cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship between individual instructional characteristics and the overall assessment of teaching effectiveness across different instructional contexts

There is an ongoing debate in the student evaluation of teaching literature about whether an overall rating or factorial dimensions of teaching effectiveness should be used in personnel decisions. Marsh and his colleagues have advocated the use of a weighted average approach to computing overall evaluations. A policy-capturing experiment was carried out where students in three different instructional contexts made overall evaluations of hypothetical instructors based on a manipulation of the teaching factors in Marsh's SEEQ. The results indicated (1) amount learned was consistently the most important factor affecting overall evaluations; (2) course difficulty was consistently the least important factor affecting overall evaluations; and (3) there was a strong similarity among the three groups in the relative importance of the various teaching factors in arriving at an overall evaluation. The implications of this research are discussed, as well as directions for future research.
Calibration and molecular weight calculations in GPC using a new practical method for dispersion correction—GPCV2

The method of Balke, Hamielec, LeClair, and Pearce for GPC calibration and molecular weight computation is reviewed and evaluated. A new method, called GPCV2, is proposed which uses the single broad molecular weight distribution (MWD) standard for calibration developed by those workers, but which also incorporates the chromatographic dispersion σ to make the method more accurate in general use. Equations are presented for computing the relationship between actual MW and retention volume VR under the chromatographically broadened curves. This relationship is then compared to those obtained by using the Balke et al. method and the peak position method.
Turnpike theory, discounted utility, and the von Neumann facet☆

Abstract The convergence of infinite optimal paths to stationary optimal paths is proved in models of capital accumulation whose discount factors ϱ are near 1, where strict concavity is not required for utility functions and production functions. The critical assumptions are unique support prices for points of the von Neumann facet, where ϱ is near 1, a unique optimal stationary stock when ϱ is equal to 1, and the absence of cyclic paths on the von Neumann facet when ϱ is equal to 1. The results are illustrated in generalizing a model provided by Weitzman and Samuelson.
The Resting Place of Innovation

Successful software-intensive systems are generally quite innovative, as evidenced by their success. Although their architectures will, over time, converge to a stable point, this does not mean that innovation stops. Rather, for any such system to remain vibrant and relevant, innovation much proceed simultaneously at many levels.
The systematic status of the genus bletilla (Orchidaceae)

The genusBletilla has been variously placed in the major classifications of the Orchidaceae. This study attempts to provide a better understanding of the relationships of this genus and to clarify its systematic position. A survey is provided of the taxonomic assignments ofBletilla in major classifications of the Orchidaceae, and morphological comparisons are made of species chosen to represent the generaBletilla, Arethusa, andBletia. Chromosome numbers reported forBletilla andBletia are summarized, and confirmatory counts of 2n =32 are reported forBletilla striata andB. striata f.gebina. A preliminary report is provided on intergeneric crossing studies. It was found thatBletilla consistently shows greater similarity toBletia than toArethusa. It is suggested, therefore, thatBletilla be removed from the subtribe Arethusinae and placed nearBletia in the Bletiinae.
Units in integral group rings

Abstract Let V = V ( Z [ G ]) denote the group of normalized units in the integral group ring Z [ G ] of the finite group G . In this paper, we show that G has a torsion-free normal complement N in V provided G is either the circle group of a nilpotent ring or that G has an abelian subgroup of index at most 2. The main difficulty is to prove in the latter case that N is torsion-free.
Incorporation mechanism of guest molecules in crystals: solid solution or inclusion?

Abstract Guest molecules (impurities or additives), together with some crystallization solvent, are often incorporated into the host crystals during crystallization from solution. The guest molecules may be incorporated either in solid solution or in liquid inclusions, or by both mechanisms. The mechanism of guest incorporation has been examined by a simple calculation method which is based on the equality of the guest/solvent mole ratio in the initial crystallization medium and in the putative inclusions. Application of this calculation method to eight guest+host systems described in the literature has shown that a negligible amount (at most 0.2%) of the guest molecules is incorporated into the crystal lattice in liquid inclusions. Therefore, it is concluded that the vast majority of the guest molecules are incorporated into the crystals in solid solution, as previously suggested, but hitherto unproven, for these guest–host systems.
A Distributional Analysis of the FairTax Plan: Annual and Lifetime Income Considerations

Dissatisfaction with the current federal tax system is fostering serious interest in the FairTax Plan, which would replace most of the federal taxes with a national retail sales tax. The FairTax is promoted as being progressive, but there is considerable skepticism of this claim. We examine the distributional effects of the FairTax, as well as the current system it intends to replace, under both annual income and lifetime income approaches. Global measures of progressivity suggest that the current federal tax system is progressive while the FairTax is regressive. Our results are also robust to different assumptions used for estimation.
Linear sweep voltammetry at a rotating disk electrode for first-order quasi-reversible reactions

