cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Air toxics and birth defects: a Bayesian hierarchical approach to evaluate multiple pollutants and spina bifida

While there is evidence that maternal exposure to benzene is associated with spina bifida in offspring, to our knowledge there have been no assessments to evaluate the role of multiple hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) simultaneously on the risk of this relatively common birth defect. In the current study, we evaluated the association between maternal exposure to HAPs identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and spina bifida in offspring using hierarchical Bayesian modeling that includes Stochastic Search Variable Selection (SSVS). The Texas Birth Defects Registry provided data on spina bifida cases delivered between 1999 and 2004. The control group was a random sample of unaffected live births, frequency matched to cases on year of birth. Census tract-level estimates of annual HAP levels were obtained from the U.S. EPA’s 1999 Assessment System for Population Exposure Nationwide. Using the distribution among controls, exposure was categorized as high exposure (>95th percentile), medium exposure (5th-95th percentile), and low exposure ( 0.80). We identified two out of 25 HAPs with a Bayes factor greater than 1: quinoline (ORhigh = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.11-3.87, Bayes factor = 1.01) and trichloroethylene (ORmedium = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.14-3.61, Bayes factor = 3.79). Overall there is evidence that quinoline and trichloroethylene may be significant contributors to the risk of spina bifida. Additionally, the use of Bayesian hierarchical models with SSVS is an alternative approach in the evaluation of multiple environmental pollutants on disease risk. This approach can be easily extended to environmental exposures, where novel approaches are needed in the context of multi-pollutant modeling.
A Review of: “Faith At State: A Handbook For Christians At Secular Universities”

Rick Kennedy is Associate Professor of History at Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, Indiana. Professor Kennedy's purpose in writing the book is to help the university student get the most o...
Spatial patterning of bone stiffness in the anterior mandibular corpus of Macaca fascicularis: Implications for models of bone adaptation

Elastic modulus of bone from the anterior mandibular corpus was determined via microindentation in a mixed-sex ontogenetic sample (N = 14) of Macaca fascicularis. This investigation focused on the hypothesis that material heterogeneity in the macaque mandibular symphysis—provided an accounting of age and sex variation—is explicable as a means to homogenize strains in this region. Experimental data and theoretical models of masticatory loading indicate that in the absence of material compensation, large strain gradients exist in the anterior mandibular corpus of macaques, particularly between lingual and labial cortical plates owing to the effects of lateral transverse bending. Microindentation data indicate that juvenile macaques possess less stiff bone than their subadult and adult counterparts; however, sex differences in elastic modulus are not apparent. Anisotropy variation is idiosyncratic; that is, there is not a common pattern of variation in stiffness sampled among orthogonal planes across individuals. Similarly, differences in stiffness between lingual and labial cortical plates, as well as differences among alveolar, midcorpus, and basal regions are inconsistently observed. Consequently, we find little evidence in support of the hypothesis that spatial variation in bone stiffness functions to homogenize strains in the anterior corpus; in fact, in some individuals, this spatial variation serves to exacerbate, rather than to minimize, strain gradients. The mechanical benefit of elastic modulus variation in the macaque mandibular symphysis is unclear; this variation may not confer adaptive benefit in terms of structural integrity despite the fact that such variation has discernible functional consequences. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:649–660, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Weaker Gulf Stream in the Florida Straits during the Last Glacial Maximum

As it passes through the Florida Straits, the Gulf Stream consists of two main components: the western boundary flow of the wind-driven subtropical gyre and the northward-flowing surface and intermediate waters which are part of the ‘global conveyor belt’, compensating for the deep water that is exported from the North Atlantic Ocean1. The mean flow through the Straits is largely in geostrophic balance and is thus reflected in the contrast in seawater density across the Straits2. Here we use oxygen-isotope ratios of benthic foraminifera which lived along the ocean margins on the boundaries of the Florida Current during the Last Glacial Maximum to determine the density structure in the water and thereby reconstruct transport through the Straits using the geostrophic method—a technique which has been used successfully for estimating present-day flow3. Our data suggest that during the Last Glacial Maximum, the density contrast across the Florida Straits was reduced, with the geostrophic flow, referenced to the bottom of the channel, at only about two-thirds of the modern value. If the wind-driven western boundary flow was not lower during the Last Glacial Maximum than today, these results indicate a significantly weaker conveyor-belt component of the Gulf Stream compared to present-day values. Whereas previous studies based on tracers suggested that deep waters of North Atlantic origin were not widespread during glacial times, indicating either a relatively weak or a shallow overturning cell, our results provide evidence that the overturning cell was indeed weaker during glacial times.
Symplectite breakdown of Ca-rich almandines in upper amphibolite-facies Skagit Gneiss, North Cascades, Washington

