cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critique of a Proposed Dynamical Group for Relativistic Quantum Mechanics

The dynamical group ${\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{G}}_{5}$ for relativistic quantum mechanics phenomenologically suggested by Aghassi, Roman, and Santilli is derived from the analysis of symmetry properties of Lagrangians and corresponding equations of motion for a free relativistic particle. All physical observables such as position, momentum, angular momentum, and mass squared are represented by well-defined operators which close the algebra of the dynamical group ${\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{G}}_{5}$. The unitary irreducible representations of this group, which are possible states of the physical system, are found. The particles accommodated in the single unitary irreducible representations have various spins starting from the lowest spin value and going up to infinity in integral steps. The mass-squared operator ${P}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}{P}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ lies in the enveloping algebra of ${\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{G}}_{5}$, and its eigenvalues are not necessarily quantized and can have any positive or negative values. It is pointed out that this group has several failures and thus it cannot be accepted as the reliable dynamical group for particles within relativistic quantum mechanics.
The role of the C-4 side chain of kainate and dihydrokainate in EAA receptor and transporter selectivity

Abstract Molecular modeling was used evaluate conformational effects of side chain modifications to kainate and the pharmacological consequences of such modifications on binding to KA, NMDA, and AMPA receptors and to the high-affinity sodium-dependent glutamate transporter.
Analytic potential of data: assessing reuse value

Realizing the vision of networked data collections and services requires large bodies of scientific data that can be used in new ways. Adapting the concept of epistemological potential, we illustrate an approach for assessing the value of data for reuse in new domains. Two criteria for this analytic potential - integrity and fit-for-purpose - are recognized aspects of data curation, however identifying potential domains of interest for reuse requires knowledge of practices and needs across disciplines. Evaluating analytic potential will become increasingly important for libraries and repositories to make informed decisions about recruitment and curation of data for interdisciplinary science.
Factors affecting short-term neurodevelopmental outcome in children operated on for major congenital anomalies.

Abstract Purpose Identify clinical and socio-demographic risk-factors affecting short-term neurodevelopmental outcome (NDO) in children operated on for abdominal and thoracic congenital anomalies (CA). Methods Prospective cohort observational study on newborns operated on for non-cardiac major CA. Evaluations were conducted at 6 and 12months of age. Univariate linear regression and multivariate regression were conducted to analyze the impact on NDO of clinical and sociodemographic variables. Infants were evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development—3rd Edition. Results One-hundred-fifty-five children were enrolled. They were affected by the following anomalies: Esophageal Atresia (N=41), Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (N=42), Midgut Malformations (N=34), Abdominal Wall Defects (N=18), Colorectal Malformations (N=20). There were no statistically significant differences among the five groups of CA as to NDO. Variables which reached statistical significance at multivariate regression (p≤0.001) at 6 and 12months as to cognitive and motor development were: ventilatory time, associated malformations, medical appliances for feeding, number of surgery and length of hospital stay. Conclusions On the average, children born with CA show a NDO within normal range. The identified risk-factors could prompt health care professionals to conduct a close surveillance on most vulnerable children giving them the best chance to reach their full potential.
Valuing Reduced Antibiotic Use for Pediatric Acute Otitis Media

OBJECTIVE. The 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics acute otitis media guidelines urge parents to weigh the benefits of reduced antibiotic use, adverse drug events, and future resistance versus risks of extra costs and sick days resulting from guideline use. The value of decreased antibiotic resistance has not been quantified. The objective was to perform cost-utility analysis, estimating the resistance value of implementing the guidelines for acute otitis media treatment for children <2 years of age. Outcomes were described with a common denominator and the value of avoiding resistance was estimated using a parental perspective. METHODS. Decision analysis results were used for outcome probabilities. Published utilities were used to describe outcomes in quality-adjusted life-day units. The minimum resistance benefit value, where the benefits of the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines would at least balance their costs, was defined as the guidelines' incremental costs minus their other benefits. RESULTS. For a child 2 to <6 months of age presenting to a primary care physician with possible otitis media, parents would need to value the resistance benefit at 0.77 quality-adjusted life-days per antibiotic prescription avoided for the guidelines' benefits to balance their costs. For the 6- to <24-month-old group, results were 0.67 quality-adjusted life-days per prescription avoided. Results were sensitive to the dollar cost utility; when willingness to pay ranged from $20 000 to $200 000 per quality-adjusted life-year, results ranged from 0.36 and 0.30 quality-adjusted life-days up to 4.10 and 3.57 quality-adjusted life-days for the 2- to <6-month-old and 6- to <24-month-old groups, respectively. Costs were driven by missed parent work days. CONCLUSIONS. From a societal perspective, trading 0.30 to 4 quality-adjusted life-days to avoid 1 antibiotic course might be desirable; from a parental perspective, this may not be as desirable. Parent demand for antibiotics may be rational when driven by the value of parent time. Other approaches that have the potential to reduce antibiotic use, such as wider use of influenza vaccine and improved rapid viral diagnostic techniques, might be more successful.
A two-photon interference experiment using type II optical parametric down conversion