Abstract The current response of a first-order quasi-reversible reaction occurring on a rotating disk electrode to a linear sweep potential is analyzed for both a simple redox reaction and insoluble metal deposition. The peak current density normalized with respect to the limiting current density is found to be proportional to the square root of the dimensionless sweep rate for large values of the parameter. Numerical results from the theoretical models are compared with existing experimental data.
The effects of ifenprodil and eliprodil on voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and in gerbil global cerebral ischaemia

Ifenprodil and eliprodil are both non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists which have been shown to inhibit neuronal Ca2+ channel currents. We have examined the effects of these agents on two defined subtypes of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and in the gerbil model of global cerebral ischaemia. Recombinantly expressed human alpha 1B-1 alpha 2b beta 1-3 Ca2+ subunits in HEK293 cells, which results in an omega-conotoxin-sensitive neuronal N-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel and omega-Aga IVA sensitive Ca2+ channels (P-type) in acutely isolated cerebellar Purkinje neurones were reversibly inhibited by ifenprodil and eliprodil. Human N-type Ca2+ channel currents were inhibited by ifenprodil and eliprodil with IC50 values of 50 microM and 10 microM respectively whereas P-type Ca2+ channel currents were inhibited reversibly by ifenprodil and eliprodil with approximate IC50 values of 60 microM and 9 microM respectively. Maximum current block observed for both channel subtypes was approximately 80% for both ifenprodil and eliprodil. For neuroprotection studies, animals were subjected to 5 min bilateral carotid artery occlusion with or without administration of either ifenprodil or eliprodil (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg i.p.) immediately after surgery followed by two further doses (2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg, respectively) at 3 and 6 h post-occlusion. Both compounds provided significant protective effects against ischaemia-induced neurodegeneration in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. These results indicate that both ifenprodil and eliprodil protect against ischaemia-induced neurodegeneration when administered post-occlusion and that they also block N and P-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.
ASSESSING AUDITORY CAPABILITIES IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Summary Objective Early detection of hearing loss in infants and toddlers has created a need for age-appropriate tests that assess auditory perceptual capabilities. This article describes a progressive test battery we have developed to evaluate phonetic contrast perception, phoneme recognition, and word recognition in children 6 months to 5 years. This battery is part of a clinical research protocol designed to track auditory development in this population. Methods The progressive test battery originated from a model of auditory perceptual development to assess phonetic discrimination and word recognition. Phonetic discrimination is evaluated using the Battery of Auditory Speech Perception Tests for Infants and Toddlers (BATIT). The BATIT is composed of four measures (VRASPAC, PLAYSPAC, OLIMSPAC, and VIDSPAC) intended to assess the child's ability to distinguish between phonologically significant contrasts using developmentally appropriate tasks. Designed for children aged 6 months and up, performance is represented either by percent correct or by the level of confidence that the child's responses are not random. Phoneme and word recognition are assessed in children 4 years and older using lists of consonant–vowel–consonant (CVC) phonemes in words and lexically controlled words both in and out of sentence context (LEXSEN). Results Cross-sectional data show that children with normal hearing may be assessed by the age of 7 months on VRASPAC; by 3 years on PLAYSPAC and OLIMSPAC; and by 4–5 years on VIDSPAC, CVC phonemes in words, and LEXSEN words in isolation and in sentences. Data from infants with hearing loss show that VRASPAC is sensitive to degree of hearing loss, but performance with normally hearing children declines after 12 months of age. Conclusion Assessment of phonetic discrimination and word recognition is, for the most part, attainable in young children using a progressive test battery, but none of the tests used here is effective between 1 and 3 years of age. Continued development will be required to fill this gap and to separate auditory from non-auditory influences on performance.
Effects of malonate administration on renal ammoniagenesis in intact dogs.

AbstractIn the dog kidney in vivo, malonate augmented ammoniagenesis from both amide and nonamide nitrogen sources, similar to previous in vitro investigations using incubating canine renal tubules. This was highly significant in alkalotic dogs, where it was accompanied by decreased renal tissue concentrations of glutamate. Changes in renal ammonia metabolism were less evident in acidotic dogs where a markedly decreased glomerular filtration rate was noted following malonate administration. Under conditions of complete ureteric obstruction which effectively abolished glomerular filtration, malonate significantly augmented ammoniagenesis above baseline in acidotic dogs. These in vivo results with malonate have similarities to those seen in dogs subjected to an acid challenge alone and suggest that the adaptation in renal ammoniagenesis under both circumstances occurs via enhanced deamination of glutamate pools.
Emissions from charbroiling and grilling of chicken and beef.

Abstract Emission rates for fine particle (<2.5μ m ) mass (PM2.5 ), carbon (organic/elemental), inorganic ions (SO4 2−, NO3 −, NH4 +), elements (primarily metals), and speciated organic compounds are reported for charbroiling hamburger, steak, and chicken. The PM2.5 rates for charbroiling meats ranged from 4.4 to 11.6 g/kg of uncooked meat in this study. No mass-emission rates are available from grilling, but the speciated organic data are available for these samples. Emission rates varied by type of appliance, meat, meat-fat content, and cooking conditions. High-fat hamburger cooked on an underfired charbroiler emitted the highest amount of PM2.5 . The emissions were almost exclusively composed of organic carbon, with small amounts of elements and inorganic ions. Water-soluble K+ and Cl−, which are used as indicators of wood smoke in source apportionment studies, were also present in meat-cooking emissions. The speciated organic compounds that were measured include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)...
Phase I/II trial of dipyridamole, 5-fluorouracil, leukovorin, and mitoxantrone in metastatic breast cancer.