In upper amphibolite-facies Skagit Gneiss, certain rocks, usually carrying hornblende, display post-kinematic breakdown of almandine-rich garnets to symplectite consisting of plagioclase plus biotite and/or hornblende. Other almandine-rich garnets, widespread in hornblende-free schists and gneisses, remained stable to the end of the metamorphic cycle. Analysed garnets with symplectite coronas have 14 to 30 mol.% grandite. A set of garnets free of such coronas have 6 to 9% grandite and contain relatively more pyrope.
The emperor's new password manager: security analysis of web-based password managers

We conduct a security analysis of five popular web-based password managers. Unlike "local" password managers, web-based password managers run in the browser. We identify four key security concerns for web-based password managers and, for each, identify representative vulnerabilities through our case studies. Our attacks are severe: in four out of the five password managers we studied, an attacker can learn a user's credentials for arbitrary websites. We find vulnerabilities in diverse features like one-time passwords, bookmarklets, and shared passwords. The root-causes of the vulnerabilities are also diverse: ranging from logic and authorization mistakes to misunderstandings about the web security model, in addition to the typical vulnerabilities like CSRF and XSS. Our study suggests that it remains to be a challenge for the password managers to be secure. To guide future development of password managers, we provide guidance for password managers. Given the diversity of vulnerabilities we identified, we advocate a defense-in-depth approach to ensure security of password managers.
Metastable Immiscibility Surface in the System Na2O‐B2O3‐SiO2*

Opalescence and clearing techniques were used to determine the metastable immiscibility surface for sodium borosilicate solutions. These results indicate that a three-liquid region, which may or may not be metastable to two-liquid regions, underlies the immiscibility surface.
Comparing government redistribution across countries: The problem of second-order effects

Objective. We offer an alternative to the conventional measure of government redistribution that seeks to address problems of second-order effects whereby income guarantees arising from public pensions make it less necessary for people to save for their retirement, rendering the “pregovernment” counterfactual to the observed postgovernment distribution unrealistic. Method. We use household-level data from the Luxembourg Income Study to calculate an alternative measure of government redistribution that includes public-sector pensions in “pregovernment” income alongside private-sector pensions, on the assumption that each represents a claim on future income. Results. Employing the alternative method described in the article results in lower values for redistribution than the conventional measure. Conclusion. We suggest that our alternative method be used in addition to the conventional method in cross-national research, in an effort to achieve a more complete understanding of government redistribution in the developed countries.
High-T/sub c/ superconductivity seeks a digital home

Two obvious applications of high-T/sub c/ superconductors are discussed: the use of Josephson technology at 77 K and the use of high-T/sub c/ lines for interconnects. The difficulties that must be addressed for each of these is discussed, and the prospects for overcoming them are assessed. The need to achieve full compatibility with polymers is stressed. >
Down-regulation of collagen and connective tissue growth factor expression with hepatocyte growth factor in lung fibroblasts from white scleroderma patients via two signaling pathways

Objective To study the mechanisms by which hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) down-regulates collagen and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in scleroderma (systemic sclerosis [SSc]) lung fibroblasts. Methods CTGF, type I collagen, and IκBα expression, together with MAPK phosphorylation, were studied by immunoblotting of lung fibroblasts derived from white SSc patients. Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) expression in cell culture medium samples was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, MMP-1 activity was studied using an MMP-1 assay, and NF-κB DNA binding activity was determined using a transcription factor assay. Results In lung fibroblasts from white SSc patients, HGF activated MAPK (ERK-1/2) signaling pathways and MMP-1, while it inhibited NF-κB and significantly down-regulated CTGF and collagen in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)–mediated depletion of Grb2 expression disrupted c-Met receptor downstream signaling, which resulted in diminished HGF-induced ERK-1/2 phosphorylation and the recovery of HGF-inhibited expression of MMP-1, NF-κB, collagen, and CTGF. The MAPK inhibitor, U0126, blocked MMP-1 activity and restored HGF-inhibited collagen and CTGF accumulation. Inhibition of MMP activity by MMP inhibitor GM1489 and inhibition of MMP-1 expression by siRNA did not prevent HGF-induced ERK-1/2 phosphorylation and NF-κB activity, but significantly restored HGF-inhibited collagen and CTGF accumulation. NF-κB inhibitor BAY 11-7082 did not interfere with MAPK phosphorylation or MMP-1 expression and activation, but significantly inhibited NF-κB DNA binding activity and acted synergistically with HGF to completely diminish the expression of CTGF. Conclusion In lung fibroblasts from white SSc patients, HGF down-regulates the accumulation of CTGF via MAPK/MMP-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways, whereas collagen down-regulation is mediated mainly by a MAPK/MMP-1–dependent pathway.
Identification and characterization of a putative light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein gene encoded at a fertility restorer locus for the Ogura CMS in Brassica napus L.

