cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GIRK2 EXPRESSION IN THE VENTRAL MIDBRAIN, CEREBELLUM, AND OLFACTORY BULB AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE MURINE MUTATION WEAVER

The mouse mutant weaver exhibits developmental deficits and cell death in several neuronal classes. weaver is almost certainly a mutation in the potassium channel, Girk2. In some vulnerable neurons, including those in the midbrain, it is not known whether weaver expression is the primary defect, or whether deficits are secondary to weaver expression elsewhere. In wild-type mice, our results point to subsets of dopamine-containing cells of the midbrain as primary targets of weaver. In the midbrain, all Girk2-positive cells examined in A9 (substantia nigra), A10, and A8 (retrorubral nucleus) are tyrosine hydroxylase-positive. The expression of Girk2 varies among and within these regions. Girk2-positive cells are most numerous in the substantia nigra, pars compacta, a region badly affected in homozygous weavers; in this region, Girk2 expression is found in cell somata and dendrites. In addition, in homozygous weavers, the remaining neuronal processes in A9 (as well as A8) are stunted. Within A10, a region largely spared in weaver homozygotes, Girk2 expression is undetectable in the most medially placed nuclei and is present in the nuclei that border A9. In the cerebellum, Girk2 immunoreactivity was also found in somata and dendrites of populations vulnerable to weaver, including the deep cerebellar nuclei. In a region not previously known to be affected, the olfactory bulb, Girk2 protein is detectable only in processes. The expression of mutated Girk2 has consequences for the olfactory bulb where ectopic cells are present in the external plexiform layer of the homozygous weaver. Our results emphasize that the Girk2 mutation may act to alter the development and maintenance of cell processes and that defects may be present in all Girk2-containing regions in weaver mutants.
Stimulus control of anticipatory responding in instrumental learning as revealed in serial learning tasks

Items in a fixed series A-B-C can be anticipated employing either item information (e.g., ItemA cues signal Item B) or position information (e.g., Position 2 cues signal Item B). Identical fixed series of rewarded and nonrewarded trials were employed in investigations reported by Capaldi and Miller (1988), Capaldi, Alptekin, Miller, and Birmingham (1997), and Burns, Dunkman, and Detloff (1999). These series were learned employing item cues according to Capaldi and colleagues and position cues according to Burns et al. (1999). Burns et al.’s (1999) conclusions were based on rats’ behavior when shifted to novel series, which could reveal position learning but not item learning. Employing the acquisition conditions of Burns and co-workers but shifts to series that could reveal item learning, evidence for item learning was obtained in two experiments. The most reasonable interpretation of the above set of findings is that rats employ a compound of both types of cues to signal items. To our knowledge, no set of prior findings so strongly suggests a similar conclusion.
Lysine 2,3-Aminomutase from Clostridium subterminale SB4: Mass Spectral Characterization of Cyanogen Bromide-Treated Peptides and Cloning, Sequencing, and Expression of the Gene kamA in Escherichia coli

Lysine 2,3-aminomutase (KAM, EC 5.4.3.2.) catalyzes the interconversion of l-lysine and l-β-lysine, the first step in lysine degradation in Clostridium subterminale SB4. KAM requires S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which mediates hydrogen transfer in a mechanism analogous to adenosylcobalamin-dependent reactions. KAM also contains an iron-sulfur cluster and requires pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) for activity. In the present work, we report the cloning and nucleotide sequencing of the gene kamA for C. subterminale SB4 KAM and conditions for its expression in Escherichia coli. The cyanogen bromide peptides were isolated and characterized by mass spectral analysis and, for selected peptides, amino acid and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. PCR was performed with degenerate oligonucleotide primers and C. subterminale SB4 chromosomal DNA to produce a portion of kamA containing 1,029 base pairs of the gene. The complete gene was obtained from a genomic library of C. subterminale SB4 chromosomal DNA by use of DNA probe analysis based on the 1,029-base pair fragment. The full-length gene consisted of 1,251 base pairs specifying a protein of 47,030 Da, in reasonable agreement with 47,173 Da obtained by electrospray mass spectrometry of the purified enzyme. N- and C-terminal amino acid analysis of KAM and its cyanogen bromide peptides firmly correlated its amino acid sequence with the nucleotide sequence of kamA. A survey of bacterial genome databases identified seven homologs with 31 to 72% sequence identity to KAM, none of which were known enzymes. An E. coli expression system consisting of pET 23a(+) plus kamA yielded unsatisfactory expression and bacterial growth. Codon usage in kamA includes the use of AGA for all 29 arginine residues. AGA is rarely used in E. coli, and arginine clusters at positions 4 and 5, 25 and 27, and 134, 135, and 136 apparently compound the barrier to expression. Coexpression of E. coli argU dramatically enhanced both cell growth and expression of KAM. Purified recombinant KAM is equivalent to that purified from C. subterminale SB4.
Nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis and nucleus raphe magnus in the brain stem exert opposite effects on behavioral hyperalgesia and spinal Fos protein expression after peripheral inflammation

