cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crowd out or crowd in?: The effects of common interest developments on political participation in California

Individuals are increasingly opting to contract directly with “private governments,” or common interest developments (CIDs) such as condominiums, cooperatives, and planned developments, for many of the traditional functions of general-purpose local government. Over the past thirty years, CIDs have proliferated throughout the U.S. In 1962, there were fewer than 500 such organizations nationally while today there are an estimated 205,000 CIDs including over 42 million Americans. According to several scholars, the past thirty years have also witnessed declines in civic engagement or “social capital.” This paper investigates links between these trends. In particular, it analyzes the effects of planned developments (PDs) in California on voting behavior in statewide general elections during the 1990s. Results indicate that areas with PDs do not exhibit significantly different voter turnout, registration, and party affiliation once potential selection bias is taken into account. These findings undermine the popular view that private governments crowd out participation in traditional public government.
Effects of acute and chronic administration of mitomycin C on the induction of sister chromatid exchanges in vivo

Frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) were analyzed in bone marrow cells of mice injected with mitomycin C (MMC) both before and during infusion with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). Administration of MMC at 1, 6.5, and 13 hours after the onset of BrdU infusion resulted in the induction of approximately 45 SCE/cell, independent of time of administration. When MMC was injected 26 hours prior to BrdU infusion, only baseline levels of SCE were noted. The effects of multiple doses of MMC (chronic administration) were examined in mice treated with 1--5 mg/kg on a weekly or bimonthly basis. SCE analysis was performed one week after the final injection. At all doses and with all treatment regimes, SCE frequencies did not differ from control levels. The results indicate that most or all MMC-induced DNA damage that results in SCE formation is removed in a single cell cycle after its administration.
Effects and mechanisms of low cycle fatigue and plastic deformation on subsequent high cycle fatigue limit in nickel-base superalloy Udimet 720

The effects and mechanisms of low cycle fatigue (LCF) on subsequent high cycle fatigue (HCF) limit were investigated in nickel-base superalloy Udimet 720 at room temperature at a stress ratio of 0.1 and frequencies of 1 and 25 Hz for LCF and HCF, respectively. The HCF limits were determined after various fractions of LCF life consumption. Results show that small fractions of LCF life consumption significantly reduce the subsequent HCF limit, and the reduction is attributed to a combination of LCF damage and the plastic deformation induced during the LCF process. Microstructural characterization indicates that both LCF and plastic deformation reduce the HCF limit by activating the slip systems in the FCC structure of the material, creating favorable sites for easy subsequent HCF damage.
In their words: Connecting on-line weblogs to developmental processes

This paper seeks to connect adolescents' communication within on-line weblogs or blogs to developmental processes. A total of 195 English language blogs written by self-identified 14- to 18-year-olds were selected; three entries from each blog were analysed, resulting in a sample of 585 entries. Blogger demographics, self-presentation, and blog entries (format, style, content, and tone) were coded. The blog authors in our sample were overwhelmingly female and lived within the US; the majority were between 15- and 16-years of age. Bloggers utilized usernames and userpictures for self-presentation and in addition to gender, frequently presented information about their age and location. The majority of the entries used text, were narrative and reflective in style, and contained themes related to their authors' peers and everyday life. Emotional tone was present and entries with romantic, identity, and future-related themes often contained emotional tone. Blog authors seemed to be using blogs to create narratives and to reflect about the people and events in their lives. Our results show that adolescent bloggers project off-line themes to their blogs, suggesting that their on-line and off-line contexts are psychologically connected.
Rejection in single versus combined pancreas and kidney transplantation in pigs

Clinically, the incidence of reversible renal allograft rejection episodes appears to be higher in recipients of simultaneous pancreas/kidney (SPK) than of kidney transplantation alone (KTA); conversely, the rate of irreversible pancreas allograft rejection appears to be higher in pancreas transplant alone (PTA) than SPK recipients. Clinical/histological correlation of graft rejection in these three groups has not been precise. Therefore, we studied the incidence and histological severity of the rejection process in a large animal (pig) model of SPK (n = 36), PTA (n = 31), and KTA (n = 36) allotransplantation. SPK and PTA recipients were made diabetic pretransplant by streptozotocin (150 mg/kg). Pancreas graft exocrine secretions were bladder-drained via a duodenocystostomy for urine amylase (UA) monitoring; endocrine function was monitored by plasma glucose (PG) levels. SPK and KTA recipients underwent native nephrectomy, and renal allograft function was monitored by serum creatinine (CR). Cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone were given in tapering doses from the time of transplantation. Grafts were biopsied weekly to grade histologic severity of interstitial and vascular rejection on light microscopy (LM) and for intensity of T cell infiltration on immunofluorescence. Pancreas graft exocrine function (UA above pretransplant baseline), present in 62% of PTA and 68% of SPK recipients at one week, persisted in only 7% of PTA vs. 64% of SPK pigs at 2 weeks (P = 0.0004). Likewise, pancreas graft endocrine function (PG < 200 mg/dl off insulin) was sustained longer in SPK than PTA recipients (100% vs. 84% at 1 and 91% vs. 27% at 2 weeks; P = 0.0006). However, renal allograft functional survival (serum creatinine < 3.0 mg/dl) was not significantly different (P = 0.471) between SPK and KTA recipients (36% vs. 30% at 1 and 23% vs. 13% at 2 weeks). Graft functional parameters partially correlated with biopsy observations. Pancreas allograft biopsies showed a significantly (P = 0.03 at 1 and P = 0.05 at 2 weeks) lower incidence of moderate/severe interstitial rejection in SPK than PTA recipients (67% vs. 95% at 1 and 57% vs. 92% at 2 weeks); rejection was absent in 8% of SPK and in no PTA biopsies at 1 week. Vascular rejection was moderate/severe in significantly fewer (P = 0.0013 at 1 and P = 0.023 at 2 weeks) SPK than PTA pancreas grafts (13% vs. 37% at 1 and 14% vs. 38% at 2 weeks).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The chromatin remodeling factor Bap55 functions through the TIP60 complex to regulate olfactory projection neuron dendrite targeting