The nuclear-encoded fertility restorer locus for Ogura radish cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) was previously transferred from radish into Brassica napus through intergeneric crosses, with the putative restorer gene(s) being expressed in leaves and flower buds. To identify transcripts corresponding to this restorer locus, we performed a PCR-selected cDNA subtraction using leaf mRNA from the restorer line and its recurrent parent. The resulting library was differentially screened using the subtracted cDNAs for the library itself and the cDNAs from the reverse subtraction (recurrent parent subtracted against the restorer line). Forty-eight cDNA clones were isolated based on their specific hybridization with cDNAs for the library construction. Sequence analyses revealed that these 48 clones correspond to only three different genes: two light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein (Cab) genes and one chloroplast-encoded gene (a chloroplast 50S ribosomal protein gene). Of the two putative Cab genes, one showed polymorphism on the Southern blot with the EcoRI-digested genomic DNA from the restorer line and its recurrent parent. Segregation analyses confirmed that this putative Cab gene comes from radish DNA and co-segregates with the restorer locus. A sequence comparison of this putative Cab gene with its homeolog in Brassica napus revealed that (1) their coding regions share a 94% similarity, (2) they differ in the size of the intron, and (3) they are identical in the deduced amino acid sequences, except that the one encoded at the restorer locus contained an additional alanine at position 34.
The Fifth Column---Prolegomena on Promoting Practice or Pecksniff, Götz von Berlichingen, Symptoms & Reality

I think that I have had about enough of the Pecksniffian Hypocrisy that masquerades for promotion and tenure policies in business schools today. My especial outrage is directed at those departments of OR/MS that claim to turn out useful people for industry, but promote teachers on the basis of publishing theoretical trash. I realize that there has been much hand-wringing by professors and deans on the general order of: “What can we do, it's the system?” Well, I will now tell you in no uncertain terms what I did in one recent case. I do not advocate that everyone try it, but some of my readers may find the approach to follow has some utility. The procedure uses the old familiar motivators of fear, greed and humorous intimidation employed by me previously.
Toward Integrating Our Research Scope: A Sociocultural Field Methodology

Technical communicators have recently become interested in user-centered design (UCD) for designing and evaluating technical genres. Yet, a critical examination of the field methods of UCD suggests that they suffer from unintegrated scope: an undesirably limiting focus on a particular level of scope (either the macroscopic level of human activity or the mesoscopic level of goal-directed action) in their theoretical underpinnings and data collection and analysis. This focus is often paired with the assumption that this particular level of scope causally affects what happens at the other levels. Both the focus and the assumption are at odds with sociocultural theories of human activity. This article lays out the problem of unintegrated scope and examines it through critical analyses of two field methods used in UCD research. It concludes by proposing an integrated-scope research methodology for UCD research, with roots in both sociocultural theory and the central issues of technical communication.
Influences of Gibberellic Acid on Metabolism of Indoleacetic Acid, Acetate, and Glucose in Roots of Higher Plants.

The major effects of the gibberellins (GA) on plants have been reviewed recently (13, 14) but no definite linkage with any metabolic pathway has been established. In their study of photosynthesis in gibberellin treated leaves Haber and Tolbert (8) concluded that gibberellic acid neither enhanced the rate of CO2 fixation per unit of leaf tissue nor altered the general pathways of short time metabolism of the newly fixed C140 in the sugars, organic acids, and amino acid products. In long term experiments, great charnges in carbohydrate constituents of gibberellin treated plants have been reported (4, 9). Inhibition in the level of indoleacetic acid oxidase by gibberellic acid has been reported by Pilet (12). However, Brian and Hemming (5) did not find a similar effect in their system. Recently, Galston and Warburg (7) suggested a possible action of gibberellin through an auxin-sparing mechanism by way of the formation of IAA oxidase inhibitor. It is the purpose of this paper to describe the results of experiments on the influence of GA on plant metabolism. In the method used, plant tissue was first pre-treated with GA and then incubated with a selected isotopically labeled substrate. Samples of the tissue were then harvested after several hours of incubation. The influence of GA on the metabolism of the material was determined bv comparing the extents of the labeled atoms whicl have been metabolized and incorporated into other compouncls between the control and treated tissues.
MHD stable regime of the Tokamak

A broad family of Tokamak current profiles is found to be stable against ideal and resistive MHD king modes for 1 1, current profiles can be found that are unstable only to the m=1, n=1 mode. A specific 'optimal' Tokamak profile can be selected from the range of stable solutions, by imposing a common upper limit on dj/dr-corresponding in ohmic equilibrium to a limitation of dT3/dr by anomalous transport.
The 5th International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Annual Meeting, June 2007.