Previous findings indicate that the brain stem descending system becomes more active in modulating spinal nociceptive processes during the development of persistent pain. The present study further identified the supraspinal sites that mediate enhanced descending modulation of behavior hyperalgesia and dorsal horn hyperexcitability (as measured by Fos-like immunoreactivity) produced by subcutaneous complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Selective chemical lesions were produced in the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM), the nuclei reticularis gigantocellularis (NGC), or the locus coeruleus/subcoeruleus (LC/SC). Compared to vehicle-injected animals with injection of vehicle alone, microinjection of a serotoninergic neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine into the NRM significantly increased thermal hyperalgesia and Fos protein expression in lumbar spinal cord after hindpaw inflammation. In contrast, the selective bilateral destruction of the NGC with a soma-selective excitotoxic neurotoxin, ibotenic acid, led to an attenuation of hyperalgesia and a reduction of inflammation-induced spinal Fos expression. Furthermore, if the NGC lesion was extended to involve the NRM, the behavioral hyperalgesia and CFA-induced Fos expression were similar to that in vehicle-injected rats. Bilateral LC/SC lesions were produced by microinjections of a noradrenergic neurotoxin, DSP-4. There was a significant increase in inflammation-induced spinal Fos expression, especially in the ipsilateral superficial dorsal horn following LC/SC lesions. These results demonstrated that multiple specific brain stem sites are involved in descending modulation of inflammatory hyperalgesia. Both NRM and LC/SC descending pathways are major sources of enhanced inhibitory modulation in inflamed animals. The persistent hyperalgesia and neuronal hyperexcitability may be mediated in part by a descending pain facilitatory system involving NGC. Thus, the intensity of perceived pain and hyperalgesia is fine-tuned by descending pathways. The imbalance of these modulating systems may be one mechanism underlying variability in acute and chronic pain conditions.
Lipid Deterioration in Dairy Products. The Stability of Milk Fat and Fat-Soluble Vitamins as Determined by the Re-Emulsification Test

Summary (1)It has been shown that ascorbic acid plays an important part in the oxidative deterioration of milk fat at the end of its storage life, as determined by the re-emulsification test, resulting in the development of objectionable flavors and losses in vitamins A and E and the carotene content of the fat. The susceptibility of fat to this type of deterioration is determined primarily by the treatment of milk, the temperature of pasteurization, the type of product, the conditions of storage, and to a lesser extent upon the direct and immediate effect of the exposure to light. (2)The exposure of pure fat to light generated by mercury vapor lamp (1400 foot-candles) slightly affects its vitamin E content. However, it lowers the resistance of vitamin E in the stable fat to deterioration as determined by the re-emulsification test. (3)The re-emulsification test was found to be useful in determining the end of the storage life of fat when the fat was obtained from products which have not as yet shown any apparent changes in their flavors. This view is supported by the observations showing that the depletion of cream of its total vitamin C content, either by oxygenation, or by hydrogen peroxide, has prevented the development of the objectionable flavors for 12 and 24 months at −17.7 to −16.1° C., respectively. In the reemulsification test, however, the fat obtained from oxygenated milk pasteurized up to 76.6° C. lost its ability to resist the foregoing type of deterioration at the end of 4 to 6 months of storage, depending upon the conditions of processing. (4)Only the fat from butter churned from cream pasteurized at 71.1 and 76.6° C. and the pure fat retained their abilities to resist deterioration in the re-emulsification test at the end of two years storage at −17.7 to −16.1° C.
Casino Firms' Risk Features and their Beta Determinants

This study examines the risk features of casino firms. In particular, it investigates the systematic and unsystematic risks of investing in casino stocks and the determinants of their systematic risk, or beta. Using the financial data of 35 USA casino firms from 1992 through 1994, the study found that 92% of their total risk was contributed by firm-specific unsystematic risk. The rest was due to their market-related systematic risk. The systematic risk was found to be negatively correlated with assets turnover ratio. The findings suggest that making existing gaming capacity more productive, rather than expanding, may reduce a casino firm's systematic risk and enhance the firm value. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Universal Syntax-Directed Top-Down Analyzer

An algorithm is described that will recognize, and fully analyze, strings of unbounded length, using the rewriting rules of any context-free grammar. It uses a finite random access store, three pushdown tapes, and a counter. It imposes no restrictions on the grammar defined by the rewriting rules, excepting only that it be a context-free phrase structure grammar. The analysis printed out is a linearized form of the structural description tree (or trees, in an ambiguous case) of the input string. A proof that the analyzer will always stop in a finite time is provided. The upper bound on the running time increases exponentially with input string length.
Comments on the paper “Magnetostratigraphy of the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary at Agost (Spain)” by J.J. Groot, R.B.G. de Jonge, C.G. Langereis, W.G.H.Z. ten Kate and J. Smit

