cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An integrated modeling-experimental strategy for the analysis of metabolic pathways.

An inherent problem in studying the behavior of a metabolic pathway is the impossibility of developing a complete, detailed model that includes all the cellular processes that have an impact on the set of fluxes in such a pathway. Lacking this, one requires some means of modeling the interactions between a metabolic pathway and other cellular processes for the purpose of analyzing pathway characteristics within the cell (e.g., determining sensitivity coefficients for various steps in the pathway) with a minimal amount of time and effort. A general framework is developed for studying these issues in a rigorous manner. Using this framework, detailed knowledge about a metabolic pathway (i.e., a set of rate expressions for steps in the pathway) can be combined with the results from a relatively simple set of experiments in order to obtain estimates for the sensitivity of the pathway to enzyme activities, inhibition constants, and other parameters that determine the pathway's behavior, while accounting for the pathway's interaction with the rest of the cellular metabolism. A model system representing amino acid production is used to illustrate the problem and to provide results based on computational experiments. The modeling strategy described here should be useful in genetic design to improve pathway fluxes and metabolic network selectivity.
A Complete Late Cretaceous Iguanian (Squamata, Reptilia) from the Gobi and Identification of a New Iguanian Clade

Abstract Iguania is a diverse clade with an incompletely known fossil record. Here, we describe and name the earliest iguanian known from a complete skeleton. The specimen (IGM 3/858) comes from Ukhaa Tolgod (Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia) and offers important insights into the evolutionary history of iguanian osteology. The new taxon is diagnosed by a combination of character states, including the presence of a frontoparietal fontanelle, absence of an enlarged nuchal fossa, and unflared tooth crowns. We performed a cladistic analysis including 54 taxa scored for 202 informative morphological characters. A strict consensus of 46 shortest recovered trees reveals that the new taxon is a basal member of a previously unidentified clade of Cretaceous iguanians, probably endemic to the Gobi. This clade of Gobi iguanians is nested within a monophyletic Pleurodonta (non-acrodontan iguanians).
A History of The World In 12 Maps

A HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN 12 MAPS. By Jerry Brotten. xix and 521 pp.; maps, diagrs., ills., index. New York: Viking, 2012. $40.00 (cloth), ISBN 9780670023394. First it should be pointed out what A History of the World in 12 Maps is not. It is not an introduction to world history; in fact, a knowledge of that subject is useful for the reader to get the maximum enjoyment. It also isn't simply a history of cartography in twelve landmark maps. Nor is it a coffee-table book with color illustrations of the twelve maps and brief descriptions. Brotten looks at twelve maps that were created at "particularly crucial moments" and "either shaped people's attitudes to the worlds in which they lived, or crystallized a particular world view at specific moments in global history" (p. 13). He tells a story that he points out is discontinuous and marked by shifts and breaks, not the building up of progressively more accurate data--not the evolutionary approach taken in so many early histories of cartography. The book, as would be expected, is organized chronologically and progresses from clay tablets to Google Earth, and the twelve maps represent the worldviews or problems of each period. Thus, the chapter titles (subjects) and maps are: Science (Ptolemy), Exchange (Al Idrisi), Faith (the Hereford mappa mundi), Empire (Kangnido), Discovery (Martin Waldseemiiler), Globalism (Diogo Ribeiro), Toleration (Mercator), Money (Blaeu Atlas), Nation (Cassini), Geopolitics (Mackinder), Equality (Peters), and Information (Google Earth). While more than a single map is discussed in each chapter, the "signature" map is the main focus. The chapters discuss technology--printing, projections, thematic maps, and persuasive maps--as well as the worldview of a society or culture at the time. Brotten recognizes the importance of understanding the technology of a period as it applies to maps, something that many recent writers of histories of cartography fail to do. The book is somewhat reminiscent in style to Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything or James Burke's Connections in that the chapters are not a simple, straightforward discussion of the topic map, but rather weave connections to other maps of the time into the theme of the chapter. The History of the World in 12 Maps is clearly written with an excellent introduction that discusses history of cartography and, of course, the now requisite discourse on "what is a map?" The book is beautifully illustrated: there are fifty-six color plates portraying the signature maps and other related maps of each period; thirty-eight black-and-white figures are also included. There are copious endnotes and an extensive index. Two chapters deserve to be singled out. These discuss maps and concepts of the past fifty years--periods not usually discussed in histories of cartography, because earlier works usually focused on maps up to 1800. However, Brotten brings the discussion to the twenty-first century. The last topics of the book are: "Equality," which focuses on the Peters Projection and "Information," which looks at Google Earth. …
Preferred axis of rotation of floccular Purkinje cells in the decerebrate cat