This report presents highlights of discussions that focused on the biology of cancer stem cells as conducted at the fifth Annual Meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, held in Cairns, Australia, June 17–20, 2007. The function of adult stem cells is believed to depend on their niches, that is, the microenvironment in which these stem cells reside. A similar concept applies to understanding the development of cancer, as it is becoming increasingly clear that only a small subset of cancer cell populations is capable of initiating/sustaining tumor formation. These tumorigenic cells, commonly referred to as cancer stem cells, also appear to reside in particular niches, and they bear the known, albeit dysfunctional, stem cell characteristics of self-renewal and differentiation. Dysregulation of stem cell niches is thought to contribute to tumorigenesis by affecting the complex network of signaling interactions that occur between stem cells and their neighboring cells, thus imbalancing the physiological controls on self-renewal and differentiation processes. This hypothesis was widely explored at the conference to shed new light on the mechanisms of tumor origin and progression and to unveil novel antitumor therapeutic approaches. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Tapping the Principal Pipeline: Identifying Talent for Future School Leadership in the Absence of Formal Succession Management Programs.

Purpose: In light of the difficulty many districts face finding quality principal candidates, this article explores an informal recruitment mechanism of teachers to become principals, which the aut...
Population Viability Analysis of Atlantic Salmon in Maine, USA

Abstract Populations of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in eight rivers of Maine, USA, are listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This listing has required the creation of measurable and objective delisting criteria. One component of these criteria is the determination of the abundance levels associated with recovered populations. Population viability analysis (PVA) was chosen as the method to estimate these recovery levels because it (1) formalizes the combination of information available on the species. (2) quantifies the uncertainty in the population parameters and evaluates the impact of this uncertainty on the probability of extinction, and (3) allows examination of potential management strategies. A PVA specific to the Atlantic salmon populations in Maine was conducted based on the life history characteristics of the endangered populations (i.e., multiple ages of return from sea, kelting, river-specific habitat limitations, and use of stocking as a recovery tool). The model was veri...
On the variations of the solar wind magnetic field about the Parker spiral direction

[1] Using ACE, Helios, and OMNI2 measurements, the direction vectors of the solar wind magnetic field are statistically analyzed. Two populations of direction vectors are found: a Gaussian distribution about the Parker spiral direction and an isotropic population. Examination of the isotropic population finds ejecta, long-duration non-Parker spiral intervals, magnetic depressions, heliospheric-current-sheet crossings, and spillover from the Gaussian population. Via numerical experiments, spillover in spherical coordinates from the Gaussian population into the isotropic population is explored and quantified. ACE measurements find that the angular width of the Gaussian Parker spiral population increases with solar wind speed. Examining the properties of the two populations year by year, no clear solar-cycle trends are found. Inside the compression regions of corotating interaction regions, the longitudinal width of the Gaussian Parker spiral population decreases by about a factor of two, while the latitudinal width of that population is approximately unchanged. Helios measurements find that the angular width of the Gaussian Parker spiral population decreases closer to the Sun, and the isotropic fraction decreases. The flux tube model of the solar wind structure is compared with spacecraft measurements: the model approximately agrees with the Helios behavior versus the distance from the Sun, and the model approximately agrees with the ACE behavior in the corotating interaction region compressions.
Improved global maps and 54-year history of wind-work on ocean inertial motions

[1] The global distribution and 54-year time dependence of the energy-flux from the wind to near-inertial motions is computed by driving a slab mixed-layer model with NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis winds, improving upon previous estimates [Alford, 2001; Watanabe and Hibiya, 2002]. The slab model is solved spectrally with frequency-dependent damping. The resulting solutions are more physically sensible than the previous, and more skillful at high latitudes, where the inertial frequency approaches the 4×-daily sampling of the Reanalysis winds. This enables Alford's calculation, whose domain was limited to ±50°, to be extended to the poles. The high-latitude reliability is demonstrated by direct comparison with a high-resolution regional model (REMO) in the NE Atlantic. The total power input, 0.47 TW, has increased by 25% since 1948, paralleling observed increases in extratropical cyclone frequency and intensity. If believable, the trend may have important consequences for modulation of the meridional overturning circulation.
Mortgage Lending and American Urbanization, 1880–1890

The connection between the spatial pattern of the urban growth spurt of the 1880s and the mortgage market is an aspect of the familiar capital market segmentation hypothesis that has received little attention. Although mortgage lending expanded most rapidly in the smaller western cities during the decade, I conclude that an underlying pattern of segmentation impeded urbanization in these areas at least until 1890. The initial advantage that segmentation conferred on borrowers in the East was reduced to some extent by binding usury ceilings along the Atlantic seaboard.
Has human evolution stopped