Commentaire de l'article de J.J. Groot, R.B.G. de Jonge, C.G. Langereis, W.G.H.Z. ten Kate et J. Smit paru dans Earth Planet. Sci. lett. vol. 94 (1989) pp 385-397
Distribution of parvalbumin and calretinin immunoreactive interneurons in motor cortex from multiple sclerosis post-mortem tissue

Parvalbumin (PV) and calretinin (CR) are calcium binding proteins (CBP's) expressed in discrete GABAergic interneuron populations in the human cortex. CBP's are known to buffer calcium concentrations and protect neurons from increases in intracellular calcium. Perturbations in intracellular calcium can activate proteolytic enzymes including calpain, leading to deleterious effects to axons. Ca++-mediated mechanisms have been found to be associated with axonal pathology in MS and the restructuring of calcium channels has been shown to occur in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as well as multiple sclerosis tissue. Previous data indicates a reduction in the expression of the parvalbumin gene as well as reduced extension of neurites on parvalbumin expressing interneurons within multiple sclerosis normal appearing grey matter (NAGM). Modifications in interneuron parvalbumin or calretinin levels could change calcium buffering capacity, as well as the way these cells respond to neuronal insults. The present study was designed to compare CBP immunoreactive neurons in normal and multiple sclerosis post-mortem NAGM. To this end, we utilized immunofluorescent staining and high resolution confocal microscopy to map regions of the human motor cortex, and characterize layer specific CBP distribution in the normal and multiple sclerosis motor cortex. Our results indicate a significant reduction in the number of PV interneurons within layer 2 of the multiple sclerosis primary motor cortex with no concurrent change in number of calretinin positive neurons.
A high throughput and low power radix-4 FFT architecture

In this paper, a high throughput and low power architecture for 256-point FFT processor is proposed which is suitable for both high performance and low power applications. The proposed architecture is based on Radix-4 algorithm. We choose pipelined Multi-path Delay Commutators (MDC) for our design. Two separate datapaths are used in this architecture so that it can process eight inputs in parallel. Thus, the throughput is increased by eight times while achieving 100% hardware utilization. Power consumption of this architecture is shown to be about 50% less than a regular Radix-4 MDC structure for a same throughput. We implement our design in Xilinx FPGA Virtex 5 and compare with regular R4MDC for area, throughput, and power.
Characterization of Neutralization Specificities of Outer Capsid Spike Protein VP4 of Selected Murine, Lapine, and Human Rotavirus Strains

Neutralization specificities of outer capsid spike protein VP4 of murine rotavirus strains EW (P?[16],G3) and EHP (P?[20],G3) and lapine rotavirus strains Ala (P?[14],G3), C11 (P?[14],G3), and R2 (P?[14],G3) as well as human rotavirus strains PA169 (P?[14],G6) and HAL1166 (P?[14],G8) were determined by two-way cross-neutralization. This was done by generating and characterizing (i) three murine x human, three lapine x human, and two human x human single gene substitution reassortant rotaviruses, each of which bore identical human rotavirus DS-1 strain VP7 (G2), and (ii) guinea pig hyperimmune antiserum raised against each reassortant. Reference rotavirus strains employed in the study represented 10 established VP4 (P) serotypes, including 1A[8], 1B[4], 2A[6], 3[9], 4[10], 5A[2], 5B[2], 5B[3], 6[1], 7[5], 8[11], 9[7], and 10[16] as well as a P serotype unknown P[18]. Murine rotavirus strains EW and EB were demonstrated to share the same P serotype (P10[16]) distinct from (i) 9 established P serotypes, (ii) lapine and human rotavirus strains bearing the P[14] genotype, and (iii) an equine rotavirus strain bearing the P[18] genotype. Both lapine (Ala, C11, and R2) and human (PA169 and HAL1166) rotaviruses were shown to belong to the same VP4 serotype, which represented a distinct new P serotype (P11[14]). P serotype 13[20] was assigned to murine rotavirus EHP strain VP4, which was shown to be distinct from all the P serotypes/genotypes examined in the present study.
Bill Clinton's Contractarian World view: The Intellectual Origins and Public Face of the Clinton Philosophy

Bill Clinton's worldview has a serious but still almost wholly unappreciated intellectual provenance, with deep ties to two strands of social contract theory and an informed sensitivity to historical development. Yet Clinton forcefully articulated this worldview to the public only sporadically. The complexity and obscurity of his governing philosophy prevented most observers from understanding it. Inconsistent public articulation kept those who understood it from taking it seriously. Both phenomena fueled the misconception that Clinton lacked a consistent public philosophy. Clinton's inconsistent articulation of his governing philosophy was not random, but strategic. He emphasized contractarian themes at particularly advantageous junctures and subordinated these themes when he thought they would prevent the achievement of his near-term objectives.
Prolonged Central Intravenous Ketorolac Continuous Infusion in a Cancer Patient with Intractable Bone Pain