Based upon the hypothesis that dipyridamole would potentiate the cytotoxicity of mitoxantrone and the combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leukovorin, we performed a phase I/II trial of the combination of dipyridamole, 5-FU, leukovorin, and mitoxantrone in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The dose of dipyridamole was fixed at 175 mg/m2 by mouth every 6 h (700 mg/m2/day), based upon a previous phase I trial of oral dipyridamole with 5-FU and leukovorin. Dipyridamole therapy began 24 h prior to the first dose of chemotherapy and continued until 24 h after the last dose of chemotherapy for each course of treatment. At the initial dose level, leukovorin 200 mg/m2 was given intravenously immediately prior to 5-FU 375 mg/ m2 intravenously on days 1–5. Mitoxantrone 6 mg/m2 was given as a single dose on day 3. Unacceptable toxicity was observed at this dose level, leading to successive dose decrements rather than dose increments. The maximum tolerated dose was leukovorin 200 mg/m2 days 1–2, 5-FU 375 mg/m2 days 1–2, mitoxantrone 6 mg/m2 on day 2, and dipyridamole 175 mg/m2 every 6 h on days 0–3. Two responses were produced in 15 patients. This regimen is not recommended for further investigation in the treatment of breast cancer.
Separability of soils in a tallgrass prairie using SPOT and DEM data.

An investigation is conducted which uses a canonical transformation technique to reduce the features from SPOT and DEM data and evaluates the statistical separability of several prairie soils from the canonically transformed variables. Both SPOT and DEM data was gathered for a tallgrass prairie near Manhattan, Kansas, and high resolution SPOT satellite images were integrated with DEM data. Two canonical variables derived from training samples were selected and it is suggested that canonically transformed data were superior to combined SPOT and DEM data. High resolution SPOT images and DEM data can be used to aid second-order soil surveys in grasslands.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of midazolam in the enflurane-anesthetized dog.

Midazolam (Mid) is widely used as an anesthetic adjunct. To test its anesthetic effect vs. concentration relationships, it is desirable to establish stable and predictable Mid concentrations in plasma (and brain). Therefore, the pharmacokinetics of Mid in the enflurane-anesthetized dog were determined, and the ability of Mid to reduce the enflurane concentration required for anesthesia was measured and correlated with the Mid concentration in plasma [MID]. Mongrel dogs (n=9) were anesthetized with enflurane and the enflurane EC50(MAC—the end-tidal concentration at which one-half the dogs respond to the noxious stimulation of clamping of the tail, and one-half do not) was determined. Group 1 (n=5) received Mid 2.5mgJkg iv over 60 sec. Plasma for determination of [MID] was collected and the enflurane EC50was determined repeatedly over the 7–8-hr period following injection. Based on the pharmacokinetic parameters determined for Group 1, dogs in Group 2 (n=4) received Mid as a continuous infusion of 21 ⧎ kg−1 min−1 for 5hr accompanied by an initial loading dose (3 mg/kg infused over 20 min) designed to produce a stable [MID] of 1000 ng/ml in plasma. Enflurane MAC and [MID] were determined regularly during the infusion and for 6hr after discontinuation of the infusion. There were no important differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters determined for Group 1 vs. Group 2: t1/2,z=98±5 vs. 95±10min (mean ±SEM); V=3.94±0.27 vs. 2.98±25 L/kg; Cl=28.5±3.1 vs. 22.3±1.1 ml kg−1 min−1,respectively. When administered as a continuous intravenous infusion (Group 2), [MID] remained stable at 949 ± 53 ng/ml for more than 5hr. The enflurane EC50was reduced by 55% and the reduction remained stable during the 5 hours of Mid infusion. After a single iv bolus dose or after discontinuation of the continuous infusion, the degree of enflurane EC50reduction diminished toward the control (i.e., enflurane alone) value as [MID] declined. Midazolam's pharmacokinetics and plasma concentration vs. effect relationships have been determined to be consistent under two different experimental conditions.
A modified model for quenching and electronic—vibrational energy transfer

