cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Introduction: Immigrant Entrepreneurship Research from a Comparative Perspective

As cities around the world continue to attract both international migrants and domestic migrants into their bustling metropolises, immigrant entrepreneurship emerges as an important urban phenomenon that calls for careful examination. This book assembles 12 chapters that represent case studies from 16 cities, which represent 14 countries and five continents: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. It seeks to advance the literature in several ways. First, a comparative approach is taken to include perspectives from both the Global North and South, West and East, to broaden the theoretical framework in this area, especially pertinent to the emerging economies. Second, it covers multiple scales from local community placemaking to urban contexts of reception, to transnational networks and connections. Third, it engages in numerous disciplinary approaches, research methods, and topical areas including the entry dynamics, trends and patterns, business performance, challenges, and impact of immigrant entrepreneurship in urban areas. Finally, it pays particular attention to federal and urban policies toward immigrant entrepreneurship. Potential future research directions are also identified.
Reimagining the introductory material in teaching money creation and monetary policy

The money creation and monetary policy chapters in the leading introductory textbooks commonly present an outdated and misleading approach that is now largely irrelevant. A preferable model would h...
Cocaine causes rapid remodeling of mesoaccumbens dopaminergic axons, synapses, and mitochondria

Summary Detailing the ways drugs of abuse physically alter dopaminergic circuits would provide new mechanisms for explaining addictive behaviors, future targets for therapeutic intervention, and insights into the nature of synaptic plasticity. We combine recent advances in genetic labeling with large volume serial electron microscopy to detail how normal dopaminergic (DA) axons interact with putative targets in the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) and how those interactions change in mice briefly exposed to cocaine. We find that while most DA axonal boutons are devoid of obvious signs of synapses (i.e. synaptic vesicles or synaptic densities), many DA boutons physically interdigitate with dendrites or excitatory and inhibitory axons. A brief exposure to cocaine results in large-scale remodeling: extensive DA axonal branching and frequent occurrences of axonal blind-ended “bulbs”, filled with mitochondria and reminiscent of axonal retraction in the developing and damaged brain. The number of physical interdigitations and vesicle filled boutons in DA axons scales linearly with the length of axon in both controls and cocaine exposed animals and the size or the type of interaction (i.e. axo-axonic or axo-dendritic) do not change. Finally, we find in cocaine exposed animals, mitochondrial lengths are increased ~2.5 times relative to control. Mitochondrial elongation is cell type specific: primarily in DA neurons and downstream spiny dendrites, and localized to DA axons and not DA soma or dendrites. We show for the first time the effects of cocaine on remodeling of dopamine axon morphology and mitochondria and reveal new details on how dopamine neurons physically associate with downstream targets.
Genomic imbalance determines positive and negative modulation of gene expression in diploid maize

Genomic imbalance caused by changing the dosage of individual chromosomes (aneuploidy) has a more detrimental effect than varying the dosage of complete sets of chromosomes (ploidy). We examined the impact of both increased and decreased dosage of 15 distal and 1 interstitial chromosomal regions via RNA-seq of maize (Zea mays) mature leaf tissue to reveal new aspects of genomic imbalance. The results indicate that significant changes in gene expression in aneuploids occur both on the varied chromosome (cis) and the remainder of the genome (trans), with a wider spread of modulation compared with the whole-ploidy series of haploid to tetraploid. In general, cis genes in aneuploids range from a gene-dosage effect to dosage compensation, whereas for trans genes the most common effect is an inverse correlation in that expression is modulated toward the opposite direction of the varied chromosomal dosage, although positive modulations also occur. Furthermore, this analysis revealed the existence of increased and decreased effects in which the expression of many genes under genome imbalance are modulated toward the same direction regardless of increased or decreased chromosomal dosage, which is predicted from kinetic considerations of multicomponent molecular interactions. The findings provide novel insights into understanding mechanistic aspects of gene regulation.
Lost in the Transit Desert: Race, Transit Access, and Suburban Form: Diane Jones Allen, ISBN 978 0 367207 82 3 | New York/London:, Routledge, 2018 | 180 pp., 30 b/w illustrations, € 44,82 (cloth)

Diane Jones Allen’s 2018 book Lost in the Transit Desert: Race, Transit Access, and Suburban Form displays in detail the impact systemic white supremacy and anti-blackness has on planning and desig...
Developmental ethanol exposure causes central nervous system dysfunction and may slow the aging process in a Drosophila model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Abstract Alcohol is a known teratogen, and developmental exposure to ethanol results in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Children born with FASD can exhibit a range of symptoms including low birth weight, microcephaly, and neurobehavioral problems. Treatment of patients with FASD is estimated to cost 4 billion dollars per year in the United States alone, and 2 million dollars per affected individual's lifetime. We have established Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for the study of FASD. Here we report that mutations in Dementin (Dmtn), the Drosophila ortholog of the Alzheimer's disease-associated protein TMCC2, convey sensitivity to developmental ethanol exposure, and provide evidence that Dmtn expression is disrupted by ethanol. In addition, we find that flies reared on ethanol exhibit mild climbing defects suggestive of neurodegeneration. Surprisingly, our data also suggest that flies reared on ethanol age more slowly than control animals, and we find that a number of slow-aging mutants are sensitive to developmental ethanol exposure. Finally, we find that flies reared on ethanol showed a persistent upregulation of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, which may contribute to a reduced rate of central nervous system aging. Thus, in addition to the well-documented negative effects of developmental alcohol exposure on the nervous system, there may be a previously unsuspected neuroprotective effect in adult animals.
Fire Alarm Fatigue: How Politicians Evade Accountability