OBJECTIVE:To report the case of a prolonged intravenous ketorolac continuous infusion given via a central line in a cancer patient with intractable bone pain.CASE SUMMARY:A 56-year-old Hispanic man with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer and multiple bone metastases was admitted to the hospital for intractable pain inadequately controlled at home by conventional therapy. He was treated with an intravenous continuous infusion of ketorolac 120 mg in 250 mL of NaCl 0.9% infused over 24 hours. The ketorolac was given via a central line for 14 days in addition to fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia. Over this time period the patient reported his pain to be well controlled. His requests for bolus doses of fentanyl decreased dramatically and the dose of the continuous intravenous fentanyl was reduced by 22%. In addition, the total daily dose of ketorolac was reduced following a change from intermittent bolus dosing to a continuous infusion.DISCUSSION:The management of cancer pain secondary to bone metastasis ...
On some definable sets over fields with analytic structure

Abstract We discover geometric properties of certain definable sets over non-Archimedean valued fields with analytic structures. Results include a parameterized smooth stratification theorem and the existence of a bound on the piece number of fibers for these sets. In addition, we develop a dimension theory for these sets and also for the formulas which define them.
Mouse Models of Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type-1–Associated Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma

Human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1), the first human retrovirus discovered, is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and a number of lymphocyte-mediated inflammatory conditions including HTLV-1–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. Development of animal models to study the pathogenesis of HTLV-1–associated diseases has been problematic. Mechanisms of early infection and cell-to-cell transmission can be studied in rabbits and nonhuman primates, but lesion development and reagents are limited in these species. The mouse provides a cost-effective, highly reproducible model in which to study factors related to lymphoma development and the preclinical efficacy of potential therapies against ATL. The ability to manipulate transgenic mice has provided important insight into viral genes responsible for lymphocyte transformation. Expansion of various strains of immunodeficient mice has accelerated the testing of drugs and targeted therapy against ATL. This review compares various mouse models to illustrate recent advances in the understanding of HTLV-1–associated ATL development and how improvements in these models are critical to the future development of targeted therapies against this aggressive T-cell lymphoma.
Numerical Modelling of Tectonic Flow behind Island Arcs

Suniniary High heat flow in marginal basins and island arc volcanism are explained by numerical modelling of flow induced by the downgoing slab. The hypothesis that frictional heating above the slab causes thermal diapirs to rise is mechanically unfeasible since the region above the slab must be fluid enough to convect thermally, yet so viscous that the motion of the slab produces over 2 kilobars of stress. The calculation of induced flow is two-dimensional, time dependent, with a variable viscosity dependent on temperature and pressure. A yield stress was used to approximate fault dislocations. The calculation is very sensitive to the material properties and to localized flow near the base of the interface between the slab and the landward plate. The highest stress occurred at the base of the slab interface. This area ablated creating a narrow channel necessary for separating melt from mostly crystalline mush to establish a source of volcanic magmas. In the marginal basin area, tensile yielding occurred in the plate causing it to thin and raise the heat flow significantly. The yielding continued until a complete rift occurred. Induced flow is, then, a likely explanation for island arc volcanics and high heat flow in marginal basins.
World Wide Plaza: the corporatization of urban public space

In the preceding interview, John Habraken argues that planners' antipathy toward articulating space and acknowledging boundaries has led to increasing spatial incomprehensiveness, deterritorialization, and consequently, a growing lack of security in public areas. Although we agree that urban spatial patterns are increasingly fragmented and often incomprehensible, we argue that this is due to the increasingly corporatized nature of "public space", which, contra Habraken, is highly articulated, spatially controlled and manipulated, and thus, "reterritorialized" according to the needs of its sponsor. We examine World Wide Plaza in New York City as an example of this trend.
Wandering Ghosts of Late Socialism: Conflict, Metaphor, and Memory in a Southern Vietnamese Marketplace

In the late 1990s, a marketplace trader in Hồ Chi Minh City reported being plagued by wandering ghosts. The postwar Vietnamese landscape teems with angry spirits who died violently without descendents to honor them, but the trader’s wandering ghosts were living: male market officials who demanded that merchants, most of them women, pay a fee for use rights to their stalls. Examining the conflict that ensued, this article argues that the wandering ghosts metaphor aptly captures the bitter struggles over resources and status that have accompanied late socialist economic reforms. More subtly, the metaphor also alludes to lingering wartime animosities. Market officials supported the victors, whereas many traders sided with the losers. Although daily interactions have intersubjectively reworked these tensions so that they seem instead to reflect gender differences, “ghosts” inevitably emerge: odd fragments of memory that wander homeless in the wake of social and individual efforts to render the past coherent. Most traders have paid up simply to avoid the market management board’s harassment. It’s money sacrificed to appease the wandering ghosts [tiền thi co hồn]. —Bến Thanh market trader, Hồ Chi Minh City
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATP22 gene codes for the mitochondrial ATPase subunit 6-specific translation factor

