cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deoxyadenosine deamination and phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria.

Abstract 1. 1. Deoxyadenosine metabolism was measured in freshly isolated mitochondria; these organelles took up the deoxynucleoside and formed three detectable products: deoxyinosine, dAMP and dIMP. 2. 2. Enzyme extracts prepared from sonicated mitochondria exhibited deoxyadenosine deaminase, deoxyadenosine kinase, dAMP deaminase and deoxyinosine kinase activities. 3. 3. These data suggest that deoxyadenosine was initially altered in mitochondria by at least two metabolic reactions—deamination and phosphorylation. Deoxyinosine and dAMP were produced. 4. 4. These two products were subsequently phosphorylated and deaminated, respectively to produce dIMP.
Fiber development of Ligon lintless-2 mutant of cotton

A new fiber mutant character in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) controlled by a single completely dominant gene, produces short fibers visually similar to those produced by the Ligon lintless-1 mutant. The new fiber mutant, ligon litless-2, has normal vegetative growth, unlike tha stunted and deformed vegetative morphology of ligon lintless-1 plants. A fiber developmental study of ligon litness-2, ligon lintless-1, TM-1, and normal segregates from crosses of ligon linteles 2 ant TM-1 was conducted utilizing a randomized complete-block design (...)
CICATRIZATION OF WOUNDS : VII. THE USE OF CHLORAMINE-T PASTE FOR THE STERILIZATION OF WOUNDS.

Dakin's toluene sodium p-sulfochloramide, mixed with sodium stearate, forms a paste sufficiently active and stable to be used in the treatment of wounds.
Determination of cytotoxicity of nephrotoxins on murine and human kidney cell lines

The present study investigates renal inner medullary collecting duct (mIMCD3) cells and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) for evaluation of cytotoxicity of nephrotoxic compounds. The 24 h LC(50) values for cisplatin, paraquat and ibuprofen in mIMCD3 cells were 135, 155 and 3600 microM, respectively. The 24 h LC(50) values for paraquat and ibuprofen in HEK293 cells were 180 and 1000 microM, respectively. Effects of hyperosmolality on cytotoxicity of paraquat were additive in mIMCD3 cells. These data demonstrate that renal hyperosmolality has an additive effect on cytoxicity of paraquat.
Psychosocial factors and medication adherence among patients with coronary heart disease: A text messaging intervention.

Objective:Medication adherence is a complex behavior that is influenced by numerous factors. Applying self-efficacy theory, the primary aim of this randomized controlled trial was to compare medication self-efficacy among patients with coronary heart disease who received: (a) text messages (TMs) for medication reminders and education, (b) TMs for education, or (c) no TMs. The second aim was to identify the personal (sociodemographic and clinical characteristics) and psychosocial factors that were associated with and predicted medication adherence.Methods:Customized TMs were delivered over 30 days. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze medication self-efficacy. A multiple regression analysis was performed at baseline and follow-up to determine variables that were associated with and predicted self-reported medication adherence.Results:Among 90 subjects with mean age 59.2 years (standard deviation (SD) 9.4, range 35–83), total scores for medication self-efficacy improved over 30 days; h...
A Curriculum for Aerospace Architecture

*The gap between the numbers of people seeking aerospace careers and the numbers of positions available is predicted to widen over the next decade or so such that fewer than half the needed people will be properly educated for these opportunities. NASA and portions of the Aerospace Industry have put an increasing amount of energy into providing science and technical information and excitement for the K-12 segment of the educational system so that there will be an upsurge in interest in technical careers. This paper outlines a curriculum for undergraduates in Aerospace Architecture to start to bridge the gap between the K-12 initiative and PhD.-granting organizations that graduate specialists in the aerospace engineering field. The structure of the curriculum is based on modules — study guides for specific topics germane to aerospace, but not necessarily a normal part of an architecture curriculum. The guides are grouped into topic areas based upon the level of achievement expected, from "know" to "understand" to "be able to." The guides contain definitions, topic lists, provocative questions, resources, and activities for achieving understanding. The implications of such a curriculum are: 1. Modular study guides could be used by people wanting to enlarge their area of expertise as professional development or a path toward career change or refinement, 2. The guides could be expanded by experts in the field for educating people in fields other than architecture to direct their skills toward aerospace (i.e.: product designers and engineers), and 3. Professors in undergraduate disciplines might use the guides to create workshops, courses, or other curricula on the same model.
Novel Nanostructured Metal and Ceramic Composites

We have designed a unique synthesis procedure to create nonomaterials of uniform grain size and control the chemistry of interfaces between the grains. The metastability of nanocrystalline materials is a major challenge which can be addressed by controlling the chemistry of interfaces. The hardness of these films having a uniform size was measured as a function of grain size using a nanoindentation technique. It was found that hardness increased with decreasing grain size in accordance with Hall-Petch model. However, below a critical grain size we observed a decrease or softening with a further decrease in grain size. These observations in metals and ceramics are modeled in view of intragrain deformation (Hall-Petch regime) and intergrain deformation (grain boundary shear/sliding )in the softening regime. Since we can change the alloying of interfacial region, we can address the metastability as a function of temperature, which is crucial from applications viewpoint of these materials.
JNK regulates compliance-induced adherens junctions formation in epithelial cells and tissues.

