruction before anatomic segmentectomy or lobectomy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract Objectives Accurate cancer localization and negative resection margins are necessary for successful segmentectomy. In this study, we evaluate a newly developed software package that permits automated segmentation of the pulmonary parenchyma, allowing 3-dimensional assessment of tumor size, location, and estimates of surgical margins. Methods A pilot study using a newly developed 3-dimensional computed tomography analytic software package was performed to retrospectively evaluate preoperative computed tomography images of patients who underwent segmentectomy (n = 36) or lobectomy (n = 15) for stage 1 non–small cell lung cancer. The software accomplishes an automated reconstruction of anatomic pulmonary segments of the lung based on bronchial arborization. Estimates of anticipated surgical margins and pulmonary segmental volume were made on the basis of 3-dimensional reconstruction. Results Autosegmentation was achieved in 72.7% (32/44) of preoperative computed tomography images with slice thicknesses of 3 mm or less. Reasons for segmentation failure included local severe emphysema or pneumonitis, and lower computed tomography resolution. Tumor segmental localization was achieved in all autosegmented studies. The 3-dimensional computed tomography analysis provided a positive predictive value of 87% in predicting a marginal clearance greater than 1 cm and a 75% positive predictive value in predicting a margin to tumor diameter ratio greater than 1 in relation to the surgical pathology assessment. Conclusions This preoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography analysis of segmental anatomy can confirm the tumor location within an anatomic segment and aid in predicting surgical margins. This 3-dimensional computed tomography information may assist in the preoperative assessment regarding the suitability of segmentectomy for peripheral lung cancers.
A new paradigm: the wealth effect of the stock market on consumption, in a context of interacting bio-systems

Abstract This study examines the existence of a stock market wealth effect on aggregate private consumption in the economy. A theory of investor/consumer behavior is suggested, in a context of a symbiotic relationship between two quasi-bio-systems. The model offers predictions about likely outcomes in capital market interaction with the underlying economy in general and consumption in particular. These predictions are validated empirically. Specifically, the paper finds that investors/consumers do not respond immediately to a stock market rise (fall). Rather, they wait at first and thereafter gradually accelerate their ‘wealth spending’ on consumption only after they are convinced that the gain is permanent (a variation of the ‘income smoothing’ that was suggested many years ago by Friedman (1957) ). The paper suggests that the capital markets and the economy interact like two bio-systems symbiotically responding to each other. This study presents evidence that the consumption wealth spending peaks at approximately 2.5% of the stock market wealth CUMULATIVE gain in the previous 12–24-month period, with some effects lingering on up to 36 months. For example, it shows that over 40% of the growth in consumer spending in 1999 was attributable to gains in the stock market in previous years, contributing to a strong GDP in that year.
Security auditing course development

As people increasingly depend on computers and network systems, security auditing has become one of the most effective security practices to achieve defense-in-depth in organizations. It follows an effective process to measure policies, procedures and controls in identifying and managing risks associated with networks and various operating systems. This has raised the need to develop specialists in the cyber security auditing field. This paper presents the author's experience in developing an undergraduate course on security auditing. It discusses the course design, procedures, and a series of innovative laboratory projects that are aimed to simulate real-world security concerns. This course is one of the core courses of the newly established B. S. in security program in the Department of Network, Security, and Systems Administration at RIT.This paper also reports experiences learned by both the students and instructors when the course was first offered. The course was well received by students, albeit there are areas for improvement.
Multicenter comparison of in vitro activities of FK-037, cefepime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, and cefuroxime.

In a multicenter study, the MICs of FK-037 for 90% of the strains tested (MIC90s) were 16 micrograms/ml.
Heat shock protein-90 dampens and directs signaling stimulated by insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin

Heat shock protein-90 (Hsp90) buffers cells from genetic mutations and environmental stresses. To test if this capability reflects a normal physiological function of Hsp90 to buffer cellular signals, the effects of Hsp90 inhibition were measured on activation of Akt. Inhibition of Hsp90 with geldanamycin amplified Akt phosphorylation induced by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) or insulin, indicating that Hsp90 normally buffers these signals. Furthermore, with IGF-1 stimulation Hsp90 inhibition increased p38 activation, produced additive activation of p90RSK, and slightly increased the duration of ERK1/2 activation. Hsp90 dampened Akt signaling by facilitating phosphatase-mediated dephosphorylation of Akt. Thus, Hsp90 not only buffers the cellular effects of mutations and stresses, but also buffers the magnitude and duration of activation of proliferative and survival-promoting signaling responses.
Multiple criticalities in coastal flows