Mutations in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATP22 gene were previously shown to block assembly of the F0 component of the mitochondrial proton-translocating ATPase. Further inquiries into the function of Atp22p have revealed that it is essential for translation of subunit 6 of the mitochondrial ATPase. The mutant phenotype can be partially rescued by the presence in the same cell of wild-type mitochondrial DNA and a rho- deletion genome in which the 5'-UTR, first exon, and first intron of COX1 are fused to the fourth codon of ATP6. The COX1/ATP6 gene is transcribed and processed to the mature mRNA by splicing of the COX1 intron from the precursor. The hybrid protein translated from the novel mRNA is proteolytically cleaved at the normal site between residues 10 and 11 of the subunit 6 precursor, causing the release of the polypeptide encoded by the COX1 exon. The ability of the rho- suppressor genome to express subunit 6 in an atp22 null mutant constitutes strong evidence that translation of subunit 6 depends on the interaction of Atp22p with the 5'-UTR of the ATP6 mRNA.
Enthalpy and free energy changes in some simple polymerization processes

The heats of combustion of four polymers, viz., polyoxymethylene (Delrin), polymethylene, polyethylene (Marlex), and polypropylene, have been accurately measured. From these results the changes in enthalpy and free energy have been calculated for (a) the process of forming the respective polymer units from the elements and (b) the process of forming these polymers from their monomer building blocks.
Myocyte enhancer factor 2C function in skeletal muscle is required for normal growth and glucose metabolism in mice

Skeletal muscle is the most abundant tissue in the body and is a major source of total energy expenditure in mammals. Skeletal muscle consists of fast and slow fiber types, which differ in their energy usage, contractile speed, and force generation. Although skeletal muscle plays a major role in whole body metabolism, the transcription factors controlling metabolic function in muscle remain incompletely understood. Members of the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) family of transcription factors play crucial roles in skeletal muscle development and function. MEF2C is expressed in skeletal muscle during development and postnatally and is known to play roles in sarcomeric gene expression, fiber type control, and regulation of metabolic genes. We generated mice lacking Mef2c exclusively in skeletal muscle using a conditional knockout approach and conducted a detailed phenotypic analysis. Mice lacking Mef2c in skeletal muscle on an outbred background are viable and grow to adulthood, but they are significantly smaller in overall body size compared to control mice and have significantly fewer slow fibers. When exercised in a voluntary wheel running assay, Mef2c skeletal muscle knockout mice aberrantly accumulate glycogen in their muscle, suggesting an impairment in normal glucose homeostasis. Consistent with this notion, Mef2c skeletal muscle knockout mice exhibit accelerated blood glucose clearance compared to control mice. These findings demonstrate that MEF2C function in skeletal muscle is important for metabolic homeostasis and control of overall body size.
Implant Survival, Knee Function, and Pain Relief After TKA: Are There Differences Between Men and Women?

Background As efforts continue to improve the results of TKA, the potential influence of sex and gender on long-term survival of implants, knee function, pain relief, and patient satisfaction remains relevant, particularly given the increased incidence of osteoarthritis of the knee in women and reports that women derive equal benefit from TKA.
RAN architecture options and performance for 5G network evolution

This paper discusses various RAN architecture design options, from fully centralized cloud-RAN to fully distributed edge cloud, as candidates for 5G network evolution. System-level performance is evaluated for each architecture option, while we also outline our vision for 5G network performance based on our extensive simulation studies. We further discuss the role of network virtualization, its challenges, and the expected technical and economic benefits for implementing the different RAN architecture options for 5G networks.
Engaging homeless persons in end of life preparations.

Background There are no prospective studies that have investigated the effects of an intervention to improve end of life (EOL) care in an underserved population.
Learning from a learning thermostat: lessons for intelligent systems for the home

Everyday systems and devices in the home are becoming smarter. In order to better understand the challenges of deploying an intelligent system in the home, we studied the experience of living with an advanced thermostat, the Nest. The Nest utilizes machine learning, sensing, and networking technology, as well as eco-feedback features. We conducted interviews with 23 participants, ten of whom also participated in a three-week diary study. Our findings show that while the Nest was well-received overall, the intelligent features of the Nest were not perceived to be as useful or intuitive as expected, in particular due to the system's inability to understand the intent behind sensed behavior and users' difficulty in understanding how the Nest works. A number of participants developed workarounds for the shortcomings they encountered. Based on our observations, we propose three avenues for future development of interactive intelligent technologies for the home: exception flagging, incidental intelligibility, and constrained engagement.
Regressive partition relations, n-subtle cardinals, and Borel diagonalization

Kanamori, A., Regressive partition relations, n-subtle cardinals, and Bore1 diagonalization, Annals of Pure and Applied Logic 52 (1991) 65-77. We consider natural strengthenings of H. Friedman’s Bore1 diagonahzation propositions and characterize their consistency strengths in terms of the n-subtle cardinals. After providing a systematic survey of regressive partition relations and their use in recent independence results, we characterize n-subtlety in terms of such relations requiring only a finite homogeneous set, and then apply this characterization to extend previous arguments to handle the new Bore1 diagonahzation propositions. In previous papers [6,7] we showed how regressive partition relations provide a simplifying and unifying scheme for establishing the independence of the Paris-Harrington as well as the Friedman [3] propositions. In these contexts the more informative approach of using regressive partition relations to generate indiscemibles in models can replace the abstract diagonalization technique of Cantor and Gijdel for substantiating transcendence. Friedman’s proposition correlated with the n-Mahlo cardinals. Here we show how the regressive partition formulation leads directly to an extension that correlates with the n-subtle cardinals, far stronger in consistency strength. In Section 1 we provide a systematic survey of regressive partition relations, their use in independence results, and related open questions. In Section 2 we establish a regressive partition result about n-subtle cardinals, and finally in Section 3 we use it to motivate and characterize the aforementioned extension.
Robustness results concerning EDF scheduling upon uniform multiprocessors