Independent and objective oversight bodies, congressional committees and the news media, are widely expected to help hold politicians accountable. We develop a model in which an informed oversight body may warn citizens about misconduct by an incumbent. Matching conventional logic about the benefits of caution, high evidentiary standards are necessary for warnings to be persuasive. However, the straightforward connection between caution and efficacy breaks down if we allow for uncertainty about the quality of oversight. With even a small chance of "fake news", caution can backfire, as incumbents strategically manipulate the reputation of the oversight body to destroy effective oversight.
Direct control

This article’s aim is to shed light on direct control, especially as it pertains to free will. I sketch two ways of conceiving of such control. Both sketches extend to decision making. Issues addressed include the problem of present luck and the relationship between direct control and complete control.
Detailed Physicochemical Characterization of the Ambient Fine and Ultrafine Particulate Mixture at a Construction Site

This paper presents a detailed characterization of the size and shape distributions, and chemical compositions of ambient fine and ultrafine particles collected at the site of a building demolition and construction project at the Pennsylvania State University. Particle samples were collected with a nine-stage cascade impactor, characterized via transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy for elemental compositions, and images analyzed for morphological features. 89.3% of the particles collected by count were ultrafine particles or aggregates of ultrafine particles that disaggregated during the collection process. The mean particulate matter mass and count concentrations were 167.2 µg/m3 and 16,232 particles/cm3, respectively. 72.2% of the particles by count were morphologically circular on two-dimensional images and 74.0% of the particles by count had an aspect ratio of between 1:1 and 2:1. The five most prevalent elements found in the samples were carbon, oxygen, silicon, sulfur, and calcium, with corresponding mass fractions of 40.8%, 26.4%, 7.6%, 5.1%, and 4.7%. Based on the current regulatory occupational exposure limits, the particulate matter at the construction site was within permissible concentrations. These results enable a comparison of a real-world particulate exposure environment to hazard levels determined through single-particle-type exposure studies.
Mercury chloride film anode: Study of the characteristics of a mercury chloride film anode by chronopotentiometric methods

The Mercury Chloride Film Anode (MCFA) is proposed as a new working anode which compares favorably with platinum or other inert metal electrodes. Only organic compounds have been oxidized thus far at the MCFA. Since the oxidation of organic molecules is of considerable interest this is not a serious limitation. The use of this electrode is restricted to pH's less than 5. This, coupled with the interferences of high concentrations of certain anions like iodide, phosphate, and sulfate, represent the most serious restrictions to MCFA's analytical usage. A further interesting possibility of this electrode is its use as a working cathode or anode in solutions containing both reducible and oxidizable species.
Telephone use and understanding in patients with cochlear implants

We conducted a mail survey of patients who had received cochlear implants to ascertain their ability to communicate on the telephone. Of 86 patients who responded, 38 (44%) did not use the telephone at all, 36 (42%) were able to use the telephone without assistance (independent users), and 12 (14%) were able to use the telephone with some type of assistance. Factors associated with independent use were male sex, older age at the onset of hearing loss, longer duration of hearing loss, successful use of hearing aids prior to cochlear implantation, implantation with a MED-EL Combi 40+ device, and a shorter duration of implant use. But regardless of circumstances, our findings suggest that many cochlear implant patients can use the telephone during daily activity without the need for assistive devices or relay services.
Langevin micromagnetic simulation and MOKE measurements of vortex formation as a function of thickness in submicron patterned permalloy thin films

In this paper, Langevin micromagnetic simulation and MOKE measurements of vortex formation as a function of thickness in submicron patterned permalloy thin films have been investigated.
Sewing for Millionaires: Major League Baseball Production

This case explores social responsibilities and working conditions involved in the manufacture of baseballs in Costa Rica for major league baseball teams.
A task specification language for bootstrap learning

Traditionally, research in the reinforcement learning (RL) community has been devoted to developing domain-independent algorithms such as SARSA [13], Q-learning [16], prioritized sweeping [8], or LSPI [6], that are designed to work for any given state space and action space. However, the modus operandi in RL research has been for a human expert to re-code each learning environment, including defining the actions and state features, as well as specifying the algorithm to be used. Typically each new RL experiment is run by explicitly calling a new program (even when learning can be biased by previous learning experiences, as in transfer learning [10, 15, 14]). Thus, while standards have developed for describing and testing individual RL algorithms (e.g., RL-Glue [17]), no such standards have developed for the problem of describing complete tasks to a preexisting agent.
Mental Game Myths and Tips for Coaches and Athletes