Abstract A new computational procedure and a new transition probability expression have been incorporated into the Bauer, Fisher, and Gilmore (BFG) model for quenching and E—V energy transfer. The new transition probability expression takes into account trajectories that are classically allowed on the lower adiabatic potential energy surface, but are classically forbidden on the diabatic surfaces. The calculated quenching cross section reported are in substantially better agreement with experiment than those calculated according to the original BFG model. Further modifications to the BFG model are proposed that could have major effects on the calculated cross sections.
Primary central nervous system lymphoma: recent progress, many remaining questions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review what progress has been made in the treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma since the time when it was first recognized that high-dose methotrexate based chemotherapy improved outcome over radiation therapy alone. RECENT FINDINGS Recent work has explored the use of high-dose methotrexate alone; the optimum dose of methotrexate; the need for intrathecal therapy; combinations of other drugs with high-dose methotrexate, most notably alkylators, high-dose cytarabine, and rituximab; and the use of myeloablative chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell rescue. Recent progress has also been made in the identification of clinical prognostic factors, and in identifying underlying biologic properties that may account for this tumor's distinctive clinical behavior. SUMMARY Further improvement in progression-free survival and in the proportion of patients achieving long-term disease-free survival does seem to be achievable, based on the results of nonrandomized data. Reduction in the risk of severe neurotoxicity by withholding or deferring radiation therapy also appears feasible. Existing treatment options can be individualized to the patient's circumstances. However, the optimal management of primary central nervous system lymphoma remains to be defined, and participation in a suitable clinical trial is highly appropriate.
Coping In the Corporation: Sex Role Constraints

In this paper, the predictive power of status-based and socialization-based explanations of the differential rewards accruing to men and women in the corporate world are compared. Ninety-five experienced managers were asked to evaluate persuasive dialogues between two individuals in a corporate setting. Sex of the actor, sex of the other, and the influence technique used by the actor all affected the personality traits attributed to the influential actor. Our respondents perceived influential males as significantly more powerful, higher in corporate position, and warmer than identically described females. Implications of these and other findings for both male and female managers are discussed.
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt complications in California: 1990 to 2000.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt complications have not been assessed with population cohort data since the advent of modern surgical techniques. We examined demographic factors and VP shunt complications in a population-based retrospective cohort study of all nonfederal California hospital admissions between 1990 and 2000. METHODS: We identified all admissions in a statewide administrative hospital discharge database that indicated aVP shunt insertion. Repeat hospital admissions within California generating a discharge diagnosis of surgical shunt complication, defined as a shunt replacement, revision, removal, or exploration, represented the primary outcome of interest. We performed Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional hazards modeling to analyze sex, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status based on payer status, and type of hydrocephalus in relation to the risk of shunt complications. RESULTS: The annual population incidence ofVP shunt placement was 5.5 per 100,000. Among 14,455 individuals with 65,040 person-years of follow-up, the cumulative complication rate at 5 years was 32%. Children demonstrated a higher rate of shunt complications than did adults at 5 years (48 versus 27%, P < 0.0001). The following demographic factors were independently associated with increased risk of shunt complications: male sex (hazard ratio [HR], 1.1; 95% confidence interval [Cl], 1.03-1.2), low socioeconomic status (HR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.3), and age younger than 19 years (HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4-1.7). Compared with communicating hydrocephalus, obstructive hydrocephalus was also associated with increased risk of shunt complications (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.5-1.9). CONCLUSION: VP shunt complications are common, especially in children. Further study is needed to explain the associations between demographic factors and elevated shunt complication rates.
The method of sib-pair linkage analysis in context of case-control design.

We used sib-pair linkage analysis as part of an epidemiologic approach to solving Problem 2 of the GAW10 data set of nuclear families. We recoded the quantitative trait Q1 into a dichotomous trait using Q1 ≥ 40 as the cut-point. In a case-control design of sib-pair analysis, the affected siblings of the proband were the case subjects and the unaffected siblings were the control subjects. Case and control subjects were compared with respect to the number of alleles at one or more loci (0,1,2) that were identical-by-descent (IBD) with those of the proband. Odds ratios (Ors) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were then computed with subjects sharing no alleles (share-0) serving as the reference group. Significantly high ORs were taken as indication of linkage between a marker locus and a suspected disease-susceptibility locus. The case-control sib-pair analysis identified marker D5G15 as associated with disease susceptibility (OR of sharing two alleles [share-2] = 7.7 [95% CI 2.5-23.9]). Our results were consistent with the results from Kruglyak and Lander's method of complete multipoint sib-pair analysis for linkage. For the marker (D5G15) identified through sib-pair analysis, we examined the effects of other covariates and evaluated gene-environment interaction using conditional logistic regression. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Gastric manifestations of AIDS: radiographic findings on upper gastrointestinal examination.