Responses of 35 Purkinje cells in decerebrate cats were recorded during 0.5 Hz rotations in 4-11 vertical planes and the horizontal plane to determine their semicircular canal input. Most neurons received convergent input from two canals (21 neurons) or 3 canals (5 neurons). Few Purkinje cells were maximally sensitive to rotations about an axis appropriate to their inferior olivary input as determined by Gerrits and Voogd [15,24,27,49].
Source Monitoring in Children with Learning Disabilities

The results of a recent study by Lorsbach, Melendez and Carroll‐Maher (1991) suggest that children with learning disabilities may possess a general deficit in remembering the source of their verbal memories. The purpose of the present study was to examine further whether children with learning disabilities possess a general deficit in source monitoring and whether such a deficit is independent of performance on a recognition memory task. Children with learning disabilities and nondisabled children were presented with a series of incomplete sentences once or twice in either a listen‐listen (external source monitoring) condition or a think‐listen (reality monitoring) condition. Following the presentation of the study‐list, subjects were presented with the terminal nouns of the preceding sentences and asked to make old/new recognition judgments, as well as source attributions. Although children with learning disabilities were deficient in both forms of source monitoring, they did not differ from nondisabled ...
The Operation and Life of the Zetatron Neutron Tube in a Borehole Logging Application

Abstract The physical assembly and electrical characterestics of a Zetatron neutron tube are described. This tube is small (38 mm diameter by 126 mm), sealed-off, pulsed deuterium-titrium (D-T) accelerator. Peak output rates up to 8 × 10 11 neutrons/s (6 × 10 6 neutrons/pulse) are typical. Mean time to failure in a borehole logging application was 152 h for the bare tube and 91 h for the tube-transformer assembly. Shelf life appears to be at least 2 yr.
The Greek parliamentary election of November 1989

Abstract On 5 November 1989, the Greeks went to the polls to elect the 300 deputies of their uni-cameral Parliament for the second time in 1989. The first time was on 18 June 1989, held concurrently with the election of the 24 Greek representatives to the European Parliament: the inconclusive results of the June election and the parties' reaction to them made the November election unavoidable, just as, for identical reasons, the November election led to a new election on 8 April 1990.
Effects of nutrients and acidity on phialospore germination of Trichoderma in vitro

Abstract Phialospores of Trichoderma species required an external source of nutrients and CO 2 for germination on agar discs. Both unwashed agar and unwashed spores contributed sufficient quantities of nutrients to support germination. In a nutrient-depleted system germination was much greater under acid conditions than under neutral conditions. The addition of malt extract to the agar largely eliminated the acidity effect with T. viride Pers. ex S.F. Gray, T. harzianum Rifai and T. koningii Oud. The germination of T. polysporum (Link ex Pers.) Rifai and T. saturnisporum Hammill was strongly inhibited by neutral conditions and this inhibition was not completely overcome by nutrient additions. As spores of most species aged, they required more nutrients and became more sensitive to neutral conditions. Dextrose was less effective than malt extract in promoting germination and amino acids were generally inhibitory. A high level of Al in solution inhibited germination and the degree of inhibition varied from one species to another.
Some new mutants of the house fly Musca domestica, with notations of related phenomena.

Several mutants of the house fly, Musca domestica L., were isolated from normal and gamma-irradiated strains reared in the laboratory. The identity and maintenance of mutant strains, along with notations of related phenomena, are presented. Most of the aberrant forms that were isolated involved wing form, wing positioning, or the pattern of wing venation. Four established mutant strains, classic wing, stubby wing, dot vein , and white 5, have proved useful in the genetic analysis of insecticide resistance.
Ab initio electron propagator methods: Applications to nucleic acids fragments and metallophthalocyanines

Electron propagator methods provide accurate and efficient determinations of electron binding energies and retain many interpretive advantages through their generation of associated Dyson orbitals. Methods that are based on the diagonal self-energy approximation have been applied to nucleic acid fragments such as nucleotides and dinucleotides. These calculations can be made more feasible for larger systems through the introduction of quasiparticle virtual orbitals. Nondiagonal, renormalized self-energies are needed for systems where correlation final states with low-pole strengths are present. Applications to zinc phthalocyanine illustrate such capabilities. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Nutritional management of the developmental disabled child

Chronic malnutrition secondary to dysphagia is a common problem in children with developmental disability. This manuscript describes a multidisciplinary approach to the nutritional management of these children, with particular attention paid to determining in which patients the risk-benefit ratio favors placement of a feeding gastrostomy.
Destruction of peroxide explosives.