Abstract Using a simple model, it is shown that a coastal current (composed of water of given dynamical structure) can occur in one of several different forms. The classification of these possible forms for the current is closely associated with the categorization of the behaviour of the various waves able to propagate along the coast. Among the forms of the current found are those differing in the criticality (direction of propagation) of long shelf waves as noted by Collings and Grimshaw, and the criticality of long Kelvin-waves as noted by Gill and Schumann. Earlier studies have considered these criticalities in isolation. The present study attempts to set them in a more coherent framework.
The political advantage of a volatile market: the relationship between Presidential popularity and the ‘investor fear gauge’

The Chicago Board Options Exchange's (CBOE) Volatility Index (VIX) is the premier established benchmark of near-term market volatility. It is also referred to as the ‘investor fear gauge’ because it provides a consistent measure of market turmoil. We examine the VIX as it relates to Presidential popularity as indicated by the Gallup Organization's ongoing poll of US Presidential approval ratings. Our analysis indicates that the expected volatility of the market is highly related to Presidential approval. We then examine the strength and implications of this relationship in order to further establish the link between the economy and Presidential approval. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding the behavior of charged particles in the magnetotail

When the Sun spews charged particles toward Earth, they can enter the magnetosphere and become energized as they move closer to the Earth's surface. These energetic particles can induce the bright colors of auroras, disrupt navigational satellites, and even distort terrestrial telecommunications.
A 12-month intensive supervised exercise intervention and counselling reduces HbA1c, blood pressure and other modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes.

Commentary on: S Balducci, S Zanuso, A Nicolucci, et al.; Italian Diabetes Exercise Study (IDES) Investigators. Effect of an intensive exercise intervention strategy on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial: the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study (IDES).Arch Intern Med2010;170:1794–803.
An application of computer mapping: collecting, displaying and using student location data

Abstract A practical methodology is presented for collecting data on the location of students and for recording this data in such a form that it is easily converted into computer input. This computer input may be used to construct graphical displays of student locations and/or to determine school bus routes automatically. Since these data are collected and recorded most inexpensively by non-technical people such as parents, elementary and high school teachers, secretaries and/or clerks, the procedure allows for this. The methodology has been used successfully to collect data on student locations in the Tippecanoe School Corportion (Tippecanoe County, Indiana). The data were collected by bus drivers (which included janitors, teachers and housewives) and was recorded by a secretary.
Direct fine needle aspiration cytology.

After reading the article on unguided fine needle aspiration cytology by Edoute et al [l], the reader may erroneously conclude that unguided abdominal aspirations can be performed by inexperienced clinicians with impunity, since according to the authors, the two cases eventuating in serious complications “could have been avoided if patients were carefully selected and meticulous attention was paid to the implementation of proper procedures.” The authors then fail to elaborate or to indicate how patients should be selected and what constitutes proper procedure. What the authors purposefully fail to indicate is that under some circumstances, proper procedure is computed tomographic (CT) guidance, and the approach they advocate--unguided, direct aspiration-is not only not indicated, but is unsafe. 1. Edoute Y. Ben-Haim SA. Malberger E. Value of direct fine needle aspirative cytology in diagnosing palpable abdominal masses. Am J Med 1991: 91: 377-82. 2 Yankaskas B, Staab E, Craven M, Watt P, Sokhandan M, Carney C. Delayed complications from fineneedle biopsies of solid masses of the abdomen. Invest Radio1 1986; 21: 325-8. 3. Livraghi T, Damascelli B, Lombardi C, Spagnoli I. Risk in fine-needle abdominal biopsy. J Clin Ultrawund 1983; 11: 77-81. 4.Mueller P, Ferruci J Jr. Fine needle aspiration biopsy of abdominal masses. Semin Roentgenol 1981; 16: 52-61.
Entropy as a measure of centrality in networks characterized by path-transfer flow

Abstract Recently, Borgatti [Borgatti, S.P., 2005. Centrality and network flow. Social Networks 27, 55–71] proposed a taxonomy of centrality measures based on the way that traffic flows through the network—whether over path, geodesic, trail, or walk, and whether by means of transfer, serial duplication, or parallel duplication. Most of the extant centrality measures assume that traffic propagates via parallel duplication or, alternatively, that it travels over geodesics. Few of the other flow possibilities have centrality measures associated with them. This article proposes an entropy-based measure of centrality appropriate for traffic that propagates by transfer and flows along paths. The proposed measure can be applied to most network types, whether binary or weighted, directed or undirected, connected or disconnected. The measure is illustrated on the gang alliance network of Kennedy et al. [Kennedy, D.M., Braga, A. A., Piehl, A.M., 1998. The (un)known universe: mapping gangs and gang violence in Boston. Crime Prevention Studies 8, 219–262].
Critical heat flux enhancement by means of liquid subcooling and centrifugal force induced by flow curvature