Summary We demonstrate that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) responds to substrate stiffness and regulates adherens junction (AJ) formation in epithelial cells in 2D cultures and in 3D tissues in vitro and in vivo . Rigid substrates led to JNK activation and AJ disassembly, whereas soft matrices suppressed JNK activity leading to AJ formation. Expression of constitutively active JNK (MKK7-JNK1) induced AJ dissolution even on soft substrates, whereas JNK knockdown (using shJNK) induced AJ formation even on hard substrates. In human epidermis, basal cells expressed phosphorylated JNK but lacked AJ, whereas suprabasal keratinocytes contained strong AJ but lacked phosphorylated JNK. AJ formation was significantly impaired even in the upper suprabasal layers of bioengineered epidermis when prepared with stiffer scaffold or keratinocytes expressing MKK7-JNK1. By contrast, shJNK1 or shJNK2 epidermis exhibited strong AJ even in the basal layer. The results with bioengineered epidermis were in full agreement with the epidermis of jnk1 −/− or jnk2 −/− mice. In conclusion, we propose that JNK mediates the effects of substrate stiffness on AJ formation in 2D and 3D contexts in vitro as well as in vivo .
Using a Trade Market Analysis Technique to Refine Measurements for Economic Impact Analysis of Special Events

Special events can have a sizable economic significance (ES) and economic impact (EI) in host communities. This study’s purpose was to update the input measurement concepts in assessing the EI for a short-term special event. Specific EI measurements were examined as suggested by Crompton, Lee, and Shuster (2001) and Stynes (1997) that differentiated between types of attendees. A trade market analysis (TMA) technique was applied to refine the measures of locals and nonlocals and to reconsider locals who have visiting friends and relatives (VFR) in their group profiles. Further refinement of day-trip attendees and visitors expenditure impacts were identified and used to adjust the EI when applied to a sales multiplier. Self-administered online surveys were emailed to 2,678 group leaders from a registration and on-site intercept population with a response rate of 46%. Measurement improvements were found for local, nonlocal, casual, time-switcher, and VFR attendees in EI application.
Human papillomavirus type 16 E6 and HPV-16 E6/E7 sensitize human keratinocytes to apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic agents: roles of p53 and caspase activation.

We and others have previously reported that human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 E6 protein expression sensitizes certain cell types to apoptosis. To confirm that this sensitization occurred in HPV's natural host cells, and to explore the mechanism(s) of sensitization, we infected human keratinocytes (HKCs) with retroviruses containing HPV-6 E6, HPV-16 E6, HPV-16 E7, or HPV-16 E6/E7. Apoptosis was monitored by DNA fragmentation gel analysis and direct observation of nuclei in cells stained with DAPI. Exposure of HKCs to etoposide, cisplatin, mitomycin C (MMC), atractyloside, and sodium butyrate, resulted in a time and dose-dependent induction of apoptosis. Expression of HPV-16 E6 and HPV-16 E6/E7, but not HPV-6 E6 or HPV-16 E7, enhanced the sensitivity of HKCs to cisplatin-, etoposide- and MMC-, but not atractyloside- or sodium butyrate-induced apoptosis. Expression of both HPV-16 E6 and HPV-16 E6/E7 decreased, but did not abolish, p53 protein levels relative to normal HKCs, and resulted in cytoplasmic localization of wt p53. P53 induction occurred in HPV-16 E6 and HPV-16 E6/E7 expressing cells after exposure to cisplatin or MMC, though never to levels found in normal untreated HKCs. P21 levels were decreased in HPV-16 E6 and HPV-16 E6/E7 expressing HKCs, and no induction of p21 was seen in these cells following exposure to cisplatin or MMC. Caspase-3 activity was found to be elevated in HPV-16 E6-expressing HKCs following exposure to cisplatin and MMC as documented by fluorometric and Western Blot analysis. Expression of wt CrmA or treatment of HPV-16 E6 expressing HKCs with the caspase-3 inhibitor DEVD.fmk prevented HPV-16 E6-induced sensitization in HKCs. These results suggest that HPV-16 E6 and HPV-16 E6/E7 expression sensitizes HKCs to apoptosis caused by cisplatin, etoposide and MMC, but not atractyloside or sodium butyrate. The data also suggest that wt p53 and caspase-3 activity are required for HPV-16 E6 and HPV-16 E6/E7-induced sensitization of HKCs to DNA damaging agents.
Variability in Issue Alternatives and American Public Opinion

In this paper, I examine how the stated alternatives on a set of political issues influence the structure of American public opinion. The analysis applies a Guttman scaling strategy to data from the CPS 1984 National Election Study in order to map issue alternatives onto a general liberal-conservative dimension. Doing so reveals that there are significant differences across issues in the ideological content of issue alternatives. This, in turn, affects public responses to those issues. The scaled arrangement of issue alternatives provides useful insights concerning citizens' ideological orientations, variations in issue polarization, and issue attitude consistency. I discuss the implications of the findings for the nature of political issues, the political attitudes of the mass public, and elite political behavior.
Percutaneous injection laryngoplasty in the management of acute vocal fold paralysis