: Chemicals containing multiple peroxide functionalities, such as triacetone triperoxide (TATP), diacetone diperoxide (DADP), or hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), can be explosive. They are impractical and are not used by legitimate military groups because they are shock and heat sensitive compared to military explosives. They are attractive to terrorists because synthesis is straightforward, requiring only a few easily obtained ingredients. Physical removal of these synthesis products is highly hazardous. This paper discusses methods to degrade peroxide explosives chemically, at room temperature. A number of mixtures containing metals (e.g., zinc, copper) and metal salts (e.g., zinc sulfate, copper chloride) were found effective, some capable of destroying TATP solutions in a few hours. Strong acids proved useful against solid peroxide materials; however, on a 1 g scale, addition of concentrated sulfuric acid caused TATP to detonate. Thus, this technique should only be used to destroy small-laboratory quantities.
Plomer, Aurora. The Law and Ethics of Medical Research: International Bioethics and Human Rights (Cavendish Publishing, 2005)

The ethical issues surrounding medical research fostered, in part, the development of bioethics as a field of study distinct from traditional medical ethics or physician ethics. This evolution in ethical thought was due, in part, to a changing model of medicine that emulated a scientific method and research. Traditional medical ethics was primarily about the conduct of physicians and was paternalistically grounded. It focused on the physician’s obligations to do no harm and to do good for patients. It was founded in the beneficent judgment of the physician. However, as medicine became more and more research-oriented and scientifically based, there were challenges to traditional medical ethics. Ethical questions about research became unavoidable in light of research conducted by the Nazis, the Japanese, and Americans. One only needs to think of research projects like the Tuskegee studies to realize that ethical atrocities in research were not the exclusive domain of dictatorships. Furthermore, medical research often involved physicians and patients in the roles of researcher and research subject and opened new ethical questions that traditional medical ethics was too limited to address. The quest for knowledge in medicine is grounded morally in a commitment to beneficence. One can argue that there is an obligation to do good in medicine, which means that medical knowledge must be tested. We need to ask: How effective are the therapeutic “standards of care” that we use? Are these treatments really therapeutic, or simply accepted by lore and tradition? Medical history is filled with examples of treatments, such as bleeding, that were harmful to patients. Medicine seeks to develop new treatments that will help patients. But to do so, it needs to conduct research, which will often expose patients to elements of risk or possible harm. Or, it may be that the knowledge developed may not help this particular patient but may help patients in the future. The issues in research ethics continue to emerge and evolve as the context and focus of research continues to develop. Research ethics evolves then with evolution scientific method in medicine and the recognition that research subjects have a moral right to consent to being research subjects. Hum Rights Rev (2008) 9:155–156 DOI 10.1007/s12142-007-0035-1
Isolated Noncompaction of the Left Ventricular Myocardium in Adults: A Systematic Overview

Abstract Background Owing to inconsistent diagnostic criteria and small heterogeneous cohorts, little is known about the long-term outcomes of adult left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC), a rare cardiomyopathy with potentially serious outcomes. This systematic overview aimed to better delineate the natural history of adult LVNC. Method and Results A comprehensive computerized search using “noncompaction” and its synonyms initially identified 206 articles, with reference lists subsequently hand scanned. These searches yielded 5 studies that were eligible for this systematic overview, identifying adult cohorts with isolated LVNC diagnosed by similar echocardiographic criteria. This combined cohort (n = 241) was followed for a mean duration of 39 months. The annualized event rate was 4% for cardiovascular deaths, 6.2% for cardiovascular death and its surrogates (heart transplantation and appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks), and 8.6% for all cardiovascular events (death, stroke, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks, and heart transplantation.) Familial occurrence of LVNC in first-degree relatives was identified by echocardiography in 30% of index cases who were screened. Conclusion LVNC is an increasingly recognized cardiomyopathy diagnosed by echocardiography and is associated with familial tendencies, arrhythmias, thromboembolism, advanced heart failure, and death.
Reading Ability, Object Constancy, and Turner's Syndrome:

Learning to read demands a child recognize that slight changes in the form, position, or directional orientation of objects (letters) may alter their symbolic or semantic value. It is possible that inability to recognize these changes, due to neurocognitional deficits in space-form perception and/or directional orientation, may be responsible for specific reading disability. To test this hypothesis, the Gates Reading Survey was administered to 17 patients with Turner's syndrome, a cytogenetic disorder commonly manifesting a degree of space-form blindness and directional disorientation. The reading ability of this group of patients was not deficient. Thus, when these two deficits are related to reading disability, they must be specific to the language function. This study demonstrates the usefulness of specific clinical groups in the testing of hypotheses otherwise untestable on human Ss.
Charles B.G. de Nancrede: Academic Surgeon at the Fin de Siècle