What often seems intuitive and well-meaning as a mental game strategy may be ineffective or detrimental to athletes, based on the evolution of knowledge in sport psychology. This article describes three popular ideas about the mental game and identifies them as myths, based on experience and research. These myths are (1) mental training should focus on the “zone,” or the pursuit of peak performance, (2) confidence is required to perform well, and (3) attentional “triggers” are best to lock in optimal focus. Recent advances in sport mental training emphasize the importance of preparing responses to competitive challenges, and using specific focus strategies based on the athlete's level of expertise. Practical tips and strategies are also provided to enhance mental skills in athletes and to find alternatives to traditional thinking about the mental game.
The Long-Run Performance of Firms Adopting Compensation Plans Based on Economic Profits

Proponents of compensation plans based on economic profits argue that these plans control for deficiencies in stock-based or earnings-based bonus plans and thereby better align managers? and shareholders? interests. We examine whether compensation plans based on economic profits do in fact produce better investment decisions. We use a sample of 51 firms adopting economic profit plans between 1986 and 1994 to examine compensation, ownership, and governance structures, and long-run operating and stock price performance. While we document significant improvements in operating performance subsequent to adoption of the compensation plans, a sample of nonadopting matched firms shows similar significant improvements. There is no significant difference in the stock price performance of the two groups in the four-year period following an adoption. We conclude that economic profit plans are no better than traditional plans that provide a blend of earnings-based bonuses and stock-based compensation in terms of their ability to create shareholder wealth.
Raman Detection of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Material Fabricated Using Drop-on-Demand Inkjet Technology on Several Real World Surfaces

Abstract : The requirement to detect hazardous materials (i.e., chemical, biological, and explosive) on a host of materials has led to the development of hazard detection systems. These new technologies and their capabilities could have immediate uses for the US military, national security agencies, and environmental response teams in efforts to keep people secure and safe. In particular, due to the increasing use by terrorists, the detection of common explosives and improvised explosive device (IED) materials have motivated research efforts toward detecting trace (i.e., particle level) quantities on multiple commonly encountered surfaces (e.g., textiles, metals, plastics, natural products, and even people). Non-destructive detection techniques can detect trace quantities of explosive materials; however, it can be challenging in the presence of a complex chemical background. One spectroscopic technique gaining increased attention for detection is Raman. One popular explosive precursor material is ammonium nitrate (AN). The material AN has many agricultural applications, however it can also be used in the fabrication of IEDs or homemade explosives (HMEs). In this paper, known amounts of AN will be deposited using an inkjet printer into several different common material surfaces (e.g., wood, human hair, textiles, metals, plastics). The materials are characterized with microscope images and by collecting Raman spectral data. In this report the detection and identification of AN will be demonstrated.
Shrub spatial organization and partitioning of evaporation and transpiration in arid environments

Evapotranspiration (ET) dominates water fluxes in arid and semiarid ecosystems. The partitioning of ET into transpiration (T) and evaporation (E) has drawn increasing attention, particularly with respect to quantifying the control of shrub cover on water budget studies. The main objective of this study was to simulate the effects of shrub coverage spatial patterns on water partitioning into T and E and its relation to the simulation cell sizes. Correlation lengths of spatially distributed shrub cover in fine resolution grid cells were used to distinguish spatial patterns (i.e. patchiness) of shrub distributions. We then aggregated the fine resolution grid cells into larger cells of various hierarchies, calculated the potential T of each large cell as a portion of potential ET in the aggregated cell, and simulated the partitioning of actual ET into T and E. Results illustrated that simulated T increases with aggregated cell size, while E rate and total E do not change significantly (i.e. T/ET increases with aggregated cell size). The spatial distribution of shrub pattern influences the partitioning of ET: T increases with decreasing correlation length of shrub spatial pattern. Significant differences in T/ET are linked to the different correlation lengths, as a result of the highly non-linear relationship between potential T and % shrub cover, which indirectly take into account subsurface lateral flows in the root zone. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The enzymatic removal of a surfactant coating from quartz and kaolin by P388D1 cells.

The macrophage-like cell line, P388D1, was exposed to dipalmitoyl lecithin (DPL)-coated respirable quartz and kaolin, and the disappearance of the DPL was monitored for up to 9 days. The coating was removed rapidly at first (about 50% in the first 3 days) and then more slowly over the remaining 6 days, until about 30% remained on day 9. The rate of DPL digestion was independent of the type of dust and the amount of coated dust within the cell, indicating the existence of an extracellular phospholipase activity. This extracellular phospholipase activity was partially characterized. It was sensitive to temperatures above 56°C, the presence of EDTA, the action of the proteases trypsin and proteinase K, and pH, being active at pH 7 but not at pH 5. This is consistent with reports in the leterature of the existence of an extralysosomal phospholipase which is active at pH 7 and dependent on the presence of divalent metal ions. There was a dust-dependent difference in the extracellular rate of DPL digestion from quartz and kaolin. The coating was removed more slowly from the kaolin than it was from quartz. The removal of the DPL coating seen in the presence of cells was presumably due to both an intracellular and an extracellular phospholipase.
Cloud-type discrimination via multispectral textural analysis