Objectives/Hypothesis: To evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with acute vocal fold paralysis treated with bovine collagen via percutaneous injection laryngoplasty under simple topical anesthesia. Study Design: Retrospective case series. Methods: The charts of 38 consecutive patients with acute unilateral vocal fold paralysis who underwent percutaneous injection laryngoplasty under simple topical anesthesia were reviewed. Symptoms and laryngeal function were assessed pre- and postinjection using the Glottal Function Index (GFI), GRBAS Dysphonia Scale, Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS), and maximum phonation time (MPT). Results: Mean GFI, GRBAS, FOSS, and MPT improved from 13.71 to 7.68, 7.24 to 3.95, 3.70 to 2.20, and 12.87 to 16.45, respectively (P ≤ .0001). There were no complications related to the procedure. In seven patients requiring tube feeding secondary to dysphagia and aspiration, injection was successful in restoring oral alimentation in only three patients, with the four failures occurring in patients with multiple cranial neuropathies. Conclusions: Percutaneous injection laryngoplasty is a viable option for immediate rehabilitation of acute vocal fold paralysis, and can be performed in the inpatient setting. With dysphagia and aspiration secondary to multiple cranial nerve palsies, medialization of the paralyzed cord alone may be insufficient to restore safe oral alimentation. Laryngoscope, 2010
Moral Self-Licensing: When Being Good Frees Us to Be Bad

Past good deeds can liberate individuals to engage in behaviors that are immoral, unethical, or otherwise problematic, behaviors that they would otherwise avoid for fear of feeling or appearing immoral. We review research on this moral self-licensing effect in the domains of political correctness, prosocial behavior, and consumer choice. We also discuss remaining theoretical tensions in the literature: Do good deeds reframe bad deeds (moral credentials) or merely balance them out (moral credits)? When does past behavior liberate and when does it constrain? Is self-licensing primarily for others’ benefit (self-presentational) or is it also a way for people to reassure themselves that they are moral people? Finally, we propose avenues for future research that could begin to address these unanswered questions. How do individuals face the ethical uncertainties of social life? When under the threat that their next action might be (or appear to be) morally dubious, individuals can derive confidence from their past moral behavior, such that an impeccable track record increases their propensity to engage in otherwise suspect actions. Such moral self-licensing (Monin & Miller, 2001) occurs when past moral behavior makes people more likely to do potentially immoral things without worrying about feeling or appearing immoral. We argue that moral self-licensing occurs because good deeds make people feel secure in their moral self-regard. For example, when people are confident that their past behavior demonstrates compassion, generosity, or a lack of prejudice, they are more likely to act in morally dubious ways without fear of feeling heartless, selfish, or bigoted. In this article, we review the state of research on moral self-licensing, first by documenting in some detail empirical demonstrations of self-licensing and kindred phenomena, then by analyzing remaining questions about the model, and finally by sketching out directions for future research to cast light on these unresolved issues.
Oscillation Effects upon Film Boiling from a Sphere

Heat transfer rates from a silver-plated copper sphere, 0.75 in. in diameter, were studied by high speed photography during oscillations of the sphere in saturated liquid nitrogen and Freon-11. The oscillation frequencies ranged from zero to 13 Hz, and the amplitude-to-diameter ratio varied from zero to 2.67. The sphere was supported by a thin-walled stainless steel tube and carried a thermocouple attached near the lower stagnation point. A Fastax WF-3 16mm movie camera was used at about 2000 frames/sec. The differences in the vapor removal process at lower and higher oscillation frequencies are discussed.
Learning max-weight discriminative forests

We present a method for sequential learning of increasingly complex graphical models for discriminating between two hypotheses. We generate forests for each hypothesis, each with no more edges than a spanning tree, which optimize an information-theoretic criteria. The method relies on a straightforward extension of the efficient max-weight spanning tree (MWST) algorithm by incorporating multivalued edge-weights. Each iteration produces nested forests with increasing number of edges; each provably optimal as compared to alternative forests. Empirical results demonstrate superior probability of error as compared to generative approaches.
Construct Validity and Reliability of the Music Attentiveness Screening Assessment (MASA)

BACKGROUND Music as alternate engagement (MAE) can be used effectively to distract children during painful or anxiety-provoking medical procedures. For such interventions to be successful, it would seem important to assess the degree to which a child can attend to musical stimuli. OBJECTIVE The purposes of this study were as follows: (a) To establish construct validity by determining the extent to which the Music Attentiveness Screening Assessment (MASA) measures auditory attention; and (b) to gather evidence regarding MASA test-retest and inter-observer reliability. METHODS The Auditory Attention (AA) subtest from the NEPSY-II (NEPSY, Second Edition) and the two items from MASA were administered to a nonclinical sample of children (N = 50) aged 5 to 9 years. RESULTS There was a statistically significant proportion of AA score variance shared with MASA (both items), R (2) = .21, F(2, 47) = 6.34, p = .004. Test-retest reliability on the first MASA item was moderately high (Pearson r = .84) while on the second item it was lower (r = .63). Similarly, interobserver agreement was high for Item I (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = .95) and lower for Item II (ICC = .71). CONCLUSIONS Evidence suggests that MASA measures, at least in part, auditory attention. Despite this finding, a large proportion of unexplained variance remains. Furthermore, reliability estimates (test-retest and interobserver agreement) differ between both items. These findings are discussed with particular attention paid to the ways in which MASA should be revised and further study conducted.
Adaptive phenotypic plasticity in an island songbird exposed to a novel predation risk