The radiographic findings in the stomach in the upper gastrointestinal examination in 11 patients with the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) were reviewed. Four cases of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) showed multiple submucosal nodular filling defects; in one of these cases, ulceration of some of the nodules was present. Gastric lymphoma occurred in two cases and appeared as one or several large nodular masses; one of these involved the esophagogastric junction. Five cases of infectious gastritis, caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV),Cryptosporidium, andToxoplasma, were manifested as thickened gastric folds and/or antral narrowing. Thus, in patients with AIDS, gastric neoplastic lesions can be suggested when nodular filling defects or masses are identified, whereas inflammatory processes tend to show thickened gastric folds or antral narrowing. However, endoscopic biopsy is required to enable proper treatment.
NRCS (SCS) synthetic curvilinear dimensionless unit hydrograph

A continuous time function with two parameters for a curvilinear dimensionless unit hydrograph (CDUH) is derived from the unit hydrograph in the form of a gamma probability density function. This equation is then applied to the Natural Resources Conservation Service [formerly, Soil Conservation Service (SCS)] curvilinear dimensionless unit hydrograph [NRCS (SCS) CDUH]. The values of the parameters are slightly different for the rising and recessing limbs of the unit hydrograph. The NRCS unit hydrograph that expresses the time distribution of runoff of unit depth is shown to be a two-parameter gamma probability density function. Its mass curve is, therefore, an incomplete gamma function. This technical note explains mathematically that what was originally called the mass curve of the ratio of runoff volume to the total volume of the NRCS CDUH is shown to be, in fact, the mass curve of the unit hydrograph. The equations of continuous time functions derived in this study can be used in place of the NRCS CDUH tabulation and the NRCS linear triangular unit hydrograph. An example is shown to illustrate the application.
Studies on the location and release of cholecystokinin and vasoactive intestinal peptide in rat and cat spinal cord

By radioimmunoassay vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and cholecystokinin (CCK) are found in the cat lumbar spinal ganglion and spinal cord with levels in dorsal greater than ventral horn. Unilateral rhizotomy, but not cervical hemisection produced a significant but incomplete depletion of CCK and VIP immunoreactivity in dorsal, but not ventral horn. Intrathecal capsaicin (0.5 mg) had no effect on the levels of spinal VIP or CCK. Intrathecal colchicine (0.5 mg)produced a significant increase in the levels of VIP in the dorsal and ventral horn but had no effect on the levels of CCK. The present experiments, using a preparation which permits in situ superfusion of the spinal cord, demonstrated in the chloralose-urethanized cat and rat the presence of measurable levels of VIP and CCK. In rats, the addition of potassium (40 mM in excess) resulted in a 138% and 46% increase in the levels of CCK and VIP, respectively above resting levels (3.7 +/- 1.2 fmol/ml/10 min and 1.7 +/- 0.5 fmol/ml/10 min, respectively). The deletion of calcium and substitution of cobalt (2 mM) resulted in a significant reduction in the potassium-evoked release. Intrathecal picrotoxin doubled the levels of CCK, but had no effect on the levels of VIP in the spinal superfusates. Capsaicin (3 X 10(-4) M) had no effect on the levels of either peptide in rat spinal superfusate. In cats, bilateral electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve at high, but not low intensity, resulted in a 218% and 132% increase above prestimulation baseline in the levels of CCK and VIP, respectively. Separation of immunoreactivity on a Sephadex G-50 superfine column of the spinal superfusates and the extracted material from cat spinal cord, revealed that the immunoreactive CCK species in tissue co-migrated with the 8 and 33 amino acid peptide fragments. In the release samples, however, all the radioimmunoassayable activity migrated with the peak corresponding with CCK. No other peaks were detected. Column separation of spinal cord and the superfusate obtained during basal and evoked release, revealed that all activity in both the tissue and perfusate samples, travelled in a single peak which co-migrated with authentic VIP.
Accounting for multiple climate components when estimating climate change exposure and velocity

Summary The effect of anthropogenic climate change on organisms will likely be related to climate change exposure and velocity at local and regional scales. However, common methods to estimate climate change exposure and velocity ignore important components of climate that are known to affect the ecology and evolution of organisms. We develop a novel index of climate change (climate overlap) that simultaneously estimates changes in the means, variation and correlation between multiple weather variables. Specifically, we estimate the overlap between multivariate normal probability distributions representing historical and current or projected future climates. We provide methods for estimating the statistical significance of climate overlap values and methods to estimate velocity using climate overlap. We show that climates have changed significantly across 80% of the continental United States in the last 32 years and that much of this change is due to changes in the variation and correlation between weather variables (two statistics that are rarely incorporated into climate change studies). We also show that projected future temperatures are predicted to be locally novel (<1·5% overlap) across most of the global land surface and that exposure is likely to be highest in areas with low historical climate variation. Last, we show that accounting for changes in the variation and correlation between multiple weather variables can dramatically affect velocity estimates; mean velocity estimates in the continental United States were between 3·1 and 19·0 km yr−1 when estimated using climate overlap compared to 1·4 km yr−1 when estimated using traditional methods. Our results suggest that accounting for changes in the means, variation and correlation between multiple weather variables can dramatically affect estimates of climate change exposure and velocity. These climate components are known to affect the ecology and evolution of organisms, but are ignored by most measures of climate change. We conclude with a set of future directions and recommend future work to determine which measures of climate change exposure and velocity are most related to biological responses to climate change.
Group nutrition education classes for older adults.