In recent years, with the development of satellite and computer technology, Earth observation and atmospheric research have become highly dependent on digital imagery. One of the primary interests in digital image processing is the development of robust methods to perform feature detection, extraction, and classification. Until recently, classification methods for cloud discrimination were mainly based on the spectral information of the imagery. However, because of the spectral similarities of certain features (such as ice clouds and snow) and the effects of atmospheric attenuation, multispectral rule-based classifications do not necessarily produce accurate feature discrimination. Spectral homogeneity of two different features within a scene can lead to misclassification. Furthermore, the opposite problem can occur when one feature exhibits different spectral signatures locally but is homogeneous in its cyclic spatial variation. The exploration of spatial information is often advantageous in these discrimination problems. A texture-based method for feature identification has been investigated. This method uses a set of localized spatial filters known as 2-D Gabor functions. Gabor filters can be described as a sinusoidal plane wave within a 2-D Gaussian envelope. The frequency and orientation of the sine plane and the width of the Gaussian envelope are determined by the Gabor parameters. These tunable channels yield joint optimal information both in the spatial and the frequency domains. The new method has been applied to the thermal channels of the NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer data for cloud-type discrimination. Results show that additional texture information improves discrimination between cloud types (especially thin cirrus).
Evaluation of the performance of a sliding-type base isolation system with a NiTi shape memory alloy device considering temperature effects

Abstract This paper investigates the seismic performance of a sliding-type base isolation system considering environmental temperature changes. The isolation system consists of a steel–Teflon sliding bearing that carries the vertical loads and dissipates energy as a result of its frictional behavior and a shape memory alloy (SMA) device that provides re-centering force and additional damping. A five-span continuous bridge is modeled with sliding bearings and an SMA device as a two-degree-of-freedom system. A neuro-fuzzy model that is capable of capturing the material response at different temperatures and loading frequencies is used to predict the force at superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy wires. The design parameters of the SMA device, i.e., the length and cross-sectional area of NiTi wires, are obtained through a multi-objective genetic algorithm optimization process. A time-domain method that uses wavelet operations for the matching of an accelerogram to the pseudo-acceleration or displacement ordinates for a given design spectrum is employed to generate ground motion records used in the simulations. Finally, nonlinear time history analyses of the isolated bridge are conducted for outside temperatures of 0 ∘ C, 20 ∘ C and 40 ∘ C. The results show that a sliding-type isolation system with an SMA re-centering device can effectively reduce the seismic response of bridges for each temperature considered in the study.
Effects of Marital Status and Parents' Marital Status on Evaluation of Self and Parents

Summary A total of 980 college students from Kansas State University were asked to take part voluntarily in a study to determine whether or not marital status and prior family structure affected the way one evaluated self, mother, and father. The outcome suggests that evaluations of this triad tended to replicate those obtained in earlier studies upon populations whose ages ranged from about 10 years through young adulthood. Specifically, children from broken homes were found to rate themselves and their parents less favorably than did children from intact homes. Findings from the current study imply that these negative feelings, with respect to self and father, continue to have puissance regardless of the respondent's marital status.
The formation of superconducting phases in Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu oxide/Ag microcomposites produced by oxidation of metallic precursor alloys

Metallic alloy ribbons of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu with nominal compositions of 2-2-1-2, 2-2-2-3, 2-2-2-4, and 2-2-3-4, with or without Pb, were made by vacuum induction melting followed by melt-spinning. Ag, at the level of 20--80 wt. %, was added to aid in the alloy melting and metallic ribbon formation processes. These ribbons were then subjected to a controlled atmosphere oxidation and annealing to produce superconducting oxide/silver microcomposites. Among the four alloy groups investigated in the present work, 2-2-3-4 alloys with 0.6 Bi replaced by Pb possess the best superconducting properties after suitable treatment. These specimens exhibited zero resistance at {ital T}=104--110 K and a critical current density of 600 A/cm{sup 2} at 77 K in zero field with excellent reproducibility. The annealing conditions, namely the annealing temperature, time and atmosphere, are discussed in terms of the formation kinetics of the superconducting phases. While the 85 K {ital T}{sub {ital c}} 2212'' phase formed over a wide temperature range (740 to 845 C) after a {similar to}2 hour anneal, the 110 K high-{Tc} transition only appeared after a {similar to}10 hour anneal at 810--840 C, suggesting that the 2223'' phase grew from the 2212'' phase controlled by diffusion. The microstructures of these superconductingmore » microcomposites were observed and analyzed by a combination of optical and scanning electron microscopy, x-ray powder diffraction and electron probe microanalysis. The high {ital T}{sub {ital c}} 2223'' phase exhibited plate-like grains which were distributed randomly in orientation. The silver addition improved the mechanical properties of the metallic precursor ribbons and the superconducting microcomposites, promoted the formation of the 2223'' phase, and influenced the oxidation and the annealing conditions.« less
Tumors of ceruminous glands.