Avian nest site selection and levels of parental care require assessments of numerous fitness costs and benefits. Nest site selection in open cup-nesting species is considered a relatively conservative trait; most species and genera are confined to nesting within particular vegetation strata. The nesting stratum further determines risk to nest predation, the principal cause of reproductive failure. We document predator-induced plasticity in nest site placement and levels of parental care in orange-crowned warblers (Vermivora celata) on an island lacking avian nest predators. We show a shift from ground nesting, characteristic of mainland populations, to off-ground nesting that appears adaptive relative to higher predation levels of ground nests. By altering the perceived nest predation risk via experimental introduction of a model avian predator prior to nest building, we demonstrate that warblers shift nest sites to more concealed ground locations. Moreover, warblers differentially adjust nest visits to feed nestlings in the presence of the predator: reducing feeding more at less concealed off-ground nests than at more concealed ground ones. Both shifts in nest site placement and feeding rate adjustments suggest adaptive phenotypic plasticity in response to increased perceived predation risk, providing evidence that birds continuously assess variation in the fitness costs and benefits of their behavioral decisions.
Psychotic patients with increased plasma HVA and MHPG or increased HVA alone.

The role of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in the central nervous system are interrelated at the biochemical level as DA is a precursor for NE in noradrenergic neurons; however. there are discrete neuronal pathways that use these catecholamih~cs (Cooper ct al 1980). There has. therefore, been considerable debate about the functional independence of these systems and considerable controversy in clinical studies regarding the neuronal origin of plasma and cereb,'ospinal tluid homovanillic acid (HVA), a major DA metabolite, Some investigators have suggested that HVA may originate primarily from noradrenergic neurons (Anden et al 1985: Scheinin 1986). One approach we have used to investigate the relationship between these systems in clinical populations has been to measure bq~th plasma HVA and methoxyhydroxyphenethylglycol (MHPG), a major metabolite of NE, in relation to clinical discriminators such as neuroleptic response in psychotic disorders (Bowers et al 1984, 1989; Mazure et al 1991), in that conte~t HVA is somewhat better than MHPG as a marker but both are affected by neuroleptic treatment, Similarly elevated pretreatment HVA is a better predictor of a favorable neuroleptic response compared to MHPG. To further investigate the relationship of these two systems in clinical studies we compared two groups of psychotic patients--~me with both increased plasma HVA and MHPG and one with increased plasma HVA only,
Robust detection and estimation of soft failures in linear systems

Algorithms for the robust detection and estimation of soft failures which have very modest computational requirements are presented. Soft failures are characterized by deviations in the statistical parameters of system inputs and measurement errors. The on-line detection scheme utilizes a single Kalman filter and requires the implementation of Wald Sequential Detectors (WSD). The algorithm consists of repeated application of the Sequential Probability Ratio Test (SPRT) to the filter innovations and use of the sequence of Sample Numbers (SN) for each SPRT termination for the detection of a failure. The proposed scheme for the estimation of a failed parameter consists of a bank of detectors and utilizes the properties of the Average Sample Number (ASN). The capabilities of the scheme, including its robustness for the isolation of single parameter failures, are illustrated via simulation results for a maneuvering target problem.
Revisiting Gerontology’s Scrapbook: From Metchnikoff to the Spectrum Model of Aging

The historical roots of gerontology date to a time when old age was characterized as physical and mental decline. Nonetheless, Metchnikoff questioned the inevitability of this decline, believing that quality of life could be improved by broadening our understanding of the science of aging, a multifaceted concept that extends well beyond the biological science interpretation so prevalent in gerontology's history. This article examines foundational gerontological theories in an effort to unravel complex interactions that constitute physiological aging processes, the psychological manifestations of individual adaptation, and the importance of social and spiritual relationships in aging successfully. Evaluating these theories through an interdisciplinary lens will benefit scholars, researchers, and aging services professionals because it offers opportunities to extend gerontological concepts from theory to development of models that can ultimately be applied in common practice to promote successful aging, regardless of one's physical or cognitive health status. To that end, we propose the Spectrum Model of Aging. Utilizing components of game theory, we believe it offers a synergistic approach to improving quality of later life and thus promises to move the field of gerontology beyond disciplinary boundaries.
Beamforming design for the MIMO downlink for maximizing Weighted Sum-Rate