The Drosophila olfactory system exhibits very precise and stereotyped wiring that is specified predominantly by genetic programming. Dendrites of olfactory projection neurons (PNs) pattern the developing antennal lobe before olfactory receptor neuron axon arrival, indicating an intrinsic wiring mechanism for PN dendrites. These wiring decisions are likely determined through a transcriptional program. We find that loss of Brahma associated protein 55 kD (Bap55) results in a highly specific PN mistargeting phenotype. In Bap55 mutants, PNs that normally target to the DL1 glomerulus mistarget to the DA4l glomerulus with 100% penetrance. Loss of Bap55 also causes derepression of a GAL4 whose expression is normally restricted to a small subset of PNs. Bap55 is a member of both the Brahma (BRM) and the Tat interactive protein 60 kD (TIP60) ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes. The Bap55 mutant phenotype is partially recapitulated by Domino and Enhancer of Polycomb mutants, members of the TIP60 complex. However, distinct phenotypes are seen in Brahma and Snf5-related 1 mutants, members of the BRM complex. The Bap55 mutant phenotype can be rescued by postmitotic expression of Bap55, or its human homologs BAF53a and BAF53b. Our results suggest that Bap55 functions through the TIP60 chromatin remodeling complex to regulate dendrite wiring specificity in PNs. The specificity of the mutant phenotypes suggests a position for the TIP60 complex at the top of a regulatory hierarchy that orchestrates dendrite targeting decisions.
Food Energy Available for and Required by the Blue Grouse Chick

Generous assistance with statistical computations was given by Ishaque Sultan. Drs. J. R. Audy and Harold Trapido read the manuscript and offered many helpful suggestions. For assistance with travel, housing, and University affiliations, and for innumerable services performed throughout our stay in India, the senior author is greatly indebted to Dr. Olive I. Reddick, and the staff of the U.S. Educational Foundation in India. For providing a stimulating University association in Aligarh, we are grateful to Dr. M. B. Mirza, and the Department of Zoology of Aligarh Muslim University. The study was made possible through the generous financial assistance of the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Educational Foundation in India, and Ohio University. The wife of the senior author, Heather M. Southwick, has provided constant interest and enthusiasm, and has helped the project over many difficult hurdles.
Feedback-independent Pt nanoelectrodes for shear force-based constant-distance mode scanning electrochemical microscopy.

A new generation of platinum nanoelectrodes for constant-distance mode scanning electrochemical microscopy (CD-SECM) has been prepared, characterized, and used for high spatial resolution electrochemical measurements and visualization of electrochemically induced concentration gradients in microcavities. The probes have long (1−2 cm), narrow quartz tips that were conically polished and have a Pt nanoelectrode that is slightly offset from center. Because of the size and location of the electrode on the probe, it does not exhibit SECM feedback while approaching the analyzed sample surfaces even to distances within a few hundred nanometers. The probe was positioned near the surface while scanning and performing electrochemical measurements through use of nonoptical shear force control of the tip-to-sample distance. Test structures consisted of cylindrically shaped microcavities that are 50 μm in diameter with three individually addressable electrodes: a gold disk at 8-μm depth, a crescent-shaped gold ring a...
Ambulatory Monitoring in the Genetics of Psychosomatic Medicine

Psychosomatic disorders are composed of an array of psychological, biologic, and environmental features. The existing evidence points to a role for genetic factors in explaining individual differences in the development and maintenance of a variety of disorders, but studies to date have not shown co
Advances in clinical research methodology for pain clinical trials