Light and electron microscopic features of a case of ceruminous adenocarcinoma are presented and compared to normal ceruminous glands. A survey of the literature disclosed 4 types of ceruminoma: adenoma, adenocarcinoma, adenoid-cystic carcinoma, and mixed tumor. The pathogenesis and histologic features of each type are discussed. Because biologic activity varies with the histologic pattern, and because of the greater frequency of malignancy as compared to other cutaneous apocrine tumors, it is recommended that the generic term “ceruminoma” be retained for apocrine tumors arising in the external auditory canal.
Vaccines for transplant recipients.

Advances in molecular immunology, biotechnology, and immunosuppressive pharmacology have had a significant impact on human transplantation during the past decade. The number of individuals undergoing stem cell and solid organ transplantation has increased steadily over the past few years. For both stem cell and solid organ transplantation, infectious complications are a major problem. The different types of infections and the timing of their occurrence after transplantation have been well described in both the stem cell and solid organ transplant setting. 65,66,80,98,117,127 In stem cell transplantation (SCT), the greatest risk for infectious complications occurs during the period of immune reconstitution with donor cells following ablative radiochemotherapy. The SCT recipient moves from a state of profound humoral and cell-mediated immunodeficiences to one capable of functional B-and T-cell responses. 94,157 This gradual maturation of the immune system following transplantation affects the ability of SCT recipients to respond to different vaccines. In contrast, solid organ transplant recipients have a lifelong increased risk for infections as a result of the immunosuppression associated with their underlying disease, the exogenous immunosuppression required for allograft survival, and the additional immunosuppressive therapy administered to treat organ rejection. Although progress continues to be made in diagnostic capabilities, antimicrobial therapies, and biologic treatments for many infections, immunoprophylaxis is an approach that should be considered in these patients. Protective immunity may be elicited, transferred, or maintained in the transplant recipient through immunization, and strategies to provide optimal protection are important components of transplant investigations. The differences in the duration of immune dysregulation after stem cell as compared to solid organ transplantation affect the immunization strategies recommended for stem cell and solid organ transplant recipients. Therefore, the goals and challenges of immunizations to benefit transplant recipients are addressed separately for the stem cell and solid organ transplant recipient.
AT1 Receptor Mediated Augmentation of Intrarenal Angiotensinogen in Angiotensin II-Dependent Hypertension

Angiotensin (Ang) II-infused hypertensive rats exhibit increases in renal angiotensinogen mRNA and protein, as well as urinary angiotensinogen excretion in association with increased intrarenal Ang II content. The present study was performed to determine if the augmentation of intrarenal angiotensinogen requires activation of Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptors. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (200 to 220 g) were divided into 3 groups: sham surgery (n=10), subcutaneous infusion of Ang II (80 ng/min, n=11), and Ang II infusion plus AT1 blocker (ARB), olmesartan (5 mg/d, n=12). Ang II infusion progressively increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared with sham (178±8 mm Hg versus119±4 at day 11). ARB treatment prevented hypertension (113±6 at day 11). Twenty-four-hour urine collections were taken at day 12, and plasma and tissue samples were harvested at day 13. The Ang II+ARB group had a significant increase in plasma Ang II compared with Ang II and sham groups (365±46 fmol/mL versus 76±9 and 45±14, respectively). Nevertheless, ARB treatment markedly limited the enhancement of kidney Ang II by Ang II infusion (65±17 fmol/g in sham, 606±147 in Ang II group, and 288±28 in Ang II+ARB group). Ang II infusion significantly increased kidney angiotensinogen compared with sham (1.69±0.21 densitometric units versus 1.00±0.17). This change was reflected by increased angiotensinogen immunostaining in proximal tubules. ARB treatment prevented this increase (1.14±0.12). Urinary angiotensinogen excretion rates were enhanced 4.7× in Ang II group (4.67±0.41 densitometric units versus 1.00±0.21) but ARB treatment prevented the augmentation of urinary angiotensinogen (0.96±0.23). These data demonstrate that augmentation of intrarenal angiotensinogen in Ang II-infused rats is AT1-dependent and provide further evidence that urinary angiotensinogen is closely linked to intrarenal Ang II in Ang II-dependent hypertension.
Agent-based engineering, the Web, and intelligence

Web based agents show great potential for design and engineering applications. To integrate engineering agents into the Web, researchers must resolve the conflict between HTTP's client server protocol and the peer to peer protocol required by agents. The author surveys the types and definitions of agents, eventually focusing on those useful for engineering, and on how they can be integrated with the World Wide Web. Because it is simply silly to discuss software agents without distinguishing them from other types of software, the author ventures to offer a definition. It will be iconoclastic and perhaps applicable only to a certain type of engineering agent. But it will be useful in identifying some technical implementation issues.
Decreased lymphocyte beta-adrenoreceptor function correlates with less agoraphobia and better outcome in panic disorder.

Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated reduced function of peripheral beta-adrenoreceptors in panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA). We recently reported that decreased lymphocyte beta-receptor function was associated with milder agoraphobia and better treatment response in PDA. We now report on lymphocyte beta-receptor function in 12 additional patients with PDA. Lower cyclic AMP responses to isoproterenol were significantly correlated with milder agoraphobia and better response to naturalistic treatment. Lower beta-receptor density tended to correlate similarly with agoraphobia and treatment response. These findings further support that decreased peripheral beta-receptor function in PDA reflects an adaptive process associated with greater resistance to agoraphobia and greater capacity for recovery with treatment.
Antisense oligonucleotides to N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunits attenuate formalin-induced nociception in the rat

Noxious peripheral stimuli increase the sensitivity of central nociceptive neurons to subsequent noxious stimuli. This occurs in part through activation of spinal N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. These receptors are heteromeric complexes of NMDA-R1 and NMDA-R2 A–D subunits. NMDA-R1 is necessary for the formation of functional NMDA receptors whereas the R2 subunits (A–D) modify the properties of the receptor. However, the role of the various receptor subtypes in nociception has not been established. In this study, we used intrathecally administered phosphodiester antisense oligonucleotides (ODEs) to examine the role of the NMDA-R1, NMDA-R2C and NMDA-R2D subunits in the mediation of formalin-induced nociception in the rat. The antisense ODEs against the NMDA-R1 and NMDAR-2C subunits reduced nociceptive behaviors whereas the corresponding sense ODEs had no effect. In contrast, nociception was unaffected by the antisense ODE to NMDAR-2D. Using an RNase protection assay, we also found that each antisense ODE selectively decreased the level of the corresponding mRNA in the lumbar spinal cord but that the sense ODEs had no such effect. Accordingly, these data provide evidence that the R1 and R2C subunits, but not R2D, of the NMDA receptor participate in the development of formalin-induced nociception.
Absolute activation cross sections for reactions of niobium with 14·5 MeV neutrons

Abstract Absolute neutron activation cross sections at 14·5 MeV have been measured for the mono-isotopic nuclide, 93Nb, by means of γ-scintillation spectroscopy and β-proportional counting as well as by the use of chemical separation techniques. The observed reactions, product half-lives, and cross-sections are as follows: 93Nb (n, 2n) 92gNb, 10·1 days, 499 ± 91 mbarns; 93Nb (n, γ) 94mNb, 6·6 min, 0·44 ± 0·25 mbarns; 93Nb (n, α) 90bY, 64 hr, 8·6 ± 2·5 mbarns; 93Nb (n, α) 90mY, 3·0 hr, 5·9 ± 2·0 mbarns; 93Nb (n, n′α) 89mY, 16 sec, 2·5 ± 1·1 mbarns. No activity was observed in the zirconium fraction, the (n, p) product, nor was the 13 hr 92mNb produced through an (n, 2n) reaction. Half-lives of 90mY and 89mY were determined by least squares analysis to be 3·02 ± 0·09 hr and 16·3 ± 1·3 sec, respectively.
Memory functioning among midlife women: observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study.

AbstractObjective:As the number of midlife women increases, there is an increased interest in women's experiences of the perimenopause. Because of the evidence linking estrogen with cholinergic and serotonergic activity in the brain and with central nervous system development of dendritic arborizati
Taking Aim: Target Populations and the Wars on AIDS and Drugs By Mark C. Donovan. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2001. 148p. $50.00 cloth, $19.95 paper.

One recent approach to the study of public policy has been policy design. And one component of this is the concept of target populations. Perhaps the strongest case for the importance of target populations as a focus for research has been advanced in the work of Anne Schneider and Helen Ingram. They have argued that target populations help to shape the construction of public policies. If target populations are politically weak and have negative constructions (for instance, drug users and drug dealers), then policies will tend to be harsh and punitive—penalties rather than benefits. In part, this serves political purposes, since one would get “political points” for being harsh with those who have little power and are perceived as “bad” people. In the process, bad policy may result, since the construction of target populations and policies aimed at them may have little to do with actually solving complex social problems.
Hydroxy fatty acids of azotobacter agilis

Abstract Approximately half of the fatty acids recovered after alkaline hydrolysis of the bound lipid of Azotobacter agilis were hydroxy acids. The hydroxy acids were isolated by gas-liquid chromatography and were identified as 3-hydroxydecanoic, 3-hydroxydodecanoic and 2-hydroxydodecanoic acids by the retention volume of the methyl ester in gas-liquid chromatography, by infrared spectrum, and by identification of the products of oxidation by permanganate. The chain length of β-hydroxy fatty acids was confirmed by dehydration-hydrogenation, which gave the expected n -saturated acids.
How Psychology Can Contribute

Cognitive Styles and Learning Strategies Research: Some of the Areas in Which Psychology can Contribute To Personalized Instruction in Multicultural Education
Ernährung und ablehnendes Essverhalten aus Sicht der Pflegenden