This work studies linear transmit filter design for weighted sum-rate (WSR) maximization in the multiple input multiple output broadcast channel (MIMO-BC). The problem of finding the optimal transmit filter is non-convex and intractable to solve. Motivated by the iterative algorithm that solves for the optimal transmit and receive filters for minimizing sum-mean square error (MSE), this paper suggests to use weighted minimum mean square error (WMMSE) optimization in the MIMO-BC. The paper presents an iterative algorithm to maximize WSR. Numerical results for sum-rate using the derived filter are provided under different system settings.
Inherently robust micro gyroscope actuated by parametric resonance

The sensitivity loss, commonly presented in micro gyroscopes based on harmonic oscillators [1], is overcome by using parametric resonance as an actuation mechanism. This operation has been analytically studied in IEEE- Sensors'05 [2] and preliminary dynamical characterization and experimental setup has been presented in IDETC/CIE- ASME'07 [3]. The device is fabricated using SOI process and in this paper we report complete rate table characterization including off-axis isolation, drift, hysteresis and noise of the micro gyroscope with an additional amplification stage.
Stable Hebbian Learning from Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity

We explore a synaptic plasticity model that incorporates recent findings that potentiation and depression can be induced by precisely timed pairs of synaptic events and postsynaptic spikes. In addition we include the observation that strong synapses undergo relatively less potentiation than weak synapses, whereas depression is independent of synaptic strength. After random stimulation, the synaptic weights reach an equilibrium distribution which is stable, unimodal, and has positive skew. This weight distribution compares favorably to the distributions of quantal amplitudes and of receptor number observed experimentally in central neurons and contrasts to the distribution found in plasticity models without size-dependent potentiation. Also in contrast to those models, which show strong competition between the synapses, stable plasticity is achieved with little competition. Instead, competition can be introduced by including a separate mechanism that scales synaptic strengths multiplicatively as a function of postsynaptic activity. In this model, synaptic weights change in proportion to how correlated they are with other inputs onto the same postsynaptic neuron. These results indicate that stable correlation-based plasticity can be achieved without introducing competition, suggesting that plasticity and competition need not coexist in all circuits or at all developmental stages.
A Preliminary Study of Three-Dimensional Turbulent Flow over Vortex Generators with a Plenoptic Camera

For this study, the potential drag reducing nature of turbulent flow is considered. Higher energy turbulent flow better resists separation compared to laminar flow, helping to reduce induced drag. Vortex generators (VGs) can be used to either trip laminar flow to turbulent, or to promote strong streamwise vortices in already turbulent flow. To truly gain insight into the turbulent structures produced VGs, as well as interactions between the structures, a 3-D diagnostic technique must be used. The 3-D flow field of a Wheeler doublet vane vortex generator was studied using a newly emerging technique called plenoptic PIV. Plenoptic PIV measures the instantaneous 3-D velocity field of a turbulent flow using the novel light-field capturing ability of a plenoptic camera. From one setup of the plenoptic camera, a full 3-D vector field is produced, allowing 3-D flow features to be studied. Traditional 2-D PIV type data can also be gathered in any plane, at any slice in the volume. The plenoptic camera offers more data from a single run than any other diagnostics method available. Traditional PIV was also applied to measure the instantaneous 2-D velocity field at the same areas downstream from the vortex generators. Two-dimensional image slices obtained using the plenoptic camera agree with previous studies on VGs as well as the traditional 2-D PIV images obtained in this study, validating the plenoptic camera as a viable diagnostic method for studying vortex generators. The 3-D vector field obtained by the plenoptic camera also shows similar flow characteristics to those observed in previous studies with VGs. The plenoptic camera is shown to be a viable method to capture 3-D structures and their interactions in turbulent boundary layer flow.
Closed-Bore Interventional MRI: Percutaneous Biopsies and Ablations.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to review clinical applications and technologic development of MRI-guided percutaneous interventions performed in closed-bore MRI scanners. CONCLUSION. Interventional MRI has rapidly adapted to the closed-bore environment. New tools are being developed to facilitate the use of MRI-guided procedures, and cost-effectiveness studies are exploring the economics of interventional MRI.
Bureaucratic Oppression: It's Causes and Cures

This article discusses the phenomenon of bureaucratic oppression – situations where government agencies mistreat members of the public. It is part of a current trend in administrative law scholarship that focuses on questions of governance, that is, how government performs its basic functions, rather than questions of legality, that is, the outer limits that courts should impose on that performance. While this scholarship has discussed rulemaking extensively, it has paid less attention to interactions between the state and individuals, perhaps on the assumption that this issue is adequately addressed by the extension of procedural due process protection to administrative agencies. The article argues that due process protection only reaches questions of legality and does not address the more general questions of governance that arise in individualized interactions. It addresses the topic by identifying the causes of bureaucratic oppression, namely, status differences between government agents and clients, the fact that the clients tend to be strangers to the agents, the presence of institutional pathologies within the agency, and the extent to which the incentives of agency officials diverge from the functions that they are expected to perform. It then analyses four prevailing strategies for combating bureaucratic oppression: due process, which is the legal or judicial solution, ombudspersons, generally a legislative solution, client-centered administration, which is based on management theory, and the use of market mechanisms, which is based on microeconomics. The article then proposes a new solution, an agency of the legislature that it describes as a collaborative monitor. It concludes by using this proposal to shed further light on the causes of, and potential cures for, of bureaucratic oppression.
The non-metabolizable sucrose analog sucralose is a potent inhibitor of hormogonium differentiation in the filamentous cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme

Nostoc punctiforme is a filamentous cyanobacterium which forms nitrogen-fixing symbioses with several different plants and fungi. Establishment of these symbioses requires the formation of motile hormogonium filaments. Once infected, the plant partner is thought to supply a hormogonium-repressing factor (HRF) to maintain the cyanobacteria in a vegetative, nitrogen-fixing state. Evidence implies that sucrose may serve as a HRF. Here, we tested the effects of sucralose, a non-metabolizable sucrose analog, on hormogonium differentiation. Sucralose inhibited hormogonium differentiation at a concentration approximately one-tenth that of sucrose. This result implies that: (1) sucrose, not a sucrose catabolite, is perceived by the cell and (2) inhibition is not due to a more general osmolarity-dependent effect. Additionally, both sucrose and sucralose induced the accrual of a polysaccharide sheath which bound specifically to the lectin ConA, indicating the presence of α-D-mannose and/or α-D-glucose. A ConA-specific polysaccharide was also found to be expressed in N. punctiforme colonies from tissue sections of the symbiotically grown hornwort Anthoceros punctatus. These findings imply that plant-derived sucrose or sucrose analogs may have multiple effects on N. punctiforme, including both repression of hormogonia and the induction of a polysaccharide sheath that may be essential to establish and maintain the symbiotic state.
Endothelin stimulates protein synthesis in smooth muscle cells

The present work was carried out to assess the effect of endothelin on the relative synthesis of protein, RNA, and DNA in confluent rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) derived from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats maintained under serum-free medium in the presence or absence of insulin, transferrin, and selenium. Insulin stimulated protein synthesis by 42%. Endothelin (1 x 10(-7) M) rapidly induced protein synthesis by 22% (-insulin) and 30% (+insulin). Prior treatment of SMC for 4 h with endothelin resulted in 50% (-insulin) and 38% (+insulin) increase in protein synthesis. The stimulatory effect of endothelin on protein synthesis could be partially blocked by 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine, a protein kinase C inhibitor. Atrial natriuretic factor had no effect on either the basal protein synthesis or protein synthesis stimulated by endothelin. Furthermore, endothelin stimulated RNA synthesis by twofold but had no effect on DNA synthesis in SMC derived from WKY rats. In contrast, SMC derived from spontaneously hypertensive rats showed increased DNA synthesis and cell growth after endothelin stimulation. These studies show that this hormone may play a pivotal role in the development of vascular hypertrophy in hypertension.
The Politics of Wine and the Style of Bullshit

In his article “Wine Tasting is Bullshit,” Robbie Gonzalez cites a real wine review that reads, “Overall character is that of a sex-loaded starlet; endowed, jaunty and erotically scented, with ever...
Comprehensive untargeted lipidomic analysis using core–shell C30 particle column and high field orbitrap mass spectrometer

The goal of untargeted lipidomics is to have high throughput, yet comprehensive and unambiguous identification and quantification of lipids. Novel stationary phases in LC separation and new mass spectrometric instruments capable of high mass resolving power and faster scanning rate are essential to achieving this goal. In this work, 4 reversed phase LC columns coupled with a high field quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometer (Q Exactive HF) were thoroughly compared using complex lipid standard mixture and rat plasma and liver samples. A good separation of all lipids was achieved in 24min of gradient. The columns compared include C30 and C18 functionalization on either core-shell or totally porous silica particles, with size ranging from 1.7 to 2.6μm. Accucore C30 column showed the narrowest peaks and highest theoretical plate number, and excellent peak capacity and retention time reproducibility (<1% standard deviation). As a result, it resulted in 430 lipid species identified from rat plasma and rat liver samples with highest confidence. The high resolution offered by the up-front RPLC allowed discrimination of cis/trans isomeric lipid species, and the high field orbitrap mass spectrometer afforded the clear distinction of isobaric lipid species in full scan MS and the unambiguous assignment of sn-positional isomers for lysophospholipids in MS/MS. Taken together, the high efficiency LC separation and high mass resolving MS analysis are very promising tools for untargeted lipidomics analysis.
A Quasi-Deterministic Approximation of the Monte Carlo Importance Function

This paper reports on the basic quasi-deterministic method which provides an approximate importance function in arbitrary user-defined phase-space regions. The approximation is twofold. first, each region is averaged over and becomes a discrete state. Second, Monte-Carlo methods estimate transport probabilities and scores between the discrete states. These two approximations lead to a set of linear equations for the state importances that can be deterministically solved. This new method is compared against the standard MCNP importance generator. A generalization of the method provides an importance function in the physical and random number spaces that may be useful for random number biasing techniques.
Alloxan in blood plasma before and after ingestion of glucose.