Pain is a ubiquitous phenomenon, but the experience of pain varies considerably from person to person. Advances in understanding of the growing number of pathophysiologic mechanisms that underlie the generation of pain and the influence of the brain on the experience of pain led to the investigation of numerous compounds for treating pain. Improved knowledge of the subjective nature of pain, the variations in the measurement of pain, the mind-body placebo effect and the impact of differences in the conduct of a clinical trial on the outcome have changed approaches to design and implement studies. Careful consideration of how these concepts affect the choice of study population, the randomization and blinding process, the measurement and collection of data, and the analysis and interpretation of results should improve the quality of clinical trials for potential pain therapies.
Consumer acceptance of adaptive cruise control following experience with a prototype system

This study investigates consumer comfort, acceptance, and driving behavior associated with adaptive cruise control (ACC). The issues of comfort, safety, ease-of-use , and estimated worth were addressed.
Life Cycle of Canned Tomato Paste: Correlation Between Sensory and Instrumental Testing Methods

Canned tomato paste was examined to determine its life cycle. Life cycle information can be used to predict the shelf-life of the product. The product was stored at 45, 37.8, 29.4, 22.2, and 3.3°C for up to 3 yr. The product was analyzed by two sensory testing methods (hedonic evaluations and descriptive profile analysis) and three instrumental testing methods (serum color, hydroxymethylfurfural content and colorimeter values). Two separate studies were conducted to check the repeatability of the data. Correlations were established between the sensory and instrumental methods. The product had a Q10 of 3.8 with a shelf-life of 38 months at 25°C and an Ea (activation energy) of 23 Kcal/mole, as determined by the descriptive profile analysis.
Revision of the Nearctic Genus Coquillettia Uhler With a Transfer to the Tribe Phylini, the Description of 14 New Species, a New Synonymy, and the Description of Two New Nearctic Genera Leutiola and Ticua and Two New Species (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae)

Abstract The Nearctic genus Coquillettia Uhler is revised and moved to the tribe Phylini; 14 new species are described for a total of 29 valid species. The following six new synonyms are proposed (senior synonym first): Coquillettia albiclava Knight = C. aquila Bliven and C. saxetana Bliven, C. foxi Van Duzee = C. terrosa Bliven, C. insignis Uhler = C. numata Bliven and C. uhleri Van Duzee, and C. mimetica Osborn = C. mimetica floridana Knight. Coquillettia amoenus (Uhler) is treated as a nomen dubium. A lectotype is designated for C. mimetica Osborn. The 14 new species described within Coquillettia are: concava, gigantea, impluviata, lactea, obscura, pergrandis, perplexabilis, polhemorum, pseudoattica, schuhi, schwartzi, thomasi, venusta, and vicina. Two new genera, Leutiola and Ticua, are described within the Phylini to accommodate species previously placed in Coquillettia. Coquillettia ajo Knight is transferred to Leutiola where C. virescens Knight is proposed as a junior synonym of L. ajo. Two...
Detection of messenger RNA from the isoleucine-valine operons of Salmonella typhimurium by heterologous DNA-RNA hybridization: Involvement of transfer RNA in transcriptional repression

A hybridization assay using Escherichia coli K-12 DNA isolated from the specialized transducing bacteriophage λCI857St68h80 dilv was used to examine the rate of synthesis of the messenger RNA's (mRNA) derived from the isoleucine-valine (ilv) gene cluster of Salmonella typhimurium. In all cases examined, changes in ilv enzyme levels could be correlated with changes in the rate of synthesis of ilv mRNA. Several well characterized regulatory mutants of S. typhimurium had rates of synthesis of ilv mRNA 3 to 8-fold higher than the repressed wildtype strain. The increased rates of ilv mRNA synthesis found in a hisT strain as well as in isoleucyl-and leucyl-tRNA synthetase mutants, strongly suggests a role for branched-chain aminoacyl-tRNA's in transcriptional control.
Hypoalbuminemia as a cause of pleural effusions

Background Alterations in Starling forces that favor pleural fluid formation include an elevation in capillary hydrostatic pressure and a fall in plasma oncotic pressure. Although venous hypertension is a well-recognized cause of pleural effusion, the frequency with which hypoalbuminemia in the absence of volume expansion leads to pleural effusion is unclear. Study Objective We determined the frequency with which unexplained pleural effusions occur in patients with normal and low plasma oncotic pressures. Design A 2-month prospective screen of all admission patients to the University of Oklahoma Hospital and the Oklahoma City Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center identified 152 patients who had chest radiographs and serum protein determinations on admission, but did not have an admission diagnosis that was a recognized cause of pleural effusion. In order to include more patients in the study with extremely low serum albumin levels, 20 additional study patients with serum albumin levels of 3.5 g/dL; group 2 had serum albumin levels between 2.1 and 3.5 g/dL; and group 3 had serum albumin levels of≤ 2.0 g/dL. Finally, the frequencies with which pleural effusions occurred were compared among the three groups. Results Seven of 104 patients in group 1, 2 of 45 patients in group 2, and 3 of 21 patients in group 3 had pleural effusions. Within each group, there were no significant differences in serum albumin concentration or plasma oncotic pressure between patients with and without pleural effusions. In all but two study patients, a careful review of records and a prospective follow-up of the patients’ clinical course identified a potential cause for the effusions other than hypoalbuminemia. None of the 68 study patients with serum albumin levels of ≤ 3.5 g/dL had an unexplained pleural effusion. Conclusion We conclude that hypoalbuminemia, per se , is an uncommon cause of pleural effusion. The recognition of pleural effusions in patients with low serum albumin levels should prompt careful clinical evaluations to identify other potential causes for the effusions.
Micromechanical stress–displacement model for rough interfaces: Effect of asperity contact orientation on closure and shear behavior

