cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of rat small intestinal insulin and insulin-like growth factor I receptors during fasting and refeeding

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin may be important regulators of intestinal growth. To investigate small intestinal IGF-I receptors (IGF-IR) and insulin receptors (IR) during intestinal cell atrophy and regeneration, we compared indexes of IGF-IR and IR expression in rat jejunum after 72 h of fasting and 24-72 h of enteral refeeding. Fasting induced intestinal atrophy, reduced plasma insulin and IGF-I concentrations, and markedly decreased jejunal IGF-I messenger RNA (mRNA) levels; these changes were reversed by refeeding. Fasting significantly increased jejunal specific insulin binding, IR content (to 230% of the fed control value), and the 9.6- and 7.4-kilobase IR mRNA transcript levels (to 202% and 218% of control values, respectively). These IR indexes rapidly decreased to control levels with refeeding. Levels of IGF-IR (by Scatchard analysis) and IGF-I-R mRNA were not significantly altered with fasting. The 11-kilobase IGF-IR mRNA transcript increased significantly during the first 24 ...
Gap: New Directions for the Secondary School

_______The future of American education, like its past, will be the story of the evolving relationship between the family and the school, says this writer, who provides some suggestions to ensure that this relationship is a strong one.
Apply concepts of fluid kinematics to represent continuous space–time fields in temporal GIS

Central to temporal Geographical Information systems (GIS) research is representation and analysis of temporality in spatial databases. Temporality can be characterized by change, motion, and periodicity, but to date, most temporal GIS research advances contribute to representing and analyzing spatially discrete constructs of amandant vectors, geospatial lifelines, space–time trajectories, events and network flows, none of which accounts for geographic phenomena that are continuously dispersing or propagating in space and time. This article introduces a temporal GIS framework that adopts concepts of fluid kinematics and uses velocity as the basic unit of spatiotemporal representation to identify kinematic flows and features indicative of geographic processes, such as divergence and convergence. Climate projections of IPCC A2 scenario are used to test the proposed kinematic representation by comparing data outputs from two popular General Circulation Models (GCMs): the Center National Weather Research glob...
Hospital Admissions for Guillain-Barré Syndrome in the United States, 1993–2004

Background: The hospitalization rate for Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in the USA has recently decreased. This study examined which demographic groups were affected and whether ther
Age-dependent differences in the relationship between plasma and brain extracellular fluid concentrations of magnesium after MgSO4 infusions in miniswine.

Magnesium is a potential neuroprotective agent in the treatment of head injury and ischemia whose efficacy is likely determined by increases in brain extracellular fluid (ECF) magnesium, which in turn depends on its concentration in plasma. The objectives of this study were to: 1) examine the effects of increasing plasma magnesium concentration ([Mg]plasma) to 4-6 mM on brain ECF magnesium concentration ([Mg]ECF) and 2) determine whether maturational changes occur in the transfer of magnesium into brain ECF for newborn and more mature (approximately 1 month old) miniswine. Increases in [Mg]plasma by systemic administration of MgSO4 resulted in similar maximal elevations in brain [Mg]ECF for both age groups (193 ± 76% versus 253 ± 106% of control for newborn and 1-month-old miniswine, respectively). Calculations of half-lives (t1/2) for the increase and decrease in magnesium concentration (t1/2 uptake and t1/2 clearance) were used to characterize magnesium kinetics in plasma and brain ECF. Plasma magnesium uptake was shorter in 1-month-old (t1/2 = 11.1 ± 0.9 min) compared with newborns (12.9 ± 1.7 min, p < 0.05). The faster increase in [Mg]plasma probably contributed to a faster uptake of brain [Mg]ECF in 1-month-old compared with newborn swine (t1/2 uptake = 27.9 ± 12.8 versus 46.0 ± 20.9 min, respectively, p < 0.05). Although plasma magnesium clearance was shorter in 1-month-old swine compared with newborn (t1/2 = 34.3 ± 7.0 versus 74.7 ± 33.7 min, respectively, p < 0.05), the clearance of magnesium from the brain ECF was similar for each age group. Reductions in blood pressure and heart rate occurred during hypermagnesemia and were similar in each age group. This study shows that acute elevations in [Mg]plasma to 4-6 mM result in similar relative increases in brain [Mg]ECF for both newborn and 1-month-old miniswine. However, there are maturational differences, as demonstrated by the faster rate of magnesium uptake into the ECF observed in the older miniswine.
Pedigree analysis of the transmission of a double-stranded RNA in barley cultivars

The barley cultivar Barsoy (Hordeum vulgare L.) contains an unusual 13.1 kb cellular double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA). This non-viral dsRNA is efficiently transmitted by both egg and pollen in crosses with dsRNA-free cultivars. The pedigree of Barsoy was reconstructed and tested for dsRNA occurrence and sequence similarity in an effort to determine the origin and distribution of this molecule. The ancestors of Barsoy barley were tested for the presence of dsRNA by CF-11 cellulose chromatography and agarose electrophoresis. Of 31 ancestral cultivars tested, eight contained a dsRNA with electrophoretic properties similar to the one from Barsoy. A cDNA probe made with Barsoy dsRNA revealed that the dsRNAs isolated from related cultivars have similar nucleotide sequences. The dsRNA was found in four out of five of the oldest ancestors of Barsoy tested. One of these cultivars, Nakano Wase, was introduced to the US from Japan for breeding purposes in 1911. These results support a theory for vertical transmission of the dsRNA from generation to generation and suggest that the molecule has been maintained in barley cultivars for over 80 years.
Assessing possible effects of fish-culture systems on fish swimming: the role of stability in turbulent flows.