Abstract A thorough search of the literature revealed only nine articles published since 1993 that focused on nutrition education for older adults attending group classes and that measured outcomes. A table summarizes the reports, including the theoretical bases, descriptions of interventions, participants and comparison groups, program outcomes, methods of verification, and followup after interventions. Only three of the studies explicitly indicated that elements of a stated behavioral change theory had been incorporated. All of the educators employed a variety of older adult educational strategies to enhance learning. Six research teams reported on classes where nearly half or more of the participants represented minority groups. Six studies included comparison groups. Types of outcomes included measurements of change in knowledge, attitudes beliefs, behaviors, and/or physiological measures, but the actual variables examined differed among reports. No consistent patterns were detected among reported out...
Sphingosylphosphorylcholine induces endothelial cell migration and morphogenesis.

Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) is one of the biologically active phospholipids that may act as extracellular messengers. Particularly important is the role of these lipids in the angiogenic response, a complex process involving endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and morphologic differentiation. Here we demonstrate that SPC and its hydrolytic product, sphingosine, induce chemotactic migration of human and bovine endothelial cells. The response is approximately equal to that elicited by vascular endothelial cell growth factor. The effect of SPC and sphingosine was associated with a rapid down-regulation of Edg1, a sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP)-specific receptor involved in endothelial cell chemotaxis. Both SPC and sphingosine induced differentiation of endothelial cells into capillary-like structures in vitro. Thus, SPC and sphingosine join SPP among the biologically active lipids with angiogenic potential. Since neuronal abnormalities accompany pathological accumulation of SPC in brain tissue, it is possible that SPC is a modulator of angiogenesis in neural tissue upon its release from brain cells following trauma or neoplastic growth.
A new MRI formulation for flow and motion applications

A rigorous reformulation of the magnetic resonance (MR) image formulation model (IFM) can use the integrally cumulative nature of MRI phase shifts for encoding and of time-of-flight travel corrections for magnitude. This approach characterizes each independent gradient element by its cumulant waveforms,K N (t), instead of by particular time expansion in gradient moments. The lowest-order cumulant gradient that gives a simple monopolar waveform governs all resulting phase-encoding properties. Each gradient element specifically encodes one and only one motion-order variable. Phase sensitizations to “higher order” do not exist; they are mathematical psuedophasings. Magnetization isochromats may have arbitrarily complicated velocity history,V(t), appearing in both time-of-flight and motion phase-shift formulas. The subject's intravoxel motion subdistributions each automatically reference the correct mean time of encoding action and its encoding duration. This formulation yields very simple and generalizable IFM expressions for MRI acquired data, with no theoretical confusion regarding higher-order phase shifts and nonphased time-of-flight effects.
A kinematic study of crawling behavior in the leech, Hirudo medicinalis.

1. The medicinal leech crawls along a solid substrate by repeated alternating extensions and shortenings of the body. Extension occurs with the posterior sucker attached and the head sucker free. The head sucker then attaches, followed by shortening and release of the tail sucker. The tail sucker is then pulled toward the head, where it reattaches to the substrate. The head sucker then releases, and another crawling cycle begins (Figs. 1, 5). 2. There are two crawling variants: inchworm crawling, in which the head and tail suckers are closely apposed at the end of a cycle and the body forms a loop above the substrate, and vermiform crawling, in which the suckers are placed farther apart and the body remains fairly close to the substrate (Fig. 1). 3. The cycle period and the distance traveled during a cycle are greater in inchworm than in vermiform crawling; however, the velocity of travel is the same for both (Fig. 2). 4. For both variants, the interval between head sucker attachment and tail sucker release is similar at all cycle periods and has a value consistent with direct interneuronal conduction of a signal from head sucker sensory neurons to tail sucker motor neurons. The interval between tail sucker attachment and head sucker release, however, is longer and varies with the cycle period, suggesting a more complex interneuronal circuit in the pathway from tail sucker sensory neurons to head sucker motor neurons (Fig. 4). 5. The onsets of the components of the crawling cycle (extension, post-extension pause, shortening, and post-shortening pause) show an anteroposterior lag (Figs. 5, 7). For both variants, the travel time between segments varies directly with the period (Fig. 8). 6. For both crawl types, the durations of the cycle components vary directly with the period, with several exceptions (Figs. 9, 10). 7. A model is presented that summarizes the coordination of the various motor events in a cycle of leech crawling (Figs. 11 and 12).
Evaluation of Liquid Nitrogen Freeze Drying and Ethanol Dehydration as Methods to Preserve Partially Cooked Starch and Masa Systems

ABSTRACT Preservation of starch structure/properties, including structures formed during partial or complete cooking, are important when the impact of processing conditions is being studied. Two preservation techniques used to study changes in starch during thermal-mechanical processing are commonly cited in the literature: 1) rapid freezing followed by lyophilization, and 2) a dehydration procedure using alcohols. A comparative determination on how these methods affect various starch structures has not been widely reported. Corn starch samples were collected from the Rapid Visco-Analyser (RVA) at 3 min (swollen granules, 30°C), at the top of the pasting peak (gelatinized granules, 95°C), at the bottom of the trough (dispersed polymers, 95°C), and a completed RVA sample stored for 120 hr at 4°C (retrograded starch). Samples of masa were obtained by nixtamalizing corn. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) endotherms of starch and masa, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of masa were evaluated after be...
The galena/dichromate solution interaction and the nature of the resulting chromium(III) species