At the last turn of the century American surgery was in the midst of a number of paradigm shifts, involving transitions in technology, surgical practice, surgical specialization, patient care, surgical training, and medical economics. Charles B. G. de Nancrede was a leader during this formative period. A key figure in the transition from antiseptic to sterile technique in American medicine, he was also a prolific writer, a bold surgeon, and a great surgical educator. De Nancrede created one of the earliest prototypes of the modern multispecialty surgical depart- ments. The coming turn of the century promises new transitions compa- rable to those of the past. Approaching the year 2000, one recalls the last fin de siecle with its unparalleled intellectual ferment and productivity. Great fig- ures such as Thomas Edison, Sigmund Freud, and Arnold Schoen- berg created revolutionary concepts and innovations that have illuminated our entire century. The initial characterization of the fin de siecle as a period of decadence was no doubt a reaction of conventional wisdom to the shock of the paradigm shifts. At the same time surgery, and indeed all of medicine, were in the midst of tremendous changes, which were clearly reflected in the career of Charles B. G. de Nancrede (Fig. 1). This surgeon and educator was quick to recognize and incorporate the new concepts. He not only bridged the fin de siecle but also paralleled an era described as la belle e This period of 1871-1914, between the Franco-Prussian war and World War I, was charac- terized by relative peace in Europe and by marked advances in technology and the arts. La belle e was an especially fertile and formative time for the profession of surgery. Paradigm shifts, which were transforming nearly every aspect of surgical practice and education, involved sterile techniques, spe- cialization, operative procedures, surgical training, new technolo- gies, the use of the hospital, and patient care. The battle of listerism was in its final stages, and the transition from antiseptic to sterile technique was under way. Surgical subspecialization was emerging, and anesthesiology was demarcating as a distinct profession. Professional societies formed along specialty lines, with active readerships in new journals and books. Innovative operative procedures were applied in abdominal, gynecologic, intracranial, orthopedic, plastic/reconstructive, and urologic sur- gery. Surgical training shifted from apprenticeships and the sheer terror of bedside learning to structured residency programs. Newer technologies such as radiography, endoscopy, chemical analysis, and microbiologic techniques altered methods of diag- nosis and treatment. Furthermore, the hospital was becoming the center of patient care, where specialists and the new technologies converged. The profession of nursing was elevating the standard of patient care.
Bivalent ligation of the collagen-binding modules of fibronectin by SFS, a non-anchored bacterial protein of Streptococcus equi.

SFS is a non-anchored protein of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi that causes upper respiratory infection in horses. SFS has been shown to bind to fibronectin (FN) and block interaction of FN with type I collagen. We have characterized interactions of a recombinant 60-mer polypeptide, R1R2, with FN. R1R2 contains two copies of collagen-like 19-residue repeats. Experiments utilizing various FN fragments and epitope-mapped anti-FN monoclonal antibodies located the binding site to 8-9FNI modules of the gelatin-binding domain. Fluorescence polarization and competitive enzyme-linked assays demonstrated that R1R2 binds preferentially to compact dimeric FN rather than monomeric constructs containing 8-9FNI or a large dimeric FN construct that is constitutively in an extended conformation. In contrast to bacterial peptides that bind 2–5FNI in addition to 8-9FNI, R1R2 did not cause conformational extension of FN as assessed by a conformationally sensitive antibody. Equilibrium and stopped-flow binding assays and size exclusion chromatography were compatible with a two-step binding reaction in which each of the repeats of R1R2 interacts with one of the subunits of dimeric FN, resulting in a stable complex with a slow koff. In addition to not binding to type I collagen, the R1R2·FN complex incorporated less efficiently into extracellular matrix than free FN. Thus, R1R2 binds to FN utilizing features of compact soluble FN and in doing so interferes with the organization of the extracellular matrix. A similar bivalent binding strategy may underlie the collagen-FN interaction.
Daily Marital Interactions and Positive Affect During Marital Conflict Among Newlywed Couples

The mundane and often fleeting moments that a couple experiences in their everyday lives may contribute to the health or deterioration of a relationship by serving as a foundation to major couple events such as conflict discussions and caring days. This study examines the role of playfulness and enthusiasm in everyday life to the use of humor and affection during conflict. Using observational methods, we studied 49 newlywed couples in a 10-minute dinnertime interaction and in a 15-minute conflict discussion. The conflict discussion was coded using the Specific Affect Coding System (SPAFF; Gottman, Coan, & McCoy, 1996), and a new observational system was developed to capture dinnertime interactions in a seminatural setting. We analyzed the data using path analysis and found a stronger path model when the direction of correlation moved from daily moments to the conflict discussion. These findings provide preliminary support for the importance of daily moments in couple relationships, but this research was strictly observational and therefore correlational, so further research is necessary to determine direction of causation.
Morphometric Analysis of Implant-Related Anatomy in Caucasian Skulls

Background: Sequelae related to implant placement/advanced bone grafting procedures are a result of injury to surrounding anatomic structures. Damage may not necessarily lead to implant failure; however, it is the most common cause of legal action against the practitioner. This study aimed to describe morphological aspects and variations of the anatomy directly related to implant treatment. Methods: Morphometric analyses were performed in 22 Caucasian skulls. Measurements of the mental foramen (MF) included height (MF-H), width (MF-W), and location in relation to other known anatomical landmarks. Presence or absence of anterior loops (AL) of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) was determined, and the mesial extent of the loop was measured. Additional measurements included height (G-H), width (G-W), thickness (G-T), and volume (G-V) of monocortical onlay grafts harvested from the mandibular symphysis area, and thickness of the lateral wall (T-LW) of the maxillary sinus. The independent samples t test, and a ...
Using computability to measure complexity of algebraic structures and classes of structures