Fish are cultured in ponds, recirculating systems, raceways, and cages. Turbulence is associated with one or more of mechanisms to facilitate food accessibility, maintain adequate levels of oxygen, remove carbon dioxide, urinary and fecal wastes, as well as from locomotion of fishes themselves. Turbulence has been shown to have positive and negative effects on fish swimming, feeding, and energetics, usually with negative impacts at very low and at high levels, and least effects and sometimes positive effects at intermediate levels. Differences in responses of fishes with varying levels of turbulence are related to the size of eddies relative to the size of a fish (larvae, juveniles, and adults). Impacts on locomotor functions are associated with eddy diameters of the order of 0.5–1L, where L is the total length of a fish. Negative locomotor impacts of turbulence are associated with eddies challenging stability, while positive effects promote drafting and station holding with reduced locomotor motions. Deployment of control surfaces increases with the level of turbulence up to a threshold where control is overwhelmed. The design of culture facilities is expected to affect levels of turbulence and may be engineered to provide optimal levels facilitating high growth.
The S-CAHPS Survey in Urology

Abstract Introduction The S-CAHPS survey assesses patient experience and satisfaction with 1 episode of surgical care. We describe the initial implementation, results and experience using S-CAHPS in urology. Methods This was a prospective, institutional review board approved, observational study at a tertiary care academic medical center. Adult patients who underwent elective outpatient or 23-hour observation surgery during a 33-month period were mailed the survey. Survey content was separated into composites 1 to 6 and percent top box scoring (percent of most positive responses) was performed. Summary scores for each composite were correlated with the mean of a global surgeon rating question. Results A total of 430 surveys were returned for a 33.8% response rate. Respondents were statistically older than nonrespondents and more likely to reside in Michigan (p Conclusions Survey results suggest that patient satisfaction with the surgeon is more influenced by postoperative communication and information than by preoperative counseling and decision making processes. This underscores the importance of attention to continued postoperative care and interactions. The role of S-CAHPS in urology requires further exploration in this era of quality improvement.
The people of solitude: recalling and reinventing essuf (the wild) in traditional and emergent Tuareg cultural spaces

This article explores continuities and discontinuities in conventional and changing meanings and uses of essuf, a term which denotes approximately the ‘wild’, ‘solitude’, or ‘nostalgia’ in dialects of the Tamajaq language spoken by Tuareg peoples in Mali and Niger. In this analysis of creative reinventions of essuf in both local and ‘borderlands’ spaces of psycho-social crises, oral art performances, and ‘modern’ literature, the wider goal is to produce more nuanced anthropological understandings of local/global and structure/agency connections. The data illustrate the connections between sacred spaces – literal, imagined, and remembered – in African philosophical modes of thought and socio-political power and agency. The Tuareg case opens up perspectives on how cultural spaces of varying scale are affected by selective remembering, and creative re-enacting of key philosophical notions. The data caution anthropologists against reifications and binaries of global and local, and structure and agency. Resume L'article explore les continuites et discontinuites dans les significations et usages conventionnels et changeants de l'essouf, qui designe approximativement le monde sauvage, la nostalgie ou la solitude dans les dialectes du langage tamajaq parle par les Touareg du Mali et du Niger. Dans cette analyse des reinventions creatives de l'essouf dans les espaces locaux et « frontaliers » des crises psychosociales, des performances d'art oral et de la litterature « moderne », le but plus large est de parvenir a une comprehension anthropologique plus nuancee des liens entre local et global, entre structure et agency. Les donnees illustrent les liens entre les espaces sacres, litteraux, imagines et rememores, dans les modes de pensee et de pouvoir sociopolitique africains. Le cas des Touareg ouvre de nouvelles perspectives sur la maniere dont les espaces culturels d'echelles variables sont affectes par la rememoration selective et la reincarnation creative de notions philosophiques essentielles. Ces donnees sont aussi une mise en garde aux anthropologues contre les reifications et les concepts binaires de global et local, de structure et d'agency.
A novel intact circular dsDNA supercoil