It has been argued that human evolution has stopped because humans now adapt to their environment via cultural evolution and not biological evolution. However, all organisms adapt to their environment, and humans are no exception. Culture defines much of the human environment, so cultural evolution has actually led to adaptive evolution in humans. Examples are given to illustrate the rapid pace of adaptive evolution in response to cultural innovations. These adaptive responses have important implications for infectious diseases, Mendelian genetic diseases, and systemic diseases in current human populations. Moreover, evolution proceeds by mechanisms other than natural selection. The recent growth in human population size has greatly increased the reservoir of mutational variants in the human gene pool, thereby enhancing the potential for human evolution. The increase in human population size coupled with our increased capacity to move across the globe has induced a rapid and ongoing evolutionary shift in how genetic variation is distributed within and among local human populations. In particular, genetic differences between human populations are rapidly diminishing and individual heterozygosity is increasing, with beneficial health effects. Finally, even when cultural evolution eliminates selection on a trait, the trait can still evolve due to natural selection on other traits. Our traits are not isolated, independent units, but rather are integrated into a functional whole, so selection on one trait can cause evolution to occur on another trait, sometimes with mildly maladaptive consequences.
Self assembly in semiconductor microelectronics : Self-aligned sub-lithographic patterning using diblock copolymer thin films

Self-assembling diblock copolymer thin films are an intriguing possible photolithography alternative for high-resolution patterning of advanced integrated circuit device elements. Cylindrical- and lamellar-phase materials spontaneously form patterns suggestive of contact-hole arrays and transistor gates at critical dimensions below 20nm. Besides high resolution, any serious lithographic process requires a means of pattern registration, and we discuss our efforts to develop self-aligned self assembly techniques using diblock copolymer materials. We describe the critical role of polymer surface interactions in affecting self-assembled pattern orientations. Control and design of surface properties allow precise registration of sub-20nm polymer domains to larger-scale lithographic layers.
Need for cognitive rehabilitation for children with sickle cell disease and strokes.

Stroke is a significant cause of morbidity among children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Approximately 30% of children with sickle cell amemia will have either an overt stroke or silent infarct (an injury to the brain that does not have any focal neurological findings or a history of focal neurological deficits). Despite the strong association between stroke and cognitive deficits and poor educational attainment, few interventions have been developed to address this vulnerable population of children. A cognitive rehabilitation program was piloted to improve the memory and educational achievement of children with sickle cell disease and stroke. While the intervention was feasible, additional research is needed to establish efficacy. Ongoing studies are designed to improve the cognitive impairment for children with SCD and stroke. The health and educational systems will need to work as partners to improve the cognitive and educational outcomes of these children after they suffer from stroke.
Consistent initial conditions for singular nonlinear systems

A necessary condition for consistent initial conditions for singular nonlinear systems has been discussed. It is shown that for linear systems or systems of index less than three these conditions are equivlaent to previously reported results. However, for nonlinear systems of index greater than two these new conditions correct those previously reported. One consequence is that Euler's method may fail to estimate solutions for some semi-state equations.
The role of microdamage in tensile failure of graphite/epoxy laminates☆

Abstract Damage development during quasistatic tensile loading of several laminates of graphite/epoxy material is examined and compared to damage development in laminates of a similar graphite/epoxy material subjected to tension-tension fatigue loading. Emphasis is placed upon following damage development at the microstructural level. Evidence of the important role of off-axis ply cracks in localizing and controlling fiber fracture in adjacent load-bearing plies for both loading modes is resented. The relationship between fiber fracture density and static load level is presented for tensile loading of unidirectional and cross-ply laminates by direct observation of fiber fracture in situ. The frequencies of occurrence of multiple adjacent fiber fractures are also reported. The cross-ply laminate results are compared with those from fatigue testing. Significant differences are described and discussed.
What determines an antigen-specific IgE isotypic response ? : a hypothesis

Two models to account for an antigen-specific IgE isotypic response are proposed. Both models assume a first-tiered IgE production induced by antigen and IL-4; however, the processed IgE or Ag-IgE immune complexes stimulate T epsilon cells differently in the two models. In Model I, we propose that T epsilon cells express conventional T-cell receptors which recognize IgE isotypic determinants. Model IA proposes that IgE fragments are processed and recognized along with class II MHC molecules, and T epsilon cell preferentially act on antigen-activated IgE-committed B epsilon cells via recognition of processed membrane IgE determinants but not antigens; thus T epsilon cells are in principle capable of modulating non-antigen-specific polyclonal IgE responses. Model IB proposes that IgE function as a class-restriction determinant for nominal antigens analogous to that of class II molecules, and T epsilon cells exert stringent antigen-specific IgE isotypic responses by recognizing nominal antigens restricted to IgE. T epsilon cells thus exert antigen-specific and IgE concerted immunoregulation, and do not participate in modulating polyclonal IgE production. Model II proposes a heterotypic interaction of IgE with a cell interaction receptor (or IgE Fc receptor) on T cells. T epsilon cells modulate antigen-specific IgE isotypic responses via ligation with IgE-antigen immune complexes on B-cell surface; thus, T epsilon cells in principle contribute to polyclonal IgE responses.
Exploring Politics and Government With Popular Culture: Justifications, Methods, Potentials, and Challenges in Introductory Political Science Courses