Abstract The coupled normal-shear contact behavior of rough surfaces remains a problem of interest with applications in many practical engineering problems. In this paper, we have further developed a micromechanical approach for obtaining the stress–displacement behavior of rough interfaces. The micromechanical approach considers the mechanics of asperity contacts and utilizes statistical description of interface roughness. Here we have focused upon the role of asperity contact orientations. To that end, we have incorporated asperity contact relative curvature distribution in our model and derived a relationship for the extent of asperity contact orientations in terms of the asperity contact relative curvature and interface closure. This relationship allows us to define the range of asperity contact orientation as the interface is subjected to combined normal and shear loading. We have consequently refined our stress–displacement relationship and its numerical evaluation procedure to include the asperity contact relative curvature distributions. We find that the asperity contact relative curvature has a significant effect on the extent of asperity contact orientation, and consequently on the shear behavior of the interface. We also find that the coupling between the normal and the shear responses, the interface frictional strength and the shear displacement hardening behavior are closely related to the extent of asperity contact orientations.
A simulation study of IP-based vertical handoff in wireless convergent networks

Summary The advances in wireless networks and IP technologies has brought ubiquitous access to all-IP information into reality. For wireless IP services, IP-based handoff is a critical issue to the performance of application-level services. Although mobile IP (MIP) and its extensions, as network layer solutions, have been proposed as de facto standard, transmission throughput degradation due to packet loss, registration delay, and transport layer blocking are unavoidable because of MIP handoff mechanisms. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of a transport layer handoff approach, mobile stream control transmission protocol (mSCTP), and compare it with that of a network layer solution, MIP. mSCTP is based on stream control transmission protocol (SCTP), which is the third general purpose transport layer protocol from IETF. We investigate the use of mSCTP for seamless vertical handoff without any change in IP protocol stack by its multi-homing feature and dynamic address reconfiguration (DAR) extension. We evaluate the performance of mSCTP and MIP by introducing handoff delay, end-to-end transmission throughput, and packet loss, and verify our observations by a simulation study of the two protocols in UMTS/802.11b integrated networks using NS-2 network simulator. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CORTICOTROPIN RELEASE INHIBITING FACTOR IS ENCODED WITHIN PREPRO-TRH

Corticotropin synthesis and secretion is under negative feedback regulation by glucocorticoids. In addition a hypothalamic factor inhibiting ACTH synthesis and secretion, named corticotropin release inhibiting factor (CRIF), has been postulated but not identified. Here we report that transient transfection of a rat prepro-TRH cDNA into the mouse anterior pituitary tumor cell line AtT-20 inhibits the synthesis and secretion of both basal and CRH-stimulated ACTH. Thus, CRIF appears to be encoded by the same precursor as TRH, suggesting a coordinated regulation of pituitary-adrenal and pituitary-thyroid functions.
Female mating preferences determine system-level evolution in a gene network model

Environmental patterns of directional, stabilizing and fluctuating selection can influence the evolution of system-level properties like evolvability and mutational robustness. Intersexual selection produces strong phenotypic selection and these dynamics may also affect the response to mutation and the potential for future adaptation. In order to to assess the influence of mating preferences on these evolutionary properties, I modeled a male trait and female preference determined by separate gene regulatory networks. I studied three sexual selection scenarios: sexual conflict, a Gaussian model of the Fisher process described in Lande (in Proc Natl Acad Sci 78(6):3721–3725, 1981) and a good genes model in which the male trait signalled his mutational condition. I measured the effects these mating preferences had on the potential for traits and preferences to evolve towards new states, and mutational robustness of both the phenotype and the individual’s overall viability. All types of sexual selection increased male phenotypic robustness relative to a randomly mating population. The Fisher model also reduced male evolvability and mutational robustness for viability. Under good genes sexual selection, males evolved an increased mutational robustness for viability. Females choosing their mates is a scenario that is sufficient to create selective forces that impact genetic evolution and shape the evolutionary response to mutation and environmental selection. These dynamics will inevitably develop in any population where sexual selection is operating, and affect the potential for future adaptation.
Effects of Comorbidity on Treatment Processes and Outcomes Among Adolescents in Drug Treatment Programs