A novel intact circular dsDNA supercoil is proposed as an alternative to the conventional DNA supercoil, so that the two complementary strands of ssDNA circles are separable without any covalent bond breakage. This new structure can be visualized by using two tubings: one black and one clear. Twist the black tubing a number of times and connect its two ends. Do the same for the clear tubing. Then wrap the two tubings together. This forms the separable or novel supercoil. On the other hand, the conventional supercoil can be modeled by twisting the black and clear tubings together and then connect their respective ends, so that the two tubings are not separable unless one of them is cut. Experimentally, in the absence of any enzyme, many intact plasmid dsDNA circles give two bands on agarose gel electrophoresis under a certain given condition, while the same plasmid molecules after cutting once by a restriction enzyme give only one band under the same, condition. In the case of intact pUC19 plasmids, these two bands can then be, recovered and sequenced separately, using two primers in opposite directions. Each band gives mostly one sequence which is complementary to that of the other band. The combination of the above theoretical model and experimental results strongly suggests that there is an alternative structure of DNA which does not have the usual difficulty of unwinding, rewinding and requiring numerous covalent bond breakages and ligations during semiconservative replication.
Ganglioside control over IL-4 priming and cytokine production in activated T cells.

Abstract Our previous studies have shown that the enzymatic activities of Neu-1, an endogenous sialidase encoded in the murine MHC, are involved in promoting IL-4 synthesis by naive CD4 + T cells. Our present studies have characterized responsible sialoconjugate targets of Neu-1 and questioned possible biochemical mechanisms responsible for their regulatory influences on IL-4 gene expression. These studies determined that treatment of T cells with the naturally occurring ganglioside GM3 inhibited the production of IL-4 without affecting the production of IL-2. An analysis of IL-4-primed CD4 + T cells further demonstrated that GM3 treatment specifically inhibited the restimulated production of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, without inhibiting the production of IL-2 and IFN-γ. The inhibitory effects of GM3 could be overcome by treatment with thapsigargin or ionomycin, suggesting ganglioside regulation occurs upstream of activation-induced calcium mobilization. GM3 treatment attenuated the level of calcium influx following CD3ϵ crosslinking, and CD4 + T cells from Neu-1-deficient B10.SM strain mice ( neu-1 a and IL-4-deficient) expressed reduced levels of intracellular calcium following activation. Our results indicate that activities by membrane gangliosides can influence the cytokine programs in CD4 + T cells, possibly through the modulation of calcium responses induced by T cell activation.
U.S. Pension Fund Investing in the 1990s

The 1990s represented a bountiful period for the nation?s pension funds, with soaring stock prices, low interest rates, and benign inflation. This article examines the major trends during this period for the 200 largest defined-benefit pension funds. Among the trends are tremendous asset growth, fundamental changes in asset allocation, and the growth of internal equities and indexed funds. Public pension funds grew faster than corporate funds, and internally managed assets fell from 42% to less than 33% of the total base. The current decade should be different, given an uncertain stock market as well as the upside risk of inflation and interest rates. The most significant near-term issue will be substantial cash inflows needed to fund both state and corporate pension funds.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION BY AN INFLAMMATORY INTEGRIN IN LUNG ENDOTHELIAL CELLS.|[dagger]| 1467

The lung endothelial αvβ3 integrin which is luminally located in lung capillaries, binds vitronectin-containing inflammatory products to increase capillary permeability (Circ. Res. 1995; 77:651-659). To determine signalling mechanisms, we determined cytosolic calcium concentration([Ca2+]i) by the fura method, in microvascular endothelial cells of rat lung (RLMEC). Vitronectin (400 μg/ml) increased [Ca2+]i of fura 2-loaded RLMEC by 176±30% from baseline of 92±14 nM, in 1 min and remained elevated for 5 min (P<.05; N=14). Immunoprecipitation of phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ) from RLMEC monolayers exposed to vitronectin, followed by immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine(Bhattacharya, S., J. Biol. Chem. 1995; 270: 16781-87) revealed enhanced protein tyrosine phosphorylation (PtyrP) on PLCγ. Since activated PLCγ may increase inositol (1,4,5) triphosphate (IP3), we quantified IP3 by receptor-binding assay. In RLMEC monolayers, vitronectin treatment increased IP3 32±5% in 5 min (P<.05). We conclude, the signalling pathway induced by ligation of the lung endothleial αvβ3, sequentially consists of tyrosine phosphorylation of PLCγ, hence probable activation of PLCγ, release of IP3, then IP3-mediated increase of [Ca2+]i. Subsequently, increase of capillary permeability may be attributable to activation of Ca2+ dependent processes (HL54157, HL36024).
Mechanism of hydrolysis of halogenated nitrosoureas.