For an introductory-level course (Politics and Government) mostly composed of nonpolitical science majors, I use a combination of nontraditional texts, including novels and films, along with primary documents. This article briefly justifies the value of nontraditional texts for exploring politics and government. It then sketches out the nontraditional texts used in the course and how they relate to politics and government. I also describe some methods I use in combining nontraditional texts with primary documents to highlight and explore important concepts and present-day political problems relevant for an introductory-level politics and government class. I close with a brief discussion of two problems I have encountered in employing such an approach. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of the Journal of Political Science Education for the following free supplemental resource(s): Tables 1 and 2, containing examples of relevant nontraditional texts ...
A Network Perspective on State-Society Synergy to Increase Community-Level Social Capital:

“Can state–society synergy be created in the short run, or does it require historically deep institutional and normative foundations?” In other words, what role can an outside party—such as a gover...
Extended storage of autologous apheresis platelets in plasma.

Background and Objectives The purpose of our studies was to determine the effects of extended platelet storage on poststorage platelet viability. Materials and Methods Normal subjects were recruited to donate platelets using two different apheresis systems: either the COBE Spectra (n = 58) or the Haemonetics MCS+ (n = 84). Platelet recovery and survival data from the two systems were compared with each other and with in vitro measurements of the stored platelets. Results There were no significant differences in either platelet recoveries or survivals between the two machines between 1 and 8 days of storage. Combining the data from both machines, platelet recoveries decreased by 2·6% and survivals by 0·3 days/storage day. In vitro assays did not predict either platelet recoveries or survivals during storage for 5–8 days. After 9 days of storage, pHs were unacceptable (≤ 6·1), suggesting that 8 days will be the longest possible storage time. Conclusions These data suggest that, if stored platelet bacterial contamination issues are resolved, significant extension of platelet storage times is possible.
Permeable homes : domestic service, household space, and the vulnerability of class boundaries in urban India

Servants' movements into and out of middle- and upper-class homes in the South Indian city of Madurai create a mixing of outside and inside spaces. Employers feel that this mixing threatens the security of their homes and class standing. Yet, because the presence of servants is a necessary marker of class, employers attempt to contain the threat by buttressing the symbolic boundaries of the household, controlling domestic workers' movements through space, and manipulating workers' closeness to and distance from employers. These employers' accounts and actions reveal central concepts of and anxieties about class in contemporary urban India. [class, space, domestic service, women, domesticity]
Advanced cooling technologies for microprocessors

Recent trends in processor power for the next generation devices point clearly to significant increase in processor heat dissipation over the coming years. In the desktop system design space, the tendency has been to minimize system enclosure size while maximizing performance, which in turn leads to high power densities in future generation systems. The current thermal solutions used today consist of advanced heat sink designs and heat pipe designs with forced air cooling to cool high power processors. However, these techniques are already reaching their limits to handle high heat flux, and there is a strong need for development of more efficient cooling systems which are scalable to handle the high heat flux generated by the future products. To meet this challenge, there has been research in academia and in industry to explore alternative methods for extracting heat from high-density power sources in electronic systems. This talk will discuss the issues surrounding device cooling, from the transistor level to the system level, and describe system-level solutions being developed for desktop computer applications developed in our group at Stanford University.
Improving Bible Translations: The Example of Sickness and Healing

Every scholar and teacher has a list of infelicitous translations which misrepresent or distort the meaning intended by biblical authors. The time has come to prepare new translations that are more respectful to the ancient author, what the author intended to say, and actually said. Such a translation should also respectfully report what the original audience understood. Ideally, this translation should also make sense to the modern reader in another culture. In the matter of sickness and healing, medical anthropology has provided an excellent set of terms and definitions that fulfill all these hopes.
A Model Protocol for Applying Anthropology in Rapid Health Services Evaluations