Abstract A pair of orthogonally polarized light quanta, produced from type II parametric down conversion, is injected into a single input port of a beamsplitter and detected coincidently by two detectors placed in the two output ports of the beamsplitter. With the help of a set of crystal quartz plates, a Pockel's cell and two linear polarizers, the coincidence counting rate exhibits interference modulation of the pump frequency with 88% visibility when manipulating the voltage across the Pockel's cell, regardless of the optical delay (which is much greater than the coherence length) and the mutual incoherence. This two-photon interference effect is responsible by a nonclassical two-photon state which is entangled both in spin and in space-time.
EXPERIMENTAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN THE RABBIT

1. Van Leersum's range for the normal blood pressure in the rabbit, as recorded by his method, is confirmed. 2. Van Leersum's conclusion concerning the influence of a liver diet on the blood pressure of the rabbit is not substantiated by his data, since the fluctuations of blood pressure he obtained do not surpass his own recorded figures for normal animals. 3. Fluctuations of systolic blood pressure beyond the "normal" range are not necessary for the production of experimental atherosclerosis of the aorta in rabbits. Inversely, egg yolk feeding experiments in rabbits in which atherosclerosis of varying degree, even extreme, is obtained, are not accompanied by an elevation of blood pressure outside the "normal" range. 4. The fluctuations of blood pressure observed during experimental atherosclerosis do not simulate the condition of essential hypertension in man.
Prediction of infiltrated solid oxide fuel cell cathode polarization resistance

Abstract The polarization resistance of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF)-infiltrated Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 cathodes was quantitatively explained using a simple model where the resistance scaled directly with the LSCF surface area, as estimated from cross-sectional fracture surfaces. The Tanner, Fung, Virkar composite cathode model was also applied and showed that ionic transport in these 25-μm-thick cathodes was not a significant limitation at 600 °C, but became more limiting at 700 °C. Calculated polarization resistances were within ∼40% (without fitting parameters) of reported values.
Isolation of bacterial antagonists of Aspergillus flavus from almonds

Bacteria were isolated from California almond orchard samples to evaluate their potential antifungal activity against aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus. Fungal populations from the same samples were examined to determine the incidence of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species. Antagonistic activities of the isolated bacterial strains were screened against a nonaflatoxigenic nor mutant of A. flavus, which accumulates the pigmented aflatoxin precursor norsolorinic acid (NOR) under conditions conducive to aflatoxin production. Using solid and liquid media in coculture assays, 171 bacteria isolated from almond flowers, immature nut fruits, and mature nut fruits showed inhibition of A. flavus growth and/or inhibition of NOR accumulation. Bacterial isolates were further characterized for production of extracellular enzymes capable of hydrolyzing chitin or yeast cell walls. Molecular and physiological identification of the bacterial strains indicated that the predominant genera isolated were Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, and Burkholderia, as well as several plant-associated enteric and nonenteric bacteria. A set of 20 isolates was selected for further study based on their species identification, antifungal phenotypes, and extracellular enzyme production. Quantitative assays using these isolates in liquid coculture with a wild-type, aflatoxin-producing A. flavus strain showed that a number of strains completely inhibited fungal growth in three different media. These results indicate the potential for development of bacterial antagonists as biological control agents against aflatoxigenic aspergilli on almonds.
Female rats develop conditioned place preferences for sex at their preferred interval.

Abstract Female rats engage in approach and avoidance behaviors directed toward the male to “pace” the rate of copulation. These pacing behaviors result in a pattern of vaginocervical stimulation that triggers a neuroendocrine reflex that is important for pregnancy to result from insemination. Each female rat has a preferred pacing interval, and females develop conditioned place preferences for paced sex versus nonpaced sex. Research from this laboratory has reported that extracellular dopamine concentrations in striatum and nucleus accumbens are greater in female rats that are engaging in paced sex compared with those engaging in nonpaced sex. Furthermore, females who have males removed at their preferred intervals during a copulatory bout show extracellular dopamine concentrations comparable to females engaging in paced sex. It is unclear, however, whether they would also develop a conditioned place preference for sex under such conditions. This experiment was designed to address this question. Female rats had six exposures each to a chamber in which they engaged in nonpaced sex and a chamber in which they engaged in paced or preferred pacing interval sex. Following conditioning trials, females were tested for a conditioned place preference. The findings indicate that female rats develop conditioned place preferences for paced sex and for sex in which the male is removed at her preferred interval. This suggests that sexual behavior is reinforcing to female rats when their preferred interval is achieved, whether or not they are actively controlling the rate of copulation.
Aerosolized amikacin in patients with difficult-to-treat pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteriosis.