Abstract Experiments are performed to assess the feasibility of cooling high flux heat sources flush mounted on the inner wall of a cylindrical vessel by a dielectric liquid flowing at high velocity parallel to the vessel wall. Fluid motion is induced by rotating a stirrer having radial blades about the axis of the vessel. The study focusses on examining critical heat flux (CHF) enhancement attributed to liquid subcooling and the centrifugal body force induced by fluid rotation. This includes using test vessels with different inner radii, 4.19 and 7.62 cm, three heater lengths, 1.27, 2.54 and 5.08 cm, and stirrers having two or four blades. CHF is found to be independent of heater length and the number of stirrer blades. CHF enhancement is achieved by increasing the liquid fill volume, increasing the rotational speed and/or decreasing the radius of curvature. The system facilitates the removal of heat at nearly isothermal wall conditions over a wide range of heat fluxes. A CHF correlation is presented which accounts for the effects of subcooling and centrifugal force over all conditions tested.
Laparoscopic versus open donor nephrectomy: comparing ureteral complications in the recipients and improving the laparoscopic technique

Background Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LDN) is a recently developed procedure, the performance of which needs to be studied. Given the reported advantages in the donors, this study looks at graft outcome and ureteral complications in recipients of kidneys procured by open donor nephrectomy (ODN) versus LDN. Methods The LDN recipients consisted of 193 patients since 3/27/96. A total of 168 ODN recipients from 1991 to 1998 served as controls. Immunosuppression protocols were similar for both groups. Results Two-year graft survival for LDN and ODN was 98% and 96%, respectively. Two-year patient survival for LDN and ODN was 98% and 97%, respectively. The incidence of delayed graft function and mean serum creatinine at 3 and 12 months was similar in both groups. However, the number of ureteral complications that required operative repair was significantly higher for LDN recipients compared to ODN recipients, 7.7% (n=15) vs. 0.6% (n=1) respectively (P=0.03). Ureteral stenting was required in an additional 3.1% (n=6) of LDN and 2.4% (n=4) of ODN (P=NS). There was, however, a learning curve with time. For the first 130 LDN patients, a total of 20 ureteral complications were recorded, whereas only one occurred in the more recent 63 patients (P=0.03). Conclusions The higher ureteral complication rate in LDN recipients has improved over time as technical causes have been identified. We have noted significant improvement in ureteral viability by using the endogastrointestinal anastomosis instrument on the ureter and peri-ureteral tissue. LDN is therefore an excellent alternative to ODN. Identification of hazards unique to this technique is critical before its broader application.
Unusual origins of isotope effects in enzyme-catalysed reactions

High hydrostatic pressure is a neglected tool for probing the origins of isotope effects. In chemical reactions, normal primary deuterium isotope effects (DIEs) arising solely from differences in zero point energies are unaffected by pressure; but some anomalous isotope effects in which hydrogen tunnelling is suspected are partially suppressed. In some enzymatic reactions, high pressure completely suppresses the DIE. We have now measured the effects of high pressure on the parallel 13C heavy atom isotope effect of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase and found that it is also suppressed by high pressure and, similarly, suppressed in its entirety. Moreover, the volume changes associated with the suppression of both deuterium and heavy atom isotope effects are virtually identical. The equivalent decrease in activation volumes for hydride transfer, when one mass unit is added to the carbon end of a scissile C–H bond as when one mass unit is added to the hydrogen end, suggests a common origin. Given that carbon is highly unlikely to undergo tunnelling, it follows that hydrogen is not doing so either. The origin of these isotope effects must lie elsewhere. We offer protein domain motions as a possibility.
Pettenkofer chromogens in the maternal and fetal circulations: Detection of 3β, 16α-dihydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one in umbilical cord blood