In these notes, we recall some basic notions from computability, and we illustrate their use in measuring complexity of algebraic structures and classes of structures. These notes are based on a tutorial lecture given as part of the conference “Algebra and Mathematical Logic”, at Kazan Federal University in June, 2014, honoring Kazan Federal University, the group in algebra and logic there, and Marat Arslanov, who has done so much to build up the group.
Mitotic chromosome biorientation in fission yeast is enhanced by dynein and a minus-end-directed, kinesin-like protein.

Chromosome biorientation, the attachment of sister kinetochores to sister spindle poles, is vitally important for accurate chromosome segregation. We have studied this process by following the cong...
Lifelong genetic minipumps

Most physiologists working with animals are familiar with osmotic minipumps. These surgically implanted devices can, for a limited period, administer a reagent at a constant predetermined rate that is unaffected by concurrent procedures. The investigator can then test the physiological effects of other treatments knowing that the animals' homeostatic responses will not be able to alter the dose of the pumped reagent. To develop the genetic equivalent of a lifelong minipump, simply inherited as an autosomal dominant, we here combine three of our previously described strategies, genetic clamping, single-copy chosen-site integration, and modification of untranslated regions (UTRs). As a test of the procedure, we have generated a series of intrinsically useful animals having genetic minipumps secreting renin ectopically from the liver at levels controlled by the investigator but not subject to homeostatic changes. To achieve the different dosage levels of these genetic minipumps, we altered the UTRs of a renin transgene driven by an albumin promoter and inserted it into the genome as a single copy at the ApoA1/ApoC3 locus, a locus that is strongly expressed in the liver. The resulting mice express plasma renin over ranges from near physiological to eightfold wild type and develop graded cardiovascular and kidney disease consequent to their different levels of ectopically secreted renin. The procedure and DNA constructs we describe can be used to generate genetic minipumps for controlling plasma levels of a wide variety of secreted protein products.
Shining Stars, Blind Sides, and "Real" Realities: Exit Rituals, Eulogy Work, and Allegories in Reality Television

Competitive reality television is a pervasive part of contemporary American culture and encompasses a range of topics and forms. We identify three categories, or spheres, of contestant-elimination reality shows: External Vote, Internal Vote, and Choosing Individual/Deity. Within each sphere, we examine the locus of blame and the structure of the show as contexts for the elimination as symbolic death. This symbolic death presents allegories of loss of fame, social isolation, and individual loss of job, career, or love across these spheres. Contestants perform eulogy work to cope publicly with their elimination at the moment of exit. Eulogy work enables departing contestants to frame their “death” as a good death and to “cool themselves out” in an attempt to save face. In this way, contestants deal with conceptions of self in the show and the transfer of that self back to a reality outside of the bracketed time and space of the show. Drawing on literature from the sociology of emotions, the sociology of death, and the sociology of ritual, we provide the concept of eulogy work to capture the performance of the self specifically in the context of loss.
Passive mode locking of a cw Nd:YLF laser with a nonlinear external coupled cavity.

Using an optical fiber as the nonlinear medium in an external cavity, we demonstrated passive mode locking of a cw Nd:YLF laser at a 1.053-μm wavelength. Nearly transform-limited pulses as short as 3.7 psec were obtained at a repetition rate of 76 MHz directly from the laser output without further compression. The average output power ranged from 1 to 7 W.
Bayesian Two-Part Tobit Models with Left-Censoring, Skewness, and Nonignorable Missingness

In a longitudinal HIV/AIDS study with response data, observations may be missing because of patient dropouts due to drug intolerance or other problems, resulting in nonignorable missing data. In addition to nonignorable missingness, there are also problems of skewness and left-censoring in the response variable because of a lower limit of detection (LOD). There has been relatively little work published simultaneously dealing with these features of longitudinal data. In particular, one of the features may sometimes be the existence of a larger proportion of left-censored data falling below LOD than expected under a usually assumed log-normal distribution. When this happens, an alternative model that can account for a high proportion of censored data should be considered. We present an extension of the random effects Tobit model that incorporates a mixture of true undetectable observations and the values from a skew-normal distribution for an outcome with left-censoring, skewness, and nonignorable missingness. A unifying modeling approach is used to assess the impact of left-censoring, skewness, nonignorable missingness and measurement error in covariates on a Bayesian inference. The proposed methods are illustrated using real data from an AIDS clinical study.
Emotion disrupts neural activity during selective attention in psychopathy