Patients with pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteriosis (pNTM) may have suboptimum response to conventional antimicrobial therapy. Aerosolized amikacin (aeAmk) was given to nine patients who had failed standard combination oral antimycobacterial drugs. A favorable toxicity profile, even in patients given aeAmk for an extended duration, median 75 ± 85 (range, 18–277) days and total cumulative dose 35,400 ± 30,568 (range, 7,600–95,400) mg, was encouraging, as was the clinical response and resolution of symptoms in 8 of 9 patients. The patient who failed therapy died due to complications arising from prior hematopoietic transplantation. The feasibility and efficacy of aeAmk in combination with oral anti-NTM drug(s) for treatment-refractory disease and, importantly, in primary therapy for pNTM requires validation randomized trials.
Stability of nonlinear time-varying feedback systems

In this paper, the stability of nonlinear time-varying feedback systems is studied using a ''passive operator'' technique. The feedback system is assumed to consist of a linear time-invariant operator G(s) in the forward path and a nonlinear time-varying gain function f(.)K(t) in the feedback path. The stability condition indicates that the bound on the time derivative [dK(t)(dt)] depends both on the nonlinearity f(.) and the multiplier Z(s) chosen to make G(s)Z(s) positive real. It is also shown that the main result in this paper can be specialized to yield many of the results obtained so far for nonlinear time-invariant systems and linear time-varying systems.
Phase variations in atmospheric optical propagation.

Temperature structure in the atmosphere, transported by the wind across a laser beam, produces time variations in the optical path length. Using a He-Ne laser (0.6328 μm) on a 70-m propagation path, we measured the optical phase variations at four different spacings, ρ≤30 cm. Simultaneously, a midpath measurement of wind velocity and temperature structure parameter, CT2, provided the necessary meteorological measurements to compare the observed phase structure function with Tatarski’s theoretical curve. We obtained excellent agreement between theory and experiment. Direct measurements of the outer scale of turbulence, taken continuously over a 24-h period at a height of 1.6 m, indicated an average outer scale of 1.3 m with diurnal variations of ±20%. The frequency spectrum of the received phase difference at each of the four spacings is plotted and its implications for the data-sampling rate are examined. The curves obtained exhibit excellent agreement with the predicted spherical-wave phase-difference frequency spectrum.
Factors Associated with Failure to Screen Newborns for Retinopathy of Prematurity

Objectives To evaluate ROP screening rates in a population-based cohort; and to identify characteristics of patients that were missed. Study design We used the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative data from 2005-2007 for a cross-sectional study. Using eligibility criteria, screening rates were calculated for each hospital. Multivariable regression was used to assess associations between patient clinical and sociodemographic factors and the odds of missing screening. Results Overall rates of missed ROP screening decreased from 18.6% in 2005 to 12.8% in 2007. Higher gestational age (OR = 1.25 for increase of 1 week, 95% CI, 1.21-1.29), higher birth weight (OR = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.10-1.15), and singleton birth (OR = 1.2; 95% CI, 1.07-1.34) were associated with higher probability of missing screening. Level II neonatal intensive care units and neonatal intensive care units with lower volume were more likely to miss screenings. Conclusion Although ROP screening rates improved over time, larger and older infants are at risk for not receiving screening. Furthermore, large variations in screening rates exist among hospitals in California. Identification of gaps in quality of care creates an opportunity to improve ROP screening rates and prevent impaired vision in this vulnerable population.
Integrating explicit path planning with reactive control of mobile robots using Trulla

Abstract This article describes and investigates a method of interleaving explicit path planning with reactive control. The Trulla all-paths planner computes an a priori set of optimal paths. Minor reactions to obstacles and terrain changes serve to switch the robot from the precomputed path to a new precomputed path, eliminating subgoal obsession. Major deviations suggest that the a priori map is significantly wrong; explicit replanning should be triggered to ensure continued progress of the robot. The dot product is used as the intrinsic measure of a major deviation. This methodology is particularly well-suited for computationally bound robots such as planetary rovers and robots operating in indoor environments with a large number of minor unmodeled obstacles. The article describes the Trulla and dot product algorithms, and reports on experimental data collected from a mobile robot under representative scenarios. The method is compared to continuous and fixed frequency replanning under differing environments and robot velocities. The results show that the deferred replanning with the Trulla/dot product methodology produced actual paths similar to more frequent replanning in distance and time but with up to 100 times less computation. The reduced computation led to a 8.75% increase in distance traveled and 24% increase in travel time. In the presence of faulty sensor data, Trulla outperformed the other methods which radically changed the path back and forth due to spurious sensor readings.
The effect of mnemonic upon the retention of paired-associate verbal material