Abstract At least part of the precursors for the biosynthesis of estriol may reach the placenta from the maternal or the fetal circulations. This possibility led us to estimate 3β-hydroxy-Δ5-steroids in blood from the umbilical artery and vein and in maternal peripheral blood. Solvolyzed plasma extracts from 12 separate collections were chromatographed on alumina and the fractions examined by means of the modified Pettenkofer reaction. The most abundant of these compounds in maternal plasma was dehydroepiandrosterone. Its concentration in the fetal circulation, although more than double the maternal concentration, was smaller than that of another Pettenkofer chromogen, 16α-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone (3β, 16α-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one), heretofore unrecognized in fetal blood. The differences between the plasmatic concentrations in the umbilical artery and vein suggest a fetal contribution of 16α-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone to the placenta, presumably to play a role as precursor for the biosynthesis of estriol.
Large scale CAI: the NSF project

Rapid and direct communication between a computer and a student, with instructional material dynamically tailored by the computer for each student, has been practised for some time now, generally under the label of CAI - Computer Assisted Instruction. Although results from earlier, scattered use of CAI indicate that students using it reach predefined levels of mastery somewhat sooner, and with less variation in performance, we do not find widespread use of this technology in our schools. Although there are very likely many reasons for this, we believe that high cost (from 3 to 10 times more costly than traditional instruction) and uncertainty concerning CAI's range of application have significantly delayed its adoption.Considering the makeshift nature of good deal of the early CAI material (courseware), and the technology by which it had to be delivered (costly transmission lines, ill-suited computer hardware and software, and costly and inappropriate student consoles), it is surprising that performance wasn't worse. However, two of the more recent CAI systems, MITRE's TICCIT and the University of Illinois' PLATO IV, have been designed specifically in response to these earlier weaknesses. Their promise, plus the increasing need for more and better options and a brake to the rising cost for education, has motivated the National Science Foundation (Office of Computing Activities) to organize and support the development and classroom test of each system.The major purpose of the project is to provide government, industrial, and educational decision makers with:- cost and effectiveness data from TICCIT and PLATO IV instruction.- system and components - hardware, software, courseware, and test instruments - that might prove useful after the termination of the project.- documented insight into problems or opportunities for future research and development.To this end, the Foundation has awarded contracts (totalling $10 M over a 4-1/2 year period) to MITRE, the University of Illinois, and an independent evaluator - The Princeton Educational Testing Service - for the conduct of the necessary activities. Preparations for the tests and evaluations got underway formally in February 1972. The strategies and plans governing the project are presented in the following sections.
Geddes in India: Town Planning, Plant Sentience, and Cooperative Evolution:

In this paper I focus on the ideas and efforts of Patrick Geddes, which are well known but not often discussed, by which he attempted to elevate the status of Indian sweepers and sewage collectors into gardeners by transforming sewage into fertilizer for gardens. Geddes transmitted his vision by means of religious performances, and through these efforts he attempted to produce change in Indian society in the register of human evolution. In this paper I take seriously the triangulation of waste, gardens, and performance as a reasoned means by which Geddes attempted to aid evolution. I suggest that by ‘evolution’ Geddes had in mind less an abstract process and more a state of awareness of one's capacities for self-transformation and relationship with one's environment. Furthermore, this awareness would largely be inculcated by taking into consideration the environment from the plant's point of view. In other words, expanding one's consciousness to be able to sense plant presence would not so much ready one ...
Perceptions of Hopelessness among Low-Income African-American Adolescents through the Lens of Photovoice

Few studies have contextually examined hopelessness among low-income African-American adolescents. Furthermore, little is known about how such youths assign meaning to, perceive, and experience feelings of hopelessness. This study adds to the social work literature by examining the constructs of hopelessness from a cultural and contextual viewpoint through the lens of photovoice. Sixteen (N = 16) African-American adolescents of ages 13 to 17 participated in this study. Youth participants constructed meaning about and defined hopelessness for themselves, thereby expanding the constructs of hopelessness previously existing in the research literature. This study provides important insights regarding specific factors that impinge upon hope among low-income African-American adolescents.
Isotope geochemistry of fluid inclusions in Permian halite with implications for the isotopic history of ocean water and the origin of saline formation waters

Abstract δD and δ18O values have been determined for fluid inclusions in 45 samples of Permian halite. The inclusions are enriched in 18O relative to the meteoric water line but are depleted in D relative to ocean water. Inclusions with the more positive δ-values coincide with the isotopic composition expected for evaporating sea water which follows a hooked trajectory on a δD-δ18O diagram. Inclusions with more negative δ-values may represent more highly evaporated sea water but probably reflect synsedimentary or diagenetic mixing of meteoric water with evaporite brines. The isotope systematics in these inclusions are sufficiently similar to those of a modern evaporite pan to indicate that Permian sea water was isotopically similar to modern sea water. Connate evaporite brines can have negative δ-values because of the probable hooked isotope trajectory of evaporating sea water and/or synsedimentary mixing of evaporite brines with meteoric waters. Subsurface formation waters composed of mixtures of remnant primary evaporite brines and later meteoric waters may be more common than previous isotopic evidence has suggested.
Moisture availability influences the effect of ultraviolet-B radiation on leaf litter decomposition