In 1998, California launched Healthy Families/Medi-Cal for Children (HF/MCC). HF/MCC provides low- and no-cost insurance to low-income children. Six million dollars was budgeted for culturally appropriate outreach and enrollment activities and 72 community-based organizations (CBOs) were contracted to carry these out. The contracts were performance based and required measurable outcomes, such as successful enrollments, to increase local public awareness and generate enrollment in HF/MCC. Children's Hospital San Diego was hired (through the San Diego State Foundation) to evaluate the CBOs' performance. This article describes the fortuitous incorporation of a qualitative anthropological component. The protocol developed might be applied in other rapid health services evaluation contexts, especially when other members of the evaluation team (or the sponsors) have not yet been convinced of the usefulness of the qualitative approach.
Optimization of driving styles for fuel economy improvement

Modern vehicles have sophisticated electronic control units, particularly to control engine operation with respect to a balance between fuel economy, emissions, and power. These control units are designed for specific driving conditions and testing. However, each individual driving style is different and rarely meets those driving conditions. In the research reported here we investigate those driving style factors that have a major impact on fuel economy. An optimization framework is proposed with the aim of optimizing driving styles with respect to these driving factors. A set of polynomial metamodels are constructed to reflect the responses produced by changes of the driving factors. Then we compare the optimized driving styles to the original ones and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the optimization formulation.
Mechanisms of life in the seventeenth century: Borelli, Perrault, Régis.

In Descartes's reformulation of natural philosophy, two aspects of what came to be known as the mechanical philosophy were intimately joined: mechanism as an ontology of nature, according to which all natural things had only 'mechanical' properties; and mechanism as a method of explanation. One could, and many philosophers did, adopt mechanism as a method of explanation without adopting a mechanistic ontology. I examine two successors of Descartes who did just that, and one who did not. Giovanni Alfonso Borelli in his De motu animalium (1680) and Charles Perrault in his Mecanique de animaux (1680-1688, Vol. 3) propose and argue for a variety of mechanical accounts of the operations of animals, in particular of their muscles. They reject, however, the Cartesian reduction of animal souls to mechanical forces; the principle of animal motion for them remains a non-mechanical soul. Pierre Sylvain Regis in his Cours entier de philosophie (1690, 1691) follows Descartes in taking the 'physical cause' of motion in animals to be the fermentation of blood in the heart, and thus denies animal souls any role in his physiology. That he can do so while taking over, sometimes word for word, Perrault's accounts of animal motion shows that mechanistic explanation and mechanistic ontology could easily part company.
Distribution of 'non-specific' cholinesterase histochemical staining in the dorsal thalamus: a comparative study in rodents.

Abstract Histochemical studies in rat dorsal thalamus demonstrate that ‘non-specific’ cholinesterase (ChE) enzyme activity is characteristic of neurons of the anterior dorsal (AD) and reuniens (Re) nuclei and in a cell group fouund as part of the central lateral (CL) and lateral dorsal (LD) nuclei. Extra-somatal ChE staining also is seen in the anterior ventral (AV) nucleus. Parallel histochemical studies in other rodents reveal slight ChE activity in neurons of the mouse AD and LD, but not in other thalamic nuclei. The dorsal thalami of hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs show no detectable cellular staining of ChE, although low levels of extra-somatal ChE appear in AV and the internal medullary lamina. These data indicate that ‘non-specific’ cholinesterase activity is not found commonly in neurons of the dorsal thalamus and prominent ChE staining may be unique to the laboratory rat.
Purification and properties of an F420-dependent NADP reductase from methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum

The F420-dependent NADP reductase of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum has been purified employing a combination of DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography with Blue Sepharose, Sephadex G-200 column chromatography and Red Sepharose affinity chromatography. The enzyme, which requires reduced F420 as an electron donor, has been purified over 3000-fold with a recovery of 65%. A molecular weight of 112000 was determined by Sephadex G-200 chromatography. A subunit molecular weight of 28 500 was determined by Sephadex G-200 chromatography. A subunit native enzyme is a tetramer. The optimal temperature for enzymatic activity was found to be 60°C with a pH optimum of 8.0. The NADP reductase had an apparent Km of 128 μMJ for reduced F420 and 40 μM for NADP. The enzyme was stable for at least 4 h at 65°C and pH 7.5. No loss of enzyme activity was detected when purified enzyme was stored aerobically in buffer containing 2-mercaptoethanol for 10 days at 4°C. Neither FMNH2 nor FADH2 could serve as electron donors; NAD was not utilized as electron acceptor.
Strong absorption approximation for the elastic scattering of 800 MeV/c pions from nuclei.

We present the results of our calculations for the elastic scattering of 800 MeV/[ital c] charged pions from the [sup 12]C and [sup 40]Ca nuclei using a strong absorption approximation. These results are found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental data. We also discuss the validity of this approximation within the context of high energy pion-nucleus elastic scattering.
Simultaneous heat and mass transfer in film absorption under laminar flow

Abstract This paper describes a theoretical analysis of the combined heat and mass transfer process taking place in the absorption of a gas or vapor into a laminar liquid film. The energy and diffusion equations are solved simultaneously to give the temperature and concentration variations at the liquid-gas interface and at the wall. Two cases of interest are considered: a constant temperature and an adiabatic wall. The Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are found to depend on the Peclet and Lewis numbers as well as on the equilibrium characteristics of the working materials.
Gonatobotrys simplex and its teleomorph, Melanospora damnosa.