Ninety-six fifth-grade S s were presented with an effective mnemonic before learning, or with a portion of this mnemonic before recall, or with both, in a factorial design. All S s learned the same list, and were tested for recall 1 week later. Results showed that: (a) The mnemonic significantly increased the rate of learning, but had only marginal effects upon retention when degree of learning was equated; and (b) presentation of a portion of the mnemonic before recall did not differentially affect retention, even for S s who had seen the mnemonic before learning. The first result suggests that “mnemonics” might be added to the growing list of factors which have been found to have little or no direct effect upon retention, even though they profoundly influence the rate of original learning.
Localization of authentic thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor in the rat kidney

Localization of authentic thromboxane A 2 /prostaglandin H 2 receptor in the rat kidney . Using a polyclonal antibody against authentic thromboxane A 2 /prostaglandin H 2 (TxA 2 /PGH 2 ) receptor protein, we assessed the distribution of this receptor in the normal rat kidney by routine methods of immunofluorescence microscopy. The receptor localized both in glomeruli and in tubules. In the former, the distribution of the receptor was most prominent along the lumen of glomerular capillary loops. Parietal epithelial cells of the Bowman's capsule, podocytes and mesangial cells also demonstrated immunostainable receptor. In the tubules, the receptor localized most prominently at the base of the brush border of proximal tubules and at the luminal surface of thick ascending limbs and distal convoluted tubules. These observations point to sites that are likely to be targeted by thromboxane A 2 in forms of renal injury characterized by enhanced synthesis of this eicosanoid.
Differential Regulation of the IL-17 Receptor by γc Cytokines INHIBITORY SIGNALING BY THE PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL 3-KINASE PATHWAY

The γc-family cytokine IL-2 activates signaling events that contribute to cell survival and proliferation, the best-studied of which are the STAT-5 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. The starting point of this study was to define genes regulated by the IL-2R-mediated PI3K pathway in T cells. Accordingly, we used an erythropoietin (EPO) receptor chimeric receptor system in which IL-2-dependent HT-2 T cells expressed a mutant EPO-IL-2Rβ construct where Tyr-338 is mutated to Phe. Cells expressing this mutant IL-2Rβ chain fail to induce phosphorylation of PI3K-p85α/β or activate Akt, but mediate normal IL-2-dependent proliferation and activation of JAK1 and STAT-5A/B. Microarray analyses revealed differential regulation of numerous genes compared with cells expressing a wild-type IL-2Rβ, including up-regulation of the IL-17 receptor subunit IL-17RA. Blockade of the PI3K pathway but not p70S6K led to up-regulation of IL-17RA, and constitutive Akt activation was associated with suppressed IL-17RA expression. Moreover, similar to the mutant EPO-IL-2Rβ chimera, IL-15 and IL-21 induced IL-17RA preferentially compared with IL-2, and IL-2 but not IL-15 or IL-21 mediated prolonged activation of the PI3K p85 regulatory subunit. Thus, there are intrinsic signaling differences between IL-2 and IL-15 that can be attributed to differences in activation of the PI3K pathway.
Anti-Black Racism, Gender, and Abolitionist Politics

The world over, when it comes to sentencing and incarceration, the focus inevitably is on boys and men. We see in the United States, however, that younger defendants, including girls, are targeted ...
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rat prolactin

A sensitive and specific competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for rat prolactin was developed using reagents from the National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, Digestive Diseases and Kidney. In this assay soluble prolactin and prolactin adsorbed to a solid-phase support compete for rabbit anti-prolactin antibody binding sites. Therefore, a high concentration of soluble prolactin in the sample will result in a low concentration of antibody immobilized to the adsorbed prolactin. The immobilized antibody-prolactin complex is detected and quantified using goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G covalently conjugated to the enzyme horseradish peroxidase. Assay parameters were optimized by investigating the concentration of reagents and the reaction kinetics in each of the assay steps. The assay can be performed in 24 h. A sensitivity range of 0.06 to 6 ng in the region of 90 to 10% binding was obtained. Near 50% binding (0.6 ng), the intraassay coefficient of variation (CV) was 4.2% and the interassay CV was 7.6%. The correlation between radioimmunoassay and the ELISA was 0.868. Selected applications of the assay are described. The assay should prove a useful alternative to the radioimmunoassay in those instances where steps involving the use of 125I become limiting, for example, iodination facility and gamma counter availability or prolonged reagent storage.
Excited states of the mirror nuclei, Li7 and Be7