The hydrolysis kinetics of halogenated nitrosoureas were investigated using ehlorozotocin as a model. Evidence is presented to show that the hydrolytic reaction of halogenated nitrosoureas between pH 3 and 8 is a summation of spontaneous water and hydroxide-ion- catalyzed reactions; the later reaction is the sum of two parallel reactions. The relative contribution of each reaction changes with pH and results in different product distributions. Dianionic phosphate (HPO42 −) increased the amount of free chloride-ion production without significantly altering the hydrolysis rate. A mechanism is proposed to explain this behavior. The role of hydrolytic decomposition products produced at physiological pH on the biological activity of nitrosoureas is discussed.
Charge Exchange between Hydrogen Atoms and Fully Stripped Heavy Ions

Charge exchange between multicharged ions and background atomic and molecular gases represents one of the limitations to the attainment of high charge states in heavy ion sources, particularly containment sources. This work is an attempt to study systematically a particularly simple but in many respects representative class of such reactions, namely, charge transfer between atomic hydrogen and fully stripped heavy ions. Approximate cross sections for these processes in the low keV range of collision energies were obtained using a multistate Landau-Zener method. The energy and Z dependences of the cross sections are discussed.
Measuring Partition Coefficients of Colloids at Air-Water Interfaces

Quantification of surface excesses of colloidal particles at gas-liquid interfaces under environmentally relevant conditions has not previously been reported, despite its importance in understanding and predicting partitioning, transport, and transformations of colloids and other organic and metal species complexed onto colloids in many natural environments and engineered systems. In this study, the authors developed a bubble column method for measuring partition coefficients of colloids at air-water interfaces. The method was validated by comparing the adsorption isotherm constant for a surfactant measured using the authors` method with that determined from conventional surface tension measurements and the Gibbs absorption equation. The first measured partition coefficients of kaolinite and humic colloids at the air-water interfaces are reported. The bubble column method can also be used to identify surface exclusion of colloids at the air-water interface. By extension, this method will permit quantification of surface activities of a wide range of inorganic, organic, and microbial colloids as well as molecular species complexed onto colloids.
A limit theorem for a certain transform of sums of independent random variables

A certain transformation of distribution functions (d.f.'s) of positive random variables (r.v.'s) has been studied by the author and Harkness in [2] and [3]. In this paper, a limit theorem concerning such a transform of convolutions of d.f.'s is proved.
Smoking is a risk factor for coronary spasm in young women.

BACKGROUND Risk factors for pure coronary spasm are not known. Clinical observations have pointed to cigarette smoking, a known risk factor for obstructive coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a case-neighborhood control study of premenopausal women, a population segment with the lowest prevalence of obstructive coronary artery disease. The cases were 21 premenopausal women (age range, 36-41 years) with angiographically proven coronary spasm. All coronary arteriograms were analyzed by two independent experienced cardiologists on two occasions. There were no differences between analyses; all cases had normal baseline coronary angiogram except for two, who had less than 20% coronary luminal stenosis in segments other than the site of the focal vasospasm. All cases had normal hemodynamics at rest, normal left ventricular function, and were in sinus rhythm. Ascertainment of the cases was done by angiographic demonstration of focal coronary spasm spontaneously or by ergonovine provocation. Six cases developed spontaneous coronary spasm before catheter engagement, and in 15, coronary spasm was induced by ergonovine provocation. Each case was asked to name as many as possible female neighborhood acquaintances of similar age and racial background who were willing to answer the same standardized questionnaire. The same standardized questionnaire was completed for each case and each control (n = 63). The standardized questionnaire was designed to obtain information on health characteristics, habits, socioeconomic status, and education. Only cigarette smoking was significantly more prevalent among coronary spasm cases. Cigarette smokers were 13 cases (62%) and 11 controls (17.5%) (p less than 0.001). The odds ratio was 7.7, with a 95% confidence interval of 2.6-23.1. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that there is a very strong association between cigarette smoking and pure coronary spasm in young women.
Performance of RISC-based multiprocessors

Abstract In this paper, a new performance evaluation methodology for the RISC-based multiprocessor systems is presented. The study relies on a detailed simulation model of the RISC processor that considers various applications and a wide spectrum of operation environments and conditions. The technique is applied on the crossbar switch and delta interconnection networks (IN). The benchmark programs are characterized by their percentage of I/O instructions (α-ratio). The MC88100 RISC processor, which includes four processing units and numerous pipelines, is considered in this simulation study as a case study and it is modeled in a detailed method that considers all interaction between CPU units. The main performance measures used in this paper are the speedup, probability of blocked requests and the relative speedup. A comparative performance study is made between crossbar switch and delta INs. It is found that due to internal I/O pipeline saturation in RISC processors, all performance measure curves saturate near the 80% α-ratio. A linear equation predicting the speedup is derived for both the crossbar switch and the delta INs.
Single-scan tracking using N infrared sensors

The surveillance of very dim IR targets or `fast-burn' targets, or both, is usually assumed to require the use of either staring sensors or scanning sensors with relatively fast revisit rates. The thesis of this paper is that a greater multiplicity of scanning sensors with relatively slow revisit rates often can be used effectively to achieve the required surveillance results. In particular, we describe conditions under which a dim or fast-burn target can be detected and tracked, and accurate tactical parameters can be computed for the target, by using as few as one observation per sensor per target.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Evaluating the impact of a service fee on patient compliance