ABSTRACT This study examined the relationship between treatment processes and posttreatment abstinence using data from the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcomes Studies for Adolescents (N = 810), with a focus on differences between adolescents with and without a comorbid mental disorder. The majority of the sample (62%) was diagnosed with at least one co-occurring mental disorder, most often conduct disorder. Overall, comorbid youth had more service needs and received more services compared with non-comorbid youth, and there were significant differences in service delivery by type of treatment modality. Posttreatment abstinence among the comorbid youth was positively associated with rapport with counselors and participation in 12-step groups while in treatment.
Supporting continuous mobility through multi-rate wireless packetization

Continuous mobility scenarios are those in which applications continue to use the radio interface while on the move. With the emergence of Voice-over-WiFi phones, WiFi-enabled music players, and many other such gadgets, continuous mobility is becoming a prevalent mode of operation for WiFi standards. We contend that the existing packetization structures employed in WiFi devices, is not the most suitable for these emerging class of continuous mobility applications. Therefore, in this paper, we suggest a new software-level, standards-compliant extension to the WiFi packetization techniques that provides greater agility and improved performance. In particular, we propose the notion of a multi-rate wireless packet, in which different segments of the same Protocol Data Unit (PDU) are modulated at different physical transmission rates. This is a departure from conventional modulation mechanisms in which the entire PDU is modulated using a single rate. In this paper, we (i) discuss some uses of such a packetization structure for continuous mobility applications, (ii) describe a practical approach to implementing multi-rate wireless packetization in the 802.11 context as a software-only modification that directly leverages current PHY and MAC layer implementations, and (iii) demonstrate the benefits of such an approach with some simple evaluation. We conclude by discussing some of the next steps needed to realize the full potential of this notion.
Performance evaluation of MPML-based error resilient video transmission

The performance of error resilient MPEG video coding and transmission over wireless channels, using an XML representation called MPML, is evaluated in this research. We take into account various factors that affect the streaming performance over wireless channels. A compression algorithm is developed to reduce the MPML overhead. The error corruption model is analyzed for bitstreams with MPML protection. Error correction coding is employed to enhance the eliability of MPML header transmission. Our experimental results demonstrate the superior PSNR performance of the proposed MPML assisted video streaming system with and without the Data Partitioning (DP) mode.
Pattern matching in historical batch data using PCA

The article seeks to answer the question: how can relevant information be extracted from huge historical databases? A pattern-matching methodology has been evaluated in a case study for a batch fermentation process. The proposed approach is both data driven and unsupervised. The new approach relies on PCA and a new similarity factor based on distance between the two datasets. The computational requirements are modest, allowing large databases to be processed in a relatively small amount of time.
Coupons attract high-risk untreated heroin users into detoxification

This study examined the degree that the distribution of coupons brought drug users at risk of HIV infection into outpatient detoxification treatment. Demographic characteristics and outcome indicators were compared for patients recruited through coupon redemption (n = 238) versus other referral channels (n = 1129). Significantly more coupon subjects had no previous drug treatment, compared with non-coupon subjects (28% vs. 13%), had shared needles in the previous 30 days (39% vs. 31%) and more were ethnic minorities and men. Length of treatment stay and program completion rates did not differ between the groups. Within a year of the coupon project's end 43% of coupon subjects returned to the treatment program. Results suggest untreated heroin users will utilize drug treatment if more is available.
A 60GHz Class-E tuned power amplifier with PAE >25% in 32nm SOI CMOS

A Class-E tuned CMOS power amplifier (PA) operating in the 60 GHz band is presented. Design, layout, and parasitic modeling considerations to attain high-efficiency millimeter-wave PA operation are discussed. Both single-ended and differential versions of the single-stage PA are implemented in a 32nm SOI CMOS process. Peak power added efficiency of 27% (30%), power gain of 8.8dB (10dB), and saturated output power >9dBm (12.5dBm) are measured at 60GHz from the single-ended (differential) PA with 0.9V supply.
Emotional reactivity and regulation in preschool-age children who stutter.

Abstract Purpose . This study experimentally investigated behavioral correlates of emotional reactivity and emotion regulation and their relation to speech (dis)fluency in preschool-age children who do (CWS) and do not (CWNS) stutter during emotion-eliciting conditions. Method . Participants (18 CWS, 14 boys; 18 CWNS, 14 boys) completed two experimental tasks (1) a neutral (“apples and leaves in a transparent box,” ALTB) and (2) a frustrating (“attractive toy in a transparent box,” ATTB) task, both of which were followed by a narrative task. Dependent measures were emotional reactivity (positive affect, negative affect), emotion regulation (self-speech, distraction) exhibited during the ALTB and the ATTB tasks, percentage of stuttered disfluencies ( SD s) and percentage of non-stuttered disfluencies (NSDs) produced during the narratives. Results . Results indicated that preschool-age CWS exhibited significantly more negative emotion and more self-speech than preschool-age CWNS. For CWS only, emotion regulation behaviors (i.e., distraction, self-speech) during the experimental tasks were predictive of stuttered disfluencies during the subsequent narrative tasks. Furthermore, for CWS there was no relation between emotional processes and non-stuttered disfluencies, but CWNS's negative affect was significantly related to nonstuttered disfluencies. Conclusions . In general, present findings support the notion that emotional processes are associated with childhood stuttering. Specifically, findings are consistent with the notion that preschool-age CWS are more emotionally reactive than CWNS and that their self-speech regulatory attempts may be less than effective in modulating their emotions. Educational objectives . The reader will be able to: (a) communicate the relevance of studying the role of emotion in developmental stuttering close to the onset of stuttering and (b) describe the main findings of the present study in relation to previous studies that have used different methodologies to investigate the role of emotion in developmental stuttering of young children who stutter.
The New Racial Calculus: Electoral Institutions and Black Representation in Local Legislatures