By studying the alpha-particles emitted in the disintegration of B10 by protons it has been shown that there exists an excited state in Be7 at 434.4±4 kev which corresponds to the well-known first excited state in the mirror nucleus, Li7. Measurements on the inelastic scattering of protons in Li7 yield a value 479.0±1.0 kev for the energy of the Li7*. The existence of these mirror states adds support to the equality of the p-p and n-n interactions exclusive of electrostatic and magnetic forces. The small difference, 45±4 kev, in the excitation energies is larger than second-order electric effects and is believed to be consistent with the order of magnitude of magnetic interactions in nuclei. The splitting of the ground and excited states must arise in some specific property of the nuclear interactions. In connection with the energy determinations, a detailed discussion is given of the precise measurements of the Q-values of nuclear reactions employing high resolution analyzers, electrostatic and magnetic, in the determination of particle energies. Experimental determinations of the cross sections for B10(p,α)Be7, B10(p,α′)Be7*(γ)Be7, B10(p,p)B10, Li7(p,p)Li7, and Li7(p,p′)Li7*(γ)Li7 are given.
Species-level diversification of African dwarf crocodiles (Genus Osteolaemus): a geographic and phylogenetic perspective.

The taxonomy of the African dwarf crocodile (genus Osteolaemus) has been disputed since a novel morphotype was discovered in the early 20th Century. Because this poorly-known reptile is widely hunted throughout the forests of Central and West Africa, resolving the existence and extent of taxonomic units has important management and conservation implications. Lack of molecular data from individuals of known origin and historical disagreement on diagnostic morphological characters have hindered attempts to settle one of the most important taxonomic questions in the Crocodylia. In an effort to clarify the evolutionary relationships among dwarf crocodiles, we sequenced three mitochondrial and two nuclear genes using a large sample of dwarf crocodiles from known localities across major drainage basins of forested Africa. Concordant results from Bayesian, maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and population aggregation analytical methods support a previously recognized division of the dwarf crocodile into a Congo Basin form (O. osborni) and a West African form (Osteolaemus tetraspis), but also reveal a third diagnosable lineage from West Africa warranting recognition as an separate taxonomic unit. Corrected genetic distances between geographic regions ranged from 0.2% to 0.6% in nuclear fragments and 10.0 to 16.2% in mitochondrial COI. Population aggregation, using fixed and alternate character (nucleotide) states to cluster or divide populations, recovered 232 such molecular characters in 4286 bp of sequence data and unambiguously aggregated populations into their respective geographic clade. Several previously recognized morphological differences coincide with our molecular analysis to distinguish Congo Basin crocodiles from the Ogooue Basin and West Africa. Discrete morphological characters have not yet been documented between the latter two regions, suggesting further work is needed or molecular data may be required to recognize taxonomic divisions in cases where putative species are morphologically cryptic. This study highlights the importance of using widespread taxon sampling and a multiple evidence approach to diagnose species boundaries and reveal cryptic diversity.
Synthesis and characterization of sulphonated polyurethane ionomers based on toluene diisocyanate

Abstract A series of elastomeric sulphonated polyurethane ionomers based on toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and one of three polyols was studied. These materials contain no chain extender; all elastomeric character is due to ionic aggregation. The choice of cation has little effect on the glass transition temperature of the matrix, which decreases with polyol molecular weight. The rubbery plateau modulus was found to vary with cation and casting solvent due to differing degrees of phase separation between ionic and polyol material. The ultimate properties of ionomers based on poly(tetramethylene oxide) polyols suggest that stress crystallization occurs at high elongations, in analogy with segmented polyurethanes and ionenes. However, the strain required to develop crystallinity varied wth the neutralizing cation, due to relaxation of the matrix chains by ion-hopping, as shown by stress-strain testing and infra-red dichroism data.
The sensitivity of rule combinations for scheduling in a hybrid job shop

Much of the research literature in job shop scheduling deals with pure job shop environments. However, currently most processes involve a hybrid of both the job shop and a flow shop with a combination of flexible and conventional machine tools. Presents a study of such a job shop under varying conditions and performance criteria. Argues that for scheduling in this environment, certain combinations of scheduling rules should be utilized under different arrival rates and for different job types. A simulation model is developed using a hypothetical hybrid job shop to study the performance of rule combinations with variations in arrival rates and processing times. The performance criteria used are flowtime as a measure of work‐in‐process inventory, tardiness for JIT, and throughput for completed items inventory. It was found that rule combination performance varied with the performance criteria. Furthermore, it was found that the combinations were sensitive to arrival rates and processing times. Concludes, fr...
Geographic distribution of leukemia in Hawaii

In a survey of the place of residence of 131 cases of leukemia diagnosed in Hawaii from 1954 to 1964, inclusive, no “high risk areas” or “clusters” of leukemia as to time or space were found.
Hot Potatoes: Chinese Complaint Systems from Early Times to the Late Qing (1898)