Altered surface ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation resulting from a combination of factors that include changes in stratospheric ozone concentrations, cloud cover, and aerosol conditions may affect litter decomposition and, thus, terrestrial nutrient cycling on a global scale. Although litter decomposition rates vary across biomes, patterns of decomposition suggest that UV-B radiation accelerates litter decay in xeric environments where precipitation is infrequent. However, under more frequent precipitation regimes where litter decay rates are characteristically high, the effect of UV-B radiation on litter decomposition has not been fully elucidated. To evaluate this association between moisture regime and UV-B exposure, a litter decomposition experiment was designed for aspen (Populus tremuloides) leaf litter, where conditions that influence both abiotic (photodegradation) and biotic (microbial) processes could be manipulated quantitatively. We found that experimentally increasing UV-B exposure (0, 7.4, and 11.2 kJ m-2 d-1, respectively) did not consistently increase litter decomposition rates across simulated precipitation frequencies of 4-, 12-, and 24-days. Instead, a UV-B exposure of 11.2 kJ m-2 d-1 resulted in a 13% decrease in decomposition rates under the 4-day precipitation frequency, but an increase of 80% under the 24-day frequency. Furthermore, the same UV-B dose increased litter decomposition rates under the 24-day precipitation frequency by 78% even in conditions where microbial activity was suppressed. Therefore, under more xeric conditions, greater exposure to UV-B radiation increased decomposition rates, presumably through photodegradation. In contrast, when decomposition was not moisture-limited, greater UV-B exposure slowed decomposition rates, most likely from the resulting inhibition of microbial activity. Ultimately, these experimental results highlight UV-B radiation as a potential driver of decomposition, as well as indicate that both the direction and magnitude of the UV-B effect is dependent on moisture availability, a factor that may change according to future patterns in global precipitation.
Quantitative elemental mapping of materials by energy-filtered imaging

Abstract The application of energy-filtered imaging to quantitative elemental mapping of materials is investigated using the newly developed Zeiss 912 TEM. This instrument is equipped with a magnetic omega filtering spectrometer and a slow-scan CCD camera for acquisition of energy-filtered images in digital form suitable for quantitative processing. The high beam current available on this machine permits elemental maps with over one million pixels of data to be acquired in reasonable time. Experimental conditions required for quantitative large-area elemental mapping are described and several approaches to data processing for quantitative analysis are compared. Concentration ratios in a NiCuCr amination catalyst were determined to within 20% accuracy in favorable cases.
Sorting Nexin 27 Regulation of G Protein-Gated Inwardly Rectifying K+ Channels Attenuates In Vivo Cocaine Response

The subcellular pathways that regulate G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK or Kir3) channels are important for controlling the excitability of neurons. Sorting nexin 27 (SNX27) is a PDZ-containing protein known to bind GIRK2c/GIRK3 channels, but its function in vivo is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of SNX27 in regulating GIRK currents in dopamine (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Mice lacking SNX27 in DA neurons exhibited reduced GABABR-activated GIRK currents but had normal Ih currents and DA D2R-activated GIRK currents. Expression of GIRK2a, an SNX27-insensitive splice variant, restored GABABR-activated GIRK currents in SNX27-deficient DA neurons. Remarkably, mice with significantly reduced GABABR-activated GIRK currents in only DA neurons were hypersensitive to cocaine and could be restored to a normal locomotor response with GIRK2a expression. These results identify a pathway for regulating excitability of VTA DA neurons, highlighting SNX27 as a promising target for treating addiction.
Reaction of Elemental Sulfur with a Copper(I) Complex Forming a trans-μ-1,2 End-On Disulfide Complex: New Directions in Copper−Sulfur Chemistry

Elemental sulfur (S8) was found to react with [(TMPA)CuI(CH3CN)]+ to form the trans-mu-1,2 end-on disulfide complex [(TMPA)Cu-S-S-Cu(TMPA)]2+. The X-ray structure of this centrosymmetric disulfide complex shows a Cu(1)-S(1) bond length of 2.280(2) A and a S(1)-S(1A) bond length of 2.044(4) A.
A Note on the Effects of Taxation on Charitable Giving Over the Life Cycle and Beyond