Dimensions of psychopathy are theorized to be associated with distinct cognitive and emotional abnormalities that may represent unique neurobiological risk factors for the disorder. This hypothesis was investigated by examining whether the psychopathic personality dimensions of fearless-dominance and impulsive-antisociality moderated neural activity and behavioral responses associated with selective attention and emotional processing during an emotion-word Stroop task in 49 adults. As predicted, the dimensions evidenced divergent selective-attention deficits and sensitivity to emotional distraction. Fearless-dominance was associated with disrupted attentional control to positive words, and activation in right superior frontal gyrus mediated the relationship between fearless-dominance and errors to positive words. In contrast, impulsive-antisociality evidenced increased behavioral interference to both positive and negative words and correlated positively with recruitment of regions associated with motivational salience (amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, insula), emotion regulation (temporal cortex, superior frontal gyrus) and attentional control (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex). Individuals high on both dimensions had increased recruitment of regions related to attentional control (temporal cortex, rostral anterior cingulate cortex), response preparation (pre-/post-central gyri) and motivational value (orbitofrontal cortex) in response to negative words. These findings provide evidence that the psychopathy dimensions represent dual sets of risk factors characterized by divergent dysfunction in cognitive and affective processes.
The Presidential Political Business Cycle of 1972

Previous studies of the political business cycle have examined time series data to determine whether a pattern of pre-election boom and post-election slump exists. The studies do not investigate the behavior and mechanisms by which a politician may effectuate a political business cycle. We focus on one time period, 1969 to 1972, and conclude that President Nixon's personality and operating environment explain why he manipulated the economy for political gain. The mechanisms he utilized to improve macroeconomic conditions before the 1972 election include monetary policy, fiscal policy, and wage-price controls.
A Current-Comparator-Based System For Calibrating High-Voltage Current Transformers Under Actual Operating Conditions

The development of a computer-controlled current-comparator-based calibration system to determine the current ratio errors of high-voltage conventional and nonconventional current transformers (CTs) under actual operating conditions of high-voltage and distorted current waveforms up to 100 kV and 2000 A is described. The ratio errors of a CT are affected by the applied high voltage due to capacitive currents flowing in its winding. The errors are also affected by the phase angle of the primary currents with respect to the operating high voltage. Therefore, the new calibration system allows the phase angle of the test primary currents to be adjusted at power factors of zero lag through unity to zero lead. The uncertainty k = 2 of the new calibration system is estimated to be not more than 20 × 10-6 for both the in-phase and quadrature components of the measured ratio errors.
Orbital complications secondary to endoscopic sinus surgery

Eight cases of significant orbital complications associated with endoscopic sinus surgery are described. The anatomic problems generally fall into four categories: nasolacrimal sac or duct injury, extraocular muscle injury, intraorbital hemorrhage/emphysema, or optic nerve injury. The successful management of each complication depends on a thorough knowledge of the anatomy and pathophysiology of the orbital injury. Return to normal function of the traumatized orbital structures after medical and/or surgical intervention is anticipated. However, direct optic nerve injury with immediate visual field and/or acuity deficit is usually irreversible.
Tribal colleges: Their role in U.S. higher education

The place of tribal rural community colleges in US. higher education is examined, along with their history, their present scope and role, and their future.
FROM CIVIL RIGHTS TO MULTICULTURALISM AND WELFARE FOR IMMIGRANTS: An Egalitarian Tradition Across the American States?

A succession of policies aimed at inclusion and accommodation of racial and ethnic groups in the United States is tied together by scholars who assert that the last forty years witnessed a broad “Minority Rights Revolution.” Nevertheless, subnational policies addressing racial, ethnic, and cultural minorities vary greatly and hardly resemble a uniform orientation; this variation provides compelling reasons as well as an analytical opportunity to explore the relationship between policies considered part of the minority rights transformation. Using state civil rights policies from the 1960s as a proxy, we find that an egalitarian tradition within states consistently explains the variation in contemporary multicultural policies and policies regarding immigrant access to social welfare benefits.This research was funded in part by a grant from the Center to Advance Research and Teaching in the Social Sciences at the University of Colorado. The authors would like to thank Andrew Thangasamy for his research assistance.
Complementary Therapy for Addiction: “Drumming Out Drugs”

Objectives. This article examines drumming activities as complementary addiction treatments and discusses their reported effects. Methods. I observed drumming circles for substance abuse (as a participant), interviewed counselors and Internet mailing list participants, initiated a pilot program, and reviewed literature on the effects of drumming. Results. Research reviews indicate that drumming enhances recovery through inducing relaxation and enhancing theta-wave production and brain-wave synchronization. Drumming produces pleasurable experiences, enhanced awareness of preconscious dynamics, release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self. Drumming alleviates self-centeredness, isolation, and alienation, creating a sense of connectedness with self and others. Drumming provides a secular approach to accessing a higher power and applying spiritual perspectives. Conclusions. Drumming circles have applications as complementary addiction therapy, particularly for repeated relapse and when other counsel...
Attenuation of blast pressure behind ballistic protective vests