Viele gesundheitliche Probleme konnen fur den Appetitverlust verantwortlich sein. Mogliche korperliche Ursachen mussen in Zusammenarbeit mit der behandelnden Arztin festgestellt und behandelt oder ausgeschlossen werden. Ein besonders hoher Stellenwert kommt dabei der Frage zu, ob eine Patientin, die sich verbal nicht mehr mitteilen kann, Schmerzen hat. Die entscheidenden Hinweise auf das Vorliegen von Schmerzen mussen von Schwestern und Pflegern kommen. Wer keine Freude am Leben hat, hat in der Regel auch keine Freude am Essen. Appetitlosigkeit ist haufig ein Zeichen dafur, dass Demenzkranke sich in ihrer Umgebung nicht wohl fuhlen, unter Respektlosigkeit, fehlender Kommunikation, Mangel an Zuwendung und Beziehung leiden. Gegen Lebensende ist die abnehmende Freude am Essen nicht selten Teil eines allgemeinen Ruckzugs.
Stability of the WPPSI-R and WISC-III Factor Structure Using Cross-Validation of Covariance Structure Models:

The reliability of the Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Organization factors of the WPPSI-R and WISC-III was examined by use of cross-validation of covariance structure models, a new statistical methodology that employs both unrestricted and restricted factor analyses. Reliability of the factor structure would be indicated if the goodness of fit of restricted factor analytic models generated from unrestricted factor patterns did not degrade when tested on other age groups. If the goodness of fit changed in an inconsistent fashion, that would indicate that the factor structure of one or both of the instruments is unreliable. Finally, if the goodness of fit changed in a systematic fashion, getting worse with greater age differences, then an argument for true intellectual changes could be made. Results revealed general consistency in the goodness of fit across age groups. Therefore, it was concluded that a two-factor model that consists of the Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Organization factors is re...
Negative regulation of early B lymphopoiesis by interleukin 3 and interleukin 1 alpha.

Abstract We recently developed a two-step methyl cellulose culture system for murine lymphohemopoietic progenitors that are capable of differentiation along the myeloid and B-lymphoid lineages. In this system, two-factor combinations, which include steel factor plus interleukin (IL) 6, IL-11, or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor effectively supported the lymphomyeloid potential of primary colonies. Interestingly, IL-3 could neither replace nor act synergistically with steel factor in maintaining the B-lymphoid potential of the primary colonies although the frequency of colony formation was the same with IL-3 and steel factor. We now report that addition of IL-3 or IL-1 alpha to a permissive system suppresses the B-lymphoid potential of primitive progenitor cells in primary culture in dose-dependent fashion. In vivo transfer of the primary colonies to scid mice confirmed the suppressive effects of IL-3 and IL-1 alpha. In addition, IL-1 alpha inhibited pre-B-cell colony formation in the secondary culture. Once pre-B-cell colonies had formed in secondary culture, neither factor affected the proliferation of the pre-B cells. These results suggest negative regulatory roles for IL-3 and IL-1 alpha in early stages of B lymphopoiesis.
Vampires Among Us

In the Bible Belt, the teenage vampire serves as a threatening image of family values gone awry—the child as soulless killer, as homegrown horror. —Teresa A. Goddu, “Vampire Gothic” Writing at the ...
NMR-Based Explicit Ensemble Dynamics Simulations of Membrane Protein

Various NMR observables, such as chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) and dipolar coupling (DC) in solid-state NMR, and residual dipolar coupling (RDC) in solution NMR experiments, have been used to characterize membrane protein structures. As time- and ensemble-averaged measurements, those observables also embed protein dynamics, which provides collective motions relevant to protein function. However, most of present NMR structure determination approaches do not consider protein-lipid interactions, which are essential determinants of membrane protein structure and function. To overcome these limitations, various NMR observables were utilized as restraints in ensemble dynamics molecular dynamics simulations to investigate protein dynamics in the explicit membranes. As representative membrane proteins, Pf1 coat protein and Fd coat protein were used to set up two model systems separately. Both of them are single-pass transmembrane helical proteins involving one membrane associated periplasmic helix. The resulting structures satisfy the NMR observables and are compared with the published structures. The disposition of protein TM helix in the explicit membrane is identified and the degree of freedom of the helix orientation under NMR restraints is observed.
Multi-threaded, discrete event simulation of distributed computing systems

The LHC experiments have envisaged computing systems of unprecedented complexity, for which is necessary to provide a realistic description and modeling of data access patterns, and of many jobs running concurrently on large scale distributed systems and exchanging very large amounts of data. A process oriented approach for discrete event simulation is well suited to describe various activities running concurrently, as well the stochastic arrival patterns specific for such type of simulation. Threaded objects or “Active Objects” can provide a natural way to map the specific behaviour of distributed data processing into the simulation program. The simulation tool developed within MONARC is based on Java(TM) technology which provides adequate tools for developing a flexible and distributed process oriented simulation. Proper graphics tools, and ways to analyze data interactively, are essential in any simulation project. The design elements, status and features of the MONARC simulation tool are presented. The program allows realistic modeling of complex data access patterns by multiple concurrent users in large scale computing systems in a wide range of possible architectures, from centralized to highly distributed. Comparison between queuing theory and realistic client–server measurements is also presented.
Recertification of Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1649, Urban Dust, for the Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Abstract The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently issued SRM 1649a, Urban Dust, with certified and reference values for 44 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This material is a recertification of SRM 1649 which was issued in 1982 with certified values for only five PAHs. The PAHs were determined using the following analytical techniques: (1) reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC-FL) for analysis of the total PAH fraction, (2) reversed-phase LC-FL for analysis of isomeric PAH fractions isolated by normal-phase LC (i.e., multidimensional LC), and (3) gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for analysis of the PAH fraction using three different stationary phases, each with different selectivity for PAH separations. The results from the different techniques are compared and discussed. SRM 1649a is currently the most extensively characterized environmental matrix SRM with respect to PAH constituents.
Motion Analysis in SAR Images of Unfocused Objects Using Time–Frequency Methods