In this study we revisit the question of black representation on city councils and school boards using a novel substantive and methodological approach and longitudinal data for a sample of over 300 boards and councils. Conceptualizing black representation as a two-stage process, we fit Mullahy’s hurdle Poisson models to explain whether and to what extent blacks achieve representation in local legislatures. We find that while the size of the black population and electoral arrangements matter more than ever, especially for overcoming the representational hurdle, the extent to which the black population is concentrated is also strongly associated with black council representation. Further, whereas black resources and opportunities to build “rainbow” coalitions with Latinos or liberal whites are marginally if at all related to black legislative representation, we find that legislative size is an underappreciated mechanism by which to increase representation, particularly in at-large systems, and is perhaps the best predictor of moving towards additional representation. O ver the past several decades, social scientists interested in questions of race and representation in American politics have paid considerable attention to black representation on city councils and local school boards. These investigations have focused almost exclusively on two explanatory factors: the voting strength of the black population and local electoral institutions.Thisfocusispredicatedonconventionalassumptionsthatgivenachoice,blackvoterspreferelectingblack candidates and that blacks come closer to achieving proportional representation as their share of the electorate increases. Electoral institutions are believed to condition the “seats/population” relationship with at-large election (AL) systems impeding the election of minorities, particularly in the South where racial voting has been most
Vibrational predissociation spectra of the , n = 3-10, 12 clusters: Even-odd alternation in the core ion

Abstract We report vibrational predissociation spectra of the O n − , n = 3–10, 12 cluster ions in the 700–2400 cm−1 range. The odd numbered clusters are consistent with their identification as O 3 − ⋅ ( O 2 ) n . The even numbered clusters are based on the O 4 − core ion, where the first two O2 molecules add to O 4 − in locations that individually break the symmetry of the core ion, but together restore this symmetry. Beyond O 4 − ⋅ ( O 2 ) 2 , subsequent O2 attachment yields bands close to that of neutral O2, indicating that the special character of the O 4 − ⋅ ( O 2 ) 2 cluster is retained.
Nanostructured morphology of polymer films prepared by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation

As recently illustrated, nanostructured glassy polymer films with exceptional thermal and kinetic stability can be formed via Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) (Guo et al. in Nat. Mater. 11:337, 2012). Relative to the standard poly(methyl methacrylate) glass formed on cooling at standard rates, glasses prepared by MAPLE can be 40 % less dense and have a 40 K higher glass transition temperature (T g ). Furthermore, the kinetic stability in the glassy state can be enhanced by 2 orders-of-magnitude. Here, we examine the stability of the structured morphology. We show that nanostructured glasses may be formed even when the substrate is held at temperatures greater than the polymer T g during deposition. In addition, we discuss the origin of the enhanced stability and the mechanism of nanostructured film formation within the framework of the Zhigilei model. Finally, we compare the nanostructured morphology to the surface morphology of other MAPLE-deposited films in the literature.
Emergence: Core ideas and issues

This paper explores the fundamental ideas that have motivated the idea of emergence and the movement of emergentism. The concept of reduction, which lies at the heart of the emergence idea is explicated, and it is shown how the thesis that emergent properties are irreducible gives a unified account of emergence. The paper goes on to discuss two fundamental unresolved issues for emergentism. The first is that of giving a "positive" characterization of emergence; the second is to give a coherent explanation of how "downward" causation, a central component of emergentism, is able to avoid the problem of overdetermination.
Designing an inference engine: from ontology to control

The author has proposed a method called ontological analysis to help beginning knowledge engineers identify and formalize the core concepts of the task under study. Ontological analysis begins with the construction of a semantic grammar that captures regular features of the expert articulations. From the grammar, a more rigorous analysis proceeds to define the knowledge structures and the primitive fragments of the inference engine using domain equations as a formal notation tool. The author develops a method for proceeding from an identification of the knowledge structures to an inference strategy that exploits these knowledge structures to perform the task at hand. He introduces the techniques of analyzing expert articulations and organizing them into a semantic grammar; shows how this analysis can be formalized into domain equations and discusses the design of inference strategies based on the analysis of expert articulations. The task of trouble shooting an oscilloscope is used as an example to illustrate the methodology. >
The design of a microprocessor-based digital sampler