Recent changes in the Federal budget have sparked debate concerning the substitution of charitable activity for some types of government expenditures. The extent to which private replacement is successful depends upon two factors: the ability of charities to substitute their services for those reduced by the government and the ability of charities to garner more contributions as income and estate tax rates are reduced. This analysis will concentrate only on the latter factor. In particular, this analysis will deal with the following questions. Will a reduction in income and estate tax rates have a predictable effect on the level of charitable contributions over the life cycle and the level of charitable bequests? If the reduction in tax rates reduces charitable contributions over the life cycle, will there be an offsetting rise in charitable bequests; that is, will the reduction in tax rates affect only the timing of charitable giving? This question of timing is particularly important, since successful replacement of government programs by charitable activity requires that current contributions rise. The literature dealing with the effects of taxation on charitable giving does provide some information concerning these questions. For example, a number of authors including Feldstein and Clotfelter [1976], Feldstein and Taylor [1976], Schwartz [1970], and Taussig [1967] have measured the impact of the deductibility of charitable contributions under the income tax. Although the effects of the after-tax cost of contributing (one minus the marginal tax in the simplest case) vary widely, the best evidence appears to be given by Feldstein and Clotfelter [1976], who find that the elasticity of charitable contributions with respect to the after-tax cost of giving is around 1.5. Feldstein and Clotfelter also find that the elasticities of contributions with respect to a measure of permanent income and to net worth are both positive. These results imply that reducing income tax rates should result
Tetrahydrobiopterin is synthesized by separate pathways from dihydroneopterin triphosphate and from sepiapterin in adrenal medulla preparations.

Abstract Using Escherichia coli guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase, dihydroneopterin triphosphate was synthesized from guanosine triphosphate and was compared with sepiapterin as a substrate for tetrahydrobiopterin formation in bovine adrenal medulla extracts. The dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, methotrexate, blocks the formation of tetrahydrobiopterin from sepiapterin but not from dihydroneopterin triphosphate. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and a divalent metal ion are required in partially purified preparations (gel filtration of 40–60% ammonium sulfate fraction on Ultrogel ACA-34) for the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin from dihydroneopterin triphosphate. Sepiapterin was converted only to dihydrobiopterin in the same fractions since dihydrofolate reductase was removed. The evidence indicates that both dihydroneopterin triphosphate and sepiapterin are good precursors of tetrahydrobiopterin but they are not on the same pathway, contrary to previous proposals.
The alkaloids of species of Garrya. I. Isolation of alkaloids

Six species of Garrya have been examined for their alkaloidal content. G. flavescens contained no alkaloids while G. fremontii and G. buxifolia yielded amorphous, basic, nitrogenous residues which did not form crystalline salts. G. elliptica, G. veatcbii, and G. wrigbtii, on the other hand, all contained alkaloids which were isolated as crystalline hydrochlorides. Two crystalline substances were isolated from the bark of G. veatchii and a number of their salts have been prepared. The proposed names and provisional empirical formulas for these two substances are (a) Garryine, [C22H32O2N(H2O)] and (b) Veatchine, (C22H32O2N).
Genetic modulation of GABA levels in the anterior cingulate cortex by GAD1 and COMT

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic transmission is critical for normal cortical function and is likely abnormal in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. We tested the in vivo effects of variations in two genes implicated in GABA function on GABA concentrations in prefrontal cortex of living subjects: glutamic acid decarboxylase 1 (GAD1), which encodes GAD67, and catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT), which regulates synaptic dopamine in the cortex. We studied six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GAD1 previously associated with risk for schizophrenia or cognitive dysfunction and the val158met polymorphism in COMT in 116 healthy volunteers using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Two of the GAD1 SNPs (rs1978340 (p=0.005) and rs769390 (p=0.004)) showed effects on GABA levels as did COMT val158met (p=0.04). We then tested three SNPs in GAD1 (rs1978340, rs11542313, and rs769390) for interaction with COMT val158met based on previous clinical results. In this model, rs11542313 and COMT val158met showed significant main effects (p=0.001 and 0.003, respectively) and a trend toward a significant interaction (p=0.05). Interestingly, GAD1 risk alleles for schizophrenia were associated with higher GABA/Cre, and Val-Val homozygotes had high GABA/Cre levels when on a GAD1 risk genotype background (N=6). These results support the importance of genetic variation in GAD1 and COMT in regulating prefrontal cortical GABA function. The directionality of the effects, however, is inconsistent with earlier evidence of decreased GABA activity in schizophrenia.