The earliest-deadline-first (EDF) scheduling of hard-real-time systems upon uniform multiprocessor machines is considered. It is shown that EDF scheduling upon uniform multiprocessors is robust with respect to processor computing capacity. This result is used to derive a new multiprocessor EDF-feasibility analysis algorithm, which is superior to previously-proposed algorithms.
Relative Resistance of Cotton Lines to Pink Bollworm

Pink bollworm (PBW), Saunders, is a serious insect pest of cotton, L., in the irrigated deserts of the southwestern USA. Several sources of resistance to PBW have been identified in cotton. The objectives of this study were to determine whether certain other sources are equal or superior to a resistance standard. AET-5 (as shown by the amount of seed damage sustained by the plants), and whether F hybrids show higher levels of resistance than expected based on parental response. A series of diallel and generation-mean experiments was grown in the field at Tempe and Maricopa, AZ, from 1982 to 1987. No insecticide was applied. The diallel analyses revealed significant general and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA) and reciprocal effects, as well as year ✕ GCA and year ✕ SCA interactions, which complicated the interpretation of the data. However, it was clear that of the 13 lines evaluated, only Stoneville 7A okra leaf was equal to AET-5 as a source of PBW resistance. The line 7203-14-104, while showing some PBW resistance, was inferior to AET-5. Furthermore generation-mean analysis of AET-5 ✕ 7203-14-104 data revealed large nonadditive genetic effects, which would make it difficult to combine or transfer resistance. Texas 39C-1-L behaved inconsistently with respect to PBW resistance; however, this line has a higher yield potential than AET-5 and, from this standpoint, deserves continued evaluation. No F hybrid and only one F reciprocal hybrid had significantly lower seed damage than that of the lowest parent.
Supranationalism in a Transnational Bureaucracy: The Case of the European Commission

While a significant body of scholarly work suggests that we can best understand the policy output of international bureaucracies by focusing on the preferences of their political masters, this article joins those looking ‘inside’ such bureaucracies to comprehend their behaviour. Using an original data set from nearly 200 interviewees, the article examines the policy preferences of top bureaucrats of the European Commission. It shows that top Commission managers favour deeper European integration regardless of their national background or their organizational experience. The tilt of the Commission bureaucracy toward supranationalism is indicated by a broader consensus within the organization on some of the most controversial initiatives in the EU, such as the constitutional treaty, Turkish accession and the directive for the liberalization of the services sector. This notable consensus suggests that despite occasional policy setbacks and perceived intergovernmental ‘trends’, the Commission will continue serving its integrative mission.
Integrating the Use of Internet as an Instructional Tool: Examining the Process of Change

The integration of technology into curriculum delivery in one small Texas school district serving 1320 students began in the fall of 1998. Twelve technology proficient teachers were trained as trainers for the train-the-trainer model used to introduce the university resources. Forty-nine middle and high school teachers were evaluated under the Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM). The Innovation Configuration for this study was the use of the Internet as an instructional tool. Pretest and posttest data on the Stages of Concern Questionnaire (SoCQ) were elicited electronically and Levels of Use (LoU) data were elicited in face-to-face interviews. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests showed significant differences on both the SoCQ and LoU. This study led to the development of online collection of LoU data as larger samples of preservice teachers, university instructors, and mentor teachers participate in training with similar Innovation Configurations.
Ecological anxiety disorder: diagnosing the politics of the Anthropocene

The quickly changing character of the global environment has predicated a number of crises in the sciences of biology and ecology. Specifically, the rapid rate of ecological change has led to the p...
Sources of bias in measures of allele-specific expression derived from RNA-seq data aligned to a single reference genome