This essay is a first attempt at examining the origins and development of Chinese complaint systems before 1900, so as to understand the nature and character of this institution in historical perspective. The essay argues that the Chinese complaint system originated as an informal system in the pre-Han period and developed gradually from the late Han to the Sui. The Tang first institutionalized such a system and distinguished three major forms of complaints: direct, jumping, and gradual appeals. Subsequent states generally followed the Tang model but also made significant changes. Chinese rulers, deeply influenced by the Confucian concept of minben (people as the foundation of the state) and by notions of heaven-human interaction (tianren ganying), tended to accept illegal appeals no matter how annoying they were for fear that any grievance might prompt heavenly punishments, while complainants regarded their appeals as a natural right no matter how useless they were. In this way, the complaint system become a hot potato for rulers that was too hot to hold but too valuable to drop.
Epistemological understanding and the development of intellectual values

We propose a concept of intellectual values as (a) shared within a group and defined by the extent to which intellectual engagement is regarded as worthwhile to the group’s interests, (b) supported by an epistemological belief system, and (c) an important dimension of sociocultural practice and learning. A series of studies is described in which assessments of intellectual values and epistemological beliefs were found to show similar patterns of variation across cultural and subcultural groups of parents and children. Such groups may play a role in highlighting to their youth the intrinsic value of intellectual engagement (versus its instrumental value in achieving individual recognition and status). Intrinsically valued intellectual engagement, we suggest, provides the firmest basis for sustaining intellectual motivation through adolescence and into adulthood. Developing mature epistemological understanding, moreover, is key to this enterprise.
Power and Dependence in Intimate Exchange

A division of labor is mediated by exchange of valued goods and services. We use social exchange theory to extend this principal to "labors of love." Sexual activity in a close personal relationship seems outside the domain of bargaining and exchange. Nevertheless, we explore the possibility that this most intimate of human relations is influenced by exchange mechanisms. We derive exchange-theoretic predictions about the level of sexual effort and test these using U.S. survey data on sexual behavior. Results provide modest support for the predictions. Sexual favors are reciprocated, and individuals offer greater sexual gratification to partners who are themselves more sexually generous and less emotionally attached. Evidence is inconclusive for the effects of relative income, physical attractiveness and household chores.
Marital Discord and Dysphoria: For Whom does the Marital Relationship Predict Depressive Symptomatology?

The article examines the ability of early and concurrent relationship satisfaction to predict newlyweds' level of depression. The sample was composed of 241 couples, all of whom were white, responding to advertisements for couples about to marry. Both spouses were assessed prior to marriage and at 6 and 18 months after marriage. Marital relationship variables were found to be predictive of later depressive symptomatology for all spouses, but a chronically dysphoric subsample was found to be more reactive to changes in marital adjustment. The results are taken as support for the hypothesis that those who are chronically dysphoric are more vulnerable to stresses within the marital relationship. There was no evidence that the prospective effect of marriage on later symptoms was moderated by gender.
A micropatterning approach for imaging dynamic Cx43 trafficking to cell-cell borders

The precise expression and timely delivery of connexin 43 (Cx43) proteins to form gap junctions are essential for electrical coupling of cardiomyocytes. Growing evidence supports a cytoskeletal-based trafficking paradigm for Cx43 delivery directly to adherens junctions at the intercalated disc. A limitation of Cx43 localization assays in cultured cells, in which cell–cell contacts are essential, is the inability to control for cell geometry or reproducibly generate contact points. Here we present a micropatterned cell pairing system well suited for live microscopy to examine how the microtubule and actin cytoskeleton confer specificity to Cx43 trafficking to precisely defined cell–cell junctions. This system can be adapted for other cell types and used to study dynamic intracellular movements of other proteins important for cell–cell communication.
Myelin integrity mediates age-related slowing in cognitive processing speed in a sample of healthy elderly men

concerned the subiculum (r1⁄4 0.64; p< 10-5), a slighter effectwas found for CA1 (r 1⁄4 0.36; p 1⁄4 0.004), whereas the other subfields were spared (r 1⁄4 0.02; p 1⁄4 0.90). Subicular volume positively correlated to WM density in the posterior CC, the cingulum bundle and the fornix (Figure b). This association was still significant when controlling for age. No significant correlation was found for CA1 nor the Other subfields. Conclusions: We showed that with aging, WM undergoes extensive changes encompassing frontal but also limbic areas. Besides, WM density in limbic areas is correlated to the shrinkage of the subiculum, the major hippocampal output sending fibres through the fornix and to the retrosplenial cortex. It is thus likely that age-related alterations in the subiculum and in these WM tracts are related, and together participate to the impairment of a common brain network.
Cyclic sulfates containing acid-sensitive groups and chemoselective hydrolysis of sulfate esters