This paper addresses an evaluation of an administrative decision to change the manner in which services were paid for at a Student Health Center (SHC). The impact of the change in payment was observed through monitoring the number of scheduled appointments at the SHC which the patient failed to attend, reschedule, or cancel. The impact was assessed through a comparison of the weekly no-show rates from the year prior to the change in payment practices through the year following the change. A time-series statistical package was used to analyze the no-show data. Collateral measures on the number of students attending the university, staff opinions, and usage of the SHC by different student groups were collected. Evaluations of the impact of administrative decisions on health-related behavior were discussed, in addition to a discussion of the usefulness of time-series models for this type of evaluation.
Estimation of growth curves from longitudinal data collected at irregular time intervals

A general procedure for fitting growth curves is proposed that can be applied to longitudinal data even if observations are missing or irregularly spaced. Maximum likelihood estimates for mean growths are obtained from an EM algorithm. Estimates for standard errors, percentiles, and growth velocities are also produced. The techniques are demonstrated through the use of growth data from a longitudinal study of sickle cell disease.
Modification of the structure of a tropical cyclone on traversing a high plateau

Apparent continuity is established between an Indian Ocean cyclone which reached the coast of southern Africa and a disturbance which traversed the continent from east to west. The surface structure of the disturbance is established from autographic records of its passage over the Rhodesias and Nyasaland. The pressure field is fitted to the ‘normal’ vortex of James (1950) and the upper winds observed are in fair accord. The surface observations indicate the presence of broad belts of northwest and southeast winds with a fairly abrupt transition but there is no evidence of fronts. Precipitation of the order of 50 mm per day is recorded over wide areas on several successive days. From consideration of the observed moisture content of the atmosphere it is inferred that an inflow of the order of 2 m/sec in the lowest layers is required to account for the precipitation. Elementary dynamic theory requires that such an inflow be accompanied by increasing circulation and deepening of the system. The depression, however, weakened and filled up slowly and it is shown that a reasonable allowance for turbulent and frictional losses would account for this.
Inheritance of internal pigmentation in green cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata L.)

Internal anthocyanin pigmentation (IP) in otherwise normally green cabbage occurs in a number of Oregon State University breeding lines. Extracted pigment, tested for spectral absorption and for color reactions with lead acetate and aluminium chloride, was similar but not necessarily identical to pigment extracted from red cabbage cultivar Redman. When IP line R52 was crossed with normal green line C70, the F1, F2 and backcross progenies indicated that IP at the intensity found in R52 was determined by a single factor in homozygous condition, with intermediate levels of IP expressed by the heterozygous genotypes. Modifying factors also appear to influence the level of IP. In the cross R52 (IP)×R51 (normal green), expression of IP in the F1 was much reduced. The F2 failed to fit the expected 3 IP: 1 green ratio due to an excess of green plants, but instead, closely fit a 9:7 ratio. This may have resulted from incomplete expression of IP because of modifiers, rather than from the effects of a second major gene. An allele at the A (anthocyanin) locus of B. oleracea is tentatively proposed and designated A IP or a IP pending further identification.
A Missing Enzyme in Thiamin Thiazole Biosynthesis: Identification of TenI as a Thiazole Tautomerase.

In many bacteria tenI is found clustered with genes involved in thiamin thiazole biosynthesis. However, while TenI shows high sequence similarity with thiamin phosphate synthase, the purified protein has no thiamin phosphate synthase activity, and the role of this enzyme in thiamin biosynthesis remains unknown. In this contribution, we identify the function of TenI as a thiazole tautomerase, describe the structure of the enzyme complexed with its reaction product, identify the substrates phosphate and histidine 122 as the acid/base residues involved in catalysis, and propose a mechanism for the reaction. The identification of the function of TenI completes the identification of all of the enzymes needed for thiamin biosynthesis by the major bacterial pathway.
Mental model metrics and team adaptability: A multi-facet multi-method examination

This paper empirically examines the convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity of three team mental model measurement approaches. Specifically, this study measures the similarity (MM-similarity) and quality (MM-quality) facets of team strategyfocused mental models using structural networks, priority rankings, and importance ratings. The convergent and divergent relationships among the three mental model metrics are then examined via a multi-facet multi-method matrix. Finally, the relative utility of each metric for understanding the relationships between team mental models, team adaptability, and decision effectiveness are compared. The study was conducted in a laboratory setting, modeling 56 four-person decision-making teams. Results indicate little convergent and extensive discriminant validity across the three mental model metrics. In addition, only mental models measured using the structural networks metric were found to have predictive validity in relation to team adaptation and performance. The quality and similarity of team structural networks were found to have interactive effects in relation to adaptation such that mental model quality was most strongly related to adaptation for teams with low mental model similarity and unrelated to adaptation for teams with high similarity. In turn, adaptation was critical for team decision effectiveness.
The Assessment Center Process for Selecting School Leaders.