SummaryUsing Archibald's photoflurometric orthophenylene diamine method for plasma alloxan, we find plasma alloxan values of 0.1-0.2 mg in 100 ml of plasma for normal dogs and man. Slightly higher fasting values were observed in 3 cases of diabetes. No significant increase in plasma alloxan was provoked by a glucose meal in man and dog.
Comparative arboviral susceptibility of female Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae) collected in CO2-baited traps and reared from field-collected pupae.

Female Culex tarsalis mosquitoes reared from field pupae or collected as adults in CDC light traps and lard cans baited with dry ice from the same site in Kern Co., California, USA, were tested simultaneously for susceptibility to oral infection with western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) and St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) viruses. Results from 15 paired tests for WEE indicated that the overall ID50's obtained with females collected in CO2-baited traps were significantly higher ( P < 0.001) than with females reared from pupae. The ID50's obtained with SLE virus for 6 paired samples were not significantly different. Comparisons of total numbers of infected vs. noninfected females after ingestion of 4 and 5 concentrations of SLE and WEE viruses, respectively, indicated that a significantly higher percentage of “host-seeking” females collected in CO2-baited traps were infected with either WEE or SLE virus than were females reared from pupae. These results demonstrate a need for standardizing the method of collection of female mosquitoes used in comparative vector competence studies.
Vibrational Raman spectra of C70 and C706- studied by density functional theory

Vibrational frequencies of fullerene C70 and fulleride C706- have been calculated with density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. Raman activities are calculated using polarizability derivatives estimated by Hartree−Fock approximation. Good agreement with experiment is achieved when the calculated vibrational frequencies are uniformly scaled by a factor of 0.98 for C70. Strong Raman peaks of C70 are assigned on the basis of both frequency and intensity information. Assignment for the weak Raman peaks is proposed. The calculated vibrational frequencies and intensities of C706- are presented. The intensity changes of IR and Raman peaks on going from C70 to C706- are also addressed.
Reactivity of Free Radicals on Hydroxylated Quartz Surface and Its Implications for Pathogenicity of Silicas: Experimental and Quantum Mechanical Study

We studied the adsorption of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion radicals on a hydroxylated alpha-quartz surface using cluster and periodic slab models by means of density functional calculations. Models of two hydroxylated alpha-quartz surfaces--(0001) and (0111)--have been used in the simulations. The hydroxyl radical adsorbs readily on both surfaces. The subsurface Si-O bonds are weakened during the adsorption resulting in surface layer destabilization. This destabilization leads directly to surface disintegration in the case of *OH/(0111) adsorption. The product of the surface disintegration and reconstruction is a surface terminated by silanol groups (Si-OH) and siloxyl radicals (Si-O*). The model calculations suggest that adsorption of *OH on a hydroxylated quartz surface transforms a chemically inert, aged, silanol terminated surface to a very reactive, silicon-based radical terminated surface. The activated surface may then cause oxidative damage to the adsorbed biomaterial. The superoxide anion radical adsorbs on both surfaces, but the adsorption products are only weakly bonded to the surface. The calculated energy barrier for the O2*- activated subsurface Si-O bond dissociation is 10 kcal/mol, which is higher than for the *OH activated process (4 kcal/mol). The calculated weaker bonding to the surface and higher activation energy barrier suggest that the superoxide anion radical will be less efficient in reactivation of an aged, hydroxylated quartz surface than the hydroxyl radical. The importance of the specific geometry of the surface silicon atoms on the surface reactivity and adsorption properties is also discussed. The theoretical predictions are supported experimentally using chemiluminescence to monitor reactivation of the aged silica surface by superoxide anion radicals.
Hardware-based workload forensics: Process reconstruction via TLB monitoring

We introduce a hardware-based methodology for performing workload execution forensics in microprocessors. More specifically, we discuss the on-chip instrumentation required for capturing the operational profile of the Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB), as well as an off-line machine learning approach which uses this information to identify the executed processes and reconstruct the workload. Unlike workload forensics methods implemented at the operating system (OS) and/or hypervisor level, whose data logging and monitoring mechanisms may be compromised through software attacks, this approach is implemented directly in hardware and is, therefore, immune to such attacks. The proposed method is demonstrated on an experimentation platform which consists of a 32-bit x86 architecture running Linux operating system, implemented in the Simics simulation environment. Experimental results using the Mibench workload benchmark suite reveal an overall workload identification accuracy of 96.97% at an estimated logging rate of only 5.17 KB/sec.
Trade Secrets, Property, and Social Relations

The company trade secret plan includes a requirement that employees periodically sign agreements acknowledging access to trade secret information; awareness of company policy to protect this information; a promise not to disclose or misappropriate the information; and a requirement to immediately report to the company all unauthorized disclosures or uses of the information. Drawing upon the social relations theory of property, I suggest that defining the scope of covenants not to compete and trade secrets as proprietary in terms of the relationship to others--employees, competitors, and the public welfare interest--serves to create proper limits to the scope of employer demands for a capacious trade secret doctrine founded upon their discovery of trade secrets as new property. Perhaps one of the goals of trade secrets should include a turn away from the atmosphere of distrust created through self-help policing in order to establish property rights, and to reorder the balance of power between employers and employees.
Examining the flight-to-safety with the implied volatilities