Background: RNA-seq can be used to measure allele-specific expression (ASE) by assigning sequence reads to individual alleles; however, relative ASE is systematically biased when sequence reads are aligned to a single reference genome. Aligning sequence reads to both parental genomes can eliminate this bias, but this approach is not always practical, especially for non-model organisms. To improve accuracy of ASE measured using a single reference genome, we identified properties of differentiating sites responsible for biased measures of relative ASE. Results: We found that clusters of differentiating sites prevented sequence reads from an alternate allele from aligning to the reference genome, causing a bias in relative ASE favoring the reference allele. This bias increased with greater sequence divergence between alleles. Increasing the number of mismatches allowed when aligning sequence reads to the reference genome and restricting analysis to genomic regions with fewer differentiating sites than the number of mismatches allowed almost completely eliminated this systematic bias. Accuracy of allelic abundance was increased further by excluding differentiating sites within sequence reads that could not be aligned uniquely within the genome (imperfect mappability) and reads that overlapped one or more insertions or deletions (indels) between alleles. Conclusions: After aligning sequence reads to a single reference genome, excluding differentiating sites with at least as many neighboring differentiating sites as the number of mismatches allowed, imperfect mappability, and/or an indel(s) nearby resulted in measures of allelic abundance comparable to those derived from aligning sequence reads to both parental genomes.
The economics of adventitious presence thresholds in the EU seed market

Abstract Since settling on its mandatory labeling rules for genetically modified (GM) foods in the late 1990s, the European Commission has considered a number of times setting tolerance levels (thresholds) for the accidental presence of GM material in conventional seeds. In every case, it has opted to defer the decision. In the absence of such thresholds, current European labeling laws require that seeds be labeled as GM if they contain any detectable trace of GMOs approved for cultivation in the EU. Conventional seeds with detectable traces of GMOs that have not been authorized for cultivation cannot be sold in the European market altogether. As the acreage of GM crops has continued to grow at a fast pace around the world, industry calls to the EU Commission for setting “practical” adventitious presence (AP) thresholds for conventional seeds in the EU have multiplied. In this paper, we examine the economics of alternative AP thresholds for conventional seeds in Europe from the perspective of those who must comply with the regulation – EU seed firms. Specifically, we first examine the operational changes that might be necessary for seed firms to comply with alternative AP thresholds for conventional seeds. Then, we analyze the associated market uncertainties, compliance costs and their implications on firm and industry competitiveness.
Track: The New Beam Dynamics Code

The new ray-tracing code TRACK originally developed to fulfill the special requirements of the RIA accelerator systems is a general beam dynamics code. It is currently being used for the design and simulation of future proton and heavy-ion linacs at several Labs. This paper presents a general description of the code TRACK emphasizing its main new features and recent updates.
Effects of a Hepatic Toxin from the Cyanophyte Microcystis Aeruginosa

Microcystis aeruginosa is commonly involved in freshwater blooms and one of its toxins (microcystin) causes liver damage in birds and mammals. This study determined the site of action of microcystin and characterized the hepatic damage at the ultrastructural level. Histological changes in centrilobular regions of liver tissue were noted after i.p. administration in mice. Hepatic sinusoids expanded, parenchymal cords disintegrated, and cells lysed resulting in extensive tissue damage and subsequent death within one hour. Ultrastructural studies showed that sinusoidal epithelium and hepatocyte plasma membranes ruptured with the release of cellular components that pooled with blood. Mitochondria appeared swollen but there were no obvious distortions of organelles. Extensive vesiculation of membrane fragments was observed. Hepatic damage caused hemorrhaging into the liver where blood and cell debris accumulated and produced a significant increase in liver weight.
Disclosure of Medical Information in Health Insurance 1

Disclosure of private medical information allows insurance companies to better predict medical expenditures. The premiums the companies charge the insured employees reflect these expenditures. This paper studies incentives of employees to disclose their medical information. I find that healthier employees prefer to disclose medical information that results in a disclosure plan having a lower premium than a non disclosure plan. Furthermore, I find that if health plans have few employees and the employee turnover rate is high, it makes the incentive to disclose (or conceal) information stronger and the sorting of employees according to their health status more pronounced.
Rapidly growing iris melanocytoma with secondary glaucoma in a 6-year-old child.

PURPOSE To describe an unusual case of pediatric iris melanocytoma with pigment dispersion glaucoma that resolved after resection of the primary tumor. METHODS Retrospective case review of the clinical record, ultrasonographic images, and histopathology. RESULTS A 6-year-old Asian girl, with a dark iris tumor, pigment dispersion, and secondary glaucoma, was initially treated with topical antiglaucoma medication and observation. Rapid growth prompted biopsy, revealing melanocytoma. As the tumor continued to grow, excision of the primary tumor was performed. Surgery proved curative in that the pigment dispersion slowly reabsorbed and her glaucoma resolved. CONCLUSIONS In this case, rapid growth did not indicate malignant transformation. Initial observation for growth and judiciously timed surgical intervention prevented progression, loss of vision, and potentially the loss of the eye.
Post-Divorce Interparental Conflict and Adolescents' Attitudes About Marriage