Etude par spectrometrie photoelectronique de la reaction: il y a formation d'especes Cr(III) et Cr(VI). Le Cr(III) serait sous la forme Cr 2 O 3 •4H 2 O avec une couche de CO 2 adsorbe sur la surface
Health Risk and Portfolio Choice

This article investigates the role of self-perceived risky health in explaining continued reductions in financial risk taking after retirement. If future adverse health shocks threaten to increase the marginal utility of consumption, either by absorbing wealth or by changing the utility function, then health risk should prompt individuals to lower their exposure to financial risk. I examine individual-level data from the Study of Assets and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD), which reveal that risky health prompts safer investment. Elderly singles respond the most to health risk, consistent with a negative cross partial deriving from health shocks that impede home production. Spouses and planned bequests provide some degree of hedging. Risky health may explain 20%% of the age-related decline in financial risk taking after retirement.
Managing an asset management firm's risk portfolio

This paper presents a simplified model for quantifiably measuring and managing various types of risk, as a portfolio of risks. An asset management firm may face a variety of risks due to the broad nature of various investments. The technique utilises computerised simulation and optimisation modelling. The software used to administer the simulations is Crystal Ball. The use of simulation allows risk managers to combine the various categories of risk a firm faces into one risk portfolio. These techniques will enable risk managers to have the information needed to achieve the desired level of overall firm risk and the expected cost of managing risk. The firm's overall risk metric selected for use in this paper is the standard deviation of after-tax operating earnings.
A zero structure theorem for differential parametric systems

Abstract We present a zero structure theorem for a differential parametric system: p1 = 0,…,pr = 0, d1 ≠ 0,…,d3 ≠ 0 where pi and di are differential polynomials in K{u1,…, um, x1 ,…, xn} and the u are parameters. According to this theorem we can identify all parametric values for which the parametric system has solutions for the xi and at the same time giving the solutions for the xi in an explicit way, i.e., the solutions are given by differential polynomial sets in triangular form. In the algebraic case, i.e. when pi and di are polynomials, we present a refined algorithm with higher efficiency. As an application of the zero structure theorem presented in this paper, we give a new algorithm of quantifier elimination over differential algebraic closed fields. The algorithm has been implemented and several examples reported in this paper show that the algorithm is of practical value.
Histomorphometric and proteomic analysis of the acute rabbit corneal tissue response following in vitro exposure to 1540-nm laser light

In vitro exposures of explant rabbit corneas to single pulse 1540 nm infrared laser light operating at a pulse width of 0.8 milliseconds resulted in coagulative necrosis of both the corneal epithelium and stroma. Histomorphometric data correlated with increasing tissue radiant exposures. Histologic alterations in the corneal stroma were typical of matrix remodeling within the beam path and reactive to antibodies against matrix metalloproteinase-2. A two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis, using a mini-gel format, was developed to determine if specific corneal protein changes within tissue sections could be detected. Frozen sections taken through the center of the laser lesion were evaluated for proteomic data using tissue isoelectric focusing in the first dimension and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the second dimension. Histomorphometric data describing the extent of the laser lesions were compared to the isoelectric points, molecular weights and relative densities of individual corneal proteins. Increasing radiant exposures of corneal tissues were associated with characteristic histomorphometric and proteomic changes.
Temperature dependent air-broadened linewidths of ozone rotational transitions

Abstract Ozone resonant features in the rotational band are useful for composition measurements in the stratosphere and upper troposphere. However, the density of ozone features in the long wavelengths often decreases precision of other trace species measurements, especially when insufficient spectral parameters exist. This work presents systematic studies of temperature dependent air-broadened linewidth parameters for ozone. Eighteen new experimental measurements are presented and compared with 57 calculated parameters that cover spectral regions currently probed by the Earth Observing System—Microwave Limb Sounder. Comparisons with previous measurements and similar broadening studies in the infrared wavelengths are made.
Outpatient hysterectomy: Determinants of discharge and rehositalization in 133 patients

Abstract OBJECTIVE: This study examines our continuing experience in performing vaginal hysterectomies and laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomies with an outpatient protocol. The purpose was to review factors associated with discharge and hospitalization. STUDY DESIGN: Surgical records from all women entering our previously reported outpatient hysterectomy protocol were reviewed. Demographics, surgical indications, intraoperative data, and postoperative data were studied, and their associations with patient discharge and hospitalization were determined. Specific attention was directed to complications. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 133 women. Twelve women (9.0%) were not discharged from the hospital and 5 (3.8%) required readmission. Surgical indications, the type of hysterectomy, and the requirement for pain medication revealed no association with hospitalization. The occurrence of an intraoperative complication ( p p = 0.043), and postoperative antiemetics ( p = 0.013) were statistically associated with hospitalization. In addition, low hematocrit values and elevated temperatures on the first and second postoperative days were associated with hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Long-term experience with outpatient hysterectomy reveals a hospitalization rate of 12.8%. Complications, blood loss, elevated temperatures, and postoperative nausea are the major determinants of patient discharge and hospitalization. Readmission rates continue to remain low.
Group differences in attitudes towards alcoholism