Abstract This paper investigates the flight-to-safety phenomenon by examining the interactions between the stock market volatility (VIX) and volatilities of the Treasury note, gold, and silver markets. We find that increases in VIX lead to contemporaneous and delayed increases in the volatilities of T-note, gold, and silver prices. The VIX Granger causes the volatilities of T-note, gold, and silver markets, but the latter volatilities do not predict the stock market volatility. Changes in VIX explain more of volatility increases in T-note and gold prices during the financial crisis than in other periods. The leading positive effect of VIX on other expected volatilities, along with the possible negative asset correlations, complements the cross-market hedging and is consistent with the flight-to-safety phenomenon.
Spin-Forbidden Transitions between Electronic States in the Active Site of Rubredoxin.

Rubredoxin is a small iron–sulfur protein involved in biological electron transfer, which is accomplished by changing the oxidation state of the iron atom in the active site. We investigate the possibility of spin-forbidden transitions between the lowest energy electronic states with different spin multiplicities in the rubredoxin active site models [Fe(SCH3)4]n (n = 2–, 1–, 0) using nonadiabatic transition state theory (NA-TST). The equilibrium structures, minimum energy crossing point structures and Hessians were obtained with density functional theory. The spin–orbit coupling (SOC) was calculated with the complete active space configuration interaction method using the two-electron spin–orbit Breit–Pauli Hamiltonian. We found several crossings between the lowest energy spin states associated with the changes in Fe coordination. However, only triplet/quintet crossings in [Fe(SCH3)4]2– and [Fe(SCH3)4]0, as well as a quartet/sextet crossing in [Fe(SCH3)4]− are characterized by nonzero first-order SOC resp...
Friction Measurements in the Apalachia Tunnel

Five months after initial filling, and again in 1954, five months after inspection; methods used in reducing both sets of data; results presented in terms of friction coefficient; description of each type of surface for which coefficients could be calculated. Supplement to paper indexed in Engineering Index 1947 p 1230.
The effects of expanded nurse practitioner and physician assistant scope of practice on the cost of Medicaid patient care

The provision of health care to low-income Americans remains an ongoing policy challenge. In this paper, I examine how important changes to occupational licensing laws for nurse practitioners and physician assistants have affected cost and intensity of health care for Medicaid patients. The results suggest that allowing physician assistants to prescribe controlled substances is associated with a substantial (more than 11%) reduction in the dollar amount of outpatient claims per Medicaid recipient. I find little evidence that expanded scope of practice has affected proxies for care intensity such as total claims and total care days. Relaxing occupational licensing requirements by broadening the scope of practice for healthcare providers may represent a low-cost alternative to providing quality care to America's poor.
Rediscovery of the type series of the Carboniferous ichnospecies Attenosaurus subulensis (Aldrich in Aldrich & Jones, 1930) and Cincosaurus cobbi (Aldrich in Aldrich & Jones, 1930) with comments on the designation of neotypes

Abstract. The purpose of this note, under Article 75.8 of the Code, is to set aside the neotype for the ichnospecies Attenosaurus subulensis Aldrich in Aldrich and Jones, 1930. It was believed that the type specimens for Attenosaurus subulensis were lost; however, a recent search through the collections at the Alabama Museum of Natural History in Tuscaloosa led to the rediscovery of one of the two syntypes. Furthermore, the rediscovery of the syntype of the ichnospecies Cincosaurus cobbi Aldrich in Aldrich and Jones, 1930 should also be recognized. The discovery of a portion of the Attenosaurus subulensis type series negates the previously erected neotype.
“PAY IT FORWARD” AND HIGHER EDUCATION SUBSIDIES: A MEDIAN VOTER MODEL

Since 2012, at least 24 states have considered legislation on Pay It Forward (PIF) models of higher education finance (which enable students to pay the price of college upon departure from an institution, as opposed to paying upfront tuition). This paper proposes a theoretical model of PIF policies within a framework in which voters belonging to different income groups vote over the level of subsidies to higher education. We analyze the impact of two types of potential PIF policies—a deferred tuition approach and an income share approach—on college access and on voting equilibria over subsidy levels. The results show that college access is enhanced by PIF policies. The equilibrium level of subsidies depends crucially on the pattern of income distribution, in particular on the relationship between mean income and the income of the median income group, and on whether higher education widens or narrows the distribution of income. We show that the equilibrium level of subsidies to higher education will not necessarily decline under PIF, and may increase in some circumstances due to changes in college access for low-income groups. (JEL I22, I23)
Shakespeare and the Performance of Girlhood

List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction: Girls Included! 1. Peevish and Perverse 2. Isabelle de France, Child Bride 3. Enter Ofelia playing on a lute 4. Lost Girls 5. A Dancing Princess 6. The Lady and Comus 7. My Lady Rachells book 8. Perpetual Girlhood in The Concealed Fancies Conclusion: Girlhood After Shakespeare's Heroines