Abstract The present study examined the relationship between post-divorce interparental conflict and adolescent attitudes about marriage, as well as how maternal disclosures and adolescent gender may moderate that relationship. Respondents were 194 mother-adolescent pairs, recruited from divorce records in central and southern Arizona, with the age of the adolescents ranging from 11 to 17 years (M = 14 years, 5 months; SD = 21 months). Findings indicate that higher post-divorce interparental conflict is significantly predictive of more negative attitudes about marriage among adolescents. In addition, this association was exacerbated by maternal disclosures about financial concerns, but for female adolescents only. Possible reasons for the gender difference in the moderating effect of maternal disclosures about finances, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.
Birthing support and breastfeeding initiation in Somaliland: experiences at the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Background : Research has identified a relationship between birthing practices and breastfeeding initiation Continuous support during labor and delivery is a key component to increasing breastfeeding initiation. Objective : The purpose of this project was to assess the impact of labor support on breastfeeding initiation in a setting in which women receive traditional birthing support from female family members. Methods : Research was conducted at the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in Hargeisa, Somaliland using the grounded theory method of qualitative research. Semi-structured interviews, direct observations and participant observations were conducted. A purposeful, non-statistical sample was chosen: ten women, five family members, six health care providers and five birth observations were included. The CDC EZ-Text, a software program developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for use in qualitative research, was used in managing and analyzing the data. Data analysis and interpretation was conducted using micro-analysis, open, axial and selective coding procedures. Results : The results indicated that due to cultural influences, contradictory beliefs and practices, lack of critical thinking and lack of long term planning, traditional birthing support was not always indicative of immediate breastfeeding initiation. Conclusions : The presence of a labor companion is a low-cost, preventative intervention that is consistent with the cultural practices of Somaliland. Breastfeeding education and support should, therefore, include a tertiary approach which includes pregnant and birthing women, labor support persons or family members and health care providers.
Dynamic Federalism and the Implementation of the Affordable Care Act

Political maneuvering over health care reform continues and will likely persist. The reality, however, is that health reform is now proceeding in Washington and in states across the country after the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) and President Barack Obama’s reelection. The pace and scope of health reform is, however, varying across states. This paper investigates four potential explanations for the variation in state decisions to implement the Medicaid expansion – state party control, economic affluence, the trajectory of established policy, and the process of learning about intergovernmental bargaining. Our analysis of 50 states finds that party control is a dominating influence on state decisions; but economic affluence and process learning impacted states with Democratic governors. The findings suggest that while party casts a long shadow over states, states that extensively interact with federal agencies develop skills and expectations to treat new programs from Washington as an opening bid subject to negotiation rather than as a fixed “take-it-or-leave-it” proposition. The paper concludes by underscoring the value of moving beyond partisanship to explore additional influences including the lasting effects of state interaction with federal policy making.
EVOLUTION OF STARVATION RESISTANCE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER: ASPECTS OF METABOLISM AND COUNTER-IMPACT SELECTION.

An artificial selection experiment for increased female starvation resistance employed five selected lines and five control lines of Drosophila melanogaster. Females responded to selection within the first five generations, but a substantial male response was not observed until starvation resistance was assessed at generation 15. By measuring respiration rate in selected and control lines, it was possible to test the hypothesis that reduced metabolic rate is a general mechanism for stress resistance. There was no association between starvation resistance and respiration rate and thus no support for the hypothesis. Studies using vertebrates have shown that starvation causes a decrease in intermediary metabolism enzyme activity, but this relationship is not well documented in invertebrates. In the present study, intermediary metabolism enzyme activities decreased in response to starvation in control-line females and males, and in selected-line males. However, the selected females showed no overall decrease in enzyme activities in response to starvation. One interpretation is that selected females evolved to resist the phenotypic impact of stress. The concept of "counter-impact selection" is discussed in relationship to the use of phenotypic manipulations for the study of evolution.
Physiological Effects on Sex Pheromone Communication in the Southern Green Stink Bug, Nezara viridula

The influence of selected physiological conditions on sex pheromone communication in the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula , was investigated. Olfactometers in which both live insects and extracted matenals could be assayed were designed, and a bioassay procedure was developed. Pheromone extracts were prepared from toweling exposed to virgin males and extracted with ethanol. Significant release of the pheromone occurred 7 days after the male's imaginal molt. Only sexually mature non-diapausing males, mated and unmated, were attractive. Males apparently lost some of their attractiveness for a period of 5–6 days after mating, but thereafter became very attractive to sexually mature virgin females. Starvation of the males for more than 72 h inhibited mating but not attractiveness. Female responsiveness began 4 days after the imaginal molt and reached a plateau ca. 2 wk later. Female responsiveness decreased after mating, starvation, and habituation. Females in reproductive diapause were unresponsive.
Determining Hydrocyanic Acid Gas Concentration in Fumigation Experiments

The concentration of hydrocyanic acid gas in a large room fumigated with Cyanogas calcium cyanide was determined by removing fixed quantities of air during definite periods at selected times by an aspirator system, passing the samples through small volumes of 3.5% sodium hydroxide solutions, and calculating the ppm from analytical results secured by using a modification of the Liebig method. No consistent difference was noted in the concentration of gas at different elevations. The rate of decrease was directly proportionate to the initial concentrations. The decrease was also most clearly marked during the first five hours. Higher initial concentrations of gas per unit of calcium cyanide were derived from lower dosages. An increase in concentration usually occurred during the first two or three hours with dosages above 4 ounces per 1000 cubic feet.