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image formation processing assumes that the scene is stationary, and to focus an object, one coherently sums a large number of independent returns. Any target motion introduces phases that distort and/or translate the target's image. Target motion produces a smear primarily in the azimuth direction of the SAR image. Time-frequency (TF) modeling is used to analyze and correct the residual phase distortions. An interactive focusing algorithm based on TF modeling demonstrates how to correct the phase and to rapidly focus the mover. This is demonstrated on two watercraft observed in a SAR image. Then, two time-frequency representations (TFRs) are applied to estimate the motion parameters of the movers or refocus them or both. The first is the short-time Fourier transform, from which a velocity profile is constructed based on the length of the smear. The second TFR is the time-frequency distribution series, which is a robust derivative of the Wigner-Ville distribution that works well in this SAR environment. The smear is a modulated chirp, from which a velocity profile is plotted and the phase corrections are integrated to focus the movers. The relationship between these two methods is discussed. Both methods show good agreement on the example.
Synthesis and characterization of cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes with pyrazolyl ancillary ligands

Abstract The syntheses and structures of a series of (N,C2′-(2-para-tolylpyridine))2Ir(LX) [(tpy)2Ir(LX)] and (N,C2′-(4′,6′-difluorophenylpyridine))2Ir(LX) [(dfppy)2Ir(LX)] are reported, where LX are pyrazolyl and pyrazolyl-borate ligands. Reaction of the dichloro-bridged dimer [(tpy)2Ir(μ-Cl)]2 with excess pyrazolyl-borate ligands forms a protonated-dipyrazolyl Ir complex, (tpy)2Ir(pz2H). The Ir bound chloride in [(tpy)2Ir(μ-Cl)]2 presumably facilitates the hydrolysis of pyrazolyl-borate. Thus, the syntheses of Ir complexes with bis(pyrazolyl)borates, e.g., (tpy)2Ir(pz2Bpz2) and (tpy)2Ir(pz2BEt2) require the chloride abstraction by CF3SO3Ag before pyrazolyl-borate is added to the reaction solution. (tpy)2Ir(pz2H), (tpy)2Ir(pzH)2(CF3SO3), (tpy)2Ir(pz2Bpz2) and (tpy)2Ir(pz2BEt2) have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The two pyrazolyl rings of (tpy)2Ir(pz2H) are nearly coplanar (dihedral angle, 12°), due to the presence of N–H⋯N hydrogen bond (N⋯N distance of 2.56 A), while the two pyrazolyl rings of (tpy)2Ir(pzH)2(CF3SO3) are not coplanar (pz–pz dihedral angle, 47°). Unlike other η2-pyrazolyl-borate complexes, the (tpy)2Ir(pz2BEt2) exhibits a rare quasi-chair conformation adopted by the ring, rather than the more common boat conformations which have been observed previously. Similarly, the cycle of (tpy)2Ir(pz2Bpz2) adopts a half-chair conformation, more flattened than the typical boat conformation. While the choice of pyrazolyl-borate ligand does not change the structural properties of the “(tpy)2Ir” fragment, it markedly affects the photophysical properties of both (tpy)2Ir(pz2BR2) and (dfppy)2Ir(pz2BR2) complexes. The pyrazolyl-borate ancillary ligands affect the absorption and emission energies of these complexes by tuning the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) energies. The electron-withdrawing ancillary ligands, e.g., pz2Bpz2 −, decrease the electron density on the iridium, stabilizing the metal-centered HOMOs.
Effectiveness of a Sonography Distance-Learning Event for Continuing Medical Education Credit:

Continuing education for sonographers is a requiremeint for them to maintain their national registry. Satellite teleconferences are an example of a distance-learning activity that provides access ad information to sonographers regardliess of the location of the participant. The difficulty with this type of continuing medical education activity is that it is unmeasured for satisfaction, relevance, and knowledge gain for sonographers. Using previous research into effective physician continuing medical education, a study was designed as an investigation of the effectiveness of a commercially sponsored distance-learning event.The results of this study suggest that a more structurd: study is necessary to validate satisfaction and relevance scores for this type of continuing medical education activity for all job titles. It is also important to begin to describe the efetiveness of continuing education distance-learning events for sonographers and other allied medical professionals.