Perithecia of Melanospora damnosa occurred on corn (Zea mays) pith samples colonized by Fusarium subglutinans, causal agent of stalk rot of corn, and Gonatobotrys simplex, a contact mycopathogen. Single-ascospore isolates of M. damnosa produced G. simplex in culture. Crosses of compatible single-ascospore cultures of M. damnosa gave microconidia-bearing conidiophores, followed by the production of perithecia. Single-ascospore cultures did not produce microconidia. On PDA inoculated with Fusarium subglutinans, 25 % of random crosses of single-ascospore cultures developed perithecia. The majority of ascospores germinated on PDA, whereas 6% required thiamin plus PDA, and 2% required biotin for germination and axenic growth.
The E's of E-Mail: Tips for Effective and Efficient Use in School Administration

E-mail addresses are now as commonplace as phone numbers. This rapid mode of written communication enables school administration offices and classrooms to link with one another and with the world. How can school administrators help ensure that electronic communication through E-mail becomes a boon rather than a bane for school operations?
FTIR, Raman and XRF identification of the image materials in turn of the 20th century pigment-based photographs

Abstract Artists at the turn of the 20th century experimented with a wide range of photographic techniques to create complex and unique prints by processes that are difficult to fully identify. FTIR, both in transmission and ATR, Raman spectroscopy and XRF were applied to characterize and identify the materials and processes used in photographs from the period in which pigment-based techniques were employed alone or superimposed to others such as platinum. FTIR in the transmission mode and ATR acquired in the high image density areas of the images allow to characterize the organic components in the photographic colloid, and the analysis of the low image density areas gives vibrational information about the organic compounds used for sizing the paper substrates. Raman spectroscopy allows the identification of the pigments, while the chromium-containing compounds, such as chrome alum used to size the paper substrates and the compound/s that chromium forms with the oxidized organic component in gum print images, were found to be below the detection limit of the technique both in samples prepared strictly following historic recipes and in hundred year old works of art. The advantages and limitations of the multitechnique approach used to identify and differentiate gum prints are discussed.
Effects of distortion on strength of curved I-shaped bridge girders

The curved I-shaped plate girders used in bridges with curved alignment are subjected to forces that cause significant distortion of the cross section during construction and during application of live loads after the deck has hardened. Furthermore, the addition of curvature reduces the vertical bending stiffness, increases deflection nonlinearities, and changes stability characteristics of behavior. Although the design equations of the AASHTO Guide Specifications for Horizontally Curved Highway Bridges are formulated to address these behavioral issues, design and construction engineers often are not familiar with the difficulties curvature introduces and do not understand the relationship between distortion and deflection amplification with the design equations. Analytical research conducted as part of the FHWA Curved Steel Bridge Research Project was used to highlight and describe the effects of curvature on the strength and stability of curved I-girder bridge superstructures. Issues described include t...
Evidence of a locus for schizophrenia and related disorders on the short arm of chromosome 5 in a large pedigree

We attempted to identify a locus for schizophrenia and related disorders in 24 nuclear families of schizophrenic probands using a predefined classification system for affected cases that included those disorders most clearly identified as sharing a genetic relationship with schizophrenia-schizoaffective disorder and schizotypal personality disorder. Initially, we evaluated 8 markers on chromosome 5 on the first 12 families with available genotyping and diagnostic assessments and, assuming autosomal dominant transmission, found a lod score of 2.67 for the D5S111 locus (5p14.1-13.1) in one large nuclear family (no. 17; sibship: n = 12; schizophrenia: n = 3; schizotypal personality disorder: n = 2); the other 11 families were much smaller, less complete, and provided little additional information. Other branches of no. 17 were then assessed and the 2-point lod score for family 17 rose to 3.72; using multipoint analysis the lod score in 17 was 4.37. When only schizophrenia was used to define affectedness, the positive evidence for linkage to D5S111 was greatly reduced. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the lod score is heavily dependent upon the predefined diagnostic criteria. Our studies of other families of schizophrenic probands eventually totalled 23, but linkage to D5S111 in these yielded a -2.41 lod score. Themore » results provide evidence for genetic linkage of the D5S111 locus to schizophrenia and related disorders in one family. It may be of interest that over several generations, almost all the ancestors of family 17 could be traced back to a small, relatively isolated, hill region of Puerto Rico. 74 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.« less