Background Clinical studies increasingly report brain injury and not pulmonary injury following blast exposures, despite the increased frequency of exposure to explosive devices. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of personal body armour use on the potential for primary blast injury and to determine the risk of brain and pulmonary injury following a blast and its impact on the clinical care of patients with a history of blast exposure. Methods A shock tube was used to generate blast overpressures on soft ballistic protective vests (NIJ Level-2) and hard protective vests (NIJ Level-4) while overpressure was recorded behind the vest. Results Both types of vest were found to significantly decrease pulmonary injury risk following a blast for a wide range of conditions. At the highest tested blast overpressure, the soft vest decreased the behind armour overpressure by a factor of 14.2, and the hard vest decreased behind armour overpressure by a factor of 56.8. Addition of body armour increased the 50th percentile pulmonary death tolerance of both vests to higher levels than the 50th percentile for brain injury. Conclusions These results suggest that ballistic protective body armour vests, especially hard body armour plates, provide substantial chest protection in primary blasts and explain the increased frequency of head injuries, without the presence of pulmonary injuries, in protected subjects reporting a history of blast exposure. These results suggest increased clinical suspicion for mild to severe brain injury is warranted in persons wearing body armour exposed to a blast with or without pulmonary injury.
An automated system for continuous measurements of trace gas fluxes through snow: an evaluation of the gas diffusion method at a subalpine forest site, Niwot Ridge, Colorado

An experimental system for sampling trace gas fluxes through seasonal snowpack was deployed at a subalpine site near treeline at Niwot Ridge, Colorado. The sampling manifold was in place throughout the entire snow-covered season for continuous air sampling with minimal disturbance to the snowpack. A series of gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, ozone, volatile organic compounds) was determined in interstitial air withdrawn at eight heights in and above the snowpack at ~hourly intervals. In this paper, carbon dioxide data from 2007 were used for evaluation of this technique. Ancillary data recorded inlcuded snow physical properties, i.e., temperature, pressure, and density. Various vertical concentration gradients were determined from the multiple height measurements, which allowed calculation of vertical gas fluxes through the snowpack using Fick’s 1st law of diffusion. Comparison of flux results obtained from different height inlet combinations show that under most conditions fluxes derived from individual gradient intervals agree with the overall median of all data within a factor of 1.5. Winds were found to significantly influence gas concentration and gradients in the snowpack. Under the highest observed wind conditions, concentration gradients and calculated fluxes dropped to as low as 13% of non-wind conditions. Measured differential pressure amplitude exhibited a linear relationship with wind speed. This suggests that wind speed is a sound proxy for assessing advection transport in the snow. Neglecting the wind-pumping effect resulted in considerable underestimation of gas fluxes. An analysis of dependency of fluxes on wind speeds during a 3-week period in mid-winter determined that over this period actual gas fluxes were most likely 57% higher than fluxes calculated by the diffusion method, which omits the wind pumping dependency.
The Global Rise of Democracy: A Network Account

We examine the influence of an interstate network created by intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) on the global diffusion of democracy. We propose that IGOs facilitate democracy’s diffusion by transmitting information between member states and by interpreting that information according to prevailing norms in the world society, where democracy is viewed as the legitimate form of government. We employ a network autocorrelation model to track changes in democracy among all of the world’s countries from 1815 to 2000. We find that democracy does diffuse through the IGO network and that the influence of democratic countries is stronger than that of undemocratic countries. Evidence indicates that the IGO network serves as a basis for normative diffusion. This is an important contribution to sociological accounts of globalization, which tend to emphasize diffusion divorced from network structure or diffusion dependent on the coercive influence of a small set of international organizations.
A thermogravimetric determination of dispersed and bulk-like barium species supported on γ-alumina

A novel, thermogravimetric (TG) method is demonstrated for the quantitative determination of a dispersed active phase on a γ-Al2O3 catalytic support.
Red vs. Yellow. Volume 1: Thailand's Crisis of Identity

Nick Nostitz (Bangkok: White Lotus, 2009) In mid-2009, Red vs. Yellow was launched at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT). It was a somewhat sombre affair as just a few days before ...
The Role of Nonsystem Actors in the Relationship Between Policy and Practice: The Case of Reading Instruction in California

Studies of the relationship between policy and practice typically focus on the formal policy system alone. Yet, the public policy system does not exist in isolation. A host of nonsystem actors prom...
Ethylene evolution from 2-chloroethylphosphonic Acid.