(1989). The Assessment Center Process for Selecting School Leaders. School Organisation: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 103-113.
Childhood depression in a selected group of low‐achieving seventh‐graders

Junior high school teachers nominated students exhibiting five behavioral characteristics thought to be indicative of an underlying state of depression. Students were matched with a comparison group for age, sex, race and standardized reading scores, and both groups were studied using psychological measures, student and parent interviews, behavior checklists completed by parents and teachers, and school records. Results showed the following significant differences (p<.05): nominated students were rated by teachers as more task avoidant, anxious and introverted; by parents as less socially competent; and by clinicians as lower in overall affect. The parents of nominated students had less schooling and were more likely to use corporal punishment. Nominated students had more school absence and tardiness than comparison group students.
Dynamic linkages between international bond markets

Abstract In this paper, we investigate interactions among the government bond markets of the US, Japan, Germany and the UK between 1988 and 2005. We test for cointegration between the bond indexes and also, conduct causality tests to examine spillover dynamics. We show that although the indexes are not cointegrated in the full sample, there is evidence for a stable relation in the latter part of the sample. Also, relying on recently developed causality tests, we uncover significant direct and indirect lead–lag relations between the markets. Our results have implications for international portfolio diversification strategies as well as the global conduct of monetary policy.
Exposure-Resilient Extractors and the Derandomization of Probabilistic Sublinear Time

There exists a positive constant ? < 1 such that for any function T(n) ? n ? and for any problem L ? BPTIME(T(n)), there exists a deterministic algorithm running in poly(T(n)) time which decides L, except for at most a 2??(T(n) logT(n)) fraction of inputs of length n. The proof uses a novel derandomization technique based on a new type of randomness extractors, called exposure-resilient extractors. An exposure-resilient extractor is an efficient procedure that, from a random variable with imperfect randomness, produces randomness that passes all statistical tests including those that have bounded access to the random variable, with adaptive queries that can depend on the string being tested. More precisely, EXT : {0, 1} n × {0, 1} d ? {0, 1} m is a (k, ?)-exposure-resilient extractor resistant to q queries if, when the minentropy of the random variable x is at least k and the random variable y is uniformly distributed, EXT(x, y) looks ?-random to all statistical tests modeled by oracle circuits of unbounded size that can query q bits of x. Besides the extractor that is needed for the proof of the main result (whose parameters are tailored for this application), we construct, for any ? < 1, a polynomial-time computable (k, ?)-exposure-resilient extractor with query resistance n ?, k = n ? n ?(1), ? = n ??(1), m = n ?(1) and d = O(log n).
Lab on a Chip Sensor Platform for Explosives and CBW Toxin Detection

There has been significant interest in the adaptation of lab on a chip devices for the separation and detection of chemical and biological toxins. Potential toxic and/or hazardous analytes of concern in our program include BWA protein toxins, e.g., SEB and ricin, ingestible CW toxins, e.g. alkaloids and rat poisons, and nitroaromatic explosives indicative of IED's. Discussion will center around our efforts to enhance sensitivity and selectivity on a microchip by incorporation of micro-solid-phase extraction, microchip bubble-cell long pathlength UV detection, organically-modified sol-gel materials for electrochromatography, protein recognition aptamers, and microfluidic-based displacement immunoassays.
Property rights, legal issues, and business models in virtual world communities

This paper uses a business model framework to help identify the issues that developers of virtual worlds have to address as their enterprises mature. While most virtual worlds have adopted subscription models there is an increasing trend toward selling digital items directly to users. This arises from the emergent markets linking real world currency to items existing on company servers. This practice has resulted in controversial and unresolved legal issues. Communities that arise from virtual worlds can be classified according to level and type of control. Lack of control can lead to a Hobbesian world of predation and vigilantism. Strong developer control can be exerted to protect users but communities adopting shared governance with users are likely to become more common.
Helping other mothers effectively work at raising young children with type 1 diabetes.

Purpose This study examined the feasibility of a postdiagnosis parent mentoring intervention for mothers of young children (1-10 years old) newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Methods A mixed-method, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial design was used. Parent mentors (experienced mothers who have successfully raised young children with type 1 diabetes) and mother participants with young children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes were recruited from 2 regional pediatric diabetes centers. The mentors were trained to provide informational, affirmational, and emotional support using Ireys' modified parent mentor curriculum. During a 6-month trial, mentors provided home visits and phone call support to the mothers who were randomized to the experimental group. The control group had the option of receiving the intervention after the 6-month trial. Results Mothers in the experimental group had fewer concerns, more confidence, identified more resources, and perceived diabetes having less of a negative impact on their family compared with mothers in the control group. Parent mentors provided important, practical day-to-day management information, reassurance, and emotional support during times of crises. Conclusions A postdiagnosis parent mentoring intervention for mothers of children with diabetes appears to be feasible and potentially effective.
MIMO ad hoc networks with spatial diversity: medium access control and saturation throughput