The design of a microprocessor-based digital sampler is presented. A digital sampler is an up-to-date approach for solving some of the problems encountered when attempting to reproduce the complex acoustic sounds found in the music industry. Issues presented include memory size, microprocessor facilities, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion, software support, sampling rates, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) and storage facilities. >
An investigation of the impact of network parameters on performance of network-on-chips

Communication-centric designs such as network-on-chip (NoC) have been shown to have significant potential in overcoming the problems of increased wire delay and delay variations in deep submicron global interconnect. To further enhance performance, the design parameters of the NoC should be chosen based on the application. In this paper, we identify these parameters and investigate their impact on the NoC system performance. For this purpose, we classified NoC applications into three broad categories, based on the traffic pattern in the network, and simulations were performed with different combinations of the network parameters for each application. We present detailed analysis of this comparative study, which could help system designers in making appropriate choices for the different network parameters in designing an NoC for a particular application
Hough space transformations for discrimination and distortion estimation

Abstract A new use of the Hough transform space defined for straight lines is described. The Hough space is used directly with new efficient distortion parameter transformations and template matching. This technique allows multiclass discrimination, intra-class distortion invariant recognition, and multiple distortion parameter estimation. A new hierarchical distortion parameter search method and spatial quantization in Hough space make realization of this technique very attractive. Performance of our algorithm on aircraft imagery and in the presence of noise is provided.
Sulfur dioxide-enhanced phytotoxicity of ozone to watermelon

Three watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai) cultivars with different ozone (O 3 ) sensitivities were grown in a charcoal-filtered greenhouse and exposed in continuous-stirred tank reactor chambers to five levels (0, 100, 200, 300, or 400 nL·L -1 ) of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) in the presence (80 nL·L -1 ) or absence (0 nL·L -1 ) of ozone (O 3 ) for 4 hours/day, 5 days/week for 22 days. In the presence of O 3 , SO 2 increased foliar injury in all three cultivars, but the impact was greatest for the most O 3 -sensitive cultivar, 'Sugar Baby,' moderate for 'Crimson Sweet,' and least for the least O 3 - sensitive cultivar, 'Charleston Gray.' For all cultivars, SO 2 intensified O 3 suppression of leaf area for the first seven mainstem leaves and of dry weights for aboveground and total plant tissues. Root dry weight was independently suppressed by both pollutants, and the root : top ratio was linearly suppressed by SO 2 alone. Sulfur dioxide combined with O 3 can be detrimental to crop species such as watermelon. Thus, the potential for SO 2 phytotoxicity should not be summarily dismissed, especially in the vicinity of SO 2 point sources where O 3 co-occurs.
Using domain knowledge and domain-inspired discourse model for coreference resolution for clinical narratives.

Objective This paper presents a coreference resolution system for clinical narratives. Coreference resolution aims at clustering all mentions in a single document to coherent entities. Materials and methods A knowledge-intensive approach for coreference resolution is employed. The domain knowledge used includes several domain-specific lists, a knowledge intensive mention parsing, and task informed discourse model. Mention parsing allows us to abstract over the surface form of the mention and represent each mention using a higher-level representation, which we call the mention's semantic representation (SR). SR reduces the mention to a standard form and hence provides better support for comparing and matching. Existing coreference resolution systems tend to ignore discourse aspects and rely heavily on lexical and structural cues in the text. The authors break from this tradition and present a discourse model for “person” type mentions in clinical narratives, which greatly simplifies the coreference resolution. Results This system was evaluated on four different datasets which were made available in the 2011 i2b2/VA coreference challenge. The unweighted average of F1 scores (over B-cubed, MUC and CEAF) varied from 84.2% to 88.1%. These experiments show that domain knowledge is effective for different mention types for all the datasets. Discussion Error analysis shows that most of the recall errors made by the system can be handled by further addition of domain knowledge. The precision errors, on the other hand, are more subtle and indicate the need to understand the relations in which mentions participate for building a robust coreference system. Conclusion This paper presents an approach that makes an extensive use of domain knowledge to significantly improve coreference resolution. The authors state that their system and the knowledge sources developed will be made publicly available.
Global Regulation of Embryonic Patterning in Arabidopsis by MicroRNAs

The development of the embryo in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) involves a carefully controlled set of cell divisions and cell fate decisions that lead to a mature embryo containing shoot and root meristems and all basic tissue types. Over the last 20 years, a number of transcriptional regulators of embryonic patterning have been described, but little is known about the role of posttranscriptional regulators such as microRNAs (miRNAs). Previous work has centered on the study of null or very weak alleles of miRNA biosynthetic genes, but these mutants either arrest early in embryogenesis or have wild-type-looking embryos. Here, we significantly extend those analyses by characterizing embryos mutant for a strong hypomorphic allele of DICER-LIKE1 (dcl1-15). Our data demonstrate that miRNAs are required for the patterning of most regions of the embryo, with the exception of the protoderm. In mutant embryos with the most severe morphological defects, the majority of tissue identities are lost. Different levels of miRNAs appear to be required to specify cell fates in various regions of the embryo. The suspensor needs the lowest levels, followed by the root apical meristem and hypocotyl, cotyledons, and shoot apical meristem. Furthermore, we show that erecta acts as a suppressor of dcl1-15, a novel role for this signaling pathway in embryos. Our results also indicate that the regulation of the messenger RNA levels of miRNA targets involves not just the action of miRNAs but has a significant transcriptional component as well.
Slip Transition and Dislocation Structures in Off-Stoichiometric NiAl Single Crystals