Strong growth regulating properties have been observed for 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (Amchem 66-329) when applied to plants, and the regulatory effects have been attributed to the liberation of ethylene within plants (5). Many regulatory effects of this chemical resemble the effects of ethylene, including the induction of ripening in bananas and tomatoes (4), flowering in pineapple, and abscission and various epinastic responses (1). The present report provides evidence that 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPA) breaks down in the presence of a base to form ethylene with an apparent release of chloride and phosphonate. To illustrate the decomposition reaction, 5 ml of CEPA at 2 X 10-4 M in a 1000 ml reaction flask, with either NaOH (8 X 10-4 M) or 500 mg of etiolated pea epicotyls, evolve ethylene as shown in figure 1. The production of ethylene occurs not only in the presence of the plant tissue, but also in the presence of added base. In this experiment 1.0 jumole of CEPA was present initially and 0.98 ,tmole of ethylene had been produced 48 hr after addition of NaOH, indicating essentially complete conversion of the CEPA to ethylene. The logarithmic type of time curve in the presence of added base suggests a second-order reaction, possibly involving the alkali in reaction with CEPA. The rate of the reaction is increased by higher levels of added alkali. That the gas involved is ethylene was determined by gas chromatography (2) and its identity was confirmed by reaction with mercury perchlorate (6). The gas chromatographic peak considered to be ethylene was 99.2 % removed by introduction into the reaction flask of a paper wick moistened with Hg(C104)2. The decomposition of CEPA to ethylene should bring about the release of phosphonate and chloride. As an indication of phosphonate formation, in a test run concurrently with the experiment in figure 1 phosphate was measured by Allen's molybdate color test, assuming a fairly ready oxidation of the phos-
On chip-matched filtering and discrete sufficient statistics for asynchronous band-limited CDMA systems

The problem of generating discrete sufficient statistics for signal processing in code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems is considered in the context of underlying channel bandwidth restrictions. Discretization schemes are identified for (approximately) bandlimited CDMA systems, and a notion of approximate sufficiency is introduced. The role of chip-matched filtering in generating accurate discrete statistics is explored. The impact of approximate sufficiency on performance is studied in three cases: conventional matched filter (MF) detection, minimum mean-squared-error detection, and delay acquisition. It is shown that for waveforms limited to a chip interval, sampling the chip-MF output at the chip rate can lead to a significant degradation in performance. Then, with equal bandwidth and equal rate constraints, the performance with different chip waveforms is compared. In all three cases above, it is demonstrated that multichip waveforms that approximate Nyquist sine pulses achieve the best performance, with the commonly used rectangular chip pulse being severely inferior. However, the results also indicate that it is possible to approach the best performance with well-designed chip waveforms limited to a chip interval, as long as the chip-MF output is sampled above the Nyquist rate.
ATM gene mutations result in both recessive and dominant expression phenotypes of genes and microRNAs.

The defining characteristic of recessive disorders is the absence of disease in heterozygous carriers of the mutant alleles. However, it has been recognized that recessive carriers may differ from noncarriers in some phenotypes. Here, we studied ataxia telangiectasia (AT), a classical recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene. We compared the gene and microRNA expression phenotypes of noncarriers, AT carriers who have one copy of the ATM mutations, and AT patients with two copies of ATM mutations. We found that some phenotypes are more similar between noncarriers and AT carriers compared to AT patients, as expected for a recessive disorder. However, for some expression phenotypes, AT carriers are more similar to the patients than to the noncarriers. Analysis of one of these expression phenotypes, TNFSF4 level, allowed us to uncover a regulatory pathway where ATM regulates TNFSF4 expression through MIRN125B. In AT carriers and AT patients, this pathway is disrupted. As a result, the level of MIRN125B is lower and the level of its target gene, TNFSF4, is higher than in noncarriers. A decreased level of MIRN125B is associated with breast cancer, and an elevated level of TNFSF4 is associated with atherosclerosis. Thus, our findings provide a mechanistic suggestion for the increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease in AT carriers. By integrating molecular and computational analyses of gene and microRNA expression, we show the complex consequences of a human gene mutation.
The Role of Systemic Hemodynamic Disturbances in Prematurity-Related Brain Injury:

Premature infants who experience cerebrovascular injury frequently have acute and long-term neurologic complications. In this article, we explore the relationship between systemic hemodynamic insults and brain injury in this patient population and the mechanisms that might be at play.
BMP antagonism via noggin in adult dura mater

INTRODUCTION: Elucidating mechanisms that underlie the unique ability of young animals to heal calvarial defects is important for developing alternative approaches to repairing criticalsized calvarial defects. One such mechanism may be the balance between bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) and its antagonist, Noggin, in dura mater. Dura mater, especially from juvenile animals, provides strong paracrine signals directing osteogenesis and may also be a source of new bone. We hypothesize that the regenerative potential of juvenile animals may be due in part to decreased BMP antagonism, in the form of Noggin, within the dura mater.