We consider ad hoc networks with multiple antennas (namely MIMO ad hoc networks), in which the MIMO techniques offer spatial resources - spatial degrees of freedom. We first devise MIMO medium access control (MAC) to exploit spatial diversity. We then propose analytical methods to characterize the saturation throughput of multihop ad hoc networks in the presence of fading. The throughput results show that spatial diversity can yield significant gains in ad hoc networks.
Education, Post-Structuralism and the Politics of Difference

This article examines the 'politics of difference', a phrase now almost synonymous with postmodernism and the critique of the Enlightenment. The article provides a post-structuralist take on this critique arguing that a critique of Enlightenment values can lead to a deepening of democracy and using Foucault's notion of governmentality to elucidate the way political reason links the form of liberal government with the self- governing individual. It also examines emergent forms of post-coloniality with its emphasis on philosophies of difference and encounters with the Other and borrows the concept of the 'multitude' from Hardt and Negri, to talk about Derrida's 'coming of world demoracy'.
Note on Integral Distances

A planar point set S is called an integral set if all the distances between the elements of S are integers. We prove that any integral set contains many collinear points or the minimum distance should be relatively large if |S| is large.
Effects of Turfgrass Endophytes (Clavicipitaceae: Ascomycetes) on White Grub (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Larval Development and Field Populations

Abstract Previous observations on the effect of endophyte infection in turfgrass on white grub development and natural incidence have been variable and contradictory. We reexamined these white grub-endophyte interactions and expanded them to the previously not studied oriental beetle (Exomala [= Anomala] orientalis Waterhouse). Endophyte infection in strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L. rubra) had no effect on survival and weight gain of neonate Japanese beetle (P. japonica Newman) and E. orientalis larvae in greenhouse pot experiments. In tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreber) in greenhouse pot and in microplot field experiments, endophyte infection had no significant effect on survival and a weak negative effect on weight gain of P. japonica, but reduced E. orientalis survival without affecting its weight gain. In samples taken from tall fescue fields in October, the natural incidence of third instars was higher in endophytic than in nonendophytic turf in 3 of 4 yr. The effect was strongest ...
Common drugs may influence motor recovery after stroke

Studies in laboratory animals indicate that certain centrally acting drugs (eg, the antihypertensives clonidine and prazosin, neuroleptics and other dopamine receptor antagonists, benzodiazepines, and the anticonvulsants phenytoin and phenobarbital) impair behavioral recovery after focal brain injury. Even single doses may have long-term harmful effects. To determine whether these medications have a similar negative impact in humans, we analyzed the recoveries of control patients who were enrolled in the Sygen in Acute Stroke Study, a multicenter study of the effects of GM1 ganglioside after ischemic stroke. Motor impairments were measured by the motor subscores of the Toronto Stroke Scale at baseline and 7, 14, 21, 28, 56, and 84 days after stroke. Using these data, we compared motor recovery between patients with initial motor deficits who received at least one of the drugs that interfere with recovery in laboratory studies ("detrimental" drug group, n = 37) and patients who did not receive these drugs ("neutral" drug group, n = 59). The groups were well balanced with regard to the frequency of comorbid conditions and other prognostic factors. For upper-extremity motor function, repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant interaction between drug group and time after stroke [F(6,528) = 2.38; p = 0.03], with a significant (p < 0.001) difference between the groups beginning 7 days after the stroke. A similar trend was present for the lower extremity, but the overall difference between the groups was not significant [ANOVA F(6,498) = 1.22; p = 0.29]. Drug group did influence the degree of independence in activities of daily living as measured with the Barthel Index.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Measurement of leptin in dried blood spot samples

Leptin is important in a wide range of physiological processes, but logistical constraints associated with venipuncture blood collection have limited research on leptin in diverse, community-based settings. The aim of this short report is to present and validate an enzyme immunoassay method for quantifying leptin in samples of capillary whole blood collected from a simple finger prick and dried on filter paper. The method was evaluated through analysis of precision, reliability, stability, and comparisons with matched plasma and blood spot samples. We report acceptable levels of assay precision and reliability, and good agreement between results obtained from matched plasma and blood spot samples (r = 0.976, P < 0.001). Leptin concentrations begin to deteriorate after only 3 days at room temperature. Thus, care should be taken to refrigerate or freeze samples promptly. The relative ease of blood spot sample collection may facilitate research on leptin in a wider range of cultural and ecological settings. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 18:857–860, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Analytical Performance of 4 Automated Assays for Measurement of Cystatin C