Abstract Attitudes toward alcoholism were assessed by questionnaires in three groups with different degrees of contact with alcohol use. The three groups were: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), college students, and a non-drinking religious sect. Multivariate analysis of variance in a 3 x 2 (Group x Sex) design was used to compare attitudes. There were significant main effects on both factors but no interactions. Discriminant function analysis was used to further describe the nature of the attitudinal difference among groups. The results suggest that the groups differ along two independent dimensions: (1) restriction versus freedom of alcohol use, and (2) volitional control vs no control over drinking. The AA and religious groups are rather similar on the first dimension—both favoring restriction, but extremely different on the second. Men and women also differ in their attitudes toward alcoholism.
Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors in Lung Cancer

Abstract Prostanoids produced by the arachidonic acid pathway play an important role in multiple stages of carcinogenesis and progression of cancer. Cyclooxygenase (COX), which exists in 2 isoforms, is the rate-limiting enzyme in the COX pathway. Cyclooxygenase-1 is constitutively expressed in normal tissues and is essential for several important physiologic functions. Cyclooxygenase-2 is selectively overexpressed in neoplastic and inflammatory tissues. Non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially adenocarcinomas, overexpress COX-2, which contributes to the progression of malignancy by several mechanisms. This represents the basis of therapy with COX-2 inhibitors. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, which are currently in clinical use for the management of inflammatory arthritis, are well tolerated by patients. They exhibit anticancer activity by several mechanisms including induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, and decreased invasiveness and metastatic potential. These effects have been documented in several preclinical studies. Clinical efficacy of COX-2 inhibitors in the treatment of NSCLC is presently undergoing evaluation.
Reducing Aesthetic Injury or Controlling Insect Populations: Dilemma of Insecticide Use Against Cuban Laurel Thrips (Thysanoptera: Phloeothripidae) in Landscape-Grown Ficus

Aesthetic injury reduction may be the focus of insect management efforts in the urban landscape. However, the practice of integrated pest management must be based on understanding how control efforts affect insect populations. Insecticide applications against Cuban laurel thrips, Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal), were made to landscape-grown Ficus microcarpa var. nitida . The number of leaf curls caused by insect feeding and the number of thrips within the curls were followed for 12 wk after treatment. There was a reduction in leaf damage but not a reduction in thrips populations. Thus, insecticide treatments may improve the aesthetic quality of plants on a short-term basis, but long-term pest management of the thrips populations cannot depend on pesticides alone.
Advanced Hybrid Super Acidic Inorganic-Organic PEMs for Hotter and Drier Operation

Copolymers of vinyl phosphonic acid with zirconium vinyl phosphonate have been synthesized via free radical polymerization from immiscible mixtures into amorphous, transparent, water stable, flexible membranes. Ion exchange capacities range from 6 to 10 meq/g corresponding to equivalent weights well below 200 g/mol. A 20wt% loading of the vinyl zirconium phosphonate co-monomer is XRD amorphous. It is shown that 1.5 of the 2 protons in the beginning acidic groups are dissociated in the 20wt% VZP loaded ionomer allowing these materials to have high proton conductivities, up to and exceeding 0.1 S cm-1 at 80{degree sign}C and 80%RH. Water uptake measurements show very little swelling of the material below 70%RH and ca. 1 water per proton at low RH. Proton conductivity under dry conditions, roughly 0.05 S cm-1 with a lambda < 1, indicates that the material conducts protons under limiting hydration conditions and strongly implicates transport by a pure Grotthuss mechanism.
Effect of Anchoring Groups on Single Molecule Charge Transport through Porphyrins

Controlling charge transport through individual molecules and further understanding the effect of anchoring groups on charge transport are central themes in molecule-based devices. However, in most anchoring effect studies, only two, or at most three nonthiol anchoring groups were studied and compared for a specific system, i.e., using the same core structure. The scarcity of direct comparison data makes it difficult to draw unambiguous conclusions on the anchoring group effect. In this contribution, we focus on the single molecule conductance of porphyrins terminated with a range of anchoring groups: sulfonate (−SO3–), hydroxyl (−OH), nitrile (−CN), amine (−NH2), carboxylic acid (−COOH), benzyl (−C6H6), and pyridyl (−C6H5N). The present study represents a first attempt to investigate a broad series of anchoring groups in one specific molecule for a direct comparison. It also is the first attempt, to our knowledge, to explore single molecule conductivity with two novel anchoring groups sulfonate (−SO3–) a...