Abstract Diols containing acid-sensitive functionalities such as acetonide and silyloxy groups are efficiently converted to the corresponding cyclic sulfates via formation of the cyclic sulfites in the presence of a base and oxidation of the isolated sulfites using catalytic RuO4. Reactions of these cyclic sulfates with nucleophiles such as azide and benzoate provide sulfates, which can be successfully hydrolyzed by using a catalytic amount of sulfuric acid and 0.5∼1.0 eq of water in THF.
Propagation networks for recognition of partially ordered sequential action

We present propagation networks (P-nets), a novel approach for representing and recognizing sequential activities that include parallel streams of action. We represent each activity using partially ordered intervals. Each interval is restricted by both temporal and logical constraints, including information about its duration and its temporal relationship with other intervals. P-nets associate one node with each temporal interval. Each node is triggered according to a probability density function that depends on the state of its parent nodes. Each node also has an associated observation function that characterizes supporting perceptual evidence. To facilitate real-time analysis, we introduce a particle filter framework to explore the conditional state space. We modify the original condensation algorithm to more efficiently sample a discrete state space (D-condensation). Experiments in the domain of blood glucose monitor calibration demonstrate both the representational power of P-nets and the effectiveness of the D-condensation algorithm.
Biocidal effects of aqueous extract of the roots of Anacyclus pyrethrum (Asteraceae) on Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) (Coleoptera : Bruchidae)

In Morocco, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) (Coleoptera : Bruchidae) causes very important damage on the seeds of stocked Leguminosae ; its control is carried out exclusively by synthetic insecticides which are harmful for both Man and Environment. Pesticides based on plants constitute an alternative solution in the synthetic insecticides. Many studies have focused on improving forms of using plants that enhance and leverage their insecticidal activity (alcoholic and aqueous extracts, essential oils, etc..). In this study, we sought to evaluate the potentialities of the aqueous extract of the roots of Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) (Asteraceae) against adults, eggs and the emerging of C. maculatus . The tests were carried out on seeds of Cicer arietinum (L.) (Leguminosae) in the temperature of 28.0 ± 2.0°C, photoperiod 12/12 and relating humidity from 70 to 75%. The results obtained showed that the aqueous extract of A. pyrethrum has an interesting insecticide effect against the adults of C. maculatus . It reduced longevity, fecundity, fertility, success rate and it increases the number of non-fertile eggs of these insects, especially for the high doses. This indicates that a durable protection and at low cost against this beetle is possible by using the aqueous extract of A. pyrethrum, which can represent an interesting alternative solution to chemical insecticides.
WARP, a Unified Wireless Network Testbed for Education and Research

In this paper, we introduce the wireless open-access research platform (WARP) developed at CMC lab, Rice University. WARP provides a scalable and configurable platform mainly designed to prototype wireless communication algorithms for educational and research oriented applications. Its programmability and flexibility makes it easy to implement various physical and network layer protocols and standards. Moreover, the online open-access WARP repository is used to document and share different wireless architectures and cross-layer designs developed at educational and research centers. This repository is a fast and easy solution for students and researchers with a wide range of backgrounds in hardware implementation and algorithm development to collaborate and initiate multi-disciplinary system designs.
Towards “on the fly” performance models for conservative asynchronous protocols

We present a simple model of communication costs for conservative asynchronous simulations using a bus structure. Not only is this a useful communication structure in practice, but it places some constraints on communication which make it more amenable for "on the fly" characterizations. Overall, the model shows, promise when evaluated using test cases not involved in the model building. Most of the characterizations can be computed using simple formulas parameterized with variables obtained from the input program. A few characterizations are more complex, but these can be estimated by applying a sequence of simple functions.
Convergence analysis of the Navier-Stokes alpha model

We consider the Navier–Stokes-alpha (NS-α) model as an approximation of turbulent flows under nonperiodic boundary conditions. We prove global existence and uniqueness of weak solutions of the particular model. Further, we give full discretization of the model using the finite element approximations. Finally, we prove convergence of the method to the continuous NS-α solution as h 0 for a constant α. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2010
Peripheral intravenous line skills among pediatrics and medicine-pediatrics residents at a single tertiary care center

Objectives: To assess pediatrics residents’ self-reported competency in placing peripheral intravenous (IV) lines at baseline; to conduct a peripheral intravenous simulationbased training session for residents; and to measure peripheral intravenous (PIV) competency on manikins following the intervention as well as changes in scores of self-reported knowledge, confidence, and success from baseline. Methods: Pediatrics residents at Arkansas Children’s Hospital participated in the study and completed a baseline survey assessing PIV knowledge, confidence, and success, and then attended a PIV training session in 2011. Training included a didactic session followed by demonstration on manikins. Residents completed an immediate postintervention survey and a follow-up survey at 3 months. Primary outcomes were successful demonstrations of PIV skills as assessed by a PIV competency checklist. Secondary outcomes were increased self-reported scores of knowledge, confidence, and success with PIV placement. Forty-two residents completed the pre-intervention survey. Thirty-two finished the educational session and completed the initial survey. Thirty-one completed the survey at 3 months. Results: Thirty (94%) residents were successful in demonstrating PIV competency. Participants’ self-reported knowledge and confidence in PIV line placement improved significantly after this educational session, both immediately after and at 3 months, but overall confidence remained low, and there was no increase in success. Conclusions: Pediatric residents’ self-reported competency with PIV placement is low. PIV training achieves residents’ competency on a manikin, and improves perceived knowledge and confidence scores but overall confidence remains low. Such training should be supported by opportunities to place PIVs on real patients.
Transient Signal Distortion in Silicon-Based Interconnects over Thin-Film Metal Ground Layers