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the analytical performance of 4 cystatin C assays (Siemens N Latex on BNII, Roche Tina-quant on Cobas c501, Genzyme on Cobas c501, and Tosoh ST AIA-PACK on Tosoh AIA-600II) according to guidelines published by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. METHODS: We evaluated total imprecision, limit of detection, and limit of quantification for each assay using patient serum pools and linearity/recovery using serial dilutions of a patient serum pool with cystatin C–free serum. We compared patients (n = 102) using the Siemens assay as a comparison method. RESULTS: All assays had limits of detection and quantification <0.08 and <0.39 mg/L, respectively. Total CVs were generally higher than the manufacturers' claims for all assays. The Roche assay overrecovered cystatin C, particularly at low concentrations (mean recovery 119%, 142% at 0.587 mg/L). Deming regression equations were y = 1.184 x + 0.089, S y | x = 0.246 for Genzyme; y = 0.937 x + 0.231, S y | x = 0.231 for Roche; and y = 1.010 x + 0.216, S y | x = 0.115 for Tosoh. The Genzyme assay appeared to report higher results than the Siemens assay, which is consistent with a higher reference interval specified by the manufacturer. CONCLUSIONS: Although all assays were acceptable for clinical use, their diagnostic performances were not optimal. Limitations include imprecision greater than claimed, overrecovery for the Roche assay on low concentration samples, and differences in results for patient samples. The latter situation requires assay-specific cystatin C–based glomerular filtration rate prediction equations at least until calibration is standardized using the international cystatin C calibrator now being developed.
Short-time spectral analysis with the conventional and sliding CZT

Two sequential short-time spectral analysis techniques, amenable to nonrecursive filter implementation, are the conventional chirp-z-transform (CZT) realization of the discrete Fourier transform and the sliding CZT realization of the discrete sliding Fourier transform. This paper presents a comparative study of frame rate limitations, windowing, time and frequency resolution, spectral correlation, complexity, and inverse structures for these methods, with particular emphasis on the recently proposed sliding transform. The sliding transform and its CZT realization are viewed as skewed output samples of a filter bank, an approach which aids in understanding the relationship between the conventional and sliding schemes. Numerous forward and inverse CZT formulations are presented to improve resolution, frame rates, and compactness.
Performance of a four parameter model for modeling landmine signatures in frequency domain wideband electromagnetic induction detection systems

This work explores possible performance enhancements for landmine detection algorithms using frequency domain wideband electromagnetic induction sensors. A pre-existing four parameter model for conducting objects based on empirically collected data for UXO is discussed, and its application for accurately modeling landmine signatures is also considered. Discrimination of mines versus clutter based on the extracted model parameters is considered. Furthermore, this work will compare the effectiveness of discrimination based on the four parameter model to a matched subspace detection algorithm. Experimental results using data from government run test sites will be presented.
Behind the Boardroom Door

The article presents a review of the book “Behind the Boardroom Door,” by Robert Kirk Mueller.
Multi-Functional Topology Optimization of Piezoresistive Nanocomposite Beams

This paper presents an analysis of optimization for multifunctional nanocomposites. A carbon nanotubeepoxy composite is optimized for maximum resistance change and minimum strain energy. Analysis uses a finite element method and includes the coupled physics of mechanics, electrostatics, and piezoresistivity. The problem is solved first for minimum strain energy, then two resistance maximization problems are solved. For all optimization, sensitivities are obtained analytically. After solving the individual problems a weighted sum approach is used in the multi-objective optimization of both minimizing the strain energy and maximizing the resistance change. Comments are made as to the effect of the topology optimization method as a design tool, on the shape of the optimized cross sections, and on the possible extensions on using the coupled physics topology optimization algorithm.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Development of Economic Injury Levels for Last-stage Variegated Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae in Alfalfa Stubble

The effect of the intensity of stubble defoliation by last-stage larvae of the variegated cutworm, Peridroma saucia (Hubner), on the yield, quality, and economic return of alfalfa was investigated. The 3-year study was conducted during the second alfalfa growth cycle. Six and greater last-stage larvae per 0.1 m2 completely suppressed alfalfa regrowth for 10–15 days. Densities of 1.5 and 3 larvae per 0.1 m2 only partly suppressed regrowth. Plant development was delayed in direct proportion with larval density. Stubble defoliation increased forage quality, as measured by crude protein and in vitro digestible dry matter, but reduced dry-matter yield. Production of dry matter was affected more than plant development and forage quality. Hence, yields of dry matter, crude protein, and digestible dry matter were reduced at the same stage of plant development. These results were significant in most years when larval densities were ≥ 6 larvae per 0.1 m2. Smaller larval densities did not consistently affect regrowth in most years. A replacement feed-cost analysis was conducted for harvest systems, where cutting is based on either plant stage or calendar date. Economic injury levels were calculated for both harvest systems, and management of laststage variegated cutworms in alfalfa is discussed.
Earnings Management, Tax Compliance, and Institutional Factors

This discussion re-examines two major elements of Haw et al (2004). First, I present empirical evidence suggesting that tax compliance and earnings management are endogenous outcomes around the world. This result raises questions whether tax compliance is a causal determinant of either private control benefits or earnings management. I therefore outline a competing view, with supporting empirical evidence, that suggests that better investor protection laws and accounting standards can mitigate earnings management and, as a side benefit, increase corporate tax compliance. Second, I investigate the empirical validity of the Haw et al (2004) earnings management proxy. I find that it exhibits no association with relevant economic factors or with previously validated earnings management and accounting quality measures.