Compression tests have been performed on hard-oriented Ni-44A1 single crystals for several temperatures and strain levels. There is a slip transition from a type slip to non-a type slip which corresponds with the observation of yield points. Transmission electron microscopy studies provide evidence for decomposition of a dislocations into a and a dislocations near the “knee” of the yield strength curve. The mechanism of this slip transition and the nature of the dislocation processes both below and above the “knee” are described.
ADVENTITIOUS SHOOT REGENERATION OF SCOTCH SPEARMINT (MENTHA×GRACILIS SOLE)

The effect of different cytokinins on in vitro adventitious shoot regeneration from internodal explants of Menthaxgracilis Sole (scoth spearmint) was investigated. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 100 mg l−1 myo-inositol, 0.4 mg l−1 thiamine-HCl, 2.0% (w/v) sucrose, 10% (v/v) coconut water and supplemented with 4.5 μM thidiazuron (TDZ) was effective in inducing adventitious shoot formation from callus. The greatest percentage of explants with shoots (85%) with the highest mean number of shoots per explant (29) was obtained with explants from the 1st and the 2nd internodes from 2-wk-old stock plants growing on a medium containing MS basal salts, 2% sucrose, 100 mg l−1 myo-inositol, 0.4 mg l−1 thiamine-HCl, at TDZ 4.5 μM and 10% (v/v) coconut water and solidified with 0.2% (w/v) phytagel. The regenerated shoots rooted on a medium containing MS basal salts, 100 mg l−1 myo-inositol, 0.4 mg l−1 thiamine-HCl, 2.0% sucrose, and 0.054 μM naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Micropropagated plantlets were transplanted into soil and acclimated to greenhouse conditions. This is the first report describing adventitious shoot regeneration of scotch spearmint.
Impact of Obesity and Aging on the Tumor Immuno-Environment

Cancer is a disease of the aged with the average age of diagnosis being over the age of 55 years in the U.S.A. Significant physiologic changes occur with aging such as the redistribution of body mass towards increased lipid deposition and loss of lean body mass. There has recently been an increased appreciation on the ability of adipose tissue to affect immunological responses. Although the correlation between adiposity and inflammation has been best studied within the setting of diabetes, current research indicates that adipose tissue and its effects on inflammation has tremendous implications in cancer biology. Development of esophageal, colon, rectal, kidney, pancreatic, endometrial, and breast cancer has been associated with being overweight. The link between cancer, aging, adiposity, and the immune system is becoming an increasingly important area of study, and the observable effects that these three factors may exert on one another may be seen sooner rather than later within our society as the onset of obesity is on the rise, meanwhile those who are obese are being affected at younger ages. The CDC reports that an estimated 36 % of adults in the U.S. are considered obese, while the percentage of adults who are overweight but not obese is estimated at an additional 33 %. By 2030, these figures will rise to about 75 % of the U.S. population being overweight with 42 % of the U.S. population considered obese and 11 % severely obese. Thus, the potential impact of healthy aging, adipose tissue accumulation, and obesity upon affecting the immune response to cancerous cells as well as responses in general to immunotherapy merit a detailed examination and is the focus of this chapter.
Measuring and communicating apparel sustainability

The purpose of this chapter is to highlight the various tools for measuring apparel sustainability, including those used by firms in the apparel industry and those used by researchers in assessing consumers’ knowledge and attitudes toward sustainability issues and their engagement in sustainable shopping behaviors. Included in this chapter is an overview of popular measurements highlighted in current sustainability research, such as the Higg Index, the Knowledge of and Concern with Apparel Social Issues Scale, the Environmental Apparel Knowledge Scale, the New Environmental Paradigm, and the Sustainable Apparel Purchasing Behavior Scale. Topics of future research related to communicating apparel sustainability are noted at the end of the chapter.
Location of the Pea Comb Gene

Abstract Two hybrid males were available, each having an X-ray induced translocation between the largest autosome and a Z chromosome. In one male the translocated genome was Single Comb White Leghorn. The other male had a Dark Cornish genome translocated. The genetic markers for this study were single comb from the Leghorn ancestor and pea comb from the Cornish ancestor. Observations of the chromosome structures and phenotypes of the progeny of these males when mated to similar hybrid females showed non-random distributions of comb types. From the data obtained it was concluded that the pea comb gene resides on the largest autosome in chickens and it probably is distally positioned on the longer arm.