This paper studies the effect of the embedded thin-film metallization layer, normally designed as ground plane, on the transient characteristics of pulse propagation in silicon-based multilayer interconnects. The spectral domain approach (SDA) and FFT are used to analyze an on-chip thin-film microstrip line (TFMSL) structure. It is found that such thin-film metallization can excite the slow wave. And the thickness factor has great influences on the signal distortion.
Stability Results for Neural Networks

In the present paper we survey and utilize results from the qualitative theory of large scale interconnected dynamical systems in order to develop a qualitative theory for the Hopfield model of neural networks. In our approach we view such networks as an interconnection of many single neurons. Our results are phrased in terms of the qualitative properties of the individual neurons and in terms of the properties of the interconnecting structure of the neural networks. Aspects of neural networks which we address include asymptotic stability, exponential stability, and instability of an equilibrium; estimates of trajectory bounds; estimates of the domain of attraction of an asymptotically stable equilibrium; and stability of neural networks under structural perturbations.
Respiratory distress caused by a hydatid cyst.

A man was seen in the pulmonary clinic for complaints of exertional shortness of breath and nonproductive cough of about 5 months’ duration. He did not have chest pain, hemoptysis, palpitations, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, or any abdominal complaints. He denied contact with livestock or pet animals. His past medical history was not significant. General physical examination revealed an apparently healthy-looking adult male in no respiratory distress with no abnormal physical findings. Systems review including
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND (NAVAIR) UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) / UNMANNED COMBAT AERIAL VEHICLE (UCAV) DISTRIBUTED SIMULATION INFRASTRUCTURE *

This paper describes the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) / unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) distributed simulation infrastructure. This highly flexible and powerful infrastructure was exercised in a realistic interoperability demonstration. In this effort, the adopted scenario successfully ran as planned from beginning to end with a direct hit on the intended target. This demonstration established the value that NAVAIR brings, through the modeling and simulation tools offered in its facilities, to fully develop and exploit the capabilities and interoperability of UAVs and UCAVs. The exercise provided a baseline for a linked UAV infrastructure. However, some suggested modifications would greatly improve the fidelity and enhance the capabilities of the demonstration. The ultimate product would facilitate studying the interactions between UAVs and UCAVs to enhance our warfighters’ capabilities.
Functional interaction of the HTLV-1 transactivator Tax with activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4)

The Tax protein of the Human T-cell Leukemia Virus (HTLV) activates the expression of viral mRNA through a three 21 bp repeat enhancer located within the HTLV-1 LTR. Since Tax does not bind to the 21 bp DNA repeats directly, it has been speculated that Tax interacts with cellular protein(s) which mediate binding to the enhancer. We employed the yeast two hybrid system to identify host proteins that are potentially relevant to Tax transactivation. We identified a Tax binding protein encoded from a cDNA expression library derived from peripheral blood lymphocytes. The corresponding cDNA has sequence identity with a known transcription factor, activating factor-4 (ATF-4). ATF-4 also binds to GST-Tax fusion protein in vitro. Tax mutants that did not transactivate the HTLV-1 LTR also failed to bind ATF-4. The critical domain for Tax binding resides in a 85 amino acid stretch in the C-terminus of ATF-4, which contains the basic domain and leucine zipper. We further demonstrated that both full length and N-terminal truncated ATF-4 were able to enhance Tax transactivation. Thus, ATF-4 may act as an adapter between Tax and the TRE (Tax responsive element), and play an important role in Tax-mediated transactivation.
Applying the Marketing Concept to Nurse Recruitment Strategies

Although it is recommended that nonprofit organizations adopt a marketing orientation, little is known about how well these organizations succeed. This paper analyzes the area of nurse recruitment to see whether hospitals have adopted a marketing orientation. This study analyzes the organizations’ actual performance by measuring newspaper want ads.
An Interview with Jamie Meseke, MSM, CCRA

![Figure][1] From earning a degree in Russian language and international studies to working as a clinical team manager for PPD, Jamie Meseke’s unusual career path shows the myriad possibilities available once you are bitten by the clinical research bug. Q: How did you first became